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For the first time since they met, Gunwook and Yeojun are not together, and that makes the shorter one very uneasy.
His first impression of Gunwook was not bad but not particularly good either, just average. She met him as number sixteen on a program called Wild Idol, and he didn't particularly capture her attention.
But the time they announced the elimination it was impossible for Yeojun to forget that guy. Now, he simply found him interesting. So much so that he decided to keep watching the program even if he was eliminated, just to see number sixteen who he later met as Park Gunwook.
Undoubtedly, he ended up joining Jellyfish Entertainment and they became trainees of the same agency.
Yeojun was never going to tell him, but he was the one who made him make the decision to go to that company.
And he would never tell him because Gunwook didn't even know that they were in that program together. It would be very sad for Yeojun to hear it even though he already knows.
So now, at Boys Planet's individual evaluation, he finds himself without Gunwook and it bothers him. He moves his foot constantly until he sees him appear on the screen and his gaze lights up.
He was so upset that they hadn't given the four stars to his partner, he was now literally praying that the teachers would add one to his current score.
He didn't even hear the shouts in support of Gunwook, his mind was focused on the screen and the dancer on it.
Park Gunwook is amazing, and Yeojun couldn't help but feel proud to be his partner. So much so that he doesn't mind if his presence goes unnoticed, he's more interested in Gunwook being known.
He watched attentively from beginning to end, which just as he finished he immediately burst into applause.
Again he found himself shifting his foot restlessly when Gunwook again disappeared from his sight, taking longer than usual.
He wondered why he didn't appear, letting out a sigh to control himself, "he'll be fine," he kept repeating to himself.
His eyes rested on the boy who was shyly passing the door, the K group boys greeted him with encouragement and some desperately stood up to urge him to tell them his score at once.
However he kept those lips pursed with nerves and sat where he had been before, in the row of three stars.
Yeojun's eyes widened with concern and surprise, he leaned forward and grabbed his friend by the shoulder.
"You've got to be kidding me," said some boy.
"They're just... well, the thing is, they're going to delay my results."
Yeojun sighed in frustration,Gunwook is clearly All-star! He wanted to say something about that, but he was sure Gunwook feels even worse. So he reassured himself and squeezed his hand on the other's shoulder.
"It's going to be fine, they'll give you All-star."
"Yeah, I hope so..." the other guys had stopped paying attention to him, so he allowed himself to sound a little weak and express himself honestly. He knew that even at that moment no camera would be for him because now it was Mingyu's turn.
He felt the grip on her shoulder and couldn't help but smile fondly, putting his own hand over it to hold her.
Yeojun's eyes widened a little more as he felt self-conscious of Gunwook's pretty gaze now on him.
"Thank you, Yeo-ah."
And he smiled, but not in the way he would like, but, listening to Gunwook, his body stopped responding to him, and his smile seemed a little uncomfortable. He ducked his head, feeling his heart racing.
Knowing Gunwook, she would have liked to tease him, but instead, she stroked his hair tenderly and turned around again.
Yeojun loved the fact that Gunwook was like that only with him. Him and no one else. It made him feel special.
Inevitably Gunwook got the All-star and considered himself the happiest for his friend.
However once again he was upset because of how other people thought of him.
"Do they have something against Gunwook? I think it's unfair, it's totally unfair that they don't pick him. It's ridiculous," he thought angrily. With each name they mentioned, he was getting more and more annoyed, and he did not understand why his friend was not called to be part of the teams for the first mission.
"This is silly. Very silly" he spoke aloud when another trainee was called.
"You're doing it again" replied Yuseop next to him, at this rate they were no longer fully respecting the lines they made at the beginning. "Again defending Gunwook, am I wrong?"
Yeojun let out air in despair. Yuseop is not wrong, actually, he knows him very well.
"Gunwook is All-star, why isn't he being called?"
"I think you actually do know. We didn't make a good impression."
Yeojun looked sadly towards the front, bumping into Doggun choosing his members. He then noticed how Gunwook approached Hwanhee to organize a plan, which he didn't hesitate for a second to support. He didn't know Gunwook's plan, but it was Gunwook's, so it was fine with him.
Putting together the team that no one has faith in to beat the G group, once again Yeojun was together with Gunwook.
With Gunwook as his guide.
Maybe it was too dramatic, or maybe it was too intense, but he has a sincere feeling towards Gunwook.
"When will you stop practicing?" asked Yeojun returning from the bathroom, already with no one else in the practice room.
"Until I'm good."
"Yet you already are" Yeojun river, once again proud, at how hard his partner works.
He approached him by standing to the side, and Gunwook immediately stopped dancing to look him straight in the face. The pretty look that made Yeojun blush.
"Only you think so" he replied in a laugh.
The shorter one shook his head and passed him the bottle of water in his hand. Park drank it and then returned it ready to rehearse again, but Yeojun found himself refusing again for him to continue, grabbing his shirt by the side.
"Is something wrong?" he asked genuinely concerned.
"I just want you to rest."
"Would that make you feel better?"
Yeojun nodded and it seemed that after that there was no longer even a chance for Gunwook to refuse.
The hand holding Gunwook's shirt traveled tentatively to his arm, he kept his head down because what he wanted didn't seem to fit at the moment.
However, Gunwook was as smart as ever.
"Are you tired? Yeo-ah?" the taller one asked after drawing the other to his body to encircle him in a hug. His arms went under his shoulders, squeezing him as sweetly as only Gunwook knew how. Or maybe it was just the effect Gunwook was having on Yeojun. Immediately Yeojun's arms crossed around the other's neck, closing his eyes deeply and just letting himself be spoiled.
"Yes, I am."
"Just let your hyung take care of it" the tall man's pretty voice passed through his ears like the best thing he's ever heard. Yeojun shook his head before separating just enough to see each other head on.
"I just want my hyung to rest."
And once again Gunwook's pretty smile had him at a loss.
He watched as his eyes got smaller and his eyebrows shifted position as his smile widened, and Yeojun got happy, happy because that smile was just for him.
Yeojun thinks that he may regret doing what goes through his mind, but at the same time he can't fight his thoughts. Seeing Gunwook's face, the face he likes so much and so closely, he can't help but think at least kiss him for a moment.
Gunwook was still smiling, Yeojun felt like he had spent an eternity staring at him so intently but in reality it was only a few seconds. So he decided to give in, but he held back a little.
He brought his face closer and left an extremely quick kiss on the other's cheek before sinking his face into his neck again, he didn't want to see the other's reaction.
However, even though it took Gunwook by surprise, he almost immediately relaxed and squeezed him again affectionately. He knows Yeojun loves him, actually Gunwook loves him too.
"Yeojun" he spoke softly as he touched his hair, prompting him to lift his head to look at each other again, however he didn't. "You know you can do it, right?"
It was until that moment that Yeojun lifts his head remaining a short distance away from the other again. He frowns, somewhat worried and somewhat surprised.
"You know" he pointed a finger at his own lips in a childish manner, even having the nerve to laugh. But it was a tender image indeed.
Yeojun laughed and shook his head in denial.
"You're a fool."
"Hey, don't be mean to your hyung."
Both boys laughed, and Yeojun allowed himself to look more closely at Gunwook's handsome features, now a little more confident, not feeling the sorrow of a few moments ago.
Gunwook is the person he admires the most, he is a boy who is only a few months older than him and he treats him as a friend regardless of formalities, only using the term 'hyung' for jokes. Moreover, he is really talented, Yeojun doesn't think he can remember someone more skilled than his friend, not even someone as good. Gunwook's heart is so strong and so warm, it gives you a sense of security and is comforting.
After so long, Yeojun didn't have to think about it: he really liked Gunwook. And rather than being scared or surprised, he was actually proud of it.
That he was Gunwook's.
Yeojun looked carefully at the other's lips, he was really going to do it, Gunwook said so and he knew he wasn't playing around. It's usually not his kind of joke.
"Just this once" was the last thing the younger one said before he moved closer and joined their lips in a somewhat awkward but innocent and sincere kiss.
Gunwook expected it, but the sensation made him tense up. He hadn't experienced something like this before and he couldn't imagine doing it. Kissing his best friend was the thing he least considered.
But for some reason, it felt really good.
They are both inexperienced, in their life they haven't kissed enough people to say 'I know how to kiss', but at least they knew enough to make it a nice moment and make it a good memory.
Their bodies got even closer than they already were, and they kept up their act. In a sweet and calm way.
It was Yeojun who broke away first, resting his forehead on the other's chest because he feels that if he looks at Gunwook he might explode from embarrassment.
He was thankful that Gunwook just laughed and caressed his back without saying anything else to him.
As always, Gunwook knows what to do, more so if it's Yeojun. The closest person to him.
So Yeojun, he really felt uneasy. He had been separated from Gunwook and that made him uneasy.
He moved his foot desperately, tapping on the floor of Jellyfish entertaiment's rehearsal room, with Yuseop and Hyunbeen at his sides.
On the makeshift screen in front of them was the broadcast of the boys planet episode where they were announcing the top9.
"Don't say anything, Hyunbeen! I want to find out myself!" shouted Yuseop in desperation as he saw Hyunbeen kept talking about every single thing that would happen.
"I was eliminated! Don't talk to me in that tone" replied Hyunbeen pretending to cry.
And yes, Hyunbeen had been eliminated so that's why he was with his fellow Jellyfish members watching the Boys Planet broadcast.
Yeojun didn't pay attention to his classmates until he heard that the nominees for the number nine spot would be mentioned. He and Yuseop jumped when his friend's face appeared on the screen.
"Please, Gunwook. I know it's you" Yeojun stood up from his place and clasped his hands together in front of his face.
"You want to know?" joked Hyunbeen again being scolded by Yuseop.
Soon the room had filled with shouts of celebration. Gunwook entered the top9.
Yuseop and Hyunbeen were still fighting with each other, and Yeojun was looking at the screen proudly.
The pride that Park Gunwook always gave him.
"All right, Gunwook. Now keep it up until the end."