Not So Much of a Fairy Tale (Chapter 23): The Operation SeoKyu Part 1
“Yuri-unnie! I must go now,” Seohyun said while she tried putting her other shoe while walking. shriek
“It’s still so early, why are you rushing?” Yuri asked when she saw her.
“I have to be at the subway by 1 PM KST or else,” Seohyun paused and did the hand-slashing-neck motion. She did not want to be punished again. Seohyun finally succeeded on putting her other shoe on so she walked briskly towards the door when Yuri asked her another question.
“What is KST? Korea Standard Time?”
“No. Kyuhyun Standard Time. Bye, unnie,” Seohyun bid goodbye to her unnie and left the apartment almost half-running.
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Seohyun arrived at the subway terminal. It was weekend so there were many people. On every counter, the queue was already long. She chose to wait by the entrance so that she could easily see the people who would arrive. After several minutes, the man that she had been waiting for arrived.
“You are early today,” he said. He looked at his watch. “It’s only 12:55. Afraid of the punishment, aren’t you?” He smirked as he walked past her and proceeded to one of the counters which had the shortest line. Seohyun followed him.
“Where are we going?” She asked him but he just told her to wait and see. After patiently waiting for their turn, they finally had their train passes. Luckily for them, as soon as they stepped on the platform, the train arrived. As expected, the train was packed of commuters that it was difficult for them that it was difficult for them to enter. They had to squeeze through that sea of people to be able to find a space for them. But the problem did not end there. Seohyun could not count anymore the number of times someone bumped into her and vice versa. Then someone accidentally elbowed her abdomen.
“Ouch,” she grunted. It was quite painful.
“Are you okay?” Kyuhyun asked.
“I was just accidentally hit by someone. Don’t worry, I am fine.” Seohyun answered. However, Kyuhyun did not believe her words for he could see the grimace on her face so he put his arm around her back and held her close to him. “Stand closer to me so that you won’t get squashed.”
Seohyun’s heart was pounding very fast against her chest. She began to wonder if Kyuhyun could feel her heartbeat too since they stood close to each other. They stayed that way until the end of the ride.
“Apgujeong station,” The female announcer said as the train slowed to a stop.
“We’re here already.” Kyuhyun said to her as he eased back.
“Finally,” Seohyun said to herself. She was starting to lose her breath and she felt like she was going to have a heart attack soon. Then they rode a taxi.
“To Dosan Park please.” Kyuhyun told the taxi driver. “What are you planning?” Seohyun asked, thinking that he must be up to something again. The last time they went to a park, Kyuhyun turned her into a servant. She looked at him distrustfully.
“Relax,” he laughed at her expression. “I am going to treat you today. Remember, I have promised you before that I would treat you if you cooked another dukbokki. Well, this is it. We are going to eat somewhere”
“You are not going to deduct this from my salary, are you? You know, just like the last time you brought me to an expensive restaurant.” Seohyun asked still skeptical. She remembered the time they ate together after Kyuhyun’s painting session at Seoul Plaza.
“I’m not gonna do anything like that, okay. Can you just believe me?” He answered, slightly frustrated. “I am going to deduct it and cancel the treat if you arrived late today but unfortunately, you’re early. We are just going to eat and then…”
“And then…” She asked curiously.
“Then…uhm… whatever you want.”
“You said it.”
After minutes of driving, the taxi pulled over the side of Dosan Park and opposite it was the Neurige Geotgi Restaurant with exterior walls painted brown and several glass windows that reached up to the ceiling. They entered the restaurant and Seohyun instantly fell in love with its serene atmosphere. They took a seat beside the window because Seohyun wanted to enjoy the view outside. She loved watching Ginko trees on the opposite road sway their branches and its leaves danced through the rhythm of the gentle wind that blew passed them.
“Because I think you are a health-conscious person, so I chose this place. It only serves “slow food” and uses only fresh and organic ingredients in their food. No preservatives.” Kyuhyun said.
After they have eaten heartily, they went to a park across the street and this was where they met two ladies who offered them movie tickets for free. They said that something emergency happened and because of that, they won’t be able to catch the movie. However, they have already bought tickets. It would be a waste if nobody would use it so they decided that they would give them to the first two persons that they would see in the park. Fortunately, the two ladies spotted them.
“Special screening of the movie ‘Beastly’,” Kyuhyun read the ticket after the two left. He took a look at the back and there was a short description of the movie: A modern-day spin-off of the traditional tale of Beauty and the Beast.
“Another nonsense chick flick,” he thought. He looked at Seohyun who had her eyes on the ticket.
“Can we go?” she looked at her with pleading eyes. Kyuhyun almost forgot he was with a fairytale fanatic. “Please…” she added this time a pout.
“Your aegyo doesn’t work. It’s annoying,” Kyuhyun told her poking lightly the bridge of her nose. But it was the total opposite of what he’s feeling. Her aegyo was definitely affecting him. He kept his eyes off her and he repeatedly reminded himself that he would not give in. Kyuhyun, you are not giving in. You should not give in.
“No,“ Kyuhyun said firmly. “I do not want to bore myself with those girly flicks. Why did they just give us tickets for an action movie or a sports flick? I will enjoy it more. It’s just my luck, then. Let’s go somewhere instead.” Kyuhyun started to walk away but Seohyun grabbed his hand. “You said you are gonna treat me. You said that we will do whatever I want." Seohyun scowled at him. "I want to watch this movie so you are going with me.” Seohyun smiled devilishly and dragged him to the opposite road.
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Unknown from Seohyun and Kyuhyun, Yuri and Yesung was just hiding behind the statue monument and they were watching the whole scene. When the two bickering couple was out of sight, the two spies came out of their hiding place. Looking at their outfit, they were like modern ninjas. Black caps… black shirts… black pants. Good thing the weather was cool or else they would be perspiring profusely now.
“Argh! My body hurts from pushing people toward Seohyun and Kyuhyun in the train,” Yesung said while massaging his shoulder. “You should at least give me a massage,” he told Yuri.
“A massage?” She rashly pressed on to his shoulders which caused the other to whimper in pain. “Ah, never mind,” he pushed Yuri’s hand away from his shoulders.
From the center of the park they sauntered to the walking trail lined with lush green trees that circled around the park. “Where did you get those movie tickets?” Yesung asked her. “I am planning to invite Seohyun to watch a movie, you know girl’s day out. I know she will like that movie.” Yuri replied.
“Why did you not invite me instead?” Yesung whispered to himself.
“Are you saying something?” Yuri asked. She heard him saying something but she could not make it out.
“None.”
Flashback
“So what is your next plan?” Yesung asked Yuri. They were crouching behind the bush in front of the restaurant where the two were eating. Yuri pulled out from her pocket two movie tickets. “We will make a way for these tickets to get into their hands.”
“How?” Yesung asked. “Just watch,” Yuri scooted to the two ladies who just went out of the restaurant while the male was left behind watching Yuri talk to the ladies, wondering what the heck her scheme was.
He saw her bow thankfully to the ladies after handing the tickets to them. Then he saw her walking towards him, beaming. “I did it.”
“What did you do?”
“I used my charms to convince them to give it to Seohyun and Kyuhyun in every possible way they can. Gosh, I am so great I deserve a high-five,” she said raising her hand. Yesung acted like he was going to give her a high-five but as usual, Yesung made fun of her again.
“Yah, stop doing that!” Yuri protested as she punched his arm.
End of flashback
The awkwardness in the air increased between them as they strolled around the park. They felt like they were the odd ones there because anywhere they looked, love was on the air. There were couples holding hands. They were some who immersed in their own world exchanging sweet nothings to each other while some were doing corny and sometimes crazy and weird love signs. They both cringed when they saw an ahjumma and ahjussi shooting love guns to each other.
“I do not know if you still have the appetite for this but I prepared bento for us,” Yuri said getting the bento box wrapped in silky blue cloth from her bag.
“WOAH!!! My stomach is actually grumbling.” Yesung sniffed the bento box. “Smells delicious. Let’s eat.”
They looked for a place where they could eat but all the benches were already occupied by couples spending their lazy afternoon there so they had no choice but to sit under the trees at the side of trail. Yuri unwrapped the cloth and opened the bento box which contained Korean pancakes, japchae, spicy sweet chicken, and steamed sweet potatoes.
“You really prepared for this, huh. I hope this won’t make my stomach upset.” Yesung jokingly said to her. Yesung was already picked up his chopsticks and started eating his own share of food while Yuri was just watching him. She looked around them, romance still was everywhere. She gazed back at Yesung who was obviously enjoying the food. “Masshiseoyo,” Yesung said, his mouth full of food.
“Why does everyone seem to be in love except for us?” Yuri blurted out.
“I… can be your boyfriend if you want to.” Yesung said in a sort of casual way. Yuri was shocked.
“You are offering yourself to be my boyfriend. Am I hearing it right?” Yuri asked looking straight in his eyes. A whirlwind of emotions were stirring up in her heart. Was he trying to confess to her? Knowing Yesung, he must be probably kidding. He must be saying it out of hand. But if he was indeed serious, she would say yes immediately. “Are you serious?”
“Di-did I say that?” Yesung replied. He must have said his thoughts loud. He guessed this was the time. He inhaled deeply and mustered his courage to say what was hidden in his heart for a long time.
“Yuri, I-“
“Yesung-oppa!”
A girl’s voice called his name. Yesung stood up to search for her. Could she be his fan? “He’s starting to become popular,” he smugly thought to himself. But a part of him said that this was not the time to entertain some fans. He’s making his confession here. He ignored whoever it was and tried to say his confession as fast as he could. Three words. Just let him say those three words.
“I l-“
Once again, fate forbade him. He suddenly felt a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Yuri’s mouth dropped at the sight of the girl who had just backhugged Yesung. Just when she thought he was going to confess to her, this girl appeared out of the blue and ruined it.
“Oppa! I miss you so much!” The girl said in English and she was pretty good. From the way she said it, it looked like she grew up or spend some time in America. Yuri looked at her from head to toe sizing her up. Is she his ex-girlfriend but she looked much younger, perhaps even younger than Seohyun.
“I did not expect you to be here,” the girl said, this time in Korean.
“So do I,” Yesung replied looking as baffled as Yuri. “Who are you?” Yesung asked the same question that Yuri wanted to ask.
Who is she?
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End of Chapter 23