1.3.5 'Anxious'
(The wind cut through the trees, rattling the leaves like whispers. Seo-hyun took another cautious step back, rubbing his shoulder. His brows furrowed as he glanced between Jun-seo and Ji-won, his usual joking expression replaced by something elseㅡunease.)
Lee Seo-hyun
okay... this isn't funny anymore..
Yoo Ji-won
it was never funny.
(Jun-seo swallowed hard. His pulse was erratic from the last text. He looked at Ji-won, who was standing slightly apart from them, arms crossed, eyes sharp.)
Ha Jun-seo
You know something.
(Ji-won didn't answer immediately. His eyes flickered from Seo-hyun, then back to Jun-seo. his lips pressed into a thin line.)
(A shiver crawled up Jun-seo's spine..)
Lee Seo-hyun
What the hell is happening.. I don't like this.
Yoo Ji-won
Keep your distance from Jun-seo.
Ha Jun-seo
Ji-won, explain.
Yoo Ji-won
Just move. Stand at least two steps away from him.
(Seo-hyun hesitated but did as Ji-won said, taking a slow step away from Jun-seo. the moment he didㅡthe atmosphere changed. The cold weight pressing on the air seemed to lift. Jun-seo's skin, which had been tingling with static, felt... normal again.)
(Ji-won sighed, running a hand through his hair.)
(Jun-seo's breath caught in his throat. Seo-hyun blinked.)
Yoo Ji-won
Think about it.
(Ji-won's voice was steady, but his gaze was unnervingly sharp.)
Yoo Ji-won
You keep getting pushed when you get too close to Jun-seo. But not by him. not by me. so who else is left?
(Seo-hyun paled slightly. He opened his mouth, then closed it. His usual playful demeanor wavered, and for once, he looked like he actually believed.)
Yoo Ji-won
Min-jae's protecting him.
Yoo Ji-won
He was always protective of Jun-seo. More than he was with us.
(A heavy silence fell between them. Seo-hyun exhaled slowly.)
Lee Seo-hyun
You're right..
[Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
DeadInside_99
Min-jae is this really you?
UnknownUser_00
and here I thought you already figured it out.
DeadInside_99
If its you, tell me something only you and I know.
(The typing bubble flickered in and out. Jun-seo’s stomach twisted in anticipation. Thenㅡ)
UnknownUser_00
Do you still sleep with the light on when you're alone?
(Jun-seo's heart stopped. He gripped his phone tighter. No one else knew that.)
(he took a sharp breath, his fingers trembling.)
DeadInside_99
it's really you.
(Ji-won watched Jun-seo carefully. His expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes.)
Yoo Ji-won
You should have figured it sooner.
Yoo Ji-won
We all knew Min-jae. He wasn't exactly friendly with us.
(Seo-hyun muttered, rubbing his arm.)
Lee Seo-hyun
He was chill, but... Jun-seo was different.
(Jun-seo swallowed hard. He knew what they meant. Min-jae was never open with others, but with Jun-seo... he was different. warmer. protective in a way that felt a little too much.)
(And now? Now he was dead. and that protectiveness had only intensified.)
(A cold breeze passed through the site. Seo-hyun shivered, then took another step back.)
Lee Seo-hyun
I think i get it now..
(Seo-hyun said, his voice quieter)
Lee Seo-hyun
He's anxious, isn't he?
Yoo Ji-won
He's not here to protect Jun-seo anymore, so he's anxious.
(Silence. The weight of the truth settled in.)
(Seo-hyun exhaled sharply and shoved his hands in his pockets. His usual grin was gone.)
Lee Seo-hyun
Fineee.. I'll keep my distance..
(Jun-seo should have felt relieved. But instead, there was a sharp ache in his chest. His best friend had died... But Min-jae hadn't let go. And deep down, some part of Jun-seo wasn't sure if he wanted him to..)
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