rivalry ❞ jaeyong

9

Chapter Nine

"Hold me tight or I'll punch his face," Yangyang whispered, glaring at Lucas who's smirking at him. "I would even gladly help you." Ten whispered back.

Taeyong heard the two so he secretly pinched them, "Can't Saturday be truce day?"

"Hey, take a seat." Jaehyun was smiling when he caught their attention.

A small restaurant they chose was just near the academy, even though it's weekend— there are only few customers inside. A waiter connected two tables so the group would fit.

Taeil and Doyoung are like having their own world while scanning through the menu. Johnny and Ten were glaring at each other, Yangyang and Lucas were doing the same.

Yuta's at the corner, looking at them one by one. His eyes stopped at Taeyong and Jaehyun who's casually talking. Poor Taeyong. He sighed.

They ordered food, and started eating when it arrived. "Congrats to Jaehyun, by the way. For taking the first place." Johnny genuinely smiled at his friend, but he smirked at Taeyong- as if he's teasing.

Taeyong felt uncomfortable, he suddenly felt something isn't right. Especially when he saw Jaehyun unbothered while eating.

Ten noticed it, "Yeah. Congrats to Jaehyun, for betraying my friend." The last words were just whisper and thank God no one heard.

"What did you say?" Johnny asked but Ten just sarcastically smiled.

"But, no hard feelings right, Taeyong?" Lucas asked and gave Taeyong a smirk like Johnny's.

Yangyang put down his spoon and fork just to clenched his fists under the table. He gazed at his hyung— Taeyong's actually smirking back.

"Of course. It could be just a one-time experience, congrats Jaehyun." he went back to eating but he felt stares on him.

No one expected that, even Jaehyun's jaw dropped. Taeyong sounded.. competitive. Jaehyun also gulped silently, he kinda feels threatened. But this is what I want, him— being competitive.

On the other hand, Taeyong was actually trembling inside. It's not the words he wanted to say, he's actually happy for Jaehyun. But they triggered me.

"Congrats, Jaehyun!" Taeil suddenly loose the tension between everyone, thanks to him.

Yuta also helped, "Try tasting this, it's good." And he forcefully stuff Johnny's mouth with a bread, the appetizer he didn't eat.

The lunch finished and everyone decided to part ways. Doyoung and Taeil went back to the dorms, the four assholes didn't mind walking back with any of them. Taeyong, with the two foreigners, chose to go to the nearest arcade to waste time.

But the red haired guy was actually spacing out until the rest of the day. His thoughts are a mess again, he doesn't know what he must feel or what he must react based on what happened at the restaurant.

"I got a serious question," he muttered out of the blue. Yang and Ten looked at each other before facing Taeyong with a confused face, "What?"

"Do you think Jaehyun's playing with me?" Then he bit his lower lip. Ten pouted and clung onto his arms, "I don't wanna judge, but it's actually obvious.."

Yangyang rolled his eyes while crossing his arms, "He's trying to be close to you cause it's easier to steal your spot that way." Unlike Ten, Yangyang was too straightforward.

Taeyong sighed. For the past days he's been with Jaehyun before the monthly evaluation, it wasn't that bad— the younger acted like he's really a sincere friend. Or Taeyong was just too kind to notice that backstab?