Strawberries & Cigarettes

Chapter 9

"Who is he Phi? Do you know him?"

Copter heard the boy ask but his eyes were still glued on Kimmon who also seemed extremely paralyzed by his presence.

Copter's gaze shifted to Kimmon's arm that was tightly gripped by the other boy. Copter wrinkled his nose, was already used to seeing Kimmon unnecessarily close to many girls, and he had also bothered on those occasions. But that and this were two different things, for some reason now he felt even more anxious, upset, and somehow sad.

Kimmon who seems to have realized what Copter was thinking, got rid of the shorter boy's hug.

"Copter, it's not what you're thinking" Kimmon said right away, it's not like he has to explain him, but he still didn't want Copter to think he was flirting with another boy especially after what had happened the night before.

"Uhm I'm not thinking about anything" Copter replied embarrassed, after all, What Kimmon does is none of his business. ... right?

Before Copter could say anything else the other boy who had been quietly watching came a little too close to him.

"So are you a friend of P 'Kim? You're so cute" The boy said with a dazzling smile. Copter was intimidated to have the boy's face just inches from his.

"What is your name?"

"I am ... I am Copter" he answered taking a few steps back because the little boy in front of him kept moving forward.

"Even your name is cute, I am ..." The boy was interrupted when Kimmon tugged at his shirt collar away from Copter.

"P'Kim let me go, I'm just being friendly"

"You're being annoying, which is very different"

Copter continued to watch their discussion, they really seemed close.

"So you two ..." Copter spoke not knowing how to continue his question.

"I'm Bas" the boy said still trying to shake off Kimmon's grip. "P'Kim is my brother"

"Half brother" Kimmon corrected.

"You're saying those depressing things again. I'll tell mom" Bas pouted.

Copter was embarrassed to feel so relieved, so that cute boy wasn't flirting with Kimmon. On the other hand he was surprised, he never thought that Kimmon would have a brother, well it is not surprising that he did not know, they never spoke of that kind of thing. Copter sighed with some sadness, there are so many things he doesn't know about Kimmon.

"P'Copter, are you dating someone?" Bas's question brought him out of his thoughts.

"What?"

"I asked you if you're dating someone"

"Bas" Kimmon scolded him.

"I just want to know" Bas complained. "P'Cop?"

"No, I'm not dating anyone" Copter said shyly.

"Can not be!" Bas exclaimed "P'Copter is so cute, it's a waste"

Copter blushed but still smiled at Bas, it was impossible not to feel infected by Bas's childish energy.

"Bas it's time for you to go home" Kimmon said firmly.

"But I want to keep talking to P'Copter and I also wanted to see P'Tae" Bas pouted.

"We all have classes, so go now"

"P'Kim you are so cold, we haven't seen each other for months and now that I came here just to see you you ask me to leave"