On the way to his house, Aecha couldn’t help but think about what was waiting for her. She didn’t think Hana would agree, because the girl was the Hana that Aecha knew. But there were still chances that Hana had been smitten with Chanyeol. What if Hana had agreed and they were already an item now? Aecha didn’t know how she would act around them if that happened. Shaking her head, she dismissed the negative thought. It wasn’t time for her to think negatively now. The thought about Chanyeol’s confession had been on her mind since yesterday, it was enough already! She just had to wait until she arrived at his house to know the result.

Ten minutes later, Aecha was at his doors, asking Mrs. Park to let her see Chanyeol. The woman smiled warmly at her and let her in. Now that Aecha noticed her smile, she knew who Chanyeol got his shiny smile from. Thanking his mom, Aecha rushed to his room on the second floor. It was not really lady-like of her when she hurriedly stepped up the stairs like that, but Aecha couldn’t careless at the moment; her anxiety and curiosity were killing her.

Knocking on his door, Aecha waited for him to reply, but nothing came. As she intended to knock one more time, Aecha heard his voice from inside.

“Come in.”

Aecha didn’t hesitate to turn the knob and stepped inside. There sat Chanyeol on his studying chair by his desk, his arms widely opened as he looked at her earnestly.

“Come here!” Chanyeol ordered in a whiny voice, waving his hands a little to gesture her to step closer.

“What?” Aecha was confused, she didn’t know what he was up to with those actions.

“Just come here already!” He was pouting.

Hesitantly, Aecha walked towards him, and immediately Chanyeol engulfed her in a tight embrace, snuggling his face into her clothed stomach in the process. His embrace made Aecha gasp in surprise. Wasn’t it a little too intimate for them? , thought Aecha as she stood here in his arms, not knowing what to do. Aecha didn’t mind the skinship to be honest. But, wouldn’t Chanyeol mind it? Well, he wouldn’t mind it either, because he started it. Aecha just stood there awkwardly, it had been several minutes and he still didn’t let her go. However, she liked the feeling of him hugging her like that, so Aecha wouldn’t complain. After making up her mind, Aecha slowly placed her hands on top of his shoulder and his head, patting them slightly.

A long time had passed and they were still in that position, Aecha grew impatient. As much as she liked to stand here for him to hug her all day long, she also wanted to know how his confession went.

“Hey, why are you being like this? How did your confession go?”

Aecha tried to pull his head away to have a look at his face, but Chanyeol didn’t bug. He even snuggled closer into her, if it was possible.

Despite her state of being hugged tightly by the waist, Aecha couldn’t help but giggled cutely. Her childish Chanyeol was back, and she liked it very much. It was time like this that Chanyeol didn’t think things seriously, and he just did things his heart told him to do. It’s the carefree Chanyeol that Aecha knew and fell for. Aecha was always wondering what caused his sudden change of attitude a few months ago, but she couldn’t come up with any reason. Being in his arms, she could tell that they were back like before. That was what Aecha had been waiting for, thank heaven for it to happen.

She could stand like that all day. But she still had to know about what she came here for. She had to get the truth from Chanyeol somehow.

“Hey, stop it! It tickles.”

Aecha patted his head a bit harder when it tickled her belly. Hearing her complaints, Chanyeol snuggled into her even more, shaking his head from side to side to tickle Aecha harder.

“Hey, stop it! And tell me how it went, I’m dying because of curiosity here.”

Aecha pinched his ears lightly so that he’d answer her. And Chanyeol finally uttered.

“…he….me….”

His voice was muffled by her belly and Aecha couldn’t contain her laughter anymore, Chanyeol was being too cute.

“Chanyeol, are you serious? How do you expect me to understand such a thing? Tell me clearly!”

Chanyeol smiled into her, he wanted to a little more.

“I…aid……he…me.”

Aecha smacked his head playfully and threatened.

“Park Chanyeol! If you don’t tell me now, I’ll call Hana to ask her. I bet she wouldn’t mind sharing me some information, would she?”

Aecha said it so Chanyeol would tell her himself. But from the way he was whining to her, Aecha could guess how his confession went.

Finally, after hearing her threat, Chanyeol pulled back, pouting, “I said she rejected me.”

Then, he buried his head into Aecha’s stomach again, hugging her close.

===

Chanyeol had put so much effort and hope into his plan that he thought Hana couldn’t reject him. But Hana still did, and now Chanyeol was heart-broken, daunted and he was feeling unloved. He hardly ever failed in his relationship and now that he did, it hit him hard. Normally, when things didn’t go his way, he would whine to his mom. But it’s a love-related matter so he needed someone else. And Aecha could give him the love he couldn’t get from Hana, at least at the moment. Being with her made he feel like a child being with his mom, he felt loved and he could get whatever he wanted from her. She could stand all of his unreasonable requests, and she could soothe him when he was feeling down. So that he could have the heart to try harder on Hana. He couldn’t give up on Hana yet.

Aecha slowly heaved out a sigh of relief at the news. She was sorry for Chanyeol. As she said she was his one and only ally in this matter, but she didn’t want him to date Hana, ever. It’s her true feeling. Aecha patted his head, which was resting on her stomach, she liked him touching him and Chanyeol willingly complied, letting her play with his head.

“I told you it’s still early for her to date anyone, didn’t I?”

Chanyeol nodded petulantly. He didn’t want to admit it, but she was right after all.

“But don’t be down too much. You still have a year to make Hana fall for you. After she graduates, I’m sure she would open up for you.” Smoothing his hair, Aecha forced the words out of . She didn’t want Hana to fall for him, she never wanted it. The words felt bitter when they left her tongue.

Chanyeol nodded again, not saying anything.

“Where is my cheerful Chanyeol? Bring him back. Don’t be like that.”

No response from Chanyeol, and it made Aecha bite her lower lip in thought.

“Did you eat the cake I made? Is it good?” Sighing to herself at his childish actions, Aecha tried to change the topic. Maybe it could take his mind off what he was thinking. And that made Chanyeol pull back to look at her.

“I haven’t. I put it in the fridge. Let’s eat together.”

Chanyeol looked up at Aecha and smiled lightly. Finally, he smiled.

“Really? You go get it then.”

“Ok, wait here.”

Chanyeol finally let go of Aecha and went to take the cake. It was somehow precious to him, so he put it in the fridge, not wanting to eat it yet.

He cut the cake into parts and gave one to Aecha.

As Chanyeol bit the first bite, his eyes widened in surprise. It’s good, really good to be honest. It was not as good as the ones he bought, but it was more than enough for him because it’s a homemade cake.

“How is it?” Aecha asked anxiously, looking at him attentively. She had tried it herself, but his response was what mattered the most.

“It’s really good. I don’t know you can cook that well. Aecha, you are so talent.”

Aecha grinned sheepishly at him and flushed a deep shade of red. She couldn’t cook that well actually, but it took her long enough to learn how to make it well.

“Enjoy it then. You have to finish it.” Aecha said and she also took another bite for herself. Wow, it’s indeed really good.

And as they enjoyed the cake, Aecha subtly asked him how their date and the confession went. Aecha was told that Hana had said, “I’m really happy to know that you like me. But I’m sorry, Chanyeol. I don’t want to date anyone just yet. Let’s remain as friends for now. I hope we wouldn’t be awkward around each other after today, because I don’t want to lose a friend like you.”

Chanyeol agreed with her, and just like what Hana said, they would remain friends for now. Chanyeol just had to wait for the right time to come then.

===

Time passed and when they finished half of the cake, Chanyeol had felt a lot better than before. He wasn’t wrong when he decided to call Aecha over and had her pampered him with affection. He knew he was a bit selfish when he used her like that, but he trusted Aecha to make him feel good.

Plus, Aecha also enjoyed spending time with Chanyeol, so she didn’t mind coming over his house at all. They were in good term. But she wondered if tomorrow, he would act differently around her? She wanted him to be close to her.

As for Chanyeol, he was really tired of keeping his distance from her. He didn’t want to think about it anymore, maybe…he’d just go with the flow from now on.