I Am Free At Long Last

xxvii. dead end

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN ─ dead end.

❛ remember when we hit the brakes too soon? twenty stiches in a hospital room ❜

Choi Yumi's Perspective

I dragged my feet across the pavement, walking unwillingly towards the school gate. My hands clutched my backpack tightly as I sighed for the fifth time since I got off the bus. My eyes fixated on the ground while my mind was filled with echoes of what I said to Eunyoung the previous day.

"You're not even my real sister, so why does it matter?!" I had yelled out stupidly. How could I have been so thoughtless? I clearly remember the instant wave of regret that washed over me the next second after those words left my mouth. It was true that Eunyoung had been getting on my nerves. But what I said was completely out of line. We'd been friends our whole lives, and I always considered Eunyoung my sister. My own family abandoned me; my abusive father refused to take care of me after my mom took her own life. Eunyoung's family treated me like their daughter, and this is what I say to her?

"Are you auditioning for the role of a haunted spirit in a horror movie?" piped a familiar voice. I whipped my head around and my tensed shoulders relaxed when I saw it was Taesung, "Because if you are, you're doing an amazing job."

"Hi," I sighed, still half occupied by my thoughts. For a while, we walked in silence, the only sound was that of our footsteps against the road.

"Did your sister totally fire you yesterday?" he asked me.

"She was asleep when I reached home yesterday," said my lifeless voice, "I left early today because I couldn't get myself to face her. I feel like shit."

"That's what you get," he sneered mockingly, "I would have slapped someone across the face if they said that to me."

"You're making me feel a lot better, thanks," Even though my eyebrows were frowning, I couldn't fight the smile tugging at my lips as my heart felt infinitely lighter.

Narrator's Perspective

This particular morning, a strange, still silence hung over the living room. Neither Eunyoung nor her mother spoke a word to each other, and the soft sound of utensils clanking against each other was as loud as ever. Eunyoung's mother pondered over what could possibly be the reason behind Eunyoung's sudden quietness, and Eunyoung's thoughts circled back to Yumi's words no matter how hard she tried to distract herself.

She felt completely pathetic and idiotic, her chest tightening with a wave of disappointment. How had she been so blind? She had always believed that their friendship was built on trust, mutual respect, and a deep sense of loyalty. But now, in the cold light of Yumi's indifference, it was clear she had misread everything. The way Yumi dismissed her concerns, her casual disregard for the years they had spent together, made her stomach churn with a bitter sense of betrayal. She never thought that their bond could hold such little value in Yumi's eyes. To think that something she cherished so deeply had meant so little to her friend was a blow she wasn't prepared for, and the unwelcome realization left her feeling utterly alone. 

"Can I stay home today?" Eunyoung's meek voice asked.

"Why?" countered her mom, the words full of concern, "Are you not feeling well?"

"Yeah, I'm not feeling too great."

Eunyoung's mom took the seat next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Are you an Yumi in a fight?"

Eunyoung's jaw dropped as she exclaimed in shock, "How?!"

Eunyoung's mom smiled knowingly, then chuckling at the disbelief on her daughter's face. "Do all mothers have telepathic abilities or are you special?" she demanded.

"I think it's a Choi family thing," said her mother, "Your grandmother did this all the time, and it drove me nuts."

"Grandma is practically a witch," said Eunyoung, her voice cheerier than before.

"I'm gonna tell her you said that."

"Don't you dare!"

The previously empty living room was now filled with the lively sounds of their giggles. Once the silence returned, Eunyoung's mother held her daughter in a silent embrace, "You can stay home today- as long as you're sure you won't regret it tomorrow."

"We both screwed up," Eunyoung said in a whisper.

"Shhh... I know."

Moms really do have superpowers.

💿

"Oh god, look at the time!" Yumi cried out.

"Are you saying that because you're bored?" asked Taesung, slightly hurt, "It's only been an hour."

"No, I'm serious, look at the time," she said, pointing to the clock.

"Oh my god it's already 8?!" he exclaimed, a hint of disappointment showing through his tone. He turned to look at Yumi, and that's when he realized how close they were sitting. Soon, the living room was filled with the soft sound of their breath. Their eyes met, continuing to stare at each other for god knows how long. Yumi could feel her face getting warmer as her grip on the guitar tightened. Taesung's arm lightly brushed hers, and for a split second it was as if sparks went off and they both pulled away hastily. 

Taesung stood up abruptly, clearing his throat in a way that was so obviously fake that even a deaf person could see through his mediocre acting attempt. Yumi placed the guitar on its place on the wall and began gathering her stuff, desperately trying to ignore the thumping of her heart.

Choi Yumi's Perspective

The engine of Taesung's motorcycle hummed beneath me as we sped down the quiet streets. I tightened my grip around his waist, feeling the warmth of his body through his jacket. The wind rushed past, lifting my hair and tossing it wildly behind me, the cool breeze tickling my neck and cheeks. It felt exhilarating, the way the air seemed to carry all my thoughts away, but at the same time, my heart pounded louder than the engine.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, partly from the wind but mostly from the way my chest was pressed against his back. The closeness was overwhelming, making me acutely aware of every little movement—how his muscles tensed as he steered, how his scent mixed with the fresh night air. I lowered my head, burying my face against his shoulder to hide my embarrassment, hoping he didn't notice how stiff I was with nerves.

I wasn't used to this—being so close to him, feeling every shift of his body under my hands. Every time the bike turned a corner, I clung a little tighter, my heart fluttering, both from the thrill of the ride and from the proximity I wasn't sure how to handle.

"Are you sure this is alright?" I asked him when I realized that we were both without helmets.

"Yeah, it's short distance," he said on a whim, but his carefree tone did nothing to ease my anxieties. I felt a pit in my stomach, like my gut was trying to tell me something. Or maybe I was just hungry.

Suddenly, there was a whirring noise and I lifted my head to see where it was coming from. My eyes landed on a white taxi, driving in the wrong direction, charging straight towards us. "Taesung, Taesung look-" I must have screamed in his ear. The bright, white headlights seemed to be blinding me as I squinted, then it was as if the world began spinning. There was barely any sensation in my body. The last thing I felt was my head hitting the pavement and a splash of red as the world around me disappeared.

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nana's notes: karma bit yumi's ass

delphi's notes: moral of the story; Always trust your gut!

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

new fanfiction titled TOWARDS YOU coming out this wednesday! stay tuned! <3

with @the-one-and-only-delphi

x. a taste of victory

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CHAPTER TEN ─ a taste of victory.

❛ where's the trophy? he just

comes running over to me. ❜

Narrator's Perspective

"By the way," Inhyuk said to Sunjae the morning of the swimming competition, "Where is your Eunyoung today?"

Your Eunyoung. The moment those words fell upon Sunjae's ears, he beamed, flashing the dimple on his right cheek. His face turned pink, recalling the events of the previous evening.

"Oh, dear," Inhyuk expressed, "You should look at yourself right now! You're completely in love with her!"

"She's coming to cheer for me," Sunjae told him proudly, "She was telling me to take it easy and not participate, but when she told me that she'd come today, she seemed to have faith in me. So, I'll make sure not to let her down."

"You can't seem to stop yapping when it comes to her," Inhyuk observed, a cheeky smile surfacing on his face, "Don't tell me she's the reason you're competing today!"

"It's not like that!" Sunjae exclaimed defensively, "It's just... another reason to do well. That's it."

Inhyuk shook his head in disappointment. Sunjae was the last person he expected to fall for someone and act like a total loser.

But, after all, we're all fools in love.

💿

Minutes ticked by, each one echoing like a hammer blow in the tense silence before the competition. Sunjae, clad in his racing suit, felt a familiar knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. He scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face amidst the sea of spectators. Doubt, a cold serpent, began to coil around his heart. Would she make it? Had something happened? His focus, so meticulously honed, threatened to shatter.

Then, just as despair threatened to consume him, a splash of pink cut through the cacophony of pre-race jitters. There, in the stands, was Eunyoung. His face broke into a radiant smile, a beacon that chased away the shadows of doubt. She wore a soft pink dress, the colour a burst of life against the sterile white walls of the pool complex. A white cardigan draped gracefully over her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance.

As she made her way down the rows, a revelation struck Sunjae. He'd never truly noticed how tall she was. Even in her simple white flats, she seemed to carry herself with a quiet confidence. Yesterday, on their walk together, her head must have brushed his ear. Suddenly, the way they walked side-by-side, a memory from only a day ago, took on a new meaning. His gaze lingered on her, a wave of warmth washing over him. The familiar knot of anxiety loosened its grip, replaced by a surge of determination. He wouldn't just swim this race, he would win it. For her.

Simultaneously, a smile surfaced on both their faces as their eyes met. She waved at him, mouthing "good luck," as she took a seat in front of the railing that separated the pool and seating area. Behind her was a group of Sunjae's supporters, wearing t-shirts with messages cheering him on and shouting messages of encouragement. Eunyoung's erect posture was just a disguise for her nervousness. Despite her earnest wish for Sunjae to complete this race without injuries, worry rose in her chest. Please prove me wrong, Sunjae.

The pool stretched before her, a shimmering lane of blue below her. In the water, a blur of movement─ that was Sunjae, his powerful strokes propelling him forward with a focused intensity.

This was the final stretch, the culmination of years of gruelling training. Every flick of his wrist, every powerful kick, echoed in Eunyoung's chest. A tendinous strain, a cramp, a single misstep – any of these could shatter Sunjae's dreams of gold. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing her anxieties away, willing him strength.

Then, the electronic board pinged, and the crowd erupted in a deafening roar. Eunyoung snapped her eyes open, heart leaping into her throat. Sunjae was surging towards the finish, his form flawless, his determination etched on his face. He touched the touchpad a fraction of a second before anyone else, and the stadium lights seemed to dim for a moment before exploding in a kaleidoscope of colours.

Sunjae emerged from under the water, shaking off the hair stuck to his forehead, running his hands down his face, attempting to clear his vision. As he turned to look at the scoreboard, his joy knew no bounds as he saw his name at the top of the list. Letting out a euphoric yelp of victory, he pumped his fists in the air with a triumphant grin on his face.

Eunyoung's eyes had begun to well up with tears of happiness that she couldn't hold back no matter how hard she tried. The shouts from Sunjae's friends and supporters around her muffled as if it was a faraway sound; the only thing she could hear was the excited beating of her heart. She placed a hand over her chest in disbelief at what she had just witnessed.

Sunjae's eyes scanned the stands impatiently, only wanting to look at one person. As their eyes met, his smile widened, the dimple on his right cheek making a reappearance. The tears in Eunyoung's eyes spilt, blurring her vision as she returned his smile, her throat choking with tears. At that moment, the rest of the world seemed to melt away, leaving them alone, their eyes giving a million soliloquies their mouths could never.

Eunyoung's legs propelled her forwards as she ran past the crowd, down the stairs, straight towards Sunjae. It was as if her body had began to move on its own, not wasting a single second on thinking. Her desperation to get rid of the distance between them reflected in her teary, glassy eyes as she stood in front of him, the smile never leaving her face. Their gaze was fixed on each other.

Without a second thought, she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his bare torso that dripped with little droplets of water. She felt her clothes becoming moist, but couldn't care less at that moment. Her embrace enveloped him in warmth as she smiled wider, the joy of his victory a physical force she needed to press against. She couldn't believe it. He had won the gold medal! His fate had taken a turn for the better.

Sunjae's eyes widened at the sudden contact of her soft hands that clung onto him. She hugged him with such force that the deep blue towel he wore fell backwards, exposing his toned shoulders in a moment of vulnerability. The feeling of her soft cardigan against his bare torso and the tiny point of contact of her palms against his back sparked an unexplainable warmth inside him. He coughed out a surprised laugh, the coolness of his moist skin a stark contrast to the fire that flared at her touch. Years of training had honed his muscles, and Eunyoung, clung to him with a possessiveness that sent a shiver down his spine. The shock he felt countered his exhaustion that threatened to pull him under.

He wrapped his arms around her just as fiercely; The weight of the race, the pressure of expectation─ it all melted away in the press of her body against his.  Under the deafening cacophony of cheers, there was only them, her skin tingling against his, a shared victory written in the frantic dance of their heartbeats. He buried his face in her hair, the scent of chlorine and victory mingling with the familiar sweetness of her shampoo, a perfect encapsulation of this overwhelming moment. In that tight embrace, their bodies spoke a language far more profound than any roar of the crowd, a language of love and pride that resonated in the echoing silence of his own racing heart.

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nayoung's notes: okay, taemi content in the next chapter, i promise. kinda got carried away with this lol. its already 1310 words and if i continue i may never stop. also, now that it think about it, the chapter title is implying something entirely different... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

delphi's notes: sunjae's pov speaks volumes about his feelings. he's down bad guys. who's surprised? not me (but then again i helped decide this lolol)

next chapter: friday (out now!)

list of chapters here!

iii. opportunities

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CHAPTER THREE ─ opportunities.

❛ but this is getting good now, he's so tall and handsome as hell ❜

Narrator's Perspective

The final bell pierced the air, a sharp clang that shattered the focused hum of the classroom. A collective sigh rippled through the students, a wave of relief washing over them after a day of lessons, tests, and social navigation. Papers rustled as they're shoved into backpacks, textbooks slammed shut with finality.

A teacher who Eunyoung recognized as the head of the school newspaper approached her as she and Yumi made their way to the gate.

"Eunyoung! I'm so glad I caught you!" she sighed in relief, "There's an article that we need done urgently for next week. It involves interviewing the swimming team regarding the upcoming tournament. I understand you're swarmed in other schoolwork too, but could you cover it this one time? The boy who was supposed to write it is down with chicken pox, and won't be able to complete it."

"Sure Ma'am, it's no hassle," Eunyoung agreed with a smile, her heart swelling up with happiness, "I'll submit it by next week."

"Thank you so much!"

As the teacher left, Yumi stared at Eunyoung with a teasing smile. "I don't remember this happening before."

"This article was given to someone else because I declined it," Eunyoung answered, smiling, "I was never one for sports."

"You're getting used to this era pretty well, I see," the teasing smile was still plastered on Yumi's face.

"I hope you remember that you have piano practice at the music club today," Eunyoung attempted to change the topic.

"I remember it very well," Yumi answered, noticing the shift as well as her sister's flushed face, "Enjoy writing your article," she winked and skipped away.

Eunyoung, a smile playing on her lips, strolled leisurely towards the bus stop. The familiar path triggered a wave of deja vu, a feeling that mirrored her experience earlier that day. It was as if she were walking this very route not for the first time today, but for the hundredth, a memory from fifteen years ago inexplicably resurfacing.

Reaching the bus stop, she was met with the usual chaos - a throng of students jostling for a spot on the overflowing bus. But amidst the sea of uniforms, a single figure caught her eye. There, like a beacon cutting through the crowd, stood Sunjae. His beauty was undeniable - flawless features that seemed sculpted by the gods, and a mess of fluffy hair that cascaded down his forehead. He was a picture of youthful perfection, a vision that both startled and soothed her. 

So, this is the bus he takes... She thought to herself, the fact that she takes the same one slipping her mind completely.

💿

Yumi dragged her feet along the pavement, making her way to the school music club to practice piano. Learning the piano was never something she wanted to do, but continued passively as she loathed the idea of quitting in the middle of learning. She remembers ceasing to practice after law school, which meant she hadn't touched a piano for nearly fifteen years. She couldn't recall her dislike for it, but reckoned that those old emotions would come crashing back to her the second she sat down on her piano stool.

Upon reaching the looming building, she was unable to take any steps inside, but simply gaped at it in silence. It was a place she kept revisiting, every single day, no matter what. Coming to practice consistently was something her younger self had never challenged, but now as she viewed life from a different lens, that had been weathered by adversities, she began to question if there was any meaning in these recurring religious visits.

Drawing up the courage from an unknown source within her, she entered the building with a blank, bored face. Sitting down at the waiting area outside the various practice rooms, she dug out her music sheets from her backpack, attempting at familiarizing herself with them after being parted for dog ages. 

Then suddenly, a cry of agitation diverted her focus to the source of the sound. 

"Yah! Kim Taesung! I can't believe you're late again!" Inhyuk scolded the boy.

Yumi turned her head the other way to find out who he was looking at. Her eyes fell upon a messy-looking boy- seemingly from her school, wearing just a white shirt with no tie and a bright red biker jacket. His hair fell loosely on his face, ruffled by the wind. He had a cat-like face and a cheeky demeanour as he smiled sheepishly at Inhyuk, "Let me go this time, I really got stuck in traffic."

"What bullshit," Inhyuk countered, "It doesn't even take 10 minutes to walk from school to here. Quit dilly-dallying and get your act together."

Taesung scoffed and murmured another apology.

Just then, a strong gust of wind blew through the open door, and the music sheets on which Yumi's grip had loosened while staring at the unknown boy, scattered across the floor. Both Inhyuk and Taesung lunged to grab them in time before they could fly away while Yumi closed the door. Taesung gathered the sheets from the ground and from Inhyuk and handed them to her.

"Here," he said. Yumi looked up at his eyes creased with a smile. All she could do was stare at his face blankly.

Why am I behaving like this?

"Thank you," she mumbled and took the sheets and made a run for the piano room.

"How odd..." Taesung muttered under his breath.

💿

"So, what, you just stared at his face?" Eunyoung questioned after Yumi narrated the events of that day.

"I said thank you after," Yumi corrected, unsure of what to feel.

"How polite," Eunyoung said thoughtfully, "What about Inhyuk, did you talk to him?"

"What do you think?" Yumi retorted, "I need a reason to talk to him."

"I guess," she answered, "What about the other guy? You think he knows Sunjae?"

"I don't know," Yumi confessed, "Guess I'll have to find out."

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nayoung's notes: taesung cat agenda is going to continue throughout this book btw. hope you enjoyed reading this! 

delphi's notes: let's go taesung debut! the best thing is that yumi just freezes when she sees him lmfao. she's so real for that.

@the-one-and-only-delphi

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

xlvi. intoxicating

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CHAPTER FORTY-SIX ─ intoxicating.

❛ the taste of your lips is my idea of luxury ❜

Narrator's Perspective

Night had fallen on that obscure hillside hidden away in the middle of a forest. A chilling, cold stillness hung in the air, threatening to bite anyone who dared to step out. Even the never-ending buzz of the Yeonseo University students had died down, enveloping the place in complete silence. Everything went on within the tents- late night talks and hushed conversations. Outside, just the crickets chirped endlessly, singing their symphonies throughout the night. There were soft, warm, yellow fairy lights that gave a tender illumination to the campsite, just bright enough to make out vague shapes in the night.

Eunyoung sat on the makeshift stage, giggling to herself. Being really bad at drinking games, she had taken one too many shots and had gotten extremely drunk to the point where she didn't have any control over what she was doing or saying. Her mind fogged with confusion and uncertainty, yet she didn't move from her seat. Sunjae's jacket was now draped on her legs that shivered with the biting cold. She let out another soft giggle.

The sound of leaves crunching under someone's feet fell upon her ears and she became suddenly alert. The sound grew louder, as if someone was advancing towards her. Louder and louder, till a tall figure emerged through the darkness. It took a few moments for Eunyoung, in her drunken state, to figure out who it was. The dim glow of the fairy light helped her understand that she was looking at none other than Ryu Sunjae.

The sight of him seemed to sober her up momentarily. He was roaming about with no shirt or any clothing covering his upper body. She could only see him wearing black trousers in the barren cold of the night. Her gaze traced the contours of his upper body, lingering on every sharp definition and smooth curve carved by years of discipline. The play of light accentuated the ridges of his toned muscles, the strength in his broad shoulders, and the graceful taper of his torso. His arms were masterpieces that hung by the pockets of his trousers. Each line and shadow seemed sculpted, as if his body were a masterpiece crafted by the gods themselves. Her eyes followed the subtle shift of his muscles with every movement, captivated by him like never before.

Their eyes met, and there was a silent agreement between them. Sunjae's face flushed with warmth, feeling slightly embarrassed that she had seen him like that. Despite his embarrassment, he couldn't help but notice her shivering in the cold. Putting aside his own pain in the frosty air, he made his way to where she was sitting.

Eunyoung watched as he walked towards her, his figure becoming increasingly clear in the yellow light. She felt a kind of warmth creeping up her cheeks, which she wasn't in a state to decide whether it was because of all the soju in her system or because of the majestic man standing before her. She turned her head up to look into his beautiful, glass-like eyes. Her lips stretched into a smile, "Sunjae," she called out longingly.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, frowning, his voice full of concern and worry, "It's freezing, why are you still here? Are you... drunk?" He cupped her face without thinking much of it and examined her flushed face and dazed eyes, "You are, oh god."

She pushed his hands away, confusing him even more. She pushed herself off the stage, standing to face him. He picked up the jacket that slipped onto the ground- his jacket. He noticed how she almost came up to his ears. She's so tall... He tied it around her waist as carefully as he could.

Eunyoung's unreadable expression perplexed him to no end. She gazed into his eyes for a long time, eventually smiling at his confusion. Her hand reached up to caress his face, feeling warmer than her hands that shivered in the cold. There was a new kind of bravery burning inside her. Her hand traced the definition on his shoulders, feeling his arms sculpted by endless hard work. Trailing down to his chest, and then his waist, her fingers lingering on his toned abs as she watched in wonder. Finally, in a delicate motion, her arms rested on the sides of his waist.

Every touch sent sparks flying across Sunjae's skin. His heart pounded in his ears. He'd never felt this way and he couldn't possibly put the feeling into words. Her chilly hands feeling up his body and fingers tracing every sharp edge and curve seemed to burst fireworks inside him. Their eyes locked in a split second, never looking away. This felt so right. His body fit perfectly in her hands- as if they were made only for each other.

"How could you be roaming around like that? What if someone else except me had seen you?" she asked, stepping closer to him. Her hands moved back up to his shoulders, one hand cupping his face. It took him a few seconds to realize that she was no longer looking into his eyes. Her gaze lingered on his pillowy lips.

"I can't believe you're so oblivious. You're beautiful. I like you, silly. More than anyone or anything else. You're all I want. Stay here with me, won't you?"

Those words were all he ever wished to hear from Eunyoung.

His eyes examined her features in the illumination of the dim fairy light. The slope of her nose that was unbelievably perfect, and her intoxicating gaze that stared right at his lips. And her glossy lips that seemed to shine even on that dark night and her radiant skin that seemed to have a soft glow through her flushed cheeks.

Before Sunjae had a chance to comprehend the situation, Eunyoung reached up and pressed her lips onto his. The kiss was like fireworks on new years day. He overcame the initial shock, giving in to her touch. His hands reached for her waist, pulling her closer. She pulled away for a few seconds to admire his face. The cold didn't seem to matter anymore while they held each other.

There was no need for words in that moment while he looked at her with a kind of hunger and longing in his eyes. Those two years of accidental touches and thoughtful actions dismissed as friendship had led up to this moment. She likes me. And I like her. Nothing else mattered to Sunjae. This was all he ever needed. All his self-doubt and negativity melted away into something insignificant.

He pulled her towards himself by her waist, kissing her lips harder than before. He could now feel the slight taste of her sweet lip gloss mixing with the intoxicating taste of alcohol as their lips moved against each others' without a care in the world. Eunyoung's hands roamed his back absent-mindedly, feeling the warmth of his body against her chilly hands that seemed to thaw at his touch. Feeling a tiny bit of his hand against an exposed part of her waist pulled her in deeper. The kiss seemed to make her sober for a moment, butterflies taking flight in her stomach just like the first time she laid her eyes on him.

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nana's notes: it took them forty six chapters but they finally did it

delphi's notes: who's gonna match eunyoung's freak?

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

࣪𓇻 ݁ㅤׂ if a man talks sh!t then i owe him nothing . . .

ྀི ⁺ ͙۪ 🥀 i don't regret it one bit cause he had it coming

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

oc by: @the-one-and-only-delphi

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

♡　　⁺　as long as i'm here, no one can hurt you ˖　 (´-﹏-`) 🍊

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

oc by @the-one-and-only-delphi

xxvi. all roads lead to rome

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ─ between notes and secrets.

❛ there's many different ways you can kill someone you love the slowest way is not loving them enough ❜

Narrator's Perspective

The doors closed with a thud after one final passenger got on and the bus drove away into the darkness of the early summer morning. The sky was littered with little grey clouds, casting a shadow over the city. 

"It's going to rain today," Yumi observed.

"Yeah," Eunyoung gazed out the window with beady eyes, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Why do you react like that every time someone mentions rain? You're such a weirdo," Yumi scoffed.

"It rained the first time I met Sunjae," she said, still smiling.

"So what?" Yumi spat, "Big deal."

"It is to me."

"Shut up. Where is he anyways?"

"He usually sleeps in these days since he isn't on the swim team anymore," Eunyoung stated, "He takes the later bus."

"Oh god, where's the off button?" Yumi pretended to gag, "You're making me sick, stop it. I need a subject change, gosh. Why were you and Mom so solemn at dinner yesterday? I thought someone died."

Eunyoung's eyes darkened, bearing an eerie likeliness to the overcast sky.  Her smile fell and she looked away from Yumi because the answer to her question was probably written all over her face.

"Oh no, did someone actually-"

"No!"

"Thank god," Yumi sighed in relief, "You scared me for a second."

"It was nothing," Eunyoung said in answer to her previous question, "I was just tired, I don't know about Mom."

"If you say so."

"How 'bout you? Where are you mysteriously disappearing these days?"

Yumi swallowed. It was her turn to look away to hide her face that had "guilty conscious" written all over it, "Extra practice at the club," she answered curtly, "Didn't I tell you?"

"You did."

"Yeah, so that's it. Nothing mysterious. Just boring old piano practice."

"If you say so."

💿

Choi Eunyoung's Perspective

How did I end up here? I wondered, staring out of the bus window. It was nearly half past four, and I should have been home, studying—or at least doing something productive. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn't cracked open a textbook in nearly fifteen years, but I just couldn't muster the motivation to do so. Instead, I found myself deciding to visit Yumi.

The bus screeched to a halt, and I snapped my head around to see the doors swing open. I sprang from my seat and stepped off the bus, right in front of the Jagam High music club. Confusion furrowed my brow as I took a few hesitant steps toward the building, then stopped in my tracks. I rubbed my eyes, hoping I was mistaken, but the scene before me was unmistakable.

There, in plain view, was Yumi climbing onto Kim Taesung's motorcycle. The shock must have paralyzed me, because all I could do was stand there, agape, as they sped away, leaving a cloud of smoke in their wake. It took a moment for reality to sink in, but once it did, I snapped into action. 

I began to run.

💿

I must have really been out of my senses to run after a flipping motorcycle, because, by the time I reached what appeared to be Kim Taesung's front door, I stood at a turning where I was sure they couldn't see me, gasping for breath. Honestly, it was a miracle I didn't lose them. God knows how I was able to keep up; It must have been my determination to find out because there's no way I could have done it otherwise.

I leaned against a nearby wall, heaving and breathless. It took me a while to calm myself down, and in the meanwhile, I could hear his front door close and their muffled conversation. To be fair, there was no reason for me to be hiding like this as if I were committing some kind of crime. Yumi's the one who's been lying. To me. And to mom. Yet, she's going about deceiving me in broad daylight, with no shame whatsoever and I'm hiding behind a wall, trying not to get caught.

The tapping of my shoes against the pavement sounded in the empty street. I let out a long sigh. Behind my anger and frustration, I felt hurt. Hurt that Yumi felt the need to lie. No matter what happened, we had always shared everything with each other. Now, there was this secret between us.

"I would never hide anything from her," I muttered under my breath.

What could she possibly be doing with him that she couldn't even confide in me? My pace quickened as I moved towards Kim Taesung's house, anxiety rising in my chest. I practically zoomed past the outer safety door that was left ajar and stumbled onto the veranda and moved towards the front door. I rang the doorbell and waited impatiently, letting out another sigh.

After a few seconds, I racked my knuckles on the wooden door, the sense of urgency evident in my actions. I heard the doorknob rattle as Yumi opened the door. Her frown slowly morphed into a look of absolute shock and guilt. Her eyes instantly widened and she tried to stutter an excuse but it was no use, "Eun...uh.. I, the thing-"

"Save it," I snapped.

She turned to grab her bag from a nearby chair. I scoffed, mostly to myself as I turned to leave. I heard her call out, "I gotta go!" I heard some words of confusion mumbled by Taesung, but my mind was clouded by rage and betrayal. I couldn't comprehend what he said.

Yumi grabbed my wrist, stopping me as I turned around, frowning at her face.

"Eunyoung, please don't do-"

"Don't do what, exactly?!" I yelled, my voice laced with anger, "Yumi, I don't even know what to say to you right now. What is wrong with you?"

"Why are you mad?" she countered irritably.

"Why am I mad?" I repeated, letting out a strangled chuckle at the irony of her question, "I'll tell you why! You're running off to this guy's house I don't know how often a week, and lie to your family. This guy is the spitting image of a delinquent and he has trouble written all over his face. I hope that answers your question."

"I really don't get it, Eunyoung," she screamed, sighing after a few moments, "I don't get why you're interfering like this. It's my life, and let me screw it up! Why're you getting worked up over nothing?"

"Because I'm trying to protect you!"

"Look, everything I do is my choice. So, if I get hurt, it's on me! Just stay out of it, for God's sake, Eunyoung!" she screamed, "You're not even my real sister, so why does it matter?"

Her words pierced through my heart and all my anger melted away in a moment. The frown fell from my face and I felt a lump in my throat.  I took a step back watching Yumi realise the gravity of her words. They seemed to prick and burn my skin. My lip trembled as I stuttered out, "Fine."

I broke into a run onto the pavement as I faintly heard Yumi's voice call out to me in the distance, but I didn't look back. My vision blurred as tears streamed down my face.

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nana's notes: ouch, yumi, that stings.

delphi's notes: oh eunyoung, only if you understood.

list of chapters here! click here for next chapter.

inconvenience regretted 😞

lvi. on and off-stage drama

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CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX ─ on and off-stage drama.

❛ i swear i don't love the drama, it loves me ❜

Choi Eunyoung's Perspective

"What?!" I breathed out, "Inhyuk's going back to his village? Taesung and Jay are quitting Eclipse? What- what do you mean by that?"

"Exactly," Sunjae nodded remorsefully, "They're saying that they'll finish this festival performance one last time and then quit. But Inhyuk's already left. He's staying with his parents in his village."

It felt as if my entire world was falling apart. I couldn't let this happen. I was supposed to change the future for the better, not create a bigger mess. I had to fix this, by whatever means necessary. 

"Well, we gotta stop this," I said decisively, "Let's talk to Taesung after rehearsal."

"It's a plan," Sunjae said, smiling. His face twisted into an expression of shock when he looked at his watch, "Oh! We're ten minutes late!"

Narrator's Perspective

"What language is this, even?" Yumi exclaimed looking at the script, "Thou lovs't me not with the full weight that I love thee? This nutjob has written the entire play like this! How did I even pass the audition?"

The other students who were part of the cast sat and watched the 'couple' in adoration instead of revising their scripts. They whispered and giggled uncontrollably, much to Yumi's irritation. Taesung, however, was not-so-secretly enjoying it. He was basking in the attention, and the fact that people thought he and Yumi were a real couple made his heart swell with joy.

"You'll do fine," he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His touch still made sparks dance across her skin. He leaned towards her face and gave her a smile, "We've got plenty of time, hmm?"

"What's your role anyways?" Yumi asked, looking anywhere but at his face.

"Oliver," he answered, not shifting his gaze.

Yumi began furiously flipping through the pages of the script. All of a sudden, she gasped, "Seriously?"

"What?" Taesung asked, sitting next to her, peering into the script.

"Oliver and Celia get married at the end?" she scoffed, but her flushed face said otherwise, "On the basis of what? I swear Shakespeare was on crack each time he picked up his pen."

"How could you say such a thing about him?" Eunyoung said. She had just gotten there along with Sunjae, "Why hasn't rehearsal started yet?"

"Well, the director suddenly fell sick so the writers told us to revise on our own for today," Taesung explained.

"Oh, we ran here for no reason," Sunjae said, chuckling while shooting a knowing glance at Eunyoung. Eunyoung smiled back, "I know right?"

"Ooooh, damn are you two a thing now?" asked one of the girls sitting close to them, eavesdropping.

"How 'bout you mind your own business?" Yumi sneered with hostility.

"How am I supposed to ignore it when they're flirting right in front of me?"

"Maybe you need a lesson on personal space?" Yumi said, taking a step away from her. 

The girl rolled her eyes, then picked up her things and walked off, muttering under her breath.

"You seem to be in a mood today," Eunyoung observed.

"You can thank Shakespeare for that," Yumi replied.

"I don't know why you hate a man who died several centuries ago," Eunyoung uttered.

"I don't know why you like a man who died several centuries ago," Yumi countered.

"I don't like the man, I just thing his work had a timeless element to it."

"And so here we are."

"Okay, okay, stop the bickering," Taesung said waving his hand between them.

"We're not bickering," Yumi shrugged.

"That's just how we get along," Eunyoung agreed, giving Yumi a small smile.

"As long as there's no bloodshed, I'm good," Taesung said.

"How's the prep for the Eclipse performance going?" Yumi asked eagerly. Her question was followed by a long, awkward silence. Taesung stared at Sunjae, Sunjae glanced at Eunyoung, and Eunyoung looked at Yumi nervously.

"I guess you don't know," Sunjae said as gently as he could, "Inhyuk left for his village, because he wanted to help his parents out... He's also planning on dropping out."

"What?!" Yumi exclaimed. Heads turned to see what the commotion was about. She stood, completely stunned for few seconds, "What's going to happen to your band?" She shot a worried look at Eunyoung, as if to say What is happening? Is this our fault?

"Taesung, didn't you-" Eunyoung gestured him not to mention it, shaking her head as subtly as she could. She didn't want to give Taesung and Yumi a reason to argue again. Sunjae covered up his blunder, "Didn't you say you were going to call him?"

"Um... yeah I was," said Taesung, glad that they hadn't mentioned to Yumi that he was going to leave the band, "He didn't pick up."

"So, Sunjae and I were thinking," Eunyoung began, "That we go and visit his village and bring him back to his senses. What do you think?"

"I'm in," Taesung said, looking at Yumi, his eyes full of expectation.

"What if we can't convince him?"

"Oh, you pessimist," Eunyoung groaned, "If he doesn't agree voluntarily, then we'll kidnap him, okay? Are you in or not?"

"I'm in," she said, realizing she wasn't left with much of a choice.

"Good," said Sunjae, "We leave tomorrow?"

"Yeah," said everyone in unison.

There were a few minutes of silence as they all went back to reading their scripts. A moment later, Eunyoung looked up, "Hey, Taesung?"

"Hmm?"

"I had to ask you about that..." she trailed off.

Taesung frowned with confusion, but the realization hit him soon enough and she said, "Oh,  right. Of course," he said, getting up, "We'll be back."

Yumi and Sunjae watched them get up and go outside the auditorium.

"That was weird," Yumi said, furrowing her brows.

"Breathe if you're jealous."

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"Any updates?" she asked Taesung, "About my dad? Was the information I gave conclusive enough?"

"Yeah, they've started the investigation," he answered, "My dad said that considering his history, he'll most likely get a life sentence. He wanted me to ask if it's okay with you."

"Yes, absolutely," Eunyoung said decisively. 

Taesung blinked a few times, "Okay, if that's what you want."

"It is."

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nana's notes: bet u didn't see that one coming

delphi's notes: yumi and sunjae are such an awkward duo lmfao