#seventeensmut

2:37

Discord ping echoed from everyone's device

One single, unassuming notification in the #general channel. From the one, the only: Dokyeom.

Team Artois, assemble! Urgent 5-min huddle at 3PM. Trust me, you’re gonna love this (mandatory).

Mandatory.

And yet it had the vibes of an unhinged reality show twist.

Min Ah stared at the message like it was a personal attack. Her fingers paused mid-typing. Her brain? Immediately in crisis.

“What is he up to now,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes.

Eunji rolled over in her chair like a harbinger of doom. “Place your bets. Last time he said ‘you’re gonna love this,’ we ended up doing a week of TikTok content strategy in VR goggles.”

Min Ah groaned. “I still get migraines when I hear the word ‘metaverse.’”

Meanwhile, across the office, Hoshi was trying so hard not to look at her that it physically hurt. His jaw was clenched, his cursor blinking on an empty Notion page. The scent of Min Ah’s grapefruit perfume had reached him approximately ten minutes ago and he had not been okay since.

They hadn’t talked about it. Well—okay—they had. Briefly. In the awkward, hungover haze of Sunday morning, followed by the Monday-of-all-Mondays in the office. But everything since then had been... careful. Cautious. Every conversation felt like walking a tightrope over a pool of unresolved sexual tension and emotional confusion.

And Min Ah?

Oh, she was losing it. Quietly. Slowly. Spectacularly.

Because somehow—some how—she had woken up in his bed and not regretted it.

No, scratch that. She regretted the chaos. The lack of memory. The part where she said Yuji Itadori in bed. She would never emotionally recover from that, in like, forever.

But him?

She hadn’t minded waking up next to him.

She’d minded it too little. And that was the problem.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Eunji:

[My Eunjinji]

bets on whether dokyeom’s surprise is a weekend getaway or human sacrifice?

[min ah]

what if it’s both

Dokyeom’s voice snapped them all to attention. “EVERYONE! MEETING TIME!”

He stood near the whiteboard like he was hosting the Hunger Games.

The marketing team trickled in: Min Ah, Eunji, Dahyun, a couple of interns, and Hoshi—who kept a whole extra chair between himself and Min Ah like they were at Catholic school mass.

Manager Kim arrived last, clutching a cold brew and already sighing.

Dokyeom beamed. iPad in hand. Suspicious twinkle in his eye.

“So!” he announced. “We’ve been absolutely crushing it, team. Insane engagement numbers. Client love letters. Even that chaotic Halloween reel went semi-viral—shoutout to Hoshi’s choreography and Min Ah’s wig sacrifice.”

Min Ah visibly flinched. Hoshi stifled a grin.

Dokyeom flipped to a slide titled:

GLAMPING TRIP: TEAM BONDING 2025

The room exploded.

“GLAMPING?!”

“This WEEKEND?!”

“Are there bathrooms??”

“Is this going to be like Squid Game?!”

Dokyeom raised his hands like Moses parting the Red Sea. “It’s all handled! We’re going to a curated glamping site in Gapyeong. Domes. Heaters. Projectors. Mood lighting. And of course—team bonding activities!”

Eunji snorted. “Are you trying to kill us or make us fall in love?”

Dokyeom winked. “Why not both?”

Min Ah choked on air.

“Wait, Gapyeong? Like autumn foliage, fairy lights, romcom energy Gapyeong?” she asked weakly.

Dokyeom nodded. “That’s the one. I already booked the place. Bus leaves Saturday at 7AM sharp.”

A small sound escaped her—half gasp, half soul-leaving-body. She felt Hoshi’s gaze flick toward her. She didn’t look back.

“Teams and tents will be randomly assigned,” Dokyeom added gleefully. “So no one can rig it to bunk with their crush—I’m watching you, Dahyun.”

“Excuse me?!” Dahyun shouted.

Eunji leaned over and stage-whispered to Min Ah, “He’s not wrong though.”

Min Ah wanted to sink into the floor.

“Anyway,” Dokyeom grinned. “Pack warm clothes, snacks, and a winning attitude. Dismissed!”

As the team shuffled back to their desks, Eunji was already complaining about the cold, the bugs, and the possibility of sharing a dome with Manager Kim.

Dahyun wiggled her eyebrows at Min Ah. “So. You, me, campfire horror stories, and thermoses full of wine?”

Min Ah forced a smile. “Only if you promise not to livestream my mental breakdown.”

—

It was too early to be awake, too cold to be cheerful, and much too soon to be making eye contact with Hoshi in broad daylight.

Min Ah pulled her hoodie tighter around her neck as she stood on the sidewalk in front of The Parc lobby, surrounded by a sleepy, semi-conscious gathering of coworkers. The team looked like a very specific breed of hungover penguins—everyone bundled up in mismatched hoodies, sneakers, and the occasional very questionable pajama pant.

Dokyeom, naturally, was wearing sunglasses and fingerless gloves. He raised both arms like Moses parting the Red Sea when the bus arrived. “Children of capitalism! Your carriage awaits!”

The Artois team let out a collective groan.

Min Ah was about to climb up the steps when Eunji nudged her sharply in the ribs. “You’re sitting next to Hoshi.”

“What?” Min Ah blinked, mid-step.

Eunji grinned, whispering like an agent of chaos. “I made sure of it. I told Dahyun I get motion sickness unless I sit in the front, and then I told Jaemin I’d save him a seat in the back. So the middle’s wide open… just for you two.”

“That’s manipulative.”

“You're welcome,” Eunji beamed.

Min Ah turned around, ready to protest, but then—of course—Hoshi appeared behind her. Hoodie, sweats, sneakers, coffee in hand. His hair was still damp from a rushed morning shower, and when their eyes met, he smiled that awkward, too-polite smile that meant I’m still thinking about that thing we’re pretending didn’t happen.

“Morning,” he said.

“Morning,” she replied, clutching her backpack like it might shield her from reality.

The bus door hissed open.

They climbed aboard.

And just like Eunji orchestrated, the only two seats left in the middle were right next to each other. A little too close. A little too fate.

Min Ah slid in first, mumbling something about “window seats” while already feeling her cheeks burn. Hoshi followed, settling next to her with just a hint too much space between their thighs—like he was trying not to touch her, and somehow that made the air even thicker.

The bus roared to life. They lurched forward.

And so began the quietest, most deafening 90 minutes of her life.

Min Ah tried to focus on the trees outside. Hoshi kept sipping his coffee like it was the only thing anchoring him to this realm.

A few rows back, Dokyeom whispered something to Eunji and they both snorted. The guy from finance Jaemin’s obnoxious laugh echoed off the windows. Dahyun was already asleep, earbuds in, neck pillow secured like she was entering hibernation. The vibe on the bus was pure chaos-meets-naptime.

Min Ah stole a glance at Hoshi. His hood was down now, and a soft tuft of dark brown hair stuck out awkwardly at the back. He looked peaceful, if not slightly constipated with anxiety.

Suddenly, a small bump in the road sent them jolting—and his thigh bumped into hers.

She stiffened.

So did he.

“Sorry,” he said quickly, retreating an inch.

“It’s okay,” she replied, voice tighter than her backpack straps.

Silence.

More silence.

Then—

“You brought snacks?” Hoshi asked, eyes flicking to her tote bag like it was the most interesting object in the universe.

“Um. Dried mango,” she said, digging through it. “Also seaweed crisps and those weird lemon gummies from Japan.”

He perked up. “Those slap.”

She handed him one wordlessly.

He took it with a shy grin. “Thanks.”

They chewed in awkward synchrony. The gummies tasted like citrus and tension.

Eventually, the bus quieted. Heads tilted back. Curtains drawn. Someone played a lo-fi playlist from their phone. The mood shifted—soft and sleepy.

Min Ah yawned.

Hoshi leaned his head back against the seat.

Their shoulders barely touched.

She should’ve pulled away. Really, she should’ve.

But it was warm. And comfortable. And… okay, sue her—he smelled good. That familiar faint trace of laundry detergent and aftershave and something distinctly him. Not romantic. Not emotional.

Just… human.

Min Ah’s eyes fluttered closed.

Somewhere between Seoul and Gapyeong, she fell asleep.

—

It started as a soft weight.

Something resting against her head.

Min Ah blinked slowly awake, disoriented.

She’d slumped sideways, and her cheek was now pressed against a solid, warm surface. Her nose brushed against fabric.

Her pillow had abs.

She froze.

Hoshi.

She’d fallen asleep on Hoshi.

Correction: with Hoshi. Because he, too, was completely knocked out—head tilted slightly to the side, lips parted, breathing slow. His face was so close. Too close. His brow furrowed slightly, like he was dreaming of something confusing. Maybe how they ended up like this. Maybe how she ended up like this.

Min Ah was about to move—about to gently slide away—when a loud snap echoed through the bus.

Eunji’s phone camera.

No.

“EUNJI,” Min Ah hissed, too late.

Eunji turned around from two rows back, holding her phone like a prized Pokémon. “Sorry, but I had to. You two look like a couple in a Netflix K-drama promo poster.”

“DELETE IT.”

“Too late. It’s already in the Artois group chat. Dokyeom added emojis.”

Min Ah groaned. She buried her face deeper into Hoshi’s hoodie-covered chest, fully giving up on the idea of dignity.

Hoshi stirred. “Hmm?” he mumbled.

She looked up, flustered. “Sorry—I—uh—you were—sleeping—I—”

He blinked, dazed. “You smell like lemon.”

“What?!”

“I think I drooled on your hair,” he added, half-asleep, totally shameless.

Min Ah stared at him, mortified.

But he just smiled, eyes fluttering shut again.

“Five more minutes,” he whispered. “Then we face the consequences.”

—

By the time the bus rolled into the glamping site, chaos had fully reawakened.

Eunji was telling everyone about the “accidental couple pic.” Dokyeom had changed his KakaoTalk profile photo to a blurry zoom-in of Min Ah curled against Hoshi’s chest. Jaemin made an offhand comment about how “cozy” they looked, waggling his eyebrows until Dahyun smacked him with a pillow.

And Hoshi?

Hoshi just walked beside Min Ah like nothing happened. A calm in the storm. Like he didn’t even know they were slowly becoming the plot of a Tumblr fic.

Min Ah hated how steady he looked.

Because she was not steady.

Her brain was still catching up.

With the night they didn’t talk about.

With the morning they tried to laugh through.

With the fact that she had just spent ninety whole minutes sleeping against someone she had accidentally, emotionally, and physically tangled herself with.

And the worst part?

She hadn’t hated it.

Not even a little bit.

She glanced at Hoshi out of the corner of her eye. He caught her. Smiled, soft.

Her heart did something stupid.

“Welcome to Ga-blemping Heaven!” Dokyeom declared, arms wide as they stood at the edge of the forested site. Rows of beige canvas tents glowed under the early afternoon sun. String lights hung from pine trees. There was a firepit, a grill, a small stage with a karaoke mic already plugged in. Fairy lights twinkled like they were ready for romance and ruin.

“Let the bonding begin,” Eunji said ominously.

Hoshi elbowed Min Ah gently. “Still time to fake an injury and go home.”

Min Ah shook her head. “Nah. I think I want to see where this disaster goes.”

He looked at her a moment longer. “Me too.”

The glamping site was, objectively, disgustingly aesthetic.

Like someone had curated a Pinterest board titled “Autumn Cozy Forest Romance, But Make It Corporate Retreat” and then manifested it with unlimited budget. Rows of cream canvas bell tents lined a gravel path, string lights looped between trees like warm halos, and fairy lights blinked lazily above fire pits and bean bags. There was even an espresso cart. With a barista. Wearing a beanie. In the forest. Capitalism had officially won.

Min Ah looked around with cautious awe, tugging her overnight bag higher on her shoulder. “Why does this feel like an Instagram influencer’s wet dream?”

“Because it is,” Eunji muttered beside her. “I checked the geo-tag. This place is a wedding venue on weekends.”

Dokyeom clapped his hands loudly from the center of the clearing, drawing everyone’s attention. “Alright, Artois troops!” he said with far too much energy for someone wearing socks with Birkenstocks. “Let’s do the rooming assignments!”

A collective groan echoed through the crowd. Everyone knew the horror of room assignments during overnight company events. The drama. The betrayal. The unspoken wars.

“Don’t worry,” Dokyeom said, waving a crumpled paper. “I’ve randomized it. Equal gender distribution, two per tent. Very fair.”

Min Ah narrowed her eyes. That sounded… suspiciously too fair.

One by one, people were called up to receive their tent numbers.

“Eunji with Dahyun.”

“Manager Kim with Senior Seo.”

“Hyunwoo with Hyojin.”

The line moved. Bags dragged. People scattered. Tents filled up.

Min Ah waited, rocking on her heels. Hoshi stood a few paces away, hands in his coat pockets, eyes on the ground. They hadn’t really talked since the bus incident. Since the nap. Since her head accidentally landed on his shoulder and stayed there. Since someone took a photo of it and now it lived in the group chat as everyone’s favorite new meme.

“And that just leaves…” Dokyeom paused, scanning the remaining names. His eyes lit up like a man watching chaos bloom.

“…Hoshi and Min Ah.”

They both froze.

Min Ah blinked. “Wait. That can’t be right.”

Hoshi straightened. “No no, there’s gotta be someone else—”

“Nope,” Dokyeom said cheerfully. “We had an odd number of both guys and girls. Math is math. Tent 9. Enjoy the bonding!”

And just like that, he walked off.

Min Ah stood there, blinking, brain buffering.

Hoshi turned to her slowly. “…I swear I didn’t plan this.”

“Did I say you did?”

“You looked at me like I set the tent trap.”

“Well maybe you did in your sleep while snoring on my shoulder.”

“I do not snore—”

“You absolutely do.”

They stared at each other.

Silence.

A squirrel ran past.

Somewhere, a leaf dramatically fell.

“Okay,” Hoshi said finally, rubbing the back of his neck. “We’re adults. It’s just one night.”

“Right. We shared a bed before and lived to tell the tale.”

He coughed. “Barely.”

She looked away. “Tent 9?”

“Lead the way.”

As they made their way toward Tent 9, Min Ah could feel the looks.

Not in a scandalous way—just the quiet, knowing glances exchanged between coworkers who knew just enough to guess something spicy might be going on. Eunji gave her a grin that said we’ll talk later. Manager Kim looked like he had bet on this pairing and was winning money in a secret Slack channel.

Tent 9 stood at the very edge of the campgrounds. A little more private. A little more removed. A little too romantic for something that was definitely not supposed to be romantic.

Inside, it was deceptively cute.

Two twin fluffy heated mattresses. A little lantern hanging from the ceiling. A woven rug. Even a fake potted plant in the corner like a passive-aggressive decoration from Hoshi’s apartment.

Min Ah dropped her bag with a thud and immediately sat on the left bed. “This one’s mine. No negotiations.”

Hoshi flopped onto the other bed. “Fine. I didn’t want to sleep near the fake ficus anyway.”

She tossed him a look. “You’re weirdly good at this.”

“At what?”

“This. The… acting normal. Like we didn’t—like nothing happened.”

His face twitched, just slightly. “Do you want me to act differently?”

“No,” she said too quickly. “I mean—yes. No. I don’t know.”

He smiled faintly, eyes on the ceiling. “We could always build a wall of pillows.”

“A Berlin Wall of Shame.”

“Exactly. Keep the Cold War vibes alive.”

She snorted, then sighed, sinking back into her mattress. The tent was quiet except for the muffled laughter of their coworkers outside, and the occasional rustle of leaves.

Min Ah glanced sideways.

Hoshi had one arm slung over his eyes. His mouth was tugged in a smile that didn’t reach his cheeks. His other hand rested on his stomach, fingers twitching.

Her heart twisted.

The dream had felt like Jun. The aftermath had felt like grief.

But this?

This just felt like… a beginning she didn’t know how to name yet.

Outside, someone shouted that dinner would be served soon. The crackle of a bonfire started somewhere near the main pit.

“Let’s just get through tonight,” she said softly.

Hoshi peeked over at her. “Survive now, overthink later?”

She nodded.

He smiled again. “Signal received.”

She rolled her eyes.

But her chest felt a little lighter.

Like maybe this wasn’t a mistake.

Maybe it was just… step one.

—

If there was one thing worse than tent-sharing with your very confusing almost-hookup-almost-crush coworker, it was publicly pairing up with said coworker for trust-building exercises led by a man in cargo shorts with an actual whistle.

“Alright, Artois troops!” Dokyeom yelled, hopping onto a tree stump like a deranged camp counselor. “Next up in our magical glamping bonding journey: team activities!”

A collective groan echoed through the trees.

Hoshi muttered, “Why does he sound like a PE teacher on crack?”

Min Ah elbowed him. “Shut up or he’ll assign you to the three-legged race with Manager Kim.”

That shut him up real fast.

The group was herded into a clearing near the edge of the forest, where several suspiciously cute activity stations had been set up. A macramé rope swing. An obstacle course made from string and pool noodles. A stack of hula hoops and—god help them—a blindfolded trust-walk zone.

“Pick a partner!” Dokyeom called out. “We’ll rotate later!”

Everyone scattered like cockroaches.

Dahyun sprinted toward Eunji. Soobin grabbed Jisoo. Even Hyunwoo and Manager Kim had some weird synchronized nod thing going.

Min Ah turned around, scanning—

Only to find Hoshi already standing beside her, hands in his pockets, awkward little smile blooming on his face.

“…Guess it’s us,” he said.

Her heart did that annoying little skip. “Guess so.”

They were assigned to the trust fall first. Classic. Cruel. Criminal.

Hoshi stood behind her, arms out. “Okay. Just lean back. I’ve got you.”

Min Ah eyed him suspiciously. “Promise you won’t let me die?”

“I swear on my glasses collection.”

“…Wow. High stakes.”

She took a breath. Closed her eyes. And fell.

His arms caught her with ridiculous ease—strong, steady, warm.

“See?” he murmured. “Safe.”

Her heart stuttered. Stupid heart. “Yeah.”

She stepped away quickly, cheeks burning. “Your turn.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You gonna catch me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

He smirked. “You’d catch me. You like me.”

“Excuse me—”

But he was already falling back.

She yelped and lunged forward—caught him with a startled oof, his weight slamming into her arms.

“SEE?” he grinned upside down. “You like me.”

“I hate you,” she gasped, laughing. “You’re so heavy—what the hell—are you carrying trauma in your pockets?!”

“I carry my issues everywhere. It’s my gym routine.”

She shoved him away, still laughing, and they moved on to the next station: the hand-tied maze. Basically, their wrists were bound together with a rope, and they had to navigate a path without letting go.

It was a disaster.

Every turn, every tug, every misstep brought them closer. Hoshi cursed under his breath when he almost tripped, dragging Min Ah down with him.

“Stop pulling!”

“You’re the one zigzagging like a drunk pigeon!”

“You smell like glitter and shame!”

“You said I smelled good yesterday!”

“That was before I remembered you put my wig in a microwave!”

They finally stumbled out of the maze—sweaty, breathless, and tangled.

A few claps came from their coworkers, but mostly everyone was just filming for future blackmail.

Min Ah collapsed on the grass, tugging at the knot on her wrist. “Who even designed this? A sadist?”

“Probably Dokyeom,” Hoshi said, panting beside her. “This has his chaotic evil fingerprints all over it.”

She leaned back on her elbows, watching the clouds shift lazily overhead.

Hoshi looked over at her.

She glanced at him, "What?"

“I didn’t hate that.”

“Which part? The falling? The insults? The rope burn?”

He smiled. “Being stuck to you.”

…Silence.

She looked away. “You’re such a flirt.”

“I’m not flirting,” he said, softer now. “Not really.”

She didn’t answer. But her fingers brushed his for just a second. Light. Uncertain. Real.

Then someone called out: “BONFIRE IN FIFTEEN! BRING YOUR CHAOS ENERGY!”

The spell broke.

Min Ah stood up and dusted off her pants. “Better get ready.”

Hoshi stayed seated, looking up at her like she was made of starlight and static.

“Hey,” he said.

She looked back.

He smiled, lopsided. “You’re really pretty when you’re annoyed.”

Her face flushed. “You’re lucky I don’t push you into the lake.”

“Worth it,” he said.

As they walked back toward the tents, side by side, brushing shoulders—

The air between them buzzed with everything unsaid.

And neither of them knew it yet, but the fire that night?

Wasn’t just coming from the bonfire.

—

The stars above were shy tonight, ducking behind the clouds as if even they didn’t want to witness the disaster unfolding below.

The bonfire cracked, sending embers dancing into the crisp night air. Fairy lights strung from tree to tree glowed like twinkling secrets, barely lighting the circle of chaos about to begin.

Dokyeom stood in the center, arms outstretched, ladle in one hand, the glint of evil in his eyes.

“Alright, delinquents!” he shouted. “The time has come. The game that will either bond us for life or completely destroy our dignity: Spill or Kiss!”

A few people groaned.

Soobin whispered, “He’s drunk on power. Someone stop him.”

“Too late,” Dahyun said, popping a marshmallow into her mouth.

The group started forming a loose circle—some sat on plaid picnic blankets, others on camping stools or straight on the gravel, bundled in hoodies and blankets. Hot chocolate steamed in mugs. Someone had brought an acoustic speaker softly playing retro K-pop in the background—Twice’s Signal, of course, as if the universe was in on the joke.

And just like fate had been doing all weekend, it struck again.

Min Ah ended up next to Dahyun.

And Hoshi.

Again.

The universe was not subtle.

“Okay, rules are simple,” Dokyeom beamed, dramatically clicking his pen. “One personal, mildly soul-crushing question. If you don’t answer, you kiss the person to your right. You must do one.”

“Wait—must?” Jisoo frowned.

“Yes,” Dokyeom said. “You cannot escape. This is a legally binding game in the woods.”

“Great,” muttered Min Ah. “This is how we die. Publicly. Emotionally.”

They started clockwise.

The first few rounds were hilarious. Dahyun was asked if she ever stalked her ex on LinkedIn (“obviously,” she said, sipping hot cocoa). Soobin got grilled about the weirdest thing he’s ever Googled drunk. (“How many raccoons can I legally own in South Korea.”)

Manager Kim was asked who in the office he’d fire if he could. He stared at Soobin for a full 10 seconds before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. “Too dangerous,” he said.

Then it happened.

Eunji turned, oh-so-innocently, toward Min Ah.

“Min Ah,” he said sweetly, as if he wasn’t the human embodiment of chaos. “Your turn.”

Min Ah blinked. “Okay. Hit me.”

Eunji's smile sharpened.

“Did you ever sleep with someone from the office?”

The bonfire might as well have exploded.

Gasps. Laughter. Someone choked on their drink.

Min Ah stared at him, mouth hanging open.

“WHAT?!”

Eunji threw her arms up. “It’s a fair question!”

“THAT’S A MINEFIELD,” Hoshi hissed beside her, already paling.

Min Ah’s brain went into a tailspin. Her hands started sweating. Her soul left her body, hovered above the glamping tent, and said, this is why we don’t go on company retreats, babe.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

She could feel Hoshi freeze next to her.

She looked at Eunji. “I’m not answering that.”

“Rules are rules,” Dokyeom sang. “Kiss the person on your right~”

The world tilted.

Min Ah turned her head slowly. Met Hoshi’s eyes.

The firelight danced across his features—his skin flushed, lips parted slightly, like he couldn’t decide whether to run or pass out.

The rest of the circle leaned in as one.

“Well?” Dahyun whispered, eyes gleaming. “Let’s goooo.”

Min Ah licked her lips. “This is stupid,” she mumbled.

Hoshi gave a breathless little laugh. “Yeah.”

Beat.

“You okay?” she whispered.

He nodded, just once. “Yeah. You?”

Min Ah’s voice was barely there. “I think so.”

She leaned in.

So did he.

And then—

Their lips touched.

Not for long. Not deep. But not nothing.

It was soft. Still.

Like time had slipped out of gear and for one perfect second, everything just... paused.

Her lips trembled against his.

His hand—somehow—found her knee. Gentle. Grounding.

When they pulled back, the air between them shimmered.

And then—chaos.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“DID Y’ALL SEE THAT?!”

“WAIT HOLD UP—THAT WAS NOT A GAME KISS!”

Eunji actually threw her cup in the air.

Dahyun screamed into a pillow.

Soobin clutched Manager Kim’s sleeve and whisper-yelled, “OH MY GOD SHE DID SLEEP WITH SOMEONE IN THE OFFICE.”

Min Ah immediately hid her face in both hands. “I want to die.”

Hoshi choked on his own breath, eyes wide. “That was—no—that’s not—”

“You put your hand on her knee, bro,” Dokyeom said smugly, sipping cider like tea. “It’s over. Just elope now.”

“I’M NEVER PLAYING THIS GAME AGAIN,” Min Ah shrieked.

Eunji pounced on her. “Wait wait wait wait wait—WAS IT HIM?!”

Min Ah yelped. “NO COMMENT—”

“OH MY GOD IT WAS HIM.”

Hoshi made a noise like a dying duck. “I’m deceased. This is my funeral.”

But beneath all the panic and teasing—

Min Ah risked a glance at him.

He was already looking at her.

Their eyes met.

And this time…

They didn’t look away.

He mouthed: You okay?

She gave the smallest nod. You?

He smiled—crooked, nervous, warm. Better than okay.

Her stomach flipped.

Somewhere in the trees, an owl hooted. Somewhere across the fire, Eunji was still interrogating her with aggressive marshmallows. And somewhere in her chest, a feeling that started as chaos…

Was starting to feel like something else.

Something dangerous.

Something real.

—

The fire had died down to coals, and the night had sobered into stillness.

No more cheers. No more music. Just the soft rustle of wind threading through the trees, and the occasional muffled giggle from tents where the Artois crew was still probably sharing ghost stories or meme recaps of the day.

Min Ah lingered at the edge of the firepit like she was stalling time.

Her heart had stopped doing backflips about fifteen minutes ago—but now it was pacing. Cautious. Unsure.

Because she still felt it. That kiss.

Not the pressure of it, or the spark—it hadn’t been some steamy, cinematic, fireworks-exploding kind of kiss. But it had landed—like a small asteroid quietly crashing into the planet she called her emotional stability.

The truth was, it didn’t feel like acting.

And that scared the living hell out of her.

She tightened her cardigan around herself and turned toward their tent—their shared tent, because of course fate would trap her overnight with the same man she’d kissed in front of all their coworkers.

The tent looked cozy from a distance. Soft lantern glow seeping through the canvas, shadows swaying gently inside. A cream bubble of forced intimacy.

Her palms were sweaty.

Min Ah took a breath and unzipped the flap.

“Zrrrp.”

Hoshi was sitting up inside, cross-legged on a rolled-out sleeping mat. He looked up immediately. Like he’d been waiting.

“Oh,” he said. “Hey.”

His hair was still fluffy from the wind, his hoodie half unzipped. He had taken off the cat ears from earlier, but a faint glitter trail still clung to his jaw. The soft light made him look warm. Real.

Too real.

Min Ah stepped in and zipped the flap back up behind her. It was quieter instantly. Just the two of them and the hum of air.

“Hi,” she said.

They both just… stood there.

Or rather—he sat, she stood, awkward like someone caught in a very polite home invasion.

“You can sit,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Oh. Right.”

She eased down across from him, sitting a bit stiffly, pulling her knees up like a protective fortress. The blanket underneath them was soft and smelled like detergent and forest. Their shoulders weren’t quite touching. But her body felt hyperaware. Every shift of his weight. Every exhale.

A minute passed. Maybe two.

“…So,” he said eventually. “That happened.”

Min Ah glanced at him. “You mean the group-wide public workplace HR scandal that was our lips touching for five seconds?”

Hoshi huffed a quiet laugh. “That one, yeah.”

They both went quiet again.

Min Ah reached down and picked at a loose thread on the hem of her pants. “It didn’t… feel like a game.”

Hoshi turned slightly toward her. “No,” he said, voice low. “It didn’t.”

She looked down. “I think that’s what freaks me out the most.”

He nodded. Not pushing. Just listening.

“I thought it was going to be, like—just a dumb dare. Haha, funny, wow, scandalous. But then I kissed you and it felt like my body didn’t get the memo that it was a joke.” She paused. “It felt like my body… already knew yours.”

Her voice faltered at the end, like the truth had snuck up on her mid-sentence.

Hoshi didn’t speak for a moment.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Same.”

She lifted her head slightly.

“I’ve imagined it before,” he admitted, not meeting her eyes. “Not like in a gross way—okay sometimes in a gross way—but also… like this. Quiet. Real. Like we’re just… here. Talking about it.”

Min Ah’s breath caught.

He added quickly, “You don’t have to say anything. I’m not asking for anything. I just— I don’t want you to think it was nothing. Or that I kissed you just because of the game.”

Her throat felt tight.

“I didn’t hate it,” she said quietly.

Their eyes met.

That changed the air.

It got heavier. Not tense, not bad—just charged. Like something was finally stepping into the room between them and refusing to pretend it didn’t exist anymore.

“I don’t know what to do with all this,” Min Ah said honestly. “I’m still kind of in this… grief haze. And the Jun stuff, it’s—God, it’s still there. I haven’t moved on. I don’t even think I’ve really started to. And then I go and do this—sleep with you, kiss you, laugh with you like we’re fine, and I don’t know if it’s real or if I’m just looking for a bandaid.”

Her voice cracked at the edges.

Hoshi listened. Like really listened. Like he wasn’t bracing for rejection, just… letting her be messy.

Min Ah wrapped her arms around her knees. “But I don’t regret it.”

That surprised her even as she said it.

“I thought I would,” she continued. “When I woke up in your bed, I thought I’d want to disappear. But I didn’t. And tonight—I didn’t kiss you because I was pretending. I kissed you because…”

She trailed off. Bit her lip. “Because it felt good. To want someone and not have to hurt for it.”

Hoshi exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding that breath the entire time.

—

They sat in it. The quiet. The admission. The flicker of something that wasn’t quite peace, but wasn’t panic anymore either.

After a moment, Min Ah smiled faintly. “Also, your lips are really soft.”

Hoshi looked scandalized. “Excuse me?”

“Like unnaturally soft. Are you using a gloss? Is it Fenty?”

“I will neither confirm nor deny my allegiance to Rihanna.”

She laughed, head falling to her knees.

He watched her like she was the only light in the room.

Outside, the fire had gone out. The wind picked up, rustling the trees in that way that made it feel like the forest was whispering secrets. Inside the tent, it was quiet—too quiet.

Min Ah shivered.

Just slightly.

But Hoshi noticed. He always noticed.

“You cold?”

She shrugged. “I’m fine.”

Hoshi tilted his head. “You’re visibly trembling.”

“I said I’m fine, Captain Sweatpants.”

“I’m trying to be a gentleman, Min Ah, not a heater.”

“Maybe try harder.”

But her teeth chattered right at the end, betraying her entirely.

Hoshi sighed, then looked toward the two single beds lined up against opposite sides of the tent—perfectly reasonable, perfectly HR-safe. Then he looked back at her, and the universe collectively held its breath.

“…Do you want to come here?” he asked, voice cautious.

She blinked. “Come where?”

He patted the space beside him. His sleeping bag was half-zipped, his body already curled up in a heap of blanket and warmth. His sweatpants peeked out beneath the edge, and for some reason, that made everything feel ten times more dangerous.

Min Ah stared at him.

Then at the other bed.

Then back at him.

She crossed her arms. “This is a trap.”

“It’s literally not.”

“You say that, but then you pull out the lip balm and suddenly I’m compromised.”

“Min Ah.”

“Hoshi.”

Another gust of wind howled outside. The fabric of the tent flapped slightly, and her shoulders curled inward.

She groaned. “If I wake up in your arms again, I’m suing.”

“No comment.”

Slowly—so slowly—she crawled over, dragging her blanket like a defeated ghost. She flopped onto his bed and immediately sighed at the warmth.

“…Don’t make it weird,” she mumbled, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

“Me? Make it weird?” Hoshi said. “Never. I’m the pinnacle of platonic behavior.”

“Uh-huh.”

They lay like that for a moment—awkward, stiff, two human icicles trying to defrost without igniting something irreversible.

Eventually, Min Ah shifted. Her arm brushed his.

Hoshi froze.

Then he shifted, too. Their legs tangled slightly, socks brushing. She kicked him once—lightly.

“Your feet are cold,” she muttered.

“So are yours,” he shot back. “This is a hate cuddle now.”

“You’re lucky I’m too tired to murder you.”

“You’re lucky I’m letting you freeload my body heat.”

“Shut up and hold me.”

That came out before she could think about it.

Hoshi’s breath caught.

And then—he moved. Gently. Tentatively. One arm sliding around her waist, the other adjusting the blanket so it cocooned them both. She nestled into his chest, her face pressed somewhere near the crook of his neck.

His heartbeat was loud.

So was hers.

This was a mistake.

This was a terrible idea.

This was…

…kind of perfect.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” she whispered.

“I can,” Hoshi replied, voice low. “I’ve kind of wanted to for a while.”

That made her look up—just slightly. Her eyes met his in the dark.

“You're an idiot,” she sighed.

She could kiss him right now.

He could kiss her.

But they didn’t.

Instead, she pressed her forehead to his collarbone and whispered, “Let’s just sleep.”

And he whispered back, “Okay.”

They lay like that—tangled, warm, too aware—and somewhere between heartbeats, Min Ah’s last thought before sleep found her again was:

You didn’t kiss me like someone pretending.

And maybe…

You, Jeong Han, and Joshua have been good friends since elementary school. You still clearly remember the incident when you were in 3rd grade, Jeong Han grabbed your pencil and scratched the back of your hand because he thought you were a difficult person. At that time, you could only cry and Joshua comforted you. After that incident, it was Joshua who tried hard to restore your friendship. Luckily, you're the type of person who can forgive even though there's still a little grudge and Jeong Han admits his mistake. Your friendship continues and is filled with reflection and self-evaluation.

Until it's time for you to enter a higher level, namely junior high school. Amazingly, your friendship is getting closer and harder to separate. Luck is also on your side because you two are in the same class twice. If you do the math, the three of you have been in the same class 5 times already. Starting from grade 1th, 3rd, and 6th grade from elementary school, continued with 1st and 2nd grade of junior highschool. Indeed, you were never in the same class at all or were completely separated in 5th grade. However, the rest of you usually get to be in the same class as one of you and there will definitely be someone alone.

Since you guys have entered the teenage phase, Jeong Han made a pact to keep your friendship.

No one should involve more feelings in your friendship, whoever it is.

And of course, you agree to this because you really feel that nothing involves more feelings or liking your own best friend.

Towards graduation to a higher level, namely high school, Joshua chose a different major from the two of you. Joshua wanted to focus on becoming a doctor, that's why he chose to major in science while you two chose to major in social studies. There, you know that you will separate and can never be fully together again in the classroom. Jeong Han, who felt sad, decided to make a mutual agreement. Jeong Han doesn't want their friendship to end just because they have different majors.

At first it went smoothly, until they finally stepped on the 2nd grade of high school.

There is a student from the science department who likes Joshua and, unfortunately, they are in the same class. The girl doesn't know anything about Joshua's friendship and she looks down on you because she feels you are her rival. You are actually also not involved in the matter, so you have to be involved. Of course you will tell this to Jeong Han. That girl became a hot topic between you three and frustrated Joshua. Jeong Han and you are willing to help, but can't overtly either.

You two try to help him when there is a busy event. For example, during a seminar, Joshua will leave two seats for the two of you so you can stay together. However, this time Joshua couldn't joke around like before because the girl would try to steal his attention. You and Jeong Han also occasionally try to make Joshua feel less bothered but fail. The girl also looked down on you even more, labeling you as “Playgirl”.

This made Jeong Han feel very annoyed.

Until finally you are in the last level of high school. Joshua still can't let go of the girl because it turns out that they are in the same class again, while you and Jeong Han are in the same class again. Jeong Han didn't want anything to do with the girl anymore, so he asked Joshua to meet you two when the girl wasn't with Joshua. You feel quite relieved because Jeong Han seems to protect you from malicious comments from friends of your same age.

“Jeong Han, here is food! Come on get it!” You took out a box of boxes for Jeong Han.

You also take it for yourself.

"After this we are on vacation again, finally I can lie down on the bed as much as I want before continuing to the next semester..." Min Ha sat in the teacher's chair which was close to the air conditioner.

"Eeehh~ You also have to do activities, you can't just lie down on the bed all the time." Jeong Han opened his box and prepared himself to eat.

"I'm not as productive as you think, Jeong Han... After I take my report card, I'm going to sleep for 2 days, I want to hibernate."

"Are you a bear?" Jeong Han put his food in his mouth and chewed it.

"Yes, indeed I like to be called a bear, bear is cute... I also like pandas..." You smiled happily.

"You don't want to eat?"

You shook your head, you glanced at the clock on the wall.

"It's still past 10, my mom also told me not to be greedy... So, yeah... I won't eat first... Wait for 11 to 12, count this for lunch."

You stare at Jeong Han who is chewing with his mouth full.

“You're funny, you look like a squirrel eating its nuts…” You held back your laughter and also covered your lips with the back of your hand so Jeong Han wouldn't feel embarrassed.

“Hmm!! You're mocking me?" Jung Han furrowed his brows.

“No, I said you're cute… You don't take it like that, you think you're creepy? Not at all."

Jeong Han took the side dish that had been cut into pieces and pointed the chopsticks that were between the pieces of meat at you.

"Come on, eat... Try it first, who knows you like it and want to eat it."

Again and again, you shook your head.

"No need, I'm not hungry."

Jeong Han insists, you don't want to make him angry.

You eat the piece of meat and Jeong Han smiles happily, he goes back to eating.

However, you didn't know that someone was watching you two from outside the classroom.

He felt something he shouldn't have felt.

"I think I like her... I can't help it, Jeong Han."

Jeong Han was silent, he tried to digest the situation and his friend's words earlier.

“W-What is the reason you like her, Joshua? Didn't we agree that we wouldn't involve feelings—”

"I don't know, Jeong Han! I feel comfortable and happy when I'm with her… I thought this feeling would go away, but it didn't… I thought that this feeling was just a temporary feeling that appeared, but it's not—”

“Tell me you were just kidding!” Jeong Han squeezed Joshua's shoulder.

Joshua winces in pain with Jeong Han's strength.

"I'm sorry, Jeong Han... I'm not kidding, I really like her... I can't deny my feelings by telling the truth... It will only hurt me." Joshua's gaze softened.

“You're only going to hurt me and ___ too! Stop those feelings, Joshua… You're going to hurt us all… Please respect our struggles to stay together until now, soon we'll all be separated and find our own paths… I'm sure those feelings will go away.” Jeong Han held back his tears.

"I'm sorry, Jeong Han... I'm not that easy to feel comfortable and happy with the opposite sex, but when I'm with ___, I feel it all... I even feel that ___ is someone I can rely on, she always takes the time to listen my complains about my life… She doesn't look at me just because I'm handsome and the only child of a rich family… She's just like you, Jeong Han…” Joshua smiled sadly.

Jeong Han shook his head and pushed Joshua away from him. Jeong Han squeezed his hair in frustration while taking a small walk. This is not what Jeong Han wants, he doesn't like it when other people glance at his beautiful best friend. However, this time his biggest enemy is his best friend whom he trusted for 12 years. Jeong Han laughed with his voice that sounded rough and unfriendly.

“I just finished the first semester break, I haven't properly adapted to the new and final semester yet, you came in saying that… You are really selfish, Joshua.” Jeong Han looked at Joshua with a disappointed look.

If only Joshua could read Jeong Han's mind.

“___! Do you know where Jeong Han is?”

"Seung Cheol, you have a handphone... Why don't you call the person directly?"

“He left his handphone in class! This!" Seung Cheol pulls Jeong Han's handphone out of the handphone storage box.

You roll your eyeballs lazily.

"Yeah, just give it to me." You offered to help Seung Cheol.

"Thank you, I have to go now! Bye, I owe you!” Seung Cheol hands you a canned drink.

You received the canned drink that was still neatly sealed and stared at the taste of the drink. Vanilla Latte, one of the drinks that Jeong Han likes. You left the class and it must have been the opposite direction from Seung Cheol. You don't need to go far, just go to a place where Jeong Han often visits. It hasn't arrived yet, you've met Jeong Han with his hair loose in front of the hall entrance. You can feel an unfriendly aura from the way Jeong Han walks.

But, fearing him is not you.

"Jeonghan, what's wrong? You look annoyed!” You greet while giving a canned drink to Jeong Han.

Jeong Han stopped and looked at you with his wide eyes.

You smile kindly at her, you are mesmerized by her beauty.

"I just realized that your hair is long again, you look cool and charming!" You're trying to comfort Jeong Han.

Jeong Han took the canned drink and opened it, he took a sip of the liquid to moisten his throat.

"You want a story? Looks like you've run into trouble… But, you don't need to rush either.” You raise your thumbs up and you feel an awkward atmosphere surround you both.

“No, I'm just annoyed because of my own problems… You don't need to know, you won't get involved in this problem” Jeong Han smiled sweetly.

You nodded your head as a neutral reaction.

"You bought me this?"

“No, Seung Cheol left it for me… Well, you didn't bring your cell phone either and he was in a hurry too…” You try not to make things more awkward.

"Thank you, you are so cute~" Jeong Han playing with his voice.

You are silent again, you are confused about what reaction you should give Jeong Han.

"Would you like to eat with me on the second break?" Jeong Han asked you with a cute smile.

"Oh—! Good idea, Joshua also happened to invite me to have lunch together, do you want to join? Today, that annoying girl didn't come, that's why he dared to invite me to eat together."

Jeong Han again gave an uncomfortable expression to look at.

"Why…? You had a fight with Joshua?" You ask doubtfully.

"No, ___! It's just, I want to be alone with you first, like when Joshua was busy taking care of that fussy student… I feel more comfortable that way, after all… You also want to know what I'm going through, right? It's just fine if you want to be with Joshua, I'm not going first."

"Oh— Maybe you can chat with me via chat later… How about it?" You smile again.

Jeong Han hugged your arm and led you to walk with him.

"I don't know, I don't want to chat, I want to talk to you directly…" Jeong Han whined.

"Okay, just find some time for the both of us, let me know later."

After that, you follow the lessons as usual. Jeong Han's behavior in class is enough to make you wonder. Where he becomes more into being around you and glares at everyone who approaches you. Her long black hair makes her look beautiful and also adorable so you are amazed and feel a little special to have a friend like Jeong Han. However, it was Jeong Han's sharp eyes on everyone but you that unsettled you.

You think that Jeong Han's personal feelings are involved.

Did Jeong Han break his own promise?

That's what you're thinking right now.

When the second break time came, you immediately left your place to get out of class. Jeong Han saw you were in a hurry, he just stared at you who left the class without saying goodbye to him. Jeong Han clenched his fists and hit his own study table, that action succeeded in capturing the attention of the students in the class. However, Jeong Han only smiled sweetly again and ignored the fact that he was in the spotlight in his class right now.

On the other side, you sat across from Joshua. The students in Joshua's class look at you with different eyes, especially the new students. You ignored the stares of the students and focused on Joshua. You also get Matcha Latte in a rectangular box from Joshua. Here, you accompany Joshua to lunch interspersed with light topics of conversation.

"You don’t want to eat?"

"I already ate in the first break earlier." You drink his Macha Latte.

"Alone?"

You nod.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you something... But, somehow I'm not ready to tell you... I'm afraid the reaction you'll give won't meet my expectations."

"You haven't even told me yet!"

You hate people who make you feel curious.

Joshua laughed in satisfaction at your reaction.

"Don't laugh, you idiot! Eat first and then laugh! Rice will come out of your mouth, your charm as a prince in this school will disappear!" You nagged Joshua.

Joshua laughed even louder and you two became the highlight of Joshua's class.

"Okay, Joshua… That's too much." You say in a flat tone.

"I'm sorry, you are so funny… You are too honest and really not fit to be a bad person, you are not good at lying."

“You digress, Joshua.”

Joshua shook his head and smiled sweetly.

"I hope the two of us can be together forever." Joshua took your hand.

You are increasingly confused with your own best friend.

Joshua and Jeong Han broke the agreed upon rules?

As the days go by, your friendship is getting tenuous. Jeong Han is too dependent on you and starts to be possessive of you, while Joshua often gives you things at high prices. You don't want all of this, you just want your friendship to get better again. You often reprimand Jeong Han for acting excessively when you're with Joshua or other people. You don't understand Jeong Han's drastically changed behavior.

Recently Jeong Han has been stealing your food using the same cutlery as you. Jeong Han also makes physical contact with you more often and almost kisses you several times. Of course you tell this to Joshua, but unfortunately Joshua can't do anything either. What's more, your time to meet Joshua is limited due to the presence of that chatty student.

You analyze all the strange behavior of Jeong Han and Joshua. The strangest thing you think is when Joshua invites you to sit together during a seminar, but Jeong Han pulls you away and as a result you just sit with Jeong Han in the back. Indeed, at that time Joshua was next to that chatty student, but usually the two of you still sat next to Joshua. Surprisingly, Joshua only left one seat and only called your name.

"They like me? No, no! They must be betting!"

You never feel confident about someone liking you.

"___! What are you thinking about?"

You looked at Jeong Han with confusion.

"You seem too engrossed in daydreaming that you forget that we have a group assignment? I chose you as my groupmate!"

"Just the two of us?"

Jeong Han nodded with a sweet smile on his face.

Jeong Han's appearance has changed again, now his hair color is Light Blonde. You can barely focus back on the task because of Jeong Han's completely different appearance. At school, boys and girls are allowed to choose their own hairstyle and change hair color as they like. As long as it doesn't interfere with the lesson and they can take care of it properly, then it's not a problem.

"You want to come to my house today?"

"To your house?"

"Yes, my house... Today is Friday and we can also use the time for group work." Jung Han smiled again.

"Oh, I have to get permission from my parents first if you invite me to your house." You immediately tell your parents and also Joshua.

"You can come with me directly, I brought the car today."

You just nodded so as not to be suspected, you tried to look firm too.

"What was the task, huh? I didn't listen…" You looked at Jeong Han doubtfully.

"The task? We are told to write a paper on data collection and data processing, we have to find and explain."

"Not practice?"

"No, but it's practically writing skills… We'll just have to search, I guess." Jeong Han looked away, he was also not sure about his task.

You saw a reply from your parents who agreed for you to go to Jeong Han's house.

"Jeong Han, just to be sure… Your parents are there, right?"

Jeong Han looked at you and nodded slowly.

"Don't worry, we're not alone in my house… You don't seem to trust me this time, what's wrong?"

"You mean a gho-ghost?" You're trying to break the tension between you two.

Jeong Han just smiled sarcastically and brought his face closer to yours.

"You're so cute when you're scared… You don't need to be scared like that, nothing will happen."

Jeong Han tucks your slightly messy hair behind your ear, his gaze is so sharp it manages to make you goosebumps.

You just finished school at 5 in the afternoon. Jeong Han is waiting for you to tidy up your messy things on the table. It just so happens that your last subject is arts and culture and you are assigned to make flower bouquets using used materials. You haven't checked Joshua's messages because you were too busy earlier. After you tidied up your things, Jeong Han took one of your heavy tote bags.

"Jeonghan!"

"It's fine, a pretty girl can't carry anything heavy."

"Aren't you usually the one telling me and Joshua to carry your stuff?" You furrow your brows.

"So what? Can you stop taking Joshua too? I was having a fight with him—"

"It's been almost 1 month that you haven't seen him, is it that bad? This is the first time I know that boys can fight for more than 1 month."

Jeong Han didn't respond to you and he left the class first. You followed him from behind while activating your handphone. Jeong Han walked slower so you wouldn't be left behind. He invites you to chat with light topics because he himself is already dizzy with the new knowledge he has gained. You all hate studying, no one likes studying and of course it's not uncommon.

Anyone who likes lessons, you will definitely think it's strange.

You get into Jeong Han's car and sit next to Jeong Han.

You open your handphone and see a message from Joshua, he advises you not to go with Jeong Han. But, you are too late to respond. If you ask to leave suddenly, it will only make Jeong Han suspicious. What's more, you've told him your parents agreed. You can only pretend to be busy with your handphone and ignore Jeong Han who started driving his car.

Heading out of the school area, you see Joshua who is getting ready to ride a motorcycle.

You guys had a look.

"It's been a long time since you came to my house, my little sister misses you very much."

"Oh… But, she didn't DM me…" You immediately opened his sister Jeong Han's Instagram.

You immediately sent a message to his little sister.

"She said he was too shy to DM you first, because it's been a while since the two of you met and she's afraid of being rude."

"In fact, her brother has no manners at all with me." your sneer.

Jeong Han laughed out loud and made you jump a little in surprise.

"You are so funny! It's only natural that you attract the attention of many people!"

You immediately messaged Joshua as well.

Why don't you message your parents?

You realize that your parents like Jeong Han too much, so your parents won't believe it that easily with Jeong Han's change in attitude. Now, all you can rely on is Joshua. Let's say you have personal feelings for Joshua too and now is the right time. But, you also realize that it's impossible for Joshua to catch up to you.

"Sometimes i don't like my friends whose homes are far from the school area, so it's hard for me to visit them because I need a vehicle and also time." You said while continuously texting Joshua.

"You're right, sometimes I also feel jealous of Joshua whose house is close to you, you can meet anytime."

"Not really, Joshua is too busy with his duties."

"Assignments for science students are much more difficult, that's why I chose to enter Social Studies..."

"It's just as difficult, my goal in entering Social Studies is just to avoid doing math and memorizing the names of strange cells." Your tone is starting to sound less friendly.

"I don't like all the lessons, every time the lessons start, I always want to go home."

You can't hold back your smile.

"You're right."

Jeong Han took his water bottle and gave it to you.

"Please open it, I'm thirsty."

You unscrew the bottle and give it to Jeong Han.

"You really like to drink coffee, it's not healthy for you…"

Jeong Han only held his water bottle because he couldn't take his eyes off the road.

"Forget it, I'll have a drink later when I can pull over, please close again."

You groaned in annoyance as you closed Jeong Han's bottle.

The journey felt so long, you never thought that Jeong Han's house would be this far. When you ask him, Jeong Han just says that the road that is usually used is being repaired. You don't really believe what Jeong Han said, but your sleepiness is much higher than your suspicion. You keep yawning and reading the last chat from Joshua and his younger brother Jeong Han.

You feel relieved because his little sister said that she is indeed at home.

Jeong Han didn't lie to you.

However, it was a message from Joshua that made you change your mind.

It's just that, you're too sleepy and closing your eyes for a while can make you fall into a deep sleep.

You woke up and at that moment you immediately opened your eyes. You are not in the car anymore, you find yourself in a room. But, you are not familiar with the atmosphere of the room. Dark, lit only by small lamps or decorative lights. This is not the Jeong Han room you know. So far, you only know Jeong Han's room which is simple and has coffee nuances.

"Why does the room give the feel of the universe…?" you mumbled.

The door to his room opens, Jeong Han comes in with two glasses of drink on a tray.

"Hey, I thought you'd wake up!"

"Where is this, Jeong Han? Where are you taking me?"

"Oh, this is my house… More precisely, our home!"

"Our home? Where are you taking me…?" Your body shivers in silence.

"You think I'm going to take you to the house where we used to play when we were little? No, I'm not going to take you there… I'm showing you our house and this room will be our child's room."

Jeong Han put his tray on the small table next to the bed. He crouches down facing you and caresses your cheek gently. You just jump a little when you know his hands are very cold. Jeong Han gives you his angelic smile, but this time you feel scared. Usually you will feel happy or relieved when you see that smile.

Your mind right now is only on Joshua.

"Doesn't this count as kidnapping?" Ask you as firmly as possible.

"Kidnapping? You think this is kidnapping? Isn't this for our future?"

"What do you meant of together? We're not going to be together, Jeong Han… You are my friend and at that time you agreed that nothing would involve each other's feelings…" You shook your head.

"___, don't be like that… I'm doing this because I have a reason… Honestly, I was quite surprised to find that you really don't involve your personal feelings in this friendship."

Jeong Han gripped your jaw and glared at you in anger.

"But, after something like this happened… I'm not sure you don't involve your personal feelings for Joshua, you feel safer with Joshua, right?" Jeong Han smiled sarcastically.

"Jeong Han, let's talk about this alright, I don't want to—"

"There's nothing to talk about nicely!" Jeong Han raised his tone.

Jeong Han pulled you gently into his arms, he kissed your earlobe.

"You know? Joshua broke the mutual agreement before me."

"Joshua likes me?"

"You're so smart, ___! But, because I don't like a traitor, I pulled you away from him!"

Jeong Han loosens his hug and forces you to look into his eyes.

"I've been holding back my feelings for you for years and Joshua wants to take you from me?! There's no way I can! I've been trying to contain my ego, but Joshua went first! Without guilt, he confessed his feelings for you to me! Hey, ___ … Tell me that you are mine, will you?”

"I belong to no one."

"Don't say it like that, you are mine… Yes, yes, yes?!"

You slapped Jeong Han and kicked him in the stomach. While Jeong Han was off guard, you ran towards the exit. Just before you unlock the door, Jeong Han pulls your leg and makes you fall. He grabbed you, turned your body, and pressed you down, he held your wrists. His hideous grin makes you even more scared.

"You should be grateful because I always do sweet things for you! Is this your reward?!"

"No one is grateful if it ends like this!"

Jeong Han kissed your lips suddenly. You keep trying to rebel because you don't want Jeong Han to go far. Jeong Han doesn't like you being rebellious all the time, he bites your lips and licks your lips. You can't lie because you are amused by the brush of his tongue on your lips. When you opened your mouth, Jeong Han put his tongue inside your mouth. Your tongue collided with his tongue making a wet sound.

Jeong Han's fingers did not stay still. He unhooked your skirt and pushed it away from you. After the skirt was off, he slipped his hand between your legs. You pushed, hit, and also tried to break the kiss, but failed. Now, Jeong Han is groping your femininity with his rather long fingers. Your mind can resist, but your body's reaction can't.

“Uhm…!!” You kinda curled up when Jeong Han pressed your sensitive spot.

Jeong Han breaks his tongue rolling session and smirks.

"I am the first person who can give you pain as well as pleasure, Joshua can never be the first... I will not always lose to Joshua."

"You… Hate Joshua?"

"I shouldn't have, but because he wanted to take you away from me, I hate him."

Jeong Han groped your womanhood faster and made you moan.

"Look, even you can never sigh like this in front of Joshua." Jeonghan smiled lightly.

"Uhhmm…" You pursed your lips to keep from moaning.

"You got wet this fast because of what? Yes, because of me."

"Jeong Han, stop! I don't want to! I'm scared!" You squeezed Jeong Han's wrist.

Jeong Han's hands are still, but his fingers are not.

"Jeong Han… You forced me!"

"You'll never come to your senses if you're not forced! It's the same with childhood incidents, you wouldn't have known if you weren't hurt!"

Jeong Han slapped your cheek hard, you fell silent.

Jeong Han laughed loudly then pulled your underwear roughly until it tore.

"Hah… It's really hard to discipline you, but that's what I like… You're very interesting."

Jeong Han opens your legs wide in an M shape.

"I wonder how good your pussy tastes like."

Jeong Han licked your vaginal lips then immediately proceeded to poke your cunt with his tongue.

"Ah! Uhm… No! Don't be there…! Ah…! Ahh… It tickles me…" You squeezed Jeong Han's hair.

Jeong Han is getting more and more aggressively poking your cunt with his tongue and you are writhing in amusement. Jeong Han's grip on your thigh is very tight and allows it to leave red marks. Your body starts to feel hot, especially when Jeong Han occasionally strokes your inner thighs sensually. Your thoughts that originally asked Joshua to come disappeared slowly. Jeong Han is very good at giving you a taste of pleasure with his tongue.

"I… Something's wrong… Ahh… Wait…"

You're not that innocent, you're thinking about things you've always known.

Cum.

"Oh… My God! No… Uhmm…!!" You cover your own mouth.

You closed your eyes tightly as you let go. White and viscous fluid flows out of your cunt. Jeong Han grinned and licked your liquid sensually. Your bottom becomes very sensitive and it radiates all over your body. The liquid didn't stop flowing, Jeong Han sat up straight and licked his upper lip. He looked at you seductively, he pressed you down and again crushed your lips. You can taste your own liquid which is very, very unpleasant.

You don't believe people who say cum tastes good.

"So, you are still thinking about Joshua? Do you think that Joshua will do the same to you?"

"Fuck you, Jung Han!" You swear.

"Oh, yes! I'm going to fuck you endlessly until you get pregnant."

Jeong Han pulled you to sit on his lap and again crushed your lips roughly.

Your lips are already swollen and Jeong Han loves it.

Your eyes widen when you feel something warm and skin touching your femininity. You instantly bit Jeong Han's tongue and broke off the crushing session. Jeong Han's grip on your waist tightened so you squeezed his white shirt. Jeong Han is directing your vaginal opening and also his penis so that they are parallel.

"I know if you've never had sex with anyone, I'll be first." Jeong Han pulled your body a little further down.

You were quite surprised when the tip of Jeong Han's penis actually touched your vaginal lips.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you obsessed with me?"

Jeong Han looks back at you intently.

"I'm not obsessed! I love you, that's why I'm doing this! Only I can take good care of you, I will never betray you."

Jeong Han pushed his penis slowly into your cunt.

"Uhh…!! Ahh…!! It hurts! It hurts! It won't go in!" Your eyes start to water from the pain down there.

"It's coming in, ___. Trust me, leave all of this to me." Jung Han smiled happily.

"You are too big…"

"You're just being too tight, after all you've never had sex with anyone before."

You squeezed Jeong Han's white shirt and stared at him intently even though your eyes were watery.

"You are the worst friend I've ever met! Now I know why I chose Joshua over you, Joshua will always seek my approval… Unlike you… Jeong Han." Your voice drops at the end.

Jeong Han just put on a flat face.

Without warning, his body was pushed down so that Jeong Han's penis entered half into your vagina.

"Oh shit! It hurts me! Take it out!" Your body arches backwards and you cry.

"Oh, look… There's blood flowing? Oh, I'm the first person… Not Joshua."

Jeong Han pushed his dick deeper and made you scream louder.

"Get it out! It hurts, Jeong Han! Get out…!!"

You wish you could pass out right now.

Jeong Han started moving his cock in and out. You hugged Jeong Han and buried your face in the crook of Jeong Han's neck. You are confused with yourself, choosing to hug Jeong Han tightly as an outlet for your pain. Jeong Han's hands squeezed your ass and widened it so his cock could go deeper.

"Oh… Uhmm… Jeong Han! Ahh…! Ah…! It hurts…!"

"This is going to turn out to be a pleasure, ___." Jeong Han whispered next to your ear.

"Hahh... Oh...!" Your body tingles when Jeong Han's penis manages to touch your G-spot.

"Why? Does it feel good?" Jeong Han brings his face closer to yours while stroking your cheek.

You nodded quickly while holding back your sighs.

"Ahh…~ Jeong Han… Hmmhh…" You restrained yourself from touching Jeong Han.

"Joshua could never give you pleasure like this, right? I am the winner."

You crushed Jeong Han's lips, hoping that Jeong Han would stop belittling Joshua.

You moaned in that hot crushing session because Jeong Han really got you drunk.

The pulverizing session ended, a strand of saliva contacting your tongue with his.

"Haahh~… Jeong Han… Slow down! Don't be too fast…"

Jeong Han roughly opened your school shirt, some buttons were loose and scattered somewhere.

"I really like it, I took off your bra first… So I can suckle here…" Jeong Han played with your breasts.

"Jeong Han, stop…" You pushed his hand away.

Jeong Han pushed your body down and made your body vibrate.

Jeong Han used that opportunity to suck your nipples.

"Hah… Ahh…!! Your tongue…"

Jeong Han takes turns tasting your nipples greedily.

"Jeong Han, calm down… Calm down…" You hugged Jeong Han and stroked the top of his head.

"You will never understand about me… You will never understand!"

Jeong Han pushed you to lie down on the floor. He holds your wrists and moves his body in a fast tempo. You can't balance him until your legs are wide open just for him. Your body is also weak and carried away by the tempo. You can feel Jeong Han's anger in your union.

"Ahh… Jeong Han… Slow down…! I… I'm not strong—"

"No! I won't let you feel good that easily! I… I want to show you that you are mine and this dirty cunt also mine!"

You were too weak to reply, you could only sigh.

Until you finally release, thick white liquid flows out again. However, you can't rest easy because Jeong Han is still pumping at the same tempo. Your moans get louder and your body almost curls up because of the pleasure and pain that Jeong Han gives you. Your body is very sensitive, Jeong Han can tell by your hardened nipples.

"Oh, my little baby is so sensitive."

"Jeong Hannie… Ahh… Yaahh…"

"Jeong Hannie?"

Jeong Han smiled sweetly and again crushed your lips. You hug him and kiss him back, your mind begins to be taken over by lust. When Jeong Han releases inside you, your body rolls back and at the same time feels warmth in your stomach. Jeong Han just gives you his sweet smile and pulls his dick out when he's done squirting his sperm into your womb.

Jeong Han took the two glasses he brought earlier.

He walked towards you while drinking the liquid in the glass.

"Drink, you must be very tired, right?"

Without thinking, you drank the drink.

"Hahh… Jeong Han… W-what if I get pregnant…? I…" You started crying again.

"My goal is to get you pregnant, what do you think I'm going through this trouble for? Yes, to make you mine!"

Jeong Han helped you up and sat on the edge of the bed together.

"Please… Don't hurt Joshua… I know what you're going through, Jeong Han… Please, just take it out on me… Don't hurt Joshua…" You bowed to Jeong Han.

"I knew you were the most beautiful girl inside and out… You really sacrificed yourself for the people you care about."

Jeong Han pushed you to lie down on the bed.

"Lucky I took you first before Joshua, I'm very lucky."

Your body starts to feel hot, you want something inside you.

"I'm really going to flood your body with my sperm until you get pregnant… I want Joshua to also know that you are pregnant with my child." Jeong Han hugs you possessively.

You can guess clearly.

Jeong Han deliberately put stimulants into the two glasses so you can do it wilder.

"Fuck you, Jeong Han…" You closed your eyes.

"You can never run away from me again, ___. You are mine."

Jeong Han's penis back into your vagina.

"Uhm… Jung Hannie…"

"I like your nickname, call me that as long as I overpower you."

Jeong Han intertwined his fingers with yours.

"Joshua is really unlucky, huh... Because he doesn't know how naughty we both are."

You shed your last tear before you lose control.

In the end, you wanted Jeong Han's dick time and time again. It doesn't matter how much Jeong Han's sperm you have stored until it flows back out, you want it. The stimulant really makes you lose control. Jeong Han is just as crazy as you, even crazier.

You are literally carried away by him to the stars and the moon.

"Jeong Hannie… Ahh… This is so good, i want more… Your cock…" You are speechless.

"Good girl, you took charge very well." Jeong Han stroked your thigh.

"Uhmm... My stomach is already full, but I... Still want more... Why did this happen, Jeong Han?"

"Me too, ___… Let's spend tonight enjoying the pleasures our union brings."

Jeong Han squished your lips and took over again.

You are in his cage.

That night, there were only sounds of skin slapping, something wet, and moans.

This is the thing you fear the most, getting pregnant at a young age.

Sadly, you are experiencing just that. At first you didn't want to fall in love, get married, and have children, now the harsh reality has befallen you. You are very sure that you are pregnant with Jeong Han's child. You are 2 weeks pregnant, your stomach is still not much different. So people won't suspect that you're pregnant. At least, you can still continue studying for a while until your stomach grows bigger.

You won't have an abortion, you still love yourself and the lives of others.

Jeong Han is indeed wrong, but the life you are carrying is innocent.

"Please forgive me, you have to have the blood of a pyschotic man… I will raise you well so you don't have a jerk like him…" You rubbed your stomach.

You're tired of crying.

Crying will not change destiny.

"___!! Sorry, I'm late! I just had a meeting with the Student Council members!"

You looked at Joshua who was waving at you.

That's right, Joshua asked you to meet him after school behind the park. Last night, Joshua announced that he wanted to talk to you about something. You're worried or afraid that he'll ask about Jeong Han. What's more, you've also been missing for a week with the excuse of being sick. Actually you are healthy, it's just that your mental is not healthy. Jeong Han doesn't allow you to leave his house. After you had sex, Jeong Han locked you in his house.

Jeong Han manipulated all your sick papers.

"What's wrong, Joshua? You have a problem again? That fussy girl bothered you more to the extreme?"

"No, that's not it…" Joshua shook his head.

"Your family problems?"

"Trouble with my feelings, ___."

"Oh, you have a crush on someone? Who?" You smile as calmly as you can.

You know Joshua likes you.

"I've been holding back my feelings all this time and I know that I violated our mutual agreement, but I hope you understand… Even if you think I'm weird, please still think of me as your friend as usual." Joshua smiled.

He sighed before continuing.

"I like you, ___."

You closed your eyes full of regret, you almost cried.

"What a very moving statement of feelings Joshua, I'm touched!"

You open your eyes in surprise when you feel someone hug you from the side.

"But, you should know that ___ is already mine first, you can't just corner your friend, right?" Jung Han pouted.

"Jeonghan…"

"You broke the deal too? You're mad at me because I like ___, right? Why are you liking her too?"

"Oh, Joshua... It's not only you who likes ___, I also like ___! Love her so much!" Jeong Han kissed your cheek.

Joshua clenched his fists, he looked at you expectantly.

You can only close your eyes again, wishing all of this was just a dream.

"You also have to know, Joshua... Me and ___ are already in touch, I was the first to take her chastity and now she is pregnant with my child, she is already 2 weeks pregnant!" Jung Han smiled happily.

"Jeonghan!"

Joshua was completely shocked by what Jeong Han said.

"___, tell me that it's all untrue… You're kidding, right?"

"Joshua—"

"If you don't believe me, I brought the proof~ This was taken two weeks ago if I'm not mistaken." Jeong Han took out your testpack and showed it to Joshua.

Joshua didn't know what to say.

"Joshua, I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hurt you…" You held Joshua's hand tightly and cried.

"No, you're not wrong… I'm sure you don't really want it, ___… But, how you can—" Joshua staring at you in confusion.

Jeong Han pulled you into his arms and glared at Joshua.

"You should be aware, Joshua. You may always win in terms of attitude, attention, academics, and also skills… But, you can never win in taking ___ from me, ___ is mine."

Joshua just glared at Jeong Han.

You should realize that being friends with rich people's kids will only get you into new trouble.

Are you a fool or not?