Chapter 9: The Confession and the Promise

The shattering of the glass echoed in the courtyard, a stark punctuation mark in the otherwise bustling afternoon. Xander’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with concern as he looked at Shin, who was storming away. He exchanged a worried glance with Ethan before turning to follow Shin.

“Shin! Wait!” Xander called out, his voice laced with urgency.

Shin didn’t stop. He kept walking, his pace quickening, his fists clenched. Xander had to jog to catch up. He grabbed Shin’s arm, forcing him to stop.

“Shin, what was that about? Are you okay?” Xander asked, his voice soft, his eyes searching Shin’s face.

Shin’s carefully constructed composure finally crumbled. The anger, the jealousy, the frustration, all boiled over. He yanked his arm away from Xander’s grasp, his voice rising.

“Okay? Okay? How can you ask me if I’m okay?” he spat, his voice laced with bitterness. “You’re the one who’s been acting like a stranger! You’re the one who’s been keeping secrets!”

Xander’s expression faltered. “Shin, I…”

“Can’t you just tell me who he is?” Shin interrupted, his voice cracking. “Is it so difficult? Am I not your best friend anymore? Don’t you trust me?”

Xander’s eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and frustration. “Shin, it’s not like that…”

“Then what is it like?” Shin demanded, his voice trembling with emotion. “You tell Ethan everything, but you can’t tell me? What am I, Xander? Just some convenient friend you hang out with when you have no one else?”

Xander’s face fell. “Shin, that’s not fair. I never meant to make you feel that way.”

“Then tell me!” Shin pleaded, his voice softening. “Tell me who he is. I’m your best friend, Xander. Don’t you remember all the things we shared, all the secrets we confided in each other? How can you shut me out like this?”

Xander sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I’m not shutting you out, Shin. It’s just… complicated. It’s not just about me. It’s about him too.”

“Complicated how?” Shin pressed, his voice laced with suspicion. “Are you ashamed of him? Is he someone I know? Is that why you’re keeping it a secret?”

Xander looked at Shin, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and longing. “No, Shin. It’s not like that at all. It’s just… I promised him I wouldn’t say anything until the time was right.”

“And when is the right time?” Shin asked, his voice laced with desperation. “When am I going to be worthy of your trust again?”

Xander reached out, his hand gently cupping Shin’s cheek. “Shin, you’ve always been worthy of my trust. This isn’t about you. It’s about… respecting his privacy, his feelings.”

“But what about my feelings?” Shin whispered, his eyes welling up with tears. “Don’t they matter?”

Xander’s thumb brushed away a stray tear that had fallen down Shin’s cheek. “Of course they do, Shin. More than you know.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “Okay,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll tell you everything. From now on, no more secrets. But… I’ll tell you the name of ‘he’ on your birthday. Consider it a birthday present.”

Shin looked at Xander, his heart pounding in his chest. A mix of relief and anticipation washed over him. He wanted to know now, he wanted to know everything. But he also knew that Xander was being sincere, that he was finally opening up to him.

“Okay,” Shin said, his voice barely a whisper. “I can wait.”

A small smile touched Xander’s lips. “Thank you, Shin. For understanding.”

He leaned in, his forehead resting against Shin’s. “I promise,” he whispered. “No more secrets.”

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