The Devil Next Door

Chapter 3

            Helping Jongin went by faster than Kyungsoo would've liked. Unfortunately for him, Jongin was too focused on work to say anything nice to Kyungsoo again. The two had bustled around for a while, making small talk. When they were done, Kyungsoo was hoping for Jongin to tell him to stay and talk. But instead, Jongin simply said he needed to do some studying and thanked Kyungsoo for his help in unpacking his boxes.

           The next day, Kyungsoo woke up feeling lively. This was something he never usually experienced, but the fact that this Jongin boy was in the next apartment was a fair excuse. Kyungsoo was careful to pick his outfit today, making sure every angle looked just right. He even bothered to rub a soft amount of cologne behind his ears. These were things that Kyungsoo never really did. Feeling a little jumpy, Kyungsoo cautiously approached Jongin's door and knocked, twice. It was Saturday, 11:07 in the morning. What if I look too desperate? He wondered, feeling a little ashamed for being the way he was at the moment. Jongin had said that they could maybe go get kimshi and get to know each other. So surely nothing could go wrong with asking him now.

         In a matter of a minute, the two were already walking their way to the nearest restaurant. Kyungsoo had gotten over his shyness, and Jongin was being his usual, charming self. They learned the basics of each other during the short walk. Where they were from, their full names, and their birthdays. Jongin was the first to say anything about family, as they entered the door, which made a tinkling sound from the bells hanging above. Silence fell over Kyungsoo as Jongin asked about his parents. Jongin seemed to catch on, noting Kyungsoo's solemn face.
            Awkwardly clearing his throat, Jongin said, "I actually lived in an orphanage for most of my life. My parents were murdered."
           Kyungsoo looked up at Jongin, surprised. So they had the same situation. Deciding to get off the topic, Kyungsoo quickly changed the subject to what they did in their lives. He was expecting to hear stories about traveling, going out all the time, socializing, and other things as such. Instead, it turns out that all Jongin ever did was shut himself at home. Kyungsoo felt a rush of relief at the fact that Jongin had so much in common with him. Kyungsoo and Jongin continued to eat their kimshi.
         "So...Are you involved in any relationship? Maybe a girlfriend?" Kyungsoo asked, making sure not to seem too interested.
          A small, shy laugh came from Jongin.
         "Lol no," was all he said.
           To be honest, Kyungsoo was surprised. How did this man, who looked like a complete idol, not have a girlfriend? Jongin seemed to read Kyungsoo's thoughts.
         "I'm not into girls," Jongin said in a matter-of-fact way.
           He looked up at Kyungsoo from under his eyelashes, as he continued to chew on his food.
          "Oh..." Kyungsoo said.
          Kyungsoo started to feel shy again, looking down at his food and trying to avoid eye contact.
        Jongin gave a soft chuckle and said, "You're cute when you blush like that."
          Kyungsoo fought the urge to giggle at Jongin's statement. For the rest of the time, the two finished eating their kimshi.
          On their way back home, Kyungsoo remembered something Jongin had said.
         "Why did you say your parents were murdered again?" Kyungsoo asked, kindly.
         Jongin thought for a moment, his eyes darkening. "Just...Reasons that I prefer not to share."
         Jongin seemed distant after that, acting less cheerful. His thoughts seemed to be lost, in some faraway place. Kyungsoo did a metal slap to himself for ruining the mood like that. Jongin said goodbye to Kyungsoo as they parted to their own places. So Jongin had a lot in common with Kyungsoo. But something was off, and Kyungsoo knew it. There was something Jongin was hiding that involved his parents' murder, something dark.