2Min Oneshots <3

Squid Game

Title: Squid Game
Genre: survival, angst, redemption, love amidst chaos, non idol au
Length: 2617 words
Written: January 13th, 2025
Published: January 13/4th, 2025

Top: Minho
Bottom: Seungmin

Prompt: Squid Game

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The cold mechanical voice echoed through the dimly lit arena.

“Player 025: Bahng Christopher Chan. Disgraced eacher, accused of theft.”

Chan stood stoically, his face showing no emotion despite the sting of the words.

“Player 143: Han Jisung. Factory worker, burdened by illegal debts.”

Jisung clenched his fists, his eyes flicking briefly to the ground as whispers spread among the players.

“Player 148: Kim Seungmin. Forced to repay his late father's deceitful debts.”

Seungmin kept his posture straight, though his lips tightened at the reminder of his unwanted inheritance.

“Player 218: Lee Minho. Blackmailed public official.”

Minho felt Seungmin’s gaze the moment his name was called. The weight of their unresolved past pressed against him like an invisible wall.

The cold mechanical voice continued.

“Player 311: Hwang Hyunjin. Social media influencer, burdened by debt after maxing out multiple credit cards to maintain a fabricated image of wealth.”

Hyunjin stood stiffly, a flicker of shame crossing his features as murmurs swept through the players.

“Player 387: Seo Changbin. Former soldier, indebted after supporting the families of fallen comrades.”

Changbin stood tall, his expression unyielding. The memories of war lingered in his eyes, the sacrifices he made etched deeply into his soul.

“Player 408: Lee Felix Yongbok. Refugee trapped by smugglers' debts after fleeing to a safer country.”

Felix’s usually bright demeanor was absent, replaced by a grim determination.

“Player 444: Yang Jeongin. Naive student, saddled with debt after co-signing multiple loans for friends who defaulted.”

Jeongin’s youthful face was tight with regret. His good-hearted trust had been exploited, leaving him drowning in responsibilities he never imagined facing alone.

Each player’s pain hung heavily in the air, a collective weight they all carried. Desperation bound them together, but survival would tear them apart.

Eyes darted between each of them as the voice finally fell silent. The masked guards remained as cold sentinels, and the grim reality settled over the players. Despite their shared struggles, alliances would be hard to forge in a game where betrayal could be the key to survival.

Minho stole a glance at Seungmin, who was already looking at him.

The connection was immediate and undeniable. Memories surged to the surface: stolen moments in dim cafés, whispered promises beneath streetlights, and that final night—the stormy argument that fractured everything.

“You always choose duty over us,” Seungmin’s voice had rung out, raw and broken.

Minho had stood frozen by the door, torn between loyalty to his job and his love for Seungmin. He convinced himself distancing from the younger was the only way to shield him from danger. But the hollow ache of separation lingered, gnawing at his resolve even now.