summary: y/n's heart has been broken one too many times, and being dumped over her unruly dog max was the last straw. now determined to care for max on her own, how long can this hopeless romantic resist falling for her mysterious yet compassionate neighbor anton especially when he's so good with dogs.
the rain had finally given up after three straight days of turning quezon city into a giant puddle. sidewalks glistened like they’d been polished, air heavy with petrichor and the faint charcoal smoke from someone’s roadside inihaw. you clipped max’s harness with practiced annoyance, he’d already eaten the corner of your favorite throw pillow while you were showering and headed out.
max, golden retriever extraordinaire, trotted ahead like he owned the whole barangay. tail helicopter blades, ears flapping, zero concept of “heel.” your ex’s parting words still echoed sometimes. “he’s too much, y/n. you’re both too much.” you’d stared at the half-empty closet, then at max sprawled across the bed like he belonged there more than anyone ever had. “then leave,” you’d said. he did. max stayed.
two months of single life later, you were still choosing the dog every single day.
the courtyard of your mid-rise condo was quiet tonight, only the drip from aircon units and the distant rumble of edsa traffic. max zeroed in on a suspicious leaf when he suddenly perked ears straight up, body language screaming new friend alert and yanked you toward the wooden bench near the fountain.
someone was already sitting there.
tall. dark oversized hoodie, hood up, earbuds in, legs stretched long. he radiated that rare, unbothered stillness like the universe could be on fire and he’d still just exist quietly. max, never one to read social cues, let out a single delighted woof and launched.
“max, no!” you hauled back, cheeks burning. “sorry, he’s super friendly. too friendly.”
the guy tugged one earbud free. looked up. his eyes were dark and kind, the outer corners crinkling the second a tiny smile appeared.
“it’s cool,” he said, voice low and soft like late-night radio. “i like dogs.”
max was already glued to him. butt wiggling so violently the leash vibrated in your hand. the guy reached down immediately confident but gentle and found the exact ear-scratch spot that turned max into a puddle of happy sighs.
“he’s massive,” the guy murmured. “golden?”
“yep. max. he’s… a full-time job.”
“he’s perfect.” another slow scratch. max flopped onto his back like he’d been waiting his whole life for this exact moment. paws up, tongue lolling, shameless.
you stood there awkwardly holding the leash while this stranger gave your dog VIP treatment. up close he was stupidly pretty sharp jaw, long lashes, dark hair falling into sleepy eyes. the kind of face that made you forget how to blink for a second.
“anton,” he said after a beat, glancing up at you. “4b.”
“y/n. 3c.” you shifted weight. “sorry again. he gets excited around new humans.”
“don’t apologize.” anton’s fingers kept moving in lazy circles through golden fur. “i’ve been missing this. my family’s back in jersey. my old dog choco stayed with them when i moved here for the studio job.”
you nodded. most guys either pretended max didn’t exist or made that tight polite smile that said they were counting the seconds until they could escape. this one was half-kneeling now, giving full belly rubs like it was his civic duty.
max rolled over, nudged anton’s wrist for round two.
“you walk him every night?” anton asked.
“pretty much. otherwise he starts redecorating the apartment. creatively.”
anton laughed, quiet, warm, surprised. “smart. keeps you busy.”
“keeps me broke,” you muttered. “new leashes, new shoes, new sanity monthly subscription.”
he stood up slowly. tall taller than you’d clocked while he was sitting. max immediately leaned his whole weight against anton’s leg like he’d officially been adopted.
“mind if i tag along sometime?” anton asked, rubbing his nape, ears going faintly pink under the courtyard lamp. “courtyard’s nice at night but… kinda lonely. plus.” he nodded at max. “dog withdrawal is real.”
you blinked. “you want to voluntarily walk this chaos gremlin?”
“yeah.” small, shy smile. “if it’s okay.”
something tiny and hopeful flickered in your chest. you stomped it flat immediately. nope. no more. you’d promised yourself after the last heartbreak. max only. no boys. no butterflies. no nothing.
but max was staring up at you with those liquid brown eyes, tail thumping anton’s calf like morse code for pleasepleaseplease.
“…fine,” you said at last. “tomorrow. same time. but if he chews your shoelaces, that’s on you.”
anton’s whole face softened. “deal.”
the next night he was already waiting by the gate same hoodie, but now sporting a little black treat pouch clipped to his waistband like he’d come prepared for battle. max lost every ounce of chill and nearly dislocated your shoulder getting to him.
“brought bribes,” anton said, shaking the pouch. “chicken & rice flavor. vet-approved for sensitive tummies.”
you raised an eyebrow. “you googled his breed’s dietary needs?”
“…maybe.” he looked mildly embarrassed. “i like being prepared.”
you snorted, but your chest felt weirdly warm.
and just like that, the walks became a thing.
every night, 8 p.m. sharp. anton appeared. sometimes with a new rope toy still in plastic. sometimes with his portable speaker playing chill lo-fi he’d produced himself. sometimes just his quiet company and those long-fingered hands that knew exactly how to calm a hyper golden retriever mid-zoomies.
you talked about stupid stuff at first.
his late-night producing sessions in 4b (neighbors never complained because he kept it quiet after 11). your endless battle with freelance deadlines and max’s war on socks. why max despised the vacuum cleaner (it was obviously possessed). how anton once spilled an entire tray of pearl milk tea all over himself during a part-time job in high school.
he never asked about the empty space on your ring finger or why your laugh sometimes cracked when a couple walked by holding hands and matching dog leashes. he just… stayed. matched your pace. let max zigzag between you like living jump rope.
one stormy night you almost bailed.
then your phone lit up.
anton: still down? got the big umbrella. fits three if max behaves.
you met him in the lobby. massive black golf umbrella. when you stepped under it your shoulder brushed his hoodie sleeve. max shook like a wet mop right beside both of you, showering you in droplets.
“perfect,” you groaned, wiping your face. “we’re all soup now.”
“still worth it,” anton said quietly. his eyes were on you, not the rain. “you look cute even when you’re grumbling.”
your heart slammed once, hard. you looked down at max instead. “traitor,” you muttered to the dog.
weeks folded into a month. max started planting himself by the door at 7:55 p.m. every evening, whining like the world was ending until you harnessed him. you caught yourself smiling at nothing remembering the low way anton laughed when max tried to catch raindrops, or how his pinky brushed yours when you both reached for the same treat at the same time.
one sticky, jasmine-scented evening after the longest loop yet, max finally flopped onto the courtyard grass like he’d run a marathon. tongue out, sides heaving happily. you and anton sank onto the bench. thighs touching now. neither of you moved away.
after a comfortable silence, anton spoke, voice barely above the crickets.
“i used to think i sucked at this. people. talking. all of it. too quiet. too… inside my own head.”
you glanced sideways. “you’re pretty good with max.”
“max is safe.” fond smile. “dogs don’t care if you’re awkward. they just want you present.”
he turned to face you properly then. eyes steady. a little scared.
“but you…” he swallowed. “being around you feels easy. like breathing. i didn’t expect that.”
your throat closed. “anton—”
“i’m not asking you to decide anything tonight,” he rushed out. “i just needed to say it. i like our walks. i like seeing your face every night. i like the way you talk to max like he’s a person. and i think—” another swallow. “i think i really like you.”
max lifted his head. looked from you to anton like he was watching a very important tennis match.
every single breakup memory flickered past. the “you’re too intense,” the “i can’t handle the fur everywhere,” the suitcase wheels rolling over your heart. but anton had never once recoiled. he’d researched max’s food sensitivities. bought the durable kong toys. laughed when max stole his beanie and paraded around the courtyard like a king. stayed.
“my last ex left because of max,” you said quietly. “said we were both too much work.”
anton went very still. then he reached over slow, careful and covered your hand with his. warm. steady. faint guitar-string calluses on his fingertips.
“max isn’t too much,” he said simply. “and neither are you.”
you looked up. his eyes were soft, open, terrified in the best way, like he was handing you his heart and hoping you wouldn’t drop it.
you turned your hand over. laced your fingers through his. small. tentative. real.
“okay,” you whispered.
he exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for years. small, relieved smile.
“okay.”
max barked once, sharp, celebratory. tail thumping the grass like drums.
anton laughed under his breath. “that’s a yes?”
“that’s a heck yes,” you said. “he’s been campaigning for team anton since night one.”
“smartest dog alive.” anton leaned in slowly, giving you every chance to back out.
you met him halfway.
the first kiss tasted like relief. like rain that finally stopped. like coffee from the 7-eleven you sometimes split. careful at first, then deeper when you slid your free hand to the back of his neck. he made this quiet, surprised sound against your mouth and pulled you closer.
when you separated, foreheads touching, breathing uneven, max had wedged himself between your sneakers, belly-up, paws dangling like he’d personally orchestrated the entire scene.
“package deal,” you murmured, smiling against anton’s lips.
“best one i’ve ever signed up for,” he whispered back.
the walks stretched longer after that.
slower.
sweeter.
sometimes anton brought his acoustic bass and played quiet riffs while max dozed in a sun patch. sometimes you brought two iced coffees and one straw, passing it back and forth while your pinkies hooked under the table. sometimes it rained and you shared the big umbrella anyway, shoulders pressed, laughing when max tried to catch every drop.
max still destroyed at least one thing per week. you still cursed when he pulled too hard on the leash. anton still showed up every single night, treat pouch full, smile soft, patience endless.
but now there were three shadows under the streetlights instead of two.
and when the next big typhoon rolled in weeks later, flooding half the city and turning the courtyard into a kiddie pool, you didn’t even hesitate.
you: rain walk? or are we calling it?
he appeared twelve minutes later rain jacket, biggest umbrella, shy grin.
under the canopy, rain drumming above, max splashing ahead like it was his personal beach day, anton slipped his hand into yours.
“still worth the wet socks?” he asked, voice almost lost in the downpour.
you looked up wet hair plastered to his forehead, eyes warm despite the cold.
“still the best part of every single day,” you answered.
he stopped walking.
turned.
max tugged once then sat obediently like he understood the assignment.
anton cupped your face with both hands gentle thumbs brushing rain off your cheeks and kissed you slow and deep under the umbrella. tasted like rainwater and chapstick and promises.
when you broke apart he rested his forehead against yours.
“i’m not leaving,” he said quietly. “not because of max. not because of rain. not because of anything.”
you closed your eyes. believed him.
because for the first time in forever the hopeless romantic hiding inside your ribcage didn’t feel pathetic or embarrassing.
she felt safe.
she felt wanted.
and max chaos incarnate, destroyer of pillows, professional third wheel just wagged his tail so hard his whole back end shook.
like he’d known from the very first woof that this was how the story was supposed to end.
three shadows. one umbrella. one very smug golden retriever.
and love messy, loud, tail-wagging love finally feeling like home.
this is so long help + it’s organized in sections 😁😁
💭 anton x fem!reader
💭 texts in pink: oc, texts in blue: anton
💭 fluff fluff fluff (and crack)
physical touch
- anton might be the humanized version of ‘physical touch.’
- hand always on ur back or around ur hips
- top of the head kisses
- fixing ur necklace or hair while you’re talking
- as long as you’re in the same room, anton can’t last a minute without physical contact.
- anton’s hand will always be on ur hip or around ur waist.
- he’s backhugging u like 30% of the day
- morning kisses. barely awake kisses.
- tracing anton’s nose while he’s sleeping (he’s actually awake so he’s giggling w his eyes closed)
- “TON I LOVE U BUT IT’S SO HOT. STOP HUGGING ME” “are we breaking up”
- waking up w his leg on you, his face nuzzled on ur neck, and his hand placed light on ur head — it’s a heavy morning.
- “can i bite you?” */stares at anton for 5mins* “is that a yes”
- imagine being against pda while dating a guy who'd tear up if you sit on the other side of the table at dinner? yea, anton.
- fav kissing spot: anton’s nose
- his fav kissing spot: */his nose bled while trying to answer the question
- you guys would last for 5hrs on the couch in silence as long as anton’s wrapped around you
down bad anton
- when he’s talking about his day but you’re rlly focused on what he’s saying so he got flustered all of a sudden “stop staring at me, you’re making me nervous” — “YOU’RE telling a story, where else am i supposed to look at?”
- suddenly smiling from ear to ear during breakfast because “1 year ago, i just thought you’re really nice to me and now i’m eating breakfast with you in our shared apartment” */insert anton giggles (and grumpy you ‘coz u js woke up & he’s talking non sense)
- smiling from ear to ear whenever he hears ur name in his group of friends. (would result to 1hr of anton yapping about how cute you were yesterday and the day before that, and two weeks ago)
- anton buying matching EVERYTHING. and giving them to you with a shy smile.
- “why are you hugging me all of a sudden?” “you’re the cutest i adore you so much” (you’re just eating bread)
- “hi, can we date with the intention of marrying you & having pets as many as you want”, “anton, we’ve been together for almost two years”, “oh, i thought i was being delusional”
- even on casual days, anton would send his newly made playlists for you.
- "i'm gonna take a nap" "okay, me too" "are you sleepy?" "no" "then why..?" "i wanna take a nap with you"
- anton taking care of you when you're sick. and you always feel bad. "baby, sleep somewhere elsee. you'll catch my fever" "i can't sleep without you next to me"
- "have i told you that i love you?" - anton says while eating dinner.
- anton having five story highlights with just you
- anton using a photo of the two of you as his profile photo in every social media platform.
- has two pouches of things that you MIGHT need in his everyday bag (thats why his bags r always gigantic)
- anton's really expressive. he's expressive but would get shy right after saying that he loves you.
cute stuff
- "they're cute, they're just like us" - anton w every single couple in a romance movie
- anton learning how to cook your favorite foods & baking ur fav pastries at home
- would always be on a facetime w u even in social events (he can’t function w/o seeing u)
- anton massaging u after a long week !!!
- handwritten notes :(
- anton writing post-its and sticking it on ur forehead while you’re sleeping whenever he has to leave early in the morning
- anton writing DETAILED handwritten letters for you every monthsary to tell u his favorite moments w u that month, to tell u that he’s proud of u for every single thing that u’ve done that month. he’s such a words of affirmation guy.
- anton not ordering a lot because he knows that u get full easily so he’ll get to eat ur leftovers anyway
- but anton would always make sure that you’ll eat A LOT. that’s why he’ll research a lot about the restaurant menus that you’ll eat in.
- anton brushing your hair every night
- anton letting you style his hair (once went to work w pigtails)
- reading together (and anton falling asleep on ur shoulder right after one chapter)
- SUNDAY RESET IS ANTON’S FAVORITE DAY !!! the everything shower, doing each other’s nails, cooking together, eating a homemade fancy dinner with candles, talking about your week, and ending the day with wearing couple face masks while watching a 2000s romcom movie.
- anton going with you to ur nail appointment and him sitting next to you for 2 hours.
- anton’s closet is basicslly your closet, and your closet is basically anton’s.
- you wearing anton’s clothes & anton wearing your watches and accessories in a daily basis
- gazing at each other in the midst of the crowd, exchanging warmest smiles
- anton running to you to carry you in a hug
- you mentioning that you like this specific cake ONCE in a casual conversation and anton buying it for you every night.
- “did you hear something?” “BABY STOP SCARING ME”
- when you wanna wear something revealing but you asked anton first so now he doesn’t know if he’ll be mesmerized with you or he’ll be offended that you think he won’t let you wear that
- anton waiting for you to come home til midnight because he wants to have dinner with you (it’s 12am)
- anton carrying your handbag / shoulder bag as if it’s his bag.
soft spots
- arguments w antons barely happen but when it does, it often ends almost immediately.
- anton’s always the one to apologize first. even though you’re at fault, anton makes sure to talk to you without making you feel invalidated.
- anton’s definitely a date to marry guy. which is why during deep talks, he’s always talking about the future with you.
- anton finding you crying. he won’t ask why, he’ll just hug you warmly til you feel better. once you’re feeling better, he’ll buy u guys pints of ice cream and watch your comfort movie in silence and in each other’s arms.
- imagine anton’s soft voice welcoming you home after a tiring day. "how was your day, my love?" anton asks, carrying your bag, gently pulling you to the couch so he can massage your shoulders while you spend 2 hours talking about your day.
- mornings with anton are always so warm. you're cooking your breakfast while anton's just hugging you from the back. his face buried at the side of your neck, while talking casually about your plans for that day.
NOTE ◝
i was in my feelings this was based off you are in love by ts
Shyness was something he can never rid himself of. He was also tall, which makes the combination between reserved and tall intimidating to other people. Anton was grateful for his introverted behaviour for most of the part, he doesn’t really enjoy being in the centre of attention. He liked to keep his thoughts to himself, and he hated when people went, “huh?” when he speaks because his voice is so soft.
He’s grateful for the way he is, except for one thing. His shyness completely stops him from approaching you.
He thinks you’re amazing. He wasn’t exactly sure why he would think you’re amazing, he just does. You’re always so radiant when you enter the room. He adores the way you would whisper with your friends during classes, giggling and gossiping – doing everything but paying attention to the teacher. In a way, Anton realised that he was also not paying attention, but his case was different. He admires that you would never shy away from anything, like you’ve got a heart of steel. He knows he could never do what you do.
He doesn’t think of you as his crush, he didn’t believe that it was ever that serious to him. Even if he did think it was serious, he wouldn’t label you as something as fleeting as a crush. You were so much more than that. Anton could never label you under any existing ones, he just knew that you were more than what he could utter with his words.
You don’t talk to Anton much, he was just another classmate to you. However, you also wonder why you always find yourself attending his swimming competitions, constantly cheering him on. Maybe it was because you just wanted to support your classmate. Maybe you were drawn to him, but you don’t even realise it.
Whatever it may be, you never really thought about it for too long – you’ve always been supportive. Anton knew it too. You were the only person he’d ever search for before and after his competitions end. And you were always there. Always.
So, when you weren’t there for the first time, Anton was haywired. He couldn’t focus under the water, he could barely breathe once he was out. He wasn’t frustrated by how badly he had performed. Hell, he wasn’t even affected from seeing his low scores, he was frustrated that you weren’t there. Why weren’t you there?
His mind started racing with more awful thoughts. His world was quite literally collapsing. Did something happen to you on your way here? You always came by yourself, and it wasn’t impossible that something could’ve happened to you. He was upset now, not with you – but with himself. He wasn’t sure why.
His mind raced with awful paranoia about your whereabouts once they announced the winner. He had lost the competition that day. But he didn’t care about any of that. Where were you? Did something happen? Or, have you simply gotten bored of watching him?
His mouth was dry as he walked out of the place with his silver medal, panicked-stricken. He wasn’t sure why he worried so much, but he didn’t care for the reason. He just needed to see you in person, or hear your voice. He needed to know you were okay. He was fine if you told him that you were bored of watching him, he just needed to be sure that you were okay.
Anton didn’t have your phone number, and he could only see you next week, Monday. He couldn’t wait that long.
It was like a black void was surrounding him as his worry grew and grew.
Then, “Anton?” His eyes perked up to the person standing in front of him, the familiarity of your voice instantly washed away every single worry he had. His eyes were wide as he stared at you, his mouth was slightly agape. “Y/N.” He breathed, “are you hurt?” He asked, he needed to be sure.
It was an unusual question to ask to a mere classmate that you barely talk to, but you also noticed the genuine worry in his eyes, the pained expression. He was restless as he waited for your response. “I’m not.” You kept your voice soft as you talked to him, “I’m sorry, it seems like I missed the match this time.” You sighed, you looked apologetic, your eyes trailing at his silver medal, then to the hand that was gripping it. His knuckles were white.
Anton could feel himself let out a breath of relief, his muscles relaxing. He had been holding his breath, and he didn’t even notice it. “You’re here now.” He blurted out, he wasn’t even sure what he had just said to you. There was a long pause between you and him in the quiet corridors. Anton was freaking out, he wondered if he had said too much. “That’s all that matters to me. You’re here.” He ended up saying.
You could hear it in the silence between the two of you as you processed his words. He is in love.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, you slowly pushed the grape through your lips, your eyes never leaving the boy.
"You cheated, Anton!", you heard your brother yell, pushing said boy aggressively.
"Admit it, you're just shit at this game. Quit being a sore loser, Sungchan.", Anton snorted, as you heard Sungchan demand for a rematch.
Did you feel like a creep, watching him play Mario Kart with your brother in the living room?
No.
Not really.
What did you really have to be ashamed of? It's not like he knew you were doing so. Besides, could anyone really blame you? You couldn't take your eyes off his arms, not when his veins deliciously showed up everytime he gripped the controller tight. You just couldn't help but wonder how his veiny hands would feel against your throat.
You've never really spoken to Anton, despite him being at your home literally 24/7 due to his friendship with your brother. He was also somehow in majority of your classes, given the fact you were the same age, yet you sat on completely different sides of the class and shared completely different friendship circles. There was nothing for the two of you to speak about, nor did you have anything in common, an unsettling awkwardness lingering between you every time you were left alone. You just found no reason to talk to him.
That, however, didn't stop your hand from burying itself between your thighs every other night, wishing your fingers were his.
You didn't know what it was about him that had you pressing your thighs together, even with the mere mention of his name. Maybe it was his soft, yet deep voice, wondering how he'd sound whimpering and moaning into your ears, or maybe it was his athletic build that you often caught yourself sneaking glances at whenever he played basketball with your brother, wondering what it'd be like to leave your marks all over him. Or was it simply the thrill of wanting someone off-limits that had you so excited? Finally finding something you couldn't have, after years of everything being just handed to you, receiving princess treatment from your whole family your whole life. You just didn't know.
"Earth to Y/N.", Sungchan waved his hand in front of your face, trying to catch your attention, before walking past you to grab a bag of chips from the pantry.
"Huh?", you muttered, shaking your thoughts away.
"I said what do you want for dinner? Mom said she's working overtime, so we should just order food.", Sungchan explained, as Anton awkwardly leaned against the pantry door, waiting for your brother to be done.
"Oh, just order for yourselves.", You brushed off, causing him to snap his head towards you.
"Why? Aren't you eating? Are you dieting again? I told you, you don't need to diet. You're perfect just the way you are. Wait, are you sick? Are you not feeling well?", Sungchan rushed, making his way towards you, placing his hand on our forehead to check your temperature. Your eyes flickered towards Anton, his eyes looking everywhere but you, as you let out a groan of embarrassment, hating how overprotective your brother was of you.
"Chill. I'm fine.", you swatted his hands away, "I have a date.", you shrugged, ignoring how steam came out of Sungchan's ears at the mention of a date.
You also tried to ignore how Anton's eyes snap towards you, noticing it from the corner of your eyes, trying to convincing yourself not to get your hopes high, as it was just another one of your delusions.
"Are you serious? A date this late? You wish.", Sungchan scoffed, glaring at you, "You're not going."
"But it's-"
"I said, you're not going.", Sungchan sternly pointed, as you stomped your foot onto his, making him yelp in pain.
"But mom-"
"Mom would've said no, too! It's literally 7:30pm, and your curfew is 8, so when do you think this date's happening? Because it's certainly not happening after that.", He continued, cutting you off, as you let out a loud groan, hating how stubborn he was.
"You're literally so annoying, maybe if you let me spe-", you huffed, before you were cut off by his phone ringing. He gave you a pointed look, letting you know the conversation was over, as he left to his room to take his call.
You let out a shriek of frustration, shoving multiple grapes in your mouth, grumbling about how annoying your brother was.
"A date?", you heard someone ask, as you choke on the grapes, forgetting the extra presence. Your face grew warm, embarrassed by the fact he had just witnessed your small disagreement with your brother.
"Yeah. What about it?", you mumbled, leaning onto the counter to grab some more grapes, looking towards him.
Your eyes widened slightly, noticing a different look on his face, completely different to the warm, bright smile he always had on. His jaw was clenched, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at you with a look you unrecognised.
He looked extra hot.
You watched as his eyes slowly travelled from your face, downwards, lingering on your chest. Scrunching your eyebrows, you look down to see what he was looking at, before your eyes widened even more. Your boobs were practically hanging out of your pink cami top, looking extra plump from being pressed onto the counter. Clearing your throat, you looked away, noticing him push himself off the wall from where he initially was, walking towards you. You could feel your heart jump from your chest, the closer he got. Not knowing what to do, you just allowed your inner self to panic, but plastering a stoic expression on your face, eating your grapes.
You let out a soft gasp, feeling his body heat radiating from behind you, feeling his presence so near. You've never been this close to him, your mind going haywire as you try to figure out what was going on.
"With who?", Anton leaned down, muttering near your ear as you bit your lip, trying not to react to both his proximity, and the way his voice had dropped an octave.
"I said with who, princess?", he pushed his body closer against yours, making you whimper, feeling the tent in his shorts press against your backside, as he caged you against the counter. You hated that nickname, something that was given to you by Sungchan's friends for being a 'princess'; in better words, a spoilt brat. Yet, something about the way Anton said it had your pussy throbbing.
"What's it to you?", you rolled your eyes, feigning composure, hearing him scoff behind you.
"Are you really that fuckin dense?", Anton seethed, clenching his jaw even more when he felt you press your ass back into him, wanting to feel more, "Or was I just stupid to think your brainless head could actually work for once.", he muttered, rutting his clothed length against you, as you bit your lip harder, trying not to make any noise.
"Get on the counter, or do you need me to do that for you too? Since you're that fuckin stupid.", he snapped, pushing you up, his large palm on your stomach, pushing your back down onto the counter. You were too needy to even think straight, letting out desperate whines, every degrading word he spoke going straight to your pussy. This was exactly what you dreamed of every night, your desires finally coming true as you feel him push open your legs.
Not even sparing a second to even remove your clothes, his hands pushed into your shorts, two fingers circling over your clit as you let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Such a slut. You're already soaked and I barely even touched you.", he scoffed, tracing small circles over your clit faster, the whimpers from your lips escaping more frequently. The way your body twitched, he knew you were already close, rolling his eyes from how quickly you were able to reach your high. Just as the knot in your stomach was about to release, Anton removed his fingers from your shorts, making you whine from being denied your pleasure, grinding your hips against nothing, seeking some sort of friction to ease your needs.
"Please.", you whine out, frustrated from the lack of attention on your throbbing pussy, hating the way he pulled back to look at your desperate state, condescendingly.
"Look at you begging for me when you were supposed to be going out with another dude. What? Did you plan of fucking him tonight?", he snarled, pulling down your shorts to get a better view of your pussy, groaning at the sight of you clenching around nothing.
"No, only you.", you blabbered, not thinking straight. You hadn't even thought of the implications of your words, nor did you notice the way his eyes lit up when you said so, focused solely on your pleasure.
Anton wasted no time, as he dove straight into your pussy, his mouth latching onto your core. You threw your head back onto the counter immediately, your fingers burying themselves into his hair at the sensation, tugging it roughly. He moaned onto your cunt, sending vibrations up your body as you let out a loud moan.
"Shut up.", he snapped, releasing you from his mouth, as he reached up to put pressure on your throat, choking you. You eyes rolled back from the feeling of his hands restricting your airways, your mouth hanging loose, his cock throbbing at the sight.
He went straight back in, his tongue eagerly flicking your bud, lapping at your folds, while his hands roughly squeezed your thighs, pushing his face deeper into you. He couldn't stop, even if he wanted to, infatuated with how you taste, humming in satisfaction.
"How do you think your brother would react if he found out his sweet little pretty princess likes her pussy eaten by his best friend?", he laughed, condescendingly, smirking as he pulled back to look at your swollen clit, placing harsh slaps against your pussy, before diving right back in with his tongue. Your hands quickly rushed to your mouth, trying to suppress the sounds escaping your mouth, not wanting to be caught by your brother, as Anton increased the pace of his laps, sucking harshly on your clit.
"F-Fuck, i'm close.", you cried out, as you felt his nose brush against your clit every time he lapped at your folds, the pressure in your stomach building. He smirked, picking up his pace as his head ruthlessly moved back and forth, licking and sucking your core, his tongue teasing your entrance while his free hand moved to your bud, flicking it to stimulate you more. Before you knew it, the knot in your stomach snapped, as you let out a high pitched whine of his name, releasing into his mouth.
He continued his work on your pussy, even after you had come down, as you tried to close your legs on him, only for him to push them back open.
"Just fuckin take it.", he mumbled, slipping two fingers in, as his tongue continued swirling around your bud, immediately pumping them faster, curling them perfectly to hit your g-spot every thrust.
"I-I can't.", you cried from overstimulation, trying to push him away, as his hand pressed against your stomach, forcing you down.
"Yes you can.", Anton insisted, his entire attention on your cunt as he worked his fingers through your hole, groaning at the feeling of your spongy walls. His fingers thrust in and out of you, finding your sweet spot as he repeatedly abused the spot, loud mewls escaping your lips as he continued sucking on your clit while working his fingers. Your legs were shaking from the intensity of his thrusts, his fingers diving deep into you as you felt another wave of orgasm approach you. Chanting his name repeatedly, your grip on his hair tightened as you reach your high. Your mind went blank as your eyes rolled back, the pressure in your stomach suddenly released as you let out a loud cry.
Exhausted, you open your eyes, looking down at him, your eyes widening at the sight of him, realising he had just made you squirt.
"That was so fuckin hot.", Anton whispered in a daze, leaning forward to slurp some of your juices, only for you to kick him away from overstimulation, "Didn't know you had it in you to squirt like that, princess.", he smirked, pinching your pussy before helping you up.
"You're cancelling that date. Fuck that, you're blocking him.", Anton glared, handing you your shorts as you put them on.
"I don't think so.", you shrugged, ignoring his sigh of frustration, walking away from the mess you had just made, bumping into Sungchan as he returned to the kitchen to join you two.
"Why didn't you just say it was a girl's date? I didn't know you were having a sleepover at Yujin's.", Sungchan huffed, tired from hearing their mom lecture him over the phone.
"I did try to. Not my fault you kept cutting me off.", you rolled your eyes, stomping up the stairs to your bedroom, as you slammed the door behind you.
"Damn, what's gotten into her pants?", Sungchan muttered, rolling his eyes, as he turned to look at his bestfriend, "Why are you smiling like tha- What the fuck happened here?", he jumped, looking at the mess on the floor.
Anton tried wiping the shit-eating grin off his face, horribly failing to do so.
A girl's date...
"Just spilt some grape juice.", Anton shrugged.
"You like grape juice?", Sungchan asked, confused.
"Love it.", he smirked, grabbing a cloth to wipe the mess.
"Let me help you.", Sungchan offered, making the younger snort.
"Trust me, you don't want to.", he laughed to himself, leaving the older confused.
"Okay...", Sungchan muttered, walking away from his giggling friend.
I guess grape juice was his favourite after all.
first smut i've written in 4 years, yeah the quality's lacking, ended up rushing the end too, but i hope you enjoyed !! feedback is appreciated!! :3
εϊз salt air, and the rust on your door ; anton lee
pairing. bf!anton lee x f!reader. genre. fluff, childhood friends to lovers. inspired by tsitp. synopsis. (the summer house pt. 1) breathing in the salty air during a hot august night spent at anton's summer house alters your brain somehow. you gather the courage to tell anton that you love him. warnings. kissing/make out, physical touch. wc. 883 words. author’s note. sorry that i disappeared for so long, i was on trial for fraud :/ i’m back now though !!
( 🐚 ) ONE SUMMER CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING.
you awake from your nap sometime late into the evening. in the distance you hear something orchestral, it’s soft and melodic and surrounds you like a chorus of angels welcoming you into your new forever. “must be anton’s cello,” you think.
of course it was. you step out of his bedroom, the floorboards creak one by one as you tip toe out into the living room. you’re greeted by his silhouette, the point of his shoulders broad as ever as he sits up tall, hands moving the bow as he plays. you hear him mutter a few frustrations.
he pauses, and then halfway turns to you.
“finally, you’re up. please sit down and tell me what the hell i’m doing wrong.” you smile as you sit crisscrossed on the shag carpet in front of him, somewhat reminiscent of the first kindergarten day you’d ever met him.
anton begins again, his eyes focused on the sheet music in front of him. you admire how handsome and focused he looks, his movements sophisticated to a standard you’d never seen before. he proceeds to play something that makes you feel as if you’re floating in the clouds. every note rings out thick through your ears, you’re practically surrounded by music notes by the time he’s done. whatever he’d just played had changed your life in only three minutes.
“fuck you forever,” he mutters. it catches you off guard and you look at him like a deer caught in headlights. anton notices your expression and quickly follows up. “oh my god, not you. the cello. i didn’t mean you.”
“why do i suck at playing today?” you shake your head at him. suck at playing? anton?? there's no way. "that's impossible," you retort. "i think i literally ascended just now. you're fine, anton. actually— you're perfect." he flashes that wide grin at you and woah, you are so glad you were already sitting down because you would've collapsed otherwise.
"thanks, baby. i hope you aren't just saying that because you're my girlfriend." you shake your head at him again. you could never lie to anton. to you, he was the greatest cello player on earth. you'd spend an entire lifetime proving it to the world if you could.
"anton, i'm saying that because it's the truth. and also because i love you." his head jerks back at your words, eyes going wide as ever. your face goes red and you question what overcame you to finally admit the quiet part out loud. was it the salty cape cod air altering your brain chemicals? had you been possessed by cupid himself?
anton puts his bow down and steps away from his instrument. you're curious as to what he's going to do. he walks over to you and then somewhat crouches onto his knees, caressing the back of your head with his hand. you're face to face and closer than you'd been all day. the air must be doing something to the both of you, because any of your usual shyness is gone. far, far gone. anton gives you a soft smile. you admire how pretty he is up this close, lucky that you're the only one who gets to see him in such an intimate way.
the silence between you two is more than comfortable. it feels like it was your destiny to be here, in this moment. the sound of waves crashing against the nearby shore fills the space around you. in a way, it's harmonious. it's just as comforting as waking up to the sound of anton practicing. perfect doesn't even begin to describe your summer.
he leans in and kisses you. first softly, and then with more intensity. his hands run through your hair, they caress your skin and light little fires all over your body. the both of you end up laying on the floor as you're on top of him, with your hands in his hair this time, sending shivers down his spine as he tries to find the meaning of love within your lips. by the time you both pull away for air, your lips are red and faces flushed with nervousness. "there's that familiar shyness creeping back," you think.
"i love you too, y/n. i love you so much." anton whispers as you hover above him. you two move so that you're sitting next to each other, backs against the couch. you lean your head on his shoulder and take his soft hand in yours. "you're so sweet," you say. "how did i get so lucky?" if the intensity of your feelings are only temporary, damn, you never want the honeymoon phase to end. you savor this moment. you savor every moment as if anton would disappear right before your eyes.
"i still don't believe you. tell me i suck at playing the cello and then we can do that again." anton says, disturbing the silence.
Oh Y/n and Song Eunseok have been inseparable since they were toddlers, growing up side by side in neighboring houses, their bond strengthened by the close friendship of their mothers. From chasing away bugs to bandaging scraped knees to protecting her from other mean classmates. Eunseok has always been Y/n’s quiet guardian — the one who stood between her and the world when it felt too loud.
Everything is thrown into question when things slowly started to change. Less time spend together.
Is she finally realizing that maybe… her best friend was never just her best friend?
“Y/n-ah! Wake up! Eunseok’s already here!”
Mrs. Oh’s voice rang from downstairs, followed by the faint clatter of dishes and the warm smell of grilled spam and eggs wafting into Y/n’s room. Groggily, she peeked from under her blanket, the morning light spilling through the half open curtains.
She sat up slowly, hair a mess of soft tangles, eyes still heavy with sleep. Today was the first day of university — a new beginning. And yet somehow, it still started just like any other morning.
From below, she could hear Eunseok’s voice — calm, casual, teasing her mom as he always did.
“He’s eating your breakfast if you don’t come down in five!” Mrs. Oh shouted again, and Y/n scrambled out of bed, muttering to herself, “He better not…”
Downstairs, Song Eunseok was already halfway through a plate of toast and eggs, grinning when he saw Y/n storm into the kitchen in oversized pajamas and socks that didn’t match.
“There she is,” he said, acting like he hadn’t just taken the last slice of spam. “Morning, princess.”
Y/n shot him a glare and slid into the seat beside him, rubbing her eyes. “Did you really eat the last piece?”
“I thought it was for me,” he replied, shrugging with zero guilt.
Mrs. Oh set another slice on Y/n’s plate with a knowing smile. “You’re lucky I made extra. And you,” she said, turning to Eunseok, “Stop stealing food. This isn’t your house.”
“Yes, it is,” Eunseok said with a wink, already sipping on his second cup of miso soup. “Right, mom?”
Mrs. Oh shook her head, laughing. “Aigoo… You’re worse than my actual kid.”
Y/n smiled quietly into her food. This .. the teasing, the warmth the familiarity — was how her mornings had always been. Eunseok was like the older brother she never had… except he wasn’t. He was something else entirely. Something harder to name.
After breakfast and Y/n getting dressed, they left the house together, Y/n still brushing her hair out of her face while Eunseok held her backpack for her.
“I can carry my own bag,” she grumbled.
“You looked like a bird’s nest exploded on your head five minutes ago,” he said, deadpan. “You’ve got bigger problems.”
“Yah!”
He laughed, effortlessly dodging her weak attempt to smack his arm.
They caught the bus to campus, sitting in their usual spot near the back. The ride was filled with Eunseok’s endless teasing and Y/n’s quiet attempts to defend herself — usually by rolling her eyes or crossing her arms while trying not to smile.
“I bet you were drooling in your sleep.” he said casually.
“I was not!”
“Your pillow says otherwise.”
She huffed, turning to look out the window, cheeks warm. “I should’ve left you at the table.”
“You’d miss me too much,” he replied smugly.
When they finally arrived at campus, the air buzzed with nervous energy. First-years shuffling around, some trying to look confident, others clearly lost. Y/n felt a little of both.
She and Eunseok made their way to the administration building to collect their class schedules. While waiting in line, Eunseok leaned against the wall beside her, scanning his phone.
“What if we’re not in the same classes?” she asked suddenly.
He glanced over. “We always are. Relax.”
But the moment they received their timetables, a frown tugged at Y/n’s lips.
“You’re in B3 for English… I’m in A1,” she murmured.
Eunseok looked at hers, comparing it with his. “Okay, so we don’t have English or Lit together. But we’ve still got lunch, right?”
“I guess,” she mumbled.
“Y/n, it’s not like I’m going off to the military.” he teased. “We’re still on the same campus.”
She nodded but couldn’t shake the unfamiliar feeling in her chest, a quiet fear of change. They’d always been in the same class since kindergarten. This was new... and new scared her a little.
While she was busy overthinking, someone bumped into her shoulder.
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” Y/n said, startled as she stepped back.
The girl blinked, then smiled easily. “My bad! First-day chaos, right? I’m Shin Ryujin.”
Y/n bowed slightly, a bit shy. “Oh Y/n.”
Ryujin tilted her head. “Wait… you’re in A1 for English, right?”
Y/n nodded, surprised. “You too?”
“Yup! And Lit, History, and Korean Culture.”
“Oh… wow,” Y/n said, the nervousness ebbing slightly.
“Well, looks like we’re stuck together then,” Ryujin grinned. “Come on, want to find the classroom together?”
Y/n looked around, her eyes instinctively searching for Eunseok in the crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen. The hallway had grown busy — students rushing, calling out to friends, phones out, maps up.
She turned back to Ryujin and nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.”
They moved with the crowd, Ryujin chatting easily about how she got lost three times already that morning. As they approached the classroom, three girls waved Ryujin over.
“Yunjin! Winter! Somi — this is Y/n,” Ryujin said. “She’s in our class.”
The girls offered warm greetings. Yunjin had a confident, sunny vibe; Winter seemed a bit quieter but observant; Somi immediately complimented Y/n’s backpack, and just like that, the awkwardness faded.
Y/n smiled softly. It wasn’t what she was used to, being around new people, new energy but maybe this wasn’t so bad.
As the bell rang and they all shuffled into class, Y/n took one last look behind her.
Still no sign of Eunseok.
It’s just one class, she told herself.
But something about not seeing him there, not having him nearby — it felt like the first crack in something she wasn’t ready to let go of yet.
—
The classroom buzzed with the energy only a first day could bring — excited whispers, chairs scraping against the floor, papers rustling as students settled in. Y/n took a seat near the middle row, sandwiched between Ryujin and Yunjin, with Somi and Winter seated just behind them.
“Professor Baek is apparently super strict,” Yunjin whispered, leaning closer. “Like, don’t check your phone or die strict.”
“Oh great,” Ryujin muttered. “Guess I’ll have to stay awake.”
Y/n smiled softly. She hadn’t expected to feel at ease so soon, but there was something about these girls their effortless chatter, their easy inclusion that made the transition feel less overwhelming.
She opened her notebook and glanced at the empty seat near her, half expecting Eunseok to slide in late with that smug grin, tossing her a pen she forgot to bring.
But the chair stayed empty.
He’s not in this class, she reminded herself. Still, a small ache bloomed in her chest.
“Y/n,” Somi whispered behind her, tapping her shoulder. “Where are you from again?”
“Oh, I live about fifteen minutes from here,” she replied. “I grew up in the area.”
“Did you go to school nearby too?” Winter asked curiously.
“Yeah, I… I’ve always lived in the same neighborhood.”
Ryujin nudged her. “So you know all the good spots around here?”
Y/n chuckled. “Some. I guess I’m kind of boring that way.”
“Hey, we love boring if it includes knowing where to get the best late-night tteokbokki,” Ryujin grinned.
As class began, the professor’s stern demeanor confirmed Yunjin’s warning — Professor Baek was not one for small talk or leniency. He dove straight into the syllabus, assigning reading material with due dates and expectations before most students had even found the course title on their sheet.
Still, Y/n took diligent notes, her handwriting neat and organized. Her quiet concentration didn’t go unnoticed.
“You take notes like a perfectionist,” Yunjin whispered during a lull. “Can I copy yours if I zone out?”
Y/n blushed. “Um… sure.”
By the time class ended, the five of them were already talking about grabbing lunch together. Y/n hesitated at first, thinking maybe Eunseok was waiting somewhere — they had agreed to meet after the first class. But her phone showed no texts, no missed calls.
“He’s probably still in his own class,” she mumbled to herself.
“Your boyfriend?” Winter asked lightly as they exited the lecture hall.
“What? Oh—no. He’s just my best friend,” Y/n said quickly.
“Hmm,” Somi hummed, giving her a look. “You said that very fast.”
Ryujin raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got that ‘childhood best friends who might be secretly in love’ vibe.”
Y/n nearly choked on her water. “No! It’s not like that.”
“Sure, sure,” Yunjin grinned, linking arms with her. “We believe you… for now.”
They found a table outside near the campus lawn. Students sprawled under trees, eating lunchboxes, laughing over iced coffees. The late morning sun had chased away the chill, and the world felt alive, full of possibility.
As they ate, the girls swapped stories about their high schools, embarrassing moments, and the classes they were dreading. Y/n mostly listened at first, smiling at their jokes, occasionally chiming in. It felt easy. Not forced.
She hadn’t realized how much she needed this — her own space, her own circle.
She did glance at her phone once more, though. Still no message from Eunseok. No “Where are you?” or “Come meet me.” It was unlike him.
Then again… maybe he was adjusting too. Maybe he was finding his own people.
“Y/n,” Ryujin said, nudging her gently. “Earth to you. You okay?”
Y/n blinked. “Yeah. Just thinking.”
“You always look like you’re deep in a drama when you space out like that,” Somi teased.
“Must be the main character energy,” Winter added with a small smirk.
Yunjin handed Y/n a piece of kimbap from her container. “Eat. Thinking’s dangerous when you haven’t had enough rice.” Y/n laughed softly and accepted it. Maybe university wasn’t so scary after all. And maybe, just maybe, it was okay to grow — even if that meant letting some things change.
As Y/n reached into her bag to look for her bottle of water, something suddenly cold touched the top of her head.
Startled, she looked up — only to find a familiar smirk looking down at her.
“Hydration,” Eunseok said casually, holding a cold can of soda and setting it atop her head like a crown.
Y/n blinked up at him, then smiled as she took it. “Where’d you come from?”
“B-classroom,” he said, shrugging. “I saw you from over there.”
He nodded toward a table across the lawn, where a group of guys were already waving him over laughing like they’d been friends forever even if today was their first day together on campus.
“I’m sitting with them,” he added, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. “Just wanted to check on you first.”
Y/n nodded, her smile still soft. “Thanks.”
He gave her a quick once-over making sure she looked okay, comfortable, not too overwhelmed then ruffled her hair, much to her horror.
“Eunseok!” she hissed, trying to fix it.
He just grinned. “Still looks like a bird’s nest.”
Before she could reply, he was already walking away, falling into his usual effortless stride. The moment he reached his table, the noise level around the boys doubled — easy banter, loud laughter, playful shoving.
“He’s cute,” Yunjin murmured, watching him with mild amusement before slowly turning back to Y/n. “You sure you two aren’t a thing?”
Y/n, mid-sip of her soda, nearly choked.
“We’re not,” she said quickly, coughing slightly. “Seriously.”
Winter raised a brow. “You seemed really natural together.”
Somi leaned forward, grinning. “Yeah. That whole ‘he-just-randomly-brings-you-a-drink-and-ruffles-your-hair-like-it’s-an-everyday-thing’ thing doesn’t happen between just friends.”
Y/n looked down at the can in her hands, trying to suppress the heat rising to her cheeks. “It’s not like that,” she said. “We just… grew up together. We’re neighbors — literally next door. Our moms are best friends, so we kind of had no choice.”
“That’s adorable,” Ryujin said, resting her chin in her palm. “You’re childhood besties and next door neighbors? Straight out of a slice-of-life drama.”
“I’m telling you,” Yunjin added. “At least one of you is in love with the other. I’ve read enough webtoons to know how this goes.”
Y/n shook her head, laughing nervously. “We’ve just always been close. Eunseok’s… like a habit. It’s always been the two of us. It’d be weird not to have him around.”
The girls exchanged knowing looks, but didn’t press further.
“Well,” Somi said, popping a grape into her mouth, “I’m just saying — if he ever does start seeing you differently, don’t pretend to be surprised. The guy basically soft-launched you just now.”
Y/n opened her mouth to argue, but Ryujin cut in before she could.
“You know what? Let’s make a deal. No more best-friend-boy talk today,” Ryujin announced. “Today, we celebrate surviving our first morning as adults.”
As laughter bubbled up around her again, Y/n smiled and leaned back slightly, the soda still cool in her hands. Her eyes wandered to Eunseok’s table for just a second — he was laughing at something one of his friend said, his shoulders shaking the way they always did when something really got him.
Something inside her stirred. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t painful. But it was there.
Maybe it was just the first day jitters. Maybe she just missed the way things used to be. Or maybe… maybe some things were beginning to change.
And she wasn’t sure if she was ready.
—
After lunch, the sun had risen higher, casting long shadows through the campus windows as the students filtered back into the lecture halls. The buzz of conversation had mellowed, giving way to the quiet lull of post-meal sleepiness.
Y/n walked back to class with Ryujin, Somi, Winter, and Yunjin, still laughing at a story Somi was telling about mistaking the chemistry lab for the dance studio during orientation. The comfort of new friendship surrounded her, yet her eyes instinctively scanned the hallway for a familiar face.
“Ugh, I already forgot what class this is,” Ryujin groaned, flipping open her schedule. “Oh, right. Media and Culture. I heard the professor’s cool.”
“Same classroom from this morning,” Yunjin added, already leading the way.
As the girls found their seats in the middle of the room, Y/n instinctively left the spot beside her open. It was a reflex — one that had been built over years of habit.
And just as the bell was seconds from ringing, the door opened again.
Eunseok walked in.
He looked relaxed as always, in a dark button-up and jeans, headphones still dangling around his neck. Behind him followed his usual crowd. Y/n’s eyes lit up briefly — she hadn’t known they’d be in the same class this period.
Before she could lift her hand or call out, a girl — tall, stylish, with glossy hair and an effortless confidence — stepped up to Eunseok and grabbed his arm.
“Sit with me,” she said playfully, tugging him toward a seat by the windows.
Eunseok looked surprised for half a second, glancing over his shoulder. His gaze found Y/n almost immediately.
She was still holding the empty seat beside her, her expression halfway between confusion and disappointment.
Eunseok mouthed a quick, “I’m sorry” with an apologetic shrug before being pulled down into the seat next to the girl.
Y/n blinked, lowering her hand slowly.
“Who’s that?” Ryujin leaned over and whispered.
Y/n gave a small smile, shaking her head. “No idea.” Somi, who had caught the whole interaction, exchanged a glance with Winter. “That looked… intentional.”
Yunjin turned slightly in her seat. “Well, she sure seemed confident.”
Y/n stared down at her notebook, suddenly hyper-aware of the dull ache building in her chest. It was silly — he hadn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t owe her a seat, or an explanation. But the image of someone else tugging him away so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world, left her feeling… displaced.
Like she’d just been quietly replaced.
As the lecture began, Y/n tried to focus on the slides. Ryujin passed her a note that read:
“You okay?”
She nodded, scribbling back:
“Yeah. Just tired.”
But she wasn’t just tired. She was realizing — maybe for the first time — that she and Eunseok weren’t going to be side by side all the time anymore.
Maybe growing up meant giving each other space.
Even if that space felt colder than she expected.
—
The final bell of the day echoed through the hallways, signaling the end of their first official day of university life. Students stretched, packed their bags, and filed out in small groups, the hum of laughter and conversation echoing off the walls.
Y/n stayed behind for a moment, typing out a quick text to her mom:
Hey, I might be home a little later. Going out with some friends for a bit. Don’t worry! I Love you
The reply came a minute later:
OK. Have fun, sweetheart. I love you too.
Y/n smiled faintly and slipped her phone into her tote. She stood up, adjusting the strap on her shoulder, eyes instinctively searching the room for one person.
Eunseok.
He was still at his seat, half-turned in conversation with one of his friends, laughing at something. The girl who had tugged him into the seat earlier — still nameless to Y/n — was sitting beside him, scrolling through her phone. She looked up just as Y/n approached and gave her a polite smile.
It was the kind of smile Y/n couldn’t read — not warm, but not unfriendly either.
“Hey,” Y/n said, stopping by Eunseok’s desk.
He looked up. “You heading home?”
“Not yet,” she replied, glancing quickly at the girl. “I’m going to hang out with the girls for a bit. I just wanted to say you don’t have to walk me home today.”
“Same, actually,” he said, standing and stretching. “The guys wanna chill for a while. First day, y’know.”
She nodded, forcing a smile. “Cool.”
There was a moment — one of those quiet spaces that used to be filled with easy teasing or shared thoughts. But this time, Y/n couldn’t find anything to say.
Before she could speak again, Somi called from the doorway, “Y/n! You coming?”
“Be right there!” she called back.
Eunseok glanced over his shoulder as her friends waited. “I’ll see you tonight,” he said casually, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
Y/n swatted his hand away, her smile returning, softer this time. “Stop doing that.”
But he was already turning to his group, nodding at something one of them said. Y/n lingered a second longer, then turned and headed off with her own friends, the buzz of energy between them infectious.
They ended up at a quaint little café just a ten-minute walk from campus — one of those places with handwritten menus on chalkboards, soft indie music playing, and mismatched furniture that somehow worked together.
They ordered iced drinks, pastries, and claimed a round table near the window. As they sat chatting, the girls fell into easy rhythms — talking about professors, gossiping lightly about fellow students, and sharing first impressions of the day.
Y/n sat nestled between Ryujin and Winter, sipping on a caramel latte.
“It’s so weird not being in uniforms anymore,” Yunjin said, fiddling with the sleeves of her cropped hoodie. “I keep expecting a teacher to scold me.”
“I know, right?” Ryujin added. “Also, bless college for letting us drink coffee in class.”
“Yeah,” Winter said with a small smile. “Also bless everyone’s outfits today. Campus looked like Pinterest exploded.”
Y/n chuckled, her heart warming from the inside out. This was nice — a new kind of comfort. Not the familiarity of Eunseok, but something lighter, exciting, unpredictable.
Then the bell above the café door jingled. They all looked up instinctively. In stepped Eunseok, followed by his friends.
Y/n’s eyes met his the second he scanned the room. His face lit up with an easy grin.
“Oh look, it’s the cool table,” he said, motioning to the others to follow as he approached.
Y/n raised an eyebrow. “You following us?”
“Coincidence,” he said smoothly. “But good timing, huh?”
He gestured to his friends. “This is Sungchan, Anton, Shotaro, Seunghan, Wonbin, and Sohee. Guys, meet Y/n my bestfriend and her friends.
Sungchan gave a bright smile. “Nice to meet you all.”
Chairs were pulled in, drinks were ordered, and just like that, the café table grew louder, livelier. The two groups melted into one conversation — jokes flying, stories being exchanged, laughter bouncing off the café walls.
Y/n sat beside Ryujin and across from Eunseok, their eyes meeting occasionally in those in-between moments when the group chatter paused. His smile was still familiar, still teasing — but it lingered a beat longer now. And hers? A little more unsure. Maybe the world was widening for both of them.
And maybe, just maybe… this was where everything began to shift.
—
The sky was starting to tint orange by the time they all stood outside the café, stretching, waving, and saying their goodbyes. One by one, Ryujin and the others disappeared in different directions, until only Y/n and Eunseok remained, heading toward the bus stop they’d always shared.
“First day down,” Eunseok said, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “You survived.”
Y/n smiled. “Barely.”
He glanced at her. “You’re lucky you made some cool friends though. They seem decent. Loud, but decent.”
“Hey,” she laughed. “They’re fun. And Winter isn’t loud.”
“No, she’s just scarily observant,” he said, pretending to shiver.
Y/n was about to reply when Eunseok suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to her. “Hold still.”
“Huh—?”
Before she could react, his thumb reached out and gently wiped something from the corner of her lips. “You had whipped cream,” he said casually.
But his voice was quieter. Softer.
Y/n blinked, her breath caught in her throat. For just a split second, it wasn’t just his hand on her face. It was the weight of something unspoken. The heat that climbed up her neck had nothing to do with the summer air.
She quickly looked away and swatted at his hand. “Ugh, you’re so annoying.”
Eunseok only smirked, walking ahead again. “You’re welcome.”
On the bus ride home, things felt normal again. Their shoulders bumped occasionally as the vehicle rattled along the familiar streets. Y/n texted her mom:
On the way home. Eunseok’s coming in for a bit.
The response came seconds later:
Of course. I’ll keep dinner warm.
As soon as they stepped off the bus and reached the familiar steps of Y/n’s front porch, Eunseok opened the door like he lived there — because honestly, it felt like he did.
“I’m home!” they both called out in unison.
From the living room, a distracted voice responded. “Hi!” It was Sion, Y/n’s younger brother, fully immersed in his racing game, fingers clicking rapidly as the car zoomed across the large TV screen.
“Still trying to beat your record?” Eunseok teased, dropping his bag near the shoe rack.
“Don’t distract me,” Sion muttered, tongue slightly out in concentration. “I’m on the last lap.”
Y/n rolled her eyes fondly and padded into the kitchen, instantly reaching for the snack cupboard. But her hand barely grazed a bag of chips when a sharp smack tapped the back of it.
“Not before dinner,” Mrs. Oh said, narrowing her eyes with a knowing smile.
“Ugh,” Y/n groaned, pouting. “I’m starving.”
“There’s fruit on the table. You can eat that.”
Defeated, Y/n shuffled out of the kitchen and headed upstairs. Eunseok didn’t need prompting — he followed behind her, casually making his way into her room and collapsing onto her bed, face-first.
“Your bed still smells like strawberry detergent,” he muttered into her blanket.
“That’s because I actually wash my sheets,” she said, tugging her chair out from her desk.
He rolled onto his back, eyes half-lidded. “So… first day. What’d you think?”
Y/n leaned back slightly, kicking off her shoes. “It was… a lot. But good. The girls were nice. It felt weird not being in the same class as you though.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, turning his head to look at her. “Felt empty. Kept waiting for your annoying commentary about the professors.”
She smirked. “You mean correct observations.”
Eunseok smiled, then sighed. “It’s going to be weird this year. Different schedules, new people….”
“Yeah,” she echoed, softer now.
There was a brief silence — not awkward, just thoughtful.
Then Eunseok added, “But we’ll figure it out. We always do.”
Y/n nodded, watching him from her chair. He looked too comfortable on her bed. Too familiar. Like this moment had played out a hundred times before — and yet, somehow, everything felt… a little different now.
She wasn’t sure what it meant yet.
But she could feel it.
And that was enough to make her heart ache just a little.
The scent of simmering stew and garlic-soy marinated meat wafted through the air, curling its way up the stairs and into Y/n’s room. “Dinner’s ready!” Mrs. Oh called out from the kitchen.
Eunseok sat up immediately. “Finally. I was about to pass out.”
“You had a whole pastry earlier,” Y/n said, laughing as she stood.
“That was fuel for emotional support,” he quipped, following her down the stairs.
In the dining room, the table was already set. Bowls of warm rice, glistening meat, side dishes, and a bubbling pot of kimchi jjigae awaited them like a familiar embrace. Sion was already in his seat, chopsticks in hand.
“You eat like you didn’t just have snacks ten minutes ago,” Y/n muttered to her brother.
“Mom said you couldn’t have snacks. Not me,” Sion replied with a smirk.
Mrs. Oh ushered the two of them to their seats. “Come on, food’s getting cold.”
As always, Eunseok took the spot next to Y/n — across from her brother and beside her mom, who barely blinked at the routine. It was like muscle memory, the way she instinctively placed an extra set of utensils by his bowl, spoon angled just the way he liked.
“Eunseok-ah, taste this and tell me if it’s too salty,” Mrs. Oh said, offering him a spoonful from the stew.
He obliged with a grin, tasting it like a proper food critic. “Mmm. Perfect. Just spicy enough.”
“I swear, you compliment my cooking more than my own kids do,” Mrs. Oh said with a laugh, smacking Y/n lightly on the arm.
“I think I already have it,” Eunseok replied smugly.
“You wish,” she shot back, but the warmth in her voice was real.
They ate together like they always had — laughter bouncing around the room, chopsticks clinking against bowls, casual teasing woven in between mouthfuls. Sion recounted a weird video he’d watched, and Mrs. Oh shared a story about a nosy neighbor. And through it all, Eunseok felt less like a guest and more like a piece of the house itself.
Halfway through the meal, Mrs. Oh gently reached out to fix Eunseok’s bangs, brushing them away from his eyes.
“You need a haircut soon, don’t you?” she said. “I keep telling you, you should let me trim it.”
Eunseok chuckled. “You just want an excuse to make me look like Sion.”
“She cuts his hair every few months,” Y/n whispered to him. “It’s like a ritual.”
“Don’t remind me,” Sion groaned dramatically.
Y/n glanced between them — her mom fussing over him, her brother casually talking to him like he was another sibling, Eunseok cracking jokes like he belonged in every chair at the table.
It hit her all at once.
He was part of the family. Her mom treated him like a son. Her brother liked him more than most of his own classmates. Their house — her home — had his imprint in every corner.
And yet…
There was something bittersweet sitting just beneath her ribs.
As dinner wound down, Mrs. Oh packed some leftovers into a container. “Take this home, Eunseok. You’ll get hungry again by midnight.”
“Thanks, mom.” he said with a grin, accepting it like it was a given.
“You’re basically another mouth to feed in this house,” she teased.
Y/n followed Eunseok to the door, the evening breeze cool on their faces as he slipped on his sneakers. She held the door open, leaning against the frame.
“I think my mom likes you more than me,” she said, trying to sound casual.
“She’s got good taste,” he teased.
They stood there for a second — not quite wanting to end the day, not quite knowing what else to say. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t easy either. It felt… loaded.
“I’ll text you later.” he finally said.
“Okay.”
He stepped off the porch, gave her a lazy wave, turn to walk towards the next house. Y/n stood there watching as he stepped infront of his front porch, glancing up at Y/n smiling and entered the house.
That night after dishes, after Eunseok had texted his usual “home safe” message… Y/n layed in bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark.
She should’ve been asleep by now. Her alarm was set for 6:00 AM. She had classes to think about and new friends to maintain.
But her mind was stuck — looped on the moment his thumb wiped cream from her lips. On the way he collapsed onto her bed like it was his. On how naturally he fit at the dinner table. How her mom smiled differently around him. How she smiled differently around him.
Why am I thinking about him like this?
She turned onto her side, clutching her pillow.
It’s just Eunseok. He’s always been like this. Always been here. He’s my best friend. That’s all.
Still, her chest felt tight. Not painful. Not scary. Just... full. Like she was holding something in, afraid of what it would become if she let it out.
The next morning arrived too soon.
By 6:30 AM, Y/n was already in the kitchen rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, tying her hair into a loose bun as she reached for the eggs in the fridge. The pan was already heated.
Crack.
Eggshells landed awkwardly on the edge of the sink. The yolk broke too fast.
She sighed. Right on cue, the doorbell rang. She didn’t even flinch. “It’s open!” she called out, too used to the routine by now.
Seconds later, Eunseok stepped into the kitchen like he lived there. “You still can’t crack eggs properly?” he greeted, setting down his bag.
“Good morning to you too,” she mumbled, flipping the eggs with uncertainty.
He leaned beside her and peered into the pan. “That’s a war crime, Y/n.”
“Shut up,” she said, laughing under her breath.
“I’ll handle it.” He took the spatula from her, bumping her gently aside. “You cut up some fruit or something. This is painful to watch.”
She rolled her eyes, muttering, “Drama queen.”
A few minutes later, the scent of properly cooked eggs and buttered toast filled the kitchen.
Y/n walked into the living room where Sion sat on the couch, still wrapped in a blanket, eyes barely open as a random anime played in the background.
“You’re up,” she said, surprised. “I thought I’d have to drag you out of bed.”
“Woke up to the smell of something burning,” he mumbled.
She gasped. “That was not burning—”
“You mean the ones that Eunseok hyung made since you messed up?” Sion interrupted with a sleepy smirk.
Without hesitation, Y/n grabbed the closest couch pillow and smacked it against his shoulder.
“Hey!” Sion protested, shielding himself.
“Respect your sister,” she grumbled, but her voice was light.
From the kitchen, Eunseok called out, “Sion-ah, come eat! Before your sister ruins dessert too.”
“I heard that!” Y/n shouted.
Soon they sat at the table, the three of them — Eunseok in the seat her mom usually occupied. Sion was still yawning between bites, but his plate was almost clean.
“Mom left early?” Eunseok asked, nodding toward the empty seat.
“She had a meeting downtown,” Y/n said. “Told me to make sure Sion ate properly, like I don’t do that every morning.”
“You don’t,” Sion said with a full mouth.
“I will smother you with toast,” she warned.
Eunseok just watched them with a smile, like this scene was something he’d memorized — something that grounded him.
After a moment, Y/n looked over and caught him staring at the two of them. Not in a weird way. In a soft way. Like… this was peace.
“What?” she asked, her voice quiet.
He blinked. “Nothing. You’re just… you’re good at this.”
“At what?”
“Being the older one. It suits you.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that. But something fluttered in her chest — something that hadn’t stopped since last night.
As the clock ticked closer to 7:30 AM, Sion packed his things and ran out to catch his own bus. Y/n and Eunseok gathered their bags next, ready to head out.
But as Y/n tied her shoes by the front door, her heart still tugged with confusion. She glanced at him — same hair slightly messy from the wind, same easy grin.
Why do you feel different now?
Why does my heart feel like it’s noticing you for the first time?
She shook her head, willing the thoughts away.
He’s just my best friend. Right?
—
The morning air on campus buzzed with sleepy energy the kind only found in second-day-of-school chaos. Some students were rushing with their lanyards flapping in the breeze, others loitering near vending machines, sipping energy drinks and still blinking sleep from their eyes.
Y/n and Eunseok walked side-by-side, their steps in sync out of habit rather than intention. She tugged at the hem of her sweater while balancing a piece of toast in one hand, barely biting into it.
“You know you look like a squirrel when you chew in a rush, right?” Eunseok said, casually slinging his bag higher up on his shoulder, looking at her sideways.
Y/n narrowed her eyes and nibbled again. “And you look like an unbothered grandpa. What’s your point?”
He chuckled. “I’m just saying… maybe today, try not to scare off your professors with your zombie-walk.”
“I’m functioning, thank you very much,” she grumbled, brushing a crumb from her lip. “At least I don’t snore through three alarms like you.”
“I don’t snore.”
“Yes. You do.”
He was about to argue again, when—
“Eunseok!”
That voice — chipper, sweet, and unmistakably familiar — sliced through their morning banter.
Y/n turned her head and immediately recognized the girl approaching them. The same girl who had been glued to Eunseok’s side the day before. She wore a cardigan today over a white blouse, her skirt neatly pressed, hair flowing in gentle waves. The kind of girl who looked like she walked out of a web drama.
Y/n’s grip on her toast loosened slightly.
The girl slowed to a stop in front of them, a wide, almost practiced smile lighting up her face. “Good morning, Eunseok,” she said, tilting her head slightly.
Eunseok, polite as always, offered a warm smile in return. “Morning, Chaeyoung.”
And then the inevitable.
Chaeyoung’s gaze flicked to Y/n. Her expression didn’t falter, but something in her eyes shifted — a quick flicker of sizing-up.
“Oh? Is this your sister?” she asked sweetly, raising an eyebrow like she was only half-joking. Y/n was caught off guard, but before she could respond, both she and Eunseok said at the exact same time:
“No.”
“She’s not.”
There was an awkward beat of silence before Eunseok spoke again, casually placing a hand on Y/n’s shoulder. “She’s not my sister, but she’s like one. This is Y/n — my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were toddlers.”
Y/n managed a small, polite smile and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Chaeyoung took it, her grip firmer than Y/n expected.
“I’m Chaeyoung,” she said brightly. “I had classes with Eunseok yesterday. He gave me his coffee because I looked exhausted — wasn’t that the sweetest?”
Y/n’s stomach twisted slightly. She wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like Eunseok hadn’t shared coffee with her before. Heck, he’d even split his lunch with her back in high school more times than she could count.
But hearing it from someone else — watching Chaeyoung talk about her Eunseok like that — felt strange. Foreign. Not quite jealousy, not yet, but… discomfort.
“I’m sure he was just being kind,” Y/n replied softly.
Before Chaeyoung could say anything else, the bell rang, its shrill tone bouncing off the hallway walls. Students began moving all around them like a tide pulling everyone in different directions.
“Oh, there’s my class!” Chaeyoung chirped, then — to Y/n’s surprise — reached out and hooked her hand around Eunseok’s arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Y/n’s eyes widened slightly.
Chaeyoung smiled up at him. “Let’s walk together?”
Eunseok blinked, hesitated for the smallest second, then gave her a polite nod. “Sure. I’ll see you later, Y/n.”
“Yeah,” Y/n said, quickly forcing a smile. “See you at lunch.”
Chaeyoung waved back with the arm not clinging to Eunseok. “Nice meeting you!”
As the pair disappeared down the hallway, Y/n stood frozen for a moment, toast in hand, heart oddly hollow. She knew it didn’t mean anything. Not really. Eunseok was just being his usual polite, non-confrontational self.
But still…
Why did that bother her so much?
She shook her head and turned to head toward her own class, her thoughts unusually noisy for this early in the day.
Maybe it wasn’t just the girl. Maybe it was how quickly Eunseok had adapted to the attention. Maybe it was that he let her cling to him. Or maybe… maybe it was that he hadn’t looked back once.
—
Third period felt like it would never end. The lecture droned on, and the fluorescent lights above flickered just enough to make Y/n restless. Her notes were barely legible, written more out of habit than focus. Her mind had been wandering since the morning—since Chaeyoung clung to Eunseok’s arm like they’d known each other forever.
Y/n glanced at the clock. Still twenty-five minutes left. She sighed and raised her hand.
“Professor, can I use the restroom?”
The teacher gave a distracted nod. “Make it quick.”
Y/n slipped her phone into her pocket and quietly exited the room, the hallways much quieter now that classes were in session. She walked toward the restroom, hoping the cold water might help clear her thoughts.
The door creaked softly as she stepped into the girls’ restroom, and almost immediately, her eyes landed on someone already inside.
Chaeyoung.
She stood in front of the mirror, leaning in close as she adjusted the gloss on her lips. Her long lashes fluttered as she blinked, dabbing gently at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. The light hit her just right—highlighting her features, her confidence, the effortless way she carried herself.
She looked up when she saw Y/n in the reflection.
And smiled.
Not wide. Not fake. But not exactly friendly either. It was polite. Civil. Measured.
Y/n offered a quick nod before disappearing into one of the stalls, doing her best not to think too much of it. It was just coincidence, right? Nothing more.
When she emerged a minute later and walked to the sink, Chaeyoung was still there. Still checking her makeup. Still perfect.
Y/n turned on the tap, the water splashing softly as she began washing her hands. There was silence between them — just the sound of the faucet and the soft crinkling of a makeup bag zipper.
“Y/n, was it?”
Y/n paused, blinking, and looked up slowly to meet Chaeyoung’s eyes through the mirror.
She nodded, drying her hands with a paper towel. “Yeah.”
Chaeyoung gave a small hum and turned slightly, her body still facing the mirror but her eyes now on Y/n’s reflection.
“Eunseok…” she began slowly, as if trying to sound casual. “Is he… seeing someone?”
Y/n’s hands froze in the act of tossing the paper towel.
That name. Her Eunseok. The way she said it — softly, curiously, with just enough edge to make it sound intentional — sent a small jolt through Y/n’s chest.
She tried to steady her voice, forcing a neutral tone. “No. From what I know, he’s been single for a couple of years now.”
There was a brief pause.
Then, Chaeyoung smiled — that same polite, unreadable smile — and turned to fully face the sink again.
“Just curious,” she said lightly, like it was an afterthought.
And without waiting for a response, she tucked her lip gloss back into her pocket, adjusted her bag strap, and walked out the door.
Y/n remained by the sink, staring at the door that had just softly clicked shut.
Just curious?
But it didn’t feel like curiosity.
She turned back toward the mirror, catching her own reflection — cheeks slightly flushed, brows faintly furrowed. Her eyes gave her away. She was bothered. More than she wanted to admit.
And in that quiet restroom, alone with her thoughts, she whispered the truth only to herself.
“I don’t like him… right?”
But even she didn’t believe it anymore.
By the time Y/n returned to class, the lecture was wrapping up. She slid back into her seat beside Ryujin, offering an apologetic smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Ryujin glanced at her and raised an eyebrow.
“You okay?” she whispered, pen still idly tapping on her notebook.
Y/n hesitated for a second before giving a tight nod. “Yeah. Just needed a break.”
But Ryujin wasn’t convinced. She didn’t push though, sensing Y/n wasn’t ready to open up — not yet.
The bell rang not long after, and the class began filing out into the hallway, noise swelling with footsteps and chatter. Y/n followed behind her group, quieter than usual. Her mind kept replaying Chaeyoung’s voice in that restroom.
They made their way to the cafeteria, securing a corner table near the windows where sunlight filtered in lazily. Ryujin, Yunjin, Winter, and Somi launched into a chaotic conversation about how “hot” their ethics professor was and whether it was too soon to join a club or not.
“Okay, pause,” Somi said suddenly, leaning forward on the table and squinting at Y/n. “You’ve been weirdly quiet since you got back from your ‘bathroom break.’ Did someone cry in there or something?”
Ryujin crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes too. “More like someone’s thoughts are floating above her head like a speech bubble.”
Yunjin leaned over with a teasing grin. “Let me guess. This is about Eunseok, right?”
Y/n blinked. “What? No— I mean— I just…”
She looked down at her tray, suddenly finding the untouched rice ball very interesting. Winter rested her chin on her hand. “Did something happen?” There was a beat of silence.
Y/n finally sighed, pushing her tray aside slightly. “I ran into that girl again. Chaeyoung.”
That got everyone's attention. Ryujin’s brow furrowed. “The one from yesterday? Miss arm-hold?”
Y/n nodded.
“She asked me if Eunseok was seeing anyone,” she said quietly, then added, “When we were alone. In the restroom.”
The girls exchanged looks.
Yunjin whistled. “She’s making her move already. That’s bold.”
“Do you think she likes him?” Winter asked, sipping from her iced drink.
Y/n shrugged. “Probably. I mean… I don’t blame her. Eunseok’s— you know— him. He’s kind. And tall. And stupidly charming in his own way.”
“But it bothered you,” Somi said, not as a question but a statement.
Y/n didn’t respond at first. Then softly, barely above the noise in the cafeteria: “Yeah. I think it did.”
The others fell silent for a moment, giving her the space to breathe in her confession. Y/n had never admitted that before. Not even to herself.
Ryujin, always the one to cut through fluff, leaned forward. “Do you… like him?” Y/n looked up slowly. Her lips parted to answer — to deny it, like she always had. But no words came.
Because maybe… maybe she did. And she hated how real that felt now. Before anyone could say anything else, the sound of chairs scraping across the floor caught their attention.
Y/n turned her head — and there he was.
Eunseok, walking in with his usual group of guy friends — Sungchan, Shotaro, Sohee, Anton, Seunghan and Wonbin. And right behind him?
Chaeyoung.
Of course.
Y/n’s stomach twisted again as Chaeyoung subtly placed a hand on Eunseok’s arm, leaning in to say something only he could hear. He chuckled lightly — the same way he used to with Y/n.
Ryujin leaned closer, noticing her friend's gaze shift. “If you’re going to let someone else take your seat in his life,” she said quietly, “don’t be surprised when she makes herself comfortable.”
That hit a nerve.
Y/n’s fingers clenched slightly on the edge of the table. She didn’t say anything. But something inside her stirred — not jealousy. Not yet.
Something more dangerous. The realization that she might be losing someone who’d never even known he was hers.
The cafeteria was buzzing, chatter echoing off the walls as students gathered in their usual clusters. At a glance, it looked like just another lunch period—but for Y/n, every movement felt amplified.
Her eyes followed Eunseok and his group as they made their way inside, Chaeyoung still glued to his side like a shadow. She said something again, her hand briefly brushing Eunseok’s forearm as they passed a table. He responded politely—like he always did—but something about the way she lingered made Y/n clench her jaw.
Then, thankfully, Chaeyoung veered off, joining a group of girls a few tables away. Eunseok didn’t even glance back. Instead, he and his friends headed straight toward Y/n’s table.
“Yo,” Sungchan greeted first, already pulling out a chair beside Winter, who blinked at him in mild surprise.
Wonbin waved at Ryujin, who offered a nod in return. Anton and Sohee gave a casual “hey” while pulling up seats, and Seunghan dropped into place with an easygoing grin.
Then Eunseok, without hesitation, sat down in the empty chair right next to Y/n.
No announcement. No warning. Just… sat. Like he belonged there. And then, naturally, reached over and grabbed a bite from her tray.
“Didn’t even ask,” Y/n muttered half-heartedly.
Eunseok chewed exaggeratedly, unfazed. “You always share,” he said, already going for another bite. But when Y/n didn’t nudge him away like she normally would, when she didn’t roll her eyes or jab his hand with a fork, he paused.
He glanced at her. She wasn’t even looking at him. Her attention was… elsewhere. Focused on nothing. Or maybe too many things.
Subtly, Eunseok leaned a bit closer and lightly bumped his head against her shoulder.
“You okay?” Y/n blinked, startled slightly, then gave a small nod. “I’m fine,” she said too quietly, her voice flat.
Her friends noticed. Especially Yunjin, who had been watching the interaction with narrowed eyes.
“She’s just tired,” Yunjin spoke up suddenly, cutting in with a casual smile. “We stayed up late talking about joining clubs and stuff.”
Y/n looked at her gratefully, catching the gentle nudge under the table. Eunseok raised a brow, clearly still unsure. “You sure? You look—”
“Dead inside?” Ryujin smirked, picking up the thread smoothly. “Yeah, we all look like that.”
That earned a chuckle from the guys, though Eunseok’s eyes lingered on Y/n for a second longer.
She finally glanced at him and gave a faint smile. “I’m really okay.”
He nodded slowly, still not fully convinced, but let it go.
The group slipped into lively conversation, laughter bubbling between the two circles now merged into one. Anton and Sohee were exchanging K-drama hot takes with Winter, while Sungchan attempted to teach Somi how to do a card trick with a pack he randomly pulled from his pocket.
But even with all the energy, Y/n felt like she was watching from the outside.
Eunseok was right beside her—shoulder brushing hers now and then, his voice familiar and comforting. And yet… it all felt different. Like there was a space between them no one else could see. She stole a glance toward Chaeyoung, who was seated a few tables away, sipping her smoothie while looking—coincidentally or not—right at their table.
At Y/n.
Y/n quickly looked away. Eunseok was mid-laugh now, teasing Seunghan for dropping a whole chicken nugget under the table. But as he turned slightly, his hand casually grazed Y/n’s again as it rested near her tray.
She moved it without thinking.
He noticed that.
His eyes flickered to her, confused, but before he could say anything, Yunjin piped up again with a loud sigh. “Alright. After lunch, we’re dragging Y/n to the art club booth. She needs to stop bottling up her emotions.”
Y/n choked slightly. “I’m not bottling anything!”
“Exactly what someone bottling would say,” Ryujin said with a grin.
Eunseok leaned back in his chair, finally smiling again. “Art club, huh? You still draw those weird little cats in your notebook?”
Y/n glared. “They’re not weird. They’re stylized.”
“Mhm,” he teased, poking her side. “Stylized cats with one eye bigger than the other. Totally not creepy at all.”
The tension eased for a moment, laughter softening the corners of her chest. But still, beneath it all, Y/n could feel it—the growing distance between what she felt and what she let show.
And for the first time in years…
She didn’t know how to act around him anymore
—
The soft chime of the school bell signaled the start of the last period of the day. Students sluggishly filed into the classroom, half running on caffeine, half willing the clock to jump ahead.
Y/n entered with her usual calm steps, her bag slung lazily over one shoulder, clutching her notebook to her chest. She took her seat near the middle row — the same spot she'd claimed since orientation.
As she settled in, flipping her notebook open, she instinctively glanced at the door — and sure enough, there he was.
Eunseok.
Her fingers froze slightly on her pen as she watched him enter the classroom with his usual cool composure. He exchanged a casual nod with the guys seated near the back… but instead of walking toward the seat beside Chaeyoung, where he'd sat yesterday, he veered left.
Straight to Y/n’s desk.
Without a word, he slumped into the chair next to her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Chaeyoung, already seated, turned slightly in her chair, eyes tracking Eunseok’s movement. She blinked once, lips parted like she was about to call out—but didn’t. Her smile faded just a bit.
Y/n noticed.
She swallowed and looked forward again, trying to act like her pulse hadn’t just picked up. “You left your pen yesterday,” Eunseok mumbled casually, fishing a navy-blue gel pen from his pocket and dropping it onto her desk.
Y/n glanced at it. “You used it, didn’t you?”
“Maybe,” he said with a faint smirk. “But I kept it safe.”
Before she could roll her eyes in response, the teacher walked in, beginning the lesson and drawing attention to the front of the classroom. Y/n focused on the board, her pen moving quietly across her notebook as she took notes.
Eunseok, meanwhile, tapped his fingers idly against the table for a few seconds before leaning over and scribbling something in the corner of her page.
She glanced down.
"Bored. Save me. 🙄"
Then a doodle of a very exaggerated, bug-eyed stickman collapsed over a desk.
Y/n covered her laugh with a cough, nudging his arm lightly. “Pay attention,” she whispered, trying to sound stern.
“I am,” he whispered back, resting his head on the desk now, turned toward her, one cheek squished against his arm. “Just… multitasking.”
She didn’t look at him, but she could feel his gaze on her. Soft. Comfortable. A gaze that had always been there.
After a moment, his voice came quieter this time, like a secret being passed between them.
“Wanna hang out after class?”
Y/n paused in her writing. She looked at him finally, and there he was — face half-buried, hair slightly messy, eyes watching her with the kind of calm that made her chest tighten. It was so casual… yet something about it felt heavier than usual.
“Just us?” she asked before she could stop herself.
Eunseok raised a brow. “Well, yeah. Unless you have plans with Ryujin and the others?”
Y/n shook her head. “No… I don’t think we’re doing anything.”
“Then come with me,” he said simply, before shutting his eyes for a moment as if trying to nap mid-lecture. “Let’s go to that bakery you like. The one with the cream buns.”
She stared at him, blinking once. She hadn't even mentioned that bakery in months. Maybe even a year. But he remembered. And somehow, the fact that he remembered something that small felt louder than anything else in the room.
She turned back to her notes, her cheeks growing warm.
“Okay,” she said softly.
Eunseok smiled against his sleeve.
—
The little bakery was quiet in the late afternoon, soft golden sunlight spilling through the windows and dusting the wooden tables in warmth. The scent of freshly baked bread and sweet cream filled the air, wrapping around Y/n like a comforting blanket.
Eunseok and Y/n slipped inside, shrugging off their bags and settling into a cozy corner booth. Eunseok immediately reached for the display case, eyes scanning the rows of pastries.
“Cream buns?” he asked with a teasing grin.
Y/n nodded, smiling softly. “You remembered.”
“Of course,” he said, almost too casually.
Their order arrived quickly — two cream buns, still warm, and cups of iced tea. Eunseok handed Y/n hers with a little flourish, watching as she took a bite, eyes closed briefly in delight.
They sat quietly for a few moments, the comfortable silence stretching between them.
Then Y/n cleared her throat, looking at him with a hesitant expression.
“So… about Chaeyoung.”
Eunseok raised an eyebrow, folding his arms on the table. “What about her?”
“She’s… nice,” Y/n said carefully, twisting a napkin between her fingers. “Friendly, confident, seems like she really likes you.”
Eunseok shrugged, taking a sip of his tea. “Yea, she’s cool. I guess.”
Y/n bit her lip, choosing her words slowly.
“Do you think she’s… your type?”
Eunseok looked down at his tea, then back up at her. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I haven’t really thought about it.” Y/n watched his face, searching for any hint. “She’s pretty,” she added softly.
“Yeah,” Eunseok said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Y/n nodded slowly, but before she could respond, Eunseok’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
“Chaeyoung is really, really pretty,” he admitted, eyes lighting up as he smiled. Y/n glanced at him, surprised by his honesty. Eunseok’s gaze then drifted toward the window, watching the passersby on the street outside. After a moment, his voice dropped to a casual tone.
“Hey… do you think Anton is your type?”
Y/n nearly choked on her cream bun, coughing and blinking in confusion. “Why… why are you suddenly asking about your friend?” she managed, still recovering.
Anton — tall, good-looking, with a charming smile that made many girls swoon. But Eunseok bringing him up out of nowhere was unexpected. Eunseok leaned back in his chair, raising one brow as he gave Y/n a teasing look. “I saw him looking at you a few times,” he said slowly, like he was revealing a secret. “I think he might be crushing on you.”
Y/n’s cheeks burned at the mention, her heart skipping a beat. “You’re kidding,” she whispered, trying to play it cool but failing miserably. Eunseok chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the moment.
“Nope,” he said. “He definitely notices you.”
Y/n looked away, suddenly very interested in the patterns on the table, trying to keep her face from showing just how much Eunseok’s words unsettled her — and yet made her strangely glad.
—
The familiar creak of the front door opening announced their return. Y/n and Eunseok stepped inside, shrugging off their bags and exchanging tired but content smiles.
From the living room couch, Sion’s fingers danced over a game controller, eyes glued to the screen, but the moment he heard their footsteps, he looked up.
“Hey, you’re back,” he said without turning his head.
Y/n smiled warmly at her younger brother. “Hey, Sion.”
He paused his game, finally turning toward them. “Mom said she’s gonna be home late today. So it’s just us for dinner.”
Eunseok’s eyes flicked toward Y/n, then back to Sion, a knowing smile curling on his lips. As if he already knew exactly what to do. Without hesitation, he walked toward the fridge and pulled open the door. Taped to it was a small handwritten note.
Eunseok grabbed it, scanning the list of ingredients and instructions carefully. Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head as he flipped the note over.
At the bottom, scrawled in bold letters, was a warning:
“Do NOT let Y/n cook at all cost!”
Y/n, curious, leaned over Eunseok’s shoulder to glance at the note, eyebrows knitting in confusion.
“Why are you laughing?” she asked, a little suspicious.
Eunseok tucked the note into his back pocket, just out of her reach, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Because,” he teased, turning to face her, “I’m in charge of cooking tonight. So you better behave.” Y/n’s eyes narrowed playfully, but before she could protest, Eunseok was already moving toward the kitchen, humming a familiar tune like he owned the place.
Sion, grinning, called after him, “You’re lucky Mom left instructions. I’d hate to see what happens if you tried to cook without her help.”
Y/n laughed, the tension of the day melting away in the warmth of their little home — and the quiet comfort of their unusual, perfect little family.
—
It had been a few quiet weeks since the semester began. Between adjusting to class schedules, late-night group chats, and long walks home.
On their free day off, Mrs. Oh insisted on a proper grocery run, dragging both Y/n and Eunseok along with the promise of dinner rewards and the subtle joy of motherly bonding. It wasn’t the first time the three of them did this—it almost felt like a routine by now.
The supermarket was unusually lively for a weekday afternoon. It was the sort of noise that hummed in the background like a steady drum—carts rolling, kids whining for candy, soft music looping from the speakers overhead. Mrs. Oh was already two aisles ahead, list in hand and a laser focus only a seasoned grocery shopper could master.
Y/n trailed behind pushing the cart, while Eunseok occasionally dropped in snacks that definitely weren’t on the list.
“You know she’s going to notice when she gets to the checkout,” Y/n muttered, eyeing the third bag of shrimp crackers he slid between the rice and the milk.
“Yeah,” Eunseok said nonchalantly. “But she’s also going to pretend not to notice.”
Y/n rolled her eyes with a smile, shaking her head as she adjusted the cart’s wobbly wheel. It was a moment that felt painfully normal—familiarity wrapped in the mundane.
They turned into the fruit and vegetable section, where crates of apples were stacked in perfect pyramids and a low chill hung in the air from the misting systems above the leafy greens.
“Eunseok?”
The voice made them both pause.
Y/n looked up just in time to see Chaeyoung approaching from the opposite direction. She looked different—more casual than usual, but somehow still effortlessly put together. Her pale cream sweater hugged her frame and her jeans were neatly cuffed at the ankles. Her smile lit up immediately when her eyes landed on Eunseok.
“Oh,” Eunseok blinked, his voice caught somewhere between surprise and politeness. “Hey, Chaeyoung.”
Y/n felt her chest stiffen slightly.
Chaeyoung took a step closer, cradling a small basket of groceries. “Didn’t think I’d see anyone from campus here,” she said with a light laugh. “I was just picking up some things for my grandma.”
Y/n walked up beside Eunseok silently, a small nod of acknowledgment toward Chaeyoung. Her arms were full with a bag of flour and a tray of eggs. Chaeyoung’s bright expression dimmed slightly when she noticed her.
Before anyone could say more, Mrs. Oh appeared around the corner with another basket full of ingredients and a cheery expression that could charm a room.
“Oh! Eunseok,” she said, surprised to see him still standing. Then her eyes drifted to Chaeyoung. “Who’s your friend?”
Chaeyoung straightened up a little at the question, offering a polite smile. “Mom, this is Chaeyoung,” Eunseok replied. “She’s a classmate from uni. We have a few classes together.”
Mrs. Oh looked delighted, immediately stepping closer to greet her. “Ahh! Nice to meet you, Chaeyoung. You must be one of the smart ones keeping my boy here on his toes.”
“Oh—uh—thank you, ma’am,” Chaeyoung said with a short laugh. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Before the conversation could continue, a voice called out from behind them.
“Mom, can we get these too?” Y/n called, holding up a box of cereal and a jar of Nutella. She walked up to join them, her hair slightly tousled from the chill of the produce section. As she stepped beside Eunseok, Chaeyoung’s smile faltered slightly. Her brows furrowed as she looked between Y/n and Mrs. Oh.
“I’m… confused, is she also Y/n's mom” Chaeyoung muttered, barely above a whisper, but loud enough to be heard.
Mrs. Oh chuckled, resting a hand on Y/n’s shoulder. “Oh no, I’m just Y/n’s mom. Eunseok is my best friend’s son—but he’s practically family. He’s been part of this household longer than some of our furniture.”
Y/n snorted at that while Eunseok just grinned.
Chaeyoung nodded slowly, as if trying to mentally adjust the image she had of them. “That explains… a lot,” she said with a stiff smile.
There was a beat of silence. It wasn’t awkward—not exactly—but the air had thickened just a little, heavy with all the things unspoken.
Y/n stepped away to drop her items into the cart and walked down the next aisle without waiting. Eunseok glanced at Chaeyoung one last time.
“See you around,” he offered casually.
Chaeyoung gave him a soft smile. “Yeah. See you.”
And just like that, the moment passed. As they turned the corner, Eunseok caught up with Y/n, who was now rearranging items in the cart unnecessarily. “Did she seem… off to you?” he asked quietly, glancing sideways.
“She just looked surprised,” Y/n replied coolly. “It’s not every day you find out your classmate has a second mom.”
Eunseok chuckled under his breath. “Well, to be fair… Mrs. Oh is everyone’s second mom.” Y/n didn’t say anything. But her hands were clenched a little tighter around the cart handle.
From a few steps behind, Mrs. Oh watched the two of them interact, a small smile tugging at her lips. She didn’t say it out loud, but she noticed the way Eunseok looked at her daughter.
Campus was unusually warm for a spring morning. Golden sunlight filtered through the trees as students shuffled toward their buildings in twos and threes, some still yawning, others chatting animatedly about last night’s lecture or the latest group project panic.
Y/n walked with her usual group—Ryujin, Yunjin, Winter, and Somi. The five of them had clicked in that effortless, chaotic way where someone was always talking over someone else, someone was always laughing, and somehow it just worked.
As they neared the central courtyard, Ryujin pointed toward the right side of the building, where a familiar figure stood next to the vending machine.
“There’s your boy,” she smirked.
Y/n turned just in time to see Eunseok—messy hair, bag slung over one shoulder, tapping the vending machine like it personally offended him.
“What did it do this time?” Y/n asked, walking over to him while her friends hung back.
“It ate my money,” he said, crouching slightly to peer into the bottom slot. “Again. Why do I keep trusting these things?”
Y/n shook her head and fished into her own pocket for some coins. “Let me try,” she said, inserting the change and pressing the same buttons. The drink clunked into the bottom with a satisfying thud.
Eunseok took the can and grinned. “You’ve always had the magic touch.”
“Maybe the vending machine just likes me more.”
He laughed, but before he could reply, a familiar voice broke into their conversation. “Eunseok! You’re here early too!” Chaeyoung.
Y/n’s smile faltered just slightly as she turned to see the girl walking toward them, dressed in a neat denim skirt and a tucked-in blouse, her hair pinned back on one side with a pearl clip. There was something practiced in the way she walked—poised, confident.
Eunseok looked surprised but polite as he turned toward her. “Hey, morning.” Y/n stepped back a little without even thinking about it, letting the can of soda slip into Eunseok’s hand as Chaeyoung stopped in front of them.
“I was hoping I’d run into you,” Chaeyoung said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Did you get the notes from yesterday’s lecture? I missed the last ten minutes.”
“Yeah, I think I did,” he replied, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I’ll send them to you.”
Chaeyoung leaned in slightly to peek at his screen, her hand lightly brushing his arm.
Y/n pretended not to notice.
But she did.
She always did.
“Oh, and,” Chaeyoung added, “There’s that group project for Communication Studies. I was thinking maybe we could meet up to brainstorm later this week? Just the two of us? You seem like you’d have good ideas.”
Y/n’s heart thudded a little harder. She stared down at her shoes, scuffing them against the pavement.
“I already have a group for that one,” Eunseok said with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I think they already submitted our members list.”
Chaeyoung’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes narrowed just a touch. “That’s alright. There’ll be more group work, right?”
Y/n couldn’t help it—she glanced up, their eyes met briefly. And Chaeyoung smiled sweetly.
“Morning, Y/n,” she added smoothly.
“Morning,” Y/n said, returning the smile with one of her own, smaller but steady.
Ryujin and the others walked up then, sensing the shift in energy. Yunjin gave Y/n a pointed look, mouthing silently: ‘You good?’
Y/n nodded almost imperceptibly.
Chaeyoung turned toward her own classroom just before the first bell rang. “Well, see you both later,” she said over her shoulder, her voice sing-song and light as air.
The second she was out of sight, Ryujin groaned.
“Someone’s trying way too hard,” she said under her breath.
“I don’t know,” Somi added, a little too honestly. “She’s kind of smooth with it. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was plotting something.”
“She is,” Winter said, biting into a breakfast bar. “And it’s working.”
Y/n stayed quiet. Her arms folded across her chest, her gaze drifting toward Eunseok, who had turned his attention to a message on his phone, oblivious to the way the conversation just shifted around him.
Inside, her thoughts were already spiraling.
It was silly, really. Chaeyoung hadn’t done anything wrong. She was just being... friendly. Maybe a little too friendly. But Eunseok wasn’t hers. He never had been.
But why did it bother her so much to hear his name on Chaeyoung’s lips? Why did her stomach twist when she saw her smile at him like that?
Later that day, during lunch break:
Y/n sat outside with her friends, eating slowly as they chatted about weekend plans and classes. Eunseok joined them a few minutes later with his tray in hand, sliding into the seat next to Y/n like it was always meant for him.
“Hey,” he said, nudging her shoulder slightly. “You okay? You’ve been quiet today.”
“Just tired,” she lied. “Didn’t sleep well.”
He looked at her for a second longer than necessary, but didn’t press.
“Chaeyoung was looking for you in the hallway earlier.” Ryujin added casually, smirking behind her drink.
Eunseok blinked. “She was?”
Y/n didn’t say anything. She kept her eyes on her food, willing her face not to show anything.
“She was probably going to ask again about that project,” Eunseok muttered, scratching the back of his head. “She’s... nice.”
“Very nice,” Yunjin said sarcastically.
“Maybe too nice,” Somi added.
—
The hallway was quiet, the distant murmur of classrooms echoing faintly behind closed doors. Y/n stepped out of the restroom, smoothing her hair and adjusting the strap of her bag, her eyes scanning casually ahead—
Until she spotted him.
Eunseok.
He was leaning against the wall across the hallway like he didn’t have a care in the world. One hand in his pocket, the other casually scrolling on his phone. His expression soft, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips—he looked like he was waiting for someone.
Y/n felt a small tug in her chest, her steps light as she instinctively began to walk toward him.
But just as she took a few steps forward, she saw her.
Chaeyoung.
Rounding the corner with a confident walk, the girl approached Eunseok like they’d been meeting up like this for years. She smiled brightly, her fingers reaching out to gently loop around his forearm as she leaned closer to say something. Eunseok looked up, startled for a second—but not pulling away either.
Y/n stopped walking.
Just for a second.
And that second was enough for the ache to creep in—low and warm, confusing and unwelcome.
She turned her gaze away quickly, trying not to react, when—
Thump.
She bumped into something—or rather, someone—solid. Y/n stumbled slightly backward, her breath catching as she looked up and saw a familiar face staring back at her with wide eyes and a startled expression. Anton.
His tall frame towered over her as he blinked in surprise, his hands raised awkwardly as if unsure whether to catch her or apologize first.
“S-sorry! I didn’t see you there,” he said quickly, his cheeks tinting the softest pink. He scratched the back of his neck, lips curving up into a shy smile. “Hi, Y/n... noona.”
Y/n’s heart, already fluttering from everything else, skipped again for some reason. She straightened, brushing invisible dust off her shirt, trying to regain her composure. “It’s fine—I wasn’t looking either.”
Anton looked past her for a second, spotting Eunseok and Chaeyoung still deep in conversation across the hall. His gaze returned to Y/n, softer now, almost like he knew.
“You... heading somewhere?” he asked, tone casual but curious.
“Back to class,” she replied.
Anton nodded, stepping aside so she could walk through the hallway beside him. A quiet pause settled between them as they walked slowly. Then, just when Y/n thought the moment might dissolve, Anton glanced at her and cleared his throat.
“I’ve seen you around a lot,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant but failing slightly with the way his voice pitched up. “You and Eunseok-hyung. You two are... close, huh?”
Y/n’s lips parted, a breath caught between a laugh and a sigh.
“Yeah. We’ve known each other forever.”
Anton nodded again, more thoughtful now. “That must be nice.”
Another beat of silence. Then, softly, like he’d been waiting to say it:
“You’re... different from other people here.”
Y/n looked up at him, a little startled. “Different?”
“I mean that in a good way,” he added quickly, ears turning red. “You’re... warm. Like, easy to talk to. And I don’t know—maybe that’s why it’s easy to notice you.” Y/n blinked. Her heart wasn’t racing like it did around Eunseok—but it was fluttering in a different way now. A quieter way. A gentler one.
Before she could answer, the warning bell rang through the hallway. Anton gave a sheepish grin and tilted his head toward the classroom ahead. “Guess we should go.”
“Yeah,” Y/n said softly. “Let’s go.”
—
Y/n stepped off the bus, the late afternoon sun casting golden streaks across the quiet neighborhood. Anton walked beside her, casually swinging the small cake box in one hand, the other buried in his hoodie pocket.
“Thanks again for offering to work on the project together,” Y/n said, glancing sideways at him. “I would’ve started it on my own and probably cried halfway through.”
Anton chuckled softly. “You’re being dramatic, noona.”
“Am I?” she said with a teasing smile.
They turned the familiar corner, approaching the familiar house with the low white fence and flowerpots by the door—her house. For Y/n, this route usually meant she was walking with Eunseok, laughing or arguing over something pointless, always feeling light and comfortably chaotic. But this time, it was... quieter. Still, not unpleasant.
Anton’s presence was different. Gentler. And even if it didn’t feel like home yet, it didn’t feel wrong either.
As they stepped up to the porch, Y/n unlocked the door and called out instinctively, “Mom, I’m home!”
Almost immediately, her mother’s voice floated from the kitchen. “Already? I thought you said you were staying late with—”
She paused mid-sentence the moment she stepped into view and saw Anton standing beside her daughter, holding a cake box, a bit stiff but offering a polite bow.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Oh,” he said with a soft, respectful smile.
Y/n’s mom blinked, eyebrows raising in amusement as she glanced between her daughter and the boy. “Oh? You’re not Eunseok.”
“Mom,” Y/n said under her breath, lightly elbowing her.
Mrs. Oh laughed, waving a hand. “I’m joking. I just wasn’t expecting someone new. Eunseok practically lives here—you know how it is.”
“I’ve heard,” Anton said, that polite smile still on his face.
“Well, come in, come in,” she gestured toward the living room, turning to Y/n with a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t keep him standing at the door.”
Y/n rolled her eyes playfully and stepped in with Anton following behind. She led him to the dining table where they set their bags down and placed the cake box on top.
“So... this is your first time here?” her mom asked, casually leaning on the doorframe with that knowing glint mothers always seemed to have. “Project partner?”
“Yes,” Anton nodded. “We’re in the same Literature class.”
“He also said he’d get me cake,” Y/n added quickly, trying to shift the focus off the subtle interrogation.
Mrs. Oh chuckled. “He’s smart. Bribery always works on you.”
Y/n gave her a betrayed look, while Anton let out a small laugh.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” her mom said, turning toward the kitchen. “Let me know if you want anything, okay?”
The moment she was gone, Y/n let out a breath and looked at Anton.
“She’s... really not used to seeing anyone else with me,” she admitted. “She always thinks it’s either just me or me and Eunseok.”
Anton sat down, resting his arms on the table. “That makes sense. You and Eunseok-hyung seem really close.”
Y/n hesitated, reaching for her notebook. “Yeah... we are.”
“Do people ever... get the wrong idea about you two?” She blinked, caught off guard by the quiet sincerity of the question. “All the time.”
Anton gave her a glance that lingered, like he was about to say something more, but instead, he opened his own notebook and pulled out the textbook. “Let’s make this project so good the professor cries.”
Y/n smiled. “Deal.”
They dove into their work, and for a little while, things felt... light again. A different kind of light.
The late afternoon light poured through the living room window, bathing the dining table in a warm amber hue. Y/n and Anton sat across from each other, textbooks and scattered notes spread out between them, the earlier awkwardness slowly replaced with quiet concentration and comfortable pauses.
Anton was surprisingly funny when he relaxed. He had a soft way of speaking, and when he joked—usually dry, unexpected one-liners—it always caught Y/n off guard, making her laugh harder than she intended.
“So,” he said, scribbling something down and pushing it over for her to read, “if we interpret this line as symbolism for freedom, do you think the professor will think we’re overreaching or just incredibly intelligent?”
Y/n read the sentence he wrote:
"The open window didn’t just let the breeze in, it let her breathe for the first time."
“That sounds like a poetic cry for help,” she said through a laugh. “But... it’s also kinda beautiful.”
Anton looked down at his notebook, cheeks coloring slightly. “It’s cheesy.”
“It is,” she grinned, “but it’s a good cheesy. I think he’ll like it.”
A small smile tugged at Anton’s lips as he rested his chin on his palm. “You’re different when you’re not surrounded by your friends.”
Y/n tilted her head, curious. “Different how?”
He shrugged. “More relaxed. You don’t try as hard to hide how smart or thoughtful you are.”
The compliment took her off guard. She blinked, unsure how to respond, feeling her cheeks grow warm.
“I didn’t know I was hiding it,” she mumbled.
Anton gave her a gentle look. “A lot of people do. Especially around people they’ve known forever. They kind of get stuck being who they were back then.”
Y/n thought of Eunseok. Of all the years they’d shared the same jokes, the same rhythm, the same everything. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever had to show someone who she was outside of that.
With Anton, it felt like she could be a little more... her own person.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
Anton looked at her, then down at the time on his phone. “It’s already past six.”
Y/n blinked. “Seriously? That fast?”
He nodded, then glanced toward the kitchen. “Do you think your mom would be okay if I stayed a bit longer? I haven’t eaten yet.”
As if summoned, Mrs. Oh peeked around the corner at that exact moment, holding a dish towel.
“You’re welcome to stay for dinner,” she said, as if she’d been listening the entire time.
Anton sat up straighter. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Besides,” she smiled at her daughter knowingly, “it’s nice seeing someone new for once.”
Y/n threw her mom a look, but didn’t protest. When Anton turned back to her with a grin, she rolled her eyes.
“You’re not getting out of doing the rest of this project just because my mom likes you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Anton said, already pulling the textbook back open.
Later, after dinner which Mrs. Oh insisted on serving with too many side dishes and far too many questions about Anton’s family, his favorite food, and his blood type—Y/n walked him to the front door.
The night air was cooler, crisper, and the sky was already turning a shade of deep indigo.
“Thanks for today,” Y/n said, standing at the door with him.
“I should be the one thanking you,” Anton said, his voice softer now. “I had a good time.”
She smiled. “Even the interrogation from my mom?”
“Especially that part,” he joked.
They stood there for a beat longer, something unspoken lingering in the space between them.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.” she nodded. “Let me know when you got home safely.”
As he walked off down the street, Y/n stood at the door just a few seconds longer than she meant to, watching his figure fade into the distance. When she finally closed the door behind her, the house felt quieter, but not in a bad way.
Something had shifted.
Not in a dramatic way. Just... enough.
—
Over the next week, Y/n and Anton found themselves spending more time together and not just because of the project, though that remained their excuse. Whether it was in the library corner near the windows or on a quiet bench tucked behind the art building, they found spaces that felt like theirs. Quiet. Comfortable.
Anton was never pushy. He didn’t talk too much, didn’t demand her attention, didn’t tease her the way Eunseok always did. Instead, he asked questions the kind that made her think. The kind that showed he really listened.
“…So, you write in a journal every night?” he asked one afternoon, leaning back on his elbows as they sat in the grass on campus, the sun casting a lazy golden light over them.
Y/n looked at him with a small smile, hugging her knees to her chest. “Sometimes. It depends on the day.”
“What do you write about?”
She hesitated, then shrugged. “Anything. Just… thoughts. Stuff I can’t say out loud.”
Anton nodded slowly, thoughtful. “I think that’s kind of brave.”
She turned her head, surprised. “Why?”
“Because writing things down means you’re willing to face them,” he said. “Most people just let thoughts slip away because they’re afraid of what they’ll find if they really stop and look.”
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was full of understanding. Y/n looked down at her hands. “Do you ever feel like people expect you to be a certain version of yourself all the time?”
Anton gave a dry laugh. “All the time. Especially when you don’t talk much people assume who you are before they ever really get to know you.”
Y/n nodded quietly. “I think I’ve been stuck in the same version of myself for so long, I didn’t even notice it.”
Anton glanced at her gently. “You don’t seem stuck.”
Her eyes met his, something soft and unsure flickering between them.
Before either of them could say anything more, a breeze passed between them cooler now as evening began to settle. Anton sat up and brushed the grass from his sleeves.
“Let me walk you to the bus stop,” he said, standing and holding a hand out to her.
Y/n took it without thinking. His hand was warm, and he didn’t let go right away.
Later That Week
“Are you seriously bringing cake again?” Y/n laughed as she watched Anton pull a small pastry box out of his bag after their study session in the library.
He grinned. “You said you liked that chocolate chiffon last time.”
“I said it was dangerous,” she clarified, watching as he opened the box to reveal two neat slices—one for her, one for him.
“It’s not a bribe. I just like eating with you.”
Y/n blinked at that, cheeks warming slightly as she accepted the fork he offered. They ate in companionable silence, tucked in a quiet corner of campus, legs stretched out in front of them. The sun was starting to dip behind the trees, casting everything in soft orange and purple hues.
“This might become a tradition,” Y/n muttered between bites.
“Is that a bad thing?” Anton asked.
“No,” she said, smiling faintly. “Not at all.”
Back at Home
That night, as Y/n lay in bed with her journal open in her lap, pen tapping lightly against the page, she hesitated before writing anything.
She thought of Anton’s quiet humor, the way he remembered her small preferences, the way he never filled the silence with anything unnecessary.
He was different. Safe. But also... unpredictable in the best way.
“It’s strange,” she wrote. “How someone you barely knew a month ago can become a part of your day so easily. Not in a loud way. Just... there. Like background music that suddenly becomes your favorite song.”
She paused, then underlined the word “suddenly.”
—
The sun was barely peeking through the curtains when Eunseok stepped into the Oh household, slipping off his sneakers at the door like he’d done a thousand times before. The scent of sesame oil and something lightly frying on the stove wrapped around him like a familiar blanket.
“Sion?” he called out, already walking into the living room.
“Here.” Sion answered without looking up from his game controller, sprawled on the couch. “Noona’s in the shower. She’ll be down in a bit.”
With a shrug, Eunseok headed to the kitchen and grinned the moment he spotted Mrs. Oh laying out the breakfast dishes. “Good morning, Mom,” he greeted her as casually as ever.
Mrs. Oh turned around, her expression instantly brightening. “Eunseok!” she beamed, walking over and pulling him into a warm, motherly hug that made him chuckle.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you! You’ve barely dropped by lately,” she scolded gently, pulling away just enough to give him a fond look. “Too busy for me now?”
Eunseok raised both hands in mock surrender. “I swear I was buried in project deadlines. Ask Y/n. We haven’t even had lunch together properly this week.”
“You better not be starving yourself,” she replied, returning to the stove. “Sit. You’re eating with us.”
Just as Eunseok was about to pull out a chair, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. He turned, and there was Y/n—hair still damp, dressed in a soft oversized sweatshirt and loose pants, rubbing her towel over her head as she entered the kitchen.
Her steps faltered slightly when she spotted him.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting you,” she mumbled, catching his gaze before quickly looking away.
Eunseok raised a brow, his head tilting slightly. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s Saturday.” Sion, ever the chaos bringer, chose that exact moment to walk in. “Oh, did noona tell you? Anton’s coming to pick her up.”
Eunseok blinked, slowly turning to Y/n. “Anton?”
Y/n avoided his gaze, fiddling with the towel in her hands as she walked over to grab a cup of water. “We’re just finishing the project... and grabbing lunch.”
The silence that followed was subtle but heavy. Mrs. Oh caught it immediately.
“Huh,” she said casually, setting down a bowl of kimchi. “Isn’t that sweet? Anton’s the one you mentioned the other night, right? The one who brought over that cake?”
Y/n gave a sheepish nod, sipping her water a little too quickly.
Eunseok leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed now. “Didn’t realize you two were hanging out so much outside of class.”
“He’s nice.” Y/n said, her voice defensive even though he hadn’t accused her of anything.
“I didn’t say he wasn’t.” Eunseok replied smoothly, but his gaze lingered on her a second longer than usual.
Mrs. Oh, ever the observer, narrowed her eyes slightly at the exchange while pretending not to notice. “Well, if he’s good company and helps her focus, I approve,” she said, throwing a glance at Eunseok that held more meaning than her words let on.
“Didn’t know he was her type,” Eunseok muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Sion to catch.
Sion, traitorous sibling he was, grinned wide. “Well, noona never says anything, but Anton is good-looking, huh?”
“Sion,” Y/n hissed.
Eunseok didn’t say much after that, but his usual easy energy had shifted—just slightly. He took a seat, fiddling with the edge of the placemat, watching Y/n as she walked around the kitchen, trying to act normal. Trying not to fidget.
The air had changed. Not dramatically. Not explosively. Just enough to be noticed.
Mrs. Oh set the rice cooker down and sighed quietly, offering a faint smile to Eunseok. “You’ll stay for lunch, right?”
“I might head out before that,” he said, not meeting Y/n’s eyes this time. Y/n blinked, surprised by the answer. “You’re not staying?”
“Got something to do,” he said with a shrug that didn’t feel as casual as he wanted it to. Before anyone could say more, the doorbell rang. Y/n flinched.
“That must be him,” she murmured.
“I’ll get it!” Sion called, already halfway to the door.
And as Anton’s voice greeted the younger boy from the entryway, Eunseok stood up, the chair scraping slightly against the floor.
“Tell him I said hi,” he said, grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair.
Mrs. Oh frowned. “You don’t have to rush out, Eunseok.”
“I’ll be back later,” he said, already heading for the hallway.
Y/n turned to follow, but he paused just long enough at the edge of the room to say, “Have fun today.” The smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes before walking past Anton and then he was gone.
The front door closed with a soft click, but to Y/n, it might as well have echoed. Eunseok’s presence, so loud and familiar, left a sudden hollow quiet in the air.
She stood in the hallway for a moment longer than necessary, eyes fixed on the now-closed door, her heart thrumming uneasily. Something about the way he left… the look on his face—it unsettled her.
Behind her, Mrs. Oh called out gently, “Y/n, sweetheart, don’t keep your guest standing.”
Snapping herself out of it, she turned and forced a smile as Anton entered the kitchen, Sion trailing after him.
“Anton! You came right on time,” Mrs. Oh greeted warmly, already gesturing to the table. “Come, come, we have enough food for everyone. Eunseok just left, so there’s an open seat.”
Anton blinked, slightly surprised. “Oh, he’s not eating with us?”
Y/n quietly took her seat, her gaze fixed on her rice bowl. “He had something to do,” she murmured.
Mrs. Oh gave Anton a kind smile. “He’s been in and out a lot lately. Busy boy. But that just means more food for you.”
Anton chuckled politely, settling into the seat Eunseok had vacated minutes before. It didn’t go unnoticed by Y/n, who kept her eyes down, pushing her food around.
Sion, not one for subtlety, pointed his chopsticks across the table. “Noona was spacing out since you got here. Think she’s sad Eunseok hyung left.”
Y/n nearly choked on air, glaring at her brother. “Sion!”
Anton laughed softly, lifting a spoonful of eggs and holding it toward Y/n. “Then let’s fix that. Say ‘ahh.’ Come on, it’ll make you smile.”
She looked at him, startled, before blinking rapidly. “Are you seriously trying to feed me right now?”
“You look like you need it,” he said with a teasing grin, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
Sion was grinning way too wide, and Mrs. Oh gave them both a knowing side-eye as she poured soup into small bowls. “I like this one,” she muttered under her breath just loud enough for Y/n to hear.
Y/n rolled her eyes, but despite everything, she opened her mouth slightly, letting Anton feed her a bite. She chewed, eyebrows rising in surprise.
“…Okay, that’s actually really good,” she admitted.
Anton smiled wider, clearly pleased. “See? Told you I’d cheer you up.”
And for a moment, it worked. Y/n allowed herself to relax—just a little—as they fell into a lighter rhythm. They joked, Sion made his usual ridiculous comments, and Mrs. Oh asked Anton the usual barrage of motherly questions, from his major to his favorite childhood food. He answered them all with charming ease.
But in the back of Y/n’s mind, she couldn’t stop replaying the slight furrow in Eunseok’s brow. The way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. The shift in the air when Sion mentioned Anton’s name.
She laughed when Anton teased her again, but her heart still felt tangled in a knot she couldn’t explain.
Outside, the day carried on like normal—but something between her and Eunseok had changed, even if neither of them had said a word about it.
After breakfast, the skies had softened into a quiet grey—the kind of weather that made everything feel slower, dreamier. Y/n and Anton stepped out of the house, her mom waving them off from the doorway with a smile and a suspiciously approving look. Sion had muttered something about “don’t be out too long” before disappearing into the living room, game controller already in hand.
Anton had offered his arm like a drama lead, jokingly, and Y/n had smacked it away with a laugh.
They decided to take the scenic route through the neighborhood park on the way to the café Anton had picked out. The breeze was cool, tugging gently at Y/n’s hair. Anton, walking slightly ahead, turned to look at her every now and then, like he was making sure she was still with him.
“You really okay?” he asked, voice softer now that they were alone. “You seemed… distracted earlier.”
Y/n hesitated for a second too long.
“Just… thinking about stuff,” she replied vaguely. “You know how it is. Life, school, projects...”
Anton looked at her a moment longer, his eyes warm but thoughtful. “Right. Life stuff.”
They left it at that—for now.
The café Anton brought her to was small and tucked between a bookstore and a plant shop, its storefront framed by hanging vines and chalkboard menus in handwritten script.
Y/n blinked as she stepped inside. “How did you even find this place?”
Anton grinned, proud. “I came here a lot when I was preparing for entrance exams. They let me stay forever as long as I bought a drink every few hours.”
The inside was cozy: dark wooden tables, dim lighting, the soft hum of indie music playing somewhere in the background. A couple of students were curled up in corners with laptops and open notebooks, the smell of baked pastries and cinnamon lingering in the air.
They ordered drinks—iced caramel coffee for her, black coffee for him—and a shared slice of strawberry shortcake.
They sat by the window.
“You know,” Anton began as he placed the fork in her hand, “when I said I’d treat you to cake, I wasn’t joking.”
Y/n chuckled, stabbing into the soft sponge. “I assumed you were just using cake as a bribe so I’d agree to be your project partner.”
“That too,” he admitted with a sheepish grin.
Their conversation flowed easier than she expected. He told her more about his hometown, his old high school friends, and his dream of maybe studying abroad someday. She told him about her childhood with Eunseok—without lingering too long on anything that might make her chest feel tight again.
It was calm. Natural.
And when she laughed at something Anton said, really laughed he looked at her with a softness that made her pause. Just for a second.
“Is there something on my face?” she asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin, suddenly self-conscious.
Anton shook his head, smile lingering. “Nah. You just look happy.”
She blinked, caught off guard. “Oh.”
“I like seeing you that way,” he added, almost shyly, taking a sip of his coffee to hide the red in his ears.
Y/n didn’t know what to say to that. So she just quietly took another bite of cake, and let the moment pass without pushing it too far.
But the warmth in her cheeks stayed with her the whole walk back home.
Anton is the type of boyfriend who sends you random tiktoks at 2am. If you can't sleep, Anton is always there to talk. Even if he was already sleeping, he'll wake up just to talk to you until you're able to sleep. You guys often have late night talks. Whether it be about each others childhood, things that happened that day, or just random thoughts that popped into your brains. It may come as a shocker to you at first, but Anton really loves to talk. Even though he may appear shy and quiet, when he's with you, he talks about absolutely everything! He's also an amazing listener. No matter what you're saying, even if it doesn't make sense or is something small, he listens attentively. He gives me the vibes that whatever you mention that you like or want, he'll get it for you. Like you could say you want a designer bag or that you like a particular dish. Next thing you know, it's all yours. Overall, Anton is the sweetest and most caring boyfriend you could ever ask for.
