the placebo effect ✘ jaywon

2: DESPERATE MEASURES

There's a lot of pros and cons of rooming with Kim Sunoo.

One: they're best friends, so Jungwon doesn't have to worry about roommates annoying him, since Sunoo's nothing but a sweetheart (however beware, he can be the opposite sometimes).

Two: they click. Their chemistry is amazing.

Three: Sunoo is a neat freak, just like him. Their dorm room has never been seen as a tad bit messy, and it's remarkable how clean they are even though sometimes all Jungwon wishes is to kick off his shoes and socks and head straight to bed with his uniform.

When something has pros, inevitably, there would also be cons. Sunoo, despite being an awesome best friend and roommate, is also human. And annoyingly enough, he has this boyfriend. A handsome boyfriend, yes, but Jungwon couldn't help but roll his eyes once Sunoo shared the news of them dating.

Park Sunghoon is best friends with Park Jongseong. The very man who makes Jungwon see red. And it aggravates him how despite all his efforts to ignore Jay, it seems like they're destined to see each other again and again and again and Jungwon just hates him.

"Yang Jungwon." Speak of the devil.

"Sorry, you're in my blacklist," Jungwon gives him a fake smile and tries to walk away but Jay stands in front of him. Jungwon's headed to his dorm room, but it seems that the universe isn't letting him go that easily today. "What do you want?" His eyebrows knit together in a frown.

Jay only gives him a smirk. He thinks to his head, he probably thinks he looks scary right now, but he just looks like an angry cat. "Okay hear me out, I have never asked you a favor in my life-," before he could finish, Jungwon sighs exasperatedly and pushes his arm as he tries to leave, mumbling a "move."

"But I think this could benefit the both of us!" Jay hurriedly says, standing in front of Jungwon persistently.

"You're annoying," Jungwon shakes his head and attempts to walk away again but Jay grabs his shoulders to lock him in place.

"For once in your life, hear me out!"

There were a few students walking past them, so Jungwon threads on what's left of his patience. Prying Jay's hands off of his shoulders, Jungwon crosses his arms and sighs. "Hurry up."

There was a light of hope that sparked in Jay's eyes. "So, I've got a situation... And well, I know you hate me but I swear you can't complain about the results."

"Get to the point, Park Jongseong."

Jay takes a breath and looks Jungwon in the eye, hoping that the latter would agree. "I... I kinda need you to be my fake boyfriend."

He looks at Jungwon with a pleading look, and all he receives is a reaction void of emotion until Jungwon's lips perked up as he doubled over in laughter. "That's so stupid that it's funny," Jungwon chuckles and goes to leave but Jay continues to keep him trapped by blocking his way.

"I'm serious..."

The humor on Jungwon's face vanishes as fast as it appeared. "You're so weird for asking me to be your fake boyfriend. Hello? Are you perhaps forgetting who I am? No, wait. Who are you? Who am I? Where are we?" Jungwon sarcastically says and moves to the right to walk past him, but Jay rests his hand against the wall to stop Jungwon once again.

"Park Jongseong, you are getting on my nerves right now. Let me leave, goddamn it," the frown on Jungwon's face looks like it has grown permanent as he pronounces every word with gritting teeth, fuming in irritation at the constant holdbacks.

"Fine, but let me speak one last time," Jay carefully says, "I'm desperate. There's no one I could fake-date with, but you. All my friends are either taken or too unrealistic to pair up with me, and my family knows my friends. Except you. You're my only hope, okay?"

"What in the world makes you think that I'll agree to your plan?"

"Well.. I know you've been having trouble with trying to keep someone away. I'm here to help you with that. When that person sees we're, quote and quote, 'together,' then they'll leave you alone," Jay looks at Jungwon's eyes and for the first time in a while, his voice spoke softly, as if he was afraid he'd say something awful.

He quickly adds before Jungwon could say a word. "And I'll let you have the benefits of 'dating' me."

Jungwon raises a brow, "elaborate."

"Okay. You'll get to enjoy my money," Jay says. He leans closer and whispers, "I know you love money."

"Who doesn't?" Jungwon mutters.

"Uhhuh! And, um, well... That's all. Take my money," the older boy nods his head. Jungwon doesn't say anything until Jay adds, "and! You'll also get to enjoy my cooking. I mean, of course, only if you want to. And I'm a culinary student, soon-to-be chef. You're welcome."

Jay tries to read Jungwon's face but he only sees him jutting his lower lip a bit, lost in thought. Getting rid of an ex and getting hold of Jay's money doesn't sound like much of a bad idea. "I'll think about it," is all Jungwon says and Jay pumps his fist happily. "But don't ever expect me to act nice to you, got it?!"

"I'm not gonna thank you yet because you're still undecided," Jay crosses his arms. "Till then, just knock on my door. Sunoo knows where it is since Sunghoon's my roommate."

"Huh, Sunghoon-hyung's your roommate?" Jungwon mumbles.

"Didn't Sunoo tell you that?" Jay feigns feeling offended. "Doesn't Sunoo talk to you about me at all? I'm so hurt."

"You're not Sunoo's boyfriend so why would he?"

"Right. Because I'm your boyfriend."

"I'm gonna gag," Jungwon shakes his head and starts walking away while Jay laughs his ass off. "Don't do that again!"

"It's just practice, boyfriend!"

"I did not agree so shut the hell up," without looking back, Jungwon struts to his dorm.

In his mind, Jungwon lists this event down. Due to Kim Sunoo being linked to Park Sunghoon who is linked to Park Jongseong who is his #1 enemy, this is definitely a con.