Chapter 18- Results of Revelation (I)

“Now you're the broken one huh? You’ve been staring for the past 10 minutes…” Mingyu giggled. Wonwoo has been standing before him with his mouth agape, not moving a muscle.

“N-No! J-Just…wow…I can’t believe that…I-I actually…asked…” Wonwoo stuttered, blinking his eyes several times, pinching his thighs just to make sure that he wasn’t dreaming.

“I can’t believe it too…Hehe…” A shy smile accompanied by the slightest tinge of blush reappeared on Mingyu’s face. Mingyu’s phone vibrated, a loud ‘buzz’ resounded in the classroom, earning the attention of both boys. Mingyu immediately pulled out his phone, reading the text message received.

“I-I guess…I’ll make a move first? You still have that dinner on with Soonyoung and Seokmin….” Wonwoo cleared his throat awkwardly.

“H-Huh? T-That fast?” Mingyu had a glint of disappointment and it tugged a few strings in Wonwoo’s heart.

“I’ll text you…we can meet tomorrow if you want?” Wonwoo offered, hoping to cheer Mingyu up somehow.

“I’ll just ask Seokmin and Soonyoung hyung! I mean if you want to tag along…” Mingyu turned flustered when his sentence came out a little too enthusiastic.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea? I don’t want to spoil your birthday dinner…” Wonwoo raised a brow. He was squealing internally. We’ve just become official. And I’ll be meeting his friends as his boyfriend for the first time! Oh my god…I can’t screw this up…

“No worries! I’ll just text them…it’s just one more person.” Mingyu gave Wonwoo a small smile before going back to his phone, typing away furiously.

“Done. Let’s go!” Mingyu turned around, holding his hand out in front of Wonwoo’s face.

“What?” Wonwoo looked dazedly at Mingyu, not understanding what the younger meant.

“Let’s hold hands.” Mingyu explained, his eyes turning into small crescents as he beamed at the older.

“Ah…” Wonwoo winced internally at how dense he was on picking up hints. He gently placed his hand in Mingyu’s, as if the younger was made out glass.

“Do you mind if I tell them about us later?” Mingyu asked as they walked out of the school compound hand in hand.

“How do you think they’ll respond?” Wonwoo questioned back, turning his head to look at Mingyu.

“They’ll probably be excited. I mean…this is like the first time I’m in an actual proper relationship.” Mingyu chuckled to himself, excited to see his friends’ reactions.

“Won’t they be against us like…Jeonghan? I’m pretty sure he didn’t like me ever since we met the first time…” Wonwoo bit on his lower lip. He knew the older had something against him ever since the first time they met and he never found out why. He couldn’t be sure whether Soonyoung and Seokmin liked him for Mingyu or not. Sure, Soonyoung liked him as friends, but boyfriend? He wasn’t so sure.

“Jeonghan hyung? To be honest…I don’t really know…but hey…isn’t this relationship supposed to be all about us?” Mingyu tightened his grip on Wonwoo’s hand as if to reassure the older. Wonwoo nodded his head.

“You know…I’m not used to you being so quiet…what happened to the flirty Wonwoo?” Mingyu teased.

“I’m just…nervous. I didn’t even expect you to accept my sudden confession. All me and Hansol practiced were rejected scenarios…I don’t know how this relationship thing works…I don’t want to mess it up for both of us…” Wonwoo spilled as he stared at the leaves getting swept past their feet by the wind. Mingyu chuckled at the revelation of Wonwoo practicing and going through his confession with Hansol. Why is he so adorable... A small pout made its way onto Wonwoo’s face as he glared up at Mingyu through his bangs.

“Hey…you’re doing great so far. Don’t worry so much…we’ll just go along and take things slowly. We can learn together right?” Mingyu bobbed his head to the side, sweeping Wonwoo’s bangs away from his forehead.

“I guess you’re right…let’s go! Don’t want to keep them waiting!” Wonwoo sighed, nodding to himself with his eyes closed. Come on Jeon Wonwoo! You can do it! He opened his eyes, confidently pulling Mingyu along with his sudden increased pace.

“Hold up! Not trying to crush your confidence or anything but…it’s this way…” Mingyu held back his chuckle, as he stopped Wonwoo from crossing the road, pointing in another direction.

“Right. This way.” Wonwoo laughed at himself, going in the direction where Mingyu pointed. They arrived at a posh restaurant, Wonwoo’s mouth agape as he stared at how formally people were dressed. He felt a tug on his hand, and before it registered in his mind, he was approaching Soonyoung and Seokmin’s table. As soon as they were within 5m radius, Wonwoo’s hand retracted from Mingyu’s and he pretended to wipe them on his pants.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYU! Oh! Wonwoo? I didn’t know you were joining us! Wah you guys really look like lawyers…with the suit and stuff.” Soonyoung exclaimed, earning a few stares from others seated around them.

“So sorry Sirs. I may have to ask you to lower your volumes. You may be disrupting the other patrons.” A waiter came up to their table politely. The four boys apologized, bowing their heads to the poor waiter.

“Happy birthday Mingyu!” Seokmin exclaimed, but at a lower volume and tone. As Seokmin’s eyes landed on Wonwoo, his brow raised slightly, seeming to question the older’s presence. Wonwoo stood awkwardly with his hands tugged behind his back under the scrutiny of Seokmin.

“Yah! Where did you get those roses from? Since when did you have a secret admirer that we’re not aware of? Is that why you’re dressed up like this? Did you get married secretly?!” Soonyoung went off with his ridiculous questions as both Mingyu and Wonwoo took their seats.

“Ah…about that…Firstly. No. I did not get married secretly. That's just plain ridiculous. And I actually have something to tell you guys…” Mingyu blushed slightly, playing with the parchment paper that was wrapped around the roses.

“Don’t tell me…those flowers were from…a person who confessed?” Seokmin asked cautiously. Wonwoo, who was sipping on his red wine previously, ungraciously choked and went into a coughing fit. As if that wasn’t enough to earn the dirty glares from other patrons, Mingyu started hitting the older’s back to help and Soonyoung burst into one of his usual giggles. Within 10 minutes of entering the restaurant, the four of them had caused enough ruckus and the waiter had given them 2 warnings.

“Ayyy…let’s not be silly shall we? Mingyu will never get attached. He’s too clumsy despite the looks and he has one of the worst hygiene. It’s probably just a pity present from one of his classmates.” Soonyoung dissed, ignoring the whine coming from Mingyu.

“Really? Was it from one of your classmates?” Seokmin asked, feeling slightly less guarded.

“Erm…” Mingyu hesitated, looking at Wonwoo, seeming to ask the older. I have a feeling he doesn’t really want to tell them about us yet…which I kind of understand. But it’s my first relationship after all…I want to be proud of us. But he doesn’t seem comfortable…what should I do… Mingyu felt conflicted, but at the same time, he didn’t want to seem too overpowering towards Wonwoo. Just as he was about to lie, and tell his friends that it was just a present from his classmates, Wonwoo spoke up.

“I gave him the roses. As a confession gift. I didn’t know it was his birthday…” Wonwoo said sheepishly. The entire table went silent, and Wonwoo was sitting on the edge of his chair. They don’t think I’m good enough for him…that’s why they’re all so quiet… Wonwoo was on the verge of sprinting out of the restaurant but he felt a warm hand resting on top of his. He turned to see Mingyu giving him a presumably proud smile.

“If you guys were wondering…he confessed today…and I said yes…” Mingyu cleared his throat.

“Ah! So that’s why you invited him along for dinner? Ooohhh Wonwoo grew some balls to confess eh!” Soonyoung teased, laughing at how Mingyu and Wonwoo’s cheeks burned red.

“Seokmin-ah! Are you okay? You’ve been rather quiet…” Mingyu tapped the other’s hand gently.

“Uhhh…yeah I’m fine. Anyways congrats Gyu! Erm…I need to use the washroom…sorry excuse me.” Seokmin gave a tight lipped smile as he scampered away from their table to the back of the restaurant.

“Hey guys…don’t worry so much bout him…I’ll talk to him when we get back.” Soonyoung assured the two who couldn’t stop taking turns to look in the direction where Seokmin left. Their food arrived shortly and Seokmin returned from the washroom minutes after. The atmosphere was slightly less tense from before when Soonyoung went on with another one of his jokes party. Dinner was over in the blink of an eye, the four boys strolling down the streets, watching street performances.

“Wonwoo-ah! You can take Mingyu back first! We’ll be heading out for a moment.” Soonyoung informed, taking Seokmin away from the two. They parted ways, with Wonwoo and Mingyu heading in the direction of the dorms. 

“You alright? Still feeling all fuzzy and nervous inside?” Mingyu asked, concerned about Wonwoo’s silence through the entire night. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to have asked him along for their dinner.

“I’m fine…just…Has Seokmin always been like that? Or did I do something wrong to anger him one day? I was pretty sure he was al