𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮 | 𝙍𝙄𝙄𝙕𝙀 𝙎𝙤𝙝𝙚𝙚 𝙭 𝙔/𝙉

Chapter 15: Pottery

As the dance practice concluded, Sohee offered to take Y/N home. However, Shotaro intercepted, expressing his desire to drive Y/N home as a way to make amends for the recent events. Sohee, a bit protective, insisted on tagging along to ensure Y/N's comfort. Y/N, finding the situation amusing, giggled and agreed to the arrangement.

The trio made their way to Shotaro's car, a sleek black vehicle parked nearby. Sohee took the passenger seat, Y/N settled into the back, and Shotaro assumed the driver's position. The car hummed to life, and they embarked on the ride through the city streets.

The warm glow of the streetlights painted a serene ambiance inside the car, casting a soft illumination on the faces of the passengers. Sohee kept the conversation light, asking about their opinions on philosophical concepts and sharing anecdotes to ease the tension that still lingered.

Y/N, sitting in the backseat, observed the two men in her life. Sohee's protective presence was evident, and Shotaro's attempts to mend the situation were appreciable. The gentle hum of the engine provided a backdrop to their exchange of words, creating a sense of unity in the confined space.

As they drove, the city lights flickered past, creating a mesmerizing dance of colors. Sohee turned around and glanced at Y/N, exchanging smiles that spoke volumes without uttering a word. Shotaro, focused on the road, occasionally joined the conversation, attempting to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

After the tense moments in the car, Shotaro decided to break the silence with a light-hearted question, "So, are you two officially dating yet?" Y/N and Sohee exchanged glances, both remaining silent for a moment.

Sohee was the first to speak, explaining, "Ah, not yet. I haven't had the perfect moment to officially ask to be her boyfriend." Y/N blushed at his words, and Shotaro nodded in understanding, sensing the delicate nature of their evolving relationship.

As the car journey continued, a brief silence settled in. Y/N, eager to lighten the mood, shifted the conversation by asking Shotaro if he had any celebrity crushes. His chuckle filled the car, and he admitted that he found Sawako from "Kimi ni Todoke" cute. Y/N agreed, expressing her appreciation for Sawako's cuteness. Sohee, curious, inquired about what they were discussing, and Shotaro explained that "Kimi ni Todoke" is a manga and an anime.

The car pulled up at Y/N's dorm, and she thanked Shotaro for the ride, bidding him farewell. She assured Sohee that she would text him once she settled into her dorm. Sohee gave her a thumbs up and a wave as she left, and the car slowly pulled away, leaving Y/N with a mix of emotions from the eventful day.

As Y/N entered her dorm, the soft glow of the overhead lights enveloped the room in a warm ambiance. The familiar scent of her space provided a comforting embrace. She placed her bag on the desk, and the room seemed to echo with a sense of quietude.

The gentle hum of the air conditioner blended with the distant sounds of the bustling campus outside. Y/N's fingers grazed over the familiar items on her desk, a collection of small mementos and trinkets that reflected her personality. The room held a subtle, serene energy, a sanctuary away from the complexities of the outside world.

She walked over to the window, drawing the curtains aside to let in the soft moonlight, casting a gentle glow over the room. The quietude of the dorm allowed her thoughts to settle, offering a moment of reflection.

Y/N took a deep breath, the events of the day slowly fading into the background. She grabbed her phone, feeling a sense of warmth as she saw messages from Sohee and supportive words from friends. As she settled into her favorite spot by the window, the room became a haven where she could gather her thoughts and find solace in the familiar surroundings.

From Sohee:
5:30 PM: Hey, about the car ride, I meant what I said. I want to ask you out properly. Can we go on another date?

Y/N found his straightforwardness adorable. She replied swiftly,

To Sohee:
5:30 PM: Sure! Where do you wanna go?

He quickly replied,

From Sohee:
5:31 PM: I've always wanted to try pottery!

Y/N smiled at the message.

To Sohee:
5:31 PM: I haven't done it in a while, I'd love to go! How about tomorrow night?

From Sohee:
5:31 PM: YAY! I'm free at 7 PM? 

To Sohee:
5:31 PM: Me too! Where should we meet up?

From Sohee:
5:32 PM: I'll arrive at your dorm by 7 PM. Then we can take the bus to a pottery studio, I'll make reservations :)!!!

To Sohee:
5:32 PM: Sweet! Thanks, Sohee :p

Y/N closed her phone and held it close to her chest. Her heart thumped hard against her phone, and her excitement built up throughout the evening. Y/N began to study and do homework, trying to finish as much so she had time to go on a second date with Sohee. 

The next day, after a long day of classes, it was time for the date. As the clock neared the appointed time, Sohee arrived at Y/N's dorm, a smile playing on his lips. Y/N opened the door, her face lighting up as she saw him.

"Hey there," Sohee greeted, holding a small bouquet of flowers. "These reminded me of you, they're so pretty."

Y/N's eyes sparkled with appreciation as she accepted the colorful flowers. "That's sweet of you, thank you!" She leaned in for a hug, embracing him. Then she asked if he was ready to go. Sohee nodded, and together they headed to the bus stop. The air buzzed with excitement as they chatted about the upcoming date and what inspired them to try pottery painting. The bus arrived, and they found two seats together, continuing their conversation amid the gentle hum of the engine.

"So, when did you try pottery?" Sohee asked, genuinely curious.

Y/N chuckled, "In high school, I did it a couple of times for a class. I wasn't very good but I know the basics. What about you?"

Sohee shook his head, "First time. I've watched videos of people doing pottery and it was so cool. Since you taught me how to crochet, I thought this was another way we could spend time with each other, creatively."

The bus journey was filled with laughter, shared stories, and the occasional stolen glances. They got off near the pottery studio, the anticipation building as they approached the cozy establishment.  The studio's warm lights spilled onto the sidewalk, inviting them in. Sohee held the door open, and as they stepped inside, the smell of wet clay embraced them. The studio's ambiance, adorned with ceramic wonders and vibrant paints, set the perfect stage for their creative endeavor.

As they entered the studio, the smell of wet clay and the sight of various ceramic pieces awaited them. The workers told them that they would have to come in tomorrow to paint their work because it would take them 24 hours for the clay to fire in the kiln. They nodded and agreed to continue their date tomorrow. Sohee and Y/N were given aprons and a table with fresh clay. As Y/N and Sohee approached the pottery wheel, excitement and a touch of uncertainty danced in their eyes. Sohee, with no prior experience in clay work, stared at the spinning wheel as if deciphering an alien language.

"So, how does this work?" Sohee asked, scratching his head with a playful grin.

Y/N chuckled, "It's been a while for me, but I think we just need to center the clay on the wheel and then start shaping it."

They both attempted to follow the basic instructions, their hands hesitantly reaching for the clay. Sohee's attempts were met with an amusing lack of coordination, clay slipping through his fingers like a mischievous escape artist.

Y/N, although not an expert herself, tried to guide him, "Like this, and then use your hands to shape it. It's like dancing with the clay."

Sohee nodded, attempting to mimic her movements. However, the clay had a mind of its own, and in a comical twist, a chunk of it went airborne, landing right in Sohee's lap.

Y/N burst into laughter, "It's okay, that happened to me when I tried the first time. Try not to hit the pedal too hard."

Sohee looked down at the clay on his lap, then back at Y/N with a playful glare. "I don't look so cool now, don't I?" Y/N reacted with a giggle.

They continued their struggle with the clay, unintentionally turning the pottery wheel into a battlefield of giggles and missteps. Clay adorned their faces, and their attempts to control the spinning wheel became a synchronized dance of chaos and laughter. Amid the mess, they found joy in the shared experience, their laughter echoing through the studio. The playful banter and the collaborative effort to conquer the unruly clay laid the groundwork for a memorable night of creativity and connection.

After an hour of spirited creativity and playful mishaps, Y/N and Sohee marveled at the fruits of their labor. Their pottery pieces, once shapeless lumps of clay, now stood proudly on the table, each bearing a unique personality. Sohee's mug sparkled with a charm. 

On the other hand, Y/N's mug was slightly better, but it wasn't that good. But at least it somewhat resembled a mug better than Sohee's.  As they admired each other's work, Y/N couldn't help but giggle at the charm of their funky-looking cups. Sohee, too, grinned, appreciating the uniqueness that defined their creations. 

After finishing their artwork, they thanked the workers for their guidance and hospitality. The workers told them to come in on Sunday to have their work ready for paint. With the promise of kiln-firing, Y/N and Sohee left the studio hand in hand.

Sohee walked Y/N back to her dorm, their fingers interlocked, and a sense of contentment lingering in the air. "See you at work tomorrow, and I can't wait to unveil our mugs on Sunday," Sohee said with a playful smile.

Y/N mirrored his excitement. "Me too. Until then."

Their shared laughter echoed in the hallway as they parted ways, looking forward to working together and continuing their pottery date.
The next couple of days of work went as usual, Sohee was busy with RIIZE activities and Y/N was honing her dancing skills, awaiting another performance. Sunday came around, and Sohee and Y/N returned to the pottery studio with their freshly fired-up works. 
With brushes in hand, they continued their artistic adventure. 

"Should we paint each others' mugs?" Y/N proposed, Sohee agreed to the idea and they switched mugs. Sohee brought the mug close to his face, carefully stroking his brush on the cup, creating cute flower and star designs. Y/N, mirroring him, opted for cute ducks in love. The atmosphere was filled with soft music playing in the background, and the flickering lights added a touch of magic to the scene. As they focused on their creations, Y/N couldn't help but steal glances at Sohee. His concentration, combined with the gentle brushstrokes, made him even more endearing.

As the night progressed, their creations started to take shape. Sohee's mug for Y/N was adorned with tiny stars and flowers, while Y/N's plate showcased a cute painting of ducks kissing. Sohee giggled and asked if those ducks represented them, Y/N looked with pride and nodded. He chuckled and pinched her cheeks, saying that it looked cute like her. Then she asked to closely examine his work.

She inspected the outside, it was detailed with cute stars and various types of pretty flowers. 

"Why did you choose stars and flowers?" She asked.

He gently smiled, "I chose flowers because you're beautiful like them. I love every part of you, your determination, passion, and love is like every single pretty flower. I painted a bouquet there too, because when every aspect of you, such as your eyes, smile, humor, kindness, and voice comes together to create a pretty flower bouquet." Y/N's face warmed up with his metaphors. 

"Aww," she couldn't help but say. She smiled at him, "That's so sweet, thank you." 

He continued, "I like stars, and you shine like one. So I included stars. Also, take a look inside the cup," he gestured to the cup.