Chapter 5: Yes or no?

• Zeng nearly dropped his bag. Immediately steadying himself, he blinked, not believing whatever just happened.
• Did this boy just propose to him? 'Like' as in a romantic way, right? Right?! Why would he do that? Was this some kind of a joke youngsters these days play around? Was that what was happening here?
• His mouth opened and closed, unable to form coherent words.
• Why would someone have to play a joke like this on him? His usually calm and smiling demeanour was blown away and was replaced instead by panic and confusion. This had to be a joke!
• He gathered up words and refused sternly, "Stop fooling around, kid. Do you even know what that means? I am a man."
• Yul did not waver, "I know that well and I am also a man. But that doesn't stop me from liking you." He took a step forward but maintained the necessary distance between them, "I like you means I like you. Your gender has nothing to do with it." He might sound confident but was all nervous on the inside, his palms becoming sweaty, his heart ready to jump out of his chest at any moment.
• Zeng huffed. He looked away before looking back at Yul, his doe eyes searching for any lie but found none. The sharp black eyes before him were sincere and so was the man confessing to him. The trainee must really like him then. Now that he can't touch the topic about sincerity, he fumbled for words, "I-It has been only a day since you saw me. How can you like me?"
• "It was love at first sight," the police trainee defended himself again. Why didn't anyone believe him?! First Subin and now Zeng!
• Zeng saw a pout across his face. His little chubby cheeks gave him a baby-like appearance who has been denied his favourite chocolate. The intern almost let out a chuckle and put a hand over his mouth to muffle the subsequent emerging laughter. 'Love at first sight. How childish!'
• Controlling himself, he cleared his throat. 'Well, he isn't really my type but he's cute,' thought Zeng. He asked, "What's your name again?"
• Yul saluted out of habit, "Wang Yul, trainee number 852058, Sir!" It came out as a reflex from his two years of training whenever any instructor or official asked him his name. Once realising that he isn't in a training session, he immediately got flustered, "S-Sorry, ah… t-that was a reflex!"
• Zeng had tightly shut up his mouth and pursed his lips to not let out the snort at the back of his throat. He let out a small cough instead, "It's alright." he gave a nod moving on to the next question, "What's your age?"
• This time Yul replied in a gentle voice, "I am nearing 20."
• Zeng rubbed the back of his neck in nervousness, "I am already 26. So a whopping 6 years age gap, huh? Don't you find it uncomfortable?"
• Yul shook his head and answered Zeng's questions with questions, "Why would I? What does age have to do about me liking you? I am not a child for it to be a problem. I am an adult and so are you."
• Zeng tilted his head. This boy had a really simplistic way of thinking; something one cannot find in this complicated world. How Zeng wished everyone was the same! Then he wouldn't have to be in the closet for so long.
• His family knew but he did not dare tell anyone at his workplace dreading how it could affect his career. He worshipped his profession. While some might understand him but not everyone was as open-minded as this guy before him.
• Whatever this trainee had said, h appreciated the thought and gave a nod, "Fair enough."
• Now that all the hesitations of gender and age were resolved, this situation between them had shrunken down to only the two people's opinions and nothing else. Like it ideally should be.
• Zeng observed that this guy was good looking, in fact, very handsome, his eyes sharp and cat-like and though he was a few inches shorter, he had quite an impressive physique. Not actually Zeng's type, to be honest.
• He wouldn't actually mind hanging out with him. He seemed cool.
• But dating was an entirely different matter. He had always been hesitant to date because of something that had happened in his past and that had prevented him from taking any action on the course. He had decided that he was better off alone than again trusting his heart with someone else. Moreover, a total stranger, no matter how cute he was.
• Therefore there was not much to think about it. The decision had already been made in his mind years ago. He just had to repeat it once again, just like every time someone had confessed to liking him and asked him out.
• Yes, that would be better for the both of them. This younger guy must have some other beautiful girl or boy for him and Zeng didn't want to limit it with someone like himself.
• He started, "You are a good person but… um... Yul, I don't accept proposals from strangers. So you are wasting both of our time. Please, go back now." He unlocked the car and went to open the door.
• "Wait!"
• Zeng halted at the change of voice he heard. It was an unsure, pleading voice, different from the confident, monotone one.
• "Can you please think over it again?" He heard Yul plead from the spot. When he looked back, he saw the sincere eyes already beginning to glisten as if pushed any further and he would cry. His cheeks were flushed in a rosy pink tinge now as his eyes were pleading for a chance like his life depended on it.
• He really didn't want this to end in such a way. His brain was muddled with thoughts and emotions but he could say none. However, his eyes could tell the desperation and innocent wish of love.
• "Please," he said again, softly.
• And Zeng felt his heart skip a beat.