8 years ago..

A dark brown haired young boy stuffed his plate with the meal in front of him. Mostly garden stuff, not to mention, his family indeed had a large garden at the backyard filled with different kinds of vegetables – self planted – and also flowers. Green beans, lettuce, appeared before his eyes, even the main dish didn't miss from greeny. Fish soup with loads of turnips, carrots, onions, seleries, and other ingredients that the boy was convinced, it wouldn't be far from another vegetables listed in children's book of spell.

His mother was highly tremendous scale of a woman. She was the president of women organization both in his neighborhood and in his school. And it was not a mere lowly organization as she even got an award from the mayor for her accomplishment in creating a healthy environment by encouraging people planting one tree in every house. How she could convince all of neighborhood to plant trees, Yoosung knew it perfectly. Lecturing from dawn till dusk was what she was good at. Of course, they were not just words that could go in one ear and out the other, they were full of meaningful words. Yoosung was sure, had she not become a teacher, she would have been a motivator who always aired Monday night in TV. And Yoosung was not excluded from the list of people needed to be lectured at. Apparently, being both the youngest and the only son the family got, Yoosung was the target of everyone's lectures in his house, even his older sister always had a way to make him do things for her. So much for a privilege being the youngest, being spoiled and all, he had none whatsoever.

"Son.." his mother called him, making the young boy turned his gaze from his plate into his left, toward his mother, "I heard from your teacher that you need to find a place to volunteer in society? Have you found out where you'll volunteer?"

"Hmm," he mumbled, "Nope, haven't," turned his gaze into his plate once again

"Is that so?" his mother exclaimed, "Well, if that's the case, you should go to Rika tomorrow. She was volunteering at nursing home this lately," his mother grinned at him

The spoon that was originally safe at his grip fell into his plate, filling the silent dining room with a clink from the silverware. He was utterly shocked at the suggestion. No, more into the name his mother mentioned before, "Eeeeh, why?" young Yoosung shrieked

"What do you mean why?" his mother asked, grinning from ear to ear, "You still had no place to volunteer – which you should have, considering all of your friends have already begun volunteering – while you sit idly here," she put a spoon of fish soup into her mouth, "You met Rika last night right? And you said you like her," mother said

His heart sank. "Eeeeeeeh I.. I never said I liked her!" Yoosung stammered

"You never said it, but you couldn't keep your eyes off her," his mother retorted, happily teasing her youngest son, winking her right eye every now and then, whilst the young boy's attempt to hide his true colors failed

"I.. I didn't,"

He could feel his ears hotter by the seconds passed. Staring into his barely touched meal, his heart was pounding so fast until he was sure he would have broken the electrocardiograph those doctors owned if they measure his heart beat at that very moment. He knew it so well. It was no use to say otherwise to his mother as she basically knew everything.

But still, his inner conscious told him not to fess up. He would literally get thrown down by his own mother who would likely tell him it was unnatural for a sibling to like each other. Of course his mother would think it was only some sort of common admiration for now, but deep down, he knew it was not a mere platonic love. There was a certain desire to make Rika his wife some years in the future. He fell for her right at the moment their eyes meet the other night. It was a zing.

"So, you wanted to go to Rika right?" mother asked again, more like commanding, really

"Well, yes, if I have to,"

Yoosung pretended to be cool about it. But inside, he couldn't wait till tomorrow comes and finally meet Rika again..

~Tomorrow morning~

The car stopped at the entrance of the nursing home. It was fairly a large building when Yoosung peeked through the window of the sedan car his family owned. His mother drove him there before she joined her organization. Like he uttered in his mind over and over again, his mother was not a mere member, she was the president.

A girl with long blond hair emerged through the the double door not long after they arrived. She was smiling at the moment their eyes met. He felt his body paralyzed. Like being stabbed by an invisible blade that shot through her gleaming eyes.Indeed, Rika was truly the most beautiful girl that Yoosung had ever seen, from the moment he could remember until that precise moment, or perhaps until the final breath left his body.

"Good morning, Rika,"

Yoosung's mother got off from the car and waved to Rika who walked closer by the minutes. She wore a pair of brown T-shirt and a short with the same color, showing her long skinny milky white pair of legs. Her long blond hair was tied in a perfect high ponytail, with the same brown color at the ribbon. Yoosung's heart was pounding again at a highly fast pace. The nape of her neck was now visible, arousing a slight fetish inside his young blood. He couldn't look her in the eye, he looked down instead. Somehow, the soil was a lot friendlier for his unstoppable pounding in his left chest.

"Ah, good morning Aunt Kim," Rika said in her sweetest smile

She reached them and gave the most fabulous smile to Yoosung and his mother. Yoosung stood behind his mother. He didn't say a word. He was too shy in front of the girl he liked.

"Son, what are you doing there? Come, greet your cousin," mother said, grabbing his upper arm so that he could move forward. Yoosung shook his head, and keep his foothold behind his mother. He feared he would literally die due to liquefaction if he stood too close to the sun like her.

"Wah~ we met again Yoosung. You look so handsome today~" Rika said, smiling

Yoosung blushed. His legs felt like turning into a jelly hearing Rika's compliment.

"Okay then, I'll leave him in your care, Rika," his mother said, holding Yoosung in the shoulder, "I have to go somewhere else. I'll pick him up this evening. Is that okay?" mother asked

"Of course, Aunt Kim. Leave him to me," Rika said, making an 'OK' sign with her right hand

"Okay, bye son.." his mother briefly hugged him before going into the car.

She waved at Rika and Yoosung before she turned on the engine. Yoosung saw his mother gone and startled when he heard his name called by Rika, inviting giggling from the owner of long blond hair because he twitched out of startle.

"Why are you startled Yoosung? Am I so scary to you?" Rika asked, she remained giggling

"No, I'm just dozing off for a while there," Yoosung said, finally able to find his voice

She chuckled, "Ok then, let's get inside. Everyone has been waiting for you," Rika said, leading him to the building

A scent of light cinnamon struck his nose as she was holding him by the arm through the entrance. He let her do what she pleased to his body. Whether bringing him inside the building, nor dragging him somewhere more private, he wouldn't care anymore. She was a goddess sent from the heaven. Her existence was too powerful for a human being like him.

"Waiting? Who is waiting?" Yoosung asked when they got in

"Everyone! Grandpas and grandmas here.. I kind of tell them that my cute cousin would come today, so they got excited!" Rika said

Yoosung blushed again as Rika mentioned that he was cute.

"Come, meet everyone.." Rika said

She opened the double door and found some elderly in a large living room. It was a nice living room with a chimney, large towering windows at both sides, the green plants at the corner of the room, and a few couches where the elderly gathered around. Yoosung felt his heart ache seeing those grandmas and grandpas. Where are their families? Why would they be in here? It was the first time he saw people weaker than him.

Suddenly, a grandma came toward Rika in her wheelchair.

"Aigoo, you looked so pretty as ever, Rika dear," grandma said, lifted her hand to caress Rika's cheek

"Ah, grandma looked so beautiful too. I'm not as beautiful as you, grandma," Rika said smiling

"No~ you flatter me, haha," grandma said, her cheeks were getting redder at Rika's flattering before later on taking a glance on Yoosung, "And who this young boy might be?" grandma asked

"This is Yoosung, my cousin. He's handsome, isn't he?" Rika replied, pulling the young boy closer to her, smiling. The boy could only nod, both by the compliment and also the closeness which he had a hard time dealing with.

"Yes, yes indeed. He looks a lot like you, except his hair is dark brown, not blonde like you," grandma said

"Ah, yes.. I dye my hair grandma. He was still in middle school, he shouldn't dye his hair," Rika said, stroking the young boy's hair now

Beyond Rika's gentle stroke on his hair, the sentence grandma said before struck Yoosung. Did he really look like Rika? Should he dye his hair when he graduated from high school then?

"Hello grandma, I'm Yoosung. It's nice to meet you," Yoosung said, holding out his hand

"Yes, yes.. I'm happy too to see young people in here. It must be so nice to be young," grandma said, taking Yoosung's hand while patting on his shoulder, "You have to cherished your days while you can, dear.."

"Ah~ yes grandma, we will," Rika said, smile never faded from her face, "Ah grandma, let's go to the yard now, shall we?"

"Yes, yes.."

Yoosung followed Rika and grandma from behind. He surely cherished every minute he spent with his goddess, Rika. He loved seeing her smile. That smile.. He wanted to cherish it as his treasure for a long time ahead. Perhaps, a single picture together would suffice. Rika would be so beautiful at the picture.. He was sure of it.

"Noona,"

Yoosung called Rika when they arrived at the yard. It was so fresh to be outside. With the trees at the surroundings and a small pond not far from them, it was indeed a good place to get a fresh air.

"Yes?" Rika answered, turning her head backward

"How about we take a picture together, three of us?" Yoosung asked

"Ah yes," Rika answered, before turning her head upfront once again, "Grandma, do you mind to take a picture with us?"

"No, of course I don't mind. I would love to, dear," Grandma said

"Okay, I brought a camera.." he said, taking out his digital camera from his bag, "Hmm, is there someone we could ask for help to take a picture?" Yoosung asked

"Ah, I know," Rika said

Rika went to the nurse nearby. She asked the nurse to take their picture, and the nurse gladly helped her.

"Okay then, One.. Two.. Three.."

Clicked. They got their picture taken. Yoosung made sure, that picture would always stay with him, no matter what.

Rika uttered her gratitude to the nurse and returned to Yoosung and grandma. Three of them chatted around until grandma was asked to go inside for her regular checkups. It was only Yoosung and Rika in the yard that afternoon. They sat together at the bench in front of the pond.

"Noona," Yoosung asked

"Hmm~" she answered, still gazing at the branches of trees that were swayed by the wind

"Can I ask something?" Yoosung asked, staring deeply into Rika's green dreamy eyes

"Of course, you could ask whatever you want," Rika said, looking right at him now, still smiling

At that time, his head was full of questions waiting to be answered. But among those questions – one of them was the question about her ideal type of future husband she would likely marry someday – he was more curious about her tendency to do good for many people around her. Once she helped around at the veterinary hospital, and another time, she was seen helping around at the orphanages. Was there any special reason, perhaps?

"You seemed to like volunteering," he began speaking, "What do you get for helping elderly?" Yoosung asked curiously

"Hmm~"

Her brows furrowed. She thought for a while before she told him the answer.

"The reason why people want to gain things is to earn happiness. It is so difficult for people on the fringe of society to hope for happiness, but everyone got happy ever since I came here. There are things that are much more important than money, fame, or power. Being a person who gives happiness to others is more important than those. By helping those in need, I felt like a powerful magician who has the power to give happines," Rika said, smiling whilst looking at the blue sky above with the sun shone brightly, "Yoosung.." she called for him

"Yes?" he answered naturally

"Do you want to be a magician?" Rika asked, still looking at the blue sky

Yoosung followed her gaze toward the sky and nodded.

"Good. Let's be magician, both of us," Rika said, smiling

"Yes, noona," Yoosung said

She was so beautiful. That smile, he could never forget it.. Never..

Rika..

"Ehem.. Mr. Kim~"

There was a voice..

"Mr. Kim~" came another sound

A woman..

Who was it?

Could it be, Rika?

"Rika.." Yoosung muttered

Yoosung slowly opened his eyes. To his surprise, he was at the classroom. All of his classmates were laughing so hard to find Yoosung fell asleep in class. Yoosung was so embarrassed that someone woke him up and pulled him out of his dream. Ah, the dream.. He was dreaming of being with Rika.. It was such a nice dream..

"Ehem, Mr. Kim," the woman said in front of him

"Ah.. ah.. yes.. I'm sorry I fell asleep.." he straighten up his back, "I didn't know how I slept though…" Yoosung said embarrassed

"Do you still sleepy? Or do you wish to get a lesson now?" the woman asked sternly

"Yes, I would be really glad if I get a lesson now, Professor.." Yoosung answered

"Good, now, please pay attention, okay?" the woman said

"Okay,"

The woman walked to the front of the class. Yoosung didn't really take a good look on that woman's face as he just woke up and his vision still blurred. Or maybe his eyes became bad out of sitting in front of his PC all the time..

But he knew one thing, she was so beautiful with her long brown hair. It reminded him about Rika..

"Okay everyone. Now that every one of you is present in this class," the woman glanced her eyes to Yoosung's direction, pressing the 'present' word so obviously, followed by giggling from all students while Yoosung covering his face out of embarrassment.

"Pay attention to this lesson. You will have a quiz afterwards,"

Everyone echoed the yes word together. But Yoosung was taken aback. He never expected that he would have a quiz that day. Could it be karma because he fell asleep?

"What? Why?" Yoosung yelled

"Why? The professor told me that he already told the class there would be a quiz today," the woman said non chalantly

All students nodded together. Yoosung didn't believe it. How could he never hear of it?

Everyone giggled again at the shock that was clearly shown from Yoosung's face.

"Okay okay. Now, Mr. Kim, you should pay more attention to this lecture if you want to get an A in your quiz. Do you understand?"

"Okay," Yoosung said weakly

The woman started her lecture. Clearly, it was the first time he saw her, but somehow, her voice sounded familiar. Yoosung turned into one of his friend.

"Hey, who is that woman? New professor?" Yoosung asked sotto voce when he finally got himself together.

"No, she was just a substitute. Professor Cho couldn't attend today,"

Yoosung mouthed a big O to his friend. Then he returned to the reality that there would be a quiz after the lesson. He wanted to cry at that time. He succumbed to his desk. He thought he would never be able to get a C even though he paid attention on the lecture. So, instead of learning the lesson, he opened up RFA app to whine about the quiz.

Yoosung entered the chatroom

Yoosung : Arrrggh!

Yoosung : What do I do?

Yoosung : WHAT DO I DO?

Yoosung : Why is this happening to me?!

Yoosung : Why?! WHY?!

707 : lololol What's going on?

707 : Did LOLOL's server explode or something? XD

Yoosung : OMG!

Yoosung sent shock emoji

Yoosung : Don't even say that!

Yoosung : I'm troubled enough already..

707 : So, what's going on? Lolololol

Yoosung : T_T … In one hour …

707 : Server maintenance?

Yoosung : NO!

707 : And server explodes.. lolololol

Yoosung : T_T

Yoosung : Don't do that to me..

Yoosung input crying emoji

Yoosung : That's not it…

707 : lololol

Yoosung : I'm gonna have a QUIZ.

Yoosung : Apparently, the professor told us before.. How come I didn't know about this?

Yoosung : I'm so shocked right now,, that I can't even study..

Yoosung sent crying emoji

707 : lolol

707 : Dude, I thought smth serious was happening lolol

707 : Just write whatever

707 : I thought.. quizzes are super easy?

Yoosung : …

Yoosung : … Write whatever?

707 : When you see the question, you get the answer immediately. Just write that and leave…

Yoosung : You get what when you see the question…?

707 :

707 : THE ANSWER!

707 : Just use your brain and write the answer. And the prof will go like…

707 : YOU ARE CORRECT.

707 : Major increase in likeability.

Yoosung : Yeah, of course the professor will tell you that.

Yoosung : I was forgetting that you're a genius.

Yoosung sent depressed emoji

Yoosung : Btw, our prof doesn't come today. We are taught by a substitute. She's cute though.

707 : Wow… Gimme a photo!

Yoosung : No way~ You didn't give me Eun Ha's photo either… I won't give you hers! :P

707 : Gahh, don't tempt me kiddo…

707 : But, if you are taught by a cute substitute, don't you suppose to pay attention to her now?

Yoosung : T_T

Yoosung : The idea of quiz shocked me already… I don't think I can learn anything… T_T

707 : T_T Gahh… So sad becoming you… T_T

707 : Anyway… Sorry, gotta go…

Yoosung : So soon? Why? Is it Unknown? The hacker? Have you got any news?

707 : That's…

Yoosung : Hurry up…

707 : That's…

707 : S

707 : E

707 : C

707 : R

707 : E

707 : T

707 :

707 : Toodles…

707 has left the chatroom

Yoosung let out a long sigh. He entered the chat room seeking a place to console his already troubled mind – chatting with Eun Ha for example – yet all he got was not making things better. The only one who was online was the young red haired hacker, the one whose hobby was teasing Yoosung every time they appeared together in the chat room. Like the thing he did to Yoosung a couple days ago, when he suddenly diagnosed Yoosung with POADCS (Pass Out After Drinking Caffeine Syndrome) – a rare disease which was said to be deadly for cows based on a screenshot from Wikipedia Seven shared in the chat room (the cows stated to pass away in 3 seconds after eating too many coffee beans). And the symptom for human was fainting and never woken up any longer, like sleeping beauty.

Drinking chocolate milk was recommended by Seven for his 'rare disease' to increase the blood pressure if he wanted to wake up faster. That time, the yellow haired boy was ought to know it was a prank already – How could chocolate milk diminish such a rare disease, huh? – but he kept on having faith in Seven. He bought boxes of chocolate milk carton and drank them all, until he was sick of it. He believed in whatever Seven saying. Seven was – after all – able to guess the time Yoosung's fever went down. "He said my fever would go down within a week! And it's really gone in 5 days!" Yoosung typed hysterically.

It was not until Jaehee told him it was a common knowledge that fever would eventually go down within a week, Yoosung still had 100% faith in Seven's knowledge. Not to mention, the screenshot Seven shared before turned out to be a false article created by the hacker himself, as it was written at the bottom of the article which said, "Another cow who was in love with that deceased cow also gone. How? We'll never know. That is still a mystery. I am just writing random BS to mock Yoosung. Thanks to cows and my imagination," Yoosung felt like hiding at the pit of embarrassment after fully reading it.How naïve could he be until he got eaten by a prank Seven made for him. Perhaps he was too flustered by the fact he would be dead in a matter of hours. Yes, perhaps it was that. He was not that dumb, was he?

The substitute teacher was still explaining about what seemed to be asked in the upcoming quiz. But his mind couldn't really get into the class at all. He kept on racking his brain, pondering who the woman standing in front of the class might be. Cause her voice was somehow familiar in his brain.