Outcast || Meanie

03

Upon arriving at the infirmary, they find it deserted, the nurse nowhere to be seen. Mingyu gestures for Wonwoo to take a seat on one of the beds while he grabs a chair, positioning it in front of him. Wonwoo hesitates for a moment before complying, his expression guarded as he watches Mingyu's every move.

Sitting down, Mingyu leans forward slightly, his gaze gentle yet probing. A lengthy silence follows, broken only by Mingyu's soft questions.

"Are you okay?"

Wonwoo simply shrugs, indicating that he's fine and doesn't need any medical attention. His hand reach for anything nearby and start playing with it.

For a moment, a complete silence envelops between them.

As Mingyu observes Wonwoo's nervous fidgeting, a realization dawns on him. He notices something different about him, something that perhaps contributed to his status as an outcast.  He notices the subtle way Wonwoo's gestures seem delicate, his movements graceful yet hesitant. A contrast to the typical demeanor of the other boys.

In that moment, Mingyu sees beyond the surface and recognizes the innocence in Wonwoo's demeanor, an effeminate quality that sets him apart in their society. It dawns on Mingyu that Wonwoo's outcast status might stem from his gentle, effeminate nature, which doesn't conform to the expectations of their peers.  The way he holds himself with a certain grace, and the softness in his voice—all of these characteristics seem to set him apart from the others.

In a society that often values conformity and traditional masculinity, Wonwoo's gentle demeanor and softer qualities could make him a target for ridicule or discrimination.

"I'm not talking about your shoulder." Mingyu speaks that make Wonwoo look up from the medical instrument on his hand. " I'm talking about your feelings."

Wonwoo's eyes dart away from Mingyu's probing gaze, his brow furrows slightly as he continues to toy with the medical instrument in his hand. "Feelings?" he echoes, his voice tinged with confusion. "Oh. If you're talking about earlier, it's an accident. I just happen to pass by and—"

"Liar." Mingyu response, making Wonwoo to look up again. "Everyone know you purposely got into their way. I don't actually know why you did that but—"

"I don't owe you an explanation," Wonwoo retorts defensively, his tone is soft and gentle yet defensive. "And even if I did, it's none of your business, isn't?"

Mingyu leans back slightly sensing Wonwoo's defensiveness. He pauses, choosing his words carefully but they never formed so both of them fall into a tense silence.

" Do you like cat?"

Wonwoo's sudden question surprises Mingyu, breaking the tense silence between them. He blinks, taken aback by the unexpected change of topic. "Um, yeah, I do," Mingyu responds, slightly caught off guard. "Why do you ask?"

Wonwoo nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I have a few. Do you want to see them ?" he asks, his voice tentative yet hopeful.

Mingyu hesitates for a moment, considering the offer. "Uhm, maybe sometime. I have a date this afternoon."

“Ohhh... Hmmmmm.... Okay, that’s fine,” Wonwoo responds cheerfully, without any disappointment
evident in his voice. “Maybe another time, then?”

Mingyu nods, not committed to actually seeing Wonwoo’s cats any time soon. His attention is quickly drawn back to Wonwoo’s effeminate demeanor. There’s something about him, the way he speaks so softly and gestures so gracefully, it’s like he’s a completely different from the other guys he knows.

“How about your date?” Wonwoo asks, his tone casually inquisitive. “Are you looking forward to it?”

Mingyu takes in the subtle way Wonwoo tilts his head in his direction, as if showing genuine interest. No one in the campus has ever talked to him with such genuine curiosity, and he finds himself unexpectedly warming to the boy.