Chapter 31

Ju-woon went back to the party, hoping his headache would ease up if he stayed a while longer. But the more time passed, the worse it got. He knew if he didn't leave soon, he might actually pass out. So, doing what any sane person would, he grabbed his stuff, said a quick goodbye to his friends, and headed out.

Of course, someone caught up to him. And of course, it was no other than Min-ho. He didn't say anything at first—just walked behind Ju-woon like a shadow.

They walked for a while, Ju-woon barely even processing where he was going. He wasn't walking home, wasn't heading toward a bus stop. Just walking.

"Hey, Ju-woon." Min-ho finally broke the silence. "Wanna stay at my place tonight? I know you live far from this area."

Ju-woon didn't even think about it—just nodded without hesitation.

Min-ho let out a low chuckle. "Huh. Agreeing so easily? Maybe it's because you want to spend more time with me?"

Ju-woon didn't know why, but something in him snapped. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the exhaustion, or maybe he was just too drained to argue. Either way, he shot back without missing a beat.

"What if I do, Min-ho? Don't you also want to?"

He could tell that caught Min-ho off guard for a split second. But instead of reacting, Min-ho smirked, his gaze turning sharper.

"Careful, Ju-woon. Say things like that, and I might take you seriously."

"And if I want you to?" Ju-woon challenged.

Min-ho's eyes glinted in the dim streetlights, something unreadable flickering behind them. Without a word, he suddenly caught Ju-woon's wrist and pulled him into a narrow alleyway with a dead end.

The atmosphere shifted.

Silence.

No music. No people. Just the occasional sound of cars in the distance, the flickering glow of a single, barely-working streetlamp above them.

Min-ho leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower. "If you keep teasing me like that, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back…" His tone was slow, deliberate, almost taunting.

Ju-woon's heart skipped. "Then don't."

The words slipped out before he could stop them. But the worst part? They weren't a lie.

Min-ho let out a quiet chuckle. "Don't blame me later. You said it."

And just like that, he let go. He started walking again, checking his phone like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't just messed with Ju-woon's head.

Ju-woon didn't move.

His body felt frozen in place, his thoughts looping in a way they never had before. Because for some reason—watching Min-ho like this, illuminated by the streetlights, so casual, so close—it hit him.

Something was different.

Something had changed.

And it terrified him.

Was this…?

No.

No way.

But the more he stared at Min-ho, the more he felt it. The way his stomach twisted, the way his heart sped up against his will, the way he could still feel the ghost of Min-ho's grip on his wrist.

Shit.

This can't be happening.

Did he… like this person?

Min-ho suddenly turned his head, catching Ju-woon staring. He frowned slightly. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ju-woon quickly looked away, his chest tightening.

Oh, if Min-ho only knew what was going through his head right now.

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