𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒚 / 𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒛

𝑪𝒉 : 𝟏𝟑 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈

The days that followed their kiss were filled with an awkward tension that neither Taesan nor Leehan knew how to navigate. They stopped spending too much time together, avoiding situations where they might be alone. The once easy camaraderie was now replaced by a palpable unease, each of them unsure of what to say or do.

Taesan's feelings were clear. He loved Leehan, but he didn't want to push him or make him uncomfortable. He respected Leehan's space, hoping that time would bring clarity. But the distance between them only grew, and Taesan found himself longing for the closeness they once shared.

Leehan, on the other hand, was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. He was hanging in the delicate balance between friendship and something more, unsure of where he stood. The kiss had stirred feelings he didn't fully understand, and the fear of falling into rumors and depression again loomed over him like a dark cloud.

He was afraid of being vulnerable, of opening himself up to the possibility of pain and loneliness. The memory of his past struggles haunted him, and he couldn't shake the fear of finding himself in the dark once more.

In the quiet moments of the night, Leehan would lie awake, his mind racing with thoughts of Taesan. He felt a pull towards him, a connection that went beyond friendship. But the fear of the unknown, of what might happen if he let himself fall, kept him paralyzed.

Two days after their kiss, Leehan made a decision. He couldn't stay in this limbo, caught between his heart and his fears. He needed to find himself, to escape the shadows that threatened to consume him. Without telling anyone except his parents, he began planning to leave the country.

---

The month that followed was a blur of preparations and goodbyes. Leehan kept his plans a secret, not wanting to face the questions and emotions that would come with it. He focused on his studies, on maintaining a semblance of normalcy, all the while knowing that his departure was imminent.

Taesan noticed the change in Leehan, the way he seemed distant and preoccupied. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the gap that had formed between them, but he didn't know how. The memory of their kiss lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

---

Finally, the day came. Leehan stood at the airport, his heart heavy with a mix of anticipation and sorrow. He had said his goodbyes to his parents, their tearful hugs a reminder of the love and support he was leaving behind.

As he walked towards the gate, he couldn't help but think of Taesan. The thought of leaving without saying goodbye tore at him, but he knew it was for the best. He needed to find his own path, to face his fears and uncertainties alone.

---

Back at the campus, Taesan sat in the library, a sense of unease gnawing at him. He hadn't seen Leehan all day, and a part of him feared the worst. As he stared out the window, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.

And change it did. The news of Leehan's departure spread quickly, leaving Taesan in a state of shock and disbelief. He felt a pang of regret, of missed opportunities and unspoken words. But beneath it all, he understood. Leehan needed to find his own way, and Taesan respected that.

---

As the plane took off, Leehan looked out the window, the city below growing smaller and smaller. He felt a sense of freedom, of possibility, but also a deep sadness. He didn't know what the future held, but he hoped that one day, he would find his way back to Taesan.

For now, he would face the unknown, carrying with him the memories of their time together and the hope that their paths would cross again.