Chapter 37 - The Growing Rift

The weekend arrived faster than expected, and with it, Hyunjin's scheduled group project session.

The house bustled with energy as Jisung, Felix, Yeonjun, and Ahyeon settled in, spreading out their notes and materials on the living room table. Laughter and conversation filled the air, making the home feel even warmer than usual.

Minho, who had originally planned to stay out of the way, found himself lingering in the kitchen, listening in without meaning to.

Hyunjin, as always, was at the center of it all.

--

Felix draped himself over Hyunjin's back, chin resting on his shoulder as he whined. "Hyunnieee, help me with this equation. My brain stopped working."

Hyunjin chuckled, flipping through the pages of Felix's notebook. "Lix, this is basic algebra."

"That's exactly why I need help," Felix groaned.

Jisung smirked. "He only wants your attention, you know."

Felix pouted. "Of course! Hyunjinnie is my baby too!"

Hyunjin huffed. "Why am I everyone's baby?"

"Because you're soft," Ahyeon teased, poking his cheek.

Yeonjun grinned. "It's a privilege, Hyunjin. Just accept it."

Minho watched from the doorway, arms crossed. He should be used to this by now—Hyunjin being adored, being everyone's precious one.

But today, it bothered him.

More than it should.

--

At some point in the afternoon, Hyunjin stood up, stretching his arms.

"I need to grab more snacks from the kitchen," he announced, making his way toward the door.

Minho stepped aside as Hyunjin entered, unaware that he had even been standing there the whole time.

Hyunjin blinked. "Oh, Minho. I didn't see you."

Minho shrugged. "Didn't mean to startle you."

Hyunjin smiled, reaching for the cupboard, but then hesitated.

"Um, by the way," he started, looking up at Minho, "we're planning to extend the session a little longer, maybe order dinner. Is that okay?"

Minho raised a brow. "Why are you asking me?"

Hyunjin fidgeted. "Because it's... our house?"

Minho exhaled. The fact that Hyunjin still felt the need to ask permission made something twist in his chest.

"You don't have to ask," Minho said quietly. "It's your home too."

Hyunjin's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he nodded. "Thanks, Minho."

Minho said nothing as he watched Hyunjin leave, feeling that same unfamiliar warmth settle in his chest again.

--

By the time the group project session ended, it was already past ten.

Felix and Jisung stayed behind a little longer, helping Hyunjin clean up while Yeonjun and Ahyeon left together.

Minho sat in the living room, flipping through his phone but not really reading anything.

"Hyunjinnie, you okay?" Felix asked, picking up empty cans from the table.

Hyunjin hummed. "Yeah, just a little tired."

Jisung ruffled his hair. "Get some rest, baby. You worked hard today."

Felix giggled. "Our little genius."

Hyunjin groaned. "Stop it!"

Minho gritted his teeth.

It wasn't irritation.

It wasn't annoyance.

But it was something.

Something that clawed at his chest.

Felix and Jisung eventually bid their goodbyes, leaving Hyunjin alone in the living room with Minho.

The house felt too quiet all of a sudden.

Hyunjin sighed, stretching his arms. "I'll clean up the rest tomorrow."

Minho studied him for a moment before exhaling. "I'll help."

Hyunjin blinked. "Really?"

Minho rolled his eyes. "Yeah. I live here too."

Hyunjin smiled. "Thanks, Minho."

And that smile—that smile—made Minho feel like he had done something right.

For once.

--

Just as they finished tidying up, Minho's phone buzzed.

Seungmin.

Minho hesitated before answering. "Hey."

"Hey, babe," Seungmin's voice was light, but there was a trace of something... off. "Where have you been?"

Minho frowned. "Home. Why?"

"You didn't reply to my messages."

Minho glanced at his phone screen, realizing he had ignored a few texts.

His stomach twisted.

"Oh. Sorry, I was busy."

Seungmin hummed. "Busy with what? Your husband?"

Minho stiffened. "Seungmin—"

"I was just wondering if you still remember you have a boyfriend," Seungmin cut in, voice tight. "Or has Hyunjin replaced me already?"

Minho's grip on the phone tightened.

Hyunjin, who had been placing dishes in the sink, paused, turning slightly at the sound of Seungmin's name.

Minho met Hyunjin's gaze briefly before looking away.

"I'll call you later," Minho muttered, hanging up before Seungmin could say more.

Hyunjin didn't say anything, but Minho could feel his eyes on him.

Minho exhaled. "I'm going to bed."

Hyunjin hesitated before nodding. "Good night, Minho."

Minho walked past him, his chest feeling heavier than it had in a long time.

Seungmin was right about one thing.

Minho was changing.

And he didn't know what to do about it.