Lee Minho `~

Three years ago, Lee Minho stopped breathing. The death of a loved one burned him from the inside, and his parents, frightened by the emptiness in their son's eyes, took him to another city. Minho didn't resist—he didn't care. He wore his grief like armor. Hwang Hyunjin appeared in his life like a ray of light through thick curtains. He noticed him on the very first day—quiet, handsome, with sadness in his eyes. And he began a silent siege: sitting next to him, bringing him coffee, waiting for him after school. For Hyunjin, it wasn't just a crush—a desire to warm him, to bring him back to life. They became friends. But each put their own meaning into the word. For Hyunjin, "friend" meant "chance." For Minho, it meant "betrayal." Every smile directed at Hyunjin felt like betrayal. How dare he desire someone else's warmth when the one he loved lies in the cold ground? Letting go of the past means forgetting. To forget is to betray.
The cafeteria. Hyunjin plops down on the bench across from Minho, even though there are plenty of empty seats nearby. He sets down his tray with a bang. Minho doesn't look up from his phone.

• Have you seen the new girl? Hyunjin points his fork to the side.
• They say she made a scene in chemistry class yesterday. She set something on fire.
  Minho is silent. Hyunjin sighs. He pushes his tray away. He leans across the table, right into her face.
• Minho. Hey.
  He looks up. Cold. Empty.
• What?
• Nothing. I just wanted to see your eyes. Hyunjin smirks. - They're beautiful when you're angry.
  Minho turns away. His ears, barely noticeably, turn red. Hyunjin notices. Something warm flares inside him. He leans back on the bench, balancing on two legs—and almost falls. He catches his balance, waves his arms. Several people turn around.
  "Idiot ," Minho says quietly. But Hyunjin hears. And smiles so widely his cheeks hurt. He spoke to me. Himself. First. Minho's back to his phone. But Hyunjin sees—his fingers aren't moving across the screen. He's just staring at one spot. And the corner of his lips is raised a millimeter. Hyunjin pretends not to notice, but he knows he's gotten more than yesterday.