Chapter Text
Jihoon found himself snapping his fingers as he tried to figure out how he wanted the lyrics in the verse to go. He had been working on this particular song for almost a week now, making it perfect for his audition. It was just a school talent show, but, as a music major, Jihoon needed to show the best of the best. Also, he was a perfectionist. No reason to show off a song he wasn't completely confident in.
He wrote lyrics over and over, tossing away rejected ones in the trash over and over, until he settled on ones he felt good about. One more look over the lyrics before he wrote the song name at the top. Simple.
Jihoon smiled to himself, giving a mental self-five to himself for completing this song.
"Did you finish?" Wonwoo asked, looking up from his homework.
"Yeah," Jihoon replied, gathering up his music sheets and lyrics. "I'm gonna go try it out on the piano."
"Alright. See you later," Wonwoo said, turning back to his homework.
It wasn't unusual for Jihoon to go to one of the many piano rooms in the music building, even though the walk there was far. He was distracted, looking down at his phone while walking, and didn't notice the boy running into towards the building he was passing by. The boy bumped Jihoon's shoulder, only offering a quick apology as he ran inside. However, the bump wouldn't be solved so simply. Jihoon had lost the grip on his phone, and it fell to the ground, cracking in the corner.
Jihoon felt his blood boil, eyes following the boy as he ran into the building. "Hey! You made me crack my phone," Jihoon yelled after him, trying not to curse with so many people around.
The boy came to a halt, running in place for a second before running back to Jihoon. He stopped in front of Jihoon, reached into his pocket to pull out his wallet, and pulled out 50,000 won. "Sorry," he yelled, even though Jihoon was in front of him. Jihoon noticed the boy's dark hair was slightly disheveled and dark bags were visible under his sharp eyes. A small smile that showed off how chubby the boy's cheeks are was offered to Jihoon. The boy placed the money in Jihoon's hand, closing his fingers around the bill before running off again.
Jihoon wanted to yell at the kid more, but the boy was long gone already. He decided to just pocket the money, quietly cursing the situation as he continued his walk over to the music room. Once he began playing, his mind became focused on the music. Later that day, he could barely remember the boy except for the way he smiled. For some reason, the thought of the boy's smile gave Jihoon butterflies.
Jihoon nervously summed the tune to his song as he waited in the main lobby of the school's theater. Just a couple more people, and he would be up to perform. Even though he was a junior now, he hadn't tried out for the talent shown before. Most of the time he was too nervous and wanted to just occupy himself with composing instead of performing.
"Nervous?" A kid asked, sitting in the chair next to Jihoon. The sudden action made Jihoon retract away from the other, until he recognized his face. A sour expression formed.
"You're the guy who made me drop my phone," Jihoon deadpanned.
The boy's eyes widened in recognition. He began to visibly sweat while laughing nervously. Jihoon wanted to stay mad, but the boy's smile him soften.
"Oh yeah. I'm sorry about that. Not the best introduction, right?" The boy asked, snapping his fingers towards Jihoon like finger guns.
Jihoon's face stayed blank as he cocked an eyebrow at the guy. The stranger cleared his throat nervously, offering out his hand.
"My name is Soonyoung. I'm sorry for running into you."
Jihoon shook his hand quickly and said, "I'm Jihoon."
"Did your phone get fixed?"
"Luckily, my warranty covered it. I didn't even need to use your money."
"Really?" Soonyoung said expectantly.
"Yeah so, I used it eat a lot of food with my roommate," Jihoon said with a devilish smirk.
"Oh," Soonyoung deflated. He had hoped he was going to get his money back. It had been the only money he had for the week.
Jihoon reached down into his backpack, pulling out his wallet, and handed Soonyoung the bill. "I'm joking," Jihoon said, offering the money back to Soonyoung. "I couldn't use it. At least, not right away."
Soonyoung brightened as he took the bill back, sniffing it in excitement. Jihoon chuckled at the action. "I would've used it if I couldn't find you again though."
"I'm glad you found me," Soonyoung cheered.
The line, unknown to him, was extremely cheesy. Jihoon could feel his face heating up over the words. He couldn't understand exactly why, but he was glad his name was called to audition.
"Good luck," Soonyoung said as Jihoon began to walk to the theater doors.
"Oh...thanks. You too," Jihoon replied.
"Your voice is lovely, Jihoon," the women said once Jihoon finished his song. "You composed and wrote this song yourself?"
"Yes ma'am. I'm a music major. This is a usual project."
"Even so, it is a professionally crafted song. It could easily be played on the radio."
"Thank you so much. That means a lot," Jihoon said nervously.
"We will post who gets in by the end of the week, but I can tell you right now you will be on that list."
"Thank you so much," Jihoon said with a little bow, gathering up his stuff when she asked for the next person to be called in. As Jihoon made his way out, he noticed that a boy had joined Soonyoung. They must be doing a routine because they were doing counts and practicing their movements. Soonyoung caught Jihoon's eyes, saying something to his friend before running over to Jihoon.
Jihoon could feel his heart begin to race. Why would Soonyoung be coming over to him?
"Hey," Soonyoung said, "I just have to thank you for giving me back my money. I mean you didn't have to so it's really cool of you."
"No problem," Jihoon mumbled, ready to leave the area.
"As thanks let's go eat together."
"What?!" Jihoon yelped. He felt his mind malfunction trying to process what was just proposed.
"You made the joke that you spent the money on a lot of food to eat. You must want to do that so let's go somewhere to eat. All on me," Soonyoung said, waving around the bill.
"Ah well-"
"Let me get your number. We can meet up whenever we are both free," Soonyoung said pulling out his phone and handing it to Jihoon. The other hesitated slightly before complying.
"Kwon Soonyoung and Lee Chan," a voice called out.
"That's me," Soonyoung chimed. "I'll text you later," he told Jihoon, taking back his phone and waving goodbye.
Jihoon barely waved back before running from the theater. His heart was racing and his face must've been burning red by now. He really couldn't comprehend how that just happened.
Jihoon was thankful that Wonwoo was gone when he got back to the dorm. He must've been studying in the library like usual. The empty room allowed Jihoon to pace around and try to figure out what just happened.
"Do I have a date?" Jihoon questioned aloud. The idea made his hands stiffen and a weird Ah! escaped his lips as he fell back on his bed. Jihoon didn't have experience with this type of thing.
From: Boy that cracked my phone
"Jihoonie~ It's me Soonyoung! The guy who made you crack your phone and gave you money you never spent -o- Let's get some food today!"
Jihoon scanned over the message several times, wondering why the message was typed so cutely. It made him pull a disgusted face while also getting a warm feeling from reading it. He ignored that feeling as he replied.
To: Boy that cracked my phone
"Just Jihoon works. I'm free after 4."
From: Boy that cracked my phone
"But Jihoonie sounds nicer ㅠㅠㅠ I am also free after 4! Let's go eat BBQ~"
To: Boy that cracked my phone
"How are we getting there?"
From: Boy that cracked my phone
"I know a good place. Meet me at the station by the school at 4:30"
To: Boy that cracked my phone
"Thats a busy station. What if I can’t find you?"
From: Boy that cracked my phone
"Then I’ll find you~ Or call me if you get too lost"
Jihoon frowned at the thought. He was nervous around strangers meaning if he got lost he really wasnt going to ask for directions. Truthfully, he was probably just going to wander around the station until he found the boy.
Jihoon's fears came true. He couldn’t find Soonyoung at the entrance to the station, and he wasn’t sure which area he should go to. He didn’t even know what line to head to because Soonyoung failed to mention the BBQ place’s location. Jihoon looked around aimlessly for a second before pulling out his phone and calling Soonyoung.
"Yo! Where are you?" Soonyoung asked brightly when answering.
"That’s what I am calling to ask you," Jihoon deadpanned. He looked around again trying to see if he could spot him on the phone.
"I’m by the- oh wait! I see you. Look to your left."
Jihoon looked to his left and barely spotted Soonyoung through the crowd even though he was waving both arms above his head. Jihoon giggled a little at the other before making his way over to him, a blank expression taking his face again.
"You should’ve arranged the meeting place better," Jihoon said.
"You should’ve asked for more details," Soonyoung retorted.
Jihoon didn’t have a comeback so he just encouraged Soonyoung to lead them to the BBQ place. The other obeyed with a bounce in his step as he leads Jihoon, making sure not to lose him in the crowd.
The two sat across from each other at the table and ordered Coke to drink. Soonyoung gave a couple order suggestions based on how much money they had and Jihoon said it was up to the other. "You invited me so you pick. In the end, it is your money," Jihoon said, sipping the soda.
"You seem to be very go with the flow, Jihoonnie. Or maybe you just don’t care too much," Sonnyoung observed. His tone was a little more serious but his face was still bright, his smile not leaving his face.
"More the latter. Good food is good food. I won’t complain when I’m being treated a meal."
Soonyoung's head tilted slightly as he thought aloud, "So if you were buying then you'd be picky?"
"If I was paying," Jihoon remarked, "then we would be eating at the ramen place on campus." Jihoon nodded slightly at what he said and brought the soda back up to his lips.
"We can go there next time then," Sonnyoung said excitedly.
Jihoon almost spit out the soda he was drinking, choking on it slightly instead. He set down the drink and stared at the oblivious Soonyoung. "What do you mean next-"
The waitress cut off Jihoon's question as she came over to take their order. Jihoon sank down a little when she looked towards him, and Soonyoung began to speak, pulling her attention to him instead. Jihoon wished it was cold out so he could hide behind a mask or long sleeves, but fall was still a little bit off. The air was still sticky from humidity causing him to stick to t-shirts and shorts. Luckily, hats worked all year round to hide one’s face.
"Are you a shy person?" Soonyoung asked once the woman went to retrieve the meat he ordered.
"I’m not a people person," Jihoon grumbled. "I am pretty introverted."
"How cute," Soonyoung said.
"Don’t call me that. Also, how is it cute? I’m in my twenties and can barely talk to a waitress," Jihoon hissed.
"I guess because you are the opposite of me," Soonyoung said in a questioning tone like he wanted Jihoon's opinion. The other just stared so Soonyoung continued his thought. "People always comment that I am loud. I laugh a lot or just do weird things."
"I can see that," Jihoon says. Soonyoung smiles.
"Sometimes people get annoyed. You don’t seem to."
Jihoon quirked an eyebrow at this. Most people would say he always seems annoyed with them given his natural resting face. And the fact that he usually is annoyed with those around him.
"You really haven’t made any negative comments about how I act. Just got at me for making meeting up difficult which i get now. You were afraid to get lost because you wouldn’t be able to ask for help, right?" Soonyoung asked the question so easily, sipping his drink right after, but he kept his eyes on Jihoon and his tone was serious.
"Y-yeah. I kept thinking about it the whole way to the station."
Soonyoung nodded. "I will try not to put you in that situation again. Sorry I made you anxious."
Jihoon nodded, taken aback by the understanding and compassion Soonyoung was showing him. Usually, people would get at him for not being able to simply ask someone a question or order food over the phone. Wonwoo was the only person close to him who understood. Although, even then, Wonwoo wasn’t to Jihoons level. Jihoon felt like he might tear up so he stuffed his face full of food to divert his thoughts.
The two rode back on the subway rather silently. They ended the meal with simple questions about school, payed, and made their way back to the station. Soonyoung pointed out things he thought interesting on the walk back, like the shape of a lone cloud overhead or how cute a kid skipping alongside their mom was. Jihoon usually kept his head down and headphones in when walking around and realized he didn’t take in what was around him a lot. At least, he didn’t do so unless he was looking for song inspiration. It amazed him how Soonyoung found beauty and joy in little things around him.
When they got back to the station they met up at, Soonyoung bid his farewell since he didn’t live on campus. Jihoon reluctantly said his goodbyes, watching after Soonyoung until he disappeared in the crowd. A strange feeling filled Jihoon's stomach again as he went back to his dorm.
He entered the room to find Wonwoo sitting at his desk, typing away on his laptop. Wonwoo said a simple welcome back, not even looking towards Jihoon, obviously focused on what he was doing. Jihoon decided to just relax and digest his meal, trying his best not to think about this strange feeling he had. Trying not to think about how Soonyoung made him feel safe and comfortable. Trying not to think about wanting to see Soonyoung again.
As hard as he tried not to think about Soonyoung, the boy was all that came to Jihoon's mind the rest of the day.