The Real You || Jung Sungchan

Chapter 21

Miyoung:

— time skip

"Yoo Mi! Yoo Mi!" My classmate, Yeonhee, calls me from behind.

I was walking to my apartment since I was done with my last class of the day and I needed to catch up on schoolwork before my night shift. I turned around and smiled, she smiled back at me and caught up to where I was.

"Do you have a partner for the research project?" She asks and I shake my head.

"That's perfect! Let's be partners!" She says and I nod, she smiles and gives me her phone number so I can contact her about it later. I smiled and waved as we parted ways.

I took out my headphones and plugged them in to listen to the radio station. I haven't been paying attention to groups other than Red Velvet these days and I wanted to get to know some new ones. This station played various songs and if I liked one, I would download it, add it to my playlist, and look into the group. The only groups that I've gotten into so far are StayC and Twice. As I was walking, I took my time since my apartment was really close to the school and the weather was perfect today. There was not a cloud in sight and it was warm and bright. This type of weather always made me feel comforted and loved. It reminded me of Sungchan.

Speaking of Sungchan, he finally debuted. He's in a group called NCT (Note: Please remember this was written before RIIZE debuted) with a bunch of other members. I was too scared to listen to his song "90's Love" since I felt like I was going to cry if I heard his voice. After graduation, him and I tried to keep in contact after summer vacation, but we both got busy. He was preparing for his debut and I was attending college for psychology. I decided to study psychology since it's something I've always been interested in and I wanted to help myself with my own mental problems someday too. As much as I wanted to contact him again and congratulate him on his debut, I always felt like he didn't remember me and he didn't want to talk to me. Even if I wanted to meet up with him, all of his fans would catch him and it would start dating rumors. I sighed and kept walking.

Once I got to my apartment, I put down all of my stuff and went to go change into a more comfortable outfit. During summer, I quit all of my part-time jobs and started volunteering at hospitals and schools. Even during the semester I've been volunteering endlessly. However, a month ago, I got my first job at a hotline service. Not only do I use the skills that I've gained from studying psychology, I use my personal experience and other stories that I've heard. My shift is from 7pm to 12am and it was currently 12pm so I had so much time on my hands. My goal is to become a counselor at a school or to be a psychologist. Either path will be fine for me. Suddenly, I got a text.

Sungchan
Is this still Miyoung?

I immediately dropped my phone and jumped from my chair. I almost screamed too. My heart was pounding and I was so confused on why he texted me. I've been thinking about him all day and he texts me all of a sudden. Was he thinking about me too?

Miyoung
Yeah. This is Sungchan, right?

Sungchan
Yeah! Hey! How's it going? It's been a while hasn't it?

My face was burning hot and I could tell it was because I was just thinking about how we separated all of a sudden. It didn't break my heart as much as it did in high school because I had school to distract myself, but it still affected me in some way.

Miyoung
It has been a while. I'm okay. How are you?

Do I sound too awkward? Do people these days still use punctuation in their texts? I feel like I sound really awkward right now. But I mean there's no reason I shouldn't be. I haven't talked to him in a while and I didn't even congratulate him on his debut. Maybe I should do it now before it's way too late.

Sungchan
I'm good, I've just been working. My schedule has been pretty packed since I debuted. How about you? What are you doing these days?

Miyoung
I see. Congratulations on your debut.

Sungchan
Thanks! :)

Miyoung
I've been going to school for psychology, I also have a job at a crisis hotline.

Sungchan
I'm glad you're keeping yourself occupied. Could I ask something?

Miyoung
Sure, what is it?

Sungchan
Could we meet up?

That's when my heart dropped. Meet up? Like meet in a public place where we could possibly get caught? No way.

Miyoung
What about your fans?

Sungchan
Well why don't you come to the SM building?

SM building? He has to be kidding at this point.

Miyoung
Are you out of your mind?

Sungchan
I really miss you, Miyoung. I want to give you my album too. Please? I can meet you here.

He missed me? There's no way this is actually happening. Why does this all feel so fake? I know it's real life but everything is just so sudden and I have no idea how to react to anything. Should I meet him or not? My shift is in seven hours and I'm pretty sure we're not going to be together for more than that. I sighed and replied back.

Miyoung
Alright. I'll be there in 15 minutes.

Sungchan
Really??? I can't wait! Make sure you go to the back of the building so nobody sees you come in.

Miyoung
Ok see you later.

Sungchan
Later!

— time skip

I was standing inside of a pink room with just Sungchan and his members outside of the door listening in. He pulled out a chair for me and I sat down. He sat down next to me afterwards and I could feel my heart beating. I looked at him awkwardly and he smiled at me. He gives me all of his albums with his signature and I thank him, putting all of them in my bag. We were just sitting here saying nothing.

"How's school?" He asks.

.