𝑲𝒊𝒎 𝑺𝒆𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒎𝒊𝒏

The rain started unexpectedly.

Seungmin stood at the entrance to the agency building, lazily twirling a folded umbrella in his hands. Rehearsal had ended almost an hour ago, but as usual, he'd stayed behind—checking his vocal parts, talking with his teacher, and only then heading outside.

— I knew you didn't take an umbrella.

He said this in a completely casual manner, as if he were stating a fact.

• What made you decide?

— Because the same thing happens every week.

You laughed quietly.

• That predictable?

• A little.

He opened his umbrella and nodded towards the road.

— Let's go. The bus is coming soon anyway.

You walked slowly. The rain pattered softly on the fabric, and passersby hurriedly avoided puddles. Seungmin didn't try to keep up a conversation every second. He rarely spoke, simply to fill the silence.

“It turned out well today,” he said unexpectedly.

• What exactly?

• You doubted yourself less.

You looked at him in surprise.

• Did you notice?

— I notice more than it seems.

After these words, he smiled slightly, looking ahead. It was the kind of smile he usually gave the band members when he wanted to encourage them without making a big deal out of it.

You were silent for a few minutes.

“And you?” you asked. “Never doubt?”

Seungmin chuckled softly.

• Constantly.

• Is it true?

— Of course. It's just that if you think about failures all the time, you'll have no time left for work.

He said it so calmly that the words sounded almost like a rule of life.

The rain got heavier at the bus stop. A gust of wind blew drops right under your umbrella, and you shivered involuntarily.

Without saying a word, Seungmin took a small step closer so that most of the umbrella was above you.

• And you?

"I'm tall," he replied calmly. "I won't melt before I get home."

You laughed.

He glanced at you out of the corner of his eye and smiled faintly too.