Mr. Bitter's Sweetness | So Junghwan ✓

Chapter nineteen

"Come in," my dad said. I walked into his office.

"What do you want to talk about, son?" he asked.

"Dad, it's about Cindy."

"What is it?"

"Can you please investigate what happened to her mother?" I asked.

"Why? I still don't know what happened to Jenna. What really happened?"

"Her mom was shot. I know what happened to her dad. Uncle Michael was also shot. What if it was the same person?"

"Fine. I'm willing to help. This girl has been through a lot. She's a strong woman. By the way, son, do you like her?"

"A lot," I answered.

"If you like her, I support both of you," he said.

"Thanks, dad."

"And also, let her stay here. It might be dangerous for her to go back home," he said.

CINDY

I was waiting for Junghwan in his room. I needed to feed my cat.

"Junghwan, I'm going home," I told him.

"No, you're not going anywhere. Dad said you should stay," Junghwan said.

"Okay, but I don't have any clothes," I said.

"I'll buy you some clothes," Junghwan offered.

"No, it's okay. And also..."

"Shobi is already here. Are you feeling okay now?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine now, Mister," I said.

"Don't call me that. I hate it," he said.

"Why? Mister Bitter, I like it," I teased, but he leaned in close, looking at my lips.

"I want to kiss you," he said. I felt my cheeks burning. I knew I was blushing.

"Hey, Mist-" I was surprised when his lips touched mine. He pushed me onto the bed, still kissing me. Was this how we'd missed each other? All I can say is that too much kissing can... you know what I mean.

The next day..

Cindy and Jihye were in their classroom. Soon, the other students arrived. Jihye glared at Sohee, Hana, and Seji. Seji looked miserable.

Cindy noticed Jihye staring.

"Jihye, chill," Cindy joked. But Jihye just rolled her eyes.

"How can I be calm? Even if you won't tell me who hurt you, I know it was them," Jihye said.

It was break time, and they went to the cafeteria. Jihye saw Hana walk in.

"Hey, you!" Jihye shouted. It was like the prom all over again. She was a different person.

"Where are your little friends? Why did you do that?!" Jihye grabbed Hana's hair. Cindy tried to pull them apart, but it was no use.

"Stop it!" Hana fought back.

Seji walked into the cafeteria and didn't even react to the fight.

"What the heck, Seji, help me!" Hana yelled.

"Why would I help you?" Seji said, her face emotionless. They all stopped fighting.

"You betrayed me, and now you want my help? What a shame," Seji laughed.

"You thought I didn't know Yoshi cheated on me for you?" Seji laughed, but then she started crying.

"So, Jihye, continue what you're doing. I lost my appetite. I'm leaving," Seji said.

"What the heck, girl? You're the reason they broke up?" Sohee said, shocked.

"I'm not done with you," Jihye said to Sohee and Hana, and they both left.

"Hey, Jihye! I didn't tell you to do that!" Cindy said.

"They need to pay, Cindy," Jihye replied.

"But you don't have to do this. Nothing good will come from revenge," Cindy said.

"Okay, fine," Jihye said, sighing.

They saw Seji sitting alone at a bench. Cindy walked over to her, and Jihye followed.

"Hey, Seji, are you okay?" Cindy asked.

"After everything I've done to you, you're still concerned about me? Why are you so kind?" Seji asked.

"You didn't do anything to me yesterday. It was just those two. And, honestly, I think you're kinder than them," Cindy said.

"I'm so sorry for everything, Cindy. I really don't fit in with those girls. I'm so sorry I didn't do anything yesterday," Seji said.

"Stop saying sorry. Remember when you called me that at the beginning of last year?" Cindy chuckled.

"About the locker incident last year, do you know anything about it?" Jihye asked directly.

"None of us did it, I promise," Seji said.

"So, can we be friends from now on, Seji?" Cindy asked.

"I don't think I deserve your friendship, but I would love to," Seji said. And that's how the three of them became friends.

"You have no right to hurt my girl!" Junghwan said furiously to Sohee, pushing her against the wall.

"She stole you from me, Junghwan!" Sohee cried.

"We're not together, Sohee!" Junghwan said.

"Junghwan, stop it!" Jihoon said, seeing them and pushing Junghwan away from Sohee. Junghwan left, leaving Jihoon and Sohee alone.

"Are you okay?" Jihoon asked, worried.

"I'm fine," Sohee said coldly, trying to leave.

"Stop chasing him," Jihoon said.

"No, I won't. I like him, and I'm going to get him," she said.

"I like you, too. I want to take you away from him," Jihoon said and left, leaving Sohee speechless.

CINDY

As I got off the bus, I realized I should have gone to Junghwan's house, but I felt embarrassed. He had done so much for me.

I saw a new ice cream shop that had been under construction for a few weeks. I decided to go in. The owner greeted me.

"I want a cookies and cream ice cream, please," I said.

"If my daughter was still here, I think you two would be about the same age. How old are you, kid?" he asked.

"I'm nineteen. Where is your daughter now?" I asked.

"She's in a better place now with my wife," he said, looking sad.

"I'm sorry to bring that up. I was just curious. What happened to them?" I asked.

"It's okay. It's already happened. They were killed while I was at work," he said sadly.

"I'm all alone now too. My mom just died a while ago," I said.

He gave me the ice cream and smiled. I took it.

"Thank you, sir. I'll be back tomorrow," I said.

"You're welcome, kid," he said.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number. It said, "You're next." My whole body went numb. What did that mean?

"Are you okay, kid?" the man asked.

"I'm fine, sir. Sorry to bother you. I gotta go. Thanks for this," I said, smiling and leaving.