𝐆𝐎 𝐑𝐘𝐔𝐋𝐇𝐄𝐄
AS 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐍

↬ ──── ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ ────↫

EST. 24TH AUG, 2000
IN VARADERO, CUBA.

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And there it is. Her favourite moment — finally shutting that damned Mathematics textbook in front of her.

"What's up?" Yunho laughs, taking off his glasses. "You look exceptionally happy today."

"Hm," Ryulhee hums, smiling. "We finally finished that topic I never liked."

"Be more specific, Ryu, you never liked anything in Maths." Yunho prepares to get hit, but instead feels her arms around him, holding him so tight he could barely breathe. He sighs — but it comes rather from adoration, than exasperation. 

"Yes, I know." She lets go, grinning widely. "But you finally managed to somehow drill everything into my head, you see? And that's something to be happy about."

"You'll be even happier to know that was the last topic in the entire textbook." Yunho begins stuffing his things in his bag, not looking as the girl falls silent.

"Wait . . . what?"

"Yeah, Ryu," Yunho smiles — and there's something sad about it, something Ryulhee can't place her finger on, but she feels a little part of her heart break.

"You finally did it, after all these years of tireless work. You should be happy."

"But wait," Ryulhee stands up, her voice coated in concern and emotion. "Does this mean you won't be tutoring me after this?"

"Maybe." Yunho shrugs. "I might come back, though."

Ryulhee sinks into her seat. Okay, she never liked Mathematics. She always jokingly told Yunho to hurry up with his classes, but really, he was the greatest teacher she could've asked for. He was so sensible, so patient, and so fun. The way he taught maths actually made it comprehensible for her small brain. She couldn't imagine not studying with him every afternoon for two hours.

"Yah, Yunho." Her voice is small, but Yunho looks up from his bag, attentive.

"Thanks." She can't continue. She feels a lump rise in her throat — oh, god, that's the last thing she wanted right now.

"You're welcome, Ryulhee-ah," Yunho leans across the table to ruffle her hair. "You were a real pleasure to teach."

There was a minute of comfortable silence between the two. Yunho was maybe three or four years older than her, and he was like the older brother Ryulhee never had but had always wanted. She watches as he puts the last of his pens, books and worksheets into his backpack, zipping it up.

"What are you going to do after this?" Ryulhee finally asks, not being able to stand the silence.

"Oh, I'm going to be helping out next year's KNVT, when the team's announced next month." Yunho rests his chin on his palm. "I'm trying to work harder so I can snatch the spot for team manager, because I really want to coordinate the Korean team this time around."

Ryulhee leans forward, interested. "Were you with the KNVT before or something?"

"Yeah," Yunho nods dreamily. "We didn't win, but it's really the experience, the journey and the friends you make that matters. I just want the team that gets selected this year to have the best experience too, you know?"

"What's it called — Bon Voyage?"

"Yep." Yunho takes his phone out, and Ryulhee could immediately tell he loved what he did. "You should try applying, you'd fit the qualifications perfectly. You've already travelled so much."

"Bon Voyage . . ." The girl murmurs, her fingers drumming on the table.

"You won't regret it, Ryulhee, I promise you that. Look at me." Their gazes lock, and Ryulhee could feel the sincerity of his words pouring out of him. She lets out a laugh.

"It's so fun. Ugh, all the friends you make . . . I remember when we locked the German team in a Walmart store where one of our missions were situated. It was hilarious." When Ryulhee looks at him, dismayed, Yunho quickly follows up with, "Oh, don't worry, we treated them to pizza that night. They ended up winning first place, too, we were so happy for them."

"I'm going for it." Ryulhee was sold. She gives Yunho a firm nod, and oh — the way Yunho's eyes light up. Ryulhee can't help but think, ah, how precious.

"Really? Oh, Ryulhee, I do hope you make the final cut. You'd make such a good team member!" He exclaims happily.

"And I hope you become team manager, Yunho — that would be really nice to see." Ryulhee smiles. Yunho gets up — "Mingi's here to pick me up, I'm going now!" — and she throws her arms around him for what she hopes isn't the last time.

"Bye!" She waves cheerily, opening the door for him. She could see Mingi in his car, down the driveway. She smacks Yunho's shoulder, winking. 

"Enjoy that date with Mingi."

Ryulhee could've sworn Yunho muttered something murderous before he departs, but she laughs. Of course, Ryulhee loves him nevertheless. I'll miss him a lot. 

She was about to close the door when she sees Yunho pause, and she, too, falters, opening it once again in surprise.

Yunho looks back. And he smiles one last time.

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with 𝐒𝐄𝐎 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐁𝐈𝐍,
RYULHEE'S CRACKHEAD SIDEKICK

↬ ──── ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ ────↫

11TH AUG, 1999
IN YONGIN, SOUTH KOREA

🌊 L0VELEES 🌊