Chapter 26

Min-ho had never been the type to sit still, but ever since his confession, it felt like he had this restless energy trapped inside him. A few days had passed, and Ju-woon hadn't rejected him, but he also hadn't exactly said anything promising either.

Min-ho wasn't sure what to make of that.

It wasn't like he expected Ju-woon to throw himself into his arms or anything—he wasn't that delusional—but this uncertainty was driving him insane. He could deal with rejection, but this? The weird tension, the way Ju-woon seemed different but still the same? That was messing with him.

And today, Min-ho finally had an opportunity to see if anything had really changed.

It was another long, dull day at college, and Min-ho had been counting down the minutes until he'd run into Ju-woon. He didn't even have to try and make up an excuse to see him—they had a class together. Lucky him.

When he walked into the lecture hall, Min-ho immediately spotted Ju-woon sitting in his usual seat near the middle. His eyes flickered over him, taking in the way Ju-woon was absently chewing on the end of his pen, staring at his notebook but clearly not paying attention to whatever he was supposed to be doing.

That was new. Ju-woon was usually annoyingly focused in class.

Min-ho smirked and made his way over, plopping down into the seat beside him without an invitation. "Yo."

Ju-woon blinked, his pen slipping from his mouth as he turned to Min-ho, looking almost startled to see him. "What do you want?"

Min-ho scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "What, can't a guy sit next to his beloved hyung without it being a big deal?"

Ju-woon made a face at that, clearly not in the mood for Min-ho's teasing. "If you don't have anything to say, don't talk to me."

Min-ho grinned, but there was something behind it—a flicker of something more serious. "You've been acting weird," he pointed out.

Ju-woon exhaled sharply, rolling his eyes. "You confessed to me out of nowhere. Of course things are weird."

Min-ho tilted his head, studying him. "Is that all it is?"

Ju-woon didn't answer immediately. He shifted uncomfortably, fingers tapping against the edge of his notebook. "I told you," he finally muttered, quieter this time. "I don't know how I feel yet."

Min-ho let out a small hum, not breaking eye contact. That wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear, but at least Ju-woon was being honest.

Before Min-ho could say anything else, the professor walked in, and the lecture started.

But Min-ho wasn't listening.

He was too busy stealing glances at Ju-woon, watching the way his brows furrowed as he tried to focus, the way he kept shifting in his seat like he could still feel Min-ho's presence beside him.

It was weird. Not bad, just different.

And Min-ho?

He liked it.

After class, Ju-woon gathered his stuff quickly, clearly planning to leave before Min-ho could start talking again. But Min-ho wasn't about to let that happen.

"Hey," he called out, catching up to him just outside the building. "Walk with me."

Ju-woon shot him an unimpressed look. "Why?"

Min-ho shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Because I said so."

Ju-woon sighed but didn't argue, which was a win in Min-ho's book.

They walked side by side through the campus, the air between them thick with unspoken things. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows across the pavement, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Min-ho didn't mind the silence. He liked this—the simple act of just being near Ju-woon.

But of course, he couldn't let things be too quiet. That wasn't his style.

"You been thinking about me?" he asked suddenly, throwing a smug look Ju-woon's way.

Ju-woon scoffed, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "No."

Min-ho smirked. "Liar."

Ju-woon shot him a glare. "Shut up."

Min-ho chuckled, but he didn't push. Instead, he turned his attention to the sky, watching as the colors slowly shifted. "You know," he said after a beat, his voice a little more serious this time, "I meant what I said."

Ju-woon didn't respond right away, but Min-ho could feel him tense slightly beside him.

"I know," Ju-woon muttered eventually.

Min-ho turned his head, raising a brow. "Yeah?"

Ju-woon nodded, gaze fixed ahead. "I just… need time."

That was the second time he'd said that.

Min-ho exhaled through his nose, a slow smirk creeping onto his lips. "I already told you, Ju-woon. Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

Ju-woon side-eyed him, looking like he wanted to say something—argue, probably, who knew though,but then he just sighed, shaking his head.

Min-ho grinned.

This wasn't the response he wanted, not exactly.

But it was something.

And for now, that was enough.

For now

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