It was an unfamiliar sensation. A strange, ticklish feeling touched his lips. The warmth of another person felt awkward, and the contact of someone else's lips on his seemed grotesque. As he froze in shock, a moist tongue tapped Sihyun's lips. Hamin held him tight, as if catching someone trying to escape. The hand that moved from his collar to his head felt both gentle and urgent.
Kang Sihyun.
When he kept his mouth firmly shut, Hamin called out his name softly. Sihyun flinched. The name that flowed from his lips didn't feel strange at all, despite hearing it countless times. Yet, at this moment, it felt alien.
That snapped him back to reality.
Sihyun's eyes snapped open as he grabbed Hamin's shoulders. He gripped Hamin tightly enough to turn his knuckles white, forcibly pulling away. Only after he gently bit and then released his lip did Hamin, exuding a sense of loss, slowly back away. Their eyes met. The atmosphere was odd. Though their tongues hadn't even touched, Sihyun, out of breath and feeling awkward, wiped his lips with the back of his hand and frowned.
"You, you...!"
Sihyun stuttered with a flushed face, unable to articulate his thoughts. It was the first time he had been so flustered.
As Sihyun struggled to form words, Hamin let out a snort, not of amusement but self-mockery.
"Even now, you think I'm just mistaken?"
"..."
"How much I've... in my dreams."
Hamin trailed off, as if the words that were supposed to follow were too much to voice. Then, he looked at Sihyun with a childish gaze. The intensity in his eyes was overwhelming. The fervor they held felt foreign, and the unwavering gaze, fiery as it was, frightened him.
Suddenly, fear struck.
"...I'm not expecting us to start dating right away or anything. Just... know this."
Noticing Sihyun's visibly shaking eyes, Hamin bit his lip hard before speaking. The strength in the hand holding Sihyun's shoulder gradually faded. Eventually, Sihyun's hand dropped down. The eyes that couldn't hide their panic were concealed beneath his eyelids.
"Sorry."
Hamin finally uttered a low apology.
"...It's okay."
That was all Sihyun could say.
"What's with the atmosphere between you two?"
By the time Jeong Daun and the others who had gone to buy porridge returned, Sihyun had already settled on the outermost chair of the infirmary, and Hamin on a chair inside. As they shared a moment of awkward reunion, Daun hesitated upon seeing Sihyun. His eyes narrowed. Turning his head swiftly, he looked at Hamin.
"Did you perhaps..."
Daun exclaimed in surprise before hastily shutting his mouth. Sihyun scrutinized him, sensing something fishy in his response.
Soon, Sihyun realized the significant atmosphere Daun exuded.
He knew.
That Lee Hamin liked him.
It was unclear how Daun came to know, whether Hamin had sought relationship advice or if Daun had figured it out himself. Regardless, it was evident Daun was aware of Hamin's feelings.
Could the others know as well?
It seemed unlikely that Daun was the only one privy to this. Sihyun quickly surveyed the expressions of the others. Baek Geonu and Jihye looked as usual, Yoo Seowoo paused then gave a slight smile, and Ban Haru appeared shocked. And Kang Haewoon...
Was smirking.
Looking between Sihyun and Hamin, he smirked as if he found the situation amusing.
...Kang Haewoon knew as well.
At least Haewoon and Daun were definitely aware. Yoo Seowoo, being as observant as Daun, couldn't be ruled out either. Realizing he was the last to know left Sihyun feeling empty, his fists clenched. Knowing sooner wouldn't have changed much.
Or would it have?
Had he known, he would have avoided any situation where Hamin could confess.
Understanding this, Sihyun once again sympathized with Hamin's feelings. Unconsciously, his hand brushed his lips. The moist residue still lingering forced him to recall the sensation.
The first time experiencing such a touch. The strange feeling when another's tongue touched his lips. The unfamiliar tension that made his spine tingle and his back straighten. As Sihyun methodically revisited these sensations, he suddenly slapped both cheeks.
Snap!
The sharp, strong sound echoed through the infirmary, startling everyone. Hamin included. Seeing the seven pairs of eyes widened in surprise, Sihyun gathered his breath. The chaos in his mind began to settle.
What Hamin wanted after escaping the shadow world was to confess to him
. And Hamin had succeeded.
The rest was up to him.
Stealing a glance at Hamin, who looked displeased, Sihyun took a deep breath.
Hamin's confession was important, but there was something else that needed addressing first.
Perhaps, after hearing what he had to say, Hamin's feelings might change.
The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. Catching Daun's gaze, Sihyun stared long into her brown eyes. Sensing Daun's realization, she looked surprised.
"You know about..."
Daun murmured softly. Sihyun shook his head in response.
Not now.
"...After Hamin recovers, how about we meet up this weekend? If nothing comes up."
With a cautious voice, the kids looked puzzled. It sounded like he was making a big deal out of nothing. Facing their nonchalant faces, Sihyun wondered if they would remain the same after hearing him out. He asked again, and the unanimous response was affirmative.
"Shall we give Min his porridge now?"
Haewoon, holding the plastic bag with porridge, spoke energetically, revitalizing the dampened mood. Indeed, no one could shift the atmosphere like Haewoon, Sihyun acknowledged with a nod.
"Ouch, hot...! Damn, Kang Haewoon!"
Haewoon, who had recklessly handed the overly microwaved porridge to Hamin without cooling it, ended up being scolded. After the third such incident, an irritated Hamin chased after Haewoon, creating a spectacle in the infirmary with patients running around. The kids burst into laughter. When Haewoon was finally caught and forced to eat the hot porridge, even Sihyun, who had been preoccupied with various thoughts, couldn't help but laugh.
Laughter flowed freely for the first time in a while.
After the monthly evaluation, Class A's faces, which had lost their bright smiles, were once again illuminated with joyous laughter.
After much laughter and chatter, the evening approached, and the nurse returned, shooing Sihyun and the others back to their rooms. Now that Hamin had woken up, the kids agreed to rest and sleep comfortably in their dormitories. First, Sihyun parted ways with Daun and Jihye, then with Haewoon and Baek Geonu. It felt odd entering the dormitory without Hamin as a trio. Just as he hesitated at the door handle, a gentle voice called out from behind.
"Can we talk for a moment, Sihyun?"
Turning around, Sihyun faced Yoo Seowoo. His smile was just as usual. Recalling past moments with Seowoo, Sihyun wondered...
Could he also...?
There had been times when Seowoo treated him as if he had special feelings. Memories of Seowoo complimenting his eyes during the sports festival surfaced, prompting Sihyun to hesitate.
Doubtful eyes scanned Seowoo, but eventually, Sihyun let out a self-mocking chuckle.
I'm overthinking it.
Surely, Seowoo wouldn't harbor feelings for him. Even if he did, he wouldn't confess on the same day as Hamin. Reassured, Sihyun was about to relax when someone pulled his arm. With Yoo Seowoo in front, only one other person remained.
"Brother?"
As Sihyun looked at him, Ban Haru glanced towards the door, suggesting they enter. Sighing, Seowoo smirked at their interaction. Sihyun then remembered the awkward tension between Haru and Seowoo, a detail he had completely forgotten due to Hamin's awakening.
"If you want to listen, come in."
"..."
"It's not like we need to talk in private."
Seowoo added in his smooth tone, arousing curiosity about the topic of discussion. As Sihyun waited, unsure of what to expect, Seowoo leaned against the wall and finally spoke.
"Sihyun."
"Yeah."
"Did Hamin confess?"
"...What?"
Had he been drinking anything, he would have spit it out on Seowoo. Grateful he hadn't, Sihyun instead swallowed his saliva and coughed loudly. The coughing continued. Not drinking water had now led to a choking hazard.
As Sihyun coughed and gasped for air, Seowoo patiently waited for the fit to pass. Haru, who was equally shocked, comforted and worried for Sihyun. After several minutes, the coughing finally subsided.
"Cough, what did you say?"
Clearing his throat and asking again, Seowoo smiled.
"Did Hamin confess?"
The question was repeated without a single change. Clearly, Seowoo also knew about Hamin's feelings for him. They all knew yet kept it from him. Sihyun, harboring a sense of unjust resentment
, exhaled deeply before responding. It wasn't his place to discuss someone else's confession.
"Ask Hamin yourself."
"So, you didn't accept."
"..."
About to end the conversation and open the door, Seowoo's voice stopped Sihyun in his tracks. Surprised by his knowledge, Sihyun frowned and turned back. Seowoo's platinum eyes warmly enveloped him.
"What does that have to do with you?"
The words were out before he could regret them.
If the response to this question was anything like "I like you too," Sihyun doubted he could handle it. Caught between two men who claimed to love him was a situation he decidedly wanted to avoid. Swallowing dryly, the gulp sounded unusually loud, as if everyone could hear it.
Waiting for an answer, Seowoo surveyed Sihyun. His gaze leisurely moved from top to toe and back to his eyes. The moment felt endlessly long until Seowoo's eyelids lazily drooped. He spoke softly.
"Just."
"..."
"If you're having a hard time, come to me for advice."
We're friends.
The boy smiled, his eyes curving warmly. Despite the friendly gesture, Sihyun scrutinized him, suspecting ulterior motives. Narrowing his eyes in doubt, Seowoo shrugged, his demeanor playful.
Maybe it's not him.
If that was the case, it was a relief.
Finally, letting go of his suspicion, Sihyun exhaled in relief and turned the doorknob.
"Advising on everything, huh."
Sihyun's quip was met with a low chuckle from Seowoo.
The door opened, and the three kids entered the room. The day, filled with tumultuous events, ended with difficulty.
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