EX 一 Minsung

1 | TRUTH

Jisung's older brother, Jae-Ho, persuaded him to attend a friend's party. "It'll be good for you to get out, clear your head," he said.

Jisung hesitated, still reeling from the breakup. But Jae-Ho's insistence wore him down.

As they arrived at the luxurious mansion, Jisung's anxiety spiked. He hadn't socialized much since the split.

Inside, the party buzzed with laughter and music. Jae-Ho led Jisung to the host, a charismatic man named Sung-Min.

"Sung-Min, this is my brother, Jisung," Jae-Ho introduced.

Sung-Min smiled warmly. "Welcome, Jisung. I've heard great things about you."

The group chatted, enjoying themselves. Jisung pretended to join in, still uneasy.

Twenty minutes passed, filled with small talk and forced laughter.

Just as Jisung began to relax, the door swung open.

Minho walked in, apologizing for his tardiness.

"Sorry, traffic was a nightmare," Minho said, shaking Sung-Min's hand.

Jisung's heart plummeted. Their eyes met, and the air seemed to thicken.

"Minho, glad you could make it," Sung-Min said, oblivious to the tension.

Minho's expression remained neutral, but Jisung detected a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

As they exchanged awkward small talk, Jisung struggled to maintain his composure.

Sung-Min asked Jisung about his favorite sports team, and Jisung engaged, pretending to be normalcy. Minho participated in conversations, skillfully avoiding Jisung. Laughter and chatter filled the room, but the tension between Jisung and Minho was palpable.

Sung-Min suggested playing Truth or Dare, and the group cheered. Jisung's unease grew, while Minho's expression remained neutral. Players drew numbers to determine the order. Jisung prayed he wouldn't be chosen first, his anxiety intensifying with Minho's presence.

Jae-Ho drew the first turn and chose "Truth." Sung-Min asked, "What's the craziest thing you've done?" Jae-Ho shared a hilarious story, easing the tension. Jisung's turn approached, and his apprehension heightened. Would he be paired with Minho?

Minho's turn arrived, and he chose "Dare." The group cheered, and Minho's eyes locked onto Jisung for a split second. Jisung wondered what Minho's dare would entail.

Sung-Min grinned mischievously. "Minho, your dare is... to sing a love song to someone in this room."

Minho's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Jisung for a moment before moving on.

"Who's the lucky person?" Minho asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Sung-Min pointed to a surprised Jae-Ho. "Jae-Ho, you're the chosen one!"

Relieved it wasn't Jisung, Minho chuckled and cleared his throat. He began singing a cheesy love song, his voice surprisingly good.

Jae-Ho blushed, laughing and playfully covering his face.

Jisung watched, a mix of emotions swirling inside. Minho's carefree performance was a stark contrast to the tension between them.

Next, it was Jisung's turn.

"Truth," Jisung chose, hoping to avoid an awkward dare.

Sung-Min's question made Jisung's heart skip a beat: "What's the most painful memory you've ever had?"

Jisung hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Uh, I once forgot my phone password and had to reset it," he said with a forced laugh.

The group chuckled, buying into his lighthearted response.

Minho's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing Jisung's evasion.

Sung-Min smiled. "That's not exactly painful, Jisung."

Jisung shrugged. "Guess I'm a lucky guy."

Minho's gaze lingered on Jisung, his expression unreadable.

Next, it was another player's turn.

As the game continued, Jisung's unease grew. Minho's proximity and the game's probing questions made him increasingly uncomfortable.

Minho's turn came up again.

"Dare," he chose, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sung-Min grinned. "Minho, your dare is... to share a secret about someone in this room."

Minho's gaze swept the room, his eyes locking onto Jisung for a fleeting moment.

Minho's gaze lingered on Jisung before he spoke, "I have a secret about... Jae-Ho."

Jae-Ho's eyes widened in surprise.

"What is it?" Sung-Min asked, intrigued.

Minho leaned in, a sly grin spreading. "Jae-Ho has a crush on Sung-Min's sister."

The room erupted into laughter and teasing.

Jisung's relief was short-lived.

The game continued, with each player revealing secrets or completing dares.

Next, it was Jisung's turn again.

"Truth," Jisung chose, hoping to avoid another awkward dare.

Sung-Min's question made Jisung's heart race: "Have you ever had feelings for someone in this room?"

Jisung broke the silence, "No."

The group laughed, buying into his denial.

Minho's expression remained neutral.

But Jisung noticed a flicker of disappointment in Minho's eyes.

It was a subtle crack in Minho's mask.

Jisung wondered if he'd imagined it.

Next, it was Minho's turn.

"Dare," Minho chose.

Sung-Min grinned mischievously. "Minho, your dare is... to kiss someone in this room."

The room fell silent.

Minho's eyes locked onto Jisung.

Jisung's heart skipped a beat.

"Ji-Yeon," Minho said with a sly smile.

The room cheered as Minho walked over to Ji-Yeon.

Their lips met in a soft, brief kiss.

Jisung's eyes widened, a pang of jealousy striking his chest.

He couldn't believe Minho would do that.

Ji-Yeon giggled, blushing.

Jisung's anxiety spiked.

Game or reality?

He couldn't distinguish.

Next, it was Jisung's turn again.

"Truth," Jisung chose, bracing himself.

Jae-ho's question made Jisung's heart sink:

"What's the real reason you broke up with Minho?"