Chapter 2:

I hurried along to my next class, biting at my lip as I tried to figure out why he seemed so familiar. "Dae... It can't be him... It wouldn't make sense for him to be here." I shook my head, pausing in front of the door to my next class. "Aigoo, my head is all over the place. I hope I can concentrate." I opened the door and stepped inside, greeted by the sight of my friend Haeun. She smiled when she realised I had stepped in, our mentor sat comfortably at his desk as he arranged some papers. "Gyoh-soo-nim, I'm sorry for being late, I- I got caught up in my last lesson." Our mentor looked up and waved his hand to dismiss it. "You're always on time or even early, it does not matter Lydia-ya." As Haeun and I walked towards his desk he seemed to find the papers he wanted and offered them to us. We both looked at them quizzically before looking up at him. "New assignments, girls. Haeun-ah I want you to learn I by Taeyeon and Lydia-ya I want you to learn I Love You by Daesung." Haeun looked towards me before looking back at her sheet and I simply nodded. "Ne, is that all you want for today gyoh-soo-nim?" He simply nodded and waved us off. "You're excused early." Haeun smiled, bowing quickly and grabbed her bag before making her way out quickly. I guessed that her boyfriend was waiting for her. "Annyeong gyoh-soo-nim!" I waved goodbye and made my own way out, immediately sticking in my earbuds and began streaming Daesung's I Love You. As I was walking I began to sing, trying to get a feel for the song and my vocals.

I decided to sit down on one of the stone benches, studying the lyrics as I sang. It wasn't uncommon to see students singing on campus due to the music programme. I was reaching the second chorus when I spotted Dae walking briskly. I stumbled over some words as my eyes followed him. I wanted to call out, ask if the mark had been removed but decided against it.

I stayed on the bench for almost an hour, singing and taking a break to eat my fruit pot and have a drink of my water. My stomach had began to growl as it turned almost twelve. I knew I hadn't eaten enough today, the bagel didn't really count as breakfast but I was trying to shift a little weight and be healthy so I knew I would have a large lunch. That's when I remembered Jiman's invitation. I paused my music and rang him. It rang three times before he answered. "Oppa! I'm done with my work, what time is lunch?" I nibbled at my lip, still not used to the fact that Jiman's mother had welcomed me with open arms, treating me like her daughter. Hospitality like that was rarer than a unicorn back in England.

"Dongsaeng, Oh-ma said it'll be ready about one, you can come and hang out in the shop if you'd like."

"Ah, okay, I'll be round soon Oppa!"

The call cut off and I began to pack all my stuff away, changing the music to F(x)'s new album. I made my way to the cafe leisurely, not worrying about hurrying.

I still made it to the cafe in good time despite the fact I walked quite slowly. When I walked in I could see it was quite busy, Jiman was rushing around to complete orders and it looked like he didn't have any help. I walked round the counter and stashed my bag and jacket away, slipping my phone into the pocket of the waist apron I had put on. "Oppa, which table does this need to go to?" I gestured to a tray on the side that had a muffin and two cups on tea on. "Ah, Lydia-ya, you don't need to help." I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Too late Oppa, just tell me where." He smiled back at me and pointed in the direction of what looked to be a couple about my age. "Ne, it's the least I can do since eomeoni insists on feeding me because she thinks I'm not eating properly." I picked up the tray and walked over to the table before he could argue, smiling at the couple and placing down the drinks and muffin. Once serving them I made my way over to the counter again and helped Jiman clean up, preparing to close for lunch. It wasn't long until the customers left and the cafe was empty, right on time for lunch.

A few minutes after we had closed up, Jiman's mother called down from the back door that the food was ready. We both made our way up hastily, talking about the assignment set by my music mentor and the strange meeting with Dae. "He really could be Daesung from Big Bang? I mean it's possible, apparently he has a friend that works at that university." I looked at Jiman, raising an eyebrow at that comment and shook my head, pushing open the door to his parents house. "It can't of been. I'm sure there's loads of guys called Dae." He simply shrugged and smiled as we walked in, both of us slipping our shoes off. "You never know."

"Eomeoni! Do you want any help?" I called from the living room, knowing she didn't like to ask so I would offer instead. "Aigoo, it's fine, Jiman can help out, you're a guest Lydia-ya." I laughed quietly at the look on Jiman's face as his mother said that. "Ne oh-ma, I'm coming." He shook his head as he stood up and ruffled my hair before walking into the kitchen and I heard a clatter of dishes being put on to a tray before he came back to set out the table. I got up and walked into the kitchen, picking up three pairs of chopsticks and three spoons. "Eomeoni, thank you for inviting me for lunch." I smiled over to Jiman's mother as she looked at me. She laughed softly and pointed the large wooden spoon at me. "You're like a daughter to me Lydia-ya, I only have Jiman as my child and he's no fun to go shopping with." I laughed softly as Jiman's protest could be heard from the living room. "Thank you anyway. I'll go set these on the table." I walked away into the living room, placing down the cutlery in their respective places and sitting down on the floor to get comfortable. Jiman brought the rest of the food out while his mother brought out some glasses and barley water. Once we were all seated, we said our thanks for the food and began to tuck in.

After the meal we spoke for a little, about the cafe, my university and future plans, Jiman's mother seemed really interested in what I wanted to do. Once we were finished I helped clean up, singing I Love You as I went, wanting to practice as much as possible. Jiman had put on the music the second time round I sang it, saying my voice sounded good. "Kanashii uta ni ai ga shirakete shimawanu you ni..." I nodded slightly as I finished, pleased I could remember the lyrics better now. "Lydia-ya you sing so well! Why didn't you audition to become a member of YG or SM?" Jiman's mother walked over to me, placing the dish cloth in the sink. I simply shrugged and smiled, "I'm too old to apply now, I don't have any wow factor and I don't think I'd be that popular." I sighed slightly and looking down at the dish I was drying. Once it was properly dried I placed it in the cupboard and turned round, placing the tea towel on the counter. "Eomeoni, I have to go now, thanks again for the meal." Jiman's mother smiled and walked over, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I told you, you're welcome any time, now I have to go help my son with the shop again." I smiled and grabbed my bag and phone, walking over to the door to slip my shoes on. I turned round and waved goodbye to her before opening the door and slipping out, beginning my walk back home.

"I'm home..." I shook my head at my habit, slipping off my shoes and walking in, dropping down on my sofa. My cat Levi decided to pounce onto my stomach, making himself comfortable as I stroked his fur. I unlocked my phone, greeted by the image of Jiman, Suzy and Haeun and myself before I clicked onto my music, once again playing I Love You. I sang through it twice before I was interrupted by an incoming call. I looked down, confused at the unknown number before answer. "Hello..?" I frowned before I heard the person speak. "Ah Lydia-ssi, it's Dae, I wanted to call and ask if you were free at all this week?" My eyes widened as I remembered. "Ah Dae-ssi, did the mark not come off? I really am sorry." I bit at my lip, scolding myself mentally. "Ah, my jacket, no you don't have to worry about it. I was wondering if we could meet up at all this week." I nodded to myself, frowning slightly. "Ah I'm technically free tomorrow, I was just meant to practise this song for my class, but it can wait I guess." I heard a slight sigh from the other side of the line before he spoke. "If you want I could help you tomorrow after you've accompanied me?" I hesitated for a moment before replying. "Um, yeah sure, if you're fine with that?" "Of course, so will 11 o'clock be okay tomorrow?" "Sure, that'll be fine." For some reason I began to suddenly feel nervous, this sounded so much like a date, but I was just helping him out. "Okay then, see you tomorrow Lydia-ssi." "Ah, yes, see you tomorrow Dae-ssi." The call clicked off and I let my phone drop onto the sofa, trying to figure out what had just happened.

I finally moved from the sofa quite a while later, only prompted by the growling of my stomach. I went to the kitchen and simply grabbed a ramen pot and a small pack of breakfast biscuits to snack on. Once I sorted out my food I decided to watch some tv, not surprised at all that one of the things advertised was Big Bang's M.A.D.E tour. It was no secret that this was one of their biggest tours ever. Just for a moment my heart skipped a beat as I saw Daesung, well what you could see of his face thanks to his new mushroom cut fringe. That simple image dragged my thoughts to earlier in the day when I bumped into Dae-ssi. I shook my head and went back to eating my ramen, changing the channel.

Even though I hadn't intended too, I went to bed late, after re-watching a few episodes of my favourite drama "My Beloved Eundong". I collapsed onto my bed after getting ready to sleep, pulling the covers over me. I closed my eyes, stroking Levi's head as I drifted off to sleep, anticipating tomorrow.