"BY the way, since when do you speak Korean?" Felix asked as they rode the fancy car after they left the school. Mal sat in the driver's seat and turned on the engine, then sent him a smile.

"I... Want to know the truth?"

He nodded. "Yeah, of course."

"Well, I started learning right after we went on our first date. Somehow I knew we're going to need it at some point."

His heart melted into his stomach. Happy tears began to form in his eyes as he hugged her tightly.

"That's the sweetest thing anyone could do for me. Thank you so much..."

She hugged him closer to her. "You're more than welcome."

As they turned their eyes back to the road, Felix frowned a little. "But, you know that only my parents are Korean, right? I didn't actually know how to speak fluent Korean until I debuted in that group, Stray Kids."

As soon as his phrase came out, he glanced down at the floor, his heart sinking as his memories came flooding by.

"I know, sunshine. I just think it's a nice way to communicate whenever we're in public." she explained, "And... I know it makes you upset to talk about your friends like that, so remember that you don't have to say anything you don't want to. You already told me everything, and I'll always understand, nonetheless listen to you."

He faintly smiled at her words. "Thanks, baby. I know you'll always listen to me because you're a good listener. I do want you to talk to me more about yourself though. It can't be always about me."

"Yeah. I guess I'm more of a listener, but I promise I'll talk about myself more."

"Okay. I love listening to you. Thanks again, Mal."

"Felix, you're literally the sweetest boy I've ever met. I would gladly talk to you about anything."

Later that day, Mal pulled up in front of the familiar apartment building. Felix reached out to unlock the door, but turned to her curiously as if to ask her for something.

"Aren't you going to come up with me?"

"I wish, but we have important guests today. Maybe later?"

She could see his face dropping in disappointment. "Okay. Later..."

As soon as he got out of the car, Mal sent him a kiss as a goodbye before she drove away.

Felix hurried up the stairs, trying to reach his apartment before he could face Griffin again, as he knew he wouldn't survive against him without Mal by his side.

He arrived at the second floor a few minutes later, panting slowly. He caught his breath for a second, then proceeded to sprint across the hallway to not meet Griffin or Diego.

But to his surprise, he crashed into someone, which sent him a few steps back. He recovered from the hit in only a few moments and looked up, expecting to see Griffin's smirking face looking down at him.

But it wasn't Griffin.

It was a tall, extremely handsome boy around Felix's age, with long black hair that touched his neck and deep brown eyes. He also had an attractive, slim figure.

"H-Hyunjin?"

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