BLOSSOMS IN THE SPOLIGHT | HEESEUNG

2: Settling In

Jia woke up to the unfamiliar sounds of the city outside her window—car horns, distant chatter, and the hum of Seoul's early morning rush. She stretched and sat up, feeling the excitement and nerves of a new day. Today marked her first official day in her new life, and she was determined to make the most of it.

She slipped out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, eager to explore the dorm when no one else was around. The place felt even larger in the quiet of the morning, and Jia marveled at the modern decor and the luxurious amenities the boys had access to. The kitchen alone looked like it belonged in a five-star restaurant, with its sleek countertops and state-of-the-art appliances.

As she rummaged through the fridge for something to eat, she felt a presence behind her.

"Up early, huh?"

Jia jumped and turned to see Heeseung leaning casually against the doorway. His hair was tousled, and he wore a simple black T-shirt and sweatpants, looking effortlessly handsome. It was clear he had just woken up, but somehow, he still managed to look like he'd stepped out of a photoshoot.

"Oh, you scared me," she said, trying to steady her voice. "I didn't think anyone else was up."

Heeseung chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm always up early. It's one of the few times I get to relax before the chaos starts."

Jia nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious. She had only been here for one night, and already she was alone with Heeseung. "I was just, um, looking for some breakfast."

Heeseung pushed off the wall and walked over, his movements smooth and relaxed. "Let me guess—Jake didn't tell you we barely keep food in this place?"

Jia frowned. "Really?"

"Yeah, we usually get stuff delivered or eat out. Schedules are too packed to cook much." Heeseung opened a cabinet and pulled out a box of instant ramen. "This is about as gourmet as it gets around here."

Jia couldn't help but laugh. "So much for idol luxury."

Heeseung grinned, pleased to have made her laugh. "We make this." He handed her a packet of ramen. "But if you're hungry, I can make you a bowl. I'm a pro at this."

She hesitated. She knew she should keep her distance, but the sight of his playful smile made it hard to refuse. "Okay, just this once."

"Good choice." Heeseung moved around the kitchen with ease, and Jia watched as he prepared the ramen. It felt strangely domestic, and she couldn't help but notice how comfortable he seemed, as if they'd done this a hundred times before.

"So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, glancing at her as the water boiled.

"Well, I was planning to explore the city a bit," Jia replied. "I need to get a feel for the area and start looking for flower shops. I want to see how they're run here."

Heeseung raised an eyebrow. "Still serious about the whole florist thing, huh?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Jia asked, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "It's my passion."

Heeseung held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I didn't mean anything by it. I think it's cool. Not everyone has the guts to follow their passion."

Jia relaxed, feeling a little embarrassed for snapping. "Sorry, I guess I'm just a bit on edge."

Heeseung waved it off. "No worries. You've got a lot on your plate, moving to a new city and all." He paused for a moment, as if contemplating something. "If you need a tour guide, I know Seoul like the back of my hand."