Youth With You - Lisa Manoban x Female Reader (Short Story)

III

October 28, 2017

It wasn't exactly a great day today. I got scolded by Ms. Manoban. But I deserve it tho since I arrived an hour and a half late in class. On my defense, it wasn't my intention to be late. It just happened that I had to accompany eomma at the hospital. I know Ms. Manoban deserves to know that but I don't want to come off as someone making up an excuse to get away with their wrongdoings, specially when my classmates are listening as well. So in the end, I had to stay a little bit later than everyone else, even later than Ms. Manoban. I cleaned the whole studio where we train. Ms. Manoban didn't agree to it at first but I told her that it's okay and it's my way of apologizing for being late.

When I got home, everyone were silent. When I say everyone, I meant eomma and appa. They were just sitting in the dining room with tears streaming down their faces. I walked up to eomma and hugged her tightly, tears slowly falling down on my face as well. I hugged her tightly and told her that it's gonna be alright. That we'll get through it together. I need to be strong for them. I need to be strong for eomma and appa.

This too shall pass.

Lisa's POV

"Kim Taesoo?" I said out loud, waiting for a response. When I heard the owner of the name stated that he's present, I marked it down on the clipboard in my hands. I am currently checking the attendance of my students. It may sound old fashioned for others but I like to keep track of my students' records.

"Park Y/N?" Saying her name made me smile for reasons that I don't know. I just feel really comfortable with her and I know that we have already established a connection. Her confession a month back really took me off guard. I wasn't able to respond to her but she said that it was okay. She just really wanted to let me know.

If I'm being honest, I still don't know how to respond to that. I mean, I know that Y/N is indeed a special person for me but I don't think that I see her that way. But what makes me confused is as to why I am so bothered by it. It was just a crush confession. A simple crush. Admiration. I don't know why I am acting as if she already confessed her love for me.

Aish. Why am I even talking to myself?

"Park Y/N?" I said her name once again. When I looked up, the smile that was previously painted on my face was replaced with a frown. Y/N isn't here.

So then, I started the class without the certain girl that has caught my attention since the beginning.

Class today was better than expected. I mean, the other students weren't being their usual bitchy selves. They were obedient for once. That is why, I was able to teach them a couple of things with no difficulty.

"Okay, from the top." I commanded and they stood on their positions at the beginning of this routine.

"One. Two. Three and Four. Five. Six. Se—" I was cut off when the door opened, revealing the girl that I have been looking for.

She entered with this shy and embarrassed look on her face. Y/N remained standing by the door as I decided to continue counting. Even so, I kept glancing back at her only to see her head hanging low and her foot tapping on the wooden floor. This is something that I have come learn about her. She does this whenever she's embarrassed and nervous.

"Okay stop. We'll take 5." I stated and saw how the students scramble off of their positions and directly went on their seats.

Y/N must have heard it cause she lifted her head up and looked at me. I just stood near the speakers with my hands on my back. Silently telling Y/N to explain.

I watched how Y/N dragged herself towards me and bowed.

"Mianhae, Ms. Manoban."

"This has never happened before, Y/N. So tell me. What's the reason?" She remained silent.

"I would let you know that one thing that I also value the most is responsibility. If you can't come to class, then you better tell me beforehand. I don't like it when students or just people in general don't show up without any heads up." I can't help but scold her. She has never done this. And, she made me worried.

Y/N looked at me for a second then turned her head towards her classmates' direction. I followed it with my eyes and saw that the other students are listening.

"Ah. That. Ms. Manoban. I'm sorry. I promise that this would not happen again. I'm really really sorry." I looked back at her and tilted my head wondering why she won't tell me the reason. But when she looked at her classmates again, I understood why. She didn't want to be accused of just making up excuses. I should know because I'm like that too. I don't want people to think that I'm just trying to get away with what I have done so I just don't tell the reasons behind those things.

"I'm really sorry. I would just stay late so that I could clean the studio up." Y/N bowed again and turned away from me.

"Wait." I watched how she looked back at me.

"You don't have to do that. We have utility here and I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

I tried to reason out to her. But she just gave me that smile, that smile that I have wished to always see the moment I first saw her smile at me. And for another unknown reason, I love it when she smiles at me.

"It's okay, Ms. Manoban. It's my way of apologizing for my wrong behavior." And with that, she walked away and prepared herself.

•••

I have already dismissed the class and now, only four students are left inside the studio, one of them is Y/N.

From where I was seated, which was at the floor, I watched how Y/N look at her three classmates with longing in her eyes. Those three are known as the best of friends in my class. Dam Bi, Soo Hyang, and Kang, are also three of the greatest dancers in my class.

"We're heading now, Ms. Manoban. Thank you." Dam Bi, the eldest, bowed down along with her other two best friends. I said by good bye and they left the door, leaving Y/N and I alone.

I smiled and stood up from the floor. I approached Y/N who is now getting ready to clean the whole area.

"Not to be rude or nosey, but I noticed that you haven't made friends here in class."

Y/N looked at me and smiled.

"Aniyo. I have a friend."

Looking at her with confusion since I don't see her talking to anyone, she chuckled and spoke once again. "You. You're my friend, Lisa eonnie."

Simple sentence yet it made me so happy. Probably because Y/N considers me as her friend. Also probably because Y/N is the type of friend that I never had. Someone who is not afraid to say what they feel. Someone who makes you feel your own worth. And someone who appreciates me. Y/N is they type of friend that I have always dreamed of.

"You're my friend, right?" She questioned when I didn't answer. But that's only because I'm feeling overwhelmed and happy inside.

"Yes. Of course I am." I smiled at her and we just stared at each other's eyes.

"But, why didn't you make more friends? The more the merrier right?"

She smiled once again. I swear, this girl would never stop smiling.

"That's because I don't want to get too attached. I'm afraid they'd leave me."

"Since I am your friend, that means you're attached to me. Right?" She nodded.

"Then why did you let yourself get attached to me? Not that I am complaining tho." I ended with a laugh.

She just looked at me in the eyes and smiled one more time. "That's because I know that you won't leave me. And no matter how hard I tried, I can't fight the strong feeling that's pulling me towards you. So here I am, attached to you." And with that, she walked away and started cleaning.

She walked away not knowing how those words affected me. I was left there standing alone with a fast beating heart and warm cheeks.

Y/N, you're really one of a kind.