Parallel Universe [NaMon Fanfic]

Chapter 18

Janhae's POV

I wonder when it happened. Somehow, without me knowing until it’s too late, Nanon fell in love with someone else. I should’ve seen it coming, really. I should’ve known what was happening. I should’ve heard it in our conversations, should’ve felt it in his half-hearted hugs. I shouldn’t have ignored the signs.

But now, here we are. I sat right beside him, his hands intertwined with mine and his eyes trained on me. And yet, I could feel his attention floating around the room. There’s someone else he’d rather be with.

Well, too bad I’m not letting Nanon go. I just happened to be away these past few months, with my college life and work occupying most of my time, but after those things I’ll definitely win Nanon’s affection back.

“Nanon, do you have plans for the vacation?” I asked. It’s still a little bit far, but I do want to start making plans as soon as now. I want to make sure that we’d have some time together.

“Not really, not yet,” he replied.

“Should we plan a trip? Go out of town for a weekend or something?” I asked.

“Jan…” His face was that of wanting to say something, but can’t speak it out.

“What is it?” I asked, inching closer towards him. I saw him casually lean back, his eyes suddenly drifted towards his script in front of him.

“Isn’t it too early to plan a vacation trip?” Doesn’t he want to spend time with me? No way, he always comes to me whenever I ask him to. Perhaps, it’s just as he asked, but still…

“But it’s alright, right?” I asked, placing a hand on our intertwined hands.

“Jan,” he sighed and inched closer towards my ear, as if about to whisper.

“This isn’t like you.” Oh. I need an excuse.

“I’m just…”

“College?” Nanon suggested. I looked at him closely and nodded.

“I’ve been so stressed lately and well…” I lightly threaded my hand on the side of his head, gently combing his hair. He said he likes it when I do this.

“I miss spending time with you,” I added.

“We should do that,” he said.

“Hm?”

“Vacation trip. But we should first focus on our work right now.” I nodded while smiling, which he returned.

And then something happened. It was just for a second that his gaze went sideways. But it's not just some random sideway glance. He tried to steal a glance from someone. I followed the direction where he looked at, and there was… Chimon and Pluem.

Chimon and Pluem were talking while looking at the script. And then, for a second there, Chimon looked up. His sight went straight to Nanon. I looked at Nanon and he was staring back at Chimon.

This is not just some random staring. They looked… no, it can't be. I looked at Chimon and he finally dropped his gaze. I inhaled deeply and looked at Nanon.

"What were you looking at?" I tried to sound nonchalant. He was wool-gathering for a moment there before he managed to look at me.
"What is it again?" he asked.

"I asked what you were looking at." He averted his gaze and shook his head.

"N-nothing. Nothing, really." Of course, it's not nothing. He was looking at Chimon. But why can't he just tell that?

The entire time there in the room, I was feeling a great sense of discomfort. I feel this weird stirring in my stomach, as if I'm about to puke anytime. I keep asking questions but the answer is right in front of me. Chimon and Nanon are inlove.