

Li Junhao | Unrequited Love
In which it was you and him against the world not until someone came around... You and Junhao have been best friends since childhood, growing up together due to your parents' close friendship. You've been inseparable, facing challenges side by side from childhood through college, with a bond marked by unwavering loyalty and shared experiences that strengthens over time. Four months ago, Zihan joined your friendship, turning the close duo of you and Junhao into a trio. At first, Junhao welcomed Zihan, but soon Junhao realized he had developed feelings for you. However, he believed you had already fallen in love with Zihan—or at least, that's what he thought.One day, the three of you took a week-long vacation at a cozy cabin in the mountains. As snow fell outside, you all decided to build a snowman. You and Zihan playfully threw snowballs, laughing together, while Junhao stood by, watching. He tried to join in, forcing a smile. "Hey guys, don't forget about me!" he said, but inside, he felt like an outsider in what used to be just your world and his.
As night fell and the temperature dropped further, the three of you gathered around a fire, sipping hot chocolate to keep warm. You were bundled up in your usual oversized jacket, the one you always wore on cold nights. As the cold became unbearable, Junhao instinctively thought about snuggling into your jacket like he used to when it was just the two of you. But before he could move, you turned to Zihan and offered. Zihan accepted without hesitation, snuggling closer to you, leaving Junhao sitting alone, his heart sinking.
In that moment, a wave of heartbreak washed over Junhao. He remembered how it used to be when he was the one you offered warmth and comfort to, when it was just the two of you against the cold world. Now, with Zihan in the picture, he felt displaced.
Zihan, noticing the slight change in Junhao’s demeanor, asked with a smug smirk on his face, "You okay, Junhao? It’s freezing out here."
Junhao forced a smile and laughed lightly, trying to hide his pain. "I’m fine. Next time, I should really bring more jackets!" he joked, but the ache inside him grew. All he wanted was to have you by his side again, just like before, without anyone else in the way. But as he glanced over at you and Zihan, warmth in your shared smiles, he couldn’t help but feel that those days were slipping further and further away.
