𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅𝒔 - 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓰

𝓒𝓱; 87 𝓥𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂

Minho leaned forward on his arms, staring right into the eyes of the woman opposite him as she glared into his, watching her getting dragged from the scene for the last time by the two officers positioned at her side, her icy gaze piercing through him until the last moment. 

This would be the very last time Minho had to see her. After this, she, his father, his aunt, his uncle, and Lee Minjun would all disappear from his life, starting from this day. Mr. Han wouldn't ever bother Jisung and his family again, either. The fight is really over now. 

When the last people of his family finally got escorted out of the room, the heavy doors shutting with a muffled reverberation, Minho fell back in his seat, his back clashing against the hardwood, letting out a breath from the very center of his being. He could finally exhale. He closed his eyes, hearing everyone beside him stand up and celebrate their victory, judging from the relieved sighs and shouts of the rest. 

At that moment, he felt two arms clasp around him. Minho looked down at Jisung, who leaned all the way into him, and a silent smile sneaked on his face as he brushed his hand through the male's hair. "We're safe," Jisung whispered. 

"I think from that moment on, I started to feel at ease." 

"You did it," Hyunjin spoke from the back, that spark of joy dripping from his tone, jumping up and down like an excited child. "You guys won!" 

They all looked toward him, grinning at his reaction. Once Minho had the strength to stand, he got up from his seat, holding out his hand for Jisung to grab. "Ji, are you alright?" Seungmin asked when Jisung stood up, catching a glimpse of the other's pale face, and the circles cornering his eyes. "I am fine, just tired after all of this. It has been a lot." Seungmin nodded in understanding, holding the door open for them. Jisu put a hand on top of her son's shoulder once they were outside the courtroom. "Take some rest at home, son." 

"You are all welcome to come over," she also invited the others. "Thank you, Jisu," Felix spoke up on behalf of them. She shook her head. "I have to do something to show my gratitude to all of you. Although I found it dangerous for you guys to handle on your own, I am glad you decided to step in and prevent the worst. It's thanks to all of you that this could end on a good note." 

"We are all relieved as long as everyone stays safe," Chan commented, putting an arm around the others. "We're friends, and we protect each other." 

"We do." Seungmin affirmed, wrapping an arm around them too. 

The first days were like that, draining. Every one of them was busy recovering from all the events. It's the hit that comes after putting so much energy into something that you feel completely exhausted afterward. 

But at some point, you start picking yourself up again. Because, at some point, you have to pick up your life again, and live. So that's what all of them decided to do: Live. 

Felix indulged himself in his love for designing, even entering a competition once while Seungmin surrounded himself with books, spending days in the library for his research. Chan and Hyunjin followed their business course, preparing to take over their family's businesses. Jisung picked himself up piece by piece and started returning to his classes again. And the piece he created is almost finished after years of working on it. As for Minho, he found himself back in the studio, sometimes with Hyunjin, sometimes alone. And of course, Jisung was always there for him too. Jisung found that it was a place he could find inspiration while he watched Minho dance, busy observing him and then turning back to his laptop, immediately writing down what the creative flow brought him, smiling at every result. 

Time heals. 

Minho stood in front of the mirror, attention fixed at the reflection in front of him as he got into his formation, straightening his back, and lifting his head. His arm reached to the side on the rhythm of the instrumental, letting his body flow with the waves of the melody take him in its grasp. He cleared his mind, and closed his eyes, just letting this moment sink into memory.

Jisung watched him, leaning his face on his knee as he brought his legs to his chest. His eyes followed the other's every movement, in a trance. He's back.

Minho took a breath in at the end of the song, letting the music drown out until it turned to silence. He let his head fall back slightly before turning to Jisung. "You're staring a lot."

"I am not the only one that does that," Jisung argued back with no rise in his voice. He was just stating a simple fact. Minho collapsed beside him with a huff, gaining back his breath as beads of sweat dripped down his demeanour. "The academy called again."

"And? What is your answer?"

Minho's expression relaxed. "I think I am going back."

"I want to go back."

Jisung's face melted into a smile as he hummed. "Hmm, I think you are ready."

"Thank you, Han Jisung." He reached for Jisung's hand, curling his hand around his. "Thank you for staying with me."

Jisung let his head lean back against the wall. "I wouldn't know where to go. I don't want to go anywhere either." 

"Are you going to call them back?" He shook Minho's hand lightly, still holding onto it, referring to the academy. "After this, I will," Minho answered. "But it's been a long time since we could be here like this so I want to stay like this for longer. Just for a moment, Jisung. Please." 

Jisung grinned at the other's attitude, shaking his head. "You're laying on me, though," he remarked. "And you like it, so I will stay like this. I don't see the problem," Minho simply answered. 

As promised, after a while, Minho secluded himself in the empty hallway, taking out his phone. He took another look at the abandoned number on the bright screen. He sighed and brought the phone up to his ear, listening to the line being switched, and a screech with a 'hello?' followed. "This is Lee Minho. When is the next scheduled practice?"