NARRATOR

The sun was shining brightly, but it wasn’t that hot. L.joe was munching on a lollipop beside you. Girls swooned at his undeniable charisma and swag, but he just ignored them.

“How come you’re not winking back at them?” You nudged L.joe who grinned at you.

“Takes too much effort. Not in the mood.” He answered, pulling you inside a gift shop.

Back in the condo, Baekhyun was looking blankly at his laptop. Mindlessly opening tabs and such. His eyes landed on a bookmarked tab. Out of boredom, he opened it.

It was the online shopping site you opened. Girl stuff, really. He chuckled and closed the site, looking at a scarf on the corner.

Unknown to you, in Busan, Baekhyun bought the red knitted scarf you were trying on. He didn’t know why, he just felt the urge to. Aigo.

He was smiling unconsciously when his phone vibrated in the corner. He snapped out of his daze and picked it up.

“My son~ How are you doing?” His mother chimed on the other line.

He smiled. “I’m fine, Eomma. How about you and Appa?”

“We’re doing great. Your dad will soon hand the business to you, so enjoy life now.” She laughed. Baekhyun chuckled. “Ne, Eomma. I know that, stop repeating it to me.”

“Oh, Son. Can you do me a favor?” His mother cooed.

“If it’s one of those blind dates you’re setting me u—“

“Please dear. She’s a daughter of our business partner. Just this once.”

“But mom. I don’t want to.” He replied sternly.

“Byun Baekhyun. Do it.” Her mother was someone you should not mess up with. She may be sweet and kind, but if you don’t follow her, she turns into someone different. All Baekhyun could do was sigh and agree.

L.joe was picking out caps and accessories in the corner. You walked aimlessly on the shop, looking at random items. You stopped walking when you spotted something.

It was a painting of Han River at night. The city lights, the trees, the benches, the couples walking. It brought back a memory to you. A smile unconsciously tugged on your lips as you held the painting closer.

~~~

You just stared at how his smile looks so comforting. Thoughts buzzed on your mind, together with little realizations.

“Uhm, I think you’re right. But it’s not that easy..” You mumbled. He nodded in approval.

“If you have the will, it would be chicken for you.” He pumped his fists in the air. “Go, Minhee!”

A smiled tugged on your lips. “Thanks, Oppa. I’ll… try. For my brother and parents.”

He grinned widely, his eyes glistening. “I’ll help you.”

~~~

It was the night when you tried escaping, but Baekhyun caught you. It surprised you more that he willingly took you out to admire the view of Han River. Your very first time going there… was with him. It was when some things came up your mind. The hardships your parents are going through work, your brother’s determination to make you change. And that night, someone actually believed you.

Someone actually trusted you to change.

Baekhyun.

“Yow, look at this!” L.joe came running to you wearing an Obey cap. He posed like a gangster at you. Slowly, you returned the painting and giggled. “Spare me, gangster-nim!” You playfully cried. He laughed and chased you.

“So… where are we going next?” You chided beside L.joe. He skipped inside a coffee shop without even answering you. Trudging, you trailed behind him.

“Find a nice table. Not too crowded. Go, shoo!” He pushed you away from the counter, chuckling. You pouted and followed what he said.

*He didn’t even let me choose my own food.* You frowned and slumped on a table located in the corner of the café.

You were laughing with L.joe’s story about a girl who stalked him for almost three years.

“That’s why I was really praying you’d visit Korea! I needed someone to act as my girlfriend so that girl would go away.” He chuckled, talking animatedly.

You huffed and crossed your arms. “What’s with me and this girlfriend role?” You retorted, annoyed. On your way to Busan, you also acted as Baekhyun’s girlfriend. *That was… fun.* A smile unconsciously tugged on your lips.

L.joe snickered and waved his palm in your face. “Earth to you!”

You shook your head and regained your normal self. “I just remembered something.”

L.joe urged you to spill. You told him about Sekyung, about how you acted, about the awkward atmosphere, and how Baekhyun made you nervous and conscious at times. L.joe nodded in understanding with a sly smirk on his face.

“It was really awkward.” You ended, making a face. L.joe chuckled and poked your nose.

“Silly you.” He chimed.

“What?” You aked.

He shook his head and smiled. *I’ll let you and that Baekhyun guy see for yourselves what it is.*

“You, again?!” Baekhyun stepped away from Sekyung. She smiled sweetly. Baekhyun just blew a raspberry.

“You told my mom to make me date you?Again?! I have a girlfriend!” He retorted, creeped out. He just wanted to Sekyung to go away. She’s too clingy.

She pouted. “Your mom told me you don’t have one, Oppa.. You were just bluffing.”  She did those cute expressions that made Baekhyun’s eye twitch.

*I love how girls do those cute things, but Sekyung just… no.* He took another step away. He was comparing your aegyo to Sekyung, and he concluded that it was incomparable.

“Come on, Oppa! You don’t want your mother to get angry.” She slurred, clinging on to Baekhyun’s arm.

She pulled him inside a café. He didn’t have any choice. He just needs to bear with this girl for a few hours. The thought was making his head turn.

“Yes that was hilarious! I remember that!” You laughed, hi-fiving L.joe. He clutched his stomach and burst out in a loud guffaw.

You were trying to compose yourself when your line of sight met with a familiar figure.

*Baekhyun Oppa? Is that… Sekyung?* You squinted your eyes and confirmed what you saw. To your dismay, it was true.

“Ya! What’s in there?” L.joe raised a brow and followed what you were staring at.

He saw Baekhyun, a familiar face to him, with a girl clinging on to his arm. Baekhyun was frowning, his lips pressed in a thin line. The girl… looked so happy.

You lowered your head and fiddled with your bag. L.joe noticed you and tilted your head up.

“Is that… the girl you were talking about? Sekyung?” He inquired, searching your eyes. You nodded meekly. “My acting stunt was useless.” You frowned. He chuckled and pulled you up.

“Let’s go.” He placed his hands on your waist and smirked. You just let him since he’s you’re bestfriend. As much as possible, you tried to avoid Baekhyun. Something was bothering you inside.

Unfortunately, L.joe chose the path where Baekhyun and Sekyung was standing. Baekhyun’s eyes widened as he was you with L.joe. You bit your lip and looked away.

L.joe grinned and pulled you closer to him. He secured his grip around your waist and nodded at Baekhyun.

Unknown to him, Baekhyun’s brows furrowed. Something inside him was boiling. The way L.joe touched you was… bothering. He didn’t like it at all. What was more frustrating was that when he tried to look at you, you looked away. He was shrugging off Sekyung’s arm, but she was like glue. He was froezen there, looking at the two of you. 

Ljoe smiled victoriously as he saw Baekhyun’s reaction. *That’s it. He's feeling something. something.. Lee Byunghyun, you’re a f.cking genius. Now, it’s up to him to make his move.*

“Why do you have to pass there?” You hissed as both of you got out the shop. L.joe grinned and let go of you. He just stuck his tongue out.

“What’s the matter, anyway? I thought your acting stunt was now invalid?” He nudged your side.

You nodded, but somehow disappointment was creeping up to you. “Yeah.. but..”

“I wonder why they’re together..” You mumbled. L,joe smirked.

“Does it bother you?” He teased. You shook your head fervently. “N..No!”

“Eyyyyyyy.” L.joe ruffled your hair. You stomped ahead of him, annoyed. But something was bugging you more inside, and you didn’t want to admit it.

Your fingers fiddled on your bag rapidly. "Maybe he realized he likes her after all?” You muttered while walking. L.joe caught up with you and whistled.

“Maybe not~~” He sang.

_________________________

kekekeke, L.joe.

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