Chapter 1: NHAE Panel 12 : Absence
Chapter Text
Over the past year, Woongki had always been fetched by Kyungho before sending him off to the academy, where he teaches special acting classes to the kids. It had been a routine for them, which made Kyungho close with the kids as well. But today felt different. There was no Kyungho waiting for him by the door of his classroom or even by the parking lot. No signs of him anywhere. And Woongki, despite being frustrated about the last time they talked, still wished he was there. He feels empty not seeing him anywhere near.
But he understands that Kyungho is giving him time and space to think and be ready to talk. It wasn't an easy conversation—the one they had in the past.
He sighs heavily at the sight of a hallway filled with students. It looks full of life, but in Woongki's eyes, it was nothing but a lifeless sea of people.
He slings his bag and proceeds his way to the waiting shed. As he waits for the bus that leads to the academy, a familiar car stops in front of him. The windows rolled down, the driver of the car greeting him, “Cha Woongki? Heading to the academy?" Kairi asks, which prompted him to nod in response.
“I'm going there for Daisuke, too. I can drop you,” the younger offered, also mentioning his younger brother, who is one of Woongki's students. Woongki seemed hesitant to agree considering they weren't exactly close and he doesn't want to bother. Kairi seemed to notice it, reassuring him it was alright. He ended up agreeing, considering it is more convenient for him than to commute.
The ride was long enough for them to talk about a few things, especially with regards to the academy and the kids. The two have seemingly gotten comfortable with each other. Though they might have seen each other often in the academy, it is the first time they have had a proper conversation.
"Thanks for the ride, Kairi. It was nice talking to you," Woongki told the younger as he unfastened the seatbelt.
With all smiles, Kairi nodded before they both went out of the car. "No worries. I really have to bring something to my brother, too, and I just happened to see you. Let's go inside."
As they entered the academy building, the two were grinning at one another. Little do they know, Kyungho was there, watching them from afar. He is familiar with Kairi, too. He had met him often, both in the academy and in the university. And as frequently as he had seen him, he had also caught the younger one gaze admiringly at Woongki.
"Are you really not coming with me inside?" Joohyoung asks Kyungho for the nth time. "I thought you'd do things right this time?"
Being in front of Woongki was something Kyungho could not bring himself to do. He is content to watch him from a distance for the time being. He understands that he said something the last time that hurt the younger, and so he doesn't expect him to be ready to see him yet.
Frustrated with his friend's response, Joohyoung didn't bother to say anything again. With the bag his mother instructed him to bring for his younger brother, who is enrolled in Woongki's special acting classes, he left the older's car.
He walked quickly, picking up his pace so he could catch up on Woongki and Kairi. He knows he is not in any position to interfere with what Kyungho and Woongki's problem is, but he can't let his friend's chances of being with Woongki be gone right before his eyes. He could at least eliminate the chances of a possible competitor.
"Woongki! Kairi!" he calls the two, making them turn to face him. Woongki, upon seeing Joohyoung, unconsciously looked around as if looking for something... or maybe someone, in the person of Kyungho. Both Joohyoung and Kairi noticed how Woongki acted. A successful smirk was painted on Joohyoung's face. "Hey.. you're alone?"
In response, Joohyoung shook his head, smiling innocently—or not. "Kyungho's with me, but he's staying in the car. You want me to call him?"
With his eyes wide open, considering the suggestion at hand, he shakes his head continuously before he flees, leaving Joohyoung and Kairi to stare at each other in disbelief.
Chapter 2: NHAE Panel 068 : D-Day
Chapter Text
Right inside their university's spacious gymnasium, set the foundation day celebration event led by the student government. The noise coming from the cheers of the students for their friends, teammates, and even love interests, as well as the sound systems, echoed inside, making it sound evidently busy. Despite how vastly spaced the four-cornered gymnasium was, the noise kept bouncing around.
School events like this one have always been busy, particularly to the organizing committee, which in this case would be the student government. Both Woongki and Kyungho's friends were in the said committee, pouring their all to make the event a success. While the two of them and the rest of their friend groups make sure that their efforts wouldn't be put to waste by participating.
Woongki, with a few of his friends and blockmates, had just finished a game, which they lost. The game they had was quite fun—at least for some of the audiences and the players themselves, too. However, there was one of a few who didn't exactly enjoy the sight of the game—Kyungho. Anyone would understand the displeasure he felt considering the game involved a lot of touching and the players were all blindfolded. Call him petty, but he is only worried about Woongki's comfort, considering excessive touching could make people uncomfortable.
The displeasure on Kyungho's face wasn't left unnoticed by Woongki, despite the visible distance they have from each other. And if what he had accidentally read from Hanseo's phone was true, he might have to be the reason for such, so he decides to send the older a message.
Upon the agreement they had over a few messages, he saw the older person departing from his friends. It was his cue to tell his friends he had something to do and would just be back as soon as they already decided to leave for their group dinner later.
The steps he was taking were evidently heavy. Despite knowing the undeniable probability of the older feeling the same way, the anxiety still kicks in. For who knows, Kyungho might actually only think of him as a friend, like he had said in the past. Despite the possibility of being loved back romantically, there was also the possibility of being loved only as a friend.
No matter how slowly he walked his way towards the garden, he still reached there with the sight of Kyungho on the bench where they usually hang out. It was their favorite spot in the university, a bench filled with numerous memories together.
The moment their eyes met, Woongki couldn't help but tear up. They saw each other yesterday because of Yeojun, but their minds were both filled with worries about Yeojun and not about themselves. Which is why Woongki feels a little more emotional as they will be discussing it today.
Kyungho hadn't wasted any more time and pulled Woongki for a tight hug, making the younger's tears burst. "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry for hurting you, Woongki." Kyungho starts, his voice a little cracked as he was also starting to feel emotional. It breaks his heart how Woongki cried, and it is all his fault.
"I didn't mean to say we're just friends.. you are always more than that to me." He breathes sharply before he continues, "Woongki, I love you. I always have." It was as if on cue for Woongki to cry even more, tightening their hug. His tears were bursting out of his eyes, but unlike the last time they had talked about this topic, it isn't because of sadness and pain anymore... It is now because of love and joy.
"I love you, too, Kyungho," he mumbles during their hug, making the older smile and then plant a soft kiss on his temple.