14 The date

Icheon, is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, just outside of Seoul. The town is one of the foremost ceramics centers in the country, famous for its traditional artisans. The dozens of active kilns in the area are a vital part of Korea's cultural heritage. It is also known for its famous rice meals and the world's second largest memory chip maker, making it one of the best small towns in South Korea.

This is where Nolamine lived. He and Son-join had to travel just 30 minutes from where they lived to the town square where their dates were already waiting for them as in true gentleman's fashion, they were 45 minutes late.

If it wasn't for Nolamine taking the initiative to ask for the girls' numbers during the week, making it able to call them and apologize, they were going to find only the wind waiting for them.

And in true Son-join fashion, he stole the girl's attention without even putting an effort into it, for as soon as they saw them, they could not help but comment on him.

"What the?"

Si-woo could only mumble those words at the time. Ara laughed and could only shake her head.

"And this is the boy you like?"

Si-woo asked.

"Well, he is unique, alright?"

Ara said, Si-woo looking at her like she was crazy.

"Si-woo, stop it. What if I tell you that that's what I like about him? Well, and the fact that he's the only one who seems to understand Nolamine and get along with him. I think he brings out the best in him and that's a quality in itself.

"I disagree. I think he is holding him down, well, personality-wise."

The two girls locked eyes and sparks flew.

"You being the prettiest girl at school and him being the hottest guy, I thought you two would hook up."

"Si-woo? Do not tell me you do not like Nolamine?"

"What? Everyone likes him. Just that I think no one can handle him. He looks disinterested in relationships. Well, since Son-join managed to make him go out with me, I'll just enjoy this day and go with his flow."

"Awe, have we been reading tips on how to hook a guy? You Tantras.."

Ara said teasingly. Si-woo had no time to retort as the two miscreants were now right in front of them.

Nolamine wore black shoes, black pants and to top it off, a white T-shirt and a black jacket. You did not have to guess that black was his favorite color.

Son-join, being the true Titan he was, had proudly spat on the gods of dating and fashion. With his nose held high and walking like he had just conquered the fashion world, he wore a white and black striped T-shirt, cargo shorts, and to knock the wind out of them, slippers.

They had argued on and on about what he should wear. With time not being kind to them, Nolamine had given up and gone out of his bedroom and let him wear whatever he wanted.

Thinking about Ara and getting nervous, Son-join chose what he was most comfortable in, resulting in a documentary of 'What not to wear on a first date'.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting ladies. I had to deal with a teenager's life crisis."

Nolamine said with a sigh, calling them ladies to sound more mature. He looked at the two girls and Ara was looking dashing, wearing a one-piece peach sleeveless long dress that ever so slightly showed her caves, giving thanks to the goddess of innocence.

Si-woo was more adventurous as she wore bum shorts on top of black tights and a loose light pink T-shirt with the words 'Cute' written on it.

"I see that you boys are fashionably late."

Si-woo said teasingly, making Nolamine laugh inwardly.

"I have to say, you look.... you.... cough, cough, Son-join, I like your style."

Ara said to a boy who was awestruck at an angel that had shown itself right before his eyes. His cheeks went red with shyness, making Ara giggle.

The night before, he had read a book called 'The Art of War', not even thinking about touching a dating book. It was for this very moment for he was at war at that exact instance. It was a pity because he had forgotten everything the book said when he saw her.

'Shoot first, and ask questions later.'

He remembered something. Only he did not have anything to say.

"Beu... cough, cough. You look beautiful, Ara."

The words were enough to make her blush to the stupefied two who were watching next to them. It was clear that the two had it in for each other. Seeing her blush gave him confidence and at that moment he had a spring in his step as they walked. The only thing was that they were quiet.

"Thanks for coming, Nolamine."

Si-woo said. The two walking behind the sad sight of two love birds unable to talk.

"It's my pleasure. Well, I know it's late to say this, but you look beautiful too, Si-woo. I can see your attitude blossoming through your dress code."

The words coming from a tall boy with steamy eyes made her blush a little.

"Awe yeah? And what attitude is that?"

"Outgoing, bold, and fun-loving."

Now she had turned into Ara's love-struck Zombie-like state. Seemed like the boys had Cupid helping them, as it did not take much for the girls to be love-struck. But, for Si-woo, it was the first time anyone got her.

She tried not to be influenced by Cupid's love arrow and wanted to win the war he had just started.

"Awe, well, I know something about you too. Something I have noticed ever since we started schooling together."

Nolamine was intrigued. At that point, they were walking alongside a river with beautiful scenery and a wall around its banks decorated by traditional Korean paintings.

They both watched as Ara was about to hold Son-join's hand but backed off at the last second, them still saying nothing to each other as they looked at the falling leaves. The two sighed at the cringe sight.

"Well, you love your friend so much that you always allow him to be the center of attention, making you seem mellow and disinterested in life. People making the mistake that you are like that."

Nolamine was surprised at what she was saying. He had never thought he was like that. He smiled so it wouldn't seem like he took her words in a bad way.

"Awe, is that right? And why do you say that?"

"Remember when Son-join was sick for a whole week and he had to stay at home? You having to come to school for the whole week all alone?"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Well..."

She did not want to continue.

"Well?"

"Well, for the first two days we used to call you an empty handsome husk."

Nolamine acted surprised.

"You used to call me handsome?"

He said in awe, making Si-woo laugh.

"And that's all you got from what I just said?"

It was the first time they had talked at length to each other. At that point, she liked their chemistry.

"Two days passed by without you talking to anyone except when spoken to. It was like you were disinterested in everything. Just like you are when with Son-join. Only being alive when talking to him. But, on the third day, you started to change. Even participating in class. By the fifth day, it was a new you. I could swear you were a mixture of your old self and Son-join. Sang-woo and Ji-hoon would be glued to you like they wanted to be by your side and never live you. Not to mention the whole class, as you showed how smart and engaging you were."

She said as she got closer to him.

"I guess what I am saying is that when Son-join came back, it was like he took you away from us again. We have been waiting for that Nolamine to come back again. All of us just want to punch Son-join for having you all to himself."

Everything she was saying to him was surprising, to say the least. He never even thought they looked at him that way and he was unaffected by having Son-join by his side.

He was like his brother, someone he would do anything for, for his early memories either than those of his auntie were of playing with him and laughing his lungs out at his jokes. He looked at Si-woo who was right next to him and knew he had to say something so as to not turn the conversation awkward.

"Awe, you have been waiting for me, have you?"

He said with a cheeky smile.

"Nolamine..."

She said teasingly hitting him on his shoulder.

"Why would I wait for anyone?"

She said shyly.

"Awe, you know I have a power that can steal your heart away in a heartbeat."

He said, wanting to change the subject.

"Never."

She said with a stern face. Nolamine took her hand, making her cheeks turn red. He put it on his chest above his heart.

"Listen."

He said, in a hushed voice and stepping closer. With her panicking at what was happening all of a sudden, she felt his hurt beating fast, so fast it was like he was running. Her mind went blank as she stopped panicking and looked at him straight in his eyes.

"It's too afraid to get this close to you."

He said in a tone fitting for a 'Master Thief' specializing in stealing women's hearts. The words to her, coming out of his mouth in slow motion as she looked at his lips.

Coming out of the spell she was suddenly cast under, she panicked and took her hand off of his chest and hid her red face as she ran by Ara's side.

Nolamine smiled. More than anything, he had done that to see if it would work on a girl. Watching so much action in movies and anime made him move over to romance novels for a change of pace.

Since reading them, he had always wanted to conquer the heart of a girl once and see what it was like, and it felt good. It felt like he had achieved something as a boy.

Ara looked at Si-woo all embarrassed and her face steaming hot. She knew what that look meant. She had done something to show she liked Nolamine by mistake, making him win the war. She looked at Son-join who was looking at Si-woo in confusion. Now noticing what a letdown her date was.

Nolamine got off his high horse and summoned his 'Hero status', for it was time to save his friend, and there was only one way he could do that, by letting him be himself.

"Hey, Jimmy.."

Jimmy was Son-join's nickname when they would talk nonsense.

"What is a guy to a lady?"

He asked as he went into theoretical mode.

"A mat."

Son-join replied nonchalantly.

"Can't be, for if she needs a mat to step on we shall provide her our jackets or clothing so not to dirty her feet."

"Awe, then, grass?"

The two girls were confused at what they were talking about but intrigued at the same time. Son-join had instantly changed after being asked the question.

"Can't be, if she needs someone to trample on to let out her frustration, we shall provide them our mind and body as we can grow back after a little love.

He said as they got closer to the girls while they talked.

"What about a fence?"

"Nope, we can keep out any intruder bound for breaking their hearts."

"Then the ocean?"

"Nope, for with just a kiss, we can take all the sorrow, pain, and unhappiness away.

'Than a tree."

The girls started smiling as they started to get what they were on about.

"No, for we can cast a shadow above them to block them from all the pain that comes with the day.

"Then what could we be?"

Son-join asked as he stood in front of Ara and Nolamine in front of Si-woo.

"A smile."

Nolamine said.

"For we can't force that upon you."

Son-join finished his sentence and Ara was taken away by their little show, so much so that as she looked at the glass-eyed boy in cargo shorts and slippers in front of him, she did not mind if that would be the moment she got her first kiss, as it would be magical after their words and how it was presented, but alas, the only magic Son-join knew was in gaming.

He could not think that far ahead and even read her emotions. He managed to let out his hand as she took it and walked together.

Si-woo was expecting the same but Nolamine just went next to her, suggesting that they walk side by side, not wanting to push things further. Si-woo was disappointed but was still taken by his display earlier.

The day went by fast after that as Son-join quickly became himself again. Providing laughter for the group as they ate and went sightseeing. Si-woo getting what Ara saw in him by the end of the day.

The day ended, and contrary to how the date started, the girls had one of the best days in their lives. Son-join could not stop praising himself on their way back. They went their separate ways when they reached their neighborhood, Nolamine hoping to see his auntie before the day ended.

As he reached the steps of his apartment building, Si-woo's words came flashing by.

'I'm I too dependent on Son-join? Do I need some time to myself, away from him?'

He asked himself as he got to his floor. He stopped his train of thought after seeing someone at the door of the apartment the old lady had been in.

"Auntie?"

He called out.

A woman dressed like she worked in the business professional world, wearing a tidy skirt, neat button-down shirt, blazer, and classic heels was standing still, looking at the door horrified. She had dropped her groceries and purse on the floor as she looked lost.

When Nolamine called to her, she turned to look at him. Seeing him bringing life back to her and relief.