18 - The Truth is always Key

Kyeom pov.

"Hello?? How are you there? Is your mother feeling alright now? Just leaving a message again. Please call me back." I said as soon as my call went straight to voicemail with Joshi's number.

"Dude i feel like you're gonna occupy all his voicemails now if you keep leaving messages. It's already like the 5th time you called right?" Hoshi asked as he ate his ice cream.

"6th but Yeah but it's been a whole day and he told me he was coming home yesterday." I complained.

"You act like you two are already a couple. Didn't you reject him on the phone." He said and I looked at him automatically.

"I did not reject him. I just want him to ask me personally. Not on the phone. There is definitely a difference." I said and Hoshi just shook his head.

"Whatever floats your boat. But from where I was standing. It feels like a rejection." Hoshi stated and I looked at him as if he was crazy.

"What? You made it sound like you didn't like the guy." Hoshi said again.

"I do like him." I suddenly said without thinking. And my eyes went big as I covered my mouth.

"See that's why I tol——- wait! You just confessed! Oh shiiiiii8— let us all welcome the one and only whipped bestfriend of mineeee." Hoshi joked and I slapped his arm.

"See? Is that so hard?" Hoshi asked again as I glared at him.

"What's hard?" I asked.

"Being honest." He suddenly said and I looked at him.

"You don't understand. We have a dynamic.... I don't wanna break it. Unless needed." I said and Hoshi frowned.

"You're right. I don't understand you. If it was me. And I know that he likes me too and the feeling is mutual I would probably jump on that right away." He said while playing with his phone.

"Alright you know why this is weird to me." I told him and he breathed in deeply.

"I know. I know. You have never been in a serious relationship. Just a bunch of flings because you're such a chicken to commit." Hoshi mumbled and I kicked him this time.

"You know what? Your support to me as a bestfriend is very questionable." I told him and he just rolled his eyes.

"Hey what are you guys doing?" Kwannie suddenly asked.

"Well, my friend here is missing his boyfriend so I'm comforting him as a BESTFRIEND" Hoshi placed an emphasis on the word bestfriend trying to be funny.

"Oh Joshua? I thought he was back? I think Bonon and I saw him earlier in the cafe in the CaratCafe." Kwannie said as if already knowing. Who Hoshi was talking about. Then I realized what he just said. Oh? He was back and he didn't even bother to call me.

"Oh he's back?" I asked.

"Bonon is still at the Cafe want me to give him a call?" Kwannie offered.

"Oh no thanks." I said and went back to staring at my phone. Hoshi must be right. He must really felt like I rejected him. I should tell him it was not true.

"Alright let's go." Hoshi suddenly stand up and dragged us both.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I don't wanna see you sulk all day again. Just tell him that it was a misunderstanding. You know how he always thinks of the worst?" Hoshi said and I just followed Hoshi. Maybe he's right. A direct approach should be implemented.

"I'll text Bonon." Kwannie said as he walked with us back to the cafe he was talking about.

————-5 minutes later—————-

"Wait! Before we go out... what do I tell him?" I asked in panic as we arrived in the parking lot of the cafe.

"Just ask him to be your boyfriend. You ask him that all the time when you were not even close." Kwannie said and I rolled my eyes knowing how difficult this was than then.

"Yeah that was not Joshi last time." I mumbled.

"Huh?"asked Kwannie.

"Oh nothing. alright I'll talk to him." I said as I went out the car. Kwannie called Vernon to give me privacy as he said and Vernon followed right away. They were pretty far away from the cafe so I was a little relieved that they won't hear what I say.

"Good luck dude. Get some!" Hoshi suddenly shouted. People outside the parking lot glanced at my direction and I covered myself in embarrassment. My friend really knows how to make fun of me in every situation.

As I approach the cafe, I noticed something. Joshi was not alone. He was with someone.I was confused who he was talking to? Maybe a friend? Then as I got closer, I noticed something my friends will never notice.

It was Joshua. Not Joshi. Oh no... maybe he's on a date. I will definitely ruin this if I talk to him right now.

Then as I stopped and thought about what to do staring at Joshua, my phone rang. I looked at it right away, I got scared.

"What are you waiting for? Stop hesitating and just do it.... Or do you want me to do it for you?" Kwannie said as he sounded impatient. Alright relax, I'm thinking. I put my phone down and dropped the call.

Alright.. let's think about this. I'll just go there and tell him that I wanna talk about something. It won't be weird. I went in the cafe, and waited a little if he would recognize me.

"Oh? Kyeom?" He said and I thank heaven's that he saw me first.

"Oh.. Joshua. You're here? Didn't see you there. I was just grabbing an iced coffee.. for Kwannie." I said as I run out of excuse. I was thinking but my brain was not cooperative.

"Oh, how rude of me. This is Micah. She's a close friend from abroad.. Micah this is Kyeom.. my brother's uhmmm friend?" He said in confusion as well. Well I know we have a complicated relationship but he doesn't need to make that obvious. I glared straight him and his friend laughed at both of us.

"Nice to meet you Micah. Can I just talk to your friend for a little while. It's really important" I told her and Joshua looked at me confused.

"Go ahead." She said with a smile.

"What's up? What did my brother do now? Because I already told him everything that it is to know about you." He asked as if he thought Joshi did something bad.

"No nothing. My friends were just here. They thought you are Joshi so I need to pretend to confess or whatever." I said to him discreetly and he chuckled.

"Confess to me? Not my first rodeo." He bragged and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Come on help me. My friends are watching." I asked him.

"Oh, they finally had enough of you guys playing house? Alright then. But my brother's not gonna be happy about this. You know how jealous he gets" He said.

"Well he isn't here right now is he??!? If he was, then I would probably not be doing this with you but with him instead." I snapped at him and he just chuckled in return.

"Just go to the apartment. I'm sick of you guys sulking at each other." He whispered in my ear. Then he suddenly hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"He got back already?" I asked him.

"Yes. And I'm supposed to keep that a secret so you owe me this time. 2nd wish gone dundundundun... last wish should be memorable." He winked. Then I smiled at him. Why is he getting into this genie character so easily.

"Happy? Now pretend I accepted your confession and get back to your friends. Then later come by at the apartment because I'm also tired of Joshua sulking in his room all day. Always mooing around like a sad deer." He said once again and I just stood there.

"Thank you." I said and I did get back tot the car. I was silent and didn't say anything.

"So??" Asked Hoshi and Kwannie at the same time while Vernon continued to eat his milk ice cream.

"I don't wanna talk about it. But can you drop me off at this address" I told them and they looked at me in confusion.

"What why? He rejected you did he? Did he really????No explanation what happened inside?" Kwannie said.

"Nope. I just wanna be dropped off here please." I told them and Hoshi drove. The car ride was silent. Mostly Kwannie mumbling something about me being confusing as hell.

"Alright we're here.." hoshi said after a few minutes of driving.

"You guys can go now." I told them and they are even as confused as before.

"But—" before Hoshi could complain I cut him off.

"Can I use my no questions asked here?" I asked Hoshi and He looked at me one more time and nodded.

"What? What's that?" Kwanie asked in confusion.

"Let's just go Boo. I think Kyeom needs some time by himself." Vernon suddenly said and Hoshi brought them back to wherever they were gonna go.

"Thank you." I texted Hoshi and he sent me a like. 👍 He knows I need this and he's supportive like that.

Alright Kyeom. You went all the way here. Suck it up and confess as you intended. No other agenda. Just straight up confession. I prepped mentally and hyped myself up as I went inside Joshi's apartment.

I knocked on the door.

"Just come in. You have a key." He said from the inside and I automatically knew it was Joshi. He was really back. I didn't say a think and used my key. I have a key because he gave me one for emergencies.

He didn't spare me a glance. And just continued to make bracelets? Or even necklaces? He was busy using beads and glues together.

"Josh?" I finally said a word. Then he stopped moving. It seemed like he was shocked that it was me. He sat up straight and dropped his beads on the table.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"Well... you're not answering my calls.." I said.

"Oh? That? Sorry I was preoccupied." He said without glancing at me again. Seriously is he sulking that much? I sat down beside him but he still continued making his beads arts and craft.

"Joshi can we talk." I said trying to make him face me.

"We are talking." He said.

"Can you look at me for once?" I said trying to control myself not to get angry at this guy right now.

"For what?" He suddenly asked and help me god I'm gonna smack this guys head right now.

"Joshi if you don't look at me right now. I'm gonna walk out of this building right now and you will regret not talking to me because I will cut you out of my life." I said to threaten him and I guess it kinda worked because he suddenly faced me and held my hand.

"Alright alright. We'll talk." He said with worry in his eyes.

"Alright that's better. Let me start by asking why you're not seeing me? You told me you were going home yesterday and now I found out that you're here without even giving me a call." I asked.

"Well, this is my home so technically I got home." He said and I was shocked.

"And you refuse to see me when you're back because?" I asked with an annoyed tone.

"It's my problem Kyeom. I feel this bad and weird things and I can't control them. And I know if this continues, I'll definitely drive you out. And I don't want that. " He said and I looked at him.

"Are you mad about the call?" I asked directly.

"I'm not mad. I'm just... I'm just hurt perhaps. I mean I never thought that I could be rejected so easily. I thought it was a pretty cute moment." He suddenly said in a lower and Quiet tone.H"Oh, maybe Hoshi was right. It did sound like a rejection." I mumbled to myself.

"It's not?" He asked.

"Are you kidding me? After all we've been through??? Do you think I would reject you just like that? You know for a straight A student, you're dumb" I jokingly told him and he chuckled a little.

"So wait you're not rejecting me?" He asked.

"How many times do I have to tell you no? I even went all the way over here just to tell you I like you so much that being away from you makes me wanna throw up!" I said to him and he looked as shocked as I was.

"Wait. I think I'm having a stroke. You said you like me too?!" He suddenly said as he totally threw all his beads and wires all over the floor.

"I'm seriously gonna slap you right now." I told him and he suddenly turned his back around.

"This so unexpected. I don't even have my good beads in here." He muttered as he was fixing something from his bead collection.

"Good beads? How does that connect to me confessing right now?" I asked him in confusion. I just told this guy I like him and his first reaction was to olay with his stupid beads?!?! Maybe I am the one having the stroke.

"This will do for now." He suddenly said as he placed the bracelet in my arm. The bracelet was a cute silver beaded design. It has a pendant inside that has the initials Jk.

"Jk— just kidding?" I asked knowing full well what it means.

"It's a promise bracelet.it's not the best one I made in here but I will do." He said as he showed me one of his designs I chose.

"You know sometimes you seem like a child." I commented and smiled a little as he handed me the bracelet.

"Just Because I made something like this? That's a little rude. My little heart hurts." He said and winked knowing I'll smile at his little joke.

"Thank you for this but Would you stop all this advertisement and hear me out for once. I'm trying to confess here." I told him and he stopped fussing around.

"Wait I'm not ready." Joshi said.

"I'm seriously rethinking this already." I told him in annoyance.

"No no. Sorry I'll listen. Go on go on." He said as he sat down beside me in the couch. Then  we were face to face looking at each other and My brain fogged.

"Wait. I'm not sure what to say now." I said slightly embarrassed. Then Joshi chuckled.

"Please don't look at me." I said as I covered his eyes with my hands.

"How can we talk if you cover my eye?" He asked in confusion.

"You know what? This is better. Just close your eyes and listen." I said as I continued to place my palm in his eyes.

"Josh.. I like you. From the moment you exchanged with your brother, even if I didn't know it. My heart secretly calls out to you despite my brain saying the complete opposite. I trusted you right away because you have a kind heart. You showed me that in many ways already and I have never been as impressed by anyone as you. If you would like it and hopefully you do, I would like us to be officially dating.? Is that something you want too?" I asked. Then I listened if he had something to say.

"Why are you so quiet." I asked terrified of what I'll hear.

"I just.. feel like that was the best thing you ever said to me. I would love to date you Kyeom. I understand now why you wanted to do this in person." He said and grabbed my hands that's covering his eyes.

"You do?" I asked.

"Well if we did this on the phone like I stupidly did, I wouldn't be able to do this." He said as he grabbed my chin and kissed me on the lips.

He waited for my reaction before continuing and then I looked at him.

"Did you think I came here just for a peck?" I asked and he smirked.

"You're just perfect." He said before he smashed his lips to mine. This time he kissed me as if he was sucking on a candy. Is he a vacuum in his past life?

I found my hands on his hair gripping them to pull him closer to me. Then he pushed me down the couch as he kissed me to get on top of me. My back was already laying flat on the couch as he continued to devour my lips. Then I suddenly pushed him to stop.

"Wait. I didn't hear you tell me you like me too. I don't want this to be a one sided thing." I said breathlessly.

"I thought that was already a given??l" he asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Alright then..." He said as he kissed my forehead. 

"I like how you always think of others before yourself....." he whispered in my ear and kissed my neck in the process. I smiled as his hands roam around my body giving it shivers all over.

"I like your energy. The positive attitude you bring all the time." He said as he kissed my forehead this time. Then his thumbs brushed my lips as he kept eye contact on my mouth.

"I like how you care about the little things." He said and poked my nose.

"But what I like about you the most is that—-" before he could say anything I closed his mouth by pinching it with my fingers.

"Could you stop being cringy! It's too much already. I get it already." I told him as I hid my face by placing my forehead in his chest too.

"You're so cute. Maybe I should just lock you in here so that you'll be with me everyday." He said and I looked at him. He was smiling at me as I did.

"Alright you're sounding like a serial killer now." I jokingly said to him and he chuckled. Then he gave me another kiss on the lips again. More like a peck.

"But you liked this serial killer." He winked and I pushed him and sat down.

"Cocky." I said to him and he smiled. The gummy smile that I missed.

"Sorry... i just feel so happy right now I could just..." he said as he kissed me again in the lips and laughed again.

"Would you stop that. Just because I'm your boyfriend. Doesn't mean you can just do whatever you like with me." I said and I realized what I said and suddenly I felt embarrassed but still pretending I said something normal.

"Boyfriend huh?" He said as he stood up.

"Stop that." I warned him.

"I like the sound of that. Maybe say it more often from now on." He said and I glared at him.

"There will be no sharing and saying this stuff often because we are keeping this a secret." I said because I know what will happen the minute our relationship is out. I don't wanna be burdened by people's opinion.

"We are?" He asked.

"Yes we are. Let's keep it lowkey. I don't wanna jinx it." I said and I could see him hesitating but nodded along anyway.

"So if there are people around I'm single?" He asked me trying to tease me.

"No! You are taken as it is already. I just don't wanna broadcast it." I said.

"But people will not know that..." he trailed off

"So?" I asked.

"Anddd ofcourse if by any chance... girls and even guys are probably gonna continue to hit on me... is that gonna be my fault?" He said with a little smirk on hi little face.

"Why would you assume that right away???" I asked with a higher pitch.

"What? It's a normal circumstance and a very real one at that." He said and I glared at him. Does he already want me to break up with him already? He's testing my patience.

"Whatever! You can tell them you're taken but don't tell them it's me. Happy?" I said and he chuckled.

"That's what I thought... alright then. Wanna get something to eat?" He said and this time I finally got on board with him.

"Finally something useful to say." I said and he scrunched his nose and poked mine.

"I'll make some pizza." He suddenly said.

"From scratch? Are you Nara Smith?" I asked in shock.

"Alright you caught me. I have leftover pizza from earlier. Wait how did you know I was here anyway?" He asked all of a sudden.

"I went to see your brother. Accidentally don't go getting jealous again. It's your own brother and you have those thoughts what a shame." I told him and he just chuckled.

"He sold me out again. But it brought you here so I will let this go this time." He said acting hurt.

"Wait." I said as soon as I heard my phone ringing.

"Are we gonna talk about your confession to Joshua or should I just wait for you here in your house?" He didn't even say hello or anything and just jumped straight to it.

"Confession? He already knows?" Joshu whispered beside me.

"Shhhhhhhh" I said trying to make this more understandable.

"In the coffee shop. It looked like he rejected you." He said and Joshi looked at me. He grabbed my phone and then turned off the call.

"You confessed to my brother before me?!?" He said in a really shocked tone. He looked pissed.

"Of course not. You can ask him later if you want. What are you talking about?!??" I told him then he stayed silent. The I stood up cupped his face and squished his cheeks making him look at me.

"Joshi stop overthinking everything and trust me. I only like you. Even if you both have the same face. Hell even if your mole in the cheeks are identical I like you and it wont change anything I feel about you so would you relax and heat me up some leftover pizza." I said in annoyance but he smiled at me like I said something really nice to him.

"Right away sir!" He said as he saluted. I guess he gets it already. I don't want any misunderstanding in here. We are too old for that.

"Now I'm gonna call Hoshi. Because you just hang up on him and he's an overthinker as well. Why do I end up with guys like you anyways." I said and he just nodded and smiled.

"Sorry about that." He said as he threw a peace sight at me.

"Alright." I said and called Hoshi to tell him that everything alright.

———————————————————————————-Author's note:

Well thennn they are officially dating 🥰🥰🥰And I know this is a very very short chapter for you guys... i am currently busy in my work and my schedule is pretty hard to control sooo... sorry for taking too long... this is all the time I have now... See you next chapter 🥰🤣🥰

Hope you guys understand 🥰 i will update as soon as I have more free time.