-Fireflies' Love- (A JiKyu Fanfiction)

五: The Stranger's Tale

Just from the way Hyunsuk kept glaring at Junkyu, Jihoon could tell his friend was judging the poor boy quite hard. In the inexpensive clothes Jihoon bought for him, Junkyu looked like an innocent kid hiding in his shell under the strong gaze of Choi Hyunsuk, the friend of Jihoon who was asked to help the two of them.

"Hyung!!" Jihoon whispered to his friend, "You're scaring him!"

"Come on! I can't believe you've fallen into his trap even though I warned you!" Hyunsuk said. Jihoon gave him a disappointed look, "Come on, we talked about it!"

"Yeah, yeah, fine!" Hyunsuk low-key rolled his eyes. Junkyu understood that they were talking about him, obviously not in a good way, but he accepted it. Jihoon however, like a good friend, gave him an assuring glance.

"So, are you sure you can do this?" Hyunsuk asked Junkyu. The topic of interest- appointing Junkyu as a waiter in a nearby café. Now the idea was solely Junkyu's. Since he failed to pay with his super rich credit card, he decided to work. One, he would be able to pass his abundant free time, two, he'd be somewhat useful for Jihoon, the one who basically saved him from God knows which sort of treatment. Although he had made up his mind, when asked, he could not but look at Jihoon before answering.

Jihoon smiled. And that beautiful gesture calmed him. He answered Hyunsuk's question with a cheerful nod.

"Okay. So, answer me again, you've passed college, right?" Hyunsuk asked. Junkyu answered in the affirmative. They were waiting a little far from the café which was owned by a close acquaintance of Hyunsuk. To give Junkyu the job, therefore, his recommendation was required.

"This might seem like an easy job, but there will be lots and lots of problems with the customers. You sure you can handle those?" Hyunsuk asked, "I mean, from what Jihoon told me, in your universe if that even exists-"

"Hyung!" Jihoon scolded his friend. Junkyu looked a little frustrated. Hyunsuk continued without a care, "Look, you don't actually believe it, right?"

"Hyunsuk hyung?" Jihoon requested, "Please?"

"Okay. Let's just go." Defeated, Hyunsuk walked inside the desired café. Just from one look, Junkyu liked it. It wasn't overly exaggerated with tons of unmatched decorations. Just a little vintage ambience since the colour palette was mostly brown. He observed the inside of the café well, how the waiters were busy with orders and services. He gulped. He was never a social person. Was he really cut up for such a hectic job?

"Hey?" Jihoon whispered in his ears, "Don't be scared. From what I've heard, your colleagues will probably be helpful. Besides, you look like a good person. So, there shouldn't be any problem; unless?"

"Unless I talk about my universe." Junkyu spoke like a parrot who had just learnt talking. Jihoon smiled in satisfaction. He taught his student well.

Hyunsuk took both of them to the owner, a cheerful foreigner. Junkyu immediately felt at ease, because of the guy's radiant aura. Going by the Christopher Bang or Bangchan in short, he welcomed Junkyu with grace. Since Junkyu was his friend's recommendation, he didn't ask much. Matching the schedule, he immediately assigned the younger to a vacant post. Since Junkyu had no class to attend to, he would take both the morning and the afternoon shift. It might be a bit loaded, but Junkyu agreed. Better than sitting idly doing nothing!

"About the payment, do you want an advance?" Asked the owner. By reflex, Junkyu looked at Jihoon.

"Um... No, it's okay. You can pay him after a month." Said the latter. Although Junkyu didn't understand why he decided that way. It would definitely have been easier gaining some extra cash since having Junkyu meant an increased budget.