The Close Strangers

t w e l v e

"I'm so full," Chan says as he rubs his stomach, "I think my stomach is about to explode though."

"You keep exaggerating things out," Yerim complains, followed by a nod from the others.

They have finished their birthday dinner, but not planning to leave the restaurant soon. Today is their last midterm exam day and they decided to close the suffering they've been feeling by celebrating Hyewon's birthday.

Lucas catches everyone's attention when he suddenly plays along with the sushi seasoning in front of him. He mixes everything he sees, causing the other to frown in disgust.

"Lucas, put that down," Yuqi says when he picks up the wasabi which served on the table, but Lucas doesn't listen to her.

He giggles as he mixes the wasabi with the chopstick he used to eat the sushi before.

"I swear, you're so disgusting," Chaeyoung says while leaning back to her seat.

Lucas puts down the chopstick before turning his look to his friends.

"Let's play rock, paper, scissors," He says, "The one who loses can choose between paying for the food or drinking this."

"I'll pay for the food," Hyewon responds right away with her flat expression, "This is my birthday dinner."

The others shake their heads in response while looking at Lucas.

"That explains how stupid he is," Jihoon mumbles.

"Okay, then, the loser must drink this," Lucas says, still wanting someone to be the victim of his work.

"You drink that," Yerim responds sarcastically, causing Lucas to pretend to throw one of the seasoning bottles towards her.

"Let's order some dessert," Hyewon says, receiving an agreement from all of her friends. They ask for the menu book so they can take a look at the desserts that this Japanese restaurant has.

Chaeyoung suddenly leans forward as she gestures everyone to do the same.

"Don't be so obvious, but I've lost count of how many times the girl at the corner is looking at our table," She says in a low voice.

Lucas turns his head right away, making it so obvious when Chaeyoung just told him not to. He turns his head again when Yuqi suddenly pinches his arm in annoyance.

"You know her?" Chaeyoung asks, receiving a headshake from Lucas.

Jihoon releases a loud sigh all of a sudden after he glances at the girl.

"You know her, don't you?" Chaeyoung asks, but this time she receives a nod.

"She's the daughter of my mom's friend," He says before drinking his lemon tea.

"Why don't you come to her? You know her, after all," Yerim asks.

If Yerim were Jihoon, she would immediately come to that girl just to greet her or having a little talk. She never lets someone she knows pass by her without getting a greet or just a little smile from her. If she knows that person, then she'll show it.

"Well," Jihoon puts down his glass, "I might say that her mom is obsessed with me and I guess that girl starts to do the same."

Everyone widens their eyes spontaneously, suddenly feeling creepy. The face of that girl doesn't look like a stalker at all.

Hyewon leans back while still looking at Jihoon.

"You're not even an idol, but you live like one."