Switched

VI. You Look Like Mufasa

Picture of Jeon Jungkook as Jio Anderson ;)

Happy reading!

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A gush of cold air from the air conditioner enveloped me as soon as the glass doors of Graciano's opened. Van and I stepped in, with Kent in tow, and a man in a semi-formal attire approached us.

"Good evening, Ma'am, Sir. Do you have reservations?" He asked as he turned to Van and I. I heard Kent clear his throat from behind us, probably to inform the man of his presence. His eyes widened and he bowed his head to Kent.

"I apologize. Well, a table for three, then?" Van held up his hand that made him stop.

"We have a reservation. SA for eight." Van said in an authoritative tone. The man's eyes yet widened again and he frantically apologized before walking ahead of us to lead us. We walked deeper into the resto and stopped in front of a blurred glass door. He knocked on it before he opened the door, allowing us to hear erupts of laughter and chuckles from the inside. I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat before I stepped in after Van.

Once inside, I took in the sight in front me. The boys are laughing at some joke that King cracked because he's currently making weird faces and gestures while standing on a chair opposite of the others. Aki is seated at the farthest corner of the room, chuckling at King. Lester is slumped on the seat in front of King across the table, his eyes shut as he laughs. Then Jio is sitting on the chair nearest to the door, his shoulders rising up and down as he laugh. He had his back turned to us that's why he didn't see us come in. When Kent closed the door loudly, they all stopped and froze. Then when their eyes landed on me, they all got up from their seats and started walking towards me.

Out of fear, I squeezed Van's bicep, trying to get his attention. He glanced at me and I widened my eyes at him, asking for help. He just grinned before slipping out from my grasp. Before I could even register what he had just done, I was caged in the arms of someone. I let out a surprised gasp as I catch my breath.

"You're back! And you're alive!" He said before pulling away, giving me a chance to find out who he is. King grinned at me before patting my head. "Where have you been, dude? You've been out of reach for, like, a month already!"

I cleared my throat, trying to think of an excuse. I sheepishly smiled at him because that's what I think Kaline would do. "Y-Yeah. About that. I, err, might've dropped my phone in the river?"

That erupted a laugh from Lester as he threw an arm on King's shoulder. He then grinned at me, too. "You're such a clumsy creature, Kal. And what are you doing by the river anyway, catching some trouts?"

I quickly shook my head, my cheeks flaming. Even though it's not true, the mere fact that I'm the one here in front of them is enough for me to be embarrassed. "N-No! I was just w-watching the fish... And I also got lost when I tried to go and see Mount Fuji, so yeah."

"Oh, so you're imitating Dora the Explorer now, Kal? And I told you to bring the map that I made for you, right? You just left it on the dining table, I hate you." King frowned at me and I went closer to him and apologized before hugging him. He just chuckled before Lester shoved his shoulder.

"If she brought your map that looks like an artwork of a two-year-old kid, she would still be missing until now, idiot." We all laughed at them and unconsciously, I let out a giggle. My cheeks immediately flushed when they all stopped laughing.

"You're such a cutie!" King cried out before pinching my cheek and giving me a bear hug again. "Well, I'm just glad that you're back again."

I smiled at him as we pulled away. "Yeah, me too."