8 April 18

~YOO'S RESIDENCE~

The doorbell suddenly rang at the Yoo's residence, making Willow open the gate and saw her nephew, Hayden.

"GOOD AFTERNOON, AUNT WILLOW."

Greet Hayden to Willow as he bows at her, making his aunt look at him with a trace of surprise in her face.

"OH. GOOD AFTERNOON TO YOU TOO, HAYDEN."

Greet back Willow to Hayden as she steps aside from the gate to make way for him to enter the residence.

"SO, WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE?"

Asked Willow as she now closes the gate while Hayden is now standing beside her.

"I'M JUST GONNA ASK YEONAE ABOUT SOMETHING, AUNTIE. IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'LL JUST GONNA GO TO HER ROOM."

Answered Hayden to Willow as they now both walk inside the house. Willow nods as an answer to her nephew, takes a sit at the couch and begin to play on her phone. Hayden quietly went upstairs and saw the door of Yeonae's room was open and saw her laying down on her bed, making him smile weakly and knocks at the door gently. Yeonae quickly takes a look at the door while she's still lying on her bed.

"Why'd you come here without even texting me first oppa (older guy *female to male*)?"

Asked Yeonae as she quickly sits on her bed while still looking at Hayden who's now walking towards her bed and takes a sit there, too.

"I uhm… I just come here without even thinking. I wanted to ask you a favor in person."

Answered Hayden to Yeonae as he looks down the floor and began playing with his thumb's nail. Yeonae slowly scoot towards Hayden side then looks at him with a smile on her lips.

"Hmm... I wonder what would I get in exchange?"

Asked Yeonae to Hayden as she continued to look at him with a smile on her face, but as soon as she saw the trace of anxiousness in his face, her smile quickly fade away.

"Oppa (older guy *female to male*), neo gwaenchanhayo (Are you okay)?"

"I'll do everything for a week. Just please... Please comfort Micha."

Answered Hayden to Yeonae as he now slowly looks at her with his shaky eyes and stopped playing with his thumb's nail. Yeonae's eyebrows quickly narrowed and looks at him with her eyes wide open.

"Waeyo (Why)? Museun il-I iss-eot ni (What happened)? What did you do to her?"

Asked Yeonae to Hayden as her tone rises. Hayden continued looking at Yeonae with his shaky eyes then after a few seconds, he quickly looks down the floor.

"I... I broke up with her."

Answered Hayden to Yeonae as he began to play with his thumb's nail and continue to look down the floor. Yeonae's eyes widened as she continues to look at her cousin.

"Mwo (What)? W-wae (Why)?"

Asked Yeonae to Hayden as she now touches her cousin's shoulder while looking at him with so much concern in her eyes. Hayden sighed and stopped from playing his thumb's nail again.

"I can't fight anymore, Yeonae-ya. I'm tired of fighting for us. I'm tired of proving that I deserve Micha to her parents. It's just... too much for me."

Answered Hayden to Yeonae as he now rests his head on both his hands while he's still looking down the floor.

"Everything becomes 'too much' when it comes love, oppa (older guy *female to male*). The times you think of that person. The things you do for that person, the efforts that you give, the love, the attention, the happiness they give you, the sadness of the situation that the both of you are into, the tears, the pain, the suffering, the doubts, the concerns, the anxiety, the wounds and the madness. Everything's too much whenever it involves love. "

Said Yeonae to Hayden as she continues to look at him with her eyes full of concern for him while she's still holding her cousin's shoulder, making him sigh.

"We've been fighting for our relationship for too damn long. Her parents... Micha's parents… they're still against me being Micha's boyfriend. After all those years of proving them that I will love Micha with all my heart... they never listen. They never pay attention."

Said Hayden to Yeonae as tears slowly fell from both his eyes while he's still looking down the floor and still resting his head on both his hands. Yeonae sighed as she removes her hold from Hayden's shoulder and began to caress his back and he now starts to sob.

"What was Micha-ya's response?"

Asked Yeonae to Hayden as she continues to caress his back to calm him down.

"She told me to keep on holding on. She told me that we're almost near the end of our fight. She told me that we're almost near to proving her parents that I'm worth of her. She told me that we're almost near. Heh... almost... such a damn painful word. Almost."

Answered Hayden to Yeonae as he continues to cry while his head is still resting on both his hands. Yeonae sighed as she also continues to caress Hayden's back to comfort him.

"Maybe… maybe it's better this way. Maybe… maybe she'll find another man who will never give up on her. B-but what if... wh-what if I caused so much pain to her heart that she couldn't love anymore? Wh-what if..."

Added Hayden as he cries even more after saying those things while Yeonae stopped from caressing her cousin's back and sits quietly by his side, Yeonhun suddenly appeared in his yeodongsaeng's (younger sister) room.

"Do the two of you want some water?"

Asked Yeonhun to both Yeonae and Hayden while he's now standing by the door. Yeonae nods as an answer to her older brother. Yeonhun nods back at her and began to walk down the stairs to go get some water for both Hayden and Yeonae.

"Stop making up things that will never happen, oppa (older guy *female to male*). We both know that Micha's not that kind of person."

Said Yeonae as she touches Hayden's shoulder again while trying to calm him down. Hayden shook his head as he now looks at Yeonae with his bloody red teary eyes.

"I can't. What if Micha feels depressed because of our break-up? What if she feels numb after that? You knew that we we're each other's worlds, right? What if... What if..."

Said Hayden as he continues to cry in front of Yeonae, who doesn't know what to do anymore, making herself hug her cousin as tears fell from her right eye and Yeonhun enters his yeodongsaeng's (younger sister) room while carrying a pitcher of water and two glasses.

"What happened to Hayden-ah?"

Asked Yeonhun to Yeonae as he placed the pitcher and the glasses at the bedside table then quickly looks at both his yeodongsaeng and cousin.

"He broke up with Micha, and now, he can't stop thinking about her or what will happen to her after their break-up."

Answered Yeonae to Yeonhun as she lets Hayden go from her hug. Yeonhun sits at the floor in front of Hayden then holds Hayden's shoulder.

"Hayden-ah. If you always think that proving Micha-ya's parents that you are worth being her boyfriend, then you need to think again. Because for me, proving someone that you are worth it will only make you look inferior and easy to play with. Well, that was only based on my experience, okay. Don't generalize it. If you want to work things out with Micha-ya, then think about the things that made you both happy and contented. Think about the features that you love about her. Not the things you need to prove to her parents. I know that you've been fighting for your relationship with Micha-ya for a few years now, but it was only the beginning of the obstacle when you enter a relationship. Just hang in there, Hayden-ah."

Said Yeonhun to Hayden as he continues to look at him and hold his cousin's shoulder, making their cousin stop from crying. Yeonae sighed with a little smile as a sign of relief.

"Geurae (Okay)."

Answered Hayden to Yeonhun as he looks at him then wipes his own tears. Yeonhun showed Hayden his little smile and tapped his shoulder as he stood up in front of him.

"Be strong for the both of you and Micha-ya. Also, always remember that we're always here to support and comfort the both of you."

Said Yeonhun as he now walks towards the bedside table and filled both glasses with water. Yeonhun then gave the glasses of water to both Hayden and Yeonae.

"Gomawoyo (Thank you), hyeong (older guy *male to male*)."

Thanked Hayden to Yeonhun then drinks the water and smiled weakly at his cousin. Yeonhun smiled back at Hayden as looks at his cousin's bloody red eyes.

"If one of you need anything, I'll be in my room."

Said Yeonhun to both Yeonae and Hayden as he began to walk backwards towards the door.

"Oh, Yeonae-ya."

Called Yeonhun to Yeonae as he quickly stopped from walking. Yeonae quickly looked at her oppa (older brother *female to male*) with her wide eyes as soon as she finished drinking her water.

"Go outside and have some fresh air for the health of your lungs. You too, Hayden-ah, you need it the most."

Said Yeonhun to both Hayden and Yeonae as he began to walk out of the room and towards his room.

"You heard what Yeonhun oppa (older brother *female to male*) said. Let's get out and have some fresh air."

Said Yeonae to Hayden as she quickly got up from her bed, take the pitcher from the bedside and walks out of her room while carrying both the pitcher and the glass. Hayden wiped his tears for the last time, stood up then quickly followed Yeonae.

"You're gone go outside wearing that short shorts and an oversized pink t-shirt?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonae as they put the pitcher and the glasses at the counter while he's looking to his cousin from head to toes.

"Waeyo (Why)? We're just gone go at the playground."

Answered Yeonae to Hayden as the both of them now walk towards the main door.

"Geurae (Okay)."

Said Hayden to Yeonae as he now closes the gate after they got out of the residence and started walking towards the playground, which is a little bit far from the Yoo's residence.

~SIDE WALK~

"So... What's going to happen next?"

Asked Yeonae to Hayden as they walk on the sidewalk. Hayden shrugs his shoulders then let out a deep sigh.

"Molla (I don't know). Maybe I need some alone time right now. You know... to think this through. I don't wanna make another decision because of my temporary emotions."

Answered Hayden to Yeonae as they continued to walk on the sidewalk. Yeonae looked at him with her eyebrows narrowed, looks away then shrug her shoulders with a little smile on her lips.

"Mmm. Good for you."

Said Yeonae to Hayden as she looks down the ground and her smile gets wider.

"Do you think Micha-ya will let me be her boyfriend again if I asked her?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonae as he looks at her with a little trace of anxiety on his face.

"Hmm... I'm not sure. I think, all you have to do after asking her is to trust her. Only Micha can answer that question oppa (older guy *female to male*)."

Answered Yeonae to Hayden's question as she looks at him then smiled like a child. Hayden smiled back at her, but his smile was weak.

"You can have all the time you want to think it through oppa (older guy*female to male*). Geurigo (And)… always remember what Yeonhun oppa (older brother *female to male*) told you, okay?"

Added Yeonae to what she said to Hayden with a smile on her face, making him chuckle then a few seconds later, he slowly looks down the ground.

"What would you do if you're in my shoes, Yeonae-ya?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonae as they continue to walk on the sidewalk while he's still looking down the ground.

"Hmm... Maybe I'll hold a little tighter, fight a little longer and think about my partner's feelings a little bit more. But I'm not sure if I really do what I've just said when that kind of situation happens to me in reality."

Answered Yeonae to Hayden's question as her smile fades away. Hayden let out a heavy sigh as they finally reached the playground.

~PLAY GROUND~

"It's a good thing that there's no kids in here."

Said Yeonae as she looks at Hayden with a smile on her face.

"Eung (Yeah)."

Said Hayden as he began to walk towards the swing and takes a sit there, making Yeonae follow him quickly.

"You know... I was thinking..."

Said Hayden to Yeonae as he held onto the chains of the swing while he's now looking up the sky.

"Mwo (What)?"

Asked Yeonae to Hayden as she begin to swing.

"What if I changed my mind? What if I finally let go of Micha-ya? What would happen with the two of us? But what if I go back to her and continue to fight for our relationship? What would happen if I hold a little tighter? What would happen if I fight a little longer? What would happen if I think about Micha's feelings first? Will Micha-ya's parents finally accept me? Will they finally give me the blessing to be their daughter's boyfriend? There's so many questions that's running around my mind and I can't stop from making up another questions in my head."

Asked Hayden continuously to Yeonae as he swings himself slowly while still looking up the sky. Yeonae quickly stopped swinging and looks at Hayden with so much concern in her eyes.

"Just take it easy, oppa (older guy *female to male*). Take one step at a time. ONE AT A TIME, OKAY? ONE. AT. A. TIME. YOU UNDERSTAND?"

Said Yeonae to Hayden as she continues to look at him.

"You're too fast forward to think that kind of stuff. Don't spoil your present for the future that has not yet happened, because anytime in your present you could change the future in every decision that you make."

Added Yeonae on what she said to Hayden then continues to swing herself as she swings higher and higher.

"But what i-..."

Asked Hayden to Yeonae again but before he can even finish his question, she quickly interfered.

"If you let your anxiety control over you oppa (older guy *female to male*), you'll never acknowledge the happiness that you deserve."

Answered Yeonae to Hayden as she stopped swinging again then gently hold her cousin's hand while looking at him.

"But… do I really deserve to be happy, Yeonae-ya?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonae as he slowly looks at her with his bloody red eyes. A tear quickly fell from Yeonae's left eye as their eyes met each other, making her chest feel heavier and somewhat tighter.

"Of course you do oppa (older guy *female to male*). Everyone deserves to be happy. Even the bad ones, too."

Answered Yeonae to Hayden's question as she lets go of her cousin's hand and began to caresses his back. Yeonae smiled weakly at Hayden s another tear fell from her left eye.

"Uljima (Don't cry), Yeonae-ya."

Said Hayden to Yeonae as he now wipes her tears while still looking at his cousin, making her stop from caressing her cousin's back and smack his hand away from her face.

"AH! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonae as he now caresses his hand that his cousin smacked, while she just crossed her arms, looks away then pouts.

"Why wouldn't I cry? You are my cousin and the best cousin I've ever had! So why would you say that nonsense! Don't you ever stop me from crying because for me that's nonsense! You know too well that I hate things that makes no sense! And now, I'm saying that word too much! Ah! Jjajeungna (I'm annoyed)!"

Yelled Yeonae to Hayden as tears fell down from her eyes again, making her cousin giggled while watching her.

"Stop acting like that, Yeonae-ya. It'll never suit you."

Said Hayden as he finally smiles and starts to swing, making Yeonae quickly glare at her cousin.

"You are my closest cousin and you knew it too well that acting like that suits me! So don't you dare say that it doesn't suit me oppa (older guy *female to male*) because you always see me act like this and you always tell me that acting like this really suits me!"

Yelled Yeonae to Hayden as she continues to glare at her cousin while he's still swinging happily and ignores his cousin, making her smile quietly as she now watches him have fun.

"Ya! Geugo geumanhaera (Stop it)! You're only making yourself uglier than usual, Yeonae-ya!"

Yelled Yeonhun to Yeonae as he now walks towards both his yeodongsaeng (younger sister) and Hayden. Yeonae quickly looked at Yeonhun with her wide eyes as Hayden stopped from swinging and quickly looked at his older cousin with wide eyes as well.

"Jeoldae andwaeyo (No way)! How'd you know we're here oppa (older brother *female to male*)?!"

Asked Yeonae to Yeonhun as he now stands in front of her and Hayden with a smirk on his lips.

"Hmm... I wonder how…"

Asked Yeonhun back to Yeonae as he now looks at her while moving his eyebrows up and down. Yeonae suddenly had flashbacks of all the moments when she asked Yeonhun to accompany her at the playground, making her ears turn red because of embarrassment.

"Dakcheo (Shut up)."

Said Yeonae to Yeonhun as she quickly looks away from her older brother and began to swing slowly. Hayden began to laugh as he watches

Yeonae while Yeonhun quickly shifted his gaze at his cousin.

"So... what's your decision, Hayden-ah?"

Asked Yeonhun to Hayden as he walk pass both his cousin and Yeonae and stood between the two of them to swing them gently.

"Ya! Who told you to push me oppa (older brother *female to male*)?!"

"Maybe I just need some time to think this through hyeong (older guy *male to male*)."

Answered Hayden to Yeonhun as he lets his older cousin to keep on pushing him on the swing, while Yeonae was ignored by her own brother.

"Why does oppa (older brother *female to male*) keeps on ignoring me?"

"Love is not a game to be played, Hayden-ah. You need to take this seriously, okay?"

Said Yeonhun to Hayden as he stops from swinging both his cousin and Yeonae, making her looks at her older brother with a trace of confusion on her face.

"Since when did you became a love guru oppa (older brother *female to male*)?"

Asked Yeonae to Yeonhun as she continues to look at her older brother, making him push her too hard on the swing.

"When Jisun-ah and I both fell in love with each other."

Answered Yeonhun to Yeonae's question as he now watches his younger sister stop herself from swinging. Hayden and Yeonae quickly looked at each other with wide eyes then look at Yeonhun.

"Mwo (What)!?"

Asked Yeonae to Yeonhun shockingly as she continues to look at him with her wide eyes, making her older brother looks at her with his wide eyes as well.

"Oh. Did I say that out loud?"

Asked Yeonhun to himself as he lets go of the swing where Hayden sits.

"SINCE WHEN!?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonhun as he also continues to look at his older cousin with his eyes wide open, making him sigh as a sign of defeat.

"I guess there's no turning back then."

Said Yeonhun to himself with a smile on his face.

"When we're still teenagers. I still clearly remember how I confessed my love to Jisun-ah. And ever since then, we became a couple. Well… secretly."

Answered Yeonhun to Hayden's question while still smiling and looking at his cousin, making him shift his gaze from his older cousin to Yeonae who's now wearing a humongous smile at her older brother. Yeonhun quickly shift his gaze to Yeonae as well.

"Please don't use it to blackmail me."

Whispers Yeonhun to himself while he's now looking at Yeonae who's still looking at him with a humongous smile on her face.

"I AM SO HAPPY FOR THE BOTH OF YOU oppa (older brother *female to male*)! YOU KNOW, I SECRETLY SHIP YOU WITH eonni (older girl *female to female*). BUT STILL! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S REALLY HAPPENING IN REAL LIFE! I'M VERY HAPPY FOR THE BOTH OF YOU, oppa (older brother *female to male*)!"

Said Yeonae to Yeonhun as she gets up from the swing and began to jump around the playground, making her older brother and Hayden look at her with a trace of confusion in their faces.

"Jin-jjaya (Really)?"

Asked Yeonhun to Yeonae as he continues to look at her confusedly while she's still jumping up and down. Yeonhun and Hayden looked at each other then looks back at Yeonae.

"Jin-jja (Really)! I can't wait when eomma (mum) finds out! I'm sure that she'll finally stop forcing me to like that psycho back!"

Answered Yeonae to Yeonhun happily as she stopped from jumping and began to dance. Yeonhun continues to look at Yeonae, sighed then looks down the ground.

"Yeonae-ya."

"Waeyo (Why)?"

"Please don't tell eomma (mum), appa (dad), Yeonchae-ya and especially Jisun's parents. Please."

Answered Yeonhun to Yeonae as he continues to look down the ground, his sister and Hayden quickly looked at each other then looks at him with traces of confusion in their faces.

"WHY?"

Asked Hayden to Yeonhun as he continues to look at his older cousin with his narrowed eyebrows.

"Our parents have big plans for the both of us and we don't want to disappoint them. I envy you… Yeonae-ya."

Answered Yeonhun to Hayden's question as he now looks at Yeonae while smiling at her weakly, making his younger sister looks at him confusedly as she walks towards him.

"Waeyo (Why)?"

Asked Yeonae to Yeonhun as she stood in front of him and continues to look at him confusedly while Hayden waits for his older cousin's answer.

"Because you have the guts to fight for someone really important to you. When eomma (mum) was judging Jaeho-ya in front of you, you always stood up for him. Even though he's not around. I wish I had guts like yours, too, Yeonae-ya."

Answered Yeonhun to Yeonae's question as he continues to look at her, making his younger sister hug him.

"Someday you will, oppa (older brother *female to male*). Someday, both you and eonni (older girl *female to female*) will tell both our parents how you love each other and I'll support the both of you."

Said Yeonae to Yeonhun as she continues to hug him, making her older brother to hug him back. A few seconds later, Yeonae and Yeonhun let go of their hug, looks at Hayden with smiles on their faces, pulled their to make him stand up from the swing and they group hug.