4:00 PM

“Hey! Azzo! Over here!”

The dog barked and rushed faster before I can brace myself from another one of a heck marathon.

This dog is so fast that I almost tripped along the way. “Hey! Hey! Chill! What the-”

Of course, Azzo doesn’t care as it’s eyes only for the owner. Yujin, my bestfriend for years welcomed her dog in an open arms as Azzo clings to her.

“Did you had a great time with him, darling?” Azzo is a big dog but Yujin still baby talked the furry dog that looks like a bunch of white cotton.

Azzo licked her cheek, Yujin’s giggled and I’m still panting hard. Azzo is NOT an easy dog to deal with. This dog is curious about everything and most of the time, just rushing towards to the other dogs and chasing squirells. Because of this damn dog, my walk counter reaches around 8k to 10k.

“You okay? You looked like just ran a marathon.”

“I’m okay, Yujin. It’s easy peasy to walk with your dog.” No it’s not.

My family has pet dogs, My father is a police officer that trains K4 dogs and has it’s own dog. Working as a dogsitter around the neighborhood, gives me a decent money with tips.

And this is the reason why I’m dogsitting Azzo sometimes around this hour. Yujin works as a dance coach, she loves dancing at early age that leads to that job.

“Sit with me. I brought a fried chicken for us.”

I sat beside her. Let a sigh of relief as I can finally get a rest. “This is your payment method this time?” I reached out to grab a piece then take a bite on it.

“You know that we loved this fried chicken from Granny Kim near to our school. Especially when she’s so generous to give us a few more pieces. She was so thrilled to see me today.” Yujin picks up a piece and took a bite. “She asked about you.”

“Me?” Yujin nods.

“Yeah. She asked what are you doing these days. I said that you’re doing fine and working as a dogsitter and trainer like his father.”

“Bet she’s happy to know I’m doing well these days. I miss going to her stall. It’s been… four years since our graduation?”

“Yeah. Four years flies fast. I still remember our classmates, they suddenly cried during the farewell song.”

“Oh… that one. I wonder what they are doing now.” I reached out to grab a cold canned beer then popped it open.

“Also she asked if we’re couple now.”

I coughed at my drink. “What the… Did she really asked that?”

Yujin giggled as she shaked her head. She hands me tissues for me to pat my shirt dry. “Yeah. Granny Kim actually asked me if we became a couple. I said that I was waiting for him to do the first move.” Yujin teasingly put her tongue out.

I didn’t answered back. How can I? Yujin knows that I’m into her yet doing a first move is harder than expected. Yujin’s friends told me back then that Yujin rejected every suitor, every date invitations and love letters.

I remember that Yujin forced me to be her partner at the prom. Ended up as a prom King and Queen.

Everytime she performs with her dance club, her eyes focused on me. I still remember how her body flawlessly moved to the rhythm. Every sway, body roll and facial expressions. It sound so delusional but it feels like she was performing for me.

Yujin never fails to take my breath away.

Right now, she was petting Azzo. The dog sat on her lap like a disciplined dog. I trained Azzo whenever I stayed at her house. I also told Yujin some tips and tricks and for what I see, Azzo is well-trained. Almost but getting there.

I sat back, looking around in silence. This place is so peaceful. Family with two kids playing badminton, bunch of women at 40’s doing zumba, Teens doing tiktoks, Joggers around the area.

I looked at the side and saw Yujin still petting Azzo on her lap. I pulled out my phone and want to take a photo of them. As if Azzo has sixth sense and it immediately turned it’s head to my phone as I snapped a photo.

“Azzo is crazily photogenic.” I showed Yujin the photo.

“OH MY GOOOSSSHH!” Yujin squealed as she pets Azzo. “You such a cutie boy! Come here.” Then she proceeds to kiss Azzo’s nose.

Sun gone down, lights has started to brigten the night. People are starting to pack up and go home.

“Let’s go home?” Yujin nods as she stood up. I helped tidying up our things and walked back to the parking area.

When Yujin and Azzo sat on the passengers seat, I started the engine and drove away.

While driving back to Yujin’s apartment. She talked about what happened on the dance class recently, about her parents anniversary plans and she planned to give Azzo a makeover soon.

“Anyway, I was approached by someone from starship entertainment after class. You know, Sistar, WJSN and MonstaX?”

“I know those groups but not that much. Why?”

“She said that they are finding dance coach for their new girl group soon.”

“Really? That’s your shot, Yujin! Being dance coach under one of those companies is great offer especially to someone like you. Did you accepted it?”

“Of course, I accepted the offer but…”

“But what? Is there something wrong?”

“She said that I might be part of that new girl group. I can still contribute to the choreographies.”

“Then what happened?”

“I… I said that I only wanted to become a dance coach.”

“Yujin-”

“I know.” Yujin sighs deeply. Her hand stroking sleeping Azzo on her lap. “I know it was the dumbest decision ever. I-”

“I never said that, Yujin.” Yujin turns to look at me. “Being offered to become an idol is every girl’s dream. But what I was going to say is… I’m glad you rejected it. You set your priority straight. You knew your worth more than anybody else.”

Yujin’s eyes watered and smiled. Dimples showing up. Her hand reaches out to hold mine. “I’m glad… I’m glad you’re here. Glad that you understand me.”

“I just… don’t wanna go into the path where uncertainties and stress fills my mind. What if the group will not doing well? What if it is not really my path and was just ruining other people’s hardwork? I’ve seen enough people talking about the harsh nature of the industry.”

“Besides… I can’t sacrifice everything just for that path. My family, friends, Azzo… especially you.”

If i’m not currently driving, I would hug Yujin right here right now. The honk from behind broke the emotional atmosphere.

Chill the fuck out. Geez.

After a while, we finally arrived at Yujin’s apartment. Yujin clutching yawning Azzo on her arms as she steps out of my car.

Yujin knocks on the window and I rolled it down. “Mandatory Azzo Goodbye kiss.” Yujin’s grining ear to ear.

Ah shit. Here we go again.

“Fine..” I kissed this damn dog’s nose. Yujin’s giggles is more like teasing.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

Yujin didn’t respond in words, instead she leaned forward and kiss my lips. Her lips is soft, plump and taste like cherr-

What. The. Fu-

“Mandatory Yujin Goodbye Kiss.”

Before I can respond, Yujin already went inside the apartment building. I started the engine and unconsciously giggled at what the heck just happened.

Are you free this saturday?
Why?
Are you finally doing the first move? By calling me out for a date?
Spot on.
But without Azzo this time.
Without my precious boy? 😭
Bruh.
I just wanted a date.
Just two of us.
Fine
But you have to pay for food and everything. Treat your princess right.
Only if I got another kiss.
Longer this time.
Deal!

-End-