strawberry shortcake

22. why?

"You wanted me to tag along..?" Minho said uncertainly as he saw Jisung's confused stare and the younger raised his eyebrows in confusion. "Yes, but I didn't know you would."

Minho grew anxious as he wasn't certain about Jisung's thoughts. Was he mad that he joined? Was he pleased? The unreadable expression on his face was so different from the yesterday's vulnerable facade.

"Okay.. care to join me for a breakfast?" His hand reached towards Minho and for a split second he though that maybe he was going to hold his hand. Jisung's hand wrapped around Minho's forearm instead and held him tight. The older wondered where he took the strength after all that's happened. 

"I don't feel like I have a choice..?" His sassy side was coming forward in front of a wrong person. It was not a good idea to even joke about the latter. Somehow Jisung only laughed at his response leaving Minho completely baffled.

"You really don't. I want to spend the morning with you." Jisung was grinning and Minho was confused.

He desperately wanted to know why.

Why would you suddenly act so nice? Why would you suddenly want to spend time with me? Why would you suddenly gift me with those smiles? Why would you suddenly make me feel like you care ..?

"You can pick where we'll go. There's a ton of nice cafes around, some of them even serve ice cream with their pancakes and waffles." Minho couldn't even hide his astonishment at the younger's words. Jisung's happy babbling didn't falter even as they walked out their room and a few of his bodyguards joined him during their way to the staircase.

It was hard for him to believe Jisung was suddenly trusting him so much he would let him pick where they went. There was no way he didn't know Minho was more than familiar with the hotel's surroundings and he could easily call for help between so many people.

"You're not afraid I'll call for help?" He accidentally blurted out while watching his feet to make sure he doesn't fall down the stairs.

"You can try. Even if you succeed. I'll always find my way back to you." The cheerful expression on Jisung's face was what made Minho's hope disappear. He was trapped. A wave of panic washed over him only at the thought of spending the rest of his days the same way he's done for the past month. There was no way he wasn't going to take his own life if what Jisung had said was true. While bearing all the events that happened until then he wasn't sure how long he was able to go on. 

How long was it since he lastly talked to Yongbok? Was he ever going to meet him again? And what about his cats? The last of his bothers was that they would destroy his apartment, what he was more concerned about was their health and well being. Namni sure would take care of them, even Yongbok right?

"So.. which place do you wanna go to?" Jisung partially snapped him out of his depressing thoughts that made him even more desperate to get back home or at least try.

Being afraid of the latter's anger he blurted out the first cafe that came to his mind, not even thinking deeper about it.

"Wonderful! I love their cheesecakes." Jisung exclaimed jumping down from the last step. His excitement made Minho wonder if the whole yesterday wasn't just a fever dream.

He harshly dug his fingernails that were slightly longer than usual into the palm of his hand. Upon not being waken up by his try he still tried pinching his own side, but it only hurt as he accidentally chose a place with an unhealed bruise.

"Can you stop hurting yourself." Jisung said with a suddenly serious expression. It was more of a statement than a question, maybe that was the reason why it made him flinch. "I- I just.. this isn't a.. dream-?"