ASTRONOMY | SEUNGJIN

22 - A person to cry to

Time flew fast, from starting the school year to now ending it. It wasn't a graduation, more like a moving-up ceremony since they still had one more year left before college.

Students wearing togas filled the school, making it hard for Hyunjin to spot his lover. "There you are." Hyunjin saw Seungmin "Let's head inside before the ceremony starts." They then entered the school auditorium.

The last few months have been hectic with the finals coming, but now it's finally over. Exams are over, projects are over, and finally, the school year is now over.

After this day, all they had to worry about was how they were going to make the most of the three months of summer vacation before their last year of high school starts.

"With high honors... Seungmin, Kim" The school head called his name. Students and teachers applauded as he headed to the stage to receive his certificate. Seeing his boyfriend get up on stage made all those study sessions worth it, Hyunjin couldn't be any prouder.

As soon as Seungmin got down from the stage, Hyunjin immediately congratulated him and gave him flowers.

"This isn't necessary," Seungmin said, fluttering from the bouquet he just received. "I don't care; you deserve it," Hyunjin smiled. "Get it over with, you two. We still have to meet the others." Minho has always been stuck with these two.

They gathered at the cafe where Jisung works at, to have a mini celebration; this time, it was Minho's treat.

"Seung, you coming with me tomorrow?" Hyunjin asked since he was heading to Seoul tomorrow for Jeongin's moving-up ceremony, also because Chan was graduating. "Sure, I'll come."

"Hyunjin hyung, you came!" Jeongin came running to Hyunjin as soon as they arrived. "We're sorry for being late; it was traffic." They were supposed to arrive before the ceremony started but ended up getting there at lunch. "Hyunjin, is that you? You've grown so much!" Jeongin's mother exclaimed.

Jeongin's family, Chan, Seungmin, and Hyunjin all ate together in a fancy restaurant. "And who is this young man?" Jeongin's mother asked.

"Pardon me for not introducing myself; I'm Seungmin, Hyunjin's boyfriend." He was glad that they didn't have to hide it anymore; after he told his mother and Hyunjin told his, they felt free and accepted.

Everyone was peacefully eating when Jeongin's father started coughing violently. "Honey, are you okay?!" Jeongin's mother asked, fully concerned since red spots had started appearing on his skin. "He's having an allergy reaction," Seungmin noticed.

"Did someone put shrimp on his food?!" Jeongin's mother asked, seeing the horrible expressions from the employees already gave her an answer.

"The ambulance should be here soon." Chan had dialed it as soon as Jeongin's father started showing signs of allergy.

Now they're all in the emergency room waiting for a doctor. "Dad is deadly allergic to shrimp; I'm glad the ambulance came fast," Jeongin said while patiently waiting.

Seungmin has been thirsty since he did not get to drink earlier due to having to rush Jeongin's dad to the hospital, so he decided to buy.

Walking by the hallways when he overhears a conversation. "Sir, your baby has been born, she is waiting inside," The doctor says, "Cute, a newborn baby," Seungmin thought.

He was going to continue walking when he heard the guy talk "Thank you, Doc. I'll head in soon." The guy replied. That voice, it sounded so familiar- too familiar, actually. He stopped walking to take a glance, to see who this man was, but it was too late; the guy had already entered the room.

It was probably nothing; Seungmin could just be hearing stuff. He then went to the cafeteria to buy the water he had been wanting. Now he badly needed to pee. Good thing the comfort room wasn't far from the cafeteria.

He did his business and went out when he bumped into someone who was going in. "I'm sorry," he said. "All good," the man replied. That voice- it was the same guy from earlier! "Excuse me-" Seungmin called the guy to take a look at who he was when... "Seungmin? What are you doing here?"

"Father...?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" That's why the voice sounded familiar, it was his father after all. "I thought you were working? I couldn't contact you for months!" He was starting to get overwhelmed- was he supposed to be happy? Sad? Mad? "Look, Seungmin, son... I'll explain," his father uttered.

That's when it hit him

"Sir, your baby has been born, she is waiting inside,"

"Thank you, Doc. I'll head in soon."

Baby? Born? She? Out of all the things his father could do, cheating would be the last thing he expected.

"I have to go." Seungmin passed by his father and went back to Hyunjin as soon as he could.

He didn't want his father to see him cry; he would look pathetic. So he went to Hyunjin, where he could cry all he wanted. He just cried, hugging Hyunjin without uttering a word.

Hyunjin didn't ask why. He was just there to comfort Seungmin, and that's all Seungmin needed right now, a person to cry to.