Chapter 27

The next few days slipped by in a blur of routine, but something was different. Something small. Something almost imperceptible—but it was there.

Ju-woon felt it in the way Min-ho hovered just a little closer when they walked together, the way his presence felt heavier, impossible to ignore. It wasn't like Min-ho had suddenly become clingy—no, he was still himself, annoying and smug—but something about the way he looked at Ju-woon had shifted.

It was making Ju-woon restless.

He hated that he noticed these things now.

He hated that when Min-ho wasn't around, he found himself expecting him to be.

And he especially hated the fact that it was happening again—Min-ho had, for whatever reason, made himself comfortable in Ju-woon's space, hanging around after class, walking him halfway home before suddenly veering off like it was nothing.

Like today.

"Why are you still following me?" Ju-woon finally snapped, stopping mid-step to glare at Min-ho.

Min-ho halted, blinking at him innocently. "Who, me?"

Ju-woon scowled. "Yes, you."

Min-ho smirked, hands in his pockets. "Relax, I'm just walking. Didn't know I needed permission."

Ju-woon exhaled sharply, trying to ignore the weird warmth creeping up his neck. "Whatever."

He turned, walking faster.

Min-ho kept up easily, of course. "So," he drawled, "have you figured it out yet?"

Ju-woon's steps faltered slightly. "Figured what out?"

Min-ho tilted his head. "How you feel about me."

Ju-woon scoffed. "Who said I've been thinking about that?"

Min-ho grinned, eyes glinting. "You just admitted you have."

Damn it.

Ju-woon clicked his tongue, refusing to give Min-ho the satisfaction of seeing him flustered. "You're so full of yourself."

Min-ho hummed, stepping a little closer. "Maybe. But I'm also right."

Ju-woon hated that he couldn't argue with that.

They ended up at Ju-woon's apartment. Not because he'd invited Min-ho, but because Min-ho had followed him the entire way and, at some point, Ju-woon had stopped caring enough to kick him out.

Or maybe he just… didn't really want to.

He told himself it was because Min-ho would probably find a way in anyway. That was easier to believe.

Min-ho flopped onto Ju-woon's couch like he owned the place, stretching out lazily. "Man, I'm exhausted."

Ju-woon rolled his eyes, tossing his bag onto the table. "From what? Annoying me?"

Min-ho smirked. "It is hard work."

Ju-woon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Whatever. Don't get too comfortable, you're not staying."

Min-ho didn't even flinch. "I'll leave when I feel like it."

Ju-woon narrowed his eyes but didn't argue. Instead, he moved to the kitchen, pulling out a water bottle and leaning against the counter. His gaze flickered to Min-ho.

Min-ho was staring at the ceiling, one arm thrown over his eyes.

He looked… oddly peaceful like this. Like the usual teasing and sarcasm had been stripped away, leaving something more real.

Ju-woon found himself staring for too long.

"You're quiet," Min-ho murmured, not moving.

Ju-woon huffed. "You should try it sometime."

Min-ho chuckled. "Nah, I like talking to you."

Ju-woon ignored the way his chest tightened at that, looking away. "You talk at me."

Min-ho finally shifted, turning his head to look at him. "You listen, though."

Ju-woon stilled.

There was something in Min-ho's voice—something light, but serious underneath.

Ju-woon swallowed. "Shut up."

Min-ho grinned. "Make me."

Ju-woon shot him a glare, but there was no real fire behind it. His grip on the water bottle tightened slightly.

The tension was back. That weird, suffocating thing that seemed to settle between them whenever they were alone like this.

Ju-woon hated it.

Because he didn't know if he actually hated it.

He let out a slow breath. "You should leave."

Min-ho didn't move. "Why?"

Ju-woon hesitated. He should have an answer, but all that came to mind was because you make me feel things I don't understand.

Instead, he just muttered, "Because I said so."

Min-ho sighed dramatically but sat up. "Fine, fine. I'll go."

Ju-woon ignored the weird pang in his chest at that.

Min-ho stood, stretching, then turned to Ju-woon with that look—the one that made Ju-woon feel like he was being seen too clearly.

"I meant what I said, you know."

Ju-woon's throat felt dry. "…What part?"

Min-ho smiled lazily. "All of it."

Then, without waiting for a response, he strolled towards the door.

Ju-woon stood there, gripping his water bottle like it was keeping him grounded, listening as the door clicked shut behind Min-ho.

And suddenly, his apartment felt too quiet.

________________________________________________________________