Hunt

6.1

Mark really had no plan to come with Jaebum. But the latter had literally dragged him to Howon University to watch the play that Youngjae had posted. He didn't get why he had to come. He had no interest in plays. He preferred staying at home.

"Stop frowning," Jaebum said.

They are now seated inside the auditorium and Mark can't help but show how everything is against his will. 

"Stop it, okay? Jinyoung might see you and he'll realize how ugly you are,"

Mark immediately sat up straight and looked around.

"H-He's here?"

But Jaebum just shrugged and called for Youngjae.

The thought that Jinyoung might be there made Mark anxious. Suddenly, he thought that maybe he should have dressed better. Maybe, he should've worn his favorite sweater instead of his worn out hoodie. Many have said that he looks real good in his sweaters.

Mark felt a tug in his chest when he saw Jackson enter the auditorium, meeting his gaze. A look of surprise was on the latter's face but he smiled and waved to him before making his way to their seat.

"Hey, Mark. I didn't know you'd be here," Jackson greeted.

"Well, I also didn't know that I'd be here," Mark tried to conceal the nervousness in his voice.

"Aren't you JB?" Jackson faced Jaebum and offered him a high-fave to which the other accepted. "Nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot from Jinyoung,"

"What? Did he talk bad about me?" Jaebum said, earning a high pitched laughed from Jackson.

But Mark couldn't laugh with them. Just hearing Jinyoung's name makes his heart beat faster than it should be. And it doubled when he heard what Jackson said next.

"I didn't invite you to watch 'cause I thought Jinyoung wouldn't want me to do that. He's the main here after all," 

Jinyoung is definitely there. And he is leading the play.

"It's a decision I can't do. But he did invite you,"

"He didn't," Mark said, shocking Mark. "I didn't even know he'll be in this play."

"Really? He's the one on the poster,"

Mark's eyes immediately looked for the poster. He carefully stared at it until he noticed the name on the bottom of it: Park Jinyoung.

He really is gonna watch a play with Jinyoung, the man who has been flirting with him, as the lead. 

Mark can't keep still. He played with his fingers. He didn't know what to do. Should he stay and watch? In the first place, Jinyoung didn't invite him. Maybe he doesn't want him to watch.

His heartbeat's not getting any slower as the time passes by. The auditorium is slowly getting filled and the show is nearing it's start. Jaebum and Jackson was not paying attention to him as they are completely immersed in their own conversation,

He was extremely nervous. Is Jinyoung that good to be a main lead? What if he's far better than Mark? Would he still meet him?

But what confused Mark more is, why is he feeling this way? Does he like the other man? Maybe. But he doesn't want to hang on that conclusion since he hadn't met the man yet. 

They had shared messages. And although Mark wouldn't want to admit it, Jinyoung's messages somehow put a smile in his face. The casual flirting, unsolicited compliments, it made him feel things.

And he's about to meet the man that caused him to feel this way.

Mark shook his head and quickly typed on his phone. Maybe he should message him.

papi_jy_

morktuna

Good luck :)

Mark was unsure of putting the smiley but he did send it, anyway. He wasn't really waiting for a reply. It was awkward. And he knew that Jinyoung is probably busy preparing for his stage. But it was only for a few seconds that he felt his phone buzz.

papi_jy_

morktuna

Good luck :)

papi_jy_

Thanks

Enjoy my performance ;)

Enjoy my performance.

Mark felt his face flush as he saw Jinyoung's reply. He had probably seen the other. And just thinking about it made his stomach feel weird. Suddenly, he felt embarrassed. 

"H-Hey, I think I should go-," Mark wasn't able to finish his sentence. The lights had dimmed signalling the start of the play.

"Just sit still, okay. What wrong could happen?" Jaebum placed his hand on Mark's shoulder and forcefully pulled him to sit back. 

Mark groaned as he sat back and focused his eyes on the stage as the curtains had started to open. 

The play had started.

And he saw the same man he met at the cafe. The man who took his breath, and left him a blushing mess. Except that the stubble was already gone from his face. And nothing was covering his eyes. 

Mark can't help but stare at the young man's eyes as it shone when the stage lights hit his brown orbs. He was more mesmerizing. He was beautiful and all the synonyms of it. In Mark's eyes, Jinyoung was perfect.

Jinyoung was showing different expressions throughout the play. And Mark couldn't focus. He wasn't getting the plot. He was too distracted by the man acting on stage. The way his voice echoed in the auditorium, how sweet it sounded when he delivered his lines. 

It's like he was seeing a different man. The man he is seeing on stage is too different from the man that had been chatting him.

And Mark could only feel the gap between them widening.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed the crowd applauding and the characters of the play lining up one by one. The play had already ended.

"And to the main lead of this masterpiece, Park Jinyoung!" A voice had said and the man that he had been admiring since the start had stepped forward, the cheer of the crowed roaring louder.

"Jinyoung-aaahh! That's my friend woooo!" Jackson climbed up on his seat, whistling and shouting for his friend, making Jinyoung spot them.

And his eyes fell on Mark. 

Mark unknowingly lifted his hand to his chest and felt his heart. It was beating faster and louder, he was worried Jinyoung could still hear it amidst the cheering of the audience. A pink blush stained his cheeks when the man on stage smiled and waved to him.

In panic, Mark quickly sat back on his seat, trying to hide.

The characters had bowed on the stage and the curtains had already closed. Slowly, the people in the auditorium made way to the exit.

"Hey, don't go yet. Let's meet Jinyoung," Jackson said. 

And although Mark didn't hate the idea, he knew he wasn't ready yet. He isn't composed. He looked like a mess. And so before they could even notice,

"Hey Mark, where-"

Mark blended into the crowd and left them.