THE LAST NOTE: TINY HEARTS
Title: The Last Note
Genre: Romance {Yaoi}, Drama.
Characters: Yoochun, Junsu, Changmin.
Pairing: Yoochun & Junsu
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: Yoochun is a twenty year old university student whose father owns his school. Being the richest and the best looking, his pursuers compete to beat the number of stars in the sky. However, things change when his popularity starts to decrease significantly one day, and the man finds himself both shocked and jealous.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter Eight: Tiny hearts
“I don’t even remember you doing anything to impress me for the past few days! Do not expect me to accept you with a few sticks of fireworks. That’s so not going to work! Of course you’re rejected!”
Yoochun broke into a grin as he played Junsu’s exact words on repeat in his head until he was quite sure his brain was about to defunct.
“That snarky actor. I’ll make him head over heels with me within two weeks. Wait- Who am I kidding? Of course I’ll definitely take less than that,” Yoochun let out an evil laugh by himself.
“Hyung, are you okay? Why are you mumbling and hooting to yourself?” Changmin asked with a worried tone, not taking his eyes away from his beloved banana split.
“It’s nothing. By the way, do you know what Junsu likes?”
“…No. Why would I? You should know better than me, no?” Changmin said as he scooped another spoon of ice cream into his mouth. His eyes closed dramatically as the dessert melted upon instant contact with his tongue.
“Yah! Is that thing more attractive than me?! Stop eating when your hyung is talking to you!”
“Hyung, THAT THING is ice cream,” The younger boy sighed, clearly disappointed with Yoochun for underestimating food.
“Fine. Just hurry up and finish it. I have an investigation to make.”
Changmin jumped in his seat, spoon still stuck in his mouth. The boy looked up at the older man in astonishment.
“Woah woah woah. The eldest son of the rich Park family has to do research? Now, that’s news!”
He then eyed Yoochun doubtfully, “Professor Kim?”
Yoochun laughed embarrassedly. Sometimes, having a genius for a best friend just wasn’t as appealing as it sounded.
/
Yoochun sighed as the car passed the two hundredth and twenty seventh tree by the road.
“What will Junsu like? Food? No. Why am I thinking of Changmin’s spouse?”
Scanning around his surroundings, Yoochun eyed up the library.
“Books? I bet that nerdy professor is a bookworm. Maybe his passion for books even beats Changmin’s love for food!”
Yoochun paused; something was very wrong with that last statement.
“Stick to reality, Yoochun.”
Rubbing his head in frustration, Yoochun heaved another sigh.
Bae, who was seated just beside Yoochun, heard the vulnerable sigh, “Sir, is there anything I can help you with?”
“I want to get something for my professor. But I have no idea what to get him.”
“It’s teacher’s day?” Bae asked, trying to recall the date, only to realise that it was four months before September.
Yoochun laughed, “No. It’s Junsu. I’m trying to win his heart, which is probably smaller than a dumpling. I can’t believe he wasn’t touched by those fireworks I got you to bring me yesterday! That fellow is obviously playing hard-to-get!”
“I am sure Professor Kim is worth the effort, sir.”
Yoochun thought carefully as Bae's words possessed in his mind, “Yeah…” The image of Junsu sleeping on his shoulder suddenly came into view. A smile then slowly stretched across Yoochun’s handsome face as he nodded in quiet agreement, “Yeah, he is.”
“Does the basketball match you two went together suggests anything?”
Yoochun contemplated for a moment before exclaiming, jolting both Bae and the chauffer, “OH! RIGHT! The basketball match!"
“I do not like it. I love it! I love soccer too!”
“Should I bring him to a soccer match then? OH WAIT. NO. I might have to wear a golden jersey this time.”
“Perhaps I can construct a basketball court in his house? Nah, I don’t think he’ll even let me go near his house.”
Scratching his head, Yoochun fished for more ideas, “Oh. I could buy him a basketball or a soccer ball… A limited edition one maybe!”
“And maybe... he’ll like a PSP with basketball and soccer games too?”
Yoochun scrupulously made a list of presents and penned them down neatly on a notepad. Feeling pleased with himself, he smirked. Junsu was definitely his.
/
“Woah! What’s this?” Junsu asked.
“You can open it,” Yoochun winked with a twinkle in his eye.’
Junsu blushed ferociously and tugged at the ribbon, heart beating in anticipation. After what seemed like a million years, the cover finally came off.
A soft gasp escaped Junsu’s lips as the unbelievable presents came into sight.
“Yoochun…” The touched man murmured with tears threatening to fall.
Yoochun stood straight with his hands on his waist and grinned smugly, “Like them?”
“Yes! Yes I love them!” Junsu leaped and threw himself towards Yoochun. “I love you Chunnie!”
Brushing his hair back proudly, Yoochun grinned, “You can say that again baby!”
“Err sure. Young master, we’re home.”
Yoochun nodded dreamily with a besotted grin on his face. Shaking his mind clear, he turned towards the concerned assistant.
“Bae, can you help me buy a few things?”
“Sure.”
“Here. Make sure you get everything right!” Yoochun passed his list to Bae, holding the grown-up’s hand while emphasizing the importance of the gifts.
“When do you need them by, sir?”
“Is tonight possible?”
“Definitely.” With Yoochun’s jumbo jet, cruise, yatch, and other personalised FedEx services, when had time ever be a problem?
/
“Come in!” Yoochun shouted without looking up from his laptop.
“Good evening sir, I’ve got the things you asked for,” Bae stood by the door with a smart smile, signalling somebody to enter Yoochun’s room.
The room owner looked up to see the housemaid pushing a trolley filled to the brim into his room. Rolling to the side of his bed, Yoochun jumped from the divan and ran towards the cart. He shouted a quick thank you to Bae while the two employees took their leaves.
Yoochun pulled the trolley beside his bed and sat down to admire the prepared gifts. Running his hand over the goodies, Yoochun fingers stopped on a leather basketball. He picked the dark brown ball and spun it swiftly on his finger.
“Isn’t this Michael Jordon’s signature? OH GOD. THIS IS HIS BALL!” For a second Yoochun thought of keeping the ball to himself. Michael Jordon was his all-time favourite and he figured that he was a bigger fan of Jordon than Junsu. Junsu could keep to his… red jersey people.
Upon pondering, he changed his mind again, “If I win Junsu’s heart, whatever belongs to him will belong to me too!” Yoochun laughed, amazed by his own’s wits and picturing how happy Junsu and he would look together.
Yoochun then caught eye of a striking red soccer ball. A bolded number ten was printed on its surface. Surrounding the number were signatures of soccer legends who sported the jersey number ten. The satisfied man gave the red ball a hearty pat, pleased that there was even something to go with Junsu’s ang pow jersey.
Throwing the balls onto his bed behind him, Yoochun noticed a brand new blue Wii in the cart. There were also stacks of disks and numerous Wii accessories. Yoochun ran through the disks as his heart yearned to try them out. He pushed the cart aside and laid back onto his bed.
“No wonder he rejected me! I’m being cheated!" Yoochun accused, pointing at the poster of Junsu on his ceiling; something a fangirl in school had given to him by mistake but was very much of Yoochun’s pleasure anyway, especially at night before he slept. Pouting, Yoochun rose his fist at the picture, “You knew I’d buy these stuffs for you!”
With a chuckle, Junsu opened Yoochun’s fist and retrieved the ring from within, “As for now, I’m going to keep this. If you do not manage to win my heart in two weeks, I’ll sell it.”
Yoochun’s fist opened into a loose palm, his fingers seemingly stroking Junsu’s printed face divided by air. He then drew back his hand suddenly, “Yoochun! Get a hold of yourself! You’re molesting a poster.”
/
The next day at school, Yoochun went to look for Junsu during the lunch break.
“Hey!” Yoochun tapped at Junsu’s back, looking around before whispering, “Can I call you Junsu here?”
“Hello Yoochun. In school, I’m a professor, alone or not,” Junsu replied nonchalantly as he continued to sort out his files. He didn’t look up to the awaiting man. Junsu had been hiding the wide smile he had on his face ever since Yoochun entered his office.
“You know what, I don’t really care. After all, you’re MY professor. So Junsu! Can you come to the basement car park after school?”
Junsu’s grin widened upon hearing his own name. He knew Yoochun loved his name, and hated having to greet him formally. However, he kept his head low. Ignoring Yoochun’s excitement like how the other had ignored his instruction, Junsu shook his head mischievously.
“I’m sure I’ll be busy.”
“Too bad. You have to come. Otherwise I’m going to broadcast to the whole school about wooing you!” He then dashed out of Junsu’s office before the professor could protest.
Junsu giggled to himself as he continued to pack his things.
/
Right when the bell marked the end of school, Yoochun sprinted to the car park to prepare his surprise for Junsu. Bae had already loaded the big present into Yoochun’s car boot before leaving, for the young master had requested to be alone. The black box was nicely tied up with a pretty red ribbon, like how Yoochun instructed for it to be. It looked just like any typical gift box, overlooking the size of the present that was.
After placing the box behind his car, Yoochun leaned suavely on the vehicle. Hoping to look his best when Junsu came, he even checked his hairand and prayed mint breath refresher every minute until he almost choked.
Finally the highly anticipated figure appeared at the entrance of the car park.
“Junsu! Over here!” Yoochun called out to the lost man. He had to put down the urge to run over and hug the professor as Junsu walked towards him.
“Yoochun, why are posing against your car?”
Yoochun immediately straightened himself, “I wasn’t posing! I was just leaning because I was tired!” Yes Yoochun, continue denying.
“Right. So, what is it that you wanted to show me?”
“It’s a surprise!”
Junsu tried his best to hide his smile, “If it’s the corny open-the-car-boots-and-pretty-balloons-pop-out kind of thing, I’m going to laugh at you.”
He then laughed upon seeing Yoochun’s jaws drop.
“Please don’t tell me that was what you did.”
Yoochun walked over to the car boot and opened it. The balloons flew out beautifully like how he wanted them to. But he wasn’t as proud of them anymore. “But they aren’t ordinary balloons!”
“Why? Because they contain helium?” Junsu asked as he watched a balloon floated pass him.
“No… Fine, that’s just one of the reasons! I have them spelt your name! Don’t you like it?”
Junsu grinned awide when he noticed the big letters on the balloons. “My grandmother would really be proud of you to prepare a surprise of her generation. But I’ll forgive you since they have my holy name on them. Now what?”
Yoochun smiled and quickly untied the balloons. Tying them to a plastic disc, he handed them to Junsu.
“See this disk? It has the letters Y and S on it. It represents Yoosu!” Grinning smugly, Yoochun marvelled himself for coming up with such brilliant ideas.
“Yoosu?”
“Yeah. Yoo plus Su. You know, Yoochun and Junsu?”
“Oh,” was all Junsu said before he started to blush.
“That’s not all! Come here!”
Yoochun held Junsu’s hand and pulled him to the back of his car. A smile tugged at Yoochun’s face when he realised that Junsu had his ring on.
“Tada!”
“What the heck is this?!”
“Open it!”
Without much effort, Junsu untied the ribbon. Yoochun prepared himself for his illusory fairytale scene as Junsu lifted the lid of the humongous gift box.
“What is this?!” Junsu exclaimed while picking up the basketball.
“It’s a cookie,” Yoochun replied sarcastically. “Isn't it obvious? They are autographed balls. Both are limited!”
“Gosh! This soccer ball is signed by soccer players who have the jersey number ten! It’s my favourite number!”
Yoochun mentally took note of Junsu’s favourite number and smiled contentedly at Junsu’s excitement.
The agitated man was incited no less when he saw the thick stacks of Wii games and all the accessories and consoles. However, his excitement seemed to go astray as he stood up to face Yoochun.
Yoochun's eyes widened as he found himself face to face with Junsu, “Oh my god, is he going to kiss me now!”
Unfortunately, things weren't exactly how Yoochun thought them to be. “Thank you Yoochun, but I don’t think I can accept your gifts. They are way too expensive.”
“WHAT?! I mean, why not? Just accept them, please?”
“Yoochun, don’t spend so much money on me anymore. Money isn’t everything. Sometimes, one heart is worth more than ten diamond rings.” With that, Junsu walked away disappointedly.
/
“Hello, Hyung!” Changmin’s cheerful voice blasted through the earpiece.
“Changmin. I have something to ask you.”
“Professor Kim?”
“Yes genius. He rejected me.”
“Wow. He actually rejected our school’s all-time favourite?”
“Not only that, he rejected all my gifts!”
“Interesting… According to my records, no one has ever declined any gift from you. Your presents are always so expensive.”
“Exactly! He said something about one heart being worth more than ten diamond rings. I didn’t even give him ten diamond rings! Should I order a pig’s heart from my butcher? Or sheep’s heart maybe?”
“Does this man have brains or what?!” Changmin pulled his phone back and stared at it in disbelief before replying the asinine man, “That’s how geniuses think, hyung. Like me, Professor Kim prefers gifts that come from the heart than from spending a lot of money.”
“Really? Then do you still want the log cake specially imported from France that costs a bomb?”
“YES. Hyung, do not joke about my food just to make me admit my mistake or I will sever all ties with you.”
Yoochun laughed over the phone, “Fine. So what am I supposed to give him now?”
“You really should think about it yourself. He wants something as worthy as your heart. Make your love valuable hyung, not your gifts.”
After hanging up, Yoochun raked his brains to think of something he could make for Junsu. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. He hurriedly ran out of his room to find the things he needed. With the help of his efficient helper Bae, Yoochun managed to gather all the materials.
Soon, he was all settled on his bed to begin his very first hand-made gift. He didn’t know how things would turn out, but at least he knew this came from his heart.
/
“Junsu, take this!” Yoochun stuffed the glass tubing into the receiver’s hands before turning to run away. Before Junsu could stop the man, Yoochun quickly turned back again and placed a light peck on his cheeks, “Open them when you’re alone!” He then dashed away covering his burning red face, leaving behind a confused Junsu.
Junsu giggled at the irony and stared at the running man before looking down at the long tube. It was filled with folded paper hearts of all colours. Holding it with extra care, Junsu made his way home where he could analysed his new gift.
Right at the opening of the tube was a little purple note: Only Kim Junsu should be allowed to uncover these hearts as he is the only one with the key to my heart. Intruders please keep away or prepare yourselves for self destruction in three seconds.
Junsu laughed. Yoochun was so childlike and protective, just the way Junsu liked him. Pouring the hearts onto his bed, Junsu lay them side by side in order. He took the first paper heart and opened it, reading the message within.
‘Seventeen hearts to make Junsu mine for seventeen centuries.’
The embarrassed man giggled and folded the heart back, picking up the second one.
‘I bet Junsu’s parents were thieves. They stole the stars and put them in his eyes.’
Junsu bit his lips and refrained from laughing out loud, “He’s so cheesy!”
‘Junsu is a thief too. Cupid told me that my heart was stolen by him.’
‘Hey robber! You better keep my heart safe with you!’
‘Because if my heart stops beating, I’ll never get the chance to arrest you myself.’
‘When I arrest you, I’ll lock you in MY heart and never let you out again.’
One by one, Junsu unfolded all the hearts, occasionally smiling to himself at Yoochun’s trashy lines.
‘You know what? I’m a thief too.’
‘I wanted to reach out and hold a star for every time you've made me smile.’
‘But in the end I stole the whole sky in the palm of my hand.’
‘See? Our world is full of bad guys.’
‘If you were mine So when you become mine, I’ll have to make your status known to the whole world, lest some bad guy comes stealing you from me.’
Junsu chuckled at the strike-out words, Yoochun was determined.
‘If you were a star, I’ll migrate to the galaxy.’
‘If you were an angel, I’ll never report to heaven about their lost.’
‘If you were a teardrop, I’ll never cry for fear of losing you.’
‘If you were a dictionary, my life would be full of meanings.’
‘The last definition I read on was . Guess what the dictionary said?’
Finally, Junsu opened the heart right at the end.
‘Kim Junsu: I Love You’
Junsu’s heart stopped as the last message. Tears began to well up in his eyes. As greasy as the messages were, they made Junsu understand how much Yoochun loved him. Reaching into his bedside drawer, Junsu took out a packet of origami paper.
/
“Park Yoochun!” Junsu called out just before Yoochun entered his limousine.
“Hey baby!” Yoochun made sure that there weren’t anybody around to hear his love call.
“Take these,” Junsu disregarded his new pet name and handed Yoochun a handful of paper hearts, similar to those Yoochun had given him. The recipient blinked in confusion and cupped those hearts in both hands in midst of trying not to drop any.
Right before Junsu could withdraw his hands, Yoochun caught them and grasped them together with all the paper hearts, “Do these hearts have messages in them as well?”
“Nope,” Junsu shook his head.
“You’re so uncreative. What am I supposed to do with them then?”
Junsu pulled his hands away from Yoochun clench and put them behind his back. With an angelic smile, he answered, “I don’t know.”
Yoochun pouted before looking down at his palm-filled of hearts. He mentally counted the paper hearts, only to have his pout deepened at the end of the calculation.
“Yah! You even gave me less! I gave you seventeen hearts. There’re only sixteen here! You big bad swindler! Give me my heart!”
“I don’t want to,” Junsu folded his arms with a pout comparable to Yoochun.
“What?! You…”
“It took me so much effort to steal your heart. No way am I returning it to you!”
Yoochun jaw dived, “Huh?”
The paper hearts in Yoochun’s hands fell onto the ground in isolation while his eyes continued to look at Junsu. A confused expression played on his face as he tried to grasp Junsu’s words.
The wind was now starting to tow at the fallen hearts. Yoochun saw the light weighted paper hearts being blown away from his side and panicked, bending immediately to pick up them up.
However Junsu calmly smiled and gripped onto Yoochun’s hand before the other moved. He then brought Yoochun’s palm up to his chest, “Can you feel it? I’m safeguarding your heart in here. You’ll never lose it.”
Yoochun’s disorientation and perplexity cleared away. A billion imaginary hearts seemed to be surrounding both of them while the gentle wind blew low. Pulling Junsu into an embrace, he smiled, “Now, do I get to keep your heart too?"