Chapter Text
Knock knock knock knock
"Daeyoung, how long are you going to stay in the room? Hurry up, we're waiting."
Daeyoung swallowed his saliva and immediately straightened his own clothes. Today is the day he will return. Daeyoung didn't know what made him this nervous but the fact that Tokuno Yushi's presence in the living room of his house was the main reason.
Daeyoung was embarrassed, his face turned red for no reason when his memory returned to the night two days ago when Daeyoung asked Yushi to say his proposal sentence. Daeyoung thought he could handle it after all everything would have been arranged but in fact he couldn't. Instead of answering Yushi's statement, Daeyoung said that he was sleepy and went straight back to his bedroom, leaving Yushi alone there.
Of course that is a lie. In fact Daeyoung couldn't sleep. His heart continued to beat wildly. It felt strange, Daeyoung was happy, but also scared. Not to mention the many worries that were constantly spinning in his head.
In the end, Daeyoung was busy looking for validation on the internet about his feelings. The article says that this is very normal for someone who has just been shot. Beating doesn't mean you like it. Daeyoung was just shocked because it was the first time this had happened to him.
"Daengie?" His mother shouted again, this time calling him by his first name. "Hurry up and come out, you also have guests. It's rude if guests come but you're always busy in your room." Just as his mother finished her sentence, Daeyoung left the room with a suitcase in his hand.
"Well, that's it, my youngest is very handsome. Come on."
Daeyoung just smiled wryly. Where do you want to put your face when you see Tokuno Yushi? Daeyoung easily became a coward after what happened that night. Moreover, yesterday Daeyoung didn't want to meet Yushi even though Yushi deliberately came to the house to meet him
Now in the living room of Daeyoung's house are sitting the mother, father, and also...Yushi.
Yushi didn't look at him at all, he was busy eating several pieces of biscuits that Daeyoung made with his mother a few days ago.
"Finally you came out of your room. Dad thought you had become a sleeping beauty," joked his father, which automatically made his lips purse. Once again he glanced at Yushi who was still busy with himself.
If you think about it, Daeyoung might have gone a little too far. Because he couldn't sleep, Daeyoung finally woke up when the clock showed lunch time. At that time Yushi told him that he would go to Daeyoung's house to chat. Attacked by panic and fear, Daeyoung returned to his room without replying to the message. As soon as Yushi came, Daeyoung deliberately chose to lock himself in his room. The reasons varied from not feeling well, being busy arranging clothes, even when invited to dinner Daeyoung chose to eat in his room on the grounds that his research proposal had to be submitted before meeting with his lecturer later. This clearly meant that Yushi did not have the opportunity to meet the 21 year old man.
"If he becomes a sleeping beauty then we just have to find the prince to kiss him. Isn't that right, Papa?" Daeyoung's mother asked with a small smile, apparently on purpose.
"Mom..." Daeyoung was surprised by his mother's response. Again, he stole glances at Yushi. Seeing Yushi sitting in the living room of his house and not even looking at him, let alone talking, somehow made Daeyoung feel guilty.
"Oh yes Daeyoung, suddenly my father's project near the river needed some review. So my father arrived to take you today. Likewise with your mother who had a curriculum meeting."
"That's right, I have a meeting to discuss the new curriculum on campus so I can't take you."
“Is that so? It's okay Mom, I can take the train or bus. Looks like it's not too late if I look for tickets now." Daeyoung was about to take out his cellphone but his father's voice was heard again.
“There will be no tickets if it's sudden. Dad offered a better option.” The old man then patted someone beside him who had been silent and didn't say anything. "And that's why we asked Yushi for help and he was willing to take you."
“Yu…shi hyung? Dad, why are you bothering him? I can do it myself."
"No, you have to be taken. Who will guarantee that you will be safe if you take the bus? Yushi doesn't mind either, right, Yushi?"
Yushi nodded briefly. "Of course."
"Well then, I'm entrusting my youngest son to you, Yushi. Please look after him, okay?"
***
Nearly twenty minutes had passed and neither of them had spoken. Yushi was very focused on driving while Daeyoung was restless and kept playing with his hands. Occasionally he saw the glass next to him which reflected Yushi's image.
“Hyung, are you angry…?” Daeyoung finally asked after a sickening silence.
At first there was no answer until their car slowed down and then stopped at a minimarket.
“Want to come down, is there something you want to buy?” Instead of asking Yushi, he asked another question. Daeyoung shook his head and that made Yushi leave without a word.
“Argh… so awkward. Why does it feel scarier than our meeting a few days ago.” Daeyoung sighed and his heart beat. He knew Yushi must be angry or maybe very angry.
“But why be angry? Why am I worried that he's angry? Daeyoung babe!”
“Stop hitting your head, I don't want to change our travel plans to the hospital because your head hurts.” Yushi returned with a large piece of plastic in his hand. Yushi handed over a can of zero cola which Daeyoung immediately accepted.
“Relax, Daeyoung. I won't kidnap or hurt you, so you don't need to worry or be afraid throughout the journey. Have another snack, I also bought it for you.”
Daeyoung didn't speak again until a few minutes later he fell asleep.
***
The trip was supposed to only last approximately two hours but there was a traffic jam near the bridge which inevitably made the journey longer. Yushi didn't mind or get tired, he took advantage of time like this to pay attention to Daeyoung who was fast asleep in the passenger seat.
"I must be very boring for him," Yushi monologued quietly. "Why do you become quiet when you're around me, Daeyoung-ah?"
Seeing signs that the car wouldn't move, Yushi unfastened the seat belt to get something in the back seat. Some files have actually been prepared since yesterday.
“Ugh Hyung, what are you doing?”
It seemed like Yushi's sudden movement disturbed Daeyoung's sleep. The young man yawned with a slightly hoarse voice.
“Did I wake you up?”
"Hmmm," Daeyoung shook his head with a cute voice. This clearly made Yushi's smile appear unexpectedly. “Sorry I fell asleep halfway.”
"We're going to be a little late, go back to sleep, I'll definitely wake you up when we get there."
Daeyoung straightened his body. He was now fully awake as the car started to move smoothly.
“Hyung, are you tired? Are you angry?”
"No."
"That's okay?"
"I'm not tired Daeyoung-ah."
"Then you're angry?"
Yushi raised his eyebrows, not completely at the question. “Why should I be angry?”
“You ignore me.” Just when Daeyoung said that, he immediately covered his mouth. It seemed like he didn't intend to say that.
"Me…? Speak, I will definitely listen.”
With that, Daeyoung's story began about himself, who could be said to have never been approached or approached by anyone. Daeyoung doesn't feel that he has to have someone he likes like most young people. His life is just straight, school, playing games in internet cafes, meeting friends, studying, doing assignments, joining organizations, and joining clubs. Kim Daeyoung is quite sure that his activities keep him quite busy and he doesn't have the slightest thought about romance.
“Then suddenly father asked me to meet you. I'm confused, what I should do. Especially when you say I'm old enough to get married. I..." Daeyoung was at a loss for words. He took a deep breath. "I'm confused. I feel like I want to go back soon and go far away."
"It seems I scared you quite a bit," Yushi commented while remaining focused on the road. There were only a few minutes left until the Daeyoung dormitory building was visible.
"Yes, a bit. I even asked, why me? Why should I?" Daeyoung looked down deeply. He really felt worried and afraid. What will he face later, what about his dreams, with all the things he has imagined since he was young. Yes, Daeyoung is still young while Yushi.. Daeyoung isn't sure how old he is. Even though Yushi looked very young, Daeyoung was sure that they were at least more than seven years apart in age.
"Why don't you just refuse?" Yushi's voice was still calm and the same even though his grip on the wheel was getting stronger. For him, Daeyoung's words now show many things.
"I can't. We are matched." Yes, Daeyoung thought that even if he strongly refused, everything would be useless. His father was close to Yushi, to Yushi's parents (although until now Daeyoung didn't know what Yushi's parents were like), his mother also liked Yushi. Even the biscuits that Yushi ate this morning were made on purpose after Daeyoung's father said Yushi likes sweet food. That's why Daeyoung's mother immediately taught Daeyoung to make it even though his mother was busy.
"Even if it's an arranged marriage you can still refuse it."
“I can't, I mean I don't-”
“You can!" Yushi's tone rose slightly and it was quite surprising for the younger one. “If you say it clearly and not be vague like yesterday, I will understand. I also have no intention of messing with you, and I have said what I mean clearly. But you seem scared."
Their journey was almost over because now they had entered the dormitory gate.
“Thank you for meeting me that day. Thank you also for giving me the opportunity to get to know you a little. I didn't intend to make you scared or uncomfortable. And also…we're here.”
Daeyoung was still confused about processing everything Yushi said until he finally realized when Yushi said they had arrived. While Yushi came out and opened the door for him, Daeyoung suddenly didn't want to move. He still wanted to be here, discussing several things with Yushi because for the first time he could express what was in his head and what was in his heart.
Of course Daeyoung actually has many opportunities to express his heart and thoughts because Yushi always gives him that opportunity. In fact, every action Yushi takes is always with his approval and opinion. However, Daeyoung never once tried to be honest because what he was always thinking about yesterday was how to get Yushi to talk more to his parents instead of Daeyoung. How Yushi always invites him to talk but Daeyoung responds as is.
After thinking about everything, Daeyoung regretted it. He should have tried better and not just pretended.
" Even though this is an arranged marriage, you can refuse it! "
Yushi's words a few minutes ago are still remembered.
That's right, Yushi always asked his opinion, made him comfortable, respected him. Yushi also stated his aims and objectives clearly. Meanwhile Daeyoung didn't do anything. He's just trying to look good and none of it comes from the heart.
"Daeyoung-ah, aren't you coming down?"
Again Daeyoung drowned in his world until Yushi pulled him to the surface, in reality.
"Ah yes, just a moment." Daeyoung came out with difficulty. He was still staring. Where is the courage he has?
“Thanks for taking me, Hyung.”
Yushi nodded briefly. Giving Daeyoung's suitcase and looking at Daeyoung's dormitory building, it was just as empty.
"Good luck with your final assignment. You will definitely become a great person.”
Then there was silence, Daeyoung also had no intention of leaving any faster.
"My room is on the 6th floor," Daeyoung said suddenly. “There were three people including me. Actually four but he decided to leave the dorm.”
Then silence again. Feeling that this would never end, Yushi finally spoke. He will say goodbye.
“Okay Daeyoung, then-”
“Hyung, are you going straight back to Daegu?”
"Maybe," Yushi answered, not too sure.
“It took less than three minutes to put my suitcase there. Would you like to wait a moment?”
The younger boy stared for a moment then looked straight again. "Sorry, I thought we could have lunch first but if you're tired it's okay."
"Let's have lunch."
It was the first time Yushi saw the child's eyes sparkle from this close. Daeyoung promised that he wouldn't let Yushi wait long until he ran inside.
Sure enough, in less than three minutes the young man returned. Maybe Yushi's sense of smell was wrong but he felt Daeyoung smelled better than before. Yushi didn't want to comment about the smell but Yushi couldn't help but comment when he realized Daeyoung was wearing neater clothes, like their meeting at the restaurant a few days ago.
“Is it because this is the last time we will eat together that you are dressed like this?”
Daeyoung looked at him disapprovingly, he even folded his arms. “Hyung, why do you think this will be our last lunch?”
Yushi was quite confused but then something made him realize. Yushi and Daeyoung might still be friends.
“You've said it clearly, quite clearly I mean. You rejected me. So this will most likely be our last lunch together.”
“Hyung, that's just from your perspective.” Daeyoung imitated Yushi's words at their first meeting. “I haven't said it clearly. I haven't even said anything.”
Daeyoung took a deep breath to calm his suddenly pounding heartbeat. He was embarrassed, especially when Yushi deliberately pulled over the car just to hear Daeyoung speak.
“I'm not rejecting this match, Hyung, I'm not rejecting it because I don't want to. No I mean… maybe we could try. As for your question that night, Yes.” Daeyoung said it, he didn't know whether this was the right move or not but he would try for Yushi like Yushi tried for him. “As long as hyung doesn't mind a long distance relationship.”