𝑴𝒊𝒏-𝒆 || Min Ho x Reader

✧˖° | 09

__'s POV

"Sorry we're late." I told Q as Ray and I joined into the group stretching circle. Behind us, Dae hurried over, looking like Christmas had come early. He went to stand next to Kitty, and they began talking rapidly.

"Dae!" Yuri's voice rang out, She practically materialized from thin air, her timing immaculate and Kitty's face falling.

I turned away with a small grin. Drama.

"All riiight! Who's ready to go on a hike?"

I jumped at the sound of Min Ho's voice. He strode up to the group as if he were going to walk a runway instead of watching birds poop. He came fully dressed in black clothes and a blue jacket. He also had tinted sunglasses on— Outdoors Club, mind you. And although it was not proper attire, I appreciated the fact that he looked good nonetheless.

"Min Ho!" Ray exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Min Ho glowered at him like he was some sort of disease. "What? Can't hang out with my best friends?"

"Hey." Madison simpered, suddenly closing in on him from nowhere.

"Uh...!" he exclaimed, backing away. 

"I don't think we've met yet. I'm Madison."

He adjusted his outfit for a second before accepting her handshake. "Min Ho."

"I know," she replied adoringly.

Unable to take more of this agony, I shot Q a look, silently demanding him to intervene. Taking the hint, he patted Min Ho on the back.

"We can talk on the hike. Let's go people! Make sure you stay hydrated... I really hope you guys used the bathroom, because there are none."

The group shuffled into motion, and while Ray fell back to talk with Yuri, Min Ho did his best to catch up to me.

"__," he began solemnly, "I've been thinking, and—"

"Really?" I interrupted with mock amazement. "First time?"

"Stop dragging me for a second, will you? I'm trying to tell you that I think we should date."

I halted so abruptly that Madison, who was bouncing around behind us, nearly collided with me.

"I'm sorry, what?" I hissed. Are you crazy?! I wanted to shout. His words took me by surprise, because I was under the impression that we wouldn't follow through with my mother's plan.

He glanced around impatiently to make sure no one was watching, before responding. "Not actually! God, no. Disgusting. Can you imagine? I mean, like... fake dating."

I laughed, because that was how ridiculous the idea sounded. "Fake dating? Do you think we're in a teen romance novel or something?"

"It'll be fun," he argued, now trying to brush off my indifference. "It's just a suggestion. I don't want to do it any more than you do, but after the leaked pictures..."

How can I forget? That photo of us circulating the internet had held my consciousness hostage for the past few hours.

"You're acting like you wanted that to happen," I said, narrowing my eyes.

"Well, maybe I did!" he shot back, raising his voice defiantly.

I froze, connecting the dots. "Wait a second. Was it you? Was it you who called Principal Lim??"

His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again, his words tripping over themselves. "Wh—Why would I ever do that?"

I pointed an accusing finger, triumphant. "Aha! I knew it! You called them because you actually want to follow my mom's plan. That's why you're always so defensive about it!"