Chapter Text

jihoon

SUMMER, August

“Did I tell you not to work today, or not?”

Seyeong blinks. 

“But I’m already okay...” she said, and as if she forgot, she adds the Sunbae right away…. “Sunbae.”

I sighed quickly. “Tss. Alright.” 

I spun my chair towards Jeonghan and Joshua. We’re at the studio. My recording studio. And Seyeong being at the right time as usual; She arrived exactly Seven in the morning—even I strictly told her not to.

My brows were crinkling when I came to face Jeonghan and Joshua who were just sitting by in front of me. UnbelievabLe. I JUST happen to see how they managed to look at me vaguely. 

“What?” I inquired.

“Nothing,” said Jeonghan Hyung. 

Joshua Hyung on the other hand put back his earphones on. 

“Oh, Seyeong, do you feel better?? I heard that you caught fever yesterday.” Jeonghan states to Seyeong.

“Uh, I feel better now. Thanks for asking.” she supplies smiling.

“Good.” 

Jeonghan then stood up and grins at Sey like he’s trying to ask something from her. “I’m not supposed to say this because I know you just got here and this is really too much to ask but—Seyeong, Can I ask for help? ” Seyeong laughs and I shut my eyes unbelievably. I knew this would come. 

“Anything. What is it?” 

“Hyung!” I called out.

“What?”

“I’ll help you. What is it?” I snatch the paper from him, and Jeonghan Hyung doesn’t have anything to do about it. He only sat back on the couch and only managed to say, “Okaaay?”  

Joshua hyung on the other hand stood up and went towards Seyeong’s desk. “Seyeong, do you have another copy of this? I wrote too many corrections and it got messy,” he says.

Aish. Joshua Hyung too? Ugh. This is why I don’t want her to get back to work today. I bet she won’t even get a second of rest in here.

“Hmm. I think that is the last one. Wait, I’ll just make another copy.” Seyeong took the flash drive from her desk. She was about to run out of the door but I called out to her quickly, “Where are you going?” I asked Seyeong.

“Uhm, outside. I’m going to make some copies of the lyrics. Do you need anything, Sunbae?”

I stood up from my seat and fixed my shirt. “I’ll do it. Give me the flash drive.” I said extending my hand towards her. 

“No, sunbae! I’ll do it!”

“But—” Seyeong pushes the glass door, and I think she was kind of panicking because she forgot that the glass door wouldn’t open by pushing… It’s impossible because you are supposed to be pulling this glass door tho.

Jeonghan chuckled. “Seyeong, you know you have to pull it, right?” he corrected which made Seyeong stop. We then also heard her sighed next. And after a few seconds, with calmer movements, she pulled the glass door and finally. Finally, she got outside.

The two Hyung’s exchanged looks and I can really tell what the meaning of that look for. However, I do not bother to acknowledge it and just let it pass. 

But, these two hyungs are unbelievable. They snickered together right in front of me and immediately after that, they acted like everything was normal again. With earphones on, Joshua Hyung went back on the couch. Jeonghan read his own copy of the song lyrics.

I sighed deeply. Seriously, this is kind of frustrating to begin after all.

“What’s the deep sigh for?” Jeonghan asked.

I tilt my head curiously, “Is Seyeong avoiding me?” I blurted out.

“Did you do something?”

I think hard about that one question. Did I? Did I really do something wrong? …. 

“I didn’t,” I respond to him and to myself.

“Then what is it?” Jeonghan narrowed his eyes to me suddenly and he started to point at me accusingly. 

“You got mad at her again, didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU?”

“No. I did not!”

“Did you tell her that you like her?”

I sighed. “Not yet…” Oh shit. I bobbed my head up quickly. I was totally dumbfounded that I only got to stare at Jeonghan Hyung. My throat is getting dry. I suddenly feel anxious. I never told anyone about this. 

Jeonghan gave me a smirk, “Don’t worry, Jihoon. I already know it.” he exclaims. 

My eyes fly open at this. How? How did he know??? I glanced at Joshua who was just sitting beside him. Is there a chance that he knows it too? Noooo Jihoon. He must have not heard anything because of the earphones. I glance back at Jeonghan. He crossed his legs and took a serious look at the paper he’s holding. And then casually he says, “Maybe she likes you, that’s why she’s avoiding you.”

“She does??”

Jeonghan muffled a laugh. “Hey! I said, MAYBE. Don’t get excited!”

I pursed my lips together. Tss. 

“Aigoo. Our dear Woozie is a grown-up man now. Etteokaji?” he teases. I just rolled my eyes at him and shook my head. “So, when will you tell her?” he added.

“I don’t know yet.” I look at him seriously. “What should I do?” I asked.

I couldn’t believe my mouth just asked a question like that. I must be getting crazy. This is really me having an insane crisis from her. Seriously what’s happening to me. What’s happening to you, Lee Jihoon!

I sighed deeper than my sigh a while ago. I can’t stop thinking that Seyeong wouldn’t be here anymore in a few days. I feel like I’m only wasting my time for not doing anything for her or not even telling what I’ve been wanting to tell. 

I want to tell her how much I wanted her to stay, but telling her was hard. No! Actually, that is not the hardest part. What was harder—is to tell the true reason. I’m afraid to say the words. The actual words why I’ve wanted Seyeong to stay. 

To tell her how much I like her. 

Jeonghan grins. “This is simple. Just show how much you like her. Come on! Just do it like how you wrote your songs. A man who is warm, A man who is—” he paused like he’s getting electrified cringe from his spine. “Aish. Jinjja. What are you making me into Woozi?” he laughed. “This is cringing my whole body!”

Getting infected by the same cringe, my shoulders shivered and I laughed with him too. I shake my head in disbelief, and I say, “yeah, why did I ask this though.”

“Why don’t you just sing to her?”

Fast. Our heads immediately jerked towards Joshua Hyung. 

Is he talking to us? 

Joshua then looked at us like why-you-lookin’-at-me-like-that and he pulled out the earphone from his left then to his right ears. “Girls love that. Why don’t you try it,” he suggested.

“Then what will he sing,” Jeonghan then strum his invisible guitar, “ Sometimes I dream about chocolate?” he sang. We all guffawed and it was so funny it made me slap Jeonghan’s knee humorously. Joshua then sang along too. “But then I wake up. It was all just a dream~” 

Hyung’s chocolate freestyle song was still hilarious even up to this date. I can’t believe they still remember that from Seventeen TV.

Jeonghan shrugs. 

“But on a serious note. That’s actually a nice idea. Girls do like to be adored.”

“Moya? What is she? a cat or a dog? Don’t use adored, Jeonghan.” Joshua snaps.

“It doesn’t matter!” Jeonghan retorted. “What matters how you treat the girl.” Jeonghan looks at me. “Make her feel that you like her.”

Joshua did a quick sigh. “I’m sorry but this is making me cringe,” he said lowly.

“You’re not alone.” Jeonghan agrees with a dead expression on his face.

Suddenly, the door opened and it was Seungkwan. Jeonghan clasped his hands together to dumbfounded Seungkwan. “Right timing! Seungkwan-ah, what did your sister like?” 

Seungkwan looks at all of us in a perfect confused reaction. “Soobin? Seyeong?” he then glances at me. “Ah. jeongmal! I wasn't born to be asked every day like this.” he started getting frustrated all of a sudden.

“Why? What do you mean?” I question.

Seungkwan rolled his eyes up. “My goodness! Someone just asked me the same question, earlier.”

Who? 

Is it Seungcheol Hyung?

“It’s not Seungcheol Hyung if that’s what you’re thinking, Jihoon Hyung. The question is for my twin sister, okay.” he clarifies quickly.

Okay. I’m very intrigued…

How did everyone else know I like Seyeong? And how the hell do they know what I’m thinking?! I was about to ask him why—but Seungkwan quickly begins, “Because BooSeokSoon is now debuting I’m going to give you pieces of information that ONLY YOU —” he pointed his filthy finger to me, “—can have producer-nim~”

I flinch while looking at him. “Kapjagi?” 

“Okay listen up! As much as we all knooooow. Noona is not a materialistic type of woman. She pretty didn’t want anything special besides this,” he lifts his two fingers. “2C’s.” 

“2C’s?” I echo.

“Cat and Caffeine.”

“Ahhhhh..” Three of us acknowledge at the same time. That actually makes sense! Because I just remembered, I once saw Seyeong getting so soft like she saw something adorable scrolling through her feed—and because I get so curious. I secretly peeked behind her back and saw cats. A LOT of them…

Seungkwan goes along on his brotherly advice. He spilled everything that much, I almost almost wanted to get a paper and jotted it all down. However, I just listened to him intently and tried my best not to forget all about the things I should know about Seyeong.

⧜

“Where are they?”

“Downstairs. Practice room.” I replied to Seyeong.

“Oh. Hm, Aren’t you coming to the rehearsals too?” 

I turn my chair a bit and look at Sey. “You don’t want me here?” I asked.

Seyeong’s eyes bulged in an instant. “No, of course not. I’m just-I’m just asking-”

I chuckled. 

“I’m kidding Seyeong.” I spun my chair back to my keyboard and began to set the right tune for the song I was thinking of.

“I’ll be rehearsing too… After this.” I said. “Uhm, Seyeong?”

“Yes, sunbae?” I pull a chair and put it beside me, “Can you come here for a sec?” As I recall myself for the melody, I notice Seyeong just STANDING beside me. What is she doing?

I stare at her. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“Nothing?” she replies confused.

“I put that chair, so you can sit,” I exclaimed. 

“Oh.” Seyeong then sat on the chair immediately, and she dragged it a couple of inches away from me. I look at her again. I was confused earlier—but now I’m clearly certain. I’m really certain that Seyeong is avoiding me…

I shook my head quickly and chuckled to myself. She’s so cute. With my hand grabbing her shoulder, I pulled her chair towards me. And I guess I grabbed her by surprise, Seyeong flinched as she yelped, grasping my arm. 

“You're too far that’s why,” I exclaimed fast.

“TOO FAR??” she echoes, her eyes widen in shock. “Hey! I almost fell!” 

“I got you didn’t I? So, you didn’t fall Sey.”

She huffs a heavy breath. “Yeah right,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes up. I glanced at her. “What did you say?”

Seyeong grins, “Nothing. Nothing~” she compensated.

“Sooo... Are you making a new song?”

“No.”

“What? So, what am I doing here?” she was about to stand up but I held her hand right away, “Just sit right there and listen.” I said softly.

“O—kay.” she said quietly.

This is it, Jihoon. Don’t mess up. 

I exhale a deep courageous breath before I begin. Pressing the first key, I try not to look at Seyeong. Geez. I was incredibly nervous like hell. My entire body was heating up too. I can’t believe I’m actually taking Joshua hyung’s advice… 

You're just too good to be true

I can't take my eyes off you

You'd be like heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you

Pardon the way that I stare

There's nothing else to compare

The sight of you leaves me weak

There are no words left to speak

But if you feel like I feel

Please let me know that is real

You're just too good to be true

I can't take my eyes off you

I love you baby

I love you baby

And if it's quite alright

I need you baby

To warm the lonely nights

I love you baby

Trust in me when I say

Oh pretty baby

Don't bring me down I pray

Oh pretty baby

Now that I've found you stay

And let me love you, baby

Let me love you

I put down my hands on my knee. God this is insane. Really insane. I still feel kind of heating up. I can’t even look at her. What should I do next? Why is she not talking tho? Isn't she gonna say something?? 

Slowly. I take a glance at her. Seyeong was just staring at me, together with her face having no expression at all. I swallowed hard. Shi—t. This silence is making me embarrass way way more. 

Seyeong blinks. 

“Uhm.. you’re going to do a re-make song for that?” 

“Seyeong!” I yelled defeatedly. Is she serious? “What?” she belted back.

Resting my back against the chair. I messed my hair in complete frustration. I literally was out of breath for that minute and my heart was pounding, and all I got is this? Really? Seyeong didn’t get it?

“Ah, I shouldn’t have done this.”

“Wae?”

I look at her again. “Are you serious?” I sighed. “Is this why you are avoiding me?”

“Avoiding you??”

“Well, don’t you?? Is this because of yesterday?”

“Yesterday??

“Yes! Ugh.” I groaned. “and can you please stop repeating what I’m saying.”

“Oh sorry.”

“So, are you?”

“So are,” she cuts herself. “I mean, what do you mean?”

“Are you avoiding me?”

“Ani! Why would I even do that? I’m just.” she stuttered. “I’m just, I’m just embarrassed.”

“Embarrassed?” Okay. Now I’m the one who is repeating her sentence.

“I mean you, you took care of me yesterday…” Seyeong lowered her head. “Uhm, that I really felt so sorry for it,” she mumbled.

I smiled. I don’t know… maybe because of this particular moment, where Seyeong looks so shy because of me. 

Oh, she’s so cute. “Sey, you don’t have to say sorry... Cuz I really don’t mind at all. Just don’t be sick again, okay?” I supply with that same smile still lingering on my face. 

Seyeong raises her head up, and she looks at me smiling. “I won’t. I promise. I’m really sorry, again Sunbae. Sorry for all of the fuzz.”

“I told you. A thank you will do. Or no,” I spun my chair to my front. “Just go out with me this weekend.”

“Go out with you? W-why? For what?” she squawks.

“Uhm,” pursing my lips together I say, “Some kind of a date??”

“Date? WAE?”

“I thought you already knew?”

“Know about what?”

“That I like you?” 

Okay. 

that came out of a sudden…

Seyeong’s eyes flew open. “You what-How-you? When? You didn’t even tell me anything.” her mouth hangs open. “I, I don’t know…”

I gulp. It’s alright Jihoon just do what you have to do. This is what you’re waiting for right. Be a man and tell her already. Act like a man. “I told you,” I said. 

“When?”

“When you’re asleep?”

“Oh my god. Are you saying you just told me that when I was asleep?” Seyeong’s eyes blinked in combination, amused and shook. “Do you really think I’ve heard from you?”

“Maybe?” Her eyes shut in quick and she shook her head in disbelief like she was done. “Oh my god,” she said.

Seyeong stood up. “Where are you going?”

“I don’t know!” she said, and she looked freaking out. Really freaking out. 

“Seyeong, come on don’t leave. Let’s talk first.” I said grabbing her arm. “No. You wait here Lee Jihoon.” she removed my hand lightly, and she looked at me with panicking eyes, “Let me process all of this first, okay?” she begged softly.

I should be serious, but it was just amusing to see Seyeong acting like this. It’s kind of cute. And to be honest, it’s actually making me want her more. And, I wasn’t going to laugh but dammit I did. I earned a laser glare from Seyeong. “Lee Jihoon!” she demanded.

“Okay, just go,” I said, still chuckling. 

“Want me to go with you?” Seyeong just groaned frustratingly and she dashed outside the recording studio.