Hush, It's Love

P02

The next morning, Taeyang woke up feeling slightly more prepared to handle his newfound gift. Determined to test the limits of his ability, he made his way to work with a renewed sense of curiosity and caution.

The office buzzed with the usual energy, but to Taeyang, it felt different. Every glance exchanged and every casual interaction now carried an undercurrent of unspoken thoughts.

Settling into his desk, Taeyang took a deep breath and glanced around. Almost immediately, he sensed snippets of thoughts drifting his way.

"I can't believe I forgot my lunch," from Jisoo, looking distressed. "Hope today goes smoothly," from Minseok, appearing focused.

Taeyang smiled to himself, realizing how mundane some of the thoughts were. But then, he made the mistake of glancing at Sangwoo.

"Why does he have to look so cute when he's focused? It's distracting," Sangwoo's thoughts came through, laced with fondness.

Taeyang's heart skipped a beat. Despite the strangeness of his situation, there was something undeniably sweet about hearing Sangwoo's unguarded thoughts.

As the morning passed, Taeyang tried to act as normal as possible, engaging in small talk and attending meetings. It wasn't until a brainstorming session that he faced another challenge.

The team gathered in the conference room, throwing out ideas for their next big project. Taeyang found it hard to concentrate on his own thoughts amidst the mental noise.

Jisoo was animated, suggesting new strategies. "This has to impress the higher-ups," she thought, her determination evident.

Minseok was more reserved but offered insightful ideas. "I hope they like this," he mused, a hint of anxiety creeping in.

And then there was Sangwoo, whose thoughts caught Taeyang off guard. "Maybe I can ask Taeyang to join me for lunch...but will he think it's weird? God, why am I overthinking this?"

Taeyang tried to stifle a smile, focusing on jotting down notes instead. The mixture of professional and personal insights was both amusing and disorienting.

After the meeting, as everyone was heading out for lunch, Sangwoo approached Taeyang, looking slightly nervous. "Hey, Taeyang, want to grab lunch together? There's this new place I wanted to try."

Taeyang felt a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. "Sure, sounds good," he replied, trying to keep his cool.

They headed to a small café nearby, the atmosphere casual yet charged with unspoken feelings. As they chatted about work and life, Taeyang couldn't help but notice the soft, affectionate thoughts Sangwoo had been harboring.

"This is nice. I hope he enjoys it too," Sangwoo thought, his eyes shining with a mix of hope and shyness.

Taeyang felt a warmth spreading through him. Despite the chaos of his new ability, moments like these made it all worthwhile. He realized that, perhaps, his wish upon the moon had given him more than just the ability to read thoughts—it had opened up a new chapter in his life, filled with possibilities.

As the afternoon wore on, the playful banter between them grew, making Taeyang feel more at ease. At one point, while discussing their favorite movies, Sangwoo accidentally knocked over his drink, spilling it all over the table.

"Oh no!" Sangwoo exclaimed, frantically trying to mop up the mess with napkins.

Taeyang laughed, the sight of a flustered Sangwoo oddly endearing. "It's okay, really. Happens to the best of us."

Sangwoo glanced up, his thoughts an amusing mixture of embarrassment and relief. "Great, now he probably thinks I'm a klutz. But at least he's laughing."

Taeyang couldn't help but chuckle, finding the whole situation both funny and adorable. It was moments like these that reminded him how much he enjoyed Sangwoo's company.

Later that day, Taeyang decided he needed to confide in someone about his new ability. He called his close friend, Hyun, and asked him to meet up after work. Hyun had always been a good listener and Taeyang trusted him implicitly.

They met at their favorite coffee shop, a cozy spot tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets. Taeyang sipped his coffee, trying to find the right words to start the conversation.

"Hyun, I need to tell you something. Something...unbelievable," Taeyang began, looking around to make sure no one was listening.

Hyun raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Alright, lay it on me."

Taeyang took a deep breath and explained everything—the wish upon the moon, the sudden ability to read thoughts, and the chaos that ensued. Hyun listened intently, his expression shifting from curiosity to disbelief.

When Taeyang finished, Hyun leaned back in his chair, processing the information. "So, you're telling me you can read minds just by looking at someone?"

Taeyang nodded. "Yeah, and it's been...overwhelming. I heard Sangwoo's thoughts today. He thinks I look cute. Every day. Can you believe that?"

Hyun chuckled. "Well, he's not wrong. But seriously, this is huge. How are you handling it?"

Taeyang sighed, relieved to finally share his burden. "It's tough. I feel like I'm invading everyone's privacy, but at the same time, I can't control it. And Sangwoo...I don't know how to act around him now."

Hyun nodded sympathetically. "You need to find a way to manage this. Maybe practice not looking directly at people unless you have to. And with Sangwoo, just be yourself. He clearly likes you for who you are."

Taeyang smiled, grateful for Hyun's advice. "Thanks, Hyun. I needed to hear that."

Just then, Hyun leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Prove it to me. Read my thoughts."

Taeyang raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

Hyun nodded. "Come on, it'll be fun. If you're really telling the truth, you should be able to do it."

Taeyang sighed but agreed. He focused on Hyun, looking directly into his eyes.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Hyun's thoughts echoed in Taeyang's mind. "But if he can really read my mind, I'll owe him big time."

Taeyang smirked. "You're thinking you can't believe you're doing this, but if I can really read your mind, you'll owe me big time."

Hyun's eyes widened. "No way! You actually did it!"

Taeyang nodded, the weight of the truth settling between them. "Believe me now?"

Hyun laughed, a mix of amazement and disbelief. "Alright, alright. You've convinced me. Just...be careful with this, okay? It's a lot of power to handle."

Taeyang smiled, feeling a renewed sense of confidence. "I will. Thanks, Hyun."

As they continued their conversation, Taeyang felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Sharing his secret with Hyun had given him a new perspective, and he felt more prepared to navigate his strange new reality.

As the workday came to a close, Taeyang felt a sense of satisfaction. Despite the challenges and the chaos of reading minds, he had navigated through the day with a newfound understanding of those around him. More importantly, he had caught a glimpse of Sangwoo's genuine feelings, which gave him hope for what might come next.