| Fan Fiction |
by Take_Flight
Happy reading!
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Junsu shuffled around the bookstore and staring blankly at the books lined up on the shelf. It wasn't his ideal place to hang out on a typical weekend but it was Yoochun's favorite hangout place ever since their high school days. Changmin used to follow him here whenever the exams are near since the place was completely unknown to the public and he can study in peace but after they graduated, he no longer came down here. Yunho and Junsu were considered a nuisance to the place because of their hyper self and was once thrown out of the bookstore by the owner. The bookstore called The Manuscript was considered 'ancient' to most of the people because of it's rundown facade which makes it look more like a haunted or abandoned store rather than a regular bookstore. But most bookworms said that the store had held a special place in their heart because of the way it looks. It was unique and special in its own way. Plus, the owner himself was like a walking Wikipedia. Just name any book or journal, and he'll get it for you. But it can get a little too pricey sometimes.
"YOU!" a deep voice said from behind him.
Junsu jumped and quickly turned around. To his relief, it was only the owner of the shop, pointing an accusing finger at him but there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes. Old Man Dae-Hyun. That's what they called him now. Junsu can't hardly believed that he had aged so much over the years. The man was walking steadily towards an armchair, his walking stick thudding on the parquet floor. Junsu followed behind him and helped to make the old man comfortable on the seat.
"I thought I threw you out a few years ago? You and your good-for-nothing friend" Old Man Dae-Hyun said in a gruffy voice. Junsu chuckled and pulled a stool beside the armchair. "His name is Yunho. Jung Yunho"
Old Man Dae-Hyun coughed softly and pointed to something behind the counter. "You two are forbidden from here ever since you broke that lamp" he said. Junsu craned his neck to see what he was pointing at. To his surprise there was a picture of the four of them. Him, Yunho, Yoochun and Changmin smiling widely infront of the shop. He remembered Yunho's mother had taken this photo. However, there was a giant red cross on his and Yunho's face and it make Junsu laughed. Old Man Dae-Hyun sniggered and shook his head. "You're not serious aren't you? Come on! I'm a grown man now" Junsu told him. "Besides, that picture make it look like you're making voodoo on us or something" he added.
Old Man Dae-Hyun chuckled. "It's a great hit actually. Customers come in asking about it and I simply told them to stay away from you" he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Awww...no wonder I keep getting weird stares" Junsu played along.
Just then, the door swung opened and a man stepped in. "Customer!" Old Man Dae-Hyun shouted, causing Junsu to nearly fell off his seat. The customer however wasn't surprised with the loud voice but instead gave him a polite bow before walking deeper into the shop. The door behind the counter swung opened and Jung-Hwa, the son, came out looking slightly disgruntled. Jung-Hwa was Junsu's senior back in high school but he dropped out after having troubles concentrating on his studies.
"Sunbae!" Junsu said, standing up. Jung-Hwa looked up in surprise. He looked slightly blur at first but when he recognized Junsu, he broke into a grin and came out of the counter.
"Hey! It's been a while. You must have some guts to come here" Jung-Hwa said, shaking his hand. Junsu laughed and Old Man Dae-Hyun tittered to himself.
"How have you been?" Junsu asked. Jung-Hwa shrugged. "Well...nothing much. Ever since... I became a father, life--
"W..WHAT?" Junsu exclaimed and Old Man Dae-Hyun cleared his throat. "No shouting" he warned him as he got up slowly and staggered slowly to the counter.
Junsu bowed to apologize and stood back to let the old man walked past him and Jung-Hwa held on to his father's arm. "Don't forget to take your medicine" he reminded the old man before closing the door.
"You..You're married? When? How come?" Junsu wanted to know, leaning against the counter. This was all bizarre news to him. Jung-Hwa was some sort of a thug in school and everyone was afraid to go up to him. Except for Junsu, since they ended up playing soccer together sometimes after school.
"Didn't Yoochun tell you?" Jung-Hwa asked, wiping the counter. Junsu shook his head. "We..uh..haven't been seeing other for a while. I'm supposed to meet him here. Maybe he got held up in traffic or something"
Jung-Hwa nodded. The front door swung opened again and Jung-Hwa's face immediately lit up. Junsu turned around and saw a young lady entering, cradling a bundled up baby in her arms. Junsu went over to hold the door for her while she stepped in. The lady thanked him and then turned to Jung-Hwa who was standing beside her with an eager expression. "How's little Min-Jee today?" he cooed in a soft voice as he gingerly took the child from the lady. Junsu barely had enough time to register what was happening when Yoochun walked in.
"Hey, you're here! Sorry I'm late" Yoochun apologized, patting Junsu on the shoulder. "Hi guys!" he then said, turning to the family infront of them. "Min-Jee still having the flu?" he asked, stepping closer to look at the baby. It was only after a few seconds they realised that Junsu was standing rooted to the ground watching them cooing over the baby. Yoochun chuckled and introduced Jung-Hwa's wife to Junsu.
"This is Hyun-Ae" Yoochun said, motioning to the small petite lady with the shoulder length dark hair. "Hyun-Ae, meet my friend Junsu. He's actually a close friend of Jung-Hwa as well"
Hyun-Ae flashed Junsu a warm smile and bowed politely. Junsu did the same. "Nice to meet you" she said. "So you guys are from the same school as well?"
Junsu nodded and then they were interrupted by a soft whimpering coming from the baby. "Aah..I see she wants her milk" Hyun-Ae said, taking her daughter from Jung-Hwa. "Is he inside?" Hyun-Ae asked, motioning to the door behind the counter. Jung-Hwa nodded. "Go on in. Make sure he takes his medicine. He's getting stubborn these days" he told her. Hyun-Ae laughed before leaving the three men alone. The customer who had stepped in earlier came to the counter with a stack of books and Jung Hwa excused himself to assist the customer.
Junsu turned to face Yoochun and the latter shrugged. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I just found out about it too. Well, a couple of weeks actually" Yoochun confessed.
Junsu followed Yoochun to the other side of the store. "I'm surprised that...he has a family now. You know, he wasn't much of a social person and we lost contact after he left school all of a sudden. Ever wonder why he left?" Junsu asked in a low voice, as he helped Yoochun looked for the books he wanted.
Yoochun shrugged. "Why don't you ask him yourself? The both of you were soccer buddies right?" he asked. "Anyway, I think the reason we came here was not to talk about Jung-Hwa but more of..Ri In"
Junsu looked up at him surprise. Surprised thar Yoochun is actually making the conversation flow with ease. Junsu thought that he will be the one trying to start the topic (although he had no idea how) and then Yoochun will be the one beating around the bush and making himself sound complicated with his 'poetic' self.
"What is it you want to talk about? Did something happen to her?" Yoochun asked and Junsu immediately picked up the genuine concern in his voice. Junsu shook his head. "She's fine. Actually...she was the one who suggested we have this..little talk" he mumbled, absently taking a book and flipping through the pages.
"This...little talk. What will it be about? In general" Yoochun questioned Junsu and Junsu looked up. Actually, he had hundreds of questions running in his mind but all he wanted to know was is Yoochun totally over Ri In but he can't help asking Yoochun where and how he and Ri In met for the first time. Yoochun chuckled and crossed his arms.
"It was for a brief moment. And I thought that was it. But I didn't know that we worked in the same place, and then one thing let to another and then it just ended like that" Yoochun said simply and Junsu frowned at him. He hated it when Yoochun simply have to summarise everything.
"Elaborate please" Junsu demanded and Yoochun chuckled again at his tone. "We met at a bookstore...something like this but it was out of town. It was during the summer as well, and she was sitting at one corner, totally engrossed in the book she was reading that she didn't notice that the owner was about to close the shop so I walked over and reminded her about it. She looked....pissed off at first, since she thought I was interrupting her but then she just thanked me and walked out of the store. I bumped into her again, and once again, reading the same book. This time it was outside a cafe and it was already evening...and just seeing her there again...well, to me, there was something different about her so I got the courage and decided to have a conversation with her"
Yoochun paused for a while as he consulted the list in his hand. Junsu on the other hand, was a bit dumbstruck that Yoochun was able to remember their first meeting so clearly. He even noticed the book she was reading! "So...it was like what...love..at first sight...for you?" Junsu pressed on. Yoochun looked up from the list and then pondered for a while. He shook his head after that. "No..it wasn't" he replied.
"Were you with SunMi at that point of time?" Junsu wanted to know. "Well..sort of. We have been keeping in touch with each other through email but I wasn't..dating her at that time"
"So you and Ri In started out as friends...?" Junsu asked, shifting his weight from one foot to another. "I wasn't planning on being friends actually...we had a long chat at the cafe..lasted all night. We didn't bother asking each other's background. We were more interested in each other's interest in books. I admit, I was rather fascinate with the way she talks about things. I thought she stays in that town since we walked back to this nice looking apartment and after that I lost contact of her"
"But then you met her again?" Junsu asked. Yoochun nodded. "Back at Iseul High School. There was this summer programme going on for the staff and I met her there again. And I won't lie that I was really glad seeing her again...and then..well...I don't have to tell you what happened next" he said in a sad tone while looking down at his shoes.
Junsu had a hard time swallowing, knowing that...Ri In...onced used to be in Yoochun's arms..and having...intimate moments with him perhaps? He closed his eyes briefly while pinching the bridge of his nose. When he opened them, Yoochun was staring at him with a worried expression. "Are you...okay? Do you need to sit down?"
Junsu shook his head and took a deep breath. "I just...--
"Maybe we should go sit somewhere...have a cup of tea. I'll go pay these books first" Yoochun suggested. Junsu trailed slowly behind him and then spotted Old Man Dae-Hyun standing by the stained window with his grandchild in his arms. The look of genuine tender care he had towards the baby was something Junsu had not seen ever since he and Yunho got thrown out and Old Man Dae-Hyun was like a savage beast back then, waving his fist infront of their faces and telling them not to step in again. Old Man Dae-Hyun was singing softly to the child when he spotted Junsu watching him and he consciously cleared his throat. "Got what you wanted?" the older man asked in the same gruffy voice.
"Yeah, we did" Junsu answered and stood beside him. "She's cute...I hope she doesn't have your grouchy trait" he said and the older man gave him a deadly look but there was a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as well.
"When will I get to see yours?" Old Man Dae-Hyun questioned him and Junsu gave him a bashful smile. "Aaah...don't forget to invite me to your wedding" the wise old man said before turning his attention back to his beloved grandchild.
"Hey Junsu, you ready to go?" Yoochun asked and Junsu nodded. He bid goodbye to Jung-Hwa and he and Yoochun set off to a cafe Yoochun suggested. Junsu had forgotten a while about their topic when he suddenly spotted the small comfy cafe by the side of the road. He wondered if this was the place Yoochun and Ri In had talked all night.
"This wasn't the place Junsu...don't worry" Yoochun said, as if reading his mind. Junsu gave a sideway glance to his friend. He's always known to reading people very well ever since he's been taking a part-time degree in Psychology. It was so hard to hide your emotions from him sometimes. They took a seat outside the cafe and read the menu. Junsu skimmed the pages but his mind was somewhere else.
"I know the both of you..didn't have a serious thing going on..but are there times..that you've treasured the most when you were with her?" Junsu asked, almost to afraid to hear the answer.
Yoochun did not look from the menu but there was a calm peaceful expression on his face. "I treasure every moment I have with everyone Junsu" he simply said and Junsu sighed. Yoochun chuckled upon hearing that and signalled for the waiter to take their orders. After placing their orders, Yoochun turned to Junsu with an apologetic look. "Mianhe, I didn't mean to torture you like this. But fact is...there are times..where I wished I could back in time and make things right again"
Junsu sat up straighter in his seat. "What do you mean by that?"
Yoochun took a deep breath and just then the waiter came back with their steaming cups of tea. After the latter left, Yoochun explained to Junsu that he should not have gotten involved with Ri In in the first place. "I have no idea what happened Junsu. One minute we're just strangers and the next...we were....I don't dare say we're a couple because NO ONE has no clue about it. We were like doing something sinful. Seeing each other behind people's back. We were on the sly. I know...and she knows that we should stop doing this but we just can't seem to bring it up because--
"Because you're afraid the other party will get hurt?" Junsu probbed. "That's why you opted for a silent break up instead. That's really low of you Hyung..and to think you wouldn't hurt anyone" he chided, looking slightly disgusted.
Yoochun glanced up at him in slight alarm and Junsu immediately regain his composure. "I'm sorry...it's just I'm--
"You're looking out for her" Yoochun interrupted, sipping his tea. "I didn't mean to hurt or...ignore her just like that. I had no idea how to end it..actually I wanted to but then SunMi came back from her overseas trip..and things got difficult. You can laugh your head off at me..the one who's always getting it right..always cool and calm..but when it come to women issues, I'm a big dope"
"Darn right you are" Junsu muttered under his breath and Yoochun gave him a soft smile. "You can go ahead and hate me all you want Junsu. Thrash me and beat me up. I deserve it for messing up her life"
Junsu shook his head. "I'm not going to do that Hyung. SunMi will kill me for messing up her soon-to-be husband's face. And I will probably be ban from being anyone else's best man"
Yoochun laughed and Junsu was glad to hear it. It's been a while since he heard Yoochun laughing without a care in the world. But then Yoochun kept quiet and stared at his tea. "She's...really..brave..isn't she? It seems like she didn't take the blow too hard and acts like nothing happened"
Junsu nodded. "I'm just afraid she's...hiding something but she's been assuring me that she's fine" he said, feeling skeptical. No matter how many times Ri In had told him that the past is the past, there's always this nagging voice at the back of his head saying that she's only saying it to make him feel better. Or maybe he was feeling paranoid.
"I think she's telling the truth Junsu. You're only scaring yourself" Yoochun said, staring at him. "What about you then? Don't you feel anything when you see her? After you left her like that, I bet it wasn't easy seeing her almost everyday and not knowing what to do or say" Junsu questioned him.
Yoochun sighed. "It was difficult. Very difficult" he confessed, taking a packet of sugar and tearing the edges carefully. "She was just there..waiting for me to talk. But I was a coward. I could not bring myself to tell her that. Day after day I tried to go up to her and apologized for what happened, but I just couldn't. I felt so ashamed for letting her down. I'm merely killing myself everyday you see..and I was surprised that she can talk to me like a normal friend after I've been avoiding her" Yoochun poured the sugar contents in his cup and sighed again. "I'm so stupid" he muttered.
"Stop blaming yourself Hyung. I'm sure Ri In won't like to see you in this awful state. You know, to tell you the truth, she's worried about you too. She was wondering how you're doing after...the distance you placed between her and yourself. And she was thinking...that maybe this whole marriage thing was just to make you get distracted from what's happening, although I told her it's not. That girl can be pretty..far-fetched sometimes" Junsu explained, stirring his tea. "How did you..meet SunMi anyway? If you don't mind me asking"
"Since high school" Yoochun replied and Junsu raised his eyebrows. "Really? How come you never tell us?"
"Because...it was nothing much. Me and her...we're just friends from across the globe. She was in the States, I'm in Korea. Our parents were best buddies, so that's how we got to know each other. We usually keep in touch through email...but soon after we got busy with exams so we barely had time to update one another. Then one day she just decided to come back to Korea for good...and at that point, I was..." Yoochun trailed off, not sure of what to say.
"You were close with Ri In" Junsu continued for him and Yoochun nodded. "Not only that, our parents found out we've been keeping in touch with each other...and then they came up with this crazy idea of getting us together. I wasn't..all into it...even though I do like SunMi, but as a friend. But then, things changed...and the quiet shy girl I used to know back then was more...matured and out going..and I got..I grew to like her. And then I was at loss"
Junsu drank his tea, which had already turned cold and pondered over what Yoochun had been telling him. Man, what a headache. Everything was out in the open now...well almost everything. There was still one question left though.
"Do you..still have feelings for Ri In?" Junsu blurted out.
Yoochun stared at him with wide eyes. "Hell no Junsu! That is just sick! I'm getting married for God's sake!" he pointed out.
Junsu held out his hands in a way of protest. "No-no Hyung..don't get the wrong idea. It's just..everytime we're together and Ri In's there as well, you'll always look....uncomfortable. And Ri In confessed to me that she was scared that you might have a nervous breakdown anytime"
Yoochun chuckled. "What am I? Some sick child you're looking after?" he asked and Junsu rolled his eyes. "I hate to say this...but I was a bit...envious that Ri In found someone else..and it turns out to be you--
"What's that supposed to mean?" Junsu asked, narrowing his eyes and Yoochun laughed softly. "She's lucky to have you Junsu, that's what I'm saying. I've seen the way she looks at you, and the way you treat her with so much care. You're slowly building up her confidence without you realising it. Ri In may have a strong front, but she's still a woman, and women are more emotional. The love you're giving her is nothing compared to the times I spent with her. You get what I mean?" Yoochun explained.
Junsu nodded slowly and Yoochun gave him a satisfied smile. "Good. We can talk about this all day Junsu, but it will pointless. Ri In's already burying the hatchet deep down. And me, I'm going to get married to the woman I love the most" Yoochun said with a bashful smile and Junsu grinned at him.
"I like SunMi...but you two are worlds apart" Junsu pointed out, finishing his tea. Yoochun shrugged. "Like they say, opposites attract" he said and then checked his watch. "Shoot! I'm supposed to be at my brother's house for dinner and look at the time!"
Junsu stood up while Yoochun went off to pay their drinks, insisting that it was his treat. Yoochun came bustling out of the cafe, talking on his phone. "Yes I know what time it is. I'll be there in....fifteen minutes time. WHAT? Fine fine..I'll do the dishes" he grumbled before hanging up. "Hey Junsu, it's been really nice talking to you, but I have to--
"Yeah, you go ahead. I'll be fine" Junsu assured Yoochun. Yoochun gave him a grateful smile before bidding goodbye and hailed for a cab. Junsu walked slowly to his car and thinking about their conversation. It's been a while since he and Yoochun sat down and have this kind of talk. He was much closer to Yoochun compared to Yunho and Changmin; and he had liked how Yoochun had said that Junsu's been 'slowing buildig up' Ri In's confidence. It was a comforting feeling knowing that he's there for his girlfriend. Speaking of Ri In, he wondered how her visit to her grandmother turns out. Ri In had informed him that she was planning to visit her grandmother after not seeing for a while and she'll probably be back in the evening. Junsu looked at his watch and saw that it was almost seven. He took out his phone and dialled Ri In's number.
After a few rings, she answered her phone. "Hey you!" Ri In said in a cheerful voice and Junsu felt his spirit lifting up hearing her sound so happy. "I'm guessing your trip was a success?" Junsu guessed, getting into his car.
Ri In laughed. "Well..kind of" she said. "Where are you? Still on the road?" Junsu wanted to know.
"Nope. I've just reached. I'm at the lift lobby now. Wae?" Ri In asked.
"Don't go up yet...I want to see you" Junsu told her and Ri In chuckled. "Miss me?" she asked.
"You have NO idea missy" Junsu said with a laugh and imagined Ri In turning red. "Meet me at the park? By the pond?"
"Araso. I'll see you there" Ri In told him. Junsu hung up and started the engine. He drove down the highway with ease and it was as if luck was on his side as he cruised down without any traffic light stopping his way and soon reached the destinated place. He got out of the car and walked to the park, his eyes scanning for Ri In and he spotted her standing by the pond, her back facing him and she was watching the ducks wadding in the water. She had her hair tied up in a neat French braid at both sides and then twisting the end into a low bun, making her look like a pixie. A petitie adorable pixie standing at the park and watching the world go by. As if sensing that Junsu was nearing her, she turned around and gave him a bright smile. Junsu took her in his arms and embraced her tightly until Ri In laughed. "Can't breathe!" she complained, patting his back and Junsu let go of her, his eyes shining.
"What's got into you?" Ri In asked, swiping his bangs that had fallen over his eyes. "Are you down with a weird flu?"
Junsu shrugged. "Maybe...maybe not" he said with a wink and Ri In frowned slightly. "How was the visit? Was your grandmother well?"
Ri In nodded. "She's still fit as ever. We did some gardening..and then made some jelly tarts and cookies before going out to the Town House to see her friends. She tried to introduce me to someone though...."Ri In stopped talking and glanced up at Junsu while biting her lower lip but she was fighting back a smile as well.
"Mwoh?" Junsu asked, a bit hurt...and jealous.
Ri In chuckled. "Don't worry, he's way too old for me" she said. "And I told her...about you. About us"
"And?"
"She..wants to meet you..one day" Ri In said, placing her arms around his waist. "She said you sound like a nice guy and then started telling me about the time SHE met my grandfather for the first time. It was love at first sight for the both of them...isn't that sweet?"
"It was love at first sight for me too" Junsu said in a soft voice. "When I held you in my arms for the first time, after you fainted outside Ga-In's cafe..I somehow felt this strange connection and I knew right then I wanted to take care of you. I must protect you somehow. It's...I don't know how to explain this, but everything just falls into place nicely on that day. I've never felt more calmer when I saw your face Ri In" he confessed.
Ri In stared at him, and he noticed a tear trickling down. Ri In hastily wiped it away but Junsu held her hand to prevent her from wiping those tears. "Those are tears of happiness I assume?" he asked. Ri In nodded with a teary smile. "That's really...that was.." Ri In started to say but she started sobbing and pressed her face against his chest. "That was beautiful Oppa...too beautiful" she whispered, hugging him tighter.
Junsu kissed the top of her head and held her in his arms. The last time she cried in his arms was when she found out about the devastating news from Yoochun but today, it was different. Their magical moment was just beginning and he doesn't want the sparkle to end just like that. Knowing Ri In's past relationship with his best friend was a major blow to him, almost like committing suicide but like the famous saying, 'Truth Hurts' right? And then there's another saying "Yesterday is history, Tomorrow's a mystery and Today is a Gift. That's why it's called the Present"
And Ri In was the gift that was presented to him to make sure that she deserves all the love in the world. As for tomorrow and the day after, or the month or year after, Junsu vowed never to let Ri In shed another tear again.
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colourful rainbow : Hello! It's okay if you don't have time to comment...as long as you're enjoying the story, that's fine with me. Well, Yoochun practically revealed everything to Junsu. And yes, I do like Ri In and Junsu's love story =D
CraazyFilipina : hey you! Hmmm..I guess Nadine's capable of making Changmin show his true colors aye? Yeap. I understand about you said of people understanding you without even have to pester/question you. Cause sometimes it can be so suffocating when people are breathing down your neck..get what I mean? Hmmm..Yoochun's confession is herrreeee~~~what do you think?
kiisachan : LOL XD I've missed my story too after being away from the computer for too long!! I'm sure Nadine will tell Changmin about the dinner. We don't want her to hurt Changmin just when they're starting to be a couple right? Or else, they'll lose the trust in each other ;)Hmmm..the person watching could either be Jaejoong or Soo Min...and yes! I do have a story in mind for Yunho. But it's a different story. Not relating to Talk.Play.Love. I'm still working on it though =D