𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖 || 𝟚𝕞𝕚𝕟

16 | Invisible String

The sun was setting as students poured out of the school gates, the faint chatter of friends saying goodbye to one another filling the air. Minho stood off to the side, pretending to check his phone as he waited for Seungmin. His heart thudded nervously in his chest.

Moments later, he spotted Seungmin walking out with Jeongin, Hyunjin, Felix, and Jisung. Seungmin looked as calm and collected as ever, his soft smile warming Minho's heart. However, Minho quickly turned away, pretending not to notice them as they passed by.

Hyunjin patted Seungmin on the shoulder before leaving. "Take care, okay? Text me if you need anything."

Seungmin nodded, and with a wave, Hyunjin, Felix, and Han walked in the opposite direction.

Jeongin stayed with Seungmin, both of them heading out together until they reached a quiet corner a short distance from the school. Once they were sure the others were gone, Minho appeared from behind a nearby tree.

As of now, only Jeongin knew about Minho and Seungmin's friendship, and he supported them just for Seungmin's sake. And also because of Chan. Chan and Jeongin had gotten along quite well, often spending a lot of time together during their shared Japanese class and also otherwise. Chan had convinced Jeongin that Minho was a good person and would never hurt Seungmin. So Jeongin often used to cover up for Seungmin, whenever he went with Minho. 

Minho had asked him to hang out with him after school, only if he was okay. He had promised to keep him safe, and Seungmin had agreed. So once again, Jeongin had to lie to Hyunjin saying Seungmin was going to be with him and he shouldn't worry. Jeongin felt like shit doing this. God forbid, what if something actually happened to Seungmin and Hyunjin was reassured at home assuming that he was safe with Jeongin. 

Jeongin immediately stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at Minho. "You better take care of him," he warned, his tone low and protective. "If anything happens to Seungmin, I'm holding you responsible."

Minho raised his hands in surrender, nodding earnestly. "I swear, Jeongin. I'll take care of him properly. I promise."

Jeongin hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Alright," he muttered, glancing at Seungmin. "But don't make me regret trusting you."

After a brief goodbye, Jeongin walked off, leaving Seungmin and Minho alone. Minho turned to Seungmin with a small smile. "Ready to go?"

Seungmin nodded, and they began walking together down the quiet streets.

The air was crisp, the faint glow of streetlights illuminating their path. Minho glanced at Seungmin out of the corner of his eye, watching how his hands moved to sign something before pausing.

Finally, Minho broke the silence. "Um, Seungmin, can I ask you something?"

Seungmin tilted his head curiously, prompting Minho to continue.

"It might be a bit personal, so you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but..." Minho hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Have you always been... you know, mute? Or... did it happen later?"

Seungmin's steps faltered slightly, but he quickly shook his head, signing slowly. "It's okay. I wasn't born mute."

Minho's eyes widened slightly, but he stayed quiet, letting Seungmin continue.

"I lost my voice after... something happened. At first, it was because it hurt too much to speak. But even when the pain went away, I didn't try. I couldn't. I didn't want to talk to anyone back then."

Minho's heart ached at the sadness in Seungmin's expression. He wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but he knew better than to rush.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Minho said softly. "No one deserves that kind of pain."

Seungmin gave a faint smile, shrugging slightly as if to brush it off, but Minho wasn't fooled.

After a moment of silence, Minho asked, "Do you... ever feel like talking again?"

Seungmin hesitated before signing slowly, his movements carrying a tinge of sorrow. "I wish I could. So many things would have been easier if I could talk."

Minho frowned at that. He didn't miss the subtle implication behind Seungmin's words-the way his gaze dropped for a second, the almost imperceptible way his shoulders tensed. Minho immediately realized that even he was responsible to make Seungmin feel like this. 

"I would also be less of a burden on Hyunjin hyung and his family."

"Hey, don't say that," Minho said gently. "Being mute doesn't make you any less amazing. But... if you really want to try speaking again, have you thought about seeing a doctor?"

Seungmin blinked, clearly surprised by the suggestion. "I haven't. I mean, it's been over six years. Is it even possible?"

Minho smiled reassuringly. "We can always try. You know Chan, right? His mom's a speech therapist. She's amazing. I bet she could help you."

Seungmin considered this, a flicker of hope appearing in his eyes. "Do you think it'll work?"

"We won't know until we try," Minho said, his voice steady. "And really, there's nothing to lose, right?"

Seungmin stared at him for a moment before nodding slowly. "You're right. Let's try."

Minho's smile widened, and without thinking, he reached out and took Seungmin's hand. "Let's try," he repeated softly.

Seungmin froze at the unexpected touch, warmth spreading from where their hands met. His heart fluttered, and for a moment, he forgot how to react. Slowly, he tightened his grip, returning the gesture. 

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

The two of them walked in comfortable silence until they reached a cozy café on the corner. The warm glow of its lights and the inviting aroma of coffee greeted them as they stepped inside.

They settled into a booth near the window, the faint murmur of other patrons providing a soothing backdrop. Minho ordered a latte, while Seungmin opted for a cup of hot chocolate.

The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the cozy café as Seungmin stirred his drink absentmindedly. Minho sat across from him, pretending to be focused on the foam art in his cup but sneaking glances at Seungmin every chance he got. He had been waiting for the right moment to bring up the extra courses their school was offering this semester.

"Hey," Minho started casually, breaking the comfortable silence. "Did you hear about the extra courses the school's running this semester? For the, uh, activities credit or whatever?"

Seungmin glanced up, nodding as he set his spoon down. "Yeah, I know about them," he signed before taking a small sip from his cup.

Minho leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Which one are you going to take?"

Seungmin paused, thinking for a moment before signing, "Probably cooking. It's a skill I could actually use, and... not many people would take it." He hesitated slightly before adding, "I'd prefer to be with fewer people."

Minho felt a pang of guilt twist in his chest. He was kept being reminded that he was, in part, responsible for why Seungmin preferred to avoid others. If only he hadn't-

Seungmin's hand waved gently in front of Minho's face, snapping him out of his thoughts. "What about you?" he asked.

Minho blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, forcing a small smile. "Uh... I haven't really thought about it yet," he admitted, though he exactly knew what he was going to take now...

It felt like an invisible string tied him to Seungmin, drawing him closer with every passing moment, as if they were always meant to find each other.