"You really didn't have to get me to my house," I sigh. "I'm already fine. I can handle myself."
Joochan crosses his eyebrows, annoyed. "Your fever might come back. You're defenseless when you're sick."
After the whole talk with Mrs. Hong - mom, rather, still not used to it - she left immediately for an urgent matter regarding their company's new project release. It was sad to see her leave so soon but she promised me we'll talk again after she isn't busy with work.
Bomin and Jaehyun kept me company for a while. However, they got a message from their coach saying they had basketball practice later in the afternoon. Reluctantly, they bid Joochan and me goodbye. They did leave a warning though, telling Joochan 'we don't trust you' before exiting.
Joochan and I, well, we became awkward after everyone left. We didn't speak a word. It was weird since we were friendly this morning before everyone got here. On my part, I felt awkward after mom was pairing me up with her son. I didn't know why Joochan was acting weird. So Joochan then decided to just bring me back home to break the awkwardness.
Which leads us here.
"I could've just asked our family driver to accompany me. I didn't want to burden you anymore." He already did a lot for me by taking care of me when I was ill, it was more than enough. But I'm not complaining.
"I told you how many times already that it's fine. Besides, I have business with our old manor. My mom told me to check something out, so this really is not much of a bother," Joochan replies.
As we pass through the gate, the gardeners welcome us as soon as we enter their eyesight. Their faces slowly brighten up as they recognize me and Joochan.
Our head maid, Helen, rushes to us, a concerned look written all over her face. "Han Minhee! How can you let yourself be sick? It was a good thing Mr. Hong over here contacted me yesterday, telling me you were under his care. God, was I so worried!"
I laugh bashfully. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you...I'm sorry. But I'm fine now."
"Did he treat you well?"
I make a quick look at Joochan and answer, "Yes, he did."
"That's good." Helen sighs a breath of relief. "Why don't we go inside now? I'll serve you some snacks."
"Oh, no, it's fine, I'll be going now. I'll leave Minhee in your care, Helen," Joochan politely declines. "I still have to visit next door."
"Ah, you mean the Hong manor?"
Joochan nods. "I'll come by another day."
"That would be wonderful."
"Take care," I bid him. "Thanks again for yesterday."
"You owe me," Joochan laughs. "See you at school."
Helen offers to escort Joochan to the gate and even to their manor. After Joochan left, I go straight to my room. I plop down the bed and sighs in relief. "Finally, I'm home."
Lying down on the bed, I raise the black pouch high up, wondering what's inside. Is it like a family heirloom or something? Nah, that's too cliche. It would be great if money was inside though...
"Why not I open it now? She told me I can open it when I get home anyway," I talk to myself. Without further hesitation I open the pouch. Inside, I find the old polaroid Joochan and I used to play with before.
Ah, we had a lot of memories with this. This was a proof of our childhood. This was a witness to what we had before. To think that it's still in one piece is just amazing.
"Does this still even work?"
I press random buttons but they were all defective. The lenses were foggy. It's also starting to rust, too. I didn't expect for it to work, anyway. The sentiment was enough, to think that she thought of bringing this to me made me feel happy.
Mom even thought of me even if we hadn't seen each other for years. I feel appreciated.
Contented, I put it back into the pouch and place it on the side table.
I grab a nearby pillow and prop it under my chin. "I'm sleepy..."
Why do I feel so tired anyway? I mostly slept through yesterday, and I didn't do much today either. But my body felt too exhausted.
The image of Joochan and I hugging last night randomly pops up in my mind and I implode. Warmth reaches my face as I reminisce my time spent with Joochan yesterday. It felt like a dream.
With me hugging the pillow (thinking it was him), I slip into dreamland smoothly.
◐
"We'll take a short break first. Return to the court in twenty minutes."
"Yes, coach!" Everyone chorus, and approach the bleachers, where the players' water bottles and face towels are situated.
Bomin lies down almost immediately after reaching the bleachers. "Finally, a break. I thought we were going to get at it forever." he makes a quick glance at his senior beside him.
"Yeah..." Jaehyun mutters, obviously zoned out.
Bomin sits up. "You're out of it today."
"...Mhmm..."
"You even had a lot of sloppy shots at practice," Bomin remarks.
"I know..."
What's up with him? Bomin wonders. All he gets are dry replies.
"I'm better at you at basketball."
"Yes-wait, what, that's not right." Jaehyun finally snaps out of it. "I'm still better at you."
Bomin scoffs. "Well obviously not today. You're totally off your game."
Jaehyun closes his eyes and leans on the bleachers, heaving a breath. "I'm sorry. I'm stuck in my thoughts."
"Is there a problem?"
"Not really."
"If there's something bothering you, then tell me," Bomin huffs, crossing his arms. "I might be a year younger than you but you can still confide in me, you know."
Jaehyun smiles softly. "Yeah, I know. Thank you."
Bomin sits in a butterfly position while stretching his hamstrings to loosen up. Then he asks, "so what's it about?"
"Earlier, when we were at Joochan's, I left you two in the living room to roam around, right?" Jaehyun asks and the junior nods. Jaehyun leans in closer to him. "Well I heard Joochan's mom and MM talking. I kind of listened in on their conversation."
"Oh, so you eavesdropped?"
"Yes."
"Stalker."
Jaehyun rolls his eyes. "Anyways, Joochan's mom basically said she doesn't want us two near MM since she wants her for Joochan."
[*Jaehyun exaggerated what he heard.]
"What?!" Bomin exclaims. "That's not fair! I want to be with noona!"
"I know! I mean MM likes Joochan but we are still not sure whether he likes her back or not but she can't just decide MM's love life, right?" Jaehyun argues, agitated.
"Right!"
"She's a MinChan shipper but I know there are people who supports MM and I!" Jaehyun yells.
Bomin is baffled. What did he mean by that? "...MinChan?"
"Ah, that's Joochan and MM's ship name. It's cute, right?" Jaehyun beams. "Heard it from my classmates."
Bomin facepalms hard. I know he's supposed to be smart but he's acting kind of dumb right now. "Hyung, you're a lot of steps behind your love rival. They even have a ship name! You need to level up your game."
"Who do you ship more?" Jaehyun pries. "Tell me!"
Bomin vehemently shakes his head. "I'm not telling. Just focus on our practice today, hyung, okay? I hope you stop worrying about that for now."
A few moments later, the coach blows his whistle, calling all the players and they resume their practice match again. Jaehyun, who was distracted before, is now burning with determination and seriousness. It is as if his moves became sharper than ever, his sense of accuracy in his shots coming back to him.
Bomin wonders if their small pep talk - if you can even consider that a pep talk - woke him up and brought him back into his senses.
In the final shot, Jaehyun shouted, "in the name of MinHyun!" which left the whole court in total confusion.