[18+] ADULT'S PLAY | ʜɪᴘ ʜᴏᴘ ᴜɴɪᴛ

x. (edited)

A few days later, the cafeteria buzzes with the usual chatter and clatter of trays and utensils as I sit alone, lost in my thoughts while picking at my lunch. My mind is a whirlwind of confusion and unresolved emotions.

The sharp clack of a tray hitting the table startles me, drawing curious glances from nearby diners. I look up to see Mingyu sliding into the seat across from me, his posture tense, hands clasped tightly together. He fixes me with an intense gaze that cuts through the ambient noise.

"Sohye," his voice slices through the din, commanding attention.

Setting aside my chopsticks, I meet his eyes with curiosity. I haven't been working at the cafe lately because I was buried in coursework, with Vernon covering my shifts instead. "What's the matter?" I ask, assessing the urgency in his expression.

"What's up with you and Wonwoo?" Mingyu asks, frowning slightly. His question hits me like a cold splash of water.

I blink, trying to process his words and think of the right response. We're far from lovers, but we're not just simple friends either. After a long, contemplative silence, I finally say, "Sex friends?"

Mingyu's face tightens, a muscle in his jaw twitching. "Sohye, you're playing a very dangerous game here," he says quietly, his words laden with a weight that makes my stomach churn.

Memories of my conversations with Seungcheol flood my mind, but I force them away, focusing on Mingyu. Leaning forward, I fix him with a determined stare. "If you're referring to the rumor about Wonwoo's dead ex-girlfriend, then you're wasting your breath. I'm not easily intimidated by baseless gossip," I assert firmly.

A disbelieving snicker escapes Mingyu's lips, his expression tinged with incredulity. "Those rumors are not baseless," he counters, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying an undeniable gravity.

The cafeteria noise fades into the background as the weight of his words sinks in. My resolve wavers for a moment, the certainty I had in dismissing the rumors crumbling slightly. Mingyu's eyes bore into mine, searching for a hint of understanding.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Why should I believe you?" I ask, my voice tinged with a mix of defiance and doubt.

"Because I care about you, Sohye," Mingyu replies, his tone softening. "And I don't want to see you get hurt."

His sincerity catches me off guard, and I find myself questioning everything I thought I knew. The memory of Seungcheol's warning echoes in my mind, intertwining with Mingyu's words, creating a tangled web of uncertainty.

I nod slowly, not entirely convinced but willing to consider the possibility that there might be more to the rumors than I had initially thought. As Mingyu watches me, a flicker of relief crosses his face, though the tension between us remains palpable.

Mingyu's eyes narrow, his frustration mounting. "Sohye, I'm serious. If you keep this up, you're going to end up hurt—or worse. Wonwoo's not someone you can just have a fling with and walk away unscathed."

I bristle at his tone, the defiance in me flaring up. "Are you threatening me, Mingyu? Or are you just trying to scare me off because you're jealous?"

He recoils slightly, his jaw tightening as he fights to keep his emotions in check. "It's not about jealousy," he says, his voice strained. "It's about what happened before. Wonwoo's past isn't just some tragic story; it's a warning. If you're not going to listen to me, then you should at least talk to Seungcheol hyung. He knows more than he's letting on."

I blink, caught off guard by the intensity of his plea. "What do you mean? What does Seungcheol have to do with this?" And how did he know Seungcheol knows?