''~°.HIDE AND SEEK.°~'' | YEONGYU

THE INVESTIGATION

Instead, he leaned back against the wall, eyes narrowing just slightly as if turning the question over in his head.

"Maybe. Maybe not," he said finally. "But it's worth ruling out."

Beomgyu's fingers tightened in the blanket. "You think they'll come back?..."

"Yeah, I think they will." Yeonjun said evenly.

Yeonjun's gaze softened as he watched Beomgyu curl tighter into himself.

"Coffee?" he asked suddenly, his tone lighter now...almost careful. "I can make you a cup."

Beomgyu blinked at him, caught off guard.

"I..." His voice faltered. He wasn't sure if he could actually consume anything, but the warmth in Yeonjun's eyes made it hard to say no.

"Yeah. Okay."

Yeonjun's lips curved faintly, not quite a smile, but close enough to ease the knot in Beomgyu's chest.

"Good."

He pushed himself up from the floor in one smooth motion, stretching his long limbs briefly before heading for the kitchen. The faint sound of water running and the clink of a mug broke the silence.

Beomgyu sat still, staring at the window. The carving was still there, faint but deliberate.

A shiver crawled up his spine.

When Yeonjun returned, he crouched beside the bed and handed over the steaming mug.

"Drink slow. You're still shaky."

Beomgyu wrapped his hands around the warmth, letting it seep into his cold fingers.

Yeonjun settled back onto the floor, his back against the wall.

"Also," he said gently, "you don't have to worry about school."

Beomgyu looked up, confused.

"They've announced an indefinite break," Yeonjun explained. "While the investigation's going on."

Beomgyu's stomach dropped.

"Indefinite?"

"Yeah. Probably for the best." Yeonjun's tone stayed calm, but his eyes were sharp, watching him carefully.

"You can focus on resting...on staying safe."

The coffee in Beomgyu's hands had long since gone lukewarm.

He stared into it, watching faint ripples tremble with each uneven breath. The bitter scent clung to his senses, oddly grounding.

But the silence in the room wasn't heavy...not with Yeonjun sitting there, calm and steady like an anchor.

Slowly, Beomgyu drew the mug closer to his chest.

Then he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. His toes brushed the cold floor, and for a moment he just sat there, gripping the mug like it might slip away.

Yeonjun didn't move. Didn't speak.

He only watched, quiet and patient.

With a shaky exhale, Beomgyu slid off the mattress and sank to the floor beside him.

He didn't sit too close at first...just enough to feel the faint warmth radiating from Yeonjun's presence.

The ceramic mug stayed clutched between his hands, his fingers wrapped tight around it as though drawing strength from its lingering heat.

Yeonjun tilted his head slightly, his expression soft, almost amused. "Better down here?"

Beomgyu nodded faintly, still staring into the dark swirl of his coffee.

His voice came out small, raw...

"Yeonjun..."

"Yeah?"

"You don't..." He swallowed hard, his knuckles tightening around the mug. "You don't think I—"

"No."

The reply was instant. Calm. Certain.

Beomgyu blinked at him, startled by the quiet finality in his tone.

Yeonjun's gaze didn't waver. "Not for a second."

"Really?"

"Gyu."

Yeonjun shifted slightly, closing the space between them until their shoulders brushed. His voice softened even more, low and steady.

"I know you. You didn't do it."

Beomgyu's grip loosened slightly on the mug as he stared at the swirling liquid. His chest still felt tight, but the heat seeping through the ceramic reminded him he wasn't alone anymore.

Yeonjun leaned his head back against the wall, letting the silence settle between them.

"Take your time," he murmured. "We're not in a rush."

The doorbell shattered the fragile quiet like a blade through glass.

Beomgyu flinched so violently the coffee nearly slipped from his grasp, hot liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim.

Yeonjun's head snapped toward the door. His body shifted instantly, fluid and purposeful, like a predator responding to a sound in the dark.

"Stay—"

"I'm coming...please" Beomgyu whispered before Yeonjun could finish. His voice shook, but his feet carried him anyway...trailing close behind, as though the faint warmth of Yeonjun's presence was the only thing keeping him upright.

Yeonjun didn't argue. He only reached the door in three long strides, every line of his body coiled with quiet alertness.

The locks clicked open one by one.

When the door cracked open, sunlight spilled into the apartment's dim interior and with it, came the muted hum of morning traffic.

Two figures stood in the hallway.

The first was their principal, her face tight with something unreadable...concern, maybe, or something closer to pity.

The second man stood just ahead of her.

Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark brown trench coat that looked almost too heavy for spring.His dark hair was parted neatly, and his sharp eyes swept over Yeonjun and immediately caught on Beomgyu standing just behind him.

Calm. Unflinching.

He held up a badge between two gloved fingers.

"Choi Soobin." he said, his voice low and even. "Seoul Metropolitan Police. I'm the detective assigned to your school's case." 

The detective's gaze didn't waver as it settled fully on Beomgyu, piercing and unreadable.

"I believe Choi Beomgyu lives here?"