Min-jun hurried down the bustling 11th-grade corridor towards his classroom, casting a fleeting glance at Seung-joon as he passed his class. The pressure of the upcoming final exams had consumed his days, leaving him buried in textbooks and notes. His nights were haunted by vivid dreams of test questions and exam scenarios, each one more unsettling than the last. Every spare moment was dedicated to relentless practice and review, with the weight of the exams pressing heavily on his shoulders. Yet, amidst the chaos, Min-jun's longing to see Seung-joon remained a constant, unwavering presence in his heart.
Despite his deep yearning to see Seung-joon, the effort it demanded had become nearly impossible. Min-jun found himself feeling like a soldier lost in a hostile battlefield, his every move fraught with tension. He pressed himself against the wall, heart racing, as the twins and Seung-joon passed by just on the other side of the door. Each time he thought he had devised a perfect plan, the twins seemed to materialize out of nowhere, thwarting his attempts to reach Seung-joon. The frustration of being so close yet so out of reach gnawed at him.
Initially, Min-jun had contemplated confronting the twins, his frustration boiling over as he imagined confronting them head-on. Yet, after weighing his options, he realized that any form of confrontation would likely worsen the situation. His foremost concern was Seung-joon's comfort and relationships; provoking the twins could lead to unnecessary strain and conflict. Min-jun had decided to set aside his frustrations and accept the situation, recognizing that keeping the peace was essential. As he reflected on the incident between him and the twins, he felt a deep sense of relief that their fight had gone unnoticed by others. Even in a relatively secure school environment, the risk of gossip was ever-present. For now, Min-jun had to reconcile with watching Seung-joon from a distance, knowing that this was the price of keeping the peace.
Seung-joon picked up on Min-jun's silent struggle and sent him quick, knowing glances whenever the twins were momentarily distracted. Each time their eyes met, Min-jun felt his heart skip a beat, and his breath catch in his throat. With every stolen glance, Min-jun found himself falling deeper for Seung-joon. The intensity of these fleeting moments only deepened his feelings for Seung-joon, making him more attuned to the three brothers' strange and intricate behavior, adding another layer of complexity to his already stormy emotions.
The trio remained an enigma to Min-jun. Seung-joon, standing at a mere five feet, looked like a tiny, charming mouse beside the imposing six-foot twins. The twins, aloof and distant, kept others at a wary distance. Only a brave few ventured to approach them, and even then, it was out of necessity rather than choice. Most people simply allowed them to drift through life in their own secluded bubble, untouched and unbothered.
Min-jun marveled at how Seung-joon managed to be a beacon of warmth amidst the mysterious twins. As he shadowed them, hoping for a moment alone with Seung-joon, he was astonished to uncover a hidden layer to the twins' personalities. Behind their aloof exterior, they concealed a side completely unknown to others, adding another dimension to the mystery surrounding them.
The first time Min-jun witnessed the three of them alone, he could scarcely believe his eyes. The empty auditorium came alive with their infectious laughter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Min-jun finally understood why the twins were dubbed "handsome devils." It wasn't their aloof demeanor that earned them the name but the enchanting way they looked when they laughed and smiled, revealing a radiant side that captivated anyone who witnessed it.
But what shocked Min-jun most was not their laughter but the way the twins interacted with Seung-joon. One of them was softly running his fingers through Seung-joon's hair, while the other had an arm casually thrown around his shoulders. Seung-joon's smile was so wide it revealed dimples Minjun had never noticed before.
'Why haven't you ever smiled at me like that?' A sharp sting of jealousy coursed through Min-jun's chest as he watched the twins pinch Seung-joon's cheeks with playful affection. With a heavy sigh, he continued to observe them from his hidden spot, silently yearning for the connection he couldn't reach.
'If they make him that happy, maybe it's better if I stay away from him.' Min-jun thought somberly, his gaze never leaving Seung-joon's face. There was something magnetic about the way the light danced across Seung-joon's features, how his lips moved so delicately when he spoke, and the quiet, unfathomable depth in his eyes. Every detail fascinated Min-jun, drawing him in despite his resolve.
'But I only have a few weeks left.' he sighed heavily, the weight of time pressing on him like a silent countdown.
'Joon-ah, please bear with me. I won't cause trouble for you.' he silently promised, swallowing the ache in his chest.
With a final glance at Seung-joon, Min-jun turned and quietly slipped out of the auditorium, leaving no trace of his presence behind as if he had never been there at all.
***
Day by day, Min-jun became more adept at pulling Seung-joon aside without the twins noticing. His eyes would constantly scan the surroundings, seeking the perfect opening to create fleeting moments of solitude with Seung-joon. The rush he felt each time they managed to slip away was undeniable, a quiet satisfaction in knowing he could still have those small, precious moments with him. This stolen time with Seung-joon, though fleeting, meant everything to him. Those brief moments became the highlight of his days, the only thing that made him feel whole.
"Hyung, what are you doing back here?" Seung-joon asked in wonder, his voice soft as Min-jun grabbed his hand and swiftly pulled him behind the theater curtains. Min-jun, eyes intense and focused, quickly covered Seung-joon's mouth with his hand, silently urging him to keep quiet. When Seung-joon calmed down and fell silent, Min-jun slowly removed his hand. He gently took Seung-joon's hand and placed a small item in his palm, his fingers lingering for a moment. Seung-joon recognized it instantly—it was from the wolf and fox keychain set they had seen at the souvenir shop of the beach resort.
"They said that they are talismans and that they keep nightmares away," Min-jun murmured softly, his voice almost a whisper as he gently caressed Seung-joon's head. The simple touch sent a wave of warmth through him, making him lost in the moment. When Seung-joon checked the chain and smiled sweetly at him, Min-jun's heart fluttered, a quiet joy spreading through his chest. The thing that reassured him most was Seung-joon's lack of judgment; he never questioned his actions or looked at him with any hint of confusion or doubt. Seung-joon's acceptance of these stolen moments, without needing an explanation, filled Min-jun with a sense of comfort and peace he had come to cherish.
"Thank you, hyung. And please, don't mind my brothers."
Min-jun offered a sad smile, his heart aching with a mix of emotions. "No, it's alright. I think I would behave the same if I had a brother like you," he said, though his words felt like a bittersweet consolation, not entirely true to his feelings. Deep down, Minjun felt the twins' protectiveness was excessive. Despite his appearance, which made him seem younger, almost like a middle schooler, Seung-joon was a high school student, soon to graduate. Min-jun's hands trembled with the urge to touch Seung-joon's pale cheek. Instead, he forced himself only to caress Seung-joon's hair.
"Now go before they find us here. I want to live a little longer."
"Oh, did Tae-min hyung say he would bury you alive?"
Min-jun was surprised.
"How did you know?"
"He just loves that line," Seung-joon said, suppressing a laugh. Min-jun couldn't help but smile, looking at Seung-joon's sweet smile.
"Go. They must be looking for you."
As Seung-joon walked away in silence, Min-jun's gaze lingered on him, unable to pull away. Each step Seung-joon took made Min-jun feel as if a piece of his heart was departing with him, leaving a growing emptiness behind. Min-jun's heart ached with the understanding that the final exams were only three weeks away, and with them, the fleeting moments he cherished with Seung-joon would soon turn into mere memories.