Chapter 12 | The Second Man

It took a couple of days before Jeno had the courage to actually text the number. Those days in between the day he got Jaemin’s number and the day he finally had the balls to text Jaemin consist of him pacing back and forth inside his rented house and composing flirty messages before deleting them. He couldn’t understand why he was acting like that, either. Sometimes, he gets confident enough to flirt with Jaemin and annoy him, and sometimes he gets too cowardly to even do a single move on him.

He was feeling empty, big time, considering Jaemin hadn’t talked to him because of that thing he pulled about them sleeping together. It’s true, though, that they slept together. Just not in that sense. Every time he tried to approach Jaemin in the past couple days, he got ignored like he was never in his radar in the first place, which pissed Jeno off, if he were to be honest.

Jeno felt like he was about to go crazy. It was the first time he thought of Jaemin nonstop. So, to take his mind off of the latter and to ease his annoyance, he would play basketball with Lucas Wong, Liu Yangyang, and Hendery Wong after class. Thing is, Jeno almost forgot that Mark Lee was friends with the three and also a member of the team. When he was officially recruited as a member of the school’s basketball team, he couldn’t brush off the feeling of irritation being in the same room, except in their homeroom, as Mark Lee.

The tension between them was oozing when Jeno had his first ever training together with the team, right after he was placed against Mark Lee who was in the opposing team. Somewhere during their practice, it got a little too physical because of their competitiveness. But Jeno wasn’t dumb to see that the reason for their behavior was beyond that training.

They were immediately dismissed right after that, with Jeno getting his things aggressively and storming off the court. He walked past by Jisung, who was with Zhong Chenle, at six in the afternoon near the school for some reason, and almost stopped to talk to him but remembered that they still hadn’t patched things up. Instead, he headed to the bus stop and went home.

Shortly after he set foot inside his house, he crashed on his bed, looking at the ceiling before fishing out his phone from his pocket and staring at the number he had memorized by heart in just days.

My Wife, it said. At the end, there was a heart emoji.

Jeno spent roughly ten minutes, having an internal battle what kind of message to send to Jaemin. Every single time he typed in a long message, he chickened out.

Hey, he typed in, realizing that settling with a simple greeting would suffice. With his heart pounding on his chest, racing like it had never done before, he patiently waited for his phone to ding.

Not a few seconds later, Jeno heard his phone rang, signaling for Jaemin’s reply. Hello, may I know who this is? And how did you get my number?

Smiling at the reply, Jeno immediately typed in, Wow, you sound better in text than in person. You sound very respectful. I really like it. PS: It’s your husband.

He panicked when a minute passed by and Jaemin still hadn’t responded. He thought, he probably shouldn’t have given his identity right away. He should’ve known that Jaemin was going to ignore him, even in text. To his surprise, however, his phone dinged for the second time, Jaemin’s mobile number flashing on his screen.

Lee Jeno? How the hell did you get my number? Jaemin sent, to which Jeno couldn’t help but chuckle. He found it amusing how he could perfectly hear Jaemin’s voice just by reading the latter’s message. The scrunched eyebrows, the nose flaring, and the heavy breathing—all of these, Jeno could perfectly visualize just by looking at the message.

Easy there, Wife-y. Why are you always so cranky? By the way, have you had dinner?

Could you please stop calling me your wife? You didn’t even answer my question. I can’t believe I put up with someone like you. Why am I always cranky? You should ask yourself! And no, I haven’t.

Without being able to control himself, Jeno laughed at the long reply, tossing and turning in bed that Mr. Choi had bought for him a few days ago. He even almost forgot to reply.

It’s not good to not eat on time. You should eat now, Jeno sent, heaving a satisfied sigh.

Yeah, I will eat now, Jaemin said. It’s not my fault, okay? I was supposed to have dinner with Donghyuck, but he said he had some errands to do.

Huh? Jeno typed in. What about your parents?

Papa won’t be coming home, and I usually have dinner with Donghyuck when Papa comes home late or when he’s not around, but since Donghyuck isn’t available I’ll just have dinner on my own. Bye now, I still gotta cook.

How about your mom?

I don’t have a mom.

Other dad…?

Papa is a single parent.

Oh.

Yes, Jeno read the reply on his phone. So, you better stop annoying me because I have to cook dinner!

An idea entered Jeno’s mind. For starters, he knew that it wasn’t guaranteed that Jaemin would agree to it, but he figured that it’d be worth the try. At the end of the day, they both need company anyway.

Come over.

What? Jaemin replied.

Come to my house. Let’s eat together. Jeno’s palms started sweating hard after he hit the send button. He waited for a moment before there was a reply.

Lee Jeno, is this another one of your antics? Because if it is, I’m seriously not happy, came Jaemin’s response.

No, I’m serious. Let’s eat together. It feels really lonely eating alone, don’t you think? So, it would be nice if we both have someone to accompany us... don’t you think? I mean it. No funny business at all. Jeno scanned the inside of the mini refrigerator Mr. Choi had bought for him. It had a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and condiments. Basically, everything he needed to be able to cook. Unfortunately, Jeno knew little about cooking, so he figured he could just order food for him and Jaemin.

Okay... Jaemin said after a solid minute, to which what caused Jeno’s heart to leap.

What? Jeno typed in, Really?

Forget it.

No! came Jeno’s immediate reply. Come over. I’ll order food for us.

Don’t bother. That’s a waste of money. I’ll just cook for the two of us.

Not able to wipe the wide smile off of his face, Jeno uncontrollably exclaimed in triumph. He hastily picked up the dirty clothes that were scattered all over the floor, changed the bed sheets and pillowcases on the bed, and cleaned every corner of the house in just a short amount of time. By the time he was done, sweats were trickling down his temple and on his back as he breathed heavily from the exhaustion.

Jeno rummaged through his small zipper closet, picking out dry, clean pair of boxer shorts, a pair of black Gucci track pants, a black Gucci shirt, and two white towels before stepping inside the small bathroom. Of course, he wanted to look fresh and nice for some unknown reason.

He was putting on his night cream in front of the mirror when he heard the intercom ring. Completely aside from the towel wrapped around his waist, Jeno immediately got out of the bathroom and headed toward the door. There Jaemin was, standing with a plastic container inside a paper bag in his hand, wearing a faded coat under the freezing night of Seoul. He noticed that Jaemin was looking over his own shoulder, his face red. And then Jeno realized that he was half .

“Hey,” Jeno called, trying to suppress the laugh that was threatening to come out of his mouth, “come in.”

“At least put something on first,” Jaemin muttered under his breath, his eyes not daring to look at Jeno’s.

Noticing that Jaemin was just standing awkwardly in one corner, Jeno couldn’t help but chuckle. He honestly wasn’t planning on doing something cheeky. It was just a coincidence that he hadn’t yet put on anything when Jaemin showed up. He didn’t expect Jaemin to be flustered over his chiseled abs, toned muscles, and fair skin either.

“Sit on the bed,” Jeno said as he dried his hair with a towel, “there’s not enough space, as you can see.”

“That’s alright,” Jaemin commented, removing his coat and sitting on the floor at the small, wooden table that was sitting in the center of the house. “I see you’ve bought furniture, huh?”

“Yeah,” Jeno replied before he stepped foot inside the bathroom once again and wore his clothes. He then got out and said, “You know what, I’m actually surprised you agreed to this homey dinner date.”

“Dinner date?” Jaemin asked incredulously. When Jeno just gave out a cheeky smile, the former attempted to get his coat and leave the house but was stopped by Jeno as the latter held his wrist.

“Hey,” Jeno called out, his voice softening, “I’m just kidding.”

Jaemin huffed out, breaking their contact as he sat on the floor again. “How sure am I that you’re not going to make crazy rumors again?”

“You just have to trust me.”

“Well, I don’t trust you.”

Jeno laughed to himself. “Seriously though, I’m not going to. I’ve had enough of you ignoring me. I’m surprised you even agreed for us to have dinner together.”

“Don’t look into it too much,” Jaemin uttered as he gulped, “I just need a companion. Our apartment is kinda boring.”

“Whatever you say, Wife-y,” Jeno sing-sang. “By the way, you can look inside the refrigerator. Find ingredients you can use.”

“Okay,” Jaemin said as he opened the refrigerator, “let’s see what you have here.”

Scanning the inside, Jaemin brought out the onions, green onions, carrots, cloves garlic, Asian pear, and the prepackaged thinly sliced beef out of the refrigerator and placed them on the small table. He also took the sesame oil, white sesame seeds, brown sugar, and freshly ground paper that were sitting beside the electric stove.

Jeno stood watching Jaemin as the latter do his own thing. He watched Jaemin took the knife, cutting board, and bowls he didn’t even know he had. It must be Mr. Choi who got him all those things.

“I’m surprised you have these kitchenware,” Jaemin said as he started cutting the onions.

“They’re probably Mr. Choi’s,” Jeno answered, “he said he’d cook for me once in a while.”

“Why?” Jaemin asked, “Don’t you know how to cook?”

“I don’t.” Jeno shrugged his shoulders, taking the spot across Jaemin. “I’m glad I don’t, honestly. The more reason I get to have you around.”

“Shut up, Lee Jeno.” Jaemin glared, pointing the knife at him threateningly. “One more cheeky remark and I’m going to stab you.”

“Okay, but I’m really glad you’re here because it really gets lonely sometimes.”

Without a warning, Jaemin slammed the knife on the cutting board quiet loudly, startling the guy across from him.

“What the ?” Jeno exclaimed in shock. “You could’ve cut yourself!”

“Then, stop whatever you’re trying to pull!”

“I’m not pulling anything!” Jeno argued back. “I’m genuinely glad I have you with me tonight!”

That shut Jaemin up. His movements halted as he felt his blood rush through his cheeks, making it redder than it already was. Jeno was completely taken aback by his own statement as well. Not knowing what to do, the latter took the knife by the handle from Jaemin’s grasp, sliding the cutting board toward him.

“I’m going to cut these,” Jeno muttered, motioning to the vegetables. “You do whatever needs to be done.”

Rolling his eyes, Jaemin rose from his seat and spotted a small sack of husked, uncooked rice from the corner. “You keep a sack of rice here?”

“Huh?” Jeno scrunched his eyebrows in confusion as he looked at Jaemin. He then followed Jaemin’s gaze and saw that there was, indeed, a small sack of uncooked rice. “Must be Mr. Choi’s doing.”

“So,” Jaemin started, pouring three cups of rice onto the rice cooker before washing them, “you still haven’t told me how you got my number.”

“I got it from Lucas.”

“That giant,” Jaemin exclaimed in irritation, turning on the rice cooker, “he’s going to get a beating from me one day, I swear to God.”

Jeno chuckled wholeheartedly, tears forming in his eyes from cutting the onions. “I got it in exchange of me being recruited to the basketball team.”

“You went that far?”

“Well, it’s for my wife-y.”

“You’re so annoying.” Jaemin rolled his eyes, trying to hide his red cheeks from Jeno.

With a contented smile on his face, Jeno sliced vegetables as Jaemin took the seat across from him once again and started marinating the beef. He couldn’t believe they were being domestic, as if they were married.

After a short while, Jaemin washed his hands and wiped it with a clean towel before taking the same spot and preoccupied himself with his faded phone.

“Where did you learn how to cook?” Jeno asked out of nowhere, glancing at Jaemin.

“What’s with the sudden question?”

“Nothing,” Jeno responded, “I’m just curious.”

“Middle school. I used to be very skinny, malnourished⁠—whatever you wanna call it,” Jaemiin said. “My papa, too. So, I self-studied for years how to cook and be healthy. I want to become a nutritionist someday.”

“But don’t you sell junk food, though?” Jeno retorted. “I just learned that when you were going around the student center last week.”

“Yeah,” Jaemin uttered, looking at the floor. The fragility in his eyes were slowly showing. “But that’s because it’s the only thing I can think of to earn extra income.”

Jeno fell silent, watching the boy across him tell stories of his life as they were nothing. At some point, his hand stopped moving, realizing how neglectful he had been when it comes to opportunities and comfort. He even left the apartment his father bought for him.

Through his glistening eyes, Jeno perused Jaemin, as if the latter was a code waiting to be decrypted. He was happy that, in some little ways, Jaemin was finally opening up to him, although it was unintentional.

“What do you need the extra income for?”

“Why do you ask?” Jaemin retorted, trying to change the topic. “It’s nothing important, really.”

“Then,” Jeno said, “tell me what you need the extra income for. There’s no harm in that since it’s for nothing important, right?”

Jaemin slowly stopped massaging the beef on the large bowl where it was being marinated, heaving a deep sigh as he perused his lips. For a split second, the place was enveloped in silence, and the atmosphere turned downcast, almost melancholic. Unlike the usual piercing gaze of Jaemin, his eyes looked troubled, as if having second thoughts if telling Jeno the reason was a good thing.

“It’s for...”

“I’m kidding,” Jeno said dismissively, “you don’t have to tell me if you feel uncomfortable.”

“No!” Jaemin retorted back almost instantly, which startled Jeno a bit. “It’s… It’s for cram school… I’m saving money, so I’d be able to enroll myself in cram school…”

“Cram school?”

“Yeah…”

If anyone were to drop something, even a pin, it would have probably echoed through the small house due to the lack of sound. Jeno, under the jet, black hair that was partly blocking his vision, stared at the sight in front of him. He couldn’t believe that someone like Jaemin could look so fragile, so vulnerable. The latter had always looked so...strong, like he could take on anyone. In that moment, however, Jeno was seeing a whole new Jaemin, like someone he hadn’t known before.

Feeling his heart throb, Jeno’s hand subtly landed on his left chest, trying to calm it down by grasping on it.

An idea came to Jeno’s mind.

“Work for me,” he blurted out.

Maybe it was the way Jaemin’s eyes looked like they held too much hurdle, or maybe it was due to his own impulsive tendencies, but Jeno could care less about any of that. Somehow, there was this desire of wanting to help Jaemin. He didn’t know where this particular desire was rooted from. All Jeno knew was that he wanted to help and Jaemin, and maybe, just maybe, spend more time with him.

“What?” came Jaemin’s reply. He gaped at Jeno, his brows scrunched in utter confusion at what the latter had just said.

“Work for me instead,” Jeno repeated, “you can, I don’t know, cook me dinner every night and, maybe, eat with me?”

Jaemin looked at him in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you ran away from home?” Jaemin asked incredulously. “What are you going to pay me with, stones?”

“Money…?”

“You’re literally living by yourself. You have no job, and you are a student. How are you supposed to pay me when you need money to sustain yourself.”

Truth be told, Jeno could probably feed a couple of generations after him with what he has in his bank account. Even so, he didn’t want to take anything from it, knowing that all the money there is from his dad. The last thing he wants to do is spend his father’s money. That would just render him worthless. Good thing he had a lot of cash in his wallet that day he decided to leave. He probably shouldn’t have bought a lot of furniture, because now he doesn’t know how long he would last without needing any help.

“Are you done?” Jaemin asked as he motioned to the sliced vegetables, bringing Jeno back to reality. When Jeno nodded rapidly, Jaemin took the plate in which the vegetables were placed, together with a bowl of marinated beef, proceeding to cook.

While waiting for Jaemin to finish, Jeno wiped the remnants of stain off the table and checked the rice if it was already cooked. Once the rice was ready, he grabbed two small bowls and filled them with rice, two pairs of metal chopsticks, and two glasses glasses of water and placed them on the small table.

The aroma of cooked marinated beef was so strong Jeno was practically drooling because of hunger. As soon as Jaemin placed the main dish in the middle of the small, wooden table, Jeno immediately sat and grabbed his chopsticks, clipping a piece of meat in between them and tasting the said dish.

“Wow,” Jeno expressed in astonishment, gaping at Jaemin, “this is probably the best Bulgogi I’ve ever tasted. I wish I have the financial stability to hire you as my cook.”

Jaemin just snickered, taking the seat across Jeno and placing two saucer on the table before getting out the plastic container in which Kimchi and Sigeumchi Namul were placed, pouring them onto the saucers separately.

“I don’t have to be your cook for you to be able to taste my cooking, though.”

“Wait.” Jeno stopped from chewing. “Are you saying you’d come over regularly?”

“Well, not regularly,” Jaemin said. “Maybe once in a while.”

“Really?!” Jeno exclaimed wide-eyed in excitement. “You’re going to do that for me?!”

“On one condition.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m prohibiting you from pushing my buttons, especially in public,” Jaemin proposed, taking a chunk of white, sticky rice and putting it inside his mouth. “Plus, you’re no longer allowed to disrespect anyone, unless you don’t want to eat healthy and delicious food.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Jeno tried to question. “Do you know how cute you look when you’re worked up?”

“What the hell?”

“And hey, I have always been respectful. What are you insinuating?” Jeno agitatedly asked. “That I’m rude?”

“That came out of your mouth.”

Jeno clucked his tongue in irritation, which earned a small, taunting laugh from Jaemin. “You’re getting annoying.”

“I’m annoying?” Jaemin asked in disbelief. “Says the one who practically spread a rumor about us sleeping together.”

“But we did sleep together!”

“Not in that way!”

“Well,” Jeno started, “it’s up to their imagination on how they’re gonna picture that.”

“How can you say that,” Jaemin asked in defeat. “We’re most probably going to end up in the gossip section of the first issue of our school paper.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Jaemin rolled his eyes. “You’re such a pain in the .”

“Trust me,” Jeno remarked cheekily with a playful wink, “I am.”

Jaemin threateningly tried to hit Jeno in the head but stopped midway, which earned him a laugh from the latter as they both continued digging in their food. Shortly after, Jaemin’s phone rang loudly. Donghyuk was calling.

“Hello,” he greeted on the line, “Haechan.”

“Nana!” Donghyuck greeted back enthusiastically on the other line. “I finished way earlier than expected. I can still come over. I’m currently on my way. Wait for me.”

Alarmed, Jaemin stuttered. “W-What?”

“I said I’m on my way to your apartment.”

“No!” Jaemin said anxiously. “I mean, you don’t have to! I’m about to finish dinner, and I know you’re tired, too. You should head home instead and rest.”

“No, it’s okay,” Donghyuck insisted cluelessly. “Besides, Uncle Yongie asked me if I could stay the night at yours. Mom and Dad approved.”

Jaemin gaped at his phone in stupefaction. “Haechan, l-listen—”

“Hello, this is Lee Jeno. I’m a friend of Na Jaemin.” Jeno said on the other line as soon as he snatched the phone from Jaemin’s grasp before standing up. The latter tried to get the phone back, but he was able to block Jaemin as he spoke on the phone. “I’m afraid you’d have to cancel whatever plan you have with Jaemin tonight. He’s not available tonight. Sorry.”

“Lee Jeno?” The person on the other line asked in disbelief. The voice was awfully familiar, but Jeno couldn’t pinpoint where he’d heard it. He was pretty sure he’d heard the name Haechan before.

“May I know who I am speaking to?”

“This is Lee Donghyuck,” Donghyuck introduced, “Jaemin’s best friend.”

“Jeno!” Jaemin screamed at the top of his lungs which probably woke the entire compound as he struggled to get a hold of his phone. “Give me my phone back!”

On the other hand, Donghyuck had to distance his ear from his phone when he heard that deafening scream which he was sure came from Jaemin. He was still wondering why his best friend and Lee Jeno were together at this ungodly hour.

“Hey, Donghyuck,” Jeno said over Jaemin’s yell, “I’m borrowing your friend for tonight, alright?”

Without giving Donghyuck the time to respond, Jeno immediately ended the call and gave the phone back to Jaemin who texted Donghyuck in haste to clear everything up as to why they were together.

“You’re so insufferable!” Jaemin said in frustration, pulling his hair apart rather harshly. “That’s it, I’m going home! Forget about me cooking for you. That’s not going to happen. You’re such an !”

“Hey.” Jeno held Jaemin’s wrist as the latter was about to grab his coat. “We’re not done having dinner.”

“Yes, we are!”

“Damn.” Jeno chuckled to himself. “Is it that serious?”

“Do you think it’s funny?” Jaemin fumed in anger.

“Yes, because you get worked up too much over nothing. I just told your best friend you had to cancel your plans because you’re with me. If he goes to your apartment, he’d meet no one there. Besides, it’s dangerous for your friend to be out at night,” Jeno explained, his face now no longer held any hint of humor. “Jaemin, I don’t mean anything bad about that. Now, if your friend thinks there’s something going on between us, let him.”

“What if my father finds out and misunderstands that there’s something going on between us?”

“Why,” Jeno started, “is there?”

“No.”

“Then, there’s no reason for you to be afraid.”

“It’s easy for you to say that because you have no one!” Jaemin snapped, breathing heavily as his gaze pierced right through Jeno.

And Jaemin never regretted saying anything more than he did in that moment. The pressure on his wrist diminished, Jeno’s hold loosening. The latter ran his hand through his hair, blinking, clenching his jaws. Jaemin could hear the tick of the clock due to the overwhelming silence. Nobody dared to take a single step. Their breathing were echoing through the walls.

Wordlessly, Jeno took all the dishes and threw the remaining food in the bin. He tossed the dirty plates in the sink and cleaned the table, not sparing Jaemin a single glance, as if the latter were invisible. He then brushed his teeth thoroughly and rinsed his mouth with a mouthwash.

“Come on,” Jeno called after a while, “let’s get you home.”

The guilt Jaemin was feeling was beyond he’d ever felt in his life. Usually, when they argue, Jeno would just say a snide remark to piss him off. This time, though, Jeno looked genuinely hurt. It wasn’t intentional, yes, but he should’ve thought more of what to say. Yes, Jeno was being annoying, but he should’ve been more rational. He had no idea what the guy was going through.

Of all people, Jaemin should be the one to understand Jeno because he had once been just like him.

“J-Jeno, I-I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay.” Jeno tried to smile, but Jaemin could see through him. He could see through that forced smile the loneliness, despair, and the despondence. “I guess I deserved that for always riling you up.”

“No, you don’t,” Jaemin muttered guiltily, hiding his face in embarrassment. “Sorry… I’m just… I just don’t want any rumor spreading around about us.”

“But Donghyuck is your best friend,” Jeno said, “I’m sure he won’t spread anything if he’s really your friend.”

“I know,” Jaemin agreed, “that’s why I want to...apologize for overreacting.”

“It’s alright. It’s my fault anyway. I do things out of impulse,” Jeno admitted. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Jaemin didn’t move.

“Jaemin.”

“I want to stay over.”

“Huh?”

“You’re alone here, right…?” Jaemin trailed in hesitation, avoiding Jeno’s questioning eyes. “Welll… I am, too… So, I want to stay the night…”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay,” Jeno repeated, the mischievous smile coming back to his lips. “Why, are you expecting some sort of reaction?”

“You know what, forget it.”

“I’m just kidding,” Jeno uttered, “I want you to stay. This place feels lonely. I think I’m getting used to your presence here.”

With reddened cheeks, Jaemin said, “Stop saying such things.”

“Go shower. I have spare clothes in the closet,” Jeno explained as he took the futon from the other side of the house and dusted it off before laying it out. “You take the bed.”

“No, you take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor. I’m the intruder here.”

“You’re not an intruder, you’re my visitor.”

“I’m sleeping on the floor, and that’s final.”

“Guess we’ll just have to share the futon then, eh?”

“Shut up,” Jaemin grumbled throwing a pillow at Jeno who chuckled in return.

Rummaging through Jeno’s closet, Jaemin finally found a shirt and a pair of pajamas that would fit him. He then proceeded to go to the bathroom and cleanse himself. Shortly after, he dried himself and came out with a towel on his head.

“Why do you have so many branded clothes?” Jaemin asked, drying his hair with the towel.

Jeno looked at Jaemin for a brief moment. “They’re fake.”

“Are they?”

“Yeah.”

“But they look really high quality. Maybe I’m just really not good at distinguishing which are fake ones and which aren’t, since I’ve always worn thrift shop clothes.”

“You have?” Jeno asked, his brows scrunching in wonder.

Innocently, Jaemin nodded his head, humming in response. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever bought brand new clothes in, like, ever.”

“Really?” Jeno asked again, patting the space next to him. Jaemin took the spot mindlessly.

“Yeah, I think the only time I ever bought clothes from the mall was for Papa’s birthday, and that was a couple years ago.” Jaemin inhaled deeply, staring at white, immaculate wall across. They sat for several seconds in silence until he continued, “Can I ask you something?”

Jeno nodded wordlessly.

“Don’t you miss your family?” Jaemin asked carefully, glancing at now serious Jeno whose breath hitched for a split second. “I’m sure they miss you… No family would be at ease knowing a family member ran away...”

“I miss my family,” Jeno stated without faltering, “but we’re never going to be whole again.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s been years since I’ve seen my papa, and my dad hates me because I remind him of my papa. It’s a long story. Dad is all I have now, but we’re never the same again since my papa was out of the picture. I’ve gotten used to just being lonely ever since, but sometimes, when I see kids with their parents, I still wonder how it’d be like if things had fallen into their rightful places,” Jeno narrated as he stared at the same wall Jaemin was staring at. And then his childhood memories flashed before his eyes. He could see his papa cooking breakfast for him and his dad as he played with his pair of personalized chopsticks, while his dad read the newspaper. They looked so...happy. “But they hadn’t. So, I have accepted that I will, somehow, forever be alone.”

“That’s not true,” Jaemin muttered, glancing in Jeno’s way guiltily. “You have Park Jisung, and now that you’re in the basketball team, you have Lucas, Hendery, Yangyang, and Mark now...”

Jeno remained silent.

“...You also have me...”

At that, Jeno looked at Jaemin, not afraid to show the vulnerable and fragile side of him. He stared, hard, almost as if reading Jaemin’s eyes. He scanned for any sort of insincerity, but he found none. And so, without much thinking, he pulled Jaemin by the shoulder and embraced him as tears finally cascaded down his face.