ATEEZ imagines

C.S | I knew You in another Life

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Choi San had always been known for his charm. His looks were striking—dark eyes framed by soft, straight hair and a smile that could light up a room. But what made him stand out even more was his kindness. San wasn't the best in school; his grades were average at best. But he made up for it with a good heart. He was the type of guy who would go out of his way to help anyone. Whether it was giving advice to a friend dealing with relationship problems or helping an elderly woman carry her groceries, San's presence brought warmth wherever he went.

It was his senior year of high school when everything changed. San had always found school boring, an endless cycle of classes and tests that felt meaningless. But that year, a new girl transferred into his class. Yoon Y/N. The moment she walked into the classroom, San felt an unexplainable pull towards her. She wasn't just pretty—there was something about her that captured his attention in a way no one else ever had.

Y/N sat by the window, on the opposite side of the room from San, and every day he would catch himself staring at her as the sunlight streamed through the glass, highlighting her features in a way that made her seem almost ethereal. Her soft hair caught the light, and her eyes, though often focused on her work or the view outside, seemed like they held a universe of thoughts and dreams. It wasn't just her looks, though. It was her presence—quiet but strong, introverted but undeniably captivating.

San admired her from a distance. He wasn't the type to easily fall for someone, but there was something about Y/N that made his heart race every time she walked into the room. He wondered what kind of person she was when she wasn't sitting quietly by the window. Did she have a loud laugh? What kind of music did she listen to? What were her dreams, her fears?

Though they had never spoken, San felt drawn to her. But what he didn't know was that Y/N didn't feel the same way. In fact, Y/N wasn't particularly fond of San. It wasn't that she disliked him personally—he just made her uncomfortable for reasons she couldn't quite explain. They had similar personalities, both introverted but capable of being outgoing when needed. And yet, she found herself avoiding him whenever possible.

Y/N had made friends quickly after transferring, despite being on the quieter side. She had her small group of close-knit friends, and she was content with that. There were a few guys who admired her from afar, but she never entertained any of their advances. She kept them at a distance, focusing instead on the few friendships that mattered to her.

One of those friends was Jeong Yunho. Yunho sat behind Y/N in class, and their bond went back much further than just high school. Their families had been close when they were younger, and though they had lost touch for a while, fate brought them back together when Y/N and her parents moved into Yunho's neighborhood. Their friendship was easy, comfortable, the kind that didn't require much effort because of the years they had known each other. Yunho was her safe space, someone who knew her well enough that she didn't have to explain herself.

What Y/N didn't realize at first was that Yunho was also one of San's best friends. They had been close for years, sharing everything from secrets to late-night talks about their dreams. San trusted Yunho more than anyone, and their friendship was built on a solid foundation of loyalty and understanding.

Yunho's birthday came around on March 23, and to celebrate, he held a small party at his parents' restaurant. Hotpot was on the menu, a cozy, warm meal perfect for the early spring weather. Yunho invited his closest friends, including Y/N, San, and a few others from their class. It was a small gathering, intimate, but Y/N couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. She was one of only three girls there, and aside from Yunho, she didn't know anyone very well. She sat quietly at the corner of the table, picking at her food while the others chatted animatedly around her.