The Last Note: Runaway
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.
A/N: Sorry for this super late update! D8 And yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Christmas is around the cornerrrr~! *hops around*
EDIT} HeartyDee/ HeartyIce(productionsite) has made a trailer for The Last Note! *swoons over the beautiful trailer* See it HERE. 8D TY for the trailer! <3
Prologue
1: Begin
2: Under the Abrupt Stop
3: The Lost Apology
4: The Last Run
5: Hero
6: Extra Attitude
7: Stars and Fireworks
8: Tiny Hearts
9: Only You
Chapter 10: Runaway
“BABY!” Yoochun’s voice bombarded the room as the delighted peacock trotted into the lecture theatre.
The professor’s eyes widened at shock as he saw the man approaching himself. Taking a glance at the puzzled students in their seats, Junsu noticed how some fangirls were already starting to fidget anxiously.
Stepping onto the lecture platform, Yoochun puckered his lips for a kiss but the agile teacher swiftly pulled him aside. Covering Yoochun’s mouth with a hand, Junsu whispered urgently, “Yoochun! We’re in school!”
The unconcerned man chuckled and took the opportunity to kiss Junsu’s palm before pulling it down indifferently. “So?”
“You’re gonna get me fired!” Junsu informed.
“You seem to forget that this school belongs to me. And so do you. Nobody fires you unless I say so,” Yoochun grinned smugly.
The professor sighed in defeat, “Just go back to your seat. Your fans look like they’re going to pounce on me soon… Atishoo!”
“Susu! You…” Yoochun paused upon meeting Junsu's glare, “Professor Kim, you're unwell?”
“Yeah. Caught a flu. Went home DRIPPING WET last night,” Junsu turned an accusing stare at Yoochun, who mouthed an innocent ‘oh’ upon realization.
“Atishoo!” Junsu shook his head in dismay as Yoochun threw another worried look at him. Students started squealing at the adorability emitted by their sneezing lecturer. A handful of overly excited girls even sprinted to the front just to hand him pieces of tissue paper, only to be outright rejected by Yoochun instantly.
“Thank you girls. It’s alright.” Junsu smiled, kindly asking the crowd back to their seats before Yoochun spoke. The jealous glow in Yoochun’s eyes was not to be underestimated. Who knew what his overpossesive boyfriend would do to chase those girls away.
“Go back too, Yoochun,” Junsu said softly.
The reluctant man knew better than to protest further. He specifically chose a seat in the front row. A seat where he could observe his lover at close distance, ignoring the excited fangirls fighting to sit beside him.
Throughout the lesson, Yoochun paid full attention to Junsu; his voice, his features, his every movement that made girls flail. His heart skipped a beat every time Junsu turned towards his direction, flashing a barely noticable smile, of which Yoochun was damn sure was meant for him. However, every time Yoochun wanted to return the affection look, Junsu would quickly turn to face another student.
“I bet he’s doing that on purpose. Kim Junsu you’re so gonna get kissed after school,” Yoochun murmured while smirking to himself.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
Silence blanketed the whole theatre as the class held their breaths.
“Oh. My. God. That’s the legendary Electrifying Scream that has not been heard for the past four decades,” a male student proclaimed aloud. “It is known to be able to break the spine of an opponent in three tries. The victim will die with his spinal cord protruding out of his back, bleeding to death…”
Giggings could be heard while Yoochun rolled his eyes at the dramatic comment. The alarmed professor then turned to look at the source of vigor.
“June? Are… are you alright?” Junsu asked, uneasiness apparent.
The student in question had her jaws still hanging in the air. Turning to look at the man sitting beside her, she started stammering, “Yoo…Yoochun oppaa… Are are… are you serious?”
Yoochun frowned, “Serious what?”
“About… About kissing me!”
Gaspings were followed by massive discussions while Junsu raised a brow. Soon, all voices died down in unison to hear Yoochun’s reply.
“Huh?”
“You said you’re gonna kiss me after school!” June insisted.
“What?! Yah! You’re not Junsu!”
Crackings echoed through the lecture theatre as the stunned class dropped their jaws. Yoochun blinked and covered his mouth when he realised how careless that statement had been. No, he didn’t mind telling the whole world about Junsu and himself. But the teacher had made it clear that he didn’t want their relationship to be exposed to the school.
Yoochun swallowed nervously as he tried to explain, “I mean…”
“Am I interrupting?” Everybody turned to see the headmaster standing at the entrance.
“Huh? Oh! No sir, please come in,” Junsu stirred from his daze, bowing politely at the man at the door.
For the first time in his life, Yoochun felt greatest gratitude and liking for the overweight middle aged man.
“I’m here to make a announcement. This is a reminder to everyone about the school’s annual dance night, which is next Saturday. The theme this year is 'Zoo'. In the meantime, you beasts know what to do. So start preparing.” Thanking the Professor, the headmaster promptly turned and headed for the exit.
Once the headmaster stepped out of the room, the students began a commotion. Girls started discussing about their attires while guys eyed their dance partners.
Junsu tilted his head, realising he was out of whatever topic his students were talking about. He had not heard of any dance night whatnot since he started teaching in this school. Yoochun, on the other hand, caught Junsu’s confused expression and chuckled lightly, partly out of relief that his classmates were no longer snooping about his ‘kiss’.
“Class, let’s get back to the lesson,” the professor called, only to be ignored by the chaotic students. Junsu pouted at the lost of his students’ concentration. Fortunately the lunch bell rang soon after and the helpless teacher dismissed the class. Sighing, he stepped back onto the lecture platform and started packing his notes.
“Professor Kim?”
Junsu turned back, least surprised when he saw a bunch of girls crowding around the platform as usual, “Can I help you girls?”
“I want you to be my date for dance night!” One girl shouted from somewhere Junsu couldn’t really figure out.
“No. Date me. I can dress sexily and not embarrass you during the dance night!”
“Don’t listen to them. Date me Professor!”
“No date me!”
“MEEEEE!”
“DATE ME!”
The poor lecturer felt giddy from the shoutings generated by the group of girls. With a weak smile, Junsu started backing away from them.
From where he was standing, Junsu could see Yoochun trying to maneuver his way out of his own fans too. Unfortunately for Yoochun’s fans, their superstar wasn’t as gentle as Junsu was. The girls were being shoved, willingly though, as he tried to escape. When the opportunity came, the man scrunched past the girls and up onto the lecturer platform, pulling Junsu as they ran for the door together.
/
The pantings of the two men echoed as they ran through the enclosed corridor. They had not expected the fangirls to actually chase after them. Without much thinking, they propelled onto the route leading towards the old school compound.
Junsu gazed at their locked hands throughout the entire marathon. Their fingers were intertwined in such a way that Junsu felt secured and comfortable. He appreciated how Yoochun slowed down at every turn they made in order not to hurt Junsu with his tugging. This was Yoochun; gentle and thoughtful Yoochun.
The leading man finally came to a stop and pulled Junsu into an alley behind the old school building.
“We… should be… safe here,” the tired man panted heavily as he leaned onto the brick wall. Junsu nodded, leaning right beside Yoochun. He too, was out of breath.
That was when Yoochun realised he was still clutching tightly onto Junsu hand. Letting go, he was surprised when Junsu pulled his hand back, “Can we… keep it this way… for now?”
Yoochun smiled, tightening his grip around Junsu’s smaller hand. He liked being wanted by Junsu. “So I guess you’re not angry with me?” He asked softly, remembering the incident in class, “I didn’t mean to spill it.”
Junsu laughed, so adorably Yoochun found it hard to resist, “Spill what?”
“About us being together.”
“And?”
“And about wanting to kiss yo…” Yoochun paused. He was turning twice as red. Why was he spilling the unnecessary stuff again?
“So you really were thinking of it!” Junsu exclaimed, suppressing the smile that was finding its way up his face. Shaking his head, Junsu asked with a disappointed tone, “Why weren’t you paying attention to me?”
“I was! I was analyzing your looks, your character, your movements, even your fans. Your fans are way prettier than mine! My charm seems to work only on geeks!”
“So I’m a geek?” Junsu questioned, still trying hard to keep on a poker face.
“I’d rather you were,” Yoochun stood away from the wall, turning Junsu’s body towards his own, “Then I wouldn’t have to worry about you being harassed by barmy girls.”
Junsu finally stood it no more and laughed aloud, “I can’t believe you were lusting after me during lesson time!”
“You were seducing me!” Yoochun accused childishly.
Ignoring him, Junsu recalled the cause of the commotion back in class, “What’s the dance night about?”
“It’s an annual thing. Our school commemorates founder’s day every year. And we celebrate the event with a dance night. The whole school population will be involved, and that includes you.”
“We wear suits?” Junsu asked.
“Unfortunately, no. There's a dress code according to the theme. The absurdity intensifies each year I tell you. The school admin really abuses their authority. What kind of theme is Zoo?!”
“What do we do at the dance night?”
“My love, to think you’re a professor. It’s a dance night. What can we be doing?”
Junsu nodded, not intending to ask on. Changing the topic, he sighed, “I’m hungry.”
“Hey what coincidence! I’m hungry too! How about we try to satisfy each other’s hunger?” Yoochun winked suggestively.
“Do you think the girls are gone yet?” Junsu asked, completely disregarding Yoochun’s previous suggestion.
“No, so why don’t we stay here for the rest of the day?” The idea of being alone with Junsu along a secluded alley for the whole day appealed to Yoochun greatly.
“The coast is clear,” Junsu said, straining his neck over the wall.
“I bet they’re hiding behind the building. Junsu, let’s just stay here to ensure our safety.” Yoochun’s weak attempts to keep Junsu for himself were going no where.
Junsu turned towards the sullen man, “Sweetheart, we have to go, I have two more classes after this lunch break.”
Yoochun’s eyes brightened while his pout self altered into a smile instantly, picking up the key word in Junsu’s sentence, “Sweetheart? Did you just call me Sweetheart? Junsu!”
“Maybe. Let’s go,” Junsu snickered, pulling Yoochun behind him as the grinning man mumbled on.
“Sweetheart… I’m sweet. And I’m in Junsu’s heart. That’s why I’m a sweetheart. Yeah sweetheart. I like being a sweetheart…”
/
Days passed and Junsu found that the hottest topic on among his students the whole week had been about the coming dance night. Still, lessons went on everyday and Junsu continued his classes as usual.
“Mother And Child in 1922,” the professor’s voice rang loud as he screened the famous artist’s painting.
“Beautiful…” A student wheezed subconsciously in awe.
“To express this painting as mere beautiful is an awful understatement,” the lecturer backed up. That masterpiece was Junsu’s favourite of all Picasso’s work. It reminded him of something he used to own, but lost unfortunately. Despite that, this painting gave him strength to accept the fact that he was ill-fated, gave him comfort and reasons to be happy, gave him peaceful memories of somebody - his mother used to embrace him the way the mother was holding her child in the painting.
And that was before she left him.
“Professor Kim, who's your favourite painter?” An excited art lover was pleased to find a fellow Picasso admirer, a cute professor in this case.
That placed Junsu thinking for a second. He had always been doing art and literature. That was why he had chosen to major in both subjects. Since young, he analyzed paintings. He compared colours and estimated stroke strengths.
But it wasn’t until he saw his paintings did he believe that he truly loved art.
“Picasso,” Junsu lied, much to the student's delight. He did not want to go about explaining how his favourite artist was actually an unknown man he found out about in a music room
Lessons then continued, with Junsu spacing out at times. Nobody noticed it though, nobody but one of course.
Before the last bell rang, Junsu assigned work to everyone before dismissing them. After which, he quickly carried his belongings and stepped out of the classroom before any fangirls could surround him again. Students apparently had not given up on asking him to the dance night.
Quickening his footsteps, Junsu embarked on the journey to where he had not been to for nearly two months. The place he'd used to frequent whenever he was distressed, the place where he first saw those paintings, the place he fell in love with both art and…
“I wonder if he’d been there,” Junsu thought as he scrambled up the stairs.
The route wasn’t long, and Junsu soon arrived at the entrance of the dark music room. As before, the room was enveloped by a dark strong aura. The unique thing about this aura was that it never added on to Junsu's unhappiness.
Stepping in, Junsu closed the door behind him and took a deep whiff of the surrounding. It smelled of strong canvas, a scent he was so familiar with. His fingers stroked each painting as he walked past the magnificent hangings.
Leaving his belongings on the floor, Junsu headed for the piano. He released a sigh as he recalled how new artworks used to appear on top of the piano.
Junsu’s head lowered as he spoke to the lifeless piano surface, “You forgot me…”
It was probably unfair for Junsu to come up with that accusation, and he knew it. He had been the one who had stopped visiting the room. And time was his primary, and only, excuse. Every spare minute he had was spent with Yoochun. Yes, and now there was Yoochun. Yoochun brought him all the happiness he needed, why else would he need to seek comfort in this room anymore? But why? Why did he feel immense regret and pain engulfing his heart at the thought of his painter forgetting him for good?
Sitting down on the hard cold bench, Junsu opened the lid of the piano. His fingers came to life as he started playing the only piece he’d ever play on that very instrument. His eyes gently shut out the lights as images filled his mind.
This time however, his mother didn’t surface.
Disappointment blew up as he played his last chord. The song was incompleted, and Junsu hated it. He just didn’t know how to finish the composition.
Junsu’s eyes flipped open as he stood up, shutting the lid gently. A headache was approaching and he knew that he had to get home quickly before he burst into tears. The last thing he wanted was to end up crying in the room alone, tears shedding for whom or what - he did not know.
Grabbing his belongings, Junsu headed for the door. He had to bear the odium of the confusion he caused himself. He loved Yoochun, he really did. As much as the other loved him, or so as he thought so.
But somewhere in his heart, a figure refused to faint.
Junsu missed the unknown painter.
/
“AHHH! Ouch…”
Junsu dazed in shock by the scene in front of him.
Yoochun sprawled on the floor across the entrance of the room, struggling to stand as he whimpered in pain. This man had fallen when Junsu opened the door suddenly.
“Yoochun! Are you alright?” Junsu jumped to his senses and went to help the groaning man up.
The casualty held onto the offered arms and attempted to get up. Just when he was finally standing on both feet, a sharp pain at the ankle pulled him down onto the floor again. This made him fall backwards, pulling Junsu right on top of him.
“Urghh… What the heck? Oh god! Junsu! Did I hurt you?!” The second fall was causing more pain to Yoochun’s body than before, but Junsu was apparently all that mattered to him. To his relief, Junsu’s laughter flooded his ears.
“You're so clumsy! I’m alright. Let’s try and get you to stand,” Junsu smiled and moved to get off Yoochun’s body. However he realised he was trapped when Yoochun enwrapped his arms around his waist suddenly.
“Nahh. Let’s just keep it this way,” Yoochun hugged the man above closer to himself.
“Yoochun, you’re hurt! You sprained your ankle!”
“I’m fine Junsu. You took my hand in the alley the other day, I want your body now.”
Junsu blushed and kept quiet. He moved his body again, this time to a more comfortable position with his head lying on Yoochun’s chest. Something told him they shouldn’t be were lying in the middle of the corridor. But Yoochun’s strong heartbeat pounding loudly at his ear discarded every sensible thought. His headache seemed to have been terminated unknowingly. Whatever dilemma he had in his mind a few seconds ago was now at the back of his head.
“Yoochun, what are you doing here?” Junsu suddenly realised how unpredicted Yoochun’s appearance was.
“I was going to ask you something after class but you walked off so quickly. So I had to follow you all the way here. Then I didn’t want to disturb you when you were playing the piano so I leaned against the door to wait for you. But you opened the door all of a sudden and… You know the rest,” Yoochun looked up with eyes begging for sympathy.
Junsu kissed the pouting lips away and smiled in satisfaction when he saw how efficient that was, “Sorry for leaving without you.”
Yoochun’s radiant beam suggested that he was forgiven so Junsu gave him another peck, “What do you want to ask me?”
Then, Yoochun’s smile flickered.
“Junsu,” he paused, noticeably unsure of something, but Junsu waited. “Do you love me Junsu?”
This time, Junsu’s smile died off too. He wasn’t surprised by Yoochun’s question. That man probably asked him that same question twenty times a day. But something yanking at his throat was preventing him from saying his usual reply.
Feeling the awkwardness clouding them, Yoochun laughed uncomfortably.
“Hahaha! You should have seen your face! That was hilarious. Alright, I wanted to ask you to go to the dance with me. I’m sicked of those girls trying to ask you out,” Yoochun frowned at the thought of Junsu being pestered by madcap students. The last time he saw it, his male classmates were targeting Junsu too.
“No.”
“Great! I’ll pick you up at… What!?” Yoochun blinked his eyes in disbelief. Did Junsu just reject him?
Junsu chuckled as he removed Yoochun’s arms from his own waist, “I said no. I’m not going with you. I can already forsee you taking advantage of me that night.” Then he got off Yoochun, stood up and walked away.
“Hey! Why can't you just agree and bestow me with another kiss! Why will I take advantage of you?” Yoochun hesitated, realising every possibility in that statement, “Heck! You’re my property anyway! And where are you going?! I can’t walk! I can’t even stand up!” The injured man sat up in a panicky state.
“Precisely. That’s why I’m going to borrow a wheelchair from the school’s medical bay. Or maybe I’ll just leave you there,” Junsu laughed and disappeared after a turn.
Yoochun groaned as he lay back down onto the floor. When Junsu was out of sight, he sighed and looked back into the dark room where his lover’s cologne continued to linger. He had noticed the professor being distracted in class earlier that day and knew that something was bothering him.
Yoochun didn’t mean to lie to Junsu. How was it possible for him to have followed Junsu all the way to the room? Girls were already surrounding him back in class before he could even run after the teacher.
Intuition told Yoochun that Junsu had gone to the music room. He knew that the professor used to frequent the room, especially when he was unhappy. Junsu was, however, unaware of Yoochun watching him for the previous times.
And how easy was it to explain that to Junsu?
However, as much as his instincts said so, a part of Yoochun hoped that it wasn't true. So when he saw his lover standing in the middle of the room, his heart flunked. Yoochun wondered what had made Junsu rush to the room like that. If that man was unhappy, why didn’t he seek comfort from Yoochun instead?
Do you love me?
The silence Yoochun had received instead of the usual "of course” broke his heart. Why was Junsu hesitating?
"You forgot me..."
Junsu’s words rang loud in Yoochun’s head. He had heard the other man speaking through an open window earlier. Yoochun squeezed his eyes shut in frustration. He refused to think that there was another party involved, moreover that person was…
“PARK YOOCHUN!” A bright sharp voice broke Yoochun’s trail of thoughts. The astonished man sat up hurriedly for the second time.
“Changmin? What are you doing here?”
“Doctor Keita and I met Professor Kim outside the medical bay just now. He said he was going to fetch you a wheelchair or something. Doctor Keita wanted to speak to Professor. So he sent me here to help you,” Changmin explained.
“Doctor Keita?! That sissy gay school doctor who so totally has a crush on my Junsu?!”
“Hey! What do you mean sissy gay school doctor! Doctor Keita is a good looking, kind, wonderful and successful gentleman,” Changmin announced proudly.
“You are not telling me that you have a crush on him, are you?” Yoochun smirked. It was rare to have the younger boy praise anybody. It was either food or himself.
“Don’t you have something on for Professor Kim too?” Changmin countered.
“Well, Junsu’s different,” Yoochun said with a sigh. He was more than disappointed that his boyfriend was not coming back for him. He felt like he was losing Junsu bit by bit. On the other hand, Yoochun was relieved at the fact that he did not have to face Junsu that soon either.
“So why the sigh?” Changmin sat down beside Yoochun, preparing a listening ear, like how he always did.
Yoochun felt pain exploding inside of him, “I think there’s a third party.”
Changmin nodded, seemingly not surprised at all, “This is expected. Professor Kim is so attractive. I’d be surprised if he’d stayed with you.”
To the juvenile’s surprise, Yoochun did not scowl nor beat him up. Sensing the graveness in the matter, Changmin changed his tone, “So do you know who that person is?”
Frustrated, Yoochun ran a hand through his hair, “Yes…”
/
“Junsu,” the nervous man swallowed hard, mentally cursing his adrenal glands for secreting excessive adrenaline that was targeting his heart, “Can… can I call you Junsu?”
“Yes of course,” Junsu smiled. Sitting in front of him was the prestigious school doctor, Keita. The doctor was extremely striking and was also known for his significant portion of fans in school.
“Thank you, you may call me Keita too.”
“Keita,” the professor replied. The doctor felt his heart stop beating at his name being sounded from Junsu’s mouth. “You have something to tell me?”
“Yeah… You see, I’ll like to… I…” The doctor clenched his fists. It’s either now or never.
“I’ll like to ask you to be my dance partner for the dance night! I’ve had a crush on you ever since you transferred to this school but I never got a chance to talk to you! I really think that we will make a great couple! Please go to the dance with me!” Keita heaved a sigh of relief. He’d finally said everything out. All that was left was Junsu’s reply.
“You talk fast,” Junsu smiled. Keita supposed that Junsu must had received so many confessions that he was used to it. As if rehearsed, the professor went on calmly, “I’m sorry Keita. I hate to disappoint you but I already have a partner for dance night. And I thank you for liking me, but I’m afraid that I can’t return your love.”
Keita bit his lips. It was his first time confessing, to a guy furthermore, and being declined on the spot wasn’t exactly what he was expecting.
“Do you have a lover already?”
“Nice to have met you, Keita.” Junsu stood up, ignoring the last query, and bowed. Without anymore hesitation, he then turned to exit the room.
“I'll make you change your mind!” Keita yelled after him. He frowned upon seeing the door close after Junsu, wondering if the other had heard him. "You'll see..." he mumbled.
Junsu sighed. He had walked out on the doctor’s words. Walking out on people’s love seemed to be turning into a habit; Keita, his fangirls, his painter…
But he’d never walked out of Yoochun. He knew.
He just knew.