Chapter 3
That night, Seungmin fell into a restless sleep. He tossed and turned, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of Minho. Eventually, he drifted into a vivid dream that felt more real than reality itself.
In this dream world, Seungmin found himself in the school hallway. The fluorescent lights above flickered softly, casting a gentle glow. He noticed Minho standing at the far end of the hallway, looking different—softer, more approachable. The usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced by a calm, almost serene expression.
Seungmin walked towards Minho, feeling a strange pull, like an invisible string drawing him closer. As he approached, Minho turned to face him, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions Seungmin couldn't quite place.
"Seungmin," Minho's voice was soft, a stark contrast to his usual arrogance. "I've always had feelings..."
Seungmin's heart skipped a beat. This was not the Minho he knew. This Minho was vulnerable, open, and it made Seungmin's chest tighten with an unfamiliar feeling.
"Feelings?" Seungmin echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Minho nodded, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them. "Feelings I couldn't express. Feelings that confused me, made me act out."
Seungmin's mind raced. He had never considered this possibility. "What do you mean?"
Minho reached out, gently taking Seungmin's hand in his own. The touch sent a shiver down Seungmin's spine. "I mean that I've been drawn to you from the moment you walked into that classroom. But I didn't know how to handle it, so I turned it into competition, into rivalry."
Seungmin looked down at their joined hands, his thoughts a whirlwind. "But... why? Why didn't you just say something?"
Minho sighed, his grip tightening slightly. "I didn't know how. I've never felt this way about anyone before. It scared me."
Seungmin's eyes met Minho's, and he saw the truth there. This was real, this connection, this tension that had always simmered beneath the surface of their interactions. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.
"I've felt it too," Seungmin admitted. "But I didn't understand it either. I thought it was just anger, frustration."
Minho smiled, a genuine, warm smile that lit up his face. "Maybe it's something more."
Seungmin felt a surge of emotions—confusion, fear, excitement—all mixing together. "But what do we do now?"
Minho's eyes softened. "We could try to be honest with each other. No more hiding behind insults and competition. Just... be ourselves."
Seungmin nodded slowly, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I'd like that."
In the dream, the school hallway faded away, replaced by a serene garden bathed in soft moonlight. The air was cool and fresh, and the sound of crickets filled the night. Seungmin and Minho walked side by side, their hands still clasped together.
They sat down on a bench, the night sky stretching endlessly above them. Minho turned to Seungmin, his expression earnest. "There's so much I want to tell you, so much I want to understand about myself and about us."
Seungmin felt a warmth spread through him. "We have time. We can figure it out together."
Minho nodded, a look of relief washing over his face. "Together."
As they sat there, the dream began to blur, the edges softening. Seungmin felt a sense of peace he hadn't known before. This dream, this moment with Minho, felt like the beginning of something new and beautiful.
Just as the dream was about to fade completely, Minho leaned in, his lips brushing against Seungmin's in a tender, hesitant kiss. It was soft, almost like a whisper, but it carried with it all the emotions and unspoken words that had built up between them.
Seungmin's heart swelled, and he kissed Minho back, letting himself get lost in the moment. The world around them disappeared, leaving only the two of them, connected in a way that transcended words.
When Seungmin woke up, the morning light filtering through his window, he lay still for a moment, the dream fresh in his mind. His heart was pounding, and he could still feel the ghost of Minho's touch on his skin.
-AKIN
