"Wow, I never really thought I was going to see you again." Joon said as we sat in the private restaurant room.
"Same here, after all this Time I thought you would hate me." I said, "How can I hate you, I hate That lousy boyfriend of yours." He stated.
"Well his not my boyfriend anymore, we officially ended things a month ago." I chuckled.
"Yes! Finally. I'm glad you finally know your worth." He rejoiced.
"You better be treating my Hoon nicely," snapped as he turned to Minji causing him to flinch.
"I told you I'm not dating him, his just someone I hang around." I told him.
"You mean someone you sleep with." He remarked.
"Seriously what the heck did you see in this guy, I'm sure he treats you like shit." He said to Minji.
Minji nervously smiled shaking her hands, "not really, his nice most of the times."
"It's okay to put your foot down you know, Jihoon is not that hot for you to deal with his shit."
I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "Joon, stop. I'm not some tyrant."
Joon laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright. I'll drop it—for now." He winked at Minji before turning his attention to the food. "But seriously, this place has the best food. You're gonna love it."
Minji quietly nodded, glancing between me and Joon as he reached for his plate. I could tell he was still feeling a bit awkward, but I hoped the conversation would shift away from the awkward tension.
As we all started eating, the atmosphere began to lighten. Joon kept the conversation going, telling stories about his latest performances and backstage antics. Minji listened intently, occasionally chiming in with a comment or question, and I mostly stayed quiet, content to let Joon take the lead.
———————
After the dinner:
"I want to talk to you more!" Joon sighed as we walked out the restaurant. "Well we have to head out, you have my number call me when you're free superstar." I told him.
"Okay, don't forget to say hi to Hyeon. You know how much I've missed you two." He stated.
"I won't forget,"
Joon pulled me into another tight hug. "Take care of yourself, Hoon. And don't be a stranger."
I patted his back, feeling a bit of nostalgia from our earlier days. "You too, Joon. And I won't be."
As Minji and I walked back toward the car, I could feel his eyes on me, probably thinking about everything that had just happened.
He'd been quiet throughout most of the dinner, and I had a feeling he was still processing Joon's boldness.
"So... Joon seems pretty close to you," Minji finally said, breaking the silence.
I glanced at him, catching the hint of curiosity in his voice. "Yeah, we go way back. He's like family."
Minji nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to the ground as we reached the car. "He really cares about you."
"He's just overprotective," I replied, unlocking the car. "He means well, though."
Minji hesitated for a moment before opening the passenger door. "It must be nice to have someone like that, someone who looks out for you."
I slid into the driver's seat, glancing over at him as I started the engine. "Im sure a person like you got people who care about you."
He smiled softly but didn't say anything as I pulled out of the parking lot. The ride home was quiet, but there was a certain weight to the air—like there were things left unsaid.
———————
"Are you taking me home?" He asked his voice below a whisper, "what? Where else will I take you?" I asked.
"I want to spend the night with you." He said his voice bold but soft.
I scoffed with a smirk, "what if I don't want to spend the night with you?" I said.
"Then you can take me home." He said the disappointment vivid in his voice.
I glanced over at him, his face barely visible in the dim light of the dashboard. There was something different in his voice—something vulnerable.
"What's the real reason you want to stay over?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.
Minji shifted in his seat, looking out the window before turning back to me. "I don't know. I just... I feel like we're always around each other, but you're never really... there."
I raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"You keep me close, but you're always so distant. I'm tired of feeling like I'm just some background noise to you," he admitted, his words surprising me.
For a second, I didn't know what to say. I wasn't used to hearing this kind of honesty from him. Usually, he just went along with whatever I said, never pushing back. But tonight felt different.
I sighed, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "I'll jus drop you off at your pace."
After that he didn't say a word and just turned to stare out the window.
If he was going to get attached, then let it be so. But I was not gonna get attached to something like this, I don't need love nor am I looking for it.
The silence in the car stretched thick, only the soft hum of the engine filling the space between us. Streetlights passed overhead in a slow rhythm, casting long shadows across Minji's face. He didn't look at me again, and I didn't expect him to.
When we pulled up in front of his place, he didn't move at first. He just sat there, hands clasped tightly in his lap.
"You should go, I'll see you next time." I said not looking at him
"You should go," I said, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I'll see you next time."
There was a long pause, and then his voice came, small but steady.
"Right… next time."
He reached for the door handle, then hesitated.
"Good night," he said softly.
"Yeah, you too," I replied, still not looking at him. I couldn't. I couldn't let him get to me.
The door clicked open, and the cold air slipped in again. He stepped out, shutting it behind him with quiet finality.
I didn't watch him leave. I just sat there, staring ahead, jaw tight.
If he wanted more than what I could give, then maybe this was for the best.
But that didn't stop the heaviness in my chest as I drove off.