#nct u.

[nctzzzenn]

[scarletwinterxx]

so long as we keep this lowkey  - sungchan imagine

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How can you pinpoint the exact moment you started to like someone? 

It’s a good question, and usually there are two types of answer: those who can tell detail by detail the exact moment they realized they started to like someone then the second type, those who will say “It just happened”

For Sungchan, it was a random moment after soccer practice. The first time he saw you was when you went to meet your brother Jungwoo who was on the same team as him and coincidentally took a liking to him. Your brother introduced the two of you, waving awkwardly at each other. It was then he realized you were really cute and how he’s utterly doomed because he’s crushing on his senior’s sister

Much to his surprise, Jungwoo was actually the one who started to tease you about him. Jungwoo would always joke around whenever you and him were within radius of each other. 

Meanwhile you really didn’t pay that much attention to his teasing. You knew Sungchan was in the same year as you, the two of you shared most classes and he was good company according to your other friends. 

Yours and Sungchan’s characters are very different, and even though your older brother pretty much took him under his wing you still don’t see the guy any more than your classmate. 

“He’ll grow on you”

“I think the last thing he needs is more growing, and can you stop setting me up with your friend” you tell Jungwoo, it’s only 8am but he’s already pushing his agenda: for you and Sungchan to end up together. 

Yes most brother’s would say that their sisters is off-limits. But your brother is a whole different breed. The first time he introduced the two of you together and noticed the shy gazes the younger boy was sending you, he knew. Of course you were oblivious to this, that is until your brother pretty much all but pushed Sungchan towards your direction. 

Walking to your first class for the day, you spot your bestfriends already sitting in their seats. The siblings already squabbling before you could take a seat, 

“Not my fault you didn’t write your name on it” Chenle tells his twin sister

“I did! I literally wrote it in ALL CAPS” Ningning rebutts, thinking it’s a good time to break them apart “What are we fighting about today?” you ask the two

“Something stupid” Ningning answers, glaring at her brother before turning to face you. Chenle was sitting behind you and Ningning on your left

“Everything that comes out of your mouth is stupid” Chenle retorts, you can’t help but let out a tiny snort at his reply 

“Chenle”

That got you laughing, “Okay, she won that one” you tell the guy who is now glaring at his sister “Whatever, enough with us. What is this news that I heard, the one incident that happened during the soccer game last night” Chenle wiggles his brows at you

“Why? What happened?” Ningning asks

“Nothing happened, he’s exaggerating

“That’s not what Jisung told me, he said he saw Sungchan talking to you before the game”

“So? He just said hi, what’s the big deal?” Chenle shoots you a questioning look, one you knew that would end up with a million questions. But before he could open his mouth to speak again, two rather very tall figures walk through the doors. 

One sitting behind you, the other sitting on the seat beside Chenle. 

“Why’d you stop talking? Were you talking about us?” Jisung looks between the three of you, and before you could stop Chenle from running his mouth he was already spilling the beans to the rest of your friends. 

“I was just asking her about the thing you told me, you know the one that happened before the you know” Chenle says while he not so subtly darts his eyes between you and Sungchan. 

Meanwhile, the other guy was still obvlious to the three of you. Busy with something in his bag. 

You mouth for Chenle to stop it, acting like you were to hit him which his sister gladly did for you. Ningning smiling wickedly at him. 

“Hey, I got you this” Sungchan says, taking out chocolate milk from his bag. It was your favorite. 

“I heard it’s your favorite” he smile at you, still holding out the drink for you to take. “Let me guess my brother?” you ask, the latter shaking his head

“Chenle did”

This time Chenle was the one motioning for Sungchan to stop speaking like you weren’t watching the whole exchange, “Thanks” you say taking the drink him before facing the front again just in time for the teacher to walk in. 

He really is a nice guy, nicer than most of the male population in your school. He’s funny, you can see why Jungwoo likes him so much it’s because they have the same humor. He’s a good student and an even better athlete. 

The whole day passed by, just in time for you to find your brother to finally head home when you hear someone call out your name. Turning around to see Sungchan running towards you, 

You stopped walking to wait for him, when he finally got to where you were he held a hand out while trying to catch his breath

“I thought athletes suppose to have like good stamina”

Taking one final deep breath before standing straight, “I literally ran from the other side of campus”

“Why were you running?’

“Cause I was trying to catch up on you” he answered your question with a smile, not missing a beat

“Okaaay why?”

“To say bye” 

Did he really run that far to tell you that? You weren’t sure whether you want to feel touched or question his sanity. 

“Also to ask if you’re going to watch the game on Thursday?” he asks, a hopeful look on his face. Your brother did mention he has a game but your mom already asked you to go somewhere with her. 

“No, my mom asked me to go with her somewhere. Goodluck though” for a second the smile on the boy’s face falters before he hears your goodluck to him. His face brightening like you just made his day

“Thanks, you too” you chuckle at his answer, Sungchan realized how stupid he sounded right then but it didn’t matter because he made you smile.

“I’m sure you’ll do great” you tell him before saying bye, leaving Sungchan standing there watching after you. No number of winning goals will defeat the feeling he’s feeling right now. Like’s he’s floating on cloud nine. 

Come the day of their game, your mom told you earlier this morning to postpone going with her and go watch Jungwoo instead. Your brother didn’t know so you were a bit excited to go and surprise him during the game, and maybe a you kinda wanted to see Sungchan’s reaction too. 

His crush towards you wasn’t really a secret. Even though the boy never really confessed to you, his intentions were very clear. Either that or you were reading all his signals wrong. 

After your classes were done, you’re on your way to the fields with Chenle and Jisung to watch the game. The two arelady busy chatting/arguing about something, Ningning is a member of the cheer team so she got to leave class earlier. 

“Okay, but I thought you weren’t coming today?” Chenle asks you

“Change of plans”

“Maybe you’re here to cheer someone” Jisung says, playfully bumping shoulders with you making you loose your footing a bit. 

“Can’t I watch the game without having any ulterior motive like the rest of the student body” you retorted

“Mmmmh not true, I’m pretty sure the first two row of girls are here to cheer someone for the team” Chenle says then pointed over to the crowd, and he was right. Some even made posters with the players’ names on them. 

“Maybe they’re showing school spirit” 

“Whatever float your boats, but look over there. That one looks like a lost puppy” Chenle says while pointing towards Sungchan’s direction. The taller boy did looked like a kicked puppy, looking down at his feet like he isn’t in the mood. 

Just before you could say another word, you hear the whistly blow and the siren signal the start of the game. Immediately the crowd cheered, screams cheering for the two teams competing. 

Some time passed, there’s only 15 minutes left of the game with your team leading. 

“If only you told him you’d be here to cheer him on” Jisung says from beside you, noticing your gaze following Sungchan on the field

“For the last time, I’m here to cheer the whole tea- OH MY GOD” you exclaimed as you watch Sungchan get tackled to the ground. The crown went silent as his teammates, including your brother, and the referee run to check on him.

You can hear murmurs from all around you, some saying it looked bad and he might be out for the rest of the game. You waited anxiously like the rest of the students watching the game. 

The other members moved away to give Sungchan some space. He can hear his coach repeatedly ask if he’s okay

“Hey kid, tell me if it hurts anywhere?”

“Uh” he just blinks at the people infront of him, the adrenaline still pumping through his system preventing him from feeling any pain. It was only when they helped him stand up he felt the pain on his left ankle. 

“Ouch ouch ouch okay that hurts” he says while trying to put more weight on his uninjured foot. Immediately Jungwoo assists him off the field.

“You’re out for the rest of the game” his coach says when they got the the benches

“But there’s only 15 minutes left, I can do it” he protested

“It’s not worth injuring yourself more, we’re still not sure how bad it is plus we’re already ahead” the older one counters then walked away to talk to the referee, Jungwoo then took the seat beside him

“Hey, you can play on the next match and all the seasons after this. For now rest this out. We got this”

“I just don’t want to let the team down” Jungwoo smiles at the younger ones reason, patting him on the back

“You were great tonight, and we got this. So you rest here, they’ll take you to the cllnic to check-” 

“But-”

“And before you say no, just so you’re aware my sister is now marching towards us” Jungwoo says, effectively distracting Sungchan who is now looking behind him. He thought Jungwoo was only joking since you told him you weren’t able to make it today but you really are here. 

You made your way towards the bench where Jungwoo and Sungchan were sitting, the other two guys, Jisung and Chenle, walking behind you. 

“Oh my god are you okay?” you immediately ask him, crouching down infront of him to check his ankle. You’ve been watching Jungwoo play since you were kids, most often you would play the role of his medic team/water girl/coach while he practices so you’re used to checking for any injuries. 

Meanwhile Sungchan was too stunned to speak, Chenle and Jisung standing on the sidelines watching the whole thing phones ready to record just in case. And also to show Ningning later so they can all tease you together. 

“Does this hurt?” you ask “Not really OKAY OW OW OW” Sungchan exclaims when you pressed on one side of his ankle

“I don’t think it’s broken, definitely bruised though” you mumble, “Do you have an ice pack around here?” you ask, looking up at your brother who shouts at his other teammates for ice. Seconds later they hand you an icepack

“I can do that, thanks. And please, take a seat” Sungchan says, trying to make you sit beside him instead of crouching down. Jungwoo was called back to the field leaving the two of you alone, the other two boys left to give you and Sungchan some space. But really they’re only a couple of seats away trying to hear your conversation. 

“You sure you’re okay? It looked bad from up there” you ask him, worry evident in your voice. This made Sungchan feel ten times better, his injured foot long forgotten. 

“Yea I’m good, would probably hurt more later but I’m fine”

“If it hurts more you can take some painkillers, keep the cold compress and don’t put too much weight on it” you were too busy rambling to notice Sungchan staring animatedly at you. 

When you looked back up at him, he was just staring at you

“Did you hit your head too or something?” you mumble, the boy shaking his head before shooting you a smile 

“I’m good”

Looking at him for a few good seconds before letting out a chuckle. 

You’re not sure when, but unknowingly you’ve grown fond of him. He’s charming in his own way. Like right now, he’s looking at you again with those cute baby deer like eyes.

“You okay?” he asks, breaking you out of your temporary trance

“Yea, sorry I spaced out. Do you need anything else? I can ask Jisung and Chenle to get you something”

“Hey, I’m good. No need to fuss over me” he smile at you, laying a comforting hand on top of yours. This silenced you for a few seconds, feeling your cheeks get hotter making you look over the field. 

Sungchan just smile before taking his hands away, maybe next time he can hold your hand. 

“You did great by the way, knew you would” you tell him, changing the subject. 

“Thanks, I mean I did okay”

You laugh at his response, bumping your shoulder with his. “Just accept the compliment. You were great today, so don’t feel to bad about sitting this one out” you tell him, hoping to make him feel better. You know how Jungwoo felt when he was in this same scenario so you tried to make Sungchan feel better.

“You just know what to say, thank you really” he mumbles, looking down at his shoes. Not aware that you’re now looking at him, smiling. 

Little did you know, your words meant a lot to him. It did help him worry less and feel a lot better. He was beating himself up for missing the rest of the game but hearing you say he did great is the same feeling as winning that trophy and scoring all the goals. Your company was enough to lift his spirits up.

It’s too soon to say but for now he holds on to this little glimmer of hope that maybe just maybe the girl he likes may like him back. Keeping it lowkey, he smile to himself.