Lady Spring

Saeun’s heart fell before it began to pound rapidly. It beat faster than when he held her, so she wondered if something was wrong with her body. Saeun shook her head so hard that she dropped the orange on the floor. 

“You must’ve lost your mind. You’re a big star, but you want to give that up and mooch off of me now? What would your parents say?”

She tried to sound teasing, but her voice cracked. It was also too high as if she inhaled helium. Wooyoung grinned.

 “My parents will get upset, but they will get over it. They’ll just blame me for being a bad son. So what’s the problem? You don’t like the idea?”

“No, I don’t! Besides, I plan on marrying a professional like a doctor or a lawyer who makes lots of money.”

“But I was also a professional who made good money for the last several years.”

Wooyoung chortled. When Saeun glared at him in shock, he waved his hand.

“I’m just kidding. It was a joke. Why are you overreacting? By the way, can I rest my head on your lap?”

She continued to stare at him at his strange and sudden request. Wooyoung grinned and crawled towards her. 

“Let me use your lap as my pillow. Your legs are so warm, soft, and cushiony. They’re really comfortable.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

Warm and soft sounded okay, but cushiony… Was he saying her thighs were fat? She wasn’t exactly a model, but still, she wasn’t fat…. Well, perhaps she was a little.

Dammit, fine. Saeun admitted her body looked like that of a chubby teenager who still had her baby fat. She didn’t even eat a lot, so she couldn’t understand why. The best she could do was maintain her current weight, which she has been doing for the past few years. Saeun didn’t expect to lose any weight any time soon. But in a way, she didn’t care since she wasn’t interested in dating.  

Of course, with Wooyoung in front of her, Saeun secretly did wish she suddenly lost 5 kg. Maybe just from her belly, thighs, and upper arms.  

“Saeun, do you have any idea how much it hurts when skinny girls hug me? Their bones feel so sharp.”

“You hate women, don’t you?”

“Hahaha, that’s not what I meant, but it sounded bad, didn’t it? I’m not making any sense.”

Wooyoung giggled and grabbed her legs. Saeun resisted for a brief moment before giving up easily. It wasn’t like anyone was going to find out about it. She has never let anyone rest on her lap and someday in the near future, she knew she was going to remember this moment fondly.

When she was all alone again.

The spring that year was filled with the memories of you.

When I wake up alone at night, I dream of you.

The only thing I have left is the memories…

Only the memories…

I like the gentle autumn wind.

The first kiss tasted of the spring sun.

“You heard our new album.”

Wooyoung, whose head was resting on Saeun’s lap, said to her quietly as he watched TV. Realizing she has been humming the song, Saeun blushed.

“Umm, yeah. I heard it on the way home earlier from a record store.”

“Do you like it?”

“The title is corny.”

Saeun grumbled, making him laugh.

“What’s wrong with ‘Spring Lady’?”

“It just sounds too cliche.”

“Other than the title, do you like the song itself?”

She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at him. His hair falling down on her legs looked so shiny. They looked like black silk. She could definitely believe that he was offered a shampoo commercial. Her fingers felt itchy because she wanted to touch his hair. Her hand slowly reached for the back of his head, but before she touched it, she lost her courage. She pulled her hand back and tried touching a few strands of his hair on her thigh. There wasn’t enough hair for her to be able to feel anything.

“If you pat my head, I will sing for you.”

Saeun yanked her hand and blinked.

“What?”

“I said if you pat my head, I’ll sing for you. Don’t you want to hear it live?”

He turned towards her with a grin. This was a man who knew his own charm. Feeling annoyed, she wanted to poke his forehead, but she couldn’t. His face was still so bruised that she felt guilty causing him any more pain.

“You have a mother complex, don’t you?”

Her heart was trying to leap out of her rib cage. To hide her feelings, Saeun rolled her eyes. Her fingers slowly touched his hair and began to move. Her hand was shaking as she felt the warmth of his scalp. His hair was indeed thick and smooth. It felt like she was touching a ball of expensive silk yarn.

“That feels nice. Do it slower.”

“You’re acting like a puppy.”

Wooyoung giggled and remained still. Saeun caressed his head slowly. It felt warm and pleasant. Perhaps it was her who should be singing for him since he was allowing her to do what she had been wanting to do for a long time.

The only thing I have left is the memories…

Only the memories…

I like the gentle autumn wind.

The first kiss tasted of the spring sun.

His low voice filled the small room. Jay was the main vocalist of the group, but the other members also sang from time to time. For most of the ballads, it was actually Wooyoung who sang the most. His voice was so smooth that when he sang, it sounded like he was whispering to his lover. All his fans must’ve felt this way and Saeun was no exception.

I fell in love when I was 17.

Thinking of you, who isn’t by my side anymore…

I wonder why I didn’t know then.

Why didn’t I hold on to you?

The thought of you used to brighten my day.

You were 17. A girl that reminded me of flowers.

I was 17. I was an immature boy.  

I like the gentle autumn wind.

The first kiss tasted of the spring sun.

Saeun closed her eyes. The song somehow sounded like it was about her. There used to be many cherry blossom trees in the school they attended together. The flowers used to bloom beautifully in spring. She remembered feeling expectant every time she entered the classroom. Of course, after Wooyoung left, the rest of her school years went by in a blur. 

When the spring is over, you will be gone too.

My memories, oh the memories, will disappear into the darkness.

The spring that year was filled with the memories of you.

But when spring returns, I…

I wonder where you are now.

When Wooyoung finished and turned towards her, Saeun clapped. 

“Wow, you’re such a good singer.”

“Well, this is my job after all. Of course I should be good. Jay always tells us that the fans are buying our albums expecting quality work. We need to do a good job because this is how we make money.”

After gazing at him for a moment, she asked, 

“Do you sing just for money?”

“Not just that. But whenever I feel tired or annoyed, I remind myself of it. Jaejun, on the other hand, is the type who doesn’t care about the money. He loves music too much. It’s actually Sangone who nags us about financial stuff more. He loves money.”

With a small smile, Wooyoung added lightly,

“On the other hand, Sehyun would do anything to dance. He’s great at singing too, but he loves dancing more.”

“How about you?”

When she asked in a quiet voice, the smile on Wooyoung’s face disappeared. Still looking up at her, only tiredness remained on his face. Saeun wondered why. He looked so happy when he talked about the other members just a moment ago.

“You’re very kind, Yun Saeun.”

She blinked as his large hand wrapped the back of her head to pull her down towards him. His face got very close to hers.

“Why would you think that?”

Her voice sounded husky. A faint smile crossed Wooyoung’s face before disappearing quickly.

“Because of everything.”

“I’m not kind.”

He just smiled and pulled her down. When their lips met, Saeun closed her eyes.

The first kiss tasted of the spring sun.

But when the spring is over, you will be gone too.