𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖 || 𝟚𝕞𝕚𝕟

22 | New Romantics

Hyunjin stood at the school gate, leaning casually against the pillar as he waited for Seungmin. When he finally spotted the younger walking toward him, he immediately noticed Seungmin's expression. His face was dropped, his shoulders slouched, and his steps lacked their usual energy.

"Seungmin-ah," Hyunjin called softly, stepping closer. "What happened? Why do you look like that?"

Seungmin froze for a second, unsure what to say. He couldn't bring himself to share the truth about Minho's condition—not yet, at least.

"Did your cooking assessment not go well?" Hyunjin guessed, tilting his head slightly. Seungmin hesitated, then nodded.

"Oh, it's okay," Hyunjin said quickly, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "It happens sometimes. Not every exam can go perfectly, right?" He gave Seungmin a gentle shake to cheer him up as they started walking home.

Seungmin smiled faintly, his thoughts elsewhere, but he appreciated Hyunjin's effort to comfort him.

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

Back in school, Minho stirred slightly, his head rolling to the side as he groaned softly.

"Minho, hey, can you hear me?" Chan was instantly at his side, leaning closer to check on him.

Minho blinked slowly, his vision blurry as he tried to focus on Chan's face. "Hyung?" he mumbled, his voice weak.

"I'm here. Take it easy." Chan placed a reassuring hand on Minho's arm.

Minho tried to sit up but hissed in pain as a sharp ache shot through his side. "Where... am I?" he asked, glancing around the room.

"We're still in school, in the nurse's office," Chan explained, helping him sit up carefully.

As Minho looked down at himself, noticing the cleaned-up bruises and bandages, the memory of what had happened hit him like a freight train. His eyes widened slightly. "Is Seungmin okay?" he blurted out, his voice urgent.

Chan couldn't help but smile at Minho's concern. Even in his state, Seungmin was his priority. "He's okay, Minho-ah," Chan assured him. "But shouldn't you be worrying about yourself right now?"

"I'm okay, hyung. I'm just worried about him," Minho insisted. "What if they try to hurt him because of this?"

Chan's expression shifted to one of confusion. "Because of what? Minho, can you please tell me what exactly happened? Who did this to you?"

Minho hesitated for a moment before finally spilling everything—the confrontation with the bullies, their taunts about Seungmin, and how he'd finally stood up to them.

"I don't regret it one bit," Minho said firmly, his voice growing stronger. "I'm glad I cleared my name from their group. I was always so worried that even though I wasn't involved, their stupid plan would ruin things between Seungmin and me. But now I don't have to worry about that anymore. And anyways, I deserve all of it for what I did to Seungmin."

"Hey, don't say that. You've already done enough to prove that you're sorry for it. And it was a misunderstanding right? It wasn't entirely your fault." Chan quickly said, not wanting Minho to feel that he deserved all that pain. No one deserved whatever Minho had to go through, and hence Chan was always extra supportive and protective of him. "I'm really happy that you pushed those toxic people away from you. But, honestly, you scared the hell out of me. Changbin found you like that in the restroom, remember? He carried you here."

Minho frowned, shaking his head. "I don't remember much after they started hitting me..."

"Well, Changbin called me right after," Chan explained. "And then I texted Seungmin to let him know you were hurt—he was scared to death seeing you like that."

Minho's heart sank at the thought. "He saw me?"

Chan nodded and pulled out his phone. "Speaking of, I need to let him know you're awake." He quickly texted Seungmin, letting him know that Minho had woken up and was okay.

"Are you feeling any better now?" Chan asked, glancing back at Minho.

Minho nodded, his face softening.

"Good," Chan said, standing up. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

It was around 11 in the night and Minho was lying on his bed, phone resting on his chest, when the screen lit up with a series of messages.

Seungmin: 
Hello
How are you feeling now?
Are you hurting too much?
Did you take medicine?
Are you resting properly?
Minho let out a small chuckle, shaking his head before finally replying.

Minho:
Since when did you become my personal doctor?

A reply came almost instantly.

Seungmin: 
Since you don't know how to take care of yourself

Minho grinned, rolling onto his side as he typed.

Minho:
I'm fine. Just a little sore, but nothing I can't handle

Seungmin:
Are you sure?

Minho:
Positive

A pause. Then another message.

Seungmin:
You're not coming to school tomorrow, right?

Minho smirked, already knowing Seungmin's reaction before he even sent his reply.

Minho:
Of course I am

Seungmin's response was immediate.

Seungmin:
Minho hyung, are you serious?! You need to rest! You can barely move without wincing, how do you plan on walking around school all day?!

Minho:
I told you, I'm fine now. I'll be okay

Seungmin:
No, you won't. Stay home and rest.

Minho:
But if I stay home, how will I see you?

Seungmin paused at that, his fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Seungmin:
...That's not a good enough reason

Minho:
It's the best reason

Seungmin:
Hyuung

Minho laughed softly, already picturing Seungmin's frustrated expression

Minho:
I promise, I'll be careful. If I really don't feel well, I won't push myself

Seungmin:
Fine. But if you feel like you're hurting even one bit, I'll call Chan hyung to send you home.

Minho:
Deal

Seungmin:
Good

Minho:
Now go to sleep, Seungie

Seungmin:
You too

Minho:
Goodnight

Seungmin:
Goodnight, hyung. Take care of yourself

Minho smiled as he set his phone aside, the warmth in his chest making it easier to ignore the ache in his body.