So Close Yet So Far - Mingyu x Reader

Chapter 3 - The Gift of Honesty

The sandwich shop, much like the café on campus, was always bustling with college life. Even on weekends, students found themselves comforted by the quick grab-and-go nature of the sandwich shop so they could keep focusing on studying or activities. You were sitting around a table with your friends, all munching on your own lunches as the world continued to move around you. Hoshi and Seungkwan were talking about something involving one of their classes, while Minnie was examining and trying to fix a broken nail she had, a slight pout on her face. You leaned towards her, watching as she did so.

"It's about time I get new nails. Want to come next time? It's been a while. We can go for your birthday!" You smiled, nodding your head.

"Sure." You said. "That sounds fun!"

"What does?" Hoshi asked, leaning forward. He watched as Minnie wiggled her fingers in his face. "Aaaah. I'll come get my nails done!"

"You so will not! It's going to be a girl's day." Minnie frowned. "Besides, you'll probably just get all your nails with a picture of tigers or something." Hoshi's eyes basically sparkled at the idea, and Minnie groaned. "See?"

"What? I think it would look so cool!" He argued, but Minnie only stuck her tongue out at him. He pouted, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. As Seungkwan tried to encourage his friend that 'yes, Hyung, tiger nails would 100% suit you." You looked down at your phone. Mingyu had replied to that one comment about Hoshi's spam messages, but had gone radio silent since.

I bet whatever he's doing, he's very busy. You told yourself as if you needed to convince yourself. He said he would call me later....

It seemed the rest of the group had the same idea about their friend, Seungkwan being the first to speak up. "So, who wants to place bets as to what the actual hell Mingyu-Hyung is doing in Japan?"

"Do you think that rumor is true?" Minnie asked.

"I know his dad's been pretty strict on some of his after-school schedules recently." Hoshi pointed out. "He wasn't able to come with me to a movie a few weeks ago. He said he had to attend an important dinner."

"A blind date?" Seungkwan's eyes widened. "No way."

Minnie looked at you, watching as you popped a chip into your mouth. "That might explain why he looked upset when you brought up the idea of having a girlfriend."

"You think?" you asked curiously. Minnie nodded. "I don't know. I feel bad gossiping about him without him being here."

"Well, when he doesn't tell us stuff like this, what are we supposed to do?" Seungkwan shrugged. "It's like when Hoshi-Hyung totally had that secret boyfriend freshman year, and he basically forgot we existed." You saw Hoshi's cheeks turn pink and he turned to the sly grinning friend to his left. You could immediately sense Hoshi's demeanor change just slightly.

"And I told you that is absolutely not what happened. We were friends, that's it."

"Oh yeah, totally." Seungkwan said, feigning belief at Hoshi's claims. "That's why you don't speak about him anymore. Because you didn't break up." Hoshi pouted, and you and Minnie had to chuckle a bit. You remembered that time all too well; two years ago, when Hoshi constantly going to meet a new friend he had yet to introduce you to. Similar to now with Mingyu, you guys all played detective and tried to figure out who exactly had Hoshi so excited that he would basically run off campus once a week to see the guy, the only time during the week the entire friend group was able to meet up last term. It caused a bit of tension, and you worried that it would reshape itself with this new scenario.