Ch 7

Everywhere Haein goes, people are talking about the movie. He can't escape the constant onslaught of praise and attention. But for once, he doesn't feel overwhelmed or suffocated by the attention. Instead, he feels a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Minho eventually went back in contact with him, checking in and making sure he's okay. They've been talking more often, their conversations ranging from movie-related topics to more personal ones. Haein finds himself opening up to Minho in a way he never thought possible. But as the movie's popularity continues to grow, so does the pressure on Haein's shoulders. His dad is constantly demanding that he take on more roles and that he perform better than ever before. Haein is feeling burnt out and stressed, and he knows that he can't keep up this pace much longer. It got to a point where Haein couldnt handle it anymore. He didnt want to be alive anymore. Which was weird. Since he's always been a bright boy. Even with his dad always being an asshole. Haein sits alone in his room, feeling numb and empty. The constant pressure from his dad has become unbearable, and he feels like he's drowning in a sea of impossible expectations.

He tries to ignore the dark thoughts swirling in his mind, but they're becoming harder and harder to ignore. He's always been a sunny and optimistic person, but lately, the darkness is starting to creep in. He looks at himself in the mirror, studying his reflection. He sees a young, boyish face staring back at him. He's supposed to be in his prime, enjoying life and pursuing his dreams. But all he feels is trapped and miserable.

Haein thinks about his future, and all he sees is more of the same: constant pressure, constant scrutiny, and constant disappointment. He wonders if things will ever get better. He questions if he'll ever be free from his dad's grip and if he'll ever be able to live the life he wants. But deep down, he knows the answer. The cycle will continue, and he'll be forced to play the part of the perfect actor for the rest of his life. Suddenly, Haein's phone buzzes with a message. It's from Minho, checking in on him. Haein hesitates before opening the message, feeling a mixture of guilt and longing. He doesn't want to pour all his problems onto Minho, but he also can't deny the comfort he gets from talking to him. He reads the message, feeling a wave of warmth wash over him. Minho is so genuine and caring, and Haein feels like he can tell him anything. He types out a response, trying to keep his tone cheerful and casual, but he knows he's not fooling Minho. Minho calls immediately, sensing something is off. Haein contemplates not answering, pretending everything is fine. But he can't bring himself to ignore Minho. He takes a deep breath and picks up the phone. "Hello minho..." Haein says sounding like he's longing for something or someone. "Hey," Minho says, his voice gentle and concerned. "Is everything okay?"

Haein is silent for a moment, not knowing how to respond. "Yeah," he finally says, but his voice cracks, betraying the lie.

Minho is silent for a beat, and even through the phone, Haein can feel his worried gaze. "Are you sure?" he asks softly. "You don't sound okay." Haein sighs, feeling the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. "I'm just tired," he says, finally succumbing to the truth. "I'm so fucking tired, Minho." There's a pause on the other end of the line, and Haein can practically hear the gears turning in Minho's mind. He knows that Minho can sense that there's more to it than just exhaustion. "You know you can talk to me, right?" Minho says quietly. "I'm here for you, no matter what." Those words hit Haein hard, and he feels a lump forming in his throat. He's not used to people caring about him like this. His dad has always been cold and critical, never showing any signs of affection. But Minho's genuine concern feels like a warm embrace, and for a moment, it makes him want to break down and let it all out. "I just feel like I can't take it anymore," Haein blurts out, tears welling up in his eyes. "The pressure, the expectations, it's too much. I feel like I'm drowning." There's a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. "Oh, Haein…" Minho's voice is almost a whisper, full of compassion and worry. "You don't have to go through this alone. You don't have to shoulder all the pressure by yourself."