Princess Hours | SUKHOON | [✓]

Are we catching feelings?

"Hyunsuk-a why didn't you say anything back there, it's so unlike you." Junkyu was surprised to see his friend acting unusually because on a normal day Hyunsuk would not have tolerated that humiliation.

"Junkyu-a you know how difficult it could be for him if the situation escalated. And anyways that weirdo wouldn't care to understand.." Jaehyuk added.

"Asahi? Yeah he is kind of.." Junkyu replied.

Hyunsuk wasn't feeling comforted by his friends' chatter so he kept sighing, Yoshi obviously noticed and whispered to the duo,
"Guys, I think you should head back inside first. I'll talk to him."

They complied with Yoshi's request. But Hyunsuk kept walking, rushing outside into an isolated area. So Yoshi had to grab his wrist to stop him.
"Hyunsuk, where are you going?"

"Leave me alone Yoshi, I'm not going somewhere far." Hyunsuk was annoyed.

"The bodyguards would follow you anyway. You can speak your heart to me, I'll listen."

Like that was a cue for Hyunsuk to stop and look back in the eyes of Yoshi, which conveyed that he would infact listen.

"I... I don't know Yoshinori... it's too much, being looked down upon, the burden of being the hurdle that separates them and not that I expect any empathy from him but I thought that he would at least....at least..."

"That he would at least not embarrass you in front of your friends? You've got it wrong if you thought that, because Jihoon is not that caring and he would never be towards you. You're not his type. You're not the one in his heart."

It's the truth, but it shouldn't sound as bitter to Hyunsuk. So much that he wanted to cry in that moment.

"He doesn't know your worth, so why worry about what he does. You're amazing just as you are, I know that, everyone knows that. I don't remember meeting this Hyunsuk, remember you choked me with the tie, I want that fiery guy back."

Yoshi's attempt at lightening the mood worked as Hyunsuk cracked a small chuckle.
"Ay Yoshi, you're too nice to me, you shouldn't be or I'll cling to you."

'Please do' Yoshi would have replied if he had the courage to but right now he did not. He could only smile.

-

At night, Jihoon was resting on a chair outside while his friends had already gone to sleep. His eyes suddenly landed on the gift box that was kept near on a table and read the note which said, 'hyunsuk'.

He took the shoes out that Hyunsuk had customised for him and kept staring. He was amazed, confused but mostly impressed. Because it seemed like a lot of work and Hyunsuk must have completed it within a day or so as he did not remember telling him anything about his birthday.

He was smiling to himself and the next moment he was removing the slippers he was wearing to try them out, but that was until Chaein showed up.

She sat on a chair and brought it close to his, took out the MP3 player and plugged an earbud in Jihoon's ear while putting the other one in her own. Before Jihoon could react, a love song was blasting in his ear. It was the song that they used to often listen to together.

She was getting close, too close to his face, maybe because the wire was short. Or maybe because she wanted to-Jihoon stood up as he felt like he heard some noise coming from the bushes. She was startled too. Well they were oblivious that they had just been captured by a spy cameraman.

"I think I'll head back to the palace, I have to be up at four anyway." Jihoon left just like that while she could do nothing but stare into despair.

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