"Well, damn."
"I know, right?" Jeonghan's laughter was light, almost mocking as he replayed the moment in his mind. He had recounted the drama to Seungcheol with all the nonchalance of someone who hadn't just stuck his nose where it didn't belong. Seungcheol, in contrast, was less amused and a lot more concerned.
"But still." Seungcheol fixed his younger bandmate with a sharp look, the kind that made it clear he wasn't letting this slide. Jeonghan, meanwhile, perched lazily on the bathroom counter, tousling his hair under the dim, moody lighting like he was on a photoshoot.
"I get it, hyung." Jeonghan sighed dramatically. "Snooping is bad. Got it, noted, whatever. But admit it—" He hopped off the counter with a flourish, tossing a playful wink over his shoulder. "—without me, you'd still be in the dark."
Seungcheol pinched the bridge of his nose, the telltale sign of a man two seconds away from losing it. "Not so fast, Yoon."
Jeonghan groaned, his hand slipping from the door handle. He turned back, arms crossed like a sulking child. "What now?"
"We're going back out there, and you're not pulling any more stunts. Got it? I think I saw Hansol heading out, and if Nabi's anywhere nearby, then maybe they'll talk. If they don't—"
Jeonghan grinned mischievously. "We force them to meet."
"No!" Seungcheol's tone sharpened. "If they don't, they don't. That's it. End of story."
Jeonghan threw his head back with a groan. "Boo, that's so boring."
"Not everything is about making things entertaining, Jeonghan." Seungcheol's patience was hanging by a thread. But Jeonghan couldn't resist one last jab.
"You're really okay with Hansol moping around the dorms like some kind of tragic, lovesick ghost?"
Seungcheol sighed heavily, resigned. "From what you said—which, by the way, I probably shouldn't know—they're done-zo. Let it go."
"Done-zo, huh? Did you just say 'done-zo'?" Jeonghan's grin stretched wide.
"Yoon Jeonghan."
"Fine, fine! But don't say I didn't tell you so." He opened the door with a flourish, pausing to pat Seungcheol's shoulder. "You doubt me too much, Coupsie."
Hansol wasn't angry, not really. Anger was too strong, too loud for how he felt. Irritated, maybe. Frustrated. Something quieter, simmering under the surface.
He liked her. He really liked her. And now? Over. Just like that.
The party had lost its appeal about an hour ago, and with every passing second, the urge to leave grew stronger. This wasn't his scene—never had been. But Nabi had made it bearable, made it fun. And now she was gone, and he couldn't shake the bitter taste left in her absence.
Nabi didn't see him at first. She was too wrapped up in her own spiral of regret and self-doubt, her heels clicking on the same grand staircase she'd floated down hours ago. How had time crawled to a stop and yet felt like it passed her by entirely?
Her thoughts consumed her, so much so that she barely registered the collision until it happened.
"Oh my god— I'm so sorry!" she stammered, stepping back. The apology hung in the air, unanswered.
And then she saw him.
"Hansol." His name slipped out before she could stop it, barely more than a whisper.
For a moment, she thought he might say something. Anything. But instead, he drew in a deep breath, brushed past her, and disappeared into the night without a word.
𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘧𝘴 + 𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪
𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚
SO?? HOW'S THE PARTY
𝙧𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙞𝙞
it is 1am.
𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚
and yet ur awake???
𝙧𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙞𝙞
kys
debrief at the office
be there in 25
𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚
mom i'm scared
𝙧𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙞𝙞
girl if u don't drop some juicy shit
i will kill u for making me do this
i think i might just kill MYSELF if i don't
talk to a non-stranger abt this.
be there.
𝙧𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙞𝙞
OMW
𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚
why do ya'll like talking abt killing sm?
stfu or ur next
"You're screwed."
"Thanks, Haeri." Nabi flopped onto the couch, face buried in the cushions. Across from her, her two closest friends sat cross-legged on the rug, sharing a look that teetered between pity and exasperation.
"Want my honest opinion?" Haeri leaned forward, her expression uncharacteristically soft.
Nabi lifted her head, her brows furrowing. "Do I have a choice?"
Haeri reached for Nabi's hands, her grip firm yet comforting. "You made the right call."
Kenji blinked, stunned. "What?"
"Think about it," Haeri continued, ignoring the incredulous stares. "If you said yes to him, could you have handled it? The spotlight? Or, worse, the secrecy? You've spent your whole life fighting to be seen, fighting to belong. Hansol's world would swallow you whole. You'd be miserable."
Her words hit like a gut punch, not because they were harsh, but because they were true. Deep down, Nabi had already told herself the same thing. She just didn't want to believe it.
"But it doesn't matter now, does it?" Nabi whispered, tears threatening to spill. "It's over."
Kenji offered her a small, sad smile. "Maybe it is. Or maybe it's not. Some things aren't meant to happen now. And if they are, only time will tell."
"Time," Nabi muttered, the word tasting bitter and unfamiliar. But as her friends pulled her into a tight embrace, the weight on her chest felt just a little lighter.And time did tell.
