Mag-log inThe rest of the afternoon passed slowly.For Sean, the day felt longer than usual, as if time itself had stretched out without reason. Perhaps it was because of everything that had happened recently—the stalker, Yvo’s suspicions, and the strange tension that had settled between him and Yvo after that accidental kiss.Whatever the reason, by the time the final bell rang for the third-year students, Sean was more than ready to leave.Around him, his classmates immediately began packing their things. Some discussed dinner plans, while others complained about assignments.Sean ignored all of them.He shoved his notebook into his bag and stood.“Leaving already?” Johnny asked from the next desk.Sean glanced at him.“When have I ever stayed after class?”Johnny laughed.“Fair point.”Sean gave a lazy wave before heading out of the classroom.The hallways were noticeably quieter than usual. Freshman classes were still ongoing, and most of the students wandering around campus were upperclass
In the washroom.It was quiet.Too Silent.Only the faint dripping of water from one of the sinks echoed softly against the tiled walls.As Yvo pushed the door open, he paused almost immediately.A voice carried from inside one of the far corners near the sinks.“…Hyung, can you just stop already?”Yvo’s gaze shifted subtly.Leo stood near the mirror with his back partially turned, phone pressed tightly against his ear. He had not noticed Yvo enter yet.“I already checked on him,” Leo said in a lowered voice.A pause followed.Then he exhaled heavily, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration.“I know what you asked me to do.”Yvo remained near the entrance, silent.Leo continued speaking, quieter this time.“I delivered everything already.”A longer silence answered from the other end.Then Leo’s shoulders tensed visibly.“But this is getting out of hand.”Something about the tone made Yvo still completely.Not irritation.Curiousity.“I don’t want to keep doing this anymore.”
The room remained quiet long after Yvo disappeared into the bathroom.Sean stayed seated at the edge of the bed, unmoving, though his thoughts were anything but calm. The room suddenly felt smaller. His fingers curled against the mattress as his mind replayed the moment repeatedly against his will.That brief contact.That warmth.That unbearable stillness.Sean’s jaw tightened.“…Ridiculous.”He dragged a hand down his face and exhaled sharply, as though he could physically force the memory out of his head. But it lingered stubbornly, irritating him more than anything else.It should not matter.It did not matter.It was an accident.I’m straight. I like Lareina.From the bathroom, the soft sound of running water echoed faintly, grounding him back to reality.Sean stood abruptly and walked toward the closet, pulling out a clean set of clothes with movements that looked stiffer than usual.“I need air,” he muttered under his breath.Before leaving the room, he spoke toward the bathroo
Morning came quietly, carried in by soft light that slipped through the thin gap in the curtains.The house was still.Only the faint sounds of movement from the kitchen and the distant clink of utensils hinted that the day had already begun.Sean ran a hand through his slightly messy hair as he stepped out of the guest room, clearly lacking proper sleep. The electric fan had done little to make the night comfortable, and it showed in the slight crease between his brows.He exhaled.“I need to change.”Without much thought, he walked back toward his room, one hand resting on the doorknob before pushing it open.What he saw—Made him freeze.Yvo was already awake.Seated on the chair near the study table.And in his hands—Letters.Several of them.Opened.Sean’s eyes darkened instantly.A sharp, cold anger surged through him.“What the hell are you doing?”His voice cut through the room.Yvo did not even flinch.He simply glanced up, calm as ever, another letter loosely held between hi
Dinner was simple, but warm. Sean’s mother had prepared more than usual, filling the table with dishes that still steamed under the soft yellow light. The faint clatter of plates and utensils blended with the quiet hum of the evening. “Eat slowly,” she reminded gently, placing more food onto Yvo’s plate. “You’re injured.” Yvo nodded politely. “Yes, Auntie. Thank you.” Sean sat across from him, watching despite himself. Yvo’s movements were slower, more careful, his posture slightly stiff from the pain. “You look like you’ll drop that any second,” Sean muttered. Yvo glanced up. “Then stop staring.” Sean scoffed and looked away. For a while, only silence and the soft sounds of dinner filled the space. After they finished, Sean gathered the plates without much comment and brought them to the sink. His mother followed shortly after, wiping her hands on a towel. “I’ll prepare the room,” she said. Sean paused. “The guest room?” he asked. “Yes, of course,” she replie
The bus was almost full when they boarded. Sean stood near the middle rail, one hand gripping the overhead handle while the other held his bag close. Yvo sat beside the window, looking unusually quiet. The vehicle moved forward with a slight jolt. Sean glanced down at him. “Try not to fall asleep. We’re almost there.” Yvo did not respond. A few minutes passed. The bus turned onto a busy road, stopping and starting repeatedly. The motion was steady but slightly uneven. Then, suddenly— Yvo shifted. Without warning, he leaned his head against Sean’s shoulder. Sean froze. His entire body stiffened. “What the—” he hissed under his breath. He tried to move away instantly, lifting his shoulder slightly to push Yvo off. “Hey. What do you think you’re doing?” Yvo did not move. Instead, he muttered softly, eyes closed, “My head hurts.” Sean frowned. “Then sit properly.” “The movement is making it worse,” Yvo replied faintly. “I think I’m getting motion sickness.” Sean looked d
Sean stepped out of the stall looking steadier than he felt.He did not lift his head right away. Instead, he moved straight to the sink, as if instinct guided him there, as if the simple routine of washing his hands could restore order to everything spiraling inside him. He turned on the faucet an
Sean stumbled toward the nearest men’s restroom, his vision blurring as a cold wave swept through his body. He barely registered the concerned voices calling after him. The only thing he could focus on was the sink just inside the door. He gripped its edge as his stomach clenched violently, bile ri
The restaurant Sean had chosen glowed warmly under amber lights. Its floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the soft shimmer of the city beyond, while the faint hum of evening traffic outside blended with the mellow jazz playing inside. The air carried the comforting scent of roasted garlic and freshly
Sean barely had time to catch his breath before his classmates swarmed him, clapping his back and tousling his hair until it stuck up in every direction.“Champion!” someone shouted.“You ran like you were on fire!” another laughed.“Free lunch on you, man!”The circle tightened, voices blending in







