The Art Teacher | Jikook ✓ | The Next Chapter

Part 9

Do-hyun

"A-Are you busy? Do you have anywhere else to be?" I ask once we finish our food and drinks. The thought of the date ending so soon makes me sad. Dae-ho just got more comfortable with me. I don't want that to end.

He blushes. "No, I'm kinda lame. If I wasn't with you, I would be playing video games, taking pictures, or something. I don't do much."

I giggle. "Maybe I could do those things with you sometime."

Dae-ho grins. "Definitely. I'll beat your ass in Mortal Kombat."

"We'll see." I smirk. "But I kinda wanna go places this time. Next date, we should have a game night."

"Next date." He plays with his hair.

"Next date," I repeat.

He swallows. "Where do you want to go?"

I think. "A clothing store. I wanna see you get dressed up."

Dae-ho covers his face. "Only if you get dressed up too."

"I want to see more of your stunning visuals~"

"You're such a flirt."

"A-Am not." I look away.

He laughs. "Should we go to my place to get a car?"

"Nope, I drove here." I hum. "I'll drive us."

"Okay." He smiles and moves out of the booth and hums to himself as I move into my wheelchair.

I smile up at him. "Ready to go!"

The dirty blond follows me to my car and stands in front as I get up from my wheelchair and load it into the back. Dae-ho seems mostly in his own head until I tap his shoulder, standing in front of him.

"You okay?" I find myself running my fingers up and down his arm in an attempt to soothe him. He's been so shy and on edge due to this whole dating thing. I want to loosen him up. All he has to do is let me in.

He nods and looks at me fondly. "I'm just thinking about things."

I lead him into the car before stepping in myself. Chewing on my bottom lip, I turn toward him and play with my long sleeves. "Mind sharing?"

"It's just..." Dae-ho swallows, blushing. "I'm only here for the summer and my schedule is so hectic. So I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"A lot of things." He sighs. "But of you. You scare me."

I pout. "What's so scary about me?"

"Everything. You're here, for one. I visit Daegu on my breaks because of my mom and such, but I mostly stay in Busan."

My hand squeezes his. "That's okay. I know you're busy. You're an idol and I'm just an ordinary guy."

He scowls. "You're not just anything. And I don't think it's okay. It's what makes this all the more terrifying."

"Video calls and stuff exist. Plus, I know you're not staying. That's fine. I love you in Asp!re. Someone who is as skilled as you definitely puts in the work. And to do that, you're in Busan. I also am working toward some goals, so I understand that work can be tethering. Why does that scare you?"

Dae-ho looks at our hands with a mixture of adoration and fear. "I'm afraid of us falling in love, Do-hyun."

My eyes widen. He's afraid of that? And he's been thinking about that? I know that he doesn't love me yet, but the fact that such a future scares him means he thinks it's possible.