Object of Affection [Mina X Male Reader]

Ch. 6

One day, Chaeyoung and Haru were hanging out as usual at LowKey. They got there earlier than the girls, so they just talked to pass the time. Chaeyoung starts sharing how he finally kissed Mina; the way he describes it is exaggerated and filled with excitement. "The moment felt like a fairytale, with fireworks exploding in my heart." Chaeyoung can't help but smile as he relives the magical experience.

As they continued chatting, Haru couldn't help but notice the genuine excitement in Chaeyoung's voice as he recounted the details of his first kiss with Mina. Haru just smiled and silently hid the sharp pain that tugged at his own heart. Haru pushed aside his feelings and continued to listen attentively, genuinely happy for Chaeyoung's happiness.

Just then, the girls came, and Sana asked, "What were you guys talking about?" Haru quickly composed himself and replied, "Oh, just about Chae's new memorable moment with Mina." Sana exchanged a knowing glance with Chaeyoung before playfully nudging him and saying, "Spill the beans, Chaeyoung!"

Chaeyoung was blushing so hard that his cheeks turned a bright shade of red. He kept hesitating, so Haru then shared the news with Sana. "They had their first kiss!" Sana's eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "No way! Good for you, Chaeyoung!" Haru nodded and tried to avoid eye contact with Mina. Mina, who was sitting nearby, noticed how Haru was not looking at her. She felt a mix of curiosity and slight disappointment, wondering what Haru was thinking or feeling about it.

[Mina's Side]

Chaeyoung was one of the closest guys to her, and since he was younger, she'd always seen him as a little brother. She only decided to date him because of her situation with Haru. She decided to do her best and fall for him since he's always treated her well. They went out to eat, and although Chaeyoung was drinking, she wasn't in the mood to drink. Upon dropping her off, Chaeyoung grabbed her and planted a kiss on her lips. Although Mina did not push him away, she did not return the kiss. This was the reality of the kiss Chaeyoung romanticized.

Haru's self-esteem was low as he compared himself to Chaeyoung, who was young, rich, and handsome. He knows how good Chaeyoung could be for Mina, and he is willing to step aside.

He drank a lot that night. The alcohol-fueled Haru's emotions, causing him to feel a mix of sadness and defeat. As he drowned his sorrows in alcohol, he couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong with Mina.

Time skip: A week

On this day, he received a text, his face became lifeless, and he dropped the phone. He was unresponsive, and it was the same time Mina came in to talk to him about his work progress on the project. Mina, who didn't know what was going on, was getting irritated at Haru because he did not respond to her. Haru unconsciously hugged Mina. Mina was shocked, and she pushed Haru away. "What are you doing? Get off me!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and anger. Tears began to form in Haru's eyes. Mina froze at the sight of seeing the bright and strong Haru so weak.

"What's wrong?" Her voice trembled with concern as she realized that something must be seriously bothering Haru. She reached out to him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, and softly asked, "Haru, are you okay? Can you please tell me what's going on?"

Haru couldn't bring himself to say anything, but he hugged Mina once again, burying his face in her shoulder. Mina could feel his body shaking while he began to cry, and she held him tighter, silently offering him comfort and support. At that moment, she knew that whatever was troubling Haru ran deep.

Right then, Chaeyoung came in and saw Haru hugging Mina. And by the way, Mina is clinging to Haru, and Haru is clinging to her; the relationship between them seems to be much more than just friends. Chaeyoung's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation unfolding before him. The scene in front of Chaeyoung shocked him, and he was then overcome with jealousy.

"What are you doing, Haru? Get off of her!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and hurt. He couldn't help but wonder if there was something more going on between them that he had been oblivious to all this time.

Haru, who was still out of it, did not answer. That caused Chaeyoung to pull Haru off of Mina and punch him. He was blinded at that moment because he felt betrayed by Haru's action to make a move on Mina. Mina had to stop Chaeyoung and explain the situation. It was only after that that Chaeyoung noticed Haru had been crying. As Chaeyoung saw the tears streaming down Haru's face, his anger began to dissipate, replaced by a pang of guilt. He tried to say, "Haru, what's wrong? I'm sorry." But it was too late because the scene unfolding in front of them was intense.

Haru was taking steps backward and looked frightened, flashbacks of his past flooding his mind. He started hyperventilating and trembling, his body language showing signs of distress.

Chaeyoung desperately wanted to reach out and comfort Haru, to assure him that he never meant to hurt him. He tried to get closer to Haru, but Haru then dove and started rubbing his palms together. "I-I am so sorry. P-please d-d-don't hurt me...Father." Haru had difficulty saying anything else as he was overwhelmed by fear and memories of his abusive father. The word "father" hung in the air, heavy with the weight of past trauma. Tears streamed down Haru's face as he struggled to regain control of his emotions, feeling trapped in a painful moment from his past that had resurfaced unexpectedly.

Chaeyoung's heart sank as he realized his actions had triggered Haru. He desperately wished he could turn back time and undo his impulsive actions.

"Mina, can you please go and hold him?" Chaeyoung's voice trembled with guilt and remorse as he pleaded with Mina. He knew that her comforting presence could provide the solace and support that Haru desperately needed in that moment. Mina nodded and approached Haru slowly. She wrapped her arms around him gently yet securely. She whispered soothing words, assuring him that he was not alone and that she was there for him. Haru's tense body gradually relaxed as Mina's comforting embrace and words began to ease his pain.

After a few hours, Haru's breathing was back to normal, and he stopped trembling. He slowly pulled out of the hug before Mina or Chaeyoung could ask a question. He approached Chaeyoung and asked, "Chae, can you take me home right now?" Chaeyoung looked at Haru with concern and nodded, understanding the urgency of his request. Without hesitation, he agreed to take him home. Haru did look at Mina for a brief moment, gave a subtle smile, and then walked away. As Chaeyoung drove Haru home, a heavy silence filled the car, and both of them were lost in their thoughts.

That same night, Mina called Sana to come over. When Sana got to Mina's house, she rushed to Mina's bedroom. Mina tearfully recounted the events of the day, explaining how Haru's last look worried her. "He smiled at me before he left, but the look he gave me worried me...it was as if he were saying goodbye." Sana listened attentively, her heart sinking as she realized the gravity of the situation. Determined to help, she suggested Mina talk to Haru tomorrow.

The next day, Mina urgently looked for Haru but could not find him until the other employees told her that they all got a goodbye email from him stating he was leaving Japan. Mina rushed to her office and went to her emails. All she saw was an apology from Haru and a resignation letter attached to it.

The day finally came to an end, and Mina was feeling so overwhelmed when Chaeyoung finally showed up. "Mina, let's talk." They went over to LowKey and invited Sana as well. Chaeyoung was the last person to see Haru, so they started questioning him. "Where is Haru? He sent me his resignation letter today." Mina asked. Chaeyoung hesitated for a moment before responding, "After sending him home last night, he went and packed all his clothes and asked if he could take my private jet to go see his mom in the US."

"Why?" Sana asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Chaeyoung sighed. "He said she had gotten into an accident, and he needed to be there for her. He seemed worried and wanted to be by her side as soon as possible." Mina and Sana exchanged concerned glances.

"Hyung left Japan late last night, and I don't know when he's coming back. He won't tell me what's going on either and just say he'll call me once everything settles down." Mina's heart sank as she listened to Chaeyoung's words. She couldn't understand why Haru would leave without any explanation, leaving her feeling abandoned and worried.