Night-Owl Romance
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Chapter 36: Really Like You
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The clock was ticking in anticipation yet a reply from the actor refused to arrive in a timely manner and Mina's excited expression was gradually fading. 'Maybe he is away from the app?', she pondered quizzically and sighed, a deep pout marring her tired visage while she placed the phone onto her lap. She noticed Zen's icon had a forest green bulb right underneath his photograph as to accentuate his immediate availability within the messenger. If he had truly been idle, its color would have shifted to a bright, sunny yellow.
'Or is he bothered because of my actions? I did log off pretty early and missed half a dozen calls...'
Again.
She snapped her lower lip hard from guilt.
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'Of course, that must be it...'
'I mean, anyone else would have certainly been upset.'
'And it wasn't intentional this time around!'
'I honestly didn't hear the ringing!'
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Regardless of intent, Mina needed to make amends so she followed up her original text with additional lines and apologized earnestly for her behavior, putting the blame on her faulty sleep patterns. Heck, she even inserted a few endearment terms, here and there, which caused her insides to flare up and fully regret the choice of sending those out. Nonetheless, if it persuaded the actor to sweeten up to the girl and rapidly answer back, then she was willing to butter him up with whatever words he pleased – an exception she would only be doing for the remainder of today.
Mina was willing to write anything to him.
Anything to help erase that terrible monster from her mind.
But, it had been to no avail, the youngster's smile having completely faded by this point. 'Maybe he really is away after all...' Mina's gloominess intensified tenfold, an ever so lonesome sensation creeping further and further. A hand softly brushed over her heated forehead, massaging the sensitive area while she was contemplating her next move. The girl's body language showed clear signs of weakness and fatigue, sweat continuing to trail down her damp skin.
'If the messenger won't help me forget him then those e-mails would have to do the job.'
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~oOo~
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[MC]: Zen!
[MC]: Hello! ^^
[MC]: Beautiful evening, isn't it? ^^
[MC]: I'm able to spot the moon's outline from here, although the clouds are making it seem foggy.
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...
[MC]: Yeah, so...
[MC]: I should probably mention something other than the sky.
[MC]: I at least owe you this one. ^^;;;;;;
[MC]: Oppa...
[MC]: I wanted to apologize for leaving the messenger so abruptly when I did.
[MC]: My eyes couldn't stay opened, it was next to impossible.
[MC]: I know, I know ~~~ I should have a better sleeping schedule~!^^;;;;;;
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[MC]: But unavoidable things keep happening beyond my control! \(º □ º l|l)/
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[MC]: And... yeah.
[MC]: I'm sorry...
[MC]: For the missed calls as well.
[MC]: Hope it did not disappoint you too much...
[MC]: Forgive me, oppa! T-T
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Zen's chest constricted in an uncomfortable tightness when reaching the end. His mouth was faintly hung open for absolute amazement sprinkled across his handsome features. In normal circumstances, he would have been exhilarated to the brink of madness from an upcoming sugar rush of enjoyment and would shower the girl with adoring, cringe worthy phrases while trying to further crack the steep walls surrounding her being.
A little game Zen was getting addicted to as he continued to unveil new things about the R.F.A.'s newest member~!
Her apology should have cleared up some of the tense air between them and point out how Mina had not been deliberately avoiding the actor. Instead, she was like a fallen beauty trapped inside her dream world and unable to avoid her inevitable imprisonment.
The timing of his arrival online had been that horrible.
'Oppa...'
The coordinator started using the word with less restraint yet the actor experienced fairly mixed emotions and maintained a constant scowl, Zen's eyebrows furrowed to their maximum capacity.
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Why was she addressing him so casually?
Wasn't Mina the one who wished for distance until the day of the party?
Weren't painful interferences going to be dismissed?
What was going on...?
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Zen's thoughts were a jumbled mess.
What's more, the critical problems arising from his freshly sprained ankle only boosted the bitterness resonating inside his heavy heart. The loss of a shining opportunity for his career to take a grand leap and advance onto the largest stages possible was damming. His dream was crumbling into millions of pieces, having been snatched away from the actor's grasp so stupidly.
So irritatingly stupid!
As such, the silver haired youth was unsure he could bear additional rejection from Mina during these gut-wrenching moments, Zen too broken to properly withstand her signature iciness.
'Oppa, are you there?'
He eventually caved in while waiting for his ride,
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For a true gentleman never left a lady's greetings unanswered.
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~oOo~
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A few glances at the top contenders in the coordinator's inbox were enough to conclude a painful reminder: how difficult of a task answering these e-mails would be, doing quite the opposite of improving Mina's mood but further depleting it and sucking the remaining energy out of her system.
"Ngh..."
Cross-legged, the girl was chewing at her pointer finger while sharp honey brown eyes morphed into mere slits from the sheer focus.
The party planner was stuck.
And Mina couldn't stop her thoughts from fleeing towards her predecessor, Rika, wondering what the former planner's mindset was when facing these countless inquires of unrelated issues to the R.F.A.'s charity events. How did she manage this entire invitation process? Because, although it hadn't been a lot of days since gaining an R.F.A. membership, Mina was close to going mad as the abundance of unknown topics required to be dealt with had greatly flourished.
What advice could she have given Mina in order to ease her workload?
Heck, was the girl even good at choosing the correct guests to attend the party?
She wasn't exactly denying the members' suggestions and, to put it mildly, Mina was corresponding with a bunch of interesting individuals. Her fingers were trembling from the dead-end routes stacking upon her shoulders.
'Seriously... I'm not an encyclopedia, my brain has its limits. A truckload of them. So why would a party coordinator have to research cooking recipes and be extra specific with the ingredients used, or find an acceptable array of tricks that an impoverished student could use to survive through his college years, or teach a flimsy gamer dude what special gifts to choose as his anniversary present for his girlfriend, or find the perfect kitty litter which is most suitable for a siamese cat, or helping a guy solve a Rubik's cube dilemma, or – '
"Impossible..."
"This is impossible!"
Mina was severely inadequate in handling such a diverse group!
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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Her phone's striking vibrations could not have been a sweeter music to the ears and the happiness brought within was incomparable with that of seeing Zen's avatar popping up so largely onto her screen. Mina's cheeks glowed in a reddened hue, carefully reading through his answers with a spectacularly wide grin.
"Eh...?"
Her grin had faltered fast.
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[ZEN]: Oh.
[ZEN]: It wasn't important.
[ZEN]: Besides, I understand clearly where things fall into place – everything is fine.
[ZEN]: I shall be taking my leave soon, MC.
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"M...C?", Mina whispered surprised, feeling rather unsettled due to Zen's wording which had been far too tame.
Far too serious.
The girl had been taken aback by the actor's incredibly lackluster response that was also missing his signature emoji plus her own endearment title. Zen would often call her 'jagiya' and do it without a moment's hesitation. Now, after showering him in 'oppa', he did not even acknowledge her gesture which had been so out of character for Mina – it was impossible for him not to have spotted any difference in text nuances. She believed the silver haired male would have pointed it out somehow, teasing the party planner until the brink of desperation.
She had readied herself for his upcoming attacks!
Sadly, what Mina had received in return was a complete demotion to old depressing 'MC' and it felt kind of... wrong. The girl was questioning whether her sleep deprived messages had been a culprit to his deflated answers or not. However, she did not get the chance to carefully recheck and reflect over the past chat log. Not when the actor announced his immediate departure, Mina selfishly trying to stall him and persuade Zen into staying.
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[MC]: Eh, are you leaving already?!
[ZEN]: The car has arrived.
[ZEN]: Goodbye –
[MC]: Wait, wait, wait!
[MC]: Are you sure there wasn't anything important you had to tell me?
[ZEN]: Yeah, am sure.
[MC]: Oppa, I am happy to listen~! ^o^
[ZEN]: No worries.
[MC]: I'll do my best since I've been successfully rebooted, lol.
[ZEN]: There is nothing that may concern you.
[MC]: Oh...
[MC]: Alright.
[MC]: Have a safe trip then~! ^o^
[MC]: This weather can turn the roads into slippery slopes.
[MC]: Please take care of yourself, oppa~!
[ZEN]: ...
[MC]: Anywho, I'll go back to researching electric kettles. ^^;;;;;;
[MC]: See ya~!
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[ZEN]: MC, before I leave, I must ask you.
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[MC]: Ask what?
[ZEN]: Are you OK?
[MC]: ...
[MC]: Am I OK?
[ZEN]: Yes.
[MC]: What do you mean...?
[ZEN]: Well, for starters, it's pretty unusual for you to initiate contact so eagerly.
[ZEN]: Especially whenlooking at your earlier statements – it's very strange.
[ZEN]: Of course, it might be a false impression.
[ZEN]: In which case, forget what I've just said.
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Honey brown orbs twinkled. The whole time, the coordinator's body did not lose its trembling prowess and Mina gripped the shaky phone tighter. "Was I OK?", she instinctively repeated the question, an answer to it formulating in a matter of seconds.
She was nowhere near okay.
But Zen should not become burdened by the girl's emotional turmoil, not when he appeared so busy and unlike his normal self. Probably due to his newest acting production and busier schedule. Still, Mina was uncertain what type of secret magical powers the actor harbored because he had been able to see through her cheery mask quite effortlessly.
*sigh*
He would most likely be suspecting the coordinator's lies, so she attempted to half-ass the truth to the best of her capabilities.
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~oOo~
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The roads around his apartment building were not cleared of the snow since he did not live in a widely populated neighborhood, hence bumps were an inevitable thing to run over while stuck inside a raging vehicle and Zen almost drew blood with his teeth when one in particular had quaked at his swollen ankle. The extreme pain spikes were the norm, however he successfully overlooked the on-growing aches, the actor settling his crimson eyes onto the messenger. Tensions were rising in the ensuing conversation.
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[MC]: I am the best version of myself that I can be – if you take into consideration how unusual my situation is. ^^
[MC]: Pretty okay.
[ZEN]: What kind of an answer is that...?
[MC]: Hm?
[ZEN]: I'm serious.
[ZEN]: What is bothering you?
[ZEN]: Spill it out.
[MC]: Nothing to spill.
[MC]: Besides coffee like a pro. ^.~
[ZEN]: Ashi...
[ZEN]: Something is definitely wrong.
[ZEN]: Mina!
[MC]: A-Anyway ~~~! What previous statements have I made?
[MC]: I'm confused.
[ZEN]: Confused?!
[MC]: Mhm.
[MC]: Have I typed anything weird lately, oppa~?
[ZEN]: Yo, are you in a twisted playful mood or...?
[MC]: Huh? O-O
[ZEN]: You know too well what I was referring to!
[MC]: Erm.
[MC]: Not exactly...?
[ZEN]: Your message from earlier today.
[MC]: My message from – which one?
[MC]: I've written plenty.
[ZEN]: Tch...
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[ZEN]: I can't handle this right now.
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[ZEN]: *disappointed emoji*
[MC]: ?
[ZEN]: Forget about it.
[MC]: Oppa?
[ZEN]: I should leave since I'm approaching my destination.
[MC]: Oppa...
[ZEN]: I won't log back tonight, MC.
[ZEN]: Later.
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[MC]: Why are you suddenly this cold to me...?
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~oOo~
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"HUH?!", Zen was inches away from smacking himself with a shimmering bright screen, bringing the phone that up close to his nose. He was emanating grave frustration which was sending off dangerous vibes, enveloping the taxi driver who had suffered a miniature panic attack thanks to the actor's unexpected outburst. It resulted in the man taking a rougher turn in the next intersection and the poor silver haired male got harshly knocked into the car door on the left side.
His injury...
Dismissing the dreadful pulsations, the fuming youth continued to feel a bloody, penetrating rush whilst furiously typing. How was he the cold one in this scenario?! It did not make a shred of sense to Zen and he simply refused to accept the unfairness oozing out of Mina's end, deciding to be bolder with his thoughts and directly confront her.
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[ZEN]: Do you really have to ask why?!
[ZEN]: There is no need to contact this number again.
[ZEN]: Until the day for the endless party comes,painful interferences will be dismissed.
[MC]: ...
[MC]: What...?
[ZEN]: Still pretending to be clueless, Mina?!
[MC]: Is this a joke?
[ZEN]: Joke?
[ZEN]: LOLOLOL.
[MC]: Tell me it is!
[ZEN]: Are you kidding?!
[MC]: I can't –
[MC]: I can't believe you.
[ZEN]: Neither could I believe you!
[ZEN]: Its meaning had been on my mind throughout the entire day!
[ZEN]: Enough is enough.
[MC]: ...
[MC]: I can't believe –
[ZEN]: Do believe.
[MC]: – that you'd express your dislike towards me this openly.
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[ZEN]: HUH?!
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[MC]: It's so shocking...
[MC]: I'm trembling from all my joints.
[ZEN]: *shocked emoji*
[MC]: No contact until the party?!
[MC]: Hah...
[ZEN]: *confused emoji*
[MC]: Wow.
[MC]: To think I had stupidly fallen for every kind word you've ever told me, Zen.
[MC]: Every. Single. One.
[ZEN]: Hang on.
[MC]: To this day, our conversations have been one of the few things I was looking forward to – a beacon of joy in my life.
[ZEN]: Hey, hey, hey.
[MC]: But now...
[MC]: It's over.
[ZEN]: What are you saying?!
[ZEN]: *shocked emoji*
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[MC]: I find it funny how you're always calling me a cold girl.
[MC]: But my actions are virtually harmless compared to this news you've slapped me across the face with.
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[ZEN]: WTF!
[MC]: I can't believe how quickly this happened again. High school, university ...
[MC]: Now you.
[MC]: I never learn...
[ZEN]: Hold up just one –
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[MC]: Just when I started to really, really like you, Zen.
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[ZEN]: WHAT?!
[ZEN]: *shocked emoji*
[MC]: How could you so effortlessly want to shun me out?!
[MC]: No warnings, either.
[MC]: Literally out of the blue.
[MC]: Had I not expressed before that I wish to hear your full honesty if I ever become a bothersome eye sore to you?!
[MC]: I can be less invasive – I'm good at being unnoticed.
[ZEN]: HOLD IT ONE SECOND, MINA!
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[MC]: Whatever.
[MC]: I don't care anymore.
[MC]: I'll obey your wish.
[MC]: Until the day of the R.F.A. party arrives, you won't be able to contact me.
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– MC has left the chat room –
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~oOo~
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Limping on the snowy sidewalk in this freezing weather was not necessarily Zen's master plan, cursing his luck from the pits of every bottomless hell to the unreachable horizons of the heavens. The hospital building greeted his crimson gaze, taunting the silver haired actor with its massive presence. He had yet to enter its solemn grounds, fearing he might be swiftly kicked out of the unit had he done so already.
Like he had been out of that taxi.
Zen's cool had vanished ever since he had been savagely ravaged by Mina's over-the-top confession and odd accusations. Moreover, the girl had stayed true to her threat and did not offer a courtesy of an answer to his desperate calls that were nearing double digits in attempts.
He was unyielding though.
The young sufferer had gotten entirely side tracked in his quest to heal his leg and was currently disregarding the urgent needs of his injured limb. Instead, Zen had been wasting precious minutes while bargaining with Seven for instant access towards Mina's receiver and have the hacker forcefully link both their phones together.
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Just this one time.
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Naturally, the red headed annoyance did not cower under the actor's stern voice and potty mouth replies – not unless he was briefed with the entire story behind such a bold, yet questionably illegal request from Zen. Problem was – the silver haired male did not have the full version himself, just a hunch irking at his skin. "A... hunch?", Seven inquired and was shortly presented with the events that had taken place, the hacker skimming through the chat room as he was listening.
He interrupted the actor.
"Wow. You had truly been heartless towards her, Zen."
"It was not a good joke if that was your plan."
"Mina sent me those texts during morning hours."
"Highly unlikely.", the hacker attempted to brush off this ridiculous info and shared how Mina had to be temporarily cut off from the MysMe grid because of some bugs within the messenger. "There is no way it could have been our MC – "
*BLINK*
The screenshot delivered into Seven's folder was furiously disproving his claim, Zen beyond lost at this point. "If it wasn't Mina, then...", he asked more to himself, but it was enough for the hacker's blood to run cold and gasp out of shock. If the screeching male beauty was genuinely telling him the truth then the only possibility for such a thing to occur was through – "Unknown."
Seven mumbled that name and disappeared abruptly, leaving the actor behind with his own heart beating chaotically.
Zen was frightened.
And for once today, it wasn't due to his collapsing future.
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But Mina's safety.
