04 - Face to face

Everyone took a cab home but Jun's friend insisted to take the bus instead, so they went in the direction of the nearest stop that had a night bus available. Which was two streets away. Despite their swaying steps and their heads buzzing, Jun didn't mind as the night's chill felt nice and refreshing on his skin after leaving the stuffy bar. There was no soul around as everybody else who wasn't out was long asleep in their cozy beds. So it was just them and their echoing footsteps. A street later his giggly friend spilled the beans. While Jun was away at the bathroom, one of the coworkers approached the fancy man and arranged a meeting with him. After hearing that Jun flushed red. He felt so flustered, he could swear that the alcohol just evaporated from him like steam.

What? Why? How even?

Another street later they spotted the man waiting patiently at the meeting point while taking a smoke. He stood there alone, illuminated by the streetlamp nearby. The familiar mixed feelings hit him again and before Jun could build up any courage to approach him, his friend hopped on the night bus and left him alone.

How convenient.

Startled, Jun hid in the alley to calm down and decide whether to go for it or leave it be.

It would be rude to just cowardly leave the man waiting, so Jun took a deep breath and slowly stepped out. He decided that he'll just politely excuse himself from the "date". Even if it was a shame to let an opportunity like that pass by, he didn't really feel like continuing on with the night. He had enough entertainment for today, so he hoped he can wrap this up quickly. Maybe exchange numbers and wait together for the next night bus. That thought comforted him and he hoped that the man will agree to it.

Though the closer Jun walked towards the man, his steps felt heavier, and the heart in his chest was pounding like crazy. He tried to regulate his anxiety with steady breathing, but it didn't really work. He could feel his hands tremble and something in the back of his head insisted that he should turn around. However the tall man noticed him and finished his cig, extinguishing it at the designated street ashtray, so there was no going back. He stepped up to Jun, his hands in his pockets, his face indifferent.

Jun started with a shy hello and tried to explain the situation, but in that moment something within him broke. His vision went blurry as a terrible pain erupted inside his chest. It felt like his heart was set on fire, spreading rapidly within the veins through the whole body.

Jun screamed and clutched his chest. His legs went weak and he was about to collapse to the pavement, when the man leaped towards him and grabbed him by the shoulder. He shook Jun a little and ordered to look at him. It was easier said than done, as the pain was unbearable, but he looked up with tears in the corners of his eyes. He froze for a second as again, because just like before the man's eyes were completely black with white irises.

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