Chapter Text
Ikjun is walking through the study gardens and hallway in SNU library with two cups of coffee in his hand. His eyes are roaming through the wide and sunlit spaces on the hallways where full of students are grouping and studying together.
He’s looking for Songhwa. They’ve promised to study together and meet up at this space. She has reserved a seat for them while he went to the cafeteria downstairs to buy coffee and snacks.
While he is looking around, Junwan suddenly calls and appears beside him.
“Ikjun-na, I am looking for you. Do you want to study? Let’s find a seat. Wait, is that snacks and coffee? Yaa…I am so hungry” he wants to grab the snack.
Ikjun immediately brushes his hand away. “Noo…it’s for me and Songhwa” he glares at him.
Junwan creases his brows. The news about Ikjun and Songhwa are dating has been spreaded around the campus. Junwan, who usually doesn’t care about other people business, suddenly feels being left behind.
“Yaa...you two are dating now but we still can hang out together, right? I need friends to study together” Junwan pleads with his puppy eyes.
“Andwee…It’s my time with Songhwa. You can’t join us. You’d better find Jeongwon and Seokhyeong” Ikjun warns him.
Ignoring Juwnan’s grunt, Ikjun leaves him and walks forwards. He finally finds Songwha is sitting on the seat near the stairs. She seems seriously focus on her study. He smiles excitedly and walks fast to her.
They’ve been dating for weeks and each day they can’t be separated. Wherever Songhwa is, Ikjun is also there.
“I am sorry I am late. The cafeteria is so full. And I’ve been looking around to find you. It’s so crowded here” he says while putting the coffee in front of her.
She looks up and watches him sitting next to her. “I’ve told you I sit near the stairs” she nags him.
“There are many stairs here. I have to check every corner of it. Here is the sandwich. Eat it while it is still hot” he says while caressing her hair.
With her sparkling eyes, she takes the sandwich and slops it into her mouth. She wriggles happily and takes another bite.
“Songhwa-ya…eat slowly. Finish one bite first” he warns her.
“This is so good” she says with her full mouth. Now, her cheeks are swollen like white birdy.
“Aigoo…look at you…how can you eat like this?” he sighs while cleaning the sandwich sauce in her lips with his thumb.
She just smiles and keep chewing her food. With Ikjun beside her, she doesn’t need to worry about anything. He takes care of her in all aspect of her life.
While eating their sandwich, suddenly a familiar voice shouts at them. “Yaa… Lee Ikjun and Chae Songhwa…you are really dating now?? I thought it just a gossip” Bong Gwanghyeon, their classmate staring at them with bulging eyes.
Ikjun snorts. Looks like Bong feels disappointed that he knows nothing about their relationship. While he usually the first one who spread all the gossip around the campus.
“We are really dating. How can you not update the news? I heard about Bong salon. You should know it first” Ikjun teases him.
Bong rubs his temple. “I don’t believe it at first. You two never get along since the first year. It’s impossible for you to like each other. Aigoo…I need to update this news to others” he immediately walks away tp find his crowd.
“He must be gathering people to talk about us” Ikjun pouts.
“Let him be” Songhwa says. “That’s his hobby to release his stress” she adds.
“Araseoo…” Ikjun smiles. “What are you reading?” he asks while looking at her note.
“Analyzing patient symptoms. I have to make clinical conclusion. I think it’s the hardest part for me. Sometimes I am biased with the symptoms and I am afraid making wrong diagnosis” she says.
“Don’t worry. We will get used to it once we get practical field experience. We can learn it during our intern” he soothes her.
“Pufftt…I get more nervous that we will be an intern. Working in real hospital with real patients. That’s tough” she worriedly says.
“Don’t be catastrophic. It’s just an intern program. We are learning and being guided. Don’t worry about something that not happen yet. Songhwa-ya, it’s okay to be perfectionist, but you have to let yourself to make mistake. Making mistake is a space to learn” he tries to comfort her.
She sighs. “I wish I could be more fun like you. I am bit serious person, right? Am I boring?” she asks sheepishly.
He smiles and rubs her hand. “Aniyo, you are not boring. You are cute and funny. Sometimes you do something silly. But, I like it. So you don’t need to worry. We can pass this intern together. I am gonna make it more fun for you” he assures her.
She nods. Ikjun has a point. She always being perfectionist. She organizes everything to make sure that nothing gone wrong. And it often stresses her out. She easily become panic and anxious.
She grabs Ikjun’s hand. “Lee Ikjun, I need you by my side in case I make mistake and things gone wrong” she begs.
He smiles. “Of course. You are not alone. We’re gonna be intern in Yulje. Jeongwon has apllied the position for us. So, there are five of us with Jeongwon, Seokhyeong and Junwan”
“I know, it’s gonna be fun. I have you and them around me. We can support each other”
He nods. “Just finish your sandwich. I’m gonna help you with that patient symptom” he asks her.
She nods happily and continues to eat. Having Ikjun besides her has changed her life. She never thought the boy she envied before is being the one that she relies on and be the best boy with full of love and affection.
*******
Ikjun picks the large onion leaf, then he picks a slice of pork on the grills. They are at the barbeque restaurant near their campus. Tonight, Ikjun treats her with meat and soju.
“Two slice of porks?” he asks her.
She nods.
He smiles. “Kimchi?” he asks again.
She nods repeatedly being excited. Ikjun is wrapping up the meat for her. She’s patiently waiting and watching him with her folded hands under her chin. He continues to add garlic and sauces on his wrap.
When he finishes, he feed her with the wrap. Her bright face and sparks eyes sends electricity to his body. Seeing her happy has been his mood booster these days.
Food. Rain. Studying. Being in nature. Walking around the campus. Shopping. Dancing. And singing (please, don’t ask about her voice). He makes list the things that become a treat for her.
Songhwa gulps down the meat then she drinks soju straight from the bottle. Ikjun is mouth agape seeing empty bottles of soju on her side.
“Yaa...do you really want to be drunk tonight?” he nags her.
She gulps down the last drop of soju and burps loudly.
“Aisshhh….” Ikjun puffs.
She smiles and her cheeks are getting red. “Eo. I want to be drunk tonight. I am a bit stress when exam is coming” she says and takes another bottle of soju.
Ikjun just shakes his head seeing her antics. He continues to wrap the meat for her.
They leave the restaurant almost midnight. Songhwa is already drunk that she can’t stand properly. Ikjun hold her body and lingers his arm round her waist tightly so she won’t fall.
Songhwa who already fly high start singing while they are waiting a taxi.
joheun saram isseumyeon sogaesikyeojwo
ttaeroneun mulcheoreom, ttaeroneun bulcheoreom…
She sings Introduce Me A Good Person with her crack voice. Some people on the street are looking at them and laughs hearing her singing.
Ikjun looks around and bows at them. “Mianhamnida…” he says his sorry that her voice disturbing them.
They are back to her dorm by taxi. She leans on his arms and still mumbling some nonsense on their way back. Ikjun can’t stop her and just let her babbling. He just tries to hold her tighter to control her movement.
“Gallbladder...Ikjun-na…your face looks like gallbladder...” she points on Ikjun’s face and pinches his cheeks.
Ikjun widens his eyes. “Aishhh…how can I look like gallbladder?? Do you think I am digesting tool??” he protests while brushes away her hands from his face.
Songhwa lays her head on his shoulder, she closes her eyes with her finger points the air.
“Gallbladder…cerebrum…cerebellum…trachea…hamstrings….” she keeps mumbling before she passes out.
Ikjun sighs, confused with his drunken girlfriend. She even still studying when she is drunk. “How can she still study anatomy when she was drunk??” he shakes his head by her silly behavior.
When they arrive at her dorm, it’s already quiet that other student might have been sleeping or staying in their room. Since she has passed out, he carries on his back to her dorm. He stops at her door and just about to enter the passcode when she suddenly wakes up.
“Where are we?” she looks around with her narrowed eyes. She speaks so loud that Ikjun has to close her mouth with his palm.
“Sshhh…Don’t make noise. People are sleeping” he reminds her while putting his fingers on her lips.
She blinks at him the she copies what he’s done. “Shhhh…people are sleeping” she put her finger on his lips.
Ikjun brushes his finger and leads her to her room. “Come inside...you need to rest”
He carries her to her bed and puts her down. Feeling tired, he sits for a second and catch a breath. “How can she is so heavy with that small body? Does she storage all the food in her stomach?” he mumbles alone.
Then he takes off her shoes and her socks. While he is busy putting her socks off, Songhwa suddenly sits up.
“Kamchagiya…aisshh…you shock me” he puffs seeing her waking up. He thought she’s already passed out.
“Lee Ikjun…what are you doing here?” she asks him with her sharp eyes.
“I am taking off your socks. You can’t sleep with your clothes like this. I can smell soju all over your clothes” he tells her while leaning closer to her. He is about to pull out her sweater.
She is shocked and immediately crosses her hands on her chest. “How could you do this to me? Don’t touch me!! You are Lee Ikjun. My rival. Why are you in my room??” she’s bulging her eyes.
Ikjun rakes his hair. Being drunk makes her memory lost. He’s feeling tired and sleepy now. So he takes a deep breath and gathers his energy.
“Songhwa-ya, I am your boyfriend now. Not your rival anymore” he explains to her. He’s not sure if he could argue with a drunk person.
She is mouth agape. “Whoaa…you are my boyfriend?? How could it happen? I don’t like you” she hilariously amazes.
“You like me. You are the one who confess to me. We are dating now” he says firmly.
“Omo...I feel goosebumps now” she shakes her body in disbelief after hearing his words.
“You are drunk and you don’t understand. I need to change your clothes now. You need to sleep” he moves closer to her.
She suddenly cups his face with her palms. “So, you are my boyfriend now?” she drunkenly asks.
He nods. “Eo. I am your boyfriend now” he patiently tells her.
“Whoaa…I know that you are so handsome the first time I saw you” her hidden feeling is coming out.
He chuckled at her blabber. “So you already thought that I am handsome for a very long time?” he happily asks.
She nods with her drunk face. “Eo. You are so handsome but you are annoying. Yaa…if you are my boyfriend, I can kiss you, right?” she pouts.
“You already kissed me many times” he nags her.
She smiles and brings his face closer to her. She kissed his mouth and pulls his body to her. He replies her kiss impulsively. He could taste soju in her mouth. Their bumping nose and their lip-smacking sound is echoing in her room.
When things get hotter, she suddenly stops kissing him. She passes out and falls to bed. She falls asleep immediately.
Ikjun is left hanging and feels annoyed. He groans at her hilarious acts. “Aisshh…She really makes me crazy” he mumbles while fixing her position.
He changes her clothes and puts on her pajamas. He covers her with the duvet and caresses her hair. She’s been in a deep sleep. Feeling a sense of warmth, he smiles and kisses her forehead.
He changes his clothes and cleans himself in the bathroom. He picks his toothbrush and some of his toiletries in her bathroom. Since they started dating, they have stayed back and forth on her place and his place. He has a plan to ask her to live together later when they are interning at Yulje.
Thinking about living with her already put a smile on his face. He’s looking at the mirror and finding he’s smiling while brushing his teeth. He’s already imagined how happy their life together. Even if things get hard during their intern, they’re gonna be okay as long as they have each other.
After cleaning himself, he joins her on the bed. He snuggles under the duvet and lies next to her in her small bed. Their side facing the same way and he presses his body on her. He wraps his arms around her and bents his body so her petite body curls up closely to him.
After feeling exhausted, he feels relaxed and falls asleep soon with her sleeping comfortably in his arms. Their hearts are beating normal in their deep rest.
*******
Songhwa wakes up late the next day. She is wriggling in her bed, trying to gather her energy and recalling her memory of last night.
All things that she remembers is she’s drunk at the barbeque restaurant. She couldn’t recall what happened after going back to her dorm.
She gets up and sees the sunlight through her window. It’s almost noon. Then she sees Ikjun who stands in her mini kitchen. He is busy cooking. She smells a delicious of spices and broth in her room.
The smell of the soup has triggered her stomach. It is growling loudly.
Ikjun immediately turns back and smiles widely at her. “You already woke up? You must be so hungry. I am cooking dried pollack soup for your hangover” he leans on her kitchen cabinet.
He has been showered, wearing his white T-shirt and glasses. He’s so fresh in this bright sunny day.
She feels her heart beating fast. He’s so gorgeous cooking in her kitchen.
Then she suddenly realizes how mess her look is. She’s drunk last night. She touches her tousled hair. Then she touches her mouth, checking if she’s drooling.
“I must be so ugly now” she pouts at him.
He laughs a bit and walks to her. He sits next to her and rakes her hair.
“You still look cute. Like a baby who just woke up” he tells her.
“You lied. I smell bad” she smells her body.
Then her stomach growls again. He chuckles. “Come on. Take a cold shower first. You must have headache now. You can eat the soup after that”
“Arasseo…” she nods slowly and immediately gets up but she loses her balance and almost trips.
Ikjun holds her shoulder to prop her unsteady move. “Do you need my help?” he teases her.
“Aniyoo…just make sure the soup is delicious. I am so hungry now” she warns him, feeling embarrassed. She walks fast to the bathroom.
“Don’t worry about that. You know my cooking would never upset you” he boasts.
Ikjun continues cooking while she’s showering. He arranges the utensils on her small table. When the soup is cooked, he put the hot pot on the table. He makes a glass of milk for Songhwa and a coffee for him.
After finishing the table, he tides up her bed and changes the sheet. Her room is cozy and warm now.
“I am finished. I have been freshening up” Songhwa shouts from her bathroom door with a towel cover her body. Her wet hair is still dropping water to her shoulders.
Ikjun walks to her and looks her closely. He sees soap foam near her ear. He touches it. “How could you miss this?” he shows her the foam.
She is blushing that he caught her being careless.
“I am so hungry so I showered in hurry. I will clean it again” she pouts and turns back to her bathroom.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Ikjun teases her.
“Nooo…I am not a baby. Don’t tease me” she yells from her bathroom.
“Okay…” he laughs at her antics.
When she finished her shower and puts on her new clothes, she joins him on the dining table. Ikjun already sat on the chair while checking his phone.
“Hmm…the coffee smells good” she is about to grab the coffee cup but Ikjun stops her hand.
“Andwee…you have to drink this milk. You are still hangover” he nags her and hands the glass of milk to her.
She pouts but she takes the glass anyway.
“You need to sit” he orders her again.
Feeling annoyed, she immediately sits on his lap. Her left hand lingers on his shoulder. He laughs in response. He lingers his hand on her waist and kisses her jaw. The smells of vanilla soap in her skin urges him to stick his nose longer on her neck. He inhales her fresh aroma that warm his heart.
She gulps the glass of milk immediately. “Aaaahhh….” She burps when finished the milk.
“Aisshh…you are really something. Last night you drunk soju. This morning you are drunk milk” he nags her while wiping milk crumbs on her lips.
“I don’t remember what happened last night. Did I do something foolish?” she worriedly asks.
“You didn’t”
“Really?”
“But you said something funny” he winks at her.
Her eyes widened. “Did I say something embarrassing?” she frowns.
He smiles while tightening his hand on her waist. “You were shocked that I was here. In your room. You didn’t remember that we already dating” he reminds her.
“Really??” she is shocked with her bulging eyes. “So I was mad at you?? What did you do?” she curiously asks.
“I told you that I am your boyfriend. Then you said you already thought that I am handsome the first time you saw me. I just realize that you also like me on the first sight” he pouted.
“I didn’t remember that. It was long time ago” she tilts her head.
“Yaa...why could forget something like that. Is it that hard to admit you also like me first?” he sulks.
She smiles and brings his face closer to her. “Is that important for you now? I am here now in your lap. Why do I need to prove that I like you?” she caresses his cheek and bumps her nose with his.
“It’s not enough” he says.
“What can I do to make you feel enough?” she teases him.
“Move with me. I want you to move with me in a new apartment. We can rent a small apartment near Yulje when we intern there. It will be easier if we live together so we can support each other” he offers her.
She bites her lips. “Is this a proposal?” she shyly asks. Her heart is thumping loudly. Her life is happier and brighter these days when he enters her life. Imagining their living together makes her heart bursting with joy.
“Well, you could say that it is a proposal. But, do you want to live with me?” he asks again.
She nods immediately. “Of course. I can’t wait for that. Imagining moving with you, looking for apartment together and choosing our furniture, wow, I am already happy just thinking about it” she tears in joy and cups his cheeks with her hand.
He smiles sweetly with her words. She lays down and kisses him deeply. He tightened his arms on her petite body and devouring her with his playful kiss. He nibbles her upper lip and open her mouth to suck her tongue.
Last night he tasted soju in her mouth. This morning he tastes milk in it.
********
Songhwa sits on the lecture hall alone. They just finished their last exam so the hall is empty. When the exam result is coming, like usual, Ikjun is at the top score, followed by her on the second place.
She isn’t jealous anymore. Moreover, she’s proud of him. The genius boy is her boyfriend now.
She takes her paper bag and takes out a red cap from it. It’s a present for Ikjun. They’ve promised to exchange gift this last term. She puts it in a box then she ties a ribbon around the box.
“Done” she smiles sweetly seeing her cute box. She puts the present on the paper bag and walks out the lecture hall.
Meanwhile, Ikjun is waiting for her alone in the music hall. He just finished his last practice with his band. He actually wants to come to pick her because they will do grocery shopping for the weekend and dinner tonight. But Songhwa asks him to wait for her in the music hall.
He is playing guitar while waiting for her. He can’t hide his smile playing Introduce me to a good person acoustically. It’s Songhwa’s favorite song. He often hears her singing this song in her bathroom. Of course, she is singing off-tune with her crack voice. But he loves it tough. He loves seeing her happy and cheerful. All he wants to be the one who always putting a bright smile on her face.
And today, he’s preparing a special gift for her. A gift to celebrate their last term and finished their course. He takes a peek in a paper bag under his chair. He had spent all noon yesterday to find this cute gift for her.
“Ikjun-na…” Songhwa calls him.
He immediately turns his gaze to the back door and sees her swinging her steps to reach him. Her face is blushing like cherry and her curly hair is blowing along with her steps.
“What’s that?” Ikjun tilts his head seeing she hides her hands at her back. It must be a gift for him.
She just smiles and runs a bit to reach him at the stage. She sits at the chair in front of him.
“I’ve been looking around yesterday to find this gift for you” she says while showing him the paper bag. “It’s not expensive gift. It just something you like to use” she continues.
He puts down his guitar and smiles softly at her. “If it’s from you, I don’t care what it is” he says and takes the paper bag.
He sees a beige box tied with ribbon.
“It’s so cute. Can I open it now?” he asks excitedly.
She nods and wriggling, feeling nervous if he likes it. He immediately loosens the ribbon and opens the box. When he sees what inside the box, he is mouth agape with his sparkling eyes.
She gives him a red cap. The red color is so bright like cherry tomato.
“Omo…this is so beautiful. I don’t have this color yet” he says while putting on the cap on his head backwards. “Is it good on me?” he asks.
She raises her hands and fixes his cap to fit perfectly on his head. “It’s so good on you. Your face looks brighter” she says.
“Gomawo…” he leans forwards and pecks her lips.
She feels shy and bites her lips. “Glad that you like it” she mumbles.
“And I also bought something special for you. I’ve checked all the stores to find a perfect match for you. Hope you like it” he takes a paper bag under his chair and gives it to her.
Her pupils dilated by the thrill and curiosity. She opens the bag and found a small box inside. The box is tied with grey ribbon. It looks so cute.
Her heart is drumming loudly. She has an inkling about what is inside so she gets more nervous. She looks at him who stares at her with his loving eyes and a slight smile on his lips.
“What is this?” she asks nervously.
“Something cute for my cute girlfriend. Just a symbol that you are mine” he confidently says.
“Ooo…you are being protective now” she teases him.
“Of course, I don’t want another intern or senior resident in hospital try to get your attention later” he pouts. “Yaa…just open it. I am getting nervous now” he awkwardly says.
She chuckles and takes out the small box from the paper bag. She unties the ribbon and opens it slowly.
She freezes for seconds.
A tiny ring with a tiny crystal. It’s a gift from him.
“Heemm…do you like it?” He rubs his neck, feeling anxious. “I tried to find the cutest one for you” he says.
She raises her head and stares at him. Her eyes are teary with warm feeling and affection. Being overwhelmed, she jumps on his lap and hugs him tightly. She buries her face on the crook of his neck. Ikjun can feel her tears on his neck.
“Are you crying?” he lingers his arms on her back and caresses her body.
She sobs a little. “How can you be so perfect?” she mumbles on his neck.
“I am not perfect, Songhwa-ya” he says.
She immediately raises he head and looks at him. Their face is getting closer now. “Yes you are. So perfect. You are smart and lovely. Promise that you’ll never leave me. Once you put this ring on my finger, you are mine forever” she glares.
“Whoaa…Look who’s being protective now” he teases her.
“I don’t want to lose you. You have to accept that you stuck with me for the rest of your life. Arachi?” she begs.
He looks up at ceiling, pretend to think.
“Yaa…why you need to think?” she sulks.
He can’t stand her cuteness that his bursts out a laugh. “Miane…I like seeing you sulking”
“Lee Ikjun…I am serious now” she still sulks.
He cups her cheeks. “Listen Chae Songhwa. I am gonna tell you this and you need to record it in your heart. I am willingly and happily to get stuck with you for my whole life” he states firmly.
Before she can answer him, he locks her lips with a soft kiss. Her lips are so sweet and tasteful that he can’t get over why he’s so addict to kiss her. She wraps her arms around his neck and her body shivers by the sense of his devouring kiss.
When he pulls out, he sees tears on the corner of her eyes. He wipes it with his thumbs. “Let me put the ring on your finger”
She nods and gives the ring to him. He holds her hand and gently sliding into her fourth finger.
“It’s perfectly fit and look pretty on your finger” he says while staring at her fingers.
“Thank you, Ikjun-na” she whispers on his ear and stick her cheeks on his cheeks. She raises her hand and both of them are staring at the ring on her finger.
Happiness looks good on their face.
********
Two months later
They walk with intertwined hands in front of Yulje building. It’s a bright new day and the morning sun warms their brave heart. The crystal ring is also shining on her finger.
It’s the first day of their intern program starts at Yulje hospital.
Songwha gets excited so this morning she woke up early. Ikjun prepared the breakfast for them. They have been living together for a month and they are very lucky to find a small apartment near Yulje that they only need half an hour to commute.
“It’s a beautiful day. I believe today is gonna be a good day” Ikjun says while seeing her from aside.
She nods. “Can we have coffee first? I heard the café here has many variant of coffee” she says. She has done mini research about Yulje.
“We can have coffee later. We need to report ourselves first. Don’t worry, you can taste all the coffee here every day” he promises her.
She smiles widely at him and tightens her hands on him.
“Yaa…that’s them. They are already waiting for us” Ikjun points to Jeongwon, Seokhyeong and Junwan who are standing at the lobby door and wave at them.
They wave back and walk fast to the lobby door.
“Good morning” Ikjun greets them cheerfully.
“Yaa…I still can’t believe that you two are dating now” Junwan nags.
“You’re gonna believe it soon. We will be together every day here” Ikjun responses mischievously.
Jeongwon chuckles seeing them. “Come on. We need to take our ID first” he informs them.
“I am getting nervous now” Seokhyeong tells them.
“Seokhyeong-a, we’re doing this together. So don’t worry” Songhwa reminds him.
“For me, I am afraid if my temper will give me trouble” Junwan says.
Ikjun snorts. “That’s why you need to learn to be more friendly from me. Yaa…you all, it’s gonna be good days and bad days here for us. We just have to support each other. Tell each other if you need help” Ikjun reminds them
Everyone nods to agree. They just start a new stage in their life. Seeing real experience in hospital, learns to be a good doctors and meet real patients in different condition.
But they are grateful that they are doing it together. Having someone you can rely on while chasing your dream is a bless in life.
“Come on. Let’s start the day” Jeongwon leads them to enter the lobby.
Seokhyeong and Junwan follow him. While Ikjun looks at Songhwa first. “Ready?” he makes sure that she’s okay.
She takes a deep breath and nods firmly. “I am ready with you” she firmly says.
He smiles and rubs her hands. “Come on” he leads her to enter Yulje.
It’s their new beginning. They start their new day as interns. Songhwa knows she’s gonna be okay because she has Ikjun besides her.