The Colors of Love - Minsung

twenty one

Changbin's smirk faded the moment he turned the corner, out of Jeongin's sight. He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.

That had been too close.

He didn't expect Jeongin to figure out so much, and now he was caught. He couldn't afford to let the truth slip—not yet.

Sliding into his seat as the teacher began calling attendance, Changbin tried to focus, but Jeongin's words echoed in his mind.

"I know who the real artist is..."

If Jeongin truly knew, that meant it was only a matter of time before Jisung found out, and Changbin's carefully crafted story would crumble.

Meanwhile, Jeongin was already formulating his next move.

He wasn't one to let something this juicy go unresolved.

Secrets are just puzzles waiting to be solved, he thought, smirking to himself as he made his way to class.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hyunjin adjusted his stance, breathing heavily as he stared at the mirrored walls of the empty dance studio.

The faint hum of music still played from the speakers, but his mind wasn't on the choreography. It hadn't been all day.

"Jeongin," Hyunjin muttered under his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. He'd been dancing for hours, trying to burn off the unease crawling under his skin, but it wasn't working.

The door creaked open behind him, and Hyunjin turned to see Seungmin walking in, holding a water bottle.

"You didn't show up to class," Seungmin said quietly, setting the bottle on the floor. "What's going on?"

Hyunjin shook his head, avoiding Seungmin's gaze. "It's nothing."

"Bullshit." Seungmin crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. "You've been acting weird ever since that day Jisung mentioned Jeongin."

Hyunjin froze, his reflection staring back at him like it was mocking him.

"It's not a big deal," he said, his voice tight.

Seungmin didn't move. His reflection hovered in the doorway, arms still crossed, eyes fixed on Hyunjin like he could see right through him.

"Not a big deal?" Seungmin repeated, his tone heavy with disbelief. "What's going on between you two?"

Hyunjin gritted his teeth. He wished Seungmin would drop it, but he knew better.

"He's just—" Hyunjin hesitated, searching for the right words. "He's just... complicated."

"Complicated?" Seungmin raised an eyebrow. "That's what you're going with?"

Hyunjin spun around, his frustration finally bubbling to the surface. "Yeah, okay, complicated. Because you don't know him, alright? You don't know what he's like."

Seungmin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden outburst. "Then maybe you should tell me!"

Hyunjin's shoulders slumped. He sank to the floor, leaning his back against the mirrored wall.

Seungmin hesitated for a moment before joining him, sitting cross-legged a few feet away.

"Look," Seungmin said, his voice softer now. "I don't know what's going on between you and Jeongin, but if he's bothering you, I need to know. Especially if it's going to affect the rest of us."

Hyunjin let out a bitter laugh, staring up at the ceiling. "It's not about you. Or Jisung. It's... it's my problem."

Seungmin frowned, watching him carefully. "Hyunjin, come on. I can't help you if you keep shutting me out."

The room fell silent, the faint hum of the speakers filling the space as neither of them spoke. Seungmin waited, his gaze steady, but Hyunjin didn't meet his eyes.

He traced invisible patterns on the floor with his finger, his breathing uneven.

Minutes stretched by, each second feeling heavier than the last, until finally, Hyunjin's voice broke through the quiet.

"I hurt him..." Hyunjin said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

✎ To be continued...