Best Friend's Brother (Seungjin)

Chapter 10: Caught

As they entered the coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, adding to the cozy ambiance. Seungmin and Hyunjin found a comfortable spot near the window, and they both ordered Americanos.

As Seungmin sat in the cozy cafe with Hyunjin, sipping their Americanos and engaged in easy conversation, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of happiness. It was the simple moments like this that made Seungmin's heart flutter. He cherished the ordinary moments, as they were filled with warmth and genuine connection.

In the midst of their conversation, Seungmin's blissful moment was interrupted when he noticed Yeji walking into the cafe. Panic surged through him as he wasn't prepared to face her just yet, especially with Hyunjin by his side.

"Hyunjin, Yeji," Seungmin stammered, trying to keep his composure but failing to mask his nervousness.

Hyunjin, ever the reassuring presence, placed a calming hand on Seungmin's shoulder. "Relax," he said gently, offering a small smile.

Seungmin took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. He wasn't ready to come out to Yeji just yet, and he certainly wasn't prepared for her to find out about his feelings for her brother in such an unplanned manner.

Yeji, with her keen eye, spotted Seungmin and Hyunjin and walked over to their table with a bright smile on her face. "Hey, guys! Mind if I join you?" she asked, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air.

Seungmin's heart raced, but he managed to smile and nod, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Of course, Yeji. It's great to see you," he replied, trying to act as natural as possible.

Hyunjin, ever the social butterfly, greeted Yeji warmly. "Hey, sis. How was your day?"

Yeji settled into the chair, her eyes shifting between her best friend and her brother. "It was good. Just had a productive dance practice ," she replied, a curious glint in her eyes.

Seungmin tried to focus on the conversation and keep his composure, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Yeji might sense something was amiss. He fidgeted slightly with his coffee cup, praying that his nerves wouldn't betray him.

"So how come it's just you two? Normally you drink coffee with Jisung," Yeji said, turning her attention to Hyunjin. "And you with me," she added, turning to Seungmin.

Seungmin's mind raced for a suitable response, and he quickly mustered his quick wit to handle the situation smoothly. He put on a charming smile and said, "Well, you know how it is, Yeji. Sometimes schedules don't align perfectly, and Hyunjin and I just decided to catch up over coffee."

Hyunjin nodded in agreement, playing along with Seungmin's quick thinking. "Yeah, it was a last-minute decision. We thought it'd be nice to hang out together today," he added, supporting Seungmin's explanation.

Yeji's eyes flickered with curiosity, but she seemed satisfied with their response. "Ah, got it. Well, it's nice to see you both. I was just about to run some errands, but we should all hang out soon," she suggested, her warm smile making Seungmin feel even more guilty for keeping his secret.

"Yeah, that sounds great," Seungmin said, trying to sound enthusiastic while grappling with his internal turmoil.

As Yeji left, Seungmin felt a mix of relief and anxiety. He was relieved that Yeji didn't seem suspicious, but at the same time, he knew he couldn't keep his feelings for Hyunjin a secret forever. Eventually, he would have to talk to Yeji about it, especially if his relationship with Hyunjin continued to progress.

After Yeji left, Seungmin and Hyunjin sat in a momentary silence, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air.

"You okay?" Hyunjin asked gently, knowing how much this encounter had affected Seungmin.