In Every Memory

After grabbing their bubble tea, Heeseung, Jungwon, Ni-ki, and Sunoo made their way to the campus garden, where students often gathered to relax between classes. The sun was warm, a soft breeze rustling through the leaves, making the moment feel peaceful—until Ni-ki broke the silence.

“Heeseung hyung, don’t you think it’s time you get a girlfriend?” Ni-ki asked casually, sipping his drink.

Jungwon and Sunoo immediately turned to Heeseung with curiosity, while Heeseung almost choked on his tapioca pearls. He coughed, giving Ni-ki an incredulous look.

“What kind of question is that?” Heeseung asked.

Ni-ki shrugged. “You’re good-looking, smart, kind—basically the perfect boyfriend material.”

Jungwon smirked. “Except for one tiny issue.”

Sunoo laughed. “Jay hyung and Sunghoon hyung would never allow it.”

Heeseung groaned, leaning back against the bench. “You guys make it sound like I’m in prison.”

“Not prison,” Jungwon said thoughtfully, “but more like an extremely secure VIP suite where even the air you breathe is monitored.”

Ni-ki snickered. “And Jay hyung and Sunghoon hyung are the security guards.”

Heeseung sighed dramatically. “I know they’re overprotective, but it’s not that bad.”

Sunoo raised an eyebrow. “Not that bad? Didn’t Sunghoon hyung literally interrogate the waiter last week because he thought the guy was being ‘too friendly’ with you?”

Jungwon nodded. “And Jay hyung threatened to sue that random senior who asked for your number in the library.”

Heeseung groaned. “Okay, fine. It’s a little bad.”

Ni-ki grinned. “See? And that’s why dating is impossible for you. Even if you liked someone, your brothers would scare them away.”

Heeseung rolled his eyes. “It’s not like I have someone I like anyway.”

Sunoo hummed. “For now.”

Jungwon narrowed his eyes. “But if you did like someone, would you tell us?”

Heeseung hesitated for a second before smiling. “Of course.”

It wasn’t a lie—he trusted his friends more than anyone. But deep down, he knew if he ever did like someone, things wouldn’t be that simple.

Heeseung had just returned home from university, ready to unwind after a long day. He set his bag down and stretched, letting out a tired sigh as he made his way to the living room.

Jay and Sunghoon were already there, deep in conversation about work. As CEOs and directors, their schedules were always packed, but somehow, they still found time to be the overprotective older brothers he loved—and sometimes found exhausting.

Just as Heeseung was about to head to his room—

Ding-dong.

Jay raised a brow. “That better not be who I think it is.”

Sunghoon sighed, already standing up. “Of course it is.”

With a knowing glance at each other, Jay stayed seated while Sunghoon opened the door. And just as expected, Jake Shim stood there, hands casually tucked in his pockets, a slight smirk on his face.

“Wow, what kind of welcome is this?” Jake said, stepping inside without hesitation. “I came to talk business, and you two look like you’re about to throw me out.”

Jay scoffed. “Because we are.”

Sunghoon shut the door behind him. “What do you want?”

Jake shrugged. “Relax, I actually do have business to discuss. Can’t a friend drop by?”

Jay gave him a skeptical look. “Every single time you come over, you somehow end up near Heeseung. Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

Jake grinned. “That’s just coincidence.”

Sunghoon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right.”

Meanwhile, Heeseung, having watched this exchange from the couch, chuckled. “You guys are so dramatic.”

Jake turned toward him, a little too quickly, but played it off smoothly. “At least someone in this house doesn’t hate me.”

Jay sighed. “Just get to the point, Jake.”

Jake finally took a seat across from them. “Alright, alright. Let’s talk.”

For the next few minutes, Jake actually discussed business matters, proving that he did have an actual reason for coming over. Jay and Sunghoon eventually relaxed, though they still kept throwing suspicious glances his way.

After a while, Sunghoon got up. “I need to check on something. Be right back.”

Jay followed. “Same.”

The second they disappeared down the hall, Jake immediately turned to Heeseung.

“Finally,” he muttered under his breath.

Heeseung, amused, tilted his head. “You’re really that desperate to talk to me?”

Jake smirked. “What can I say? Your brothers don’t exactly make it easy.”

Heeseung shook his head with a small laugh. “You know they’re just protective.”

Jake leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on his knees. “Yeah, but do they really have to treat me like I’m some villain?”

Heeseung smiled. “Well… You do keep coming here with obvious intentions.”

Jake gave him a look. “And what if I do?”

Before Heeseung could respond, footsteps sounded from the hallway.

Jake immediately leaned back, putting on his professional business face as Jay and Sunghoon returned.

“Still here?” Jay said, narrowing his eyes.

Jake stretched. “Yup, just about to leave.” He turned to Heeseung with a knowing glance. “See you around.”

Sunghoon walked him to the door, and as soon as it closed, he turned to Jay.

“We really need to start monitoring him.”

Jay nodded. “Agreed.”

Heeseung just sat back, shaking his head.

They were too late. Jake was already making his way into his life—one step at a time.