To Byul (Omegaverse)-Chapter 40: Haha, that’s the spirit

Yun-tae's heart wouldn't stop pounding. It was like looking at a heartbreaking scene, but there was nothing wrong about the scene, right?

Kang-woo was just staring at Chin-hwa and Chin-hwa had his eyes on him, so it didn't mean anything. They weren't even exchanging glances, so why did it make him feel heavy?

That look of longing that Yun-tae had mistaken for guilt a while ago was there on Kang-woo's face, and this time, it didn't look as simple as guilt.

What was it?

It made him uneasy, like he was making a mistake somewhere. Was he over-exaggerating it?

He did not know Kang-woo long enough to know the exact kind of person he was or what kind of thoughts roamed his head, so it wasn't safe to jump to conclusions.

"Yun," Chin-hwa called, placing his hand on Yun-tae's shoulder and Yun-tae snapped out of his thoughts right away. "What's wrong? Why did you stop?"

"Oh, uh..." He let go of the controls. "I was... Thinking of a strategy." He laughed nervously.

"Well, if it's hard, want me to help you?" Chin-hwa asked. "But I'll only be giving you advice. I'm not going to help you compete; if not, you'll win." He laughed.

Yun-tae also laughed.

"In that case, how am I certain you won't give me advice to make me lose?" Yun-tae asked and Chin-hwa darted his eyes away while shrugging.

"You got me."

Yun-tae's mouth widened.

"What? Really? You're so mean." Chin-hwa laughed and shook his head.

"I was joking. I'll give you advice for real." He said, leaning closer. "Kang-woo and I have been playing this game for years so we know how this stuff works."

"Then, does that mean you've won a lot of toys too?" Yun-tae asked and Chin-hwa used, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Are those plushies in your room from claw machines too?"

His eyes sparkled, but Chin-hwa was too embarrassed to admit that in all their years of playing with the claw machine, the highest amount of stuffed animals they walked out with was three. And neither of them was the one they wanted.

"Not exactly." He answered, rubbing the back of his neck. "My family got me those."

"Oh," there was a sudden stiffness in Yun-tae's shoulder, and he turned back to the claw machine. "Haha, good for you then."

Chin-Hwa felt the stiffness and wondered if this had to do with his lack of familiar warmth. Though Yun-tae never actually admitted it or made it known, Chin-hwa was quick to catch on at the table.

'So, did he not receive gifts from his family either?' He wondered, suddenly feeling guilty. 'Maybe I should refrain from speaking about my family. It's so not like me to bring up topics of my family. I guess I'm getting very familiar with Yun-tae at this point.'

"Then, I'll give it my all." Yun-tae said. "I'll win the white kitty and get a bunch of other plushies."

"Haha, that's the spirit."

Chin-hwa helped out and the atmosphere lightened up. They started talking and strategizing with the claw machine, and they gradually forgot that they were supposed to take turns with the claw.

So, Yun-tae played till all the coins were out. And only then did they realize they had lost track of it all.

"Ah, and after all that," Chin-hwa scuffled his hair. "We didn't get a single one."

"I guess I'm just that bad at it." Yun-tae said with his head down. He was disappointed in himself. Not only did he not get a single plushie, he even squandered all the change. 'Maybe I shouldn't have gone first.'

Then, Chin-hwa dropped his hand on his head, scuffling it as well and laughing.

"That was fun. We spent the time so fast that we didn't even realize what we were doing." He laughed.

Chin-hwa seemed to have enjoyed the whole process. If that was so, then... He laughed as well... He didn't have anything to worry about, right?

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"It's alright," Chin-hwa said. "Come, let's go get more change and keep playing. It's my turn this time around."

He turned around, and his face bumped into Kang-woo, who was approaching him.

"Whoa," He lost his foot but Kang-woo was swift enough to wrap his arms around his waist.

"Careful." Kang-woo said, staring in surprise. He did not expect Chin-hwa to suddenly turn. And it was a hard turn like he was prepared to run.

He could've really hurt himself if he twisted his ankle at that point.

"Sorry, Byul." Chin-hwa suddenly said, rubbing his eyes and Kang-woo's eyes widened. "I didn't look where I was going."

Kang-woo was stunned. Was he imagining it or was Chin-hwa acting cute all of a sudden?

No, he was always cute. It was his little gestures that made him irresistible.

He was rubbing his eyes because he felt something had flown in it after bumping into Kang-woo and his tone was soft because he was embarrassed. Yet, it did not change the fact that he looked adorable.

"Hwa, are you okay?" Yun-tae asked, snapping Kang-woo out of his thoughts and he placed Chin-hwa down to stand on his own. "You didn't hurt your ankle, did you?"

"No, I don't think I did." Chin-hwa said, stomping on the ground to check properly.

"Are you sure?" Kang-woo asked and then bent down. "Let me see."

"Wh-what are you doing?" Chin-hwa was startled and took two steps back. "People are staring."

"But I need to make sure your ankle is fine." Kang-woo said but Chin-hwa shook his head, pushing Kang-woo's face away.

"It's fine. I'm fine. I didn't sprain anything. My ankle is perfectly fine." He stomped once more. "See?"

They had been attracting a lot of attention ever since they got it the cinema. Just what day was it?

"Where were you anyway?" Chin-hwa asked, shifting the topic right away and avoiding eye contact with Kang-woo's pleading puppy eyes.

"Well," Kang-woo stood to his feet. "You two were having so much fun so I didn't want to interrupt when my phone rang. I also decided to change a few notes and get some some change but unfortunately..."

"Unfortunately what?" Chin-hwa asked, his eyes wide in shock and Kang-woo put his hand in his coat pocket to bring out the few coins he got.

"I could only get these little." He said. "So, we can only play five rounds."