Chapter 28 - The War Within

Minho had always been confident in his emotions—or rather, his lack of them. He knew what he wanted, and he never second-guessed himself.

So why the hell was he lying awake at three in the morning, unable to stop thinking about Hyunjin?

Not in the way he used to—not in frustration, not in resentment.

This was something else. Something worse.

His mind kept replaying the way Hyunjin had smiled today. The way he laughed with Jisung. The way his face had softened when Felix teased him.

And then there was that moment when Minho had grabbed his wrist after school.

Hyunjin had looked... confused.

Minho had been confused, too.

But he didn't show it. He never showed it.

So why was his chest hurting now?

--

By morning, Minho convinced himself it was nothing.

He was just annoyed.

Annoyed that Hyunjin let people treat him like a delicate doll. Annoyed that Jisung, of all people, acted like Hyunjin's personal guardian angel.

That was all.

Right?

So why did his stomach churn when he saw Hyunjin again at breakfast?

Hyunjin had woken up before him, already dressed in his usual oversized sweater, sleeves covering his hands as he stirred his coffee absentmindedly.

His cheek was resting against his palm, eyes distant, like he wasn't really there.

Minho stared for a moment longer than necessary.

There was something different about him today.

Something fragile.

"What?" Hyunjin's voice was quiet, pulling Minho from his thoughts.

Minho rolled his eyes. "Nothing."

Hyunjin hummed softly and went back to his coffee.

Minho sat down across from him, arms crossed. The silence was thick, suffocating. It was driving him insane.

He never used to care about silence.

But now, it felt wrong.

It felt like Hyunjin had stopped trying.

And for some stupid, infuriating reason, that made Minho's chest feel tight.

--

Minho wasn't usually the type to pay attention to rumors.

But today, something caught his ear.

"They say he helps out street vendors sometimes."

"Yeah, I saw him giving out food to some kids the other day."

"He always does stuff like that. Even though he's rich."

Minho frowned, glancing at the group of students whispering near the lockers.

They were talking about Hyunjin.

Minho wanted to ignore it.

But his mind immediately recalled that afternoon when he had accidentally witnessed Hyunjin helping that elderly woman sell her flowers.

He had stood there, frozen, watching as Hyunjin kneeled beside her, helping her arrange the bouquets with delicate fingers, smiling at her like she was the most important person in the world.

He didn't do it for attention.

He didn't do it because he had to.

He just... did it.

And Minho had watched, unable to move, something foreign creeping into his chest.

It was happening again now.

That same suffocating feeling.

He clenched his fists.

Why the hell did it bother him so much?

--

The day dragged on, and Minho kept trying to convince himself he was fine.

But then, lunch happened.

And he was not fine.

He had no idea why he even looked Hyunjin's way.

But he did.

And the sight made something inside him snap.

Jisung had his arm draped over Hyunjin's shoulders, leaning in close as they laughed over something on Jisung's phone.

Minho had never felt this particular kind of irritation before.

It burned.

It was irrational.

It was jealousy.

No.

No, it wasn't jealousy.

It couldn't be.

But then Jisung whispered something into Hyunjin's ear, and Hyunjin giggled, pushing him away playfully—

And Minho saw red.

Before he could stop himself, he was already walking over.

The moment he reached them, Hyunjin and Jisung looked up, both startled.

Jisung blinked. "Uh... yes?"

Minho ignored him, eyes locked onto Hyunjin. "Come with me."

Hyunjin frowned. "Why?"

Minho gritted his teeth. He didn't even know. He just needed Hyunjin away from Jisung.

"Just come." His voice was sharper than intended.

Hyunjin hesitated.

Then, to Minho's absolute frustration, Jisung smirked.

"You're acting weird, dude," Jisung said, amusement laced in his voice. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous."

Minho glared. "Shut up."

Jisung chuckled. "You're seriously acting like a jealous boyfriend right now."

Minho didn't know what was worse—the fact that Jisung was teasing him or the fact that he wasn't wrong.

Hyunjin sighed. "Minho, what do you want?"

Minho's jaw clenched.

He didn't know.

He didn't know.

All he knew was that the way Jisung hovered over Hyunjin made him furious.

And he had no idea why.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Hyunjin didn't follow.

And for the first time, Minho hated that.

--

Minho didn't go straight home after school.

He needed air.

His head was a mess. His emotions were everywhere. His thoughts made no damn sense.

He couldn't be jealous. He refused to be jealous.

Because that would mean—

No.

It didn't mean anything.

But then why did it hurt?

Why did it feel like he was losing something?

Minho exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.

He needed to get himself together.

Before it was too late.

But deep down, in the part of himself he refused to acknowledge—

He knew it already was.