Sunsun au "Love at first sight [my idol, my lover]"

Chapter 11: Healing and Moving Forward

The cool afternoon breeze swept through the park, ruffling Alli's hair as he sat on a bench, staring at his phone. His thoughts drifted between the last few weeks and the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed him. Akinoa's absence weighed heavily on his heart, and even though Zildjian was a constant source of comfort, the distance between him and Akinoa felt like a wound that wouldn't heal.

He hadn't seen much of Akinoa since their conversation at the park. It was strange not having him around. For years, Akinoa had been the one he turned to for everything — his laughter, his advice, his warmth. But now, that closeness had been replaced with silence.

Still, despite the guilt gnawing at him, Alli was happy. He couldn't deny the rush of emotions that came with being around Zildjian. Their bond was growing stronger with each passing day, and Alli felt a sense of safety he hadn't experienced before. Zildjian was different. He was patient, understanding, and willing to wait for Alli to be ready. But there was always something lurking in the background — the constant whisper of uncertainty, and now, the whispers of something more.

Alli opened his phone and smiled at the latest message from Zildjian:

Zildjian: Can't wait to see you later. I've got a surprise for you. 😉

Alli's heart fluttered as he quickly typed a response:

Alli: I'm curious! Can't wait either. 😊

He was meeting Zildjian later that evening, and the thought filled him with excitement. But even as his feelings for Zildjian grew stronger, a part of him couldn't help but feel nervous. Rumors had begun to spread online — speculation about Zildjian's personal life, about who he was spending time with, and who the mystery boy might be.

Alli wasn't used to this kind of attention. He had always admired idols from afar, but being pulled into that world felt overwhelming.

Later That Evening

The café was dimly lit, creating a cozy atmosphere as Alli and Zildjian sat at their usual table. The warmth from their drinks contrasted with the coolness of the night outside, and Alli felt himself relaxing in Zildjian's presence.

"So," Zildjian said with a playful glint in his eyes, "you want to know what the surprise is?"

Alli leaned forward, smiling. "Of course! You've been teasing me about it all day."

Zildjian chuckled before pulling out a small envelope from his jacket pocket. He slid it across the table toward Alli. "Open it."

Alli's curiosity piqued as he carefully opened the envelope. Inside was a pair of VIP concert tickets, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Zildjian! Are these for... your concert?" Alli asked, his voice filled with excitement.

Zildjian nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "I wanted you to be there, up front. I know it's not the same as our usual hangouts, but... I'd like you to come."

Alli's heart swelled with happiness, but at the same time, a small wave of anxiety washed over him. Being in the front row meant being visible. It meant being seen. And with the rumors already swirling, he wondered if being that close to Zildjian would only make things worse.

"I... I don't know," Alli said hesitantly, his fingers tracing the edge of the tickets. "What if people start to notice? I don't want to make things harder for you."

Zildjian reached across the table, gently taking Alli's hand in his. "I know this is a lot to deal with. But I want you there, Alli. I'm not worried about what people think. I want us to enjoy this — together."

Alli looked into Zildjian's eyes and felt a warmth spread through him. Zildjian wasn't just saying what he thought Alli wanted to hear. He was being honest, open. And for the first time in days, Alli felt a sense of calm wash over his doubts.

"Okay," Alli said softly, squeezing Zildjian's hand. "I'll be there."

Akinoa's Absence

But even as Alli allowed himself to feel happy about the concert, the empty space left by Akinoa lingered in the back of his mind. After their talk, Akinoa had pulled away even more, and while Alli understood why, it didn't make the distance any easier to bear.

Later that night, as Alli sat in his room, he scrolled through his old messages with Akinoa. There were hundreds — photos, inside jokes, long conversations that had once felt so important. He missed those moments. He missed his friend.

Alli hesitated for a moment before typing a message:

Alli: Hey, Noa. I hope you're doing okay. I miss hanging out.

He stared at the message for a long time before hitting send. He didn't expect an immediate response, but a part of him hoped that reaching out would bridge the growing gap between them.

The Pressure Builds

The following week, Alli began noticing the stares. It started out small — just a few lingering glances from classmates or people at the café. But as the concert approached, the looks became more frequent, more obvious. Whispers followed him down the hall, and he could see people looking at their phones when they thought he wasn't paying attention.

It was subtle at first, but Alli knew what was happening. The rumors were spreading. People were starting to notice that Zildjian had been spending more time with someone. The media wasn't far behind, and Alli's anxiety began to creep in.

One afternoon, Alli met Ace at their usual spot in the park. He hadn't confided in Ace much about his relationship with Zildjian, but now, he felt like he had no choice.

"Ace," Alli said, his voice quiet, "do you think people are starting to talk? About me and Zildjian?"

Ace glanced at Alli, his face thoughtful. "Honestly? Yeah, they are. I've heard a few people whispering about it. You know how the fans get."

Alli sighed, his chest tightening with worry. "I didn't think it would get this bad. I'm just... I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with it."

Ace placed a comforting hand on All's shoulder. "Look, I get it. It's a lot of pressure. But if you and Zildjian are serious about each other, you'll figure it out. Just be honest with him. He needs to know how you're feeling."

Ace nodded, grateful for Ace's advice. But as he walked home that evening, his thoughts continued to swirl. The pressure of being in the public eye — of being with someone like Zildjian — was starting to take its toll. And as much as he cared for Zildjian, Alli couldn't help but wonder if he was strong enough to handle it.

That night, Alli sat on his bed, holding the concert tickets in his hands. He had agreed to go, but the fear of what might happen — of what people might say — lingered in the back of his mind.

A message from Zildjian lit up his phone:

Zildjian: Can't wait to see you tomorrow. 😊

Alli smiled softly, his heart tugging between excitement and worry. He wanted to be with Zildjian. But could he handle everything that came with being with someone in the spotlight?

He didn't have the answer yet. But one thing was clear — he couldn't keep running from the truth.