ELEVEN

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Jisung felt a lump forming in his throat as the reality of Minho's words settled in. "We aren't dating."

 He excused himself from the conversation, muttering something about needing to check on the kitchen. He walked briskly away, trying to maintain composure.

Once he reached the relative privacy of the kitchen, he leaned against the counter, his emotions overwhelming him. 

He could feel hot tears stinging at the corners of his eyes.

He turned away from the entrance, not wanting anyone to see him vulnerable. The sound of the kitchen's ventilation system drowned out the soft sobs that escaped him.

His mind raced with thoughts of doubt, and fear of losing what he thought they had.

Jisung gripped the edge of the sink, taking deep breaths in an attempt to regain control. He was disappointed and hurt. He couldn't understand why Minho didn't see their connection the way he did.

Maybe it was all one-sided. Maybe I had been fooling myself into believing Minho and I were on the same page.

After a few minutes, he attempted to wipe away his tears with the back of his hand, feeling a mixture of frustration and sadness.

He knew he couldn't stay in the kitchen forever, but facing Minho and Hyunjin again seemed daunting.

Summoning whatever strength he had left, he composed himself as best as he could, taking a moment to fix his appearance in the mirror.

As he returned to the dining area, he forced a smile onto his face, hoping no one would notice the traces of vulnerability lingering in his eyes.

The conversation had shifted to a different topic, but the ache in his chest remained, silently begging for resolution and clarity.

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Later that night, as Jisung arrived home, the weight of the unspoken conversation with Minho lingered in his mind.

Restlessness consumed him, and he paced around his apartment, unable to shake off the unease that had settled within him.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from Minho. Hesitant, he stared at the screen but chose not to answer.

The conflicting emotions swirling within him prevented him from having a clear conversation at that moment.

Minutes passed, and another call came in. Jisung silenced it, hoping the quiet would offer him some solace. He sat on his couch, contemplating the recent events and the uncertainty in his relationship with Minho.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Minho felt a growing concern. He couldn't comprehend the sudden shift in Jisung's demeanor. Was there something he had missed or overlooked?

With a furrowed brow, Minho decided to send a text instead.

"Hey, Jisung. I noticed you seemed a bit off today. Is everything okay? I'm here for you."

As Jisung read the message, a mix of emotions surged within him. Part of him wanted to pour out his feelings and have an honest conversation, while another part resisted, fearing the vulnerability that came with it.

The night wore on, and despite Minho's attempts to reach out, Jisung remained silent. Worried, Minho sent another text.

"Hey, is everything alright? Are you busy? I'm really worried."

Jisung stared at Minho's messages, torn between opening up and maintaining the facade of being fine.

After a deep breath, he decided to respond.

"Heyyy, sorry! I just have a lot on my mind, but I'm okay. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

He hit send, relieved to have acknowledged Minho's concern without delving into his real feelings.

Minho's reply came swiftly, filled with genuine concern.

"Of course, Jisung. Take your time. I'm here whenever you're ready. Goodnight, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

With a heavy sigh, Jisung shut his phone and closed his eyes, hoping that the night would bring clarity or, at the very least, some relief to the storm of emotions he was feeling.

To be continued...

UHHHHH see you guys again in four years : ) 

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