#ourscrt fic

[dr-m-r-ma]

Our Secret

Part III: Memories

Genre: drama, romance Rating: PG-13 Group: Monsta X

Summary & Disclaimer here

Light beams flashed, crowds screamed, and the KARD members danced powerfully to their music. It wasn’t often that Soo-ah went to concerts, and K-pop concerts always blew her mind. There was so much going on, like introductions, singing their own songs, singing covers, having dance breaks, etc. She loudly cheered for the four members, proud to know them personally.

As the lights went dark and the music changed, Soo-ah held her breath. Maybe she could handle it. Maybe she could stay.

But as soon as their hit song Dramarama started to play, fans started chanting the names of each member. And she could not stay a single moment to hear the rest. She turned to Moo-hyuk and yelled in his ear, “바람좀 쐬고… 콘서트가 거의 다 끝나가면 올게.” (Translation: “I’m going to get some fresh air… and I’ll come back when the concert is almost over.”)

Moo-hyuk looked over at her with worry, but she waved him off before hopping over others to get out. As soon as she closed the doors to the concert, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was as if a weight was lifted off her shoulders and the pit in her stomach magically dispersed into nothing.

She walked around the hallways of the venue for a while, mindlessly walking but also trying to block out the faint sounds coming from the concert hall. She hadn’t kept track of how much time had passed, but when she heard the crowds chanting, she could tell they were chanting for an encore song and that the concert was nearing the end. As Soo-ah made her way slowly back to the concert hall, she found herself walking into Esther and Oli, who had just come out of the  bathroom. Shit.

Spinning on her heels fast, Soo-ah tried to turn away from the two and walk away, but a small pair of hands latched onto her arm.

“Oli!! Don’t.” Esther pulled her daughter back. When Soo-ah started to walk away again, Esther asked, “Are you just going to keep pretending you’re not the one who scarred my brother’s career a couple of years ago?”

What--! Scarred? Pretending? Her choice of words ignited a fire in Soo-ah, and she turned back around to face them. Ignoring Esther’s question, she walked up to Oli, who looked up brightly at her. Leaning down, Soo-ah tucked a strand of hair behind Oli’s ear and asked, “Oli, do you remember what 언니 (I) said at that time?”

Oli nodded, “Honey 삼촌 (Uncle Honey) made--”

“Do you remember 언니 (I) said it’s our little secret?” She cut Oli off abruptly. “That a princess must know how to keep secrets to become queen? 언니 (I) hopes you are a good princess who can continue keeping the secret.” Soo-ah smiled softly to Oli, patting her cheek, as the young girl saluted to her.

Esther pulled her daughter away roughly and stood in front. With a confused expression, she asked, “What secret are you talking about? What did you tell Oli?!”

Rolling her eyes at Esther, Soo-ah ignored her question once again. Instead, she turned around again, all the while telling Esther, “As a mother of a daughter, I assure you, you will be disappointed in your brother if the same happened to Oli.”

“... Then tell me honestly: did you or did you not purposely approach Jooheon with impure intentions?” Esther asked hesitantly.

“Who will believe me even if I say I did not?”

With that, she swung open the door to the concert hall.

When she got back to her seat, she texted Moo-hyuk that she wanted to leave as soon as the concert was over. Even though he was right next to her, and even though he looked over at her worriedly, it took everything in her to not break down.

“Hey! 같이 저녁 먹자! 몬스타엑스 선배님들이랑 같이 먹기로 했어.” (Translation: “Let’s eat dinner together! It’s been decided we’ll have dinner with Monsta X[-sunbaenims].”) BM said, as he swung an arm around Moo-hyuk.

Alarmed by the offer, Soo-ah glanced at Moo-hyuk, who understood her worry. He smiled politely at BM and replied, “Sorry, 우린 이제 집에 가려고…” (Translation: “we’re just going to head home…”)

BM frowned. “그냥 저녁 먹는것도 안 돼?” (Translation: “You can’t even stay for dinner?”) He peeked at Soo-ah, with skeptical eyes, almost as if she was leashing Moo-hyuk from having dinner with him.

Without a moment to retort, Wonho clapped BM’s back. “안 와? 빨리 가자!” (Translation: “You not coming? Let’s hurry up and go!”) The two muscular guys stared at Moo-hyuk and Soo-ah with anticipation.

“아… 네… 그럼 저녁만 같이…” (Translation: “Oh… okay, then just dinner…”)

Soo-ah face palmed at Moo-hyuk’s response. She knew it was hard for him to refuse, and even more when he was being pressured by two big guys, but she had hoped he was strong at least for her. Shaking her head, she gave up as Moo-hyuk smiled awkwardly, throwing her a half-apologetic look.

As they made their way to KARD’s van, Soo-ah trudged at the back. Her feet wanted to take her elsewhere, if it weren’t for Moo-hyuk. Her mind wanted to run far away, and her heart wanted to be lulled to sleep.

“저기…” (Translation: “Hey…”)

The raspy low voice shook Soo-ah from her daze. She halted in her tracks and slowly turned to face the owner of the voice -- 아… 왜 너냐. (Translation: Ah… why is it you.)

Quickly, she hardened her gaze, as her eyes met Jooheon’s. He blinked quickly, and his hands were hidden in his sleeves, intertwined with each other to hide the possible shaking. He almost looked like an anxious gerbil, if it weren’t for his height that threw off the small animal vibes. She responded with silence, and she knew it made him more nervous.

Jooheon stammered, “ㅇ-어… 그게… 우-우리 아는 사..이죠?” (Translation: “U-uh… that… w-we know… each other, r-right?”)

“... 아니요.” (Translation: “...No.”) With the coldest voice she could use, Soo-ah lied. When she saw his mouth open for another question, she walked off coolly to the van, without so much a glance back to Jooheon.

“What’s wrong?”

Esther stared out her window while Jooheon drove to the dinner location. She glanced at the side-view mirror and saw Oli playing with her toys in the back seat. As she continued to stare out the window, she asked, “Do you remember what happened… that time, 2 years ago?”

“...” A silence settled between the two, before Jooheon quietly said, “Not really… but I don’t think I was forced like people said… but Starship didn’t let me say anything. About it.”

Just like she figured, but Esther pressed further. “So you don’t remember any details?”

“...내가 먼저 접근했다고 그러면 화낼거야?” (Translation: “... are you going to be mad if I say I approached [her] first?”) Jooheon quietly asked.

Eyes wide, Esther quickly turned to face him. “WHAT?! SHUT UP.” Her sudden loud voice startled all of them, including Oli, who looked at them curiously. Esther smiled at Oli before changing her expression to a glare towards Jooheon.

Jooheon grimaced as he slowly said, “I… 얼굴은 잘... 기억이 안 나… 기억 이 날 것 같을때… it’s fuzzy, you know?” (Translation: “I… I can’t remember her face… every time I think I’m going to remember… it’s fuzzy, you know?”)

“NO, I don’t know.” Esther snapped. When she saw his imaginary tail and ears droop, she sighed. “얼마나 취한거야…” (Translation: “How drunk were you…”)

“Uh…” Jooheon squinted at the traffic light in front of him. Esther gave him a side glance, knowing he was trying to avoid continuing the conversation. Quickly giving up on him, she turned around and shook Oli gently.

“Oli… won’t you tell Mommy the secret? What secret did that girl tell you?” Esther asked. But to no avail, as the young girl covered her mouth with her hands and shook her head.

Jooheon watched the interaction from the rearview mirror, as he waited for the light to turn green. Glancing at Esther, he asked, “What secret?”

“Um… well…” She began to tell Jooheon the conversation she had with Soo-ah, and what Soo-ah told Oli during the concert. As she told him Soo-ah’s last words to her, he frowned. It was an unreadable frown to Esther, but it didn’t go unnoticed by Oli as she observed Jooheon’s expression.

“제발 도망가지마. 용기가 많이 필요했고, 도망가서 모르는 척 하면 되게 힘들고 아플것 같아…” (Translation: “Please don’t run away. It took me a lot of courage, and it would be really painful if you run away and pretend like [this] never happened…”) Jooheon whispered, as he held onto her gaze with soft eyes.

*Sigh*

Soo-ah glared at Moo-hyuk, who turned away from her burning gaze so obviously. He pretended to listen attentively to I.M., who sat next to him, while Wonho and BM sought for Moo-hyuk’s attention across the table.

Dinner didn’t end with a farewell and a ride back home -- it led to a private bar for drinks with just the Monsta X members, KARD members and a select few managers from both agencies. Esther and Oli retired for the night to their hotel, and when Soo-ah tried to sneak out as well, Somin and Jiwoo asked her to stay to chat through the night with them. Not to mention, Hyun texted her that he’d beat her ass if she left Moo-hyuk drunk with BM.

She mentally cursed her best friend, since the only way Hyun would have found out was if Moo-hyuk reported to his own boyfriend that he would be late in coming home. And despite maneuvering her way to the girls of KARD, somehow she was plopped in between the wall and Wonho, at the end of the table. Sitting across from her was her worst nightmare, of course. Classic.

“내일 거기 갈까 -- 저번에 좋아했던 카페있었잖아.” (Translation: “Should we go there tomorrow? You know that cafe you liked last time.”) Moo-hyuk swooped in, attempting to save Soo-ah from the situation he created. He sat next to Jooheon, but basically treated him like air, which went unnoticed by everyone except the people involved.

Soo-ah deadpanned and replied monotonously. “그래, 그러자.” (Translation: “Yeah, let’s do that.”) She continued to look at Moo-hyuk, despite feeling the heated gaze from Jooheon. Signalling help through her eyes, she begged Moo-hyuk to continue talking. And yet… some omniscient being was out to get her and do everything opposite from what she wanted.

“아, 아까 말 하려다 못 했잖아요 -- 그래서, 요즘 어떤 운동하세요?” (Translation: “Oh yeah, you were going to say earlier but got interrupted -- so what kind of workout do you do these days?”) Wonho turned to Moo-hyuk, with eyes shining bright.

As soon as Moo-hyuk’s eyes left Soo-ah’s to face Wonho as well as a very excited BM, Soo-ah cursed him once more. He was distracted, and there was no way of inserting herself into a bro conversation about specific muscles and workout routines. Dropping her gaze down to the tabletop, she quietly sipped her water.

“다른 음료수 시킬까요?” (Translation: “Do you want me to order any other drinks?”)

Her eyes hardened at his voice -- the same velvet voice that whisked her away two years ago. She coldly replied, “괜찮아요.” (Translation: “I’m fine.”)

“...”

Silence sat uncomfortable between the two, as Jooheon continued to watch her, as if to catch a moment where her expression may change. But when Soo-ah insisted on her cold demeanor, he lowered his gaze to his beer glass before whispering, “미안해…” (Translation: “I’m sorry…”)

.

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*** To be continued in Part IV: Traces of You ***

A/N: I said smol hiatus until end of October, but it was really just for me to buy time to write more (lol) but also I wanted to get back into drawing but work has been so tiring that I’d rather write on my laptop than getting our my tablet and hooking it up to draw (ㅠㅠ)  

[dr-m-r-ma]

Our Secret

Part IV: Traces of You

Genre: drama, romance Rating: PG-13 Group: Monsta X

Summary & Disclaimer here

Just barely a whisper, she asked, “왜 믿어야되는데?” (Translation: “Why should I trust you?”) 

“내가… 기사들을 회사측에서 못 막고 진실을 말 할 힘이 없었어. 회사가--” (Translation: “I… couldn’t stop the company from releasing the articles and I didn’t have any power to tell the truth. My company --”) Jooheon explained.

The way he babbled about the past and reverted to the similar casual way of talking annoyed Soo-ah, so she cut him off. “괜찮아요. 얼마나 무서웠겠어요, 제가 그렇게 사람들한테 찢어버리는걸 보고. 그렇죠?” (Translation: “It’s okay. You must have been scared, seeing me get ripped apart by people, right?”)

Stunned by her words, Jooheon sat frozen in his seat. Soo-ah watched his face morph into shame, and she could tell he was reliving those moments. His company had told him that he’d be the one facing the heat and hate if he told the public the truth -- that all his fans would walk away from him.

Scoffing at his expression, Soo-ah muttered, “내가 미쳤지, 그 쪽이 다를거라고 생각한 내가 너무 한심하네.” (Translation: “I must have been crazy. I was pathetic to think you’d be any different.”)

“나를 믿을수 있어?” (Translation: “Can you trust me?”) He asked, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

She stood up abruptly, startling the large Wonho at her side, and called Woohyun on her phone while watching Jooheon staring down at his drink. “Hey, 네 남친 지키는것도 이게 지쳤으니까, 그렇게 싫으면 네가 와 -- 난 갈거니까.” (Translation: “I’m tired of babysitting your boyfriend now, so if you don’t like it you come -- I’m leaving.”) As she climbed out of the bench and started to walk away, she heard Moo-hyuk apologize to the group and excuse himself for a bit.

Soo-ah grasped his hand that hovered around her face. Looking straight at him, she whispered, “눈을 보면… 눈이 말해주는것 같아 -- 내가 다칠수 있다고.” (Translation: “When I look at your eyes… your eyes tell me I could get hurt.”)

Little did the two know that Jooheon had followed them to a hidden corner inside the bar. He couldn’t see them, but while Moo-hyuk and Soo-ah stood outside, Jooheon could hear them from inside, through a window that was slightly opened.

“-- 모르는 척 할수도 있었잖아. 왜 그랬어?” (Translation: “-- You could have pretended to not know what he was talking about. Why’d you act like that?”)

Soo-ah looked away from him. Her eyes staring at the busy streets, she sighed. The world was  moving on but she just couldn’t.

“그냥… 짜증나서. 아직 못 잊었���게 화나서. 아직도 사람들이 나에 대해 무슨 생각 하는지 무서워하는게 너무 겁쟁이 같고 사람들이 진실을 모른다는게 너무 괴롭고... 2년만에 대충 대충한 사과를 받아서 억울해. 그냥 모든게 싫어.” (Translation: “I’m just… frustrated. I’m angry because I haven’t forgotten yet. I feel like a wimp for still worrying about what people think about me, and it’s so painful that people don’t know the truth… and just angry that I received a half-assed apology in 2 years. I just hate everything.”) Her voice shook, and she could feel the tears well up in her eyes. The years she spent outside of Korea were numbing, but it only took a couple of hours of that day to crumble her facade.

Hearing her sniffle, Jooheon balled his hands into tight fists as he grimaced at her words.

With a soft, low voice, he matched her whisper, “다치게하지 않을거야. 내가 약속할게.” (Translation: “I won’t let you get hurt. I promise you.”)

Moo-hyuk pulled her into a warm hug. His hands stroking the back of her head, he laid his chin on the crown of hers. “현이가 압박해서 온거 미안해… 너한테 오늘 밤이 엉망진창 됐단 걸 알고 이렇게 나 때문에 반 낮을 낭비했으니까 너 갈때까지 휴가 내고 같이 놀아줄게.” (Translation: “Sorry you came because Hyun pressured you… I know tonight has been all sorts of messed up for you and since I know you wasted half a day because of me, I’ll take some time off and hang out with you until you leave.”)

Melting into his arms, she cracked a small smile against his jacket. “현이가 나 가만 안 둘 걸?” (Translation: “Don’t you think Hyun’s going to kill me [if you do that]?”) She could feel his smile forming through the muscles on his face.

“괜찮아 -- 직장에서만 내 보스지, 집에서는 내가 보스야! 그리고 이 난리친 현이를 하루동안 부려먹을수있는 기회를 줄게.” (Translation: “It’s okay -- he’s my boss only at work; I’m the boss at home! Also, for causing this chaos, I’ll give you a chance to work him like a slave for a whole day.”)

Soo-ah chuckled at that, before whispering, “그래… 지금은 그냥 갈래. 모든걸 기억했다는게 너무 싫고 난… 나는 이제 쟤를 보기 싫어.” (Translation: “Sure… I just want to go now. I hate that I’ve remembered everything and I… I don’t want to see him anymore.”)

She leaned into his hand, as he cupped her cheek gently. “후회하면 어떡해?” (Translation: “What if [we] regret this?”)

The two stood outside the bar, still embracing and finding comfort in one another. Moo-hyuk patted Soo-ah’s back and said, “버스장까지 바래다줄게.” (Translation: “I’ll walk you to the bus stop.”)

“제가 할게요.” (Translation: “I’ll take her.”)

Immediately, Soo-ah froze. Why was he outside? Her body went cold and rigid, but she wanted to make it clear. Holding tightly onto her friend’s jacket, she shook her head. Moo-hyuk took the signal and held onto her tighter as well. He growled, “안 될것같은데요.” (Translation: “I don’t think so.”)

Jooheon saw her rejection, but he still pleaded, “제발… 그렇게 해줄수있게 해주세요.” (Translation: “Please… let me.”)

Why was he being persistent? Moo-hyuk asked, “왜 그래야하는데요?” (Translation: “Why should I?”)

“...”

His silence gave partial relief to Soo-ah, as she hoped it meant he would give up. She didn’t want to hear any excuses or apologies about something she was trying to forget about, and his very existence near her bothered her. Oh, but how wrong she was.

“...수아씨, 나 믿어요?” (Translation: “....Soo-ah, do you trust me?”)

Fingers colder than ever, she froze once again.

Jooheon pressed again, “나 믿을수 있어? 다치지 않게 할게. 약속해.” (Translation: “Can you trust me? I won’t let you get hurt. I promise.”)

Her hands loosened their grip on Moo-hyuk, but she stayed still. Was it a coincidence that his speech went from formal polite to casual? What exactly did she want to hear? What was she hoping for?

Leaning his forehead against hers, Jooheon whispered, “안 그럴거야. 우리 사이는 깨질수 없는 사이니까.” (Translation: “I won’t. The connection between us will never be broken.”)

She felt her friend’s hands loosen, and when Moo-hyuk pulled away from Soo-ah, she looked up with questioning eyes. As her eyes stared into her friend’s, she could tell both of them knew. Moo-hyuk fixed her hair and wiped away her tears. With a gentle voice, he asked, “비밀이 들통났네…. 어떡할래? 그래도 나랑 버스장까지 가고싶으면 그렇게 하고, 아니면 현이한테 부탁해서 너 데리러 오라고 할수있어. 그것도 아니면… 나만 다시 안으로 들어갈수 있어.” (Translation: “Looks like your secret is out… what do you want to do? If you still want to walk to the bus stop with me, that’s fine. Otherwise, I can ask Hyun to come pick you up. Or… I can just go back in.”)

They looked at each other for a split second, before Soo-ah forced a grim smile. A sniffle or two here and there, and she patted his shoulder and walked away.

Jooheon watched Soo-ah turn away and walk in the other direction in confusion. He heard the gravel rub against the sidewalks, causing him to look back at her friend. He was on his way back into the bar, but when he suddenly turned around, Jooheon flinched. Her friend had fury written all over his face, which wasn’t apparent before.

“또 한번 지랄하다가 내 친구 울리면 넌 그때 죽는다.” (Translation: “If you fuck around and make my friend cry one more time, you’re dead to me.”) Moo-hyuk snarled, “현이도 가만 안 둘 걸? 요번엔 현이 안 말릴거니까, 잘 해라.” (Translation: “Bet you Hyun’s not going to stay quiet. This time, I’m not stopping him, so do it well.”)

And with that, he walked back in, leaving Jooheon slightly miffed about Moo-hyuk’s close relationship to Soo-ah, but mostly scared that Soo-ah had two formidable guards. What did it take for them to stay quiet two years ago? He knew what happened before was mostly his fault. With Moo-hyuk’s words in mind, he looked back to the direction Soo-ah walked and started to shuffle towards the same direction.

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*** TBC ***

A/N: short chapter! next chapter is the last, but it won’t be coming out until maybe last week of October bc I’m going on a trip!! Next chapter: Part V: The Connect 

[dr-m-r-ma]

Our Secret

Part II: Homecoming

Genre: drama, romance Rating: PG-13 Group: Monsta X

Summary & Disclaimer here

Puppy eyes. Pouty lips. Ugh.

Soo-ah looked between the two guys, who wore the exact identical looks.

“진짜~~~ 미안! 이런거 부탁해서 미안해.” (Translation: “I’m super~~~ sorry! Sorry I’m asking you to do this.”)

Poking her tongue to her left cheek, she glared at Woohyun, her best friend’s boyfriend. “그래, 너 진짜. 이런 부탁하면 안 되는데. 나한테. 난 안 가고 싶거든.” (Translation: “Yeah, you really. Shouldn’t ask [me] to do this. To me. Since I don’t even want to go.”)

Woohyun whined, “누나, 난 안 가고싶겠어?? 근데 일 때문에 못 가니까 누나가 좀 같이 가죠.” (Translation: “[Noona,] you think I don’t want to go?? But since I can’t go because of work can you please go for me.”)

Moo-hyuk tried to dissuade his boyfriend, but when he tugged at Woohyun’s arm, Woohyun snapped, “형은 좀 가만히 있어!” (Translation: “You sit still for a moment!”)

*Sigh*

At the sound of her sigh, the two boys looked at her cautiously. Soo-ah glared at Woohyun with all the spite she could hold in her eyes. “10일밖에 있는데 너희들 데이트 코스인 콘서트를 왜 내가 가서 시간 낭비해? 내가 재미없을 콘서트잖아. 일 때문에 바쁘면 취소하고 다른 콘서트 가.” (Translation: “I’m only here for 10 days but why do I have to waste time going to a concert that was part of your date course? It’s a concert I’m not going to enjoy too. If you’re too busy with work, then cancel and go to a different concert.”)

“누나~~” (Translation: “[Noona~~]”) Woohyun shook his head and reached for her hand. Ah, the age-old cutesy technique.

“현아. 알잖아.” (Translation: “Hyun. You know.”)

Woohyun grumbled, “나도 알지.. 근데 형은 절대 빠질수 없는 콘서트고 -- 누나 몰랐지, 비엠형이 얼마나 형을 좋아하는지? 형을 못 믿는게 아니라, 비엠형이 너무 만지작 만지작 하니까 그렇지. 날 위해서 형을 지켜줘!! 진짜 부탁이야!” (Translation: “Of course I know… but [hyung] can’t miss out on this concert and -- [noona] you didn’t know, right? BM[-hyung] likes [hyung] so much. It’s not that I don’t trust [hyung], but it’s just that BM[-hyung] is so touchy-feely. Please protect [hyung] for me!!”)

‘아...씨ㅂ’ (Translation: ‘Ah… fuck’) She knew Woohyun would go on forever until she caved.

“야, 눈으로 우리 현이 욕 하지마라.” (Translation: “Hey, don’t curse with your eyes at my Hyun.”)

Soo-ah frowned with disgust as Moo-hyuk hugged Woohyun. The two lovebirds held each other’s hands as one comforted the other and the other whined about the predicament to the one.

She groaned, “그래서 콘서트는 몇시야?” (Translation: “So what time is the concert?”)

On their ride to the venue, Soo-ah stared out the window blankly. She mulled over the fact that Moo-hyuk became friends with KARD’s BM through mutual friends. And since Moo-hyuk worked out quite often, it was no question why BM was so friendly to him. They bonded over healthy lifestyles and workout routines, things Soo-ah preferred not to get into. Whenever they met, Soo-ah would exchange small talk with the girls, but since they never met often, she didn’t get too close.

So, it probably made sense that she didn’t see the KARD x Monsta X joint concert coming.

As the two made their way into the passageway to the artists’ waiting rooms, Moo-hyuk grasped Soo-ah’s hand tightly.

“내가 옆에 있어줄게. 네 옆에서 안 떠나고 널 지켜줄게.” (Translation: “I’ll be by your side. I won’t leave your side and I’ll protect you.”)

She smiled at his words before chuckling. “그건 내가 할 말 아니야? 내 임무인것 같은데?” (Translation: “Isn’t that what I should be saying? Since that’s my mission?”)

They grinned at each other and walked closer to the waiting rooms. The first room they came across was KARD’s, but Soo-ah’s breath hitched when she saw the sign for Monsta X taped in front of a room a few doors down.

“헐. 취향이 밖였네?” (Translation: “Whoa. Your preferences changed?”) A voice came from behind and the two turned around to come face to face with BM and the other members of KARD.

As soon as they turned around, BM’s eyes crinkled and Soo-ah laughed. Jiwoo and Somin ran to Soo-ah, and they all joked around with the boys.

As Soo-ah walked out of the bathroom, she wandered around the hallways, mostly looking for KARD’s waiting room again. She knew she should have taken one of the girls with her, but they were busy with getting their makeup done and it was such a short distance that she didn’t think she would get lost so easily. And yet… when she finally found the waiting room, she breathed a sigh of relief. Before she could open the door, however, a high pitch voice stopped her.

“IT’S THAT 언니!!!” (Translation: “It’s that [unnie]!!!”)

Something crashed into her leg, and another voice yelled out, “Oli!”

‘English?’ Soo-ah looked down and saw the small girl’s wide smile beaming right back at her. When her mother came to pull the child back and apologize, both of them froze. Soo-ah stared at a shocked Esther, and Esther stared back at a very dumbfounded Soo-ah.

“Hey Oli, you okay?”

A chill ran down Soo-ah’s back when the familiar male voice appeared. Her eyes slowly rose and she saw Jooheon approach behind Esther. When his eyes also made contact, it took all she had to not turn away. Her eyes searched his for recognition, for fear, for hostility, but all she came across was indifference. Actually, he looked confused. Like he didn’t know her. Or recognize her.

Instead, he looked down at Oli, who was now pulled back by Esther, and cooed at her lovingly. Before she could take the split second to run into KARD’s waiting, she could hear footsteps approaching them in the hallway.

“야, 최수아! 멀리 가면 안된다고 그랬잖아!!” (Translation: “Hey, Choi Soo-ah! I said not to go far!!”)

Soo-ah flinched at her friend’s holler. ‘아… 끝났다…’ (Translation: ‘Ah… it’s over…’) If Jooheon didn’t remember her, sure, it made her pissed, but it would have been for the better. But now, all that went down the drain after Moo-hyuk called out her name so loudly. While she struggled to regain her composure, she grimly looked back at Jooheon.

Sure enough, something flashed in his eyes. Yet, it still wasn’t what she originally expected -- there was no fear, no hostility, not even recognition. Something simply flickered, but within moments, he went back to his indifference, cool expression.

As Moo-hyuk, BM and Jiwoo approached, BM asked, “Where did you go? We were searching for you!”

Soo-ah turned around. “Ah, yeah, the bathroom. I wandered a little but came back alright.” The moment she grasped Moo-hyuk’s eyes, she noticed his eyes were flooded with worry. He quickly took her hand and pulled her close, but not so defensively that BM or Jiwoo would notice.

While BM and Jiwoo bowed to Jooheon, exchanging hellos and introductions, Moo-hyuk whispered, “미안… 너의 이름 너무 크게 불렀지…” (Translation: “Sorry… I probably yelled out your name too loud, right?”)

She muttered back, “몰라… 약간 모르는 것 같아. 쟤만.” (Translation: “Not sure… he doesn’t seem to know. Just him.”) When Moo-hyuk glanced at her with an eyebrow raised, Soo-ah tilted her head slightly towards Esther and Oli.

“근데… 궁금한게 있는데, 너희들은 어떻게 친구가 됐어? 우현이 도 수아 알지?” (Translation: “But… I’m just curious, how do you guys know each other? Woohyun also knows Soo-ah, right?”) BM asked, with the most innocent look in his eyes.

Soo-ah on the other hand grimaced. Moo-hyuk squeezed her hand, as if to reassure her, and replied. “대학교에서 만난 친구이에요. 당연히 현이도 수아 알죠.” (Translation: “We became friends in university. And of course Hyun knows Soo-ah.”)

This time, Jiwoo poked her head from behind BM. She chirped, “어? 근데 지금 해외에서 살고 있다면서요. 그럼 언제 이사 하셨어요?” (Translation: “Huh? But I heard you’re living abroad right now. Then when did you move?”)

Moo-hyuk replied for Soo-ah once more. “졸업하고나서 거의 바로 이사해서 좀 섭섭했는데, 그 후로 가끔씩 이렇게 놀러와서 좋지.” (Translation: “I was sad since she moved almost right after graduation, but it’s okay because she visits sometimes like this.”) He looked at her and smiled warmly, before continuing. “작년에는 두번 왔는데, 그게 한 2년정도 안 오다가 오랜만에 봤지?” (Translation: “She came twice last year, but that was after not coming here for like 2 years, right?”)

It was times like these Soo-ah praised her friend, for churning the gears in his mind so fast and coming up with lines like that. As she nodded, Jiwoo nodded in response while she could see Jooheon’s eyes blink in confusion again. ‘Did we throw him off our scent?’

“Then you weren’t here, in Korea, two years ago?” Esther blurted out. Her eyes were wide, as if they’d almost pop out of her head, but they were filled with a desperate sense of need.

Soo-ah and Moo-hyuk both frowned at the question. Soo-ah turned to Esther and flatly responded, “No. I was in New York the whole year.”

“비엠씨, 지우씨, KARD 멤버들 마이크 체크 할게요!” (Translation: “BM, Jiwoo, we’ll be doing a mic check for KARD!”)

At the announcement, BM and Jiwoo scurried off, leaving Soo-ah and Moo-hyuk to defend for themselves. It seemed as though Esther was skeptical of Moo-hyuk’s story and Soo-ah’s response, but it didn’t seem like she was going to poke at the elephant in the room. Soo-ah breathed a small sigh of relief, but oh, how she did not know that it was too soon.

“But I saw her when we came to see Honey삼촌 (Uncle Honey) last time.” Oli exclaimed.

As the little girl squirmed out of her mother’s arms and ran towards Soo-ah, she scowled. ‘거의 다 왔는데…’ (Translation: ‘We were almost done…’) Oli latched onto Soo-ah’s arm and explained, “She was outside Honey삼촌’s umm company… and she seemed sad so I gave her chocolate to feel better!”

She could clearly see the lightbulb flicker in Jooheon’s head and the gears turning in Esther’s. Before they could say anything, Soo-ah pulled Oli’s hands off her arm and coldly brushed her off. Instantly, Oli’s face warped into sadness, with tears coming close.

Soo-ah bowed slightly to Esther, before Moo-hyuk led her away to meet up with the KARD members near the stage. As they walked away, she could hear Esther comfort Oli and huff about how rude she was to her daughter. She closed off her mind when Jooheon told Esther, “신경쓰지마. 잊어버리고 그냥 올리랑 즐겨.” (Translation: “Don’t worry about it. Just forget it and enjoy [the concert] with Oli.”)

What she didn’t know was how Jooheon stared at her retreating figure. All five of his senses were alert, the moment he questioned her identity, and something inside was tingly. He didn’t know if it was the good kind or the bad kind, or a mix of both, but whatever it was, he wanted to set straight and get a clear answer from her.

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A/N: slightly shorter chapter! next chapter: Memories