ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴡʜᴇɴ [ᴇɴ- ᴘᴏʟʏ]

Chapter 113

To them, she had always been their girlfriend. But since when? They had no idea. From a life savior, a tour guide, a friend, to something more and then becoming their love. The transitions could be easily identified in the beginning. Until it became hard to point out the specific time when she had become so important to them.

It was different for each of them. Some fell quicker while others took some time. Some fell right in the first look or first meet, like Jungwon and Niki. And some were intrigued, enamored, and slowly dragged into the loop. But one incident that they all felt similarly about was the first day with the staff.

The anger they felt was similar. By that time, everyone was smitten. But not everyone had realized they were. Jay had claimed it as a protective instinct over someone he was fond of. Even though such instinct didn't warrant removing staff who had been with him longer than her.

Jake blamed the unexplainable anger to be a ripple effect from others. He knew his members liked her. So they had a very valid reaction to the mistreatment. And maybe it was their feelings that had rubbed off on him.

But then came the most significant one, where all of them realized their feelings for her- the mall. Be it Sunoo's advances, Jay's urges, or Sunghoon's jealousy. They realized they were down bad.

Since then, the something more shifted further for everyone. Having their love confessions reciprocated instilled the natural thought of her being their girlfriend. A few of them were even surprised that they needed to ask her out separately when the topic was broached.

(From Chapter 71)

"I mean...she knows that I like her. And I know she does as well...doesn't that already mean we are..." Niki trailed off.

"Did you explicitly ask her to be your girlfriend?" Jake asked.

"Uh...no?" Niki said while scratching the back of his neck.

"Wait..." He perked up. "I think I did."

Niki glanced at Sunoo. The latter frowned and tried to recollect what the younger one was hinting at. Once he did, he shook his head.

"Wait what's happening here? Did you two ask her out?" Sunghoon's eyes drilled holes in their heads.

"You just proved that you're still young." Sunoo sighed as he addressed Niki. "That does not count as asking. That was a wild suggestion at a time when she wasn't ready to accept the hard truth."

It took a while for Niki to come to terms with it. While the others stared at the two of them with a hint of wonder and betrayal.

"Aren't you a pair of little shits?" Sunghoon couldn't hold himself back. "Teaming up to win her over already?"

"I'd rather die than team up with him." Niki grimaced.

"Die then." Sunoo shrugged. "We all know beneath your cool guy act, you can't approach your Noona without shaking like a leaf."

"So what you mean, you want me to team up with you or something?" Niki retorted.

Sunoo looked horrified at the suggestion. "Eww no. I'm very capable of winning her over by myself. Care for yourself."

The others in the room rolled their eyes and rubbed their foreheads. However much either of them denied, Sunoo and Niki were like a bonded pair. Both were part of a package deal who hated each other's guts but would still care deep down.

And if the rest were being honest, Sunoo and Niki made a dangerous pair in all aspects. The coordination of thoughts they possessed was insane. So to think they had approached Leah together, made quite a few of others worried about their own chances.