𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑅𝑆 • 𝑀𝐼𝑁𝑆𝑈𝑁𝐺

𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑅𝑆 22 ☆

☆ Song recommendation:
"The night we met" by Lord Huron

Winter's chill seemed to seep into every corner of campus, mirroring the distance that had grown between Minho and Jisung. Since their confrontation, the public appearances as a couple were maintained with normalcy, but privately, their conversations were forced, often punctuated by awkward silences. The warmth they had once shared was now replaced by an emotional wall that neither seemed able to breach.

The student center was unusually lively as the semester drew to a close, with students buzzing about finals and holiday plans. Amid the chatter and clinking of coffee cups, Yuri, a classmate known for her infectious energy and popular gatherings, approached Minho, Jisung, and their friends.

"Hey, everyone!" Yuri's bright smile was a stark contrast to the current mood. "I'm throwing a New Year's Eve party at my place at the thirty-first, and I'd love for all of you to come! It'll be a great way to kick off the new year and take a break from all the studying."

Minho and Jisung exchanged glances, both clearly hesitant.

"That sounds fun, Yuri," Minho said, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. "But we're pretty swamped with finals and everything."

"Yeah," Jisung chimed in, forcing a weak smile. "I don't know if I'm really up for a party right now."

Yuri's face fell slightly, but she quickly rallied. "Come on, it'll be a blast! And I think it's exactly what you guys need—some time to relax and have fun. You both look like you could use a break."

Chan, Felix, Jeongin, Seungmin, Hyunjin, and Changbin, who had been listening nearby, nodded in agreement.

"It would be good to get out and unwind," Chan said. "We've all been through so much lately."

"Yeah," Felix added, glancing at Minho and Jisung with a hint of concern in his eyes. "A change of scenery might help. It's been a tough few weeks."

"Okay, okay, we'll go..." Minho said but Jisung stayed quiet.

"Great! I'll see you all there! Bye!" Yuri said.

But after Yuri left, Felix could sense that something was off. Jisung's usual bright demeanor was missing; instead, he was unusually quiet. His gaze was fixed on the floor, and Felix noticed the subtle but unmistakable signs of distress—Jisung's shoulders were slumped, and he kept wiping at his eyes, trying to hide the tears that seemed on the verge of spilling.

Felix's concern grew with each passing moment. He made his way over to Jisung, careful not to draw attention. "Hey, Jisung," Felix said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You seem a bit off. Do you want to step outside for a bit? Maybe get some fresh air?"

Jisung looked up, startled and then wary. "I'm fine. Really."

Felix smiled gently, a reassuring gesture. "Come on, it'll just be a few minutes. I think it might help you clear your head."

After a moment's hesitation, Jisung gave a reluctant nod. "Alright. Let's go."

They walked outside into the chilly night air, the cold seeming to emphasize the weight of Jisung's emotions. Felix led him to a quiet corner of the campus, away from the bustling noise of the group. Once they were alone, Felix turned to face Jisung, his expression one of genuine concern.

"So, what's going on?" Felix asked, his tone gentle. "I can see something's bothering you. It's more than just needing a break from the noise."

Jisung's composure broke then, and he sank onto a nearby bench, his face flushed with emotion. "It's everything with Minho," he began, his voice cracking. "The whole fake relationship—it's just too much. I thought I could handle it, but it's getting harder every day."

Felix sat beside him, listening intently. "Tell me more. What's been going on?"

Jisung took a deep breath, struggling to find the words. "I'm just... so tired. Trying to keep up this act with Minho, pretending everything's fine when it's not. I have real feelings for him, Felix. I like him—more than I should. And now, with Seojin back, it's like everything's falling apart."

Felix's eyes softened. "Oh Ji...I had no idea you felt that way about Minho. It must be really tough."

"It is," Jisung admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want to be there for him, but it feels like he's pulling away. I don't know what to do. It's like we're both caught in this mess with Seojin, and it's driving us apart instead of bringing us together."

Felix placed a comforting hand on Jisung's shoulder. "I understand. Navigating a fake relationship when you have genuine feelings is incredibly difficult, especially with all the added stress from Seojin's manipulation. Minho's been through a lot, and it's affecting both of you."

Jisung looked at Felix, who had a mixture of sympathy and concern in his expression. "My brother...is been through a lot more than you know. The year our mother died, he was still in a relationship with Seojin. That was a very toxic and manipulative relationship, I don't know how he stayed with her for one year and a half. That's part of why he ended things with her—it was a really difficult time for him, he ended up losing himself as I told you a long time ago. I know it's not an excuse for how things are now, but it's part of the reason he's struggling."

Jisung nodded slowly, the new understanding adding a layer of complexity to his feelings. "I didn't know. That makes sense, though."

Felix gave him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, but it's important to remember that Minho's past affects him, but that doesn't mean he has the right to leave you alone and pretend you can manage all of this on your own. You deserve to take care of yourself, too. And you know what, I think the New Year's Eve party could be a good opportunity for you to take a break from all this stress."

Jisung's gaze lifted, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely," Felix said, his voice firm yet encouraging. "You don't have to be with Minho all night, I mean you have to because of this fake relationship thing, but you can come for yourself, to relax and enjoy. It's New Year's Eve—a chance to unwind. And I'll be there with you. We can enjoy the night together and leave the stress behind, even if just for a few hours."

Jisung managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Felix. I appreciate it. I think you're right. I need to take some time for myself."

Felix's expression softened further, his support evident. "Remember, no matter how complicated things get with Minho, you've got friends who care about you. You're not alone in this. We're all here for you."

As they made their way back to the group, Jisung felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Felix's words and support had given him a new perspective, and for the first time in a while, he felt a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil.