since our eyes first met - Minsung

챕터clarified?

As we sat there in silence, the only sound was the soft hum of the fridge and the occasional shift from Jeongin next to me. My mind kept going back to Jisung, the emptiness he left behind making my chest feel heavy. I wanted to say something, do something, but I had no idea where to even start. Jeongin, thankfully, wasn't one to force anything, but I could feel the tension between us without even saying a word.

Just when I was about to speak up again, I heard the door creak open. My heart skipped a beat. Jisung. He was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, his figure framed by the light from the fridge. His casual pace, like he wasn't caught up in his own world with Yeona, stirred something in me.

I watched him pull a bottle of water out of the fridge, his back to us, clueless about the conversation we'd been having. The moment felt heavy, like everything that was unsaid was hanging in the air.

Jeongin was the first to move. He caught my eye and gave me a small nod in Jisung's direction, like he was saying, now's the time. He raised an eyebrow and gave me that knowing look, a tiny smirk on his face. Without saying anything, he stood up and walked over to Jisung, who still hadn't noticed him.

»Yo, Jisung,« Jeongin said, casually leaning against the counter. »What's up, man? Need a drink or something?«

Jisung turned, clearly surprised by the sudden interruption. He gave that big, warm smile of his—the kind that always made me feel lighter. »Oh, hey Jeongin. Yeah, just grabbing a drink. Been with Yeona most of the day.«

The mention of her name hit me like a punch in the gut, but I kept it down. I knew it wasn't her fault. Still, I couldn't shake the frustration building up. I didn't want to blow up, especially not with Jeongin right there, but I knew I couldn't just let it go forever. Jeongin, noticing the shift in my mood, stood up and casually walked over to the couch, sitting down beside me.

»Hyung,« Jeongin said, his voice a little louder this time, »You think it's time we talk now?«

Jisung froze, his hand still on the water bottle, glancing between me and Jeongin. He looked confused for a second, then his face shifted to something more concerned.

»What's up, Minho?« he asked, his voice softer, a little unsure.

I swallowed hard. It was now or never. »Jisung,« I started, my voice a little shaky, »Can we talk? Like... really talk? I've been feeling kinda left out lately.«

Jeongin just chilled there, quietly observing, his presence like backup as Jisung slowly made his way over to the couch. He sat down beside me, his posture careful but open, clearly sensing something was off.

»I didn't know,« Jisung said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. »I'm sorry, Minho. I didn't mean to make you feel left behind. You know you're my guy, right? My best friend.«

His words hit harder than I expected. I wanted to say more, but all I could do was take a deep breath. »I know,« I said, staring at my hands. »But it feels like... you're slipping away. And it sucks, Jisung. I miss the times when it was just us, you know? When we didn't need anyone else.«

Jisung's eyes softened, and he looked down at the floor, guilt flashing across his face. »I didn't think about it like that,« he admitted, looking a little guilty. »I've been so caught up in everything, especially with Yeona. But I never meant to make you feel ignored.«

»I know,« I replied, my voice quiet but firm. »I know she's important to you. I'm not mad about that. It's just... I want to feel like I matter to you too.«

Jeongin, who'd been standing off to the side, let the silence hang for a moment before he spoke up, his tone gentle but clear. »Hyung,« he said to Jisung, »You gotta understand, even when you're in your own bubble, the people closest to you need to be seen too. They need to know they still matter.«