[CHAPTER XX]

Confessions

The two of them were sitting side by side next to one another on the bed. Hakyeon was still holding onto Taekwoon’s wrist but refusing to say anything at all. Taekwoon didn’t say anything and only waited patiently for Hakyeon.

It was strange. The Hakyeon that Taekwoon knew of would say everything he had on his mind no matter what it was. Whether it was something sad or something happy. But for some reason, Hakyeon was different today. Is it harder to speak up when they’re actually sitting next to one another instead of being blocked by a door? Why was his friend acting so differently with him now that they’ve actually met?

Since Hakyeon didn’t feel like saying anything after a long time or obviously upset about something, Taekwoon decided to he should leave the room to give him some space. But as soon as he got up, Hakyeon pulled onto his wrist even harder, causing him to flop back down on the bed.

“Don’t go,” Taekwoon could hear Hakyeon muttering those words.

“Please Hakyeon. Can’t you just tell me what’s wrong? I need to know what’s on your mind to be able to help you.”

“Don’t go. Stay here. Stay with me. Don’t go anywhere. I don’t want you to go anywhere. Don’t leave me.” Hakyeon lost himself as he spoke. He fought his tears but gave up in the end. He didn’t know how to stop them. He was desperate.

Taekwoon questioned why Hakyeon was like that. Why was he so desperate in not letting Taekwoon go? Taekwoon decides to confirm his suspicion.

“Hakyeon-ah, why? Why don’t you want me to leave? Is it because I’m your lifelong friend? But don’t you have many other friends too? Like Jaehwan or even Soo-ah.”

“They’re different… They’re not like you. No one can be like you. You’re Jung Taekwoon.”

“What are you saying?” Taekwoon slowly questioning Hakyeon’s behavior. “Be honest with me, Hakyeon… do you possibly… like me?”

Hakyeon didn’t say anything. Taekwoon was also beginning to lose his patience with his indecisive friend. Why isn’t he saying anything? Taekwoon decided he’s had enough waiting for an answer and flung his arms out of Hakyeon’s grasp. Just as he opened the door to leave…

“Wait!”

Hakyeon ran up behind Taekwoon and held him tightly from behind. Hakyeon’s arms wrapped around Taekwoon’s waist and buried his face deep into Taekwoon’s back, refusing to let go.

“I do! I do like you!” Hakyeon cried out.

The answer he was looking for since Taekwoon got injured, was finally answered. The happiness, the sadness, the worries, and slight jealousy he’s been having was all because of Taekwoon. He fell in love. Exactly when though? Maybe when he finally met his friend for the first time at the mayor’s mansion? Or was it far back to when they first met at their secret base? He was too desperate and couldn’t let Taekwoon go.

Taekwoon thought he was hearing things or in a dream. But when Hakyeon’s hug got tighter, he has realized that the jabbing pain meant reality. Hakyeon had confessed to him first and so persistently. Taekwoon was happy and touched by his friend’s confession. He couldn’t help but also tear up a little. He turned around to look at Hakyeon’s face, who kept trying to hide it by looking towards the floor. Taekwoon brought Hakyeon’s face up to see it, to confirm whether or not the confession was real. But it was real. Hakyeon’s eyes were still so red from his tears but his cheeks and ears were beaming red. He was embarrassed for his confession.

“Hakyeon-ah…”

“Wait! Don’t say it! I don’t want to hear it! I just couldn’t control myself!” Hakyeon was so embarrassed with himself when he finally realized he had confessed to his lifelong friend.

“But I do want to say it,” Taekwoon said as he pulled Hakyeon in to return his hug. This time, it wasn’t just Hakyeon holding onto him, but he held Hakyeon confidently with his arms wrapped at the boy’s smaller body. “I love you too.”

Finally, he was able to say those words to Hakyeon.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Jaehwan was sitting in the kitchen while waiting for the two to come down.

What’s taking them so long? The pie is getting cold! He grumbled while starring at the pie but unable to eat it until the others joined him.

He heard footsteps walking down the stairs finally.

“Gosh! You two took way too long! The pie is already cold!” He scolded them. The two of them walked inside the kitchen with a strange look on their faces, as if something happened. But it wasn’t like they had some kind of fight, but rather…

Ah, that look. Jaehwan was pleased.

“Anyways, you two sit down and I’ll go heat up the pie again,” Jaehwan said as he skipped his way to the oven.

Taekwoon took out the chair for Hakyeon and went to the other side to sit down. Instead of sitting at the chair Taekwoon had prepared for him, Hakyeon followed next to Taekwoon and sat down beside him instead. Taekwoon saw that and couldn’t help but think how cute and clingy Hakyeon was being. He patted the boy on the head, causing Hakyeon to blush violently.

“Stop that,” Hakyeon said, even though he actually liked it.

Jaehwan was too afraid to turn around to witness the two lovebirds at the back flirting with one another. It was obvious the two had something going on while they were upstairs.

“Well, dig in. That granny’s apple pies are the best in this town!” Jaehwan said as he served the two who waited patiently at the table.

“Thanks!” Hakyeon said delightfully and took his share. Hakyeon was cheerful again. His usual self that Jaehwan and Taekwoon were used to seeing. They were relieved that the boy was back to normal again.

“You should eat slower. No one is going to steal your food,” Taekwoon told Hakyeon as he wiped the crumbs off the side of Hakyeon’s mouth.

Hakyeon let out a shy giggle and was acting like a little boy again. Jaehwan almost couldn’t believe that the two who sat in front of them were supposed to be older than him.

They’re so… cheesy.

But he was also happy that the two finally got together. Jaehwan was envious of the two.

If only his own relationship had turned out to be like this as well…

*   *   *   *   *   *

Hakyeon really didn’t want to go home. He almost refused to let Taekwoon go when he went out the door.

“But, but…” Hakyeon said with his puppy eyes.

“Your parents will be worried about you if you stay out too much. Go home for today okay? Stay safe. We can be together again tomorrow.” Taekwoon trying to persuade him.

“Okay… but I’m coming here first thing in the morning when I wake up and you better be here!”

“Got it.” Taekwoon patted Hakyeon’s head and ruffled his soft dark brown hair. It seems to have become a habit of his because the other was too adorable.

Hakyeon skipped a bit while walking back home. He had confessed and as embarrassing as it was, he was happy that it was mutual. Honestly, he didn’t think he had fallen for Taekwoon until just now. His mind was telling him one thing but his heart another. Before he knew it, he had already confessed. The uneasiness, the worries, they were all because he was in love.

But now, there was another problem. What about his wedding with Soo-ah? Although the two agreed they should cancel the wedding, her father was a different story. The old man would be furious if he finds out and he was very demanding of Hakyeon to be his successor. The man often looked down on him each time they talked and he knew that very well. But what could he do? He was the one asking for the favor. His mother needed the mayor’s help.

“I’m home!”

The house was dimmed and no one came to greet him immediately as usual.

“Welcome home,” Hakyeon’s father finally showed up. He had a slightly depressed face on him.

“What’s wrong dad?”

“Your mother’s condition… she’s gotten worse again. She broke down into a fever just now and the doctor gave her some medication but the effects don’t seem to be kicking in.”

“Oh no. Can I go see how she’s doing?”

“She has just fallen asleep. Let’s let her rest for tonight and see how she does in the morning.”

Hakyeon agreed.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Just as promised, the moment that Hakyeon woke up, he immediately got dressed and rushed out to see Taekwoon. To be honest, he never thought that meeting his friend was such an easy task until recently. They spent more than nine years talking through a door and not even knowing how the other looked like. It was strange at first but Hakyeon got used to it and was happy to have met Taekwoon.

He was happily making his way to the inn until he was stopped by one of the mayor’s messengers. The messenger told Hakyeon that the old man was looking for him again and needed to see him immediately. Hakyeon didn’t have a good feeling about it.

“You! Soo-ah came home to me last night saying that she didn’t want to marry you! What did you do!??” He was outraged. The man never seemed to be able to calm down.

“Huh? I didn’t do anything.” Hakyeon said. He hasn’t seen Soo-ah in a while since Taekwoon got hurt. Oh wait, he did see her running out of Starlight Inn the other day. What was that all about?

“If you didn’t, why did she suddenly not want to get married? She was so delighted before about it and now she doesn’t want to at all!”

“I don’t know sir. I’m sorry.”

“Dad!” Soo-ah came rushing in through the door. “It’s not Hakyeon’s fault!”

“Then who’s?” He demanded the answer.

“It’s not what you think dad. I just didn’t want to get married after all. That’s all!” She said.

“He must have done something to you for you to change your mind so suddenly. Say it!” He started to accuse Hakyeon.

“No. Hakyeon didn’t do anything wrong. It’s… me. I like someone else!”

Hakyeon and her father looked at her in surprise.

“Who? When? Why didn’t you tell me before?” Her father asked.

“I only just met him and… he doesn’t seem interested.”

“Interested?” The man snorted. “Who dares to refuse my lovely daughter? Tell me who it is!”

Soo-ah glanced at Hakyeon for a moment which made him question as to why but she didn’t say anything.

“Anyways, I don’t want to get married! That is all. Please cancel the wedding.” She said demandingly and stomped out the door.

The mayor was stunned by his daughter’s rebellious side. She had always been so nice and obedient. He has never seen her like that before. The mayor dismissed Hakyeon for the day telling him that he needed to rest his head from everything and would contact Hakyeon again once he figured something out. What could he do though? His precious baby daughter, finally rebelling against him and not wanting to get married.

Although Hakyeon had no idea what’s wrong with Soo-ah or whoever she fell in love with, he was relieved to hear that wedding might not happen at all. He had no powers to say no to the mayor but Soo-ah did. Everything seemed to be sailing smoothly for him these days.