19

"Before Seong died…he broke up with me."

"..."

Klein can't really be surprised because he already faced the surprising tragedy. Seong died in front of him. He just gave a cold expression and let the guy continue. He put his phone on the table and his finger quietly tapped his table as if he's impatient to know Louis' next word.

"Yes we dated before. Do you want to know why?"

"...Do I need to say yes for you to spit it out?"

"Heh, of course no. The reason we date each other is because we both like you."

Klein stops tapping his finger and he lean back to his seat.

"Seong actually is my childhood friend. You know, he always admires you from afar and befriends you while I keep it from him that I actually like his crush. It wasn't too long before he found out I also like you…

He was fine with it and told me everything he knew about you. He told me that no matter what, when he brings up a dating topic, you quickly change the topic."

Klein looked at the family picture hanging nearby. He knew very well how hurt Seong was when he changed the topic but his past self would always do his best to avoid the topic because of his father who's a scumbag. He swore that he doesn't believe true love exists unless he saw his mother experience it himself.

"He thought…maybe you will never give him a chance. And so, he asked me out. He told me, 'Klein won't ever accept us. Why not date each other instead?' and honestly, I thought like him too. I know that the chance of getting rejected by you is higher. You have rejected countless people. We could be next…so I accept."

Honestly, Klein can't really say anything. He doesn't expect this but he doesn't have anything against it either. Right now, he would want Louis to cut to the chase and told him the reason Seong leave them.

"Han…the reason he didn't come to school must be the picture of me and Seong together. Pictures of us on a date, hugging, kissing…Those were taken by Seong. But do you know, Seong thought of me as you. The reason why he was happy with me…it's because he's imagining I am you. Once, he even called me…Klein.

It was my fault…

I slowly fell for him because he treated me so well, I never knew he thought of me as you.

When he called me with your name…I was pissed and I shattered his hope. I scream at him, telling him that I am not you. He can't pretend that I am you forever. He had to face it, he would never be yours."

"And after that, he decided to break it off with you and jump right nearby me?"

Before Louis could answer, he heard Klein chuckle. Soon, the slow chuckle became a loud laugh. Then, it turns silent. They heard the front door open which sign that Klein's mother is home. What they didn't expect is Han entering the room.

"Boss, I got a piece of cake from the bake..ry?"

He turns white and imagines hitting himself. Why is Louis here?! Why does Klein look so mad?! Did he come at the wrong time? Klein points at the door and Han confusedly tries to walk out because he thinks his boss is kicking him out.

"Lock the door and sit down."

Han finally understood and did what he was told. Klein looked back at Louis with a dark expression.

"Louis, do you still like me?"

"I do."

Han moves a bit, feeling uneasy that he's listening to this supposed to be a private conversation.

"Seong is right. I will never give you two any chance."

Han and Louis felt those words struck them somehow.

"I won't give anyone a chance to date me. I just am not interested in any relationship."

Louis finally realises Klein won't accept him and leaves the house with an understanding face. He does feel sad but this is the sad reality. His first love can't accept his love so he has to face it and continue life.

Han who's sitting down beside Klein, watching his hand type faster than before. No matter how badly his mood was ruined, Han could see that this guy got a lot of inspiration.

"So, if you don't mind…what hap-"

Klein pulled out his phone and earphone before shoving it to Han.

"I record everything. Listen to it yourself."

Han was shocked that Klein even let him listen to their conversation. He nervously listens to the recording and finally pieces everything together. Then, what's the use of him trying to set up his boss with anyone if his boss doesn't want a relationship?

And man, for him, he just thought Seong needed helps.

Well, now, he can't be helped.

Klein and Louis both had to forget about the past now. They need time to recover from everything. Han felt bad. Is he the reason these things happened? If he didn't discover the picture…

"What? You thinking about something now?"

"A-ah, no."

"Don't let it bother you. You know, I had a lot of things happened to me that caused me trauma to the point where I am not even surprised if something like this happened."

Han wonders what happened to his boss? But he's sure that his favorite writer has been through a lot so he made a promise to himself, to be by his side forever and help him whenever he's in need.

"You know Hana, right? She asked me if we're friends now. I answer her and she looks very happy!"

Klein smiles and wonders. These few weeks, his friends were Woo Young, Han and Louis. Now that he lost one of them, he can't imagine himself losing Han. Han was his first friend after Seong's death after all.

"What about us? Are we really friends?"

Before Han could answer, the door was wide open and Woo Young happily announced her presence in the room.

"Han forgot about our outing so I welcome myself here! Let's eat cake besties~"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Klein: Today is tiring. I bet I say more than 2k words.

Han: Humans are supposed to talk more than that anyways. You're so extra

Klein: (● ´ ^｀●)