Monday

Jaehyun woke to the unwelcome sensation of emptiness beside him, a heavy reminder of the previous night's unsettling events. The absence of Woonhak's familiar presence deepened his concern, casting a shadow over his morning.

When they met downstairs, the atmosphere was palpably strained. Jaehyun observed the dark circles under Woonhak's eyes, mirroring his own restless night. Fortunately, his mother was absent that morning, sparing them from her well-intentioned inquiries.

As they walked to school, their conversation was stilted, each attempting to mask the underlying tension. Jaehyun's fingers fidgeted with the bracelet Woonhak had crafted for him, the tactile sensation grounding him amidst the uncertainty. He refrained from probing further, hoping that Woonhak would eventually tell him what was going on.

The unspoken distance between them weighed heavily on Jaehyun's mind, leaving him to ponder the cause of Woonhak's sudden withdrawal and the path to bridging the gap that had formed between them.

As the school day progressed, the subtle tension between Jaehyun and Woonhak became increasingly apparent to their circle of friends. By lunchtime, curiosity had piqued, and concern was evident in their expressions.

Gathered around their usual cafeteria table, the group engaged in lighthearted banter, though their eyes frequently darted toward Jaehyun and Woonhak. Sanghyuk, ever the observant one, finally broached the subject.

"Hey, is everything okay with you two?" he asked, attempting a casual tone but unable to mask the underlying worry.

Jaehyun offered a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, we're good. Just a bit tired from studying, I guess."

Woonhak nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on his tray. "Yeah, just tired."

The others exchanged glances, sensing there was more to the story but choosing not to press further. Instead, they steered the conversation toward lighter topics, sharing anecdotes from class and weekend plans, hoping to ease the palpable tension.

Despite their friends' efforts, Jaehyun and Woonhak remained subdued, their interactions marked by uncharacteristic restraint. The unspoken rift between them cast a shadow over the group's usual bright mood, leaving everyone yearning for the return of the easygoing dynamic they used to share.

As lunch drew to a close, Sanghyuk clapped Jaehyun on the shoulder. "If you guys need anything, we're here, okay?"

Jaehyun managed a genuine smile this time. "Thanks, hyung. We appreciate it."

Woonhak murmured his thanks as well, grateful for their friends' support yet unable to shake the unease that had settled between him and Jaehyun. As they headed to their afternoon classes, both couldn't help but wonder how long they could maintain the facade and what it would take to bridge the growing divide.

The day continued with a semblance of normalcy, but the weight of unresolved emotions lingered, casting a shadow over their interactions and leaving their friends silently concerned.

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