Drowning in Love [hajeongwoo]

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

narration

Haruto's feet felt numb walking ahead to lead Junghwan inside a coffee shop near the Company. His heart began to feel heavier as it's starting to sink in him that all along, Junghwan is alive. His hand trembled upon feeling his eyes getting sweaty.
He bit his lips to stop himself from bursting out. The trauma of Junghwan's death was more than losing him as his first love— there are more than that. And seeing him right in front of his eyes, he's about to lose everything to pay what Junghwan missed— his family and his real life.

He saw the usual smile lingered across Junghwan's face. Junghwan pulled the chair in front of him although confused of the situation, he's letting Haruto say what he needs to say.

Haruto watched Junghwan's moves, from sitting down, smiling and looking around the café.

He's really Junghwan...

"Settle down, Mr. Watanabe." Junghwan said as he noticed Haruto froze on his feet. Haruto nodded his head, his eyes shaking with his hand trembling pulling the chair.

It was just the two of them. Just like how Haruto's childhood was filled of Junghwan, only. It's more than love. It was the friendship.

—Flashback—

"Why are you always following me? I don't need a friend, okay?!" Haruto shouted at the kid who's been following him all day long. The kid frowned but he eventually flashed a smile, and shook his head. "Anniyo, you need a friend. You're so lonely." he said pouting. He was just standing there with his hands on the strap of his tiny bag.

Haruto glared at him, "I'm not lonely!" he yelled again.

"It's bad to shout at anyone when you're talking with them. My mom told me." Junghwan said.

Haruto was taken aback as it was the same thing her mom told him, "always be gentle, Ruto-ya."

"Right? You agree with me! So are we friends?" Junghwan excitedly exclaimed with his hands clasped cutely. Haruto furrowed his brows and shook his head. "We're still not friends." but the corner of his lips rose to form a thin smile.

"Junghwan-ah! Let's go home?" a man in black suit came out from a white car, smiling. "Dad!" the kid ran his way in his dad's arms which is wide open for an embrace. "Chingu, see you tomorrow!" the kid playfully winked as he waved his hand, his dad smiled at Haruto too.

"Mom, there was a kid in my school who always follows me. He's so energetic." Haruto told his mom during dinner, his Dad smiled when he saw his son unconsciously smiling, obviously happy, "Why not be friends with him, ruto-ya?" his dad asked, Haruto was flastered, and began shaking his head. "I don't really need a friend."

Mrs. and Mr. Watanabe exchanged glances out of worry.  Haruto's mom patted his back, lowering her face to level her son's eyes as the kid stared at her lovingly "Ruto-ya, it's good to be friends with someone. You'll need a company and it's nice to share laughters with the same kid."

"Hey." Haruto called out for Junghwan as soon as he saw him walking at the hallway. The kid smiled and waved his hand. Haruto shyly bowed down his head as he smiled, "I'll be your friend because you gave me cookies again for the tenth time." he was talking about the box of cookies he was holding in his right hand. He loves it. The cookies always calm him after crying. And he's thankful, like a kid who loves sweets.

Junghwan was confused but he got excited so he nodded his head excitedly, "Of course! I'll be your friend starting today!"

"I thought you're making me cookies?" Haruto nagged Junghwan. "I'll just make you a cake!" Junghwan said. Haruto frowned. "Stop sulking, ruto-ya! We're first year highschool already, grow up, won't you?" Junghwan teased the latter as he pinched him on his cheeks. Haruto giggled afterwards.