BLOSSOMS IN THE SPOLIGHT | HEESEUNG

28: Watching From Afar

The next morning, the dorm was abuzz with the usual post-tour energy—relief, exhaustion, and the promise of a few days of rest before the next round of schedules kicked in. For the first time in what felt like weeks, the boys had a free day to do whatever they wanted. Heeseung, however, felt the weight of the previous night hanging over him like a storm cloud.

He hadn't been able to sleep after walking Jia out, her words about her date with Minho echoing in his mind. He had come so close to confessing, only to let the moment slip away—again. Now, the thought of Jia going on a date with someone else gnawed at him, and he had no idea how he was supposed to deal with it.

The group had planned to head out for a casual lunch, and Heeseung was trying his best to act normal, even though every fiber of his being was distracted.

"Dude, are you coming?" Sunghoon called from the door, already putting on his shoes. "We're going to that new café near the studio."

Heeseung snapped out of his thoughts, forcing a nod. "Yeah, I'm coming."

The others were already filing out, and Heeseung grabbed his jacket, trailing behind them. The café was just a few blocks away, and the walk through the bustling streets of Seoul did little to clear his head. His mind kept wandering back to Jia and Minho, wondering if their date had already started, wondering if Minho was making her laugh the way he always did.

When they reached the café, it was packed with people enjoying the weekend. The boys managed to find a table in the back, tucked away from the larger crowd. It was cozy and casual, a perfect spot to relax, but Heeseung's mood hadn't improved.

As the group settled in, ordering drinks and chatting about the upcoming promotions, Heeseung barely paid attention. His mind was elsewhere, drifting between his jealousy and his regret. He was just about to zone out entirely when Sunoo, sitting across from him, suddenly froze, his eyes widening.

"Guys," Sunoo whispered, his voice barely audible over the chatter of the café. "Is that... Jia?"

Heeseung's heart skipped a beat, his head whipping around to follow Sunoo's gaze. And there, near the front of the café, sitting at a small table by the window, was Jia. She was facing away from them, but Heeseung would recognize her anywhere. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes locked onto the person sitting across from her.

Minho.

The café, the one they had chosen at random for their lunch, was the same place Jia had picked for her date. It was pure coincidence, but the sight of Jia with Minho felt like a cruel twist of fate. Heeseung's chest tightened as he watched them, his stomach churning with a mix of emotions he could barely contain.

The rest of the group exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the gravity of the situation. Jake, who had been chatting with Ni-ki, fell silent, his eyes darting between Heeseung and Jia's table. Even though they were all close, the tension surrounding Jia and Heeseung's unspoken feelings wasn't lost on any of them.

Sunghoon, always the observant one, leaned over and whispered, "This wasn't planned, right?"

Heeseung shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Jia and Minho. "No," he muttered, his voice strained. "It's just... bad timing."

Jake cleared his throat, trying to diffuse the awkwardness. "Maybe we should leave. Give them some space."

But Heeseung didn't move. He couldn't tear his eyes away from them. Minho was leaning forward, smiling at something Jia had said, and Jia was laughing—her soft, melodic laugh that Heeseung had come to treasure. Seeing her so comfortable with someone else made his heart ache in a way he hadn't anticipated.

Sunghoon reached out, placing a hand on Heeseung's arm. "You okay, man?"

Heeseung blinked, finally looking away from the scene. He forced a nod, though it was far from the truth. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... weird, that's all."

But it wasn't just weird. It was painful. Watching Jia with Minho felt like watching his worst fears play out in real time. Heeseung had spent months dancing around his feelings, convincing himself that there would be a perfect moment to tell her how he felt. But now, as he sat there, watching her on a date with someone else, he realized just how badly he had miscalculated.

The boys around him shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. They didn't want to leave Heeseung to stew in his own emotions, but staying here—watching Jia on her date—was equally awkward.

"Let's order," Sunghoon said, trying to keep the mood light. "We're already here, and it's not like they've seen us."

Ni-ki nodded, eager to break the tension. "Yeah, let's just eat and go. No big deal."

The group reluctantly agreed, placing their orders and trying to carry on with their original plan. But as much as they tried to act normal, it was clear that the atmosphere had shifted. Heeseung, in particular, was struggling to keep his emotions in check. Every time he glanced toward Jia's table, it felt like a dagger twisting in his chest.

At one point, Minho reached across the table, brushing a strand of hair away from Jia's face. It was a small, almost innocent gesture, but to Heeseung, it felt like a punch to the gut. He clenched his fists under the table, trying to focus on the conversation happening around him, but it was no use. His mind was consumed by the sight of them together.

After what felt like an eternity, Jia and Minho stood up, signaling that their date was coming to an end. Heeseung's heart raced as he watched them gather their things, walking toward the door. He held his breath, praying that they wouldn't notice the group sitting in the back corner.

But as they reached the exit, Jia's eyes scanned the room, and for a brief moment, they landed on Heeseung. Her expression shifted—surprise flickering across her face. She hadn't expected to see him there, and for a split second, their eyes met, the unspoken tension between them thick in the air.

But then, just as quickly, Jia turned away, her hand brushing Minho's arm as they stepped outside together.

The door closed behind them, and the café seemed to fall into an awkward silence. Heeseung exhaled shakily, his heart still pounding in his chest. The boys didn't say anything, but their concerned looks spoke volumes. They all knew what had just happened, and none of them knew how to make it better.

Jake was the first to break the silence. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently.

Heeseung shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "No, I just... I need some time."

The rest of the group fell quiet, respecting his need for space. They finished their meal in subdued silence, the once lively atmosphere dampened by the weight of the situation. Heeseung's mind, however, was miles away. All he could think about was Jia and Minho—how easily they seemed to fit together, how much he had lost by keeping his feelings to himself.

As they left the café, Heeseung couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his chest. He had waited too long, and now, it seemed like he was watching Jia slip away right before his eyes.

And this time, there was no going back.