#reader x anton

[buff-bambiii]

My Bestfriend — S. ES

Pairing : Female!Reader x Song Eunseok. Summary:

Oh Y/n and Song Eunseok have been inseparable since they were toddlers, growing up side by side in neighboring houses, their bond strengthened by the close friendship of their mothers. From chasing away bugs to bandaging scraped knees to protecting her from other mean classmates. Eunseok has always been Y/n’s quiet guardian — the one who stood between her and the world when it felt too loud.

Everything is thrown into question when things slowly started to change. Less time spend together.

Is she finally realizing that maybe… her best friend was never just her best friend?

“Y/n-ah! Wake up! Eunseok’s already here!”

Mrs. Oh’s voice rang from downstairs, followed by the faint clatter of dishes and the warm smell of grilled spam and eggs wafting into Y/n’s room. Groggily, she peeked from under her blanket, the morning light spilling through the half open curtains.

She sat up slowly, hair a mess of soft tangles, eyes still heavy with sleep. Today was the first day of university — a new beginning. And yet somehow, it still started just like any other morning.

From below, she could hear Eunseok’s voice — calm, casual, teasing her mom as he always did.

“He’s eating your breakfast if you don’t come down in five!” Mrs. Oh shouted again, and Y/n scrambled out of bed, muttering to herself, “He better not…”

Downstairs, Song Eunseok was already halfway through a plate of toast and eggs, grinning when he saw Y/n storm into the kitchen in oversized pajamas and socks that didn’t match.

“There she is,” he said, acting like he hadn’t just taken the last slice of spam. “Morning, princess.”

Y/n shot him a glare and slid into the seat beside him, rubbing her eyes. “Did you really eat the last piece?”

“I thought it was for me,” he replied, shrugging with zero guilt.

Mrs. Oh set another slice on Y/n’s plate with a knowing smile. “You’re lucky I made extra. And you,” she said, turning to Eunseok, “Stop stealing food. This isn’t your house.”

“Yes, it is,” Eunseok said with a wink, already sipping on his second cup of miso soup. “Right, mom?”

Mrs. Oh shook her head, laughing. “Aigoo… You’re worse than my actual kid.”

Y/n smiled quietly into her food. This .. the teasing, the warmth the familiarity — was how her mornings had always been. Eunseok was like the older brother she never had… except he wasn’t. He was something else entirely. Something harder to name.

After breakfast and Y/n getting dressed, they left the house together, Y/n still brushing her hair out of her face while Eunseok held her backpack for her.

“I can carry my own bag,” she grumbled.

“You looked like a bird’s nest exploded on your head five minutes ago,” he said, deadpan. “You’ve got bigger problems.”

“Yah!”

He laughed, effortlessly dodging her weak attempt to smack his arm.

They caught the bus to campus, sitting in their usual spot near the back. The ride was filled with Eunseok’s endless teasing and Y/n’s quiet attempts to defend herself — usually by rolling her eyes or crossing her arms while trying not to smile.

“I bet you were drooling in your sleep.” he said casually.

“I was not!”

“Your pillow says otherwise.”

She huffed, turning to look out the window, cheeks warm. “I should’ve left you at the table.”

“You’d miss me too much,” he replied smugly.

When they finally arrived at campus, the air buzzed with nervous energy. First-years shuffling around, some trying to look confident, others clearly lost. Y/n felt a little of both.

She and Eunseok made their way to the administration building to collect their class schedules. While waiting in line, Eunseok leaned against the wall beside her, scanning his phone.

“What if we’re not in the same classes?” she asked suddenly.

He glanced over. “We always are. Relax.”

But the moment they received their timetables, a frown tugged at Y/n’s lips.

“You’re in B3 for English… I’m in A1,” she murmured.

Eunseok looked at hers, comparing it with his. “Okay, so we don’t have English or Lit together. But we’ve still got lunch, right?”

“I guess,” she mumbled.

“Y/n, it’s not like I’m going off to the military.” he teased. “We’re still on the same campus.”

She nodded but couldn’t shake the unfamiliar feeling in her chest, a quiet fear of change. They’d always been in the same class since kindergarten. This was new... and new scared her a little.

While she was busy overthinking, someone bumped into her shoulder.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” Y/n said, startled as she stepped back.

The girl blinked, then smiled easily. “My bad! First-day chaos, right? I’m Shin Ryujin.”

Y/n bowed slightly, a bit shy. “Oh Y/n.”

Ryujin tilted her head. “Wait… you’re in A1 for English, right?”

Y/n nodded, surprised. “You too?”

“Yup! And Lit, History, and Korean Culture.”

“Oh… wow,” Y/n said, the nervousness ebbing slightly.

“Well, looks like we’re stuck together then,” Ryujin grinned. “Come on, want to find the classroom together?”

Y/n looked around, her eyes instinctively searching for Eunseok in the crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen. The hallway had grown busy — students rushing, calling out to friends, phones out, maps up.

She turned back to Ryujin and nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.”

They moved with the crowd, Ryujin chatting easily about how she got lost three times already that morning. As they approached the classroom, three girls waved Ryujin over.

“Yunjin! Winter! Somi — this is Y/n,” Ryujin said. “She’s in our class.”

The girls offered warm greetings. Yunjin had a confident, sunny vibe; Winter seemed a bit quieter but observant; Somi immediately complimented Y/n’s backpack, and just like that, the awkwardness faded.

Y/n smiled softly. It wasn’t what she was used to, being around new people, new energy but maybe this wasn’t so bad.

As the bell rang and they all shuffled into class, Y/n took one last look behind her.

Still no sign of Eunseok.

It’s just one class, she told herself.

But something about not seeing him there, not having him nearby — it felt like the first crack in something she wasn’t ready to let go of yet.

— The classroom buzzed with the energy only a first day could bring — excited whispers, chairs scraping against the floor, papers rustling as students settled in. Y/n took a seat near the middle row, sandwiched between Ryujin and Yunjin, with Somi and Winter seated just behind them.

“Professor Baek is apparently super strict,” Yunjin whispered, leaning closer. “Like, don’t check your phone or die strict.”

“Oh great,” Ryujin muttered. “Guess I’ll have to stay awake.”

Y/n smiled softly. She hadn’t expected to feel at ease so soon, but there was something about these girls their effortless chatter, their easy inclusion that made the transition feel less overwhelming.

She opened her notebook and glanced at the empty seat near her, half expecting Eunseok to slide in late with that smug grin, tossing her a pen she forgot to bring.

But the chair stayed empty.

He’s not in this class, she reminded herself. Still, a small ache bloomed in her chest.

“Y/n,” Somi whispered behind her, tapping her shoulder. “Where are you from again?”

“Oh, I live about fifteen minutes from here,” she replied. “I grew up in the area.”

“Did you go to school nearby too?” Winter asked curiously.

“Yeah, I… I’ve always lived in the same neighborhood.”

Ryujin nudged her. “So you know all the good spots around here?”

Y/n chuckled. “Some. I guess I’m kind of boring that way.”

“Hey, we love boring if it includes knowing where to get the best late-night tteokbokki,” Ryujin grinned.

As class began, the professor’s stern demeanor confirmed Yunjin’s warning — Professor Baek was not one for small talk or leniency. He dove straight into the syllabus, assigning reading material with due dates and expectations before most students had even found the course title on their sheet.

Still, Y/n took diligent notes, her handwriting neat and organized. Her quiet concentration didn’t go unnoticed.

“You take notes like a perfectionist,” Yunjin whispered during a lull. “Can I copy yours if I zone out?”

Y/n blushed. “Um… sure.”

By the time class ended, the five of them were already talking about grabbing lunch together. Y/n hesitated at first, thinking maybe Eunseok was waiting somewhere — they had agreed to meet after the first class. But her phone showed no texts, no missed calls.

“He’s probably still in his own class,” she mumbled to herself.

“Your boyfriend?” Winter asked lightly as they exited the lecture hall.

“What? Oh—no. He’s just my best friend,” Y/n said quickly.

“Hmm,” Somi hummed, giving her a look. “You said that very fast.”

Ryujin raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got that ‘childhood best friends who might be secretly in love’ vibe.”

Y/n nearly choked on her water. “No! It’s not like that.”

“Sure, sure,” Yunjin grinned, linking arms with her. “We believe you… for now.”

They found a table outside near the campus lawn. Students sprawled under trees, eating lunchboxes, laughing over iced coffees. The late morning sun had chased away the chill, and the world felt alive, full of possibility.

As they ate, the girls swapped stories about their high schools, embarrassing moments, and the classes they were dreading. Y/n mostly listened at first, smiling at their jokes, occasionally chiming in. It felt easy. Not forced.

She hadn’t realized how much she needed this — her own space, her own circle.

She did glance at her phone once more, though. Still no message from Eunseok. No “Where are you?” or “Come meet me.” It was unlike him.

Then again… maybe he was adjusting too. Maybe he was finding his own people.

“Y/n,” Ryujin said, nudging her gently. “Earth to you. You okay?”

Y/n blinked. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

“You always look like you’re deep in a drama when you space out like that,” Somi teased.

“Must be the main character energy,” Winter added with a small smirk.

Yunjin handed Y/n a piece of kimbap from her container. “Eat. Thinking’s dangerous when you haven’t had enough rice.” Y/n laughed softly and accepted it. Maybe university wasn’t so scary after all. And maybe, just maybe, it was okay to grow — even if that meant letting some things change.

As Y/n reached into her bag to look for her bottle of water, something suddenly cold touched the top of her head.

Startled, she looked up — only to find a familiar smirk looking down at her.

“Hydration,” Eunseok said casually, holding a cold can of soda and setting it atop her head like a crown.

Y/n blinked up at him, then smiled as she took it. “Where’d you come from?”

“B-classroom,” he said, shrugging. “I saw you from over there.”

He nodded toward a table across the lawn, where a group of guys were already waving him over laughing like they’d been friends forever even if today was their first day together on campus.

“I’m sitting with them,” he added, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. “Just wanted to check on you first.”

Y/n nodded, her smile still soft. “Thanks.”

He gave her a quick once-over making sure she looked okay, comfortable, not too overwhelmed then ruffled her hair, much to her horror.

“Eunseok!” she hissed, trying to fix it.

He just grinned. “Still looks like a bird’s nest.”

Before she could reply, he was already walking away, falling into his usual effortless stride. The moment he reached his table, the noise level around the boys doubled — easy banter, loud laughter, playful shoving.

“He’s cute,” Yunjin murmured, watching him with mild amusement before slowly turning back to Y/n. “You sure you two aren’t a thing?”

Y/n, mid-sip of her soda, nearly choked.

“We’re not,” she said quickly, coughing slightly. “Seriously.”

Winter raised a brow. “You seemed really natural together.”

Somi leaned forward, grinning. “Yeah. That whole ‘he-just-randomly-brings-you-a-drink-and-ruffles-your-hair-like-it’s-an-everyday-thing’ thing doesn’t happen between just friends.”

Y/n looked down at the can in her hands, trying to suppress the heat rising to her cheeks. “It’s not like that,” she said. “We just… grew up together. We’re neighbors — literally next door. Our moms are best friends, so we kind of had no choice.”

“That’s adorable,” Ryujin said, resting her chin in her palm. “You’re childhood besties and next door neighbors? Straight out of a slice-of-life drama.”

“I’m telling you,” Yunjin added. “At least one of you is in love with the other. I’ve read enough webtoons to know how this goes.”

Y/n shook her head, laughing nervously. “We’ve just always been close. Eunseok’s… like a habit. It’s always been the two of us. It’d be weird not to have him around.”

The girls exchanged knowing looks, but didn’t press further.

“Well,” Somi said, popping a grape into her mouth, “I’m just saying — if he ever does start seeing you differently, don’t pretend to be surprised. The guy basically soft-launched you just now.”

Y/n opened her mouth to argue, but Ryujin cut in before she could.

“You know what? Let’s make a deal. No more best-friend-boy talk today,” Ryujin announced. “Today, we celebrate surviving our first morning as adults.”

“I second that,” Winter said.

“Third,” Yunjin added. “We’re officially freshmen!”

As laughter bubbled up around her again, Y/n smiled and leaned back slightly, the soda still cool in her hands. Her eyes wandered to Eunseok’s table for just a second — he was laughing at something one of his friend said, his shoulders shaking the way they always did when something really got him.

Something inside her stirred. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t painful. But it was there.

Maybe it was just the first day jitters. Maybe she just missed the way things used to be. Or maybe… maybe some things were beginning to change.

And she wasn’t sure if she was ready.

— After lunch, the sun had risen higher, casting long shadows through the campus windows as the students filtered back into the lecture halls. The buzz of conversation had mellowed, giving way to the quiet lull of post-meal sleepiness.

Y/n walked back to class with Ryujin, Somi, Winter, and Yunjin, still laughing at a story Somi was telling about mistaking the chemistry lab for the dance studio during orientation. The comfort of new friendship surrounded her, yet her eyes instinctively scanned the hallway for a familiar face.

“Ugh, I already forgot what class this is,” Ryujin groaned, flipping open her schedule. “Oh, right. Media and Culture. I heard the professor’s cool.”

“Same classroom from this morning,” Yunjin added, already leading the way.

As the girls found their seats in the middle of the room, Y/n instinctively left the spot beside her open. It was a reflex — one that had been built over years of habit.

And just as the bell was seconds from ringing, the door opened again.

Eunseok walked in.

He looked relaxed as always, in a dark button-up and jeans, headphones still dangling around his neck. Behind him followed his usual crowd. Y/n’s eyes lit up briefly — she hadn’t known they’d be in the same class this period.

Before she could lift her hand or call out, a girl — tall, stylish, with glossy hair and an effortless confidence — stepped up to Eunseok and grabbed his arm.

“Sit with me,” she said playfully, tugging him toward a seat by the windows.

Eunseok looked surprised for half a second, glancing over his shoulder. His gaze found Y/n almost immediately.

She was still holding the empty seat beside her, her expression halfway between confusion and disappointment.

Eunseok mouthed a quick, “I’m sorry” with an apologetic shrug before being pulled down into the seat next to the girl.

Y/n blinked, lowering her hand slowly.

“Who’s that?” Ryujin leaned over and whispered.

Y/n gave a small smile, shaking her head. “No idea.” Somi, who had caught the whole interaction, exchanged a glance with Winter. “That looked… intentional.”

Yunjin turned slightly in her seat. “Well, she sure seemed confident.”

Y/n stared down at her notebook, suddenly hyper-aware of the dull ache building in her chest. It was silly — he hadn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t owe her a seat, or an explanation. But the image of someone else tugging him away so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world, left her feeling… displaced.

Like she’d just been quietly replaced.

As the lecture began, Y/n tried to focus on the slides. Ryujin passed her a note that read: “You okay?”

She nodded, scribbling back: “Yeah. Just tired.”

But she wasn’t just tired. She was realizing — maybe for the first time — that she and Eunseok weren’t going to be side by side all the time anymore.

Maybe growing up meant giving each other space.

Even if that space felt colder than she expected.

— The final bell of the day echoed through the hallways, signaling the end of their first official day of university life. Students stretched, packed their bags, and filed out in small groups, the hum of laughter and conversation echoing off the walls.

Y/n stayed behind for a moment, typing out a quick text to her mom:

Hey, I might be home a little later. Going out with some friends for a bit. Don’t worry! I Love you

The reply came a minute later:

OK. Have fun, sweetheart. I love you too.

Y/n smiled faintly and slipped her phone into her tote. She stood up, adjusting the strap on her shoulder, eyes instinctively searching the room for one person.

Eunseok.

He was still at his seat, half-turned in conversation with one of his friends, laughing at something. The girl who had tugged him into the seat earlier — still nameless to Y/n — was sitting beside him, scrolling through her phone. She looked up just as Y/n approached and gave her a polite smile.

It was the kind of smile Y/n couldn’t read — not warm, but not unfriendly either.

“Hey,” Y/n said, stopping by Eunseok’s desk.

He looked up. “You heading home?”

“Not yet,” she replied, glancing quickly at the girl. “I’m going to hang out with the girls for a bit. I just wanted to say you don’t have to walk me home today.”

“Same, actually,” he said, standing and stretching. “The guys wanna chill for a while. First day, y’know.”

She nodded, forcing a smile. “Cool.”

There was a moment — one of those quiet spaces that used to be filled with easy teasing or shared thoughts. But this time, Y/n couldn’t find anything to say.

Before she could speak again, Somi called from the doorway, “Y/n! You coming?”

“Be right there!” she called back.

Eunseok glanced over his shoulder as her friends waited. “I’ll see you tonight,” he said casually, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

Y/n swatted his hand away, her smile returning, softer this time. “Stop doing that.”

But he was already turning to his group, nodding at something one of them said. Y/n lingered a second longer, then turned and headed off with her own friends, the buzz of energy between them infectious.

They ended up at a quaint little café just a ten-minute walk from campus — one of those places with handwritten menus on chalkboards, soft indie music playing, and mismatched furniture that somehow worked together.

They ordered iced drinks, pastries, and claimed a round table near the window. As they sat chatting, the girls fell into easy rhythms — talking about professors, gossiping lightly about fellow students, and sharing first impressions of the day.

Y/n sat nestled between Ryujin and Winter, sipping on a caramel latte.

“It’s so weird not being in uniforms anymore,” Yunjin said, fiddling with the sleeves of her cropped hoodie. “I keep expecting a teacher to scold me.”

“I know, right?” Ryujin added. “Also, bless college for letting us drink coffee in class.”

“Yeah,” Winter said with a small smile. “Also bless everyone’s outfits today. Campus looked like Pinterest exploded.”

Y/n chuckled, her heart warming from the inside out. This was nice — a new kind of comfort. Not the familiarity of Eunseok, but something lighter, exciting, unpredictable.

Then the bell above the café door jingled. They all looked up instinctively. In stepped Eunseok, followed by his friends. Y/n’s eyes met his the second he scanned the room. His face lit up with an easy grin.

“Oh look, it’s the cool table,” he said, motioning to the others to follow as he approached.

Y/n raised an eyebrow. “You following us?”

“Coincidence,” he said smoothly. “But good timing, huh?”

He gestured to his friends. “This is Sungchan, Anton, Shotaro, Seunghan, Wonbin, and Sohee. Guys, meet Y/n my bestfriend and her friends.

Sungchan gave a bright smile. “Nice to meet you all.”

Chairs were pulled in, drinks were ordered, and just like that, the café table grew louder, livelier. The two groups melted into one conversation — jokes flying, stories being exchanged, laughter bouncing off the café walls.

Y/n sat beside Ryujin and across from Eunseok, their eyes meeting occasionally in those in-between moments when the group chatter paused. His smile was still familiar, still teasing — but it lingered a beat longer now. And hers? A little more unsure. Maybe the world was widening for both of them.

And maybe, just maybe… this was where everything began to shift.

—

The sky was starting to tint orange by the time they all stood outside the café, stretching, waving, and saying their goodbyes. One by one, Ryujin and the others disappeared in different directions, until only Y/n and Eunseok remained, heading toward the bus stop they’d always shared.

“First day down,” Eunseok said, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “You survived.”

Y/n smiled. “Barely.”

He glanced at her. “You’re lucky you made some cool friends though. They seem decent. Loud, but decent.”

“Hey,” she laughed. “They’re fun. And Winter isn’t loud.”

“No, she’s just scarily observant,” he said, pretending to shiver.

Y/n was about to reply when Eunseok suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to her. “Hold still.”

“Huh—?”

Before she could react, his thumb reached out and gently wiped something from the corner of her lips. “You had whipped cream,” he said casually.

But his voice was quieter. Softer.

Y/n blinked, her breath caught in her throat. For just a split second, it wasn’t just his hand on her face. It was the weight of something unspoken. The heat that climbed up her neck had nothing to do with the summer air.

She quickly looked away and swatted at his hand. “Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

Eunseok only smirked, walking ahead again. “You’re welcome.”

On the bus ride home, things felt normal again. Their shoulders bumped occasionally as the vehicle rattled along the familiar streets. Y/n texted her mom:

On the way home. Eunseok’s coming in for a bit.

The response came seconds later:

Of course. I’ll keep dinner warm.

As soon as they stepped off the bus and reached the familiar steps of Y/n’s front porch, Eunseok opened the door like he lived there — because honestly, it felt like he did.

“I’m home!” they both called out in unison.

From the living room, a distracted voice responded. “Hi!” It was Sion, Y/n’s younger brother, fully immersed in his racing game, fingers clicking rapidly as the car zoomed across the large TV screen.

“Still trying to beat your record?” Eunseok teased, dropping his bag near the shoe rack.

“Don’t distract me,” Sion muttered, tongue slightly out in concentration. “I’m on the last lap.”

Y/n rolled her eyes fondly and padded into the kitchen, instantly reaching for the snack cupboard. But her hand barely grazed a bag of chips when a sharp smack tapped the back of it.

“Not before dinner,” Mrs. Oh said, narrowing her eyes with a knowing smile.

“Ugh,” Y/n groaned, pouting. “I’m starving.”

“There’s fruit on the table. You can eat that.”

Defeated, Y/n shuffled out of the kitchen and headed upstairs. Eunseok didn’t need prompting — he followed behind her, casually making his way into her room and collapsing onto her bed, face-first.

“Your bed still smells like strawberry detergent,” he muttered into her blanket.

“That’s because I actually wash my sheets,” she said, tugging her chair out from her desk.

He rolled onto his back, eyes half-lidded. “So… first day. What’d you think?”

Y/n leaned back slightly, kicking off her shoes. “It was… a lot. But good. The girls were nice. It felt weird not being in the same class as you though.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, turning his head to look at her. “Felt empty. Kept waiting for your annoying commentary about the professors.”

She smirked. “You mean correct observations.”

Eunseok smiled, then sighed. “It’s going to be weird this year. Different schedules, new people….”

“Yeah,” she echoed, softer now.

There was a brief silence — not awkward, just thoughtful.

Then Eunseok added, “But we’ll figure it out. We always do.”

Y/n nodded, watching him from her chair. He looked too comfortable on her bed. Too familiar. Like this moment had played out a hundred times before — and yet, somehow, everything felt… a little different now.

She wasn’t sure what it meant yet.

But she could feel it.

And that was enough to make her heart ache just a little.

The scent of simmering stew and garlic-soy marinated meat wafted through the air, curling its way up the stairs and into Y/n’s room. “Dinner’s ready!” Mrs. Oh called out from the kitchen.

Eunseok sat up immediately. “Finally. I was about to pass out.”

“You had a whole pastry earlier,” Y/n said, laughing as she stood.

“That was fuel for emotional support,” he quipped, following her down the stairs.

In the dining room, the table was already set. Bowls of warm rice, glistening meat, side dishes, and a bubbling pot of kimchi jjigae awaited them like a familiar embrace. Sion was already in his seat, chopsticks in hand.

“You eat like you didn’t just have snacks ten minutes ago,” Y/n muttered to her brother.

“Mom said you couldn’t have snacks. Not me,” Sion replied with a smirk.

Mrs. Oh ushered the two of them to their seats. “Come on, food’s getting cold.”

As always, Eunseok took the spot next to Y/n — across from her brother and beside her mom, who barely blinked at the routine. It was like muscle memory, the way she instinctively placed an extra set of utensils by his bowl, spoon angled just the way he liked.

“Eunseok-ah, taste this and tell me if it’s too salty,” Mrs. Oh said, offering him a spoonful from the stew.

He obliged with a grin, tasting it like a proper food critic. “Mmm. Perfect. Just spicy enough.”

“I swear, you compliment my cooking more than my own kids do,” Mrs. Oh said with a laugh, smacking Y/n lightly on the arm.

“Because he’s trying to win Favorite Child status,” Y/n said, feigning offense.

“I think I already have it,” Eunseok replied smugly.

“You wish,” she shot back, but the warmth in her voice was real.

They ate together like they always had — laughter bouncing around the room, chopsticks clinking against bowls, casual teasing woven in between mouthfuls. Sion recounted a weird video he’d watched, and Mrs. Oh shared a story about a nosy neighbor. And through it all, Eunseok felt less like a guest and more like a piece of the house itself.

Halfway through the meal, Mrs. Oh gently reached out to fix Eunseok’s bangs, brushing them away from his eyes.

“You need a haircut soon, don’t you?” she said. “I keep telling you, you should let me trim it.”

Eunseok chuckled. “You just want an excuse to make me look like Sion.”

“She cuts his hair every few months,” Y/n whispered to him. “It’s like a ritual.”

“Don’t remind me,” Sion groaned dramatically.

Y/n glanced between them — her mom fussing over him, her brother casually talking to him like he was another sibling, Eunseok cracking jokes like he belonged in every chair at the table.

It hit her all at once.

He was part of the family. Her mom treated him like a son. Her brother liked him more than most of his own classmates. Their house — her home — had his imprint in every corner.

And yet…

There was something bittersweet sitting just beneath her ribs.

As dinner wound down, Mrs. Oh packed some leftovers into a container. “Take this home, Eunseok. You’ll get hungry again by midnight.”

“Thanks, mom.” he said with a grin, accepting it like it was a given.

“You’re basically another mouth to feed in this house,” she teased.

Y/n followed Eunseok to the door, the evening breeze cool on their faces as he slipped on his sneakers. She held the door open, leaning against the frame.

“I think my mom likes you more than me,” she said, trying to sound casual.

“She’s got good taste,” he teased.

They stood there for a second — not quite wanting to end the day, not quite knowing what else to say. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t easy either. It felt… loaded.

“I’ll text you later.” he finally said.

“Okay.”

He stepped off the porch, gave her a lazy wave, turn to walk towards the next house. Y/n stood there watching as he stepped infront of his front porch, glancing up at Y/n smiling and entered the house.

That night after dishes, after Eunseok had texted his usual “home safe” message… Y/n layed in bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark.

She should’ve been asleep by now. Her alarm was set for 6:00 AM. She had classes to think about and new friends to maintain.

But her mind was stuck — looped on the moment his thumb wiped cream from her lips. On the way he collapsed onto her bed like it was his. On how naturally he fit at the dinner table. How her mom smiled differently around him. How she smiled differently around him.

Why am I thinking about him like this?

She turned onto her side, clutching her pillow.

It’s just Eunseok. He’s always been like this. Always been here. He’s my best friend. That’s all.

Still, her chest felt tight. Not painful. Not scary. Just... full. Like she was holding something in, afraid of what it would become if she let it out.

The next morning arrived too soon.

By 6:30 AM, Y/n was already in the kitchen rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, tying her hair into a loose bun as she reached for the eggs in the fridge. The pan was already heated.

Crack.

Eggshells landed awkwardly on the edge of the sink. The yolk broke too fast.

She sighed. Right on cue, the doorbell rang. She didn’t even flinch. “It’s open!” she called out, too used to the routine by now.

Seconds later, Eunseok stepped into the kitchen like he lived there. “You still can’t crack eggs properly?” he greeted, setting down his bag.

“Good morning to you too,” she mumbled, flipping the eggs with uncertainty.

He leaned beside her and peered into the pan. “That’s a war crime, Y/n.”

“Shut up,” she said, laughing under her breath.

“I’ll handle it.” He took the spatula from her, bumping her gently aside. “You cut up some fruit or something. This is painful to watch.”

She rolled her eyes, muttering, “Drama queen.”

A few minutes later, the scent of properly cooked eggs and buttered toast filled the kitchen.

Y/n walked into the living room where Sion sat on the couch, still wrapped in a blanket, eyes barely open as a random anime played in the background.

“You’re up,” she said, surprised. “I thought I’d have to drag you out of bed.”

“Woke up to the smell of something burning,” he mumbled.

She gasped. “That was not burning—”

“You mean the ones that Eunseok hyung made since you messed up?” Sion interrupted with a sleepy smirk.

Without hesitation, Y/n grabbed the closest couch pillow and smacked it against his shoulder.

“Hey!” Sion protested, shielding himself.

“Respect your sister,” she grumbled, but her voice was light.

From the kitchen, Eunseok called out, “Sion-ah, come eat! Before your sister ruins dessert too.”

“I heard that!” Y/n shouted.

Soon they sat at the table, the three of them — Eunseok in the seat her mom usually occupied. Sion was still yawning between bites, but his plate was almost clean.

“Mom left early?” Eunseok asked, nodding toward the empty seat.

“She had a meeting downtown,” Y/n said. “Told me to make sure Sion ate properly, like I don’t do that every morning.”

“You don’t,” Sion said with a full mouth.

“I will smother you with toast,” she warned.

Eunseok just watched them with a smile, like this scene was something he’d memorized — something that grounded him.

After a moment, Y/n looked over and caught him staring at the two of them. Not in a weird way. In a soft way. Like… this was peace.

“What?” she asked, her voice quiet.

He blinked. “Nothing. You’re just… you’re good at this.”

“At what?”

“Being the older one. It suits you.”

She didn’t know how to respond to that. But something fluttered in her chest — something that hadn’t stopped since last night.

As the clock ticked closer to 7:30 AM, Sion packed his things and ran out to catch his own bus. Y/n and Eunseok gathered their bags next, ready to head out.

But as Y/n tied her shoes by the front door, her heart still tugged with confusion. She glanced at him — same hair slightly messy from the wind, same easy grin.

Why do you feel different now?

Why does my heart feel like it’s noticing you for the first time?

She shook her head, willing the thoughts away.

He’s just my best friend. Right?

— The morning air on campus buzzed with sleepy energy the kind only found in second-day-of-school chaos. Some students were rushing with their lanyards flapping in the breeze, others loitering near vending machines, sipping energy drinks and still blinking sleep from their eyes.

Y/n and Eunseok walked side-by-side, their steps in sync out of habit rather than intention. She tugged at the hem of her sweater while balancing a piece of toast in one hand, barely biting into it.

“You know you look like a squirrel when you chew in a rush, right?” Eunseok said, casually slinging his bag higher up on his shoulder, looking at her sideways.

Y/n narrowed her eyes and nibbled again. “And you look like an unbothered grandpa. What’s your point?”

He chuckled. “I’m just saying… maybe today, try not to scare off your professors with your zombie-walk.”

“I’m functioning, thank you very much,” she grumbled, brushing a crumb from her lip. “At least I don’t snore through three alarms like you.”

“I don’t snore.”

“Yes. You do.”

He was about to argue again, when—

“Eunseok!”

That voice — chipper, sweet, and unmistakably familiar — sliced through their morning banter.

Y/n turned her head and immediately recognized the girl approaching them. The same girl who had been glued to Eunseok’s side the day before. She wore a cardigan today over a white blouse, her skirt neatly pressed, hair flowing in gentle waves. The kind of girl who looked like she walked out of a web drama.

Y/n’s grip on her toast loosened slightly.

The girl slowed to a stop in front of them, a wide, almost practiced smile lighting up her face. “Good morning, Eunseok,” she said, tilting her head slightly.

Eunseok, polite as always, offered a warm smile in return. “Morning, Chaeyoung.”

And then the inevitable.

Chaeyoung’s gaze flicked to Y/n. Her expression didn’t falter, but something in her eyes shifted — a quick flicker of sizing-up.

“Oh? Is this your sister?” she asked sweetly, raising an eyebrow like she was only half-joking. Y/n was caught off guard, but before she could respond, both she and Eunseok said at the exact same time:

“No.”

“She’s not.”

There was an awkward beat of silence before Eunseok spoke again, casually placing a hand on Y/n’s shoulder. “She’s not my sister, but she’s like one. This is Y/n — my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were toddlers.”

Y/n managed a small, polite smile and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Chaeyoung took it, her grip firmer than Y/n expected.

“I’m Chaeyoung,” she said brightly. “I had classes with Eunseok yesterday. He gave me his coffee because I looked exhausted — wasn’t that the sweetest?”

Y/n’s stomach twisted slightly. She wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like Eunseok hadn’t shared coffee with her before. Heck, he’d even split his lunch with her back in high school more times than she could count.

But hearing it from someone else — watching Chaeyoung talk about her Eunseok like that — felt strange. Foreign. Not quite jealousy, not yet, but… discomfort.

“I’m sure he was just being kind,” Y/n replied softly.

Before Chaeyoung could say anything else, the bell rang, its shrill tone bouncing off the hallway walls. Students began moving all around them like a tide pulling everyone in different directions.

“Oh, there’s my class!” Chaeyoung chirped, then — to Y/n’s surprise — reached out and hooked her hand around Eunseok’s arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Y/n’s eyes widened slightly.

Chaeyoung smiled up at him. “Let’s walk together?”

Eunseok blinked, hesitated for the smallest second, then gave her a polite nod. “Sure. I’ll see you later, Y/n.”

“Yeah,” Y/n said, quickly forcing a smile. “See you at lunch.”

Chaeyoung waved back with the arm not clinging to Eunseok. “Nice meeting you!”

As the pair disappeared down the hallway, Y/n stood frozen for a moment, toast in hand, heart oddly hollow. She knew it didn’t mean anything. Not really. Eunseok was just being his usual polite, non-confrontational self.

But still…

Why did that bother her so much?

She shook her head and turned to head toward her own class, her thoughts unusually noisy for this early in the day.

Maybe it wasn’t just the girl. Maybe it was how quickly Eunseok had adapted to the attention. Maybe it was that he let her cling to him. Or maybe… maybe it was that he hadn’t looked back once.

— Third period felt like it would never end. The lecture droned on, and the fluorescent lights above flickered just enough to make Y/n restless. Her notes were barely legible, written more out of habit than focus. Her mind had been wandering since the morning—since Chaeyoung clung to Eunseok’s arm like they’d known each other forever.

Y/n glanced at the clock. Still twenty-five minutes left. She sighed and raised her hand.

“Professor, can I use the restroom?”

The teacher gave a distracted nod. “Make it quick.”

Y/n slipped her phone into her pocket and quietly exited the room, the hallways much quieter now that classes were in session. She walked toward the restroom, hoping the cold water might help clear her thoughts.

The door creaked softly as she stepped into the girls’ restroom, and almost immediately, her eyes landed on someone already inside.

Chaeyoung.

She stood in front of the mirror, leaning in close as she adjusted the gloss on her lips. Her long lashes fluttered as she blinked, dabbing gently at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. The light hit her just right—highlighting her features, her confidence, the effortless way she carried herself.

She looked up when she saw Y/n in the reflection.

And smiled.

Not wide. Not fake. But not exactly friendly either. It was polite. Civil. Measured.

Y/n offered a quick nod before disappearing into one of the stalls, doing her best not to think too much of it. It was just coincidence, right? Nothing more.

When she emerged a minute later and walked to the sink, Chaeyoung was still there. Still checking her makeup. Still perfect.

Y/n turned on the tap, the water splashing softly as she began washing her hands. There was silence between them — just the sound of the faucet and the soft crinkling of a makeup bag zipper.

“Y/n, was it?”

Y/n paused, blinking, and looked up slowly to meet Chaeyoung’s eyes through the mirror.

She nodded, drying her hands with a paper towel. “Yeah.”

Chaeyoung gave a small hum and turned slightly, her body still facing the mirror but her eyes now on Y/n’s reflection.

“Eunseok…” she began slowly, as if trying to sound casual. “Is he… seeing someone?”

Y/n’s hands froze in the act of tossing the paper towel.

That name. Her Eunseok. The way she said it — softly, curiously, with just enough edge to make it sound intentional — sent a small jolt through Y/n’s chest.

She tried to steady her voice, forcing a neutral tone. “No. From what I know, he’s been single for a couple of years now.”

There was a brief pause.

Then, Chaeyoung smiled — that same polite, unreadable smile — and turned to fully face the sink again.

“Just curious,” she said lightly, like it was an afterthought.

And without waiting for a response, she tucked her lip gloss back into her pocket, adjusted her bag strap, and walked out the door.

Y/n remained by the sink, staring at the door that had just softly clicked shut.

Just curious?

But it didn’t feel like curiosity.

She turned back toward the mirror, catching her own reflection — cheeks slightly flushed, brows faintly furrowed. Her eyes gave her away. She was bothered. More than she wanted to admit.

And in that quiet restroom, alone with her thoughts, she whispered the truth only to herself.

“I don’t like him… right?”

But even she didn’t believe it anymore.

By the time Y/n returned to class, the lecture was wrapping up. She slid back into her seat beside Ryujin, offering an apologetic smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Ryujin glanced at her and raised an eyebrow.

“You okay?” she whispered, pen still idly tapping on her notebook.

Y/n hesitated for a second before giving a tight nod. “Yeah. Just needed a break.”

But Ryujin wasn’t convinced. She didn’t push though, sensing Y/n wasn’t ready to open up — not yet.

The bell rang not long after, and the class began filing out into the hallway, noise swelling with footsteps and chatter. Y/n followed behind her group, quieter than usual. Her mind kept replaying Chaeyoung’s voice in that restroom.

They made their way to the cafeteria, securing a corner table near the windows where sunlight filtered in lazily. Ryujin, Yunjin, Winter, and Somi launched into a chaotic conversation about how “hot” their ethics professor was and whether it was too soon to join a club or not.

“Okay, pause,” Somi said suddenly, leaning forward on the table and squinting at Y/n. “You’ve been weirdly quiet since you got back from your ‘bathroom break.’ Did someone cry in there or something?”

Ryujin crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes too. “More like someone’s thoughts are floating above her head like a speech bubble.”

Yunjin leaned over with a teasing grin. “Let me guess. This is about Eunseok, right?”

Y/n blinked. “What? No— I mean— I just…”

She looked down at her tray, suddenly finding the untouched rice ball very interesting. Winter rested her chin on her hand. “Did something happen?” There was a beat of silence.

Y/n finally sighed, pushing her tray aside slightly. “I ran into that girl again. Chaeyoung.”

That got everyone's attention. Ryujin’s brow furrowed. “The one from yesterday? Miss arm-hold?”

Y/n nodded.

“She asked me if Eunseok was seeing anyone,” she said quietly, then added, “When we were alone. In the restroom.”

The girls exchanged looks.

Yunjin whistled. “She’s making her move already. That’s bold.”

“Do you think she likes him?” Winter asked, sipping from her iced drink.

Y/n shrugged. “Probably. I mean… I don’t blame her. Eunseok’s— you know— him. He’s kind. And tall. And stupidly charming in his own way.”

“But it bothered you,” Somi said, not as a question but a statement.

Y/n didn’t respond at first. Then softly, barely above the noise in the cafeteria: “Yeah. I think it did.”

The others fell silent for a moment, giving her the space to breathe in her confession. Y/n had never admitted that before. Not even to herself.

Ryujin, always the one to cut through fluff, leaned forward. “Do you… like him?” Y/n looked up slowly. Her lips parted to answer — to deny it, like she always had. But no words came.

Because maybe… maybe she did. And she hated how real that felt now. Before anyone could say anything else, the sound of chairs scraping across the floor caught their attention.

Y/n turned her head — and there he was.

Eunseok, walking in with his usual group of guy friends — Sungchan, Shotaro, Sohee, Anton, Seunghan and Wonbin. And right behind him?

Chaeyoung.

Of course.

Y/n’s stomach twisted again as Chaeyoung subtly placed a hand on Eunseok’s arm, leaning in to say something only he could hear. He chuckled lightly — the same way he used to with Y/n.

Ryujin leaned closer, noticing her friend's gaze shift. “If you’re going to let someone else take your seat in his life,” she said quietly, “don’t be surprised when she makes herself comfortable.”

That hit a nerve.

Y/n’s fingers clenched slightly on the edge of the table. She didn’t say anything. But something inside her stirred — not jealousy. Not yet.

Something more dangerous. The realization that she might be losing someone who’d never even known he was hers.

The cafeteria was buzzing, chatter echoing off the walls as students gathered in their usual clusters. At a glance, it looked like just another lunch period—but for Y/n, every movement felt amplified.

Her eyes followed Eunseok and his group as they made their way inside, Chaeyoung still glued to his side like a shadow. She said something again, her hand briefly brushing Eunseok’s forearm as they passed a table. He responded politely—like he always did—but something about the way she lingered made Y/n clench her jaw.

Then, thankfully, Chaeyoung veered off, joining a group of girls a few tables away. Eunseok didn’t even glance back. Instead, he and his friends headed straight toward Y/n’s table.

“Yo,” Sungchan greeted first, already pulling out a chair beside Winter, who blinked at him in mild surprise.

Wonbin waved at Ryujin, who offered a nod in return. Anton and Sohee gave a casual “hey” while pulling up seats, and Seunghan dropped into place with an easygoing grin.

Then Eunseok, without hesitation, sat down in the empty chair right next to Y/n.

No announcement. No warning. Just… sat. Like he belonged there. And then, naturally, reached over and grabbed a bite from her tray.

“Didn’t even ask,” Y/n muttered half-heartedly.

Eunseok chewed exaggeratedly, unfazed. “You always share,” he said, already going for another bite. But when Y/n didn’t nudge him away like she normally would, when she didn’t roll her eyes or jab his hand with a fork, he paused.

He glanced at her. She wasn’t even looking at him. Her attention was… elsewhere. Focused on nothing. Or maybe too many things.

Subtly, Eunseok leaned a bit closer and lightly bumped his head against her shoulder.

“You okay?” Y/n blinked, startled slightly, then gave a small nod. “I’m fine,” she said too quietly, her voice flat.

Her friends noticed. Especially Yunjin, who had been watching the interaction with narrowed eyes.

“She’s just tired,” Yunjin spoke up suddenly, cutting in with a casual smile. “We stayed up late talking about joining clubs and stuff.”

Y/n looked at her gratefully, catching the gentle nudge under the table. Eunseok raised a brow, clearly still unsure. “You sure? You look—”

“Dead inside?” Ryujin smirked, picking up the thread smoothly. “Yeah, we all look like that.”

That earned a chuckle from the guys, though Eunseok’s eyes lingered on Y/n for a second longer.

She finally glanced at him and gave a faint smile. “I’m really okay.”

He nodded slowly, still not fully convinced, but let it go.

The group slipped into lively conversation, laughter bubbling between the two circles now merged into one. Anton and Sohee were exchanging K-drama hot takes with Winter, while Sungchan attempted to teach Somi how to do a card trick with a pack he randomly pulled from his pocket.

But even with all the energy, Y/n felt like she was watching from the outside.

Eunseok was right beside her—shoulder brushing hers now and then, his voice familiar and comforting. And yet… it all felt different. Like there was a space between them no one else could see. She stole a glance toward Chaeyoung, who was seated a few tables away, sipping her smoothie while looking—coincidentally or not—right at their table.

At Y/n.

Y/n quickly looked away. Eunseok was mid-laugh now, teasing Seunghan for dropping a whole chicken nugget under the table. But as he turned slightly, his hand casually grazed Y/n’s again as it rested near her tray.

She moved it without thinking.

He noticed that.

His eyes flickered to her, confused, but before he could say anything, Yunjin piped up again with a loud sigh. “Alright. After lunch, we’re dragging Y/n to the art club booth. She needs to stop bottling up her emotions.”

Y/n choked slightly. “I’m not bottling anything!”

“Exactly what someone bottling would say,” Ryujin said with a grin.

Eunseok leaned back in his chair, finally smiling again. “Art club, huh? You still draw those weird little cats in your notebook?”

Y/n glared. “They’re not weird. They’re stylized.”

“Mhm,” he teased, poking her side. “Stylized cats with one eye bigger than the other. Totally not creepy at all.”

The tension eased for a moment, laughter softening the corners of her chest. But still, beneath it all, Y/n could feel it—the growing distance between what she felt and what she let show.

And for the first time in years…

She didn’t know how to act around him anymore

— The soft chime of the school bell signaled the start of the last period of the day. Students sluggishly filed into the classroom, half running on caffeine, half willing the clock to jump ahead.

Y/n entered with her usual calm steps, her bag slung lazily over one shoulder, clutching her notebook to her chest. She took her seat near the middle row — the same spot she'd claimed since orientation.

As she settled in, flipping her notebook open, she instinctively glanced at the door — and sure enough, there he was.

Eunseok.

Her fingers froze slightly on her pen as she watched him enter the classroom with his usual cool composure. He exchanged a casual nod with the guys seated near the back… but instead of walking toward the seat beside Chaeyoung, where he'd sat yesterday, he veered left.

Straight to Y/n’s desk.

Without a word, he slumped into the chair next to her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Chaeyoung, already seated, turned slightly in her chair, eyes tracking Eunseok’s movement. She blinked once, lips parted like she was about to call out—but didn’t. Her smile faded just a bit.

Y/n noticed.

She swallowed and looked forward again, trying to act like her pulse hadn’t just picked up. “You left your pen yesterday,” Eunseok mumbled casually, fishing a navy-blue gel pen from his pocket and dropping it onto her desk.

Y/n glanced at it. “You used it, didn’t you?”

“Maybe,” he said with a faint smirk. “But I kept it safe.”

Before she could roll her eyes in response, the teacher walked in, beginning the lesson and drawing attention to the front of the classroom. Y/n focused on the board, her pen moving quietly across her notebook as she took notes.

Eunseok, meanwhile, tapped his fingers idly against the table for a few seconds before leaning over and scribbling something in the corner of her page.

She glanced down.

"Bored. Save me. 🙄" Then a doodle of a very exaggerated, bug-eyed stickman collapsed over a desk.

Y/n covered her laugh with a cough, nudging his arm lightly. “Pay attention,” she whispered, trying to sound stern.

“I am,” he whispered back, resting his head on the desk now, turned toward her, one cheek squished against his arm. “Just… multitasking.”

She didn’t look at him, but she could feel his gaze on her. Soft. Comfortable. A gaze that had always been there.

After a moment, his voice came quieter this time, like a secret being passed between them.

“Wanna hang out after class?”

Y/n paused in her writing. She looked at him finally, and there he was — face half-buried, hair slightly messy, eyes watching her with the kind of calm that made her chest tighten. It was so casual… yet something about it felt heavier than usual.

“Just us?” she asked before she could stop herself.

Eunseok raised a brow. “Well, yeah. Unless you have plans with Ryujin and the others?”

Y/n shook her head. “No… I don’t think we’re doing anything.”

“Then come with me,” he said simply, before shutting his eyes for a moment as if trying to nap mid-lecture. “Let’s go to that bakery you like. The one with the cream buns.”

She stared at him, blinking once. She hadn't even mentioned that bakery in months. Maybe even a year. But he remembered. And somehow, the fact that he remembered something that small felt louder than anything else in the room.

She turned back to her notes, her cheeks growing warm.

“Okay,” she said softly.

Eunseok smiled against his sleeve.

— The little bakery was quiet in the late afternoon, soft golden sunlight spilling through the windows and dusting the wooden tables in warmth. The scent of freshly baked bread and sweet cream filled the air, wrapping around Y/n like a comforting blanket.

Eunseok and Y/n slipped inside, shrugging off their bags and settling into a cozy corner booth. Eunseok immediately reached for the display case, eyes scanning the rows of pastries.

“Cream buns?” he asked with a teasing grin.

Y/n nodded, smiling softly. “You remembered.”

“Of course,” he said, almost too casually.

Their order arrived quickly — two cream buns, still warm, and cups of iced tea. Eunseok handed Y/n hers with a little flourish, watching as she took a bite, eyes closed briefly in delight.

They sat quietly for a few moments, the comfortable silence stretching between them.

Then Y/n cleared her throat, looking at him with a hesitant expression.

“So… about Chaeyoung.”

Eunseok raised an eyebrow, folding his arms on the table. “What about her?”

“She’s… nice,” Y/n said carefully, twisting a napkin between her fingers. “Friendly, confident, seems like she really likes you.”

Eunseok shrugged, taking a sip of his tea. “Yea, she’s cool. I guess.”

Y/n bit her lip, choosing her words slowly.

“Do you think she’s… your type?”

Eunseok looked down at his tea, then back up at her. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I haven’t really thought about it.” Y/n watched his face, searching for any hint. “She’s pretty,” she added softly.

“Yeah,” Eunseok said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Y/n nodded slowly, but before she could respond, Eunseok’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile.

“Chaeyoung is really, really pretty,” he admitted, eyes lighting up as he smiled. Y/n glanced at him, surprised by his honesty. Eunseok’s gaze then drifted toward the window, watching the passersby on the street outside. After a moment, his voice dropped to a casual tone.

“Hey… do you think Anton is your type?”

Y/n nearly choked on her cream bun, coughing and blinking in confusion. “Why… why are you suddenly asking about your friend?” she managed, still recovering.

Anton — tall, good-looking, with a charming smile that made many girls swoon. But Eunseok bringing him up out of nowhere was unexpected. Eunseok leaned back in his chair, raising one brow as he gave Y/n a teasing look. “I saw him looking at you a few times,” he said slowly, like he was revealing a secret. “I think he might be crushing on you.”

Y/n’s cheeks burned at the mention, her heart skipping a beat. “You’re kidding,” she whispered, trying to play it cool but failing miserably. Eunseok chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Nope,” he said. “He definitely notices you.”

Y/n looked away, suddenly very interested in the patterns on the table, trying to keep her face from showing just how much Eunseok’s words unsettled her — and yet made her strangely glad.

— The familiar creak of the front door opening announced their return. Y/n and Eunseok stepped inside, shrugging off their bags and exchanging tired but content smiles.

From the living room couch, Sion’s fingers danced over a game controller, eyes glued to the screen, but the moment he heard their footsteps, he looked up.

“Hey, you’re back,” he said without turning his head.

Y/n smiled warmly at her younger brother. “Hey, Sion.”

He paused his game, finally turning toward them. “Mom said she’s gonna be home late today. So it’s just us for dinner.”

Eunseok’s eyes flicked toward Y/n, then back to Sion, a knowing smile curling on his lips. As if he already knew exactly what to do. Without hesitation, he walked toward the fridge and pulled open the door. Taped to it was a small handwritten note.

Eunseok grabbed it, scanning the list of ingredients and instructions carefully. Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head as he flipped the note over.

At the bottom, scrawled in bold letters, was a warning:

“Do NOT let Y/n cook at all cost!”

Y/n, curious, leaned over Eunseok’s shoulder to glance at the note, eyebrows knitting in confusion.

“Why are you laughing?” she asked, a little suspicious.

Eunseok tucked the note into his back pocket, just out of her reach, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Because,” he teased, turning to face her, “I’m in charge of cooking tonight. So you better behave.” Y/n’s eyes narrowed playfully, but before she could protest, Eunseok was already moving toward the kitchen, humming a familiar tune like he owned the place.

Sion, grinning, called after him, “You’re lucky Mom left instructions. I’d hate to see what happens if you tried to cook without her help.”

Y/n laughed, the tension of the day melting away in the warmth of their little home — and the quiet comfort of their unusual, perfect little family.

— It had been a few quiet weeks since the semester began. Between adjusting to class schedules, late-night group chats, and long walks home.

On their free day off, Mrs. Oh insisted on a proper grocery run, dragging both Y/n and Eunseok along with the promise of dinner rewards and the subtle joy of motherly bonding. It wasn’t the first time the three of them did this—it almost felt like a routine by now.

The supermarket was unusually lively for a weekday afternoon. It was the sort of noise that hummed in the background like a steady drum—carts rolling, kids whining for candy, soft music looping from the speakers overhead. Mrs. Oh was already two aisles ahead, list in hand and a laser focus only a seasoned grocery shopper could master.

Y/n trailed behind pushing the cart, while Eunseok occasionally dropped in snacks that definitely weren’t on the list.

“You know she’s going to notice when she gets to the checkout,” Y/n muttered, eyeing the third bag of shrimp crackers he slid between the rice and the milk.

“Yeah,” Eunseok said nonchalantly. “But she’s also going to pretend not to notice.”

Y/n rolled her eyes with a smile, shaking her head as she adjusted the cart’s wobbly wheel. It was a moment that felt painfully normal—familiarity wrapped in the mundane.

They turned into the fruit and vegetable section, where crates of apples were stacked in perfect pyramids and a low chill hung in the air from the misting systems above the leafy greens.

“Eunseok?”

The voice made them both pause.

Y/n looked up just in time to see Chaeyoung approaching from the opposite direction. She looked different—more casual than usual, but somehow still effortlessly put together. Her pale cream sweater hugged her frame and her jeans were neatly cuffed at the ankles. Her smile lit up immediately when her eyes landed on Eunseok.

“Oh,” Eunseok blinked, his voice caught somewhere between surprise and politeness. “Hey, Chaeyoung.”

Y/n felt her chest stiffen slightly.

Chaeyoung took a step closer, cradling a small basket of groceries. “Didn’t think I’d see anyone from campus here,” she said with a light laugh. “I was just picking up some things for my grandma.”

Y/n walked up beside Eunseok silently, a small nod of acknowledgment toward Chaeyoung. Her arms were full with a bag of flour and a tray of eggs. Chaeyoung’s bright expression dimmed slightly when she noticed her.

Before anyone could say more, Mrs. Oh appeared around the corner with another basket full of ingredients and a cheery expression that could charm a room.

“Oh! Eunseok,” she said, surprised to see him still standing. Then her eyes drifted to Chaeyoung. “Who’s your friend?”

Chaeyoung straightened up a little at the question, offering a polite smile. “Mom, this is Chaeyoung,” Eunseok replied. “She’s a classmate from uni. We have a few classes together.”

Mrs. Oh looked delighted, immediately stepping closer to greet her. “Ahh! Nice to meet you, Chaeyoung. You must be one of the smart ones keeping my boy here on his toes.”

“Oh—uh—thank you, ma’am,” Chaeyoung said with a short laugh. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Before the conversation could continue, a voice called out from behind them.

“Mom, can we get these too?” Y/n called, holding up a box of cereal and a jar of Nutella. She walked up to join them, her hair slightly tousled from the chill of the produce section. As she stepped beside Eunseok, Chaeyoung’s smile faltered slightly. Her brows furrowed as she looked between Y/n and Mrs. Oh.

“I’m… confused, is she also Y/n's mom” Chaeyoung muttered, barely above a whisper, but loud enough to be heard.

Mrs. Oh chuckled, resting a hand on Y/n’s shoulder. “Oh no, I’m just Y/n’s mom. Eunseok is my best friend’s son—but he’s practically family. He’s been part of this household longer than some of our furniture.”

Y/n snorted at that while Eunseok just grinned.

Chaeyoung nodded slowly, as if trying to mentally adjust the image she had of them. “That explains… a lot,” she said with a stiff smile.

There was a beat of silence. It wasn’t awkward—not exactly—but the air had thickened just a little, heavy with all the things unspoken.

Y/n stepped away to drop her items into the cart and walked down the next aisle without waiting. Eunseok glanced at Chaeyoung one last time.

“See you around,” he offered casually.

Chaeyoung gave him a soft smile. “Yeah. See you.”

And just like that, the moment passed. As they turned the corner, Eunseok caught up with Y/n, who was now rearranging items in the cart unnecessarily. “Did she seem… off to you?” he asked quietly, glancing sideways.

“She just looked surprised,” Y/n replied coolly. “It’s not every day you find out your classmate has a second mom.”

Eunseok chuckled under his breath. “Well, to be fair… Mrs. Oh is everyone’s second mom.” Y/n didn’t say anything. But her hands were clenched a little tighter around the cart handle.

From a few steps behind, Mrs. Oh watched the two of them interact, a small smile tugging at her lips. She didn’t say it out loud, but she noticed the way Eunseok looked at her daughter.

Campus was unusually warm for a spring morning. Golden sunlight filtered through the trees as students shuffled toward their buildings in twos and threes, some still yawning, others chatting animatedly about last night’s lecture or the latest group project panic.

Y/n walked with her usual group—Ryujin, Yunjin, Winter, and Somi. The five of them had clicked in that effortless, chaotic way where someone was always talking over someone else, someone was always laughing, and somehow it just worked.

As they neared the central courtyard, Ryujin pointed toward the right side of the building, where a familiar figure stood next to the vending machine.

“There’s your boy,” she smirked.

Y/n turned just in time to see Eunseok—messy hair, bag slung over one shoulder, tapping the vending machine like it personally offended him.

“What did it do this time?” Y/n asked, walking over to him while her friends hung back.

“It ate my money,” he said, crouching slightly to peer into the bottom slot. “Again. Why do I keep trusting these things?”

Y/n shook her head and fished into her own pocket for some coins. “Let me try,” she said, inserting the change and pressing the same buttons. The drink clunked into the bottom with a satisfying thud.

Eunseok took the can and grinned. “You’ve always had the magic touch.”

“Maybe the vending machine just likes me more.”

He laughed, but before he could reply, a familiar voice broke into their conversation. “Eunseok! You’re here early too!” Chaeyoung.

Y/n’s smile faltered just slightly as she turned to see the girl walking toward them, dressed in a neat denim skirt and a tucked-in blouse, her hair pinned back on one side with a pearl clip. There was something practiced in the way she walked—poised, confident.

Eunseok looked surprised but polite as he turned toward her. “Hey, morning.” Y/n stepped back a little without even thinking about it, letting the can of soda slip into Eunseok’s hand as Chaeyoung stopped in front of them.

“I was hoping I’d run into you,” Chaeyoung said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Did you get the notes from yesterday’s lecture? I missed the last ten minutes.”

“Yeah, I think I did,” he replied, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I’ll send them to you.”

Chaeyoung leaned in slightly to peek at his screen, her hand lightly brushing his arm.

Y/n pretended not to notice.

But she did.

She always did.

“Oh, and,” Chaeyoung added, “There’s that group project for Communication Studies. I was thinking maybe we could meet up to brainstorm later this week? Just the two of us? You seem like you’d have good ideas.”

Y/n’s heart thudded a little harder. She stared down at her shoes, scuffing them against the pavement.

“I already have a group for that one,” Eunseok said with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I think they already submitted our members list.”

Chaeyoung’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes narrowed just a touch. “That’s alright. There’ll be more group work, right?”

Y/n couldn’t help it—she glanced up, their eyes met briefly. And Chaeyoung smiled sweetly.

“Morning, Y/n,” she added smoothly.

“Morning,” Y/n said, returning the smile with one of her own, smaller but steady.

Ryujin and the others walked up then, sensing the shift in energy. Yunjin gave Y/n a pointed look, mouthing silently: ‘You good?’

Y/n nodded almost imperceptibly.

Chaeyoung turned toward her own classroom just before the first bell rang. “Well, see you both later,” she said over her shoulder, her voice sing-song and light as air.

The second she was out of sight, Ryujin groaned.

“Someone’s trying way too hard,” she said under her breath.

“I don’t know,” Somi added, a little too honestly. “She’s kind of smooth with it. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was plotting something.”

“She is,” Winter said, biting into a breakfast bar. “And it’s working.”

Y/n stayed quiet. Her arms folded across her chest, her gaze drifting toward Eunseok, who had turned his attention to a message on his phone, oblivious to the way the conversation just shifted around him.

Inside, her thoughts were already spiraling.

It was silly, really. Chaeyoung hadn’t done anything wrong. She was just being... friendly. Maybe a little too friendly. But Eunseok wasn’t hers. He never had been.

But why did it bother her so much to hear his name on Chaeyoung’s lips? Why did her stomach twist when she saw her smile at him like that?

Later that day, during lunch break:

Y/n sat outside with her friends, eating slowly as they chatted about weekend plans and classes. Eunseok joined them a few minutes later with his tray in hand, sliding into the seat next to Y/n like it was always meant for him.

“Hey,” he said, nudging her shoulder slightly. “You okay? You’ve been quiet today.”

“Just tired,” she lied. “Didn’t sleep well.”

He looked at her for a second longer than necessary, but didn’t press.

“Chaeyoung was looking for you in the hallway earlier.” Ryujin added casually, smirking behind her drink.

Eunseok blinked. “She was?”

Y/n didn’t say anything. She kept her eyes on her food, willing her face not to show anything.

“She was probably going to ask again about that project,” Eunseok muttered, scratching the back of his head. “She’s... nice.”

“Very nice,” Yunjin said sarcastically.

“Maybe too nice,” Somi added.

— The hallway was quiet, the distant murmur of classrooms echoing faintly behind closed doors. Y/n stepped out of the restroom, smoothing her hair and adjusting the strap of her bag, her eyes scanning casually ahead—

Until she spotted him.

Eunseok.

He was leaning against the wall across the hallway like he didn’t have a care in the world. One hand in his pocket, the other casually scrolling on his phone. His expression soft, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips—he looked like he was waiting for someone.

Y/n felt a small tug in her chest, her steps light as she instinctively began to walk toward him.

But just as she took a few steps forward, she saw her.

Chaeyoung.

Rounding the corner with a confident walk, the girl approached Eunseok like they’d been meeting up like this for years. She smiled brightly, her fingers reaching out to gently loop around his forearm as she leaned closer to say something. Eunseok looked up, startled for a second—but not pulling away either.

Y/n stopped walking.

Just for a second.

And that second was enough for the ache to creep in—low and warm, confusing and unwelcome.

She turned her gaze away quickly, trying not to react, when—

Thump.

She bumped into something—or rather, someone—solid. Y/n stumbled slightly backward, her breath catching as she looked up and saw a familiar face staring back at her with wide eyes and a startled expression. Anton.

His tall frame towered over her as he blinked in surprise, his hands raised awkwardly as if unsure whether to catch her or apologize first.

“S-sorry! I didn’t see you there,” he said quickly, his cheeks tinting the softest pink. He scratched the back of his neck, lips curving up into a shy smile. “Hi, Y/n... noona.”

Y/n’s heart, already fluttering from everything else, skipped again for some reason. She straightened, brushing invisible dust off her shirt, trying to regain her composure. “It’s fine—I wasn’t looking either.”

Anton looked past her for a second, spotting Eunseok and Chaeyoung still deep in conversation across the hall. His gaze returned to Y/n, softer now, almost like he knew.

“You... heading somewhere?” he asked, tone casual but curious.

“Back to class,” she replied. Anton nodded, stepping aside so she could walk through the hallway beside him. A quiet pause settled between them as they walked slowly. Then, just when Y/n thought the moment might dissolve, Anton glanced at her and cleared his throat.

“I’ve seen you around a lot,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant but failing slightly with the way his voice pitched up. “You and Eunseok-hyung. You two are... close, huh?”

Y/n’s lips parted, a breath caught between a laugh and a sigh.

“Yeah. We’ve known each other forever.”

Anton nodded again, more thoughtful now. “That must be nice.” Another beat of silence. Then, softly, like he’d been waiting to say it:

“You’re... different from other people here.”

Y/n looked up at him, a little startled. “Different?”

“I mean that in a good way,” he added quickly, ears turning red. “You’re... warm. Like, easy to talk to. And I don’t know—maybe that’s why it’s easy to notice you.” Y/n blinked. Her heart wasn’t racing like it did around Eunseok—but it was fluttering in a different way now. A quieter way. A gentler one.

Before she could answer, the warning bell rang through the hallway. Anton gave a sheepish grin and tilted his head toward the classroom ahead. “Guess we should go.”

“Yeah,” Y/n said softly. “Let’s go.”

— Y/n stepped off the bus, the late afternoon sun casting golden streaks across the quiet neighborhood. Anton walked beside her, casually swinging the small cake box in one hand, the other buried in his hoodie pocket.

“Thanks again for offering to work on the project together,” Y/n said, glancing sideways at him. “I would’ve started it on my own and probably cried halfway through.”

Anton chuckled softly. “You’re being dramatic, noona.”

“Am I?” she said with a teasing smile.

They turned the familiar corner, approaching the familiar house with the low white fence and flowerpots by the door—her house. For Y/n, this route usually meant she was walking with Eunseok, laughing or arguing over something pointless, always feeling light and comfortably chaotic. But this time, it was... quieter. Still, not unpleasant.

Anton’s presence was different. Gentler. And even if it didn’t feel like home yet, it didn’t feel wrong either.

As they stepped up to the porch, Y/n unlocked the door and called out instinctively, “Mom, I’m home!”

Almost immediately, her mother’s voice floated from the kitchen. “Already? I thought you said you were staying late with—”

She paused mid-sentence the moment she stepped into view and saw Anton standing beside her daughter, holding a cake box, a bit stiff but offering a polite bow.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Oh,” he said with a soft, respectful smile.

Y/n’s mom blinked, eyebrows raising in amusement as she glanced between her daughter and the boy. “Oh? You’re not Eunseok.”

“Mom,” Y/n said under her breath, lightly elbowing her.

Mrs. Oh laughed, waving a hand. “I’m joking. I just wasn’t expecting someone new. Eunseok practically lives here—you know how it is.”

“I’ve heard,” Anton said, that polite smile still on his face.

“Well, come in, come in,” she gestured toward the living room, turning to Y/n with a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t keep him standing at the door.”

Y/n rolled her eyes playfully and stepped in with Anton following behind. She led him to the dining table where they set their bags down and placed the cake box on top.

“So... this is your first time here?” her mom asked, casually leaning on the doorframe with that knowing glint mothers always seemed to have. “Project partner?”

“Yes,” Anton nodded. “We’re in the same Literature class.”

“He also said he’d get me cake,” Y/n added quickly, trying to shift the focus off the subtle interrogation.

Mrs. Oh chuckled. “He’s smart. Bribery always works on you.”

Y/n gave her a betrayed look, while Anton let out a small laugh.

“I’ll leave you two to it,” her mom said, turning toward the kitchen. “Let me know if you want anything, okay?”

The moment she was gone, Y/n let out a breath and looked at Anton.

“She’s... really not used to seeing anyone else with me,” she admitted. “She always thinks it’s either just me or me and Eunseok.”

Anton sat down, resting his arms on the table. “That makes sense. You and Eunseok-hyung seem really close.”

Y/n hesitated, reaching for her notebook. “Yeah... we are.”

“Do people ever... get the wrong idea about you two?” She blinked, caught off guard by the quiet sincerity of the question. “All the time.”

Anton gave her a glance that lingered, like he was about to say something more, but instead, he opened his own notebook and pulled out the textbook. “Let’s make this project so good the professor cries.”

Y/n smiled. “Deal.”

They dove into their work, and for a little while, things felt... light again. A different kind of light.

The late afternoon light poured through the living room window, bathing the dining table in a warm amber hue. Y/n and Anton sat across from each other, textbooks and scattered notes spread out between them, the earlier awkwardness slowly replaced with quiet concentration and comfortable pauses.

Anton was surprisingly funny when he relaxed. He had a soft way of speaking, and when he joked—usually dry, unexpected one-liners—it always caught Y/n off guard, making her laugh harder than she intended.

“So,” he said, scribbling something down and pushing it over for her to read, “if we interpret this line as symbolism for freedom, do you think the professor will think we’re overreaching or just incredibly intelligent?”

Y/n read the sentence he wrote: "The open window didn’t just let the breeze in, it let her breathe for the first time."

“That sounds like a poetic cry for help,” she said through a laugh. “But... it’s also kinda beautiful.”

Anton looked down at his notebook, cheeks coloring slightly. “It’s cheesy.”

“It is,” she grinned, “but it’s a good cheesy. I think he’ll like it.”

A small smile tugged at Anton’s lips as he rested his chin on his palm. “You’re different when you’re not surrounded by your friends.”

Y/n tilted her head, curious. “Different how?”

He shrugged. “More relaxed. You don’t try as hard to hide how smart or thoughtful you are.”

The compliment took her off guard. She blinked, unsure how to respond, feeling her cheeks grow warm.

“I didn’t know I was hiding it,” she mumbled.

Anton gave her a gentle look. “A lot of people do. Especially around people they’ve known forever. They kind of get stuck being who they were back then.”

Y/n thought of Eunseok. Of all the years they’d shared the same jokes, the same rhythm, the same everything. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever had to show someone who she was outside of that.

With Anton, it felt like she could be a little more... her own person.

“Thanks,” she said quietly.

Anton looked at her, then down at the time on his phone. “It’s already past six.”

Y/n blinked. “Seriously? That fast?”

He nodded, then glanced toward the kitchen. “Do you think your mom would be okay if I stayed a bit longer? I haven’t eaten yet.”

As if summoned, Mrs. Oh peeked around the corner at that exact moment, holding a dish towel.

“You’re welcome to stay for dinner,” she said, as if she’d been listening the entire time.

Anton sat up straighter. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Besides,” she smiled at her daughter knowingly, “it’s nice seeing someone new for once.”

Y/n threw her mom a look, but didn’t protest. When Anton turned back to her with a grin, she rolled her eyes.

“You’re not getting out of doing the rest of this project just because my mom likes you.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Anton said, already pulling the textbook back open.

Later, after dinner which Mrs. Oh insisted on serving with too many side dishes and far too many questions about Anton’s family, his favorite food, and his blood type—Y/n walked him to the front door.

The night air was cooler, crisper, and the sky was already turning a shade of deep indigo.

“Thanks for today,” Y/n said, standing at the door with him.

“I should be the one thanking you,” Anton said, his voice softer now. “I had a good time.”

She smiled. “Even the interrogation from my mom?”

“Especially that part,” he joked.

They stood there for a beat longer, something unspoken lingering in the space between them.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.” she nodded. “Let me know when you got home safely.”

As he walked off down the street, Y/n stood at the door just a few seconds longer than she meant to, watching his figure fade into the distance. When she finally closed the door behind her, the house felt quieter, but not in a bad way.

Something had shifted.

Not in a dramatic way. Just... enough.

— Over the next week, Y/n and Anton found themselves spending more time together and not just because of the project, though that remained their excuse. Whether it was in the library corner near the windows or on a quiet bench tucked behind the art building, they found spaces that felt like theirs. Quiet. Comfortable.

Anton was never pushy. He didn’t talk too much, didn’t demand her attention, didn’t tease her the way Eunseok always did. Instead, he asked questions the kind that made her think. The kind that showed he really listened.

“…So, you write in a journal every night?” he asked one afternoon, leaning back on his elbows as they sat in the grass on campus, the sun casting a lazy golden light over them.

Y/n looked at him with a small smile, hugging her knees to her chest. “Sometimes. It depends on the day.”

“What do you write about?”

She hesitated, then shrugged. “Anything. Just… thoughts. Stuff I can’t say out loud.”

Anton nodded slowly, thoughtful. “I think that’s kind of brave.”

She turned her head, surprised. “Why?”

“Because writing things down means you’re willing to face them,” he said. “Most people just let thoughts slip away because they’re afraid of what they’ll find if they really stop and look.”

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was full of understanding. Y/n looked down at her hands. “Do you ever feel like people expect you to be a certain version of yourself all the time?”

Anton gave a dry laugh. “All the time. Especially when you don’t talk much people assume who you are before they ever really get to know you.”

Y/n nodded quietly. “I think I’ve been stuck in the same version of myself for so long, I didn’t even notice it.”

Anton glanced at her gently. “You don’t seem stuck.”

Her eyes met his, something soft and unsure flickering between them.

Before either of them could say anything more, a breeze passed between them cooler now as evening began to settle. Anton sat up and brushed the grass from his sleeves.

“Let me walk you to the bus stop,” he said, standing and holding a hand out to her.

Y/n took it without thinking. His hand was warm, and he didn’t let go right away.

Later That Week

“Are you seriously bringing cake again?” Y/n laughed as she watched Anton pull a small pastry box out of his bag after their study session in the library.

He grinned. “You said you liked that chocolate chiffon last time.”

“I said it was dangerous,” she clarified, watching as he opened the box to reveal two neat slices—one for her, one for him.

“It’s not a bribe. I just like eating with you.”

Y/n blinked at that, cheeks warming slightly as she accepted the fork he offered. They ate in companionable silence, tucked in a quiet corner of campus, legs stretched out in front of them. The sun was starting to dip behind the trees, casting everything in soft orange and purple hues.

“This might become a tradition,” Y/n muttered between bites.

“Is that a bad thing?” Anton asked.

“No,” she said, smiling faintly. “Not at all.”

Back at Home

That night, as Y/n lay in bed with her journal open in her lap, pen tapping lightly against the page, she hesitated before writing anything.

She thought of Anton’s quiet humor, the way he remembered her small preferences, the way he never filled the silence with anything unnecessary.

He was different. Safe. But also... unpredictable in the best way.

“It’s strange,” she wrote. “How someone you barely knew a month ago can become a part of your day so easily. Not in a loud way. Just... there. Like background music that suddenly becomes your favorite song.”

She paused, then underlined the word “suddenly.”

— The sun was barely peeking through the curtains when Eunseok stepped into the Oh household, slipping off his sneakers at the door like he’d done a thousand times before. The scent of sesame oil and something lightly frying on the stove wrapped around him like a familiar blanket.

“Sion?” he called out, already walking into the living room.

“Here.” Sion answered without looking up from his game controller, sprawled on the couch. “Noona’s in the shower. She’ll be down in a bit.”

With a shrug, Eunseok headed to the kitchen and grinned the moment he spotted Mrs. Oh laying out the breakfast dishes. “Good morning, Mom,” he greeted her as casually as ever.

Mrs. Oh turned around, her expression instantly brightening. “Eunseok!” she beamed, walking over and pulling him into a warm, motherly hug that made him chuckle.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you! You’ve barely dropped by lately,” she scolded gently, pulling away just enough to give him a fond look. “Too busy for me now?”

Eunseok raised both hands in mock surrender. “I swear I was buried in project deadlines. Ask Y/n. We haven’t even had lunch together properly this week.”

“You better not be starving yourself,” she replied, returning to the stove. “Sit. You’re eating with us.”

Just as Eunseok was about to pull out a chair, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. He turned, and there was Y/n—hair still damp, dressed in a soft oversized sweatshirt and loose pants, rubbing her towel over her head as she entered the kitchen.

Her steps faltered slightly when she spotted him.

“I honestly wasn’t expecting you,” she mumbled, catching his gaze before quickly looking away.

Eunseok raised a brow, his head tilting slightly. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s Saturday.” Sion, ever the chaos bringer, chose that exact moment to walk in. “Oh, did noona tell you? Anton’s coming to pick her up.”

Eunseok blinked, slowly turning to Y/n. “Anton?”

Y/n avoided his gaze, fiddling with the towel in her hands as she walked over to grab a cup of water. “We’re just finishing the project... and grabbing lunch.”

The silence that followed was subtle but heavy. Mrs. Oh caught it immediately.

“Huh,” she said casually, setting down a bowl of kimchi. “Isn’t that sweet? Anton’s the one you mentioned the other night, right? The one who brought over that cake?”

Y/n gave a sheepish nod, sipping her water a little too quickly.

Eunseok leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed now. “Didn’t realize you two were hanging out so much outside of class.”

“He’s nice.” Y/n said, her voice defensive even though he hadn’t accused her of anything.

“I didn’t say he wasn’t.” Eunseok replied smoothly, but his gaze lingered on her a second longer than usual.

Mrs. Oh, ever the observer, narrowed her eyes slightly at the exchange while pretending not to notice. “Well, if he’s good company and helps her focus, I approve,” she said, throwing a glance at Eunseok that held more meaning than her words let on.

“Didn’t know he was her type,” Eunseok muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Sion to catch.

Sion, traitorous sibling he was, grinned wide. “Well, noona never says anything, but Anton is good-looking, huh?”

“Sion,” Y/n hissed.

Eunseok didn’t say much after that, but his usual easy energy had shifted—just slightly. He took a seat, fiddling with the edge of the placemat, watching Y/n as she walked around the kitchen, trying to act normal. Trying not to fidget.

The air had changed. Not dramatically. Not explosively. Just enough to be noticed.

Mrs. Oh set the rice cooker down and sighed quietly, offering a faint smile to Eunseok. “You’ll stay for lunch, right?”

“I might head out before that,” he said, not meeting Y/n’s eyes this time. Y/n blinked, surprised by the answer. “You’re not staying?”

“Got something to do,” he said with a shrug that didn’t feel as casual as he wanted it to. Before anyone could say more, the doorbell rang. Y/n flinched.

“That must be him,” she murmured.

“I’ll get it!” Sion called, already halfway to the door.

And as Anton’s voice greeted the younger boy from the entryway, Eunseok stood up, the chair scraping slightly against the floor.

“Tell him I said hi,” he said, grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair.

Mrs. Oh frowned. “You don’t have to rush out, Eunseok.”

“I’ll be back later,” he said, already heading for the hallway.

Y/n turned to follow, but he paused just long enough at the edge of the room to say, “Have fun today.” The smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes before walking past Anton and then he was gone.

The front door closed with a soft click, but to Y/n, it might as well have echoed. Eunseok’s presence, so loud and familiar, left a sudden hollow quiet in the air.

She stood in the hallway for a moment longer than necessary, eyes fixed on the now-closed door, her heart thrumming uneasily. Something about the way he left… the look on his face—it unsettled her.

Behind her, Mrs. Oh called out gently, “Y/n, sweetheart, don’t keep your guest standing.”

Snapping herself out of it, she turned and forced a smile as Anton entered the kitchen, Sion trailing after him.

“Anton! You came right on time,” Mrs. Oh greeted warmly, already gesturing to the table. “Come, come, we have enough food for everyone. Eunseok just left, so there’s an open seat.”

Anton blinked, slightly surprised. “Oh, he’s not eating with us?”

Y/n quietly took her seat, her gaze fixed on her rice bowl. “He had something to do,” she murmured.

Mrs. Oh gave Anton a kind smile. “He’s been in and out a lot lately. Busy boy. But that just means more food for you.”

Anton chuckled politely, settling into the seat Eunseok had vacated minutes before. It didn’t go unnoticed by Y/n, who kept her eyes down, pushing her food around.

Sion, not one for subtlety, pointed his chopsticks across the table. “Noona was spacing out since you got here. Think she’s sad Eunseok hyung left.”

Y/n nearly choked on air, glaring at her brother. “Sion!”

Anton laughed softly, lifting a spoonful of eggs and holding it toward Y/n. “Then let’s fix that. Say ‘ahh.’ Come on, it’ll make you smile.”

She looked at him, startled, before blinking rapidly. “Are you seriously trying to feed me right now?”

“You look like you need it,” he said with a teasing grin, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Sion was grinning way too wide, and Mrs. Oh gave them both a knowing side-eye as she poured soup into small bowls. “I like this one,” she muttered under her breath just loud enough for Y/n to hear.

Y/n rolled her eyes, but despite everything, she opened her mouth slightly, letting Anton feed her a bite. She chewed, eyebrows rising in surprise.

“…Okay, that’s actually really good,” she admitted.

Anton smiled wider, clearly pleased. “See? Told you I’d cheer you up.”

And for a moment, it worked. Y/n allowed herself to relax—just a little—as they fell into a lighter rhythm. They joked, Sion made his usual ridiculous comments, and Mrs. Oh asked Anton the usual barrage of motherly questions, from his major to his favorite childhood food. He answered them all with charming ease.

But in the back of Y/n’s mind, she couldn’t stop replaying the slight furrow in Eunseok’s brow. The way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. The shift in the air when Sion mentioned Anton’s name.

She laughed when Anton teased her again, but her heart still felt tangled in a knot she couldn’t explain.

Outside, the day carried on like normal—but something between her and Eunseok had changed, even if neither of them had said a word about it.

After breakfast, the skies had softened into a quiet grey—the kind of weather that made everything feel slower, dreamier. Y/n and Anton stepped out of the house, her mom waving them off from the doorway with a smile and a suspiciously approving look. Sion had muttered something about “don’t be out too long” before disappearing into the living room, game controller already in hand.

Anton had offered his arm like a drama lead, jokingly, and Y/n had smacked it away with a laugh.

They decided to take the scenic route through the neighborhood park on the way to the café Anton had picked out. The breeze was cool, tugging gently at Y/n’s hair. Anton, walking slightly ahead, turned to look at her every now and then, like he was making sure she was still with him.

“You really okay?” he asked, voice softer now that they were alone. “You seemed… distracted earlier.”

Y/n hesitated for a second too long.

“Just… thinking about stuff,” she replied vaguely. “You know how it is. Life, school, projects...”

Anton looked at her a moment longer, his eyes warm but thoughtful. “Right. Life stuff.”

They left it at that—for now.

The café Anton brought her to was small and tucked between a bookstore and a plant shop, its storefront framed by hanging vines and chalkboard menus in handwritten script.

Y/n blinked as she stepped inside. “How did you even find this place?”

Anton grinned, proud. “I came here a lot when I was preparing for entrance exams. They let me stay forever as long as I bought a drink every few hours.”

The inside was cozy: dark wooden tables, dim lighting, the soft hum of indie music playing somewhere in the background. A couple of students were curled up in corners with laptops and open notebooks, the smell of baked pastries and cinnamon lingering in the air.

They ordered drinks—iced caramel coffee for her, black coffee for him—and a shared slice of strawberry shortcake.

They sat by the window.

“You know,” Anton began as he placed the fork in her hand, “when I said I’d treat you to cake, I wasn’t joking.”

Y/n chuckled, stabbing into the soft sponge. “I assumed you were just using cake as a bribe so I’d agree to be your project partner.”

“That too,” he admitted with a sheepish grin.

Their conversation flowed easier than she expected. He told her more about his hometown, his old high school friends, and his dream of maybe studying abroad someday. She told him about her childhood with Eunseok—without lingering too long on anything that might make her chest feel tight again.

It was calm. Natural.

And when she laughed at something Anton said, really laughed he looked at her with a softness that made her pause. Just for a second.

“Is there something on my face?” she asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin, suddenly self-conscious.

Anton shook his head, smile lingering. “Nah. You just look happy.”

She blinked, caught off guard. “Oh.”

“I like seeing you that way,” he added, almost shyly, taking a sip of his coffee to hide the red in his ears.

Y/n didn’t know what to say to that. So she just quietly took another bite of cake, and let the moment pass without pushing it too far.

But the warmth in her cheeks stayed with her the whole walk back home.

Word count: 15.8K Part 1. - Part 2. - Part 3.