A Resolute Heart

Seung-joon felt emotionally drained, and despite his efforts to smile when Min-jun sat beside him, the emptiness in his heart lingered. He sensed Min-jun's worried gaze upon him, a gentle reminder that Min-jun was checking on him. But as the weight of mental exhaustion settled deeper into his soul, all Seung-joon yearned for was to lean against Min-jun, rest his head on his shoulder, and let the world fade away for a while.

Seung-joon had never imagined himself as someone who could fall so deeply in love. But Min-jun had come into his life like a summer breeze—gentle, warm, and unannounced—leaving behind a trace of sweetness that stayed with Seung-joon.

In the short duration of the trip, Seung-joon noticed how easily Min-jun got along with club members. He cracked jokes easily with his naturally funny self, and it was clear that everyone liked him. The girls were particularly fond of him and were always around, eager to help him with any tasks. Seung-joon couldn't help but feel envious as he watched people pull Min-jun's baby cheeks while he laughed with his big, round eyes.

As the last day drew to a close, he couldn't help but observe how Min-jun seemed to gravitate towards him like a magnet. Even amidst the chaos of others vying for his company, Min-jun always found a way to be in his vicinity, as if drawn by an invisible force. 

Seung-joon was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of what to feel. The constant pain in his head only added to his confusion while his heart lay dormant, unable to express any sensation. Amidst all this chaos, his mind couldn't help but wander back to Min-jun, who tirelessly tended to Seung-joon's needs throughout the day. 

Seung-joon had been trying so hard to shake off the gut-wrenching emotions that the nightmare left behind, but every now and then, fleeting moments would wash over him, making it feel as if he were back in that nightmare, blurring the line between reality and the dream world. This left Seung-joon feeling unnerved and disoriented.

The ride back was quiet, both of them wrapped in their own thoughts. But as they neared Seung-joon's hometown, Seung-joon felt a sense of calm wash over him. His heart, heavy until now, started to ease. The familiarity of his surrounding seemed to lift the weight that left him breathless. Seung-joon took a deep breath in and glanced at Min-jun, who was happily sharing his snacks with the others, and a gentle warmth filled Seung-joon's heart. Slowly, his happiness began to return, sparked by the simple sight of Min-jun's carefree smile.

When the bus approached his neighborhood, Seung-joon's eyes instinctively sought out his home—the place where he had been given a second chance at family. As he thought about it, an unexpected feeling crept in. Somehow, it seemed like Min-jun had already become part of that family. Seung-joon couldn't help but recall his adoptive father's face, the warmth in his eyes, and the gentle love he always radiated when looking at Seungjoon. It was a look that had always made Seung-joon feel truly at home.

'Appa, what would you do if you were me?' Seung-joon wondered, the question echoing softly in his mind. As if in response, his heart stirred as though it had already found the answer he had been searching for.

"Home," Seung-joon said softly, pointing toward his house. As he glanced at Min-jun, he caught a glimpse of something warm—a happy spark lighting up in Min-jun's eyes.

'That's right. Even if I'm not there in your future, I can't deny you the happiness you feel now—it's not my right to take it away.'

Seeing the sadness on Min-jun's face as he got ready to leave, Seung-joon gently took his hand, acting as though he needed the support to stand. Yet, in his heart, he wished he could hold onto Min-jun's hand for much longer—for as long as he could.

When he got down, Tae-jon and Tae-min stood there, waiting to take him home. Seung-joon could feel his resolute heart again; the numbness was fading away. He turned and waved at Min-jun, who stood there watching him with a look of longing that tugged at Seung-joon's heart.

'I'll see you tomorrow, Han-ah. Wait for me.'

Seung-joon watched the bus fade from sight as it rounded the corner. He walked with his brothers, replying to their questions without much thought. His mind was still on Min-jun, the person who had managed to stir his heart with newfound emotions.