Whispers of Destiny

Chapter 16: Confusion and Hidden Feelings

Dahyun sat at a small corner table in the cozy café, the air filled with the rich aroma of coffee. Kotone and Yooyeon sat across from him, both chatting casually, but Dahyun's mind was elsewhere. His thoughts kept drifting back to Kaede, to the feelings he was finally ready to confess. He had been thinking about it for weeks, but each time he looked at Kaede, doubt crept in.

"I think you should just go for it, Dahyun," Kotone said, his tone light as he sipped his coffee.

"You've been thinking about this for a while now. It's time to stop hesitating."

Yooyeon leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, eyes flicking over Dahyun with a knowing look. "Yeah, don't hold back. I think Kaede's a solid person, and you've got a good shot."

Dahyun nodded, though the pit in his stomach tightened.

"But what if... she doesn't feel the same way?" he murmured, the doubt still lingering in his mind.

Kotone shrugged casually. "Don't overthink it. Just say it. You'll regret it more if you keep holding back."

Yooyeon smirked. "Yeah, you've got nothing to lose. Besides, if you never try, you'll never know."

Dahyun let out a deep breath, nodding slowly. He was about to speak again when the café door opened. A group of juniors from the same college entered, chatting and laughing.

Dahyun's attention immediately snapped to one of the girls in the group. She had a bright, bubbly energy, and something about her caught his eye. He couldn't look away.

Yooyeon noticed immediately and chuckled. "Oh no, here we go," he said with a teasing grin.

Kotone joined in, raising an eyebrow. "You and your attraction to cute girls. It's a pattern with you, Dahyun."

Dahyun felt a flush creep up his neck, his embarrassment obvious.

"It's not like that," he muttered, though the girl's smile was enough to make his heart skip a beat.

Yooyeon laughed. "Tell that to your face, . You're totally distracted now."

Dahyun shook his head, trying to focus, but the girl kept catching his attention. He couldn't help but glance over at her again, though he tried to hide his fascination.

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The next day, Yooyeon and Mayu sat together at a small restaurant near campus. The two of them had been friends for a while, and today they decided to grab a meal together. It was a peaceful afternoon, and their conversation flowed easily.

"So, Mayu," Yooyeon began, his tone casual but his gaze a bit intense, "do you have a crush on anyone?"

Mayu blinked in surprise, a little taken aback by the directness of the question.

"I... well, I guess I do," she said, a slight blush coloring her cheeks as she looked away.

Yooyeon's heart skipped a beat, a wave of jealousy hitting him unexpectedly. "Who is it?" he asked, his voice a little more serious now.

Mayu laughed lightly, clearly enjoying his reaction. "I'm not telling you," she teased, poking at her food.

"It's a secret for now."

Yooyeon's expression softened, but there was a hint of disappointment behind his eyes.

"Well, when you feel like sharing, you know where to find me."

Mayu smiled warmly, though Yooyeon couldn't help but notice that there was something different about the way she smiled at him. It was sweet, but there was a playfulness in her eyes that made him feel oddly protective of her.

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Later that day, Dahyun found himself sitting at a café with Kaede, finally working up the courage to talk about his feelings. The warm sunlight from the windows bathed the room in a golden glow, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Kaede was stirring her drink when Dahyun spoke up, his voice quiet and hesitant.

"Kaede, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Kaede looked up at him, her eyes kind but curious. "What's on your mind?"

Dahyun took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.

"I've been thinking a lot lately, and... what do you think about me?"

Kaede's expression softened, but there was an almost imperceptible flicker in her eyes before she responded.

"Dahyun, I care about you... but I think of you more like a little brother." She smiled gently, but there was no mistaking the finality in her words.

"You're someone I want to protect, but that's all."

Dahyun's heart sank, the words sinking into him like cold water.

"I see..." he muttered, trying to hide his disappointment. He had built this moment up for so long, but now it felt like everything had just crumbled.

Kaede's gaze softened. "You're important to me, Dahyun. I hope you know that."

A few moments later, Kotone joined them, his presence as casual as ever. Kaede's eyes lit up involuntarily when she saw him. Something inside her shifted whenever Kotone was near, a pull she couldn't explain.

It left her feeling confused, torn between her feelings for Dahyun and the strange connection she felt toward Kotone. But, maybe it was because of the sign on Kotone's head, the sign for the person she assigned to protected.

Dahyun noticed the way Kaede's eyes softened when she looked at Kotone. It was different from how she looked at him. The realization was like a stone sinking in his chest. He glanced away, the moment weighing heavily on him.

It hit him all at once: Kaede had feelings for Kotone.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and confusion. He had thought he and Kaede shared a special bond, but now it seemed like he was only seeing her as a little brother. His thoughts swirled, and he didn't know what to make of the situation anymore.

After they left the café, Dahyun wandered around campus, trying to clear his head. But just as he was lost in his thoughts, he saw the same junior girl from yesterday—the one who had caught his attention. She walked past him, and their eyes met for a moment. Dahyun didn't know her name, but there was something about her energy that intrigued him.

She smiled at him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Dahyun felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe things weren't as hopeless as they seemed. Maybe there was someone else who could catch his attention.