TOWARDS YOU

( +🎧 ) take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die . . .

like the moodboard? it's a teaser for an upcoming fanfic! make sure u follow me and stay tuned! thank you, bye!! <33

xlii. piercing through my soul

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CHAPTER FORTY-TWO ─ piercing through my soul.

❛ i wanna hold you just for a while

and die with a smile ❜

Choi Eunyoung's Perspective

The chatter and buzz in the interview room rekindled after the cameraman's "Cut!" People switching off all the extra studio lights, packing up their things and chatting with each other. The tense atmosphere that previously hung over the room while the filming was ongoing was replaced with a new friendliness and lightheartedness. Words of encouragement and several people saying "Good job!" seemed to raise everyone's spirits. 

I heaved a quiet sigh the moment the cameras were out. During the interview, I felt as if I had been holding my breath the whole time. Never in my career of doing interviews for famous, influential personalities had I ever felt so nervous. At the same time, I knew I was obviously holding myself back. Every cell in my body wanted to drop all formalities and throw my arms around him and tell him how glad I was to see him. 

His experience writing 'Sonaki' was something that pricked me from inside. His words constantly echoed inside my mind. He met her on a rainy day. It was dangerously similar to how I met Sunjae. A part of me- the hopeful part, wanted to believe desperately that it was me. Despite wanting to hold onto the hope, an anxious and worried voice inside me told me not to get excited over it. It was too good to be true. Him writing a poetic masterpiece about his first love who was none other than me? It sounded impossible. I was also afraid. Afraid of being wrong after thinking it was about me. At the end of the day, I'm nothing more than his fan. And to him, all he's going to remember me is as a distant memory from his teenage years.

I gave in to all my temptations as I stole a glance at Sunjae, sitting across from me rummaging through his bag and talking about something or the other with his manager. I nearly smiled seeing his relaxed posture and radiant glow. Something about him had changed in the best way possible. He looked happy, and that was enough for my heart to be content. For a split second, our eyes met and I tore away forcefully and unnaturally, probably making a fool out of myself. It was too much. Seeing him again uprooted so many repressed feelings.

Soon, he was telling his manager to go on without him and saying that he would be out soon. Watching his manager leave the room, I found myself thinking- Am I really going to be here alone with him? It hadn't even been that long since I'd last seen him, yet my heart pounded in my ears like a thousand drums.

"Hey," he began once he was sure everyone was gone. I nearly jumped out of my skin hearing his voice, "It's been a while, huh? How've you been?"

"Hi," I answered with a small smile. So he remembers me... "Yeah, it's been ages. I've been good. How 'bout you? How's everything?"

"Good, you know. Life's full of surprises," he answered, smiling.

"That's nice to know; You...look... good- like you've been well," I stuttered like an idiot, "This is awkward, isn't it?"

"Yeah," he agreed, sounding disappointed, "It's been too long, I guess."

"Yeah."

An uncomfortable silence filled the air as we both looked here and there, thinking hard about what to say next. It seemed like both of us had a hundred thoughts racing through our minds, but no words nor courage to express them.

"You don't have any like... illness or anything lately, do you?" I asked slowly, afraid of the answer.

"No, not at all," he answered, sounding confused.

"I read some of the articles you wrote," he said after a few more moments of silence.

"About Eclipse?" I asked, sounding a bit too eager.

"Yeah," he replied, fidgeting with his clothes, "And other things. Your writing's as good as ever."

"Thanks," I cracked a real smile, "Should we go? Your manager must be waiting."

"Yeah."

We made our way through the door and into the elevator. I had never realized that our building elevator had no mirror. Or music. I stared at the ground, soaking in all the silence between us. The awkwardness sent a chill down my spine. I wanted to do something. I wanted to tell him that I missed him. But that would make things even more awkward and I would die of embarrassment.

Gosh, were elevator rides here always so insufferable?

The elevator finally stopped at the ground floor after what felt like a million years, and we exited the building, still completely quiet. Standing on the pavement looking onto the highway, I looked up at Sunjae, who was already looking. My face felt hot as I forgot what I was about to say.

"So this is it?" he said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"We should keep in touch this time," I blurted out too quickly. Why was I so jittery? "You can get my number from your manager."

"Yeah, let's do that," he said with a smile, finally showing his beautiful dimples. I returned his smile, feeling my heart swell up at the very sight of a happy Sunjae.

"My manager's car is over there across the street," he said, looking at the black car parked on the other side of the road, "I'll see you?"

"You will," I said with conviction, the smile never leaving my face.

I watched as the made his way across the zebra crossing, going further away, but in that moment, he felt the closest that evening. The soft glow of the streetlamp and the dim starlight seemed to give me a glimmer of hope. That this was the beginning of something new. Something special. Then, as if to throw water over all my happiness, I loud crashing sounded, like a huge truck suddenly stopping. My eyes went wide as my body seemed to freeze from shock. I felt my blood go cold.

Time seemed to splinter into fragments, each one more agonizing than the last, as I watched the massive, green truck barrel forward, unstoppable. There was a horrid screeching of brakes, but it was too late—the impact was thunderous, like the world cracking open right before my eyes. Sunjae's body collided with the force of the vehicle, a sickening blur of motion as he was thrown to the ground, his form limp and unmoving.

A piercing cry escaped my throat, one I barely recognized as my own. My chest constricted, an unbearable ache tearing through me as if the impact had shattered not only him but every part of me, too. For a brief, surreal moment, I couldn't move; I was paralyzed, bound by the horror of what I'd just witnessed, by the helplessness sinking like iron into my bones.

I stumbled forward, heart hammering wildly, tears blurring my vision as I rushed toward him. "Sunjae!" I cried, my voice trembling, desperate. My knees hit the ground beside him, the unforgiving pavement scraping through the fabric of my jeans, but I barely registered the sting. All I could see was his stillness, his face pale and serene in a way that frightened me more than any amount of pain ever could.

A sob broke free, raw and guttural, as I reached for his hand, cold and heavy in mine. Memories flooded my mind—his laughter, his warmth, the look in his eyes when he talked about the future, a future I suddenly couldn't see. It was slipping from me, unraveling like sand through my fingers, and I was powerless to stop it. The sight of him lying there, broken, filled me with a heartbreak so deep I felt hollowed out from within. I could feel my heart shattering, piece by piece, each shard lodging painfully within me.

"Please...please, Sunjae," I whispered, voice breaking as I clutched his hand, unable to stop my tears. The world had collapsed around us, reduced to this one horrible moment, to the unbearable thought of losing him.

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nana's notes: sunjae's death breaks me in every timeline.

delphi's notes: here we go again.

next chapter: friday (out now!) list of chapters here!

i had scheduled this april 19th but it got posted early?!!

﹒ʬʬ , all's fair in love & poetry

( +🥐 ) ｡˚ ִ⋆｡˚ like we were in paris . . . >_&lt; @the-one-and-only-delphi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE DAZAI KINNIE

edit: LMAOOO IN ALL THE EXCITEMENT I FORGOT THAT IT'S DAZAI'S BDAY TOO ASJKSHFA HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAZAI LOL

i don't think @the-one-and-only-delphi being a dazai kinnie gets any realer than her sharing a birthday with him lmao what a flex

૮ っ˕  𝆬 𝅄⠀if i don't take care of myself, nobody will. ׅ ࣪ ᧔♡᧓

hi lovely people! this is an introduction post for the kind of content i want to start posting here. i will be posting wonyoungism type of content- like skincare, makeup tips- things like that. of course i'll still be posting my writing on @iheart-nana stay tuned! <3

xlvii. unforgettable

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CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN ─ unforgettable.

❛ boy, you got me hooked on to something, who could say that they saw us coming? ❜

Narrator's Perspective

While Sunjae and Eunyoung's lips moved against each other's without a care in the world, a worried Yumi called out desperately to Eunyoung.

"Eunyoung! Choi Eunyoung!" she screamed into the darkness, "Where the hell are you?"

The moment her voice fell upon Sunjae's ears, he pulled away from Eunyoung's embrace hastily. The sound sent panic surging through him, while Eunyoung felt like she was floating on a cloud, with the sweet taste of Sunjae's lips lingering on her lips. Sunjae began thinking harder than ever. In a few seconds, he came to the conclusion that it would be better for him to face Eunyoung's sister and make up a story before she could find them and draw her own conclusions. Taking a deep breath and trying his hardest to ignore the aftertaste of soju and lipgloss on his lips, he gently took a hold of Eunyoung's wrist and came out from behind the stage to face Yumi.

Yumi's expression when she saw them was absolutely priceless. All sort of mortifying thoughts raced through her head. Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth fell agape in confusion. Sunjae, raising his eyebrows and speaking too fast, said, "Listen it's not-"

"Why are you naked?" she asked, turning to look at the pine trees.

"Look, I was looking for my shirt and-"

"And you found my sister instead?" Yumi asked skeptically.

"Yeah, that's what-"

Yumi scoffed, as if to say unbelievable.

"I'm telling the truth!" Technically he wasn't lying, because before he found Eunyoung, he was looking for his shirt, but he wasn't going to enlighten Yumi about what happened after that. A warmth crept up his cheeks on thinking of the kiss they had just shared and he fought with all his might to conceal his smile, "And I just saw her and she's really drunk. That's when I heard your voice... so now I'm here."

Yumi squinted at his face,focusing on only his face, as if trying to see through his bluff. She advanced towards them and shook Sunjae's hands- that still held Eunyoung's wrist, off and pulled Eunyoung  to her side. She took a good long look at Eunyoung. Her hair was messy, hanging around her eyes, her cheeks were flushed and her lipstick was slightly smudged. Her piercing gaze shifted to Sunjae, who look a step back, intimidated by her death glare. His face had "guilty conscious" written over his face, that was too obvious for Yumi to ignore. Thinking that Eunyoung would probably tell her everything eventually, she let him go and stopped glaring daggers at him.

"So you found her like this?"

"Yeah."

"While you were looking for your shirt?"

"That's right."

"Well," Yumi said, "Thanks for bringing her to me, I guess. And I hope you find your shirt."

Sunjae sighed in relief as Yumi and Eunyoung turned around and disappeared into the distance. But he still felt his heart racing and cheeks blushing from kissing Eunyoung. The warmth of her touch curled his lips into a cheery smile as he began journeying back to his own tent, while his missing shirt had been forgotten.

💿

Yumi struggled in getting Eunyoung into bed because for some reason she refused to cooperate. When she was finally tucked in, Yumi stared at her blank face, trying to figure out what had happened between Eunyoung and Sunjae. Actually, it was quite obvious, but admitting it was a whole other story. Eunyoung let out a small giggle, still lost in Sunjae's touch.

"What?" Yumi snapped. Eunyoung's laugh was basically confirming her fears. Something about it made Yumi feel weird on the inside.

"He's such a good kisser," Eunyoung whispered, staring at the ceiling with a stupid smile on her face. Yumi's eyes widened and her heart nearly stopped working from shock.

The word "kiss," reminded her of what had happened earlier that evening. Kim Taesung had stolen her first kiss. And that too in front of the whole Practical Music department. Within a few hours, the news had spread all over the campsite, and everyone knew about it. In just one night, she and her fake boyfriend had become the biggest news at the Yeonseo University field trip. It was a mess- girls crying, gossiping, guys speculating and the seniors wondering if they would get married. And Minjun? He must have died from the shock, which meant that he would leave her alone at last.

The truth was that it was all she wanted. Taesung's possessive yet gentle demeanor. His soft touch that sent sparks flying inside her. It was perfect- all she would ever wish for. But of course, it scared her. What would happen to their relationship? They had gone from barely speaking to each other to being a fake couple with a kiss. How would it affect the future. It was all too much.

To distract herself, she turned to look at her sister again, sighing at her smiling, giggling face. She couldn't help but giggle at her stupidity. 

"You're going to regret telling me that in the morning."

💿

Regaining consciousness in the morning was one of the most painful experiences of her life. Her head felt like a million needles were poking at her brain, tearing at it. Her entire body felt heavy, as if a cow was sitting on her chest. There was a hazy fog in her head and the sunlight streaming through the window felt blinding. At first, she could remember nothing from the previous night.

Then, it started coming back to her slowly, but surely. Playing drinking games and getting drunk with her friends. And then roaming around, lost afterwards. She then remembered Sunjae- shirtless, in all his glory, and her impulsive decisions that escalated-

"Considering that look on your face and the way you're blushing, I'm guessing you got your memories back, huh?" Yumi asked, smiling sarcastically.

"You know too?" Eunyoung buried her head in the blanket, groaning with embarrassment.

"Why're you so dramatic?" Yumi pulled the sheets off, "Isn't it a good thing?"

"No, are you kidding?" Eunyoung said, panicking, "You don't even know what exactly I did. And he didn't even say anything- OH MY GOD. It must've made him so uncomfortable, I'm going to die."

"Relax," Yumi assured her, "Since you confessed to your sins, let me tell you what happened last night. Kim Taesung kissed me."

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah," Yumi confessed, looking down with shame, " You know how Minjun was after my life? Yeah, well this was Taesung's way of getting me out of it. Now I have a fake boyfriend."

Eunyoung blinked a few times, trying to process this new information. In the end, all she could say was, "Wow. That's really... something."

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nana's notes: i apologize in advance because everyone's going to be acting like an idiot for the next few chapters

delphi's notes: i'm about to kick eunyoung's ass-

previous chapter next chapter: saturday (out now!) list of chapters here!

xli. threads of fate and regret

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CHAPTER FORTY-ONE ─ threads of fate and regret.

❛ you stood there in front of me, just close enough to touch ❜

Ryu Sunjae's Perspective

Fireworks seemed to go off inside me when I walked into the interview room. A wave of deja vu hit me when the rapid thumping of my heart sounded in my ears just like the first time I found out that Eunyoung was going to interview me. Since the time I started preparing to release 'Sonaki,' all my past feelings slowly began resurfacing. I could envision myself, a lovestruck nineteen year old sitting in my bedroom and writing the song, thinking of Eunyoung and occasionally gazing at her window that was just in front of mine. I kept telling myself that it was just a memory in the past. I couldn't accept the fact that my feelings were exactly the same after fifteen long years.

It felt quite pathetic, to be honest. To think that I spent two years with her by my side, and still never had the guts to tell her how I felt filled me with insurmountable regret. I would have given anything to go back in time and hold on to her. 

Sitting across from her, responding to each question with careful, practiced formality, felt like the most challenging task of my entire career. With every carefully measured word, I felt my resolve slipping, as though the years we spent apart had only heightened this ache within me. It took every ounce of restraint not to close the distance between us, to forget the cameras and the professionalism and tell her just how much I'd missed her.

As I spoke about the song, Sonaki, describing it simply as a memory from my youth, my heart pounded with the urge to reveal the truth. There was a cruel irony in it all, sitting there explaining how the song was about my first love while she remained unaware that she was the muse behind every line, the inspiration behind every note. She was still, unknowingly, my everything.

In my mind, I could see myself breaking the silence, confessing it all—how she had stayed with me, haunting my every step and shaping every melody I'd written since. But in reality, I remained stoic, carefully choosing my words, my gaze avoiding her eyes for fear of giving it all away.

"I used to be a competitive swimmer back in high school. I remember despising it whenever it rained on my way home after a long day of training. But the day I met her was a rainy day. After that day, I mysteriously found myself unable to hate the rain any longer. It was magical, unlike anything I had experienced before," I said, pouring my heart out.

"That's such a beautiful way of expressing your feelings. I'm sure whoever she is would be touched to know it."

"Actually I never got a chance to express my feelings," I confessed with an embarrassed chuckle, "It was an unrequited love."

Choi Yumi's Perspective

I sat nervously shaking my leg in the police station. I had caved and agreed to meet Taesung to help him. The truth was that I wanted to understand him. I wanted to believe more than anything that he was innocent; And if I had the power to prove that he was, then I wanted to pour my heart into this case and win at any cost.

Taesung emerged from behind one of the doors, being dragged by one of the police officers who clutched his jacket with a death grip. The nostalgia was way too obvious for me to ignore. I found myself remembering the last time I saw him sitting across me. His hair was no longer wild and crazy like back then, but a sort of mischief shone in his eyes. A smirk that seemed to ridicule the man dragging him was plastered across his face.

The two sat down across from me, the man glaring at Taesung. For a good few moments I found myself staring at Taesung. Despite the dull, muted tones that replaced his bright biker jackets, he still looked as good as the first day I encountered him outside the music club. I found it quite unfair that I looked like a Tim Burtons character while he looked ready to start a photoshoot.

"So, you're going to help me or not?" he asked right away.

"Depends," I said skeptically, "How exactly did you get yourself into this mess?"

"I have no idea."

"You have to answer seriously or I can't help you."

"So if I answer seriously you'll help me?"

"Just answer the damn question," I sighed, realizing he was just as petty and childish as before, "I haven't got all day."

"My bad," he cleared his throat, "So you know my father is a detective in the Violent Crimes Division, right?"

"Yeah," I replied, feeling curious and anxious at the same time.

"One day he had to go to one of the places where Kim Youngsoo was allegedly hiding. But he suddenly fell sick that day. 102 degree fever; And look, I'm not the biggest fan of my dad, but I couldn't let him go there like that. That's why I went in his place. Then the guy who was supposed to be there with him never showed up."

"That's quite the story."

"I'm not done," he said, "I completed the investigation like he told me to, and I brought the report home. He gave it to the higher ups and everything was fine for a couple of days. Later, we found out that he messed up the dates and the other guy went the day after that. That's when they found my fingerprints all over the place. I tried to explain this to them but they refused to believe me and now I'm here. They don't believe my dad either."

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nana's notes: writing sunjae's pov made me sob he loves her so much T_T when will it be my turn...

delphi's notes: leave it up to taesung to get into that kind of mess 👏

next chapter: saturday (out now!) list of chapters here

TOWARDS YOU: the playlists.

while you wait for chapter fifty-three, here are the official playlists for TOWARDS YOU 💌.

TOWARDS YOU: the official soundtrack.

TOWARDS YOU ── lovely runner.

TOWARDS YOU ── eunjae's version.

TOWARDS YOU ── taemi's version.

choi eunyoung's playlist.

choi yumi's playlist.

ix. silent confession

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CHAPTER NINE ─ silent confession.

❛ drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain. ❜

Narrator's Perspective

Eunyoung, still clad in her school uniform, strode along the sidewalk. Her shoes splashed against the wet pavement like a soft rhythm. She could distinctly hear the pitter-patter of the raindrops on Sunjae's blue umbrella, which she clasped tightly to shield herself from the cool raindrops that splashed against her legs. The rain poured down relentlessly as Eunyoung smiled looking at the unexpected downpour, thinking of the day she and Sunjae ran through the rain, their laughter muffled by the roaring wind. The scene played in her mind like a flashback in a movie. His laugh, his dimple and the creased corners of his eyes, all appeared before her eyes vividly.

Approaching the swimming pool, she heard a hushed conversation over the raindrops. Thinking it was Sunjae, she walked towards the sound, eager to see him blooming in her heart. However, she stopped in her tracks the moment she was in earshot as she heard something she shouldn't have.

"That bastard, Ryu Sunjae, is a superstitious fellow," said one voice, filled with devious intent, "He wears his competition swim trunks the day before the competition. If we hide them, he'll be completely thrown off."

"It can't be that easy, can it?" Eunyoung intervened.

The two boys, who assumed they were alone, jumped in shock on hearing her voice. Realising they were caught red-handed, all they could do at first was stand and stare while wondering how to defend themselves.

"Cat got your tongue?" Eunyoung observed their flustered state, her eyes glaring daggers as she stepped towards them, "I think now would be a good time to run, don't you? Before I get the chance to tell the school what you were up to." They weren't expecting to be seen, considering the odd time at which they were lurking around the school. Afraid of the consequences, the two troublemakers bowed in fear and scurried away.

On hearing the main gate creak open slowly, she rushed towards it, hoping to see Sunjae. To her relief, this time it really was him. His initial surprise morphed into a slow, genuine smile that spread across his face. The relieved sigh that escaped her lips mingled with the creak of the closing gate. Sunjae was at a loss for words; all he could do was call out her name, "Eunyoung?"

"Hmm, it's me," she smiled, stepping under the shelter of the swimming pool building. Her hand stretched forward, holding the umbrella over his head, "I thought you might need this."

Ryu Sunjae's Perspective

My eyes widened as I stood agape, my speech failing me as I gazed at Eunyoung who stood before me, smiling as she held my blue umbrella over my head. She arrived like a ray of sunshine amidst the pouring rain, her face lighting up in a bright smile as she looked up at me. For a moment, the clatter of the rain against the roof of the swimming pool building was replaced by the frantic beating of my heart, which threatened to jump out of my chest any second. Her slightly damp hair fell gracefully over her shoulders. Little beads of sweat trickled down her face that seemed sculpted by the Gods themselves─ had she walked here? for me? 

Seeing her in front of me evoked a feeling of deja vu. I had been here before, speechless on seeing her face the day we first met and ran through the rain. Her sweet voice lingered like an echo, replaying in my mind like an echo, "I thought you might need this." I was unsure if she repeated herself because of my lack of reply or if my mind had replayed it like a movie scene I rewound because it was so beautiful I wanted to see it over and over again.

"Thanks," I breathed out, my voice barely a whisper, just enough for her to hear me.

"Are you just going to stand there all day?" she asked jokingly, "Or do you plan on going home anytime soon, Mr. Ryu Sunjae?"

A slow smile tugged at my lips despite my efforts to conceal it, a silent confession of the effect she had on me. "Shall we, then?"

💿

Choi Eunyoung's Perspective

While Sunjae and I walked under the blue umbrella, I spent most of the time glancing up at him discreetly.  The rain blurred out everything around me but his face, hypnotizing me completely. His features held a captivating contrast─ the clean lines of his jaw were softened by the gentle curve of his lips and his full, slightly flushed cheeks. But it was his eyes that truly stole my breath away. Glassy and clear, they held a depth that had entire galaxies within them. Each fleck of colour, like tiny stars scattered across the irises, shimmered with a hidden light, reflecting a kindness and sincerity that made my heart skip a beat. He seemed to be looking straight ahead, deep in thought.

 Seeing him up close like this, memories of the Eclipse concert resurfaced. The fleeting touch of our fingers that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach was still clear in front of my eyes. The news that shattered my whole world that night still tugged at my heartstrings as I gazed at Sunjae's face. I was terrified, terrified to lose him and terrified that my efforts wouldn't ever be enough to save him. I wish I could hold onto him and never let go, protecting him from being hurt. I wanted this moment to last forever so he would never meet his untimely end.

Sunjae's father's restaurant came into view as the hammering of the rain had softened to a drizzle. Our synced steps came to a halt in front of the brightly lit building. Both of us lingered there, standing still, slowly turning to look at each other. I couldn't help but smile at him.

"Your swimming competition is tomorrow, right?" I asked him.

"Yeah," he replied, returning my smile with an unexplained warmth.

"I'll come cheer for you," I said, my smile widening at the sight of the dimple on his right cheek.

I want to believe in you, Sunjae. I want you to win the gold medal tomorrow and many times after that.

"You will?"

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nayoung's notes: sorry for no taemi content ⫪⫪ delphi is probably cursing at me while reading this lmfao. something possessed me when i wrote this istg. or maybe this is a description of what i felt seeing sunjae lol. look forward to the next chapter 👀 hope you liked this one!

delphi's notes: i love taesung but they're cute too ngl. (≧▽≦)

next chapter: saturday (out now!) list of chapters here!

xviii. the anatomy of a smile

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩⋆｡° ✮

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ─ the anatomy of a smile.

❛ but i see sparks fly whenever you smile. ❜

Narrator's Perspective

"Oh! Eunyoung!" Inhyuk called out when he spotted Eunyoung on her way to school.

"Hmm?" she turned to look at him, "Oh, it's you. Hi."

"Hey," he began, "I visited Sunjae yesterday. He went on about today's school paper. He practically begged me to bring it for him. The fellow who distributes the papers in our class is a real ass. He won't give me any extra papers. Can you do me a favour and help me out? I have no idea why he's so hell bent on getting it."

A small smile surfaced on Eunyoung's face. He remembers.

"I'll bring it to him after school, don't worry," she assured him. Inhyuk cocked his head to the side in confusion. He seemed to be the only one left in the dark.

The previous evening

"Sunjae?" Eunyoung called out to him, knocking on the open hospital room door. None of the other patients seemed to be there, and Sunjae sat in solitude on his bed, staring blankly out of the window.

"Eunyoung?" his head whipped around sharply. A small smile surfaced on his face slowly. The despair in his eyes was very much evident despite his efforts to put up a brave front.

She returned his smile with the same sorrow in her eyes. She took a seat on the chair next to him, "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly?" he started, the smile fading from his face, "Not great. They said I won't be able to continue swimming."

I know. Eunyoung thought to herself. Each time she was faced with that reality, she could feel an ache in her heart. The lump in her throat left her speechless. Her hand reached forward to clutch Sunjae's, which seemed so huge in comparison. Sunjae's breath hitched at her sudden movement. The colour seemed to return to his face as he felt warmth blooming in his cheeks.

"I'm sorry," is all Eunyoung could muster out, "I'm sorry for coming late, I'm sorry you have to go through this."

"It's not your fault," Sunjae whispered.

A spark of warmth glimmered in the sterile hospital room, igniting a new kind of fire in them both. The silence conveyed feelings that neither of them could dare to put into words.

💿

Spotting Taesung exiting the music room before her, Yumi called out to him, evident excitement in her voice, "Taesung!" She approached him as he turned quickly to look at her. 

"Piano girl?"

"How original," she frowned.

"Why did you call out to me?" he asked her.

"Oh yeah," Yumi remembered, "The kitten let me pet it the other day!"

"Really?" he chuckled. He found her excitement strangely endearing. Yumi always seemed to be frowning or her eyebrows would be raised and her eyes would be wide with confusion. She had often stared at him blankly, making it impossible to guess what was on her mind. But her face lit up when she smiled. There was a glimmer in her eyes, and a soft redness on her cheeks. Taesung's heart pounded against his chest.

"I was right, wasn't I?" he said, trying way too hard to act cool. 

Could she tell I'm bluffing? Does she have any clue about the effect she has on me?

💿

The white walls of Sunjae's hospital room seemed a little less oppressive today. A sliver of sunlight snuck through the blinds, painting a warm rectangle across his lap. Sunjae, propped up against pillows, traced the lines of a sports magazine with a listless finger. The events unfolding on the pages held little interest for him. His own future in swimming felt like a deflated balloon, limp and useless.

A soft knock at the door startled him. Before he could answer, the door creaked open, revealing Eunyoung. Her eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were clouded with worry. She clutched a neatly folded newspaper to her chest.

"Hey," Sunjae managed, a weak smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?"

Eunyoung shuffled closer, her gaze flitting between him and his father, who sat perched on a visitor's chair, a newspaper propped up in front of him. A hint of a blush crept up her neck.

"Actually, I brought you something," she mumbled, extending the newspaper towards him.

Sunjae's father chuckled, lowering his own paper. "He's been yapping about your article all morning. Took you long enough!" His tone was light, but Sunjae detected a playful jab in his words.

"I'm just glad someone's eager to read what I wrote."

Sunjae carefully unfolded the newspaper, his heart skipping a beat as he saw the headline: "Setting the Pace: A New Season for the Jagam High Swim Team" with his own team photo splashed right below it.

He scanned the article, his eyes widening with each paragraph. Eunyoung's words painted a vivid picture of the team, their dedication, and their unwavering spirit. He felt a forgotten spark ignite within him, a flicker of pride for his team and the sport he still loved.

"This is..." he stammered, searching for the right words. "This is amazing, Eunyoung! You captured everything perfectly. I could practically smell the chlorine."

A genuine smile bloomed on Eunyoung's face, chasing away the worry in her eyes. "Really? I'm glad you like it. Everyone misses you so much." Especially me.

"Maybe you can take some advice from Eunyoung," his dad advised Sunjae, a teasing smile forming on his face, "You never know! You might become a famous writer like her."

Sunjae swatted his father's arm playfully, a laugh escaping his lips for the first time since the surgery. "Don't listen to him, Eunyoung. He's just jealous he can't write like you."

The room, for a brief moment, was filled with a warmth that had nothing to do with the sunlight peering in through the window. It was the warmth of shared passion and perhaps, the beginning of a new kind of hope.

💿

"Sportsmanship is not just about good manners; it's about creating a positive environment where everyone can thrive. It's about fostering a love for the sport that goes beyond individual accolades, and it fills me with pride to know that the swimming team of Jagam High School navigates the triumphs and challenges of this season with this very sportsmanship as their guiding principle." Yumi read out from the newspaper in her hand.

Eunyoung's mother put down her chopsticks and clapped enthusiastically. A smile formed on Eunyoung's face as Yumi too joined in the applause. "We're so proud of you, Eunyoung!" said her mom.

"You do this every time I write something," said Eunyoung, embarrassed as she hid her face in her hands.

"It's because everything you write is so profoundly eloquent that Shakespeare would start shaking in his grave," replied Yumi dramatically.

"She's right, Eunyoung," their mom piped in, "At this rate you're going to become the CEO of a big news firm."

Eunyoung and Yumi exchanged glances, smiling at the fact that she had just predicted the future that only they knew about.

"Don't count your chickens," Eunyoung shrugged.

"You never know," said Yumi, grinning.

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩⋆｡° ✮

nayoung's notes: rare occasion where sunjae's dad doesn't embarrass his son.

delphi's notes: the best part of this chapter is how eunyoung's mom suddenly becomes a fortune teller.

next chapter: friday (out now!) list of chapters here!