19 | minsung

37

it was the afternoon, and the horizon remained gloomy as a gentle drizzle fell from the heavens. a sea of students traversed the campus grounds, most of them making their way to their next classes or back to their designated dorms after their classes ended early due to the rain.

minho's last class had concluded earlier than usual. as he was about to leave the building and head back to his dorm, he noticed familiar fluffy ebony hair descending the stairs from the corner of his eye.

turning around, minho was met with jeongin, his eyes widening as he paused mid-movement, one hand on the staircase railing, one foot on the lower step, and the other poised higher. jeongin wore black pants and a button-up shirt, an ensemble radiating formality and elegance, though not quite surpassing jisung's style. additionally, a guitar bag stood behind him.

"jeongin!" minho called out, a wide smile spreading across his face upon seeing the younger male.

"hyung, it's been forever," jeongin replied, descending the stairs to approach minho.

"are you heading back to your next class?" minho asked, pulling out the umbrella he had made sure to bring earlier.

jeongin glanced at the building's entrance, noticing the gentle drizzle escalating into a downpour once again. he turned to minho with a frown. "actually, i'm heading to my dorm, but i don't have an umbrella," he admitted.

"i'm going back to my dorm too. is your dorm stay villa or haven hall?" minho inquired.

"haven hall."

minho nodded in understanding, his eyes lighting up as if he had just found the solution to jeongin's predicament. "since i stay at haven hall as well, why don't we hang out in my dorm? we haven't seen each other in a while, it'd be a chance to catch up. that is, if you'd like," he suggested with a wide grin, revealing his bunny teeth.

jeongin looked at minho with surprise, not expecting the sudden invitation. but his surprise quickly transformed into a wide smile mirroring minho's, dimples appearing. "i'd love that, hyung!" he replied enthusiastically.

"great! my umbrella's big enough for both of us. but can we make a quick stop at the convenience store first? i'm craving something from there," minho suggested, heading towards the entrance where the rain had started pouring.

"sure, hyung," jeongin replied, observing minho open the umbrella before they started walking, engaging in conversation along the way.

during their stroll, minho took a quick glance at jeongin before asking, "by the way, you never mentioned your major. what are you studying?"

jeongin's gaze remained fixed ahead as he replied, "i'm majoring in law," his tone devoid of emotion.

minho nodded in acknowledgment, murmuring softly, "that explains your style," noticing the resemblance in style between jeongin, seungmin, and his boyfriend.

they soon reached the convenience store, and minho picked out a variety of snacks for them both and some for his boyfriend as well.

while minho paid for their purchases, they stepped out, jeongin holding the umbrella since minho's hands were occupied with plastic bags.

just outside, they noticed a person seeking shelter from the rain. as they resumed their walk back to campus, the individual began talking. minho recognized the old beggar who frequented the area.

"you've started something you'll regret... you've started something you'll regret," the old beggar repeated, rocking back and forth, catching the attention of both minho and jeongin, causing them to pause.

suddenly, the beggar stood up and approached minho, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him violently, prompting jeongin to instinctively drop the umbrella and attempt to pry the beggar away from his hyung.