I Can’t Choose A Bias 🌸

For about three months, Fuma and (Y/n) had been seeing each other. Not officially. Just dates, spending time together, getting to know one another, and figuring out whether they wanted to become something more. And now, after those three months, they had finally made it official. They had only been a couple for a few days. Not that it surprised anyone. Their friends had been teasing them long before either of them admitted their feelings. Every time they sat together, every time they shared food, every time they accidentally matched outfits without planning it, someone always had something to say. “You two are disgustingly cute.” “Just date already.” “Seriously, nobody is fooled.”

Eventually, after enough embarrassed glances and nervous smiles, they had finally made it official. And honestly? It was even better than either of them had imagined. Fuma loved spending time with (Y/n). Whether they were walking home together after class or work, texting late into the night, or simply sitting next to each other doing their own thing, he always found himself smiling more when she was around. (Y/n) felt exactly the same. There was something comforting about Fuma. He was easy to talk to, funny without trying too hard, and somehow always knew how to make her laugh when she was having a bad day.

Everything was going great. Almost perfectly. There was just one thing. One thing neither of them had told the other. Pokémon. For Fuma, it had once been something he talked about constantly. As a kid, he could name hundreds of Pokémon without hesitation. He spent hours playing the games, watching the anime, collecting cards, and arguing with friends over which Pokémon was the strongest. His favorite had always been Eevee. He loved Eevee’s different evolutions, loved how versatile it was, and honestly thought it was the cutest Pokémon ever created.

Unfortunately, not everyone shared his enthusiasm. As he got older, the teasing started. People laughed when they saw Pokémon keychains on his backpack. They rolled their eyes when he mentioned a new game. Some openly called him childish. Others acted like he should have grown out of it years ago. At first, he tried to ignore them. Then he tried talking about it less. Eventually, he stopped talking about it entirely. It was easier that way. Safer. By the time he met (Y/n), Pokémon had become one of those things he quietly enjoyed behind closed doors. He still played the games. Still followed announcements. Still got excited whenever a new Eevee event was released. But nobody really knew anymore. Especially not his girlfriend.

A small part of him worried that if she found out, she’d think he was immature. Maybe she’d laugh. Maybe she’d lose interest. Maybe she’d see him differently. So he kept it hidden. Just in case. What Fuma didn’t know was that (Y/n) had gone through almost the exact same thing. She had adored Pokémon for as long as she could remember. She could spend hours talking about her favorite Pokémon. She loved Eevee too, though her personal favorite was Sylveon. She knew all the evolutions, knew type matchups, and knew obscure Pokémon facts that most people would never care about. Her room was filled with things she’d carefully hidden away over the years. Plushies. Old game cartridges. Cards tucked safely into binders. A collection she never showed anyone.

Because she had learned early on that people could be cruel. Being a girl who liked Pokémon should not have been a big deal. But somehow it was. People called her childish. Others called her weird. Some even told her it was too boyish. After hearing the same comments over and over, she had eventually stopped sharing that part of herself. Pokémon became her secret hobby. Something she loved deeply but quietly. Something she only enjoyed when nobody was looking. And so, despite how close they had become over the past three months, despite knowing each other’s favorite foods, favorite movies, and favorite songs, neither Fuma nor (Y/n) knew they were dating someone who shared one of their biggest passions. Instead, they continued hiding it from each other. Completely unaware that the person sitting right beside them would probably be just as excited to discuss Eevee, Pikachu, Lucario, Gengar, Dragonite, and countless other Pokémon for hours on end.

~~~

Now, hand in hand, Fuma and (Y/n) were making their way through the city toward their next date. The arcade. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow across the sidewalks as people passed by around them, but neither of them paid much attention to anyone else. They were too focused on each other. Well, mostly (Y/n) was focused on talking. “I hope you’re prepared.” Fuma glanced over at her, amused. “For what?” “The most embarrassing defeat of your life.” She pointed dramatically at him with her free hand. “I am going to destroy you.” Fuma let out a laugh. “There it is.” “There, what is?” “Your competitive side.” (Y/n) gasped dramatically. “I don’t have a competitive side.” “You absolutely do.” “I do not.” “You challenged me before we even got there.” “Because I know I’m going to win.” Fuma shook his head, unable to stop smiling.

The excitement practically radiated off her. There was almost a skip in her step as she walked beside him, her eyes bright with anticipation. Honestly, it was adorable. And unfortunately for him, she was probably right. Fuma was not particularly good at games. Video games, racing games, claw machines, it didn’t matter. If there was a way to lose, he somehow found it. Whenever he played with his friends, he usually ended up somewhere near the bottom of the rankings while everyone else laughed at his terrible luck. His one saving grace was anything involving physical strength. Arm wrestling. Strength tests. Hammer machines. Anything where muscles mattered more than reflexes. Years of training and his naturally muscular build usually gave him the advantage there. Everything else? Not so much.

“I should warn you,” he said. “You’re talking to someone with a long and proud history of losing.” (Y/n) laughed. “Good. That means my victory will be even easier.” “See? Competitive.” “I prefer confident.” “That’s not confidence. That’s arrogance.” “It’s only arrogance if I’m wrong.” Fuma groaned. “You’re impossible.” “And yet you’re dating me.” She flashed him a grin that immediately made it impossible for him to argue. “Fair point.” Satisfied with her victory, (Y/n) squeezed his hand. Fuma squeezed back automatically. A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment. Even after becoming official a few days ago, he still wasn’t completely used to it. The hand-holding. The casual affection. Being able to call (Y/n) his girlfriend.

Every now and then the realization would hit him out of nowhere, and he’d find himself smiling like an idiot. This was one of those moments. (Y/n) noticed immediately. “What are you smiling about?” “Hm?” “That smile.” “What smile?” “That one.” Fuma looked away. “No reason.” “You’re smiling.” “I can smile for no reason.” “Not like that.” (Y/n) narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Fuma laughed nervously. She knew him too well already. After another second, he finally admitted it. “I was just thinking.” “About?” “You.” The confidence vanished from her face almost instantly. “Oh.” Her ears turned slightly pink. Fuma felt his own face warming. Neither of them said anything for a moment. Then (Y/n) looked away. “Well.” “Well?” “That’s… nice.” Fuma laughed. “You were a lot more confident five seconds ago.” “Shut up.” She lightly bumped her shoulder against his. He bumped her back. The two of them continued down the street, smiling to themselves. Neither of them knew that, in less than an hour, one accidental discovery was going to completely change the way they saw each other. And neither of them could have guessed just how excited they were both about to become.

After reaching the arcade, the competition began almost immediately. And unfortunately for Fuma, it went exactly as expected. (Y/n) beat him at the racing games. She beat him at the basketball game. She somehow beat him at air hockey despite him being convinced he had the advantage. Every victory was followed by a triumphant grin and an increasingly dramatic celebration. “Another win for me.” Fuma sighed. “You’re enjoying this way too much.” “Correct.” Twenty minutes later, she was still winning. Thirty minutes later, she was definitely still winning. By the time they had been there for nearly an hour, Fuma’s confidence had been completely shattered. Only one game had gone in his favor. The boxing machine.

The moment his fist connected with the punching pad, the score had shot up high enough to leave (Y/n) staring at the screen in disbelief. “What?” Fuma couldn’t help laughing. “What?” “That’s not fair.” “How?” “Look at you.” She grabbed his arm dramatically. “You’re built like a final boss.” Fuma laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. Despite that one victory, the overall score was still overwhelmingly in (Y/n)’s favor. Which she was very proud of. “I think this officially makes me the superior gamer.” “I think that’s one game.” “It’s enough.” Eventually, after exhausting most of their arcade credits, they decided to take a break and grab something to drink.

The arcade was crowded, filled with flashing lights, electronic music, and the constant sounds of games going off around them. Hand in hand, they made their way toward the snack bar. Then they passed the claw machines. Rows and rows of them lined one wall. Some held generic stuffed animals. Some held candy. Some held random prizes. And one of them… One of them was filled entirely with Pokémon plushies. Pikachu. Eevee. Charmander. Squirtle. Bulbasaur. Mimikyu. Snorlax. A whole collection packed tightly behind the glass. Apparently it had been added recently, because neither of them remembered seeing it before.

The second (Y/n)’s eyes landed on it, every rational thought left her brain. “Oh, my god!” She practically squealed. “I have to win one of those!” The words echoed out far louder than she intended. The second they left her mouth, she froze. Completely froze. Her eyes widened. Her stomach dropped. Slowly, horrified, she turned toward Fuma. Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Had she really just said that out loud? About Pokémon? In front of her boyfriend? A thousand horrible possibilities immediately flooded her mind. What if he thought she was childish? What if he thought she was weird? What if he thought she was too boyish? What if he laughed? What if he suddenly realized she wasn’t the kind of girl he wanted to date?

Meanwhile, beside her, Fuma had frozen too. For a completely different reason. His eyes flicked from (Y/n). To the claw machine. Then back to (Y/n). Then back to the claw machine. His heart had started beating a little faster. Surely… No. Maybe she meant a different machine. There was another claw game right beside it. Maybe she wanted one of those prizes instead. But if she meant the Pokémon one… His brain refused to finish the thought. Because if she meant the Pokémon one… That would mean… No. Don’t get your hopes up. Still, he couldn’t help staring at the Eevee plush sitting near the front. He wanted to play that machine too. Desperately.

After several seconds of awkward silence, Fuma finally cleared his throat. If I don’t ask, I’ll never know. “Which game?” he asked carefully. (Y/n) looked at him. “The Pokémon one,” he clarified. “Or the one beside it?” For a moment, she couldn’t answer. She looked at Fuma. Then the machine. Then Fuma again. Part of her wanted to lie. To pretend she’d meant the other machine. To avoid the risk. But another part of her was tired. Tired of hiding. Tired of pretending. Tired of acting like something she loved was embarrassing. Maybe… Maybe Fuma was different. Maybe she could trust him. Her fingers tightened around his hand. “The Pokémon one,” she admitted quietly. Almost a whisper. “The Pokémon one.”

The words had barely left her mouth when she finally looked up at him properly. And nothing could have prepared her for what she saw. Fuma’s entire face lit up. Not a polite smile. Not an awkward smile. A genuinely excited grin. The kind that reached all the way to his eyes. Like someone had just handed him the best news he’d heard all week. For a second, (Y/n) simply stared at him. Completely confused. Because that was definitely not the reaction she’d been expecting. “Wait, really?” Fuma blurted out. (Y/n) nodded. She still couldn’t quite find her voice. Everything was happening so fast.

A minute ago she’d been convinced she’d ruined everything. Now her boyfriend was looking at her like she’d just told him they had won the lottery. “You like Pokémon?” Fuma asked, placing both hands on her shoulders. “For real?” His eyes were sparkling. Actually sparkling. The excitement in his voice was impossible to miss. (Y/n) nodded again. “Yeah.” That was all she managed before Fuma’s grin somehow widened even further. His cheeks had to be hurting at this point. “I love Pokémon!” he practically shouted. (Y/n) blinked. “What?” “I love Pokémon!” The excitement in his voice was so genuine that it finally snapped her out of her stunned silence. A smile slowly crept onto her face. Then another. Then she found herself laughing. “Wait, really?” This time, it was her asking.

“Of course, really!” Fuma said immediately. “I never told you because people used to make fun of me for it all the time.” His expression softened slightly. “They’d call me childish. Tell me I should’ve grown out of it. Eventually, I just stopped talking about it.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then (Y/n) stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Without hesitation. Without thinking. She buried her face against his chest. Almost immediately, Fuma hugged her back. “I know exactly what you mean,” she mumbled. “Hm?” “People told me it was childish, too.” Fuma’s arms tightened around her slightly. (Y/n) continued quietly. “And some people said Pokémon was something only boys should like.” Even now, saying it out loud felt ridiculous. But it had hurt at the time. It had hurt enough to make her hide something she genuinely loved.

“So I stopped talking about it,” she admitted. “I still played the games and watched stuff, but I never really told anyone.” Fuma pulled back just enough to look at her. His expression was warm. Affectionate. Like he couldn’t believe she had ever felt like she needed to hide. “You don’t have to hide anything from me.” (Y/n)’s heart skipped. Fuma smiled softly. “I love you, (Y/n). Everything that is you.” For a moment, she simply stared at him. Then her smile grew brighter than it had been all day. The kind of smile that made Fuma instantly smile back. Slowly, she pulled away from the hug. Then she pointed dramatically toward the claw machine. “Let’s go win some plushies!” Fuma immediately nodded. “Absolutely.”

His attention snapped toward the machine. Specifically toward a certain Eevee plush sitting near the front. “Oh, we’re getting one of those.” (Y/n) followed his gaze. Her eyes widened. “Eevee’s your favorite?” “Yes!” “Mine’s Sylveon!” Fuma gasped. Actually gasped. “No way.” “Way.” “No way!” “Way!” Fuma laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. This was unbelievable. For months, he had hidden this part of himself. For months, he had worried about what she might think. And now she was standing beside him, excitedly discussing Eeveelutions. It felt unreal. He grabbed her hand. “Come on.” They hurried toward the machine. “And after this,” Fuma continued, already sounding excited again, “you have to tell me everything.” (Y/n) laughed. “Everything?” “Everything.”

He pointed at her dramatically. “Favorite type.” “Okay.” “Favorite game.” “Okay.” “Favorite starter.” (Y/n) gasped. “That’s a cruel question.” “I know.” “That’s impossible.” “You still have to answer.” (Y/n) narrowed her eyes. “Only if you answer too.” “Deal.” They shook on it immediately. Then both turned toward the claw machine. Neither of them could stop smiling. Because for the first time in years, they weren’t hiding anymore. And somehow, completely by accident, they had discovered that the person they loved understood them perfectly.

~~~

A few days later, Fuma and (Y/n) found themselves sprawled across the couch in his apartment, dressed in matching Pokémon pajamas. The matching pajamas had been entirely accidental. At least, that was what they had both claimed. In reality, the moment they had discovered they were both Pokémon fans, all restraint had completely disappeared. Now Fuma was wearing a dark blue pajama set covered in Eevees and their evolutions, while (Y/n)’s pajamas featured Pikachu, Sylveon, and a scattering of Poké Balls.

Every time one of them looked at the other, they started smiling again. It was ridiculous. Neither of them cared. The television was on, a Pokémon game waiting to be started, but neither of them had actually begun playing yet. Because (Y/n) kept getting distracted. “Oh, my god.” She was currently kneeling in front of one of Fuma’s shelves. For the past half hour, she had done little more than wander around his apartment, discovering new Pokémon treasures. “You have Pokémon Platinum?” Fuma laughed from the couch. “Yeah.” “The original one?” “Yeah.” (Y/n) looked at him in disbelief.

“Do you know how jealous I am right now?” Fuma grinned. “You should see the drawer underneath.” “The what?” “The drawer underneath.” (Y/n) immediately opened it. A second later, a loud gasp echoed through the apartment. “No way.” Fuma laughed harder. Inside were more old games. Pokémon HeartGold. Pokémon Black. Pokémon Emerald. Several carefully preserved cartridges that Fuma had held onto for years. (Y/n) looked like she had just discovered buried treasure. “Fuma.” “Hm?” “Marry me.” Fuma nearly choked. “Isn’t that a bit too soon?” “I can make exceptions.” That earned a pillow thrown in her direction. (Y/n) laughed as it bounced harmlessly off her shoulder. As she continued exploring, she found posters rolled up in a corner.

Several plushies arranged neatly on a shelf. An entire binder filled with Pokémon cards. She carefully picked up an Eevee plush. “You really weren’t kidding when you said Eevee was your favorite.” Fuma looked over. The plush was slightly worn from years of being owned. “I’ve had that one forever.” (Y/n)’s expression softened. “You kept it?” “Of course.” “Even when people were making fun of you?” Fuma shrugged. “I never got rid of my stuff.” His smile became slightly sheepish. “I just stopped showing it to people.” For a moment, (Y/n) looked down at the plush in her hands. Then she walked over and sat beside him on the couch. “I get that.” Fuma nodded. Of course she did. She understood better than anyone.

Just a few days ago, they’d both admitted how much they’d hidden. How much they’d downplayed something they genuinely loved. How many times they’d been told they were too old for it. Or too childish. Or weird. Or, in (Y/n)’s case, that Pokémon was somehow only for boys. Looking back, it seemed almost absurd. Especially now. Now that they were sitting together, surrounded by Pokémon merchandise while wearing matching pajamas. Fuma slipped an arm around her shoulders. (Y/n) immediately leaned against him. Comfortable. Natural. Like she’d done it a thousand times before. Fuma looked down at her. At her smile. At the way she was still clutching the Eevee plush. 

And honestly?  He still couldn’t quite believe it. Somehow, against all odds, he had found the prettiest girl he’d ever met. A girl who made him laugh. Who challenged him. Who cared about him. Who accepted every part of him. Even the part he’d spent years hiding. Especially that part. His chest felt warm just thinking about it. “You know,” he said quietly. “Hm?” “I still can’t believe you’re real sometimes.” (Y/n) immediately looked up. “What?” Fuma smiled. “You’re amazing.” Her face turned pink almost instantly. “Fuma.” “No, seriously.” He squeezed her shoulder gently. “You’re smart, funny, beautiful, and somehow you’re just as obsessed with Pokémon as I am.”

(Y/n) buried her face in his shoulder. “You are such a dork.” “You like that I’m a dork.” “I do.” Fuma laughed. After a moment, she lifted her head. “And for the record?” “Hm?” “I feel the same way.” Fuma blinked. “What?” (Y/n) smiled softly. “I found the most handsome, most amazing boyfriend ever.” His face immediately turned red. “And he loves me exactly as I am.” Her smile widened. “Pokémon nerd and all.” Fuma groaned, hiding his face behind one of the couch cushions. (Y/n) burst out laughing. “You started it.” “I wasn’t prepared for compliments.” “That’s your problem.” “You weaponized affection.” “Correct.” Fuma peeked out from behind the cushion. (Y/n) was still smiling. Looking happier than he’d ever seen her.

The next day, Niki had gone to the gym for a few hours, leaving (Y/n) alone in the apartment to prepare for the rest of the dance team arriving later. Or more accurately, (Y/n) had kicked him out so she could clean in peace. Because somehow, in less than twenty minutes of “helping,” Niki had nearly broken the vacuum cleaner after accidentally sucking up part of a curtain string, then immediately afterward managed to kick over an entire bucket of cleaning water across the kitchen floor. (Y/n) had stared at the spreading puddle in complete silence while Niki stood there holding the mop like he hadn’t just committed a crime.

“I was trying to help,” he defended. “You are banned from helping.” “That feels dramatic.” “You are drowning the apartment.” “It was one bucket!” Eventually, she shoved his gym bag into his arms and physically pushed him toward the front door. “Go to the gym,” she ordered. “Or literally anywhere else.” Niki laughed while slipping his shoes on. “Yes, ma’am.” “And don’t come back for at least three hours.” “Wow.” “Stupid rich kid,” she muttered while closing the door in his face. So Niki obediently disappeared to the gym while (Y/n) cleaned the apartment alone.

Three hours later, when he finally returned home, the apartment looked spotless. And (Y/n) looked half dead. She sat curled up on the couch beneath a blanket, staring blankly at the TV despite the fact that nothing was even playing. Niki immediately noticed the faint sourness in her scent. She hadn’t rested properly at all. No snacks. No water breaks. Probably no sitting down either. Niki sighed quietly to himself before reaching into his gym bag. Without warning, he tossed something toward her. (Y/n) blinked as a protein bar landed beside her on the couch. “I’m back,” Niki announced casually while pulling off his hoodie. “Mmm,” she answered weakly. Still, she opened the bar almost immediately and took a bite. Niki smiled slightly to himself, seeing that. At least she listened sometimes.

(Y/n) stayed curled up beneath the blanket while eating slowly, clearly too tired to even complain about him throwing food at her. Honestly, she looked kind of cute like this. Completely exhausted from cleaning while still stubbornly pretending she was fine. Niki chuckled softly under his breath before heading toward his room. “I’m showering before everyone gets here,” he called out. “Okay.” “And don’t start cleaning something else while I’m gone.” (Y/n) immediately looked offended. “I wasn’t going to.” Niki raised an eyebrow knowingly. She avoided eye contact. “Exactly,” he said before disappearing down the hallway to shower.

After eating the bar, (Y/n) finally dragged herself off the couch and headed toward her room to shower. The warm water helped a little, mostly with the exhaustion in her muscles from cleaning all day. By the time she stepped back out of the bathroom, dressed in comfortable clothes, her hair was still damp. Normally, she would dry it properly, but her heat protection spray had run out the other day, so she didn’t want to put extra heat on it and risk damaging it. So instead, she wrapped a towel loosely around her head and let it soak up the remaining water. As she walked out into the apartment again, she headed straight toward the kitchen.

Even after eating the protein bar earlier, she still felt slightly faint from overworking herself all day. Juice sounded good. Niki stood in the kitchen, too. Fresh out of the shower himself, he wore a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a plain t-shirt. The outfit should’ve looked completely normal. Unfortunately for (Y/n), Niki somehow managed to make even the simplest clothes look unfairly good. His damp hair fell slightly into his eyes while he arranged chips and snacks into bowls on the counter like they were hosting an actual fancy event instead of chaotic university students.

(Y/n) opened the fridge and reached for the juice bottle. Niki glanced toward her. Then immediately burst into a grin. “I love what you’ve done with your hair today.” (Y/n) slowly turned to glare at him over her shoulder, towel still wrapped around her head. “Idiot,” she muttered. Niki ignored the insult completely. Honestly, he barely even heard it anymore. Instead, he set the bowl he was holding down and casually walked over toward her while she reached into the cabinet for a glass. 

With her back turned toward him now, Niki leaned down slightly. Then rested his forehead lightly against her shoulder. (Y/n) barely reacted at first, already used to how physically affectionate he could be sometimes. “You’re clingy today,” she mumbled while pouring juice. Niki only hummed softly in response. What she didn’t notice was the way he subtly rubbed his scent against her shoulder and neck area while leaning against her. To a human, it was completely unnoticeable. But to vampires and werewolves? The scent would be obvious immediately. Possessive. Protective. A quiet claim. Not ownership exactly. Niki would never truly force that onto her. But still… A silent message lingered beneath the action. Mine. Or at least… Hopefully someday.

After getting some juice, (Y/n) headed back to her room to put the towel away properly. Her hair would air-dry enough eventually, hopefully. When she walked back out into the kitchen again, she immediately stopped at the sight before her. Niki stood completely frozen in front of a pineapple. A knife in one hand. The pineapple in the other. And an expression on his face like he was trying to solve advanced mathematics instead of cutting fruit. (Y/n) stared at him for a few seconds. Then sighed deeply. “Move.” Niki looked over at her. “I was figuring it out.” “You were losing a fight against a pineapple.” “That thing has armor.”

(Y/n) walked over and took the knife directly from his hand. Niki obediently stepped aside while watching her. Within seconds, she had the pineapple peeled and cut into neat, perfect pieces. Niki looked genuinely impressed. “How do you know how to do that?” (Y/n) didn’t even look at him. “Stupid rich kid,” she muttered again. Niki frowned immediately. “Not everything has to do with me being a rich kid, you know.” (Y/n) turned toward him while still holding the knife, pointing it vaguely in his direction in accusation. “Everything you seem incapable of doing is typical things rich kids wouldn’t know.” Niki blinked. “So yes,” she concluded calmly, “it’s because you’re a rich kid.” Niki slowly raised both hands in surrender. “Fine,” he sighed dramatically. “You win.” “I know.” “You’re enjoying this too much.”

(Y/n) ignored him while turning back toward the cutting board again. “Bring me the other fruit too,” she ordered. “We need to cut everything before the others arrive.” Niki nodded obediently before going to grab the watermelon along with several other fruits from the fridge. Honestly, the sight was kind of ridiculous. Niki, one of the strongest vampires around, carried fruit over like an assistant while (Y/n) handled all the actual preparation. Still, he stayed beside her the entire time. All he really did was hand her bowls and plates afterward, before moving them away once she finished filling them.

But honestly? That was probably safer for everyone involved. At one point, Niki reached for the knife again. (Y/n) slapped his hand away immediately. “Absolutely not.” “You’re so mean to me.” “You almost lost to a pineapple five minutes ago.” “Pineapples are aggressive.” (Y/n) laughed softly under her breath while continuing to cut watermelon into cubes. Eventually, though, everything was finally ready. The fruit had been cut neatly into bowls. Chips and snacks were spread out across the kitchen island and coffee table. Drinks filled the fridge. Ice sat ready in the freezer. The apartment smelled clean and warm and weirdly domestic.

For a moment, both of them stood quietly in the kitchen, looking around at everything they had prepared together. “Well,” Niki said finally. “Looks like we’re officially hosting a party.” (Y/n) smiled slightly. “Hopefully the apartment survives it.” “That reminds me,” Niki suddenly said. Before (Y/n) could ask what he meant, he walked toward his gaming room. She watched him curiously as he stepped inside, reaching upward toward one of the higher shelves. After grabbing whatever he wanted, he immediately stepped back out again, shut the door, and locked it.

The very obvious locking sound made (Y/n) laugh. “Afraid they’re gonna ruin your precious computer?” Niki sighed dramatically while slipping the key into his pocket. “It wouldn’t be the first time.” That immediately caught her attention. “They’ve ruined your stuff before?” “Jake spilled an energy drink on my keyboard once, Jungwon hosted a party when he lived here and ruined stuff.” (Y/n) gasped. “And Yuma somehow broke a headset by sitting on it.” “That sounds like Yuma.” Niki pointed accusingly toward her. “Exactly. So honestly, locking the door probably won’t even stop them.” (Y/n) laughed again. “I’m sure they’ll behave.” Niki looked deeply unconvinced.

As she suddenly walked closer toward him, still smiling slightly, Niki instinctively held his breath. She stopped very close. Too close. His brain immediately short-circuited. Niki tried to stay relaxed on the outside. Cool. Unbothered. Meanwhile, internally, he was panicking. Why was she standing so close? Why did she smell so good? Why was she looking at him like that? Then suddenly (Y/n) lifted her hand toward his face. Niki’s entire body froze. Her fingers brushed gently beneath his eye.

A quiet gasp escaped him before he could stop it. (Y/n) giggled softly. “Cute,” she whispered. Niki thought his soul had almost left his body. Then she pulled her hand back slightly, revealing a tiny eyelash resting against her thumb. “Sorry,” she said casually. “You had an eyelash there.” Niki blinked at her silently. Then she held her hand out toward him. “Here. Blow on it and make a wish.” He tilted his head slightly. “Why?” (Y/n) shrugged. “It might not actually be true, but it’s kind of like wishing on a falling star.” She smiled softly. “People believe if you blow away an eyelash and make a wish, it’ll come true.” Niki stared at her for a second longer before smiling faintly. “Alright then.”

He leaned slightly closer toward her hand. Then gently blew the eyelash away while silently making his wish. I wish you’d fall for me faster. The second he finished, the apartment doorbell rang loudly. Niki’s face immediately dropped. (Y/n) laughed softly before turning toward the front door. “I’ll get it.” Meanwhile, Niki stood there frowning like the universe had personally betrayed him. Then sulked after her anyway.

When (Y/n) opened the door, she found Fuma, Nicholas, Jake, Jungwon, Sunoo, and Taki standing outside. The second the door opened, chaos immediately followed. “Hi!” Sunoo smiled brightly. “Oh my god it smells so good in here,” Jake said while already trying to look past her into the apartment. Taki held up both hands dramatically. “I came emotionally prepared to watch someone lose their hair tonight.” “That sounds concerning,” Jungwon muttered. (Y/n) laughed softly and stepped aside to let them in. “Come in before the neighbors think we’re hosting a cult.” “That depends,” Nicholas said while walking inside. “Are we?”

As the group entered the apartment, several of them subtly exchanged glances almost immediately. Because with supernatural senses, the scent Niki had rubbed onto (Y/n) earlier was painfully obvious. Not subtle at all. Especially to wolves and vampires. Fuma’s eyebrow twitched slightly upward. Sunoo bit back a smile instantly. Meanwhile Jake looked one second away from laughing out loud. None of them said anything though. Mostly because they wanted to survive the evening. Fuma, as the oldest among the group currently there, stepped forward first and held out a small bag toward (Y/n).

She blinked before taking it. Inside were extra snacks and drinks. (Y/n) smiled warmly. “You didn’t have to bring anything.” Fuma shrugged casually. “It’s bad manners to show up empty-handed when someone’s hosting.” (Y/n) looked genuinely touched. “Thank you.” Meanwhile behind them, Taki had already spotted the bowls of snacks on the kitchen island. “Oh this place is dangerous,” he announced dramatically. Jake immediately abandoned his shoes near the door and followed after him. “Move, I saw chips.” The apartment quickly filled with noise as everyone settled into the living room area. Sunoo immediately curled up into one corner of the couch while Nicholas wandered around inspecting the apartment like a judge on a reality show.

Meanwhile Jungwon and Taki had quietly drifted over toward Niki near the kitchen entrance. (Y/n) couldn’t hear what they were saying exactly, but judging from the way Taki kept grinning and Jungwon looked deeply entertained, they were definitely teasing him. Especially because Taki glanced toward (Y/n) at one point before whispering something that made Niki glare at him instantly. “You’re both annoying,” Niki muttered. “That scenting was subtle by the way,” Jungwon said dryly. Niki looked offended. “It was subtle.” Taki nearly choked laughing. Before Niki could threaten them properly, the doorbell rang again.

(Y/n) walked over and opened the door once more. This time Kei, Yuma, Jay, and Sunghoon stood outside waiting. Yuma waved immediately. “We brought emotional support.” “You brought yourselves,” Sunghoon corrected. “Exactly.” Jay stepped forward holding something carefully in his hands. When he handed it to (Y/n), she blinked in surprise. It was a small plant sitting in a cute ceramic pot. “It’s not much,” Jay said with a soft smile. “But it’s kind of a late move-in present.” (Y/n)’s expression softened immediately. “That’s actually really sweet.” Jay looked smug instantly. “I know.” She carefully took the plant from him. “Thank you, Jay.” Then she glanced between Jay and Fuma thoughtfully before laughing. “Well.” She smiled teasingly. “At least we know which two of you were raised properly.”

The room erupted instantly. Gasps. Fake offended noises. Taki actually clutched his chest dramatically. “That’s evil.” “We brought our presence,” Yuma defended. “Which is clearly not enough,” Nicholas replied. Soon the offended reactions dissolved into laughter instead. Niki stood a few steps away from the group watching everything quietly. Watching how naturally (Y/n) laughed with them. How comfortable she already seemed around his friends. How easily she fit into the chaos. And honestly? It made something warm settle in his chest. But at the same time… A tiny jealous part of him hated how much attention everyone else was getting from her too. 

After the initial chaos finally settled down slightly, the group moved on to the next important matter. Food. Which somehow became even more chaotic. (Y/n) sat cross legged on the couch holding her phone while everyone shouted food requests over each other from around the living room. “Get fried chicken!” “Pizza too.” “We need fries.” “Who even eats fries with pizza?” “Normal people.” “Order ramen!” “You cannot order ramen for delivery to a party.” “Watch me.” (Y/n) stared at the screen in horror as the order kept growing larger and larger.  “We need dessert too.” (Y/n)’s eyes widened further with every added item. “Guys…” she interrupted slowly. “Are you trying to feed an entire army?”

Nicholas looked genuinely confused. “There’s twelve of us.” “That is still a ridiculous amount of food.” The boys all exchanged confused looks. Because to them? This honestly seemed normal. Between being supernatural creatures and university dancers constantly burning through energy, all of them ate absurd amounts regularly. (Y/n), however, had absolutely no idea about the supernatural part. So from her perspective, this was horrifying. Jake casually leaned over the couch to glance at the order total. “Actually, we might need more.” (Y/n) gasped dramatically. “More?!” Niki laughed loudly from nearby. “Let’s be done with it, she looks genuinely stressed.” “I am stressed,” (Y/n) defended. “This order could financially ruin someone.” “That’s why you have my card,” Niki reminded casually. “That somehow makes it worse!” The boys burst into laughter again.

Still, despite her disbelief, (Y/n) eventually finalized the massive order because everyone looked so genuinely excited about it. Honestly, seeing them all happy made her happy too. As the conversation drifted elsewhere afterward, (Y/n) glanced toward Kei. “Wait,” she said suddenly. “Please tell me Aya is coming over too?” Kei shook his head slightly. “No. She’s busy with friends from her major tonight.” (Y/n) nodded slowly before sighing dramatically. “So basically,” she announced while looking around the room full of loud supernatural men, “I’m alone dealing with all of you.” The boys immediately started laughing. “You’ll survive,” Sunghoon said calmly. “Barely,” (Y/n) muttered suspiciously. 

Jungwon smiled slightly from where he sat beside Taki. “Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly. “We’ll only break Niki’s stuff. We promise.” (Y/n) laughed immediately. Meanwhile Niki looked deeply offended. “Why is everyone acting like my belongings are public property?” “Because they basically are,” Jake answered. “That’s true,” Yuma agreed instantly. Niki glared at all of them while they laughed harder. Honestly, though? Watching everyone spread comfortably throughout the apartment while talking over each other and stealing snacks already made the place feel strangely warm. Lived in. Like home.

Eventually the group migrated fully into the living room. Someone found a board game shoved into one of the cabinets, which immediately turned into everyone arguing over the rules despite nobody having started yet. “We should dye hair first,” Taki suggested. “No,” (Y/n) said immediately. “Absolutely not. I’m not risking one of you spilling hair dye while eating.”  Eventually everyone agreed it was smarter to eat first and risk temporary stupidity later.

So instead, they set up the board game while waiting for the food delivery to arrive. The next problem quickly became deciding teams. “I call (Y/n)!” Sunoo announced immediately. “No fair, I was gonna say that,” Jake complained. Yuma pointed dramatically across the room. “She’s clearly the smartest one here. I need her on my team for survival.” (Y/n) laughed while sitting down near the couch and coffee table setup. Before she could respond though, Niki suddenly scoffed loudly. Then casually sat down directly beside her. Very close beside her. The others immediately narrowed their eyes suspiciously. Niki threw an arm around her shoulders while glaring harshly at everyone else. “As the hosts,” he said smugly, “we should obviously play together, right?” The cocky tone alone made half the room burst out laughing.

“Oh my god,” Nicholas groaned. “He’s being possessive again,” Jake whispered loudly. Niki ignored all of them. Meanwhile (Y/n) looked down at the arm around her shoulders before dramatically shoving it away. “Ew,” she said while brushing at her shoulder. “Boy germs.” The room erupted immediately. Niki only smirked instead of looking offended. Then leaned closer toward her until his lips were near her ear. “You didn’t seem to mind my germs,” he whispered teasingly, “when we hugged the other day.” (Y/n)’s entire face heated up instantly. Her neck. Her ears. Her cheeks.  She whipped around to glare at him. “Shut up,” she hissed quietly. Niki chuckled softly, completely pleased with himself. “Whatever you want, honey.” Several of the others gagged dramatically. “Disgusting,” Sunghoon muttered. “They’re flirting again,” Taki sighed dramatically.

Meanwhile (Y/n) looked one second away from strangling Niki with a couch pillow. Still, while the two of them play fought quietly over insults and shoulder shoving, everyone else eventually settled into teams. Kei and Fuma teamed up almost immediately. Jay paired with Sunoo after Sunoo declared he wanted “someone pretty” on his team. Nicholas and Sunghoon somehow became partners after mutually agreeing they were the only competent ones there. Yuma and Taki joined forces purely to create chaos. And finally Jungwon ended up paired with Jake. “Why do I feel like we’re doomed already?” Jungwon sighed. “Because you are,” Jake answered confidently.

Soon everyone sat gathered around the board game setup across the living room floor. And honestly? It became obvious very quickly who was thriving and who absolutely was not. Sunghoon and Nicholas were terrifyingly competitive. Meanwhile (Y/n) and Niki somehow worked suspiciously well together despite spending half the game arguing. Everyone else, however, struggled just to survive the first few rounds. At one point Yuma accidentally sabotaged himself. Twice. “You can’t keep making decisions based on vibes,” Jungwon complained. “Yes I can.” “No you literally can’t.” Meanwhile Taki had somehow forgotten the rules entirely despite them being explained less than ten minutes earlier. 

And through all the noise and laughter filling the apartment, Niki found himself glancing toward (Y/n) over and over again. Because every time she laughed, smiled, or leaned closer toward him during the game, he caught himself wishing the night would last forever. Soon enough, the doorbell rang. Before anyone else could even react, Jungwon practically launched himself off the couch and sprinted toward the door. “The food is here!” he announced loudly. As if the rest of them hadn’t heard the very obvious doorbell already. “We know!” Sunoo yelled after him while laughing. Jungwon ignored him completely and opened the door for the delivery driver with the excitement of someone greeting a long lost friend.

The amount of food bags sitting outside the door was honestly terrifying. “Oh my god,” (Y/n) muttered from the couch. Fuma and Sunghoon immediately got up to help carry everything into the kitchen while the others crowded around trying to peek inside the bags already. “Careful!” Soon the kitchen counters were completely covered in food containers, drinks, and side dishes. The smell alone nearly made Yuma emotional. “We’re about to feast.” “You say that every time food arrives,” Jay pointed out. “Because every time it’s true.” While everyone hovered around impatiently, Kei quietly grabbed a clean plate first before handing it to (Y/n). “You should go first,” he said calmly.

(Y/n) blinked. “Huh?” Kei nodded toward the others. “If you don’t take what you want first,” he explained, “these idiots are gonna steal everything.” Several offended noises immediately filled the kitchen. “Rude.” “That’s not true.” “Okay maybe a little true.” (Y/n) burst out laughing while taking the plate. “This is like living with monsters,” she joked dramatically. “I swear.” The words hit slightly differently for a second. Because technically… Half the room were vampires. And the other half werewolves. Creatures plenty of humans would absolutely call monsters without hesitation. A few of the boys went momentarily quiet. Not upset. Just aware. Still, none of them minded. Because they knew she didn’t mean any harm by it.

If anything, the warmth in her voice made it obvious she felt comfortable around them. Sunoo quickly pointed toward one of the containers. “If you want ramen, take a lot now.” Yuma pointed dramatically at the fried chicken beside it. “And the chicken too.” (Y/n) blinked at them. “Why?” Both of them answered immediately. “Because it’ll disappear in seconds.” She laughed again but listened anyway, filling her plate with a little bit of everything while the boys hovered nearby like starving animals waiting for permission. 

The second she finally stepped back and said, “Okay, I’m done,” complete chaos erupted. Every single one of them grabbed plates at once. There was no politeness. No “you first.” No civilized behavior whatsoever. It immediately became survival of the fittest. “MOVE.” “You just took four pieces!” “And I’ll take four more.” “WHO TOOK THE LAST DUMPLINGS?!” “Finders keepers.” (Y/n) stood there staring in complete disbelief while the kitchen dissolved into absolute madness around her. Niki somehow reached over Jake’s shoulder to steal chicken while Sunghoon blocked Yuma away from the noodles with terrifying efficiency.

Nicholas held two drink bottles at once like he was preparing for war. Meanwhile Taki looked deeply betrayed over losing a piece of fried shrimp. “These people are insane,” (Y/n) whispered to Kei. Kei calmly nodded while stealing food directly off Fuma’s plate. “Yeah.” Once everyone finally settled down with food balanced on plates and drinks spread around the living room, the atmosphere became calmer. Well. As calm as eleven dancers packed into one apartment could possibly be.

(Y/n) sat cross legged on the floor beside the coffee table, eating while listening to the others argue over whether stealing fries from someone else’s plate counted as betrayal. “It absolutely does,” Sunoo said seriously. “If the fries are unguarded, they become public property,” Yuma argued back. “That’s not how ownership works.” “It should be.” While the argument continued in the background, (Y/n) looked toward Kei. “Actually,” she said, “the list of teams for the showcase got released earlier today, right?” Several of the boys immediately looked over. (Y/n) continued, “Have you competed against most of them before?” Kei nodded while setting his drink down. “Most of them, yeah.”

(Y/n) tilted her head slightly. “So who’s the biggest competition?” Kei hummed thoughtfully for a second. “Well,” he said, “even though we’re partly a new team now, I’d actually say we’re stronger than before.” Jungwon nodded immediately. “We have more versatility now.” “And the chemistry’s good already,” Jay added. Kei continued calmly, “So unless some of the other teams have had insane growth recently, most of them won’t be a huge problem.” (Y/n) nodded slowly, mentally filing that information away. “But,” Kei added, “our biggest competitors are definitely Eclipse and Vanguard.” (Y/n) repeated the names quietly in her head. Eclipse. Vanguard. She immediately made a mental note to research those teams more later.

Beside her, Fuma looked thoughtful. “I’ve heard about Eclipse before,” he admitted. “But I’ve never actually seen them compete live.” “Same,” Nicholas added.  Niki sighed dramatically from beside (Y/n). “Eclipse is definitely the biggest threat.” That caught her attention immediately. “Really?” Niki nodded. “Mostly because my sister’s on that team.” (Y/n) blinked in surprise. “You have a sister?” Several of the boys burst out laughing instantly. “How did you not know that?” Jake asked. Niki looked offended. “I’ve mentioned her before.” “No you haven’t,” (Y/n)  answered flatly. “Yes I have.”

Niki ignored the comment. “Her name’s Konon,” he explained to (Y/n). “And she’s terrifying.” “That’s true,” Jay immediately agreed. He leaned back slightly before continuing. “Honestly, the rest of Eclipse is good too, but Konon makes the whole team stronger.” Kei nodded. “She’s one of the best dancers in university competitions right now.” “And ridiculously competitive,” Sunoo added. Niki sighed. “She beat me at literally everything growing up.” (Y/n) laughed softly. “That explains a lot actually.” “Rude.” Jay continued, “Eclipse and Vanguard are basically the only teams we’ve consistently struggled against for the past two years.” “It’s always close too,” Jungwon added. “Like insanely close.”

Jake nodded while stealing food directly off Jungwon’s plate. “It usually comes down to the team’s condition that specific day.” Jungwon sighed but allowed the theft. “If even one person feels off,” Jake explained, “the whole dynamic changes.” “And then we lose points,” Sunghoon added. “Usually by decimals,” Kei muttered. (Y/n)’s expression slowly became more thoughtful. “So basically…” She looked around at all of them carefully. “We need to make sure everyone’s able to give one hundred and ten percent that day.” The room quieted slightly. Then everyone nodded. Because she was right. At this level, talent alone wasn’t enough anymore. One mistake. One bad day. One weak performance. That was all it took to lose.

After everyone finished eating, (Y/n) stood in the kitchen staring at the aftermath in complete disbelief. Or more accurately… The complete lack of aftermath. Every container was empty. Not a single fry remained. The ramen broth was gone. Even the side dishes had been annihilated. (Y/n) slowly looked around at the boys in horror. “Where did it all go?” Jake blinked innocently while drinking soda. “What do you mean?” “There was enough food for twenty people!” “And yet,” Yuma said proudly, “we persevered.” “You guys are terrifying.” “Thank you,” Sunghoon answered calmly. As several of the boys started helping clean up the containers and plates, (Y/n) finally shifted her attention toward the giant pile of hair products she had bought earlier.

Sunoo immediately walked over beside her. “Okay,” he said seriously. “First lesson.” (Y/n) laughed. “You’re acting like we’re entering a laboratory.” “We basically are.” Together they spread out all the dye boxes, bleach, gloves, brushes, bowls, and foil while Sunoo explained how to apply everything properly. Meanwhile the others cleaned the kitchen surprisingly fast. Soon enough, they transformed the hallway into a temporary hair salon. Plastic sheets covered the floor. Two chairs had been placed near a mirror. Bowls of dye and bleach sat lined up carefully nearby. Fuma looked around the setup curiously. “Why aren’t we doing this in the bathroom?”

(Y/n) answered immediately while pulling gloves on. “Well first of all,” she said, “I don’t want all of you in my room.” Several offended noises echoed instantly. “I love you guys,” she continued calmly, “but after everything I’ve heard tonight, I do not trust you enough not to break something.” “That’s fair,” Jay admitted. “And,” (Y/n) added while pointing toward Niki, “your precious prince over there wasn’t too keen on us using his bathroom either.” Niki crossed his arms defensively. “You people destroy things.” “We do not,” Taki argued. Everyone stared at him. “Okay sometimes,” he admitted. (Y/n) continued, “And the guest bathroom’s too small. So hallway salon it is.” Fuma laughed softly. “Well then,” he said, “we’d better make the hallway work.”

First came Sunoo. Since he only needed his roots touched up, the process was much faster than the others would be. (Y/n) carefully reapplied bleach to his darker roots while Sunoo supervised like a strict teacher. “Not too close to the scalp.” “Yes sir.” “You joke now but chemical burns are real.” (Y/n) laughed quietly while continuing carefully. Eventually, Sunoo’s roots finished processing and they rinsed everything out successfully. “Okay,” (Y/n) announced afterward while drying her hands. “Next victims.” “Victims?” Nicholas repeated nervously. “Wonderful choice of wording.” Sunoo said as he laughed. 

(Y/n) pointed dramatically. “Niki and Nicholas. Come here.” Niki moved immediately. Almost suspiciously fast. Before Nicholas could even fully react, Niki had already dropped himself into the chair directly in front of (Y/n). She stared at him. Then sighed. “Idiot,” she muttered while nudging his shoulder lightly. Even with his back facing her, Niki could hear the smile in her voice. Which honestly made his chest feel warm immediately. Meanwhile Nicholas slowly sat down in the second chair while Sunoo prepared the red dye nearby. “Oh this is terrifying,” Nicholas admitted. “You’ll survive,” Sunoo assured him. “Probably.” And so the process officially began.

(Y/n) carefully started applying bleach through Niki’s dark hair while Sunoo worked on coating Nicholas’ hair in a deep vivid red. The apartment quickly filled with noise again. Yuma loudly judged everyone’s techniques despite having zero experience. Jake kept threatening to dye random streaks into people’s hair “for artistic vision.” And Taki sat nearby recording videos for social media while pretending to host a reality TV makeover show. Meanwhile Niki stayed unusually still while (Y/n)’s fingers moved gently through his hair. Honestly? He could probably sit there forever if it meant she kept touching him like that. As (Y/n)’s fingers carefully worked bleach through Niki’s hair, he nearly made a terrible mistake. Because honestly? It felt way too nice.

Her fingers moved gently through his hair, separating strands carefully while concentrating fully on what she was doing. Niki almost let out a content sound before barely stopping himself at the last second. Thankfully no noise escaped. Because if it had, the others would never let him live it down. Meanwhile, (Y/n) tried very hard not to acknowledge how much she actually liked touching his hair. It was soft. Way softer than she expected. Sure, his hair always looked shiny and fluffy and annoyingly perfect, but she never imagined it would actually feel this soft too. Honestly, it was unfair.

“How is your hair softer than mine?” she muttered quietly. Niki smirked immediately. “So you admit you’re enjoying this.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes while continuing to apply bleach. “Don’t get cocky.” “I’m always cocky.” “That’s the problem.” Eventually she stepped back slightly to inspect her work. “Okay,” she said, “now we wait for the bleach to process a little.” Niki tilted his head back slightly to look at her. “Then what?” “Then we rinse it and see how light it gets,” she explained. “And depending on the color, we’ll figure out if you need toner or not.” Niki nodded absentmindedly. Mostly because he was too busy staring at her.

(Y/n) nudged his shoulder lightly. “Move now,” she said. “I need to start on Jay.” Niki frowned immediately. But didn’t move. (Y/n) stared at him. “Niki.” “Can’t Sunoo do Jay?” he asked casually. Sunoo looked up from Nicholas’ hair instantly. “Excuse me?” (Y/n) sighed. “No,” she answered patiently. “Because Sunoo’s still busy with Nicholas.” Sunoo nodded while applying more dye. “And because if I leave Nicholas alone, he’ll panic.” “I am panicking,” Nicholas admitted. (Y/n) pointed toward the chair. “So move.” Niki crossed his arms slightly. “I don’t want to.” The entire apartment immediately went quiet for half a second. Because somehow the tall vampire sounded genuinely sulky. (Y/n) stared at him in disbelief. Then sighed again.

“Fine.” She looked toward Jay instead. “Jay, come on then. We’ll just do yours in my bathroom.” Instantly, Niki stood up. Like immediately. So fast it almost looked violent. “Nope.” Before Jay could even react, Niki grabbed his shoulders and shoved him directly down into the chair he had just vacated. “There,” Niki said stiffly. “Happy now?” The room fell silent again. Then several people exchanged knowing looks instantly. Because that reaction had been painfully obvious. Even (Y/n) blinked at him slightly. Niki looked away immediately afterward, clearly realizing what he had just done. His ears had turned faintly red too.

Meanwhile Taki looked seconds away from screaming. Jake physically covered his own mouth to stop himself from laughing. Sunghoon just sighed deeply like he was exhausted by Niki’s existence. (Y/n) slowly looked toward Sunoo beside her. Sunoo only smiled sheepishly. Like yes, they all saw that. And no, nobody was going to let him forget it later. Still, (Y/n) decided not to question Niki about it in front of everyone. Mostly because she had a feeling it would somehow make him combust from embarrassment. So instead, she quietly grabbed the blue dye bowl and started working on Jay’s hair while pretending nothing had happened. Even though the entire room absolutely noticed.

While (Y/n) worked on Jay’s hair, Niki sat across from them. Staring. At first he tried to be subtle about it. Or at least what passed for subtle in Niki’s mind. He sat with his phone in hand, scrolling through social media, occasionally tapping the screen. A completely normal guy. Doing completely normal things. At least that was the image he was trying to project. Unfortunately for him, every few seconds his eyes drifted away from the screen. Back to (Y/n). Back to Jay. Back to the way her fingers carefully worked through Jay’s dark hair as she applied the blue dye. Back to her smile whenever someone said something funny. Back to her. 

At one point she took a slightly deeper breath while concentrating. Niki’s eyes immediately left his phone. Nicholas watched the whole thing happen. And honestly? It was taking everything he had not to laugh. Because Niki was not nearly as subtle as he thought he was. Jay and (Y/n) seemed oblivious. Mostly because Jay was busy asking questions about the dye process and (Y/n) was focused on making sure she didn’t accidentally stain his ears blue. But Nicholas noticed. Every time. Phone. (Y/n). Phone. (Y/n). Phone. (Y/n). The cycle never ended. Eventually Nicholas had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

Still… He couldn’t really judge. Not fairly anyway. Because werewolves were often even worse. Hell, Nicholas was already territorial over his hoodies. The team stole them constantly, and every single time it annoyed him. Especially when they somehow lost them. Or returned them smelling like someone else’s detergent. The point was… If he got this protective over clothes, he really didn’t want to imagine what he’d be like around a mate. Probably unbearable. Which meant he couldn’t really judge Niki for this. If anything, Nicholas understood him. His mate had just gotten out of a relationship. They lived together. She was always nearby. Always within reach. Yet somehow still felt far away. Close enough to see. Too far away to have. It had to be torture. So honestly? A little possessiveness wasn’t that surprising. Not when every instinct in Niki’s body was probably screaming at him to claim her, protect her, and never let anyone else near her. Nicholas glanced toward the vampire again. Right on cue, Niki’s attention snapped away from his phone because Jay had laughed at something (Y/n) said. Nicholas immediately looked away before he accidentally laughed out loud. Poor guy. He really had it bad.

Soon enough, it was time to rinse the bleach out of Niki’s hair. Despite being perfectly capable of doing it himself. Despite having two functioning hands. Despite being over six feet tall. Niki somehow managed to convince (Y/n) that he needed help. “I can’t see the back.” “You don’t need to.” “Yes I do.” “You absolutely can do it on your own.” “What if I miss a spot?” (Y/n) sighed. “You’re impossible.” Yet somehow, five minutes later, she was helping him anyway. Now they stood squeezed into the guest bathroom together. Which was proving to be a terrible idea.

The bathroom was small enough already, and now both of them were trying to fit inside the shower stall. Niki was bent awkwardly forward beneath the shower head while (Y/n) stood partly inside the shower beside him, trying to rinse the bleach out properly. Trying being the important word. Because she was failing miserably. Water splashed everywhere. His back was soaked. His shoulders were soaked. His sweatpants were rapidly becoming soaked. And although neither of them could really see it from their current position, the front of his shirt wasn’t doing much better.

“This is harder than it looks,” (Y/n) complained. Niki was trying very hard not to laugh. “You’re literally spraying my ear.” “I’m trying!” Meanwhile Sunoo had appeared at the bathroom door. Mostly because he wanted to make sure Niki didn’t accidentally end up orange. Instead he found one of the funniest sights he’d seen all night. The very tall Niki bent nearly in half inside a shower stall while (Y/n) aggressively attacked his hair with the shower head. Sunoo immediately had to bite his lip. Because if he laughed, he’d never stop. (Y/n) wasn’t doing much better either. Her sleeves were soaked. Her legs looked like she’d walked through a river. “Why is there water everywhere?” she asked. “Excellent question,” Sunoo answered. “Very helpful.” “I try.”

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the last traces of bleach disappeared down the shower drain. “Done,” (Y/n) announced triumphantly. Finally Niki could stand up again. The second he straightened to his full height, both of them froze. Because his shirt was absolutely drenched. The grey fabric clung to him completely. (Y/n)’s eyes widened immediately. Niki looked down. Then looked back at her. And unfortunately… The devil on his shoulder won. A smirk slowly spread across his face. “Damn,” he said dramatically. (Y/n) immediately narrowed her eyes. “What?” Niki’s grin widened. “If you wanted me to take my shirt off that badly,” he said, “you could’ve just asked.” Then before she could respond, Niki grabbed the hem of his soaked shirt and pulled it over his head. (Y/n) let out a startled squeal immediately. “NIKI!”

The shirt landed somewhere on the bathroom floor. Meanwhile Niki looked entirely too pleased with himself. “You idiot!” she shouted. Her entire face had gone hot. Without another word, she spun around and practically sprinted out of the bathroom. Straight toward her room. And slammed the door behind her. Inside the bathroom, Niki stood there shirtless for exactly three seconds. Before realizing everyone else had definitely heard that. “Oh.” Meanwhile, out in the hallway. Every single member of the team was staring at him. The silence was deafening.

Then Jake sighed. “Niki.” Sunghoon rubbed his temples. “You need to relax.” “Seriously,” Jungwon added. “You’re gonna give her a heart attack,” Jay finished. Even Kei looked disappointed. Which somehow hurt the most. Niki crossed his arms defensively. “It was a joke.” “No,” Nicholas said. “That was flirting.” “It was absolutely flirting,” Taki agreed. “It worked too,” Yuma added. Niki groaned loudly. Meanwhile from behind her bedroom door, (Y/n) buried her face in her hands and wondered why her roommate insisted on being such a menace to society.

After changing into a dry shirt and a fresh pair of pants, (Y/n) finally felt a little more presentable. Her embarrassment, however, remained completely intact. She opened her bedroom door cautiously before stepping back into the hallway. The first person she ran into was Fuma. He stood near the wall with his phone in his hand, looking like he had just finished a call. When he noticed her, he smiled. “Feeling better?” (Y/n) sighed. “Physically? Yes.” “And mentally?” She groaned. Fuma laughed softly. “So that’s a no.” (Y/n) leaned against the opposite wall. “It’s just weird.” Fuma nodded thoughtfully. “That’s fair.”

For a moment neither of them spoke. The noise from the others drifted through the apartment. Someone was laughing. Someone else was arguing. It sounded like Yuma was being accused of stealing snacks again. Normal. Comfortable. Then Fuma looked at her. “Want some advice?” (Y/n) hesitated for a second before nodding. “Sure.” Fuma stepped over and leaned his back against the wall beside her. For a moment he seemed to be considering his words carefully. “Niki’s a good kid.” (Y/n) smiled slightly. “Yeah.” “He takes things seriously.” That made her laugh. “Not always.” “More than he pretends to.” Fuma smiled. “He’s a perfectionist. He wants to do well. He wants people around him to do well too.”

(Y/n) nodded quietly. That sounded like Niki. “He can be mature when he wants to be,” Fuma continued. “But he’s also still young.” “The youngest.” “The youngest,” Fuma agreed. “Which means the rest of us still treat him like a kid sometimes.” (Y/n) smiled. “I’m sure he loves that.” “He absolutely hates it.” That earned another laugh from her. Fuma’s expression softened. “The thing is, he’s still figuring things out.” “Like what?” “Life.” (Y/n) tilted her head slightly. Fuma looked away for a moment. Then sighed. “He’s going to kill me for saying this.” That immediately got her attention. “But honestly?” He smiled. “All the stupid things he’s doing lately?” (Y/n) blinked. “Yeah?” “They’re all to impress you.” For a second she simply stared at him. Then laughed nervously. 

“That’s ridiculous.” “Is it?” “Yes.” Fuma raised an eyebrow. (Y/n) pointed toward herself. “Why would he want to impress me?” Fuma looked genuinely surprised by the question. “Seriously?” “Yes, seriously.” “(Y/n).” “What?” “You’re smart.” She frowned. “Okay?” “You work harder than almost anyone I know.” (Y/n) looked away. “That’s different.” “You take care of everyone.” “Not everyone.” “You literally organized this entire team.” (Y/n) opened her mouth. Then closed it again. Fuma smiled knowingly. “My point is,” he said, “you see yourself very differently than other people see you.”

(Y/n) stood quietly. Not really sure how to respond to that. After a moment she spoke. “Even if that’s true…” She hesitated. “I still don’t understand why he’d care what I think.” Fuma chuckled. Then shrugged. “I’ve already said more than I should.” “Fuma.” “Nope.” “Fuma.” “You’ll have to figure that one out yourself.” (Y/n) groaned. “That’s not helpful.” “It’s very helpful.” “It isn’t.” “It is.” (Y/n) crossed her arms. Fuma laughed again. Then pushed himself away from the wall. As he walked past her, he paused briefly. “Oh, and don’t mind him too much.” (Y/n) looked up. Fuma smiled. “He’s just a bit stupid sometimes.” Then he continued down the hallway before she could ask anything else. Leaving (Y/n) standing there alone. Thinking. And for the first time in a long while, she found herself wondering if maybe… Just maybe… Everyone else was seeing something she wasn’t.

After the hair dye adventure finally ended, everyone took turns looking at themselves in mirrors. The results were honestly better than (Y/n) had expected. Niki’s hair had turned the perfect blonde. Not too yellow. Not too white. Just enough to make his features stand out even more than before. Which honestly felt unfair. Jay’s dark blue hair looked incredible too, especially when the light hit it. Nicholas’ deep red suited him surprisingly well. And finally, Sunoo’s roots matched the rest of his blonde hair once again. As (Y/n) looked around at the team, she smiled proudly. They looked more balanced now. More memorable. More like the kind of team people would remember after stepping off a stage. The others seemed happy too. Which made all the work worth it.

As the night continued, everyone gradually drifted back toward the living room. Another board game appeared. Nobody remembered who found it. Only that suddenly they were all sitting on the floor again. This time, however, (Y/n) was prepared. The second teams were mentioned, she immediately sat down beside Jungwon. “I’m on Jungwon’s team.” Jungwon blinked. “Okay?” Meanwhile Niki looked deeply offended. “I wasn’t even gonna say anything.” “Liar,” six people answered immediately. Niki clicked his tongue. Traitors. The game began anyway.

For a while, (Y/n) managed to stay engaged. She laughed when Taki accidentally sabotaged his own team. Again. She watched Sunghoon and Nicholas become far too competitive over something completely meaningless. She listened to Yuma accuse everyone of cheating. Even though nobody was. But slowly… The exhaustion caught up to her. Cleaning all day. Running errands yesterday. The emotional exhaustion from the week. The constant planning for the showcase. It was all finally catching up. Her eyelids became heavier. And heavier. At first, she fought it. She blinked rapidly. Drank some water. Tried focusing on the game. It didn’t work.

Every few minutes, her eyes drifted shut for a second longer. Then another second. Then another. Eventually, even Jungwon noticed. “You okay?” he asked quietly. (Y/n) nodded. “Mmhm.” Then immediately yawned. Jungwon smiled. “You look exhausted.” “Maybe a little.” “A little?” “Okay, a lot.” The others were too busy arguing about the game to notice. Except one person. Niki. Because Niki had been watching her all night. Every yawn. Every blink. Every time her head dipped forward before jerking back up again. 

So when it finally happened… He was already moving. (Y/n)’s eyes drifted shut. Her body relaxed. And her head slowly tilted sideways. Almost toward Jungwon’s shoulder. Almost. Before it could happen, Niki disappeared. To everyone else, it looked like a blur. One second, he was across the room, the next he was beside her. His arm slid behind her before she could tip over. Still asleep, (Y/n) instinctively relaxed into the support. Niki looked down at her. Then carefully lifted her into his arms. Princess style. Like she weighed absolutely nothing. The room immediately fell silent. Niki glanced around at everyone. “The party’s over.” His voice was quiet. But somehow everyone heard it. “Everyone, go home.”

Kei chuckled. “Who made you the boss?” Normally Niki would’ve fired back immediately. Instead he simply adjusted (Y/n) slightly in his arms. Making sure she was comfortable. Then walked toward her bedroom. The answer was obvious enough. No response needed. The bedroom door opened. Then closed behind him. Inside, the room was dark and peaceful. Niki carefully carried her over to the bed. For a moment, he just stood there. Looking at her. She looked completely exhausted. Yet peaceful. Happy.

Far happier than she’d looked a few days ago. Slowly, he lowered her onto the mattress. She shifted slightly in her sleep, curling into the blankets. Niki gently pulled them over her shoulders. Then brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. “Goodnight,” he whispered. For a second, he considered staying. Just sitting there. Making sure she slept comfortably. But eventually he stood back up and headed for the door. Outside, he found ten idiots staring at him. The second the bedroom door clicked shut behind him, Taki pointed dramatically. “You are so down bad.” Niki immediately flipped him off.

~~~

After everyone finally left, the apartment became quiet. A strange kind of quiet. Just a few hours ago, it had been filled with laughter, arguments, music, and Taki’s endless commentary. Now it was just Niki. And a mess, a very large mess. The living room was covered in empty cups, board games, snack bowls, blankets, and random belongings people had forgotten and would inevitably text him about tomorrow. Niki sighed. Then got to work. Despite his usual laziness when it came to household chores, he cleaned surprisingly thoroughly.

Mostly because he didn’t want (Y/n) waking up tomorrow and feeling like she had to clean everything herself. The thought alone was enough motivation. So he washed dishes. Wiped down counters. Put furniture back where it belonged. Collected empty bottles. Folded blankets. Every now and then, he glanced toward her bedroom door. Still closed. Still quiet. Good. She needed the sleep. By the time he finished most of the cleaning, almost three hours had passed. It was well after midnight.

Niki was putting away the last few dishes when he heard it. A door opening. Immediately his head snapped up. He turned toward the hallway. (Y/n) stood there. At first, relief washed through him. Then concern hit just as quickly. Because something was wrong. Very wrong. Even from across the apartment, he could smell it. Fear. Not anxiety. Not sadness. Fear. Her scent was saturated with it. She stood frozen in the hallway. Her eyes wide. Her breathing uneven. Almost like she didn’t know where she was.

Niki abandoned the dish towel immediately. “(Y/n)?” She looked up. Their eyes met. And suddenly her expression cracked. “Niki…” she whispered. Then she started crying. Not the quiet crying from after her breakup. Not the sad tears he’d seen before. This was different. Panicked. Broken. Like she’d been holding herself together by a thread. Niki immediately crossed the room. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” She didn’t answer. Instead she threw herself into him. Her hands grabbed his shirt. Her face buried itself against his chest. And she sobbed. The sound shattered something inside him. Niki wrapped his arms around her instantly. Holding her tightly. Protectively. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

Had he woken her up somehow? Did she have a nightmare? Did she dream about Euijoo? About her old roommates? About everything she’d been through recently? Niki didn’t know. And honestly, right now it didn’t matter. Because she was terrified. He could feel it in the way she clung to him. Like if she let go, she’d fall apart completely. So Niki tightened his arms around her. One hand moved gently through her hair. The other rested against her back. Trying to soothe her. Trying to make her feel safe. “I’ve got you,” he whispered. His voice was soft. Softer than almost anyone ever heard from him. “Whatever happened, it’s okay.” (Y/n) shook her head against his chest. Still crying. Still struggling to breathe properly between sobs.

Niki felt helpless. He hated it. Hated not knowing what was wrong. Hated not knowing how to fix it. But for once, he forced himself not to search for a solution. Not to rush. Not to demand answers. Instead he simply stayed there. Holding her. Letting her cry. Letting her feel whatever she needed to feel. Because sometimes being there was enough. And if it wasn’t enough? Then he’d stay anyway. After a few minutes, Niki realized he had a problem. (Y/n) refused to move. He had tried everything. “Do you want to sit down?” She shook her head. “Do you want to go back to your room?” Another shake. “Do you want some water?” Nothing.

She just kept holding onto him. Her hands remained twisted into the fabric of his shirt while she cried. At first, Niki let it happen. But after several more minutes of standing in the hallway, he finally sighed. “Okay.” Before she could react, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back. Then picked her up. (Y/n) let out a small gasp of surprise. But she didn’t protest. Instead, she immediately curled closer against him and continued crying. Niki’s chest hurt. Because whatever nightmare she’d had… It had terrified her.

Quietly, he carried her into the living room. The couch seemed like a better place to sit than the middle of a hallway. He lowered himself down carefully. Expecting her to move beside him. She didn’t. Instead, she stayed exactly where she was. Curled up on his lap. Holding onto his shirt. Like letting go wasn’t an option. Niki wrapped both arms around her again. Holding her securely. Every now and then, he quietly whispered things. “It’s okay.” “Take your time.” “I’m here.” Simple things. Because he had no idea what else to say. He wasn’t good at comforting people. At least he didn’t think he was.

But slowly… It seemed to help. The scent of fear gradually faded. The trembling eased. Her crying became quieter. Until finally, nearly thirty minutes later, she calmed down. Her eyes were swollen. Her cheeks pink. But she could breathe normally again. And speak. “I’m sorry.” The words were barely above a whisper. Niki immediately tightened his arms around her. “It’s okay.” She shook her head slightly. “I’m sorry.” Niki looked up at the ceiling. Searching for the right words. Eventually, he sighed. “It’s okay to be scared.” (Y/n) didn’t respond. “And it’s okay to have nightmares.” His hand rubbed gently up and down her back. “Even if we’re adults.” A small laugh escaped her. Weak. Sleepy. “You’re probably the only one who would say that.”

Niki frowned slightly. He wasn’t entirely sure what she meant. But before he could ask, she yawned. A huge yawn. One that made her eyes water again. Immediately Niki abandoned the subject. Whatever she’d meant could wait. Right now, she looked exhausted. “Do you want to go back to your room?” he asked softly. (Y/n) instantly shook her head. “I don’t want to be alone.” The answer came so quickly it made something twist painfully in Niki’s chest. He nodded. “Okay.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. “Well, the couch isn’t very comfortable to sleep on,” Niki said.  Then (Y/n) sniffed. “Oh.” “What?” “I’ll just stay out here then.” Niki waited. “You can go to your room.”

The suggestion was so ridiculous that Niki almost laughed. Instead, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against the top of her head. “I never said I’d leave you alone.” (Y/n) froze slightly. Niki pretended not to notice. “If you’re okay with it,” he continued quietly, “maybe we can sleep in my room.” He glanced down at her. “Or yours.” “The couch isn’t exactly comfortable.” (Y/n) looked at him. Still tired. Still emotional. Still holding onto his shirt. And for the first time since she’d walked into the kitchen crying, she looked just a little bit safer. A little less scared. Like maybe she was finally starting to believe she wasn’t alone.

“Your room is okay,” she whispered. Niki’s heart immediately forgot how to function. Thankfully his face remained mostly normal. Mostly. “Alright,” he said quietly. Then he stood up. (Y/n) immediately tightened her arms around his neck. Not because she was trying to cling to him. But because she was exhausted and still scared. Still, Niki’s brain absolutely noticed. Carefully, he carried her down the hallway toward his room. He opened the door as quietly as possible. Stepped inside. Then closed it behind them. His room was surprisingly neat. Mostly because nobody except him was allowed in there. Particularly not Yuma.

Walking over to the bed, Niki lowered her onto the mattress gently. The second she touched the bed, she grabbed hold of the duvet. Like she needed something to anchor herself. Niki smiled softly. “Make yourself comfortable.” (Y/n) nodded. Niki pointed toward the bathroom. “I’m just gonna brush my teeth and stuff.” His voice remained gentle. “If you need me, just yell.” (Y/n)’s fingers tightened around the duvet. She really didn’t want to be alone. Even for a few minutes. Niki noticed immediately. Of course he did. “I’ll stand in the doorway as much as I can.” (Y/n) looked up. “I promise.” That seemed to help. A little. “Okay,” she whispered.

Niki nodded. Then hurried into the bathroom. Grabbing his toothbrush and toothpaste at record speed. A minute later, he was standing in the bathroom doorway, brushing his teeth while making sure she could still see him. Just like he promised. Meanwhile, his own brain had become complete chaos. His mate was in his room. His room. Lying in his bed. His bed. And she was about to sleep there. With him. Sleeping. In the same bed. Holy shit. Niki stared at the bathroom mirror. Then immediately looked away. Nope. Thinking about it made everything worse. So instead, he focused on brushing his teeth. On making sure she was okay. On making sure she didn’t panic again. On literally anything except the fact that his mate was currently wrapped in his blankets.

A minute later, he finished washing up. Then quickly headed back into the bedroom. The sight waiting for him almost made his heart explode. (Y/n) had shifted beneath the duvet. Only her head peeked out now. Her hair spread across the pillow. Her eyes drooped with exhaustion. Wrapped completely in his blankets like a burrito. Adorable. Absolutely adorable. Niki felt his chest tighten. She looked comfortable. Safe. Like maybe the fear from earlier was finally fading away. (Y/n) blinked sleepily at him. “You done?” Niki nodded. “Yeah.” His voice came out slightly softer than intended. (Y/n) scooted over slightly to make room for him. A simple gesture. A completely innocent gesture. Yet somehow, Niki felt like his soul had briefly left his body. Because this was happening. It was actually happening. And now he somehow had to act normal about it.

And so, Niki found himself lying in his own bed. With his mate barely a breath away. He stared up at the ceiling. Completely awake. Completely doomed. How was he supposed to sleep like this? Every instinct in his body was losing its mind. (Y/n)’s scent surrounded him. It lingered on the blankets. In the air. Close enough that every breath brought it back to him. Part of him found it comforting. Like a lullaby. Something warm and familiar. Something that made him feel calmer. Safer. Home. The other part felt like poison. Not because it hurt. Because it made his instincts impossible to ignore. Every vampire instinct he possessed screamed at him. Pull her closer. Wrap your arms around her. Protect her. Hold her. Kiss her. Do something. Anything. And every single instinct had to be ignored.

Because she trusted him. Because she was vulnerable right now. Because she needed comfort, not complications. So Niki clenched his jaw slightly. Then forced himself to relax. It took more effort than he’d ever admit to anyone. Eventually he turned his head slightly toward her. “Goodnight,” he whispered. For a moment, there was no response. Then he heard it. A small content sigh. Soft. Peaceful. The kind of sound someone made when they finally felt safe. Niki’s chest tightened. A second later, her breathing slowed. Evened out. And he knew she had fallen asleep. No more tears. No more fear. No more nightmares. Just sleep. Peaceful sleep.

Niki found himself watching her for a few moments longer. The tension had vanished from her face. The worried crease between her eyebrows was gone. She looked relaxed. Comfortable. Safe. Like whatever nightmare had chased her from her room couldn’t reach her here. Eventually, Niki let out a slow breath. Then looked back up at the ceiling. His instincts were still screaming. Still demanding. Still reminding him exactly how close she was. But underneath all of that was something stronger. Relief. Because she wasn’t crying anymore. Because she wasn’t scared anymore. Because for tonight at least… She was okay. And somehow, knowing that made it easier to ignore everything else. Eventually, exhaustion began to win. His eyes grew heavier. His thoughts slowed. And the last thing Niki remembered before sleep finally claimed him was the steady sound of her breathing beside him. A sound he decided he could listen to forever.

~~~ The End of chapter 7 ~~~

Are we finally seeing some steps toward a romantic relationship? Or do we think, (Y/n) needs more time?

What do you guys think the nightmare was about?

The weekend continued in a complete daze. Everything moved so fast that by Sunday evening, half of them could barely remember where they had been just hours earlier. Kei had his marathon on Saturday morning, and he absolutely dominated. The crowd loved him almost immediately. Maybe it was his visuals, maybe it was the way he kept smiling at people cheering for him, barely even out of breath while everyone else looked exhausted, or maybe it was because clips of him crossing the finish line with sweat sticking his hair to his forehead had already started spreading online before the race even ended.

“You’re literally insane,” Jake laughed afterward, shoving a bottle of water into Kei’s chest while the others crowded around him outside the stadium. “How are you not even tired?” Kei caught the bottle easily, taking a casual sip. “Maybe you’re all just weak.” Nicholas stared at him pointedly. “You didn’t even breathe hard.” “That’s what I’m saying!” Sunghoon added. “Everyone else looked like they were about to collapse, and this guy looked ready to run another marathon.” Kei only grinned, eyes glinting slightly underneath the afternoon sunlight. “I could.” “Shut up,” Jay groaned. People passing by kept staring at them. Some recognized Kei from the race. Others recognized the group from social media. Phones were subtly lifted around them, whispers spreading as they walked through campus together.

By the time Saturday afternoon rolled around, Fuma, Yuma, Nicholas, Taki, Jake, and Sunghoon were at the university soccer game acting like absolute maniacs in the stands. “No, hold it higher!” Taki complained while trying to fix the massive poster board Jake had made an hour earlier. “It is high!” “You’re blocking my sign!” Yuma said. “You literally wrote yours in glitter,” Nicholas said flatly. “Nobody can even read it.” The second the camera panned toward them during halftime, the crowd completely lost it. People screamed when they realized who they were. Some students rushed over during breaks just to take pictures with them, while others instantly pulled out their phones to film. Jake and Sunghoon posted videos from the game almost immediately, tagging the university team and flooding their accounts with chaotic clips of them yelling from the stands.

Within an hour, the attendance at the game had nearly doubled. “You guys are actually free marketing,” one of the players laughed afterward while drenched in sweat. “We should start charging,” Fuma joked, earning a smack to the shoulder from Nicholas.  Sunday somehow became even busier. The fashion department had practically worshipped the boys the second they arrived. Racks of clothes lined the hallways backstage, students rushing around with pins between their teeth and clipboards in hand while music blasted from portable speakers.

Jay looked annoyingly perfect in everything they put him in. Sunoo somehow charmed every single stylist within minutes. Jungwon stayed calm through all of it, though he kept laughing every time Niki started posing dramatically for the cameras on purpose. “Stop acting like this is Vogue,” Jungwon muttered while trying not to smile. “It could be Vogue,” Niki shot back confidently before turning toward another camera with an exaggerated smirk. (Y/n) spent almost the entire day running around making sure everything was documented properly. Pictures. Videos. Behind-the-scenes clips. Dance challenges in changing rooms. Outfit transitions in mirrors. Group selfies in elevators.

At one point, all seven of them ended up crammed together in front of a staircase, trying to film a trending dance challenge while fashion students gathered nearby just to watch. “Wait, wait, you’re off beat!” Sunoo laughed. “I’m not off beat, you’re off beat,” Jay argued immediately. “You started early!” “No, I didn’t!” “You literally did!” The final take ended with half of them laughing too hard to finish the choreography properly, but ironically, it became the clip that gained the most attention online. By Sunday evening, exhaustion had settled into everyone’s bones.

Still, (Y/n) sat in front of her laptop with her heart pounding while the others crowded behind her on couches and the floor of the practice room. The showcase registration page stared back at her. One month away. “This is it,” Jake reassured quietly. “Once you submit it, we’re officially in!” (Y/n) nodded slowly. For a second, nobody spoke. Then she clicked submit. A mixture of cheers and groans immediately filled the room. “Oh my god,” Sunoo fell backward dramatically onto the floor. “We’re actually doing this.” “We have a month,” Jungwon muttered, already sounding stressed. “A month is nothing,” Jay added. “A month is enough,” (Y/n) corrected firmly, finally looking up from the screen. “If we work hard enough.” The room quieted slightly after that.

Because despite the chaos of the weekend, despite the nonstop schedules and the exhaustion and the cameras constantly shoved in their faces, it had worked. Better than any of them expected. The team’s social media had exploded almost overnight. Ten thousand followers had turned into nearly one hundred thousand by Sunday night. Every post was flooded with comments. People talked about how handsome they were. How funny they seemed together. Their chemistry. Their dancing. Their fashion. Their personalities. Edits of them had already started circulating online, clips from the marathon mixed with soccer game videos and backstage fashion content. For the first time since this entire thing started, it no longer felt small. People were paying attention now.

~~~

As lunchtime on Monday came around, (Y/n) ran into Euijoo outside the campus café. The second she saw him standing there with his hands in the pockets of his jacket, something uncomfortable twisted in her chest. She hadn’t really spoken to him since Friday. He had texted her during the weekend. A few simple messages asking how she was doing, if the showcase preparations were going well, if she wanted to grab coffee sometime. She had stared at every notification for a long time before eventually locking her phone again without answering.

Now, seeing him in person felt strangely awkward. Because no matter how much she tried not to think about it, she couldn’t stop remembering the event on Friday. Euijoo had been there before Niki. He had seen her cornered. Seen her threatened. And he had done nothing. Maybe he had been shocked. Maybe he hadn’t known what to do. Maybe he had been scared. But none of those excuses erased the image burned into her mind of him standing there frozen while her pulse pounded with panic. Then Niki had arrived. Niki, who always acted recklessly, immaturely, and was impossible to control. Niki, who stepped in without hesitation. It made everything more complicated than she wanted it to be.

Because she had still planned to use Euijoo. Planned to keep pretending that whatever existed between them could distract her from the feelings growing louder and messier every single day whenever Niki smiled at her or looked at her too long. But now? Now there was bitterness mixed into it. Disappointment. Something almost painfully close to betrayal. And standing there in front of him, watching him give her that same gentle expression he always wore around her, she realized she couldn’t keep this up much longer. Euijoo seemed to realize it too. Whatever they had between them felt fragile now. A dying flame reduced to weak embers barely glowing in the dark. Still warm enough to notice, but fading more every day. Yet neither of them seemed ready to say it out loud. It’s over.

“Hi,” Euijoo said softly. (Y/n) looked away for a second before answering. “Hi.” A short silence settled between them, filled with the distant noise of students talking nearby and the sound of coffee machines hissing inside the café. “You must’ve had a busy weekend,” Euijoo said after a moment, trying to sound casual. “Based on the team’s social media.” (Y/n) forced a small smile onto her face. “Yeah. Super busy.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry, I didn’t respond to your texts. I was just really occupied with the team.” Euijoo nodded slowly. “It’s okay,” he said quietly. “Everyone’s busy sometimes.”

But the words sounded heavier than they should have. His eyes lingered on her face for a second too long, like he was searching for something. Some sign that things were still normal between them. There wasn’t one. (Y/n) shifted awkwardly under his gaze. “You watched the posts?” she asked, mostly to fill the silence. Euijoo smiled faintly. “Hard not to. You guys are kind of everywhere right now.” A soft laugh escaped her, though it faded quickly. “Yeah, apparently.” “I saw the videos from the soccer game.” His smile became a little more genuine. “Yuma nearly falling over the railing was pretty funny.” That earned a real laugh from her this time. “He almost fell because he saw a bug.” “I believe it.” 

For a brief second, things felt normal again. Easy. Then the silence returned. And this time, it stayed longer. (Y/n) looked over toward Sophia, who was waiting a little ahead near the cafeteria entrance, scrolling on her phone while occasionally glancing over at them. “I have to go,” (Y/n) said quietly. “But I’ll see you later.” Euijoo nodded slowly, though she could tell there was something he wanted to say. As she started walking away, he finally spoke. “Do you have time to go on a date someday?” (Y/n)’s steps slowed. For a moment, she just stood there. She didn’t turn around. Part of her wanted to say no immediately. Rip the band-aid off before things got even messier between them. But another part of her hesitated.

Because Euijoo was kind. Safe. Easy. And she hated herself a little for not being able to love him the way she was supposed to. “Maybe Wednesday,” she answered softly before continuing to walk away. Behind her, Euijoo let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. He didn’t blame her for the distance growing between them. Honestly, he knew better than anyone that whatever relationship they had should probably end before it hurt them both more than it already was. Still, he couldn’t let go. Not yet. Maybe it was selfishness. Maybe it was denial. Or maybe he simply missed the version of her that used to smile more easily around him.

As (Y/n) reached Sophia, the two of them headed toward an empty table near the windows. The cafeteria buzzed with loud conversations and clattering trays around them, but (Y/n) barely noticed any of it as she dropped into the seat across from Sophia. Sophia immediately narrowed her eyes. “What happened?” she asked. “You looked like someone just told you your dog died.” (Y/n) let out a weak laugh before resting her chin in her hand. “It’s complicated.” “That usually means bad.” (Y/n) sighed deeply, staring down at the condensation sliding down the side of her drink. “I think…” She paused, trying to organize her thoughts. “I think I don’t really like Euijoo anymore.”

Sophia blinked. “Like, at all?” “No, I do like him,” (Y/n) corrected quickly. “Just not romantically.” She frowned slightly. “He’s cute, he’s sweet, he’s literally everything I should want.” “But?” (Y/n)’s expression tightened almost instantly. “But I can’t stop thinking about Niki.” Even just saying his name out loud made her chest feel strange. Sophia leaned back in her chair slowly, as if the answer finally confirmed something she had already suspected. “Then you should break up with Euijoo,” she said gently. “It seems like our plan isn’t really working.” (Y/n) nodded weakly.

“Yeah.” She picked at the sleeve of her hoodie absentmindedly. “I just… don’t know how to do it.” Sophia snorted softly. “No one knows how to break up with someone.” “That’s comforting.” “I’m serious,” Sophia said, nudging her foot lightly under the table. “There’s no magical perfect way to do it without hurting someone.” (Y/n) stayed quiet. Sophia’s voice softened slightly after a moment. “But honestly? You should just tell him the truth. Say you don’t have romantic feelings for him.” She shrugged. “No one can blame you for that.” (Y/n) gave her a small smile. “Thanks.” Sophia smiled back. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Still, even after the conversation ended, something uncomfortable remained in the pit of (Y/n)’s stomach. Because logically, she knew Sophia was right. This relationship wasn’t fair to Euijoo anymore. Maybe it never had been. But some stubborn part of her still wanted to keep trying. Euijoo was perfect on paper. Kind. Stable. Attractive. Patient. He was the type of guy people dreamed about dating. So why wasn’t he enough? Why did her heart still race for someone else instead? Someone reckless. Someone complicated. Someone who drove her completely insane without even trying.

She managed to push the thoughts away until her last class of the day: chemistry. At first, the class had seemed easy enough. It was similar to one she had taken last year, so she walked into the semester expecting a relaxed grade and minimal effort. Then, somehow, the professor had decided to turn the class into actual torture. The lectures became harder every week, the equations started looking like another language, and every assignment made her question whether she had accidentally enrolled in an advanced science program without realizing it. Thankfully, she was friends with Jake. And annoyingly enough, Jake seemed to be the smartest person in the entire class. He understood concepts almost immediately, barely needing notes, while the rest of the students sat there looking confused and miserable. (Y/n) had long since accepted that sitting beside him was the only reason she wasn’t failing.

Still, as she sat next to him that afternoon with her textbook open in front of her, her attention was nowhere near chemistry. Instead, her thoughts drifted right back to Euijoo. How was she supposed to end things? Should she do it in person? Over text? Should she wait until after the date on Wednesday? Or would that just make things crueler? She barely even noticed the professor talking at the front of the room until he suddenly clapped his hands together. “Alright,” he announced. “The last thirty minutes are free study time. You have a test next week, and judging by the grades from your last quiz, most of you desperately need it.” A collective groan filled the classroom. Jake snorted quietly beside her. “He’s kind of evil,” he muttered. (Y/n) smiled faintly, though it quickly disappeared again.

Jake glanced toward her. Then again. His expression shifted slightly. As a vampire, subtle changes in heartbeat and blood flow were impossible for him to ignore. Right now, (Y/n)’s pulse was uneven, slightly faster than normal, her body practically radiating anxiety. Jake leaned back slightly in his chair. “What’s wrong?” (Y/n) blinked, pulled from her thoughts. “Hm?” “You seem stressed.” She hesitated immediately. Jake noticed. “You’ve been staring at the same page for like ten minutes,” he pointed out. “And you highlighted the title twice.” (Y/n) looked down in horror. She had. Jake laughed softly. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

For a second, she considered brushing him off. But maybe getting a guy’s perspective would help. Jake was honest. Blunt sometimes, but honest. So she let out a quiet breath. “You know how I’m dating Euijoo?” Jake nodded slowly. “Uh-huh.” (Y/n) stared down at her notebook while speaking. “I think I’m losing feelings for him.” Her fingers tightened slightly around her pen. “And I feel horrible about breaking up with him, but…” She sighed quietly. “It’s not right to lead him on either, right?” Jake’s expression softened almost instantly. He turned toward her more fully, lowering his voice slightly despite the classroom noise around them. “Breaking up with someone is never easy,” he said gently. “Especially when they didn’t really do anything wrong.”

(Y/n) swallowed quietly. “But honestly?” Jake continued. “I know I’d rather hear the truth and be heartbroken for a little while than find out weeks later that the person I liked stopped loving me ages ago.” His words settled heavily in her chest. Jake glanced at her carefully before adding, “Or worse, finding out they stayed with me while wanting someone else.” (Y/n)’s stomach twisted. Because she hadn’t even fully considered that possibility before. Not really. She had been so focused on avoiding hurting Euijoo that she hadn’t thought about how much worse things could become if she kept dragging this out.

Because if Niki gave her the chance… If he pulled her close again. Looked at her that way again. Touched her the way he sometimes casually did without even realizing the effect it had on her… She didn’t know if she’d stop herself anymore. And that terrified her. Not because she thought Niki would force anything. But because deep down, she knew she wanted him to. Jake smiled gently at her. “You know,” he said quietly, spinning his pen between his fingers, “Euijoo is a nice guy. I don’t think he’d blame you for this.” (Y/n) looked down at the desk silently. Jake continued after a moment. “Besides, I think most people have that one person they’re convinced would be perfect for them.” A small smile tugged at his lips. “And then it turns out they were meant to be the perfect friend instead of the perfect boyfriend or girlfriend.”

Something in her chest loosened slightly, hearing that. Maybe because Jake said it so casually. Like it wasn’t some horrible, unforgivable thing. (Y/n) smiled faintly. “Thanks, Jake,” she said softly. “I needed to hear that.” Jake nodded once. “Alright,” he said, lightly tapping her textbook. “Now come on. I’ll explain this concept to you one more time because I’m like ninety percent sure this is gonna be the main part of the test.” (Y/n) laughed quietly for the first time all class. “Please do.” Jake immediately flipped to another page, grabbing her pencil before scribbling down a formula in the margins. “Okay, look. The professor keeps bringing this up for a reason,” he explained. “So if you understand this part, you’ll probably survive.” “Probably?” she repeated skeptically. Jake grinned. “I can’t make promises.” As he continued explaining the material, her mind slowly stopped spiraling.

The tightness in her chest eased little by little. Instead of overthinking every possible future conversation with Euijoo, she focused on Jake’s voice, the sound of pencils scratching against paper, and the textbook spread open between them. And for the first time that day, things felt clear again. Because she had finally made up her mind. She was breaking up with Euijoo on Wednesday.

~~~

After class ended, Jake and (Y/n) walked to dance practice together. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across campus, students slowly filtering out of buildings while others gathered outside with friends. Jake carried both his backpack and a coffee he had somehow managed to buy between classes, while (Y/n) walked beside him. “You better not fail that chemistry test after I practically taught you the entire chapter,” Jake warned dramatically before taking a sip of his drink. (Y/n) snorted. “If I fail, that’s honestly your fault at this point.” “Wow. So quick to betray me.” “You’ll survive.” “Barely.” By the time they reached the practice building, music was already faintly echoing through the hallways.

Jake pushed the studio door open first. Inside, Kei, Niki, Nicholas, Fuma, Jay, and Sunghoon were already there, stretching and talking amongst themselves. The second they noticed her walk in, several heads turned immediately. “Finally,” Jay complained dramatically. “Do you know how boring these people are without you?” Nicholas looked offended. “Excuse you.” (Y/n) laughed softly as she walked further inside. Kei gave her a small wave from where he sat on the floor, tying his shoes, while Sunghoon nodded at her in greeting. Fuma smiled warmly, and Nicholas lifted a hand lazily before going back to fixing the sleeves of his hoodie.

Jake headed toward the locker room to change, leaving (Y/n) near the bags piled against the mirrored wall. She crouched down to place her things beside the others, pulling out her clipboard and flipping through the pages absentmindedly. Before she could fully stand again, something flew toward her. (Y/n)’s reflexes kicked in fast enough for her to catch it easily. She blinked down at the protein bar in her hand before looking up. Niki stood a few feet away with his hands shoved into the pockets of his sweatpants. She smiled automatically. At some point, this had become a habit between them. If she skipped lunch, looked tired, or spent too many hours running around without resting, Niki would silently hand her food like an annoyed house cat pretending not to care.

“Thanks,” she said. Niki nodded casually. “You look extra tired today.” He tilted his head slightly. “I have candy too if you want it.” (Y/n) laughed quietly before placing a hand against his upper arm. “I’m fine, but thank you.” She squeezed lightly. “I’ll let you know if I need it.” For a second, Niki looked almost too pleased by the casual touch. Then he quickly covered it up with a teasing grin. “Alright,” he said. “But I’ll have the right to say ‘I told you so’ if you pass out again.” (Y/n) groaned immediately. “I passed out once.” “You collapsed into my arms,” Niki corrected proudly. “You’re never letting that go, are you?” “Nope.”

She laughed again, warmth spreading through her chest easier than it should have. Things between them felt normal again. Not tense. Not awkward. Just… easy. “If you say ‘I told you so,’ I won’t cook for a month,” she threatened lightly. Niki gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “But honey,” he whined. “Would you really leave me to starve?” “I think you’ll survive, rich boy.” The others snorted at that. Jay nearly choked on his water, laughing while Nicholas muttered, “She got you there.” (Y/n) patted Niki lightly on the chest before stepping around him and walking toward the others gathered near the mirrors.

“Hey, Nicholas,” she said. The dancer glanced up at her. “What’s up?” he asked. “I saw the dance video you posted on TikTok,” (Y/n) said as she flipped through the papers on her clipboard. Nicholas immediately looked up from where he had been stretching. “Yeah?” he asked. Then his expression shifted slightly. “Wait, should I not have posted it?” He frowned. “I thought you said we should try posting as much as possible.” (Y/n) quickly shook her head. “Oh no, nothing like that.” She smiled slightly. “Actually, I was gonna say that so far, you’ve gotten the most attention.”

Nicholas blinked. “Seriously?” “Yeah.” She glanced back down at her notes. “You’ve been choosing really popular songs, your dancing’s good obviously, and people really like your look and vibe.” She looked back up at him. “So honestly, please post more if you can.” A grin immediately spread across Nicholas’ face. “Oh, good,” he sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. “I thought you were about to scold me.” Jay snorted from nearby. “And instead,” Nicholas continued proudly, “I’m being praised. So basically, I’m the most popular guy on the team, huh?”

Before anyone else could answer, Fuma walked over and lightly smacked the back of Nicholas’ head. “Careful there, Nico,” he said dryly. “Your ego’s gonna make you burst.” Nicholas looked offended. “My ego is perfectly reasonable.” “Sure.” (Y/n) laughed loudly at their bickering before turning toward Fuma. “Oh, Fuma, I saw your post too,” she said. “It’s good, but we seriously need to work on your camera angles.” Fuma immediately nodded with complete seriousness. Jay nearly doubled over laughing while Nicholas proudly pointed at Fuma. “Finally, someone said it.” Fuma looked deeply betrayed.

Before the conversation could continue, Niki suddenly walked over and practically draped himself across (Y/n)’s back and shoulders. The full weight of him leaned against her immediately. (Y/n) let out a noise of protest. “Niki,” she groaned. “You’re heavy.” “Nah,” he replied lazily, resting his chin against the top of her head. “You’re fine.” Honestly, he was mostly annoyed that the wolves had been getting all of her attention for the past few minutes instead of him. “What about me?” he whined dramatically. “How did I do?”

(Y/n) adjusted her footing automatically so she wouldn’t topple over from his height leaning against her. “I’m literally gonna fall.” “You’re dramatic.” She turned her head slightly, looking toward Nicholas and Fuma with clear desperation in her eyes, silently begging one of them to help. Neither did. Instead, both of them smiled knowingly before immediately turning away to start talking to Jay instead. Traitors. (Y/n) sighed dramatically.

“Your video did really well,” she finally admitted. Niki perked up immediately. “How well?” “It was the second highest on the team,” she said while checking her notes again. “Just a few hundred views lower than Nicholas’.” Niki narrowed his eyes instantly toward Nicholas. Nicholas smirked smugly. “Talent always wins.” “Oh, shut up,” Niki scoffed. “My video was better.” “It literally wasn’t.” “It had more aura.” Nicholas looked horrified. “Did you just say aura unironically?”  Niki ignored him completely, instead looking back down at (Y/n) with a pleased grin. “So basically I’m your favorite.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes. “That is absolutely not what I said.” “But it’s what you meant.” “It really wasn’t.” Still, despite her words, the smile tugging at the corners of her lips made Niki grin even wider.

As the whole team gradually gathered together in the center of the practice room, (Y/n) found herself staring at them thoughtfully. It was strange sometimes, seeing all of them lined up together like this. Kei and Niki were by far the tallest. They naturally stood out no matter where they were positioned, both of them towering over almost everyone else in the room. Then came Nicholas, Fuma, and Sunghoon, slightly shorter but still noticeably tall enough to command attention easily. The rest of the group balanced things out more evenly. Jay, Sunoo, Taki, Yuma, Jungwon, and Jake were all relatively similar in height, though each carried themselves completely differently. Jay had an effortless elegance to him, Sunoo somehow made every movement look cute, Jungwon always stood calmly with perfect posture, while Jake somehow looked relaxed even while stretching.

But as (Y/n)’s eyes traveled across the group again, another detail suddenly stood out to her. Hair. Specifically, the lack of variety. Except for Sunoo, every single one of them had black hair. Sunoo’s blonde hair immediately drew attention because of it, though the color had started fading slightly near the roots already. (Y/n) narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. When she researched other showcase teams online, most groups had at least three or four members with brighter or more unique hair colors. Silver. Blue. Red. White blonde. Sometimes, even split dyed styles. And honestly? It worked.

People noticed things like that instantly. Maybe they could use wigs. The thought made her eyes drift toward Niki automatically. Blonde would probably look insane on him. Or silver. Nicholas could probably pull off dark red. Kei would look intimidating with white hair. (Y/n)’s brain continued spiraling deeper into styling ideas. Wigs would definitely be cheaper than bleaching and damaging their actual hair. But then they’d have to learn how to secure them properly. What if one flew off during choreography? Actually, that would be horrifying. Imagine Niki whipping his head during a dance break and suddenly launching a wig across the stage. (Y/n) grimaced slightly.

“No, glue maybe…” she mumbled quietly to herself. “Or extra clips… but sweat could still…” The boys nearby slowly began exchanging confused looks. “Maybe colored contacts too…” she continued absentmindedly. “But that could get expensive…” “What’s expensive?” Jay whispered toward Sunghoon. “I have no idea,” Sunghoon whispered back. “At least three wigs…” (Y/n) muttered while scribbling something random onto her clipboard. “But matching lace fronts for dancing sounds difficult…” By now, several of the boys were openly staring at her. 

Yuma finally walked over and waved a hand directly in front of her face. “Earth to (Y/n),” he said with a laugh. “You awake?” (Y/n) blinked rapidly before looking up at him. “Oh.” She straightened slightly. “Sorry, did I say that out loud?” The boys immediately burst into laughter. Jay answered first. “If speaking in code counts as talking out loud, then sure.” (Y/n) giggled softly, slightly embarrassed now that everyone was staring at her. “Sorry,” she said. “I was just thinking.” She pointed vaguely toward the group. “Except for Sunoo, all of you have black hair. Which basically makes Sunoo stand out a lot.” Sunoo looked oddly proud hearing that. “As I should.” Nicholas rolled his eyes immediately. (Y/n) ignored them and continued.

“And when I looked at other showcase teams online, most groups had at least three or four members with fun hair colors.” She tapped her pen against the clipboard thoughtfully. “The audience seems to really like that kind of thing.” The boys all looked at each other for a moment. “Huh,” Kei muttered. “I never really thought about it before.” He ran a hand through his dark hair absentmindedly. “But now that you mention it, even at the marathon, a lot of the guys from other dance teams had highlights or dyed hair.” (Y/n) nodded quickly. “Exactly. It makes people remember you faster visually.”

Jay hummed thoughtfully. “So your brain was basically spiraling over our hair.” “Unfortunately, yes.” “That’s kind of cute,” Sunoo mumbled. (Y/n) pretended not to hear him. “So,” she continued, flipping through her notes again, “I was trying to decide whether it would be better to ask some of you to dye your actual hair or buy wigs instead.” At the word wigs, several of the boys immediately looked alarmed. “Wigs?” Jake repeated. “What if it flies off?” Taki asked in horror. “That’s literally what I was thinking about earlier,” (Y/n) admitted. Niki burst out laughing. “Imagine Nicholas hitting a turn and suddenly launching pink hair across the audience.”

Nicholas looked offended. “Why am I the one losing the wig?” “Because you dance the hardest.” “That’s true, actually,” Jay admitted. Eventually, though, the conversation shifted more seriously. One by one, most of the boys admitted they wouldn’t really mind dyeing their actual hair if it helped the team gain more attention. (Y/n)’s eyes widened slightly. “Really?” Sunghoon shrugged casually. “It grows back.” “Exactly,” Niki agreed. “And if it helps our popularity, why not?” Even Jungwon nodded. “As long as our hair doesn’t completely die.” “That can definitely be avoided if we’re careful,” (Y/n) assured quickly.

She looked down at her clipboard for a second before glancing back up at all of them, eyes scanning each member thoughtfully. “Okay, well… if that’s the case, we can rotate between all of you every now and then so your hair has time to recover between colors.” The boys listened surprisingly seriously now. Then (Y/n) hesitated slightly before speaking again. “If I can speak my mind…” Niki grinned. “You always do.” (Y/n) ignored him.

“I think Niki and Sunghoon would suit blonde really well. Like Sunoo.” Niki immediately looked pleased with himself. “I knew it.” Sunghoon just sighed quietly like he had already accepted his fate. “Kei,” (Y/n) continued thoughtfully, “I think you’d look really good with a whiter blonde. Like almost silver.” Kei blinked slowly. “That sounds kind of terrifying.” “It sounds hot,” Jay corrected. (Y/n) laughed before continuing. “Fuma and Jay would suit dark blue really well.” Jay immediately flipped his hair dramatically. “I already knew I was meant for greatness.” Fuma snorted. “You’d say that no matter what color she picked.” “Correct.”

(Y/n) smiled before pointing her pen toward Nicholas and Yuma. “You two could definitely pull off red or pink. Or blonde too, honestly.” Nicholas looked genuinely intrigued now. “Pink could actually go hard.” Yuma laughed. “I’m trying to imagine you with pink hair, and somehow it makes sense.” “Taki,” (Y/n) continued, “I think highlights would look really nice on you.” Taki gasped dramatically. “She sees the vision.” “Jungwon,” she said next, “maybe brighter blue? Possibly purple.” Jungwon looked mildly horrified. “Purple?” “You’d look expensive,” Sunoo informed him. That somehow made Jungwon laugh. “And finally Jake…” (Y/n) tilted her head thoughtfully toward him. “Maybe brown or blonde too.” Jake blinked. “Brown.” Everyone immediately stared at him.

Jake frowned. “What?” “You already have black hair,” Nicholas deadpanned. “No, but like…” Jake gestured vaguely. “Different brown.” “That explained absolutely nothing,” Jay said. The room filled with laughter again. Eventually, everyone looked back toward (Y/n), who was still staring at them like a stylist planning a complete makeover. Taki pointed at her accusingly. “Oh wow,” he exclaimed. “You’ve thought about this way too much.”

“No, I haven’t,” (Y/n) said immediately, glaring at Taki across the room. Taki raised both hands defensively. “I’m just saying, you had color palettes ready.” (Y/n) narrowed her eyes. “It’s called being organized.” “It’s called being slightly terrifying,” Jay corrected. The room filled with laughter again. (Y/n) rolled her eyes dramatically. “It’s just…” She sighed before speaking more honestly. “When I get serious about something, I want to do it well.” The room quieted slightly after that. Because all of them knew she meant it. Every bit of attention the team had gotten recently was because of her planning. The social media growth, the collaborations, the posting schedules, the events they attended. She took all of it seriously because she genuinely wanted them to succeed.

Before anyone else could comment, Niki walked over and lightly bumped his shoulder against hers. He also shot Taki a glare. “You’re doing great,” he said simply. “Don’t listen to the idiot.” “Hey!” Taki yelled loudly in protest. Nobody cared. Sunoo actually laughed harder. Nicholas stretched his arms over his head before speaking up. “Okay, so.” He looked around the room. “Who’s actually sacrificing their hair here and who’s helping?” (Y/n)’s eyes brightened immediately at the question. “Well…” She flipped through her clipboard again. “If we buy everything we need, we could probably dye some hair this weekend.”

The boys immediately started talking over each other. “This weekend?” “Oh, my god.” “Wait, seriously?” Then (Y/n) glanced over toward Niki. “Why don’t we do a team dinner at Niki’s and my place?” The way she paused slightly while looking at him made it obvious she was silently asking permission, too. Niki nodded almost immediately. “Sounds good.” The second he agreed, chaos erupted. “Yay! Party at Niki’s!” Yuma shouted dramatically. Sunoo clapped excitedly while Jay immediately asked if there would be snacks. Niki groaned loudly already. “I’m gonna regret this.” “You absolutely are,” Jake confirmed. Fuma laughed softly before bringing the conversation back on track. “We still haven’t decided whose hair we’re sacrificing first.”

(Y/n) looked around the room thoughtfully, eyes landing on each member one by one. “Um…” She smiled slightly. “If it’s okay, let’s fix Sunoo’s roots…” Sunoo nodded proudly. “As we should.” “Then maybe we will turn Nicholas into a tomato.” Nicholas gasped dramatically while everyone else burst into laughter. “I cannot believe this is how you speak about me.” “You’d look good red,” (Y/n) defended. Nicholas crossed his arms. “Continue.” “And then maybe Niki…” She tilted her head thoughtfully toward him. “Or we make Jay a blueberry.” Jay looked deeply offended. “A blueberry?” “You literally said dark blue would suit you!” “Yes, but hearing it phrased like that is upsetting.” Niki laughed so hard he nearly doubled over.

Meanwhile, Nicholas pointed at Jay immediately. “No, no, she’s right. You would look like a blueberry.” Jay looked betrayed. “I hate this team.” “You love us,” Sunghoon said calmly. Unfortunately for Jay, he was correct. Kei smiled slightly while looking around at everyone. “How about we just do all of that?” he suggested. “Sunoo and Niki as blondes, Nico with the red, and Jay with the blue.” Niki immediately grinned. “Oh, I’d look insane blonde.” “You already think you look insane now,” Jake muttered. Kei ignored him and continued. “That’ll look good. I’m sure of it.” (Y/n) looked genuinely excited now, already scribbling notes onto her clipboard.

“Okay,” she said quickly. “I’ll buy the stuff we need for Saturday then, and we can figure the rest out later.” Honestly, seeing her so invested in all of it made several of the boys smile without even realizing it. Because every time she talked about the team like this, it stopped feeling like some random showcase. It started feeling real.

~~~

All too soon, Wednesday arrived. The entire day, (Y/n) felt strangely nervous. Not anxious exactly. Just heavy. Like she already knew something important was ending before it had even happened. She had gotten permission to skip dance practice that evening so she could go on her date with Euijoo. Most of the team only knew she had plans, though Jake knew the truth. He had noticed the way she kept checking her phone all morning, how distracted she looked during lunch.  Part of him considered warning Niki somehow. Not because Niki and (Y/n) were together. They definitely weren’t. But Jake wasn’t blind either. Still, after thinking about it for a while, he decided against interfering. It wasn’t his place. So instead, he simply wished her luck before she left campus.

(Y/n) met Euijoo at a park not too far from the university. The weather had cooled slightly compared to earlier in the week, leaves shifting gently in the breeze while people wandered along the paths surrounding the gardens and small cafés nearby. When she first saw him waiting for her, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, he smiled immediately. And honestly? For a little while, things felt good again. Easy. Normal. They walked through the park together slowly, talking about random things. Classes. Social media. A professor Euijoo hated. A dog they saw chasing leaves near the fountain.

At one point, Euijoo laughed so hard at one of her jokes that tears formed in his eyes, and hearing that sound almost made her chest ache. Because this was what had made her like him in the first place. He was kind. Gentle. Comfortable. For a few moments, it almost felt like the beginning of their relationship again. Like maybe if she ignored the lingering guilt in her chest long enough, things could somehow return to normal. But deep down, she knew they couldn’t. And Euijoo knew it too.

Three hours later, the sun had started setting behind the city skyline, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink. The temperature dropped with it. (Y/n) rubbed her hands together slightly as a cold breeze passed through the park. Without saying anything, Euijoo slipped his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. “It’s okay, you’ll get cold,” she protested softly. “I’ll survive,” he said with a small smile. They kept walking after that. Slower now. Quieter. Eventually, they stopped near a bench overlooking part of the city, the glowing sunset stretching behind the buildings in the distance.

The view was beautiful. But somehow painfully sad too. They sat beside each other silently for a while, the wind softly moving through the trees around them. Then Euijoo finally spoke. “Thank you for today, (Y/n).” She turned slightly toward him. “What do you mean?” Euijoo smiled faintly before looking back toward the setting sun. “This was a nice last date,” he said quietly. “A good ending to our relationship, don’t you think?” (Y/n)’s breath caught. “How did you know?” Euijoo swallowed once before answering. He still didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. Because if he did, he thought maybe he’d lose the courage to say it.

“I felt it too,” he admitted softly. “For a while now.” The words hurt more than she expected. Not because she disagreed. But because hearing him say it out loud made everything final. “We just…” Euijoo paused, searching for the right words. “We weren’t the right fit.” (Y/n) slowly turned her gaze back toward the sunset, too. “It was obvious that whatever we had…” Euijoo continued quietly, “wasn’t really love.” The wind brushed gently past them again. And suddenly, (Y/n) realized what he was doing. Euijoo was trying to make this easier for her. He was trying to be the one ending things because he knew she didn’t know how. Trying to carry the uglier part of the breakup himself so she wouldn’t have to feel guilty. And somehow, that hurt worst of all.

“Euijoo… I’m sorry,” (Y/n) said quietly. Her voice sounded smaller than she intended. Euijoo immediately shook his head. “It’s okay.” For the first time since they sat down, he finally looked at her properly. His expression was soft. Sad, but soft. “We’ve both been thinking about this for a while,” he said gently. “It’s easy to tell.” (Y/n) looked down at her hands resting in her lap. Part of her wanted to argue. Wanted to apologize more. But deep down, she knew he was right. “It’s better to end this now,” Euijoo continued quietly, “before we actually hurt each other.” The wind blew past them again, colder now that the sun had nearly disappeared behind the skyline. Euijoo smiled faintly. “You’re a really nice girl, (Y/n).” His voice wavered just slightly. “I’m lucky I got to be your boyfriend for a bit.” That was what finally broke her.

A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it. (Y/n) quickly wiped at it, almost frustrated with herself. She wasn’t supposed to cry. She was the one who lost feelings first. She was the one who had been preparing to end things. But somehow, hearing the relationship had officially ended still hurt. Because rejection hurts no matter what side you stand on. Because endings hurt even when they were necessary. Euijoo noticed the tear immediately, and for a second, his own composure almost cracked too. “I hope we can stay friends,” he said softly. (Y/n) nodded quickly. “I’d love to stay friends.” And she meant it. Euijoo smiled again after hearing that. His eyes had become glossy now, too, though he stubbornly held the tears back. “See you around, (Y/n).”

Slowly, he stood up from the bench. The jacket still rested around her shoulders. “Return the jacket whenever,” he added quietly. (Y/n) knew immediately why he was leaving so fast. He didn’t want to cry in front of her. And honestly, she was grateful for it. Because if he started crying, she thought maybe she would too. So instead, she just sat there while he walked away down the pathway, hands shoved into his pockets as the sunset painted long shadows behind him. “See you around, Euijoo,” she whispered softly. By the time he disappeared from sight, the sun had fully dipped beneath the horizon. A fitting end to their relationship.

(Y/n) stayed sitting on that bench long after Euijoo left. The city slowly shifted from gold to blue around her, the last traces of sunlight disappearing behind the buildings while streetlights flickered to life one by one. People passed occasionally along the pathways nearby, laughing with friends or hurrying home before the night grew colder, but (Y/n) barely noticed any of them. She just sat there quietly with Euijoo’s jacket wrapped around her shoulders, watching the sunset finally fade completely into darkness.

~~~

Meanwhile, across campus, Euijoo stood in a parking lot trying to collect himself. His eyes were still slightly red from holding back tears, though his expression had settled into something calmer now. Tired maybe. Hollow. Still, he stayed leaning against the hood of a nearby car, hands shoved into his pockets, while waiting because there was one more thing he needed to do tonight.

A few minutes later, Niki finally exited the practice building. His gym bag hung loosely over one shoulder while he scrolled through something on his phone with the other hand. The second he spotted Euijoo standing near his car, though, his expression darkened immediately. Niki stopped walking. “What do you want?” he asked coldly. The tone alone made the tension in the parking lot shift instantly. Niki opened the backseat door anyway, tossing his bag inside carelessly without taking his eyes off the wolf. Euijoo straightened slightly. “We need to talk.” Niki scoffed. “About what?”

For a second, silence settled between them. Then Euijoo answered quietly. “About (Y/n).” That got Niki’s full attention immediately. The atmosphere changed so fast it almost felt violent. Niki slowly shut the car door. His eyes bled into glowing red within seconds, sharp fangs extending slightly as instinct and possessiveness surged through him before he could stop it. Euijoo reacted just as quickly. His own eyes flashed yellow, claws threatening to emerge while his fangs extended in warning too. A vampire and a werewolf. Standing alone together in the dark. Neither trusting the other. Neither willing to back down. Cold wind swept through the parking lot as they stared at each other in silence. And honestly? Who knew how this conversation would end.

“What about her?” Niki’s voice dripped with venom. His entire body had gone tense, shoulders stiff as he stared Euijoo down across the dim parking lot. Euijoo sighed quietly. “Look, I don’t want to fight.” Slowly, deliberately, he forced himself back into a fully human appearance. The yellow glow faded from his eyes, claws retracting as he raised his hands slightly in surrender. “Can we just talk?” he asked tiredly. “Guy to guy?” Niki didn’t answer immediately. Every instinct inside him screamed to attack. The vampire side of him hated wolves enough already, but this? This wolf had dated her. Touched her. Kissed her. Niki clenched his fists so tightly his nails nearly cut into his palms. He wanted to slam Euijoo into the concrete until he stopped breathing. But he couldn’t. Shouldn’t.

So after a long moment, Niki let out a slow breath. His fangs gradually disappeared, eyes fading back from glowing red to their usual dark brown. “Fine,” he muttered coldly. “Let’s go to the roof.” Euijoo nodded once. The two of them walked through the quiet campus building in tense silence, neither willing to walk beside the other. The only sounds were distant footsteps echoing through hallways and the soft buzz of fluorescent lights overhead.

Eventually, they reached the rooftop. Night had fully settled over the city now, cool wind sweeping across the open space while lights glittered endlessly below them. At least up there, they knew nobody would interrupt them. Niki stopped near the edge first, turning sharply toward Euijoo. “So,” he said flatly. “What did you want to talk about?” Euijoo stayed quiet for a second, eyes drifting upward toward the moon beginning to rise overhead. Then he finally spoke. “(Y/n) and I just broke up.”

Niki froze. “What?” The reaction was immediate and genuine enough that Euijoo almost laughed bitterly. He slowly looked toward the younger man. “You know,” Euijoo said quietly, “I didn’t know she was your mate.” Niki’s expression darkened slightly again. “I only figured it out last Friday,” Euijoo continued. “If I’d known before, I wouldn’t have dated her.” The wind shifted between them. “We might not be good friends,” Euijoo admitted, “but it’s wrong to try and steal someone else’s mate.” Niki stared at him silently. They broke up. The words repeated inside his head over and over again. They broke up. Part of him had imagined this moment before. Wondered what it would feel like if she became single again. But now that it was actually happening, his mind had completely stopped working. He didn’t know what emotion hit him first. Shock. Relief. Hope. Guilt.

All of it crashed together so violently that for a few seconds, he genuinely couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. He just stood there frozen beneath the moonlight, staring at Euijoo while his heart pounded loud enough to feel painful. “I still like her,” Euijoo admitted quietly. The words immediately made Niki tense again. Euijoo kept his eyes on the city below them instead of looking directly at him. “She’s not my mate,” he continued. “But she’s something close to it.” The wind shifted harshly across the rooftop. “I wish I could stay with her,” Euijoo said honestly. “But it wouldn’t be right.”

Niki’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked. Every word out of Euijoo’s mouth felt like gasoline being poured onto a fire already burning out of control inside him. Before he could properly think, Niki moved. His fist slammed hard into Euijoo’s cheek. The sound echoed sharply across the rooftop. Euijoo staggered slightly from the force, but as a werewolf, the punch barely did any real damage. Honestly, part of him had expected it. Maybe even wanted it. Because the entire reason he came here tonight was to see something. To confirm something. Just how much did Niki care about her?

A spear and a shield. Which one was stronger? Which one won in the end? This time, it was the spear. And deep down, Euijoo already knew that as long as this battle existed between the two of them, Niki would always win. Euijoo slowly looked back at him, a faint bruise already healing beneath the moonlight. “The feeling of kissing her,” he said quietly, “was like being hugged by the sun itself.” That did it. Niki practically growled before throwing another punch. This time, Euijoo caught his fist midair. The impact still sent force through both of them as they struggled against each other, strength pressing violently between vampire and werewolf.

“Are you good enough for her?” Euijoo asked sharply. Niki’s eyes flashed red again instantly. “A reckless half delinquent?” Euijoo continued, gripping his wrist tighter. “Do you honestly deserve her?” For a second, Niki genuinely saw red. His instincts screamed at him to attack. To rip Euijoo apart for daring to question him. But then… Something inside him stopped. Because deep down, the worst part was that Niki had asked himself those exact same questions already. Over and over again. Slowly, his anger loosened. His breathing steadied. And eventually, Niki stopped trying to hit him. Euijoo felt the resistance disappear first.

Niki lowered his fist completely. The silence afterward felt heavier than the fighting itself. Finally, Niki spoke. “I know I’m reckless.” His voice sounded quieter now. Honest. “And I know I need to be better.” Euijoo watched him carefully. Niki leaned back slightly, pulling his wrist free. “I’m working on becoming the person she deserves.” There was no arrogance in his voice anymore. No teasing. No ego. Just truth. “I’m not perfect,” Niki admitted. “But I know one thing.” The moonlight reflected faintly in his dark eyes as he looked directly at Euijoo. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her happy.”

Euijoo stared at him for a long moment before finally smiling faintly. “Good,” he said quietly. Then, before Niki could react, Euijoo stepped forward and punched him hard across the cheek. Niki’s head snapped slightly to the side from the impact. It stung. But otherwise, he barely felt it. Honestly, he didn’t even try to dodge. It was only fair. Slowly, Niki looked back at him, rubbing at his jaw once while Euijoo let out a tired sigh. The werewolf tilted his head upward, staring at the moon hanging above them. “Two more things,” he said. Niki frowned slightly but stayed quiet. The first thing Euijoo told him was a secret. A small one. But useful. Something that would help (Y/n) move through the breakup easier instead of drowning in guilt over it. The second thing he told Niki was where she was right now.

By the time Euijoo finished speaking, Niki was already turning away. He never thought he’d willingly take advice from Euijoo of all people. Yet here he was. Running through campus because of him. Cold wind whipped against Niki’s face as he moved quickly through the dark streets, heart pounding harder the closer he got to the park. It was freezing out. And she was still sitting out there alone. The thought alone made his chest ache. When Niki finally found her, his heart physically hurt at the sight. (Y/n) still sat on the bench overlooking the city, Euijoo’s jacket wrapped tightly around herself while the night wind moved softly through her hair.

She looked so small suddenly. So sad. Her eyes were red from crying. When she noticed him approaching, she blinked in surprise before a weak smile formed on her face. “Niki,” she whispered softly. The sound of her voice nearly destroyed him. Niki walked over quietly before sitting down beside her on the bench. For once, he didn’t tease her. Didn’t joke. Didn’t try to make her laugh immediately. Instead, he simply opened his arms for her silently. That was all it took. (Y/n)’s composure shattered instantly. The second she leaned forward and rested her head against his chest, the tears came harder than before. A broken sob escaped her as she grabbed onto the front of his hoodie tightly.

Niki immediately wrapped his arms around her securely, one hand moving gently through her hair while the other held her close against him. And somehow, that only made her cry more. She felt stupid. Absolutely stupid. This was what she wanted. She had spent days thinking about ending the relationship. Preparing herself for it. So why did it hurt this much? Why did her chest ache like something important had been ripped away from her? Why was she crying like a child who had lost their favorite toy? None of it made sense. “I’m sorry,” she choked out between tears without even knowing what she was apologizing for. Niki’s arms tightened around her immediately. “For what?” he asked softly. (Y/n) shook her head against his chest. “I don’t know.” And honestly? That answer hurt him more than anything else.

Niki let her cry for several more minutes. He didn’t rush her. Didn’t tell her everything would be okay immediately. He just held her quietly while her tears soaked through the front of his hoodie, one hand gently rubbing slow circles against her back. Eventually, her crying softened into uneven breathing. “Let’s go home,” Niki said softly. (Y/n) nodded weakly. Her throat hurt from crying so much. As they stood up from the bench, Niki’s eyes briefly landed on Euijoo’s jacket still wrapped around her shoulders. A sharp sting of jealousy twisted inside him instantly. He hated it. Hated seeing another man’s scent all over her. Hated that she still held onto the jacket so tightly, fingers curled into the fabric like she wasn’t ready to let go yet.

But Niki swallowed the feeling down. Because this wasn’t about him. Not tonight. So instead, he quietly guided her back toward campus. The parking lot was mostly empty now, cold air surrounding them as they walked side by side in silence. Niki occasionally glanced toward her, making sure she was still okay without directly asking. Once they got into the car, the drive home passed in a blur. (Y/n) mostly stared out the window silently while city lights flashed across the glass beside her. Niki kept one hand loosely on the steering wheel, the other clenched slightly in his lap every time he caught the lingering sadness on her face.

By the time they finally got home, it was already very late. The apartment felt unusually quiet when they stepped inside. Niki slipped his shoes off before immediately turning toward her. “You should eat something,” he said gently. “Neither of us had dinner.” (Y/n) shook her head almost instantly. “I’m not hungry.” “Still.” “I can’t.” Niki hesitated. Part of him wanted to insist. But another part knew she needed space more than anything right now. So instead, he simply nodded. “Okay.” (Y/n) gave him a small tired smile before quietly walking toward her room. The second her bedroom door closed, Niki let out a long breath.

He wanted to do more for her. Wanted to fix this somehow. Wanted to make her smile again already. But he knew heartbreak didn’t work like that. She needed time. Needed to actually feel everything instead of burying it away. So Niki forced himself not to hover outside her room like an anxious idiot. Instead, he headed toward his gaming room. Normally he would’ve distracted himself with games or loud music or literally anything else to stop thinking too hard. Tonight, though, he sat at his computer researching something instead.

For nearly an hour, he scrolled through pages and reviews carefully before finally finding exactly what he was looking for. A small smile spread across his face. Perfect. It would arrive on Friday. “Good,” he murmured quietly to himself. “Hopefully she’ll like it.” Despite how late it had gotten, Niki eventually stood up again, making a quick trip to the kitchen, and then headed toward (Y/n)’s room. He knocked softly on the door. He could still hear her moving around inside, which meant she was awake.

A few seconds later, her quiet voice answered. “Come in.” Niki opened the door slowly. (Y/n) sat curled up on the bed wearing oversized pajamas now, her eyes still puffy and red from crying. In his hands was a tray from the kitchen. A sandwich. Some fruit. And a glass of water. Niki walked over awkwardly before setting it carefully beside her. “You need to eat something,” he said. “It’s not much, but…” A sheepish smile appeared briefly on his face. “It’s what I can cook without burning down the kitchen.” A small laugh escaped her despite everything. And honestly, hearing it made something warm spread through his chest instantly. “Thank you, Ki,” she whispered softly. The nickname nearly killed him on the spot. Niki nodded quickly before she could notice how flustered he suddenly felt. “I hope you get some sleep,” he said quietly. Then, before he could say something stupid, he turned and walked back out of the room.

~~~

The next morning, Niki woke up worried. He tried to tell himself she would be okay eventually, that breakups were normal and people moved on all the time, but the image of her crying against his chest the night before still lingered heavily in his mind. Part of him wanted to knock on her door immediately and check on her. The other part knew that would probably annoy her. So instead, he stayed in the kitchen pretending to focus on making coffee while constantly glancing toward the hallway.

The moment her bedroom door finally opened, he looked up immediately. (Y/n) walked into the kitchen quietly, still wearing oversized clothes, her hair slightly messy from sleep. But what immediately caught Niki’s attention was the tray in her hands. Empty. The sandwich was gone. The fruit too. Even the glass of water had been finished. Relief washed through him instantly. At least she had eaten something. Still, when she got closer, he noticed her eyes were still slightly swollen and red. She had cried more after he left her room. The realization made his chest ache quietly. “Good morning,” Niki said softly. (Y/n) looked toward him before offering a small smile. It didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Morning.”

Niki leaned slightly against the kitchen counter, studying her carefully. “How are you feeling?” (Y/n) shrugged weakly. “Okay, I guess.” The answer sounded automatic. Like she didn’t really know yet. Niki nodded slowly. Neither of them spoke for a few seconds after that. The apartment felt strangely quiet compared to usual. Finally, Niki pushed himself off the counter. “Let’s go to uni,” he said gently. “I’m sure Sophia will make you feel better.” That finally earned a slightly more genuine reaction from her. A tiny laugh. “Probably.” Niki grabbed his keys while (Y/n) set the tray down in the sink. As they headed toward the door together, she stopped for a second. “Thanks, Ki,” she said quietly. “For everything.” Niki looked at her for a moment longer than necessary. Then he smiled softly. “Always.”

~~~

Thursday afternoon, when (Y/n) walked into the dance room, Niki immediately noticed she seemed a little better. Not completely. There was still sadness lingering quietly underneath her expression, still a heaviness in her eyes that hadn’t fully disappeared yet. But it was better. Especially because this time, when she smiled, it actually reached her eyes too. Jake walked beside her carrying both his own bag and somehow her water bottle too, talking nonstop about something ridiculous.

“And then the professor looked at me,” Jake said dramatically, “like I was the problem.” “You were most likely, the problem,” (Y/n) laughed. “No, because explain to me why being awake should matter if my grades are excellent?” “That’s not how university works.” “It should be.” Niki found himself smiling before he even realized it. Thank god for Jake honestly. Yuma and Taki quickly joined the conversation too after jogging over from behind them. 

“No, wait,” Taki interrupted loudly. “Tell her what happened after class.” Yuma immediately groaned. “No.” “You literally walked into the wrong lecture hall.” (Y/n) burst into laughter immediately. “I was tired!” Yuma defended. “You sat there for fifteen minutes before realizing!” “In my defense, the professor sounded mathishly enough that I thought math had turned into philosophy.” By now everyone was laughing too hard to speak properly. The sound of (Y/n)’s laughter echoed warmly through the practice room, and hearing it again after yesterday made something inside Niki finally relax a little.

Then suddenly the dance room door slammed open dramatically. Everyone turned immediately. And instantly lost it. Nicholas, Sunghoon, Jungwon, and Kei walked into the room wearing the cheapest, ugliest wigs imaginable. Jungwon was neon yellow. Sunghoon’s black bob wig sat halfway off his head while Nicholas somehow wore a bright red wig backwards. Kei’s silver wig looked especially tragic because half the fake hair stuck straight upward like he had been electrocuted. Jungwon looked genuinely dead inside as he looked up at the yellow wig on his head. The four of them posed dramatically near the entrance like runway models.

“Do we look fabulous?” Nicholas asked proudly. (Y/n) doubled over laughing immediately. “Oh my god.” Sunghoon flipped the ends of his horrible wig with absolutely zero shame. “I personally think I look expensive.” “You look haunted,” Jake wheezed. Before anyone could recover properly, Nicholas suddenly yelled, “Hit the music!” And somehow, Kei actually did. The four immediately started dancing dramatically in the middle of the room like they were performing on a giant stage instead of embarrassing themselves in a university practice room.

Within seconds, the wigs started flying everywhere. Nicholas spun too hard and launched the red wig directly at Taki’s face. Sunghoon’s bob slid completely sideways until it covered one eye. Kei dipped Jungwon dramatically during a dance move and his silver wig flew clean off his head before landing on the floor behind them. (Y/n) laughed so hard tears started forming in her eyes again. Not sad tears this time. Real laughter. The kind that made her stomach hurt. Thankfully, Jay and Fuma had already started recording from two completely different angles the second the wigs appeared. “This is going online immediately,” Jay announced between laughs. “Oh, absolutely,” Fuma agreed. “This is blackmail material,” Jake added.

Niki leaned against the mirrored wall, laughing along with everyone else before his gaze drifted back toward (Y/n). She was still laughing hard enough to hold onto Jake’s shoulder for balance. And honestly? Seeing that expression on her face again made relief settle heavily in his chest. Thank god his friends were shameless idiots. 

After all the chaos finally settled down, practice truly began. And honestly? The difference compared to just a few weeks ago was insane. Even though Nicholas and Fuma had only joined the team recently, the eleven of them already danced together like they had known each other forever. Their timing matched naturally now, movements flowing together smoothly as if they had been practicing side by side since childhood. (Y/n) stood near the mirrors with her clipboard in hand, watching them carefully while music blasted through the speakers. Niki and Sunghoon moved almost perfectly in sync during one part of the choreography. Somehow, all of them together just worked despite their differences.

During one of the short breaks, (Y/n) quickly edited the wig video on her phone while the boys argued over whose fake hair looked worst. “Nicholas looked like a divorced aunt,” Jake insisted. “I looked fashionable,” Nicholas argued back. “You looked unemployed.” (Y/n) laughed quietly while adding captions and cutting together the funniest clips before finally posting the video online. Honestly, she already knew people were going to love it. Especially the part where Kei’s wig launched across the room like a projectile.

Eventually, after hours of dancing, practice finally came to an end. One by one, the boys started grabbing water bottles, hoodies, and bags scattered around the studio floor. (Y/n) was busy organizing papers on her clipboard when she suddenly realized everyone had gone oddly quiet. She looked up. All eleven boys stood there staring at her. “What?” she asked cautiously. Sunoo smiled first. “We just wanted to say something.” (Y/n) blinked in confusion. Then Jungwon spoke. “If you’re ever feeling down again,” he said softly, “or if you need help with anything…” “We’re all here for you,” Jake finished. “No matter what,” Fuma added with a small smile. “You’re part of the team, right?” Yuma said casually. 

The sincerity in their voices caught her off guard completely. For a second, (Y/n) genuinely didn’t know what to say. Then a soft smile slowly spread across her face. “Thanks, guys,” she said quietly. “I’ll remember that next time.” “Good,” Jay nodded dramatically. “Because emotional support is one of my many talents.” “You cried over a sad dog commercial last week,” Nicholas deadpanned. “And?” The room filled with laughter one last time before everyone slowly started heading out.

Eventually, only (Y/n) and Niki remained. Together they walked toward the parking lot outside campus. The air had grown colder now, dark clouds covering most of the evening sky overhead. (Y/n) glanced upward as they approached the car. “Looks like it’ll rain tonight.” Niki looked up too before nodding. “Yeah. Definitely.” The air already smelled like rain. (Y/n) smiled slightly while climbing into the passenger seat. “How about soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner then?” Niki looked at her in disbelief before laughing. “That sounds like something a child would eat.” (Y/n) immediately pouted at him. “Hey. It’s my favorite food on rainy days.” Niki chuckled while starting the car. “I didn’t say it sounded bad.” He glanced toward her briefly. “Just childish.” (Y/n) crossed her arms dramatically. “You’re uninvited from dinner.” “Too late,” Niki replied smugly. “I’ll eat whatever you cook.”

The rest of the night passed peacefully. Rain eventually started tapping softly against the apartment windows while (Y/n) stood in the kitchen making broccoli soup and extremely cheesy grilled cheese sandwiches. Niki had complained the entire time. “That is way too much cheese.” “There’s no such thing.” “Yes, there is.” “No, there isn’t.” Then ten minutes later he ended up stealing half her sandwich anyway. “You’re a hypocrite,” (Y/n) accused while pointing at him dramatically. Niki shrugged without shame. “I never said it wasn’t good.”

The warmth of the apartment, mixed with the sound of rain and the easy conversation between them, made something inside (Y/n) finally settle a little. Not completely. There was still sadness lingering quietly in the back of her mind. But it didn’t feel crushing anymore. Just sore. Tomorrow was Friday. She didn’t have classes, which meant she could spend the day buying hair dye and supplies for Saturday before heading to dance practice afterward. At least staying busy helped.

By the time they finished eating and cleaning the kitchen, it had already gotten pretty late. As they stood near the hallway ready to head to their rooms, Niki suddenly held something out toward her. (Y/n) blinked. A card. She stared at him questioningly. “Here.” (Y/n) tilted her head slightly. “Why are you handing me a card?” Niki sighed like this should’ve been obvious. “Because you need to buy the dye and everything tomorrow,” he explained. “And that stuff’s expensive.” (Y/n) looked back down at the card in surprise. “So use mine.” For a second, she just stared at him. Then slowly took it from his hand. “Okay…” she said carefully. “If you say so.” Niki nodded casually. “Buy whatever you want.” The words sounded completely normal to him. To her? Absolutely insane. He said it so casually too. Like buying enough supplies to dye half the team’s hair wouldn’t cost a small fortune.

Niki stretched slightly before starting toward his room. “Night.” “Goodnight.” Once he disappeared down the hallway, (Y/n) looked back down at the card in her hand again. “Stupid rich kid,” she muttered under her breath affectionately. Still, she carefully slipped the card into her bag so she wouldn’t forget it tomorrow. Then she headed to her own room. The second she walked inside, her eyes automatically landed on Euijoo’s jacket draped over the chair near her desk.

For a moment, she just stood there quietly. The breakup still hurts. But somehow, tonight, the pain felt softer around the edges. Less sharp than before. Eventually she changed into pajamas and climbed into bed, exhaustion finally catching up to her properly. That night, she dreamed about returning the jacket to Euijoo. Not dramatically. Not painfully. Just quietly handing it back to him while both of them smiled sadly at each other. When she woke briefly in the middle of the night, still half asleep, one thought lingered in her mind. She didn’t know exactly when she’d return it. But she knew she wouldn’t keep it forever.

~~~

As Friday came around, (Y/n) spent most of the day out running errands. At first she thought buying hair dye would be simple. It absolutely was not. She ended up standing in beauty supply stores for nearly an hour comparing shades while trying to remember exactly what colors she had suggested for everyone earlier in the week. Eventually though, she found the perfect ones. At least in her opinion. A cool blonde for Niki and Sunoo. A deep vivid blue for Jay. And a rich red shade for Nicholas. She even bought extra boxes just in case somebody else suddenly decided they wanted a makeover too, or if they underestimated how much dye they’d need. Afterward, she bought snacks. Then more snacks. Then drinks. Then more drinks because Yuma and Jake together could apparently consume enough soda to feed a small army. By the time she finally loaded everything into the car, the backseat looked ridiculous. (Y/n) sighed dramatically while closing the trunk. “Thank god Niki lent me the car,” she muttered to herself. “I would’ve died carrying all this.”

 Meanwhile, back at campus, Niki had temporarily disappeared during lunch break.  The second he got the message of the mailman approaching their apartment building earlier than expected, he had practically vanished using vampire speed before anyone could question him. A few minutes later, he arrived home just in time to grab the package from the delivery guy. The second the apartment door shut behind him, Niki immediately opened the box. A grin spread slowly across his face. “It looks great,” he whispered to himself. Carefully, he hid it away inside his room before speeding back to campus fast enough that nobody even realized he had left in the first place.

The rest of the day passed quickly after that. Dance practice especially seemed to blur together. With barely a month left until the showcase, everyone had started taking things much more seriously. Breaks became shorter. Corrections were listened to immediately. Even the usual chaos during practice had become more focused now. Still chaotic. Just productive chaos. Jake also finally received his adjusted stage pants back. Turns out the entire disaster from before had happened because somebody accidentally swapped two measurement sticky notes. Which explained why the original pair had fit him like a medieval punishment device. “These are so much better,” Jake sighed dramatically while stretching comfortably. “I can finally breathe again.” “You’re so brave,” Nicholas replied flatly. “I know.”

By the time practice ended, everyone looked exhausted. Well. Everyone except Kei, who still somehow looked perfectly fine. As (Y/n) and Niki headed back toward the car together afterward, Niki glanced over at her carefully. She looked tired. Not emotionally this time. Just genuinely exhausted. Between the breakup, errands, social media work, practice schedules, and organizing literally everything for the team, she had been nonstop busy all week. Niki opened the passenger door for her before speaking. “Why don’t we order takeout tonight?”

(Y/n) immediately yawned while climbing into the seat. Honestly, the sound was adorable. “That sounds good,” she mumbled tiredly. Niki smiled slightly before shutting the car door for her. Good. Because there was absolutely no way he was letting her cook after today. As they parked in the garage of the apartment building, Niki stepped out first and walked around to open the trunk. The second it lifted open, he froze. The trunk was absolutely stuffed with bags. Hair dye boxes, drinks, snacks, disposable gloves, extra towels, chips, candy, and enough instant noodles to survive an apocalypse. Niki stared at it in genuine shock.

“How did you even fit all of this in here?” he asked. “And more importantly, this must’ve been insanely heavy.” (Y/n) climbed out of the passenger seat slowly, immediately yawning again before laughing softly. “I’ve never really hosted a party or dinner before,” she admitted. “So I wasn’t sure how much stuff to get.” She pointed toward the bags dramatically. “But based on how much you eat, and what I’ve seen from the others…” She narrowed her eyes accusingly at him. “We needed a lot.” Niki laughed loudly. “Okay, fair.” (Y/n) looked back toward the overflowing trunk. “I might have gone a little overboard though.” “Oh no,” Niki grinned. “This’ll definitely all get eaten.”

Then his expression softened slightly as he glanced at the bags again. “I’m just thinking it must’ve been heavy carrying all of this around earlier.” (Y/n) immediately straightened proudly before flexing her arm dramatically. “I’m a strong independent woman,” she declared confidently. “I’m fine.” Then another huge yawn interrupted her sentence. Niki burst out laughing. “Sure you are.” (Y/n) glared at him weakly while rubbing one eye sleepily. Niki shook his head fondly before starting to grab bags from the trunk. “Well then,” he said casually, “would the independent woman help me carry some of this upstairs?” (Y/n) nodded immediately. “Of course.”

She reached for several bags, only to realize a second later that every single one Niki handed her was suspiciously light. Meanwhile he casually picked up the heavier ones like they weighed absolutely nothing. (Y/n) narrowed her eyes slightly at him. Niki avoided eye contact instantly. Still, she decided not to mention it. Mostly because she was too tired to argue. Together they headed toward the elevator carrying the bags while rain tapped steadily against the windows outside the lobby. The elevator ride was quiet and comfortable. (Y/n) leaned tiredly against the wall while Niki stood beside her balancing far too many bags in his hands without any visible struggle at all. Honestly, vampire strength was unfair.

After putting away all the snacks, drinks, and hair dye into the fridge and pantry, both of them looked exhausted. “Well,” Niki sighed dramatically while closing the pantry door, “we officially have enough food to survive a natural disaster.” (Y/n) laughed tiredly. “Good. That’s exactly what I was aiming for.” Niki pulled out his phone afterward and ordered takeout while (Y/n) wandered over to the couch. She curled up comfortably beneath a blanket and started flipping through movies on the TV, trying to decide what she wanted to watch. Every few seconds she switched genres entirely. Romance. Horror. Comedy. Back to romance.

“You’re never gonna pick something at this rate,” Niki called from the kitchen. “I’m trying.” “You’ve rejected like twelve movies already.” “They all look bad.” Niki snorted softly before disappearing down the hallway toward his room. A minute later, he returned holding the package from earlier. The one he had rushed home to grab. (Y/n) barely looked away from the TV at first when he sat down beside her. “Here,” Niki said awkwardly. She blinked before finally noticing the box in his hands. “What’s this?” Niki immediately looked away toward the television instead of at her. A faint blush spread across his cheeks. “It’s a gift,” he muttered. “Just open it.” (Y/n) giggled softly at how weirdly nervous he suddenly looked. Still, she took the box carefully from him before opening it.

The second she looked inside, she froze. Then gasped. “Niki…” Slowly, she pulled the dress out of the box with shaking hands. Tears immediately gathered in her eyes. It was identical. The exact same dress her old roommates had ruined before she moved out. The same color. The same fabric. Even the tiny details matched. For a second, she genuinely couldn’t speak. Niki watched her carefully from beside her, relief slowly filling his chest seeing her reaction. He had been terrified she wouldn’t like it. Or worse, that she’d think it was weird.

“How did you?” she whispered softly. Niki smiled a little. Honestly, the credit wasn’t entirely his. That night on the rooftop with Euijoo, after the fighting and arguing finally settled down, Euijoo had quietly shown him a listing online. An identical dress. Apparently while they were dating, Euijoo once asked (Y/n) to show him pictures of the ruined dress because she had talked about it so sadly. After seeing it, he spent days searching for one like it. But after the breakup, Euijoo decided it would be better if Niki gave it to her instead. Maybe because he already understood who she truly belonged with.

Niki looked down awkwardly while rubbing the back of his neck. “I just thought…” He shrugged slightly. “You deserved to have it again.” That was what finally made tears spill down her cheeks. Not sad tears this time. Something softer. Overwhelmed. (Y/n) carefully set the dress beside her before suddenly throwing her arms around Niki tightly. The force nearly knocked the air out of him. “Thank you,” she whispered against his shoulder. Niki froze for half a second before immediately hugging her back. And honestly? He thought he could stay like this forever.

Niki was reckless. Impulsive. Impatient sometimes too. He acted nonchalant most of the time, like nothing truly bothered him, like he didn’t care deeply about much beyond dancing, teasing people, and doing whatever he wanted. In many ways, he really was the perfect spear. Sharp. Dangerous. Always charging forward before thinking. But beneath all of that, beneath the attitude and teasing grin and fake arrogance, Niki was soft in ways most people never got to see. He cared deeply about the people closest to him. About the team. About his friends. About her more than anyone. A perfect shield in that sense.

Whether spear or shield though, Niki was still just a person underneath it all. And while he often hid the softer side of himself behind jokes and recklessness, he had made a promise. To be better for her. And maybe this… Maybe this was the first real step in that direction. Spear versus shield. What a stupid analogy, Niki thought. Especially now. Because sitting there with (Y/n) hugging him tightly while tears of happiness filled her eyes, he didn’t feel like either of those things. He just felt human. Slowly, Niki tightened his arms around her a little more, resting his chin lightly against the top of her head. He knew the moment wouldn’t last forever. Soon their food would arrive. One of their phones would ring. The outside world would interrupt them again. But for now, he stayed there quietly inside her embrace, allowing himself to enjoy the warmth of her happiness for just a little longer.

~~~ The End of Chapter 6 ~~~

(Y/n) and Euijoo finally broke up, can Niki truly begin to make his moves now? 

Do you guys agree with the dance team’s hair colors? Or will it be a mess? 

(Y/n) took a slow, steady breath as she smoothed the fabric of her dress over her hips, the rich wine-red catching the soft light of the room. The material felt heavier than what she was used to wearing on missions, less practical, more… exposed. On the other side of the curtain, Nicholas kept talking, his voice low but constant, like he was trying to anchor himself as much as her. “Entry is at 7,” he said, pacing by the sound of it. “We stick together and get a read on the layout. Reports say the hybrids are part of the second act. That gives us time to scope exits, security, and any holding areas backstage.” (Y/n) closed her eyes for a second, letting his words settle. “And if we confirm a sale?” she asked, pulling the curtain aside as she stepped out. Nicholas turned toward her mid-sentence, then stopped. For a moment, he just stared. “Right,” he said, clearing his throat quickly, though his ears had gone slightly pink. “If we confirm a sale, we signal it in. Code amber first, then escalate if needed. We do not engage unless we have backup.”

(Y/n) raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “You forgot the part where you tell me not to start a fight.” “You always start the fight despite my warnings not to,” he shot back, though there was no real bite to it. “Only when you’re too slow,” she said lightly, stepping closer. Now that she was in front of him, she noticed the slight crookedness of his tie. It sat just off-center, like it had been adjusted one too many times. “Nicholas,” she sighed, reaching up. “Hold still.” “I can fix it,” he muttered, though he didn’t move. “Clearly.” Her fingers worked carefully, straightening the knot, smoothing it down with a practiced ease. Up close, she could see the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders were just a little too stiff. “You hate this,” she said quietly. “I hate pretending we belong somewhere like this,” he replied. His eyes flicked to hers. “People sipping champagne while others are being sold ten feet away.”

(Y/n) finished adjusting the tie and gave it a small, satisfied pat. “That’s why we’re here.” He exhaled, some of the tension easing out of him. “Yeah. I know.” For a brief second, neither of them moved. The noise of the city outside filtered faintly through the windows, distant and indifferent. Then she stepped back, giving him a once-over. “You clean up well,” she said. He huffed a quiet laugh. “Don’t get used to it.” “No promises.” Nicholas straightened his jacket, rolling his shoulders like he was settling into a different version of himself. “You ready?” (Y/n) glanced at her reflection, at the woman in the mirror who looked like she belonged at a high-end gala instead of an undercover operation. Then she looked back at him, her expression sharpening just slightly. “Always,” she said.

The moment they stepped inside, the air changed. Warm light spilled from crystal chandeliers, catching on polished marble floors and glittering glass. The place smelled faintly of citrus and expensive perfume, layered over something harder to place, something just slightly off if you paid attention long enough. Guests moved in slow, deliberate currents, laughter soft and controlled, every gesture measured. (Y/n) slipped her arm through Nicholas’s as if it belonged there. “Remember,” she murmured under her breath, her lips barely moving, “you’re insufferable.” Nicholas gave a quiet hum of agreement. “I thought that was just my natural state.” She fought the urge to smile.

They approached the bar, where Nicholas ordered drinks without even glancing at the menu. The bartender nodded immediately, like he recognized the type. Moments later, two glasses were placed in front of them, simple soda with lime, dressed up like something far more extravagant. Nicholas took a slow sip, then made a faintly unimpressed face. “Too sweet, they never get these things right,” he said just loud enough for the couple beside them to hear. (Y/n) followed his lead, glancing around the room with thinly veiled disinterest. Anyone who passed a little too close got a fleeting look of mild annoyance, as if their presence alone was an inconvenience.

Time stretched. Conversations drifted in and out around them. Laughter, footsteps, the clink of glass. Then, finally, a shift. A man approached after observing them for a while. Middle-aged, well-dressed, the kind of person who blended in until he chose not to. His smile was polite, but his eyes were sharp, assessing. “Good evening,” he greeted smoothly. Nicholas didn’t even look at him at first. He let a beat pass, then another, before exhaling softly through his nose like the interruption itself was exhausting. Only then did he turn slightly toward (Y/n), his tone dripping with casual dismissal.

“Darling,” he said, “shouldn’t we be moving along? The performance is about to begin, and I would hate for you to miss it.” (Y/n) tilted her head just enough, as if the thought had only just occurred to her. “Oh, yes,” she replied, her voice light and airy. “I’ve been looking forward to this all evening.” They began to turn away. The man’s smile didn’t falter. If anything, it sharpened. “Well,” he said, almost amused, “if the lady is so interested… perhaps we could invite you both to something a bit more… exclusive after the main performance.” That made them pause. Slowly, they turned back. “A closer look at the performers,” he added, lowering his voice just enough to suggest secrecy without losing clarity.

For a fraction of a second, something flickered in Nicholas’s expression. Interest, carefully measured. He glanced at (Y/n), leaning in as if to whisper, though his voice carried just enough. “What do you say, dear?” (Y/n) let the silence linger, as if weighing something trivial rather than dangerous. Her fingers traced lightly along the rim of her glass before she finally looked at the man again, a small, pleased smile forming. “We’d love to.” The man’s grin turned unmistakably wicked, satisfaction slipping through the cracks of his polished demeanor. From inside his jacket, he produced a small, elegant flyer, darker than the others scattered around the venue, embossed with subtle gold lettering. He held it out. “Consider this your invitation,” he said.

Nicholas took it between two fingers, barely glancing at it before slipping it into his pocket like it meant nothing. “Charming,” he replied. The man gave a slight nod, then stepped back into the crowd as smoothly as he had appeared, disappearing among silk dresses and tailored suits. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, quietly, (Y/n) exhaled. “Well. That was easy.” Nicholas’s gaze tracked the direction the man had gone, his expression sharpening beneath the mask. “Too easy.” (Y/n) tilted her head, her voice dropping just enough to lose the snob’s lilt. “You think it’s a test?” “I think,” he said, adjusting his cuff as if nothing had changed, “we just got exactly what we came for.”

He glanced at her, something steadier in his eyes now. “Which usually means it’s about to get worse.” (Y/n)’s smile didn’t fade. “And to think,” she said softly. “I was starting to get bored.” They found their seats among rows of velvet and gold, the kind of arrangement meant to make every guest feel important. From here, the entire ring was visible, bathed in warm light that felt almost too bright, like it was trying to distract from something lurking just out of sight.

(Y/n) adjusted the fall of her dress as she sat, her posture effortless, composed. Beneath that calm, her fingers moved quickly over her phone, shielded by the table and her body. Got invite. Possible access after main act. Delay expected. Stay ready, await the signal. She hit send and slipped the phone away just as the lights began to dim. A hush fell over the crowd. Then a spotlight snapped on.

The man from before stood at the center of the ring, transformed. Gone was the polished guest. In his place stood a showman, dressed in deep reds and golds, his posture grand, his smile wider, theatrical. Nicholas leaned just slightly toward her. “Subtle,” he muttered. (Y/n) didn’t take her eyes off the ring. “I hate him already.” The man spread his arms, voice booming as he welcomed the audience. Applause followed, eager and polished, as if everyone already knew their role in the performance. At first, it was exactly what it claimed to be. Trapeze artists swung high above, their movements precise and effortless. A pair of clowns stumbled through exaggerated routines that earned polite laughter. A man in a tailored coat guided a group of horses through elegant patterns, the animals stepping in perfect rhythm as they leapt over low bars.

(Y/n) let her gaze drift, scanning exits, counting guards, noting the subtle ways certain staff watched the audience instead of the performers. “Too many on the east side,” she murmured. Nicholas gave a faint nod. “And the doors behind the ring are reinforced. Not for show.” Everything about it felt staged, not just the acts, but the normalcy itself. Like a mask pulled too tight. Then the shift came. The lights dimmed again, slower this time. The music changed, losing its playful tone, sinking into something heavier. The ringmaster stepped forward once more, his grin stretching wider.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he called, his voice rich with anticipation, “you have seen talent. You have seen beauty.” He paused, letting the silence build. “But now… you will witness something far more rare.” (Y/n)’s stomach tightened. “Monsters,” he said. A murmur rippled through the crowd. Not fear. Excitement. Cages were rolled out into the ring. Metal scraped against the floor, the sound harsh and real against the polished performance. Inside the first cage, small hands gripped the bars. (Y/n)’s breath caught.

A bunny hybrid. Small. Too small. Her ears trembled, pressed tight against her head as she shrank back into the corner. Her wide eyes darted across the crowd, searching for something, anything. “Jesus…” Nicholas whispered under his breath. (Y/n)’s fingers curled tightly against her palm, nails biting into skin. “Stay focused,” he added quietly, though his own voice had lost some of its steadiness. Another cage was dragged out. This one shook. When the door opened, the lion hybrid stumbled forward, catching himself with a low, unsteady growl. He was larger, powerful even in his weakened state, but it was impossible to miss how thin he was. His ribs showed sharply beneath his skin, his movements just slightly off, like his body was running on nothing but instinct.

(Y/n)’s throat tightened. “No…” The crowd leaned in. The ringmaster raised a hand, reveling in the moment. “Observe,” he said softly. The lion’s gaze snapped to the bunny. For a second, nothing happened. Then instinct took over. He lunged. (Y/n)’s entire body tensed, every muscle screaming to move, to stop it, to do something. The bunny let out a small, broken sound as she tried to scramble away, her movements panicked, uncoordinated. “Don’t,” Nicholas murmured, his hand closing tightly around hers. “I can’t just sit here,” she whispered, her voice shaking despite herself. “You have to,” he said, firmer now, though his grip tightened as the scene unfolded. The lion closed the distance in seconds. He pounced. The impact knocked the bunny to the ground, a sharp cry tearing from her as claws scraped across her side. The lion snapped, teeth grazing, then biting down just enough to draw blood.

The audience reacted. Some gasped, others laughed. (Y/n)’s vision blurred for a split second, rage burning hot and immediate in her chest. Her hand clenched painfully in Nicholas’s, grounding her just enough to keep her from standing. “Not yet,” he said under his breath. “If we blow this now, we lose all of them.” The words landed, heavy and awful. In the ring, handlers rushed in, pulling the lion back with practiced efficiency. He struggled weakly, snarling, still trying to reach the bunny even as they dragged him away. The bunny didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, she curled in on herself, trembling. The ringmaster stepped forward again, completely unfazed, his smile never wavering. “And that,” he said smoothly, “is only the beginning.”

(Y/n) swallowed hard, forcing her expression back into something neutral, something that matched the rest of the crowd. But her grip on Nicholas’s hand didn’t loosen. “Later,” she whispered, her voice barely there. “We’re ending this later.” Nicholas didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed on the ring. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “We are.” The applause came too quickly after the previous act, like the crowd needed to drown out what they had just seen. (Y/n) forced her hands to move, slow and measured, joining in just enough to blend in. Her palms felt cold despite the heat in the room. “Psychotic,” she muttered under her breath.

Nicholas didn’t respond right away. His jaw was tight, his gaze fixed forward. “Document everything,” he said quietly. “Faces, reactions, who’s enjoying this.” The cages were cleared, the blood on the floor barely addressed before the next setup began. Poles rose. Ropes tightened. The trapeze equipment creaked as it was adjusted into place high above the ring again. Then they brought them out. Two domestic cat hybrids. Older than the bunny, but not by much. Their ears were pinned low, tails twitching with barely contained fear. One of them hesitated at the edge of the platform, looking down at the empty space beneath them. There was no net.

(Y/n)’s stomach dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” Nicholas’s voice was tight. “They removed it.” The ringmaster’s voice rang out again, cheerful, delighted. “A test of grace under pressure.” The bar was lowered. Flames caught along its length. A collective murmur passed through the audience, this time edged with excitement. (Y/n)’s fingers curled into her dress. “This isn’t a performance. It’s torture.” The cat hybrids exchanged a quick glance. Something passed between them, fear, understanding, maybe both. Then one of them stepped forward. Slowly, carefully, they reached for the bar. The moment their hands closed around it, they flinched. The reaction was immediate. Muscles tensed, shoulders jerked, a sharp inhale that never quite became a scream. But they held on. They had to.

“Don’t look,” Nicholas murmured. “I’m not looking away,” (Y/n) shot back, her voice barely above a whisper. The second hybrid followed, biting down hard enough that (Y/n) could see the strain in their jaw even from a distance. The smell of burning hit again, sharper this time. Then they moved. Swinging from one bar to the next, every motion precise despite the pain. Their hands burned with each grip, but they didn’t hesitate. Couldn’t hesitate. The crowd watched, rapt. Some even clapped along. (Y/n) felt something twist painfully in her chest. “They’re going to fall,” she said, almost to herself. “They won’t,” Nicholas replied, though it sounded more like hope than certainty. “They know what happens if they do.”

The act ended without a fall. The moment their feet hit the platform again, both hybrids staggered, hands shaking violently, but they stayed upright. Applause erupted. Louder this time. (Y/n) clapped again, slower now, her expression carefully neutral. Inside, it felt like something was splintering. “Just a little longer,” Nicholas said under his breath. She nodded once. The final act began. Three figures were led into the ring. A wolf. A fox. And a red panda. The difference was immediate. They stood straighter. Their movements were smoother, less hesitant. When the music started, they moved with it, stepping into a coordinated routine that almost looked… natural.

The red panda even smiled. (Y/n)’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you see that?” Nicholas leaned back just enough to watch more closely. “Yeah. They’re not reacting like the others.” The wolf spun, landing lightly before helping the fox into a controlled flip. The red panda followed with a series of quick, playful movements, earning a ripple of genuine laughter from the crowd. It looked polished. Rehearsed. Almost willing. “Conditioned?” (Y/n) murmured. “Or rewarded,” Nicholas said. “Better treatment for better performance.” (Y/n)’s gaze flicked across the audience. That’s when she noticed it.

Small movements. Subtle. Easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it. People leaning toward each other. Hands shifting. Fingers tapping discreetly against wrists or programs. Counting. Money. Her expression didn’t change, but her voice dropped lower. “There it is.” Nicholas followed her line of sight, his eyes sharpening. “Yeah. This is the beginning of the auction.” Numbers passed in murmurs, barely audible beneath the music. A glance here, a nod there. Silent bids moving through the crowd like an invisible current. (Y/n) shifted slightly in her seat, angling herself just enough to catch more faces. “I’ve got at least six active bidders in our section alone.” “More on the left,” Nicholas added. “And the guy two rows down just doubled whatever was offered.”

The red panda spun again, landing in a bow, completely unaware or perhaps too aware. (Y/n)’s throat tightened. “Few more minutes,” Nicholas said, his voice steady now, focused. “We let this play out, confirm the exchange, then we call it in.” (Y/n) gave a small nod, her fingers brushing lightly against his hand again, not for comfort this time, but grounding. Her eyes stayed on the performers. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “And then we shut it all down.”

The final note of music lingered just a second too long before fading, the performers bowing as the audience rose into polished applause. The ringmaster stepped forward once more, basking in it, his smile sharp and satisfied. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” he said smoothly. “And for our most… distinguished guests, we do hope you’ll remain for a more personal experience. A chance to appreciate our performers up close.” A ripple of quiet excitement passed through the crowd. (Y/n) exhaled slowly through her nose, her hands coming together in a final, measured clap before she let them fall to her lap. “Of course you do,” she murmured.

Nicholas shifted slightly in his seat beside her, rolling one shoulder like he was easing tension out of it. “Showtime,” he said under his breath. They stayed seated as others began to filter out or linger uncertainly. (Y/n) slipped her phone out just enough to type a quick message, her movements shielded by the fold of her dress. Interfere in 15. She sent it, then tucked the phone away again, her expression smoothing out like nothing had happened. Leaning slightly toward Nicholas, she let her voice carry just enough to be overheard.

“Honey,” she said, her tone bright and indulgent, “do you think we’ll get to meet the hybrids? I would love a closer look at the dancers. They were just… adorable.” The word tasted bitter. Nicholas leaned back in his seat, one arm draped casually, his wrist turning just enough for the light to catch the face of his watch. “Oh, darling,” he replied, voice warm with effortless arrogance, “I’m sure we will.” Out of the corner of her eye, (Y/n) caught the reactions. A couple to their right leaned closer together, whispering behind raised hands. Someone a few rows ahead glanced back, their gaze lingering just a second longer than casual curiosity allowed. “They’re clocking us,” she muttered. “Let them,” Nicholas said. “We look like money. That’s all they care about.”

She gave the faintest nod. Five minutes passed slowly. Then the man returned. This time, he wore the same tailored elegance as before, the ringmaster gone, replaced once again by the composed host. He stepped into the ring and gestured for the remaining guests to rise. “If you would,” he said, his voice softer now, more intimate. “Right this way.” Chairs shifted. Fabric rustled. People stood, smoothing suits and dresses as they began to follow. (Y/n) and Nicholas rose with them, falling easily into the flow of bodies moving toward the back. The transition was subtle.

Bright lights gave way to dimmer ones. The polished grandeur of the main hall faded into something colder, more functional. The air changed again, heavier now, carrying a mix of metal, sweat, and something that made (Y/n)’s stomach turn. They stepped into the room. And everything stopped. Cages lined the walls. Not one or two. Dozens. Each one held at least three hybrids, some more. Too close together. Too cramped. Some sat huddled in corners, others stood rigid, eyes tracking every movement in the room. A few didn’t move at all. (Y/n) felt her breath catch, sharp and involuntary. “This is worse,” she whispered, barely audible. Nicholas’s hand brushed lightly against hers, a silent warning. “Careful.”

She forced her expression to stay neutral, though her nails dug into her palm again. The man moved to the center of the room, turning to face them all with that same practiced smile. “Welcome,” he said. “To our private collection.” A few people chuckled softly. (Y/n) felt sick. “These hybrids,” he continued, gesturing broadly to the cages, “have been carefully selected and trained. Each one offers something unique. Strength, agility, obedience…” His voice carried easily, confident, proud. “Tonight, they are available to you,” he finished. “To the highest bidder.”

A murmur swept through the room. This time, it wasn’t subtle. Hands lifted. Numbers were spoken, quiet at first, then louder as competition built. A man near the front stepped closer to one of the cages, pointing as he called out an amount. Another countered immediately. (Y/n)’s eyes moved quickly, scanning, cataloging faces, voices, positions. “I’ve got visual confirmation on at least twenty buyers,” she murmured. “More in the back.” “Same,” Nicholas replied. “And guards by both exits. Armed.” Her jaw tightened. “We need to time this perfectly.” A sharp voice cut through the room as a bid jumped higher. The hybrids reacted. Some flinched. Some shrank back. One pressed themselves against the bars like they could disappear into them.

Across the room, the red panda from earlier stood in a cage with two others, still wearing that faint, trained smile, though it didn’t quite reach their eyes anymore. (Y/n)’s gaze lingered for half a second too long. “Don’t,” Nicholas said quietly. “Not yet.” She tore her eyes away, forcing herself to focus. Her pulse thudded steadily now, each second ticking closer. “Ten minutes,” she whispered. Nicholas gave a small nod, his posture relaxed, his expression bored, like none of this mattered. “Then we burn it to the ground,” he said under his breath.

The room settled into a rhythm that made (Y/n)’s skin crawl. Numbers rose and fell, voices calm and practiced, like this was nothing more than an auction for fine art. Smaller hybrids went first. The bunny. The cats. The ones the crowd had barely reacted to before were now reduced to numbers, their worth measured in quick exchanges and dismissive nods. “Thirty thousand.” “Forty.” “Sold.” It happened too fast. (Y/n) kept her posture relaxed, her expression distant, but inside she was counting. Three minutes. Her fingers tapped once against her arm, subtle, hidden in the folds of her dress. The bidding shifted. The tone changed.

Now came the ones they cared about. Wolves. Foxes. Larger hybrids that drew more attention, more excitement. The numbers climbed faster, sharper, competition slipping into voices that had been bored just minutes ago. “Two minutes,” Nicholas murmured, barely moving his lips. (Y/n) gave the smallest nod. Then the man raised his hand again. “And now,” he said, his voice lifting just slightly, “we present something truly special.” The room quieted. Even the bidders who had been murmuring among themselves turned their attention forward. The red panda was brought forward. Up close, the difference was impossible to ignore. (Y/n)’s breath slowed, her eyes narrowing just slightly as she took him in.

Tall. Too tall for his breed’s standard. His frame was lean but strong, movements sharp and precise in a way that didn’t match anything she knew about red panda hybrids. There was an energy to him, a restless kind of awareness, like he was always on the edge of motion. Not lazy. Not soft. Not what he was supposed to be. He stood in the center, posture straight, expression bright, almost eager. If there was fear, it was buried deep, masked behind something trained, something deliberate.

The man gestured toward him with clear pride. “This is K, our beloved red panda,” he announced. “Despite their supposed laziness, K is remarkably energetic. An excellent companion for those with a more… active lifestyle.” A few people chuckled. The bidding started immediately. “Two hundred thousand.” “Two fifty.” “Three.” The numbers jumped so fast it barely felt real. (Y/n)’s focus sharpened. “He was marketed,” she said under her breath. “They knew he’d draw attention.” Nicholas’s voice stayed even. “Yeah. Which means he’s important. Which means we do not get involved.”

“Four hundred.” “Four fifty.” The crowd leaned in, voices overlapping now, the calm control slipping into something hungrier. K didn’t move much, but his eyes shifted, tracking the voices, the hands, the people who were deciding his future in seconds. Something twisted hard in (Y/n)’s chest. “Five hundred.” “Six.” The numbers barely registered anymore. And then, before she could stop herself, her hand lifted. “Six fifty.” The word left her mouth clean, confident. Nicholas went completely still beside her. For a fraction of a second, he didn’t react at all. Then, very quietly, without turning his head, he said, “What are you doing?” (Y/n) didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed on K. “Seven hundred,” someone across the room countered immediately. Her hand rose again. “Seven fifty.” Nicholas’s fingers tightened slightly where they rested against his side. “(Y/n),” he said, low and controlled, “that is not the plan.” “I know,” she replied, just as quietly. “Then stop.”

“Eight hundred.” The numbers kept climbing. Her pulse matched it, steady but fast, something instinctive taking over, something she couldn’t quite shut down. She raised her hand again. “Nine.” Nicholas exhaled slowly through his nose, forcing calm. “We don’t win bids. We observe. We call it in. That’s how this works.” “I know how this works,” she said, her voice still smooth, still perfectly in character. “Then act like it.” “Nine fifty.” A brief pause. Then, from the other side, “One million.” A ripple went through the room. (Y/n)’s stomach flipped. Nicholas finally glanced at her, just for a split second, his expression tight. “That’s your out. Let it go.” She didn’t. Her hand lifted again. “One point two.”

This time, the reaction was louder. A few heads turned, more attention shifting toward them now. Nicholas forced himself not to look at her again, not to break the illusion. But his voice dropped even lower, sharper now. “You need to stop.” (Y/n) swallowed, her gaze still locked on K. K, who stood there like he was waiting. Like he knew. Her fingers curled slightly before she forced them still. Across the room, the previous bidder hesitated. Then, “One point three.” Silence stretched. Nicholas spoke again, quieter this time. “Thirty seconds.” The reminder hit. Backup. Timing. Everything they had planned.

(Y/n)’s hand hovered for just a fraction too long. The room watched. Waited. And for a moment, it wasn’t just about the bidding anymore. The tension snapped all at once. The doors burst open with a violent crack, slamming against the walls hard enough to echo through the room. “HPS is here, clear out!” For a split second, everything froze. Then the room exploded into chaos. Voices overlapped, no longer polished or controlled. People shouted, cursed, shoved past each other. Some threw wads of cash at handlers in desperate, greedy attempts to secure what they thought they could still take. Others rushed the cages, fumbling with locks, dragging hybrids out with no care for anything but escape. “Move, move!” “Take them!” “Now!” 

(Y/n) didn’t hesitate. She pulled away from Nicholas the moment the panic started, slipping through the confusion before anyone could grab or question her. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, adrenaline sharpening every movement, every sound. “HPS, on the ground!” “Hands where I can see them!” Boots thundered in from every entrance. Agents flooded the room, weapons drawn, voices cutting through the noise with trained precision. Within seconds, exits were blocked, escape routes gone. A man tried to bolt past one of the doors. He didn’t make it two steps before he was forced to the ground. (Y/n) barely registered it.

Her eyes were already searching. Finding him. K. He hadn’t run. He stood near where he’d been displayed, the chaos swirling around him, his earlier energy gone. Now there was something else in his posture. Uncertainty. Fear. The kind that came from not knowing who was worse. (Y/n) slowed as she approached, raising her hands slightly, making sure her movements were clear. “K,” she called, her voice cutting through just enough. His head snapped toward her. For a moment, he looked like he might bolt. “Hey,” she said, softer now, stepping closer. “Come with me.”

She held out her hand. He didn’t take it. Not right away. His eyes flicked around the room. Agents in tactical gear. Humans shouting. Other hybrids being pulled away, some resisting, some too exhausted to fight. His breathing quickened. He took a small step back. “I’m not going to hurt you,” (Y/n) said, her voice steady, grounded. “I’m with HPS. You’re safe with me.” The words hung there. He searched her face, like he was trying to find something real in it. Something that wasn’t part of a performance. For a second, it felt like he might refuse. Then, slowly, hesitantly, he reached out. His hand hovered just short of hers before finally closing the gap.

The moment their fingers touched, she tightened her grip just enough to be reassuring, not restraining. “Good,” she said quietly. “Stay with me.” She turned, guiding him through the chaos. Around them, agents were securing the room. Bidders were being restrained, forced to their knees, hands behind their backs. Handlers shouted protests that went nowhere. Cages were being opened properly now, hybrids carefully led out instead of dragged. “Clear this side!” “Get medical in here!” Nicholas stood near the center, already in conversation with one of their superiors, his posture composed despite everything happening around him.

His eyes flicked up the moment he saw her. Then to K. There was a pause. A very brief one. But she saw it. (Y/n) reached them just as the boss turned fully toward Nicholas, mid-sentence. The woman’s gaze shifted to (Y/n), sharp and assessing, then dropped to the hybrid at her side. Her expression tightened slightly. “And this is?” she asked, gesturing toward K. (Y/n) shrugged lightly, though her hand didn’t leave his. “I don’t know,” she said. “I just… he was scared.” The boss held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, like she was weighing that answer. Then she exhaled, shaking her head once. “Of course you did,” she muttered. She gestured toward the exit. “Get him to the transport trucks. We’re running full evaluations on all of them. Medical, identification, the works.”

Her eyes flicked back to (Y/n), more pointed now. “And don’t disappear. We’ll need your full report. Both of you.” Nicholas gave a short nod. “Understood.” (Y/n) nodded as well. “Got it.” The boss moved on immediately, already calling out new orders. For a second, the noise of the room pressed back in. Radios crackling. Voices coordinating. The aftermath settling into something controlled. (Y/n) glanced at K. Up close, she could see the tension still running through him, the way his shoulders hadn’t fully relaxed, his grip on her hand just a little tighter than before.

“It’s okay,” she said quietly. “We’re getting you out of here.” He didn’t respond, not in words. But he didn’t let go. She gave his hand a small, reassuring squeeze, then started toward the exit, guiding him through the sea of uniforms and flashing lights. Behind them, the operation continued. Ahead of them, the night air waited, sharp and clean compared to everything they were leaving behind.

The night air hit different the second they stepped outside. Cool. Sharp. Clean enough to almost wash away the stench of the place behind them. Rows of transport trucks lined the street, doors open, agents moving quickly but carefully as they guided hybrids inside. Voices were calmer out here, more controlled, but the urgency still hummed beneath it all. (Y/n) slowed as they approached one of the trucks. K didn’t. Not at first. Then his grip tightened. It wasn’t sudden. Just a quiet shift. Fingers curling more firmly around hers, like he had realized something he didn’t like. She glanced at him. His gaze was fixed on the inside of the truck.

Hybrids sat along the benches, some wrapped in blankets, others staring blankly ahead. A few flinched at every movement. None of them looked at ease. K didn’t move. Instead, he took a small step closer to her. (Y/n) softened immediately, turning fully toward him. “Hey,” she said gently. He didn’t answer. His hand only tightened again. “I know,” she murmured. “It’s a lot.” His eyes flicked to hers, searching, uncertain. There was something almost fragile in the way he held himself now, so different from the confident energy he had shown earlier in the ring. “They’re going to take care of you,” she continued, keeping her voice calm and steady. “You need to go with them, okay?”

He shook his head, just slightly. It wasn’t defiance. It was fear. (Y/n)’s chest tightened. “I’m not sending you somewhere bad,” she said softly. “This is the safe part. I promise.” He still didn’t move. So she shifted closer, lowering her voice just for him. “I’ll come with you,” she said. “Not tonight, but I’ll come to the shelter. I’ll check on you. I won’t just disappear.” That made him pause. He studied her face again, like he had back inside. Like he was trying to decide if her words meant anything. Slowly, he stepped closer, closing what little space was left between them. Even in her heels, she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his eyes.

His free hand lifted, hesitant at first, then more certain as he reached toward her. His fingers brushed against her hair, gently tucking a loose strand behind her ear with a kind of careful focus that made her breath catch. “I’ll wait for you,” he said quietly. (Y/n) felt something pull tight in her chest. She nodded, not breaking eye contact. “I’ll come visit,” she repeated. “I promise.” For a second longer, he didn’t let go. Then, slowly, his grip loosened. Her hand slipped from his. He turned, climbing into the truck without another word, moving to one of the open spots along the bench. Once he sat down, he looked back at her, his expression still uncertain, but steadier now.

Waiting. (Y/n) stayed where she was for a moment, watching him. “Hey,” an agent called nearby. “We need to clear this area.” She nodded absently, her eyes still on K. Then she straightened, turning away at last as the truck doors began to close. Inside, K didn’t look away. Not until the doors shut completely, sealing him in with the others, carrying him somewhere unknown. Somewhere safe, hopefully. (Y/n) exhaled slowly, the weight of everything settling in all at once. “Hey.” Nicholas’s voice came from behind her. “You good?” She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze lingered on the line of trucks, on the one that had just pulled away. “Yeah,” she said finally, though it came out quieter than she intended. Nicholas stepped up beside her, following her line of sight. “You broke protocol back there.” “I know.” A pause. Then, softer, “You’re going to visit him, aren’t you?” (Y/n) didn’t hesitate this time. “Yeah,” she said.

By the time the last of the trucks pulled away, the night had settled into something quieter. Not peaceful. Just… over. Hybrids were split between transports, sent to shelters across the city. Medical teams were already waiting, ready to assess injuries, check records, try to piece together where each of them had come from and if anyone was still looking for them. Behind them, flashing lights painted the street in red and blue as the rest of the operation wrapped up. Organizers, handlers, bidders, all of them were loaded into separate vehicles, their earlier confidence completely gone. No more polished smiles. No more quiet bids. Just cuffs, tension, and the reality of what came next. 

(Y/n) barely remembered the drive back. HPS headquarters felt colder than usual when they stepped inside, the bright overhead lights a sharp contrast to everything they had just come from. The hum of activity hadn’t slowed, reports already being filed, teams moving between rooms with purpose. They were separated briefly, then brought in one after the other. Testimonies. Every detail. The lead-up. The performance. The cages. The bidding. Nicholas spoke first, his tone steady, precise, laying everything out in a clean, structured way that made it easy to follow. (Y/n) followed. She didn’t leave anything out. Not the bunny. Not the fire. Not the look on K’s face when the bidding started. The room stayed quiet as she spoke. Too quiet. Then came the part they had been waiting for.

Her supervisor leaned back slightly, arms crossed, expression unreadable but tight around the edges. “You broke protocol.” (Y/n) didn’t argue that. “Yes.” “You engaged beyond observational limits. You entered an active bid with no clearance.” “I know.” Nicholas shifted beside her. “She was maintaining cover,” he said, stepping in before the silence stretched too long. “They were starting to pay attention to us. If she backed out too abruptly, it could have raised suspicion.” The supervisor’s gaze flicked to him. “Were you aware she intended to continue bidding?” Nicholas hesitated, just enough to be honest. “No. But I understood the risk in the moment.”

(Y/n) glanced at him, just briefly. The supervisor looked back at her. “Your reasoning.” She exhaled slowly. “I felt like I had to,” she said. The words sounded thin the second they left her mouth, but she didn’t try to dress them up. The supervisor’s expression hardened slightly. “That is not a justification.” (Y/n)’s jaw tightened. “He was being targeted. People were already jumping numbers for him. If I didn’t step in, it could have escalated faster, drawn more attention, made extraction harder.” A pause. Then, quieter, more honest, “And… I felt a connection to him.” That didn’t help.

The supervisor shook his head once, exhaling through his nose. “We don’t operate on feelings.” Nicholas spoke again, more firmly this time. “With respect, we also don’t ignore situational shifts. She didn’t compromise the mission. If anything, it kept us in position longer.” Another pause. Tension hung in the air for a few seconds. Then the supervisor straightened slightly, his tone shifting just enough. “You completed the mission,” he said. “You gathered evidence. You confirmed trafficking and secured a full intervention. That matters.” (Y/n) stayed still, waiting for the rest. “But this,” he added, his gaze locking onto hers again, “does not happen again.” She nodded. “Understood.”

Silence. Then a small shift in posture, less rigid now. “You’re both cleared,” he said. “Standard leave applies. One month.” Nicholas let out a quiet breath. “Copy that.” (Y/n) nodded again. The tension eased just enough for the room to feel breathable again. They were dismissed. Nicholas stepped out first, rolling his shoulders as they moved into the hallway. “Well,” he muttered, “that could’ve gone worse.” (Y/n) gave a faint hum, but didn’t follow him right away. “Hey,” he said, noticing. “You coming?” “In a minute.” He studied her for a second, then nodded. “Don’t do anything reckless without me.” She huffed softly. “No promises.” He smirked, then headed off down the hall. 

(Y/n) turned back, knocking lightly before stepping into the office again. The supervisor looked up, mildly surprised. “Something else?” “Yeah,” she said. “The red panda. K. Which shelter?” He watched her for a moment, then reached for the tablet on his desk, scrolling through intake logs. “Transferred about thirty minutes ago,” he said. “Moon Shelter.” (Y/n) nodded, committing it to memory. “Thank you.” He gave a short nod in return. “Get some rest.” She didn’t respond to that. Instead, she turned and walked out, the hallway stretching ahead of her, quieter now that most of the immediate work had been assigned. Outside, the city was still awake, lights glowing against the night. (Y/n) stepped out into it, already pulling her phone out as she moved. Home first. Change. Then the shelter. A promise was a promise.

~~~

The Moon Shelter was anything but quiet. Even at three in the morning, the place buzzed with movement. Soft footsteps echoed down the halls, voices low but constant, the occasional metallic clink of equipment being moved. The air smelled clean, clinical, but warmer than the headquarters. Less rigid. More human. (Y/n) pushed the door open, stepping inside as it shut quietly behind her. “(Y/n)?” She looked up. Yuma stood a few steps away, half buried behind a stack of papers, dark circles under his eyes but a familiar grin breaking through the exhaustion. He straightened immediately when he saw her.

“Yuma,” she said, walking over. “It’s been a while. How are you?” He pulled her into a quick hug, tight but brief. “Yeah, no kidding. Heard about tonight. Good work.” “Thanks,” she said, pulling back, glancing down at the mess in his hands. “But hey, I asked you a question.” He let out a tired laugh, lifting the papers slightly. “I’m good,” he said. “But I don’t think I’m sleeping for a week with all of this.” (Y/n) smiled, shaking her head. “Yeah, the operation was bigger than we thought. I’m just glad we pulled it off.” Yuma nodded, his expression softening for a moment before curiosity slipped in. “So,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “what brings you here at three in the morning?”

(Y/n) hesitated for just a second. Then she smiled, a little more nervous than she expected to feel. “I kind of promised one of the hybrids we rescued that I’d come visit him.” Yuma’s grin widened immediately. “Let me guess,” he said, already turning slightly. “The red panda?” (Y/n) blinked. “How did you know?” He smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “Just a guess,” he said. “Considering the only thing he’s been asking about since he got here is how visitors work.” That made something in her chest tighten. “Anyways,” Yuma added, jerking his head toward the hallway, “come on.”

He started walking, weaving through the controlled chaos of the shelter. (Y/n) followed close behind, her heels clicking softly against the floor, the sound oddly out of place among everything else. They passed open rooms. Some hybrids were being checked over by medical staff, quiet reassurances filling the space. Others sat wrapped in blankets, eyes heavy, finally starting to come down from the adrenaline. A few slept, curled up in corners or on cots, exhaustion winning out. “Most of them are stable,” Yuma said as they walked. “A few need more attention, but nothing we can’t handle.” “That’s good,” (Y/n) replied, though her focus had already started to narrow. They turned down a quieter hallway. Less movement here. Softer lighting. The kind of space meant for recovery instead of urgency.

Yuma slowed as they reached a door near the end. “He’s in here,” he said, glancing at her. “Been… restless.” (Y/n) nodded, her hand lifting slightly before she paused. For a second, she just stood there, staring at the door. Then she let out a slow breath, steadying herself, her fingers hovering just inches from the handle, but then she knocked softly before opening the door. A quiet voice answered from inside. “Come in.” (Y/n) pushed the door open. K stood by the window, the faint light from outside casting a soft glow around him. He had been changed into clean clothes, simple and comfortable, and though he looked better physically, something in his posture had shifted. His ears were pressed down into his fluffy hair, his tail hanging low and still behind him.

He looked… smaller, somehow. “Hey, K,” (Y/n) said gently. He turned quickly at the sound of her voice. The change was immediate. His tail lifted, moving slightly, his ears twitching as they perked up just a bit. A smile broke across his face, bright and genuine. “You came,” he said. (Y/n) smiled back, stepping fully into the room. “I promised, didn’t I?” He nodded quickly, almost eagerly, then gestured toward the small bed. “You can sit,” he said, a little awkward but clearly trying. (Y/n) walked over and sat down, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight. She expected him to join her, maybe sit beside her, but instead he lowered himself to the floor in front of her, settling with his back against the wall.

She blinked, tilting her head slightly. “Why are you sitting down there?” He shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I can look at you easier this way.” (Y/n) let out a soft chuckle. “Alright.” The room settled into a quiet calm after that. No rush. No urgency. Just the faint hum of the shelter outside and the steady, shared silence between them. K didn’t look away. His gaze stayed fixed on her, careful, focused, like he was trying to take in every detail. Like he was afraid something might change if he looked away for too long. (Y/n) noticed, but she didn’t call it out.

She had changed since earlier. The dress was gone, replaced by something simpler, more comfortable. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun, a few strands escaping around her face. No makeup now, nothing polished or rehearsed. Just her. K tilted his head slightly, studying her in this new light. She had looked beautiful before, in the bright lights and expensive clothes, like she belonged somewhere far away from him. But this… This felt different. Softer. Real. And still just as beautiful.

His tail gave a small, absent flick against the floor as he kept looking at her, like he was trying to memorize everything. For a while, they just sat there, the quiet stretching comfortably between them. Eventually, (Y/n) shifted slightly, resting her hands in her lap as she looked down at him. “Is your name actually K?” she asked gently. “Or is it something else?” K went still for a moment. His fingers stilled against his tail as he thought. “It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about it,” he admitted quietly. His gaze drifted for a second, like he was reaching back for something distant. “My birth name was Koga Yudai.” The name lingered in the air. “But they shortened it,” he added after a moment. “Just to K. Simpler, I guess.”

(Y/n) nodded slowly, letting the weight of that settle. “Would you prefer if I called you Yudai, then?” He looked up at her. Something in his expression softened almost instantly, like the sound of it alone had reached somewhere deeper than anything else. “I’d like that,” he said, his voice quieter now. “It sounds… nice. Hearing that again.” (Y/n) smiled warmly. “It’s a pretty name.” Yudai tilted his head slightly, a faint, thoughtful look crossing his face as his fingers absentmindedly played with the soft fur of his tail now resting across his lap. “So,” he said after a moment, glancing back up at her, “what’s your name?”

(Y/n) blinked, then let out a small laugh, bringing a hand up to her forehead. “Oh, wow, I never actually introduced myself, did I?” She shook her head lightly, still smiling. “I’m (Y/n).” Yudai repeated it quietly under his breath, like he was testing how it felt. Then he smiled. “That’s a very pretty name too.” (Y/n) felt a small warmth settle in her chest. “Thank you.” He leaned forward just slightly, curiosity slipping into his expression now that the initial tension had eased. “So… what do you do for HPS?” he asked. (Y/n) shifted her weight, leaning back onto one hand, her posture more relaxed now. “I usually go undercover,” she explained. “Infiltrating fighting rings, black markets… places like that.”

Yudai’s ears twitched faintly as he listened. “When I put some effort in,” she continued with a small, almost amused smile, “I can look like I fit into that world.” He studied her for a second, his gaze steady and sincere. “You look pretty now too,” he said.

(Y/n) blinked, then let out a soft giggle, a little caught off guard. “Thank you, Yudai,” she said, her tone light, “but that’s not really what I meant.” He tilted his head again, clearly confused. “I meant the lifestyle,” she clarified, smiling. “Blending in with the kind of people who go to those places. Acting like I belong there.” “Oh,” he said softly, though his expression didn’t fully change. His fingers brushed lightly over his tail again as he looked at her, still thoughtful. “you still look like you belong somewhere better,” he added, almost to himself.

(Y/n) let out a quiet yawn, bringing a hand up to cover it. The exhaustion was finally catching up to her. It settled heavy in her limbs, slow and unavoidable. There was a reason undercover agents were given time off after missions like this. Weeks of pretending, staying alert, never fully relaxing. It wore you down in ways that didn’t always show right away. This one had been long. Nearly two months of tracking the circus, moving from place to place, gathering scraps of information until they found the right one. The right people. And now that it was over, her body was starting to collect the debt.

Yudai noticed immediately. His ears dipped slightly, his expression shifting as he watched her. “You’re tired,” he said quietly. (Y/n) gave a small, apologetic smile. “Yeah. It’s been a long couple of weeks.” Something flickered in his eyes. Disappointment. Worry. He hesitated for a moment, then gestured quickly to the bed behind her. “You can stay,” he said. “You can sleep here if you want.” (Y/n) blinked, a little surprised. “I can stay down here,” he added, nodding toward the floor where he was already sitting. “It’s fine.” She shook her head almost immediately, her expression softening. “No, it’s okay,” she said gently. “I should go home and get some proper rest.”

The words landed heavier than she meant them to. Yudai’s gaze dropped slightly, his tail going still in his lap. He nodded, but the movement felt smaller this time, quieter. Like he already knew what that meant. Like he had heard it before. (Y/n) noticed. Of course she did. Her chest tightened just a little as she watched him, the way his shoulders sank, the way he tried to hide it. So she leaned forward slightly, her voice softer now. “Hey,” she said. He looked up. “I’m coming back,” she added. “I just need to sleep for a bit first. Then I’ll come visit again.” There was a pause. Yudai searched her face again, like he had earlier, like he needed to be sure. Then, slowly, a small smile returned. “Okay,” he said, nodding.

He held onto that word carefully, like it meant something important. “I’ll be waiting.” (Y/n) smiled back, a little tired, but warm. “Good.” For a moment longer, neither of them moved. Then she pushed herself up from the bed, steadying herself as she stood. The exhaustion was still there, pulling at her, but lighter somehow now. “I’ll see you soon, Yudai.” He nodded again, more certain this time. “Soon.” And as she turned to leave, his eyes followed her all the way to the door, holding onto the promise she left behind like it was something solid.

On her way out, (Y/n) stopped by the front desk where Yuma was still buried under paperwork. He barely looked up at first, flipping through a stack before pausing when he noticed her again. “Heading out already?” “Yeah,” she said, offering a small wave. “I’ll be back this afternoon. After I get some actual sleep.”

Yuma let out a quiet huff of amusement. “Good. You look like you’re about to fall over.” “Rude,” she replied, though there was no real bite to it. He smirked, grabbing a pen and scribbling something down on a nearby sheet. “I’ll make a note of it. If I’m not here, they’ll still let you in.” “Thanks, Yuma.” “Get some rest, (Y/n).” She nodded, then stepped out into the early morning air. By the time she made it home, everything felt hazy. Her body moved on autopilot, shoes kicked off somewhere near the door, clothes half dealt with before she made it to her bed. She didn’t even remember closing her eyes. Sleep took her instantly.

~~~

Hours later, she woke up to sunlight spilling through her window. For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, her mind slow to catch up with her body. The exhaustion wasn’t gone, but it had softened, dulled into something manageable. She reached for her phone, blinking at the screen. A message from Nicholas. You alive? Another followed shortly after. I might sleep for a week. (Y/n) let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Of course you would,” she muttered. She typed out a quick response, something reassuring, something light, before setting the phone aside and dragging herself out of bed.

A shower helped. Clean clothes helped more. By the time she stepped outside again, she felt almost like herself, almost. On the way back to the shelter, she slowed as she passed a small café, the smell of fresh coffee and sugar drifting out onto the street. She paused. Then turned. Inside, the display case was lined with pastries and desserts, neat rows of things that looked far too nice to ignore. She scanned them for a moment, thinking. She didn’t know what Yudai liked. Did he even know what he liked? The thought lingered just long enough to make her decision for her.

“I’ll take a few of those,” she said, pointing to a mix of cakes and small desserts. “And… two iced coffees.” The barista nodded, already packing things up. (Y/n) took the bag when it was handed to her, balancing the drinks carefully in her other hand. If he didn’t like it, that was fine. Someone at the shelter would. But as she stepped back out onto the street, heading toward Moon Shelter again, she found herself hoping he would.

(Y/n) wasn’t sure when it had started. That pull. It didn’t make sense. She had been doing this for years, stepping into places most people didn’t even know existed, seeing things most people would never believe. She had cared, always. That was why she stayed. Why she kept going back. But this felt… different. Too personal. Too focused. She adjusted her grip on the small bag of desserts as she walked, her thoughts drifting despite herself.

Her mind wandered further back than she expected, to a fifteen year old her. That was when everything changed. She hadn’t known what it was at first. Just an invite, passed along like something exclusive, something exciting. A place where “interesting things” happened. She had been curious. Careless, maybe. She remembered the noise when she first stepped inside. The way the air had felt thick, wrong. The crowd too loud, too eager. And then she had seen it. The fight. Hybrids forced against each other, injured, exhausted, with nowhere to go. People cheering. Betting. Treating it like entertainment. She hadn’t stayed long after that.

She had stepped outside, hands shaking, and called the first number she could find connected to something called Hybrid Protection Services. She expected them to show up. She didn’t expect them to ask her to stay. To watch. To tell them everything she could. “I can’t go back in there,” she had said, her voice barely steady. “You don’t have to,” the voice on the other end had replied calmly. “Just tell us what you saw. Anything helps.” But she had gone back.

Carefully, quietly watching. And when it was over, when HPS had stormed in and shut it down, they had found her. Asked her questions. Then something else. “You got in once,” one of them had said. “You think you could do it again?” She should have said no. Instead, she had said, “Yeah.” And she never really stopped. (Y/n) exhaled softly, shaking her head as she stepped up to the shelter doors, pushing them open. Years of that. Of going undercover, blending in, pretending to be someone who belonged in those places. And in all that time, she had never felt like this about any of them. Not like she did with Yudai.

The thought lingered as she stepped inside, the familiar hum of activity greeting her again. This time, though, it felt calmer. Slower. At the front desk, Yuma was slumped forward, head resting awkwardly on a stack of papers, very much asleep. (Y/n) walked over quietly, setting the drinks down carefully before reaching out and nudging his shoulder. “Hey,” she said softly. “You’re going to break your neck like that.” Yuma stirred, blinking awake in confusion, his head lifting too quickly before he winced. “Oh, that already hurts,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. (Y/n) laughed lightly. “Told you. Find somewhere better to nap.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, glancing down at the mountain of paperwork still waiting for him. He let out a long, defeated groan. “I hate this part of the job.” She smiled sympathetically, sliding one of the iced coffees toward him. “Peace offering.” Yuma looked at it like it might save his life. “You’re my favorite person right now.” “I figured.” He took a long sip, sighing like it actually helped, then glanced back at her. “You’re here for Yudai, right?” She nodded. “Yeah. Is he still in his room?” “Should be,” Yuma said, then paused, tilting his head slightly. “Well… again.” (Y/n) frowned just a little. “Again?” He nodded, setting the coffee down. “Yeah. They pulled him in for another med check earlier.” Her expression tightened slightly. “Is he okay?”

“Yeah,” Yuma said quickly. “He’s actually one of the better cases. No major injuries, no severe physical trauma. Which is… rare, considering where he came from.” (Y/n) let out a small breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “But,” Yuma added, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, “he’s been a bit of a challenge in other ways.” She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” Yuma leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his arms. “He keeps bringing you up.” (Y/n) blinked. “What?” “Yeah,” he said, clearly amused now. “Every time we try to ask him something, redirect the conversation, get background info… somehow it circles back to you.” (Y/n) felt her cheeks warm just slightly. 

“That’s… not helpful for you.” “Not even a little,” Yuma said with a laugh. “But it does tell me something.” She crossed her arms lightly, trying to ignore the small knot forming in her chest. “What’s that?” He gave her a knowing look. “He trusts you.” That landed heavier than she expected. Yuma reached for his coffee again, taking another sip before gesturing down the hall. “Go on. He should be back in his room by now.” (Y/n) nodded, picking up the bag and the second drink. “Thanks, Yuma.” “Anytime,” he said, already glancing back at his paperwork with a resigned sigh.

(Y/n) made her way down the hallway, her steps a little lighter this time. When she reached the door Yuma had shown her earlier, she paused for just a second, then knocked. She expected the same quiet come in. Instead, the door opened almost immediately. “(Y/n)!” Yudai stood there, eyes bright, his tail moving behind him in quick, uneven sways that were probably the closest thing to wagging he could manage. The shift from earlier was obvious. Lighter. Happier. (Y/n) smiled without even thinking about it. “I brought some snacks,” she said, lifting the bag slightly. “Or… sweets, I guess. And a coffee for you, if you want it.”

His smile widened as he took the bag from her, careful but eager. “Come in,” he said quickly, stepping aside. She walked in, setting the drink down on the small table before turning back toward him. Yudai had already settled onto the floor again, like it was the most natural place for him to be. (Y/n) watched him for a second. Then, without much thought, she lowered herself down to sit across from him. He blinked, clearly surprised. “You can sit on the bed,” he said, gesturing quickly. “It’s more comfortable.” She shook her head lightly. “I’m fine here.” He hesitated, like he wanted to argue, then gave in with a small nod.

His attention shifted to the table. “There’s only one,” he said, pointing at the coffee. (Y/n) leaned back slightly, resting her hands behind her. “I did buy two,” she admitted. “But I gave mine to Yuma. He looked like he needed it more than me.” Yudai’s expression softened again, something quiet and thoughtful settling in his eyes. She’s so kind, he thought, almost absently. Then he looked back at the drink. “You should have this one then,” he said, nudging it slightly in her direction. “I don’t need it.” (Y/n) looked at him, then shook her head. “It’s not about what you need,” she said. “It’s about whether you want it.” He paused. Then a small smile returned, softer this time. “How about we share it?” he suggested. (Y/n) let out a light laugh. “Alright,” she said. “If that’s the only way you’ll accept it.”

Yudai’s tail flicked again, a little more relaxed now as he opened the bag, peeking inside at everything she had brought. For a moment, the room felt easy. Simple. Just the two of them, sitting on the floor, deciding which dessert to try first. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got a mix of things,” (Y/n) said, watching as he carefully unpacked the bag. Yudai smiled, a soft, pleased expression. “Mm… I like most things.” One by one, he took the desserts out, setting them between them like something precious. His eyes lingered on each one, a quiet kind of awe in the way he looked at them, like he wasn’t used to having options. “They’re… really pretty,” he murmured.

(Y/n) reached into the bag again, pulling out two small wooden spoons. “They’re not the best to eat with,” she admitted, handing him one, “but they’ll have to do.” “I don’t mind,” he said, taking it carefully. They started slow. Trying one thing, then another, occasionally pausing as he reacted to the taste, sometimes surprised, sometimes just quietly pleased. The room filled with small sounds. Soft laughter. The faint clink of spoons against containers. 

For a while, it was easy again. Then (Y/n) set her spoon down. Yudai noticed immediately. She leaned back slightly, reaching for the coffee and taking a small sip before looking at him. “I have a few things I want to ask you,” she said. He straightened just a little, his ears giving a small twitch. “What do you want to know?” (Y/n) hesitated briefly, choosing her words. “Yuma mentioned it’s been a bit difficult to get information from you,” she said, her tone gentle, not accusatory. “So I thought I’d try.” Yudai didn’t look defensive. Just… attentive.

She took another small sip of the coffee, then continued. “How long were you at the circus?” He went quiet. Not shutting down, just thinking. “Maybe around five years,” he said after a moment. “Maybe a bit more. I stopped counting.” (Y/n)’s brows pulled together slightly, surprise flickering across her face. “That long?” He nodded faintly. Her gaze dropped to the desserts between them, her fingers tightening just a little around the cup. “They kept you for that long,” she murmured, more to herself than him. Yudai’s eyes followed hers, settling on one of the untouched pastries. His fingers brushed lightly against it, but he didn’t pick it up.

“They would auction me,” he said quietly. “At the special events.” (Y/n) stilled. “But then they’d find a reason to take me back,” he continued, his voice calm in a way that felt practiced. “Something would always go wrong. Paperwork. Fake payment problems. Behavior.” He gave a small, almost humorless smile. “There was always an excuse for them to take the money but not send me away.” Her grip tightened slightly. “They knew I drew crowds,” he added. “People liked watching. Bidding.” His gaze flicked up to hers for a second before dropping again. “So they used it.”

The room felt heavier now. The untouched desserts sat between them, suddenly less inviting. (Y/n) didn’t interrupt. She just listened. “I noticed something,” (Y/n) said after a moment, her voice softer now. “Last night… you looked a bit happy. Despite everything.” Yudai didn’t seem surprised by the question. He just shrugged lightly, his fingers tracing absent patterns along the edge of a pastry. “They treated me better than most,” he said. “So I didn’t have much to complain about.” (Y/n) frowned slightly, but didn’t interrupt. “I like moving,” he continued. “Dancing. Running. Doing things.” A faint, almost sheepish smile crossed his face. “Not very typical for a red panda, I guess.” She let out a quiet huff of amusement. “Yeah, you’re definitely not what people expect.” He nodded. “So… I got to do something I enjoyed. Perform, move around, stay active.” His voice dipped just slightly. “Considering everything, I felt kind of happy.” Then his gaze dropped. “But I also felt terrible,” he added more quietly. “For everyone else.” (Y/n)’s expression softened. That made sense. More than she liked. “Yeah,” she said gently. “That makes sense.”

There was a brief pause before she shifted slightly, picking up her spoon again only to set it back down without using it. “Okay,” she said, her tone careful. “Before the circus… where were you?” Yudai’s shoulders lifted in another small shrug, but this one felt heavier. “I didn’t really have a home,” he said. (Y/n) stilled. “I was kicked out when I was younger,” he continued. “Maybe fourteen.” Her grip tightened slightly on her knee. “They said I was too energetic,” he went on, his voice flat in a way that felt learned. “Too much. Not what they expected.” (Y/n) didn’t look away from him. “It was easier for them to just…” he made a small, vague motion with his hand, “get rid of me. Than to go through the process of handing me over properly.”

Her jaw tightened. “So I left,” he said simply. “Wandered around. Took care of myself.” For a second, the room felt very small. “And then,” he added, almost like it was just another step in a long line of things, “the man from the circus found me.” (Y/n)’s eyes sharpened slightly. “He offered me a job,” Yudai said. “A place to stay. Food.” A pause. “I didn’t ask questions,” he finished. Silence settled between them again. (Y/n) exhaled slowly, leaning back just a little, her gaze dropping to the floor for a second before lifting again. “You were just a kid,” she said quietly. Yudai didn’t respond to that. He just picked up his spoon again, though he didn’t use it, turning it lightly between his fingers like he didn’t quite know what to do with his hands anymore.

“We don’t have to go through everything today,” (Y/n) said gently. “If it’s too much, we can talk about something else.” Yudai shook his head almost immediately. “No,” he said. “I’d rather get everything out now.” She studied him for a second, making sure. Then she nodded. “Alright.” She shifted slightly, her tone careful again. “You said they treated you better than the others… but did they ever hurt you? Abuse you in any way?” Yudai went quiet. His hand tightened around his tail, fingers gripping the fur as he took a slow breath in.

“In the beginning,” he said. (Y/n) felt her chest tighten. “They would hit me,” he continued, his voice steady in a way that felt practiced. “Starve me. Make sure I understood I had to listen.” Her jaw clenched. “I also went through the same kind of… thing you saw last night,” he added, quieter now. “Like the bunny.” (Y/n)’s stomach turned. Yudai hesitated, then lifted his shirt slightly. “Wait, you don’t have to show me if you don’t want to, I already believe you, I just-” She stopped mid sentence. Her breath caught. Along his side, a large scar stretched across his torso. Jagged. Uneven. Too deep to have ever been anything minor. A bite mark.

“Oh, Yudai…” she said softly, the words barely above a whisper. He lowered his shirt again, like it didn’t matter much. “It’s healed,” he said with a small shrug. “It’s just a bad memory now.” (Y/n) shook her head immediately. “That doesn’t make it okay,” she said, her voice firmer now. He didn’t argue. He just looked down again, his fingers loosening slightly in his tail. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then (Y/n) leaned forward just a little, her tone softening again. “They shouldn’t have done that to you,” she said quietly. “To any of you.” Yudai’s ears twitched faintly. “I know,” he replied, though it sounded like something he was still learning to believe.

(Y/n) blinked quickly, lifting her hand to brush away the tear that had almost slipped free. She let out a slow breath, steadying herself. “I think that’s everything we needed to go over,” she said, her voice gentle again. “I’m guessing the shelter already knows about the scars?” Yudai nodded. “Yeah. They saw them during the checks.” He paused, his gaze drifting slightly. “They asked about them too.” (Y/n) tilted her head a little. “But you didn’t answer.” He shook his head. “I don’t know why,” he admitted. “I just… couldn’t. Not with them.” (Y/n) nodded, understanding settling easily. “That’s okay,” she said softly. “They get that. Not everyone is ready to talk about everything, especially with people they don’t know yet.”

That seemed to ease something in him, even if just a little. Silence settled again, lighter this time, less heavy than before. A few seconds passed before Yudai shifted, glancing down at the small spread of desserts between them. He pointed to one of the cakes they had already tried, a small, thoughtful smile returning. “I think that one’s my favorite,” he said. “It was really good.” (Y/n) followed his gesture, smiling. “Yeah,” she agreed. “That one was delicious.”

Her mind still lingered on the scar. On what it meant. On everything he had gone through. But she pushed it back, gently but firmly. Not now. Right now, he was here. Safe. Sitting across from her, talking about cake like it was the most important thing in the world. So she focused on that. On him. The way his eyes seemed to catch the light when he smiled. The small, almost constant movement of his ears, reacting to every little sound. The way his nose scrunched just slightly when he tasted something he didn’t like earlier. The quiet, genuine sound of his laughter. Not the pain. Not the past. Just this.

After another bite of cake, Yudai glanced up at her, curiosity slipping back into his expression. “What do you do,” he asked, “when you’re not working undercover?” (Y/n) leaned back slightly, thinking. “Not much, honestly,” she said with a small shrug. “I hang out with friends sometimes.” He tilted his head, listening closely. “Like Nicholas,” she added. “You saw him last night.” Yudai nodded faintly. “We met when I first started at HPS,” she continued. “He had just started too. We actually hated each other at first.” Yudai blinked, a little surprised. “Really?”

“Oh yeah,” she said with a quiet laugh. “Couldn’t stand him. But then we realized we had more in common than we thought. Same kind of work, same way of thinking about things.” Her smile softened slightly. “We became friends after that.” She shifted a little, resting her arms loosely on her knees. “Then there’s people like Yuma. I don’t see him as often, since we’re both busy most of the time.” Yudai nodded again, his gaze steady. “And during time off?” he asked. (Y/n) let out a small breath. “I mostly just stay home,” she admitted. “Being undercover takes a lot out of you. I’m usually exhausted the first week after a mission, so I just… rest.”

He watched her for a second longer. “Isn’t it lonely?” he asked quietly. (Y/n) looked up toward the ceiling, considering it. “Sometimes,” she said after a moment. “Yeah.” Her gaze dropped back to him. “But I’m lucky,” she added. “I’ve got Nico. We’re almost always paired together for missions. A lot of people in HPS work completely alone.” She gave a small shrug. “At least we have each other to lean on.” Her expression shifted slightly, something more thoughtful settling in. “But… it’s a lonely world,” she admitted. “Most people are just focused on themselves.” 

Yudai nodded slowly, like he understood that more than she expected. Then he spoke again. “What if you didn’t have to be alone?” (Y/n) blinked, her attention sharpening as she met his gaze. “What do you mean?” Yudai looked down at his tail, his fingers brushing through the soft fur as he gathered his thoughts. “Like…” he started, hesitating just a little. “What if you had a hybrid?” He glanced up at her again, more uncertain now. “Adopted one,” he clarified. “Someone who would always be there for you.”

(Y/n) looked at the window, her gaze lingering on the faint reflection of the two of them in the glass. “I’ve thought about it,” she said, her voice quieter than before, like the admission carried more weight than she wanted it to. “But… I never found a hybrid that I felt connected with.” Her fingers traced lightly against the edge of the bed as she spoke, unfocused. “And even if I had… I didn’t think it would be right for me to adopt one.”

She exhaled slowly, shoulders dipping just a fraction. “Sometimes I have to be gone for a week or two for work,” she continued, glancing down briefly before looking back out the window. “No warning, no set schedule. I can’t always bring someone along, and even if I could, it wouldn’t be safe.” A faint crease formed between her brows. “I’m not sure I’d be able to provide a good home for a hybrid. Not the kind they actually deserve.”

Yudai listened closely, his attention never wavering. His tail twitched in his lap, the soft fur shifting under his fingers as they absentmindedly brushed over it. There was a slight tension in his posture now, something quieter, more careful, as he processed every word she said. “But what if the hybrid would be okay with that life?” he asked. His voice was gentle, but there was something underneath it. Not pressure. Not quite. Just… hope, carefully tucked between the words. (Y/n) turned her head at that, meeting his gaze fully this time. For a second, she didn’t answer. She just looked at him, really looked. The way his ears had dipped just slightly, like he was bracing himself. The way his fingers stilled against his tail, waiting.

She knew what he was doing. He wasn’t just asking a question. He was asking for himself. And she’d be lying if she said she didn’t feel it too. That pull. That quiet, persistent feeling that had been there since the moment he took her hand in that chaos. It hadn’t gone away. If anything, it had only settled deeper. But that didn’t make it simple. Her expression softened, but there was hesitation in it now, something more guarded. “Yudai…” she started, then paused, her voice catching just slightly before she found it again. “It’s not just about being okay with it.”

Her fingers curled faintly against her palm, like she was grounding herself in the thought. “Sometimes people think they can handle something,” she said carefully, “until they’re actually living it.” Her gaze didn’t leave his. “Being alone more often than not. Waiting. Not knowing when someone’s coming back.” There was a flicker of something in her eyes. Not doubt in him. Just… doubt in the situation. “I don’t want to be the reason someone feels like that,” she admitted quietly. The room fell into a softer kind of silence after that, the kind that wasn’t empty, just full of everything neither of them was quite saying yet.

Yudai nodded, but the movement was small, almost hesitant. His gaze dropped for a moment, and even though he didn’t say anything, the shift in his expression said enough. The brightness from earlier dimmed just slightly, something quieter settling in its place. His tail stilled in his lap, the earlier flicks fading into stillness. (Y/n) noticed immediately. Guilt pressed at her chest, heavier than she expected. She looked away for a second, her jaw tightening just a little. She wished, not for the first time, that things were different. That her life didn’t revolve around missions, undercover work, disappearing for days at a time without warning.

But it wasn’t something she could just walk away from. HPS needed people like her. People who could blend in, who could hold their ground in places like that circus without breaking cover. And she and Nicholas… they had spent years building that rhythm together, learning how to move, how to think, how to trust each other without hesitation. No one else at HPS had anywhere near as many successful missions as they did. That wasn’t something she could abandon.

(Y/n) leaned her head back slightly, her eyes drifting up to the ceiling as she tried to gather her thoughts. “I know what you’re asking,” she said quietly. Her voice was softer now, more careful. “And Yudai…” She lowered her gaze again, looking back at him. “I really do like you,” she admitted, the words coming easier than she expected, but no less true. “You’re… special.” Yudai looked up at her then, his eyes glazy, like he was holding onto every word she said, afraid of what might come next. “But I don’t know if I can,” she finished.

The words lingered between them. For a second, neither of them moved. Then Yudai leaned forward just slightly, his expression shifting, something hopeful pushing through the uncertainty. “We can make it work, can’t we?” he asked. His voice was soft, but there was a quiet determination there. Not forceful, not demanding. Just… believing. (Y/n)’s chest tightened. She should have said no. She knew she should have. It would have been the safer answer. The more responsible one. But when she looked at him, really looked, at the way he was watching her, waiting, hoping… She couldn’t find it in herself to say it. Instead, she exhaled softly, her shoulders easing just a little. “We can try,” she said.

For a split second, Yudai just stared at her, like he needed to make sure he heard her right. Then his expression broke into a smile, bright and unguarded, something warm rushing back into his eyes. Before she could react, he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her in a quick, instinctive hug. (Y/n) stiffened for half a second, caught off guard, then slowly relaxed into it, her arms coming up to return it just as gently. Yudai held onto her like it meant something. Like she meant something. “You feel like home,” he whispered. The words were quiet, almost lost in the space between them, but she heard them clearly.

After a while, the quiet in the room shifted, not uncomfortable, just… aware. Time had passed without either of them really noticing, but it caught up eventually. (Y/n) let out a soft breath, glancing toward the door before looking back at him. “I should go,” she said gently. Yudai’s expression changed almost instantly. Not dramatically, but enough. His ears dipped just slightly, and his fingers curled faintly where they rested in his lap. “Oh,” he said, quieter now. She offered him a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” she added quickly. “I just… I need to figure some things out first. Find a way to make this work.”

He studied her face for a second, searching for something, maybe reassurance, maybe certainty. Then he nodded, even if it looked reluctant. “Okay,” he said.

There was a pause, like neither of them quite wanted to be the first to move. Eventually, Yudai let go of her hand. He walked her to the door, slower than necessary, like stretching out the last few seconds. When she stepped into the hallway, he lingered there, watching her. There was something in his eyes now, something he didn’t say out loud. A quiet fear. That she might not come back. But he didn’t voice it. Instead, he gave her a small smile. “I’ll be here.” (Y/n) nodded, meeting his gaze. “I know.” And then she turned, walking down the hall without looking back, even though she could feel his eyes on her until she disappeared around the corner.

~~~

The air outside was cooler now, the evening settling in. (Y/n) stepped out of the shelter, pulling her jacket a little tighter around herself as she exhaled slowly. Her mind was already moving, turning over everything that had just happened. She didn’t wait long before pulling out her phone. Nicholas picked up on the second ring. “Miss me already?” he muttered, his voice thick with exhaustion. She huffed a quiet laugh. “Something like that. You got time to meet?” There was a pause, then a tired exhale on the other end. “Yeah… but you’re coming to me. I’m not moving.” (Y/n) smiled faintly. “Figures.” “Door’s unlocked,” he added. “Just don’t judge the state of my apartment.” “No promises,” she said, hanging up.

Nicholas’s place looked exactly how she expected. Shoes kicked off near the door. A jacket draped over the back of a chair. The faint smell of takeout still lingering in the air. The lights were dim, giving the whole space a tired, lived-in feel. He was sprawled on the couch when she walked in, one arm thrown over his eyes like he hadn’t bothered to fully sit up. “Took you long enough,” he mumbled. (Y/n) kicked off her shoes and walked further in, glancing around with a small smirk. “Wow. You really went all out cleaning up for me.” “Be grateful I’m conscious,” he shot back, though there was no real bite to it.

She huffed softly, dropping onto the couch beside him, leaning back with a quiet sigh. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Just… existed in the shared quiet. Then she turned her head slightly. “I need your opinion on something.” Nicholas shifted, lowering his arm just enough to look at her. “That sounds dangerous.”“It probably is.” That got him to sit up a little more, running a hand through his hair as he blinked away the last bits of sleep. “Alright. What’s going on?” (Y/n) hesitated for a second, then started talking. She told him about Yudai. About the conversation. About what he asked. What she said. The parts she wasn’t sure about.

Nicholas didn’t interrupt. He just listened, his expression gradually sharpening as the tiredness faded into something more focused. When she finished, the room fell quiet again. (Y/n) stared at the floor, her fingers loosely intertwined in her lap. “I just don’t know if I can give him what he needs,” she admitted. “I’m barely home half the time. And when I am, I’m usually exhausted or prepping for the next mission.” Nicholas leaned back slightly, watching her for a moment before speaking.

“It’s not always about having the perfect home on paper,” he said. (Y/n) glanced up at him. “It’s much more important to have the right heart,” he continued, his tone steady, certain. “And you have that. No question.” She frowned faintly, like she wasn’t fully convinced. “The fact that you’re even here, stressing about whether you’d be good enough?” he added. “That already puts you ahead of most people.” (Y/n) let out a quiet breath, her shoulders easing just a little. “Yeah, our job makes things complicated,” Nicholas went on, leaning forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. 

“We disappear. We don’t have normal schedules. But we’ve made it work before. We adapt.” He glanced at her, a small, knowing look in his eyes. “And let’s be honest. If anyone could make something like this work, it’d be you.” She huffed softly. “You’re biased.” “Obviously,” he said without hesitation. “But I’m also right.” That pulled a faint smile from her. Nicholas’s expression softened just a little. “And from what you’re saying… that red panda’s already halfway attached to you.” (Y/n) looked down, thinking about it. About the way Yudai had looked at her. The way he had said he’d wait. “…Yeah,” she admitted quietly. “So it’s not just about whether you can handle it,” Nicholas said. “It’s about whether you want to.”

That made her pause. Really pause. Her gaze drifted, unfocused, as everything he said settled in. Did she want to? Images flickered through her mind. Yudai smiling when she walked in. The way he sat on the floor just to be closer to her. The quiet trust in his voice. You feel like home. Her chest tightened slightly. (Y/n) exhaled slowly, leaning back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling now. For the first time, the thought didn’t feel impossible. Complicated, yes. Difficult, definitely. But not impossible. And that was new.

Nicholas watched her, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “There it is.” She blinked, looking at him. “What?” “That look,” he said. “The one where you’ve already decided and you’re just catching up to it.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes lightly, but there was no real denial behind it. “Maybe,” she muttered. But as she sat there, turning the idea over in her mind, she could finally see it. Not just the risks. But the possibility. And for the first time since Yudai asked, it didn’t scare her quite as much.

After she left Nicholas’ place and made her way home, the city felt quieter than usual. Or maybe it was just her, too caught up in her own thoughts to notice anything else. By the time she stepped into her apartment, closing the door behind her with a soft click, the silence wrapped around her completely. (Y/n) stood there for a moment, not moving, just letting everything settle. Would it actually be possible? Could she really do this? Her eyes drifted slowly across the space, taking it in like she hadn’t seen it properly in a while. The living room was neat, familiar, everything in its place. It had always been enough for her. Functional. Comfortable.

But now she was looking at it differently. She stepped further in, setting her things down absentmindedly as her thoughts kept turning. She wanted to make it work. That part was becoming clearer with every passing second. Her gaze shifted down the hallway, landing on the closed door at the end. The spare room. It had always just been there, used occasionally when someone stayed over, otherwise untouched for weeks at a time. Slowly, she walked toward it. Her hand rested on the handle for a second before she pushed it open. The room inside was simple. A bed, a dresser, a small desk by the window. Clean, but impersonal. It didn’t feel like anyone’s space. Not yet.

(Y/n) stepped inside, looking around more carefully now, imagining instead of just observing. It wouldn’t take much to change it. A few adjustments, something more personal, something that actually felt lived in. “That could work…” she murmured to herself. Her mind kept going. Money wasn’t an issue. That had never really been a concern. She could afford it. Food, supplies, anything he’d need. That part was easy. It was everything else that made her hesitate. Her job. The unpredictable schedule. The long absences. (Y/n) exhaled softly, leaning against the doorframe as she thought.

He was active. That much was obvious. Always moving, always needing something to do. But her building had a gym. She glanced back toward the main area of the apartment, picturing it. He could use that. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something. A place for him to move, to burn off that endless energy. A small smile tugged at her lips at the thought. Then another idea followed. Yuma. Her brows lifted slightly as she straightened. He already had a hybrid of his own. He understood what it meant, what it required. And more importantly, he was someone she trusted.

“If I’m away…” she murmured, thinking it through. “He could help.” It wouldn’t be all the time. She wouldn’t ask that. But enough to bridge the gaps. Enough to make sure Yudai wasn’t alone. And knowing Yudai… He’d probably get along with Yuma’s bunny hybrid. The thought came easier than she expected. She could already picture it, in a vague way. Not perfectly, but enough to feel possible. Not just manageable. Possible. (Y/n) stepped further into the room, her fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the desk as her thoughts settled into something more solid.

Maybe it could actually work. Maybe all the things she thought were obstacles… weren’t as impossible as she had made them out to be. Her chest felt a little lighter. She turned slightly, looking back out into the apartment, seeing it differently now. Not just as her space. But something that could be shared. Something that could be a home. “Maybe…” she said quietly, almost to herself. Maybe she could give him that. A real home. A good home.

~~~

The next day, when (Y/n) arrived at the shelter, her steps slowed slightly as she entered the building. The familiar sounds greeted her almost immediately. Quiet conversations, paperwork shuffling, the occasional metallic clink from somewhere deeper in the facility. It felt calmer than it had the first night, more settled. For a brief moment, her eyes flicked toward the hallway leading to Yudai’s room. Then she forced herself to look away. Not yet.

Instead, she made her way toward the front desk, where Yuma sat half buried beneath another mountain of paperwork. This time he looked at least somewhat awake, though only barely. He glanced up when he noticed her approaching, and a small grin immediately appeared on his face. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite undercover agent.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes lightly. “You say that like you know more than three people.” “I know four, actually.” “Impressive.” Yuma huffed a laugh, setting his pen down. “You’re here early.” “Yeah.” She hesitated briefly, shifting her weight slightly. “Do you have a few minutes to spare later? Maybe lunch?” His brows lifted just slightly at the tone in her voice, curiosity flickering across his face almost immediately. “That serious, huh?” “Maybe.” Yuma glanced down at the stack of papers in front of him, visibly debating how much he cared about them. Then he sighed dramatically. “I can spare thirty minutes.” (Y/n) smiled faintly. “I’ll take it.”

The lunch place nearby was small and quiet, tucked between two larger storefronts. The kind of place that smelled constantly of warm bread and coffee, where conversations stayed low and unhurried. By the time they sat down across from each other, Yuma already looked suspiciously interested. “You’ve got that look,” he said, pointing at her with his fork before they had even started eating. (Y/n) frowned slightly. “What look?” “The one where you’re overthinking something important.” She let out a quiet breath through her nose. “That obvious?” “To people who know you? Yeah.” (Y/n) looked down at her drink for a second before finally speaking. “I’ve been thinking about adopting Yudai.” Yuma’s expression softened almost instantly, like the answer made perfect sense to him. “But,” she added quickly, “I still don’t know how to make it work.”

He leaned back slightly in his seat, listening quietly as she continued. She explained everything. Her schedule. Missions. Being away unexpectedly. The apartment. The uncertainty that still lingered in the back of her mind no matter how badly she wanted to ignore it. Yuma listened without interrupting, his attention fully on her the entire time. When she finally finished, exhaling softly like she had been carrying the thoughts around for too long, he smiled. And it was annoyingly knowing. “Oh no,” (Y/n) muttered immediately. “You’re about to say something wise, aren’t you?” “I’m always wise.” “You fell asleep on paperwork yesterday.” “And yet, I’m still right.”

(Y/n) shook her head lightly, but a small smile tugged at her lips despite herself. Yuma rested his arms on the table, his expression growing gentler. “Listen,” he said, “it’s not about having the perfect home.” Her eyes flicked up to him. “It’s about having the right heart.” The words hit differently this time, maybe because she had already heard them once before. Maybe because hearing them again made them harder to dismiss. Yuma continued before she could say anything. “And honestly? It’s pretty obvious Yudai likes you.” A faint grin appeared again. “A lot.”

(Y/n) felt warmth creep faintly into her cheeks. “Yuma.” “I’m serious,” he said with a laugh. “He barely spends time with anyone else unless he has to. Half the conversations I’ve had with him somehow end up back on you.” She looked away briefly, trying and failing not to smile a little. “There isn’t a single person here more perfect for Yudai than you,” Yuma said more softly now. That made her go quiet. Not because she didn’t want to respond. But because a part of her was finally starting to believe it. Yuma watched her for a second before adding, “And for the work thing? I’ll help you.” Her brows lifted slightly. “You would?” “Of course.” He shrugged easily. “It’s fine. You’re not asking me to raise him. Just help out sometimes when missions come up.” A small smirk tugged at his mouth. “Besides, Harua could probably use another friend around.”

(Y/n) let out a soft laugh at that, the tension in her chest easing little by little. Everything she had worried about suddenly felt… manageable. Not perfect. But real. Possible. She sat there quietly for a moment, taking a slow breath as the last pieces finally settled into place. Then she nodded once. Firmly this time. “Okay,” she said. Yuma blinked. “Okay?” (Y/n) looked up at him, and for the first time since all of this started, there was certainty in her expression of hesitation. “Okay,” she repeated, a small smile forming. “Let’s do this.” Yuma’s face immediately broke into a grin. “There she is.” He pointed at her like he had been waiting for that exact moment. “Good. Because I was already mentally preparing the paperwork.” (Y/n) laughed softly, shaking her head. “Of course you were.”

By the time they walked back to the shelter, something inside her felt lighter. Nervous, still. But lighter. Yuma peeled off toward the front desk almost immediately. “I’ll get started on everything,” he said, already pulling files toward himself. “You go talk to him.” (Y/n) nodded slowly. Then she turned toward the hallway. Toward the door she had already become far too familiar with over the last few days. Her heart beat a little faster as she approached it this time. Not from uncertainty. But anticipation. (Y/n) didn’t even have time to knock before the door suddenly opened. Yudai stood there, already smiling the second he saw her.

“Hi,” he said excitedly, the word coming out almost too fast. (Y/n) blinked once before laughing softly, caught off guard by how eager he looked. “Eager, are we?” she asked, amusement warming her voice. Yudai’s ears twitched immediately in his fluffy hair, and his tail swayed once behind him before he stepped back quickly. “Come in,” he said. “Come on, hurry.” That only made her laugh more. “Alright, alright,” she said, shaking her head as she walked inside. The room already looked more lived in compared to the first night she visited. A blanket draped messily over the bed now, a few books stacked near the window, little signs that someone was settling into the space instead of just occupying it.

(Y/n) sat down on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly beneath her weight. Then she patted the spot beside her. Yudai closed the door almost immediately before crossing the room toward her without hesitation. He sat down close beside her, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched. His fluffy tail curled naturally across the bed, ending up resting between them. (Y/n)’s eyes dropped to it automatically. Up close, it looked even softer than before, thick fur catching the warm light of the room. His ears twitched faintly again as he noticed her staring. “Can I touch your tail?” she asked. Yudai looked surprised for half a second, then nodded quickly. “Yeah.”

Carefully, (Y/n) rested her hand against the soft fur, gently running her fingers along it. Her brows lifted slightly. It was warm. Really warm. And softer than she expected, the thick fur smooth beneath her hand as it shifted faintly under her touch. Yudai visibly relaxed beside her almost immediately, his shoulders loosening as a quiet sound left him, somewhere between a sigh and contentment. (Y/n) smiled faintly to herself as she continued absentmindedly petting his tail. It kind of resembled Yudai himself. Warm. Soft. Comforting.

There was an energy to it too, subtle movements beneath her hand, little twitches every now and then that reminded her so much of him it almost made her laugh. Kind. Gentle. Fun. The thought settled somewhere deep in her chest, smoothing out the last traces of uncertainty that had been lingering there since yesterday. And before she could stop herself from overthinking it again, the words left her mouth. “I’m adopting you.” Her hand froze against his tail. Yudai froze too. The room went completely still. For a second, he just stared at her. Like he hadn’t understood the words. Or maybe like he had understood them perfectly and simply couldn’t believe them.

(Y/n)’s heart jumped slightly at the expression on his face. His eyes widened slowly, the brightness in them wavering with something much more fragile. He had prepared himself for the opposite. Prepared himself to hear no. Prepared himself for her to sit him down gently and explain why it wouldn’t work, why she couldn’t do it, why this was where things ended. He had come into today already trying to brace himself for goodbye. Like he always had to. But she wasn’t saying goodbye. She wasn’t leaving him behind. Instead, she had just opened a door he had convinced himself would always stay locked. Yudai’s lips parted slightly, but no sound came out at first. His tail twitched once beneath her frozen hand. Then again.

And suddenly his eyes looked glazy all over again, emotion rising too fast for him to hide properly. “You…” he started softly, almost breathless. “You mean it?” (Y/n)’s expression softened instantly at the sound of his voice. “Yeah,” she said quietly. The second the word left her mouth, something in Yudai cracked completely. Not painfully. Just suddenly. His ears dropped low into his hair as he looked down for a second, one shaky breath leaving him before he laughed softly under it, like he didn’t know what else to do with the feeling building in his chest. “You’re really…” He swallowed hard, looking back at her with eyes that were shining now. “You’re really taking me home?”

(Y/n) felt her own chest tighten at the way he said it. Home. Not adopting. Not ownership. Home. “Yeah,” she repeated softly, her hand finally moving again against his tail. “If you still want that.” Yudai looked at her like the question itself was ridiculous. Then, before she could react, he threw his arms around her so suddenly she almost lost balance on the bed. (Y/n) let out a startled laugh as he held onto her tightly, his face burying against her shoulder. “Yes,” he whispered immediately. “Yes, I want that.” Yuma came by the room not long after, a thick stack of papers tucked beneath one arm and a pen hooked loosely between his fingers. He paused when he stepped inside, immediately taking in the scene before him.

Yudai was sitting impossibly close to (Y/n), his tail curled halfway around her side now like he didn’t even realize he was doing it. Meanwhile, (Y/n) looked calmer than Yuma had seen her in days. A slow grin spread across his face. “Well,” he said lightly, lifting the papers slightly, “judging by the looks on your faces, I’m guessing this is good timing.” (Y/n) laughed softly, a little embarrassed now that someone else was witnessing this moment. “Something like that.” Yudai looked between them, still visibly overwhelmed, like he hadn’t fully come back down from what she had said yet.

Yuma’s expression softened slightly as he stepped further inside. “I’ve got the paperwork ready,” he explained. “Just some signatures and confirmations.” (Y/n) nodded immediately, taking the papers from him carefully. Yudai watched everything. Every page she flipped through. Every line she read. Every signature she wrote. His eyes followed the movement of her hand across the papers with almost painful focus, like he was terrified something would suddenly change halfway through. Like one wrong word might make all of this disappear. But it didn’t. Page after page, she signed. Calmly. Certainly. Without hesitation. Yudai’s chest felt tight. Too tight.

He had spent so long preparing himself for disappointment that his mind still couldn’t fully catch up to what was happening. This wasn’t temporary. She wasn’t reconsidering. She wasn’t backing out. She was choosing him. Actually choosing him. His fingers curled tighter against his lap as emotion swelled too quickly inside his chest, his ears twitching faintly where they hid in his hair. Yuma glanced at him briefly, his expression softening further before he looked back toward (Y/n). “That should be everything,” he said after the final paper was signed. (Y/n) handed the pen back, exhaling softly. “So that’s it?” “That’s it,” Yuma confirmed with a smile. Then his gaze shifted toward Yudai. “You can go home now.”

Home. The word hit him so hard he almost stopped breathing for a second. Home. Not another room. Not another cage. Not another temporary place where he waited to see what happened to him next. Home. Today. His first real home. Yudai stared at the papers in stunned silence, his thoughts suddenly too loud and too tangled to sort through properly. Then warmth touched his hand. He looked down instinctively. (Y/n)’s fingers had slipped gently around his. When he looked back up, she was smiling at him, warm and bright and real, her head tilting slightly as she spoke softly. “Let’s go home.”

Something in his chest cracked open completely after that. He couldn’t speak. Not because he didn’t want to. There were too many things trying to come out all at once. Relief. Disbelief. Happiness so overwhelming it almost hurt. Instead, he just squeezed her hand tightly. And followed her. Out the door of the room first. Then down the hallway he had slowly become familiar with over the past days. People smiled at them as they passed. A few staff members waved softly, some looking emotional themselves after hearing the news. Yudai barely noticed any of it. His attention kept drifting back to the hand holding his. To her. To the fact that she was still there. Still leading him forward instead of away.

By the time they stepped through the front doors of the shelter together, the sun had already started setting, warm golden light spilling across the streets outside. The fresh air hit him immediately. Yudai slowed without meaning to, his eyes lifting upward toward the sky. The sunset painted everything in shades of orange and gold, the light catching against windows and cars and people passing by. For a moment, he just stood there breathing it in. No handlers. No locked doors. No eyes constantly watching him. No shackles holding him back anymore. Only the warm pressure of (Y/n)’s hand in his. Freedom. Real freedom. The realization washed over him so suddenly it almost made his knees weak. His chest rose with a shaky breath as his eyes stayed fixed on the sky above him. And for the first time in his life, Yudai truly felt free.

They walked back to (Y/n)’s apartment together, their hands brushing occasionally as they moved through the evening streets. The city around them buzzed softly with life, people passing by without a second glance, completely unaware that Yudai felt like his entire world had just changed. He stayed close to her the entire walk. Quiet. Not withdrawn, just overwhelmed in a way words couldn’t quite reach yet. (Y/n) noticed, but she didn’t pressure him to speak. Every now and then she glanced over at him, offering a small smile whenever their eyes met, and every single time he looked back at her like he still couldn’t fully believe she was real.

By the time they reached her apartment complex, the sun had dipped lower, warm light fading slowly into evening. (Y/n) pulled the front door open for him, gesturing inside. “Okay,” she said lightly, trying to ease some of the intensity hanging around him. “First things first.” Yudai blinked, following her inside. The lobby was clean and modern, warm lighting reflecting softly off polished floors. A few residents passed through here and there, though none paid them much attention. Instead of heading straight for the elevators, (Y/n) guided him further down the hall. “There’s something I want to show you first.”

Yudai followed quietly beside her until she stopped in front of a large set of glass doors. Inside was a gym. Not huge, but more than enough. Treadmills lined one wall, weights and machines spread neatly throughout the room, a smaller open area toward the back with mats and space to move freely. Yudai’s ears twitched immediately. (Y/n) noticed the subtle shift in his expression and smiled faintly. “Anyone who lives in the building has access to it,” she explained. “Even hybrids. So you can use it whenever you want.”

His gaze moved slowly across the room, taking everything in carefully. “You can run around in here,” she added. “Work out. Burn off some of that endless energy.” That finally earned the faintest hint of amusement from him. Yudai nodded slowly, his tail swaying once behind him as he continued looking through the glass. He still hadn’t really spoken since they left the shelter. Not because he was unhappy. If anything, it was the opposite. Everything still felt too big inside him. (Y/n) gently nudged his shoulder with hers. “C’mon. Let me show you the actual apartment too.” He followed her back toward the elevators after that, staying close again.

The elevator ride was quiet, save for the soft hum of movement as they ascended floor after floor. Yudai watched the numbers light up above the doors while (Y/n) leaned casually against the wall beside him, occasionally glancing over at him with quiet fondness. When the doors finally opened, she led him down the hallway before stopping in front of one of the apartments. “This is us,” she said softly. Us. Yudai’s chest tightened all over again. (Y/n) unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping inside first before turning back toward him. “Come in.” Yudai hesitated only briefly before crossing the threshold. The apartment was warm. That was the first thing he noticed.

Not physically, though it was that too. It just… felt warm. Comfortable in a way he didn’t have words for yet. (Y/n) slipped off her shoes near the door and glanced around almost sheepishly. “It’s not much right now,” she admitted. “I moved in pretty recently.” Yudai looked around quietly as she continued. The apartment wasn’t empty by any means, but it clearly wasn’t fully settled either. Some walls were still bare, certain shelves half filled, corners untouched like she simply hadn’t had time to think about them yet. “Okay, technically it’s been six months,” she corrected herself with a small laugh. “But I’ve been consumed with work for more than half that time.” Yudai finally spoke then, his voice soft after so much silence. “It’s perfect.” (Y/n) looked back at him, surprised. Yudai’s eyes settled on her, steady and sincere. “Because you’re here.”

The words hit her immediately. Warmth spread across her face before she could stop it, a helpless smile tugging at her lips as she shook her head lightly. “You really know how to say things that make it impossible not to like you.” Yudai’s ears twitched faintly, pleased by her reaction. Still smiling, (Y/n) gestured further inside. “Even so, we should decorate a bit more,” she said. “Especially your room.” She glanced down the hallway toward the spare room. “It’s extremely plain right now.” Yudai looked in that direction too, but honestly, he didn’t care if the room had nothing in it at all. Not when he was here. Not when this place already felt more like home than anywhere he had ever been before.

(Y/n) showed him around the apartment slowly after that, giving him time to take everything in instead of rushing from room to room. “It’s not huge,” she admitted as they walked further inside, “but it’s enough for two people.” Yudai followed close beside her, his gaze moving carefully over everything she pointed out. The kitchen came first. It was simple but warm, soft lighting beneath the cabinets casting a cozy glow across the counters. A few mugs sat near the sink, one noticeably chipped near the handle. The fridge had barely anything on it besides a couple magnets and a sticky note she had probably forgotten weeks ago.

(Y/n) noticed him looking. “I’m warning you now, I survive mostly on coffee and takeout when I’m working.” That finally earned a quiet laugh from him, soft and breathy, but real. Then she showed him the bathroom, apologizing immediately for the products cluttering half the counter. Yudai just nodded quietly, still absorbing everything around him with wide, attentive eyes. The living room came next. A couch sat facing the television, a blanket carelessly draped over one side from where she had probably fallen asleep there at some point. A bookshelf stood near the wall, half filled with files, books, and random things that clearly hadn’t found proper places yet.

“It still kind of looks temporary,” (Y/n) admitted, rubbing the back of her neck lightly. “I kept meaning to settle in properly, but…” “Work,” Yudai finished softly. “Yeah.” Then she showed him her room. It was the most personal space in the apartment by far. Clothes tossed over a chair, books stacked unevenly on the nightstand, a jacket hanging near the closet door. It looked lived in. Comfortable. Yudai lingered there for a second longer than the other rooms. Not because of the room itself. But because it was hers. Then finally, (Y/n) led him down the hallway toward the last door. “And this,” she said softly, resting her hand on the handle, “is your room.” She opened the door.

Yudai stopped immediately. Completely still. To (Y/n), the room wasn’t anything special. A bed neatly made with fresh sheets. A desk beneath the window. A closet against the wall. Plain walls that still needed decoration. Empty shelves waiting to be filled. Simple. But when she looked at Yudai, she realized he was seeing something entirely different. His breath caught softly. His eyes moved slowly across the room like he couldn’t take it in fast enough. A real bed. One that belonged to him. A desk where he could leave things without someone taking them away. A closet for clothes that would actually be his. Places to exist. Places to belong.

And the window… His gaze settled there longest. Large enough to let the fading evening light spill inside, overlooking the city beyond. Cars moving below, lights glowing warmly against the darkening streets, people continuing on with their lives. A world outside. One he was finally part of now. (Y/n) looked at him quietly, her expression softening more with every second. His ears twitched faintly in his fluffy hair, little uneven movements like he was trying to process too many emotions at once. His tail swayed slowly behind him at first. Then faster. And faster. The movement gradually picking up speed until it became impossible to miss how happy he was trying and failing to contain. (Y/n) felt warmth bloom in her chest at the sight.

Then suddenly Yudai turned toward her, a bright smile finally breaking fully across his face, unrestrained and overwhelming in the best way. Before she could say anything, he crossed the room quickly and wrapped his arms around her again. (Y/n) laughed softly as she hugged him back immediately, her arms settling around him without hesitation now, like it was already becoming natural. Yudai held onto her tightly, his tail practically wagging behind him now. And for the first time since bringing him here, she felt the last of her doubts disappear completely. This was right. She knew it now. Her hand slid gently into his hair for a second, fingers brushing softly near one twitching ear as she smiled against him. “Welcome home,” she whispered.

The days passed quickly. Too quickly. Like time had decided not to give either of them a chance to properly process anything. Niki and (Y/n) settled into something that almost resembled normal again. Almost. They talked. Ate together. Went to practice. Laughed, sometimes. But there was something underneath it all. Something unspoken. Something neither of them dared to touch.

For Niki, the hardest part was the scent. It clung to her. Every day. Citrus. Wolf. Euijoo. It followed her into the apartment, into the car, into every shared space between them. And every time Niki caught it, something in him twisted. Sharp. Unpleasant. Instinctive. He hated it. But, he endured it. Forced himself to. Because somewhere along the way, he had found something new in himself. Patience. Or at least, the beginning of it.

Fate wouldn’t do this without a reason. That’s what he kept telling himself. Maybe this was a lesson. A punishment, even. He had always gotten what he wanted. When he wanted it. Without much resistance. Maybe now, fate had decided to challenge him. To force him to grow. To struggle. To learn.

And more than anything… He had made a decision. A hard one. If, in the end, (Y/n) didn’t choose him, then he would stay. Not as her mate. But as her friend. As long as she was happy… He would have to learn to be content with that. It wouldn’t be easy. Not even close. But vampires could survive without their mates. It hurt. At first, it would feel unbearable. Like losing a part of yourself. But they adapted. They always did. Werewolves, on the other hand… Didn’t have that luxury. They needed their mate. They couldn’t just exist beside them without claiming them. And that thought, it lingered in Niki’s mind. Because Euijoo didn’t act like that.

If anything… He was too calm. Too understanding. Too okay with everything. Even though he knew. About Niki. About what he was. About the fact that (Y/n) lived with him. It didn’t make sense. A wolf should be territorial. Protective. Possessive, even. But Euijoo… Wasn’t. And that unsettled Niki more than anything else. Still, Niki didn’t let himself dwell on it too much. Instead, he buried himself in everything else. Dance practice. Classes. The gym. Extra hours. Extra reps. Pushing his body until his muscles burned, until exhaustion drowned out his thoughts. Anything, to stop thinking about her.

And before he knew it, tt was Wednesday. Audition day. Niki sat in a chair, lined up with the rest of the team. Kei at the center. The others beside him. A long table in front of them. Papers. Pens. Lists of names. All of them ready to judge. To decide who was worthy of joining their crew. (Y/n) was running around the room, making sure everything was in order. People lined up correctly. Groups separated. Solo dancers, ready. Pairs standing where they were supposed to. She moved from one end of the room to the other, checking names, fixing small mistakes, guiding people who looked lost.

It was a lot. But she handled it. Heeseung walked over to her, rolling up the sleeves of his hoodie. “I’ll help,” he said. (Y/n) looked at him, a bit surprised. “You don’t have to.” He shrugged lightly. “I said I would. And… this is kind of my fault anyway.” (Y/n) shook her head. “It’s not your fault.” But she still handed him a list. “Fine, then help me organize the duos. They’re a mess.” He smiled slightly. “Got it.”

Soon enough, everything was ready. People were in place. The team was seated. The energy in the room buzzed with nerves and excitement. But just as they were about to start, the door opened. Heads turned. First, Aya walked in. Kei immediately stood up, his face lighting up. “Hey, you said you couldn’t come.” Aya grinned. “Surprise.” A few of the others laughed, greeting her. Then, (Y/n)’s eyes shifted to the person behind her. And she smiled. “Euijoo.” He walked over to her, holding out a cup. “Iced coffee,” he said. “Just how you like it. Figured you might need it.” (Y/n)’s smile softened as she took it. “Thank you,” she said, stepping forward to hug him. Without thinking, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

Across the room, Niki saw it. His grip tightened instantly. The straw between his teeth bent under the pressure as he bit down on it, hard. For a split second, he wanted to get up. To walk over. To do something. Anything. But he didn’t. He stayed in his seat. Forcing himself to stay still. To stay quiet. To keep everything under control.

Euijoo and Aya moved over to the side, sitting down to watch. Supportive. Relaxed. Like they belonged there. (Y/n) took a sip of her drink, trying to refocus. For a moment, she almost forgot how strange it had felt when she first found out. That Euijoo knew them. Knew the team. It had been a bit of a shock. But thinking about it now, it made sense. He and Aya were both teaching majors. Different subjects, sure. But similar in personality. Kind. Patient. Easy to talk to. Of course, they’d be friends.

With that, the auditions started. First up were the groups. Music filled the room, one group after another stepping forward, performing the routines they had prepared. Some were clearly practiced together, moving in sync, their timing sharp. Others looked like they had just been thrown together, missing beats, bumping into each other, struggling to find cohesion. The team watched closely. Pens moving across paper. Names being circled. Notes scribbled quickly. Who stood out? Who blended too much into the background. Who had strong execution. Who lacked control. And sometimes, those who simply didn’t fit. (Y/n) sat with them, watching just as carefully. Even without much technical dance knowledge, she could see it. The difference between someone who had trained, and someone who hadn’t. The confidence. The presence. After five groups, they paused briefly before moving on.

Next came the duos. These brought a bit more excitement. There was something more personal about them. The chemistry between two dancers either worked… or it didn’t. Some pairs moved like they had danced together for years. Others felt stiff. Disconnected. The team leaned forward more during these. More whispers. More exchanged looks. More notes. After a short break, it was time for solo auditions. And here… It became very clear who had it and who didn’t.  Some dancers stepped forward and owned the space immediately. Confidence radiating off them, movements clean, controlled, expressive. Others… Fell apart. Missed steps. Lost rhythm. Looked unsure. Even (Y/n) could tell. Who lived up to expectations, and who didn’t.

Hours passed. Music after music. Name after name. Until finally, it was over. The room quieted. The last dancer left. And the team, along with Heeseung and (Y/n), gathered in a circle. Papers spread out between them. Pens tapping lightly. They began comparing notes. Discussing. Agreeing. Disagreeing. Crossing names out. Circling others. It didn’t take too long before patterns started to show. Certain names came up again and again. And eventually, they narrowed it down. Five candidates. Nicholas, Fuma, Yeonjun, Hyunjin, and Yunho.

Jake leaned forward slightly, tapping his pen against the paper. “Based on what I saw,” he said, “Nicholas, Fuma, and Yeonjun are the top contenders.” He glanced around at the others. “They fit our style the best.” Most of the team nodded in agreement. There was a quiet understanding in the circle. Kei rested his arms on his knees, thinking. “I agree,” he said. “But I also really liked the other two.” He glanced down at the names. “Hyunjin and Yunho have a kind of charisma that’s hard to ignore.” A few of the others nodded at that. “They stand out,” Kei continued. “But we have to think about the team as a whole.” He looked back up. “And if I’m being honest, Nicholas and Fuma fit into the group the easiest.” More nods followed.

Heeseung spoke next. “As I mentioned before,” he said, “I’d heard about two really strong dancers here at uni.” He tapped lightly on the names. “Nicholas and Fuma.” He gave a small smile. “They definitely lived up to expectations.” Slowly, the attention shifted. All eyes turned to (Y/n). Niki inhaled quietly, steadying himself before speaking. “What do you think?” (Y/n) tilted her head slightly, looking down at her notes. “I don’t know…” she admitted. “I’m not a dancer. I don’t really understand all the technical stuff.”

She paused, flipping through a page. “But… the ones who really caught my attention were Nicholas and Fuma.” She hesitated. “Maybe Yeonjun too.” Jay smiled slightly, leaning back. “So,” he said, “as our manager, you told us to find one main member, and maybe one or two extras.” He looked at her. “What do you think now?” (Y/n) looked down again, thinking for a moment longer. Then she spoke. “Honestly… I think the team would look better with an uneven number.” A few brows raised. “Like eleven instead of ten,” she continued. “For formations.” She glanced around at them. “And if you have that many members… maybe you don’t even need extras.”

The room went quiet for a second. Then Kei nodded slowly. A small smile forming. “We really did pick the right person for this job,” he said. (Y/n) blinked slightly. “What?” Kei chuckled. “You know more about this than you think.” He gestured lightly to the group. “Because everything you just said…” He looked around. “Is exactly what the rest of us were thinking, too.”

(Y/n) smiled, looking around at them. “Okay… so what now?” Niki stretched his arms above his head, leaning back slightly in his chair. “We announce that we want those two,” he said. “Thank everyone else for auditioning.” He rolled his shoulders. “And then we start training. We’ve got a lot to fix now that we’re adding another person to the choreo.” Kei clapped his hands once, grinning. “Correct!” Then he glanced around the group. “I hate to ask this, since we’ve already been here for hours… but could Niki, Yuma, and Jay stay behind for a bit?” The three looked up. “So we can start adjusting the choreography.” They nodded without hesitation. “Yeah, sure.” “No problem.”

Niki’s gaze shifted to (Y/n). He hesitated for a second. Then forced himself to speak. “Um… do you want to wait?” he asked. “Or are you getting a ride from Euijoo?” The words tasted bitter. But he said them anyway. Act normal. Be okay. (Y/n) glanced over to where Euijoo and Aya were sitting. “I can ask him if he can give me a ride,” she said. Niki nodded. “Alright. I’ll be home later then.” “Okay,” she replied, giving him a small smile.

She said goodbye to the rest of the team before walking over to Euijoo. “Hey,” she said. “Would you mind giving me a ride home?” Euijoo smiled immediately. “Of course not.” He stood up, stretching slightly. “Come on,” he added. “We can grab some burgers on the way or something. I’m starving.” (Y/n) laughed. “You’re always hungry.” But she nodded. “But, yeah… that sounds nice.”

From across the room, Niki watched them. The way they stood close. The way they smiled at each other. Easy. Natural. Happy. His hand curled into a fist at his side. It still hurts. More than he wanted to admit. But he forced himself to stay still. Forced himself to focus on one thing. Her happiness. If she were smiling like that… Then maybe this was what he had to accept. So he stayed where he was. In the background. In the shadow. Trying to find some kind of peace in it. Even if it wasn’t the place he wanted to be.

Kei stood up, brushing his hands together before stepping out into the hallway where the auditioning dancers were still gathered. The room quieted almost immediately. Everyone straightened up. Waiting. Watching. Kei smiled politely. “First of all, thank you to everyone who auditioned,” he said. “You all did really well, and it wasn’t an easy decision.” A few people shifted nervously. “The two we’ve chosen to join the team are… Nicholas and Fuma.” A mix of reactions spread through the crowd. Some cheers. Some disappointed sighs. A few groans about it being unfair. But Nicholas and Fuma stepped forward, both smiling, clearly relieved. “Thank you,” they said. Kei nodded, smiling back. “We’ll see you tomorrow at practice. We’ll go over everything then.”

As the crowd slowly dispersed, conversations filling the hallway, Kei made his way back into the dance room. The others followed soon after. With Yuma, Niki, and Jay staying behind as planned. They gathered around, replaying parts of their choreography, stepping through formations, discussing placements. “Here,” Jay said, pointing. “We can open this up.” “And shift this line,” Yuma added. Niki stayed mostly quiet, but when he spoke, it was precise. Focused. Like he was pouring everything into it. Anything to keep his mind from wandering. They worked for another hour. Then another. Until finally, exhaustion caught up with them. “Alright,” Kei said, clapping his hands lightly. “Let’s call it a night.”

By the time Niki got home, the apartment was quiet. Still. He slipped inside, kicking off his shoes without making much noise. The lights were dim. Everything calm. He glanced toward (Y/n)’s door. Closed. He already knew that she was asleep. He stood there for a second. Then turned away. In his room, he sat down on the edge of his bed, letting out a slow breath. His shoulders slumped slightly. No matter how much he tried to convince himself… No matter how many times he repeated it in his head…

Living like this, watching her from a distance. Pretending it was enough, it was harder than he thought. Much harder. It wasn’t just uncomfortable. It hurt. Deeply. In a way, he didn’t think he could ever get used to. And even though he would never say it out loud, it hurt more than he ever wanted anyone to know.

~~~

The next day, after classes, the dance team found themselves sitting in a circle on the floor. It was meant to be a small “get to know each other” session for the two new members. But it quickly turned into (Y/n) being the one asking most of the questions. And answering them. Because Nicholas and Fuma already seemed familiar with most of the team. They greeted people easily, joked a little, slipped into the group dynamic without much effort.

What (Y/n) didn’t know was that they fit in so naturally for a reason. Just like the rest of the team, they weren’t human either. They were werewolves, like Kei, Yuma, and Taki. Not from the same pack, but close enough in nature to understand each other, to blend in without friction. It made things easier.

Nicholas leaned back slightly, resting his arms behind him. “I’ve done a lot of b-boying,” he said. “and then mostly hip hop.” He shrugged lightly. “But I pick up new styles pretty fast.” (Y/n) nodded, making a mental note. “That’s good, we’ll probably throw a lot at you.” Fuma smiled next, sitting a bit more upright. “I’ve done a bit of everything,” he said. “Mostly hip hop and groove.” He paused. “And some acrobatics.” That caught a few reactions from the group. “I’ve also worked as a dance teacher during summers and breaks,” he added. “So I’m used to making choreography too.” (Y/n)’s eyes lit up slightly. “Oh, that’s really useful.” “And I learn fast,” Fuma finished with a small smile.

(Y/n) smiled, glancing between them. “Well… I’m very new as a manager,” she admitted. “So I might mess some things up.” A few of the guys chuckled. “But I’m doing my best,” she added. Then her expression brightened. “Oh, and we should totally have you guys in our next TikTok dance challenge.” She pointed between them. “To introduce you to your fans.” Jake immediately grinned. “Yes, content.” Sunoo clapped lightly. “I love that idea.” The group buzzed with energy again, already starting to throw around ideas, as Nicholas and Fuma exchanged amused looks, clearly ready to be pulled into whatever chaos this team brought with it.

Niki and Kei stood up, motioning for Nicholas and Fuma to join them. “Let’s run through the challenge choreo first,” Kei said. The two new members stepped forward without hesitation. Across the room, the rest of the team began stretching, loosening up as they prepared to go over the routine for the upcoming showcase. 

(Y/n) sat off to the side with her notebook and phone, going over everything they had coming up. There was a lot. Kei had signed up for the marathon in two days. That same day, a few of the guys needed to be at the university soccer game to show support. The day after that, most of them were booked by the fashion department to work as models. And then on Sunday, the official registration for the showcase opened, which meant she had to make sure everything was submitted on time. She let out a small breath. It was a lot. But she could handle it. She just had to stay organized.

Meanwhile, Niki and Kei walked Nicholas and Fuma through the choreography. They demonstrated first, then broke it down step by step. “Counts matter here,” Niki said, watching closely as they tried it. Fuma picked it up quickly, adjusting almost instantly. Nicholas followed just as fast, already adding his own style into the movements without breaking the structure. It didn’t take long. Soon enough, Kei nodded. “Alright, that’s good.” Niki glanced toward (Y/n). “Manager, come film, we’re ready.” (Y/n) stood up, grabbing her phone. They lined up, running through the challenge. Once. Then again. Two takes. Clean. Sharp. Everyone satisfied. “That’s it,” Jake called from the side. (Y/n) smiled, already typing as she posted it, adding a caption introducing the four members in the video.

Then came the real work. The full team gathered. Eleven now. They stepped into formation. At first, it should have felt off. Different. But surprisingly, it didn’t. There was a natural synergy between them. Movements adjusted smoothly. Lines shifted. Spacing changed without too much struggle. It wasn’t perfect yet, but it worked. And more importantly, they all got along. Nicholas and Fuma blended into the group easily, joking along, listening, adapting. It felt like they had been there longer than just a day.

~~~

Friday came around quickly. (Y/n) and Sophia were walking across campus, talking about nothing in particular, heading toward lunch. It felt normal. Easy. Until it wasn’t. A group of guys suddenly stepped in front of them. Then more moved in from the sides. Blocking their path. Surrounding them. (Y/n)’s steps slowed, until she stopped. Her stomach dropped. She recognized them. Every single one. They had all auditioned. And they had all been rejected. None of them looked happy about it. Their expressions were tight. Frustrated. Angry.

One of them stepped forward. He looked the worst. Jaw clenched. Eyes sharp. (Y/n)’s chest tightened. Why are they here? What do they want? Before she could react, his hand landed on her shoulder. Heavy. Firm. Too firm. Her body froze instantly. Her breath caught in her throat. “We have some questions for you,” he said. His tone was cold. Unfriendly. Demanding. (Y/n) tried to respond. But nothing came out. Her throat felt like it was closing. Like she couldn’t get enough air in. She barely managed to breathe.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another guy step in front of Sophia. Cutting off any chance of escape. Sophia stiffened. (Y/n)’s heart started racing. Fast. Too fast. Her hands trembled at her sides. She forced herself to look up at the guy in front of her. Her entire body shaking. Then, barely, she nodded. Just a little. Hoping that if she listened. If she cooperated. They would leave.

On another part of campus, Niki stopped mid-step. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. A sudden wave hit him. It was sharp, overwhelming: Fear. But not his own. His chest tightened. His instincts flared. His eyes darkened slightly. It wasn’t his, which could only mean one thing. (Y/n).

Niki ran. Faster than he ever had before. Faster than he cared to control. The world blurred around him, people turning their heads too late to even register what passed them. His focus was locked on one thing only. Her. The pull in his chest burned, guiding him, dragging him forward like a leash he couldn’t break even if he wanted to.

(Y/n) felt like she was about to cry. The guy in front of her kept talking. No. Accusing. “Why did you sabotage my chance?” he snapped. “You think you can just decide who gets in?” (Y/n) tried to answer. Tried to speak. But her throat wouldn’t cooperate. Every word got stuck. Her chest tightened, breaths shallow and uneven. “I didn’t…” she tried. Nothing came out. Her lips trembled. Her vision blurred slightly as panic set in deeper. She couldn’t even defend herself.

A small crowd had started to gather. People slowing down. Watching. Whispering. Among them, Euijoo stepped closer, his brows furrowing as he took in the scene. Something felt off. Wrong. Then he saw it. A flash. Too fast for human eyes. But not for his. Niki. Before anyone could react, Niki was there. He pushed through the circle without hesitation, bodies shifting under the force of his movement. His hand shot out. Grabbing the guy by the collar. And yanking him away from (Y/n). Hard.

The guy stumbled back, caught off guard. Niki stepped in front of her instantly. Blocking her completely. Protective. Dangerous. His posture tense, shoulders tight, every part of him screaming a warning. “What the fuck is going on?” he said. His voice was low. Sharp. Laced with venom. Niki had a few inches on the guy. Enough to make the difference feel bigger than it was. Enough to make him look even more intimidating. And right now, he looked terrifying. His body was tense, almost trembling, not from fear, but from the sheer force of the rage running through him. It vibrated under his skin, barely contained. Then he smelled it. Her. The scent hit him like a punch. Sour. Sharp. Fear. Anxiety. It clung to her, rolled off her in waves, and something inside him snapped even further. He bit down hard on his own tongue, tasting blood, trying to ground himself. Trying not to lose control.

The guy in front of him scoffed. Even now. Even with Niki standing there. “You think you can just,” he started, then sneered. “That bitch ruined my chance of being recognized.” Everything went still. For half a second. Niki’s eyes darkened. Then he moved. His fist connected with the guy’s face before anyone could react. A sickening crack echoed as the guy was thrown to the ground. Hard. Blood spilled from his mouth instantly. The crowd gasped. But Niki didn’t stop. The guy tried to fight back. Tried to swing. Tried to scramble up. But it was useless. He didn’t stand a chance.

Niki was faster. Stronger. And right now, completely consumed by anger. Another hit. Then another. Each one heavier than the last. Controlled rage slipping further and further out of control. In the chaos, Niki didn’t notice the others arriving. Didn’t see them push through the crowd. Jake and Sunoo moved first, getting to (Y/n) and Sophia. “Come on,” Jake said, gently but firmly, pulling (Y/n) away. Sunoo stayed close, guiding Sophia with him, putting distance between them and the fight. Around them, the rest of the team stepped in. “Back off,” Jay snapped at the crowd. “Show’s over.” “Move,” Jungwon added, his voice loud, forcing people away.

Kei and Jay reached Niki next. They grabbed him. Hard. Pulling him back. But Niki fought against it. Not thinking. Not seeing. He felt like a rabid animal, teeth bared, instincts screaming. He wasn’t done. He wanted more. He wanted blood. He wanted to end it. He wanted to kill the guy. “Enough!” Kei snapped, tightening his grip. Jay held on just as firmly, dragging him back another step.

On the other side, Yuma and Sunghoon moved quickly. They grabbed the injured guy before things could escalate further. He was barely conscious. Bleeding. They exchanged a quick look. They understood. Why Niki had reacted. But they couldn’t let it go further. So they lifted the guy and carried him off toward the infirmary.

Euijoo stood slightly to the side. Watching everything. Silent. Observing. The speed. The strength. The way Niki moved. The way he lost control. And more importantly, the reason behind it. Something clicked into place. And finally, he understood why Niki had been acting the way he had. Aya came running over, slightly out of breath, a couple of water bottles in her hands. She dropped down beside the girls immediately, handing one to Sophia and carefully placing another in (Y/n)’s lap.

“Hey… hey, it’s okay,” she said softly, her voice calm despite everything. She glanced up briefly at the guys, already knowing what had happened, but she didn’t say anything about it. Right now, that didn’t matter. She focused back on the girls. “You’re safe,” she added gently. A few steps away, Nicholas and Fuma stayed alert. Even though they were new to the team, they didn’t relax. Not yet. Some of the other guys who had surrounded (Y/n) and Sophia were still there, lingering, their hands twitching slightly like they were debating whether to step in. Whether to fight. Nicholas’ gaze sharpened. Fuma shifted his stance slightly. But the moment those guys really looked at the team, at their size, their presence, the way they stood together, ready, they hesitated. Then backed off. Deciding it wasn’t worth it.

Kei and Jay were still struggling with Niki. He was not calming down. His body fought against them, tension running through every muscle, his breathing uneven, eyes still dark with anger. Fuma stepped in quickly to help, grabbing onto Niki as well, adding more force to keep him in place. “Let it go,” Kei said firmly. But Niki barely seemed to hear him.

Nicholas moved in the opposite direction, walking over to the girls. He crouched down in front of them, keeping his voice calm. “Are you hurt?” Sophia shook her head quickly. “No… no, I’m okay,” she said, though her voice trembled. “Just… shocked. And scared.” Nicholas nodded, then looked at (Y/n). She didn’t answer. Didn’t move. Her eyes were unfocused, her body still shaking. She wasn’t okay.

Euijoo stepped forward slowly. Guilt sat heavy in his chest. He felt stupid. Ashamed. He should have done something. Should have stepped in. Protected her. Instead, he had stood there. Watched. While someone else did it. His jaw tightened slightly at the thought. Pathetic. Still, he moved closer, lowering himself beside her. “Hey…” he said softly. “It’s okay. It’s over now.” (Y/n) leaned into him. Without hesitation. Letting herself be pulled into his arms. And finally, the tears came. Uncontrolled. Heavy. Everything she had been holding back broke free at once. Euijoo held her gently. Carefully. Trying to comfort her. But deep down, he knew. This wasn’t his place.

Some teachers arrived soon after. A bit too late. Taki and Jungwon exchanged a look, both thinking the same thing. Useless. They should have been there earlier. The teachers quickly took control of the situation. Their eyes landed on Niki almost immediately, and despite not being the one who started everything, it was obvious who had done the most damage. They pulled him away, telling him he needed to come with them. To the principal. Niki didn’t resist.

What was he supposed to say? That he was a vampire? That the girl being threatened was his mate? That something inside him forced him to protect her? He almost scoffed at the thought. They would think he was insane. So he stayed quiet. Accepted it. At least he had calmed down enough to think clearly again. And more importantly, he had seen that (Y/n) was unharmed. That was all that mattered. Even if it hurt to see her in Euijoo’s arms instead of his own.

Meanwhile, other teachers approached (Y/n) and Sophia, asking them to come along as well to explain what had happened. (Y/n) hesitated at first, but when Euijoo stayed close, she agreed to go. He was allowed to come with them, since she clearly wasn’t willing to move without him. After some time, everything had been talked through. Explained. Piece by piece. Niki stood in front of the principal, listening quietly. In the end, he was given detention. A warning followed, strict and serious. Another incident like this, and he would be expelled. No exceptions. Still, considering the circumstances, the punishment was lighter than it could have been.

The other student had already been taken to the hospital. It looked like a broken nose, maybe damage to his teeth. Nothing life-threatening. But serious enough. He would face consequences too. Just not immediately. (Y/n) and Sophia were told they could take the rest of the day off. To rest. To recover. But as they stepped out, neither of them felt like resting. Their bodies were still tense. Their minds still replaying everything. The fear hadn’t faded yet. Not even close.

After some discussion, the girls decided to go back to (Y/n) and Niki’s place. Neither of them wanted to be alone after what had happened. Staying together felt safer, even if neither of them said it out loud. Euijoo offered to come with them, but he hesitated. “I still have classes,” he said, almost like he was trying to convince himself. (Y/n) stepped closer and hugged him. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “You’ve done enough today.” Euijoo wrapped his arms around her for a moment, then nodded. “Text me when you get home.” “I will.” The girls left in Sophia’s car, the ride quieter than usual. Neither of them had much energy to talk. Every now and then, Sophia glanced over, just to make sure (Y/n) was still okay. She wasn’t. But she was trying.

Back on campus, Euijoo stood still for a moment after they left. Thinking. There was something he couldn’t ignore anymore. The way Niki had reacted. The way he moved. The way he lost control. And most of all, why. Euijoo exhaled slowly. He needed to talk to him. He just didn’t know how to start that conversation. But for some reason, Euijoo hesitated. Something in him resisted. He knew what he should do. He knew he should talk to Niki. Clear things up. Do the right thing. But he couldn’t. Not yet.

The thought of it made his chest tighten. So instead, he chose something else. He chose himself. He went to his classes. Forced his focus onto lectures, notes, anything that could distract him from the weight sitting in his mind. And from her. From the situation. He just wanted more time. Needed it. Even if that made him selfish. He knew he couldn’t avoid it forever. That conversation with Niki would come. But not today. Today, he let himself be selfish.

Kei gave Niki the rest of the day off. There was no point in forcing him to train. Not after what had happened. “Go home,” Kei had said. “Check on her.” Niki didn’t argue. When he got back to the apartment, it was quiet. Not empty. Just… softer. He stepped inside and found (Y/n) and Sophia in the living room, sitting close together on the couch, a cartoon playing on the TV. Something light. Something safe. Something comforting. It made sense. After everything, they needed that. Niki stood there for a second before walking over. “Hi,” he said quietly. (Y/n) turned her head to look at him. “Hi.” Her voice was softer than usual. But steady.

She couldn’t stop thinking about earlier. About the way he had appeared. So suddenly. So fiercely. How he had stepped in front of her without hesitation. How he had hit the other guy. The force behind it. The anger. The power. She thought it would scare her. Seeing him like that. So uncontrolled. So dangerous. But now, looking at him standing there, a bit unsure, a bit quiet, like he didn’t know what to do with himself, she didn’t feel scared. Not even a little. If anything… She felt the same comfort she had felt since the day she moved in. Like being near him was still the safest place she could be.

Niki glanced between them. “Have you eaten anything?” he asked. (Y/n) shook her head slightly. “Just some snacks, nothing proper.” Niki nodded. “Do you want me to order something?” Before (Y/n) could answer, Sophia stood up from the couch, stretching a little. “I should head home,” she said. “But thanks.” Niki gave a small nod. (Y/n) looked over at him. “I’m kind of hungry,” she admitted quietly. For a split second, Niki almost smiled. He knew. He could tell. But he kept it to himself. “I’ll order your favorite,” he said instead. (Y/n) gave him a small smile. “Thank you.” She stood up and hugged Sophia tightly. “Text me when you get home.” “I will,” Sophia said, squeezing her back before heading out.

Once the door closed, the apartment felt quieter. (Y/n) sat back down on the couch, pulling her legs up slightly. Niki hesitated for a moment. “Can I sit?” he asked. (Y/n) nodded, patting the spot beside her. He sat down carefully, leaving just a bit of space between them. “How are you doing?” he asked. (Y/n) shrugged, staring down at her hands. “I feel… everything,” she said. “Upset. Scared. Angry.”

She let out a shaky breath. “Stupid.” Niki frowned slightly. “I shouldn’t have frozen like that,” she continued. “I couldn’t even speak.” Niki listened quietly. He understood. More than she knew. But what she was describing wasn’t weakness. It was normal. Being surrounded. Being threatened. Freezing was just as real a response as fighting or running. “There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said gently. (Y/n) sniffed, her eyes starting to fill again. “I hate it,” she whispered.

Her voice cracked. Niki didn’t say anything else. He just opened his arms. And without hesitation, (Y/n) leaned into him. Like it was instinct. Like it was where she belonged. She started crying again, the tears coming just as strongly as before. She thought she was done. But she wasn’t. Niki held her carefully, one arm around her shoulders, the other moving slowly up and down her back. Steady. Grounding. He didn’t rush her. Didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. Because right now, his presence alone was enough.

After a few minutes, (Y/n)’s crying slowed. Then stopped. Her breathing evened out, but she didn’t move. She stayed right where she was, tucked into Niki’s arms, her head resting against him. She didn’t feel like letting go. And Niki definitely wasn’t going to be the one to pull away. If anything, he held her a little closer, quietly soaking in the moment, the closeness he had wanted for so long.

The doorbell rang, a little while later. The sound cut through the quiet. (Y/n) groaned softly, tightening her hold for a second. “Stay,” she mumbled, her voice still a bit thick from crying. Niki let out a quiet breath. “I need to get the food,” he said gently. (Y/n) pouted but slowly pulled away from him, curling slightly into herself as she let him go. Niki jogged to the door, grabbed the food from the delivery guy, and headed back quickly. “There,” he said as he walked back in, holding up the bags. “I’m back. With food.” (Y/n) smiled faintly. 

But he noticed it. The way her eyes looked tired. Heavy. The exhaustion from crying. From everything that had happened that day. As they started eating, something came to his mind. Something his older sister used to say when he was younger. After long, stressful days, a warm bath always helped. He glanced at her. “Do you like baths?” he asked. (Y/n) shrugged, picking at her food. “I haven’t really had many,” she said. “Most places I’ve lived only had a normal shower.” Niki nodded. Then asked, a bit more carefully, “Would you like to take a warm bath? I have a tub in my bathroom,” She looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “You do?” she asked. Niki smiled slightly. “Yeah.”

(Y/n) took another bite, chewing slowly as she thought about it. She hadn’t really been in his room. Not properly. Just a quick glance when Jungwon had shown her around before she moved in. She had never stepped into his bathroom. And while a bath did sound nice… Doing it in his space felt a little strange. “I don’t know,” she said. It wasn’t really an answer. But Niki understood. “It won’t be weird,” he said softly. “I’ll stay out here. You can take your time.” He paused, then added, “Or I can go down to the gym if that makes you more comfortable.” (Y/n) looked at him for a moment. Then nodded. “Okay… it does sound nice.”

Niki smiled a little. “Do you want me to leave, or just stay in the living room?” (Y/n) shrugged lightly. “I don’t care. I trust you not to be weird.” Niki let out a small laugh. “Glad to know I’m not a freaky, inappropriate guy anymore,” (Y/n) groaned, immediately regretting bringing that up. “You have to forget about that, okay?” Niki tilted his head, pretending to think. “Nah. It’s too fun.” (Y/n) grabbed a tomato from the food and tossed it at him. “Shut up.” Niki caught it easily, laughing. “Okay, okay. I’ll behave.” He stood up, stretching slightly. “I’ll show you how everything works when you’re ready.”

After they finished eating, (Y/n) went to her room to grab her things. A change of clothes, some toiletries, a towel. Simple stuff. When she came back out, Niki was already standing by his door, waiting. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit awkward. “It’s a bit messy in there,” he said. “So… don’t judge.” (Y/n) gave him a small nod. “I won’t.” He opened the door and stepped inside, letting her follow. She looked around briefly. Messy was definitely an exaggeration. There was a bag on the floor, a few notes scattered across his desk, but everything else was clean. It felt lived in, not messy. (Y/n) didn’t comment.

Niki walked further in and opened the door to his bathroom. (Y/n) blinked. It was… big. Way bigger than hers. It looked like something out of a spa, clean surfaces, soft lighting, and a large tub that immediately caught her attention. Niki walked over to it, crouching slightly as he pointed things out. “This controls the temperature,” he said. “And this fills it.” He pressed a button lightly. “And this is for the jets.” (Y/n) raised her eyebrows. “Of course it has jets,” she muttered under her breath. Stupid rich kid. Niki didn’t catch it, or at least pretended not to. “That should be everything,” he said, standing up. “I’ll be outside. Take your time.” (Y/n) nodded. “Thank you.” He gave her a small smile before stepping out, first from the bathroom, then from his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

(Y/n) let out a quiet breath once she was alone. The silence felt different in here. Calmer. She set her things down and turned to the tub, starting the water. Warm steam began to rise as it filled. After a moment, she undressed and stepped in carefully. The warmth wrapped around her almost instantly. And for the first time that day… Her body began to relax. As she sank deeper into the warm water, (Y/n) let out a slow breath. Her body relaxed. But her mind didn’t. It went right back to earlier. To everything that had happened. And more specifically… To the difference between them: Euijoo and Niki.

Euijoo had been there after. He had held her. Comforted her. Spoken softly. But he hadn’t been the one who stepped in. He hadn’t been the one who stopped it. That had been Niki. Niki, who must have run across campus. She still didn’t understand how fast he had gotten there. Niki, who pushed into a crowd of angry guys without hesitation. Not caring about the odds. Not caring about the consequences. Niki, who stepped right in front of her. Shielding her. Blocking her from their eyes, from their anger. Niki, who didn’t let anyone talk about her like that. Niki, who threw the first punch without even thinking twice. Niki, who risked everything. His place at the university. His future. All of it. Just to protect her.

Her grip tightened slightly against the edge of the tub. It was always him. Every thought. Every memory. Every comparison. Niki. Again. And again. And again. Her plan wasn’t working. Drowning herself in Euijoo. Forcing herself to focus on him. To feel something stronger for him. It wasn’t working. Because no matter what she did… Her mind always went back.

And then there was something else. Something she hadn’t wanted to think about. But couldn’t ignore. Euijoo had been there. Close enough to reach her quickly. Which meant… He had seen it. He had seen what was happening. And he hadn’t stepped in. (Y/n) swallowed, her chest tightening slightly.

She tried to reason with it. Maybe he was shocked. Maybe he didn’t know what to do. Maybe… But the thought still lingered. Uncomfortable. Heavy. Because while Euijoo had stayed back… Niki had done the opposite. He hadn’t hesitated. Not even for a second. And for some reason… That left a sour feeling in her chest. One she couldn’t wash away. Not even in the warmth surrounding her.

~~~ The end of chapter 5 ~~~

Any thoughts on this one? 

what do you think will happen with Niki and Euijoo? 

With the new members of the team? 

The next morning didn’t go the way Niki had hoped. He had tried, really tried, to talk to her. To apologize, even if he still didn’t fully understand what he had done wrong. But (Y/n) avoided him. She barely looked at him, barely responded. And when it was time to leave? Sophia showed up, so that (Y/n) didn’t have to ride with him. Niki felt like a kicked puppy. Or even worse. He hadn’t slept properly. He hadn’t had his blood smoothie. And now his mood? Was terrible, irritable, and unstable.

By the time he got to class, it was already bad, and Jungwon and Taki didn’t help. They were joking around like usual, laughing, teasing. Normally, Niki would join in. Today, however, not so much. “Dude, you look like you’re about to murder someone,” Jungwon joked. Wrong move. Something in Niki snapped, not fully, but almost. His eyes flickered between brown and red. His body tensed, the air around him shifted. Taki noticed first, immediately going quiet. Jungwon followed a second later. But before anything could escalate, Sunghoon moved over to them. He stepped in, placing a hand on Niki’s shoulder. “Hey, calm down.” Simple, calm, and grounding. Niki’s instincts reacted immediately. Sunghoon was older. Stronger in presence. Someone to listen to. The tension slowly eased. His eyes returned to normal. And just like that, the moment passed. But the damage? Still there.

~~~

By lunch, the whole team was sitting together. The usual table. But the energy was off. Everyone could feel it. Yuma looked around, then asked casually, “Is (Y/n) joining us?” Niki shot him a sharp glare. Yuma blinked. “Okay, damn, it was only a question.” Kei leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. “What’s going on?” he asked calmly. No one spoke. But the tension was obvious. Kei’s gaze shifted to Niki. “We’re not taking this into practice,” he said. “So talk.” Niki sighed, running a hand through his hair before finally giving in. “Fine,” he muttered. “Yesterday… she got mad at me. Apparently, because of what I was wearing, but it seemed to be deeper than that.” A few of them already looked like they were about to laugh. “And this morning, she ignored me. Got Sophia to pick her up so she wouldn’t have to ride with me. She’s avoiding me.” 

There was silence for half a second. Then, the table erupted in loud, obnoxious laughter. Niki’s head snapped up, glaring at all of them. “Wow. Thanks for the support, guys.” There was an edge to his voice. Jay raised his hands slightly, still smirking. “Sorry, Niki, but… you’re kind of oblivious here.” Niki frowned. “Oblivious about what?” Kei leaned forward, calmer than the rest, though there was still a hint of amusement in his eyes. “As someone with a mate,” he said, “I know what you’re feeling.” Niki looked at him, waiting. “And what happened yesterday?” Kei continued. “That’s a sign.” “A sign of what?” Niki asked, frustrated. “That (Y/n) is starting to feel the bond,” Kei said simply. “Or… she’s falling for you, even without it. She was probably annoyed, because she was flustered.” Niki blinked. That… wasn’t what he expected. Then his expression twisted again. 

“Then why would she go kiss someone else?” This time, Kei really had to hold it in. He pressed his lips together, looking away for a second. “That,” he said, “you’re going to have to ask her.” Niki groaned, dropping his head onto the table with a dull thud. “I hate this,” he mumbled. Jake and Sunoo, sitting on either side of him, immediately leaned in. “Hey, it’s not that bad,” Jake said, patting his back. “Yeah,” Sunoo added, overly dramatic as always. “Love is a battlefield.” Niki didn’t react. Didn’t move. Because it wasn’t their comfort he wanted. And that just made everything worse.

~~~

Meanwhile, out on the campus lawn, (Y/n) sat with Sophia, poking at her lunch more than actually eating it. “And then he just sat there like he didn’t do anything wrong,” (Y/n) complained, throwing her hands up slightly. “Like walking around half naked is completely normal.” Sophia raised an eyebrow. “You call that half naked?” “You know what I mean,” (Y/n) muttered. Sophia took a bite of her food, watching her carefully. “Okay, but… why is it such a big problem that you find him attractive?” (Y/n) looked at her like she had just said something insane. “Because we don’t belong in the same world,” she said immediately. Sophia blinked. “That’s dramatic.” “I’m serious,” (Y/n) insisted. “If something happens and it doesn’t last, then what? I’d have to move out again. And he might start asking me to pay for things he’s covered. It would get messy.”

Sophia shook her head. “I really don’t think he’s like that.” (Y/n) shrugged. “Maybe not, but I don’t want to risk it.” Sophia hummed, thinking. “Okay,” she said after a moment. “If you can’t date him… then why don’t you date someone else?” (Y/n) frowned. “What?” “To get your mind off him,” Sophia said simply. (Y/n) opened her mouth to argue. Then paused. Thought about it. …It wasn’t the worst idea. There was a reason that saying existed. ‘The only way to get over someone, is to be under someone else’ or whatever it was. 

She sighed. “Okay… but who?” She looked around vaguely. “I don’t really know anyone I could date.” Sophia’s face lit up instantly. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for this.” (Y/n) narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?” Sophia was already pulling out her phone, scooting closer. “Option number one,” she said, turning the screen toward her. A guy, a picture, some details. “He’s in business, pretty chill, decent looking,” Swipe. “Option number two. Engineering. A bit quiet, but sweet,” (Y/n) stared at her. “Have you been scouting guys for me?” Sophia smiled innocently. “Maybe.”

After going through all fifteen options Sophia had somehow prepared, (Y/n) leaned back, overwhelmed. “Why do you even have this many?” she asked. Sophia just shrugged. “I like being prepared.” Eventually, one stood out. Euijoo, teaching major. He was cute, seemed kind. Gave of soft energy. (Y/n) tapped the screen. “This one… he seems nice.” Sophia’s eyes lit up immediately. “Yes. Good choice.” Before (Y/n) could even process what was happening, Sophia was already typing on her phone. “I’ll set you up on a date,” she said casually. “Wait, what?” (Y/n) blinked. Sophia didn’t even look up. “You’re free Thursday night, right?” “Uh… yeah,” (Y/n) said slowly. “After the dance team’s practice.” “Perfect,” Sophia said. “He’ll meet you by the gates, and you’ll go get dinner.” (Y/n) stared at her. “You’ve already booked it?”

Sophia turned her phone toward her. There it was. Messages. Euijoo: Sounds great, I’m looking forward to it. (Y/n) blinked again, then smiled slightly. “Wow… even his texts feel soft.” Sophia nodded proudly. “He’s adorable. A real softie. Total teddy bear.” (Y/n) looked at her, amused. “You’ve done your research.” “I met him at a party once,” Sophia said. “He was trying to keep two of his drunk friends from falling over and making sure they didn’t spill drinks on anyone.” She laughed a little. “He almost stepped on my foot, and even though he didn’t, he apologized like five times and said he’d buy me a drink someday.” (Y/n) shook her head, laughing. “Okay… that’s actually really cute.” She looked back at the picture. “Definitely different from Niki,” she said. Then added, a bit quieter, “But maybe that’s a good thing.” After getting Euijoo’s number from Sophia and texting with him for a bit, (Y/n) felt… lighter. It wasn’t like everything was magically fixed. But the constant loop in her head about Niki had quieted down. At least a little.

~~~

A few hours later, she walked into the practice room, and immediately noticed Niki. He looked… rough, tired, a bit off. Her chest tightened slightly. Was that because of me? She pushed the thought aside. She’d deal with it later. She set her bag down, pulling out her notebook before walking over to the group as they stretched. “Okay,” she said, getting their attention. “I double-checked the themes.” The guys looked up, listening. “So far, your dance is fine,” she continued. “But the outfits Jay showed me don’t match the theme.” Jay blinked. “What?” “You’re going too hip hop,” she explained. “The theme is supposed to be softer.”

The group murmured, nodding as they thought about it. Jake grinned. “See? This is why we need a smart girl on the team.” From across the circle, Niki shot him a glare. Jake ignored it completely. (Y/n) continued, flipping her notebook slightly before pulling up a picture on her phone. “I think something like this would work better.” She showed them a photo from their own social media. An older performance. Softer styling. More fluid. Kei leaned in, nodding. “Yeah… that makes sense.” He straightened up, thoughtful. “We should’ve thought of that ourselves. But we’ve been so focused on the choreography.” (Y/n) nodded. “That’s why I’m here.”

“And… there’s one more thing,” (Y/n) added, glancing around at all of them. They quieted down again. “I think you should consider holding auditions,” she said. “For one or two new members.” The room stilled slightly. “I know it feels weird,” she continued. “Because you want Heeseung back. But right now, he can’t be here.” Her voice softened a little. “And you feel that gap.” No one argued. “Also,” she added, “having backup members wouldn’t be a bad idea. You guys do a lot of stunts. If someone gets injured, you’ll need someone who can step in.” The guys exchanged looks. Taki was the first to nod. “It does feel weird… but she’s right.” He glanced around. “We need backup at least. Some of these moves are risky.”

Jake nodded. “Yeah, I almost died yesterday.” “You always almost die,” Jay muttered. “Rude,” Jake responded.  A few chuckles broke the tension. Then Kei looked at (Y/n), a small, bittersweet smile on his face. “This is what we needed,” he said. “Someone to tell us to get our shit together.” A few of the others nodded in agreement. “We’ve been putting it off,” Kei continued. “Even Heeseung told us to find someone to take his spot.” There was a short pause. Then he nodded once, more firmly. “So… if you can arrange auditions, we’ll do our best to be open-minded.” (Y/n) smiled, nodding back. “Alright. I’ll see what I can do.” 

Throughout practice, Niki had a hard time focusing. His eyes kept drifting to (Y/n). She seemed fine now. So… were they okay? She didn’t look upset anymore. But she also didn’t look at him. Not once. And that somehow made it worse. On top of that, he hadn’t had his blood smoothie that morning. He could feel it. The edge in his body. The irritation. The lack of control was simmering just under the surface. As his jump spin came up, he tried to focus. He ran. Jumped. Spun, but his attention slipped. Just for a second, toward her. And that was enough. His landing faltered. He lost balance, but, fortunately, Sunghoon and Yuma were fast, grabbing him and stabilizing him before he could crash. “Careful,” Sunghoon muttered. Niki clenched his jaw, frustrated. 

Across the room, Kei’s voice rang out.  “Break time.” (Y/n) looked up, confused. She glanced at the clock. Thirty minutes early. That wasn’t normal. Aya wasn’t even there to distract Kei. Something was wrong. She stood up, walking over to check. But stopped when she saw Kei pull Niki aside. His tone was firm. “Either you focus on the dance, or you sit this one out.” (Y/n)’s stomach dropped. Was she the reason for that? When Kei was done, she walked over. “Hey, can we talk?” Niki looked down at her. Nodded. Still silent. He felt off. Really off. The lack of blood. The irritation from the day. The frustration from her ignoring him. It was all stacking.

His fangs were already pressing forward, threatening to show. “I’m sorry,” (Y/n) began. “About yesterday. And this morning.” Niki stayed quiet. “I was in a bad mood, and I took it out on you. I’m sorry.” She looked up at him. “It’s your apartment. You can wear whatever you want.” Niki took a deep breath. Forcing control. Pushing his fangs back before they could show. “It’s okay,” he said, voice tight but softer than before. “I’m not mad.” He gave a small smile. “I’m just glad you’re feeling better.” (Y/n) smiled, relieved. “So… I can get a ride home with you?” Niki nodded, a bit quicker this time. “Of course.”

“Excuse me for a sec,” Niki said, before turning and walking over to Jay and Sunoo. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Do any of you have any blood on you?” Jay gave him a disappointed look immediately. “Why are you asking?” Niki sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t thinking this morning. Didn’t have any. I’m about five seconds from losing control.” Jay let out a breath. “I don’t have any on me. Sorry.” Sunoo shook his head as well. “Same. I only had my breakfast. Nothing extra.” He paused, then added, “Try Jake. He usually carries more.”

Niki nodded quickly, already moving. Jake looked up as he approached, giving him a small smile. “Yeah,” Jake said before Niki could even ask. “Come on. It’s in my locker.” They walked together. “It’s not a lot,” Jake added, opening it. “But it should be enough to get you through practice and the ride home.” Niki let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

After that, and after finally getting some blood into his system, the edge disappeared. The irritation faded. His control returned. And just like that, Niki was back to his perfect dancer self, sharp, precise, and focused. Still, something kept pulling at him. Between runs, between counts, between movements, his eyes drifted again, to her. (Y/n) was sitting off to the side. But this time, she was on her phone. More than usual. And every now and then, she smiled, and even giggled softly to herself. Something twisted in his chest. Who is she texting? A thought hit him. Jo? His jaw tightened. What if he likes her now? What if she likes him? The thoughts came fast. Unwanted. Uncontrolled. But Niki forced them down. Pushed them away. Focused. On the dance. Because that had to matter more, at least right now.

As practice was coming to an end, (Y/n) walked over to where the team had gathered. “Okay,” she said, glancing down at her calendar. “How would sometime next week look for auditions?” Everyone’s attention shifted to Kei. He thought for a moment before answering. “We need to give people enough time to prepare,” he said. “So maybe Wednesday or Thursday practice?” He looked around at the others. “That way we still get a few solid practice days in, and if we find someone, we have time to get used to them before anything important.” (Y/n) nodded. “Alright, perfect. I’ll have poster ready by tomorrow.” She looked up at them. “And we’ll put it on your social media too. I’m sure there are a lot of people who’d want to join you guys.” 

The group nodded, clearly satisfied. “Good work, manager,” Taki and Jake said at the same time, grinning. Sunoo smiled. “If you need help with anything, just tell us.” “Yeah,” Jay added. “Don’t do everything on your own.” Kei nodded. “Same here.” Jungwon and Sunghoon both gave their agreement as well. Yuma stretched a bit. “I’ve done enough,” he joked. Then laughed. “Nah, I’m in too. Just say the word.” Niki walked over, stopping beside (Y/n). “And you have me,” he said. “All the time.” (Y/n) laughed, looking around at all of them. “Alright,” she said. “Just wait until you all regret saying that.”

She continued, flipping through her notebook. “Because I did some research last night, and… a lot of the other teams in the upcoming showcase are doing way more to get attention than you guys are.” The group straightened a bit. “Like what?” Jungwon asked. “Well,” (Y/n) said, scanning her notes, “some teams are participating in a charity marathon in two weeks. Others are doing surprise performances out in the city.” She glanced up at them. “They’re also showing off their school colors more, and helping out other clubs and sports teams. Stuff like that.”

The group exchanged looks, clearly a bit surprised. “Wow,” Jake muttered. “Okay,” Kei said, nodding before clapping his hands once. “So what you’re saying is… we need to get our shit together on that too.” (Y/n) grinned slightly. “Ay ay, captain.” Kei smiled. “Sign me up for the marathon. If we still can. I’ll outrun them all.” (Y/n) checked her notes. “Sign-ups close tonight, so I’ll add you.” She looked around. “Anyone else?” Kei waved a hand. “I’m the best runner here. Just sign the others up for things that fit them.” (Y/n) nodded, already writing things down. “Okay… Niki, Sunghoon, and maybe one more…” She looked up. “The fashion department needs extra models next week. It would look really good if the dance team helped out.” Niki and Sunghoon nodded. “Sure,” Sunghoon said. “I can help too,” Sunoo added quickly. (Y/n) wrote it down. “Perfect.” She looked at the rest of them. “And the rest of you will do a smaller performance sometime in the next three weeks.” She closed her notebook slightly. “Okay?” Everyone nodded. “Sounds good.”

And just like that, practice was officially over. (Y/n) looked over at Niki. “Are you showering here or at home?” Niki smiled, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll shower at home.” He paused, smirking slightly. “Unless that’s… inappropriate.” (Y/n) groaned. “Don’t be mean.” He laughed. “Sorry, honey. I’ll play nice. For now.” She rolled her eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind it this time. “Come on,” Niki said, grabbing his bag properly. “Let’s go. I’m starving.” (Y/n) laughed as they headed out. “I’ll cook something good while you wash off all that sweat.” Niki smiled, falling into step beside her. It felt normal again. Easy. Like it had before. But, there was still something. He noticed it again. The way her attention drifted to her phone. The small smiles. The quiet little giggles. Something in his chest tightened. But he pushed it down. He reminded himself. He didn’t have any claim over her. He hadn’t asked her out. He hadn’t told her anything. He didn’t have the right to feel jealous. Still, he hoped. That whoever was making her smile like that, was someone good. Someone who wouldn’t hurt her.

~~~

While Niki was in the shower, (Y/n) stayed busy. She cooked dinner, moving around the kitchen with ease, while also working on her laptop, designing the poster for the auditions. Every now and then, she paused, thinking, making small adjustments. There were a few things she wasn’t sure about. So she decided to wait until Niki came out, so she could ask him. At the same time, her phone lit up. Euijoo. He had told her earlier he was doing an internship at a daycare. 

Now he was sending pictures of some kids’ drawings. She opened them, smiling instantly. “They’re supposed to be me,” he had written. (Y/n) laughed softly. None of them looked like him. At all. She quickly typed back. It feels like you’ve catfished me. If this is what you actually look like. A few seconds later, he replied with something equally silly. She couldn’t help it. She laughed, looking down at her phone.

That’s when Niki walked out. Hair still damp. Freshly showered. (Y/n) immediately put her phone down. “Ki, dinner’s ready,” she said. “And I have a question about the poster. Come take a look.” Niki paused for just a second. That laugh. It left a bad taste in his mouth. But he swallowed it. Walked over. “I’m here to inspect,” he said lightly. He leaned in. A bit too close. Subtle. Like he didn’t mean anything by it. But in reality, he was searching. Trying to catch a scent. Trying to figure out who she had been with. But all he found, was her. Sophia. And the faint traces of the dance team. Nothing else. And somehow, that didn’t make the feeling in his chest go away.

~~~

The night passed quickly. Before either of them really noticed, it was Wednesday morning. (Y/n) stood by the door, yawning, waiting for Niki as he gulped down his smoothie in the kitchen. She had stayed up late the night before, finishing the audition poster. Making sure it was perfect. And once it was done, she had sent it to the team, making sure they posted it on all their social media. Now all that was left, was to get physical copies up around campus.

Niki joined her, and the two of them headed to the library together. Once the posters were printed, he helped carry them, taking a large stack without complaint. (Y/n) spread them out on a table, quickly organizing them into piles. “Okay,” she said, focused. “One pile for you.” She handed it over. “The others are for the team.” She separated a few more. “And these three are mine. One for me, one for Sophia, and one…” she paused slightly, “I’ll try to find someone else to help with.” Niki nodded, but instead of just taking his share, he picked up all the piles. “I’ll give these to the others,” he said simply. (Y/n) smiled slightly. “Thanks.” He adjusted the stacks in his arms. “See you later,” he added. Then he turned, heading toward his class. (Y/n) watched him go for a second.

Then turned the other way. Heading to hers. On her way to class, (Y/n) adjusted the stack of posters in her arms, still a little tired from the night before. She wasn’t really paying attention. Until, she almost walked straight into someone. “Oh, sorry,” she said quickly, looking up. Euijoo. He smiled softly. “Good morning, (Y/n).” “Good morning, Euijoo” she replied, a little surprised. His eyes flicked down to the papers in her arms. “What’s all that?” “Oh,” she said, shifting them slightly. “Posters. For auditions. I’m helping manage the dance team now.” His smile brightened. “That’s really cool.” He paused for a second, then added, “I can help, if you want. I could put some up around the teaching department. Maybe someone there would be interested.”

(Y/n) blinked, then smiled. “Really? That would be great.” She handed him a few posters. “Thank you.” He took them carefully. Then, before leaving, he hesitated just slightly. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow,” he said. (Y/n) felt something flutter in her chest. “And now you’ve seen me in real life,” he added with a small smile, “so you know I’m not a catfish.” (Y/n) giggled. “I don’t know… you could still be wearing a mask.” Euijoo laughed softly. “Guess you’ll have to find out,” he said. “See you tomorrow.” “See you,” she replied. She watched him walk away for a second. He wasn’t Niki. Not at all. But, he sure made her feel something.

(Y/n) hurried to class, spotting Sophia already there. Before Sophia could even say anything, “You were right,” (Y/n) said, dropping into her seat. Sophia blinked. “About what?” “Maybe going on this date is exactly what I need.” Sophia’s face lit up instantly. “I knew it!” she said, grinning. “You’re totally falling for Euijoo!” (Y/n) groaned, but couldn’t hide her smile. “Anyways, I need your help to put up these posters around campus,” (Y/n) said, handing Sophia a pile.

Sophia looked them over, impressed. “Wow, these look great. You’re really taking the manager role seriously.” (Y/n) smiled. “Yeah, it’s actually a lot of fun.” She leaned back slightly. “And I get to boss them around sometimes. And they can’t complain.” Sophia laughed. “You always did like bossing people around.” “Just men,” (Y/n) added with a small chuckle. Before Sophia could respond, the professor walked in, and the room quieted down.

After class, the two girls split up, each taking their share of posters. (Y/n) moved around campus, putting them up one by one. Everything was going smoothly. Until the fifth one. She reached up, and couldn’t quite make it. There were already posters placed higher up, and campus rules were clear. No covering other posters. She stretched a bit. Still not enough. She sighed. “Damn” “(Y/n)?” The voice was quiet. She almost missed it. But she turned around. Jo stood behind her.

“Hi,” she said, a little shy. He gestured toward the poster in her hand. “Need help?” (Y/n) looked up at him, smiling. “Well… if you wouldn’t mind lending me your height, I’d really appreciate it.” Jo nodded. “Sure.” He took the poster from her. “Where do you want it?” She pointed to a free spot just above the others. Jo carefully reached up and placed it there, smoothing it out so it stuck properly. “There,” he said. (Y/n) smiled. “Thank you so much, Jo. You didn’t have to.” He shook his head. “Helping doesn’t hurt anyone.” There was a small pause. “See you around,” he added, already stepping back. “Yeah, see you,” (Y/n) said. She gave a small wave, even as he turned and walked away.

~~~

By the time practice started, (Y/n) was already busy. Her inbox had filled up faster than she expected. A lot of people wanted to audition. Since she wasn’t a dance expert, she, Kei, and the others had agreed on one thing. Everyone would get a chance. No pre-judging. No filtering. If you signed up, you auditioned. So she had spent her time organizing everything, writing down names, and assigning time slots. On the posters, they had given options. Learn one of the team’s choreographies. Make your own. Or perform a well-known dance.

When she told the team how many had already signed up, they reacted instantly. “Wait, 50? 50 people???” Jake said, eyes widening. “That’s insane,” Jungwon added. They looked genuinely excited. (Y/n) flipped through her notebook again. “Also,” she said, “I did some more research after putting up the posters.” The group quieted down. “It looks like most other dance teams are way more active online,” she continued. “They’re posting dance challenges on Instagram and TikTok. Doing ‘day in my life’ videos.” She looked around at them. “Showing what practice looks like. Posting clips from random performances. Documenting stuff like the charity run.”

A pause. Then she closed her notebook slightly. “So… we need to start doing that too.” There was a second of silence. Before the guys started laughing and clapping. “Manager (Y/n), our goddess,” Sunoo said dramatically. “Truly saving this team,” Yuma added. (Y/n) laughed along with them, shaking her head. “Don’t praise me yet,” she said. “You’re the ones who have to actually do all of this.”

Before (Y/n) went to sit down, Niki walked over to her, holding out a juice bottle and a candy bar. She looked at him, a bit confused. He sighed lightly. “I bet you spent all of lunch putting up posters.” She blinked. “Which means you haven’t eaten enough,” he continued. “And I don’t want you to almost faint on me again.” (Y/n) smiled softly, taking the drink and the candy. “Thanks, Ki. Yeah… I probably need this. I am feeling a little dizzy.” Niki nodded. He knew. He could tell. Her scent had changed. Not bad, but off. Less sweet than usual. Just like last time. He wanted to say something. But he didn’t. Instead, he just gave a small nod and turned away, walking back to the others as they got into position. Leaving (Y/n) to sit down.

She opened the juice first, taking a few sips before unwrapping the candy bar. As she ate, she pulled out her laptop, already searching for dance challenges the team could try. Even during practice, (Y/n)’s phone kept buzzing. More emails. More people were signing up for auditions. It was a lot. But in a good way.

When the team took a break, (Y/n) waved Jay over. “Hey, can I ask you something?” Jay nodded, sitting down beside her. “Sure.” “You handled a lot of the admin stuff before, right?” she asked. “Yeah,” he said. “Why?” “I need to understand your budget better,” she said, flipping to a new page in her notebook. “Are there any rules about how you can earn money?” Jay thought for a second. “Not really. As long as it’s legal and we pay taxes, we’re good.” (Y/n) nodded, writing it down. “Okay… then we need to start doing that.” Jay raised an eyebrow slightly. “You guys have friends in the fashion department helping with outfits,” she continued, “but we can’t keep relying on that. We need to start paying for things properly.” Jay nodded. “Yeah… you’re right.” 

At that moment, Kei and Niki walked over, sitting down with them. “What’s up?” Kei asked. “We’re talking about the budget,” (Y/n) said. She looked between them. “And I think you guys should start doing things to earn more money.” Kei leaned back slightly. “Like what?” (Y/n) shrugged. “Stuff like… washing cars, small gigs…” Then she added, “Or doing one of those auction nights.” Niki frowned. “Auction… us?” (Y/n) nodded. “Yeah. Some fire stations do it. And from what I found, at least three of the top-ranked dance teams have done it too.” She flipped her notebook slightly toward them. “It’s pretty popular.”

Sunoo overheard them and immediately walked over. “Oh, an auction?” he said, interested. “I’ve done one of those before.” The others looked at him. “When I was a kid,” he added. “It was a bit different, but it worked really well. Some other kids and I got auctioned off to go spend time at a retirement home.” His expression softened slightly. “We just hung out with the elderly. They were really happy.” (Y/n) smiled at that. But Niki’s attention stayed on her. Still not convinced. “So what would it actually mean?” he asked. “Holding an auction?”

(Y/n) smiled, clearly already thinking it through. “Well, it depends on who attends,” she said. “But realistically…” She looked around at them. “You’re all attractive guys. A lot of girls would probably come to bid on dates.” Sunoo grinned a little. “The fashion department might show up too,” she continued. “They could ‘buy’ you as models for a day.” Jay nodded slowly. “And others might want help with different things,” she added. “It really depends on what the buyer wants.” She paused, making sure they understood. “But there are limits,” she said firmly. “If it’s a date, it’s just a date. Dinner, maybe hanging out. No one can force anything like kissing or anything else.”

Niki still frowned. He didn’t like it. At all. But… He also understood. It would bring in a lot of money. And right now, they needed that. “By the way,” (Y/n) began, glancing down at her notes, “we might need extra time on Wednesday for auditions.” That caught everyone’s attention. “Why?” Kei asked. She looked up. “We’re now at 70 people who have signed up.” “70?!” the guys shouted in unison. Even the ones across the room turned to look. (Y/n) chuckled. “Yeah… I told you guys you were popular.” A few of them laughed, shaking their heads. “Wow,” Jake said, walking over. “Yeah, we’re gonna have to structure that differently.” (Y/n) nodded. “Definitely.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Before anyone could respond, it opened. A guy stepped inside. (Y/n) immediately recognized him from their social media. Heeseung. Niki was on his feet instantly, jogging over. Taki and Yuma followed right after him. The three greeted him quickly before Heeseung made his way over to the rest. He smiled easily. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Heeseung. You must be (Y/n).” She nodded, smiling back. “Yeah, that’s me. Nice to meet you.” Heeseung sat down beside her. Right in Niki’s usual spot. “I see you finally knocked some sense into them about finding a new member,” he said with a small laugh. (Y/n) smiled. “Well, we still hope to see you back on the team. But extra members can’t hurt, right?” Heeseung laughed, nodding.

Heeseung leaned back slightly, relaxed. “I saw the poster,” he said, looking at (Y/n). “It looks really good.” (Y/n) smiled. “Thank you.” “If you have any left,” he continued, “I can take a few and put them up in the med part of campus.” He shrugged lightly. “Not sure if anyone there would actually join the team, but at least more people will see it.” Sunghoon nodded. “I still have some,” he said, getting up to grab them. (Y/n) looked back at Heeseung. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” He smiled. “Of course. I still care about the team a lot. Even if I can’t dance right now, I still want to help however I can.” There was something about him. (Y/n) couldn’t quite place it. But even though it was their first time meeting, she felt… comfortable. Like talking to someone she’d known for a long time.

Heeseung glanced at her notebook. “Have you gotten any sign-ups from someone named Fuma or Nicholas?” (Y/n) blinked. “Maybe? I’ve gotten so many names, I don’t have all of them memorized yet.” He nodded. “Fair.” “I’ve seen them around,” he added. “They’re really good dancers.” That caught everyone’s attention. “I don’t know if they actually signed up,” he continued, “but if they did… they’re definitely top contenders.” (Y/n) held back from flipping through her notes, curiosity sparking, but she’d rather see them dance before finding them interesting.

As the break came to an end, Kei clapped his hands. “Come on, boys. Back to work.” The team quickly got into position. Heeseung stayed where he was, sitting beside (Y/n). “I’ll just observe with you,” he said. She nodded. “Sounds good.” (Y/n) turned back to her things, pulling out her laptop and starting on some homework while keeping an eye on the team. Beside her, Heeseung watched closely. Really closely. His eyes followed every movement, every transition. Every mistake. He made small notes to himself as they went.

About an hour later, the guys were exhausted, sweaty, and breathing heavily. Kei finally clapped again. “That’s it for today.” The room relaxed instantly. Niki walked over, and without hesitation, he dropped down beside (Y/n), resting his head in her lap. (Y/n) scrunched her nose, looking down at him. “Ew. You stink.” Heeseung laughed. “Yeah, dude. You’re disgusting.” Niki shot him a glare. Then, without shame, nuzzled closer into (Y/n)’s lap. (Y/n) sighed, but didn’t move him away.

Then Heeseung stood up and walked over to Kei. He quietly went over the notes he had made during practice. Kei listened carefully, nodding along, clearly taking everything in. Not long after, Heeseung checked the time. “I’ve gotta go,” he said, walking back over. He said his goodbyes to everyone. (Y/n) smiled. “Bye, it was nice meeting you.” “You too,” he said warmly. Niki lifted a hand lazily from the floor, still not moving otherwise. “Bye.” Heeseung chuckled before heading out. Niki was still sprawled out on the floor, very clearly not planning to move anytime soon, while most of the others packed up, ready to head home.

(Y/n) brushed Niki’s bangs away from his face, making him look up at her. “Can you get up?” she asked. “So we can go home?” Niki shook his head immediately. “No. I’m comfortable. Let’s just sleep here.” (Y/n) laughed. “Niki, come on. Get up.” He shook his head again, mumbling, “No.” (Y/n) sighed, glancing around. Sunghoon and Jungwon were still in the room. Perfect. She waved them over. “Help me, please?” They both laughed as they walked over. Jungwon grabbed Niki’s legs, while Sunghoon wrapped his arms around his torso. “Hey,” Niki started, but he was too late. They lifted him right off of (Y/n). She quickly stood up, freeing herself. “Thank you,” she said. “No problem,” Jungwon grinned. But instead of setting Niki down properly, they both just dropped him. And immediately walked back toward their bags.

Niki hit the floor with a thud. “Assholes,” he groaned, pushing himself up. He stood, pouting as he looked at (Y/n). “That hurt,” he said, trying to sound sad. But it came out more like a five-year-old trying to guilt someone into giving him candy. (Y/n) laughed. “Want me to blow on it to make it better?” Niki rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, joke all you want. But what if I actually was hurt?” (Y/n) shrugged. “I thought you were big and strong.” Niki immediately flexed his biceps. “I am. But I can still get hurt.” (Y/n) laughed again. “Can we go home now?” Niki rolled his eyes once more. “Whatever.” But he still grabbed his bag. And jiggled his keys.

~~~

Once they got home, Niki went straight to the shower, while (Y/n) headed to the kitchen. She started cooking, moving around comfortably as she prepared dinner. Her phone buzzed. She picked it up. Euijoo. He had sent her a link to a restaurant. This one’s pretty new. I’ve been wanting to try it but haven’t had the time. Would you wanna go there tomorrow? (Y/n) opened the link, looking through the pictures. It looked nice and cozy. She smiled slightly, typing back. Sure, it looks nice! A moment later, he replied with a happy emoji and a simple see you tomorrow. (Y/n) felt that small flutter again.

By the time Niki came out of the shower, dinner was ready. They sat down to eat. For a while, it was quiet and comfortable. But (Y/n) kept glancing at him. She needed to tell him. And for some reason, tt made her nervous. She didn’t know why. Or maybe she did. She just didn’t want to admit it. She cleared her throat. “Um… so, tomorrow… I won’t eat dinner at home.” Niki looked up at her. “You wanna eat out? Where? I’ll pay.” (Y/n) shook her head quickly. “No, I, uh…” She hesitated. Then said it. “I’m going on a date tomorrow.” Niki froze, mid chew. For a second, it felt like his throat closed up. She’s going on a date? His chest tightened. He forced himself to swallow. “Oh,” he said, voice a bit quieter than usual. “Um… cool.” He looked back down at his food. “Have fun, I guess.” (Y/n) felt something twist in her chest. Guilt. Should she have told him earlier? Or should she have just said she was meeting Sophia? No. She didn’t want to lie. But still, the way he reacted made it feel worse.

After they finished eating and cleaned up, the apartment fell into an unusual silence. Niki didn’t linger like he normally would. No teasing. No sitting on the couch. No random comments just to get a reaction out of her. “Goodnight,” he said quietly, not even really looking at her. And then he turned and walked to his room, not the gaming room, not the place where she could usually hear him clicking away, complaining about teammates, or laughing at something on screen. The door closed behind him with a soft click.

(Y/n) stood in the kitchen for a moment longer than necessary. Her hands rested on the counter, her mind trying to make sense of what just happened. Something felt off. Wrong. She frowned slightly. Why does he seem so sad? It didn’t make sense. They weren’t together. He hadn’t confessed any feelings. He flirted, sure, but that didn’t mean anything serious, right? And it was just one date.  So why did it feel like she had just done something she wasn’t supposed to? She sighed, pushing herself away from the counter, beginning to feel a little annoyed. Why is he upset? He has no reason to be. Still, that look on his face when she told him… It lingered. Uncomfortably. She shook her head, trying to brush it off, and went to her room.

On the other side of the apartment, Niki didn’t even make it to his bed. He sank down onto the floor the second the door closed behind him. Like his legs couldn’t hold him up anymore. His back pressed against the wall, knees pulled in slightly, hands tangled in his hair. His eyes burned. He stared at the floor, trying to steady his breathing. Trying to get a grip. But it didn’t work. His vision blurred. His chest felt tight. Too tight. Like something was squeezing it from the inside. He swallowed hard, blinking rapidly. Don’t. He hated crying. Hated how weak it made him feel. Hated the loss of control. But this, this wasn’t something he could just push away.

It felt like something inside him was cracking open. Splitting apart. Like the invisible string that was supposed to connect him to her, that quiet pull he had felt since the moment they met, had suddenly snapped. Cut clean through. Gone. And instead of pulling her closer… It felt like she was being pushed further and further away from him. He knew it wasn’t fair. He hadn’t told her anything. Hadn’t confessed. Hadn’t claimed her. She had every right to go on that date. Every right to smile at someone else. To choose someone else. He knew that. But knowing didn’t change the feeling. Didn’t stop the pain clawing at his chest. Didn’t stop the way his throat tightened, like he couldn’t breathe properly. A shaky breath left him. Then another. His hands trembled slightly as he pushed himself up, stumbling toward the window.

He needed air. Space. Something. He yanked the window open, the cool night air hitting his face. For a second, he just stood there. Then, without thinking, he jumped. After he fell from the top floor, the ground met him hard. But it didn’t matter. His body absorbed it easily. No pain. No hesitation. The moment his feet hit the ground, he ran. Fast. Faster than any human could ever hope to keep up with. The city blurred around him. Lights streaked past. Wind rushed against his skin. But none of it reached him. None of it mattered. There was only one thought in his head. Get away. He didn’t stop. Didn’t slow down. Until he reached Jay’s house.

The lights were on. Good. He didn’t think. Didn’t hesitate. He knocked, hard. Once. Twice. Then again. Faster, and louder. He didn’t stop. Didn’t even register how aggressive it sounded, how desperate. Until the door finally swung open. Sunghoon stood there, clearly annoyed, his brows furrowed as he looked at the younger vampire. “What do you want?” he asked, voice sharp, irritated at being interrupted. Niki tried to answer. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. His throat felt locked. Tight. Like it refused to cooperate.

Sunghoon’s expression shifted almost immediately. The irritation faded, replaced by something more serious. He stepped aside without another word. “Get in.” Niki stumbled past him, barely steady on his feet. Sunghoon shut the door behind him, then raised his voice. “Jay!” Jay came out of his room a second later, confusion on his face. But the moment he saw Niki, everything changed. Niki looked like a mess. Hair disheveled. Breathing uneven. Eyes unfocused. Like he was on the verge of completely losing it.

Jay crossed the room quickly. “Hey, hey,” he said, reaching him. “Come here.” He guided Niki to the couch, gently but firmly pushing him down to sit. “It’s okay. Just breathe.” Niki tried. God, he tried. But his chest felt too tight. Like something was crushing his lungs. He felt like he was drowning, falling deeper and deeper into something cold and endless, unable to find the surface. His breaths came out shallow, uneven, panicked. Jay glanced at Sunghoon. “Call the others. Now.” Sunghoon didn’t question it. He grabbed his phone immediately.

It didn’t take long, until one by one, they arrived. Jungwon, Jake, Sunoo, and then Heeseung. The room filled quickly, concern spreading through all of them as they took in Niki’s state. He was still struggling. Still stuck, still drowning. Sunoo knelt down in front of him, voice soft, steady. “Hey… look at me.” Heeseung moved closer too, placing a hand lightly on Niki’s shoulder. “Focus on us,” he said calmly. “You’re okay.” It took time. Long, heavy minutes where every breath felt like a fight. But slowly, very slowly, it started to ease. His breathing steadied. His chest loosened. The pressure faded. Until finally, Niki sucked in a deep breath. A real one. Like breaking through the surface after being underwater for too long. Air filled his lungs. And for the first time since he left, he could breathe again.

It took a while before Niki could actually speak. Even after his breathing had steadied, his chest still felt tight, like something heavy was pressing down on it, refusing to let go. The others didn’t rush him. They just sat there, waiting. Letting him take his time. And when he finally spoke, it all came out. The date. The way she told him. The way it felt like something inside him had just… snapped. Like the bond that was supposed to pull her closer had turned against him. The room stayed quiet as he finished. No one interrupted. They all understood.

Jungwon leaned back slightly, exhaling. “Yeah… that sucks,” he said quietly. Jungwon had been through it too. It isn’t easy to explain to a human about fated love and being a blood-drinking creature. It had taken him almost two years to finally get the truth out to his own mate, and during those two years, his mate had dated other people. It had hurt, more than he liked to admit, but he had powered through it, waiting for the right moment. He looked at Niki, a bit more serious now. “It’ll work out… eventually.”

Heeseung let out a quiet breath, running a hand through his hair. “I get it,” he added. His situation hadn’t been as drawn out as Jungwon’s, but it hadn’t been easy either. When he told his mate what he was, she had freaked out completely. She hadn’t spoken to him for a full month after that, leaving him to wonder if he had ruined everything. But at least, she had come back. He glanced at Niki. “At least I didn’t have to watch her date someone else,” he said, more quietly. Jungwon leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on his knees. “From experience,” he said, “things usually work themselves out.” He paused. Then added honestly, “But it sucks.” There was no sugarcoating it. “You just have to hang in there.”

Sunghoon crossed his arms, thinking for a moment before speaking. “Maybe,” he said slowly, “you have to find your own way to show her.” Niki looked at him. “As a human, she won’t really feel the bond,” Sunghoon continued. “Not until she knows about it.” The others nodded slightly. “So you might just have to prove it,” Sunghoon finished. “That you’re the one for her. That you’re everything she needs and more.” Niki swallowed, then nodded. “That makes sense,” he said quietly. It did. Even if it didn’t make things easier. “The thought of seeing her with someone else…” he trailed off, pressing his lips together. “It makes me feel sick.” His hands clenched slightly. 

“But I can’t just sit and cry about it,” he added. “I have to do something. I have to be strong.” Jake nodded. “You can do it.” “Yeah,” Sunoo added softly. “You’ve got this.” “Fate doesn’t mess around,” Jay said with a small grin. “It’ll bring you together one way or another.” Heeseung gave a small nod. “You just have to meet it halfway.” Niki let out a slow breath. The tightness in his chest hadn’t disappeared completely. But now, there was something else there, too. A sense of purpose. Something to hold onto.

By the time he left, it was almost 3 am. The streets were quiet. Still. He made his way back home quickly, his mind calmer than before, even if his heart still ached. When he got there, he paused outside the building. He didn’t have his keys. Of course. He exhaled softly. “Right…” The front door wasn’t an option. So there was only one way in. He glanced around, making sure no one was watching. No late-night walkers. No lights were turning on. Nothing. Then he jumped. Mid-air, his body shifted. Shrinking. Twisting. Until a small bat took his place, wings catching the air as he flew upward. It felt… strange. Familiar. But distant. Like something he hadn’t done in a long time.

He flew up toward the top floor, spotting his window still open. Good. He slipped inside easily, landing on the floor before shifting back into his human form. His limbs stretched back out, bones settling into place. He rolled his shoulders, shaking out his arms. “Wow,” he muttered under his breath. He hadn’t shifted like that in a long time. He couldn’t even remember the last time. It had to be more than five years ago.

~~~

The next morning, (Y/n)’s phone had been buzzing non-stop. Well, mostly because of her. She had sent Sophia at least ten messages, all variations of the same question. What do I wear? She wanted to look nice. Not too dressed up. But not too casual either. Something that said this is a date without screaming it. And it had to work for classes, too. After way too much back and forth, Sophia had finally helped her settle on something. A cute skirt, and a casual top. Not something she usually wore. But still normal enough that no one would question it during the day.

When Niki saw her, he had to physically hold his breath for a second. She looked… Really cute. Effortlessly so. And he could tell. The way she moved. The way she checked herself quickly in the mirror. The slight bounce in her step. She was nervous, and excited. And for a split second, something in his chest twisted. I wish I were the one making her feel like that. The thought came uninvited. Sharp, and uncomfortable. But he forced it away. Fate knew what it was doing. That’s what everyone had said. He just had to be patient. Not exactly his strongest trait. But maybe that was the point. Maybe this was what he needed to learn. So instead of letting himself spiral, instead of saying something he couldn’t take back, he smiled. Soft, and genuine. “You look pretty,” he said. (Y/n) smiled back, a little shy. “Thank you.”

They headed out together, walking to the car. The morning air was crisp, quiet. For a moment, it felt normal again. Like nothing had changed. They got into the car. And just as (Y/n) settled into her seat, her phone buzzed. She picked it up. Euijoo. Good morning, (Y/n). I’m really excited for tonight. I booked a table for us at 7:15. A smile spread across her face. A real one. She quickly typed back. Can’t wait. Beside her, Niki tightened his grip on the steering wheel. His knuckles went slightly white. He felt it again. That sharp pull in his chest. That jealousy, he had promised himself to control. He swallowed it down. Forced himself to breathe. To stay calm. To be better. Instead of letting it show, he started the car. Trying his best to just be happy for her.

~~~

During her classes, (Y/n) couldn’t sit still. Her leg bounced under the table. Her pen tapped against her notebook. Every now and then, she’d check the time, even though she knew it hadn’t been that long. It had been a while since she last went on a real date. And right now… That was all she could think about. For this day, everything else felt pushed aside. Even Niki. For the moment, her mind was fully focused on Euijoo.

At lunch, Sophia was unbearable. In the best way. “Oh my god, you guys are going to look so good together,” she said, practically vibrating with excitement. (Y/n) laughed. “Sophia,” “No, listen,” Sophia cut her off, leaning closer. “You’re cute, he’s cute, he’s sweet, you’re sweet, it’s perfect.” (Y/n) shook her head, smiling. But she didn’t disagree. So far… It did seem like Euijoo could be a really good match.

Later, when she walked into the dance room, she made her way over to Kei. “Hey,” she said. “Can I leave a bit earlier today?” Kei looked at her for a second. Like she had just grown antlers. Then he laughed. “You can do whatever you want,” he said. “I only have authority over them.” He jerked his head toward the rest of the guys. “Not you.” (Y/n) giggled. “Alright. Well then, I’m telling you that I’ll leave a bit earlier today.” Kei smiled. “Okay.”

Across the room, Niki had seen it all. He didn’t need to hear the words. He already knew. She was leaving early. For her date. His jaw tightened slightly. For a split second, the urge hit him again. To walk over. To tell her not to go. To say something. Anything. But he didn’t. He bit his tongue. Hard. And stayed quiet.

As practice was approaching the end, (Y/n) quietly packed up her things. She didn’t want to make a big deal out of leaving early. Still, a few of the guys noticed, giving her small waves as she slung her bag over her shoulder. “Bye, guys,” she said, smiling. “Have fun,” Jake called out, wiggling his brows. (Y/n) rolled her eyes, laughing as she walked out.

Outside, Euijoo was already there. He stood near the entrance, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, shifting slightly on his feet. Nervous. But the moment he saw her, his face lit up. He waved. (Y/n) felt her cheeks warm instantly. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she walked over. “Hi,” she said. “Hi,” he replied, smiling softly. They stepped closer, sharing a quick hug. When they pulled back, Euijoo looked her up and down, his expression softening even more. “Wow,” he said. “You look really pretty.” His voice was gentle and warm.

(Y/n) felt her cheeks heat up again. She glanced at him, taking in his outfit before smiling. “Well… you look better than your pictures.” Euijoo laughed, bringing a hand up to his cheek, pretending to peel something off. “See?” he said. “No mask. This is all me.” (Y/n) laughed, the sound light and easy. Euijoo’s smile grew. Her laugh was… really cute. “Could still be a wig,” she managed between laughs. He chuckled. “Ah, you got me. My deep, dark secret.” (Y/n) leaned slightly into him as she laughed, her stomach already starting to hurt. Her cheeks, too. 

Once they finally calmed down, they started walking. The restaurant wasn’t far from campus. And conversation came easily. Effortlessly. Like neither of them had to think about what to say. They just… talked. And it felt nice. They ordered their food and kept talking, and talking. It felt easy, natural. Like neither of them had to think too hard about what to say next. It just flowed. Being there with Euijoo felt right, comfortable, and warm. But every now and then, (Y/n)’s thoughts drifted. Just for a second. She’d look up at Euijoo, and without meaning to, imagine Niki sitting there instead. Leaning back in his chair. Smirking. Teasing her about something random. The thought would catch her off guard every time. But just as quickly as it came, it disappeared. Because Euijoo would say something. Or smile at her. Or laugh. And pull her right back in.

Soon enough, they had finished their food. (Y/n) leaned back slightly, feeling full. “I kind of want dessert,” she admitted. Euijoo smiled. “Then let’s get dessert.” (Y/n) hesitated. “I don’t think I can finish a whole piece by myself, though…” Euijoo tilted his head slightly. “Then we’ll share.” (Y/n) smiled. “That sounds perfect.” So they ordered a slice of cheesecake. One fork each.

Before they continued their conversation, Euijoo rested his chin lightly on his hand. “So,” he said, curious. “How did you end up living with Niki?” (Y/n) paused. Her gaze dropped slightly. “It was kind of a last option,” she admitted. “My old roommates were… not great.” Euijoo frowned. “What do you mean?” So she told him, about everything. The tension. The way they treated her. How uncomfortable it had become. Euijoo’s expression shifted the more she spoke. By the end of it, he looked genuinely upset on her behalf. “Wow,” he said quietly. “They sound awful.” (Y/n) gave a small shrug. “Yeah… they were.” “But I’m glad you got out of there,” he added. She nodded. “Me too.” She picked at the edge of the plate slightly before continuing. “At the time, Niki’s old roommate, Jungwon, had just moved out. So there was a free room.” She glanced up at him again. “And Sophia kind of knows Jungwon, so she set up a meeting between me and Niki.” A small smile formed on her lips. “And that’s how I ended up living there.” 

The cheesecake arrived just after that. They both paused for a second, smiling a little as the plate was set down between them. (Y/n) picked up her fork, taking the first bite. Her eyes lit up slightly. “Okay… that’s really good.” Euijoo laughed softly, taking a bite himself. “Right?” For a moment, they just enjoyed it. Quiet. Comfortable. Then (Y/n) glanced at him. “It must be kind of weird, right?” she said. “That I’m living in an apartment with a guy.” Euijoo shrugged lightly. “Not really.” She looked a bit surprised. “I mean,” he continued, “I get the situation. And it’s definitely better than not having a place to live.” He took another bite before adding, “And I’ve always believed that guys and girls can just be friends. Without it having to turn into something romantic.”

(Y/n) blinked slightly. That was… new. “Even if there are feelings,” he continued calmly, “I still think people can act like adults. Not cheat, not cross boundaries.” (Y/n) looked at him for a moment. He was the first guy she had ever heard say something like that so casually. So confidently. Euijoo smiled a little, then added, “Besides, my sister would beat me up if I thought anything else.” (Y/n) laughed. “So your sister’s scary?” He shrugged, smiling. “Not really. She’s just… protective.” There was something soft in his expression now.

“She teases me a lot,” he said. “But she also teaches me things. She’s honest with me.” He looked down at his fork for a second, then back up. “And if anyone was ever mean to me, she’d be the first person to go after them.” The way his eyes sparkled when he talked about her… It was warm and genuine. It made (Y/n) feel something soft in her chest. She smiled faintly. She had never had that. A sibling. Someone to lean on like that. But, at least she had Sophia. And that counted for a lot.

Euijoo leaned back slightly in his chair, a small smile on his lips. “The first time I had a crush on a girl,” he said, “I was a complete mess.” (Y/n) smiled, already curious. “I accidentally insulted her,” he continued, laughing softly at himself. “And to make it worse, I spilled ketchup all over her favorite white shirt.” (Y/n) laughed, covering her mouth. “No way.” “I swear,” he said, shaking his head. “It couldn’t have gone worse.” He took another small bite of the cheesecake before continuing. “My sister lectured me for a month after that. About everything I did wrong.” (Y/n) smiled, imagining it. “And then,” he added, “she taught me how to fix it.”

There was something soft in his tone again. “After that, I always went to her for advice. About girls, guys, feelings… everything.” He shrugged lightly. “I’d like to think she helped me become a lot more emotionally intelligent.” (Y/n) looked at him, smiling. “I think you’re right,” she said. He glanced up at her. “Compared to most guys,” she continued, teasing slightly, “you seem way more emotionally intelligent.” He laughed quietly. “And I think that’s going to make you an amazing teacher.” Euijoo’s smile grew. “My sister said the same thing,” he admitted. “When I told her I wanted to become a teacher.” They both laughed. 

Soon enough, the cheesecake was gone. (Y/n) reached for her wallet, but Euijoo was faster. “I’ve got it,” he said. “You don’t have to,” she started. “I want to,” he replied gently. She hesitated, then smiled. “Okay… thank you.” They walked back toward campus together, the night air cool around them. “So,” Euijoo said, glancing at her, “how are the auditions going?” (Y/n) immediately brightened. “Really well,” she said. “I already have 80 applicants.” Euijoo’s eyebrows lifted. “80?” “And there’s still almost a week left to sign up,” she added, clearly excited. “That’s amazing,” he said.

When they reached his car, neither of them rushed to get in. Instead, they just… stood there. Side by side. Looking up at the sky. The stars were faint, but still visible. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Just enjoying the quiet. The calm after the laughter. The kind of silence that didn’t feel awkward. After a while, Euijoo turned to her, his expression soft. “I had fun tonight,” he said. “I’d really like to go on another date sometime.” (Y/n) smiled, her gaze drifting back up to the sky for a second before meeting his eyes again. “I had fun too,” she said. “And I’d love to go out again.”

Euijoo’s smile widened, and he stepped closer, pulling her into another hug. (Y/n) leaned into him. He was warm. Comforting. And he smelled faintly like citrus, something soft and fresh, like oranges or tangerines. It was nice. She liked it. As they slowly pulled away, (Y/n) lost her balance slightly, her foot slipping just a bit. Euijoo reacted instantly, reaching out to steady her. But in doing so, they ended up closer than before. Much closer. Their faces only inches apart. Their breaths mixing. For a second, neither of them moved. Euijoo let out a small, nervous chuckle.

“Sorry,” he said softly. “I don’t want to be too pushy,” He started to pull back. But something in (Y/n) didn’t want him to. Before she could overthink it, she reached out, grabbing lightly onto the collar of his shirt. And pulled him back in. Their lips met. Euijoo froze for just a fraction of a second before responding, leaning into the kiss. It was soft. Gentle. Careful. And yet, even as she felt his warmth, his touch, the faint citrus scent around him, her mind betrayed her.

For a moment, she imagined it was Niki. The way it would feel. The way it would be. Her chest tightened slightly at the thought. But at least this time… She didn’t say his name. And maybe, if she kept going, if she focused on Euijoo, the image of Niki would fade. Or maybe… It was just something she was telling herself.

After the kiss, they got into the car. The atmosphere had shifted slightly, into something softer, quieter, but still comfortable. Euijoo drove her home, occasionally glancing at her with a small smile, while (Y/n) looked out the window, her thoughts a little louder than before. When they arrived, he parked and turned to her. Neither of them rushed to say goodbye. Euijoo got out first, walking around to her side as she stepped out of the car. They stood there for a moment. Then leaned in again. Another kiss. This one a little less hesitant. A little more certain. 

(Y/n) closed her eyes, trying to focus on it. On him. On the warmth of his hands, the softness of the moment. Hoping it would drown everything else out. But it didn’t. No matter how much she tried, Niki was still there. In the back of her mind. Persistent, unshakable. Like something had rooted itself too deep to pull out. It frustrated her. Confused her. But she pushed it aside. Again.

When they finally pulled apart, (Y/n) smiled. “Thank you for tonight,” she said. “I had a really great time.” Euijoo smiled back. “Me too.” She waved as she stepped back. “See you soon.” “Yeah… see you.” She turned and walked into the building, feeling his gaze on her until the door closed behind her.

When she unlocked the apartment door and stepped inside, she didn’t expect company. But there they were. Niki, Heeseung, and a girl she didn’t recognize, but she thought it might be Heeseung’s girlfriend, based on how close they were sitting. (Y/n) paused for a second, then stepped further in. The girl looked up first, smiling brightly. Heeseung followed. “Hey,” he said. “Hi,” (Y/n) replied, smiling as she walked over. Heeseung gestured to the girl. “This is Mina.” Mina waved. “Hi!” (Y/n) smiled back. “Hi, nice to meet you.” They greeted her warmly, easily. Like she was already part of things.

Niki, on the other hand, struggled. The moment she walked in, it hit him. The scent. Something sweet, citrusy, like a tangerine, mixed with something else. Something foul. Something that made his nose wrinkle slightly. Wolf, it was unmistakable. Layered over her skin. Over her clothes. And underneath it, were the lingering trace of closeness. Of lips on lips. Of hands that weren’t his. His jaw tightened. His senses didn’t give him the luxury of ignorance. He could smell it. See it. Her lipstick was slightly smudged. In a way that told him exactly what had happened. His stomach turned. But he forced it down. Forced himself to stay still. To stay normal. To not react. “Hey,” he said, voice steady enough. Like nothing was wrong. Even though everything inside him felt anything but calm.

Niki did everything he could to stay calm. To act normal. To not let anything slip. “How was the date?” he asked, his tone casual enough. (Y/n)’s face lit up immediately. “It went well,” she said, smiling brightly. “I had a lot of fun.” The word hit him harder than he expected. Fun. Niki’s jaw tightened for just a second. He didn’t need to imagine what kind of fun. He could smell it still lingering on her. But he forced himself to nod. “Nice,” he said. “Cool.” And just like that, he looked back at the TV, pretending to focus on whatever was playing.

(Y/n) noticed it. That shift. That tension. Subtle, but there. For a moment, she hesitated. But then she shook it off. “Anyway, I’m gonna head to bed,” she said. “Goodnight.” “Night,” Heeseung and Mina replied almost in sync. Niki lifted a hand slightly without looking away from the screen. “Night.”

In her room, (Y/n) took a quick shower, letting the warm water wash over her, trying to relax. Trying not to overthink. Afterward, she changed and sat down on her bed, grabbing her phone. She texted Sophia. The date went really well. We’re going out again soon. The reply came almost instantly. A flood of party emojis. Then: Told you he was sweet. (Y/n) smiled at her screen. For a second, she wondered what Sophia meant exactly. Sweet as in personality? Or something else? Like his kiss?  She shook her head slightly, smiling to herself. Either way, Sophia had been right. Euijoo was sweet.

He made her feel comfortable, safe. He gave her butterflies. Everything you’d expect from someone you could like. And yet, ss she leaned back against her pillows, one thought refused to leave. No matter how hard she tried. Niki, his face, his voice, the way he looked at her. It lingered. Stubborn, unwanted, and impossible to ignore. (Y/n) felt bad. Really bad. Using Euijoo like this… it wasn’t fair. He was kind, sweet, and genuine. And here she was, trying to use him like a weapon.

Like if she just swung hard enough, he would slay the thoughts of Niki once and for all. But it didn’t work like that. It wasn’t a clean battle. There was no final blow. No victory. If anything, it felt like she was fighting a losing war. One where every strike she made just… bounced off. And Niki, he stood there untouched, unmoved. Like an opponent she couldn’t even reach. Maybe if she drowned herself in everything Euijoo, his texts, his voice, his presence, then maybe Niki would finally sink. Be pushed under. Fade into the background. Instead of standing right there, in the center of her mind, impossible to ignore.

Because right now… It didn’t make sense. She hadn’t even kissed Niki. Hadn’t done anything truly romantic with him. And yet, he had taken over everything. Like he had planted himself deep in her thoughts, roots spreading, refusing to be pulled out, no matter how hard she tried. (Y/n) turned onto her side, letting out a quiet sigh. Why him? She didn’t know. She just knew that every attempt to replace him felt like trying to fight smoke with a sword. Pointless. Frustrating. Unwinnable. And even though Euijoo was right there, real, kind, everything she should want, Niki still stood at the front of her mind like an unchallenged king. Like no matter what she did, he would always win.

She tossed and turned for hours. Sleep refused to come. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him. Clear, vivid, too real. Niki. His hands. His warmth. The way his fingers would trace along her sides. Like he already knew her. The way his eyes would soften when he looked at her. And then, his lips. Pressing against hers. Not soft. Not hesitant. But consuming. Like a fire she couldn’t put out. Her breath hitched as she opened her eyes again. “No…”

She turned onto her other side, gripping the blanket tightly. Think of Euijoo. She tried. She really did. But the image wouldn’t change. Wouldn’t bend. Wouldn’t break. No matter how hard she tried to force it, Niki remained. Unshaken. Unmoved. Like a warrior she couldn’t defeat. With a frustrated groan, she sat up, running both hands through her hair. “This is so stupid…” She kicked the covers off, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

She needed something, anything, to pull herself out of this. Because right now, it felt like she was stuck in a battle she couldn’t win. And she was getting tired of losing. So she got up and walked out to the kitchen. Maybe a snack. Something to drink. Something to break the cycle before her thoughts dragged her back under again. She grabbed an apple, thinking it would have to do. 

Just as she bit into the apple she had grabbed, the quiet of the apartment shifted. A door opened, then closed. Her heart dropped. Shit. Niki was still awake? For a split second, she considered just… disappearing. Melting into the floor. Hoping he wouldn’t notice her. But that hope vanished the second she realized, the lamp over the sink was on. Of course, he’d notice. A few seconds later, he turned the corner. And there he was. Niki. He paused slightly when he saw her. “Oh,” he said. “You’re awake.” He glanced toward the light. “I thought I might’ve left the lamp on by accident.”

(Y/n) nodded quickly, taking another bite of her apple. Chew. Don’t talk. Maybe if she just stayed quiet, he’d go back to his room. Because right now, her thoughts were anything but safe. Anything but appropriate. Anything but something she should say out loud. Niki stepped a little closer, nodding toward the fridge. “We need to go shopping tomorrow,” he said. “Or are you busy?” (Y/n) swallowed, clearing her throat. Just answer. Nothing else. “No,” she said, keeping it short. “That’s fine with me.” She took another quick bite. Before anything else could slip out.

Niki watched her for a second. Something was off. Her movements. The way she avoided his gaze. Her heart, he could hear it. Fast, unsteady, almost frantic. But he didn’t push it. Didn’t ask. Didn’t want to cross a line he had no right to cross. So he just nodded. “Good,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” (Y/n) nodded again. “Night,” she said quickly. Then took another bite, right as the words almost slipped out. Dream of me. She nearly choked on the thought, forcing it down along with the apple, hoping he hadn’t noticed anything at all.

After returning to her room, (Y/n) did manage to fall asleep. Eventually. But her dreams didn’t give her any peace. They were filled with Niki. Not in small flashes. Not distant. But vivid. Too vivid. She saw him dancing, just like in practice, his movements sharp and controlled, his blond hair slightly damp with sweat, sticking to his forehead as he pushed through each step. The way his body moved so effortlessly, as if music lived inside him.

Then the scene shifted, to something closer. Too close. His hand against the wall beside her head. The other at her waist. The feeling of being pressed back, her breath catching as he leaned in. His lips meeting hers. Not soft. Not hesitant. But certain. Like he had already decided she was his. His voice, low and warm, brushing against her ear, whispering things she couldn’t fully make out, but still felt deep in her chest. Even in her sleep, her body reacted. And no matter how much she tried, her mind refused to replace him. Refused to let him go. It was almost cruel. Like her own thoughts were working against her. Because if there was one thing that was clear, her mind had no intention of forgetting Niki anytime soon.

Niki didn’t sleep much either. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind running in circles. He was fairly sure he knew. Who she had gone on a date with. There was only one person who matched the scent he had caught on her. The citrus, the wolf, it had to be Euijoo. Niki’s jaw tightened. For a moment, the urge hit him to find him, to confront him. To make it clear that (Y/n) wasn’t someone he could just… take.

But he forced himself to stay still. He couldn’t do that. Had no right to. Still… Another thought crept in. What if he talked to him? Told him the truth. That (Y/n) was his mate. Would Euijoo back off then? Or, Niki’s chest tightened. What if he didn’t? What if… She was his, too? Werewolves could imprint on anyone, even someone fate had already paired up with someone else. And being human didn’t protect you from forming multiple bonds. The thought made something dark twist in his chest.

When Niki did fall asleep, it wasn’t restful. It was heavy, uneasy. His dreams weren’t dreams. They were nightmares. He saw her walking away. Laughing with someone else. Looking at someone else the way he wished she would look at him. He tried to reach her. But no matter how fast he moved, he was always too late. Too far behind. Like he was losing something he had never even gotten the chance to hold. And the worst part, was that it felt like a battle he was destined to lose.

~~~ The end of chapter 4 ~~~

This one is messy, I apologize, but we need some more drama. 

Also, I’m sorry to anyone who saw the original date I had planned to release this, but if you’ve read the response to a comment on chapter 3 you’d know that my computer glitched out just as I had almost finished this chapter and removed every single word I had written… So I had to re-write the whole chapter… 

There are some parts that I have missed in this chapter because of the glitch, but I’ll add them in the next one, because right now, I’m just beefing with this chapter and want to be done with it, lol.