Garden Days

Let Me Know

"Are they the friends you talked about?" Irene asked before taking a sip of her water, her hand retracted back to her side of the table.
"Just two of them... Are you alright? I know Namjoon was a little...intimidating but he's easy to get along with, really humble and down to earth." Seok-jin promised, feeling uneasy at her question- as if she had something else on her mind.
Her eyes flicked to the ground, seemingly embarrassed. "...Who's Sana?"
"Oh-" That was it. That was the 'something else'. Jin was going to make something up, say he and Sana were friends but he had to be honest. "We used to date,"
"I see."
"But we closed that door a long time ago." The young man promised.
Irene seemed to light up at that, jumping with her next words full of cheer. "So I was thinking about your style."
"My...style?"
"Clothes." She sat back when she saw their waiter approaching with their lunch. "What do you like to wear?" The kkori gomtang was placed in front of them and she leaned close again, peering over into the bowl in curiosity. "I've never had anything other than what the kitchen staff served. It smells...good."
Seok-jin couldn't help but laugh; not a short chuckle, but a 'split ones' sides' kind of laughter. If only he could save this moment.
"Your laugh." It had drawn the young woman's attention and Jin quieted down, suddenly self-conscious. He picked up his spoon and dug into his soup, hoping Irene wouldn't tease him. There was a long history of such behavior from other people. "I like it."
Jin paused, the spoon in midair while a coy grin crept on his face. "Thanks."
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"Are you really okay with doing this? One or two outfits is fine-." He tried to convince as Irene, for the millionth time that day, held a shirt up to his chest.
"Think of it as a thank you for yesterday." Said woman giggled before putting the item back on the rack, struggling from the weight of the bags hanging from her arms.
"Do you know...when it is? When the wedding is?" Seok-jin hadn't been told yet and he was concerned. He had expected to hear something when he first arrived.
Irene set her bags down with a slight sweat and brushed her hair back, the blue cap now twisted sideways. "Sunday."
"Sunday? That's less than a week away..." He wanted to feel scared. He wanted to panic and run. Could he? Even just for a little bit would be good enough but it was so hard to do that with Irene in front of him.
"It won't be anything big- just a couple of witnesses and a reception." She informed, adding. "A week doesn't sound like a lot of time for adjusting to a...new life, but that's what I'm here for." She sighed and lifted the bags up off the ground. Not giving Jin a chance to respond, she shoved a bag into his arms. "Change into these and meet me by the angel fountain!"
Jin was slow to react, confused, but he understood what Joo-hyun said and left to find a public restroom. He hadn't expected to, but he was enjoying the shopping spree. She made it fun and entertaining, cracking jokes about his interest in 'grandfather' clothes.
Several minutes later, he exited the back room of a clothing store, sporting a new outfit and his old clothes in a bag.

That was when he stopped. "Hoseok."
Hoseok, the addressed person, placed the shoes back on the shelf, discomfort written on his face.
"Seok-jin, what are you doing here?"
"I was shopping. You?" The atmosphere was less comfortable than Jin had hoped but after everything that had happened, it was understandable.
"Shoes." The latter mumbled while avoiding eye contact. It was silent all but for the mildly busy background. "I take it," Hoseok started confidently. "You're not coming back."

Jin held his breath. "Do we have to talk about this? Here...now?"
"I deserve an answer- we deserve an answer."
"What 'answer'? I told you everything I knew at the time. I'm not as happy about this as you think I am-!" This was beginning to sound like their last argument and it...was...frustrating.
"Do you want to do this? Leave us for her." Hoseok demanded, grabbing his friend's arm.
"Leave you? Hobi," Seok-jin pushed said man off and took him by the shoulders. "I know it seems that way but how can I forget the boys who filled me with hope and happiness when it seemed impossible? If Irene and I can't make it w-."
"Jin!"
"Just because I'm not there every second of the day, doesn't mean we're not still friends and that I don't care for you anymore."
It was Hobi's turn to push back but he was much more aggressive, sending Jin stumbling backwards. "You were right; we shouldn't have talked about this. Even during your playboy phase, with your flirtatious attitude, and that disastrous relationship with Sana, not once did you act like a girl was more important than us- than your brothers."
"This is different."
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"Sorry I took so long." Jin found Irene by the fountain minutes later, the bags sitting on the ledge next to her while she scrolled through her camera.
She looked up smiling. "Ah, it's fine! How do you like it? You don't have to wear the jacket- I'm hot just looking at you."
"I love it, thank you." Pause. "What next?"
Joo-hyun lifted the camera to her chocolate eyes. "I was hoping to get one last picture together before we leave."
He dropped his own bag, stepping over to her side. "Then we'll go home and make dinner..." Seok-jin had to close his eyes a moment. The fight with Hoseok hadn't ended well, Jin leaving a cursing Hobi behind, the latter swearing they wouldn't stop until he came back.
"We'll take two: a cute one and a funny one! Say, 'Hwaiting!'" It was automatic but genuine; Jin grinned, leaning close into Irene and holding up the peace sign.

"Again! This time, a funny pose." He could see how much she was enjoying herself and it made his heart swell. However, a brief memory from his fight minutes earlier deflated nearly all happiness.
-
"You have to choose, Jin." Hoseok sounded desperate, his voice unsteady with Jin's collar gripped tightly in his hands. "I know I sound crazy; it's been less than a day, but understand where I'm coming from. Think about it."
"Hobi, I..." Seokjin bowed his head, staring at the hands that threatened to choke him out of agony. "Don't fear for me. Don't worry about me. Please, take care of yourself." He squirmed away from Hoseok, refusing to look back.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"If I have to, if you absolutely need me, I'll come back."
"Jin, how are you-how are you so calm about this? Our friendship could be ruined because of this and you're not worried at all!"
Jin turned around, visibly upset by this. "What's ruining our friendship is you."
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I wanted this to be a good day, where they got to know each other but the twist just sort of happened, sorry ;-; The next chapter will be happier and a little less dramatic