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Hoseok gulped nervously, standing face to face with his best friend, Hyunwoo. Their big build made a wide shadow on the ground. It was right in the middle of the day when the sun was in the hottest position of the day. The sweat fell from their temples. It felt so dry inside the throat, craving for coldness and freshness. People passed by, confusingly staring at their weird activity.
Hyunwoo was ready, his eyes flashed in confidence, glancing over to Hoseok, smirking a bit. It was a lie if Hoseok said he wasn’t nervous because it was the ninth time they did this and Hoseok always fell into the same bad circle. His opponent is seriously a big deal.
Hoseok’s hand swayed in the air, Hyunwoo followed him after that. They screamed to nothing, punching the air, hand to hand fighting.
“Rock, paper, scissors! Boom!”
Rock versus scissors and then Hoseok was devastated. He fell to the ground.
“Why!!?” Hoseok was squeaking while Hyunwoo was grinning making his crescent moon eyes showing. He pulled his hair in defeat, seeking an outlet to release frustration. It was the tenth time he lost from Hyunwoo. “My last money! What should I do with my life until the end of the month? Am I going to die starving? I am going to die. Let me die!”
Hyunwoo chuckled softly. Hoseok is always so dramatic about losing to Hyunwoo. Usually, he would ask everyone if he has the right to live in the world just because his monthly part-time jobs salary was draining out only to feeding Hyunwoo’s big appetite.
“I want a large size cheeseburger and an extra-large cola, okay,” Hyunwoo skipped happily in the opposite direction, waving his hand to the air. “I will wait in the usual place. Thank you, Hoseok.” Hoseok pouted but he turned around to go to the nearby fast-food restaurant. His sour face was showing along the way. Hyunwoo giggled.
It became their deal since the last year of university started. Hoseok met Hyunwoo in an English class back then when they were second-year university students. Hyunwoo is a ridiculously big gentle bear with a funny awkward personality. His usual behavior is eating snacks before the class starts, alone in the corner of the room, because he doesn’t have much courage to talk with people around. Hoseok once borrowed his pen before the exam because Hoseok left it somewhere when he was going to the toilet. It was an awkward first talk but it became a normal thing between them. They got along over time and became best friends.
Hoseok didn’t believe in Hyunwoo’s words at first, saying he had super extraordinary luck. He said he would get it for sure. It didn’t match well with his feature because Hyunwoo looked like a stupid awkward nerd with big glasses and a flannel shirt. Hoseok snorted at him just right before Hyunwoo spun the lucky draw on the university’s festival day. Hoseok was gawking when Hyunwoo got the grand prize in his big hands with a wide grin forming on his face. It was the latest version of gaming pc and it was the one which Hoseok craved the most. Such a lucky bastard!
Of course, it was not easy to make Hoseok believe in his “good luck” only with just a one-time experience. One day, in the last semester of English class, there was an individual presentation to evaluate the student’s speaking skills. Hyunwoo was panicking as he knew there was such an assessment because he is bad at talking in front of many people even in their native Korean language. He gets nervous easily when there are so many eyes looking at him. It happened once in his computer software class when he got to do a group presentation. Actually, he didn’t get the responsibility to present their material but their college lecturer asked about the technical matter of Hyunwoo specialty. It was a disaster, as with a couple of eyes watching him, he suddenly had a brain shut down and couldn’t answer the question. Though his answer was already inside his mind yet his mouth was locked in silence.
So, that’s why he told Hoseok that he would use his “luck power” to get the last number of presentation turns so there weren’t many people watching him speaking English because the students could go home if they finished their presentation turns. Hoseok definitely laughed his ass off at the statement but in the next second after they chose one of the number papers inside the box, Hoseok was stunned while Hyunwoo was relieved with himself. The man really got the last turn of presentation after the 10 last students. He said he just needed to wish it by heart and it would turn out good. It was ridiculous but Hoseok started to get interested.
There were more lucky bastard days for Hyunwoo. Hoseok witnessed it one by one, such as he got reward on the ice cream stick out of nowhere, he also got a free brand new iPhone when he participated in online quizzes, he also got his favorite artist’s new album from a giveaway, and the most annoying thing was Hyunwoo got chosen as the winner of grand prize from his bank account.
It was the day Hoseok finally challenged himself to Hyunwoo’s luck power. There was no way someone could be so lucky every single time, maybe it was just in terms of probabilities. It is math! Hyunwoo was there in the most possible way, that’s why he got it because of the calculated highest probabilities. So, Hoseok challenged Hyunwoo’s luck by doing consecutive rock-paper-scissors things every week and the one who loses will buy them free lunch, with the hope that Hyunwoo’s failure would meet a greater chance. He also tried to do it in every kind of situation Hyunwoo was in to prove that there is a possibility he would win because Hyunwoo was in a bad mental condition. But then it became useless, Hoseok started to get frustrated because he never wins even once after 10 consecutive tries.
“Here’s your lunch,” Hoseok handed over the paper bags with his familiar sour face. Hyunwoo chuckled seeing him being in a bad mood after the nth time losing. But actually, he felt bad about it. He refused it once but Hoseok was stubborn to this challenge.
“Thank you.” He took the bags and then searched for the cola because he got so thirsty waiting for Hoseok. They sat in their usual place in the garden’s university, seeing many students back and forth around the campus. It was the best place for having lunch because there was a big tree behind the bench so it was cool. The place is also the best place to see all the campus buildings because it is placed in the middle of the buildings. There were many students, sitting on every bench together with their friends, talking and laughing.
Hoseok blinked in surprise as he saw someone pass by from far away, carrying a puppy, walking towards the university’s pet clinic. “Hyunwoo, look,” He elbowed Hyunwoo’s arm and moved his chin up in the direction so Hyunwoo would shift his attention to the object. “It’s Kihyun.”
It was Hyunwoo’s turn to pouting. He never left the scenery which is Kihyun who was walking gracefully to the pet clinic, smiling all the way as if he was talking with the puppy until he disappeared inside the crowd. Hyunwoo felt his life miserable, truly miserable, truly unlucky. Hoseok’s mood was between happy and worried about his friend. The worried mood was caused by Hyunwoo’s feelings and the happy mood was caused by the chance of failing up to 100%.
Even though Hyunwoo is a super extraordinary lucky bastard, there is a time he shows vulnerability towards his lucky power. Actually, Hoseok already discovered his three great weaknesses which couldn’t be repaired by his luck.
The first one is Hyunwoo could do nothing about his personality and communication skills. He is awkward, slow, and shy. He can’t communicate well with people he is unfamiliar with. He doesn’t have much to talk about. He also slowly responds to talks like he is thinking too much. Maybe you should be as stubborn or sometimes dramatic as Hoseok to be friends with him. Or maybe you should accept his lack of communication skills, try to understand him, and patiently wait for his response. His luck power can’t suddenly turn him into the most favorable person to talk with. His luck power can’t bring new friends just with one word. That’s why he is mostly alone because luck doesn’t bring him courage. If he could, then he prefers to talk with trees instead of people. Yes, he considered Hoseok as a tree before because he couldn’t look straight into his eyes while talking with him. The most possible thing is that people can’t be predicted, no wonder luck is not working.
The second one is Hyunwoo could do nothing about his running in circle skills. Actually, he is good with some sports such as arching or swimming but he is bad at running especially running in a circle. Okay, it doesn’t really matter actually but Hoseok feels so proud as he found his weakness in this field. It was so funny when, yeah, the university festival time, when he got chosen to be the backup runner for the race as his major department’s representative. He didn’t know if it was luck or not because he suddenly got chosen although it wasn’t the main runner. He tried to reject the decision but his shy personality gave him a hard time meddling between discussions so he didn’t have time to say his thoughts in the discussion. On the day of the festival, the main runner got a stomach ache and Hyunwoo was forced to substitute him. The running track was various tracks such as hurdle, curving track, circle track and ended with a 500-meter sprint track. Hoseok remembered it so well when Hyunwoo screamed for help because he was out of the circle track, running in an erratic direction and then finally losing the race. It was fun though.
Even though his first and second weaknesses are quite important, it didn’t really bother him. But there was only one thing he wanted the most and he hoped his power would work on this but actually no luck at all. His third weakness is Hyunwoo doesn’t have luck in love. Kihyun is proof of Hyunwoo’s failure to reach the highest percentage, almost 100%. Hyunwoo is easy to read because of his simple personality. Hoseok could sense Hyunwoo being tense every time Kihyun passed by. Hoseok didn’t know Kihyun well but he tried to find out about him because he noticed that his friend had an interest in Kihyun.
Kihyun is a third-year veterinary student. Hyunwoo met Kihyun for the first time when Hyunwoo sat unpurposed in the bus shelter, wondering what he should do after college because her mother was upset seeing him being so isolated. He didn’t have close friends back then because the second year was about to start and he hadn’t met Hoseok. He didn’t participate in the campus’s extracurricular also although his mother suggested him to the swimming team. He just didn’t want to do it because he lacked socializing.
There was only Hyunwoo in the bus shelter, after that he noticed someone came a bit panicking focusing on his screen phone. Kihyun was confused as he knew that his cell phone was dead. His sighing voice was loudly heard, making Hyunwoo uncomfortable because he sounded so desperate. Let’s say luck was coming once at that time. Kihyun noticed there was a man sitting on the bench. Their gaze met and Hyunwoo immediately looked away. He suddenly panicked because he could sense the smaller man staring at him.
“Um, excuse me,” Hyunwoo still could recall inside his mind about how sultry Kihyun’s voice was. It means it was so attractive. It made him fly to heaven. What does that mean Hyunwoo was dead? Maybe he was. But his helpless personality made it difficult. “Um, I’m sorry?” He called once again, making sure he was heard by upping his volume, making Hyunwoo in a stiff state.
Hyunwoo hesitantly glanced over, shyly looking at the man and suddenly got stunned at the close range and hit his head on the shelter bus pole. He didn’t have enough courage to see Kihyun’s face as he heard his chuckling voice. “Are you okay?”
“Ye—yes,” Hyunwoo stuttered, caressing his hurt head, realizing how close Kihyun became, focusing on him. Maybe it was just a three-second moment but it was enough to make Hyunwoo carve the man’s pretty and cute face inside his brain.
“May I ask you something?” Hyunwoo blinked in awe, overwhelmed, but trying to hide his face down, “I’m not from his area. I’m about to go to the MX university but my battery phone is dead, I can’t contact my friend. May you show me how to get there?”
Hyunwoo nodded hard without sound but looked away. He stood up abruptly, stepping aside, trying to keep his distance from Kihyun, afraid of direct contact. He took a first step to the right. He stopped at the fifth step, worrying Kihyun didn’t follow him. He glanced back and found Kihyun smiling at him. He jogged around following Hyunwoo, walking side by side along the way to the university. He just didn’t realize how hard he blushes at the moment their eyes met and Kihyun was smiling.
Kihyun walked by his side, being so fragrant and dazzling. His body is so small and fit, and cute, and whatever it was, compared to Hyunwoo. He walked slower than Hyunwoo in an elegant way making Hyunwoo’s heartbeat go erratic. He rarely felt that way towards strangers so it was a mysterious thing for Hyunwoo, too.
Kihyun gasped in surprise as he saw his friend waiting worriedly in front of the university gate. He skipped cheerfully and walked a bit faster than Hyunwoo, and then turning around like a pretty angel he was, made Hyunwoo’s heart skip a beat. “ Ah, that’s my friend, Minhyuk. See you, um,” His shoulder lifted in the cutest way, waving his hand to Hyunwoo and giggling, “Sorry. I’ll study at this university starting this year. I am Kihyun. See you later. Thank you for your help.”
It was the first time Hyunwoo learned that name. Simple and easy first meeting but carving a great impression on Hyunwoo. His wide pretty smile and whisker dimples made Hyunwoo realize that he fell in love at first sight.
“It’s a shame that love is not as easy as to get a grand prize. I never thought you had bad luck in love.” Hoseok interrupted Hyunwoo’s journey to the past while munching on his potato wedges. Hoseok’s words didn’t help at all, only making Hyunwoo more sulking than ever. “It has been two years since you fell for him but no progress. He doesn’t even know you exist.”
It was right. Hyunwoo thought Kihyun never knew or realized that he existed in this world. After their first meeting, Hyunwoo didn’t have the guts to greet him. His body suddenly got tense every time he saw Kihyun walking towards him from afar, smiling along the way with his friends. He was so nervous and then finally he ran away.
Getting Kihyun’s attention wasn’t as easy as playing rock-paper scissors. Hyunwoo already tried his best alone because he missed seeing those smiles from close range. He has been pining for him for such a long time. He secretly paid attention, sitting on the garden’s bench while having lunch, only to see Kihyun playing together with puppy and kitten. He also once tried to call his name when there was no one in the corridor when Kihyun walked to the pet clinic but suddenly tongue-tied as if the cats took his tongue. But the more he saw Kihyun, the more he fell in love. His pretty face, sharp nose, and melodic sultry voice enchanted Hyunwoo.
He paid too much attention to Kihyun. Of course secretly. So, there was a time Hyunwoo ran as fast as possible when Kihyun was about to fall, carrying a heavy box containing pet food. After Hyunwoo supported his back from falling, he immediately went away even before Kihyun knew who was helping him. Kihyun turned around, searching for his helper’s whereabouts, and then found another man walking behind him so he thanked the man instead of Hyunwoo.
After being helplessly in love with Kihyun, Hyunwoo got frustrated about his shy and awkward personality. If only he had—at least better at talking—a flexible personality, maybe he could easily greet Kihyun and get along without being awkward. His personality and Kihyun’s personality don’t match each other. Kihyun got so many friends from many departments and majors. Most college students knew Kihyun, especially the one who has a pet. Such an opposite of Hyunwoo. What an unlucky introvert, falling for an extrovert one.
There was also a time Hyunwoo accidentally heard that Kihyun needed a new animal stethoscope because he broke the borrowed one from the university when running to chase a panicking golden retriever. Hyunwoo went around the pet-related shop only to find Kihyun needs but once again, he didn’t know how to hand it to Kihyun so he chose to put it in the paper bag and then hang the bag to Kihyun’s locker handle. Kihyun found it and thought that it was a gift from his friend, Minhyuk.
If this is a different matter, then maybe Hyunwoo could get his prize but this is about other people and Hyunwoo couldn’t repair his weakness using his luck. He got another grand prize in the electronic market but it was so hard to get Kihyun’s attention. And then the hero is coming. It was Hoseok.
After being friends with Hoseok and the man realized Hyunwoo has feelings for Kihyun, he became Hyunwoo’s talisman but not really worked well. Hoseok encouraged him to bravely come to the pet clinic, bringing Hoseok’s cat, reasoning himself to get health care for “his cat” with the hope he could—at least—introduce his name to Kihyun. However, the God of luck was nowhere to be around Hyunwoo at that time, so Talisman Hoseok was useless. Instead of having Kihyun as the pet doctor, Hyunwoo got his classmate because Kihyun had extra lessons from the lecturer that day.
Hyunwoo almost gave up due to unfortunate events between him and Kihyun. Always easily getting lucky made Hyunwoo lose his confidence of luck over Kihyun. But the best moment was about to come when the university festival was being held. Hyunwoo didn’t know what to do with himself because he saw Kihyun enlisted as one of the singing contestants. He looked forward to Kihyun’s performance so much because he could find a good time to adore Kihyun’s beauty from close range without falling under suspicion while staring at him intensively. Okay, it sounded so creepy and embarrassing but he could do nothing about it. He already prepared himself to get the third-row seat—to not be too obvious—in the Aula.
But once again, even though he had wished so many times to eventually get the chance to see Kihyun, destiny never was his friend. Kihyun’s performance was held at the same time Hyunwoo became the substitute runner. He lost the running game and then lost the opportunity to see Kihyun. Hoseok came to him later, when he was glooming over himself, bringing a surprise. Hoseok showed him Kihyun’s performance record by phone—Hoseok asked his friend to record the whole singing contest—and Hyunwoo was falling in love for the nth time. Kihyun’s voice is incredible, it attracts Hyunwoo the most. It is gonna be wonderful if Kihyun calls Hyunwoo’s name.
After that, they went to the Aula, never thinking that it was the exact time of the singing contest winner announcement. Kihyun got first place and everyone gave him a flower as a congratulation and saying it was an amazing performance. Hoseok got another idea, telling Hyunwoo to follow everyone, giving Kihyun a flower as appreciation. It was the festival day so there were so many sales stands such as food or stuff. He bought a rose with a cute pink ribbon on it, walking with his last hope energy, trying to be the bravest man, breaking his comfort zone because he couldn’t waste any opportunities that day. Kihyun was crowded with many people, smiling all the way so mesmerizing with many flowers in his small hands. Hyunwoo loves such scenery.
In the moment of Kihyun was alone, Hyunwoo walked slowly to him, hiding his flower behind his back, gulping nervously, staring with so much adoration in his eyes to Kihyun. But, another shit unlucky thing happened, one of Kihyun’s friends from modeling major, Chae Hyungwon, came in first, bringing a bouquet of roses, walking so confidently and brightly handsome. Kihyun smiled so wide, giggling all the time, Hyunwoo never saw him like that before. They were being so friendly, Kihyun pushed the tall man playfully as if they never realized there were so many people watching. Hyunwoo already heard that most of them are shipping Kihyun with Hyungwon. But seeing it directly, killing Hyunwoo’s guts. He walked away, distancing himself. He gave the flower to Hoseok, saying it was useless. But actually, Hyunwoo didn’t know that Hoseok gave the flower to Kihyun later, saying “It is from a friend”, not really naming who was ‘the friend’ because he wanted to appreciate Hyunwoo’s silent effort. Even though Hyunwoo got another grand prize that day—a luxurious branded watch—it was the first time he wasn’t happy.
Love is not luck. It isn’t as easy as spinning a lucky draw although Hyunwoo always gets everything. The thing he wanted the most, which is simple, saying hello to Kihyun, has never been granted. His financial situation doesn’t suck, but his personality sucks. If only he could trade his luck to change his personality, he is ready, only to have a single minute with Kihyun. Being an introvert is somehow difficult. Falling in love with the university’s star is difficult. Everything related to people couldn’t depend on luck.
“Should I give up?” Hoseok peeked through while Hyunwoo crushed his burger wrapping and then threw it away to the nearest bin. He sipped on the cola, not really paying attention to Hoseok’s frowned face. “About Kihyun. As you said, he never knows I exist. I can’t change myself either.”
“But you guys had met once, right? Maybe he still remembers you though it was 2 years ago.”
He nodded, “The first and the last. I never said my name. He doesn’t even know that I study here, too.”
Hoseok was silent, thinking about his friend’s feelings. Maybe it was so hard for him, not to forget about the last university festival, that made Hyunwoo lose confidence because of another man. “It’s on you. You have the right to determine your path.”
“I will think about it. I have class, see you.” He said it weakly. Dragging his body to the opposite direction of the pet clinic building although Kihyun was out of the room stretching his body looking at the garden.
Hyunwoo walked to his computer science building while daydreaming, thinking about his decision related to Kihyun. As he reached the gym storage building, his steps broke off as he heard something familiar. He blinked in confusion, looking around the area, not really seeing someone but finally, he spotted a hooded man on his phone, standing against the tree.
“Yes, Yoo Kihyun, right? I already did everything perfectly,” The man whispered but Hyunwoo could hear it clearly because there weren’t many people, only some of the basketball teams did a match in the gym a bit far away from there. Catching Kihyun’s name became an autopilot for his body and soul to overhear the man’s conversation with someone on the phone. He hid around the bush. “I have been stalking him since a month ago. I followed him this morning to the campus also. I think he started to notice and get uncomfortable. Don’t worry he doesn’t recognize me. This is so fun watching him panic.”
An exclamation and lightning comical background suddenly appeared as Hyunwoo startled about the conversation. ‘His Kihyun’ is being stalked for a month and he doesn’t notice it? Stupid Hyunwoo. Although he is always watching him secretly.
“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll put the letter next week on the day. See ya.” The man disappeared even before Hyunwoo could catch his face.
Kihyun is being stalked for a month and I don’t notice it?
Kihyun is being stalked for a month and I don’t notice it?
Kihyun is being stalked for a month and I don’t notice it?
What the fuck.
Hyunwoo was about to lose himself. He was panicking inside. What if, what if, what if that man wants to hurt Kihyun? He kept asking those questions over and over, without realizing that all this time he was also acting like a stalker. He is so cute, of course.
He called Hoseok right away, once again, without realizing that he has the power of a machine that can punch people easily. Why did he have to tell Hoseok? Why doesn’t he try to find the man and punch him? Yeah, he is so cute when panicking.
“Hoseok!”
“Did you say you have a class? Why are you calling me?” Hoseok munched on something, somehow he ate at a slow pace, that’s why he didn’t finish his lunch yet.
“Ki—Kihyun is…Kihyun—” Hyunwoo held his breath, not knowing how to explain the thing. His words stuck on his throat.
“What? Kihyun has finally noticed you?”
“NO!”
“Geez, bummer, so what is it?”
Hyunwoo screamed in frustration, ruffling his hair to a mess, and then hanging up the phone. He ran around the gym, trying to find the man. At least, he got his logic back after the panic euphoria. Hoseok frowned on the other side, lifting his shoulder, thinking that Hyunwoo started to get stressed about his unrequited feelings for Kihyun.
He searched around to find the hooded man, if he recalled the man was wearing a purple hoodie jacket. His voice was quite deep and his body was smaller than Hyunwoo. But to no avail, the man disappeared as if he was eaten by the earth. Whatever is going on, Hyunwoo would protect Kihyun from that suspicious man. Surely. Absolutely.
“What’s wrong? You seem to be worrying about something these days.” Someone chirped between Hyunwoo’s thoughts. Hyunwoo hid behind the wall immediately after he recognized the voices.
“Hmm, yes.”
It was Kihyun and his best friend, Minhyuk, from the art department. Walking together in the corridor towards the rector’s building.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know, I feel someone has been following me. I sense someone walking behind me these days and it’s uncomfortable. This morning was the same.” Hyunwoo could see Kihyun’s worried face while he walked away, distancing from Hyunwoo’s position.
“Don’t tell me, you got a stalker? Oh my God. I told you so many times, don’t be so kind and friendly to people. They will take advantage of you. The obsessed creep!”
Hyunwoo was dumbfounded at the sudden words, realizing that he was being a creep all this time. Stalking Kihyun and overshadowing his adoration with shyness. He was noticed for being a coward all this time, that’s why luck wasn’t working at all. Kihyun must have felt so uncomfortable if he knew that Hyunwoo is such a person. He is disappointed in himself, to be a coward, afraid of stepping out of the zone, even though he always wants to get closer with Kihyun. Maybe it was the right time to surrender, gave up. But Kihyun was in danger, so Hyunwoo would protect him no matter what for the last time.
The mysterious man was nowhere to be found. Hyunwoo made sure to walk Kihyun home from afar every day, protecting him in silence, watching him going home together with his friends, and then separating. Kihyun is an angel. His existence and his smile made the world wonderful. Everyone loves being around him and he always loves everything everyone does. He is easy to talk to. No wonder he is loved. He is flexible to change, he is flexible with people. Always belongs to the bright side as the sun while Hyunwoo is the moonlight. The sun and the moon won’t be together because when the sun is coming, then the moon is drowning. Watching Kihyun’s small and cute back made Hyunwoo sure with his final decision that they won’t match. Their existence became an anomaly to each other, even his superordinary luck won’t work on this problem.
After a week of walking Kihyun home secretly, finally, the day was coming. The stalker man was a mysterious thing. Hyunwoo didn’t find him although he always followed Kihyun and kept an eye on him every single time. But based on the information, the stalker would come to give Kihyun a letter. So the first thing Hyunwoo could imagine was the stalker would put the letter in Kihyun’s personal locker. He waited all day in the nearest place to the locker. Hoseok invited him to watch a movie but he rejected it right away because of his important mission. He would catch the man and then prevent Kihyun from getting the letter because it may contain bad things right?
But it was weird. He didn’t meet anyone suspicious at all until the afternoon. The sun was about to set but nothing happened. Hyunwoo walked over to Kihyun’s locker, searching around the area and finding a suspicious-looking paper poking out behind the locker’s gap. He frowned at the thing, slowly taking it out the locker. It was a letter! Oh, my God. Why didn’t Hyunwoo notice someone? Or maybe the stalker put it inside when Hyunwoo took his free coupon of Jokbal stew for his lunch? Shit.
“Woof!”
Hyunwoo turned attention to the sound and suddenly got frozen as he saw Kihyun standing there, not so far away, wearing a brown apron while holding a soft fluffy Maltese dog. His frightened face was enough to tell Hyunwoo that Kihyun was disgusted at him.
“So—you are the person...who is following me lately?” His stuttered voice was amazingly making Hyunwoo fall down. He looked so shocked at the scene. Hyunwoo’s love life is a mess even before he could finish it properly. This was his unluckiest day. The God of Fortune never was on his side for love matters.
Hyunwoo’s mouth was agape. He couldn’t say what was in his mind as usual. Being so slow to respond to a question. His brain works were freezing because it was Kihyun who was looking at him in terror. He couldn’t handle it anymore, the tense of being watched, especially bad attention from Kihyun. He ran away as soon as possible, leaving behind the purple letter which fell to the floor. Once again, he couldn’t say a thing. He was a useless man.
There were not many people around. He sat on the usual bench alone in the university garden. Most of the students had gone home except for somebody in an extracurricular activity. The moon was shown in full, shining so bright in the darkness. He hated it so much because he was the dead moon, never giving light to the surroundings. The cold breeze also didn’t help at all, it added more void to Hyunwoo’s heart. He sighed in resignation. Finally, his final decision was within reach.
His eyes blinked in surprise as a sudden camera’s light flashed out of nowhere. He turned around and found Kihyun standing, shooting his camera at Hyunwoo in the darkness.
“Don’t move,” He said as soon as Hyunwoo was about to move away. As usual, Hyunwoo’s body became autopilot every time listening something about Kihyun. The smaller man pushed the button and the flashlight filling Hyunwoo’s iris. Kihyun chuckled as he saw the portrait. He shifted attention to Hyunwoo who was standing awkwardly there. “This is my new hobby these days,” He said, throwing a refreshing smile. He put back his small camera to his waist bag.
Hyunwoo didn’t know what to say, thinking too much made it hard to move his mouth. Kihyun was giggling. “Hyunwoo-Hyung, isn’t it?” Hyunwoo’s eyes widened as he heard his name mentioned by Kihyun. His name was mentioned. His name. Kihyun tapped his walnut chin with his index finger. “We met at the bus shelter when I lost my way and my battery drowned out.”
He couldn’t explain it well. Kihyun knew his name and Kihyun remembered their first meeting. What happened?
Hyunwoo nodded nervously. “I’m—I’m sorry.”
Kihyun snorted, looking so done with it. But in a positive way. “Why sorry? You don’t need to.” Kihyun took a step closer while Hyunwoo’s inner screaming in panic. “It was Im Changkyun, from the architecture major.” Hyunwoo glanced shyly at him, wondering about his words, before looking away again. “Who was following me. Stalking me. He cooperated, making me uncomfortable with Hyungwon and Minhyuk.” He smiled widely, chuckling so cutely. Hyunwoo lost his mind.
“What—What do you mean?”
“Today is my birthday. Don’t you want to say congrats to me?”
His birthday? All of the sudden? Hyunwoo never knew that information after having a crush on him for almost 2 years.
“Happy birthday, Kihyun. Wish you all happiness in this world,” Hyunwoo was amazed by himself who could say something like that as if he finally could say his everyday prayer for Kihyun.
“Thank you,” Kihyun lifted his shoulder, the same way as their first meeting. Looking so cute and fresh, and of course pretty. “Isn’t it annoying? Having mischievous best friends? They made me so scared thinking that I was really stalked.”
“I thought—Hyungwon is your boyfriend, not your best friend,” Hyunwoo looked down, watching dancing bushes.
Kihyun laughed, really, his laugh sounds made Hyunwoo fly away in this kind of distance. “Are you kidding me? We have been friends since middle school. He is like my punching bag. He has had a crush on Minhyuk ever since.” He took another step closer. “I never dated someone.”
Hyunwoo didn’t know how to react. Happy or sad? He didn’t know. Because at least he could talk with Kihyun for a bit. Kihyun also knew about him. It was enough to make Hyunwoo surrender to destiny.
“It’s you, right? The one who always helps me in the corridor, giving me the stethoscope and the rose with pink ribbon.”
Hyunwoo’s eyes got bigger, too many surprises at the same time. Kihyun looked so graceful under the moonlight with this broken white fluffy sweater and sweet fragrance. Hyunwoo couldn’t help himself to think that Kihyun fit in his embrace. Kihyun kicked out a pebble on the ground playfully. Keeping his hands on the back.
“Wh—Why—do you know?”
But wait? Rose? He didn’t remember giving it to Kihyun.
His heart was racing, feeling overwhelmed. Kihyun actually noticed him.
“It’s your scent. The scent of fresh clothes. I have a good nose.” He scrunched his nose playfully while smiling so shyly. Hyunwoo was about to burst into pulp. “I noticed it right away every time you secretly helped me. Of course, I can’t smell your scent through the rose or the stethoscope,” He chuckled, “But when you supported me from behind, that comfortable smell was there. Thank you for walking me home this week. I feel safe.”
His breath started to get heavy. His pounding heart was uncontrollable. What if he was blushing? It was so embarrassing.
“I’m sorry for behaving like a creepy stalker all this time.”
“Hu uh, you are,” Their gaze met, Hyunwoo blinked because Kihyun’s aura was out of his imagination. He was better than his imagination. “I always wait for someone to flirt with me, or at least, greet me. But he always sits here with his friend. Watching me. Being a stupid stalker.” He was pouting. His rosy lips looked so adorable.
If there was Hoseok, then maybe he could say something funny about this. Hyunwoo could say ‘What a situation bro’ to him because this was unpredictable. Instead of feeling happy, Hyunwoo was helplessly confused about what to do. Does he really understand the right thing? That Kihyun wanted Hyunwoo to flirt with him? Does that mean Kihyun…?
Hyunwoo, once again, experienced a breakdown circuit. Uncontrollable heartbeats and sudden high temperature on his cheeks gave him a hard time moving until finally, he didn’t realize that Kihyun was getting closer to him and stopped about 10 cm before him. His shit personality was an obstacle. “I want to get an unforgettable birthday gift today if I can. From someone.” Kihyun glanced at Hyunwoo from the lower position. His orbs shone passion and beauty. His hair danced beautifully with the cold breeze. Hyunwoo lost his breath as Kihyun tiptoed to kiss his lips.
What the fuck is happening? Hyunwoo could feel those soft lips against his own lips directly without imagining things again. The moves were smooth as silk sweet caramel pudding. Biting as Hyunwoo did the same. He instinctively moved lower, replying to Kihyun, holding the slender waist because he just woke up to reality. His shyness suddenly went somewhere, if only it didn’t go back. Hyunwoo crashed those soft lips hard, impatiently conquering the most wanted area. Closing his eyes, enjoying the sweetness and helpless gasping breath from both of them. He could only hear the kissing sounds, slightly deaf with other than else. The long-awaited moment.
“I never thought that you can be aggressive,” Kihyun chuckled softly into his mouth before separating.
Hyunwoo jolted, breaking away their contact. His awkward state made a comeback. “I’m—I’m sorry. I don’t mean like that.”
“I love it though,” Kihyun murmured before putting his hand to Hyunwoo’s arms, pulling the bigger body to be lower, only to have another gentle kiss for a while. Encouraging the older to embrace him. “Don’t you want to make me your boyfriend?”
Hyunwoo was stunned. He wanted to say it but it was so hard. So, the kissing was real, right? Is it not a dream right?
“Oh? Is it no?” Kihyun tilted his head cutely, raising an eyebrow.
“Please be my boyfriend. Please date me.” He squeaked right away without notice. Hyunwoo turned around, hiding his embarrassing self because he did it so badly.
Kihyun smiled so wide, overcoming the moon’s beauty. He is not only a sun. “Yes.”
Kihyun and his flexible personality. Hyunwoo adores it so much. This would never happen if Kihyun isn’t himself. He always pays attention to his surroundings, even he notices Hyunwoo’s love for him.
Hyunwoo is so happy, too happy, the happiest person in the world. Kihyun, his boyfriend now, pulled his arms to follow him. Of course, he will follow him anywhere. “Kihyun?”
“It’s still my birthday. I left my birthday party too long now. Come on. I want to brag about my new boyfriend to them.”
“You want to introduce me to them?”
Kihyun nodded. Does that mean Hyunwoo will socialize with more people? Having more friends?
If it’s Kihyun then Hyunwoo will do it. If it is together with him then Hyunwoo will do it. Kihyun also did the change, he bravely came to Hyunwoo who was afraid to make a move. So it is time for Hyunwoo to change himself.
As Hyunwoo walked, following Kihyun’s lead, he felt his phone vibrate inside his jeans pocket. There was a message coming from Hoseok saying,
You lucky bastard. Don’t forget our rock-paper scissors next week. I’ll prove your luck is shit.
Hyunwoo searched around the area but couldn’t find the man. He smiled to himself.
After all, Hyunwoo is a super extraordinarily lucky person, even in Love.