My dance teacher is cute | Haobin

18 - Hot Hyung

POV: Zhang Hao | MONDAY AFTERNOON

By the time I woke up, I noticed the blanket had slipped down from my face, leaving a faint chill on my skin. I turned over, but the space next to me was empty. It took a moment for the fog of sleep to clear before the memory of what had happened came flooding back.

Hanbin had brought me here. He put me to sleep.

I let out a quiet chuckle into the pillow. Hanbin... he really doesn't know what he wants, does he?

Always contradicting himself.

One moment, he's telling me to fuck off, pushing me away like I'm the last person he'd ever want around, and the next, he's here, by my side. What are you, Hanbin? Bipolar?

I could still feel the weight behind my eyelids, swollen from all the tears I had shed for that idiot.

God, how I hated crying.

But somehow, I couldn't stop myself. I was such a crier.

The familiar sensation reminded me of the times I would sob alone in my room over the smallest things, waiting—always waiting—for someone to walk in and comfort me. But no one ever came. No one ever cared enough to show up. Over time, I stopped expecting it. Now, crying alone in my bed felt safer, less disappointing. At least this way, I didn't have to face the crushing silence of no one coming to my side.

But Hanbin... Hanbin had come in. He stayed. That meant something. More than I cared to admit.

He wouldn't leave me. He couldn't.

That's what he just showed me, right?

The corners of my lips tugged upward, a small, involuntary smile. I didn't know why, but the thought warmed me from the inside out. Maybe Hanbin didn't realize it himself, but actions spoke louder than his bitter words. He was still here. And for someone like me, who had gotten used to people walking away, that meant everything.

I wanted to check my phone, but then I remembered I had left it in the dance practice room. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was already lunchtime. I stretched and slowly sat up, my headache easing slightly as I got to my feet. I figured I'd eat first, then go get my phone afterward.

When I arrived at the canteen, I grabbed my tray and headed toward my usual table. But as I scanned the room, my eyes locked with Jiwoong's. He smiled, waving me over to his table. I blinked in surprise. This wasn't something he usually did. I hesitated for a second, then made my way over.

As I approached, Jiwoong pulled out a chair for me, his gesture smooth and inviting. His whole friend group was there, including Hanbin, who looked up at me with confusion etched across his face. I could practically feel his stare burning into me as I sat down next to Jiwoong.

"Are you alright? I didn't see you at practice," Jiwoong asked, turning toward me with a soft curiosity in his eyes.

I nodded, taking a bite of my food. "I left a bit early."

His voice lowered to a whisper as he leaned closer, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Why are your eyes so red?"

Embarrassed, I glanced away, but not before my eyes met Hanbin's. He quickly averted his gaze, focusing hard on his food, but I noticed the slight tension in his shoulders. The corners of my lips twitched into a smile before I turned back to Jiwoong.

"I've been sick since this morning," I explained, my voice soft. He nodded, then, with a tender gesture, picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and placed it on my plate.

"Eat well," he said with a smile.

I chuckled, surprised at his thoughtfulness. "You can give me your vegetables. You don't like them, right?" He offered, recalling a small detail I hadn't expected him to remember.