Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 21 : Let me try

"Jihoon! Your order!"

"Oh, sorry," Jihoon said, turning to the counter. He smiled at the counter lady before taking his food. After paying, he leaves the counter.

"You seem out of it. Not once but twice. Jihoon who is always aware of his surrounding is lost in thought and about to run to a wall?" Hyuna chuckle.

Earlier on, when Hyuna was about to check up on his brother, she accidentally meet Jihoon on her way.

"Eh, Jihoon?"

"Oh, Miss Hyuna. Good morning." Jihoon smiled as greeted her. Hyuna just nodded and smile back at him. She then peeks through Jihoon's back to look for her brother. "Eh, where's Oppa?" Hyuna said as she noticed Hyunsuk was not around. They didn't mention any time to have breakfast, but it was still a bit early because they didn't plan to have breakfast anywhere far.

"Hyunsuk hyung? He is still asleep. I didn't want to wake him up so I leave," Jihoon explained. Then he looked at Hyuna again with that smile. Hyuna just giggles at his answer. She adores Jihoon. The younger is cute, smart, and handsome...but most importantly, he is considerate to people around him. Does he?

"Hmm, while we're at it, how about we take away some breakfast from the nearest local restaurants?" Hyuna suggests which later gets a nod from Jihoon.

All along their way to and from the restaurant, Jihoon almost didn't speak at all. He just answered Hyuna's questions and talk when he need to. This is so unlike Jihoon. Hyuna thought.

"Hey Jihoon, let's stop by that park first," said Hyuna, pointing at some park near the corner.

"I would like to, but don't you think we should go back to the hotel immediately? Hyung might awake al-"

"SHUT UP! HE'S NOT A CHILD," said Hyuna. She then dragged Jihoon's wrist and bring him to sit at the nearest bench to them. Hyuna then took out one of the foods they take away from the restaurant and unwrapped it.

Jihoon's eyes widened when he sees Hyuna's action. He then reached his hand out and take the food from her hands.

"S-sorry... but this was Hyunsuk hyung's"  Jihoon apologized as he realizes what he did. Hyuna couldn't say anything, she just looks at Jihoon's dejected face. She then let out a sigh.

"It's rude you know," said Hyuna. Jihoon's head snapped in her direction. Even with her remarks, Hyuna doesn't sound mad. Jihoon left speechless. He doesn't know how to react when it comes to Hyunsuk even more after realizing how deep he falls for Hyunsuk.

"What will you do if I said Hyunsuk Oppa has a lover?" Hyuna asks after seeing Jihoon remain silent. Jihoon didn't say anything, he just stare blankly at Hyuna. It's not like he never thinks of something like that, he just pushes that thought away and gives himself some hope. It hit different hearing it from someone who probably knows everything about him.

Hyuna looks at Jihoon's reaction to his question. She then lowered her head noticing how Jihoon was dejected by that question. How can Hyunsuk say he doesn't need anyone to be happy when someone looks this hurt just by the thought of him having a lover? It would be better if he did have a lover but it's otherwise.

Seeing Jihoon didn't give any answer to her question, she then speak again, "What will you do if I told you that you have no chance to be with Hyunsuk Oppa at all? Will you give up and forget about him? I don't know when, but I could tell that you're already fallen so deeply in love with Hyunsuk Oppa. Jihoon, you're still too young, it laid a big opportunity for you to find new love. After all, Hyunsuk Oppa is a man. You're not that bad guy yourself, you have good looks too and I'm pretty sure there would be someone right for you. So Jihoon -"

"Why? Am I not worthy enough for Hyunsuk hyung? Is it because I am young? If so, should I return the time and be born way earlier than him? Should I become a woman so that I could fall in love with him? Is there any chance for me if I did all those things?" said Jihoon. His voice started to tremble and he was getting emotional.

Hyuna jolted when she heard what just come out of Jihoon's lips.

"Miss Hyuna, I will do anything I could as long as I have even the slightest chance to be with him. I am sorry to say this but, I will never give up my feeling until I hear from him that he rejected me. Even if I got rejected, I will do it again to make him fall in love with me. It's possible, right? If he has a lover, then I got no choice but to congratulate him," he continued after pausing for a few seconds. His voice sounds a little bit down at the end of his words.

Hyuna lowered her head again. Both of her hands clasped together on her lap. A few moments after, some tears fell from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks before they fall slowly to her hands. She doesn't know what should she react to Jihoon's words. She feels bad for Jihoon because he is willing to do anything to be with Hyunsuk while not knowing his heart is tightly shut. How should he tell Jihoon that Hyunsuk still has lingering feelings for his past lover even after so long? Can she easily say that his love rival is already long dead?

"Why Hyunsuk Oppa? Jihoon why must Hyunsuk Oppa? I am happy for him but what if you get hurt? Don't you ever think about it Jihoon? I... I can't see you're hurting because of my brother..." said Hyuna between her sobs.

Jihoon has no idea of what happened in Hyunsuk's past to make Hyuna say these things, but he already made up his mind. "Miss Hyuna, if it was me the one that hurts, it's not a big deal. Our goal is Hyunsuk hyung's happiness. Am I right? As you said, yes I fall in love with him. I never felt like this before, Hyunsuk hyung is the first one." said Jihoon with a smile while patting Hyuna's back.

"I... I am rooting for you, Jihoon. I believe in you. Even if you failed, I wouldn't blame you. Just know that we can still be friends! About Hyunsuk oppa's lover, I would like you to listen to it from himself. Just you should know that I support you." Hyuna responded to Jihoon with a smile. Her voice still cracked and some tears still fell down her cheeks. "Thank you, Miss Hyuna," said Jihoon as he returned the smile to Hyuna. He then gave Hyuna a pack of tissue to wipe her tears.

"You can call me noona you know. Even though it gonna make me sound old but whatever. You're my little brother now," said Hyuna after she calmed down a bit.

"Oh, noona I heard you'll return to Korea today. Why so soon?" Hyuna smile when he sees Jihoon return to his real self. "Noona?! You get comfortable too already huh? Well, because of my job. Furthermore, I have someone waiting for me," Hyuna's voice turns from high to mellow. She smiled brightly with the thought of someone waiting for her.

Jihoon looks at her. "Your lover?"

Hyuna jolted. Her cheek suddenly got red as a ripe tomato and she immediately stand up. "Nope! Not my lover, just a friend. Just a friend." replied Hyuna while shaking her head. "Just your friend, huh?" said Jihoon with a smirk.
"Just a friend, don't even dare to mention anything about it!"

Jihoon laughing. Must be nice to have someone waiting for him the way Hyuna's 'friend' waiting for her. Jihoon's thought. His smile faded away. "Let's head hotel now," said Jihoon forcing a smile. Hyuna just nodded at him and they walk away.