Chapter Text
Wonwoo looks at his watch. The three of them agreed to meet at Mingyu’s apartment at 11 AM but at 10:45 he already found himself standing in front of Mingyu’s door. They decided to do the cooking lessons as soon as possible since they were not sure how busy they will be during the coming weeks. Before Wonwoo even gets to ring the doorbell, the door suddenly opens and woman with black long hair comes out. Wonwoo guesses that she probably might be just around five years older than them. The woman just smiles and nods at him and thereafter, makes her way to the elevator. After a few seconds, Mingyu comes out of the apartment. “Oh, Wonwoo hyung. You’re already here,” Mingyu says as he smiles sheepishly as he was trying to fix his hair.
“Hey.” Wonwoo forces a grin. Is Mingyu currently dating someone? “Sorry am I too early? I miscalculated the time. I forgot that my apartment is just close.”
Mingyu just smiles at him. “No, you’re just on time. Come in.” Wonwoo enters the the house and follows Mingyu’s lead. Mingyu’s apartment is definitely bigger than his. More importantly, it is cleaner and more organized than his. It is as if no one have been living in the apartment.
“You can put your things anywhere, hyung. Are you ready for today’s class?” Mingyu asks as he puts on an apron.
“Are you perhaps referring to our Civil Law class or this cooking session?” Wonwoo tries to clarify as he settles down on the sofa. “Mmmm that smells good. You really prepared Korean beef?”
Mingyu laughs at Wonwoo’s response. “Both, I guess? But based from our conversation yesterday Soonyoung hyung’s supposed to be the student right? Though I guess you should learn how to cook too. You’re so thin, hyung. How are you even able to stay up late every night without getting proper nutrition?”
Wonwoo sighs for he also does not know how to respond to Mingyu’s question. Having to alone combined with going to law school is definitely hard. Since he wants to spend more time in studying, he often just resorts to buying food from the convenience store. “Considering the amount of readings we have, I don’t think I’ll have time to cook, Mingyu. Do you cook every day?”
“I do. I can cook for you too, if you want.” Mingyu suggests as he gets utensils from the drawer without looking at Wonwoo. “No, no, no. You shouldn’t do that. It will be a burden for you. Plus, don’t you have to study too?” Wonwoo insists.
“I can always make time for something or someone I love.” Mingyu answers while he makes sure to look at Wonwoo in order to see his reaction.
Wonwoo does not know how to interpret what Mingyu meant but he just decides to go for the safer path. “You love cooking that much, huh?”
“Yes, I do. You know, law school is so stressful. Cooking is my outlet and it calms me. Hence, it won’t really be a burden for me if I cook for you too.” Mingyu says as flashes his pearly whites again.
“No, don’t mind me. I’m OK really.” Wonwoo says in a serious tone. It’s not that he does not want Mingyu’s cooking. He has not even tasted it yet. It is the thought of having to rely on another person which bothers him. “Where is Soonyoung by the way? Wonwoo asks as he checks his phone. It is already 11:25 but there is still no word from Soonyoung. He dials Soonyoung number to check the whereabouts of his best friend.
“Won. Yo.”
“Where are you?”
“Shoot. I forgot to tell you. I won’t be able to make it today. I overslept and I haven’t studied for today’s class.”
“Oh.”
“He won’t be able to make it today since he hasn’t studied yet.” Wonwoo tells Mingyu.
“Ask him if he wants to eat lunch here?” Mingyu says as he turns on the stove.
“Do you want to have lunch here?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’m having lunch with Jihoonie.”
“Oh, OK. Have a nice lunch then.”
“You too. Have fun with Mingyu.”
Wonwoo sighs for the nth time. What’s up with all the teasing? Was it that convenient to pair him up with anyone just because Soonyoung is already going out with Jihoon? “What did he say?” Wonwoo’s thoughts get interrupted by Mingyu.
“He’ll have lunch with Jihoon.” Wonwoo declares as he sits down on the sofa again.
“In that case, should I cook this already for us? We will have more than enough. Maybe you should bring home some for dinner.”
“Fine.” Wonwoo deadpans as he stands up again to go near Mingyu. “Do you need help? Just tell me how can I help you.”
Mingyu turns around and holds on to Wonwoo’s shoulders. “You’re my guest, hyung. Go back to your sit.” He commands Wonwoo as he pushes the other towards the sofa. “Try to study first while I cook this for us.”
He finds their situation weird. Too domestic, indeed. Why is he even in this situation? He cannot really say that he is that close to Mingyu. In fact, he does not really know a lot about Mingyu. Mingyu is just too mysterious for him but he cannot deny the fact that he really has been nice to him. Wonwoo tries to focus on his notes as he hears his blockmate humming to a familiar song.
After a couple of minutes, Mingyu turns off the stove and proceeds to the dining table. “Let’s eat already, Wonwoo hyung.”
Wonwoo closes his notebook. The food indeed smells nice. “Did you prepare the marinade for this?” Wonwoo shyly asks. “Yes. I was hoping that you would ask that. I prepared this last night so the flavor will be absorbed already. Too bad Soonyoung hyung is not here.”
“He’d rather spend his time with the love of his life.” Wonwoo chuckles. He does not think that what he said was an exaggeration. Knowing his best friend, he was sure that he was correct. Even he does not talk with Soonyoung that much, he can see that the latter’s feelings for Jihoon were already that deep. Meanwhile, he cannot imagine himself at all being that lovestruck or at the very least, infatuated with someone.
“Do you think they’ll last long?” Mingyu suddenly blurts out. “I mean, there is a three-month rule, right?”
“Well it’s not a definite rule. I think it still depends on the couple. In their case, they both go to law school so they will understand each other more. I think it will be different if one of them is not going to law school.” Wonwoo comments.
“So if it’s you, hyung, you would prefer someone who is going to law school too?” Mingyu asks as he hands Wonwoo a plate.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Wonwoo admits. “I’ve never thought about it.”
“But isn’t it true that Yoon Jeonghan’s your type?” Mingyu questions him. Wonwoo feels his blood rush to his head. “Is this a cross-examination?”
Mingyu laughs at Wonwoo’s reaction. “Nah, I’m just testing you, hyung. I can’t blame you though a lot of students are really head over heels for the vice president especially this person I know.”
“Really? Who?” Wonwoo curiously asks. As far as he is concerned, he is aware that the vice president indeed has a lot of good qualities but Wonwoo does not know him that much to make such a conclusion.
“Do you really want to know?” Mingyu grins again.
“Yes. Just spill it. Please.” Wonwoo responds with frustration.
“It’s Seungcheol hyung.” Mingyu declares proudly while he gets rice from the rice cooker. “Are you surprised?”
“Not really. It’s just that, they look so busy and they still have time for that.”
“Time for what?” Mingyu asks in confusion. “Time for relationships,” Wonwoo replies.
“Well, they’re still not on that part yet.” Mingyu sighs as he hands over the ladle to Wonwoo so he can get rice too.
“What do you mean?”
“He has not confessed yet. They’re too close. Seunghceol hyung does not want to ruin their friendship.” Mingyu explains.
“It really is a big step. Once he confesses, everything will not be the same anymore. It is indeed risky.” Wonwoo shyly comments. “Plus, just like what I said it is hard to find time for that especially when we’re trained to operate as robots every day.”
“If it were me, I would make time for that person whatever happens.”
Wonwoo tries to take a look at Mingyu’s face in order to determine if he is serious. Mingyu is still smiling and Wonwoo cannot just understand why. “Amidst all the thousands of pages of readings we have to read right now, really?”
“Yes.” Mingyu answers again proudly.
Wonwoo pretends not be that attentive but he asks Mingyu anyway. “Do you have anyone you like at present?”
“Y-yes.” Mingyu blushes. “In fact I’ve been trying to make time for that person lately.”
Wonwoo suddenly thinks of the woman who he bumped into just an hour ago. Maybe that is the person Mingyu likes. It must be nice to have someone to think about in spite of all the stressful feats he has to face every day. For some reason, however, he does not feel that good imagining the said woman with Mingyu. Does Mingyu really like her?