"Did you forget to bring the bread?" Chaewon’s mother’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and Chaewon absentmindedly nodded, barely registering the question as her mind lingered on the events that had unfolded earlier.
Why had Niki been crying? What had caused him such distress?
She couldn’t come up with any answers. Nothing in her memories seemed to fit. The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt, realizing just how little she knew about him. She had no clue what his life was like, what he was going through.
“Won?” Her mother’s voice snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts. “Where is your head these days?”
Chaewon blinked, looking up at her mother in confusion before she was reminded of her task. "Go get the bread for breakfast,” her mother instructed with a slight annoyance, adding something about it being late and telling her to hurry.
“Yeah, yeah,” Chaewon muttered, grabbing her phone, some money, and a jacket, as the evening chill made itself known.
Her thoughts, however, didn’t let up. As she walked to the store, her mind kept replaying the scene from earlier, no matter how hard she tried to push it away. The image of Niki crying on the bench lingered in her mind, looping over and over again.
Why did she even care so much about him? The same guy who had tried to break up her relationship with Sunwoo. The same guy who had made her life unnecessarily complicated.
Chaewon let out a frustrated sigh, deciding to take a longer route back in hopes that it might help clear her head. Maybe if she walked longer, she would be tired enough to sleep without tossing and turning all night.
As she walked, she found herself wondering about Niki’s life. Maybe he had family problems, she speculated, remembering the moment earlier when she saw him crying. Or maybe he was just going through a tough time emotionally. Maybe he had mental health issues. But then, what was it about that moment on the bench that had stuck with her?
“Niki?” Chaewon’s breath caught in her throat when she finally saw him. He was sitting alone on the bench, his posture slouched, his head down, still trying to wipe away the evidence of his tears.
He jumped when he heard her voice, quickly standing up and trying to act as though he wasn’t affected, but his red, puffy eyes told a different story.
“What… what are you doing here?” His voice cracked, and despite his attempt at a neutral tone, the vulnerability was clear.
Chaewon hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. But then, instinctively, she took a step forward, wrapping her arms around his neck in a comforting gesture. She gently patted the back of his neck, unsure of what exactly she was doing, but somehow feeling like it was the right thing to offer.
“It’s okay,” she whispered softly, trying to calm him. For a moment, he stood motionless, and Chaewon’s heart began to race, wondering if she had overstepped. But then, Niki relaxed into her embrace, his face burying itself in her shoulder. His hands instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding her close.
“It’s okay. You’re okay,” she hummed, continuing to pat his nape, her words soft and steady.
As she held him, Chaewon began to hear the soft, broken sobs escaping him. Her hands instinctively moved to his head, rubbing soothing circles as she whispered assurances to him, feeling the weight of the moment. She was grateful that he trusted her enough to let her comfort him. She didn’t have all the answers, but she could be here for him, and that, for now, was enough.
Eventually, Niki pulled away, his tear-streaked face now facing hers. He gazed at her, his eyes filled with an intensity that caught her breath. In that moment, it felt as if everything around them disappeared, leaving just the two of them standing in the quiet space.
She could see it in his eyes—the answer to the question that had been plaguing her all this time. Why had he reacted so strongly? Why had he been so affected by their interactions?
It was all so clear now.
His heart raced as he looked at her, his chest tight with emotion. He realized, in that moment, that his feelings for her had shifted. The warmth he had felt when she was close to him earlier, the way his heart had sped up when their eyes met—it wasn’t just a fleeting attraction.
It was something deeper, something real.
“Niki?” Chaewon’s voice was soft, filled with a mix of concern and curiosity. She reached up to gently wipe the tear tracks from his cheeks with her hand. But before she could retract it, Niki caught her wrist, holding it in his grasp.
He brought her hand to his lips, brushing a gentle kiss against her palm before lowering it, his fingers caressing hers. His gaze never left her face as he stepped a little closer, pulling her gently towards him.
Then, without warning, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a soft, tentative kiss. It was brief but full of unspoken words. The kiss, though light, left them both feeling something they hadn’t expected.
Chaewon was the first to pull back, her eyes wide, searching his face as her breath quickened. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she tried to process what had just happened, her heart pounding in her chest.
A shy smile formed on her lips as she leaned forward, her forehead resting against his. “Are you okay?” she asked softly, her fingers brushing against his neck again, as if trying to reassure him, but also herself.
Niki shook his head, his usual confident demeanor replaced by something more vulnerable, more uncertain.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Chaewon asked, her voice full of genuine concern. But Niki shook his head again, not yet ready to open up.
"Okay, then,” she said, gently pulling away. “Let’s get you home. It’s getting late.”
But to her surprise, Niki didn’t move.
“No?” She raised an eyebrow, confused by his sudden stillness.
He shook his head again, but this time, there was a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
“Say something. Why are you so quiet after kissing me?” he teased lightly, his voice filled with amusement.
Chaewon blinked at him, stunned. She hadn’t expected him to be so casual about it. But then, a small laugh escaped her lips, and she shook her head in disbelief at his nonchalance.
Niki’s expression softened, and he couldn’t help but smile a little. He leaned forward, his voice quiet but sincere.
“Can I be your boyfriend?” he asked, his words full of vulnerability.
Chaewon’s heart skipped a beat. She had been caught off guard, but in that moment, she realized that she wasn’t sure she could say no.
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