Chapter 5

The morning air was still cool when Tae Min, Tae Yeon, and Haru hurried across the parking lot.

“Shotgun!” Tae Yeon declared, racing ahead and jumping into the front seat.

“You always say that,” Tae Min muttered, sliding into the back seat beside Haru.

“Buckle up, boys,” Tae Ha called gently from the driver’s seat.

“Okay, Mrs. Tae Ha!” Haru replied brightly, fastening his seatbelt.

Tae Min mumbled, “Okay, Mom,” without looking up from his phone.

“We’ll stop by Haru’s house first,” Tae Ha continued as she started the engine.

Haru straightened slightly. “Thank you, Mrs. Tae Ha. Did my mom know we’re coming?”

“I texted her before we left,” Tae Ha said with a smile. “She said she prepared your favorite dishes.”

Haru’s eyes lit up. “She did? Thank you for telling her!”

Beside him, Tae Min’s fingers paused briefly over his screen.

Favorite dishes.

He remembered the way Haru smiled at dinner last night, the way he clung to him in his sleep.

Stop thinking about that.

“You know what?” Tae Ha suddenly said. “Let’s take a picture together. I’ll pull over up ahead.”

“That’s a great idea!” Haru said, already leaning forward excitedly.

“I don’t want to,” Tae Min said flatly, eyes still glued to his phone. “I’m tired.”

“Don’t be like that,” Tae Ha laughed. “It’ll only take a second.”

“I said no.”

Before he could react, Tae Yeon snatched his phone.

“Hey!” Tae Min lunged. “Give it back!”

“Picture first!” Tae Yeon teased.

“I said give it back!”

In one swift movement, Tae Min leaned forward. Tae Yeon fell back laughing, and Tae Min’s shoulder collided with Haru’s.

For a split second, everything slowed.

Haru’s arm instinctively wrapped around Tae Min’s neck to steady him.

Their faces were close.

Too close.

Tae Min froze.

Click.

The camera flashed.

Haru blinked, then grinned. “You almost tackled me.”

Tae Min quickly pulled away, his face burning. He could feel the heat creeping up his ears.

“Give me my phone,” he muttered.

Tae Yeon handed it back, laughing. “You’re so red!”

“Shut up.”

Haru tilted his head. “Are you okay?”

“Nothing. Go away.”

Haru’s smile faded slightly. “Oh. Okay.”

Silence settled between them.

Tae Min stared at his phone, but the game screen blurred. His mind replayed the moment.

His arm around me so naturally.

Did he even notice?

He glanced sideways. Haru had put on his earphones and was staring out the window now.

Did I push him away too harshly?

“I’m not mad at you,” Tae Min said suddenly.

Haru looked at him, surprised. “I didn’t think you were.”

“I just… want to focus on my game.”

“Okay.”

But something fragile lingered in the air.

“We’re almost there,” Tae Ha announced.

“I’ll just run in quickly,” Haru said. “It’ll only take a few minutes.”

“Are you sure?” Tae Ha asked. “You can bring Tae Min with you.”

“No, it’s fine. I can go alone.”

“I’ll go,” Tae Min said abruptly.

Haru frowned. “Why?”

“I want to greet your parents.”

“You already see them all the time.”

“It’s been a while,” Tae Min insisted.

Haru studied him for a second, then shrugged. “Whatever. Just don’t be slow.”

When they arrived at Haru’s house, Haru rushed ahead.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Tae Min called.

“You’re the one who insisted on coming,” Haru replied, not slowing down.

Inside, Tae Min carefully removed his shoes and bowed deeply.

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi.”

“Good morning, Tae Min!” Aika greeted warmly. “Would you like to eat something?”

“No, thank you. I already ate.”

“We prepared extra lunch for you and Tae Yeon,” Aika added. “Please take it.”

Tae Min’s expression softened. “Thank you so much.”

Haru’s father stepped forward and handed him folded bills.

Tae Min blinked. “I can’t accept this.”

“I insist,” Mr. Takahashi said firmly. “You always look after Haru.”

Tae Min hesitated… then bowed deeply. “Thank you. I’ll share with Tae Yeon.”

As he helped pack the food, he glanced around.

“Where’s Haru?”

“He rushed upstairs,” Aika said. “I don’t know why.”

“I’ll check on him.”

Upstairs, Tae Min knocked gently.

“Haru?”

“What?” came the muffled reply.

“It’s me. Can I come in?”

“Yeah. Help me.”

Tae Min entered cautiously.

Haru was kneeling beside his bed, half his body bent under it.

“What are you doing?” Tae Min asked.

“Nothing.”

“You said help.”

“I was kidding.”

Tae Min sighed. “You’re impossible.”

He turned to leave—

—and that’s when he noticed.

Haru was stretching further under the bed, shirt lifting slightly at the back.

Tae Min’s breath caught.

He quickly looked away.

Why am I reacting like this?

“I’m going downstairs,” he muttered, leaving before his face betrayed him.

Back in the living room, Aika smiled knowingly.

“He’s still upstairs?”

“Yes,” Tae Min replied carefully.

“You should head out soon. You’ll be late.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He stepped outside, placed the food in the car—

Then paused.

This is my chance.

He turned around and walked back inside.

“Hi again,” Tae Min said, bowing once more.

Aika blinked. “Did you forget something?”

“I… wanted to ask something.”

Mr. Takahashi’s gaze sharpened. “What is it?”

Tae Min swallowed.

“Can Haru go out with me this weekend? After class.”

Silence filled the room.

“Where?” his father asked.

“Just the mall,” Tae Min said quickly. “Arcade. Maybe eat together. Maybe watch a movie.”

“Who else is going?”

“No one. Just us.”

Mr. Takahashi exchanged a glance with Aika.

“And what time will he be home?”

“Before eight,” Tae Min answered immediately. “I promise.”

“You promise to bring him home safely?”

Tae Min straightened.

“I will protect Haru at all costs.”

The words came out firm. Certain.

Not exaggerated. Not joking.

Aika’s expression softened.

After a quiet discussion, they turned back.

“We agree,” Mr. Takahashi said. “But we’ll confirm with your mother.”

Relief flooded Tae Min so suddenly his knees almost gave out.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

He bowed repeatedly, heart pounding.

He had done it.

When he returned to the car, Haru crossed his arms.

“Where were you?”

“Inside.”

“I know that. Why?”

“You’ll find out later.”

Haru narrowed his eyes. “You’re weird today.”

“Am not.”

“You are.”

Tae Ha started driving again.

“Mrs. Takahashi will text you later, Mom,” Tae Min said carefully.

“Oh? About what?”

“You’ll see.”

Haru stared at him.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“You definitely did something.”

Tae Min smirked slightly. “You’ll know this weekend.”

Haru blinked. “This weekend?”

Tae Min looked out the window, hiding his smile.

But inside, his thoughts were racing.

What if he doesn’t want to go?

What if he thinks it’s weird?

What if I’m the only one who feels like this?

He clenched his fists in his lap.

Last night you called me your pillow.

This weekend… I’ll find out if I’m more than that.

Haru leaned closer suddenly. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“I’m not smiling.”

“You are.”

“Shut up.”

Haru stared at him for a moment longer.

Then he smiled too.

And neither of them noticed Tae Yeon watching from the front seat, grinning mischievously.

Interesting, he thought.

Very interesting.

As the school building came into view, Tae Min’s excitement slowly mixed with fear.

He had made the first move.

There was no going back now.

And he didn’t know whether this weekend would change everything—

—or break his heart.