The first bit of morning sun started to filter into the large warehouse windows. Everyone was tired, and their heads hurt. Krystal ran into the room with a large smile on her face, holding a tray of food. “Anyone want instant noodles?” She asked, but everyone just stared blankly at her, making her frown at her failed attempt to cheer them up.

Tired and frustrated, Jisoo got up and stomped over to Keun-suk. “Teacher Jang, hurry up. Sincerity, sincerity.” She demanded. “Jangmi already gave the keys back to you. Can you think of something quick?”

Keun-suk’s eyes went wide suddenly, as he quickly jumped to stand up and reach in his pocket. “Why am I only remembering now?” He pulled the set of keys Jangmi had left with Jisoo and held one of the two keys out for her to look at. Jisoo tilted her head in confusion as she eyed it. “One of these isn’t mine.”

“Jangmi is pretty confused.” RM said from his chair in the corner.

“No.” Jin said as he quickly moved next to Keun-suk. “That key is what Jangmi wants Teacher Jang to solve as the first cypher.”

Everyone rushed to their sides and looked at the key as it shined in the light that hit it. “You’re right, that must be it.” Krystal said patting Jin proudly on the shoulder. She turned her attention to Keun-suk. “But…this key, what does she want you to open?”

“Why don’t we check online?” RM suggested as everyone went back into thinking mode. “See what kind of things this shape key opens. Let’s go.” Jhope, Taehyung, and Jimin all followed him over to the laptop sitting on the desk.

“A jewelry box.” Jhope guessed as RM started to type.

“No, I think it’s a safe.” RM said making his own guess.

Krystal laughed as she took a better look at the key. “I think it will open something that links Jangmi and Teacher Jang.”

“I got it.” Keun-suk said as he gripped the key tightly.

“Tell us.” Jisoo said frustrated. “Hurry up.”

“Jangmi and I met when we were studying in the US. She came back to Korea a year before me, but didn’t have a permanent address. So…” He let his explanation hang for a moment.

“So?” Krystal said trying to bring him back on topic.

“If I needed to write her, I had to send the letter to a P.O. box.”

“Ah!” Krystal said excitedly. “It must be the key for the P.O. box.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go open it.” Jisoo said.

Jangmi’s POV

Jangmi pulled the picture she had been clutching to her chest away. She ran her finger across the glass as she stared down at the image of Keun-suk with his arm around her shoulder. She was driving herself crazy wondering if he had figured out her clue. She hoped with all her aching heart that if he hadn’t, he would soon.

Keun-suk’s POV

Keun-suk walked through the post office, nervously rubbing the smooth metal of the mailbox key as he searched for the number it matched. Just as he thought he would never find it in the endless rows of small metal mailboxes, the number was right in front of him. He let out a loud breath to calm himself as he pushed the key into the lock and slowly turned it. Hearing the metal lock on the inside scrap made his heart stop momentarily in fear. He was worried of what the mailbox would hold, or if he even wanted to know.

Fighting back all the negative thoughts, he opened the door and looked inside. A small white envelope sat inside. His hand shook as he reached inside and pulled out the letter. He quickly relocked the mailbox and opened the letter up to read. His heart sank as he looked over the words written in Jangmi’s handwriting.

If you’re reading this letter, then at least we have some understanding. It may be a good sign. Within these 24 hours, the rule is: once every hour, I will open the mailbox. Within that time period, please put in your sincerity. But please don’t try to see me. It’s my only request. Jangmi.

After reading the letter, Keun-suk left the post office and went back to the warehouse. He had slumped into the chair once more with a depressed look on his face. Jin crouched on the floor beside him and took the letter he held lazily in his hand. “Great. Jangmi said Teacher Jang solved the first cypher she set.” He said happily to the group. “It’s a good beginning.”

“People like us just may be able to crack Kim Jangmi’s cypher.” Jisoo said proudly. Despite how he felt, Keun-suk smiled slightly at her.

“So, what now?” Krystal asked. “Jangmi says she wants him to put his sincerity in there. What should we do?”

“Mailbox. Of course, it is for receiving letters.” Taehyung said.

“Jangmi left a letter for you. Teacher Jang, I think you should give her a letter. Tell her what’s in your heart.” RM suggested.

“Why don’t we all write letters?” Jin asked. “A letter per person to rescue Keun-suk.” Keun-suk smiled at him. “Jangmi will feel extremely touched.” They all nodded their heads in agreement.

“Jin!” Krystal shouted as she slapped him hard in the shoulder. “Why? When chasing other people’s girls, do you get so smart?” Everyone laughed as Jin shrugged and laughed awkwardly.

Jangmi’s POV

Her heels slowly clicked on the titled floor and echoed off the empty hallway as she walked down the rows of mailboxes to the number of hers. She could feel her heart beat wildly as she pushed the key in the lock and opened the door. She was confused to find a pile of letters inside.

After leaving the post office, she returned to the hotel and laid the letters on the table beside the big arm chair. Once she was comfortable, she reached over and grabbed one of the letters to read it.

Jangmi, it’s Taehyung. See how much I sacrifice for you and teacher’s love?

She grabbed the large folded piece of paper that had fell out of the envelope and unfolded it. Her eyes went wide as pictures of a bare-chested Taehyung stared back at her. In some he was flexing and in others, he was trying to show a sexy stare. She laughed as she read the rest of the letter.

Please give me some points, if you think I have a good body. And, if you have a younger sister, can you introduce me?

Jangmi could hardly believe what she had read as she put down Taehyung’s letter and picked up the next one. When she opened it, some chibi characters of her and Keun-suk fighting and then kissing were what she saw first. She laughed as she read the small writing at the bottom.

Beat him up, and then forgive him. Jimin.

She quickly picked up the next one.

 I write this for Teacher Jang. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!

She chuckled at how Jhope had used the rest of the paper just to write the word sorry repeatedly. She grabbed the next one.

Teacher’s last name is Jang, and your first name is Jangmi. You’re the perfect match. RM

She noticed how RM’s letter had been scribbled through many times by someone with a different colored pen. She gently folded it before picking up another.

Jangmi, guys are dumb. They’re all love retards, but they’re also cute. Teacher Jang is one of the best. Krystal.

This time two people shared one piece of paper, she noticed.

I swear on my basketball captain’s honor, guys who play basketball are good to their girlfriends. Jin.

She shook her head and laughed as she put the letter down. Her laughter stopped as she looked at the last letter that laid unopened on the table. The envelope was addressed to her from Keun-suk. Her hands started to shake as she slowly opened it.

Keun-suk’s POV

Keun-suk stared nervously at the clock as the time seemed to pass by slowly. “The letters we wrote, I wonder if they worked.” Krystal said breaking the silence everyone seemed to have drifted into.

“Don’t know. But whatever we did, we’re only afterthoughts.” Jin said. “Teacher Jang’s letter is what is most critical in influencing Jangmi.” The group all looked at Keun-suk as he was lost in his thoughts.

Jangmi’s POV

Tears formed in her eyes as she read the letter from Keun-suk.

Jangmi, will this letter help me make you stay? I’m not sure at all. At the thought of you leaving, my heart feels like it has a hole. I can only use regret and doubt to fill that hole. As the time ticks away, this heart with it’s empty hole, contains only pain, and no other feeling. If there’s no tomorrow, then today I would like to tell you, thank you for having loved me. Each day that I lose you, I can only say to the you that’s in my heart, I’m sorry that I didn’t love you the way you should be loved. Keun-suk.

Jangmi’s tears fell to the thin paper, making the ink smear.

Keun-suk’s POV

He was shocked to find a cellphone in the mailbox this time. He quickly opened it up. He clicked on the notification that there was a new message. His heart felt like it was shattered as he read what she had sent. “Your letters. I got them, but they weren’t what I wanted.” He dragged his feet sluggishly as he left the row of mailboxes. He was physically and emotionally drained, and he didn’t think his mind had enough room for more thoughts.

The group all paced as they waited outside the door for Keun-suk to come out. Once he did, they all rushed over to him. “What is it?” Krystal asked seeing his blank stare. “The letter you wrote, and the ones that we wrote, did they help?” Keun-suk shook his head sadly to her question.

After getting back to the warehouse, everyone just slumped in a nearby seat. They were all exhausted and felt like they had failed. “What is it exactly that Jangmi wants?” Jisoo asked. “For someone he likes…” Her mind wondered to Seunwan when she held the butterfly ring out to her.Yoongi dropped this ring. I think…he probably wants to give it to the person he likes. Jisoo jumped up excitedly. “That. That must be it!” She shouted, gaining her confused stares from everyone else. “If it was me, I would want that, too.”

“What is it?” Keun-suk asked annoyed. Jisoo smiled creepily as she bent over and whispered in his ear. Keun-suk went pale and was unable to close his mouth from the shock of her suggestion.

Jangmi’s POV

She walked down the row of mailboxes again and opened hers up. Seeing the velvety pink ring box inside made her sigh. She rolled it around between her hands as she walked back to the hotel.

Keun-suk’s POV

Everyone was back to thinking when Keun-suk got the text that the ring was not the right thing either. “Let’s try one of Seungwan’s chocolates.” Jhope said as his suggestion, as he sat the jar she had gifted them on the table in front of Keun-suk.  “It represents the sweetness of love, too.”

“I can’t remember if Jangmi likes chocolate.” Keun-suk ran his hand through his long hair in anger. “I’m terrible. I didn’t realize I was so unaware of her habits and interest.”

He decided to try the chocolates anyway. Jisoo had made him send the whole jar, instead of just one, but as soon as he got back to the warehouse, he got the text telling him, her was wrong yet again.

Later…

After thinking again, Jimin had told him to sing a song that reminded him of Jangmi. Desperate, for any kind of idea that may work, he agreed.

RM gave him an old tape recorder that Suga had forgotten about, before everyone left to give him some privacy. Once he was done he quickly took it to the mailbox and waited.

Jangmi’s POV

She had brought the tape recorder to the hotel and wasted no time in pressing the play button. Keun-suk’s voice came from it. She could tell how tired he was by the sound of his voice as he spoke. Despite the sadness it made her feel, she listened to what the tape said.

Jangmi, you knew my every habit, you always went along with me. In the past, I liked to sing. You always listened quietly next to me. Now I’m thinking, I don’t know if you liked to listen to me sing, or if I liked to sing and you were willing to listen. If you liked to listen to me sing, this song…is for you.

The tears once again fell as she listen to the man she loved so much, sing for her.

Keun-suk’s POV

The hours had passed by so quickly and everything they tried was followed by a text telling them, they were wrong. Where the sun had once filled the large room, now it was the moonlight’s turn. Everyone felt defeated and Keun-suk could hardly explain his feelings anymore, he didn’t understand how he could have failed with everything he had done. He had done every suggestion: flowers, candy, presents, and even food. But nothing had been good enough.

Krystal leaned against Jin’s shoulder feeling extremely tired. “Only one hour left. Teacher Jang is about to lose.” She said sadly. “What should we do?”

“Screw the rule.” Jisoo said angrily. “We should go see Jangmi for the last hour. Ask her to stay face-to-face.”

“If I really can’t come up with anything, what right do I have to ask her to stay?” Keun-suk said.

RM walked up to him. “Teacher Jang, if in the end it still doesn’t work, then at least you’ve tried your best.”

“I don’t want this kind of ending.” Krystal whined.

Jin stood up in anger. “Is that your basketball spirit?!”

“This is not the place to talk about basketball.” Krystal scolded, smacking him in the arm. “Stupid.”

Jin chose to ignore her. “We still have an hour. If this was a basketball game, and it was the last minute, we’d still have a chance to win.” He turned to Keun-suk. “Keun-suk, you must have forgotten something. Jangmi said it, but you didn’t do it.”

Everyone jumped as the momentary silence was broken by Keun-suk screaming. “I know what to put in the mailbox!” He didn’t say anything more as he ran past them and out of the warehouse.

“Good luck!” They all yelled in unison as he disappeared.

Keun-suk looked at the timer he had set on his watch count down the mere seconds he had left, as he ran into the room of mailboxes. He had just relocked the door as it blared telling him time was up. He prayed that this time he was right.

Back at the Warehouse

The clock seemed to tick loudly as everyone sat around the phone. They stared at it with anticipation, but also dread.

Jangmi’s POV

Jangmi lowered her head in prayer as she turned the key to unlock the door. She kept her eyes closed as she opened the door.

Keun-suk’s wallet sat opened inside when she finally found the courage to look. The picture of him and her now took over the spot that the picture of him and Lonna use to stay. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she started to cry. She grabbed the wallet out of the mailbox and stared at it. She clutched it lovingly to her as her knees gave out on her, making her kneel in the floor full of emotion. She couldn’t explain how him remembering their conversation at the café made her feel.

Jangmi held his wallet open to the picture and held it up to him. “If it’s like what you said, then replace this picture with mine.”

She tried to calm herself as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

Keun-suk’s POV

He quickly grabbed the phone and answered it as soon as the screen lit up. “Hello? Jangmi?” He asked nervously.

“I finally saw your sincerity.” Jangmi said. Keun-suk leaned his head back against the chair he was sitting in and breathed a sigh of relief. “Your students are too cute.”

Keun-suk moved the mouthpiece away slightly. “Jangmi said you guys are too cute.” Seeing his happy smile, they all knew that it had been a success. All of them cheered and started hugging each other. “Huh?” Keun-suk said when they were too loud for him to hear what Jangmi had said. Once she said it again, he laughed and held the phone out to Taehyung. “Taehyung, she wants to talk to you.”

“Ohhh…” Jin said teasingly.

Taehyung rolled his eyes as he took the phone from Keun-suk. “Hello.”

“Very sexy.” Jangmi said. “I will lend those interesting pictures to my sister. She doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

“Really?” Taehyung asked. “Oh yeah!” He cheered. Jangmi talked to him a bit more, making him nod his head as he listened. “Okay. You must introduce me to your sister. Ok, bye.” He said hanging up the phone.

Keun-suk’s mouth dropped open. “You just hung up the phone.”

“Yeah. Jangmi says you have 20 minutes.” Keun-suk was confused. “You should know where to find her. Said she won’t wait if your late.”

“Another cypher. She’s ruthless.” Jimin said.

After thinking a bit, Keun-suk smiled and stood up bowing to them and waving good bye. “I’m off to pick up my girlfriend.” Everyone cheered as he ran off.

Jangmi’s POV

Just as the coffee had got done brewing, Keun-suk burst through the doors of the empty café. She smiled sweetly at him as she placed a cup on a nearby table and motioned for him to sit down. “How did you know to come here?” She asked. Keun-suk simply laughed. “No milk, one sugar.” She said as he took a sip.

“Coffee must be drunk at the right temperature for it to taste right. Same with people.” Jangmi smiled as he threw her words back to her. They spent the whole night talking. Both of them where beyond happy to finally have the ending they had prayed all day for.

A/N: Cypher Reference much lol.

Well guys, this story is finally almost uploaded and I will say get ready for the heartbreak. The next bit will require lots of tissues.

Anyway, love you and thank you for reading and supporting this crappy book. I plan to finish The Cover-up Boyfriend next so look forward to it.