Chapter 42: Group Night Out

*Sou* 

I rummaged through my closet for something nice to wear. The weather was chilly, so it needed to be something warm. But I also wanted to look nice. If not for Sehun, then for myself.

"Just pick something already," Purpura said, grumbling as he watched me from the bed.

I glanced at him. "Then help me out! Which do you think looks better on me? This blue coat, or this purple sweater?"

He shrugged. "All that matters is that it keeps you warm, right?"

"Asking you was dumb..."

Purpura stood up from the bed and took the sweater from me. "Take the coat, this thing looks scratchy."

I smiled. He was right about that. Guess thinking practically wasn't too bad after all.

"Well, you're welcome," Purpura said, plopping back on the bed.

I snickered. "Thanks, Purpura."

He yawned. "Well, if that's all, I'm going back to bed."

"Say, want to come with us?"

He sat up quickly like a cat being told his favorite snack was ready. "Really?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, why not? You're bored of being stuck here, aren't you?"

"Yeah. It's just that..." He sighed. "Sehun doesn't like me. Plus, what if you and your friends get attacked because of me?"

"It's alright. We'll be prepared, and Sehun is just a little grumpy. I'm sure he'll grow to like you."

He crossed his arms. "I don't know. He seems quite stubborn."

I chuckled. "Yeah, he can be sometimes." I formed a fist. "But, Sehun, Ava, Sekin, Sayu, and I all know how to fight. If anything does happen, we can back you up."

Purpura sighed and shrugged. "Well, if you insist."

I smiled. "Great!"

He stood up and smiled.

I hummed. "I think you should change, though. No offense, but your outfit looks kind of worn out."

Purpura rolled his eyes. "It's comfortable enough. Now, are we going or not?"

"Fine, fine. Let's go!" I opened the window.

He blinked. "Wait, we're leaving via the window again?"

I nodded. "I don't want Dad to see you. Remember, he doesn't know that you're staying with us. If he finds out, he'll freak out."

Purpura frowned. "That man really is a handful, isn't he?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Yeah, he sure can be."

Purpura leaped out the window after me. We landed softly on the grass below and made our way through to the dirt road splitting my place from Ava's.

"And you wanted me to wear something nice," Purpura said, dusting himself off.

I grumbled as I stared at my clothes. Maybe I should've taken the front door myself.

Purpura smirked. "You should see your face."

"Ha ha, very funny."

He grinned and wiped away some dirt from my face.

My cheeks reddened.

He put his clean finger on my chin and smirked. "Why are you blushing?"

I averted his piercing eyes. "N-no reason."

"Hmmm. If you say so." He stepped back and folded his arms. "Shall we continue?"

"Y-yeah, let's." I turned around and marched over to Ava's place.

"Hey Sou!" Sayuri yelled. She was with her girlfriend.

I smiled and waved back.

She gasped as she saw Purpura. "Who is the new guy?"

Right, I'd forgotten only Ava, Sekin, and Sehun knew about Purpura...

"I'm a... friend of Sou's," Purpura said. "The name's Purpura."

"Nice to meet you," Sayuri said, extending her hand.

Purpura stared at her hand.

I nudged him. "Go on, shake it," I whispered.

"Right," he whispered back, shaking her hand.

Sayuri smiled.

I sighed. Purpura sure needed to work on his social skills. Good thing Sayu was super nice.

Ava stared at me. "Sou, do you think taking Purpura out is a good idea?"

I nodded. "He's tired of being cooped up indoors, so I figured he could join us."

She sighed. "Alright, but if he gets hurt, then it's your fault."

"Yes, ma'am," I said, rolling my eyes. She really was a worrywart.

"Anyway, let's go meet up with Kai and Rena!" Sayuri said.

"Sekin's probably at their place too," Ava said as we walked down the dirt road.

Sayuri stared at Purpura. "Say, how do you know Sou?"

Purpura smiled. "Oh, we met a few weeks ago."

He better not incriminate himself. I mean, the guy did threaten to kill me when we first met.

"I see. Where did you meet him?" Sayuri asked.

"In a barn."

Seriously? He was going to tell her?

"I had been chased into the structure by some nasty beasts. They ended up getting inside, and I almost became their dinner, but your friend showed up and saved me."

Sayuri giggled. "That's so nice of you, Sou!"

I sighed in relief. It was a pretty good story.

"How about you?" Purpura asked.

Ava snickered. "Mine is self explanatory. We've known each other since we were in diapers."

I crossed my arms. Much to my annoyance, that was true.

"Well, how about you?" Purpura asked.

Sayuri hummed. "I think we met in kindergarten." She smiled at me. "I remember he was a troublemaker, always playing pranks and getting sent to the corner."

"Oh, did he?" Purpura asked, smirking.

I glared at him. He was clearly enjoying hearing about my childhood.

Sayuri nodded. "Yeah. The teachers weren't sure what to do with him."

Ava scoffed. "I did!"

Sayu snickered. "Yeah, you're the only one besides his parents who managed to be able to keep him in line."

I blushed. Well, they weren't wrong.

Ava puffed her chest. "That's why I have to keep my eyes on him when he's not home. He's a real troublemaker."

I grumbled. "That was when we were kids! I'm a lot more mature now!"

She gave me a skeptical look. "How?"

"W-well, I don't prank people anymore! Nor have you accompany downhill on wooden boards."

Sayuri giggled. "Now, that was fun."

I snorted. "Yeah, it sure was!"

"Our parents sure were not amused," Ava said.

"Well, no one got hurt, and no property was destroyed. That's what matters," Sayuri said.

"True," I said.

We arrived at Rena and Kai's house. It was a rather nice, two story stone house. It was much more modern than my home, and it even had a balcony on the second floor.

I rang the doorbell.

An eager Kai opened the door before I could even press it a second time.

"Oh, hi Sou, Sayuri, Ava, and...?" He blinked at Purpura.

"The name's Purpura," my 'house guest' said, smiling.

Kai stared at him. "Well, uh, come in!"

Purpura went in first, followed by the rest of us.

"Sis, Sekin! it's time to go!" Kai said.

Rena sighed as Sekin rolled her chair over to us. She wore a pretty red dress. "Do I have to go?"

Sekin snickered. "Don't play coy. You even dressed up."

She blushed.

"So," Kai said, "how do I look?" He was wearing a nice black with black pants.

Sayuri gave him a thumbs up. "Looks good."

Kai blushed and turned away.

Ava sighed.

"Alright, onward to Sehun's place!" I yelled, turning around.

"Say, who are you?" Rena asked Purpura as we exited the house.

Purpura chuckled. "I'm just a friend of Sou's. There's nothing more to it."

Rena and Kai looked at each other, then back at Purpura.

Why did he have to say it like that? People are going to think he's my lover or something!

"Hey!" Sehun yelled, running over from across the street. He looked dreamy in his white pants and white v-neck shirt.

"Oh, decided to meet us here, did ya?" Sekin asked, smiling at his cousin.

"Yeah, I figured it would be faster this way," Sehun said, smiling at he pointed at a black limo.

"Woah, fancy! So, where are we going, exactly?" Purpura asked.

Sehun narrowed his eyes at him. "Wait, what are you doing here?"

"What does it matter?" Sekin asked. "We're all going together, right?"

He shook his head. "You know why he can't come with us."

"But I do not know," Rena said, folding her arms.

"You don't need to know. We're not taking him anywhere."

Purpura sighed and glanced at me. "Told you so."

I frowned. "Please, Sehun! Purpura's tired of staying indoors!"

"Not my problem."

I clenched my fists. "Why are you always such a jerk, Sehun?"

His eyes widened.

"Let's go, Sou," Sayuri said, grabbing my arm.

I sighed. She was right. There was no point in arguing with him.

"Sorry, Purpura. Next time," I said, head down.

Purpura shrugged. "Whatever. It's not a big deal."

"See, he doesn't care," Sehun said, crossing his arms.

I frowned. Even if he was jealous, was he really going to be this stubborn?

"Come on, guys, don't argue. Remember, we're going on this group outing to get to know each other better." He smiled at Purpura. "Come with us."

Sehun groaned. "Sekin, you're not helping!"

Sekin put a hand on his cousin's shoulders. "Why are you so hostile?"

"You know why!" He cautiously eyed Sayuri, Kai, and Rena. 

Purpura walked away. "I said it's fine."

"Purpura," I said, watching him walk away slowly.

"Let's go, Sou," Sehun said, looking away.

I sighed.

"Are you serious, Sehun?" Ava asked, giving him a glare.

Sehun sighed. "Alright, but if anything bad happens, it's not my fault."

Ava smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Sehun!"

Sayuri and Sekin cheered.

I smiled and ran over to Purpura. "Wait up."

He turned around and sighed. "What now?"

"Sehun's letting you come with us."

Purpura frowned. "Why?"

"Ava convinced him!"

He glanced at Ava and frowned. "Sou... about those two..."

"What?"

He rubbed his neck and turned around. "Nothing, let's just go."

I blinked. Was there something between them? No, they had no reason to lie to me. Plus, they didn't seem like the type.

I shook my head and chased after him. "Wait, wrong direction!"

"Hmm? We're not heading to the cherry blossom hill?"

I snickered. "Who goes there with a large group of friends? No, we're to the city."

His amethyst eyes widened. "Sou, I don't think that's a good idea. What if I get attacked again?"

"I'll protect you."

Purpura's face reddened slightly. "What about everyone else?"

"It'll be fine. Trust me."

"Fine," he said, walking beside me.

I smiled. Things were going smoothly. Now, all I needed was to make Sehun and Purpura became friends. I glanced at Rena. And to make Rena not hate my guts.

"Let's go," Sehun said as he reached his limo.

"You heard him, gang!" Sayuri yelled, waving at us.

I chuckled and chased after her. Hopefully, this would help us relax a little. We sure needed it.