Mathematical attraction

Chapter 89

Minho's P.O.V.
"What university are you going to?"

"Seoul National University. I got a scholarship too." The shock on the youngest band member's face. I shrugged.
"I was valedictorian. It's not surprising."

"It's THE BEST university in Korea."
Yes, Taemin-ssi. I know.
"You don't seem that excited."

I took a bite of food. "I would've been pissed if I didn't get in. I worked hard for it."

Couldn't hide that I was bitter about many things, could I? I would be in London right now if it weren't from my stupid ankle. The positive was that my feelings got out and my friend felt the same! It cost a lot, but the Olympics were every 4 years.
Jonghyun laughed.
"Competitive much?"

Kibum pointed at my name twin. "That's obviously why they're friends! They're gonna race together at one point. They have to."

Onew tried to calm Minho down who stood up before he yelled at Key. "We're in public. Sit your butts down."
He wasn't wrong.
"Think about how it looks for your friend, huh?"

He did listen. Cats and dogs these two, I swear. "Fine, but we're not friends because we're competitive you idiot. We know I'd win anyway."

I crossed my arms. "Oh, would you? You might beat me in endurance, but I'm almost unbeatable on short swims."

Jonghyun passed his hand across his face. "We're doomed. A female version of Minho exists."

"I'm not AS intense. I promise. I wouldn't mind a 600m race. I do the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and the 800m relay. You did the 400m, 800m and 1500m. I'm not the best at the 800m. You're not winning the 400m. 600m would be a good length to test it out. What do you think?"

Minho looked like he enjoyed my idea. "What's in it for me?"

"If you win, I show you my audition tape. If I win, you show me yours. Deal?"

"That is a pretty sweet deal! I'm in."
We shook hands.
"We find a time next week?"

What did I get myself into?
"Sure thing."
I checked my watch.
"It's that late? I'm supposed to go help my grandfather at his shop. I'm gonna have to cut it short, I'm sorry."

"He has a bakery right? Are you any good at it?" Jonghyun-ssi, you listen to all of my babbling?

"Not at all! Baking is a kind of chemistry that I don't understand. I burn any cookies I try to make. I'm just doing customer service. Though, my grandpa makes the best honey biscuits in the country. You'd have to try those yourself to understand."
They had something so heartwarming about them.. I remember stepping on a milk case as a kid to be tall enough to help my grandfather make them. I loved fall for it, Chuseok season. It wasn't too far away.

"Guess we're going to have to try them soon, huh. What a pain."
So sarcastic, Minho.
"See you next week?"

"See you next week!"
.
.
.
"My little Minho!" I got a head pat. "Did you have a good time with your friends?"

I nodded and put my apron on. "Yeah! I'll see them next week. Right now, I'm happy to be here for you."

"You're as kind as your mother."
Was I? Which one?

"Your daughter or her friend?"
I apologized.
"Sorry. I'm new to this.. it's confusing."

Oh no. I made him sad, didn't I?
"They're both my daughters in my eyes, but I meant Ara."

"Ya! Mini! Don't torture grand dad like that." Yoonie!

I poke my nose in the backstore. "What are you doing here, oppa?"

He showed the boxes in his hands. "I'm the new delivery man. Gets me some money for basic things. It's great."
Why did I hear dishes clinking?
"Right, he followed along."

Joon? Doing the dishes? "Don't break the pans~"

As much as he wanted to chew me out, he looked way too happy to see me. "Come on, Minmin! I'm not that clumsy."

Yes. Yes you are. "Let's say I believe you. I'll be at the front if you need me."

Namjoon's P.O.V.
"Did I hear her grandfather right?"

Hyung shrugged. "What about?"

"Don't play dumb. You know."
Don't give me the cold shoulder. We knew she'd be here so we showed up at the same time. Sorry?
"You're mad I went to Daegu."

"It doesn't even cut it! We're almost done writing the songs for the album. We have a concept. We're getting to know the vocalists. You're supposed to be the leader and you left like that. You knew I'd let it slide because it's Mini. That's not okay."
He paused.
"We make sacrifices. Going where we want, when we want is one of them. I don't like it either, but it's our reality for now."

I was selfish, I agree. "But Minho needed someone whom her perception of them hadn't changed."

Ara went from adoptive mom to her mother's best friend. Wonhae went from Ara's boyfriend to her dad's brother, her uncle. You? Even if she said she forgave you, she's still bitter.. She holds grudges, just like you. But, you're still her best friend.
"Don't bring up good points. I hate it. Grandpa moved to Seoul for Ara's school. Mini's mom's parents didn't want to move, so he took her in."

"Ara's doing what they did."

I simply made an observation, but her grandfather heard me.
"She is, because Minho has you two and her other friends. Her mother repaid my kindness tenfold by working here until she graduated university. I never asked her to do anything, but she was the first one to land a helping hand. Such a sweet girl. Such a talented actress.. I pestered her to pursue it as a career. I meant on TV, but she did.. in a way."

I had to ask.
"What did she do in the police again?"

He glanced behind him before answering. "She specialized in infiltrations. It got the best of her."