Chapter 10: The Unveiling and the Aftermath The days leading up to Shin's birthd

Chapter 10: The Unveiling and the Aftermath

The days leading up to Shin's birthday were filled with a renewed sense of hope. Xander kept his promise, sharing details about his life, his dreams, and his anxieties. The easy camaraderie they once shared returned, and Shin basked in the warmth of their regained closeness. He spent most of his time with Xander, laughing, studying, and simply enjoying each other's company. But beneath the surface of his happiness, a nervous anticipation simmered. In two days, he would finally know. He would finally learn the identity of he, the person who held such a significant place in Xander's heart.

His birthday party was a lively affair. His entire friend group was there, including Xander, Ethan, Caleb, Asher, Ren, Kai, Yuki, and Haru. The atmosphere was festive, filled with music, laughter, and the scent of birthday cake. Shin felt genuinely happy, surrounded by the people he cared about. But his eyes kept drifting to Xander, who was chatting animatedly with Kenji. Kenji. Shin had always liked Kenji. He was funny, loyal, and a good friend. But lately, Shin had noticed a subtle shift in Kenji’s behavior towards Xander, a certain… attentiveness. A seed of suspicion had begun to sprout in Shin’s mind, but he’d pushed it aside, not wanting to spoil the celebratory mood.

As the party wound down, Shin felt a growing sense of anticipation. He knew Xander wouldn't forget. He'd promised. After everyone else had left, and only Shin and Xander remained, the air crackled with unspoken words.

Xander smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Happy birthday, Shin," he said softly.

Shin smiled back, his heart pounding in his chest. "Thank you, Xander."

Xander took a deep breath. "There's something I need to tell you," he said, his voice low. "About… him."

Shin nodded, his throat suddenly dry.

"His name is Kenji," Xander said, his gaze meeting Shin's. "We've been… going out for about a week."

The words hit Shin like a physical blow. Kenji. It wasn't just a suspicion. It was real. Xander and Kenji. Together. A wave of nausea washed over him. He felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.

He forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil raging inside him. "Kenji," he repeated, his voice hollow. "That's… great, Xander. I'm happy for you."

Xander’s smile faltered. He seemed to sense the shift in Shin’s demeanor. “Shin, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Shin mumbled, his gaze averted. He couldn't look at them. He couldn't bear to see the happiness in Xander’s eyes, the happiness that was built on Shin’s own heartbreak.

After Xander left, Shin was alone. The silence of his apartment was deafening. The remnants of the party – the discarded decorations, the half-eaten cake, the lingering scent of celebration – mocked him. He looked around the room, his gaze settling on a framed photo of him and Xander, taken years ago. They were younger, carefree, their arms slung around each other, their faces filled with laughter. A wave of grief washed over Shin. He’d lost that. He’d lost Xander.

He picked up a glass from the coffee table and hurled it against the wall. It shattered, the shards of glass mirroring the shattered pieces of his heart. He swept his arm across the table, sending plates and glasses crashing to the floor. He overturned chairs, ripped down decorations, and tore the photo of him and Xander from its frame, ripping it in half.

He raged through his apartment, fueled by jealousy, anger, and a deep, gnawing sense of betrayal. He destroyed everything in his path, his carefully constructed composure finally giving way to the raw, untamed emotions that had been simmering beneath the surface for so long. He was broken, shattered, and utterly alone.

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