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Minho had always been confident on the basketball court. He was the star player—agile, fierce, and always leading his team to victory. People flocked to him, craving his attention, but there was only one person Minho had eyes for: Han Jisung. The boy was a bundle of energy and charm, always seen in the band room, effortlessly playing away each of the percussion instruments. Jisung wasn’t popular like Minho, but there was something about him—his laugh, his relaxed nature—that made Minho’s heart race whenever he was nearby.
The problem? Minho could barely string two sentences together whenever he tried to talk to the younger. His friends constantly teased him, especially Felix, who seemed to be Jisung’s best friend. Felix knew everything, and Minho knew Felix was probably aware of his crush. Still, when Minho tried to converse with Jisung, his nerves betrayed him. Instead, he’d give awkward waves or mumble a quick “hey” before darting away. He cursed himself after every failed attempt, while Jisung remained blissfully unaware of the confusion Minho felt around him.
Jisung, on the other hand, didn’t think much of it. He had no idea the school’s basketball star had a massive crush on him. He just assumed Minho was being polite because he was friends with Minho’s cousin, Felix. Changbin, Felix’s boyfriend, was also one of Minho’s best friends.
Everything changed when their teacher assigned Jisung as Minho’s tutor. Minho had fallen behind in one of his classes, and despite his skills on the court, his grades needed a boost to keep playing. The teacher, thinking Jisung’s calm demeanor might help Minho focus, paired them up.
—
Minho sighed deeply as he walked down the hallway toward his math class, dragging his feet with each step. He wasn’t looking forward to this. His teacher had asked to speak to him about his grades, and he knew what was coming.
As much as he tried to balance everything, even though he does decent in his classes—but not recently, especially math—, basketball always took in his mind. After all, he was the ‘star’ player, and the whole school was counting on him. But math was mostly the problem. His math grades? Not so much.
Pushing open the door to the classroom, Minho stepped inside, greeted by the sight of Mrs. Choi sitting at her desk with a welcoming expression.
“Minho! Thank you for coming,” Mrs. Choi greeted, placing her papers in a nice pile. “Please, have a seat.”
Minho gave a polite nod and sat across from Mrs. Choi, trying to avoid eye contact. He could already feel the weight of the conversation pressing down on him.
“Minho, I know you’re a hardworking student and an exceptional athlete,” Mrs Choi began, her voice warm but tinged with concern. “But we need to talk about your grades.”
Minho shifted in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. He hated being called out for something like this. Sure, he wasn’t failing—yet—but he knew he wasn’t exactly excelling, either. And it wasn’t for lack of trying; it was just hard to keep up with his classes when basketball dominated his mind.
“I’ve seen your effort. I’m sure you’ve noticed your recent test scores haven’t been your best,” Mrs. Choi continued, her tone kind but firm. “And while I understand how much basketball means to you, your academics are just as important. Without the grades, Minho, you won’t be able to play.”
That caught Minho’s full attention. Basketball? Now that was something he couldn’t afford to lose.
“I get it, Mrs. Choi,” he muttered, still avoiding her gaze. “I’ll work harder. I just need to figure out a way to manage both.”
Mrs. Choi leaned forward, her expression softening. “I know it’s tough to juggle everything, but that’s why I want to help. I’ve arranged for you to get some extra support. A tutor.”
Minho’s stomach dropped. A tutor? He hadn’t expected that. He barely had time for his regular schoolwork, let alone extra sessions with someone watching his every move.
“I’ve asked Han Jisung to tutor you,” Mrs. Choi said, her tone hopeful. “He’s one of our top students, and I think he’ll be a good fit to help catch up.”
Minho’s heart nearly stopped. Jisung? The same Han Jisung who made him feel like his brain short-circuited whenever they were in the same room or with just a smile? The bubbly band kid who had no idea that Minho was harboring a massive crush on him? The one he couldn’t stop staring at from across the cafeteria, whose laughter echoed in his head long after he’d walked away.
“I . . . uh . . .” Minho stammered, trying to hide the sudden rush of panic. “That’s . . . yeah, that’s fine.”
“Great! I’ll let him know, and you can arrange a schedule that works around your practices. You both have busy schedules, but I’m sure you guys can work it out,” Mrs. Choi said, looking pleased with herself.
Minho nodded, barely registering her words. As he stood to leave, he tried to steady his breathing. This going to be torture—not because of school, but because Jisung would be sitting right there, watching him struggle while Minho’s brain screamed at him to focus.
This is going to be a disaster , Minho thought as he walked out of the classroom and headed to the cafeteria.
—
Minho shuffled down the hallway toward the cafeteria, still in a daze from his meeting with Mrs. Choi. His brain couldn’t keep up with the thought of Jisung tutoring him— Han Jisung , the very same boy who made his palms sweat and his heart do cartwheels.
He had liked Jisung since middle school, but never had the guts to act on it. They were in different worlds back then, and now? Even though Minho was popular on the basketball team, Jisung always felt out of reach, with his easygoing nature, musical talent, and bright smile making Minho feel weak in the knees.
Minho groaned inwardly as he pushed open the door to the cafeteria. He scanned the room for his friends, quickly spotting Felix, Chan, and Changbin sitting at their table. Perfect. Felix, who was Jisung’s best friend, would probably know about the tutoring situation before he even had a chance to say anything.
With a sigh, Minho made his way over to them. As soon as he sat down and before he could even take out his packed lunch, Felix flashed him a knowing grin.
“So, I hear you’re getting a little extra help with math,” Felix said, grinning wide as he nudged Chan.
Minho groaned, dropping his head onto the table. “You already know, don’t you?”
Felix chuckled. “Oh, I know. And guess who your tutor is? My brilliant best friend! Our very own Han Jisung! Isn’t that just perfect?”
Changbin snorted, barely holding back a laugh as he glanced at Minho’s misery. “This is gold. You, alone with Jisung, trying to do math? Yeah, that’ll go smoothly.”
Minho lifted his head, glaring at his friends, clearly unamused. “You guys are enjoying this way too much.”
Felix leaned back, still grinning. “Well, can you blame us? You’ve been obsessing over Jisungie, who’s been oblivious, for years, and now you’ll be stuck with him for tutoring sessions. It’s like fate.”
“Yeah, fate,” Minho muttered, sarcasm dripping from his voice, as he lazily brought out his lunch. “More like torture.”
Chan, who had been munching on his sandwich, finally spoke up. “I mean, it’s not all bad, right? You get to spend time with him, and you’ll actually improve your grades. Win-win.”
The teen shot Chan a look. “If I don’t make a complete fool of myself first.”
Changbin couldn’t help but laugh, nudging Felix. “He’s right, though. Minho’s going be too busy staring at Jisung to even think about the work.”
Felix shook his head with a smirk. “Or he’ll be sweating so much that Jisung will think he’s nervous about algebra instead of, you know, the real reason.”
Minho groaned, resting his forehead on his hands. “You guys aren’t helping. I’m already a wreck thinking about it.”
Then Minho made a realization and looked at Felix. “Why are you here and not with Jisung?”
Felix raised an eyebrow at Minho’s sudden question. “Yah! Don’t try and change the subject,” Felix said.
Felix leaned closer to his boyfriend, crossing his arms with a playful smirk. “But since you’re so curious my dearest cousin, I’m here because I wanted to see the look on your face when you found out about the tutoring. Totally worth it, by the way.”
Minho scowled. “I’m glad my impending doom is entertaining for you.”
Felix shrugged, still grinning. “What can I say? I live for the drama. In plus, Jisungie wanted to go to the band room to practice and they don’t let non-music students in. But really, Minho, it’s not going to be that bad. Jisung’s cool. He won’t make it weird—unless you do.”
The purple-haired groaned again, burying his face in his hands. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. I can barely talk to him without stumbling over my words, and now I’m supposed to sit through an hour of tutoring sessions?”
Changbin snickered. “Just think of it as a game plan. Focus on the goal—getting your grades up—and don’t get distracted by the ‘opponent’.”
Minho shot him a look. “I’m not sure comparing Jisung to an opponent is going to help.”
“You’ll be fine,” Chan reassured him, glancing at the time. “Besides you’ve dealt with worse pressure on the court. Think of it like . . . a game plan. You just need to stay focused.”
Minho frowned. “It’s Jisung , not a defense strategy.”
Felix snorted. “Well, maybe you’ve been playing the wrong kind of game then, Minho.”
Minho threw a crumpled napkin at him. “Very funny.”
Chan put a hand on Minho’s shoulder. “Okay, how about this? Here’s what you do: go in with a clear head, focus on the subject you’re working on, and when you’re not doing any work, just talk to him. Like a normal person. You’ve got this.”
Minho sighed, knowing his friends meant well but still feeling the weight of his nerves. “Yeah, I’ll try. But if I make a fool of myself, I’m blaming all of you.”
Felix’s grin turned mischievous again. “You’ve got this! And hey, if you do embarrass yourself, at least you’ll have a fun story to tell tomorrow. Right?”
Minho shot him a glare but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. He shook his head and finally started eating his lunch. The truth was, he didn’t just want to survive these tutoring sessions. He wanted to figure out a way to actually talk to Jisung without feeling like his brain was going to short-circuit.
That, however, seemed like the hardest problem of all.
—
After school, Jisung had texted him to confirm their tutoring schedule, and the short, casual exchange left Minho feeling like he was about to pass out.
jislayed (15:50)
hey, minho!
this is jisung btw, i hope you don’t mind. i got your insta from felix
mrs. choi told me about the tutoring thing. when’s a good time for you? we can start tomorrow after school if that works
Minho stared at his phone for what felt like an eternity, his heart racing. He didn’t know what to respond with. He didn’t want to sound too eager, but he also didn’t want to sound uninterested. After a few minutes of debating, he finally typed back:
linowzz (15:56)
hey, jisung!
no worries, thanks for reaching out
tomorrow after school works for me. appreciate the help, man
He hit send before he could second-guess himself again. As soon as the message was out, his heart pounded in his chest like he had just run laps around the gym. He almost wanted to throw his phone across the room to avoid Jisung’s response, but his curiosity won.
Almost instantly, the three dots appeared, showing that Jisung was typing. Minho’s anxiety spiked, and before he could calm himself down, the reply popped up.
jislayed (15:57)
awesome! we can meet up at the library after school tomorrow
it’s no biggie, im happy to help!
if you don’t mind, what days do you usually have basketball practices??
Minho’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at Jisung’s last message. It was such a a simple question, yet somehow it made everything feel a thousand times more real. He knew he had to respond, but it felt like his entire world hinged on this casual conversation.
After a few deep breaths, he typed back, trying to keep it cool.
linowzz (15:59)
thanks, really appreciate it
practice is usually mondays and wednesdays after school, but i can skip a few if you’re not free on other days
Almost immediately, the three dots reappeared, and Jisung’s response came through.
jislayed (16:02)
no way! don’t skip practice for this!
your schedule actually matches up with mine
i usually have band practices on mondays and wednesdays!
so we can have sessions on tuesdays, thursdays, and fridays
is that okay?
Minho blinked at the message, a small smile creeping onto his face. Jisung was really considerate. Their aligned schedules were a small blessing in a sea of stress. He was a bit glad of the boy for not making this awkward.
linowzz (16:05)
those days work great for me
thanks for the help, see you tomorrow
Then Jisung’s response was almost immediate.
jislayed (16:06)
perfect! see you tomorrow then :)
let’s ace that math together!
Minho’s heart races at the sight of the smiley face. He exited out of the app, tossed his phone onto his bed, and flopped down next to it, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was spinning. How was he supposed to focus on math when Jisung was going to be right there, looking at him with that heart-shaped smile?
He groaned, grabbing a pillow and covering his face with it. Get a grip, Minho , he told himself. It’s just tutoring. You’re not going to faint because of a smile.
He felt a mix of relief and anticipation. The initial stress was starting to fade, replaced by a hopeful excitement. If he could just get through this first session without making a complete fool of himself, he might actually enjoy it.
—
It’s Tuesday, the next day. Minho had relayed the messages over and over in his mind. His mind went blank at the thought of the tutoring sessions. To Jisung, this was just a regular tutoring session, nothing more. But to Minho, it was an hour of potentially embarrassing himself in front of his long-time crush.
And now, here he was, sitting through his final class of the day, barely able to focus on anything the teacher was saying. Even during a mandatory basketball meeting at lunch, he was distracted. His thoughts were consumed with how the session was going to go.
When the teacher announced it was free time, Felix turned to his cousin who was still lost in thoughts. Felix had caught on quickly and teased him every chance he got.
“Look at you, superstar. Someone’s got you all distracted,” Felix teased, nudging Minho’s shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re already a mess over the tutoring thing.”
The other groaned. “It’s not that. I’m just—never mind.”
The blonde-haired chuckled knowingly. “Relax, Minho. You’re going to be fine. It’s just Jisung. You’ve talked to him before.”
Minho shot him a look. “Yeah, well, I’ve never had to spend an hour alone with him, trying to pretend I’m not a total mess.”
Felix grinned. “Then don’t pretend. Just be your usual self. It’s part of your charm.”
Felix’s advice was meant to be comforting, but Minho still felt the weight of the situation. His usual confidence seemed to vanish when he thought about Jisung, making the idea of tutoring feel more daunting.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Minho took a deep breath and gathered his things. He was determined. He headed to the library, trying to focus on what he needed to accomplish rather than his feelings for Jisung.
When he arrived at the library, he saw Jisung already there, sitting at a table with a few textbooks and notebooks spread out. He stared at Jisung, noticing the glasses that he wore, as he was busy looking through the books. Oh gosh, he looks more enchanting with those glasses, Minho thought as he admired him from afar.
There were a few students who were in the library. They’re either studying and doing work, hanging out with their friends, or reading.
Minho hesitated for a moment, then walked over to the table, trying to muster up a smile.
“Hey, Jisung,” Minho greeted, his voice coming out a bit more nervous than he intended.
Jisung looked up from his books, his face lighting up with a friendly smile. “Hey, Minho! Ready to get started?”
Minho nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with Jisung’s warm welcome. “Yeah, let’s do this.”
As Minho sat down across from Jisung, the latter slid a stack of papers toward him. “Alright, so these are practice tests for each subject so I can know what you need help on,” Jisung said, tapping the top sheet lightly. “How about we start with math? It’s mostly Algebra 2, but there’s some geometry mixed in, too. We’ll start slow, don’t worry.”
Minho took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as he sat down across from Jisung. His eyes couldn’t help but linger on Jisung’s glasses, which only seemed to make him captivating. Focus, Minho, he reminded himself, tearing his gaze away and nodding along to Jisung’s explanation.
“Algebra . . . got it,” Minho replied, his voice slightly shaky but determined. He glanced down at the stack of practice tests that jisung had prepared, feeling a little grateful for the organized approach. Jisung was really comforting.
Jisung smiled again, his eye crinkling behind his glasses. “It’s only a practice, so don’t stress. Just try your best to answer all the questions. If you get stuck on a question, we can go through it together after, okay?”
Minho nodded, taking a quick glance at the first problem. It was a geometry question, something about proofs in a triangle. He felt the familiar weight of anxiety creeping in, but Jisung’s relaxed presence helped calm him down a bit. The tutoring session felt oddly . . . normal, despite his earlier worries.
As Minho worked through the practice test, he found himself glancing up occasionally at Jisung, who was focused on his own work. The soft humming coming from Jisung was really soothing, and Minho couldn’t help but feel more at ease. The nervous energy from earlier was still there, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as before.
Jisung’s presence had a way of calming him down, and the casual atmosphere made it easier to focus on the problems in front of him. Minho tackled each question slowly but steadily, occasionally furrowing his brows when he got stuck.
After twenty minutes of working through the practice test, Minho leaned back in his chair and tapped his pencil against the table. He glanced over at Jisung, who was still focused on his notes, scribbling occasionally and humming quietly to himself.
He scanned through the problems he’d already answered, doubling-checking his work, as he was finished. Some of the Algebra 2 and geometry questions had been tricky, but he felt like he was getting the hang of it. A few Algebra 2 questions still didn’t make sense to him, though, so he did his best to answer them.
“Uh, Jisung?” Minho spoke softly, still tapping his pencil lightly against the table.
Jisung looked up from his notebook, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Hmm? Yeah? What’s up?”
Minho hesitated for a moment. “Um. I’m finished.”
Jisung smiled and leaned over to glance at Minho’s paper. “Already? Nice, man,” he said, clearly impressed. “I’ll correct it and see how you did.”
Minho watched nervously as Jisung flipped through the pages of his practice test, making a few spots with a pencil and nodding to himself. Minho found that cute. Jisung’s face remained calm and focused, and Minho couldn’t help but feel a little anxious, wondering how many mistakes he might have made.
After a few minutes, Jisung looked up with a warm smile and stood up to sit next to the other Junior. “You did pretty well! Your Algebra is coming along nicely. You got a little more than half of the questions correct. That’s probably a C. But you’ve got a good grasp of the basics.”
Minho felt a mix of relief and pride as Jisung smiled at him. A ‘C’ wasn’t that bad, especially considering how nervous he had been going into the session.
“Really? That’s . . . better than I thought,” Minho admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
Jisung chuckled softly, pushing his glasses up again. “Yeah, you’ve got a good foundation. We’ll just work on some of the trickier stuff, like the geometry proofs and a few algebra concepts you missed. You’re doing great though!”
Minho’s shoulder relaxed a bit at Jisung’s encouraging words. “Thanks, Jisung. I was really nervous, so this is a relief.”
“No problem at all!” Jisung said with a reassuring smile.
Minho nodded, feeling a bit more confident. “Sounds good. I’m ready for the next part.”
Jisung chuckled and started flipping through the practice test again. “Great! How about the geometry proofs first.”
As he reached for his notebook, his stomach grumbled loudly. Jisung froze for a second, eyes widening as his stomach growled. He blinked, then broke into an embarrassed laugh. “Wow, sorry about that,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I haven’t eaten anything yet.”
Minho chuckled, feeling his own nerves ease even more. “No worries. I never got to eat my lunch because of a last-minute basketball meeting.”
He looked through his bag for his packed lunch. As he brought it out, “We can share. I don’t mind,” he asked Jisung.
“Really? If you don’t mind, then sure.”
Minho smiled as he unwrapped his lunch, setting it between them. “It’s nothing fancy, I made kimchi fried rice.”
Jisung’s eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of kimchi fried rice. “Kimchi fried rice? That sounds amazing!” He said, eagerly reaching for a spoon. “I haven’t had that in forever.”
Minho grinned, glad to see Jisung so enthusiastic. “Yeah, it’s a simple recipe my mom taught me.”
As they started eating, Jisung took a bite and let out a satisfied hum. “This is seriously good, Minho. You could be a chef or something. Do you always make your own lunch?”
Minho laughed, feeling his cheeks warm at the compliment. “Nah, it’s just a hobby. I’m glad you like it. And yeah, I figured it’d be better than cafeteria food.”
Then Minho became concerned. “But Jisung, do you not eat during school?”
Jisung looked up at him and Minho saw how Jisung’s cheeks were like a chipmunk. Can he get any cuter? Minho yelled in his head.
Jisung covered his mouth with his hand, waiting to swallow his food before speaking. “Um. No. I rarely eat breakfast and I don’t like the lunch here. Sometimes I forget to.”
Minho raised an eyebrow in concern, pausing mid-bite. “You forget to eat? That’s not good, Jisung. No wonder your stomach was growling.”
Jisung gave a sheepish smile. “Yeah, I know. I just get so caught up in stuff or sleeping that I don’t realize I’m hungry until it’s too late.”
Minho frowned at that. He didn’t think before bringing his spoon up to Jisung’s mouth. Which surprised the brown-haired and he met Minho’s gaze. Jisung saw the knowing look that Minho gave him.
“Minho, it’s okay—”
“C’mon, Sungie. You need to eat more than I do. It’s not healthy to not eat.” Minho didn’t realize the nickname he had just called Jisung.
Jisung blinked in surprise as Minho held the spoon up to his mouth, his heart skipping a beat at the unexpected gesture. The nickname didn’t go unnoticed by Jisung, and the blush creeping onto his cheeks deepened. Hesitating for only a second, he opened his mouth, accepting the spoonful of kimchi fried rice.
Minho watched Jisung, completely unaware of the effect he was having on him. He was too focused on making Jisung eat something. “See? It’s not so hard,” he teased with a small smile.
Jisung quickly swallowed and gave a shy laugh. “Thanks, Minho. You didn’t have to do that, but . . . I appreciate it.” His eyes flicked down for a moment, still feeling the warmth of the unexpected nickname and Minho’s caring actions.
Minho grinned, completely casual. “Anytime. Seriously though, Sungie, don’t skip meals. I usually bring extra, so I can give you some.”
Jisung’s blush returned at the nickname again, but he didn’t correct it. Instead, he took another spoonful of rice for himself, glancing at Minho from the corner of his eye. “Alright, I’ll try to remember that and it’s okay you don’t have to,” he said, a small, genuine smile forming on his face.
The air between them felt lighter now, and Minho found his nerves soften even more. Something was comforting about this shared moment, something that made him feel more at ease around Jisung.
And Minho made a mental note—to start bringing extra lunch for Jisung from now on.
—
The next day, Minho woke up earlier than usual in the morning to make lunch, determined to bring something for Jisung. As he gathered ingredients in the quiet kitchen, he couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how surprised Jisung would be.
“Guess I’m really doing this,” Minho muttered under his breath as he chopped vegetables for gimbap. He wanted it to be perfect, hoping it would give Jisung a reason to eat properly during the day.
By the time he finished, Minho carefully packed the food into two bento boxes. One for himself, and one for Jisung.
—
As the period before lunch break was about to end, Minho sat in English 11 with Felix and Changbin. He would get annoyed, and, despite his affection for them, he would be third-wheeling the couple. Changbin leaned toward Felix, whispering something in his ear that made the blonde giggle, and Minho rolled his eyes.
“Hey, Lix,” Minho said to catch the blonde’s attention as he looked through the bag with the benthos. Taking out a neatly wrapped red cloth around a bento box, and handing it to Felix. “Can you give this to Jisung?”
Felix blinked in surprise, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “For Jisung?” He asked, taking the box from Minho. He smiled teasingly, “Aww, you’re making him lunch now?”
Minho shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, but Felix’s teasing grin made it hard not to feel self-conscious. “Yeah, just figured he could use it. He keeps skipping meals, and it’s not healthy.”
His cousin raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re such a softie for him. Changbin, did you hear this?”
Minho groaned, wishing Felix would stop teasing. “Just give it to him, alright?”
“But why don’t you make me lunch, too?” Felix questioned, pouting at him.
Minho didn’t want to answer that and luckily the bell rang. He quickly grabs his things and rushes out of the room. Hearing Felix shouting at him, but he didn’t stop and look back.
—
Jisung was already in the cafeteria, sitting at his usual table, and was waiting for Felix. With his head resting on his arms and headphones on. Music played softly in his ears as he struggled to stay awake. His eyelids grew heavier until he eventually gave in, closing his eyes for what he thought would be just a moment.
Suddenly, he felt someone gently shaking him awake. Groggily, he opened his eyes to see Felix standing in front of him, grinning as he waved a small, neatly wrapped bento in Jisung’s face.
“Wakey, wakey,” Felix teased. “Minho sent you a little something.”
Jisung blinked, still half-asleep. “Huh? Minho did what?” He mumbled, sitting up slowly, taking off his headphones, and resting them around his neck.
Felix plopped down beside him, setting the bento on the table. “He made you lunch, so you don’t skip your meal again.”
Jisung’s eyes widened as he stared at the neatly wrapped bento and felt his face begin to heat up. “Wait, seriously? Minho made this?” He couldn’t help but smile as he began unwrapping the box, feeling a little warmth in his chest at the thought of Minho going out of his way for him.
“Yeah, man. Guess he’s worried about you, Felix said, smirking. “You must be special.”
“Special? Minho told me that he makes extra and said he’ll give me some,” Jisung told Felix and this caught the other’s attention.
“Minho doesn’t make extra? He doesn’t even share with me,” Felix pouted dramatically.
Jisung laughed. “Really? Aren’t you, his cousin?”
Felix sighed, shaking his head. “Maybe that’s why.” It’s because I always tease him about his crush on you, Felix thought. “But seriously, he usually doesn’t share his cooking.”
Jisung titled his head, a mix of confusion and astonishment washing over his face. It seemed odd that Minho, who was so kind to him, didn’t share his food even with Felix. He hesitated for a moment, but curiosity won out as began to open the bento.
As soon as he uncovered the lid, Jisung’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Gimbap!” He exclaimed softly, his expression brightening at the sight of the food, perfectly arranged. “Minho made this?”
Felix smiled, leaning in with an approving nod. “Yup. He really went all out, huh?”
As jisung brought out his phone to take photos before eating, there was a certain pair of eyes focusing on the excited boy. Jisung was oblivious to the staring, but Felix looked at Minho with a knowing look.
Minho was watching from afar, hadn’t touched his lunch yet, and waved off Felix, acting annoyed. He was pleased that Jisung was happy with the food that he’d made for him.
After school, Minho was in the locker room, getting ready for basketball practice, and chatting with Chan. The room echoed with the sounds of lockers clanking and teammates talking, but Minho focused on the conversation with his captain.
“So, how was tutoring with Jisung yesterday?” Chan asked, his voice casual but laced with curiosity.
Minho shrugged, trying to keep his tone light despite the flutter in his chest. “It went okay, I guess. He’s really smart, so it’s not too bad.”
Chan grinned, clearly picking up on Minho’s subtle enthusiasm. “Not too bad, huh? You seem to be in a good mood today.”
Before Minho could respond, the door to the locker room swung open, and Changbin strolled in with a smirk, looking amused. As he approached them, holding what looked like a familiar red cloth-wrapped bento box.
“Minho, this is for you,” Changbin said in a teasing tone, holding up the bento box for Minho to see.
Minho blinked, recognition flashing in his eyes. “Wait, is that . . . ?”
Changbin nodded. “Yup. Jisung asked to give this back and he said thank you, by the way.” He tossed the bento box lightly to Minho who caught it, a little confused but intrigued.
“Wait, you cooked food for Jisung?” Chan asked but was ignored by Minho.
Minho stared at the neatly wrapped bento for a moment, noticing the red sticky note attached to the top. Curious, he peeled it off and read it silently.
The note was handwritten in Jiisung’s familiar writing, and as Minho read it, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
“Thanks for the lunch, Min! It was really delicious :) You really didn’t have to, but thank you! But now let me make it up to you by treating you sometime >:(” — Jisung
Minho stared at the note, his smile widening as he reread it. His heart doing a little flip at the playful tone. He could practically hear Jisung’s voice in his head, teasing but warm, and he could picture the boy pouting as he wrote: “>:(” .
Chan chuckled, noticing the grin forming on Minho’s face, crossing his arms as he leaned against a locker. “Wow. Looks like someone’s impressed with your cooking. You’ve got it bad, huh?” He teased, raising an eyebrow.
Changbin smirked even more. “Honest. I’ve never seen Jisung smile so much while eating. Maybe you should cook for him more often, Minho.”
Minho gave them both a playful glare, trying to act nonchalant, though his heart was racing. “Gosh, you two are worse than Felix,” he muttered though deep down, he was already planning on cooking Jisung every day from now on.
They laughed at the Minho becoming flustered. “But I’m curious. What did the note say?” Changbin asked, leaning in to try and read the note.
Minho glanced at the note again, his cheeks still tinged with a faint blush. He shook his head, trying to hide his smile. “It just says he appreciated it and wants to treat me sometime. There’s a little mad face at the end like he’s playfully annoyed.”
Chan’s eyes widened with amusement. “Seriously? That’s kind of cute.”
Changbin laughed and raised an eyebrow. “So, are you going to let him treat you or what?”
Minho shrugged, a bit sheepish but smiling. “We’ll see. But I’m not gonna let him pay. It’s cute that he thinks he owes me.”
Their coach came in and started announcing something before telling them to go to the gym. Minho tucked the bento box and the note into his lock, walking out with Chan sd Changbin rushed to grab his practice gear.
—
A month of tutoring sessions and basketball practices had passed. Minho’s grades have been improving day by day. While Minho and Jisung had grown closer with each passing day, their comfort around one another was evident in their easy conversations and shared laughter. Sometimes Jisung and Felix hang out with Minho’s group. Unknowingly, Jisung has developed feelings for Minho over time.
After a month of basketball practice means that their games are about to begin. The team felt the excitement of the upcoming basketball games building.
It was a quiet Thursday morning, the day of the first basketball game of the season, and the anticipation was palpable. Minho and Jisung found themselves in the library, just hanging out in their usual spot. The shelves towered above them, casting soft shadows across the table where they sat.
Minho leaned back in his chair, staring at his phone, and twirling a pencil between his fingers. Jisung decided not to have any tutoring sessions this week and just hung out with each other. His gaze occasionally flickered toward Jisung, who absentmindedly doodled on a notebook. The soft scratch of the pencil against paper and the distant hum of students filled the background, making the moment feel almost peaceful.
Minho’s heart, however, was far from calm. He stared at his phone, pretending to scroll, but his thoughts kept drifting back to whether he should ask Jisung to his basketball game.
Gathering the courage, Minho’s heart raced, palms a little sweaty as he tried to play it cool.
“Hey, uh, Sungie,” Minho began, his voice a little quieter than usual, “I was wondering . . . would you want to come to the game today? I could get you a spot in the front, you know, for support.”
Jisung looked up, blinking in surprise. “Oh, yeah, sure! I’d love to come. Though I don’t know anything about basketball,” he said with a smile, not realizing the full weight of the offer. Minho’s heart skipped a beat at the easy acceptance, relief washing over him, though nervousness still lingered.
Minho felt a mix of relief and excitement as Jisung agreed to come to the game. The quiet hum of the library faded into the background as he processed the moment. He had been so nervous, but Jisung’s casual acceptance made it all feel a little easier.
“Don’t worry about the basketball part,” Minho said, trying to sound nonchalant, though his heart still raced. “I’ll just be happy knowing you’re there.”
The other nodded, still smiling, unaware of the significance behind Minho’s words. “I’ll cheer extra loud for you, then!”
Minho chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
Before the conversation could get any deeper, the door to the library creaked open, and Felix poked his head in, spotting the two of them immediately.
“There you guys are!” Felix whispered loudly, trying to maintain the library’s quiet atmosphere but failing. “I’ve been looking for you, Jisungie. Minho are you planning on stealing my best friend?”
Minho looked up at Felix, trying to mask his surprise with a grin. “Steal your best friend? Says the one who’s dating one of my best friends,” Minho teased, though some of him liked spending more time with Jisung.
Felix laughed, stepping further into the library and joining them at their table. “T ouché, Minho.”
—
After school, Jisung and Felix were walking home as usual. “Are you going to the basketball later?” Jisung asked casually.
Felix looked up from his phone. “Yeah, of course. Binnie invited me. Why?”
“Really? Funny, Minho also invited me.”
But he suddenly stopped walking when Felix nearly dropped his phone. “Wait, wait, wait. Minho asked you to the game?”
“Yeah, just this morning. Why?”
Felix’s eyes went wide, and a grin spread across his face. “Dude . . . Minho’s asking you out.”
Jisung’s mouth fell open in shock. “ What?! He’s asking me out? As in . . . like . . . like that?” He was so speechless that he couldn’t find the exact words to say.
Felix nodded, smirking. “Yeah, genius. It’s a big deal.”
It’s a bold move considering how much it meant at their high school. If a player invited someone to their game, it wasn’t just a casual invitation—it was essentially asking them out, and everyone would know. But Jisung, being completely oblivious to this unwritten rule, had accepted it without thinking much of it.
Jisung groaned, covering his flustered face with his hands, and crouching down as Felix laughed beside him.
Felix knelt next to him, patting his back with a teasing smile. “I thought you knew about these kind of things. I mean, everyone knows what it means when a player invites you. You watch football games.”
“Well, clearly I didn’t! I don’t pay attention to these kind of things!” Jisung peeked through his fingers, his face still red. “And I only watched football games because I’m in marching band!” His expression was a mix of embarrassment and panic as he sat on the edge of the sidewalk near the road. “Why does no one tell me these things?”
Felix couldn’t stop laughing, clearly enjoying the situation. “Dude, this is so funny. You’re over here thinking it’s just a normal invite, and Minho’s probably been sweating about it for days.”
“This is so bad, Felix. I can’t believe I didn’t know,” Jisung mumbled, his mind spinning. He’d developed feelings for Minho without even realizing it, but this changed everything.
The blonde sat down next to him on the sidewalk, still grinning. “Well, now you do. And hey, Minho never has asked anyone to his game. That’s gotta count for something.”
Jisung peeked over at Felix, still flustered. “I mean . . . I don’t even know what to do. Like, how am I supposed to act? I didn’t even realize it was . . . a date when I said yes!”
Felix leaned back on his hands. “Just be yourself, Sung. That’s clearly what Minho likes about you. You don’t have to change anything. You already said yes, so just go, enjoy the game, and see where things go.”
Jisung sighed, leaning his elbows on his knees, trying to calm his racing thoughts. “Yeah . . . I guess you’re right. I do like spending time with him, and it’s not like I’m completely against the idea . . .”
Felix raised an eyebrow, smirking at the admission. “Oh? Sounds like someone’s developed a crush.”
Jisung lightly shoved Felix’s shoulder, blushing furiously. “Shut up. I’ll figure it out. But I can’t believe this is my first date without even knowing it.”
Felix laughed softly, standing up and pulling Jisung to his feet. “Just don’t overthink it. Go to the game and cheer for him. Minho’s a good guy, and it’s clear he likes you.”
Jisung still looked uncertain but nodded. “Okay. I’ll try not to freak out.”
Felix wrapped his arm around Jisung’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit! Now let’s go home. Then we’ll meet later.”
—
When Jisung got home, he immediately dropped his backpack by the door and collapsed onto his bed, groaning into his pillow. His mind was racing, replaying Felix’s words over and over again. “Minho’s asking you out!”
He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling, his heart still pounding from the news. “Oh my gosh, what do I do?” He muttered to himself, his face still flustered with embarrassment. He couldn’t believe he had been so oblivious. A game invite from a player on the team means a date? How did I miss that?
Grabbing his phone, Jisung opened a group chat with some of his closest friends.
jislayed (14:26)
GUYS
IM FREAKING OUT
mini_verse (14:27)
what now sungie
hyungelic (14:27)
lol what did you do this time
jislayed (14:27)
MINHO ASKED ME TO HIS BASKETBALL GAME
hyungelic (14:27)
wait
MINHO?
LEE MINHO?
AS IN STAR BASKETBALL PLAYER LEE MINHO??
mini_verse (14:28)
no shit hyunjin
do we have another lee minho who plays basketball?
hyungelic (14:28)
how could you be like this to me, minnie :(
but anyways
HES ASKING YOU OUT??
jislayed (14:28)
KJSDBVKLBSVHC
YES
wait you guys know about the whole “game invite from a player on the team” thing??
hyungelic (14:28)
ofc
practically the whole school knows about that unofficial rule
mini_verse (14:28)
i’m guessing jisung found out recently after he was asked
seems like jisung
jislayed (14:29)
WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN??
mini_verse (14:29)
it means you’re super oblivious except when it comes to music sungie
hyungelic (14:29)
yeah, like, how did you not know
this is literally a thing
jislayed (14:29)
OKAY I GET IT
I WAS CLUELESS
mini_verse (14:29)
honestly, i saw this coming
jislayed (14:29)
what do you mean?
hyungelic (14:29)
OOH
i know what you’re talking about
jislayed (14:30)
huh??
mini_verse (14:30)
i mean do you not see the way he looks at you with heart-eyes
how he always seems nervous when he’s like in the same room as you
hyungelic (14:30)
the way he blushes when you talk to him
mini_verse (14:30)
and the way he’s always trying to impress you
he even cooked for you
jislayed (14:31)
WHAT
i thought he was just being nice
hyungelic (14:31)
nope, he’s totally into you
anyways enjoy the game
jislayed (14:31)
WAIT YOU CAN JUST LEAVE ME LIKE THAT AFTER DROPPING THAT INFO ON ME
I CANT THINK STRAIGHT RN
mini_verse (14:31)
that’s cause you’re gay
hyungelic (14:31)
HAHAHAHA
jislayed (14:32)
yk what nvm fuck yall
mini_verse (14:32)
rather not
that’s minho’s job
jislayed (14:32)
KIM SEUNGMIN STFU
—
When Felix got home after dropping off Jisung at his house. He immediately goes on his phone to text someone.
yong.lixxx (14:34)
MINHO
YOU ASKED JISUNG TO THE GAME??
linowzz (14:37)
yeah ofc
why??
yong.lixxx (14:37)
so like
he didn’t know it was a big thing at our school
linowzz (14:37)
WHAT??
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
yong.lixxx (14:38)
oh my gosh bitch, yes
jisung didn’t know about the whole “game invite from a player on the team = date” rule
he got so embarrassed when i told him about it
it was funny
linowzz (14:38)
so that’s why he accepted it so easily
i thought it was too good to be true
oh my gosh did i mess up?
yong.lixxx (14:38)
nah, yk how oblivious jisung can be
he’s still coming don’t worry
he’s just processing the whole “date” thing now
linowzz (14:39)
processing?
yong.lixxx (14:39)
relax min
he’s just embarrassed
and i think he likes you too
so trust me you’ll be fine
linowzz (14:39)
you think he likes me back?
yong.lixxx (14:40)
smh
yes min
i’ve seen the way he looks at you sometimes
he’s just clueless when it comes to this stuff like love
but yeah i’m pretty sure he’s into you
linowzz (14:40)
i’m freaking out lix
yong.lixxx (14:40)
relax you’re overthinking it
just be yourself
in plus after all these years, you finally have the courage to talk to him and have been hanging out with him for weeks
linowzz (14:41)
you’re right
i’ve already come this far
yong.lixxx (14:41)
exactly
just focus on the game tonight and the rest will fall into place
linowzz (14:41)
alright, thanks, lix
yong.lixxx (14:41)
no problem! just trust the process
but you should’ve seen his reaction
[Inserts image of a flustered Jisung sitting down while hiding his face, completely oblivious to the camera].
linowzz has saved a photo to their camera roll (14:42)
linowzz (14:42)
oh shit
yong.lixxx (14:42)
BITCH
yong.lixxx took 8 screenshots of the chat (14:42)
LMFAO
linowzz (14:42)
REALLY?
one is fine but eight??
BUT CAN YOU BLAME ME?
he looks so cute :(
i just want to keep him in my arms and hide him forever from this cruel world
yong.lixxx (14:43)
you’re so whipped for jisung
linowzz (14:43)
i know okay?!
im losing it over here
yong.lixxx (14:43)
OKAY BYE
—
It was 16:53, and Felix and Jisung had just arrived on the school grounds. The late afternoon sun was already casting long shadows across the pavement as they walked towards the gym, the school’s atmosphere buzzing with pre-game energy. Jisung nervously glanced around, his hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets, trying to keep calm.
It had just opened not too long ago and the JV team was already on the court, going through their warm-ups. The squeak of shoes on the polished floor and the rhythmic bounce of basketballs echoed through the entrance as they stepped inside.
“You okay, Sungie?” Felix asked, glancing over at him. Seeing the way he fidgeted with the straps of his backpack and his shoulders were tense.
Jisung let out a shaky breath, pulling at his hoodie strings. “Yeah . . . just nervous,” he muttered, his eyes darting around the gym.
Felix gave him a reassuring smile, nudging his shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Just breathe and relax. It’s not like this is your first time watching a game”
Jisung sighed, though a small, nervous smile crept onto his face. “Easy for you to say . . . Changbin always asks you his games. Also, the fact that Minho was asking me out.” His voice was low, almost himself. Felix laughed softly when he heard the other.
As on cue, Changbin appears in front of him, smiling—mostly at Felix. “Hey, you guys made it!” He greeted, beaming. “You guys can sit here,” he added, guiding them to a section of the bleachers reserved for the basketball players.
Jisung hesitated, feeling out of place in the special section, but Felix didn’t seem to mind at all. He followed Changbin without a second though, and Jisung trailed behind, his stomach still in knots. Sitting with players meant being even closer to Minho during the game, and the thought made his heart race all over again.
“Relax, Sungie,” Felix whispered as they sat down with Changbin sitting on the other side of Felix, nudging him again. “You’ll be fine.”
Jisung nodded, though the butterflies in his stomach were far from settling down.
Later, as the JV team began their game, the gym erupted with cheers and applause. The energy was contagious, but Jisung was too focused on his nerves to enjoy it. He shifted in his seat, still trying to calm the butterflies in his stomach.
Felix and Changbin were being lovey-dovey with each other beside him, but Jisung’s attention was elsewhere. His eyes scanned the court, looking for any sign of Minho. Just as he let out a breath, he spotted Minho on the other side of the court.
Minho’s eyes swept across the bleachers, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. When his gaze finally landed on Jisung, his expression lit up. For a moment, their eyes met, and Jisung felt a jolt run through him. Minho’s grin widened, and Jisung’s face immediately flushed, his heart pounding even faster than before.
The purple-haired didn’t hesitate to start heading towards Jisung. His approach was confident, and his stride was purposeful.
When Minho finally reached the section where Jisung was sitting, he sat next to Jisung, flashing him a warm, welcoming smile. “I’m glad you could make it. Felix told me that you panicked when you found out. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Jisung’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red at Minho’s words. He shifted slightly, unconsciously moving closer to Minho like a magnet, trying to hide his nervousness. “Oh, no, it’s not your fault. I was just a little surprised.”
Minho chuckled softly, his eyes full of warmth as he also moved closer to the other. “I understand. I should’ve been more straightforward with it, huh?”
Jisung felt a shiver of warmth from Minho’s proximity. “Yeah, maybe a little more direct would’ve helped,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady despite his racing heart. “But I’m here now, so . . .”
Minho’s smile grew, clearly pleased. “I’m really glad you came. I was hoping you would.”
He wrapped an arm over Jisung’s shoulder, pulling him closer. “Is this okay?” He asked, not wanting to push his boundaries.
“When have I ever complained?”
Minho’s smile widened at Jisung’s response, his heart fluttering at the easy-going nature of their interaction. He adjusted his arm to make sure Jisung was comfortable and gave a gentle squeeze as they leaned back into the row behind.
Jisung’s nerves seemed to settle a bit with Minho’s reassuring presence. He relaxed against Minho’s side, feeling a pleasant warmth from closeness.
As the game continued, Jisung found himself more engrossed in the action on the court, but he also couldn’t help stealing glances at Minho. Each time their eyes met, he felt a thrill that made the butterflies in his stomach dance.
Felix secretly took pictures of the cute pairing and whispered to his boyfriend, Changbin.
—
As the JV game was about to end—with eight minutes left—, Minho caught Jisung’s attention before he headed off to change.
“Hey, Sungie,” Minho said, guiding him into the locker room. The space was quiet but in the background, there was the distant buzz of the gym. Minho looked a bit nervous but hopeful. “Can I ask you something?”
Jisung nodded, glancing around the room. “Sure, what’s up?”
Minho took a deep breath. “Since my team’s up next, I was wondering if you’d wear my jersey for the game.”
Jisung’s eyes widened slightly. “Wear your jersey? Like, as in, actually put it on?”
The other nodded, his gaze steady. “Yeah, I have a spare jersey in my locker.”
Jisung’s cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and excitement. “Are you sure? I mean, I’d be honored, but I don’t want to intrude.”
Minho’s smile widened, showing his genuine enthusiasm. “Of course I’m sure. I’d love for you to wear it.”
Jisung’s nervousness began to melt away as he met Minho’s earnest gaze. “Okay, then. I’ll wear it,” giving a small smile.
Minho handed Jisung a neatly folded jersey from his locker, the red and white colors clearly visible. Jisung took the jersey, feeling a warm glow of affection, holding it up to look at it more clearly.
He slipped the jersey over his hoodie, the fabric loosely on him. It was indeed a bit big, but it added a casual comfortable vibe. The red and white colors contrasted sharply with his hoodie, making him stand out even more.
It even smells like him, he thought as he looked down at it.
Minho, who had just finished changing, re-entered the locker room and couldn’t help but stare at the sight of Jisung in his jersey. He didn’t say anything, admiring him.
Jisung noticed his presence, looking up. “How do I look?”
But Minho didn’t respond as he continued to stare at him and walked closer to Jisung. He drew his lower lip between his teeth. The other tilted his head a bit at the sudden silence. His eyes widened and breathing hitched for a second when Minho lifted a hand to his right cheek.
His touch was gentle and warm against Jisung’s cheek. The gesture was tender and intimate, and Jisung found himself leaning into it almost instinctively. His heart raced, and the anxiety building up seemed to melt away in the warmth of Minho’s touch.
Minho’s eyes softened as he looked at Jisung, his expression filled with both admiration and affection. “Can I . . . can I kiss you?” His voice was almost barely a whisper.
The other’s breath caught in his throat at Minho’s question. His heart pounded in his, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The love in Minho’s eyes and the soft, almost hesitant tone of his voice left Jisung feeling euphoria and nervous anticipation.
His eyes searched Minho’s face, trying to gauge the sincerity of the moment. The warmth of Minho’s hand on his cheek felt comforting, and the way he looked at him made Jisung feel special and cherished.
He nodded slowly, his barely above a whisper. “Yes, please.”
Minho’s smile widened, a look of pure happiness and relief crossing his face. He leaned in—as he was an inch taller than Jisung—, his gaze never leaving Jisung’s, and gently pressed his lips to Jisung’s. His free hand finds its place on Jisung’s waist, pulling him closer while Jisung’s fingers lightly tangled in Minho’s hair. The kiss was soft and tender, conveying a deep emotion that words could hardly express.
Jisung melted into the kiss. It was a moment he had dreamed about, and now it was happening. The kiss was slow, each movement carefully measured as if they were savoring every second of the moment. Time seemed to stretch as they lost themselves in each other, the rhythm of their breaths mingling. Each kiss was a whisper of affection, every touch a promise.
When they finally parted when they had to stop to breathe, Minho’s eyes were soft and full of love, and Jisung’s cheeks were flushed with joy and shyness. Minhp’s thumb gently brushed across Jisung’s cheek, and he offered a radiant smile.
“You look amazing in the jersey,” Minho said softly, his voice filled with warmth. “I really like you, Sungie, for a very long time.”
Jisung’s heart swelled at Minho’s confession, and a shy smile spread across his face. The fondness in Minho’s gaze and the sincerity of his words made Jisung feel more cherished than ever before.
“I really like you, too. I can’t believe it took me all these years to realize how I truly feel about you,” Jisung admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “This moment feels like a dream.”
Minho’s smile grew even warmer, his heart swelling with joy. He gently cupped Jisung’s face with both hands, his thumb brushing tenderly across his cheek. “I’m glad you feel the same,” he whispered, his voice full of emotion. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.”
His eyes near leaving Jisung’s. “I hope this is the start of something amazing for us,” he said softly.
Jisung’s heart fluttered at his words, and he felt his pulse quicken, the warmth of Minho’s hands on his face grounding him in the moment. His emotions swirl, a mix of joy, excitement, and a sense of peace washing over him. He gently rested his hands on Minho’s, leaning into the touch.
“How about this? If you win today’s game, you can take me on a date tomorrow,” Jisung said.
Minho’s eyes widened at Jisung’s words, his heart skipping a beat. A huge grin slowly spread across his face as he processed what Jisung had just said. “A date?” Minho repeated, his voice tinged with excitement and disbelief.
Jisung nodded, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yeah. Win the game, and you can take me on a date.”
Minho’s competitive spirit flared up, his gaze locking with Jisung’s. “Oh, it’s on now,” he said, a determined edge in his voice. “I’m going to win this game for you, Sungie. You better be ready for that date.”
Jisung laughed softly, his heart racing as he saw the fire in Minho’s eyes. “I’ll be waiting,” he teased. Then Jisung caught him off guard by giving a quick kiss on the lips once again.
Minho froze for a moment, eyes wide as Jisung’s lips brushed his once more in that brief, playful kiss. A deep blush spread across his cheeks.
Jisung pulled back with a mischievous grin, enjoying the look of surprise on Minho’s face. “Consider that extra motivation,” Jisung teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Minho blinked, then broke into a breathless laugh. He gently rested his forehead against Jisung’s, his hands reaching Jisung’s waist. “You’re playing dangerous games, Sungie,” Minho murmured, his voice low but filled with fondness. “But I like it.”
Jisung chuckled, feeling a warm sense of happiness settle in his chest. “Then make sure you win, or you won’t get another one of those.”
Minho pulled back slightly, his expression becoming serious but still full of affection. “Oh, I’m winning, no doubt about that. I’ll win that date and everyone after.”
Jisung’s playful demeanor softened at his words, and he nodded, his smile genuine. “I’m looking forward to it.”
With that, Minho leaned in one last time, planting a soft kiss on Jisung’s forehead before pulling away completely. “Time for me to go crush this game. You’ll be watching, right?”
Jisung nodded, his smile still lingering. “I’ll be cheering for you the whole time.”
“Good,” Jisung said, his confidence returning. He took one last look at Jisung in his jersey, then turned towards the locker room door, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. “Get ready for that date, Sungie.”
As Minho jogged out of the room, Jisung stood there for a moment, heart fluttering and smiling wide. He adjusted the jersey he was wearing, feeling the excitement of the game and the promise of what was to come.
—
“Dude, where have you been? You missed it. Also, why does Minho look—“ Felix started, his voice trailing off when he spotted Jisung.
His eyes widened as they took in Jisung’s flushed face and, more importantly, the red and white jersey—with a big eight on the back—hanging loosely on his frame. Felix froze mid-sentence, mouth slightly open, before he burst out laughing, pointing at the jersey.
“Wait . . . is that Minho’s jersey?” Felix’s voice was full of disbelief and amusement. His eyes darted from the jersey back to Jisung’s clearly flustered face. “Dude, what happened?”
As other students noticed the scene, whispers began to spread, all eyes on Jisung in Minho’s jersey. Jisung shifted uncomfortably under the attention but couldn’t help the small, shy smile forming on his lips.
Jisung groaned as he slumped down in his seat, rolling his eyes at Felix’s teasing, though the redness in his cheeks deepened. “It’s nothing, really,” he mumbled, trying to deflect the attention.
Felix’s grin widened as he scooted closer to Jisung, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Oh, come one. You expect me to believe that ? Minho came back looking like he’s had the best makeout session of his life, and you’re sitting here wearing his jersey? There’s no way that’s ‘nothing’.”
Jisung felt his face grow even hotter, his heart racing. “Felix, seriously,” he muttered, avoiding his friend’s knowing gaze. “It’s not like that.”
Felix chuckled, clearly enjoying how flustered Jisung was. “Right, right,” he said, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. “You’re just casually wearing his jersey for fun?”
Jisung opened his mouth to protest, but Felix cut him off, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Dude, did you guys kiss? Is that what happened?”
Jisung’s silence—and the way he bit his lip, glancing away—was all Felix needed to confirm his suspicions. Felix’s eyes widened in realization, and a loud, dramatic gasp escaped his lips.
“You did kiss him, didn’t you?!” Felix practically yelled, causing even more heads to turn in their direction.
Jisung’s eyes went wide as he grabbed Felix’s arm, pulling him down to lower his voice. “Felix, shh!” He hissed, glancing nervously around at the growing crowd of curious students.
Felix glanced over at the other students who were still whispering, their gazes flickering between Jisung and the court where Minho’s team was warming up. “Sung, I hate to break it to you,” Felix said, leaning in again, “But everyone’s talking about you two now. Minho practically sprinted out of the locker room with his hair all messed up and the biggest grin on his face. I think the whole school knows something’s up.”
Jisung’s stomach flipped at Felix’s words. But before he could respond the buzzer went off, signaling the time for warm-ups was halfway. His attention immediately shifted to the court, where Minho’s team was lining up for another warm-up. His eyes found Minho almost instantly—he looked focused, confident, and undeniably attractive in his uniform.
“Yes. We kissed. It was when we were in the locker room,” he admitted, his voice quiet.
The other’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as Jisung finally confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I knew it!” Felix whispered excitedly, punching Jisung lightly on the arm. “You kissed in the locker room? No wonder Minho looked like that.”
Jisung groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Felix, please, keep it down. I don’t want everyone to know.” He could still feel the weight of eyes on him, and it was making his heart race faster than it already was.
Felix leaned in closer. “Okay, okay, but you have to tell me more. How did it happen? Did he kiss you first? Was it, like, romantic or spontaneous?”
Jisung peeked at Felix from between his fingers, his blush deepening as he remembered the moment. “It was . . . kind of both, I guess. We were talking, and it just . . . happened. I don’t even know how to explain it.”
Felix nodded eagerly, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “I can’t believe you guys kissed. And now you’re wearing his jersey? That’s like . . .peak relationship goals.”
Jisung couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. “It’s not a relationship . . . yet,” he mumbled the last word.
Felix’s grin only widened, his eye sparkling with mischief. “Oh? Yet ?” he repeated, dragging out the word. “So, you’re saying there’s a chance, huh?”
Jisung only blushed, his gaze looking anywhere but Felix. “I might’ve told him, if he wins this game, he can take me on a date tomorrow.”
Felix’s eyes practically lit up at Jisung’s admission. He slapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter, his shoulders, shaking with glee. “Oh my gosh, Sungie, you did not,” he whispered, wide-eyed. “A date?!”
Jisung nodded, his blush deepening as he avoided the other’s gaze. “It just kind of came out,” he muttered.
Felix leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms with a smug expression. “Well, I guess Minho’s about to play the game of his life, then.” Jisung laughed slightly, glancing at the court where Minho was shooting effortlessly. The sight of him, looking so confident and composed, made his heart flutter.
—
The game ended with a close call, when the final buzzer went off indicating end of game, the crowd erupted into cheers. Minho had secured the win with a last-minute shot, sealing his team’s victory by just a few points. The gym was alive with excitement, students chanting and celebrating as the team huddled together on the court, congratulating each other.
Jisung stood frozen in the stands, heart racing, unable to tear his eyes away from Minho. His breath caught as he watched Minho smile, basking in the team;s victory. He looked absolutely radiant—sweaty and tired, but undeniably happy.
Felix elbowed Jisung with a knowing grin. “Well, looks like you owe someone a date.”
Jisung couldn’t stop the smile creeping onto his face. “I guess I do.”
Minho’s eyes found his from across the court, and for a split second, it felt like time had slowed. The smile on Minho’s face shifted into something softer, more intimate, as walked towards Jisung, still catching his breath.
But before Minho could take more than a few steps, Jisung suddenly bolted from the stands, rushing straight at him. Minho barely had time to react before Jisung jumped into his arms, his hand holding the back of his head. Surprised, but quick on his feet, Minho instinctively caught him, his hands settling securely around Jisung’s waist.
Laughter bubbled out of both of them into the background. Jisung’s hand rested behind Minho’s head, fingers curling into his hair as the momentum of the spin sent them both into a whirlwind of dizzying joy.
Minho’s eyes widened in delight, the corners of his mouth lifting into the brightest smile Jisung had ever seen. “Sungie,” Minho breathed out, his voice filled with disbelief and happiness, “What are you doing?”
Jisung laughed, his face flushed with excitement. “Celebrating your win, obviously!” He said breathlessly, as they stood there not a care in the world. “I told you if you won—”
“That we’d go on a date tomorrow,” Minho finished for him, his voice soft but full of anticipation.
Jisung’s heart skipped a beat at how close their faces were, the warmth of Minho’s breath on his skin making his stomach flutter. He nodded, his grin never faltering. “A promise is a promise, right?”
Minho chuckled, his grip tightening around Jisung, their faces mere inches apart. “Right,” he whispered, his eyes searching Jisung’s for a moment before his smile grew even wider. “I’m holding you to that.”
The cheers from his teammates and the crowd became a distant hum as they stood there, wrapped up in each other’s arms, everything else fading into the background. At the moment, it was just the two of them, hearts racing and smiles bright, as if the world existed solely for them.
End.