ATZ Special Unit

twelve

Chapter 12: "That's Pretty Cliche Though, Huh?"

It was a clear day, Sunday. The air was still humid, but giving way to the summer heat. With the rain taking a much needed pause, people were out in the streets, occupying parks and bombarding street markets for cold treats.

Looking at the time, Yunho's phone read 9:30am. Early enough in the day, you think? Yunho then looks up at the tall apartment building, double checking the address. Taking a deep breath he continues onward. "Well.. Here goes nothing!"

Entering the lobby a woman greeted him warmly from behind the receptionist counter. "Oh, good morning ma'am. Do you think you could point me in the direction of apartment 6154?" The woman nodded and pointed, "Just down the left, dear, on the 7th floor."

Yunho smiled wide and thanked her before following her directions. Getting on the elevator was easy enough, navigating the 7th floor was a bit tricky, though. It was very much like a maze and just when Yunho thought he was close.. he was wrong.

Eventually, he did find the apartment ... In the side opposite of where he should've been looking. Yunho knocked lightly at first, but then remembered that Mingi hadn't answered his phone so .. He could still be sleeping.

Why did Yunho show up to Mingi's apartment if the guy wasn't even awake? Well, funnily enough, Mingi told him to wake him up or he'd sleep half the day away like usual. So, Yunho knocked harder, two different times, until the door finally swung open.

There Mingi was, eyes half lidded sleepily, hair a mess, with a shirt haphazardly put on. He also seemed surprised to see Yunho until it dawned on him in a few seconds. "Pssh.. I almost regret giving you my address." Mingi said, dragging his hand down his face.

Yunho laughed, "Mind if I come in?"

Mingi laughed as well, albeit tiredly, and stepped to the side, letting the other enter the apartment before closing the door behind him again. Mingi watched for a moment as Yunho observed the apartment, with tired eyes.

Yunho took in the various art pieces on the wall. Taking in how chic and clean the whole place looked. However, there was still that nerd flare Yunho had come to like about Mingi. Some robot figures on the TV stand, some gaming posters..

It was very Mingi. This was only the living room, but Yunho suddenly wondered what other nerdy artifacts he could find laying around. Looking back at where Mingi stood by the entrance, Yunho became aware the other was still watching him.

Yunho really took in his features and how the sleepiness didn't take away from.. Okay.. So maybe Wooyoung was right, Mingi was pretty cute. In Yunho's defense, though, it is a bit unfair to be that attractive.

Mingi noticed Yunho was now staring at him and nervously crossed his arms. "Um.. Sorry, I-I'll go get ready. You okay staying here a moment?" Yunho smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, take your time." With that, Mingi disappeared further into the apartment.

Yunho sat down, suddenly winded. "Focus, Yunho, you have to make a good impression."

That's when his eyes caught on something. A small row of pictures you'd get from a photobooth were framed and placed on the table beside the couch Yunho found himself occupying. There were a few star stickers and a rainbow sticker inside the glass as well.

Upon closer inspection, he realized it was of Mingi from a long time ago, it seems, and another boy. The other boy had short black hair and a mole under his left eye. They were smiling, making funny faces, and side hugging.

The boy looked familiar, but Yunho wasn't sure why.

"That's me and my friend Hyunjin back when we were 18." The voice startled Yunho and he whipped around to see Mingi, who was now fully dressed in casual clothes. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Mingi apologized nervously.