9. Stop!

After that conversation at the fast-food restaurant, Kimhan didn't mention it again. We went back to our usual selves, talking and laughing together. Though he didn't show it, I could feel that Kimhan was anxiously waiting for my answer.

Kimhan is the epitome of cool, an idol to everyone. Even I couldn't help but admire him. But this situation was far more complicated than mere admiration. How did I feel about Kimhan? Could I love him? Could I love him as a person?

There was one thing I was sure of... That kiss—I didn't hate it.

"Hey, Snow White! Stop daydreaming and get back to reality!" Bomber shouted in my ear as we huddled in a cramped room, hiding from our attackers. I was already dressed as Snow White, looking quite adorable if I do say so myself. Ho ho ho.

"The play from class one is about to end. Get ready to go on stage."

"What? Class one? Aren't they supposed to go on after us!?"

"Didn't you listen at all? They swapped places with class two. Damn it! And it seems their play isn't failing. Our assassination squad failed, caught by class one! Argh, this is so frustrating!"

"No way!!" I sprang up immediately.

"Hey, where are you going? Just get ready; it's not our turn yet."

"I won't let that happen!!" I shouted and ran towards the auditorium. There was no time for second thoughts. He was going to kiss someone else, and I couldn't let that happen, no matter the reason.

"Hey, what's with that Snow White? It's not your turn yet!"

"Break through! Capture him!"

Class one members shouted, trying to stop me as I charged in like a bull. Many rushed to grab me, but being small and nimble, I managed to evade them even in my poofy dress.

I burst onto the stage just as the prince was about to kiss the sleeping princess and yelled, "Stop! You can't kiss her!"

The audience erupted in murmurs, but I ignored them and ran to the center of the stage.

"I won't let you kiss her! You hear me? You hear me!?" I repeated, nearly shouting in the prince's ear.

The performer raised his head and turned towards me.

"You idiot... Kanthee," the prince snarled at me.

It was JJ. Yes, JJ, my friend from our group.

Where's Kimhan!?

Cheers and applause filled the auditorium, matching the thunderous laughter. The audience praised Snow White for ruining the Sleeping Beauty play at the last moment.

While I stood bewildered on stage, class one members surrounded me with bloodthirsty eyes.

"You moron, do you know how much effort I put into this!?"

The sleeping princess stood up, revealing to be the giant Kong from class one, muscles bulging with fury.

A princess that big could have defeated the witch, broken the spinning wheel, and smashed the walls herself!

I'm going to die here!

Before they could pummel me, a strong hand pulled me out of the circle. It was Kimhan, dressed in his usual school uniform. What's going on!?

"I'll handle him," he said to everyone, pulling me off the stage and running through the crowd from both our classes, ready for a showdown.

He took me to the second-floor storage room we'd been to before. The noise from the auditorium echoed faintly, but I didn't care.

"What's happening? Why aren't you the prince!?" I shouted, feeling utterly humiliated.

"Everyone petitioned the student council. I was replaced for peace in the school," he explained nonchalantly.

"Why didn't you tell me!?"

"Everyone knew. Where were you?"

Right, I was too preoccupied with whether to stop Kimhan and busy with the play to notice anything else.

Ugh, I'm so embarrassed I want to bang my head against the wall!

Thud.

Strong arms pulled me into a tight embrace, Kimhan's face nuzzling against my temple. I could feel his warmth and the rapid beating of his heart.

"You came to stop me," he murmured, his voice full of joy. Seeing Kimhan like this, I was certain my decision was right.

"...Yes."

"Why?" 

"Do I have to say it?" I gaped at him.

"You ran to me, but now you want me to guess?"

"You know I'm dumb. I just did what I felt. You're smart, figure it out yourself," I muttered, face flushed with embarrassment, knowing he was staring at me intensely but unable to find the words to explain my feelings.

Kimhan sighed softly.

"If you don't say anything, I can't guess. But... it's better than letting an idiot like you use your brain."

Yeah, sorry for being an idiot.

"Answer me honestly. When I kissed you, were you angry?"

"I told you I was surprised, but not angry," I replied.

"Do you hate me?"

"No. Why are you asking the same questions?"

"Okay... did you like my kiss?"

"Are you crazy? What kind of question is that!?" I snapped, my face burning.

"I changed the question. Answer. Did you like my kiss?" Kimhan pressed.

"I... I don't know. It happened too fast."

I decided to be honest.

"...So if I kiss you again, will you mind?"

Gulp...

I blushed deeply, hesitating for a moment, then looking at Kimhan waiting for my answer. I glanced at his lips, asking myself the question, and finally shook my head. "I don't think so."

"That's enough..."

Kimhan smiled at me, overflowing with happiness. That's when I realized why I always felt flustered around him. I loved him. Maybe I had loved him since the day we first met...

"So this time, if I kiss you again, there's no problem, right?"

"Y-Yeah..."

I nodded slightly, closing my eyes and leaning against the cold locker as Kimhan leaned in to kiss me.

Just as we were about to kiss, my phone rang. I had to answer it, feeling quite irritated.

"Snow White, where are you? Are you alive!?" Bomber's voice yelled from the other end.

Right, the play. I completely forgot!

"I have to go!" I lifted my dress, ready to run, but Kimhan's long arm blocked my path.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To perform the play, of course."

"Sorry, but I won't let you go. You ruined my class's play, Snow White. Did you think I'd let you go easily?" Kimhan said mischievously, grabbing my phone. "Snow White is in my hands now, and I'm not letting him go. Looks like you'll have to perform yourself."

"Kimhan, you..."

Click.

He ended the call and handed my phone back with a satisfied grin. His long legs trapped me, preventing escape, and his arms caged me in as he leaned down.

"I told you, I won't let anyone kiss you. Not even for a play... Even if you made it back, your class's play would fail because I planned to sabotage it myself," Kimhan said with a sweet smile.

"You're the assassin squad!"

"Yes," he confirmed, moving closer until I felt his warm breath. "You've been kidnapped, Snow White. Now... let's continue our discussion..."

He whispered softly before giving me a second kiss, sweet and deep, turning into a passionate, hungry embrace that made me weak.

This other side of Kimhan was far more dangerous than I had imagined...

[The End]