Heart In Seoul
When Hana visits her older brother Jay in Korea, she expects to explore a new city and reconnect with him. What she doesn't expect is to live with Jay and his six roommates-Jungwon, Sunghoon, Jake, Sunoo, Niki, and Heeseung. Navigatin...
Jungwon leaned against the wall of the living room, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone while trying to focus on the noise around him. The laughter and music from the others echoed through the apartment, but his mind was elsewhere—occupied by thoughts of Hana.
Since their kiss, a whirlwind of emotions had engulfed him. He replayed that moment over and over, the softness of her lips, the way her eyes had sparkled with warmth. It was intoxicating, but with each passing day, he felt the weight of the unspoken words between them grow heavier.
He watched her from afar, her laughter mingling with Sunghoon's. There was a spark between them that he couldn't ignore. As much as he cherished the connection he shared with Hana, he sensed her leaning toward Sunghoon, and it left a pit in his stomach.
"Hey, Jungwon, you good?" Jake asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Yeah, just... thinking," Jungwon replied, trying to mask his unease.
"About Hana?" Niki chimed in, a knowing look on his face.
Jungwon's heart sank. "Is it that obvious?"
"Kind of," Jake laughed. "She's been a huge part of your world since she got here. You need to figure out what you want, man."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I want her to be happy, but I also want her to see me. Not just as a friend." ⇢ ˗ˏˋ — ࿐
Later that evening, when the others had stepped out for a quick run to the convenience store, Jungwon seized the opportunity to talk to Hana. He found her in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water.
"Hey, do you mind if we chat for a second?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
"Sure, what's up?" Hana replied, her eyes brightening as she leaned against the counter.
Jungwon took a deep breath, his heart racing. "I wanted to talk about... what happened the other night."
Her expression shifted, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face. "Okay. I mean, it was a pretty big moment."
"I've been thinking about it a lot," he continued, his voice steady. "And I don't want to rush things or make you feel uncomfortable. But I also don't want to ignore how I feel."
Hana bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I feel it too, Jungwon. But it's just... complicated."
"Complicated how?" he pressed gently, stepping closer, wanting to bridge the distance between them.
"I care about you so much," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I also feel this connection with Sunghoon. I don't want to hurt either of you, and it's just... confusing."
Jungwon's heart sank. He had anticipated her feelings, but hearing her say them aloud was a different story. "You don't have to choose right now, you know. Just... take your time. I'm here."
"Thank you," Hana replied, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "I appreciate that, but it doesn't make it any easier."
"I know," he said softly, feeling the weight of the moment. "Just remember, no matter what, I'll always be in your corner. You mean too much to me."
Hana's gaze locked with his, and for a brief moment, it felt like they were on the brink of something deeper. But then, the sound of the front door opening interrupted them, and the moment slipped away.
Sunghoon's POV
Sunghoon stood at the window, looking out at the bustling city, but his mind was entirely focused on Hana. Over the past few days, their connection had blossomed into something he hadn't anticipated, and he felt an undeniable pull toward her.
Earlier that day, they had spent time in the kitchen together, making ramen. He remembered how her laughter filled the space, how she teased him about his cooking skills, and how easy it felt to be around her.
"Are you going to let me taste this, or are you just going to hog it all for yourself?" she had joked, playfully nudging him.
"Just wait," he replied, stirring the pot with a grin. "I'll let you be the judge of my culinary masterpiece."
As they sat down at the table, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just friendship. There was something brewing between them—something that ignited a fire in his chest every time she smiled.
"Sunghoon, do you ever think about what you want to do in the future?" Hana had asked, her expression serious yet curious.
"Yeah, all the time," he had replied, leaning in. "I want to be in music, maybe produce or write. It's always been my dream, you know?"
"I can see that," she said, her eyes lighting up with interest. "You're so passionate about it."
"What about you?" he pressed, wanting to know more about her dreams. "What do you want?"
Hana had paused, her gaze drifting as if she were searching for the right words. "I've always wanted to travel, to see the world and experience different cultures. But I also want to find a place where I truly belong."
Sunghoon felt a pang of understanding. "You belong here, you know? With us. We're your family now."
Her eyes met his, and there was a depth in her gaze that made his heart race. "I know, and I'm so grateful for all of you. It's just... complicated right now."
"Complicated how?" he asked, genuinely wanting to understand.
"It's just that..." she hesitated, biting her lip. "I've been feeling overwhelmed by my feelings for both you and Jungwon. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Sunghoon felt a surge of empathy, knowing the struggle she was facing. "Hana, it's okay to explore those feelings. You don't have to have it all figured out right now."
She smiled softly, and the way she looked at him made his heart skip. "Thanks for being so understanding, Sunghoon."
"Always," he replied, his voice steady as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Their fingers brushed, and he felt a jolt of electricity between them. "I'm here for you, no matter what."
⇢ ˗ˏˋ — ࿐
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As the night wore on and the others filled the apartment with laughter, both Jungwon and Sunghoon found themselves caught in their own thoughts. Jungwon wrestled with the fear of losing Hana, while Sunghoon contemplated how to navigate this newfound connection without overstepping boundaries.
But as they both glanced toward Hana, her laughter ringing like music in the air, they realized that they were all navigating uncharted waters together. The bonds they were forming were complex yet beautiful, and it was clear that whatever happened next would shape their lives in ways they couldn't yet imagine.
