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Nishimura Riki is finally sick and tired of this dorm.
That's what he thinks when he sees Heeseung and Jake making kissy faces at each other through the room, snacking on a single pack of hot Cheetos like that one annoying couple in every high school.
And when Sunoo matches every Instagram post with Sunghoon's and blushes like an idiot when he's with him despite dating for a year — forget honeymoon phase, they're in the honey sun phase, which doesn't look like it's ending for the next billion years.
Jay and Jungwon act like they've graduated from Love University with a PhD in cringe (according to Riki) and act like they're immortal lovers in a Chinese drama.
And Riki still hasn't found a relationship. His hyungs say they're sympathetic but then continue doing shit like this, Riki would think that they're mocking him if he didn't know their love for him.
Sure, being the academic and athletic star while being head of the dance club at 19 wasn't a small feat. His family paid him visits and his hyungs treated him like the apple of their eyes and life feels complete, but there's a striking absence of something. The last relationship he had was when he wasn't an adult, and honestly, Riki thought that he would never need love and only career, as love was for the weak.
But now Riki is tired being strong. He grew up too fast, with his talent and achievements and whatnot. But when he comes back home after a tiresome day of revision and practice, he feels the empty walls echo his loneliness.
All of it would have been okay, if only Riki was busy with all his work. He genuinely wouldn't have the time or the space to accommodate an annoying lover.
The big problem arises.
Summer vacations have started.
He's listening to his favourite professor Jung Hoseok, as a gentle breeze sways the leaves of a walnut tree outside the window. Here is the last class before the holidays. Riki is among the few who's listening attentively among the sea of dozing students, lulling themselves into daydreams of the future.
"... Casinos in Malta, I tasted the best whiskey there. And yes, the work will be shared in the college group chat, and you don't want to forget it, do you?" Professor Jung smiles his bright, endearing smile and Riki catches himself doing the same. "Complete it in the first week and enjoy the rest of the two months — maybe go on vacations with your significant other if you can afford it — I suggest Malta," He winks.
Riki grimaces immediately, and regrets listening attentively in the first place. The walnut tree becomes the most interesting marvel movie as Professor Jung rants about his endeavours with his wife in the casinos of Malta. He feels like jumping out the window into the walnut tree.
The bell saves him just in time so he wouldn't have to jump out the window. He flings his bag over his shoulder like a criminal offered to run out of jail, and sprints away like a mad axe-man is running after him with a speed of 143 km/h.
🌦️
"Woohoo!" Riki throws the controller on the couch with mirth and does a few sprints around the room. "Broke all your records! The highest score in the dorm is mine! On your face, Heeseung hyung!"
But Heeseung hyung does not seem to care as he chuckles at Riki and is soon wrapped in a back hug by Jake.
"You're such a loser! You lost from a boy 4 years younger than you, come on!" Jake teases him.
Heeseung retaliates by attacking his face with kisses. "You're surprised? Haven't you always known I'm a loser? Loser for you."
Riki stares in horror at the couple. He retreats slightly and calls out to Jungwon, "Hyung? Do you have more of that hair bleach from yesterday? I need it for my eyes."
🌦️
The reminder that Riki is eternally bitchless keeps stinging on and off. But it gets worse as Riki finishes all his homework in the third week of vacations. He now has to interact with people, specifically his hyungs who are very disgustingly in love with each other.
Just like that one time when Riki decided to tag along with Sunghoon and Sunoo for grocery shopping ("It's for the best, so that they don't get too late being Romeo and Juliet, you get it?" Jay had reasoned) so Riki begrudgingly walks outside, hand in hand with Sunghoon who will surely get run over by some truck and lose all of his limbs because he cannot take his eyes off Sunoo.
"Please focus on the road hyung, I don't wanna be found dead playing cupid. You can stare at him all you want at home, but for now, please stop being weird." Riki rants to Sunghoon.
"I like the brand scents more on you, don't buy these." Sunghoon says it like a love letter. Riki is going to punch that crying kid at the toy section.
"Are you even listening to me, Sunghoon hyung?" Riki sighs.
And when Sunoo takes a picture of Sunghoon posing next to penguin plushies, Riki feels like laughing and crying from exasperation. "What the actual fuck is happening."
Riki finds that Jay was very right™ when he has to remind the other two every once in a while to focus on the godforsaken groceries. The rest goes smoothly... Until it doesn't.
"Sunghoon hyung, buy chocolate, we'll all eat well!" He tells the oldest among them. But then stares in horror yet again as Sunoo gives him the eyes and Sunghoon adds two tubs of mint chocolate ice cream. (For your information, Sunghoon is the biggest hater of it.)
"Oh, what do I even do with you? You spoil me so much... I'm going to be so smitten with you." Sunoo giggles, holding on to Sunghoon's arm.
"I'm going to spoil you rotten." Sunghoon kisses the top of Sunoo's head.
"And I'm going to pick this cart and smack both you with it. We're in the middle of a grocery store, not a Netflix romance!" Riki rubs his eyes, staring longingly at detergent that he wants to nom nom on.
🌦️
Another such dilemma occurs when Riki realizes that the sanest couple among them is actually the most insane.
He's watching his favourite dance teacher Hoshi's new practice choreography for singer Woozi's song "Ruby" (he's also an idol choreographer) and JayWon, in contrast to his expectations, are smooching near him on the couch and the movie that they're supposed to be watching is long forgotten.
He tries to ignore it, plugs in his earphones and gets going. He plays the part back to back, skipping the end part of Hoshi and Woozi meeting to savour it after. When he thinks he's watched the choreography enough, he quickly skips to the end to see the interaction. He's proud of his teacher.
Imagine the horror on his face when Hoshi plants a kiss on Woozi's cheek. What Riki thought was a brotherly reunion turned out to be a coming out video of them announcing their loving relationship.
What the fuck?
He slams shut his laptop (no, the laptop is God's strong soldier, it doesn't break) and plugs out his earphones. He sighs against his clasped hands.
"Riki, Taehyun hyung messaged us. They're coming for a gathering tonight!" Jungwon informs him.
Ah, fuck. Here we go again.
The universe loves Riki so much that it placed his single ass surrounded by horny gay couples in gatherings. Their seniors, Yeonjun and Soobin, Taehyun and Beomgyu and Huening Kai are coming to visit again.
True to his expectations, he's jammed between Yeonjun and Beomgyu, with Soobin and Taehyun on their other sides at night, his drink moodily clasped by his hand. His other hyungs are settled opposite to him, all drinking happily.
Will Riki finish the gathering or will the gathering finish Riki? Find out in the latest episode of "No, Fuck, Not Another Couple Again!"
"...3.7 GPA with all those practice nights for the dance club and basketball, couldn't be more proud, honestly," Heeseung is seen fondly praising Riki. Soobin listens with interest as he sips from his cup.
"He's going to be a dance prodigy, he is. I'm telling you, even if you audition at HYBE they're gonna take you up immediately!" Yeonjun ruffles Riki's head with fondness.
"You exaggerate too much." Riki takes a sip, not really knowing what to feel about the attention.
"That's just how talented you are! Pride of our old college," Beomgyu chimes in.
"The poor guy is exasperated with our romantic atmosphere," Jay begins with a twinkle in his eyes, and Riki hates the fact that he's right (because Jay is always right™).
"Aww, poor baby. I've noticed he's been single for years, like our Kai." Soobin comments, his eyes darting between the two mentioned people.
"No, I'm... I don't think anyone would date me, haha." Kai smiles sadly. He, unlike Riki, isn't single by choice.
"Nonsense, love. You're gonna find the best guy for you. Me and Soobin will make sure of it."
"Oh, you're gay as well?" Riki asks.
"Is it really not obvious?" Sunoo snickers on him. "Korean gays stick together because it's a homophobic country."
"We're not Korean." Jake, Jay, Kai and Riki say in unison.
"It doesn't matter! You live here!"
They start a chatter about pride parades and Beomgyu whips out his phone to show some pics since he attended one with his friend Jeongin, an ally.
"Hey, Rik," Soobin leans across Yeonjun to whisper to him. "Hear us out for a hot sec?"
"Yeah, but why you whispering?"
"Because I want to. Now, back to topic, have you considered Tinder?"
Riki scrunches his nose in disgust. Soobin seems to read his mind so he hurriedly says, "It's not shameful! I've been telling this to Kai but he really won't listen. Not you, too! Come on. It's not that bad."
Riki stares at Soobin. Yeonjun chimes in, apparently listening. "The apps are created for this very reason. So that people can find their lovers and people who really match. The chances of the other being horrible are lesser because you know what you get yourself into. Just trust us, make an account."
"Guys, but I don't think I have the time—"
"Oh, please!" Soobin rolls his eyes with all his might, "Don't tell us you're overworking in summer vacations! These are your golden days. Once you become a real adult with responsibilities you won't be able to have such fun again. Come on, don't be a killjoy!"
Riki stays quiet, contemplating. Soobin grimly goes back to his position, pretending he never said anything peculiar.
The long gathering suddenly starts going very fast, because all that's on Riki's mind is the adrenaline about Tinder. He's thinking about it. He keeps thinking about it as they bring out the spare mattresses. He keeps thinking about it as Beomgyu whines about Heeseung kicking him in his sleep. He keeps thinking about it when the lights are finally turned off while the dawn peeks in through the window.
"You okay? Been quiet for a while," Jake eventually asks him as he settles in the mattress next to Riki. He stretches his limbs and falls asleep soon after Riki reassured him that everything's fine.
Then, Riki takes action.
He abruptly downloads Tinder from App Store and makes an account.
Time to look for a girlfriend.
Riki's fingers tremble slightly as he uploads a photo and fills out his Tinder profile. He hesitates for a moment. Moments.
"Let's do this," he mutters to himself, his heart racing with anticipation.
As he waits for a match, he glances around the darkened room, making sure no one is watching. By the time the phone dings with a potential match, Riki is fast asleep, his phone slipping from his hand onto the floor.
🌦️
From then on, Riki's life takes a dramatic turn.
The first date candidate is a girl who's two years older but shares a birthday with Riki, December 9. His heart is drumming in his chest as Jay dresses him up and Sunoo fixes his neglected skin with exfoliation and moisturization.
His hyungs' efforts are lovable, with Sunghoon and Heeseung making him laugh with their own date experiences and Jake giving him free hugs to calm his nerves. He finally sets off to meet the girl named Shin Yuna.
Riki takes a deep breath as he arrives at the coffee shop, his heart racing with anticipation. He spots Yuna, who looks even more radiant than her photos, and his nerves momentarily falter. But as their eyes meet, he's struck by her warm smile and kind gaze.
"Hey, Riki!" she says, her voice like music. "You look even more handsome than your photos."
Riki blushes, feeling a little more at ease. "Thanks, Yuna. You look stunning."
As they sit down and start chatting, Riki finds himself feeling surprisingly comfortable. They bond over their shared love of dance and music, and Yuna's quick wit and intelligence leave him in awe.
But just as things are going smoothly, Riki's phone buzzes with a text from Jay. "How's it going, bro? Give us updates!"
Riki chuckles and shows Yuna the message. "My friends are a bit too invested in my love life," he explains.
Yuna laughs and teases him. "Well, I hope I can live up to their expectations. My unnies have been messaging me on and off as well."
As the date progresses, Riki and Yuna seem to be hitting it off, laughing and chatting like old friends. But just as things are going smoothly, Yuna's phone rings.
"Sorry, I have to take this," she says, looking apologetic. "It's my boss. I have to go into work right now."
Riki's face falls, disappointed. "Oh, okay. I understand."
Yuna rushes out of the coffee shop, leaving Riki sitting alone. He waits for a few minutes, but she doesn't return.
Just then, his phone buzzes with a text from Yuna. "Hey, Riki. I'm so sorry, but I have to cancel our date. My boss needs me to cover a shift right now. Maybe we can reschedule sometime?"
Riki's heart sinks, realizing that their date has been cut short. He types out a response, trying to hide his disappointment. "Yeah, no worries. Good luck with work!"
As he leaves the coffee shop, Riki can't help but feel a little dejected. Maybe he's just not meant to find love.
Yuna never texts to reschedule again. She deletes her tinder account a week later.
🌦️
Dozens of ice cream tubs, some tissues and hyungs' hugs later, Riki tries again. This time, a girl herself asks him out.
She's almost a year younger than him, by the name Hong Eunchae. She studies in the same college, a year junior to himself. Riki's heart fluttered right on the first time he saw her photo. She's so unbelievably cute! The hyungs give him a thumbs up and he musters up the courage to say yes.
The day of the date arrives, and Riki finds himself feeling nervous but excited. Eunchae has asked him to meet her at a trendy cafe near campus, and he arrives early, dressed in his best casual outfit (yet again, a courtesy of Jay).
As he waits, he can't help but think about how different this date feels. Eunchae has taken the initiative, and Riki likes her confidence and charm. He hopes that this one goes well.
When Eunchae arrives, she looks even more adorable than her photos. Her bright smile and sparkling eyes light up the room, and Riki's heart skips a beat.
"Hey, Riki!" she says, waving at him with a cute gesture. "Thanks for saying yes!"
Riki blushes and stands up, feeling a little shy but happy. "Of course, Eunchae. You look amazing!"
As they sit down and order their drinks, Riki realizes that he's feeling more at ease than he has on any of his previous dates. Eunchae's warm and bubbly personality puts him instantly at comfort.
They chat about everything from music to movies to their shared love of video games. Riki finds himself laughing and smiling more than he has in weeks. He finds her a bit too cutesy for his liking, but he doesn't really mind or care. What matters is the understanding.
As the date comes to a close, Eunchae looks at him with a sweet expression. "Riki, I had a really great time today. Would you like to do it again sometime?"
Riki's heart soars. Could this be the start of something special? He finds himself saying yes to the second date. His internal organs perform somersaults as Eunchae stands on tiptoes ("I'm already really tall but you're still taller!") and places a little kiss on his nose.
Ah yeah. You thought that the universe had finally started liking Riki? No. As they walk together back to the dorms, Eunchae's phone dings. Her expression changes from happy to sad in a matter of a minute.
"Something wrong?" Riki asks, fearing the answer.
"Riki oppa, I... We have to move away. To another town."
The boy's spirits droop down like a cat's ears.
"I can't do long distance. I'm really sorry. It's all the land lady's fault, the hag insists to sell away our house, she's been doing it for years but we didn't know she's be serious this time. We have to go away to our own home in Seongnam. Are you angry at me?" Eunchae asks.
"No, not really. It's not like we have really strong feelings for each other yet, right?" Riki tries to laugh it away, avoiding eye contact.
"Yeah, you're right." Then she stands on tiptoes and puts her lips against Riki's. It doesn't feel like anything.
They pull apart, the summer evening haze surrounding them. "See you later, maybe." Eunchae says and sets off somewhere into the horizon.
Riki never sees her again. A few weeks later, he laughs at the idea that he liked her. She's not really his vibe, see, so he isn't complaining too much.
🌦️
The date with Eunchae may not have left Riki with a girlfriend, but it sure did leave him with a lesson: do not get attached before confirming if the universe hates you or not.
That's why he's kind of bored as he waits for Naoi Rei, who, like Riki, is Japanese. On a positive note, he won't have to worry about Korean honorifics and ettiquettes. He can be real and casual with her.
"Konbanwa, ne," Riki stands up and bows to her when he sees her arrive clad in black and red. He liked her dressing sense.
"Saa," she smiles, as she's a year older.
They ease themselves in conversation at the restaurant they were sitting in because Rei refused to settle for anything lesser than luxury and queen treatment. But that's okay, really, he liked her vibe.
Rei, Riki finds out, is unbelievably similar to Riki himself. They find out their interests align wonderfully. She's passionate about Hip Hop.
Riki finds himself smiling against his will.
Probably this time. Probably.
As the waiter arrives, Rei takes charge, ordering for them both without asking for Riki's input. He raises an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by her assertiveness.
The rest of the meal passes by in silence.
"So, Riki, I'm glad we're doing this," Rei finally says, sipping her wine. "But let's get one thing straight - I have high standards, and I expect a lot from the people I date."
Riki smiles, trying to play along. "I'm willing to try new things, but I'm also a bit laid-back."
Rei's eyes narrow. "Laid-back? That's not what I'm looking for. I need someone who can keep up with my fast-paced lifestyle and appreciate the finer things in life."
Oh. Bold.
The conversation continues, Riki starts to feel uneasy, sensing that their values might not align. He tries to politely point out their differences, but Rei interrupts him, her tone growing colder.
"If you can't keep up with me, then maybe we're not compatible. I don't have time for anyone who can't provide the level of luxury and attention I deserve. I've rejected many dates like this."
"That is very right, however, I may not always be able to provide but I'll try my best. You see, I'm still 19 so my main focus is my studies and career."
"I don't want to date a time-pass. If you're poor, just say so. Don't waste my time."
With that, Rei stands up, ending the date abruptly. "I think we're done here. You can pay the bill, right? Or you can't even do that, judging by the second-hand Versace jacket? Maybe the poor waitress over there might be your type, similar to you — poor couple. Right? If my father knew I'd be on a date with a poor—"
Riki stands up, his blood boiling. "Madam, I don't know what you think of yourself, but the universe does not revolve around you. You're not as high and mighty as you think you are, but a product of nepotism, your pride relies on the money of your father that you leech from. Therefore, fuck off, touch grass, maybe eat it because your case of delulu is too severe, not even the doctors of England can cure it."
He whips out his wallet, abruptly paying for the expensive meal that the girl sucked from his bank account. He storms outside, cursing the stupid restaurant for the high prices.
🌦️
"Don't, Riki, you weren't rude at all. Being a woman does not give her the right to speak to anyone like that." Sunoo pats Riki's shoulder in consolation.
"Yeah. Focus on what's next to come. Good thing she showed her true colours right in the first date, otherwise we would have never been able to tell." Heeseung adds to the conversation.
"I don't want anything next to come." Riki takes a very depressed sip from his cup. They're sitting yet again in another gathering — unusually often for them.
"Come on, Riki, don't be hopeless. There are so many fish in the sea, man!" Yeonjun says. Jungwon abruptly spits out his vodka, coughing through the burn.
"THERE'S FISH IN SEMEN?"
"Clean your ears three or four times a day with soap," Sunoo pats him on the back as he chokes.
"Fish inside what now?" Sunghoon asks sleepily, having gone to bed early.
"Okay, but really, have you considered men? You're pansexual, right?" Soobin speaks up.
"Don't project it onto him—" Taehyun replies but is cut short by Soobin.
"No one's projecting anything. I'm just saying that he could feel more comfortable with men, should he try dating one. Ouch!"
Riki stays quiet and contemplates for the rest of the night, until he falls asleep. Soon, someone drags him outside in the balcony in the middle of the night. "Water, please," he requests whoever is holding his arm.
"Give the baby some water. Here you go, mandu," he hears someone say and takes the cup of water from there. The water tastes like it has vodka mixed up in it. Apparently no one did the dishes, but that's just how it's like in the boys dorm.
"Wazzamatter?" Riki rubs his eyes groggily as he registers three people in front of him.
"So, old Rikishimura, we heard you were struggling with pulling bitches." Beomgyu's voice his heard, followed by a wack and his "Ow! Soobin you sick fuck!"
Riki stares.
"So we're here to help you! Haha. We'll be your superheroes."
"Beomgyu I'm this close to picking you up and shoving your ass down this 11th floor. Fling you up so high you'll be a firework. Shut your goofy ass up," Yeonjun's voice rings through Riki's ears, waking him further.
"Let's get to business straight up." Soobin says.
"Get yo business GAY up, this is Hyuka we're talking about." Beomgyu says, earning another wack from Soobin.
"Shouldn't have brought you here, I swear to God. Anyway. We have a potential match for you. You see..." Soobin begins, clapping his hands like he's striking a business deal.
Yeonjun takes up from there, continuing Soobin's work. "Well, we heard of your previous experiences with the complex world of dating, and—"
"Please get to the point," Riki interrupts.
"Listen to elders when they talk!"
"Okay, granny, continue." Riki yawns as Beomgyu's laugh goes off like a burglar alarm siren in the middle of the dorm.
"Shut yo huge goofy ass UP, Beomgyu, if you're getting expelled then please get expelled alone. So yeah, Rikishimura, where was I? Yeah we heard your love life was shit and—"
"He said to be straight forward, not rude!" Soobin interrupts Yeonjun.
"Fuck off, Soobie. You, little duck, listen up right here! Here's how you do it. You see, the maknae of this dorm and our dorm are stuck in a romance dilemma. So. We want to suggest you..."
"To date our maknae." Soobin completes his boyfriend's sentence.
Riki stares in horror (yet again) at the couple sporting wide grins.
"What?"
Beomgyu sighs. "I think Jungwon isn't the only one who needs a thorough ear-cleaning. Come on, have y'all ever heard of cotton buds?"
"They're past the stage of cotton buds, I think. Hopeless. Riki! We want to set you up with Kai!"
Riki's soul flies all the way to New York and back.
"Hyungs, no!"
"Hyungs yes, very much yes." Beomgyu becomes Satan's 35th child in the orange street light. Riki very much wants to slam a life-sized bible on his face.
"Me? Kai? It doesn't make sense, it literally does not make sense!"
Yeonjun sighs with utmost exasperation. "Rishimura darling, what part of it don't you understand? You're both maknaes, with opposite sort of vibes — we think it's a great ship!"
"Fuck your ships, no offense, (Beomgyu: "offense taken!!") but I don't want no parts of that. I'll find someone, please!" Riki is slowly losing all of his sanity.
"Hey, are you saying that our Kai isn't a good person? If Taehyun heard that, he'd knock you out!" Soobin says.
"Hyungs! Hyungs, it's blackmailing, it's — listen, he's so much older than me, like I'm not even kidding, he's so much older than me! And larger!" Riki tries to reason.
Soobin shakes his head. "When was the last time we compared your heights? 3 years ago! When you were 16! You were small back then and Kai was six feet — now you're even taller than Kai! You're still growing and honestly, three years isn't even a big difference. I mean, look at you, Riki, you're almost 20. You'll be 20 in half a year and he'll be 23 in August — I really don't see what the fuss is about!"
"But.. but..."
"Riki, sweetheart, we're not forcing it on you. It's your life, we're just trying to help you, us and all your hyungs. You know, we've seen Kai struggle for — what? 4 years or something? Just think about it. Just try, you know. It would make us all happy, a double celebration." Yeonjun smiles sweetly down on him and Riki cannot find the heart to reject.
"But... Does Kai hyung know about it?"
Beomgyu snorts as he replies, "Oh, Riki, you won't believe it. Kai would be more than interested."
🌦️
The night in the balcony apparently messed with Riki's head more than it should have, he knows it when he wakes up and sees Huening Kai himself sprawled on Jay and Sunghoon.
"He indeed is tall..." Riki mutters to himself and looks up at the heavens (correction: ceiling) above. "Damn, this is the person I'm supposed to fall in love with?"
Then his mind goes back to the previous night and Beomgyu's words. "Kai would be more than interested" what did he exactly mean?
Could it be...?
No way.
Riki quickly runs to wash his face. He splashes water on his face, praying to God (he's agnostic, fyi but he's desperate) that things turn out fine.
What did Beomgyu mean... Did Kai already have some sort of.. feelings for Riki? Is he the mastermind behind it all?
Kai isn't the type to be a mastermind behind anything, but the older three most definitely are. Even if Kai did feel anything of the sort, he must have hidden it and his hyungs went out of their way to help him.
Riki sees their plans unfold in the eyes of his brain. He splashes water on his face again.
"Riki! Come over, we made breakfast!" Yeonjun calls out to him.
"Yeah, come over so that Yeonjun can poison you! Wait, no — OWF- HYONGAH—" Beomgyu wails.
Riki sighs against the towel. He can't believe the creatures he's stuck with.
By fate (ahem, Yeonjun) or by coincidence (ahem ahem, Beomgyu) the only empty seat is next to Kai. Riki sits down casually, feeling nothing. He peeks next to him.
Kai's hair is dyed blonde (how did Riki not notice it before?) and his nose is long but chiseled nicely. His eyes remind Riki of lions, and there's the soft pout of his lips. Kai is a fine man — fine for a girl to date, but Riki isn't sure he's attracted to him.
Breakfast passes by with chatter thrown around as they finish their food and sit down to do their own routines — some of them groaning over assignments and some dissolving into house chores.
Yeonjun and Beomgyu, alas, are among the house keeper wannabes.
"Rikicakes," Yeonjun makes a kissy face to Riki, playing the mom (Riki tries not to gag), "Fetch us some of the things for food, will ya? Kai, darling, go help the maknae!" He winks.
"Grandma, sit down, you might break a hip with all that enthusiasm," Beomgyu laughs as Yeonjun throws an asparagus. He runs away and jumps into Taehyun's arms, his lover shielding him from Yeonjun's attacks.
(Time skip because JYP's crusty ass can't sing)
Silence hovers above their heads as they pile up the listed things on the carts. Riki is somewhat relieved that he doesn't have to witness smoochy couples buying inedible things in order to please each other like last time.
Kai stays silent and shy, not knowing what to do or say. Riki thinks he knows things but he also thinks that he doesn't know what's happening.
"Hyung, we could buy snacks if you want." Riki offers, feeling bad for Kai's scared body language and nervous expression.
"Ah, well... Snacks... I guess so," Kai replies unceremoniously, looking anywhere but at the younger. Riki cringes internally at the awkwardness.
"Yeonjun hyung loves mint chocolate ice cream and he's written so much of the amount," Kai comments with a look at the list.
Riki groans, immediately thinking of Sunoo and cursing him in his mind, "What's it with foxes and their obsession with mint chocolate?"
They talk a little bit. Just a little bit.
"Do we take these?" Riki timidly asks the older, holding up his favourite packet of chips.
"Wait, that's like,, my favourite thing ever?"
And then they start talking like how every reader knew they would.
They eventually start bonding on little things, Riki thinks it's an improvement. (Okay, why is he thinking like this? He ISNT attracted to Kai!!)
[Or maybe, maybe he—]
Kai says he needs to buy new guitar plucks for him (Riki finds out that he's also in the music department — instrumental section, but still the music department) and Riki also finds out that he plays a wide range of instruments, from guitars and keyboards to drums and cellos.
That sort of leaves his jaw hanging.
"Hyung, you're so cool, if only you told me earlier!"
Kai laughs lightly at this, his laugh a funny sound worthy of memes, "I may be cool but I'm nowhere near as you! The coolest kid in the world!"
"I'm not a kid, I'm almost 20!"
"Oh yeah, sorry. Sometimes I forget you're not the soft well-behaved hopeful youth anymore." Kai teases. Damn, he can be playful. Cute.
(NO! RIKI YOU CAN'T THINK OF A HYUNG LIKE THAT!)
They end up eating popsicles on a convenience store rooftop by dusk. Yeah, this feels like summer vacation, a good one, finally. Riki is enjoying his watermelon popsicle with a boy he seemingly just talked to, just made an effort to be close to, and they're doing good.
The blue hour blesses Kai's face with otherworldly glimmer and soft wind that makes his hair fall graciously on his face.
(Niki naur naur Niki Niki naur naur)
Kai grins and points to a pride parade going by, his pearly whites on full display. His smile is endearing—
(RIKI NAUR DONT DO IT DONT DO IT ISTGGG)
Riki finds his feet dragging him where Kai is taking them, joining in the parade just for the fun of it.
(The voice inside his mind screams and screams, telling him the consequences of risking it all, for the hope of it—)
They click pictures as Kai remarks about finally having the experience of walking in the pride parade for once. Kai excitedly points at the pansexual and gay flags in the distance, the two girls hoisting up them have arms around each other.
(For the hope of it all—)
Riki feels represented and he's sure that Kai feels the same.
(Riki feels flowers blooming inside him and he hopes that Kai feels the same).
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Is this finally it? The start and end of it all? Fate and love bullshit?
Time to get heartbroken again.
They take videos and pictures and send them home to Yeonjun, the skyline gone pitch black already by the time they reach there.
Beomgyu grins at them and says "Glad to see the improvement!" as a greeting. He shoots sus emoji expressions at his face. Riki feels sick to his stomach. It's like he's seeing his life move in autopilot with him watching from afar.
Only that Riki can't find it in himself to complain.
He catches himself smiling and giving in and giving up all the same. Being tired like the old in the days of youth.
Old youth. Ah.
Riki's had those days.
"He didn't give you trouble, did he?" Jake asks, yawning and checking his phone.
"No, he was surprisingly well-behaved with me. No issues," Kai replies to him.
Riki snaps his head towards the blonde. "Excuse me? Surprisingly?"
"Yes, surprisingly. From what I hear, you're a literal gangster. Sunoo, Jay and Jake have quite a lot to say bout you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Who almost flushed my phone down the toilet when I said that microwaved strawberries are weird?" Sunoo immediately speaks up from the kitchen where he's doing the dishes.
"Yeah, who tried to frame me after committing vandalism near the music department?" Jay supplies ("So that was RIKI??" Kai gasps in surprise)
"Who tried their very best to make all stages of my life hell?" Jake adds in.
"Okay okay, can y'all stop acting like I'm not the main character?" Riki dismisses them all with a nod and a hand wave.
🌦️
Summer is a pretty weather. Riki's favourite. Well, at least it used to be before he lived in the dorms.
It's hot, that's true, but the nighttimes are the best. Those times when Riki took his skateboard and branded clothes with sunglasses just for the show-off, back when flirting with girls wasn't something mandatory in order to feel complete. Back when it wasn't a problem.
Feeling the heat build up in his body as he danced and danced, slowly stoking that fire of life inside him. Only in summers. The cold rush of water above, soothing his hot skin to make him feel vulnerably grateful, strangely alive. Only in summers. The cool night air, the vibrant skyscrapers of Okayama as he savored scoop after scoop of giant ice creams. Only in summers.
There's something about ice creams that just makes summers a hundred times better. No swim at the pool under the sun or skate in the night could ever compare to the absolute majesty that is the way flavours engulf your tongue as you hold the sweet universe in your mouth, hoping time would stop here.
Only ever in summers.
The heat makes ice creams ten times better.
Until college happened. Well, what can we say.
He's perched on the rooftop again with Kai by his side, the two of them enjoying cookies n' cream cones.
Well maybe because this bad summer of college is just a summer, a summer like the one five years ago.
The wind blows in a quick, swift manner around them, swirling the little fallen leaves in circular motions on the ground. Wires and towers stretch out endlessly above their heads as clouds mask the golden hour. Everywhere is windy and white.
And rain is starting to fall.
Well, not enough for them to duck for safety, but enough for the tiny droplets to leave small kisses on their faces and heads.
They talk and laugh and they eat their ice creams, making small efforts to fall in love. Because Riki knows he will. Not today or tomorrow, but someday.
Someday, he'll look at Kai and feel the indescribable urge to caress his hair and taste his lips, his pretty mouth. (Not that he doesn't want it right now).
Someday, Kai will look at him the way no one ever did. Home in his gaze and adoration on his fingertips. (Not that he isn't doing it right now).
Maybe someday is nearer than we know.
Maybe someday is looming ever so close.
But it isn't today, as none is the braver of the two. They've been brave. Riki's been courageous to know his fate and act on it, to find that maybe destiny isn't always cruel.
Maybe blindly walking across thin ice is beautiful. The sheer precipice of twisted corners, cold that goes deeper than skin, drowning but still not quite. Maybe giving in to life, going with the flow isn't so bad. We'll all be dead fish, going with the flow, being the flow.
Riki knows he'll be okay.
For now, he closes his eyes against the breeze.
"Look, Riki. Summer rain." There's a smile in Kai's voice. Riki feels the corners of his mouth lift.
Maybe summer vacations are not so bad.
🌦️
"Best place for whiskey?"
Riki frowns in contemplation. "Uh, casinos of Malta?"
Soobin snorts against his cup. "Are you shitting me right now? Casinos are a place for money, they're not supposed to have the best whiskey—"
Riki shrugs in reply. "Professor Jung told me."
Soobin immediately stops laughing and sits politely. "My apologies, Prof."
"Okay, fuck it, tell us something really random." Jungwon pipes up.
"Nah, did you know what happened that day with Kazuha and that weird Heechul guy..."
Kai gestures for him to leave the room and Riki stands up with some excuse. Somehow, they manage to leave without attracting attention (the others were too busy with the tea about the pedophile).
Outside in the balcony, it is lesser hot but at least they're in the free air. The heat of bodies inside the room caused insulation and now they stay in the balcony air, finally alone.
They talk, more this time. They talk until the vodka in their cups finishes.
Kai is the first one to break silence. Weird, but not too much. Riki knew. He knew that it won't be much longer until they start dancing around each other in this little symphony. Nibbling on forbidden fruits, their taste sweet, their colours vibrant, savouring the taste like they're in heaven.
"I wish it would rain. I would kill for summer rain right now. Do you?"
Birds tasting flight for the first time.
"Because of the heat? Yeah."
Kai looks at him, the orange of argon in the street light hitting his silhouette. Riki studies his face, the locks of his blonde hair with the black slowly starting to grow out in the roots.
"You said you hated the rain, Riki-kun, didn't you?" And there's a tease to his voice, a slightly acidic taste in Riki's mouth that leaves him craving more.
"I did. But it's too hot. I'd be so grateful for rain, right now. Summer rain is the best rain."
Kai studies him for a moment, and Riki feels like he's standing under the afternoon sun, even though it's night. Then the blond turns away from him, stares at the street below. "Isn't that just... Monsoon?"
"Nope. Monsoon is July, August, September. Summer rain is June."
Little crushes, pangs of hope and pain, resembling butterflies are for others. They resemble love, they aren't it.
"Summer rain is June, oh? You've quite a way of saying it."
They are the vision of love, but you are it. You are the flowers that bloom in winter, bold and strong. You're the slowly budding ache in the pit of my stomach. You're everything I wanted and didn't want. You're everything that draws me in.
"We can barely see the stars here. Over by the country side — in our grandma's house we could see the galaxy." Kai speaks with tha pretty, pretty mouth of his, his pearly whites on display when he smiles, his eyes like lions.
"I watch the moon." Riki says, unsure of what to say, what to feel, what to know. He swallows back words more often than not, terrified of speaking. It's like giving a speech at an awards ceremony at the end of the year when he's scored the top at everything in his year yet again. See, he's brave enough to act, but not brave enough to speak.
So he speaks with his body. Dances under the sun with an intensity matching it, his eyes like tigers and wildflowers. But body language is never always equivalent to words, no...?
"I love the moon." Kai says. Riki doesn't know where this conversation is going. All that he knows that he doesn't want it to end.
Summer rain, ah. Like flowers blooming in winter. A rarity clear like freshwater. Love budding in his chest. He's floating and he's on the ground, bound and set free with the promise of eternity granted to him.
He's falling. He's fallen. He knows it.
Kai's speaking. He's spoken. And he knows it.
Knows that he means what he says next, knows the way Riki's eyes widen ever so slightly. A baby angel promised a sweet delicacy.
"Riki. You are the moon."
And yes, it's flowers blooming in winter, the relief from hot weather in the form of rain. Finding love is summer rain. Once it happens, it's the most comfortable thing in the whole universe.
"Riki. I like you like how I like the moon. Like how I like the rain."
I love you like rain in summer. You are my relief. You are who I want forever. You are what I didn't like before, but have fallen in love with. You are the summer of five years ago, the comfort of sweet ice cream.
"I like you like how I like the summer. The way I was detached and unhappy about them, but fell in love with again."
Kai smiles at him, and Riki knows, hopes that someday they'll openly use and throw around the word love like every other couple in their annoying friend groups.
And then it hits him. Riki would throw cheesy lines at Kai in front of others. Would buy tubs of his favourite ice cream even if others hate it. Would pick kissing him over any movie in the universe. Would 100% feature him in a dance video that is to be viewed by thousands of people online.
He groans internally. No, fuck, not another couple again! It's a brand new episode and this time, he's the main character. Finally.
Kai leans in leaves a little kiss on Riki's nose, then on the mole under his lips. Then he drops a little peck on his lips. It's nothing like when Eunchae did it. It's nothing compared to the little butterflies in his stomach but well.
Here we fucking are.
Riki tries to be normal about it, but his heart is beating out of his chest. Kai breathes heavily like he just ran a marathon.
They've been brave today. At least they tried. They'll be braver tomorrow, or the day after, anytime in future. They'll be braver.
"Riki, do... Do you feel it too? Or am I alone again, in all my madness and all my sadness, feeling my stars align under my skin?" Kai's voice is breaking, breaking like Riki's heart. But it's okay. It's the good kind of heart break. Riki knows Kai will keep him safe. He speaks because he can't dance, not with the electricity running in his blood.
"I feel it. I feel at home." Summer five years ago.
Tears spill from Kai's eyes.
"You... Did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That... That I've liked you? Since a year? You're doing this out of sympathy, aren't you?"
Riki frowns. "Why would I get into a relationship out of sympathy? I'm not a people pleaser."
And that's true. Riki is anything but that. Call him a try-hard or an academic weapon, but he doesn't do it for other people. He does it for himself.
"Everybody does," Kai sobs, "Beomgyu and Yeonjun hyungs keep setting me up with people and they think I'm a pitiable lamb."
"I don't think that." Riki replies.
The first few drops fall on Riki's cheeks and now, they both have water running down their cheeks. Quite abruptly, the rain thunders down upon them. Neither move.
"Then," Kai says, his voice quivering, "Prove it to me. Kiss me under this summer rain and swear it."
Riki's head spins from what he tries to convince himself, is the vodka. Then he leans forward, clashing his lips with Kai's and really, it's better than his daydreams. His mouth is hot and sweet and lovable, better than alcohol. Water pours down on them, around their mouths as Riki savours the taste of indulgence well-earned.
"I swear." Riki says when they break apart. He gazes up at the thundering clouds, then closes his eyes and mouth to not get the water in. He feels the distinct weight of Kai leaning on his shoulder, burying his face in his neck.
He closes his eyes.
Indulgence well-earned.
🌦️
"Did my plan work? I tried hard not to gag everytime I saw it in the freezer. Thank God Ddeonu finished it quickly."
"If anyone of you ever mention what I had to say to Jake just to set the two of these up, I will hunt you down and slice your throats. Can't believe Beomgyu thought it was a good idea. Like, my guy, you're my homie and all, but please stay away from me and my Jake." Heeseung's crisp voice is unmistakably distinguishable as Riki and Kai listen outside the door, both changed into cool and dry clothes.
"Shut up all three of you couples. Don't be bitchy about this. I was just trynna be a good friend—" Beomgyu's defence speech is interrupted by a snort from Heeseung — "How can you be a good friend while being a bad friend at the same time?" followed by a wack and Heeseung's yelp of pain.
"What matters, is that we've played all our part in this, either by acting extra lovey dovey or by recommending dating apps. It wasn't the greatest idea but — at least we made progress." Soobin shares his views.
Jungwon comments. "I understand, but I'm sure it will take them another year just to know each other's full names. Please. The progress is slow."
"It's slow but at least it's there." Taehyun says. That's when the maknaes decide that it's enough.
"You plotted this all?" Riki bursts in through the door, holding Kai's hand. Soobin flinches and holds his heart like that hamster meme. Everybody starts screaming or hiding.
"Listen, it's not what you think it is—" Jake tries to do damage control but what's done is done.
"How could you?" Kai asks with a mercilessly scandalized voice.
"Well," Jay is the only calm one, his arm wrapped around a jumpy Jungwon's waist, soothing him, "you've fallen in love, haven't you? This is why I always say. Hyungs know best."
"Isn't the phrase supposed to be, mother knows best?" Taehyun asks.
Jake flips his hair. "I am his mother. I know best."
Riki shakes his head. His idiots of hyungs.
He loves these idiots with all his heart.
And of course, the biggest idiot staring indignantly ahead, his lips slowly forming a smile.
Summer rain, rare and so beautiful.