22

                                    

                                          
"Woah, woah, woah, what do we have here?!" Minho shrieked, watching Seungmin walk out of the library holding Hyunjin's hand.
"Y-You... and Hyunjin? Together?! Holding hands?"
Chan placed his hand on the younger man's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. "Calm down. Leave them be."
"B-But!" Minho protested loudly. "How about Jeo-"
Chan once again squeezed his shoulder—a little harder this time.
"Seungmin probably has given this a lot of thought," he spoke up in a hushed voice. "So stop freaking out."
"I believe you guys haven't officially met Hyunjin..." Seungmin murmured nervously, nudging his new boyfriend forward.
"Hi, you know me... I'm Hwang Hyunjin... It's nice to see you all again," he spoke as he tried not to fidget.
"I'm, uh, dating this guy now," he said, pointing to Seungmin.
"Does that mean you'll come on double dates with me and Minho?"
Hyunjin turned around when he heard the familiar voice.
"J-Jisung? What... What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing. Was just passing by," he said. "Anyway, since you guys are talking about boyfriends, I might as well introduce mine."
He grabbed Minho by the arm and smiled. "We're... dating."
The three other men's jaws almost dropped to the ground. 
Hyunjin had managed to get over his shock quicker than the others and screeched, "What?! Since when? Why didn't you tell me?"
"We've been dating for a month now. I was going to tell you, but I didn't know how to—because I knew you liked me," he explained.
"And I had already planned to tell you right after the exams, but you went to eat lunch with Seungmin, so I wasn't able to."
Chan made a face. "Oh my god, what is happening..."
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"How about later today?" Minho invited. "Jisung and I were planning to get dinner—why don't you guys come along?"
Hyunjin looked at Seungmin nervously. He'd really rather not have an awkward double date as their first dinner as a couple.
But Seungmin seemed to already know and took care of it well by saying, "Nah, sorry dude. We're going to have to pass—we have somewhere else we need to go today."
Hyunjin looked at him in question.
They hadn't made specific plans.
So where were they going?
Seungmin noticed a pair of eyes staring at him and turned around. It was Chan, and he was giving him an understanding stare.
And instantly, he could tell that Chan knew where he had planned to go today with Hyunjin.
Chan gave him a supportive pat on the back. "I'm proud of you. I'm sure he is too," he muttered, only audible to Seungmin.
Seungmin merely nodded, knowing that he could spare the sappy words of gratitude. He couldn't even express how thankful he was for having Chan here.
He wasn't a replacement for Jeongin—and he never would be—but he definitely was an irreplaceable close friend.

"I'll see you guys at home," he said.
He took Hyunjin's hand once more and walked towards the car. "Are you down to go on a little trip with me?" He asked.
"To anywhere, at anytime," he replied with a small smile.
Seungmin squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead.
Hyunjin had a feeling it was better not to ask where they were heading... So he didn't. He patiently sat in the car, talking casually about random stuff like his friends, his hobbies, and food.
When they pulled up in front of the cemetery, he wasn't surprised.
Seungmin was secretly thankful he didn't ask any questions as they walked to his grave. And they didn't hold hands this time.
To be continued...