Catch up: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10

“He fell asleep,” DJ throws a glance at the back seat where the sleeping form of SY is sitting right in the middle. Probably to keep a better eye on them.

He gives SZ a quick kiss on the lips. He’s been holding back all day.

SZ smacks SY to wake him so he can come to the passenger seat, DJ isn’t his driver. She gets out of the car, heading towards the dorm after blowing DJ a kiss. That sure must’ve made her brother cringe.

DJ heads home to drop SY off since he still needs to go into the office for some work. It’s late but he had to accompany his “darling brother” all day so he’s to catch up on work that night.

SY isn’t one to be fazed though, he’ll accompany DJ to see how he works at night.

At the office, DJ works on his laptop while SY lies down on a makeshift bed (one that DJ uses when working late because being a programmer is hella demanding).

“I have a question, are you working overtime on top of picking up the little demon from work, having dinner and a movie with her?” SY is not about to let on but that’s quite admirable even though DJ shouldn’t ruin his health trying to date. He can actually tell SZ, his sister isn’t sensible but will understand.

It’s ok, DJ assures him, because he’ll be moving to a new place soon. One that’s big enough with two bedrooms and close to SZ’s campus. SY won’t need to be worried about his sister being alone on campus.

“As her brother, I’ll worry since my sister is dating. Do you remember the mess when she went to meet the guy she met online?” SY opens up in a rare moment. He admits that in the past few days, he’s felt relief knowing that DJ is her boyfriend. The two share a bro moment.

But if DJ ever dares hurt SZ, he’ll make sure he pays for it. Now this is the SY that DJ is used to seeing.

If you hurt the girl I love, I can do anything for her sake

The next morning, DJ wakes up to find SY went back home. He’d left early to not inconvenience his friend.

Making a cup of coffee, DJ is informed by a colleague that he saw his girlfriend at the karaoke place a few days ago talking with the woman who made a scene at their office (referring to JY).

Concerned after hearing about their encounter, DJ takes it upon himself to pay an uncharacteristic visit to JY.

“What you did to me constitutes harassment. If you go to her again, I’ll consider calling the police,” a serious DJ informs her. He’s not there for niceties but to warn JY to stop her obsessiveness over him.

She’s been bugging him for many years and he’s let it go. But if she hurts SZ, the girl he loves, he can do anything for her sake.

A teary, broken-hearted JY looks on. It’s true her messed up love-hate feelings for DJ have clouded her mind. Part of her can’t let go of the tragedy of the past; part sees it as the only way to try to shake his disinterest in her despite how wrong it may be to try getting close to another person in such a way.

・❥・

At the internship office, SZ gets a rare chance to propose a solution to one of their picky clients. Her superior, the one who’s JY’s friend, tries to question SZ’s proposal to instill doubt but even she’s reluctantly considering it.

After the meeting, however, JY’s friend informs the lone SZ that as a subordinate, SZ should pass any ideas or proposals through her first instead of mentioning them in meetings. What was her intent? To show off that she’s smart?

She departs with the words that she should’ve known someone who steals another’s boyfriend would do things in that manner.

SZ feels attacked by her superior’s harsh remarks and perceptions but she doesn’t retaliate. Instead, she heads outside where SY waits to say goodbye since he’ll be leaving.

However, her brother can pick up something’s off with her mood. Hearing SY is also leaving, SZ can’t help but let the tears well in her eyes.

Is she unhappy with her internship? SY knew it; he tells SZ to quit, they have enough money to feed themselves, no reason to deal with shit. If anything, he’ll talk with her boss, he won’t let anyone bully her!

DJ approaches them at that moment. SY turns to him to try and cheer up his teary sister, her tears weren’t his doing this time.

As he leaves them, DJ makes for the entrance of the building asking SZ where to find her boss. No wonder those two are friends, their mindsets run along the same lines. SZ pulls him away before anything more happens.

Walking her back to the dorm that evening, DJ tries to understand what’s been causing her mood to be off lately. SZ admits it’s work problems that she feels capable of handling herself. DJ is busy with work, the last thing she wants to do is give him more pressure.

DJ scoffs at that. “You used to cry a lot in front of me, why do you feel embarrassed now?” he asks.

That was when she was a kid! She doesn’t cry anymore, she’s an adult now. When she faces problems, she should think about how to resolve them not cry over them.

“If you think only kids cry, then you can be a kid and cry. I’ll provide for you,” DJ confesses while coming to a full stop. He bends to look into her eyes, she needs to know he’s sincere in this. All right?

DJ admits he wants to be more than her boyfriend. He wants to be someone SZ can rely on.

“I also want to be someone you can rely on. You can share your joys and sorrows with me,” SZ confesses as she hugs him.

Hugging her back, DJ agrees that they’ll rely on each other. Can she now share what happened at work? He knows JY went to see her but she shouldn’t worry because he met JY that day to warn her not to bother SZ any longer.

“SZ, you didn’t tell me you’re having trouble at work and that JY came to see you. You don’t have to take care of everything by yourself. Promise me, you’ll turn to me when you run into problems, ok?” DJ gently admonishes while looking at her lovingly.

Realizing knowing about her troubles is important to him, SZ agrees.

“I’ll let you know. I didn’t tell you about JY because I’ve grown up and can handle it. You don’t have to worry about me, I won’t let her pick on me without doing anything. I can protect myself, I can also protect you.”

DJ can’t help smiling at the earnestness of her words nor the deeper love he’s feeling for her. He feels their little SZ has really grown up. She knows how to love and protect others.

I want you to consider this place as our home

That weekend SZ heads to a surprise location to meet DJ. It’s close to her campus but she’s got no clue what they’re doing.

She’s surprised even more when he pulls her inside an apartment that’s spacious and fully furnished. DJ gives her a mini tour including the bedroom that will be hers.

So he expects they’ll live together? That’s not it, he just wanted her to have a room to rest when she gets tired from studying.

But is the rent expensive? If it is, he doesn’t have to rent the place.

“Are you afraid that I can’t afford it?” DJ asks.

That’s not it; she’s afraid he’s wasting his money. DJ assures her he can afford it and it’s not a waste. Besides, he’s now closer to her, that’s not a waste of money at all. From now on, this is their home.

・❥・

Later that evening, a solo SZ tries to get some work done in the dorm. She feels it’s been getting hotter every hour so she tries to turn up the AC but it doesn’t seem to work. She calls the person in charge of the dorms during the summer to report something’s wrong with the air conditioner. What can she do?

The woman on the other end informs a distraught SZ that there aren’t technicians on campus since it’s summer break. No one can fix it until next semester starts.

Can she hire a technician herself? But the woman doesn’t recommend she do that because if it gets worse, she’ll be held liable.

Fanning a notepad to try and keep herself cool in the grueling summer heat, SZ tries to think of a solution when her phone rings.

“What are you doing kiddo? Have you had dinner?” DJ’s voice is heard on the other side.

“I ate but the AC in my dorm isn’t working. The room is stifling.”

“I see…I’ll come and fetch you.” Fetch her to go where?

His place of course. SZ’s erratic fanning comes to an abrupt stall. She doesn’t disagree though going to his place didn’t cross her mind. She resumes fanning, a bit faster this time, it’s even hotter than before.

・❥・

Entering the apartment, SZ can’t help but comment on how refreshing it is. DJ tells her to look at what she wants to eat since he made sure to buy a variety of her favorites.

He hints she can have her favorite snacks all the time the day she moves in. That makes SZ pause mid-chew; did she get an unofficial invite?

She heads to take a shower since DJ had foresight enough to prepare all the necessary toiletries. When she’s done, she finds him changed into PJs playing a game on his phone in the living room.

SZ awkwardly pulls out her laptop, she’s got work to do. But she can’t help being curious as to what game he’s playing.

“Come and play with me,” DJ extends an inviting arm her way. Taking it, SZ sits between his legs as he starts explaining the game, his face over her shoulder right next to hers.

She tries to pay attention but her brain is suddenly hyper-aware yet without a thought. She’s so close to DJ, the pose so intimate she’s engulfed by his presence as well as in his embrace.

He hands the phone to her so she can give the game a try. SZ can’t help but cast a look at his face right next to hers. After a bit, she decides to get some snacks however as she makes to get up, a strand of hair gets caught in one of DJ’s shirt’s buttons.

Struggling to turn so she can free the stupid hair, SZ misses the smile that settles on DJ’s lips along with the lingering desire in his eyes as he instructs her to take her time so she doesn’t pull the hair and hurt herself.

“Can I unbutton it?” SZ suddenly asks. He nods in permission.

She slowly undoes his button working the hair loose. Finally free, she starts pulling away when DJ’s hand gently guides her head towards him as he makes his way towards her. He can’t help it, he gives in to a searing kiss.

Losing herself in it, SZ reciprocates with far more passion than she’s ever shown before during their shared chaste kisses.

Reluctantly, DJ pulls away ending their hot and heavy moment. If it continues, there’s not going to be any sort of control exerted on his end.

Trying to string thoughts together, DJ reminds both of them she has work tomorrow, right? Maybe she should go to bed now. Still in a trance, SZ hurries back to the room.

“Remember to close the door,” DJ’s voice is heard from the living room.

SZ locks it before burying her face onto the bed. So much for working, she can’t concentrate on anything except maybe giving her boyfriend another kiss.

Let’s work on romance together, we’ll figure everything out later

DJ and SZ fall into a rhythm of living together though their demanding schedules often make them miss each other.

Their hard work soon pays off with DJ’s game successfully launching and SZ’s internship concluding with high praise for her performance.

SZ is even gracious to JY’s friend, the superior who always made it difficult for her thinking she’s maintaining her friend’s dignity. On the last day, SZ informs her that she’s learned a lot despite their less-than-pleasant encounters. If she’s a good friend of JY, she should accompany her to see a psychiatrist because it’ll be helpful for JY. She’ll also learn about the actual situation.

Meanwhile, DJ is also thanking his superiors for the chance to lead the game’s development. They’re so happy with his work ethic and results that they tell him he’s their recommendation for the Chief Programmer position that’s vacant in the company. DJ’s grateful to be considered, he’s been working long hours non-stop long enough that he wants to take his girlfriend on a trip to make up for it.

That evening, DJ proposes the locations he’s found to a not-so-accommodating SZ who wants to go camping. But DJ is concerned about the insects bothering her and the lack of comfort for simple things like washing up. He doesn’t want her to have a hard time.

“If we go to the places you’ve planned, we have to pay for fuel. When we get there, we have to pay for tickets, food, and drinks in the park (he’s proposing an amusement part activity).” Even the package for two is really expensive for the little it includes!

“So it’s not that you dislike those places, you don’t want me to waste money,” DJ concludes.

That’s not true, she just wants to go camping, she’s already planned it. SZ goes off to describe the entire trip with particular ardor and DJ is simply mesmerized. If they go camping, it’ll be just the two of them without any outside noise, it’ll be very romantic.

What she said sounds tempting, beach camping it is!

Unfortunately, the weather isn’t on the same page as them. The morning greets them with a torrent of rain and foul weather.

“Our first travel plan is ruined just like this,” a disappointed SZ says looking sadly out the window.

Seeing her down mood, DJ has an idea—they can camp in the living room. They go through the motions of setting up the tent they’d packed, SZ fully getting into the role of camping.

Midway through setting up, SZ gets a call from her mom. She pushes the sitting DJ outside the tent somewhat frantically to go inside for a video call. Her mom is surprised to see her daughter in a tent camping.

SZ tells her parents she’s at her “friend’s flat”, and that they were supposed to go beach camping but the weather didn’t hold up so they decided to camp indoors.

In good humor, her mom asks SZ to show them around so they too can “go” camping. Oh man, now this is going to take some skill. Waving her arm for DJ to fall to the floor before she flips the camera (which DJ understands and does so), she proceeds to show the flat to her parents. Poor DJ is scrambling in the background trying to hide a few pictures of the two of them lying around the apartment.

Everything goes well until SZ trips over “some equipment” (DJ’s form on the ground). By this point, SY has also joined their parents on the other end and he knows exactly who the friend is and what flat they’re at.

“Are you sure it was the equipment instead of a dog?” he asks. As usual, he’s ignored though he touched on a nerve prompting SZ to tell him to shut up.

Her dad suddenly tells her that if she wants to do another internship next summer, she should try to find a place in their city. Her mom misses her, she even asks SZ to move back once she graduates so they can be close.

Not wanting to prematurely commit, SZ tells them there’s still time until she graduates, they’ll cross that bridge when they get there.

After the call, their indoor camping continues well into the night.

I’m dating someone but I’m not ready to share him with you yet

The new school term begins, SZ’s roommates move back into the dorm with her, and SZ takes up a new challenge to participate in a school competition that’ll help her resume.

WW also starts the school year by confessing her feelings to JM who’s rather surprised but didn’t outright respond with a rejection.

On an upcoming holiday, SZ heads back home to visit her family. SY picks her up from the airport per usual while SZ teases him for his confidence in most definitely not picking her up. Liar.

“Ask DJ what is wrong with him, this morning he called me three consecutive times. I silenced my phone but he ordered takeout for me. Do you know what was written on it? He added a note that said “My boyfriend is in bad health, please make sure he gets up to eat or the consequences will be dire. Thank you.” I was speechless.” SZ can’t help but laugh, that sounds like something her boyfriend would do.

DJ was concerned no one would pick up his girlfriend from the airport, she understands that.

“If he’s so worried about you, why did he trouble me instead of coming with you?”

“He’s very busy otherwise he would’ve come with me.”

The siblings start bickering about directions; SY suddenly recalls he forgot to get SZ’s favorite snack which he could care less about her going without but their mom is going to throw a fit if he doesn’t bring it.

Once they get home, SZ meets her parents before heading to her room to call DJ. She doesn’t hear the door behind her opening as her mom comes in with a plate of fruits. Her mom enters right in time to hear SZ saying I miss you too and asking have you eaten yet. At that point, she decides to interrupt by making her presence known.

・❥・

Later that evening, SZ’s parents discuss if she’s dating someone in the kitchen while prepping dinner.

Who is the guy? How old is he? Is he a classmate? SZ’s dad needs to know. His wife tells him to calm down since they don’t know the details, maybe their daughter wasn’t talking to a boyfriend.

But that’s not enough for him, he needs to figure out what’s going on. They should go right then and there to ask SZ. His wife wonders if it’s ok doing so fearing overstepping into her daughter’s young adult decisions.

When they ask SZ if she’s dating someone, she’s honest and confirms that she is dating. Her mom asks why SZ never shared she’s dating with her doing one of their frequent calls.

SZ wanted to tell them in person. However, the fact she’s dating is what her father zeroed in on. Isn’t it too early? She’s a bit too young maybe she can wait when she graduates, then she’ll have to settle down. Has she ever thought how it’d work out? Will her boyfriend move to their city to be with her?

Overwhelmed by the questions and unable to fully be transparent in that moment, SZ escapes by claiming to find SY.

And in fact she does need to find SY to cajole him into taking her along for a catch-up dinner he’s having with college roommates since DJ will be there. She wants to see him; she’s missed him.