Kind's POV
All the furniture had been shifted, leaving an empty hall and room that made me feel uncertain. I glanced into the kitchen and memories flooded back of the moments Mean and I had shared. I vividly remembered how he accidentally broke a glass while hurriedly fetching a napkin to clean my mouth.
Leaving my bag in a distant corner, I headed towards school. On the way, I bumped into Mean. He appeared joyful, engrossed in texting on his phone. Sneaking up behind him, I surprised him by grabbing his waist and exclaiming, "Caught ya!"
"Oh god!" he exclaimed, visibly startled. He looked at me, rubbing his chest, and gasped, "You gave me a heart attack!"
"Here, take this," I said, remembering that Moon hadn't paid Mean for his work as a cook at our home.
"What is this?" he asked, puzzled, as he glanced at the brown envelope I offered him. However, he promptly returned it, saying, "I can't take this."
"It's your money, remember?" I insisted.
"Yes, but I don't need it anymore," he replied, slinging the satchel over his shoulder. "My mom has recovered from her illness, and she's now working at AMV company."
"That's Win's dad's company, right?"
"He helped my mom get the job there. He always tried to help me, and I just pushed him away."
"That's all in the past now. Look at the present. He's your boyfriend now."
"Are you coming today?" he abruptly changed the topic. I couldn't help but notice that whenever I brought up his relationship with Win, he would deflect.
"I'll come today," I assured him.
As I made my decision to leave, a part of me couldn't deny the growing affection I felt for him. There was a lingering anticipation, a sense that he had something up his sleeve. Thoughts raced through my mind as I considered attending the concert in my school uniform. However, by the time the school day ended, time had slipped away, and it was already concert time.
Accompanied by Mean, who was familiar with the venue, we navigated the busy streets. With a quick wave, I hailed a passing taxi, and in mere minutes, we found ourselves amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling crowd.
"Can I see your passes?" asked the guard. At that moment, I texted Win, and soon after, he appeared in a casual yet sophisticated attire.
"They're my guests. Please let them in," Win asserted, requesting special treatment for us.
The guard looked at Win and then back at us. After a moment, he nodded and let us in without further questioning. We followed Win into the concert venue, where the vibrant energy of the crowd engulfed us. The music was already playing, and the atmosphere was electrifying.
As we walked further into the venue, I noticed Mean seemed a bit distant. His gaze wandered, and he appeared lost in his thoughts. I reached out and gently touched his arm.
"Hey, is everything alright?" I asked, concerned about his sudden change in demeanor.
He looked at me, his expression softening. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, offering a small smile. "Just lost in my thoughts for a moment."
I didn't want to press him further, knowing that he sometimes needed space to process things on his own. We continued walking, following Win through the crowd until we found a good spot to enjoy the concert.
"Where is June? Isn't he supposed to sing first?" I glanced around the stage, realizing June's absence. The anticipation in the air made me assume that he hadn't taken his place on stage.
"He sang, but it was a duet," Win informed me before disappearing into the crowd. The atmosphere in the room was warm and inviting, with the melodic strains of the song blending harmoniously with the aroma of the coffee I had ordered.
Amidst the pleasant ambiance, the MC's voice suddenly boomed from backstage, startling me and causing a commotion among the audience. "Is everyone having a good time here?" their voice reverberated through the room, drowning out the sound of murmurs and rustling.
The enthusiastic response of the crowd came in a roaring wave of noise, echoing their enjoyment and satisfaction.
"And now, one of our contestants has requested to sing a song for his beloved," the MC announced, their voice infused with excitement. "He wants to express his adoration for that special someone. Yes, you heard it right! It's a heartfelt tribute, dedicated solely to him."
In an unexpected twist, the spotlight suddenly illuminated me, casting me into a state of surprise. The crowd in front of me instinctively parted, creating a path that led to the front line, inviting me to step forward and take center stage.
I could feel Mean's breath tickling my ear as they whispered with excitement. Their words caught me off guard, and I turned my head to face them, my curiosity piqued.
"Kind, it's for you," Mean whispered, their voice filled with anticipation. Their eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint, hinting at a surprise or secret they couldn't contain any longer.
My heart skipped a beat, wondering what could be awaiting me. A mix of curiosity and excitement coursed through my veins, fueling my desire to uncover the mystery.
Without hesitating, I followed Mean's gaze, searching for the source of their excitement. My eyes landed on a figure standing near the edge of the crowd. Recognition washed over me, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips.
It was you. Standing there with a bashful grin, holding something in your hands. My heart swelled with warmth, knowing that whatever it was, it was meant for me.
"In the depths of my heart, a story unfolds,
A love that's fragile, a tale yet untold.
With each beat, I'm drawn to your magnetic grace,
But the fear of rejection, it haunts this space." He came close to me and gave me a rose.
"Yet I won't surrender to the doubts that arise,
For in your eyes, I see a love that defies.
You're not unlucky for me, my love, it's true,
I'll chase this dream, for it leads me to you."
"Oh, my darling, don't you see?
Don't go, leaving me incomplete.
I'll shatter into pieces if you leave me.
In this dance of hearts, I'll take the chance,
For you're not unlucky, you're my sweet romance." Somehow, his words were weakening me, unsure of what to do.
"I won't let fear hold us back anymore,
Together we'll soar, our spirits will soar.
You're not unlucky for me, our stars align,
In this symphony of love, let our hearts entwine." Bit by bit, his melody was sinking into my heart, and then...
"Oh, my darling, don't you see?
You're the missing piece to complete me.
In this dance of hearts, I'll take the chance,
For you're not unlucky, you're my sweet romance." He stood before me, a ring in his hand, and he was on his knee.
All attention was on me, my heart, and my soul. I wanted him, but I knew if I wanted him to be happy, I had to do this. I knelt down and looked into his eyes, saying, "I love you, June. I love you. You are the raindrop a traveler wishes for in the desert." My heart shattered into pieces as I gathered the courage to say my next words. "You are my star in the dead sea, but I can't accept this, June." I rose to my feet. "I am not the right person for you."
I said and ran from there, escaping the fear of judgment and the fear of love. To some extent, I could hear him shouting, "Kind! Wait, don't go, don't leave me yet!" Then I closed the door of the taxi and cried until I reached my next home.