At Seoul High, power sits quietly at the lunch table. Hyunjin—soccer captain, six-foot-one, unreadable and sharp as winter air—rarely speaks unless necessary. At his side are San and Wooyoung, inseparable and openly dating, and Kim Seungmin—volleyball captain, soft-spoken, adored by his team. Seungmin has never raised his voice in his life.
Seungmin comes from money. So does Hyunjin. But while Hyunjin sees the weight of wealth as something to guard, Seungmin treats it like something to give.
Especially to his boyfriend, Leehan.
When Leehan walks into the cafeteria and wraps his arms around Seungmin from behind—sweet voice, sweet smile, asking for “just a little help”—Hyunjin sees something no one else does.
And for the first time, his silence starts to feel dangerous.
⸻
The cafeteria was loud—but their table wasn’t.
Their table was controlled chaos.
Soyeon was mid-story, waving her fork dramatically. Wooyoung was laughing so hard he almost spilled his drink. San had one arm lazily hooked around Wooyoung’s chair, shaking his head in amusement.
And Seungmin was giggling quietly, shoulders shaking as he tried not to choke on his rice.
Hyunjin sat beside him, long legs stretched under the table, posture relaxed but presence dominant. He didn’t laugh loudly. He never did.
But the corner of his mouth tilted upward.
Seungmin leaned slightly into him as he laughed, shoulder brushing Hyunjin’s arm without thinking. It was natural. Comfortable. Years of friendship carved into small movements like that.
Soyeon noticed it first.
She smirked but said nothing.
“Hyunjin,” Wooyoung teased, pointing his chopsticks. “You’re smiling. That’s scary.”
Hyunjin gave him a flat look.
San snorted. “He does that when he’s pretending to be human.”
Seungmin let out a soft, breathy laugh at that, covering his mouth politely.
Then—
Arms slid around Seungmin’s waist from behind.
“Minniii.” Seungmin startled slightly before relaxing instantly. “Leehan,” he said softly.
Park Leehan leaned down, chin resting on Seungmin’s shoulder like he belonged there. He kissed the side of his cheek lightly.
Hyunjin’s smile disappeared.
Leehan didn’t look at anyone else at the table.
Not San. Not Wooyoung. Not Soyeon.
Definitely not Hyunjin.
“Baby,” Leehan murmured, fingers tightening just a little at Seungmin’s stomach. “I was looking for you.”
Seungmin turned in his seat, eyes warm. “Did you eat?”
Leehan pouted faintly. “Not yet. I had to deal with something.” A pause. Then softer. “Actually… I needed a little help.”
Hyunjin’s gaze sharpened.
Soyeon’s fork lowered slowly.
“What kind of help?” Seungmin asked, concerned.
Leehan hesitated just long enough to make it look reluctant.
“My card’s locked again. My dad’s being annoying. I just need… like, fifty? Maybe a hundred? I’ll pay you back, I promise.”
Wooyoung and San exchanged a look.
Soyeon’s jaw tightened.
Seungmin didn’t even blink. He was already reaching into his bag.
“It’s okay,” he said gently. “You don’t have to pay me back.”
Hyunjin’s hand moved before his brain caught up.
He grabbed Seungmin’s wrist.
Not hard.
Seungmin looked at him, confused.
Hyunjin didn’t look at him.
He looked at Leehan.
And for once, his voice came out low and clear.
“How many times this month?”
Leehan stiffened. “What?”
Hyunjin’s eyes were cold now.
“How many times have you needed help this month?”
Silence.
Seungmin gently pulled his wrist free. “It’s fine,” he said softly.
Hyunjin finally looked at him.
And that was worse.
Leehan straightened up slightly, defensive edge creeping in. “Why do you care? He’s my boyfriend.”
San leaned back in his chair, expression neutral but alert.
Wooyoung stopped smiling. Soyeon crossed her arms.
Hyunjin stood. At six-foot-one, he didn’t have to try to be intimidating. He looked down at leehan.
“I care because he’s my bestfriend.” Seungmin places a hand on his arm. “Hyunjin.. it’s okay.” He whispers. He looks at Leehan. “I’ll transfer it.” For the first time… Seungmin looks hesitant.
Leehan smirks “thanks baby.” He walks away.