Step by Step [TO1 ROMEYOU 1]

CHAPTER 13

Until the end of the week, Jeyou was still missing at school. Jerome hoped for him to join their class at the school's festival, yet there was no sight of the brown-haired boy. It was obvious Jeyou transferred schools after his request was denied. However, Jerome and his friends didn't think of him taking actions that quickly.

As always for preparations, the group of friends was assigned to the decoration team, busily dragging balloons from one room to another before having Jerome hanging up all the decorations on the windows, thanks to his height. Soft music sounded through the speakers, and eager students from the cooking club filled the rooms with delicious scents of cookies and cake. It was the time to present their school to upcoming students for the next school year.

»Funny how Jisu and Jaeyun avoid their work right now. We can't do this all alone!« Woonggi complained loudly while unwrapping a few red streamers. Chihoon assisted Jerome with the decoration above the windows, helping himself with a table to stand on.

»Let them be. Who knows what they are doing right now.« Chihoon said funnily from above, attracting attention of the other two boys. If he had said it seriously, they wouldn't have even noticed Chihoon's ad-lip. Suddenly, Jerome and Woonggi started approaching him with a smile.

»You know something, huh?« Woonggi formed his hands into claws, as if a predator going to catch his prey. They cornered him, still standing on the table with colorful decoration in his hand. He first smiled innocently, but after seeing the younger boys surrounding him from both sides and blocking the door of the classroom, he knew he messed up.

»It was just a joke, guys.« He said calmly while slowly putting down the decoration in his hand.

»I will get you down from that table in no second if you don't speak.« Jerome said with a smile, ready to grab Chihoon's feet in front of him.

»It was literally nothing!« Chihoon laughed and got down from the table to prevent falling down. Not only preventing an injury, but also to get a chance to swiftly meander between the boys and dash out of the classroom. At least, this was his plan, but Jerome got a hold of his shoulder and pushed him down on a chair behind him.

»Soo~« Woonggi said teasingly. »What did you just say about Jae-« He stopped himself from pronouncing the names, as Jaeyun and Jisu opened the door to the classroom. Woonggi snatched a glance at them before turning  back to Chihoon and suddenly charging to the newly arrived boys, almost tripping over streams and backpacks on the floor.

»Jaeyun, Jisu hyuuunngs~ Chihoon said unholy thingsss!!!« He screamed louder than expected. Chihoon just shook his head and slapped his forehead with his palm.

»Guys, we need to talk for a second.« Jaeyun ignored the youngest and dragged Jisu to the middle of the room while holding hands. With his other hand, he put down a plastic bag on one of the tables. Jerome and Chihoon came closer. Jerome's heart became itchy, seeing Jisu and Jaeyun holding hands. He didn't mind at all, but the memory of him and Jeyou holding hands haunted him. The worst thing was, he didn't even have the memory. He had no idea of how it might've looked like, or the exact way they held hands. He just wanted to do it again. Wait. Did he admit he wanted to do it again?

»Chihoon YOU LIAR!« Woonggi sounded totally gushing as he got the final clue. Jisu just laughed comfortably.

»Yeah, Jaeyun and I finally made it official~! What a surprise!« Jisu announced with a shot of irony. Jaeyun leaned onto Jisu's shoulder and observed the reactions of their friends. Chihoon's lips formed a bright smile accompanied by a confirming nod as he already knew it, after all. Woonggi started screaming and jumping around like a duck while kicking up confetti with his feet and, from time to time, giving Chihoon an accusing stare. On the other hand Jerome started clapping with a sincere smile. He was totally happy for the both of them, yet shocked at the sudden news.