√ mask on | lee haechan

30

It had been almost three weeks since you took care of Haechan when he was sick. Now, everything seemed normal.

Your friends and you were back at school, cramming into studies since the finals were just around the corner and all of your parents (except Haechan's) were strict about finals.

You didn't even see Taeyong around anymore. He just... disappeared and Jaehyun told you nothing about it, he didn't even try to look for you like he always did.

Since it will be Saturday the next day, you and the boys were studying at the hideout at late hours and Mark stayed as a tutor for everyone. Mark scanned one by one of his friends' faces, feeling bored.

"Hyung, hyung this one sho-"

"Is that maths?"

"Yeah"

"I'll pass," Mark shrugged and continued scrolling on his phone. Jaemin pouted, huffing. "You should be helping us, not scrolling through your phone when we are studying"

"I have to keep my eyes on you, especially Haechan, you see that boy sleeping?" He motioned to the boy sleeping on the couch comfortably with a comforter wrapping him like a burrito. "He asked me to wake him up a few times already but he just ignored my wake up calls.".

You shook your head in disappointment but the corner of your lips curled into a small smile.

"Let me just help you," Renjun offered, which Jaemin replied with a grin.

You couldn't even focus anymore. Your mind was full of thoughts about Haechan and Taeyong.

Sighing, you ruffled your own hair into a mess, gaining the boys' attention. Mark looked at you worriedly. "What's wrong? Is the question hard? Let me help," Mark abruptly put down his phone and leaned close to your book.

"Not this" you groaned softly, Mark retreated and the others exchanged gazes with each other before looking at you "Can you please tell me what happened between Taeyong and Haechan?"

They once again looked at each other, hesitation was pretty obvious before Mark nodded at them, only then looking at you. "Well, maybe we deserve a little break," He smiles.

All of you had put your pens and calculator down and they were talking at a low tone so they wouldn't wake Haechan up.

"Haechan's father married Taeyong's mother since they were both kids but poor Haechan always gets compared and bullied and so, his father kicked him out from home." Mark sighed.

"But it turns out, Haechan's father wanted Haechan to inherit his company because Taeyong is not his biological son and Taeyong just went mad, trying various ways to take him down, and as we all know Haechan, he is not really interested in inheriting the company." Mark paused, looking around.

"Until he's threatened with everything he has, which is us. He took interest for a while but Taeyong kept coming back to tell him to just mind what he was really interested in. We guessed that Taeyong had found Haechan's weakest point at the moment."

Mark locked his gaze with you, making you flustered and a blush crept on your cheeks.

"Every time Taeyong mentioned you, he went nuts. I think he really likes you," Mark smiled.

Turning your head away, you tried to hold back your tears before looking back at them. "So, you guys are telling me, you joined Haechan to j-just protect me?" Your voice cracked. They hung their heads low.

"You are so precious to us, Yoojin," Jeno confesses.

"True, I couldn't imagine living a life without having you around," Renjun sighs.

Jaemin nodded. "So, we made a promise to Haechan that we'll keep our eyes on your safety,"

Their confessions made your heart sunk. What did you even do to have such a caring best friend? "I don't deserve all of you," You whispered but everyone had smiles on their faces.

Your head snapped at a voice, startling all of you just to see Haechan leaning against a pole "I know, we are too good for you right?"

"You're awake," Mark giggled which Haechan just shrugged "Heard you guys were talking about me, so I have to wake up to listen to you stating facts."

He stepped closer to the table, sitting next to you. "Don't worry about us, just keep your head up and focus on your aim. I know you wanted to make your mum and Jisung proud." Haechan said, locking his loving gaze on you.

You heard the others scowl, "Not in front of my americano!" Jaemin fake cries.

Your cheeks grew warm and you knew the color of your blood rose up to your cheeks, you immediately looked away. "Can I do anything so I can help you with this case?"

"You'll just need to be alive and happy, Yoojin" Haechan smiled.

edited.