1.3

author's note : saw the news of wonwoo's enlistment this morning and i don't think i can live anymore. wonwoo has been my bias since maestro era and he has a special place in my heart, i don't think i can take two years without him. i feel shocked, i'm so heartbroken. i'm going to try to make this book as beautiful as possible, for the loml, wonwoo <3

—

Wonwoo and Areum were sitting at her desk, studying for a test they had tomorrow. A History test. Areum was trying her best not to fall asleep while Wonwoo explained to her whatever was written in their book.

"Areum, you need to focus." He groaned. "We could finish this in like an hour, but if you don't listen to me, we're going to take forever."

"But it's so boring!" She complained. "Can we go get ice cream?"

"How about we get ice cream when we're done?" Wonwoo suggested, smiling at her.

She let out a breath. "Fine."

Areum couldn't stop huffing and moving around, but they did end up finishing in just an hour. She changed into a different outfit before heading downstairs with Wonwoo.

"Where are you going?" Areum's mother asked. "It's 8 pm."

"We're going to get some ice cream," Areum answered. "We won't be late."

Both Areum and Wonwoo said goodbye to her mother before heading to his car.

"If I don't get a good grade tomorrow, I'm going to kill you," Areum warned, laughing softly.

"Don't worry, I'll be right next to you." He winked at her. "I could help you if you forget something. But maybe, just maybe, you should read the chapter one more time before the test."

Areum snorted. "Right. I didn't even want to study."

As they arrived at the ice cream shop, Wonwoo parked his car and turned it off, slowly getting out, while Areum jumped out excitedly.

Areum's eyes scanned the flavors in front of her, trying to decide what to get.

"What are you getting?" She asked, looking up at Wonwoo.

"Chocolate," he answered. "You?"

"I'll probably get cookie dough."

Once they had their ice creams, Wonwoo ended up paying for it, and they both sat down at a small table by the window. They were both quiet, when Wonwoo decided to break the silence.

"I really miss you," he blurted out.

"I've missed you too." Areum smiled as she pulled her chair closer to Wonwoo, gently leaning her head on his shoulder.

Wonwoo placed his head on top of hers, his heart beating faster. He hated how he almost lost her, and he really wanted to tell her how he felt. But he needed to wait for the right moment.

"Can I take you somewhere?" Areum asked, slowly lifting her head up as her eyes met Wonwoo's.

"Where?" He asked, feeling confused.

"Come with me."

She lead him to the car, and she started giving him directions as he drove, listening to her instructions. Eventually, they arrived at a spot on a hill where the lights of the town seemed distant, the only illumination coming from the moon reflecting off a serene lake below. The view was breathtaking, with the soft rustling of the trees adding a calming soundtrack to the scene.

Areum stepped out of the car, grabbing Wonwoo's hand as she pulled him towards the edge of the cliff. She sat down, pulling Wonwoo so he could sit beside her.

"This is beautiful," he said softly. 

"Right?" She smiled. "I used to come here to... clear my mind. Back when you and I... umm... stopped talking."

"You never brought anyone here?" He asked.

She shook her head. "No, not really. The only person I wanted to bring here was you."

Wonwoo's heart skipped a beat. He looked at her, the tension between them rising. His hand slightly brushed against hers and it sent a shiver down his spine.

"Areum, there's something I need to tell you..." he turned to her, his voice low.

Her heart raced as she looked into his eyes. "What is it?"

He hesitated for a moment, he really wanted to say it. He wanted to tell her. He couldn't just... hide it anymore. Because what if he lost her again?

"I... I think I'm...." He stuttered as he tried to speak. "I'm in love with you, Areum."

Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widened, and the world around her seemed to stop.

"What?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm in love with you," he repeated. "I've been in love with you for so long, Areum."