FALSE HALO

FALSE HALO Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – Becoming Someone They Couldn't Ignore

A few days passed.

Nothing about Hanjin's behavior seemed unusual.

If anything...

He seemed even kinder than before.

---

The members had just returned to the dorm after practice.

Youngjae threw himself onto the couch.

"I don't think I can move anymore."

Hanjin walked into the kitchen without saying a word.

A few minutes later, he came back carrying glasses of cold water.

"Here."

Youngjae smiled.

"You always think of us first."

"It's nothing."

He handed another glass to Jihoon.

"You've been coughing since this morning."

Jihoon blinked.

"...You noticed?"

"You should drink more water."

Jihoon smiled.

"Thanks, Hanjin."

---

That evening, Kyungmin entered the room he shared with Hanjin.

He found Hanjin quietly folding both of their laundry.

"Hanjin?"

Hanjin looked up.

"Oh... you're back."

"Why are you folding mine too?"

"You looked tired today."

"I didn't mind."

Kyungmin frowned.

"You should have waited for me."

Hanjin smiled awkwardly.

"It's really okay."

"I wanted to help."

Kyungmin sighed.

"...You're too nice."

Hanjin only laughed softly.

"I just don't like seeing people tired."

Kyungmin couldn't help smiling.

"Next time, we'll do it together."

"Okay."

As Kyungmin unpacked his bag, a thought crossed his mind.

He always puts everyone else before himself.

Without realizing it, he had started looking out for his roommate more than before.

---

The next morning, Jihoon noticed Hanjin rubbing his shoulder after rehearsal.

"Hanjin."

"Hm?"

"Does it hurt?"

Hanjin quickly lowered his hand.

"It's fine."

"You've been practicing extra after everyone leaves, haven't you?"

Hanjin hesitated before giving a small smile.

"I just want to improve."

"You don't have to push yourself so hard."

"I'll be okay."

Jihoon looked at him for a long moment.

"...If something's bothering you, tell us."

"I will."

Hanjin smiled so gently that Jihoon believed him immediately.

As Hanjin walked away, Jihoon quietly thought,

He's so kind... I hope nobody ever takes advantage of him.

---

Later that day...

Youngjae found Hanjin cleaning the practice room alone.

"Why are you doing this by yourself?"

"The staff already works hard."

"So?"

"I thought I could help a little."

Youngjae grabbed the other end of the mop.

"Then I'm helping too."

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

Youngjae grinned.

"You make it hard to leave you alone."

Hanjin chuckled.

"Thank you."

---

Over the following week, something changed naturally.

Dohoon no longer passed by Hanjin without stopping.

Instead...

"Hanjin."

"Yeah?"

"Come eat."

"I'm not that hungry."

"Too bad."

Dohoon placed a lunch box in front of him.

"You skipped breakfast again."

Hanjin looked surprised.

"You remembered?"

"You keep doing it."

A small smile appeared on Hanjin's face.

"Thank you."

Dohoon shrugged.

"Friends don't let each other starve."

The word came naturally.

Friends.

Neither of them questioned it.

---

One evening, Shinyu noticed Hanjin quietly sitting alone on the practice room floor after everyone had left.

"You aren't going back yet?"

"I wanted to practice a little longer."

"You've already practiced enough today."

Hanjin smiled.

"I still have a lot to improve."

Shinyu sat beside him.

"You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

"I'm okay."

"You always say that."

There was genuine concern in Shinyu's voice.

"If you're tired... lean on us sometimes."

Hanjin looked at him with slightly widened eyes before smiling gratefully.

"I'll remember that, hyung."

Shinyu returned the smile.

"Good."

---

That night, Hanjin lay awake in the dorm.

The room was dark.

Kyungmin was already asleep.

Hanjin stared at the ceiling.

A little concern...

A little kindness...

People naturally begin filling the rest with their own imagination.

He closed his eyes.

Kyungmin has become comfortable with me.

Jihoon worries about me.

Youngjae can't leave me alone.

Dohoon already calls me a friend.

And Shinyu...

A faint smile appeared.

The leader has started watching over me without realizing it.

He turned onto his side.

I didn't ask for their trust.

I only gave them a version of me that was easy to protect.

Outside the bedroom, laughter echoed from the living room as the members talked together.

Inside, Hanjin quietly smiled in the darkness.

The trap still looked like kindness.

And because it looked like kindness...

No one suspected they had already stepped inside.