III. (1/1)

“…Who?”You curiously asked while Hyuk had his hand on his chin, eyebrows furrowed as the boy tried to recall something in his head.“Well…” He shrugged, “Hongbin is the last, so the next might be Ravi or—”His voice was cut when the girl in front of him was suddenly pulled away by something, or more like someone, and soon already running ahead of him, hand tightly locked in her kidnappers’. Huh? You couldn’t even bring yourself to ponder on the situation, clearly too shocked to even process anything at the moment. Meanwhile, the culprit now had his hand wrapped on your lips, muffling what soon might come out as a scream.“Mmfff!!! H-hyumff!!” Hyuk was long gone from your sight, along with the busy main street. It took you a while to realize that you were now standing inside a small room—or more like a box.What the—what the hell is happening?! Where am I!?“Chill.”A familiar sound echoed inside the cramped space, and although you couldn’t really see his face from the dim lighting, you were sure that you had heard his voice before.You roughly yanked the hand on your mouth and he soon shoved it inside his pocket, pulling out a cellphone. He casually tapped on it and the light from the bright flat screen finally gave you a clear view on who your kidnapper was.His black cat-like eyes briefly narrowed when the blinding light hit his face, but it didn’t fail you from recognizing his perfect side-profile. From the sharp nose to the plump pink lips jutting out below it. Everything on his face was so flawless that you sometimes couldn’t believe that he was actually real. “L-LEO?!” You shrieked.A finger was shoved to your lips, followed with a shot of glare. “Keep it down, will you…”Goddammit! He nearly gave me a heart attack! You frowned, “D-don’t ‘keep it down’ me, you prick! You’re scaring me!”Leo shoved his phone back into his pocket and stared at you, saying nothing. Averting your gaze away, you then realized that the two of you were now inside a photo box. Your eyes instantly widened when Leo pressed one of the buttons next to the screen.And soon the speakers blasted out a countdown. Three!Hey wait—Two!Waiiittttt—One!Oh shit— CLICK!Forget about setting a nice pose, you didn’t even know where the camera was when another click was heard. CLICK!And again. CLICK!And once again. CLICK! It’s time to edit your photos! Do your best! Everything happened so fast that your face remained blank. Worse, Leo skipped the editing part and quickly tapped the ‘finished’ option on the screen. As if of those ‘cute’ stickers would go well with his brick solid face. The photos will be ready in three minutes! The boy shifted, making his way to leave the tiny box. Without thinking twice, you stretched an arm—blocking his only way out, “W-wait!”Leo stopped nearly immediately, giving you his usual straight expression. But this time, you could catch a silent ‘what’ on his eyes. His slender body slightly flinched when a set of thin fingers caught his arm.“Can we… can we do it one more time?”As much as you knew that he couldn’t be enjoying taking cute photo box pictures, you knew that he probably did it with you today for the sake of creating a memory that he could cherish for the longest of time. And that’s why you didn’t want him to keep two awkward faces in his wallet forever. So there you were, being kind enough to help him create a more ‘decent’ memory.He stayed silent, having you looking at him in the eye—somewhat pleadingly, “Please…?”The boy abruptly turned away, gulping down his own saliva as he felt his face getting warm. Damn it, she looks so cute—“I wasn’t ready and I’m sure I looked hella bad in them. So, umm… please?” You begged. I don’t want Leo to keep my ugly photos! We need to do it one more time!He reluctantly nodded, trying to hide his blushing face.“Thank you!” You excitedly pressed on the buttons on the screen, too happy to realize that Leo was secretly smiling as he sat back again.“Okay, it’s ready!” you claimed your seat, beaming the widest smile at the camera, “Smile!”Another countdown echoed inside the tiny space as Leo stole a glance at your smiling face. Three!It’s now or never, Jung Taekwoon—Two!Suddenly, Leo slipped a hand under your waist, pulling you closer as he made your shoulder collide with his chest.One!You gasped, turning to him as you felt his grip on you getting stronger. CLICK!His side profile was all you could see before the boy turned to you in the very next second. His face was literally just millimeters away from yours. Close enough for you to feel his breaths on your lips.CLICK!His stare pierced you even deeper and up to this point you were starting to have trouble breathing. Worse, he slowly jerked his head even closer to you.CLICK!His beautiful brown orbs began to scan your entire face, studying his favorite girl’s embarrassed expression before they stopped at your plump lips. This feeling was not actually foreign to you. So you closed your eyes, squeezing them tightly as you waited for the storm to finally wreck you.Unless—  CLICK!   It’s time to edit your photos! Do your best!Huh?Just when you thought that you would finally have his lips on yours, Leo moved up and gave a soft peck on your forehead instead. Slowly, you opened an eye and peeked at the boy.I thought he was going to kiss—“Let’s go.” Leo said as he rose from his seat and made his way out of the box.“Leo—wait!”You ran past him and quickly took the photo sheet from the slot. Goddammit. You mentally cursed, cringing at how hideous your face looked. God— this is so embarrassing—All of the sudden, Leo snatched the photo from you. You tried to take it back, but given the huge gap between your height and his, you could only keep on jumping like a little kid while Leo took his time scanning the photos.“No, Leo! Don’t see!” You yelped, desperately tip toeing on your feet. But that was until you saw his lips curled into a reversed arch.Leo was smiling. No. More like, laughing.Your jaw dropped. I can’t believe this! Leo is laughing?!Covering his mouth, Leo shoved the photo inside his pocket, smirking, “I’m keeping this one.”“Ya!! No!! Give it back to me!!” You were about to jump again, but Leo easily caught your wrists, giving you his usual flat front, “I said…” He breathed out, “…I’m keeping this.”His cold stare had you all tensed for a good few seconds, but that was until you soon caught another sheet coming out from the slot, “Fine! Then I’m taking this one!”“Wait, let me see—” Leo shifted but you were already throwing the photo into your purse, didn’t even bother to at least take a glimpse. Sticking out your tongue in victory, you were about to walk away when Leo suddenly lunged an arm and pulled your purse strap.“W-whoa—!” You stumbled backwards, his eyes widened when he realized that he used up too much strength. But thanks to his good reflex, you were saved from hitting the hard ground.“What the—that was close!” You nearly yelled at him, but as soon as you turned—Oh my God…With his hands circling around your waist firmly from behind, your face and his face were just inches away—in fact—both of your noses almost touched each other. Feeling your face boiling red, you quickly pulled away from him, steadied yourself then acted as normal as ever.T-that was really close!On the other side, Leo remained stiff. The boy turned his head from you before he covered his mouth with his fist, clearing his throat awkwardly. Leo knew that he should be the one to end the awkwardness. So there the boy pulled your hand, dragging you to walk with him.“Let’s go.”His simple words made you titled your head as you just let him lead the way. Looking down to both of your tangled hands, a smile crept to your face before you turned your stare to his broad shoulder. And then you caught Leo’s ears were red and you could see pink shades appeared on his cheek.A chuckle came out from your lips before you tightened your grip on his hand. Jung Leo, why are you so cute…? “Leo-ya~~”He slowly strode closer and you put a hand on his head, stroking it gently. Although you couldn’t really see his smile, you knew that he was happy from the way he stared at you. His two beautiful orbs were sparkling, begging for more of your soft touch.You grinned, cupping his face, “You’re so cuteee~”He remained silent and you soon chuckled, “You’re so adorable that I might die, you know?”He leaned even closer, rubbing his temple on the stretched hand. Mentally squealing inside, you pinched his cheeks, “Aigoo~ I like you so much, Leo…”You grabbed his hands, swinging it up and down playfully, “Do you like me too, Leo?”You were expecting for an answer, but again, his stare was the only thing that Leo gave you. Smiling, you moved closer to him, now looking at him at the same eye level.“Hey, Leo… I know you like me too.”All of the sudden, Leo jerked his head forward, ramming his lips on yours. But instead of being all shocked, your smile grew even wider, “Okay… I’m taking my words back. I don’t like you, Leo… but—"You pecked his pinkish nose, “I love you, Leo!”             “Stop it.”   Turning back, you found a man with a frown set on his face, glaring at you, “Huh? Stop what?”He got his eyebrows furrowed, arms linked together across his firm chest. He didn’t look so pleased, although you couldn’t figure out why. “S-stop talking to him…”You gave him the most confused expression, “Wae?”He suddenly broke eye contact, now staring at his lap, “Just because.”You noticed how his face started to blush uncontrollably, and the way he nibbled on his own lips made you raise an eyebrow. Joining him on his seat, you eyed him teasingly. “Is it because you have the same name as him…?” Just when you thought that he would play denial and remain quiet, Leo looked back and answered bluntly, “Yes. And it feels like you’re talking to me. So please, stop.”Your eyes widened, clearly not expecting him to act this way. He then moved his attention to a passing Persian cat, placing the ball of fur onto your lap. “Here. Just talk to this one.”He was quick to look away, yet you were fast enough to catch the redness that had caught his ears. Caressing the cat, you were trying your best not to burst out a laugh. Omo! He’s blushing!“Hey, blame the owner. It was him who named him ‘Leo’. Not me.” You nudged his shoulder before moving back to the cream-colored cat who had begun purring, fishing for attention.Meanwhile, Leo glanced at the black-furred Leo in front of him, not saying anything as their eyes met. The Maine Coon cat’s face was just as flat as his, and it sort of bugged him on how they seemed to have a lot more things in common than just a name.Dammit. It really feels like she was talking to me…The two of you were now taking refuge inside a cat café in Sinchon. Leo was the one who dragged you here and it somewhat surprised you since you didn’t even know that such place like this existed.The café was decorated in orange with lots of cat paw-shaped stuffs scattered around. Being popular among young couples, the café was even more packed than usual on Valentine’s Day. Good thing Leo had booked a table days before. Otherwise you would be standing in the long lines right now, waiting for your turn to get in.“—Leo!”The boy slightly jolted in his seat, “Did you even hear what I just said?”“S-sorry…” Leo stuttered, finally realized that he had been dazing out, “What is it.”“I said… Could you help me buy some more cat foods at the cashier?” You showed him an empty plastic bowl and he soon stood up, ruffling his hair. Get a grip of yourself, Jung Taekwoon! She was talking to a cat—not you!Ignoring the flirtatious stare that the cashier lady had been giving him, Leo turned back and took a glance at you. A smile crept to his face as he saw you playing happily with the cats.But… I’m glad that she likes this place…“Here you go!” The cashier lady handed out a bowl full with cat foods, later took something out from under the table, “How about you buy this one too? This is our special promo for the Valentine’s Day! I’m sure your sister would be happy!”Leo’s eyes briefly flickered in annoyance, “She’s not my sister.”The lady choked, disappointment clearly written on her face. “O-oh… So, is she your girlfriend then…?”“W-well… No. Not yet… She’s—”“Yes, sir?”“Nothing.” Leo cleared his throat, staring at the thing that the lady offered him. His eyes were moving between it and you and it took him a while before he took his wallet out. “Alright. Give me a set of that one too.”A minute later, Leo returned, and you flashed him a big smile as he gave you the bowl. “Thanks, Leo…”He was tracing the thing he just bought inside his pocket, waiting for the right moment to give it to you, when a cat came closer. It was a grey Scottish Fold cat with big round green eyes and Leo felt like punching a wall to stop himself from squealing like a high school girl.“You really love cats, don’t you?” You eyed him as he rubbed the cat’s neck, letting it curl around his feet.“I just love animals.” He replied shortly. Placing an arm on the table, you rested your chin and smirked playfully, “I can see that you’re having a good time with them around. Look, you’re smiling right now. And it’s a wide one too!”  His smile vanished nearly instantly and Leo soon awkwardly coughed, putting up his usual indifferent front again.“Leo…” You cooed, “You don’t have to be shy in front of me…”“I’m not.”You watched as he held back his smile, even with an even cuter cat clawing at his knee. And so you sighed, “I just want you to be more open… At least, in front of me. Can’t you at least try to do that?”He caught your saddened expression and slowly stretched a hand toward your face, “Don’t put up that face.”His slender fingers brushed against your cheek, staring deeply into your eyes, “I don’t like it when you look sad.”You were at loss for words and could barely think of a reply when you saw him taking out something from his right pocket, “Open your hand.”Blinking, you absentmindedly followed his instruction and soon felt something small placed in your hand.“H-happy Valentine…”A wide grin formed on your face as soon as you took a closer look on the object. “Oh my God! This is sooo cute!”It was a ball-jointed cat doll in the size of your palm. It was wearing a cute maid costume while holding a tiny red heart sign with white ‘I love you’ words carved on it.“Thank you, Leo! Thank you!” You jumped on your seat, not even realizing that Leo was secretly chuckling as he stared at you. His other hand was grabbing on something else in his pocket, a similar-looking cat doll with blue heart sign on it.“Oh, wait—” Leo rummaged inside his left pocket, taking out a small white sheet and placed it on the wooden table, “And this is for you too…”You scanned the 4-frames photo, which was full with your dumb expressions and laughed, “I look super silly here… But I guess it could help me get some good laughs when I’m bored.”Leo’s soft laugh stopped when you handed him something, “Here. You haven’t seen this, right?”In his hand was the other 4 frames-photo and his face soon blushed madly when he spotted the frame where he kissed your forehead. You were slightly blushing too, since the photo came out too well that you two looked like an exactly real couple.“Can I… Can I keep this photo?”It was rare for him to beg and you instantly nodded, reckoning that Leo would treasure the photo more than you probably would.“Pretty…”Leo murmured while tracing your face with his finger, leaving you choking on your spit. Trying hard not to let his words turn you into a boiling tomato, you distracted yourself by petting a passing Sphinx cat.But just when you thought that the storm of feelings had passed by, Leo suddenly went down and laid his head on your lap.“L-leo?!” You panicked, yet the boy remained calm and closed his eyes instead.“Just stay still for a while.”Gulping down nervously, you scanned your surroundings; worried about the weird looks the people might give you. After making sure that no one was staring, you slowly leered down, eyeing his flawless profile. His face was just too irresistibly attractive even with soft gold locks covering most of it. And the longer you stare at him, the harder for you to look away.  “Stop staring.”  You briefly jolted when Leo suddenly brought a hand to his closed eyes, blocking them from your obsessed stare.“S-sorry!”You were mentally cursing yourself when a curious Turkish Angora cat hopped onto Leo’s chest, forcing the boy to slightly open his eyes to look at it. You could hear him groan yet he later hugged the cat before closing his eyes again, cuddling it in his embrace. And without you realizing, your hand was already on Leo’s head, stroking his hair softly. You expected him to give you a glare, but he didn’t. So you kept on petting him, appreciating every precious second with Leo. Happy Valentine too, Leo… “Thanks for the treat, Leo!” You grinned and Leo nodded his head shyly, “Let’s come here again next time!”A smile crept into Leo’s face. But that was until he heard what came from you next.“I want to play with Leo again, I’m going to miss him so much!”The boy’s cheeks instantly blushed, turning his head away from you, “N-next time… I will take you to another cat café…”Where there are no cats named ‘Leo’…You sheepishly laughed, somehow could read what was in his mind, “So, who’s my next date?”He shoved his phone into his pants pocket after staring at its screen for a while, “I’ve texted him. I think he’ll be here soon.”“I wonder if it would be Hongbin… or Ravi?”Leo suddenly jerked his head up, “He’s here.”“Huh?” Looking to the left, you soon found som