Do You Love Me Like The Way I Love You? || SF9

Episode 31: Blind For Love

(Author's Note: Sorry that I haven't been able to update lately... 😰 I've been really busy with Spring Quarter these days that I can't really seem to find the time to update my fanfics. I sincerely apologize for being late on my updates... 🙇🏻‍♀️ *bows*)

(Also congrats to SF9 for getting their first win for Good Guy! 🤗❤️🥺

I know I'm late with the news, but better late than never, right? )

Youngja's POV
Taeyoon, Remi, and I walked out of The Flying Lotus restaurant. I wasn't in much of a panic mode after being told numerous times by my co-workers that everything will be alright and that I shouldn't worry about anything.

"Youngja,"Remi-ssi stated looking at me directly in the eye. "Why were you so anxious a while ago? Is something wrong?"

"Rumi," I started, hesitant to tell her about my missing MP3 Player. "It's nothing..." I stated, under my breath.

"Oh, it most certainly is something!" exclaimed Taeyoon as he pointed at me. His face was flushed with a bright tomato red. His words were slow and slurred. He had drunk around five glasses of soju tonight and was clearly high on alcohol. "Youngja," he continued, pointing at me once again. He approached me, his poor balance making him stumble and be all wobbly upon his feet. He turned to face me, still all wobbly. He walked like a penguin on ice, and I just couldn't help but laugh. "Don't be hiding things, little girl!" Taeyoon put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a playful embrace.

"Yah!" Remi yelled. "Taeyoon, how many glasses of soju did you have?!"

"Does it matter?" Taeyoon stated, his words slurring due to his drunken state. Remi rolled her eyes directly at him, definitely annoyed by his behavior. I watched as Taeyoon came over to me. "Yah, Lee Youngja!" he started again, placing his heavy arms upon my shoulders. "Do you like someone?" Taeyoon appeared to be sincere with his question, but because he was drunk, I couldn't help myself but to ignore what he said.

"Yah! Taeyoon-ah, really, how many glasses of soju did you have?" Remi asked, followed by a tiny, yet nervous giggle. "Let's get you home, 'kay?" Putting a hand on Taeyoon's shoulder, she started heading in the direction of a nearby bus stop. "Oh!" Remi turned around to face me. "Are you sure you'll be alright walking home alone, Youngja-ssi?"

Remi was right, it certainly was getting dark outside. Well, of course, it was dark. After all, it's already around 10 PM. Minjun oppa will definitely be mad at me for being out this late. Assuring Remi that I'll be alright, she looked at me, concerned. With hesitation, she turned back around and helped walk Taeyoon to the bus.

"Alright..." I glimpsed over at all of my surroundings. There was barely a soul in sight, except for a few people and a few cars here and there. Starting to feel a bit fearful, I tried my best to stay close to the streetlights, in order to be visible in case there's a lingering danger close by. "Okay, I should be home soon..." I said to myself as I approached Jung Elementary School, which isn't too far away from my house.

Wait! What's that?

I heard something rustle around in the bushes. I hope it's just a cat... With a gulp, I continued to walk past the elementary school. However, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks.

Isn't that Jihye?

"What is she doing out here so late at night?" I asked myself as I checked my phone. It was almost 12 AM. Minjun Oppa is sure to be mad the time I get home. But right before I tried to walk any further, an arm pulled me behind that rustling bush. I tried to scream for help, but a hand quickly covered my mouth.

"Shh! Don't worry I mean no harm!" the owner of that arm whispered as he tried his best to calm me down. "Just stay here..."

"Wait... Who are you?" I asked the young man sitting next to me.

"Name's Hyunbin... I came here looking for my sister..."

"Oh! Hyunbin?" I stared at the young man. I haven't seen him in a while. The boy I had liked all those years ago.

"Yeah, it's me..." Hyunbin stated. "I can recognize you anywhere, Youngja..." He chuckled a bit and put his index finger to his lips, signaling me to be silent.

"Wait... What's going on?"

From the corner of my eye, I could see Jihye and some older boy kissing.

Hyunbin was silent, unable to even speak. In the dim light, he looked rather distraught, if not shocked. He must be startled knowing that Jihye might be seeing someone. "Hyunbin, are you alright?" I asked of him, gently tapping him upon his arm.

He didn't say anything and walked off, leaving me behind the bush, in the dark.

"Hyunbin Oppa?" I heard Jihye whisper as she and the boy stopped kissing. She turned to face her older brother, the boy doing the same.

Hyunbin glimpsed up at her, tears trailing down his face.

Jiho's POV
Hours before his encounter with Hwiyoung, Jiho is at the Bingo Entertainment male trainee dorm. He laid there on top of his bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling above him. Having a lot on his mind, he sighs.

"Yah! Park Jiho, what's wrong?" our group leader Daehyun hyung questioned of me, gingerly placing an arm on my shoulder. "Don't tell me... Is it about Jihye?"

"And? So what if it is?" I snapped back. Jihye has been through enough, and yet some random idol dude decides he wants to ruin his whole career and be with her. Of course, there would be rumors floating around SNS about the two. I just wanted to make sure Jihye would stop being the subject to those rumors and bullying.

"Then..." our maknae James stated. "Hyung, you should talk to her... Well if you can..."

"He's not wrong..." Daehyun hyung stated. "Don't worry, we'll try our best to cover for you. Go and talk to her! Fighting!"

Annoyed, I eventually heeded to their advice and walked along the sidewalk.

Here goes nothing...

Jihye, I hope you're ok.

I hope you don't hate me.