All I knew was that his parents had divorced when he was very young, and I guessed he had visited his mom today. Something must've happened.
"Eunji," he said softly.
"Yes?" I replied.
"Why is your heart beating so fast?"
What was I supposed to say to that? Here I was, flustered and feeling like my face was on fire-totally not the reaction I should be having.
"I was... just worried. Yeah, worried about you," I managed to say, hoping it sounded convincing.
He pulled back slightly, looking straight at me. "Is that really the reason?"
I felt my nerves flare. "Y-Yeah," I replied, avoiding his gaze.
"What about your pink cheeks?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Damn, how does he notice everything? If Sooho had a hand in this, I was definitely going to have a word with him.
"Isn't it really hot in here?" I said, fanning myself in an attempt to play it off.
He sighed, clearly not convinced. "Can I use the restroom?" he asked, and I quickly pointed him in the right direction.
As he walked down the hallway, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my heartbeat. I couldn't tell if he was actually onto me or if he was just being his usual observant self, but either way, he was making it impossible to keep my cool.
After a few moments, I heard the bathroom door open, and he reappeared, his face softened, looking more at ease. He leaned against the wall, watching me carefully.
"Thanks for letting me come over," he said quietly.
I nodded, managing a small smile. "Anytime."
For a moment, silence settled between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was like we were both trying to say something but holding back.
We both sat on the couch, the silence thick with awkwardness. I could almost feel the need to sink into the cushions and disappear. But then, Sieun shifted, moving closer until he was right beside me, his gaze locked onto mine, making it impossible to look away.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked softly, his voice low. I stared at him, stunned, but before I could even find words, he leaned in, and I didn't hesitate,reciprocating his actions.
Our lips met softly at first, but the gentleness didn't last long. There was this surge, like we'd both been
holding back for too long, and suddenly the space between us disappeared. His hands slipped around my waist, pulling me closer
until there wasn't a single breath of space left between us. My fingers found their way into his hair.
He pressed me into the couch, hovering over me. I didn't know where this was heading, but I didn't mind.
We both pulled apart, breaths unsteady, the lack of air the only thing that had stopped us. Sieun stayed close, his forehead resting against mine, catching his breath. After a pause, he spoke, his voice low and a little shaky.
"I... I don't usually do this kind of thing," he admitted, eyes darting to the side before meeting mine again. "But... I don't know. With you, I-I can't seem to keep my distance." He swallowed, his usual bluntness softened by a rare uncertainty. "I don't want to keep my distance."
I could feel his hand slide up to gently cradle my face, thumb brushing over my cheek.
"I've never... felt like this," he went on, the words barely a murmur, as if he was afraid to even say them out loud. "You make me... lose my mind a little. And I don't know what to do about it."
He paused, his fingers tracing light patterns against my skin. "I tried ignoring it, pushing it down," he admitted, a small, almost nervous laugh escaping him. "But being near you... it's like everything I thought I knew just falls apart."
I felt my own heart pounding, warmth spreading from his touch, his closeness, every part of him suddenly feeling so necessary,so irreplaceable.
"And it terrifies me," he whispered, his forehead pressing against mine again. "But I'm done pretending I don't want this... don't want you."
"I like you-scratch that, I love you. So please, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, his eyes filled with longing.
I was in utter shock. A part of me had always hoped he felt the same way, but hearing him say it like that made my heart melt, leaving me momentarily speechless.
"Please... say something," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
