★ 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝑭𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝑩𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺 | 𝗛𝗛𝗝

𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙮𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙪𝙢

Hyunjin's POV

Y/N only came back to the shop a few hours later, after the anniversary date that she put so much time and effort into planning. I had texted her, curious about how it went, but she didn't answer.

I clenched my fists on the counter as I stared at the front door, alone at the front and waiting for a distraction from my thoughts. I huffed when, after a beat and a staring contest with the door, it didn't swing open and no customers entered. Everything was silent and still, the flowers slowly suffocating under the heavy weight of the strained atmosphere.

I was suffocating as well — all I could think of was Y/N.

Had she found out about what Daeho was doing? Is that why she wasn't texting me? Did he even go to the date that she planned?

Sighing, I snatched my phone from beside me on the counter, unable to stand this suspense any longer. 

But as I was about to call her, or text her again — I wasn't entirely sure what I would do — the bell on the door jingled, and someone entered.

My eyes snapped up to meet Y/N's as she stepped inside, but her head was hanging, and she wouldn't make eye contact with me, her disappointed gaze focused on the floor.

I quickly rounded the counter to approach her, but she made a bee-line for where I had just come from, walking past me to jump up on the counter and sit on the edge, depressingly swinging her legs above the floor slowly.

I tilted my head to watch her with furrowed brows as I stood in front of her, bracing my arms against the edge of the counter on either side of her lap. "...How did your anniversary go?" My voice came out softly, filled with worry.

She finally lifted her eyes to meet mine, and she forced a smile, but her eyes were shining with sadness. "It was great, Hyunjin."

I scoffed half-heartedly. "You don't have to lie—"

"I'm not, it went fine. I had fun," She wiped her eyes and sniffled. "Everything went according to plan, Daeho was surprised."

He was surprised because he didn't even remember what today was, I thought.

Y/N straightened and tried to jump down from the counter, but I stopped her. Looking up into her eyes as she sniffled again, I said, "You can tell me what happened. I'm here to listen."

She bit her trembling lower lip as her eyes glazed over again. Sniffling one more time, she blinked at me, then quietly and guiltily revealed, "I feel so selfish."

My jaw dropped open as I stared at her in disbelief. "You feel selfish? Wh— Why??" 

I couldn't comprehend how someone as selfless and caring and kind as Y/N would somehow feel selfish. She was the least selfish person I knew — the way she had tirelessly prepared the anniversary surprise for Daeho had shown me that.

She sacrificed so much of herself for those she loved. And I coveted those she loved. I wanted to be someone she loved.

"For some reason, I expected something in return... but I should just be grateful that he came, right?" Choking on a sob, a single tear streamed down her cheek, which she quickly contrasted by forcing herself to smile at the floor. "He said he would be really busy today, so I should be grateful that he came to the date I prepared for him—"

Placing a finger under her chin, I lifted her face to look into her eyes. "No," I stated firmly, confidently, angrily. "You're not selfish, you shouldn't be grateful that he just 'showed up' after everything you did for him. You deserve so much better than him, I—"

I stopped myself before my thoughts verbally tumbled out of me. 

I would treat you better.

I would be there for you, I would make time for you, I would love you. I already do.

Was I really about to say that??  No, I couldn't. I swallowed down my words. Not now.

"Really?" Y/N squeaked out, her voice cracking with emotion. Glancing up at me, she smiled again. "...Thank you."

Pressing my lips together, I watched her wipe her eyes again as I thought.

Should I tell her about Daeho? I didn't know, I couldn't decide. I didn't know how to tell her, what to tell her, how to help her. And I hated that.

I sighed and gently brushed a finger across her cheek to catch another tear before it fell.

"Let's go out somewhere to get your mind off this."