In the days following the picnic date, a new kind of warmth had settled in Hyunjin's heart. Every time he thought of the beach, the sunset, and the quiet conversations, he couldn't help but smile. The feeling was akin to wearing a cozy sweater on a cold day, comforting and familiar.

Their digital conversations seemed to mirror this sentiment. Now there was an easy flow to their messages. They would talk about anything and everything, from the mundane details of their day to the more profound reflections on life. It was a delightful mix of silly memes, shared music playlists, and deep late-night conversations.

Hyunjin found himself often reaching out for his phone, eager to share little tidbits of his day or to see if Changbin had left him a message. Each notification brought a flutter of excitement. It was surprising how easily Changbin had become a part of his routine.

And yet, amid all of this, Hyunjin chose not to disclose his budding relationship to his friends. It wasn't out of secrecy, but rather a desire to keep this newfound connection to himself for a little longer. It felt like a delicate bud, one that needed to be nurtured and protected from the world's prying eyes. He wanted to cherish and understand the feelings blossoming within him without the influence of outside opinions.

However, if there was one person who might have had an inkling, it was Jeongin. He often caught Hyunjin smiling at his phone or noticed the subtle change in his demeanor. While Hyunjin's joy was evident, Jeongin chose to give him space, respecting his friend's choice of when and how to share. But every so often, he'd throw a knowing glance Hyunjin's way.

Hyunjin walked briskly through the bustling university hallway, his friends laughing and chattering beside him. There was the usual noise of students shuffling to their classes, the sound of sneakers against the polished floors, and the faint hum of conversations. But all that faded to the background when Hyunjin's eyes caught a familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction.

It was Changbin, looking effortlessly cool as usual. He wore a simple black t-shirt paired with jeans, but the way he carried himself – with that unmistakable confidence – made him stand out. Their eyes met briefly, and both of them shared a nod of acknowledgment, a silent communication amidst the noise.

Hyunjin's heart skipped a beat, a rush of emotions flooding him. He longed to break away from his group and approach Changbin. He imagined pulling Changbin aside, chatting about their day, feeling Changbin's warm hand rest gently on his waist. But the reality was different. His friends were oblivious to the silent exchanges and unsaid feelings between the two of them.

As they continued walking past Changbin, Felix, ever the keen observer, spoke up, "You know, Hyunjin, seeing you two now, I sometimes wonder if you regret turning Changbin down that time."

Hyunjin pondered for a moment, "It's a complicated question, Felix."

Felix smirked, playfully elbowing Hyunjin, "Always thought you two would end up together. Guess my matchmaking skills aren't as on point as I thought."

Seungmin chuckled, "You mean like how you tried to set me up with that yoga instructor?"

Felix feigned offense, "Hey! That was a good match!"

As they continued down the hallway, Seungmin, with a teasing glint in his eyes, nudged Hyunjin. "You know what? You're definitely not regretting Changbin. You've got that look in your eye. You're in love with someone else. Someone you've been chatting with a lot lately, am I right?"

Hyunjin's cheeks warmed, but he tried to keep a straight face. "I'm not in love, Seungmin. And for the record, I can have friends without falling for them."

Felix, looking genuinely surprised, chimed in, "Wait, so there is someone? Our Hyunjin has a secret admirer?"

Hyunjin rolled his eyes playfully, trying to deflect. "Maybe. Maybe not. Why are you guys so nosy?"

Seungmin leaned closer, a mischievous grin stretching across his face, "Because seeing our favorite drama queen potentially falling in love is better than any TV show."

Felix laughed, "Seungmin's got a point. So, come on, give us a hint! Is it someone from our uni?"

Hyunjin sighed dramatically, "For someone who got it so wrong about Changbin, you're suddenly very interested in my love life."

All the while, Jeongin, usually the most talkative in the group, remained silent, his lips curling into a knowing smile. His eyes met Seungmin's for a brief moment, and the latter caught on to the silent communication.

Seungmin smirked, "Well, well, Jeongin seems to know something we don't."

Jeongin simply winked, "All I can say is, our Hyunjin has excellent taste."

Hyunjin groaned, "I knew I shouldn't have brought this up with you guys."

Felix, now fully invested in this newfound mystery, pressed on, "So why the secrecy, Hyunjin? Why not tell us who it is? When are you going to spill the beans?"

Hyunjin waved him off, "It's not like that. We're just getting to know each other."

Seungmin teased, "Oh, 'getting to know each other.' That sounds suspiciously like dating to me."

Felix joined in, "Yeah, Hyunjin, you're acting like you've got some grand love affair going on. When's the wedding?"

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance, "You guys are insufferable. There's no wedding, no love affair. We're just friends."

Seungmin raised an eyebrow, "Just friends, huh? That's how it always starts."

Felix, never one to be left out, leaned forward, "So, when are you going to introduce this mysterious someone to us?"

Seungmin chimed in, "Yeah! We have a right to know who's making our Hyunjin all dreamy-eyed."

Hyunjin laughed, feeling cornered but enjoying the playful banter. "Alright, alright! I promise, when the time is right, you'll all meet him. But for now, just let me enjoy... whatever this is."

Felix wrapped an arm around Hyunjin's shoulder, "Okay! But seriously, whoever it is, they better be good to you."