𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐲 | 𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐨

21

Needless to say, we were welcomed by stares as Yoshinori and I entered the living room. The boys shifted their attention to us and instantly, they began to tease us. The fact that our hands are intertwined didn’t help the cause. I gently tugged at our hands, hoping that Yoshinori would get the hint and let go of my hand. But I think he got the wrong hint. Instead of letting my hand go, he held it tighter. My face instantly flushed. Ah, the small things that he does to make my heart beat faster. I’m seriously doomed.

This kind of situation is new to me. I never had someone like me. Sure, Mina did. Ben did. The rest of Treasure did. But it’s different with Yoshinori. He likes me romantically and I like him too. Everything felt foreign. It’s like I’m in a different territory. It’s like I’ve finally left my comfort zone and decided to test the waters. I’m finally understanding the meaning of the word they call love.

“I told you leaving them alone will work.” Jaehyuk proudly said. “It worked well. Look at them. I guess it’s time for me to be promoted to as a strategist.”

“No offense Jae but I don’t need another slacker on the team.” Mashiho answered, earning a groan from Junkyu.

“Hey, I’m not a slacker!” He whined. “I help you a lot with our plans. I give you a lot of suggestions but you won’t pick them.”

“That’s because a lot of them are trash, hyung. You can’t even think of one solid plan. Mashiho hyung is doing all the hard carry.” Haruto said, making Junkyu hit him.

They then started bickering with each other. They act like kids sometimes. Well, half of them are still kids but even the older boys tend to act like children sometimes. Maybe, it's because their childhood was robbed from them. They were immediately exposed to the harshness of the world at a young age that they weren't able to grow up the same way many of us did. But I remembered, I had it rough too. We're both victims of adults' greed and selfishness. They took away innocence and youth from us.

While I was drowned into my thoughts, I suddenly felt a gentle rub on my back. I turned around to see Yoshinori looking at me with a worried expression.

"Are you okay?" He asked. His voice was enough to soothe all the aches I'm feeling. I gave him a small smile.

"Yes, I'm fine." I assured him. He gave me one last look before he decided to let it go. I know he didn't believe me but I'm thankful that he let it pass for now.

"Okay, everyone listen." Hyunsuk sunbae stood up, making us look at him. The bickering immediately died down. Everyone turned their attention to their leader.

Yoshinori guided me to the couch where Ben is sitting. He gave me a smile when I sat beside him. I returned the smile. It still feels surreal that I met him again. I need to catch up with him soon.

"We should start the meeting, it's already getting late. We all still have classes tomorrow." Hyunsuk sunbae said.

Yoshinori squeezed himself between Ben and I. Ben snickered to himself while I was left confused. Yoshinori could've sat on my right but he decided to sit in the middle. I scooted a little further to give him enough space even though his action is making me weirded out. Yoshinori is acting weird again.

---

"Mirae, how well do you know your father? Do you still, perhaps contact him?" I was startled when Hyunsuk sunbae asked me a sudden question.

"Uh, I... I, uhhh..." I was stuttering way too hard. The questions made me anxious even though those were question I expected. I didn't know how to answer Hyunsuk sunbae because the truth is, I never knew my father. I never knew the real him.