To Byul (Omegaverse)-Chapter 39: Besides, we’re all playing the game together

The claw machine was a nice way to break the ice in the atmosphere, some would say. And the reason was, once you were indulged and engrossed with how to get the stuffed animal in the claw, you'd forget everything else.

You could start talking to your worst enemy standing next to you, and even if you had been nervous, it would immediately disappear.

The game was an icebreaker.

So, Yun-tae saw this as a good opportunity.

"Sure." He answered. If Kang-woo and Chin-hwa were having problems with their friendship, then the best way would be to get their heads clear while they spent time together.

Since Chin-hwa was the one who brought up the idea, Yun-tae felt his motives wouldn't be suspicious, unaware that Chin-hwa also wanted to use this opportunity to get him closer to Kang-woo.

(I guess eventually we're running around in circles, not a triangle, haha)

They got to the claw machine and Yun-tae hurried to go get change from the change machine.

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Chin-hwa stared at him and then his eyes fell on the cute kitty. He had a lot of plushies in his room and so he was very fond of stuffed animals.

So, he had to at least have one stuffed animal next to him when he slept.

His parents and siblings were to blame for that 'development'.

In any case, he just liked the sight of cute plushies, and the one he was fond of more was the cat.

Kang-woo noticed him staring at the cat.

'Hwa wants the cat again.' He thought.

They tried out the claw machine on several occasions and though they were lucky a few times, they lost most of their money other times.

Chin-hwa always liked to go for the kitty cat but they were never lucky.

But since they were all grown up now, maybe they would be able to figure out the trick.

At least, that was what they liked to tell themselves.

The claw machine wasn't an easy game, but Kang-woo was determined to get Chin-hwa, the stuffed kitty cat in the box.

"I got the change." Yun-tae announced as he got back with lots of coins.

"Did you pay for that?" Kang-woo asked. "Let me pay you back for it."

"No, it's okay. It's just some change."

"But..."

"Besides, we're all playing the game together, right? We're having fun, so who cares who pays for the change?" Yun-tae asked with a bright smile, showing he didn't mind.

Kang-woo went silent. He had paid for the movie and now he was paying for the change. It wasn't right to let him keep paying for things. He had to pay him back.

"Why don't you treat him to dinner in return?" Chin-hwa shipped in, seeing Kang-woo's subtle guilt on his face. "That way, it'll be even, right?"

With this, they could both have dinner together.

"Yeah, that's great. We can have dinner together and you pay, right, Chin-hwa?" Yun-tae said and Chin-hwa flinched. What was he doing? Couldn't he see that he was trying to fix a date for both of them?

He watched Yun-tae smiling so carefreely and couldn't even get mad. He had a simple mind, it would seem. So, even if he was trying to get together with Kang-woo, he also put their friendship and bonding in high regard.

'So, he would rather have a group dinner than go on a date with Kang-woo?' Chin-hwa wondered, brushing the back of his neck with his palm. 'I don't know, should I take note of that or is this just a mistake on his part?'

At this point, Yun-tae was so caught up in their bonding process that he had set aside his strong desire to pursue Kang-woo.

Yes, his feelings were still there and his heart still raced when he was too close to Kang-woo, but he did not think too much of it when Chin-hwa was in their midst.

To him, getting to know Chin-hwa better and getting to see him smile like a ray of sunshine was just as important.

So, he subconsciously ruined his chances to be alone with Kang-woo and always included Chin-Hwa in the circle, making a triangle where all three of them could be comfortable with each other and have fun.

"Whoa, look at that kitty." Yun-tae suddenly said as his eyes fell on the white stuffed kitty cat in the box. "It's so cute, I want to cuddle it."

Chin-hwa flinched for a moment.

Ah, that was right. He wasn't the only one there. Yun-tae was also there and Yun-tae could easily like the things he liked.

And when that happened... He looked towards Kang-woo, only one of them could have it.

Kang-woo's heart raced, knowing what that look in Chin-hwa's face meant. He had given up.

"Let's all compete for it." Kang-woo suddenly said and they turned to him, confused. "The kitty cat stands out a lot and it's very cute. So, let's all try it out. Whoever gets it, gets to keep it."

"That sounds good." Yun-tae accepted right away and turned to Chin-hwa who was a bit dumbstruck.

Wait, wasn't this the part where he would decide to get the kitty cat for either one of them? Why was he making such a suggestion?

"Yun-tae," Kang-woo said calmly. "You can start since you're the one who got the coins; you don't mind, right?"

"Of course not. I'll be happy to start." Yun-tae excitedly turned to the claw machine and reached for the controls. "I'll try my best because I really like that cat. But I'll be honest and say that if I can't get it, I'll be quite sad. I've never really been good with these sorts of games, you see."

"Then, do you want me to get it for you?" Chin-hwa asked but Yun-tae shook his head.

"Na-ah! You're just going to rob the fun, haha." Yun-tae tried to focus but his heart wouldn't calm down.

Kang-woo was watching him, so he wanted to do well. If he got the kitty cat, maybe he would pat his head and tell him, 'Well done, you're so skilled.' And maybe Chin-hwa would praise him as well.

He was so nervous.

'What is Kang-woo-ssi thinking of right now? Is he watching me seriously to see how well I do?' he wondered and through the glass reflection, he could faintly see Kang-woo in it. And his eyes were... He stopped playing, his thumping heart suddenly becoming heavy for some reason.

Kang-woo's eyes were on Chin-hwa.