I continued to walk backwards, my eyes still glued on her silhouette which seemed to become smaller and smaller the more steps I took.

I didn't want to leave yet.

I didn't want her to walk away from me.

"Ji, I—" I started just when I was almost too far for her to hear me, when all of a sudden, I heard steps behind me. A little too close. Too sudden. Whoever it was, was trying to stay hidden from my sight.

Putting on my mask, my fingers tightly grabbed onto my base cap as I started walking slightly faster.

I had to be attentive. Careful.

"It's really Jungwon! Guys! Hurry!"

There was a teenager's voice. Almost like mine, probably a little younger.

A voice which I didn't know.

I turned back hesitantly, as I almost fell down to the ground from the shock. Fans and fan sites.

There were a lot of them. And despite the big distance between us, I could still recognize them.

Can you even call them fans? I didn't understand. How did they even find me?!

I started running in the opposite direction, unconsciously towards the girl I was with just a moment ago.

She was immersed in her thoughts, taking slow and conscientious steps as I quickly closed the distance between us.

"Ji!" I called for her breathlessly, my fingers wrapped around her hand as I attempted to drag her with me, "We need to run!"

She was obviously taken aback, her eyes being circle round as she looked behind her. It was dark, only a few lanterns were lighting up the daunting alley.

But the two of us still were able to see the big group of teenagers, holding up their photo cards and phones with their flashlights turned on.

They were coming after me.

"We have to leave!" I urged her, my grip tightening around her hand.

"What the fuck is going on?" She just cursed and turned back again.

There was a little moment of hesitance, before she glanced into my eyes and started running faster than I ever could.

"Wait, Wait, Wait—" It was me, I was the one who suggested to run, but now it was starting to get exhausting.

We ran down at least 2 blocks till she abruptly stopped. But the squeals and screams were still heard.

"What now?!" I sounded nervous.

Ji stayed quiet, looking around before she pushed me backwards towards a narrow alley.

"Stay here. Give me your base cap and hide." Her voice was low as she held out her hand. I gulped visibly.

Was it the adrenaline?

Or why did she look so beautiful right now?

Obeying, I gave her my base cap and hid before she started running again. The big group of teenagers followed shortly after and I could have sworn my heart was about to jump out of my chest.

Did this really just happen?

So, I breathlessly waited for her to return. I was alone with my thoughts. My phone died and my heart was still beating fast.

Why didn't it stop?

My hand travelled up my chest as I deeply frowned, unable to understand why I was feeling like this.

It must be the adrenaline. Yes, it had to be.

Just the adrenaline. Nothing else.

After almost an eternity of waiting, the girl finally showed up again. Her heavy breathing and the way she was leaning against the house's wall were evident for the amount of running she just did.

"Are you still here?" Her tired voice drew his attention causing him to jump out of his hideout right away.

His eyes were sparkling.

"Ji?" Jungwon stared at her, "Are you okay? I'm sorry I dragged you into—"

That's when a loud voice startled both him and her as she pushed him backwards into the alley again, following him shortly after.

His eyes widened, "Is i—"

"Be quiet." The girl looked back, her face serious.

They stayed at least two more minutes rucked up in that narrow alley with both their breaths stopped, their faces warm. She didn't dare to say anything.

She was too embarrassed.

The gap between them was small. Not bigger than a few inches. It was big enough for them not to touch.

But too small for them to feel at ease.

"The coast is clear." He would eventually whisper, his hands still remaining on her shoulders and—

She was about to lose her mind.

His hand was placed lightly on her waist.

"Oh..yeah. Yeah, you are right." She immediately backed away, forcing herself out of the small space.

He just didn't want you to fall. There wasn't a lot of space anyway. This didn't mean anything.

The girl thought, feeling even more embarrassed than before.

"I'm sorry." Jungwon attempted to apologize again.

They were now in front of the alley, again standing underneath the yellowish lantern light.

Moths were hitting the lamp above them. The wind was breezy. But there was no one else that could possibly destroy their moment.

The distance between them grew unconsciously bigger.

"I didn't mean to drag you into this whole mess." He was sincere. His voice was sad again, "I..It's not the first time that this happened. I wish it wouldn't be this extreme...but some fans just don't understand the concept of respecting one's privacy..."

"Don't worry. I'm used to running away from people so just hit me up whenever this happens again." She smiled at him, still tired. He looked at her apologetic and concerned.

That's when he noticed that she was still wearing his hat, "You can keep it, by the way."

"What do you mean?"

"The hat."

"What?!" Her eyes widened, "You can't just give me a designer hat, Jungwon!"

"Why? You saved me."

"Stop being like this." She let out a groan, "I don't know how to...repay you."

"Just take it."

"No."

"You are so fucking stubborn." Jungwon rolled his eyes playfully before taking the hat from her hands and putting it on top of her head again.

"Idols shouldn't curse." She then teased him, a mischievous smile on her lips, "Wait till I show the world the real you."

"Go ahead." The boy just snickered, shrugging lightly, "I'm going to be like you. Not giving a fuck about anything anymore."

"Do you want me to teach you?" Her eyebrow rose, the grin still on her face. The embarrassment and fatigue she felt just a moment ago vanished completely.

He hesitated a little, before finally answering. A smug look in his eyes and face. "If that means we are going to spent more time together...Defintely."

"Then no."

"Hey!"

"Let's go home now. Or else I won't get enough sleep to get through tomorrow." She swiftly changed the topic, straightening her clothes and bag which were slightly wrinkled up from running.

Jungwon wouldn't stop glancing at her, eventually turning away since he was afraid of freaking her out.

But despite that he didn't miss the tiredness in her eyes.

How much he wanted to find a way to help her, free her from those countless part-time jobs.

She was young.

As young as he was.

But looking at it, the two of them were both overworked and drained, tired, exploited by the society they were living in.

"Let me take you home." He spoke unconsciously, his mind was already traveling too far.

"No."

Jungwon managed to convince her to let him accompany her to the next street, before she would force him to leave, telling him not to worry his fellow members.

He nodded, declaring his defeat with a sigh,

"Okay."

With heavy steps, he started leaving.

He didn't want to leave yet. Something inside him was glad that they were chased by his fans so he could spent more time together with her.

If he shouted enhypen's here! really loudly, would fans gather around him again? Or if he took off his mask and base cap, would he be able to stay with the girl a little longer?

Something about her presence was so comforting to him.

"Jungwon!" Her voice brought him back to reality.

The boy turned around just to be greeted by the most beautiful smile he had ever witnessed.

A wave of delirium washed over him. He always thought those romance movies were just an exaggeration of what it actually was like to like someone. That there weren't any rosy flower petals swarming around the most beautiful person to ever exist. No background music. No slow motion.

But then, why was he experiencing exactly that?

It all happened too fast, his mind stopped working and he almost missed what she was saying.

Oh.

He did. He did miss it, being too mesmerized by her smile and his fast beating heart.

"I wanted to thank you for today. For everything." She felt embarrassed and he would swoon even more at her nervous expression, "Please don't forget—"

He never understood her completely.

The rest of what she said that very evening became a muffled and blurred memory to him.

The boy just nodded, smiling widely as he waved good-bye to her. She would do the same.