Is there a study guide for love? (H. Taesan, P. Sunghoon)
you check the time again—5:59 pm.
your heart is already racing, and you can feel your hands starting to clam up. this is your first date since you’ve been in college, and it’s with park sunghoon
at exactly 6:00 pm, he sends you a message to let you know he’s waiting outside of your dorm.
you grab your bag, hesitate for half a second, then step out of your dorm before you can change your mind.
the evening air in seoul is cool, brushing against your cheeks as you walk toward him. and, sunghoon thinks there’s never been a time where you were prettier.
he’s leaning against his car, fiddling with his white gold rings absentmindedly. when he notices you, his expression brightens just enough to make your chest tighten.
“you’re right on time,” you say, sliding into the passenger seat of his car as he holds the door open for you.
he huffs lightly, “i’m always on time.”
with a small laugh, he closes your door before running around to get into the drivers seat.
you start to feel more nervous the longer you’re alone in his car with him.
especially because he’s your brother’s best friend.
especially because this—whatever this is—has to stay a secret.
he starts driving, one hand steady on the wheel, the other resting casually near the gear shift. the silence isn’t awkward, but it’s heavy, filled with things neither of you are saying.
“hungry?” he asks after a moment, glancing at you.
you nod. “you already know the answer to that.”
a small smile tugs at his lips. “convenience store?”
he lets out a quiet chuckle, and something about it feels too warm, too familiar.
the bright lights of the convenience store flicker slightly as you step inside together. it smells like instant noodles, snacks, and something faintly sweet.
you head straight for the ramen aisle like you’ve done a hundred times before—but this time, he follows right behind you.
“you always get the same one,” he says, reaching over your shoulder to grab your favorite ramen before you even touch it.
he raises an eyebrow like it’s obvious. “of course i do.”
it makes your heart flutter. you remember all of the times jay dragged you along to convenience stores when you were little, of course, sunghoon was always with him. you never would have that he remembered the ramen you would always reach for.
your fingers brush when you take it from him, and it sends a spark up your arm.
you quickly look away, grabbing a drink to distract yourself. “what about you?”
“i’ll eat whatever you’re eating.”
“because if it’s bad, i’ll feel responsible.”
he leans a little closer, voice quieter now. “i trust you.”
you end up picking out snacks you both pretend you don’t care too much about—triangle kimbap, chips, two different drinks—and then stand side by side while the ramen cooks in the steaming machines.
you’re close enough that your shoulders almost touch.
“you nervous?” he asks suddenly.
you turn to him, frowning slightly. “why would i be nervous?”
he studies you for a second—really studies you—and it makes it hard to breathe.
“because you know this isn’t exactly… allowed.”
“you’re the one who asked me out,” you mutter.
“so maybe you’re the one who should be nervous.”
he smiles again, but softer this time. “i am.”
that catches you off guard.
“yeah,” he says, picking up the ramen cups as the timer beeps. “i just hide it better.”
the han river glows under the city lights, calm and endless, reflecting everything in soft ripples.
you sit side by side on the grass, the convenience store bag between you, the ramen warm in your hands. there’s a gentle breeze, carrying the distant sounds of laughter and music from other people nearby.
but it feels like it’s just the two of you.
you peel back the lid of your ramen, watching the steam rise. “this is kind of… perfect.”
you shrug, trying to act casual. “it would be perfect if it wasn’t illegal.”
he snorts. “it’s not illegal.”
you eat in silence for a minute, the warmth of the broth settling something inside you. you steal a glance at him—at the way he’s focused on his food, at the way his hair falls slightly over his eyes.
you’ve seen him like this so many times before.
never with him looking at you like—
you quickly look away. “nothing.”
he nudges your shoulder lightly. “you were.”
you laugh under your breath, shaking your head. “just eat your ramen.”there’s a pause.
“coming out with me,” he says, not looking at you this time. “having to keep it a secret for now.”
the question lingers in the air, heavier than anything else tonight.
you think about jay. about what would happen if he found out. about how complicated this is, how messy it could get.
and then you think about this moment—about the river, the quiet, the way your heart feels like it’s finally somewhere it wants to stay.
you shake your head, a small smile forming. “not even a little.”
something shifts in his expression—relief, maybe.
and before you can overthink it, before you can remind yourself why this is a bad idea, his hand finds yours in the space between you.
like he’s been wanting to do it for a long time.
the city lights shimmer across the water, and somewhere in the distance, someone laughs—but it all feels far away, like background noise to something much quieter.
“we should be careful,” you say softly.
“i know,” he repeats, squeezing your hand gently.
you exhale, watching your joined hands for a second before glancing back up at him.
“but… just for tonight,” you add.
he tilts his head slightly. “just for tonight?”
he smiles—slow, warm, a little dangerous.
“okay,” he says. “just for tonight.”
but the way he doesn’t let go of your hand makes it feel like it might be something more.
something you’ll have to think about. something that isn’t just testing the waters.
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