Work Text:
“Shin Junghwan, Shin Junghwan, Shin Junghwan, everyone talks about the damn Shin Junghwan, what's so special about him?” Youngjae said as he watched Junghwan walk past some students and everyone started going crazy. He loved to observe the students' behaviour towards Shin Junghwan, he wasn't anything special, just in the basketball team, so what, Youngjae was the best singer of the school and he doesn't get attention so what was sooooo special about Shin Junghwan. It was his task to find out.
“You're so obsessed with Junghwan hyung” Dohoon said, next to him was Jihoon who just munched on some snacks. “No, I'm not!” Youngjae denied it too quickly.
“That's the same thing when i say that Jihoon isn't my boyfriend” Dohoon huffed in annoyance. “Well, that's not the same because Jihoon is actually your boyfriend and i am not obsessed with Shin Junghwan!” Unfortunately for Youngjae he had said that too loud and Junghwan turned around to stare at him.
Youngjae just glared at him giving him the get the fuck away stare and thankfully Junghwan took the message and went as far away as he could from that table.
“Awkward..” dohoon sang playfully as he and Jihoon continued bickering about whether fries were better with ketchup or mayo. “I'm telling you, it's better with ketchup because you have hot and crispy fry with the sweet and slightly spicy ketchup, but mayo is just oil, it's not good for you Jihoonie” And that's how every lunch break went, the two would argue while Youngjae would sit in silence glancing secretly at Junghwan. So much about saying he wasn't obsessed.
“Let's go, class’s starting soon” he said as he dragged Dohoon and Jihoon up. “Careful, this beautiful black hair isn't for someone like you to grab it” Dohoon said, shielding his hair from Youngjae. “Then is it for Jihoon to grab it during sex?” Youngjae said, the playful smirk on his face saying everything, while the two immediately shut up.
“That's what i thought” youngjae said and continued dragging them to the classroom. And in the corner of his eyes he could see someone that looked similar to Junghwan smiling in the background.
“Oh, how i love that man” Junghwan said to Kyungmin who was standing as far away as he could. “Hyung, let me give you a reality check, Youngjae hates you” and that was absolutely right, Youngjae hated Junghwan, not because he had a problem with him but because he wasn't sure what was so special about him. It irritated him that he got all the attention while the more talented students got dust.
“Yeah.. i know..” Junghwan said, his shoulders slumped as he walked towards the classroom. “At least you do”
…
Youngjae sat in that very boring classroom looking out of the window and thinking about the person he completely wasn't obsessed with. Junghwan looked too ordinary to be so obsessed over, he was just a basketball player, what was so special about that? He thought as he completely zoned out.
He remembered meeting Junghwan just once and Junghwan's cheeks were slightly flushed at the thought of seeing him. That was always weird, why was Junghwan blushing over someone like Youngjae? Maybe it was because of his voice. But before he could think more a hand tapped his shoulder carefully.
“Dohoon stop it!” He said a bit louder than intended only to find the professor standing there, her expression unreadable. “Youngjae, care to tell us what you were thinking about?” “Nothing!” He said, too defensively. The smirk on Dohoon's face widened as he looked at Youngjae.
“Then tell me what we were doing?” She crossed her arms waiting for Youngjae to respond. “algebraic equations” he said, putting his full confidence into that answer. “We did that yesterday Youngjae, pay attention please” she said, pointing at the whiteboard.
After class the teasing started immediately. “Our Youngjae is thinking about Junghwanie” Dohoon said, looking too happy. “For someone who says they're not obsessed, you're thinking very much of him.” Jihoon added smirking from ear to ear.
“For someone who only turned a year older lately I've heard you multiple times in Dohoon's room doing something y'all shouldn't.” Youngjae said, now it was his time to have a smirk on his face. “What we do in our free time is none of your business Youngjae” dohoon said and stormed out with a very red face, Jihoon followed not so long after his face was also red.
Dohoon and Youngjae were roommates, they lived in a little apartment near the school because their parents wanted them to stay together during high school. So Youngjae heard everything Dohoon and Jihoon were doing in his room, it wasn't sex, but he loved to tease them.
Youngjae stood there laughing his ass off and then Junghwan passed by him. His expression immediately soured at the sight of Junghwan. And his laughter faltered immediately. Junghwan noticed that and just rushed to Kyungmin as quickly as he could.
“Fuck his beautiful face and beautiful smile and beautiful voice when he's a prick.” Junghwan said, his expression slightly pouty. “What did he do now?”
“He was laughing at something and when I passed by his smile immediately faltered and he turned serious.” Junghwan said, still with that sad pout.
Kyungmin didn't say anything, he just burst out laughing and watched Junghwan sulk harder with every second. “Seriously hyung, you're finishing third grade soon, you need to do something about it during summer break.” Kyungmin said and left Junghwan standing there, a few centimeters from Youngjae.
“That's it, i either ruin my life or make it a hundred times better.”
…
He didn't proceed with his plan in the end - approach Youngjae and ask him why he hates him. Instead he just stood awkwardly near Youngjae shooting him glances whenever he could.
Youngjae of course noticed and again looked at him with the same expression he did just a few hours ago.
Junghwan sighed loudly and dragged his ass away from Youngjae.
Soon enough they finished another grade of high school and slowly summer started. Youngjae was slammed working at a juice and smoothie place. There wasn't even a moment of rest in his 8 hour work time, but he at least got decent money and both weekends off so it was good.
This day out of all wasn't that busy since it was one of those summer rains and nobody in their right mind would go outside just for a fresh lemonade. But we know Junghwan isn't in his right mind so he of course went for a cup of lemonade.
Youngjae didn't even register someone coming in he just started singing
Jigeumbuteo, lemon ta-ta-tang
(I know you hate it)
But like, nal seongneundamyeon? (Can't deny us)
Da igyeo, yeoreum heart
Lemon, lemon, lemon sour (Oh)
Gachiramyeon deo dara
Neomu jochana
My lemon tang
He even sang all of the adlibs, it was adorable to watch it, Junghwan almost melted right there on the spot. Youngjae continued singing, not knowing that Shin Junghwan was there.
What nobody knew was that over the summer break, Youngjae actually started missing glancing at Junghwan during the breaks.
“That was actually very good” Junghwan said, breaking the little concert Youngjae was holding. Youngjae immediately threw a napkin at Junghwan and hid behind the counter. Despite singing in packed auditoriums, school halls and many venues, singing in front of Junghwan alone was very embarrassing.
“You've got a nice voice, why did you stop?” Junghwan asked. One of the reasons he fell in love with Youngjae in the first place was his beautiful singing.
It happened during the spring festival when they were in their first year. Youngjae, slightly younger than now, and slightly cuter than now, was on the stage singing Countdown by TWS.
He doesn't know what got him completely drawn to Youngjae but now when he thinks about it, it was probably the intro line:
Geochireojin sumi jakku ttwineun simjangi
Hago sipeun geol ttaragaja wechineun geoya
Deo isang mangseorigi sireun nal junbihagoseo
Ije one, two, three, countdown
The way it was perfectly suited for Youngjae made Junghwan fall in love with him. And his slightly orangeish hair colour made him even prettier. From that day Junghwan couldn't take his eyes off Youngjae. And basically became a loser in love.
“Are you going to stand and watch me like you always do, are you going to order?” Youngjae said in the rude tone always used with Junghwan. “Answer my question first” Junghwan said, looking straight through Youngjae. “I'm not obligated to do it you prick, now order or I'll need to ask you to leave.” Youngjae didn't even know why he was behaving towards Junghwan in this way.
Yeah, he didn't like him but the sudden rudeness doesn't come from anywhere.
“Okay, I'll get a fresh cup of lemonade please.” He said, positioning himself to the table nearest to Youngjae.
While Youngjae was making the lemonade Dohoon's words suddenly echoed in his mind. “Sometimes, when the mind and heart can't choose what to think about a person the body reacts with hate. Think about it, think about why you hate Junghwan and maybe the mind and the heart will finally align.” And unfortunately, Dohoon seemed right.
His mind was certain he hated Junghwan but he couldn't help but glance at Junghwan every time he passed by, he couldn't help but notice every little detail about Junghwan not even Kyungmin noticed. He was honestly a mess inside but he still needed to hate him, or pretend to hate him just so he could see something.
“Your lemonade is ready” he said, voice monotone, not rude anymore but still not sounding nice. “Youngjae, you do realise that you need to be nice to customers, especially your classmates.” Junghwan said as he took the cold cup of lemonade from Youngjae's hand making their hands brush.
Junghwan's stupid cheeks betrayed him almost immediately and he quickly retreated to his table chugging the lemonade like it was the only thing he drank for the whole day.
He paid and left the place with more questions than answers.
Youngjae came home to his and Dohoon's apartment and immediately looked for Dohoon. “Dohoon if you're fucking with Jihoon i need you to come out we need to talk.” He said, pounding loudly on Dohoon's door.
“We weren't fucking.” Dohoon said coming out of his room, his lips slightly swollen and his hair a mess. “But you were making out, anyway, attention to me please.” He said as he dramatically dropped on the couch.
“You know 2 weeks ago when you just finished kissing Jihoon and told me that when the mind and heart aren't in sync with your feelings the body usually reacts in an unusual way, mostly with hate.” Youngjae said and then continued shortly after “i think you were absolutely right, because i have no idea what to think about Shin Junghwan anymore.” He said, hiding his slightly blushing face.
“I KNEW IT!” Dohoon yelled at the top of his lungs and Jihoon stormed into the living room immediately asking questions. “Is this about the Youngjae Junghwan situation?” He asked, his eyes filled with mischievous glint.
“Tell us everything, please Youngjae.” Dohoon begged and pleaded on his knees until Youngjae gave in and started speaking.
“I genuinely the entirety of third grade i wasn't sure what i felt towards Junghwan, i thought it was hate but I'd catch myself thinking about him very often, then when summer break hit i started missing him, i wanted to see him and that when i realised that i maybe, maybe like Junghwan.” The pure victory on Dohoon's face made Youngjae regret ever telling the story, but it felt good throwing his feelings out in the open.
“So now, the thing that you're going to do is getting closer to him, we don't have any idea how but you need to figure it out, we're going back in my room.” Dohoon declared loudly and dragged Jihoon back to his room for round 2 as he said.
…
The next day, storms and heavy rain continued which meant that the store would probably be very empty again and a little hope in Youngjae's heart wanted to see Junghwan again. To see his cute flushed cheeks and to see his beautiful smile.
He honestly doesn't even remember when the hate for Junghwan had turned into love but he knew that the feelings he felt weren't just hate, something else, something unspoken lingered in his heart until Dohoon's word opened them and let them be heard.
He was starting to get bored so he shuffled his playlist and started singing.
Naega Smyeon neon naui Ni doeeojwo
Eotteon sunganedo neoreul chajeul su itge
Bandaega kkeullineun cheonmanbeonjjae iyureul
Naeirui urineun aljido molla
Through singing he realised that indeed he was the S and Junghwan was the N, so he completely ignored the customer that walked in and continued singing with his full heart.
Oneulttara waenji mari kkoyeo
Seongeul ppaego bureuneun geon ajik eosaekae
Neowa na uri moyeobonikka
Gateun saek deodeumiga jarana
And then he realised that the customer that walked in wasn't just a costumer it was Shin fucking Junghwan. He immediately hid behind the counter wishing not to be found but judging by Junghwan's sudden laughter outburst Youngjae was doomed.
“Why do you always come in when I'm embarrassing myself?” Youngjae whined loudly, leaning against the counter wanting to be swallowed by this earth.
“Honestly, I never find it embarrassing, your voice is really beautiful.” Junghwan said and Youngjae noticed it again, the blush on his cheeks only grew bigger as they continued speaking to eachother.
“Do you want to order or?” Youngjae asked, wanting to be over with Junghwan as soon as possible.
“No, i want to talk to you.” Junghwan said, looking straight at Youngjae's eyes. “Then, let me go on my break so that we can talk properly.” Youngjae said, taking off his apron and taking his umbrella.
“What do you need the umbrella for?” Junghwan asked. “Are you acting dumb on purpose or are you really that dumb. You do realise that it's literally pouring outside.”
“Oh” Junghwan said as he opened the door for Youngjae.
“Thanks”
They started walking, with Youngjae holding the umbrella. Nobody talked for a while; they just walked and watched the rain pour and the sound of scattered storms.
“So. What did you want to talk to me about?” Youngjae asked, finally breaking the silence. “Nothing, figured since I'll be coming to your shop every day, we should at least get to know eachother.”
“Okay, lead the way, strawberry.”
“Why am I the strawberry?”
“Because you're currently as red as a strawberry?”
“Then, you're a peach.”
“What the fuck?”
“Because you're as sweet as a peach.”
“Is that a try at flirting?”
“Absolutely fucking yes.”
“Fuck off”
Youngjae laughed, Junghwan laughed and the rain suddenly got much stronger. “Be careful.” Junghwan said quietly as they walked side by side. “I know how to be careful.” Youngjae argued, regretting even going on this walk.
Just then Youngjae started quietly singing
Bitsogeseo nae gwitgae
Deullineun deuthan neoui nageuthan
Soksagim bitsogeseo
Meokgureummaneun nareul kkok anajune
“Your voice is really beautiful.” Junghwan said, voice sounding amazed. “Thank you.” Youngjae said, ignoring the blush that crept up his cheeks. “Now we can call you a strawberry too.”
“Fuck off.”
“No.”
“Yeah.”
“No.”
And before they knew it Youngjae's break time was over and he needed to go back to work. “Honestly” he said “it was a nice walk” Junghwan's cheeks betrayed him for the 10th time in one month as he spoke “only because of your singing” and just left quietly after that.
…
It was July 7th, not a special date in Youngjae's mind, it was no one's birthday, not a single holiday was on this date, it was just a very specific date because it was very eye-catching, something about 07/07 always caught his eyes. Yeah, every month had a day like that 01/01, 02/02, 03/03…. and so on until 12/12 but something was different about the seventh of July.
It was already almost a month since he and Junghwan took that walk on that slightly cold stormy day and he couldn't stop thinking about it. Junghwan's face under the rain, their laughter echoing against the loud storms. The walk was everything youngjae wanted, it was something he longed for. Because despite being very handsome, in his very humble opinion, and being a very good singer, no one ever had paid that much attention like Junghwan had that day.
Junghwan had been coming every day, sometimes to try the new juices, sometimes to talk with Youngjae but sometimes just to be there, like a mental support for Youngjae. And he enjoyed the company Junghwan provided him.
This particular day, nothing new was happening, storms were heard outside and rain was falling quietly. The sound of the door opening was heard and Youngjae's head perked up from the counter wishing it was Junghwan who walked in.
And much to his hopes, Junghwan walked in, a big smile plastered on his face as he greeted Youngjae. “Hello!!” He said, enthusiastically as ever. “Let's go for a walk.” Youngjae said immediately as he took off his apron and took his umbrella. “Wow, only a month and you're already willing to go for a walk with me.”
“Fuck off.”
“You fuck off.” Junghwan shot back playfully.
Youngjae gasped loudly looking playfully offended. “I cannot believe you've said that to me”
“You said fuck off to me exactly 42 times in in 30 days, so that's approximately 1,4 times a day.”
“Okay, you win, let's go” Youngjae said and started walking suspiciously next to Youngjae.
“You know” youngjae said, then exhaled hard. “we always walk in the rain”
“Well i guess walking in the rain is our thing” Junghwan chuckled, tightening his hold on the umbrella. “Maybe we just pair well like rain and umbrellas, umbrellas only work when there's rain, and maybe I only work when I'm with you.” Junghwan's face flushed red at Youngjae's words and he carefully took Youngjae's hand in his.
Walking alongside Junghwan, hand in hand with him, Youngjae realised something. Junghwan didn't need to be a part of 5 clubs, he didn't need to be madly handsome or he didn't need to be very smart to be special. His beautiful personality did everything for him. Yeah, he was just an ordinary basketball player, he wasn't the most handsome person, but he for sure had the personality of an angel and Youngjae finally realised that there always was something special about Shin Junghwan, something that Youngjae would cherish forever.