Chapter 31 - The Unraveling

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the house. Everything was quiet except for the faint rustling of the trees outside and the occasional chirping of birds. Hyunjin was still fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady, curled up in the warmth of his blankets.

Minho, however, had been awake for hours.

He sat on the couch, fingers absently tracing patterns on the fabric, thoughts tangled like a web he couldn't escape.

The night before replayed in his mind—the way Hyunjin had stumbled through the door, the way his lips had parted in an innocent pout, the way he had mumbled why do you hate me? before falling asleep.

Minho had no answer to that question.

Maybe because he didn't hate Hyunjin.

Maybe because what he felt was something far more complicated.

His phone buzzed beside him, snapping him out of his daze. He glanced at the screen.

Seungmin.

Minho hesitated before answering.

"Hey," Seungmin's voice was light, affectionate. "Did I wake you?"

"No," Minho replied, rubbing his temple. "I've been up."

A chuckle. "Of course you have. You always wake up too early."

Minho hummed in response. His gaze flickered toward the hallway, where Hyunjin's room was. He felt restless.

"Are you okay?" Seungmin asked after a pause.

Minho exhaled, forcing himself to focus. "Yeah. Just tired."

Seungmin hummed in acknowledgment, but before he could say more, the front door suddenly opened.

Minho frowned. Who—

"Minho! Hyunjin! We're here!"

The familiar voice sent a jolt through him.

Hyunjin's parents.

--

The house was suddenly filled with warmth and life.

Hyunjin had groggily woken up at the sound of his parents' voices, and the moment he stepped out, he was immediately engulfed in his mother's arms.

"My baby," she cooed, cupping his face. "Are you eating well? You look thinner!"

Hyunjin laughed, shaking his head. "Mom, I'm fine."

His father gave him a pat on the back, eyes filled with fondness. "Still studying hard?"

Hyunjin nodded. "Of course."

Minho stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold.

It was overwhelming—how effortlessly loved Hyunjin was.

His parents never stopped fussing over him. His friends showered him with affection. And Hyunjin, in return, basked in it, his entire existence brimming with warmth.

Minho couldn't look away.

And maybe that was what scared him the most.

--

As the day passed, Minho found himself observing Hyunjin more than usual.

The way he always had a small, genuine smile when talking to others.

The way he instinctively reached out to help, whether it was picking up something someone dropped or adjusting an old woman's bags as she walked past.

The way he paid attention—really listened—when someone spoke.

There was something so naturally kind about Hyunjin, something unshakably good.

Minho had always dismissed it as an act, an attempt to play the perfect son, the perfect friend.

But now, watching him interact with his parents, his friends, and even strangers—Minho realized it wasn't an act at all.

This was just who Hyunjin was.

And Minho... Minho didn't know how to deal with that.

--

Later that evening, after his parents had left and the house was quiet again, Minho sat on the balcony, staring up at the dark sky.

His chest felt heavy.

He had spent so long resenting Hyunjin, convinced that he was nothing but a spoiled, unwanted presence in his life.

But now, every little thing he had noticed about him, every act of kindness, every warm smile—

It all started to feel dangerous.

Because it meant something.

And Minho wasn't ready to admit what that was.