milk tea

03:10

"Why would you wait for me?" Serene questioned. She played dumb for the sake of avoiding the expected outcome. "There are 22 other members to seek attention from, Jaemin."

"But I want it to be from you specifically," Jaemin specified. His eyes were different. If back then, they weren't sincere, then now it was. "How can I seek attention from someone else when my heart only wants yours?"

"You like me, don't you?" letting out the big question, Serene asked. Jaemin, who was expecting it, leaned closer to her.

"So what if I do?" he smirked looking confident from the inside and out.

His face was half a ruler away from hers. Seeing his features up close, she couldn't deny that he was good-looking. What stood out to her was his long eyelashes that she envied as she had shorter ones.

"I can't like you back, Jaemin," the words naturally came out of her mouth. Not knowing how Jaemin would take it, she closed her eyes to not see his reaction.

"It doesn't matter to me, Serene," his deep voice made Serene get goosebumps. She opened her eyes to see him smiling, an unforeseen reaction that she imagined. "Do you think rejection will discourage me? That will only make me work harder to win your heart."

"Do you not know how to give up?" she asked. Jaemin shook his head. She was relieved that he wasn't affected by the rejection, but it worried her that he didn't want to stop pursuing her. "Why can't you?"

"Because I want to experience receiving your love and giving you love," Jaemin's cocky behavior was starting to show. He was driven on loving Serene until he couldn't anymore. "Also, don't you know our leader also doesn't know how to give up?"

"What do you mean? What are you trying to get at?" the sudden spill of information made the girl even more curious. As she barely met Taeyong, she felt the need to know more. Except for being good at negotiating and strict, she didn't know anything else.

"Taeyong has only loved one person in his life. That person was sick since they were kids. They met around a year before she was diagnosed," Jaemin explained and took the time to stare at Serene who was indulged in the conversation. "She was getting treatment but something happened around a couple of years ago. She was supposed to get surgery but had to have it postponed. Never knew what happened but we all guessed that she passed away."

"He still loves her?" she asked, looking at Jaemin who was silent.

"Yeah. He visits her every week," Jaemin assumed. He had taken notice of Taeyong's frequent leaves every Saturday. It would last half of the day and would come back in the afternoon. All of this was his assumption, but he felt like he was close enough to the truth. "He's very regretful."

"It's not his fault though?"

"Exactly. It isn't, but he blames himself for not being able to find a donor in time. I remember him sleep talking about being sorry for not being able to save her for that reason," Jaemin sighed, recalling the time where he was working overtime with Taeyong. "He felt like he spent too much time focusing on our gang that he couldn't be there for her. That's why I'm going to spend more time with you because I sincerely like you despite my first approach."

"Well, he has his own problems to deal with anyway. Life isn't easy for anyone," Serene lamented. She could resonate with how Taeyong felt. Blaming yourself when you had no fault. It reminded her of the memories she wished to forget. "Also, at least you stopped calling me honey."

"Oh?" Jaemin raised his eyebrows as a smirk emerged. "Honey, I didn't know you would take notice of it."

"Now I regret a choice in life yet again," she shook her head and stood up from the bed. Walking a couple of steps away, she faced Jaemin. "I'll get going. I still need to rest. It will take at least a week more to heal completely. Also, thanks for the blood. I appreciate it."

"If you appreciate it, then give me a kiss," his cheekiness didn't die as he was still persistent in gaining her attention.

"No."

"Do you know how much you're saving if you just kiss me?" Jaemin questioned as he turned sulky in a split second. "A pint of blood costs almost 200 dollars. I gave you a pint and a half. Plus, you get to kiss a handsome guy. Isn't it a win-win situation?"

"I'll pay you then when I get my paycheck," Serene dodged the bullet. Without gaining a response, she left Jaemin's zone. "I can't believe him. He's such a flirt."

Taking her time to walk to the infirmary, she stumbled upon a person she aspired to talk to. He was busy on his phone, but he focused his attention on her when he lifted his head. A gummy smile greeted her.

"Hey, Serene!" in a happy tone, Yangyang called out for the girl. He was more at ease than before, regaining his smile. "What are you doing walking around here? Isn't it late? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I need to get my wounds redressed at the infirmary," Serene informed the younger boy. Looking at him, it seemed like he went on a mission. It didn't seem like it was anything particularly extravagant.

"Oh, I see," Yangyang muttered. A couple of seconds passed and a wide smile appeared out of the blue. "Right! When's a good date to take you to the restaurant? Are you able to go out?"

"I should be able to go out after a week. Doyoung advised me to refrain from any strenuous activities," she responded thoroughly and honestly. "I think anytime after that, I'll be free."

"Alright, just tell me when you want to go. I'll clear up my schedule for you," Yangyang assured. He was willing to clear his schedule just to be with her. Although it seemed cringy to him to think that he has become like this, it felt good at the same time to him. "Oh right, you're going to the infirmary, right? You should probably go now. Don't forget about our meal together!"

"I won't, Yang," Serene smiled at the excited boy who skipped away from her.

Continuing her tracks, she arrived at the infirmary. As she held the doorknob, a buzz came from her phone. Prioritizing her phone, she took it out of her pocket and checked the notification. Seeing that it was a message notification from Shotaro, she opened their conversation.

ghostie👻

hey
didn't you tell me you wanted to
practice and polish your aim?
i'll teach you
just don't point a gun at me while cocking it
and we'll have it settled

[a/n: if there is stupid shit that doesn't make sense in the chapter, it's most likely i didn't proofread. which is what i'm doing today because i nearly forgot to update. i just wanna be in my bed and bedsheets 😭 i'll probably revise the chapter a bit tomorrow. just the word choices 🥲 ]