Kiss & Make Up | Lee Jeno

18.

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With her pulse hammering, Areum silently led Jeno down the hallway toward her station, trying to keep her breathing steady.

The buzz of the salon faded slightly as they stepped away from the front, and she was aware of Jeno's presence just behind her. She still couldn't believe he was here.

Stopping by her station, she motioned for him to take a seat. She cleared her throat, forcing a smile as she looked at him. "So... what brings you in today?"

Jeno sat down and leaned back casually, a playful glint in his eye. "I figured it was the only way to get a response from you. Thought if I showed up in person, you'd have to talk to me."

Areum felt her cheeks heat up as she let out an embarrassed laugh. "I—I was going to respond! I just..." She trailed off, searching for an excuse, but he watched her, clearly amused by her struggle.

Jeno smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah? You left me on seen for four days, Areum. I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

Her cheeks grew warmer. "I wasn't avoiding you, I just... I didn't know what to say."

"But you seemed to manage just fine when you're talking to Jaemin," he said, his tone softening slightly, though his gaze held hers. "I heard you two talking for a while, yesterday."

Areum fumbled for a response, nervously looking around the room to avoid his gaze. "Jaemin's just... I don't know, easier to talk to, I guess? I don't feel as nervous around him."

Jeno raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter with a smirk. "Oh, really? So it's just me that makes you nervous?"

She opened her mouth to deny it, but the words didn't come out. Instead, her silence seemed to confirm his suspicion, and a small smile crept onto his face.

"Well," he continued, tilting his head as he watched her squirm, "guess I'll just have to work on that, won't I?"

Areum felt her face flush even more, unable to hide her shy smile. "What? Huh? No, it's okay."

Jeno's eyes sparkled with amusement. "It's not okay. Can't have you avoiding me every time you don't know what to say." He paused, his gaze softening. "You know, you're really good at making things more complicated for yourself."

Areum tried to laugh it off, but she could tell he was waiting for something more. She fidgeted, grabbing the side of her clothes as she looked anywhere but his eyes.

"So... about that lock screen." Jeno's tone was light, but his eyes held an undeniable curiosity. "You never explained why I'm on there. Just really like that photo, huh?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she let out a small, nervous laugh. "Uh... yeah. About that." She hesitated, feeling her pulse race.

Jeno raised an eyebrow, watching her intently. "Go on."

Areum took a breath, deciding to rip the Band-Aid off. "Fine. I'm a fan, okay? I'm a really big fan of you and the rest of nct...And that lock screen was just... a fan thing."

His expression softened, a grin breaking across his face. "So you're telling me," he began, clearly savoring the moment, "that all this time, I was your bias?"

Areum rolled her eyes, flustered. "Don't make it weird! I was trying to keep it lowkey. You weren't even supposed to find out!

Jeno laughed, leaning a bit closer. "Trust me, I'm not complaining. Just wish you'd told me sooner." He paused, smiling warmly. "Guess that makes you my number one fan, huh?"

Areum laughed, glancing down to hide her embarrassment. "I don't know about number one fan, but whatever floats your boat."

Jeno nudged her arm playfully. "Fan or not, maybe it's time to switch up that lock screen."

"Yeah, I'll do that." She immediately unlocked her phone, ready to change it. "Sorry, I'll take you off of it."

But Jeno reached out, gently catching her hand and stopping her mid motion. "Hey, who said anything about taking me off your lock screen?"

She shot him a puzzled look. "You just told me to change it."

He chuckled, leaning in with a mock serious expression. "I meant change it to something more recent, not erase me entirely. That's a super old photo." He adjusted his posture, giving her a teasing, confident grin. "Come on, you can take a picture of me right now. I think I'm looking pretty decent."

Areum shook her head, laughing. "You know, you're a lot more chatty than I thought you'd be."

Jeno raised an eyebrow, his smile playful. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"I don't know." She shrugged, smiling back at him. "I mean, I'm still processing that I'm actually talking to you... or that I have your number... or that you're right here in front of me. I don't know if meeting you is a good or bad thing."

Jeno chuckled, watching her with a wide smile and amusement in his eyes. "Careful. Your fan side is showing, love."

Areum gasped, immediately covering her mouth. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—" She lowered her head, embarrassed, trying to hide her flushed cheeks.

He laughed, his gaze both warm and teasing. "Hey, don't apologize. I was kidding, plus, I think it's cute, actually."

She felt her cheeks warm even more, her heart picking up speed. "Okay, don't do that," she said, hiding a small smile. "I just... I didn't want to make things weird. I know you probably don't want fans freaking out around you all the time."

"Maybe," he admitted with a soft chuckle, "but you're a different case."

Areum rolled her eyes, trying to hide her flustered smile. "Stop that."

He raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Stop what?"

"You find out I'm a fan, and suddenly you're all smooth and flirty," she accused, folding her arms. "Well, actually, you've been flirty since I met you."

Jeno tilted his head, his smile widening. "Is it working?"

Areum scoffed, though she couldn't stop her own grin. "No." she lied, failing miserably at sounding convincing.

Jeno got up and stepped closer, leaning in just slightly. "Not even a little?"

She met his gaze, her resolve faltering under the weight of his soft, playful expression. "Okay, maybe just a little. Sit back down."

He smirked, clearly satisfied. "Good to know I still have some effect," he teased, before following her instructions and sitting back down.

Areum rolled her eyes again, unable to shake her smile. "You're seriously something else."

"Are you planning on talking more," he teased, with a smirk, "or are you actually going to take my picture?"

"Oh, right..."

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😌😌😌

Jeno my man, rizz me up next🫦🫦
BUT AHHHHH okay guys. I have a feeling this story is gonna be long as heck.
We're almost 20 chapters in and she's still shy.

I'm gonna try and slowly have Areum's nerves calm down and have jeno and her actually enter their cute friendship stage and where she can properly meet the rest of the neos😊

I have a bunch of ideas in mind, so lmk what you want to see!