Parallel Universe [NaMon Fanfic]

Chapter 14

Chimon's POV

Surprisingly, Nanon was the one who choked in his own saliva. Unsurprisingly, Ciize and I found it hilarious.

"No way. We'd more likely be siblings than date each other," I replied. Janhae simply nodded and smiled, but she was looking away, and I felt that she was a little disappointed. Nanon on the other hand, has regained his composure and is also looking away. There's a bit of smiling showing from his face but I don't want to assume it.

"Let's go in," Janhae said, pertaining to the cafe. I nodded and turned to Ciize to call her. She was staring at me.

"What are you staring at?" I asked. She shook her head and motioned towards Janhae and Nanon.

"Let's go," I whispered and let her walk ahead of me. We went in and chose an inconspicuous spot, with Ciize beside me and Nanon in front of me, while Janhae sat in front of Ciize. Immediately, the topic of discussion went to the menu, choosing what food to eat.

The restaurant is buzzing with the sound of small talks and bustling workers, while our table seems to be detached from it and is dominated by silence and avoiding gazes. I'm tempted to text Ciize but it feels disrespectful to the people in front of us. Ugh. I should've said no to Janhae's invitation.

"So... how's the production for My Lil Boy going?" Janhae asked. Instinctively, I turned towards Nanon to wait for his answer. He glanced at me before turning towards Janhae.

"It's good... almost done," he replied, ending with a smile.

"I kinda hoped that you," she pointed towards me and Nanon "would be closer though." Instinctively, I looked away from Janhae.

"I saw stolen pictures of you two together so I thought that you've become close with each other." I wonder what those stolen pictures showed.

"You're so silent right now," Janhae added. I opened my mouth to speak, but Nanon spoke first.

"I'm just a little tired, but Chimon and I are okay," Nanon replied. Janhae turned to me and I nodded, showing that I agree with Nanon.

"You should tell her about our plan," I told Nanon. He stared at me, looking confused. We just talked about it this morning and he already forgot?

"A-ah. We'll do a Live to finally clarify things to the fans today. Say that it's some sort of a prank," he said. Janhae was nodding, looking pleased. I hope it works out that way we wanted it to be because honestly, I think it's a little lame.

"So where will you do the Live?" she asked. Meanwhile, our order finally came. Nanon and I, being nearest to the server, helped distribute the plates.

"Let's eat," Ciize said as soon as the server left.

"At my restaurant," I replied when we're all finally set and ready to eat.

"That's good then. Right, Nanon?" Nanon was distracted, it's obvious. He simply nodded and focused back on his food. I sipped my juice thoughtfully. The conversation we're having feels forced and awkward.

Ciize tugged at my shirt lightly. I raised my eyebrows and she gestured her hand holding a shot glass. I smiled and nodded. We'll get drunk tonight, no matter how late that would be. Meanwhile, Janhae kept making small talk, but the awkward atmosphere was too heavy. Even Ciize is reluctant to be as talkative as how she usually is.

Then Janhae snapped all of a sudden.

"Seriously, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Nanon replied.

"Nanon." Oh no. I think she's mad. I turned towards Ciize. She's also feeling tense right now, just like me.

"Janhae..." Ciize said, reaching out to Janhae to hold her hand. She sighed and took a drink of her juice.

"Sorry. I'm just..." I smiled to show her it's fine. Nanon is holding her hand.

"We should finish our food," she said with a smile. We did as she said, but the entire time, my attention never left their intertwined hands.

I'm not ready for another heartbreak so soon.

"I'll go home now," Janhae said after we finished eating.

"Ciize, go with us," I said. She nodded.

"Then, text me when you're home," Nanon said. Janhae nodded and waved goodbye.

"Let's go," I said and walked towards Nanon's car. I sat in the backseat with Ciize. No other words could describe the trip to my restaurant except for the word 'awkward'.

"We should do this quickly," Nanon replied. I nodded and opened the restaurant, turning on the light switch and grabbing things around to make it seem tidy.

"Ciize, can you film us?" I asked.

"Sure!" she replied, helping me move things around while Nanon set up the camera.

"3, 2, 1," Ciize said, then showed an okay gesture.

"Hello everyone! Today I am with Chimon and we have something to tell about our-" he intertwined my hand with his and showed it to the camera. Ciize, reading a script, lifted her hand to count down. "1, 2, 3."

"It's a prank!" We said at the same time.

"As you all know, Nanon and I are really close with each other but sorry, we're not that close," I said.

"Unfortunately, the prank went on too long because of circumstances that we all know, and we all should give respect to whom it's due." I turned towards Nanon and nodded. I felt his hand break away from mine. I hope I did not look disappointed.

"Anyway, I hope you'll support us on our upcoming series, Senior Secret Love: My Lil Boy 2!" I said on the camera.

"Bye bye!" We both waved at the camera until Ciize gestured to us that it's okay to stop.

"All done!" she said, clapping her hands. Nanon stood up and immediately went to the camera. I immediately grabbed my phone and texted Ciize.

Can you please give me and Nanon time to be alone? 10 minutes will suffice.

I watched Ciize grab her phone and look at me.

"Nanon, Chimon, I'll go to the restroom first." Nanon nodded at her and I mouthed 'Thank you' when she turned towards me. She gave me a small smile and left.

"So how was it?" I asked.

"I think it's good. We're done here. We could go home now." I nodded.

"Let me ask something," I said. He was impassive, still focused on his camera. I watched out for any reaction, that I forgot what I was going to ask.

"If you won't ask, then I'll be the one to ask you something. In the dressing room, what were you supposed to say? If we did not meet this way, maybe we would've been what?" Oh. That.

"If we did not meet this way, then maybe we would've been friends," I spoke, whispering the last word.

"I don't understand you." I looked at him and stood up.

"What don't you understand?"

"If you wanted us to be friends, then why did you ask me a while ago if I like you?"

"Then why were you disappointed when I said that we should clear things up between us today?"

"Disappointed? I wasn't disappointed about that! I was disappointed that your reason is so that you can get back with Pluem!"

"Well, not anymore!"

"Okay." He sounded skeptical. I sighed.

"I still don't understand."

"What don't you understand this time?" I asked as I grabbed a glass of water to calm myself. He already finished packing up.

"Do you like me?"