19 | minsung

23

it was now lunchtime, and minho had decided to spend his lunch with the group. he needed to notify jisung that he wouldn't be able to meet him on the rooftop today. however, there was a small problem – he didn't even have jisung's number.

whenever minho went to the rooftop, he would always find jisung there, so he had never thought about asking for the younger's number. but it recently occurred to him that he needed jisung's number to keep him informed when their lunch plans had to change. he felt terrible at the thought of jisung waiting for him.

as minho headed towards the grand tree, he reminded himself to ask for jisung's number later, especially since he was going back home this weekend.

approaching their hangout spot, he could already see felix's blonde hair swaying in the breeze as he happily conversed with chan and changbin, while hyunjin sat at the table, engrossed in his sketchpad.

"hey, guys," minho greeted, looking around, and noticing that one person was missing.

"where's seungmin?" he asked, directing his question to chan, who hushed changbin to answer minho's query.

"i think he's still in class. don't worry; he knows we're here," chan replied.

minho nodded and took a seat next to hyunjin, who was absorbed in his sketching. felix hopped off the table and sat beside minho, giving him a knowing smirk as he nudged him.

"so, what made you have lunch with us today instead of with your roommate?" he asked in a teasing tone, his eyebrows raising suggestively.

this comment elicited a chorus of 'oohs' from the table, even hyunjin, who finally looked up from his sketch, chimed in, "yeah, hyung, did you guys have a lover's quarrel?" he quipped, making minho playfully glare at him.

minho rolled his eyes and replied, "there's no particular reason, okay? just be grateful i'm still hanging out with you losers," he said in mock annoyance, prompting chan to playfully clutch his heart in response.

across the table, changbin leaned closer with a sly smirk, whispering, "when will we get to meet him?" as if he were revealing the code to a vault filled with gold.

warmth crept into minho's cheeks at changbin's remark, causing him to playfully swat changbin's face away from him, saying, "do you really think we have something going on? we're just friends, for goodness' sake, and besides, you'll scare him," he protested.

hyunjin pointed out, "if you guys are just friends, why are you blushing?" as if it were the most obvious thing.

felix added with a cheeky smile, "and we're not scary, hyung; we're very friendly individuals."

"i'm not blushing; it's just a little hot here," minho reasoned, fanning himself with his shirt.

the group raised their eyebrows at minho, making him feel like he was being interrogated at the moment.

unable to handle their playful stares and raised brows any longer, minho stood up from his seat and slammed his hand on the table, admitting, "okay, h-he might have confessed to me, but that's all!" his words stumbled over each other due to the embarrassment he felt at that moment.

the group's eyes widened in shock, and their mouths hung slightly open.

"our minho is a big boy now," chan said, feigning sobbing and wiping fake tears from his eyes.

minho's face and ears burned bright red at this point due to the recurring mentions of his roommate and the embarrassment he felt from being teased by his friends.

felix then looked up at minho, wearing a small smile but with concern in his eyes. "do you like him too? we might be your friends, minho, but we don't support you leading him on," he said.

minho was taken aback by felix's words, making him contemplate his feelings towards jisung further. "i feel some sort of attachment to him, but i don't know to what extent," he replied.

the group nodded in understanding at minho's words. hyunjin then placed his sketchbook on the table, putting his pencil between the pages as he approached minho, who was still standing. he put his hand on minho's shoulder and looked directly into his eyes, saying, "stay true to yourself, hyung. if you like him, then go for it. stop waiting for nothing, and don't ever lie to yourself. if your heart wants him, give it what it wants. don't hold yourself back," he said firmly, slightly shaking minho with each word.

hyunjin's wise words left minho momentarily stunned, and he could feel the tense atmosphere enveloping them as he sat back down. he glanced at the group for their reactions, noticing felix slightly tensing in his seat, lips pursed, and hands anxiously scratching his legs. chan and changbin exchanged knowing glances with each other.

chan then cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention, and said, "so, minho, do you play basketball?" he asked, attempting to change the subject.

all eyes were fixed on minho, and he nodded, feeling a little perplexed about what was coming next.

at minho's agreement, chan clapped his hands together and announced, "great! it's been a while since we played again, and i'm itching to beat changbin's ass after a long time," with a grin, provoking changbin who scoffed beside him.

"when, hyung?" felix asked.

"tomorrow afternoon? if everyone's free, of course," chan responded.

"why not later this afternoon?" hyunjin suggested, taking a big bite of his sandwich.

"because changbin and i need to finish a recording."

"i'm free tomorrow afternoon," minho replied, retrieving his lunch from his bag—a sandwich and canned coffee, a seemingly healthy choice.

everyone agreed, confirming their availability for that time. the group then began eating their respective lunches while engaging in small talk.

mid-conversation, changbin suddenly perked up, waving his hand and loudly calling out, "kim seungmin!" his shout made chan flinch, and the others covered their ears.

seungmin rolled his eyes at changbin's loud call and soon joined the table, settling beside hyunjin and stealing a bite from his sandwich, much to hyunjin's feigned offense.

"sorry i'm late, law sucks," seungmin said, speaking with his mouth full from the sandwich he snatched.

"by the way, seung, are you free tomorrow afternoon?" chan asked.

seungmin tilted his head, appearing to think through his schedule. after a moment, he nodded and replied, "yes, i'll work on my assignments tonight, so i won't have anything to worry about tomorrow. why, though?"

"chan suggested we play basketball," felix answered, sneakily grabbing minho's canned coffee to take a sip.

seungmin's eyes widened, showing his surprise at the sudden invitation. "woah, it's been so long," he said.

"so, we'll have a 3-on-3? since there are only six of us," hyunjin pointed out.

"yes, and that's what makes it fun," chan replied, swinging his fork around to emphasize his point.

"hyung, you could invite your roommate to cheer for you; we don't mind," changbin interjected, facing minho with a smug look on his face.

minho only made a face in response, causing the group to erupt in soft laughter. the group continued to talk, occasionally erupting into loud laughter, creating an energetic atmosphere that stood out among the other tables, emanating a sense of comfort and camaraderie.

unbeknownst to them, there were eyes watching from the rooftop once again. these eyes burned with a mix of emotions, fixated on a specific sight: felix with his arms around minho's shoulders.

the face of the person watching from the rooftop turned dark, his eyes reflecting a tumultuous range of emotions at the sight. he clenched the railings firmly, even causing them to bend slightly.

"i-it hurts..." he murmured, clutching his heart firmly, his clothing crumpling from the force of his grip. his voice carried a complexity of emotions—a profound sadness verging on tears, a deep longing, along with hints of anger and bitterness. it was as if a floodgate of memories had been opened, releasing a torrent of suppressed feelings.

"why does it hurt...?" the words slipped out laden with a deep sense of confusion and pain.