s.jaeyun || falling for the starboy.

21 | i love you forever

as i stepped through the glass doors of belift headquarters, i couldn't help but feel a strange mix of nerves and curiosity.

the staff... they weren't cold or indifferent like i imagined they might be. in fact, some smiled at me.

was this normal? had things changed that much since jake had his conversation with the managers of hybe?

jake walked beside me, hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward with confidence. but my mind couldn't shake off the confusion.

"jake, what is this?" i asked, trying to piece together everything.

he looked over, his eyes softening with that familiar grin. "what do you mean?"

"this... all of this," i gestured around us, the shiny floors reflecting the overhead lights, the sleek hallways we passed through.

"why are you suddenly doing this? i thought we were supposed to be laying low... now you're driving me from school, taking me here. it just doesn't feel like we're being discreet anymore. i'm really confused."

he chuckled softly but didn't break his stride, his hand squeezing mine reassuringly.

"i told you... i'm serious about you. you're a part of my life now, harin. i don't want to keep you hidden anymore."

his voice was steady, sincere, and it made my heart swell. was it even possible to argue with him when he looked at me like that?

before i could press further, he stopped and pointed to one of the rooms we were passing.

"this is one of our practice rooms."

he gave me a short tour as we moved through the hallways, casually pointing out rooms where the members trained, where they hung out between schedules.

i could hear muffled laughter and music coming from behind closed doors, but everything still felt surreal.

"and over here is where we review our choreography. sometimes it takes hours to get everything just right."

i nodded along, my mind still replaying his words.

serious about me.

his sudden shift from keeping things low-key to being so open-it was overwhelming, but also strangely comforting. i didn't know what to say, but jake's calm demeanor helped ease the tension in my chest.

we turned a corner, and suddenly, the six other members of enhypen came into view. they were all standing by one of the rooms, clearly taken by surprise as they saw me walking beside jake.

wow, i never imagined meeting them in person-not like this. they are even taller in person. it feels surreal to meet them.

it was jake who broke the silence, grinning wide as he pulled me closer.

"guys, this is my girlfriend."

his arm snaked around my shoulder, and i felt my face heat up instantly. his confidence in introducing me, his playful tone-it was all so... surreal.

girlfriend.

he said it so casually, yet it held so much weight for me.

"oh, is this...?" heeseung asked, blinking between jake and me.

"yeah," jake grinned even wider, clearly proud. "my smart, beautiful girlfriend."

he ruffled my hair affectionately, which only made me more shy. i glanced down at my feet, feeling the teasing smiles of the other members.

they laughed awkwardly, trying to break the ice. it was clear they weren't used to seeing jake like this. especially after the fight they had before. they must be still getting used to this.