Mischief Managed (Stray Kids Oneshots)

The Sound of Your Voice | Yang Jeongin

The café was a cozy little spot tucked away from the bustling streets, its warm glow inviting patrons to escape the chill of the evening. Jeongin sat at a corner table, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of him, the sweet aroma mingling with the scent of freshly baked pastries.

He glanced at his phone for the umpteenth time, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling in his chest. Deji was supposed to meet him here any minute, and he couldn't shake off the flutter of anticipation at the thought of spending time together. They had been friends for a while, but recently, their conversations felt different—more electric, charged with an unspoken connection.

Just as he took another sip of his drink, the bell above the café door chimed, and Deji walked in, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She spotted him almost immediately, her face breaking into a bright smile that sent warmth flooding through Jeongin.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, making her way over. "Sorry I'm late! I got caught in the rain."

"No worries! I'm just glad you're here," he replied, gesturing for her to sit down. "How was your day?"

"Pretty good! Just finished a few projects for school," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "But now that I'm here, I can finally relax!"

"Good! You deserve a break," Jeongin said, his heart swelling at her energy. "I got you a hot chocolate too! I figured you might want one after being out in the rain."

Deji's face lit up. "You're the best! Thank you!"

As she took a sip, her expression turned blissful. "This is amazing! I love it."

They settled into easy conversation, sharing stories and laughter as the café hummed around them. Jeongin cherished these moments—the way her laughter filled the space, how her eyes sparkled when she spoke passionately about her interests.

"Have you thought about what you want to do after graduation?" he asked, curious.

Deji pondered for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the window. "Honestly, I'm still figuring it out. I love art, but I also enjoy writing. Maybe something that combines both?"

"That sounds perfect for you! You have such a creative mind," Jeongin encouraged, feeling a sense of pride for her ambitions.

"Thanks! I hope so," she replied, her voice softening. "What about you? Any plans beyond music?"

Jeongin hesitated, his mind racing. He had always dreamed of being a singer, but as he looked into Deji's eyes, he felt a desire to share more than just his ambitions. "I want to keep making music, of course. But I also want to explore new avenues, like songwriting or even producing someday."

"That would be amazing! I can totally see you doing that," she said, her eyes shining with belief.

The conversation flowed seamlessly, but Jeongin couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted to express something deeper. The café buzzed with laughter and chatter, but for him, it felt like they were in their own world.

As they finished their drinks, Jeongin took a deep breath, summoning the courage he needed. "Deji, there's something I've been wanting to tell you..."

"What is it?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I..." he began, his heart racing. "I really enjoy spending time with you. Like, more than just friends."

Deji's expression shifted, surprise flickering across her features. "Oh..."

"I know we're close, but I think I might like you as more than a friend," he continued, vulnerability lacing his voice. "It's just that whenever we're together, I feel really happy, and I can't help but wish for more."

Silence hung between them for a moment, and Jeongin's heart pounded in his chest, anxiety creeping in. What if he had misread everything?

"I feel the same way," Deji finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

His heart soared, relief washing over him like a wave. "Really?"

"Yes! I've been trying to figure out how to tell you," she admitted, her cheeks flushing with color. "I didn't know if you felt the same, but I've really enjoyed our time together too."

Jeongin couldn't help but grin, the tension dissipating into laughter. "So, what does this mean for us?"

"Maybe we could go on a proper date?" Deji suggested, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"Definitely! I'd love that," he replied, his heart racing with excitement.

As they exchanged shy smiles, Jeongin felt like the world around them had faded away. In that cozy café, surrounded by laughter and warmth, he realized that he had found something beautiful—a connection that went beyond friendship, rooted in understanding and shared dreams.

"Thank you for being you, Deji," he said softly, his voice full of sincerity.

"And thank you for being you," she replied, her gaze steady. "I can't wait to see where this takes us."

With hearts full of hope and anticipation, they left the café together, stepping into the cool night air. As they walked side by side, Jeongin felt a sense of certainty wash over him. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew they would face them together, side by side, just as they always had.