With U // YunGi

Complicated Feels

The waitress placed the bill on their table, and the hospital CEO was the first to grab it. "Let me treat you guys."

"No, no, we'll handle it," Subin's parents reached for it. "You already paid last time, Mr. Song."

"Don't be silly."

Mingi looked with both embarrassment and disgust as his father took out his credit card and passed it to the waitress along with the receipt. Subin's parents sigh inaudibly but they put on two faint smiles to show that they were always on the other family's side and would support their decisions.

Early March, the weather was already getting warmer to welcome spring season. Mingi looked out the window at the overcast sky and sighed loudly, ignoring the warning glares from his father.

This lunch was his fifth "date" with Subin, and the third time he had to see her parents. Of course, he insisted on bringing Yunho every time, despite the constant protests from the older generation of both families. He knew this placed Yunho in a horrible position, but he never seemed upset, and assured Mingi that he was used to this because it was his job.

They never said it aloud explicitly, but all four parents agreed among themselves that Mingi was simply going through a "phase", and that if they continued setting them up, Mingi would eventually mature and realize what was really good for him.

"Mingi, Yunho."

The two men perked up and found Subin whispering at them when the parents were busy talking to each other. They glanced at each other and cocked their heads.

Now that Subin got their attention, she made a big deal to stand up and put on her princess coat. Then she told her mother and father that she would go ahead and drive the car around to the front of the restaurant. She jerked her head back and forth between Mingi and the restaurant doors.

He got the idea and offered to do the same for his parents. "I'll drive you guys... back to the hospital? I remember you have a meeting this afternoon, father."

Before they could stop him, Mingi pulled Yunho out of his seat and headed outside.

"Do you have something to say, noona?" Once out of sight, Mingi asked.

Subin nodded with determination sparkling in her eyes. "I kept it from you guys just in case, but today is the day."

Yunho looked at Mingi, who shrugged back.

"I've been dating someone else for a while now. He recently proposed to me, and I'm planning to tell my parents tonight. He is also a doctor, so I'm sure my parents will approve. Do you know what this means?"

"Our arranged marriage is cancelled?" An invisible force began to pull the corners of Mingi's mouth upwards. When Subin nodded, he held her arms in excitement and they celebrated briefly with a few victorious squeals and shouts.

"That's great." Yunho smiled with them, trying to brush away a strange feeling of loss that was tugging at his heart. "But why didn't you say so earlier? Before all of this started?"

Subin shouldered her handbag and hung her head in what seemed like shame or embarrassment. "Well, he went to study overseas, and we were forced into a long distance relationship. Half a year passed, and I was about to give up. That was why my parents set me up with you. But he came back a month ago and we started going out again. That was when he proposed." She looked up timidly. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you... and dragging you into this mess."

"Don't say that, noona. I'm glad I met a friend like you." Mingi stopped himself. "I mean, I see you as a friend, at least." He laughed sheepishly.