"YOU REJECTED Baek Jeho?!"

Pfft.

Cho Euntak smiled at Park Sohee and Hong Sera’s reaction.

They’re still as extra as I remember.

And honestly?

He missed his overreacting friends.

So, Cho Euntak was glad that he was finally able to meet Park Sohee and Hong Sera again.

The three of them had a nice lunch in Park Sohee’s house.

His hyung couldn’t freely leave the house now that he had twins to take care of.

Hence, Cho Euntak and Hong Sera ended up visiting Park Sohee and his children.

"Yes, Sohee Hyung, Sera Noona," Cho Euntak said while nodding. "I rejected Baek Jeho."

"Why, though?" Park Sohee asked curiously, his eyes sparkling. Which wasn’t a surprise because Park Sohee loved "drama." Hence, his friends’ juicy love life was Park Sohee’s main source of entertainment. "Did your feelings for Baek Jeho fade while you were in the army?"

"I wish it were that easy to forget about my feelings for Baek Jeho, Hyung," Cho Euntak said, smiling while shaking his head. "I still like that brat."

"So, why did you reject him?" Hong Sera asked, obviously getting impatient. "I really thought you’d start dating Baek Jeho right away."

Cho Euntak looked at Hong Sera curiously. "It looks like you know something, Noona."

"Not much," Hong Sera said, laughing softly. "I just heard some stories from Heedo, Gaon, and Jaewon. Apparently, Baek Jeho had really lost his mind just a week after you enlisted, Euntak-ah. I heard he kept pestering Heedo to help him get drafted fast."

Ah, it was the same story that he had heard from the ’trio’ the other night.

"Heedo told me that he teased Baek Jeho and told him that he would only help if Baek Jeho called him ’hyung’ again," Park Sohee said, smiling as if he were amused. "And Baek Jeho really called Heedo ’hyung’ again. You should have seen how happy Heedo was."

"I can imagine, Hyung," Cho Euntak said. "Heedo Sunbae-nim couldn’t stop smiling the other night. He really enjoyed teasing Baek Jeho. Gaon Hyung and Jaewon Hyung, too."

Park Sohee and Hong Sera both burst out laughing.

"Anyway, just because Baek Jeho confessed to me doesn’t mean I have to accept his feelings right away," Cho Euntak said before they got side-tracked again. It often happened with Park Sohee and Hong Sera. After all, the three of them talked a lot, especially when they were together. "Even though I understand why he had to suppress his feelings for me, it doesn’t change the fact that he had hurt me. I’m not obliged to forgive him right away just because he finally admitted that he likes me, am I?"

"Of course not," Park Sohee assured him while clapping his hands gently. "Good job, Euntak-ah. I’m really happy that you chose to prioritize yourself this time."

Hong Sera nodded in agreement. "I don’t think Baek Jeho is the type to give up easily, though. And if he gives up just because you rejected him once, then I’ll be disappointed in him. He went crazy for nothing."

"I’m kinda conflicted right now," Park Sohee said, his expression serious for some reason. "On one hand, I like people who respect your boundary. So, I don’t think I’d hate Baek Jeho if he gives up after you rejected him."

Oh, Park Sohee had a point.

And Cho Euntak already expected that stance from his hyung.

Sohee Hyung hates people who can’t accept ’no’ for an answer, especially if it’s an Alpha.

"But, on the other hand, I’d like it if Baek Jeho doesn’t give up easily," Park Sohee continued, obviously conflicted. "I guess it boils down to your dynamics. So, what do you want Baek Jeho to do, Euntak-ah?"

"If Baek Jeho really knows me well, then he should know what I want him to do," Cho Euntak said. "I’m a hopeless romantic, Hyung, Noona— I like the cliché stuff where the male lead chases his love interest."

***

AH, I can’t believe I’m back to school already.

Fortunately, his enlistment ended just before the new semester started.

Hence, he was able to register in time.

I want to graduate already and start working.

After working with Park Sohee and Hong Sera for a webcomic project, Cho Euntak finally knew what he wanted to do in life.

I want to paint and create artsy stuff.

And, if possible, he wanted to continue working with Park Sohee and Hong Sera.

Speaking of which...

Sohee Hyung is also back in school. Sera Noona, too. I hope they’re free today. I want to have lunch with them.

Oh.

Cho Euntak was suddenly hit by the realization.

Am I being too dependent on them?

"Euntak-ah."

Huh?

Cho Euntak froze on the spot when he saw Baek Jeho waiting for him in front of his college building...

... while holding a huge bouquet of red roses.

He wasn’t exaggerating, okay?

The bouquet was really big.

No wonder the students around them were looking.

Now I’m embarrassed.

"Euntak-ah, I’ve been waiting for you," Baek Jeho said, his face clearly beaming with happiness. "Here, these flowers are for you."

No way!

Yes, Cho Euntak was a hopeless romantic.

But carrying a bouquet of red roses that big?

Nope, just nope.

Hence, Cho Euntak ended up running away from Baek Jeho— literally.

"Yah, Cho Euntak!"

***

OF COURSE, Cho Euntak was caught easily.

He wasn’t fast enough to run away from Baek Jeho, and he couldn’t rely on his weak stamina.

I have to hit the gym soon.

For now, Cho Euntak had no choice but to carry the huge bouquet of red roses.

Yes, he could tell that their schoolmates were looking at them, obviously gossiping about them as well.

Hence, he was thankful that the bouquet was big enough to cover his face.

"You like red roses, don’t you?" Baek Jeho asked while the two of them were walking side-by-side. This brat insisted on walking him to his classroom. "Why did you run away when you saw me holding a bouquet for you?"

"Because it’s embarrassing," Cho Euntak answered through gritted teeth. "The flowers are innocent, so I accepted them. But, next time, don’t do this at school."

"Ah, so the problem is the location."

Oops.

"If it’s not at school, then can I give you flowers again?"

Ahem.

Cho Euntak couldn’t answer, but his face was probably as red as the roses in his arms.

And Baek Jeho, who was grinning now, obviously noticed him blushing.

I hate that arrogant smirk of his.

"Euntak-ah, we can stay friends," Baek Jeho said. He was still smiling, but he looked more serious now. And, honestly, Baek Jeho looked hot that way. "But I want you to know that I’m planning to pursue you. I want us to be more than friends. Having said that, I’m also aware that I need to earn back your trust first. So, I’m going to court you until I convince you that my feelings for you are genuine."

This time, Cho Euntak couldn’t reject Baek Jeho flatly.

After all, he was glad that Baek Jeho didn’t give up easily on him.

Yes, Sohee Hyung is right. ’No’ is a complete answer. But it also depends on the dynamic of the people involved.

And this was Cho Euntak’s dynamics with Baek Jeho.

I want him to chase me, and he knows that.

Yes, he wouldn’t deny it anymore.

Cho Euntak still liked Baek Jeho, and he could imagine them dating.

But I want him to grovel before me first.

"Euntak, it’s okay, isn’t it?" Baek Jeho asked, smiling. "You’ll allow me to pursue you, won’t you?"

Cho Euntak avoided Baek Jeho’s gaze. "Do what you want, brat."

***

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