Ditto. | Sim Jaeyun

★ ━ 01

The bell rang, echoing through the empty hallway. I glanced at my phone: 3:05 PM. School was over, but here I was, waiting outside Jake's classroom, leaning against the wall, scrolling through my messages. My friends left ages ago, but I didn't mind staying. Not when it was for him.

A familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Hey," Jake said, standing in the doorway, his hair a little messy and his eyes slightly tired but somehow still bright. When he saw me, he smiled, and suddenly, waiting around felt like the best decision I'd made all day. That was just... the Jake effect. One smile from him could turn the worst day into the best.

"Hey, Jake," I replied, returning his smile as butterflies took off in my stomach.

He walked over, his face shifting to a more serious look. "Sorry for making you wait, Nari. The physics teacher decided to ramble on for another five minutes. I didn't keep you too long, right?" He looked genuinely worried, which only made my heart pound harder.

I laughed a little, shaking my head, and he chuckled too. "No, it's fine," I said, but my voice was softer than I intended.

Without warning, he reached for my backpack, lifting it right off my shoulders before I even had a chance to protest. "Let me take that."

I blinked, reaching out to take it back. "No, it's fine, Jake, really."

He grinned, holding it out of reach. "I know, but I don't want my best friend carrying all that weight."

Best friend. The words stung just a little, but I forced a smile and followed him down the hallway.

We walked towards the exit in a comfortable silence. I could have stayed like that for hours, just the two of us side by side, not needing to say anything.

As we stepped outside, Jake glanced up at the sky, which had grown darker, clouds swirling in that way they do right before a heavy rain.

"Wanna go grab some tteokbokki?" he asked, nudging my arm with that playful grin of his. "I'm starving."

"You're always starving," I teased, rolling my eyes.

We made our way to the little street stand near school, the one we'd been going to forever. The ajumma who owned the stand smiled when she saw us. "Ah, you two again! Young love, so cute," she said with a chuckle.

I felt my face go red instantly. "We're just friends," I mumbled, my voice so quiet I almost hoped Jake hadn't heard.

The ajumma just smiled wider. "My husband and I started out as friends too," she said with a wink, then walked away to take another customer's order. I glanced at Jake, who was laughing softly, totally unfazed.

I tried to focus on my food, but now I felt twice as nervous. Jake seemed relaxed, though, even enjoying the awkwardness.

Suddenly, he looked up, his eyes sparkling. "So, would you marry me, Cho Nari?" he asked, deadpan, like he was completely serious.

I choked on my food, and he quickly crouched down in front of me, his hand gently on my shoulder, laughing. His puppy-dog eyes locked with mine, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

"Are you okay?" he asked, holding out a cup of water, looking at me like I was the only person in the world.

I nodded, still catching my breath, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I... yeah, I'm fine."

He grinned, that playful look still in his eyes. "Didn't mean to scare you. It was just a joke, Nari."

I forced a smile, but inside I couldn't shake the feeling. I wish he'd been serious.

★!

After we finished eating, we stepped outside, and right on cue, the rain started. At first, it was just a few drops, but then it was like the sky opened up, pouring down on us. I was already soaked in seconds, my clothes sticking to me, and I shivered a little from the cold.

Then I felt his hand slip into mine. His fingers, warm and steady, laced with mine, and I looked up at him in surprise.

He smiled, a bit mischievous. "Ready?" he asked.

"For what?"

"For this," he said, and before I could ask, he started running, pulling me along through the rain.

We ran, laughing like complete idiots, splashing through puddles as the rain kept pouring. I could barely see through the downpour, but it didn't matter. All I could hear was Jake's laughter blending with mine, his hand still holding mine like he'd never let go.

People gave us weird looks as we dashed past, but I didn't care. For once, it felt like it was just the two of us, like we'd escaped the rest of the world.

★!

By the time we reached my house, we were both drenched, but neither of us could stop smiling. He slipped off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, even though it was already soaked.

"Take a hot shower and drink something warm, okay? I don't want you getting sick," he said, brushing a wet strand of hair off my face.

"You too, Jakey," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady even as my heart raced at the nickname. He smiled when I said it, and something in his eyes softened.

He leaned in, planting a soft kiss on my forehead, his lips warm against my skin despite the rain. "Goodbye, cutie," he said, like it was nothing, like he hadn't just made my entire year.

I stood there, frozen, feeling my cheeks burn as he turned and walked away, waving over his shoulder.

All I could do was watch him, too stunned to speak, my mind replaying that tiny, innocent moment again and again.

"Goodbye, Jake," I finally managed to whisper, even though he was already halfway down the street.

As I watched him disappear into the rain, a single thought crossed my mind.

Yep. I'm totally in love with him.

★━!

STREAM NO DOUBT AND DAYDREAM BY ENHYPEN Y'ALL!!