Hearts Don't Lie | Hyunsung

Ch.04: Behind The Scene

Hyunjin

If you thought there would be any difference after we embarked on this charade, you were sorely mistaken. There was no need for me to physically feign affection towards Jisung, just as there was none for him towards me. The only reason for our ruse going so smoothly was the pretence of 'hiding' our relationship. When I asked Jisung if it was alright to continue at this pace, he said it was fine because Minho hadn't suspected a thing.

"He's been in this position before. He knows not to pry too much," Jisung explained nonchalantly one late afternoon when we ran into each other at the cafe. I, in my infinite wisdom, asked, "Fake dating?"

Jisung, who was picking at his food, looked up with knitted eyebrows. "Hiding his relationship from us, you dumbo." Offended, I scooped some mashed potatoes with my spoon and flicked it at his face. He was unamused, and what followed was Jisung trying to strangle me with the strap of his bag.

Since Jisung had no complaints, naturally, I had nothing to complain about either. We resumed our days as usual; I went to the gym early in the morning and spent my free time in the art club room when I didn't have classes. On Fridays, when my schedule was empty, I would go to Seungmin's room to play games. During weekends, I stayed up late watching dramas.

As for Jisung, we were still at each other's throats whenever we saw each other. From time to time, he would update me on the lies he told Minho, just in case Minho hyung asked me anything. I also pitched an idea that we should do a subtle lovestagram. It will be not so obvious to other people but the one who's in the 'know' like Minho or Chan would see that we were going on dates although we were really just going to places, took pictures and left separate ways.

Maybe I was just a bit too confident, thinking nobody would notice anything from my posts but Seungmin, my best friend who had an uncanny knack for picking up on the slightest oddities, was the first to catch on. We shared the same classes, hung out together constantly, and whenever he wasn't with Jeongin, we were practically inseparable. So, it was natural for Seungmin to notice any changes in my behaviour. But he wasn't the only one. Felix had noticed too, and if Seungmin saw something, Jeongin inevitably would as well.

"Did you do something new recently?" Seungmin asked, his voice casual as we sat in his room, eating ramen from a pot and watching a replay of a soccer match. I took a thoughtful slurp of noodles, followed by a sip of water, and tilted my head. "I don't think so. Why?"

"No reason. It's just that you've been smiling a lot." I shut my eyes, trying to recall if I had been as smiley as Seungmin suggested. Indeed, bursts of giggles have become more frequent lately. The only new change was my new laptop which had a bigger screen so I could enjoy my film watching hobby better. "Oh, I got a free laptop."

"Ah, the one you bragged about?" I hummed in agreement, remembering I had told Seungmin about participating in the event at the mall. However, I had conveniently omitted the part where I joined with Jisung and that it was a couple contest. "Makes sense, but I don't think a laptop would make you smile for an entire week."

If not the laptop, there could be only one reason: Jisung. Messing with Jisung has become a favourite pastime lately, and if that didn't put me in a good mood, I didn't know what would. Teasing Jisung whenever he came with an update from Minho hyung was almost as fun as watching K-Dramas—because he couldn't complain when I threatened to respond differently if Minho asked.

Jisung was quite receptive, but I couldn't possibly tell Seungmin I had been harassing the poor guy because he needed my help. So, I shrugged. "I don't know, man. Maybe I'm just in a good mood because I did well on last week's presentation."

Suddenly, Felix burst into the room, his arms laden with bags. I winced as he struggled through the door. "Damn, what'd you get back there?" Seungmin asked, eyeing the load once Felix finally made it inside.