spaces | c.h.w + l.m.h

二

The date: August 25, 2018.

One hundred days had passed since Minhyuk left, yet Hyungwon still couldn't let go.

Life moved on around him, but he remained stuck, his heart frozen in time. His best friend, Jooheon, was the only one keeping him afloat, offering quiet comfort during his worst days.

Today was one of those days. Jooheon sat beside him, watching as Hyungwon lay sprawled out on his queen-sized bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Jooheon..." Hyungwon muttered.

Jooheon hummed in response, waiting for him to continue.

"I think I'm gonna move to Seoul," Hyungwon said, flipping onto his stomach to face Jooheon, who was casually scrolling through his phone in the chair next to the bed.

"You can't," Jooheon replied flatly, not even looking up.

Hyungwon frowned. "Why not?"

Jooheon hesitated for a moment before answering, his fingers tightening around his phone. "I just... can't tell you. But please, stay here."

"Tell me why, and I'll think about it," Hyungwon pressed, his brows furrowing as he searched Jooheon's face for an answer.

Jooheon sighed, finally setting his phone down. "I really can't, Hyungwon," he admitted, his expression tense. "I promised I wouldn't tell you."

Hyungwon's eyes darkened with curiosity. "Promise who exactly?" He hesitated before asking the name that had been haunting him for months. "Minhyuk?"

Jooheon exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah... he moved to Seoul. He made me promise not to tell you." His voice was quieter now. "Please, promise me you won't go."

But Hyungwon only smiled, a small, almost bitter curve of his lips. "I think I want to go anyway. Just to go."

Jooheon rolled his eyes. "You're not going to see him."

Hyungwon sat up, stretching before slipping on his shoes and grabbing his car keys. "Try to stop me," he challenged. He turned to Jooheon just as he opened the door. "You coming?"

Jooheon groaned but stood up. "I guess I can't exactly stop you... but are you sure about this?"

Hyungwon slid into the driver's seat. "I'm more than sure. I need to ask him something."

–––––

After what felt like an endless drive, they finally reached Seoul. Jooheon remained glued to his phone the entire trip, occasionally chuckling at something before typing furiously. Hyungwon glanced over a few times, noticing how Jooheon kept indirecting someone—but he never said who.

They arrived at their rented hotel room, both sluggish from the drive. As they unpacked, Hyungwon stretched his arms and turned to Jooheon.

"You wanna grab something to eat?"

"Yeah, sure," Jooheon agreed.

Twenty minutes later, they were strolling down a bustling street lined with restaurants and cafés. As they walked, Hyungwon spotted a familiar figure—a red-haired boy sitting inside a cozy café.

His heart clenched.

Minhyuk.

And next to him sat another boy, slightly shorter, with soft brown hair and a round face that resembled a hamster.

Jooheon followed his gaze before suddenly exclaiming, "Let's go here!" He pointed at the café excitedly.

Hyungwon hesitated, but nodded. "Alright."

The moment they stepped inside, Hyungwon instinctively ducked, trying to avoid being seen.

Jooheon laughed. "What are you hiding from?"

Before Hyungwon could respond, Jooheon's expression changed. His phone buzzed, and he glanced down at a new message:

Minhyuk:
Why is he here?

Jooheon glanced up and locked eyes with Minhyuk across the room.

"I need to run to the restroom real quick," Jooheon muttered, making a beeline for the back of the café.

Once out of Hyungwon's sight, Jooheon leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath just as Minhyuk walked up to him.

"Why didn't you answer me?!" Minhyuk hissed, his voice low but sharp.

Jooheon scoffed. "Nice to see you too, Minhyuk," he shot back sarcastically. Then he glanced toward Kihyun. "He came to talk to you... but I see you've already moved on."

Minhyuk's jaw tensed. "If you dare tell Hyungwon—"

"Why?" Jooheon cut him off, his tone laced with frustration. "So he won't see who you really are? Do you even realize the pain you put him through?"

Minhyuk rolled his eyes. "Should that trigger feelings or something in me?"

Jooheon clenched his fists. "He still loves you, you know. And I think he already figured it out—he's talking to him right now."

Minhyuk's head snapped toward the table where Hyungwon was now standing in front of Kihyun.

Hyungwon had been watching from afar for too long. If Minhyuk wasn't going to acknowledge him, he'd at least get to know the person who took his place.

Taking a deep breath, he walked over.

"Hello," he greeted, his voice calm but firm.

The other boy flinched slightly before turning toward him. "H-hi," he replied hesitantly.

"I'm Hyungwon."

"Kihyun."

The names meant nothing to each other. Yet, somehow, this moment felt significant.

"It's nice to meet you," Hyungwon said, keeping his tone even. "How do you know Minhyuk?"

Kihyun smiled, unaware of the storm brewing in Hyungwon's chest. "Oh, Hyuk? He's my boyfriend."

Hyungwon felt his heart drop.

"What about you?" Kihyun asked. "How do you know him?"

Hyungwon swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "He's my ex."

Kihyun blinked in surprise. "Oh... he's never mentioned an ex."

That stung.

Hyungwon forced a tight smile. "Well, now you know."

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the café.

Jooheon found Minhyuk staring after Hyungwon, his expression unreadable.

"Just... he wants the truth," Jooheon said, voice softer now. "I'll tell him to come here around seven. Promise me you'll tell him everything."

Minhyuk exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. I guess I will... but I have work tonight. This is my only break."

"Then don't waste it," Jooheon muttered before walking off.

Minhyuk sighed, glancing back toward Kihyun.

But his thoughts were elsewhere.

On him.

On Hyungwon.