Chapter Five

Lee Minho

Straight boy-itis.

If such a disease exists, Lee Minho's certain he has it. Self-diagnosed, of course.

He's not one to seductively coerce straight guys into sucking dick on the down low, or to home-wreck a relationship to fulfill a fantasy of dancing into the bed of a straight guy (when in reality, it's just a fetish on their end).

But damn, are the straight guys at Seoul University of the Arts checking all of Minho's boxes on his 'dream guy' list.

And after finding out the last guy he hopelessly crushed on was straight (only after being sent a five-minute-long sex tape from his girlfriend), he prayed to whatever higher being that the next guy wouldn't be straight.

In comes Han Jisung. Minho likes him.

And of course, he's straight.

Minho knows that Changbin was only looking out for him by revealing the dreadful news: he wouldn't have a chance with yet another straight guy.

Still, Minho is slightly put off by it all.

Not only did his best friend refuse to explain how he got that incriminating information, but Minho also doesn't understand why Changbin had to burst his bubble so abruptly. Even if it was deluded with romantic fantasies of a certain straight boy.

It's like the bubble popped into tiny, red pieces before it could even take off. Regardless, Changbin has Minho's best intentions in mind only. Minho knows that.

Minho figures he ought to trust him, even if it's all a tad suspicious.

But, is it not a little suspicious for straight boys in skirts to aggressively stammer as they hold out hand-drawn portraits of yourself? Hand-drawn portraits that look almost too good to be true?

Don't ask Minho, he doesn't know.

"I-I'm sorry if it's weird," Straight Boy Han Jisung stutters, cheeks as pink as the bubblegum pink in the skirt he wears (one that hugs his waist so—okay, focus Minho, he's straight). "I was just kinda' bored an–and you have a nice face... to draw?"

Minho blinks once. Twice. Three times. And he's still confused.

But he should say something before Straight Boy Han Jisung explodes in front of him. He definitely looks like he might.

"No, it's not weird," he says with a small smile. "In fact, it's really good. I'm a little honored if you ask me," Minho giggles, trying to lighten the mood.

Or maybe it's because he can't control his giddy laughter when within Jisung's presence. Minho doesn't know.

Jisung's face lights up with a shy smile, and Minho can't help but notice how adorable he looks. Wide, wondering, almost anime-like eyes, small lips that are in the cutest pout and—Minho, he's straight.

Unequivocally straight. Unmistakably straight. Who makes out with girls in the deep shades of fraternity parties and sticks his dick in between large, voluptuous, hentai-breasts (that Minho, undoubtedly, does not have in his genetic pool... also, Hyunjin taught him that word).

But who also has a flimsy paper, torn from his sketchbook, with Minho's face on it. His actual-fucking-face, with all its details and signature facets. Who has a pretty, pink skirt draped over his thighs and the stereotypical 'sub-bottom' persona going for him.

Now, you could say: "Minho, it's wrong to be stereotypical!" And yeah, it is. But he grew up on Fan-Fiction where the feminine guys were always, and he means always gay. Cut him some slack, you wouldn't think that Straight Boy Han Jisung is straight either.

But, if Jisung is straight... and if the cheap booze and Kool Aid mix can't convert him, Minho is certain that nothing can.

"You think so?" Jisung asks, and now he's biting his lip. Great. "I mean, you can have it... if you want. If anything it's—it's for you." Minho assumes that Jisung hasn't talked to many people in his life.

If he weren't so adorable and his lips weren't so kissable, Minho would've crumbled into dust and secondhand embarrassment because of Jisung a while ago.

But it's Jisung, in his beautiful, tangarine glory, so Minho'll let it slide. Only for Straight Boy Han Jisung.

(And yes, Minho must keep reminding himself of Jisung's dreadful straightness.)

By now, the Drawing Fundamentals: Techniques and Applications classroom has been fled of its students, leaving Jisung and Minho alone in its wake.

Well, almost alone, if you count their aloof professor scrambling to clean up the classroom after an off-curriculum art lesson.

Garish hues of red, yellow, and blue paint the walls in messy splatters, the tables stained with acrylic paint and pencil lines.

Even Jisung's fingertips are stained bright red—a red that colors the corners of his drawing and the depths of Minho's heart.

Okay. He'll admit, that one was corny.

"I-I'd love to have it, thank you," Minho gushes, extremely embarrased by the unusually high pitch his voice reaches as he talks. "You're—wow—you're really talented, Jisung."

As Minho takes the drawing from Jisung's hands, he can't help but be struck by the incredible talent on display—left speechless.

The lines are fluid and graceful, like the wings of a swan in flight. The shading is... almost expertly done, with each curve and contour of Minho's face captured in soft, delicate strokes. The colors are vibrant and alive, with each hue and shade carefully selected to bring out the best in his features.

It's like a living thing, a creature made of ink and graphite that brims with vitality and beauty. And it's him. Seems far too good to be true.

And the eyes. They're like jewels, shining with a brilliance that seems to pierce right through Minho's soul, even though they're his own.

He wonders if Jisung finds him as beautiful as he's drawn Minho on paper.

In the same sequence, he gets his answer: probably not.

When Minho returns to his apartment, Jisung's artwork in hand, best believe he moves at lightning speed to show his friends. As typical friends with embarrassing crushes do.

Today, 4:22 PM

Minho
GUYSKDJDOJAOSJ
ALERT ALERT ⚠️🚨❗ ❗

einstein hwang🧠🌟
What??

bestie binnie💞😚
Is it really that urgent?

Minho
???
i'm offended? of COURSE it's that urgent!

einstein hwang🧠🌟
What is it?
The stalling is incredibly inconvenient.
I would like to note
The last time you said something was "urgent", it was because your last crush deactivated his Instagram account.

Minho
hyunjin...
ntm...
those were dark times😞

bestie binnie💞😚
What's going on Min?

Minho
i'm glad you asked🤭
so
remember that one... like straight guy?

einstein hwang🧠🌟
Which one?

Minho
YOU'RE NOT FUNNY😐

einstein hwang🧠🌟
Humor is subjective
Anyway
Han Jisung?
The one you're fanboying over?🤦🏻

Minho
NOT fanboying
i only do that for blackpink
but yes, him

bestie binnie💞😚
What did he do?
I thought you were over him, no?

Minho
HOWCOULDIEVERGETOVERTHAT
oh
sorry for my outburst
ahem
HE DREW ME AAHHHHHHH😱😱😱

einstein hwang🧠🌟
For a project?

Minho
nah
he did it for fun?? i assume?
he says i have a nice face to draw🤭🤭

bestie binnie💞😚
You don't think it's a little creepy?
Usually people do that in Fan-fiction
You know, the whole 'staring and drawing thing'
To me, it's kinda weird
No actual human being would do that😭😭😭

Minho
i mean
i'm really grateful
i think he's cute
IT'S CUTE**
but he's also really cute😊

einstein hwang🧠🌟
You're getting sidetracked
Btw
I agree with Changbin
It is strange that he just drew you out of the blue.
But
I doubt his intentions are to be creepy.
Really, it's all about intent.

Minho
dw guys
he's not going to kidnap and kill me
he wouldn't hurt a fly🥺🥺

bestie binnie💞😚
Fair point
But keep in mind that he's still a stranger☹️
You don't know him

einstein hwang🧠🌟
Hm.
I also agree with Minho.
Jisung... seems pretty harmless.
So
If you're happy, I'm happy😄

Minho
i am happy
really really happy🥺

einstein hwang🧠🌟
Then that settles it
Just don't go get your heart broken by another straight guy
It's not worth it.

bestie binnie💞😚
Hyunjin's right
We don't want to see you hurt Min😞

Minho
yes sir😤
getting over him as we speak!

Minho is many things, including (but not limited to): hopeless romantic, Fan-Fiction fanatic, friend of furry-tailed felines, dance prodigy—you get the point.

One thing Minho is not, however, is delusional. 

Sure, entertaining his small crush on Jisung gives off the impression that Minho actively ships them together, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. There is no 'Minho and Jisung', and while Jisung's straightness is disappointing, it isn't as if anything was brewing between them to begin with.

It's entertainment, that's all.

Minho simply enjoys entertaining the idea of being with the likes of Straight Boy Han Jisung. He would never—

Today, 4:41 PM

Minho
GUYS
😭😭😭
WE HAVE A PROBLEM
‼️‼️🚨🚨🚨‼️⚠️⚠️⛔️
HE REQUESTED TO FOLLOW ME

einstein hwang🧠🌟
The plot thickens...
Are you going to accept?

Minho
i need to fully purge my account first
i've tweeted 100+ times about him
I'M A FAN😩😩🙁

bestie binnie💞😚
Just follow from your main?
How did he even find your priv...

Minho
IDFK
😭
it'll be suspicious if i don't accept
he's going to know😭😭

einstein hwang🧠🌟
I doubt it
You're overthinking
It's likely that he doesn't know that you have two separate accounts

Minho
okay, you're right
i'm going to play this so cool😊
calm and collected, collected and calm

bestie binnie💞😚
Good luck Min😭😭💗

Minho
thanks bin💞💞
i need it😭

With trembling fingers and clammy palms, Minho declines the follow request. Allowing Jisung in would be like leading a robber to the banksafe full of cash, and Minho's not ready for that.

Then, he follows Jisung from his 'main', public account, holding back a giddy squeal when Jisung follows back within five or so minutes.

Oh, and then, Jisung texts. And Minho's heart drops to the pit of his belly, past all the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
hii
i wanted to apologize for sorta drawing you
without consent
lol
the skirt was really out of character and inappropriate
it was a dare from my friends </3

lee minho😸 [ @minholee.98 ]
it's okay
i love it!😊
why were you apologizing?

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
because
i didn't ask you first
:')

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
dw you're fine😁

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
k
i'm glad you liked it?

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
LOVED* it
now i owe you one

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
huh
wdym?

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
send me a pic, i'll draw you😊

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
oh
you don't have to haha
seriously
there are tons of people you can draw instead

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
?
...there's no one better though
you have a
as some would put it😚
"nice face to draw"

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
...
:')

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
i'm being serious
you're cute... in an awkward way
still cute though😊

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
thank you?
i've heard that i'm awkward before :')

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
well
you text like you have no social skills
i don't mean it in a bad way
also
people need to tell you you're cute more often😤

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
lol
i guess

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
so... about that picture?
👀

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
you're never getting it
ever

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
you owe me😩😩
for drawing me without consent😕
or, i can just take a photo tmr in class
your choice

jisung! [ @playboyhan ]
you're difficult
i'll see you tomorrow, minho

lee minho😸[ @minholee.98 ]
see you tomorrow📸😊

author's note:

hi, thanks for reading chapter
FIVE of DAYBREAK!🌈🌟

minsung SCRAPS in this one... how do you
guys find the dynamic? i lowkey love hyunjin's
characterization too😭

as always, let me know your thoughts! any new
predictions, ships, (or you can just vent)...

drink water and get some rest!
see you next chapter😁