Sunbae - means senior
Hyung - a word used by Korean males to address their older brothers and other older males whom they are close to
CSAT - Standardized test used for admissions by Universities and Colleges in South Korea
***
With each slow-passing day, Min-jun gradually came to terms with his emotions, skillfully concealing them behind a mask of composure. The constant presence of Chang-min and Han-bin at school was his solace, offering him a sense of relief amid the turmoil. Their companionship kept him from drowning in solitude, giving him the strength to endure his silent battle for sanity.
Min-jun occasionally dropped by Seung-joon's class, and he discreetly observed Seung-joon while he chatted with others. Min-jun realized that Seung-joon rarely left his seat and spoke only to the boy beside him. They seemed to stick together, unnoticed by others. On the other hand, the hectic schedule of the school left little room for curiosity, which was likely why so few knew much about Seung-joon.
School A* was a prestigious institution where only the most exceptional students were admitted, and Seung-joon was its undisputed top performer, always leading in every subject. Min-jun took quiet pride in him, and as time passed, he found himself admiring Seung-joon more, particularly his willingness to help others. Seung-joon never refused anyone, whether it was help with studies or any other need. With a calm, unhurried grace, he moved from one task to the next, and time seemed to slow whenever Min-jun watched him. In those moments, Min-jun found his feelings soothing and accepted them, no longer struggling to hide them from himself.
There were times when Min-jun would find himself crying uncontrollably in the privacy of his room, but he let the tears fall as they came. This release made it easier for him to smile truthfully when he was with his family without needing to fake happiness. His home had become like an invisible prison, trapping his emotions. But over time, he learned to free his soul, letting it drift through the complex feelings Seung-joon awakened. The mix of sweetness and sorrow kept his longing heart alive.
At school, Min-jun allowed his gaze to wander until they settled on Seung-joon. Having familiarized himself with Seung-joon's class routine and activities, he was surprised to find out that Seung-joon was a member of the art club. Min-jun quickly joined the club but soon discovered that Seung-joon took his prop preparation duties home almost always and was rarely seen at the club. Despite this, Min-jun found a strange contentment in being part of the club.
One day, Min-jun found himself in a predicament when Seung-joon joined the art club's annual trip. Min-jun couldn't stop himself from grinning like an idiot as he observed the casually dressed Seung-joon from afar. However, it gradually struck him that they would be spending a lot of time in close vicinity during the trip.
"Argh.... No... No... No... This can't be happening... I should cancel the trip... I'll say I'm too sick to go." In a second, he was pulling his hair while mumbling to himself. But the next second, he was hugging the pillar beside him, looking at Seungjoon with longing eyes.
"But I don't want to... Ahhhh... He is so cute... Why is he so cute?" Min-jun complained to Chang-min, who was quietly reveling in Min-jun's turmoil. Chang-min's eyes drifted to Seung-joon, standing beside the school bus, helping club members with rechecking items they were taking with them. Seung-joon did look charming, with his gold-rimmed glasses and a sunflower-yellow pullover over a white shirt and trousers. Yet, Chang-min chose to tease Min-jun a bit.
"He looks very plain to me. You should check your eyes."
Min-jun, feeling perplexed, looked from Chang-min to Seung-joon, then sighed and settled on the staircase leading down from the main hall. He waited there until everyone else had boarded the bus. When he finally made his way to the bus, he kept his head down and took the first empty seat he came across. With his headphones on and eyes closed, the bus's gentle motion and the rhythm of the music soon lulled him into sleep. He awoke to a soft tap on his arm and, as he opened his eyes, found Seung-joon sitting next to him, speaking to him.
"Sunbae, we are almost there."
It took Min-jun a few moments to gather himself; his heart seemed ready to leap from his chest. He managed to control his emotions and smile at Seung-joon, though the excitement and anxiety almost overwhelmed him. Min-jun was unclear on how he had made it from the bus to his room. After a quick shower, he went out for a walk to clear his head. He walked along the beach for a long time until his anxiety subsided. Feeling exhausted, he sat on the sand and watched the sunset. The salty breeze calmed his nerves, but the blue expanse of the ocean kept reminding him of Seung-joon. He looked back towards the resort and saw Seung-joon's silhouette by the bonfire.
Min-jun's mind drifted back to wonder what it was about Seung-joon that held such a powerful grip on his heart and whether he would ever be able to move on. With only a few months left until graduation and the looming CSAT exams, the thought of parting from Seung-joon was a constant, painful ache in his chest. Every moment spent together felt like a precious thread woven into the fabric of his life, and the idea of unraveling that thread filled him with a deep, hollow sense of dread. Though he knew that separation was inevitable, a part of him clung desperately to the hope that time might stretch, offering him more fleeting moments to cherish. Min-jun wished with all his heart that his remaining days in high school would crawl by slowly, allowing him to savor every last second spent with Seung-joon before they both ventured on separate paths.
Min-jun's thoughts were abruptly pulled back to the present when a junior arrived to escort him to dinner. As he sat across from Seung-joon, the reflection of the flickering bonfire in Seung-joon's eyes seemed to pull at his heartstrings, each flicker intensifying the bittersweet feelings that were already simmering within him. The night seemed to slip away too swiftly, and Min-jun returned to his room enveloped in a deep sense of sadness. Seung-joon's early departure left him with an ache of longing, wishing he could have caught one last, fleeting glimpse of him. As Min-jun removed his jacket, he was caught off guard by Seung-joon's voice. To his utter shock, Seung-joon stood next to his bed, his gaze filled with an apologetic warmth that tugged at Min-jun's heart.
"Min-jun sunbae, there were not enough rooms for everyone. So, the teacher put me in yours because you have a double bed. But if you don't like sleeping in the same bed, I can sleep on the floor."
Min-jun turned towards Seung-joon with a pounding heart. It took him a minute to gather himself and reply,
"No. It's okay. I don't mind sharing. It's too cold to sleep on the floor. You can choose a side." Min-jun looked around confusedly for a second and darted towards the bathroom, grabbing his nightclothes hurriedly. He mumbled as he went in, "I'll take a shower first."
Min-jun closed the bathroom door behind him with a trembling hand. The intense heat of his emotions felt like a raging inferno, and he craved the respite of the icy shower. As the cold water cascaded over him, he closed his eyes, trying to drown out the turmoil within. The shock of the freezing water against his skin was both exhilarating and numbing, a brief but welcome distraction from the chaos of his thoughts.
Shivering uncontrollably, Min-jun emerged from the shower, his body still radiating heat despite the cold water. He sat down on the bed, careful to avoid looking at Seung-joon, who was seated on the opposite side, absorbed in his phone. The tremors that ran through Min-jun's body were so intense that he could hear his teeth chattering. Desperately, he attempted to dry his hair, but his trembling hands made the task nearly impossible. The sudden intake of breath from Seungjoon startled Min-jun, making him flinch.
"Sunbae, don't tell me you took a cold shower in this weather?"
His voice wavered between concern and reprimand. Min-jun, too engulfed in his shivering to respond, shot an embarrassed glance at Seung-joon. Seung-joon swiftly took the towel from Min-jun's unsteady hands and started drying his hair with determined efficiency. Min-jun, caught off guard by Seung-joon's unexpected and tender care, sat frozen on the spot while Seung-joon's scolding continued.
"Are you really crazy? Were you trying to kill yourself? You should have jumped into the ocean, then. It would have been better....."
The relentless stream of accusations from Seung-joon began to ease Min-jun's anxiety, bringing an unexpected smile to his face. With each sharp word, he felt his tension gradually dissipate. Min-jun marveled at how Seung-joon, who he had always perceived as quiet and reserved, could display such a fierce and passionate side. It was a striking contrast to the timid image Min-jun had held of him. In an odd twist, Seung-joon's fiery outburst reminded Min-jun of his mother's reprimands, and he found himself laughing heartily. Seung-joon's reaction was a blend of surprise and irritation, his eyes widening in a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.
Min-jun spoke through chattering teeth.
"I'm sorry. You sounded like my mum."
A small, shy smile appeared in the corner of Seung-joon's mouth. He cleared his throat and spoke apologetically.
"I'm sorry, sunbae. I was really surprised. You know you could get seriously ill, right? Let me go and grab you a hot drink."
Min-jun caught Seung-joon's arm as he turned to go.
"It's okay. I'll be alright once I'm inside the sheets. Get some rest. You worked a lot today."
Min-jun spoke tenderly as he released Seung-joon's arm, silently wishing he could hold onto it just a moment longer. Seung-joon hesitated for a few seconds, his expression reflecting uncertainty before he picked up Min-jun's jacket from the chair and insisted on helping him put it on over his t-shirt. Min-jun watched Seung-joon with a mixture of admiration and affection as he turned off the lights and settled into bed. As Min-jun closed his eyes, he focused on calming down the shivering, hoping not to disturb Seung-joon.
Suddenly, Min-jun felt Seung-joon's arms wrap around his waist in a tight embrace. The warmth of Seung-joon's body pressed against him made Min-jun's heart race, and a flush of heat spread across his face and ears. He silently thanked the darkness that cloaked them, which hid the redness creeping up his cheeks. Min-jun attempted to pull away, but Seung-joon's grip was unyielding, holding him close with an intensity that left Min-jun feeling both overwhelmed and comforted.
"Sunbae, you might feel uncomfortable or even embarrassed, but bear it for a while. Otherwise, you'll get seriously ill." Min-jun stopped resisting when Seung-joon's tender, quiet voice reached his ears. He felt the warmth of Seung-joon's body envelop him, bringing a comforting heat. Clearing his throat, Min-jun spoke in a whisper.
"Kim Seung-joon, can I ask you for a favor?"
"What is it, sunbae?"
"Can you call me hyung?" Min-jun asked with a pounding heart and waited for Seung-joon's answer.
There were a few seconds of silence, and then Seung-joon replied. Min-jun held his breath and let it go quietly when he heard his reply.
"Okay, hyung."
The night unfolded slowly, wrapped in an almost palpable silence. The only sounds were the far-off whispers of the ocean and the soothing rhythm of Seung-joon's breath. Min-jun tenderly pressed a kiss to the top of Seung-joon's head, allowing his tears to fall unheeded as he drifted off to sleep beside him.