A/N: Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Reviews: You'll definitely find out who that girl was soon, and as for Jan Di's mom, yes she is something, but she's just looking out for her daughter! We all know how Jan Di likes to get herself in trouble.. (angee818323)

Yes, leave it to clumsy Jan Di to not close out the video chat! She's always a klutz when it comes to certain things. I felt it was appropriate to include the memory of his parents, seeing at it was all good and happy times until one mistake cost their lives.. I'm sure Ji Hoo would like to spend every moment of his life, with some kind of meaning.. Or at least, now he does, since before things weren't going well for him. But glad you liked that part! There will also definitely be more "going-out" kind of dates, and quality time at home kind of dates ;) If you get my drift.. And Woo Bin is a must. He will reappear soon! And I think her mother will push for a relationship, but rich people to her might be a little shady at the moment, considering Jun Pyo's family. There will also be more on that! But glad you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks for the review! (JHsgf82).

I'm glad you found it funny! Always hoping to bring some humor into the story! But yes, clumsy Jan Di has quite the story to tell...which starts back at least 10 months! But yes, Grandpa Yoon will be needed for the peace. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the review! (mkerkau)

I'm happy you love the series so far! I'm sorry ahead of time for being slow, even more so at your pace! But I do hope you'll enjoy future chapters! And yes, Jan Di does need to grow up a bit, and I'm happy you liked the scene with her parents! (akuryo)

"Well? Are you going to explain?" demanded her mother once again. Her arms were folded over her chest as her ice-cold gaze glared into the webcam. Kang San was between his mother and father, though cowering more to the side of his father. After all, both he and Jan Di knew very well what an angry mother was like. Jan Di felt a chill run down her spine at the mere thought.

"Well.." Jan Di brushed a few pieces of hair behind her ear, peering over at her boyfriend for some kind of support.

But the look in his eyes caused enough guilt for her to lower her eyes—shamefully. His eyes, which were normally deep with love, were now filled with disbelief and confusion. While his expression hurt her, she knew for certain that his feelings were justified. She lied to him, and she even lied to her family about something important to the both of them.

"Well?"

Jan Di exhaled anxiously, dragging her hands down her face as she shook her head. "Well what do you think? Ji Hoo is.."

"More than your landlord?" questioned her father, with a tiny smile.

"Well.." Jan Di's heartbeat picked up speed and she could feel Ji Hoo's gaze burning into her back. "Yes, he's more than that. Much more.. If you let me explain," she continued, before being cut off by her mother.

"Yes, I will let you explain when you come home," determined her mother.

"Wait, what?" repeated Jan Di, "Come home? But why?"

"Why do you think?" retorted her mother, using the same remark as Jan Di. "There's a lot we need to discuss."

"Can't we talk about this tomorrow?" murmured Jan Di, frowning at her mother's absurd request.

"No," her mother stated firmly.

Afterwards, her mother ended the video chat, leaving Jan Di with silence. As she closed the laptop, she found herself unable to look at Ji Hoo. She was caught red-handed in a lie, by not just her mother or Ji Hoo, but by the both of them, which was remarkably worse than either of them finding out alone. After facing the wrath of her mother, she had yet to face the anger of her boyfriend.

Finally, she turned toward her boyfriend, whose back was now towards her as he positioned himself on the edge of the bed. His head was lowered slightly.

"Ji Hoo," she murmured quietly, moving closer to him and reaching a hand out to touch his shoulder.

"Do you need a ride home?" he asked her, shifting his gaze to her.

Kind as always, but Jan Di was surprised by his question. Normally, rather than asking, he would practically insist he give her a ride home, especially during the late hours of the night. By that question, she knew that he was upset. The difference was subtle, but Jan Di knew Ji Hoo well enough to understand even his emotions.

"I.." Jan Di was lost without any words to comfort him. She couldn't even find words to justify her actions. "..If it won't be a bother.." she finally uttered out.

Her hand fell off his back as he stood up, nodding his head. "I'll give you a ride." He strolled over by the window in his room, gazing out into the night. "Go ahead and pack the things you need tonight. Let me know when you're ready."

Jan Di looked away before sighing. "..Right. I'll be a moment." Hesitantly, but without words to speak, she stood up and left the room; heading right to her own to pack items for the following morning. First she changed into a casual outfit, which consisted of sweatpants and a plain t-shirt. Then she packed the basic necessities, but slowly, so that she wouldn't have to return to her parent's home so soon. Despite her attempts to avoid going home, she found herself packed and ready to go. "I thought I was an independent, grown woman," she muttered to herself, rethinking about her mother's absurd request. Jan Di was in fact a grown woman in college, yet her mother still thought she needed to be a part of her choices.

As she exited her room, she found Ji Hoo's grandfather at the dinner table, eating the food that the two had brought home for him. A small smile formed on her lips, despite her current circumstances. She was glad she did one thing right that day. Before he could spot her and ask questions, she quickly made her way to the front of the house, spotting Ji Hoo at the door with his jacket on. She strolled over to him, still silent, and sat her bag on the floor as she reached for her jacket. With her eyes sneakily locked onto him, she pulled on her jacket and zipped it up, noticing how Ji Hoo simply glanced over at her.

"Are you ready?" he asked her.

Jan Di nodded reluctantly. "Yeah.."

"Let's go."

He took her bag and flung it over his shoulder, but allowed her to step outside first. Quickly, she rushed outside and to his car, listening to his footsteps following behind. They both got inside his car simultaneously, and as soon as they buckled their seatbelts, he started the car's engine. Next came the more difficult part of the night: the unsettling and unwanted silence. By nature, Jan Di and Ji Hoo had brief conversations, and sometimes none. That was normal on occasion, because both were happy being in each other's presence. But now, Jan Di wasn't sure how he felt, or how she felt either.

It wasn't happiness.

But despite the dreadful silence, Jan Di swallowed her fear and spoke up with an anxious smile. "I saw that harabeoji got his dinner."

"Yes," murmured Ji Hoo, keeping his gaze locked on his steering wheel. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't look at her.

"That's good.. I didn't want to bother him, but he seemed to like it."

Ji Hoo didn't respond. Rather he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel.

"I also liked our date earlier," spoke up Jan Di once more. "I was glad we were able to go out for dinner."

"Glad to hear it," he spoke softly, barely glancing her way this time. It was a brief moment of content, but didn't last long. Despite her efforts, Jan Di found herself at a loss again, unable to think of anything to say in that moment. Ji Hoo shifted gears, ready to take off.

"I wish I could stay here tonight," blurted out Jan Di with a tiny bit of hope in her voice. Or rather, it was desperation that cracked in her voice. "..With you."

Ji Hoo halted the car, listening to her words before he finally looked at her with warmth. "..I don't want to come between you and your family, Jan Di. I know that they nag you, again and again, but that is family. It's clear from tonight that your family, especially your mother, cares a lot about you."

She fell silent at his words, slowly lowering her gaze.

"...I want you to stay with me tonight, too. There's still so much I want to do with you, but I can't tear you away from your family like this. For tonight, talk to them. Explain the situation, then I would like to personally meet your family," he told her. He surprised her with a kiss to her forehead. "Can you do me this favor, Jan Di?"

Finally looking him in the eyes, she nodded her head rapidly. "Yes, for sure, Ji Hoo.. I'm sorry—"

He cut her off. "We can talk when you come home, Jan Di. For now, fix this with your parents. I'll be waiting for you, so don't worry about time."

Without anymore words, he drove off to her parent's home, but Jan Di was grateful he finally said something, rather than nothing.

As he drove up to Jan Di's place, Ji Hoo spotted her parents standing outside. Her mother still looked the same as earlier, expressing a mixture of both disappointment and confusion. Jan Di sighed quietly, reaching for her bag and pulling it over her shoulder.

"Don't worry," he told her. "Everything will be okay. Just be sure to explain."

"I will," she murmured, flashing him a brief smile. "I'll make it all better."

"I know you will," he said with a small smile of his own. "Geum Jan Di.. Always doing silly things, but you're also always trying to better things."

"I would prefer not making mistakes, but I guess...that won't change anytime soon," she responded, nodding her head very slowly to herself. "It's hard for a person to change—I think so at least."

"It might seem difficult, but.." Ji Hoo ruffled her hair affectionately. "All it takes is time, and encouragement. Maybe a couple of lessons, too."

"Now you're sounding like harabeoji." Jan Di, like usual when a challenge occurred, pouted briefly before opening the car door to leave. "I think he's starting to rub off on you, Ji Hoo," she teased one final time before getting out. As she strolled towards her parents, she turned to face him once more, lifting her hand a little to give him a tiny wave.

Only seconds after, he returned the same gesture; then pulling out and heading off. Although Ji Hoo wasn't ready to return home quite yet, he had no choice at this point. He wanted to avoid being alone with his thoughts. No doubt his grandfather would be full of questions and concerns, which Ji Hoo didn't feel like answering. As he drove home, he kept his eyes focused completely on the road, his fingers gripping tightly onto the steering wheel. Memories of the car accident would often race through his mind, though he knew the past was in fact the past. Nothing from his past dictated his future, nor should he allow it.

I.. hate driving cars..

His preferred mode of transportation would always be his motorcycle. Slim, easy to handle, and most importantly, Ji Hoo felt as though there was little responsibility riding a motorcycle than that of a car. Cars were much larger in comparison, much slower. If an accident were to ever happen—not that Ji Hoo believed in that—the impact would be far different.

I could easily prevent an accident like that..

Like the one with his parents.

He refused to be in charge of a vehicle easily capable of serious damage.

Soon enough, he arrived home safe and sound. His fingers released their tight grip on the wheel and fell to his lap as he exhaled shakily. The fear of driving a vehicle other than a motorcycle still haunted him at times, as he could never know what kind of future the road paved for him. The road paved away his parent's death and many others.

Instead of focusing on the dreadful memories, Ji Hoo began to search his car. Checking almost every single inch of the vehicle, Ji Hoo finally found himself at a loss. Earlier, his grandfather tried to call him, but Ji Hoo didn't hear his phone at all inside the house. He assumed his phone would be lying around in his car, maybe underneath his seat, but Ji Hoo was unable to locate it. Now puzzled—and disappointed from the day's events—Ji Hoo forced himself out of his car, hesitantly walking inside his home. In his entry, Ji Hoo tried to remain silent, but the shut door issued a loud enough sound for his grandfather to notice immediately.

"Yah, Ji Hoo is that you?" called his grandfather.

"Yes, harabeoji," responded Ji Hoo, doing his best to hide any disappointment or frustrations he currently felt. He strolled on into the kitchen, where he found his grandfather sitting at the table. "Do you need something?"

"Hm? No.. I was going to ask Jan Di a question earlier, but it seemed as though you two had left." responded his grandfather, peering up at him. "Only now, I'm surprised to see that she didn't come home with you."

Home with me..

He would have liked to have her "home" with him. If anything, he wanted to spend more time with her that night. But circumstances required her to be with her parents.

"Did you two get into a fight?" murmured his grandfather questionably, though he exchanged an accusatory glance with him.

"No, harabeoji. Her parents wanted her home tonight," replied Ji Hoo, shifting on his feet with an urge to end the conversation.

Almost as if he sensed his grandson's desires, he decided to drop the conversation. "..If you say so. Will she be home tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure, harabeoji."

"Well, since I can't seem to get information from you, I'll let you go tonight." Before Ji Hoo could object, his grandfather continued, "You two are old enough to know how to deal with things. I mean, you two have been together for almost a year now, isn't that right?"

"It's been ten months," Ji Hoo corrected, focusing his gaze on the wall behind him rather than his grandfather. He cleared his throat, crossing his arms now. "You've got it all wrong, harabeoji. We're not fighting right now.. She's actually in a fight with her parents at the moment."

His grandfather didn't look convinced, but he still let the conversation go. "I believe you, Ji Hoo. Are you going to bed now?"

"In a little bit. I have something I need to do first," replied Ji Hoo, turning away from his grandfather and starting to leave the room. However, Ji Hoo stopped as his grandfather's next words.

"Well, goodnight then, Ji Hoo. Sleep well."

"..Night, harabeoji. I'll see you in the morning," murmured Ji Hoo, glancing over his shoulder to flash his grandfather a genuine smile. Without anymore words, Ji Hoo went straight to his room, closing the door he made his way to his bed. Once he reached his bed, he reached for his laptop; giving a quick glance at the time.

It's already ten..

After setting up the webcam for video chat, Ji Hoo signed into his account and searched through the contact list. Among his contacts were Jan Di and her parents, Woo Bin, Yi-Jeong, Jun Pyo. Not very many, since he wanted nothing to do with most people he came across. But his eyes scanned the list until he found a specific person, who luckily happened to be online at the moment.

He sent a request for a videochat and waited a few seconds, wondering whether or not he was calling at the right time. He would have preferred a regular phone call, but Ji Hoo—even though he always had it by his side—happened to somehow lose it.

Finally an image appeared on the screen and a voice spoke; one that was calm and soft. "Ji Hoo," greeted the sweet, familiar voice. On the screen, Ji Hoo could see the familiar image of someone he longed to see, yet was too far away to even visit. "What's on your mind?"

Ji Hoo didn't even have to tell her something was wrong. She already knew. "I never said anything was wrong, Seo Hyun."

"You don't need to. I can tell something is wrong, since you're calling me late at night—specifically video calling. Oh, and yes: not spending time with your girlfriend." There was a clear teasing tone in her voice, and Ji Hoo couldn't help the small smile that curved his lips. Something only Seo Hyun was capable of at the moment, now that Ji Hoo was down in the dumps.

By now, both Ji Hoo and Seo Hyun were aware of each other's times in the world. While Ji Hoo called her in the night, she answered in the early hours of the afternoon.

"You know me well."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Fair enough. I don't suppose you can guess what's on my mind?" His question was more of a retort.

"Well let's see." Seo Hyun paused briefly. "I'm thinking this has something to do with Jan Di?"

"That should be obvious."

"Then why don't you tell me what exactly happened, Ji Hoo? I know you want to talk," murmured Seo Hyun gently. "But before you do say anything, I'm certain that whatever Jan Di has done had no intention of hurting you."

Ji Hoo emitted a low sigh, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the headboards of his bed. "I'm well aware of that.. I would never think she would try to hurt me intentionally. But even if that was not her intention, I…"

"You're still upset. I understand, Ji Hoo. You know, once upon a time, I did the exact same thing." Despite her soft voice, Ji Hoo thought he could hear a tinge of regret hidden behind the gentleness. Or perhaps it was sorrow he heard. Another secret Ji Hoo wouldn't uncover. "I always upset you with my decisions… And.. I was unable to take back those decisions."

"You were only thinking of yourself, Seo Hyun," objected Ji Hoo, unable to sit another second hearing her degrade herself further. "I know that those choices were difficult to make, but...you were only trying to help yourself. You needed to get your life together, and I understand now that you had no intention to upset me. My emotions simply got the best of me.."

The silence following after his words allowed Ji Hoo some time to consider what he said. He remained quiet, slowly beginning to understand Jan Di's "choice" to lie to her parents and to him.

Seo Hyun's voice interrupted his steady thoughts. "Ji Hoo?"

"..Is it really okay for me to be upset?" he mumbled, combing his fingers through his hair. "Even though it might have been better for her?"

A gentle laugh came from Seo Hyun. "Yes, it is certainly normal to be upset. I would be surprised if you weren't upset. I may not know what exactly caused your distress but I know for certain you're strong, much more than you realize. But you two are together…"

"And she affects my emotions differently?" he finished.

"You could say it like that. Love is a crazy thing, Ji Hoo." The whole conversation felt like Seo Hyun was teaching him a lesson. "You've went on a couple dates before, but you were never this attached to someone before. Not even to me."

Ji Hoo sighed quietly. "Thanks for the lesson on dating, Seo Hyun," he teased. For a moment, the two shared a pleasant yet brief silence with one another. Finally, Seo Hyun broke the silence.

"I miss having these types of conversations with you, Ji Hoo," she suddenly said. "You used to come to me for all sorts of help when you were little.. I know I went a bit overboard with our chat, but it's only because I do enjoy talking to you. I would like to help you more."

Her words caught him off guard. Initially, Ji Hoo fell silent, but he couldn't prevent the following words from leaving: "I miss talking to you too, Seo Hyun.."

"I wish I could visit you.. I just barely have enough time lately.. Maybe in a couple weeks I can fly down there—" she began before Ji Hoo took his turn to interrupt her.

"No," he told her with a small smile. "I'd rather you stay there, where you belong. And instead, I'll come to you," he promised.

"You'll visit me?" She sounded surprised, but nonetheless, pleased. "I would love for you to come here to visit. And bring Jan Di with you.. I miss her too."

"Definitely," he agreed. "I'm certain she'd be happy to see you, Seo Hyun. You were her first friend.."

Seo Hyun's smile softened. "No, I think you're wrong. I think you were her first friend, Ji Hoo. Before I appeared in her life, she had a liking towards you. I could see it, every single time she smiled at you." Seo Hyun's eyes drifted away from the screen and folded her hands neatly in her lap. "You were good to her, Ji Hoo. Even when your friends—or your entire school, rather—ridiculed her, you didn't follow the norm. Instead, you were the complete opposite. Even now, you're still good to her. I'm...happy for you, Ji Hoo."

He fell quiet at her words, feeling undeserving of them. "I'm happy too."

For the first time in the longest time, I'm happy..

"Thank you for listening, Seo Hyun," murmured Ji Hoo, clearing his throat. "I can let you go, since I'm sure you're busy right now."

"I have time to talk, if you'd like," she responded, peering into the camera once more with a warm smile. "Or should you be sleeping?"

"I'd rather talk to you than sleep," he replied with the same kind of smile.

"Then it's a deal. I'll keep you entertained until you decide it's time to sleep," Seo Hyun promised, shifting into a more comfortable position.

"Thank you, Seo Hyun."

For talking things out with me, and for keeping me away from my dreadful thoughts.

Even though the two shared a memorable past, one that was also regretful, Ji Hoo was certainly grateful for Seo Hyun's existence in his life. She helped him through much more than she realized, and even though she was oblivious to the fact, she brought Ji Hoo one step closer to Jan Di.

And even through his previous disappointment, Ji Hoo couldn't help but miss Jan Di, although he saw her not too long ago.

He simply couldn't wait for tomorrow.