Joong had always been the confident one. The kind of boy who turned heads without trying, who seemed untouchable until he wasn’t. And Dunk—well, Dunk was the quiet sort, warm in his silences, steady in his presence. Together, they had made sense. For years.

They’d been dating since their second year of high school. Everyone had known. Dunk’s parents had even invited Joong over for dinner the day they came out—offering hugs and extra portions of curry. Joong’s parents didn’t say much, but they hadn’t stopped them either. And that was enough. For a while.

They hadn’t had a proper date in weeks.

Between late-night study sessions, exams, and college applications, everything had shifted. Joong was always busy—always texting someone, always gone before Dunk could say “Can you stay a little longer?” And lately, Joong’s tone had changed. Colder. Short. Like he didn’t even want to talk.

And Dunk noticed.

He noticed how Joong didn’t send his usual “good morning” texts anymore. How he didn’t call before bed. How he smiled at his phone, but not at Dunk. And maybe Dunk was overthinking. Maybe he was being dramatic. But it still hurt.

Especially when he saw that one notification pop up on Joong’s phone.

“See you tomorrow 🖤” From someone Dunk didn’t know. Someone from Joong’s class.

Joong had laughed it off. “It’s just group project stuff.”

But Dunk couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t stop feeling it.

So tonight, when they were sitting alone in Joong’s car outside Dunk’s house, the tension was impossible to ignore.

Dunk kept his arms crossed. He hadn’t said much since getting in the car. Joong was scrolling on his phone. Again.

Dunk finally spoke. “You smile more at your phone than at me lately.”

Joong didn’t look up. “Huh?”