'I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you.'
Coming from a wealthy family was never the major flex in her life. To others, she might come off as a rich spoilt brat but the reality was far from what they perceived her to be.
In a world...
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The walk back from the rooftop dinner was serene, a soft calmness settling between Miyeon and Jeonghan. The night air was cool, and the moonlight streamed through the wide corridor windows, bathing the hall in a silvery glow that made their skin glimmer softly.
Their steps fell in sync, and though their hands brushed occasionally, they didn't fully connect, both seeming content with the quiet closeness they shared.
"Thank you for tonight, Jeonghan," Miyeon finally broke the silence, her voice soft but sincere. She glanced at him, her heart lighter than it had been in a while, the shadows of her earlier nightmares now distant memories thanks to the boy walking beside her.
Jeonghan gave her a small, warm smile, the kind that could melt the coldest night. "I told you," he said, his voice gentle and comforting, "you don't need to thank me. If you need me, I'll be there and moreover I still have gentleman points to earn.", he laughed at the end.
Miyeon's cheeks warmed slightly, and she was grateful for the dim lighting, which hid the light flush spreading across her skin. His words lingered in the air, making her feel seen, cared for, and a little flustered while also that he still remembered the time and words spoken during the time the two met when it rained.
'Why is my heart beating like this? Moreover, why the fuck am I blushing? Is this... love... NO. Stop it, Miyeon.', she shook her head focusing back on the boy next to her.
"You just exceeded the meter to weigh your gentlemanly behavior.", she smiled teasingly, a small blush still coating her cheeks.
"That's good then.", he smiled back, eyes on her.
As they approached the infirmary door, the soft glow of the orange light inside contrasted with the cool moonlight. Jeonghan turned to her, waiting as if sensing she had something else to say. Miyeon studied his face, noting the slight tension behind his gentle smile, the subtle weight in his expression.
"What is it that you're not saying, Jeonghan?" she asked quietly, her eyes searching his for the truth. "You've been holding something back all evening, haven't you?"
Jeonghan's brows knitted together in surprise, but he quickly schooled his expression. He hadn't expected her to notice, or at least he hoped she wouldn't. He sighed, struggling internally.
How could he tell her what they'd seen on the CCTV footage? How could he burden her with more pain when she was already carrying so much?
But he wasn't ready to share that yet. So, instead, he plastered on a smile and shrugged casually, forcing the tension in his shoulders to ease. "It's nothing. Just a bit tense about the upcoming match," he lied smoothly, though even he wasn't sure if his voice sounded as convincing as he hoped.
Miyeon narrowed her eyes slightly, unimpressed. She had seen that look too many times in her own reflection not to recognize when someone was deflecting. "Really?" she asked, her voice full of doubt.
"Yeah," he said with a nonchalant smile, but he could feel her piercing gaze studying him. He could sense her skepticism, but he kept his guard up. The last thing he wanted was for her to worry about something she didn't need to know just yet.
After a few moments, Miyeon sighed and let it go. She knew when to stop pushing, understanding that pressuring him might only push him further away. "Okay," she said simply, then shrugged out of the teal jacket he had given her earlier.
"Here," she said, offering it back, "Thank you for this."
"Keep it."
"It's yours, I can't keep it," Miyeon insisted, shaking her head as she tried to push the teal jacket back into Jeonghan's hands. He smartly sidestepped her, a playful glint in his eyes, clearly enjoying her growing frustration.
"I said, keep it," he repeated, his voice laced with amusement as he moved to the left, dodging her outstretched hands. Miyeon, determined to return the jacket, switched directions, attempting to corner him. Jeonghan, however, was too quick, slipping to the side once more with a smirk tugging at his lips.
After several futile tries, Miyeon huffed in frustration, glaring at him while he continued to watch her with an almost smug satisfaction. "Why are you so insistent on giving me your clothes? First during that rainy day, now this," she grumbled, crossing her arms with an exasperated sigh, "What's next, a sweatshirt?"
Her sarcasm only made Jeonghan chuckle, his laugh warm and teasing. "Well, maybe if you didn't look so good in them, I wouldn't feel the need to give you more," he said with a playful shrug, his eyes twinkling as he spoke.
Miyeon's breath caught in her throat, the casual compliment sending an unexpected warmth to her cheeks. She quickly turned her face away, trying to mask her embarrassment as she awkwardly slipped the jacket back on. Its warmth enveloped her again, carrying his familiar scent, comforting yet disarming.
"You're impossible," she muttered under her breath, still flustered, while Jeonghan simply grinned.
'He's just teasing,' she told herself, 'don't overthink it.'
Silence fell between them once more, this time charged with something unspoken. Jeonghan cleared his throat awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well-uh... I should let you get some rest. Goodnight, Miyeon."
He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, he felt a soft, cool hand on his, stopping him in his tracks. He looked down at their connected hands, and then up at her face. Her expression was gentle, her eyes filled with something he couldn't quite place-concern, warmth, and something deeper.
"Jeonghan," she said softly, her voice so quiet it was almost lost in the night. "Sometimes... sometimes you should follow your own advice. Let people in. Let someone listen to you for once."
Her words, simple as they were, struck something deep within him. He had been so focused on comforting her, on being there for her, that he hadn't realized how much he had been keeping to himself. The guilt of withholding the CCTV footage and the burden of his own thoughts weighed heavily on him, but he knew now wasn't the time to share it.
Still, her words touched him. He gave her a small, grateful smile and nodded. "I will," he promised softly, squeezing her hand gently before letting go. "Goodnight, Miyeon."
"Goodnight, Jeonghan," she whispered, watching him walk away, the warmth of his hand lingering in hers long after he disappeared down the corridor.
As she slipped into the infirmary, she couldn't help but smile softly to herself, the weight of the night's earlier pain lighter on her heart and her mind overtaken by thoughts of a certain someone who's jacket she had taken comfort in, pulling it closer.
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A rather short but nevertheless complimentary chapter. (I'm calling this chapter short as if it wasn't my normal length before lol)
Alexa play Labyrinth by Taylor swift because they're definitely IN love.
IF I ever write a book for Wonwoo and Nari will any of you read it?
