Secret Admirer

30. Dinner 2.0

June folded his arms, his expression stiff as he turned toward Buri. "Alright, Hia. What exactly do you mean by showing up here like this?"

He couldn't believe that Buri had actually shown up just like that and ruined his whole plan of making up with Kayu.

Kayu was the only actual friend he had in a while and he had no intention of stopping being in touch with Kayu whatsoever. 

But Buri had ruined his chances of talking it out with Kayu and clearing the air between them. 

Buri raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly as if the question amused him. "What do you mean 'showing up'? Is this restaurant a restricted area now? Should I have submitted a request for permission to enter?"

June's lips tightened, his annoyance bubbling to the surface. "You know that is not what I mean. Of course, this restaurant isn't restricted. But what are the odds that you would just happen to show up at the exact same place, at the exact same time, while I am having dinner with Kayu?"

Buri's mouth curved into a sarcastic smile. "Ah, so now I need to check your schedule before choosing a restaurant. Am I banned from entering just because you are here with your ex?"

June bristled at the insinuation. "Stop twisting things around, Hia! I am asking you a straightforward question, so stop dodging and just answer me. Why are you here?"

Buri's gaze darkened, and he let out a low scoff. "You really don't have a clue, do you?" he said, his tone biting. He crossed his arms, leaning forward slightly. "Fine. You want the truth? I am here because I heard that my boyfriend was having dinner with his ex."

June blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of Buri's words. "So what if I am having dinner with Kayu, Hia?" he shot back, recovering quickly.

Buri's jaw tightened, and he leaned closer, his voice lowering but still laced with irritation. "It is not just 'so what.' It is a big deal, June. You are having dinner with your ex. That is not something I am going to ignore."

June felt his frustration rising, his voice growing sharper in response. "Oh, really? Then what about you, Hia? When you went off to handle business with P' Yen—your ex—I didn't say a word.  You met with her today as well, right? I didn't make a fuss or act jealous. So why are you being so whiny about this?"

Buri's face hardened at the comparison, but he kept his tone steady. "That is different. Yen and I are good friends. We have always been. You know that."

"And Kayu is a good friend of mine," June snapped. "A friend I will never want to lose. So tell me, Hia, how is this any different from you and P' Yen?"

Buri's gaze flickered, a mix of frustration and something else June couldn't quite place. He pressed his lips together, inhaling sharply through his nose as if trying to rein in his temper.

"Don't make it sound like I am overreacting for no reason," Buri said, his voice quieter but no less intense. "This isn't about me being 'whiny.' It is about you being honest with yourself—and with me."

June frowned, the accusation catching him off guard. "What are you even talking about, Hia?"

Buri let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head slightly. "You are so quick to defend Kayu, to act like this is all perfectly normal. But do you really think I can't tell when there is something more going on? The way you were looking at him just now..." He trailed off, his expression tightening.

June opened his mouth to respond, but the words stuck in his throat. He hadn't expected this level of confrontation, especially not in a public place. His fingers clenched into fists at his sides as he struggled to keep his composure.

"Kayu and I are just friends," June said firmly, his voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside him. "Whatever you think you saw, it's in your head. I am not going to apologize for caring about someone who has been a part of my life for years."

Though it had only been a few months since they met each other face to face, both Kayu and June had been each other's secret diaries. They were long distance best friends before meeting each other.

But none of this was going to enter Buri's head.

Buri sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't just about Kayu. It is about trust. And right now, it feels like you are asking me to ignore every instinct I have, just to give you the benefit of the doubt."

June felt a pang of guilt at Buri's words but quickly buried it beneath his growing irritation. "I trusted you with P' Yen," he said, his tone sharp. "I trusted you when you said there was nothing to worry about, even when it wasn't easy. Why can't you do the same for me?"

Buri hesitated, his expression softening slightly. He looked away for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. "I want to trust you, June. I really do. But this situation—it's different. Kayu was the guy you proposed to, the one you wanted to get married to. I don't know if I can just... turn a blind eye."

June stared at him, the tension between them stretching unbearably. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of their unresolved emotions hanging heavy in the air.

Finally, June broke the silence, his voice quieter but no less resolute. "Kayu means a lot to me, Hia. But that doesn't mean I feel anything more for him than friendship. I need you to understand that."

Buri met his gaze, his eyes searching for something—maybe reassurance, maybe sincerity. After a long moment, he nodded, though his expression remained conflicted. "Alright," he said softly. "I will try."

June exhaled, a flicker of relief passing over his face. "Thank you," he said, though the tension between them was far from gone.

Buri glanced toward the table where Kayu had been sitting moments ago, now empty. He looked back at June, his expression unreadable. "Let's go home," he said finally.

June hesitated, his mind still racing, but he nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

The two of them left the restaurant together, their unspoken words trailing behind them like ghosts.