ASTRONOMY | SEUNGJIN

4 - Text me, yeah?

"Yes, mom, I'll be staying here till the rain calms down." It was 11 o'clock yet the rain hasn't stopped. The sound of water droplets dripping on the ground as plants sway around from the wind. It seems like it wasn't going to stop anytime soon.

"Seungmin, go tell your friend to stay for the night since the rain doesn't seem like it's going to end anytime soon," Seungmin's mother suggested. This was new to Hyunjin since the only time he slept in someone else's house was when Jeongin invited him over.

"Here's the guest room; I'll bring pillows. Wait here" Seungmin returned with pillows, a blanket, and pair of clothes. "You don't have to do all this, but tell your mother I greatly appreciate it," Hyunjin said. "Mother didn't ask me to do it, though," Seungmin mumbled, not loud enough for Hyunjin to hear.

As Seungmin was heading out, a ring was heard from Hyunjin's phone. He didn't want to eavesdrop on Hyunjin's phone calls, so he left.

"Innie, I missed you!!!"

"Hyung, I miss you too, come back to Seoul! I hate being stuck here with Channie hyung!!"

"I'm sure you're enjoying your time with Chan hyung; haven't you had a crush on him since grade school?"

"I know, but he only sees me as a younger brother; it's frustrating!"

Jeongin complained, ranting to Hyunjin about Chan. They talked all night, trying to catch up with each other's lives.

Seungmin, on the other hand, was thinking about who this Innie was. Don't get him wrong, he didn't mean to eavesdrop; it was Hyunjin who was loud.

He went back to his room and only then did everything sync in, he never brought anyone to his house, moreover sleep for the night. Maybe that's why his mother was acting all nice- because he finally has a friend he's comfortable enough to bring over.

But she was mistaken; the sole purpose he invited Hyunjin was for the project... right?

As soon as the sun rose, Hyunjin awoke and decided to leave. trying his best to go down the stairs as silent as possible when he came across Seungmin's mother. "Heading out already, Hyun... What's your name again?" She questioned. "Hyunjin, and thank you again for letting me stay; I promise to pay you back someday," he uttered, bowing in front of her.

"No need to repay such a small thing; being friends with Seungmin is enough, I know how stubborn he can get." She responded. She was right; Seungmin was stubborn, but that made Hyunjin want him more- as a friend.

Walking home didn't bother him today; in fact, he liked it. It was pretty early, and no one was around; he just enjoyed his own company.

Classes were suspended today due to the bad weather. With that said, Seungmin didn't bother waking up early.

Going out of his room when he remembered Hyunjin. Knocking on the door only to find out that he already left. He was about to leave when he spotted a coat, similar to the one Hyunjin owned- maybe because it is Hyunjin's.

"Mother, have you seen Hyunjin? He left his coat." Clumsy Hyunjin, always forgetting things. "He left pretty early, sweetheart," she replied.

"How rude of him to leave without uttering a word,"

Seungmin thought, but then again, why would he care? The last thing he wanted was someone waking him up.

He decided to just return Hyunjin's coat back tomorrow.

A message from Minho popped up as he was scrolling through Instagram. "School is canceled but work isn't. Meet me an hour before our shift, I'll treat you coffee" That was random? Minho wasn't the type to just treat someone without an occasion. Of course, Hyunjin wouldn't miss this rare opportunity.

"Hyung, we didn't get paid yet. What's with the sudden treat?" Hyunjin was curious, questioning the olders sudden behavior. "Nothing, I just like the coffee here." They took a seat while waiting for their order to arrive.

"Here is your iced Americano with an extra shot of espresso and a slice of chocolate cake like usual," the barista placed the plate on the table, "and a medium-sized matcha latte for you, sir." He left taking the tray with him.

Hyunjin was fast to see Minho's stare at the guy. "Oh, that's why." Hyunjin took a sip of his matcha latte, no longer questioning Minho's behavior since he now knew why. "Why won't you talk to him? Perhaps ask for his Insta?" Hyunjin asked, disappointed that Minho didn't make a move.

"I know, but what if he doesn't like me- wait, who?" Minho fell for it, realizing whom Hyunjin was talking about. "You think I wouldn't notice the way you looked at the barista earlier?" He was too obvious.

Despite the bad weather, the convenience store was surprisingly busy today, with people buying food here and there. "Hyung, just make a move, I'm sure he'll like you too!" Hyunjin has been bothering Minho ever since they stepped foot outside that cafe. "I legit regret bringing you there," Minho fumed, scanning the bags of chips the customer was buying.

"That would be 2,200 won; would you like a receipt?" As soon as Minho looked up, he met eyes with the barista, whom Hyunjin has been bothering him about for an hour now. "Minho right? I'll take the receipt." The barista guy responded.

"Here's your receipt; may I ask how you know my name?" Minho uttered, trying to hide the fact that he was flustered right now. "Are you kidding me? You're a regular at the cafe, and I write your name on your cup every time." The barista guy smiled. That smile- Minho could look at it all day.

"Reasonable... since you already know my name, would you mind telling me yours?" He was finally making a move, just like Hyunjin said. "I'm Jisung, Han Jisung, here." He gave back the receipt to Minho before making his way out.

Minho was stunned- He didn't even get a chance to respond! He looked at the receipt, thinking why Jisung would ask for it just to give it back, not until he noticed numbers written on it and a note that said...

"Text me, yeah? - J"

"Hyung, the line is getting long, what are you doing- IS THAT THE BARISTA GUY?!" Why was Hyunjin so loud? "First, yes; second, shut up; and third, HE GAVE ME HIS NUMBER!!" Minho yelled, disregarding the fact that there were people lined up in front of them to pay.

The line was indeed getting long, so they had to save the chat for later.

After three long hours, their shift finally ended. "Hyung, are you going to text him?" Hyunjin was so invested in this. "I will, but what do I say?" Minho has been overthinking since he received the number.

"Well, you better say something before he thinks that he's been ghosted." Hyunjin had a point. Why must liking someone be this difficult? It shouldn't be that hard to send a text.