Linger;

Lin·ger (verb) 1. to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave, 2. to dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment. -- Here lies the insane mind of a person who hopes to complete the things left undone due to plausible reasons. For truly, not all goodbyes are meant to be left unsaid.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled “Late Tendencies”, done with Professor Xiumin.

–

Startled, he blinked at the query posed. 

“The choir?” he said, with a small smile. “Then you should come along to one of the sessions and listen.”

He began prattling the rest of the details, in which Junhee would find useful, should she find herself a willing guest at the next. She smiled, in a most curious fashion. The professor had a nagging feeling that she had more on her mind than she would choose to offer. Though the incipient awkwardness was partly due to his tardy appearance and the lack of speech between them, the man was beginning to wonder if it could be her unnerving.

“Professor,” she spoke suddenly with a tinge of demure. “Would you say, that you’re able to orchestrate a choir of voices that others don’t hear?”

Gulp. Bingo, then. Even then, he shall not be made afraid! That, the professor silently vowed.

“How very interesting, Junhee,” he remarked. “Would you like to elaborate?”

The girl with the crown of brown hair, her face turned ashen at the thought, or so it seemed. She briefly glanced at her hands, before taking a polite leave, wishing him best for the classes to be held. After all, she was no student under his tutelage. And then she was running, almost running, from what she brought up, from the memories that come in a deluge, to leave the professor unsure yet he pursued not the mystery at hand.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled “Frozen Whispers”, done with Sumin.

–

Sumin thought that the clean-up duty would have been most boring and lonesome, but now the arrival of magical words on a screen would prove otherwise. She grinned, to herself, evidently, but how terribly amused.

“Do you believe in fairies?” wrote the girl in glee, though with the half-discipline of rubbing the nearby desks furiously. Imagining the grubby hands that could have been there did not help at all. Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things, Sumin, she mentally cheered herself with that funny phrase of hers.

The girl with the crown of brown hair was taken aback by the comment. How absurd. Yet just the right fit for the moment, as the crash course on cooking was definitely not landing its mark. Ensuring that a small doodle of egg noodles was well-presented -- for it is a poor alibi of listening -- Junhee then posed a reply.

“Perhaps you’ve just met one.”

Back and forth did these little replies come, even as the day drew to an end, be it acquiring knowledge or removing dirt. As the crowd trudged out of the hall, Sumin couldn’t help but to wonder which among them were playing pretend with her? It reminded her of the old days where things were much simpler at heart.

Later on, Sumin discovered a neat note placed in her bag.

“Thank you for the little chat, Miss Fairy. Or better known as, Miss Sumin.”

Caught between frozen confusion and amusement, the eighteen-year-old supposed that some things were better left slightly untouched, and magical.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "The Inflicted”, done with Joohyun.

–

Seo Joohyun could not help but to smile. The smallest of laughs to grace her face. The prospect of hunting for shoes at this unscrupulous hour is ridiculous, but having heard such a joke by the brunette was strangely heartwarming. Though they met rather unfairly and violently, perhaps a friendship could be made out of tonight. Something that drinking at the club could perhaps achieve, along with the waste of memory and dignity, but the girl had no want for those thoughts at the moment.

The pair cautiously entered the campus ground, taking heed to remain a stealthy quiet lest they disturb the sleepers. It would be a shame to cause others alarm or annoyance, especially after a long day of classes and other possible activities.The cafe took them in, heeled or not, nibbling cookies and a slice of cheesecake, for temptation rules best at night when there is a lack of witnesses.

“Say, since you have an interest in astronomy, what do you like best about it?” piqued Joohyun curiously.

Junhee’s eyes flitted toward the questioner, a flicker of emotion sparked, before it resumed its enigmatic chocolate hue.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint a favourite, but I would say its reign on time,” offered the twenty year old. “Light from space takes ages to reach us. We’re looking at the past, all the time. Out there, it could be just a void of darkness and while that might be a horror to some, I find that impossibly fascinating.”

She simpered at the sight of the other’s wide-eyed expression, unmistakably shocked.

“Now, do you really believe that of me?” asked Junhee with a slight grin, and Joohyun chuckled.

Whether the acquaintance did or not, it did not matter. The night, it was satisfied with its fill with its peculiar happenings. 

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled “Reflecting Duet”, done with Jaejoong.

–

The professor tilted his head slightly at that call. Now, when had any student purposefully acknowledged a person of the university institution outside of its normal bounds? Certainly not many. In fact, he wasn’t sure if she was present in any of his classes, had she enrolled.

To his surprise, he muttered a feeble joke.

“Skipping classes?” were the words expressed, along with the arch of a brow.

A smile, one present though small, one visible though initially taken back by the mild accusation. In her quietness and the abandonment of guitar strings, the crowd dispersed. This bubble of freedom had outlasted its use, and she returned to the grips of reality.

“I suppose that was a childish thing to say,” admitted the older eventually, a frown marring the clear expression. “Most have a half-holiday today from classes. It’s far more probable that you are enjoying your day off.”

“How... mathematical of you, sir,” she laughed at last.

With an informal shrug that seemed to agree, the conversation stalled. Or at least, it appeared to be until he spoke once more, extending an invitation even the wallflower would not have expected from the insouciant man.

“It’s been a long time since I last played. Perhaps you could care to accompany me to the music room on campus and see that music and math, are very much alike.”

For music could very well be math magnified.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "Devoid Emotions“, done with Kyungsoo.

–

The professor obliged the younger with his attention, gentle eyes dilating with anticipation. As one who favoured the piano despite its missing key, its measurements and other related information was a refreshing reminder. Interestingly, the catalogue informed that the piano was not bought in 1950, but at least five years later. Slightly perplexed, the professor voiced his wonderment.

"Perhaps they fell in love in that year," quipped the wallflower. "Maybe they were students who grew up here. Or professors, um." Her voice faltered, as it was almost embarrassing to bring up ideas that may cater misunderstandings to arise. The brunette definitely had no intention of suggesting anything odd. Noting the sudden disappearance of her voice, the professor mumbled something random to ease the other's discomfort. It nearly caused a smile to brighten the countenance, really.

Furious findings in the records revealed a female student who shared the same name as the ones carved in the keys. The professor could not help but to feel exhilarated, while she satisfied. The mystery was not over, yet progress was easily welcomed. It turned out that the lady would pursue a master's degree in music, which would make the late purchase seem sensible.

"A present before the big examination, maybe," mused Kyungsoo aloud, forgetting the quiet girl for a moment. To that statement, her lips curled in amusement for he sounded like a romantic. Nothing wrong with that, even if that were true. Everyone had an idea of love, be it a realistic or cynical one.

His eyes, they seemed to observe the records for a long time. As though he was trying to absorb the information beyond remembering. Unbeknownst to the brunette, he was wistfully thinking of the days his mother once roamed the same hallways. This place was certainly a time capsule and in some ways, things did not change. The archives had a way of preserving short forevers.

Getting a move on things, they find out the lady's whereabouts with the use of Internet and a few knowledgeable tips. She ran a home bakery business, as far as they knew. Things might have changed as there wasn't a proper website to refer to. As the house was not too far, they decided to walk the fifteen minutes journey. She could not help but to make a brief apology, for her meddling (to a particular extent) had interrupted his beautiful playing. More so that the piano had come undone. To this, he only laughed, and it was strangely endearing to hear it.

"You two don't seem to be here for cakes," greeted an elderly lady with a graceful smile. Sheepish smiles and the solemn handing over of the ivory key, watch the face morph with fleeting emotions. Now, this was the story: he and she met at the university, and predictably, fell in love. He was a senior, while she a freshman, and though they had relationship difficulties they pulled through. She did pursue a master's degree while the male did not, for he had an offer to play for a renowned orchestra. The distance was strenuous, and the piano came as a surprise one day alongside with his return, knee knelt on the ground. He was rather reserved, leaving affection hidden in corners and closed eyelids, but it would be difficult to doubt his love. It was simply one that radiated. Only when she asked for the piano to be cleaned before the big exam had the male shyly revealed his skills. The secrets carved made her full of joy.

At the time of speaking, he had already passed on but they had a lovely marriage. She admitted taking the key after his leaving as a reminder of their young days. The professor took the opportunity to explain that the piano, perhaps, should find a permanent home. "That is, with you," he said slowly.

Bursting with excitement at such a possibility, she gripped the student's hands. While Choi Junhee was not fond of skinship, it was worth the look in the other's eyes. Even so as they walked away at eventide, the sadness began to hang over her being as a gloomy cloud, dissociating her from the bright moment. If only the mystery of a dear best friend could be resolved as well.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "Crosswalk Contingency", done with Kyuhyun.

--

While she smiled like a dolt, a sardonic scrawl marked his face.

"Quite a child, aren't you?" he mused, mostly to himself. "No one can know everything." Had they been familiars, he might have bonked the top of her damp head. However, they were not friends like these. Caught in the perplexing net between friendship and obligation, perhaps with a strange element mixed in, unexpected moments can make room for awkwardness to rise. Even so, knowing enough that she is not entirely ordinary, Cho Kyuhyun figured it safe to chuckle briefly before entering the car.

"The seats are going to get wet," remarked the brunette with a raised brow. The male raised a brow in return as an indirect challenge. After all, what could be done about it? It was he who summoned the atrocious weather. Sighing quietly, she sat primly in the vehicle as a silent drive ensued. The wallflower she was known for -- for those who knew of her existence at least -- because certainly she could keep her mouth shut. It was probably due to the diminished lollipop. He was not fond of small talk, thus it should be a welcomed attribute, yet instead he felt a sense of hollow that caused an irritation in his windpipe.

Long ride or not, arrive they did. The unloading of groceries, the weather that continued to be bothersome and weepy. It would be unwise to drive out once more, yet they do. The cynical male felt astonished for doing so, and wondered shortly if it was done to lessen the owing toward her. Or could it be that he had found a peculiar cordial affection for the bookworm? Since the discovery of the fallen wallet, emotions scattered like autumn leaves on a windy day. His displeasure and almost care for the girl was odd, indeed. They managed to survive the rain and find a seat at the restaurant she spoke of. As intellectuals, they had much to talk about, whenever the occasional mood arose. Otherwise, she seemed content to watch him with those owlish eyes. In others it would signify a possible romantic inclination, yet in her it simply cannot be. He would not call her unattractive. The conclusion just could not be accounted for.

Having booked herself for the open stage session after the meal, she took the guitar and stood in front of the crowd. Unlike his character, Kyuhyun realised that a small part of him was rooting for her to do well. He raised his glass slightly in her direction as an encouragement. Take a deep breath, and she began. While she was no expert, she had enough skill to enjoy the moment and smile at the broody man. Though he initially appeared uncomfortable at her reappearance since the fateful incident, she could descry a vague acceptance in his physique. Definitely the highlight of the day.

Life -- it had an amusing way of drawing disconnects together once more.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "Chocolate Chaos", done with Jieun.

--

A quiet word of thanks was uttered by the older one, even as they worked to clean up the chocolate mess. It was almost fun, if one did not dwell on the halved wages or the report that would come. She could, however, smile even as the pendant was slipped into a safe pocket, happy that it was a treasure found once more.

"What does it feel like to hold onto it again?"

Delivered with a tone flat as an asystole, Jieun's heart skipped a nervous beat at the other's voice. The brunette was one that noticed things after all.

"Hey, you could have pointed that out and you didn't," the senior half-mumbled, continued with another expression of gratefulness.

The younger one, though having the question subtly deflected, did not lose her tenacity. The eyes, they remained focused even as the remains were wiped and cleaned after. The chocolate quota was met in the following hours, which ended their shift satisfyingly. Jieun's attention was diverted at their parting exit, to which a small, "Eh?" emanated.

"Don't let go," whispered the ever enigmatic Choi Junhee with eyes staring with undeniable clarity, with wisdom that aged the petite figure.

And Jieun was left stunned momentarily even as the other slipped away like the shadow.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "Fragmented Eggshells", done with Naeun.

--

The deed was left half-complete like a careless afterthought, found potentially stark with the door ajar. Naeun stared after the young brunette, who merely returned to the artistic eggshells, baffled. She was a stranger that drew nigh to the room, with the unfortunate incident of clumsiness marking their meet. Even so, surely she deserved more attention than the amount given to her.

Naeun hastily corrected herself. Had she been the other girl, perhaps the same perfunctory yet stoic greeting would have been performed. Images flickered the mind as she was reminded of how immersed she could be in the artistic realm, where any unexpected interruption was met with an untamed scowl.

Cheeks flushed with colour. Now, that could be considered rude. With the smallest of sighs the door drew shut.

"Hello, then," quipped Junhee, noticing that Naeun chose to remain. "I suppose you'd have your hand at these."

Had it been any other stranger, Naeun would be wary of the offer that appeared out of place. Yet this girl, she sensed, was one that did not trapeze within ordinary conventions. Quiet she was, but the owlish gaze that held was one that perceived intelligently.

Before long, the eggshells were painted in brilliant shades, and the reason behind these were teased out. It had to do with charity and the raising of funds for the poor.

"Your guitar," began Naeun with a slight protest before clamping her mouth shut lest she appeared foolhardy. It was decidedly true that she doubted how painted eggshells would raise monetary assets when a street performance could garner greater attention. Junhee merely blinked, before the end of a lip curled.

"Perhaps, but not quite."

Even as the handicraft was finished, with the young brunette complimenting the other sincerely, Naeun sensed the depth of multiple emotions that drifted in the other's mind. She wondered what made her feel hollow despite having the gentle moonlight radiating out of that half-smile.

Naeun, she shrugged at the rather personal notions attaching themselves to the acquaintance and eventually eft them rusted in the backroom.

Oh, the things she didn't know of Choi Junhee.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "A Faded Memory", done with Lee Jonghyun.

--

It turned out that the person was looking for her after all, as response quickly emanated, one that sounded casual and non-startled. The hurt freshman sighted a male as the light beam kindly shone on his figure as well.

The smile that made its way on his expression froze abruptly, as eyes grew wide.

“Junhee?”

That’s odd. Being the ghost and wallflower of Jeonjin University, recognition did not come easy for most when it pertained to her. What a strange query indeed. Yet identify her correctly he did, despite the murky dark of the night. The blink intentional; lift her eyes. “... Yes?” mused the female with a tinge of perplexity. Perhaps he was a male observant since it did not take him many moments to notice the injured ankle. She thought a distinct “Tree roots, huh,” was mumbled under his breath.

Though initially chatty, he drew to a silence as he helped her up, supporting her weight. They exchanged general information, questions of why were you doing in the park and have you consumed dinner. “I had a sudden desire to walk in the park” and “Does a slice of pizza count?” were the respective answers. Even as she had expressed her desideratum to return to the quarters, even as he secured his hold on her petite self, he took a good long look at her. Albeit the fact that the flashlight was not being utilised, Choi Junhee was aware of his gaze.

“Jonghyun -- and at this, his face lit up exceedingly -- am I supposed to know you?”

Cue the downcast countenance. The hand that temporarily fell limp before recovering. Take a deep breath. Eyes that droop.

“Depends,” and with this a tone quiet and reflective emanated. “To suppose anything has always been the function of humankind.” Adding shortly that they should begin the journey back, they do. Yet even with the stars above them, on this flashlight path artificially created, it was the subtle affection that he expressed that lingered interminably in her mind.

Lee Jonghyun mentions that it depends, that to suppose is the quest of every, yet Choi Junhee cannot help but to feel that she was missing a considerable chunk by not recognising him. Yet the door left ajar was not forced open or prodded into, and so the next gust of wind drew it completely shut.

On a night years ago, there is a story of a boy who fell between the planks of an abandoned school building in the attempt to search for something dearly lost, and the girl who chanced to come along and save him from distress. Yet this story, subject to decay, has already begun its demise from the memory. And without memories, the past has never been so ambiguous.

[afterthedot]

Dedicated a certain Yukwon, to whom I have yet to forget despite it being about two years ago now, if not yet. You disappeared before we got our characters to meet outside our respective inboxes. This one; it's for you.

--

Of all chanced meetings, this was one she never wanted to forget.

Consider the trees splashed with a lovely shade of green, the grass fine and the flowers scattered about the pavement in an almost artistic nature. Choi Junhee, the girl with the crown of brown hair was merely on her way to Dandy Candy as her shift was due. With the gentle sigh that articulated and whispered into its demise, the wing sneakered girl journeyed towards the particular destination. The sun, it was nearing the hour of its sleep, and so it was a most eventful period in which students were either finishing up on their last classes or eager to grab a place for an early dinner. Being neither of those, the observant and partially owlish girl continued, the guitar case strapped across her shoulder as a permanent part of the wardrobe.

By and by, the shoelaces had somehow played a dance and fell undone. The wallflower halted in the makings of her footsteps, perplexed. It was certainly an occurrence random and unlikely, yet nevertheless, had to be corrected before it became the bearer of avoidable consequences. She sat down, placing the case aside in a dignified manner before attending to the mischievous laces.

"Hello there."

Choi Junhee blinked. Turned.

"Hey," uttered the mouth that curled into a mellow grin. "Got you to turn around to look at me now." The other was a male, having shared the other end of the wooden bench. With a messy shock of hair, he had a way of smiling which infected his eyes and verbal expression.

"Mister Kim, paranormal club member, film major, junior on campus," she stated blankly before returning to tying her pesky shoelaces. Or so she would have, but a part of her actually waited for his reaction. The degree of preposterousness she had -- she had not noticed having such an element there.

His eyes sparkled, not with fear but with pleasant surprise. "Ah," he mused, countenance gentle. "You must be Choi Junhee, the dictionary-like girl. You can call me Yukwon, and that's with a Y." He stopped short, donned a chuckle. Her eyes narrowed, quite forgetting to fix the shoelaces.

"Really now?" she replied rhetorically. "Dictionary girl..." It felt like an negative connotation, but that wasn't something she could choose. A pebble was kicked to her side. "Come on now, tell me then -- what shall I call you by?" he asked genuinely, an arm lax on the bench's shoulder. Briefly mentioning the word Junhee, he proceeded to drag it out in a sing-song manner, to which she react to it distastefully and finally resumed the shoe-lacing business. In a swift motion, she got up and strapped the guitar case on, quite ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" asked Yukwon, casually standing next to her. Though she might not have usually answered such queries, she does. "Ah, so you're the girl that all the boys are hoping to see while buying the treats there," he pointed out.

"So first I'm a dictionary-like girl, and now all the boys are after me?" mentioned Junhee sarcastically. Her eyes, they nearly squinted with disbelief. He gave a good-natured shrug, sounding as if he was convinced by his own statement. "Yukwon, your conclusions seem to fall short," she added flatly.

His expression seemed to inflate, nonetheless. "Nice to know you've remembered my name," chuckled the junior. "And no, I can't say if it's a rumor or a truth since I've never been to the candy shop anyway." Before she could stop herself, she actually offered to bring him there -- since it was where she was going, not that he was so amusing of a companion. Nope, nope -- not because of any similar reasoning such as that at all.

His eyes crinkled. "Sounds nice, but I've got to run off now," he quietly explained. "It's nice to have met you, Junhee. Perhaps I'll drop by in a day or two." And this time, he did not make fun of her name at all. He pattered off, leaving her walk alone for the remaining distance.

Days passed, and though she kept a particular lookout for him, he didn't appear at all. Days turned into weeks and transformed into months, and yet there was not even a glimpse of his contagious grin. And it is by eventual realisation that he had mysteriously vanished, but even then, freshman Choi Junhee would pretend that one day, the next pair of footsteps belonged to the junior.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled “The Bucket List”, done with Junho.

—

Though temporarily impaired in visionary aspects, the twenty year old's attentive ears were enough to conclude the makings of the current situation. The one she had saved from getting drenched with ice-cold water had taken action, almost admirable in the sense that he had stood up for another he knew not. Then again, did she not employ the same characteristics as well? The bucket that neatly fell on her head, albeit having first induced a sharp pain, now eased to a steady and unsettling throb. Lee Junho, the shivering brunette believed the stranger to be, was succinct yet sufficiently powerful in driving the perpetrators away, judging by the loud, clumsy footsteps that faded into the distance. With a wave of lassitude that shook, her shoulders subconsciously sunk under the weight of initial worries, one that existed ever since noticing the seniors' prank that morning.

Choi Junhee the wallflower, however, was most unprepared for the next big thing that happen in spite of being quite natural, if one viewed it neutrally. The bucket had been effortlessly lifted from blocking her view and it was a pair of serious and semi-amused eyes that met hers. "And hello there," he mused with dry affection, the kind allocated for the one with a benevolent deed executed. "I find it most queer that you would have done that for me, but thank you very much anyway. It would be difficult to think that you had anything to do with them, did you?" He must have suggested subtly that she may be part of their terrible scheme, to which the girl was nearly insulted. Most of the time she didn't care too much about the opinion of another, but this one the younger one must certainly rectify.

"I should think not—" were the words that began to leave her cold, trembling lips but he had cut her short with a sincere laugh, one so pure and gold that the speech prepared was impeded altogether. And it was in this current state of shock did the companion on bended knees extend her extemporaneously of his outer coat to help regenerate the warmth required. A tacit blink, the awkward smile that struggled to remain as it is on the pale countenance was understood by the older one.

"Come on," Junho could not help but to say. "Being chilled to death is no fitting end for you, miss." Without a yes or a no, he took her by the arm and they would have walked on uninterrupted if it had not been for the comment made rather innocently.

"What of the bucket?"

His eyes narrowed impatiently. "To hell with it," he mentioned carelessly in reply, having no filter for the expletive involved. Then he watched her stare at him most owlishly, and quietly, which unnerved because it wasn't the foolish, gawkish type at all. It was one that analysed — though he had a faint suspicion that she would not judge without proper reasoning — and drew conclusions. "... Or, we could bring it to the janitor's closet," he then amended ruefully. "It was probably stolen anyway." It was weird, the way he ended up subjecting to another, because he was the one who usually led, and not followed or complied with the notions of another. But the small smile of hers was gained, and it was reward enough, though she was turning frightfully pale.

"Junho. I will most readily admit that I am falling ill," she mumbled slowly. In alarm, he looked at her once more. He knew how to handle girls and what they secretly wanted and all that thing, but this one's more synonymous to enigmas rather than attention-loving and gift-susceptible. Even as he tightened his grip on her — while she obviously flinched to the touch, loosening his earlier strength then — he could not help but to try one more thing.

"Since you know my name, I think it's only fair that I'd be credited yours," he asserted with an air of casualness. A sharp glance burned him. "No good deed that comes without a price, eh?" questioned Junhee in return with a tinge of weak sarcasm, who later relented. "... Choi Junhee." As he looked at her, remembering the name to the fair face, a grin dominated his expression. With a light pat on the shoulder that supported her, he mischievously whispered, "It's nice to meet you, my pretty," which made her close to regretting in having saved someone like him from the trouble of the bucket.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled “Spontaneous Adoption”, done with Tablo.

—

The man could not help but to permit the ends of his mouth to lift upwards in a most amused fashion, especially considering what the young student had expressed. Well then, while it is most probable that she was one of the quieter ones in the batch he taught, it did not cause her attention or information gathering skills to be depleted. In fact, it would appear as though she was skilled in the particular field.

"Mr Tablo, eh?" was the query echoed, the gentlemanly act a fine play. Though he possessed no villainous desire to exploit, but she was sincerely an entertaining individual. Though it was by mere and unprecedented chance, dragging her along would prove to be joyful, albeit challenging. Here was a freshman that was not about to submit to authority without any plausible reasoning.

The owlish blinks, the smile that would have adorned her complexion. The silly duster that remained doltishly weightless in her slender grip. With a frank sigh the man explained almost meekly of his grand plans.

The last thing the creative man expected was the laugh, the unrestrained laugh of pure delight that enraptured the being. The smile once envisioned, assisted by a vague memory, came to pass as the words escaped. "That sounds wonderful," she replied with the smile of wryness, though one cannot deny to tinge of unparalleled excitement. "I do not intend to play unwise by following a random person out of campus, but technically we are acquainted, and so I am taking up the offer." He grinned a callow grin for a good while before petty annoyance seeped in.

"But Mr Tablo... The duster has to be returned first, please."

Unnecessary amount of steps later, they venture out into the streets once more and eyes met. Curious ones with astute, shrewd ones. A blink — inquiring of where they were to go. The imperceptible crinkling of another, responding with the non-whisper of, "You'll see," and the gaily sprint that followed after. The girl with the crown of brown hair was startled indeed, but the suave man was no unkind person — several paces and they halted altogether, all for the sake of watching over the another. And the chaste smile of affection that parted his lips was one to fight for.

After turning down numerous corners and unlisted paths, they arrive at a flight of stairs. Behind closed doors, loud booming music emanated. She raised a brow. "I don't suppose you dragged me out to have fun at a club in the middle of the afternoon, yes?" The peeling paint, the chipped door — everything was suspiciously possible. With a disappointed glance, the male opened the door and a quick smile returned.

Made alive with a mock horror tone, Tablo expressed, "Tell me that you hate this," before pressing a few arcade tokens into her hands. Well then, when did he exchange them over the counter? No — it must have been a while since planning to come over here. Eyes scanned around the room for the game to engage with, for the previous appointment with Jinyoung never eventuated. She noticed how the man chose a racing game, and how he was going to play against a computerised opponent. Tapping on his shoulder lightly, the brunette quietly grinned at him.

"Count me in," mused Junhee, as she took her place in this inopportune game of unpredictable misfits. Judging by the length of his shadowed smile, she could see that she had made the right choice to tag along, after all.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "The Delitescent Gamer", done with Jinyoung.

--

The question entertained him. Sure, it was a simple query, but its simplicity was just too good to miss. Watching her carefully, Jinyoung couldn't help but to smile slightly at it all. Though he might have mentioned bringing the said belongings everywhere, she did raise an important point.

"Perhaps I shall play gentleman and carry your stuff around for you?"

That remark was played almost teasingly. Had he been more serious about that particular notion, the male would have detected the instinctive flicker of disturbance that danced in her chocolate eyes. The guitar that she chanced to bring was one much too dear to be handed over to just anyone.

Of course, it wasn't like Jung Jinyoung would or could have known about such delicate intelligence. It was comparable to a secret doomed to the murky soil of the grave.

"Seriously though," he added soberly. "Perhaps you would prefer leaving them safely at your dormitory first, Junhee?" As an unsaid afterthought, it was assumed that he would be able to keep his precious belongings as well. It was a statement that she would have agreed to, when his cellphone began ringing. The smiling student excused himself apologetically before checking it, to which a salient frown appeared.

Blinks were all she permitted out of innocent curiousity. Though she had no want to eavesdrop, it was quite easy since his reactions blew out of proportion. It was a collective mess, and all the brunette could understand from the exchange was the prospect of an emergency. Worry trickled into her features without permission. At last, the phone call was ended and the companion's face seemed peculiarly flushed. He mumbled something regarding his mother's outrageous ways, mildly asserting that the arcade plan was now a plan to be undone. Choi Junhee merely nodded, watching the male's hurried self whisk away into the outdoors with his belongings, enthralled by the thought of an overly devoted mother's actions.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "Of Creepy And Crawlies", done with Hyungseok.

--

At first he looked at her with broad disbelief, but then the expression changed slightly. Perhaps he truly had no idea as to what was meant by the other, yet perhaps he was in a state of denial, not wanting to admit that she and he held similarities. Even so, as the ephemeral seconds trickled, it was certain that they shared a trait or two, a detail clear as the perpetual rising and sinking of the blazing sun in the horizon. Choi Junhee was sufficient in the art of patience in order to see if the earlier prompting would instigate something remarkable; memorable.

The purposed misalignment of the lean jaw demanded attention before words perforated the lonely, narrow atmosphere. "Maybe," was the option whispered by Park Hyungseok, his voice echoing oddly in the hallway. Though minimal in nature, it was enough for her to have heard that. It was truly more than enough.

She smiled, grinning, hoping not to scare another that might be seemingly familiar like a distant, patterned mirror, and so she expounded her thoughts carefully, without cutting any genuine emotions out. "How about we meet properly tomorrow?" suggested the brunette in the great midst of things, aware of the other's nervous and jittery state. "We'll do this meeting over." Somehow, despite the overwhelming situation, he was able to respond with a meek, "Okay," with a sincere yet timid smile. Details were discussed immediately, particulars regarding time and venue, and so things were settled. One boy pattered down the hallway to who knows where, and one girl stood still, pleased.

Dawn encompassed the campus and the female student scurried towards the place where they were to meet, a momentary breakfast before respective classes commence. By and by, nonetheless, the girl with the crown of brown hair realized that he wasn't coming.

Staring at the pastel hues of the restaurant, she surmised that though they were both wallflowers, they walked extremely different paths. He resembled an authentic flower, and his fragility that showed as he ventured down the hallway yesterday lacerated the heart.

And she knew even before he hauntingly disappeared from campus forever that he was just one of the many flowers that ended up swallowed by the surrounding walls.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled “Relentless Sparks”, done with Joonmyun.

—

The man was very well aware that staring was no form of decency, more likely to be frowned upon as an act of rudeness. He had no want to be pleasant, however — it was unnecessary to uphold such values all the time. Whatever element that didn’t serve him will be disregarded lest it became his master. Even so, while the cold silence lingered, the ends of his mouth tilted upwards with impeccable amusement. To think that a petite brunette like her was able to handle the two potential perpetrators was quite an interesting riddle. While it is no mystery that she did not escape unscathed, it was remarkable on his list.

Erratic blinks eventuated from the male before the voice expanded. “Do not fear,” he assured smoothly. “I am not here to judge you.” With that, the student sighed, and it was considerably comical. Unbeknownst to Choi Junhee, nonetheless, Joonmyun was already forming a false perception of her. A sharp grin angled his features wolfishly and he quietly whispered, “Come with me for a little while.” The invitation startled. The girl blinked rapidly, stunned at the sudden change of conversation. “I can’t say that I would actually do that, Joonmyun—” were the words she began replying in a mild protest, informed of the other’s infamous reputation but then the male was dangerously closer. Eyes slanted heavily with a negative connotation.

"You and I — we’re the same."

Taking advantage of the girl’s contemplative mind, he dragged her by the arm and so the brunette was forced to follow. Dismayed, Junhee couldn’t help but to think of how much trouble she had met with this evening. They emerged out of the alleyway and skidded to an abrupt stop after making the corner. Joonmyun walked over to a chained motorcycle and she supposed that they were going for an extemporaneous ride. Then his stiff footwear broke the chain.

"… Mister," she said flatly, the tone the opposite of her palpitating heart. He had the audacity to whistle cheerfully before responding with a confident, "We are just borrowing this for a little while for a spin." Theft was definitely on the rise. Yet she could not protest against a potentially dangerous peer without a plan so she was to obey the itinerary wordlessly. Though the twenty year old harboured initial worries, their first destination genuinely astonished her.

He had brought her to a clinic. Joonmyun saw her surprise blink and smiled a half-smile. “Trust me, you wouldn’t want to travel around with open wounds,” were the words uttered as he gestured to the neck. Instinctively placing her own hand there, she nodded dumbly. Albeit being the wallflower, she was spotted by the other patients that evening due to her tattered condition. It turned out that her companion and the doctor were friends, and the doctor laughed heartily upon seeing her. “Ah, I knew I need not wait long to see you poisoning another with your violent ways,” the old man mused frankly as he scrutinized Junhee’s wounds. “A pity that you chose to poison this pretty little flower though.” The brunette could only stare uncomfortably as the male student’s hand rested on her shoulder lightly. “Believe me, she was already the poison flower itself,” he retorted with gleaming eyes.

Later, after the male insisted on paying for the treatment fees, he had brought her to a dessert shop. By then, dinner time had arrived but still she remained selectively mute. “Next time around, you should bring some bandages before looking for fights,” advised Joonmyun smilingly over a plate of tiramisu cake slice. She poked at her blueberry cheesecake slice hesitantly upon hearing that. “Ah,” she began slowly, not wishing to offend. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but I must. I’m not exactly someone who was looking around for fights… You stumbled upon a coincidence.” While fear was a trait she kept deeply hidden, this time it was no use. Meeting his eyes, it was almost wonderful to watch the transforming of an expression rooted in shock to something close to cordial admiration. The troublemaker then proposed an idea directly.

"Will you be flattered if I find you all the more spectacular then?" The wallflower had no comeback for that. She nibbled the cake as a response and somehow, his smile did not falter. He was so queer.

He finished his portion first and a solid clinking sound commanded her attention. “I’ll be going first to return the bike,” he explained, entertained by the other’s obvious disbelief. “This shop is near the campus so I’m sure you’ll have no trouble on your way back.” She nodded and stood from his seat to leave, but then he paused. Dark eyes flickered chocolate eyes. “Your name, princess?”

"Junhee," she replied shortly, noting the endearment she did not fancy. "Choi Junhee." He acknowledged the reply and she resumed her eating. The fine act of leaning over the table was executed as a chaste kiss bloomed the forehead of the one caught unaware.

"I had a most interesting time with you, Junhee," he whispered softly in a smiling voice. "Thank you." And then the troublemaker with the roguish smile chose to disappear out of her life forever from that moment onward.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "The Sleepwalker", done with Wooyoung.

--

Ensnared in a dream so real, it would have certainly shocked him if anyone told him otherwise. Lying down on an unfamiliar couch, the notions continued in a seemingly logical flow, of he in pursuit of she in the most frustrating of scenes. The woman he had cajoled from before had no intent to relent, causing the heart to pattern into varied schisms. Unknowingly, the sleepwalker tossed his head occasionally due to the storm in his mind, catching the quiet brunette's attention. Walking towards the stranger with the tepid beverage carefully, she tried to see the root of distress. Yet because it existed in the mind, it was not something to be perceived.

Eventually, the motions subdued, and a rhythmic breathing system could be discerned. A blink broke the long session of gazing, and with a kindly faked cough on her part, Choi Junhee took a sip. Was she really going to stay up for this trespasser? If it chanced to be so, the brunette was quite certain that it was not out of plain benevolence. To fall asleep in the same perimeter with another unknown element will never do. She heard the abrupt, gentle albeit incoherent murmur and attended to it instantaneously. The beverage was left to cool on the nearby table and Junhee sat at the foot of the couch in an effort to listen more effectively.

The mumbling transpired again, but they were still unidentifiable. Incredibly close to marring her countenance with a salient frown, she leaned slightly closer and then it was the presence of a strong arm on her back that froze her. Chocolate eyes crawled in horror at being trapped once again by the same individual. This man -- he must be a cheeky and smooth talker upon waking! "Are you awake?" she asked with a tinge of dismay. Astonishingly, the answer was not a yes. The student stared, pondering on the next best action regarding this uncomfortable situation. This sort of intimacy was unwanted by she indeed.

Well, maybe a compromise was required. Perhaps, perhaps if he didn't do anything more outrageous than this, she was meant to tolerate-- The dream fell flat when the male began to show signs of possessiveness. With a grim expression, the girl decided that this show had gone much too long without intervention. Paying no heed to the possible danger of waking a somnambulist, Junhee gripped the nearby arm. "I am not who you think I am, Wooyoung," she hissed involuntarily. "Get up." A firm act of shaking his shoulders jolted him conscious -- despite a little bleary -- and the reaction occurred at least ten seconds too late.

It was nothing like she had ever concluded about him.

Jang Wooyoung clumsily dropped out of the comfy couch, his hands backing away and the blanket that followed drowned him partially. A face synonymous to the shade of rubescent, paired with a stammering, ghosting apology of immense sincerity. "I-I'm so sorry," were the words he said, and in spite of all the available reasons to be irked by the whole episode, the girl chose to smile a small smile at the innocent, disheveled boy. And her eyes had replied him that forgiveness had been readily given.

[afterthedot]

Completing the para that is entitled "Amongst The Treetops", done with Shihoo.

--

Several blinks were executed by the man before a smile was formed. With a slight tilt of the head, he spoke. "Yours, I presume?" declared the individual, to which the girl nodded. She too, realized that he turned out to be a professor. How unlucky, maybe, if he had decided to be angry, but apparently not. It is certainly the time to count one's blessings, for messing with an authoritative figure is not the way to go.

A rich chuckle subsequently filled the air. "Alright," he mentioned casually. "Shall I come up, or would you rather come down?" Astonishment escaped her stoic expression immediately. Why would Professor Shihoo even consider the former? Surely it must be quite a peculiar joke--

The male had already begun his ascend. Though he is by far no skilled climber, he was naturally good enough to keep his weight afloat. Sporadic protests were voiced out, asking him to reconsider as she could most definitely return to the lowest of grounds. It was not benign for her to make him come all the way up so laboriously like this. Plus, unless he changed his mind, anything she tried would only endanger the professor. Life suddenly seemed exceedingly bleak.

"... Really?" mused Junhee when he finally arrived, finding an appropriate spot safely. "Thanks, anyway." The sketchbook was handed over and the girl scrutinized the item, hoping that no wears or tears have emerged when they last met. Leafing through the pages carefully, it appeared that it was not damaged significantly. The brunette mumbled a word of relief to herself before balancing the marking tool between her fingers at a delicate angle, a smile that eventually turned against itself. "Aren't you moving?" was the inquiry posed. The shaking of a head, the amusement that framed the older one's countenance. With an accidental sour look, the female sighed.

"If you fall off this treetop at any moment, sir -- I'll have you know that it is not of my concern at all."

That poor joke merely kept him there an hour or two longer like there was nothing else in the world to ruminate about. And perhaps for that day, there was nothing else, after all, save for the occasional breeze that took his breath away.