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Minho is a great friend. An amazing friend at that. Even with his intimidating exterior and speaks with a bite to all his words. He is one of the best friends a person could ask for.
Minho regrets being such a great friend.
He stands right outside the coffee shop looking at all the “3RACHA CUP SLEEVE EVENT” posters indicating that he has arrived at the correct place. He breaths in and reminds himself that he is doing this for Felix. His bedridden best friend who happens to be the biggest SpearB fan there is. Minho isn't one to attend these sorts of events and doesn't know much at all about 3racha other than the information that was forced upon him by Felix. While Felix has attended past cup sleeve events this one was special. There are going to be little games where a lucky fan could win a signed album. Felix needed that signed album. Felix looked at Minho all teary-eyed and begged him to go in his place. That's how Minho found himself in this situation.
Minho slowly makes his way into the coffee line. While he may not be a huge fan of 3racha he can appreciate the efforts that were put into this event. Posters line the walls and there are cute banners hanging as well as decorations on the tables with some free merch. He makes a mental note to grab some latter for Felix.
He orders his americano and takes a seat at one of the heavily decorated tables. There are a handful of people in the cafe but he did arrive a little early so he expects it to fill up completely by the time the activities start. Smiles and laughter fill the small space. He wished he had the same amount of enthusiasm as everyone else here. He sighs and takes a sip of his drink. He’s not sure what to do with himself so he just takes in his surroundings. There is a small projector and screen located towards the front of the event which he assumes will be a part of the games they will play. He sees more posters lining the walls that he didn’t notice when he first walked in. A certain poster with J.One written in a graffiti style lettering and the young man holding a microphone catches Minho’s eyes. He can’t help but stare.
“Hi! Are you here for the cup sleeve event?” A girl around Minho’s age wearing a 3racha t-shirt, lanyard, and a CB97 button walked up to Minho throwing him out of his reverie.
“Yeah I am” Minho answered with less enthusiasm than the girl who asked. He felt his cheeks get a little pink and he hopes she didn’t notice him staring at the poster of the young rapper.
“Who’s your bias? We made these photocards to hand out and wanted to make sure everyone receives one!”
“Can I get a SpearB one for my best friend?” Minho askes
“Yeah! I have a few of those left so your friend is in luck and which one do you want?” She pulls a SpeaB photocard from the hand-painted 3racha bag (which Minho can admit is really cool)
He didn't expect her to ask him that and he doesn't want to say he isn't a fan because they surely will be offended and won't let him participate so he thinks back to the run-down Felix gave him and his past staring at the posters. He can’t help but think J.One had cheeks that reminded him of a certain animal.
“Uhhhh J-one”
“He is a cutie, here you go! The games are going to start soon so get ready. Even if there is a prize at the end it's not about winning or losing. We are here to have fun and talk about our shared love of 3racha!” She makes a heart with her hand at the last statement
“Thank you!”
With that, she leaves Minho’s table and goes around the room giving out the last of the photocards. Minho looks at the pictures in his hand. He cannot deny that J.One is a cutie.
After another half an hour and another Americano, it seems like they are about to start the first game. This one will be for fun and does not count towards the big prize but you could win a t-shirt. This game was simple they would play a song and you had to be quick to raise your hand and guess. Minho knew some of their songs from Felix playing them in their apartment and when he would choose songs for them to choreograph too. While Minho knew he wouldn't be the winner of this game he figured he could give his best shot.
The first song played and Minho knew exactly what it was. Felix used it for the spring showcase. After that Minho was only able to answer two more times. Not enough for the t-shirt but enough to make himself proud. He also didn't realize how many songs 3racha really had which he is certain Felix will be schooling him about later.
A girl with bright red hair won the t-shirt and was ecstatic. The other people didn't care much about the loss because everyone wanted to win the big prize. The signed album. It sat at the front on its table next to the creator of the event. It seemed to be mocking Minho in the way it rested perfectly in line with his table. He was determined to win this for his pride and he couldn't face Felix empty-handed.
The next game was “guess the member” where they had a zoomed-in picture of a member and you had to deduce who it was based on small details. Simple enough for big fans but completely complicated for Minho. Safe to say Minho took an L for that one. He almost began to enjoy the event. He now understands why Felix loves them.
“Now what you’ve been waiting for, the game that will leave one person happy and the rest devastated. Of course, I am talking about the game that has a signed album for a prize. This game won't be much harder than the others but it will take longer. For this, you will need to open your phone and go to this link. We will be playing a trivia game!”
Minho opened the said link and entered the game code. In the nickname part, he put “Lee Know” thinking it is funny and hopefully will give him good luck. He was nervous about this game. Realization starts to set that he knows close to nothing about these boys. Felix gave him a rundown but not enough that would prepare him for this. He prays for multiple-choice questions.
The creator of the event continues to explain the game and allows for a practice round. In this round, Minho guessed and got the question completely wrong. He hears a slight laugh next to him. He looks over and sees a man around his age at his table. With the commotion of the event, he didn't notice someone joining the table. He was wearing a hat and face mask making it hard to recognize any noticeable features.
“What’s so funny?” Minho spoke lowly so he didn't disturb the others around them
“That was a pretty easy question. Are you even a fan?” The guy spoke quietly even quieter than Minho. Like a child who’s up to no good.
“I’m here to win this album for my best friend if you're so curious.” Minho tried to make eye contact with the stranger but it was hard with the hat they were wearing.
“Are they a J.One fan?” The stranger asks while pointing towards the J. One photocard lays in front of Minho.
“No, he likes SpearB.” Minho states matter of factly.
“So you like J.One?” The stranger asks with an almost mocking tone
“Well the girl asked me I couldn't just say no one”
Minho was trying to pay attention to the front and did not want to be mocked by some stranger. The game was about to officially start and Minho became nervous again. He almost forgot about the nerves when he was distracted by this guy.
“CB97” the guy whispered to Minho
“What?” He turns over and sees the stranger has moved closer
“That's the answer. I can help you win this for your friend just listen to me okay?”
“But don't you want the prize?” Minho is suspicious of this stranger wanting to help him. What if they are just there to sabotage? While he is suspicious he begrudgingly chooses that answer. Minho has no other choice but to accept his help.
Sure enough, the stranger was right.
“So why J. One and not CB97?” The stranger asks after giving Minho the answer to the second question.
“He’s cute and reminds me of a squirrel.” Minho answers without thinking and the stranger doesn't say anything else but Minho thinks he might be smiling.
They get through another few rounds until they are on the last question. “What is J.One’s real name?”
“What's the answer?” Minho asks when the stranger takes a minute to respond
“I will tell you once you tell me your name.” Based on his words he could tell the stranger was smirking
“Minho”
“Minho. Han Jisung”
Minho clicks on Han Jisung as that was the answer to the last question. Excitement and anxiety fill the room as they wait to hear the results.
“Congratulations to Lee Know! You won the signed album alongside some extra freebies”
Minho stands and makes his way to the front. They hand him the prize in a 3rahca tote bag which Felix is going to die for. He thanks the girls who put on the event and makes his way back to his table. He was going to thank the stranger that helped him but he is missing. Minho takes a quick look around the room and cant spot him. Not like he would notice his face. Minho can't help to feel sadden by the stranger being gone and that perplexed him. It was nothing more than just a stranger being nice.
Since the prize has been given out people start making their way out of the cafe. They had gone over the time reserved for the cafe so they had to speed clean things up which meant Minho was rushed out the door. He walks out the cafe doors and looks around. He wasn't sure what he was looking for until he sees a man in a hat and mask leaning against the bookshop next door.
“Hey I’m glad you didn't leave I wanted to thank you. You didn't have to help me but you did so really this prize should be yours. I will just buy Felix one super overpriced online.” Minho extends the tote to the stranger which prompts the stranger to laugh. Minho can't help but smile when he hears his laugh.
“Trust me when I say I don't need it.”
“Are you sure?” Minho did not want to be selfish on top of already taking their help
“Yeah give it to your friend.”
Silence begins to fall between them and Minho realizes something. He never got this stranger's name.
“I gave you my name but you never gave me yours”
“Yeah I did” The stranger laughs
“I'm pretty certain you didn't” Felix does make fun of Minho for being old but he knows he's not that old
“Its Han Jisung”
Minho stops for a second and thinks. Why is that name familiar? And then it hits him. He is sure Jisung could see his face change from confusion to understanding to shock. The stranger starts pulling down his mask and lifting his hat to finally look at Minho.
Before Minho could respond a group of leftover 3racha fans screamed.
“Omg J.One!”
Minho looks from the group to then Jisung. Without thinking he grabs Jisung’s hand and makes a run for it. Luckily Minho knows where the nearest subway station is where they could hopefully blend in with the commuter crowd.
They run about two blocks while making a sharp left the running down a few flights of stairs. The stars are on their side as the subway is starting to become filled with people getting off work. They slow down their pace and take a look around. It seems like they have been able to shake off the group for now. They didn't want to take any chances and hoped on one of the subways.
Once the doors closed they felt like they could finally breathe. Jisung seemed to be more out of breath than Minho so he leaned his weight on the older in order to gain balance and catch his breath.
“Are you a runner? Why aren't you dying like me.” Jisung whispers out
“I dance.” Minho states
“Ohhhhh ever dance to any of our songs?” Jisung asks and Minho laughs nodding his head
“Whenever Felix gets to the pick the song 9 times out of 10 it's gonna be one of yours.”
“I'm flattered.” Jisung takes his free hand and places it over his heart. This made him aware that his other hand was still being held by Minho but he didn’t say anything. If the older did not mind it neither does he.
“I should have asked where you needed to go. I knew this train would go to my stop but I'm not sure where you need to be”
“Honestly I was just following you. Luckily you were there. Sometimes my anxiety can get really bad in those situations and I completely freeze.” Jisung squeezes Minho’s hand as a silent thank you.
“I’m glad I could help” Minho squeezes his hand back.
“Let me walk you back. My apartment is in the same direction.” Jisung offers
“Shouldn't I be walking you back?” Minho retorts
“We will walk together until we need to part ways, how about that?”
Minho doesn't let go of Jinsugs hand not until they make it to his apartment building. Jisung wouldn't let him split ways.
“I would invite you in but Felix is still sick and I don't want J. One fans to kill me for causing you to be sick.” Minho laughs
“Next time then.” Jisung’s nervousness is completely gone and has been replaced with overwhelming confidence.
“Oh there is going to be the next time?” Minho quips
“There is. Give me your number so I know when you’re free”
—-----------------------------------------------------
Minho walks into his apartment with a smile on his face. Today seemed surreal and if it wasn't for the unread message that was already sitting on his phone he probably would have convinced himself it was a dream.
“What are you so happy about?” Felix asks and the cold his body is currently trying to fight alters his voice making it sound nasally and somehow even deeper than normal. Felix is sitting on the couch wrapped in blankets with a half-filled bowl of hot soup sitting on the coffee table.
“I got you your album and some other stuff” Minho throws the tote bag with the prize on the couch
“If I wasn't sick I would kiss you” Felix almost shouts while going through all his new stuff.
“I know Felix. I know.”
“Did you have a good time at least? How were you able to actually win this. To be honest I did not have much faith you would be able to.” Felix laughs while holding the SpearB photocard. Minho knows he will be putting in his phone case later.
“I had some help from a stranger,” Minho says with a smile.
“A strang-” Felix begins to go into a coughing fit before he can finish his question.
“Let's get you back to bed. I’ll tell you about it later.”