Kei’s phone buzzed as he flopped onto his bed, burying his face in the pillow before flipping over to check his notifications. No texts from Yn. Again.
It had been three days, three painfully long days since he last saw her. She’d gone on a work trip, and despite the constant messaging, Kei felt like he was starving. Starving for her voice. Her face. Her dumb little expressions when she talked too fast and got flustered.
He opened their chat.
Kei: Send me a pic.
Kei: I wanna see you.
Kei: I miss you.
He stared at the screen, waiting. Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again. His heart thudded like a complete idiot’s because, wow, she really had him wrapped around her finger.
Finally, her message popped up.
Yn: Miss you too, Kei. But I look gross rn 😭
He scoffed and typed furiously.
Kei: Not possible.
Kei: I’ll take whatever I can get. Even if you look gross.
Yn: So mean 😭
He rolled his eyes.
Kei: I’m serious, Yn.
Kei: It’s been 3 days. I’m dying.
Kei: Save me.
The little typing bubble returned, and then—finally—a photo.
It was blurry. Yn was in bed, bundled up in a blanket, hair sticking out in random directions. Her expression was half-asleep but warm, and Kei felt his entire body relax just seeing her.
Kei: Holy shit, you’re cute.
Yn: Don’t lie.
Kei: Not lying. Send another one.
Yn: No, you’ll get sick of my face.
Kei sat up, frowning.
Kei: I’ve literally spent the last 72 hours wishing I could teleport to you.
Kei: You think I’d get sick of your face?
Yn: Maybe 🥺
Kei: You’re insane.
Kei: And pretty.
Another photo came in, this time clearer. Yn was pouting at the camera, lips pursed in mock annoyance, and Kei actually laughed out loud.
Kei: I’m setting this as my lock screen.
Yn: You wouldn’t.
Kei: I would.
She sent him an eye-roll emoji, but Kei could imagine her smiling while typing it. He felt warm, even though the room was cold.
Kei: When do you get back?
Yn: Tomorrow night.
Kei: That’s too far.
Yn: It’s literally tomorrow.
Kei: Still too far.
She sent him a string of laughing emojis before pausing.
Yn: You’re being really soft today.
Kei: Shut up.
Yn: I like it.
Kei: Good. Don’t tell anyone.
Yn: Too late. I’m telling everyone you’re whipped.
Kei groaned and fell back onto the pillows, but his lips twitched.
Kei: I don’t care. Just come home already.
Yn: I’ll be home soon.
Kei: Not soon enough.
He stared at her last text for a while before setting his phone down, the tiniest smile tugging at his lips. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.