𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 ❣ 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘨.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

Jisung stands by the bathroom, waiting for Mark to finish taking a bath. He's constantly moving and shaking his feet on the floor, arms crossed in front of his chest.

His face suddenly lights up when the bathroom door opens, revealing the owner of the apartment. He unconsciously licks his lips, staring at him. "Hey!"

Mark looks at him, brushing his hair back using his fingers. "Are you ready yet?"

Hearing the question, Jisung lowers his head and fidgets on his fingers. "I... I don't want to leave yet."

"You have school tomorrow. And I have work. Also, your mom must be so worried of you." Mark flashes a small smile, "Come on, let's get ready. We'll just take a bus, okay? I don't have a car."

"Hyungie." Jisung calls and the older just hums. "I told Mom I'm only bringing you home once you become my boyfriend. Does this mean—"

"No." Mark cuts him off, "I'm just going to bring you back to your house. I'm not your boyfriend, Jisung."

Jisung gulps and nods before walking to the couch to grab his phone and wallet. Mark bites his lower lip and goes to his room.

×××

"Mom, I'm home!" Jisung announces as soon as he steps in his house.

His mom gets out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face. "Jisungie baby! You're back!" She approaches him and pats his head. "How's your date with your Minhyung hyung?"

"It was good!" Jisung replies happily, smiling widely. "By the way, Minhyung's outside. Come out and meet him."

"Really? I wanna see and meet him again." she says, smile doesn't fade in her face.

They get out of their house to see Mark standing outside. Upon seeing them, Mark smiles a bit and waves at them slightly.

"Good morning, Mrs. Park!" Mark bows at her, at 90 degree angle.

"Minhyung!" Jisung's mom walks towards him, offering him a hug. "Glad to see you again. It's been a while." She hugs him for a bit before pulling away. "How are you?"

"Oh. Uh, I'm great, I guess." he chuckles.

"Are you and Jisung, you know, boyfriends now?" she hesitantly asks.

Mark shakes his head, "We're not boyfriends, Mrs. Park."

"Yet?"

He shakes his head again, pressing his lips together. "We're not sure about that."

Watching and listening to them talking, Jisung sighs and looks at the ground. He bites his lower lip so hard, just to prevent himself from crying right there.

"Oh. Okay." Mrs. Park nods. "Take care of yourself, Minhyung-ssi. It's nice to see you again."

Mark bows again, slightly this time, and takes a glance at Jisung. "I'll go ahead. Bye." He's about to turn around when Jisung suddenly pulls him by the waist and hugs him tightly.

"Please... don't do this to me." he whispers, "You like me, right? You told me you like me, Minhyung."

Mark takes the younger's arms off his waist. He lifts Jisung's face by hooking at his chin to make him look at him. "I do like you, Jisung. I just don't think this is the right time for us to be together. I know you would still find someone better than me. Don't waste your time to me, Park."

Jisung furrows his eyebrows, "What are you saying?" he exclaims. "After being sweet to me yesterday, you're going to be like this? Stop messing around! Is it because your mom said she doesn't like me for you, huh? Is this because of your mom?"

"Don't bring up my mom here! She has nothing to do with this." Mark sighs heavily. He gulps and turns his head to Mrs. Park and bows at her who's just watching them, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Park. I'm leaving now, for real."

He turns around with looking back at Jisung. The latter stares at him with teary eyes, whispering his name. "Mark hyung."
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