“Thank you for coming Jisoo..” said Lisa waving her hand from inside the car. “You too.. Taehyung oppa.. thank you.. we’ll see each other again next time!”

 

Jisoo bowed her head.

It’s her who should be thankful to Lisa for her kindness..

She gave her a memorable experience by inviting her..

 

Taehyung waved his hand as he saw Lisa’s car leaving then he glanced at Jisoo.

 

She has been very quiet ever since she left their table at the party..

Did something happen that he doesn’t know?

 

Why is she being like this? They were talking just fine before.. she was laughing with him but then she suddenly became quiet..

 

They entered their building together and stopped just in front of Taehyung’s apartment..

 

“Goodnight Professor Kim..” said Jisoo bowing her head to him.

 

Taehyung sighed.

Why does she seem cold? Why isn’t she smiling like she usually does?

What could have happened to her?

 

“Are you sure.. there’s nothing wrong?” he asked looking straight at her.

 

Jisoo bit her lower lip.

She doesn’t know it either but she does feel like something wrong is with her..

 

But it cannot be Professor Kim’s fault..

 

She shook her head.

 

“I’m fine.. Professor Kim.. thank you.. and I’m sorry if I made you worry..” she said quickly.

 

Taehyung looked bothered.

Something’s up with her and she looks like she doesn’t want to tell him.

 

“Jisoo..” he called her softly as he took a step closer to her.

 

Jisoo immediately stepped back.

Her chest tightens whenever he’s close to her..

 

Taehyung was flustered.

Did she just.. take a step back away from him?

Why?

Does he make her feel uncomfortable?

 

“Jisoo.. I didn’t-..” he was trying to explain himself when the door of his apartment opened.

 

Jhope came out holding a piece of chicken in his hand.

 

He has been waiting for them since he heard the car leaving a while ago.

He was wondering what was taking them long and he didn’t know he’d witness a drama-like scene..

 

These two are busy flirting in the middle of the night!

 

“Jisoo!” he called her loudly. “What are you wearing? Why do you look like that?”

 

He has never seen his bestfriend this girly before!

Did she take the wrong medicine?

 

Jisoo put a hand on her chest.

He scared the heck out of her! 

 

“Why did you appear all of a sudden? Did you have to scare us?” she asked heaving a sigh.

 

And what does he mean why she looks like this? 

 

Taehyung looked at the ceiling to calm himself down.

Did he really have to come out at that moment?

 

Why did he let this guy in his apartment?

He made a really huge mistake.. 

 

 

“I’m sorry for surprising you.. but I was wondering if you wanted to have some chicken..” said Jhope smiling. 

 

“We just had dinner..” said Taehyung taking a deep breath.

 

Is he crazy? Who would eat chicken at midnight? 

 

“Chicken?” asked Jisoo as watered.

 

Jhope nodded.

 

“I ordered chicken for you.. come in..” he said pulling her arm.

 

Then he turned to Taehyung.

 

“You too.. Professor Kim.. come inside..”

 

Taehyung’s mouth fell open.

Did he just get invited to his own place?

What is he? How could someone be this thick-skinned?

 

And.. did Jisoo really want to eat chicken at this time?

 

She’s really unpredictable!

 

 

—————————

 

 

 

“If Jisoo had to choose between chicken and me.. she would choose chicken without hesitating..” said Jhope laughing.

 

The three of them were eating together in the living room.

 

“I once caught her hiding a drumstick from me because she wanted to eat it badly even the day after.. it was so funny because my dad ate it instead and she almost cried ..” he continued.

 

Jisoo glared at him.

Does he have to tell everything to Professor Kim?

Why would he even share all those chicken stories?

 

She’s already feeling embarrassed with Professor Kim and this guy really had to tell him her chicken secrets?

 

“Then one day.. Jisoo came home carrying a bucket of chicken.. she said it was given to her by a friend at her school..” Jhope continued.

 

Jisoo lowered her gaze immediately.

Does he have to say it? Can’t he shut his mouth?

 

“Then the next day we went to school together and that friend who was a boy-..” Jhope refrained himself from laughing. 

 

“Stop it..” said Jisoo frowning.

 

She wants to bury herself somewhere far from here so Professor Kim won’t find her!

 

“That boy said Jisoo stole his bucket of chicken and spread the news all over our school!” said Jhope laughing loudly. “It was funny because she had thought that boy liked her and gave it to her as a gift so-..”

 

Jisoo put a drumstick inside his mouth to stop him from saying other useless stuff.

 

“Just eat..” she said embarrassedly as she glanced at Taehyung who was smiling a little.

 

“Stop making fun of me in front of Professor Kim..” she continued. “I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear anything about it..”

 

Taehyung cleared his throat.

 

“It’s.. interesting.. to be honest..” he said in a small voice.

 

Jisoo’s cheeks turned red.

Interesting? Her embarrassing stories are interesting for him?

 

Did Jhope influence him already?

What’s so interesting about it?

 

Jhope put his drumstick down.

 

“See? Even your beloved professor-..” he stopped as soon as he noticed Jisoo’s cheeks have turned red. “I mean.. Professor Kim finds it funny too..”

 

Jisoo pursed her lips.

Did he have to say “beloved”?

Does he want her dead? 

Why are his lips so loose? Can’t he stay still for a moment?

Does he have to tell everything about her?

 

“Jhope.. now that I have seen you.. what is it that.. you’re doing these days? Where do you work?” she asked changing the topic immediately. 

 

Jhope raised his brows.

 

“Just.. at a restaurant..” he said in a small voice. 

 

Jisoo thinned her eyes.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Jhope nodded.

 

“You can ask your Professor Kim about me.. why would I lie to you?” he said defending himself.

 

HER professor?

Jisoo’s throat moved fast.

What is up with this guy?

 

And while she was too nervous hearing stories about her from Jhope, Taehyung found the two of them hilarious instead.

 

They were fighting like real siblings.. 

and it felt refreshing to see this new side of Jisoo..

He had never even heard her raise her voice before.. she only spoke gently to him.. 

 

Well.. now that he thinks about it.. she has always been like that from the start.. 

 

“It’s late now.. why don’t you go already?” said Jhope to Jisoo hurriedly.

 

Jisoo scoffed.

 

“Why would you send me away when this is Professor Kim’s house?”

 

Jhope turned to Taehyung.

 

“We have a lot of things to discuss, don’t we?” he said winking.

 

Taehyung’s eyes widened.

What was that wink all about?

It brought him back to his senses..

 

This guy is really crazy.. and what is there to talk about between them?

 

Jhope pulled Jisoo towards the door.

 

“Bye Jisoo.. see you tomorrow!” he said as he opened the door for her.

 

Jisoo sighed.

She can’t believe him.. 

He’s kicking her out when it isn’t even his house!

 

“Then.. goodnight Professor Kim.. it’s already late anyway.. and the two of us have bothered you enough..” she said bowing her head to Taehyung. “I’m sorry for causing trouble..”

 

Taehyung shook his head.

It was fine honestly..

He was worried about her being uncomfortable with him before when she suddenly became silent..

So seeing her smiling and joking around made him feel at ease..

 

And as soon as she went out, Jhope faced him.

 

“Jisoo is like that..” he said smiling. “She’s too pure and innocent for this world..”

 

Taehyung smiled.

She is.. and that’s what makes her more charming..

 

Oh.. wait.. why is Jhope telling him this all of a sudden?

 

“So.. you should be doing your thing instead..” Jhope continued.

 

Taehyung’s brows furrowed.

What.. kind of thing? What is he saying? What does he mean?

 

Jhope sighed.

That girl is naive and this guy is slow!

What should he do with these two?

 

“I mean.. Jisoo has never had even a crush before.. you know her story.. she was too busy to have time for that and so-..” he took a deep breath.

 

Does he have to explain it to him in details?

Can’t he understand?

 

“Jisoo.. that girl.. has never liked anyone else before.. I mean.. she might not even know what it feels when you like someone so-..”

 

He noticed Taehyung still looked puzzled.

 

He put his hands on his waist and took another calming breath.

 

“I’m saying you should ask her out instead of waiting for her to ask you instead! Who is the man between you two? Shouldn’t you be doing something?”

 

Taehyung remained silent as he looked at him face to face.

 

Ask her out? He should? 

And Jisoo.. she may.. like him? 

Just like him?

Oh wait.. did he just admit that he might also like her?

Does he? Really? 

 

But why is Jhope screaming? Why is he getting angry at him?

 

He was still thinking to himself when he saw Jhope looking at his parents’ picture.

 

He quickly put it away.

 

“I’m sorry..” said Jhope apologizing right away.

 

Well.. that must have been quite rude of him..

 

That picture just caught his eyes.. and he didn’t even realize he was staring at it..

 

Are they his parents? How long ago was it taken?

 

Taehyung shook his head.

 

“No.. it’s fine..” he replied. “You should sleep now..”

 

He took the picture frame with him and brought it with him to his bedroom.

 

Jhope sighed.

Seeing he looked quite sensitive about that picture.. they must be really his parents..

Where did he see them before?

He thinks he has seen them already but he cannot remember where..

 

Maybe because his parents looked very young in that picture?

When was it taken? About a decade ago?

 

He lain himself on the couch.

 

Wait.. he shouldn’t be thinking about other people’s parents.. he should think of his first!

He left them in the countryside to make money here to help them pay their debt..

 

And also.. to pay back what he owes to his bestfriend..

 

Jisoo..

 

He smiled to himself as he thought about her..

 

Who would have known that girl would fall for someone too?

He was only gone for short and she already found herself a man?

 

Her dad would have fainted had he been here with her..

And her mom would have loved this news instead..

 

 

————————

 

 

“Should I ask her out?” 

 

Taehyung has been thinking about it all day.

He couldn’t even focus during his lessons.. he kept on pausing and he would hear his students calling for him..

 

And he hasn’t seen Jisoo either..

 

Everytime he wants to see her, she wouldn’t have any history class!

Why can’t she just take his class everyday so he can see her close to him?

 

This is bad.. he keeps wanting to see her.. does this really mean that.. he likes her?

 

He was going to the library when he saw Somi.

 

Should he ask her where Ji