#para:completion

[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.