Blue Moon || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 2

"Yahoo, who is it if it's not our regular Choi Hyunsuk." Hyunsuk just sneers hearing the bartender's words. It's true, he's been coming to this bar from time to time. The biggest reason is that this bar is the closest to his house and the bartender is close with him. Majorly because of the amount of time he visiting this place.

"Kim, are you telling me, you hate seeing me here?" Hyunsuk takes a seat at a stool of the bar. Without telling him his order, Kim, the bartender already make the martini that Hyunsuk always ordered.

"Hahaha, how could I hate seeing you here," Kim said while handing a glass of martini in front of Hyunsuk. Kim reminisces 5 years ago when Hyunsuk first come to this bar. He looks like the whole world around him collapses. His eyes drooped as if they were soulless. Never a day, Hyunsuk failed to go to this bar. Not knowing why maybe that time, is the vaguest moment in his life where Hyunsuk cries ugly. Probably because of being dumped? Though it looks like Hyunsuk is the one who might dump the person. His eyes always look distant. He builds a great wall around him. As if he wants people surrounding him to stay away from him. Kim never once sees him talking to any customer. He just sits at his seat and drinks until the glass is empty before leaving. Even in his cries, Kim doesn't have an idea of what has been in Hyunsuk's mind. What troubled him so much to the point the man in front of him look like he lost half of his life. Not telling him he is getting better, but at least, now Hyunsuk can strike a random conversation with him and other bartenders or waiters.

Hyunsuk takes a sip of martini. As expected, Kim's best drink. Even how many times he drinks the martini, he has always been in love with it. Could it be said that he keeps falling in love with this martini that Kim makes? He shakes his head. It's his normality to take interest in something even after years. Unlike the majority of people, who tend to get sick of something after some sort of time, Hyunsuk always finds himself to be more and more attracted to something once he takes an interest in it as time goes by.

"Hyunsuk?" Hyunsuk rubs his ears. A voice that been ringing in his mind all this time. He shakes his head before putting the glass down on the table. He jolted as he feels someone pat his shoulder. Never once in 5 years, did he imagine seeing a person that his brain fail to forget finally appears right before his two eyes?

"Ji-Jihoon?" He thought the feeling he have 5 years ago already faded but it was the biggest mistake. His heart pounding the same way it did when he realized that he fall in love with the very person in front of him right now. He felt the urge of wanting that person so much but he stopped his desire. He clenches his hand to a fist stopping him from touching the man in front of him.

Jihoon takes a seat next to Hyunsuk. He gestured for a class of whiskey at the bartender. There are so many questions roaming in Hyunsuk's mind. Why is Jihoon suddenly by his side now? Where is his beloved lover? Or did the reason Jihoon suddenly shows up to tell him about his good news again, like winter 5 years ago? Just by the thought of it, Hyunsuk feels a sting of pain in his chest.

"I miss you" The very words coming out from Jihoon's lips enough to shake his entire world. He takes a glimpse at Jihoon. That man doesn't even weaver by his own words. Did only Hyunsuk feel something weird in his chest right now? It's a lie if he doesn't feel the same toward Jihoon. He remembers the desire to follow Jihoon to Japan. The world surrounds him scramble. Day by day, his eyes drop the number of tears till the moment nothing left to cry about. Could he say he misses Jihoon too? As easy as Jihoon said?

Before Hyunsuk was able to say a word, Jihoon cut him off.

"I guess you're not. Never once did you answer my phone or email. I wonder what you're up to" Jihoon creates a salty smile. His eyes were not as sparkly as Hyunsuk remember when he talk about his lover.

No Jihoon, you can never imagine how much I miss you. No one in this world knows how much I yearn for you. How do you think I could answer your phone call when all I did was cry to the point I sore my throat. If you know how bad my condition was, did you willing to turn your back at your lover just to see me? I don't think so. Letting you know about my news will only make you sad and worried.

"Hahaha, what makes you think that way? I always miss you" Like a dumb, Hyunsuk forced the laughter.

"You did? Then why did you never try to contact me?" There's a hint of disappointment in Jihoon's tone. Jihoon turns his head to his front while Hyunsuk pierces a gaze at the man he misses so much. At this moment, Hyunsuk wishes the time to stop ticking so that he could see the man of his love as long as he wants.

"Well, guess I am busy. Hahaha, notice where am I now." Hyunsuk tries his best to hide his real emotion by joking around.

"Yeah yeah, Director of HS Institute." Jihoon giggling. He can stop being proud of his best friend. Within only 5 years, he was able to sit in a valuable position at a huge company.

"So, what's the reason for you suddenly coming here?" Hyunsuk is finally able to ask what has been in his mind.

Did I sound like a friend? I guess I am.

"Oh, both Mashiho and I decided to open an art academy here." Jihoon's eyes smile showing how much happy he is. How lucky it is to have someone that could have a dream together with us. It's always been Jihoon's dream to open an art academy someday.

"Really? So, where do you stay?"
"I am staying at Royal Hotel in the meantime. I come here in advance to look for a strategic place for the academy. Can you help?"

What if I say I can't? What will you do? It's your dream and Mashiho, not mine. Is I am greedy enough for wanting more?

"Yes, I will do as much as I can" Hyunsuk creates a smile before sipping the last shot of his martini.