𝘚𝘱𝘶𝘳

Part 2 | The Hate Game

Who even drinks coffee? Yeonjun thought as he pulled on his school hoodie. Today was going to be a casual day; he wasn't going to put any effort into his looks. He didn't want to send the wrong message. As he dressed, he decided that while they were there, he'd clear the air about this whole... well, whatever it was. He hoped this would put an end to the confusion and tension that had been brewing between him and Soobin.

Yeonjun left his dorm and made his way to the campus coffee shop, hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets. The sky was overcast, a gray blanket threatening rain. He walked briskly, head down, trying to avoid any unwanted attention. The coffee shop was bustling as usual, students chatting, studying, and unwinding between classes.

He spotted Soobin, he was hard to miss, even in the crowded shop. Soobin sat at a corner table, sipping a black coffee, looking effortlessly composed. Yeonjun took a deep breath and walked over, trying to muster up the same calm demeanor.

"Hey," Yeonjun greeted, sliding into the seat opposite Soobin.

Soobin looked up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Hey yourself."

Well, this was a good start. Yeonjun exhaled and glanced around the café. It was mostly empty, with just a few people scattered about. He wanted to get this over with.

"So, I see you've already gotten started," he said, nodding toward Soobin's coffee.

Soobin raised an eyebrow and replied, "Well, I need a taste of what's to come," before bringing the black coffee to his lips, his eyes never leaving Yeonjun's face. It felt strangely intense.

The waiter approached, a woman with vibrant red hair. "Can I get you two anything else?" she asked.

Yeonjun shook his head. "No, thanks. I'm not really a coffee person."

"Suit yourself," Soobin murmured, barely audible over the ambient noise.

"Do you have hot chocolate?" Yeonjun asked, his tone a bit more hopeful.

The waiter's smile faltered momentarily, as did Yeonjun's. What was wrong with hot chocolate?

"Yes, we do," she said tentatively.

"Extra chocolate, please," Yeonjun added. The waiter smiled and rushed off to prepare his order.

Yeonjun shrugged, trying to play it off. "What? I like hot chocolate."

Soobin chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting in amusement. "No judgment here. Everyone has their preferences."

Yeonjun relaxed slightly. "Good. Now, about what happened the other night—"

"What about the other night?" Soobin asked, his tone sharp.

"Well, obviously, you kissed me," Yeonjun replied, glancing around quickly before continuing. "And it was... unexpected."

"Yet not refused," Soobin challenged.

"Look, I don't have time for your games. I'm already talking to someone, and I don't want whatever this is to get between us," Yeonjun said firmly.

Soobin leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm sure your punk rock boyfriend won't mind if I took you for a spin."

Yeonjun tensed as the waiter placed his hot chocolate in front of him. He was too stunned to even take a sip. "About that, who drives at full speed into two people when they're clearly talking? We could've gotten seriously hurt."

"But you didn't. I made sure of that," Soobin shot back.

"So this is all a ruse to scare me, huh?" Yeonjun accused.