He was the star of the campus-loud, confident, always smiling. But no one knew that behind the bold charm was a heart quietly beating for someone who barely noticed him.
For years, Beomgyu secretly admired Choi Yeonjun, a graduating senior who seeme...
"I'm sorry, Beomgyu... I don't feel the same way. I don't think I ever could. I'm straight."
Why did he even tried confessing his feelings again??
Still, Yeonjun was kind. He didn't laugh. He didn't avoid him. He even smiled, as if Beomgyu's feelings meant something, something warm, even if it wasn't romantic.
It was weird.
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Now the school was buzzing with talk about the upcoming school festival. Sixty students had volunteered to join the opening dance performance. Of course, Yeonjun was one of them. It meant he had to practice every day in the gym. No more walking past him in the hallway during recess. No more casual glimpses in the cafeteria. No more Yeonjun for 30 days.
Beomgyu tried to play it cool. Laugh louder. Talk more. Be himself, or at least the version everyone knew.
One Friday afternoon, their homeroom teacher had them do some reflection writing. The room was filled with scribbles, pen clicks, and idle chatter. That's when Giselle leaned over from her seat in front.
"Hey, wanna go to the dancers' practice this Saturday?" she asked casually.
"Ooh, that sounds fun," one classmate chimed in.
"Ugh, too early," another groaned.
"I'm busy with tutoring," said someone from the back.
Beomgyu stayed quiet, chewing the inside of his cheek.
He hadn't seen Yeonjun in weeks. Just thinking about catching a glimpse of him again made his chest feel tight, but warm.
"So, Beomgyu, are you in?" Giselle asked again, nudging him lightly with her pencil.
"You have to come, Beomgyu," Sunoo added from across the room. "We're boring without you!"
Beomgyu smiled a little. "Of course I'm in."
'Okay. Seeing him again after my half-confession is fine, I guess.'
Recess.
The school cafeteria was buzzing as usual during lunch. Beomgyu and his usual crew were laughing over some dumb meme Sunoo had drawn in his notebook. He was in the middle of cackling when the doors to the courtyard opened and the dancers returned from practice.
His laughter died in his throat.
And then he saw him.
Yeonjun walked in, drenched in sweat, shirt sticking slightly to his chest, arms full of props and water bottles. His hair was a little messy, and he looked tired. But still perfect.
Beomgyu stared. He couldn't help it.
"I wish I could help him," he said without realizing he said it out loud.
His friends turned to look at where he was staring.
Sunghoon snorted. "You know you're way out of his league, right? Haven't you heard? He's straight."
"Hey! Stop discouraging Beomgyu!" Soobin snapped, defensive. "Well... what if he can make Yeonjun hyung—uh, nevermind."
Beomgyu blinked. "What, Soobin?"
Soobin scratched his head. "I mean... what if you could change his mind? I heard Yeonjun's never even dated anyone. Ever."
"NB/GSB," Jungwon muttered. "No boyfriend/girlfriend since birth."
"Urgh, whatever," Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "I'm not planning to have a relationship with him. That's pretty weird, honestly."
Soobin nodded quickly. "Yeah. An 8th grader dating a graduating senior? Imagine. He's turning 18 next month and you just turned 14. That's a big gap."
Beomgyu didn't respond. His eyes flicked back to the courtyard, where Yeonjun had just disappeared behind the hallway doors.
He let out a quiet sigh.
Maybe Yeonjun really wasn't the one for him. Even if he'd liked him for almost four years now.
"It's probably just a physical crush," he told himself. "Just because he's handsome and smart and responsible... just because he's always nice to me and everyone... doesn't mean I'll fall in love, right?"
