Happy Endings ⁘ Chenle

37 ⁘ Basketball

here's a happy Chenle to brighten up your day

⁘ 37 ⁘

Hayoon linked arms with Da-eun. The younger was carrying her poker face with ease, pretending like she was unfazed by the looks she got from here and there, and the occasional whispers that made it far enough for her to hear. 

Surely, not everyone on campus had seen the announcement made by her father the other day. Surely, most weren't even interested in it, no matter how big the company was. 

It was social media that spread the news. It took just one person to recognize her for many others to know. And all these others cared less about the fact that Da-eun was related to the tech giant's CEO but more about the fact that they weren't aware of it. 

It was just a surprise. Momentary surprise, that would wear off soon enough. 

In the meantime, Hayoon was there with her. 

"When's Min-jung coming?" the older inquired. 

"Noon. She said she didn't want to be too early and if the boys only arrive by noon then they need to settle down first so we shouldn't be there right away." 

"Makes sense," she said as she opened the door. They stepped out of the building and into an outside sitting area where they quickly found Jun-seo. 

Hayoon pulled the girl with her, making sure to send glares to anyone who dared stare at her friend. 

"Mr Jun-seo," Hayoon greeted the boy, jokingly polite. "I have brought you your student." 

"Thanks Hayoon." 

She watched as Da-eun got seated, then informed them, "I'll go get some food for us. Jun-seo, do you want anything?" 

"I'm good, thanks." 

"Alright." 

With that, she left the two alone. 

Da-eun hadn't seen Jun-seo in a while. Seeing his friendly face again and getting ready to hear him explain a difficult topic in easy words - she was thrilled.  

"Thanks for helping me," she said in advance.  

They had always had an easy time talking to one another. They were comfortable around each other. They were good friends. Close. 

So then why did it feel a bit awkward right now?

"No problem," Jun-seo said, smiling a bit forcefully. 

It seemed as though he had trouble looking at her. As if something was wrong. 

Da-eun thought it was because of her, so she quickly apologized. 

"I am sorry," she said, figuring it was because of the occasional stares and whispers. After all, despite him having said barely anything, she could tell that something was wrong. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"  

"What?" What a bizarre thought to have. Uncomfortable? "Not at all."

"Are you sure?" she inquired. "Cause I'd totally understand that."

After all, she was the one that was being stared at, so she would have understood him given that she was experiencing it first-hand. It would have made perfect sense why Jun-seo was acting a bit weird. 

"No, I am not uncomfortable Da-eun," he assured her. "Don't overthink. I have just been... worried." 

Da-eun looked down at the table where Jun-seo was massaging his own hands in an attempt to feel more at ease.