𝘚𝘱𝘶𝘳

5.

This time, Yeonjun decided to go for a run but took a different route to avoid running into Thomas. He was still shaking off a slight hangover, and the crisp morning air helped clear his head. Earlier, Taehyun had made him a green smoothie to help with the hangover.

"Are you sure you didn't just put a bunch of random stuff together and blend it?" Yeonjun asked, sniffing the glass suspiciously.

"No, I followed a recipe," Taehyun replied, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Yeonjun eyed him skeptically. "Are you sure this isn't some kind of revenge for what happened a few nights ago?" he asked, referring to the late-night project session.

Taehyun simply shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Drink and find out."

With a resigned sigh, Yeonjun took a cautious sip. The taste was a mix of surprisingly refreshing and slightly off-putting, making him wonder if Taehyun had indeed thrown in some unusual ingredients just for fun.

"Well?" Taehyun prompted, raising an eyebrow.

Yeonjun grimaced but continued drinking. "It's... interesting," he said diplomatically. "I think it's both answers."

Taehyun chuckled, clearly satisfied with Yeonjun's reaction. "It'll do you good. Now go get some fresh air."

Determined to shake off the lingering effects of the previous night, Yeonjun finished the smoothie and headed out. The new route was refreshing, taking him through quieter streets and parks he hadn't explored before. The exercise felt good, helping to clear his mind and focus on the day ahead.

As he ran, his thoughts drifted to the events of the previous night. Meeting Blaze and the unexpected kiss had left him with a mix of emotions. He was curious about where things might lead but also wary of getting too entangled too quickly.

The different scenery and unfamiliar paths were a welcome distraction, allowing him to process everything at his own pace. The sun was beginning to rise higher, casting a warm glow over the city and making the buildings shimmer in the morning light.

By the time Yeonjun returned home, he felt more grounded, the remnants of his hangover mostly gone. He took a deep breath, appreciating the moment of clarity. Whatever lay ahead, he felt ready to face it, one step at a time.

He put on the same jeans he had tossed on his chair the night before and found a random muscle-fitting shirt that accentuated his lean physique. Determined to be optimistic again, he reflected on the previous night. He had kissed someone—a man—someone nobody else knew about, someone he wasn't tied to. It was thrilling and freeing. He wanted to look good and feel good today.

As he adjusted his shirt, he felt something in his pocket. Reaching in, his fingers closed around a small, cool object. Pulling it out, he saw it was a ring. Well, shit. How did that get in there?

His mind flashed back to the intense moments of the night before, and he realized it must have been Soobin's ring. It must have slipped into his pocket during their heated discussions or while they were all working on the project. The realization made his stomach churn a bit. He knew he would have to return it sooner or later. Might as well do it today and get rid of the uneasy feeling lingering from their last encounter.

He finished getting ready, his thoughts drifting between the kiss with Blaze and the inevitable confrontation with Soobin. He wanted to move forward without the weight of unresolved issues. Maybe returning the ring would be a step in that direction.

Yeonjun took a deep breath, pocketed the ring securely, and headed out. The fresh air and sunlight felt invigorating as he walked through the bustling campus, his mind set on clearing up the awkwardness with Soobin. He made his way to Soobin's dorm, rehearsing what he would say.