Their Parallel Universe ✓

Chapter 32

The moon is beautiful, isn't it?

For other people, those words mean exactly that—the moon in the sky looks lovely.

But he has read a decent amount of manga and watched a couple of romance anime to know that the same statement sometimes holds a different meaning. For the Japanese, the words can be a person's way of confessing their feelings to someone they are romantically attracted to.

He knows that there are some people who are familiar with the metaphorical connotation of the words. He knows Eujae is one of them because of his parents' influence. He knows that Eujae is aware that he is also one of those people since he's into Japanese stuff.

But there is no reason Eujae would tell him the statement in its romantic context, is there?

Poll hasn't forgotten that they are not in an anime or a manga. His common sense hasn't abandoned him, so he perfectly understands that Eujae is not professing his love. No less, to him.

They may have restarted their relationship from being enemies to being friends, but Poll can tell that there is no way Eujae would ever like him beyond that. Why would he? The man is a calm and mature person, the complete opposite of him. It's absurd to think that Eujae would ever fall for someone childish and quick-tempered.

The moon is beautiful. In the end, Poll comprehends that Eujae meant the words literally. And he wants to hit himself for thinking otherwise for a second.

"Oh, you mean the moon." A twinge of disappointment worms into his chest and stomach, but he chooses not to give meaning to it. Poll forces a laugh to get rid of the bitter aftertaste of the realization. "Yeah, it's really pretty. For a second, I thought you meant it like the Japanese way of confessing their love for someone."

He realizes that the best thing he could do right now is to shut up and avoid embarrassing himself any further. But he can't stop the foolish words that keep pouring out of his mouth.

"Cause that's impossible, right? You liking me? I mean, romantically? That would be funny. I'd surely laugh at you if it turned out that you were in love with me."

Without thinking, he persistently jabs the remaining piece of rice cake with a plastic fork and stops only when the food has been demolished into small clumps. The unwelcome irritation that starts to chip away in his chest doesn't make sense.

Poll keeps his eyes on the morsels of food. He doesn't want to look at Eujae, afraid he'll see a trace of being freaked out on his face.

But the lack of response from the man gets to him. Raising his head, Poll peeks at Eujae. Instead of an unsettled expression, amusement rests in his pretty eyes.

The nearby street lamp reflects against the man's eyeglasses, but it can't outshine the twinkle in his blue and brown irises.

A smile ghosts Eujae's lips—faint, but it's there—before he asks, "Then why don't you start laughing now?"

Poll pauses, trying to get his head around the question. He wonders if he missed a joke that needs to be laughed about. But no matter how many seconds he gives himself, he can't come close to grasping Eujae's words.

Puzzled, the male twin stammers, "Wh-what? Why?"

"Didn't you just say you were going to laugh at me if I were in love with you?"

Another question. Another pause. More confusion.

And when he finally latches on to what Eujae is trying to convey, Poll rises to his feet, knocking the boxes of food to the ground.

"What are you talking about?" he exclaims, eyes wide, his gruff voice piercing the crisp atmosphere. He balls his clammy hands into fists.

"I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I am talking about, Apollo." Eujae's expression begins to become sober as he stands and steps closer to Poll. "But if you really need me to spell it out to you, then let me. And please listen well."