Photo: twitter- Reii_70707

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When you first met him, he called himself Ray. You wondered if it was a stage name or something. He does possess an extraordinary look after all, along with that charming attitude of him. It wouldn't be a surprise if he really was someone famous. Too bad, you couldn't care less to find out if he was truly a celebrity or not. To you, he was no more than a random bypasser who happened to be there at the right time and it was pretty sure that you won't see him again after that.

Well, at least that's what you thought before you get drunk and wanted to play truth or dare, a game which the guy has never played before to your surprise. But you're no longer sober enough to look into the reason why he has never played any drinking games before. All you care about at that moment was how much soju you have left for the game. It wasn't enough for the True or Drink game so you decided to stick with Dare.

After rock-scissor-paper-ing a couple of times, you get to ask first. "Why do cats like you so much?" Your face slightly blushed from the alcohol, and those dreamy eyes shamelessly stared straight into his minty green eyes. You like cats a lot, too much that you are somewhat upset when you can't have a cat of your own. However, even if you can afford to keep one, no cat loves you. Whenever you tried to get near them, not even mentioning pet them, they started hissing like crazy and acted as if you are their worst enemy...

Ray paused for a while and broke into laughter. He totally did not expect that. If it's the normal him he would gently smile and genuinely explain whatever the reason is to you. However, he was also tipsy, not as drunk as you though, but still he was not as sober as he could. So you could say he's more relaxed. "Are you by any chance... jealous of me? Ha ha ha!!" When he saw your pouty face he couldn't help but laugh even more. When you explained the rules of the game, he was expecting a more provocative and secretive question from you to start off the game. Such question was never expected.

"Hey!! It's not your turn to ask! Just answer it!" You could feel your cheeks getting hotter and hotter. It's not an everyday thing for you to ask such an embarrassing question, especially to a stranger like him! He has no idea how much courage and drunkenness (if that's even a word) you need to seriously asked someone that question. Those who are loved by cats definitely have some kinds of secrets. Do they use catnips by any chance? Or do they wear fishy fragrance perfume... No, that sounds a bit wrong, to begin with...

"Argh, stop looking at me with those pitiful eyes like that and start talking already!!"

"Fine, fine." He finally stopped laughing and returned to his mysterious-gentleman-smiley state. "If you asked, I am sorry to disappoint you but, there's no real trick here. They just enjoy napping around me for some reason. I wish I could give you some tips, but I don't really have any... Oh actually, I have one!"

"What is it??" He could see how your watery eyes glowed like the moon above them when he said he might be able to help.

"Don't be so gloomy. Try smiling~" He looked at you froze for a moment and tried to smile.

"What do you mean? I smile all the time, but they still don't like me..."

"Because you don't smile with your heart but your lips only. And the cats can feel that." He smiled. "Being sad is also okay. You don't have to smile when you don't want to. But just be true to your feelings." He put his hand on his chest, where the heart lies. "In here."

....

"Okay, my turn. What makes you sad?"

"... Me? I am not sad! What are you talking about?" You suddenly got flustered when he mentioned that. You were okay with him hearing you rant about all those nonsense earlier, but for some reason when your true feelings are being called out, it felt strange... You just wanted to deny everything. You can be angry and hysterical and weird and... anything but not sad.

You just don't want anyone to know about your weakness.

"You can't lie during the game, remember?" He suddenly closed the distance between you two and whispered into your ear. "Or else I'm gonna dare you to do something... naughty, okay?"

For a sec you thought your heart stopped, this guy is so not obedient! He kept getting on your nerves. You were simply not used to all this heart racing sensation, and your face kept getting hotter and hotter. Did you drink too much alcohol earlier? Tonight was supposed to be a bit chilly wasn't it, why is it hot now??

"I don't know what you are talking.. about." You avoided his glance, it felt weird to hold eye contact with him. "Why would you say that I am sad? Where's the evidence?"

She's not honest at all. Not cute.

He suddenly reached his hands out and held your face closer to his. Those gorgeous pair of eyes were not as green as they were looking from afar. They reminded you of the green you see after the snow melted away when spring came hidden beneath a layer of frosty glacial blue colour. Looking into his eyes, for a moment you felt so cold, yet so warm. Such paradoxical sense was shaken away when his voice pulled you back to reality.

"The evidence lies in your eyes. Your smile can lie, but your eyes won't."

Then before you even realize what was going on, Ray hugged you. It was not like a sexualized hug, definitely not. It was more like a warm, fluffy, gentle hug yet reliable at the same time. You felt as if you were melting away in a galaxy of marshmallow and the warm, radiating light from the crackling fireplace...

"Because you lied, so I dare you to let me hug you until you are ready, to be honest with yourself." His grip slightly tightened, as if he was trying to reassure you. "It's okay to not be okay sometimes."

You didn't know if it was because of the alcohol or the heat or whatever but your eyes suddenly got all foggy and water started dripping from your eyes. You swear you have no idea why! You just know that your soul aches, and when it was embraced with warmth, it was healing.