Forbidden Lovers (MewGulf AU)

🌻Chapter 19

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"I heard you're buying a car?" Bright asked Gulf one day in the staff room. He was not smiling. "I guess more false rumors are spreading about you like the engagement one."

Bright had known the truth about that one without having to ask Gulf himself. And even if it had been true, he wouldn't cared at that point.

"Guess so," Gulf said.

Gulf knew everyone was talking about it. But why had Bright come all the way here to confirm it? Their female co-workers perked up, listening in on their conversation. Taking notice of this, Bright led Gulf out of the room. They walked aimlessly around the school as they talked.

"Are you going on a long trip during summer vacation or something?" Bright asked. "I guess those who aren't in charge of third years have a lot of free time."

Gulf silently stared up at Bright, who cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a jerk," Bright said. He looked down. "But, before, you said you didn't like driving because it strained your eyes, so I wondered what changed." He didn't understand why Gulf could possibly need a car.

"Why are you being so nosy about a car?" Gulf asked with a wry smile.

"It's not just about the car," Bright said, frustrated. "I just want to know the reason."

"Bright..."

They hadn't spokren since his text message apology, so Gulf had thought everything was settled.

"I don't mean to sound like a broken record. Gulf, but could you seriously consider going out with me again?" Bright asked.

"I already told you, no," was the immediate answer.

"So you do have a lover," Bright  accused.

"No, I don't," Gulf said.

"Then do you have someone ypu're in love with?" Bright probed.

Gulf cast a sidelong glance at Bright and said, "Even if I did, I'm not obliged to tell you."

"Why can't you just consider it, Gulf?" Bright asked.

"Are you out of your mind, Bright?" Gulf asked back.

"I'm completely calm," Bright said.

"I don't know about that," Gulf muttered. "I don't think so. We'd only make the same mistakes we did back then. People don't change that easily. Because I know I haven't changed since then. So I'd just do the same things I did then. Could you really put up with that? Could you really not be burdened by me again?"

"It's been 10 years, Gulf," Bright reasoned out. "We won't know if it'll be the same or different unless we try."

"Anyway, it's not like I don't like you," Gulf told him. "But it doesn't extend beyond that."

Bright sighed deeply and said, "Damn it." He crossed his arms. "It's like we've gone back 10 years. I had to persuade you the exact same way to go out with me back then."

"Well, I don't want to make the same mistake twice," Gulf repeated. "Bright, don't you always say you want to live for new love? Then why are you still stopped here?"

"I'm walking!" Bright cried out.

"It was a figure of speech," Gulf said.

'Stupid.'

Gulf glared at Bright, who smiled broadly. "I ain't letting it go this easily."

"Better watch your grammar, Teacher Bright," Gulf said teasingly, and Bright sighed again.

"It's your fault because you're so beautiful," Bright complained softly yet stubbornly as he watched Gulf walk away.

But he would never admit to Gulf's face that he thought he was still beautiful. Gulf had always been an important presence in his life. Maybe it was just Bright's own bias for being in love with him.

"The engagement rumor was false, but everyday you get more beautiful...and now you're buying a car. I can't help being suspicious..." He couldn't stand the thought of someone else being with Gulf.

"Hey, Gulf...who are you in love with?"

TBC