Silent Treatment

Kyung-jun wasn't used to being ignored.

People feared him too much to ever try. If he spoke, they listened. If he walked into a room, people went quiet. He had control, always.

But Minji?

Minji was different.

She wasn't afraid of him. She never had been. She was the only one who could challenge him, tease him, push his buttons—and he let her. Because it was her. Because she was the only one he could never stay mad at.

But now?

Now, she wouldn't even look at him.

And he hated it.

It had started that morning. He had snapped at her—too harshly, he realized a second too late. It wasn't even her fault. He had just been frustrated with something else, and she had been there.

Minji had blinked up at him, surprised at first. Then her expression turned unreadable, and instead of arguing like she normally would, she simply... walked away.

And that was worse.

Because now she wasn't speaking to him.

Not a single glance. Not a single word.

She sat with her friends during lunch instead of him. She didn't wait for him after class. She didn't reply to his texts.

And Kyung-jun? He was losing his mind.

By the time the school day ended, he had had enough.

He caught up to her as she was packing up, standing in front of her desk with his arms crossed. "Minji."

She zipped up her bag. Didn't look at him.

Kyung-jun clenched his jaw. "Minji, I know you can hear me."

Nothing.

His fingers twitched. "Seriously?"

Still, nothing.

She stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder, completely ignoring him as she walked past.

Kyung-jun's eye twitched. Oh, hell no.

In two long strides, he grabbed her wrist—gently, but firmly enough to make her stop. "Okay," he muttered. "I get it. You're mad. But can you not act like I don't exist?"

Minji finally turned. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held that sharp edge—the one that told him he really screwed up.

"You snapped at me," she said, voice quiet but firm.

Kyung-jun inhaled sharply, guilt twisting in his chest.

"I know." His grip on her wrist loosened slightly. "I shouldn't have. I was just—"

"Angry?" Minji tilted her head. "And I just happened to be there?"

His lips pressed into a thin line. "...Yeah."

Minji exhaled, shaking her head. "That's not fair, Kyung-jun."

He knew that.

"I know." His voice was quieter now.

Minji watched him for a moment, then sighed. "I just needed some space."

Kyung-jun frowned, his grip on her tightening for a brief second before he let go. "I hate when you ignore me," he muttered.

Minji's expression softened slightly.

She reached up—slowly—and ran her fingers through his hair, stroking gently.

Kyung-jun stiffened at first, but like always, he melted almost instantly, his eyes fluttering shut.

"I wasn't ignoring you to be cruel," Minji murmured. "I just wanted you to realize it hurt me."

He sighed, leaning into her touch. "I did. The second you walked away."

Minji's lips twitched. "Good."

Then, just because she could, she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

Kyung-jun cracked one eye open. "That doesn't mean you win this argument."

Minji giggled. "Oh, but I do."

Kyung-jun groaned, but when she threaded her fingers through his hair again, he let it slide.

Because, honestly?

He would never risk losing her over his own stupid temper again.

Kyung-jun should've been embarrassed by how easily he gave in. He should've been annoyed that Minji could wrap him around her finger with just a touch. But honestly? He didn't care.

Not when she was finally looking at him again. Not when her fingers were in his hair, her voice soft instead of distant.

He sighed, leaning slightly into her touch. "...So, we're good now?"

Minji hummed, tilting her head as if considering. "Maybe."

Kyung-jun's brows furrowed. "Maybe?"

Minji smiled innocently. "I mean... you did snap at me for no reason."

He groaned. "I already said I was sorry."

She tapped her chin. "Hmm... I don't know... an apology should come with proper compensation."

Kyung-jun gave her a deadpan look. "Minji."

She grinned up at him. "Buy me tteokbokki."

He blinked. "What?"

"You heard me." She crossed her arms. "Since you were mean to me, you have to make up for it by buying me food."

Kyung-jun exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're a grump who loves me," she shot back easily.

Kyung-jun's ears turned pink, and he scowled. "I'm not a—"

Minji reached up and pinched his cheek.

Kyung-jun froze, staring at her in disbelief. "Did you just—"

Minji giggled. "Aww, look at you~. So cute when you're flustered."

Kyung-jun swatted her hand away, glaring. "You really have no sense of self-preservation."

Minji only beamed at him. "And yet, you let me do whatever I want."

Kyung-jun grumbled under his breath, but he couldn't deny it. Instead, he sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "...Fine. Let's go get your stupid tteokbokki."

Minji gasped dramatically, clasping her hands together. "Wow! My scary Kyung-junnie is taking me on a food date!"

Kyung-jun groaned. "I regret this already."

"No, you don't."

He huffed but didn't argue. Instead, he reached out and took her hand—fingers lacing through hers, holding on tight.

Minji blinked, her teasing smile faltering for a second. "...Kyung-jun?"

He didn't look at her. "Just in case you change your mind about the silent treatment again," he muttered.

Minji's chest warmed, and she squeezed his hand. "I won't."

Kyung-jun finally glanced at her then, his lips twitching slightly. "...Good."

And with that, they walked off together—fingers intertwined, hearts a little lighter, and Kyung-jun already accepting that he was going to spend the rest of his life losing every argument to her.

And maybe... he didn't mind.

_

end !