Chapter 29- Food Date

“I’m home!” Wonwoo called out as he stepped into the house. There was no response, so he assumed that Aunt Soomin and Uncle Junmin went out. He knocked on Jihoon’s door, before he opened it. The younger had his earphones plugged in and he was playing a melody on the piano. Wonwoo tapped Jihoon’s shoulder, waving for him to stop what he was doing. They needed to talk now. The talk was supposed to happen the day before but Wonwoo was too sick.

“Let’s talk.” Wonwoo started, as he sat on Jihoon’s bed. The younger sighed, looking down at his feet.

“Do we have to? There’s really nothing to talk about…” Jihoon replied. At times like these, Jihoon felt small.

“Don’t even try. It’s pretty obvious something’s up with you. Is it Mingyu?” Wonwoo asked.

“Pfft. What about Kim?” Jihoon retorted, having a look of disbelief on his face.

“I mean…you have been treating me rather…coldly after Mingyu appeared…” Wonwoo replied quietly. The tables have turned and Wonwoo was now the one who was afraid.

“No I haven’t.” Jihoon replied curtly. Clearly Mingyu was the whole reason why he was acting like that.

“Jihoonie-ah…you know you aren’t very good at acting right? Can’t you tell me why? Perhaps…you feel insecure? Are you afraid that Mingyu would take me away from you now that he’s back in our lives?” Wonwoo asked.

“W-what…who told you that? . Jesus Christ. Moon Jun Hui again isn’t it…” Jihoon whispered to himself as he hugged his knees closer to his chest.

“So…is that it? You’re afraid that it might happen?” Wonwoo asked as he placed hand over Jihoon’s.

“I know I sound stupid…can you stop rubbing it in…but it’s really not just you…lately so many things have been happening. I just can’t…” Jihoon replied in a soft voice.

“Jihoonie…what is it? You know you can always trust me right…come on…” Wonwoo convinced.

“I-it’s j-just…you had that attack on the very first day you saw him. Did you have any idea. How ing scared I was. Of losing you?! You literally went to hell and came back. TWO ING TIMES. I will never forget what happened back then when we left the orphanage and when Sejun left. It ing happened twice! Under my care! Do you even know how I felt?!” Jihoon said, anger seething in his tone. Wonwoo looked down. He never knew that Jihoon felt responsible for his attacks.

“Fine. You told me that you were able to take control of your attacks better these days. But. Jeon Wonwoo. I swear to god. I spent almost a year convincing you to take your meals on time. To eat and build your physique. And you gave me a whole lot of crap. Telling me not to force you. And that you’re trying your best. But guess what. The moment Kim Mingyu came back. You did whatever he said. What is he? Your owner?” Jihoon spat. Wonwoo felt so guilty. He knew how hard Jihoon tried to help him overcome his eating problems. And he never knew why he did whatever Mingyu asked him to. And he didn’t even see it as a form of betrayal to Jihoon. But now that the younger was telling him from another perspective, he saw it. Now he knew why Jihoon was so cold to him. It was like Wonwoo’s actions had a hidden message. Jihoon seemed to think that Wonwoo no longer needed him now that Mingyu was back in his life. How could I have done this…Jihoon must have felt betrayed. Afterall he really did take good care of me for years. Ever since we left the orphanage. Jeon Wonwoo. What have you done to the poor boy? Look at him. He’s on the verge of tears! Wonwoo snapped out of his thoughts as he heard soft sobs coming from Jihoon.

“Jihoonie…please don’t cry…I’m not worth your tears. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to do all this and betray you. It’s just…I don’t even know why I would do all those things when Mingyu asks me to…Please Jihoon-ah. I really need you in my life. You’re a really important person to me. P-please. I’m sorry…” Wonwoo’s voice broke as towards the end of his sentence. He hugged Jihoon tightly, to which the younger reciprocated and hugged him back.

“I-I promise you…I’ll…l-listen to you…I’ll eat my meals when you a-ask me to…d-don’t treat me coldly again…” Wonwoo sobbed. A soft muffled laugh came from Jihoon and Wonwoo could feel the younger nod his head. When the two had gradually calmed down, they came down to the living room and laid on the sofa to catch up on some TV programmes.

“You know…Jun told me that I was the one that needed the company. And you guys pitied me that’s why you guys stayed and wanted to be friends with me. And when I ended work that day, it started raining and I thought even god hated me…” Wonwoo trailed off.

“And then you walked under the rain and went to sleep without even changing clothes?! Well done Jeon Wonwoo. Well done. I really wonder how you topped our cohort with those brains of yours?!” Jihoon chided, as he shook his in disbelief.

“Yah…I’ll let you go this one time…anyways. What else has been upsetting you lately? You said I wasn’t the only one…” Wonwoo asked. Jihoon stopped switching the channels and froze.

“H-huh? I s-said…that?” Jihoon stuttered. There was no way Wonwoo didn’t catch that. The way Jihoon was acting right now gave everything away. He was definitely hiding something.

“Don’t lie to me. So come on and tell me the truth now.” Wonwoo said, crossing his arms. If someone had upset Jihoon. There was no way he would let it go. The younger was always there to fight for him, it was now time for him to do the same.

“B-but…I think I’m just overreacting…” Jihoon said.

“If it’s bad enough to ruin your mood. Then it’s worth talking about. Is it…Seungcheol hyung?” Wonwoo asked, as he watched Jihoon’s expression.

“Y-yeah…nowadays. I feel so awkward when I’m alone with him. But when you’re around, there’s someone to tease so it’s fine. Whenever I ask him if he wants to hang out, he would always tell me that he’s too busy preparing for some tests or he doesn’t feel like it. And to think that he was the one who confessed to me, telling me that he liked me when I felt nothing for him. Now when I’m finally opening up to my feelings…he just left me hanging there.” Jihoon explained.

“Jihoon-ah. Do you really like him? Did you think that maybe he felt that you really weren’t interested and so he’s giving up?” Wonwoo asked.

“W-what?! He’s giving up already? If he gave up so easily, then well. Maybe we just weren’t meant for each other.” Jihoon retorted. The thought of Seungcheol giving up on him was driving him up the wall.

“No! Listen to me Jihoon-ah! I think you need to ask Seungcheol hyung out. And talk about it. But before that. You should figure out how you feel about him. Do you like him as only a friend and brother or more?” Wonwoo replied.

“Please. Jeon Wonwoo. You can’t even figure out your own feelings. Who are you to tell me all this?” Jihoon rolled his eyes.

“What do you mean? I’ve got nothing to figure out. Jihoon-ah. Calm down and think about it first okay. I still think it’s better for you to talk to Seungcheol hyung before jumping to conclusions…” Wonwoo sighed as he patted Jihoon’s shoulder.

“Wonwoo-ah. I could say the same for you. You do know that you’re equally as dense as me when it comes to feelings right? You really don’t know how people feel about you do you? If I could give you an advice, open your eyes and use your heart to feel. Mingyu isn’t the only one who likes you…” Jihoon said, before he choked on the sentence. . I wasn’t supposed to tell him that Mingyu likes him. . What if the giant puppy comes after me… . Jesus Christ. Please tell me that Wonwoo didn’t catch that. Jihoon became r