Love Him...Forever

The One He Came Back For

"Ahem... ahem..." Shine feigned a cough to make her presence known.

Kazumi instantly released Yuzuru from her hug and glanced at Shine with a fake, apologetic smile.
"Oops. Sorry, I didn't notice you guys there."

Really? You didn't notice us? What was your first clue—ME or the THREE PEOPLE behind me? Lame excuse, sweetheart. Shine's inner self crossed her arms.

"Kazumi must really be missing our Yuzu," Javier teased, laughing.

Kazumi blushed and acted shy.

Don't even try acting cute in front of me. I know better, Shine's inner self hissed.

"I agree," Nam added with a wicked grin.

"Okay! While you guys interrogate Kazumi and Yuzu, Hana and I will go see Mr. Johnson—he wants to talk to us. See you later," Monika said, giving Shine a little push, as if she could feel Kazumi starting to get under her skin.

Once they were far enough, Monika hooked her arm around Shine's.

"So... what did you and Yuzuru talk about last night?" she whispered, making Shine jump.

"And don't even try denying it. I already know."

Shine sighed. There was no point hiding anything from Monika—she always knew more than she let on.

"Fine... fine... I'll tell you."

Last Night

Shine finally released Yuzuru from her hug.
"Sorry... I'm just shocked. I didn't expect you to actually be here."

"I told you we'd talk again," Yuzuru said calmly.

"But you didn't mention you'd do it in person."

Yuzuru only shrugged with that wide, boyish smile.

They sat outside, and a moment later Yuna appeared with a plate of homemade mandu and two glasses of juice.

"Gomawo-yo, eomma," Shine said in Korean.

"Enjoy," Yuna smiled.

"Thank you for the food," Yuzuru said, bowing politely.

When Yuna disappeared, Shine turned to him.
"Sooo?"

"I finished my work in Japan earlier than expected," Yuzuru replied, taking a sip of juice.

Back to Monika and Shine.

"That's it?" Monika said, disappointed by how short the story was.

Shine nodded.

"As in... that's EVERYTHING?"

Shine nodded again, smiling.

Of course, it's not everything. But I am definitely not telling you the rest, her inner self smirked.

Continuation of her Memory.

Shine took a sip of water.
"When did you arrive?"

"Earlier today. With mama."

"I see..."

She hesitated. "Did you... see Kazumi yet?"

Yuzuru smiled—clearly enjoying Shine's jealousy—and shook his head.

"No. I planned to say hello to others tomorrow," he said.

Back to Monica and Shine.

Shine's face instantly brightened.

"Oh! Right—I asked him how he knew my address. He said YOU gave it to him." Shine raised a brow at Monika.

"Ah, yes! He did ask me, and that's also how I knew he arrived yesterday," Monika said proudly.

Shine blinked. "How did you even figure that out?"

Monika leaned in like sharing classified intel.
"You see, Hana... he's not the type to ask for a girl's address unless he has a reason. So I did a little digging. And ta-da! I was right—he was at your house. I still don't know why though..."

"Here we are," Shine said quickly as they arrived at Elvin's office.

Elvin handed each of them a plastic bag.
"From now on, you'll be wearing these."

"What are these, Mr. Johnson?" Monika asked, acting surprised.

Someone give this girl an Oscar, Shine's inner self clapped.

"Your uniforms," Elvin continued. "It's an order from the higher-ups."

Shine and Monika exchanged a look—obviously Allen's doing.

"And Hana... nothing personal, but they also want you to tone down your hair color. Brown or black would be better."

"Sure, Mr. Johnson. I'll dye it later," Shine replied.

Shine and Monica went back to their post.

At the reception

Monika dragged Shine's chair closer.

"How did Allen react when he found out Yuzu came back? And visited YOU—his girlfriend—first?"

"He didn't really say much. Yuzuru had already left when Allen arrived," Shine said.

"If I were Allen, I wouldn't let my girlfriend anywhere near her ex," Monika whispered.

EX? Yuzuru is NOT my ex! We never broke up, Shine's inner self protested.

"Yuzuru and I aren't doing anything wrong. And Allen is open-minded—he knows I'll run into Yuzuru all the time now that I work here."

"But what if Yuzuru falls for Hana and courts you? Then what?"

Shine froze, remembering last night.

Yuzuru's Confession

"Why didn't you tell us you were coming back?" Shine asked.

"Hana, your mom's dumplings are amazing," Yuzuru said after swallowing the last one.

Shine glared. Clearly avoiding the question.

"I can ask my mom for the recipe," she offered.

"I have a better idea. Why don't you make them for me?" he said, sounding oddly serious.

Shine frowned.
"Are you serious?"

"I'm joking," he laughed.

She narrowed her eyes.
"Haha. Very funny."

"But... if I asked you for real, would you?" he asked quietly.

"Sure. But I'm not sure if I can cook anything edible," she said with a laugh.

Yuzuru laughed too—but then his expression turned nervous.

"You asked why I didn't tell anyone I was coming back, right?"

Shine nodded.

"I finished everything early because... I missed someone so much."

Shine's heart dropped.
"Kazumi?"

"Why would you think it's her?" he asked.

"Well... you always talk about her. You want us to get along..."

"If I said yes, what would you do?" Yuzuru asked, watching her carefully.

Shine swallowed.
"What can I do? Nothing. If you like her... then that's your right."

Her voice cracked.

Yuzuru's smile softened.

"No. It wasn't Kazumi I wanted to see."

Shine relaxed slightly.

"Then who?" she whispered.

Yuzuru's eyes warmed.
His smile—his real smile—appeared.

"You," he said.