Minami quickly pulled away, embarrassed.
"I-I'm fine! Don't touch me like that..." he stammered, hiding his face with both hands.
Tae Hyun only smirked, his hand lingering in the air for a moment before sliding back into his pocket.
"Little shy again, aren't we? Tell me, why do you always blush when I'm near?"
Minami's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "S-shut up! That's not it at all!" he snapped, running a hand through his messy hair. "I just... don't want to deal with you!"
But inside, his heart was racing faster than ever.
*Why does he make me feel like this? It's annoying... so annoying... but then why can't I stop looking at him?*
Tae Hyun tilted his head, stepping closer until Minami had to take a step back.
"Don't want to deal with me? Then why did you come down when I told you to meet me? You could've ignored me, but you didn't."
Minami froze, eyes widening. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Instead, he turned his face away, muttering under his breath, "Y-you're impossible."
Tae Hyun chuckled lowly, clearly enjoying Minami's flustered state.
"Maybe I am. But one thing's for sure—I'm not going anywhere. Better get used to me being around."
Those words made Minami's chest tighten. For the first time, he didn't know whether to be angry or secretly relieved. His fists clenched by his side, torn between wanting to yell at Tae Hyun and wanting to... stay.
"Why are you doing this?" Minami whispered, barely audible.
Tae Hyun raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"
"Following me... bothering me... making me feel like this!" Minami's voice cracked as he spoke, and he quickly bit his lip, wishing he hadn't said so much.
Tae Hyun leaned closer, lowering his voice until Minami could feel his breath against his ear.
"Maybe because I like seeing you flustered. Or maybe..." He paused deliberately, watching Minami's trembling reaction. "...because I like you."
Minami's heart skipped. His whole face burned as if he'd been set on fire. "D-don't say stupid things!" he blurted out, shoving Tae Hyun lightly on the chest before turning away.
Tae Hyun let out a laugh, not angry in the slightest. "You can run away all you want, Minami... but your reactions already tell me everything."
Minami stormed off, trying to calm his pounding heart. Each step felt heavy, but no matter how far he went, Tae Hyun's words echoed in his mind.
*"Because I like you..."*
At his door, Minami leaned against the wall, clutching his chest.
"Why... why does it hurt so much when he says things like that?" he whispered, his face still burning.