SECRET EMBRACE | Jeonghan X Joshua | JiHan

NINETEEN

Jeonghan

The next day arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated presentation. Despite the weight of expectations, Jaemin, Hyunwoo, Joshua, and Jeonghan delivered their parts smoothly. They had done their best.

Their professor, known for his strict grading and piercing critiques, listened intently, occasionally raising an eyebrow in scrutiny.

Still, their group managed to navigate the presentation successfully, earning a nod of approval by the end. A collective sigh of relief passed between them as they exchanged glances, knowing they had done well. 

That time, other groups were done with their presentations already. So they were the last ones were in the lecture hall as the professor had already gone.

By the time they stepped out of the lecture hall, the sky had already begun to soften into shades of the approaching evening. Their stomachs, however, reminded them of a different reality—they had skipped lunch entirely. Jaemin, always quick with suggestions, turned to the group. 

"Let's grab something from the cafeteria before we all pass out" he proposed, patting his stomach with a dramatic groan. 

Hyunwoo immediately agreed, but Jeonghan shook his head. "You guys go ahead. I need to meet up with my friends." 

Mingyu had already finished his presentation earlier and had likely gone off to find his boyfriend, Myunghao. With no more lectures scheduled for the day, Jeonghan only had basketball practice left on his agenda. So he needed to catch up with his gang.

Joshua, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "I’ll pass too. Let's meet another time." 

"OH, c'mon Joshua" that was hyunwoo.

"Actually I've to meet someone. Sure next time!" Joshua smiled.

Jaemin and Hyunwoo, nodded, shrugged and headed off toward the cafeteria, leaving Jeonghan and Joshua alone in the now-quiet corridor.

The absence of chatter between them made the silence feel heavier. They walked side by side, neither speaking as their footsteps echoed against the polished floors. The hallway was empty.

As they reached the stairwell, Jeonghan suddenly turned his head slightly. "Hey." 

Joshua glanced at him. "What?" 

"Wanna grab a drink?" Jeonghan asked casually, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. 

Joshua hesitated, caught off guard by the unexpected invitation. "I thought you had basketball practice?" 

Jeonghan shrugged. "It’s not for a while??" 

Joshua exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. "I really do have to meet my friend." 

Jeonghan’s curiosity piqued at that. He tilted his head, studying Joshua with sharp eyes.

"Your boyfriend?" he asked, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. 

Joshua blinked at him, momentarily thrown off. "What?" 

Jeonghan’s smirk didn’t waver. "The friend you're meeting. Is that your boyfriend?" 

Joshua scoffed, rolling his eyes as he turned toward the stairs. "You’re annoying." 

Jeonghan chuckled under his breath, watching Joshua descend the steps. For some reason, he found himself wondering about Joshua’s answer more than he expected. 

---

Jeonghan's stomach growled softly as he walked toward the cafeteria as he and the rest of squad had agreed to meet at there, before their evening practices.