Chapter 36 - Subtle Shifts

Hyunjin twirled his pen between his fingers, nodding absentmindedly as Jisung scribbled notes on a piece of paper.

"So, we'll split the research, but we need a proper place to put everything together," Jisung said, tapping his chin. "I don't want to do it at school. Too noisy."

Felix nodded in agreement. "Same. And the library has that time limit on study rooms."

Yeonjun, who had been quietly listening, leaned back in his chair. "Well, whose house is available?"

Ahyeon, the only girl in the group, sighed. "Not mine. My siblings will not let us concentrate."

Jisung's eyes lit up suddenly, turning to Hyunjin with a grin. "What about your place?"

Hyunjin blinked. "My place?"

"Yeah! You live in a nice house, and it's spacious. Plus, your husband won't mind, right?"

At the word husband, Hyunjin felt heat rise to his ears.

Minho.

Would he mind?

Hyunjin hesitated before shrugging. "I... I guess I can ask him?"

Jisung clapped his hands. "Great! Weekend afternoon, then?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, finalizing the plan before they parted ways.

--

Hyunjin chewed on his lip as he stood outside Minho's office. Minho sometimes helped his father run the company, but not entirely—his dad wanted him to enjoy his school life first.

As much as they had gotten better at living together, asking Minho for permission still felt odd.

He knocked hesitantly.

"Come in."

Hyunjin stepped inside, finding Minho at his desk, reading over some documents. He glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?"

Hyunjin fidgeted. "Uh... I wanted to ask something."

Minho leaned back in his chair, arms crossing. "Go on."

Hyunjin took a breath. "For our group project, we need a place to work. Jisung suggested doing it here, and everyone agreed... so, um... would that be okay?"

Minho's expression didn't change. He simply studied Hyunjin for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, sure. Just don't wreck the house."

Hyunjin brightened. "Really? Thanks, Minho!"

Minho rolled his eyes, waving him off. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't let Jisung burn the kitchen down."

Hyunjin laughed. "I'll make sure he behaves."

Minho didn't say anything, but there was something fond in the way he looked at Hyunjin as he walked away.

Something neither of them acknowledged.

--

On Friday, Hyunjin decided he needed to buy some snacks and drinks for the weekend gathering.

He was about to text Chan for help, but before he could, Minho's voice cut in.

"I'll go with you."

Hyunjin blinked up at him. "You will?"

Minho sighed. "Why do you look so shocked? You need to buy a lot of stuff, don't you?"

Hyunjin nodded slowly.

"Then let's go."

Hyunjin bit back a smile. "Okay."

--

The grocery store was busy, filled with the soft hum of conversations and the occasional beeping of cash registers.

Hyunjin pushed the cart while Minho walked beside him, hands in his pockets.

It was surprisingly... nice.

For the first time, it felt normal.

Like they weren't two people forced into a marriage.

Like they were just... them.

Hyunjin reached for a pack of chips, only to find another hand on the same bag. He looked up in surprise, meeting the eyes of a man in his mid-twenties, dressed in a sleek black coat.

"Oh, sorry," Hyunjin said politely, stepping back.

The man smiled. "No worries. You can take it."

Hyunjin shook his head. "No, no, you had it first."

The man chuckled. "Well, we could split it."

Hyunjin smiled awkwardly, not sure how to respond.

There was something about the way the man was looking at him—like he was interested.

Before Hyunjin could say anything, a familiar presence stepped in beside him.

Minho.

His expression was unreadable, but there was a definitive edge to it.

"We'll take it," Minho said smoothly, plucking the chips from the shelf and placing them in the cart.

The man glanced at Minho, his smile faltering slightly. "Oh. I see."

Hyunjin swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. "Um, have a good day."

The man gave a small nod before walking off.

As soon as he was gone, Minho turned to Hyunjin, eyes sharp. "Did he make you uncomfortable?"

Hyunjin hesitated before nodding. "A little."

Minho's jaw tightened, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he simply grabbed the cart and started pushing it forward.

Hyunjin followed quietly, feeling a strange warmth in his chest.

It was subtle.

But Minho had stepped in.

Like it was natural.

Like it was his place.

--

As they left the grocery store, Hyunjin glanced up at Minho, who was still looking ahead, his expression unreadable.

But there was something different in the air between them.

Something new.

Something that made Hyunjin's heart beat just a little faster.