Hyeju was finally at ease being alone with Seongwoo. Their trip over to the sukiyaki restaurant had been absolutely nice. The boy was more than ready to strike up conversation and show his easygoing personality, which lead to Hyeju feeling more comfortable.

She felt like they were friends.

But nothing could have prepared her to seeing her friend in that restaurant.

Her embarrassment of a friend, Shigino Ken, was here. Judging the situation, Ken had just finished his lunch with his own group of friends, people Hyeju was acquainted with from school but wasn't close enough to hang with freely. Ken must've spotted the two of them just as they entered.

And here he was, bringing an extra chair over to sit along with them. And knowing the boy, he wasn't going to leave them and continue being a nuisance.

Nonchalantly, he took a sip of Hyeju's sprite, his gaze intense on the girl before glancing over at the guy she was with. "Hello, Seongwoo," he simply uttered in his limited Korean.

"Ah, hello," Seongwoo greeted back with a small bow of the head, a sudden awkwardness to his movements.

Hyeju sighed at the brief interaction, she should've expected that they wouldn't be comfortable with each other. It was only yesterday when Ken was spewing about how she wasn't in her right mind to be so swayed by a mere stranger.

"Ken, right?"

"Correct," the Japanese boy chimed to Seongwoo. He then glanced over at Hyeju, his expression unwavering. Leaning in closer, he uttered back in his native language, "So, how'd you manage to get a date with the stranger?"

"Hey, it's not a date!" Hyeju hissed, a smack to his arm. "Dr. Lee is working today and I'm just trying to help out. So don't you dare freak him out or anything."

"You mean like telling him your obvious massive crush on him?--"

"WOW, our food is here!" To void herself from the expected embarrassment from her horrible friend, Hyeju clapped her hands as the waitress brought over their lunch.

Her eyes were strained over at Ken, to inaudibly tell him to not ruin things any further. If her stare could kill, Ken probably would no longer see the light of day. Her Japanese chuckled as he sat back on his seat in amusement.

Hyeju peered at Seongwoo, giving him her best smile. "Eat up, Seongwoo-sshi. It'd be best to fill up before the match."

She watched as the slightly awkward male before her began his meal. She was about to dig in herself until Ken decided to pipe up again. "Wait, wait, wait, you're bringing him to Akiko-chan's match?" He scoffed in disbelief. "Why?"

"Ken, I swear to god that if you don't shut your mouth right now, I'll sabotage our group project," Hyeju growled back. As the Japanese boy shrunk back in his seat in utter defeat, Hyeju continued on with her meal along with Seongwoo.

Luckily, the lunch had been peaceful from then on.

By the time Hyeju and Seongwoo finished, the three made their way to Tokai University. Hyeju stayed in between the two boys as they walked, knowing well how awkward it may be if they had to walk side by side. So she stayed in the middle as she chatted with Seongwoo so he wouldn't be bored on their walk to the campus tennis courts.

Currently, Hyeju talked about the project that she was working on along with Ken and her other classmates. The project, which was to create a modernized playground for elementary schools, brought the same spark back to the very girl. As hectic and stressful working on important projects may be, it always brought the best out of her. And watching Hyeju get very excited over her work only made Seongwoo admire her a little more.

"I'd really would love to see your work, Hyeju-sshi," Seongwoo told her after she finished her detailed description of the group project's plans. The mere request got the redhead giddy. "I'm sure it'll be a playground even I would like to run around in."

"Aren't you a bit too big though?" She teased him with a playful nudge.

"Hey, that doesn't stop me from going down slides!"

Hyeju laughed at his silliness.

Ken, who walked on Hyeju's other side, glared intently at the two Koreans. Eyes shifted from one to the other, they both already not minding him any attention. It was like he was invisible to the two. This flared a certain something in the pit of his stomach, watching as Hyeju laugh with another guy... and not in a forced way she sometimes does when she doesn't understand a joke he would sometimes make. It was a pure kind of laughter that complimented her eye smile.

Before Hyeju knew it, she felt a familiar arm slither around her shoulders. "Hyeju-chan, we should go try to visit Akiko before she has her match," Ken suggested as he tugged her along with him. "She'll have to warm-up soon!"

"Why don't you go ahead before us, then?" Hyeju answered back. "I want to show Seongwoo our sketches for the project."

Ken had to think fast. "Don't you remember that Wakatashi-san usually locks his classroom when he doesn't use it. We won't be able to get to it."

Hyeju frowned, actually remembering that fact. She turned towards Seongwoo with an apologetic glance. "Ah, sorry, Seongwoo-sshi, I don't think I can show you today. I probably won't be able to get to the sketchbooks until Tuesday when we have his class... but you'll be leaving Monday night, aren't you?"

"Ah, it's okay," Seongwoo reassured her. "I'm sure one day in the future, I'll be going into buildings that are designed by you."

"Ey! That probably won't happen until like ten years from now!" She pursed her lips as an idea came to mind. Would she seem too forward if she asks?... "Do you perhaps have a Line account?"

"Line? The messaging app?"

"That's the one. As we will be in different countries by the time I get to the project, if you're still interested, I can send you pictures of our work."

She did it.

She asked for a way to contact him even while he's away.

The redhead was somehow nervous on the words he could say next.

"Yeah, let's exchange. I definitely want to see what you got."

The happiness that surged through Hyeju's chilled body was tremendous, but she did well with containing it. As calmly as she could, she told the handsome male the Line ID she uses. And as simple as that, they had a sure way to contacting each other now.

Unbeknownst to Hyeju, the exchange made Seongwoo happy too...

And the other male a bit peeved. Rather than stopping them from having more alone time together, Ken had given them an open opportunity to exchange contacts. He bit down on his lower lip to suppress the small anger building inside.

"Come on, it's this way." With his arm still wrapped around Hyeju, he pulled her along on the path to their destination.

The tugging was rougher than what the redhead was used to. In Hyeju's own mind, she wasn't sure why her friend was being quite aggressive. It comes to a point that he was slightly choking her. And to free herself, she brought her two fingers, her index and middle, and shot it into the side of his ribcage.

Ken instantly spazzed out with a yelp, the strange, tickling feeling causing him to cringe away from the girl. His eyes landed on the girl, wide with betrayal. "What was that for?!"

"You're acting weird," Hyeju shot back, her nose scrunched. "I swear to god, you were going dislocate my neck!" She looked over at Seongwoo, who had been following along from behind, probably just watching as their small immature scene played out. She shot him an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Seongwoo-sshi. I don't know why he's being dumb. He just seems dumber than usual."

He shook his head, as if to say he didn't mind it. "It's fine. You two seem very close."

"Ah, it did somehow end up that way, since he's Akiko's cousin."

The three arrived to the tennis courts. There were a good amount of people at the bleachers where the watchers could sit, some wearing Tokai's school colors while some wore the other university's colors. At the moment, some players had come out of the courts to warm up for their matches, and on one court, court #11, was where their friend practiced.

Akiko noticed the three instantly and turned to greet them properly while she waited for her opponent to come out. "Ah, Seongwoo, you came too!" The short-haired athlete chimed to the male in her best Korean, taught mostly by Hyeju herself.

"Akiko, good luck!" Seongwoo replied back with a fist pump into the air.

Hyeju quickly translated for her friend, when her face morphed into one of confusion. Akiko brightly smiled, and copied Seongwoo's fist, greatly appreciating the mere acquaintance's support.

After a few more words spoken to one another, Akiko's opponent from the other university had finally come out to warm up. Akiko bid her farewells as she scurried back to her designated court with her red and black racquet in hand. She fixed the headband over her brown locks and gotten into position to hit the tennis ball, then they went.

Seongwoo was completely amazed. This wasn't even the official match but the way Akiko transformed from her usual friendly demeanor to one that means serious business. Her dark-chocolate eyes flared with a fighting spirit, her body stance strong and sturdy. Akiko was a true tennis player who strived to become the best on her team.

"You know, I heard this match has scouters particularly watching for Akiko," Hyeju whispered over to Seongwoo, while they sat and watched their friend get ready to begin their singles match. "If she wins the game, I think Akiko has a chance to being on the national tennis team."

Hearing this got Seongwoo's jaw dropping. "Seriously?"

Hyeju nodded. "Akiko seriously worked hard to be where she is. Even had a friend, they went to the same high school before he moved away, but he was a serious swimmer. He was so good that he was sure to make it to the Olympics. Him and Akiko made a promise that they'd see each other there."

The small story gave Seongwoo a new kind of warmth. Two friends promising to create the ultimate dream and reach their goals together... separately. Akiko and her friend must've been extremely determined to have made it this far.

"So what about her friend? Is he in college or already in the national team?" Seongwoo asked next out of curiosity.

However, he wasn't expecting Hyeju's solemn smile. "His name was Sousuke... he kind of busted his shoulder and he can't swim properly anymore," she replied.

Seongwoo instantly felt apologetic for bringing up the question. He guessed that can happen too... working so hard but then the dream could still be pulled away from you in the last minute. He barely knew this Sousuke guy but he could feel the great regret he must've felt.

"But, anyway, they chatted recently and he really pushed Akiko to work harder on his behalf. If I remember correctly, he's still doing something with swimming, like to become a coach." Hyeju stared at Seongwoo, seeing the look of worry that crossed his face. "So, he's still working towards a dream, even though it wasn't the initial dream. And if it's anything, if becoming an idol is your dream, Seongwoo-sshi, it's never too late for it."

Never too late.

Seongwoo really wanted to be an idol.

"Hey, guys, the match is starting!" Ken butted in, nudging Hyeju's shoulder. He nodded forward and saw that a referee had come by to help start Akiko's match. Seongwoo and Hyeju turned their focus to the tennis court before them, just as Akiko went to her place.

In a perfect pose, Akiko thrown the tennis ball into the air and served it with utmost power. The match had started, and it already looked to be in Tokai University's favor.

7-4 ; 5-7 ; 7-5

A rousing best-of-three set matches, the tie-breaker as the third set. While as Akiko lost the second match, she won it all by the end. It was an fiery match, and in Seongwoo's eyes, it was the last match that Akiko had done her damn best. Hyeju had helped him note every move: the forehand, backhand, lob. Every strike of the ball with her racquet was like lightning, fast and powerful. Every hit she made sounded like thunder.

This one match alone was enough for Seongwoo to see how much Akiko had worked.

Eunhyuk, Hyeju, Akiko... All of them have been working towards what they wanted. Seongwoo should do this too.

And now that Akiko had a very likely chance to work along with a top class coach, it only pushed Seongwoo to finally do something with his future.

If his parents truly loved him, they will be supportive of his wishes.

"Let's do something fun!" Akiko was in her absolute high, her satisfaction of her recent match shooting her happiness through the roof. She glimpsed at her cousin, best friend, and the acquaintance she was more than delighted to share her joy with. "I'll pay!"

"Akiko-chan, why would you pay when we are celebrating for you," Ken huffed with a shake of his head. "We should be paying for you!"

"Yeah, Akiko, you should kick back while Ken and I pay for everything," Hyeju quipped. She glimpsed back and forth between the two cousins with her suggestion in mind. "How about we go to our usual karaoke bar? Get some drinks and food there?"

The tennis player mused with slight interest, "Karaoke?"

Ken cut in, knowing what Hyeju's plan from the start. "Ey! We're only going there because of him, aren't we? Don't think I didn't overhear some of your talks with him."

"Stop being a butt, Ken-kun!"

Akiko squeezed herself between the architect majors to break up their silly argument, she definitely didn't want Seongwoo to be hearing the usual childish babble. "Karaoke sounds fun."

"We were literally there a couple days ago!" Ken grumbled in irritation.

"Well, it's supposed to be my choice, right?" Akiko completely shut down her scowling cousin. She grinned over at Hyeju in triumph. "Besides, I get to hear Hyeju-chan's beautiful singing. It's a win-win for me!"

"Also, Seongwoo's."

"Have you heard him sing before?"

"Nope, but I'm sure it'll be great."

The trip to the karaoke bar the three enjoyed going to didn't take too long. Akiko and Ken were already entering the building when Seongwoo paused and took in their surroundings. It was then he recognized the bus stop a few meters away. "Hyeju-sshi, this is where we first met."

The redhead shyly smiled as she remembered. It was kind of weird that they only met two days ago and it felt like they have known each other for much longer. It doesn't help that her feelings for the man kind of... solidified more.

That fateful day.

"It was. I guess you were lucky we like going to this karaoke bar," Hyeju teased.

"I am pretty lucky to have met you."

Simultaneously, the two halted at those very words, as if to slowly realize it underlining meaning. The lass could feel her whole body flare up with flustered warmth, no longer feeling the cold of the outside. She had to stop herself before she gets any wild ideas.

Of course he was lucky! Surviving lost in an unknown place is not fun. He didn't say that the same way she was, right?

Seongwoo let out a cough to cover his sudden awkwardness. "Well, why don't you lead the way in?"

"Yeah, sure."

Hyeju entered the bar with Seongwoo trailing behind. She allowed herself to smile uncontrollably, his words still stabbing at her heart. It may not mean the same way to him, but maybe she can let it get to her this time. She'll savor this short moment for now.

Luckily, Akiko and Ken had already reserved a room just as Hyeju and Seongwoo entered. Without much time to waste, they managed to get the food and drinks they so desire and was ready to sing their hearts out. Akiko, being the woman of the hour today, was granted the first song. While as she was a bit shy in front of the new friend, Seongwoo constantly reassured her that she could go ahead and sing whichever she liked.

Akiko turned towards Hyeju muttering some things to her in her native language for her to translate for him while she pressed in the song she likes. "Well, to be quite honest, Akiko and Ken enjoys KPOP a lot and so you'll have to excuse her singing the songs."

Seongwoo dismissively waved his hand. "No, no judgement! It makes me happy that everyone here likes Korean music." Akiko, while as not entirely understanding, nodded along with joy as she got the gist of what he said. She finally clicked in the song.

It happened to be BTS's Dope.

From that point on, Seongwoo completely merged into the fun atmosphere the three usually had whenever they did karaoke. If the manager of the bar hadn't known the trio from many times before, he would have guessed that Seongwoo had always been a part of them. The manager had been moving in and out their little room to deliver their ordered food, and he seen how much the newcomer was having a grand time.

Five songs later of all of them dancing and singing about (even Ken got over his initial annoyance and fell into the hype of things), they had graced Seongwoo with the microphone. It was his turn to pick a song of his choice.

Surprisingly to all three, he had picked an English song, Rhythm of Love by Plain White T's. And the moment he opened his mouth to sing, an angelic sound filled the room. This was different, even though he had sang along with them on the songs before, he was really trying now. And all of them could only stare in awe as he got more in depth of the six-year-old song.

"We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun you're mine all mine
Play the music low and sway to the rhythm of love..."

Hyeju was completely entranced, falling under Seongwoo's melodic spell. She could feel her whole body swaying to the acoustic tune. The boy wasn't wrong that he was quite skilled in singing... she was positive that this boy can make it big in the music industry if given the chance.

"Wow, Hyeju-chan, he's phenomenal," Akiko murmured from her side.

"He really is."

The rest of the night gradually changed from their own little, private performance from Seongwoo himself. Akiko and Hyeju allowed him to sing even more songs if he wanted. And eventually, to more upbeat songs, he danced for the three as well, impressing them even more than before.

Popping, he called it.

Hyeju was downright appalled at how much talent this boy had. She was sure now, that if Seongwoo doesn't follow this path, not only he will regret it, but all of Korea will regret never seeing a dazzling star like him.

And watching him perform at this moment, she knew it became more dangerous for her. Because by the end of his trip, he was going to leave, and she will regret herself for ever falling more for the charismatic Seongwoo. But for now, she'll reminisce in the warmth of liking someone so damn much it's overwhelming.

Seongwoo-sshi, please stop, my heart can only take so much at once.

A/n: published but there might be some mistakes here and there. So it's possible I'll be editing even after publishing~

In other news, I need Wanna One to slow tf down because they giving us a feast with all these photo shoots

I ain't even gonna bother posting their individual photos. There's just THAT MANY THEY BLESSED US WITH (also holla at snowflakesonmylaptop for always updating me with these beautiful babes).