Contract Boyfriend || n.yuta

44

There were days both Kun and Yeona couldn't pick Mai up from school. They feel bad that they couldn't, but Mai doesn't mind because it meant she and Iseul would be going out for ice cream.

"I got a high score in my test!" Mai excitedly beamed. She grew so much in such a small time frame. Iseul couldn't believe she was close to becoming a teenager.

It was a shame she wouldn't be able to see her as often when she left. Iseul still hasn't broken the news to her young friend. She asked Kun if she could be the one to break it to her, but she didn't know how to open it.

"Let me see." Iseul carefully took the paper. "You did a good job. You must have studied really hard for this."

"I did. My friends said that I didn't do good because I got like seven mistakes, but at least I didn't cheat like them." Mai complained. "I don't like growing up, but I want to be a grown up like you."

Mai growing up, huh?

In Iseul's head, Mai was always this five year old she absolutely adored and advised. As she said before, she couldn't imagine Mai growing older than she did now. She would say she treated Mai like the little sister she never had, but others point out that she was like a mom.

How could she break the news to Mai?

"Can we sit down and talk?" Iseul requested. Mai complied and followed her to a nearby park. "How would you feel if I have to go far away?"

"Is it for work? How many weeks do you have to be away this time?" Mai innocently questioned.

"Mai, your dad promoted me and I'm relocating to Japan soon. I'll be gone for a very long time, and when I come back to visit, I won't be long." Iseul's explanation was careful and clear. She could only brace herself as she anticipated the younger's reaction.

"That means you get to be with Yu now! Isn't that great?" Mai's grin fell as the realization hit her. "But then again... I'll be the one missing you now. It doesn't matter though! There's internet for a reason."

"Mai..."

"I'm not as smart or that quick to learn, but taking it an my own pace is the best way to grow!" Mai assured, her eyes glossy and voice shaky. "When you come back for good, I'll be more amazing than you are. I'll steal your spot in Papa's firm and I'll be the one to treat you."

Mai continued to ramble on about how she'll be better than Iseul in terms of academics, but will always stay as humble as she did. She eventually burst into tears and Iseul instantly hugged her.

"We still have time, Mai. We'll get ice cream with your uncle Xiaojun and I'll definitely bring you to the amusement park again." Iseul rubbed soothing circles onto her back as she allowed her to cry. "You don't have to cry so hard. It's not like I'm dying."

"Being apart from someone and not being able to see them when you want to is worse than dying!" Mai sobbed.

Iseul understood what she meant.

"Mai. Look at me." Iseul softly requested. She waited for Mai to calm down a little more to be able to face her. "Do you remember what you asked me about my nails?"

For five years, Iseul and Yuta kept using the same object as the design for their ring finger for when they're apart. People have been asking them what it meant, but they never bothered explaining it to others.

"Why is the design always a kite?" Mai asked.

"You know how my boyfriend works and lives in another country right? We constantly have to be apart and it's really hard. I understand what you mean when missing them feels like it's worse than death." Iseul was relieved to know Mai still remembered Yuta.