Strawberry Milk | Pentagon Kino

Chapter 24

Run Away

Hongseok's POV

"So are you chingudeul?" Seorin eyed me intently, her arms are crossed.

"Uh yeah." I smiled sheepishly and secretly got my phone to text Hui.

Hongseok:
Send help Seorin is asking about chingudeul but Kino hasn't confessed yet.

"Why did you do it?"

"Uh," I looked away, avoiding eye contact.

"SEORIN!" A shouting Hui barged in. "I have a favor please? Can you buy breakfast? I can't cook you know."

"No worries, I'll cook-"

"But I'm craving for hamburgers." he pouted. "Can you buy us some at McDonalds? Hongseok and I also have something to talk about."

Seorin pouted, looking annoyed. "But-"

"Please?" Hui looked at her using his puppy eyes. Seorin let out a sigh and nodded.

"Thanks sis!" they hugged then Seorin left.

As soon as we heard the front door close, Hui and I immediately exchanged looks.

"What are we gonna do? Should Kino confess?"

"I don't know! Call him over."

Hui called Kino's phone. After a few rings, he answered.

[Why do you have to call so early in the morning?]

"Kino! We need your help! Get here as soon as possible, we're at home."

And with that he ended the call, he turned to me with a smirk.

"Knowing Kino, he would rush here because of my panicked voice." We high fived each other.

Loud knocks could be heard from downstairs. "Told ya." Hui winked at me.

The door revealed Kino who obviously just woke up, his hair looking like a bird's nest.

"Come in quick."

"So what's the rush?" Kino asked while combing his hair with his fingers.

"Okay so Hongseok was upstairs and he texted me. He said Seorin is asking about Chingudeul and he can't say anything yet because you haven't confessed. So I quickly ordered Seorin to buy something outside so that we could prepare." Hui said as if he's rapping.

"You owe me big time you know." 

"Why are there already so many happenings this early?" Kino groaned but pouted.

Hui and I chuckled, "Hey you gotta get ready, I can feel she's gonna arrive soon. She's a fast walker you know."

"But I can't." Kino took a step back. "I can't do this, I'm not prepared. I, I-"

I walked to him and put my hands on his shoulders. "Get yourself together. You can do this."

"Yeah, and also, you already surprised her a lot yesterday so I bet she'd prefer something simple this time." Hui added.

"No, no." Kino shook his head. He looks really pressured, and his eyes were full of frustration.

"Kino?"

"S-seorin?" The three of us looked at her with surprise. "Why are you back so early?"

"I realised I left my wallet when I was at the bus stop." She raised an eyebrow, "What are you all doing this early anyway?"

Hui and I glanced at each other, then at Kino.

"Nothing. I got to go." Kino immediately said and ran.

Seorin's gaze followed the running Kino, then looked at us with her eyebrow raised. "What was that about?"

"Oh I remembered my mom asked me to fetch something for her. Gotta go!" I started running but was stopped by Seorin holding my shirt's sleeve.

"We still have to talk about something, remember?"

"But following his mother is more important as of now." Hui said and removed Seorin's hands from my shirt.

Hui glanced at me then winked, giving me the chance to run which I took.

I went to Kino's house and knocked, but no answer.

I fished out my phone and called Kino. But still, no answer.

I kept calling until I received a text from him.

Kino:
Please give me time to think, I really need it.

I let out a sigh as I took a look at his room's window. I hope he's okay.

Hongseok:
Okay, I'm just one call away.

I turned and decided to go home, until my stomach growled.

I realized I haven't eaten breakfast yet. My expectations for this day really turned out differently.

I went to a convenience store to eat ramen. I purchased the food and walked to the table to eat.

"Oh Hongseok?"

"Hey Jinho." I smiled at him.

"Why are you up this early?"

"Ah I went to Seorin's place."

His eyes seem to glow, "Oh."

I turned to him with a smile, "What do you think of Seorin?"

I could see Jinho's cheeks turning bright pink.

"Hmm, she's nice. Has a really nice voice, easy to get along with, and cute." I nodded with a satisfied smile.

Maybe I have to turn cupid again.