Through Every Step

Unspoken Words

Jisung had always known Minho. They were in the same grade, went to the same high school, and somehow always seemed to be in the same place at the same time. But they weren't close. Jisung was loud, playful, and always the center of attention. Minho, on the other hand, was quieter, more reserved, and content with staying on the sidelines.

It was the last period of the day when their paths unexpectedly crossed. Jisung had just finished his gym class and was heading to the locker room when he saw Minho sitting by himself in the hallway, engrossed in a book. Without thinking, Jisung dropped his bag beside him and plopped down on the floor.

"What's up, Minho?" Jisung greeted, nudging him lightly with his foot.

Minho looked up, startled. His eyes were calm, but Jisung could see the surprise in them. He didn't expect someone to just sit next to him, especially not Jisung.

"Hey, Jisung," Minho replied with a small, reserved smile, the corners of his lips curling up gently. "I didn't see you there."

Jisung grinned, unbothered by the awkwardness. "Well, you've got your nose buried in that book. I could be doing cartwheels and you wouldn't notice."

Minho laughed softly, his smile widening just a bit. "I guess not."

For a moment, they just sat in comfortable silence, the world bustling around them, and Jisung couldn't help but notice how nice it was to sit like this. He was always so surrounded by people, always the life of the party, but with Minho, it was different. It was quiet, peaceful, and somehow, just right.

"Are you always so serious?" Jisung asked, tilting his head slightly, his voice teasing but with genuine curiosity.

Minho glanced at him, surprised by the question. "I wouldn't say serious. I just don't like to make a scene."

"Yeah, you're one of those 'quiet, mysterious' types, huh?" Jisung teased, laughing to himself. He liked that about Minho, though. There was a certain calmness to him that Jisung could never quite pull off.

"I guess I am," Minho replied, chuckling softly.

And from that moment on, something shifted. They started talking more—sometimes about silly things, other times about deeper stuff that neither of them shared with anyone else. Their friendship began to grow, and it felt easy, effortless. But it wasn't just friendship that Jisung was beginning to feel. There was something else... something new, something confusing.

He didn't realize how much he was starting to care for Minho until one rainy afternoon, when he saw Minho standing alone in the school courtyard, his jacket draped over his shoulders, his arms crossed tightly. The rain was light, but it was enough to make most people head inside. But Minho was just standing there, staring off into the distance.

Without thinking, Jisung rushed over, his heart beating a little faster than usual.

"Minho!" Jisung called out, a little breathless from running.

Minho turned around at the sound of his name, a surprised expression crossing his face. "Jisung? What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing!" Jisung said, shivering slightly from the cool breeze. "You're gonna catch a cold standing out here like this."

Minho looked at him, his expression softening. "I'm fine."

Jisung couldn't help but reach for Minho's hand, tugging him gently toward the entrance of the school building. "Come on, you're getting soaked."

To his surprise, Minho didn't pull away. Instead, he let Jisung guide him toward shelter. The two of them walked side by side in comfortable silence, the steady rhythm of their footsteps matching each other's.

But Jisung couldn't ignore the strange feeling in his chest. Why did it matter so much? Why did his heart race a little faster whenever Minho was near? It was more than just friendship.

The days passed, and their bond only deepened. They started hanging out after school more often—talking, studying, or simply spending time together. Minho would always be calm, cool, collected. Jisung, as usual, was a whirlwind, always cracking jokes and pulling pranks. But they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.

One evening, they found themselves walking home together, their conversations ranging from trivial to deeply personal. The sky was painted with pink and orange hues as the sun began to set.

"Jisung, I need to tell you something," Minho said suddenly, his voice hesitant.

Jisung stopped in his tracks, looking at Minho curiously. "What's up?"

Minho swallowed hard, his face flushed slightly. "I... I've been thinking a lot lately. About us. And, um..." He faltered, his usual composure slipping for a moment. "I think... I think I might like you. More than a friend."

Jisung felt his heart stop. Did he hear that right? Minho, the cool, calm Minho, was confessing to him?

For a moment, Jisung didn't know what to say. His mind was racing. He had been feeling the same way for a while now, but hearing it out loud made everything feel real, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

"Minho," Jisung started, his voice surprisingly soft. "I... I think I like you too. A lot. More than I should."

Minho's eyes widened, and for the first time, Jisung saw a vulnerability in him. Minho smiled softly, his usual calm demeanor returning.

"I'm glad," he said quietly. "I wasn't sure if you felt the same way."

Jisung reached out, gently taking Minho's hand. "I didn't know either. But... it feels right. Doesn't it?"

Minho nodded. "Yeah. It feels right."

They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with something new—something neither of them could deny anymore. The sky was fading into twilight, the last rays of sunlight glimmering above them.

Without thinking, Jisung leaned forward, closing the distance between them. He kissed Minho gently, the touch soft but filled with all the unspoken words they had been holding onto for so long.

When they pulled away, Jisung couldn't stop the goofy grin that spread across his face.

Minho laughed, his eyes sparkling. "You're such a dork."

"I think you like me that way," Jisung teased, his heart still fluttering from the kiss.

"I do," Minho admitted, squeezing his hand gently. "I like you a lot."

And in that moment, everything felt perfect. The world seemed to slow down as they stood there, hand in hand, knowing that this was just the beginning of something beautiful.

From that day on, things changed, but not in the way Jisung had imagined. Their friendship didn't disappear. It grew stronger, deeper. They were still the same people, still making each other laugh, still teasing each other—but now, there was something else.

Something that made their hearts race, something that made every touch feel electric. They were no longer just best friends—they were something more, something real.

They spent their days studying together, walking home side by side, sharing their hopes and dreams. Sometimes they'd kiss in quiet corners of the school, stealing moments when no one was around. But they didn't need anyone else. They had each other.

Jisung never would have imagined that the boy who had once been a quiet, distant figure in his life would become the one person he couldn't live without. And Minho never expected that the loud, unpredictable Jisung would be the one to steal his heart so completely.

But now, they were together, and that was all that mattered.

NEW BOOK!!!!