Flashback to the night Minji’s mom infiltrated their units…
“We’re friends. You can tell me anything. I’m here for you,” Zeno said quietly.
Minji looked at him and suddenly felt a surge of courage through her veins. It was long overdue. She had liked him since they were in high school.
She tilted her head and looked into his eyes. “Just friends?”
Zeno’s expression didn’t change, but he let out a deep breath, making Minji’s heart race in nervousness.
“Yeah,” he said with a soft sigh. “Just friends.”
He already had a feeling. He wasn’t dense. If anything, Zeno was incredibly observant.
He didn’t understand, though. Emotions were still a little bit difficult to understand.
He just couldn’t grasp what someone like Minji would find likable in someone like him.
Her eyes fluttered downward for a moment before lifting to meet his.
“I like you,” Minji said. “I’ve liked you for a while now.”
There it was. Zeno had expected it already.
With his silence, Minji forged ahead.
“I’ve always wanted to protect you. I know that sounds weird, considering how capable you are right now, but…” She chuckled. “You always seem like you don’t know what to do. Like you’re just walking through life, hoping to bump into something that makes sense. For a long time, you were like that.”
Zeno continued looking at her, and Minji nervously smiled.
“And I just wanted to be there. I wanted to help you find it. Whatever that thing is.”
There was silence.
Zeno exhaled slowly. “Then,” he said, “you don’t have to like me anymore.”
Minji’s smile faltered. She nodded faintly. She had half-expected it, too.
“Don’t be sad,” Zeno said, waving a hand lazily to diffuse the tension in the air. “There are others out there who’ll treat you way better.”
Minji narrowed her eyes. “Zeno—”
“I mean it,” he cut in. “I’m not good. I don’t have… a lot of emotions. I won’t like you most of the time as a lover.”
“I’m not romantic,” Zeno continued, shrugging. “I’d probably remember your birthday, but I won’t do much personally to surprise you.”
Minji let out a laugh despite the situation. That does sound a lot like Zeno.
“You are great, Minji,” he said, softer now. “You light up the room.”
Her laughter faded slowly.
“You need someone with a brighter light. Someone who’ll shine it back on you.”
Minji stared at him, heart clenching.
Zeno scratched his head, then added offhandedly, “Ask Eli.”
“Huh?” she asked.
“That man will light you up,” Zeno said, dead serious. “He might try to hide it, but I can see it.”
Minji frowned. “Zeno, what are you talking about?”
“Forget about me,” Zeno said with a smile. “I’m not worth it.”
And that was the last thing he said before Eli interrupted the situation.
Back to the present…
“Aren’t you going to answer?” Minji asked, looking at Eli, who was now staring at her wide-eyed, still startled by her sudden question.
Minji tilted her head with a small smile, waiting.
They stared at each other for a while, unconsciously inching closer to each other.
After a few seconds, Eli’s voice finally broke the quiet.
“How long have you known?”
She exhaled, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Zeno told me.”
Eli’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Yup,” she said with a small laugh. “I guess he isn’t as dense as I thought.”
Eli ran a hand through his hair, looking away as he muttered, “I think he’s a completely different person from when we first met him.”
Minji hummed. “Maybe, but it seems he’s right considering you’re not denying it.”
Eli pursed his lips before looking into her eyes. “Are you alright now, though? After his rejection?”
Minji genuinely smiled. “I’m okay. I really am.”
She looked down at her drink, swirling the ice with the straw. “Of course, I still like him. It’s not like a switch I can turn off.”
Eli’s chest tightened a bit.
She continued, “But I realized… we’re better as friends. Zeno’s one of those people who’s meant to just pass through your life like a comet, you know? Blinding for a bit, then gone.” Her smile this time was a little more wistful. “And I think he knows that, too.”
“We’re not meant as lovers.”
Eli stayed quiet.
Then, he turned slightly toward her, heart drumming louder than he wanted to admit. “Then… how about us?”
Minji froze. Her eyes slowly lifted to meet his.
“You’re actually serious,” Minji muttered.
Eli clicked his tongue. “Fine. I take it back, forget I said anything—”
Minji snorted. “You can’t take that back now.”
“I absolutely can. Where’s the rewind button?” He began dramatically patting his pockets. “Is it this one? Maybe if I pull the fire alarm—”
“You’re such a dork,” she giggled.
Eli smiled sincerely for what felt like the first time in a week. “You’re enjoying my dorkiness though.”
Minji leaned back, giving him a look. “Do you really think feelings happen that fast?”
“I mean…” he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. If you don’t want anything to happen, then I just have to accept it.”
Minji softened. “It’s not like that, Eli. I’m saying… if something happens, I’m open to it.”
Eli turned to her with wide eyes. “Wait, really?”
Minji shrugged. “You already admitted to it, didn’t you?”
“You must like me very much,” she added in a teasing tone. “Is that why you always insulted me? Calling me a soggy rice ball and saying my voice was annoying in the mornings?”
“Oh, that wasn’t because I liked you,” Eli replied sweetly. “That was because your voice really is annoying in the mornings.”
Minji gaped. “Wow.”
“But,” he added, nudging her back gently, “maybe it was a little bit of both.”
Minji smirked. “Aha. So you admit it.”
“Fine,” Eli said, raising both hands in surrender. “I admit it.”
“I like you, Minji.”
He looked her in the eyes with sincerity. A small smile appeared on Minji’s lips, and her heart raced just a little bit. It wasn’t as fast for Zeno—or maybe Zeno just had that kind of effect on everyone.
However, she knew.
There was a small chance of this.
Only time could tell.
