As they made their way back home, Min-jun took the seat next to Seung-joon without hesitation. Any concern over what others might think had long since faded, replaced by a gnawing worry that refused to leave him. The memory of the previous night gripped him tightly, and though he was desperate to talk about it, he had already made the choice to remain silent. Seung-joon showed no signs of remembering the nightmare, and Min-jun wasn't sure how to approach the topic—or if he should at all.
***
As the morning sun crept through the curtains, Min-jun noticed how pale Seung-joon looked. The brightness of the day contrasted sharply with Seung-joon's tired face, and a sense of helplessness gripped Min-jun's chest. Min-jun gently suggested that Seung-joon take some medicine, masking his deep concern with a calm voice. He explained it was likely exhaustion from their chilly walk the previous evening. Seung-joon, however, shook his head with a faint smile, insisting he didn't need it. Though Min-jun tried to respect his wishes, he couldn't ignore the growing concern gnawing at him, leaving him anxious and restless, unable to shake the fear that Seung-joon was hiding more than just physical fatigue.
"Joon-ah, drink this," Minjun murmured softly, handing Seung-joon a steaming cup while gently taking the files from his hands.
"Hyung, go and play with the others. I can finish this on my own," Seung-joon protested softly, trying to take the files back.
Min-jun shook his head. "It's fine. I'll stay with you. I'm not up for playing right now." As they walked side by side, Seung-joon took small sips from the drink, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. Min-jun's worry deepened as he noticed the color drained from Seung-joon's face, the fragility making him more anxious with each passing second.
'He shouldn't be out here in this weather,' Min-jun thought with growing unease. After setting the files on the table, he swiftly removed his jacket and gently draped it over Seung-joon's shoulders as they walked back to the beach to collect the remaining items.
"Hyung, I'm not cold," Seung-joon said, trying to return the jacket, but Min-jun forced him to keep it.
"It's still chilly. Just keep it."
"What about you then?"
"I don't get cold easily."
In the end, Seung-joon allowed Min-jun to fuss over him, sensing the sincerity in Min-jun's concern. Throughout the day, Min-jun found every opportunity to remain by Seung-joon's side, offering help with his club duties and subtly easing the burden from his shoulders.
As they settled into their seats on the bus, Min-jun's gaze frequently drifted toward Seung-joon, his concern barely hidden. He was relieved to notice the subtle color returning to Seung-joon's cheeks, a sign that he was starting to recover. Min-jun's heart ached as he covertly observed Seungjoon's small face and slender hands, aching to hold them again. The memory of how fragile and warm Seung-joon's hand had felt the night before lingered in his mind, intensifying his silent longing.
At first, Min-jun saw being close to Seung-joon as a rare blessing, a chance to cherish his presence. But now, it felt like a curse. The intimate knowledge of Seung-joon's warmth, the softness of his touch, his comforting scent, and his fragile demeanor only deepened Min-jun's anguish. Each detail that once brought him joy now felt like a painful reminder of the bittersweet distance between them.
In the face of his deep, genuine desire to care for Seung-joon, Min-jun thought that his previous feelings had been nothing more than a shallow infatuation.
"Is this what they mean by fate?" Min-jun wondered, thinking about how one touch had changed everything. He remembered their first meeting, the way Seung-joon's touch had reached deep into his soul, connecting in a way he hadn't anticipated. Throughout the trip, every brush of Seung-joon's hand seemed to reshape his entire existence.
'There's no way back. I'll have to walk this path whether I like it or not.' Min-jun looked at Seungjoon from the corner of his eye again.
'Joon-ah, where will you choose to go?'
"Home." Seungjoon's sudden exclamation nearly gave Min-jun a heart attack.
As Seung-joon pointed towards a mountain in the distance, Min-jun glanced out the window. "Hyung, do you see that pale blue house? That's my home," Seung-joon said, his tone gentle and reflective. Min-jun's eyes widened as he realized Seung-joon's house was just around the corner from his gym, a surprising twist that left him momentarily speechless.
"I'm getting off at the next stop. Are you heading back to school, hyung?" Seung-joon asked, preparing to grab his backpack. Min-jun was caught off guard, his thoughts momentarily scrambled. Min-jun took a moment to process Seung-joon's words, his heart sinking slightly. He had unconsciously expected Seung-joon to be with him all the way back to school, and the realization that their time together was ending so soon left him feeling unexpectedly forlorn.
"What...? Oh, yes... I'm heading back to school," Min-jun murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Seung-joon's gaze locked with his, and Min-jun felt his heart skip a beat. The sunlight, catching Seung-joon's eyes at just the right angle, made them gleam a mesmerizing shade of blue. Min-jun was momentarily lost in those depths, feeling as if he were drifting in a vast, serene ocean. The world seemed to dissolve around them, leaving just the two of them in a suspended moment. But reality came crashing back when Seung-joon stood up, and Min-jun instinctively made space. Seung-joon's light touch on Min-jun's hand as he steadied himself sent a jolt through Min-jun's heart. Seung-joon exited the bus with a final wave, leaving Min-jun with a lingering bittersweet feeling.
Min-jun noticed two people standing by the bus stop. Min-jun recognized Seung-joon's school friend instantly, but the other figure kept his back to the bus. Seung-joon waved at Min-jun as he was stepping off, and at that same moment, the second person turned and looked directly at Min-jun. Min-jun's breath caught in his throat, his heart stuttering with surprise. The face staring back at him was a perfect reflection of Seung-joon's friend. It took him a few moments to piece it together, a dawning realization—twins.
'What in the world... Hwang twins!!! Taejon and Taemin."