2 Chapter 2

A quiet dark apartment greeted me just as it did every night. The small vase of flowers in the kitchen filled the entire area with their sweetness. In ritual I lit some incense and greeted my parents, telling them about my day. It helped me to move on being able to still talk to them. My routine kept me sane. Greet my parents, make a cup-a-noodles, take a bath, do a small load of laundry, then read from my favorite manga with my secretly harbored feelings of a certain idol before I went to bed. For a common teenager it seemed pretty boring. But I enjoyed the freedom. I was practically an adult. This is why I intended to go back to school. I didn't plan on working at the cafe for the rest of my life. Although I do love my co-workers and it's been fun. Sometimes it makes it seem less like a job.

The rest of the week flew by. The three customers from before continued to come by. If they weren't together then I'd see them by themselves. I even learned their names by giving them nicknames. Hyeon-jin was Mr. Serious, G'nam was Mr. Playful, and Sang-Cheol was of course the cheeky flirt. Ne never failed to make me blush. So turnabout is fair play. In my head I named him bun-bun. Not that I called him that to his face. Bong-Ju settled in easily and the number of female customers did increase. I heard more giggling that first week than I had my entire life. Also saw more death stares from Joo-Min every time a girl would touch our newest pet. So much for telling me off about my dating situation or lack thereof. I had my own teasing material.

"So tomorrow is the big day huh? Are you getting nervous?" Bong-Ju sat his last empty tray into the wash basin for me. It was the night before my entrance exams and yes I was nervous. I was so flustered that I chose to stay in the back and wash up rather than deal with customers.

"Yeah just a bit. But I've studied hard so no matter what I'm ready." My smile was a bit wobbly, but I hid it by looking down at what I was doing.

"You'll do fine I'm sure. By the way there are some guys out front asking for you. Want me to tell them you are busy?"

I dried my hands and shook my head. "No I'm done with all the dishes. I can go out there. Thank you though." He nodded at me and joined Joo-Min as she counted up the tips and register. As I suspected there were my three regulars, but this time they were joined by four others. I could have swooned with all the good looking guys before me.

"There's our little bun-bun. I told you guys she was a hottie." Sang-Cheol grinned and laid an arm around my shoulders.

"What have you been telling people? I am not hot." Why couldn't I ever stop blushing around these guys. All of them except for G'nam dwarfed me in height. I shrugged his arm off and took a couple of steps to the side. All of them chuckled as I slipped away. "I don't think she agrees with you Che." One of the new ones spoke up, his voice had a sing-song quality. Brown eyes hidden behind red streaked hair accompanied the voice.

"Naw, she adores me. The rest of you are intimidating since you've done nothing but stare at her since she walked up. Ba'Ling with your moody eyes you probably scared her. She is our little bunny after all." So that's what the brown eyed god was called. To be truthful they were all overwhelming.

"Sang-Cheol will you stop it with that." I say in exasperation. "Did you need something? I'm afraid we are closing up for the night. But there may still be something I can pack up for you." I fold my hands in front of me. G'nam jumped forward and grabbed my small hands in his smooth ones. "Do you have any of those little cakes with the berries and sweet cream drizzle? Please say you do." He looked at me with the biggest puppy dog eyes and his lower lip trembled ever so slightly. How could I say no to that face. He was adorable.

"You are in luck. I have one sat back for myself, but you can have it." In my head I grumbled, but on the outside I smiled. G'nam grinned from ear to ear and pulled me for a big hug. "Are you sure you don't want it bun-bun?"

"I will gladly share it with you so don't worry."

"Hey why does he get something and we don't? And why can he call you bun-bun?" Sang-Cheol pouted childishly and glared at his brother at the same time.

"He asked me nicely that's why. And he can call me bun-bun because he doesn't tug my tail." I try to give him the evil eye, but my goofy smile ruined it. "Does anyone else want anything? We had a slow night and there's more leftovers. We all usually split it up and take what's left with us." I smile at all of them as grins light up their faces.

"That would be sweet of you. These boys are definitely right. You are a cutie." Ba-Ling spoke up and winked at me. My cheeks grew very warm and I hurried to the back to get some to-go containers. I returned a moment later and handed G'nam a small box tied with a ribbon. "Thanks A-chan. You really are the best." I waved him off hiding my blush. I hand over a small tray scattered with tarts and sandwiches for them all. My fingertips brush against Ba-Ling's as I pass it over.

"See, look at her, cute as a button. Her cheeks just flush from a simple compliment." Hyeon-Jin smirked and clapped Ba-Ling on the shoulder.

"I...I am not cute. Now did guys need something else other than treats? We have to lock up if not."

"Actually A-chan we came to see if you wanted to join us for some karaoke. It's sort of a tradition for us before exams. We all have tests tomorrow except Hyeon-Jin/ We really wanted you to come with us." G'nam busted out his puppy dog eyes again.

"We always see you working and thought you might enjoy a night out. It won't be with strangers." Hyeon-Jin stepped forward to join his brother.

"Come have fun with us bun-bun." That ever present grin widened as suddenly all of them formed a semi-circle in front of me.

"I...well there's...umm...alright I guess. I'll go but only for an hour."

Seven smiles brightened in front of me. "Just let me tell my coworkers."

"We will wait for you outside then."

I nod and then slip into the back. "Hey Joo-Min! I've been…" A squeal of excitement came from behind me. "Oh I know! You've been about out by seven studs to go to a karaoke bar. Finally my little sister is going to be with boys! I'm so proud. Now go. We are locking up now. Stay safe and tell me all about it tomorrow. Now go!" She all but pushed me out the door and Bong-Ju winked over her shoulder.

I tripped over a loose stone and landed into a solid body. Once I gained my balance I bowed and muttered an apology. A pair of long slender fingers tipped my chin up. For a moment I was lost in a pair of amber eyes. They drew me in as they twinkled in humor. "Are you alright princess? That was quite a tumble." My mouth moved but I'm afraid it didn't make any sense.

"Hey Deok-Su, you're dazzling her into a stupor. Why don't you shut that off now before she faints." Blond hair tipped forward obscuring his gaze and breaking the spell. The edge of his cheekbones turned pink. "I told you to stop saying that. I don't dazzle anyone."

Hearing Sang-Cheols' voice broke thru my dazed stupor. " So I'm not the only one you tease. Besides he was just being polite." I chastise the group and look up at the new member. "I am alright. Just some stupid loose stone. Thank you for catching me." Leaning forward I push to the tip of my toes and whisper in his ear. "He's just jealous cause you are handsomer than he is."

I could hear his deep voice chuckle and I smiled dropping back down flat on my feet. Where my courage came from I don't know.

"What did she just say?" Three of them asked at once, and made the rest of them bust out laughing.

"Time's ticking away guys, let's get going while we are still young." The one called Ba'Ling stepped forward and grabbed my hand inside his. His hand was warm and almost completely covered mine. I was a little shocked, but held onto his hand. From my other side I felt another hand encompass my free hand. This one was bigger and slightly colder. Looking up from our conjoined hands I met once again with those deep amber eyes. "We will keep those loose stones from tripping up our princess again." I couldn't even mumble a complaint. I was tugged along the street surrounded by eight handsome boys. Mom...Dad...what was I getting in to?

I don't think I had heard such terrible singing in my whole life. I thought they did this all the time. But it didn't stop them from singing at the top of their lungs. I was even forced to join in. By their stunned silence I couldn't tell if I was terrible or not. In all honesty I had never sang out loud in front of people. Their far away looks didn't build up my confidence. Once the music stopped I gladly sat back down.

"Wow. Perhaps we should call her song bird instead of bun-bun." Hyeon-Jin smiled up at me.

"An angel…" someone mumbled beside me.

"I wouldn't say that guys." I brush them off and grab my drink from off the small table. "Isn't it someone else's turn?" A couple of the boys huddled around the song collection.

"What if we wanted to hear you again princess?" Deok-Su smirked as I turned to him in protest.

"No it's my turn to woo our precious bun-bun with my idol like voice." Water sprayed across the table as I choked on it in laughter. G'nam patted my back as I tried to catch my breath. My eyes watered as I looked up at Sang-Cheol. Despite my mirth the look on his face was that of a wounded child.

I was mortified at my behavior. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings, especially in front of his friends. Squaring my shoulders I went over to him and took his hand. I could feel him tense up and I winced.

"Che? You don't need to woo me. I'm no one special. But I am sorry for laughing at you. It was rude of me. Do you think you can forgive me?" He refused to look at me until I bent over and looked up at him with a funny face. I could see a tiny smile form.

"I'll forgive you if I can get a kiss." I looked at him and felt a twitch in my cheek. I turn my back to the rest of the group and tilt my face up. I lift my hand to cup his cheek in my palm. I lean up and gently press my lips to his cheek. Before I can lean back down he wraps his arms around my waist and turns his head so that our lips meet. The action was so fast that I was stunned for a few seconds and had gasped. He took advantage of that and I felt something soft and warm brush along my bottom lip.

In those few seconds Ba-Ling and Hyeon-Jin had jumped up. One of them thumped Sang-Cheol on the top of the head and the other pulled me out of his grasp and into a different pair of arms.

"Ow, ow, ow! Guys stop! I didn't hurt her! Ow!" The two guys that came to my rescue continued to land blows to the cheeky boy.

I struggled to get free so I could make them stop, but someone held me back. "Please it's okay. I kind of figured he would try something like this." The soft voice that answered made me jump.

"If you know that then why would you go along with it?" The arms around me loosened when I had jumped and guided me to look at the owner. This boy looked right into my soul. Something about him was familiar, but I just couldn't place why. He was my height and warm brown hair curled around his face.

"I...um...he's always like this.Honestly I'm okay." I could see that he thought I was strange, but he let me go.

"You don't need to rescue that cad. They are done with him anyways." He jerked his head towards the three and they were now laughing at each other.

"Oi bun-bun! I'm sorry for stealing a kiss. No hard feelings?" I offered a smile and shook my head.

"Who is that behind you?"

I moved out of the way and the new boy stepped forward.