ℕ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕖 [ᴋᴛʜ]

Close Encounters

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Soo-min was at her locker, struggling to grab her books before the next class.

Suddenly, Taehyung walked up to her with a friendly smile. "Hey, Min! Haven't seen you around much lately. Everything's alright?"

Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, at his presence.

She forced a smile, trying to sound casual. "Oh, hey Taehyung! Yeah, I've just been swamped with homework."

"Taehyung?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

"Not 'Tae' today?" he teased, trying to keep it light, which made her chuckle awkwardly.

His smile softened as he said, "Hana's been really worried about you lately."

Her smile faltered for a moment before she quickly restored her usual demeanor.

'Oh, yeah....Hana...How can I forget, its always Hana for you. 

This is why you are here, this time too....,' she thought.

"If you need any help, just let me know. Hana and I are always around", she just nodded.

"Thanks, Taehyung. I appreciate it," Soo-min replied, her voice trembling slightly. His smile dimmed with her continued formality of "Taehyung", with her formal tone, as if he were a distant acquaintance.

She was trying, at least.

She felt her emotions swirl inside her, trying to keep them under control.

As Taehyung walked away, Soo-min leaned against her locker, taking a deep breath. "Why does he always show up just when I'm determined to forget him?..................................Why is he making it so difficult for me?........." she thought. 

Every interaction felt like a bittersweet reminder of her unspoken feelings.

His smile was so warm, so inviting, yet it wasn't meant for her. 

Soo-min's heart fluttered as Taehyung stood beside her for those brief, precious moments. It was just small talk—nothing special.

But still, for her, those few seconds were everything. When he walked away, the world seemed  dimmer again.

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She watched Taehyung rejoin Hana, who was waiting by the stairs. Soo-min managed a small smile, which Hana returned.

They looked so perfect together, and it made her chest ache even more.

Hana now spent less time with Soo-min, preferring to be with Taehyung and his friends, which left Soo-min feeling increasingly isolated. But did she ever complain?

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"Why does every small moment with him make it harder to let go? 

Is this what they mean by the ache of love in all those poems?

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