Don't Text Me | Taesan X Woonhak

19: Realization

Dongmin spent most of his time texting Donghyun, trying to make sense of everything happening at college.

Donghyun: It's bad, Min. People are still talking about you.

Dongmin: Great. More people to hate me. I've got nobody to defend me.

Donghyun: Hey, don't say that. I'm here, okay? We'll figure this out.

Dongmin sighed at Donghyun's messages. As much as he wanted to believe him, it was hard to feel reassured when it seemed like the whole world was against him.

To distract himself, Dongmin buried his anxiety under a playlist of his favorite music and threw himself into his hobbies. He avoided everyone, ignored his phone, and even left Woonhak's texts unread. Despite everything, he was determined to find some semblance of peace, even if it meant isolating himself completely.

The next day, his peace was interrupted when Jihoon barged into his room.

"Get up," Jihoon whined, tugging at Dongmin's blanket.

"Go away," Dongmin grumbled, burying himself deeper.

Jihoon crossed his arms. "You've been cooped up in here for days. I ditched my friend to spend time with my precious brother, and this is how you treat me?"

Dongmin peeked out from under the blanket, narrowing his eyes. "I didn't ask you to."

"Well, I'm asking you now. Let's go." Jihoon yanked the blanket off entirely, earning a groan of protest.

Reluctantly, Dongmin got up and let Jihoon drag him outside. The two brothers walked around their quiet neighborhood, neither feeling the need to talk much. Both introverts, shared a love for peace and silence, which made their company comforting.

The fresh air and calm atmosphere did help clear Dongmin's mind, even if he wouldn't admit it. Jihoon didn't push him to talk, and that in itself was enough to make Dongmin feel a little better.

As they walked back home, someone called out Jihoon's name. Dongmin turned, but Jihoon, lost in his thoughts, didn't seem to hear. Dongmin glanced back once more but didn't recognize the voice or the person calling.

When they finally reached home, Dongmin mumbled a quiet "thanks" to Jihoon before retreating to his room. Exhausted from everything, he let himself sink into his bed and drift off into a much-needed nap.

Dongmin woke up to the smell of dinner wafting through the house. He stretched, his body still a bit sluggish from the nap, and made his way downstairs. Dinner was quiet, with his family chatting softly about their day, though Jihoon occasionally threw him knowing glances. After eating, Dongmin retreated back to his room, grateful for the solitude.

He wasn't tired enough to sleep again, and since he had time off from college, he decided to pass the time reading. Pulling out a few books from his shelf, he let himself get lost in the pages, finding some comfort in the stories.

The calm was interrupted when his phone buzzed on his desk. He glanced at the time—11:47 PM—and sighed. Only one person would text him this late.

Woonhak: Taesan! You won't believe what happened today.
(seen)

Woonhak: So, I was at the basketball court, right? Jihoon said he'd meet me there. We were supposed to shoot some hoops, but guess what?
(seen)