As they entered the coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, adding to the cozy ambiance. Seungmin and Hyunjin found a comfortable spot near the window, and they both ordered Americanos.
As Seungmin sat in the cozy cafe with Hyunjin, sipping their Americanos and engaged in easy conversation, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of happiness. It was the simple moments like this that made Seungmin's heart flutter. He cherished the ordinary moments, as they were filled with warmth and genuine connection.
In the midst of their conversation, Seungmin's blissful moment was interrupted when he noticed Yeji walking into the cafe. Panic surged through him as he wasn't prepared to face her just yet, especially with Hyunjin by his side.
"Hyunjin, Yeji," Seungmin stammered, trying to keep his composure but failing to mask his nervousness.
Hyunjin, ever the reassuring presence, placed a calming hand on Seungmin's shoulder. "Relax," he said gently, offering a small smile.
Seungmin took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. He wasn't ready to come out to Yeji just yet, and he certainly wasn't prepared for her to find out about his feelings for her brother in such an unplanned manner.
Yeji, with her keen eye, spotted Seungmin and Hyunjin and walked over to their table with a bright smile on her face. "Hey, guys! Mind if I join you?" she asked, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air.
Seungmin's heart raced, but he managed to smile and nod, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Of course, Yeji. It's great to see you," he replied, trying to act as natural as possible.
Hyunjin, ever the social butterfly, greeted Yeji warmly. "Hey, sis. How was your day?"
Yeji settled into the chair, her eyes shifting between her best friend and her brother. "It was good. Just had a productive dance practice ," she replied, a curious glint in her eyes.
Seungmin tried to focus on the conversation and keep his composure, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Yeji might sense something was amiss. He fidgeted slightly with his coffee cup, praying that his nerves wouldn't betray him.
"So how come it's just you two? Normally you drink coffee with Jisung," Yeji said, turning her attention to Hyunjin. "And you with me," she added, turning to Seungmin.
Seungmin's mind raced for a suitable response, and he quickly mustered his quick wit to handle the situation smoothly. He put on a charming smile and said, "Well, you know how it is, Yeji. Sometimes schedules don't align perfectly, and Hyunjin and I just decided to catch up over coffee."
Hyunjin nodded in agreement, playing along with Seungmin's quick thinking. "Yeah, it was a last-minute decision. We thought it'd be nice to hang out together today," he added, supporting Seungmin's explanation.
Yeji's eyes flickered with curiosity, but she seemed satisfied with their response. "Ah, got it. Well, it's nice to see you both. I was just about to run some errands, but we should all hang out soon," she suggested, her warm smile making Seungmin feel even more guilty for keeping his secret.
"Yeah, that sounds great," Seungmin said, trying to sound enthusiastic while grappling with his internal turmoil.
As Yeji left, Seungmin felt a mix of relief and anxiety. He was relieved that Yeji didn't seem suspicious, but at the same time, he knew he couldn't keep his feelings for Hyunjin a secret forever. Eventually, he would have to talk to Yeji about it, especially if his relationship with Hyunjin continued to progress.
After Yeji left, Seungmin and Hyunjin sat in a momentary silence, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air.
"You okay?" Hyunjin asked gently, knowing how much this encounter had affected Seungmin.
Seungmin let out a sigh, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside him. "I am, but... I feel guilty, Hyunjin," he confessed, finally voicing the burden he had been carrying.
Hyunjin reached across the table, giving Seungmin's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't need to feel guilty. It's not like we won't ever tell her. Just let's spend our first few weeks without the prying eyes of my sister, please," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
Seungmin appreciated Hyunjin's understanding and support, feeling a sense of relief that he didn't have to keep his feelings hidden forever. "You're right," he replied, offering a small smile. "We'll find the right time and place to tell her when the moment is more comfortable for both of us."
Hyunjin nodded, his gaze warm and affectionate. "Exactly."
"Oh, I may have let it slip to Chan and Changbin though," Seungmin said apologetically.
Hyunjin chuckled, not seeming bothered by the revelation. "No problem, because I may have let it slip to Minho," he giggled. "So much for keeping it a secret," Hyunjin laughed.
Seungmin joined in the laughter, feeling relieved that their close friends knew about their relationship. "Chan and Changbin won't tell it around," Seungmin assured.
"Minho might be unpredictable, but I don't think he would go blabbing about us either," Hyunjin said, feeling reassured.
"So, are we like official?" Seungmin asked, a touch of nervousness in his voice.
Hyunjin raised an eyebrow playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Did you assume we weren't?" he responded, teasing Seungmin.
Seungmin's cheeks flushed slightly, and he playfully nudged Hyunjin. "Well, you never really said anything outright, and I didn't want to presume anything."
Hyunjin chuckled, leaning in closer to Seungmin. "I thought our kisses and hand-holding made it pretty clear," he whispered with a playful smirk.
Seungmin's heart skipped a beat at Hyunjin's proximity, but he couldn't help but smile. "You're right, they did. I just wanted to hear you say it," he admitted, feeling a mix of relief and excitement.
Hyunjin's playful demeanor softened, and he gently took Seungmin's hand in his. "Okay then, yes, we're official," he said, his tone sincere and warm.
Seungmin felt a rush of happiness at Hyunjin's words, and he couldn't help but lean in for a sweet kiss, sealing their newfound official status. As they pulled away, Seungmin couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
"Oh my god!" they heard someone say. As they turned, there stood Felix with an iced Americano in hand, his mouth wide open in surprise.
"We suck at this secret relationship thing," Seungmin let out with a nervous chuckle.
"Felix, what are you doing here? You don't even drink coffee," Hyunjin said, trying to change the subject.
Felix shrugged, holding up the coffee. "Yeah, I don't, but Jisung asked for one, so I thought I'd be a good friend and buy him one to drink in the studio. But that's not important right now. You two just kissed!" he exclaimed, still in shock.
Seungmin and Hyunjin exchanged sheepish glances, realizing that their attempts to keep their relationship a secret had just gone out the window.
"Okay, fine, you caught us," Seungmin admitted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Hyunjin nodded, deciding there was no use in denying it. "Yeah, we're dating."
Felix's eyes widened even more, if that was even possible. "Wow, this is huge! I can't believe I'm witnessing this historic moment. I have to call Yeji; she's probably dying because she has no one she could tell this to."
Seungmin and Hyunjin exchanged a nervous glance, realizing that their secret was about to reach Yeji sooner than they anticipated. "Wait, Felix, don't call her right now. We still haven't told her yet." Seungmin admitted, trying to contain the situation.
Felix looked puzzled. "Why not? She would be thrilled to know her best friend and her brother are together."
"It's just that... We wanted to tell her ourselves, in our own time," Hyunjin explained, hoping Felix would understand.
Felix considered this for a moment, his excitement not waning in the slightest. "Okay, I get it. I'll hold off on the call for now, but you guys better spill the beans soon."
Seungmin and Hyunjin nodded in agreement, grateful for Felix's understanding. They knew Yeji would eventually find out, but they wanted to handle it delicately and in their own way.
"And Felix, you can't tell anyone else either," Seungmin added, a hint of pleading in his voice.
Felix placed a hand over his heart, acting dramatically hurt. "I can't believe you'd think I'd blab about your relationship to everyone. I'm hurt!"
Seungmin laughed, relieved that Felix was taking their request seriously. "We know we can trust you, but we want to tell our friends in our own time, when we're ready."
Felix grinned mischievously. "Fine, I won't say a word. But you guys better come clean soon, or I might accidentally let it slip in the excitement of the moment."
Hyunjin playfully rolled his eyes. "We'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Felix."