The next two days passed by quietly; Jeongguk's wrist was healing little by little and the pain was almost in full gone, although he kept the splint. Doctor's orders. He was extremely bored in his classes since he couldn't do anything than sleep or stare out of the window. Paying attention to classes was a big fat no-no.

Things with Taehyung were kind of weird. There were some awkward moments between them, for example when Taehyung stared at him out of nowhere as if he were lost in his eyes. Jeongguk, of course, didn't dwell on it and dismissed those moments with a shrug.

And Sunday came rather fast, and Jeongguk was rather delighted. One hour before Taehyung's arrival, everything was already set, something that brought a surprised frown once he noticed it. "We still have one hour until he comes. Why is everything set already?"

"I'm excited about guests, you know that! I can't wait to see if he'll like my cooking." Mirae clasped her hands and rubbed them together in eagerness.

The younger shook his head as he chuckled. "Everyone loves your cooking."

"I haven't asked what's his name!"

"Can you relax? His name is Kim Taehyung."

Mirae tilted her head to the side as her eyebrows knitted in a frown. "Kim Taehyung?"

"Yes, why?"

"Is he that Taehyung?"

"Which Taehyung?"

Mirae rolled her eyes. "You have a sketch with his initials."

"Mom! Why are you looking through my stuff?" he whined in a high-pitched tone.

"It's not my fault if you just leave your drawings on your desk."

"Why were you in my room anyway?"

"To take your laundry which you never take out of your room!" she said and shot him a wry face at the huff she received. Her vision narrowed on him as she let a few seconds of silence flow by. "So, you like your teacher?"

Jeongguk almost choked on his spit but repressed the storm of coughs crawling up his throat with a swallow. The bell booming through the house earned his attention and made him flinch in anxiety. "Don't you dare say these kinds of absurd things to him!" he whisper-yelled as Mirae was already skipping towards the door.

She flung it open, completely ignoring her son, and her eyes widened upon facing the enchanting, handsome man.

"Hello, Mrs. Jeon. It's such a pleasure to finally meet you," Taehyung said with that deep voice of his that rendered Mirae even more amazed. He extended his arm for a handshake, which she accepted after a moment.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Kim." She gave him a broad smile that caused Taehyung's stiff muscles to mellow a tad. He was actually a nervous wreck about meeting Jeongguk's mother, but he tried his best not to show it.

"Please, call me Taehyung."

"Only if you call me Mirae," she chirped, both chuckling. "Please come in."

Taehyung walked inside and spotted the younger standing awkwardly in the living room. "Hello, Jeongguk."

"Hi, Mr. Kim," Jeongguk said, sheepish, as he glanced down, twiddling with his hands. "What did you bring? I told you you didn't have to."

"Oh, just a bottle of wine as a gift to Mirae and a cake for both of you." He set his gaze on Mirae. "Thank you so much for everything, really."

"Don't mention it, Taehyung. It's my job, anyway. Seeing my clients happy makes me happy too. And thank you for the things you brought." She took her seat on the couch. "Please, have a seat."

Taehyung couldn't help but smile heartily at how welcoming she was. He placed the wine and cake on the table and seated himself next to her.

Jeongguk was about to join them when Mirae spoke up. "Since you're standing, get Taehyung a drink. What would you like?"

"A cup of coffee would be nice. It's still early, and I came a little earlier than I should have. I hope it's okay. I was kind of bored." An uneasy chuckle followed his remark.

"Of course it's okay! How do you like your coffee?"

"I already know," Jeongguk mumbled and shuffled off to the kitchen, leaving Mirae staring at Taehyung in curiosity.

"How does he know?" she asked with an arched brow.

If Taehyung was just a little nervous before, he was this close to having a panic attack now. "Um, I happened to come here one day and he made me coffee." He tittered, eyes wandering as far away from her as possible.

Mirae hummed in response as she eyed him. "Why are you so tense about explaining such a simple thing?" she goaded, although she knew it was a rather daring inquiry, but Taehyung's reaction was outright amusing to her.

Another restless chuckle tumbled out of him as he tucked his chin into his chest, praying for someone to save him. As though his prayers were heard, Jeongguk came back, glancing between his tense teacher and excited mother.

"Already making my teacher uncomfortable, I see."

"I don't see you hold anything in your hands. Go back, Kookie."

"Stop making him feel awkward," he warned through gritted teeth and pivoted on his heel.

"I'm sorry, he's right. I was just teasing you," Mirae said sweetly, patting his shoulder.

"It's okay, don't apologize. Your house is lovely, by the way."

"Thank you. I bought it when Jeongguk was five. His father did, actually. He's always away for business, and we rarely see him anymore."

"Oh, I didn't know that. It must be hard for you and Jeongguk."

"It is, well, for me. Jeonggukie never got along with his father that much. They were always distant for some reason. Probably because he was strict with him and demanding while Jeongguk wasn't paying attention to him."

Taehyung lowered his head as his expression darkened. "I can understand him."

"There you go." Jeongguk strode into the living room with two cups of coffee on a tray and set it on the table.

"You made me coffee too? Aren't you the best son ever?"

"I am," he said with a kittenish smile as he sank back into the armchair.

They chatted about various things — well, Mirae and Taehyung bantered their hearts out as Jeongguk just sat there, listening mostly. His mother didn't miss a chance to compliment his teacher about how gorgeous, sweet, and kind he was.

And all Jeongguk could think each time was: I know. You don't have to remind me every two minutes.

Leaving mother and son alone for a moment as Taehyung retreated to the bathroom, Mirae found an opportunity to gossip a bit. "I can see why you like him."

"Mom! I don't."

"What have I said about lying?"

"But I don't."

"I have eyes, you know. I can see pretty well how you're staring every now and then."

"He's just handsome. It's hard not to stare."

"You have a crush, it's so cute!" Mirae cooed, leading the younger to hide his face in his hands, flat out embarrassed.

"Mom, he's my teacher."

"So? Since he likes you too, why not do something about it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"What? He's glancing at you like every five seconds. It's quite entertaining, actually."

"You're imagining things."

Her mouth unfolded with a comeback ready to come out, but Taehyung bobbed into the living room, and she simply smiled instead. "I'll go set the table and I'll call you when it's time."

"Do you need any help?" Taehyung asked.

"Oh, no, no, don't mind me. You two can... chat freely." She flashed another smile, a rather loaded one, and trod to the kitchen.

"She's quite energetic," Taehyung commented once she left the room.

"I'm sorry, she's a little too much, I know."

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way. She's an amazing woman and I like her very much."

"That's good, I guess."

They fell into awkward silence as they both didn't know what to say. Jeongguk was continuously thinking about what Mirae said. Since he likes me too. That's funny. There's no way he likes me. He shook his head faintly at his thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?" It was hard not to espy his actions since Taehyung's eyes rarely left his angelic face.

"Um, nothing."

"Obviously you were thinking about something."

"And obviously I don't wanna talk about it," Jeongguk muttered, looking anywhere but him.

"What happened to you so suddenly? Why are you so mean?"

"I'm not mean."

"I'm the one who'll judge this. And your words hurt me." There was a shade of playfulness in his tone, but a part of him meant every word. The younger never shared what he was thinking or how he was feeling, and Taehyung hated that for some reason.

"I'm sorry," he said, voice faltering and small, making the older sigh.

"Just tell me what you're thinking. I can never figure out what you're thinking."

"It's not your business to know what I'm thinking."

"Then what is?"

"I don't really know anymore."

"Everything is set, boys." They heard Mirae's voice from the kitchen after a few moments of intense silence.

Crestfallen eyes traveled Jeongguk's slouched figure and settled on his face, identifying a cloud of gloom drawing all his features downwards. "Do you want me to leave?"

And Jeongguk could only sigh once again. "No, of course not."

"Then what's your problem?"

"Let's just go."

Taehyung, unsatisfied and bitter about his response, decided to drop the matter for Mirae's sake and trailed behind him.

As they began eating, Mirae could easily discern how tense it was between the two. Although unsure if it'd work, she blurted the first thing that came to her mind in an attempt to lighten the mood — anything to shatter the suffocating silence. "So Taehyung, where are your parents?"

"They're in Daegu. We don't keep in touch," Taehyung said with a tiny smile that Mirae knew was fake.

"Oh, how come?"

"They never really cared."

Jeongguk froze momentarily. The thought of Taehyung not being loved by his parents was far enough disturbing. It overflowed him with sadness and guilt even because of how curt he was with him a few minutes ago in the living room.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Mirae's voice contained something so soothing it managed to reach Taehyung's heart and blanket it with warmth. "You're a lovely person and you're always welcomed here."

"Thank you, Mirae." Her last remark only deepened the warmth pulsing through his veins. "I was actually hoping for your son to think the same as you, but that's not the case, now is it?" He began with lighthearted teasing and even chuckled, but the words slashed through him, striking him right in the feelings when he vocalized them. Why is this affecting me so much?

Big doe eyes were raised and stared at Taehyung in surprise. Words were caught in his throat as Taehyung continued eating soon after what he said.

"Well, I'm sure he thinks the same, but he's having a little difficulty expressing his feelings. He was always like that, you know, in denial." Mirae giggled and threw a look at her son, expecting him to whine or scold her as usual for saying something like that. The tips of her lips fell in surprise as Jeongguk resumed eating silently. And right there she knew she hit home with what she said.

Taehyung's mood brightened a notch at her calming words, and he started chatting with Mirae comfortably just like when he first came to the house. He also complimented her amazing cooking, something that had Mirae grinning. 

He insisted on helping her clean the table once they finished, but she was quick enough to decline the offer by furiously moving her hands and repeatedly saying no. And Taehyung realized right there that there was nothing he could do to change her decision. She was very stubborn. Exactly like Jeongguk. This thought swam across his mind in a balmy wavelet, bringing a fond smile to his lips.

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