𝙴𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 4 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 | HAOBIN AU

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 13

Hanbin had reached his limit. Days had turned into weeks, and every time he tried to reach out to Hao, the gap between them only seemed to widen. Hao had grown distant—avoiding eye contact, ignoring messages, and barely speaking during their tutoring sessions. It was a slow, agonizing process that left Hanbin feeling more confused and hurt than ever.

That afternoon, as the final bell rang, Hanbin decided enough was enough. He wasn’t going to let this distance keep growing without answers. He needed to know why Hao was shutting him out.

Hanbin waited by the lockers, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he watched students file out of the building. Finally, he spotted Hao walking down the hallway, his usual confident stride replaced with something more hesitant, more guarded. Hanbin’s chest tightened.

"Hao,” Hanbin called, stepping forward. His voice came out firmer than he intended, but he didn’t care. This needed to happen.

Hao paused, his eyes darting toward Hanbin with an unreadable expression. For a brief moment, it looked like he might just walk past him, but instead, he sighed and came to a stop.

“What is it, Hanbin?” Hao asked quietly, his tone flat. The indifference in his voice made Hanbin’s stomach twist.

“I need to talk to you,” Hanbin said, stepping closer. “About everything.”

Hao shifted uncomfortably but didn’t protest. The tension between them was thick, almost suffocating.

Hanbin took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. “Why have you been avoiding me? You barely talk to me anymore. Did I do something wrong?”

Hao’s eyes flickered with something Hanbin couldn’t quite place, but he remained silent.

“I don’t get it,” Hanbin continued, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “One day we’re fine, and the next, you’re acting like I don’t even exist. I thought we were... I don’t know, closer than this.”

Hao finally looked at him, and for a moment, Hanbin saw a flash of vulnerability in his eyes. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced with that familiar guarded expression.

“I’m sorry, Hanbin,” Hao said softly. “It’s not about you.”

Hanbin felt a sharp pang in his chest. It’s not about me? Then what was it? Why did it hurt so much if it wasn’t about him?

“If it’s not about me, then what is it?” Hanbin pressed, his voice growing more desperate. “Why won’t you just talk to me? I’m your friend—hell Im courting you, Hao. I care about you. I want to help.”

Hao’s expression faltered for a moment, and Hanbin thought he saw his defenses cracking. But instead of opening up, Hao took a step back, his face hardening.

"You can’t help me,” Hao said coldly, and the words cut deeper than Hanbin expected.

Hanbin’s heart sank. “Why not?”

Hao looked away, his jaw clenched. There was a long, agonizing pause before he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “Because I’ve been lying to you.”

Hanbin froze, his mind racing. Lying? The word echoed in his head, but he couldn’t make sense of it.

“What do you mean?” Hanbin asked, his voice shaky.

Hao exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I haven’t been honest with you—about why I’ve been distant, about what’s going on.”

Hanbin’s heart pounded in his chest. “Then tell me the truth. Whatever it is, I can handle it.”

For the first time in weeks, Hao looked directly into Hanbin’s eyes, and the weight of his gaze was almost unbearable.

“Hanbin... I’m leaving.”

ᯓ★