i think my next chapters will be for the s2 characters I haven't written yet, then I'll write some stuff for junho and gihun and probably saebyeok
The aftermath of the Mingle Game was an intense silence, the kind that settles deep in your bones, almost as heavy as the exhaustion. You and Dae-ho sat against the cold, gray wall, surrounded by the faint echoes of other players catching their breath. The weight of the game, the fear of what was next, pressed heavily on everyone, but for you, there was another struggle—a more personal one.
The cramps had started before the game, but the running and stress had made them worse. You tried to push through it, biting down on your lip, telling yourself it was nothing, but as the minutes ticked on, the pain became unbearable. You held your stomach, doing your best not to show it, but it wasn’t long before Dae-ho noticed.
He sat beside you, a quiet presence, but you could feel his eyes on you. He didn’t say anything at first, just let the silence stretch between you both. But then, in that way he had—a soft understanding in his gaze—he spoke.
“You’re not fine,” he said, his voice low, the kind of voice that didn’t push, just observed.
You stiffened, trying to wave it off with a forced smile. “I’m fine, Dae-ho. Really. Just… tired.”
He shook his head slightly, his gaze sharp and unrelenting. “I know that face,” he said, his words matter-of-fact, and you couldn’t help but feel a wave of heat rise in your chest. You hoped it wasn’t too noticeable.
“I’m fine,” you repeated, though this time it came out less convincingly. You turned your head to avoid his eyes, but he was having none of it. He leaned in just a little closer, his presence overwhelming and comforting at once.
“You’re not,” he said softly, and there was a tenderness in his tone that made your heart skip a beat. “You’re in pain.”
You sighed, trying to hide your discomfort, but the ache in your stomach was getting worse. You hated that he could see through your act so easily, hated how he seemed to always know exactly when something was wrong. But, at the same time, there was something about it—his concern, his gentle persistence—that made your chest tighten in a way you couldn’t quite explain.
“Dae-ho, it’s nothing. Just cramps. I’ll be fine,” you insisted, but he wasn’t letting you off the hook.
He sighed, a soft, almost exasperated sound, but it was clear he wasn’t going to drop it. “You’re not fine. I know what cramps look like. My sisters—” He paused for a moment, as though to gather his thoughts. “I’ve seen it enough to know when someone’s struggling.”
Your stomach twisted uncomfortably, but it wasn’t just from the cramps anymore. He was too close, his voice too soft, and you hated how his attention felt like a wave, pulling you under, making everything seem more intense.
“I don’t want to be a bother,” you muttered, looking away, hoping that somehow the silence would swallow you up.
Dae-ho reached out, his hand gently brushing against your arm in a reassuring, almost instinctive way. “You’re not a bother,” he said firmly, his voice steady and warm. “You don’t have to hide it. Let me help.”
You met his eyes for the first time, and there was a softness there—a tenderness that made your heart stutter. “How are you gonna help?” you asked, trying to joke, but the words felt too heavy. You weren’t used to letting anyone see you this vulnerable.
His gaze softened, his lips turning up at the corners in a small, understanding smile. “I know what it’s like. My sisters, they always went through the same thing. I learned how to make tea, how to get them warm blankets, how to keep them comfortable. I can help you, too.” He said it with such conviction that it almost made your heart ache.
