How You Became My Everything. | WooSan | 18+

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"Mina, how are you? You okay?" San asked as he turned fully to face the girl.

Mina only nodded, stuck in silence, visibly miles out of her comfort zone but seemingly wanting to voice something on her mind. San knew that Mina didn't associate nor speak to people outside of a very small group. In fact, he was sure that in their 5 years of education together, this was the only time they'd interacted face to face. In the dinner line, no less.

"Hey, it's okay, you're fine. Shall we head out for 5 minutes? We don't have to talk here, it's a little bit loud isn't it?" San offered softly, his tone akin to the one he would use with Wooyoung when he needed it.

When Mina nodded again, San gestured for her to lead the way, clocking Wooyoung's curious gaze that spelled out in their synced minds 'is everything okay, Sannie?'. San responded with a little nod and smile, holding up his hand to signal 'everything's fine, baby. I'll be 5 minutes.'

Once outside and perched on a bench facing the field, San patiently awaited Mina to speak the first word, not wanting to make her any more uncomfortable than she already appeared to be.

"So... I just wanted to say," Mina started, voice timid. "I-I hope you take care of Wooyoung. When he joined my class, he paired up with me before I was left as the odd one out for the millionth time in a duo team building exercise, like he had this sixth sense or something that I would be. I didn't even speak to him for that full day, but he kept trying and trying. He ended up just moving to the desk next to mine and never leaving. Never pushy, though. He'd ask for my opinions and thoughts on our work, he never let me do everything by myself, nor did he take credit for anything he didn't do. He didn't take advantage just because I was quiet. He waited for me to be confident enough to speak back, and ease me in to conversation about other stuff outside of school. He's got this huge heart, not like anyone else I've ever met before and he's a real good friend to me. So.. please, don't upset him again. He's the last person in the world who deserves that."

San listened to Mina's sweet but stern admission with full focus, heart full as he learned that Wooyoung had chose to take his bad dealings and turn them into something so beautiful by ensuring one less person in the world would not feel as singled out and alone as he once did.

He also admired Mina alone, for casting aside her social anxiety to stick up for what she believed in, which was protecting her new friend as best as she could despite not knowing how San would even respond.

"I know as Wooyoung's friend, it must have sucked to see him so down because of the choices I made." San spoke, once he was sure Mina had finished. "He's very, very lucky to have someone like you, Mina. He's got me, and our friends, but you are someone who Wooyoung has needed for a lot longer in his life. A friend to call his own, one he can come to when we're all driving him up the wall."

Mina laughs under her breath, and San continues after hearing it.

"You are so very important to Youngie. He talks about you, you know? Tells me how you were the first person he reached out to, who he feels the most at ease with. That he knows you're honest, trustworthy and kind. My sweetheart hasn't always had it easy, as you probably know, and he can read people like a damn book. So when he says you're good, you're good. With what you've done for him today, speaking to me, I can tell he's in the best hands of care and protection if not in my own."

Mina lifts her head from her shy gaze to the floor, up to meet San's welcoming and friendly expression. She tries to hide the little sniffle, failing, but San goes along with pretending to not notice it, nor see her fight to blink away the tears.

"That's very lovely of you, San. Thank you for hearing me and taking me seriously. I just wanted to step out of my world for a moment and try my hand at protecting someone who has come to be very dear to me. I know Wooyoung would do the same for me in a heartbeat."