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A Fool In Love

BND Park Sungho x female! reader

Summary: Being in love with your best friend isn’t easy, especially when they keep dating other people who aren’t right for them, so what do you do? You try your best to show them that they, well, belong with you.

Warnings: Jealousy, a lot of crying over stupid people, a guy who can’t take a simple no, lots of joking, drinking (all of them are of age), (Y/n) getting a bit drunk,

Wordcount ≈ 21.7k (I got very carried away but I hope you guys will enjoy it either way) Not proofread

Loosely based on pretty much all of BND’s title tracks

All the bnd members are the same age in this story,

Please reblog! And enjoy!

Third Person POV

Park Sungho met (Y/n) when he was seven years old, on a summer afternoon that smelled of fresh grass and melted ice cream. The sun was high in the sky, casting warm golden hues over the playground where he and his friends were playing soccer. He had just scored a goal when a small voice cut through the cheers of his teammates.

“Hey! That’s not fair! You guys took over the whole field!” Sungho turned around, wiping the sweat from his forehead. A little girl, around his age, stood with her arms crossed, her expression one of determination. She had a plastic jump rope clutched in one hand and a few colorful chalk pieces in the other. “We were here first,” she added, chin tilted up defiantly. Sungho blinked, surprised by her boldness. Most kids would have just found another spot to play, but she stood her ground, staring him down as if daring him to argue.

Jaehyun, one of Sungho’s teammates, scoffed. “What are you gonna do about it?” (Y/n) narrowed her eyes, then suddenly threw a piece of chalk at him. It hit Jaehyun square in the forehead, leaving a pale blue smudge on his skin. There was a moment of stunned silence. Then, to Sungho’s surprise, he started laughing. “That was awesome,” he said, looking at her with newfound admiration. She seemed caught off guard by his reaction, but then she grinned. “Well, you guys should share the field.” Sungho glanced at his friends, then shrugged. “Alright, let’s make a deal. Half the field for soccer, half for whatever you were gonna do.” She considered for a moment before nodding. “Deal.” And that was the start of everything.

~~~

From that day on, Sungho and (Y/n) became inseparable. They lived in the same neighborhood, their houses just a few streets apart, and they went to the same elementary school. They would race their bikes to class every morning, competing to see who could get there first, (Y/n) won most of the time, much to Sungho’s frustration. After school, they would meet at the playground, sometimes playing with Jaehyun and the other boys, other times just the two of them, building castles in the sandpit or making up silly stories.

“Someday, I’m gonna be a famous soccer player,” Sungho declared one afternoon as they lay on the grass, staring up at the clouds. (Y/n) turned her head toward him. “Yeah? And what if you don’t make it?” “I will make it,” he insisted. She giggled. “Fine, but if you don’t, you can always be a comedian. You’re kinda funny.” Sungho rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “What about you? What do you wanna be?”

She hummed, thinking. “I don’t know. Maybe a writer? Or a vet? Something fun.” “You should be a writer,” he said. “You tell good stories.” (Y/n) beamed. “Really?” “Yeah. Your story about the flying cat was kinda cool.” She laughed. “That was just a dream I had!” “Well, it was still cool.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Thanks, Sungho.” It was little moments like that, laughing over silly things, sharing their dreams, just being together, that made their friendship feel so natural.

~~~

By the time they reached middle school, their friendship had deepened. They still did everything together, studying, eating lunch, walking home after school, but now, people had started to notice.

“Are you two dating?” one of their classmates asked one day, smirking. Sungho almost choked on his milk carton. “What? No! We’re just friends.” (Y/n) made a face. “Ew, Sungho’s like a brother to me.” Sungho didn’t know why, but hearing that made him feel… weird. He ignored the feeling and shoved it aside. “You guys act like a married couple,” another friend teased. (Y/n) rolled her eyes. “Just because we’re best friends doesn’t mean we like each other.” Sungho nodded quickly, but for some reason, the words stung a little.

Still, they carried on like usual, ignoring the teasing. They had each other’s backs no matter what. When Sungho got in trouble for accidentally breaking a classroom window during soccer practice, (Y/n) was the one who helped him apologize to the teacher. When (Y/n) got stage fright before her first class presentation, Sungho stood at the back of the room and gave her a thumbs-up, making silly faces until she smiled. They were best friends. And that was all that mattered. Or at least, that’s what Sungho kept telling himself.

~~~

By the time they reached high school, things had started to shift. (Y/n) had grown into one of the most popular girls in school, not just because of her looks, but because of her personality. She was funny, smart, and kind to everyone. Meanwhile, Sungho, Jaehyun, Riwoo, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak had solidified their reputation as one of the best soccer teams in the school’s history.

Girls started paying more attention to Sungho too, but he barely noticed. His focus remained on soccer and, of course, on (Y/n). But she had started to change, even if she didn’t realize it. She started talking more about boys, other boys. “I think Jisung from Class 2 is kinda cute,” she mentioned one day as they walked home. Sungho scoffed. “Jisung? The guy who got suspended for cheating on his math test?” (Y/n) shrugged. “I mean, yeah, but he’s got a nice smile.” Sungho rolled his eyes. “You have terrible taste.” She laughed. “Oh, shut up.”

Little things like that started happening more often. She would talk about who she thought was attractive, who asked her out, who she had a tiny crush on. And Sungho would listen, nodding along, acting like it didn’t bother him. But it did. Because somewhere along the way, the weird feeling from middle school had come back, stronger this time. And for the first time, Sungho realized something that scared him. He didn’t just care about (Y/n) as a friend. He liked her. Maybe even more than that. And she had no idea.

~~~

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the soccer field as Park Sungho dribbled the ball down the pitch. His usual sharp movements were sluggish, his passes slightly off-target, and he wasn’t running at full speed. It was unlike him. Jaehyun, the team captain, narrowed his eyes as Sungho missed an easy shot, one he would usually score without a second thought. He let it slide at first, but when Sungho spaced out again, letting the ball get stolen right from under his feet, Jaehyun had seen enough.

“Alright, that’s it! Break time!” Jaehyun clapped his hands together, signaling for the team to gather. “Dude, we’ve only been practicing for twenty minutes,” Riwoo pointed out. Jaehyun ignored him and pointed straight at Sungho. “Yeah, well, somebody looks like he left his brain at home.” Sungho, who had been standing off to the side staring at absolutely nothing, blinked in confusion. “Huh?” Jaehyun gestured for everyone to sit. “Circle up, gentlemen. We need a team intervention.”

The boys flopped onto the grass, some stretching their legs, others lying down dramatically like they were dying. Sungho sat in the middle, still confused. “What is this?” Sungho asked, raising an eyebrow. “This,” Jaehyun said, clapping a hand on his shoulder, “is us figuring out what the hell is wrong with you. Because right now, you suck.” “Like, seriously, dude,” Taesan chimed in, shaking his head. “I’ve never seen you play this badly. Did you hit your head?” “Did you fail a test?” Woonhak added. "Did your dog run away?” Leehan asked. “I don’t have a dog.” “That’s the problem,” Leehan said solemnly.

Jaehyun rolled his eyes. “Alright, shut up. Sungho, talk. What’s going on?” Sungho exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. He hesitated, but then, why bother hiding it? They’d just keep pestering him until he spilled anyway. “…I think I’m in love with (Y/n).”

Silence. Then, all at once: “You think?!” Sungho groaned as his teammates erupted into laughter. Jaehyun actually clutched his stomach, Taesan wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, and Woonhak dramatically fell back onto the grass. “Oh my God. He just figured it out,” Riwoo gasped between laughs. “I can’t, this is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.” “Wait, wait,” Leehan sat up, grinning. “Sungho, are you telling us that you just now realized you’re in love with (Y/n)? Like, just now?” Sungho scowled. “Okay, first of all, I didn’t say ‘just now’...”

“You might as well have,” Taesan interrupted, smirking. Sungho sighed, rubbing his temples. “I don’t know, okay? It just hit me recently. Like, every time she talks about other guys, I get this weird, awful feeling. It’s like… like someone’s squeezing my chest, and I just hate hearing about it.” Jaehyun hummed. “Sounds a lot like jealousy.” “Yeah, thanks, genius.” “And let me guess,” Woonhak grinned. “You wanna punch every guy she dates?” “…Maybe.” Riwoo smirked. “You’re so in love.”

Sungho groaned, flopping onto his back. “This is a disaster.” Jaehyun nudged his leg. “Why? You’ve liked her for years. You just didn’t realize it. Now you know. So… do something about it.” Sungho scoffed. “Oh yeah, great idea. Let me just walk up to her and say, ‘Hey, (Y/n), you know all those guys you like? Yeah, well, I hate them because I’ve actually been in love with you this whole time. Wanna date me instead?’”

Taesan nodded. “Yeah, sounds solid.” Woonhak gave a thumbs-up. “Go for it.” Sungho glared. “Shut up.” Jaehyun chuckled. “Alright, alright. But seriously, you gotta do something. You can’t just sit around waiting forever.” “Yeah,” Riwoo agreed. “She’s gonna keep dating other guys. Can you handle watching that?” Sungho hesitated. He already knew the answer. No. Not anymore. Jaehyun patted his shoulder. “Then it’s time to step up, man.” Sungho exhaled. Maybe they were right. Maybe it was time. But the thought of confessing? That was terrifying.

~~~

Meanwhile with (Y/n): The café was alive with soft chatter, the hum of coffee machines, and the occasional clinking of spoons against ceramic cups. (Y/n), Yujin, and Lily sat in their usual booth by the window, drinks half-finished, as they leaned in conspiratorially.

“So, let me get this straight,” Yujin said, twirling her straw in her iced Americano. “You got another confession note?” (Y/n) sighed, holding up a neatly folded piece of paper. “Yep. This time, it was in literature class. The guy just casually slipped it onto my desk when the teacher wasn’t looking.” Lily’s eyes widened in excitement. “Did he sign his name?” (Y/n) unfolded the note and skimmed through it. “Nope. Just the usual, ‘I think you’re really pretty, I’d love to take you out sometime’ kind of thing.”

“Ugh, boring,” Yujin groaned. “Come on, where’s the effort? If you’re gonna confess, at least go big. Flowers? A poem? A serenade?” (Y/n) laughed. “A serenade? In the middle of class?” “I’d respect the boldness,” Lily said, grinning. “Are you gonna say yes?” (Y/n) made a face. “I don’t know. I don’t even know who he is! What if he’s, like, some creepy guy who watches me from across the hallway?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Yujin muttered. (Y/n) groaned. “Don’t remind me.” Lily leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. “Still, you date a lot, but none of them ever seem to work out. Maybe this mystery guy could be different?” (Y/n) shrugged. “Maybe. But I don’t wanna get my hopes up. You guys remember last semester, right? The guy who called me his ‘future wife’ after one date?”

Lily shuddered. “Yeah, that was a disaster.” “And don’t forget the one before that,” Yujin added. “What was his name? Junho? The one who texted, like, fifty times a day and got mad if you didn’t respond in five minutes?” (Y/n) sighed. “Yep. That was fun.” Lily gave her a sympathetic smile. “You really don’t have the best luck, huh?”

“I really don’t.” (Y/n) took a sip of her caramel macchiato. “Maybe I should just give up on dating for a while.” “Pfft.” Yujin waved a hand. “Yeah, right. You love being in love. You’ll be crushing on someone new by next week.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes. “I hate that you’re not wrong.” Lily giggled, checking the time on her phone. “Speaking of which, isn’t Sungho’s practice ending soon?” (Y/n) glanced at her own phone and immediately started gathering her things. “Yeah, I should go.”

Yujin smirked. “Of course. Wouldn’t want to keep your beloved best friend waiting.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “You guys are ridiculous.” “Tell Sungho we said hi,” Lily called out teasingly as (Y/n) walked away. She just shook her head with a laugh, heading toward the soccer field like she always did, completely unaware of the conversation that had just taken place there minutes ago.

~~~

The soccer field was still buzzing with energy, even though practice had officially ended. The players were scattered around, cooling down or chatting amongst themselves, except for two. Sungho was sprinting across the field, his expression twisted in frustration, while Woonhak ran ahead of him, laughing maniacally with Sungho’s phone in his hand.

“Woonhak, you little gremlin! Give it back!” Sungho shouted, lunging forward. “Not until you admit what you were looking at before practice!” Woonhak teased, easily dodging Sungho’s reach. Jaehyun, Riwoo, Taesan, and Leehan sat nearby, watching the chaos unfold with amused expressions. “What do you think it was?” Taesan mused. “My guess? Something romantic,” Leehan said, smirking. “Maybe he was reading love poems,” Riwoo added, nudging Jaehyun. “Or maybe,” Jaehyun drawled, stretching his legs out, “he was looking at ways to finally confess to (Y/n).” Sungho groaned. “You guys are not helping.”

Just then, a familiar laugh rang through the air, and Sungho’s stomach did a tiny flip. (Y/n) stood by the entrance of the field, watching the scene unfold with amusement. She always found Woonhak’s boundless energy endearing. He reminded her of an overenthusiastic puppy, always eager, always playful, and always listening to her as if every word she said was a direct order from his master.

“Woonhak,” she called out, smiling. Immediately, the younger boy skidded to a stop and turned to face her, his face lighting up. “(Y/n)-noona!” “Give Sungho his phone back.” Without hesitation, Woonhak jogged over to her and placed the phone in her hands like an obedient pup. “Here you go!” She patted his head. “Good boy.”

Woonhak grinned. “See, this is why you’re my favorite.” Sungho finally reached them, slightly out of breath, and shot Woonhak a glare. “I hate you.” Woonhak only smirked. “Love you too, hyung.” (Y/n) chuckled as she handed the phone back to Sungho. “Here. You need to learn how to keep your stuff safe from mischievous puppies.” Sungho took the phone, his fingers brushing against hers briefly. He swallowed. “Thanks.”

(Y/n) smiled, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go.” Sungho nodded, falling into step beside her as they left the field together. The two walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes before (Y/n) broke it. “Today was interesting,” she mused. Sungho glanced at her. “Oh?” She held up the folded note from earlier and waved it slightly. “Got another confession letter.” Sungho’s stomach twisted. Not again.

“Another one?” he asked, forcing his voice to sound lighthearted. “At this rate, you’re gonna need a whole separate backpack just to carry all of them.” (Y/n) laughed. “Right? It’s kinda sweet, though.” Sungho didn’t reply. Sweet wasn’t exactly the word he would’ve used.

“I still don’t know who wrote it,” she continued. “But honestly, I’ve already been thinking about someone else.” Sungho’s breath hitched. Was she finally noticing him? “Who?” he asked, keeping his tone casual. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s this senior. He’s really attractive.”

His heart sank. “Oh.” He cleared his throat. “Uh… what’s so great about him?” (Y/n) hummed in thought. “I don’t know. He just has this cool, confident vibe. Plus, he has really broad shoulders. I don’t know why, but I find that so attractive.” Sungho felt like someone had just punched him in the gut.

Broad shoulders. Of course. “Sounds… nice,” he managed to say. She sighed. “Anyway, it’s probably nothing. I doubt he even knows I exist.” Sungho wanted to scream, I exist. I’ve always existed for you. But instead, he just nodded. “Yeah. Maybe.” They reached her house, and she turned to him with a soft smile. “See you tomorrow?” Sungho forced a smile. “Yeah. See you.” She disappeared inside, and he stood there for a moment, staring at her door. Then, he turned and walked home, his mind racing with a single thought.

~~~

Sungho stood in front of his full-length mirror, his jaw clenched. His shoulders weren’t small. Compared to his friends, he had the broadest build of all of them. But compared to an actual gym-goer? A senior? Not enough. Not enough for her to look at him the way she looked at every other guy. He rolled his shoulders, examining himself from different angles. Would (Y/n) notice if he worked out more? If he got stronger, broader? Would she finally see him?

A determined expression settled on his face. He opened his phone and started searching. “Best workouts to get broader shoulders.” Tomorrow, he’d start. And maybe, just maybe, (Y/n) would finally see him as more than just her best friend.

~~~

Sungho had been working out since the middle of their second semester in high school. At first, it was just frustration-fueled effort, desperate attempts at sculpting himself into something (Y/n) would notice. But reality didn’t work like that. Muscles didn’t form overnight, and broad shoulders didn’t just appear after a few weeks of lifting. It wasn’t until the last semester of their final year that his hard work started showing.

He still remembered the day (Y/n) had casually mentioned it. “Damn, Sungho, you’re getting buff. It suits you.” He had felt his heart do somersaults, but her words didn’t carry the weight he wished they did. She said it the same way she’d compliment a new haircut or a stylish jacket. Nothing more, nothing less. It stung. But he didn’t stop.

Partly because he still wanted her to notice him, but also because working out made him a better athlete. It made him faster, stronger, more efficient on the field. His hard work had landed him a solid reputation in their school’s soccer team, and now, with just one week left until his final high school match, he knew scouts would be watching.

This match could mean the difference between playing soccer in college or leaving the sport behind for good. But when his phone buzzed during practice, everything else became irrelevant. Sungho stood on the soccer field, wiping sweat from his forehead as Coach blew the whistle for a water break. He pulled out his phone, expecting a text from his mom or maybe one of the guys messing around in the team’s group chat.

But his heart stopped when he saw (Y/n)’s name. (Y/n): Are you busy? That alone made his stomach twist. She never asked if he was busy. She usually just sent something random, assuming he’d respond whenever he could. Sungho: At practice. Why? The reply came almost instantly. (Y/n): I got dumped. Sungho froze. His fingers clenched around his phone, his jaw tightening as a wave of emotions hit him all at once. Anger. Frustration. A helpless kind of sadness. It had happened again. (Y/n): He was cheating on me. And using me for my notes. Sungho exhaled sharply through his nose.

He should’ve known. He did know. The guy was too smooth, too charming in a way that felt practiced. Sungho had seen the warning signs, but what could he have done? (Y/n) never listened when he tried to subtly warn her about her choices in guys. And now here they were. Again. “Sungho!” Jaehyun’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Water break’s over, let’s go!” His grip on his phone tightened. This was an important practice. His last few before the big game. His future in soccer depended on how well he performed next week.

But the choice wasn’t hard. Sungho: Where are you? (Y/n): My house. Sungho: I’m coming. Without hesitation, Sungho shoved his phone in his pocket, grabbed his bag, and jogged toward the edge of the field.

“Where are you going?” Jaehyun called out. “Something came up,” Sungho muttered. Coach raised an eyebrow as Sungho passed him. “You’re skipping practice a week before the biggest match of your life?” Sungho didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” Coach sighed but didn’t stop him. Jaehyun, however, jogged up beside him, lowering his voice. “Is it (Y/n)?” Sungho didn’t answer. Jaehyun sighed, shaking his head. “Dude, you can’t keep doing this.” Sungho turned to face him. “She needs me.” Jaehyun held his gaze for a long moment before exhaling in defeat. “Fine. Go.”

Sungho didn’t waste another second. He ran. (Y/n) sat on her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the soft glow of her bedside lamp. A half-eaten pint of ice cream sat on her nightstand, untouched. She wasn’t crying. She was too tired to cry. Instead, she just felt stupid. How many times was she going to let this happen? How many times was she going to ignore the red flags, only to end up here, alone, humiliated, and feeling like an idiot? A knock on her window made her jump. She turned her head, only to see Sungho standing outside, his usual hoodie pulled over his head, his expression unreadable.

With a small sigh, she got up and slid the window open. “You know, you could just use the front door.” Sungho shrugged. “This is faster.” (Y/n) stepped aside, letting him climb in. He landed on her floor with practiced ease, like he had done it a thousand times before. “Did you really skip practice?” she asked as he straightened up. “Doesn’t matter,” he said simply, sitting down on the edge of her bed. “Tell me what happened.” She hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside him. “It’s the same old story.” Sungho didn’t say anything. He just listened. So she told him.

How the guy had been acting distant lately. How she found out through a mutual friend that he was seeing someone else. How, when she confronted him, he hadn’t even tried to deny it, just shrugged and said, “What did you expect?” Sungho clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. “Do you want me to kill him?” he asked, only half-joking. (Y/n) let out a dry laugh. “No fighting, remember?” Sungho exhaled slowly, unclenching his fists. “Right.” They sat in silence for a moment before (Y/n) rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m so tired, Sungho,” she whispered. “Why do I keep doing this to myself?”

Sungho swallowed hard, his heart pounding at the warmth of her touch. Because you don’t see me, he wanted to say. But instead, he just rested his head against hers. “Because you’re too kind. You believe in people, even when they don’t deserve it.” She sighed. “Maybe I should stop.” Sungho forced a small smile. “You won’t. It’s who you are.”

They sat like that for a long time, her leaning on him, him holding himself together. And in that moment, Sungho realized something. It didn’t matter if he got broad shoulders. It didn’t matter how strong he got, how much he changed, how much he sacrificed. Because at the end of the day, he would always be the one picking up the pieces. And she would never notice.

After nearly an hour of sitting in silence, (Y/n) had stopped crying. Her body had long since relaxed against Sungho’s side, her breathing even, her weight light but comforting against him. The half-eaten ice cream had melted into a sticky mess on her nightstand, completely forgotten. The only sounds were the occasional sniffle and the faint ticking of the clock on her wall. Sungho hadn’t moved. He didn’t want to.

He wasn’t sure if she had fallen asleep, but she had gone still, and for a moment, he allowed himself to pretend that this was something more. That maybe she wasn’t leaning on him just because she was hurting, but because she wanted to. He let his eyes drift shut, pretending, just for a little while, that he was allowed to have this. Then he felt it.

A small hand slipping into his. His entire body tensed. (Y/n) had taken his hand in hers, her fingers lightly tracing over the rough calluses he had developed from years of soccer. It was a simple touch, so casual that it probably meant nothing to her. But to him? It was everything. His heart skipped, no, tripped, over itself, his stomach twisting as if he had just been launched into free fall. He held his breath, afraid that if he moved, she would realize what she was doing and pull away. Then, in the quietest whisper, she murmured, “Thanks, Sungho.” His throat tightened.

He wanted to tell her that she didn’t need to thank him. That he would always, always come running whenever she needed him. That it didn’t matter if it was the middle of the night, or if he was in the middle of the most important soccer match of his life, if she called, he would answer. But before he could even process what she had said, she spoke again, this time a little louder. “You idiot,” she muttered, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. “You skipped practice for me.”

Sungho barely resisted the urge to smile. So she did know. She must’ve thought he was asleep, because her tone wasn’t her usual teasing one. It was softer, a little more raw. “You should be more serious about your future,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if you lost your chance to impress the scouts?” Sungho, who had been forcing himself to keep still, finally broke. He let out a quiet laugh, his chest vibrating against her side.

(Y/n) gasped and sat up straight. “You were awake?” He grinned, tilting his head to look at her. “The whole time.” Her face twisted in embarrassment as she smacked his arm. “Why didn’t you say anything?” “I was comfortable,” he said with a shrug, stretching his arms above his head. “And I wanted to hear what you’d say about me when you thought I wasn’t listening.”

(Y/n) groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “I take back my thanks.” “No, you don’t.” She peeked at him through her fingers. “Ugh, you’re so annoying.” Sungho just smiled. For a moment, she stared at him, and he could see that she was feeling a little lighter now. There was a small, tired smile tugging at the corner of her lips, and it made all of this worth it.

Then she sighed, rolling her shoulders. “Still. You should’ve gone to practice.” He shrugged. “You were more important.” She blinked, then smacked his arm again. “That’s not how this works! What if your coach benches you for skipping?” “Then I’ll make up for it at the game.” She sighed again, shaking her head at him. But this time, she smiled. “I’ll be there, you know.” Sungho raised an eyebrow. “At my game?” She nodded. “Yep. Front row, wearing your number, screaming my lungs out.”

His heart did a double-take. “What?” he asked, sure he had misheard. (Y/n) stretched her arms above her head, yawning a little. “I said I’ll wear your jersey. Since you don’t have a girlfriend to do it, I guess I’ll have to suffice.” Sungho forgot how to breathe.

His jersey. She was going to wear his jersey. For the first time in years, she was going to have his name and number on her back, not some random senior’s, not some guy she was dating, his. He swallowed. “You… you don’t have to do that.”

(Y/n) shrugged. “Nah, I want to. Gotta make up for making you skip practice.” Sungho wanted to tell her that she didn’t owe him anything. That this—this moment, this feeling, was already more than he could have ever asked for. But all he could do was nod. And hope that she didn’t hear how loud his heart was beating.

~~~

The stands were packed. It was Sungho’s final match, and the pressure was heavier than ever. College scouts were watching, his coach was counting on him, and the entire school had turned up to see the team play their last game. But none of that mattered. Because as Sungho jogged onto the field, his eyes immediately found her.

(Y/n) sat in the front row, right where she said she’d be. And there it was, the sight that made his chest tighten, that made his hands shake, that made all the noise in the stadium fade into nothing. She was wearing his jersey. His name. His number. On her back, on display for everyone to see. His heart soared. (Y/n) caught his gaze and waved, flashing him a bright smile. “Play well, idiot!”

For the first time in his life, he felt invincible. And that feeling carried onto the field. Sungho played like a man possessed. Every move was calculated, every pass crisp, every shot clean. He ran faster, pushed harder, gave everything he had. It was as if all the years of training, all the sacrifices, all the heartbreak had built up to this moment.

And by the time the final whistle blew, their team had won. The crowd erupted into cheers, but Sungho barely heard any of it. His teammates swarmed him, congratulating him, slapping his back, ruffling his hair. He caught sight of the scouts nodding approvingly from the stands.

But all he cared about was running straight to her. (Y/n) was already waiting at the edge of the field, grinning at him. “You played amazing!” Sungho, still breathless, grinned back. “It was because of you.” She rolled her eyes, but her smile didn’t fade. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll take the credit.” He chuckled, shaking his head. For once, just for a fleeting moment, it felt like maybe, just maybe, she was his. Even if it was just a jersey. Even if it was just for today. He would hold onto this moment forever.

~~~

College had come faster than either of them had expected. Graduation was a blur of flashing cameras, tight hugs, and tearful goodbyes. Sungho had walked across that stage with a diploma in one hand and (Y/n)’s hand in the other as they cheered for each other, promising that no matter what, they would stay close. And they had.

Now, months later, college life had settled in. Sungho had grown even more popular than before, which wasn’t surprising. As a key player on the university’s soccer team, his name was known across campus. Add his devastatingly good looks, broad frame, and the way he carried himself, girls were obsessed with him.

But he barely dated. No one understood why. It wasn’t that he didn’t have options. If anything, he probably had too many. Everywhere he went, someone was trying to get his number, slide into his DMs, or “accidentally” bump into him on campus. And yet, every single time, he turned them down.

Because the only girl he wanted was sitting right next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder, groaning as she lost another round of Mario Kart. “Ugh, this game is rigged!” (Y/n) whined, tossing her controller onto the couch. Woonhak, who had been absolutely demolishing everyone in the game, grinned. “Nah, you just suck.” “Watch your mouth, Wonnie,” (Y/n) shot back, flicking his forehead.

The entire dorm was packed with laughter. Sungho and his roommates, Jaehyun, Taesan, Riwoo, Leehan, and Woonhah, had all gathered for their usual game night, and as always, (Y/n) was right there with them. It was almost like high school again. Almost. Except now, things were different.

Now, (Y/n) had a boyfriend. An insecure, controlling, jealous boyfriend. Sungho tried not to think about him too much because if he did, he’d probably end up punching a hole in the wall. The guy was an asshole, the type who threw a tantrum if (Y/n) spent too much time with other guys, the type who went through her phone when she wasn’t looking, the type who made her feel guilty for hanging out with her best friend. The only reason she was even here tonight was because the guy was out of town for the weekend. And Sungho? He was doing what he had always done, waiting in the background, silently wishing she would realize that he was right here.

~~~

They had been playing for over an hour when (Y/n) suddenly turned to Sungho with a grin. “So, I have this friend,” she started. Sungho’s shoulders tensed. “No.” (Y/n) blinked. “I didn’t even say anything yet.” “I already know where this is going.” “You don’t even know her.” “I don’t need to.” (Y/n) groaned, dramatically flopping against his side. “Why do you never date anyone?”

Jaehyun, who had been lazily scrolling through his phone, smirked. “Yeah, Sungho. Why don’t you tell us why you’re the most eligible bachelor on campus but refuse to actually be a bachelor?” The other guys snickered. Sungho rolled his eyes. “I’m focusing on my career.” Jaehyun snorted. “You’ve been using that excuse since high school, bro.” “Maybe because it’s true.”

(Y/n) frowned, nudging his arm. “Still, you should at least try. You’ll never find ‘the one’ if you don’t put yourself out there.” Sungho could feel his heart hammering against his ribs. Oh, the irony. Here she was, pushing him to date someone, anyone, without realizing that he had already found ‘the one.’

She was sitting right next to him. And she was completely oblivious. His grip tightened on the controller. For a brief, reckless moment, he wanted to say it. He wanted to grab her hand, look her in the eye, and tell her that the reason he never dated anyone was because no one else could compare to her. That every time she looked at another guy, it made his chest ache. That he had been trying to tell her in a million different ways, but she never seemed to see it.

But then he remembered her boyfriend. The possessive jerk who already hated how much time she spent with him. Sungho clenched his jaw and swallowed the words down. Instead, he forced a chuckle. “I’ll date when I have time.” (Y/n) sighed. “Fine, fine. But don’t complain when you end up alone with just a soccer ball for company.”

Leehan snickered. “I mean, the guy’s basically married to soccer at this point.” Taesan smirked. “Maybe he does have someone in mind but doesn’t wanna tell us.” “Definitely,” Riwoo added. “There’s no way he’s staying single by choice. There’s gotta be someone.” Sungho gave them all a warning glare, but Jaehyun just smirked. “Ohhh, I bet I know who it is,” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Sungho shot him a sharp look. Jaehyun just smirked harder. “Relax, I won’t say it out loud.” Sungho swore he was going to kill him. (Y/n), however, just laughed. “I swear, you guys act like Sungho’s some tragic love story waiting to happen.” If only she knew. Sungho swallowed hard and focused on the screen, pretending he wasn’t feeling like a complete idiot. He had been in love with her for years. And somehow, she was still completely blind to it.

~~~

After everyone had left and the dorm was finally quiet, Sungho lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The conversation from earlier kept replaying in his head. “You’ll never find ‘the one’ if you don’t put yourself out there.” He let out a dry, humorless chuckle. She really had no idea, did she? He turned onto his side, exhaling slowly.

(Y/n) had always been the one he wanted. And no matter how hard he tried to move on, no one else ever seemed to matter. But she was still dating him. And so, just like always, Sungho stayed silent. And hoped, prayed, that one day, she’d finally see him.

~~~

Sunday arrived like a storm waiting to strike. (Y/n) had spent the entire weekend with Sungho and his roommates, laughing, playing video games, and forgetting, if only for a little while, about the suffocating grip of her relationship. But then, he came back. And all hell broke loose.

The moment (Y/n) walked into her boyfriend’s apartment, she could tell something was wrong. He was already sitting on the couch, arms crossed, jaw tight, his phone in his hand as if he had just gotten the worst news of his life. His eyes flicked up at her entrance, dark and stormy. (Y/n) barely had a second to speak before his voice cut through the room.

“So, did you have fun?” She blinked. “Huh?” He scoffed, standing up. “Don’t ‘huh’ me. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Confused, (Y/n) dropped her bag on the counter. “I literally just got here. What’s wrong with you?” “What’s wrong with me?” He let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you spent the entire weekend hanging out with Sungho and his little soccer crew?”

(Y/n)’s stomach twisted. Of course. Of course his friends had told him. She sighed, crossing her arms. “I don’t see why that’s a problem.” His nostrils flared. “You really don’t?” “No, I don’t,” she shot back. “They’re my friends. You act like I was cheating on you or something,”

His hand slammed against the wall beside him, making her flinch. “Because that’s what it looks like, (Y/n)!” he snapped. “Do you have any idea how it makes me look when my girlfriend is running around with some guy all weekend?” She took a step back, hands curling into fists. “I wasn’t ‘running around’ with anyone! I was just,” “With him,” he cut in, voice sharp. “Always him.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She had known he was insecure, but this… this was something else. She shook her head. “You’re being ridiculous.” His lips curled. “Am I?” “Yes! Because nothing is going on between me and Sungho!” He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “You really expect me to believe that? That guy has been in love with you for years!” (Y/n) froze. For a second, she thought she misheard him. “What…?” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Oh, don’t play dumb. Everyone knows. His friends, your friends, hell, even my friends knew before I did.”

(Y/n)’s heart was pounding. Sungho… in love with her? No. That wasn’t possible. If that were true, she would have known. Right? But before she could even process it, he stepped closer, his voice dropping lower. “I bet you like it, don’t you?” he muttered. “Having him wrapped around your finger. Knowing that no matter how many guys you date, he’ll always be waiting for you like some pathetic little puppy.”

Her blood ran cold. “That’s not tr-” “Shut up.” She stilled. The air in the room changed. The way he looked at her now, it wasn’t anger. It was something darker. Her stomach turned. For the first time in their entire relationship, she felt… unsafe. And then it happened. His hand moved. He didn’t hit her. Not really. But he raised his hand as if he was going to. And that was enough. (Y/n) didn’t stay to see what happened next. She turned, grabbed her bag, and ran.

~~~

By the time she made it to Sungho’s apartment, she was breathless, shaking, barely able to see through the tears streaming down her face. She knocked frantically, heart hammering against her ribs. Seconds later, the door swung open. Sungho stood there, dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie, hair messy from what must have been a nap. The moment he saw her face, his entire body went rigid.

“(Y/n)?” His voice was urgent. “What happened?” She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She just collapsed against him, sobbing. His arms were around her in an instant, warm, steady, grounding. She gripped his hoodie, shaking. “I… I didn’t know where else to go.” Sungho’s jaw tightened. He didn’t know what had happened yet, but he knew it had to do with that bastard she called a boyfriend. His grip on her tightened. “You’re always welcome here.” She sniffled, nodding against his chest. For a long time, neither of them spoke. Sungho just held her, rubbing soothing circles on her back, waiting. Eventually, her breathing evened out. And when she finally pulled away, wiping her face, Sungho guided her inside without a word.

She sat down on his couch, and he crouched in front of her, searching her face. “Tell me,” he said softly. Her lips trembled. “We fought.” His hands curled into fists. No shit. But he kept his voice calm. “About what?” She exhaled shakily. “About you.” Sungho’s stomach twisted. Of course. Of course it was about him.

“I told him nothing was going on,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “That we’re just friends. But he… he didn’t believe me.” Sungho swallowed hard. “Did he… did he hurt you?” She hesitated. And that hesitation was enough. Sungho shot to his feet. That motherf…

“No!” (Y/n) grabbed his wrist, panicked. “He didn’t hit me! He just, he almost did. But he didn’t.” Sungho’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white. Almost wasn’t good enough. He had tried. That bastard had tried to hurt her. And for that, Sungho was going to kill him. But then (Y/n) pulled him back down, shaking her head. “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t do anything. Just… stay.”

His heart cracked. She was terrified. And right now, she didn’t need a fight. She needed him. So, with every ounce of restraint in his body, Sungho took a deep breath and sat beside her. She leaned her head against his shoulder, exhausted. And once again, just like always, Sungho was there. Holding her together when she was falling apart. Even though, deep down, he knew… She would never look at him the way he looked at her.

~~~

(Y/n) had cried herself to sleep. Sungho stayed beside her until her breathing evened out, her fingers still curled slightly into his hoodie, as if holding onto him even in sleep. He wished, God, he wished, he could stay there. Just lie down, pull her into his arms, and let her know that no one would ever hurt her again. But he knew better.

She didn’t need that from him. Not right now. So, with a quiet sigh, he carefully untangled himself from her grasp, tucked the blanket around her, and stood up. If he couldn’t hold her, he would do the next best thing. Take care of her.

Sungho wasn’t exactly a chef, but he knew his way around a kitchen. Growing up with his mom working late shifts meant he had to learn how to cook pretty early on, and now, it was just second nature. Opening the fridge, he took stock of what he had. Eggs. Rice. Leftover chicken. Some vegetables. Good enough.

As he started cooking, his mind wandered back to what had happened. The rage was still there, burning in his chest, barely contained. That bastard. That absolute coward. The fact that he had almost hit (Y/n) made Sungho’s blood boil. What kind of man even thought of raising a hand against the person they claimed to love?

It took everything in him not to grab his keys, storm out, and track the guy down himself. But he didn’t. Because she had asked him not to. So, instead, he let out a long breath and focused on chopping vegetables, the rhythmic motion calming him, if only slightly.

Right as he was stirring the rice, the front door swung open. Jaehyun, Taesan, Riwoo, Leehan, and Woonhak all walked in, talking loudly about their day, until they saw Sungho. Standing in the kitchen. Cooking. Alone. Which was weird, because usually, (Y/n) would be sitting on the counter or at the table, chatting with Sungho as he cooked.

Jaehyun raised a brow. “Uh… bro?” Sungho looked up. “Yo.” Taesan crossed his arms. “Where’s (Y/n)?” “Asleep,” Sungho said, lowering his voice. “In my room.” A beat of silence.

Then, Woonhak’s eyes went wide. “HYUNG?!” Sungho’s head snapped toward him, glaring. “Not like that!” Riwoo smirked. “Damn. Thought you finally made a move.” Jaehyun frowned. “Wait. If she’s asleep here, then…” His voice trailed off, eyes darkening. “Did something happen?” Sungho exhaled. Then, quietly, he filled them in.

By the time he was done, the room was dead silent. Sungho didn’t need to look at his friends to know they were pissed. Jaehyun was gripping the back of a chair, knuckles white. Riwoo had his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might snap. Taesan, usually the chillest one, was staring at the floor, shaking his head.

Leehan muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, “Where does he live?” And Woonhak, who was usually bouncing off the walls, was completely still. It was Jaehyun who finally spoke. “Let’s kill him.” Sungho sighed. “No.”

“Why not?” Riwoo snapped. “Because she asked me not to do anything.” “That’s a dumb reason.” “I know.” Jaehyun let out a sharp breath. “At least let me break his nose.” Sungho shook his head. “Fine,” Jaehyun muttered. “But if I see him…” No one needed him to finish that sentence.

They tried to stay quiet after that, though the occasional curse still slipped out under their breath as Sungho finished cooking. Despite their anger, they knew that right now, what mattered most was (Y/n). She was safe here. With them. With him. And Sungho would do everything in his power to make sure she stayed safe.

~~~

Sungho had barely set the last dish on the table when he realized that nearly 30 minutes had passed since he left (Y/n) in his room. She should have woken up by now. Something wasn’t right. A flicker of concern passed through him as he wiped his hands on a kitchen towel and made his way to his bedroom. The moment he pushed the door open, his chest tightened.

There she was. Sitting on the bed, legs curled up against her chest, shoulders trembling. Her phone was in her hands, the screen dimly glowing. And silent tears were streaming down her face. Sungho felt his heart drop.

He had seen her cry many times before, more times than he ever should have, but this was different. This wasn’t just sadness. It was defeat. Wordlessly, he stepped closer and sat down beside her on the bed. She didn’t acknowledge him at first, too lost in whatever pain she was drowning in. It wasn’t until he gently took the phone from her hands that she finally spoke.

“I shouldn’t have checked.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, thick with emotion. “I knew I shouldn’t have checked, but I did.” Sungho’s jaw clenched as he glanced at the screen. A text from her ex. “You’re nothing without me.” “You’ll come back. You always do.” Sungho had never wanted to punch a phone more in his life.

His fingers curled tightly around the device before he forced himself to put it down. He inhaled sharply, pushing the rage away, focusing only on the girl in front of him. “Hey,” he murmured, shifting closer. “Look at me.” She did. Her eyes were red-rimmed, lashes clumped together from the tears, lips trembling. God, it hurt to see her like this.

Sungho reached out, gently brushing a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. “He’s wrong.” His voice was steady, firm. “You don’t need him. You never did.” (Y/n) sniffled, her lips pressing together as if she wanted to believe him, but couldn’t. So he kept going. “You know what you do have?” He gave her a small smile. “A bunch of annoying soccer players who would commit arson for you.”

A tiny, watery laugh escaped her lips. “Arson?” He grinned. “Jaehyun’s idea, not mine.” She shook her head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Sungho felt his chest loosen just a little. “You’re not alone, (Y/n),” he continued, his voice softer now. “You have us. You have me.”

For a moment, she just looked at him. And then, to his surprise, she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered. Sungho closed his eyes for a second, inhaling the scent of her shampoo, the warmth of her against him. He wished he could stay like this forever. But instead, he chuckled, nudging her gently.

“Come on,” he said. “I made food.” She pulled back slightly, wiping her tears. “You cooked?” He smirked. “Don’t sound so surprised.” “I’m just saying, last time you tried to make ramen, you almost set the kitchen on fire.” “First of all, that was one time. Second, that wasn’t even my fault! The stove was possessed or something.” (Y/n) let out a real laugh this time, and Sungho felt a sense of victory flood through him. He stood up, holding a hand out to her. “Come on, before Woonhak eats everything.” (Y/n) hesitated only for a moment before placing her hand in his.

The moment they stepped into the kitchen, (Y/n) froze. Because there they were. Jaehyun, Taesan, Riwoo, Leehan, and Woonhak, already seated, waiting for her. Plates set, food still steaming. And just like that, tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time, not from sadness. From happiness. Because even after everything… She still had them. She still had him. Sungho squeezed her hand gently. “You okay?” She looked up at him, a teary-eyed smile on her lips. “I am now.”

Dinner with the boys was exactly what (Y/n) needed. At first, she had been quiet, her mind still reeling from everything that had happened, but her friends, her family, refused to let her dwell in the pain for too long. Woonhak was the first to start reminiscing.

“Remember when we were in high school and Sungho hyung tried to impress a girl by doing that trick shot during practice?” Sungho groaned, already regretting being born. “Don’t” “Ohhh,” Jaehyun smirked, leaning back in his chair. “The one where he tripped over his own feet and face-planted in front of the entire team?” (Y/n) gasped. “You didn’t!” “I did not.” “He did,” Taesan corrected, nodding solemnly. (Y/n) burst into laughter, the first genuine, unrestrained laugh she had let out in days. Sungho rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile. At least she was laughing.

The teasing continued throughout dinner, with the boys throwing out story after story, from Woonhak getting locked in a janitor’s closet by accident to Riwoo completely forgetting his jersey before an important match and having to borrow one from a fan. For a little while, (Y/n) forgot. Forgot the heartbreak. Forgot the pain. But the moment they started clearing up the dishes, reality came crashing back. She still had so many of her things at her ex’s apartment.

Clothes. Jewelry. Books. Memories. And she didn’t want to leave them there. But the thought of going back alone, of seeing him again, made her stomach twist in anxiety. Sungho immediately noticed the shift in her mood. “You okay?” He nudged her gently as he dried a plate. (Y/n) hesitated. Then, in a quiet voice, she admitted, “I still have a lot of my stuff at his place.” The entire kitchen went silent. Even Woonhak, who had been humming some random tune, stopped in his tracks.

It was Jaehyun who spoke first. “You want us to go get it for you?” She bit her lip. “No, I… I should go myself.” Sungho’s grip on the dish towel tightened. “You don’t have to,” he said. “We can handle it.” She shook her head. “If I don’t do it myself, I feel like… I don’t know. Like I’m running away.” He hated that she was right. (Y/n) was always the type to face things head-on, even when it hurt. Sungho respected that about her. He also hated that about her. Because it meant she would willingly put herself in situations where she could get hurt again.

He exhaled, placing the towel down. “Then I’m coming with you.” Her head snapped up. “You don’t have to,” “I want to.” She looked at him for a long moment, something unreadable in her eyes. Then, she nodded. “Okay.” Sungho gave her a small, reassuring smile. Whatever happened next… She wouldn’t face it alone.

~~~

The night passed in a strange mixture of comfort and tension. (Y/n) had borrowed one of Sungho’s oversized shirts to sleep in, drowning in its fabric, the sleeves slipping past her fingers. It smelled just like him, clean, fresh, and familiar. She had teased him about the size. “You’re way too buff now,” she had joked, tugging at the loose collar. “You used to be a skinny little thing back in high school.” Sungho had laughed, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… things change.”

She hadn’t thought anything of it. But to him, those words held a heavier meaning. She had changed too. She had changed in ways that made his heart ache, in ways that made him want to shield her from the world. And yet, here she was. Curled up in his bed, stealing his blankets, her face peaceful as sleep overtook her. Sungho, on the other hand, lay awake on the mattress on the floor, staring at the ceiling. His mind wouldn’t shut off. Because tomorrow… Tomorrow, they would go back to her ex’s place. And Sungho was ready for a fight.

~~~

The smell of coffee filled the apartment the next morning. Sungho had woken up early, unable to sleep much anyway, so he had taken it upon himself to make breakfast. (Y/n) walked out of his room, hair a little messy, still wearing his shirt. Sungho nearly burned the eggs. She needs to stop looking so good in my clothes. “Morning,” she yawned, rubbing her eyes as she sat at the kitchen counter. “Morning,” he replied, sliding a plate of toast and eggs in front of her. She blinked at it. “You’re really trying to prove to me that you can cook, huh?” He smirked. “Maybe.” She took a bite, humming in approval. “Alright, Chef Park. I approve.”

Sungho chuckled, sitting down across from her, but the lighthearted moment was short-lived. Because they both knew what was coming next. (Y/n) set her fork down, exhaling. “Are you sure you want to come with me?” she asked, her voice softer now. “I don’t want to drag you into drama with him.” Sungho leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “You are not going there alone.” She studied his face for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.” Sungho clenched his jaw, already preparing himself. Her ex hated him. But that didn’t matter. Because Sungho hated him more. And if he so much as breathed the wrong way toward (Y/n)… There wouldn’t be a fight. There would be a war.

~~~

The drive to her ex’s apartment was tense. (Y/n) sat quietly in the passenger seat, fiddling with the hem of her sweater, her nerves eating at her. Sungho could feel it, see it, in the way she kept bouncing her knee, in the way her hands twisted together every few seconds. She was nervous. Scared. And he hated that she had to feel that way because of him. Sungho’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles turning white. He had seen her go through heartbreak before, had watched her wipe her own tears and piece herself back together time and time again. But this time felt different. Because this time, she had almost been hurt. Physically.

Sungho exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax. He had to stay calm, for her. He glanced at her briefly, reaching out to place a warm hand on her knee. “You okay?” (Y/n) let out a small breath. “I will be.” It wasn’t a yes. But it wasn’t a no, either. And for now, that was enough.

When they arrived at the apartment complex, (Y/n) hesitated for a second before stepping out of the car. Sungho was immediately by her side, his presence grounding, steady. The text she had sent to her ex had been left on read, no response, no acknowledgment. She had no idea what to expect. And that terrified her. Sungho, on the other hand, was prepared for anything. The moment the door swung open, (Y/n)’s ex leaned against the frame, an unimpressed look on his face. “Well, well,” he drawled, crossing his arms. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up.” (Y/n) swallowed hard. “I just want my stuff.”

Her ex scoffed, looking her up and down before his gaze shifted to Sungho. And there it was. That look of disgust. That mocking smirk. “You really can’t do anything without him, huh?” The ex tilted his head. “I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised. You always ran to him whenever things got hard.” Sungho’s fists clenched at his sides. (Y/n) inhaled sharply. “Just let me get my things, and I’ll be out of your way.” The ex let out a humorless chuckle, stepping aside. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” (Y/n) didn’t waste time. She hurried inside, grabbing her bags and whatever else she could carry while Sungho stood by the doorway, his eyes locked onto the ex like a hawk watching its prey.

It should have ended there. It could have ended there. But the ex just had to keep talking. “You know,” he mused, leaning against the wall, “it’s pathetic, really. The way you follow her around like some lovesick puppy.” Sungho’s jaw tightened. “She’s never gonna love you back, you know that, right?” The ex smirked. “You’ll always just be her backup plan.” And that was it. The final straw. Before Sungho even realized it, his fist connected with the guy’s jaw with a sickening crack. The ex stumbled back, clutching his face. “You son of a…” Sungho was already moving to hit him again, but, “Sungho.” One word. One voice.

(Y/n)’s hand was on his arm, her fingers gentle yet firm. And just like that, he stopped. Breathing heavily, he glared down at the ex, his voice low and dangerous. “She’s not yours to talk about,” he seethed. “Not anymore.” The ex wiped his bloody lip, glaring up at Sungho. “Let’s go,” (Y/n) whispered, pulling him away. And this time, Sungho listened. Because the only thing that mattered now… Was getting her away from this place.

~~~

The rhythmic sounds of water running and dishes clinking filled the kitchen as (Y/n) and Sungho worked side by side, washing and drying the plates. Despite the weight of their earlier conversation, things between them had settled back into normalcy, like nothing had happened. They talked about their professors, about college, about how Jaehyun had nearly set the microwave on fire last week by trying to heat up an aluminum-wrapped sandwich.

It was comfortable. Safe. Until (Y/n) said something that nearly made Sungho drop the plate he was drying. “I’d give you a chance.” Sungho froze. “…What?” (Y/n) turned her head slightly, looking at him as she handed him another plate. “I said I’d give you a chance.” Sungho blinked, trying to process her words. A chance? A chance for what? To explain himself? To move on? His hands clenched slightly around the dish towel as he swallowed. “I… don’t understand.”

(Y/n) sighed, rinsing the last plate before turning off the water. She wiped her hands on a towel, then turned fully to face him. “What I mean is,” she said slowly, “I don’t have feelings for you right now, or at least, I don’t think I do. But… that’s because I’ve never looked at you as anything more than a friend before.” Sungho remained silent, watching her intently. She hesitated for a moment, then continued. “But if I try, if I give myself a chance to see you as more than just my best friend,” she bit her lip, “maybe I will fall for you.” Silence.

The only sound in the kitchen was the soft dripping of water from the sink. Sungho stared at her, unsure if he had actually heard her correctly or if his mind was playing some cruel joke on him. “…Are you serious?” he asked finally. (Y/n) gave him a small, uncertain smile. “Yeah.” His heart pounded in his chest. After years of standing in the background… Years of watching her fall for all the wrong guys… Years of wondering if she’d ever look his way… She was saying this? Sungho exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

“You don’t have to force yourself,” he muttered, looking away. “I don’t want you to pity me, (Y/n).” (Y/n) frowned, stepping closer. “It’s not pity,” she said firmly. “It’s a realization.” He glanced at her, skeptical. “A realization?” She nodded. “That maybe… just maybe, I’ve been looking in the wrong places this whole time.” Sungho’s breath caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure what to say. What to think. He had spent so long preparing himself for a lifetime of unrequited love.

And now, here she was, telling him that maybe, just maybe, he had a chance after all. “…So,” he started cautiously, voice quieter than before, “what does that mean? For us?” (Y/n) took a deep breath. “I don’t know yet,” she admitted. “But I want to find out.” A slow, hesitant smile tugged at Sungho’s lips. “…Yeah?” She nodded. And for the first time in a long time… Hope bloomed in his chest.

~~~

A movie played in the background, but Sungho barely registered what was happening on the screen. His mind was spinning. (Y/n) said she’d give me a chance… The words echoed over and over, replaying in his head like a broken record. What did that mean for him? How was he supposed to act? Should he do something different? Should he try harder to win her heart? Or should he just be himself? He wasn’t sure. He was too lost in his thoughts to notice that (Y/n) had gone quiet beside him. She had stopped watching the movie.

Instead, she was staring at him. Or more specifically, at his hand. Her brows furrowed, concern flashing in her eyes. “Sungho… your hand.” He blinked, pulled out of his daze. “What?” (Y/n) grabbed his wrist and turned his hand over, gently running her fingers over his knuckles. They were bruised, slightly swollen from earlier. “You punched him.” She looked up at him, scolding. “Why didn’t I notice this earlier?” Sungho shrugged. “It’s not that bad.” “Not that bad?” She scoffed. “Sungho, what if you broke your hand? What about soccer? Your future?”

He hesitated. She wasn’t wrong. He should have been more careful. But at that moment, when her ex kept running his mouth, throwing insult after insult, he just… snapped. “I didn’t think about that,” he admitted quietly. (Y/n) sighed. “Of course, you didn’t.” She gently ran her thumb over his knuckles again, making him shiver slightly at the soft touch. Then, to his surprise, she held his hand in both of hers. “…Thank you,” she said, voice softer this time. “For standing up for me. But next time, don’t be so reckless, okay? I don’t want you to ruin your career because of me.”

Sungho felt his heart squeeze. He swallowed thickly, looking at their intertwined hands. “Even if it was reckless… I don’t regret it.” His voice was barely above a whisper. (Y/n) glanced up at him. “Sungho…” Before she could say anything else, she suddenly stood up and pulled him along with her. “Come on.” He blinked. “Huh? Where are we going?” “To take care of your hand.” Sungho let her drag him into the bathroom, where she pulled out a bottle of lotion and some ointment from the cabinet. The way she was fussing over him, scolding him one second and then carefully tending to his bruises the next… She definitely felt like a girlfriend right now. And he wasn’t sure if he should be happy or terrified.

~~~

Sungho sat on the closed toilet seat as (Y/n) carefully applied ointment to his bruised knuckles. The warmth of her hands against his sent an uneasy flutter through his chest. She was focused, her bottom lip slightly jutted out as she worked. It was a look he’d seen a thousand times before, when she was studying, reading, or even concentrating on beating him at video games. But this time, it felt… different. And that scared him a little. Sungho had spent years dreaming about this moment, (Y/n) seeing him as something more.

Now that it was happening, he had no idea how to act. Should he be more flirty? More confident? Or should he just act like nothing changed? The uncertainty was eating at him. “…I have to ask,” he finally said, breaking the silence. (Y/n) hummed in acknowledgment, still focused on his hand. “How am I supposed to act now?” She paused for a second before looking up at him, confused. “What do you mean?” “I mean…” Sungho sighed, rubbing his free hand over the back of his neck. “You said you’d give me a chance, right? That you’d try to look at me as more than just your best friend.”

(Y/n) nodded slowly. “Well… how does that work?” He chuckled awkwardly. “Am I supposed to do something different? Or should I just… be me?” (Y/n) was quiet for a moment, clearly thinking. Then she put the lotion bottle down and sat back, crossing her arms. “I don’t know,” she admitted, tilting her head slightly. “I mean… I do like you, Sungho. I care about you a lot. But I’ve never really thought about you in a romantic way before, so I don’t know how to just switch that in my head.”

Sungho nodded, trying not to let her words sting. It wasn’t like she was rejecting him, she was just being honest. (Y/n) sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Maybe we should try going on dates.” Sungho blinked. “Dates?” She nodded again. “Yeah. I mean, how else am I supposed to start seeing you as a boyfriend instead of just my best friend?” His heart stuttered in his chest. Dates. With her. Sungho swallowed. “So… like, real dates? Not just us hanging out like usual?” (Y/n) smiled slightly. “Yeah. Real dates.”

He could feel his ears burning. This was actually happening. He had been waiting years to hear those words, and now they were coming straight from her lips. “Okay,” he said, voice steady despite the storm inside him. “Then let’s do it.” (Y/n) grinned. “Alright then.” And just like that, everything between them changed.

~~~

That night, both (Y/n) and Sungho lay awake in separate rooms, lost in their own thoughts. It was weird, this nervousness between them. They had spent so many nights in the same apartment before, hanging out until late, watching movies, playing games, or just talking about life. But now, the air felt different. Sungho had stolen Woonhak’s room for the night, letting (Y/n) have his own. Woonhak wasn’t coming home anyway, so it didn’t matter. But even though Sungho had the whole bed to himself, he couldn’t sleep.

She agreed to date me. We’re actually going on a date tomorrow. He felt like a middle schooler experiencing his first-ever crush all over again. What if he messed this up? What if she realized that she couldn’t see him that way? But still, despite his nerves, there was one overpowering emotion. Happiness. Even if this didn’t lead to anything… even if she didn’t fall for him the way he had fallen for her years ago… at least he got the chance. That alone was enough.

~~~

The next morning, Sungho woke up earlier than usual. He stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, mentally preparing himself for the day. A date. With (Y/n). Their first real date. After washing up and changing into a decent outfit, he headed to the kitchen where he found (Y/n) already making breakfast. She turned and smiled at him. “Morning, sleepyhead.” He grinned. “You’re only calling me that because I woke up after you.” “Exactly.” Sungho chuckled, stepping beside her to help.

For a moment, it felt normal again, like they were just best friends hanging out like always. But then he remembered. No, this is different now. Their first date was simple. They didn’t have much time to plan anything extravagant, so they decided to go for a walk around a nearby park. At first, it didn’t feel much different from their usual hangouts. They talked about their classes, complained about assignments, and made fun of their friends. It was normal. Too normal. Sungho wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. But then… he made a move.

With all the courage he could muster, he reached out and gently took (Y/n)’s hand in his. It wasn’t the first time they had held hands. They had done it countless times before, while running from the rain, while crossing the street, while dragging each other to new places. But this time, it felt different. And (Y/n) felt it too. She tried to ignore the fluttery feeling in her stomach, tried to pretend it was nothing. But her fingers tightened slightly around his. And Sungho? He smiled.

~~~

As their walk neared its end, they stumbled upon a small café nestled between two larger buildings. Neither of them had seen it before, and the warm, inviting scent of freshly baked pastries drifted through the open door. (Y/n) turned to Sungho, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Should we check it out?” Sungho glanced at the name on the sign, Sweet Haven, and nodded. “Why not? We have time.”

The café was cozy, decorated with soft lighting and shelves filled with plants and books. It wasn’t crowded, just a few other customers enjoying the calm atmosphere. As they approached the counter, (Y/n) looked over the menu. “Hmm… what should I get?” Sungho smirked. “Whatever you want. I’m paying.” (Y/n) raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh? Big spender today?” He shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I’m a gentleman. And it’s our first date, so of course, I’m paying.”

(Y/n) grinned. “You always spoil me, you know.” Sungho chuckled, nudging her shoulder lightly. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” In the end, they each ordered a drink and a pastry, (Y/n) went for a chocolate croissant while Sungho chose a cinnamon roll. After picking up their order, they found a quiet table by the window. Sungho watched as (Y/n) took a sip of her drink, her shoulders relaxing as she took in the café’s peaceful atmosphere.

“This place is nice,” she said, setting her cup down. “We should come here more often.” “Yeah,” Sungho agreed, taking a bite of his cinnamon roll. “It’s a good spot for studying too.” (Y/n) groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me. We have that test next week.” Sungho smirked. “Oh, now you remember?” “I remembered, I just chose to ignore it.” They laughed, falling into an easy conversation about their classes. Then, in a moment of spontaneity, (Y/n) decided to test the waters. She broke off a piece of her croissant and, without thinking too much about it, held it out toward Sungho.

Sungho blinked at her, his brain short-circuiting for a moment. Was she… feeding him? (Y/n) simply tilted her head. “Come on, try it. It’s really good.” Sungho hesitated for only a second before leaning in, opening his mouth, and letting her place the pastry on his tongue. The moment he chewed and swallowed, he felt his face heat up, burning up, actually. He tried to act normal, but (Y/n) caught the way his ears turned bright red.

She giggled. “Why do you look so embarrassed?” “I…” Sungho coughed, grabbing his drink and taking a quick sip. “It’s nothing.” She grinned. “Oh, it’s definitely something.” Sungho groaned, covering his face with his hands. “You’re evil.” (Y/n) just laughed, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction.

After finishing their drinks and pastries, they got up to leave. As they walked toward the exit, the café owner, a sweet-looking elderly woman, smiled warmly at them. “You two are such a lovely couple,” she said. (Y/n) and Sungho froze at the same time. Sungho glanced at (Y/n), waiting for her to correct the woman. But she didn’t. Instead, she simply smiled and gave a small nod. “Thank you,” (Y/n) said softly. Sungho’s heart did a little flip in his chest. As they stepped outside, he shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to fight the giddy smile forming on his lips.

~~~

As Sungho and (Y/n) walked back to the apartment, their hands still loosely intertwined, Sungho felt like he was floating. His palm was warm against hers, and she hadn’t pulled away the entire walk home. It wasn’t their first time holding hands, but this time, it meant something different. (Y/n) had said she would try to look at him as more than a friend. And maybe, just maybe, this was a small sign that she already was.

But before Sungho could dwell on the thought too much, they stepped inside the apartment and were immediately greeted by a chorus of noise. “HEY, PASS THE CONTROLLER!” “WOONHAK, STOP BUTTON MASHING!” “Jaehyun, you absolute menace, how did you do that combo?!” The living room was pure chaos. The five boys were sprawled across the couch and floor, completely immersed in an intense video game match. Well, except for Taesan, who was sitting in the corner with a book in his hands, eyebrows furrowed like he was trying to read but failing miserably because of the noise.

However, the second they noticed Sungho and (Y/n) entering the apartment, everything stopped. Jaehyun paused the game mid-battle. Woonhak dropped his controller. Riwoo nearly choked on his drink. Leehan blinked in shock. And Taesan, who had barely been paying attention, finally glanced up from his book, only for his eyes to widen slightly.

Because there, in clear view for everyone to see, were Sungho and (Y/n)’s intertwined hands. For a solid three seconds, there was absolute silence. “HOLY SHIT” “NO FREAKING WAY.” “OH, THIS IS BIG.” Sungho barely had time to react before Jaehyun leaped over the couch like an excited golden retriever. “ARE YOU GUYS?” He pointed at their hands. “IS THIS?” Riwoo gasped dramatically. “Are we witnessing the birth of a new power couple?” Leehan grinned. “Took you long enough, dude.”

Meanwhile, Woonhak’s reaction was arguably the loudest. He jumped up and started hopping around like an overexcited child. “GUYS, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? MY SHIP IS FINALLY SAILING!” (Y/n) laughed, shaking her head. “Your ship?” Woonhak nodded aggressively. “YES. I’ve been rooting for you two since high school!” Sungho groaned, covering his face with his free hand. “Oh my god.” (Y/n simply giggled, her fingers still wrapped around his. “I didn’t realize we had fans.” “Oh, you do,” Jaehyun confirmed, slinging an arm around Sungho’s shoulder. “We’ve all been watching this painfully slow love story unfold for years.” Sungho rolled his eyes. “You guys are being dramatic.”

Taesan, who had been quiet this whole time, finally spoke up. He closed his book and leaned back against the couch, smirking slightly. “So… does this mean you’re actually dating now? Or is this still a ‘trial period’?” (Y/n) gave Sungho a quick glance before answering, “Let’s just say we’re figuring it out.” The boys groaned in unison. “UGH, NOT THIS AGAIN.” “JUST DATE ALREADY.” “YOU’RE KILLING US.”

(Y/n) laughed as Sungho rubbed the back of his neck, feeling both embarrassed and amused. Jaehyun clapped him on the back. “You better not mess this up, man.” Sungho shot him a glare. “I wasn’t planning to.” Leehan smirked. “Good. Because if you do, we’re stealing her.” (Y/n) grinned. “Oh? I have options now?” Woonhak dramatically placed a hand over his heart. “Of course! You’re the honorary little sister of this group,” “We’re the same age,” (Y/n) reminded him. “Details.” Sungho sighed, shaking his head. “I regret everything.” (Y/n squeezed his hand. “No, you don’t.” And he didn’t. Because as chaotic as his friends were, this moment, holding (Y/n)’s hand and seeing her trying to look at him differently, it was everything he had been waiting for.

~~~

The apartment was loud, warm, and smelled like everything delicious and bad for your health. Fried chicken, pizza, kimchi stew, all of it spread across the coffee table, barely leaving space for drinks and napkins. Everyone had finally agreed that no one was cooking tonight, and delivery was the only answer.

(Y/n) was nestled comfortably between Sungho and the couch, her legs stretched out as she leaned against a floor cushion. She picked at a piece of fried chicken while Woonhak was dramatically retelling a story about how he almost slipped in the locker room and blamed a ghost.

Jaehyun interrupted him halfway through. “That was just soap, you idiot.” “It moved on its own!” “That’s literally what soap does on a wet floor.” “Guys,” (Y/n) said through a laugh, “Can I just eat in peace without imagining haunted soap trying to kill Woonhak?” Sungho chuckled next to her, holding up a piece of tteokbokki with his chopsticks. “Here,” he said, gently nudging it toward her. “Open up.”

(Y/n) blinked at him, surprised. “What?” “You looked distracted. Thought I’d feed you,” he said, a little teasing but still casual. She narrowed her eyes at him playfully, but opened her mouth anyway, letting him feed her the spicy rice cake. “You just want me to owe you,” she said after chewing. “You’re going to collect this moment later, aren’t you?” “Maybe,” Sungho grinned, wiping his fingers on a napkin. “But you already owe me for last weekend’s ice cream.” “You offered!” “Still counts.”

Taesan shook his head, smiling over his book. “You two are hopeless.” “Hopelessly adorable,” Woonhak added, mouth full. Then, casually and without warning, Leehan, who had been quietly munching on a slice of pizza at the edge of the group, looked up and said, “Honestly, if you two start dating, (Y/n) should just move in. She’s here all the time anyway.”

Sungho froze, drink halfway to his lips. (Y/n) blinked. “…Excuse me?” Jaehyun practically exploded. “YES! Thank you! I’ve been thinking this for months! She’s basically our sixth roommate already.” “No,” Woonhak corrected him. “Seventh. You’re forgetting Riwoo.” “Right, right. Sorry, bro.” Riwoo, unfazed, popped a fry into his mouth. “She brings good snacks. I support this.” Taesan finally lowered his book. “It would be kind of nice to have another calm presence around here. And someone who doesn’t shout while gaming.”

“I DO NOT!” Woonhak started, then paused when everyone looked at him. “Okay. Fine. I shout a little.” (Y/n) looked around, stunned. “You guys have all thought about this?” “Not seriously,” Leehan replied with a shrug. “But it makes sense.” She turned to Sungho beside her. He hadn’t said a word. He was looking at her, wide-eyed but with the tiniest smile threatening to form. “Well?” she asked, tilting her head. “Would you want me to move in?” His answer came without hesitation. “Yeah. I would.”

Her lips curled into a soft smile, and she looked down at her now-empty plate, clearly thinking it over. “I’ll… think about it,” she said finally, and the smile she sent him was enough to make his heart race. Then Jaehyun ruined the moment. “God, please just do it already. You’re both acting like you’re still in a K-drama slow burn.” Woonhak laughed. “Yeah, come on. Give us all the drama without the twenty-episode wait.” “You watch twenty-episode dramas?” Taesan asked, raising an eyebrow. Jaehyun shot him a glare. “Shut up. That’s not the point.”

Sungho was still staring at (Y/n), his heart somewhere up in his throat. She caught his eye and gave him a tiny nudge with her shoulder, as if to say, We’ll see. And though they all moved on to arguing about who had to take out the trash, there was a different kind of buzz between them now. Something unspoken, something tender. The kind of feeling that only came when something good was just beginning.

~~~

A light breeze rustled the leaves on the campus courtyard trees as Sungho waited just outside their lecture hall, balancing a small paper bag in one hand and constantly checking his phone with the other. He wasn’t sure why he felt nervous, he saw (Y/n) nearly every day, but there was something different about the way his stomach flipped when he spotted her weaving through the students, two iced coffees in her hands and that familiar bright smile on her face. “Hey, look at you being all sweet,” she said, nodding at the bag he held. “I could say the same,” Sungho replied, grinning as he took one of the drinks from her. “Thanks, you didn’t have to.” “I wanted to,” she said simply. “Pre-exam treat.” He handed her the bag in return. “Your favorite chips. And those little chocolate-covered almonds you always steal from me anyway.” (Y/n)’s eyes lit up. “You’re the best.”

Sungho felt his ears tinge red. He ducked his head, sipping his coffee and trying to will his heart to calm down. It wasn’t working. They stood there for a few minutes, leaning against the railing, sipping their drinks and chatting about everything and nothing, trying to distract themselves from the fact that a difficult exam loomed right around the corner.

Sungho gave a long exhale. “I swear, if Professor Park throws another trick question about that one random formula we saw once, I’m leaving the room.” (Y/n) laughed. “You’re not leaving. You’d sit there stewing in silent rage like you always do and then get an A anyway.” He nudged her shoulder playfully. “What can I say? I’m academically driven… and terrified of failure.”

Just before the professor called them into the classroom, (Y/n) hesitated and turned to him, biting her lip like she was trying to choose her words carefully. “Hey… after the exam, do you wanna go out again? Like, just the two of us? It feels like we haven’t had a real moment alone in days. The boys are sweet, but they’re also… always around.” Sungho blinked. His heart did that stupid little leap again. “Yeah,” he said quickly, nodding. “Yes. Definitely. I, actually, I know a place. But it’s kind of fancy.” She raised a brow, amused. “Fancy?”

“Like… you might have to wear something nice. Not, like, ballgown nice, but, you know, nice?” Her lips curled into a soft smile, amused and intrigued. “Oh? Since when are you a five-star-restaurant guy?” “I’m not,” he admitted with a shy laugh. “But I’ve always wanted to take you somewhere nice.” That made her pause, her cheeks turning just a little pink as she looked away for a second, trying to hide her smile. “Then I’ll find something nice to wear.”

Sungho pretended not to beam like a fool. “I’ll pick you up at seven?” “Make it 6:45, and you’ve got yourself a date.” And with that, they shared a lingering look before stepping into the classroom, nerves for the exam replaced, if only slightly, by the excitement for what came after.

~~~

The exam had drained most of their energy, but the idea of the date kept them both going, separate and jittery, preparing for what felt like their first real step into something new.

At Sungho’s apartment

Sungho stood in front of his open closet like a man staring into the abyss. Clothes were scattered across his bed, and his expression was a blend of panic and confusion. “Why do I own so many t-shirts?!” he groaned, running a hand through his hair. “None of these say, ‘Hey, I’m a mature, emotionally available man who knows how to treat a woman.’” Woonhak flopped down on the bed, holding up a plain white button-up. “This one says ‘I might own a plant and ask you how your day was.’”

“Ew,” Jaehyun said from the doorframe. “Too soft. He needs something more smolder, less sensitive plant dad.” “What does that even mean?” Sungho muttered, already trying on the shirt. “It means this,” Taesan said, finally stepping in with a simple black dress shirt. “Dark. Sleek. You keep the top button open, roll the sleeves just a bit. Trust me.” Riwoo peeked in. “You’re all doing a lot for someone who’s already smitten.” Sungho gave him a look. “This is the first date. Not just a date. Our date. It has to be good.” Jaehyun grinned. “He wants her to fall head over heels.” “Obviously,” Woonhak chimed. “He’s been in love since like, grade school.” Sungho threw a sock at him. “Shut up and help me figure out what pants go with this.” Taesan smirked. “I’d suggest confidence, but dark jeans work too.”

At (Y/n)’s apartment

(Y/n) was surrounded by dresses. Lily sat cross-legged on the floor, tossing out suggestions like a fashion show judge, while Yujin rifled through accessories on the dresser. “No. That one’s too soft-girl,” Lily said, holding up a pale pink option. “You’re not going to a picnic. You’re going on a date.” “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard,” (Y/n) said, chewing her lip. “It’s Sungho. It’s just… Sungho.”

Yujin looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Girl. Exactly. It’s Sungho. The guy who skipped practice for you, who cooks for you, who hit your ex for you. If anyone deserves effort, it’s him.” (Y/n) let out a little laugh, then pulled out a deep burgundy dress. It was fitted, not too short, with elegant straps and just enough detail. “What about this?”

Lily whistled. “That’s the one.” “Sexy, but not trying to be sexy,” Yujin nodded. “It’s like ‘oops I didn’t mean to stun you’ but also ‘yes, I’m very much dateable.’” (Y/n) rolled her eyes with a smile. “You two are so dramatic.” “You’re nervous,” Lily said gently. “But it’s okay to be. It’s different now, isn’t it? It’s not just best friends hanging out.” (Y/n) nodded slowly. “Yeah… it feels different. But good-different. I just hope I don’t ruin it.”

Yujin came over and started helping with her hair. “You won’t. He’s already halfway in love. You just have to let yourself see him the same way.” As her hair was styled into a soft half-up look, (Y/n) caught herself in the mirror. She looked… like someone about to go on a date with someone she cared about. She smiled at her reflection. And for the first time in a while, she was excited.

Back at Sungho’s place

Sungho was dressed and ready, nervously adjusting his collar for the fifth time. His roommates stood around him like a team prepping their star player before a big match. “Okay,” Jaehyun said, holding up his phone. “Wallet, keys, gum. You’ve got all three?” Sungho nodded. “Remember,” Riwoo added, “don’t try too hard. Just be you. But the cool, composed version. Not the ‘tripped over his own shoelace freshman year’ version.”

Sungho groaned. “I knew you’d bring that up.” “You’re gonna kill it, hyung,” Woonhak grinned, giving him a thumbs up. “She already loves you. She just hasn’t realized it yet.” Sungho exhaled deeply. Yeah… maybe. But tonight, he’d help her see it.

~~~

At exactly 6:45, right on the dot like always, there was a gentle knock on (Y/n)’s dorm room door. She took a deep breath, smoothing down the front of her dress with slightly shaky hands. One last glance in the mirror, and then she opened the door. Her heart skipped a beat.

Sungho stood there, dressed in a fitted black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up just like Taesan had suggested. He’d styled his hair just enough to look effortless, his cologne faint but warm, and his posture, confident, relaxed… different. Everything about him tonight screamed boyfriend material. No, boyfriend goals. “Wow,” she breathed before she could stop herself.

Sungho blinked, his breath catching the moment she stepped into the light. He’d seen (Y/n) dressed up before, school dances, formals, but this wasn’t the same. This wasn’t high school. She wasn’t just his best friend anymore. In that burgundy dress that hugged her figure just right, her hair half-up and falling over her shoulders, she looked like the kind of person you couldn’t take your eyes off of. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath before quickly correcting himself. “I mean, you look… You look amazing. Like, really amazing.”

A soft smile curled at her lips. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” “Yeah?” he asked, subtly tugging at the edge of his shirt sleeve, trying to act casual. She gave him a playful once-over. “The shirt, the sleeves, whoever styled you knew what they were doing.” Sungho chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “I had four guys yelling about sleeve length and masculinity, so I had no choice but to listen.” (Y/n) laughed, easing into the familiarity between them. “Well, they did good. You look very… boyfriendy.”

His eyes flicked to hers, catching the teasing note in her voice but clinging to the word she used, boyfriendy. It wasn’t a declaration, but it felt like a hint, a little green light in this unfamiliar territory they were walking. He offered his arm, just a little awkward but still charming. “Shall we?” She looped her arm through his without hesitation. “We shall.”

As they walked down the hallway toward the stairs, (Y/n) glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her heart still fluttering. Maybe this whole dating-your-best-friend thing wasn’t going to be as strange as she thought. In fact, it was already starting to feel pretty perfect.

As they arrived at the restaurant, (Y/n) stepped out of Sungho’s car and immediately blinked up at the grand building in front of her. “What the… Sungho,” she said, looking from the glittering chandeliers visible through the wide windows to the uniformed valet who just opened the door for them. “When you said fancy, I didn’t know you meant this fancy.”

Sungho chuckled nervously, walking around to her side. “I wanted to treat you to something nice,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “figured we could celebrate surviving that exam in style.” (Y/n) glanced down at herself, suddenly tugging at the hem of her dress. It was pretty, and she had felt confident earlier, but now she wasn’t so sure. The other women walking past them were in sleek gowns, heels clicking on marble tile, and their makeup looked professionally done.

Sensing her hesitation immediately, Sungho’s expression softened. “Hey.” He stepped closer, gently touching her hand. “You look stunning. Seriously.” She gave a tight smile, still clearly unsure. “No, no, come on, look at you,” he insisted, taking both her hands and giving her a playful but genuine twirl. (Y/n) let out a small, surprised laugh as he spun her, the skirt of her dress fanning slightly. When she stopped, Sungho’s hands settled at her waist naturally, and hers, without thinking, landed on his shoulders.

“I mean,” he said, locking eyes with her, “if anyone in there doesn’t think you’re the most beautiful person in the room, they’re clearly wrong.” She bit her bottom lip, trying not to smile too widely, but her eyes sparkled. “You’re too smooth sometimes, you know that?” He grinned. “Only for you.” The hostess greeted them and guided them to their table, which was tucked away near a wide window overlooking a garden lit up with fairy lights. The mood was soft and elegant, with the clinking of cutlery and quiet hum of string music in the background.

Dinner started with them talking about the exam. Sungho playfully groaned about the one essay question he knew he messed up, while (Y/n) admitted she completely blanked on a multiple-choice question that had seemed simple at first. “I swear, my brain left my body for a minute,” she said, sipping from her wine glass. “At least your soul came back in time,” Sungho laughed. “Mine’s probably still floating above campus, wondering why I didn’t just guess C like everyone else.” They laughed together, their usual rhythm returning easily. But soon, the topic shifted to his upcoming soccer game.

Sungho leaned back slightly, swirling the ice in his water glass. “This next match… it’s a big one. The team we’re up against is brutal. Like, they’ve crushed almost everyone this season.” (Y/n) leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand. “Are you nervous?” He hesitated. “A bit. I mean, we’ve trained for this, but still… it’s one of those games that scouts might really pay attention to. One wrong move and…” he stopped, exhaling through his nose. “It’s a lot.” She reached across the table, brushing her fingers against his. “I get that. But if anyone’s gonna play their heart out, it’s you. And I’ll be right there cheering you on. Like always.”

His eyes softened as he looked at her. “That actually helps more than you think.” She smiled. “Just remember, broad shoulders, big brain, golden retriever energy. You’ve got this.” Sungho let out a laugh, his shoulders relaxing instantly. “You’re never gonna let that ‘broad shoulders’ comment go, are you?” “Nope,” she teased, winking at him. “Especially now that I know you worked out for a year because of it.” He flushed, mock groaning as he covered his face. “You’re evil.” “You love it.”

And maybe he did. Maybe, sitting across from her in that moment, laughing over expensive food and candlelight, he loved everything about her, even the way she teased him mercilessly. Especially that. Because tonight didn’t feel like just a date. It felt like the start of something real.

~~~

As the night air wrapped around them in a gentle breeze, Sungho and (Y/n) exited the restaurant, both of them a little full, a little giddy, and quietly reluctant for the date to end. The soft click of (Y/n)’s heels echoed on the sidewalk as they walked toward his car, the occasional streetlamp casting golden light onto the pavement like little spotlights on an already magical night. Sungho opened the passenger door for her, bowing slightly in exaggerated gentleman fashion. “Your carriage, milady.” (Y/n) giggled and gave a small, joking curtsy before slipping into the car. “You’re ridiculous.” “And yet, you agreed to a second date with me,” he shot back with a grin, shutting her door.

The drive back to campus was filled with soft music and light conversation, both of them too content to speak much. The silence wasn’t awkward, it was warm, a kind of calm that only came when two people were fully at ease around each other. When they finally pulled up outside her dorm, (Y/n) unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door, but Sungho was already out of his side, walking around to open it for her.

“You didn’t have to walk me to my door, you know,” she said with a small, amused sigh as they climbed the steps. “I know,” Sungho said, hands tucked in his pockets, “but I wanted to. Plus, what kind of gentleman lets the prettiest girl on campus walk to her door alone?” (Y/n) rolled her eyes but her cheeks turned pink under the glow of the porch light. She turned to face him, her hand already on the doorknob.

“Well… thank you,” she said softly. Sungho gave her a warm smile, ready to say goodnight—but before he could, (Y/n) suddenly reached up on her toes, leaned in, and pressed a quick, featherlight kiss to his cheek. His eyes widened. “Goodnight,” she said in a rush, flashing a nervous smile before slipping into her room and gently shutting the door. On the other side of the door, (Y/n) leaned back against it, clutching her chest as if to keep her heart from flying out. Oh my god, what did I just do? she thought, pressing her fingertips to her lips. Her heart was racing, but she couldn’t stop smiling.

Outside, Sungho stood completely still for a long moment. Then he blinked. Then he grinned. Then he looked up at the sky like it had personally just given him a reason to believe in miracles. He practically floated back to his car, whispering a low, “She kissed me, she actually kissed me.” By the time he got back to the apartment, it was already buzzing. The door barely shut behind him before five pairs of eyes turned toward him like wolves smelling blood.

Jaehyun was the first to pounce. “SO?! Spill. Now. Don’t leave anything out.” “I swear to god if you don’t give us details, I will cry,” Woonhak added dramatically from the couch, holding a throw pillow like a teddy bear. Riwoo leaned over the back of the couch with an intense gaze. “Did she laugh at your jokes? Was there a moment? How was her dress?!” Leehan, already sitting cross-legged on the floor with a cup of tea, added calmly, “Please tell me there was a romantic rooftop moment or a slow dance. Don’t disappoint me.”

Taesan, the most composed as always, just raised an eyebrow. “You look like you just won the lottery. Something happened.” Sungho tried to be chill. He really did. But then he cracked and exploded into a grin. “She kissed me.” A beat of silence. And then, all five of them screamed. Not yelled. Screamed.

“OH MY GOD…ON THE LIPS?!” “No, no,” Sungho said, laughing. “On the cheek.” Cue five guys collapsing in various ways. Jaehyun fell off the couch. Woonhak screamed into a pillow. Riwoo looked like he was about to cry actual tears of joy. Leehan was gently nodding like a proud parent. Taesan gave a satisfied smirk, his version of a celebration.

“That’s even better,” Woonhak wailed. “It’s so pure! You’re living in a K-drama, bro!” “She kissed you goodnight,” Leehan said dreamily. “It’s the beginning of the end. In a good way.” Sungho laughed, his cheeks still red, his heart still pounding. And as they all sat in the living room, grilling him for every last detail and squealing over the fact that their boy finally got a kiss, even if it was “just the cheek” Sungho knew one thing for sure: He was already falling even harder for the girl who made one little kiss feel like the best moment of his entire life.

~~~

The morning sun had barely risen above the campus rooftops when (Y/n) sent the message to Lily and Yujin: Can we meet? I need to debrief. Urgent.

Within minutes, they had a plan, coffee shop at 10. By 10:01, (Y/n) was seated across from them at their usual table, clutching her drink like a lifeline, her knee bouncing under the table. She hadn’t even taken a sip yet when Lily leaned in with narrowed eyes. “Okay. Spill. Now.” Yujin nodded, already stirring her iced americano like it was background music for the drama about to unfold. “You better not leave anything out.”

(Y/n) took a deep breath, then launched into it. “I don’t even know where to begin, honestly,” she said, cheeks already heating. “I guess… the second I opened the door and saw him, he was in this black dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair styled, and just… wow. Like, jaw-on-the-floor, heart-skipped-a-beat kind of wow.” Lily and Yujin exchanged a look. The kind of look that said “we called this.”

“And then,” (Y/n) continued, “we get to the restaurant and it’s fancy-fancy. Like, actual linen napkins fancy. And I started to feel super underdressed, but he immediately noticed and, ugh, he spun me around and said I looked stunning and like, he had his hands on my waist and everything.” Lily clapped both hands over her mouth. “Are you telling me this man twirled you like a princess? We’re in act two of the romance novel already?!”

Yujin leaned in. “Tell me you kissed him. Please tell me you kissed him.” (Y/n) buried her face in her hands and groaned. “I kissed him. Just… on the cheek. Before I went into my dorm. I panicked. I literally kissed him and then RAN INSIDE like a coward.” The girls squealed in unison. “Oh my god, you gave him a drama kiss and a dramatic exit?!” Lily gasped. “Queen behavior.” “You kissed him!” Yujin beamed, her voice an octave higher. “You kissed him! Do you hear yourself right now?” (Y/n) peeked through her fingers. “It wasn’t a big deal…” “It was a HUGE deal,” Lily interrupted. “That wasn’t a ‘just friends’ kiss and you know it.”

“Right,” Yujin added, suddenly serious. “And the way you talk about him? You lit up when you described him in that shirt. You said he made you feel safe when you got insecure. That’s not just friendship anymore, babe.” (Y/n) looked down at her drink, swirling it slowly. “I don’t know… I mean, maybe you’re right. Maybe I just needed time to see him that way. I didn’t even notice before. But last night felt… different. It felt like a date. It felt like I was on a date with someone I could maybe… love someday?”

The table went quiet for a beat, the weight of those words hanging softly in the air. Then Lily broke the silence with a teasing grin. “Sooo… third date is when you kiss him for real, right?” (Y/n) laughed, cheeks flushed. “Shut up.” Yujin leaned back in her chair, smug. “All I’m saying is: it’s happening. You’re catching feelings. And honestly? It’s about time.” (Y/n) sipped her drink, smiling to herself. Maybe they were right. Maybe it was more than friendship. Maybe those butterflies in her stomach weren’t just nerves. Maybe… she was falling for him.

~~~

The moment (Y/n) stepped into the store, she should’ve known she wouldn’t get out unnoticed. She spotted them near the snack aisle, Riwoo lazily pushing the cart while Woonhak practically bounced alongside him, scanning shelves with a mischievous glint in his eye. As soon as Woonhak spotted her, his entire face lit up. “(Y/n)!!” he called out, his voice carrying through the store. “There she is!” She groaned playfully, half-hiding behind her basket. “Oh no…”

Too late. Woonhak was already trotting over, wide-eyed and grinning like a puppy. “I need your version of the date story,” he said without preamble. “Sungho told us everything but I want your side! For science.” “You mean for gossip,” (Y/n) said, raising a brow. “Same thing,” Riwoo chimed in, coming to stand beside Woonhak with a smirk. “You know he won’t stop bothering you until you spill, right?”

(Y/n) crossed her arms. “I’m not telling you anything.” Woonhak’s face dropped into full-on puppy pout mode, bottom lip trembling in dramatics. “But (Y/n)… please? Pretty please? With extra kimchi on top?” She groaned. “Ugh. You’re too powerful. Fine. One condition, lunch is on you.” Woonhak and Riwoo looked at each other and nodded. “Deal,” Riwoo said, pulling out his phone. “Actually, hang on, this deserves a bigger audience.” He sent a quick message into the group chat:

Sungho’s girl is about to drop tea. Come to the BBQ spot. Now. By the time they got to the restaurant, Taesan and Jaehyun were already there, drinks in hand, smirks already forming. They barely even said hi before Jaehyun leaned over the table. “Alright, (Y/n), hit us. Start from the top. I want cinematic detail.” Woonhak leaned his elbows on the table, eyes shining. “Tell us about the moment you opened the door and saw him.”

(Y/n) sighed but couldn’t help smiling. “Okay, fine. So he knocks at exactly 6:45, because of course he’s on time, and when I open the door, there he is. Black dress shirt. Sleeves rolled up. Hair perfect. Looking like a boyfriend from a drama.” The boys all groaned and leaned back like they were being fed actual candy. “See?” Woonhak whispered to Jaehyun. “Told you she’d say ‘boyfriend.’” (Y/n) tossed a napkin at him but kept going, telling the story exactly like she had with Lily and Yujin, about how he made her feel beautiful when she doubted herself, how dinner was both comforting and romantic, and then of course… the kiss.

“And then I kissed him. On the cheek. And ran away.” There was a beat of silence before Jaehyun broke into laughter. “You kissed him and then ran? Classic rom-com energy.” “You really kissed him and dipped?!” Riwoo shook his head. “That’s cold, (Y/n).” “She panicked,” Woonhak defended, laughing anyway. “It’s cute.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes but laughed with them. “I know, I know. It was dumb.” “No,” Taesan said with a small smile, “It was you. That’s why he probably loved it.” That shut them up for a second. Then Riwoo leaned forward again, more serious now.

“Can I say something? And I mean this in the nicest way,” he said. “Sungho… really likes you. And he wants to show it. But he’s holding back, because he’s not sure how much space he has. So if you’re comfortable, you’re kinda the one who has to show him it’s okay to… I dunno, touch you more? Be open.”

The others nodded in agreement, softer now. “He’s dying to be the boyfriend,” Jaehyun added. “But only if you’re cool with it.” “I know you’ve been trying to figure out what you’re feeling,” Woonhak said. “But just so you know, he’s already all in. And you’re safe with him. Always.” (Y/n) sat back in her chair, a bit stunned by how genuine the teasing had turned. She looked at each of them and nodded slowly.

“Thanks,” she said, quietly. “I really appreciate you guys.” “You’re basically already part of the family,” Taesan said simply. “We’ve all kind of accepted that.” “Yeah,” Riwoo grinned. “Now you just gotta start acting like it.” Woonhak raised his drink. “To Sungho’s girl!” (Y/n) groaned but clinked her glass with his anyway, heart warm and smile wide. Maybe this was what falling for someone was supposed to feel like. Safe. Easy. Supported.

~~~

The tension in the locker room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Sungho paced from one side to the other, chewing at the inside of his cheek, occasionally stopping to retie his cleats for the third time in fifteen minutes. His teammates watched with amusement and secondhand stress. “Bro,” Jaehyun finally said, half-laughing as he lounged on a bench, “if you walk across that floor one more time, you’re gonna dig yourself a tunnel straight through to China.” Sungho just shot him a look but kept pacing.

“He’s gonna explode,” Riwoo muttered to Woonhak. Just then, a soft knock came from the door. Everyone paused. Leehan, closest to the entrance, stood up and opened it, eyebrows lifting in surprise when he saw who it was. “Oh, uh, yeah. One sec.” He stepped aside, revealing (Y/n), her eyes lighting up as soon as she spotted Sungho. She looked a little nervous too, but the smile on her face said she came with purpose.

“Can I borrow him for a minute?” she asked sweetly, glancing around at the boys who were already grinning. Sungho blinked, stunned for a second, then practically stumbled toward her. The moment he stepped outside the dressing room and the door closed behind him, he saw it, his jersey on her again, oversized and falling just right, and in her hands, a handmade sign that read:

“Go, Sungho!” The letters were bold, decorated with little soccer balls and stars, and his name stood out like it was glowing. His heart nearly stopped. “You wore my jersey again…” he said, his voice a little breathless. (Y/n) gave him a small, knowing smile. “Of course. It’s game day. Plus, I think it brings you luck.” “And the sign…” He looked down at it, then back at her with a blush creeping up his cheeks. “You made this?” She nodded. “Wanted to remind you that I’m cheering you on. Always.”

That did it. His nerves didn’t disappear, but they settled. Like her words had tied them into a knot and tucked them away somewhere safer. He felt like he could breathe again. “Thank you,” he said, softer than usual, eyes not leaving hers. “Really.” “Now go win this,” she said, bumping his shoulder lightly. “You’ve got this, Sungho.” He grinned. For the first time all day.

Back in the game, it was like something switched on in him. The match was brutal, fast, competitive, full of shoulder checks and close calls. The score stayed tied nearly the entire time, both teams relentless. But Sungho pushed himself harder than ever, his mind flashing back to her voice, her smile, her jersey hugging her frame, the sign in her hands. And then it happened. Final minutes of the game, one perfect pass, a clean break, and Sungho scored. The stadium erupted.

He turned in disbelief, arms lifted, just in time to see (Y/n) sprinting toward the field from the stands, her sign forgotten behind her. She didn’t slow down, and he caught her effortlessly as she jumped into his arms. The cheer from the team only grew louder when she kissed his cheek again, this time lingering just a little longer, her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders. “You did it!” she shouted, laughing in his ear. He held her close, completely breathless, though now, not from the game. If this was what winning felt like, he never wanted to lose again.

~~~

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the skyline and golden hour bathed the city, the group was buzzing with excitement. The team wanted to celebrate, and not just with snacks in their dorm or a quiet movie night. This win was big, and they wanted to go all out. “Okay, hear me out,” Woonhak said, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet as everyone sat crowded in the common room. “What if… we go to that new club that opened near campus? You know, the one with the rooftop bar and light-up dance floor?”

“Didn’t someone say it was hard to get into?” Jaehyun asked, already pulling up the club’s page on his phone. “Not if you show up with a whole soccer team fresh off a win,” Riwoo grinned, nudging Sungho. “Star striker’s got some pull.”

Sungho just shook his head, still riding the high from the game, his cheeks pink from the attention. His eyes flicked over to (Y/n), sitting cross-legged on the floor, sipping a smoothie Lily had brought over earlier. She caught his glance, raised an eyebrow, and gave him a playful, questioning look. “You in?” he asked her quietly, but she heard him over the noise. “If you are,” she smiled. And that was that.

The club was alive with music that vibrated through the floor, the kind that made your heartbeat sync to the bass. Neon lights flickered across the crowd as they moved and danced like waves in the ocean. The rooftop air was cool but not cold, and the energy of victory hung in the air like a buzz of electricity. Sungho wasn’t usually the type to dance much, but tonight was different. Maybe it was the win, maybe it was the music, or maybe it was (Y/n), who grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor with a grin that made his knees weak.

They swayed, they laughed, they got bumped into by strangers and didn’t even care. Sungho twirled her once, twice, then pulled her back into his chest, his arms around her waist like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her hands found his shoulders, and their eyes met, both of them smiling too much to speak. “You’re actually pretty good at this,” (Y/n) shouted over the music, teasing. “Only when I’ve got the right partner,” he shot back, making her laugh as she bumped her forehead gently against his.

At one point, he leaned in and asked if she wanted a drink, and she nodded. He disappeared into the crowd while she stayed near the edge of the dance floor, swaying slightly to the beat, hair sticking slightly to her forehead from the heat of the club. That’s when he showed up. Tall, confident, and with the kind of cocky smirk she used to find attractive.

“Hey there,” the guy said, sliding up beside her. “You look like you’re having a good time. Want some company?” (Y/n) blinked. “I’m here with someone.” He smirked. “He’s not around now.” She turned a bit away. “Still not interested.” “C’mon, just one dance,” “I said no, thanks.” Her voice was firmer this time, but he didn’t back off. The guy leaned in closer. “What, you got a boyfriend or something?” “Yes, actually,” she snapped, folding her arms across her chest. “I do.” He raised an eyebrow. “Where’s he at then?”

Right on cue, Sungho reappeared, two drinks in hand, confusion turning to immediate tension as he saw the guy too close to (Y/n), her posture defensive. Without missing a beat, he handed (Y/n) her drink, then stepped in beside her, placing a casual but unmistakable arm around her shoulders. “Problem?” Sungho asked, voice calm but edged in steel. The guy looked between them, clearly sizing Sungho up, but seeing no room left to push. “No problem,” he muttered, backing away into the crowd.

(Y/n) let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Sungho turned to her, brows knit with concern. “You okay?” “Yeah,” she nodded, taking a sip of her drink. “Thanks for that.” His hand stayed on her shoulder for a moment longer before slowly dropping. They didn’t say anything about the “boyfriend” comment, didn’t bring it up, not here, not now. Instead, Sungho gave her a small smile and gestured toward the dance floor.

“Wanna go back out there?” She smiled back. “Yeah.” So they did. This time, they danced slower. Closer. Her head eventually rested against his shoulder, and his arms wrapped tighter around her waist. Neither of them said a word, and they didn’t have to. For now, the music spoke loud enough.

As the night wound down and the club started to empty, the energy finally began to settle. The team’s win had been celebrated in full, dancing, drinks, more dancing, and lots of laughter. (Y/n) was leaning into Sungho a little more with every step as they made their way out of the club, her eyes glassy and cheeks flushed from the mix of alcohol, adrenaline, and lingering joy.

“I’m not drunk,” she mumbled, clearly drunk, clutching his arm as they stepped onto the sidewalk, the cool night air brushing against her skin. “Just a little tipsy.” Sungho looked down at her, amused. “Right. A little tipsy.” “I can walk straight,” she added proudly, then immediately tripped on the edge of the sidewalk, only staying upright because Sungho caught her. “Sure you can.” He tightened his grip around her shoulders gently, nodding toward the rest of the guys. “C’mon, let’s all go back to the apartment. It’s late.”

She didn’t protest, in fact, she barely registered what he said. Instead, she just stared at him like he was the most fascinating thing in the world, her fingers absentmindedly brushing through the hair at the nape of his neck, her nails gently grazing his skin. Sungho froze for a second, his entire body tensing at the unexpected, feather-light touch. Then he let out a quiet laugh, both flustered and fond.

“You okay there?” he asked softly, his voice low just for her. (Y/n) nodded slowly. “You have really nice hair.” Sungho laughed again, shaking his head, and helped her into the backseat of the car while the others piled in around them, all of them pretending not to notice the way (Y/n) rested her head against Sungho’s shoulder with a content sigh.

Once they got back to the apartment, Sungho helped her out of the car and up the stairs, letting her lean on him the whole way. The others walked ahead, still joking and rehashing moments from the night, but Sungho stayed slow and steady, matching (Y/n)’s pace. As they reached the apartment, she looked up at him with sleepy eyes and mumbled, “You take such good care of me…” He smiled at her, hand brushing her back lightly as he opened the door. “Always.” And he meant it.

Once everyone was home and safe, Sungho made sure (Y/n) had water, helped her change into one of his hoodies, and guided her to his bed while he grabbed a blanket and pillow for himself. She tried to argue that he didn’t have to sleep on the couch, but her words slurred together halfway through the sentence.

He just shook his head with a soft grin. “Let’s not make drunk decisions tonight, okay?” “Okay…” she whispered, already half-asleep. “But you’re really warm…” Sungho stayed by her side for a moment longer, watching her eyes flutter closed and her breathing even out before whispering, “Goodnight, (Y/n).” And even though she didn’t hear him, he smiled anyway, heart full, before quietly stepping out to let her rest.

~~~

The soft aroma of eggs, toast, and something slightly sweet pulled (Y/n) from sleep like a gentle hand. She blinked her eyes open, a little surprised by how good she felt, no headache, no nausea. Just warmth, comfort… and the unmistakable scent of breakfast.

Still half-asleep, she padded out of Sungho’s room, rubbing one eye lazily with the sleeve of the oversized hoodie she wore. It reached mid-thigh, warm and soft, smelling just like him. What she didn’t realize, however, was that at some point during the night, she had wriggled out of her pants and never put them back on.

Sungho was at the stove, humming to himself as he flipped eggs with practiced ease, the sunlight casting soft golden streaks through the window. When he heard the shuffle of footsteps, he turned with a casual smile, only for his jaw to immediately drop. He nearly dropped the entire pan.

“(Y/n)!” he hissed, darting across the room in a panic. She blinked up at him, confused. “Huh? What?” “You, you’re not wearing pants!” he whisper-yelled, frantically trying to shield her with his body in case any of the guys decided to emerge from their rooms. (Y/n)’s eyes went wide as she looked down at herself. “Oh my god,” she gasped, face instantly heating up. “I…I must’ve taken them off in my sleep!”

“Yeah, clearly,” Sungho muttered, already ushering her back toward his room, his hands hovering awkwardly like he didn’t know where to touch. “C’mon, before someone else sees,” Once safely back inside, (Y/n) practically dove onto the bed, burying her face into a pillow while groaning. “Kill me now. Seriously.” Sungho leaned against the door with a dramatic sigh of relief, a hand over his heart. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

She peeked at him from under the pillow, her face still flushed. “Thanks for not letting me traumatize your entire apartment.” He gave her a sheepish grin, “Anytime. Though… you looked really cute.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t even.” “No, I mean it!” He laughed, raising his hands. “Just… please never wear that exact outfit in front of the others. Or I might have to throw hands.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Possessive much?” “Maybe,” he said with a shrug, smiling softly. “But only a little.” (Y/n) sat up slowly, now tugging the hoodie down over her legs with a sheepish grin of her own. “Noted. No pants outside of this room.” Sungho chuckled and gave her a wink. “Unless it’s just us. Then… I won’t complain.”

She threw a pillow at him, which he dodged effortlessly before turning back toward the door. “Anyway, breakfast is almost ready. Come out when you’ve got pants on, alright?” “Yeah, yeah,” she called after him with a laugh, heart fluttering just a little from the teasing. Somehow, it was becoming easier and easier to imagine what life with Sungho would feel like. And surprisingly… it felt like home.

The kitchen was filled with the low hum of sleepy conversation and the delicious aroma of breakfast, eggs sizzling, toast popping, and the faint sweetness of cut fruit. Sungho stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with an ease that came only when he was in a good mood, which, as the others had learned, usually meant (Y/n) was around.

(Y/n) sat at the table beside Taesan, dressed casually in the hoodie she’d “borrowed” from Sungho, her hair slightly messy but her face glowing in the soft morning light. Jaehyun and Woonhak looked half-alive, both slouched over their plates, eyes squinting as if the sunlight itself was attacking them. Riwoo and Leehan were quiet but content, grateful for the food and the peaceful atmosphere.

“Mmm,” Woonhak hummed, taking a bite of pancake. “Sungho, you really went all out.” “It’s because (Y/n)’s here,” Jaehyun said, rubbing his temples. “He thinks we don’t notice, but every time she’s around, we get like, five-star meals.” Sungho rolled his eyes but said nothing, hiding his smile behind the steam rising from the stove. (Y/n) laughed, nudging her plate toward him when he passed by. “Not that I’m complaining.”

Just then, Taesan, who had been quietly eating and observing like always, set his fork down and looked up at her. “So,” he said casually, “have you thought any more about moving in?” (Y/n) blinked, caught mid-sip of her juice. “Again with this?” “Well, yeah,” Riwoo chimed in. “We already talked about it, but you didn’t say no.” “You basically live here anyway,” Woonhak said, lifting his head with effort. “Your toothbrush has a spot now.”

“She even has snacks in the pantry,” Jaehyun added. “That’s like… next-level unofficial roommate behavior.” (Y/n) looked around the table at all of them, a mix of amused and a little flustered. Her eyes flicked to Sungho, who was setting another plate on the table, but not saying anything yet. He was letting the others talk, but she could tell he was listening carefully.

“I mean…” she began slowly, “I’ve been thinking about it. A little.” “That’s not a no,” Leehan pointed out with a smirk. Taesan leaned back in his chair. “It would just make sense. You’re here most nights anyway, and we all like having you around. Plus, Sungho stops whining about cooking when you’re here.”

Sungho scoffed. “I do not whine.” “You literally threatened to throw away the rice cooker last week,” Riwoo said, sipping from his coffee. “Because someone forgot to clean it.” “Okay, that’s fair,” Sungho muttered. (Y/n) laughed softly, playing with the edge of her napkin. “You guys are really trying to recruit me, huh?”

“It’s not recruiting,” Jaehyun said. “It’s just us making a very logical, very heartfelt case for why this would be the best idea ever.” Sungho finally spoke, his voice quieter but genuine. “Only if you want to, though. No pressure.” (Y/n) looked over at him, meeting his eyes. There was that soft, warm gaze he always gave her lately, the one that made her heart skip just a little. She smiled, nodding slightly.

“I’ll think about it more seriously this time,” she said. “Yesss!” Woonhak cheered with what little energy he had, lifting a piece of toast in victory. “To manifesting it into reality,” Jaehyun repeated, raising his juice glass like a toast. Sungho chuckled as he sat beside her, his knee brushing hers under the table. “No pressure,” he repeated quietly, just for her. (Y/n) bumped his shoulder playfully, her voice equally soft. “I know. But… it’s starting to feel like home anyway.”

~~~

The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the quiet path as (Y/n) and Sungho strolled along, fingers laced comfortably between them. There was an easy rhythm to their walk, their shoulders brushing every now and then as they recapped the night before, laughing over Jaehyun’s terrible dance moves, how Woonhak managed to charm a group of strangers into singing with him, and how somehow, miraculously, no one lost anything or anyone.

Then, Sungho’s tone shifted slightly, softening, almost hesitant. “Hey,” he said, squeezing her hand a little, “I, uh… I wanted to ask you something. From last night.” (Y/n) glanced up at him, brows raised curiously. “Yeah?” “Well…” He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “When that guy wouldn’t leave you alone, I overheard you say you had a boyfriend. I just… was that to get him to back off, or… did you mean it?”

(Y/n) blinked, surprised. She hadn’t even thought about it when she said it, her mouth had spoken before her mind caught up. She stopped walking, tugging lightly on his hand to make him stop too. Sungho turned to face her, his expression unreadable but hopeful, his eyes searching hers.

“I didn’t even think about it,” she said softly. “It just came out… like second nature.” She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Which probably means… yeah. I meant it.” Sungho stared at her, his eyes widening just a little. “I have a boyfriend,” she continued, a bit more surely now, “and his name is Park Sungho.” It was like the words lit a fire inside him.

He dropped her hand suddenly and spun away, letting out a half-laugh, half-shout of pure joy as he ran in a little circle, throwing his arms up in the air. “YESSS! I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!” he yelled into the open sky, grinning like an idiot. A couple walking past gave him a strange look, but he didn’t care, he couldn’t have cared less.

Then, with a burst of energy, he rushed back to her, stopping only when he was right in front of her, breathless and giddy. He cupped her cheeks gently, eyes locked with hers. “Say it again,” he whispered, like he wanted to hear it one more time just to believe it. (Y/n) laughed, cheeks warming under his hands. “You’re my boyfriend, Park Sungho.”

And with that, he leaned in and kissed her, softly, surely, and completely. Their first real kiss, right there in the middle of the sidewalk, under the warm sunlight and with the world still spinning around them, but for a moment, all either of them could feel was each other.

They stood there for a moment, forehead to forehead, breathing in each other’s laughter and leftover nerves, hearts pounding and lips tingling. (Y/n) was still reeling, how was it possible that Sungho was that good of a kisser? She looked at him, dazed and completely smitten, and he was looking at her the exact same way. It was like the world had quieted around them, just for a bit, to let them live in this new moment.

And then they kissed again. And again. And again, each one a little more confident, a little more full of unspoken promises. Sungho was the one to finally pull back, just slightly, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he looked into her eyes. His voice was soft, but hopeful. “So… I know the guys already asked you once. Twice, actually,” he said with a small chuckle, “but I’m asking you now… for real. As your boyfriend. Will you move in with us?” He paused, eyes gentle. “With me?”

(Y/n) gave him a mock-serious look, pressing her finger to her lips as if deep in thought. “Hmm… I don’t know. I mean, I do like having my own space… and I’d have to deal with six loud boys every single day…” She glanced at him playfully. “Sounds exhausting.” Sungho raised his eyebrows, pretending to look scandalized. “Wow. Harsh.” She giggled, then leaned in close, her lips brushing his once more as she whispered, “…But I’d do it. I’ll move in.”

And then she kissed him again, her arms sliding around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist, lifting her just slightly off the ground as he spun her once, completely overwhelmed with happiness. “You’re seriously going to be the death of me,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. (Y/n) smiled back, her nose brushing his. “Yeah, but what a way to go.”

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