I looked at myself in the mirror. My baby blue, knee-length dress was perfectly complemented by my white heels. My hair was curled and for once, my makeup looked great. I smiled at myself. Today was going to be one of the best days of my life.

"Seo-yun! Come downstairs already! Do you want to be late for your graduation?" I grabbed the duffel bag sitting on my bed, which contained my graduation gown and cap, and rushed down the stairs. I stopped and smiled when I saw my mom in a beautiful, simple white dress. Her hair and makeup was classic, her jewelry was beautiful, and she was shining brighter than ever. "Of course I won't be late!" I laughed. "It's only one of the most important days of my life." My mom smiled and sighed. 

"I can't believe my little baby is graduating. Has it already been 19 years?" She sighed, putting a hand to my face. "Look how you've grown in such grace and beauty. I am so proud of you, my daughter." I smiled, fighting back the tears that were threatening to spill over. I hugged my mom tightly. "Thank you for being so strong, mom. Even when we were alone and living at the hotel, you kept going. Thank you." We let go and looked around the place. 

We had only started living at our brand new apartment for two weeks, but we still were giddy whenever we looked around the place. Even though Zeus Hotel was a nice, luxury hotel, it was never home. This modest apartment in downtown Seoul? Now this is home! It was all thanks to Young-do that we found it. After all, he did know the realtor that helped set us up in it. 

Wait. Young-do! 

"Mom, I have to go meet Young-do! I have to make sure he's ready for the graduation ceremony. Remember how I said we'd meet you over at Jeguk High?" My mom nodded. "Of course, don't worry, your old mom isn't going to show up with your boyfriend and get you all embarrassed." I felt my cheeks go red. It was so weird for my mom to call Young-do my boyfriend, even though he had been for a while. "G-Got to go! Love you, mom!" I raced out of the apartment and nimbly ran down the stairs and out of the complex. The beautiful, bustling city of Seoul continued to glisten around me, reminding me that after today, this would be my world too. I couldn't wait!

I walked down the streets of Seoul, admiring the colorful buildings on the street. I turned my head to the right and couldn't help but break out in a smile. I looked up at the convenience store where Young-do and I got ramen. I never knew that just one little store would hold such good memories for me. I pressed on, reminding myself of my end goal to meet Young-do. I looked down at my phone, re-reading the text he sent me. 

Today's the day we get out of Jeguk High forever. Let's make this day the best, Seo-yun. 

I smiled at his sentiments, then shut off my phone and kept walking. I came to a cross walk and pressed the button to walk. As I was waiting for all the cars to finish turning, I heard a very familiar sound of clacking heels coming up to me.

I looked over to see Rachel standing next to me. She turned to me, a shocked look on her face. "Seo-yun." She breathed. I gave a cordial smile to her. "Hello, Rachel." I looked at her. She was wearing a bright red dress, black high heels, and was adorned with beautiful silver earrings and a bracelet. Her hair was perfectly styled, as usual, sitting straight up to her chest. 

Despite all the animosity and hostility, ever since that day when I stood up to her for the first time myself, things had been different. For weeks, she never even spoke to me. As I continued to hold my ground, over time she started to acknowledge me again. But not in a bad way! She would give me little head nods, sometimes a cordial smile, and recently she started to greet me with, "Seo-yun," when we passed each other in the halls. It wasn't ideal, but considering where we were so long ago, I was glad to have this kind of relationship with her.

She returned the smile and looked to the crosswalk. "Graduation is soon. I assume you have your gown ready." I nodded and patted the duffel bag I was carrying. "All in here. What about you?" She scoffed. "Do you honestly think I would stuff my graduation gown in a duffel bag? No, my mother's secretary will be dropping it off at the school for me, freshly pressed." I couldn't help but let out a giggle. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Rachel."

To my surprise, Rachel smiled at me. The crosswalk on both sides of us opened up. Rachel angled her body to begin crossing to the right of me. "Seo-yun." She nodded at me, and then proceeded to walk off, her heels clacking loudly behind her. I stopped to watch her walk off. I was happy to be in less of a hostile situation with her. Sure, we weren't best friends, but we weren't enemies either. All because I learned to stand up for myself. 

I sighed wistfully and continued walking straight across the street. I was in the company of many other Jeguk High students, on their way to the graduation ceremony. A group of girls were checking their makeup in their little compact mirrors, some boys were discussing how they would go on to work in their parents' companies after they graduated, and some other students were discussing which colleges they were accepted into, some squealing with delight when they found out they would be attending the same college as their friends. I smiled at everyone. Even if they had at times been rude or shallow, at least today was a day everyone could be happy together. 

I stopped walking and found myself gazing up at the silhouette of Jeguk High. Any other day, it would've looked like a sort of dark prison. But today, it almost had a sweet glow about it. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining brightly, making the school look like it should have been in a painting. I chuckled at how just one moment could change your opinion about something completely. 

As I walked through the gates of Jeguk High, I saw the set-up for the graduation ceremony. There were hundreds of chairs set up in the grass, a lavish stage with a large podium facing towards them all. Behind the stage, there were many tables and chairs set up next to a large banquet of food. There was even a huge chocolate fountain in the middle of the outdoor eating area! Balloons were everywhere, and there was even a live orchestra setting up their instruments adjacent to the podium, to further escalate the fancy ambience. For once, I didn't mind. It was a special day, why not go all out?

A familiar voice broke me out of my admiration. "Hey now, who said you should be walking around without your bodyguard?" 

I smiled, excitedly turning around. Young-do was standing in front of me, looking debonair in his choice of clothes. He was wearing black slacks, black dress shoes, a clean white button-down shirt, and a black jacket over that. He looked positively dashing! 

"Well, at least we both ended up in the same place." I retorted, trying to be clever. Young-do flashed me his signature smile, stepping closer to me. "Thank goodness for that." He sighed. "You look beautiful, Seo-yun. Even more so than usual, and I didn't think that was possible." I chuckled at his romantic line. "Thank you. You look great too, Young-do! Very charming." He struck a very overdramatic model pose. "Oh, aren't I~?" He playfully said in a silly voice. 

I laughed and brushed a piece of my hair behind my ear. "Where's your cap and gown?" I asked him. He gestured for me to look behind him, outside the gates. I saw a limousine with a man stepping out of it, holding a bag they normally put suits in. "Right over there." He turned back to me. "I'm rich, why should I carry my own things?" Obviously meant to be a joke, but I still sighed anyways. "I've got to break you out of that mentality." 

He smirked. "Well, miss noble, where's your cap and gown?" I held up my duffel bag. "Right in here!" I smiled at my bag. "I can't believe it's already graduation day. This day seemed so far away, and now it's here." I looked up at him, seeing that he had a sentimental look on his face. "Are you happy to be graduating, Young-do?" He nodded. "Of course I am. I get away from Jeguk High, I get to start a great job somewhere else, and I get to really experience the world." He smiled back at me. "Plus, all that food they set up for us looks great." 

I laughed. "I know! It did." I smiled at him. "I'm excited too. For everything that comes next." He nodded. "Hey, if we have to do a toast of some kind, that's what we'll toast to. Everything that comes next." He mimed clinking glasses together. I smiled. "Let's plan on that."

Suddenly, the microphone on the podium screeched as someone was tapping on it. "Testing, testing." Everyone turned to face the man on the stage. "Attention everyone, the ceremony will start in 15 minutes. Please start taking your seats and, graduates, make your way to the special graduate designated seating area." 

I gasped. "We have to get our gowns on!" Young-do nodded. "I'll grab mine real quick. You go and slip yours on." I nodded, and went inside the school to the bathrooms, which were luckily open for just this reason. I went into a stall and slipped my gown over my dress. I stepped out of the stall and looked at myself in the mirror. I carefully placed my cap on top of my head and adjusted it to properly fit me. I smiled. Yep, I was a real graduate.

I left the bathroom and went to go find where Young-do was sitting. He stood up, donned in his graduation cap and gown, and waved to get my attention, then pointed to an empty seat next to him, apparently saved for me. I smiled and hurriedly walked over, sitting down. I was one of the last kids to take their seats. Talk about close timing! 

"Thank you for saving me a seat." Young-do smiled and put his arm around me. "That's what bodyguards are for." I smiled. After so much time, he was still my bodyguard. I looked around to the other kids sitting around, all with big, genuine smiles plastered on their faces. We were all so excited! I scanned the crowd to see my mom sitting in the family seats in the third row, filming everything on her phone. She saw me and smiled wide, pointing her phone at me and waving. I chuckled and waved back. 

Soon, the principal took the stage and began his speech to the class, all about how proud he was of all of us and how far we would go in life and, if we had the right attitude, we would be successful. I looked at Young-do and smiled as he looked back at me with the same smile on his face. I had already been very successful so far. After about half an hour, he was finished and now it was time for all of us to be called one by one to the stage to receive our diplomas. 

After around 5 people had been called, the principal announced a familiar sounding name. "Cha Eun-sang." I gasped and turned to Young-do, as if to ask, "Is this the girl who went with Kim Tan?" He nodded, but he didn't look upset. Instead, he looked at peace. I looked at him inquisitively. He realized I was waiting for an answer of some kind, and finally, he leaned over and said, "I have you. I don't need anyone else ever again." I felt a blush creep across my face. I smiled at him, truly grateful to have him in my life. We both clapped for her as she took her diploma and went back to her seat. 

"Next, Choi Young-do," the principal called. Like an embarrassing girlfriend, I screamed and whooped for him and clapped super loud. I was so proud! Young-do laughed and gave me an eyebrow, before standing up and walking on stage. He took his diploma proudly and looked out into the audience. He made eye contact with me, and winked. I giggled as I watched him walk down the stairs and back to his seat next to me. He showed me his diploma again, in the same way a child would show you his new toy. I softly clapped for him again and hugged him. 

After 15 or so more people were called up to the stage, the principal announced the next name. "Kim Seo-yun." My heartbeat quickened and I quickly hurried out of my chair and up the stairs to the podium. I shook the principal's hands and gratefully accepted my diploma. Everyone was clapping so loud! I looked out into the audience and saw my mom with tears streaming down her cheeks, which made me tear up as well. Then, I saw Young-do clapping and looking at me with such love in his eyes. This truly was the best day ever. 

I climbed down the stairs of the podium and sat back in my seat. Young-do kissed me on the cheek. "You did it, newbie." He said, wrapping his arm around me. I nodded. "Thanks, bodyguard." 

Soon, every kid had a diploma in their hand and we were congratulated on becoming graduates of Jeguk High. Stereotypically, we all threw our hats up in the air. Young-do threw his rather high, and scrambled to catch it again. I threw mine up only a few feet, and safely caught it again. "Now, please enjoy the graduation lunch!" the Principal announced, gesturing towards the outdoor eating area. 

All the families shuffled over to that area, claiming their seats and going for the food, while the graduates slipped out of their caps and gowns, to show off their elegant wear. I slipped out of mine and put everything neatly away in my duffel bag. Now, I could hang this up in my closet as a memory of one of the best days of my life. I smiled and zipped my bag shut, carrying it to the lunch area. 

I met up with my mom, who was somehow still crying. "Oh Seo-yun, I'm just so proud of you!" She blubbered, hugging me tightly. I chuckled. "Mom, please stop crying, you're going to make me cry. This is a happy day, remember?" She laughed and let go. "Oh, I know, I know." She dried her tears with a tissue. "I'm going to go see the food selection." She announced. As she was going, she stopped in her tracks, looking like she had seen a ghost behind me. Then, her face lit up. "Young-do! You look positively handsome." 

I gasped and whirled around to see Young-do out of his graduation garb and in his dress clothes, looking at my mom and I. "Thank you, Ms. Kim, but may I say, you look lovely. I see where Seo-yun gets it from." My mom pretended to fan herself and let out a loud laugh. "Oh, stop it!" She touched my arm. "I'll leave you to it." She winked at me and walked off. I laughed. "Oh my gosh." I whispered. 

I turned back to Young-do and smiled. "Wow, you're sure racking up those brownie points." He nodded. "Well, I have to practice for when I'm officially her son-in-law." I blushed. "W-Well, isn't it too early to be talking about stuff like that? After all, we only just graduated a few minutes ago." He smirked. "Am I making you nervous?" He stepped closer towards me, until we were only a foot apart. I gulped nervously. "Uh..." I pointed away from him. "Oh look, there's a cake!" 

He laughed and nodded. "Alright, let's go get some." On our way to the cake, we were stopped by a girl and a guy. "Hello Young-do!" I gasped. Cha Eun-sang was standing in front of us, and Kim Tan was right next to her. Their arms were linked, and they looked like a picture perfect couple. "Young-do." Kim Tan held out his hand for a handshake, and Young-do shook it. They broke it off and looked at each other. 

Young-do held my hand in his. "Tan, Eun-sang, this is Seo-yun, my girlfriend." I blushed. Even though it had been a while, it was hard to get used to being called his girlfriend. Eun-sang smiled. "Ah, you're the Seo-yun I've heard so much about." She reached out to shake my hand, so I pulled it out of Young-do's grip for a moment to shake her hand. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm sorry if it's too forward of me to say this, but I have to say, I've never seen Young-do look so happy as when he does when he's with you. You really have done wonders for him."

I smiled, reeling from being paid that big compliment. "Thank you so much!" Tan nodded. "It's true. He was a lonely, mean old man. Then, you came into his life and everything changed." He looked at Young-do with a smirk. "You should be thanking her." Young-do looked down at me. "I do. Every day." I smiled up at him, inching closer to him and linking my arm with his. 

Tan and Eun-sang looked at each other with a smile, then back at us. "We just wanted to tell you, good luck. You two are really going to make it, I believe that 100%." Kim Tan remarked. "I believe so too." Young-do nodded. I couldn't help but smile. 

After Kim Tan and Eun-sang left, we exchanged more pleasantries with more people. After that, I started making my way towards the cake again. However, I was pulled back by my arm. I looked over to see Young-do holding me in his grip. "Actually, I know a place we can go for some great food. Care to join me?" I looked around. "Are you sure?" I asked him. He smiled. "Positive." I smiled and nodded. "Let me go tell my mom." I went to find her and tell her we were leaving, and then met up with Young-do at the gates. "Alright, let's go to this special place." He smiled and held my hand, walking out of Jeguk High with me for the last time. 

After a while of walking, we ended up back at the convenience store I passed on my way to Jeguk High, where we first had our ramen date. I chuckled. "THIS was your special place for food?" He nodded. "Why not? It's where we shared our first meal together. That's what makes it so special." I smiled at him. He walked up to the place and held the door open for me. "After you." I walked in and Young-do followed me, the door closing behind him. 

We went to choose our ramen, choosing the same ramen we got when we shared our first meal together. We both wanted to recreate the moment. We paid for our food and walked outside and went to eat at the table out there. Young-do and I broke our chopsticks and began to eat. He slurped up his noodles and smiled. "Mm, just as good as I remember it being that day." He remarked. I smiled, tasting my noodles. "Yep, I agree! This is some gourmet ramen." We both laughed and reached out across the table to hold hands. 

After finishing our ramen, we got up and walked out of the convenience store's area, back out onto the sidewalk. I looked at Young-do. "Where to now?" I asked him. Young-do thought for a moment, then looked back at me with a smile. He grabbed my hand and started leading me off in a familiar direction. "Our special place." I raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't the convenience store our special place?" I asked, inquisitively. He shook his head. "No, that's our ramen place. This is our special place." 

After a while of walking, I gasped when I realized where he was taking me. We walked up the familiar stairs, until we reached a door. Young-do opened it for me and led me to the rooftop where we shared our first kiss. We walked towards the railing and I gasped as I took it all in again. It was just as gorgeous as I had remembered it. Now that the sun was setting, the sparkling lights were turning on all over Seoul, which made the city really shine. The cool air felt so good up here. This was such a picture-perfect scene, like something that should have been turned into a painting 

I looked over at Young-do with a smile on my face. "You're a romantic, as always." I complimented. He smiled and squeezed my hand. "Always will be, newbie." I chuckled. Suddenly, I gasped as I remembered something. 

"Young-do, we've graduated today. That means that you're not my bodyguard anymore." I looked ahead of me, but I could see Young-do looking at me through my peripheral vision. I looked back at him and asked him the question that had been on my mind for so long. "What was the price?" Young-do tilted his head. "You said that you would be my bodyguard for a price, and you would tell me what that price was after we graduated. What is it? I'm ready to pay it." 

Young-do looked at me with the sweetest smile I had ever seen on his face. He took both of my hands in his. "You." 

My eyes widened. 

"What?"

Young-do smiled, pulling me closer to him. "My price was you. The first day I saw you in school, I just knew that you were going to be the one. I don't know how I knew, but I did." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. "You were just so beautiful, and so different. You were the only one not in uniform, and I could already see others starting to bully you. When those guys came at you, I knew their intentions were bad. I felt this raw anger and this overwhelming urge to protect you." 

He chuckled. "You were so skeptical of me, you probably thought I was some sort of bad guy. That's why I offered to be your bodyguard, to protect you and get to know you better. I knew I was going to love you." He sighed. "I instituted that price so that you wouldn't stop having me be your bodyguard. By giving you something you'd feel obligated to pay, you wouldn't stop retaining my services. I know it was selfish of me, but I really wanted you to pay that price." He smiled, love in his eyes. "I wanted you, Seo-yun." 

I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. "It wasn't selfish at all, Young-do. Thank you so much for being my bodyguard. For protecting me from all the school bullies, from Rachel, from your father, and from myself. Thank you. If it wasn't for you, I never would have made it through Jeguk High. It's thanks to you that I graduated from this school today." I sniffled. "It's also thanks to you that I found love. I love you, Young-do."

I saw tears welling up in Young-do's eyes. "I love you too, Seo-yun." 

He brought me in closer and we shared another kiss on the rooftop. I could've taken a picture right then and there and had a perfect piece of artwork that would bring me to tears every time I saw it. 

We pulled away and looked into each others eyes. Young-do raised and eyebrow and smirked. "Even though you've paid the price, I'm still your bodyguard!" He argued. 

I smiled brightly up at him.

"You'll always be my bodyguard."