A Beautiful Butterfly

Chapter 11

The consequence of him relenting and going with Mark to the bar was that his plan to study for a test that night had been cancelled and Jinyoung was unprepared for it on Monday. Thankfully, however, the test was to be taken in the last class of the day, and as soon as he finished his lunch, he made his way to his usual bench.

He was, however, stopped by Mark halfway to the bench. Mark had seen Jinyoung by chance and called him; and Jinyoung stopped and waited for him till they were side by side.

"Where're you going? This isn't the way to our next class," Mark asked.

"I'm skipping it. I need some time to study for the test."

"What test?"

"Medieval Studies," Jinyoung answered.

"Ah, Medieval Studies! I haven't studied for that test, either. Can I join you then? We can study together," Mark said, with a smile, like he liked the idea.

If it had been someone else, Jinyoung would have denied, since he was not used to studying together with someone else. But it was Mark who was asking him. In fact, that sounded even appealing to him.

They sauntered together towards where the bench was. The noise of the students had been left behind. All they could hear were their own quiet footsteps and the rustle of leaves.

The bench was vacant and for the following hour, it was their place, as they sat next to each other, studying and helping each other when there was something difficult to understand.

Mark leaned in more often than Jinyoung could handle, to either check Jinyoung's notes or to explain something to him. Jinyoung wondered if Mark was at all aware of how much effect he had on him. Did Mark think he, Jinyoung, had no more feelings for him? How could Mark let Jinyoung be close with him if he thought otherwise?

Jinyoung knew Mark meant well but maybe, it would have been a little better if Mark had seen him more than just a friend or someone he needed to take care of.

"Still about twenty minutes left," Mark said, as they finished studying and the books were put back into the bags. "I don't want to leave yet. Why do you always come here?"

"I like this bench and this ginkgo tree," Jinyoung said, leaning back contently, "Also this bench doesn't face the university building. It makes me feel like I'm not on the university campus."

Mark nodded, as if he could relate. "It wasn't so bad earlier. I mean, studying together. We were a good pair. We were last weekend too. Don't you think?" He laughed, with a look of someone recalling their memories.

A good pair! Jinyoung liked the sound of it. They had good harmony, that was what Mark meant, right? It seemed Mark did not find him boring, after all.

"So where do you want to go this weekend? Where should we go? I'm sure a party is out of option," Mark said, good-humouredly.

"Ah, I can't this weekend." Jinyoung had already promised his grandparents that he would come back home this weekend. He had not thought Mark would be willing to hang out with him again. "I need to get back to my hometown. This Saturday."

"You'll be there for two days then?"

Jinyoung nodded and Mark continued, "Jinhae, right? Umm, would I be a bother if I accompany you?"

That came as a shock to Jinyoung. Mark wanted to visit his hometown? Why? Mark kept surprising him and this one had been the most unexpected suggestion, by far.

Mark seemed to have misunderstood Jinyoung's silence and said hastily, "Forget it. That was stupid of me. You must want to spend some time alone with your grandparents."

"No! I mean, yes. I want to. But you can come along if you want to. My grandparents will be happy to see you. They were even asking if I didn't want to bring Wonpil along. My roommate. You'll go with me?"

"Yes! A trip to somewhere else outside of Seoul. So it's settled? Do I need to bring anything in particular?"

"You're enough!" Jinyoung blurted out, overwhelmed by the excitement. Then realising what he had said, he continued in a hurry. "Some extra clothes will be enough, I mean. We'll come back on Sunday evening. I'll buy the tickets for both of us."

"Okay. I'm already looking forward to it," Mark said, sounding as excited as Jinyoung, if not more.

They checked the time and finding that there was not much time left before the next class, they were soon back on the way to it. They walked at leisure. Jinyoung was in such a good mood that everything seemed to be so fine in his eyes.

"With your crush?" Wonpil exclaimed, at the end of Jinyoung's words. "He agreed?"

"Didn't you hear what I said? He was the one who asked first!"

"Oh, yeah, I just couldn't believe it. Jinyoung, I told you it wasn't as hopeless as you thought. Maybe, he likes you. Who knows?" Wonpil said, still holding onto his opinion.

"Don't give me hopes. All he wants is to have a trip, I'm sure." Though in his mind, he was beginning to think what if Wonpil was right. But it sounded too good to be true.

"Yes, a trip with you! If I were you, I'd give it a try. Why not? Tell him that you like him."

"Are you crazy? He would reject me on the spot! Then he would never see me again. What's the good then? I still want to be with him." Jinyoung rolled over on his bed and lay on his back, thinking of how depressing it was to think of such possibilities. "I don't want to take that risk."

"Maybe, he'll fall for you. If he doesn't now. Well, don't lose hope yet," Wonpil said, proceeding to take off his clothes and wrapping a towel around himself, went into the bathroom.

Jinyoung was left in a daydream, picturing the trip already in his head. How would Mark like his birthplace?