Chapter 13

“I’m doing my best, dad. No need to keep on pushing me at the edge. I’ll hang up now, I have staffs to do.”

Taehyun ended the call and frustratedly throws his phone on his desk then leans against the swivel chair as he sighs and close his eyes.

“Hello?”

Taehyun briefly opens his eyes and saw Beomgyu standing at the door and closes it. Taehyun just bluntly looked at him. “Why are you here again?” he asked.

“I don’t have class,” Beomgyu just replied and went closer to the SSC president’s desk.

“Get lost,” Taehyun just answered and closes his eyes again.

“You’re hurting me, Taehyun,” Beomgyu joked and laughs while his junior didn’t even move his lips. Beomgyu clears his throat. “How’s your thing with your dad?”

“Still fucked up,” Taehyun replied and looked at Beomgyu. “Can you kiss me?” he suddenly asked.

Beomgyu without any reason just went closer to him and claim his lips for a second. “Are you good?” Beomgyu asked and leans against the desk, directly looking at Taehyun.

“I’m going to use you again, Bae,” Taehyun stated in a serious note.

Beomgyu caress his face and smiles. “Use me whenever you want,” Beomgyu replied and he saw Taehyun smirked at him.

"Thanks," Taehyun expressed, plainly.

"Smile now, Bae. You're prettier when you does it," Beomgyu said and move his hand at the president's chin and lift it to kiss again his lips.

Taehyun finally smiles brightly to the older. "Thank you, Bae. I'm just stressed..."

"Everything's cool. Don't overthink things," Beomgyu assured with a smile and Taehyun nods.

“How’s Soobin and Yeonjun, by the way?” Taehyun asked and stood up as he looks outside the office’s windows.

“Soobin and Yeonjun? Why? Is there something going on with them?” Beomgyu confusedly asked.

“Maybe? I don’t know? That’s why I’m asking you,” Taehyun replied. “Beomgyu, if Soobin and you will fight physically, who’ll win?” he then asked still looking outside.

“Me? I meant, not to brag but just look at him getting beat up and he doesn’t even know how to defend himself,” Beomgyu defended.

Taehyun nods and turn around to see Beomgyu. “It’s Soobin, who’ll win,” he stated.

“What are you talking about? If he knows how to fight then why did he let himself get beaten up by Hansol before?” Beomgyu wondered.

Taehyun chuckles and looks outside again where he can spot Soobin helping his classmates building their booth for School Fest. “I don’t know either. I’m dying to know why.”

“Soobin! Can you tie this? I can’t reach it,” one of his classmates asks for help.

“Ah yeah,” Soobin replied and did it easily because of his height.

After doing that, he received a messaged from Yeonjun. Yes, they have each other’s number now.

Yeonjun:Rooftop now. Bring chips and cola

Soobin grimace after reading his message. He went out from their booth site and went to the nearest vending machine to buy chips and cola. After that he went to the rooftop.

“Here,” Soobin said and lends the food to Yeonjun that he accepted right away and opens it. “Why are you? Aren’t you supposed to be practicing?”

“Later,” Yeonjun just replied. “But where’s my necktie by the way? You dare to take it off?”

“N-no! It’s here,” Soobin quickly replied and presented his wrist. “My mom noticed I’m wearing an old tie so she made me wear mine. I c-cut it and sewed then turn into this,” he explained and looked away while as he pursed his lips.

“Goodness, my dog is so good,” Yeonjun complimented and then pat Soobin’s head. “Here’s a treat,” he added and holds a piece of chip.

Soobin hesitantly opens his mouth and Yeonjun feed him. “Y-you’re really treating me like a dog,” Soobin muttered in his low voice while munching the chip.

“Because you are,” Yeonjun stated. “Open this, I’m thirsty.”

“Y-yes,” Soobin replied and opens the can of Yeonjun’s cola and lend it back to him. “T-that’s why I’m wondering if I’m the only one you’re treating like this,” he wondered.

Yeonjun looks at him after gulping his drink. “Yeah, only you because you’re the only one who deserves it,” Yeonjun stated.

Soobin deserves it…

Choi Soobin doesn’t know what to feel. Days ago, he bullied him and slapped him, after that night Yeonjun took care of him when he was sick. The next day he saved him from his other bully and even sleep with him and they even kissed then now he’s acting like an asshole again.

He doesn’t know if he’s going to say thank you or sorry to him, feel great or just be mad because he’s getting confused. He doesn’t want to feel comfortable with him because Yeonjun changes in a swift.

That’s why he’s afraid of him.

“Soobin, when School Fest happen Hansol and some of his underling might visit you again. I won’t be in there anytime to save you or protect you,” Yeonjun said and paused as he looked at Soobin’s eyes. “So I want you to protect yourself.”

“N-no, I don’t want too,” Soobin replied and started pulling his nails. “I-I… I c-can’t,” he stammered.

“You’re not going to fight back even if they’ll kill you? Are you stupid?”

“S-someone told me i-it’s better to just run away and not hurt others b-because violence isn’t always the solution to everything,” Soobin stated and gazed at Yeonjun.

“What a coward,” Yeonjun commented and looks at the field below them. “Then don’t expect me to save your ass again,” he added.

“Y-yes,” Soobin agreed. “I-I don’t want you to get involved either. Y-you’re losing your temper when you fight. Y-you should control it,” Soobin observed.

“Is that why you stopped me that night?”

“Yeah, y-you might kill him.”

Yeonjun look again at Soobin who’s head are looking at his feet. “Isn’t that what they deserve? To die?” Yeonjun asked him.

“N-no. Trust me, it’s not the only solution,” Soobin stated and lift his head and their eyes meet. “That person proved me, there’s always a better way.”

“Asshole,” Yeonjun reacted and walk passed by him. “See me in court at 5,” he stated before completely going out.

Soobin just sighs and look below the ground where students are busy building their booths for School Fest. He can also see other practicing for their specific contests and everyone are excited about the upcoming event.

Bullying isn’t new to Soobin anymore. What Yeonjun’s doing is nothing compared to what he witnessed before. Everytime he remembers it, his chest tightens and he couldn’t help but just cry for the memories that he wanted to bury already.

“His birthday is coming soon, should I celebrate it?” he whispered to the air and sighs again.

“Yeonjun! Just stay still in there and don’t practice!” Hyeong Bin yelled as he saw Yeonjun doing stretches.

“You’re just afraid,” Yeonjun replied as he runs around the court.

“What’s with you and Soobin? He’s always coming here with bottled water,” Hyeong Bin asked and joins Yeonjun running around.

“Delivery man,” Yeonjun just replied.

“Hey! Don’t tell me he’s your—“

“Shut up, Hyeong Bin or I’ll kick your ass,” Yeonjun threatens and Hyeong Bin just laughs at him.

“If not then then I want him mine,” Hyeong Bin chuckles and stops running.

Yeonjun didn’t react on that and he just continued running for more laps. It’s not like he likes Soobin to get work up about what Hyeong Bin said. So, it didn’t really affect him and he doesn’t really care at all.

“Man, be honest with me. Is there something going on with you and Yeonjun?” Beomgyu asked while they are walking heading to the field.

“None? Why?” Soobin casually replied, denying it.

“See! Taehyun’s just a pure gossiper!” Beomgyu exclaimed.

“Taehyun? Kang Taehyun? What about him?” Soobin asked in confusion.

“Nothing. Oh! By the way, can you join me later? I’m going to practice the song I’m going to sing,” Beomgyu invited him.

“O-oh, I have some plans already. I-I’m sorry,” Soobin rejected.

“Okay! I guess I’ll just invite him,” Beomgyu agreed right away.

“Him?”

“J-just him, a friend,” Beomgyu replied. “Guys! What can we help!?” he offered a help for his classmates.

Their booth is almost done and that’s when the two friends parted their ways. Soobin entered the court at exactly five in the afternoon and there’s this usual players who are playing in there.

He went to the bench and takes a seat while watching Yeonjun with his usual sports attire and his bandana. His sweats are visible while seriously playing with the other senior student. He’s really fast and the power of his both defense and attack is really great.

Their practice game ended with the score of 10-21 and they only play the first set. Yeonjun’s playing his racket with his hand as he walks to Soobin. Soobin opens the cap of the bottled water and lends it to Yeonjun.

Yeonjun received it and drinks it. Soobin’s looking at him from below and again this sight reminds him of Yeonjun kissing him. Yeonjun’s eyes gazed at Soobin and Soobin quickly looked away as he feels his cheeks burning.

“Argh!” Soobin growl when an empty bottle of water hit his head. He scratched it and glares at Yeonjun.

“What?”

“N-nothing,” Soobin just replied and pursed his lips because he can’t argue.

Yeonjun didn’t reacted and just went back to court for their second set. Hyeong Bin then approached Soobin and they started talking each other. Hyeong Bin keeps throwing cheesylines and some funny moments during their practice that is making Soobin laughs from ear to ear.

Yeonjun noticed the two laughing while his on his way to the serving area and he saw Hyeong Bin being touchy to Soobin that made him frown but he just shrugged his shoulders and hit the shuttle and the game continued.

Yeonjun never get distracted to his game but the laughing sounds of the two are irritating him for some reason. The rally continues and he hit the shuttle back but it’s off that it almost didn’t reach over the net but good thing it did.

Their second set ended with 18-21. Yeonjun’s kind of mad because he couldn’t focus at all. He went back to the bench and he glared at Hyeong Bin who quickly packed his things and went out. Yeonjun throws his racket at Soobin and the other managed to catch it but it hit his chin.

“Aw,” he sounded and rubbed his chin. “Are you still going to play? Or I’ll clean this up now?” Soobin asked and stood up.

Yoenjun just glared at him and went for his cool down stretches. Soobin controlled his temper and put the racket back on its bag and started organizing Yeonjun’s bag. He prepared what Yoenjun’s going to wear after.

“Yeonjun, there’s two shirt in here. What are you going to wear— hey! Argh! This guy!” he shouted in annoyance when Yeonjun left him because he’s already on his way to the shower room.

“Hey!” Soobin yells again while holding the both shirts. He stopped walking when Yeonjun started taking off his shirt. “I-I’ll leave the two shirts in here,” Soobin stuttered and put the shirts on a chair.

“Did I tell you to put that there?” Yeonjun asked in his voice full of authority.

“T-then…” he started walking towards him and lends the shirt. “H-here.”

Yeonjun suddenly grabs Soobin’s wrist and slammed him on the locker that made Soobin shivers because of how close Yeonjun to him is. “Did I give you permission to talk to Hyeong Bin?”

“H-huh? Why? W-what’s—“

“Don’t get near close to him or I’ll beat him up. You get that?”

Here’s Yeonjun again with his threat and Soobin who doesn’t want anyone to get involved in his mess and doesn’t have any choice. Here they are again in this situation.

“Y-yes. Sorry,” Soobin apologized.

Yeonjun lets go of the other. “Get lost,” he said and went inside the shower cubicle.