Haeun returns to the dorm

Haeun dragged herself into the dorm, her steps heavy, her mind a storm of emotions. The hallway lights flickered faintly as she entered, her presence breaking the stillness of the place that once buzzed with energy. The others had left to spend time with their families during the break, leaving the dorm unusually quiet.

As she stepped into the living room, she spotted Jihoon sprawled on the couch with a game controller in hand, his headphones hanging loosely around his neck. His hair was messy, and a half-eaten bag of chips sat on the table beside him, a far cry from his usual healthy diet.

He glanced up in surprise, his brow furrowing. "You’re back already? I thought you’d be with your perfect little boyfriend."

Haeun didn’t respond, her face pale and tear-streaked. She tried to avoid his gaze as she walked towards the staircase to the girl's floor, but Jihoon wasn’t oblivious.

"Haeun—" His tone shifted immediately, the sharpness replaced by genuine concern. He stood and approached her cautiously. "Hey... what happened?"

Before she could answer, her resolve cracked, and the tears she had been holding back spilled over. Jihoon hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer, pulling her into a tight embrace. She didn’t resist, burying her face into his shoulder as sobs wracked her frame.

"Shh, it’s okay," he murmured, gently rubbing her back. "I’m here. Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay."

"I don’t want to talk about it," she managed between shaky breaths, her voice muffled.

"Okay," Jihoon said softly. "You don’t have to. Just breathe."

They stood like that for a while, her tears soaking into his shirt as he held her, steady and patient. Eventually, he led her to the couch, guiding her to sit down.

"I’ll be right back," he said, disappearing towards the kitchen.

When he returned, he handed her a warm towel to clean her face, followed by a steaming mug of cocoa. "Here," he said, placing it in her hands. "It’s not much, but it helps sometimes."

Haeun managed a small nod, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the mug. She didn’t drink it right away, simply letting the warmth seep into her hands.

Jihoon settled beside her, keeping a surprisingly respectful distance, but still close enough to be a comforting presence. "You don’t have to say anything," he said after a while, his voice low. "If you want to just sit here and not think about anything, that’s fine too."

She looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears, and choked out a thank you.

He gave her a small, understanding smile in return.

They stayed like that, the silence between them somehow both heavy and light, a shared space of understanding that didn’t demand words to fill it.

Haeun felt like a mess, a mixture of anger, sadness, and confusion swirling inside her. She was still angry with Minjae, furious that he would do something like that behind her back. But beneath the anger, there was pain, a deep sense of betrayal that hurt more than she could have imagined. She loved him deeply, loves him still, but the trust between them felt impossible to repair.

She remembered the times they had shared, how he had held her, comforted her, and loved her, the moments where he seemed so caring and attentive, and how he had made her feel like an actual person, not just another idol. But now, all of those memories are tinged with a bitterness that stung.

Maybe it would have been better if she never found out, she thought. Maybe it would have been better to live in blissful ignorance, to continue being together and being happy. But that's not what happened, and she couldn't pretend she didn't know.

She felt tears welling up again, threatening to spill over, but she fought them back. She couldn't keep crying, not here, not in front of Jihoon. She looked at him, his concerned eyes watching her, and for a moment, she felt the urge to forget everything that had happened, to bury herself in his embrace, and let everything else fade away.

But that wouldn't be fair to Jihoon either, she thought. It would be using him as a crutch, an escape from her problems, and he deserved better than that. She remembered the last time she had been with him, how she had told him to be a professional, called him controlling... It was all too much.

"Jihoon?" she said softly.

"Yeah?" he responded, his voice gentle.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to find the strength to speak. "I think... I just want to sleep."

"Okay," he replied, nodding. "Do you need anything?"

"No, just... thanks. For being here." She managed a weak smile.

He smiled back, the warmth of it reaching his eyes. "Anytime, Haeun."

Haeun made her way upstairs to her room, her steps feeling heavy. When she got inside, she closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment before sinking onto her bed, curling up on top of the covers.

Her mind continued to race, memories and emotions swirling together in a confusing mix. She felt lost, adrift, like the world had suddenly become unfamiliar and harsh. The future that had once seemed so certain and full of hope now seemed clouded with uncertainty. Would she be able to face him again? Could she forgive him? These questions spun around in her head, leaving her feeling even more exhausted than before.

But eventually, exhaustion won out, and she fell into a fitful sleep, her dreams haunted by the echoes of laughter, the warmth of shared moments, and the heartbreaking realization that everything has changed, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.