CHAPTER THREE: Seo Joohyun’s First Real Date. Ever.

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When Seohyun first asked her members for suggestions of a nice guy, she didn’t know that her little wish could cause such a big mess that she was given a long list of blind dates. Nor would Seohyun in her wildest dream ever imagine herself to be in the situation that she was in at the moment.

A warm, familliar voice greeting Seohyun the minute she stepped into a cozy coffee shop for her first blind date:

- Annyeong, Seoro… Oops, annyeonghaseyo, Seohyun-ssi.

- W-What are you doing here, Min.. Minho? And what’s that formal speaking?

Seohyun stuttered. Minho scratched his head, throwing the two-hour effort that his stylist put in earlier this morning, under the instruction of Soshi, out of the window.

She immediately scanned the cafe to make sure that there would be no other “handsome, tall, and in a blue suit” male like the description given by Tiffany unnie, rather than her very best friend standing in front of her, with the most awkward expression on his face that she had ever seen, except the first time they started using banmal to each other.

- So, you are… you are my date?

- I guess… so. Let’s sit? – Minho gestured her to their table, and being the gentleman that he had been trying to be, he did actually pull the chair for her.

As if she was surprised by Minho’s action, she gigled and tapped his shoulders playfully:

- T-Thank you, Minho. Didn’t expect that you would be such a gentleman.

Minho’s face suddenly turned red. He tried to clear his throat:

- Yah Seo Joohyun... since when have I not been one?

As they both sit down, waiting for their orders, the silence fell between them. Seohyun and Minho tried their hardest to think of ways to lighten up the atmosphere.

- Oh… - Minho sat straight and looked directly at his date, encouraging himself to find his usual confidence back. And I swore that I would make her feel comfortable!

- Hmm… - On the other side of the table, Seohyun looked around to avoid Minho’s look, while trying to find a random thing that they could talk about. And they swore that they picked someone who would make me feel at ease!

Realizing that the other probably shared the same stress as themselves, both broke into small laughters. Minho soften his expression, then smiled widely:

- Let’s just consider this as a normal hangout that we usually have, arasso?

- Sure. – She titled her head, looked at Minho then at herself, and suddenly chuckled – We shouldn’t have dressed up like this.

Minho couldn’t help but rolled his eyes:

- I know. It wasn’t my idea though. It was all your unnies’ faults. They made me wearing this formal stuff and required me to speak formal to you. – He furrowed his eyebrows in thought – What would their exact words again? Oh, “Seohyun would see you in a different light”.

Stupid Minho. Why did you even say those things out loud?

Seohyun looked at him in amusement, then smiled softly:

- You know that I would never think less of you even if you don’t dress up, right? You are my best friend, Min.

- O-of course, Seororo…-ssi… I mean Seohyunie. – Minho took a big bite of his ice cream, while trying to hide his mistake, and his nervousness.

- Yah… Don’t you say that we should consider this as a friends’ hangout? Drop that formal. Forget about whatever my unnies said. They tend to be too serious when it’s about me.

But how can I consider this as a normal hangout when you dress up like that? Minho tried to focus on the food in front of him, but Yuri’s voice kept popping into his mind, telling him that he had to use this date to his advantage or else other guys would take her away. Not to mention that Seohyun, in a simple but elegance white dress, with her dark curls fell lightly on her shoulders, and her cute, pinky cheek, was sitting across from him.

- So, what have you been up to? – Probably not realizing how Minho had been affected by her appearance, Seohyun looked at him happily – It’s been a while since the last time we met up.

- Not much, just practices and practices. And photoshoots. You?

- Sameeee – Seohyun pouted, looking so cute that Minho wanted to pinch her cheeks so badly. – But I do have some freetime and you seem so busy. Everytime I try to contact you, you are nowhere to be found.

Ughh, Seo.Joo.Hyun. If I don’t hide from you, I’m probably dead already because of heart attacks by your cuteness.

- Did you finished reading the book I gave you for your birthday? What do you think? – In order to direct his attention away from her cheeks, Minho looked at her bag and luckily, he found a topic that Seohyun could talk about.

And he was right. Seohyun definitely was very passionate about the book that he gave her. He had to bribe YoonA and SooYoung with a week of free food so they would tell him what books his bestfriend wanted for her birthday. Looking at her expression, he could tell that the food wasn’t wasted.

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In a corner nearby, Yuri and Yesung were eavesdropping to the conversation, since they were entrusted by Soshi and Super Junior to supervise the date. When Yuri heard Minho sold the Soshi out about their true intention, she was literally facepalmed, and made a note to herself to never trust Minho when it came to Seohyun ever again.

While the topic of Seohyun and Minho’s conversation didn’t interest Yesung at all, he tried hard to keep himselves awake, because Leeteuk had personally told him not to let Minho make any improper gesture toward his angel maknae. Well, judging by the awkwardness that even both of them could sense from this far, it’s very less likely that anything would happen.

Or so he thought.

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Looking at the empty big bowl in front of her, Seohyun sighed:

- I didn’t realize that I have eaten this much of ice cream. Manager oppa would kill me.

- You and your goguma addiction, Seo. – Minho winked. – You know our deal.

Seohyun glared at him, but when she saw that he just kept smiling, she threw her hands up in the air:

- Fine, fine, I’m gonna pay for both of us. – She looked at her wallet to find the changes and kept murmuring to herself – Why did I not learn my lesson, again?

If Seohyun could look up at that moment, she would have seen how sweet and loving Minho was looking at her, but unfortunately, she couldn’t. And much to her surprise, Minho actually already paid for the bill when she excused herself to the restroom before.

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As they started walking back to her dorm, suggested by Minho so they both could digest the food before going to bed, Seohyun suddenly turned to Minho and asked:

- Why though? Did you not think that I would have eaten that much goguma?

- Well, … I’m a gentleman, remember?

- Sure, you always are, Minnie – Seohyun elbowed him and gave him one of her sweetest smiles, which made Minho’s heart race again.

Because it’s our first date. Because it’s your first real date ever. Why would I let you pay? Pabo, my Hyunie.

While thinking to himself, Minho couldn’t help but smile like an idiot. Think about it. Am I still dreaming? I am the luckiest man on Earth to be Seohyun’s first man.

- Yah, Yesung oppa, be careful or they will see us – Yuri tried to slow her companion down – Why are you walking so fast? Let them have some privacy, won’t you?

- But, but… isn’t our responsibility to report everything they say and do? How can we do that if we are this far behind?

Despite Yuri non-stop grumbling, Yesung didn’t want to be too far from the couple due to Leeteuk’s warning. Let him lay a finger on my princess, I will grill him first and then you.

- They are adults, not some underage kids for God’s sake. And plus, nothing’s gonna happen. Look at Minho, he would not…

Yuri pointed to Minho as to prove to Yesung that he was a harmless creature, but she suddenly gulped in disbelief…

Minho and Seohyun had stopped. It wouldn’t be wise to walk her all the way to the door because they would never know if there were anyone camping outside. However, from where they stood, he could still watch over her until she reached the dorm safely.

- Thank you for walking me back, Minho. It was really fun! We should have met up more regular, you- busy person.

- …

Minho had been quiet for the last couples of minutes. He had been debating whether to tell Seohyun what he truly felt. Choi Minho, where are all your confidence? It’s now or never. If you don’t do anything, someone else will do it and you’ll lose your chance.

Minho’s silence made Seohyun surprised, but she didn’t think much because when they were together, sometimes they would just keep quiet and enjoy each other’s companion. Seohyun was being completely honest when she said that tonight was fun. Although it was super awkward in the beginning, they had a great time catching up and chat just about everything like longtime friends they were. She got very comfortable with him… too comfortable that she almost forgot that it was date, until Minho’s action told her otherwise.

- Joohyunie. – Minho suddenly reached for her hand, and brought it to his lips for a soft kiss. – It was a meet up for you, but it was a wonderful date for me.

- M-Min..

- Listen, Hyun. – Looking at Seohyun directly in the eyes, Minho tried to make his expression as sincere as possible. – I know you have always thought of me as a friend only, but I think you know that I do like you more than that.

Seohyun didn’t say anything, but she didn’t deny it either. Minho smiled bitterly. So she knows.

- I’m not asking you to like me back the same way right now, because I have been a coward to not tell you what I have been feeling. But, would you at least consider to give me a chance now?

- …

- Thank you for tonight. And goodnight, Seororo.

When Minho let go of her hand, Seohyun wanted to run back to her dorm badly. However, she had thought better of it:

- Thank you for everything, Minho.

- …

- A-And…I…I…would think about it.

And with that, she literally ran back to her dorm.

Not very far behind them, Yesung’s mouth almost dropped on the ground. He kept shaking his head and whispering to himself:

- I didn’t see anything. I didn’t see anything.

Now, Leeteuk hyung and Yunho hyung are gonna kill me. For real.

On the other hand, Yuri almost jumped because of happiness

- YES!!! I knew it. Minho is definitely a right bet.