My Solace (mxm)

2

So far, Ahn-soo was bored of attending classes and it was only second class of the day. His hands were cupping his own chubby cheeks as he rested his elbows on the desk and mindlessly stared at the whiteboard where his english teacher was writing some word meanings.

He yawned and closed his eyes in boredom, he was feeling sleepy. Same thing happened with other two classes too and he couldn't wait for bell to ring announcing lunch break. All he could think right at the moment was the dumplings he got in his tiffin which were prepared by his dearest darling mother.

And soon his wait of eternity came to end as loud noise of bell rang through his ears and soon he was running with his friends towards the playground, to devour their lunch. Usually he hate any athletic activities but how he runs so fast when it's lunch time, he had no idea.

Ahn-soo sat down on the ground along with his both friends, and within seconds they were devouring their lunch. Min Ju gave half portion of her kimchi rice to Ahn-soo knowing his love for food. And Byun shared his lunch with Min Ju out of habit to which she happily thanked him.

"Halmeoni promised that toady she will teach me how to cook Japchae. When I'll learn it, I'll cook for both of you." Ahn-soo chirped as he put another dumpling in his mouth, munching excitingly.

"Last time the fried rice you cooked were so so delicious, my mouth is watering even just by thinking about it." Byun said as he closed his tiffin. Ahn-soo offered him the last dumpling he had to which Byun shook his head as no, knowing Ahn-soo needed it more than him.

"Yeah, here I can't even boil water and you are already good at cooking even though you are just 10. Teach me how to cook when we grow up. Ok?" Said Min Ju happily to which Ahn-soo nodded happily.

They were talking about the new toy Byun got last day, when Min Ju's focus was averted. Ahn-soo and Byun followed the focus of her vision and it lead them to the little prince of the school, Choi Ji wook, who was running towards his friends.

"I'm going to ask him to be my boyfriend very soon." Min Ju said dreamingly, her hands clasped together resting against her cheeks, smiling widely.

"You are just 10." said Byun. "So what? Na-won is 8 and is dating Kang-woo for 2 months." she said in her defense. Byun looked at her, not very happy, Ahn-soo stayed silent. He had no any opinion on this matter. He never liked anyone, so things like dating were not in his lists yet, also they were just kids.

But Min Ju liking Choi Jiwook was not a surprise for him, everyone in school liked him, for one or another reason. He didn't understand why though.

Choi Jiwook was like any other boy according to him, just that he was always smiling brightly at everyone. He didn't like him, nor he disliked him, he was just neutral about him. Jiwook was just another boy, schoolmate, and his neighbor with whom he could have been a friend and played together, walk to school together knowing they were living beside each other. He wanted to be friends with him, a few years ago.

But he couldn't, well because his grandma didn't let him talk to him ever. He roughly remember when he was around 4 or 5 maybe he was prohibited strictly ever since then, that he shouldn't talk with anyone from their neighbors house, specifically just that one house which belonged to Mr Choi and Mr Min, along with Jiwook. And he had no idea why his always sweet with everyone grandma won't let him talk with those handsome uncles and their son even though he had seen his own dad talking and smiling with those uncles few times.

He also had no idea why Choi Jiwook had two Dads, wasn't its supposed to be mom and dad? Whatever reason was he was not allowed to talk with anyone of those three people and he followed his grandma's word like a good kid. He remembered his grandma's word that 'don't ever talk to those sick people, they are dirt of the society and shouldn't be living anywhere near us.'

He felt so bad when his grandma talked badly about those uncles when in reality he really thought that both Mr Choi and Mr Min were very sweet and caring persons, as they always smiled sweetly at him when he would play around in the street, used to offer him chocolates too, until one day his grandma warned them.

But like teachers taught that elders are wise and are our guiders, we should listen to them, so he did just that, he followed his grandma's those words ever since he was 5.

He didn't dare to talk to anyone of that neighbour house. He didn't ask his parents why he shouldn't talk to that family, cause again his grandma warned him not to talk about that unethical family, that's what she called them. But his parents seems to have different thoughts than his grandma, cause one day he heard grandma talking to his father and yelling at him not to be in any kind of contact with Choi family. But his father said calmly that there is nothing wrong with them and they were as normal as much they ownself were, but grandma harshly told him that she would never let Ahn-soo be near these two men and their son, they were just filthy beings who shoud stay away from society.

Ahn-soo came out of his thoughts when he heard bell ringing and soon he was dragged by Byun for next class, to which he whined while fake crying.

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"Ji-wook, I really like you, will you be my boyfriend." Min Ju asked shyly as she forwarded a handmade card and chocolate in front of Choi Jiwook, both stood under a tree in their school. Min Ju was looking down at her shoes shyly not looking at Choi Jiwook, but waiting for his answer. 

"Hey, I don't know what your name is? But you are friend of Lee Ahn-soo right." she heard after few seconds. She opened her mouth to tell her name but Ji-wook already start speaking.

"You Know my aunt says we should focus on our study when we're young. So I don't think I want to date anyone yet." He said in very calm tone. "But we can be friends?" He said with a bright smile. "I would love to be your friend. "

Min Ju sniffled as she looked at him. She then walked away without saying anything else. She was crying  when she reached to her friends, who tried to calm her, well Ahn-soo tried and Byun just looked at her in pity.

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