Hidden Melodies (Minsung)

8. The Breaking Point

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The argument hung between them for days. They still acted the same in front of the others-laughing, joking, putting on their usual performances-but behind closed doors, there was a growing distance that neither of them could ignore.

It all came to a head one night after an especially grueling practice. The group had just returned to their dorm, exhausted and sore, when Minho's phone buzzed with a message from their manager. He read it quickly, then turned to Jisung, his face serious.

"Manager-nim wants to talk to us tomorrow morning. Alone."

Jisung's heart skipped a beat. "About what?"

Minho shook his head. "I don't know. But he sounded... concerned."

A pit of dread formed in Jisung's stomach. Had someone found out about them? Had their secret finally been exposed? The possibilities raced through his mind, each one more terrifying than the last.

That night, they lay in their beds, each too far away in thought to sleep. Jisung tossed and turned, his anxiety growing with every passing hour. Eventually, he couldn't take it anymore. He slipped out of his bed and knocked softly on Minho's door.

Minho opened it almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for him. "Can't sleep?"

Jisung shook his head, his eyes filled with worry. "What if they know, Minho? What if this is it?"

Minho sighed, stepping aside to let Jisung into his room. "We'll deal with it. Whatever happens, we'll handle it."

But Jisung couldn't shake the fear gnawing at him. "And if we can't? What if they tell us to stop-what if it affects the group?"

Minho's face hardened, frustration flickering in his eyes. "Jisung, stop. We don't know anything yet. You're overthinking it."

"I'm not!" Jisung shot back, his voice trembling with emotion. "This is our career, Minho! If this gets out, it's not just us-it's all of us. Hyunjin, Chan, Felix-everyone could get hurt because of this."

Minho's expression darkened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "So what? You think we should just stop? Is that what you want?"

Jisung's eyes filled with tears, his heart breaking at Minho's words. "I don't know! I just... I don't want to lose you, but I don't want to ruin everything we've worked for either."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of Jisung's words hung heavy in the air, filling the room with a suffocating silence. Minho's face softened, and he stepped closer to Jisung, gently taking his hand.

"I don't want to lose you either," Minho whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "But I don't know how to do this without you."

Jisung squeezed Minho's hand, his voice trembling as he spoke. "I don't either."

They stood there for a long time, their hands clasped together, each of them trying to hold onto the fragile connection they shared. But beneath the surface, the cracks were beginning to show, and neither of them knew how long they could keep it together.

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