Mystic Radio Ep. 11: A Sudden Wave
MC POV
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"Yes sir, I'll get that coffee right out! Thank you for your business.".
Even though its only been a little over a week, Jaehee and I have really settled into the groove of running the shop. Since Jaehee is in the kitchen finishing another batch of cookies, I take the fact there is no line for orders and quickly go over to make the man's coffee.
My work isn't as good as Jaehee's, and I mess up the mug art a little, but it's still a big improvement. Jaehee teaching me this past month or so has really paid off.
I finish the cup and take it over to the man who accepts it with a smile and appreciative nod.
Jaehee comes out from the kitchen with a smile. "Looks like you can handle things pretty well here.".
"Yep!" I confirm. "It's not very busy right now either.".
"Well its four PM," she starts to reply, "I don't imagine many people will be wanting coffee right now.".
Just as she finishes saying that, a familiar face comes in. "Hey Cole!" I greet, "How was class?".
Cole came by the day we opened after Yoosung insisted he try out our coffee and he's been coming back almost everyday since. He usually brings whatever he's working on at the time and drinks his coffee in the corner of the shop. He wears torn jeans and a brown leather jacket almost always, and his short brown hair has been gelled to spike up slightly.
"Good. Espresso like usual." he states flatly.
Jaehee places the cup on the counter, "I took the liberty of making it already. You come at the same time almost daily.".
He smirks a little as he hands me cash to pay for the drink. "How observant of you.". He takes a sip of his cup before asking "And if I didn't come today?"
"Then I could always use the extra caffeine." Jaehee smirks back at him.
He gives a small nod in appreciation before taking his usual seat by the window, taking out a small mechanism from his bag and begins tinkering with it.
"He's always up to something isn't he?" I point out. "He and Yoosung are like polar opposites." I chuckle.
"It's entertaining to watch him work, yes.". With a nudge, "Speaking of work, we have tables to wipe down while there's no line.".
"Yes ma'am." I say with a playful eye roll.
"Thank you for your business! Come again soon!" I say as I wave out the last customers. With a tired sigh, I switch over the sign to 'closed' as Jaehee hangs up our aprons.
"Today was busier than usual." Jaehee notes.
"Yeah. Plus, there was that one lady who didn't seem to understand cookies need time to bake." I chuckle. "I want a nap." I half joke.
"It's a bit late for a nap, isn't it? Besides, the guys will be here in just a few minutes.".
"Yeah, you're right." I agree.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the whole group came knocking on our door.
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Jaehee POV
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"Hey guys!" MC says as they walk in. She then gives them their usual 'hello' hug, save for Jumin who, as he's told her many times, 'doesn't do hugs.'.
Seeing me standing to the side, Zen draws me into a friendly hug. When he does, I notice a fresh wood smell. MC looks over our way and scrunches her eyebrows together before turning back to her conversation with Luciel and Yoosung. I quickly wiggle out of Zen's grasp so as to not cause any misunderstandings.
When we break apart, I ask "Are you wearing cologne or something?".
"Ah, you noticed?". He chuckles nervously, "Yeah. I'm trying to psych myself up.".
His statement confuses me but I decide it's not my place to ask questions.
He sticks his hands in his pockets and looks at me for validation. "It smells nice, right?".
"Yeah, you smell just fine." I answer, still somewhat confused.
Jumin clears his throat, "I have a dinner with father in an hour, so if we could discuss our plans now, and talk later, that would be preferable.".
"Oh, I'm sorry!" MC says. "Here wait, one more thing before we start.".
She goes into the kitchen as the guys pile into our large corner booth. I also scoot in, and by the time MC is back, she has a large plate of left over cookies and sweets.
"It would be a shame to throw these out. Jaehee and I spent a lot of time baking all this.". She sets the platter on the table, and pulls up a table chair to sit in.
Yoosung and Luciel start eating with a passion that's almost admirable. Zen doesn't touch any of them, and Jumin nibbles on a chocolate chip cookie.
Mouth stuffed, Luciel says "Thnk yu fur te foob.", then giggles childishly at his own inability to speak. Swallowing, he repeats "Thank you for the food. Seriously, it's really good.".
Yoosung nods in agreement.
"May we start now?" Jumin asks. Before waiting for a reply, he says "We should designate a new RFA leader. V hasn't been heard from in almost half a year, and we need to be able to keep the organization running." in a tone I recognize all too well as his 'business pitch' voice.
We all nod in agreement. "Yeah," Yoosung starts, "I want to keep Rika's dream alive... Even if she..". He pauses for a moment, eyes downcast, before clearing his throat and perking back up. "Even if she can't be here to see it, I want to finish what she started.". He then tentatively picks up another cookie and munches on it.
Everyone's shoulders droop a little, and I feel a twinge in my heart as well. Sometimes I forget how personal this is for Yoosung. Even Jumin's eyes soften a little.
"Yes. We all miss them both." Jumin states rather flatly, trying to stay professional. "I believe I should be in charge of the RFA now. I'm the one with the business knowledge to make it work.".
"Why not me?" Luciel asks. He gives a thumbs up to everyone ans says "Vote god Seven for your next RFA president!".
"I suppose it's only fair we vote." Jumin says. "All in favor of Luciel, raise your hand.".
Luciel's arm bolts up before he realizes none of us have moved an inch. He pouts, saying "You guys are no fun.", and crossing his arms.
"Then it's settled.". Jumin leans back in his seat, continuing "I believe we should set up another party soon. It's been six months already, and I think it's about due time.".
"So... When are you suggesting?" Yoosung asks.
Jumin shrugs. "About next month.".
Zen whips his body to face Jumin. "Excuse me, what?!" he asks with astonishment. "Who the hell do you expect to put together such a big party by July?!".
"You saw how many people MC was able to get in a week. If her and Jaehee work together, there should be no problem." Jumin states as if it were the most factual thing ever.
"Unbelievable." Zen huffs.
MC starts, "Zen it's okay-"
But Zen goes on. "I know MC and Jaehee are very capable, but I don't like that you expect them to put together such a big event in a few weeks?".
"They will only be handling the guests as well as seating arrangements. The rest of us will focus on location and such." Jumin answers simply.
This seems to put Zen a bit more at ease. MC assures him, saying "It'll be fun, don't worry! Besides, it's better if it's Jaehee and I working on it together, so then we can freely communicate on who to invite and such.".
"Alright." Zen says, crossing his arms. "I still don't fully like this, but I'll cooperate so it doesn't make a bigger problem for everyone else.".
"Kind of ironic Zen is allergic to cats considering he has claws like one." Luciel jokes, earning an eye roll from Zen.
"How dare you compare Zen to a cat. Cats are majestic beings!" He argues, making everyone else laugh. "Why are you laughing at something you know is true?!".
We continue laughing at a stern looking Jumin for a while longer.
Jumin starts, "Well, I will message you guys," pointedly looking at Zen, Luciel, and Yoosung, "the rest of the details later. I should leave now or I'll be late, and father would make dinner even more unpleasant.". He grabs his coat and heads out the door.
"I should go too." Yoosung pipes up. "I still have some more work to do, but then I'm free for the day, and I want to try and finish up fast.".
"Working for Jumin is very taxing." I agree. "Just make sure you take care of yourself, okay?".
"Oh! Don't worry. It's a bit much yeah, but I think he's going easier on me since he lost you. I heard he might even get another assistant so there will be two of us." he says cheerfully.
"Why don't you take some more of the leftovers with you?" MC suggests. "They'll be a good snack while you work.".
"You really don't want to throw them out, do you?" Yoosung laughs.
"...No" MC admits. "Usually we don't have this many but we had a day that was very busy in the morning so we made more in anticipation and... Just take some cookies dangit. It's free food. You college people are supposed to love free food.".
"Alright!".
"Let's get you a bag then." she says. "We'll fill it up with as many as we can and you can share it with your friends!".
Luciel tentatively raises his hand. "I.. I want some free food too...".
"Okay I'll fill you a bag too." MC says.
"I'll come and help carry them." Zen offers.
I know Yoosung will be there too, but with the cologne... I feel my stomach stir a little at the idea of them being alone. I clench my fists a little and stammer out "Oh I-I dont think-".
He starts to get up before MC holds her arm out to stop him. "What? Why?" she asks, "It's not hard to carry a few cookie filled bags.".
"Uh, well..", Zen searches for an explanation, but gives up, saying "Nothing. Never mind.". MC and Yoosung go to get the leftover sweets, and a moment later, Zen excuses himself. "I need a smoke.".
Luciel let's out a whistle and leans forward on the table, steeping his fingers at me. "Someone is jealous." he says with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
My throat hitches for a split second. I lie and tell him "I don't know what you're talking about.".
"Could it be, you have feelings for a certain someone?". He winks and clicks his tongue, grinning like a madman.
"I would never date Zen." I say flatly. "Why would you-"
"Oh Jaehee, little miss Baehee that's possibly Gayhee. I wasn't talking about Zen." He smirks. "I'm just messing with you. I've just wanted to say that since I realized Jaehee and gayhee rhymed.".
"But that isn't even a real word." I defend. "And that's.. T-That's not-".
The kitchen door opens and he leans back into his seat, feigning innocence as if nothing happened.
Gay? I never considered the possibility. No, that isn't... But what if? I've liked guys before and never fathomed the idea of liking another woman. But I must admit, there is a certain light that seems to shine from her. It would certainly explain my heart skipping and unusual feelings in my gut. But if I were gay, does that mean I would... I would kiss..?
My face burns up and I suddenly become very aware of MC staring at me. Oh goodness, does she know what I'm thinking?
"Jaehee are you okay? You seem a bit out of it. You were staring into space and then your face got really red." she says as she reclaims her seat.
"Yeah. Um," I can practically feel her gaze on me, "I'm fine. Where is Yoosung? Is he still in the kitchen?" I ask, eager to change the subject.
"...He already left.". She feels of my head and, noticing how warm and soft her hands are, I become an even bigger blushing mess. "Are you sure you're alright? You're burning hot.".
I know she didn't mean it like that. But my mind echoes it in my head. 'You're hot'. What's wrong with me?
Luciel snickers in the background "I think she just had a sudden realization.".
"What did you say to her?" MC hisses.
He holds his hands up, "Nothing bad, I swear! And don't worry about that, I'm not a snitch.". Her death glare softens a little. Luciel, deciding it's best to get out while he can, quickly gets up and says "I should go too. I've got governments to hack, cats to steal, and honey chips to eat. Ya' know, the usual.". He leaves with a wave over his shoulder, but before he shuts the door, he looks right at me. "Good luck with that wonderful revelation, Jaehee.".
As he leaves, Zen comes back in.
"What's up with that guy?" He asks. "He bowed and called me 'sir Zen' as he left, which is weird, even for him.".
MC laughs a bit and Zen shows his bright smile.
Oh no. No no no, I can't do this right now. "I'm going to go and um lie down. I'm a bit tired suddenly." I abruptly say.
"Oh, alright." MC says. I head out as fast as I can, heart racing. I hear her shout to me, "I'll make dinner soon!", but I don't stop.
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MC POV
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"I'll make dinner soon!" I holler after Jaehee, but she's already made it into the kitchen, and I soon hear her footsteps as she goes upstairs.
"What is up with everyone today?" Zen mumbles.
Just as confused as he is, "I... I don't know.".
"Well, I had something to tell you actually.". He pulls out a chair from the nearest table and motions for me to sit.
"Do you think Jaehee is okay?" I ask as he sits across from me.
"I don't know. Anyways, Jaehee and I have been spending a lot of time together and-"
"Yeah, I know." I grumble.
Could Jaehee be sick again? She rarely gets sick though. What if Seven told her I like her? Would she be disgusted, or maybe she'd kindly reject me. Maybe she'd tell me that she's straight as a pole, but what if she decides she doesn't want to live with me anymore?
Zen clears his throat, grabbing my attention again and folding his hands in front of him on the table, "-and, It made me realize I should just take a leap. I know this may not be the best time... But I-".
"I'm sorry Zen." I interrupt. "Jaehee doesn't seem to be feeling well, and as her best friend, I'm a bit distracted. Can you tell me another time?".
He raises his index finger, about to say something, but changes his mind. He lowers his hand and gently says, "Yeah, of course, I understand. I'll take my leave then. You have dinner to start cooking soon, right?".
I nod, "Yeah. Besides, I want to make sure she's okay. She's acting strange.".
With a sparkling smile, he tells me "It's not very important anyways. I'll see you later then, MC.".
"Goodbye, Zen.".
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Jaehee POV
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I go straight to the bathroom and turn on the cold water, splashing it all over my face in a panic. I take a look at myself in the mirror, and tell myself "I'm not gay. I cant be gay. I'm.. I'm not gay. Surely not.", but each time feels more and more like a lie. "But I've liked guys." I try to reason with myself.
I wipe my face dry, before returning to the mirror, hands clenched on either side of the sink. "I.. I like MC.", but this time doesn't feel like a lie. This time makes me excited and terrified all at once, sending my heart racing.
I leave the bathroom and instead of going back down, I go to my room and sit on my bed. I curl my legs up to my chest, muttering "I like MC... I'm probably gay... I like MC..." to myself over and over as if in a daze.
In my heart, I know I like MC, because these feelings are the same I felt with my ex...
My suspicions were right and It all makes much more sense now. Despite this, there's a whole new wave of uncertainty that comes over me. I fall onto my side, still keeping myself tucked into a ball.
"Well... Shit.".
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Chapter 11. End
A/N: Oh my GOSH I have waited SO LONG to write this chapter!
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The spaceship's sensors have caught the RFA members meaningless thoughts...
Jaehee: "This is crazy. I'm just going to~~ !)*$ could not retrieve data.
MC: "I'm going to throttle Seven"
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Thank you for reading this chapter of Mystic Radio! If you liked it, make sure to leave a like and subscribe so you know when the next update is! Now, go enjoy some Honey Buddha chips, and I'll see you next chapter! ~Des
