As you calmly looked around with your exploration, you could sense Dahyun’s mood after she had spotted Soobin and Eunbin together.

“I need to talk to him.” Dahyun inhaled deeply and said suddenly, her voice  with a very firm tone,  “I want to confront Soobin about the rumour mill of him secretly dating Eunbin. ”

You all halted and exchanged concerned glances. What! is she thinking?

Seulgi was the first to speak as she shook her head. “Dahyun, I really don't feel that’s a good idea. The whole class already knows they are secretly dating. The rumours are true.”

Dahyun's smile faltered, and you saw the way her shoulders tensed.

Dahyun looked at you, determination in her eyes. “But I feel in my heart that Soobin does like me more than Eunbin,  Luna. The way he also behaves and treats me in class."

“Oh my goodness! Don’t be delusional, Dahyun,” Seulgi said it bluntly and a little loudly, “Soobin has liked Eunbin since year one; remember. He’s just friendly with you and he treats you like he treats all the girls in class. You need to accept that fact. I'm sorry if I burst your bubble, but seriously, has he indicated before liking you like that?” She clicked her tongue as Chaeyoung gave her a disapproving look.

Chaeyoung sighed,"   but he treats Dahyun differently than the rest. "

Seulgi sighed, "I don't know about that but, Chae. Didn't he reject her confessions numerous times? That is already an indication that he doesn't like her like that."

You placed a gentle hand on dejected Dahyun’s shoulder, remembering a vision you’d had of her crying heartbrokenly, “Dahyun, maybe it’s best to talk to him privately. Where you are alone,  if you’re really sure about how you feel. But... please be careful.” You bit your lip as you glanced at Seulgi, who just shook her head. She doesn't support Dahyun.

Chaeyoung nodded in agreement, but she also looked unsure. “I’ll support you, whatever you decide, Dahyun. But just... be really sure, okay?” Her eyes looked wearily at you, who just shrugged. Dahyun was adamant.

Dahyun sighed, her decision wavering for a moment before she nodded. “I’ll have to talk to him. Privately okay. I need to know for sure, guys. I know how you feel, but something in me urged me to get to the bottom of his feelings."

You could only stare at  her hopeful face carefully, already knowing in your heart that this wouldn’t end well. You've seen her in your casual visions. She was heartbroken and crying. Is this the start of the vision that will unfold?

When you glanced earlier over at the tall Soobin and cute Eunbin, you could see the deep affection in Soobin’s eyes. It was so clear who his heart belonged to, and it wasn’t Dahyun. He likes Eunbin and that's a fact. Maybe Eunbin will be his destined soulmate.

Your heart ached for Dahyun. You could see the determination in her round expressive eyes, the hope that she was clinging to that he might have feelings for her. You wanted to tell her the gospel truth, to spare her the pain you knew was coming, but you couldn’t unless you exposed your gift and shattered her heart. All you could do for now was be there for her, for when everything fell apart around her.

You walked back and saw the waterfall area was empty. You sighed a breath of relief.

To lighten the mood, you suggested heading to the waterfall for some photos. The cascading water was a perfect backdrop for cool photos, and the cool mist refreshed after the emotional tension. and you all posed together, capturing the moment in a series of playful and candid shots.

“This place is so gorgeous,” Chaeyoung said, adjusting the angle on her phone as you and Dahyun posed first rather than each other alone.

“Definitely Instagram-worthy,” Dahyun added, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten as she smiled for the camera, making cute aegyos. Dahyun is so pretty and you can't understand why she is so hung up on Soobin, who rejected her numerous times.

Chaeyoung made you take some group photos. You all gathered close, smiling brightly as the camera clicked.

The sound of your loud laughter filled the air, momentarily lifting the weight that had settled on your heart earlier.

The sound of the waterfall, the warmth of the sun, and the camaraderie of your friends helped lift the spirit.

....

Before lunch, Eunwoo approached you as you walked back to the cabins,  a gentle smile etched  on his handsome face. "Luna, do you want to take a walk with me? There’s something I want to inform you about."

You smiled and nodded, letting him grab your hand gently as he led you away from your smirking friends and those who witnessed with lifted eyebrows. They knew that you and the senior were dating. You just shook your head as Eunwoo just winked at you and nonchalantly led you around the lush resort.

You ended up at the swimming pool deck restaurant, where he ordered for you colourful tropical drinks and ice cream. The two of you settle at a secluded private deck; the sunrays were warm on your flushed skin as you sipped your sweet drinks. You always feel so safe and secure in Eunwoo's presence. You are going to miss him when he goes to university next year.

Eunwoo looked at your quiet demeanour, his expression serious. “Luna, I need to tell you something important... It’s a deep secret.” He looked around to make sure no one was earshot but it was only the waiters behind the counters.

You raised your eyes, tilted your head, and asked curiously. “What is it, Eunwoo...you can trust me with anything?”

“Er... I met my soulmate two days ago; her name is Han Aera, ” he confessed, lowering his voice. “She’s also a senior and already 18 years old at Shinwa Academy, but we’re keeping it a huge secret because she still has a boyfriend—someone important son. I don't want her to experience any stress and hardship with him now in her final year. We're planning to tell our parents after the year's final exams, and we’ve decided to go to Yonsei University together. We both going into film and acting.”

You blink in surprise, your eyes widening in awe. “Wow, that’s... intense. I'm so happy for you, Eunwoo. You deserve a good soulmate. But why tell me such a big secret?”

“I want to ask you something important. Why does it seem like there’s something brewing between you and Yeonjun for weeks now? Even Taehyun asked me discreetly if the two of us were a real item. It seems Yeonjun is eager to know." There was a slight teasing glint in his eyes.

Your eyes widen as you visibly freeze, the unexpected question hitting too close to home.

You were quiet, but after a moment, you decided to confess, but obviously not the whole truth, “I... I like him, Eunwoo, and I told him, but he rejected me. So, I’m just trying to stay out of his and Yejis' way. She has a very hateful attitude towards me and I would rather stay off their radar. It seems that he is in a secret dating relationship with Yeji.”

Eunwoo sighs sadly , squeezing your hand gently, his eyes softening, “Now that I’m officially  bonded, I can truly sense things more clearly... I think Yeonjun might secretly like you too. I can feel it. He was staring at you constantly at breakfast, thinking nobody saw his gaze on you. Don't be so sure that he actually likes Yeji. There is something weird about you two. It's like you are subtly drawn to each other. Even if you ignore his existence.".

You were shocked because Eunwoo was so right. You and Yeonjun cannot deny the pull. You were like magnets for each other and he can't help it. It's the soulmate awareness.

You just sighed softly,  looking down at your half-drink. “Maybe it is strange or it's because I decided to just forget about him; that is why he finds it strange that I don't run after him. He is a debut idol and he is a superstar. And him liking me instead of the beautiful Yeji—well, that’s wishful thinking, Eunwoo. Yeonjun likes Yeji, and I’ve accepted that.” You felt the burning sting behind your eyelashes.

Eunwoo’s expression was sad, but he nodded. “Don’t fret; one day you’ll meet your destined mate, Luna.  You’ll just have to wait and see.”

You just nodded back, though the ache in your heart remained painful. But deep inside, you knew that Yeonjun was beginning to feel the intense pull towards you, that strange awareness that only soulmates shared. His soulmark recognised its match already. But the weight of having to deceive him like this to keep him safe from the Oracle’s wrath was almost too much for you to bear.

You'll only deceive, like a soul blinds him for a year. You are just glad that the Oracle is a little at peace due to you only experiencing the aftermath, which are those random nightmares you are still experiencing. But unbeknownst to you is that the Oracle is waiting for the ultimate blood sacrifice to permanently leave your life.

Eunwoo just pressed your hands on the table, smiling softly in your soft eyes.

He nodded and inhaled deeply, “I wanted to let you know because I need your help asap. Let’s keep pretending we’re a couple so the girls at our school don’t come after me like vultures. They’re relentless fangirls, you know?”

"Sure, Eunwoo, you'll be completing your final year in a few months, ” you finally agreed, though your mind was still processing the news of him meeting his destined soulmate and you can't give your soulmate the love you suppose to give. Choosing him is choosing death.

As you and Eunwoo sat there quietly, lost in thought, you suddenly felt a presence behind you, a subtle sting on your upper arm.  Eunwoo leant in, whispering, “Yeonjun is behind you.”

Your breath hitched.

Your heart thumped erractically, and you just quickly grabbed your phone, pretending to text your friends just to keep your eyes glued to the screen. But the stinging sensation in your arm felt stronger right where your aunt had administered the potion earlier to dull the pain. You whinced but made sure not to flinch.

Yeonjun’s presence behind you was overwhelming, and as he greeted Eunwoo softly , you could sense his discomfort.

He furrowed his brows slightly as he rubbed his upper arm discreetly.

Yeonjun’s presence made the pull even stronger, and you could feel him.

Yeonjun furrowing his brows as he came closer to you. When he greeted Eunwoo, you could hear the forced smile in his voice, but his eyes were darting to you. 

“Hey, Eunwoo...Luna." Yeonjun greeted softly , but his tone was casual but a little strainous. Your heart was beating painfully with the stinging on your arm. It was extremely hard to keep your cool. One look in his eyes will definitely half-bond you.

“Hey, Yeonjun. How're you doing? ” Eunwoo looked up and smiled as he replied with a nod, “You doing okay there?”

Behind him were some of his two TXT members that came with their teams. They greeted and walked past while Yeonjun decided to stop and greet Eunwoo, but when they saw Luna, they were just smirking.

Yeonjun’s eyes slowly drifted to your fresh but stoic face; his gaze was intense, not leaving your face as he answered Eunwoo,  “Yeah, just... tired of the group games”  Eunwoo noticed the tension between the two of you. You were just focused on your phone. 

When he greeted you, his voice was more softer, more uncertain. “Hi...Luna.”

You nodded quickly, but keeping your eyes just focused on his chest area,  not daring to meet his gaze. That will be catastrophic; you just gave a breathless, “Hi, Yeonjun."Your heart was beating. He was just exactly less than two metres away from you, the right moment to half-bond.

Eunwoo was inwardly snorting. Just then you heard more voices. Yeji...

Yeji appeared next to Yeonjun with a cute smile on her bright face, linking her arm with his as she gave you a smug smile, maybe to flaunt her dating the idol. “Let’s go, Yeonjun. We’re sitting over there with Taehyun and Soobin. Let's order very ice-cold sodas or fruit cocktails.”

She just tugged him away, giving you a pointed look as they greeted and moved swiftly to a faraway table.

You let out a deep breath  of relief; you hadn’t realised you were holding.

"Oh my gosh! Thank goodness," you murmured as you looked at a smirking Eunwoo who sat back, arms folded over his torso and looked at you with raised eyebrows.

You look up and furrow your brows. "What?"

Eunwoo chuckled softly, "Mmm...nothing...but the tension between you two was palpable. So, enlighten me again? Is there really nothing between you?"

You just gave him a deadpan look as he started to laugh softly at your unimpressed demeanour.

It was too close for comfort.

A/n: Yeonjun almost got to near for comfort.

Hope you liked the chapter.

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1. What do you think of Dahyuns' decision?

2. If you were in her shoes, would you confront Soobin?

3. Was Seulgi right?

4. Do you think Luna should've warn her clearly?

5. What do you think was Yeonjuns' plan?

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