❗ CHAPTER 02 :: ❗

Later that night, the dorm was quieter than usual. Most of the other trainees had gone to sleep early, completely worn out after the long day of practice. The only sound in Sunoo's shared room was the faint humming of the air conditioner and the soft tapping of rain on the window.

He sat on his bed, phone in hand, the screen dimly glowing against the darkness.

One missed call.Three unread messages.All from him.

The one he hadn't told Sunghoon about.

Sunoo bit his lip and let out a quiet sigh. It wasn't like he meant to ignore the call. It was just that... he didn't want to answer it while Sunghoon was still there earlier. And when Sunghoon left, Sunoo didn't know what to say anymore.

He stared at the screen. His finger hovered over the reply bar.But the words just wouldn't come.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Sunoo called out.

The door creaked open and Sunghoon peeked in, hair slightly messy and wearing an oversized hoodie that almost covered his shorts.

"You're not asleep yet?" Sunghoon asked softly.

Sunoo shook his head. "Couldn't sleep."

"Me too. Thought I'd get some air. Want to join me?"

Sunoo hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He slid his phone under the pillow and stood up.

The two of them made their way to the dorm balcony. It was cold outside, but peaceful. The rain had slowed into a light drizzle, and the city lights below sparkled like stars.

Sunghoon leaned against the railing. "Sometimes I wonder if we're too young to be this tired."

Sunoo let out a small laugh. "We chose this life."

"No," Sunghoon replied, glancing at him. "I chose this life. You... you're meant for something brighter."

Sunoo looked at him, eyebrows furrowed. "What does that mean?"

Sunghoon shrugged, his eyes staying on the wet roads below. "You're the kind of person people remember. You glow even when you don't try. And sometimes I feel like I'm just chasing your shadow."

Sunoo blinked. The words caught him off guard.

"You're not chasing anything. You shine just as much, Hoon."

Sunghoon turned to him, really looking at him now.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

There was a long pause between them. Not awkward. Just heavy with something unspoken. The kind of silence that only happens when two people are standing too close but not touching.

Then Sunghoon asked quietly, "Are you talking to someone?"

Sunoo froze.

His breath caught in his throat. For a second, he considered lying. Saying no. Saying it casually. Laughing it off.

But he nodded slowly instead.

"I thought so," Sunghoon said softly.

"Is that... a problem?" Sunoo asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

"No," Sunghoon replied after a while. "It's just... I was hoping you weren't."

Sunoo's heart sank.

He looked at Sunghoon, who wasn't smiling this time. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes looked tired.

"I should go back inside," Sunghoon said, pushing off the railing.

Sunoo grabbed his wrist gently. "Hoon."

Sunghoon paused.

"I haven't chosen anyone yet," Sunoo whispered.

Sunghoon turned his head slightly, eyes glancing down at Sunoo's hand around his wrist.

"Then don't take too long," he said quietly.

He slipped out of Sunoo's grasp and walked away, leaving Sunoo alone on the balcony with the rain, the silence, and a phone still buzzing under his pillow.

And a heart starting to split in two.