Author’s POV:
Yeonjun’s heart sank the moment he saw Beomgyu’s face. His puffy, reddened eyes told a story he didn’t need to hear to understand, Beomgyu had cried, and he had cried a lot.

Kai’s words lingered in the tense air, and Yeonjun froze. He wasn’t ready for this confrontation. The fear clawed at him, leaving him paralyzed.

“Kai… I can’t share anything,” Yeonjun finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Across the table, Beomgyu’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, his knuckles white.

Chaeyon tried to intervene. “Guys… can we just eat dinner in—”

“Chaeyon, please don’t interfere,” Kai interrupted firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Chaeyon fell silent, retreating into her seat.

Soobin, who had remained composed until now, turned to Yeonjun, his voice tinged with disappointment. “So you can share things with Taehyun but not with us?”

Those words hit Yeonjun harder than he anticipated. He flinched, the guilt weighing heavier on his chest.

“That’s not it,” Yeonjun said, his voice cracking. “Taehyun knows nothing.”

Taehyun quickly nodded, his expression a mix of unease and concern.

But the tension snapped when Beomgyu spoke, his voice eerily calm but brimming with emotion. “How long are you going to keep pretending, Yeonjun? I’ll never forgive you for this. I hate you for all of it.”

Yeonjun’s head shot up, his eyes wide as they locked onto Beomgyu’s. The blank expression on Beomgyu’s face only made his words cut deeper.

“No… Beomgyu, no. I-I can explain,” Yeonjun stammered, his tone trembling as he scrambled to find the right words.

But Beomgyu’s voice cracked as he repeated, “I hate you.” Tears welled up in his eyes as he glared at Yeonjun, his pain laid bare for everyone to see.

Yeonjun’s POV:
Everything was falling apart. I could feel it slipping through my hands, and I was powerless to stop it. Beomgyu’s words hit me like a storm, tearing through me. I didn’t want to lose him.

As he pushed back his chair and stood, I jumped up, grabbing his wrist in a desperate attempt to stop him.

“Beomgyu, please,” I begged, my voice shaky.

But he yanked his hand away, glaring at me with tears streaming down his face. “Hyung, you’re heartless!” he spat, his voice rising.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. “No, listen! Please, just listen! I can explain—”

Beomgyu’s eyes burned with anguish as he cut me off. “Explain? Fine, then let me explain it to you, Hyung. You weren’t there when I needed you! Every time I reached out, you pushed me away. You ignored me like I didn’t even exist!”

The tears spilled freely now, tracing paths down his cheeks, and I couldn’t bear to see it. I reached out instinctively to wipe them away, but he slapped my hand away.

“Don’t touch me!” he snapped, his voice breaking.

I froze, pulling my hand back. I was shattering inside, overwhelmed by the weight of my guilt and regret.

Without another word, Beomgyu turned and walked away, retreating to his room and slamming the door behind him.

I stood there, motionless, staring at the empty space he left behind. The others stayed quiet, the heaviness of the moment rooting them to their seats. I could feel their gazes on me, but I couldn’t look at any of them.

I was breaking apart. I was so sorry.

Yeonjun’s POV:

I took a deep, shaky breath, forcing the tears to stay at bay, and sat back down with a heavy heart. My mind was a storm of guilt, regret, and longing.

Across the table, Taehyun exchanged a look with Kai, who appeared both shocked and upset.

“Hyung, please,” Kai spoke quietly, his voice softer now. “Just tell us the truth.”

I glanced at him, the weight of his words pressing down on me.

“I’m going outside,” I murmured, standing abruptly.

“Where?” Soobin asked, concern evident in his voice.

“Just for a walk,” I replied in a low tone. “I need some time alone.”

Without waiting for a response, I zipped up my jacket and stepped outside. The biting cold hit me immediately, and snowflakes gently danced through the air, dusting the ground in a light layer of white.

I took a deep breath, the icy air stinging my lungs as I started walking aimlessly through the quiet streets.

I love Beomgyu.
I don’t just like him, I love him. And I’ve ruined everything.

Beomgyu’s POV:

The moment I closed the door behind me, I crumpled to the floor, my body shaking with sobs.

I couldn’t hold back anymore. My cries echoed in the quiet of my room, and I didn’t care if the others could hear. The pain was too overwhelming to suppress.

“Yeonjun hyung…” I whispered between hiccups, my voice trembling with heartbreak.

Why did he do this? Why did he ruin everything?

Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head, trying to make sense of the storm inside me. “I don’t hate him…” I choked out. “I don’t hate him…”

But the truth was just as confusing as the pain. I didn’t hate him, far from it. I cared about him so deeply it hurt. His absence tore me apart, and his silence felt like a knife to my chest.

Even now, through the tears, I found myself longing for him. I wanted him to hold me, to tell me everything would be okay. But how could he, when he probably hated me?

That thought only made me cry harder, the sobs wracking my body.

Just then, the door opened, and Taehyun slipped in quietly, closing it behind him.

“Hyung…” he whispered, his voice soft as he knelt beside me and placed a comforting hand on my back.

I pulled away gently, shaking my head. “Taehyun… you know, don’t you?” I sobbed, my eyes meeting his. “You know why Yeonjun hyung is acting like this.”

Taehyun hesitated, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.

“He likes you,” he said softly.

His words froze me. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, wide-eyed.

“What…?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What are you saying?”

Taehyun sighed, his expression torn. “He likes you, Beomgyu. More than just as a friend.”

I blinked rapidly, struggling to process his words. “You’re joking…” I stammered, hiccuping through the tears. “Why would Yeonjun hyung like me?”

But Taehyun didn’t flinch. He explained everything, the way Yeonjun had been struggling, torn between his feelings and his fear of ruining everything. He didn’t want to hurt me, but in his attempts to protect me, he had only caused me more pain.

As Taehyun’s words sank in, I felt a wave of realization crash over me.

“...Shit,” I muttered under my breath, my heart pounding.

“Where’s Yeonjun hyung?” I asked urgently, my voice breaking.

“He went for a walk,” Taehyun said gently, giving my back a reassuring pat. “You should go talk to him.”

Without another second’s hesitation, I scrambled to my feet, grabbing my jacket. As I slipped it on halfway, I rushed out of the room and bolted outside, the freezing air hitting me hard.

I need to find him.