Mirage

33

Everything was a mess in Haeun's little mind. She did not know what exactly she need to put as a priority, what exactly had to be her feeling right now.

Should she be disappointed? Angry? Or sad?

The thought of Sunwoo with the girl who had claimed herself as his girlfriend was dreadful. It was suffocating, her chest felt stuffy. She was dying to know what had happened after her leaving, what Sunwoo had talked about with that girl.

Was this the end for her and Sunwoo?

Was it why the boy had not called her up until now?

"Am I wrong?" talking to the racoon plushie Sunwoo gifted her, she was at her lowest point. She laid her head down on the couch whilst sitting on the floor, doing eye contact with the toy. "I'd never known that he had a girlfriend".

This had been the nth times she kept doubting herself. Instead of crying herself to sleep after an unexpected event unveiled, Haeun kept blaming herself for breaking someone's happiness.

But, the positive side of Kim Haeun was, she did not hastily pointing someone out. She could have blamed Sunwoo for being the reason for all of this happened, but she did not.

For she thought, maybe something did happen behind her back.

"What if you talk to me directly instead of Mr.Sunu there?"

That voice.

It was somewhat familiar and Haeun kind of missed to hear it.

She lifted her head in a real quick, darting her eyes to the source where Kim Sunwoo was standing, smiling painfully.

"What are you doing here?" she asked whilst turning her body, her back was now leaning against the couch.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Sunwoo came closer, sitting next to her.

"Someone did not take her medicine this morning. So, I have to run all the way here".

Taken aback, she looked at him curiously and Sunwoo was smiling, satisfied that he was able to see that fluster face.

She must be oblivious that he know everything.

"I'm sorry", he reached for her bang like usual but this time, Haeun dodged his touch, hugging her knees next.

She absolutely knew what Sunwoo was apologising for.

Sunwoo sighed. He did not like this awkwardness, not even the bitterness. But he could tell that she was sad and maybe she felt deceive. He should have told her about Jiyeon before they started dating.

Finding things like this must be hurt.

Unbeknownst to Sunwoo, what had hurt Haeun the most was Jiyeon's curse that she managed to catch whilst battling herself to stay alive.

"I wish you disappear from the world, Kim Haeun!"

Those hurtful words kept buzzing in her head, that she was considering to end this relationship with him. But, she loved Sunwoo too much.

"Can you give me a chance to explain?" Sunwoo pleading, his voice was shaky.

Slowly, Haeun sat up straight, glancing over him.

"Make it short".

The sassiness had lit up the light inside Sunwoo's eyes. His lips twitched, threatening to curl up.

She was cute.

"True. Jiyeon is my ex", right there Haeun gasped intimidatingly, panicking the inside of Sunwoo. "Listen first! I've never loved her. I....dated her because of Jihoon".

"What?"

"Jiyeon was a girl Jihoon liked. Instead of hearing a confession from Jihoon, she confessed to me", he paused, inspecting Haeun's emotions. "Me and Jihoon, we have an ongoing feud. And what I was thinking about was to crush him down. So I accepted the confession".

"You know you just triggered Jihoon right?" she asked concernedly.

"I know. That's why he's planning a revenge now", Sunwoo shrugged, staring on the wall ahead. "And maybe, you're dating me has ruined his plan".

"How?"

"Not sure", he shrugged again.

The two then took some times admiring each others' features. Why it felt like a decade had passed since they last saw each other when it barely been 2 days?

Sunwoo unknowingly leaned closer to her, his mind was blank. Everything about her was tempting but he seemed to have back to his real self in an instant, awkwardly turn his head away, coughing.

Haeun noticed the fluster on his face, she seemed to know what he was desiring about. But Sunwoo was always being gentle with her.

It was proven.

"I'm disappointed that you broke up with her just to date me", she broke the awkward silent with a stance. "I could imagine her breaking".

"Haeun, whatever happened between me and her has nothing related to you", he sternly explained. "I didn't want to constantly breaking her but I didn't have the courage to tell her. But your existence has helped me".

"How?"

"I kinda realized what a real love look like", Sunwoo gulped a big lump inside his throat, contemplating to continue talking. He really wanted to say this aloud but he had never said this before. "I..."

Him stuttering out of blue did concern Haeun. She blinked furiously, getting anxious along with the demeanour.

"Sunwoo.. what is it? Don't make m-"

"I love you".

The weak beating of her heart suddenly had turned normal by the sudden confession, like it was a remedy to her illness. It was hard to comprehend. Sunwoo had not said these words up until now, and Haeun almost doubted her hearing.

"What...?" she let an airy question out, her pale face was now looked more like a human.

Sunwoo groaned, screaming with closed mouth.

"Don't make me repeat!"

It was then a hearty laughter erupted, a lullaby Sunwoo wanted to keep hearing. Her bang that was hooding over her forehead bouncing with every laughter, some pieces were covering her eyes.

Like a usual habit, he reached for it. Lucky this time Haeun did not dodge him. And somehow he just knew instantly that she had fully accepted him - again.

"Kim Haeun", he placed a hand on the side of her head in which Haeun nuzzling into, yearning for his touch. "Never think of Jiyeon anymore. She is the regret of my past, and you're the future I'm looking forward".

She finally smiled, the dimple on her cheek became prominent. Sunwoo wondered why only now he noticed it, she looked more prettier with it.

"You owe me a date", she reminded as soon as Sunwoo retreated his hand.

"When do you want to go? Now?"

"Not now", the next thing Sunwoo realized, he was lying down on the floor with Kim Haeun next to him, her palm thrown onto his chest - to feel his steady heartbeats. "I'm tired right now".

Sunwoo surely never knew that Haeun could be this cunning. Suddenly announcing her tiresome by closing her eyes next to him surely was a smooth move.

"Are you trapping me now? So, I have to stay until you wake up?"

"Mhm", she confirmed, already half asleep.

"Tch", he clicked his tongue, reaching for her hair. "Anything for you Kim Haeun".