Don't Listen In Secret || Joshua Hong

strange encounter

mingyu pov:

after dropping off jihye to her home, i decided to just sit at the park near her house for a while. after my conversation with jihye, i realized i haven't been taking care of myself either. perhaps it's time i choose my wellness too.

i do like her a lot. but it's hurting me now. 

and maybe being just friends is better. we comfort each other, share everything that happens, tease and annoy one other.

it's a perfect friendship but it's an imperfect love.

i guess it is time i let go of it.

it wouldn't be easy to move on from her. i have never loved anyone in this way but right from the beginning, i knew it would end like this. i never expected anything more and i am glad of that because it makes it a little bit easier.

wonwoo was right. i fell in love with someone who wasn't meant for me.

the way jihye and joshua look at each other when they think the other person isn't watching is enough to realize that they are in love.

they are just too stubborn to accept it.

i was staring at my sneakers blankly as they swayed with the swing, thinking who to call to drink with me when a thud surprised me. i looked in the direction of the sound.

a girl was standing there with vegetables sprawled on the ground around her. i guess she dropped the bag accidentally. she was staring at me open mouthed, that's probably the reason the bag fell. i might have distracted her.

i walked up to her to help her. as we got closer i realized she was familiar. she was really tall and had a mole on her cheek. her face was blank but she grinned suddenly almost making my heart jump out in fear.

mingyu: you are juhee right?

she nodded, the creepy grin still plastered over her face. i crouched down to help her pick up the vegetables. i could see her hand shake as she picked up another onion. 

juhee: did jihye tell you about me?

she sounded so excited that i felt scared. jihye isn't normal but her friends seemed to be even more strange. i tried to remember but jihye hasn't told me anything about juhee accept that she works in juhee's father's chicken shop and that they get really less orders that make her wonder how they are still open. 

mingyu: i only know your name 

the grin faded as quick as it came. she looked down at the veggies and i am pretty sure i saw her mouth 'bitch'. 

juhee: anyway why were you sitting alone?

mingyu: i just wanted to.

juhee: i thought jihye was with you.

mingyu: she was but i dropped her home a little while ago.

i didn't look at her but i could feel her staring into my soul. i wish i could teleport or something because her gaze is making me feel so exposed and vulnerable.

juhee: if i was in her place, i would never leave your side.

i smiled awkwardly. just from her reaction in the morning, it was already clear she likes me but now it's too direct. she doesn't even look one bit embarrassed.

juhee: i am jihye's best friend.

mingyu: why are you telling me that?

she laughed flustered at my question. then she clapped her hands together so loudly i almost fell over. i highly doubt her sanity at this point.

juhee: i forgot to ask for your autograph in the morning.

mingyu: i can give you now.

i thought she was trying to find paper in her pockets but instead she started pulling up her shirt. i grabbed her hands before she could do anything. this girl is crazy, why is jihye even friends with her?

mingyu: what the hell are you doing?

juhee: this is the shop uniform. don't worry i am wearing a top underneath.

i let go of the breath i was holding and she removed the uniform. like she said she was wearing a black tee under it. i signed the uniform for her and i could see her blush by the corner of my eye.

it's hard to be handsome sometimes.

i gave the shirt back and she clutched it tightly close to her heart with the same wide grin. but it didn't look that creepy anymore since i was used to it.

juhee: this will save our failing business

she pretended to wipe her fake tears and i couldn't help but laugh at the act. she is so quirky but also kind of funny. 

juhee: next time you come to our shop don't forget to eat something. it would be free for you.

she was bouncing lightly with every word. it felt good that just seeing me can make someone so happy.

mingyu: thankyou. are you a carat perhaps?

she giggled and nodded. it wasn't much of a surprise though. it was written on her face that she was carat.

juhee: i am a really big fan. you are my bias. i can't believe i am seeing you. i almost fainted in the morning.

i chuckled at her dramatic narration. as we were done collecting the stuff that fell off, she got up and smiled softly. 

for the first time her grin wasn't extending to her ears and i realized she was quite pretty.

juhee: i need to go. bye mingyu. don't forget to come to our shop. my fried chicken is the best.

mingyu: sure. i love fried chicken a lot.

she ran away, looking back and waving after every few steps as i just stared at her disappear with a slight smile on my face.

i feel a little better now. or actually a lot better.

she was really strange and scary. but it was kind of cute?

A/N:

he is so bollywood coded <3

it seems in this story mingyu has a thing for weird girls lol. 

how is the character of juhee? i hope it's satisfying but can't change it so whatever 🤡
i am trying my best :(