nurse's office | minsung ✓

28

Jisung stared at the textbooks scattered across the table, his vision blurring from exhaustion. The bar exam was looming closer, less than a month away now, and it felt like his entire future depended on this one test. The pressure was suffocating, and each passing day seemed to add more weight to his already heavy heart.

He had dreamed of becoming a lawyer for years, fighting for justice, using his voice to help those who couldn't help themselves. But as the exam neared, so did his doubts. Physically, he felt drained—sleepless nights spent pouring over case law, cramming every possible detail into his mind had taken their toll. His body ached, and even though he wasn't eating much, his stomach was always twisted in knots.

Mentally, things were much worse. The pressure wasn't just from the bar exam; it was from everything. His past struggles, his near-deteriorating friendships, and his unshakable dependence on Minho—it all weighed heavily on him. Anxiety gnawed at him relentlessly. The thought of failing the bar, of not being able to achieve his dream, consumed him. What if all his hard work went to waste? What if his health spiraled further before he even got to sit for the exam?

Despite everything, there was a flicker of hope that kept him moving forward: Minho.

Jisung often found himself looking to Minho for comfort, for that unspoken reassurance that things would somehow be okay. Minho had been there through everything, giving him quiet support, never pushing too hard but always being there when Jisung needed him most. On the nights when Jisung felt like breaking down, Minho would sit beside him, not saying much, just being present. It was more than enough.

But even with Minho's support, the battle was internal. The constant headaches, the racing heart, the endless exhaustion—it all felt overwhelming. There were moments when Jisung wondered if his body would give out before his mind did. He knew his mental health was decaying slowly but surely, the panic attacks coming more frequently, the moments of despair more common. The pressure of balancing his aspirations with his health was pushing him to his limit.

There was still time—just under a month to prepare—but Jisung couldn't help but feel like he was running out of it. Every day mattered, every hour spent studying or revising was crucial. But at the same time, every moment spent not caring for himself brought him closer to collapse.

He clung to the idea that with the right support, he could make it through. Minho's presence gave him some peace, but Jisung also knew he had to start relying on himself again. He needed to believe in his own strength, even when it seemed impossible. He couldn't depend on others forever.

He could do this, right?

But as the days ticked by, a gnawing voice in the back of his mind kept whispering: What if you can't?

Jisung slammed his textbook shut, frustration bubbling over as he ran both hands through his messy hair. "I can't! I just can't do this anymore," he muttered, voice filled with exhaustion and irritation. It was like everything he had studied had just turned to mush in his brain. The pressure, the constant worry of not being good enough, was eating at him.

A soft knock on his door broke the silence before it creaked open, and Minho walked in, holding a steaming mug. Without a word, Minho sat down beside him and placed the mug in front of Jisung.

Jisung only looked up at him with his curious eyes wide at Minho. He eyed the unfamiliar tea  before sipping a tiny bit.

"Ginger-orange tea," Minho said, smiling gently. "It helps me calm down, and I think it'll help you too."

Jisung raised an eyebrow. He was a proud milk tea lover and ginger-orange tea wasn't exactly his thing, but...this was Minho. And if Minho wanted him to try it, he would. With a sigh, he picked up the mug and took a cautious, and more proper sip this time. The warmth hit him immediately, the citrusy scent relaxing in its own way. It wasn't bad.