Once Upon A Spring

CHAPTER 20

*Yoo Jeong's POV*

"Chang Hyun, what are we going to do?" Jong Hyun suddenly asked.

"I have no choice. I won't go inside now," Chang Hyun replied.

"Huh?"

''The important thing is that you come in. I can make an excuse for myself,'' he added.

''Don't worry. I also didn't expect Dad to be able to do it. I'm sorry if you're affected by my situation.''

''Why don't you just come back to your family?'' I asked seriously. "If you were in your parent's situation, you would do everything you could to find your child, wouldn't you?"

''You can't understand. If you are in my situation, I want to leave toxic people and places. I will not meet with him until we have released Hyeon Sil's public and official statement about our relationship,'' he explained at length.

We had same situation. He is also a runaway, the same as me because we live almost the same life now. We also don't like the toxic environment because it is very suffocating.

''I'll go first,'' he suddenly said and bid a solemn farewell to us.

''Why did you ask about that?'' Jong Hyun asked with a disappointing tone.

"I just want to know when he intends to return," I replied.

"You are so insensitive," Jong Hyun replied seriously and immediately went straight to school alone.

Wait? What is wrong? I just want to know when did he decide to come back?

I strongly feel we will be affected more when he doesn't let his Dad know.

I can tell that Chang Hyun's father is still a bit bad.

I just sighed and looked up at the sky.

I shook my head.

Then I also walked to school.

The atmosphere outside the school is terrible. It looks like I'm watching 'Men in Black' but only the 'Hunting Son Chang Hyun's version.

Wait. I realized that I am the son of Son Chang Hyun and Mr. Son's grandson.

I asked myself, what if we stayed with my grandparents? Would they do the same setup when I ran away?

I just couldn’t help but smile when I imagined that.

''What's funny?'' Said one of Mr. Son’s personnel.

I want to say I'm the future heiress of your boss, so don't raise your voice at me, but it's not possible because it's too unrealistic for them If I say so.

''Nothing,'' I said while acting innocent.

I entered the gate, but it was good that Chang Hyun's Dad was no longer there; otherwise, I might have been shaking when I entered again.

Suddenly the guard there also asked, ''What are you wearing?''

''Clothes,'' I said jokingly.

"I know, but should women wear that?" the male guard asked.

"It's okay if it's comfortable to wear," I explained. "All right, I'll go inside now."

I left immediately and saw that the guard looked on at what I was wearing from bottom to top.

I feel so uncomfy.

Jong Hyun really left me. I could not even see his shadow.

I shouldn't have really spoken about it before. Maybe I was really insensitive on their part.

As I walk, I see that the students are already looking at me.

I knew they were looking at what I was wearing.

For now, all I have to think about is apologizing to Jong Hyun and Chang Hyun and working on the thesis.

But speaking of Chang Hyun, what is he doing now? Where is he now?

I am here again at the library for our thesis. As usual, Hyeon Sil is here. Maybe Jong Hyun is not here because there are still classes.

I also can't focus on what I'm doing because even my thesis groupmates are talking about what I wear.

I don't know if they're too judgmental in what they're wearing because they're boyish or if it's just not my fashion these days.

I just looked at Hyeon Sil; she was gorgeous, even taking notes.

If the people at my table are talking about me, on the other side, it is about Hyeon Sil, and the others are about two of them, Hyeon Sil and Chang Hyun.

I sighed.

I'll focus on our thesis again to finish it.

When I left the library, I immediately said goodbye to my groupmates and walked at a fast pace to go home.

It is also tiring to hear the murmuring of the People here.

As I walked out of school, I heard groups of men calling me.

''Hey! To a lady wearing a boyish wardrobe,'' he called while describing me.

I quickened my pace, and they tried to chase me.

They pulled on my polo shirt and said, ''Miss, don't snob us. You're still beautiful.''

IN THE REALITY OF ONE SCHOOL, THERE WILL BE ALWAYS RUDE AND MANIAC PEOPLE.

''What do you care if I'm A SNOB?'' I asked while looking at them from head to toe.

''You see, she’s not looking at me. Hold on,'' said a man from the group.

"I immediately held his hand tightly," Since I'm in the right place, I surely won't be deprived of my black belt.

I just sighed because I wasn't sure what to do either.

''Woah!''

''Think about it, she can do that?''

''Wow, Yoo Jeong, can you do that?''

Some of the compliments I liked were when I knocked down these four guys.

I still thought it was true in 'Boys Over Flowers' that there was still a gentleman left in the group of the bully. But they are all rude. So I just knocked them all down.

''You? When I see you tripping over a woman, this hand of mine will meet you and strike right in your face! You will remember that!'' I threatened them.

''Is she one of the boys?''

"Is she gay or lesbian?"

''Why is she dressed like that?''

''Why did she act like that?''

''Do her parents allow her to be like that?''

With the number of compliments I heard a while ago, a few still hurt my ears.

Even the difference between lesbian and tomboy, they don’t know.

''I'm tired of these things. Do you know the difference between a lesbian and a tomboy,'' the man whispered. The voice was unfamiliar.

''Tomboys are people with boyish interests or typically behaving in a boyish manner. The lesbian is a homosexual woman, attracted to her fellow woman. You must know your place on how to state and to speak your opinion, especially in front of persons or people who are still unaware of their feelings, gender, and personality,'' he added. ''Not in all cases, the woman is a tomboy if she is wearing like that. Maybe it is her fashion sense, and you don’t need to judge her easily as a lesbian or something! You are being too judgmental!''

''Sexuality is about your s****l feelings, thoughts, attractions, and behaviors towards other people. It is kinda 'of a sensitive topic, so you must educate yourself first. You must respect it and not say anything else if you know nothing. Most and foremost, don't say words or phrases below the belt, especially to the l***q members,'' he concluded.

"Miss Seong, are you alright?" He asked at the same time.

I was immediately taken aback by what he said. I never thought I would meet someone who is more liberated and open-minded than me.

''I'm... okay. Don't worry,'' I answered him positively and smiled at him.

He's wearing eyeglasses, and he looks like he has a mixed foreign on his blood.

"That's good," he said with a smile and left.

The others also left immediately.

Maybe they are embarrassed about what this guy did to them.

You can also see the reaction of others. They are still not open when it comes to these sensitive topics.

They are not yet open to accepting such a theme.

I would have liked to thank the man earlier in case I will not see him anymore.

But he suddenly disappeared.

I hope to see him again.

I also want to get to know him.

''Hey!''

I was shocked by that shout.

As usual, it is Park Jong Hyun.

''What are you staring at there?'' He joked again.

''Wait, aren't you angry anymore?'' I asked.

''Anger is different from disappointment,'' he said.

"But aren't you disappointed?" I asked again.

"Can you stand it?" He replied.

I hugged him, but he stopped me, "WAIT!"

"Ye Ri and I separated seconds ago because we're going home. Maybe you can hug me later," he added.

''So, is there a malice?'' I joked.

''What do you mean? I’m just becoming aware. She can get easily jealous when I will do a wrong thing,'' he replied.

As we were walking home, I suddenly inserted what I had planned to say, "Jong Hyun."

''Hmm?''

''Sorry to both of you. You and Chang Hyun. I did not expect my question to be offensive to both of you. Next time, I promise. I will be cautious starting now. Okay?'' I said while smiling. ''Fist bump?''

''Fist bump!'' Jong Hyun said.

"But do you know what's better?" He added.

''What?''

''Treat me to dinner at your house!''

I'm frowning now.

I don't think this will be a way for me to ease the two of them.

Honestly, I don't want to t*****e ahjumma with a lot of food...

But I have no choice but to help and cook with her...

When the food landed on the table, they were already there and about to enter our house.

He even invited Chang Hyun and said greeted us to have dinner here.

Jong Hyun smiled straight at me when he saw the delicious food on the table.

He’s really crazy.

We ate immediately when ahjumma asked with a smile, "How is Yoo Jeong at school?"

''You are his friends. I was just asked because he seems tired lately,'' she continued with worry.

''Maybe... Because of a series of projects. Then there is the thesis. We are swamped these days,'' Chang Hyun replied politely.

''Is that so? You can do that. I believe in you. You know that the bones of the young people are stronger than us,'' joked ahjumma.

After we ate, they waited for me to finish what we had eaten...

I immediately took them outside.

''Chang Hyun, sorry,'' I said suddenly.

''Huh? Ah ... That one before? That's nothing. Honestly, I also thought about what you said,'' he said.

''I also thought, what if I am also the parent who abandoned my child? Of course, I will do my best to find them,'' he said with a hand on his head.

"Because of that realization, I decided that after Hyeon Sil's public announcement tomorrow, I will also return to my parents that same day since they are also looking for me," he explained.

I was pleased with what he said. I don't expect that I can help the younger version of Dad...

I just smirked.

''By the way, do you want to be with us, guys? Includes the manager and other bodyguards for her protection. As well as the representative of the entertainment agency. You just have to mix with other random people tomorrow so you can watch her conference,'' Chang Hyun invited.

We have no choice then. Jong Hyun and I just agreed to the invitation and plan.

We arrived in Seoul before lunch, and many cars were outside the KBC building where Hyeon Sil’s conference was being held.

Many people are also running to get in right away, but only a limited number of people is allowed.

Fortunately, we were immediately inserted and entered.

Many cameras were focused on the front, and reporters were preparing their papers for Hyeon Sil’s upcoming announcement.

She looks like one of the most awaited by the public.

When Hyeon Sil comes out, you will be dazzled by the amount of camera flash. The manager and other guards also tried to cover Hyeon Sil so she would not be distracted or fall while walking to the front.

It looks like there was a speech by a higher politician because of the number of people watching here at the venue.

Arriving at the front, Hyeon Sil first bowed in front of these people.

I'm just nervous about what might happen.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm actress Cha Hyeon Sil in front of you to speak about the current and previous situations and rumors that I had," she started. The cameras started flashing again. For sure, it is an eye pain and distraction to Hyeon Sil.

''First, I just want to say thank you for coming. I really appreciate the public's anticipation and the media's effort just to write an article about my point of view. Second, thank you to my very supportive friends and family, who are always there to guide me toward a better path. Third, I just want to say the coverage for my speech today. This is all about the rumors that Ms. Seong, the non-celebrity one, and Mr. Son, the Taekwondo star, and also about the confirmation of Mr. Son regarding our relationship,'' she continued.

I hope it's okay. She thanked us, but she still involved me in the speech. Embarrassing.

''Regarding the rumors about Ms. Seong and Mr. Son, I just want to validate their letters regarding their status and relationship. Yes, they are just friends and no romantic relationship involved.''

When she mentioned that thing, she seemed to love Chang Hyun.

Don't worry, Hyeon Sil. I won't take Chang Hyun from you. He is yours.

There will be no Son Yoo Jeong if he is with me. That’s the sarcastic thing I'm thinking now.

''About the follow-up letter of Son Chang Hyun about the confirmation of our romantic relationship, I just want to say... It is true.''

The cameras flashed again, and at the speed of the reporters ’hands, they seemed to be racing to write.

''We are already two years as a couple. I can not say that we are official and unofficial, but I assure you that we are still in the process of being an official couple. That's all I want to say, and thank you for coming, listening, and watching this very sudden conference. I hope there will be no problem or rage from the public as we, celebrities, also a person or human that needs comfort from their loved ones and a kind of relationship like this. Again, thank you very much,'' she said emotionally, then bowed down for a long time in front of the media.

When he suddenly faced the media again, we suddenly heard broken glass, and we saw that there was a fallen body.

Everyone was shocked by what happened.

This man is unfamiliar, but I can clearly see Hyeon Sil's shock.

I can strongly feel that she knows him so much. Maybe a close relative or a close friend.

The man was bald, wearing a pink cloth around his neck and glasses.

And had a b****y head because of the height he had fallen from.