Chapter Text
Youngjae and Jihoon were always together. Not friends, not lovers but something in between. Someone would say that they're definitely lovers and someone would say that they're just friends but they didn't deny any of the rumors. If someone came and asked them if they were dating they wouldn't deny it, it was just their thing, they were so close that it seemed that they were a married couple.
Jihoon was Youngjae's whole world, they were friends from the age of 6 and their friendship remained the same even now in 4th year of high school. Yeah, he did have other friends of course, he had a lot of them, but if Jihoon called, nobody mattered anymore, just Han Jihoon.
The story of how they met is a bit complicated but they love to remind themselves of it.
Especially Youngjae, he always reminds Jihoon of how cute he was when he was 6 and how he would give everything to that little cute Jihoon. Jihoon would joke and say something in return mostly like you wouldn't give everything to me now, in a teasing tone and Youngjae would just shove him playfully saying that of course he'll give everything to this Jihoon. It was just who they were and nobody seemed to understand their dynamic.
Youngjae loved it that way, nobody understood them so nobody could get in the way of their friendship.
They had their routines, their places and even their shared account where they posted pictures from time to time. Jihoon seemed happy and if he's happy then Youngjae is too.
So when a human with beautiful black hair and tanned skin showed up, Youngjae's world started crumbling bit by bit and his friendship started cracking crack by crack.
….
The day wasn't gloomy, it was quite the opposite. April had just started which meant spring was in almost full motion. The sun was burning into people's skin while the breeze was still a bit cold, just how Youngjae liked it.
“It's a bit cold today, don't you think?” Jihoon said to Youngjae as they were climbing the god awful stairs to the second floor. “I feel pretty fine, do you want my jacket?” Youngjae asked, as always, he liked taking care of Jihoon. “Hyuuung” jihoon whined “only couples do these things!” He said all red in the face. “Okay, okay, be cold then, i don't care.” Youngjae said with a smile.
“Hello.” A person so beautiful said even Youngjae had to step back. “Hii” Jihoon said immediately and seeing his ears get red almost instantly made Youngjae experience a new emotion. “Hi, I'm Kim Dohoon” the beautiful boy said and continued “i just got transferred to class 4-2, could you tell me where it is?” “Actual-” Youngjae started but Jihoon cut him off immediately “omg, i go to that class! I'll show you.” And just like that the two disappeared leaving Youngjae alone.
Suddenly math didn't feel as interesting as it did before when all he could think about was Jihoon's whole face getting red while looking at Dohoon. Yeah, Jihoon did get read easily, but only because of Youngjae, seeing him get all red made Youngjae feel something new, something he couldn't name yet.
….
youngjae:
jihoon
where are you?
jihoon:
in the cafeteria
why?
youngjae:
why aren't you at our table?
jihoon:
dohoon asked me to show him around!
I'm having lots of fun!!!
youngjae:
dohoon…
alright, have fun!
Dohoon again, he thought, even after a week of him transferring he still “needed” help.
Suddenly a hand smacked him and he looked up just to see Hanjin- his classmate. “Hanjin” he said, his voice monotone. “Who hurt you?” Hanjin asked, looking at Youngjae like he was a lost puppy. “Shut up” he said, smacking Hanjin.
“Okay, what happened?” He asked, more seriously now. “I don't want to talk about it!” He said and stormed off.
“Dohoon, dohoon, dohoon.” He muttered mockingly as he was climbing the stairs to his classroom.
Just then he spotted the two having the time of their lives laughing at something on Jihoon’s phone. He spent a good 5 minutes staring and just retreated to his classroom with a pout on his face.
The classroom filled with people and suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of chairs scraping and the only 4 girls in the class laughing their asses off at Hanjin as they always did. He turned to Hanjin and gestured to the door.
“Professor, could Hanjin and I go to the copy room? We need to print something for the next class” he said, signaling Hanjin to stand up.
“Of course Youngjae, just be back before the bell!” The professor said enthusiastically. “Thank you.” Youngjae bowed and left the classroom in one quick motion.
“Thank you for getting me out of this boring class, but what the fuck is wrong with you?” Hanjin asked, on the verge of laughing. “I need to talk to you about something and I'm going to burst.” Youngjae said, feeling like he could explode at any moment now.
“Jihoon has been spending so much time with Dohoon.” He blurted out before he could stop himself. “Oh, so something, or someone is bothering you.” Hanjin said, voice low and controlled as always. “YEAH, IT IS BOTHERING ME” Youngjae said, an octave louder than he usually does.
“It's just that now, they're always together. WE HADN'T HAD LUNCH TOGETHER IN 5 DAYS!” Youngjae was completely losing it at this point, he didn't even know he suppressed his feelings this much.
“Someone's jealous” Hanjin said with a smirk. “Ok zhen, let's phrase it like this. A new student comes and Kyungmin's completely head over heels over him, completely ignores you and talks to you once in a blue moon, how would you feel?” Youngjae said, watching the expression on Hanjin's face change from a smirk to something like understanding. “Oh” he said and that was all Youngjae needed to know.
“I just can't anymore, i miss him and the stupid stuff he does. There's even rumors that we broke up but we weren't even TOGETHER!” Youngjae said, letting a few tears fall down his cheeks in a slow motion.
“Okay, jae, let's calm down please.” Hanjin said, patting Youngjae's back. “He completely forgot about me.” He said, lowering his head.
“I don't know how to get his attention anymore, I can't believe I'm saying this, but i feel jealous, i feel so fucking jealous, Jihoon is only mine, who the hell Dohoon thinks he is, stealing Jihoon like that from me. Well I'm going to get back what's mine and he'll know it.” Youngjae said, standing up with full determination and something ugly settling in his chest.
…
Youngjae came back home fuming. He didn't even bother greeting his parents nor anyone, he stormed to his room with a plan.
Give Jihoon a taste of his own medicine
Just then a knock was heard, breaking him out of his thoughts. “Youngjae, are you there?” His brother - Junghwan said. “Yeah, i am” he said, praying that Junghwan doesn't keep the conversation long. “Can i come in?” “Yeah..” youngjae said with an annoyed expression.
“What's wrong?” Junghwan asked upon seeing Youngjae's expression. “Something you won't understand” Youngjae said. “Why?” “Because you're in a happy relationship.” “Oh, it's about Jihoon, isn't it?” Junghwan asked with the slightest smile on his face. “Yeah, it fucking is” youngjae said, sounding more whiny than annoyed. “Tell me what happened” junghwan asked softly.
“A new kid came a week ago and Jihoon's been completely ignoring me and just talking with that person” youngjae said, holding in his tears. “Oh.. Youngjae, are you jealous?” “YEAH, I AM! JIHOON'S ONLY MINE!” Youngjae yelled out. “Sorry hyung…” he said afterwards.
Junghwan couldn't fight the chuckle and said softly “give him a taste of his own medicine, ignore him completely and when he asks you what is wrong with you, don't answer” “i thought of the same exact thing” youngjae said, a small smile returning to his tear stained face.
“But i miss him, i want to see him again, i want to be with him, not just watch him from a distance while i cry to Hanjin”
“Well then let's do this, message him now and ask him to hang out, if he agrees to do it after the hang out and if he doesn't do it right now.” Junghwan said, patting Youngjae's back.
“Okay… thanks hyung” youngjae said, taking out his phone. “I'll be here if you need me”
youngjae:
jihoooon
are you free tomorrow after school?
jihoon:
yeah
i think
yeah, i am
why?
youngjae:
wdym why?
to hang out of course
jihoon:
oh yeah, of course
youngjae:
see you then!
jihoon:
see you!
Youngjae felt a smile forming as he thought that Jihoon was finally returned to him. He went to sleep with a smile on his face for the first time in a week.
….
Youngjae was impatient the whole school period, he practically counted every second that passed. “You're really hyped that your boyfriend's giving you attention?” Hanjin asked, a smug expression following him. “Shut up zhen” “no” “Kyungmin!” Youngjae called loudly and saw Kyungmin spawn like a game character. “Hyung!” He said, throwing himself on Youngjae. “Hanjin wants to take you out on a date” he said and just ran off. “Really?” Kyungmin's eyes lit up and basically started sparkling. “Y-yeah?” Hanjin said, failing to resist those cute eyes. “Yaaaay!” Kyungmin said and returned to his classroom.
School finally ended and Youngjae was buzzing with excitement until he saw two shadows walking towards him. “Youngjae!” Jihoon ran up to him. But Youngjae just stayed still seeing Dohoon there.
“Wasn't this supposed to be just our hang out?” He asked as loudly as he could. “Yeah.. but Dohoon was all alone so i brought him with me.” Jihoon said, scratching the back of his head. “Hope you won't mind!” “Yeah..” youngjae said, but his mind didn't agree. Fuck that bitch he thought, his chest got that ugly feeling again and he felt like he could tie Dohoon up and kill him in an instant.
“Let me introduce you two” Jihoon said, his eyes filled with sparkles. “Kim Dohoon, Choi Youngjae, Choi Youngjae, Kim Dohoon” he said as Dohoon reached out for a handshake, but Youngjae just continued walking. “Cold” Dohoon whispered and Youngjae glanced at him with so much hatred that he just looked away.
Youngjae felt like a third wheel. Dohoon and Jihoon were laughing at something completely leaving out Youngjae. He was honestly on the verge of tears. How the fuck did they meet one week ago and he's already replacing me, that thought was spinning in Youngjae’s mind until he physically couldn't take it anymore. Without announcing anything, he stood up and left.
The walk home was painful to say the least. Tears wouldn't stop streaming down his cheeks and he couldn't stop shaking. It was painful to watch. “How the fuck did i get replaced in just one week?” He said as more tears came out.
He entered his house and unlike yesterday he immediately stormed into Junghwan's room. Junghwan's expression immediately changed upon seeing all the tears Youngjae had shed. “What's wrong?” He asked, carefully wiping Youngjae's tears. “I HATE HIM, I FUCKING DO!” Youngjae just yelled and continued sobbing.
“Jihoon brought Dohoon to our hang out, and completely left me out.” He said, finally calming down. “Well, that's fucked up” Junghwan said. “YEAH, SO FUCKED UP!” “He'll see when i start treating him like he treats and when Dohoon finds someone else to toy with, he'll come back crawling to me”
….
It was around 10pm when Jihoon messaged Youngjae.
jihoon:
jae?
are you alright?
why did you leave?
what happened?
do you have a problem with dohoon?
youngjae:
well, well, look who remembered me
what do you think happened jihoon?
jihoon:
I don't know
message not sent!
wtf?
message not sent!
jae?
message not sent!
why did you block me?
message not sent!
…
The next day in school was chaotic. Jihoon immediately stormed up to Youngjae the second he saw him, but Youngjae just kept walking, paying no mind to what Jihoon was saying. “Youngjae!” Jihoon yelled a little louder and that finally seemed to get Youngjae's attention. “What?” He said coldly. “Why did you block me?” Jihoon asked desperately. “I don't know, might've slipped?” He said and left before Jihoon could do something about it.
He immediately dropped into his seat in the classroom and started crying quietly. He arrived to class early so he didn't worry about classmates seeing him. But it lived short because not even 5 minutes later Hanjin stormed in looking around until his eyes landed on a crying Youngjae.
“What happened?” He asked, getting closer to Youngjae. “Han fucking Jihoon, that's what happened” youngjae said through his tears.
“We're not in school today, let's go to my house and you'll tell me everything jae” hanjin said as he helped Youngjae up.
….
They arrived at Hanjin's apartment and Hanjin told Youngjae to sit while he made him tea. Not even 5 minutes later Hanjin put the tea on the table and Youngjae immediately grabbed it like it's the only thing keeping him alive.
“I'll wait until you calm down and then tell me everything” In situations like these Youngjae was grateful that he had someone other than Jihoon.
“Hyung, are you home?” A small voice was heard and a smile immediately formed on Hanjin's face. “Come in!” He yelled happily. Just then Kyungmin came in with loads of Youngjae's favourite snacks.
“Hyung, I'll kill Jihoon for you” he said with a smile as he threw himself on Youngjae. “Kyungmin, there's no need. I’ll kill him myself” Youngjae said with a cruel smile. “It’s that serious?" Hanjin asked, the expression on his face unreadable. “Sit, i’ll say everything now”
……
“That’s fucking messed up” Hanjin said in chinese. “What?” “I said that’s messed up” Hanjin said, looking carefully at Kyungmin. “He also cursed hehe” Kyungmin chuckled, ready to run from Hanjin. “Ya, you little shit” Hanjin said as he sat beside youngjae. “So, what’s the plan now?” “Kill him then myself” Youngjae said, expression dead serious.
“Jokes aside, i just need to avoid him, because seeing him will do more damage than good” “Okay, jae, we’ll help you with anything, and we won’t make you feel like a third wheel” Hanjin said as he took off chasing Kyungmin while throwing random chinese curses at him the whole way.
……
Youngjae arrived at school with Hanjin chatting about a new k-drama he watched. “It was so heated, the main lead was walking with his friend when suddenly the other person arrived in front of him, ready to confront him” true to Hanjin’s words, Jihoon arrived in front of Youngjae, expression furious as ever. “Youngjae, can we please talk?” He sounded desperate but his face told a completely different story. Youngjae didn’t even register Jihoon, he just grabbed Hanjin’s hand and continued walking.
“Youngjae!” Jihoon yelled but there was no answer nor Youngjae anymore, just an empty hall. “What’s wrong? Dohoon arrived, hearing the commotion. “Nothing.” Jihoon said and stormed off. “Weird” he said and continued walking.
…
It was already one month since Dohoon transferred and Jihoon seemed not to give a flying fuck about Youngjae anymore. He and Dohoon seemed so happy and the thought of seeing them two together brought the earlier jealousy he tried so hard to hide. So he did something even he knew was very wrong, but when you’re jealous you’re not in your right mind as some might say.
He found Dohoon sitting near the school gates with two drinks. “Hey, you” Youngjae said a little bit louder than usual. “Nice to meet you too” Dohoon said, offering him a drink that was probably meant for Jihoon. “I don’t know what you have with Jihoon but you need to leave him alone, understand?” Youngjae said, fury visible in his brows. “Look” Dohoon said standing up, “ i don’t know why you feel threatened by me nor what problem you might have with me, but i don’t care for your insecure ass, everyone knows you have a big fat crush on Jihoon so don’t come to confront me, it’s not my fault that i’m way better than you” Dohoon said and immediately felt a punch coming his way. “Shut your ass up” Youngjae said, red with fury. “Woah, woah, what’s happening here?” One of the professors asked and Youngjae knew he fucked up. “Youngjae hit me” Dohoon said, dramatically holding his face. “Choi Youngjae, come with me to the principal's office.” The embarrassing walk to the principal’s office was painfully long, but Youngjae was always a man of his actions so he didn’t deny anything. However the duration in the office was pretty short, he got suspended for three days and that was it. He didn’t even mind it that much.
When he came back home, Junghwan's shocked expression said it all. “Why are you here so early?” “I got suspended” he said, like that was the most normal thing in the world, which wasn’t at all because that meant losing the position for the student of the generation. “Well that's surprising” Junghwan said as he sipped on his tea. “What did you do?” he continued
“I hit Dohoon…..” youngjae said “Why?” “Because he's a fucking prick and i hate him so much.” “Reasonable, just don't let mom and dad find out” junghwan said with a smile as he finished drinking his tea.
unknown number:
you're crazy
why did you hit dohoon
youngjae:
just so you'd have something to ask
unknown number:
what's wrong
message not sent!
you can't keep blocking me!
message not sent!
youngjae you're crazy
message not sent
woah..
message not sent!
The only satisfaction Youngjae got this month was blocking Jihoon every time he tried to send him a message. It was nice seeing Jihoon getting a taste of his own medicine.
“Youngjae!” His mom called from the kitchen and his blood went cold. That yell didn't mean any good.
“Why did Miss Kim from next door tell me that you hit her son?” Shit Youngjae thought, he and Dohoon were neighbours? “He deserved it” he said, trying to keep his composure. “You're grounded” she said and Youngjae let out a sigh of relief. “Don't do anything like that anymore or your father will get involved.”
….
Honestly, being suspended was very boring. He had nothing to do all day, just lazed around his house since he was also grounded. So he did things that any rational person would do - made a stalking account to stalk Jihoon's socials.
He waited to get his follower request approved which happened pretty quickly and the first post crumbled him whole.
A picture of him and Dohoon under the caption.
7.5.2026
I love you
“Junghwan hyung!” He yelled out before starting violently sobbing. “Youngjae? What happened?” Junghwan said as he rushed down the stairs. “DOHOON AND JIHOON ARE A THING! I FUCKING WANT TO DIE!” He yelled out as more sobs tore out of him. “What does Dohoon have that I don't? Why doesn't he love me like that?”
“Two days ago, he posted this.” Youngjae said as he turned his laptop around. “Woah…” junghwan said, secretly very invested in his younger brother's life.
“I'm coming over to his house right now!” Youngjae declared before anyone could stop him.
….
“Ya! Han Jihoon! Open the door!” He yelled. Jihoon opened the door, surprised to see Youngjae there. “hello” he said weirdly. “What does Kim Dohoon have that I don't?" Youngjae said angrily. Jihoon took a few minutes then answered “so this is what changed your behaviour in April” he said carefully “jealousy” the words hit youngjae right in the chest and with hot tears rolling down his cheeks he continued.
“We were friends for more than 10 fucking years, i had and still have feelings for you since i was fucking 10, and now a random prick comes and you start ignoring me, leaving me out and building relationships!? Were we even friends?” Youngjae finishes, completely crumbling on Jihoon's doorstep.
“Of course we were Youngjae, but i just never had fee-” “OH SHUT UP! This isn't about feelings and it was never about it, you ignored a friendship of 12 years for a person you met less than a week ago, you ignored ME, left ME out, made ME feel like a third wheel, forced ME to give you a taste of YOUR own medicine and when i did it YOU didn't like it! YOU broke me, i was crying every night to Junghwan, Hanjin and Kyungmin, i felt so alone and you're here posting cute stuff with Dohoon. I genuinely thought you were a better person Han Jihoon but my heart isn't always right” “I'm sorry Youngjae…” “i don't think that an apology is enough Jihoon, goodbye, i really wish you well, i really wish that you made the right choice in the end so when we see eachother again, you'll be happy with Dohoon, I'll miss you for sure and I hope that sometimes, you'll think of me too.”
Youngjae said and looked at Jihoon's house which would be the last time he ever looked at it again. And maybe that's how it was meant to be.