Chapter Text
Chapter I
Okay, first off, I’m Kylo Yoon. Born and raise in Cebu City, Philippines. I had four best friends. All are gay too just like me. There’s Seungkwan the confident gay, Seokmin the sweet gay, Woozi the talented gay, Joshua the “friends with everyone” gay, and of-course, there’s me the… I guess you could say the unknown gay. You see, despite all my friends being so popular in school, I never really acquired their enthusiasm to gain the hearts of everyone. In my defense, I only became their friend because our parents have been friends too since they were college. When my parents got married, and so is Joshua’s the following year, and Seungkwan’s the following year after Joshua’s and yeah, you get my point? After they all got married, they decided to freaking live together in the same neighborhood. I never really got a say on who I want to be friends with ever since I was born, but at least I can say I’m contented too. Well… not so much.
“Kylo, reminders on your blind date tomorrow! Don’t you dare fucking bail on this one!” I heard Joshua shouts from our living room. I’m currently in the kitchen making some homemade Mexican wraps because I’m hungry. Its noon and its summer so its normal for me to wake up at this time of the day.
“It’s not like I have a choice.” I grumbled, frown already forming in my face. I heard Jihoon chuckled in front of me while sporting his chuckie drink. His laptop is in front of him, probably composing another song. Like dude! Its summer, can’t you relax? But of-course I didn’t say that out loud. We all know, composing is his way of relaxing. I just glared at him.
“Where’s Kwan, by the way? And Seokmin, too?” I flopped myself beside Joshua in the couch. His legs are curled together while his full attention is in the movie his watching. He’s so obsessed with Hunger Games, I don’t even know why!
“Probably hunting boys or something…” he mumbled. I look at him in disbelief. “Just kidding, mother hen! Gosh!” he rolled his eyes.
“So, where are they Josh?” I pushed.
“I don’t know, okay? DK only texted me this morning saying he had some errands with Kwan the whole day.” DK is Seokmin’s nickname, he got it when we were still a child and there’s one time that we were playing in the garden and Seokmin can’t seem to stop saying DK out of nowhere. Turns out he came across this Japanese movie entitled DK and ever since then it got stuck. Obviously, not just to Seokmin but also to us too, so we just called him that.
Soon after, the two missing gays were forgotten as Jihoon invite us to go at a coffee shop in Ayala. Just like how Joshua is so obsessed with Katniss Everdeen, I, too, am obsessed with coffee. Honestly, who can’t resist coffee?
When we arrived at Ayala, we instantly went to Starbucks. Jihoon paid for our drinks and I immediately took a snap of the coffee to send it to the two gays. They’ll probably die of envy today because Jihoon rarely paid for our drinks. Like rare as in when the moon becomes blue!
“So… Jihoon what’s with the sudden ‘I’ll pay for your drinks today’? We all know you don’t pay for our drinks.” Joshua went straight to the point the moment we found a sit near the window. It didn’t get passed me how Jihoon’s ear turns red. Hmm, this is interesting.
“Is something bothering lately, Jihoon?” I ask. I put a comforting hand in his shoulder and offered him a small smile. Joshua can be intimidating because of his straight forwardness, and obviously it’s not helping the already agitated younger.
It took Jihoon a couple more minutes to gather his confidence and when he did, all we can ever react was, “What the fuck, Jihoon?!”
Of-course I instantly regretted it the moment I saw the scandalized look of the other customers. Not to mention the embarrassed look Jihoon is sporting right now. “You slut! You’re the first one of us to get laid?! You?!” Joshua whispered-shout. Even though the others won’t hear what Joshua was saying anymore, Jihoon was still too embarrassed so he covered Joshua’s mouth. “I didn’t get laid! What the fuck Joshua?!”
“Can- can you repeat what you just said Jihoon?” I said, the shock still evident on my face.
“Hoshi ask me out. I’m having a date this upcoming Monday.” We all gulped. Of all the people on my circle of friends, I never really though Jihoon will be the first one to experience an actual date. A big what the fuck if you’ll ask me!
“I can’t believe this…”
“Neither do I.” Joshua second the motion. I looked at Jihoon’s side only to see him looking so pained. “Hey what’s wrong?” I asked, now worried for the younger.
“I’m scared Ky… what if I embarrass myself in front of him? It’s Hoshi for Pete’s sake!” I gulped for the second time today. If talented Jihoon is nervous, I don’t really know how to make of it. I’m no one! Even if I’m older than the rest of my friends, that doesn’t necessarily mean I know better than them. In fact, I’m more clueless when it comes to this kind of thing!
“I mean…” Josh started. “Even if its Hoshi, there must be a reason why out of all the gays in Pledis Academy, he picked you to be his date… right? He must really like you.”
“That’s what I also though Jihoon…” lies. I’m not really thinking of anything except, Hoshi, the most popular dancer in Pledis Academy, who belongs to the most popular group, again, in Pledis Academy, is asking my lovely Jihoon out on a date! There’s must be some sort of error to this! I didn’t exactly lie when I said my friends are also popular at school, but my friend’s popularity is nothing compared to the group Hoshi is in! They’re the legends!
“I have one more problem, guys.” Jihoon fidgets more in his seat. Joshua and I didn’t dare ask what is it because I feel like this is more of a headache than the actual situation Jihoon had informed us not long ago.
“IgotsoflusteredbywhatHoshididsoIsuggestedwedoagroupdate!”
“What?!” Joshua and I shouted. Jihoon really had the potential to become a rapper when a situation calls for it. Jihoon took a deep breath and repeated what he said earlier.
“I said… I told Hoshi we should have a group date.”
Series of groans erupted in our mouths as Jihoon tried to hide his face in his hands. “Why the hell would you say that, you bitch!” I swear, if we aren’t in public Jihoon could be a dead boy by now. This must be the reason he invited us here. Bitch.
“The question is, did he agree to your suggestion?” Jihoon nodded. Fuck!
So, basically Hoshi have 4 more friends. There’s Kim Mingyu, famous for his director and photography skills. Jeon Wonwoo, Class President and running as valedictorian in our batch. Choi Hansol, although 3 years younger than the rest of his friends is also a child genius. Not to mention he’s the younger brother of Choi Seungcheol. Basketball Captain, Mr. Perfectly Fine, leader of HHU Choi Seungcheol. Oh, did I also mention that his family owns the Pledis Academy? Yep.
To summarize the impending doom awaiting us this coming Monday, Hoshi will have his date with our friend, Jihoon, and the rest of us will try to make their date less awkward. And obviously to do that, we have to get to know Hoshi’s friend. Like a fucking blind date.
I sigh. I can’t deny Jihoon’s talent but he’s just so stupid sometimes!
A day before the supposed group date, all five of us gathered in my room to discuss everything, from what we’re going to wear to how will going to act in front of the elite group. It’s like we suddenly had an impromptu etiquette lesson with my friends. I used to laugh at Enola’s situation while watching the movie but now I suddenly understood what she’s feeling. And by feel, it includes the feeling of wanting to run away too. I swear I didn’t sign up for this!
Monday finally came and all of us were anxious to say the least. Hoshi texted Jihoon early in the morning saying they’ll pick us up since they already know that all five of us are just neighbors. At exactly two in the afternoon, a BMW 7 series sedan car pulled up in front of Jihoon’s house.
“Are we supposed to fit in there? Like all of us?” Kwan said while all of us were crouching down in Jihoon’s window so as not to get caught peeking over. Jihoon was already out in the door and we all saw how Hoshi’s eyes sparkled at the sight of our friend. Lucky Jihoon. They talked for a few minutes until four more cars lined up just behind Hoshi’s sedan one. Two of the four cars were Lamborghini, one is black and one is grey. The third car is an Audie r8, and the last one is a BMW 4 series coupe. Jihoon ushered us to come out. Seungkwan, although nervous, lead the way for us and they all shook hands. I was the last one to introduce by Jihoon and by the time I was done, all of them were already seated in their chosen cars. The only vacant one is the last one which was apparently driven by non-other than Choi Hansol. Great, I’m stuck with the youngest. The only consolation I had for myself was the fact that I have a soft spot for BMWs.
“By the way hyung, thank you.” I whipped my head to look at Hansol, surprised. “For what?”
“For agreeing with this group date or whatever. I know it sounds absurd.” I chuckled. “I should be the one apologizing Hansol. It was Jihoon who suggested this, not Hoshi. And besides, we already scolded Jihoon for it, it’s all good now.”
“I guess we’ll just treat this as a getting to know each other phase. We don’t really have to be serious on the group date or something. Hyung was already upset as it is.”
I nodded, understanding Hansol’s point. “Wait, hyung? You mean your brother?”
“Yes. He was upset Hoshi hyung agreed to the group date thingy.”
“Then why did he agreed to go anyway?” Hansol chuckled. “Hoshi hyung can be the most persuasive person if need be. Never underestimate him, ever.”
After a few minutes of driving, Hansol parked outside Serenity Mountain Café. It’s located in Busay, one of the mountainous parts of Cebu but still known for its lots of tourist spots. Even at two in the afternoon, the air here is already chilly.
I went out of the car even before Hansol can do it for me. There’s no way I’ll let him do that! He’s three years younger than me!
“Oh, by the way…” I stopped Hansol from going inside just yet and gestured to his car. “Can I take a picture of it?”
“You fond of BMWs too?” I nodded. “That’s cool! Seungcheol hyung loves it so much too! That’s actually his car we’re using.” I stopped taking a picture of it and looked at Hansol. He said it as if it’s the most common thing to ever happen. Maybe for them, but definitely not for Jeonghan! It’s bad enough that we’re eating together right now, and then suddenly I found out that the car I just went out of belongs to the leader of HHU himself? I’m definitely exaggerating here but I can’t help it. “Why are we even using his car?”
“He lost a bet, so today we’re switching cars. Mine’s the Audi r8 his using right now.”
I nodded once again, acting like it didn’t bother me at all. Why would it bother me, right? I shouldn’t be bothered, duh.
Once inside the café, everyone was already seated. The whole members of HHU including Hansol who just arrived with me are seated in a long chair together, while Jihoon and my friends are in front of them. So much for not treating this as a group date.
“Hyung, you love Steak, right? We already ordered for you.”
“Thanks, hoon.” I said, and that was it. I felt like screaming! Everyone is obviously not in the mood to talk, not even Kwan or Joshua or Seokmin! Jihoon is too nervous, and a nervous Jihoon acts as if he’s bored and now Hoshi looks nervous too. I groaned inwardly, Fuck my life! This is definitely worse than I thought!
Or not.
Right after our food was served, everyone’s mood turned another 180 degrees. The silent Kim Mingyu started talking like we’re his long-lost best friend. He’s like a puppy munching over his food while keeping a conversation with everyone. Seungkwan, Joshua and Seokmin’s mood also got lifted at the sight of food. The only people who’s not really engaging into the conversation is me and Seungcheol. But that’s fine.
“You should meet our couple friend from China, guys! They’ll probably be here by next year. Jun said he wanted to go to same college as ours, so we’ll be complete once again!” Mingyu said enthusiastically. I smiled at his non-ending energy. Rumors never really give justice to the real them. Everyone always had this impression that Mingyu is too cold, but looking at him now, I realized he’s just a big puppy with lots of energy.
“You like him?” I whipped my head to see Seungcheol eyeing me with amusement in his eyes. Oh, didn’t I tell you that we’re literally facing each other right now because his younger brother decided to sit in between Mingyu and Wonwoo? Yep. That’s what is happening right now. Despite my heart beating erratically, I summoned all the will inside me to produce a smirk in my face. “Hmm, maybe.” Maybe I like to adopt him as my younger brother because I want a puppy who knows how to cook on his own. But I didn’t say that.