The next scene unfolds in the Phoenix's gym, a place typically filled with the sounds of weights clanking and the rhythmic thud of running shoes against the treadmill. Minho was lost in his workout, headphones snugly in place, creating a bubble of isolation around him. The door creaked open, and even with the music pumping in his ears, he sensed a shift in the atmosphere. He turned, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw Jin standing there, an unexpected presence that disrupted his routine.
As Minho stopped the treadmill, a moment of silence enveloped them. Jin's approach was slow, his demeanour heavy with guilt. The weight of their unspoken issues hung between them like a thick fog. When Jin finally mustered the courage to say "Hi...", his voice was soft, almost hesitant. Minho felt a flicker of relief at the sound of Jin's voice, but it was quickly overshadowed by the tension that lingered. Jin's tone suggested that the anger was still simmering beneath the surface.
Minho's response was instinctive, a reflex born from their good friendship. He looked aside, avoiding Jin's gaze, and replied with a quiet "Hi, hyung..." The lack of eye contact spoke volumes, revealing his discomfort and the emotional turmoil that both were grappling with. In this charged moment, both of them were caught in a web of conflicting emotions—relief, anger, guilt, and a desperate longing for understanding.
The silence in the gym felt almost deafening, filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Jin finally broke that silence, his voice steady but tinged with regret. "I came to want to apologise for that day..." The moment he spoke those words, Minho's heart raced. He had been anticipating this conversation, but hearing Jin take the blame was a shock to his mind. Deep down, he felt a surge of guilt, knowing he was the one who was at fault for lying.
Before he could think, Minho blurted out, "No! I should be the one apologising! I should have told you from the beginning and not hidden it from you and lied about where I was going..." His voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. He straightened his body, a physical representation of his determination to make amends. "I am sorry!" he declared, bowing his head in a gesture of deep sincerity and remorse.
Jin paused for a moment, letting Minho's apology sink in. The air around them felt charged with tension but also with the possibility of healing. Finally, Jin looked up and replied softly, "It's okay... I forgive you." Those words washed over Minho like a wave, lifting the heavy burden of guilt he had been carrying for days. A slight smile crept onto his face, a flicker of hope breaking through the darkness.
Seeing Minho smile again filled Jin with warmth, and he couldn't help but smile back. It was a moment of connection, a chance for both of them to finally communicate openly after days of silence and misunderstanding. Minho, now visibly more at ease, looked at Jin with gratitude shining in his eyes and said, "Thank you, Jin!" The relief in his tone was unmistakable, and in that moment, the walls they had built around their hearts began to crumble, allowing them to rekindle the friendship that had felt so distant for far too long.
But something else was still troubling Jin, and it made his face change to a serious and disappointed expression. Minho, seeing his face change, stopped smiling as well, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. The playful banter they had been sharing evaporated, replaced by a weighty silence that felt almost suffocating.
Then Jin took a deep breath and said, "I want to ask you one more thing..." Minho, feeling the urge to tell Jin everything at this point and desperate to put all the lies behind him, replied quickly, "Yes, what is it?" There was a flicker of hope in his eyes, but Jin's expression only tightened, frustration evident in the way he clenched his jaw.
"You sure you don't... have any feelings for Seo-Jun?" Jin's question hung in the air, laced with an undercurrent of jealousy that was far from subtle.
Only an idiot would fail to pick up on it...
But Minho was this kind of idiot…
Minho, completely missing the subtle frustration and jealousy in Jin's tone, reacted with an exaggerated shout, "WHAT?! FEELINGS FOR THIS PUNK?! OF COURSE NOT! I would rather die than be next to him for more than a second..." His voice was filled with an intensity that echoed his anger for Seo-Jun. He turned his gaze away, the frustration evident in the way he clenched his fists, unable to hide his true feelings about Seo-Jun.
Jin, on the other hand, felt a wave of relief wash over him at Minho's vehement denial. He giggled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He had always been able to tell when Minho was being genuine, and this time was no different. The tension in the air began to lift, and the smile on Jin's face widened, transforming him back into the playful, carefree friend Minho had always known.
Seeing Jin's smile return made Minho's heart lighten, and he couldn't help but smile back, letting go of the anger he had harboured towards Seo-Jun, at least for the moment. Jin then exclaimed, "That is good to hear!" and, in a playful manner, he reached out to ruffle Minho's hair, giggling all the while. Minho felt a rush of warmth at the familiar gesture, knowing it signified that all doubts and thoughts of betrayal had vanished from Jin's mind. In that moment, everything felt right again, and Minho finally relaxed, the weight of worry lifting as he embraced the comfort of Jin's words.
After a minute, Jin put his hand down and sighed, his frustration palpable. "Now... what are we going to do? You were really the only person who got this close to Seo-Jun... with you not being in our team... we have nothing." His mind raced through various possibilities and scenarios, each more daunting than the last, as he tried to piece together a plan.
Minho sensed that Jin was back on track, ready to help him get his thoughts in order, and he started to ponder the situation as well. But then, a sudden flash of memory surged through his mind—the moment Seo-Jun had coldly declared that their deal had ended. It was a bitter reminder of their last night together. He closed his eyes, frustration boiling within him, and hesitantly admitted, "Actually... I am not this close to him anymore."
The words hung in the air, causing Jin to turn to Minho with a look of confusion etched on his face. He could see the weight of Minho's revelation looming over them. Without waiting for Jin to ask for clarification, Minho continued, "Apparently he knew from the start that... I was a spy from Phoenix..." The shock of this admission hit Jin like a punch to the gut, his jaw dropping as he processed the implications. The trust they had built, the precarious balance of their situation, all crumbling at the revelation that Seo-Jun had been aware of Minho's true allegiance the entire time.
Then Jin shouted in disbelief, "W-What?!" His mind raced as he tried to wrap his head around Minho's words. Minho continued, his voice heavy with emotion, "Yeah, I reacted the same way when he said that to me. And as for right now… He doesn't need me, apparently..." He cast his gaze aside, disappointment washing over him like a dark cloud, feeling as though he had become a burden to the team rather than useful.
Jin's heart sank as he observed Minho's expression fall. He opened his mouth to offer some encouraging words, wanting to lift Minho's spirits, but Minho interjected, "He said that to me... the night when you guys confronted me... so I didn't quite think it through much up until now." The sadness etched on Minho's face was palpable, and it pierced through Jin, amplifying his guilt. He wanted to comfort Minho, to tell him that he was still valued, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he turned inward, his mind racing as he began to think of a strategy that could help them both.
After what felt like an eternity of contemplation, Jin finally paused, a flicker of determination igniting within him. He turned to Minho with renewed focus and asked, "Do you still want to be part of this mission?" Minho looked up, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and hope, and without hesitation, he replied, "Of course!" Jin couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of optimism. "I think... I might have an idea then..." Minho's confusion was evident as he waited, anticipation building, eager to hear the plan that could change the course of their mission…