Chaerin and I always held hands before. So why is this so different? I mean sure my eyebrows are at stake because my friends wanted us to have big stakes, but… she's so close. I'm used to it, but not like this. Such a small space, and I don't take up a lot of room. She's taller than me by an inch or two. She looks around, almost nervous. She's trying her best to be aloof about it."Si'u…" she starts, "Just… just keep holding my hand, okay?"
"You got it." I say, "I'm right here. I'm not letting go,"
"I really thought I fucking grew past this…" she hisses, "God, I'm a mess." I squeeze her hand. It's soft and bigger than mine. She was born okay, I wasn't. Weaker, always weaker. But I fight on anyway.
"You're not." I state, "If anything I am. I worry you and you always get stressed out because of me."
She smiles slightly, "Well at least that's true, dumbass."
"Heh." there's a small chuckle, "You remember the day we met? We were in the same elementary school."
She looks at me, "What does that have to do with-?"
"Yes or no, Chaerin." I state, "Because you get scared if it's quiet." she nods and her cheeks go red. I continue.
"The reason why I got so strong isn't just because of Jaeha Han, it's because I want to be a man you're proud of." I close my eyes and she scoffs at me.
"Proud? Si'u, I don't think my pride has anything to do with you fighting people. That's dumb." she looks at me with a realization, a revelation so earth shattering that she can register it before she says it.
"You fucking like me, don't you?" she glares at me, "This whole time you liked me and you got into fights because you-"
"I saw you cry and I couldn't handle it!" I sputter, "I mean, I'm sure you could've done it yourself, and I know you can, but ever since you became my friend I wanted to improve myself." I squeeze her hand and she looks down at me, her disappointment… shifted.
"I know you like Suheyon, it's obvious. I don't want you to choose me just because I have the longer standing feelings. My path is my own, and yours is too." I look over at her with a smile. I don't notice that she's closer to me, listening to me ramble on and on.
"Don't wait up for me, Chaerin. And besides-" she cuts me off with a kiss, leaning down and wrapping her other arm around my neck, her lips are soft, gentle. Far from the angry snapping she usually does. She lets go of me and pulls away.
She still holds my hand, "Shut your mouth, you bastard. You talk too much." her smile says more than her words ever could. Even though her blush is all the way down to her neck and she's kind of sweating.
"Damn it's hot in here…" I sigh, "Mind if I open this shit up?"
"God, I don't mind at all…" she huffs, and I push against the door. It won't budge at all. Not even if I strike it. I'm basically as strong as a bee. A human sized bee.
"Huh?! Did Hyeondong lock us in here?! I'll fucking KILL HIM!" my throat rips out a scream but Chaerin laughs, it's almost able to calm me down. I look over at her.
"Chaerin, you wanna draw on my eyebrows?" I ask, "Mine'll get all lopsided."
She smiles, "Sure."
I let go of her hand and draw my right hand back, "Waaaa… TAH!" My hand goes clear through the wood in a knife hand motion, cutting right through the broom holding it closed too, it throbs and bleeds but I sweep my hand out.
"After you, Chaerin."
"Shiiiit…" she breathes, "You're that strong?"
Shrugging, I grab the longer half of the broom and tap it onto the floor, a new stick. Not sturdy at all. My braces clack and my right hand bleeds. I'm slender with dark brown hair and dark eyes, long and falling to my shoulders. A strong wind or blow could knock me over but I don't care. I'm small but strong. My broom handle stick softly drags on the floor near me.
"My Dad's stronger, but I'll manage." I raise my bleeding hand, "Ow."
"What? You want me to kiss it better?" she teases.
"Not unless you want to." I whimper a little, blinking back tears, "Just ah… forgive me."
She raises my hurt hand to her lips and lightly kisses it, "Oh come on, Si'u. You're okay, quit crying." There's a moment where I just want to let go of the grudge against Jaeha Han for breaking my old stick, one moment where I want to say 'Fuck reuniting Gangbuk, I just want to have a normal high school life!' But the look in Chaerin's eyes, the determination and the 'Don't you dare wimp out!' look in her eyes spurs me on to action!
Bring it on, I've got more to fight for now, East Gangbuk or South or North! I don't care!
Si'u Rim, 'The Deadman of West Gangbuk High'.
Height: 5'3.
Weight: 110 lbs.
Strength: D.
Speed: E.
Intelligence: B.
Potential: S.
Endurance: F.