Chapter 15: Jealous part 2

The days following Jihoon's admission to Seungmin were undeniably vibrant. Their friendship had taken on a new dimension, filled with hidden glances and shy smiles. Both were teetering on the edge of something more, and while the tension was electrifying, it also stirred up a perfect storm of emotions within Jihoon.

However, with every shared laugh and awkward moment, a seed of uncertainty began to plant itself in Jihoon's mind. Whenever he saw Seungmin and Yuna together or caught their light-hearted banter, an unfamiliar pang of jealousy surged within him, brewing into a tempest that he struggled to contain.

It was Saturday again, and the three friends had decided to gather for a movie marathon at Seungmin's place. Jihoon felt a mix of excitement and dread as he prepared for the evening. He'd be spending time with both Seungmin and Yuna—together, in one room—while the fragile boundary between friendship and something more with Seungmin lingered just beneath the surface.

As Jihoon arrived, he was met by the warmth of Seungmin's apartment and the mesmerizing scent of popcorn wafting through the air. Yuna was already there, sprawled comfortably on the couch, her hair slightly dishevelled, laughing at something Seungmin had said.

"Hey, Jihoon!" Yuna called out, grinning widely. "You made it!"

"Of course," Jihoon replied, forcing a smile even as the knot in his stomach tightened. "What are we watching?"

"Plan to binge our favourite series!" Seungmin exclaimed, excitement pouring from him as he settled beside Yuna. The closeness between them struck Jihoon like a slap, and the sight of their effortless chemistry sent another flurry of jealousy through him.

Jihoon took a seat on the opposite end of the couch, trying to focus on the screen rather than the palpable energy between Seungmin and Yuna. They laughed at jokes and murmured comments about the show, vibing in a way that felt so intimate, and Jihoon couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider.

As the first episode rolled into the next, Jihoon felt his anxiety growing, gnawing at the edges of his composure. He should be happy for his friends—after all, they were simply enjoying each other's company. But deep down, an intrusive voice reminded him of his feelings for Seungmin and how close they had become.

Halfway through the second episode, as the tension within him spiralled, Jihoon excused himself under the pretext of getting snacks. He wandered into the kitchen, hoping to shake off the simmering emotions. Leaning against the counter, he took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the storm of jealousy threatening to consume him.

"Hey, are you okay?" Seungmin's voice broke through, startling Jihoon as he stepped into the kitchen, a worried expression etched on his face.

"Yeah, just wanted to grab some chips," Jihoon murmured, avoiding eye contact, flustered under the weight of Seungmin's gaze.

Seungmin stepped closer, concern radiating from him. "You seem… off. I mean, since we've been hanging out, I've noticed you've been a little quieter. Is there something bothering you?"

Jihoon's heart raced, caught off guard by how perceptive Seungmin was. "No, it's nothing. Just tired, I guess," he lied, forcing a smile that felt too tight.

"Jihoon…" Seungmin pressed, his voice low but steady. "You can talk to me, you know that?"

"I know," Jihoon replied, feeling the sincerity rest heavy in the air. He was about to spill the turmoil swirling within him, the truth of his jealousy and longing, when Yuna's cheerful voice drifted into the kitchen.

"Are you two plotting something?" she teased, leaning against the doorframe. "Should I be worried?"

Jihoon felt the sudden panic rise in him. "No! Nothing like that," he stammered, his heart pounding, cheeks flush with embarrassment as he felt caught in a moment of vulnerability.

Yuna smiled knowingly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Okay, just checking. We wouldn't want any secret plans going on behind my back."

Seungmin chuckled, glancing at Jihoon with a teasing expression. "No secret plans, just snack logistics!"

"Exactly," Jihoon echoed, relief mixed with frustration. The moment had slipped away, and the wall he'd been trying to break through with Seungmin felt stronger than ever.

As they returned to the living room, Jihoon's heart sank, seeing how easily Seungmin slipped back into playful conversation with Yuna. The laughter, the shared looks, the camaraderie—they dug into Jihoon's chest like an aching reminder of the distance he felt.

The rest of the evening blurred together, the show and laughter mingling with Jihoon's internal spiral of jealousy. He could feel the walls he was building around himself; while he desperately wanted to connect with Seungmin, watching them behave as usual with Yuna left him feeling isolated. Each moment felt like a reminder that he might be losing something precious, even before it had officially begun.

As the credits rolled on the final episode, Yuna turned to Jihoon, her eyes glimmering with delight. "That was so much fun! We have to do this more often."

"Totally," Jihoon replied, forcing enthusiasm into his voice as he caught Seungmin's eye, hoping for a hint of connection.

"Yeah, we definitely should," Seungmin agreed, his smile brightening the room.

But just as Jihoon thought they might share a moment, Yuna added, "I can't wait to do a themed movie night next time! What do you think, Seungmin? Should we do a horror marathon? I know you love those!"

"Ugh, I'd rather not get nightmares," Seungmin quipped, feigning a shiver. Yet, the two continued their playful banter, seamlessly leaving Jihoon feeling like a spectator in his own burgeoning relationship.

"Hey, I'm going to head home," Jihoon said suddenly, the pressure of mixed emotions bubbling out of him. "Thanks for the night."

"What? But we still have time left!" Yuna cried, surprised at his abrupt departure.

"Yeah, is everything alright, Jihoon?" Seungmin asked, a hint of concern swirling in his voice once again.

"I'm fine, just…" tired," Jihoon muttered, avoiding their eyes. "I'll see you two later."

With that, Jihoon slipped out of the apartment, the cool night air hitting him like a rush of clarity. He walked aimlessly through the quiet streets, his heart pounding not just from the frustration of jealousy but from the denial bubbling within him. He repressed his emotions, knowing he had to face the reality that he wanted something more with Seungmin and that he needed to confront the jealousy gnawing at him—before he lost everything.

Back at home, he collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling as thoughts swirled in his mind. The fear of losing Seungmin to Yuna made him feel like he was losing a part of himself. Deep down, he knew he needed to confront his feelings head-on, both for Seungmin and for himself.

As he lay there, Jihoon realized that he couldn't just passively observe from the sidelines. It was time to address the unspoken bond between them to find the courage to speak his heart again.

And so, in the quiet of his room, he resolved to be honest with himself and with Seungmin—no matter how intertwined their friendships had become. It was time to transform jealousy into a conversation, to navigate the complexities in front of them, and perhaps, to step into the future that awaited them both.