The Perplexed Fate

The sky was fading into shades of soft coral and muted lilac as the last bell echoed through the school corridors. Most students had already cleared out, rushing to cram the rest of their evening with cram school or convenience store snacks. But up on the empty rooftop, the world felt slower.

Eishi pushed open the rusted metal door, stepping into the cool breeze. She hadn't expected anyone to be here - but there he was.

Leaning quietly against the railing, black jacket slightly ruffled by the wind, Heeseung looked like he belonged in a photograph no one was meant to take. The dark aesthetic of his outfit blended into the twilight ; black shirt, black jeans, hair tousled just enough to seem like it wasn't on purpose.

Eishi froze. "Oh. You're here."

He glanced over. "Yeah. You too?"

She walked over, slowly. "Needed air."

"Same," he said, voice low, almost swallowed by the breeze.

They stood side by side, not speaking. Below them, the city buzzed faintly, unaware of the silence above.

After a long moment, Heeseung spoke. "You ever think... everything's too loud sometimes?"

She looked at him, surprised by the unexpected softness. "All the time."

He didn't look at her, but she could see the faint furrow in his brows. "I like it up here. No questions. No pretending."

Eishi nodded, hugging her arms slightly against the wind. "Feels like we're not even part of everything below."

A pause.

"Do you ever wish things would stay like this?" he asked suddenly.

She turned to him, lips parting slightly - but the words didn't come. Something in his tone felt distant, like he wasn't asking about today, or the rooftop, or even her. It felt heavier, like he was asking about something he couldn't name yet.

"...Sometimes," she finally said.

They didn't speak again, but the silence didn't ache. It lingered, like a shared secret they didn't know they were keeping.

Later that evening...

Chaewon's living room was a chaos of pillows, blankets, and half-eaten snacks. The entire group had gathered - Jungwon, Sunoo, Sunghoon, Heeseung, Eishi, and Chaewon - and laughter filled every corner.

Truth or dare had quickly turned from innocent to ridiculous. Jungwon had been dared to sing a dramatic love confession to a bag of chips. Sunoo revealed he once cried watching an anime commercial. Chaewon kept recording embarrassing clips "for memory's sake."

Then it was Eishi's turn.

"Truth or dare?" Sunoo asked, smirking.

Eishi narrowed her eyes. "Truth."

"Who here would you trust the most with your biggest secret?" he asked, grinning.

The room went quiet.

Eishi blinked, caught off guard. Her eyes instinctively flicked to Heeseung for half a second - barely noticeable - before she smiled faintly. "I think... none of you. I like my secrets too much."

Groans. Laughter. Dodged.

Then Chaewon, devilishly excited, asked Heeseung his turn.

Heeseung yawned dramatically. "I'm too cool for this game."

"That's not a choice!" Jungwon tackled him with a pillow.

Heeseung surrendered. "Fine. Dare."

Chaewon grinned. "Call someone here by a pet name for the rest of the night."

Heeseung blinked once. Looked around. Smirked slightly.

Then turned to Eishi.

"Yes, princess?"

The room howled. Eishi's eyes widened. Her face flushed, and she tossed a pillow at him, mortified. He only chuckled and leaned back like it was nothing.

But his eyes didn't leave hers for a second.

Author's pov: Woh! Heeseung, that's so daring of him..