22nd☀

Mijoo 

"Let's go one more time," Mijoo said, clearing her throat before signaling Yejun to start strumming his guitar. 

"We should take a break," Yejun suggested, pulling his guitar down before he looked at Mijoo worriedly. 

Mijoo noticed the facial expression he had and shook her head. "The mini concert is tonight, oppa. I need to practice enough so I can be assured that I would be fine. If I can't perform in front of a small crowd, I will never be able to perform in front of a bigger audience."

"I know that, Mijoo. I just don't think you should strain your voice so much. Is there a bigger problem? We can always talk about it." Yejun was already putting his guitar down so it can lean against the long legs of his high stool. 

The two were currently seated outside the veranda once again. It has ended up becoming their rehearsal area for Mijoo to finally sing in front of her friends, although she was still very nervous about it. She has managed to get used to singing in front of Yejun, but she wasn't sure about the others. She was afraid her voice would become shaky again. 

"I don't really see the problem. Am I just shy, or is there a bigger problem to why I can't sing in front of people? Maybe it would be best if I enjoy singing to myself," Mijoo said, sighing a little. 

Yejun leaned closer—and since he was taller, he didn't fall off his stool—and pinched Mijoo's cheek ever so slightly. "Stop worrying so much. You're fine. Maybe it's your mindset about how you would look like on stage. Stop thinking you'll fail. Instead, think about the big achievement by the end of the day."

Mijoo thought it over and managed to pull a smile as she eyed Yejun sweetly. "Thanks for that, oppa. I just wish I can remember all the time. Now, come on. Let's sing from the start."

Yejun smiled, nodding in agreement before he picked up the guitar to begin rehearsal again.

Wonwoo

Wonwoo leaned against the wall, standing behind the double doors frame that led to the veranda. Even if the doors were merely made of glass, both Yejun and Mijoo didn't notice that he was standing there watching them. 

Wonwoo had been standing there ever since they started rehearsal and the only thing Wonwoo could feel was his heart slowly breaking. At some point, he even felt like crying because of the pain he's been feeling. 

What can I do? I can see it in her eyes. She obviously likes Yejun, Wonwoo thought as he tried to pull away from the door. Maybe then, he could stop hurting. But his body didn't listen. Instead, he stood firm there without moving an inch as he continued to stare at them. 

"Wonwoo? What are you doing?" Wonwoo suddenly heard a voice call out to him, startling him. 

Wonwoo turned around and found Hansol walking up to him. "Oh, Hansol. I'm not doing much. Just..."

Hansol had already stood next to him and glanced at where Wonwoo was staring before noticing the obvious. He gave him a sad smile. "Were you looking at them?"

"Uhh..."

Hansol patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I know. It's not that hard to notice it, Wonwoo. There are times where you're being very obvious."

By now, Wonwoo's ears were burning red as he scratched the tip of his nose. "There were? I've never really noticed them..."

"I know you like her, dude." Hansol laughed before brushing his hair back. He nodded his mouth to the door, obviously indicating to the two outside. "And hyung also likes her. Now, all there's left is to know who Mijoo really likes."

"I don't think it's that easy. She's not an easy girl. She's those hard-to-get girls," Wonwoo slightly explained, and it wasn't helping his red ears cool down. 

"And that makes you want her more?" Hansol teased, slightly wiggling his eyebrows. 

"Hansol..." 

Hansol laughed in return. "I know, I'm sorry, man. Man up a little and try to chase her heart. Show her you'll be here for her whenever she needs you. Prove it to her that you'll protect her."

"Is that what you did with your ex-girlfriend?" Wonwoo couldn't help but ask. 

"Who? Autumn?" The way Hansol called her name was as if she was so distant now. There were barely any emotions. "Yeah, of the sort. Hey, at least she became my girlfriend, right?"

"Right..." Wonwoo looked outside again. "I don't think I can do what you advised me to, Hansol."

"Why's that?"

Wonwoo's eyes moved back to look at Hansol's. "Because I've pushed myself too far into the friend zone island. It'd be impossible for me to get out of there."

"Come on. Even best friends fall in love," Hansol argued. 

"They do but..." Wonwoo sighed. "Mijoo's a different case. She doesn't fall in love with friends. It happened once or twice but I knew her true emotions at those times. Most of the times, she just accepted their love because she didn't want to see them hurt. Stupid girl. She should've think about her own emotions before any one else."

When Wonwoo glanced up to see what facial expression Hansol had, he saw that he was grinning at him. "Dude, you are so in love with her."

Wonwoo's ears went back to being beet red. "Am not!" 

"Yes you are!" Hansol laughed before smacking his shoulder. "Come on, mark your territory. Don't you at least want to try?"

"What's there to gain?" 

"Either a girlfriend, or a new-found self of yours. One that no longer sees her as a girl, but as a mere best friend," Hansol said before he smiled and patted his shoulder. "Good luck."

After Hansol had walked away, Wonwoo was left to rethink things through. Oddly, Hansol was right and Wonwoo knew he would never know whether he had an actual chance if he never tried. 

Sarang

The pension was quiet when I was alone in the living room. Most of them were upstairs. Mijoo and Yejun were practicing for tonight's mini concert so I couldn't exactly talk to her and as for the others, they were doing who knows what up there. 

With the exception of Myeong. 

"This trip has been a bummer. I haven't been able to get any bikini girl's number," said Myeong as he munched on cookies he got from the kitchen. 

I pulled out a few tissues out of its box before shoving it towards him. "Can you please stop making a mess? You won't clean it anyway."

Myeong looked at me with lazy eyes before they directed their way back to the TV screen which played a local show about the women who dive into the cold, freezing sea just to catch fishes or other sea creatures to earn a living and provide Jeju with its seafood.

"And you're the one who dragged yourself on this trip. Why are you the one complaining?" I asked him before grabbing a nearby pillow to hug it. 

"I actually thought I'd grab myself a girlfriend," Myeong said, munching on the cookies again. 

I couldn't help but scoff due to the unbelievable statement. "Please. You eat like this. Do you think you'll ever grab yourself a girlfriend?"

"My looks are killer, aren't they?" Myeong gave me a wink and I only wanted to puke in his face. 

"I can see why you're still single."

"Hey!"

"Don't you have some girl you're interested in back in Seoul? In your university, for example. I'm sure there's a lot of talented and pretty girls there," I said, eyes fixed on the TV. 

"Nah. There was one, but she's already taken. And that was a long time ago. I barely see her around. I think she's too busy kissing up her boyfriend." Myeong cringed. 

I couldn't help but laugh. "You sound salty about it. Still not over her?"

"I'm over her, duh. Who said I wasn't?" Myeong rolled his eyes. "I'm still here waiting around for my friends to sell me off to girls they know. I want to go on a blind date."

"Ew, who would like you?" I asked in a teasing voice. 

"I will. I'm so in love with myself, I'm already taken," Myeong said in return, tracing his jawline. 

I pushed his face away and rolled my eyes before I gagged. "I have goosebumps."

"You two are just like siblings," a voice commented behind us. 

I thought Myeong would at least have a manly trait in him. But my thoughts about that instantly vanished after hearing him let out a high pitched scream—almost similar to a teenage girl's. 

Both of us turned around to see who exactly was it that came and interrupt our typical argument and found myself staring at Hansol who smiled back in return.

"Hi," I squeaked, pulling up a wide smile. I couldn't help it. It was the norm when he was around. 

Myeong knowingly coughed. I gave him a glare but he only smiled in return, as if to tease me. Which he probably was, considering that he was none other than Kim Myeong.

"May I join?" Hansol asked. When I looked at him, I noticed that he was pointing to the empty space next to me on the couch. 

"Oh, yeah, sure." I scooted over a little more, still glaring at Myeong. 

"We should watch a movie," Myeong suggested, getting off the couch. After he did, he started doing some weird stretches. "I'll go see if I have any good movies upstairs. I'll be right back."

What I didn't know at first was the real reason as to why Myeong randomly suggested a movie. Only after five minutes and him still not returning then did I realize he had devised some sort of plan just to leave the two of us alone in the living room by ourselves. 

"Myeong hyung sure is taking a long time," Hansol said, oblivious to his evil plans. 

"He sure is," I agreed through gritted teeth. I will get back at him for this one day. 

"I can't believe we have three more days before we head back to Seoul. I liked it here," Hansol said, turning his body a little so that he faced me. 

"Yeah, me too..." I like it because I spend more time with you. This has been the best trip I have ever taken before. My crush is here with me, my best friends too and my annoying oppa. Oh, and Yejun. What do I call him, though? My friend? My best friend's soon-to-be-boyfriend? Hmm. 

"Myeong hyung is really taking his time," Hansol said, his eyes moving towards the stairs. No Myeong in sight. 

"Maybe he got stuck under a pile of dirty laundry," I joked, trying to make the atmosphere feel easy. 

"Maybe," he answered, snickering under his breath. His eyes turned back to me, where we locked eyes. He grinned, breaking the special moment. "Let me ask you a question."

My heart was racing. The way he worded it and the tone that he used made me feel anxious. "What is it?"

"Have you ever considered dating someone again?" he asked with his easy smile. He made everything seem so easy for him. Was I the only one going through a troubling heart?

"What?" I croaked, slightly choking on my saliva. I was too dazed and lost in his eyes to hear the question properly. "Can you repeat that again?"

"I said: have you ever considered dating someone again?" Hansol was still smiling. His eyes were shinning. He was nothing but beautiful. 

"Maybe," I blurted out before I had time to think it through. Once I was snapped back into my senses, it was already too late it take it back. What have I done? "Wait, I mean—"

"Maybe it such a vague answer, though," Hansol said, leaning back on the armrest behind him. "Yes or no?"

My heart was pounding and only after a few seconds did I realize that he was slowly leaning closer. I didn't know how else to handle this—the way he was closing the gap between us. "Uhh..."

Hansol finally stopped, only inches away from my face. He smiled again, making eye contact at such a close proximity. "What's your answer?"

"Y-yes," I stammered, feeling the air get taken away from me. It felt like the room's temperature was slowly rising. Or was that just me?

"Really? That's cool." Hansol finally pulled his face away, nodding understandably. "Does that mean you like someone?"

"I've never considered anyone yet," I stuttered. I sounded so stupid. "What about you?"

"Me? Well, I don't know for sure," he answered, letting out a shrug. "I guess it all depends on time. When you're at the right place at the right time with the right person, then you'll finally fall in love. Knowing what you have takes a while, though."

Was that how it was with you? Was it the right time and right place when I started feeling my heart do cartwheels like this? 

"What if you fell in love at the most unexpected time at the most unexpected place?" I asked. I wanted to see his answer.

He gave me an easy smile, once again. "Then, that's one interesting love story a person will tell in the future."

I was satisfied with his answer so I ended up smiling. And I didn't say anything after. I was left to attend my thoughts. If what he said was true, then I hope our love story would be interesting. Although, I wasn't even sure if mine would even be a love story. 

Who knows? There are times when the other end of the string was being pulled, too, indicating there was already a person waiting on the other end.

☀

The sun went down; the skies were painted dark blue—nearing jet black; the lights were on. Everything was set and in place. 

Because the event was something a little special, everyone got a little dressed up. I didn't bring a dress along with me to Jeju—since I had no idea that we would have an uncalled concert—I just borrowed one of Mijoo's dresses that she had in her closet. 

It was a simple floral dress that was sleeveless and it reached just right above my knees. It was cute and I liked it. Mijoo and I probably had similar tastes in clothing. Probably. 

There were chairs placed around the veranda as it faced one end of it. The railings were to our right, where we can hear the waves crashing and the stage was decorated with a few lights hung up to make it a little more prettier. There were two stools, a microphone stand with a microphone that was connected to a nearby speaker and a guitar. 

Yejun and Mijoo were nowhere to be found. The rest of us—Myeong, Wonwoo, Seungkwan, Hansol and I—were already seated. The guys wore polo shirts that they surprisingly brought and they looked nice. Was I the only one that never considered bringing a dress to a trip?

Seungkwan was holding a camera in his hands and he was all smiles. He took pictures of literally everything—the stage, us, the veranda, the plants on the veranda, the beach—which he claimed that he could see a mermaid when it was really just pitch black darkness. Literally anything that made it into the shot. 

Yejun and Mijoo finally entered the veranda. Yejun was wearing a neat peach polo shirt with his hair slightly gelled up while Mijoo wore a simple dress that reached her knees. It was in the colour of dark blue. It reminded me of the universe. 

Mijoo wasn't the type who liked to wear makeup, so she stuck with just lip gloss. Even so, she still looked stunning. Why was my best friend so beautiful?

Seungkwan started taking pictures and I could already see Mijoo faltering. Her hands were shaking as she grabbed the microphone and she mostly avoided our eyes. I continued to cheer for her in my head, hoping that she would overcome her fears. 

Yejun began with a clear strum before he looked at Mijoo, who sat slightly in front of him. He was waiting for a cue. 

But the cue didn't come instantly. Mijoo looked like she was still busy collecting her thoughts as she tried to think about everything. Her hands were still shaking, but they weren't very severe. She kept taking deep breaths. 

"Hey, it's okay," Yejun assured, his eyes fixed only on her. 

Mijoo didn't say anything in return. Her eyes were glued to the floorboard as she clutched the microphone tighter and tighter. 

"Come on, Mijoo. You can do this," I whispered as I looked at her with hopeful eyes. 

A few more seconds passed. It was nothing but quiet. But a miracle happened—Mijoo finally lifted her head and looked at us before she turned to Yejun and gave her a nod. The cue. 

Yejun nodded back and began playing the first note and the song finally began. 

Mijoo lifted her microphone, tried her best to keep a smile on her face before she finally sang the first verse of the song. 

"So easily, with harsh words
You put scars in my heart
Without even saying sorry
Again, I'm comforting myself
Always nervous if you're gonna leave me
I just want you to stay
In your expressionless face that's getting more and more dull
I whisper to the mirror, let's slowly let this go
You take me for granted
But that's you
But still, stay stay stay with me."

By this time, she was already getting used to singing in front of people. As the song progressed, she got more comfortable. She was even asking us to sway our arms in the air, to which we all happily did. 

I'm so glad you found your confidence, my friend, I thought as I swayed to the music. 

She probably noticed my stare or facial expression, which was why she gave me an even bigger smile as she continued to sing. I could feel her say thank you, even if it was only her eyes that shone. 

Sometimes, all we need is a small push from someone we love in order for us to do great things. A little belief, a little push, and you'll find yourself in great places. 

Mijoo

After the concert had ended, Yejun was busy putting the guitar back into its casing. Everyone was celebrating, even telling Mijoo congratulations for finally singing in front of an audience. To others, it was nothing special. But to Mijoo, it was one of the greatest achievements. 

I did it, she thought, closing her eyes for a quick second. 

"You were amazing!" a voice said. In a quick second, Mijoo found herself in the air. And when she found the face of the person who lifted her up, she grinned. 

"Thank you," she said, still grinning even after he had put her down and started to act all awkward. 

"Sorry about that," he said, scratching the nape of his neck. "You did great, though. I'm so proud of you."

"You sound like a dad," Mijoo joked, laughing afterwards. 

"I did not!" Wonwoo protested. "Did I?"

"Yes," Mijoo answered. "What do you think? Do you think I have enough talent to actually be in the talent show at school?"

"Obviously." Wonwoo poked Mijoo's forehead, making her stumble back a little. "I'll even give you strawberry milk after your performance."

Mijoo frowned in return. "I don't like strawberry milk."

Wonwoo crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. "I knew that. Yah, I'm your best friend! Do you really think I wouldn't know that? I'll get you chocolate milk instead. Or would you like banana?"

"How about both?" Mijoo asked, her eyes shinning. 

"Both? Wahh... my money will disappear fast," Wonwoo joked, looking into the far distance with his hands tucked inside his pants. 

Mijoo smacked his chest. "You were the one who asked. I give you strawberry milk whether you win or lose anyway. What's so bad about finally treating me?"

"You're right." Wonwoo bobbed his head. "I'll just give you both because you deserve it. That is, if you decide to join the talent show."

"I'll think about it." Mijoo gave him a sweet smile. 

"Hey, lovebirds! Look into the camera!" Seungkwan suddenly shouted, holding up the camera. 

Mijoo turned her head and gave him a glare. "Lovebirds? Do you want to die in my hands tonight, Boo Seungkwan?"

Seungkwan stuck his tongue out like the kid he was. "Whatever! Just smile so I can take a picture! This is a very rare occasion. With you singing and all."

Mijoo rolled her eyes before she pulled Wonwoo closer to her and did a v-pose and smiled. "Kimchi!"

Wonwoo smiled at the camera too. "Kimchi!"

The camera clicked and Seungkwan brought it down to examine it. He smiled a satisfied smile and showed the two. "I like this photo the best."

In the photo, Wonwoo had already curled his arm around Mijoo and did a v-pose with his other hand. Mijoo was smiling brightly, unaffected by the sudden touch, from the looks of the photo. 

"Yah..." Mijoo snatched the camera away from his grip. 

"Don't tell me you're going to kill me!" Seungkwan grabbed Wonwoo and used him as a human shield. "I'm too young to die!"

Mijoo managed to grab onto Seungkwan's arm and pulled him closer to her. She had a creepy and scary grin on her face, which was making Seungkwan want to cry. But her face changed as she told him, "Print this one out for me. Okay?"

Seungkwan stopped squirming and blinked a few times at Mijoo. "Wait, did I hear you correctly?"

Mijoo shoved the camera towards his chest. "Duh. Do what I told you to do. I want to make myself some warm tea. My throat needs it."

Wonwoo

"Duh. Do what I told you to do. I want to make myself some warm tea. My throat needs it."

After Mijoo had walked away and out of the veranda, both Seungkwan and Wonwoo exchanged looks. 

"I'm confused," Wonwoo blurted out, before he had any time to process what he had just said. 

Seungkwan grinned back before he whispered something only Wonwoo could hear, "I think my cousin likes you."

Wonwoo's ears started burning red. "What? There's no way! She has only ever seen me as a best friend."

"Are you serious? Have you seen the way she has been acting around you these days? It's different. It feels different. Did you do anything that made her like this? Maybe..." Seungkwan grinned. "...a kiss?"

"What? No way!" Wonwoo's ears kept burning as they turned redder every passing second. "Seungkwan, don't say anything like that. It'll start giving me false hopes. I'm just really scared."

"Why? My cousin's a charmer. She can let anyone fall in love with her without doing much or simply showing her personality. Trust me. I may say she's ugly every time I see her but the truth is, she really is." 

Wonwoo ended up smacking Seungkwan's shoulder before he glared at him. "She is not."

Seungkwan laughed. "I was kidding. Of course she isn't. We're family, so she'll somehow get my handsome genes too. It's something that runs in the family."

"Seungkwan, you're not helping," Wonwoo said, pouting as he looked over to the Jeju boy. 

"Don't think about it so much, okay? Learn to live in the moment and go with the flow. There will be times you'll have to make a choice, and you have to be ready and aware." Seungkwan patted Wonwoo's back. "Okay?"

"Okay..." Wonwoo was still not as convinced. Yes, he wanted to scream out a confession every time he sees Mijoo but he had limits and there were things at risk. He didn't want to lose her. 

"Good. Take care of her, okay? My cousin is really loud and noisy and ugly and—"

"You're not helping, Seungkwan."

Seungkwan chuckled in return before he bobbed his head. "I was kidding. I better help clean up now. Good luck, okay?"

Luck was something he needed. But what he needed more was a brave heart that could take the risk and make his feelings known to her. 

~Author's Notes~

I might be ending this story soon, just saying. :)