Thank you kimmy, glad you like it, and hope you will pleased with this one too :)

All mistakes are mine.


Ch. 2 Can you be my friend?

A hum of pleasure escaped from his mouth. "Nothing's better than swimming in hot weather." He wiped water off from face and took glance at greens around. After class he thought to have a walk and ended up sauntering at river side. The hot weather made the river is more inviting. And now he was enjoying his heavenly bathing time. He brought water to his face and thought to stretch arms out when he heard something. Female voice.

He moved to rock nearby hiding himself and decided to wait. Perhaps they just pass by, he thought. However, the voice grew bigger and he got alarmed. He lifted body up to take a look. He saw group of girls not far from him, they start to undress. He quickly lowered his head before they could notice him. Slowly he reached for his clothes, dared to make any sound. "Why they have to come here, ruining my time?" He was too busy with grumbling that he didn't notice someone approaching. A gasp caused him to jerk head aside in surprise. He froze at spot to find the person.

"I-I…" Jeong Hyang quickly moved body around. "I'm sorry, I…didn't see you there." She mumbled an apology.

"Don't you know it's not polite to sneak on people?" He snapped, couldn't help himself.

She turned around to say back but quickly moved gaze away when saw his bare back. "I'm not sneaking on you, I just…" She cleared throat. "This is public place anyway." Her face turned warm from blushing.

Finally he could manage clothes on. 'Of all people, it's her! So embarrassing!' He screamed inwardly. Fortunately the sun had disappeared into horizon, still it was embarrassed. 'Did she…?' He slapped head mentally for his careless, but he had no time for regretting. He grabbed bag and uniform vest from ground and spun around to leave.

"Wait," She stopped the painter. She should have just left but oddly she rooted to her spot, too surprised to see him. "I'm sorry," She apologized again since the painter remained quiet. Honestly she didn't know what to say at the awkward moment.

His face was already red in embarrassment. He licked his lips racking his brain for what he should say. He heard someone calling out her name and that was what he needs. Without say anything he fled toward trees. He didn't dare to look back and ran as fast as he could.

...

He brushed dirt off of his shoes before shoving feet in. He turned to take his gat and caught glance from his brother who still crouching under blanket inside their room. "You're not coming?"

"I'm fine." Young Bok replied and sat up. "You know that I don't go to such place."

"What's wrong with the place? Besides it's free. It's not every day we have free drink." He pointed out. Young Bok just gave him indifferent shrug. "Oh come on, you're teenager not an elder. Even elderlies love that place." He caught pillow his brother threw at him.

"You shouldn't deal with him. Seriously, I don't get what's the point of those bets you have with him."

"It wasn't me who picked the competition thing." Yun Bok said defensively. Young Bok raised an eyebrow of doubt. "I hate it if someone defeats me, especially him. You know him too, he always fancies himself to be Dohwaseo's apprentice."

Young Bok couldn't argue and sighed. "Just enjoy your party." He shooed his brother. "I'm tired after today's class." He heard laugh from his brother. He laid down back on mattress but kept head up. "Don't stay too late, and don't drink too much, understood?"

Yun Bok rolled his eyes playfully. "Now you're like a woman." He quickly pulled door closed before Young Bok could send another pillow to him.

"Don't get yourself in trouble!"

He chuckled putting gat on and left dorm. He was invited to his classmates, Jang Hyo Won's birthday party. It was just boy students gathering and drinking rather than a party. Since he has nothing to do he gladly accepted the invitation. Besides Hyo Won had put another bet on.

Moment later he was standing in front of a gate which people passing in and out. Men and women. He had arrived at gibang. Actually this was his first. If it wasn't for the bet he won't come to gibang. He turned his gaze as some drunken patrons accompanied by gisaeng past him.

"Hey handsome, why are you just standing there? Come on in, they've been waiting for you inside."

A gisaeng approached him and took his arm. He gave smile and let the woman pulled him inside gibang. He couldn't help wandering gaze since it was his first time. It made him blush a little when they walked past a private room. Inside there was a man with a gisaeng clinging into him. Now he must agree Young Bok, he shouldn't come.

"Here we are."

He stopped and realized that they had come to a room and he could hear laughter from inside. 'Let's make it quick and leave' He was about to open the door when the gisaeng leaned closer to him and opened it for them. He thought to pull away but cheers from his classmates caused him to let the hand over his arm.

"You come,"

"Why wouldn't I?" Yun Bok replied Hyo Won. He put small smirk on as he won their bet.

Hyo Won took small gulp from his drink keeping gaze at his forever rival. "Well, I've actually thought you won't show up tonight."

Yun Bok gave light chuckle. "How can I miss your party? Especially in here." He turned to the gisaeng who was still clinging into him and gave smile. 'Just a play, won't do any harm' he thought. Then he looked back at Hyo Won. "So, here I am." His grin grew bigger as his other classmates cheered at him. The slight change on Hyo Won's face didn't go unnoticed by him.

"Have a seat then," Hyo Won said and turned to his other friend. "Give him drink." He held his own cup out and his friend poured wine into it. He curled lips up a little as their real bet was about to begin. "Drink up. I must see how sincere you are." He said to Yun Bok.

"You can drink this wine? A feminine brat like you?"

"Hyung, I can't drink all of this."

Yun Bok shot an eyebrow up in annoyance at tease from his classmates. Even the gisaeng beside him was laughing. Clenching jaws a little he grabbed the cup. He held gaze at Hyo Won and brought the cup to mouth, drinking it in one gulp. Hyo Won also brought cup to mouth. His friend poured another in and he gulped it down. They kept gaze locked as they drank the wine down. Soon his classmates cheered their drink competition. He felt the wine warm his chest but didn't stop. It was when their friends announced that the pot was empty that finally they put the cup down. His hand felt heavy, also his head. 'This is not good' He was grateful Hyo Won finally accepted his lose and decided to continue the party. Everyone now was busy with drinking and flirting with gisaeng. 'Idiot fellas' he thought, but he couldn't blame desire of youth. Fortunately the gisaeng who sat beside him had left after he ignored her. He grabbed his cup and gulped down the wine. He winced a little at the burning feeling. 'How could they like this thing?'

Suddenly the door behind him was pulled opened. He glanced indifferently but when a woman entered in his eyes bulged out with surprise. 'What…how…she…?' He wasn't the only one who got stunned. The room turned quiet at sudden as the woman made her way gracefully and seated down. A young girl put gayageum before her.

"Aigoo! Beautiful, you're really beautiful."

Jeong Hyang didn't give any reply for the praise. She lifted gaze up to start her performance but froze instead. She was surprised to find the painter among the apprentices. The painter seemed to be surprised as well and quickly averted her gaze. She was reminded of their encounter earlier. Honestly she had been wondering since then.

"You are Jeong Hyang, right? I'm Jang Hyo Won, their leader."

The sudden interruption finally broke her thought. She turned to the voice owner. From his attire and attitude she could tell he comes from rich family. She didn't give any reply and turned attention back to her gayageum.

The woman's bravery made him to look at her, she just ignored Hyo Won. In front of his classmates! He would love to tease the man later. He tried to hide a grin at Hyo Won's disappointed face, looking back at her. But when their eyes met he quickly cast gaze down and grabbed his drink. As much as he wanted to hold gaze down avoiding her but when the music began he couldn't help lifting gaze up. Perhaps alcohol worked its part in him too but her music was beautiful, just like her. Soon he was caught by her music, relaxed. He didn't bother to hold himself from staring. When she released the string everyone turned on clapping. He must admit the happy feeling at the fact that he was the first person she lays gaze on. He gave smile in which she returned it.

"Drink up! Drink up fellows! The night is long!"

He just shook head to see his drunken classmates, but he couldn't let himself getting drunk. Nevertheless, he lifted his cup to mouth taking a gulp.

"Wait, wait, Mr. Feminine is alone there. Why, you can't even touch woman?"

Yun Bok rolled eyes mentally. He made mental note to smack his friend's head tomorrow when he is more sober. "You can have the girls, I don't need…" Someone suddenly took his side stopped him.

"We have hands full with many visitors tonight. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

He got confused a little to find the geumgi sat next to him. Cheers and whistles rose as the geumgi poured drink to his cup. She took the cup and turned to face him.

"You're the lucky bastard."

Yun Bok gave a glare toward his classmate. He accidently caught Hyo Won's pissed look but decided to ignore it. He took the cup from her. He lifted gaze up to look at her when their hands brushed. She gave small smile. He cleared his throat drawing hand off. He drank the wine in one gulp. His mind drifted back to their meeting earlier and he tried to kept gaze ahead. "Uh, about earlier…"

"What are you doing here, in gibang?"

He inhaled as the soft voice spoke near to his ear. "I have the same question actually." She gave him unreadable look.

"I live here." She stated obviously and looked into his eyes.

"Right." He licked his lips breaking the eye contact. Suddenly the room turned a little bit warmer. "Anyway, I thought accompany man drink isn't geumgie's work."

"I thought you need some help, or they will wonder," She pulled lips up in small smile and leaned to whisper. "If you have phobia of woman." His eyes went wider before leaning away.

"I'm…" He dropped his jaw and huffed. "I'm not afraid, at all."

"So, you don't need my help? All right." She pushed body up.

"Wait," He quickly stopped her from leaving. He released her sleeve when she cast gaze down looking at his hand.

"You don't need my help." She held back from smiling. "Then I should go, I don't do entertain after all."

"You…" He held from groaning his annoyance out. She lifted brows slightly waiting. "I prefer you." He said honestly.

"I thought so." She pressed lips together at his narrowed eyes but then he chuckled.

"Anyway, this room is hot, and stinks." He crinkled nose and heard her giggle. "Let's go outside."

"I've been waiting for you to say that." She said. He narrowed eyes at her. "What?"

"Let's go then." He grinned a little and pushed body up. He held a hand out to help her up and was about to turn around but his classmate stopped him.

"Where are you going?"

"Leaving already, huh? Finally your manhood's awokened."

He decided to ignore their grin instead. He knew what exactly it means. He turned to Hyo Won. "Happy birthday." With that he left the room. Jeong Hyang followed behind. However, he was more drunk than he thought he is. Just two steps and he almost fall.

She quickly reached for his arm steading him. "You okay?"

"Yeah," He managed to stand up. "Sorry," He gave sheepish smile and unconsciously took her wrist. "Let's go."

She couldn't move. Her eyes glued to the hand that holding her. No one ever touched her. She knew that he was less sober and it meant nothing to him, still it brought something to her.

"You don't come?"

His voice snapped her out from her thought. She drew in small breath and nodded. "Let's go."

They went to yard. As soon as evening fresh air met his nostrils he stretched arms out taking deep breath. "I soo love this place."

She chuckled at the statement and approached pond. In fact she liked the place too. She looked up at the shining brightly full moon. She noticed his step toward her.

"Beautiful."

Her lips curled up in admiring smile. "Indeed it is."

"I mean you."

She cast gaze down at his words but kept the small smile. "You're drunk."

"Looks like I am, since I tell a truth."

It made her smile grow bigger. She looked up at him. He was smiling warmly at her. "You didn't lie when you say you're an apprentice, from Dohwaseo." He let out gentle laugh while trying to maintain body straight.

"I told you," He drew a breath to keep mind sober. "And I kept my word too. I got the highest score for my painting."

"You did?" She smiled at his grin. "I wish could see it."

He put himself down over pile of rocks as his body weight increased. "Maybe I will paint another one if you play for me."

She cocked head a little. "You ask for a song?"

"Yup." He gave teeth-full grin. "Don't worry I have…" He reached for his money pocket.

She looked down when he held hand out toward her. "It's five nyang."

"That's all I have." He pulled hand back and pushed lips out. "It's all right, I…"

"Well, I can try something that worth for five nyang." She said. It made his face turn bright and he gave her childlike grin. She found his smile is charming and couldn't help staring.

"Jeong Hyang,"

She turned around at her mother's voice. Her mother must be looking for her presence. She looked back at him. "I should go." Honestly she wanted to spend more time with him. She spun on heel to leave but he once again stopped her by catching her wrist.

He managed to stand up keeping her hand in his. "Thank you, for helping me today." She gave him her attractive smile and nodded. "So, we're friend?"

"Friend?" She repeated and he nodded smiling. She inhaled before giving a nod. "I must go now." He finally released her wrist.

"I'll come to visit." He said. She glanced over shoulder and gave smile. He watched as she walked into gibang. He couldn't wait to meet her again. His first girl friend. "Okay, now how to get back," He palmed head while moving feet forward. "I shouldn't drink too much."


So, I changed the story, hope you like it. Thank you for reading, until next :)