CHAPTER 2: SHADOWS IN THE HALLWAY
The hallway lights flickered.
Jimin noticed it because Hoseok did. His steps slowed, just slightly, as they walked side by side. Not enough for anyone else to question it—but Jimin had started paying attention.
They hadn't spoken much since the practice room.
Hoseok was still smiling. Still laughing when others passed them. Still him.
But when they were alone, the silence crept back in.
"Hyung," Jimin said quietly, breaking it. "About yesterday—"
Hoseok stopped walking.
The suddenness made Jimin nearly collide with him.
"There's nothing to talk about," Hoseok said lightly, though his voice came a second too late. "You read something you weren't meant to. That's all."
Jimin studied him. The way Hoseok's hands were clenched in his sleeves. The way his gaze refused to meet Jimin's.
"That letter," Jimin said carefully, "it didn't feel like it was about you."
Hoseok's breath stuttered.
Just once.
Then he laughed. "Wow. You're overthinking again."
But the hallway felt colder now. Longer. Like the walls were listening.
Jimin took a step closer. "It felt like you were talking to someone."
The smile vanished.
Hoseok turned away, staring down the empty corridor. His reflection in the glass looked unfamiliar—quieter, dimmer.
"Some people," he said finally, "don't need to be remembered out loud."
Jimin frowned. "Hyung… who is it?"
Hoseok shook his head. "Someone from a long time ago."
That was all.
They resumed walking, but the distance between them had changed. It wasn't physical—it was heavier than that.
As they reached the end of the hall, Jimin glanced back.
For a moment, he thought he saw someone standing there.
A figure where the lights didn't quite reach.
But when he blinked—
Nothing.
Only shadows.