Chapter 58: More Than Just a Feeling

Minho hadn't planned any of this.

Not the way his heart jumped whenever Hyunjin laughed.

Not the way his fingers itched to touch him more.

And definitely not the way he had stopped caring about what anyone else thought.

Because this?

This was real.

And Minho was done pretending otherwise.

--

It started with an innocent suggestion from Felix.

"We should all go out this weekend," Felix chirped during lunch. "Like, a proper outing. No school, no stress—just fun."

Jisung grinned. "I'm down."

Chan nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Hyunjin perked up. "Where?"

"How about the amusement park?" Felix suggested. "It's been ages since we've gone."

The table immediately erupted in excited murmurs.

Minho, however, found himself hesitating.

He wasn't used to this—being included, being part of Hyunjin's world.

But when Hyunjin turned to him, eyes sparkling with excitement, Minho felt his resolve crumble.

"Minho?" Hyunjin asked, hopeful.

And just like that, he was powerless.

"Yeah," Minho murmured, "let's do it."

--

Saturday arrived with clear skies and warm air.

They met at the park entrance, everyone buzzing with energy.

Minho, despite himself, was actually looking forward to it.

But the moment they stepped inside, he realized something.

Hyunjin was dangerous here.

Not in a bad way.

But in a way that made Minho's heart do stupid things.

The way the sunlight hit his face.

The way he smiled so freely.

The way his excitement was so contagious that Minho found himself smiling too.

"Where to first?" Chan asked.

"Roller coaster!" Jisung shouted.

Felix groaned. "No way, I need a warm-up first."

"How about bumper cars?" Hyunjin suggested.

Minho smirked. "Are you any good?"

Hyunjin puffed out his chest. "I'll destroy you."

Minho laughed. "We'll see."

And just like that, the competition began.

--

Hyunjin, as it turned out, was awful at bumper cars.

Every time he tried to steer, he somehow managed to spin in circles.

Minho had never laughed so hard in his life.

"Stop laughing!" Hyunjin whined. "I'm trying!"

"Trying to lose?" Minho teased, effortlessly dodging his weak attempts to crash into him.

Jisung, however, had no mercy—slamming his car directly into Hyunjin's.

Hyunjin shrieked.

The entire group burst into laughter.

By the time the ride ended, Hyunjin was sulking.

"That was so unfair," he pouted.

Minho, still grinning, reached out and flicked his forehead.

"Better luck next time, baby."

Hyunjin turned bright red.

Chan and Felix gasped.

Jisung's jaw dropped.

Minho froze.

...Did I just—

Hyunjin blinked.

Minho blinked back.

And then—

"MINHO CALLED HYUNJIN BABY!" Jisung screamed.

Minho panicked.

"I DID NOT—"

"OH MY GOD, YOU DID," Felix cackled.

Hyunjin buried his face in his hands.

Minho groaned. Kill me now.

--

The teasing eventually died down (after what felt like hours).

And somehow, Minho found himself alone with Hyunjin on the Ferris wheel.

It wasn't planned.

At least, he hadn't planned it.

But when the others rushed to pair up, Minho had instinctively grabbed Hyunjin's wrist, dragging him into the cabin.

Now, they sat side by side, the city stretching beneath them as they slowly ascended.

Hyunjin sighed happily. "This is nice."

Minho, surprisingly, agreed.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then—

"Minho?"

Minho turned. "Hm?"

Hyunjin hesitated.

Then, in a voice softer than usual—

"I'm happy you came today."

Minho felt something warm spread through his chest.

"...Me too."

Hyunjin smiled.

And Minho knew, without a doubt—

He was completely, helplessly, entirely in love.