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The first week of the new school year always brought a mix of excitement and dread for the students. For Lee Minho, it was just another routine—until now. He walked to school with his group of friends, head down, focused on his phone as he scrolled through the recent messages he and Jisung had exchanged last night and this morning.
“Is he even paying attention?” Hyunjin whispered to everyone, glancing over at Minho.
“Not a chance,” Seungmin replied.
“Maybe he’s got something on his mind?” Chan suggested. “Minho, you’ve been glued to your phone all morning. What’s up with you?” He asked, trying to peek over Minho’s shoulder.
“Yeah, did something happen?” Felix chimed in, his voice filled with curiosity.
Minho’s friends knew him well but didn’t know about Minho’s lover. They heard rumors of how he had a best friend and the duo being inseparable back in elementary and intermediate. They didn’t know the full story—or that this friend was more than just a friend. The male never talked about it so they didn’t ask.
Minho shrugged off their questions, mumbling something about needing something important. He wasn’t ready to tell them, not yet. He wanted to see Jisung first, to have him back in his arms before explaining everything.
For most people, Minho was known for being cold and distant at school. His reputation for being unapproachable, combined with his sharp intelligence and good looks, made him one of the most popular students at school. But despite the attention he received, he only ever softened for one person—Han Jisung. When it came to Jisung, Minho was different—softer, warmer, the side of him that very few got to see.
Minho had met Jisung when they were just babies, their families being close friends. They grew up together, inseparable, with Minho always feeling the need to protect Jisung. Even when they were kids, Minho had a soft spot for the younger boy, and it only deepened as they grew older. By sixth grade, Minho had finally confessed his feelings to Jisung, who had eagerly reciprocated. They’d been each other’s first everything—first crush, first love, first kiss.
But in seventh grade, Jisung’s family had moved to Malaysia for his father’s job, and Minho had been devastated. They kept in touch through Facetime and texts, but it wasn’t the same. Minho missed Jisung’s presence, his smile, and the way he could brighten up even the gloomiest of days.
Minho sat in the back of his chemistry class, his mood darkening—sulking—with every passing minute. He had forgotten that Jisung told him, last night in their call, that he had to go to the office for his schedule. He was flanked by his friends, Hyunjin and Changbin, who had noticed Minho’s unusual distraction since their walk to school.
“Do you think he’s mad at us?” Hyunjin leaned backward to his right and whispered to Changbin, glancing at Minho, who was staring blankly ahead.
“Nah,” Changbin replied. “I think he’s just . . . preoccupied.”
Unbeknownst to them, Minho was indeed—preoccupied—with thoughts of Jisung.
The teacher had just begun their back-to-school speech but Minho didn’t bother to pay attention. Just as the teacher was getting into details of the syllabus, a knock at the door interrupted the class.
Minho’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes fixed on the door as it opened, and in walked a familiar male. Sure enough, there stood Han Jisung, looking slightly nervous but flashing that familiar, bright smile.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Jisung said, bowing politely to the teacher.
“Oh, you must be our new student,” the teacher recognized and Jisung nodded. “Class, this is Han Jisung,” they introduced, which was followed by greetings from the students.
“It’s nice to have you here, Jisung. You can have a seat anywhere,” the teacher smiled warmly, gesturing towards the seats.
As Jisung scanned the room for a place to sit, Minho didn’t hesitate. He needed Jisung next to him—right now. Without a second thought, Minho pushed Hyunjin off his chair, the force causing Hyunjin to stumble slightly before catching himself.
“Bitch—” Hyunjin hissed instinctively, his voice laced with irritation. Heads turned, and the class laughed at the sudden outburst but was also shocked. But Minho didn’t care, his focus solely on Jisung.
Minho pointed to the empty chair on his right next to Changbin, slightly demanding Hyunjin to move. Despite the initial shock, Hyunjin clicked his tongue and complied without further protest, too familiar with Minho’s antics to be truly upset.
Jisung’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he walked over, taking the now vacant seat next to Minho. “You didn’t have to do that to him,” Jisung said with a grin, settling into the seat, not forgetting to send Hyunjin an apologetic smile.
“It’s fine, he’s used to it,” Minho shrugged and Hyunjin muttered something under his breath.
Jisung chuckled softly, the sound was like music to his ears. Minho’s cold exterior melted away, replaced with a warmth only Jisung could bring out. His lips curled into a rare, genuine smile.
Most of the students, still watching, witnessed a rare sighting of Minho, but the teacher continued the lecture. Minho’s friends were shocked to the point that Hyunjin had his mouth fully ajar.
The rest of the class passed by in a blur for Minho, who couldn’t focus on anything other than the fact that Jisung was finally here—sitting right beside him as if no time had passed. It felt surreal, and Minho found himself sneaking glances at the younger boy every few minutes, just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
Jisung, for his part, seemed just as distracted. His eyes kept wandering towards Minho, a soft smile playing on his lips. There was a warmth in his gaze that he hadn’t changed over the years, and it made Minho’s heart swell with a familiar, comforting feeling. Jisung hadn’t changed much—he was still the bright, cheerful boy Minho had always adored.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, Minho’s friends immediately crowded around them. Hyunjin was the first to speak, his tone filled with mock irritation as they walked down the crowded hallway.
“Okay, seriously, Minho. What was that? You could’ve just asked, Hyunjin said, crossing his arms over his chest, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Minho ignored him, turning his attention to Jisung. “What’s your next class, Sungie?”
Jisung instantly looked at a paper with his schedule and showed it to Minho, who looked through his other classes. “I have English next with Mr. Kim.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll walk you there since I pass by that classroom,” Minho nodded and smiled. He was a bit disappointed but let it go.
“You two know each other?” Changbin asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked between Minho and Jisung.
“Yeah, we do,” Jisung answered before Minho could say anything.
Changbin couldn’t say anything more when they arrived at Jisung’s class. “I’ll see you later during break time,” Minho softly said to Jisung, then dragged Changbin by the arm. Fortunately, Hyunjin had the same class as Jisung so he led him to a table with Chan and Felix.
As Minho and Changbin walked away, Minho couldn’t help but glance back at Jisung, catching one glimpse of his smile before they disappeared into the crowded hallway. The thought of being separated from Jisung for even a class period made him anxious, but he tried to push the feeling aside. He’d waited this long—he could wait another hour.
Changbin noticed the slight frown on Minho’s face and nudged him playfully. “You’re acting like a lovesick puppy, you know that?”
Minho shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. “Shut up,” he muttered, but Changbin just laughed.
“Hey, I’m not judging,” Changbin said, raising his hands in surrender. “It’s just . . . we’ve never seen you like this before, I guess?”
Minho sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not weird. It’s just. . . Jisung’s always been different. He’s special.”
Changbin softened at that, realizing just how much Jisung meant to Minho. “I can see that. He seems like a great guy.”
“He is,” Minho said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
They arrived at their next class, and Minho tried his best to focus, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Jisung. The memory of Jisung’s bright eyes and the way he’d smiled up at him kept playing on a loop in his mind, making it nearly impossible to concentrate.
Meanwhile, in the English classroom, the teacher introduced Jisung as the transfer student. Then made a little lecture before handing out a paper to fill out information about yourself. There were students having conversations around Jisung’s table—which contained Felix, Chan, and Hyunjin.
Hyunjin couldn’t help but ask, “So, Jisung, how do you know Minho?” Making everyone at the table look up from their paper.
“Why? What happened?” Chan asked worriedly and Felix nodded.
“Oh my gosh! You know what Minho did last period. He fucking pushed me off my chair instead of asking me to move,” Hyunjin dramatically said, crossing his arms as his friends snorted at him.
“Are you really that surprised that he did that?” Felix said knowingly and Hyunjin grumbled.
Jisung had an apologetic face and laughed softly, “Yeah, sorry about that. I didn’t know he would do that.” But Hyunjin just waved it off, saying it’s okay.
Jisung thought for a second before answering. “But yeah, we’ve known each other since we were kids. We were best friends.”
“Best friends, huh?” Chan echoed, his curiosity piqued.
Felix grinned, leaning forward. “So you’re the reason Minho’s been acting weird lately?”
“Wait! You’re that best friend from the rumors?” Hyunjin realized.
Jisung raised a brow at Hyunjin. “I guess so?”
Jisung’s response intrigued the group even more. Chan, always the observant one, leaned in a bit closer. “You know, Minho’s known for being cold and intimidating towards people. So, if you were his best friend, you must’ve been really important to him.”
Jisung’s smile softened, memories of his and Minho’s childhood flashing through his mind. “Yeah, we were pretty much inseparable back then. Our families are really close, so we spend a lot of time together. Also, he’s not really that cold or intimidating and you probably knew that because it’s obvious how close you guys are to him.”
The trio exchanged glances, clearly interested in Jisung’s insight into Minho. Felix was the first to break the silence, leaning forward with a grin. “So, you’re telling us that Minho is secretly a softie?”
Jisung chuckled, nodding slightly. “He tries to hide it, but yeah, he’s got a really gentle side. Especially when it comes to people he cares about.”
“Interesting,” Hyunjin mused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We’ve seen glimpses of that side, but he’s pretty good at keeping it under wraps. I guess you’re the exception, huh?”
Jisung felt a slight blush creep up his cheeks but shrugged it off. “I guess so, he’s always been protective of me, even when we were kids.”
Chan smiled, clearly pleased with the new information. “That’s good to know. It’s nice to see that Minho has someone like you in his life. I think you being back will be really good for him.”
Jisung returned the smile, feeling a sense of warmth from Chan’s words. “I hope so. I’ve missed him a lot and I’m really glad to be back.”
The group continued to chat, the initial tension fading away as they grew more comfortable with each other. Jisung found himself easing into the conversation, grateful that Minho’s friends were so welcoming.
When the bell rang for break, Minho was quick to gather his things, practically dragging Changbin out of the classroom. “Come one, let’s go find Jisung,” he said, his eagerness evident.
“Wow, you’re really not wasting any time, huh?” Changbin teased, but he followed willingly.
Minho didn’t bother to respond, his mind solely focused on finding Jisung. When they finally reached where they usually hung out during the break, Minho’s eyes immediately landed on Jisung, who was standing in the courtyard with his friends. The sight of Jisung moving his head slightly back when he laughed at something Seungmin and Jeongin said made Minho’s heart skip a beat.
He loves everything about his lover—the way Jisung laughs, his heart-shaped smile, and more he can’t even begin to explain.
Without thinking, Minho made a beeline for Jisung, his expression softening as he approached. The others noticed the male coming and made room, letting Minho stand near Jisung.
The brown-haired boy didn’t notice the other standing behind him. So he jumped in surprise when Minho wrapped his arms around Jisung’s waist and leaned into his back, head resting on Jisung’s right shoulder, making Jisung turn his head at him in surprise.
The others were shocked at the duo as well as other students who were nearby. But Minho ignored the stunned expressions from his friends and bystanders, focusing entirely on Jisung. He felt Jisung tense slightly before relaxing into the embrace, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
“Minho?” Jisung whispered, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and warmth. He could feel Minho’s breath on his neck, sending a familiar shiver down his spine.
“Missed you,” Minho murmured into Jisung’s ear, his voice barely audible but filled with emotion. His hold on Jisung tightened as if he were afraid that if he let go, Jisung might disappear again.
Jisung’s smile widened, his heart swelling at the simple yet heartfelt confession. He turned slightly in Minho’s arms, just enough to see his face. “I missed you too, Min,” he replied softly, his hand reaching up to gently caress his hair.
The affectionate exchange didn’t go unnoticed by their friends, who were watching with varying degrees of shock and amusement. Chan, the first to break the tense moment, cleared his throat.
“Well, that explains a lot,” he said, his tone light but teasing. “You two are . . . close.”
“Eh, it was obvious with the way Minho couldn’t stop looking at the time last period,” Changbin said.
Hyunjin, still processing the scene in front of him, blinked a few times before breaking into a grin. “So when you said ‘were best friends,’ you really meant . . .”
“No, Hyunjin, they’re childhood enemies. No shit, they’re obviously boyfriends,” Seungmin cut him off with sarcasm.
Minho finally turned his attention to the group, his expression a mix of pride and contentment. He didn’t bother to confirm or deny Seungmin’s statement—it was obvious from the way he acted around Jisung.
Jeongin looked between the two of them with wide eyes. “So have you guys been dating this whole time?”
Minho chuckled at the younger’s expression, his arms still wrapped around Jisung. “We’ve been together since sixth grade.” Then he smiled warmly at the male who was currently in his embrace.
The group watched as Minho’s usual exterior melted away, replaced with a warmth that only Jisung seemed to bring out in him. It was clear to everyone that Minho and Jisung shared something special—something that withstood time and distance.
“Well,” Chan said with a grin, “Welcome to the group officially, Jisung. Looks like you’ve got all of us as friends now too.”
Jisung smiled at the welcoming words, feeling a sense of belonging was over him. “Thanks, guys. I’m really glad to be here.”
“So, Jisung, do you have any embarrassing stories about Minho?” Hyunjin asked eagerly.
Jisung laughed, the sound bright and full of mischief as he leaned back into Minho and his hands intertwined into his. “Oh, I have plenty,” he replied, his eyes twinkling as he met Minho’s gaze.
Minho groaned playfully, resting his forehead against Jisung’s shoulder. “Please don’t,” he mumbled, though there was a smile on his lips. The idea of Jisung sharing stories from their past wasn’t exactly horrifying—he just knew his friends would never let him live it down.
“Come on, spill!” Hyunjin urged, leaning forward with an excited grin. “We need to hear all about how little Minho used to be.”
Jisung looked thoughtful for a moment, tapping his chin as if considering which story to tell. “Okay, there was this one time when we were about ten years old and Minho wanted to impress me by climbing the biggest tree in the park . . .”
Minho groaned again, but the group’s laughter provoked Jisung on. “So, he gets halfway up the tree, right? And suddenly realizes he’s terrified of heights. He froze up there, and I had to run and get our parents to help him down. He wouldn’t let go of the tree for a good five minutes.
Everyone burst into laughter, with Chan nearly doubling over. “Minho, scared of heights? I never would’ve guessed!”
Minho playfully glared at Jisung, though it was clear he wasn’t actually upset. “I wasn’t scared, I was just . . . assessing the situation,” he defended, his tone teasingly serious.
“Sure you were, Minho,” Felix chuckled, shaking his head. “Sounds like you were really brave.” Minho rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind it.
Minho sighed dramatically, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You know, I could share some stories about Jisung, too,” he threatened playfully, raising an eyebrow at his boyfriend.
Jisung’s eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head, laughing nervously. “No, no, no—this is your moment, Minho. Let’s not shift the focus,” he said, though he was still grinning widely.
Hyunjin caught up immediately, his eyes lighting up. “Oh, we have to hear these stories! Come on, Minho, give us something good!”
Jisung pretended to pout, turning to look at Minho with wide, pleading eyes. “Min, please, you wouldn’t do that to me, right?”
Minho looked down at him, feigning deep consideration. “Well . . . considering how you just threw me under the bus.”
Jisung pressed closer, their hands still intertwined, and batted his lashes in a way that made Minho’s heart skip a beat. “Pretty please.”
Minho let out a defeated sigh, shaking his head with a fond smile. “Fine, you’re off the hook this time,” he said, squeezing Jisung’s hand gently.
“Aw, what a softie,” Changbin teased, giving Minho a playful nudge.
Minho just shrugged, his gaze never leaving Jisung’s. “What can I say? I have a weak spot for him.”
The group exchanged knowing looks, the warmth between Minho and Jisung evident to everyone. It was clear that no amount of teasing would change the fact that they were completely smitten with each other.
Before Hyunjin could say something, the bell rang indicating that their break was over. “Alright, fine, we’ll let it slide this time,” Hyunjin relented with a dramatic sigh, though he was smiling. “But Jisung, you should definitely tell us more stories about Minho later.”
“Oh no you don’t, Hyunjin, or I will air-fry you for 20 minutes at 180 degrees,” Minho threatened him, rolling his eyes. He didn’t wait for the other’s reaction, taking Jisung with him, and holding him by the waist.
The couple heard Hyunjin gasp dramatically, clutching his chest as if Minho’s threat had physically wounded him. “Not the air fryer! Anything but that!” He exclaimed, earning a round of laughter from the group.
Jisung raised a brow in curiosity at Minho, but he just shrugged it off with a smile. “Your next class is Piano 1, yeah?” Minho asked with Jisung nodding in response. “I also have that class so we can walk there together.
Jisung’s eyes lit up at the news, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Really? That’s perfect,” he said, feeling a sense of relief.
Minho grinned, adjusting his grip on Jisung’s waist as they walked down the hallway together. “Yeah, I figured we could stick together. Plus, I can’t let you have all the fun without me,” he teased.
Jisung chuckled, leaning into Minho’s side. “You just want to make sure I don’t tell Hyunjin any more embarrassing stories about you.”
Minho pretended to be shocked, placing his unoccupied hand over his heart. “Me? Worried? Never,” he said, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his playful tone. “But, just in case, I think I’ll keep an eye on you.”
As they approached the piano room, Minho’s hand slipped down Jisung’s waist to intertwine their fingers. Jisung gave him a firm squeeze in return, feeling a warm, comforting sense of familiarity. It was as if the years apart had never happened and they were back to where they belonged—side by side.
When they entered the room—they were instructed to take their shoes off first, placing them on the shoe rack—the soft melody of a piano greeted them at ease. Minho led Jisung to a pair of seats near the back, where they could sit together, his voice barely above a whisper.
As they settled in, the teacher made a short introduction to the upperclassmen who just started school. Playing a small introduction game and then getting to know each other. The teacher announced that they were gonna start setting up the keyboard pianos during the next class, letting everyone do whatever they wanted for the rest of the time.
Minho took Jisung by the hand, taking their bags in the process, and sitting on the carpet floor in the back—near a digital piano. He noticed Jisung was getting cold from the AC in the room and without hesitation gave Jisung his black hoodie, “Here, take it.”
“But—” Jisung wanted to protest but Minho already placed the hoodie over his head and helped him put it on. Minho laughed lightly at how the hoodie looked on him, “Cute.”
In the background, a Piano Two student was playing on the grand piano as other students were either talking or on their phones.
Jisung’s heart fluttered as he adjusted the hoodie, the warmth of it combined with Minho’s scent wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. It was a bit too big on him, the sleeves covering his hands, but he didn’t mind—it felt like a protective cocoon, especially with Minho sitting so close beside him.
“Thanks, Min,” Jisung said, his voice barely audible over the soft melody of the grand piano playing in the background. He pulled the hood over his head, partly to shield himself from the cold and partly to hide the growing blush on his cheeks.
Minho smiled, his gaze lingering on Jisung for a moment before he leaned back against the wall, stretching his legs out in front of him. “You look good in my hoodie, baby,” he said, his tone casual, but the affection in his voice was unmistakable.
Jisung laughed lightly, the sound mingling with the notes of the piano. “You always say that,” he replied, and he was a little flustered at still not being used to the nickname, but there was no denying the warmth that spread through him at Minho’s words. He shifted so he was laying his head on his boyfriend’s lap—Minho’s hand automatically going to play with the other’s hair—and he looked up at Minho with a playful shine in his eyes. “But now I’m going to smell like you.
Minho laughed quietly, playfully ruffling Jisung’s hair. “That’s the point. Now everyone will know you’re mine.”
Jisung rolled his eyes, but couldn’t suppress the smile that twitched at his lips. “Possessive much?” He felt sleepy at the soft caresses, making him close his eyes.
“Just a little,” Minho admitted, his voice softening as he leaned closer, his fingers still toying with the strands of Jisung’s hair. “But you don’t mind, right?”
Jisung’s eyes snapped open, and he looked up at Minho, eyes meeting each other’s gazes. “No, I don’t mind,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. “I like it, actually.”
Minho’s eyes widened, his surprise visible, but it quickly melted into a tender smile. “Yeah?” He murmured, his voice gentle as he continued to play with Jisung’s hair.
Jisung nodded, a shy smile pulling at his lips as he nestled closer into Minho’s lap. “Yeah,” he confirmed softly, his eyes never leaving Minho’s.
Minho’s expression softened even further, and he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Jisung’s forehead. “I’m glad,” he whispered against Jisung’s skin, his hand still gently caressing his hair. “Because I’m not letting you go anytime soon and because I love you a lot.”
Jisung’s face became red at Minho’s words, the warmth in his chest growing even more. He reached up, his hand finding Minho’s cheek, and he pulled him down slightly so their foreheads were touching. “I love you, too, Min,” he whispered back, his voice barely audible but full of sincerity.
They stayed like that for a moment, lost in each other’s presence, the background noise of the classroom fading away. It was just the two of them, wrapped up in their own little world, and neither of them wanted the moment to end.
Until Minho smiled, pressing another kiss to his lover’s forehead before leaning back slightly, still keeping their faces close. “You’re amazing, you know that?” He said softly, his voice full of adoration.
Jisung’s smile brightened, his heart feeling lighter than ever. “You’re not so bad yourself,” he teased gently, his hand still resting on Minho’s cheek.
Minho laughed lightly, his eyes shining with affection as he leaned down once more, their noses brushing lightly. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
Jisung felt his heart flutter at the words, and he closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of being so close to the person he loved. “Me, too,” he whispered back, his voice filled with warmth.
As Jisung drifted off to sleep on Minho’s lap, the gentle rhythm of Minho’s fingers in his hair lulled him into a peaceful state. Minho glanced down at him, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watched Jisung’s breathing slow, his face relaxed and content. The sight of Jisung so at ease, wrapped in his hoodie, filled Minho with a deep sense of warmth and protectiveness.
Minho quietly pulled out his phone, careful not to disturb Jisung. He began scrolling through his messages, but his focus kept returning to the sleeping male in his lap. Every so often, Minho’s hand would pause on the dark brown hair, his thumb brushing lightly against his temple.
Unbeknownst to the couple, the other students exchanged glances, their whispers filled with curiosity and disbelief. Minho had always been known for his tough exterior—a reputation for being unapproachable and cool, never letting anyone get too close. But there he was, sitting on the floor with someone in his lap, completely unguarded, his affection on full display.
A few students, especially the upperclassmen, tried to be careful as they watched, but the shock was obvious on their faces. They had never seen Minho like this, so openly tender and caring. It was as if they were witnessing a side of him that had always been hidden away, revealed only to the person who managed to break through his walls.
One of the students leaned over to their friend, whispering, “Is that really Minho? I’ve never seen him act like this way with anyone.”
Another student nodded, equally astonished. “Yeah, I didn’t even know he had a boyfriend. But they look so cute together!”
A student from Minho’s grade recognized the male in his lap. “Wait. Is that Han Jisung? He’s back in Korea?”
As the whispers continued, Minho remained oblivious to the attention. His world had narrowed down to just him and Jisung, the rest of the room fading into the background. The earlier noise of the piano playing and students chatting now seemed distant, like a muted soundtrack to the moment they were sharing.
Eventually, a few of the freshmen, who weren’t as familiar with Minho’s reputation, started to lose interest, turning back to their conversations or their phones. But for those who knew him, the sight of Minho cradling Jisung with such care was something they wouldn’t forget easily.
That day, everyone at the school saw the popular student, Lee Minho, being openly affectionate towards Han Jisung. Making them the talk of the week.