Cuddle Room

Ga Eul open the door of her house, she feel tired but happy after school ceremony for freshman. Ga Eul walk to second floor where her bedroom and her sister bedroom are. Ga Eul enter her bedroom and put her bag at the bed. Ga Eul's mom came and open her bedroom.

"Ga Eul, go and buy this things, fast" her mom said

"but mom i just get home and haven't change" Ga Eul said

"just go! today your sister will back. I want to cook delicious food for her. go and buy everything in the lists" her mom hand her a list and money.

"mom, but..." Ga Eul word just stop as her mom go

Ga Eul has just entered a convenient store, run an errand for her mother. She picked out some stuff on the lists and looked around. it was then that something she shouldn't have seen became the start of her bullying.

She saw a group of girls who were dressed in the same uniform as her, means they are from same school with her, shoplifting several items in the convenient store.

one of the girls with straight hair - Yun Jae, realized that Ga Eul saw their action. the three of them then walked towards Ga Eul.

"What did you see?" said the short-haired girl, Na Ri

Ga Eul shook her head in fear.

"This Unnie is starving, can you pay for this food for us?" the curly-haired girl - Ju yeon, touched Ga Eul's shoulder.

"Then we'll wait outside," said the curly-haired girl while putting some food into Ga Eul's basket.

Ga Eul waits at the cashier anxiously, the cashier notices something strange.

"Are you okay?" said the cashier, a woman in her 20s.

"Yes" Ga Eul looked out the window of the convenient store

"One moment," said the cashier

she then left with a man over 30 years old, who was probably the manager of the convenience store.

they immediately chased the girls while shouting at them.

"Naughty girl, just watch out if we see you here again," said the convenience store manager

The girls run for their life while cursing

"Take out items that aren't your groceries, they've been here many times. You don't have to pay for things that aren't yours," the cashier said

Ga Eul takes out the things she didn't buy and pays for them. she came out of the convenience immediately and ran home. She was afraid the girls would stop her on the way home.

a week after the incident, the girls finally find Ga Eul at school. and from that day on Ga Eul became their slave, she was ordered to do this and that. they threatened her that they would harass her continuously. Ga Eul is forced to obey them so as not to be beaten. Ga Eul chose to stay away from her friends, she was afraid they would be bullied if they defended her. Lonely Ga Eul starts journaling and fills it with quotes that help her stay energized and face her day positively.

in other side of school, Jin An ran around smiling. He was very excited that day because he won the provincial level basketball game and he will lead his team to the national level. at that time he would treat his friends. Jin An stood behind the crowd in the canteen. He wants to buy something, a treat for his friends. meanwhile Ga Eul's small body was squashed between people who were fighting to buy cream-filled buns. Ga Eul's small body was pushed backward and fell, because the crowd kept pushing each other, someone fell on top of Ga Eul's body. Ga Eul screamed weakly. Jin An look a girl- Ga Eul- who fall and almost get stomp by other. Jin An felt that doing so could harm the her. he rushed to pull her body with all his might.

It was the first time Ga Eul met Jin An.

"Are you all right?" Jin An helped Ga Eul stand up

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," said Ga Eul

"Why are you pushing yourself in that crowd?" asked Jin An

"Ahahaha, I like that bun," said Ga Eul while laughing stiffly

"Really? How much you want to buy? one?" asked Jin An

"4, I want to buy 4," said Ga Eul

"four? To think, a little girl like you eats so much," Jin An said

"Wait a minute," Jin An said

Jin An with a big and tall body easily broke through the crowd. Although Jin An is quite famous, the cream-filled bun seems to be more famous than him. Jin An emerged from the crowd in uniform and with slightly disheveled hair.

Ga Eul waits under the tree a little worried. Is this true, asking for help from someone she doesn't know? Ga Eul saw Jin An running with happy steps.

"I managed to get it," said Jin An with a breath still panting

Ga Eul felt deeply moved and touched. until she sobs a little.

"thank you," she said

"Why are you crying?" asked Jin An

"We don't even know each other, but you helped me," said Ga Eul

"Hm, does there have to be a reason to do a good thing?" Jin An said

"JIN AN!!" Jin An's friends called him from afar

"YES" Jin An shout back

"enjoy your cream bun," said Jin An

Jin An then ran to his friend who called him

"Wait, the money.." Ga Eul said while taking money from her pocket

"My Treat" shouted Jin An while running happily

Since that day, Ga Eul has been watching Jin An secretly. She wrote in her journal in implicit language so that others would not find out about her feeling for Jin An. Ga Eul has a hobby of taking pictures with her Polaroid camera. She only took pictures when the bullies weren't bullying or around her. The girls at least just told her to do this and that, even though she finally had to be lonely, the Polaroid camera and the photos she captured became a joy for her. Ga Eul then tries things related to Jin An. She didn't dare to take a picture of Jin An. The Polaroid photos are then arranged in a way that looks like a series of life's journeys. Ga Eul smiles seeing her work that she displays on her bedroom wall.

Ga Eul then ventured to give a letter to Jin An. one afternoon, after the bullies go home. She sent an anonymous letter containing a Polaroid photo. That photo is a photo of the library aisle. She then wrote there, aisle 6 no 4, the 1st.

She then slipped the letter into Jin An's locker. But not only Ga Eul who sent a letter to Jin An. As she wants to leave the room other girls also come one by one, leaving letters, chocolate, and even flower bouquets. Ga Eul needs to hide behind the locker so she no caught up. she leave after the girls gone.

after long basketball training, Jin An goes to the basketball locker room. he found a lot of stuff left in front of his locker and inside his locker. he pack all that stuff into his bag and go home.

"I'm home" Jin An entered his house

"Mom..." Jin An put his bag on the dining table and looked for his mother

"yes, I'm here" his mother shouts from the backyard

Jin An walked there and saw his mother planting some flowers. Jin An squatted near his mother. he looked at his mother's face carefully. to him, his mother was very beautiful and gentle.

"Mom..." Jin An said

"Are people always judged by their faces?" Jin An asked his mother

"If you want a momentary attraction then the face is the answer. But if you want something that lasts for a long time, then value their heart. A beautiful or handsome face is only a bonus, because if your heart finds peace with her, then she will be the most shining person in your eyes" said Jin An's mother while planting a flower

Jin An nodded in understanding

"Hey, Jin An" his brother shouted from inside the house

"Can I eat all of this?" asked his brother

Jin An ran back into the house

"What do you eat?" he asked

Jin An's brother lifted all the chocolates from Jin An's bag with a smile. even though in the end the chocolate was eaten by his brother and he would just sit listening to his brother tease him with all the love letters he got, but Jin An sometimes gets annoyed when his bag is unpacked without his permission.

"Okay," Jin An sighed and went to his room.

Jin An lay down on the bed, his mind wandering and lulled into a daydream.

"Jin An!" his brother came into the room

"Look at this letter" His brother handed him a letter

"Just read as usual" Jin An turned his body towards the wall. he was tired of the letters. but throwing it away just doesn't feel right.

"It contains a Polaroid photo and a short message," said Jin An's brother

Jin An was curious, he then received the letter that his brother proffered.

"aisle 6, number 4, date 1" Jin An read it

"What date is today?" Jin An asked his brother

"27" replied his brother

"4 more days" muttered Jin An

On the 30th, the day before the promised letter she sent, Ga Eul secretly entered the library and placed the letter on the fourth shelf in aisle 6. She hoped Jin An would find the letter before anyone else.

The next day, Ga Eul goes to school as usual but with a pounding heart. Unfortunately, she's busy being an errand girl for the bullying girls, so she can't keep an eye on his letters. the girls told them to do their homework and buy some food. Ga Eul is very tired of being their errand girl. but Ga Eul is too afraid that she will be beat by the girls.

Ga Eul comes home exhausted and falls asleep. The next day is Sunday, and Ga Eul doesn't know what will happen to her letter. She put her head on the table holding a Polaroid photo. it was a Polaroid photo of the cream-filled bun that Jin An had bought her. She then felt sorry for herself because of her attitude which she considered strange. but what else could she do?

Ga Eul sneaks into the library on the 4th, and she can't find her letter anymore. Ga Eul smiled. the letter this time contains pieces of dried flowers that have a nice fragrance. if Jin An is smart enough then he will know the location of the next letter is in the greenhouse. Then, Ga Eul as usual wrote the next letter on the 1st. She put in greenhouse, the next letter will be put in Jin An locker. After 4 month in a row, Ga Eul decide to confess her feeling for Jin An. She wrote a letter and will give it to Jin An directly after his match today.

Ga Eul wait patiently at her class, she keep looking at her wrist watch. the national match will finish in 2 hours. Ga Eul want to watch the game but she had an exam. She heard that the team will gather at school after the match no matter the result. Ga Eul run to basketball team locker room. she saw Jin An walk to his locker with one of his friend which also his teammate. Ga Eul stand in front of basketball room, she already gathered her courage to confess her feeling. she hug a book, inside the book there's a letter for Jin An.

while waiting she heard a foot steps, she hide behind club alley

"today is really bad" boy named Eun So speak while push the door

he look at Jin An who read a letter and suddenly fell angry

"you still had a time to read your love letter? woah you really don't care about our team right. you busy flirt with our classmate than concentrate to our game. you think cause you're become captain in young age make you better than us? are you look down on us?" he said

"sunbae (senior) its not like that Jin An just.." Jin An friend named Hyuk defend him

"who are you? why you defend him? are you his dad?" Eun So push Hyuk to the wall and want to punch him

"stop it!" Jin An grab Eun So left hand

"if you angry at me, just dump it to me" Jin An said with calm voice

"so you know now?" Eun So punch Jin An with his right hand its make Jin An fall to the ground.

"Sunbae please stop it. it won't change anything" Hyuk stand in front of Jin An

Jin An then stand up and walk out with angry feeling.

"hey, where are you going? i haven't finish with you!" Eun So yell and want to chase Jin An but Hyuk hold him

"please sunbae, we will get punishment if coach find out we were fighting" Hyuk said

Jin An walk to basketball court, he take a ball and throw it with his anger. Ga Eul peek from the door, she want to see clearly that she push the door bit strong. the door make a creak sound. Jin An heard that door voice.

he immediately run towards it, Ga Eul try to walk faster. she can't face angry Jin An. she became a coward. but Jin An is fast and grab her hand.

"who are you?" he asked

"no one" Ga Eul said with trembling voice

Jin An take a deep breath while still holding Ga Eul hand with a strong grab. Jin An then look at Ga Eul who sound almost crying while cover her face with book. Jin An realizes he might scare Ga Eul.

"i'm sorry" Jin An said and slowly let go Ga Eul arm

Ga Eul walks away

"don't go. I almost crazy, I need a friend to accompany me. if you don't want to talk with me its okay. just sit and watch me play, if you don't want to do it, i might...." Jin An walk back to basketball court.

Ga Eul walks slowly behind Jin An, she sit at spectator bench. she looking at Jin An who play basketball alone. his uniform full of sweat as much as his face. Wait, Ga Eul try to look Jin An face. there bruises in his face. Jin An throw his ball when Ga Eul run towards him.

Ga Eul stand in front of Jin An, face to face. Ga Eul hand touch Jin An face. the blue mark from bruises. looks like someone punch Jin An. at that time the ball that Jin An threw is bounce back at his position. Jin An Hug Ga Eul and turn around make the ball hit his head.

"ouch" Jin An whisper

Ga Eul who still in shock quickly realizes what happened.

"ah , i'm sorry, are you okay" Ga Eul said while she still hugging by Jin An

"hey, creamy bun girl" Jin An said

"hm?" Ga Eul said

"can you stay like this for 5 minutes?" Jin An said

"i feel so tired" Jin An said

Jin An put his head in Ga Eul shoulder. his big body cover all Ga Eul small body. after several minutes Ga Eul thought about something that she think will cheer Jin An.

"hey, can you teach me to play basketball" Ga Eul said

"so suddenly" Jin An said while still put his head at Ga Eul shoulder

"i'll teach you. but be prepared i won't go easy on you" Jin An said and pull his head from Ga Eul shoulder. Ga Eul smile. they play basketball with cheerful and joyful feeling. Ga Eul really bad at it, and Jin An in other way is like the god of basketball. they keep bumping to each other while laughing. there a time that Ga Eul take the ball but Jin An so fast that he can take it from Ga Eul.

once they feel tired, they sit at the middle of basketball court

"thank you" Jin An said

"nothing, you help me once" said Ga Eul

"ah about yesterday, i just treat you a cream bun that you like " said Jin An

"by the way can you keep this as secret? i was really frustrated. I feel that

I'm failed as captain" said Jin An

Jin An lie down his body to the court ground, he put his right hand at his face, covering his eyes. Ga Eul not say anything, but she take brave action. she holds Jin An left hand. Ga Eul think this kind of support will be useful than words. Ga Eul looks at her book. inside that book there still a letter for Jin An, but now is not a good timing for giving that letter or confess her feeling.

after a while Jin An and Ga Eul walked out of the basketball court. they did not notice that it was getting dark. They walked hand in hand through the empty school.

"oh it's raining" said Jin An when they arrive in front of the school

Ga Eul look at the sky that dark and the rain that keep pouring.

"you don't like rain?" Jin An asked

Ga Eul turn her body, She look at Jin An.

"I like...." Ga Eul said while looking at Jin An and hang her word a little

the school is empty and dark, only them here with a sound of rain. but Jin An also can hear his heart beat sound, the beat getting faster and faster.

"the rain" Ga Eul said and smiling

and like an arrow, Ga Eul smile fly to his heart, make his face blushing.

"let's run" Ga Eul said

"huh"

Before Jin An response Ga Eul already grab his hand to run with her. they run together in the middle of rain to the nearest bus station.

"hey, bun girl, where are you going?" asked Jin An

"why do you call me like that?" Ga Eul asked

"I don't know your name" Jin An said as he rubbed his hair and smirked

"My name..." Ga Eul's words were cut off by a phone call

"Hello, mom. I'm going home," said Ga Eul

"Sorry, I have to go home soon. My mother and sister are waiting for me" Ga Eul immediately ran

"at least tell me your name" shouted Jin An

But Ga Eul has already disappeared into the crowd. a bus came, Jin An then got on the bus to go home. along the way he kept thinking about Ga Eul. The girl intrigued him. she had just appeared, making him worry, delight, and cheer him up in just short time. why is someone like him who is surrounded by girls who always follow him today only alone. as if time had arranged their meeting which was brief but left a deep impression on Jin An.