Chapter 12: Jealous part 1

The following week passed in a haze of activity and laughter, solidifying Jihoon and Seungmin's friendship with new memories. They spent time together often—hitting the arcade, studying at their favourite café, and sharing late-night conversations filled with dreams and ambitions. Yet, as Jihoon revelled in the warmth of their renewed bond, an unexpected feeling began to bubble beneath the surface: jealousy.

It started innocuously enough. Seungmin had mentioned a new girl in their class, a vibrant personality who seemed to captivate everyone's attention, including Jihoon's. Her name was Yuna, and she had a laughter that echoed like music through the hallways. Jihoon noticed Seungmin's frequent smiles whenever Yuna was around, his eyes lighting up with a kind of brightness that made something twist inside Jihoon.

"Did you see her presentation yesterday? She nailed it!" Seungmin exclaimed one day as they walked back from school.

"Yeah, she was good," Jihoon replied, trying to keep his tone casual, although his chest felt tight. He knew he had no reason to feel this way, but the warmth in Seungmin's voice ignited an uncomfortable flame of possessiveness.

"Want to join us for lunch next week? I think Yuna's planning to sit with us," Seungmin said, oblivious to the storm brewing within Jihoon.

"Sure," Jihoon replied, forcing a smile. "Sounds fun."

The days leading up to that lunch felt like walking through molasses. Jihoon concentrated on his schoolwork, pretending to be unaffected, yet every mention of Yuna from Seungmin felt like a dagger twisting deeper within him. He tried to focus on their usual banter, but his mind kept wandering to thoughts of his friend and the new girl, imagining the two of them sharing laughter and stories that Jihoon had cherished.

When the day of lunch arrived, Jihoon felt a knot of tension in his stomach as he approached the cafeteria. Seungmin was already at the table, animatedly chatting with Yuna, her bright smile dazzling in the overhead fluorescent lights. As Jihoon approached, he caught snippets of their conversation, laughter spilling forth like an enticing melody. For a brief moment, he hesitated, watching them from a distance.

Yuna was charming, with her flowing hair and infectious energy. Jihoon could see where the allure lay; she made everyone feel included, drawing people effortlessly. But as Jihoon took the final steps to their table, he couldn't shake the feeling that their friendship may change in ways he wasn't ready for.

"Hey! Jihoon, come sit!" Seungmin called out, his face lighting up upon seeing him. The warmth in his friend's voice cut through Jihoon's dark thoughts for a moment.

"Hey, guys!" Jihoon replied, forcing as much cheer into his tone as he could muster. He settled into a seat across from Seungmin, trying to shake off the envy creeping in.

"This is Yuna," Seungmin said with enthusiasm. "We were just talking about our favourite games! You have to join in on this debate."

"Hi, Jihoon! It's great to meet you!" Yuna beamed, her smile genuine and welcoming.

"Yeah, you too," Jihoon replied, trying to mask his discomfort. As the conversation flowed, Jihoon watched Seungmin's eyes sparkle with excitement, and it made his heart sink further.

"Did you guys ever play 'Galactic Quest'?" Yuna asked, her eyes twinkling as she leaned forward. Seungmin nodded eagerly, his whole demeanour animated as he began sharing his experiences.

As they chatted, Jihoon found himself pulling back, feeling like an outsider in a conversation that felt so intimate. His attempts to contribute felt overshadowed by the joy radiating from the duo. Laughter bubbled between them, and Jihoon couldn't help but notice how effortlessly they connected. Seungmin's eyes sparkled brighter as he engaged with Yuna, and each laugh felt like a silent reminder that he was losing something precious.

After a while, Seungmin turned to Jihoon, "Come on, you've got to share something! What do you think of the game?"

Trying to reclaim his spot in the conversation, Jihoon forced out an answer. "It's a good game, I guess. I mean, it's fun." He felt his voice falter slightly. "But it's not my favourite."

The moment Jihoon spoke, he regretted it. The simmering envy was bubbling over now, and even as he glanced at Seungmin's expectant expression, he felt small and inadequate. Why was it so hard to just enjoy the moment without feeling like he was in competition with someone so radiant?

"Really? What's your favourite game?" Yuna asked, genuinely curious, her attention now fully on Jihoon.

"Um…" Jihoon stammered, grasping for words that felt slippery on his tongue. "I really like 'Rogue Adventures.' I think the storyline is better."

"Nice! I've never played that one," Yuna responded, genuine interest in her eyes. "Maybe you can show me sometime?"

The spark of connection between them seemed electrifying, and Jihoon's stomach twisted more painfully. Seungmin shot him a brief glance, a knowing look that whispered of their friendship, yet somehow felt inadequate against the backdrop of Yuna's charm.

As lunch continued, Jihoon found it increasingly difficult to push aside his jealous thoughts. Every time Seungmin laughed a little too hard at something Yuna said, Jihoon felt his heart tighten. This wasn't just about a girl; it was about feeling like he was losing his place in Seungmin's life. A place he thought was secure.

After they finished eating, Jihoon excused himself to the restroom, desperate for a moment of solitude. He leaned against the cool tiles, taking deep breaths as he tried to quell the whirlwind of emotions. Why was this happening? He had no right to feel possessive over someone who hadn't even crossed any lines.

When he returned to the lunch table, Seungmin and Yuna were engrossed in another conversation. Jihoon's heart sank at the sight, and he realized it would take more than just time to sort through these feelings.

"Everything okay?" Seungmin asked, his gaze shifting to Jihoon, concern etching his features.

"Yeah, just needed a minute," Jihoon said, forcing a smile that felt too wide and brittle. "What did I miss?"

"Oh, just more talk about games," Yuna replied, her tone light as she waved a hand dismissively. "You know, we should definitely have a game night this weekend. What do you think?"

Jihoon felt a twinge of panic rise in his throat. "Shouldn't we talk to other people too? I mean, what if we have a small group?"

"Why not? It can be fun!" Seungmin chimed in, his excitement palpable.

"Yeah, sure… fun," Jihoon murmured, somehow feeling less enthusiastic.

As the conversation drifted and laughter echoed around them, Jihoon could hardly focus. Yuna was delightful, and he knew that there was no real reason for his jealousy except his own insecurities. But every joke Seungmin shared with her felt like another cut to his insides.

Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, Jihoon worried that the fragile hold he had on his friendship with Seungmin was unravelling. Would he truly be able to accept this new dynamic? Could he find a way to push past these feelings of jealousy, or was he destined to feel like a bystander in a friendship he thought he had solidified?

As the lunch grew nearer to its end, Jihoon steeled himself for the inevitable. He would need to confront these feelings head-on, or they would consume him entirely.