Our fate (SUNWON)

Chapter 21

The muffled echoes of laughter and footsteps drifted from the gymnasium outside, but the locker room itself was quiet, the air heavy with the lingering scent of sweat and detergent.

Jungwon sat on the wooden bench, his head slightly bowed, hair damp from both practice and a quick shower. His football cleats lay discarded beside him, and his duffel bag hung half-zipped, untouched. He rubbed the back of his neck absentmindedly, eyes fixed on the tiled floor as though the answers to his thoughts might appear there.

It had been days since that evening with Sunoo at the amusement park-the Ferris wheel ride, the quiet laughter, the way the sunset had painted Sunoo's face in warm colors, and most importantly, his words that Jungwon couldn't get out of his mind.

Those sincere words from Sunoo left a pang of guilt in his heart, making him rethink everything he was doing right now.

His head hung low, eyes still staring blankly at the floor as the echoes of Sunoo's voice circled in his mind.

"Still zoning out, huh?"

Jungwon blinked, snapping back to reality as Taesan's voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see Taesan leaning casually against the row of lockers, a towel slung around his neck, his usual smirk tugging at his lips.

"You've been spacing out a lot lately," Taesan continued, tilting his head with curiosity. "Tell me, what's going on your mind?"

Jungwon exhaled slowly, trying to mask his unease with a faint laugh. "Just tired, that's all."

Taesan raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "If you say so. Anyway, how's our plan going? Should I move on to the next step?"

The sudden question hit Jungwon like a truck. His body stiffened, silence stretching long enough for Taesan to notice.

"There you go again-spacing out," Taesan muttered, leaning closer. "What's with you these days? You've been drifting off a lot."

Jungwon exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just... I've been wondering if what we're doing is really right. Don't you think it might be too much for him?"

Taesan blinked, taken aback. "What? You're the one who said you wanted to make him regret. I just helped you set it up. If you're backing out, that's your choice. But-" he narrowed his eyes, "-don't tell me you're actually starting to catch feelings for him."

Jungwon's head snapped up. "What? No! I'd never-" He cut himself off, frustration boiling in his voice. "Forget it. Let's just... stick to the plan."

Taesan smirked, clearly enjoying Jungwon's flustered reaction. "Relax, I was only teasing. If you want to, then we'll keep going. Just be ready for what's coming."

His grin lingered, but Jungwon couldn't shake the uneasy weight pressing against his chest.

Flashback ~

"Oh, one more thing, Sunoo. What are you going to do about your feelings for Jungwon?" Jake asked.

But little did he know, his words had been overheard by someone who shouldn't have.

Jungwon froze mid-step when those words slipped past the half-closed washroom door.