AT A DISTANCE, SPRING IS GREEN - BAE IN HYUK a.k.a NAM SOO HYUN

Part 9. Deeper

애리야...보고싶어.

Aeri-ya...I miss you.

She leaned against the window of the bus, enjoying the night air that slipped through the cracks into the warmth of the bus. For the past week, she spent almost all her time tutoring. She kept living dragging her exhausted mind and body.

However, because the person who had taken his first steps together with her was by her side, the world was worth living for.

—Because of that one guy.

The guy who lingered in her mind sooner when she went home after an exhausting day.

Every time he stood in front of her, she couldn't take her eyes off him. Even without alcohol, his small smile made her drunk. He who makes it possible to make it through in this world.

—He who has her heart.

The ringing message stopped Aeri's mind from wandering around and staring out the window. A name cracked a wide smile on her lips. Soo Hyun Oppa.

Aeri-ya—

—Bogoshipeo.

The tickling feeling and the faster heartbeat made Aeri stare at her phone screen. The message that conveyed his heart.

Where are you, Sunbae? Will you wait near the gate?

Just 3 minutes, I'll go right away.

As fast as possible, Aeri jumped off the bus, dragging her beating heart to run with her. Crashed into the cold wind of the spring night that passed by her, causing a tinge of red to be painted on her cheeks.

From afar, she saw Soo Hyun who also ran out of breath in front of the main gate. Noticing footsteps coming from his right, he turned his head to the sound and ran toward her before throwing his arms to her waist, catching her body in his embrace.

Aeri gasped linking her arms around his neck. Sweat dripped down their foreheads. The sound of their heartbeats seemed to melt in their arms.

He sank his body into her. Tears flooded her shoulder. A sobbing found its way to her ears. "Sunbae?" Her soft voice mixed with confusion.

"Mianhae. Jebal jamkkanman ireohge isseojwo. (I'm sorry. Please stay like this for a moment.)" She could tell by the shaking in his voice. "Ah. Sunbae must very exhausted." She wanted to ask why but all she could do was wait. Until he comes to her. Until he opens up to her.

1 Hours Ago.

"You fight with a friend while working? This place isn't a playground!" Soo Hyun looked down and clutched his hands together, facing the student cafeteria chef who yelled angrily after Jung Ho and Chun Kook caused a scene, they threw a tray of food in front of Soo Hyun during his part-time hour.

"I'm so sorry." He gave a 90-degree bow, apologizing for a mistake that wasn't even his fault. "Pay back the money for the ingredients you ruined."