The exams passed like a fever dream.
For Seungmin, they weren't exams.
They were surveillance.
Two days of holiday came after, but rest never reached him. He didn't let Han out of his sight. Not even once.
On the first holiday, he stood outside Han's house in a black hoodie, mask pulled low over his face. The street was quiet. Dogs barked occasionally. A streetlight flickered above him.
He hadn't eaten.
He didn't feel hungry.
His stomach burned, but the anxiety in his chest was louder.
He kept watching the windows.
Every shadow made his pulse spike.
Nothing happened.
No one came.
Midnight arrived. His legs were numb from standing. Only then did he leave.
The next morning he came back before sunrise. This time he sat in his car across the street. Engine off. Windows slightly fogged from his breathing.
He waited.
Han didn't come out.
The day after that was result day.
The entire corridor buzzed with restless energy. Students crowded near the notice board, whispering, speculating, pretending they weren't nervous.
When the results were finally pinned up, chaos erupted. Bodies rushed forward.
But Seungmin and Han didn't move.
They stayed seated.
Silence sat thick between them.
They hadn't spoken properly in days.
Still, Seungmin broke it.
"Han… let's go."
Han looked at him surprised. Almost confused. Like he wasn't used to being addressed so gently.
"Okay," he said quietly.
They walked side by side to the corridor.
Before they even reached the board, Chahyuk came running, laughing too loudly.
"Thanks, Seungmin! For taking my crown!"
Han frowned.
Seungmin didn't react.
Then they reached the board.
Han's eyes scanned down.
Down.
Further down.
His breath stopped.
Seungmin's name.
Last.
His own name.
Second last.
Chahyuk.
Third last.
The world went quiet for a second.
Students were whispering. Some laughing. Some pretending not to stare.
Han stood frozen.
Seungmin stood beside him hands in pockets, expression unreadable.
"I thought you were the type who sleeps in class and still gets good marks," Han muttered.
His voice wasn't mocking.
It was confused.
Seungmin didn't look at him.
"I thought the same about you."
Their words were light.
But underneath?
Something heavy.
Han turned to Minho.
"How was yours?"
"Second," Minho replied casually. "Wohyung is first."
Han blinked.
"You guys are crazy… I mean… you're too intelligent."
He laughed awkwardly.
No one laughed back.
Then Han looked around.
"What about you, Jisoo?"
Jisoo had been fine moments ago.
He was 25th in a class of 35.
Not terrible.
Not great.
Just average.
But now?
Standing near them — near Han — near Seungmin — he felt exposed.
Like he didn't belong in this conversation.
Like he never did.
He forced a small smile.
"Yeah… it's fine."
But his chest felt tight.
He couldn't stand there.
Not watching them together.
Not feeling like an extra in his own story.
So he walked away.
No one stopped him.
Seungmin noticed.
Of course he did.
But he didn't follow.
Not this time.
And that silence?
That was worse than anything.