Chapter 13 - Unlikely Encounters

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant hum of students chattering as they walked through the university gates. Hyunjin pulled his coat tighter around himself, shielding his body from the morning chill. His fingers curled around the straps of his bag as he exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself.

It was just another day.

Another day of pretending.

His steps were unhurried as he made his way to the lecture hall, trying to shake off the events of the past few days. Minho's words still echoed in his mind, sharp and unforgiving. The way he looked at Seungmin—so soft, so full of love—while Hyunjin sat in the background, unnoticed and unimportant.

It shouldn't hurt anymore.

But it did.

He reached his seat in the middle of the lecture hall, pulling out his notebook as students filtered in. The professor was yet to arrive, and the chatter around him was nothing but a dull hum in his ears.

Then, a voice broke through the noise.

"Hey, aren't you Minho's husband?"

Hyunjin turned his head and found himself face to face with Jisung.

--

Jisung was leaning over the desk beside him, his wide, curious eyes studying Hyunjin with the interest of someone who had just discovered a rare species.

Hyunjin blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

"I—um—yes?" he answered, unsure of where this was going.

Jisung grinned, throwing his bag onto the chair beside Hyunjin. "I knew you looked familiar! You were at the wedding. I was there too."

Hyunjin tilted his head, remembering Jisung's face from that night but not recalling any real interaction.

Jisung didn't seem to mind.

"So, what's it like being married to our beloved Minho?" Jisung mused, resting his chin on his palm.

Hyunjin hesitated for a second before forcing a small, polite smile. "It's... fine."

Jisung snorted. "That was the most unconvincing 'fine' I've ever heard."

Hyunjin didn't respond. He wasn't sure how to.

Jisung, however, was unfazed. "You know, you're different from what I expected."

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Jisung tapped his chin, pretending to think. "I don't know. Minho always seemed annoyed whenever your name came up, so I assumed you were some spoiled rich kid or something. But you're... normal. Kinda nice, even."

Hyunjin wasn't sure if that was supposed to be a compliment.

He offered Jisung a half-smile, not knowing what else to say.

And for some reason, Jisung didn't stop talking.

--

By the time their class ended, Hyunjin found himself walking beside Jisung toward the cafeteria. It was unexpected, but oddly, he didn't mind the company.

Jisung talked a lot. About his classes, about how the professor always seemed to target him for questions, about the new song he was writing.

And strangely, Hyunjin found himself laughing.

It was small at first, just a chuckle. But Jisung's energy was infectious, and soon Hyunjin was smiling more than he had in weeks.

"So, why did you sit alone before? You don't have any friends here?" Jisung asked, taking a sip of his juice.

Hyunjin shook his head. "My closest friends are from a different department. I usually eat alone."

Jisung scoffed. "Well, that's depressing. Congratulations, you're officially my friend now."

Hyunjin blinked. "I am?"

"Yep. You don't get a choice," Jisung said with a smug grin.

And for the first time in a while, Hyunjin felt something warm settle in his chest.

--

Lunch passed by quickly, and as Hyunjin walked back to his next class, he almost felt... okay.

That was, until he reached the parking lot and saw a familiar figure leaning against a car.

Seungmin.

Hyunjin's steps faltered.

Seungmin looked up, a small smirk curling at his lips when he noticed him. "Oh, Hyunjin. What a coincidence."

Hyunjin swallowed. "Seungmin."

Seungmin pushed off the car, sauntering closer, his eyes scanning Hyunjin like he was something insignificant. "Where's Minho?"

Hyunjin straightened his posture. "I don't know. Probably in class."

Seungmin hummed, tilting his head slightly. "He doesn't tell you where he is? That's kind of sad, considering you're his husband."

Hyunjin forced himself to remain composed. "Minho doesn't have to tell me everything."

Seungmin chuckled, shaking his head. "Right. Because this marriage is so real."

Hyunjin clenched his fists.

Seungmin leaned in slightly, his voice dropping into something quieter, something more taunting. "You know, Hyunjin, you're very good at pretending. But you and I both know where Minho's heart really belongs."

Hyunjin held his ground. "I know," he said softly.

Seungmin's smirk faltered slightly, as if he wasn't expecting such an honest response.

Hyunjin took a small step back. "I have class," he murmured before walking past Seungmin.

His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't let it show.

He wouldn't give Seungmin that satisfaction.

Not today.