Home With You ⸺ y.jw

O13.⠀Little Things

Over the next week, Yoorin found herself paying attention to the little things Jungwon did. It wasn't intentional—at least, she told herself it wasn't—but she couldn't help it. She noticed how he always made sure there was an extra blanket on the couch for her when she fell asleep studying. How he quietly placed a snack on her desk when she was swamped with assignments. How he made sure to leave space in their tiny fridge for the milk she liked, even though he didn't drink it.

They didn't talk about these small gestures, but they didn't have to. It was becoming part of their routine.

One Friday afternoon, Yoorin was walking back to their apartment after a long day of classes, her mind drifting to the weekend ahead. She had planned to catch up on studying, but the thought of being cooped up in the apartment all weekend didn't seem so appealing. As she reached their door and pulled out her keys, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Yoorin!"

She turned to see Sooyun jogging up to her, a bright smile on her face. "Hey, you're not doing anything important this weekend, are you?" Sooyun asked, slightly out of breath.

Yoorin raised an eyebrow, knowing where this was going. "Why? What do you have planned?"

"There's this music festival on campus tomorrow! You have to come. It's going to be amazing! Live performances, food stalls, and we need a break from studying. Please say you'll go," Sooyun begged, clasping her hands together dramatically.

Yoorin hesitated. Part of her was tempted to say no—she wasn't exactly in the mood for crowds and noise. But then again, it did sound fun, and she could use a change of pace. Plus, Sooyun looked so excited.

"Okay, fine," Yoorin relented with a sigh. "I'll go."

"Yes! You won't regret it, I promise," Sooyun grinned, practically bouncing on her feet. "And hey, maybe you can bring your roommate with you." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Yoorin rolled her eyes. "It's not like that," she mumbled, trying to ignore the slight flutter in her chest.

Sooyun gave her a knowing smile but didn't push further. "I'll text you the details. See you tomorrow!"

With that, Sooyun waved goodbye and hurried off, leaving Yoorin standing by the door, her thoughts swirling.

✦

The next day, Yoorin found herself standing in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and debating what to wear. The music festival wasn't a big deal, but for some reason, she felt a little more nervous than usual. She had texted Jungwon earlier, casually asking if he wanted to go with her and Sooyun, but he hadn't replied yet.

"Maybe he's busy," she muttered to herself, smoothing out her outfit.

Just as she was about to head out, her phone buzzed with a message.

Jungwon: I'll go. Meet you there?

Yoorin's heart did a little flip as she read the text. She wasn't sure why she cared so much about his answer, but knowing he'd be there made her feel... lighter.

✦

The festival was in full swing by the time Yoorin arrived. The sound of live music filled the air, and the smell of street food wafted through the crowd. She spotted Sooyun near the entrance, waving her arms excitedly.

"Yoorin! Over here!"

Yoorin made her way through the throngs of students and joined Sooyun, who was already holding a cup of bubble tea. "This place is awesome," Sooyun said, gesturing to the various booths and performances scattered across the courtyard. "We need to try everything."

Yoorin smiled, her nerves easing as they wandered through the festival, stopping at different stalls to look at handmade crafts and taste various snacks. It was fun, and the lively atmosphere made it easy to relax.

A few minutes later, Yoorin felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Jungwon, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, his usual confident smirk in place.

"You made it," Yoorin said, smiling despite herself.

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it," Jungwon replied, his eyes scanning the crowd. "This place is pretty cool."

Sooyun immediately jumped in, looping her arm through Yoorin's. "Perfect timing, Jungwon. We were just about to get something to eat. Join us?"

Jungwon shrugged, falling into step beside them. "Sure. Lead the way."

As they made their way through the food stalls, Yoorin couldn't help but notice how comfortable it felt to have Jungwon there with them. He joked around with Sooyun, teased Yoorin in his usual way, and somehow managed to make everything feel... easy.

At one point, they found themselves sitting on the grass, listening to a band perform a slow, acoustic set. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the festival, and for a brief moment, Yoorin felt a sense of peace wash over her.

Jungwon nudged her gently with his elbow. "You're awfully quiet. Everything okay?"

Yoorin looked at him, startled by the softness in his voice. "Yeah," she said, offering a small smile. "Just... enjoying the moment."

Jungwon nodded, his cat-like eyes gleaming in the fading light. "Me too."

And for the first time in a long time, Yoorin realized she was truly content—not just with the festival, or with Sooyun, but with the little moments she shared with Jungwon.