Basketball court
Today, another challenge.
Hira and Geone were playing basketball. Both were incredibly skilled.
Charlie stood a little distance away, watching, slightly annoyed.During the match, Geone fell twice but bounced back quickly each time.
Hira had scored five points; Geone, Six.
It was the final round. Sharp look in their eyes.
Geone glanced at Charlie, smirking.
"I'm going to win, dude. Just pray for me."
Charlie let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
"Haaah..."
Hira laughed.
"Okay, okay… overconfidence as always!"
The game resumed. Geone started off shaky, while Hira played brilliantly.
She snatched the ball from his hands and shot from a distance. Geone watched, eyes widening, heart racing —he felt like he might lose.
But suddenly, she slipped. The ball missed its mark.
Geone hurried over, Charlie right behind him.
Hira was on the ground, clutching her ankle.
Geone knelt and reached toward her foot, but she quickly pulled it away.
His hand paused– What!? Is it twisted?
He noticed the slight tremor in her fingers, the way her hair fell into her eyes. Probably...Don't know .why did she pull it?
Charlie knelt.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Hira breathed out sharply.
"Ugh !… maybe."
Geone shifted back slightly, clearing his throat.
"I don't think so… basketball isn't for everyone, you know!"
Hira shot him a deadly glare. Aren't you laughing inside?
Her eyes screamed what her lips didn't: If I could stand, I'd kill you… right now.
Geone blinked. Seeing Hira's "killer eyes," he went completely silent.
She tried to stand, but her ankle gave out again.
"Hira, give me your hand," Charlie said, extending his. She took it, and he helped her up, steadying her.
Geone stood beside them, eyes dropping to his own hand for a moment—
He hesitated before speaking. "You okay? Sure?"
Hira gave a small nod without looking up, saying nothing. You must be happy, obviously… I know you so well.
Charlie placed her hand on his shoulder, helping her straighten to walk."I'm taking you to the hospital."
"Oh… okay," Geone nodded, furrowing his brows. Should I go with them… Charlie is always so kind to everyone, ugh.
Hira waved Charlie off.
"I'm fine."
Charlie insisted.
"You could get an infection if we don't check it out."
Hira inhaled, looking at Charlie, then nodded.
"Ah…okay then."
Seeing them talking, Geone chuckled.
"Oh! Then go. I… I forgot—Minase told me to meet him after lunch. I'm going. Bye, Charlie." A hint of uncertainty in his voice, then he walked away without looking back again.
Charlie stared at him for a few moments, then turned to Hira.
"Hira, let's get you checked."
Hira lightly gestured toward her bag, drawing his attention.
"Charlie… my bag is over there."
Charlie grabbed her bag and accompanied her to the hospital.
[Mital's home]
Geone had been waiting for Charlie all evening. It was exact eight, but Charlie still hadn't come home. He stared at the TV for a few seconds, then got up and wandered to his room, only to return restless.
𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦? 𝘐𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘏𝘪𝘳𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘸? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨?
He picked up the controller and started a game, but his focus kept drifting. One moment he was tapping buttons; the next, he was staring at nothing, thinking about Charlie.
Earlier, he had called Minase-Minase and Suga were coming soon-but that thought barely stayed in his head.
Mrs. Mital came in and sat beside him.
"Geone, do you want something to eat?"
He looked up but didn't answer.
She took a slow sip from her coffee.
"Charlie still hasn't come, right?"
Geone let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don't think he's coming today."
Mrs. Mital gave a small, reassuring smile.
"He'll come. Don't worry. Looks like.. Hira hurt herself a bit more."
Geone didn't say anything. He slumped back in the chair, restless. His eyes kept drifting to the clock, to the door, to the TV-never settling anywhere. Something felt... off.
Minase and Suga came over to Geone's place. The three of them sat in the dining area, playing a video game. Geone tried to focus, but today he kept missing turns again and again.
Suga asked,
"Hey, what's going on with you? You're not really playing properly, huh?"
Minase laughed.
"I am Bored..You guys just play. I'm going to watch TV." He moved to the TV, leaving Suga and Geone at the game.
But Geone kept glancing around, hands fidgeting on the table.
Suga frowned.
"Why are you so distracted?"
Geone shrugged.
"Nothing."
Suga pressed,
"Come on, something's on your mind, right?"
Geone shook his head.
"Nope. Nothing."
Suga leaned in, smiling a little.
"Actually, I have some news for you."
Minase cut in, eyes still on the TV.
"Geone, don't listen to him."
Suga shot back,
"Shut up, Minase. You've got a girlfriend-that's why you're saying that."
Geone leaned back, jaw tight, one eyebrow raised.
"Oh? What happened?"
Suga leaned in.
"There's someone... a really persistent person. She's been watching you quietly for three years, only caring about who you're dating. She's completely obsessed. I noticed before, but didn't tell you. Now she's begging me to make you give her a chance."
Geone's eyes flicked to the window, then back at Suga. His fingers drummed on the table.
Minase chuckled.
"Yeah... it's serious."
Suga pressed on.
"Honestly, this time I think you should at least give her a chance. Don't reject her outright."
Geone exhaled, tilting his head slightly.
"Alright... I'll think about it," he said calmly. A flash of tightness crossed his jaw as he set the controller down.
Minase and Suga exchanged a glance, surprised. Too calm.
Suga leaned closer, teasing.
"Really? Or are you just messing with us?"
Geone's eyes sharpened. He didn't look at them. Fingers tapped once on the table, slow, measured.
"No, seriously... no problem," he said, just a hint of a smirk.
Suga tossed the controller aside and dashed over to Minase, tapping him playfully on the neck.
"See? I told you. This time it'll happen."
Tring....Trinng...
The doorbell rang .
Geone sprang up, moving almost in a blur. For a moment, he froze, eyes wide and sparkling with something .
Then slowly, he sank back, pressing himself down slightly.
𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺..... 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦 !
Suga and Minase watched, surprised-they couldn't figure out what had just happened.
Geone picked up his coat deliberately.
"Let's go outside-it feels... suffocating here."
Suga raised an eyebrow.
"Now?"
Minase shook his head.
"Alright, let's go. But... someone rang the doorbell."
Geone ignored it and moved toward the door, adjusting his coat . Minase and Suga gathered their coats and followed.
Geone opened the door-and there stood Charlie. Charlie's eyes met his.
"Geone," he called softly.
𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺... 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
Geone didn't answer. Without a word, he stepped past and walked outside, expression unreadable, calm as ever. Charlie's gaze followed him-curious, a little stunned-but Geone kept moving.
Minase and Suga waved.
"Oh!.. Charlie."
" Bye,Charlieh..!"
Charlie stayed at the door, quietly watching them Disappear..
Continues....