Min-jun released a heavy sigh, the sound dissolving into the soft rustle of leaves stirred by a passing breeze. He kept his eyes fixed on the still surface of the small lake before him. The university grounds, usually humming with life, now felt almost eerily silent. The peaceful hush of late afternoon cloaked everything in a delicate calm, broken only by the occasional chirp of a distant bird.
The lake reflected the sky perfectly—an endless stretch of pale blue interrupted by the drifting shapes of cotton-white clouds. Min-jun slowly lowered himself to the grassy shore, resting his arms on his knees.
His eyes lingered on the glassy surface of the water, and with it, the memory of soft lips and trembling hands returned to him with vivid clarity. A deep yearning stirred within him—a longing that nestled into his ribs and refused to be dislodged. It was a quiet ache, piercing and persistent.
Joon-ah… where are you now?
The question hovered unspoken in the space around him, echoing in the stillness like a prayer waiting for an answer.
It was early summer, and although the weather was still chilly enough to make prolonged walks uncomfortable, Min-jun found himself wandering without a clear direction.
The cold seemed to deepen his yearning, bringing back memories of those two perfect summer days he had shared with Seung-joon at the beach resort.
Even though he knew the person he longed to see wouldn't appear, Min-jun couldn't resist searching for him, holding tightly onto a faint glimmer of hope.
More times than he could count, he found himself chasing after fleeting shapes and shadows, fooled by the ache in his heart.
Two and a half years had passed since Min-jun parted from Seung-joon, yet for him, time seemed to have stopped altogether.
Days drifted by unnoticed, blending into each other without leaving a clear memory. Often, he questioned how he'd managed to survive all this while without breaking down completely.
The thought that Seung-joon never wanted to see him again pierced deeply, almost shattering his heart, yet in some painful way, it made their separation easier to bear.
Quietly and without ceremony, Min-jun had left everything behind, not even saying goodbye to his friends, deliberately distancing himself from anyone who might remind him of Seung-joon.
Even now, after all this time, whenever Min-jun closed his eyes, the memory of Seung-joon's gentle kiss lingered vividly—as fresh as if it had just happened yesterday.
***
"Joon-ah…"
Min-jun's eyes fluttered open slowly, only to be met by emptiness where Seung-joon had stood moments before. He stood frozen for a few seconds, the bitter reality sinking heavily into his chest.
Suddenly, his legs gave way beneath him, and he collapsed onto the cold ground, holding his head tightly as it throbbed painfully. A quiet sob escaped his lips, mingling with his soft murmurs of Seung-joon's name. In the distance, he heard the rapid footsteps of Chang-min drawing closer.
Weakly lifting his gaze upward, Min-jun stared at the softly glowing window of Seung-joon's room. The gentle white curtain swayed slightly, but there was no shadow, no sign of life within.
He knew instinctively that this was a goodbye. Whether Seung-joon's kiss had come from the depths of his heart or merely fulfilled Min-jun's desperate wish didn't seem important anymore. Deep inside, a crushing certainty settled—he would never see Seung-joon again.
As darkness began to cloud his vision and his strength faded, Min-jun felt Chang-min's strong arms wrap around him protectively, gently catching him before his head touched the cold ground.
Physically, it took him a month to recover, but the profound emptiness inside him remained unfilled. Min-jun spent his days staring out the window, gazing in the direction of Seung-joon's house. He considered visiting Seung-joon several times, but each moment of resolve crumbled at the last instant, leaving him unable to summon the courage.
Min-jun had lost weight, and the motivation to care for himself as he once did. He knew Chang-min worried about him deeply; witnessing his usually happy, energetic brother remain silent was something Chang-min had never experienced. Yet, Min-jun couldn't summon the energy to feign happiness. He spent most of his time locked away in his room with Chang-min, both focused on preparing for their university entrance exams.
By the time they enrolled, Min-jun had transformed into a different person—exactly the opposite of his former self. He had become silent and almost invisible. Once vibrant, Min-jun now retreated into a reserved and introverted shell, spending most of his free time studying in the library or sitting alone by the lake, far from the lively social scene that thrived among other university students.
Even though he was popular for his intelligence and charming looks, Min-jun seemed indifferent to the idea of making friends. His yearning for solitude and a desire to be forgotten by others was painfully clear. Ironically, this very trait endeared him to his professors, much to the dismay of classmates who sought preferential treatment.
Won Dong-hyun harbored a grudge against Min-jun from the very beginning. He viewed Min-jun as a rival, resenting the fact that Minjun's family owned the best hospital chain in the country, while theirs always ranked second despite their greater wealth. As the academic staff showered attention on Min-jun, Dong-hyun felt a rising loathing, his envy intensifying with every praise Min-jun received. Minjun's cool, calm demeanor only deepened Dong-hyun's frustration, making it all the more difficult for him to bear.
"Eh... Ya... Han Min-jun! Come here!"
Min-jun flinched at the sharpness in Won Dong-hyun's voice, his heart sinking as he recognized the source. He cringed inwardly when he saw Dong-hyun standing in the corridor, flanked by his lackeys, blocking his path.
With a resigned sigh, Min-jun walked toward him, wishing Chang-min were there for support, but his brother was busy with classes. As he approached, Dong-hyun stepped closer, invading Min-jun's space, and poked him in the shoulder with a mocking grin.
"Ya... Han Min-jun... Do you think you're a big shot just because your father is a minister?"
Min-jun knew that no matter how he responded, it wouldn't change anything. With weary eyes, he met Dong-hyun's gaze, a mix of indifference and exhaustion filling his expression. Just as Dong-hyun raised his arm to shove Min-jun aside, a booming voice echoed from behind him—the voice was oddly familiar yet strange.
"Won Dong-hyun!!!"
He suddenly felt a firm grip on his shoulder, yanking him back.
"Han-ah, get out of the way," came the commanding voice.
Two figures surged forward, positioning themselves on either side of him, creating a protective barrier. Min-jun glanced at his sides in surprise, his heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and relief as he recognized the twins, their expressions resolute and unwavering.
But it was the figure standing directly in front of him that sent his heart racing uncontrollably. The unfamiliar silhouette radiated a protective energy that made Min-jun feel both safe and vulnerable at once.
"Put one finger on his body, and I'll bury you alive." Seung-joon's voice sliced through the air, dangerously low and simmering with barely contained rage. Min-jun felt an electric current run down his spine at the sound of Seung-joon's deep, protective voice.
"Sorry, I borrowed your line," Seung-joon murmured to Tae-min, his gaze fixed on Dong-hyun, who was still processing what had just unfolded. Dong-hyun's eyes narrowed, suspicion and contempt swirling within them as he sized up Seung-joon.
"No problem," Tae-min replied, a confident smirk playing on his lips, his posture unwavering.
"Joon-ah," Min-jun murmured softly, tugging weakly at Seung-joon's shirt. He glanced up at Tae-min and Tae-jon, confusion etched on his face. Why hadn't they intervened to stop Seung-joon? His surprise deepened when he noticed the fierce determination in both their eyes as they fixed their stares on Dong-hyun.
"Did you just call him Han-ah?" Dong-hyun asked, a sly grin stretching across his face, relishing the opportunity to create tension. Min-jun's heart raced, darting between anxiety and hope as he searched for a way to defuse the situation before anyone caught on to the brewing storm.
"What if I did?" Seung-joon retorted, nonchalant yet fierce, stepping closer, his stance defiant.
"Looks like the spotlight's gotten to your head, huh? You must be going insane with all the attention. Remember, no one stays popular forever."
Seung-joon took another step forward, his unwavering gaze fixed on Dong-hyun, who towered over him both in height and bulk. "Do you really want to know how insane I am?"
"Joon-ah," Min-jun pleaded weakly, but Seung-joon ignored it.
"You bastards are crazy," Dong-hyun breathed, his rage evident.
"Well, now you know," Tae-min replied, his tone laced with satisfaction as Dong-hyun and his lackeys retreated, casting threatening glares as a group of students approached down the corridor.
Min-jun's jaw nearly dropped again as he heard Tae-jon chuckle, "Well, that was fun." A playful smile danced across his face, accompanied by a dangerous glint in his eyes. For a brief moment, Min-jun could only stare at the three brothers, his mouth agape, as he processed the surreal turn of events.