The final bell echoed through the halls, and students slowly trickled out of their classrooms. Beomgyu and Kai walked side by side, but the silence between them felt heavier with each step. Kai's head hung low, shoulders hunched, his eyes shadowed by thoughts he couldn't push away.
He couldn't stop thinking about them—the jocks who threatened him, cornered him, touched him. Their words echoed like poison in his mind, infecting even the quietest moments. They weren't just in his head. They were his head now, haunting every breath.
Beomgyu noticed. Of course he did. The silence, the stiffness in Kai's gait—it was all wrong.
"You've been quiet," Gyu finally said. "Are you okay? Did something happen?"
Kai startled a little but quickly caught himself. His lips pulled into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm fine. Everything's okay, Gyu hyung."
Beomgyu stared at him, unconvinced. That fake smile was too polished. Too forced. He'd seen it before—on people trying to keep themselves from falling apart.
"Look," Beomgyu said gently. "If something's bothering you… you can tell me. We're friends. You don't have to pretend."
Kai smiled wider, this time with a little more sincerity, though his eyes still flickered with unease. "Thanks, hyung. Really. I'm okay."
They stopped by their lockers, organizing their things. Beomgyu opened his bag and frowned. "Wait—I think I left my textbook in the classroom. Can you wait here a second?"
Kai nodded. "Sure."
As Beomgyu ran off, Kai exhaled and leaned back against the lockers. He pulled out his phone and opened a game, trying to distract himself—trying to feel something normal.
But the illusion didn't last long.
A shadow fell over him.
"Look who we found," a voice drawled.
Kai looked up—and froze. Mingyu. Junhui. Vernon. The same three faces from earlier, their presence looming like a thundercloud. He backed up, but there was nowhere to go. They surrounded him.
Mingyu grinned. "You haven't forgotten our deal, right? I'm expecting those assignments on time. And maybe… I'll give you a reward for your effort."
He leaned in, fingers brushing Kai's hair, sending cold dread down his spine.
Kai whimpered, instinctively shutting his eyes.
"Aww, don't scare him, Mingyu," Junhui cooed mockingly.
"I'm just being friendly," Mingyu said, his voice soft and twisted. He dragged his fingers down to Kai's neck, then took hold of his hand.
Kai trembled. He couldn't pull away. He didn't dare.
"So soft," Mingyu muttered, gently caressing Kai's fingers as if he were handling something precious. "My little lamb… Don't cry now. You're still cute even when you're scared."
Kai choked back a sob. His tears began to fall—quiet, ashamed, terrified.
"Dude," Vernon laughed, "you made him cry!"
"No, you did," Mingyu said, smirking as he wiped Kai's tears away and pulled him into a mock embrace. "Shhh… let it out. That's it."
"P-Please…" Kai whimpered. "Let me go…"
But they just laughed. Kai's voice was small, and in their hands, he felt smaller.
Then Vernon stiffened. "Shit. Sir Soobin."
The spell broke instantly.
Mingyu released Kai and took a step back, quickly shifting into performance mode. "Kai, don't cry. You'll get in trouble," he whispered coldly, his eyes hard.
Soobin's footsteps were firm and fast.
"Kai? What's going on here?" he asked, brows furrowed in concern as he looked between the boys.
Mingyu put on a face of false worry. "Sir Choi… We just found him like this. He wouldn't say what's wrong. We were trying to calm him down."
Soobin's eyes narrowed at the odd tension. "You're a friend of his? Thanks for checking on him. I'll handle it from here."
The jocks exchanged a few glances.
"We'll be heading home, then," Mingyu said smoothly. "See you around, Kai. Text me when you get home, okay?"
Kai's stomach turned.
The wink Mingyu gave as he walked away made his skin crawl.
Beomgyu returned just as the jocks disappeared around the corner. He froze at the sight of Kai's tear-stained face and Soobin gently crouched beside him.
"Sir Soobin? What happened?"
"I'm not sure," Soobin replied. "I found him crying—"
"I said I'm fine!" Kai suddenly blurted, louder than he meant to.
Both Soobin and Beomgyu stared at him, stunned. Kai looked horrified at himself.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to yell. I'm just… tired. That's all."
Soobin softened. "You should rest. Let me give you two a ride—"
"No need," Beomgyu cut in. "I've got something to take care of."
"Alright," Soobin said with a nod. "Take care, Beomgyu."
As Kai turned to leave with Soobin, Beomgyu stopped him. "Kai."
The younger looked back. Their eyes met—and Beomgyu saw it.
Pain. Raw, hollow, and quiet. Kai gave a small, broken smile.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Then he walked away.
Beomgyu stood frozen. He didn't know what hurt more—Kai's silence, or the fact that he felt so helpless.
+×+
Later That Night...
The drive was quiet. Unbearably so. Kai stared out the window. Soobin tapped the steering wheel, unsure of what to say.
Just as he was about to speak, Kai beat him to it.
"Have you had dinner yet, Sir Soobin?" he asked. "Would you… like to eat with me tonight? I'll cook."
Soobin blinked. "You'll cook?"
Kai nodded. "Just this once."
Soobin looked at him, the vulnerability in his eyes, the shimmer of hope—and he found himself smiling. "Alright."
The younger's face lit up.
+×+
In the kitchen, Soobin sat at the counter, utterly transfixed as Kai moved with quiet focus, apron tied neatly. He looked soft. Calm. But Soobin knew better.
"You're full of surprises," Soobin mused. "Just watching you cook… I know this is going to be good."
Kai giggled, cheeks tinting red.
Dinner came out beautifully—shrimp and tomato cream pasta, fragrant and mouthwatering. Soobin's delighted moan after the first bite made Kai beam.
"I actually made something special this morning, too!" Kai added excitedly, placing a delicate dessert on the table.
Soobin leaned forward, impressed. "Wow. What is it?"
"Milk egg cake," Kai grinned. "Try it?"
He did—and his eyes sparkled. "This is amazing. Creamy, soft… You'd make a wonderful wife someday."
Kai blinked, flustered. "E-Eh?"
Realizing what he'd said, Soobin laughed awkwardly. "Ah, sorry. That just slipped out."
They both laughed, the atmosphere lightening.
Later, Kai noticed a spot of sauce on Soobin's lip and gently dabbed it with a tissue. Their faces ended up inches apart, eyes locking.
Time stopped.
Soobin's gaze softened as he stared at Kai—at his lashes, his glowing skin, his parted lips. He almost leaned in.
But Kai pulled away, blushing furiously. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize how close we were…"
"It's fine," Soobin said, voice hushed. "Really."
Kai couldn't stop the rush of feelings flooding him. He wanted this. He wanted Soobin. But what if it wasn't mutual? He had no right to hope. Still… there was warmth in Soobin's gaze. A flicker. A beginning.
+×+
As the night wound down, Soobin stood by the door, ready to leave. Kai followed him, heart heavy.
"Thank you for dinner," Soobin said with a soft smile. "I'll see you at school."
Kai tried to smile, but his sadness seeped through.
Soobin reached out, cupping Kai's cheek with a tender hand. "Are you sure you're okay? Talk to me, Kai. I don't want you hiding your pain."
Kai closed his eyes, leaning into the touch.
"I'm fine," he whispered. "Maybe I just… miss my family."
Soobin studied him for a moment, then ruffled his hair. "Alright. But I'm here, okay? Always."
Kai nodded.
When the door shut, he stood there, hands touching the place where Soobin's hand had been. A giggle escaped him—soft, hopeful.
But outside, hidden in the shadows, Mingyu stood with a wicked grin, his phone raised.
A photo of Soobin's hand on Kai's cheek lit up the screen.
"This is going to be fun," he muttered.