Joonhyuk and Eunjoo made eye contact with Jungmin.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
Jungmin walked up to them and turned to Eunjoo, "I've been trying to call you. Where have you been?"
Joonhyuk cut in, "Hey, it's getting late. Eunjoo, head inside."
Eunjoo looked at them both cautiously. Feeling the tension, she made a quick bow to Jungmin and walked inside, leaving both guys to talk.
Jungmin turned to Joonhyuk, "Eunjoo's still my girl. You should back off."
"That's not what I heard."
"Well, I'm not giving up on her. Not to you, not to anyone." Jungmin walked past Joonhyuk, pushing him aside.
As Joonhyuk watched Jungmin walk away, he thought "I'm not going to give up that easily either. Not without a fight."
Eunjoo went to the sauna with Hyewon and Sunghee later that weekend. They sat together in the main area, talking about recent events.
Hyewon asked Eunjoo, "Where did you go the other day? Sunghee and I didn't see you at school?"
Eunjoo told them both about her trip to the arcade with Joonhyuk.
Sunghee replied, "Wow...So what do you plan on doing now? I don't think Jungmin is the type to sit quietly about this issue."
"Yeah...I know." said Eunjoo, with a worried look.
"We just want what is best for our friend. You know?"
"Do you think of Joonhyuk as your boyfriend then?" asked Hyewon.
"Well..." Eunjoo's phone beeped, alerting her of an incoming text. "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go out to see a movie tomorrow?"
Eunjoo turned back to the girls, "Joonhyuk asked me out to go see a movie tomorrow."
"So, what will you say?"
"I guess, I'll meet him." Eunjoo said, slowly. Then, in a firmer tone she said, "Yeah, I'll go." She replied, stating to meet at noon in front of the movie theater.
"Oh, so it's a date then."
Eunjoo thought about it and smiled. "Yeah, I guess it's a date."
"Cool. Hey, let's get some hard-boiled eggs to eat." said Hyewon, motioning to Sunghee and Eunjoo to stand up and accompany her.
That next day, Joonhyuk waited in front of the movie theater for Eunjoo to arrive. If it wasn't for the fact that the weather was sunny with a light spring breeze, the sweat on his forehead from nervousness would have been clearly visible. After all, this was his first official date with Eunjoo.
"Hi, sorry I'm late."
Joonhyuk looked up, seeing Eunjoo walk toward him. He had to stop himself from staring with his mouth wide open. Despite having known Eunjoo for many years, Joonhyuk couldn't quite remember ever seeing her dressed up so nicely. She wore a simple light blue dress, matching the spring weather. Despite wearing a button down shirt and jeans, Joonhyuk couldn't help but feel underdressed for a date.
"Oh, hi. You just arrived?"
"Yeah, sorry that I'm late." apologized Eunjoo.
"Oh no, it's fine. Wow, you look really nice today."
"Heh, thanks. Oppa, you too."
Eunjoo's comment gave Joonhyuk some confidence, shaking off any remaining doubts. "Shall we go inside?" he suggested.
They walked inside the movie theater to buy tickets. When the movie ended, Eunjoo suggested a restaurant to eat dinner at. During dinner, they reminisced about past memories of their younger days together. Afterwards, they took a stroll onto the boardwalk. A light breeze blew by as they leaned against the guardrail. Although they were quiet at first, both Joonhyuk and Eunjoo felt comfortable gazing out at the bright, glowing sunset.
"Eunjoo-ah. I'm sorry." said Joonhyuk.
"For what?"
"Sorry for taking so long to realize that you've been by my side for so long."
Eunjoo rested her head on Joonhyuk's shoulder. In response, Joonhyuk reached over and held her hand.
"It's okay." said Eunjoo, squeezing his hand gently. "It's not too late."
Although Joonhyuk still felt sorry, Eunjoo's reassurance made him feel relieved and more comfortable. Joonhyuk thought of an idea to lighten the mood a bit.
"Hey, Eunjoo. If you had to compare me to something, what would you compare me to?"
"Like what?"
"Hmm. For instance, I think I'm like a mountain because I'm strong and sturdy."
"Haha, no way. That's not even a close comparison."
"Aww c'mon. Then what do you think I'm like?"
"Oppa, I think you'd be the sea." said Eunjoo. "At times, you're calm and at other times, you're like a storm that can't be stopped."
"Okay, that's not half bad."
Eunjoo laughed, "How about me then? What do you think I'm like?"
"Hmm. Then Eunjoo-ah, you'd be the sky. Bright blue with limitless potential."
They both laughed and smiled, enjoying every moment between them. As the evening progressed, the night came. Joonhyuk walked Eunjoo home through Dongsam Park. Their hands were still held together, swinging in rhythm with their footsteps.
"Song Eunjoo!" called out Joonhyuk.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know who's the most beautiful girl in the world?"
"Who?"
"Song Eunjoo is the most beautiful girl in the world!"
"Park Joonhyuk!"
"Oh!"
"Do you know who's the most handsome guy in the world?"
Feeling confident, Joonhyuk asked, "Who?"
"Not you!" teased Eunjoo. She let go of his hand and began to run away.
"Ya! Get back here!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Joonhyuk chased after Eunjoo. As they ran, it reminded them of the days when they chased each other on the playground. Soon enough, they reached Eunjoo's house. Joonhyuk turned Eunjoo around to look at her.
"Eunjoo-ah. Let's do our best and make this work out okay?"
Eunjoo smiled and nodded her head in agreement. They waved each other goodbye and Joonhyuk left. When Eunjoo entered her house, her mother called for her.
"Oh, Eunjoo-ah. A letter came in for you."
Eunjoo took the letter from her mother's hands and read it. "Oh...this is..."
The next day at school, Joonhyuk was sitting at a bench, talking to Taebyun.
"Wow. You and Eunjoo are now dating?" exclaimed Taebyun. "Wow, that's awesome. I'm happy for you."
Joonhyuk grinned back, "Thanks. Glad to know you're supportive of us."
"Ya. When have I ever been unsupportive of my best friend?" retorted Taebyun, jabbing Joonhyuk with his elbow.
Both boys sat there, laughing and teasing one another. Then they heard a loud voice heading towards their direction.
"Hey!"
Joonhyuk looked up, seeing Jungmin walking angrily towards him. Without a moment of hesitation, Jungmin grabbed Joonhyuk by the collar and punched him in the jaw. Joonhyuk barely had a chance to catch his breath before Jungmin grabbed him again, picking up Joonhyuk off the ground. Joonhyuk shoved Jungmin aside, staring right back at Jungmin's furious gaze.
