19 | minsung

30

as minho exited the dorm building, he immediately spotted the familiar car that would take him home, prompting him to sprint towards it. occasionally, his luggage got stuck, causing him to lightly tumble.

just outside the car stood his parents, awaiting his arrival. "mom, dad!" minho exclaimed, his arms already open as he approached.

a wide smile spread across his parents' faces, and they opened their arms, accepting minho's embrace as soon as he reached them.

"my baby, i haven't seen you for so long!" mrs. lee happily exclaimed, her hands on minho's back, pulling him closer.

"i miss you guys," minho replied, burying himself in his parents' embrace.

after a while of their tender moment, mr. lee took minho's luggage and stowed it in the trunk. minho opened the backseat door and slouched in the seat with a sigh.

minho's mom slid into the passenger seat, saying, "baby, you have so many things to tell me about your new school," with enthusiasm. she looked back at minho in the backseat, displaying a wide smile that showcased her perfect set of teeth.

minho smiled back, nodding his head. "mhm, i do, actually," he replied, prompting his mom to squeal in excitement.

mr. lee then settled into the driver's seat. "are we all set?" he asked. mrs. lee and minho confirmed in unison, and with that, mr. lee turned on the engine and began to drive away from the university.

as the car moved, minho looked outside the window, watching the passing scenery as his mind began to wander regarding his plan of telling his parents.

yes, minho had made up his mind to share everything with his parents today, including details about han jisung. he was aware of the risks involved in revealing the truth about jisung, but he believed his parents deserved to know. besides, they had always been supportive of him, and he doubted they would disown him simply because his first romantic feelings were towards a male. at the same time, he hoped to seek his parents' assistance in navigating the complexities of his current relationship with his roommate.

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after several hours of driving, they eventually reached their home. mr. lee exited the driver's seat first, making his way to the trunk to unload minho's luggage. minho followed suit, his mom encouraging him to enter the house as she was eager to hear everything he had to share.

upon stepping inside, minho's mom guided him to the couch, gesturing for him to sit. mrs. lee then settled in front of minho, an initially excited expression on her face that shifted to concern upon noticing the scar on minho's cheek.

she worriedly placed her hand on minho's scarred cheek, asking, "oh my baby, what happened?" in a gentle tone filled with concern.

minho responded with a cheeky smile, gently removing his mom's hand from his cheek as he was reminded of how jisung would occasionally do the same. "a guitar of my friend snapped and cut my cheek. i don't know how it left a scar like this, but eh," he said with a shrug.

"you should've been more careful!" mrs. lee scolded, slamming her hand on the couch for emphasis, narrowly missing minho's legs thanks to his fast reflexes.

"i know, mom," minho replied, attempting to calm her down.

before long, his father joined them, taking a seat on the other couch in the living room. "so, minho, how's school?" he began.

with that, minho felt it was time to open up. he took a deep breath before starting, his hands clasped on his lap.

"mom, dad, i have to tell you something..." he trailed off, immediately catching his parents' attention. mrs. lee signaled for minho to continue, and his nerves began to tense as he spoke again.