Almost blind | Haobin

30| Ghosts of the past |30

Hanbin sighed, dragging a hand down his face as if trying to wipe away the unease settling in his bones. "I'm damn serious, Gunwook. Something is off."

Gunwook scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright, I get it. But even if something was wrong with Yujin, why do you care?" His voice was teasing, knowing full well that his words would only frustrate Hanbin more.

And it worked. Hanbin clenched his jaw, because the truth was—he didn't even know why he cared.

Ever since he'd overheard that conversation between his Ricky and dad—Ricky catching Yujin taking photos of Hao’s paintings—his mind had been stuck in a loop, constantly drifting, desperately trying to piece together something that refused to make sense.

"I know it's weird," Hanbin admitted, clenching his fists against the cold air as they walked down the winter streets, their breath visible in the dim glow of streetlights. "I feel like I’m losing my mind. I don’t even know what’s happening to me. But it’s like…I owe Hao something."

Gunwook gave him a sidelong glance, unimpressed. "No way. Hanbin feeling guilty?" He threw his hands in the air, laughing. "That's new."

"Shut up," Hanbin muttered, rolling his eyes.

Gunwook snorted. "It’s just pathetic, man. Why the hell do you care so much all of a sudden? After everything you did? You do remember we made his life a nightmare, right? I was there when you told the whole school he was self-harming. That was the goal—to ruin him. And now? You’re out here trying to figure out why his boyfriend’s acting weird?"

"I know!" Hanbin snapped, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don’t know, okay? I just—" He stopped in his tracks, turning to Gunwook with something close to desperation in his eyes. "Just shut up and trust me. I...I know we’ll find something in that damn gallery today."

Gunwook sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But this is stupid."

They kept walking, Hanbin silent, Gunwook exasperated. Snow crunched beneath their feet, the cold biting at their skin.

"I really don’t get you," Gunwook muttered. "I thought we were on the same page."

"I don’t get myself either," Hanbin admitted.

A long pause stretched between them before Gunwook spoke again, his voice softer than before. "Maybe it’s ‘cause you’ve known Hao since you were kids. Maybe you thought he just left you. And now you’re realizing…it wasn’t like that at all."

Hanbin’s breath hitched.

"What?"

Gunwook shrugged. "It’s obvious. You hated him for leaving. But now you know he didn’t just disappear—he wss struggling. And maybe you’re realizing that’s all on you."

Hanbin opened his mouth, but Gunwook cut him off.

"Don’t say anything, dude. I don’t actually care. I’m your friend, that’s why I’m here. Even if you’re acting insane."

Hanbin exhaled, shoving his hands in his pockets. He hated that Gunwook could see through him so easily.

"Thanks," he mumbled after a long silence.

Gunwook groaned. "Send that sentimental shit to Hao, not me. If you get any cringier, I’m going home."

Hanbin let out a laugh, shaking his head. Typical Gunwook.

They arrived at the gallery, stepping inside. The warmth hit them instantly, but Hanbin felt a strange chill creep up his spine.

It had been years since he was last here. And yet, everything looked exactly the same.