Felix and Hyunjin have been stuck in a “something” for months.

They don’t call it dating. They don’t hold hands in front of people. They’re not on each other’s lock screens. But they sit together in every class, walk home together, and know each other’s lunch orders by heart.

Everyone assumes they’re together. They never correct anyone. But if someone actually asks? They both say: “We’re just close.”

A lie dressed as the truth.

Felix sees Hyunjin laughing with someone else after class — someone tall, athletic, flirty.

He doesn’t say anything. Not right away. But later, when they’re walking home and Hyunjin casually mentions the new guy’s “cool vibe,” Felix blurts out:

“Are you into him or something?”

Hyunjin raises a brow, amused. “Why? Jealous?”

Felix scoffs. “Why would I be? You’re not my boyfriend.”

But the silence after says everything he won’t.

It’s after dance practice. The lights are dim, music still pulsing. Felix is packing up, but Hyunjin lingers, leaning against the mirror, watching him.

“You know you don’t act like we’re ‘just friends,’ right?” Felix says quietly, voice tired, eyes soft.

Hyunjin steps closer. “Neither do you.”

Then they kiss — for the fourth time that month. No words. Just heat, silence, then distance.

And the next day? They go back to pretending.

Their friends start getting annoyed. Seungmin rolls his eyes every time Hyunjin gets weirdly quiet when Felix mentions a girl DMing him. Chan finally says, “You two either make it official or stop torturing the rest of us.”

But Felix won’t push. And Hyunjin won’t admit it.

Because wanting someone — needing someone — that much? That’s terrifying.

Everything breaks the day Hyunjin sees Felix laughing with someone else in the music room — the same way he used to laugh with him. His chest tightens. His face stays blank.

That night, he texts:

“Are we just gonna keep pretending none of this means anything?”

No reply.

Until 1:43 a.m.

“I don’t want anyone else. You know that. But I don’t know how to do this… not when it could ruin us.”

Hyunjin stares at the screen for a long time before sending:

“It’s already ruining me.”

The next week, they’re sitting on the rooftop, the city lights below, the air thick with everything unspoken.

Felix says, “Okay. Let’s stop pretending.”

Hyunjin looks over, eyes unsure but hopeful. “So… what are we?”

Felix shrugs, then reaches over and takes his hand. “Whatever you want to be. Just don’t kiss me in secret anymore.”

Hyunjin smiles — real this time. “Fine. But I still hate when you talk to that guy.”

Felix laughs. “You’re literally my boyfriend now. Relax.”