Winter Falls || Lee Know ✓

🎓:He's sick

~🎬~

A few days had passed since Suhyun's return to school, and Minho still hadn't shown up. At first, Suhyun had tried to be patient. She had asked Hyunjin, Felix, and even Jisung about him, but no one seemed to know where he was. Jisung, in particular, had been acting odd. Whenever she mentioned Minho, he would glance away or fidget uncomfortably. It was clear to Suhyun that he was hiding something.

By the third day, she couldn't take it anymore. She cornered Jisung during lunch, determination in her eyes. "Han Jisung, you're telling me what's going on with Minho. Now."

Jisung blinked, clearly startled. "Suhyun, I told you already—I haven't heard from him."

"You're lying," she shot back, folding her arms. "I know you've been to his house. So, what's the deal?"

Jisung looked around nervously, making sure no one was listening. "Okay, fine, but I'm not telling you anything. If Minho knew I told you, he'd probably kill me."

"Then take me to his house after school," Suhyun demanded, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Jisung's eyes widened in horror. "Are you crazy? He'd definitely kill me if I brought you there!"

"Do I look like I care? I need to see him, Jisung. I'm worried about him. You're either taking me there, or I'll figure it out on my own."

Jisung let out a long sigh, knowing there was no arguing with Suhyun once she had made up her mind. "Fine, fine. I'll take you, but I'm not going inside with you. Minho will murder me if he finds out I brought you."

Suhyun grinned triumphantly. "Deal."

⌛

After school, Suhyun and Jisung walked toward Minho's house. Jisung was quiet, clearly regretting his decision, but Suhyun kept her focus ahead, determined to see Minho no matter what.

When they arrived at the front door, Jisung turned to Suhyun, his face pale. "Alright, this is where I leave you. I'm not going in there, and I'm definitely not sticking around. If Minho finds out I was involved, I'll be dead before dinner."

Suhyun rolled her eyes. "You're so dramatic."

"I'm serious!" Jisung whispered urgently. "Good luck, though. You'll need it."

And with that, he bolted, leaving Suhyun standing alone in front of Minho's door. She took a deep breath before raising her fist and knocking. For a moment, there was silence. Then, the sound of slow, shuffling footsteps reached her ears. The door creaked open, and there stood Minho, looking pale and tired, his usual sharp gaze replaced by exhaustion.

"Suhyun?" he blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting to see her. "What are you doing here? You need to leave."

Suhyun frowned, immediately noticing the dark circles under his eyes and his pale complexion. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. "You look terrible, Minho. What's wrong?"

"I said, leave." Minho's voice was firm, but the weakness in his posture gave him away.

Instead of listening, Suhyun pushed past him, walking into the house. Minho didn't stop her, too tired to argue, though he muttered weakly behind her, "I told you to leave."

Suhyun glanced around the large, mostly empty house. It felt cold, lifeless. "You live here all alone?"

Minho closed the door behind her and sighed, leaning against the wall. "Yeah. Now get out."

But Suhyun didn't move. Instead, she turned to look at him with concern in her eyes. "Are you sick?"

"I'm fine," Minho muttered, though it was clear from his appearance that he wasn't.

Suhyun wasn't convinced. "You don't look fine. When was the last time you slept? Or ate?"

Minho rubbed his face in frustration. "It doesn't matter. Just go, Suhyun."

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on."

Minho opened his mouth to argue but stopped when he realized he didn't have the energy. Instead, he stumbled over to the couch and collapsed onto it, too exhausted to keep fighting her. "Do whatever you want," he mumbled, closing his eyes.

Suhyun watched him for a moment, her worry only deepening. It was strange seeing him like this—vulnerable and weak. Normally, Minho was so strong, so composed, but now he looked like he could barely keep himself together.

As she sat down on the floor next to the couch, she glanced up at him, her frustration turning into concern. "You're really sick, aren't you?"

"Just tired," Minho muttered, his voice barely audible. "I've been... I don't know...thinking too much."

Suhyun shook her head, knowing there was more to it than that, but she didn't push him further. Instead, she stayed by his side, quietly watching him as he drifted in and out of sleep. Before long, he had completely passed out on the couch, too exhausted to keep himself awake.

Hours passed, and as night fell, Minho finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was Suhyun, sitting on the floor with her head resting on the couch, fast asleep. He blinked in surprise, his heart doing an odd little flip at the sight of her there, still by his side after all this time.

For a moment, he just stared at her, a strange warmth filling his chest. He was angry that she had come, but at the same time...he was glad. Her presence was comforting, even if he wouldn't admit it.

As if sensing his gaze, Suhyun slowly woke up, blinking groggily as she looked up at him. "You're awake," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Minho nodded, sitting up slowly. "Yeah."

Suhyun stretched and yawned, glancing at the clock. It was indeed late, and she knew her aunt would worry if she didn't get home soon. "And I should probably head out."

She stood up and began to gather her things, but just as she was about to leave, Minho reached out and grabbed her wrist. She turned, surprised, only to find him pulling her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. He rested his head against her stomach, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't go."

Suhyun froze, her heart racing at the sudden closeness. "Minho..."

"I'm sick," he muttered, his voice sounding almost like a pout. "And no one's here to take care of me."

Suhyun raised an eyebrow, trying to fight the smile tugging at her lips. "I can't stay, Minho." She tried to make an excuse "uh, I don't have clothes."

"You can wear mine," he whined, sounding more like a stubborn child than a High school student.

For a moment, she hesitated, but seeing how vulnerable he looked, how tired and lonely he seemed, she couldn't bring herself to leave him. With a sigh, she finally gave in. "Fine, I'll stay. But only because you're sick."

Minho smiled weakly, relief washing over him. Even in his exhausted state, he felt a little lighter knowing that, for now, Suhyun wasn't going anywhere.

~🎬~