𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡.. 𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑗𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑀𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑜

십칠•

The field was loud enough to make it easy to hide. Cleats scraped against grass, whistles cut through the air, and Chan's voice carried confidently as he called plays to his teammates. The sun was warm on my face, but I sat stiffly on the bleachers, arms crossed tight over my chest like that alone could hold everything in place. Two days. It had been two days since Minho kissed me in front of everyone, and somehow it still felt like it had just happened. I wasn't sad. I wasn't heartbroken. I was embarrassed. And mad. Mostly mad that my face had betrayed me and burned so red in front of the entire school.

Felix nudged me lightly with his shoulder. "You're thinking about it again," he said under his breath, not even looking at me as he watched Chan sprint down the field. I didn't answer. I didn't need to. He already knew. He always did. A few seconds later, he shifted beside me. "He's coming," he added quietly. And just like that, my heartbeat betrayed me. And now here he is, walking toward me, calm as ever, like nothing's wrong. Like the world didn't explode in that one reckless, teasing second. My chest tightens. I want to look away, to make him sweat a little, but my eyes are stuck.

"Hey," he says, voice low, almost casual. Too casual. My jaw tightens. I don't answer. My arms cross, body rigid. Mad. Still mad. He raised expectations, shattered them, and now he's walking in smiling like it's nothing. He steps closer, careful but deliberate. "Hyunjin... can we talk?" I shake my head without looking. "I don't want to." My voice is flat, but the heat in it betrays me. I do want to. I want everything. Just not like this. Not after that damn kiss. He pauses, just a few feet away, the space between us thick with words we aren't saying. "I didn't mean to... I just..." He trails off, eyes flicking to mine, searching.

"You didn't mean to?" I snap, finally spinning toward him. "Minho, do you even know what you did? Because you—" I stop, too angry to finish, too aware that my chest is still screaming, my heart still pacing. He swallows, steadying himself. "I know I messed up. But I care. I just... I don't always show it the right way." I laugh, bitter. "The right way? The right way was not—" I cut myself off again, because words fail. Because my body remembers that kiss, and it's unfair, and I'm mad, and I still... want him.

He takes a hesitant step closer, hand brushing against mine. My fingers twitch, wanting to touch him back but also wanting to push him away. "I just... can we not fight? Please?" I glare at him, silent for a long moment, letting him hang there, heart in my throat. Then finally... I sigh, letting some of the anger slip, though not all. "Fine. But don't think this means anything's fixed." He nods, like that's all he needs. And somehow, even with all the frustration and heat, that little nod sends a spark right down to my gut.

The game ends, the crowd cheering and chanting Chan's name. I stay by the fence, letting everyone filter out before I even think about moving. My legs ache from standing, my chest is still tight, but it doesn't matter. I can feel him coming before I see him. Minho steps up beside me, quiet this time. No smirk, no teasing—just him. His presence alone makes my heart thud a little faster. "You okay?" he asks, voice low, careful.

I don't answer at first. I look straight ahead at the empty field, pretending to focus on the grass. "I'm... fine," I finally say, but the words don't sound convincing even to me. He shifts slightly, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating off him. "About... the other day," he starts, hesitant, "I didn't mean to overwhelm you. I just... wanted you to know."

I stiffen but don't move away. My arms stay crossed, but my fingers twitch, almost against my will. "I know what you wanted. I just... wasn't expecting that. I needed—" I pause, swallowing hard. "I needed to catch up, not have everyone watching." He nods slowly. "I get that. I wasn't thinking about anyone else... only you." There's a weight in his voice, steady and real. No teasing. No games. Just him.