So Sweet And So Bitter

XXI.

> Mingyu <

"We're going on a hike" Dk says as he stands next to Seungkwan, but not even he seems enthusiastic about the idea. "Mingyu don't leave me alone with Seungkwan" He says with begging eyes even though they're not the only ones going.

"Should we go?" I ask Wonwoo, eager to spend more time in his and our friends' company. Knowing that he doesn't usually hike I prepare myself for disappointment, but strangely he nods.

We get dressed and wait for the others in the living room, Vernon and Minghao sitting on the sofa along with the two of us.

"Where are they planning to go?" Wonwoo asks. 

"I'm not sure, they talked about a national park or something" Vernon answers me and I shrug, not that interested in where we're going, but just glad we're going somewhere as a group.

"Won't you be cold in just a t-shirt?" I ask Wonwoo who is simply wearing a plain t-shirt, since I know we're probably going to higher altitudes.

"It's sunny outside and we'll be walking" He reassures me. "Besides, you're only wearing a t-shirt too" He smirks adjusting his glasses with his forefinger.

"I don't get cold" I roll my eyes and glance at Minghao who is looking at us smirking, I slightly furrow my eyebrows in confusion and he rolls his eyes.

"Okay! We're ready!" Dk comes into the room putting his baseball hat on, the others follow and we all exit the house splitting into three cars.

"Min, I'm going with them" Wonwoo gestures for Seungkwan's car, where Hoshi and Woozi have already sat. I nod giving him a half smile as I enter the car with Seungcheol, Minghao, and Jeonghan, the radio already turned on.

"Don't worry the trip isn't too long" The oldest's boyfriend tells me and I purse my lips, unsure how I feel about their teasing.

"Jun's in the other car?" I ask my best friend.

"I guess" He tells me and knowing it's not the first time he seems cold when Jun is brought up I can't help but wonder if there are any problems between them.

"Is everything okay between you two?" Despite hating getting in the middle of relationships, I finally ask, but mine is simply concern for a friend, for both of them.

"Yeah, we just haven't had much time together lately, but it'll be okay" He smiles yet somehow it feels forced.

"Is it because of the trips he's been having?" I ask, remembering how he confessed he wished Jun didn't go on all those trips for work.

"... it's just a bit chaotic but we'll work it out" I nod, hopeful for them to find a way to sort it out, meanwhile I turn my attention to the grandpas in the front who are fighting like an old married couple over, if I understood correctly, a simple picture of a striped golden or blue dress.

- - -

About an hour later we arrive at our destination, one of the mountains of the Bukhansan National Park. I haven't been here in a lot of time and the refreshing air seems to already be working on cleansing my lungs.

"It's a three-hour-long hike" Seungkwan says. "And there's a picnic area at the end of it"

"We didn't bring food for lunch though" Jeonghan comments as he goes through his bag.

"There are food stalls there" He says and we start walking, it isn't hot outside but it warms us from the inside out as if kissing our skin.

I slow my pace to have Wonwoo close by, he's speaking with Jun anyway not seeming to even notice me so I slow it even more, coming to walk right next to them.