As Sean arrived at the university parking lot, he noticed Mingyu stepping out first, smoothly making his way to open Sean's door. Sean grinned, appreciating the little gesture, and hopped out. "Thanks, Hyung. I owe you one."
Just then, a voice rang out, bright and unmistakably enthusiastic. "Sean!" Hyun Jin bounded over, her eyes alight with the energy of a new day, looping an arm through his the moment he was within reach. "Finally! It's been, what, like two whole days?"
Sean chuckled, letting her tug him along. "You act like it's been years."
Hyun Jin gave him a dramatic eye-roll. "Years, days—it's the same in friendship. Besides, I have to remind you that you're practically my favorite."
"Oh really? Do Daniel know about this?" he teased, causing her to feign a gasp, as though he'd uncovered her biggest secret.
"He don't need to know everything," she whispered playfully, pulling him closer as they made their way toward the classroom. "Now, spill. What did you do this weekend? And why is Mingyu Hyung dropping you off?"
Across the parking lot, Eric's gaze settled on Sean as he stepped out of the sleek car, his usual calm expression momentarily flickering with something unfamiliar. He recognized the car immediately—it was Mingyu's. And there, holding the door for Sean, was none other than Mingyu himself, exuding the same effortless ease that Eric had come to know over years of shared history. But the sight of Mingyu, who Eric had known long before they even joined the band, casually driving Sean to campus stirred a feeling that wasn't quite as easy to brush off.
Eric felt a pang of jealousy slip in, quick and sharp, mixed with a gnawing curiosity. Mingyu had been a near-constant figure in his life, a grounding presence who could see through Eric's best defenses with a knowing smile or a single, well-timed question. They'd shared late-night talks, the trust built through a brotherly bond, and countless performances together. Yet, Mingyu had never once mentioned anything about knowing Sean beyond a passing familiarity. It struck Eric as odd—especially considering how often he and Mingyu spoke about bandmates, life, and sometimes, if he dared admit it to himself, Sean.
Sure, Eric had noticed the occasional nod or the subtle exchanges between Sean and Mingyu, but he'd assumed it was nothing. In the whirlwind of university life and band rehearsals, he hadn't really given their connection much thought. But now, seeing the two of them together, with Mingyu so comfortably in sync with Sean, had him reeling with questions he couldn't ignore. Had he missed something? Just how close were they?
He tried to shrug it off, reminding himself that he knew Sean and Mingyu both well enough to trust them. But the small part of him that had grown increasingly attached to Sean, that part couldn't let it go so easily. Was it possible that Sean had shared a part of his life with Mingyu that he hadn't with Eric? The thought made his jaw tighten, his mind replaying the scene with a sharpness he couldn't shake.
As Sean and Hyun Jin headed toward the building, oblivious to his presence, Eric's resolve hardened. The mix of curiosity and jealousy sat heavily in his chest, and he decided right then and there that he'd ask Mingyu about it later. Or maybe he'd bring it up with Sean himself, if the opportunity felt right. After all, they were close enough now—or at least, he thought they were—to be honest about things like this.
But as he watched them disappear through the doors, Sean laughing at something Hyun Jin had said, Eric couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he wasn't seeing, something important just outside his reach.
As Sean and Hyun Jin reached the classroom, Hyun Jin's usual energy turned into a full-on bounce, grinning mischievously as he spotted a familiar figure slumped over a desk near the window. Daniel was fast asleep, his head resting on his crossed arms, completely oblivious to the world around him. Hyun Jin shot Sean a wicked grin, eyes twinkling with excitement.
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The Grapevine
Fanfiction"The grapevine" refers to how rumors or gossip spread informally like whispers passed from person to person. It's an expression that means hearing something through word of mouth, rather than from an official or reliable source. Kim Sunoo and Son Yo...