Chapter Text
The next day could not come any sooner to Jiwon. He was awake the whole night realizing what a shitty asshole he was. It was all about him. Him not being labelled as The Guy who Moved On Quick. The Guy Who Is Now With Junhoe As Rebound. The only label that Jiwon deserves right now was The Guy Who Does Not Deserve Junhoe The Gem. Junhoe was nothing but understanding and Jiwon threw it all away.
After their call ended last night, Jiwon called Chanwoo over and bawled his eyes out. It took a while before Chanwoo admitted Donghyuk did it on purpose and Chanwoo kept apologizing to Jiwon for not putting a stop to it. Regardless, Jiwon knew it would never have happened, it was not for his ridiculous promise he bounded Junhoe with.
Jiwon planned to arrive at school earlier than usual but to his dismay, the traffic delayed him by an hour. By the time he arrives, Junhoe was already warming his vocals with the rest of the choir and that means he will have to wait till the day ends before having Junhoe to himself.
Jiwon saw Junhoe looking perky as normal as though yesterday did not happen. Junhoe was still sharing jokes and laughing along with the rest in between Christmas carols. Jiwon focused on wrapping the gifts and arranging them neatly at the back of the van. Jiwon volunteered to transfer all the gifts to the hospital but he was reluctant to leave Junhoe behind. He was worried that Junhoe might have left school when Jiwon was busy shuttling the gifts to the hospital
“Mr Hanbin, I know I signed up to bring all the gifts to the hospital with you but I don’t feel so good and during the car ride over, I was feeling nauseous and I don’t think I can survive another ride.”
“Sure Jiwon, I have to admit I was getting a bit worried, you look pale and I assumed it was because you skipped breakfast. Do you want to go home instead? The rest of us can handle the rest of the tasks.”
“No. I think it is just the car ride. I guess I suddenly developed motion sickness. HAHA,” Jiwon let out a dry laugh with his eyes still fixed on Junhoe. “Do you reckon the choir group need any assistance from me? I don’t know, maybe to adjust their lyrics stand or maybe guide them through the scores?”
Mr Hanbin raised his eyebrow in doubt. “Jiwon, are you sure you are okay? I don’t think they need help since their voices are their instruments and they do not have any stand to be adjusted. What is going on?”
“Have you done something wrong towards someone and you want to apologize yet you don’t know how to but you want to yet you can’t? Am I making sense? God, I suck” Jiwon was frustrated with his inability to think of something to put all of this to an end.
“Sometimes, we need to address the root cause of the problem. It --”
“It is me, I am the root cause of the problem. It all started with secrets and lies” Jiwon interrupted Hanbin before he could even finish his sentence.
“Then unravel the lies, come forward and speak the truth. Can you do that? Will that be something you can do or it is beyond your abilities? I am sure that someone can forgive you if you step up”
“So I just need to speak the truth and all will end well?”
“I guess so. I am not sure of the exact problem you may have but the truth will always set you free. I will leave you to it. I trust you will make a great choice.” Hanbin pat Jiwon’s shoulder and headed over to help the other students.
Jiwon sat down with a group of students planning the itinerary and pretended to pay attention while his eyes were fixed at Junhoe. How he wished he could reach out, hug him and beg for forgiveness.
Junhoe tried his best to ignore Jiwon but it was near to impossible. Luckily for Junhoe, he was the lead singer and he had more songs to pretend to practice. From what he could see, Jiwon was not having an easy time as well. Chanwoo and Lisa were huddled in a corner steering clear of both Junhoe and Jiwon. Junhoe called Chanwoo over and the look on Chanwoo’s face was comical; his eyes went wide and his cheeks were now flushed with pink hues. Junhoe chuckled at how babyish Chanwoo looks right now. Junhoe signalled to meet at the backstage area.
“Spill. You know something.” Junhoe was sure Chanwoo was hiding something from his fidgety demeanour. It did not take much persuasion before Chanwoo sang like a canary. Junhoe smiled menacingly and Chanwoo was worried about what will happen to their relationship.
“I never did like the idea and I told Donghyuk it was not a good idea since you are such a… oops” Chanwoo shut his lips up before he said the wrong thing
“Such what?”
“I mean... we know you hate it when any of us touch your toys or games without your permission, even when we were in pre-school. I told him to come and apologize to you though I am not sure he is willing to. You know him, petty is his game and I ain’t sure if he will be letting this go easily. But since the damage is already done and it did affect you, I told him to just drop it, he snickered at me” Chanwoo hates being the middle person in any disagreement. To him, he is being weak whereas Lisa admires his neutralness.
“I said mean things to Jiwon and I am sure it is irreversible, it was so hurtful. How did I even allow myself to harm him like that? I am such a low life.”
“I am sure if you were to speak to Jiwon and apologize sincerely, everything would be back as per normal. You were friends way before you became lovers, even if you lose him as a boyfriend, salvage your friendship” Chanwoo gave Junhoe an assuring grip on his shoulder and left him be.
Junhoe was resolve to fix the matter by the end of the day. He needs to fight for Jiwon no matter what.
“Are you okay Chanchan?” Lisa was upset Chanwoo was caught in the middle of the crossfire between Junhoe and Donghyuk. She hates the alpha ego in them and her Chanchan is the one suffering. And Jiwon of course. “I am, maybe I need to be more assertive and stop being so wishy-washy. I have to start putting my foot down… right Baby? But I was not brought up that way. What am I supposed to do”
“Aww Chanchan, I love that you have a big heart and your motto in life is never to hurt others. But if you are ever caught in this kind of situation again, tell me and I will tell them off for you. I will be your shield. Okay?” “Ugh, shouldn’t I be the one protecting you?” Chanwoo groaned in despair and rested his head on the table. What a nightmare.
“Chanchan, Chanchan!! Donghyuk is here!!” Lisa shook Chanwoo so hard, he swore his shoulder came out from its socket. “Fuck, what should we do? Junhoe is still pissed”
Chanwoo took a quick glance and Jiwon was still occupied at his station while Junhoe was still unaware of Donghyuk’s presence. Chanwoo got up to stop Donghyuk but Lisa was faster. To Chanwoo’s horror, Lisa tapped Donghyuk’s back and Donghyuk turned to greet Lisa. “Hey, Lisa! I miss you”
Lisa extend her arms and gave Donghyuk a welcoming hug. “So Dongdong”
“You know I hate it when you call me Dongdong. Donghyuk please or better, DK. The kids in my new school call me by that name”
Lisa tuts and shook her hair elegantly “They can call you Your Highness if they want but Dongdong will be Dongdong and you cannot change my mind.” Lisa continued to glare at Donghyuk who remained smiley. “Listen, fix this bloody mess before I give you kick in the balls and you know I will never back down from what I say. Apologize to Junhoe and drop this childish game you are playing.”
Donghyuk sighed and then chortled. “Lisa, you are as feisty as ever. Look I am here to make peace believe it or not. So chill. I know I can handle Junhoe so trust me, please. I am petty but I sure am not stupid. I guess the damage was done and that was enough”
“Seriously Dongdong? If it was damage to property or his belongings, I would not care as much. You broke two, TWO person heart” Lisa was annoyed by how nonchalant Donghyuk was over the whole situation. How could one change so much? The Donghyuk she knew was sweet and gentle albeit his pettiness. This is just plain vindictive and cruel. “Go over now and apologize and I am not asking, I am demanding you to”
Donghyuk rolled his eyes and curtsy to Lisa and sought out Junhoe. He scanned the area and just as he guessed, Junhoe was singing with the choir. Donghyuk had to admit Junhoe’s voice never fail to impress; Junhoe was able to confidently slay any genre of songs. Donghyuk slowly approached Junhoe to call a truce. Will he be forgiven today? Donghyuk seriously doesn’t care. “Yo Junhoe. Woah your voice is getting better. I am amazed”
Junhoe charged at Donghyuk and grabbed his collar. “What the fuck! Why are you doing here? Go before I ----” Donghyuk and Junhoe scuffle was interrupted by a sudden announcement over the Public Announcement system
“Hi, guys. I am Kwon Jiwon. Sorry, I sneaked out from helping you guys but I need to get this out of my chest. You see, my late parents always told me to live a life with honesty yet I failed to. I fell in love with a boy in this school. He was the one reason why moving to Seoul was interesting, he was the reason I felt like I belong and he is the reason why my heart beats the way it is. I was selfish, I wanted to have the best of both worlds. I wanted everyone to have a good clean impression of me yet by doing that, I was crushing his heart bit by bit, day by day. We have been dating for over a week now yet he was forced to not tell anyone and act as though we were strangers. I was stupid. I should have been proud to be named his and him, mine. Yet the thought of being labelled negatively got in the way of our happiness. I am taking this opportunity to inform everyone here in school today that I am giddy in love with Koo Junhoe. Koo Junhoe you hear me? You are mine and I am sorry. I really am. I love you Jagi. Please forgive me”
Jiwon hopes Junhoe would forgive him, if he didn’t, this declaration would just be the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Jiwon switched off the system and stepped out of the audio room. As he dragged his feet to meet up the rest, he caught sight of Junhoe running towards him. Jiwon was contemplating if he should smile with relief or worry over a breakup. He took a deep breath and held his head up high. “Hey, Junhoe. Regardless of what you decide, I am sorr--” Before Jiwon could end his sentence, Junhoe planted a kiss square on his mouth.
"Shouldn't I say sorry instead? I hurt you with my words and we don't do that to loved ones. I swear I don't know what came over me, I guessed I was engulfed with envy. I never felt like this before, I almost punch a hole through Donghyuk’s face. I guess I really am in love with you. I do”
“I guess we are okay.” Jiwon's heart felt warm and tingly when Junhoe nodded. They pulled each other into a tight embrace and as they hug, all the doubts and envy faded away.
“You realize we will be heading back to the rest and they heard your whole confession already so you better treat me well” Junhoe teased. “Oh no. Oh my god, I am so embarrassed. I am so going to be teased” Jiwon bashfully covered his face with both of his hands
“Hey, we are going to walk back there, hand in hand and WE will be teased together. We will face everything together ok… You trust me?” Junhoe cupped Jiwon’s cheek with his hand, the assuring warmth spreads as his thumb rubbed Jiwon’s cheek lightly. Jiwon held Junhoe’s hand in his and grabbed it tight.
“Always” Jiwon kissed Junhoe for confidence and smiled at his love. “How did I get lucky with you Junhoe?”
“Did you forget? I was tailored for you” Junhoe winked. And at that moment Jiwon was sure they will be together, always.