𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐀𝐓 [𝟏] 𝐃𝐞𝐣𝐚 𝐯𝐮 || 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑

POV Shizuka

Jeongin waves to me as I enter their dorm, heading straight for Minho's room door.

It's odd that he came to Music Bank only to leave right after seeing me. Even Soobin wondered what he was doing there.

Yes, because Soobin knows about our relationship. Apparently, we weren't as discreet as we thought when we kissed.

- "Can I come in?" I ask, knocking on the door.

- "Yes."

I open it and walk in, finding him sitting on his bed, watching a show on TV.

- "Are you okay?" I inquire.

- "Yes."

I squint, standing with my hands on my hips.

- "Why did you come to Music Bank?"

- "To pick you up."

Complete sentences, is that so hard?

- "And why did you leave?"

- "Soobin could have easily done it."

I grimace, confused.

- "Minho, are you really jealous of Soobin?"

He nods, closing his eyes, hands behind his head. He hasn't looked at me since I came in.

- "Hey, stop messing with me, okay?" I say, approaching his bed, irritated. "I'm here to talk like adults, make an effort."

He shifts to sit cross-legged in front of me, his head slightly raised to meet mine. He finally looks me in the eyes, a tense smile on his face.

- "Fine. So, is Soobin nice? With all his qualities, it wouldn't surprise me..."

- "Minho! What's gotten into you?"

- "I'm stating facts."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, holding back a sharp retort, and ask:

- "Do you really think I prefer Soobin over you?"

- "I wouldn't be surprised."

- "That's mean, Minho."

He looks away for a few seconds before blurting out:

- "You lied to me. When you said everything would be fine. Nothing is fine."

- "You're not even trying!"

- "What's the point? It leads to nothing!"

I glare at the ceiling, frustrated, and point an accusing finger at him as I look back at him.

- "Listen, I'm optimistic, why can't you be?"

- "Because I'm mean. I have a mean look, a mean mind, mean love. I'm mean, Shizuka."

I stay silent at this confession, and he turns away, looking back at the TV.

- "Please leave."

▪︎▫︎▫︎▫︎▫︎

- "And there you have it, we fought over that."

Soobin nods, having become my impromptu therapist for the day.

- "So, he's been giving you the cold shoulder for a week, a month into your relationship. Can I just say?"

- "Yes?"

He points behind me, and I see Minho, looking around. A smile lights up my face, and I rush towards him.

- "Minho! Are you finally ready to talk?"

He heads to an isolated corner without a word, and I add:

- "I'm sorry you thought that, this fight is stupid."

- "Let's break up."

Crack.

- "W-wait...but...huh?"

- "Let's break up. It's not working, Shizuka."

My lower lip trembles, and he avoids my gaze.

- "It's just a fight! Any couple breaks up after one fight!"

- "Apparently, some do. Sorry."

He starts to walk away but adds:

- "Look on the bright side, you have Soobin to comfort you."

He turns back around for the second time, and I stand there, staring into emptiness.

Why?

▪︎▫︎▫︎▫︎▫︎

I enter a practice room to try and clear my head, but I spot Sumalee sitting against the wall. I put my pride aside and sit down next to her, asking:

- "Are you okay?"

- "No. And you?"

- "Me neither."

We sit together in silence for several minutes, listening to the songs from Sumalee's playlist play.

- "I fought with Minho," I blurt out during the third song.

She remains silent, and I continue:

- "He thinks I'm cheating on him with Soobin."

My voice cracks, and I curl my knees against my chest.

Fourth song.

Fifth song.

- "I fought with Yeonjun. He thinks I'm too jealous."

Sixth song.

- "A dancer is flirting with him, but he doesn't see what I see in her eyes."

She leans her head against the wall and sighs:

- "I hope that in a few days, you two will have reconciled."

She doesn't cry, unlike me, and I no longer find it surprising. I don't care.

Seventh song.

- "I'm sure it'll be the same for you."

- "He broke up with me."

Eighth song.

Ninth song.

Tenth song.

- "I'm sorry."

Eleventh song.

And there we sit, side by side, for what feels like both an eternity and a split second.

Two enemies sharing their sadness.

Because heartbreak hurts.