If U Hate Me I'll Love U | Jeongcheol

32. Seokmin's secret

The competitors separated as each one went to search for someone who's born in October and can play an instrument. The first one I had in mind is my sister. She can play violin and is born in October, but if I tell Jun about her, would he still go? I asked Seungcheol first because I noticed Jun was bewildered of what to do, if he doesn't know anyone he should go and ask people, that's kind of embarrassing.

At the end I shouted out for him and gestured with my hands meaning my sister is one. Without hesitation he ran in the building.

Me and Seungcheol got shocked at how speed he reacted, only to make us win. I parted his hug and dragged him with me to where our friend entered. When we arrived to where Chiyeon is having her lesson we saw Jun dealing with her teacher. I ran to them and told him I want to speak with her about something personal. He didn't believe us so Seungcheol walked to the door and told the girl that her brother wants to talk with her. The girl quickly walked out but was faced with Jun in front of her. She got flustered but he smiled at her.

Chiyeon felt sheepish but I and Jun quickly dragged her with us and apologised to her teacher that we'll bring her back later.

"That was tiring" I uttered after realizing we're the third class to arrive. We got disappointed but are still proud that we managed to do all challenges, only Wonwoo's and Mingyu's challenge left which turned out to be about knowledge. Every class sent 2 students to answer the 3 long paper questions.

"Listen up, I'll give the answer and you'll write it down" Wonwoo ordered and we all smiled at his confidence.

"You got it! You're our last hope!" A boy shouted out to the two who gave him a thumbs up.

"Win it our school's brain!" Two other girls cheered too then the whole class started yelling for them to win. The boys nodded and fist bumped each other as an encouragement.

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"I'm so tired" I stretched my body while waiting for the boys to bring their things to leave. We finished at 2 but were lazy to head home and stayed until 4. Afterall my sister finish at 4 so she can come with us.

Talking about the devil, here she's on her way toward me. With a plastic bag in her hand?...

"Just something for your hard work. I went with Hao to grocery store at lunch break and bought them. He's bringing his things so I'll go too" She placed it on the table in front of me and left. On her way she bumped into Mingyu and Seungcheol. The two greeted her but she didn't respond and continued walking leaving confused looks on the boys.

"Okay, I think there's something wrong with your sister" Mingyu quickly told as soon as they stood in front of me.

I was about to speak but saw Jun coming too. I threw the book in my hand on the table and ran to him. He got jump scares of my behavior and was dumbfounded of what happened. "I was thinking, what does Minghao study?"

"Um" He looked around as if seeking for answers to my actions "Science, why are you asking?"

"Science?!" I shut my mouth with my hand to stop shouting. Jun cupped my face to shut me up and asked about the problem. "That's why- I mean he's 16 then right?" I pushed his hands away and went back to take my things.

"No, 17"

"Jun stop talking nonsense. Is he really  17 in his first year and studying science? Are you making fun of me?"

"Why should I lie about someone's information" A flick was slapped on my forehead. The four of us walked beside each other as we walked out the building.

Seungcheol asked "How's he in first year then"

"That's logical"

"No, he just missed one year because he had a problem with his shoulder so he skipped one year to recover from his operation" We gasped at the news we heard. That's unbelievable, he looks younger than 17. He sure knows a lot.

"Just like you" Mingyu added reminding us that Jun is actually 20. After he finished his 9th grade he didn't continue studying and worked instead to make money to move out alone later. When we entered high school he signed up too and got accepted in the same class as Mingyu. That's no much of a  problem, a one year gap between us, no one would notice it.

In the quiet atmosphere the same guy spoke again "Don't you think Seokmin is being weird those days. He keeps on staying after school to study and we rarely have a break together with him"

"He told me he's going to work. He found a part time job after school" Seungcheol lifted up the information we didn't even know about. Everyone asked loudly with confusion. Why is Seokmin telling Seungcheol about his part time job and not us.

"I have to talk with this boy tomorrow. I swear if he doesn't tell what's going on I'm going to shut down all of my relations with him"

"What are you going to gain if you do that, he just wants a personal life"

"You know what Seungcheol, you'll be the first one I beg to shut up" Jun replied jokingly and ran away before Seungcheol chased him for his rudeness.

"Want to change the path to him?" I asked Mingyu and he nodded as we left the two running after each other without telling them anything.

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We sat on the table shocked waiting for Seokmin to finish the order he has and come sit to tell us what's going on.

On our way to him we realized a new opened cafe and were curious to know about it so we entered before continuing our way that's going to end here. When the door rang someone came in we were welcomed by our friend. He didn't continue his greeting and asked why we're here. Everyone was shocked looking at one another unbelievably.

Seokmin sighed and calmed us down before inviting us to take a seat because there's nothing more he needs to hide.

"Ok Mr. Seokmin. You think there's something we should know?" I crossed my arms on the table and leaned forward looking at him in the eyes. Before the boy replies someone entered making the small bell ring again. "Good you came on time, come sit"

Mingyu and Seungcheol made their way to our table and sat down asking Seokmin plenty of questions.

"Don't ask anything and let me speak first" We zipped our mouth and nodded listening "I don't know how to say it" He wiggled with his fingers "Our teacher's mother owns this place and she needs help with it so I volunteered to give a hand, or specifically work with her after school. Sorry for not telling you earlier"

"Which one"

Seokmin was about to reply and the mentioned teacher appeared in front of us with drinks on a tray for everyone. We quickly stood up beside each other and bowed to him.

"You don't have to we're outside school" He smiled and stopped on Seokmin's side.

"Why's-oh!" In one move trying to shut me up, Seokmin spilled the drink in his teacher's hands. A mess was created, no one knows what to do and the guy is apologizing endlessly.

"Take it easy I can make another one"

"But it's Jeonghan's favorite-"

"I'm allergic to caramel don't worry Mr. Hong! Seungcheol can share his with me" The teacher calmed Seokmin by patting his head a little then sat down.

"I completely forgot that you're lovers" His voice was somehow low but audible. I sat down and glued myself to Mingyu due to bashfulness. But he was such a dork and pushed me away with excuse he's right. I mouthed a revilement to all of them but Jun felt offended.

"Shut up" I dragged the still standing person to sit down and took a sip from the drink our teacher placed in front of us. Seokmin went to wipe the mess he made and we held our conversation with the teacher instead. It was the longest formal conversation we ever had in our lives.

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