𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮 | 𝙍𝙄𝙄𝙕𝙀 𝙎𝙤𝙝𝙚𝙚 𝙭 𝙔/𝙉

Chapter 13: Encounter

In the bustling campus corridors, Y/N found herself navigating through Wednesday's classes when, unexpectedly, Mei crossed her path—the same woman who slept with Shotaro and told him all about her past feelings for him. The air around them became charged with palpable tension, the weight of recent revelations casting a shadow over their encounter.

Mei approached Y/N with a polite smile, attempting to initiate casual conversation. Y/N, though maintaining a cordial demeanor, couldn't escape the underlying awkwardness that permeated the interaction. The unspoken tension between them echoed in the distant hum of passing students.

"Hey, Y/N! Wow! Long time no see," Mei went in for a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around Y/N. Awkwardly, Y/N wrapped her arms loosely around Mei. 

"Yeah, hey. What are you doing in Korea? On campus?" Y/N asked.

"I am here on a school trip, since I am majoring in International Studies, we could visit different places. My school and this place are partners so that I can listen in on some lectures here for a couple of weeks," Mei explained. "Wow, but I can't believe I ran into you here, how have you been?" Mei asked.

Y/N gave a short answer, "I have been good, what about you?" 

During their exchange, Mei cautiously broached the recent events, her words carefully chosen to address the elephant in the room. Y/N, holding onto a sense of guarded composure, reciprocated but with a notable reserve.

"I was at an NCT party recently, my friend and I got invited by a member," Mei whispered to Y/N. 

Pretending to be shocked, Y/N gave a surprised expression, "Wow! You are so lucky," Y/N smiled.

"Yeah! Say, are you still into Shotaro? I actually saw him there," Mei began further the conversation deeper.

"No, not anymore," Y/N gave a short and simple answer, wanting to move on.

"Really? Wow... Okay, actually that's good to hear because we slept together!" Mei boasted.

"I heard, yeah," Y/N said bitterly.

Mei's eyes widen, "Oh really? From the man himself?" Mei asked, not believing it.

"Yeah, I am a backup dancer at SM Entertainment, we are friends," Y/N said with weight lifting off her shoulders.

Mei took a moment to process what Y/N said. Then she gave a fake smile, "Congratulations, you worked so hard for this."

Y/N heard the sarcasm in Mei's voice. From that, she decided that she wanted to leave the conversation, it wasn't worth her time. So she decided to excuse herself, "I actually have to get to class so I'll see you later," Y/N started to walk away.

Mei, still left confused with questions, grabbed Y/N's arm desperately to stop her from leaving. "Wait!" She called out.

Y/N stopped in her tracks, turning her head to see Mei's lost expression. "Can we talk later? What is your phone num-"

"No," Y/N said seriously. "You are pathetic, a backstabber. He told me all about it, so there's nothing more to talk about," Y/N slipped out of Mei's grasp and continued walking down the hall. Mei was left stunned, not sure what to do. 

The encounter left an indelible mark on both, an unspoken understanding of the complexity that now defined their relationship. As they parted ways, the tension lingered like a subtle echo, creating ripples in the otherwise ordinary campus scenery. Y/N's internal landscape, already tumultuous, continued to shift, leaving her to grapple with the aftermath of the revelations amid the bustling university setting.

After the encounter with Mei, Y/N felt a surge of emotions coursing through her. The mixture of resentment, betrayal, and disbelief created a storm within, making it challenging to focus on her classes. Unable to contain her turmoil, she excused herself from her lecture and found solace in the campus courtyard.

Seated on a bench, Y/N took a deep breath, attempting to collect her thoughts. The weight of recent events pressed on her, and she knew she needed an outlet. Pulling out her phone, she quickly composed a message to Sohee, seeking the comfort and understanding that only he could provide.

From Y/N to Sohee:
3:30 PM: Hey Sohee, guess what... I ran into Mei on campus, and it was so awkward. She brought up the NCT party and how she slept with Shotaro, and it just stirred up a lot of emotions. Can we talk later? I want to talk to someone about it.

Feeling a sense of relief after sending the message, Y/N leaned back on the bench and gazed at the sky. The clouds above seemed to mirror the swirl of emotions within her. As she waited for Sohee's response, she couldn't shake off the impact of the encounter, realizing that the echoes of past connections continued to reverberate through her present.

Minutes later, a notification from Sohee appeared on her screen:

From Sohee:
3:35 PM: Of course, Y/N. I'm here for you. Let me know when you're ready to talk, and we can meet up. 

Grateful for Sohee's understanding, Y/N took a moment to compose herself. The support she found in Sohee provided a glimmer of solace amid the storm of emotions. She responded:

3:36 PM: Wanna come over to my dorm? I'll be there from 6 PM so drop by anytime.

In an instant, he liked her message and responded:

3:36 PM: I'll text you when I arrive :)

As Y/N finished her remaining classes, she couldn't shake off the anticipation of seeing Sohee later. The thought of his presence served as a soothing balm to the wounds inflicted by Mei's unexpected appearance. With determination, she immersed herself in her studies, finding solace in the routine of academia.

As the clock struck at 5:45 PM, Y/N made her way back to her dorm, ready to pamper herself for the evening ahead. The ambiance of her room transformed as soft music played in the background, casting a calming spell. She rummaged through her wardrobe, carefully selecting cute pajamas that exuded confidence and charm.

With care in washing her face and doing her skincare routine, Y/N immersed herself in the process of looking good for Sohee. Thoughts of Sohee lingered in her mind, a source of inspiration for this special evening. She couldn't help but smile as she reminisced about their date at the aquarium, the laughter they shared, and the genuine connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

As she applied a final touch of lip balm, Y/N couldn't help but marvel at Sohee's qualities. His warmth, sense of humor, and genuine care resonated deeply with her. The way he embraced her quirks and shared in the joy of simple moments made her feel truly seen and appreciated. At that moment, she felt grateful for the presence of someone who not only understood her complexities but embraced them wholeheartedly.

With a satisfied glance in the mirror, Y/N's phone buzzed, signaling Sohee's response:

From Sohee:
6:02 PM: I'm on my way

Excitement bubbled within her, and she eagerly awaited the arrival of the person who had become a beacon of support in her life. As she settled into her dorm, the anticipation of sharing her day with Sohee filled her with a renewed sense of comfort and happiness.

At 6:30, the doorbell chimed, and Y/N's heart fluttered with excitement. She rushed to answer it, finding Sohee standing there with a warm smile. As the door swung open, Sohee's eyes widened subtly, taking in Y/N's appearance. She stood there in a cute tank top and pajama pants that showcased her figure effortlessly.

"Hey," Sohee greeted, a faint blush tinting his cheeks as he admired her. "You look really pretty."

Y/N grinned, appreciating the compliment. "Thank you. Come in!"

Sohee entered, and Y/N closed the door behind him. She couldn't help but notice his outfit – sweatpants and a black shirt, the casual attire of someone who had just finished a dance practice. The fresh scent of soap lingered, indicating he had taken a shower.

"Did you just get out of practice?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

Sohee nodded with his hands in the air, "Yeah, I took a shower and changed. Just wanted to make sure you knew I was clean." 

Y/N burst into laughter, charmed by his consideration. "Well, that's good to know. You can sit on the bed, and make yourself comfortable."

Sohee and Y/N lay in bed, entwined in each other's arms, the soft glow of fairy lights casting a warm ambiance in the room. Y/N took a deep breath before opening up about her encounter with Mei.

"So, Mei approached me with this overly cheerful demeanor, like nothing ever happened," Y/N began, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and disbelief. "She went in for a hug, and I had to reciprocate, but it felt so forced, you know?"

Sohee nodded, his eyes reflecting concern. "Yeah, I can imagine how uncomfortable that must have been."

"She then started asking about how I've been and why I'm in Korea. I kept my answers short, not wanting to get into it," Y/N continued, her fingers tracing absent-minded patterns on Sohee's chest.

Sohee ran his fingers through her hair, offering a comforting touch. "And then she brought up... Shotaro?"

Y/N sighed, "Yeah. She casually mentioned being at an NCT party and said she saw him there. Then, out of nowhere, she drops, 'We slept together.'"

Sohee's expression shifted from concern to a mix of surprise and mild disbelief. "She said that straight to your face?"

Y/N chuckled bitterly, "Not just that. She added, 'Congratulations, you worked so hard for this' when I told her that I am a backup dancer for SM. Can you believe the audacity?"

Sohee shook his head, his eyes reflecting a mixture of understanding and frustration. "That's just disrespectful. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Sohee reached out, gently rubbing her back. "I can't believe she dared to bring up... you know," he said, choosing his words carefully.

Y/N appreciated Sohee's empathy, "It's fine. I shut her down and made it clear I didn't want to talk. Told her she was pathetic and a backstabber. It felt good to finally say it."

Sohee squeezed her gently, "You handled it well. She doesn't deserve your time or energy."

Y/N smiled, grateful for Sohee's support. "Thank you for being here for me. I was shaken up today. It means a lot you came all this way."

Sohee smiled, "Well, of course. I want to listen to you and be with you. So, thank you for inviting me over and talking to me about what is on your mind."

Y/N chuckled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "You always know how to make me feel better. You're great."

They embraced each other a little tighter, finding solace in the quiet moments of understanding and comfort. In Sohee's arms, Y/N felt a sense of security and reassurance, the echoes of Mei's intrusion fading away in the warmth of their shared connection. At that moment, Y/N felt a sense of peace and contentment. Sohee's unwavering support and the genuine connection they shared became the anchor that steadied her amidst the storm. 

As they lay in bed, Y/N shifted the conversation to a lighter topic, "So, what did you do today?"
Sohee's eyes lit up, "Oh, I got to meet Anton's dad, Yoon Sang! It was amazing, Y/N. You know, he's a famous singer and producer."

Y/N's interest was piqued, "Wow, that's incredible! What was it like?"

Sohee grinned, "The members and I were on this show with him for an interview. We met in the waiting room. His dad is not only talented but also so down-to-earth. We talked about music, life, you name it. It's surreal, you know, getting to know someone like him."

Y/N chuckled, "Must have been quite an experience. What did you guys discuss?"

Sohee animatedly shared, "We talked about Anton's passion for music, his inspirations, and how he's shaping his path. Yoon Sang even gave us some valuable advice. It was like a mini music masterclass!"

"That sounds amazing. Meeting someone with so much experience and insight must have been inspiring," Y/N remarked.

Sohee nodded, "Absolutely. And it's not just about his fame. It's the genuine passion and love for music that radiates from him. Anton is lucky to have such a supportive and knowledgeable father."

Y/N smiled, "I'm glad you had a good time. It's always refreshing to connect with people who share your passion."

Sohee agreed, "Definitely. And you know, it makes me appreciate the diverse and talented people around us, like Anton and his dad."

As they continued their conversation, Y/N found herself engrossed in Sohee's stories and experiences. They shared more about their passions, dreams, and even some humorous anecdotes. Time seemed to slip away unnoticed, and when Y/N checked the clock, it read 11:30 pm.

"Oh, it's getting late! You should probably head back to catch the bus," Y/N exclaimed, a hint of concern in her voice.

Sohee, in response, stretched comfortably in her bed, a playful glint in his eyes. "What if... I just sleep over?" he suggested with a teasing smile.

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise, contemplating the logistics of the situation. They had worked at the SM building the next day, meaning they could ride the bus together. Sohee, sensing her hesitation, added, "I have a toothbrush, and I can borrow your skincare. Plus, I'm already clean from the shower. And look," he gestured to his fresh outfit, "It's practically pajamas!"

Excitement bubbled up in Y/N as she realized the feasibility of his proposal. "Okay! Yeah! It's like a little sleepover," she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face.

Sohee beamed, "Great! I'll just freshen up in the bathroom."

As Sohee disappeared into the bathroom, Y/N couldn't contain her giddiness. The prospect of spending the night with someone she genuinely liked filled her with warmth and anticipation. She busied herself preparing a makeshift sleeping area for Sohee, ensuring that he would be comfortable during their unexpected but delightful sleepover.