THIRD PERSON'S POV

The next morning, Seungcheol woke up still with a heavy feeling. His mind was filled with Jeonghan. He was with Yeoreum almost all day yesterday, but his mind is still occupied with Jeonghan.

Yeoreum left him yesterday saying that she has something important to do. But behind his back, his fiance is his ex girlfriend's sister. But why are they going after the same guy?

Seungcheol went straight to the bathroom. Up until in the shower, his mind is still filled with Jeonghan. As soon as his Dad found out that he's willing to give Yeoreum a chance, his Dad immediately felt delighted, but he doesn't know that his son is still inlove with the same person, which is Yoon Jeonghan.

Giving Yeoreum a chance wasn't on his plan. His plan was to give Jeonghan a new apartment using his own money and named it after Mingyu. Yes, he was really the one who gave that apartment to him, not Mingyu. He prepared that since the day his Dad decided that he should marry Yeoreum instead of being with Jeonghan.

He knew what his Dad will do once he knew that Jeonghan is staying in the mansion. Seungcheol also predicted that he might get rejected once he confessed and he's certain that Jeonghan will apparently leave the mansion, so he asked Mingyu in advance about the apartment.

He also heard from Mingyu that Jeonghan loves his new apartment or unit rather. He just need to keep this as a secret between him, Mingyu, Wonwoo and Hansol.

He went out of the shower and changed into a comfortable clothing, since it's still one free week. Like yesterday, he went down and waited for Yeoreum to go down.

Ever since the rejection, he decided to wait for Yeoreum and give her a ride all the way to school. But it doesn't mean that he likes her. It's just he doesn't want to disappoint his Dad this time. Once he disappoints his Dad and found out that he's still into Jeonghan, he might do something and he's not gonna risk anything, specially Jeonghan, for the sake of his feelings.

When Yeoreum came down, he immediately stood up and hopped in his car. He didn't bother to open the door for her, which he did before to Jeonghan.

"Faster," Seungcheol said in an impatient manner, and Yeoreum did. She hopped inside the car and Seungcheol, without saying anything, started the engine.

-

When they reached the school, as both of them walked through the hallways, every students are whispering about them. Seungcheol kept in cool, even though he wanted to shout at every students whispering about them, while Yeoreum is blushing.

What are the whispers?

"He treated her to a VIP in a restaurant?"

"Yes!"

"She posted a picture of the both of them."

"Whoa, they're so sweet!"

"But, Seungcheol likes Jeonghan, right?"

"Nah, I don't care about them anymore. Yeoreum and Seungcheol looks better together."

"Tch, are you blind? Jeonghan and Seungcheol suits more."

Those are the whispers. Yeoreum's post last night was the talk of the whole school, some are saying that they look so good together, but some are still going for Jeonghan and Seungcheol.

Meanwhile, Jeonghan also heard it. He even saw the post yesterday night. He tried to shrug it off but he can't. He's planning to confess to Seungcheol by singing a song on the Music Fest. He wanted to make it special for Seungcheol. He's now sure of his feelings.

-

JEONGHAN'S POV

I am now in the Office. I don't wanna go out due to the talk of the whole school right now. I just wanna relax here inside and I don't want anyone to disturb me.

I'm currently arranging the performers for the Music Fest. Yeoreum also registered her name with her own group.

Then suddenly, someone knocked at the door, "Come in," I said and it revealed Sowon.

"Jeonghan-ah," she called out my name in a happy manner. I smiled back to her and offered her a seat.

"What's that?" She asked, eyeing the piece of paper I'm holding. "List of performers for the Music Fest."

"Can I join?" She asked. My eyes widened for a bit and nods at her, smiling. "My flight back to Japan was on Saturday, I guess I can have some fun before going back right?" She chuckled and I did the same.

"Name us GFriend. I'll perform with the girls." When she said that, I immediately understood that she's gonna perform with her friends.

She told me the song they will sing to and I wrote it down.

"Actually I stopped by just to tell you about my flight." She said and I nod continuously, "Anyways, I hope this event will turn out successful. See you around, Jeonghan-ah." She smiled before leaving the office.

Full List Of Performers :
Vocal Team - Pinwheel, When I Grow Up
Hip-Hop Team - Trauma
Performance Team - Lilili Yabbay, Highlight

Hello Venus - Wiggle Wiggle
Monsta X - Fantasia, Love Killa
EXO - Growl, The Eve
GFriend - Sunrise, Labyrinth
ASTRO - All Night, One
TXT - Crown, New Rules
TWICE - I Can't Stop Me, Cry For Me
Stray Kids - God's Menu, Back Door

They really got some names for their group, huh? Jihoon decided that we should add one more song for the performance. But, he didn't know that I will perform my song, 20, in the Music Fest too.

I put my earphones on and I listened to Jihoon's guide for both of our songs. This is my first time singing in front of so many people. No one heard me sing, except for my friends, so I'm quite nervous, yet excited.

I sung along with Jihoon's voice invading my ears. I'll meet him later in his studio for my song. He's now currently in the practice room with Soonyoung. Seungkwan is with Moonbin right now to handle some things. Student Council related stuff. Jisoo and Seokmin grabbed some pizza together. I never imagined the both of them to hang out a lot.

I decided to open my social media account, and as I open it, Yeoreum and Seungcheol's picture appeared first. There's so many likes and comments already. Shares too.

: Whoa! You guys look so good together!
: Eun Yeoreum is literally living our dream life with our dream man!
: Yeoreum is so lucky, she has Seungcheol.
: Geez, I still think that Seungcheol and Jeonghan suits more.

Some people in the comment section ships me and Seungcheol, while the others are so envious about Yeoreum having Seungcheol as her fiance.

That guy, smiling a bit in that picture, just confessed to me last week.

"Jeonghan-ah," I turned around just to see Suho rushing towards me. "Mr Nam wants you to finalize the list, specially about the performers if they will change the song or not." Suho explained and I nodded as a response.

"Thank you, hyung." I said and went outside holding the piece of paper with the list of the performers.

I will have a talk with Seungcheol, for real?

Before going to our classroom, I visited the juniors first as some juniors registered their name to perform at the Music Fest.

I went to the lower floor, and just like what I predicted, the whole floor is kinda messy. Every students put themselves aside. They know me.

I went inside a classroom and knocked a bit on the open door just to catch the juniors' attentions.

"Where's Park Minhyuk?" I asked when all of them went silent. Someone raised his hand and I signaled him to come to me.

Minhyuk walked up to me with someone behind him, and I didn't mind tho. "Moonbin is with Seungkwan right now, can you finalize this? Will you change your group name, or will you change the song for the Music Fest?" I asked professionally.

"Ah, yes. Bin and Jinwoo hyung already finalized that to us, so we won't change anything." He said and I wrote a check beside their name. A sign that it's already finalized.

"Okay. Just tell me or just tell Bin if you need anything. Regarding the props for your stage, discuss it with your team and bring your props before Friday, so we can set it up at the backstage." Once again, I took this event professionally. Each team or group rather needs to bring their own props early so it won't be a hassle anymore.

"I see. I will discuss it with the hyungs." Minhyuk replied politely and bowed. I slightly bowed at him. "Kamsahamnida," he said. "Nado kamsahamnida." I replied. He walked back to his seat and I was about to walk away when someone tugged my shirt.

"Hyung.." he called out, but I didn't look at him. "Not now, Sanha." I said and tried pulling off my shirt back but this time, he held my wrist.

"Come back to us, hyung.." he's near on crying and I can't take it. He's one of my weakness. "Come back home.. please?" I closed my eyes.

You can't cry now, Jeonghan.

I took back my wrist and left him there without saying a word. I should have asked Jihyo or Irene noona to handle the juniors instead of me doing it. I know Sanha will just convince me to come back home even though it's still hard for me to do it.

I went to check the other juniors and all of them finalized their songs. As I went to the last set of junior performers, I ran onto their leader, which happens to be Soobin, that one junior who also joined us for camping last friday.

"Members, come here." He called his members out and I smiled. He's indeed a leader.

The members came in just a few seconds. "Jeonghan-ssi is asking us to finalize our song. Do you want to change anything?" He asked his members.

"I think we should change Crown to Run Away. I think that's better to suit New Rules." One of his members said so I looked at Soobin and the other members to see if they will agree or not.

"I think that's not a bad idea, Beomgyu." Soobin said as he thought about it. "So we will replace Crown to Run Away?" I asked and they all answered 'Yes'.

"Choi Soobin, Choi Yeonjun, Choi Beomgyu, Kang Taehyun and Huening Kai, right?" I asked and they all nodded. I put a check beside their group name.

I explained to them what I also explained to Minhyuk and I also thanked them for their small time to finalize their song.

I was about to walk away when someone behind me stopped me, "Wait,"

I turned around to see Beomgyu. "Yes? Anything you need?" I asked and he scratched the back of his head. He seems to be hesitant so I smiled softly at him. He seems scared and nervous to me.

"You know Seungcheol hyung, right?" Did he just called him 'hyung'? I nodded as a response.

"Can you check on him later? I know it's a huge favor but I wanna know how is he." He shyly lower down his head and it left me confuse.

"I hope you don't mind, but who are you?" I asked curiously.

"I am his half brother."

-

So Seungcheol has a half brother? But how come his half brother doesn't know anything about Seungcheol at all?

Should I still pass the message or nah? Maybe I should. Beomgyu trusted me to check on Seungcheol.

I was spacing out the whole time that I didn't even noticed that I bumped into someone and I felt like I was about to fall. I immediately closed my eyes to feel the impact but I felt nothing.

That familiar scent...

I opened my eyes to see Seungcheol holding me by my waist. Geez, his face is too close damn.

I felt those butterflies again. He looked at me with those intense but full of worry eyes. I gulped. I immediately went back to my senses and stood up straight. He might know my weight.

I fake a cough. Out of all people, why Seungcheol? There's too many students for me to bump onto.

"U-Uhm.. since y-you're already here.. c-can you finalize this? Are you gonna change your group name o-or are you gonna change the s-song?" I stuttered geez. I wanna keep it professional damn.

"Don't ask me." he said coldly and I looked at him with a widening eyes. He looked at me as if he's questioning my existence right now in front of him. "Go ask Mingyu. I was just pulled into this." He said, still coldly before walking away from me. I didn't even have any chance to talk.

But then, I suddenly remembered Beomgyu. Should I run after him? But that would be so embarrassing if I do. But, how about Beomgyu's favor? I can't just let him down.

Ah! Molla!

I run after Seungcheol and held him by the wrist. He looks surprised at first but then he immediately changed into an expressionless one.

Damn he's giving me chills.

"If you have nothing to say, I'm gonna leave now." He said and was about to walk away again when I held his wrist tighter.

"U-Uh.. s-someone's s-sending you a regards. H-How are you?" I stuttered once again. Damn, Yoon Jeonghan! You never stuttered in any argument and you're just talking to Seungcheol! Why would you get so nervous to stutter?!

"Who?" He asked.

"Huh?" I asked as I didn't get what he asked me.

"Who's asking about me?" He replied, still cold and expressionless. I gulped and looked at him straight onto his eyes.

"Your half brother." I answered trying not to stutter and seems like I succeeded. But from expressionless, he suddenly turned mad.

He's scary when he's mad, damn it.

"What is he doing here?" He asked me as he walks near. I took a step backward.

"I-I don't know.." I answered and I looked back just to see that I'm almost hitting the wall.

"Tell him I don't need his regards." He said, clenching his teeth. I think I made the wrong move. He's getting even more closer with those furious eyes.

"But he's your brother!" I managed to say but then he became more furious. "He's not my brother!" I hit the wall I looked at him with fear. He just shouted at me.

"Why did you even talked to him? You already said we're just friends but why are you meddling with my life?" He asked sarcastically and I just looked at him with tears in my eyes.

He changed in just a snap.

"Who are you though? I can't even consider you as a friend, piece of shit." He said those right in front of me. He's seriously mad right now and I'm here, being pinned my him.

I forcefully tried to stop my tears from falling down.

I'm a piece of shit?

"You're a no one, Yoon Jeonghan. You're just a mistake in my life." He said those to my face. My tears turn into anger in an instant.

"Then why did you say you love me, then?" I asked and he was stiff. "Are you just playing with me?" I asked still trying to stop my tears from falling.

He smirked and laughed. "I LOVED you, Jeonghan. And I'm not playing with you. I just realized that, you have no use in my life. You're just a piece of shit I picked up to be my fake dumbass boyfriend."

A loud slap could be heard. I couldn't control my tears anymore. It's strolling down my cheeks and it won't fucking stop. Damn it.

"You shouldn't have loved me then." I said before walking away from him. That was the worst thing I ever heard in my life.

I wiped off my tears as I walk through the empty hallway. Only my footsteps could be heard. That was too painful. Fuck love!

I didn't even noticed that I reached the garden area of the school. This was the first place I went to when I transferred here. And now, I went here with a heavy heart.

I sat down on the bench as I hear the water dripping from the fountain. The breeze of the wind gives me a relaxed feeling.

Seungcheol's words were like knives that stabbed my chest endlessly. What will I even expect? That's him. If you rejected him there's no turning back. You will be just a piece of shit for him, just like what he did to Areum. He also threw her away and even treated her like a piece of shit.

I cried there silently. I stared at the small notebook I was carrying in my pocket the whole time. The notebook where I wrote my song that was all about him.

I peeled it off from the notebook and creased it all together and threw it on the nearest trash bin.

I cried as the song played in my head. That song playing in my head was supposed to be lively and happy, but why it's hurting me so much right now?

As I cried continuously, I immediately found myself finding those pieces of paper with the lyrics of my song in it. I may look so stupid right now but I immediately find it without hesitation.

After I found the creased papers, I immediately hugged it as I cry endlessly.

I think I was too late to realize how much I love you. But I think you realized yourself how unworthy I am to be loved.

***

- 05.04.21