----

5:03 pm

Luhan and Jongin arrived at the city mall, with Luhan who paid the train fees before Jongin could bring out his wallet to pay for the two of them. The mall was greatly crowded, and most of the shops, restaurants and boutiques are full of people too. Since it's Friday, and it was payday for the workers and weekends for the students, it could have caused the mall to be a blockbuster. Even the two could recognize some of the students in their school.

While they were walking towards the directory, Luhan asked Jongin where to eat. After all, Luhan doesn't know a lot about his so-called date yet, and they were just starting to get to know each other. He is here also mainly to help Yixing for the liking too. Jongin couldn't look directly at his hyung, and would only give short glances, since he can feel Luhan staring enthusiastically at him. 

Luhan might eventually like him. Even Jongin's aura and personality is very likable to him. He definitely knows why Yixing likes the guy.

Looking at the directory of the mall,

"So, what do you prefer eating right now?"

Jongin raised his eyes to show he was thinking, then he gave the response.

"Well, what do you like to eat?"

Luhan chuckled. "You're returning the question. We should follow yours. This mall is huge, so we should be a little bit more specific."

Jongin just smiled at his hyung, and agreed. He pointed at the restaurant he wanted to go to. When Luhan followed his eyes on Jongin's point, he was amused by the dongsaeng's choice.

"Hmm. You're a fan of chicken, eh?"

Jongin shyly laughed. "Yes, I am. My friends and I usually go here too, but if you want something new, then I'm good."

Luhan gave a slight smile. "No, let's go with your restaurant."

The two nodded, and they finally continued on.

--

The restaurant was a bit far, so it took a couple of minutes to make it there. They only walked silently, and there was awkwardness going on. Jongin and Luhan only have a gap of at least one inch when they walked. They couldn't stare at each other, but it's because Jongin felt shy around his hyung. When Jongin turns his head partially, he sees Luhan staring at him, suddenly smiling, and caught at the moment. Jongin would only return a bright smile, since he felt it was unexpected. He wasn't aware that Luhan was looking at him almost all of the time until they arrived at the restaurant. 

They ordered what was needed, and while they were waiting, Luhan decided to start a conversation.

"So, are you enjoying this at the moment?"

"Yes-----of course!"

Luhan smiled at the way Jongin spoke. "You know, you don't need to be to shy and uncomfortable around me. You know I'm a nice person."

He then touched Jongin's hand on the table. Now, his palm was resting on Jongin's steady hand. 

Jongin's eyes widened, and his face went slightly red. He didn't see this coming. He never knew that Luhan was touchy and more outgoing.

Of course, Luhan did it with a strong gaze and a smile, which made Jongin think if Luhan is up to something different.

Luhan was actually up to something. He analyzed how Jongin would react if he would touch his dongsaeng like that, as he is starting to open up Jongin's personality a little bit more. Luhan felt that Jongin was adorable.

Luhan can't believe that he is thinking differently of his friend date. He just realized that he might like the young guy more than he expected. He feels a little bit uneasy though, since he is aware that Yixing likes Jongin very much, so he just wanted to focus on the main task.

After the long staring, Luhan let go of his touch, slowly, while Jongin breathed deeply, slightly smiling.

Jongin realized he forgot to respond to Luhan. He was carried away earlier. "Of course! You don't have to tell me. I know you're trustworthy, and I know you're nice. If you even want, I'll be more personal." Jongin was showing his bright expression again.

Luhan was happy by his dongsaeng's reply. "Good. You did remember that this was a friendly date, so no worries."

Jongin nodded with interest.

Luhan looked away. "No wonder everyone will like you so much."

"Not everyone."

Luhan's eyebrows furrowed. "What did you mean? Something happened?"

Jongin's expression turned sorrowful. "Do you want me to open it up to you?"

"If you won't mind."

Jongin looked down. "That's okay. I trust you anyway."

Luhan just nodded, signaling Jongin to start talking.

"You did notice that I only dance with Yixing currently, and later on, with Sehun. There was actually a bitter past for me. You see, when I was in the 8th grade, I tried to audition for the dance club, since my noona wanted me to test my skills and make more friends. My performance was greatly applauded by the teachers, so I was immediately in, and I was so happy when I got home."

There was a brief silence, then Luhan gave a questionable look.

"But everything changed on the next day."

Luhan just nodded seriously.

"When I attended dance practice the next day, I didn't know some people hate me a lot. They have been jealous and bitter on the recognition I get when dancing, even though I'm not even trying to brag about it. Only one was the mastermind though, and I think his name is Key, probably a senior now."

Luhan's eyes widened and his mouth was left open in shock. "What? Key? I know him!"

Jongin just stared blankly. "You had issues with him?"

Luhan replied, "Please finish yours first."

Jongin gave a pitiful expression, but gave Luhan a half smile. "I guess I shouldn't leave you hanging. Starting form that day, whenever we are assembled in our meetings, I got the unlucky card. Key was arranged to be behind me, so it really got chaotic. He even had some friends to help him. They would throw paper balls at me, and would play dirty with me.  Whenever we do rehearsals, sometimes he would try to step on my foot, or make me trip. It's really harsh that I had to experience that everyday, but I decided to ignore them no matter what they do. It seems effective at first, but I didn't know it turned out to be a double-edged sword for me."

Luhan was still looking with interest when Jongin stopped talking for a brief moment.

He continued. "Double-edge, it seems. After a few weeks of snubbing them, I realized that each day, Key's anger is climbing even though he didn't bother me that much when he knew I would ignore him. When I stole glances, all I can see was hatred in his eyes, and I really didn't want to look directly at him after that. I felt nervous."

"Until one day, when I was supposed to go home quickly, Key and his group of friends were in my way before I could even go to the main school hallway. I was slammed into the wall, and tried to resist Key's punches, but it reached the point of being too painful to handle."

Luhan's eyes were filled with sadness and pity too. He seemed absorbed about Jongin's painful story. 

"That was horrible Jongin. I didn't know he would do that."

Even though Jongin didn't really want to break down, he was teary-eyed, and he would just give Luhan a pretentious smile. This is the third time he had shared his story. First, to Sehun, and second to Suho. Yixing might be the next one to know, since Luhan could share it, especially it's about Key, a former friend and part of Yixing's group.

Jongin continued. "I know hyung, but that wasn't the most horrifying thing he had done to me. I was already badly beaten up with bruises and wounds. He proceeded with his words. He told me that no one should praise my dancing since it's just luck and it's nonsense, and I shouldn't try mingling with other people since he thinks I'm too arrogant, even if I'm actually normally approachable and my kind personality makes me have a lot of friends."

"Since I think he is being too offensive already, I talked back, even though I'm afraid to. I told him it wasn't my fault and he was being so bitter. Unexpectedly, I uttered those words a little bit too sharply. I cringed, knowing that the way I talked back made him terribly furious, and I had the guts to tell him down. His hatred exceeded the limit."

"So, he threatened to kiss me."

Luhan was shocked. He felt the events Jongin must have gone through. So, thinking that he's still straight at that time, he asked, "You don't like boys when you were younger? Did his threat scare you even more?"

Jongin gave the pretentious smile again, and resumed his story. "No, it's not that. I already had a thing for boys, but the bad thing is his violence and acting as if I was a toy to him."

"He took a hold of my chin, in such tight way that I winced in pain, and he placed his face nearer and nearer, so I realized he's going to kiss me for real. I just closed my eyes, since I cannot move anymore, and I don't even know if there are still some people left in the school. I felt his breath, and I thought I was going to get the most horrifying first kiss, until.."

Jongin paused for a moment, while Luhan's eyebrows raised.

"That was until Sehun appeared with the principal, sending Key to the principal's office, but I'm not sure where he is right now. That was the last time I saw him, but I'm relieved, since I don't want to get traumatized in his presence again. That's when I met Sehun, and that's when we became best friends. It was horrible, really."

Jongin's tears dropped down his face, as he can't help but feel hurt by the cruel past. Luhan's stare was really sad. He wished he can do something to make Jongin feel better. He really hates seeing Jongin like this. 

Jongin was wiping his tears, and he was thinking that he's being a little bit childish about this, but he couldn't help but be scared that it would happen to him again. Key made his life miserable. So miserable that he panicked about him as an aftemath. He doesn't want to be abused like that, ever again. That's why he decided to practice dancing by himself, until Yixing and Sehun came along.

He heard footsteps while he was looking down, still trying to recover.

It was Luhan, and since they took a table of four, Luhan decided to sit beside him.

Luhan gave his dongsaeng a tight hug.

Jongin might feel a little bit uneasy, but he decided to give in, since he really needed comfort and support at the moment.  He felt light and loved, and he showed his bright smile again, with his hyung patting his back delicately.

When Luhan saw his dongsaeng brighten up again, his expression turned glad too. This Jongin is the one that he always liked to see, he thought.

"What was I thinking?! I am supposed to try to help Yixing, not be clingy and too affectionate with Jongin!" He thought in his mind.

When they let go, Jongin said, smiling, "My exprerience is so messed up, but thank you for comforting me. I felt better. You are really nice to be with, Luhan-hyung."

Luhan replied, "Don't your close friends comfort you like this?"

Jongin chuckled at his question. "No, it's not like that, hyung. You're pretty straightforward. They're with me too, but of course I have to thank you. Despite that this is only our first hang-out, you were already so nice and approachable. You made me feel better by your presence. Why don't you have a boyfriend yet? Well, boyfriend or girlfriend?"

Luhan smiled. "Boyfriend, actually. Am I worthy?"

Jongin grinned. "Of course! Do you like someone though?"

Luhan froze for a bit. He couldn't help but think about it. Before this date, he wasn't feeling anything different yet, but with Jongin, it changed. He feels guilty, but, he is starting to like Jongin the same way as Yixing and Suho do.

Luhan snapped back in thought. "I'll keep that as a secret for now."

Jongin just chuckled. "Then so be it. I'll try to find out though." They both laughed.

After a moment, the orders came in, and of course, Jongin was really excited to eat.

--

For a few minutes, it was full of silent eating, with Luhan thinking if Jongin is really hungry, or he just has a thing for chickens. Luhan was eating at his normal pace, but he can't help but stare at Jongin sometimes. He thinks that he should avoid that though, but he seems to like glancing at his dongsaeng. He is pretty sure to have a very long conversation with Yixing later on, but he's hesitant about sharing all of what they did. He didn't want Yixing to feel bad anyway.

When Jongin took a break from munching and sipped his bubble tea, he continued the conversation. "So, what about your history with Key?"

Luhan raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure? You were having bad memories with him."

Jongin's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes. I finished sharing mine. I'm done with it. I can handle it at least. I already feel comforted. Besides, it should be your turn to share. I'm not the only one who should be talkative here."

Luhan chuckled at Jongin's reaction. "Alright. Okay then. I just want to start that Key has been one of my friends with Yixing and Chen last year, but not now. So, basically, he's still in the school last year. I don't know this year either."

"All four of us used to have fun stuff and conversations together. We would always schedule trips and parties. Key is actually a very fun person to be with, until.."

Jongin's eyes widened.

"Until he confessed that he likes me."

Jongin was surprised. "He liked you for real?"

Luhan just nodded. "Yes. It's just that he hid his feelings back then. I didn't want to hurt him, but, I had to be honest. I told him that I cannot return the way he feels. I only see him as a close friend. He kept begging, but I sharpened my statement. After that, we have been very awkward, and sometimes, he wouldn't go together with our group. He is giving the cold shoulder until, little did we know, he already disappeared as a friend. I don't think I'll get him back though, since it's his fault and especially after what he did to you, Jongin."

Jongin nodded after drinking a little of his bubble tea, and looked down. "I guess you had a complicated friendship. Good thing he didn't hurt you like what he did to me."

Luhan touched his back, and replied, "Don't bring it up again. Please remember that we are here always."

Jongin looked at him for a moment. "Thanks hyung. I forgot to tell you that you have food mess on the side of your mouth."

Luhan smiled, then laughed. "You don't dare to do that to me, Jongin!"

Jongin raised his hands. "Okay! I'm just kidding! I'll clean it up instead."

"What?" Luhan thought in his mind.

Luhan noticed that Jongin took a tissue in the dispenser and wiped his cheek gently. Jongin was even staring enthusiastically that Luhan wanted to blush. he was just holding back, but for him, it felt like Jongin is being an affectionate person too. Of course, that was plus points for Luhan. He can't help but fist pump in his mind.

Luhan smiled sweetly, then Jongin reciprocated it. They returned to their meals.

--

After they paid the bill of their food, Luhan spoke, "How about we go shopping? You might want to buy something."

Jongin just grinned. "I'm ready for that."

Luhan chuckled. "That's good. That's your usual energy. I'll go to the bathroom for now."

Jongin nodded, then Luhan left.

Jongin was comfortably waiting at his seat in his restaurant, and he decided to look at the outside and the shoppers passing by.

He was just smiling about the nice scenery, the lights, and the decorations until he saw someone familiar leaning to the glass pane.

He wasn't sure at first, since the sight was a bit crowded, but when a gap was found, he realized who the man was.

That angry stare. That hatred expression.

He rubbed his eyes to see if it was just an image, but it's not. 

The man, with his familiar evil stare, noticed Jongin, who has his eyes widened in fear. The familiar man proceeded to give a wave, and a dangerous smirk.

Jongin was dumbfounded. He can't believe he's back. He can't believe he saw him again. The man's expressions towards Jongin are even making the young, fear-struck dancer more nervous.

"Key. Damn it."

--

Update! This seems to be my longest update so far. It was pretty tiring! XD Thank you for subscribing, commenting, the praise, upvoting and everything! It's highly appreciated. The story is just starting guys. Twists. Lol Sorry for the errors and mistakes. For the ones who don't know even though I think most of you know already, Key is a member of Shinee, and here he is.  For the ones who liked an EXO member to be an antagonist, I'm really sorry. I just had to make twists. That's all. A story that is too predictable is not good anyway. For the Kailay and Kaiho fans, sorry too! I ship all, but as I stated, Kailay and Kaiho will have personal sweet moments too! ^__^ Please stay tuned to the story.  Thank you again! I'll do my best for the good of the story! :)