Minhyuk
I can tell everyone, right now.
Shownu
Fuck. What do you want Minhyuk?
Before anyone could react appropriately, Kihyun made a noise of complaint that sounded something like a sigh and a groan combined. "What the hell's going on? Can't you just press a fucking button so we can move on? I don't know about you, but I just want to get this over with so I can go home and sleep."
Hyungwon knew no one would listen to Kihyun, because he was rude and he sounded like it was everyone else's fault that he was here in the first place. And Hyungwon was right, because he saw quite a lot of people rolling their eyes at the newcomer. This wasn't going to end that easily.
"Well, you got one part correct, you don't know anything about me." Minhyuk said. "You want to get this over with, but I actually want to win here. And I'm doing something right now so I can guarantee my win." Jooheon waited for Changkyun to say something, but the kid stayed quiet. He was too tired and confused, just like everyone else was. He also had that resigned look on his face, because he recognized this situation as one of those where once it started, nothing could stop it. It's awfully similar; Minhyuk sounded like he had a plan, and no one could stop him. Sounds about right, at least to Changkyun.
"That's not guaranteeing your win, if you tell everyone the answer you're going to lose." Shownu said. Jooheon saw, from his peripheral vision, that Shownu was clutching the tableside with so much force his fingertips turned white.
A few of the contestants started to catch up and nodded at Shownu's words, some were even muttering "oh yeah" or "that makes sense". No one noticed Minhyuk returning to his tablet and typing again.
Minhyuk
I'm not planning to tell everyone the answer
Except, if you want to
Shownu received the notification and almost flipped the table over because he reacted so quickly to reach out for the tablet, forgetting that he was still holding the table. Realising that it was a private chat, he forced himself to calm down and pushed the anger away as far as possible at the back of his head so no one would suspect.
Shownu
How would you know if the others answered yet?
They can't change their answers anyway
Minhyuk
I told them not to answer yet
Because I already know the answer, and will tell them all together in the group chat
Shownu
They trusted you that easily?
Minhyuk
No, but it wouldn't hurt to believe me first
If I don't give them the answer then they could just guess again
Shownu
And then everyone will hate you
Minhyuk
I don't care; I don't need their trust
Shownu
Are you sure?
I thought you wanted to win
Minhyuk
You don't get it
I just want your trust
Shownu
What??
Are you out of your mind?
Why would you threaten me if you want my trust?
Minhyuk
Are you that scared about revealing your relationship with Kihyun?
Shownu
You won't understand even if I explained
Minhyuk
Ok, I'm just going to tell everyone the answer then
Shownu almost shouted his answer, Minhyuk sure was unpredictable. He was just worried that Kihyun would get angry and upset if their secret is revealed. Kihyun was upset enough as it is. And Kihyun was already upset at Shownu. Shownu hated himself for thinking this, but at that moment he just wanted to know why Minhyuk was acting the way he was, so it didn't matter, not enough to make a difference, if Minhyuk did reveal the answer.
Shownu
Wait no!
Just tell me the answer first
Amidst all the whispering, Shownu could've sworn he heard Minhyuk chuckle.
Minhyuk
Why? Shouldn't you know?
It's your story after all
Shownu
Huh, but maybe someone else also broke up less than a year ago
How would you know it's mine?
Minhyuk
Well, there was a glitch on my screen, and I can see the correct answers
Shownu
You're lying
Minhyuk
No I'm not
The answer is Kihyun
Shownu
Yea right
Minhyuk
Ugh you leave me no choice
Ask Jooheon if you don't believe me, you trust him right?
Shownu
What?
You told Jooheon?
Minhyuk
Yes I did
Shownu
Why the fuck would you do that
Minhyuk
Because I want to help him
I will tell him the other answers too, for the later rounds
Shownu
Stop lying
Minhyuk
I told you, I want to gain your trust
Shownu
Oh I see
I get it
Jooheon and I got the most points, so you want me to help you
Minhyuk
If that's what you think
Shownu
And why would I trust you now?
After all that threatening
Minhyuk
You wouldn't believe me if I told you
Shownu
Try me
Minhyuk
You will know later, I bet it's in one of these rounds
Smiley knows a lot, so it has to be in this game
I don't know how he knows, but he knows
Shownu
Ok fine
Also, I assume Changkyun knows already?
Minhyuk
No, I didn't tell him
Shownu
You're going to tell him later
Minhyuk
No I won't
Can you stop acting like you know everything?
Shownu
What?
Why wouldn't you tell him?
Minhyuk
Why do I have to tell him?
Shownu
Because he's your friend
A really good friend
Minhyuk
Jeez why are you the same as Jooheon?
It's none of your business in case you didn't know
Shownu
I heard you wanted to gain my trust
Minhyuk
Fine
He's going to stop me from winning
Shownu
Selfish asshole
Minhyuk
I tried to be honest
Shownu
Being honest for this one time won't gain my trust
Minhyuk
I know
Shownu
Let's just see if I can actually trust you after this game
Minhyuk
Now go wake Kihyun up
Shownu was meant to type "huh?" but his head moved faster than his hands, so he never typed in a reply. Seated next to Jooheon, Kihyun was indeed sound asleep His huge head turned to the side rested on his small arms, eyes closed and absolutely still, other than the occasional ups and downs of his back when he breathed. Shownu was glad to finally see a hint of peace on Kihyun's face, even though it would be gone the moment he wakes him up. And he couldn't deny, it was a cute scene to look at.
Shownu left his seat and reluctantly and walked over to Kihyun, patting his shoulder lightly to wake him. It didn't take more than a few taps for Kihyun's eyes to flicker open, he was the light sleeper Shownu remembered him to be.
"Huh, did the game end? Sorry I fell as-" Kihyun rubbed his eyes, turned his head further, and finally saw who had woken him up. "Oh, it's you."
Shownu was taken aback by how disappointed Kihyun was to see him, but he supressed his sadness by biting his lip, and didn't let it show when he continued. "No, we are just moving on to another round, maybe we could all use a 5 minute break." He said the last part loud enough for everyone to hear, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Kihyun stood up from his seat, pushing the chair backwards and forcing Shownu to back away. He walked away to stretch his legs, not even turning around to look at the other.
-
I met this red-haired guy on the streets just this morning, and for once I found someone that I think looked more handsome than me. He asked to eat brunch with me, and I think I might be falling for him...
"Look, it's your description right?" Wonho pointed at his tablet and whispered just loud enough for Hyungwon to hear. Everyone had either left their seats or returned to playing Geometry Dash, to even notice everyone had voted and the game moved on.
Hyungwon covered his face with his huge hands, trying to hide his heated cheeks that definitely turned pink.
"Are you embarrassed?" Wonho asked, and Hyungwon didn't need to see to know Wonho was trying hard not to laugh. Hyungwon groaned, feeling his burning cheeks with his palms. He was sure they looked like tomatoes now.
Since he didn't see the point anymore, Hyungwon removed his hands and talked before Wonho could comment further on the tomato that was his face. "Hey-" was all he got out before Wonho interrupted coolly.
"Hey, don't 'hey' me. I'm older than you." Wonho was grinning, which, Hyungwon thought, was at least better than him laughing.
"Fine." Hyungwon rolled his eyes and said, "Wonho-hyung, I think we should tell Changkyun the answer, or at least help him. He looks so lost. I feel sorry. He's just a kid."
Wonho looked towards Changkyun's direction at the mention of the kid's name. "Wow, you're right, he looks lost." Wonho saw how Changkyun was staring into nothingness, leaving his Geometry Dash alone on an endless loop of deaths. "Do you want to tell him?"
Hyungwon was surprised at how easily Wonho complied. As if Wonho could read minds, he added, "I don't mind winning the game, it just sucks to see so many people in despair. It's supposed to be a Sunday. Even God rested, we should be able to rest and relax too."
Hyungwon nodded, agreeing without doubt. Even though he knew it was nearly impossible to relax in the situation they were in, it didn't make sense to overthink and stress over a game.
So Hyungwon left his seat and sat next to Changkyun instead.
"Hey, are you ok?" He started, getting better at starting conversations after recruiting 3 people (and leading them to this hellhole) this morning.
Changkyun snapped out of his thoughts, if he was even thinking, and acknowledged Hyungwon's presence. "Oh, hi...Hyungwon, right?" Hyungwon nodded, smiling to create a more comfortable atmosphere. Changkyun saw the smile and continued, feeling better already, "I'm ok, don't worry about me."
"Are you sure? You looked deep in thought just a while ago." Hyungwon said, recalling how his mom would've asked him when he was stressed with schoolwork.
Changkyun looked down, and Hyungwon followed his gaze to see him playing with his fingers. "Well, to be honest, I'm just worried about my friend Minhyuk." Changkyun hesitated for a moment. "He's trying so hard to win the game. Too hard in my opinion. He's going to hurt people in this rate." Hyungwon saw Changkyun digging his nails into his palm, hands turning white from the force.
Changkyun looked up, surprised, when Hyungwon reached out a hand and held Changkyun's hands in his. Hyungwon frowned at the other's icy hands.
"Give me your hands." Hyungwon reached out his other hand and held Changkyun's ones tightly, trying to warm it up with his body heat. "Don't stress so much, your friend is going to be okay. He hasn't hurt anyone, at least not yet. Don't worry about it until it actually happens. You're overthinking, it's not worth it."
Hyungwon looked directly into Changkyun's eyes, and his heart sank when he all he saw was worry and despair.
"Tell you what, I'm going to tell you the answer for this round. I know it doesn't mean much, but I really want to help you in any way I can." Hyungwon glanced at Wonho before looking back at Changkyun. "Wonho's going to help too. You don't deserve to be suffering this much." Hyungwon reminded himself that he was the reason why they were here in the first place. "No one deserves to be."
"I...I guess you're right." Changkyun said quietly. "So are we working together?"
Hyungwon smiled, though still guilty after remembering everything was mostly his fault. "I will try my best to help." Changkyun's lips finally found the strength to curl up into a smile, a silent thank you for Hyungwon for the consolation.
Later on, Changkyun was properly introduced to Wonho, and vice versa.
"Can you believe Wonho is afraid of heights?" Hyungwon said, earning a punch on his arm from Wonho.
"Really?" Changkyun asked, grinning when Wonho looked away in embarrassment.
"I guess you're safe then, unless this building can fly." Changkyun said.
"You're lucky that's impossible." Hyungwon chimed in, placing a hand on Wonho's shoulder.
-
"Hey look, it says this is the last round." Jooheon pointed out, after the break.
"Oh thank god." Kihyun said, looking at the new information on the top right corner. "I don't even understand how can there be so many rounds. We only have seven people, how many stories can there be?"
"To be fair, everyone here look around 20 years old. A lot can happen in 20 years" Minhyuk said, answering the rhetorical question. Kihyun ignored it and read the description.
I have a really good friend (who is also in this room), and a lot of people thought we are boyfriends, but I'm just touchy and being a bit too friendly. Recently I'm starting to like someone else, and I'm doing everything I possibly can to get closer to him.
Shownu thought back to the conversation with Minhyuk. This was the last game, so this must be it.
Sure enough, he received a private message from Minhyuk.
Minhyuk
If I tell you this story belongs to me, do you now understand why I want your trust?
Shownu
Interesting
Yes, I do understand
But you are missing a huge step in between
Minhyuk
It doesn't matter; I knew you're smart enough to figure it yourself
Shownu
But it still surprises me
Minhyuk
Which part are you talking about?
Shownu
Everything
You only want to join my "team" so you can get closer to him
Because you like Jooheon
Minhyuk
Well not only because of him
I still want to win
Shownu
Is it because you think winning will get you what you want?
Minhyuk
That's what I was told
Shownu
That doesn't mean it's true
Minhyuk
I choose to believe it
Shownu
Just think for a moment, how would winning help you in any way at all?
Minhyuk
If it doesn't help, then so be it
This is none of your business, yet you sound like you care
Shownu
I'm just telling you what I know
Minhyuk
Fair enough
So did I gain your trust?
Shownu
You're straightforward aren't you?
Minhyuk
There's no reason not to be
Shownu
I will let you join us, but that doesn't mean I trust you
Not completely anyways
Minhyuk
Good.
Shownu
Are you sure you don't want to ask your friend too?
Minhyuk
No
He found new friends during the break
Shownu
Sorry for calling you a selfish asshole back then
You have your reasons
Minhyuk
How can you be sure?
Shownu
Like you said, I'm smart
Minhyuk
But you aren't smart enough to figure out what the reason is
Shownu
You're right
But that's for you to tell me
Minhyuk
Well, I don't want to, but the author wants me to
Shownu
Huh?
Minhyuk
Nothing.
It's because Changkyun deserves a better friend than me
Shownu
I feel like I should apologize again for calling you an asshole
Minhyuk
I thought you'd thought I was lying
Shownu
You will never lie about your friend
I can see you're a good friend
And trust me, I know
Minhyuk
Sure
One more thing though
Shownu
Go on
Minhyuk
Don't tell Jooheon
About me
Shownu
Why, you think I'd tell him?
Minhyuk
Yea
You're a team
Shownu
That doesn't mean I'm telling him everything
Don't worry, I won't tell, I've been there myself
Minhyuk
Thanks
Shownu
Good luck
You'll need it
Shownu had a feeling Jooheon wouldn't return Minhyuk's feelings, but Minhyuk never asked so Shownu didn't say. He never planned to in the first place.
After everyone answered, the game finally came to an end. Most of the contestants stood up and stretched, while some pulled out their phones to check the scores.
The format changed, probably to fit in the phone screen. Shownu wondered who was monitoring the app and updating it so quickly. But then again he had a lot to wonder about since the moment he stepped in this building. Wait no; it would be since the moment Hyungwon found him on a park bench.
Hyungwon - 3+2=5
Jooheon - 8+3=11
Shownu - 8+2=10
Wonho - 3+4=7
Minhyuk - 3+9=12
I.M. - 3+3=6
Kihyun - 1+4=5
*[Previous Games] + [Game 004] = [Total]
Shownu tried clicking into "previous games" and, just as he expected, it showed him the points everyone got for game 1, 2 and 3. He assumed Kihyun got 1 point because he was a new contestant. Minhyuk got the highest score, confirming that the 'glitch' was real. Other than that, nothing seemed out of place.
He stuffed his phone back into his pockets. It felt weird to tuck it away that quickly. Usually there were so many other things to check before putting his phone away, and usually it takes a bit of convincing. Now he was putting it away because he had nothing to check anymore, and it felt like he had to discard his phone because it was useless to him. It was quite the opposite.
Shownu wanted to talk to Jooheon, but found that the seat next to him was vacant now. Instead, he saw what was next to the empty seat, which happened to be a sleeping Kihyun.
Shownu smiled, realizing that Kihyun was probably so painfully bored and worn out after pressing buttons. Kihyun was facing Shownu again, posture more or less identical to his previous nap. Kihyun's peachy bangs fell over his forehead, long enough to tickle his closed eyes if he wasn't that deep into his sleep. Shownu stared at the strands scattered across Kihyun's forehead, and had the sudden urge to brush it away. He had seen sleeping Kihyun multiple times already, and everything was the same as he remembered it to be, eyes closed and a slight smile on his lips. There was always a smile; Shownu could catch even the faintest curl of his lips, wondering if Kihyun was constantly having a good dream every time he slept.
The Kihyun in front of him was a huge contrast from the grumpy one just a few minutes ago. Shownu knew he had to wake him up soon enough, but he was glad Kihyun could escape the real world and smile in the dream world of his, even if it was just for a short period of time.
"Shownu-hyung, are there any..." Jooheon shouted to catch Shownu's attention, but quickly lowered his voice when he noticed Kihyun sleeping. "...notifications? We all answered, so it should've ended right? Any new instructions?" Jooheon walked closer from the vending machine – where he had been talking to Changkyun – so Shownu could hear his whispers.
Shownu double checked his tablet, shook his head, and Jooheon simply shrugged, impatient to return to his unfinished conversation.
"Wait, so you never tried drinking soft drinks?" Changkyun asked when Jooheon returned. "Where's your life man?"
Jooheon chuckled at the shocked friend and corrected, "It's not that I never drank one before. I tried once or twice I guess...but I was never interested in those." Jooheon gestured to the various drinks in the vending machine to make his point.
"Wow." Changkyun blinked hard twice, having learnt an interesting side to Joohoen. "That's why you only buy water?"
Jooheon nodded. "Water's good enough."
"How about coffee?" Changkyun asked, curiosity all over his face.
"I'm ok with the hot ones, but I'm not sure about the cold ones," Jooheon pointed to the can of coffee in Changkyun's hands. "I never tried one before."
Changkyun looked at the coffee he got after the game, and then at Jooheon, going back and forth between those two while frowning, as if he was trying to solve an impossible math question.
"You're missing out on so many things," Changkyun said, while opening his can of coffee. "Coffee is always amazing, no matter cold or hot." As if to demonstrate, he took a sip and moaned deliberately to tell Jooheon how good it is. "Here, try it." Changkyun pushed the can towards Jooheon, so fast and with so much force a few drops spilled out.
Jooheon looked at the can like he was looking at a whole new element that came from another universe. "Well, I don't mind trying, but you just drank from it."
"So?" Changkyun asked, raising his eyebrows. It took him a moment to realize what Jooheon was worrying about. "Wait, don't tell me you're scared of sharing saliva?"
Jooheon gulped, though he didn't know what was he so nervous about. "I'm not scared, but I think it's a bit..." He tilted his head and breathed out.
"Oh come on, I won't misunderstand. I just want you to try it." Changkyun smiled, amused by Jooheon's remarkable reactions.
Changkyun had to motion with his eyes, head and hands a few times before Jooheon finally complied. He grabbed the can and took a sip in one swift movement, then returned the can and turned around, embarrassed.
Changkyun thought Jooheon was about to vomit at the new taste, because he walked around so he could see if Jooheon could handle the taste.
"Oh my god your face is all red, are you ok?" Changkyun asked. "Is it the coffee?"
No, it was because we kissed indirectly. That was the answer that popped into his mind, but Jooheon couldn't possibly say that.
"Uh...y-yea, it must be the new taste. It's too s-strong, yea that's why. I'm fine, thanks for asking." Jooheon said instead.
Changkyun didn't look convinced, but luckily for Jooheon, Shownu came in and the perfectly timing.
"Hey come back guys, there are new instructions." Shownu shouted, and Jooheon noticed, behind Shownu, that Kihyun has woken up too.
"What's up?" Changkyun asked while walking back to the table.
"Apparently, we are staying here for the night."
>>>>>>>>>>>>
I forgot to mention last time that the indentation in Wattpad isn't working for some reason so I have to type the text conversation like that (I hope you're ok with that :/) Also, I wrote down the format for the score right after the "table" this time so you don't have to wait until the end and forget about everything (I understand some people don't even read the author's note so I should've included it in the story)
Anyways thank you for waiting patiently for the chapters, I know it's not a really frequent update but thank you for all the support!!! :))))