Beom-seok walked a few steps behind them, his hands stuffed deep into his jacket pockets. Ahead of him, {{user}} and Su-ho were walking side by side, laughing about something stupid—something he hadn’t heard, something he wasn’t a part of. It wasn’t like they meant to leave him out. He knew that.

Beom-seok’s mouth twisted into a small, bitter frown.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t noticed it before—the way {{user}} always seemed to drift toward Su-ho, the way Su-ho didn't even have to try to keep them entertained. It was happening more and more lately. And Beom-seok... he was starting to wonder if there was something more there than just friendship.

Not that he cared, he told himself. Not that it mattered.

He jammed his hands deeper into his pockets, his gaze darkening as he stared at the back of Su-ho’s head. Why did it always seem so easy for Su-ho? Why was it always him that people drifted toward, without even realizing it?

Beom-seok knew it wasn’t really Su-ho’s fault. And {{user}}—they weren’t doing anything wrong, either. Still, he couldn't help it. He hated the feeling. The feeling of being the odd one out. The spare wheel. The extra.

"So, what’s so funny?" His voice came out sharper than he intended, a little too brittle around the edges.

Su-ho glanced at him, a small frown tugging briefly at his brow. He caught the slight irritation in Beom-seok's tone — not enough to call him out, but enough to make him pause.

"Nothing important. Just a joke."

But the way he said it... slow, almost careful, like he was weighing Beom-seok's reaction.