Counting Stars (In A Relationship With EXO Kai)

4 | One Step Forward

"Why would he leave like that?"

I watched Tao walking away and Jongin aka now an exo member Kai, told me that the former must've received a call from the manager about something. The schedules were hectic and each member of the group was under a high radar. It made me question him about him being here.

"I mean, if Tao was called back, you could be too." I sat on the chair opposite to him but he only shrugged. "Would you like to eat something?" I asked. Jongin just arrived and then Tao appeared, saying he needed to go somewhere else and had a take-out.

"No." He shook his head. "I wanted to go out and get some fresh air. Tao had told me about his visit, so I thought I should come here too. Shame, he left too soon."

I hummed. "Mum and dad are closing for the night. That's why I asked. Wait here, I'll help mum close the kitchen then we can go for a walk?" He nodded in reply. Dad sat down with him and they both shared coffee. Judging Jongin's face, I could tell he wasn't a fan of the drink, but he went with it for dad.

"You've celebrity friends now?" Mum nudged my shoulder and I shook my head.

"Acquaintances," I muttered and chuckled when she gave me a meaningful look. "It's not like that mum. We met way before he debuted. We just... got along enough for him to visit here, I guess."

She nodded. "He's handsome though."

"Yeah. Yeah. They all are." I peeked and saw Jongin talking to my dad. I hoped my father won't embarrass him or something. He knew I had guy friends, but sometimes he could go over the top. "I'm free. Let's go?" I signalled with my head and Jongin nodded, bowing to my parents.

"Is it really okay though? For you to walk on the streets like this?" I asked as I grabbed my bag from the counter and walked out of the restaurant door. He followed.

"Don't know. But, I really don't think people are going to be around at this time of night. Also, we're not that popular to be recognized." Jongin walked beside me and I looked up at him. I wasn't stupid. I knew Exo was receiving a lot of hate for being SM failure.

"It's just the beginning. Slow and steady wins the race, don't worry too much." I put my hands into the jacket. The reflection of my mum appeared by the window and I waved at her. She nodded. It was a sign that I would come home separately and they both could go first.

"Your parents are cute." Jongin stared at the window and saw them laughing together while cleaning the tables.

"Yeah. Yeah, they are." I blew out a breath, it looked like I smoked.

"Can I say something?"

I looked up at him. "Go ahead."

"I feel like you've aged years since I last saw you. I mean... you sound so different than before."

"Yeah. Life happened." I chuckled. "Jongin, I bought your album when you guys debuted, you know. I felt so proud of you even though we met for like two times? I would see you on the screen and think, Woah, I've met this person."

I turned to him. He was smiling. "I thought you forgot about me."

"When SM announced the new group. I checked them out in hopes to see your name there. I don't know, it feels good to see people around you succeed in life." I smiled. "I believe one day I would ask for your autographs to sell them. You'll be popular by then."

He laughed at that. "I'll do that for you. You're going for college or what?"

I sighed. "I don't know. Right now, I'm only focused on making some money here and there." I looked up at the stars. "I study for the exam in free time."