A subtle friendship that starts with an apple and a boy who slowly falls in love. Inspired by “Ditto” by NewJeans
Inupi didn't know when he started liking (y/n) it had come so gentle that by the time he looked back to see the start it was all blended together with the memories that made her special to him. Liking her came as second nature, something that came as easy as breathing. If he had liked her since forever then he assumed it was the first time they had met that he had fallen in love.
After Koko had saved him from the fire he remembered laying in the hospital bed staring at the ceiling not sure if he should celebrate being able to live or cry over his sister who couldn’t. If he could remember correctly, (y/n) had gone to the hospital after breaking her left ankle. Which if he was honest is not surprising now knowing her for so long. He had seen her trip over thin air before, let alone the times she was a victim of thrown balls.
With the hospital quite packed the nurses placed her as his roommate in hopes that a company his age would help him adjust and help him feel a sense of normalcy. As he lay lost in thought the nurses knocked on his door and as he answered the (h/c) girl was rolled in.
“This is (y/n) she is gonna be your new roomie okay” The nurse said as she set the girls up and helped her settle on the bed. Once (y/n) was set. The nurse then did their routine check up on him.
Once the nurses were done, 10 awkward minutes of silences occurred. He could see her fidgeting until she broke the silence “ummm you want some apples?” Not knowing what to do, he agreed. The girl smiled and proceeded to throw her feet off the bed and hopped on her good foot. “You really don't need to do that, '' Inupi hurriedly said, feeling bad.
“No, it's really okay just give me a second '' (y/n) said as she wheeled herself to the side of his bed with an apple and knife. She slowly peeled the apple and skillfully cut it into slices before helping him up and handing one up to him.
As he bit into the apple he saw her wheel back to her area ruffling through a bag and pulling out cards “Uno?”
Before long her presence was something he was used to, there wasn’t much to do in the hospital so the girl's efforts to fill up the boredom was amusing to him. Talking to let him escape the accident that plagued him at the time. After 2 weeks (y/n) was discharged and he thought he would never see her again.
Imagine his surprise when 2 months later while entering his homeroom with Koko for the new school year, he would see the girl sitting near the back of the classroom talking to two fellow classmates. He wanted to greet her but was interrupted by the door closing.
“Can everybody take a seat please, I am…” the teacher went on and on. Next thing Inupi knew he had zone out and lunch had begun. He looked toward the back of the room hoping to see (y/n) but was met with disappointment when he saw the empty desk. “Hey, you mind getting me a drink at the vending machine?” Koko's question snapped him back. “Yeah sure”
As he walk down quietly. The hallways were filled with chatter and laughter as students caught up and complained. Once he got the machine he saw her standing there with a bunch of drinks in her hand. “ Hey Inupi, it's me (y/n), I was shocked when I saw you. Who would have thought we would meet again? Don’t mind the drinks. I lost a bet and now I have to carry all of these drinks back. How are you by the way?”
He offered her a kind smile before answering her question “I’m doing better, how's your leg”. As she answered, he picked up some of the drinks. “You don't have to, I got it.” the girl quickly said. “It's fine we are going to the same place anyways.” It was a comfortable quiet as they walked back into the class. “Who's the girl?” Koko whispered to Inupi as he sat down. “She was placed in the same hospital room as me.”
The first day of class ended, Koko already made his way towards the door and had some deal to complete, leaving Inupi in the classroom by himself. He slowly opened the door to see the (y/n) again. “This is where you were, I thought you left until your long haired friend told me you might’ve been here still. For helping me with the drink I wanted to give you something.” She pushed a bag of apple flavor gummies into his hand. “ I know it's not a lot but I just wanted to say thank you,” the girl blurted before running off again.
Soon after the girl slowly inserted herself into his life naturally and he couldn’t help waiting for the time he got to spend with her. He couldn’t help himself from stealing glances at her surrounded by her friends. It was like her laughter was a sound wave in which his radio was always tuned to.
One night while walking around the city he spotted the girl walking home in the dark by herself, holding a bag of what he assumed was snacks. Scared for her safety he started following her yet too shy to say anything so the poor guy was just trailing her. After 5 minutes, he would get the scare of his life when he heard “ Inupi i know you’re there why are you following me?” the girl turned to face him.
After explaining himself the girl giggled and he couldn't help the blush that spread his cheeks not sure if he was embarrassed or happy that he had caused her to laugh. “Silly, you could have just told me.” When they reached her house she said bye to him and added “You are like my knight in shining armor, thank you”.
He didn’t want to admit it but his cheek was dusted with pink the rest of the night and they would hurt from the smile that tugged on his lips the rest of the way home.
The gods were in his favor the next day because when the bell rang the sky decided it was time to rain all the clouds dry. Luckily he bought his umbrella but (y/n) hadn’t, not wanting the girl to get sick he immediately offered to walk her home. She agreed and they started their journey leaving behind a Koko who had to find his own way home.
“ You know you should stand closer, the rain is hitting you,” the girl pleaded. The boy felt the water wetting his left side but ignored it. “Its fine”
Once they reached the house (y/n) pushed him inside. “The rain is getting worse, just chill here so the rain can let up. My parents are on a trip so you don't need to worry and I'll get you some clothes to change into”. Inupi couldn’t answer before he was in the bathroom “Just throw your clothes outside and I’ll place dry ones in front of the door”
He changed and went towards the living room “Are you hungry?” the girl began shifting through the fridge. Before long food was made and both of them sat and ate he noticed how the girl ate a smaller portion. “ You snack a lot don't you” the boy remarked. “Yeah, how did you know?” she questioned. “Because you’re a foodie you wouldn’t pass up any food unless you're filled, so i guess you ate a bunch of snacks beforehand” He chose not reveal how he caught her eating all the ingredients beforehand as she was cooking.
After they played board games and did their homework, the girl fell asleep. Inupi placed a blanket on her and couldn’t help but admire her sleeping. He cleaned up the dishes and board games. He then organized her school work and placed them in her backpack so she wouldn't forget before making his departure.
Walking her home became a daily routine, he started to figure out what her favorite food was and what she disliked. The songs she skips and the ones she plays on repeat. What jokes made her laugh and the character she liked. Even the way her eyes closed shut when laughing and the strand of hair that always stood up no matter how hard she tried.
He loved her but was scared. If he told her and she didn't like him that could mean losing her forever. Yet if he didn't tell her he would harbor these secrets forever surrendering the chance that she might like him back.
“Honestly the way your moping makes me pay you to just ask her” Koko sighed fully knowing that the girl had to like his blonde friend back. Inupi rolled his eyes before saying “I gotta go drop her off at the train station”. He wanted to ask you after your three day trip to the countryside hoping the time would help him build up the courage. He believed that it was better to tell them, than to live in the complex maze of not knowing, even when he knew his heart couldn’t take the damage if you had said no.
With the train station in view Inupi gently handed her bag which he insisted on carrying all the way. Then he rummaged through his own pockets to pull out (y/n)'s favorite apple gummies. “Here you go for the trip, and don’t snack too much because you need to eat a full meal alright”.
“Fine but no promises” The girl spotted her family and gave them her luggage telling them to go ahead before walking back towards the boy. “You know i know you like me, Koko told me” (y/n) spoke. Inupi's heart dropped to his stomach. “ I like you too by the way”. She lightly kissed his cheek, grinned and then ran into the train station yelling “ I’ll see you soon”
Even with the amount of time she had made him blush. She had once again decorated his cheeks with pink. He didn’t know if he wanted to kill Koko or give him everything he owned. All he knew was the girl he loved, liked him back and that was enough to make him smile for a lifetime.
Later Inupi would confront Koko and the long haired friend would only say “You didn't have the balls, consider it a favor”
