FATE

26.

Eun-hee, the oldest member of EN-, had been watching Jeong and Won for months now. To the other members, their relationship was nothing more than pure, unshakeable friendship – a best-bro-clingy duo.

He, however, wasn't buying it. For months, he'd been a silent observer, catching glimpses that flickered between them – a knowing glance across the room, a lingering touch that lingered a beat too long. Even on camera, during their weekly vlogs, Eun-hee couldn't shake the feeling there was more to their story.

One sunny afternoon, while filming their vlog, Jeong and Won were a winning team, their playful banter escalating into a near hug as they celebrated. They froze mid-air, suddenly acutely aware of the camera capturing their almost-too-intimate moment. It was another subtle clue for Eun-hee, a tiny piece of the puzzle clicking into place.

Then came the live stream incident. As Eun-hee bent down to pick up a fallen paper, his gaze caught something unexpected – Jeong's hand intertwined with Won's, hidden behind their backs. It was a fleeting moment, gone as quickly as it appeared, but for Eun-hee, it was a confirmation. He knew.

He decided a private conversation was necessary. He sat Jeong and Won down, his gaze serious. "Alright, you two," he began, "we need to talk." Jeong and Won exchanged a nervous glance. Eun-hee continued, "I've noticed... a certain closeness between you two. And frankly, it goes beyond what we usually see."

His voice was gentle but firm as he asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Jeong and Won exchanged a nervous look. They hadn't planned on coming clean, but Eun-hee's perceptive gaze left them with little choice. Jeong took a deep breath and confessed, "Eun-hee hyung, Won and I... we've been dating for more than two years now."

Surprise flickered across Eun-hee's face, but it was quickly replaced by a knowing smile. "I figured out. Took you long enough to confess," he said.

Jeong and Won looked down. Eun-hee offered them a gentle warning. "Dating as idols," he said, his voice serious, "is a tightrope walk. Be careful, be discreet. A rumor mill can be brutal, and the last thing we need is for things to get blown out of proportion."

Relief washed over Jeong and Won. Eun-hee's understanding was a weight off their shoulders. He offered them advice on maintaining secrecy while also emphasizing the importance of open communication within the group. As the oldest, he promised his support but stressed the importance of putting the group's success first. Jeong and Won, vowing to be careful, thanked Eun-hee for his understanding, a newfound sense of ease settling between them. The weight of their secret was a little lighter, they knew they could navigate the tightrope of their hidden love with Eun-hee as their anchor.

Eun-hee smiled a hint of warmth in his eyes. EN- wasn't just a group – it was a family, one that looked out for each other, even in matters of the heart.