Meant To Be

CHAPTER I ¦Run¦

The trees surrounding a park blocked the afternoon sunrays, leaves notifying the starting line of autumn. A six-year-old girl counted the rust-colored bricks as she walked on them. Not hearing the running footsteps from a figure far away behind her.

"Seul Gi noona!" called the figure.

She gripped the straps of her back pack in annoyance when she recognized the voice. Kang Seul Gi frowned when the running footsteps finally reached her ears. A thought made halted her gait, surprising the one running after her. Who ran like never before then halted just beside Seul Gi.

"I-I.. thought you'll— never.. ha—stop.." he panted, hands on his knees. He gaped like a fish out of water when Seul Gi suddenly continued her gait. "W-wait!"

But she didn't. The five-year-old boy gasped for air for a minute before jogging after her.

"Just stop, Kim Tae Hyung." she demanded in a monotone voice when she heard him.

He ceased at the mention of his full name in that tone and pouted. Tae Hyung scratched the back of his head and did the vice-versa of what his noona said. The older one of the pair had a frown turning into a scowl, but didn't say anything as she mull on how to lose her stalker. Who was musing on how to get close to her without her noticing.

When Tae Hyung finally formed a plan, a grin from ear to ear almost tear his lips apart. He stepped off the rust-colored pathway and hastily yet quietly sprinted behind a tree. He peeked out to see Seul Gi still treading, clueless. He snickered and sped from tree to tree, careful not to get Seul Gi's attention.

Maybe I should call Driver Wook to pick me up? Seul Gi thought, a strong gust of wind blowing on her jet black hair and tiny frame. She gently rubbed her ears to make sure her auditory was proper since only her feet were tapping on the bricks. She spun and the scowl vanished from her flawless face.

Astonishment, happiness, and relief washed her like drops from a downpour. Not knowing that a certain someone behind a tree briefly felt heartache that was instantly covered with admiration when he saw her smile for the first time.

"No way.." Seul Gi whispered in between her breaths, thinking that- finally! No one will bug her in school! Yet, a pinch of disappointment pinched her heart. She just shrugged it off and swiveled to stride peacefully to their house when...

"Happy?"

Seul Gi caught her scream in her throat and gasped then yelped when she slipped from jumping back. She blinked and her fall stopped not even close to halfway. Her tiny hand is holding on for dear life to Tae Hyung's, the both of them exchanged surprised looks.

"S-sorry." Tae Hyung stuttered in satoori without thinking and pulled Seul Gi to her feet, looking down as the heat and blood swarmed his face. The five year old does not know the sudden gushy feeling flocking from his heart to his stomach when he held her hand for the first time.

Seeing that their hands are still entwined, Seul Gi was the first one to loosen her hold and Tae Hyung followed after a second of realization. The noona parted her lips to extend her gratitude but closed them in a blink of an eye. She licked her lips and looked to the side, feeling too ashamed as Tae Hyung to say a word. The two of them can feel the awkwardness coiling around them even if the wind tried to puff it away.

As the older one, she sighed and decided to be the first to say something. 'Or else we might get swallowed in awkwardness forever.' Seul Gi thought with another sigh. She turned to Tae Hyung and saw him stiffened under her gaze. "Thank you.."

"Y-you're we-welcome.. noona." Tae Hyung tried not to fidget too much, he felt uncomfortable but happy that Seul Gi is looking right at him.

"You follow me around and can't even talk to me straight when it's just the two of us." Tae Hyung bit his lower lip, he can't help but think that noona sounded like an adult.