Hanahaki Strings • seventeen jihancheol

Chapter 50: Of Deals and Consequences

Joshua

"What are you doing alone here, hyung?"

I didn't have to turn around to know who it was who arrived. His almost high-pitched voice is easy to recognize.

I heard his approaching footsteps towards my direction then he sat beside me. That's when tilted my head to look at him, "nothing. I just wanted some time alone to think."

His expression turned into a panicked one, "Am I disturbing your alone time? Do you want me to leave?"

I chuckled at him panicking, "Nah, it's fine. I've been thinking for an hour already. I want some company right now."

He beamed into a smile as he comfortably settled himself beside me.

"Did you and Jeonghan hyung reconcile?" Seokmin asked after a short silence that ensued between us as I just continued to stare at the students wandering around the campus.

I let out a sigh as I heard his question, "How'd you know we talked?"

"Seungcheol hyung told us," He simply answered, "so...?"

"We're fine... I guess," I muttered.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "I guess? What was that supposed to mean?"

I heaved out a sigh again as I faced my body in his direction, "Look, Seok. We reconciled. But I don't think we're really fine right now. What I spat at him was hurtful words and he took it deep in his heart so even if he already forgave me, it's not easy for things to get back as they used to be."

Seokmin nodded at my explanation, "does that mean he won't ignore you?"

"Yeah, I supposed," I mumbled, "But I guess things will get awkward between us. Though I'd rather hear his snarky remarks to me than to be ignored. I'd take that."

"I don't think he'll ever say mean things to you, hyung, even if he's mad at you," Seokmin said, "he adored you so much, and he seemed to be gentle at you."

"I adore him too and I'm gentle to him yet I spat harsh words, Seokmin. It happens to people when their mind is clouded."

"No, hyung. I mean..."

He didn't finish what he was going to say when a phone rang loudly. Both of us flinched in surprised. It surely wasn't mine since my phone's not with me and my phone's ringtone isn't a ballad music.

He sheepishly smiled at me as he took out his phone from his slacks. I curiously peered at him and he seemed to notice it as he mouthed 'Soonyoung' to me. I nodded in understanding.

"Oh, hey hyung! Yeah, I'm with Shua hyung, why? Yes, I kn- holy sh-" Seokmin quickly turned his head to me as I narrowed my eyes at him. He forced out a smile as he smiled apologetically to me, "-shrimp. Holy shrimp, Soonyoung hyung! I totally forgot about it, sorry! Yeah, I'm just distracted. Shut up! I'm hanging up, gonna head there now. Shut up, bye!"

My narrowed eyes quickly went back into a curious one as I stared at Seokmin's reddening face. He glanced at me and his ears reddened even more if it was possible.

Clearing his throat, he said to me in a stuttered voice, "I... I, well, our friends sent me to find you and- I kinda forgot when I saw you alone here and decided to talk to you about... you know, and th-"

"Wait, wait- calm down, Seokmin, calm down," I told him while holding his shoulder. He tensed up for a moment before eventually calming down, "now repeat what you said because I did not understand anything you said a few moments ago."