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"So, Chan, when are you gonna talk to that boy?" Minho asked, raising his eyebrow. Chan and his gang were sitting in their favourite café, discussing a very serious topic—Chan's crush.
"His name is Seungmin, Minho," Chan replied.
"That's not important, Chan. What's important is when you are going to tell him," Minho continued, taking a bite of Jisung's cheesecake.
"You sound like a dad. Don't forget I'm the dad of this group."
"Hyung, if you're gonna be like this, you'll die single," Jisung joked, making everyone laugh.
Chan mouthed, I'll kill you, only to get a deadly glare from Minho.
"We're going, guys," Changbin and Hyunjin informed the group.
"Where are you going?" Chan asked, taking a sip from his iced americano.
"I'm going on a date with Jeongin," Hyunjin jumped excitedly, already calling Jeongin to tell him to meet outside his house in fifteen minutes.
"I'm going home. Felix and I decided to make some brownies together," Changbin added, stealing a bite of Jisung's cheesecake when he wasn't looking—but Minho caught him.
They bid their farewells and exited the café, leaving Chan with Minho and Jisung.
"Hannie, let's go on a date too," Minho asked Jisung, who nodded excitedly.
"Hey, old man, talk to your boy, or else everyone will go on a date except you," Minho chuckled, though concern lingered in his eyes—he really wanted his friend to find someone for himself too. He knew how much Chan loved that boy.
Chan sighed as he watched the couples leave, a small smile forming on his lips as his mind wandered to Seungmin.
Seungmin was Chan's crush. He first met him in a convenience store where Seungmin worked. It was around midnight when Chan got a sudden urge to smoke, but he was out of cigarettes. Naturally, he went to the store. The moment he entered, he was greeted by the most beautiful smile in the world.
For a moment, Chan froze. That smile did something to him, melting his heart instantly. He cleared his throat and went to find a pack of cigarettes, though his focus stayed on the boy at the counter, who was chatting with a customer while scanning items. Chan didn't mind; all his attention was locked on that smile. He was grateful he'd chosen this store tonight.
He picked up a box of cigarettes and a cold coffee before walking to the counter. His heartbeat quickened with every step closer. Standing in front of the boy now, he finally got a proper look: almond-shaped eyes, puffy cheeks—he looked like a little puppy.
Chan's gaze never left him. As Seungmin scanned the items, he frowned slightly. Chan immediately noticed, because it didn't suit his face.
"Is something wrong?" Chan asked, a little panicked.
"Umm... I know it's not my business, but you shouldn't smoke. It's not good for your health," the puppy boy replied with a sad smile.
Chan couldn't help but smile back. The boy's concern made him fall even harder.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you," Chan responded, paying for his things.
The boy's face lit up at his answer. Chan left the store, tossing the cigarette pack straight into the trash and cracking open the cold coffee. He'd never been happier. The boy had truly stolen his heart that night.
From that day on, Chan visited the store almost daily, even for the smallest things. Each time, the puppy boy greeted him warmly, always grateful that Chan had quit smoking. Their conversations grew, and Chan learned more about him—his name was Seungmin, he was a university student, he came from a wealthy family but chose to work part-time for the experience. Chan, meanwhile, had already graduated and was working as a music composer.
These memories always brought a smile to Chan's face. Six months had passed since their first meeting, yet Chan still couldn't gather the courage to confess. His friends teased and encouraged him, but Chan remained convinced Seungmin only saw him as a friend.
One night, Chan went to the store as usual—but Seungmin wasn't there. Instead, a girl stood at the counter. It was his shift time, and Seungmin rarely took days off. Even when he did, he always told Chan beforehand. This time, he hadn't.
When Chan asked, the girl said she was covering his shift at the owner's request but didn't know more. Chan left with a cold coffee.
The next night, Seungmin was still absent. And the next. A whole week passed. Chan missed him terribly—their conversations, his laugh, his voice, those puppy eyes and cheeks. His insomnia grew worse. He wanted nothing more than to hold Seungmin and never let him go.
Sitting in the café with his friends, no one teased him anymore. They were worried too, seeing how much Seungmin's absence had affected him. Even their jokes couldn't lift his mood.
That night, Chan debated whether to visit the store again. What if he wasn't there? But what if he was? Finally, he went.
And there he was. Seungmin stood at the counter, smiling that same beautiful smile. Relief hit Chan so hard his eyes welled up, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.
Seungmin panicked, quickly taking Chan outside so people wouldn't stare. He sat him down on the bench, rubbing his back until his sobs quieted.
"Chan... what happened?" Seungmin asked softly.
Chan wiped his tears, then asked in a low voice, "Where were you the whole week?" His tone was harsher than usual, surprising even himself.
"Ah, I got a little sick. My father forced me to take leave and even arranged with the owner to cover my shifts. Sometimes he's too much," Seungmin chuckled lightly.
Chan's expression softened. Relief flooded through him—it wasn't something serious.
"I'm sorry," Seungmin added, sensing his worry.
"It's okay," Chan replied with a small smile. He couldn't stay upset, not after knowing the truth.
"I missed you," Chan whispered, shifting closer until their shoulders brushed. Maybe it wasn't the perfect place or time, but none of that mattered anymore.
"Seungmin... I like you," Chan finally confessed, smiling with nothing but love.
"Took you long enough," Seungmin chuckled.
"Wait—what? You knew?" Chan blinked in shock.
"Of course, old man. Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to say it? If you hadn't, I was planning to confess first."
Chan froze, still processing.
"That means... you like me too?"
"Yes. Actually, I love you," Seungmin said, cupping his cheeks and giving him a quick peck on the lips.
"I love you too," Chan murmured, pulling him into another kiss.
When they pulled away, Chan asked, "Be my boyfriend, Seungmin?"
Seungmin nodded immediately, the happiest smile on his face. Finally, Chan had him in his arms.
---
It's been two months since Chan and Seungmin started dating, and because of his friends' constant whining about meeting Seungmin, Chan had to set the official meeting to introduce his boyfriend.
Now, sitting with his friends at their favourite café, Chan regretted introducing his boyfriend to them—they were already friendlier with Seungmin than with him.
"And then he started crying," Seungmin teased, retelling their confession story. Everyone's eyes widened.
"Hyung, you cried?" Jeongin asked, sipping from Hyunjin's drink since his own was already finished.
"Yes, Innie. Everyone was staring, so I took him outside," Seungmin said proudly.
"It was because I saw you after a week!" Chan defended himself.
"But it was cute. I should've taken a picture. I will next time."
"It won't happen again!"
The group burst into laughter, filling the café with warmth.
That night, Seungmin stayed over at Chan's place. They cuddled on the couch, watching Frozen, wrapped up in each other's arms. For the first time, Chan felt complete.