“Suho Sunbae…”

“Yes?”

“Actually… I was wondering if you mind having a cup of tea with me right after this. I also want to give back the handkerchief that I borrowed before, so I thought rather that just giving it to you… I should also treat you something good because you’re always being nice to me!”

Suho glanced at the girl standing in front of him with glittery and hopeful eyes and couldn’t help but feeling a bit guilty inside. They were having their weekly club meeting when Suho was suddenly invited to have a cup of tea by Eunmi once the meeting ended. Unintentionally, Eunmi's sudden chang yesterday once again flew into his mind. He was bewildered due to Eunmi’s cold behavior and her suspicious way of talking yesterday. In Suho’s eyes, she was definitely seemed pissed off and a bit sulky with him, but the thing is Suho really didn’t know what he had done wrong. He was completely clueless.

In his mind, he treated as a gentleman should. But he guessed he was just not nice enough and that ended up with Eunmi getting sulky with him. That’s what he really thought yesterday, and with that kind of mindset, he ended up dropping Eunmi off at the nearest bus stop. He was actually worried, in fact, too worried if he kept insisting to send her home, it only made the cold and uncomfortable atmosphere worse. Today, Eunmi showed up at the club meeting with a questionable bright expression; as if nothing had been bothering her at all and leaving Suho in big confusion.

Feeling helpless and with some guilty feelings were lingering in his heart for not sending her home, Suho eventually nodded as he agreed; and Eunmi’s face bloomed with a sweet smile. Even though he planned to meet Yoonmi as he usually did whenever he has some free time in his hands, only this time… Suho convinced himself that it was alright to just cancel his plan and go out with Eunmi. He really wished that those uncomfortable feelings whenever he was with Eunmi would be chased away and they could became closer and. They were in the same club afte rall, and if they were still having that kind of awkward and uncomfortable relationship as fellow club members, what was he going to do when they had their club activities in the future? Sooner or later, Suho knew he still needed to open up his mind a bit for Eunmi to avoid having a bad relationship with her as one of the club members as well as being his junior.

“Great! Let’s go, then.” Eunmi chirped and grabbed Suho’s arm and headed out of the meeting room before Baekhyun’s cheerful voice was heard which was accompanied by Chanyeol, and Sehun.

“Wait! So you’re only treating this hyung and not us? We’re nice to you too, aren’t we?”

“Yeah, right! Eunmi-ah, how could you leave behind this squishy little thing who had a crush on you ever since you entered this club and go out with Suho hyung?” Sehun interrupted, pointing at Kyungsoo who was busy packing up his stuff and getting ready to leave the room.

“Wh-Who?” Eunmi’s eyes widened in wonder. Crush? Kyungsoo? With her? Since when?

“Yah! Who are you calling squishy, you rotten kid?!” Kyungsoo suddenly made his way toward Sehun as he smacked Sehun's head lightly but it was painful enough for Sehun to shut his mouth and whine.

“Sehun’s right! Kyungsoo-ah, you did say before that Eunmi has that kind of style you like; a cheerful, short-haired, feminine girl who loves photography. You’re describing Eunmi, aren’t you? You like her! Kyungsoo likes Eunmi!” Chanyeol added in a teasing tone, as the three of them were having fun watching Kyungsoo's reddenin cheeks while Suho remained silent. Deep inside his heart, he was actually having fun watching Kyungsoo being teased by those three but he just acted calm; not showing any specific reaction towards their jokes.

“Eunmi-ah, er…I mean, Eunmi sshi…They were just joking! Please don’t believe them. I did say that but I never mention your name though.” Kungsoo tried to clear up the mess that Baekhyun, Chanyeol and Sehun started. He was saying the truth; he never mentioned Eunmi as his ideal time nor he had a crush on Eunmi. All he said was he liked a girl with cheerful personality, short-haired, loves photography, feminine… And could dance pretty well when Jongin suddenly asked him about his ideal type not long time ago. Oh, thank God they didn’t mention the dance part! Kyungsoo silently let out a heavy sigh and was worried if Eunmi might misunderstand him. There was no such thing as having a crush involved.

“Ah... Don’t worry; I knew they were just joking. Next time, I promise I’ll treat everyone!” Eunmi replied which was accompanied by the cheers and applause from the remaining club members who haven’t left yet.

“Wah, you’ve promised us didn’t you? We’ll be waiting for that lucky day to come!” Baekhyun said with a big smile.

“Now, if you don’t mind… The three of you; Park Chanyeol, Byun Baekhyun and Oh Sehun, can we go already? Jongin is waiting for us at the cafeteria and we’re late!” Kyungsoo began to nag with frown and reminded them that they already promised Kim Jongin that they would have a meal together, right after that as he literally dragged those three out of the meeting room and headed to where there were supposed to be from a few minutes ago and leaving Eunmi and Suho behind.

“Er... Shall we go now, Sunbae?” Eunmi asked before Suho nodded for the second time as they finally make their way out of the university area.

After a few minutes later, they finally arrived at a café according to Eunmi’s choice. Suho noticed that they entered the café that he and Yoonmi always had dates together and his mind couldn’t stop thinking he might bump into Yoonmi at that café. What if she was there and saw him having a cup of tea with some other girl? If he really ended up coincidentally meeting Yoonmi, would she get jealous or misunderstand and accuse him for cheating on her? Yoonmi wasn’t the kind of girl who would get jealous easily and judge him without knowing the truth, would she? No, she wasn’t! Suho tried to calm his messy thoughts as Eunmi picked out a table for them to sit at.

He looked around the not so busy café, and his eyes landed on an empty table located at the opposite side of their table before he smiled to himself. It was the table where he and Yoonmi always sat to have their hot coffees together. Ah… He missed her so much even though they just met yesterday. Being close enough to Yoonmi’s university made him crav for her presence but there he was, sitting with another girl and not being able to do anything about it.

 

 

 

“Sunbae!”

In a daze, Suho blinked few times, faster than normal as he tilted his head toward Eunmi’s and his eyes met hers. “Y-Yes?”

Eunmi realized that Suho was actually having zero attention to what she was talking about from the moment they sat down, she was quite hurt by it. She noticed that Suho was busy glancing at the empty table not far away from their seat but she never expected that he didn’t hear her at all, how frustrating!

“So, you weren’t listening at all…” Eunmi looked down as she put the menu that she was holding on the table.

“I- Er… Of course I’m listening! I was just… Uhm… I was amazed by this café! You picked very well. This must be your favourite café right?” Suho stammered and tried hard not to sound annoyed. To be very honest, he didn’t hear a thing at all and didn’t even notice if Eunmi was talking to him just now. He was too busy recalling his date with Yoonmi at the café until he forgot that he wasn’t alone at the time.

“Really? I’m glad you like to be here! Actually this isn’t my favourite café though…” Eunmi’s expression brightened with Suho’s kind words. Finally ordering two cups of charamel machiatto, Eunmi then took out a piece of floral patterned fabric out of her bag and handed it to Suho before she continued her words.

“Here, your handkerchief. Thank you for your kindness on that day. Er... Sunbae… I’ve got something to tell you.”

“What is it, Eunmi?” Suho put the handkerchief back into his pocket and  tried to pay his full attention towards Eunmi and chasing away his dating memory with Yoonmi only for that moment; worried if he being too carried away with it rather than listening to Eunmi.

“The reason why I chose this café is… Because it is located near to my little sister’s university and… She’ll be joining us in a few minutes more. I invited her to join us. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Your little sister?” Suho unintentionally raised his voice up with his eyes widened.

“Uh? I’m sorry if this makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. I thought you wouldn’t mind-”

“No, no! I mean, I really don’t mind but… Why?”

“Why… What?” Eunmi asked back; pretending to know nothing.

“What was that invitation for? I thought there are only two of us… Sometimes, no I think most of the time... I find that it was so hard to understand you, Eunmi.” Suho sighed as he looked away. He really did mean what he said. Eunmi is really hard to understand, unlike Yoonmi. Even though at first there was time when he did feel it was hard to understand Yoonmi, but the more he got to know her, the more he found it wasn’t that hard to understand her heart and way of thinking. But,  Eunmi? He could only sigh helplessly. Sometimes, she was a bit pushy and forceful but at other times, she looked gentle and cheerful enough to make any guy to fall for her unconditionally.

“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry for not letting you know about this earlier…” Eunmi answered guiltily, unable to look at Suho in the eyes. She was worried. What if Suho hated her for not letting him know the truth much earlier? What was she supposed to do if he hated her for real? She really likes him. Eunmi was about to burst into tears by only imagining it. After he saw her apologetic expression, Suho couldn’t help but to feel even guiltier for raising his voice before.

“Ah... Never mind, let’s forget about this and enjoy our drink. I believe there must be a reason why you invited your sister along… And you’re not ready to talk about the reason yet, aren’t you?” He smiled; which brightened up the cold atmosphere with his gentle words. Eunmi finally smiled back, feeling extremely relieved but the guilty feelings just didn’t go away that easy. “Oh, you said your sister is coming right? I wonder who does she looks like. Mind telling me about your sister? I’m afraid I might be awkward if I know nothing about her at all…” Suho added when he noticed Eunmi didn’t talk after that. She must be feeling guilty. He knew it… He could see it from her eyes. Deep inside his mind, Suho wondered… Was it because he already has Yoonmi in his heart that he refused to see the positive side of Eunmi? Was it because of that he kept seeing her flaws but not her angelic side?

‘Be fair Suho-yah… She did nothing wrong to you and she’s only being nice to you!’ His heart screamed when he realized his unfair behavour towards Eunmi.

“Uh… Well, she looks like my late mother a lot! While I look more to my late father…”

“Your… Late mother and father?”

“Yeah, they passed away since we were ten. There's only the two of us left but we still have our grandfather, grandmother and uncle… They live in the Pohang Province while my sister and I live together here in our late parents' house.” Eunmi carefully explained.

“That’s far…”

“Yes, quite far away from Seoul. That’s why we rarely meet. They did come to visit us but not that often since they have their own life to live…But it’s alright, since we’re old enough to live by our own and be independence.”

“Er… How about your financial matters? Sorry if it’s too personal to answer.”

“We live with what our late parents left to us and sometimes, our uncle also helps in term of our studies fees. But I had a plan to look for a part time job though… You know what Sunbae?”

“What?”

“I feel happy inside knowing that you are interested to know about my personal life. I thought you never cared enough to ask.” She grinned while Suho remained silent before he talked.

“We-Well, I guess I need to know that… At least.” He replied with awkward smile but Eunmi seemed to be more than satisfied with his simple answer. At least! At least he did care about her even though it wasn’t much. She was about to start another story of her life when her eyes suddenly caught a very familiar sillhoutte walking into the café with a guy by her side. Jung Yoonmi! There she was with Xiumin standing beside her. Eunmi hastily stood up and left Suho at their table while she walked towards Yoonmi; slightly worried if Yoonmi couldn’t see her.

Being at the table by himself, Suho really felt like running away due to the awkwardness. Even sitting and chatting with Eunmi, who he knew, is awkward as it is. What was he supposed to talk to her little sister, who wass a stranger? How wass he supposed to handle the soon-to-be awkward atmosphere? Suho inhaled deeply and tried to calm his nervousness but as expected, he failed.

“Sunbae!” He swiftly turned his head towards the caller as he saw Eunmi was already returned to their table with two more people with her. This gentle yet shy looking girl must be Eunmi's sister, he guessedbut…W-wait!

‘Yoonmi?!’ He exclaimed in surprise but only in his heart. His eyes widened which showed how surprised he could be at that moment.

“Suho Sunbae…this is my twin little sister, Jung Yoonmi and this guy is her senior and also her private piano teacher… Er... What’s his name again?” Eunmi paused and looked at Xiumin and hoped that he would introduce himself to Suho.

“Xiumin.” He replied as he reached out his hand and attempted for a hand shake but Suho froze in his seat. What was this all about? After she realized Suho’s weird and unexplained expression, Eunmi eventually grabbed Xiumin’s hand instead before offering them to take a seat.

As Suho expected, the atmosphere was plain awkward… Or should he say way more awkward than he could ever imagine? With Yoonmi and Xiumin right infront of him… And the fact that Yoonmi was actually Eunmi's twin sister. What kind of unexpected situation was he in right now?

“I’m sorry thatwe’re late.” Yoonmi's calm and gentle voice and she didn’t even spare a glance at Suho.

“It’s alright! We has just arrived too, right Suho Sunbae? I thought you couldn’t make it, I’m so glad that you’re finally here, with your talented piano teacher! But Yoonmi-ah, are you okay? You look pale and sick...”

Not only Suho’s expression got darker but Yoonmi’s too. She saw her sister’s frown and uncomfortable expression when she introduced her to Suho earlier. Only Xiumin remained calm and expressionless. Yoonmi’s eyes landed on the motionless Suho. In Suho’s eyes, he could see that her eyebrows were pinched together and overhelming sadness sat on her eyes, forcing herself to smile and putting a facade on her face. She must have ben surprised with the situation too. But as much as she was, she was just too good at pretending to be perfectly okay with it.

 “I-I’m fine, perfectly fine.” Yoonmi answered as she looked away while Eunmi nodded in relief.

Suho really wanted to scream out his inners thought about why in the world did Yoonmi pretended not to know him at all? Just why?! She must be have her own reasons for this, right? His eyes then met Xiumin’s who was sitting next to Yoonmi. When he saw rhat Xiumin’s hand gently patting Yoonmi’s shoulder, it made Suho’s heart burn hot! Xiumin surely knew who he was to Yoonmi and yet he was still doing it right in front of him without even trying to hide it. Even if it was just a friendly touch.

“I thought you caught a cold or something but I’m glad you didn't!”

Yoonmi smiled at Eunmi’s kind words as she tried hard not to look in Suho’s direction. Eunmi secretly took a glance at Suho, Xiumin and Yoonmi. Suho wasn’t talking, Xiumin remained silent while Yoonmi looked gloomier than ever. She couldn’t help but to feel suspicious; there must be something wrong with the meeting. But, what could it be? Eunmi knew the meeting was quite forceful, but it couldn’t be the only reason why the atmosphere was cold and awkward, wasn’t it? She also noticed how Suho looked at Yoonmi and barely looked away from the moment Yoonmi took a seat right infront of him. He couldn’t have liked her from the moment he first saw her since Suho didn't look like an easy guy himself.

“Ah, Yoonmi-ah… It was such a waste that you couldn’t come with your boyfriend today. I think the day for me to meet your boyfriend hasn’t come yet. But, I’m glad to meet Xiumin Sunbae today, though!” Eunmi added as she emphasised the word ‘boyfriend’, and hoped that Suho would hear it and realize that Yoonmi wasn’t single and already has a boyfriend. Now that she looked at Yoonmi closely, Yoonmi does looks compatible with Suho and that ‘Rapunzel Unnie’ Jihye was talking about… By only looking at her long straight hair. She felt insecure all of sudden, why did she think about that in the first place? Eunmi gently hit her head as she tried to chase away those spontaneous thoughts.

“Eunmi-ah, what’s wrong?” Yoonmi asked curiously.

“Uh? No-nothing! I don’t know why… But I’m feeling nervous.”

“Uhm… You must be nervous because you’re sitting next to Suho-sshi. Did you know, my sister has been talking about you a lot… You sure mean something to my sister. When she told me about you before, I wonder how you look like but now… I’ve met you, I think I can understand why she loves talking about you. You sure are nice guy and worth enough to talk about.” Yoonmi carefully said and  looked straight into Suho’s eyes, as if what she said had nothing to do with her own feelings at all.

“Yoonmi-ah…” Eunmi was a bit embarrased with Yoonmi’s bluntness but she tried to stay composed.

“I thought we have just met today but the way you speak might make the other people think you know me already, Yoonmi-sshi. You didn’t realize that, did you? You know, I’ve have wondered who Eunmi’s twin sister could be… And yeah, I’m also glad that I meet you today and of course, you too… Xiumin-sshi, too glad that I’m speechless right now.” Suho replied with serious yet sarcastic tone and played along the act that Yoonmi and Xiumin started.

“Glad? You’re just too good at putting façade on your face, Suho-sshi.” Xiumin crossed his arms and suddenly spoke with a sly smile anoutgh his expression was calm. He knew Suho was indeed speechless with the unexpected meeting. But ‘glad’? He surely wasn't.

“Oh, really? Am I that good? Too bad, I think I’m just not as good as you and Jung Yoonmi-sshi.” Suho raised his eyebrows and kept provoking Xiumin with his deep words.

“Er… Guys, what is this all about? What façade? Have you guys met before? All three of you seem like keeping something away from me.” Eunmi finally bursted out in irritation and felt like she was left out of their secret-code like conversation.

“Yoonmi sshi, mind to answer your beloved twin sister’s question?” Yoonmi froze at Suho’s words. The way his eyes blazed at her made Yoonmi feel conflicted inside. The feeling of his heart was present in his eyes, and she knew from the dark, burning glare that he was angry and disappointed with her act. His eyes flickered for a second. They were narrowed, rigid and cold and she had never seen him like that before. If only looks could kill.