Secret of the Autumn

by xiaoj

[AU] Chu Ga Eul has always been a country bumpkin in the eyes of the F4. Especially so, in the case of So Yi Jeong, the renowned Korean Casanova. But what if… Chu Ga Eul wasn't really a country bumpkin, nor was she the ordinary commoner friend of Geum Jan Di that everyone thought her out to be? And this secret side of hers was revealed unintentionally to the Korean Casanova of F4,

21. Chapter 21

Author's notes: Okay, I have to admit - I started this new document on a spur of a moment. I'm not even sure if I would persevere to the end with this new idea. Either way, I was reading English Fics on the SoEul couple from the TV show Boys Over Flowers [Korean Version] and thought, perhaps I should try my hands in writing something on the couple. I had my fair share of dabbling in the ship with the Chinese language but I have never tried writing it in English before.

Summary: [AU] Chu Ga Eul has always been a country bumpkin in the eyes of the F4. Especially so, in the case of So Yi Jeong, the renowned Korean Casanova. But what if… Chu Ga Eul wasn't really a country bumpkin, nor was she the ordinary commoner friend of Geum Jan Di that everyone thought her out to be? And this secret side of hers was revealed unintentionally to the Korean Casanova of F4, how would that affect the entire story flow in the Boys over Flowers universe?

Title: Secret of the Autumn

Chapter 21 - To the Ski-Resort, Let's Go! Part 2

Location: Chu Family Residence, 16th April 2009, Thursday morning, 6.45am

The first birthday surprise Ga Eul receives on her birthday, the 16th of April - is a breakfast meal whipped up by her parents, combined. As her parents are both busy individuals, the fact that they actually squeeze time out to prep her a meal by hand on her birthday was a splendid gift by itself.

Her mother made her the seafood Kimchi pancake using a home recipe inherited from her maternal grandmother, while her adoptive parent had baked her cupcakes as per the tradition over the past decade. Of course, aside from the Kimchi pancake and cupcakes – there are other foods available for breakfast this morning. Hence, Ga Eul used the term 'feast' to describe the breakfast meal upon she stepped foot into the dining area of her family home.

Ga Eul's breakfast menu this morning comprises of the following: a bowl of steamed short-grain rice; completes with the side dish of Kimchi (store-bought); fried fish (portion); sunny-side-up fried egg; and pickles. And then, there's the Kimchi pancake made by her mother and a cupcake filled up with strawberry jam filling baked by her adoptive father.

"Thanks, Eomma, how early did you get up to get this birthday feast ready for me?" Chu Ga Eul couldn't help but inquires, as she wonders inwardly if her mother had gotten sufficient sleep last night.

It was Chu Su Won, the adoptive father of Chu Ga Eul that responded to the question. "Your mother woke up at 5.30am to get this breakfast feast ready."

"You're one to talk. You woke up ahead of me to preheat the oven for those cupcakes you're baking." Chu Mi Young shot back at her husband in an equally dry tone of voice.

"Cupcakes? There are cupcakes to share with my friends and schoolmates this year, too?" Chu Ga Eul sounded stunned, while she knew her adoptive father has the habit of baking her fresh batch of cupcakes on her birthday annually for her to bring to school and share them with her classmates and friends. She would have thought the tradition would stop with her transfer into the Shinhwa Academy.

"Of course, my dear. How could we stop a decade-long tradition just because of a different environment? Don't worry, I've made sure to cut down on the cupcakes made for this year. So, I'm sure you would be able to finish sharing them with those you considered as friends in this new schooling environment of yours." Chu Su Won responded glancing towards his adopted daughter with a fond smile playing on his lips.

"...Thank you, Appa." Ga Eul responded directing a fond smile of her own back at her adoptive parent.

This year, Chu Su Won had prepared a total of three boxes of cupcakes with each box holding up to twelve cupcakes of assorted flavors. The flavors for the cupcakes included the traditional almond-butter, strawberry jam, chocolate chips cupcakes, and double chocolate chips cupcakes. There are three cupcakes of each flavor in a box. And since it's a set routine for the members of E3 to take turns ferrying Ga Eul to school since her transfer into the Shinhwa Academy, it's only natural for the E3 to receive a box of cupcakes for them to split between themselves.

"Good morning, Shuichi-Kun. Here, the cupcakes for this year. Since I'm spending lunch with Jan Di today, I won't be meeting up with you guys later. So, here you go… you can bring the cupcakes to Kazuki and Shunsuke. Do share them with Hyo Rin as well." Chu Ga Eul began as she climbed into the side-passenger seat of the white Lexus belonging to her bespectacled cousin, and a fellow member of E3.

"Of course. And this is my present to you for your birthday." Sakuraba Shuichi then handed over a package wrapped up in plaid design gift wrapper to the long-haired girl who had just fastened her seatbelt after settling in the side-passenger seat of his vehicle.

"Thank you." Chu Ga Eul beams at Shuichi in response, as she accepted the nicely wrapped gift package from her cousin.

"You're welcome. Since you aren't coming over to have lunch with us today… shall I get Kazuki and Shunsuke to drop off their gifts for you in your school locker then?" Sakuraba Shuichi inquires, knowing full well that his friends likely have prepared gifts for the girl as well.

"Sure. They can either leave it in my locker unit or if the item is too big… they can drop it off directly at my family home. Either works fine for me." Chu Ga Eul answered casually with a nonchalant shrug.

With one box of cupcakes given away to the E3 for them to decide whether they want to share with their friends or just keep the entire box to themselves. Chu Ga Eul decided on the fate of the remaining two boxes of cupcakes, one box - she decide to give to Jan Di and let her bring home to share with her family members while the other box, she decides to gift to the members of F4 or F3, given that the leader of F4 is still on medical leave at present.

Location: F4 Private Lounge, Shinhwa Academy, 16th of April, Thursday, 8am

Knocking twice to seek permission before entering, Chu Ga Eul waited until she heard the sound of someone calling out for her to enter before pushing open the door to the private lounge. It looks like she's a tad early since only the Don Juan of F4 is in the lounge.

"... Did you sleep here last night, Woo Bin-sunbae?" Chu Ga Eul felt the corners of her lips twitching when she noticed the sight of the Mafia Prince stashing away a pillow and a blanket in one of the built-in cabinets in the lounge.

"Oh… good morning, Ga Eul-yang. You're early, Yi Jeong's isn't here yet." The Don Juan of F4 greeted Chu Ga Eul but avoid answering the girl's previous inquiry about him spending the night in the private lounge.

In actuality, Song Woo Bin did spend the night here in the lounge. Granted, that's because he went a tad overboard with his clubbing last night and ended up too lethargic to drive all the way home from where he was clubbing. His family home and the club he visited last night are literally on a different end of the city, and even though he didn't have much to drink. He just wasn't quite in the mood to take a long drive home, and thus when he recalls the fact that the Shinhwa Academy is right smack in the middle, he decided to crash here for a night.

Albeit, if the Don Juan of F4 knew of the possibility of Chu Ga Eul coming by for a visit first thing upon her arrival in school - he would have stashed his pillow and blanket away the moment he woke up, instead of leaving them lying around until he heard the sound of someone knocking on the door. But as it is, it's a tad too late for him to regret his decision. Still, that doesn't stop him from feigning ignorant and pretending that the girl didn't see him stashing away the pillow and blanket as she was entering the lounge.

"... I know. And I'm not here to look for Yi Jeong-sunbae, at least not specifically. It would be good if he's here, but if he's not here yet… it wouldn't have mattered. Anyway, my father has this long-standing tradition of baking me a batch of cupcakes to share with my friends and classmates in school, on my birthday. So, I thought of bringing them over to see if anyone of you is keen to give it a try. He does this for me every year, so I can guarantee that his baking skills are actually not bad. He actually had attained professional certification for his baking and pastry skills, only he didn't enjoy working in the kitchen and thus decided to become a salesman instead." Chu Ga Eul explained as she brought out the box of cupcakes and set it down on the coffee table in the F4 private lounge.

"Wait… your birthday? But I thought your birthday is on the 13th of March?" Song Woo Bin blinks and then promptly turns around to look at the long-haired girl with a puzzled expression on his face.

"... Yi Jeong-sunbae didn't tell you? Jan Di lied to Jun Pyo-sunbae, my birthday is actually the 16th of April. Not the 13th of March… I thought he would have told you that, at least." Now, it's Chu Ga Eul's turn to be surprised by the little bit of information.

"I see… well, he did sort of mention something along the line of him overdoing things for you on that day. I simply assumed he went overboard with celebrating your birthday with you…" Song Woo Bin grudgingly admitted that he didn't actually make it a point to ask his friend on the matter, so he couldn't exactly fault Yi Jeong for not coming clean to him about that particular day wasn't the birthday of Chu Ga Eul.

"Right, either way… I'll leave the cupcakes here for you to decide whether you are going to eat them alone or share them with the rest of your friends. Now, I have another box of cupcakes to gift out and I'm off to find Jan Di. Have a nice day ahead, Woo Bin-sunbae!" Chu Ga Eul commented cheerfully, as she set the box of cupcakes down onto the coffee table and promptly turn on her heels to flounce out of the private lounge belonging to the F4 in the Shinhwa Academy.

"You aren't going to hang around and wait for Yi Jeong to arrive?" Song Woo Bin calls out to the attention of the long-haired girl before she could reach for the door handle of the lounge.

"It's fine, I'm going to meet up with him later on in the day. So, it doesn't matter whether I get to see him in the morning or not. For now, I need to catch Jan Di before the annoying trio got to her first. Ciao!" Chu Ga Eul responded in a matter-of-fact tone of voice and was off to go in search of her childhood friend without giving a backward glance in the direction of the Don Juan of F4.

"..."

When Yoon Ji Hoo shows up at the F4 private lounge about 15 minutes after Chu Ga Eul departed from the room, he literally did a double-take when he realized he wasn't the first to reach the school, this morning. "Woo Bin, you're sure early today." The auburn-haired member of F4 commented while the Don Juan of F4 laughed a tad sheepishly in response while still savoring the cupcakes brought over by Chu Ga Eul, moments earlier.

To be honest, these cupcakes came in the nick of time since Woo Bin who has spent the night in the F4 private lounge hasn't exactly had the time to head out and grab breakfast this morning. Granted, cupcakes didn't exactly make an excellent choice of breakfast menu given that it's supposed to be served at tea-time or as a dessert after a meal. Still, it beats the notion of attending classes on an empty stomach. Thus, the Don Juan of F4 willingly help himself to the treats and Ga Eul's adoptive father did seem adequate in the baking area, at the least.

The Don Juan of F4, in particular, loves the almond-butter cupcakes, it wasn't as sweet as he anticipated them to be but the rich buttery smell kind of entices him to go for a second serving after finishing the first serving. He was onto his second serving of the almond-butter cupcakes when his auburn-haired friend enters the lounge.

"Yo, Ji Hoo. Good morning, care to have some cupcakes? Ga Eul-yang brought us cupcakes, earlier! Her father just baked them this morning, so it's fresh from the oven. The almond-butter cupcakes are good. I've already tried them out. You should come over and take your pick, there are other flavors in the box…" The Don Juan of F4 hurried to shove the box of cupcakes under the eyes of his auburn-haired friend to avoid explaining the reason why he was in school so early, today.

"And where's Ga Eul-yang now?" Yoon Ji Hoo inquires after a quick scan around the room informed him that only his Don Juan friend is present in the lounge.

"Oh… she went off to go in search for Geum Jan Di. Apparently, she had a box of cupcakes for Geum Jan Di to bring home and share with her family as well." Song Woo Bin explained and watched as his auburn-haired friend picked out a strawberry-flavored cupcake after taking a moment to look at the cupcakes in the box.

[Figures Ji Hoo would go for the sweetest-looking ones...] Song Woo Bin thought bemusedly as he set the box of cupcakes back down on the coffee table, and then made a move to head over to the cube fridge situated in the kitchenette area of the lounge to raid it for something to drink.

"I see... hmm, this is good. It's nearly on par with the cupcakes sold at the artisan bakery Yi Jeong tends to frequent in the neighborhood where his pottery studio is located." Yoon Ji Hoo commented after taking a bite to savor the taste of the strawberry cupcake.

"Well... Ga Eul-yang did claim that her father was trained in the baking and pastry area while pursuing his vocational education following his graduation from high school. Only, he decided to go into sales after finding that a kitchen job isn't for him, long-term." Song Woo Bin commented as he shared with his auburn-haired friend, the bit of information he had gotten earlier from the childhood friend of Geum Jan Di.

"Ah... well, if her father was ever rendered jobless – at least, there's something for him to fall back on." Yoon Ji Hoo commented in a musing tone of voice, hitting the jackpot unintentionally. Because that was exactly what happened at a later point in time when Kang Hee See decided to employ a new tactic in separating her son and Geum Jan Di. However, that's a story for a later time – for now, Yoon Ji Hoo was simply savoring the taste of the strawberry cupcake baked fresh from the oven by Chu Ga Eul's adoptive father.

When So Yi Jeong finally arrives at the F4 private lounge and learns of the cupcakes brought over by a certain country bumpkin. Only the chocolate chips and double chocolate chips cupcakes were left in the unlabelled pastry box, his two friends who were here earlier than he had completely hogged the almond-butter and strawberry cupcakes for themselves.

"Ah, Yi Jeong... the man of the hour, take your pick between the remaining flavors. Jun Pyo isn't around, so he doesn't get to pick what he wants. He simply would have to make do with whatever that's being left over after you have taken your pick." Song Woo Bin started, calling for the attention of his Casanova friend when the potter finally arrived to join them in the private lounge before they were due to head off for their first lesson of the day.

"What's this? Where did the cupcakes come from?" So Yi Jeong asks, looking a tad baffled about why there's a pastry box without any fanciful packaging sitting on the coffee table in the F4 private lounge.

"Ga Eul-yang brought it over earlier, citing that her adoptive father has a long-standing tradition of baking cupcakes for her to share with her friends on her birthday. While on the subject, why didn't you tell me that Geum Jan Di had lied to Jun Pyo about the 13th of March being Ga Eul-yang's birthday? And that her birthday is actually today?!" Song Woo Bin answered his friend's question, before zeroing in his gaze upon his Casanova friend demanding an explanation.

"...Technically, I did mention that because of Jun Pyo, I completely overdid it for Ga Eul-yang that day. It's your fault for not clarifying the matter with me afterward, and simply coming to your own conclusion on the situation." So Yi Jeong deadpans to his Don Juan friend as he picked out the double chocolate-chips cupcake to try.

"This isn't so bad. Why didn't her adoptive father starts a bakery business if he had such splendid skills in the baking and pastry department?" So Yi Jeong couldn't help but wonder aloud as he continues to munch away on the double-chocolate chips cupcakes. This is nearly on par with the dark-chocolates muffins sold in the artisan bakery near his pottery studio, the Korean Casanova thought.

"According to Ga Eul-yang, he didn't like the long hours that come attached with a kitchen job and thus decided to go into sales after graduating from the vocational institute that specialized in baking and pastry." Song Woo Bin responded citing the information he had shared earlier to Ji Hoo, to the Korean Casanova, this time.

"I see... well, there's always the option of partnering up with another baker and having the professional baker does the baking using his recipes. That's another way of setting up a bakery, and this option has the potential of expanding the scale of the business too." The Korean Casanova remarked nonchalantly, completely unknowing of the fact that he, too, had hit jackpot with his comment as per his auburn-haired friend. Seeing as that's exactly what Chu Su Won had ended up doing when it becomes apparent that he's going to lose his job as a sales manager with the Shinhwa Telco and thus would need to have a contingency plan in place.

"Speaking of Jun Pyo, Ji Hoo, and I, we are going to swing by the hospital later on in the afternoon to visit Jun Pyo. Are you coming, Yi Jeong?" The Don Juan of F4 inquires, as he put the remaining pastries into the cube fridge of their private lounge seeing as it's time for them to head off for their classes for the day.

"It depends. What time are you guys swinging by the hospital?" So Yi Jeong asks his Don Juan friend in return, given that he has already made plans to meet up with the country bumpkin in the latter half of the day. He would need to know what time his friends intend to visit the Shinhwa heir, so he could better manage his time for the day.

"We are heading over as soon as classes ended for the day, with the chocolate chips cupcakes for him as well. So, you had best finish the double chocolate chips cupcakes of yours before then, or you can remove it from the pastry box so he wouldn't complain when he realized that he was given a choice in the flavors of the cupcakes." Yoon Ji Hoo reminded the Korean Casanova since Yi Jeong's the only one who hasn't gotten around to finishing all the three cupcakes in one go.

"... Noted. I'll make sure to have one of it over the lunch break, and stash the remaining cupcake elsewhere before you guys bring the pastry box out to the hospital for Jun Pyo." So Yi Jeong deadpans in response to his fellow friends before deciding to skip out on the hospital visit.

"While on the subject of your hospital visit, I'm not joining you guys. I've already had plans made for this afternoon." The Korean Casanova added as they made their way out of the lounge heading for the direction of their private classroom over at the academic building of the High School division on the academy grounds.

"Oh, ~ is those plans of yours for this afternoon concerning Ga Eul-yang, by any chance?" Song Woo Bin commented teasingly, as he recalls something the girl had mentioned in an off-handed manner when she came by to drop off the box of cupcakes at the private lounge for them to share earlier this morning.

"Woo Bin, do me a favor and shut up." So Yi Jeong deadpans to his Don Juan friend, indicating that he wasn't in a mood to deal with his friend's teasing comment so early in the morning.

As he berated his friend for the teasing his friend is constantly subjecting him to, the Korean Casanova was running through his plans with the country bumpkin for this afternoon. First, he ought to pop by the florist to pick out flowers for another bouquet before swinging by the arts center to pick up the girl from her ballet class. And then, they could proceed on with their little shopping trip to get the skiing gear for the girl, which would follow by a dinner session to celebrate the girl's birthday.

It seems the country bumpkin does love the idea of receiving flowers judging from her reaction that last time he gifted her a flower bouquet, so, he decided he ought to do the same for today. It only makes sense, since today's the actual birthday of Chu Ga Eul. The birthday cake though, he shall forgo it – this time.

With the number of cupcakes baked by her adoptive father earlier this morning, it's likely that Chu Ga Eul probably had eaten some cupcakes of her own earlier this morning. Therefore, there's likely more than enough sugar running through her bloodstream for the day. Too much sugar intake in a day isn't good for the health, and thus, Yi Jeong thought it best to skip out on the idea of gifting the girl a birthday cake – this time.

As for the idea of getting the girl a birthday present, well... surely, paying for the entire skiing gears for the girl this afternoon at the store could be counted as such? - The Korean Casanova thought inwardly as he runs through the plans, he had in mind for this afternoon with a certain country bumpkin.

Location: Shinhwa Hospital, 16th April 2009, Thursday, 3pm

The Shinhwa heir was amid another episode of complaining to Jeong Sang-Rok, the secretary his mother had sic upon him, about wanting to be discharged because he's bored out of his mind staying in the hospital when Yoon Ji Hoo and Song Woo Bin came by to visit him.

"Young Master Ji Hoo, Young Master Woo Bin." Jeong Sang-Rok greeted the duo politely, as he heaved an inward sigh of relief to be able to escape from the constant complaints of the Shinhwa heir, for the moment. Sometimes it could be a test of his patience to deal with the Shinhwa heir's tantrum, to be honest.

"Jun Pyo, are you complaining about discharging from the hospital – again?" Song Woo Bin started with a teasing edge to his tone as he greeted his hospitalized friend cheerfully.

"Where's Yi Jeong? It's rare for you guys to not come together..." Gu Jun Pyo started, upon noticing that the two playboys aren't attached by the hips today.

"Well... he already has plans made for this afternoon, so he can't drop by. Sorry, he says. Anyway, we've brought you some treats!" Song Woo Bin shrugged as he explained the reason why Yi Jeong wasn't with them this afternoon, before jovially announcing to the Shinhwa heir that they've brought him something that isn't hospital food for a change. Setting the box of pastries, which is nearly emptied out by now – he placed it onto the movable table situated at the foot of the hospital bed and wheeled it towards his handicapped friend.

"Cupcakes? And why are there only three in such a big pastry box?" The Shinhwa heir raised an eyebrow questioningly at his Don Juan friend.

"Well... Ga Eul-yang brought them for us to share, given that you aren't around in school – the three of us have already eaten our share. The remaining is yours alone to savor. These are homemade cupcakes, baked fresh from the oven this morning by Ga Eul-yang's father. Don't worry about the taste, both Ji Hoo and Yi Jeong have vouched for the cupcakes. In particular, Yi Jeong's very picky about such treats – so, if he says they are good. You ought to take his words for it." Song Woo Bin stated in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"Really? Yi Jeong gave his stamp of approval for these cupcakes? Then, I really ought to give them a try." The Shinhwa heir mused aloud, shifting his gaze towards the chocolate-chips cupcakes sitting innocently in the pastry box waiting to be savored.

"Yep! Come on, stop staring at them and give it a try." Song Woo Bin nodded as he earnestly urged his hospitalized friend to give these cupcakes a try.

"Well then..." Gu Jun Pyo took a cupcake from the box and bite into it, cautiously at first before his eyes lit up as though Christmas has come early. And then, he gobbled it up without taking a pause. When he was done ingesting the first cupcake, he nodded and commented. "You're right, these cupcakes are delicious. Who was it that baked them, again?"

"Ga Eul-yang's father – by that, I meant her adoptive parent. Not her birth father." Song Woo Bin thought it prudent to remind his hospitalized friend, lest Jun Pyo confuses the two.

"Ah... I see. Well, it certainly looks like her family is doomed to be in the F&B businesses for life." Gu Jun Pyo commented nonchalantly, conveniently forgetting the fact that Chu Ga Eul's adoptive father wasn't in the F&B business. At least, not yet at this point in time.

"On the contrary, the person who bakes these delicious cupcakes is actually a sales manager at the Shinhwa Telco." Yoon Ji Hoo interjected drily from his position on the sofa couch in the private hospital room of his long-time friend.

"..."

"Whatever. By the way, Ji Hoo... have you got any ideas what's up with the woman – again? She's not picking up my calls and she hasn't been to the hospital to visit me?" Gu Jun Pyo then steers the conversation away from Chu Ga Eul and the cupcakes she brought for them to share, and zeroes in his gaze on the figure of Yoon Ji Hoo as he demanded to know what's up with his girlfriend, lately.

"I believed she's busy clocking hours at her part-time jobs, she will call you up when she's free. Give it a bit more time." Yoon Ji Hoo responded and having heard his friend's words of complaints, knew that the girl had yet to reveal to Jun Pyo what had happened to her family recently.

"She's always busy working... but given that it's my mother that makes things difficult for her family, to begin with. I ought to stop complaining so much... but still, I can't help but feel neglected." The Shinhwa heir sighed aloud as he commented to his long-time friend.

"... Are you guys going to have a heart-to-heart? If so, I better head out to try chatting up the nurses and wait until you guys are done before coming back in." Song Woo Bin begins, feeling damn awkward over the notion of Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo having a heart-to-heart conversation with him around.

"Ya! Woo Bin, do you always have to spoil the mood?" Gu Jun Pyo couldn't help but yell at his Don Juan friend.

"Hey! You two are the close ones, just like how I'm closer to Yi Jeong than the rest of you. Think about how awkward I feel when you two suddenly go into a heart-to-heart conversation mood!?" Song Woo Bin was quick to defend himself against the somewhat annoyed Shinhwa heir.

"..."

"Anyway, Jun Pyo – when did the doctor says the cast on your leg can be removed?" Yoon Ji Hoo began, steering the conversation away from Geum Jan Di and onto something less awkward for the Don Juan of F4 to sit through.

"In a week, and about that skiing trip I was planning. It would take place on the 1st of May. As for the venue, I've yet to confirm whether to host it at the ski resort in Gangwon-do, or the ski resort in Japan. I'll confirm that part of the details once I'm discharged from the hospital, in the meantime, Ji Hoo – find some time and bring that woman to get the skiing gears ready. I doubt I'm able to bring her shopping for skiing gears when one of my legs is still in a cast." Gu Jun Pyo instructed his long-time friend, assigning his long-time friend with the task of getting his girlfriend – Geum Jan Di fitted for the skiing gears, in preparation for their skiing trip plan.

"Of course." Yoon Ji Hoo nodded, agreeing to his friend's request easily enough. Inwardly, he's thinking of paying Geum Jan Di a visit at the gas station later tonight. Of course, it's not to bring the girl off shopping for skiing gear - the shops would be closed for business by then. Nope, it's mostly to check with the girl about when she's going to come clean to Jun Pyo about her family's recent money troubles that resulted in her inability to visit Jun Pyo in the hospital.

Location: Su Am Arts Centre Lobby, 16th April 2009, Thursday, 4.45pm

"Sorry, Yi Jeong-sunbae. I didn't keep you waiting for long, did I?" Chu Ga Eul started, upon emerging from the restroom where she had just completed a change in her attire, to meet up with the figure of So Yi Jeong who's obviously waiting for her in the lobby of the arts center.

Previously, Ga Eul was dressed in her dance-wear, the standard leotard she usually donned for her ballet class. Since the leotard is hardly something she could wear out on the streets, she tends to have to bring the leotard around with her in her bag and wear something else when she's out on the streets. Therefore, even though her ballet class ends at 4.30pm - after factoring in the time needed to change out from her leotard into an outfit suitable for an outing, 15 minutes have already gone by.

Aside from changing her attire, Chu Ga Eul had also taken the time spent in the restroom to redo her hairdo and to put on some light make-up. She went for a smart casual look today, and hope it would suffice for whatever the Korean Casanova had planned for the evening. Due to the need to bring her leotard around, Ga Eul opted for the use of a tote bag that is bigger in sizing and thus able to fit a lot more things as opposed to her usual handbag, or even a clutch bag.

"No worries, I took the time to check in with the response of the exhibition Woo Sung is holding in the art center while waiting for you. So, I wasn't exactly idling around with nothing better to do." So Yi Jeong was quick to reassure the somewhat uneasy-looking girl.

"Oh right... the exhibition for the Egypt collection is still going on, I almost forgot. When is the exhibition ending, if you don't mind me asking?" Chu Ga Eul inquires, recalling the fact that she hasn't gotten around to checking out the Egypt pottery collection on display in the exhibition hall of the Su Am Arts Centre yet.

"The exhibition would be running until the end of May, and then the collection would be shipped off to Hong Kong where it would be put up on display for another three months." So Yi Jeong responded in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, despite not knowing the reason behind Ga Eul's inquiry.

"Ah... good. That means there's still time for me to visit the exhibition." Chu Ga Eul nodded, smiling in response.

"Thank You." So Yi Jeong commented then, drawing a questioning look from the girl.

"Why are you thanking me, out of the blue?" Chu Ga Eul inquires with a look of confusion marring her features.

"Well… given that the exhibition was organized by the Woo Sung Museum, and exhibited in the Su Am Arts Centre… the revenue from the tickets sold by the arts center, Woo Sung is entitled to a 25% of the cost of the tickets sold. Therefore, I'm thanking you for patronizing my family business." So Yi Jeong explained, the smile never leaving his lips.

"Oh… so, that's how it works. I have to admit, the question has been bugging me for a few years now. I've always wondered how Woo Sung stands to benefit from an exhibition held in the arts center since the tickets are being sold by the arts center… so, thank you for clarifying a nagging doubt of mine that had plagued me for years." Chu Ga Eul then commented, as the realization of how the collaboration between the Su Am Arts Centre and the Woo Sung Museum works finally dawns in on her.

"Well… I'm glad to be of service to you then. Now, shall we get a move on?" So Yi Jeong started, pulling the door to the arts center open, and gestured for Chu Ga Eul to step out of the building first.

"Thank you, sunbae." Chu Ga Eul smiled in response; these gentlemanly habits of the Korean Casanova never fail to make her feel flattered. Stepping out of the building, she waited outside patiently for the Korean Casanova to start leading the way, again. After all, she had absolutely no idea where that guy had chosen to park his vehicle. There is more than one parking lot on the grounds of the Su Am Arts Centre, after all.

Su Am Arts Centre is a huge facility, especially since it housed several exhibitions hall that could easily be converted to convention halls for other business purposes on one end of the building. And then, on the other end of the building - it houses commercial tenants, e.g., cafes; music stores; gift stores; etc. And then, there are also classrooms for the various cultural classes the arts center organized for its members/students. Among them, including the classes, Ga Eul was enrolled in. Not to forget, the arts center also comes with its own concert hall and theatre space for international and cultural films screening. After all, not every international film produced would make it to the big screens in local cinemas, there are some films that one could only watch in the theatre of the arts center.

As it turns out, the Korean Casanova had chosen to park his vehicle closer to where the exhibition halls are located. Which, in hindsight, Ga Eul supposed does make sense - since Woo Sung has an ongoing exhibition going on in the arts center, and the potter of F4 had admitted earlier on - he did conduct a check-in on the response to the exhibition going on and isn't simply standing around doing nothing while waiting for her to be done with her ballet class.

Upon arriving at a stop where he had parked his orange lotus, So Yi Jeong signaled for Chu Ga Eul to wait for a moment. And then, he withdrew a flower bouquet from the inside of his orange lotus and handed it over to the birthday girl as he addressed the girl with a bright and cheery smile playing on his lips.

"Happy birthday, Ga Eul-yang."

"Oh... thank you. Are these rainbow roses, by any chance?" Chu Ga Eul accepted the flower bouquet graciously, loving the bouquet of rainbow roses at first sight.

"You're welcome. Indeed, these are the rainbow roses. I'm glad you like them." So Yi Jeong responded sounding pleased that he had once again picked out a flower bouquet that suited the girl's preferences. Thus far, he had avoided using red roses in the two flowers bouquet he had gifted the girl for obvious reasons.

After all, it's practically common knowledge that red roses symbolize romantic and passionate love and thus, it's a hot favorite between couples. However, given that he's avoiding the subject of a romance at all costs – he tends to avoid using red roses in the flower's bouquet for Chu Ga Eul.

In today's flower bouquet, So Yi Jeong decided to use the multi-colored or commonly known as the rainbow roses. He found the meaning of the rainbow roses befitting for the occasion since it's usually gifted to someone during anniversaries or birthdays. In the previous flower bouquet, he had gifted the girl – he had picked sunflower as the main star and surrounded it with baby breath. And both the sunflowers and baby breath held the meaning of platonic love towards someone.

"So, where are we going to get skiing gears? I doubt it could be found in most sports retail stores in the mall." Chu Ga Eul started shortly after she settled into the passenger seat of the orange lotus, with the flower bouquet she had received from the Korean Casanova sitting on her lap while she fastened the seatbelt.

"Well... there's a couple of stores in Gangnam district that carries skiing gears, I thought you would like to check them out." The Korean Casanova responded to the inquiry coming from the country bumpkin while steering his orange lotus towards the route that would bring them to the Gangnam district.

"I see... well, I've got no objections. I mean, you're the expert here. Me, on the other hand, had practically no experience when it comes down to skiing." Chu Ga Eul shrugged in response, sitting back as she took the time to admire the flower bouquet the potter had gifted her earlier instead of paying attention to the road. After all, she isn't the one driving...thus, doesn't exactly need to pay attention to the traffic situation.

They visited a total of three different stores that specialized in skiing gears along the Gangnam district, Phoenix Sports (Seocho-Gu, part of the greater Gangnam territory), and then the Montana Sports and the Snow Bank. Both the Montana Sports and the Snow Bank are situated within the Gangnam district itself, with Montana Sports in Yeoksam-dong and Snow Bank in the Cheongdam-dong.

Despite knowing full well that Chu Ga Eul has entrusted him with the task of finding the necessary skiing gears for her since she knew absolutely nothing about the sports, So Yi Jeong still decided to bring her to all the three stores for a look before he ultimately decided to get the gears from the store – Montana Sports. Since it was him that picks out the skiing gears, needless to say, he ended up leaning towards the color choices of his preferences.

White, that's the color he had picked out for Chu Ga Eul's skiing gears, the only difference between his own skiing gears and the gears he picked out for the girl lies in the fact that the jacket picked out for Chu Ga Eul comes with a bit of pattern whereas his own ski jacket was plain white. And when it comes down to the ski goggles, he allowed the girl to pick out on her own, and thus they finally ended up with a skiing accessory that isn't white but pink in color.

"Alright, I'm giving you one last chance to pick out the jacket on your own. So, if there's anything else that catches your attention and you would like to swap it out with the jacket I'm holding - now's your chance to speak your mind." So Yi Jeong commented, directing his words at the country bumpkin who's looking at the ski gloves available and trying to decide between the colors available.

"Nope, I have no objections to the jacket you picked out for me. And I've decided which gloves I wanted to get…" Chu Ga Eul responded as she took the pastel pink gloves and set them down next to the pink ski goggles, she had selected earlier on from the display rack of the store.

"Okay, gloves - checked. Ski goggles - checked, skis - checked, ski boots - checked, ski jacket - checked. All that's left is the ski pants..." So Yi Jeong mentally went through the checklist he had created in his mind, and promptly brought the country bumpkin over to where the ski pants for the women collection were on display. Turning towards the figure of Chu Ga Eul, the Korean Casanova commented. "The ski pants are all here, you can take your pick. Given that the jacket is white, it would pretty much go with any color of your picking."

So Yi Jeong was hardly surprised when Chu Ga Eul returned to him with pink ski pants in her hands, given that the goggles and gloves were both pink… he had kind of expected the girl to pick out ski pants that are also in the color pink.

It wasn't until he went to the cashier to settle the payment for the supplies that he realized he had unintentionally picked out skiing gears that bore an uncanny similarity to his own skiing gears currently stored in the storage room of his pottery studio. And all of a sudden, he was very grateful for his insight to allow Chu Ga Eul a say in the accessories that go along with the skiing gears. At least now, there are some differences in their skiing outfit. Hopefully, that will be sufficient to deter Woo Bin from teasing him about them going for a couple's look with their near-identical skiing gears.

Chu Ga Eul was hardly surprised when she was told that she needn't pay for the purchases out from her own pockets, as the Korean Casanova is gifting her the skiing gears as her birthday present.

"Birthday present? But I've already received a flower bouquet from you." Chu Ga Eul remarked, reminding the Korean Casanova of the fact that he had already gifted her a flower bouquet earlier on. That could also qualify as a birthday present since all Jan Di had given her, this year was a DIY birthday card.

"Ga Eul-yang, are you really going to argue with me on the rights to pay for these purchases?" So Yi Jeong started, turning to regard the country bumpkin with a meaningful look.

"...Alright, you win. But I get the right to decide what to eat for dinner, given that it's supposed to be my birthday meal. Deal?" Chu Ga Eul then commented, attempting to strike a bargain with the Korean Casanova.

"... Fine." The Korean Casanova sighed in response, giving in to the girl's whims. Inwardly, he was thankful that he didn't place any reservations for dinner at any restaurants yet - otherwise, he would have to call up the restaurant to cancel his reservation which can be a tad troublesome.

"There's no need for you to appear so apprehensive, you know? We are in the Gangnam district, not Myeong-Dong… so, there's no need for you to worry about me deciding to eat on the roadside. But before I tell you which way to go… you would need to answer me something honestly first." Chu Ga Eul began, turning to look at the Korean Casanova with a serious expression on her face.

"...I'll try, but why would you need an honest answer out of me? You aren't going to suggest something that would challenge my taste buds, are you?" So Yi Jeong sounded bemused as he questioned Chu Ga Eul back in return.

"Nah… it's just, I'm in the mood for some Korean BBQ. But as you know… BBQ has a tendency to leave a lingering smoky smell on the outfits. Thus, I need an honest answer out of you - do you mind getting your current outfit tainted by the smell of smoke and food? If you do, I suggest we make a pit stop to grab you some casual outfit to change into before heading to the restaurant of my picking for dinner. But if you don't, we can just head over to any of the BBQ restaurants in this area for dinner." Chu Ga Eul grinned cheekily at the potter of F4, as she waited patiently for the Korean Casanova to respond.

"I see… well, I don't mind getting the smell of smoke and food onto my clothes. In fact, I'll say I'm used to such scenarios. Because Woo Bin enjoys going for Korean BBQ when he gets his turn to pick a dining venue when we are out for a partying night as well. So, no worries - we can just go over for the BBQ dinner without the need for a change of my outfits. First things first, let's load up all these skiing gears into the boot of my orange lotus - shall we?" So Yi Jeong heaved an inward sigh of relief that the question wasn't anything too difficult for him to formulate a response to.

Seriously, he was a tad nervous when Chu Ga Eul had claimed to require an honest response out of him. For a while, he actually thought the girl was going to force him to put a label on whatever thing they had going on between them. And that particular train of thought really makes him sweat for a bit, luckily, it's simply a false alarm. Ultimately, the girl's only asking if he would mind getting his clothes reeked of the smoky smell from a BBQ dinner which is a trivial matter, all things considered.

Chu Ga Eul couldn't help but hide the smile of amusement threatening to form on her lips by turning her head away from the Korean Casanova momentarily. Especially, after noticing the obvious look of relief that flooded the expression of the potter of F4 without the man realizing it. Inwardly, she couldn't help but muse over the possible cause of the potter's obvious nervousness over her request for an honest response. Is the man freaking out internally over the possibility of her pressing for him to put a label on this so-called relationship of theirs? Quite possible - Ga Eul surmised, after noting the visibly relieved look on the face of the Korean Casanova when it becomes apparent that she's only inquiring if the man would have any issues with the prospect of getting his clothes tainted by the smell of BBQ food.

[Is he aware of how easy it's getting for me to read him like an open book?] - Chu Ga Eul couldn't help but wonder inwardly, as she headed once more to the passenger seat of the orange lotus; to continue the journey down the street of Yeoksam-dong in search of a BBQ restaurant that would be ideal for their dinner, this evening.

Of course, So Yi Jeong isn't aware of how easy it was for Chu Ga Eul to read him like an open book these days. If he knows, he would probably put in a tad more effort to control his facial expressions in front of the girl. But since he had no idea, and Chu Ga Eul obviously had no intention to clue him in on this little tiny detail - things continue on like this until he discovers this little fact on his own, at a later time. Only by then, it was too late for him to do anything to change the situation. Because the girl had known how to read him far too well, by that point… and thus, he ended up getting closed off and defensive when the girl said something that hits too close to home. Not that his defensive manner was able to deter or daunt Chu Ga Eul, but well... that's a tale for a later time.

Ultimately, they decided to pick the restaurant - Maple Tree House for their dinner. Maple Tree House is a Korean BBQ restaurant that sits within the Yeoksam-dong within the Gangnam district and is considered a mid-range priced restaurant. Most Korean BBQ restaurants in the Yeoksam-dong area of the Gangnam district are in the mid-range zone, with only one catering specifically to the high-end tier customers group. However, Ga Eul didn't think dining in a mid-range restaurant would differ too much from dining in a high-end restaurant when it comes down to BBQ. Because at the end of the day, they are bound to get their clothes reeked of the smoky smell from the BBQ food.

Still, Ga Eul picked out Maple Tree House among the others Korean BBQ restaurant that lined this part of the street in Yeoksam-dong because of its' interior set-up. The interior set-up and decor for the restaurant - Maple Tree House gives off a classy vibe as opposed to the casual vibe in the other mid-range Korean BBQ restaurants in this area.

Although this is the first time So Yi Jeong is patronizing the Maple Tree House, it didn't stop the restaurant staff from going an extra mile when it comes down to serving him and his dining companion. First, they were led towards a more secluded dining spot in the restaurant so their privacy would be ensured. Next, they have a staff specially assigned to serve them during their dinner. From handing them each a copy of the menu to taking their orders and making recommendations of the menu items, and when it comes down to the point of the bill settlement at the end of the dinner session.

"Well… I've found that having you as a dining companion comes with one particular satisfying benefit." Chu Ga Eul commented, after the waitress serving them left to convey their orders to the kitchen staff.

"Which is…?" So Yi Jeong prompted, smilingly as he wonders what the girl is going to say about the benefit of dining out with him.

"Hmm… getting priority for being served during the dinner. No matter how busy the restaurant is, the staff on duty would always ensure that your needs are being attended to without delay." Chu Ga Eul commented with a grin, usually, this kind of treatment could only happen with her if she were to dine in an establishment owned by the Miyazawa F&B Group in Japan.

Although, recently with Chichiue's official acknowledgment of her status as his illegitimate daughter in Korea, she's now getting the same treatment from the restaurants and cafe franchise businesses under the management of the satellite branch of the Miyazawa F&B Group in Korea as well. However, it would seem that if she's dining with the Korean Casanova - she would get the same form of treatment from other F&B establishments anywhere in the country. Therefore, it just goes to show how much influence the F4 has in Korea, just like the E3 in Japan.

"Yes, well… that comes with the influence of being part of the F4." So Yi Jeong responded with his ever-charming smile present on his lips.

Since Ga Eul personally has never dined in the Maple Tree House before, and she was pretty much lured into the restaurant by its classy interior set-up. They decided to go for the recommendation BBQ dinner set which the staff serving them had suggested for them to try - the set comes with the premium Korean aged beef strip-loin, premium boneless short rib, and the JEJU Korean Black Pork Belly at 150g serving size each. Ga Eul later added on an additional order of 150g of the JEJU Korean Marinated Pork Collar.

And even though, the waitress serving them went on to provide the Korean Casanova with the list of their house wine selection. The Korean Casanova had turned down the offer citing that he's driving this evening, and thus needs to avoid drinking alcohol. So, they ended up just getting the complimentary plain water served by the restaurant to go along with their food orders.

Between the two of them, they had managed to finish the entire 600g of beef and pork meat which they had BBQ by themselves - which is, again yet another new experience for the Korean Casanova. Since he's more accustomed to having the staff cook the meat for him and later serve it to him when the meat is done. However, it's hard to keep a private conversation going on with a third party being present on-site.

Thus, So Yi Jeong found himself attempting to BBQ the meat by his own hands for the first time ever. Granted, he had to check with the country bumpkin every single time to see if the meat he's cooking on the BBQ plate is thoroughly cooked or not. After all, he had no intention to give himself a stomach upset by eating meat that wasn't fully cooked.

"You know, I think I ought to cut back on the dinner meals I'm taking with you for a while. At the rate I'm going, I'm bound to put on weight before the year comes to an end." So Yi Jeong commented out of the blue after leaving the Korean BBQ restaurant, his wry comment drawing a laugh out from the figure of Chu Ga Eul.

"Nah… just increase your daily work-out time, I'm sure you wouldn't put on too much weight. Skipping meals isn't the proper way to go about maintaining your weight." Chu Ga Eul deadpans, having heard from a certain Don Juan of F4 of the Korean Casanova's unhealthy eating habits. Honestly, skipping meals using the excuse of being busy is just inexcusable. The Korean Casanova is going to end up with gastric issues before he hits the age of 30 if he kept to this current eating habits of his.

"... Gees, have Woo Bin been speaking to you behind my back about my eating habits - again?" So Yi Jeong couldn't help but roll his eyes upon hearing the country bumpkin's lecturing words. He didn't even need to think to know that the fault lies with his best friend, again.

Chu Ga Eul didn't bother responding to the Korean Casanova's inquiry verbally, she simply stared at him with an unimpressed look on her face.

"...Fine, I'll try not to skip meals in the future." With an inward sigh, the Korean Casanova relented, and only then, did the country bumpkin start smiling, again.

Chu Ga Eul was about to comment that simply trying isn't good enough, he must make sure to do it. However, thinking that she would be crossing the line if she were to take such a firm stance on the matter... Chu Ga Eul decided that she would simply message the guy to remind him about eating on schedule whenever mealtime approaches; in the future instead.

And later on, the potter would come to realize that he started receiving daily meals reminder messages three times a day, seven days a week from the country bumpkin from this day onward. And if there's ever a hint of him deciding to skip out on a meal, Chu Ga Eul would definitely show up in front of him, out of the blue with ready-made food in hand (either takeout from some eateries or homemade) to feed him regardless of his location.

That was something really impressive, and his grandfather seems rather amused by the fact that the old man actually didn't attempt to do anything to stop Chu Ga Eul from barging into the museum to bring him food at stipulated mealtimes. In fact, his grandfather went to the extent to leave instructions with the guard to allow Chu Ga Eul entry into the museum without the need for an entry ticket if she was sighted in the vicinity with food in hand. But as it is, this is a story for a later timing - for now, the Korean Casanova is still blissfully unaware of the fact that he had gained himself a mealtime supervisor for the foreseeable future.

"Thank you, Yi Jeong-sunbae. I had a lovely time today. See you in school tomorrow, and thanks for the ride home." Chu Ga Eul told the Korean Casanova with a beaming smile on her face, as she gets ready to alight from the orange lotus with the flower bouquet in hand.

"You're welcome. Are you sure you can handle bringing everything into the house on your own?" So Yi Jeong inquires, as he helps the girl unload the loot from their earlier shopping trip and bring them out from the car-boot of his orange lotus. The two shopping bags from the store – Montana Sports aside, it's the skis that are really going to be a problem for the girl to bring into the house alone. After all, she had her hands full with the flower bouquet, her tote bag, and then the two shopping bags from the sports retail store.

"It's fine, see - my father is back. Just in time to help me bring all these things inside." Chu Ga Eul began as she glances towards a figure that's steadily heading in their direction.

Following Chu Ga Eul's gaze, So Yi Jeong found his eyes landing upon a kind-looking middle-aged man dressed in an immaculate grey suit heading towards their direction.

"Ga Eul, did you just get back?" Chu Su Won started, giving the Korean Casanova a polite nod before zeroing his focused gaze upon the figure of his adopted daughter.

"Yep. Appa, you're just in time. Please help me bring the skis in, will you? I will bring in the others. As you can see, I had my hands full and thus is unable to bring the skis into the house myself." Chu Ga Eul then commented, directing her request for assistance to her adoptive parent.

"Of course. But why do you have skiing gears with you?" Chu Su Won inquires, naturally after having seen an entire load of skiing gears - all newly purchased judging by the look of things.

"Jun Pyo-sunbae is organizing a skiing trip, and hence… the need for these skiing supplies." Chu Ga Eul responded honestly, seeing no point in concealing the fact.

"I see." Upon the mention of the Shinhwa heir's name, Chu Su Won didn't bother prying further into the subject. Needless to say, these gears are likely a gift for his daughter from the Korean Casanova. Why else would the heir of the Woo Sung Museum be standing outside their family home at this timing?

"Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?" Chu Su Won offered to invite the Korean Casanova into the house for tea, out of sheer politeness.

"Erm… no, it's fine. It's getting late, I probably ought to get going soon. Maybe, next time." So Yi Jeong was quick to respond, the idea of being invited inside the Chu family residence for tea with the man balked him.

Eager to escape from the scrutiny of Ga Eul's adoptive parent, So Yi Jeong didn't bother to linger on any longer than necessary. As soon as he had ascertained the fact that Ga Eul didn't need his help in bringing the skiing supplies into the house, the Korean Casanova promptly drove off at a speed of light - leaving behind the father-daughter duo staring at his frantic departure with a bemused expression.

"He sure is skittish… Ga Eul ah, are you sure he's the one for you?" Chu Su Won turns towards his adopted daughter with an eyebrow raised in a questioning manner.

"Well… I've always expected that it's going to be a long battle when I made the decision to pursue my interest with him. It's fine though, I'm a tough girl… I can handle anything he throws my way. As for his family, well… that's the least of my concern. His parents don't really care for his social relationships, as for his grandfather… well, I'll cross the bridge when I get to it. Come on, Appa… let's get these things inside before Eomma comes home." Chu Ga Eul shrugged in response, not in the least surprised that her adoptive parent had figured out her interest in the Korean Casanova without her having the need to say anything about the subject.

"...Noona, Appa… welcome home." The 13-year-old, Chu Jung Min greeted them from his position in front of the TV unit in their living room.

"Jung Min, have you finished your homework for the day?" Chu Su Won inquires, out of habit.

"Yes, Appa. I wouldn't have watched TV if I wasn't done with my homework assignments for the day." Chu Jung Min responded with a nod, before turning to take in the shopping bags of his elder sister and went jaw-slacken.

"Wow… that's a lot of things you have there in the shopping bags. Are all of them your birthday gifts?" Chu Jung Min inquires, as he turns his wide questioning eyes upon the figure of Chu Ga Eul.

"...Yes, and they are all from the same person." Chu Ga Eul nodded in response, with a pink tinge on her cheeks.

"Ah…from the infamous Korean Casanova, I reckon. You wouldn't be blushing otherwise." Chu Jung Min sounded smug as he commented with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"..." Chu Ga Eul had no words, was she that obvious with her interest in the Korean Casanova that literally her entire family knew of it?! It's a good thing that Ga Eul did blurt her question aloud, else she might find herself receiving twin nods from the father and son duo, in unison.

Just like how the members of F4 sans Gu Jun Pyo found Yi Jeong's interest in her a tad too obvious, her family members, too, had no issues coming to know of her obvious interest in the Korean Casanova, romantically. Given the frequency of her blushing behavior when she receives a text or a call from the Korean Casanova, and then, how she had gone to the extent of delivering homemade food to that guy when opportunity strikes. Not to forget the little handmade gifts she had gifted the Korean Casanova as and when she feels like it, her family would need to be completely blind to not be able to tell of her obvious romantic interest in the renowned Casanova of F4.

In terms of Chu Su Won and Chu Mi Young, their mentality about Ga Eul's interest in the renowned Casanova was that Ga Eul is a sensible girl that always seems to know what she's doing. So, even though she's interested and invested romantically with the Casanova of F4, there are certain things she wouldn't do with that guy. E.g., premarital sex, for instance. Besides, they had recently discovered that Kazuki was right on one particular subject when it comes down to Ga Eul. That girl's a magnet for playboys, her scumbag of an ex-boyfriend was evident proof of that. And Gong Soo Pyo is worse than the Korean Casanova, to an extent. Luckily, Ga Eul wasn't invested fully in that guy, else she might really end up with her heartbroken by that scumbag.

Either way, they can't exactly stop Ga Eul from falling in love with the Korean Casanova. Because matters of the heart aren't something that could be dictated by the logical sense of mind, otherwise, there wouldn't have been so many cases of heart-breaks in life. So, all they could do is to offer Ga Eul moral support and to give her a shoulder to lean on and cry, when the need arises. So far, Ga Eul had proved to them that they needn't get overly concerned on the matter… since the girl obviously has a fully developed plan on how to catch the Casanova. Now, it's just a matter of whether everything would play out nicely and according to the plan their daughter had in mind.

As for Chu Jung Min, given that he's only 13-years-old. He absolutely couldn't find it in him to care much about the love life of his elder sister. Although, he does have the notion to warn a certain Casanova about the repercussions of making his sister cry if he ever gets the chance to meet the Korean Casanova in person.

Sometime later in the evening, after taking her shower to unwind from the long day. Chu Ga Eul finally had time to open her birthday presents. Aside from the gifts, she received from the Korean Casanova that doesn't need unwrapping, to begin with – given that those items were purchased under her observant eyes in the store. The rest of the presents she receives from her family and friends does need to be unwrapped.

First of all, she took out the DIY birthday card she had received from her childhood friend from the inside of her backpack that she hasn't gotten around to unpack. In a rush to get to her ballet class earlier on in the day, she had simply dumped her backpack onto her bed and made a grab for her tote bag which she had packed a day earlier to save her time and effort from packing upon arriving home from school, this afternoon.

The DIY card from Jan Di is a simple card made out from the art and craft supplies Jan Di had nicked off her little brother, most likely. The base for the card is made out of a page torn off from a sketching pad, and then maybe Jan Di wasn't very confident in her drawing skills – she uses color papers to cut out shapes and then mixed them together to piece together the image of a sunflower for the cover of the DIY birthday card. Atop of the stalk of sunflower made out from color paper, Jan Di uses a marker pen to write down the wording 'Happy Birthday in block letters. Inside the card, Jan Di penned out a message of the birthday greeting to her in Korean and then signed it off with a smiley face.

Fishing around in her backpack, Chu Ga Eul withdraws another three compact packages she had received from the E3 earlier on in the day. From her cousin, Sakuraba Shuichi, Ga Eul receives a plaid design woolen scarf in red. Her half-brother, Kazuki, gifted her with a pair of flower-shaped ear-studs adding to her lovely collection of jewelry accessories collection. From Shunsuke, she received a set of the Apple wireless earpiece – commonly known as the apple air pods. From Choi Hyo Rin, Ga Eul receives an envelope of vouchers from a beauty salon where she could go for spa and facial treatments. The gift vouchers are a shared gift between Hyo Rin and her friend, Oh Ha-Na.

She didn't get anything from Park Jae-In, but considering how she didn't exactly know the guy – she couldn't blame him for not gifting her a birthday present. Moving on, she unwrapped the gifts she had received a day prior during the advanced birthday party that took place at the home of her cousin. From her former classmate, Kim Nari, she received an attractive hairclip decked out in sparkling crystals. Whereas from Ninomiya Risa, she received a booklet of piano scores from the latest Disney movies collection.

And then, she had another flower bouquet – probably comes in from the mail. This flower bouquet, unlike the bouquet she had, receives from a certain Casanova aren't made out of fresh flowers but one that's created out of fabrics. A look at the mini card that comes attached with the bouquet, Ga Eul couldn't help but allow a smile to grace her lips. No wonder, the flowers aren't real flowers... fresh flowers would never be able to survive through long-distance courier.

The fabric flower bouquet was couriered over from Tokyo, Japan, and is a birthday gift from her half-sister – Miyazawa Miyuki, and the sister of Shuichi, Sakuraba Misaki. The two of them had come together to create the lovely flower bouquet completely by hand, using the leftover fabrics they had salvaged from the supplies used for their school's cultural festival.

Placing both flowers' bouquets together, Ga Eul took a snapshot of the image using her mobile phone and then uploaded the picture onto her Instagram account. And then, she took another picture – this time, comprising of all her birthday gifts received this year and uploaded them onto her Instagram account as well. Including the caption – My birthday presents for this year, thank you, everyone! Chu Ga Eul proceeds to update her social media accounts, and shared them across the social media platforms she had an account with.

Once done, Chu Ga Eul went on to start putting away her presents so she could declutter her bed. Given that she had placed everything onto her bed as it's the only place that could fit everything in one go, for her to snap a photo of all the gifts she had received for her birthday this year. She left the shopping bags and the skis untouched, setting them in a corner of her room for easier access when the time comes. She figures the details of the skiing trip would be confirmed real soon, so rather than storing them into the deeper end of her wardrobe unit and then having to waste time locating them. She might as well leave them outside for easier access at a later timing. The rest of the presents, she stored them away with care.

The hairclip goes into her hair accessory drawer in her dresser unit, and the ear studs join the rest of her earrings collection in her jewelry box. She tucked the gift vouchers received into her wallet so she could access them easier when she needs them. The piano scorebook went on to join the rest of her music scores on one of the shelving on her bookshelf. The scarf joins the rest of her scarfs in a drawer compartment of her wardrobe unit. The new earpieces she left it out on her study desk since she had yet to decide where to keep them. Likewise, for the two flowers' bouquet she had received, she figured the fresh flower bouquet might go into her vase – when she located it, she remembers having one lying around somewhere. She just needs to find it among her pile of things left in the storage.

As for the birthday card she receives from her childhood friend, she decided to pin it up on the mini-notice board she had hanging on the wall where her study desk rests against, for now. She would decide where to stash it when her birthday month comes to an end. Satisfied that she had found a place for every birthday gift of hers, Chu Ga Eul finally flicked off the lights in her room as she prepared to retire for the night.

Location: Shinhwa Hotel, 25th April 2009, Saturday, 10am

It wasn't until the 25th of April, a near two weeks later that Geum Jan Di was finally able to return the money to the mother of her boyfriend. Mostly because, when she comes by the Shinhwa Hotel last weekend requesting to see the lady president - she was told by the staff stationed at the hotel lobby that their lady president is out of town, and wouldn't be back for a week. For that reason alone, she hasn't gotten a chance to return the money earlier. Still, fearing that with the money left in her own home - her mother would be tempted to spend them on something else. Geum Jan Di had practically left the money, the entire 3 million Korean won in the care of the auburn-haired member of F4 for safekeeping.

"Are you sure, you don't need me to go up with you?" Yoon Ji Hoo inquires, glancing towards the figure of Geum Jan Di as he helps to retrieve the two briefcases of cash from the car-boot of his white lotus. Due to the need to store the two briefcases of cash amounting to up to 3 million Korean won, the auburn-haired member had decided to utilize the use of his white lotus this morning instead of his usual preferred mode of travel - his motorbike.

"It's fine, Ji Hoo-sunbae. I need to face her on my own. Don't worry, I'll be fine. What's the worse she could possibly do to me, outside of insulting me and my family?" Geum Jan Di forced out a small smile onto her lips, as she took the two briefcases of cash money from the auburn-haired member of F4 and headed towards the reception counter of the Shinhwa Hotel requesting a meeting with the lady president of the Shinhwa Group.

"Good morning, Miss. How may I be of assistance to you?" The receptionist staff on duty greeted Geum Jan Di politely when Jan Di approached the counter with determined steps.

"Hi, I would like to request a meeting with your lady president. I was told she would be back in her office this weekend." Geum Jan Di plastered a polite smile onto her lips as she made her request known to the receptionist on duty in the hotel's lobby.

"I see. Do you have an appointment made?" The staff on duty inquires Geum Jan Di back in return.

"Yes, my name's Geum Jan Di."

"Hold on, let me check the system for the appointment details." The staff answered and went on to type something into her computer station, before looking up at Jan Di with a polite disposition as she commented.

"Miss Geum Jan Di, right? Please proceed to the lift lobby C, the office of the lady president is on the 22nd floor." The staff on duty responded and beckons for one of the bellboys on duty to guide Geum Jan Di over to the designated lift lobby.

Yoon Ji Hoo, meanwhile, after parking his vehicle in the underground parking lot facility proceeds to take a seat in the lobby area as he waited patiently for Geum Jan Di to be done with her visit to the mother of his long-time friend.

Kang Hee Soo had just gotten settled back in her office at the Shinhwa Hotel when her secretary - Jeong Sang-Rok enters the office to inform her that Geum Jan Di is here to see her. Furrowing her brows, the lady president briefly wonders what the girl is thinking coming to see her at this timing? Still, deciding that since the girl had gone to the extent of making an appointment to see her with the hotel staff, she ought to at least give the girl the chance to meet her.

"Send her in then." Kang Hee Soo instructed her tone calm.

Her eyebrows raised significantly when she noticed the sight of the familiar-looking briefcase being placed onto her desk, glancing up to meet the eyes of the commoner girl - Kang Hee Soo was just in time to hear the girl apologizing to her for the inconvenience caused, and that she's here to return the money.

"... Is this your pride speaking? I was under the impression that your family is going through some tough financial difficulties. Considering the trouble your mother went through to get her hands on this money, are you sure you want to waste it all away for your pride?" Kang Hee Soo begins, staring straight at the commoner girl that has her son completely smitten with a look of incomprehension.

"This is a decision my family and I came to decide on the whole. So, this isn't simply a matter of my pride standing in the way. While on the subject, I didn't know you could put a price tag on the pride as well? If that's the case, how much would your pride cost you - I wonders?" Geum Jan Di sighed aloud, inwardly berating herself for the naivety to think she could simply waltz in, drop off the money and leave without the need to make conversation with the woman.

Taking a deep breath, Kang Hee Soo stared disbelieving at the commoner girl as she stated in a flat tone of voice. "Certainly, you aren't still thinking about continuing to date my son - are you? I would have thought you ought to know by now that the two of you aren't suited for one another."

"With all due respect, I'm fully aware that Gu Jun Pyo and I are practically worlds apart in terms of status. Still, we are looking at the exact same thing from the same angle. You would probably find it difficult to comprehend what I'm saying, but the thing is - your son knows there are certain things in life that money couldn't buy. Since we are on the subject about things that money can't buy, could you please refrain from further insulting me and my family from here on?" Geum Jan Di hardens her tone when she thought of the multiple occasion whereby Kang Hee Soo had purposely insulted her family over the past months.

"Well… then let us stop going around in circles, and talk business then. I admit I did put your family through difficult times with my antics on purpose. As a smart and sensible girl, I'm sure you would know the reason why I'm doing such things and why I am against the idea of you dating my son." Kang Hee Soo begins, going into the 'all-business mood now.

"Yes. I understand perfectly. However, matters of the heart couldn't be resolved easily with money. And at the end of the day, this is something that's strictly between Gu Jun Pyo and myself. Furthermore, I had made your son a promise that I wouldn't use you as an excuse to break up with him." With that said, Geum Jan Di bowed respectfully towards the successful businesswoman but obviously is a failure at being a parent, as she turns on her heels to leave the office.

Kang Hee Soo, meanwhile, was left dwelling on the words of Geum Jan Di with quite a bit of food for her thoughts. Half-amused and half-annoyed, the lady president of the Shinhwa Group slammed the folder she had in front of her down onto her desk in annoyance as she turns her attention away from her computer screen to glare out of the window of her office that's overseeing the busy streets outside.

[The nerves of that commoner girl…] - The lady president of the Shinhwa Group thought, as she huffed in annoyance. Not in the mood to do anything else for the day, Kang Hee Soo promptly informed her secretary to cancel all her unimportant appointments for the rest of the day. She needs some time to think of her next ploy to separate her son and Geum Jan Di, since targeting the girl's family seems to not have any further effects.

Meanwhile, Geum Jan Di was in a bit of a daze-like mood after exiting the office of Kang Hee-Soo. So much so that she completely overlooked the presence of a certain auburn-haired member of F4, when the guy greeted her after she emerged from the lift lobby of the Shinhwa Hotel. Practically moving on an auto-pilot mode, Geum Jan Di found herself slacking against the railings of the stairway that leads from the hotel's entrance to the underground parking facility of the hotel.

"...Someone called 119?" Yoon Ji Hoo mirrored Geum Jan Di's actions by taking a seat on the stairway that leads to the underground parking facility of the hotel, as he commented nonchalantly.

"..." Geum Jan Di blinked twice, before realizing that she had completely forgotten about the presence of the auburn-haired member of F4 until now. "Ji Hoo-sunbae."

"Ah… so, now you finally noticed me." Yoon Ji Hoo started, addressing the Wonder Woman of Korea in a wry tone of voice.

"Sorry, Ji Hoo-sunbae. I didn't mean to ignore your presence earlier. I just had a lot on my mind, and wasn't paying attention to my surroundings." Geum Jan Di explained as she directed an apologetic look in the direction of her former prince charming.

"I know. It must be quite an exhausting meeting with Jun Pyo's mother." Yoon Ji Hoo had a knowing glint in his eyes as he commented, and then in an attempt to change the mood of Geum Jan Di for the better. The auburn-haired member of F4 started, "Geum Jan Di, care to join me for a little while?"

"Huh?" Geum Jan Di blinked in confusion but didn't turn down the invitation from the auburn-haired member of F4. At first, she simply thought the guy is inviting her along for some errand trip of his - but when she noticed how they ended up heading towards the direction of the Yoon family home, she couldn't help but express her surprise.

"Ji Hoo-sunbae, what are we doing coming to your place?" Geum Jan Di began, looking absolutely bewildered.

"Well… I thought you need a bit of cheering up." Yoon Ji Hoo shrugged casually in response, as he directed a smile towards the girl.

"...Right, but what has that got to do with coming over to your place?" Geum Jan Di continues to ask, still not quite comprehending the thoughts of the auburn-haired member of F4.

"We are going to have some pancakes. I find that this is the best way to cheer oneself up." Yoon Ji Hoo commented nonchalantly, as he shared with the girl what he usually did when he was upset.

At first, Geum Jan Di thought she would be served pancakes by the staff tending to the maintenance of the Hanok home of the auburn-haired member since this is usually the hours whereby the housekeeping staff is bustling about the place. However, Yoon Ji Hoo surprises her again by sitting her in his dining room with him being the one to serve up the pancakes for her.

She watched bemusedly as Yoon Ji Hoo prepared the batter from the ingredients provided by the housekeeping staff from scratch. The pancakes made by the auburn-haired member of F4 are those that are of smaller sizing, unlike the standard-size pancakes or hotcakes that are being sold in the infamous fast-food chain - MCDONALDS.

Geum Jan Di was about to dig in when Yoon Ji Hoo halted her with the comment. "Hold on, not so fast."

Glancing over to the auburn-haired member of F4 with a quizzical look, Geum Jan Di was treated to the disbelieving scene of the guy emptying the entire tiny flask of maple syrup over the pancakes served to her before doing the same to his own set of pancakes.

"Ji Hoo-sunbae, this is too much maple syrup!" Geum Jan Di protested, inwardly thinking how infuriating sweet the pancakes are going to be after being doused in an entire flask of maple syrup. And what a waste it was since the maple syrup isn't exactly cheap.

"Geum Jan Di, I've found that having pancakes doused completely in maple syrup does great wonders to the mood and such pancakes are the best to have when one is on the verge of tears. And don't think of the wastage of the maple syrup, it's my money - so, I get to decide on how to spend it." Yoon Ji Hoo reminded the girl towards the end, that he's filthy rich and therefore could easily afford to splurge on items like maple syrup without the need to think of the costs.

"Right… I forgot." Geum Jan Di eventually conceded defeat, thinking that she's an idiot to budget the maple syrup when they're having pancakes in the dining room of the Yoon family home. And the Yoon family is definitely rich enough that they had no need to ration things like the maple syrup and so, it's the auburn-haired young man's decision to decide how much maple syrup he wanted to douse the pancakes in.

"Thank you, sunbae. You're right, having something sweet really does cheer me up." Geum Jan Di commented after finishing ingesting the pancakes that were completely drenched in maple syrup.

"Good to hear that the pancakes have indeed cheered you up. So, shall we move on to the next destination on my itinerary this afternoon then?" Yoon Ji Hoo began, smiling at Geum Jan Di with a cheerful smile.

"Next destination on your itinerary?" Geum Jan Di blinked, as she inwardly wonders what the auburn-haired member of F4 is up to now. Certainly, Yoon Ji Hoo wasn't thinking of letting her monopolize his entire afternoon, is he?

Unfortunately, Geum Jan Di couldn't read minds. If not, she would have realized that what she just thought was exactly what Yoon Ji Hoo had planned on doing. The second part of his itinerary involves bringing Geum Jan Di out for a proper lunch following by a shopping spree in the Gangnam district for skiing gear, as per the instructions of his long-time friend. Unlike a certain Casanova, Yoon Ji Hoo didn't bring Geum Jan Di on a walk-through in all the three stores carrying skiing gears and instead, went straight for the store - Snow Bank where he had gotten his own gears, a few years back.

Location: Gangnam district, Sports Store - Snow Bank, 25th April 2009, Saturday, 2pm

"Ji Hoo-sunbae… is there a reason why you are getting me fitted for skiing gears?" Geum Jan Di inquires, looking rather baffled as the salesperson bustled around getting her height measured to find her a suitable beginners' ski.

"Jun Pyo has a skiing trip planned on the next public holiday, and he had instructed me to take you shopping since he's unable to do so, himself - at present. After all, his cast isn't coming off until tomorrow… and he needs to take things easy for the next few days that follow to ensure he's in top condition when the skiing trip begins." Yoon Ji Hoo explained as he scanned his eyes on the display rack that held the ski goggles trying to see if there's anything that would suit the girl currently getting fitted by the professionals for a set of beginners' skis.

"What?!That idiot, who the hell would plan for a skiing trip so soon after removing the cast from his broken leg. Is he not afraid of injuring himself during the skiing activity?" Geum Jan Di thought she had misheard but upon the straight-faced look on the auburn-haired heir to the Su Am Group, she knew she heard it correctly the first time around.

"Hey, if you want to yell at someone. Go and yell at Jun Pyo directly, don't shoot the messenger. I'm simply bringing you here to get fitted for the skiing trip because that's exactly what I had been told to do." Yoon Ji Hoo was quick to defend himself against Geum Jan Di's ire.

"Oh… don't worry, I'll be sure to yell at him the next time I see him in person." Geum Jan Di said in a tone that promised pain to the auburn-haired member of F4, but whether or not the girl would truly yell at the Shinhwa heir was pretty much unknown.

"Wait… if you are getting me fitted for skiing gears under his orders, why are you the one paying for the purchase?" Geum Jan Di started when she noticed the fact that it was Yoon Ji Hoo who's signing on the bill of the payment transaction.

"No worries, I'll be sure to claim the amount spent on your skiing gears today from Jun Pyo later. Because even if he were to hand me his card for the payment, I won't be able to use it since it would require his personal signature on the bill for the payment to go through on the bank's side. Hence, I'm paying for it first and would later claim the charged amount to my card from him in cash at a later timing." Yoon Ji Hoo explained to the girl, why exactly he was the one making the purchase when Jun Pyo was the one who had ordered him to take Geum Jan Di shopping for skiing gear.

"Right… but why am I getting two skis jackets?" Geum Jan Di later asks after looking through the receipt from the payment transaction when the salesperson handed them the shopping bags at the end of this little shopping spree.

"Well… the yellow jacket was insisted upon by Jun Pyo. He sends me the screenshot of the exact jacket he wished for me to get for you. But personally, I thought the pastel blue jacket is better suited for you. And you personally claimed that you can't decide between the two, so, I thought to make things easy - we will simply get both jackets." Yoon Ji Hoo shrugged in explanation, as he loaded up the car-boot of his white lotus with the purchases made from the sports retail store - Snow Bank.

"Oh… I see. Well, thank you for the lovely time this afternoon. Now, why don't you join me for a cup of coffee in the cafe down the street? This time, it's my turn to treat you." Geum Jan Di suggested out of the blue, surprising the auburn-haired member of F4. Given that the auburn-haired member of F4 was under the impression that Geum Jan Di was really undergoing a tight cash-strapped period, so it's indeed a surprise to hear the girl volunteering to buy him coffee not from a vending machine, but from a legit cafe.

It wasn't until he noticed the cafe that they are visiting and the fact that Geum Jan Di was paying for the coffee with a gift voucher that he realized what exactly was the cause behind the girl's impromptu suggestion for them to grab a coffee from this particular cafe. As it turns out, the cafe they are visiting is the Miya's Cafe - a franchise cafe chain that he had recently discovered to be under the management of the Miyazawa F&B Group satellite office branch in Korea.

And the voucher Geum Jan Di handed over to the barista for settlement of the bill payment was due to expire today, the girl had likely received it as a Christmas gift from Chu Ga Eul last year and had completely forgotten about its existence until just now when she coincidentally found it tucked away in a zipper compartment of the sling bag she's using today.

"So, this is what you meant by buying me coffee. I'm guessing that I have your childhood friend to thank for this coffee treat?" Yoon Ji Hoo commented in a bemused tone of voice.

"Yes, I can't believe I have completely forgotten about the voucher's existence. Ga Eul gave them to me last year as a Christmas present because she sort of forgot to include me in her Christmas gifting list. So, to make it up for the fact that she didn't bake me any Christmas cookies… she decided to gift me with the gift vouchers to the Miya's Cafe with the validity period of a year. I received a stack of them and had gradually used them up over the past 8 months or so. I thought I had used them all up, until a dig into the zipper compartment of this particular bag that I realized I still had a voucher left. Luckily, the expiry date is today… so, I can still utilize the voucher before it expires on me." Geum Jan Di gushes out in a rush as she explained to Yoon Ji Hoo of F4 how she had gotten her hands on the gift vouchers to the cafe.

"Ah… that's exactly what I thought. I supposed if I wasn't around, you would have spent that voucher on a cup of coffee and probably a slice of cake for yourself?" Yoon Ji Hoo remarked innocently, having seen how Geum Jan Di was eyeing the slice of black forest chocolate cake on display in the chilled cake display fridge situated next to the barista counter of the cafe.

Geum Jan Di didn't respond to the remark coming from Yoon Ji Hoo verbally, and she didn't need to say anything because her expression tells it all. Knowing that he had hit bull's eyes with his remark, the auburn-haired member of F4 indicated for Geum Jan Di to stay put as he made his way towards the cashier counter of the cafe to request for a slice of the black forest chocolate cake and pay for it out from his own pocket before bringing it back to the table where they had taken a seat earlier to enjoy their free cuppa.

"Here you go, dig in." Yoon Ji Hoo told Geum Jan Di as he sets down the slice of black forest chocolate cake in front of the stunned-looking girl.

"... Thank you." Geum Jan Di was stunned speechless for some time before she managed to regather her wits together to thank the auburn-haired member of F4 for the treat.

"You're welcome." Yoon Ji Hoo answered with a genuine smile, as he stirred away at his cup of Mocha while glancing out of the window of the cafe.

Skype message between the F4, 26th April 2009, Sunday, 11am

Jun Pyo: My cast is finally off! Finally, freedom to do as I pleased. As it is, I called for an F4 gathering at my place tonight for dinner. You guys had best make sure to show up on time! I'll share my plans for the upcoming skiing trip during the dinner session.

Ji Hoo: Noted.

Woo Bin: Congrats on regaining your freedom, bro! I'll be sure to show up for the dinner on time. By any chance, is Jun Hee-noona around?

Yi Jeong: Noted. I'll be there by 7pm, had to turn up at the Woo Sung for a meeting with my grandfather first. Not sure how long it would take, so… 7pm is the earliest I could guarantee my arrival at your place.

Jun Pyo: Woo Bin, nope. Noona is back in the states. So, it's just me…Eomma is out, so no worries about meeting the witch. Yi Jeong noted. I'll get butler Lee to inform the kitchen to start serving dinner at 7pm then.

~TBC~

Chapter's notes: Alright, this is Chapter 21. Literally, an entire chapter fills up with original scenes from the beginning to the end. The only portion taken out from episode 12 of the drama is the part where Geum Jan Di brought the briefcase of money to return to Kang Hee Soo and the scene where Yoon Ji Hoo made pancakes for Geum Jan Di.

In the drama, after the pancake's scene - it jumps straight to the skiing trip scene. In my story though, the time-skip didn't happen. I figured Yoon Ji Hoo would take Geum Jan Di shopping first before the skiing trip could take place. ^_^

I did have my own time-skip though, given that I went from 16th April (Ga Eul's birthday, in my story) to 25th April, skipping about 1.5 weeks in a matter of seconds. XD, anyway… except for the last few scenes whereby I had dedicated to the original drama scene + original scene of my own featuring Jan Di and Ji Hoo. The rest of the chapter is SoEul exclusive! Okay, maybe not the beginning portion - since I began the chapter with a scene in the Chu family residence, followed by brief interaction between Shuichi and Ga Eul, before bringing the F4 into the picture. :D

Let me know what you think of this chapter, ^_^ In particular, the SoEul moments - do you like it or love it? XD, now I'm off to brainstorm for the next chapter ^_^ Ciao~