Missing your presence | Yeongyu | Beomjun |

8 | True feelings |

Author's POV

---

The days passed slowly after that strange encounter with Heeseung, but the uneasy feeling Yeonjun had never completely faded. Beomgyu seemed to be taking it in stride, trusting that Heeseung's apology was genuine, that he was ready to move on and leave the past where it belonged. Yeonjun, on the other hand, couldn't help but notice the subtle changes around them.

Heeseung wasn't actively in their faces anymore, but Yeonjun would catch glimpses of him from time to time. Whether it was during lunch or after school, Heeseung always seemed to be lingering in the background. Never close enough to cause concern, but never far enough to be forgotten either. It was like he was biding his time, waiting for the right moment.

And that's what gnawed at Yeonjun the most—the uncertainty.

He didn't say anything to Beomgyu about it, though. Beomgyu had already reassured him that things were fine, that they shouldn't let Heeseung get between them. So Yeonjun tried. He tried to ignore the lingering shadows, to focus on the good parts of their relationship. And there were plenty of good parts.

Like the weekends they spent together, curled up on Beomgyu's bed with their favorite snacks, watching movies late into the night. Or the way Beomgyu's laughter could light up even the dullest of days, making Yeonjun forget his worries, even if only for a little while.

But even in those moments of peace, that nagging sense of something unresolved hung over them like a cloud.

It wasn't until a Friday afternoon a few weeks later that everything came crashing down.

Yeonjun was waiting for Beomgyu outside the school gates, as they always did when they walked home together. The weather was warm, the sun dipping low in the sky, casting long shadows across the pavement. He had his phone out, scrolling aimlessly through messages when he caught sight of a figure approaching from the side.

It was Heeseung again.

Yeonjun's chest tightened, but he didn't move. Heeseung wasn't looking at him. Instead, he made a beeline toward the school entrance, seemingly in a hurry. A knot of unease began to form in Yeonjun's stomach. What was he doing here?

Moments later, Beomgyu emerged from the school building, his expression tired but relaxed—until he noticed Heeseung standing just a few feet away.

Heeseung stopped in his tracks, clearly having spotted Beomgyu too. For a moment, they just stood there, the tension between them palpable, as if they were the only two people in the world. Yeonjun watched from his spot near the gate, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Heeseung?" Beomgyu called out, breaking the silence.

Heeseung turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Hey, Beomgyu. I didn't expect to see you here so late."

Beomgyu gave him a small smile, though it looked strained. "Yeah, just finishing up some work."

There was an awkward pause, and Yeonjun could feel the air growing thicker with each passing second. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm, but all he wanted to do was step in between them and end this uncomfortable encounter.

Finally, Heeseung cleared his throat. "Look, I don't want to make things weird, but... I just wanted to say something."

Beomgyu looked confused but nodded for him to continue.

"I know I said I was moving on," Heeseung began, his voice low. "But the truth is, it's been harder than I thought. I've tried, I really have, but seeing you and Yeonjun together... it's messing with my head. Beomgyu, I—I still have feelings for Yeonjun. I thought I could get over it, but I can't."