09

the bad boy explores

THERE WERE A few things Akari had learned in the conversation she had with Julian Jones last night. He used to be a smoker and he quit his habit last year, he got his first tattoo when he was 14 years old, he hates beans—all types of beans, he is an engineering major, specifically, mechanical engineering because he loves vehicles.

He never sold drugs for a living— that was a rumor spread by the Campus which Akari couldn't help but use the opportunity to ask him. He also mentioned that he works a shift in a dull speakeasy near Sketch Alley, adding that no one knew about it except now—Akari.

It was an interesting night with an interesting conversation. And, she had shared a few details of her own life with him. The feeling was nice.

"You brought me out from my safe haven to eat blueberry ice cream?" Julian asked, shaking his head as if in disappointment.

"We have worst matters at hand," Akari responded, biting a chunk out of her delicious blueberry ice cream. "The fact that you like mint choco ice cream makes me not want to help you anymore. I should let the cops catch you."

"Only cool people love mint choco ice cream." Julian scoffed. Akari turned to glare at the man sitting beside her. They were currently at the edge of the park. Julian had a light pink hoodie over him— which amazingly, he wore with no protests for the colour, and he was wearing glasses, which made him look a hacker. His masks were tucked safely under his chin. Oh!— He was also wearing matching pink sandals, courtesy of Akari. Although it didn't fit his big feet, it was either pink sandals or black heels.

The spot where they were sitting had no people running about so they were safe from public eyes.

"Plus, I also bought a pen." Akari defended herself. "That's why we came out. For you to breathe in fresh air and for me to buy a pen. The ice cream is a treat for finishing our successful mission." Akari smiled, smug and proud of herself.

"Can we go home now?" Julian asked, a small pout evident on his lips.

Akari's heart skipped a beat at how Julian is calling her apartment 'home' now. Well, they practically do live together, in the same room too— just temporarily though.

"Yes, we will be heading back now." Akari said, earning a victory 'yes' from Julian.

Their walk back home together was silent and Akari kept checking her phone to see if they were going back home at the right time. Ha-eun mentioned she would be back by nine and it was currently eight.

The night sky was aglow with bright city lights. The occasional barking of faraway dogs and the chirping of birds broke into the darkening night. Akari could feel her stomach grumble and couldn't wait to cook herself a cup of Ramen— which Julian had grown to love too.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Julian asked out of nowhere as they approached their apartment building. All thoughts were instantly wiped from her mind as she was caught off guard by the suddenness of the question, coupled with Julian's curious gaze, his dark brown eyes fixed on her.

They paused in front of the lift, just as another couple joined them, waiting in silence. Akari chose to remain quiet, but Julian persistently nudged her. She hissed, shooting him a glare that only seemed to bewilder him further.

It was kind of cute.

The prominent 'ding!' made the four move into the space of the lift. While the couple's floor was at nine, Akari's floor was at seven. Julian had pressed the button and immediately crowded into Akari's space.

"Well?" Julian broke the awkward silence in the lift, completely oblivious. Akari was indefinitely sure that the couple was listening to their conversation.

"Shush." Akari placed a finger on her mouth, feeling utterly embarrassed.

"Why aren't you answering the question—"

'Ding!'

"Do you have a boyfriend? Is that why you aren't answering me?" Julian walked out of the lift, doors closing behind them as Akari walked ahead, cheeks red and annoyance taking over her.

"Answer me!" Julian whined, like a toddler wanting candy. He tugged on Akari's hoodie as she unlocked the door, mentally noting that they were perfectly early and Ha-eun is not home yet.

"Yes, I have a boyfriend," Akari sighed, the undercurrent of curiosity tempting her to equivocate as she removed her shoes. Julian fell silent after her response, and she refrained from glancing at his face to gauge his expression. Proceeding to her bedroom, she could discern faint footsteps trailing behind her.

Once inside her bedroom, the world suddenly spun as Akari found herself backed against her bedroom door by none other than Julian Jones. His narrowed eyes and rigid jaws intensified the atmosphere, making Akari's heart leap with the sudden proximity.

The moment their eyes locked, an undeniable sizzling connection seemed to spark between them. Akari could feel Julian's palms gently squeezing her shoulder blades, the touch sending a subtle shiver down her spine.

"You're bluffing," Julian spoke with conviction. "You don't have a boyfriend." His words hung in the air, challenging the truth behind Akari's earlier statement.

So, that's what this is all about.

"Yes, I do." Akari spoke back, trying to get out of his arms but not wanting to at the same time. "It's a long-distance relationship." She decided to expand her lie, trying to make it as convincing as possible.

"Really?" Julian's voice suddenly grew smaller, his hands on her shoulders becoming lighter as he withdrew them. He began to step backward, turning away from her. A muted "Oh" escaped his breath, barely audible to Akari. The once-bright shade of brown in his eyes dulled in an instant, but she remained oblivious to these details, just as unaware as he was. The air held a subtle tension, leaving a lingering question between them.

"Do you want to see him?" Akari inquired.

"No," Julian's voice carried a hint of annoyance as he pulled himself out of the pink hoodie, once again revealing his shirtless, chiseled-to-perfection physique. The sight never failed to catch Akari off guard.

"He probably looks like a loser," Julian remarked casually.

"Hey!" Akari frowned, even though the insult was directed at her non-existent boyfriend. "I'm not showing him to you if you speak that way about him." The tension between them lingered, Akari defending an unseen figure while Julian maintained his nonchalant demeanor.

A few seconds passed by.

"Fine." Julian gave up, turning back around. "Show me."

"Him." Akari pointed to the poster next to her.

It was a poster of Jeon Jungkook.

She observed Julian's expression gradually shift from annoyance to an even deeper irritation. "I knew you were bluffing," he declared, glaring at her. Akari couldn't contain her laughter in response. "You're always with me. There's no way you can have a boyfriend."

Amidst her laughter, Akari enjoyed the sight of Julian grumbling before throwing himself onto her bed. His hands naturally found their place behind his head as he looked at her, a slow smile gracing his handsome face.

"You were so cute," Akari pointed at Julian, each word punctuated by chuckles. She watched the way his cheeks flushed red. "I couldn't help it," she added, seemingly oblivious to the effect she had on the boy lying on her bed. The room filled with the echoes of their shared laughter, creating a moment of lightheartedness between them.

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They are so cute. What are your thoughts?