Twelve (1/1)

The exams are horrible. After the morning exams, I could feel all my energy dry up. As I look to Kibum and my classmates, I could see that they are bothered as well. Right then, I received a message from Jonghyun."We're at the cafeteria now. Eat first before you go back studying. :)" And so, Kibum and I headed to the cafeteria. I sit beside Jonghyun and immediately rest my head to the table. Jonghyun carresses my back and neck. I hear him order the others to buy our food which they obeyed to rather quickly.  When they're gone, I rest my head on Jonghyun's shoulder and he hugs me. It was brief because the players are back with our food. But that brief moment is enough to make my heart beat, my mind clear and temporarily forget about the exams. I squeeze Jonghyun's leg to say a silent 'Thank you'. After the afternoon exams, I received a message from the Coach stating that he cancels the basketball practive today for he knows that we are all mentally tired of the exams but he also expects us to arrive at school as early as 6AM tomorrow for a last whole day practice because on Sunday, the tournament starts.And so, we are free this afternoon again.Knowing this, Kibum proposes to cook dinner for Taemin and me."You can invite Jonghyun too. If you want.""Are you sure?""Uh-huh.""If that's the case.. let's invite Minho too!""Huh?""Yes!""Jonghyun, Taemin and I can go do the shopping while you and Minho go back to your apartment first to prepare. How's that sound?""Okay? But.. he might have another plans.""Don't worry. I'm sure he'll make time. I'll tell him for you. Just wait for him at the front gate.""Jinx..." he whines."Oh come on, Bummie. See you later. Just send me the ingredients." Jonghyun and I are waiting for Taemin at the parking lot when I receive a message from Kibum."Minho and I are on the way to my apartment. You can let Taemin choose the menu tonight. I'll cook anything he wants. Text what he decided so I could send the ingredients." "Hmmm. They sure looks like they know each other very well. That's weird." Jonghyun commented when he reads the message."Oh look! Taemin's here." I just said to divert the topic"Hi hyungs. Let's just use my car, shall we?"   "What shall we buy?" Taemin asks while driving.Both Jonghyun and I are on the back seat."Kibum said you can decide the dishes. He'll cook anything you want.""Wow! It's been a while since I tasted Kibum-hyung's cooking."Jonghyun's eyebrows furrow as he looks confused at Taemin who still won't stop talking."But I'm not saying your cooking is not delicious, Jinki-hyung. I just really miss Kibum-hyung's cooking. Anyways, I want steak! Can we have pasta too? Hyung, can we buy Banana Milk and ice...""Have you tried Jinki's cooking, Taemin? How come?" Jonghyun cuts Taemin.Taemin was surprised and it makes him drive off the road. Before bumping a tree, I shouted at Taemin.."Taemin! Stop the car now!  Pull over!"Right then and there, Taemin stopped the car. Through the mirror, I could see how shock he is. He puts his hands over his face as an attempt to hide his tears. I immediately went out of the car and opens the driver's side door and pull Taemin into an embrace."I'm sorry, hyung. I'm sorry." Taemin said repeatedly while crying over my chest.Jonghyun went out of the car too. He's worried, I can tell. I just smile at him and said, "Help me move him to the back."Taemin hugs me tighter."I'm sorry, Jinki-hyung." Taemin saidAnd I smile knowing he says sorry this time not because of the accident but because he failed to keep his promise."Help me, Jjongie.""Hyung~" Taemin whines."Come on, Minnie." Once we were able to make Taemin sit at the back seat, I prepare myself to the inevitable confession. Taemin is shaking on my side."Minnie.. It's okay. Hyung is not mad.""I'm sorry for not keeping my promise.""Baby, it's okay... It will come out sooner or later.""Jinki." Jonghyun looks like he's debating on whether he should spank Taemin who still clings at me and has no intention of letting me go at the moment or leaving us in the car.I removed myself from Taemin's hug. "Jonghyun, I... h-have a confession to make."Jonghyun turns from being scared to a cold expression for an instant."What is it?""There.. Th-there's.. something.. I've been keeping from you.""Jinki! Please! Just tell meeee!" Jonghyun gritted his teeth.Taemin loses it."Don't shout at Hyung like that! Who are you to shout MY Hyung like that!!""My... hyuunggg?""Taeminnie, please let me tell him myself. But apologize later. Okay, baby?""Jinki, if you call him baby one more time, I swear...""Oh for Pete's sake! Jonghyun, Taemin is my baby brother.""H-hu- Wh-what?""I told you remember.. I have a baby brother. It's Taemin. He's Lee Taemin.""Your... baby... brother?""Yes, that's why he has tasted my food and why I call him..."I was not able to complete I am going to say when Jonghyun suddenly launched at me and hugs me."You scared the hell out of me back there. I thought it would be something serious!""You're not mad?""Mad? I can never be mad at you.""Uhm, excuse me... I'm still here, in case you forgot." Taemin cuts us abruptly."But, why keep it from everyone?""I don't know. Jinki-hyung just made me promise."Jonghyun looks at me, waiting for an answer."Well, the reason is what I said in the library last Wednesday.""In the library? Ohh. That. But Jinx..""I know. But .. please just let it be, okay."Jonghyun only sighs."One confession done. I guess I'm ready for another confession.""What confession?" Jonghyun and Taemin ask at the same time.I look at Jonghyun and smile softly. Realization hits Jonghyun's  face."Jinx.. Are you sure?""Hm-mm. I just... don't want to lie to one of the most important person in my life."Then, I carresses Taemin's face."Minnie, you've grown up so well while depending on me. But after this, I will understand if you hate me forever." "I can never do that hyung. I can never hate you.""Taemin. Hyung is.... in love..." "Really? Who is..." "with a man."By that, Taemin is silenced. I gulp. Jonghyun places his hands on my shoulder."Taemin..." Jonghyun said but I cut him off by placing a hand over one of his hand on my shoulder."J-jonghyun and I.. we.. we're together."There is deafening silence after that. Taemin is somehow processing the newly acquired information. But somehow, I was surprised when Taemin moves to hug me. I only got to react when I feel my shirt wet with his tears."Minnie, please don't cry..""Hyung, I am so happy for you.  I don't care who you loves. I don't care who you dates. I love you for who you are. You're the most important person in my life. If you're happy, I'm the happiest. But hyung, you would still love me, right? You won't forget about me, right?""Baby, what are you talking about? Of course, I love you. So much. I love you until forever. I will always be here. I'm still YOUR Jinki-hyung."We are both surprised when we heard someone sniff behind us. When I look, it is Jonghyun. He's crying too."Yah~ You two brothers are both cheeseballs."Then Jonghyun holds my hand with his two hands and kisses it."Tsk. You're a cheeseball too!" Taemin commented making us all laugh.  By the time we reach the mall's parking lot with me as the driver, I receive all the ingredients from Kibum. We let Taemin roam the supermarket like a little kid. We bought the ingredients first then I let Taemin choose 5 things he likes me to buy. He picks Banana Milk, a gallon ice cream and three large chips. In his delightment, he skips toward the cashier. Jonghyun proposes to pay but I was quicker to hand my card to the cashier. In the end, I paid and Jonghyun lifts the shopping bags. When I open the door to Kibum's apartment since I know the lock combination, I was surprised when Kibum launches at me and welcomes me with a very tight hug."I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." Kibum chanted."Whaaaat? Bummiee~""I forgot to take down your photo with Taemin. A-and M-minho.. he.. kind of.. know. I'm sorry!""Hey, it's okay, Bummie. Jonghyun knows now too. And I'm actually planning to tell him over tonight's dinner." "Ohhh. Okaaaayy. No problem then. Come in. You too, Taem."Taemin and I went in but Kibum addresses Jonghyun."Before you could enter, Mr. Kim Jonghyun. You should know that there are rules to follow. And these rules must be followed at all cost and are non-negotiable."Jonghyun nodded."One! You absolutely cannot and must not enter my room.""Two, if you mess my apartment, I will mess you up.""And three, no cuddling, holding hands or kissing with Jinki inside this apartment, especially in front of me. I'll consider it a public display of affection.""What??! Hey, isn't that a..""And oops, four, no one can talk back to Kim Kibum. If you abide with these rules, I'll let you enter. If you're lucky, I'll let you eat as well.""Come on, Bummie. Don't scare him. Come in Jjong."I hold Jonghyun's hand to lead him in. Kibum sees it and protested. "Hey! No..""And five, if Jinki initiates the cuddling, holding hands and kissing with Jonghyun, Kim Kibum absolutely cannot and must not interfere." Then I wink at Kibum. Kibum's mouth widened in shock. And I could hear Taemin and Minho laugh out loud. "Hey! Lee Jinki! It's not fair. You're supposed to be on my side." Key still insists."Come on, Kibum. Time to cook." Minho nudges him towards the kitchen."Yey! Steak! Steak! I'm hungry, Kibum-hyung." Taemin said. While Minho helps Kibum with the dinner, Jonghyun and Taemin decide to look for good movies to watch on the study room on the second floor. So, I was left at the living room. Getting bored, I stand up and make my way to the kitchen to help. But when I get there, I see Minho backhugging Kibum. My face turns red as I saw something I shouldn't have seen.Tsk. That's PDA too, Kibummie. Since I know I can't help with the cooking, I just went to the study room to find those two.  The door of the study room is open just a little. "Thank you for accepting us. It's means a lot to him." I hear Jonghyun said. Intrigued by what is happening, I just continue listening behind the door."I didn't do it for you. I did it for him." Taemin answered."I know. That's why I'm thanking you.""I love him, you know.""I know.""He suffered a lot because of me. He's the most important person in my life""I know.""If you hurt him..""I won't." I hear Jonghyun's voice loud and clear and with sincerity which even I shiver."That's good to hear." Taemin said pleased. That's the only thing I want to hear and so, I open the door wide and reveal myself."Hey guys, have you chosen the movies yet?"They both look at me and smiled. I smiled back at them."Yup! Let's go downstairs now." Taemin got up and went down ahead of us.I look at Jonghyun and peck him on the lips."What's that for?" He asks me."Thank you." I just said.Then he grabs my shoulder and places a long sweet kiss on my lips."Jinki, I.." Whatever Jonghyun wants to say was cut off by footsteps and the high-pitched voice of Kibum."Yah! You two! You better not do something inappropriate!" Jonghyun lets me go just in time before the door opens and reveals Kibum with an eyebrow raise."Dinner's ready. Get down now." Kibum orders."Yes, Sir." We both said and hurriedly went down to eat.  At the dining room, Kibum and Minho sits across Taemin, Jonghyun and me.I could see that Kibum and Minho keeps glancing at each other as if conversing about something. In the end, Kibum loses and announces. "Uhm. I.. I have to tell you something."Taemin and Jonghyun stops eating and looks at Kibum. Then, Minho places a hand over Kibum's hand as if reassuring him. We followed Minho's hands with our eyes and waits for Kibum to speak "We..  M-minho and I.. W-we're kind of dating." Minho holds Kibum's hand tighter which makes Kibum quickly corrects what he said."I mean, we're dating." Then he speaks slowly. "Minho and I are dating." Kibum cannot look at us. But since Jonghyun and I saw them back at the carnival, the announcement came not as a surprise."Congratulations, Kibum, Minho. I guess that's makes us bestfriends couples" Jonghyun jokes. I could see that he is genuinely happy for the two."Congratulations!" I said and hug Kibum who is teary-eyed at the moment. Then I turn to Taemin."Taemin, won't you greet your Kibum-hyung?""A-ah. Y-yes. C-congratulations to both of you. I'm... h-happy for you." Then Kibum smiles. That smile is the most beautiful smile I see from Kibum. The dinner proceeds lightly. However, I notice Taemin is just playing with his food. I thought I was the only one who notice but apparently Kibum notices too."Taeminnie.. Don't you like your steak?""N-no, Kibum-hyung. I'm just full now." Then he smiles but his smile didn't reach his eyes.Even when we are watching the movie he chose, Taemin seems in deep thought. I wonder what's wrong.