CHAPTER FORTY; THIS IS LOVE AND WAR.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Ryu," The admissions officer alongside the ice hockey coach from SNU shook Sowon's hand, the girl smiling despite her world still crumbling internally. It had been days since she spoke to Jaeyun, and just like he theorized, Sowon was clearly avoiding him so that she wouldn't have to face the truth. Jaeyun would call and text her every chance he got, resorting to calling everyone around her so that they'd be able to ask her if it was time. "We've heard so much about you and your talents. We even saw you submit your application early."

"Yes. Seoul National has been my dream school from a very young age, so what better way to show my dedication than to apply early?" The three laughed, Coach Na the only one smiling as she patted her student's back for encouragement. "Thank you for coming out here, by the way. I know it's a bit of a drive."

"No, thank you for allowing us to finally meet you. We went to the finale hosted here, and it was showstopping how you played so well," The ice hockey Coach commented, smiling big. "I've never seen such talent in so long that I was stunned to see your vigor. You really enjoy playing ice hockey, don't you?"

"Yes. It's my passion," Sowon nodded eagerly, attempting to hold up her front a little longer. "Not to rush you or anything, but what brought you here today?"

The admissions officer and the ice hockey coach looked at one another. "Actually," The admissions officer began, chuckling. "We... wanted to ask you if you'd like to play ice hockey at SNU as a freshman."

Her heart bursted into a mixture of good and bad flames. "I... I would love to!" She laughed, blinking profusely. "Sorry about the question I'm about to ask, but, um, would I be able to get a scholarship?"

The admissions officer's face fell a little, making Sowon swallow hard. "Her family doesn't make a lot of money," Coach Na explained. "So, she really wants to go to SNU, but she needs it to be affordable or her family will struggle while she's gone. That's the only reason she's asking."

"Well, um," The admissions officer itched the nape of her neck, looking at her feet. "There's been no mention of it, but I can definitely bring it up with our other officers and let you know within maybe two weeks? Hopefully not any longer."

"Two weeks?" Sowon raised her eyebrows. That would be the last day of applications for all schools. If she doesn't go to SNU, then... "Okay. Yeah. I can wait until then. But, the offer still stands either way, right?"

"Of course!" The ice hockey coach nodded, giving her a spark of hope. "You have guaranteed admission into SNU, scholarship or not. We're just so thankful that you really want to come to SNU as a ice hockey player. You'll be an amazing addition."

"Thank you," They shook hands with Sowon again, and within a few minutes, they left. Sowon let out a heavy breath, placing her palms on the table. "Oh my god. I can't believe it. I got into SNU."

"Yes, you did. I'm so proud of you," Coach Na said, kissing the crown of her head. "I knew you'd do it. I'm so proud of you, seriously. Now, all we have to wait for is the–!"

"DID SHE MAKE IT?!" Narae busted in, the rest of the team at the door. Sowon and Coach Na flinched, but with a shared chuckle, Sowon nodded. The team poured in and cheered for their successful captain, Narae and Natty hugging their best friend tight. "I can't believe it, Ryu. You did it. Everything you worked for, and everything life had led you to–ended you up right in SNU's arms. You did it!"

And Sowon nodded, chuckling softly, but the emptiness in her heart didn't go away. In fact, it opened up a bigger void, wishing that Jaeyun was here to express his happiness for her too. Sowon missed him more than she's ever missed anything else–from her mocha-flavored things to playing Overwatch at midnight, she missed him more than all of those desires.

Jaeyun was the one person who truly held her down, and even though this is what she wanted, she couldn't bear the distance they shared. Seoul High School was only a drive away, but her feet would never let her toward that building, not while soccer tournaments still happened and while they were still students.

Sowon got in the car with Natty and Narae, the three girls silent. "Are you going to talk to him?" Narae asked, showing her phone. It was filled with messages from Jaeyun. Natty did the same, showing her even more. Sowon stared at her phone that she purposely turned off, picking it up from the cup holder. The two girls stared at her actions, curious of her next step. "Are you going to text him?"

"No," Sowon shook her head, turning it back on. Within seconds, the flood came, a call incoming two seconds later. She let it buzz against her hands, the name Valentine <3 making her body squeeze. "I'm not ready for it."

"How many times do I have to tell you that the only reason Sunghoon and I decided on you not coming was because if you saw them together, you'd definitely blow a fuse?" Natty groaned, trying to convince of the truth. "Come on, you can't ignore him forever. The kiss wasn't even his fault, Sieun initiated it!"

"Then why didn't he pull away!?" Sowon snapped back, huffing. "Step into my shoes, you two. Imagine someone kissed your boyfriend, but he didn't even move for it!"

"Haven't you heard of an emotion called shock, cutie?" Narae rolled her eyes, both best friends defending Jaeyun. Sowon had never seen such, scoffing at their actions. How could they betray her like this? "Personally, if Sunoo did the same thing, we'd talk it out like civil people–not run away like a child. If you don't ever get to hear his perspective, then when will you ever find closure?"

"Agreed. Even if you want to break up with him–by the way, you shouldn't–you should talk to one another. That's the only way to resolve things like proper humans," Natty nodded. "The more you hide, Sowon, the more you both will just break apart. And, I know how much you love him. Since he took the first step last time, maybe you should do it now."

Sowon licked her lips, looking between her two friends–then, she gazed down at her phone. Jaeyun continued calling.

"Sunoo told me they lost their first ever game last night."

"What?" Sowon barked out. "How?"

"Because Jaeyun was in such a horrible state. Yeonjun even sat him down for the second half and substituted in another player, but it was already too late. It's good they've won one so far that they're going to have redemption and they'll climb back up the ladder, but do you see how much of a toll it's taken on him?"

"I..."

"Ugh, I can't do this," Natty opened the car door. "Narae, I'll call Chaewon to come pick us up. You, Miss Ryu Sowon, go talk to your boyfriend. Please."

"You guys are betraying me!"

"No, we're helping you! Now, go!"

Sowon fiddled with her fingers as she sat on the curb of her house, looking back briefly. Sohee was standing there, gritting her teeth, making sure that Sowon wouldn't go away. The younger sister attempted to shoo away her older sister, but Sohee just gave her a wince, her eyes scattering elsewhere before walking away. "Ice Fairy."

Sowon spun back around and looked up, seeing Jaeyun. God, he looked like a mess–his hair was everywhere, his uniform was disheveled, his eyes had bags under them... everything Sowon hated. "I–" He stopped, realizing that Sowon was standing up. Jaeyun was fearful that she would walk away, taking a step forward.

"Tell me everything," Sowon calmly said, crossing her arms to hug her body in the coming autumn. "I'll listen, so just... tell me everything."

"Sieun said that she wanted to talk to me, and then she started confessing about how much she liked me. I didn't want to embarrass her, so I stood there and listened, waiting for her to finish. People must've noticed and began to watch, including your friends, and I swear I looked to them for help, but there was no use," Jaeyun started explaining as if his life depended on it, words so fast that Sowon had to slow them down in her head. "Then she kissed me, and I was frozen. I didn't know what to do because I was just so shocked that she'd go that far. I told her off, telling her to never talk to me ever again, and then, I saw you. I know I fucked up. I know I should've pulled away earlier, chased after you and not just stood there like an idiot, but I... I was so surprised that I didn't know what better to do. I only realize now all these mistakes, Sowon, and I–"

His voice broke, the boy starting to sob. "I'm so sorry."

Sowon sniffled, his tears forming ones on her own. "It's okay. I understand now."

"Don't say that," Jaeyun said. "You still sound like you hate me. You sound like I ruined everything, and if I did, then say that. Please, tell me off, get all your anger out because–"

"Jaeyun," Sowon interrupted, reassuring him. "I get it now, really. You don't have to apologize. I should be the one to apologize because I left you there hanging when I knew you wouldn't betray me. I was just so filled with jealousy, that I... I left you there. It's been eating away at me these days because I know how attractive Sieun is, and–"

"But nobody compares to you, Sowon," Jaeyun took another step forward. When she didn't move away, Jaeyun grabbed her hands, intertwining their fingers together. Sowon slipped out a tear, and Jaeyun was quick to remove it with his knuckle. "You win victory of my heart every single fucking time. You own my mind, my heart, and my body."

His confession made her sigh out, another tear falling. Jaeyun didn't let that one pass by. "Please don't cry, baby," He pressed his forehead against hers, their eyes closing in sync. "It's my fault. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

"I do forgive you. I love you, how can I not?" She chuckled, making him do the same. Jaeyun bit down on his lip, quickly pulling away. Sowon noticed the emptiness of his grasp, watching as he fiddled to pull something out of his pocket. "What are you doing?"

"I have something for you–I wanted to give it to you when we made up, so," Jaeyun smiled gently, sniffling hard as he pulled out a gold necklace. Sowon blinked at it, noticing the shine.

"No, I can't take that, Jaeyun. It's probably–"

"Just take it, Ice Fairy. I have the same one," He pulled down on his collar to show the same gold chain–with a forget-me-not hanging off of it. "They're matching so no matter the distance between our high schools, everyone knows we belong to one another. Let me put it on you."

His fingers tickled her skin as he reached behind her, staring at the clasp. Connecting it to a loop, Jaeyun let go, letting it sit around her collar. "Gorgeous, just like the girl wearing it," He complimented quietly, grinning despite still having tears in his eyes. Sowon stared at it then back to his eyes, reaching up gently to brush the dried stains off his face.

"Thank you, Jaeyun. It's beautiful."

"Call me my nickname, please."

"Valentine, this is the best gift I could ask for," His heart was clinging onto her for more, his head in a positive daze at the pure sight of her staring at him. "I missed you, so fucking much."

"I missed you more."

"I..." She swallowed. "I got into SNU for ice hockey. I'm still waiting on a scholarship. I was so happy, but I couldn't feel the happiest I could be–because you weren't there with me."

Jaeyun held her face gently. "I'm everywhere, Ice Fairy. We're never going to separate. I'm always going to stay by your side."

She placed her hands right over his, warming them. With a small voice, she inquired, "You promise?"

"I promise. Until the end of time," Jaeyun nodded, sure of his words. "I love you beyond anything else I'm capable of loving. I love you that love is just an understatement. I would go to the moon and beyond to pluck you a star. I'd make fire out of my hands so you can stay warm–anything, Sowon–because that's how much I want you and love you."

She bit her lower lip. How could she ever doubt him? She could never put into words how emotional he made her, but he learned how to. From what it was until now, Jaeyun learned how to communicate how much he loved her. He didn't need Sowon to do the same–he could feel it.

And just like that, they sealed it with a gentle kiss, yearning and nostalgia mixed with passion and longing. She broke away, staring into his starry eyes. "Can you stay with me tonight?"

Jaeyun kissed the tip of her nose. "Of course I can. I can move in with you if you really want me to."

"Then, please stay until you're content," Sowon held onto him a little tighter. "Because I don't want you to go anywhere else tonight, or the rest of the weekend. Let's just lay in bed and talk. We don't have to do anything else."

"Okay," Jaeyun didn't need any convincing. "Let's go. It's getting cold."

And, as he wrapped around her like a bear while they sauntered inside, there was no other way the couple wanted to resolve things.

They were happy.