"This cafe is so pretty!" I exclaimed, admiring the interior and aesthetic of this coffee shop.
We were both feeling hungry after our day at the amusement park. In fact, we stayed there and tried all the rides that we wanted to try. It was just sad that we got cut off while we were on the queue for the gyro drop because it is already closing time. I was disappointed that we haven't tried that one while Yoshi, on the other hand, was jumping up and down in joy. He dreaded that ride so much that he almost left me on the line because he was scared. It took me a lot of puppy eyes and sweet smiles to finally be able to convince me that the ride isn't as scary as it seems. He might have agreed but he was mumbling and pouting the whole time while we were on the line. When the announcement came that it is already closing time, he immediately pulled me away from the ride. I guess he was definitely saved by the bell.
"I'm glad that you like this place. Jaehyuk recommended this to me." Yoshi replied, sipping his iced latte.
"Jaehyuk? How did he even manage to find this place?" Honestly, this place is quite hidden. It's inside a small and narrow alley. This cafe doesn't even have a sign and the only way to find this place is to ask for directions. The idea that it's almost unknown to everyone is so fascinating to me. Since the cafe isn't practically hidden, there are only a few people inside the cafe. It's almost 10 in the evening now and only seven people including us are in this place. If this is a regular coffee shop, people would still be filing inside the cafe. Especially students who are cramming for exams or business people who are having late night meetings with their clients.
"Well he likes amusement parks so he has been here a couple of times already. Because of his trips here, he has tried all restaurants and cafes nearby that he grew tired of them so he decided to find a new place for him to eat and stay at after." He explained.
I nodded at his reply. "So he likes amusement parks, huh? I guess I could invite him next time. He could accompany me to the gyro drop, you know. I bet he's up for that. He seems to enjoy some thrill here and there."
Yoshi glared at me, making me burst into fits of laughter. "What?" I feigned innocence. It's fun to tease him once in a while.
"Let's go back here tomorrow and try that ride that you want." He said in a serious tone. "You don't have to ask Jaehyuk out."
"You're so cute when you're jealous." I told him, pinching his cheeks. He immediately removed me hands on his cheeks. He pouted like a little child before glaring at me again.
"I'm not jealous." He said, crossing his arms across his chest. Ah, he's like a kid.
"Oh yeah, you sure aren't jealous." I giggled. I watched him sigh deeply before he grabbed my hands and squeezed it tight.
"Do you not like it when I get jealous? Because if you say that you don't, I'll try my best not to get jealous easily." He said, his eyes show that he's sincere.
I gently rubbed the back of his hand. "I shouldn't be the one to dictate your feelings, Yoshi. If you get jealous then you get jealous. You don't have to adjust your own feelings just to accommodate mine."
"You're too nice, Mirae. What if I get jealous too much? What if one day jealousy would take over and I do things that I shouldn't? Will you still accept me? Or will I lose you completely?" Worry is evident in his voice. It's rare for me to hear such tone in his voice. He's scared. Yoshi's scared.
I offered him a smile. "You won't lose me, Yoshi."
"Promise?" He asked. "What if you find out that I am not really the person you knew?"
My brows furrowed at his question. I started to get confused. What does he mean by that?
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing..." He answered. "I was just wondering."
I sighed and faced him. "Even if everything goes wrong, you won't lose me. That's how much I love you."
---
"So, did you enjoy our date?" He asked, swinging our intertwined hands back and forth. We're now walking back to the parking lot where he left his car.
"It was really fun. We should do this often." I exclaimed happily, looking at my boyfriend. He looked back at me with a small smile on his face. That's when I realized that I may have asked for too much. I forgot about the fact that Yoshi isn't living a normal life. Well, that includes me. To go out on dates is truly a luxury for us. Especially since my father is still out there, probably watching our moves. That thought instantly brought chills to my spine. I guess there is always a price for a small moment of happiness.
"Don't worry, we'll go out more often." He said, pulling me into his arms.
"Are you not afraid of the fact that we're probably being watched?" I mumbled into his chest.
"Mirae, I think you're forgetting who I am." He chuckled. "I'm Kanemoto Yoshinori, Treasure's ace."
It was my turn to chuckle. "Yeah of course, how can I forget that? You always remind me that you are the ace."
We stood there in the middle of the lonely alley under the dim light coming from the old lamp. I was enclosed in his tight embrace. Everything feels perfect. This is a moment that I like to last forever.
"Mirae, this will end soon. Don't worry, this chaos will come to an end."
---
"Wait for me, Mirae. I will just go to the bathroom. Don't leave the car, okay? I will be back soon." He gave me a light kiss on my forehead before he walked away. I watch him disappear in the corner. I stayed inside the car, scrolling on my phone while waiting for Yoshi to come back. Junghwan sent me a picture of himself. He looks so cute pouting like that. He's such a sweet boy. He's like a brother to me.
I was scrolling happily through my phone, liking and commenting on the pictures the boys sent me when the door of the car opened.
"Oh Yoshi you're ba-" Before I could finish my sentence, someone covered my mouth with a handkerchief. I tried to fight off the stranger but I started to get dizzy and before I knew it, everything went black.
---
We're nearing the end of this book!!!
Who do you think is the traitor in the story? Is there really a traitor?
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