Hearts in Harmony || Keesoul

Poutine anyone?

Chapter 18: Poutine anyone?

As they strolled through the lively streets, Soul felt a wave of contentment wash over him. The air was crisp, and the gentle sound of laughter from passing students filled the atmosphere. He glanced sideways at Keeho, who was animatedly chatting about the latest trends in music.

"...and then I was like, 'Dude, that beat is fire!'" Keeho exclaimed, his enthusiasm radiating off him.

Soul couldn't help but smile. "You really have a way with words, Keeho."

Keeho flashed a grin, clearly enjoying the compliment. "What can I say? I'm a lyrical genius!" He paused, then added playfully, "And also, I'm fluent in English. How cool is that?"

"Fluent, huh? So, say something in English!" Soul challenged, intrigued.

Keeho smirked, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Alright, let's see... How about this: 'You are cute, Soul!'" He punctuated it with a wink.

Soul's cheeks flushed, and he laughed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and happiness. "That's not fair! You're just trying to flatter me."

Keeho chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. "Well, it's working! Besides, you know I only speak the truth."

As they walked, the conversation flowed easily, with Keeho sharing funny anecdotes from his life while Soul felt increasingly at ease. They wandered into a small park, the vibrant leaves swirling in the autumn breeze.

"Do you like Canada?" Soul asked casually, curious about Keeho's background.

Keeho paused, glancing around as if considering his words. "Yeah, I do! I mean, it's beautiful, and the food is amazing. Poutine, anyone?" He laughed, but then his expression softened. "But I guess I also wanted to experience something different, you know? Korea is just... different."

Soul nodded, intrigued. "What made you move here?"

Keeho looked thoughtful for a moment, his gaze drifting to the ground. "I wanted to pursue my dreams in music, and Korea just felt like the right place for that. Plus, I wanted to experience the culture—make friends like you!"

Soul felt a rush of warmth at Keeho's words. "I'm glad you came here. I mean, it's nice having you around."

Keeho turned to him, an earnest look in his eyes. "Really? That means a lot, Soul. I've met a lot of cool people since I got here, but you... you're special."

Soul felt his heart race, unsure of how to respond. "I-I'm just me," he stammered, feeling bashful under Keeho's gaze.

"Exactly! You're uniquely you, and I like that," Keeho replied, his voice playful yet sincere.

Just then, they spotted a group of students nearby, laughing and chatting animatedly. One of them waved at Keeho, and he waved back with an enthusiastic grin. "Hey, that's my buddy, Intak!" he said, pointing.

As they approached, Intak noticed Soul beside Keeho. "Hey, Keeho! And Soul! What's up?"

"We were just exploring!" Keeho replied, his energy contagious.

Jiung came up behind Intak, a curious look on his face. "Are you two having a moment? Should we come back later?"

Keeho laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, we're just bonding over my Canadian charm."

Soul couldn't help but join in the laughter, feeling lighter in the company of friends. "I guess that makes you a 'Maple Leaf Prince' now, right?" Soul teased, and Keeho feigned offense.

"Prince? I was aiming for 'King!'" he shot back, laughing.

The banter continued as they spent the afternoon together, Keeho's sassiness and humor brightening the mood. Soul found himself enjoying the lightheartedness, grateful for the friendships he was forming.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the park, Keeho leaned closer to Soul, their shoulders brushing again. "So, are you ready for our epic dance battle tomorrow?"

"Only if you promise to show off your English skills!" Soul replied with a playful grin.

"Deal! But you have to promise to let your 'weirdness' shine, too," Keeho countered, his tone teasing.

Soul nodded, feeling a rush of excitement. "I will! I promise!"

As they said their goodbyes to Intak and Jiung, Soul couldn't shake the feeling of warmth and connection growing between him and Keeho. The more they shared, the more he realized just how special their bond was becoming.

Walking back home, Soul felt grateful for this new chapter in his life. It wasn't just about fitting in; it was about finding people who celebrated his uniqueness. With Keeho by his side, he felt like he could truly be himself.

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I'm actually Canadian so this chapter was fun to make 😭😭