Seoul, South Korea – October 12, 2017

KIM JONGIN | KAI

      I stared at Ayaka as I brushed my hands against the strands of her hair and I couldn’t help but to feel ecstatic right now. Just seeing her, curled up into my arms, sleeping, just makes my heart swell in delight. She is sleeping soundly and I love how beautiful she still is while drifting to la la land. Her eyes were closed, her lips were slightly parted as she breathes and I couldn’t help but to lean towards her and give her a quick peck. And just by doing that, memories of what happened a moment ago flashed back in my head. After the kiss, I hugged her tight and felt relieved—that finally, Ayaka Lee is mine. The moment was just so romantic so decided not to leave her and cuddle up with her in her room. I watched her fall asleep as a smile was drawn into her lips and I just wish that she’s still dreaming about me while she’s sleeping.

      I was brought back to reality when the door opened and eonni was standing at the other side of the door, smiling.

      I quickly got up and smiled back at her, “Noona,” I called.

      She just nodded and closed the door. I looked on the clock that was hang at the side of Ayaka’s room and was surprised that it was already past 8 PM. I stared back at Ayaka and she was still fast asleep. I guess, what happened between us really took a toll on her and for that, I felt really guilty. She told me that she couldn’t sleep well at night and she would counstantly overthink and I was really apologetic about it. I should’ve told her everything first before I did my plans. But at least now, I know how to deal with our problem if ever there will be in the future. I slowly stood up from her bed, kissed her forehead and went to her door. Before I left, I glanced at her one last time and finally left her room.

      I was walking down the stairs when noona called me, “Kai,”

      “Noona,” I smiled.

      “Is there something that I need to know?” she asked and I just smiled shyly.

      “I guess its best to hear the good news from Ayaka.” I muttered, “But for now, I should get going.” I exclaimed.

      “Don’t you want to eat something first?” she asked me but I shook my head. There are still things that I need to fix.

      “I need to go somewhere but maybe tomorrow, I’ll come here.” I smiled, “I already miss the dinner with you guys.” I exclaimed and noona just nodded.

      “We also miss your presence Kai.” She muttered as she went close to me and hugged me tight, “Thank you for making Ayaka happy.” She whispered and I nodded.

      “It’s my job to do that.” I exclaimed, “Anyway, I should go.”

      I bid her goodbye and left their house to go on my own. I quickly changed into my bar clothes and rode my car. Chanyeol asked me what happened between me and Sehun. He also told me where they are so I’m on my way right now. But before I could leave, I messaged Ayaka of my whereabouts so she wouldn’t grow worried. I arrived at the bar that Chanyeol told me and quickly went inside, searching for my best friends.

      “Kai.” I looked at my side and saw Chanyeol, holding a glass of cocktail.

      “Where is he?” I asked.

      “He’s getting wild, man.” Chanyeol answered, “I don’t know what to do anymore.” He exclaimed as he led me to the dance floor and saw Sehun getting surrounded by tons of girls in their ty dresses.

      “Sehun,” I called as I walked into their commotion.

      “Hi there, fine man.” The girls purred but I paid no attention to them.

      Sehun glared at me once he registers my face. But before I could talk, he quickly left the dance floor and started getting lost in the sea of the crowd.

      “Do you want some company tonight?” another girl purred but I just ignored her as I went to chase my best friend.

      “What happened?” Chanyeol asked as he saw me, alone, “Where’s Sehun?”

      “He left and I can’t find him anymore.” I muttered, “Let’s split up and search for him.” I exclaimed and Chanyeol just nodded.

      I went on my own while Chanyeol went to the other side, both of us searching for our best friend. I went outside the bar, praying that I would find Sehun and thank God that he haven’t left yet. He was on his way to the parking lot when I stopped him, holding his shoulders.

      “Sehu—“ I wasn’t able to finish what I was about to say when he pushed me away from him.

      “What the do you want Kim Jongin?!” he shouted.

      “Look Sehun,” I muttered, “I’m really sorry. About Joo—“ and again, I wasn’t able to finish what I was about to say when a fist landed on my face, causing me to fall on the ground.

      “You bastard!” he shouted, “How could you do this to me?! Why didn’t you tell me that she’s here?!” he asked me but I couldn’t answer back.

      Well, I didn’t want to rub salt against his wounds. What should I say? That I don’t want him hurting because I basically know that he haven’t moved on yet? I sighed and stood up. I badly want to punch him back because he is being ungrateful but I know that he’s too hurt and drunk right now so I didn’t punch him back.

      “I did everything for your sake,” I muttered but he just glared at me.

      “For my sake?!” he shouted, “Can’t you see that I’m hurting just as well?!”

      “I was asking Joohyun to leave, Sehun!” I shouted back, feeling my temper raise by the minute, “I asked her to leave you alone! That’s why I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to hurt anymore!”

      “And what right do you have to tell her that?!” he shouted.

      See what I’m talking about? He will surely turn a blind eye towards Joohyun and let her be as she pleases. And in the end, he will get hurt again and I don’t want that. I know too well how it feels to be heartbroken and my best friend doesn’t need to feel that twice in his life.

      “I’m your best friend, for ’s sake Sehun!” I muttered, “I did that because I know that you will be acting like this! I know that you will be hurt again!” I sighed, “I know how it felt, Sehun and I don’t want you to feel that twice.”

      “Joohyun is my business and you don’t have the right to tell me what to do.” He exclaimed as he left me there, standing, watching him as he retrieved his back away from me.

      I sighed and shook my head. Sehun can be heard-headed sometimes but I know that he will be fine after some time but for now I just hope that he knocks his head hard to finally see that I’m just caring for him.

      After that intense talk with Sehun, I went back to my car and held my phone to text Chanyeol that I was leaving but I was surprised to be receiving a message from Ayaka.

      I stared at the message and I couldn’t help but to shake my head. I would love to spend the night with Ayaka but the only problem is that, I have a cut on my lips and for sure, she will notice this. I don’t know what excuse I will tell her but I guess I don’t have any choice but to sleep with her tonight. I’ll just deal with my busted lips later.

      I went back to Ayaka’s home and found her all cuddled up on the sofa, waiting for me.

      “What are you doing here?” I asked, “You should’ve waited for me inside your room.” I nagged but she just smiled at me when she saw me walked in.

      “I just wanted to—“ she wasn’t able to finish what she was about to say when she noticed my busted lips. Argh, just got real, “What happened to your face?!” she asked, surprised.

      She cupped my cheeks as she studies my bruise.

      “It’s nothing,” I muttered as I looked away from her.

      “It’s clearly not ‘nothing’, Kim Jongin!” she exclaimed, “Did you get into a fight?” she asked.

      “Sehun punched me.” I answered truthfully.

      I didn’t want to lie in front of her anymore. I just want out relationship to start off with honesty, because I know that honesty is the best policy—haha, cliché but true.

      “What?! What happened?” she asked as she pulled me towards the dining room as she fetch for the ice cubes inside their refrigerator.

      “It’s nothing,” I smiled as she tends to my small cut.

      I stared at her eyes as she focused on tending into my care and I couldn’t help but to admire her even more. Argh, I just can’t understand how I’m able to fall in love with her over and over again.

      “I should really talk with Sehun and that girl,” she mumbled under her breath.

      I smiled and I couldn’t help but to kiss her lips.

      “I really love you,” I whispered and she just blushed.

PARK CHANYEOL

      I stared at the two guys shouting at each other at the parking lot. They are my two best friends and I know that sooner or later, they will end up in a fist fight but I didn’t bother stopping them, I mean, what’s the fuss? They will still hate each other even if I stop them from fighting. Might as well let their emotions out and beat each other up. I know, I’m a jerk but trust me, what I’m doing right now is the right thing. Let those two have a moment for themselves, by the end of the week, their relationship will be stronger than ever.

      “Yeol!” I looked beside me and saw Gayoung running towards me.

      Look at this girl, I already told her to stay at home but she still went here at the bar.

      “What the hell are you doing here, Gayoung?” I asked when she reached my place.

      “I was getting bored at home and I thought that you might be here, and guess I’m right.” She muttered.

      As much as I want to be with Gayoung, I don’t want her to be going into bars alone especially without my permission. You guys must be wondering why I feel like this, well, she’s my best girl friend, so I want to protect her at all cost.

      “Just drink one cocktail and then we’re going home.” I muttered and she just nodded.

      We were about to go inside the club when she noticed Sehun and Kai shouting at each other.

      “Hey, isn’t that Kai and Sehun?” she asked and I just nodded, “And wait… are they—fighting?!” she asked, surprised when she noticed that the two were shouting with each other. “What the heck, you should stop those two!” she shriecked, panicking.

      “Relax Gayoung,” I laughed, “They will not kill themselves.” I muttered, “Let them be, they will stop later.” I added as I tried hard to pull her away from the commotion.

      “Wait, stop them Park Chanyeol!” she commanded but I didn’t listen to her.

      “Let them be, trust me.” I chuckled.

Proverbs 18:24 - One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.