Chapter 82 - Sour Aftertaste

“You will be okay traveling separately right? I can talk to one of the teachers and request you to shift buses, if you want” San suggests.

San stands in front of me in a plain black t-shirt with a white pinstripe shirt on top with the buttons open and light jeans. He wears a black cap over his head and is carrying a dark blue duffle bag.

“No thank you. I am not a child. I am sure I can handle a small bus ride” I roll my eyes at his overprotectiveness.

The buses were divided class wise. The seniors were riding in a different bus and juniors were on a different bus and so on.

San begrudgingly bids me goodbye and goes to the bus in front.

Everyone was in casual clothes today but carried their identity card with them.

The guys make look like they are in casual shirts and jeans but it is evident with the subtle logos that they were mostly designers.

The girls however are not in modest or casual clothes. They went all out with sundresses, skirts, shorts, beach hats and trolley luggage.

I fit in more with the guys in my baby pink t-shirt and dark wash jeans. This t-shirt was almost new and one of my favorites.

Plus, I thought we had to dress cozy for the long ride. I didn't get the memory that this was hoping to be an unofficial runway.

Saehi lent me 2 dresses that she forced me to carry for the night parties - that was not on the official itinerary. I was most definitely not going to attend that but it never hurt to keep a few options.

I also carried a few fancy tops I owned, nowhere as flashy as the ones I saw others wearing but I wanted a few pictures as memories and I wanted to look pretty.

The morning after I got the ticket, I messaged San and told him  that I cannot go to the trip but he insisted that the payment was non refundable and it was already paid in full.

I didn’t want to dish out my dirty laundry and tell him about the money problems but I had to because I had promised him I’ll pay him back the next day.

With money that I did not have anymore.

San was ever understanding and even told me he will ask his parents to talk to mine and see if they can help. I hugged him and silently cried. He was the best friend one could ever wish for.

But that was a few days ago and today was the day of the trip. The start of a weekend long trip where I had no other agenda than to have fun and not think about my real life.

I was going to take it.

San waves at me a last time before he gets on the bus and I wave back.

San was worried because I would get bored alone. He worried about things that he had no reason to worry about.

Initially I was okay with it because I thought Beomgyu will be in the same bus as me and where there is Beomgyu, there is no chance of boredom.

But both Beomgyu and Soobin had some work to take care of. Both of them had been in a considerable foul mood ever since that day at their house.

I didn't want to pry so I didn't ask any questions but it was evident that something was going on.

And I am sure it takes more than something trivial to get the Chois in a constant state of foul mood.

I involuntarily look around the group of seniors boarding the bus. I am not sure who I am searching for. Actually I do but I don't want to reveal it to myself because that means I am actively waiting for him.

I mean, I am not sure whether this kind of school trip is even his kind of scene. And he is definitely an introvert. So I don't think he will be here.

I have his number and I contemplated multiple times should I text him regarding the trip but all the possible conversations in my head turned out in a way where I sounded creepy.

And I definitely did not want to sound like that.

Though I am not sure obsessing over him in my own head, having faux conversations with him in my mind is not creepy but that is a conversation for another time.

He was the cool kid. Bussing together to go on a weekend trip, following itinerary and abiding by the set rules of the school trip program was definitely not a Yeonjun thing.

That is what I convince myself when I don't see the familiar fox eyes and long black hair.

“Do you plan on getting on the bus?” A deep voice startles me from the back. I turn to see Kai standing right behind me.

“Oh sorry” I say and get on the bus. There is still some time left till we depart so the bus is almost empty and many seats are available. Still I fast track to the last seat in the corner and make myself comfortable.

I just need my earphones, a snack and that’s it. I’ll enjoy the view and the time will pass by fast.

I see that Kai takes a seat slightly ahead,  two seats in front of me. He is alone.

I never had a proper conversation with him till now. It was always one or two liners and pleasantries. That did not change the fact that I was kinda scared of him because he always looked so stoic.

I could never comprehend how he could act so well when he was expressionless most of the time I saw him. Maybe he was tired of showing so much fake emotions that his real emotions kind of took a back seat.

After knowing he was an actor, I searched up some of his work and he was a very talented actor. I don’t know how he juggled work and studies.

As if feeling a stare on him, he turns back to look at me. I just pass him an awkward smile and a wave. He acknowledges it with a nod of his head and then proceeds to stare out of the window.

Great start to a conversation.

I thought Taehyun would have accompanied him but he was not on the bus yet. I look at the entrance and when I don’t see him, I walk to Kai.

“Is this seat taken?” I ask and he nods again in a ‘no’ so I - very unflatteringly - plop myself beside him. He passes me a look but keeps 90% of the judgment to him.

“I actually wanted to thank you” I start and raise a single eyebrow in question.

This man was very handsome and flawless but I need some more expressions or words for him or one might mistake me having a conversation with a marble statue.

“You know, for defending me back then, with Taehyun” I finally let out the words.

I was extremely angry at Taehyun. Everytime my anger simmered down he did or said something that takes my anger to a level that it even surprises me.

But that day Kai took my side and I was grateful for that. He didn’t have to do that. He and I had barely talked and he didn’t know me personally. Taehyun was his friend and I expected him to take his side or at least defend his actions like Beomgyu and Soobin did in the past but Kai spoke up for me.

It was surprising and I was grateful. I just wanted to let him know but his Stoney expression makes me think twice about my decision.

“I didn't do it for you” he states in a matter of fact way.

I am taken aback by his statement and I am sure the surprise is evident on my face but his face does not give anything away.

“They are all adults. Whether they are mature or not - that's another conversation - but they are adults or at least nearly adults. What they do with their life is up to them” he continues with a stoic expression.

“They are very close to me. I grew up with them. Even if they are my friends and not related to me by blood, they are like brothers to me. So I know them. I know how determined they are when they put their mind to it. There is no point in trying to explain or reason with them if they have already decided what they want to do” he shrugs but his expression while mentioning his friends change slightly.

At least he is human and not a statue afterall.

“I am not going to lecture you on staying away from them or how dangerous it can be for you to get involved with them. I assume given the time you have known them at least 20 people must have already warned you. You decided to ignore what they said and follow what you wanted” his tone is not accusatory but I don't miss the underlying meaning behind his words.

“Similarly all three brothers know what will happen if they get involved with the same girl. If they wanted to step back and let you be, they would have. It is as simple as that. What you do is up to you and what they do is up to them. I don't think there needs to be involvement of any other party in this situation - at least for now” his answers are very calculated and it leaves a sour aftertaste in my mouth.

“I am not taking advantage of their -”

“I never insinuated you are. And even you planned on that, I believe they are smart enough to see through the lies. It is the fact that you didn't approach them with a motive is what has made them garner interest in you” he cuts me off before I can finish my sentence.

“And I am not a person keen on sharing unsolicited advice but don't mistake their attention for affection. It never ends well” he says with a sense of finality and turns his head back to the window.

And just like that, our conversation is over.

If you can even call it that.

I walk back to my seat, the sour aftertaste spreading from my mouth to my chest.

A/N: hehhehe. Soooooooooo long time no see. Finally an update. Ik I have been awol but I finally finished this chapter. It was a little hard because I was not sure how I wanted Kai to progress with the conversation.

Anyway, here is the chapter and another bomb on our lovable Yuri. What do you think will happen on this trip?