our delicate string | 최범규

14: clarity.

[ ⭐️ ]

THE BUILDING WAS bustling with people going into school again for the first time since break. the rest was much needed, except the five boys couldn't help but complain about how much they dreaded it.

a few days had passed since Beomgyu saw Aera and Jun-Ho together. they hadn't talked since, he hadn't responded to her messages or calls. he felt bad. he had no reason to be upset with her, it's not even like Jun-Ho and Aera are a thing plus, Beomgyu and Aera aren't even together.

so why was Beomgyu still avoiding her, why was he somehow upset? what was bothering him so much that he would go to the length of ignoring the girl he adored?

maybe it was the fact that the man who hurt Aera is still present in her life. maybe it was the fact that Aera has already loved before and Beomgyu might not amount to that. maybe she still has feelings for Jun-Ho.

whatever it is, Beomgyu felt bad getting involved, even if it meant hurting who he loves the most by avoiding her.

it was nearing the end of the school day as the bell rang. Aera packed her bag of music books and stepped away from her piano, darting her eyes to the boy in her music class. he had ruffled black hair and a tall figure, as she called his name once everybody had left.

"hey, Hueningkai," Aera called him over as he was packing up his guitar. "you're close with Beomgyu, right?"

he stammered. "y-yeah, why?" Hueningkai was left confused. in fact, Beomgyu hadn't updated the four about his status with Aera. even when they were waking to school, he didn't talk about it.

"is he okay?" she took a seat. "he hasn't answered my calls, my messages, and i haven't even seen him around the hallways."

"Beomgyu's a pretty private person. he probably just has a lot going on." the brunette said.

as he began to walk out of the room, he turned around to face her slightly. "he doesn't like to feel like he's burdening us."

Aera was left confused as the boy left the room. could she have done something without knowing? whatever it was, she needed to talk to him soon.

with a winter formal flyer in her hand, she packed up her backpack and walked out the door, stuffing the paper into her pocket.

[ ⭐️ ]

Beomgyu walked home alone. the snow had been falling down quite light today. it seemed like the calm after the storm a couple of days ago. he was rather pale, still frowning as he walked the regular pathway. his hair wasn't as ruffled as usual, he just looked a little off.

"Gyu?" a familiar voice walked behind him as he removed an earbud from his ear. "mind if i join you?" she said, smiling lightly.

he shook his head lightly, a small smile appearing on his face. he forgot how much he missed Aera. her voice, her smile, her light. he missed her this past week.

"are you alright? i've been trying to get a hold of you for the past week now. i even went to your home the other day, but you weren't there."

"i just have a lot going on right now." he said, clearing his throat with a light cough.

"are you sick?"

he nodded. "i didn't have an umbrella the other day when it was pouring."

"but you were in Seoul when that happened." she furrowed her eyebrows.