Winter Falls || Lee Know ✓

🎓:Shadows of the Past

~🎬~

The sun had set, casting a warm glow over the school grounds as students poured out, chattering excitedly about their weekend plans. Minho leaned against the wall near the entrance, arms crossed, watching his friends with a faint smile. The group had been unusually lively lately, especially Suhyun, whose laughter echoed through the hallway like music.

"Look at them," Minho muttered, more to himself than anyone else. Felix was animatedly recounting some embarrassing story about Jisung, who was pretending to be offended while Hyerin playfully threw her arm around his shoulder. Suhyun's eyes sparkled with delight, her laughter infectious. It was a side of her that made Minho feel warm inside, a feeling he was still getting used to.

Minho felt a strange sense of comfort around the group, something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in years. It was as if he had finally found a place where he belonged, and it scared him. He didn't want to ruin it or let anyone take it away.

But unbeknownst to him, someone was watching. Bae Jiho stood a few yards away, leaning against a tree, arms crossed tightly against his chest. His sharp gaze pierced through the crowd, settling on Minho. Jiho's lips curled into a sneer as he observed the scene.

"Look at that loser," he scoffed, shaking his head in disdain. "How pathetic."

"Who? Minho?" Dongwoo, Jiho's friend, looked genuinely confused. "What's your deal with him? He's just hanging out with his friends."

"His friends? Ha! More like his little fan club," Jiho replied, irritation dripping from his words. "I can't stand seeing him happy. He doesn't deserve it."

Dongwoo raised an eyebrow. "That's a bit harsh, isn't it? What did he ever do to you?"

Jiho's expression darkened, memories flooding his mind. Years ago, a tragic accident had taken everything from him. His parents—business partners with Minho's family—had died in that crash, and the fallout had been devastating. Jiho had never forgiven Minho for it, and now, as he watched the boy's carefree interactions, his resentment flared anew.

"Let's just say Minho has a history," Jiho muttered, his voice cold. "He thinks he can play the part of the happy little bad boy, but I won't let him get away with it. Not when I'm around."

Dongwoo frowned, glancing back at Minho, who was now teasing Suhyun about something. "It doesn't seem like he's doing anything wrong, though. Why not just leave him be?"

"Leave him be?" Jiho shot back, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You don't understand. The more he enjoys himself, the more I want to ruin it. I won't rest until he feels the same pain I do. He can't just pretend everything is fine while I'm stuck with the memories of what I lost."

With that, Jiho stepped away from the tree, his eyes never leaving Minho. "I'm going to show him that happiness is fleeting. He needs to remember who he really is."

Back with the group, Minho was still oblivious to Jiho's presence, caught up in the camaraderie of the moment. Suhyun had just finished telling an outrageous story about her last mishap in gym class, and everyone was in stitches.

"Seriously, you tripped over your own shoelaces?" Hyunjin laughed, holding his stomach.

"Hey, it's not my fault they were untied! It's like they had a mind of their own!" Suhyun replied, feigning outrage.

"You should really consider some training for those shoelaces," Minho quipped, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Suhyun stuck her tongue out at him. "And you should consider using that brain of yours for something other than being a lone wolf."

"Lone wolf?" Minho echoed, raising an eyebrow. "I'm more of a cold bad boy, thank you very much."

Felix snickered, shaking his head. "You're definitely not as cold as you think, Minho. Not with Suhyun around."

Minho rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. There was something about being with this group that made it easier to let his guard down. And for a moment, he thought maybe, just maybe, he could have this happiness for a little longer.

But as Jiho watched from a distance, he felt the anger bubbling inside him. It was one thing to see Minho with his friends, but to see him laughing with Suhyun—someone Jiho could never understand—felt like a personal affront.

"Look at him, smiling like he's the king of the world," Jiho muttered darkly. "I swear I'll find a way to knock him off that pedestal."

"Dude, you're seriously obsessed," Dongwoo said, shaking his head. "Maybe you should talk to him instead of plotting something. This won't end well if you keep going down this path."

Jiho shot him a glare. "I don't need a lecture from you, Dongwoo. You don't know what it's like to lose everything."

With that, Jiho turned away, his mind racing with plans that were slowly taking shape. He would make Minho feel the weight of his past. He would remind him of the shadows lurking behind his cheerful facade.

Meanwhile, back with the group, Minho's gaze found Suhyun again. Her laughter echoed in his ears, and he felt a flicker of something deep inside him—a desire to protect this happiness, no matter the cost.

"Hey, Minho!" Suhyun's voice cut through his thoughts. "You're zoning out again. Earth to Minho!"

He blinked, momentarily pulled from his thoughts. "What? I was just...thinking."

"Thinking about what? How you're going to conquer the world with that attitude?" Suhyun smirked, teasing him.

"Actually, I was thinking about how annoying you are," Minho shot back, unable to help the grin that broke through.

Suhyun laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As the group continued to joke and tease one another, Jiho's anger festered at the edge of the school yard. He hated seeing Minho so carefree, so oblivious to the dark cloud hanging over his head. He was determined to shatter that illusion, and soon.

For now, Jiho retreated into the shadows, plotting his next move. Because in his eyes, happiness was a fleeting dream, and he was ready to wake Minho up from it, no matter the consequences.

~🎬~

Last chapter's Answer:
Fence

Today's Riddle:
What travels all around the world without
moving from it's corner?