Do Kyung Soo: Man In Black

Prologue

He was my first.

My first hug...

My first kiss...

The first who held my hands...

The first who said he would protect me...

And the first ...to break my heart.

It happened so fast.

When I got to school, everyone was already talking about it.

Kyung Soo and Ae Ra are now officially dating.

If only I can shut my ears close, I will but it can't be done. Just like my heart. I tried to paste all the pieces together but it keeps breaking up.

I tried to keep a straight face.

Everyone stopped their chattering when I stepped inside the classroom. I sat at the far end of the room, by the window. The cold air touched my face and I closed my eyes-trying to ignore my surroundings. It's a good thing that Kyung Soo and Ae Ra are assigned in a different class.

Hye Ri, one of my friends, tapped my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes and turned to her. "Hey Jin Ae, how are you?" she asked. I forced a smile and answered, "I'm okay. How was your summer?" She turned around and when she was sure no one was paying attention to the two of us, she spoke in a low tone. "Sorry, I know you don't want to talk about it but I heard what happened to you and Kyung Soo. Are you really okay?" She asked full of concern. I blinked and turned away. I focused my attention to the book on my desk and played on the pages. "Of course. What's there to be worried about? Kyung Soo and I, we're a finished story." Again, I forced a smile. "Everyone needs to move on." Hye Ri stared at me and curled her eyebrows. "Have you?"

I was left speechless.

Good thing our teacher arrived and started the class.

***

I tried to avoid Hye Ri after class. I know she will bug me about Kyung Soo again. I told her I need materials for Art class which was true. She wanted to come with me but I told her that I can do it alone. I wanted to be alone.

I slowly opened the door of the Art department. Fortunately, no one was inside. I grabbed an empty box from the corner of the room and placed in some brushes, oil paint, and blank canvasses. "Ok. That should do it!" I was about to leave when I heard a sound at the window. It must be the stray cat again. I was on my way to check what cause the weird noise when...

"JIN AE!"

I almost dropped the box when I heard the shout. I quickly turned around and saw him.

Do Kyung Soo.

He quickly walked toward me with a troubled look. "What are you doing here alone?!" I got startled again. "You don't need to shout!" I curled my eyebrows and straightened up. "And what is it to you if I come here? Am I not supposed to?" I said with an irritated tone. "If you want to use the room, it's all yours." I stepped out of the room swiftly. I don't want to be in the same breathing space with him.

It's too awkward.

It's too painful.

I don't know how he managed to catch up to me. He used to be a bad runner. He grabbed me by the shoulder.

"Wait." He said. I faced him, "Yes? Do you need anything?" He looked at the ground then slowly placed his eyes on me. "Look, Jin Ae, me and Ae Ra..."

"...are together now." I didn't let him finish his sentence. I told him with a poker face. He sighed. "Jin Ae, you don't understand. I need to..."

"I completely understand." I cut him off again. "We can't teach our hearts Kyung Soo. I know staying with me is the right choice but it wouldn't be the right thing to do. It would be unfair to the both of us if you keep seeing me when your thoughts are filled with her."

Kyung Soo let out a sigh. "Jin Ae, I am terribly sorry." His face was filled with hurt.

I know how sorry he was. He was a good man. I know. I loved him.

"You don't have to be. Look, let's stop seeing like this. Let's do ourselves a favor. It's our last year here so I suggest we stay clear from each other." Tears are about to fall so I turned my back to him. I was about to walk away when he spoke again, "Ok. Let's do that. But promise me, you have to take care of yourself. Do not go about places alone. Take Hye Ri with you. Always go home early. Don't talk to people you don't know."

I let out an exasperated laugh. "Why are you telling me this? Out of pity? You're not my father Kyung Soo. You're not even my boyfriend anymore! So, from now on, I'll do what I want to do! I'll go where I want to go!" I started to walk away again and this time I didn't stop even when I heard him call out to me.

***

The school year passed by like a breeze.

Kyung Soo and I didn't talk to each other. I avoided him rather. We bumped with each other in the school's common areas. I think there were times that he wanted to talk to me but since he was with Ae Ra, he didn't dare to approach me.

I decided to study in Canada after graduation. I pursued a Music and Arts course. Four grueling years of studying and I survived. I go home every year to visit my parents and hometown friends. I didn't hear any news about Kyung Soo except that he went to Seoul to study.

After two years of living in Canada, I decided to return to Korea for good since I got a good job offer there.

Yes. Life definitely moved on for me.

Until... I met him again.

Do Kyung Soo.