Beyond 21 Days | Changjin

Day 18

In the cozy ambiance of their living room, with dim lighting casting a relaxed mood, Changbin, Chan, and Jisung sat in a casual circle. They had been discussing their recent projects and studio sessions, but the topic had gradually shifted to more personal matters.

Chan, taking a sip from his cup of tea, broke the silence. "So, Changbin, how's the challenge going? Only a few days left, right?"

Changbin sighed heavily, resting his chin on his hand. "Three days. And honestly, I don't know. I've been putting in effort every single day. Trying to make him laugh, share things, show I'm interested... But Hyunjin... he responds, but it's always so brief. Like he's humoring me."

Jisung, the mediator, shifted in his seat, looking thoughtful. "You've been doing this for almost three weeks now. Maybe it's time to switch things up a bit? You know, surprise him somehow."

Changbin frowned, "I've thought about that. But then, I wonder if it's even worth it. If he was even a tiny bit interested, wouldn't he show it by now? Maybe I'm just wasting my time and energy on someone who's not into me."

Chan leaned back, stretching his legs. "Or maybe he's just guarded. Some people are like that. They need more time or a bigger gesture to really open up."

Changbin stared at his friends, a look of indecision clear in his eyes. "I'm torn. Part of me wants to go all out, you know? Do something grand before the challenge ends. But another part of me thinks I should just continue these next few days and then move on if nothing changes. I mean, I have some self-respect. I can't keep chasing someone who's not showing any real interest."

Changbin continued, "I mean, think about it. How many messages have I sent? How many jokes and stories? Yet, I still feel like I'm talking to a stranger. It's like I've created this image of Hyunjin in my head, and that's what I'm falling for – not the real him."

Chan nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "It's easy to fall in love with an idea, especially when we're not given enough to work with. We humans have a way of filling in the gaps with our own narratives."

Jisung chimed in, "It's like reading a book and imagining the characters, but then the movie comes out and it's nothing like you expected."

Changbin looked at Jisung, an appreciative smile forming. "Exactly! I feel like I'm in love with a character from a story, not a real person."

"It's not necessarily a bad thing," Chan mused. "Sometimes our gut feelings or initial impressions can guide us. But it's also important to be aware of the reality. You might be setting yourself up for disappointment."

Jisung sipped his drink, "Or maybe, you're just trying to find reasons not to dive deeper. Fear of rejection can make us imagine all kinds of things."

Changbin sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know it's not healthy. Falling for an idea instead of a person. But how do I get past this? How do I get to know the real Hyunjin when our interactions are so limited?"

Chan leaned in, "You said you're thinking of doing something grand before the challenge ends. Maybe that's your chance. Not just to impress him, but to actually sit down and have a genuine conversation. See him for who he is, and let him see you."

Jisung grinned, "Worst case, you'll have a funny story to tell. Best case, you might just break down the wall he's built."

Changbin leaned back in his seat, pondering what he could possibly do. The word "grand" seemed too big, too flashy for what he had in mind. He wanted to reach Hyunjin, not scare him away. "Alright," he finally said, snapping back to the present. "It is not grand, but I'll do something more. But I don't want to overthink it. Maybe I'll just go with the flow."