like never before | beomkai

23 | right time

_______________

Foundation day came without a wait. Soon, Kai was in the student union with Taehyun, Yeonjun, and Soobin—Beomgyu was too busy to be even bothered. With what? Kai didn't want to ask anymore.

It's been a week since they last talked. Kai, after receiving a long scolding from Soobin on the 5th day, garnered all the courage he could muster and tried to reach out for Beomgyu through the phone. As he thought, Beomgyu refused to answer his call—or maybe he didn't see. Whatever the excuse or reason may be, all courage drained out after hearing the series of beep from a call that's missed.

Still, Kai tried again. He waited for Beomgyu in his department hallway. It was one of the rare days when Kai allowed himself to miss his schedule, weighing his choices and realizing that nothing is heavier than the feeling in his chest.

And Beomgyu was just not there.

Rin laughed when she pointed out how much of a hypocrite Kai is: "You're tired? So is Beomgyu from chasing you for days."

"Calling and texting is your definition of chasing now? Rin, you need to raise your standards," Soobin retorted for a speechless Kai.

Kai really did value Rin and Soobin's opinions—but at the end of the day, it's his choices that will make a difference.

His choice today was to wait.

He sits beside Soobin, talking about club duties, while Yeonjun and Taehyun get lost in a conversation about movies. If Beomgyu won't come now, he'll come later. Kai tries to make sense of the entire situation.

Forgiving is what Kai is ready to give... but after that? He's still not sure. Whether 'after' is to move on or to start again, Kai is still not sure. It's a problem for future Kai to solve. Right now, he's going to worry about the food Taehyun thinks he's sneakily stealing.

"I thought you're on a diet," Kai frowned.

"A little bit of fries won't hurt," Taehyun winks, and soon enough, Kai gave up the food for his best friend.

Kai has this bugging feeling in his system—a certain Kang Taehyun is the cause. His best friend, his ride or die, the person he trusts his whole life. Wouldn't it be unfair to keep him in the dark?

Too much to think about. Kai needs to stop adding worries on top of each other.

"Stop by our booth and spend a fortune!" Soobin invited the only two who are not part of the pastry & coffee club. "Bring friends, too. We appreciate more customers."

"You should. We need the clout," Kai said.

Yeonjun narrows his eyes at them. "I knew you're both only friends with me for my popularity," He said. Is he serious or joking? Nobody knows.

"I'll try to get some of my friends from the music club. We sold out our concert tickets, by the way!" Taehyun announced with a giant smile, his pride skyrocketing.

Then, Kai just realized. "How come you never told us you guys are having a concert?"

"Surprise! I got you tickets, so you better come tonight."

"Will Beomgyu hyung be there?"

"He's our lead guitarist. Of course, he'll be there."

Oh.

Oh.

"I'll make sure Soobin and Hyuka will be with me in the concert, Tyun."

Now that the possibility of seeing Beomgyu increased to 99 percent, Kai suddenly felt small—which is stupid because Kai has been wanting to see Beomgyu for days! It's coming and suddenly it feels too quick to comprehend.

Maybe there's no right time after all—and now Kai needs to make sure that the right time will be later.

_______________

Or maybe now.

In the booth, with people lining up, and Soobin preparing orders behind him. Kai was at the counter with a simple pen and paper, and wide eyes searching for the face of a person he swore he was prepared to see.

"Iced Americano for Beomgyu."

There is no such thing as the right time.