NETIZEN

PAUSE

Seoul, Sinchon,

Soo Yeon tapped frantically on the keyboard of the PC bang where she was.

Was her cover blown?

Was Kang Jun Ho going to give her to the police?

Why did she have to blow up so violently?

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Soo Yeon said as she tapped on the keyboard when she felt a face sliding next to hers. The person placed his hand on hers, stopping Soo Yeon from shaking her mouse. She turned to find herself face to face with Su Jung.

Were they a tag team? Jun Ho and Su Jung seemed to coordinate their moves.

Su Jung smiled at her, obviously happy to see her.

"Kim Su Ju—."

"Ssh, let me shine a little by showing my skills," Su Jung said, placing his finger on her lips to silence her as he proceeded in maneuvering the mouse.

Apart from Jared during training and their sparring sessions, no man ever touched her, and suddenly she remembered Jun Ho's embrace.

Mo-ya igeat? What is wrong with all these men? Soo Yeon thought.

Yet, she let Kim Su Sung win her game for her.

"Thank you," Soo Yeon said as she got up to leave.

"What are you doing?" The bewildered young man asked.

"Leaving," Soo Yeon said as she slid her chair back in place.

"Can I offer you a coffee or something?" Su Jung asked.

He tilted a little back and forth with both hands in his pockets, eyes pleading to make Soo Yeon feel guilty. Su Jung didn't bring up how she had ditched him at the Supernova bash; he didn't deserve such a treatment.

"Okay," Soo Yeon said.

The young man's grin stretched out so far; it made Soo Yeon blush.

"Where do you want to go?" Su Jung asked.

"There's a Hollys café across the street if that's fine with you."

"콜" [kol=call like in poker it means you accept the bet and yes in this context] replied the boy who would have taken any location as long as he was with her.

Two minutes later, they were across the road and entering Holly's café.

"What are you doing here?" Soo Yeon asked, intrigued.

"I came to see my friend. He lives above the PC bang," Su Jung said, pointing at a window above the shop.

"I see."

"And you?" Su Jung returned.

"I needed to blow off some steam," Soo Yeon answered as they arrived at Holly's counter.

"May I take your order?" The girl at the counter announced. She stared at Su Jung as if she had an idol in front of her. For some unknown reason, Soo Yeon wanted to poke her in the eyes.

"I'll have a Yuzu cha and an Ice coffee for my friend," Su Jung replied.

Soo Yeon blinked in amazement. How did he know she preferred Ice coffee?

As they sat down, Soo Yeon couldn't hold back her question.

"Are you stalking me, Su Jung?"

"I Told you the day we went to the cinema; I like you. I've been to the CNH café in enough to know."

Soo Yeon lifted a brow.

"Okay, Min Ha told me," Su Jung admitted.

"Why? Why do you like me? I'm — you don't know me. I'm not" —

"You don't have to tell me; I'm not trying to corner you, Soo Yeon. I want you to trust me. Till then, stay the way you are."

"I feel you expect something from me; I can't give you. You might hate me."

"Give me a choice to decide. Don't push me away, Soo Yeon."

This boy was miles away from the one she met two years ago in an alleyway. The young man surprised her, unlike Jun Ho's eyes, which seemed filled with pity. Kim Su Jung's eyes showed determination, which forced her to acknowledge him with every stare.

Soo Yeon had heard about it, this legend about the fluttering heart. It was worse than she thought. Her breath was stuck in her throat. She stood up and hurried to the toilets, heaving; she took out her inhaler.

"Nae shimjang [my heart]," Su Jung was sent to kill her; she was sure of it. Her racing heart attested it; he was Kryptonite. Soo Yeon waited a minute before going back; her cheeks still flushed red.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just need air," Soo Yeon replied.

"Okay, I know just the place," Su Jung said, getting up.

They walked outside. Su Jung advanced to where a black HYOSUNG GTR125 waited.

"Is it yours?" Soo Yeon asked in astonishment.

"Yeah, oh, can you wait a minute, please? I'm coming back?"Su Jung left to go in the PC bang, only to come back 3 minutes later with two helmets.

"I'll wear my friend's helmet," he said, "you wear mine," Su Jung added, placing the helmet on Soo Yeon.

Kryptonite.

Su Jung climbed on his bike and helped Soo Yeon to get on.

"You should hold on to me."

"I'm good; I'll grip the back," Soo Yeon replied.

As soon as the engine roared, Soo Yeon had no choice but to hold on to him. The gesture made Su Jung smile under his helmet as he felt her hands on his jacket.

The drive seemed to last an eternity; Soo admired the colorful lights of the advertisements, which garnished the buildings becoming fleeing rainbows as the bike speeded up. Su Jung drove them to the fortress wall, which surrounded Seoul.

For both Korean Hye Mi and American Soo Yeon, it was a first. She had only seen the place in dramas; in other circumstances, her mouth would have let out a basket of uhhs and aahs. Maybe she would have taken selfies, but like always, it was a scenario fated to remain a draft.

They walked up to have a view of Seoul. It was cold, but it felt good. They sat down on the wall, silent.

Soo Yeon thought she should break the ice.

"Su Jung about the party—"

"I said it's okay, take your time. I'm in no hurry. Just take a deep breath," Su Jung said.

It was exactly what she needed a deep breath away from NETIZEN, the chamber, the police, celebrities. All she desired was one breath. They stayed there in the silence of the night staring at the stars, marveled like children. Su Jung couldn't help but glance at Soo Yeon from now and then; she was strong yet so fragile. This time he would be the one to protect her, thought the boy.

After a while, they drove back; this time, Soo Yeon wrapped her arms around Su Jung with no protests. The young man stiffened when he felt her posing her head on his back. When he stopped in front of her building, he tapped on her arm to indicated their arrival.

"Thank you, Su Jung," Soo Yeon whispered as she got off to stand in front of him, handing him his helmet.

"You're welcome."

Soo walked away.

"Hey, don't I deserve an Oppa for that?"

"In your dreams," Soo Yeon yelled from a distance making the boy smile as he whispered, "that's my girl."

Su Jung watched her enter her building before heading back.