When Suoh's best friend Min-Joon got a girlfriend right before summer, conflicted emotions began to bubble up.
Their friendship dates back to kindergarten, and now they are in senior high together. There is an entire summer planned out for both boys...
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WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SUMMER, Suoh faced the reality of not being able to spend time with Mei-Li or Min-Joon for a while. Since his last conversation with Zane, a plan had been set in motion: Zane would occupy Mei-Li's time with tutoring sessions, leaving Suoh free to enjoy uninterrupted moments with Min-Joon.
A radiant smile illuminated Suoh's face as he eagerly greeted his family. "Good morning!" he exclaimed, planting kisses on his mother's cheek and embracing his father warmly. Both parents regarded him with bemused expressions before joining in the laughter, cherishing the affectionate bond with their only child.
"Good morning, Suoh. Is Min-Joon coming over today as well?" His mother inquired, prompting a smile to spread across his face. "Yeah!" he replied with enthusiasm, a light hum accompanying his breakfast as anticipation for the day ahead filled him with joy.
The doorbell chimed, signaling Min-Joon's arrival, and Suoh's smile widened as he rushed to open the door. He greeted Min-Joon with uncontained excitement, practically launching himself into his friend's arms like an overjoyed child. Min-Joon, taken aback by the sudden embrace, stumbled momentarily before regaining his balance.
Chuckling softly, Min-Joon raised an eyebrow as he observed Suoh's flushed, embarrassed expression. "Someone's energetic," he remarked, amusement evident in his voice. Suoh's cheeks darkened further as he glanced downward, offering a shy smile. "It's just been a while," Suoh admitted softly, a tinge of wistfulness coloring his tone.
Min-Joon's expression softened, a hint of guilt flickering across his features. "Sorry, Suoh. I know you were looking forward to hanging out all summer," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "Mei-Li is tutoring Zane every Monday and Wednesday, and we always hang out on Saturdays, so you have me three times a week," Min-Joon pointed out, attempting to assuage Suoh's disappointment.
Suoh's jaw clenched as he shook his head, the weight of his unspoken emotions evident in his subdued response. "Yeah, well...I used to have you every day," he muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of longing. Min-Joon's eyes darkened, a mischievous grin playing at his lips. "Are you...jealous?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement as he watched Suoh's cheeks flush a deeper shade of red.
Feeling the heat rise in his face, Suoh vehemently denied it. "No!" he exclaimed, seeking refuge on the bed and burying his face in his hands as Min-Joon's laughter filled the room.
"You totally are," Min-Joon teased, drawing out the word as he mercilessly tickled Suoh, eliciting laughter from his friend. "Stop!" Suoh protested between laughs, attempting to fend off Min-Joon's playful assault.
As the laughter subsided, Suoh's gaze drifted to the pillow, his thoughts heavy with unspoken feelings. "I don't have a right to be jealous," he whispered quietly to himself, his words barely audible. "We're just friends, after all," he added under his breath, hoping Min-Joon hadn't overheard him.
In the ensuing silence, Min-Joon's fingers twitched as he held onto Suoh's waist, his expression contemplative. With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, breaking the tension with a suggestion. "We should...play something," Min-Joon proposed, offering Suoh a way to distract themselves from the weight of their unspoken truths. Suoh nodded in agreement, grateful for the opportunity to shift their focus onto something lighter.
As the video game banter continued, Suoh couldn't help but feel a weight settle in his chest at the mention of summer plans. "So, what are we doing this summer, aside from, y'know...hanging out?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light despite the sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Nothing," Min-Joon replied casually, his hands laced behind his head as he gazed up at the ceiling. "I'm taking Mei-Li to the beach next Saturday, and we're going to the mall on Tuesday. Aside from that, nothing much is planned right now."
Suoh's silence spoke volumes as he hugged his knees to his chest, his fingers idly tracing the frayed edges of his jeans. "I see," he murmured, the disappointment evident in his voice. Min-Joon noticed the change in atmosphere and turned to face his friend, concern furrowing his brow.
"Suoh," he called out gently, locking eyes with his friend. "Be honest," Min-Joon urged, his gaze probing as he searched for answers in Suoh's deep brown eyes.
The directness of Min-Joon's question caught Suoh off guard, his cheeks flushing crimson as he struggled to form a coherent response. His heart raced in his chest, the air thick with tension as he grappled with his emotions. Unable to meet Min-Joon's gaze, Suoh turned away and settled against the headboard, his gaze fixed on the blank expanse of the ceiling.
"I'm obvious, aren't I?" Suoh finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel Min-Joon's gaze on him, a mix of understanding and amusement in his response. "Yeah," Min-Joon confirmed with a chuckle, the tension between them easing slightly. "You were."
Suoh's attempt to address the tension between them hung heavy in the air as he shrugged, his voice tinged with nervousness. "There's no point in hiding something you knew, after all. You've known me forever. Are you... uncomfortable?" he asked, his hand absentmindedly scratching the back of his head.
Min-Joon's response was measured, his silence amplifying the weight of the moment as he studied Suoh's expression. Finally, he spoke up, his voice steady despite the complexity of emotions swirling within him. "No," Min-Joon assured him. "I'm not."
A teasing grin crept onto Min-Joon's face as he playfully pinched Suoh's cheeks. "Though I'll admit it's a huge ego buster," he teased, his laughter filling the room. "Who knew pretty boy Suoh liked me."
Suoh's cheeks burned with embarrassment, his blush deepening at Min-Joon's playful jab. "Who'd blame you though?" Min-Joon continued, a smirk dancing on his lips. "I'm quite good looking."
Rolling his eyes, Suoh pushed Min-Joon away and stood up from the bed, eager to change the subject. "I'm hungry," he declared, attempting to shift the focus away from their awkward exchange. "Want Wingstop?" he offered, turning back to face Min-Joon, who remained sprawled on the bed.
"Yeah, boneless," Min-Joon replied casually, his gaze lingering on Suoh.
Suoh's confusion and anxiety resurfaced as he shook his head in disbelief. "I still don't get how you prefer boneless over bone wings," he muttered to himself, shaking off the lingering discomfort as he made his way out of the room, his breaths shaky and vision blurred.
As Suoh tried to steady himself, Min-Joon's voice called out from upstairs, his concern evident in the tone. Suoh turned to face him, his head still hung low, his grip on the phone trembling.
Min-Joon's sudden move caught Suoh off guard, his heart pounding in his chest as their lips met in an unexpected kiss. The sensation was electric, sending shivers down Suoh's spine as he melted into the moment. The phone slipped from his trembling hands as Min-Joon's touch consumed him, his senses overwhelmed by the intensity of their connection.
Their kiss deepened, each movement filled with a mix of longing and uncertainty. Suoh's mind raced, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions coursing through him. He pulled away, breathless and bewildered, his eyes searching Min-Joon's for answers.
Before Suoh could articulate his thoughts, Min-Joon's lips reclaimed his in a desperate attempt to bridge the growing chasm between them. But as quickly as the passion ignited, Suoh pushed Min-Joon away, his confusion and apprehension palpable in the charged silence that followed.
"Min... why did you..." Suoh's voice faltered, his words lost in the chaos of his racing thoughts. He watched in disbelief as Min-Joon retreated, his departure leaving Suoh grappling with a torrent of emotions.
As Min-Joon made his exit without a backward glance, Suoh remained rooted to the spot, his mind reeling with unanswered questions. What had just happened? Had their friendship been irreparably altered? With a heavy heart, Suoh was left to navigate the aftermath of their impulsive encounter, uncertain of what the future held for their relationship.
