Can he hear my heart pounding?

Kira slowly turned to Jongin’s direction. He was intently scrutinizing the menu hanging on the wall. He was actually pondering if he should get mango or strawberry shake but in the end, he chose the latter. Kira already knew that he would choose strawberry. It’s his favorite and that’s basing from his choice of yogurt flavor.

“Glitter, how about you?”

She snapped from her musing. “I’d get what you’re getting,” she replied quickly before directing her focus on selecting some cake for them. And because Jongin has a kid-like appetite, and a very obvious one at that, Kira did not hesitate on ordering strawberry cakes for them.

“Your cheer back there was better than I expected,” Jongin remarked as they settled on an empty table near the window. He started playing with his straw before shoving a forkful of cake in his mouth. He nodded in satisfaction.

“Let’s not talk about that. I’m so embarrassed to the point of death,” Kira muttered and Jongin just chuckled. She’s actually curious about what he told the MC – that she’s an important person in his life. Even if curiosity’s killing her, she couldn’t find the courage to ask him; she’s not ready to get rejected. She might just be putting a different meaning on what Jongin said.

Maybe what Jongin meant was that she’s an important person for him because she’s his friend and nothing more. Kira’s already preparing herself to be friend zoned by him. It’s going to be hard if that will really happened. She’s sure she’ll have a hard time getting over her major crush on him. Jongin’s acting like how he usually acts when he’s with her. Obviously, he’s oblivious about the fact that Kira’s shooting him hearts from her eyes.

“How was my dance?” Jongin suddenly asked, catching Kira off-guard. The latter cleared , acting as casual as possible. She slowly nodded her head.

“Not bad,” she replied, sipping her drink. Jongin raised a brow.

“Not bad? That’s it?” He looked like he’s expecting more from her.

“You’re actually good,” she remarked, not meeting his gaze. If she’s going to stare at him straight in the eyes, she might melt there and then. “You’re the best out of the contestants,” she continued.

Jongin grinned, showing how satisfied he is by what she just said. She just told him the truth. If he’s not the best out of the contestants, he would’ve not won in the contest. They’re enjoying their shakes and cakes thanks to the prize money that was given to Jongin.

“I was actually shaking when I stood on that stage. It’s the first time in a while since I stood in front of a crowd. And you were also there so I was feeling more nervous than usual,” he commented, poking his cake with his fork. He actually sounded shy for some reasons.

What does that mean? He felt more nervous that I was watching? Kira internally squealed by just thinking about the possibility that he likes her too but after some seconds, the more rational side of her appeared, shooing those pink thoughts away. Maybe he just meant that he was nervous because a friend of his was watching. Yeah, that’s more logical than him liking me back. Maybe he does not even consider me as a girl. He’s too casual when he’s with me.

With those thoughts in her mind, she pouted. She wanted to ask him things but she’s just too scared that she might only get hurt in the end.

“Is there something wrong?” Jongin asked when he noticed that she was just staring at her food. Kira shook her head slowly. Lifting her face up, Jongin’s worried expression welcomed her. She forced a smile, thinking that it’s not the time to be gloomy when Jongin’s hyped after winning the contest.

“How long have you been dancing?” she suddenly asked, diverting the topic to something else. Come to think about it, she doesn’t know that much about Jongin. She wanted to know him better.

“Oh…let’s see,” he started, humming as he tried to remember the exact year that he started dancing. “I started attending dance classes when I was five so that would be 12 years. Wow, I just realized that I’ve been dancing for so long,” he exclaimed, sounding so surprised about what he just found out.

Kira unconsciously smiled. “So are you still attending dance classes?”

Jongin nodded quickly, grabbing his drink and taking a sip. “I’m still attending some classes but not as often as before since I’m helping mom at the restaurant. Glitter, do you know what my dream is?” he asked with a bright tone matching his bright smile. His eyes were actually twinkling and Kira felt like she just entered another galaxy.

“What is it?” she managed to ask.

“I want to perform in an international stage. I want to show the world my dance. I actually wrote to Mr. Davis that I want to enter Juilliard and he’s more than supportive about it. I’m still in the process of thinking of what dance I will perform for my pre-screening and audition. Just thinking of those things is making me shake in nervousness,” he explained and Kira could hear that he’s actually excited just by imagining himself doing all those things.

“So that means you’re going to study abroad?” Kira mumbled, still trying to process what she just heard. A part of her wanted to cry by just thinking that it’s possible that he’s going away for years.

“Yeah, if I get lucky I’ll be in New York in a year or two. I still want to graduate here before going there if I’m given the chance but we don’t know what will happen in the future so I’m just enjoying each day that I’m still here. I really hope I’ll get accepted.”

Seeing Jongin acting like an excited kid’s making her more down. She’s supposed to be cheering him on his dream but she couldn’t help but feel like she’s going to cry. She might be left behind without even telling him about what she feels for him.

“How about you? I know that you’re going to be busy with company works in the future but what do you want to do aside from running the company?”

I want to travel the world with you. Of course, she did not say that out loud. “I don’t know,” she muttered, shaking her head. Jongin’s brows bristled as he tapped on the table as if thinking of something.

“Don’t you want to hold an exhibit?”

“Huh?”

Jongin leaned back. A smile was painted on his face. “I saw some of your drawings. You’re good at it.”

It was Kira’s turn to raise a brow. “How did you know that I draw?”

“Glitter, I hold your folder for you every now and then. I saw your sketches by chance. Do you also paint?”

Kira nodded slowly. Wait, did I put my sketch of him in that folder? She was in a state of panic when she realized that she once drew a rough sketch of him while he was taking a nap in class. Maybe I did not put that in there. Yeah, I think I left that at home. It’s impossible for him to see that. Calm down and-

“Your sketch of me was actually good.”

Kira felt like all the blood in her body rushed to her face. And she was sure she was starting to look like a ripe tomato at the moment. Jongin was grinning when she met his eyes.

“You should pay me in the future for being your model,” he continued as he casually turned his attention to his cake. “I’ll be your exclusive model if you want to. It’ll be hard for you to search for a model as good-looking as I am.”

She could not hear a thing because she’s too focused on calming herself.

W-What should I do?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

As if it’s not enough to make her stop breathing once, Jongin invited Kira to his dance class.

And there she was, sitting on the floor beside Jongin as they watched the other students dance on the center of that room. He was dressed in all black and his hair was messy because he just finished practicing some minutes ago. Kira could feel the warmth coming from him and everytime their bare arms would touch, she would stop breathing for a second.

Jongin would clap every now and then. He also couldn’t help but cheer for the other students performing. Kira looked around and realized that most of the people there are of their age. There were more guys than girls.

The young teacher, who looked like a mix of Song Joongki and Park Bogum, clapped his hands as the last students bowed and walked to their seats.

“I’m next,” Jongin whispered, leaning close to Kira. Her breath hitched when he tapped her arm. “Cheer for me,” he continued.

“Jongin, come here,” the teacher called with a smile. “Show us how the great Kim Jongin dance,” he continued, patting Jongin playfully on the back. The girls started cheering even before he could start anything. He was just standing but they’re already screaming. Kira did not feel good about that. She’s actually feeling jealous.

“Jongin hyung’s the best.”

Kira turned to her right in surprise. Eunwoo was already scooting over to her side with a smile. “You’re the best girlfriend material. You even came here to cheer on hyung,” he remarked, giving her a cheeky smile. Cha Eunwoo’s cute, Kira admits that, but his words will be the death of her.

“I’m not-”

Eunwoo held his index finger near his lips and she quickly pursed her lips into a thin line. “Now, be ready to be blown away,” he mumbled and like a rehearsed act, the lights were turned off, leaving a single lit bulb acting as Jongin’s spotlight. The li