Chapter Text
If you asked anyone walking the halls of Seoul Central High School who they consider the golden boy to be, the most probable answer would be Kim Seungmin. And honestly – they weren’t wrong. He has outstanding grades, was elected as captain of their school’s varsity baseball team, and most importantly–he’s handsome as hell.
Seungmin’s aware of how he’s perceived. However–contrary to popular belief–he hates it. He hates when girls come up to him, he hates when people praise him for every little thing he does – but there is one thing Kim Seungmin hates the most.
The rumors.
For some reason people seem to believe that he’s like those popular guys in American movies – those who sleep around and date a new girl every week – and he finds it hilarious – considering he’s dated one girl in his life. And well– she was the reason he found out he’s gay.
In conclusion, Kim Seungmin hates the attention.
But there’s one form of attention that he accepts.
The note that just fell out of his locker.
It happens everyday. He walks into school, opens his locker, and a note falls out every time. He believes they started appearing a day after the results for baseball tryouts came out around a month ago – in February – where he was unsurprisingly placed on the Varsity team again and was selected as the team’s captain.
The first one went like this:
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
Dear Kim Seungmin,
I saw the roster for the Varsity baseball team–and I’m not surprised you made it in again! I was watching you at tryouts–not to sound like a creep! I totally did just sound like one… didn’t I? Okay I’m losing track of things– you were definitely dominating the field at tryouts, and it wasn't even a real game! I guess that’s what happens when you truly love something… Anyway – have a great day and don’t stop smiling!
– J.one
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
That was the first note, and the beginning of something beautiful. Every day, a new note from this unknown person would appear in his locker. Sometimes they talked about something specific Seungmin did–but most of the time he got simple messages like you look beautiful today or you played well yesterday. There was always something–and Seungmin adored it. He soon found himself to be looking forward to the notes–wondering what they would say.
Now it’s March – a month later – and he’s once again grabbing another note.
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
Dear Kim Seungmin,
I came to school today expecting to suffer through a day of boring classes – but no. I heard some girls whispering to each other – well they thought they were at least – and I heard your name. I listened into their conversation and I found out the craziest news ever… you dyed your hair!
I can’t believe it!
I saw you walking down the hall and god I think I actually passed out. Are you insane? Blonde on you is literally just… Needless to say, I had to walk away ‘cause I think if I didn’t you would've thought I was crazy or something. Also because you would’ve been disappointed if you found out who I am. Anyway yeah… I guess I just wanted to say that it looks good on you.
– J.ONE
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
Seungmin huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
Whoever this J.one is, they have a way of making the smallest things feel bigger than they actually are. He carefully folded the note along its creases, more gently than necessary really, and slipped it into his pocket delicately.
He really wished he knew who they were.
And for a second, just a second, he let himself imagine it. A face, a voice, someone standing in front of him instead of hiding behind ink and paper. Before the moment shattered completely.
“Can you believe I have another physics test today? I literally had one yesterday and I’m just so – so fucking done with this class and that bitch of a teacher that if it wasn't a graduation requirement I would stick my pencil up his white – hairy a–”
Seungmin’s eyes widened. “Hyunjin – shut up! People are staring.” Seungmin said as he covered Hyunjin’s mouth – stopping him from finishing his sentence, then smiled politely at the neighboring students who looked at Hyunjin like he’d grown a second head.
Hyunjin glared at him – about to counter with something, but then his eyes trailed down – noticing the small white paper that Seungmin was still holding.
He gestured to the note, leaning on his locker with his eyes crossed – a smug smile on his face.
“Another one? Whoever this person is – they’re hella dedicated. Have you found any clues about who they might be?”
Seungmin sighed – looking down at the note with an undecipherable look.
“No. I have no idea of who they could possibly be and it’s actually eating me alive. I mean – who the hell could J.one be? I don’t even know if they’re a woman or a man.” Seungmin said, clearly frustrated – looking back up at Hyunjin who held a sympathetic look towards the younger.
He put his hand on his shoulder – as if to reassure him. “It’s okay Seungminnie. You’ll find out who they are eventually – they can’t be slick for so long. Anyway I have to go to physics unless I want to fail again.” He paused with a laugh – then his face changed to one of understanding. “I really hope you find them Seungminnie – I believe you will.” Then with a pat on Seungmin’s shoulder, he left.
Seungmin smiled at his friend’s retreating form. I hope I find them too.
☾𖤓☾𖤓☾𖤓
When Seungmin stepped into the batter’s box, the stadium went silent. Everyone knew how good of a hitter he was – and clearly the glaring pitcher in front of him was aware too. He positioned himself into stance without breaking eye contact with the pitcher and brought his bat up with a look that just screamed raw – utter confidence. The mystery person is right, baseball really is his element.
He focused on the ball flying towards him, and hit.
“Homerun!”
He smirked. That was his second homerun of the game. He ran through the bases until he got to home plate – and that's how the 7th inning finished. Cheers erupted through the air – everyone chanting Seungmin’s name. He scanned the stadium – a feeling of accomplishment growing deep in his chest. His teammates rushed to him, voices overlapping, hands clapping his back—but it all blurred together into noise.
He barely registered the noise.
Instead, his eyes drifted, scanning the stands without really thinking — searching for something he couldn’t name.
And then he found it.
Or rather—him.
Han Jisung.
Sitting a few rows up, half-hidden between people, shoulders slightly hunched like he was trying to take up less space than he already did.
Seungmin’s chest tightened in a way he couldn’t explain.
It wasn’t like Jisung was doing anything special. He wasn’t cheering loudly, wasn’t waving, he wasn’t even looking in his direction.
But still. He was there — looking so goddamn perfect.
Seungmin likes to think he’s good at handling people—he has to be, with the way attention seems to follow him everywhere he goes. Conversations usually come easy, confidence even easier. But that all seemed to disappear the day Han Jisung walked into his calculus class.
It was something stupid, really—the oversized blue sweater, the way he hesitated at the door like he wasn’t sure he belonged there, the small pout on his lips as he scanned the room for a seat. Seungmin had noticed him instantly, and somehow, he hadn’t been able to stop noticing him since.
Weeks had passed, and nothing had changed. He could step up to a plate with hundreds of eyes on him and not falter once—but the idea of walking up to Jisung, of saying something as simple as hi, made his chest tighten in a way he didn’t understand. And it frustrated him, more than anything, that out of all the people who wanted his attention, the only one he wanted seemed completely out of reach.
He tried to talk to the younger man multiple times, but he just couldn’t do it. Even with Jeongin’s help—which to be fair, wasn’t really much help.
—
Seungmin stood in front of his locker, staring at the red rose that lay inside. Jeongin—Seungmin’s best friend and forever ride or die, stood next to him wearing an annoyed expression, arms crossed impatiently. “Hyung.” Jeongin said sternly, then sighed. “Just give it to him, it’s not that hard.” Seungmin huffed. “Easy for you to say, you’re the campus flirt.”
Jeongin rolled his eyes. “At this rate, someone else will get him first. I know a lot of people who like nerds. You know, I personally li—“ Jeongin yelped when Seungmin slapped him on the head, effectively cutting his sentence short. “I get it, you like nerds! I just don’t know how to go up to him, dude.” Seungmin said as he finally looked at Jeongin, who now wore a sympathetic expression. Jeongin opened his mouth as if to suggest another way, but shut it in thought.
“Look hyung, you know I love you and always will, and I know you know that I think you’re the smartest guy I’ve ever met, but you’re acting like an idiot. Anyone here would KILL to be with you. Just go for it!” Jeongin explained, waving his arms around as if he was explaining with them. Seungmin sighed, he knew Jeongin was right, but it was just so hard to just—go up to Jisung in general.
Seungmin sighed in exasperation. And just as soon as he was about to open his mouth to counter Jeongin’s statement, the younger was already on the move—putting the rose in the older’s hand’s and turning him around in the opposite direction. When did he even pick up the rose?
Seungmin didn’t have time to dwell on that thought, considering that the very person that occupied his every thought ever since the start of senior year, was standing 5 feet away from him. Jisung was talking to his friend Felix, smiling in that soft way of his that never failed to make Seungmin’s heart clench in his chest. In all honesty, everything about Jisung was soft. His round eyes, his pouty lips, his hair that curled at his nape—
His thoughts were cut off after Jeongin pushed him—wait a minute, Jeongin pushed him towards Jisung! Seungmin was not prepared at all to face him, but unfortunately for him, because nothing can ever go right in his life, Jisung was already looking his way.
Seungmin scattered to fix himself, standing upright, trying to gain confidence to talk to the man who currently stared at him with a shy look—his right arm grasping onto his left in nervousness. Seungmin then remembered the rose in his hands, and moved to quickly hide it behind him, which completely shattered the fake confidence he previously managed to obtain. Jeongin is so dead.
”I’m so sorry about that, I uhm—uh—i’ll see you guys around.” Seungmin said as he turned around and walked towards Jeongin, grabbing his arm in the process with a dead-grip that Jeongin swore would break his arm. “You’re so fucking dead, Yang Jeongin.”
—
So yeah, Seungmin did try to talk to Jisung, but the closest he ever got to actually doing it was when who he thought was his best friend who would never in his life betray him, pushed him toward Jisung—which was utterly embarrassing to remember. He sounded like an idiot, and he probably looked stupider.
In conclusion, yeah, Jisung was too far out of reach for Seungmin.
Lee Minho, their pitcher, noticed his quietness. He placed his palm on Seungmin’s back softly, breaking the younger’s trance – who turned to look at the older.
“You okay?” Minho asks with a concerned look on his face.
Seungmin could only nod.
☾𖤓☾𖤓☾𖤓
Seungmin is absolutely done. He’s currently walking to the cafeteria after his calculus class –and he is utterly annoyed at the whispering people in his surroundings. Everyone’s talking about him, and it’s aggravating.
His annoyance dissipates thanks to seeing his friends at their lunch table – and he sighs in relief seeing that no one is trying to come up to him. He approaches the lunch table with a soft smile and ruffles Jeongin’s hair – who slaps his hand away playfully.
“Stop messing up my hair Seungmin-hyung!” Jeongin says as he fixes his flying hair back down, Seungmin just giggles.
Seungmin sits down next to Jeongin – to his left. Then a hand on his shoulder makes him yelp. He looks back and sees Chan with a devious smile on his face – satisfied that he succeeded in scaring him. Seungmin scoffs.
“Yah! Chan-hyung – I will murder you.” He says playfully, trying to make an angry face – which looked more cute rather than intimidating. Chan laughs at his intimidation attempt, and sits down to Seungmin’s left.
Jeongin smiles at the eldest innocently – which the other imitates with a wave.
“So,” Chan starts.
“I hear that you did well yesterday, Seungminnie. I’m proud of you.” He says with a soft smile, and Seungmin just huffs. “Yeah yeah, I’m tired of everyone talking about me as if I’m not right there. I mean – you’d think it's common knowledge and basic human decency that you shouldn’t talk about someone to their face. Every time it happens I just want to take my pencil out and shove it up their a–” Seungmin’s about to finish his sentence when he’s interrupted.
“Oh but when I say it – it’s a problem, Seungmin-ah?” Hyunjin asks sarcastically, walking over to them – Minho next to him. Seungmin was about to reply until he spotted a figure walking out of the cafeteria – Jisung.
Minho, the observant that he is – noticed his friend’s distant stare and looked back in the direction Seungmin’s eyes were set – but by then Jisung was gone. He turned back to look at Seungmin, who was now standing up. “What are you looking at, Seungmo?”
Seungmin shakes his head, dismissing him, and then faces his friends again. “Hey guys – I have something to do real quick, I’ll be back.” And without waiting for a response, he left the cafeteria.
He walked around the hallways – even peeking through classroom windows to find the shorter boy. And then he heard a melody.
He follows the sound of chords penetrating through the air, and he suddenly finds himself standing in front of the music room. The sound is louder from here – and he can make out the melody of the piano clearly now.
He didn’t even realize he was moving until he was standing in front of the door.
His hand hovered over the handle.
You’re being weird, he thought.
But he opened the door anyway.
There he was — Han Jisung. The cute boy in his calculus class, who somehow looked more ethereal than he already did when pushing down on the piano keys – creating a calming melody. Seungmin stood at the door like an idiot, listening to the boy’s playing. Jisung didn’t notice him at first, until Seungmin started walking over, the floor creaking underneath his weight.
Jisung jumped, eyes following the source of the sound that had scared him – and his eyes widened at seeing Seungmin standing there looking like a deer in headlights. Seungmin gulped, seeing the boy’s surprised face. He walked over to the older who was sitting down on the bench, and stopped at a fair distance that wouldn’t be considered weird. “Your playing is…” He pauses, exhaling softly. “…wow.”
Jisung’s cheeks reddened at the compliment. “I heard you playing from the hallway and I just thought – I have to find out who’s playing. It’s beautiful – really.” Seungmin continues. You’re pretty.
Jisung smiles shyly, looking down at his lap. “Thank you… I really appreciate it.” He says with a soft voice, which could be barely heard through the room. Seungmin smiles back at him. “Yeah of course,” he pauses. “Jisung, that’s your name right?” Bullshit, Seungmin already knows his name – just like he already knows he plays the piano, like he knows how shy the boy is – and how cute he looks right now.
Said boy looks up then with a look of surprise. He knows his name. The Kim Seungmin knows his name. He’s at a loss for words. The boy he swore wasn’t even aware of his existence until today, knows his name. It’s when Seungmin clears his throat when Jisung realizes how stupid he looks. He apologizes quietly before speaking. “Yeah, that’s my name.” He finally replies, and Seungmin smiles at the display of shyness.
Seungmin thinks for a second, contemplating whether he should voice his thoughts out loud or not. He eventually decides. “That’s a beautiful name – but that's what they say, isn't it? A pretty name for a pretty face.” He says with a smirk, and he’s satisfied when he sees the boy look down at his lap once again with a soft smile and reddening ears.
Jisung’s heart was racing. He still couldn’t believe that his crush – the guy he's been obsessing over for months was here, in the music room – his safe haven – with him. He looks back up at the taller boy’s eyes – and opens his mouth to say something, but he closes it immediately. However, when he sees Seungmin’s soft smile – he decides to go for it.
“Do you want to hear another song?” And with that question, the two spent the rest of their lunchtime together. One playing with a racing heart – and the other listening to the beautiful tune as he stared at the younger’s still flushed face.
☾𖤓☾𖤓☾𖤓
After that encounter with Jisung, Seungmin told himself he wasn’t going back.
He lasted ten minutes into lunch before he found himself outside the music room again.
It was comfortable. Not in a loud, obvious way—but in the quiet kind, where neither of them felt the need to fill every second with words.
Being there with Jisung just felt right.
Like some kind of pull he couldn’t quite explain, always drawing him back to the familiar room—and the quiet boy waiting inside.
His friends were being such a pain about it though – like now.
“Seungmin-ah, I feel like we don’t see you that much anymore! Where are you going these days, huh? You got a secret boyfriend we don’t know about?” Hyunjin whined dramatically as usual. Seungmin chuckled nervously. His friends didn’t actually know why he was always ditching them during lunch – after the first time he just started lying. He doesn’t know why.
Who is he kidding?
The honest reason why Seungmin keeps it a secret is because his friends are nosy – too nosy. As soon as they find out he’s been secretly meeting up with a guy, his friends would make a big deal out of it – and he really doesn’t want to scare Jisung off, which his friends would definitely do if they knew.
“Sorry guys, I know I haven't been around much lately. I’ve just been busy this past week, nothing bad I promise. I’m heading over to Ms. Jeong to re-take my calculus test – so don’t worry, it’s not like I'm doing drugs or something.” He lied once again. The facial expressions of the group clearly showed they didn’t believe shit. And he’s pretty sure Minho was about to say something judging by his opening mouth, but he closed it almost immediately – eyes narrowing at Seungmin.
“It’s okay Seungminnie, we understand you’re busy. You can go – we don’t wanna make you late!” Thank god for Chan. He hates to admit it but Minho’s glaring actually made him feel uneasy – does he know?
Seungmin then walked out of the cafeteria, heading over to the familiar music room.
His friends watched him leave, and as soon as he was no longer in their field of vision — Minho leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
“Kim Seungmin re-taking a calculus test? The same Kim Seungmin that got a 1570 on his SAT? Bullshit.” Minho scoffed, the others nodding and agreeing.