Bon-hwa looked at him, concerned. He would never ask to 'talk'.
"Well..?"
"Alright, alright. Well...I'm dating Jin-Ah."
"..Whaaat?!"
Kang -dae sighed, rolling his eyes. However, Bon-Hwa's mouth immediately fell open as a huge grin spread across his face.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVgoquRwOT
"Really?! I never thought you'd have the balls to ask her out! She seems too good for you," he snorted. "How long do ya think it'll last?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7STxpvtWv
Kang -dae frowned deeply. "I didn't come here to talk about that," he muttered.
"So why're you here?"
"I need you to help me."
"Help you how?"
"With...with my love life."
"You have a love life?"
"No shit. That's why I came here asking for advice."
"...So, what's wrong?" Kang-dae sighed, his head hanging low. "My Mom keeps pestering me about Jin-ah. She doesn't like her because she's 'poor'." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXm5DjtNQ9
Bon -Hwa rolled his eyes. "Of course, she wouldn't like her. Don't you know they want you to date a girl like.." He paused, before speaking again. "...Like Bora."
"Shut up. Why is everyone telling me to date a girl like Bora?" Kang -dae threw a nearby pillow at his friend. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ5vA6kV4F
Bon -Hwa jumped in surprise as he covered his head with his arms. "Well, that's your fault! She's always all over you, anyone would think you both are dating. She's considered perfect, in others' eyes."
"I know. I can see how popular she is."
Kang -dae slumped into the sofa next to his friend and buried his face into his hands. He stayed like that for several moments, letting out a deep breath. Then, slowly, he lifted his head and turned to stare directly at his friend.
"I don't know what to do, Bon -Hwa."
The older boy smirked wickedly, crossing his arms. "Well, there's really only one choice. Rebel against your mom, easy. Fight back, harder."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXZqIWxkqe
"But I've always obeyed my parents, I can't just go against her wish."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbRf0glbaI
A look of sadness flashed briefly through his friend's eyes. "I don't know what to tell you, Kang. You know better than anyone not to listen to your mother. You love this girl. Sometimes, you gotta make sacrifices for the people you love."
Kang -dae stared blankly at his friend's expressionless face. He knew what his friend was saying was true. No matter how much he hated being told what to do by his mother, he loved her dearly. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvtBvt1iOb
He knew what she expected him to do, and he knew it wasn't easy. He knew he had to rebel against her wishes if he truly wanted to still be with Jin-ah.
"Okay," he mumbled quietly. "Thanks."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByzv8G70jv
"Anytime buddy," Bon -Hwa replied with a smile.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju08BF4WH9
He was quiet for a moment and stared absentmindedly at the floor, seemingly deep in thought. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83gX8IA4hh
At that moment, Kyong and Do-yun walked into the room, their expressions slightly curious, as they saw Kang -dae's face. Both exchanged curious glances between themselves when they noticed how gloomy the atmosphere had become.
"Hey guys, did you eat yet?" Kyong questioned, trying to change the topic quickly.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPVyyHWQHf
"Hold on, Kyong." Do-yun held his hand up, stopping him. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4V3Dv2DbY
"Kang -dae, don't think I've forgotten about what you did Friday. I'm glad you're talking to Jin-ah. But if you ever do what you did again, you won't live to see another day."
"Actually, we're not talking. We're dating," Kang -dae said with a smirk. Kyong and Do -Yun gawked at each other for a few seconds before glancing back at Kang.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbheHMic8Q7
"Oh really?" Kyong commented dryly. "Didn't notice."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Y8CCWOXN
"Yeah. Really..." Kang-dae muttered, rolling his eyes.
Do-yun sighed and gazed at the floor. The atmosphere suddenly dropped, and silence reigned. Kang-dae could see a hint of pain in Do-yuns eyes, but he refused to acknowledge it.
"I...I need to go," Do-yun whispered, as his voice cracked a bit. He nodded and walked towards the door.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLoMa4NR3A
When he reached the front door, he placed his hand on the handle, but before he left, he glanced at Kang. "Congrats, man."
Kang -dae nodded, feeling a knot forming in his throat. As Do -yun disappeared outside the door, he turned around and leaned against the wall, sliding down so that he sat on the ground. He closed his eyes and rubbed them with his palm.
Bon-hwa chuckled and stood up. "You're so wrong for that , Kang," he stated before heading towards the kitchen, presumably to grab something to snack on.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpY4houRz4
Kang -dae remained silent as he listened to the sound of footsteps disappear. Eventually, Kang-dae decided to get up and leave, before Kyong grabbed his wrist.
As soon as his hand touched the door, he was pulled back and was pushed onto the sofa.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbpLOX2qui
"Kang -dae."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMiORKtFi2
Kyong's gaze softened and he smiled apologetically. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqZB4BQXSw
"Make sure to apologize to him, 'kay? It was stupid of you to do what you did." He took a step closer to him, placing his hands on his shoulders.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtzd4gRZyp
Kang-dae quickly shoved his hands off. " Okay man, getting a little zesty now, aren't we? Get. Off. Me." Kyong sighed and let go of his shoulders.
"Kyong, don't tell Do-yun anything. I'll see you later." Kang-dae waved him off and walked out the apartment door.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMTZqdLS38
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMOkSj7Wnh
~
Do-yun grabbed his bike which was parked next to Bon-hwa's apartment, and sped away from the apartment, towards Jin-ah's apartment. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXaMEPCYeb
He pedaled furiously through the empty streets, while trying his hardest to concentrate on where he was going. He kept looking straight ahead and concentrating on his path. His mind wandered a lot as he drove. As the wind blew against his face, so did the tears falling from his cheeks.
Once he arrived at Jin-ah's apartment building, he stopped his bike, panting slightly. He wiped his with the end of his sleeve. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCa5Wz7zDM
Knocking once, twice, three times on the door, he waited anxiously.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcff7AkrxtP
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Jin opened the door, smiling brightly.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfWiG7OoZS
"Hey, Do-yun."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBmJ73LWOU
She invited and Do -yun hesitated, glancing at the hallway.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVuIqxZwpW
"Do you feel well? Is everything okay?" Jin asked worriedly. Seeing Do -yun's pale face, she stepped aside to allow him to enter her home.
"Are you coming in? I'm kind of cold standing here."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTnbXEPfxb
"Sorry," Do -yun shook his head, forcing a smile as he entered the warm apartment. "It's nothing."
Jin watched as Do -yun took off his shoes, hung his jacket on the coat hanger, then proceeded to walk slowly toward the living room.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUrEjqLmUf
"Do -yun," she called softly, following behind him. "Can I ask what happened? You seem upset." Do-yun widened his eyes, his heart clenching painfully. Then, he dryly chuckled.
"Nothing. I'm fine. Just tired, is all. I have a question." Jin-ah pursed her lips together and looked at him expectantly. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoPZNhnCfi
Do -yun shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXVC3t0o0t
"Are you dating Kang-dae?"
Jin-ah froze for a brief moment before sighing and nodding. His head hung low, as he continued to rub his neck.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTUW6d8wHW
"I guess that answers my question." Jin looked up at Do -yun, puzzled. "How'd you find out?"
Do -yun raised his head and smiled apologetically. "Kang-dae told me." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm0yeYu0iD
Jin-ah nodded slowly. "I didn't think he would tell anyone."
"No. I mean, I knew he liked you," he replied awkwardly. "He never shuts up about you. But he told me that you two are dating."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvUag1x0Bi
Jin-ah gave a light chuckle. "And you think that's bad?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5SQ3jveWx
He shrugged and shook his head. "Not really. Although I wish I hadn't heard it from Kang-dae," he paused. "If he does anything to hurt you, promise me you'll call me immediately."
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Jin-ah nodded. "Sure. Anything else?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZM3Jn4oBe
Do -yun frowned and furrowed his brows. His eyes flicked downwards, before snapping back up to meet Jin-ah's again.
"Do you...love him?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI75KkWwEGj
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