unfortunate. | 연준 √

twenty-four

"Know that you are not alone anymore."
- NCT U, "From Home"

I'm sitting in my room, waiting for time to pass by. It obviously wasn't like Seoul, where you can play games on your phone or watch TV. You had accessible food and you could call your friends over... if Joseon and 2020-Seoul could ever collide, I would love to see the amazing creations that would come about. Nevertheless, it would probably be only a few dollars here. Isn't that great?

As always, time was ticking. I was desperate to see the next part- to see what I should do next... but I simply had to wait. I sit in front of the book, flipping through the simple backstory between the Crown Prince and the female warrior with their inefficient likings towards each other; with that being, it became an inefficient love. If that isn't more true than Eunwoo being the Grand Prince, then I don't know what is.

"What are you doing?" Chanyeol's voice is heard not far from my room, my hands immediately brushing across the pages of the book before slamming it closed. Staring at the book, the oldest enters my room, sliding the door open as his eyes poke from the frame. Blinking a few times, he slides the door all the way inside the two shortly-separated walls, hands behind his back.

"You know, you're supposed to open the book to read it, right?" He places his hand on the cover of the book, thumbs sliding across the edge to open it- when I suddenly K.O his hands to the ground. Hissing, he furrows his eyebrows, rubbing against his knuckles. "Okay, whatever! Believe what you want, but that hurt..."

"Sorry..." Scratching my nape, he huffs.

"Wherever you come from... Se-oul or something... they must read with their minds!" He exclaims, touching his temples as he stares at the subtly-obvious prophecy. It felt weird to be in a book. I hope no one ever tells my solo-story... I mean, there's the textbooks and stuff, but they'll never know how I came from 2020 or that I'm rewriting my fate. Chuckling I shake my head, pointing to the title of the book.

"We're not telepathic... or whatever that is, either," I try to play it cool because I am just as illiterate as this fool to my left, blinking a bit to try to show my confusion. It's not like he'll know the words that were invented years later, right? Or does he really know telepathic because I have never learned the origins of each word... "We... read it slightly different than here, but I just wanted to look at the title for now- Misfortune."

"Oh yeah! Yeonjun told me about it when we went to the library together not too long before you fell from the sky!" There's another mystery to be uncovered. So this was planned out before I even reached Sana's fortune cookie? I guess my past life was a terrible person. I mean.. knowing that I'm fated to ruin the Choi Dynasty, I think that's enough knowledge for my wrongdoings. "It's quite... interesting, to be fair. A romance that involves three princes, one that couldn't care less, and a so-called female warrior, sounds like we're the characters in the boo-"

"No, no, let's not focus on the book!" I immediately push against his chest, trying to stop him- but as his arms try to catch my weight, we both fall to the floor. Clearing my throat, I'm staring at his walnut eyes, trying not to move too much. I mean... except for the fact this feels too horribly like a drama, I feel like I'm bringing the "fall over and fall in love" clique with me to Joseon. No thanks... or maybe... okay, let's not get too hasty with these old princes.

They are technically still older than you. Both literally and historically.

"Youra?"

"Mm?"

"Did you... really mean what you said when we went on that small trip together?"

"The answer I gave you...?"

"...Yes." His words shake a bit, the boy tightening his grip around my hovering body. "Is that... really your answer?" And now, I have to think about it. Was it?

"Have you ever fell in love, Youra?" His words cycle through my head, even as I stare at the setting horizon. "It's okay, you can tell me anything. I promise to keep it a secret."

"I know I can trust you, Chanyeol. No need to reassure me," I chuckle, shaking my head. "In fact... I have. It's the type of love where I didn't mean to fall in love with them, but I did. It's only now that I realize I do, sadly. I just... don't think it's possible to reveal it."

"Why not?"

"It feels like I'm only here to change something, so why should I mess with it? For all I know, I could cause him pain when I leave Joseon and-" I immediately shut my mouth, covering it swiftly as I turn away from him. I practically just revealed who I'm interested in. This is going to be a wild ride.

"It's... Yeonjun, right?" Chanyeol tries to cover his sadness, but even I know how obvious it is. I don't want to reject him like this, but I've already made so many mistakes that it's suddenly inevitable. "Don't worry I won't tell him. Just... when did you fall in love with him? And why?"

"I... don't know either, to be honest. He's just a great person..." I respond, looking down. "I fell in love with him not too long ago. Around when we went to look for him, he and I talked... then I felt that sudden sense of security finally hit me. I was doing it because I was interested in him. I... loved him."

"I'm glad you found someone to fall for, Youra," His eye smile falters just the slightest- and I can't help but feel so selfish for telling him my feelings. He must be so heartbroken. Gosh... "It's too unfortunate I couldn't be the one." He suddenly sounds so professional and my heart pangs a bit. Love really changes people. 

"I'm sorry, Chanyeol."

"Don't be. Feelings are like butterflies- you can catch them, but one day, you will have to let them go so they can survive." His words fly across my head and against the sun- where we both watch it fall in silence.

I blink a bit, clearing my throat once more. "That is... my final answer. I'm sorry Chanyeol."

"Why did you... choose Yeonjun?"

"Huh?"

"What's so good about him?" He questions softly, sighing. "And it's not to be rude... I just want to know for the future, you know... about what females like."

"Not all female likes the same things, Chanyeol," I chuckle, leaving his grip and sitting up. The boy follows, sitting next to me. "Some girls like shiny things... some girls like nothing. Some girls prefer boys with class, some don't. All you need to supply her with is your love. So, even when she is upset or different than you thought she'd be... at least you love her unconditionally. That's what females like."

"Really? That's good... I can love good!" He exclaims, causing me to blink thoroughly- Chanyeol... sweetie, that doesn't sound right. Please don't ever say that again near me. You will only cause me to laugh hysterically and I will scare you off. Thank gosh it's my first time hearing it... I'm trying to stifle my laugh right now.

"That's g-great, Chanyeol," Covering my mouth to stop my silent laughter, I compose myself and keep a straight face. Just as I'm about to open my lips to tell him more about such female interest that he's so curious about, Eunwoo slams open the sliding door, shaking the whole room.

His breath is staggered, staring at us with (what looks like) tears welling in his eyes. "Hyung... Youra... t-they're gone."

"Queen Choi and King Choi are dead."