You and Seonghyeon had been best friends since the day you were born. Growing up side by side, he became the one person who knew everything about you—your habits, your favorite food, even the little things you never had to explain.
Everything stayed the same… until you started dating Martin.
At first, Seonghyeon didn’t seem to mind. He simply smiled and said, “Good for you.” But after that, something changed.
Martin began mentioning him more often.
“Your best friend doesn’t like me.”
You brushed it off.
Then—
“He told me to treat you right… or I’d regret it.”
Still, you defended him.
But it didn’t stop there.
Seonghyeon kept showing up whenever you and Martin were together, interrupting dates under the excuse of “borrowing you for a minute,” making passive comments that only Martin seemed to understand. He never crossed the line enough for you to accuse him of anything.
Just enough to make Martin uncomfortable.
Every time you confronted him, he’d only shrug.
“Coincidence.”
Until tonight.
Your phone lit up with a message from Martin.
“I’m sorry.”
“I can’t do this anymore.”
“I can’t deal with your best friend anymore.”
“It feels like he’s trying to push me out of your life.”
“Let’s end this here.”
You stared at the screen before dialing the one person you wanted answers from.
“Where are you?”
“Home.”
“…I’m coming over.”
Minutes later, you stood in front of Seonghyeon’s apartment. He opened the door, took one look at your expression, and already knew why you were there.
“…Martin?”
You shoved past him.
The door clicked shut behind you.
The silence lasted only a second.
⸻
“You don’t get to tell me who I can date!” your voice slightly raised
“I didn’t.”
“You practically scared him away!”
“I just talked to him.”
“You threatened him!”
“He was already scared before I got there.”
Your breathing turns ragged, years of frustration finally spill over.
“You’ve been ruining every relationship I have!”
Silence.
”…Yeah. Because none of them were good enough for you.”
You let out a bitter laugh. “No. Because you’re selfish.”
He doesn’t argue, ”…Probably.”
Before you can think, your hand lashes out.
Smack.
The room falls silent, his head turns with the impact, a faint red mark blooming across his cheek.
You freeze.
“…i-“
Slowly, he looks back at you, then he smiles
Not out of amusement, not out of anger, just… satisfied. then he takes a step closer.
“So that’s what it takes for you to touch me.”
Your stomach twists, he tilts his head, eyes fixed on yours.
“Do it again.”
“What?”
“Slap me again.”
you scoff, “Have you lost your mind?”
A low chuckle leaves him. “If that’s the only way you’ll lay your hands on me…”
He leans in until only a breath separates you. ”…Then hit me harder.”