Soonyoung stopped in his tracks and the smile he had falls off his face. It was going to be super awkward now, since he would have to stick around the area until Jihoon showed up. Of all the people to be where he needed to be, it just had to be one of Wonwoo’s friends.

Seokmin, after hearing the steps of Soonyoung, turns around to see him. A smile makes its way onto his lips, his eyes crinkling up a bit as well. With a small wave, Seokmin said, “Hi.”

Seeing how his face brightened up, Soonyoung couldn’t help but wave back. “Hey.”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Soonyoung,” Seokmin said.

Nodding, Soonyoung agreed, “It has been.”

Seokmin furrowed his brows, “Is there a reason why you are here? Most students are gone for home already.”

“I-I’m waiting for someone,” Soonyoung tells him.

“Ahh,” Seokmin said, nodding, “I see. If you want, you can sit here with me while you wait. I’m also waiting on some friends.”

Seeing no other way out of it, and considering how he promised to meet up with Jihoon here, Soonyoung reluctantly agreed. “Sure.”

Making sure to keep a far enough distance from Seokmin, Soonyoung sat down on the bench. Soonyoung was tempted to take out his phone, to listen to some music, but felt like it would seem rude.

Seokmin was kind of staring at him, and Soonyoung didn’t know what to make of it. He decided to end the awkward moment by asking a simple question. “How have you been?”

With his continuous wide smile, Seokmin said, “The first day of school is always bittersweet. But things are starting to be better. For a while now I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”

Soonyoung frowned, “Why me?”

“Well,” Seokmin started, “I wanted to thank you for being a big part of why Wonwoo and Mingyu are finally together. Seriously, the guys and I were so tired of them playing cat and mouse for such a long time. You really did something to the both of them. Even after Wonwoo stopped talking to you, he was still talking about you.”

Soonyoung couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Wonwoo, his old crush, had actually acknowledged his existence. A few months ago he would have been over the moon with happiness, but now he can’t help but feel slightly sick in the stomach.

Seokmin sighed, “When the talent show was happening, Wonwoo was super worried when you didn’t perform. He blamed himself a lot for things he couldn’t control, honestly. That was one of the reasons why he and Mingyu got into a heated argument. Mingyu was angry, wondering if they should even be a couple when Wonwoo was so worried over some other boy. Which thankfully brought Wonwoo back to reality. They’re a lot better after talking about their issues.”

As much as Soonyoung didn’t want or need to be hearing about Wonwoo’s life, he was glad they were finally happy. Soonyoung let himself smile slightly, “That’s good to hear.”

A chuckle escapes Seokmin, “Telling you about Wonwoo and Mingyu wasn’t the only reason why I wanted to talk to you.”

The look of confusion came back to Soonyoung’s face. Why would Seokmin want to talk to Soonyoung? They’ve only met once.

The wide smile of Seokmin’s returns, and he said, “I’m actually quite glad you didn’t become a thing with Wonwoo. If you did, I probably wouldn’t have been able to hang out with you guys too often. Which would have , cause I kind of sort of really like you.”

Soonyoung didn’t know what to say to something like that. He sat there, blinking in confusion, wondering if he had to say anything at all. Of course he had to say something, he tells himself, he was already happily taken by someone. He was going to have to break Seokmin’s heart.

When Soonyoung was going to tell Seokmin about Jihoon, Seokmin wasn’t looking at him anymore. The guy in front of him was staring past his shoulder. Before Soonyoung could turn around to check what he was staring at, Seokmin had already said the name.

“Woozi?” Seokmin said in confusion.

Soonyoung’s heart dropped. How much did Jihoon hear? Turning around to confirm it, Soonyoung sees Jihoon standing a few feet away, looking at the both of them in a blank stare.

“Jihoonie,” Soonyoung said, standing up to face him.

Before Soonyoung could explain what was going on, Jihoon had already turned and was starting to running away. Dread filled Soonyoung as he watched his boyfriend disappear. How could this have happened?

Quickly turning to Seokmin, Soonyoung tells him, “I’m sorry Seokmin, but that guy running away is my boyfriend. I’m in love with him. I’m sorry. I have to go and find him.”

Without waiting for a reply, and feeling like a jerk, Soonyoung leaves a stunned looking Seokmin. He had more important matters to deal with. His Jihoon never runs away from any kind of situation, so why was he running away now?

Soonyoung didn’t have to think too hard when figuring where Jihoon would flee to. Heading in the direction of Jihoon’s house, Soonyoung started to run. While running, Soonyoung couldn’t help but worry about what Jihoon was thinking about.

Glad he had gone after Jihoon right away, Soonyoung finally caught a glimpse of Jihoon. He was still on the school’s ground, running out of the yard. Sprinting forward, Soonyoung closed in on him.

When Soonyoung was close enough, he wrapped his arms around Jihoon’s torso, pulling him close, making them stop. The first few minutes were spent with them trying to calm their breathing. Then Jihoon grabbed Soonyoung’s hand and tried to pry them away. But Soonyoung wouldn’t let go, at least not yet.

“Let go of me, Soonyoung,” Jihoon said, monotonously.

Soonyoung leaned his chin on Jihoon’s shoulder and said, “I wish I could, but I can’t.”

Jihoon tried to shake himself out of Soonyoung’s grip again, but failed.

“Why are you trying to run away?” Soonyoung asked when Jihoon gives up trying to be freed from him.

A sigh could be heard from Jihoon as he said, “I thought maybe you would want some time alone with him.”

Soonyoung squishes his face in confusion, “It is the opposite. I didn’t want to be there with him, but it was the place I promised to meet you. I couldn’t leave without you.”

Jihoon becomes quiet, thinking over what Soonyoung was telling him. With a whisper, he said, “He said he likes you.”

Not replying right away, Soonyoung snuggled into Jihoon’s neck. “It doesn’t even matter. I already told him my heart belongs to someone else. That someone else is in my arms right now.”

Again, Jihoon is squirming in Soonyoung’s arm.

“Are you still trying to get away from me?” Soonyoung asks.

“No,” Jihoon said, “I’m trying to turn around to face you. But you’re holding on too tight.”

Soonyoung laughs, loosen his hold on Jihoon. Jihoon moves to face Soonyoung, wrapping his own arms around Soonyoung too.

“Were you jealous?” Soonyoung playfully asked with a smirk.

Jihoon scoffed, “I wasn’t jealous. It was more like I was afraid I wasn’t enough.”

It was Soonyoung’s turn to scoff, “Jihoonie, you are more than enough for me. I don’t need anyone else. I don’t want anyone else. You don’t ever have to worry about me choosing someone other than you. It’s only you.”

Jihoon was quiet before he added, “And you’re sure you’re okay with everyone in school knowing about us?”

Soonyoung leans back to stare at Jihoon, “Everybody has to know. They have to know you’re with me. They know you’re Woozi now. Do you know how jealous I’m going to be when they all find the courage to come up to you, trying to confess their dying love.”

Pink tints Jihoon’s cheeks, “It’s a good thing I’m persistent about the things I’m interested in.”

“It’s a good thing I’m one of those things you’re interested in,” Soonyoung said as he pulled Jihoon back in for another tight hug.

Silence fills up the void as they take some time to enjoy their embrace. Despite the incident, Soonyoung wanted to savor the moment. Looking around at their surrounding, Soonyoung sees something and his heart starts racing.

Soonyoung begins to chuckle, holding onto Jihoon for support.

“What’s so funny?” Jihoon asked.

“Look,” Soonyoung said, finally pulling away from hugging Jihoon.

Jihoon turns to what Soonyoung was pointing and gasps.

They were standing by the cherry tree. The same exact one where they had first met.

“Have you heard the rumors of this cherry tree?” Soonyoung asked Jihoon, taking hold of his hand.

Jihoon pulls Soonyoung into his side, “Jeonghan-hyung chose this place for me.”

Soonyoung leans down to whisper in Jihoon’s ear, “Any couple who starts their relationship here ends up in a long happy relationship.”

Hearing this, Jihoon smile widely, “It’s a good thing this is where we met then.”

“It is,” Soonyoung said, walking closer to the tree.

“Do you remember that day?” Jihoon asked.

Soonyoung grins, “How could I forget? You made such a huge impact.”

Jihoon stands in front of Soonyoung and grabs his tie.

“Wha-what are you doing, Jihoon?” Soonyoung asks with wide eyes.

Pulling on the tie, Jihoon leans up to whisper into Soonyoung’s ear, “Just giving you a reminder that you are mine.”

Leaning back, Soonyoung is greeted with a smirking Jihoon.

Soonyoung becomes more serious, becoming distracted by Jihoon’s lips. “Are - are you going to kiss me like back then too?”

Jihoon laughs at this, grinning, “Yes I am. That is, unless you don’t want me to.”

Slightly shaking his head, Soonyoung cups Jihoon’s cheeks and leans down.