Chapter Text
The teacher went on about the Korean history as Kim Dokja drowned in the new 300 chapters webnovel he had just started. The amount of times he had gotten himself a detention for this is many, but the amount of times he kept doing this anyway is also countless. By now, the teachers became used to it, so they don't pay attention to him anymore. Whenever some new teacher comes to their class or even some student calls him out for his ‘readings’, he just stares weirdly at them and thinks to himself, because he doesn't have the guts to say it out loud to everyone, Stupid people. How are the witless ones ever going to understand the importance of a book?, even though he himself would be reading a fantasy novel that has no relation to reality whatsoever.
With this personality, he had somehow managed to make friends. That also four. Plus one junior, who he doesn't really count because she annoys him. The novel was just getting to the climax when he heard the teacher call, “Kim Dokja! Please stand up.” I thought they already got used to it? He stared at the woman at front like a loser, as if he doesn't know what he has done, as if he had not been simping over the protagonist of the novel moments ago when he should've been learning about the great men who fought for his country. The teacher's expression could only be described as disappointed.
While both Dokja and the teacher was very aware that he would not be able to answer any question asked to him, she still went on to make the effort considering her profession as a teacher, “Tell me something about the Goryeo Dynasty.”
“Goryeo Dynasty? Well, I have read about it in a webnovel—” He was blabbering on like a fool when the teacher questioned back, cutting him off, “Why would you go and read about your own country's history in a webnovel when you have this–”, she holds up the book she was teaching from, “an entire book dedicated to it?”. At first the other students used to laugh at him, now even they just facepalm. Knowing she wouldn't get any useful answer from him, she turned towards the board and began scribbling something down with the chalk. Then he heard her say, “Sit. I better not see the phone in your hands before the class ends.”
Like a grumpy cat, he sat and put his phone aside. The class would end after ten minutes or so, and it would be the break then. His hands itched to touch the phone, and with great difficulty, he kept them to himself and survived till the class’s end. During the break, his friends came over.
“Hey loser. I know I shouldn't be asking you of all people about this but–”
“Then don't ask.” Dokja looked at Sooyoung who looked like she had been just slapped across the face. Serves her just about right.
“You fucker!” Sooyoung was about to land a deadly blow on him when Sang-ah came in to hold her back. Now both of them were struggling. “Don't mind Sooyoung, hehe. You know how she gets at times.” Sang-ah says with a struggle-induced smile. Rather than viewing Sooyoung as a short-tempered person, they all see her as a somewhat mentally deranged person. So, nothing about whatever was happening was new. Sang-ah is the only normal one in the group.
Heewon, seeing there was no hope for them, stepped forward and began speaking, admist Sooyoung’s never-ending waterfall of outrageous curses, of course.
“Well, she wanted to ask what your plans for summer holidays are. They're just 5 days away. And for god's sake, don't say you're going to finish another novel.”
The sarcasm master has spoken, now Kim Dokja will have to answer. For some reason, the group, and sometimes even people outside the group, feared Heewon. Maybe it's because she's the one keeping them from committing treason or some other atrocities. Well, now it's a problem because Dokja originally would have said what Heewon warned him not to. Is there even any other activity more appealing than reading? He found himself wondering after some minutes of thinking. Just then, his eyes came across the man sitting across him.
Thick, sharp eyebrows, as if they were drawn by just one single brushstroke of ink. Eyes as black as obsidian, lips as though they were painted by the ripe cherries. A beautiful dazzling face that made even the shining sun outside feel shame. Yoo Joonghyuk. He and Dokja lived in the same neighborhood, even their houses are facing each other. They go to the same class, are of the same age, have houses so close that they see each other's faces when they open the window. But are they close? Close? We haven't had a single exchange of words ever since he moved here. Dokja sometimes greets him on their way to school, and gets a nod from him in return, and that's as far as their interaction goes.
Joonghyuk lives alone, just like Dokja. But the reason is quite different for either of them. After Dokja's parents got divorced when he was in elementary, his mother got the custody. Back then, it was hard to make a living for them, even though he doesn't remember much of his mother's struggles. But one year later, his mother got a job. Things started to change. While he wouldn't say they're rich, because his mother's work doesn't pay a shit ton of money–it should have, because he sees how hard his mother works–but since it's just the two of them, he could at least say that they're a well-to-do family. Her job requires her to stay out of station most of the time, but she tries to come back as much as possible, to attend every important occasion in her and Dokja's life, and calls at least once everyday.
On the other hand, Joonghyuk’s parents were quite rich from the beginning. But that guy chased freedom. So he insisted that they let him live alone as soon as he was in highschool. He's not completely alone here, though. His little sister, Yoo Mia, lives with him, and goes to visit their parents' on her holidays. But mostly, she stays with Joonghyuk. I can't believe someone like him is raising a sister on his own. Dokja would have had no way of attaining this information if his mother didn't tell him.
“Maybe we can read along with Dokja this time?” Hyeonseong, the embodiment of big heart and big body, suggested with enthusiasm. While his huge figure is enough to intimidate anybody, he's more like the baby, a rather big baby, for them. Everyone, including Sooyoung, sort of babysits him.
“Hyeonseong I told you we're not nerds like him!” Han Sooyoung snapped.
“I don't think it's a good idea either.” Even Sang-ah expressed disagreement.
“Like hell we are. C'mon Dokja, say something.” Heewon says.
This time the protests did not affect him. I have an idea. He smirked to himself. “What is that loser thinking of?” He heard Sooyoung whisper. Then he motions for all of them to bring their heads closer so that he doesn't have to shout. Afterwards, he speaks, with the confidence of a king before his nation, “We're going to Joonghyuk's house.”
He doesn't remember how long they all stayed in that position. But when they straightened up, they just stared at Dokja. First they had the look that made Dokja feel like the prisoner that chose the bread over the key after the prison guard gave up on his life to give him that opportunity. Then they had the look that said, “What did we even expect from him to begin with?”
They were just about to leave when Dokja realized things were going out of his hands, and shouted, “Guys! I'm not kidding! For real! At least listen to me.”
Heewon looks at him with disbelief and says, “We know you're a delusional bitch but that was too much.”
Sooyoung joins, “Even big baby's suggestion was better than this shit.”
“Trust me. I can prove it to you. I promise we'll all go to his place 5 days later.” Dokja himself didn't know where he got this ridiculous idea from. But for once, he just wanted to appear cool among the group.
“You're alone on this one, Dokja.” Sang-ah expressed her disapproval once again. She and Hyeonseong are the only ones who support him in this group. He had no hopes for Heewon and Sooyoung, but now if even Hyeonseong withdraws his supp—
“Let us at least ask Dokja what his plan is.” Thank god Hyeonseong was still human.
“Then tell us. How can we trust you?” Heewon asked.
He had read so many spy novels where the spy is encountered with the same situation and has always prepared himself in case he were to become a spy in the future. But now that he actually is in such a situation, nothing came to mind. Not even a ridiculous excuse. “Well—” He stammered.
“I told you this loser is good for nothing, let's go.” Sooyoung says and begins dragging the others along with her towards the exit. That is when Dokja came up with something. Something ridiculous, something oddly reasonable, nevertheless the most shameless lie to be ever spoken by one's mouth.
“Well that's because I am dating him!” He shouts with his eyes squeezed. The class was too busy to pay attention, but he immediately looked back to see if Joonghyuk heard that. Thankfully he wasn't present.
“You're what?”
“Are you okay? No, am I okay? What did I hear?”
“Dokja you're kidding, right?”
“I don't know what to believe.”
“No. I'm not kidding and I'm completely okay. And I'm dating Yoo Joonghyuk, believe it or not.” Dokja didn't know if it was possible but he was internally sweating. He had gotten himself into this huge conspiracy and there's no way out. Well, he can deny everything he just said and say that he was joking, but that would result in a lifetime of insults. If it was someone else he said he was dating, maybe it would've been more convincing, but now even he isn't convinced by what he just said. Fuck fuck fuck I'm so fucked. That was all he could think of while appearing perfectly fine on the outside.
Heewon says after a while, “Be honest, how much are you paying him?”
<>
On his way back home, he somehow managed to send the group before him, although they were very suspicious because they all usually leave the school together. At a hidden corner, he was standing. Waiting, to be precise. For none other than ‘The Yoo Joonghyuk’, who Dokja deemed to be the root of all his problems even though they've never interacted. Few minutes later, he saw Joonghyuk walking by him with earphones tucked in his ears. He immediately called, “Joonghyuk!” There was no reply. The man kept walking. He again called, this time, a little louder, resulting in Joonghyuk stopping in his tracks. This jerk. Then he took out one earpiece and looked back to see Dokja standing at a corner and motioning him to go there.
His face didn't show any surprise, or any reaction, to be frank. He looked as stoic as ever. Once he was close to Dokja, he took out the other earpiece and did what seemed to be paying attention. Dokja didn't how to word what he wanted to say. He really didn't. He's too embarrassed to disclose all these to a man who isn't even aware of what is happening behind his back. Well, that's not because he's too innocent, but just because he's a jerk who doesn't care about shit. But if Dokja doesn't tell him this now, the embarrassment he would later feel in front of his friends would be ten times more terrifying.
What if he doesn't agree to this? While it was true that Joonghyuk doesn't have any reason to agree to this, Dokja isn't one to back off. He'd return home only after convincing him.
“First of all I'm sorry. Don't ask me why. Just listen. So, I might've told my friends that we're close.” Dokja exhaled after letting this much out.
“It doesn't matter.” Joonghyuk, taking this as the end of Dokja's part, says.
“That's not all. Didn't I tell you to listen first. I also told them you're going to let them come to your place during our summer holidays to play.” Only then did there was a slight change in his reaction. He asked, “Why?” Silence. “Why did you say that?”
“Well even I don't know, because the reason’s ridiculous and if I told you, you'd walk away sooner than you would when I tell you the last part.” Joonghyuk's eyes appeared quite curious for the first time.
He continued after praying to every god out there, “I…also told them that we're dating.”, and then immediately looked down because he didn't want to see what face the other would make after hearing this horrible piece of made up information about himself. It wasn't long before he got the reply. It was Joonghyuk walking away. For fuck's sake give me a break already! Yes yes I admit it was my fault. I shouldn't have said sait. Ugh. He thinks while running to catch up with Joonghyuk. He walked so fast that even the running Dokja had trouble catching up. They were outside the school premises when the loser Dokja caught up.
“Listen, please.” He was panting as he spoke.
“No. I've listened enough.”
“Please. Help me out just this once.” He pleaded. “I'll do anything you say for one day if you help me out.”
“No thanks.”
“Why are you so stubborn? It's just a matter of 5 or 6 days.”
The ‘5 or 6 days’ part seemed to have brought about a change. Because he slowed down his pace and didn't immediately say ‘no’. Dokja became hopeful. After walking a long way, Joonghyuk finally seemed to have made a decision.
“What do I have to do?”
Yes. I have become successful.
“Simple. Just pretend to be my boyfriend for 6 days. We don't have to do it when we're alone, excluding practice time, just in front of our friends. It doesn't matter if it's in school or somewhere else, you spot them, you switch to boyfriend mode. Sounds complicated, but I'll tell you what to do when needed. After 6 days, we go back to being how we once were, no talk, no contact, nothing. Can you do that for me, please?”
“...No.”
“You fuck— c'mon Joonghyuk, I know you've already agreed.”
“Stay away. I haven't made a decision yet.”
But Dokja knew better. His look alone says that he has already agreed to do this. Suddenly he heard Heewon’s voice at a distance. Those guys didn't leave? He immediately understood that they were either here to spy on Dokja to see what he left the school so late for or they were just here to tease him saying, “You're alone. Why isn't your boyfriend here?”. Too bad, because my boyfriend is here. He instantly cringed. He remembered all the protagonists he simped over, Joonghyuk was nothing compared to them. He didn't even have the basic qualities of a human, let alone a boyfriend. It's just a 6 days deal Dokja made with him to save his ass.
As they got closer to the spot his friends were at, he gently held Joonghyuk's hand. The other flinched and glared at him. Dokja whispered, “Remember the deal. Can't you see them? They'll be suspicious if we, as a couple, don't hold hands on our way back home. And stop glaring at me, god they're gonna think you want to murder me.” Joonghyuk's stiff hand became normal. His hand felt warm, soft and large in Dokja's, who wondered what his own felt like in the other's hand. Dokja pretended he didn't see the group at all as he passed by holding Joonghyuk's hand. But he could already imagine their jaws dropped and bamboozled faces.
Take that, you bitches.
Han Sooyoung is probably wondering if the earth actually is flat. Jung Heewon is definitely rubbing her eyes. Hyeonseong and Sang-ah are blushing and confused. While passing, he also seemed to have gotten a glimpse of who seemed like their annoying junior Lee Jihye. The others all adored her but Dokja found her very annoying for some reason. He gave her the name the-annoying-junior-who-glazes-the-tsundere-senior aka Yoo Joonghyuk. She claims that Joonghyuk plays games with her online and that he's really cool while playing. And blah blah blah.
They reach the neighborhood, still holding hands. Dokja realized and quickly withdrew his own, looking away. Joonghyuk too, looked very awkward. Not having much to say, Dokja bows slightly and prepares to leave.
He turns back again to say, “Thanks for today.” He gets no reply but he didn't expect one in the first place.
<>
It was a very tiring day. It's the first time Dokja ever did something other than reading. He can't believe he made a boyfriend of the man he would not have looked at even if they were the last two remaining people in this earth. That also, a fake boyfriend. A real one would have made more sense and at least would have been considerable. But the loser Kim Dokja went ahead, bragged about him and Joonghyuk's non-existent camaraderie, and turned that same camaraderie into a romantic relationship as soon as his friends didn't believe this shit. Can life be any worse? I feel like I'm in a badly written fake-dating fanfiction.
He didn't have the energy to cook dinner, so he just made some instant noodles and ate it. After he had taken a shower, he found his phone ringing. It was his mother.
“Hello.” Dokja says as he dried his hair.
“How was your day? Have you eaten?” His mom asked.
“I have. And today was the worst day. Anyways, what about you, mom?”
“I just came back. Will have dinner now.”
“When will you be able to come back?”
“Things are good here. So I'll make sure to visit before your summer holidays end.”
They talked for sometime before his mom hung up saying she had another call to make. Dokja was scrolling mindlessly on his phone before he thought of something. He searched up a name on his social media account. Of course it was Yoo Joonghyuk. Found it. He couldn't believe that this jerk kept even his username as his real name. No underscores, no caps, nothing. Just a plain name, no bio, and a profile picture that has his younger sister. Classic Joonghyuk. While he didn't want to, he knows the group would be checking his following list this very day to see if he was following Joonghyuk. It'll help that jerk get used to this. He sent a follow request.
He originally expected Joonghyuk not accepting the request for an hour. That is a given and exactly what happened. But he refreshed the page at least 25 times to check if he had been accepted. The request was not accepted. So for the next half an hour he followed and unfollowed. I can't believe I'm doing this. But he's got on my nerves. I'll not give up without making him accept the request. He repeated this a few more time before a message came in,
[Stop doing that.]
Hah. Got you.
He went to their new chat, now that his request has been accepted. He replied,
[Stop what]
No reply.
[Okay I get it]
[My friends would be suspicious if we don't follow each other]
[Seriously why are you so dumb]
[YOO JOONGHYUK]
[REPLY]
Minutes later came the reply.
[Stop spamming.]
[So you do reply]
[I thought your keyboard was allergic to me or smth]
[It is.]
[Wow. Ouch]
[I think we should at least pretend to talk since yk boyfriends and allat]
[Should I send you a good morning message tomorrow]
[Don't. I'll block you.]
Dokja laughs to himself. He was enjoying this. This bastard is so fun to irritate. He was about to type in something stupid again when a message came in.
[Since you're serious about this then we need some rules.]
[Let's talk tomorrow. Don't be late.]
Dokja froze. Joonghyuk has taken the initiative.
That also about this fake-ass relationship?!