Disclaimer: I am merely borrowing these celebrity names of Korean Artists. This story nowhere pertains to any of their real lives.

Korean words:

Noona: It means Older Sister from a younger male. You don't have to be related to call someone that. It's pronounced "Noo - nah."

Hyung: Hyung is a word used by korean males to address another male older than them who they are close to.

Hyung literally means "older brother"

Chapter 1

The boxes of Choco Pie fell to the ground and I frowned. I looked up to the person I had bumped into, but I had to crane my neck. Staring down at me was a tall boy.

"Seung Hyun."

An apology died on my lips as I turned to look at the person who had called my name. Standing at the end of the candy aisle was a girl who looked to be in middle school. Her dark hair was short and boyishly cut. She was dressed in a standard uniform for females, her round eyes directly staring at the older boy I had just bumped into. Ridiculously, I was immediately taken with the dazzling smile on her face that naturally formed for him. The older boy looked at her and the corners of his lips merely turned up as he picked up the things I dropped; wordlessly he handed them to me.

Flustered, my gaze flew to the ground as I bowed and stuttered an apology. To say the least, I was intimidated, but I couldn't help it. The older boy stood almost three heads taller than me; towering over me. Unlike her, he showed less emotion on his face with features that I'm sure my own sister would swoon over. The calm way in which he held himself was admirable, but not annoyingly so. His dark eyes and his tall build was intimidating enough to make my little thirteen year old self, shrink back. In other words, he looked like one of those cool kids.

I watched as the girl strolled down the aisle. The older males voice made me turn back to him momentarily as he spoke saying that it was 'okay'. But my attention easily went back to her. She made her way to his side and placed a hand on his arm as she gave me a little wave and spoke kindly. "Hello there, you must be Mr. Lee's nephew." I was slightly taken aback by her voice; it was much deeper than I had expected but held femininity to it. For a moment, I rudely stared at her, wondering how she knew my name. That's when it clicked, Uncle said that there was going to be new employees. But they looked a bit too young to be working.

Respectfully, I bowed to both of them and introduced myself. I puffed out my chest as I mustered all the confidence my thirteen year old self had. "Yes, h-hi. My name is Lee Seung Hyun and I'm thirteen." Her eyes twinkled as she let out the sweetest giggle I have ever heard; my cheeks reddened. Stepping closer to the boy, she wrapped an arm around his as they shared a look. In that small instance, I was reminded of my mom and dad. The way they looked at each other was similar to the way my parents relayed silent messages to each other- always with a hint of saccharine. Was I missing something or was my introduction lacking?

"What a coincidence, my friend here has the same name as you." The older boy nodded, "My name is-" Uncle Teddy's clear voice cut through as he stepped into the isle. Sporting a smile on his face with black converse on his feet and looking every bit casual, he made his way to my side. Unlike the various other convenience stores I've ever known, I have yet to see a convenience store owner who is as young as my uncle. Only twenty three and my official guardian, Lee Hong Jun(Uncle teddy) looked nothing like the average middle-aged owners that I've seen.

"I see you've found my nephew." The other Seung Hyun and the girl nodded. With a pat on my shoulder, he spoke to me. "Ri, these two are the new employees, they'll be starting on Saturday." He placed his hands on my shoulders.

__

I nodded as Hyung turned around to make his way to the back to get a broom and a mop. Five minutes ago, one of the regulars had accidentally dropped a glass bottle of ice tea on to the floor. Yoon Moon Jung had bowed and apologized profusely; her cheeks had gone a deep red in embarrassment. Only until Hyung politely told her it was okay and that all she had to do was to pay for it, did she give up and leave. She always came around at this time. For a little while I thought she was kinda cute, until I noticed the way her eyes would linger on Hyung longer than necessary when she came by. Or how she'd purposely pretend to search her pockets for her wallet, when it really was just in her pocket; only to stare at him longer. So I let go of the thought of asking for her number, because I realized, that she was only one of his groupies. Besides, she only dropped the bottle because their finger's "accidentally" brushed when he was handing her change.

This may only be a convenience store, but lots of cute girls have been in out of here; just so they could catch a glimpse of Hyung. It's good for business. I'm so fly, but girls always flock to him first. It sort of pisses me off. I even caught some girls at my school gossiping about him and squealing about how mysterious they thought he was. Tch, whatever, just 'cause he doesn't smile when he's handing you change doesn't mean he's mysterious. When I first met him I saw him smile, but after a few days of him working here, I noticed how occasional it really was. I found it odd that he didn't show much facial expressions other than indifference and politeness. However, what I had realized after a few weeks of him working at the store, was that he only truly smiled for one person.

I remember there was this one time when she had come into the store looking haggard, but some how still beautiful, with her hair messily tied in a bun and reading glasses perched on her button nose. She was frowning. The Noona I was accustomed to would usually greet me with a warm hug and an appealing smile. Nothing my Uncle or I could say was able to pull her out of her uncharacteristic state. I tried making her laugh, more than once, but each time she would only respond with a weak smile. Her round eyes held fatigue, her shoulders the weight of her troubles.

Hyung, on the other hand, handled things differently and much more quietly. He did not make silly faces to make her laugh, nor did he attempt Dae Sung's silly dance moves that often had her giggling uncontrollably, like I had. He simply took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together, and softly susurrated a couple of words to her as they restocked drinks at the back. That was all it took for her eyes to shine, her lips to smooth out into a small smile, and his to turn up. However, one of the girls from my school, who had been watching them, had accidentally knocked into another customer in surprise. Hyungs smiles were just that amazing and that rare to those girls. The moment was ruined as Noona rushed to her side and assisted the fallen customer.

A mere gesture like Hyung's was so simple, so small, but it was enough to ease the fatigue in her eyes. And yet, I wanted nothing more than to have held Noona's smaller hand in mine, to be the one who was able to elicit the most genuine of smiles on her lips. I wanted it to be me who was able to make her smile on days like that.

As impervious as I think my chances with her are, I can't take back what she has unknowingly stolen. I'm not insecure, I don't think lowly of myself nor do I find any huge faults within myself; that would deter from my chances. But why do I find me being with her unfeasible? Unattainable? Unrealistic? Simply because I am not Hyung. I am not Choi Seung Hyun, who holds her heart and her whole world together. She says that they'are not dating but I don't see anything that's holding them back from doing so. Believe me, I've tried several times to put away this likeness towards her; and just date some one my age; some one who shines as brightly as she does.

So far, no one does.

Noona is an all around nice person. Even the ahjumma's that stop by regularly have all taken a liking towards her. They seem to like her more than they like me, and I'm supposed to be the cute nephew who helps at the store. Her amiable attitude, her gentle smiles, her kind eyes; everything about her is likable. She may not be the ideal Korean classical beauty, with milky skin, and a soft high voice. But what is there not to like? Her brown round eyes, her tanned flawless skin, the sound of her sweet laugh. Need I say more? I've become so in-tuned with her presence, so accustomed to her, that a Friday is not a Friday without seeing her. But I guess that's what happens when you see her four hours every Friday for four years, just to work with her at your uncles convenience store.

And today is supposed to be a Friday, but Noona is terribly late. It's been almost two hours since Hyung has stepped into the convenience store without her trailing behind him. I asked him where she was, but all he told me was that she had an errand to run and that she had already informed my uncle that she was going to be late.

But as I sit here behind the cash register twirling around my pencil, I can't help but feel worried. Hyung was not specific with how late she would be, but almost two hours late seems too long. I could even tell Hyung was getting worried too. When a half an hour had passed of her absence, he had looked to his watch; his eyebrows had slightly drawn in and his mouth went into a straight line. His facial expression hasn't really changed since then and it's pretty intimidating.

Suddenly, the swishing sound of the automatic doors opening came to my ears and I immediately stood up to welcome the customer. Staggering into the store was Kim Yoo Bin, my Noona. My mouth fell open in shock. Her clothes were torn in pieces as she desperately clung onto them with her hands, to salvage what it had once covered. Her bottom lip was bleeding and a bruise was forming around her eye. Tears were streaming down her face as she stumbled onto the floor.

"Noona!"

I ran to her side.