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chapter 1 || my go-to
Yanan met Elkie by the park. Over the years, it had become their routine to meet at the park near their university. Even though they have both graduated from college, the habit still continues. He immediately spotted her by the swing, reading a book in her hands, long black hair blowing flawlessly with the wind. A smile curved on his lips before he shook his head.
Sometimes, when he looks at Elkie, he couldn't help hearing his friends in Korea inside his head. What if after all these years she still likes him? But everytime he thinks about it, he pushes the thoughts off his head. He, of all people, knows how it feels like to fall for a friend. He won't repeat the same mistake. Besides, Elkie is a really good and cool person. He doesn't want their friendship to be stainedㅡthe way his friendship with Kele did.
He pulled one of her earpiece before sitting on the swing next to her. Elkie looked up, quickly slipping a bookmark on the page she was reading and closing the book. "Hey!"
"I really don't understand how you could understand a thing you're reading while listening to K-Pop."
She grinned, pulling the other earpiece. "It's something only geniuses can do, Yanan."
He frowned, ignoring her usual self-appraisal. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
"I have a lot of things I want to tell you, but for now, you have to know that..." She paused for the suspense effect. Whenever Elkie gets excited, her eyes widen and her grin becomes so wide it's almost creepy. "I GOT IN!" She announced with a squeak. She got up and took his hand, pulling him on his feet.
"What? For real?" Yanan asked, wide eyed.
Elkie shook his hand wildly while bouncing on her feet. "Can you believe it? I'm training with one of the best film director in China. Oh my gosh!"
He smiled, happiness bubbling inside him by seeing her so excited and happy. He ruffled her soft hair. "You deserve it. Congrats. So, where are we eating?" He asked with a grin.
"Of course, you won't forget the celebratory dinner that I promised." She said rolling her eyes. "Come on, let's hit the best food place here." She pulled him with her as they walked to the place where they used to eat often when they were in college.
Elkie ordered so many. There were barely words uttered between them because they were both too busy eating. "I miss this place!" She said grinning.
"By the way, I'm going to Korea next month. You better do your best with this opportunity given to you. Andㅡif it gets too hard, don't cry without me."
She stopped eating and stared at him, eyes softening. "Alright, I'll video call you if I need to cry." She said and they both laughed. "Why are you going?" She asked later.
"It's just been a while since I'd seen my friends there. Since, I have tons of free time nowㅡI should go see how they're doing. Especially, now. Changgu and Seungyeon are having a hard time after breaking up. And Kele, well, she might need me. I told you, right? Jung Wooseok, that brat, has enlisted."
"Aigoo. Do they have an idea how lucky they are to have a loyal friend like you?"
He looked at her and smiled. "You have me too."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you loyal to me?"
He laughed. "Of course! If you need me, I'll fly from Korea to here just to be your shoulder to cry on."
A small smile crept on her lips and then she laughed way too loud. "You almost fooled me." She said and then, "Yanan, you liked Kele a lot."
It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "So?"
"So, do you think any feelings would be coming back? You know, you'll be spending a lot of time with her again. The last time you saw her, you were still pretty much broken about her and Jung Wooseok."
"Which was, what, three years ago? Come on, Elkie, it's been a long time."
"As if feelings go away that easily if they're real." She muttered.
"I don't know. All I know is I'm alright now. My younger self was so angsty." He said laughing and then it dissolved into a nostalgic smile. "But Kele, I don't know, I'll always care about her. She's still my best friend, after all."
Elkie clutched her chest dramatically. "I'm hurt! What about me?" She asked jokingly.
Yanan shook his head smiling. "Of course, you, too. Who said I could only have one best friend? There's Changgu, too."
She rolled her eyes. "So, what makes me special? Kele is your childhood best friend. Changgu is the your first guy best friend. Does buying you food all the time is what makes me special?" she asked grinning.
"You see," He said, chewing the dumpling in his mouth slowly. "You're the one who's always here for me. My go-to."
