Lovely Boxer- LeeKnow

28: Act like everything is fine.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

 ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

After I sent you away I was left in pain
It was all my fault, so why am I hurting?

I didn't even thank you in the end

Just left behind sharp words in a trembling voice
Even if I act like everything is fine, I can't lie.

-Ex- Straykids-

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Minho POV:

I don't know what came over me, but I felt an overwhelming urge to give her a hug. I wanted to see her smile genuinely, not that forced one she'd been wearing. But as I wrapped my arms around her, I didn't get the response I hoped for. She pulled away slowly, and I could see the struggle in her eyes, the way she was fighting to keep herself together. But I let her go, and it hurt me as I did. I felt helpless, I dint know what else to do.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

A week or two has passed, and Hana seems to be doing better health wise. But I'm still left wondering about what's going on in her mind. She's quieter than usual, only opening up when I engage her in conversations. Even then, her responses are brief, and soon after, she retreats to her room, claiming she's tired. But it's clear to me that she's burying herself in work. Some days, I have to practically drag her out of that room just to get her to eat with me. It's as if she's shutting herself away, and no matter how hard I try to reach her, she's seems out of reach.

One evening, after dragging her out for dinner, I notice her eyes are red, and she seems more worn out than usual. I can't stand seeing her like this, and the concern in my chest feels almost unbearable.

"Hana, what's wrong?" I ask, trying to keep my voice gentle. 

"Nothing, why"
She said with a sigh, picking up the chopsticks in front of her.

I notice her fingers tremble slightly as she fiddles with the chopsticks, a small sign that something is clearly off.
"It's just... you've seemed different lately. It's just a little bit concerning."

She looks down at her plate, avoiding my gaze.
"It's nothing, really. Just a lot on my mind."

"Take a small break," I suggest gently.
"I haven't seen you outside your room in a while."

She looks up, her eyes weary.
"And do what? I don't have the motivation nor the energy to do anything else."

"You don't have to tackle everything all at once,"
I say, trying to be encouraging.
"Go outside, take a walk."

She looks conflicted, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"I don't know... It feels like there's so much to do and not enough hours in a day, and I can't afford to fall behind."

"Hana-"

"Please, let's just eat," she interrupts, a touch of pleading in her voice.
"This will be my break, okay?"

"Okay, okay- That's fine. Just eat."
 I nod, trying to respect her boundaries.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.