I took a deep breath as I watched Mrs. Kim being carried away by her car which disappeared after turning into a street. I hitched up my back pack and sighed, feeling relieved about the conversation we just had. I get it now why his mother had been so against Jongin’s ambition of becoming of a performer. Well, maybe, not entirely relieved. I still need to speak with Jongin.

I turned around, thinking of how I’m going to talk about it to Jongin when I noticed a familiar profile standing by the lamp post near the book shop. It was almost like the moment when he was waiting for me months ago and carrying a box of cupcake with an anxious expression. Except this moment, Jongin wasn’t wearing an anxious expression, he was looking at me intensely, his brows were creased gallingly. He seemed to be standing there for a while now, so I assumed he had seen me and his mother.

“Had a great time with my mom?” Jongin asked when I reached him. Even his voice sounded tight and he purposely averted his gaze from me when he asked. Hands on his pockets, Jongin squinted as he shifted his eyes towards the busy street, obviously trying hard not meet my gaze.

I looked at him closely and he seemed truly upset. I drew in a calming breath because I was starting to get a bit anxious. I hated it when we’re being like this. I hated it when I’m making him upset, although, I’m not really sure why he’s upset. I just had dinner with his mom and we just talked. Well, we talked about him but he doesn’t know that. Was it because I didn’t mention it to him?

I caught Young Soo by the huge galss window peering at us. He waved at me happily and pointed at Jongin who’s back was onto him. I gave him a small smile and mouthed “just a minute” to him. He nodded his head and disappeared from the window.

“Can we talk?” I said quietly at Jongin after looking back at him. I took a tentative step towards him but he’s still not looking at me.

Jongin didn’t respond. The only response I got were from the honking of the vehicles by the street. His lips were pressed in an unmistakably annoyed way and his eyes were fixed on the cars and people passing by.

“Jongin, please.” I implored.

For a minute, I was worried he still wouldn’t budge. Jongin heaved a breath, his chest rising and falling, and then he looked at me rather hesitantly. Ever so slightly, Jongin nodded his head despite the perturbed look on his face.

We crossed the street silently, towards the park where we ate the cupcakes he bought me before. We walked side by side and I wanted to reach for his hand but they were snuggled inside his pockets so I gripped the straps of my back pack, instead. 

“I’m sure you’ve got something to tell me, so go on.” Jongin said gallingly a moment after we reached the gazebo. He’s looking at me now and still looking upset.

“Why are you so upset, anyway?” I asked, frowning in confusion. “I had dinner with your mom. Is that so bad?”

“Was it really just a dinner?” he asked, challengingly. He walked towards me, then and asked, “Did she try to convince you to make me stop dancing?”

I stared at him, flabbergasted. I didn’t expect him to know about that piece of information.

“I knew it.” Jongin scoffed, looking away from me and shaking his head lightly.

“H-How did you know?” I stammered. “Did you follow us?”

“I didn’t need to do that.” Jongin said bitterly. “I just found out when I saw you coming out of her car a couple of minutes ago.” he said, looking back at me in the same manner he’s talking to me. He drew in a breath, steadying himself but failing at it. “I went to the bookshop after my training today to see you but Ha Joon said you didn’t come. So, I decided to wait for you outside and then out of nowhere, I saw my mother’s car and you were coming out of it.”

I frowned at him. “Just because of that?”

Jongin his lips frustratingly. “Just tell me if she tried to convince you to make me stop dancing.” he said, looking straight into my eyes.

“Yes.” I said firmly. He looked at me sternly and sighed sharply after averting his gaze from me. “Aren’t you going to ask me what I said to her?” I asked him back, suddenly feeling the anger bubbling into the pit of my stomach. “You