Lovely Boxer- LeeKnow

30: Parents

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

a/n: very long chapter, haha

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I reach for me, but I'm not there
I always wonder why I'm here
It's fine, it's okay
I'll die anyway

I guess I could say
I've learned to live this way
But it's still hard to find
Reasons to stay alive

-I'll die anyway- the girl in red-

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Minho POV:

I refused to go home early, cook, or do anything that reminded me of Hana this entire week. But no matter what I did, she kept drifting into my thoughts. It was frustrating and painful—especially when she spoke to me as if she didn't care, even though I still cared deeply for her. 

It felt like there was something more between us than just a "best friend" or "roommate" situation. There was something deeper, but I kept second-guessing myself. Maybe all the arguing and emotional turmoil had clouded my feelings, leaving me tangled in confusion.

I would come home late and avoid searching for Hana. I'd eat dinner alone and retreat to my room. Often, I'd see Doongie sitting by her door, meowing and waiting, but the door would remain closed.

Today was Saturday, my day off, so I decided to visit my parents since I hadn't seen them in over a month, and apparently, they missed me. I did too, so this would be perfect for a distraction.

I left around noon, after feeding my cats. I noticed Hana hadn't emerged from her room while I was in the living room. It was odd—relieving in one way, avoiding another awkward interaction, but confusing in another. Had she been intentionally avoiding me, or was she just lost in her own world, the same way I had been trying to be? 

A thought in the back of my mind asked: had our friendship been irrevocably damaged? Was this silence a sign of something deeper?

Arriving at my parents' house, the warmth and familiarity provided a temporary escape from my overactive mind. We spent the afternoon catching up, talking about everything from my father's fishing trips to my mother's new balcony garden. It couldn't fully distract me, but it helped just a little bit.

As evening fell and we gathered around the dinner table, the conversation flowed easily, but I found myself unable to fully engage. My parents noticed my distracted demeanor, their concerned glances evident. They'd always been perceptive, and it was clear they sensed something was amiss.

"Minho baby, is everything okay?" my mother asked gently, breaking the pattern of small talk.
"You've seemed a bit preoccupied."

"Sorry, was it that obvious?"
I forced a smile and nodded. 
"Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Training's been a bit overwhelming lately."

"You should've rested today." His dad said softly.
"It's your day off, you dint have to spend it here."

"It's better here, than to be home,"
I replied, looking down my plate.

"You know you can come here anytime right? Don't hesitate, if you want I could-"

"Of course I know that, Mom. I'd never hesitate to be here,"
 I said with a forced chuckle. My mother was often oblivious to the underlying tensions, and in this moment, I wished she would be oblivious once more.