The All-Rounder || Karina X Male Reader

15. Short, Yet Sweet

A year had passed since Jaeyoung had left Korea. The once unfamiliar streets of Sydney had become a second home, and the vibrant energy of the city had woven its way into his life. He had found new rhythms, new melodies, and most importantly, new friends.

The library buzzed with quiet activity, the soft rustle of pages and the hum of hushed conversations filling the air. Jaeyoung sat at a large wooden table, his notebook open in front of him, his guitar propped against his chair.

Hanni leaned over, pointing to a sketch Jaeyoung had drawn in the corner of his notebook. "Is that supposed to be Chan? Or a very angry potato?"

Chan, sitting across from them, glanced up from his laptop. "Oi, I'm right here!"

Felix laughed, his deep voice resonating despite his attempt to keep it low. "That's definitely you, mate. Look at the eyebrows."

Jaeyoung smirked. "Art is subjective, guys. Take it as a compliment."

Chan rolled his eyes but grinned. "You've got some nerve for someone who still mixes up Aussie slang."

Hanni nudged Jaeyoung playfully. "He's getting better. Remember when he thought 'arvo' was a type of food?"

"I'm scarred," Jaeyoung replied, feigning hurt, but his smile gave him away.

The four of them had fallen into an easy rhythm over the past year. Hanni, with her quick wit and infectious laugh, was the one who had first befriended him in class. Felix, with his laid-back vibe and love for baking, had bonded with Jaeyoung over music. And Chan, the natural leader of their group, had welcomed Jaeyoung like an old friend.

---

As the group worked, Jaeyoung found himself flipping through his notebook. Amid sketches and notes, he paused at a page filled with lyrics he'd written not long after arriving in Australia. The words spoke of homesickness, of letting go, and of finding a new path.

Hanni noticed his faraway look. "What's on your mind, Jae?"

Jaeyoung shrugged, closing the notebook. "Just thinking about how much has changed. A year ago, I didn't think I'd be here, doing this."

Felix nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Change is good, though. Look at you now-you've got us," he said, winking.

"And you're not half-bad," Chan teased. "Even if your sense of humor is still questionable."

Jaeyoung laughed, the sound genuine and light. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

"Thanks, guys," he said, his voice softer now. "For everything."

Hanni grinned. "That's what mates are for."

As they packed up their things, Jaeyoung slung his guitar over his shoulder, feeling the weight of it like an anchor grounding him. Sydney wasn't Seoul, but it was home now, and the people around him had made it so.

Walking out into the warm Australian afternoon, Jaeyoung couldn't help but think of the lyrics he'd just written. The world was different now, but so was he-and he was ready for whatever came next.

Jaeyoung dropped his bag near the door and made his way to his room, exhaustion weighing him down. He let his guitar rest against the wall before collapsing onto his bed, the familiar comfort wrapping around him. As he reached for his phone to check messages, it vibrated in his hand-a call from Jihoon.

For a second, Jaeyoung hesitated. It had been months since they last spoke. Not out of neglect but because life had pulled them in different directions. Finally, he answered.