After Yookyung said her goodbyes to Taewoo, Nami and Ms. Kim, she left the manor. It was about 8 at night and it was getting dark. Yookyung was happily walking home, humming to a random song. She decided to take a little shortcut which required her to walk down a long and eery looking alley.
She walked and all of a sudden, a hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. She screamed and saw a bandaged Dongjun in front of her. He was smirking evilly, "Hey L.joe's girl." Her eye brows furrowed in confusion, "L.joe's what?" He scoffed, "Stop acting stupid. I'm sure that L.joe told you not to tell anyone that you're dating him."
Dongjun's eyed narrowed, "And since you're L.joe's girl, that means that you're his biggest weakness." An evil smirk was plastered on his face and Yookyung's eyes widened in fear.
At that time, L.joe was walking home from the convenience store with some ramen in a plastic bag. He turned around a corner headed for an alley he uses as a shortcut to get home. His eyes narrowed to see what was going on with some guy and a girl. He shrugged and headed down the alley.
When he got closer, his eyes widened at the sight of Dongjun trying to take advantage of Yookyung. He had his arms pressed up against the wall trapping her. She was near tears and was constantly struggling. The bag fell out of his hands and turned Dongjun around to give him a good punch to the face.
He staggered back and glared at him. "What the fu- L.joe?!" He smirked. L.joe glared at him and he stepped back in fear. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He coldy asked. "I was just asking your girl a question but seems like she didn't want to respond." He lied. *My girl?*
L.joe punched him in the stomach, "Don't leave me see your face ever again." Dongjun coughed up some blood and Yookyung slid down the wall staring at the scene. L.joe pushed Dongjun out of the way and he ran out yelling, "I'll get my revenge for what you did to my gang!" He scoffed and turned around.
He kneeled down in front of Yookyung and looked at her face. She was pale from fright was close to tears. He got up to leave but she pulled on his shirt, "Don't go. Please." Tears trailed down her once rosy cheeks. His eyes softened and knelt down in front of her again and he hugged her.
*Yah Lee Byunghun, are you seriously hugging this girl?* Yookyung buried her face in his shirt and started bawling, "Do you know how scared I was? I thought something bad was going to happen." He sighed and patted her back. Her sobs were soon inaudible and he pulled away.
Her eyes were puffy and red from all the crying. He looked down at his shirt which was stained with her tears. Yookyung wiped her cheeks and stood up. L.joe stood up and looked toward the floor. His ramen was crushed and his shoulders deflated in sadness. *There goes dinner*
"Hey." He looked up and saw her giving him a small smile. His heart skipped a beat and in his head he was screaming, *What is this feeling?* "Yeah?" "Thanks. Sorry about your dinner." She pointed to the ramen and he shook his head, "I'll just buy some fast food." She shook her head, "Don't! It's unhealthy for you. You wanna come to my place for dinner? You know, as a thank you."
He was taken aback by her sudden offer and then remembered that there wasn't anymore food left in his apartment so he shrugged. She grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards her apartment.
L.joe looked up at the bland apartment complex and pointed, "You live here?" "Mm. After my dad sold the house and most of our possesions, we moved here since it was pretty cheap and close to school." *Wow, she must've had a lot of problems*
She walked through the lobby and up to the second floor. They stopped at 2C and she keyed in the password. The door unlocked and Yookyung smiled, "Welcome!" His lips threatened to form a smile but his poker face remained. He took off his shoes and stepped into the small but cozy apartment.
"Yookyung-ah, is that you?" Her father stepped out in a t-shirt and casual jeans. He was wearing an apron and holding a spatula. He almost dropped it at the sight of L.joe, "Yookyung, is that a friend of yours?" She nodded, "I invited him for dinner. Is that okay?" He smiled, "Of course. I always make a bit extra. Just wait a bit longer."
L.joe bowed, "Annyeonghaseyo abunim, L.joe imnida." "L.joe?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's a nickname my friends gave me. My real name is Lee Byunghun." He felt that he had to be extra courteous for some reason. Mr. Lee nodded, "I see. Well just wait a bit longer. Dinner'll be ready soon." L.joe bowed and her father went back to cooking.
The two sat down on the floor and Yookyung tilted her head, "Byunghun? I like the name. It sounds more natural compared to L.joe." L.joe's heart sped up, "Where's the bathroom?" "Right in between those two doors." He got up and entered the bathroom.
He put a hand over his beating heart and asked himself, "What's wrong with me? Am I falling for her? Hah, she's too weak but cute and kin- What am I saying?!" He hit his head lightly and exited the bathroom. "Byunghun-ah, dinner's ready!" Yookyung called while setting the table.
Normally he would get pissed when someone called him by his real name, but for some reason, he liked the way it sounded when she said it. He walked over to the table and saw all different kinds of food. He usually had a hamburger or ramen but this was more luxurious compared to that. "Sit down and eat!" Her father smiled. He nodded his head and sat down.
Yookyung and Mr. Lee started eating. She put a piece of meat on top of his rice, "Eat! It's really good." She smiled and resumed eating. He took his spoon and scooped some rice with the meat and put it in his mouth. He chewed and started eating more of the rice and side dishes. Yookyung and Mr. Lee looked at one another and looked back at L.joe.
He looked up to see them staring and he started coughing. Yookyung ran and got him a cup of water. He gulped it down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. She smiled, "Do you like it that much?" Her father lightly slapped her arm and gave her a look. She pouted and sat down.
L.joe then started chuckling. "What's the matter?" He stopped and had a smile on his face, "Nothing. It's just that I haven't this at home since my father left me. And I did enjoy the meal. Thank you Mr. Lee." Mr. Lee softened, "Your welcome. Feel free to drop by once in a while for dinner."
Yookyung leaned forward, "Hope you don't mind me asking but what do you usually eat for dinner." He shrugged, "Ramen. Or sometimes fast food." Her father shook his head, "Tsk tsk. You need all the nutrition you need since you are still growing. Why don't you come by every night. It'll be like you're a part of the family!" She smiled at the idea. He stared at them and gave an eye smile, "Thank you. I would love to."
After the cheerful dinner, L.joe decided to leave. "Wait! I'll walk you out!" Yookyung yelled. She slipped on her flip flops and walked out with L.joe. "By the way, I just realized that you talked to me a lot today!" He looked down and smiled, "Yeah. I guess I did." He opened the door and the warm wind hit their faces.
He turned around and gave a sincere smile, something that has never been done even in front of his friends. "I enjoyed dinner tonight. Tell your dad I said thanks and I'll see you on Monday." Yookyung nodded and L.joe turned around. He started walking but stopped when Yookyung tugged on his sleeve.
*Why did I do that?!* He turned around and tilted his head. Her heart started beating faster and she stuttered, "S-so does that mean we're friends?" He blinked and looked away in thought. He nodded his head, "Yeah. Friends. Huh, I guess you're my first female friend." She blushed at that fact. She let go, "I guess we're friends now. Um, I had a great time at dinner. And thanks for saving me back there." He nodded and waved goodbye.
She waited until he was out of sight and ran back into her apartment. Yookyung closed the door and leaned against it. Her cheeks were red and her heart was about to jump out of her chest. "Yookyung-ah, gwenchana? Your face is red." Mr. Lee asked. She put a hand up to her cheek and it was warm. She shook her head and ran to her room. Mr. Lee just stared at the door and shook his head with a smile.
