A Lost Life

The sharp sound of the phone ringing sliced through the serene silence of the bedroom. Seung-joon's eyes widened in surprise as he glanced at the caller ID and recognized the number. A rush of excitement coursed through his veins, making his heart race. With a sudden burst of energy, he leaped out of bed, anticipation bubbling within him as he hurried to answer the call.

"Hello?"

***

Seung-joon had been avoiding Min-jun for days and weeks. He couldn't bear to confront the reality that Min-jun would soon be gone, and seeing him would only deepen the ache in his heart. He had secretly watched Min-jun as he searched for Seung-joon all over the school, looking desperate and anxious.

If Seung-joon were to face Min-jun at this moment, he knew he wouldn't be able to hide his emotions any longer. The painful truth hung in the air between them: their paths were diverging, and they would soon go their separate ways. Seung-joon could sense this inevitability in the fleeting glances Min-jun cast his way, filled with unspoken understanding.

Though the thought of being separated threatened to shatter their souls, Seung-joon knew it was the only choice they had left.

As the elections drew near, reporters relentlessly sought to approach Min-jun, their cameras and notepads always at the ready. Chang-min took on a crucial role, acting as a shield, fending them off and ensuring Min-jun's safety at every turn. Being with Min-jun meant drawing the media's attention, who were eager to unearth every small detail about his life. Despite the school's policies designed to protect students from interactions with reporters, they persisted, lurking around the school, hoping to catch even the slightest snippet of information.

With each passing week, Seung-joon's impatience and restlessness became increasingly apparent. He trailed silently behind his brothers, desperate to distract himself from the thoughts of Min-jun. Although the twins sensed a change in their brother's demeanor, they chose not to press him for answers. Instead, they devoted themselves to being present, filling their time with activities that kept Seung-joon occupied and pulled him away from his worries, trying to lighten the weight that seemed to hang over him.

One day, Seung-joon found himself in the gym, his gaze drifting over his brothers as they worked out, their movements seamless and focused. He didn't pay much attention at first, but something began to stir deep within him. Involuntarily, he approached Tae-min.

"Hyung, can't I learn to work out?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. The twins exchanged a quick glance, surprise flickering in their eyes.

"You can," Tae-min replied, a hint of encouragement in his tone. "Tae-jon will show you how to warm up, and I'll teach you how to use the machines. But not today. You can't work out in those clothes. Let's grab some proper gear on the way back."

Tae-min patted Seung-joon's shoulder, and a wave of gratitude washed over him for his brothers. He knew they had always stood by him through thick and thin; he couldn't imagine life without them. The thought of losing them felt like a true nightmare. The twins were beautiful people, inside and out. Seung-joon watched them with misty eyes, overwhelmed by emotion.

'Where would I be without you guys?' he thought silently as he turned to head toward the lounge for some hot drinks. He halted abruptly when he spotted Chang-min entering the gym. Glancing back at his brothers, he saw them working out with unwavering focus. Making a quick decision, he hurried toward Chang-min, determination fueling his steps.

"Chang-min sunbae, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Chang-min glanced inside the gym over Seung-joon's head.

"Yes," he replied, turning toward the lounge.

He paused in a corner where he could see the twins, then turned his gaze back to Seung-joon, an enigmatic emotion flickering in his eyes. Gathering his courage, Seung-joon took a deep breath.

"Sunbae, can I have your phone?" he asked quietly.

Chang-min held his phone out silently, still studying Seung-joon's face. With trembling hands, Seung-joon took it and typed in his number.

"Sunbae, if ever Jun-hyung asks for my number, please give it to him," Seungjoon murmured as he returned the phone, avoiding eye contact.

"Look at me." Chang-min's deep voice broke through the silence.

Seung-joon met his gaze, fighting to hold back his tears. Chang-min studied his face for a brief moment before pulling him into a warm hug. As Seung-joon felt the warmth envelop him, tears streamed down his cheeks. Chang-min held him tightly until the shaking subsided.

Slowly, Seung-joon pulled away, surprised to see a side of Chang-min that was so passionate and affectionate.

"Kid, don't hold yourself back too much. You'd be doing more injustice to yourself than to others. Choose your path, and don't listen to the noise around you. If it's good for you, that's all that matters. No one knows what you're truly capable of—don't let others decide it for you." Chang-min said, tousling Seung-joon's bangs before leaving.

Seung-joon felt rooted to the floor, his eyes wide as he watched Chang-min stride into the gym. There was something about Chang-min's strong demeanor that rekindled a spark of courage within him.

'There are truly amazing people in this world,' Seung-joon thought, a sense of awe washing over him. He couldn't quite understand how Chang-min had sensed his deep urge to cry. Involuntarily, Seung-joon bowed his head in the direction of Chang-min, feeling a sense of hope. He knew he had found an idol, a guiding light who would help him navigate through his tangled feelings and lost life.

Min-jun's voice pulled Seung-joon back to reality, soft and sweet as it came through the phone. There was a hint of sadness in his tone that tugged at Seung-joon's heart.

"Joon-ah… It's me. Can you come down?"

"Okay, hyung."

As Seung-joon descended the stairs, his mind swirled with thoughts. He had skipped a whole week of school, his body weakened by a fever—a fever that stemmed from his overwhelming depression. The thought of attending Min-jun's graduation filled him with dread; he feared he would only bring chaos to what should be a joyful occasion.

'How did you become this weak, fool?' he silently berated himself. Seung-joon spotted Chang-min's car parked at the corner of the street, shrouded in shadow. As Min-jun approached him slowly, Seung-joon observed every detail, his heart racing so intensely that he could hear it pounding in his ears. Anxiety gripped him; he felt as though he might collapse if he moved even an inch away from the wall that offered him support.

Seung-joon watched Min-jun's face as he drew closer, his heart dropping when he noticed the bandage on Min-jun's head. Confusion washed over him; he wondered what had happened to Min-jun. The haggard look on his face made something catch in Seung-joon's throat.

Min-jun stopped in front of him, shielding him from the drizzle. He studied Seung-joon's face for a moment, then closed his eyes. His voice trembled as he spoke.

"Joon-ah… Let me kiss you once… just once..."

Seung-joon gazed up at Min-jun's handsome face, shifting his attention from the tears streaming down his cheeks to his pink lips. Suddenly, a thunderous rush roared inside Seung-joon's head, and he leaned in, pressing his lips against Min-jun's. Heart racing, he bolted back to his house, slamming the door behind him before collapsing onto the floor, unconscious.