RM and Jisoo sat across from Jin and Krystal in the café. The atmosphere between the four was a depressing one. RM ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to process the information the three had given him. “So, Teacher Jang and Lonna have that kind of past?” The other three sadly shook their heads. Suddenly, RM leaned closer to Jin, who sat in front of him. “Hey, is that Ms. Kim, is she really as hot as you said?”

Jisoo turned to him and smacked his arm hard. “Hush, you.” She scolded. Krystal looked over at Jin and elbowed him in the side for nodding his head to RM’s question. “Krystal, what do you say?” Jisoo asked.

Krystal copied Jisoo’s creepy smile. “What do you say?” They both smiled at each other. “Then it’s decided.” Krystal said.

“Not only are we decided, but we must follow through.” Jisoo winked.

“Not only will we follow through, but we must achieve absolute victory.” Krystal continued. Jin and RM’s eyes bounced back and forth between both girls.

“Yes.” Jisoo agreed.

“Then…” RM finally spoke up. “What?” He asked confused of what they were actually talking about.

Jin gave him a handsome smile before snapping his fingers. “The ‘Fight to Save Jangmi’s Love.’”

“Absolutely correct.” Krystal said giving him a proud smile and lightly patting his shoulder.

Krystal held out her hand, making Jin and Jisoo put their hands on top of it. RM was hesitant at first, but he eventually followed suite. “Go, go,go!” Krystal, Jin, and Jisoo chanted together.

“Go.” RM said later, making Jisoo take her hand and lightly push the side of his head in annoyance.

Keun-suk’s POV

His heart beat nervously in his chest as he listened to the never-ending rings coming from the phone he held in his shaky hands. “The number you’ve called is not in service. Please call back later.” Keun-suk slowly hung up the phone.

He knew Jangmi was determined when she put her mind to something, but he didn’t think she would go to this extreme. The fact that it was him that had pushed her to this point, made him sick with guilt and worry. Just as he looked out over the campus, Jin and the others ran up to him. “Teacher Jang.” Jin was the one to speak first.

“Is something wrong?” Keun-suk asked worried by the looks of concern the four where giving him.

“It’s you who has something wrong.” Krystal said.

Seeing the look of shock on Keun-suk’s face, Jin leaned over to his girlfriend. “Try to be tactful.” 

“There’s no time to waste.” Jisoo said. “We should get straight to the point.” RM shook his head in agreement.

“What do you want to say?” Keun-suk asked, already annoyed with the four of them.

“Only one thing…” Krystal said as she stepped in front of Keun-suk and stared straight into his eyes. “Teacher Jang, Jangmi was very good to you. You can’t abandon her.”

“Right, you can’t.” RM agreed.

“Nope.” Jin said as he wagged his pointer finger in a ‘no’ gesture.

“You can’t times 10,000.” Jisoo also said in agreement. Keun-suk let his head hang in sadness.

“Teacher, after listening to what you said the other day, we know the feelings you have for Lonna is the feeling of responsibility.” Jin said. “But responsibility and love are not the same.”

“You can’t.” Krystal said.

“You can’t.” RM copied her.

“You can’t times 20,000.” Jisoo said trying to be a bit original.

Keun-suk smirked sadly. “Truth is, when Lonna told me the other day the time we spent together had been her greatest memory, I felt sad. But at the same time, I felt relieved.”

“What about Jangmi?” Krystal asked. “Didn’t she say, that if you continued to pretend not to see, she’d lose all expectation in you? When you heard that, how did you feel?”

Keun-suk stood silent. “Don’t know? Have no feelings?” RM pressed him further.

“How can that be?” Jisoo asked.

“Of course I have feelings.” Keun-suk finally spoke. “Did you know? I thought broken-hearted was only an adjective. I never knew broken-hearted was this painful.”

The four of them were now the ones who were silent as they looked at Keun-suk. “You deserve it.” Krystal said out of the blue.

“Krystal!” Jin scolded. Keun-suk squeezed his eyes closed in guilt, he couldn’t deny what Krystal said was wrong.

“Teacher Jang, you still have time. Unnie Jangmi gave you 24 hours.” Jisoo said.

“Try harder. Don’t give up.” Jin said trying to encourage him. “Use your basketball player’s spirit to take back Jangmi’s heart.” Not wanting to lose hope, Keun-suk shook his head in agreement.

“Today is Lonna’s birthday. After 12AM, the first second after midnight, will be The Fight to Save Jangmi’s Love’s most critical 24 hours.” Krystal said.

“Then later, why don’t we meet at the warehouse?” RM suggested.

“Teacher, will you fight?” Jin asked.

The four of them hung in anticipation as they watched Keun-suk think it all over. “I’ll fight.” He finally said, giving them all one of his bright smiles. “I’ll use all my power to let Jangmi know my feelings. It’s what I owe her.” He didn’t even know how to accomplish such a task, but he was sure with the help of the others, he would figure it out.

Later…

Pamela rushed down the stairs as she heard the doorbell ring. “I’m coming!” She yelled. When she opened the door, a wide smile spread her lips. “Come in Keun-suk, please sit down.” She moved out of his way and pointed towards the couch. “Lonna went to get something for me. She will be back soon.”

Keun-suk took off his shoes and followed Pamela into the living room area, but instead of sitting as she asked he simply held out the present he was holding. “I’m only here to drop this off.”

Refusing to let him just leave, Pamela lightly pushed the present back to him. “I’ll get you some tea.”

Lonna’s POV

Lonna looked at the rows of cakes as her and Suga waited for her to finish with the customer in front of them. She could hear Suga adjust the grip on the over loaded bags of groceries he held in his hands. They both had been sent out to shop for her birthday dinner and to pick up the cake. “What can I do for you?” The baker asked when it was Lonna’s turn.

“I reserved a cake.” Lonna said.

“Was it a birthday cake?” The baker asked.

“Yes.” Lonna smiled widely at her.

“Let me box it up for you.” The baker said before leaving to get Lonna’s cake.

“Thank you.” Lonna said as she went back to looking over the different cakes in the display case.

Suga gave her a pitiful look. “Auntie is unbelievable. Making you pick up your own cake.”

“It’s fine.” Lonna said shrugging her shoulders. “It was on our way.”

Suga held the heavy bags up for her to view. “Well, you have to carry it. I can’t help.” Lonna rolled her eyes at him.

“Thank you for waiting.” The baker said as she placed the boxed cake gently on the counter in front of Lonna.

Lonna carefully picked it up. “Thank you.” As she looked down at the box in her hands, the ring Suga gave her, sparkled in the fluorescent lights.The ring? Should I take it off when we get home? Lonna thought to herself.

The day Suga gave it to her flashed through her mind as she glanced over at Suga as he looked through the other displays. I got it for your birthday. Wear it always. She recalled what he said as he placed it on her finger. He said not to take it off. The request made her decision a hard one.

Lonna held on to the strings tightly to ensure she didn’t drop the cake, as her and Suga started to walk back home. She was still trying to figure out what the best thing to do was as she looked over to Suga, who had a grumpy look on his face as he walked in the silence. “I don’t care who I hurt. Because unless it’s you, I don’t want anyone else.” Lonna wished she knew how he could be so brave in his choices and wondered if she could ever be like that. “I feel bad for you.” Lonna said out loud without thinking.

Suga looked over at her confused. “What are you talking about?”

“It just suddenly hit me. Because lately…”

“Is this “another year older” blues?” Suga interrupted.

“Hey!” Lonna said smacking him lightly on the arm. Seeing Suga smile his precious gummy smile, made Lonna smile. Suddenly all the doubts seemed to wash away as they stared at each other. Lonna walked around to Suga’s other side and held out her hand. She blushed from the embarrassment.

Suga felt his heart swell at her action. She was asking to hold his hand in public. The thought of her being ok with it made him happy, but also seeing the blush made it clear she was still slightly scared. He forced the smile from his face as he held the bags up. “Don’t you see my hands are full? So inconsiderate.” He teased her.

To his surprise, Lonna gave him a serious look. “Suga.”

“What?” He asked.

“I’ll make myself strong, so…” Lonna repeated the incantation that Seungwan had taught her.

When Suga tried to recall why those words sounded so familiar, the day he spent with Seungwan alone came to memory. She had also said those words to him. He was once again curious of it’s meaning. “Seungwan taught me that; it’s a Japanese incantation.” Lonna explained. “It seemed to be a blessing.”

Suga didn’t say anything, he instead just started looking at their surroundings. Lonna thought it was weird for him to be so silent. Suddenly, he turned to her. “Let’s go.” Was all he said before walking down the street, forcing Lonna to follow.

Keun-suk’s POV

Pamela passed by Keun-suk to put the tea tray down on the coffee table. “Why are you still standing? Sit.”

Keun-suk felt a bit guilty. “You shouldn’t have. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Keun-suk.” Pamela reached out and gently grabbed his arms, so she could pull him to the chair to sit down. “Why are you being so formal?” Once he sat down, she sat on the couch next to the chair. “Although this place is Lonna’s and my new home, I hope you will feel at home here, too. Because you’re a part of the family. I have always thought of you as Lonna’s brother.”

Keun-suk smiled awkwardly as a small pain hit his heart because of her words. “Right. I also hope that I can watch her grow, and care for her.”

Pamela patted his hand softly as she gave him a warm smile. “Let’s have tea.”

“Seeing how you are now.” Keun-suk said as Pamela started to pour the tea into the cups. “I’m happy for you from the bottom of my heart. I believe…” Pamela handed him the cup as he spoke. “Teacher in heaven must feel the same way.”

Pamela’s smile faded as she looked seriously at him. “Keun-suk…I want to ask you one thing.” Keun-suk forgot his tea for a moment and turned to look at her. “It feels like Lonna’s been a bit odd lately, but I don’t know the reason. Do you know what’s going on?”

Keun-suk gulped in nervousness. He had promised to keep Lonna’s secret, but he couldn’t tell Pamela a lie.

Lonna’s POV

They had walked down the street a bit before Suga entered a nearby Japanese restaurant. He motioned for Lonna to stand next to him as he walked up to the young girl behind the counter. “Miss, will you translate a Japanese phrase?” He asked her.

“Sure. Go ahead.” She said.

Suga told her the words that Lonna and Seungwan had both said to him. “What does that phrase mean?” He asked.

“Who’s Yoongi?” She asked.

“Me.” Suga said hesitantly pointing to himself.

“And who is saying it?” She asked.

“Me.” Lonna said pointing to herself.

“What’s your relationship?” She asked another question.

Lonna opened her mouth to speak. “We’re a couple.” Suga said before she had a chance to say anything. This shocked and made Lonna happy at the same time. Suga smirked at the look of disbelief on Lonna’s face as he stared over at her from the corner of his eyes.

“That’s fine. It’s Chinese.” The young girl said. “It means, “I want to see Yoongi forever.” It’s a personal wish; you should stick with her.”

After hearing the translation, Lonna and Suga quickly left the shop slightly embarrassed by the encounter. “Suga, that’s…” Lonna said as Suga tried to rush away from her.

Suga smirked happy that his plan had worked. Of course, he had to tease her. “What?” He asked making his voice sound angry. Lonna’s head started to move to face the ground in sadness, when she saw Suga hold his arm out. He was asking her in his way to wrap her arm around his. Lonna couldn’t help but smile happily as she quickly ran to do as he wanted her to. Once she did, Suga wiped the smirk from his face and looked at her. “That was embarrassing.”

“Who knew you’d be so quick to ask people?” Unable to contain it any longer, Suga laughed letting lose the beautiful gummy smile that Lonna found so contagious. Lonna laid her head on his shoulder as they walked arm in arm back home, neither of them caring who saw them.

Keun-suk’s POV

 He smiled lazily to keep Pamela from being suspicious but knowing that not telling the whole truth is just the same as lying, he couldn’t keep eye contact with her as he spoke. “I believe, no matter how straightforward or optimistic a person may be, they will undoubtedly have some secrets. But I believe the secrets in Lonna’s heart must have something to do with love and gentleness. She inherited her goodness and gentleness from you and her father.” Pamela just sat smiling as she listened to him. “Besides, Lonna is getting older. And in the future, she will encounter more difficulties and struggles. The more difficult the struggle, the more secrets she will have. But believe me, Lonna will be fine. Because she’s my Teacher’s pride.”

Pamela could tell from him that she was right about Lonna keeping a secret from her and that fact slightly hurt her, but to hear his kind words made her smile with pride. “You’re right. Lonna has always been our pride.”

“We’re back.” Suga’s voice interrupted them, making Pamela wipe the small tears that were threatening to escape her eyes and quickly turn to them.

“Look who’s here!” Pamela looked over to Lonna excitedly.

Keun-suk stood from the chair and smiled sweetly at her. “Keun-suk.” Lonna said, smiling back.

“We welcome you here to celebrate Lonna’s birthday.” Suga said. Keun-suk was surprised to find nothing but sincerity when he looked at Suga. He nodded his head in thanks.

After Dinner

Pamela carefully sat the birthday cake down in the middle of the table. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…” Pamela, Keun-suk, and Suga all smiled and clapped loudly as they sang to her. Once they were finished Pamela grabbed her daughter and pulled her into a hug. “Happy Birthday!” She said loudly before placing a small kiss to her head.

“Make a wish.” Suga said and Pamela shook her head in agreement.

Everyone went quiet as Lonna closed her eyes and put her hands up in a praying way. “My first wish, is for my beloved mom to live a life of joy.” Her mother put her hand over her heart in response to her wish. “My second wish, is for all the friends that love me to be happy and have smooth sailing.” Keun-suk smiled. Lonna giggled before she continued. “The third wish is for myself.”

 As Lonna went silent, the light from the ring caught Pamela’s attention. She frowned as she remembered how Keun-suk had mentioned Lonna keeping secrets. For now, she chose to ignore it and enjoy her daughter’s day. Lonna kept her third wish to herself. I want to see Yoongi forever.

Once she was done, she opened her eyes to find Suga smiling at her. She was positive he knew what she had wish for and the thought made her happy. After looking at each other for a minute, Suga helped Lonna blow out her candles.

After everyone was done clapping, Keun-suk stood up and held the gift he had brought out to Lonna. “Lonna, I hope you like this gift.”

Lonna thanked him as she carefully started opening it. As soon as the side of it showed a smile came to her face. “You remembered.” Her voice shook with emotion as she held up the record. Her father and mother’s record, the one that held their love song. Her favorite.

“When Lonna’s father passed away, he was carrying this record.” Pamela stared at it with tears brimming her eyes. The memory of the police officer handing her the broken record when he told her of her husband’s fate came to her mind. A small smile came to her lips despite the falling tears. “I thought…” She tried to wipe them away. “I’d never get to listen to it again.”

Suga quickly went and grabbed his father’s record player and set it on the coffee table for Lonna to play the record. Once the music started, Keun-suk held his hand out to her, offering her a dance. Lonna looked hesitant as she looked at it, but Suga gave her an encouraging smile. After they started to dance, Pamela and Suga sat beside each other on the couch and listened closely. Pamela was lost in her memories as the record played.

“These songs…” Keun-suk said. “Contain Teacher’s deepest blessings. I’m only delivering his belated gift to you.”

Suga sat silently as he listened to the words. He had never met Lonna’s father, but through this record, he could feel a small connection to him. He somehow felt he shared the loss that Lonna and Pamela both felt, as he lost himself in the music.

Keun-suk loved seeing Lonna smile as they danced together. The familiar scene brought back the memory of them in the repair shop.

Lonna looked down at Keun-suk’s opened hand with hesitation in her eyes. “But I don’t know how to dance.” She confessed shyly.

“Don’t worry.” Keun-suk comforted her. “Just follow my steps.” Lonna nodded her head as she put her smaller hand in his and moved closer to him.

The memory faded, leaving a huge smile on his face. He glanced down at their feet and watched Lonna’s expertly follow his lead. “You’re dancing very well.” Lonna giggled at his complement. Suddenly, Lonna recalled the same memory as he had.

She smiled up to Keun-suk as he lead her in the dance. “Do colleges have many dance parties?” She asked.

“Yes. As long as you work hard and get into college, I can promise you will be the most beautiful dancer in the parties.” Lonna smiled happily at him as they continued to dance together.

“How did you find the album?” Lonna asked.

Keun-suk’s smile faded. “Someone who knows me very well found it for me. She’s to me…a very important person.” While he was dancing with her, Keun-suk could feel the familiar feeling he always had when he was with her, but now that he was thinking of Jangmi, he could finally tell the difference that Jin had talked about. He felt guilt in mixing the feeling of love and responsibility. He again felt horrible for all the wasted years Jangmi had been forced by him to endure. He was now more determined than ever to win her heart.

Lonna noticed the perplexed look on his face. “Is she your girlfriend?” She asked. Keun-suk smiled again before nodding his head yes. Lonna’s smile grew bigger. “Then you must thank her for me.”

He looked over to Suga, who was still listening to the music carefully. “He can definitely replace me.”

“Huh?” Lonna asked confused.

Keun-suk laughed. “Now I must go pursue my own happiness.” Lonna didn’t understand fully what he meant. Keun-suk slowly lead her over to the couch were Suga sat. He grabbed Suga’s hand, making him snap out of his thoughts and give him a confused stare, but he still didn’t fight against him as he let Keun-suk place Lonna’s hand gently in his. Keun-suk looked between the two of them and gave them an approving smile.

For the first time since he met him, Suga couldn’t harbor anymore dislike towards the man standing beside him. He felt that Keun-suk was giving Lonna to him and was grateful to him for such an act.