╰┈➤ ❝ [And now I see daylight, I only see daylight] ❞

HUMMING TO THE SOUND playing on her headphones Kim Ji-an waited for the bus with her eyes closed as she recalled the events from earlier in the day. She had to say the day was very interesting. Students talked and whispered anywhere she went, an aftermath of the stunt she pulled right at the start of the day with Han Seo-jun. Ji-an knew it would happen, but not to that extent. She couldn't imagine how it would be once everyone found out about their relationship.

They'll go nuts.

Just like Soo-ah and Soo-jin did.

The two had been smart enough to catch on to Ji-an's plan, leaving the girl with no choice but to fill them in on everything involving her deal with Seo-jun.

Let's say, they weren't thrilled by the news.

They proceeded to rant about how awful the plan was, how badly things could end considering Su-ho's and Seo-jun's rivalry, and how she should've chosen another person to make Su-ho jealous. But their words didn't have the effect they were hoping for, instead they only encouraged Ji-an even more. Being told it wasn't going to work made her want to prove them otherwise.

Then right after that, she found herself agreeing to join the math academy again, much to her distaste. Shockingly, Su-ho had agreed to join them in their study sessions too, right after Soo-jin had discreetly implied that Ji-an would come too.

Suddenly, Ji-an was snapped out of her thoughts as she felt someone take out her headphones and sit beside her. The girl was about to yell at whoever had the audacity to do such a thing, before she recognized the person beside her, making her close her mouth again as she watched the person put on her headphones.

"I see you still have a terrible taste in music."

The Kim girl raised her brows. "That's a funny thing to say considering I always liked your songs."

Han Seo-jun looked at her for a second before settling his eyes on the passing cars. A dry humorless chuckle left his lips as he tried to ignore the feeling of nostalgia in his chest. Removing the headphones from his ears, he passed them back to Ji-an. "My songs were the only exception."

Shrugging she grabbed them, placing them on her neck. "If you say so."

A silence fell between them, different from the ones before. This one was surprisingly comfortable. Just like the ones they always had before their friendship fell apart. The only sound coming from the music playing on Ji-an's headphones and the sound of the whooshing wind caused by the passing cars.

There were the occasional people walking by, but overall the sidewalk was pretty clear. It had been a few hours since school had ended. So, the sun was already settling down making a beautiful soft orange and yellow contrast over the sky.

Her parents' arrival made her want to stay away from her house as much as she could, so right after school she went to the comic bookstore. Given last time her visit wasn't as pleasant as she had hoped so. This time she was able to catch up with the owner, him being excited to have her back he made her a bowl of ramen that the girl gladly devoured.

"What are you doing here?" Ji-an mumbled, looking away from the sky and over to Seo-jun, who seemed rather concentrated on the passing cars. "You have your motorcycle. There's no reason for you to be taking the bus."

"I just didn't feel like using it."

"That's a lie." Everyone knew how much the Han boy loved his motorcycle, there was no way he was going to randomly ditch it just because he felt like it.

"I'm not lying."

The Kim girl sighed, "Soon, we'll have to pretend we're dating. I suggest we start following the regulations that go along with dating someone and just be honest. It would make pretending more easy. I know we're not friends and I'm not saying that we should suddenly get along, but you can talk to me. I know I've said some stuff in the past and I won't apologize for them. I just—what I'm trying to say is if you are ever in need you can count on me."

Through the middle of her speech, Seo-jun had turned to look at her. He was surprised by the sincerity of her words but even more at how content they made him feel. He thought she hated him. After all, he had been the one who pushed her away without any logical explanation just because he couldn't control his feelings.

Without even knowing, Seo-jun allowed himself to relax and let his walls down.

"My mom isn't thrilled with me having a motorcycle, which I know you can guess why. So, to ease her worries I told her I wasn't using it anymore." He sighed heavily. "Many may think it's just a stupid motorcycle but for
me—it's my escape from reality. Everytime I'm overwhelmed I just get on it and drive away. It helps me get my thoughts straight. I know sooner or later my mom would find out, but not today. I don't want to ruin her day by being a bad son. She's finally getting out of the hospital and she deserves to have a peaceful day."

He admitted, wanting to punch himself for letting out the last part. He hadn't planned to tell the girl about his mother's time in the hospital. But the girl had unknowingly made him feel comfortable so he ended up letting everything out without even planning to.

"Hospital? She's in the hospital?" Ji-an asked, eyes wide in shock and worry. Looking down she whispered to herself. "Why did Go-woon not say anything?."

But it was in vain, Seo-jun had heard her. And just like that his cold facade came back. "Maybe because it was none of your business. You don't have to know about everything that goes on. "

"It is my business! You know I love your mother more than I even love mine. She's like another mother to me." She frowned. "I should've found out sooner!"

"Now you know so there's no need for you to worry."

Ji-an shook her head, scoffing as she did so. "I won't stop worrying until I see her. I want to come with you to the hospital."

Shooting her a look, Seo-jun said, "Don't even think about it."

"Sorry, but I already did. It's settled I'm coming with you."

"You're so annoying." Seo-jun knew there was no point in arguing with the girl. He knew one way or another she'll have what she wants. It had always been like that.

"I know, you've said that before."

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷

"Wait, I have a question. Are we gonna have to pretend in front of your mother?" Ji-an asked, as both she and Seo-jun took a seat on a pair of chairs outside the hospital office where Seo-jun's mother was being attended.

The Han boy tilted his head, his eyes trailing down to the dirty white tiles of the hospital floor as he thought over his answer. He knew it would be a lot easier if they didn't have to pretend in front of his mother. That way they wouldn't have any reason to act as a couple outside of school.

Only when Su-ho was around. Which meant less time around the girl just like Seo-jun wanted because he couldn't allow Ji-an to find out about his feelings. The feelings that were buried deep inside his heart. Even though the girl was not in a relationship like in the past, the whole reason why she was doing the fakedating thing was to get back with her ex.

There was no point in trying.

His feelings were never going to be reciprocated.

But as Seo-jun kept thinking, he remembered how his mother had been telling him about dating and having a girlfriend. The woman was so desperate to the point where she had secretly set him up on a date with the daughter of one of her old high school friends—claiming the two would have a lot in common and would get along just fine.

And let's say it was the most torturous thing Seo-jun had ever done.

First, the girl kept ranting about how great he was and how amazing it was to be having a date with him. Then when the waitress came, she got overly possessive and paranoid just because the waitress had sent Seo-jun a polite smile and had asked him for his order first.

Then every time he would imply that he liked a particular thing, the girl would say she liked it too, but once he asked questions about the subject, it became obvious she was lying, and had no clue what he was talking about. And to top it all off, she spent the whole night complaining about everything. The food, the weather, how the restaurant was too loud, etc etc.

Seo-jun couldn't bear the thought of going through that again. So, before he could stop himself and change his answer which he knew he would later regret, he said. "Yeah."

Ji-an's eyes widened. She was not expecting that answer. "Seriously? Why?"

Shrugging, he fiddled with the rings on his fingers while mumbling. "I have my reasons."

"Hmm, like what? Has she been telling you to go find a girlfriend?" The Kim girl narrowed her eyes suspiciously, watching as Seo-jun turned to look at her in surprise.

"How do you know?"

"You've never had a girlfriend before." She leaned back, resting her head against the wall as she sent him a mischievous smile. "I'm not surprised she's starting to question your sexuality."

At this, Seo-jun quickly sat up, eyes wide and mouth agape as he adjusted the strap of his bag. "Wh-what? I'm not- I don't like- I mean I don't have anything against-"

"Relax, Seo-jun." She chuckled. It was fun seeing him get all flustered just with one sentence. "Why so nervous? Is it because I'm right?"

"No!" He shook his head. "What makes you think I didn't get a girlfriend while you were away?"

"Have you?" Ji-an raised her eyebrows, already knowing the answer. She might have lied when she denied having kept tabs on him the year she had been away.

Gulping, he grimaced. "No."

"That's what I thought." Raising her hand the Kim girl patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll help you get your mom off your back. Along with her suspicions of you being gay."

"I already said I'm not-"

"Mi Hyang!" The Kim girl stood up, ignoring whatever Seo-jun was going to say and quickly skipped over to the shocked woman before wrapping her in a hug. "It's been so long! I'm so so sorry for not visiting you. I had no idea you were in the hospital, had I known sooner I would've been here everyday."

Smiling, Mi Hyang pulled away before caressing Ji-an's cheek. It was something she always did when trying to comfort the girl. "I didn't want you to worry. Which is exactly why I told Go-woon to not say anything." She smiled warmly, as her eyes wandered over the girl's face. "God, you're even more beautiful than before."

Ji-an blushed at the compliment, muttering a small thanks before asking. "How are you? What did the doctor say?"

"The transplant is taking well and my numbers are all good." Her words made Ji-an and Seo-jun smile in relief, the latter one joining the two as they started walking down the hall full of nurses.

Seo-jun wrapped an arm around Mi Hyang, grinning as he said. "That's great, mom! we should grab something nice to eat and call Go-woon out."

Smiling, the woman dismissed his offer. "Maybe next time. I have someplace to be today."

"Where?"

"I want to go visit an old friend of mine."

"Okay, we're coming with you then." As soon as the words left his mouth, Ji-an snapped her head to the side, sending Seo-jun a look in shock. She was surprised he was making her tag along with them. The Kim girl had originally thought the boy would take any opportunity to get rid of her but here he was, doing the complete opposite.

The three kept walking, Seo-Jun on one side and Ji-an on the other with Mi Hyang in between. Sneaking side glances at the two teenagers the woman smiled to herself before asking. "I see you guys are comfortable around each other. Are you back to being friends again?"

Seo-jun looked at his mother for a second, before hesitantly making eye contact with Ji-an. Not removing his eyes away from her, he answered. "Yeah, we're good now. Right, sweetheart?"

Slowly, Ji-an nodded, putting a fake smile on her face. "Yup."

——————— ↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ——————

—Joy

Hi guys! Sorry for taking longer than usual to publish this chapter. Reason for it is because I was working on my Jang Wook ff.

Which if you have watched AOS you should definitely check out.

Since i have two books to work on, the chapters would take longer to be written.
Meaning from now on, I'll be alternating between writing chapters for both of the books.

I don't really like this chapter but I just wanted to give something to you guys. So here you go.

Don't forget to leave comments and vote!

Stay safe and see you next time! ❤️