✓ cold boy next door | p.sh

14

“on thin ice”

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days had flown by, and the day of sunghoon's big contest was looming. true to her word, yeoji had been showing up early to his practices, cheering him on and providing much-needed encouragement. sunghoon felt more confident with her around, but there was still a promise he needed to fulfill— teaching her to skate.

one afternoon, after a particularly grueling practice session, sunghoon found yeoji waiting by the rink, a hopeful glint in her eyes. she was already lacing up a pair of rented skates.

"ready for our lesson?" sunghoon asked, his fatigue melting away at the sight of her enthusiasm.

yeoji grinned. "absolutely. i've been looking forward to this all week."

sunghoon led her onto the ice, his movements fluid and natural, a stark contrast to yeoji's tentative steps. she wobbled slightly, gripping his hand for balance.

"first things first," sunghoon said, "let's work on your stance and balance. bend your knees slightly, keep your weight centered."

yeoji mimicked his posture, her face scrunched in concentration. they took a few cautious laps around the rink, sunghoon offering gentle corrections and words of encouragement. as she grew more comfortable, he loosened his grip, letting her find her own rhythm.

"you're doing great," he said, smiling as she managed a few smooth glides on her own.

"thanks," yeoji replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "it's harder than it looks, but i think i'm getting the hang of it."

after several rounds, sunghoon decided it was time to teach her some basic moves. "let's try a simple spin. it’s all about balance and shifting your weight."

he demonstrated the spin, his movements graceful and effortless. yeoji watched intently, then attempted to mimic him. she managed a wobbly turn, losing her balance and nearly falling, but sunghoon was quick to catch her.

their eyes met in that moment, a shared heartbeat echoing between them. sunghoon felt a rush of warmth, his hand lingering on hers a moment longer than necessary. yeoji's cheeks flushed pink, her breath catching in her throat.

"easy there," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "i've got you."

yeoji nodded, her gaze locked with his, a silent understanding passing between them. in that fleeting instant, amidst the icy stillness of the rink, something shifted between them, an unspoken connection igniting like a spark in the night.

with his guidance, yeoji tried again, her movements more controlled this time. she completed a full spin, her face lighting up with joy. "i did it!"

sunghoon laughed, clapping for her. "you sure did. that was awesome, yeoji!"

they continued practicing, yeoji gradually improving with each attempt. as the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over the rink, sunghoon suggested one final challenge.

"how about we try a simple jump?" he asked, his tone encouraging.

yeoji looked apprehensive but nodded. "okay, i'm game. show me how it's done."

sunghoon demonstrated a basic jump, explaining each step in detail. yeoji took a deep breath and tried it herself, managing a small hop off the ice. as she landed, sunghoon couldn't help but be struck by her determination and beauty in that moment. he felt a surge of affection for her, making him feels something indifferent.

"not bad for your first try," he said, stepping closer to her, his hands gently resting on her waist to steady her. "you'll get better with practice."

as they locked eyes, sunghoon felt a sudden warmth spreading through him. he didn't know why his heart suddenly pounding faster. it's like everything around him goes into slow motion when he stares at yeoji. but his fantasy was stopped when yeoji suddenly spoke, breaking their eye contact to each other.

"thanks for teaching me, sunghoon," yeoji shyly said, as when sunghoon also let go of her waist.

"anytime," sunghoon replied, his voice barely above a whisper when he look again to the girl infront of him.

it seems the world around them fading into the background as they shared a staring moment on the ice. in that moment, sunghoon knew that their bond was deeper than just friendship— that their journey together was only just beginning.

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