Harmonies of the Heart

Chapter 12: Words Unsaid

The morning sun peeked through Ruka's curtains, casting soft light across her room. She grabbed her phone, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. Yeonjun's message lingered in her mind, and as she opened it, her heart raced.

"Hey Ruka, I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about the rumors. I wasn't careful at all, and I didn't think about the consequences. Do you still want to be friends?"

She hesitated, fingers hovering above the screen. After a moment, she replied, "It's okay, Yeonjun. Everything has already happened. I hope you can use this as a lesson. I think we can still be friends."

A small part of her hoped this message would mend the rift between them, but she couldn't shake the tension that hung in the air—especially with Junkyu. Every encounter felt like a missed opportunity, and the silence between them gnawed at her.

Days later, Ruka found herself walking through the agency, her heart heavy with unease. She caught sight of Junkyu down the hall, his head down as he moved swiftly. Without thinking, she called out to him, "Junkyu oppa!"

He didn't stop, his shoulders rigid, and a wave of disappointment washed over her. Determined, she broke into a run, her feet echoing against the floor. "Wait!"

But as she turned a corner, she stumbled over her own feet, falling hard to the ground. A sharp pain shot through her knee, and she winced, looking down to see blood seeping through her jeans.

Hyunsuk happened to be passing by and rushed over. "Ruka! Are you okay?" He knelt beside her, worry etched on his face.

"I'm fine," she lied, trying to brush off the incident. "I just... tripped."

"Your leg is bleeding!" Hyunsuk exclaimed, concern deepening. He glanced back to where Junkyu had disappeared. "He didn't even stop to check on you."

Ruka's heart sank at the realization. "I know... I just wanted to talk to him."

Hyunsuk shook his head, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You shouldn't have to chase after him like this. He's being too cold, Ruka. I'll talk to him for you."

"Thank you, Hyunsuk oppa," she said, touched by his kindness. She knew Junkyu's attitude was hurting both of them, but she also didn't want to force anything.

As they waited for Ruka's manager to arrive, Hyunsuk helped her to her feet, his hand steadying her. "Let's get you cleaned up first, okay?"

A few minutes later, Ruka's manager drove her back to the dorm, the car ride filled with a tense silence. Ruka stared out the window, replaying the moments of her fall and Junkyu's indifferent departure in her mind.

That night, at the Treasure dorm, Hyunsuk found Junkyu sitting alone, lost in thought. He plopped down on the couch beside him, frustration spilling out. "What's going on with you, Junkyu? You're being way too harsh on Ruka."

Junkyu's expression remained unchanged. "I don't want to talk to her."

Hyunsuk sighed, exasperated. "She was running after you, and you just left her. She got hurt because of it! She's really worried about you."

Junkyu crossed his arms, feeling a mixture of anger and confusion. "I don't know what to say to her."

"Then just say something! You can't keep ignoring her like this," Hyunsuk insisted. "You need to realize that the rumors with Yeonjun aren't true. Ruka told me she refused him. She needs you right now."

The mention of Yeonjun made Junkyu's heart race. He felt a flicker of relief but didn't want to admit it. "She didn't tell me that."

"Because you won't let her!" Hyunsuk replied, his voice rising in frustration. "You've been acting like she did something wrong, when in reality, she's just trying to navigate all this chaos. You need to clear the air with her."

Junkyu sat in silence, letting Hyunsuk's words sink in. The images of Ruka falling, the hurt in her eyes, and the way she had reached out to him flooded back.

"Fine," he finally muttered, looking away. "I'll talk to her."

"Good," Hyunsuk said, relief washing over him. "Just remember, she's still your friend. Don't let pride get in the way."

As the night wore on, Junkyu couldn't shake the unease growing in his chest. He thought about the moments they'd shared, the laughter, the warmth, and how quickly it had all changed. The longer he let this silence linger, the more he feared losing Ruka entirely.

Meanwhile, Ruka lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, heart heavy with uncertainty. She couldn't help but wonder if the friendship she cherished could ever return to what it once was. With her thoughts swirling around, she closed her eyes, hoping for a clearer path forward, a way to untangle the threads of her heart.