19 | minsung

29

once minho's final class concluded, he promptly headed to his dorm, where jisung warmly greeted him with a sweet "good evening" the moment he walked in.

"will your parents come to pick you up?" jisung asked, both roommates crouched down on the floor as jisung assisted minho in packing some of his belongings into his suitcase.

"mhm," minho hummed, fully engrossed in the task at hand.

continuing to decide which items to bring back home, minho's attention was suddenly drawn to a specific object. hesitating briefly, his hand hovered over it, contemplating whether to include it in his luggage.

a blush tinted minho's cheeks as he made the decision to bring it along. he returned to where jisung was crouched beside his luggage, tucking it in alongside his clothes and other belongings.

as minho continued packing, jisung observed him with a hint of sadness in his eyes, occasionally rearranging items to optimize space in the suitcase.

after a while, minho stood before his luggage, sweat trickling down his forehead, hands on his hips. "i should've prepared my belongings earlier this week," he mumbled, regretful for not organizing sooner and opting to pack everything on the night of his departure.

jisung also rose from his spot on the floor, dusting off his pants before approaching minho. retrieving a neatly folded handkerchief from his pocket, he began gently wiping the beads of sweat from minho's forehead.

the unexpected gesture caught minho off guard, momentarily forgetting how to breathe as jisung stood dangerously close.

the soft texture of jisung's handkerchief continued to pat against minho's forehead and face, the younger ensuring there were no traces of sweat left on minho's features.

"there," jisung announced, looking genuinely proud of his efforts.

"thanks, ji," minho expressed, a gentle smile playing on his lips as his eyes sparkled while fixed on the person before him.

"i'll miss you," jisung admitted, his brows furrowing and his plump lips forming a slight pout whenever he frowned—a sight that minho found endearing.

"i'll be back on sunday night, i won't be gone for long," minho reassured, drawing out his words with an affectionate tone to ease jisung's worries.

their conversation was then interrupted by a noticeable 'ding' from minho's phone. retrieving it from the bedside table, he saw notifications from his parents, signaling their arrival to pick him up.

minho sent a word of acknowledgment before putting his phone back in his pocket and putting his luggage in its upright position, pulling the handle up to extend it.

hesitatingly, minho glanced at jisung. for some reason, he wasn't ready to face jisung at the moment. the prospect of seeing sadness in jisung's eyes and the adorable frown on his lips made minho uneasy.

"i'll see you on sunday night," minho began, offering jisung a bittersweet smile, his heart feeling a pang of guilt for leaving jisung behind.

jisung sighed and mirrored the smile, though it was evident it was forced. "goodbye, min," he bid, raising his hand to gently touch minho's cheeks, where the scar was. his fingers moved in a soothing motion, tracing the texture of minho's scarred cheek.

minho allowed jisung to do as he pleased, unconsciously nuzzling his cheek against jisung's hand. he felt the cold silver rings against his skin and the comforting touch of jisung's broad hand. though jisung seemed a bit disoriented, seemingly lost in thought about his next move, he continued the soothing motions on minho's cheek without saying a word.

after a while, minho lifted his head from jisung's hand, immediately noticing jisung in a daze, his hand frozen in the position where he had been rubbing minho's cheeks.

"are you okay?" minho asked in a gentle voice, approaching jisung and peering into his fixed gaze.

minho was about to wave his hand in front of jisung to snap him out of his disoriented state when the younger firmly seized minho's hand, his absentminded gaze turning intense.

a faint gasp escaped minho's lips at jisung's sudden actions, and before minho could say anything, jisung spoke first.

"promise me you'll come back," jisung sternly demanded, his voice low, and minho could sense the seriousness behind those words.

jisung's eyes held a mix of fear and a hint of anger, as if he were concealing his true emotions about minho leaving. moreover, his grip on minho was a departure from its usual gentleness—it was firm, as if he feared that a loose hold would allow minho to escape.

"i promise, jisung. but i have to go now. my parents are already waiting," minho said through gritted teeth, trying not to wince at the strength of jisung's hold.

at that, jisung finally let go of minho, his body turning slightly toward the door, signaling that minho could leave.

minho opened the door to his room, pulling his luggage with jisung trailing behind. approaching the dorm's main door, he turned the knob. before stepping out, he cast one last glance at jisung.

jisung's eyebrows were knitted, lips slightly apart as if he wanted to call out to minho and beg him not to leave. the outer corners of his eyes drooped, his gaze fixed on minho.

the older gave him one last smile before swinging the door open and stepping out with his luggage in tow. 

as the door closed, jisung's face shifted to a more stoic expression, his eyes slightly narrowed. he brought his hands up, examining them with vacant eyes.

he then visualized the sensation of minho's cheek against his hand, the thought causing his lips to curl upward while his hand moved as if it were still rubbing something.

after that, he shifted his gaze back to the door, a smile tinged with mischief curving on his lips as he retrieved something from his pocket.

the object he pulled out was slender, elongated, and shimmering in silver—a string.

holding the string by the ends, jisung angled it in front of the door. his head tilted, following the swaying of the string between his fingertips, a malevolent smirk dancing on his lips.

"unfortunately, i can't wait till sunday," he mumbled, his eyes shifting from the string to the door. he then clutched the string firmly in his hands, watching as blood began to drip from it.

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ji's notes!
i'm not satisfied with this chapter aha.