Jungwon and Sunoo decided to give Heeseung and Sunghoon privacy as they begin to talk. They were walking around and observing the people in the party. they just had a normal conversation, as friends talking about everyone and laughing about stuffs even if this was supposed to be a formal party. This was the very first time Sunoo was able to enjoy a formal party after everything he've been to. Usually, he would be around talking to people formally and being bombarded by their questions as the "heir" of the Kim family.
Today was different. Being with Jungwon and Sunghoon made it more enjoyable for Sunoo. Since this time, he had his friends to talk with. he can be himself, he doesn't always have to act as if he is a respectful heir or else people would be judging him for not having manners.
But of course, even though things got better, acting as the "heir" must still be put up at these kinds of events.
"Young master, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but Master Kim had wished to call you, he will be introducing you to some important people." Sunoo's butler said as Jungwon and Sunoo were talking.
Sunoo sighed, looking into Jungwon's eyes, "Sorry Jungwon, I have to go."
Jungwon chuckled, "It's fine. After all, you really are the heir of the Kim family."
Sunoo just returned with a smile and nodded before proceeding to go to his father.
"Sunoo!"
Sunoo gave his father a smile as he walked towards him, "Hello father."
"It's a good thing you're here. Now let me introduce you to one of my clients in our business..." Sunoo's father continued talking and Sunoo just nodded with every word he said, keeping up his formal composure in front of the client, his father was introducing to him.
'Oh how I hate these kinds of parties.'
* * * * *
"You don't seem to be in a good mood today." Jay said as he nudge Ni-ki, making Ni-ki snap out of his thoughts.
"What? Oh sorry, I'm fine."
"Did your father, um... attend?"
Ni-ki sighed, shaking his head, "My parents are currently overseas handling some business out there and told me they won't be able to attend the party, so I'll be the one representing the Park family for today."
"Dude, for real though, I haven't even seen your father, not even once. The Park family would always be the absent one in these kinds of events. I don't think your family has even hosted a party yet. I personally think the Park family is the busiest of the seven families."
Ni-ki chuckled, "I guess you can say that. My parents are too determined to achieve success."
"But, aren't they successful already?"
"They want to strive harder, as if there's no limit."
"Wow, I now know the reason why you're like this."
Ni-ki raised his brow at Jay, "What do you mean?"
"You got your personality from your parents."
"Oh." Ni-ki chuckled, "Well, I guess I did."
"You know, I just realized, the Park family is definitely different from the Lee."
"Why is that?"
"Just look at the Lee family, they host these kinds of parties every year. They're out in the bush, while the Park family likes to stay hidden."
"Well, we did hosted some parties before."
"Really?"
"But only some certain families were invited. Not all the seven families were there."
"Wow, I've always thought being one of the seven families was enough for me to be invited in every party, now I feel inferior next to the Park family's son."
Ni-ki chuckled, "It's not that. It's just, since my parents rarely attend these events, our family is not really closely associated with all of the seven families. Our family is closest with—"
"Oh? Jay!" A girl suddenly squealed from behind, interrupting their conversation."
"Yerin? I'm surprised that you're here." Jay replied.
The girl chuckled, "I guess you could say I came for you."
Ni-ki then nudged jay, "Who is she?"
"Just some random girl addicted to me." Jay whispered back.
"Then just ditch her."
"Nope, I can't ditch girls especially at these kinds of events, proper etiquette, you know?"
Ni-ki chuckled, "I guess."
"I'm going to accompany her for now, see you later."
Ni-ki nodded and Jay went off with the girl somewhere. Ni-ki then decided to grab a drink as he observed the people in the party, until some familiar people approached him, which he immediately recognized, they were one of the business partners ni-ki's parents had.
"Ni-ki! What a pleasure to see you here!"
Ni-ki shook his hand, "Good evening, Sir."
"I heard your parents weren't able to attend the party..Guess you're going to represent the Park family today, huh."
"You see, Ni-ki, you have to take this as a sight for the future. Your parents have always been making it to one of the top families out of the seven families. Your family has always been in competition with the Lee family. Oh, and you're friends with the Lee heir right? Then you should grab that opportunity to find his weakness. After all, you are next to your family legacy."
Ni-ki only nodded as they continue to give him such statements. As someone who came from a family who's rarely out in public, he expected that they would throw it all on Ni-ki. After all, he is the one representing the Park family.
Soon, their conversation was interrupted as they were called by some other important people. Ni-ki bowed his head and gave them a smile before they went off.
Ni-ki sighed, putting his hands on his pocket. He decided to go out to the garden for some fresh air after all that conversation.
he let the breeze pass through him as he got out, shutting his eyes in silence and taking a deep breath.
'Expectations...how do I reach them?'
* * * * *
"Ffinally, I'm done with that pathetic conversation." Sunoo muttered to himself as he managed to get himself out from the formal talk.
He looked around and tried to find Jungwon but the ballroom was just too big for him to find him. The place was crowded, and Sunoo hated crowded places. If he can't find Jungwon, then he'd rather be alone for now.
Sunoo decided to get some fresh air and headed towards the garden to calm himself down and distanced himself from all of those people.
As Sunoo arrived in the garden, he spotted a familiar figure who was shone upon the moon. His back was facing Sunoo, but Sunoo could say who he was. His figure was too attractive for Sunoo not to stare.
Sunoo immediately dropped his glass on the grass causing Ni-ki look behind.
He furrowed his brows as he recognized Sunoo, "Kim Sunoo?"
"Hey..." Sunoo replied awkwardly. "Don't get it wrong! It was just a coincidence seeing you here! I... just wanted to isolate myself from the people cause...you know...I hate big crowds..."
Surprisingly, Ni-ki let out a low chuckle, "Yeah, sure." He said, looking back up to the moon.
Sunoo slowly walked his way towards Ni-ki and stood beside him, looking at the moon and Ni-ki repeatedly.
"So, you don't like crowds, huh." Ni-ki spoke.
"Yeah..it gives me anxiety attacks..."
He turned to meet Sunoo's eyes, "You get anxiety attacks?"
"Yeah..."
"Huh."
"What about you,Why are you here?"
Ni-ki let out a deep breath, "Well, I guess you could say I wanted to isolate myself from the people as well."
"Why?"
"Just...reasons."
Sunoo kept his silence and they both looked up to the moon, admiring its beauty.
"Kim Sunoo."
Sunoo immediately averted his eyes to Ni-ki as he called him out. "Yes?"
"Have you ever felt the pressure of being an heir?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, since you're the heir to the Kim family, don't you always wish to reach the expectations of people?"
"Hm, not really."
"How so?"
"I like to be myself. I don't really care if people judge me because I was not the person they were expecting me to be. I mean, I am my own person. Why should I base my personality from other people's opinions when I can just be myself?"
"Huh, I see. Then you're completely different from me."
"Are you...um...do you aim to reach people's expectations?"
"Definitely."
"Right...the Park family doesn't show too much in public, huh."
"Mhm."
"Are your parents...full of expectations?"
"Nope. Actually, they always reminded me to take it easy, no pressure. But...I just owe a lot of things to my father and the best thing I can do is bring out the best in me to make it up to him."
Suddenly, his room came into Sunoo's mind. Sunoo was always curious about that thing hidden behind that curtain, so he decided to ask Ni-ki.
"is it okay if I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what is it?"
Sunoo slowly turned his body to face Ni-ki, stepping back a bit for some space. "About your room...uh...that thing—" But then there was a rock behind Sunoo that hit his foot making him lose his balance. Thankfully, Ni-ki was fast enough to catch him, leaving their faces inches away from each other. Sunoo could feel his heart beat so fast as their eyes stare at each other.
'Damn, he looks even more ethereal when he's this close.' Sunoo thought.
Sunoo cleared his throat, "Sorry..."
Ni-ki didn't respond. His eyes moved down to Sunoo's lips, staring at it, then back to his eyes, until suddenly Ni-ki leaned his face forward, closing the gap between them. And that's when Sunoo realized.
Ni-ki has kissed him.