Chapter 7
Recap
Choi Young Do watched through the glass as she walked off, maybe she had special people manipulating powers? He decided he was going to implement her advice today as he too got up chucking the rubbish out before getting on his bike and heading out to Cha Eun Sang and her night time café job.
0oooooOooooo0
Choi Young Do had gone to her part time job last night but she hadn't been there and down the drain went all his self confidence in telling her straight. He was pretty sure that even if he did say he liked her she would most likely reject him and like Su Jin had said, he hadn't quite done anything to prove otherwise but nor was he quite ready to hear or accept that.
He needed to find her, Su Jin. She seemed to give him a strength that he cannot bring out himself and makes everything seem so clear and simple.
"Ramen no odiseo?" (where are you?) He said frustrated as he walked down the hallway scanning the faces. He noticed a familiar head of brown walk passed at the end of the corridor, quickly following behind as he called her out, "oi ramen!"
Su Jin turned around surprised, her eyes wide as they seemed to be popping out of her head, "what are you doing here?!" she whispered harshly to him as she looked around carefully.
"I was looking for you. About yesterday… I gave a lot of thought and I thi….." before Choi Young Do could finish Su Jin grabbed him into the nearest room as she shut the door, leaving it open a crack. Su Jin had her hand against his mouth as his back was pressed against the wall while Su Jin stood closely infront of him. Her other hand pressed against his chest holding him in place as she peaked through the gap into the corridor.
"Where'd she go?" said a voice down the corridor,
The sensation of the soft hand covering his mouth as its warmth slowly heated up his skin was new to him. The only time anyone had touched his face was in a fit of rage so the gentleness in which the hand was placed was an unusually welcome feeling. But that wasn't the only unusual feeling, the heat radiating off her hand and soaking into his chest was making his heart beat faster, like heat was its source of energy which had just been replenished. Choi Young Do peered down at Su Jin, her expression nervous as she continued to stare through the gap.
"I think she went that way!" another voice said as footsteps were heard running past the room and down the corridor.
"That was close." Su Jin whispered as she let out a light breath, her forehead resting next to her hand against Choi Young Do's chest. Su Jin finally noticed the hurried thumping against her hand as a hand wrapped around her wrist, she looked up surprised at Choi Young Do. She quickly took a few steps back creating a distance between them as she looked down at the floor.
Choi Young Do crossed his arms over his chest in an attempt to cover his beating heart as he watched her carefully, he wasn't sure he would be able to say anything due to the confusion in his head as the rapid beating increased the blood flow in his veins.
"Ah mian." (sorry) Su Jin said as she looked to the side rubbing the back of her head in slight embarrassment .
"What was that?" Choi Young Do asked after loudly clearing his throat, referring to the voices that had just passed them.
"Hm? Aniya." (no.. as in like 'never mind'.) Su Jin said giving a nervous laugh, she had no intention in involving him in her little battle even though the whole thing was because of him.
Choi Young Do having remembered her nervousness a few minutes ago slowly stalked towards her intent on getting an answer for why she was so nervous as Su Jin mimicked his movements but in reverse feeling her back press against a wall. Choi Young Do stood toe to toe with Su Jin as he brought his face near her ear while Su Jin tilted her head away.
"You shouldn't lie to me." He said softly, watching the side of her face for a reaction
"I..I wasn't" Su Jin mumbled as her eyes flitted back and forth between Choi Young Do and the floor,
He slowly pulled back as he noticed a light pink staining her cheek as one end of his lips tugged up in a smirk, "off course." He turned around walking out of the room, an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. She made his heart beat so he made her blush.
Su Jin stood there for a few seconds, her hand slowly placing itself on top of her heart, what was that? She questioned herself, feeling the badump badump sound rebound of her palm. She slowly poked her head out of the room as she looked left and right for any signs of danger. The reason she had even got into this situation was because of those crazy girls from before and Su Jin really didn't want a confrontation. Apparently one of them had seen her and Young Do through the glass window at the convenience store when driving past. It's always because of Choi Young Do. When she had gotten to the classroom, she was about to walk in when one of the students stopped her telling her to make a run for it. From what she remembered his name was Myungsoo. At first Su Jin thought he was crazy but then she noticed the same girls from before standing a few metres behind him she made a dash for it just as they noticed her.
0oooooOooooo0
She sat in class her eyes half open as she stared at the board while the teacher drowned on about Shakespeare. She could feel three pairs of eyes glaring at her back and it was really starting to get on her nerves. The sudden vibration of her phone jolted her out of her misery as she pulled it out to see a text from none other than 'must pick up'. Knowing he was most likely watching at that very moment she decided to ignore it as she placed the phone face down on the table. A few seconds later another text arrived this time making a slight noise as the vibration from the phone ricocheted onto the table. Su Jin turned around as she glared at Choi Young Do while he responded with a raised eyebrow, one side of his mouth once again tilted up. Su Jin turned back when suddenly an onslaught of texts started making her phone vibrate incessantly. She quickly picked it up as people around her looked at her in frustration. She placed the phone in her lap as she looked at the messages which asked for her help and where Cha Eun Sang was while the onslaught of messages were a character each time spelling out 'ya palli tedape' (hurry up and answer).
Su Jin replied with a kojo ( get lost.) as she turned off her phone. who did he think he was getting so up close this morning?!
Choi Young Do glared at the reply before kicking her chair as he typed a reply but when he pressed send it did not go through. He pressed the resend a button multiple times before harshly placing his phone on his table. She's so frustrating! Why did she always have to play this cat and mouse game? Just yesterday she had said she would help him so what was she doing now?
The bell rang as Su Jin stayed sitting not making a single effort to get up. Choi Young Do eyed her suspiciously as he wondered why she was still sitting there after all from his previous experience she was always one of the first to leave the room. He slowly walked past her and out the door as he wondered towards the cafeteria, he was half way there when he remembered that he was going to ask her about Cha Eun Sang. Turning around he headed back to the classroom.
Meanwhile Su Jin sat there calmly watching the three girls in front of her, she decided to get it over and done with rather than waste her time avoiding them for the next week or two.
"No boya?" (what are you?)
"We warned you didn't we? About going near Choi Young Do. Are you deaf or dumb? Do you have any idea what we can do to you? After all you're just a pity case."
Su Jin couldn't take any more of their stupidity.. "What's wrong with you three? Don't you have any self respect? This distant fascination you have for Young Do makes you look so pitiful. You can't even talk to him without cowering so what's your problem if I talk to him? It's not like if I stop you'll be able to." Su Jin stated as she leant back in her chair making the three girls huff in unison as they glared at her, "mo?!(what?!).
Truth was Su Jin had dealt with people like them quite a lot in her old school, both boys and girls. She just found it disgusting the way they used numbers to gain dominance, a one vs many situation where they would obviously win. If she had any principles it was 'to always fight fair.' No matter what kind of situation she hated those that played foul. She had experienced this foul play when she was little and had felt so helpless and weak. She had never wanted to experience that feeling again, of not being able to protect those dear to her never mind herself. She had joined a martial arts class and practiced every day for 6 years. Her grandfather had even made her, her own private room which she used to release her frustrations and keep in touch with her skills.
Su Jin was about to get up when suddenly the door slid open as Choi Young Do walked in, "ya ramen no yeogiso boye?" (what are you doing here?)
Everyone stared at the person in the door way in surprise, said person basking in the expressions, "palli (hurry) I wan't to eat."
Su Jin stared at him blankly before a small smirk appeared as she walked past the girls and towards Young Do. Just this once she would accept his assistance. He lazily slung an arm over her shoulder as he waved to the three girls as they exited the room.
The two quietly walked down the hallway before Choi Young Do broke the awkward silence, "shouldn't you be saying thankyou." Choi Young Do asked as he looked straight ahead. She really was the perfect height to be his arm rest, just a little shorter than Cha Eun Sang where the top of her head just passed his shoulders.
"I was handling it just fine. In fact I was about to teach them a lesson before you ruined the show." Su Jin said agitated as she bent her head down making his arm slip off and back to his side.
"Plus I don't need a knight in shining armor. If anyone you should be doing this for Cha Eun Sang." She said as she continued to walk beside him
"Why can't you just accept help?...that reminds me, do you know what happened to Cha Eun Sang?" Choi Young Do asked facing Su Jin as he stopped walking
"Are you serious?! I haven't even been able to look her way in fear of you using me in some way to get her and you're asking me if I know what happened to her? She probably had enough of Kim Tan and your sadistic bromance. If I didn't know any better I would have thought it was Kim Tan's affections you were fighting for."
This guy just makes her so mad!
"It was just a question! Why can't you just say no?" Choi Young Do said glaring at Su Jin
"But you seem to have trouble understanding simple things." she said as she glared right back
Why is she so frustrating?!
Another arm suddenly placed itself on Su Jin's shoulder as she turned to glare at the offending limb before noticing the person.
"Your pretty fast you know, It's impressive." Said the guy from before as he winked at her,
"Ummm… what are you doing?" she asked pointedly looking at his arm,
"Well since I saved you I figured we were friends now." Myungsoo said as he smiled at her, watching the scene unfold Choi Young Do felt a pang, but it had disappeared as fast as it came and so he wasn't sure if he had actually experienced it. He decided to just walk away and leave the two.
"Oh by the way you have to come with me after school." He said not even turning around as he continued walking, hands in his pockets.
"Ya what's the relationship between you two?" Myungsoo asked as he wriggled his eyebrows
"Nothing." She said as she watched Choi Young Do's back as he walked away
"I'm like a manager….. behind the scenes." She said thoughtfully as she too started walking
"Huh?" Myungsoo scratched the back of his head confused as he watched the two walking away
0oooooOooooo0
"Just get on the bike." Choi Young Do ordered as he rode his motorbike slowly next to Su Jin as she walked.
"I told you no."
"You said you would help me. I didn't know you were the lying and manipulating type." Choi Young Do said as he looked around annoyed while Su Jin turned her head to glare at him. Choi Young Do knew he had gotten her weak spot, if there was one thing definite about Su Jin it was that she had quite a few morals and hated her character to be doubted.
"Fine." She grumbled as Choi Young Do smirked,
"Can't you get a car?" Su Jin asked as she placed herself behind Young Do once again placing her bag in her lap.
"But motorbikes prevent unwanted guests and it's easier to escape in one." He winked at her before handing her a helmet and placing his own on. Su Jin once again lightly wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Ya, put them in my pocket otherwise they'll fall off from the cold." He said as he started the bike
"No thanks. The crazy trio might see me again."
Choi Young Do let out a slight chuckle, "I didn't know I was so popular." The smugness in his voice clearly evident.
0ooooooOoooooo0
Su Jin sat with her legs crossed on his bike, her arm propped on the handle of his bike as her head rested in her palm. She watched Choi Young Do as he stood there watching through the glass into the café where Cha Eun Sang was currently working.
"Maybe the direct approach isn't the best approach." He said as he turned back around to look at Su Jin.
"We discussed this already. The way you've been acting there's no other way for her to know." She said as she sighed.
Choi Young Do just kept turning back and forth between the two women. He knew Su Jin was right but he just couldn't, there was no way he was going to be able to do it without screwing up. How had he let this tiny thing sitting on his bike talk him into this?
Su Jin suddenly jumped off his bike, "THIS IS PERFECT! Now's your chance!" she exclaimed as she pushed Choi Young Do in the direction of the café entrance.
"It's your chance to be a knight!" she shouted at him as she watched the scene occurring in the café.
Choi Young Do walked into the café as he noticed the two guys sitting at the table as one of the guys had their filthy hand wrapped around Cha Eun Sang's wrist.
"if you continue, I will call the police." Eun sang said as she tugged at her wrist
This was his chance. For once he would save her without having created the situation himself. "The police is here." He said as he kicked at one of the chairs, the guy slipping off and onto the floor, he looked at the two guys as recognition flitted into his eyes.
"augh oraemanida, (it's been a long time) it's our first time meeting since middle school right? Ohhhh, nice to see you chingoo (friend)." He finished as he stuck out his hand for a shake.
"Choi Young Do.." the surprise clear on his face as he hurriedly went around the table and pulled his friend up.
"Hey, I treated you so well, why'd you grow up to be a thug?" it was a serious question but somehow Choi Young Do felt he already knew the answer, that it was in some way his fault that they were like this.
"If you were going to be taken advantage of, it should be by me and not by those petty bastards."
Su Jin stood just next to the doorway listening and watching their conversation unfold as the two guys walked out of the café.
"Hyung (older brother/older male friend) why'd you walk out like that? We could have totally taken him!" he shouted as he started turning back towards the café.
"Ya! Can't you see he's busy. Go pick a fight with him some other time. This is important." Su Jin said as she blocked their path, glaring at the two guys. Honestly speaking they looked like guys in there mid 20's not high school students.
"Go pick up girls that are right for your age. She's too young." Su Jin said as she pointed inside
"Tch, whatever. Let's just go." The other guy said as they walked away. Su Jin turned back around bringing her ear close to the door.
"Why are you bothering me?" Eun Sang asked frustrated
"I'm not bothering you" he paused to think for a few seconds before continuing,
"Would this be more like bothering? I went to the house you used to live at but listen… number 1:. You lived in that ragged house. Number 2: Now you live in Pyeongchangdong, that's why we met in front of the convenience store. Number 3: The way I look at it you're a welfare student for sure. Number …."
"You're right I'm not new money, I'm part of the welfare section so what are you going to do? Chase me out of Jeguk High?" Eun Sang challenged him after cutting him off.
What the hell was he doing? Why would he… wait, Cha Eun Sang was welfare? Wow this is just… nearly everyone thinks she's welfare and that Cha Eun Sang was new money. Su jin felt a slow disappointment creep in at Cha Eun Sang's lack of courage. She had thought that Cha Eun Sang was different from the rest of them, but it turns out she wasn't.
"No because I started liking you." He stated
"What?" Eun sang said surprised, Su Jin could see the confusion written on Eun Sang's face from her position but she could only see Choi Young Do's back and it was frustrating her to not be able to see his expression.
"But you don't like me right?" he finished, although the question seemed to be directed to Eun San, he was actually asking himself.
That one question seemed to tear at Su Jin's heart, although such a simple thing Su Jin could just feel the thickness of the meaning behind those words and what Choi Young Do was feeling right now. There was a long silence as Su Jin watched holding her breath.
"Sorry for barging in." he said as he quickly headed towards the door,
Su Jin hurried to get away from the door just as Choi Young Do pushed it open to walk out making her stumble backwards. She flung her arms outwards to try and grab on to anything to prevent her impact with the ground but before that happened Choi Young Do had grabbed one arm pulling her enough so that he could wrap his other arm around her waist holding her there. Su Jin looked up at him about to say thank you when she noticed the way he was looking at her and this time her heart really did ache.
His eyes were glossy as they stared right back at her, they were asking her, pleading to her but all she could do was stare at them. The intensity which was inside those eyes was surprising as they pierced her. They seemed to be asking just one word 'why?'. Whether that question was directed to her or not she wasn't sure.
Choi Young Do watched her eyes as they filled with worry, there was no fear or pity…. Just worry…. That was directed towards him and it was confusing him. Why was she so worried about him? He had not done anything to deserve it.
He pulled her up so she was standing up straight as he headed towards his bike, Su Jin following behind quietly. She got on behind him but this time she didn't put the bag on her lap, she didn't care that she was wearing a skirt after all she did have shorts. He just seemed to need someone at that moment and the only one around was her. She wrapped her arms around his torso making sure it wasn't too tight, just enough to let him know she was there. Choi Young Do did not ask her any questions like where she lived or where she wanted to go or even where he was going.
They rode around for a while, neither saying anything, once again just comforted by each other's presence. The cool air of the night contrasting with the heat emanating of Choi Young Do's back as she scooted closer to absorb some more of the heat. They ended up at the convenience store, Su Jin got off silently not sure what to say as she took of her helmet and handed it back to him.
She stood there for a few second about to walk away but suddenly turned back to him, "you know…. You didn't actually let her give you an answer… you just stated whatever you think. And now that you've said it you just have to prove it by your actions. I'm sure things will get better" she said as she gave him what she thought to be an encouraging smile as she lightly patted him on the back before walking away.
Choi Young Do sat there on his bike in the same position as he was when Su Jin left. He figured Su Jin had a point even though she was just saying it to make him feel better but deep inside he just knew that she liked Kim Tan. No matter, he was not going to give up without a fight. Why does Kim Tan get to take away everything of his? Why is he always the one left suffering?
A/N: hope you enjoyed this chapter :) although I feel like this chapter was a little lacking :/
Hirin and shadow: awwww THANKYOU! Means a lot haha. Well they'll realise they'll love each other but well let's just say I have some secret plans which may or may not make people happy ;))
MK, nikki-nieu, ardeena and chingydagirl: haha thanks guys hope you continue to enjoy it
Bo sun: *gasp* COOKIE! *eats cookie* thanks! Serenitie1: going to have to wait a bit longer ;)
Aram: haha I'm glad my writing of Choi Young Do is accurate with the drama :) took me a lot of character analysis to get him right lol ;) I'm glad you're enjoying it so much.
