𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒆

[12]

1 hour ago

Sooheon hands Namra another helmet. Namra takes it.

Sooheon's mind racing as Namra lifted the helmet, her fingers moving with quiet precision. The world around them felt still, as if time itself had paused to watch her. A few strands of hair slipped free, catching the light before she tucked them away, sealing herself beneath the smooth, silent armor.

She fastened the strap under her chin with a soft click-a sound too small to carry the weight it did in his chest.

It was just a helmet. Just another layer between her and the world. Between her and him.

His throat tightened as she glanced up, her sharp gaze meeting his for only a moment before vanishing behind the tinted visor.

And just like that, she was unreadable again. Untouchable.

"Ready?" she asked, her voice steady, distant.

Sooheon nodded, but his hands curled at his sides, resisting the urge to reach out-to pull the helmet away, just for a second, just to see her again before she disappeared behind all the things he could never say.

Now, the helmet sat between them on the snack bar counter, forgotten now that the promise of warm food had taken over. Sooheon leaned back on his stool, watching as Namra picked up a piece of tteokbokki with practiced ease. She blew on it once before taking a bite, her expression barely changing-except for the slightest crease of her brows when the spice hit.

"Spicy?" Sooheon grinned, already knowing the answer.

Namra chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. "Not too bad."

He scoffed. "Liar. Your ears are turning red."

She reached up instinctively, touching the tip of her ear before realizing he was messing with her. She shot him a flat look, but he only laughed, grabbing his own chopsticks.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the night air cool against their skin. The city buzzed around them, neon signs flickering against the metal counter. It was peaceful in a way that felt rare-no running, no fighting, just the quiet rhythm of sharing a meal.

Namra picked up a boiled egg from the tteokbokki sauce and placed it on his plate without a word. Sooheon blinked at it, then at her.

"You don't like eggs?"

She shrugged. "You like them more."

A small thing. A simple thing. But it made something warm settle in his chest.

He picked up the egg, breaking it in half. Without thinking, he held out one piece to her. "Here. Half-half."

Namra looked at him for a second before sighing, but she took it anyway, popping it into her mouth. Sooheon grinned, satisfied.

"See? Sharing is caring."

She gave him a dry look, but there was something amused in her eyes. "You sound like a kindergarten teacher."

"And yet, you still listen to me," he shot back, nudging her lightly with his elbow.

Namra just shook her head, reaching for her drink. "Eat your food, Sooheon."

He smirked but obeyed, letting the night stretch on in easy companionship, the warmth of good food and familiar company keeping the cold at bay.

Sooheon spun his chopsticks between his fingers, staring at the last piece of tteokbokki on his plate. The question had been sitting in his chest for a while now, pressing against his ribs, waiting for the right moment.

Maybe there was no right moment.

He exhaled, setting his chopsticks down. "Namra."

She glanced up, mid-sip of her drink. "Hm?"

His fingers tapped against the counter. Then, before he could second-guess himself, he asked, "How did you change so much?"

Namra paused. The sounds of the snack bar faded into the background-the clatter of dishes, the faint chatter of other customers, the distant hum of the city outside.

She placed her cup down, eyes unreadable. "What do you mean?"

Sooheon shrugged, but there was nothing casual about the way he was watching her. "You're different from before. I don't mean just the-" He hesitated, motioning vaguely, as if that could sum up everything she had been through. "I mean you."

Namra was quiet for a moment. Then she looked down at her plate, tracing the rim with her fingers. "I guess... it just happened."

"Things don't just happen."

She exhaled a quiet laugh. "You sound like a teacher."

Sooheon smirked, but it faded quickly. "I just... I remember you back then. You barely talked to anyone. Always had that serious look, like you were carrying something heavy."

Namra tilted her head. "And now?"

Sooheon thought for a second. "You still have that look sometimes. But now, you let people in. You laugh more. You-" He stopped himself, then let out a small chuckle. "You steal my eggs."

Namra huffed, but there was a flicker of something softer in her eyes. "I didn't steal them. I gave you tteokbokki in return."

"See? That's what I mean." He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "You've changed. In a good way."

She held his gaze, and for a moment, it felt like she was sifting through his words, deciding what to say. Then, finally-

"I think... I just stopped being afraid," she admitted. "Of people. Of myself. Of what might happen if I let myself feel things."

Sooheon felt something shift in his chest. He hadn't expected that answer, but somehow, it fit.

"Does it scare you now?" he asked.

Namra considered it, then shook her head. "Not as much."

Sooheon grinned. "Good. Because I'd be sad if you went back to being scary Class President again."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a small, genuine smile on her lips. "Eat your food, Sooheon."

He smirked, picking up his chopsticks. But even as they fell back into their easy rhythm, her words lingered in his mind.

She had stopped being afraid.

And maybe, just maybe, that made him a little less afraid, too.

A/N
I ain't gonna leave this book unfinished.