𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑛 / 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑔

S2 ch 41

Jiwon and Rafayel had been looking forward to their after-school hangout. The cozy café near their school, with its warm lighting and the soft hum of background music, had become their favorite place to unwind. After the final bell rang, they hurried over, eager to escape the chaos of school life for a little while.

As they entered the café, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted them. Jiwon went straight for the counter and ordered a caramel macchiato, while Rafayel, always in the mood for something a bit different, opted for a matcha latte.

They found a corner seat by the window, the perfect spot for people-watching. Outside, the streets were bustling with students heading home, and the last rays of the sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink.

"How was your day?" Jiwon asked, settling into his chair with a satisfied sip of his drink.

Rafayel stretched his arms, glancing out the window. "Same old, same old. Lots of homework, but at least I have this to look forward to." He smiled, his eyes lighting up as he took a sip of his matcha latte.

Jiwon laughed, pulling out his phone. "Yeah, I think we deserve this. So, have you figured out what you want to do for the weekend yet?"

Rafayel thought for a moment before answering, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I was thinking of going on a little adventure. Maybe a hike up to that old lookout point near the lake. You in?"

Jiwon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A hike? Hmm, that sounds interesting. But only if you promise there will be snacks involved."

"Of course," Rafayel replied, holding up his phone. "I'll even pack the snacks myself. And I'll make sure we stop for ice cream on the way back."

"Deal," Jiwon said, nodding enthusiastically. "But you’re in charge of the snacks, remember?"

They both laughed, the conversation flowing easily between them as the afternoon wore on. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow across the café, they felt a sense of calm wash over them—sometimes, all you really needed was good company, a cozy place, and the promise of a small adventure waiting just around the corner.

The conversation shifted slightly as Jiwon looked at Rafayel, his expression a bit more serious than before. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of vulnerability wash over him, but he knew it was time to ask the question that had been on his mind for a while.

"Hey Rafayel," Jiwon started, his voice steady but with a hint of uncertainty. "I’ve been meaning to ask you something... What do you think about gay people?"

Rafayel paused, his matcha latte halfway to his lips, before setting it down gently on the table. He met Jiwon’s eyes, sensing the weight of the question. After a moment of thought, he gave a calm, reassuring smile.

"Honestly, Jiwon, I think it’s just another part of who someone is. I’ve got a few friends who are gay and they’re the same as anyone else—just people, you know?" Rafayel shrugged casually, making it clear that he didn’t think it was a big deal. "It doesn’t change how I see them or you."

Jiwon felt a small weight lift off his chest, but he still looked at Rafayel closely, wanting to be sure.

"And you’re okay with it?" Jiwon asked, his voice a bit quieter.

Rafayel nodded firmly. "Of course. It doesn’t bother me. You should be able to be who you are, and that’s what matters. Besides, it’s not like anyone’s different because of who they love, right?"

Jiwon smiled, feeling a deep sense of relief. Rafayel’s words were more than just acceptance—they were support. It meant a lot more than he could express right now. He leaned back in his chair, feeling the familiar weight of his own feelings finally lightened.

"Thanks, Rafayel," Jiwon said, his voice soft. "It means a lot to hear that."

"No problem, Jiwon," Rafayel replied with a grin. "You’re my friend. And I’m always here for you."

The two of them shared a comfortable silence for a moment, both of them sipping their drinks, the evening continuing on in its peaceful rhythm.

As the conversation slowly eased into a more relaxed atmosphere, Rafayel leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye. He glanced over at Jiwon with a grin.

"Hey, Jiwon," Rafayel said casually. "Do you want to sleep over at my place tonight? We can order some pizza, watch movies, and just chill."

Jiwon paused, taking a moment to consider it. The idea sounded amazing—just the two of them, hanging out, no pressure, no schoolwork—but there was a catch. He hesitated, his gaze drifting to his phone resting on the table.

"My parents wouldn’t be okay with it," Jiwon said slowly, a little unsure of how to explain. "Jisung and Minho would probably come looking for me if I just... disappeared for the night. They’re super protective."

Rafayel raised an eyebrow, noticing Jiwon’s hesitation. He leaned in slightly, his voice soft but persuasive. "I get that, but come on—maybe just for tonight? You deserve a break, and we’ve been talking about doing something fun for ages. Plus, I’m sure they’ll understand if you just text them to let them know you’re with me. It’s just a few hours."

Jiwon still looked conflicted, glancing at his phone again. He knew his parents, Jisung, and Minho would definitely worry. But Rafayel was right—it had been a while since he had done something spontaneous like this. Maybe it was time to just enjoy the moment.

After a few seconds, Jiwon made up his mind. He took a deep breath and smiled at Rafayel. "Alright, I’ll do it. But I’ll just turn off my phone for the night, so no one tries to reach me."

Rafayel’s face lit up with excitement. "Awesome! I promise it’ll be worth it."

Jiwon turned off his phone, slipping it into his pocket. He stood up from the table and grabbed his bag. "Let’s go then," he said, a playful grin forming on his face as he joined Rafayel.

As they walked out of the café and into the cool evening air, Jiwon felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was definitely a step outside his usual comfort zone, but something about being with Rafayel made everything feel easier, lighter. Whatever happened, he knew he’d enjoy this night and maybe even figure out more about himself along the way.