“I always lose!” L whined when he lost to Sungyeol and Woohyun at a game of rock, paper scissors.

“A deal is a deal. You’re paying for dinner tonight.”

“If Sunggyu hyung was here, he would be the one paying. Not me.” L teased.

“That’s because we’d team up to make him lose.” Sungyeol laughed.

“He fell for it every time too.” Woohyun added.

“I sometimes wonder whether hyung knew.” L sighed.

“I’m sure he did but he just played along. Sunggyu hyung always took care of us even when he didn’t want to.” Woohyun said and suddenly the three fell quiet.

“Hey, we still haven’t decided where to eat.” Sungyeol changed topics.

“Meat. Expensive meat.” Woohyun teased.

“Why expensive?” L raised his eyebrow.

“Because you’re paying!”

“Welcome! You can sit anywhere you like.” The owner greeted them as they entered the restaurant.

But it wasn’t like they had a choice.

The restaurant was packed and the only table left was the one next to a girl sitting alone in a corner table.

The boys made their way to the empty table and quickly ordered their food.

“Do you think she’s here alone?” Sungyeol whispered.

“Maybe she’s waiting for her boyfriend.” L said not showing any interest in the girl.

“Or she’s single which means I have a shot.” Woohyun smirked.

“I saw her first.” Sungyeol argued trying not to draw attention.

“We’ll see about that.” Woohyun challenged.

“I don’t get it.” Sungyeol suddenly said.

“Get what?” Woohyun asked.

“L…tell me truthfully, are you interested in women?” Sungyeol dropped the question.

L choked on his rice.

“What kind of question is that?” He raged.

“Well…you’ve never really been interested in anyone.”

“Who says?” L argued.

“You’ve rejected a handful of girls and the only girl you talk about is Aeri.”

L fell quiet and Woohyun gave Sungyeol that look.

Suddenly everything was clear to Sungyeol.

“You like Aeri!” He gasped.

Again L was quiet.

“Isn’t it obvious? He even kissed her.” Woohyun revealed.

L’s eyes widened.

“You kissed her? When?” Sungyeol gasped.

“I saw everything, that night in the car. And all the times you overreact. Admit it. You like Aeri.”

“Fine. I like Aeri.”

“Then why don’t you confess?” Sungyeol asked.

“Because. Aeri doesn’t like me that way, I know it. It’s enough that I can protect her.”

“You never know until you try.” Woohyun commented.

"But I - "

“Hold that thought.” Woohyun interrupted L and got up to answer his phone.

“Let’s go.” Woohyun returned and quickly paid.

“We’re not done eating.” L took another piece of meat.

“Aeri’s in the hospital.”

And with that said L got up from his seat and rushed out the restaurant.

~

“Aeri!” L rushed to her bed and brushed the sides of her face.

“What happened?” Woohyun turned to Jisoo and Jaemin.

Jisoo bit her bottom lip not knowing how to answer him.

“We don’t exactly know…” Jaemin told the truth.

“What do you mean you don’t know?! Weren’t you two with her when this happened.” L raged

“We were but – “

“But what? Why is Aeri the only one hurt? Did you two do it?” L cut Jisoo off.

“She isn’t the only one…Sian’s also hurt.” Jaemin defended, stepping in front of Jisoo to protect her.

“Excuse me! Doctor! Can I ask what happened?” Sungyeol asked him as he walked by.

“You are?”