TWYW C22

“Senior.”

—Looks like you finally have a reason.

“Yes. Let’s have lunch together, senior.”

A laugh burst from Yuhyeon’s lips at Gyeoul’s determined voice.

—Okay. But I don’t have much time before my next class.

“Uh… then should we eat tomorrow…?”

—Let’s just grab a quick bite at the school cafeteria today.

If he says today, does that mean there will be a next time?

A slight smile graced Gyeoul’s lips at Yuhyeon’s positive response. After hanging up the phone, he quickly descended the stairs and headed towards the building with the student cafeteria where he was supposed to meet Yuhyeon. His steps, lighter than ever, showed how good his mood was.

Gyeoul arrived early in front of the building and waited for Yuhyeon, who had not yet arrived. Then, spotting him walking from a distance, Gyeoul instantly recognized him, and he could feel his pulse quicken as Yuhyeon drew closer.

“Let’s go in.”

When Yuhyeon actually got close, Gyeoul couldn’t even look at him properly and, barely managing a greeting, turned first and entered the building.

“What do you want to eat.”

Gyeoul had only eaten at the school cafeteria a few times, but the kimchi fried rice he had before didn’t really suit his taste, so this time he chose the pork cutlet. Since Gyeoul was the one who suggested they eat, he tried to pay for Yuhyeon’s meal as well, but Yuhyeon didn’t give him a chance, so he ended up being treated instead.

Yuhyeon and Gyeoul, both holding trays with pork cutlet, found an empty table and sat down.

“Do you come to the cafeteria often?”

“No. This is maybe the second or third time….”

“Really? Our school cafeteria is famous for being delicious.”

Gyeoul thought he had vaguely heard something like that from the chatter of students in the lecture hall. However, Gyeoul didn’t want to eat alone amidst the pairs of people, and he preferred eating quickly and simply, so he favored food from the convenience store.

“By the way, you’re a better listener than I thought.”

“About what?”

“I told you to only call when you have a reason.”

“Ah… then can I call you even without a reason?”

“No.”

What the, fuck.

Finding the smiling Yuhyeon detestable, Gyeoul muttered a curse inwardly.

“I know you just cursed in your head.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“If you lie, I won’t answer your calls even if you have a reason.”

“…I did curse. I said, fuck….”

Yuhyeon, sitting opposite Gyeoul, reached out, lightly pinched Gyeoul’s cheek, and shook it. Gyeoul glared at him before putting a piece of pork cutlet into his mouth, which was full of dissatisfaction.

“You two are getting along well. Eating at the cafeteria together.”

A familiar voice came from behind Gyeoul, and when he lifted his head, Seungwon was pulling out a chair and sitting down next to Yuhyeon.

“If you two are going to eat, you should’ve called me. Can’t you see I came alone?”

Gyeoul glared at Seungwon with sullen eyes at the sudden appearance of the uninvited guest.

“What’s with you. Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Like what.”

“Jeong Yuhyeon, did I do something wrong?”

Yuhyeon didn’t answer Seungwon’s question but looked at Gyeoul and let out a chuckle. Embarrassed by Yuhyeon’s expression, which seemed to read his mind, Gyeoul deliberately avoided his eyes.

“Hey, now that midterms are over, let’s do a club activity.”

“What are we going to do.”

“What do you mean, we have to watch a horror movie.”

“While drinking?”

“Yeah. Of course. And where are we watching it? At Jeong Yuhyeon’s house.”

At the mention of gathering at Yuhyeon’s house, Gyeoul lifted his head and looked at him.

“What’s this. Am I imagining things, or are Lee Gyeoul’s eyes suddenly sparkling?”

“Probably not your imagination.”

Yuhyeon, who answered Seungwon’s question lightly, seemed a bit annoyed as if club members gathering at his house was a frequent occurrence, but he quickly agreed to the plan. Gyeoul was simply thrilled that another reason to see Yuhyeon had come up. He inwardly felt proud of himself for following him and joining the club, and when his eyes met Yuhyeon’s, he pointlessly stuffed a piece of pork cutlet into his mouth and chewed.

Gyeoul had to wait for Seungwon to finish eating before he could leave the cafeteria building with Yuhyeon. Seungwon, who had a class nearby, said goodbye first, and then Gyeoul walked alongside Yuhyeon.

“Don’t you have your part-time job?”

“Yes.”

“Then you should head to the main gate.”

“Uh… yes….”

Just as Gyeoul was about to turn his steps away bitterly at Yuhyeon’s words, which sounded like he was telling him to leave, Yuhyeon’s voice stopped him.

“If you have time, you can walk me there.”

At Yuhyeon’s words, Gyeoul’s mood brightened instantly, and he walked with him towards the building where Yuhyeon’s class was.

“Lee Gyeoul, you’ve never dated before, have you.”

“…Is it that obvious?”

“Yes. It’s very obvious.”

At Yuhyeon’s answer, Gyeoul once again pouted sullenly. Is it bad that I have no dating experience? It’s not like I can just go and date someone somewhere. Gyeoul felt the need to study up on dating himself.

Though, I don’t know how I’m supposed to study that.

“Lee Gyeoul, don’t waste your brainpower on useless things.”

“Wh-What.”

Feeling caught, Gyeoul pointlessly looked around. And soon, they arrived in front of the building where Yuhyeon’s class was.

“I guess I’ll have to walk you next time.”

“Next time? When is next time?”

Yuhyeon burst out laughing at Gyeoul’s expression, his eyes shining as he asked back.

“Hurry up and go. You’ll be late.”

Just as Yuhyeon said, there wasn’t much time left before his part-time job, so he had no choice but to say a reluctant goodbye and turn to walk towards the main gate. Still, he was able to see Yuhyeon, even if for a short while, so he had a feeling that he could end the day on a happy note.

₊˚｡⋆❆⋆｡˚₊

The weather, which had been cool until the morning, now felt like an early summer had arrived, with the sun beating down strongly. Gyeoul, who was wearing a thick hoodie, rolled up his sleeves and opened the café door. After finishing his preparations to start work, Gyeoul put on his apron in the break room and approached the sink. Seeing the large pile of glass cups used for cold drink orders, it seemed Gyeoul wasn’t the only one feeling the heat today.

“Gyeoul.”

As he finished the dishes and turned around, the owner spoke to him with a cheerful smile on his face.

“How are things going with that person you said you like?”

It seemed his one-sided love was quite an interesting topic for the owner. It was understandable, since in all the time he’d known him since high school, he had never once brought up such a topic. Even Gyeoul himself felt unfamiliar with this side of him every day.

“We ate together. And I walked him to his lecture hall, and I think we’ll have a club gathering soon.”

As Gyeoul listed the things that had happened with Yuhyeon and recalled his face, the corners of his mouth crept up without him realizing. It seemed Gyeoul had fallen hard for Yuhyeon.

“You like him that much?”

At the owner’s direct question, Gyeoul lightly scratched his right cheek with his index finger and blushed.