Until the end of the World - Minsung

Chapter 39

"No thanks"

Minho said, gulping. Jisung's eyes widened at Minho's answer

"Who are you and what have you done to Minho?"

Jisung said, trying to joke around. Minho had always been a good eater, he would never refuse a snack. Minho just chuckled at that, which made Jisung's heart melt.

As the silence filled their table once more, the waiter came back to the table to bring water. At the same time, Jisung and Minho brought their hand to the pitcher, touching the other and retracting their hand almost immediately. They both flushed red, saying quicks 'sorry' and Minho brought his hand again, filling Jisung's and his own cup with water.

They finished their snack in terrible tension.

___

After eating, they continued walking around. They entered a pretty park and sat on one of the benches.

"Can I ask you something?"

Jisung asked. Minho was surprised, but he wouldn't refuse anything to Jisung.

"Yes of course"

"What happened? Why did you change so much? You look malnourished."

Jisung asked. He had been burning to ask him that but was scared to offend him. You could see the differences miles away. His arms became slimmer, his cheekbones more shallow, his dark circles darker, his entire demeanor felt wrong. Jisung felt alerted seeing him like that, the boy looked unhealthy.

Minho looked at him, answering in his head 'You happened'

"I was ill and lost some weight, nothing bad, I'm better now"

Minho lied. He loved Jisung with all his heart but wasn't ready to hurt his own pride. He also felt like guilt-tripping him by telling the truth.

"Oh shit, was it because of something you ate? That's why you're not that hungry?"

Jisung asked, believing the lie.

"I don't really know but it might be"

Minho said, forcing a smile.

After a silence, Jisung broke it again

"Is there somewhere you would like to go in the city?"

"Yeah... I would like to go to the census center"

Minho answered, getting uncomfortable

"Oh, haven't you already made it?"

Jisung asked. Minho didn't answer right away.

"I want to ask if my sister is in there"

Minho said, staring at the ground. Jisung opened his mouth slightly. Knowing how much Minho wanted to know what happened to his sister, he stood up immediately, giving Minho a hand. Minho looked at it, confused, and took it. Jisung started running, keeping Minho's hand in his and forcing Minho to run with him.

"Then let's go!"

Jisung said excitedly.

____

As they arrived in front of the building, Minho stopped on his tracks, struggling to breathe. He hadn't run in a long time, he needed a break.

Jisung looked at him, not understanding how his stamina lowered so much. Maybe he was still a bit sick? He was confused.

"I'll wait here"

Jisung said, letting Minho enter the building.

____

Minho went to the office, this time it was a girl.

"Hello, I wanted to ask if someone was on the census, if that is possible."

Minho asked politely

"Yes of course, is it family?"

The girl asked

"Yes, my sister. Her name is Lee Soyeon. She was a toddler when I lost her."

Minho said, anxiously fiddling with his fingers.

The girl searched on the database, then looked at Minho, pity filling her eyes.

"I'm sorry, there is no one under the name 'Lee Soyeon'"

Minho thanked her, and left, joining Jisung back in front of the building.

"So...?"

Jisung asked anxiously. Minho didn't even answer, he just shook his head to say 'no', not wanting to talk about it. Jisung felt his eyes water at Minho's expression and just patted his back, showing him his support.

___

They didn't talk for the rest of the day, until they decided to book a hotel for the night. They booked a room for the both of them, making sure to have separated beds.

They got ready, and slipped on their beds, turning off the lights.

"Should we talk right now?"

Minho asked, staring at the ceiling.

"Yeah..."

Jisung said, looking at the ceiling too.

An awkward silence filled the room. None of them knew how to start.

"The day you left, I went to your room to apologize"

Minho said

"Wait, really?"

Jisung asked, actually surprise that he would have done that

"Yep. I was in a sort of trance. The nurses said it was some kind of consequence from the shock I received on the head. I don't know, I don't remember shit. I just remember Chan yelling at me and me entering your empty room"

Minho answered and Jisung nodded. Jisung felt his eyes water. Maybe he had been overdramatic. Maybe he should have understood the situation better.

"When we realized you ran away, I thought someone shot me in the heart"

He added, not looking at anything else than the white ceiling.

"I apologize too. To be honest, I never thought it would have hurt you so much, I really thought you hated me."

Jisung said, guilt filling his body

"You don't have to apologize, I understand it was rational coming from you, that is entirely my fault. I'm not mad at you at all, no one is."

Minho said, and another silence filled the room, less awkward this time.

"Do you remember what we said to each other before the explosion...?"

Jisung asked, breaking the silence.

Minho turned in his bed and stared at Jisung. Jisung felt his eyes on him and turned to him, the two looking at each other's eyes.

"When we confessed our burning passion to each other? Yeah I remember."

Minho answered, his eyes screaming honesty.

"And I still love you"

He added.

Jisung didn't know what to answer. He loved him but everything was too much for him right now.

"I need time Minho"

Jisung said, his voice not above a whisper. Minho gave him a smile, trying to comfort him.

"I know squirrel, I just needed to tell you."

Minho said, not letting his disappointment show. Jisung smiled back at him, feeling his heart flutter at the nickname.

"Let's sleep now"

He added, Jisung nodded