9th ∞

Love was something I've grew to be scared of. Like, I knew that if I fell in love again, things wouldn't look so good because the love story before was a complete failure. 

Then, he came to my life. Without knowing what would happen, without seeing or noticing the signs, it happened. Something I was scared of—something I hoped would never come find me again—finally came around. 

You can't force love. You can't force yourself to love somebody nor can you force someone to love you back. That takes away all the magic from love. Love is as fragile as a butterfly or even a piece of paper. You have to take time to nurture it, admire all of its charms and beauty and finally... you're in love. 

I always thought that falling in love was hard. Or maybe it was easy to fall in love, just hard to move on. But I was afraid of falling in love again. With one failure of a story, you can stop yourself from liking a lot of things—even feeling certain emotions.

I didn't even believe in fate or destiny and all those scripted in books until I met him. I know, it's probably an overused line. But just like the main lead in one book I read in the library to kill my summer time, I also believed it was the magic of fate and destiny. Though, it didn't take me one coincidental meeting that made me think so. 

A friendship bloomed between the both of us—I was surprised it happened as well. But since it happened anyway, I left it to be, wondering where it might take me. Who knows? Love always can be found in the craziest places.

I say all these things as if I know love but right now? I perfectly know he isn't mine. Not until I tell him I like him as much as he likes me. A love story starts with a confession. It always does.

That's why I've been planning this out since yesterday. 

Mingyu already knew how I felt about him, but I think it was time for me to give him a clearer answer. I wanted him to know that I finally believed in fate and destiny. A changed of mind. 

Timing was off. Today was supposedly the day my family flies back from Jeju. They're expecting me to greet them when they land back in Seoul. Just when I wanted to spend time with Mingyu. 

Well, there was nothing wrong with spending time with him before my family arrives since their arrival time will be eight p.m., but sadly, Mingyu had to work in his part-time job. Why was the timing so bad today? I guess I'll be stuck at home then, doing nothing. 

Then my phone started ringing. Usually, I'd lazily pick up my phone to answer whoever was calling but ever since our daily phone calls began with Mingyu, I always found myself racing towards my phone, hoping it'd be him. 

Sadly, it wasn't him. But I should still be happy about the caller. 

"Yeoreum!" a voice boomed on the other end, sounding excited. 

I slightly pulled the phone away from my ear, hoping it'd recover for a few seconds before answering, "Yeah?"

"Oh, sorry! I got a little excited there." They giggled. 

I smiled. "I can tell by the way your voice is all squeaky. Why so happy, Hyemi? Did something good happen? And what about that guy you hung out with that night at the party? The one you left me for?"

"You're playing the guilty card on me, I can't believe this," Hyemi said. "But I'll tell you all about it as well as my current updates and everything! I haven't seen you in two weeks! We were supposed to spend our summer together! What happened to all our plans?"

"Well, I guess we got busy?" I suggested. Or maybe it was because I got preoccupied with a certain someone during my summer. "What are you doing now?"

"Oh, right! That's the entire reason why I called," Hyemi said, giggling. "So, I'm here at this festival—"

"Hyemi..." I lightly groaned, letting my head hit the pillow that was on my bed. "You know how I feel about crowded areas and people."

Hyemi giggled. "I was kidding. Do you think I don't know you well? I already concluded not to bring you to crowded places, since you'll disappear like that night at the party. Where did you go after I left you?"

"Home," I lied, feeling uncomfortable. Lying in general made me feel uncomfortable. "Anyway, you were saying?"

"Oh, right!" Hyemi laughed again. "Sorry, I keep going out of topic. Anyway! I was hoping we could hang out together. After all, we have about one week before summer ends and we start our university lives."

"Today?" I asked, lazily kicking my blanket around.

"When else? Next year?" Hyemi sarcastically asked, but laughed afterwards. 

A smile grew on my lips. "Okay, okay. I was hoping to have a lazy day today but decided it wouldn't be that fun so I would definitely come and hang out with you. Where should we be meeting, Park Hyemi?"

"Wherever you want!" Hyemi said happily. "How about food? Cold noodles are the best for summer!"

"Oh! I know this nice cold noodles store nearby! It's located in a cramped alley but it's nice and peaceful in there," I told her happily.

Hyemi was laughing on the other end of the line. "You're so enthusiastic when it comes to food. Okay! I'll meet you there! Text me the address. I have things I want to talk to you about and most importantly, I want to hang out with you."

I smiled, though she couldn't see it. "Okay, see you there."

∞~∞~∞

I sat at the window seat, overlooking the small alleyway and watching some people pass by. I was still waiting for Hyemi. I wasn't sure if she had lost her way trying to find this place, but I went ahead and ate some cold noodles since she was taking too long. 

Finally, she entered the store with a bright smile when she saw me eating happily in my seat. She first gave me a huge hug when she saw me before sitting next to me. 

"You already started eating without me?" Hyemi asked. 

I sheepishly smiled and ate up. "I couldn't wait any longer. Sorry, Hyemi."

Hyemi pinched my cheek. "You're so cute when it comes to food. I'll order up, then. Then later, we can talk."

So after Hyemi ordered her food, she began eating while I continued to eat mine. When the summer heat was too hot to bear, just trust in cold noodles to cool you down. 

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked in between eating. 

Hyemi stopped eating as well and slowly put her chopsticks down and looked outside. Something was wrong, I could feel it. "It's about a guy."

Of course. When was it never about a guy? I mean, truthfully speaking, most problems come from relationship problems. Correct me if I'm wrong. 

"Is it..." I tried to recall her most recent guy. It wasn't like Hyemi was the type of girl who had a lot of guys. Okay, maybe she was but that was because the guys fall in love with her so easily and Hyemi can't help it either. I still love her, though. "...the guy from that night's party? The one at the beach?"

That was also the last time I talked to Hyemi. My life had been more occupied with Mingyu after that night. 

Hyemi slowly nodded, but still looked outside. "He was a good guy at first, but he and I keep arguing and fighting. Yes, we got together and I didn't tell you. I'm sorry about that."

I smiled at her, telling her it was fine with my eyes. I had my own story I didn't tell her either. We were even. 

Hyemi continued, "So back to what I was saying. We were together and were happy. He was my happiness and I was his. It was perfect—almost. Most of the times, we were happy. But the both of us always found something to argue about. I don't like this. I don't like that. You're always thinking about yourself. You're so selfish. It was always something like that."

I nodded along, listening to her every word. Was this what love was like, as well? The painful arguments that left both ends hurt and in regret. Or even worst—no regret at all. 

"So... what happened?" I asked her. 

Hyemi let out a dry laugh and told me, "What do you think? We eventually got tired of each other and broke up. I wanted to try to forget about him but I keep thinking we're okay so I send messages to him like usual. But he finally blocked my number and I woke up from a daydream I enjoyed for a short second."

As I listened to Hyemi, I started to wonder. Would I be like that, too? If something were to happen between Mingyu and I, would the both of us have ended this way too? 

"At least with you, I feel better," Hyemi said, finally casting me a glance and a smile before she picked up her chopsticks and continued eating. 

I wanted to tell her my story too, but felt like I wasn't ready to admit it to someone else but myself. So I kept quiet, gave her a smile in return and continued eating as well. 

We both shared enlightening stories with each other—mostly Hyemi, since my summer had been a boring one with a routine that seemed to repeat every time. I'd wake up, eat and probably stay at home the entire day or actually be hard working enough to head to the library. 

"Have you fallen for anyone yet?" It was a simple, innocent question asked by Hyemi out of curiosity, yet it was making me nervous.

Should I tell her the truth? Or should I lie and wait until I can accept it whole-heartedly? 

I replied, "No. Hyemi, you know what happened."

Hyemi winced at the reminder, as if she was the one who experienced it. Well, she's been dating longer than I have so I bet she has experienced it once. A heartbreak by a jerk. Happens all the time. "Oh, right... I shouldn't have asked. Want me to set you up? I know a few guys you'll probably like."

Too bad, there was only one I really like.

I shook my head and told her, "I don't think I'm really ready to go all out in the world yet."

Hyemi gave me an understanding smile. "I can understand. I guess we're both on the single boat, huh?"

I smiled back. But it wasn't a full smile. "I guess so."

I couldn't agree with her fully. Because, if I looked into this paper heart of mine, there was already a name written on the side of it. 

∞~∞~∞

I was at the airport early, awaiting the arrival of my parents and my little brother. The emails they sent all the way from Jeju were already filled with all their adventures, but I wonder what other fun stories they had to share.

I had my own story, but it wasn't the type that I could share. 

Thinking about it again, I smiled to myself like an idiot. Gosh, I can't believe it has come to this. 

I waited around and even checked the time on my white wrist watch my dad bought for me as a gift three months ago. It was branded and it had little jewels on it, making it look really pretty. I liked it a lot. 

Time check: eleven minutes past seven. 

What could I do with the remaining time? I shouldn't have arrived early. But I figured I wouldn't have gotten out of bed if I hadn't. Aish, being lazy did have its disadvantages, doesn't it?

I kept repeating three steps: looking at my watch to check the time; looking around to see what's going on; and trying not to look awkward while waiting alone. I tend to talk to myself when I wait alone, which is kind of embarrassing but kind of helpful. I'm not sure when this started, but it's slowly becoming a habit I may or may not be proud of. 

I looked around again. Whenever I was alone without anything better to do, I would tend to look around. Then, I noticed a familiar back figure I couldn't miss. At first, I didn't believe it would be them but the moment they turned sideways, I saw their face and confirmed it was them.

Smiling, I got up from where I was sitting and ran towards him. Without hesitation, I threw my arms around him, giving him a surprise back hug. I never thought my heart could explode out or my chest this quickly until this day. 

They were surprised too, and when they turned around, there was a smile. 

"Fancy seeing you here, Kim Mingyu," I said, smiling. "What brings you here? Don't tell me... did you follow me here?"

Mingyu first looked tensed then smiled afterwards. "No, I wasn't doing that. What about you?"

"My family's coming back from Jeju today," I told him, looking at the big digital clock that hung above us. "They're probably on their way now. Arrival time is eight p.m."

Mingyu smiled. "Is that so? Well, that's nice to know. I hope your family will arrive safely. They probably had fun, like you said."

I laughed. "Yeah. I'm sure my three-year-old brother has tons of stories to share with me. I just don't get him. How could he already enjoy sports at such a young age? It's so weird."

Mingyu suggested, "Your parents's genes? The ones that you didn't inherit?"

Well, that made sense. "Right. The genes I didn't inherit. It's not really my fault I'm this way, right?"

Mingyu smiled and nodded. 

Something about him today seemed odd, but I dismissed his weird actions. He was probably tired from working. 

Then, it was like a voice was whispering into my voice. It was probably even my conscious. They whispered, "Confess to him. Tell him you want him by your side. Tell him now."

I was perplexed by what I had just heard in my mind. It was as if another side of me awoken thanks to Mingyu. But the thought of having him by my side for a longer period of time sounded nice and I felt like I was ready. 

"Mingyu, I have something I want to tell you," I said, feeling giddy that I couldn't stop smiling. 

Mingyu noticed it and teased, "I wonder what it could be."

I bet he was already making his guesses. It was obvious, after all. But I wanted to keep him in suspense, so I requested him to lean in closer so I would whisper it into his ear. Luckily, Mingyu obeyed me and did as told. Yeah, him and his height. If the Han River Bridge ever broke one of its legs or supporting items, Mingyu could easily replaced them. 

Once he was closer in, my smile widened even more as I leaned closer in and kissed him on the cheek. Mingyu, surprised by my action, stood up straight and looked at me with widened eyes. With a smile still widened on my face, I told him, "I like you a lot, a lot, a lot, too."

Mingyu started smiling and his smile was just the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. "So you finally admit you like me? A lot, a lot, a lot?"

"Oh, stop with the teasing," I said, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden. When I thought of a confession, I'd never imagine it'd be here in an airport. "So, um... what happens now?"

Jaehyun was the only boyfriend I ever had. Before we dated, it was Jaehyun who confessed first and asked if I could be his girlfriend. In these situations, what happened? Do I ask Mingyu to be my boyfriend? But I've never done that before so I wasn't exactly sure how to do it. 

Mingyu smiled and gave me a hug. "We get together, obviously. Are you a pabo? You've dated before, right? You at least know this far."

I smiled back and returned the hug. "Oh, silly me..."

"Do you believe in fate and destiny now, Ms. Destiny?" Mingyu asked in a teasing voice. 

I giggled and replied, "Yes. I believe in it now, Mr. Destiny."

~Author's Notes~

The next chapter will be the last so get ready, Kimichies! This story is about to end. I did say it was a short story, didn't I? I didn't think it'd be this short but *cries* I guess it has come to this. T^T

xoxo

Byun Sang Kyung