going seventeen | seventeen

Chapter 35: High Score

hi im sorry for not updating for a long time.  i lost someone in my family. sorry to keep u waiting without notice. it was all so sudden and my workload in uni wasn't really helping my situation at all so i had to skip updating. i'll make it up to you, but not this time bc this is quite short. im really tired, i'm so sorry

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"minseul, wait up!"

as soon as minseul turned, mingyu grabbed her arm to pull her in for a hug. the two of them were just on the sidewalk and normally, minseul would pull away because it's embarrassing. however, there were almost no people outside their homes. hopefully, none of the members are spying on them.

"are you okay?" mingyu asked

"yeah."

"you looked very uncomfortable. so when you left, i followed," the boy said as he smiled, "i hope i'm not being a disturbance."

"you're not," minseul answered and grabbed his hand. "let's go for a short walk, i want to keep my mind off things. it's so stressful in the house and soonyoung isn't really helping."

"does it hurt you?"

"i'd say it hurts less now, can you believe it?" minseul chuckled and looked back at him as she was in front, leading the way. mingyu only trailed behind and let her drag him by his hand. "it hurt a lot when it was all new. but i feel a little better. maybe because i can tell you things and i know you're here to listen."

"well i'm glad i'm useful," the boy happily replied.

"you're never useless, mingyu."

"so are you."

the pair walked until they reached a small, empty park just at the corner of the street. there was a set of seesaws, an adventure course painted in soft pinks and blues and a swing set, which minseul excitedly ran to. mingyu was creeped out by the slow creak of the swings and the quietness that covered the place. nevertheless, he followed minseul to her spot.

he sat down on the swing just next to her. mingyu couldn't even enjoy the damn thing because his legs are too long.

"minseul."

"yeah?"

"i'm sorry."

"about what?" the girl asked. she didn't know what mingyu was saying. there's really nothing to be sorry about.

"soonyoung hyung shouldn't be doing this to you."

"no, that's okay, i was lacking anyway."

"no, don't say that!" mingyu reacted, "you're so good to him, almost too good."

"i'm not. soonyoung was the one who was really nice to me. i'd be back at my mom's right now if it wasn't for him...and not just that, gyu. soonyoung is really kind. i know he's been different lately but i believe he doesn't want to act that way," the girl replied "he's a softie, you know?"

mingyu only pursed his lips and nodded. she has a point, he thought to himself. soonyoung must be putting on a show to hide the regret and guilt he's feeling for hurting minseul. he loved her, he really did. it'd be impossible to not regret.

"do you still like him?"

"of course. but like i said, it hurts less now. i guess i've gotten numb."