“What brought you here, Key-ssi?” Mari casually asked him as she brings him a cup of tea.
“I don’t usually beat around the bushes so I’ll ask it directly.” He paused, taking a deep breath before asking. “Do you like Onew-hyung?”
It was unbelievable. Mari and Key just met that day. For him to ask that kind of question was really something. Mari was shocked with the question but more than that, she contemplated what to answer. Should she lie?
“I’m sorry for startling you.” He spoke up after noticing how dazed she was. “I just want to help? Our hyung is slow and all. And if you like him too, then you’re going to help me.”
Being much of a good speaker, Mari got convinced by Key. She heard his unbelievably scandalous plan which made her hesitate at first. Well, siding Key wasn’t that much of a good idea.
______________________
“Hyung, where are you?” Jinki was on his way home from an afternoon schedule when he called. Well that was one of those rarest times that he had a schedule. “On my way home from a schedule.” He informed the younger.
“Ah really? I’m on your restaurant and I found out you weren’t here. Visit your shop for once!” Jinki had been avoiding it: coming at his restaurant fearing he would see Mari again. He wanted to be away from her for a while.
“I’m coming there and I’ll drop you.” He invited. “Wait for me, bye.”
Key’s plan worked (luring Onew to Mari's pastry shop). All that’s left is Mari’s cooperation.
__________________
“Do you really have a lot of time to spare?” Jinki said as soon as he saw Kibum. “Well I don’t have a schedule today plus there’s no classes so might as well visit you.” He explicated.
“Then you should have come with me at Star King.” Jinki chuckled as he remembered those circus-like acts in a really small stage. “They didn’t call me. I don’t want to be a gate crusher. Plus, the guesting list might have been decided few days back.” Jinki nodded off in understanding.
“Did you eat already?” Jinki shook his head. He’s been filming for 4 hours. He didn’t even notice the time. “Let’s eat some chicken. I miss your restaurant’s special chicken.”
“Sure, my treat.” He giggled in excitement.
“Yah, old man. Isn’t that a given?”Kibum playfully nudged the older.
They had their dinner with playful conversations. Jinki would ask what Key did in America, Key would ask how the restaurant was, how the sales were going. They would reminisce how they played in the past, or how they miss the members.
But there’s this one topic they couldn’t dodge; lovelife.
“Do you have someone you like now? You know, where not getting any younger.” Jinki opened the topic.
“Of course. I told you I want to get married first right?” Key smirked.
“Do I know her?”
“I don’t know. But Taemin knows her. I just don’t know if he still remembers her.”
“We should meet Sister-in-law soon!”
“She’s not my girlfriend, yet. “ Key calmly revealed. “But you’ll meet her soon. I’ll let you meet her first.”
“Ooh. Okay then.” He was surprised with Key’s straightforwardness. As expected, our Almighty Key. “I wish I have that kind of confidence.”
“Hyung, to be honest, I’m not sure if we’ll be together.” He shared. “But I want to know her feelings. I want to know if I have an effect on her or not. Even if there’s only this string of hope, or just 1% chance. I want to try; because I love her.”
“Kibum-ah.” He looked up to him. “Should I confess?”
Key was taken aback with Jinki’s question. Why is he suddenly asking me this? I should inform Mari! He should’ve decided this earlier so that I didn’t have to put out my best weapon. I don’t want to see him in that state. Anyway, it seems like he really likes her to be convinced like this. Key wanted to shout these thoughts in frustration but he just can’t
Key reluctantly nodded.
“Come on, I’ll treat you something nice!” Jinki chimed.
__________________________
“Anyeonghaseyo.” Jinki said while he set his foot onto Mari’s shop. Key kept making ‘x’ signs with his arms behind him, though. But Mari’s attention was too focused on Jinki.
“What happened that day? You ran off just like that.” Anxiety was still written all over his voice. “I just suddenly felt tired. Maybe from waking up too early? Don’t worry about it.” He reassured her with a smile. “Thanks goodness.” She sighed in relief.
Just then she recalled what Key said ‘you’ll know what he know what he truly feels for you if you make him jealous.’
“Minwoo-ya.” She called rather cheerfully “Please tie noona’s hair.”
Key mentally face palmed his self ‘Her and her weird acting. It’s too obvious. Who believes in this kind of act?’ then he switched his gaze back to Jinki ‘Oh right, him.’
Jinki watched them, clearly irritated and agitated. When he was on the verge of standing up and leaving, Key shook his head and mouthed ‘Aren’t you going to confess?’ Jinki calmed his nerves and sat back.
‘It’s true that Jinki could forgive a woman who cheats on him but he gets jealous easily. And when he does, he gets really really angry! That’s why he left that day. He does not want you to see him angry. He might beat the pulp out of that guy if he doesn’t stop his self.’
Key’s words flashed through Mari’s memories as Minwoo lovingly ties her hair. Just then, Minwoo leaned closer and it made her flinch in surprise. “Do you want me to help you?”
Mari nervously chuckled. “Aren’t you helping with my hair already?”
“I know why you made me do this. Shall I make him more jealous?” she could feel him smirk. Mari was on the verge of shaking her head when Minwoo pulled her into the kitchen and she gasped in surprise.
He pinned her into the wall, with the door on her right. “Noona. I know what you are trying to do.” He pulled out his rather seductive voice. “I’m just helping you, okay?”
He leaned closer and Mari just closed her eyes but her face is facing the door, clearly scared of what’s going to happen.
Meanwhile, Jinki saw everything. How he harshly dragged her into the kitchen, to how he loudly closed the door. He couldn’t be tamed at that moment so Key didn't do anything and just enjoyed watching the show. He stood up and made his way to the kitchen, only to find a scared Mari and a Minwoo whose eyes are set on his prey.
Jinki couldn’t be angrier than this. He pulled Minwoo’s collar and punched him once –thankfully, he still has his senses—then pulled Mari out of the kitchen just like those cool drama scenes we see on Korean dramas.
A round of applause for Jinki and his very cool self.
“Where are we going?” Jinki didn’t reply and just tightened his grip. They were already 7 blocks away from the shop and Jinki still hasn’t said anything. He is so damn mad that he couldn’t say anything. He didn’t want to disappoint her any longer.
“Jinki, I like you.”
