After the night filled with accusations and confrontations, the week that followed felt like an uphill battle for not just Minho but for everyone.
The tension in the Phoenix's gang was palpable, and Minho found himself unable to engage in conversations or even make simple eye contact with any of the members, except for one—Jin. The anger and frustration from the accusations about his relationship with Seo-Jun weighed heavily on him, but when it came to Jin, Minho felt a different kind of turmoil. He wanted to apologise, to mend whatever had been broken between them, but every time he tried, it felt like a futile effort. Jin would give him a look of disappointment, a silent rebuke that cut deeper than any words could. He would then turn away, leaving Minho feeling even more lost and sad.
After that night, Minho found himself retreating to the gym more often than usual. It became his escape, a place where he could drown out the noise of his thoughts and the weight of his emotions. With his headphones on, he could ignore the world, focusing solely on the rhythm of his workouts. The physical exertion was a release, a way to channel his frustration and sadness into something tangible. Meanwhile, the other members noticed his withdrawal, their concern growing, but they remained hesitant to approach him. Jae's presence loomed large, creating an unspoken barrier. They felt that since Minho was out of the mission and the team, there was little point in reaching out, especially under Jae's watchful eye. This only deepened Minho's sense of isolation, leaving him to grapple with his feelings alone.
The situation was becoming increasingly complicated for Minho. With each passing day, the weight of the unresolved conflict hung over him like a dark cloud. He could feel the tension in the team, a silent acknowledgement of the rift that had formed. While he was trying to focus on his workouts, the gym couldn't completely drown out the whispers and glances that followed him. He felt like an outsider in his own home, and the isolation was suffocating.
Minho's attempts to reach out to Jin were becoming more desperate. He would catch glimpses of Jin laughing with the others, and it made his heart ache. He missed the connection they shared, the easy banter that used to flow between them. Each time he saw Jin's smile pointed at the others, it was a reminder of what he had once seen himself. The guilt over the accusations and his inability to clear the air only added to his frustration. He knew he had to confront the situation, but every time he thought about it, fear held him back. What if his apology wasn't enough? What if it only made things worse? How long are this isolation and ignorance going to continue?
As the days turned into a week and more, Minho realised that he couldn't continue to hide behind his workouts. The unresolved tension was affecting not just him but the entire team dynamic. He began to understand that addressing the issue directly was the only way to find peace, both for himself and for the team. It was a daunting task, but he knew he had to gather the courage to face Jin and the others, to finally break the silence that had become unbearable.
But it was easier said than done…
With their constantly busy schedule, Minho could hardly find a moment of peace to talk with Jin or Jae. The team, along with Jae, had made a collective decision not to tell Minho's father, their boss, directly what they suspected. They weren't completely convinced that Minho had an affair with Seo-Jun, and they didn't want to add any more pressure on him.
They still allowed Minho to attend the most critical meetings—the ones where every member, including the boss, was required to be present - so that their boss wouldn't be able to find out that Minho was no longer part of the team. These meetings were filled with tension, as Minho sat there, trying to focus while his mind raced with thoughts of what his teammate could be thinking. Outside of those meetings, though, he was confined to his room, where frustration and anger boiled within him. Each day felt like a prison sentence, as he replayed the events in his mind, questioning his decisions and feeling the weight of isolation. The friendship he once shared with his teammates now felt distant, and he longed for an opportunity to clear the air and confront the truth.
However…
Minho wasn't the only one suffering from the end of his deal with Seo-Jun.
Seo-Jun, not having Minho around, found it increasingly difficult to adjust to his old routine. Although he was constantly busy with work and had a lot on his mind, Minho was certainly not one of those thoughts initially. He dove headfirst into his racing life, trying to fill the void with competitions and victories. He continued to go to the racetrack, competing fiercely and winning every single race. At the beginning, everything seemed to be going well on his side; the adrenaline of racing kept him occupied.
But as four days passed since he last saw Minho, the reality of the situation began to weigh heavily on him. Seo-Jun started to feel the emptiness that Minho's absence created. He realised he had still not found someone new to have sex with that helped him relieve the stress that piled up from the pressures of his work. The thrill of racing, which had once brought him joy and excitement, began to feel hollow without the pleasurable moments that he once had after finishing his races.
As the days dragged on, Seo-Jun became increasingly moody, snapping at teammates and showing signs of agitation that were uncharacteristic for him. The pressure of maintaining his success while grappling with his emotions became overwhelming. He found himself distracted during races, his mind wandering to moments shared with Minho, the same enjoyable feeling that he felt when Minho was saying his name was long gone now.
Knowing that the absence of someone who brought him satisfaction was the root of his problem, Seo-Jun began to seek out a new guy to replace Minho. He didn't care who this new person would be or what they looked like; he only needed someone to serve as a new toy to replace the old, useless one. This mindset consumed him as he wrestled with his feelings, trying to fill the gap that Minho had left behind.
As he dealt with this internal struggle, a few of his closest coworkers began to notice the significant change in his character. The one who suffered the most from Seo-Jun's behaviour was his closest friend, Sam.
Sam had to endure Seo-Jun's increasingly erratic behaviour, doing his best to remain patient and not let his frustration boil over. After all, he knew that venting his anger could lead to dire consequences, considering Seo-Jun's volatile state.
Seo-Jun started to isolate himself more than usual, retreating to his office and working longer hours. The absence of his usual routine after racing weighed heavily on him, and the frustration began to build. The search for a replacement became a desperate attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy.
As days turned into a week, Seo-Jun's behaviour shifted from mere annoyance to a palpable tension that hung in the air. His colleagues exchanged worried glances, sensing that the once vibrant and engaging Seo-Jun was slipping away. Sam, in particular, felt the weight of this transformation. He tried to reach out, suggesting they take a break or grab a drink, but Seo-Jun would brush him off, consumed by his thoughts.
As the tension in both workplaces reached a breaking point, the atmosphere buzzed with unspoken frustration.
Jin gathered his courage, feeling the weight of his guilt pressing down on him. He couldn't shake the feeling that avoiding Minho only deepened the rift between them. Memories of their friendship flooded his mind—moments filled with laughter, support, and understanding. He knew that he had to confront Minho, to allow him the chance to share his side of the story. Jin's heart raced as he resolved to find Minho and finally make things right, believing that a candid conversation could heal the wounds they both carried.
Meanwhile, Sam had reached his limit with Seo-Jun's behaviour. The once lively atmosphere they shared felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by Seo-Jun's obsession with finding a replacement for Minho. Sam watched helplessly as his friend pushed everyone away, drowning in his own turmoil. Determined to pull Seo-Jun out of his spiral, Sam brainstormed ways to ease his friend's distraction. He thought about introducing Seo-Jun to new people, perhaps someone with a good-looking body and charming voice could spark a renewed sense of pleasure in Seo-Jun. Sam's mind raced with possibilities, envisioning how bringing in a new sex buddy could help Seo-Jun return to his usual self.
As the day wore on, both Jin and Sam felt a sense of urgency. They were ready to take action—Jin to mend his friendship with Minho and Sam to help Seo-Jun find a new toy to play with...