Beyond the Spotlight

Mingyu sat on the cold floor of the dorm's living room, his head buried in his hands. The air was thick with everything left unsaid, the remnants of his fight with Wonwoo still echoing in his mind.

The silence that followed had been unbearable.

Wonwoo's words—his hurt, his breaking point—kept replaying like a cruel reminder of what Mingyu had done.

"Tell me, Mingyu. Was it all just a phase to you? Because it wasn't to me."

"Then say something!"

But he hadn't.

Because saying the truth out loud meant facing the consequences.

And Mingyu had never been more terrified in his life.

—

The members didn't leave him alone.

Seungcheol and Jeonghan stayed, their arms crossed, watching him in quiet disappointment. Joshua and Soonyoung sat nearby, exchanging glances, unsure if they should say something. Seokmin was the only one who moved, sitting beside Mingyu, pressing a comforting hand against his shoulder.

"Mingyu..." Seokmin sighed. "Just be honest. With him. With us. With yourself."

Mingyu shook his head, voice hoarse. "I can't."

Seungcheol's jaw tightened. "Why?"

Mingyu lifted his head, eyes red-rimmed. "Because it'll ruin everything." His voice was strained, like he was choking on his own emotions. "Wonwoo and I—we—we can't be together. Not when the whole world is watching. Not when the company is breathing down our necks. Not when one wrong step could destroy everything we worked for."

Jeonghan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "So instead of fighting for it, you decided to push him away?"

Mingyu flinched.

Joshua, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke, voice calm but firm. "You think you're protecting him, but all you're doing is hurting him more."

Mingyu clenched his fists. "I know that."

"Then why—"

"Because I love him!" Mingyu snapped, voice breaking. "I love him, okay?! I never stopped! I never will! But if I don't let him go, I'll be the reason everything falls apart!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Mingyu was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. His hands were shaking, his nails digging into his palms.

Seokmin tightened his grip on Mingyu's shoulder, grounding him. "Then tell him that."

Mingyu let out a hollow laugh. "What difference would it make? It won't change anything."

Soonyoung frowned. "It will for him."

Mingyu looked down, eyes burning. "I don't know how to fix this."

Seungcheol sighed, the anger in his expression softening just a little. "Then start by telling Wonwoo the truth."

—

Wonwoo's Room

Mingyu stood outside Wonwoo's door, his heart pounding so hard it drowned out his thoughts.

He had been standing there for what felt like hours, hands frozen at his sides, unable to knock.

Inside, he knew Wonwoo was awake.

He knew because he could hear the faint sound of soft music playing, something Wonwoo always did when he couldn't sleep.

Mingyu took a shaky breath and finally raised his fist.

Knock, knock.

Silence.

Then—

"...Go away, Mingyu."

Mingyu's chest ached. "Please, just let me talk."

No response.

Mingyu pressed his forehead against the door, his voice barely above a whisper. "Wonwoo, I—I never stopped loving you."

The music stopped.

Mingyu swallowed hard. "I thought pushing you away was the right thing to do. I thought if I kept my distance, it would be easier—for both of us. But it wasn't. It only made everything worse."

Still, no answer.

But Mingyu could hear movement inside, like Wonwoo was standing just behind the door, listening.

Mingyu clenched his fists. "I was scared." His voice cracked. "Scared of ruining your career. Scared of what people would say. Scared of dragging the group down with us." He let out a bitter laugh. "I thought keeping my distance would protect you, but all I did was break you. And now... I don't know if I can fix it."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, the door opened—just slightly.

Wonwoo stood there, his eyes red and tired.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet but firm.

"You can't fix this, Mingyu."

Mingyu's heart clenched. "Wonwoo—"

Wonwoo shook his head, stepping back. "Not with just words."

Mingyu stared at him, feeling the weight of every mistake he had made.

For the first time, he realized—

Words weren't enough.

If he wanted to fix this, he had to prove it.

And he would.

No matter what it took.