𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖 || 𝟚𝕞𝕚𝕟

15 | Haunted

The school event had been lively, bustling with students darting from one activity to the next, their laughter and chatter filling the air. But now, the campus had quieted down as the evening set in. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the corridors.

Thanks to Jeongin's careful intervention, Hyunjin had reluctantly allowed Seungmin to stay in school for the event and spend some time with Jeongin, without hovering nearby and keep worrying(That is something he just said, of course he would keep worrying the entire time).

But that was something they had just told Hyunjin, in reality, it was Seungmin and Minho who were wandering around the school grounds, the vibrant energy of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. 

"This place feels so different when it's quiet," Minho commented, his hands tucked into his pockets as they strolled.

Seungmin nodded in agreement. "I like it better like this. It's... calming."

"Yeah," Minho said, glancing over at Seungmin. "I guess it is."

They walked aimlessly, their steps echoing in the empty hallways, before eventually entering an empty classroom. It was one of the older rooms with its wooden desks and faded chalkboards.

Seungmin sat on the edge of a desk while Minho leaned against a nearby window, the dim light of the streetlamps outside casting a soft glow on his face.

They continued chatting, Seungmin occasionally writing his responses in the small notebook that Minho carried around all the time now, to have a smooth conversation with Seungmin.

Minho walked over to Seungmin, leaning against the classroom desk as he smirked at Seungmin. "So, what's Jeongin's deal with Chan? He couldn't even answer a simple question during the game earlier."

Seungmin let out a silent laugh, quickly signing, "He panicked. That's all. Jeongin gets flustered easily around people like Chan."

"'People like Chan'?" Minho raised an eyebrow, amused. "You mean confident, charming, and ridiculously good at games?"

Seungmin hesitated, his lips twitching in amusement before signing, "Exactly. And Jeongin knows Chan's way out of his league."

Minho chuckled, shaking his head. "Chan hyung didn't even have to try. Jeongin folded like a deck of cards the moment hyung looked at him."

Seungmin smiled, his expression fond. "Jeongin really admires him. Maybe a little too much."

"Admires him, huh?" Minho teased, his tone light but curious. "Is that what we're calling it?"

Seungmin shot him a pointed look, his hands moving firmly as he signed, "Don't tease him. He's my friend. Also I'm only allowed to be here because he convinced my brother."

Minho held up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But it's hilarious, you have to admit. Especially when Jeongin blurted out something like 'lettuce' when the question wasn't even about vegetables."

Seungmin shook his head, his smile growing. "That was pretty funny."

"See?" Minho said, grinning. "Even you can't deny it. I just don't know how Chan hyung managed to keep a straight face."

"Because Chan's kind" Seungmin signed simply, his expression soft.

"Too kind," Minho muttered, though his tone carried no real bitterness. He looked at Seungmin thoughtfully. "So... do you know Chan well?"

Seungmin shrugged slightly. "Not really. Only through Jeongin. He talks about him a lot."

"Of course, he does," Minho said, his smirk returning. "Well, for Jeongin's sake, let's hope Chan stays oblivious, or your friend might actually combust."