Both of them looked at each other as if they had been struck by Cupid.
Ken snapped out of it before the professor entered. He quickly turned toward the board.
That made Alex realize what was happening.
Alex snapped back too.
What the hell is going on?
As the class ended, Alex ran outside before Ken could say anything.
He went straight back to the dorm.
For the first time in a long time, Ken didn't know what was happening with Alex.
Did he notice me in the morning? He didn't, right?
As Ken was thinking about it, Noel appeared again.
"Can we talk?"
Ken looked at him.
"Can we go somewhere alone?"
"Sure."
They went to the shade of a nearby tree. There was no one else around.
"I know this isn't something we should discuss..."
Noel paused.
"But so far, you're the only person here I can simply talk to."
Ken nodded.
"Tell me."
Noel smiled.
"I have a long-term crush."
Ken looked at him.
"Looks like it's not me."
He laughed.
"Yep. And you being this free tells me that you don't have feelings for me anymore."
Ken slowly stopped smiling.
Not suddenly.
Slowly.
As if Noel was accidentally giving him the answers he had been looking for.
Noel continued.
"This is going to be horrible. I don't know if I should tell you this."
Ken looked at Noel, not knowing what to say.
"The thing is..."
Noel paused.
"The person I have a crush on is Alex."
Ken blinked.
Like he didn't understand what Noel had just said.
"I know this sounds crazy, but I've been looking forward to him for a long time. It's literally... I don't know when I got these feelings, but I know I like him."
Ken paused for a moment as he went through all the moments in his life.
Noel looked at Ken.
"I mean it. I really like him."
Ken looked at Noel as he spoke.
"I don't think he will ever like you."
He paused.
"You know what I mean."
Ken slowly stood up and left.
As he walked away from the college, his mind was completely blank.
He didn't even remember leaving Noel behind.
It was like his body was moving on autopilot.
He doesn't know what I mean.
I don't even know what I mean.
Oh my God... did I just reject him before Alex?
Ken slowed down.
Alex was already worked up because of me.
Better not tell him.
Before he realized it, he had already reached the dorm.
Ken stood outside the door.
He didn't want to enter.
He didn't know what he was supposed to say.
Then he took a deep breath.
He had to face the beast eventually.
Ken opened the door.
On the other side, Alex was already freaking out.
The moment Ken entered, both of them froze.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
Ken wanted to ease the situation.
But he didn't know what to say.
Alex didn't say anything either.
So Ken opened his mouth.
"You know what?"
Alex looked at him.
"Noel said he likes you."
Alex froze.
"And I told him there's no chance."
Alex blinked.
"That's right... right?"
Silence.
Ken stared at Alex.
Then suddenly—
Wait.
Ken's eyes widened.
What the hell did I just say?
Alex slowly turned toward him.
"You told him there's no chance?"
Ken didn't have an answer.
Alex's eyebrows slowly pulled together.
"Why?"
Ken froze.
"It's because you're my..."
He couldn't bring himself to complete the sentence.
Alex waited.
Ken knew Alex wanted him to finish it.
But he couldn't.
Alex's expression slowly changed.
"You know what?"
Alex stood up.
"It was supposed to be my decision."
With that, Alex left the room.
The door closed.
Silence.
And then—
The realization hit Ken like a train.
He slowly sat down on the bed and covered his face with his palm.
"That's because I like you."
For the first time, Ken didn't deny it.
He wanted to follow Alex.
He wanted to stop him.
He wanted to explain everything.
But he didn't.
Because he had known for a while.
He knew what he was feeling.
He just didn't want it to be true.
But now...
It had reached the point where even his own body was betraying him.
He slowly took out his phone and called Alex.
The call was immediately cut off from the other side.
Alex went to the rooftop, where he found John.
John waved at him.
Alex smiled, but only faintly.
John noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Everything?"
"Fight with your girlfriend?"
"I don't have one to start with."
"That's good. Let me help you find one then!" John smiled.
"Nope. I don't want to."
"I am the best matchmaker."
"I just don't want it!"
Alex almost shouted.
John went silent.
Alex's mind was racing with questions.
Suddenly becoming self-aware, he looked at John.
"I... I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Do you feel better now?"
"Nope."
"Oops. Usually, the answer is supposed to be yes."
John smiled nervously.
Alex suddenly felt silly. He laughed before he even realized it.
"So, wanna share?" John asked.
...
"I'm not a comforting person, but I can try," John added.
"It's okay. It's not like I even know what this is."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. These days are really weird here. I just want to be at home."
"Then go home!"
John looked at Alex.
"But..."
"What?"
Alex didn't have an answer.
He left the rooftop after deciding something.
At the same time, Ken was replaying every moment of his life with Alex. The dream too.
It was as if he was trying to recollect every recent memory.
Then Alex entered the room.
Ken glanced at him, sitting on the bed.
Alex stood there for a while before saying,
"I'm thinking about going home."
"Why?"
Ken blinked.
"I just think so."
Alex's tone made it almost impossible to figure out what he was feeling.
"Aren't you angry?"
Ken slowly asked.
"Well, I am mad, to be honest."
Alex started packing.
"Leaving now?"
"I guess."
This time, there was uncertainty in Alex's voice.
Ken just lay on the bed and covered his face.
As soon as he closed his eyes, all the awkward moments with Alex started playing in his head.
Looks like he likes me.
Ken laughed at the thought.
Then, as if lightning had struck, he opened his eyes and removed the blanket.
Alex was nowhere to be seen.
Ken pulled out his phone and called Alex.
The call was answered right away.
"Hello? What is it?" Alex asked over the phone.
"Can... can we go together?" Ken asked.
"Should I wait then?"
"No. Come back."
"Ah?"
"Let's go together. I need help here."
Ken's voice was soft as hell.
"Are you crazy?"
"You haven't left the building yet. Please."
A long sigh came from Alex before the call was cut off.