Chapter Eight
Unnecessary
Jungwon and I are now on our way to school. He had a sleepover in my house, so that explains why.
He confessed everything to me. He even cried because I acted sulky for almost half of his confession. Still, in the end, I assured him that everything was all right, and I was truly happy for him. I always got my best friend's back; what matter happens.
He said Jay hyung confessed to him earlier this year when he turned 19 (International Age) before becoming his Tutor. Jay hyung chatted with him when school started, and he already has a clue that jay hyung likes him. He didn't deny it too when he asked him, so he didn't entertain him that much. He's not interested until their family has dinner together at Jay's house.
He said they usually do yearly, even just once a year.
He thought he was cool and handsome, and they were able to talk for a while. He felt nice and comfortable around him. One night isn't enough to know each other much, so the tutoring made way for them till he fell in love with him as he knew more about him. They spent hours together every day on study dates and such.
He even said they are not yet official, and they'll just be one once he, my best friend, enters University years. I quite don't get that one since they do what couples do, like holding hands, snaking each other waist and forehead kisses.
"Stop dragging me!" I whined at him as I fixed my backpack strap on my shoulder. He was literally pulling me as he ran, not wanting to miss the next bus even it wasn't the last one.
"I don't want to wait for the next bus. It'll be going to be to pack!" he whined back as he continued to drag me running. I just let him bring me as I rolled my eyes couldn't do anything with it.
We reached the bus stop precisely the bus arrived, I didn't even have time to at least pant comfortably when my best friend dragged me again as soon as the bus door opened,
"Good thing, there are still vacant seats," he said, but I couldn't help but curse him out in my mind. Is bus seat more important to him than his best friend's life? I closed my eyes, catching my breathe first before finding myself a seat.
I was about to go find one when I saw Jungwon teasing smile. I rolled my eyes at him and pushed him softly so he would seat himself before I get physical and choose violence against him.
I watched him sit at the far back with the same annoying smile plastered on his face. Just then, I realized what's that for when my eyes landed on the only available seat and saw who was sitting next to it.
My heart automatically races fast as if it was programmed to do so every time I see his presence. The owner of that icy eyes had his eyes on me before mine landed on him. He didn't have any expression on his face as he stared at me, making me more nervous.
I glanced at Jungwon for a bit, not knowing how to react before walking to sit next to Riki. My best friend is indeed beyond supportive for my own good.
I was debating the whole time if I should greet him or not. Afraid, He'll think I'm being too comfortable around him, or he doesn't want to talk to anyone now.
"You should drink water," he started. I looked at him, trying to hide my nervousness around him. He looks serious as he looks at me wearing his usual expression I didn't say anything but nodded. God knows how I wanted to say something, but it seems like I couldn't find any word right now.
I opened my bag on my lap that I had been hugging for a while. Weirdly I didn't see the water bottle; that was the first thing I always noticed every time I opened the zip of my bag packed. I let my hand go through inside only to find out I didn't have it as I forgot to bring it,
"Just drink mine." He said as he offered me his water bottle. I glanced at it, unsure whether to accept it or not when he suddenly held my hand to pass his bottle to me. I glanced at him surprisedly.
I swear to his warm touches sent sparks and shivers on my spine and undescribable electric volts on my body, waking all butterflies inside me. My burning cheeks are one of the most vivid and evident evidence aside from my heart now trying to jump out of my chest.
I pulled my hand back, afraid of my own reaction, "U-uhh.. sorry for the trouble, thank you." I could only say stuttering couldn't meet his eyes, that obviously trying to find mine. His brows furrowed confusedly in my reaction.
"Are you sick? You're sweating a lot," he asked me, sounding too worried. He was about to put his palm on my forehead. But he stopped halfway as he looked at me with control for his own, maybe because of the reaction I gave him when he held my hand.
I didn't know if I was just really sick or my eyes were playing me again, but I could see how his eyes turned a lot gentler and softer.
The distant ocean in his eyes turned restless as waves of unfathomable emotions reign on them, including concern and uneasiness.
"Say something, Sunoo.," he told me, almost a whisper frustrated, but the way and fact he called my name got me the most. I heard him say my name for the first time in four years, drawn to him. That brought a different level of joy in me, knowing he knows me not just by appearance.
"I'm okay. Don't worry." I assured him with a bit of a smile on my lips I couldn't suppress. He just stared at me and seemed to be examining me with his eyebrows trying to meet one another and lips pursed. That sight was evil enough to drive me crazy enough.
I drank his water, hoping it would calm me down a bit, and said, "I'll wash and refill it for you. I'll hand it to you later before the first class start." In a soft voice just enough for us to hear.
"You can use it. Give it back to me tomorrow when you have yours," he replied without removing his eyes on me, his features also slowly being soften as he relax more.
I wiped my lips clean with my handkerchief. I thought that was also the end of our conversation when he spoke again, "Don't run next time. Your body can't seem to handle it." he started a new conversation. He's not looking at me anymore and facing front.
I didn't expect he would say that, should I be embarrassed for making him see the unathletic side of me? or how ugly I am, panting fighting for my life?
In the I chose non of the both as its the reason why he's caring and worried for me right now. "We didn't want to miss this bus," I added simply in a small voice, trying to contain my own feelings from showing.
"Then go earlier, don't run like that," he replied, looking at me with sharp eyes. I gulped at that more nervous and nodded.
I feel like he's worried about me, I know it's terrible to assume things, but then he's acting one and seems like he doesn't have a plan to hide it unless he was unconsciously being worried about me.
There was only thumping of my heart between our silence. He once broke the ice again by saying, "You don't feel comfortable around me?" he asked, making me panic.
I waved my hands in front of him, panicking as I looked at him and says "No, I am not," he just stared at me, raising his eyebrow seems like doesn't want to believe it.
"You looked tense and nervous around me except that one time after our exam." He told me. I savvy that I was really pronounced and transparent that my emotions still reflect on my appearance, even trying my best to contain it.
"I was just being careful not to make you uncomfortable," I told him, which is true, I liked him for years, but I don't know all about him. I might annoy him unaware by just talking to him when he's not in the mood without knowing it.
"You will never annoy me," he said as if he was so sure of it, staring straight into my eyes, "You don't need to be careful around me," he added. Which made me feel so warm as my heart beat fast like it had never been before.
I smiled at him genuinely as I nodded, "That's good to hear." I replied as I stared into his eyes meekly.
"That's a deal then." he said so suddenly, "Huh?" I could only say puzzled. "That you'll be comfortable around me." He replied with the same confusion.
I couldn't help but laugh softly. Are we friends now? I don't even know if I want to be his friend. If I happen to confess to him soon and he pushes me away, I'm not only going to lose my first love then but also a friend. Those thoughts brought blues to me, but I just nodded to answer him. I better think of the present.
It wasn't long when we arrived at our schools, he didn't walk with us, but he said "I'll see you around," Instead of usual, "Goodbye," a sign of parting. Jungwon has also been teasing me about it.
"After four years, you're finally making development," he whispered, giggling to me as we walked to the corridor. I just rolled my eyes at him even there was a smile behind my lips,
Nothing really happened, and the time went by fast. After three subjects, we had our break time; Jungwon decided to go to the cafeteria alone to buy us some snacks. It's not lunch break yet, so we decided to have a light break snack.
It's been past twenty minutes, so I decided to follow him; he's not good at crowds, so I'm afraid he would feel so bored lining up.
I just reached the fourth floor when "Seon-woo?" A familiar voice of a girl called me. My eyes went to her and to the guy beside her now staring at me,
"Hanbyeol," I called her, then smiled, even though I was wondering why are together. Riki just nodded at me when our eyes met. I did the same.
"Are you on your way to the cafeteria?" She asked me all smiles,
I nodded with a subtle smile feeling lost at the sight that brought pangs in my system. Is he asking her for the prom? I couldn't get that out of my mind. Why I was even surprised when I had a hunch, he must have liked her in the first place since the bus incident.
I just nodded at her loss of words as we continued to walk altogether,
When we reached the third floor, "We'll go this way now," Hanbyeol told me, as she glanced briefly at the other way. Her following words answered everything on my mind, "Do you want to join us? We're actually on our way to the broadcasting studio." she said almost in a whisper,
"I'm part of a broadcasting team, and We'll going to do a live podcast with Nishimura Riki for the prom special TMI," she added with a smile,
"Ah, really?" I said, quite surprised,
"Most of the students want info about him and if he has a date already. Their coach gave him away after being offered promotion of their club in exchange for this interview," she said and laughed more.
I just chuckled at that, as I looked at Riki with a displeased expression on his eyes at the same time confused as of the moment because of us,
"Oh, I almost forgot! We have to go now; let's have lunch together. You promised me to remember?" she said while walking away. I just nodded and laughed a little as I watched them make their way to the studio. Riki turned his head to me, giving me these questionable eyes, but I just waved my hand at him.
I arrived at the cafeteria and looked around. I saw Jungwon at the bread place. We both liked it a lot, he was already lining at the cashier, and it was almost his turn.
He was making a blank face until I got some on his hand to help him. His smile welcomed me as he rested his forehead on my shoulder and bumped it softly like a cat would do to his owner. "You really know me!" he said and nuzzled his head on my shoulder more, "People keep eyeing me. It's so awkward," He said with a pout.
I just laughed softly and nudged him so he could stop doing that. I saw some cameras on us, "Jay hyung would going to be jealous once our pictures resurface again in the forum." I told him, chuckling
Well, it did more than once. It was surprising and scary at first, but we got used to it. I think that was also why most people in this school know us.
'Best friend Fine Duo SunWon.' They even gave us that nickname.
"Well, he could stay jealous!" He said, making us both laugh but still stood up properly after that and looked around,
"Stay Jealous, my ass," I murmured to mock him, but he just suppressed another set of laughter,
The podcast started, well everyone could tell as we all could hear it from the speaker. Hanbyeol voice was incredible. I could tell it was her first time since it was also my first time hearing her. She has a sweet, angelic voice that is sweeter than her usual voice, maybe because it's filtered.
"Of course, we have a special guest for today's live podcast episode, the most requested and sought dance prodigy of our university Nishimura Riki." She introduced her excitedly, prolonging his name.
That name got everyone's attention, including mine, and my best friend now nudging me with a playful smile and eyes as he dragged me to a seat at the nearest table.
"Uhm, hi, I'm Nishimura Riki, from the dance department," he said briefly. It was undeniable he was forced a he sound one, but everyone just laughed and found that cute. The cafeteria also got noisy, and he was the topic.
I could imagine him right now putting a blank face as his in front of the podcast microphone,
"Are you joining the prom?" Hanbyeol asked directly after some more introduction as she chuckled, "That was the most requested question to ask you from the students." she added
The whole cafeteria turned quiet for a while till he replied.
"I do." He said plainly, that filled the place where we are battle of celebration and defeat from younger ones, well I'm in between, as at least I'm going to see him that night, even though he was with his date. I guess.
"Did you hear that, girls?" Hanbyeol said, laughing, "A lot has been wondering... Is Riki Nishimura the type of who would invite the one he likes as his date at the prom or the one who would wait to be invited as someone's prom date at the prom?"
"The person he likes would probably invite him." I heard someone say.
There was a quite brief moment, as everyone anticipated his answer. "It could be in between. If the one I like won't invite me, then I will instead." He said obviously, thinking.
"What if it's too late, and the one you liked already has a date?" Hanbyeol asked him again,
"At least I tried," he said, unsure, "Will it be too bold to say I'll leave the choice to the someone I liked," he added. "He could choose me or stick to its date, but no matter what the answer will be, I'll be cool with it," he added in his monotone and hoarse voice, which made him sound maturely good and manly.
That made the cafeteria filled with astonishment from the listener, "He's bold." "That was hot," "He's manly." I heard some whisper.
My best friend just looked at me.
"So I'll be now asking you the question everyone is curious to know, Do you already have a prom date?" She asked. I heard excited voices and even shouts at the cafeteria. Everyone seems to enjoy this interview,
"If there is, it must be Minju," I heard some says,
"No, I don't have yet," he said simply. A deafening celebration was heard at the cafeteria, most coming from his fangirls and people casually joining the hype,
"A lot must celebrating right now," she replied again, laughing and continuing the interview. "Will you give us a tip on how we could make a Riki Nishimura say yes as our prom date?" Hanbyeol asked,
He didn't say anything for a few seconds and cleared his throat,
"Uhmm, if you want to date me, then you must be kind and gentle," He said, "It would be nice if you have beautiful foxy sparkling eyes and smile. Your cheek must be puffy too," he added,
Everyone went crazy when we heard Riki laugh softly for a moment. Seems like weren't able to suppress the happiness just by describing the one he wants to be with at the prom. It was my first time hearing him, and I guess all of us,
"You must have someone in mind. Look at that smile... And wow, No wonder girls are all over you. You look good but more when you chuckle," she said, surprised, "You should do that more... see all people in this room agrees." she said, teasing him.
That made me smile bittersweet for two reasons. One for not seeing that smile of his personally, and two not having the chance he was talking about me even he almost describes me.
Seems like the man beside me didn't get that one as he suddenly cupped my cheeks to face him, "Stop!" I warned him, glaring as I hit his hand gently. He just didn't know when to be annoying.
"Most importantly must have and own the prettiest smiles." I automatically stopped when I heard that "You must be someone who could light up and save the night by just smiling." He continued in a gentle tone.
This time, I feel like my world has stopped spinning. The words he said just now seem very familiar to me, and it's not just as it is.
"You still have the prettiest smiles. Back then, you could light up and make someone's day by just smiling at them. Right now, You still do."
He said those words to me not a long time ago with the same gentle tone, I didn't want to assume, but I couldn't help it. He must be talking about some girl, but the thought he said that too to someone else hurts me and makes me feel so betrayed.
"I want to date someone like that too," Hanbyeol said, "I know someone exactly like that. I thought you were describing him, Thanked God he was a He," she added as she laughed.
But his answer made the whole cafeteria undoubtedly the High school department turn quiet.
"You can tell him to invite me too," He replied without thinking that made everyone stop to what are they doing, "Being a 'she' is unnecessary." He added bravely.