Chapter 24 - An Attempt at Normalcy

Hyunjin had never been one to keep track of time, but lately, every second felt heavier than the last. The silence in the house had become unbearable, stretching between him and Minho like an invisible wall that neither of them wanted to break.

It had been days since their last real conversation—if he could even call it that. Their interactions had been reduced to quiet glances and half-hearted acknowledgments.

Minho seemed content with this distance.

Hyunjin, however, was suffocating.

--

Determined not to let Minho's coldness consume his entire life, Hyunjin forced himself to focus on his daily routine. He got up early, prepared his own breakfast, and even started spending more time at the library after his classes.

If Minho wasn't going to acknowledge him, he wouldn't beg for attention.

Felix had invited him over for dinner with the others, but Hyunjin declined, knowing Chan and Changbin would only spend the evening trying to convince him to leave Minho.

He wasn't ready for that conversation yet.

Instead, he took the long way home, stopping by a small café to get himself a warm drink. The air was crisp, the autumn breeze carrying the scent of fallen leaves.

For a brief moment, things felt normal.

Then he walked through the door of his home, and the illusion shattered.

--

Hyunjin wasn't expecting anyone.

So when he stepped inside and saw Seungmin lounging on the couch again, scrolling through his phone as if he lived there, his stomach twisted.

Seungmin glanced up, a slow smirk curling at his lips.

"Welcome home," he said mockingly.

Hyunjin stiffened. "What are you doing here?"

Seungmin stretched lazily, as if he had all the time in the world. "I came to see Minho, of course. He invited me."

Hyunjin's fingers curled into fists. "He's not home."

"I know," Seungmin said, shrugging. "I let myself in."

Hyunjin's patience thinned. "You could've waited outside."

"Why would I?" Seungmin tilted his head. "This is my boyfriend's home too, after all. I have every right to be here."

Hyunjin's jaw clenched. He refused to let Seungmin get under his skin. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

He turned to leave, but Seungmin's voice stopped him.

"Hey, Hyunjin."

Hyunjin sighed, looking over his shoulder. "What?"

Seungmin's smirk widened. "How does it feel knowing you'll never have him?"

Hyunjin felt his chest tighten.

"I mean," Seungmin continued, standing up and walking closer, "I'm sure you've figured it out by now. Minho doesn't want you. He never has."

Hyunjin said nothing.

Seungmin took another step. "And yet, here you are, playing the obedient little housewife, hoping he'll look at you the way he looks at me." He chuckled. "Pathetic."

Hyunjin inhaled sharply.

He wouldn't give Seungmin the reaction he wanted.

"You done?" he asked, voice steady.

Seungmin pouted. "Oh? No witty comeback? No I don't care what you think speech?"

Hyunjin shook his head. "No."

Seungmin frowned.

Hyunjin exhaled, his voice quieter this time. "Because I already know where I stand in Minho's life."

For the first time, Seungmin seemed caught off guard.

Hyunjin offered him a small, tired smile. "You're wasting your breath trying to remind me."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed for his room, closing the door behind him.

He didn't need Seungmin to tell him he wasn't wanted.

He already knew.

--

Hyunjin wasn't sure how long he sat there, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

Seungmin's words lingered in his mind, poisoning every thought.

He had spent so much time convincing himself that maybe, just maybe, things would change.

But deep down, he had always known the truth.

Minho would never love him.

He squeezed his eyes shut, gripping the edge of his desk.

So why was he still here?

A door opened.

Hyunjin tensed, hearing Minho's familiar footsteps enter the house.

Then another voice.

Seungmin.

Hyunjin bit his lip.

He didn't want to go downstairs.

He didn't want to see them together.

But his body moved before he could stop himself.

His feet carried him down the hallway, down the stairs—until he stopped at the entrance of the living room.

And there they were.

Minho and Seungmin, sitting close on the couch, talking in hushed voices.

Then Seungmin leaned in, pressing a kiss to Minho's lips.

Hyunjin's breath hitched.

Minho didn't pull away.

If anything, he leaned closer, his hand resting gently on Seungmin's cheek.

Hyunjin felt something inside him break.

It wasn't the kiss that hurt the most.

It was the way Minho looked at Seungmin.

Soft.

Gentle.

The way he had never looked at Hyunjin.

A lump formed in his throat.

He turned away.

He walked back upstairs.

He closed the door behind him.

And for the first time in a long time—

He let himself cry.