Ru

contains — swearing, profanity, bickering, horrible attempt at humour, nervousness, arguing, weird conversations, author's attempt to level up her smau play, mentions of hybe artists, VERY RUSHED MBD, oc characters. Go younjung as faceclaim for y/n, typos and lowercases are intended.

parts — 0. 1. 2. 3...?

☆

Seonghyeon was losing his shit.

How come the one he admired so much ends up getting shipped with his own bandmate?

The one he hates second to Martin.

It wasn't a big deal from the view of a 3rd person because idols get shipped all the time for even the slightest of eye contact.

But it was frustrating for Seonghyeon because he clearly complimented her in the video, but nobody really bats an eye at it except a few 60 Seonghyeon x Y/n enthusiasts.

But that won't be enough in a huge fanbase like theirs.

Now they have to film the dance challenges. Together.

He was nervous. It was true that he watched their whole choreography for their debut song,

It was because the choreographer had sent the clip to Seonghyeon to just show him his new work.

Seonghyeon was close with all the songwriters, producers, and even the choreographers of his agency because of how self-producing each Cortis member was.

It was just natural for them to be close.

So if Y/n is under the same agency, then it is very likely that her group's drafts will be analysed by him.

It wasn't like he had the full right to examine her team like a staff member himself, but with the excuse of watching, he was genuinely impressed.

It wasn't like the version of Y/n who only showed up in popular variety and reality shows.

Her idol era was definitely defining her more and it slowly started to look like she was becoming one with music.

Seonghyeon and his gang or just normally, CORTIS, were the ones waiting in the practise room this time.

They had to film some challenges with other seniors as well. As of now, they have completed the challenges, but only one group is left.

Of course.

It was her group.

James, Martin and Seonghyeon will be filming the short dance challenge to their group's song and then Martin alone for Hxtline's song.

The staff told the other two to wait, or it would be rude to the other group to see the uncompleted version of Cortis, knowing all of them were there before their arrival.

Keonho did not want to leave anyway.

Only Juhoon did.

James was talking with Juhoon about how Nara used to skate so badly that she ended up injured and then couldn't go back to Ice-skating for a while.

That health hiatus made Nara lose her interest in Ice Hockey, and so she decided to audition for other things.

Luckily, she got accepted into BigHit, and after training 24/7, she finally turned out to be the leader of the first girl group under the very famous company.

James admitted that besides her skating skills, she was a great competitor.

'She literally fires, her puck always goes in the goal—' James described her skill with his hands mimicking her holding a stick whilst speaking.

Juhoon, listening only to half of what his hyung said was lost in thought.

Originally, he was supposed to film along with James and Martin, but he called out, saying the dance would look better with the line-up of four people. The staff didn't mind, and so they just let him follow his own decision.

It was a lie. He called out because of something else.

—Or someone.

He recently talked with their manager to find out something strange.

He decided not to think too much and just accept the message as the truth.

His gut told him otherwise.

Martin was in his own world, doing… something?

He checked himself out, trying to see if his fashion fit the vibe he wanted today.

Maybe to see if it fits someone else's style…?

Seonghyeon, of course, was enthusiastic about meeting Y/n again.

Deep inside, though, he felt some type of burn which was unlike jealousy, yet similar to it.

Keonho was just happy to be there.

He did question Seonghyeon on how he got added to the list to film with the girls at the last minute. Obviously very suspicious…

Soon enough, a few light steps enter the practise room and then the bowing battle starts.

Both teams shouldn't forget that this was going to be filmed too, only it will be released much later.

Probably 10 days after the girl's debut.

Some cameras and staff followed with the 5 girls as they struck up the usual conversation.

"Hello.." was all the girls said.

Cortis receiving the senior energy, keep it up with the usual cliché words spoken by every senior in the industry.

"We are looking forward to film this challenge."

"We really liked the song."

"We wish your promotions go successfully."

Skipping all the talks, they get to their positions.

Seonghyeon could've sworn that Y/n keeps getting prettier day by day.

The cameras may catch his expression as polite and welcoming but in reality, he was just smiling because he was simply admiring her.

The formation of four turned into a five with Seonghyeon getting added with some bribery.

The members Seora and Y/n stood at a distance away but both on either side of Seonghyeon but just ahead of where he had stood. Followed by James and Martin.

They made the 'V' formation.

Usually, Seonghyeon would get shy with being the centre but he wasn't today. He had all the energy and dopamine he needed.

The dopamine was standing right next to him too.

First they would perform REDRED, Cortis's new title track and then Martin and Eunji will do the Hxtline's debut track.

Juhoon and Keonho stood at one end of the practise room where they won't get in the way of any cameras.

The other members of Hxtline gathered in the same area too.

Y/n listens to the song playing in the background and follows well until Seora makes a mistake.

She joins her hands and almost gets on her knees but she knows her self respect is still in there and so she doesn't.

Keonho giggled from the corner.

Martin and James console her, telling her that its fine and mistakes are made all the time.

That was valid because the REDRED choreography was definitely not as easy as it seemed.

That's why before they went in for round 2, Y/n turned to Seonghyeon instinctively.

She meant to ask James who was in front but even her body controls itself on important days like this.

"Can you help me go through the choreo real quick?" You asked him.

Martin and James gave Seonghyeon a look, slightly whispering "Sheesh" under their breaths.

Seonghyeon was surprised.

"Me?" He asked.

Seora looked the other way in order to control her laugh but instead makes eye contact with Keonho.

As quickly as they looked at eachother, the more quickly they looked away at the same speed.

Keonho's ears turned a good shade of the same word they were promoting as Cortis's title track with dance challenges today.

Surprisingly, both Seora and Keonho were the most shy ones in that room, different from how crazy they go in the groupchats.

Seonghyeon showed Y/n his hands making an 'X' and she followed. He gave a slow count and switched his hands in between.

"Ahh.. you switch them" she spoke to herself as she looks at his arms carefully while copying him.

Listening to her twin's mumble, Seora quickly looked too and mimicked the movements to better understand it.

Seonghyeon almost had let out a chuckle at Y/n's soft request earlier but that would be too far of a reaction for the camera, So he stayed quiet.

He ended the counts with the leg steps, twirling his right one behind his left. Martin and James mirrored it for the girls to follow along.

As the other members were discussing the formations and going over the dance steps together.

Juhoon looked over to the girl on his right

He took a deep breath and looked around if the cameras were filming them.

For now the cameras were only focused on Seonghyeon and squad. The audio quality lowkey sucked too.

He spoke up

"Just say the truth."

Juyeon getting startled by him, gave him a side-eye.

"Are you talking to me?" She said politely first, maintaining her image.

Juhoon scoffed softly.

"Your leg is fine right?"

Juyeon inhaled. How come he knew that information? It was really really strange to her since only her members and manager knows about this.

"Why do you care?" Her true nature broke out.

"You were supposed to film with them right?" His head shifts towards Seonghyeon who was still showing the moves more clearly.

"And..?"

"You left because I was going to be there too. I know so you don't have to pretend anymore."

He started to get on Juyeon's nerves.

"This is our first time meeting." She pointed out.

"I have great profiling skills."

"You are one unprofessional senior!"

"And you are one rude junior—"

"Atleast leave the comments after filming is done. How tacky of you." Juyeon says in a more stern voice.

"I won't meet you like this often so you can afford to say the truth now or leave me thinking that you avoid me because you lik—"

Juyeon steps on his foot.

Juhoon almost let out a scream but Keonho shut his mouth by covering it with his hands.

He bowed to Juyeon and took his member aside. Juhoon screaming would've been equivalent to the end of the world.

Both should not happen.

Y/n noticed the commotion in between her one-on-one session with Seonghyeon. Seora shouts that she understands the dance completely. "I got it!"

Y/n nodded, confirming from her side too.

After the teaching session, the staff member turned on the camera app on the phone, getting ready to shoot.

The end of the pre-chorus played while you guys freestyled, and then when the rhythm changed, you guys got the hang of the dance.

Martin hyped up everyone a lot of times during the exciting part after the chorus and James was just vibing.

After the song got over, the cortis members and Y/n and Seora went over to monitor with heavy breaths. They really danced their hearts out.

Seeing the synchronisation, the staff complimented and said that this might just be a one-take after all.

Y/n chuckled to that along with some of the Cortis members.

She looked over at Seonghyeon who was coincidentally beside her. He asked softly, "Is it okay for you guys?"

His gaze first landed on Y/n but then shifted to Seora. James also asks, "I think the take is good, how about you guys..?"

Seora and Y/n both nodded, being satisfied with the take.

"We are good with it too!" Seora shows her thumbs up.

They prepared for the 'Dazed' challenge now. Seonghyeon was of course already a pro.

James and Martin needed some guidance now so Seora and Y/n helped them. It was just some tricky leg work.

Seonghyeon teased the other two of his teammates for not getting it right on the first go.

James was very impressed by the level of creativeness in their choreography, already mentally taking notes.

Martin had to learn two choreographies of the same song. One of them was the one with this unit and the other version with Eunji.

Unlike REDRED, The guys struggled to get the moves on beat and so they asked to do the filming just one more time.

The staff scolded them playfully.

Seora and Y/n chuckled but re-assured them that it was okay even if they got it wrong 100 times.

After one last take, they got tired. Really tired.

Re-watching the challenge video, all of them came to a conclusion that this one looked the best.

Nally they were done with the two songs.

James complimented the girls for executing such great choreography.

The girls were honoured because they were well aware of his choreographer background who worked with artists like ILLIT and TXT.

Y/n and Seora thanked all three of them by bowing almost 6 times in one go.

Seonghyeon and James went back to lean against the walls next to each other since their job was done.

Seora returned to stand very far on purpose from Keonho and Y/n just leaned on the nearest empty wall.

At the very left corner, Nara joined Juyeon.

Nara questioned her bandmate on why she looked like she wanted to beat the shit out of someone.

Nara had gone to talk about some important news with the staff outside the practise room and so she didn't experience the whole exchange with her member and Juhoon.

If she had, then she would've shut them out really fast, reminding them that they were on camera.

Nara and Juyeon start having a small talk. Juyeon later dismissed her saying that it was nothing.

Nara ignored her for now.

She was going to make her way towards Martin to have a one-on-one leader talk but she realised that he still had another challenge to film with Eunji.

James who had been judging her for some reason with a small fan in his hand made eye contact.

"What?" Nara mouthed without speaking. She frowned when she noticed him staring.

James scoffed out of amusement.

Her personality didn't change even a tiny bit, according to him.

"I didn't say anything." He shook his head.

Nara, now judging him twice as more just looked away. Not wanting to interact with him.

James got triggered by that and he felt his ego dropping. He knew to maintain it by staying calm although he is not sure why he is taking this so seriously.

She looked at Martin who was still preparing to film and so she turned to James.

James smirked, thinking his charisma worked on her.

"I have a message for Martin." She speaks.

James's portable hand fan died (He accidentally turned it off)

"Why tell me then?"

"Because I am not close with him."

"So you're close with me?"

She almost laughed.

"Just because we both stepped on the same rink does not mean we are close, Chao Yufan" She rolled her eyes.

"First name basis already?"

"Is that still your real name?" she questioned.

"Last time I checked my passport, It is my real name." He replied with a sarcastic smile.

"Curious?"

"No."

"Alright." He stopped arguing for the sake of everyone else in the room.

He knows how Nara can get mad, VERY mad if something pisses her off.

"Good boy."

Before James could say anything, she cut him off.

"Tell Martin to have a talk with our manager. There will be some crossover during our promotions but I have not been told yet what it is."

"I have to see your face again?"

"Just convey the message will you?"

"Yes ma'am."

It was a hot summer day outside the hybe building, even the A/C was not something to rely on in that situation.

James slightly, and we mean VERY slightly shifted his hand fan so that some of the air reaches her.

She caught on but did not complain and only closed her eyes feeling the coolness.

Nara started to look towards Eunji who approached Martin now.

Eunji was always zoning out so she knew nothing about what was going on around her. Yes, it was that crazy.

She bows shortly to Martin, when she raised her head she was shocked with his height.

She knew he would be tall but not THIS tall.

6'3 was CRAZY.

Her head raised higher unknowingly. Her eyes widened out of surprise.

"Wow, you are really tall." She looked down and covered her mouth with her palms when she giggled.

Martin looking at her figure lower than his got shy.

What was he supposed to say to that?

Right, and you're so short? haha :D

He would get flamed by the internet with just that because the older noonas would get offended.

He acknowledged Eunji's remark about him.

There were many idols (all actually) who were shorter than him and he often got called out because of it. Perks of being the tallest in the company, maybe.

It was the first time he actually got shy from a female idol because they don't usually comment on his height knowing that they had to be cautious of the rumours and stuff.

Eunji pretty much did not give a fuck.

She checked out his outfit. Just normal sweatpants and shirt but he still looked fire in it.

Just as she likes. Comfy and minimal.

Eunji asked him if he was ready.

He looked over and wanted to say yes but he was a bit unsure.

"Could we go over the dance one time?" He asked poliely, an index finger rising on its own to emphasis his words.

Eunji smiled. "Yep!" She exclaimed.

She raised her hands, showing him the hand choreography that started with the beginning of the song.

It was a bit hard but she was a good dancer and very well understood why their dance would take longer to execute well than cortis's song.

That was also why only one cortis member agreed on performing the challenge.

She sang her song slowly, even adding filler sounds for the empty beats.

"Pah!" She ended the dance demonstration. She looked over at him and checked to see if he was doing it correctly.

Eunji nodded in approval. "You are really good." She compliments Martin and he just smiles throughout the interaction.

The moment was wholesome and not awkward at all. It felt like he was her junior more than the opposite; the fans will surely find it funny.

Y/n chuckled watching them, proud to see her members getting along with other people.

"What are they even doing?" She joked.

"Right?" Seonghyeon bluntly spoke a second later. He wasn't meant to reply to her but he was coincidentally watching them too, unaware of her presence beside him.

"Sorry." He apoligized but Y/n dismissed it saying it was fine.

They go back to being quiet until she speaks up.

Y/n and Seonghyeon were probably the only ones who were awkward with each other, while the others decided that this was a class reunion.

"I just wanted to ask.." her voice trailed off already rethinking if she should've asked or not.

The teasing words from her members run across her mind.

But now that she left the sentence incomplete, she continued.

"—How do you know me?"

Seonghyeon inhales, gathering his words while reminding himself for the 4th time that he wasn't supposed to crash out in front of a baddie like Y/n.

"I watched your appearances in popular shows. I enjoyed your witty personality when you played the games and answered questions."

Y/n fell in love.

Her expression was neither shocked or neutral, it was like that one Rihanna song Seora screamed on the top of her lungs at 6am in the morning.

"Where have you been all my life"

She was honestly so shocked that he was aware of her existence before her debut.

Well, it also meant that he saw her worst moments on TV.

Recalling her cringe past, she suddenly turned away. Y/n's back faced Seonghyeon while he was left in confusion.

Seonghyeon found it cute nevertheless, having a feeling that she got shy. His head tilted to the side. raising his knuckles to cover his smile.

Y/n turned back. "Sorry for that.. it was just that I felt those past times going through my brain like in a flash"

She played with her nails out of nervousness.

"No worries, we can talk about something else if you want."

Y/n almost squealed.

She had no prior information about Seonghyeon but the way he is making her feel so comfortable twisted a knot in her stomach.

From the moment he taught her those easy dance steps from scratch just so she could feel confident in her moves, being able to do them properly to now..

The way he disregarded the topic of her digital footprint to prevent her from getting uncomfortable but was still slick enough to keep the conversation going.

She nodded, her ears turning a bit redred.

"What does your debut album signify?" He asked, leaning his back against the wall behind him with his arms crossed.

His eyes were on her.

It was an endearing habit of his to always look at the person whenever they were talking. Bare minimum, yes, but where else would you find a guy who will willingly listen to you yap about random things?

So she explained the meaning of the album.

'Dazed' signified one being unable to process things normally and having thoughts burdened with confusion.

The title song indicates an inner battle between a person feeling many emotions over someone they like, but they cannot think straight about it at all.

As Y/n explained, maybe the best words you can describe Seonghyeon with were also the same.

His expression was simply dazed.

Not out of confusion but because his thoughts were only filled with her and so it made it hard for him to focus on anything else.

It was to the point where he questioned himself being in the same room as her. It felt unreal.

For a while, he forgot about the rumour between her and Keonho.

He wished for them to meet often from now on so that he could start believing that these small moments are actually what will be building their relationship soon.

And so that he stops thinking that all of this was unreal when it 100 per cent is and always will be.

About the promotion thing Nara was talking about, the managers revealed it.

During the 2nd week of promotions, one Cortis member and one Hxtline member are going to be special MCS on M Countdown.

It was up to the groups to decide.

Goodluck...?

☆

A/n — THE NEXT PART WILL BE INTERESTING I PROMISE 🙏

series masterlist

main masterlist

comment to get taglisted for this series! (＾ω＾)

contains — swearing, profanity, bickering, death jokes, horrible attempt at humour, keonho ragebaits and loses seonghyeon, awkward first meeting, tension, teasing, mentions of hybe idols, author trying to level up her smau play, writing.

lil recap incase yall get confused since now the members will be referred to : Nara (cool unnie) Juyeon (adidasholic) Eunji (sunshineee) Seora (eepie girl)

The girls waited in the practise room, lying down for some reason.

Juyeon noticed the cameras being set up and so she knew she had to get up and talk, cause the fans will need content and its best not to look like a tired panda while they are at it.

She looked in the huge mirrors behind the camera, fixing her hair before looking back. She carefully turned it on.

When she noticed the blinking signal that showed 'recording' it took her a second to stand properly in front of the camera.

"Hello everyone." She greeted the camera calmly with a nod.

"This is Juyeon of HXT+LINE. Nice to meet you." Her tone being so monotonous whilst greeting the camera like a professional news channel caught the attention of her fellow member.

"What ya doin'?"

Seora gets up to joins Juyeon.

The way she asked what Juyeon was doing was a part of the every-day scene in their lives, but then upon approaching her older member, she stared at the camera for 6.4 seconds before realising it was the behind-camera that would be posted online for the world to see.

"Ah— Hello." The switch in Seora's tone from casual to formal earned a giggle from Juyeon.

Seora justifies herself, "No~ don't laugh!" She gently pushes her member, Juyeon tilts from the impact but still stays in the video frame.

Juyeon stops for a minute, pursing her lips to control her giggles. Seora shifts to take over the centre in the composition.

"Anyways.." Seora gives her a side-eye before continuing,

"My name is Kang-Seo-ra, but you won't be able to take your eyes off me when I'm on that Ca-me-ra." She winks at the camera.

Nara behind the two of them just let out the biggest sigh of disappointment. Juyeon ended up bursting out laughing.

Eunji and Y/n joined Juyeon with the laughter, the sound echoing around the practice room full of staff.

Seora scoffed and looked around. Her eyes settled on the staff who hid their face behind their masks to hide their laughs.

"Are you all really going to do this? this is our first content video!" She exclaimed and so Nara came in the frame.

"I'm sorry. She is just always like this." Nara says looking at herself in the camera, waiting for the laughter to die down from the other three members.

"Should we practise the introduction as a group?" Nara asked the team as her head looked to the side, all she got was collective head shakes that rejected her offer in perfect synchronization.

Her temper was controlled thankfully. She motioned everyone to gather because their opinions did not matter to her at all.

The members gathered in a straight line and awkwardly waited for Nara to say the magical words as the leader.

After a solid minute, Juyeon broke in.

"Why aren't you saying it?

"I need Eunji to stop breathing so loudly."

Nara replied, it was a blunt joke only because she was nervous. However Eunji was flabbergasted.

"The f—" Eunji's beautiful mouth almost let out great and holy words if it weren't for Y/n who covered her mouth.

"Let's do the introduction. NORMALLY."

Y/n exclaims and removes her hand, silently brushing it against her jeans.

Nara takes a breath and speaks alone—

"Hello, We are..."

"HXT+LINE! Take good care of us!" the other members joined in. They collectively bowed down to the camera like they were preparing to go on stage in a few minutes.

Juyeon from one end started the chain of self-introduction as they are trained to do. Even though she already introduced herself, who cares really?

"Hi, I am Juyeon"

"Hello! I am the one and only Seora—"

She got cut off by Nara's whisper -"Keep it short." Seora sighs.

"Hi I am Seora." She introduced in a more flat tone and bowed down aggressively.

Her hair flew everywhere making Juyeon and Nara who were on either sides of her step back by 3 steps.

They dramatically placed their hands in front of their faces to prevent her hair from touching even the slightest of their skin.

After both of them calmed down, the chain continued.

"Hello, I am Nara, the leader of HXT+LINE" She did a professional bow with elegance.

"Hello I am Eunji." Eunji follows and does a peace sign joyfully.

Lastly, "Hello everyone, I am Lee Y/n. Nice to meet you all!" She bowed. As the self introduction ended, everyone calmed down but the staff gave them an instruction. All of them listened intently.

A brief of what the staff said was telling the girls to talk instead of introducing over and over again.

Nara nodded as she collected the information. She looks back at the camera and says softly. "We are waiting to meet up with our seniors today." She looks away from the camera lens to somewhere on the big mirror.

"Slightly nervous but I hope things go smoothly." She looks back, meeting the screen and nods.

Eunji comes in the frame, placing a hand on Nara's shoulder.

"I'm also really looking forward to meeting them since I enjoy their music alot." She smiles. Nara awkwardly looks at her since her member just spoke up out of the blue. They both smiled, nevertheless.

The staff from the other side of the camera asks them a question for content purposes.

"What do you want to say to the people to make them your fans?"

Eunji doesn't say anything but only drags Y/n into the frame, Y/n a little surprised but greeted the camera anyways.

"Y/n will work 24/7 on variety shows and impress everyone with her mature idol persona." Eunji pats her.

Y/n tried not to laugh but she just nodded. "Hey, All of us have different charming points and that's how you will never be bored. Am I right?"

"Yeahhh!" Seora yells from the background.

The staff asks a question yet again— "How do you feel?" It was directed towards Y/n.

"I've met idols before but meeting them now as an idol myself feels different." She replies.

"Flex." Nara says in a calm voice and gives her a thumbs up.

The staff clapped their hands to get the attention of the members, announcing that the groups will be arriving from now on. They will be coming in separately to avoid excess nervousness to the girls.

☆

The girls were nervous from the beginning, but then it slowly died down as the seniors helped them feel comfortable. There was only one group left now.

"Can we go home?" Seora asks Y/n.

"Why? Don't wanna meet your future..?"

Seora's eyes shone. The change in her gaze was noteworthy. Y/n didn't emphasize further and only chuckled at her member's reaction.

"Everyone get in line." Nara says in a loud voice, all of them stood in the middle of the room, the cameras were faced towards the door.

Media Training Mode. On.

The girls waited impatiently for the last group. The one they had been secretly gossiping about in the group chat.

All of them refrained from going on social media to search up what they look like.

It was just like an unspoken rule among them because they wanted to see these guys in real life.

Steps approach closer and figures of 5 boys enter the practise room.

Cortis walked in and started bowing to the girls politely, the girls did the same except they bowed lower.

The rule of respect in Korea will surely make your backs sore for at least 3 days.

Seonghyeon immediately laid his eyes on Y/n as they entered. His inner fan-boy was freaking out.

She looked like a goddess according to him. He almost screamed but held it in since there were like 20 other people with them.

His hands balled into a fist to keep his cool, wearing his usual flat smile like he didn't give a damn about him meeting his celebrity crush.

James was the first one to examine the new group until his eyes laid on someone.

"Oh!" He pointed towards one of the girls, leaving everyone in the room was confused asf.

The girl's attention was brought to the girl he pointed at.

Everyone was confused.

Even his team's expressions said, "Hyung tf?"

Nara raised her head, already believing that this would just be another one of those forced groups who had to pull up a joke to maintain their image online and so fans can say "Aww! they're such great seniors!!"

But then her gaze fell upon James and she had the same reaction.

"Oh?—"

She says the same while looking shocked.

Her mouth was shaped like an 'o' and her eyebrows raised high.

Everyone looked like they did not belong there, both the other HXT+LINE and CORTIS members didn't dare speak up.

They all were lowkey just waiting for the tea.

How do they know each other?

What history did they have?

No way...

Were they EXES??

One of them cut the tension and spoke up.

"Do you guys know each other...?" Martin asked, his eyes alternating between his bandmate and Nara.

"We went to the same Ice-Hockey Training Centre a few years back." Nara speaks in a formal tone, still shocked to see James's face.

"Yeah..." James nodded, his lips still parted from awe.

Seora seemed disappointed because she was about to create scenarios of them together following the second chance trope in her head.

James looked around and saw how the mood became a bit awkward for the rest of them, and so he exhaled in apology.

"I'm sorry." He said and the others chuckled in the most fake voices.

"Don't be, seeing familiar people in the same workplace is a good thing, senior." Y/n spoke.

"Ahh being called senior is a bit embarassing.." James scratched his nape looking at himself in the mirror.

"It's not been that long for us too." Martin added to explain the eldest's weird behaviour.

"We found your choreography really cool." Keonho speaks so the interaction becomes more normal. He gave two thumbs up.

"Yeah." Juhoon agreed.

Suddenly when things were feeling great and simple, someone's voice reverbed against the walls in silence.

"You are also a senior to us in one way" Seonghyeon bluntly spoke while looking at Y/n

The girls were shocked that Seonghyeon knew about her.

They fell silent but internally freaked out.

The boys got their second-hand embarrassment just as they predicted.

"You know me?" Y/n asked, making eye contact, her eyes widening. She looked at him in amusement.

Seonghyeon nodded. "Of course. You are very popular..." he added an awkward chuckle, avoiding her eye contact.

Y/n bowed to him. "Thank you very much.." she said softly and played with her long sleeves out of embarassment.. it felt good that someone knows about her first life.

Seonghyeon on the other hand almost lost it. He was on the verge of rolling down and kicking his feet in the air.

He was just so happy he got acknowledged by her.

The girls may not see it but his teammates were judging the life out of him.

Juhoon even avoided looking at Seonghyeon so that he wouldn't witness that guy losing his shit.

Nara made occasional eye-contact with James, trying to communicate through her eyes on how the fuck he managed to become a kpop idol when he went through 50 very desperate auditions.

James very well knew that gaze meant she had a lot to say. He didn't do anything because of the cameras, but they sure did have a lot to catch up on.

Keonho silently squealed to himself on the other end, hoping nobody noticed his soundless action. He couldn't believe they were being called seniors so early in their idol life.

Unfortunate for him, Seora caught him.

She wanted to squeal as well from how cute he looked, the smile on her lips grew when she noticed his smile lines. She almost combusted.

"Senior..." Someone was looking at the yellow wooded ground from the sudden hit of reality. Talking to himself

What a loser...

Juyeon thought when her eyes fell on the small figure of Juhoon lost in his own thoughts. But she couldn't help but notice how his visuals looked softer than the rest of his team.

"We're sorry, we will introduce ourselves properly as a group." Nara upon realization initiated the introduction, feeling embarrassed on behalf of all her team.

After the introduction, the Cortis members clapped.

The guys introduced themselves both as a group and individually in a similiar manner.

Seora took note of Keonho like he was a test subject worth her entire grade.

"Congratulations on your debut." Martin spoke, the girls thanked him, their voices overlapping. All five Cortis members clapped for them since they knew the rookie feeling quite well, as they were still living through it.

The Cortis members were also getting shy by this whole interaction finding it unbelievable that as minors they became someone else's higher ups(?)

After much thought and courage, Keonho speaks up.

"May I ask your guy's age..?" Juhoon gives him a light pat on the shoulder, proud of the youngest for being able to talk to them.

Keonho had other motives though.

The girls started to share their birth years. The boys weren't too suprised finding out that all of them were very similar in age to them.

Seora came last and spoke. "I am a 09 liner"

"Me too" Y/n completed the answer.

Keonho and Seonghyeon's eyes lit up.

The twins shared a glance at each other and tried controlling their giggles whilst Juhoon explained how there are also two 09 members in their own group.

Of course Seonghyeon knew that. It just felt nice listening to that information again so he doesn't feel weird about his crush.

Martin noticed how everyone was behaving and so he diverted the topic. "We will look forward to work with you guys!" He made two fists as a sign of encouragement.

Eunji, staying quiet the whole time was just speechless looking at the live example of the Eiffel tower in front of her.

If you know anything about her, its the fact that she obsesses over huge height differences in the manhwas and kdramas she spends her free time viewing instead of doing vocal warm-ups

Eunji occasionally notices his height with her peripheral vision in the mirror, and compares it with hers for two seconds.

She's just a girl after all.

"We will look forward too." Eunji replies to him. The actual words she secretly wanted to say under the blanket were—

"I will look forward to us."

The Cortis members prepared to leave, their hands on their chests out of respect as they left.

Keonho spots the Behind the scenes camera and smiles wider.

James dragged him away so he doesn't proceed to confess anything more.

"HXT+LINE Hwaiting!" He said energetically, clenching his fist towards the camera.

"So cute.."

Seora mouthed to herself as she spots him.

With that, the very small but dramatic interaction ended. It could've stretched out for another 30 minutes if it weren't for the cameras.

Both groups bowed to each other again and gave their final words of goodbyes.

After the doors closed, the girls all let out the biggest breath they had been holding. All lost in the turmoil of their own thoughts.

Meeting seniors like Lesserafim, Illit and Txt were fine because they actually felt like seniors.

The meet up they had with Cortis?

For some it felt like a forced mix-gender project committee who had to work together for good grades.

For others it straight up felt like the introduction episode of Single's Inferno, where the contestants meet the opposite gender for the first time.

The girls were tired to say the least but deep inside, they all were trying to understand what their first impression of Cortis was like.

Thats how all of them gracefully opened the group chat.

────୨ৎ──── CORTIS REACTION.

A/n — lowkey dk why I turned this into ot5 cortis x oc characters except seonghyeon fic but I vibe. who do u vibe with

kinda rushed but I hope you enjoyed the mix of both smau and writing! NOT PROOF READ!

series taglist — @nanamyberry @kienhawon @youngddariana @dirtsthings @minseobubble

comment to get taglisted for this series! (๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑)

series masterlist

contains — swearing, profanity, bickering, horrible attempt at humour, mentions of illit, lesserafim, txt, nct and wonyoung. Go younjung as faceclaim for y/n, oc characters.

parts — 0. 1. 2. 3...?

☆

A/n — REQUESTED BY @nanamyberry

masterlist

a/n — James would actually make a great mature partner imo. In this fic, I feel like I can relate to the situation of the reader, I can sense that something is wrong but my mind tells me to ignore it. I should work on that or maybe just find myself a James.

contains — invasion of privacy in public (someone secretly takes pictures), uncomfortableness, confrontive James, insecure reader, domestic relationship, crying, skinship, kissing.

(not proofread)

☆

You stepped inside the subway and seated yourself in a corner. There wasn't much of a crowd now, and you hoped for it to stay that way, as your boyfriend would be coming too.

You kept checking the display screen to see if you got on the right section. You wouldn't want him to hop on and think you didn't come for him because you got confused.

After rechecking for the nth time, the subway started to move. You couldn't get out now, but it was alright because you figured that you were right where you needed to be.

It moved smoothly, the daylight from behind cracked through the tempered glass behind you. Its light lay on the empty seat to your left.

It was against the corner, and you had saved the seat for your boyfriend so you didn't have to worry about people being bothered on either side of you both.

You removed your headphones from your tote bag, connecting them to your phone. You decided to listen to some calm music.

There came the first stop where the crowd increased. The seat beside you was still empty, fortunately, but you had a feeling that it might be gone any time soon.

You scrolled through your phone occasionally with music playing in your ears and the faint sound of the air conditioner humming.

The second stop arrives. You don't look up but you could see many footsteps being taken as people slowly took the vacant spots available.

It was a Friday after all. Any day of the week was busy in the big city, you always see people travelling.

It's fortunate enough that you can get to see your boyfriend every week despite both of your jobs. It was hectic to get through, but you stuck to each other's sides during the hard times.

Someone sat next to you. Now with a stranger's presence on your right, you felt conscious and straightened your back.

It was a man, and he seemed close to middle age. You could see from your peripheral vision that the man was wearing a plaid shirt with a phone in his left hand.

It wasn't like you assumed every man was the worst ever, but you often felt weird with all men except James, your boyfriend.

You weren't wearing anything bad either. Just something comfortable for you to travel but still look good and fashionable.

It wasn't visible to anyone else, but you could feel the small distance between you and the man to your right closing in.

You reminded yourself that it was not very noticeable to many, so you should pay no mind to it.

Maybe he doesn't have bad intentions..

You hoped for the next station to arrive quickly. The next station was all that mattered now because it meant that you would see your loving boyfriend again after a while.

The man closed in even more.

You were for sure now that this was not an accident. He kept glancing your way, his gaze even falling to some parts of your lower body.

You placed your tote bag over your lap for comfort, but it didn't help.

"You have arrived at __ Station."

The automated voice rang against the ceiling. Your eyes looked up towards the door.

You immediately removed your headphones and kept them back inside your bag.

Silently hoping that you actually did, in fact, get on the correct one, you bit your lower lip out of impatience.

Your hands clutched the tote in your lap a bit tighter as each second passed by, but as passengers came in and the train got more crowded, you just couldn't get the right view of James.

You gulped, holding onto the little hope that he would come.

The doors would close in 30 seconds. You mentally calculated it in your head, but then you spotted someone.

The figure was so familiar to you that you let out a relieved sigh when you didn't even see his face.

There he was, eyes scanning in search of you against the sliding doors. When they landed on your figure, you gave him a quick wave and a big smile.

You definitely didn't forget the man beside you, but he wasn't of importance at the moment.

James returned the smile and quickly walked across the groups of people to reach you.

When he finally did, he stood in front of you and your hands raised like an instinct. He gladly took it and gave it a quick peck on the knuckles.

You giggled because it wasn't the first time he had expressed affection in public. He knows you get shy every time, but you don't stop him either.

"How was work?" you asked him in a very soft voice because of other people in the train.

He held the handles above to balance himself on the train and used his left hand to keep holding your hand.

"Just the usual", He says lowly and shrugs his shoulders, which makes you grin. He grins back, knowing you're just happy to meet him.

You two held the contact constantly and spoke about random stuff in the quiet ride.

"I'm very sleepy.." he says to you. His lips made a straight line to control his expression.

You tightened the grip on his hands.

"It's just 2 more stops. When we reach home, please make sure you rest." Your voice was soft, but was still a bit concerned.

He blinked and nodded, understanding you calmly. He let out an evident sigh out of exhaustion.

You could feel his exhaustion as it was slowly getting to you too. But you couldn't feel sleepy.

All because of the same man to your right. His phone was still in his hand. His glances were less than before after James came into the scene, but not gone.

James was looking at the view from the window behind you. He wasn't oblivious to your body language.

You tried to remain calm since it didn't seem like it was that serious.

But oh, it was very serious to James.

It was the last straw when the man positioned his phone sideways, the back camera faced you.

You thought it was a video call.

You know? The usual asian parent things when they show their children on FaceTime where they are at by turning the phone 360°

But it wasn't like that. If anyone was watching, then they could've felt the same.

It didn't take a second longer for James to react. He snatched the phone out of the man's hand before he could take a picture.

You and some other people around you got startled by his action. You looked up at him.

James's expression was no longer sleepy but rather serious.

"Have some shame." He raised his eyebrows and held the phone in his hand firmly.

If he pressed it anymore, you feared the buttons would break.

It also caused a small commotion in the subway.

The man beside you started to hide his face when you and some others looked at him in disappointment.

James only gave a death stare to the man who avoided his gaze. You had never seen James like this before.

James handed the phone back to him and spoke in a stern voice.

"Delete."

You were confused. Would it be possible that the strange man took photos of you without you knowing?

Unfortunately, it was.

The man fiddled with his phone, looking reluctant to do what your boyfriend said. Your boyfriend lost his temper and grabbed his wrist, bringing the phone closer to him.

The man winced in pain from the hold. James let go of your hand for a moment and took the phone back from him and entered his gallery while still holding his wrist.

"This is an obstruction of privacy! Let go, you—!!"

James let out a smirk and scoffed.

"Privacy did not concern you when you were taking photos of my girlfriend?" James countered. He proceeded to delete all the secret pictures the creep had taken of you.

You felt a bad knot tie in your stomach. It was uncomfortable in front of everyone you had to go through such an experience.

You kept thinking about how bad things could've gone to if the man reacted any different, all because of his lustful desires..

You admired James for his quick action and care but, the whole thing just didn't sit right with you.

He did a quick scroll and went through the albums on the man's phone to see if there were any more, but it looked like you were the man's first victim.

Soon enough, the next stop arrived, and luckily the man got up, leaving his seat hurriedly. James shoved his phone back to him, and everyone was left surprised by the situation as the man ran away.

Your lips were parted out of awe. James looked down at you finally and saw the look on your face. He knew something wasn't in your mind. He made sure not to bring it up yet.

He found your expression hilarious, and so he chuckled.

You were shocked by the switch up from the serious face to a cute one. Your man has that duality.

He sat on your right and gave you a quick smile of assurance.

As the subway moved again, he scooted closer to you and reached for your hand, locking arms in the process.

You were still at a loss for words. Some strangers even gave James a nod of approval for how he handled the situation. He only nodded back politely.

The ride went comfortably now that you two had each other but, you were very uncomfortable on the inside, it got you thinking if you had come across any other creeps without noticing. What if you already got yourself tangled in other cases where you were just too tired to notice?

The thought made your breath hitch.. James didn't mention it either because he knows what was going on in your head.

He only gave you a smirk now, but deep inside, you both knew how concerned he was for you. He kept talking to you to keep your mind running from gathering those awful thoughts.

Time flew by when the last station arrived.

You both got off hand in hand and exited to reach to the shared apartment nearby.

James opened the lock with the keys in his hand, making a sound indicating entrance inside.

He held the door open for you. Entering first, you carefully removed your shoes as he locked the door behind you.

With all the chaos today, both your bodies were leaning against the couch right after freshening up.

During the silence, you elbowed him slightly in a teasing manner, trying to cope with what had happened a few moments ago.

"You were really cool today", you told him in a proud voice.

He smirked to hide his shyness, his expression later became neutral.

"I am sorry you had to go through that." He said, shifting the mood, now focusing on you. His head turned against the head of the couch.

You acknowledged his point. It was pretty dumb of you not to have noticed the creepy man capturing you in his camera.

"It was my fault too. I should've been aware of my surroundings."

James frowned with upsetness. He sat up.

"How is it your fault? You are exhausted too, and it won't affect men if you notice it or not because he will continue to do it in the future if that's what he desires."

You blinked as you took in his words.

He was right in a way, and so you didn't say anything. Maybe he didn't get what you were trying to say so you elaborate.

"I also want to learn how to protect myself.."

Your voice remained a soft hum against the still walls.

"I don't like depending on you for small things like this." You added. Your vision turned slightly blurry.

"This was not a small thing. You shouldn't feel bad for taking help from me." James shook his head, his eyebrows knitted in concern.

"I choose to help not because I want to show the world that I can but because I care for you more than anyone"

"I know.." You looked up at him.

"I know that very well because I trust you, but- how long am I going to keep playing a princess in a castle waiting for her knight?"

James listened carefully, and he understood what you actually meant.

"What if a situation arrives where you won't be there?"

"What am I to do then?"

A tear ran across your cheek unknowingly.

James didn't say anything, but he came in closer to you to wrap his arms around you.

He took in a deep breath, gathering what he was about to say.

"Courage is not easy to bring out, I know."

"But it doesn't come all at once, my love. You have to be able to have the will to believe that you should have such a quality in your life."

"Which you already do" He placed his chin on your head.

"Having the courage to speak up isn't just to protect yourself, but also to get through the anxiousness holding you back."

"That's why, Courage is a weak word for description because it has to go through the tough walls of anxiety first."

"Maybe you might not remember my words the next time you come across a situation like the one that took place today…"

"But just know that you have someone who believes in you and knows you can do well on your own."

"I trust you, and you are strong regardless of your thoughts."

You might have just cried a river in his arms. He admits he may not be the best with words, but his last sentence was enough to make you choke up.

Your hands reached to cover your face whilst crying. Your head was pressed against his collarbone.

He pulled you in tighter and patted your lower back gently. His other hand was still caressing your head when you leaned on him more.

You stayed there in his arms, letting it out quietly. His scent this close to you felt like home. Your eyes always get droopy when you hug him for long because he carries himself in a way that makes you feel safe.

"How about we order some food?" He said in a more melodic and mischievous voice, as if trying to make you stop crying.

You chuckled, the crying gave your lips and nose a soft red hue.

He pulled back and looked at you fondly, wiping some tears from your waterline. He leaned in for a gentle peck on your lips.

He pulled back and observed your expression.

Your face looked pretty with the red hue across your cheeks and nose. Even your lips were pink than they usually are from the crying. He found it elegant, like a beautiful potrait from the renaissance.

It doesn't mean he encouraged you crying because you looked pretty while doing so.

He fell in love with every side of you, even the broken one.

"I love you, you know that, right?"

You nodded, blinking slowly. You gazed at his face.

Taking in that he was your boyfriend made your stomach tumble sometimes.

You often wondered what miracle you had committed in your past life to deserve someone like him.

He understands you.

Makes you feel like you're at your comfort place.

He cares about you,

Makes you feel like yourself,

and most importantly..

He loves you.

The corners of his mouth lifted as he wondered what you must be thinking about so deeply.

He rested a hand on your shoulder, slowly making a trail to your neck.

Your hand rose to his nape instinctively.

He leaned in and rested his lips on yours. Your eyes closed, he did the same.

It invited you both into a darkness by vision but it felt safe.

The kiss was slow and gentle, showing no signs of escalating anywhere more than that. Your lips moved against his softly, like you wanted to savour the moment.

The hand on your neck slowly rises up near your ear and gently places a strand of your hair behind your ear without looking. It just felt right to him to be able to be this close to you and make you feel right.

His other hand reached your waist, it was comforting to feel him being cautious of your body.

You pulled back for a second, processing everything. You looked into his eyes, which were slightly sleepy from either tiredness or the kiss.

"Thank you", you managed to let out as your throat was dry. You enveloped him in a hug, both of your arms wrapping around his neck.

"I love you too," you say, reminding yourself that courage can be brought out by first having the conscious desire to be courageous.

He closed his eyes once more and embraced you tighter with his hands on your waist.

It wasn't new. You had done this many times before, but it felt different today. The energy was more intimate and comforting, even.

You silently wished this moment stretched forever, being aware that such a thought was unrealistic. Despite all of your thoughts, you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the love and support your boyfriend gives you. You wished you expressed your gratitude in a better way, but for now, you simply held onto the moment.

If forever were truly possible, you wouldn't choose anyone else but him.

It wasn't a fantastic day for anyone coming out of the high-school buildings knowing that they are about to give yet another exam, the one prior to their finals.

It hadn't meant much but with growing competition, everyone just wishes to try hard enough to score better than they did last time.

Y/n is casual about it, considering that she tops the school every year. She's the epitome of perfect.

Good grades, effortlessly pretty and soft spoken.

Regarding the last description, its only the image she puts up with everyone in school around her. Unlike Keonho.

Keonho, her neighbour who is utterly charming in front of everyone's eyes. He isn't perfect like how Y/n is but he is loved far more.

The way he flows into conversations with almost everyone, even the teachers have a smile on their faces disregarding the fact that he scores a C in their subjects.

The way he is ready to help a stranger without any hesitation and how he jokes and laughs at comments against him like it meant nothing to him.

To have a personality like Keonho, to be free and honest like him was on everyone's bucket list.

Including Y/n's.

What she didn't know was that she was all that he focused on.

The bell ringing was like the gates of heaven to all the students, they scrambles among themselves and get to doing their own things.

Y/n walks calmly in the hall, removing the minute speck of dust on her blazer. She had been waiting for her friend Stella since they leave together all the time.

Almost everyone had left the grounds which had Y/n standing there alone in the empty hall. The ambience was barely chill for her.

As she stalls time near the lockers, A very loud 'THUD!' sound was heard, it vibrated along her chest because the sound was closer to where she was.

A distance apart from where she was standing were 2 boys caught up in a fight.

She isn't the type to concern over fights because her father advised her not to. She felt uncomfortable being there wondering what would happen if one of them spotted her figure across the hall.

The situation was bad as she deciphered. One of them was pushed up against the lockers, the sound alarming to her ears ever since she heard and another guy cornering him on the steel.

Her eyes squinted and recognised a familiar face of the guy who being pushed. It was none other than.. Keonho.

Before she could confirm her sight, the other guy threw a punch to his jaw.

She winced, Her heart suddenly felt tight seeing him in a state like that.

There was blood dripping off of Keonho's lips but he simply decided to chuckle.

"This is immature of you, Danho." Keonho says in his usual voice with hints of irritation under it.

"Shut the fuck up Ahn Keonho, you know exactly what you did when you made out with my girlfriend." The other guy, Danho replied in a stern voice as he glares at Keonho.

Keonho doesn't waver. "What evidence do you have to prove—" Danho abrubtly grabs his collar and pushes on him.

"I don't need stupid evidence because I know jerks like you. Juhyeok told me." He presses against Keonho more.

"You believe Juhyeok? The jerk who does nothing bit intervene in everyone's lives? Thags whk you trust?" He questioned Danho and then scoffs.

"I would rather believe him than you, you are the fucking trash loitering around and rubbing off of people. I have hated you since the first time we ever met."

"So you're doing this now because you hate me, not that you actually believe what Juhyeo—" Keonho gets cut off with another blow to the jaw.

His temple scraped against the handle on the lockers next to him, leaving his hair stained with his blood as it drips along his left ear.

Y/n's mind screamed at her to go intervene but her body stayed put and hated herself for it.

Keonho meant nothing to her, they were mere neighbours who come across each other from time to time. Atleast that is what she thinks.

Her parents always warned her to not get involved in any drama, it affects their reputation as high class business owners.

It wasn't right to leave Keonho on his own but Keonho wouldn't know the fear of her parents against her piling up more than the fear of letting him handle it on his own.

She exits the building, repeating the moment near the lockers over and over.

"Y/n!" Stella exclaims from behind and jogs to catch up with her.

"I'm sorry, Mrs.Kang gave me some instructions about the upcoming swimming competition so I had to go by the Pool."

She links hands with Y/n and attempts to talk about her day until she noticed something off about Y/n.

"Hey, is anything wrong?" Stella asks but Y/n just shook her head. "I am fine." She said it so formally, Stella definitely caught on.

Stella dows small talk her Y/n as they walk out of school but Y/n keeps giving dry responses.

Y/n slows down and halts in her steps.

Her expression is dull and emotionless. She trails her eyes to the linked arms and then sighs. "I am sorry Stella, I think I left something in the library.." She abruptly says.

"Huh?" Stella replies, she didn't realise but slowly their linked arms detach and Y/n runs off into the building.

Leaving her friend stranded like that, Y/n reaches the same hall where she had witnessed the fight. It was bad knowing that nobody else was there to witness it but Y/n or Keonho wouldve gotten some support that wouldn't have led him to bleed.

She ran across the hall and approached the lockers where a quiet figure sits leaning back to the lockers like it was the only thing keeping his back straight.

He was breathing heavily, mainly due to the impact on his head during the fight.

Her eyes widened and she immediately calls out his name for the first time. "Keonho!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Keonho's eyes opened as he takes a minute to see a girl none other than Y/n.

He is internally shocked at her presence.

She had been Keonho's crush since like forever for him. He sees her face everyday when she leaves from her house right in front of his.

She goes early everyday to study in the library which made him wake up early during school days just to see her figure walking down the street from his window.

Even his mother was glad that he was finally waking up quick but surprised by the sudden change in her son's behaviour. "Kids these days.." She shrugged her shoulders and goes back to her business.

Sometimes his friends even convinced him that doing all of that just to watch her walk was creep behaviour and so he changed a bit.

He secretly glances at her direction whenever she arranges events. Whether it was for sports or something else. He purposely volunteers to work late at their grounds so he can accompany her and notice what she likes to do whenever they take a 5 minute break from their description of free labour.

Of course, she never notices and he doesn't overstep himself to try to gain her attention. Everyone may have cherished him and his frequent smiles but only he keeps his calm grins to himself when he focuses on her.

So after all of this, her calling his name out was like the start of some rom-com highschool drama with 12 episodes.

Back to reality.

She crouched to his level and examined the fresh wounds on his lips and the blood near his temple and ear.

Her breath unbalances.

"Miss Perfect finally talks to me? Today must be a good day." He chuckles weakly.

"Shut up Keonho! Look at you! Are you even seeing what kind of state you're in!?" She exclaims and panics because she knows the infirmary staff are long gone and that there was no point to call them back.

"Can you like, not scream. It kinda hurts my brain here." He speaks softly and places a hand on his temple in a very chill manner.

She scoffed in disbelief, this is the first time she had broken her polite image in order to help someone and its not helping the situation when he just acting like he's high.

"Just come with me." She gives up on talking and start dragging his arms up.

He doesn't resists because he also knows he needs the help.

—

They're both sitting face to face now on a hospital bed. Y/n has no idea why she has come this far to offer Keonho to patch his wounds instead of taking him to the hospital and letting him take care of the rest.

She has a cotton swab in her right hand that she dipped in alcohol first before she travelled her gaze to him.

She gulped for some reason, being hyper aware that she is closer to him than before only because she has to press a few cotton on his skin.

"I know I'm handsome." He spoke in the midst of the silence.

She furrowed her eyebrows as a reply, hes totally playing with her but she doesn't realise it. She wanted to roll her eyes very evidently.

"But please get it over wi—" he gets cut off but by Y/n this time as she holds his chin and tilts it to her convenience.

Her gaze falls on naturally pink lips, his wound was overshadowed by his pretty lips, especially when he smiles and extends them from ear to ear. A lining appearing

Which is what expression he made as her fingers gently placed themselves on his honey skin, her index finger under his chin and the thumb just below his lower lip.

She hated to admit it but seeing him smile like this, not in front of people but only to her almost made her copy his expression.

His smile was contagious, her stomach felt a particular type of warmth making eye contact. She hadn't felt anything like this before and she wanted to deny it herself before she could cross the limits to her emotions.

Her fingers holding the cotton swab was brought closer, she makes sure it's careful and slow so it doesn't feel intimidating.

Keonho doesn't move, but he gives in to however she prefers doing her stuff. Sometimes when the silence lingers its awkward and at other times there is only the faint sound of breathing that sets consciousness of each other's presence.

Being aware of him being proximate, her fingers slipped and applied some pressure to the crack on his lips making him wince. His eyes closed for a second by instinct.

"Ahh—" She winced with him alongside him unknowingly.

Keonho looked at her with a look that he couldn't figure out either.

"Be careful princess."

"Don't call me that."

"You hurt me and all you care about is being called princess?" He speaks dramatically with a hand to his heart.

"You're insufferable."

"You can handle it."

Her fingers complete the work on his lips by the next minute and she keeps the used tools aside.

Y/n gets off from the bed and takes some cotton from the medic box.

His gaze followers her actions, patiently waiting like a puppy who wants to go out for a walk.

She gulps. Looking elsewhere she spoke– "Stop staring and turn your head."

"Too shy to meet gazes?" He teased.

Her ears were welcomed a warm pink shade. She hopes he doesn't notice it.

"I dont want to waste more time here so could you please co-operate?" She replies in a more low tone.

"You are completely different with me from how you treat other people." He points outs looking up at her.

She meets his gaze, looking down.

"Hate to see someone who has to put up an act for the sake of reputation? Fine. I don't care anyways." She sighs and the words of her parents start to whisper in her ears like its a reminder.

Keonho starts to notice something off about her.

"Who said I hate you for it?." He replies in a more serious but reassuring tone.

Her breath hitches at his words, hearing such words from him made her heart feel somewhat better but she starts to question herself for it.

"Can you tilt your head." She speaks weakly.

"Please."

Something in Keonho changes, he didn't feel like teasing her now. He was now curious, he shouldn't feel the need to know what you're going through but his mind doesn't rest until he finds out.

He doesn't say anything and only moves his head to his right so his temple is visible.

She takes in the view of his now slightly dried up blood trailing from his head to the back of his ear. Some even dripping till his collarbone.

She lowers herself and begins patting the cotton on his skin to remove the stains.

Her other hand awkwardly finds a place on her nape. She presses the cotton into his skin, dragging the material across the stain. She disposes of the used cotton and gets a new one.

Repeating this process, she manages to clean the blood off.

Now for the actual wound.

It was deep in his hair and she wasn't sure if she could proceed. She tries to speculate the placement of the wound of his head through her eyes but his dark hair doesn't allow her to.

Keonho who was lost in thought for a moment looks up when the contact of the cotton leaves his skin.

He examines her stumbled upon something.

It doesn't take him a whole to notice her eyes followed his hair.

Y/n couldn't take it. She was about to say it, 'Find the wound of your head yourself and clean it with this.'

He speaks before she can.

"Am I scary? Untouchable?" He asks in the same serious tone from when he confessed that he didn't hate you for being you.

Y/n takes in a breath, she let's it out trying to find a witty response.

"I don't know how to treat this, especially since its because I can't see my own head with my eyes."

She stares at him, contemplating hsu words before sighing.

"Stay still then."

Her left hand was placed on his right shoulder and her right hand was brushing his hair hesitantly.

Keonho had been social and it wasn't rare for him to react friendly to a girl patting his back or ruffling his hair knowing he secretly hated it.

Y/n's hands were only placed on his shoulder for support and that was it, he asked for this and yet his ears start to get the heat from blood rushing there.

Especially when her fingers delicately shifted his hair, careful to not touch his scalp where the injury is.

His eyes closed for a moment, experiencing the comfort of her hands weighing in his mind.

Her? She hadnt felt anything different from him too.

His hair was silky, her fingers glided along the strands of his hair and she couldnt help but to think how comforting it would feel to just pat someone's hair and caress it.

Her fingers stopped once she finds a darkish red layer on his scalp sticking out. It looked bad, she wonders how he still is even conscious.

Her fingers stay on his head to secure the injury because she would hate to go through his hair again to find it. Maybe.

Her other hand left his shoulder. She picks up some healing gel and applies it on his scalp gently making sure not to repeat the same mistake with what she did while she was curing his lips.

As she gets it over with, her hands leave his hair unintentionally fixing the few messy pieces before leaving it completely.

They both hadn't said anything, she was acting too busy in keeping the medical stuff away.

Keonho too, starts to fidget with his hoodie and dusts his pants off being seated on the bed.

He prepares to stand up but just a second before he does—

'Knock knock knock!"

Someone was knocking on the infirmary door.

Both of you panicked, you especially because you heard the voice of the person outside and immediately recognised it.

None other than Stella.

She rustles the door knob, fighting it for it to open up.

The tension grew in the room and Y/n quickly kept the medical box away, pushing away some random things under the table while Keonho quickly closes the curtains that surround his bed and looked towards Y/n who was in the way.

Keonho pulls Y/n by the wrist and manages to close the curtains completely.

"Why is the door so jammed—" Stella's voice became more audible, confirming that she was now in the same room.

Y/n being pulled by Keonho so abrubtly didn't process into what position she has been wrapped up in.

Keonho's back is leaned against the bed board behind him, he had pulled her towards him with his left hand that made her stumble on him.

His right arm had wrapped her shoulder in for her to balance.

She is facing him, his face is nearly a few inches away from hers, she can take the scent of his cologne. Maybe a neutral note of cherry, she wasn't sure because she was too caught up in the situation.

Her eyes had widened be asked first of all, hes literally enveloping her like a koala.

Second of all, her hands are now lying on either of his shoulders.

It was close, too close for both of their liking but it didn't make either of them wiggle under each other's touch.

They stayed like thay because apparently Stella barged in to use the vending machine in the infirmary that held free protein shakes for patients.

Y/n couldn't care about her friend right now when Ahn Keonho has her doing barrel rolls inside her mind.

They weren't sure if she had left, they didn't hear the door closing but they slowly unwrapped themselves out of each other. They were still seated on the same bed only distance apart.

Y/n poked her head outside the curtains, looking right and left to see if she is gone.

Thankfully, Stella had left a while ago and the fact that she chose not to close the door had the two lingering in a rather unusual position for two neighbours who don't interact with each other at school.

Y/n looked towards Keonho.

"Forget everything that happend today." She averted her gaze elsewhere. Too shy now to even look at him after everything that had happend.

She took her bag from the ground and left him alone whike he was too taken aback to say anything.

Keonho let out the biggest breath ever. After all, she had been his crush for 3 years. He acted normal but deep inside, he was doing backfills ever since she approached him.

◇

The Swimming competition was the talk everywhere especially if it meant that students could watch Keonho in his habitat.

Keonho didn't tell anyone about his injury on his head since it hid well under his dark hair. The lip scratch was pretty easy to cover. He made uo a lie that his dog, Cookie got a bit playful with him.

He was more than thrilled about participating in the competition since Danho was also a part of it.

The competition was tomorrow. Keonho was advised by his trainer the day before and told him many tips on how to beat his competitors.

It is the night before the race.

Y/n is at her desk, studying for the semi-finals.

It was a sick move of the authorities to put the semi finals a week right after the swimming competition. How will one focus?

She planned on not going to the event tomorrow anyways. She couldnt focus either way with what had happend between her and Keonho.

Her heart thumped at the thought of him and it sickened her. Why did she even care? It seemed like Keonho has been the only thing running around her mind.

'Are things normal for him unlike me? Is he okay? Are his wounds healing?'

She slammed her pen on her desk and groaned.

Just then, she heard a rustling sound downstairs. The sound wasn't coming from inside but instead it was from the outside.

She decided to ignore it for a while, she has bigger concerns than a cat in the bush.

It didn't move her until her window tapped.

She turned her head towards her window.

Nothing.

It was pure darkness outside along with the streetlights of her neighbourhood.

She let out a sigh. Maybe she's just out of her head and imagining things. That theory quickly broke when she noticed a rock tapping against the glass of her window.

She furrowed her eyebrows, she stood up quickly to investigate.

As if she hadnt had enough, there he was..

Keonho standing in the yard with a few blunt stones in his hands that wouldn't hurt a fly.

Her eyes widened, her hands found the blinds but he was quick enough to call her out.

"Y/n! Open the window!"

She facepalmed, her realisation hits when she remembers that her parents are downstairs probably discussing their work.

Her hands left the blinds unwillingly and opened the window.

"What are you doing?!?" She whisper-shouted.

He chuckled. "I wanted to meet you, princess."

"No you didn't."

"What makes you say that?"

"You very well know how things work in my house. Leave now Keonh—"

"You could just let me in, I won't let them know." He stuffed his hands in the pocket of his hoodie and shrugged his shoulders.

She stared at him and huffed as her speech gave up on her.

He removed one hand from his pocket, "promise." He mouthed while lifting his pinky.

She closed her eyes, wishing that she weren't experiencing this right now.

She stared at his stupidly handsome face and then glanced at the handle of her window.

She opened it without thinking any further. It would be better to have him up sooner than letting her parents find out.

Keonho retrieves his hand and smiles in victory, the smile hadn't remained for too long as he accidentally stretched his wound.

He winced quietly without her knowing. He removes his hands from his hoodie and steps back.

"You're going to jump in?!" She freaks out.

"Would you rather I go through the pain of getting a ladder that lies right besides your front door?" He remarks.

She scoffs in replacement of a gasp because

1. How will he jump that high?

2. Why does he know so much about her house?

Keonho stares at the wall, calculating his moves already better than he does math equations.

He nodded and looked up to Y/n.

"Step back princess."

She rolls her eyes at the nickname but doesn't comment on it until he reaches her first.

He gets ready, his shoes scraped the grass under him while he sprinted.

He jumps and holds onto the ledge of her window, making her flinch a bit.

His foot grips the brick of the wall, he pokes his tongue in his cheek out of focus and she doesn't miss it.

He rises and places himself on her window successfully.

He removes some dust off his back and looks over. "I am an athlete, don't question my strength."

"I never did.." She whispered to herself.

His eyes glistened when he heard her. "You find me strong?"

"Are you coming in or not—"

"Y/n! Could you come down?" Mother's voice rang from downstairs.

Y/n freezes, alternating her gaze between the door and him.

"C-coming mom!" She yelled back.

Keonho sits there, his mannerism is chill. Its not like her mother will come up to check on her daughter for not coming quickly.

'Knock Knock!'

Y/n's eyes widened. She is used to having her parents in her room but right now, it was not the time.

Keonho wavers his gaze as he jinxed this interaction. Y/n looks at Keonho and then her room looking if there is any place for him to hide.

"I can't hide you anywhere!" She whisper shouted to him.

"Then where do I go?!?" Keonho panicked.

"Y/n! Open the door!" Her mother's voice becomes more audible.

"I was changing, give me a minute Mother!" She lies and bites her lip figuring out how to get rid of him.

"Go down." She says.

"What?"

She pushes him by the shoulder without explaining any further.

He immediately shifts his weight to lower himself understanding what she wants him to do.

He ducks and dangles by her window, his arms supporting him from falling below.

She immediately opens the door and bows to her mother.

"Whats all the noise dear?" Her mother's enters her daughter's clean room. She takes in the view of the bedroom before looking at Y/n.

"We are here to inform you that we are going to be out tomorrow for business and the maids are on leave as well." Her mother starts speaking.

She nods at her mother's words, taking notes of her chores to do.

"Keep the house clean and strictly no visitors." Her voice more strict now.

"Yes mother.." Y/n hangs her head low and replies softly.

Taking one last look at the room, her mother takes leave and disappears downstairs.

Y/n lightly closed the door, careful that it doesnt make a sound. After a soft click, she runs towards her window.

She opened it quickly and finds him struggling to hold on. Her body moved faster than her mind when she extended her hand towards him.

Keonho took it blindly, his hand wraps around hers like a mold. The feeling of her cold hands in his was inverted by the warmth of his chest.

She managed to pull him up with all her might but maybe it was too much.

Keonho unknowingly supports his weight on her when he gets pulled up, causing her to fall back.

Keonho quickly reached out his arm to support her back from falling but they bumped foreheads in the process.

"Ouch.." She let out as she caresses her forehead before being aware of his existence, very close to hers.

Luckily they didn't fall. With so much going on in their heads, they didn't realise how physically close they were with each other, it wasn't the first time though.

She pushes him away and dusts her clothes acting like nothing happend.

He almost hit the window from the impact, he cleared his throat and his eyes wandered around her room to avoid awkwardness.

She regains reality and looks towards him. "Why are you here? Don't you have a competition tomorrow?"

Keonho caught off guard replied "Uh, right."

"I was hoping if you can check on my injury." He continued.

"What—"

"Please. I really want to participate tomorrow but I have to prove the trainer that Im ready to get in."

She contemplates, looking at him for a while before sighing.

"Sit."

He smiles like a hopeless idiot.

"Where?" He asks innocently.

"On my head obviously." She spoke in sarcasm.

Keonho blinked.

"Just sit anywhere jeez.." She covered her face with her hands to muffke her groan.

Keonho sits on her bed, it was clean and extremely comfortable. He wanted to lie down and go into slumber right then and there.

Y/n walks towards his left side.

His hair had grown a bit over the past week as she noticed.

"You know where the wound is, why couldn't you do it yourself." She asks.

"Isn't it better to get it done properly by the one who treated it so gently?" He says, slightly teasing.

"I will pull your hair out if you tease again." Despite her sharp words, her fingers grazed against his hair.

This time, they knew where to travel. The wound was still visible, a red scab protecting the real injury in his scalp.

She touched it to see if it hurt him. He only blinked, didn't think she would touch there. The next touch was harsher in which he let out a loud wince.

She quickly took her fingers back and blowed on the wound to cool it.

Keonho was already foreseeing a wedding venue from that.

The coolness reached his scalp which he would admit, healed it partially because his thoughts now were only filled with her.

How he managed to get her attention was one thing and the other was how she already managed to uplift a side of him that others dint usually see.

"You never learn from your mistakes?" He teases.

She tugs his hair strand as a demo to her statement made earlier. "Ah-ah—" he scrunches his shoulders.

He manages to giggle even later. She takes a step back and cracked her knuckles.

"It doesnt look that bad now but I suggest you don't participate." She made her remark clear to him.

To his disappointment, he didn't like the way the sentence sounded. He was really adamant on going to this year's swimming competition and very importantly, beat Danho.

He sighs. "Its really important for me to go Y/n." He says lowly.

"Expecially because I want to beat someone." He leaned back and supported himself with his palms on her mattress.

Y/n could sense the determination in his tone. She knew who he was referring to.

She looks down before speaking the truth to him finally.

"—I overheard the fight that day."

Keonho's breath get caught in the air and he looks at Y/n slowly.

Shit.

'What if she believes Danho? What if she actually thinks I hooked up with Danho's girlfriend? What if she hates me now?'

Keonho gets countless thoughts in his mind.

"Y/n—" he starts but gets cut off.

"Danho is a jerk. You don't have to beat him to prove yourself." Y/n speaks as she makes eye-contact.

Keonho is caught off guard. She didn't even question him.

"You don't believe him?" Keonho asks cautiously.

"Why would I? I saw his girlfriend with Juhyeok that day, he mistook it for you."

Keonho's eyes had some glow in them, unsure if it was the admiration he had for her now or his tears or both.

He smiles to hide his inner expression. "I won't get peace until I beat him." He said as he nods.

"Keonho, you are better than this. Don't work yourself to show it to everyone. Those who have brains will see that he is wrong."

He stands up, maintaining eye contact with her. She moves her head to look up.

He tilts his head as he looks at her face closely to see if there was any clue of a lie to everything she has said to him.

He finds none. His left hand raised closer to her head and moved a piece of hair away from her face. "Thank you." He mutters softly.

She is kept confused and flushed as he leaves her room, through the window. He looks back at her with a cheeky smile as he waves her goodbye.

He jumps down and jogs down to his house a few blocks away.

Y/n flops down on the bed covering her mouth. All of these mixed reactions she had for him was eating her braincells.

She was concerned now, there was no doubt that Keonho would participate tomorrow.

—

The day of the swimming competition arrived. All students were gathered at the bleachers in the pool room of the school.

Many students held up supportive signs and posters of the names of the players.

Of course, Keonho had the most supporters but his rival Danho wasn't bad on popularity either.

The trainer had somehow allowed Keonho to swim since he would be wearing a swim cap to protect his injury.

Keonho was more pumped than ever but Y/n's words kept drifting. She told him not to go.

He wondered if she even attended the event today, his eyes scanned the indoor area.

Nevertheless, he waved and smiled to everyone on the bleachers, recognising some of his friends and even some teachers.

But he didn't spot her yet.

It was a 100x2 metre round for the 8 players, and then 4 by elimination. In the end, a finale between the last 2 was the last round following the same distance.

Keonho prepared himself on the diving board. He was confident in himself to win, maybe he would get more motivation if she had shown up.

He was lane 5. His heart beats louder than before. Water had always been his friend, he was sure to make it far till the finale as he had done last year.

The referee starts countdown.

3...

2..

1.

The whistle blows.

Keonho dives in the pool as quick as possible, he was already in the lead as the commentary echoed in the room pointing it out.

The water seeps on the scratch of his lips bit he ignores it as he elegantly moves his feet and arms in the water.

Reaching the cold surface of the other side, he pushes himself backwards and swims in the other direction.

His vision was blue and uninterrupted, he didn't see any other silhouettes in front of him meaning that Danho was probably behind.

His vision becomes clearer when he reaches the starting point, his hand extends to the board and successfully rises his head out of the water.

The voice rang on the speakers— "First! Ahn Keonho followed by second place Kang Danho and..."

He takes a deep breath as cheers erupt from all around him. He takes a short moment before getting up to look around, still trying to find Y/n.

Her presence is felt no where in the big indoor ground.

He prepares himself for the semi-finals.

As expected, he easily wins the semi-finals round too.

It was only the finals that had mattered anyways.

There was still no sign of Y/n. Maybe he made her mad, he couldnt stop thinking about her and at this point, he might even lose because of it.

Danho purposely pushes his shoukder as he walks by which gets Keonho irritated.

It was time to prepare. Both of them squat on the diving boards assigned to them. Keonho takes in a deep breath.

With every beat and minute, tension grows as everyone awaits the final whistle of the day.

'RING!' the whistle blows.

Keonho doesn't wait back, he dives as far as he can all to beat the guy who caused him the pain he was feeling on his lip as he swam this very moment.

His arms reach the surface a bit late than the last 2 times he swam because now, his body was starting to ache.

It doesn't waver his motion. He keeps swimming across the waters like a cruise. Putting all of his might into the race, he speeds up and there is tension among the audience. Danhi was catching up.

They were now neck to neck. Their bodies in sync against the surface of the pool in their respective lane.

It was only by a split second that one head rose up before the other.

Both swimmers now breathing heavily as they await the winner.

"Congratulations to Ahn Keonho, Swimming champion of our high-school for 2025-2026!"

Cheers and applause broke out from the audience as a chants emerges.

"Ahn Keonho! Ahn Keonho! Ahn Keonho!"

Keonho smiles to himself as he gets out of the swimming pool, he receives a towel to his neck but for some reason his mind starts malfunctioning.

He stops a few steps away from the pool and grabs his head in pain. The water got to it.

Unknowingly, Danho made eye contact with him that made him burst his bubble. It was infuriating to Danho that Keonho still had the guts to look at him as if mocking his failure.

Keonho's head doesnt face his rival bit he senses footsteps behind him. His eyes that were closed from the growing pain opened slowly.

Danho turns Keonho harshly by the shoulder and mocks him. "Show-off. You think you can mock me like that..?" He spoke in a loud voice as he had no understanding of his surroundings ever.

The front rows were hearing it all. Danho was intimidating and cold, nobody would want to speak up against him. He belongs to a chaebol family after all.

They watched Keonho knitting his eyebrows as if trying to figure out what was actually going on as he releases a hand from his head, the pain in his head wasnt any lighter.

"What are you—" Keonho replies but Danho speaks over him.

"Don't act smart with me you shithead, I saw you with that topper girl from our class the other day.. Fancy of her? Want to hook-up with her too?" Danho smirks like a psycho and laughs it off while the students on the seats get anxious in their seats.

Even the teachers remained quiet knowing that their interference could lose them a well paying job.

Keonho freezes when he realises who he is referring to. His eyelids grew heavy making his gaze look like a glare now.

"Don't you dare bring her into this—" Keonho warned him. Danho doesn't care when he talks louder.

"So you're not denying the fact thay you hooked up with my girlfriend?" He steps closer to Keonho.

Keonho folds his hands into a tight fist as if to control himself.

"You act smart only by words, come to me when you have really evidence." Keonho gives a statement as he gets notioned to go to the changing rooms.

Keonho's head turned away from him for a second. That's when Danho pulls Keonho harshly from his shoulder and raises his fist to punch Keonho.

That alone gained gasps and people widened their eyes. Some took out their phones.

Some teachers were in action to come in between them but were beaten by someone else.

"Isnt that Y/n?"

"Why is she interfering?"

"Why is she protecting Keonho? Are the two of them a thing?"

"Her parents will be so mad when they find out."

Keonho was awaiting the hit but instead he felt a wind blow against him when he suddenly realises that Y/n stands in between the two guys.

Due to her presence between them, Danho holds his fist in the air before it could potentially hit her.

"Evidence? I can give that." Y/n speaks as she looks into Danho's eyes.

Danho's eyes widened as she speaks. "Looks like pretty princess has alot to say." He smirks to hide his internal turmoil.

Keonho wasn't able to process the situation because of the ringing pain in his head, he stumbles so Y/n reaches out to support him by the elbow.

Her gaze shifts towards their homeroom teacher, Mrs. Yoon.

Their teacher gets the code and approached the scene from afar. Her gaze shifted between her and Danho.

Y/n searches for something in her school blazer messily as she holds Keonho with the other arm.

What came out of her hands was a pen-drive. She handed it over to her teacher while whispering some instructions.

Keonho being out of it suddenly supported all his weight on her, gasping for air when he experiences tinnitus in his ears for a short moment. The water in his ears was still dripping and some must've seeped in his wound on the head because a few blood drops were dripping alongside the water on his temple.

Y/n notices it and quickly takes him out of there where everyone was now whispering among themselves.

She manages to bring him to the athlete closet area where many different clothes of different activities were displayed.

She made him sit on the bench as she sat besides him.

He groans when he places his hand on his head like it would make the pain go away.

She hurried to open the fridge nearby filled with energy drinks and some other sporty snacks.

She got some ice in her hands and placed them in the new napkin she brought today. Hurriedly, she closed the fridge and sat besides him and raised the quick ice pack against his hand to let him know.

He removes the hand slowly and calms down when the ice comes in contact with his scalp. It also stinged but it felt cooler than before.

He finally fully opened his eyes to be welcomed with Y/n sitting in front of him. She was frowning with concern and her lips were parted in concentration.

He breathes softly, didn't expect him to be here instead of the podium. Its like he ruined the vibe for everyone.

"Y/n.." he calls out in a voice that almost couldn't be heard. Her hands freeze and she looks at him.

Before she could say anything, Keonho reaches for her blazer but pulls himself on her as he places his head on her shoulder.

His breath hitches because he applied his thought to reality but he knew he couldn't go back. His improper breathing was caught on her collarbone.

The water was now dripping onto her from his swimsuit, her blazer was slowly getting drenched.

She pauses, her right hand goes numb from the ice that was now melting unto her hand.

Her body reacts before her mind does when her left hand rises bit its awkward for her because she doesn't know what to do appropriately.

His shoulders were almost touching hers so if she tapped his shoulders, her arms would be folded in order to do so, hard not to get a cramp from that.

So she did what her gut told her to.

She gently placed her hands on his wet hair. The water from his strands fell on her skin that gave her the chills.

She wasn't supposed to do this, be this helpful and let Keonho do this to her but her heart said otherwise.

She sighed for him as her hands caressed his head, she dropped the ice pack that was in her other hand gently behind him on the same bench.

Keonho pulls her in by her clothes and fiddles with the warm material. "I am sorry.." he mumbles under her jaw.

She pulls him back. "For what? You won the competition. I am happy for you." She says with a small grin but something deep inside her words was pretty evident.

"I didn't listen to you.. I got too blinded by pride that I made a fool out of you even when I knew your parents won't take this lightly.." He carefully spoke hoping he let's her know how bad he feels.

She nibbled her inner lip at his words. Its true, she did warn him of not going. If she hadn't gotten involved at all maybe she could've protected her clean image but instead got wrapped in rumours of messing with Danho.

She shook her head. "Don't say all of that, its over now, isn't it? I should be sorry first. I should've stepped in when the whole dispute was happening, so it could prevent you from being hurt like this to the point where you cannot practice your passion for the time being."

Keonho replied. "I wouldn't be mad if you had ignored me."

Y/n sighed because his words were frustrating her. "Why would you say that?"

"Because you hate me."

She visibly seemed upset at his mindset. "How so??" Her voice was slightly raised.

"You use your sharp words with me everytime we have a conversation. Only me. I sometimes can't help but wonder if you dislike me because we can never be compatible."

"You idiot." Her voice barely came out of her throat using the same sharp words he referred to.

"See! That's what I was say—"

"I like you." She cut him off.

He pauses and blinks. Once, twice, he stares at her during the silence after her words repeat in both of their minds.

She seems to be shocked at what she said too.

She stands up all of a sudden from the sudden realisation and turns away from him.

Keonho stares at her back but before she could take another step he stands up too.

He didnt take her wrist, instead her turned her around by the shoulder.

"What did you just say?" He looks in her eyes looking for the truth, his face is close to hers.

She exhales out of frustration at herself. This is very embrassaing for her.

"I said.." Her eyes were on the concrete walls as her words trail off. She looks at him finally before completing the sentence.

"—that I like you—" but before it actually completed, she felt a pair of lips on top of hers.

She completely froze, his hands were still on her shoulders when he closed the distance. His lips were just on top of hers, he didn't proceed any further. Afraid to make her uncomfortable. How ironic of him to make the first move though.

He pulled back slightly like he was checking her reaction. It was just a long peck but both of their ears were redder than ever.

"I.. also like you." The pain in his head was all gone and all he could focus on now was her.

He confesses softly as if he would rejected by her, the grip on her shoulders slightly loosened.

He decided to pull his hands back since his overthinking got the best of him, making him feel like a jerk for touching hers without her consent.

To his surprise before he lost the touch of her shoulders, she pulled him by his neck and did the same thing as he did to her.

Her lips were on his now but she was in action.

Wanting to savour their first kiss, she moved as cautiously as possible. He was the opposite.

He touched her cheek like he was destined to do so. He leaned in closer and pulled her by her blazer too.

The water on him was gradually drying up but a few drips along their foreheads.

They pulled back slowly, suddenly the tension was awkward and so Keonho giggles. He was now in his normal mood but better.

"Why are you giggling, do you know how much courage it takes to confess like that? Especially when you think I hate you." She frowns, her hands still placed on his nape.

He gave her a peck. "I've been waiting here with my girl next door crush for 3 years but you stole my lines."

"That's so long? You don't even acknowledge me at school."

"There they are, those sharp words I was talking about."

"Still doesnt explain how you can have a crush on me for 1096 days without me noticing."

Keonho pauses, he really looks at her and chuckles. He doesn't care anymore.

He engulfs her into the tightest hug ever.

"I'm already covered with pool water, hugging me doesn't make it better Keonho.."

"I can help you dry later, for now—just stay like this." He giggled with his eyes closed, Y/n can his little jumps when the thought hits that she no longer remains a crush to him.

tryna get used to tumblr but lmk if you want the spin off for this where the evidence is revealed 🤭

masterlist

A/N — first fic! lowkey cringe but I tried my best since eng is not my first language ✌️