The lunch break was always the time of a day most students in SIA looking forward to. Due to the current quantity of students, each block had its own canteen and there was also a small café inside the campus where had the best bubble tea according to Sehun’s opinion.

 After the blind date with Luhan, somehow his reputation was upgraded to a higher level without trying. He was recognized everywhere, even his favorite professor also asked him why he became a topic among other professors’ conversation.

Frankly, Sehun didn’t see it interesting at all and his friends found him pickier lately. The fact that he went on some stupid date with a boy was embarrassing enough, now his face was on the main page of SIA’s website with the big title “Beauty and the Beast – Happy ending?”. He knew he would regret taking that damn picture with Luhan.

Unlike the younger boy, his hyungs talked about it all the time, sometimes asked questions, sometimes made comments although all they got from their maknae was stony glares and cold shoulder.

To look on the bright side, Sehun had been forced to learn many things about Luhan against his will (well, he had no choice cuz his hyungs was talking nonstop about that boy whenever they gathered).

Apparently, Luhan was a senior year student of Art Department, major in photography. He got a lot of attention from his first year because of his baby face, his innocent angelic smile (Sehun had secretly admitted Luhan’s smile was beautiful) and his well behavior. Despite being a Chinese and just moving to Seoul not long ago, his Korean was so good that it surprised everyone first met him.

However, the reason why he had many fans from in-and-out was not just because of his appearance, but his real talent. Luhan had won the first prize at the National Open Youth Contest of Photography with his “Sound of silence” collection and he was one of two students in his class had the honor to be chosen to take part in the “Breath of life” Exhibition of famous photographer Suntag Noh last year. He also got an offer to work at a studio even though he didn’t graduate yet.

His goals did not end there but Sehun couldn’t remember more as he had to use lunch time do his due assignment for composing class while Suho was bragging proudly about his classmate. It’s not until Jongin whispered against Sehun’s ear that his hyung had had a huge crush on Luhan for a long time did the younger boy notice the over enthusiasm in the leader’s voice when he mentioned the Chinese boy.

“Hey Jongin!” Suho exclaimed from the other side of table “For the nth times, stop whispering behind my back.”

“What?” the tan skin boy protested “I did nothing.”

The oldest male crossed his arms, pretended to be vexed.

“There are only two things that make you have to do the whisper in front of people.” he started counting with his fingers “One is bad mouthing of someone and the other is borrowing money.”

Sehun chuckled at the brand new yet reasonable theory has just been told while Jongin simply shrugged his shoulder.

“Yeah, you’re right about the borrowing thing.” then he turned to Sehun, grinned big “I want to borrow your time and your body this Friday night.”

That statement not only made the whole table stop doing whatever they were but also gained some attention from people sitting nearby. Sehun smacked his friend with his notebook, threatened.

“Explain yourself. If my face is again showed up on the news tomorrow, you’ll be skinned alive, you know that.”

Jongin waved off his hands, smiling mischievously.

“My club is holding a special meeting this Friday and each member has to bring a potential partner.”

Sehun grabbed his drink from the table, narrowed his brows.

“What’s potential partner?”

“There’s a duet dance competition. I need a partner.” Jongin leaned closer, his eyes was suddenly sparkled “The prize is 2 50% discount coupons of Nevada shop.”

The younger boy pushed his friend’s face away as he invaded his personal space, opened his notebook to finish what he left off.

“Why don’t you ask D.O hyung? I’m sure he’s willing to do it you.”

The tan skin boy almost flapped his hand in the air, smacked his tongue.

“Oh, his beautiful voice and sweet can’t help me this time.” he winked at the mentioned boy who already held a spoon to throw at any time, making a flying kiss “I still love you, baby.”

And bam, his head was jerked back as the spoon hit it with the light speed.

Rubbing the forehead in pain, Jongin shifted his look to Sehun, pleading.

“Come on, maknae. The dance steps are simple.”

“You know I don’t dance.”

“Just this one. Pleaseee….”

If Sehun didn’t reluctantly nod his head in agreement to make his friend stop giving everyone else headache with his annoying “please”, Jongin was pretty sure he was going to do anything to get Sehun with him. He didn’t want to end up being laughed at for not finding a proper partner. He, Kim Jongin, the dancing machine of the club couldn’t lose at any competition. Besides there was a minor reason why he insisted Sehun to go with him and he wanted to keep it as a secret from the younger boy. Two out of five judges were big fans of Sehun, so the chance he got the prize would be doubled.

*************

Dance club was at the second place in SIA ranking by the number of registered member. The club had it own Management Board consisted of three senior year students, one third year and one second year. Most of the student in Music Department entered this club because of its simple procedure yet high benefit. The president Kim Hyoyeon, the only daughter of the Kim financer group, was not only famous by her dance skill but also her generosity. She covered half of the operation expenses so all the members were charged for a low member fee and the monthly meeting was opened wide for everyone.

However, this Friday night was different. Only excellent ones who were chosen from the contest last month and their partners had the tickets to meeting. It was held up at a private bar not far from the university, which was of course paid in advance just only for the club.

Jongin confidently dragged Sehun walking toward the security and handed their tickets. He had used all the afternoon to prepare their appearances, well, mostly for Sehun because his stubborn friend didn’t pay any attention when he told him to find something stunning to wear the day before. He had spent two hours to rummage the younger boy’s closet, forced the boy to try on everything that he thought could get him at least five asking out tonight. With the make-up, Jongin had to use a little bit of Baekhyun and Chanyeol’s help to keep Sehun stand still. This boy was somehow extremely against the fact that his face was powdered or using eyeliner even though Baekhyun reassured that they were absolutely safe and especially made him irresistible.

The bar was decorated with the Playboy theme, rearranged a bit to have enough space for the main stage. They even set up some tables with vary kind of non-alcohol beverages and snacks. When they stepped inside, there were quite a lot people standing in group chatting. Jongin spotted his friends immediately, he turned to Sehun who was still in his not-happy mood, grinning.

“Find something to drink. I…” he pointed a group not far from them “Just a minute.”

And before Sehun could grab his elbow back, the tan-skin already skipped to his friend’s direction. Letting out a sigh, the younger boy slowly moved to the stone counter, the only area served alcohol drink and ordered a beer. If it wasn’t Jongin….he thought. He wondered how many times that phrase popped up in his head, but to be honest, it was what kept him still wearing these clothes, still going to this meeting instead of having a sound sleep in his room. What he had with Jongin was more than casual friendship. That boy was like his brother. He could do anything for him and he’s positively sure the other boy would do the same for him.

Taking a huge gulp of his beer, Sehun shifted his eyes carelessly around the room until someone caught his attention, someone familiar.

***********

“So let me get this straight ge.” Yixing placed both of his elbows on the table “He told you this would be a buffet and you had to learn the dance steps for a flash mob.”

“Yep” Luhan nodded his head, elbowed his chubby friend standing next to him “He really knows how to lure me.”

Minseok beamed proudly. Being a competitive type, he wanted to win this night so bad that he had came up an idea which in his opinion was the most genius one.

“Frankly, I was afraid that you could find out.”

Luhan his hair slightly, his eyes lightened up with an I-know look.

“I kind of figured it out. The dance steps were too complicated for a flash mob. But I think there must be a just cause, so…”

He left the sentence unfinished but that was enough for Minseok to choke him with his arm while exclaiming

“That’s my friend!”

Across the table, Yixing watched the scene with an I-not-amused face. He casually stated the matter of fact that he knew from the beginning.

“He’s obviously using you to get more votes from the judges, ge. Everyone knows Hyoyeon sunbae has a liking for you and L.J hyung couldn’t get his eyes from you since you stepped into the bar.”

Yeah, that was true and it seemed like Luhan didn’t even surprise when the news was announced so Minseok knew that his friend was already aware of his reputation and didn’t minded him taking advantage of it. He averted his eyes around the bar and someone walked into his view made him jerk back a bit, smirking while motioned his two friends to the entrance.

“I guess I’m not the only one who could use the other’s favor tonight.”

The moment Sehun’s figure came into his sight, Luhan swore his heart had skipped a beat. That boy definitely knew how to get people’s attention and drove their minds blank.

“So my redoubtable opponent today was Jongin. Damn, he well played.” Minseok chuckled.

Luhan looked at the dark brown hair boy one more time before turned his head back, grabbed his beer on the table and took a huge gulp. He suddenly felt nervous yet enthusiastic. It has been a week from the blind date and even though he had Sehun’s number, he didn’t have the gut to make a little chat with the younger boy, except for a text saying “Hi, this is my number. Luhan”. End of story.

Yixing noticed his ge’s weird facial expression, he winked at Minseok while pointing his index finger towards Luhan who was drawing nonsense circle on the table. The older boy nodded his head understandingly, nudged the helpless boy beside him, teasing.

“Your target is here.”

Luhan was snapped back at the word “target”, he slapped the Korean boy’s shoulder embarrassedly

“He’s not my target.”

“Right, he’s your beast.” Yixing added, earning a high five from Minseok and a death glare from blushing Luhan.

It was so ironic how your good friends made fun of your misery. From his skinny appearance, people thought Luhan was shy or anything like that which was completely untrue. He was just a thoughtful kind of type. He wanted to know more about Sehun before making any suggestion. However, that boy somehow had a mystery history, even when the Chinese boy had purposely hinted Kris to post the photo which was taken at the cinema, the only picture Sehun grudgingly standing in a same frame with him, on the main page of the university website, hoping someone would comment or tell something interesting about him. However, all he got was what he already knew from his friend.

Gifted, handsome and unfriendly was three words perfectly described Sehun. That was what people told him, but Luhan thought it was just visible part of the iceberg. Besides, from the encounter with the 70% positive ex-girlfriend of the younger boy at the café (well, Sehun didn’t confirm and Luhan was too afraid to ask again), he could tell the chance he got rejected quite high.

“So when will you ask him?”

Minseok’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Luhan shook his head, taking another gulp of beer and pursed his lips.

“I’m thinking of making friend with him first.”