Since that conversation, a week had passed, and true to their word, every day after classes, Changbin and Han would meet in the music room, immersing themselves in creating their shared music. And day by day, Jisung felt that Changbin was getting closer to him.
And though he tried to speak to him as little as possible,
He couldn't help it, conversations with Changbin just flowed naturally.
He wanted...not to laugh,
But he couldn't help but laugh when the elder started goofing around.
The boy sighed loudly, continuing on his way to school.
Many years ago, he promised himself something. He pledged to never form a closer relationship with anyone, condemning himself to eternal loneliness just to avoid further losses and constant suffering. He lived with the belief that everything he once loved would leave him and never return.
He faithfully kept this promise, even in moments when loneliness overwhelmed him. He didn't allow himself to repent, so why...
"Seo Changbin, what are you doing to me?"
-Hey, you!
The boy's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shout, and he saw that he had already reached the school and that there was a brunette standing by the school gate, intensely staring at him.
-Are you talking to me?
He asked, pointing at himself.
-Do you see anyone else here?
The boy only now noticed that indeed, there was no one else around them.
-I have something to tell you, come with me
-And why should I go with you, I don't even know you
-Lee Minho, and now come before more people gather here
His name seemed strangely familiar to Han, and he was about to say something, but the older boy didn't give him a chance to respond, as he began to walk in a direction known only to him, gesturing for him to follow. That's how they both ended up behind the school.
-So what do you want?
He asked indifferently.
And Minho didn't respond for a long time.
-You're just wasting my time, speak up or I'm leaving.
He got annoyed with Han's behavior, first dragging him who knows where, and now keeping silent as if under a spell.
After a while, when Lee still didn't say anything, Jisung, already irritated to the maximum, bypassed him, wanting to go inside the school. But then Minho grabbed his arm.
-Changbin is really a great person
He said it as if the younger didn't already know.
-What are you talking about...wait a minute.
Jisung finally realized where he knew the older boy from.
-It's you, the Minho that hyung talked about
It was evident that Minho immediately brightened up upon hearing that Changbin talked about him, but after a moment, he darkened, realizing that Seo probably didn't speak about him in a good light, considering recent events.
-So I guess you know what happened between us...
-More or less
The older nodded in response to Han's answer.
-That's good, it will be easier for you to understand what I want to ask you.
Jisung raised one eyebrow.
-What do you want?
He continued in a dry tone, still being skeptical towards Minho.
-Be a good friend to him.
-What?
Jisung was slightly shocked by what he heard.
Minho sighed, sitting down on a bench and gestured for the younger to sit beside him. That's when Jisung knew that there was going to be a longer story.
-Ever since we became friends, the whole school thought that I was only doing it for my own benefit. I heard their jokes about how Changbin was 'my shield' or something like that. It amused me because I knew it was complete nonsense. Maybe at the beginning of our friendship, it was true, but it was a really short period of time. At one point, I asked myself why I hadn't started talking to him earlier, why others were so blind to see what a wonderful person Changbin is
Minho paused his story for a moment, then continued.
-Contrary to what other people say, I also never had many friends. Maybe that's why I never could show what I feel, honestly, I never thought it was that bad until I realized that Changbin thinks the same as the whole school. I wanted to tell him that it's different, but instead, I made it worse. I completely destroyed our friendship, that's why...
He looked straight into Jisung's eyes and grabbed his arms.
-Stay with him, be a better friend to him than I was, please!
At that moment, Jisung thought that maybe it's time to correct Minho's mistake.
-What do you think Changbin said about you?
Minho didn't respond at first, not understanding the sudden change of topic, but then he quietly replied,
-He probably said I'm an egoist who only thinks about girls
Jisung stretched out his legs.
-Well, not really, honestly, apart from your argument and what you said to him at the end, I haven't heard anything bad about you. He did mention that you're a bit foolish, which I can now confirm
After the last words, he received a punch in the side.
-Ouch, just kidding
Jisung laughed.
-You know, regarding what you said earlier, even if I tried with all my might, for some reason, I can't leave him, and as for before...
Then the younger stood up and looked at Minho for the last time.
-When you said 'be a better friend to him,' don't say it to me, say it to yourself
He pointed to the older.
-It was nice to meet you, that's all
Jisung slowly started to walk away from the bewildered Minho.
Han was satisfied with the course of the situation because with Minho's help, he solved the problem that had been bothering him along the way.
Now he knew that even if he had to move again, leaving his new friend behind, it didn't change the fact that
"Changbin is really an extraordinary person."
And it was worth getting to know him, even for the pain that followed.
YOU ARE READING
Hear Me | Stray Kids (Minsung)
Fiksi Penggemar****Au High School**** Chan, the school president... Changbin, the school terror... Jisung, the new student... Contrary to appearances, they had nothing in common, but appearances are deceiving. That is... About students who were united by music. ~~...
