★﹐니키 𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗜．﹗
❝ Your boyfriend or Enhypen? ❝
❝ You're in Enhypen, Niki... ❝
✦ ─ When Sim Nari moves to Korea to be with her brother Jake, she temporarily stays at the Enhypen dorm while her apa...
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010 : kim cho-won
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JUNGWON approached the car with a gentle determination, making his way to my side to open the door for me. Niki trailed closely behind him, his expression a mix of encouragement and concern. I sat in the car, feeling a heavy weight of anxiety settle in my chest as I contemplated stepping outside in the new uniform.
"Come on, Nari, it's time to get out," Jungwon urged, his voice soft and reassuring.
"No, I look stupid," I sighed, instinctively covering my face with my hand, as if that could shield me from the judgment I feared awaited me outside.
Niki chimed in, "Let's go to the front together to pick up your uniform. But we can only do that if you come with us, Nari." His words hung in the air, and after a moment of hesitation, I nodded. I took a deep breath and finally stepped out of the car, feeling the cool breeze brush against my skin.
"Don't worry, Nari. You don't look that dumb," Jake said, though his tone suggested he didn't fully believe his own words. I shot him an annoyed glance, but he merely chuckled, and I couldn't help but huff in response. As I began to walk, I felt the fabric of my pants drag against the ground, causing me to stumble slightly. Jake's laughter echoed behind me, amplifying my embarrassment.
I glanced around and noticed a group of pretty girls walking gracefully along the path, each one donned in the same cute skirts that made up the girls' uniform. They chatted and laughed together, fixing their hair and makeup as they went. A deep sense of envy washed over me, and I trudged forward, feeling the weight of my insecurities.
As I looked back, I noticed Jungwon and Niki had somehow vanished from my side, leaving me feeling even more isolated amidst the crowd. 'I thought they were supposed to help me get my uniform,' I thought bitterly to myself, just as I collided with someone unexpectedly.
With a thud, I found myself sitting on the ground, the impact causing me to grunt in frustration. Looking up, I realized I had bumped into one of the girls from the group ahead. She gasped as she turned around, examining me from head to toe. She knelt down, smirking as she touched the name tag of the uniform I was wearing. "Nishimura Riki?" she exclaimed, a hint of annoyance and jealousy creeping into her voice, her friends gasping in surprise. Standing up, she extended her hand toward me, but just as I reached for it, she pulled it back, laughing with her friends as if my misfortune was some sort of entertainment for them.
Her appearance was striking; her hair was a rich brown, cascading just to her shoulders, and her makeup was impeccably done. I noted her name badge: "Kim Cho-won." Confused and irritated, I brushed off my clothes and glared at her, my annoyance bubbling over as I purposefully bumped into her shoulder as I stood.
She quickly grabbed my wrist, and I turned to face her, raising my eyebrows in surprise. "What are you to Niki?" she asked, her expression shifting to one of irritation.
"I'm..." I hesitated, thinking about how to answer. I could tell her that I was just a friend of Niki's, or that I'm siblings with Jake, but I was hesitant to reveal too much. I didn't want to be seen as just another person connected to them. I wanted to be known for myself, not merely for my associations. Even if I made a lie and claimed I was just an old friend from middle school, it would still be an excuse for people to approach me solely for their attention. So, I chose silence, clutching the straps of my backpack tightly as I walked away. I could hear the four girls scoffing and murmuring behind me, their words swirling in the air like a taunt.
As I entered the building, I was about to turn a corner when suddenly, two faces appeared right in front of me. I gasped loudly, jumping back in surprise, only to recognize Niki and Jungwon, who looked worried and quickly shushed me.
"Shh! Is the coast clear?" Jungwon whispered, glancing over my shoulder, his posture low as if he were trying to hide from some unseen threat.
I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation, turning to see the girls still engrossed in their conversation outside. "Really?" I said, amusement creeping into my voice.
"Sorry for leaving you. We saw that the girls came early today as well," Niki said, a look of concern etched across his face.
"It's fine. Kim Cho-won sure is welcoming," I replied sarcastically, brushing off my clothes again, feeling the remnants of embarrassment clinging to me.
"Yah, isn't that the girl that has a serious crush on you Niki?" Jungwon questioned, looking up at Niki slightly.
Niki ignored Jungwon and looked at me with a frown, his brows furrowed as he took in my expression. "What happened out there? Are you okay?" His concern was palpable, and I could see the protective instinct in his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, forcing a smile that felt more awkward than genuine. "Let's just get my uniform," I added, trying to shift the focus away from my embarrassment. I couldn't bear to dwell on the encounter with Cho-won and her friends any longer, especially since this was a new school for me.
As we navigated through the unfamiliar hallways, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. The walls were adorned with posters of school events, club activities, and student achievements, all of which seemed to radiate a sense of community and camaraderie. I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever feel a part of that community or if I would always be the outsider looking in.
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( A\N )
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