Lonna tried her hardest to hold her emotions as Seungwan walked down the subway corridor with her and Suga. “Seungwan, where are you going?” She asked in an attempt to break the awkward silence.

“I want…” Seungwan seemed hesitant to talk for some reason. “To look around Seoul.”

“Around Seoul?” Lonna asked kind of confused.

Seungwan lightly shook her head. “I studied in Japan, because my dad arranged it. I came back from Japan, also because of his decision on my arranged dating. I’ve found Seoul has changed a lot. It’s different from how I remember. So I want to make sure this is somewhere I want to live.”

Suga looked over at her as he stopped walking. “So does this mean you have decided to make your own decisions?”

“Yes.” Seungwan smiled brightly. “If I could get the love I want, it’d be perfect. But if not, I still need to live on…in this city or in another.”

“I’ll go with you.” Lonna could literally feel all the control she had summed up leave. Her heart took on a nervous rhythm as she looked up into Suga’s determined face. Seungwan smiled excitedly. “Where do you want to go?” Seungwan turned to the rail map behind her and pointed to a point on the top of the map. A smile came to Suga’s lips as he saw her finger pointing to Incheon. Lonna felt like her world was collapsing around her.

Suga had to control his urge to turn back around as he walked the opposite direction of Lonna. You accompany Keun-suk to find your memories, I’ll accompany Seungwan to find hers. Then…we can both move on to the next station. Seungwan looked over at Suga, who looked lost in thought. She could hardly contain her happiness.

Later…

Suga walked next to Seungwan, who had yet to stop smiling, as they exited Incheon’s subway. “Why’d you want to come here? Been here before?”

“I saw on TV that this place sells a very tall ice cream.” Seungwan showed the supposed height with her hands.

Suga scrunched up his nose as he laughed. “That’s the reason?” Seungwan just simply smiled in response making Suga laugh harder. Seungwan talked about the ice cream as they walked searching for the shop.

Once they found the stall, Suga told her to order first as he reached in his pocket to get his money out. Seungwan quickly ordered a chocolate, while Suga got a vanilla. Seungwan followed the owner over to the machine and watched closely as he made the ice cream. Suga smiled wide as he watched her. As soon as she gets the cone, she turns to Suga, who’s eyes widen at how tall the ice cream really is. “It looks like a sword.” She laughed and as she did, she moved the cone to much and the tip fell over and Suga stuck his hands out as if he would catch it if it falls.

They both walked close together as they laughed and ate their ice creams. “How can I be so happy?” Seungwan said as she started to skip beside him. Seeing her happy, was strangely making Suga the same way. He smiled as he watched her dance around.

After eating their ice creams, they saw an arcade just a bit in front of them. Suga grabbed Seungwan’s hand and dragged her behind him as he sprinted for it. He took money out of his pocket and purchased a few tokens for them both. After handing her the half for her, he lead her to one of his favorite games. Seungwan looks at the basketball Suga hands her and frowns. “What’s wrong?” He asks.

Seungwan rolls the ball around in her palms. “I’m not good at this.” She said sadly.

Suga laughed and pulled her in front of the machine. “You can at least try.” He said. Seungwan shook her head, now with a boost of confidence. Suga puts the tokens in to start it and shows her how to play. They laughed as they played side by side. They spent most of the day playing different games. Suga had to admit he was enjoying himself.

After having lunch, Suga sat on a bench and looked at the ocean view as Seungwan stood by the railing. Suddenly she turned towards him. “My Japanese is pretty good.” She smiled wide. I want to see Yoongi forever. She said to him in fluent Japanese.

“I don’t understand.” Suga said. “My Korean is pretty good, too. I am Korean. I love Korean the most.” Suga joked.

Seungwan giggled. “I’m good at nail painting. See!” She excitedly held up one of her hands, wiggling her sparkly fingernail polish for Suga to look at.

“Too showy.” Suga spoke honestly.

Seungwan frowned. “I can make rice balls and sushi.” She said once again smiling.

Suga gave her a nod. “I only know how to eat.”

“Want me to make it for you?” Seungwan asked excitedly.

“It’s not necessary. I prefer Ramen.” Suga said.

Seungwan frowned. “I have never made that. I can walk a very long way in high heels.”

“Then walk. So, what?” Suga looked at her with a look as if he was annoyed with the conversation.

She quickly sat down beside him. “I can type really fast on a cellphone keyboard.” Then a frown took over her features. “But only in Japanese.”

“Then you don’t have to text me, because I couldn’t read it.” Suga was confused on why she was saying all this and looking so sad.

“I have nothing more to say.” Her head hung in sadness. “What I just said are the things I’m proud of. I wish I could think of more…but there is no more.”

I know I shouldn’t act one-sided, but because of you, my heart flutters for the first time. Suga started to feel bad as her words replayed in his head. He looked over at her defeated figure. So if I try harder you will get to know me, and like me. Suga wondered if coming was such a good idea. He felt bad for giving Seungwan a glimpse of false hope.

Lonna’s POV

Lonna took a calming breath as she turned the knob and pushed open the door to her old house. It was cold and silent, not at all how it used to be. She looked around sadly at the small house she used to call home. The memories that used to fill it swam through her head. Her nostalgic thoughts were interrupt as the doorbell rang. Quickly walking over, she turned the knob to open it.

Keun-suk smiled sweetly at her as he pushed his bangs out of his eyes and stepped inside. “Who are you looking for?” Lonna asked.

“I’m looking for my student, Lonna.” Keun-suk smiled as he remembered the familiar conversation.

“Why are you looking for her?”

“Because she told me she had a test today, so I thought she might need five plastic bags.” Keun-suk said playing his part.

Lonna laughed as she pulled up a finger. “Wrong! Six!” Keun-suk joined in on her laughter.

Lonna stood silently against the wall as she watched Keun-suk walk around the small house. “Everything here…” He turned towards her and gave her a sad smile. “Seems to be the same.”

Lonna smiled. “Seems like it.”

Suddenly he walked over to the wall that led back to the bedrooms. “Lonna, come.” He motioned for her to join him. “Stand here.” Lonna quickly did as he said and stood against the wall. “Don’t move.” He demanded, as he straightened her up and placed his hand at the top of her head. “You haven’t grown taller.” He laughed.

Lonna stomped her foot in frustration. “Hey! That’s a sore subject. Why bring it up?” She whined.

“I said before, you were the cute type. You didn’t believe me.” He said as he used his slender finger to boop Lonna on the nose.

“At the time, I really wanted to grow up, because I…” Lonna stopped herself before she could finish the embarrassing sentence aloud.Wanted to be your girlfriend. She thought to herself. The atmosphere was suddenly awkward.

“Your birthday is coming up. What would you like?” Keun-suk said hoping to bring the normalcy back.

“Oh, don’t get me anything. Mom has a big mouth.” Lonna said.

“Then…” Keun-suk tapped his chin as he thought. “How about a height-enhancer?”

“Enough!” Lonna yelled. “I’m not here for your teasing.” She lightly smacked his shoulder.

“That’s not it. I asked your mother. I recall, on your birthday in 7th grade, I bought you a diary. Did you use it?” He asked.

“Yes! That diary was like my secret treasure box.” Lonna answered happily. “I recorded the most precious memories of that time.”

“I also recall…” Keun-suk’s voice took a serious tone. “We took a picture together on that day.”

“Like you said. I’m about to turn 20, but if every birthday is a benchmark, then the birthday that year was the happiest one.” Keun-suk smiled. “Because there was dad, mom, and you. Before that, I didn’t really know what sadness was. But…” Lonna took a deep breath. “Dad suddenly passed away, and you went abroad to study.” Lonna’s words made Keun-suk close his eyes tight, to try and keep the tears that threatened to fall trapped. The regret started to build in his chest. “Only mom and I were left to struggle with living. After that year, I stopped writing in my diary. You said…everything here feels the same. But…”

“But.” Keun-suk interrupted her. “But in your heart…everything is different.”

“It’s not that it’s all different. It’s just changed.” Lonna said sadly.

Keun-suk felt the weight of her meaning and was saddened by it, but he forced a smile for Lonna’s sake. Lonna knew that her words had hurt him, even with the smile he showed.

Suga’s POV

After the awkward conversation, Seungwan had barely said another word as her and Suga walked back towards the subway. Half-way there, a shiny patch of light caught Suga’s attention. Seungwan watched confused as he walked towards a stall in a trance like state. She could see him walk up to a display of rings and pick one up. A sudden sadness took her over. Noticing something she walked off.

Suga twisted the small pale pink butterfly ring between his fingers as he looked at it. “If you want it for that girl, it’s not suitable.” The shop owner said to Suga as he walked over to him.

Suga looked over his shoulder and glanced at Seungwan’s direction. He turned back to the owner with a smirk on his lips. “I’ve never met a vendor like you. Others just say “good” or “befitting.”

“I think every girl has a stone suited to her.” The shop owner explained. “The one you’re holding…” Suga looked down at the small ring. “Has a subtle bluish and whitish light. Like the moon, that’s why it is called a moonstone.”

Suga smiled widely. “Correct. I want to give this to the moon in my heart.” After hearing what he said, the owner could no longer argue. He brought Suga into the shop and let him pay for the ring.

Once he left the shop, he put the ring in his jacket pocket and was surprised when he couldn’t find Seungwan anywhere.

A little girl held out her box of chewing gum to each person that passed her, but everyone ignored it. Seungwan bent down to her level as she saw her frown. “Little girl, if I buy all your gum, you go home early, ok?”

“Thank you. Unnie.” A smile spread the little girl’s lips making her puffy cheeks rounder. “My brother and sisters will be very happy I can help them…with their homework.”

“Good.” Seungwan said as she patted the top of the girl’s head. She quickly pulled the largest won she had in her wallet. “Here’s the money.” She handed the money over to the girl and grabbed the box from her. “Oh, little girl. Since I have all this gum…” She reached into her purse again and grabbed out her box of chocolates. “I won’t want chocolate anymore. I will give it to you. Can you and your family finish them for me?” The little girl didn’t try and grab the box, instead she just stared at Seungwan. “Please. It’ll be wasted. Take it.” She put the box in the girl’s hands.

“Thank you. Unnie.” The girl smiled.

“Good.” Seungwan said as she again patted the top of the girl’s head. “Go home now.” Suga smiled as he watched the exchange.

Once the little girl was gone, he walked over to Seungwan. “No wonder people say women are unpredictable.” Seungwan smiled as she looked at him. “Change your mind about chocolate?”

She looked down at the box in her hands. “I don’t like gum at all.”

Suga reached in the box and grabbed a pack, opening it. “Playing favorites to chocolate is unfair to the gum.” He held a piece out to her. At first, she was hesitant to take it, but after a small bit of coaxing, she took the piece he offered.

Lonna’s POV

With the awkwardness now gone between them, Lonna and Keun-suk walked to his car laughing. “Do you want a ride?” Keun-suk offered when his vehicle came into view.

“Actually, I can make it on my own.” Lonna said.

“Why are you being so polite?” He asked.

“Ok.” Lonna said finally giving in. “Just take me to the subway.” Keun-suk nodded in acceptance of her demand.

Once they made it to the car, they both got in and buckled up. “You know.” Keun-suk spoke. “In your dad’s study, I found material I had prepared for him as a research assistant. Seriously, that material helped me a lot when I studied abroad.”

Lonna smiled as a memory came to her mind. “I still remember you guys doing research. I’d be reading a novel nearby and fall asleep.” Keun-suk laughed as he too started to remember. “My dad hated when I read romance novels, but he couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Do you know why he couldn’t?” Keun-suk asked. “He didn’t want to spoil your happiness, so he had to endure it.”

“I know it was because he didn’t want me to be interested in boys.” Lonna giggled.

“Did you know…he told me, before you were born, when your mother was pregnant, that he wanted a daughter? The night you were born, the moon was big and round, so he named you, Lonna Yue.”

“Yue” as in “moon?” Lonna asked surprised.

“That’s right. Didn’t you know?” Keun-suk was bewildered. Lonna shook her head ‘no’.

Keun-suk pulled the call away from the curb and started driving as he finished the rest of the story. “He told me, when he held you for the first time, your lips curled upward…like a smile. Your mom told him that newborns didn’t have facial expressions, but your dad firmly believed it was your smile. Because of that smile, he decided to use all his love to make his baby girl happy, and joyful for life.” Lonna couldn’t help feeling happy as she heard him speak of her father. “So, the “Yue” in “Lonna Yue’ which had stood for the “moon,” he changed to the “Yue” that stood for “joy.” It was the only wish he had for you. He wanted you to always be happy.” Lonna reached up and wiped away the tear that had escaped her eye as she turned to look out the window the rest of the ride.

Suga’s POV

Now back in Seoul, Seungwan was once again skipping with happiness beside Suga. He silently wished that she would stop. He had just had dinner, and truthfully her overly happy attitude was making him exhausted. “So great! I haven’t had sidewalk food in ages. I’m so happy.” Seungwan said as she smiled at him.

Suga sighed in annoyance. “I’ll walk you home.” He picked up his speed slightly, hoping it would help the trip go faster.

Lonna’s POV

“You can drop me off here.” Lonna motioned to a street that would take her in the direction of home. She was hoping for some fresh air and alone time to straighten out her feelings. Not wanting to bug her, Keun-suk did as she said. “Thank you.” She smiled at him before getting out of the car and walking off.

Not being able to control himself, Keun-suk quickly jumped out of the car. “Lonna!” He yelled, making her turn and look at him.

Little did they both know, across the street, Suga had stopped walking and turned to look at them after hearing the familiar name being called. He watched in confusion as Keun-suk closed his driver door and ran over to Lonna.

Lonna could see the sadness on Keun-suk’s features, but she never expected him to hug her so unexpectedly. Suga’s eye twitched as he watched from his side of the road.

Lonna stood stiff in Keun-suk’s arms as he pulled her tightly against him. “Lonna…” She couldn’t speak. “I’ve been regretting…” The depressing sound of his sad voice made Lonna sadder than she already was. Suga, unfortunately, could hear everything he was saying, despite being a few feet away from them. “The years I spent in the US. Because I keep thinking, when your dad died, maybe I shouldn’t have left you. If I had been by your side, I could keep caring for you, cherishing you. If I had been by your side, then when you were sad, I could have been there to wipe away your tears. I could’ve held you tightly like this. Do you know…everything your dad gave you, I want to give you, too?”

Suga had heard enough. The rage was enough to make him shake. Without looking, he walked into the road. He gripped his fist together, making the ends of his nails nip at his palms. “Suga!” Hearing his name being yelled made him snap out of his fury long enough to face the car that was heading towards him.