Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Seulgi was tired.

Her body ached from hours of studying in the library, the warmth of the campus heating long since gone, replaced by the cold bite of winter that tugged at her skin with every step.

The late-night study group had gone longer than expected, and the busier the campus got with finals approaching, the harder it was to focus. She was exhausted—not just from the hours of study, but also from the horrible timing of her period arriving halfway through the evening.

Each step felt heavier than the last, her body aching in ways she wasn’t used to, and she regretted not bringing anything to help her cramps.

Winter in Seoul was unrelenting, biting at her through her thin coat, her breath fogging in front of her face with every exhale.

She tugged her scarf higher, buried her hands into her pockets, and kept walking.

When she rounded the corner of her street, she saw someone waiting under the pale glow of the streetlamp. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her — exhaustion doing funny things to her perception.

But no. It was Jaeyi.

Her girlfriend’s dark hair framed her face as she stood there, arms crossed tightly against the cold, her posture casual but her eyes sharp, scanning the street. And then, as if she felt Seulgi's gaze, Jaeyi looked up. The moment their eyes met, the edges of Seulgi’s tired expression softened.

Jaeyi didn't say anything at first. She didn't need to. In the frozen quiet of the night, her presence was all that Seulgi needed. Jaeyi had been waiting for her.

Seulgi stopped a few steps away, her breath coming in soft clouds, her head spinning just a bit from the exhaustion. She was too tired to form words, but Jaeyi had already crossed the space between them in a few strides.

She draped an extra coat over Seulgi’s shoulders. The coat was still warm. It smelled like Jaeyi — soft laundry and peppermint shampoo.

“You should’ve called me, dummy,” Jaeyi said, her voice soft but firm, like a warm blanket wrapping around Seulgi’s heart. “Why are you walking home when you could’ve asked me to pick you up?”

Seulgi just sighed, too drained to form a proper response. Instead, she pulled Jaeyi into a hug, pressing her face into Jaeyi’s neck, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent of her skin. Jaeyi tensed for a second, as if she were about to continue her reprimanding, but before she could, Seulgi nuzzled her jaw and pressed a soft kiss to it.

“I didn’t want to bother you,” Seulgi muttered against Jaeyi’s skin, her words muffled by the closeness. “I just wanted to make it home... to you.”

Jaeyi’s lips parted in a soft, surprised laugh, her annoyance fading as Seulgi’s voice melted her heart. She squeezed Seulgi tighter, fingers tangling in the edges of Seulgi’s scarf.

“You’re impossible,” Jaeyi muttered, her tone fond and soft. “But I swear you just keep getting cuter.”

Seulgi felt the warmth of Jaeyi’s words spread through her like a slow burn. The cold wind didn’t seem so harsh anymore, and the ache in her abdomen was just a dull throb, nothing more. As they stood there, wrapped up in each other, the world around them faded into the background. It was just them.

When they finally pulled apart, Jaeyi made sure Seulgi was bundled up in her coat properly, then draped an arm over her shoulder as they walked to the apartment.

They made their way up the apartment building, Seulgi leaning on Jaeyi for support, too tired to do much else.

She dropped her bag by the door and toed off her boots. Her cramps were worse now. So she just walked into the bedroom, dropped face-first onto the mattress, and groaned softly into the pillow.

Jaeyi followed. She knelt by the bed, helped Seulgi out of her coat, then disappeared into the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with a glass of water and a painkiller.

Seulgi took it. Without a word.

The lights dimmed. Jaeyi climbed into bed beside her, pulling the blanket up and around them, wrapping an arm around Seulgi’s waist from behind. Her fingers were warm where they rested against the curve of Seulgi’s stomach.

Seulgi let herself lean back. The rhythmic sound of Jaeyi’s heartbeat against her back was soothing, and Seulgi let out a soft sigh, letting the exhaustion of the day wash over her.

“Come closer, puppy. I need to warm you up,” Jaeyi teased, her fingers smoothing over Seulgi’s hair, brushing it back from her face as Seulgi curled into her side.

“Stop babying me,” Seulgi muttered, but the pout in her voice was betrayed by the soft sigh as she snuggled closer, settling into the warmth of Jaeyi’s side.

“You’re my puppy, aren’t you?” Jaeyi said with a grin, teasing, but the softness in her voice was undeniable. “You always make me worry. But if you keep being cute like this, maybe I’ll let you get away with it.”

Seulgi couldn’t help but smile, her eyes fluttering closed as she nestled deeper into Jaeyi’s warmth, the quiet, steady rhythm of Jaeyi’s heartbeat grounding her.

“Goodnight,” Seulgi whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jaeyi’s hand lingered at the back of her head, gently guiding her closer. “Goodnight,“

Seulgi mumbled a sleepy response, already half-drifting off. “Love you,” she whispered, the words slipping out before she could fully process them.

Jaeyi chuckled softly, her hand slipping around Seulgi’s waist as she held her tighter. “Love you, too.”

And then, in the warmth of their shared space, with the snow quietly falling outside, they finally drifted off to sleep.

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. Seulgi woke first, but the discomfort in her abdomen kept her from moving. She felt warm and heavy, her body entangled with Jaeyi’s in the familiar, comfortable cocoon of their shared bed.

Jaeyi was still asleep, her arms wrapped around Seulgi like she was the most precious thing in the world. Seulgi could hear her steady breathing, feel the warmth of Jaeyi’s body pressed against hers, and despite the cramps that still pulsed low in her stomach, she couldn’t help but feel safe, cocooned in Jaeyi’s arms.

The moment was soft. There were no words, just the sound of their breath mingling as Seulgi shifted slightly, trying not to disturb Jaeyi’s slumber. But it didn’t work. Jaeyi stirred, blinking sleepily as she lifted her head and gazed down at Seulgi with that familiar tenderness.

Seulgi smiled faintly, her lips soft as she whispered, “Morning.”

Jaeyi, still half-asleep, smiled back, her voice hushed as she muttered, “Morning, puppy.”

Seulgi’s eyes fluttered shut, basking in the comfort of their closeness. Jaeyi’s fingers brushed over her forehead, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear. Jaeyi’s touch was gentle but firm, like she was holding Seulgi together without even knowing it.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting last night,” Seulgi said quietly, her voice muffled against Jaeyi’s shoulder.

Jaeyi chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to Seulgi’s temple. “I’m used to it,” she teased, but there was a soft affection in her tone that made Seulgi’s heart flutter.

Jaeyi shifted, her hands slipping under the covers to find Seulgi’s abdomen. Without a word, she gently reached down and started massaging, her touch slow and tender.

“You okay?” Jaeyi whispered, her voice soft, as if trying not to disturb the peaceful morning too much.

Seulgi mumbled something incoherent but didn’t move away from her touch. She felt the relief from Jaeyi’s hands, easing the ache in her stomach, and she let out a quiet sigh of gratitude.

“Just… cramps,” Seulgi muttered, her voice muffled by the fabric of Jaeyi’s shirt.

Jaeyi smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Seulgi’s forehead. “I’m sorry, puppy. You’re gonna be okay.” She continued massaging in slow circles, and Seulgi couldn’t help but relax further into her embrace.

Jaeyi shifted a bit, pulling Seulgi closer as if trying to shield her from the world. “Stay in bed a little longer. Don’t go rushing off today.”

Seulgi sighed, the warmth of Jaeyi’s touch soothing the ache in her body. “I don’t know… I still need to meet up with Byeong-jin for the paper. We have to finish it for the deadline.”

Jaeyi’s face twitched in a flash of irritation before it softened again. She knew Seulgi’s commitment to her schoolwork, but she hated the idea of her going out in her condition.

“Byeong-jin?” Jaeyi murmured, her hand pausing for a moment on Seulgi’s abdomen. “He’s the guy you’re working with for the project, right?”

Seulgi nodded, resting her head back against Jaeyi’s pillow. “Yeah. We need to meet up again today. I can’t afford to fall behind.”

Jaeyi’s lips pressed together, and she let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh. She didn’t like the way Seulgi talked about him—how she mentioned him casually, like it was just another task, when Jaeyi could feel the tension in the air whenever he was brought up. She had seen the way he looked at Seulgi, the way he seemed to linger around her in the library. Jaeyi didn’t like the vibe.

She tried to keep her tone light, teasing. “Are you sure he’s not using the group work as an excuse to get close to you?”

Seulgi’s head snapped up, her heart thumping louder than it should. She pulled away just enough to look at Jaeyi, eyes wide. “What?”

Jaeyi’s face was unreadable, her eyes soft but guarded. “I mean… you know, sometimes people try to use these things as an excuse to get closer, right?”

Seulgi’s tired eyes meet Jaeyi’s. A wave of frustration swept over her. “What are you trying to say?” she asked, her voice quieter but no less pointed. “It’s just a project. You know that.”

Jaeyi sat up, folding her arms over her chest. Her gaze softened but there was a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. “I’m just asking, Seulgi-yah. You spend so much time with him. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just… worried, okay?”

Seulgi frowned, sitting up too, a little straighter, her hand instinctively pressing against her lower abdomen as another sharp cramp hit. She had already assured Jaeyi, more times than she could count, that nothing was going on between her and Byeong-jin. And yet, here they were, talking about him again, so early in the morning.

“I told you already, he’s just a classmate,” Seulgi said, her voice edged with frustration. “You don’t have to keep acting like I’m going to leave you for him.”

Jaeyi looked down for a moment, letting out a breath. She hated how frustrated she felt—how she didn’t want to fight, especially when Seulgi was so tired. But it hurt. It really did. She didn’t want to seem possessive, but the idea of Seulgi spending so much time with Byeong-jin made something twist inside her

Jaeyi shifted, pulling herself out from under the blanket, her tone more clipped now. “Fine. Let’s talk about it later, okay? We should get up, anyway. You need to eat something.”

Seulgi nodded, even though she didn’t really feel like moving. She’d rather stay in bed with Jaeyi, curled up together, but she knew Jaeyi wouldn’t just let her stay there all day. She adjusted slowly, wincing a little at the ache in her lower stomach. “We can talk about it over breakfast. But I need to go back to the library. We need to finish this paper.”

Jaeyi gave her a long look, before standing up and pulling Seulgi to her feet, guiding her toward the kitchen. “Fine. Whatever.”

Seulgi rolled her eyes but didn’t fight her as they headed toward the kitchen to start breakfast, the weight of the conversation hanging between them, unresolved.

Jaeyi moved around the kitchen quietly, pulling out a few apples, a container of washed grapes, and two mugs for coffee. The knife clicked softly against the cutting board as she sliced fruit into neat, bite-sized pieces. Seulgi sat at the dining table, arms folded over her stomach, her cheek resting on one hand, eyes dull with fatigue. She hadn’t touched the hot pack Jaeyi left out for her earlier.

“What do you want to eat?” Jaeyi asked gently, glancing at her.

Seulgi barely looked up. “Not hungry.”

Jaeyi paused for a second, lips pressed together, then exhaled through her nose. “Seulgi-yah.”

“I’ll eat later.”

Without arguing further, Jaeyi just prepared a small plate of fruit for both of them, sliding it over in front of Seulgi along with a warm cup of coffee—just the way she liked it: two sugars, no cream. Seulgi mumbled a quiet “thanks,” but didn’t touch the food immediately.

They ate in a silence that wasn’t exactly awkward, but wasn’t quite comfortable either.

Jaeyi stirred her coffee slowly, then glanced up. Her voice was casual—too casual. “I was thinking I could come with you to the library later. I’ve got some free time, and I can start some advanced reading for next week.”

Seulgi stilled, her spoon hovering above her fruit. She looked up, and her eyes narrowed slightly. “You want to come with me?”

Jaeyi nodded, still trying to sound light. “Yeah. It’d be nice. We haven’t studied together in a while.”

Seulgi blinked. “You mean, you want to keep an eye on me and Byeong-jin.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and bitter.

Jaeyi’s smile faltered. “Seulgi—”

“You always say you trust me,” Seulgi interrupted, voice rising just a little, tight with emotion, “but the second someone else talks to me, you get weird.”

“I do trust you,” Jaeyi said softly, more serious now.

“No, you don’t,” Seulgi snapped. Her fingers curled into her sleeves, her jaw tense. “You don’t like that I talk to people you can’t control.”

Jaeyi’s brows furrowed, but her tone stayed calm, firm. “That’s not what this is.”

Seulgi stood up abruptly, the chair scraping lightly against the floor. “It feels like it.”

Jaeyi followed her with her eyes, unmoving. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just—” she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I’ve seen people flirt with you, and you don’t even notice it. You let them get too close without realizing.”

Seulgi scoffed, crossing her arms tightly. “So now I’m stupid and untrustworthy?”

“No, Seulgi, I didn’t say that—”

“You didn’t have to.” Her voice cracked slightly. “You think I’m too dumb to know when someone’s being nice versus flirting. Like I need you to tell me what’s happening around me.”

Jaeyi’s expression softened, but her lips were still pressed into a thin line. “That’s not what I meant,” she said quietly. “You’re not dumb. I just… I worry. I care.”

Seulgi’s voice was trembling now, not just from anger, but from something deeper—hurt, exhaustion, frustration all rolled together. “You think caring gives you the right to treat me like I’m helpless.”

“That’s not fair,” Jaeyi murmured.

“I’m not helpless,” Seulgi said, shaking her head.  “I’m not someone you have to babysit. I don’t need you showing up at the library just to watch me like I’m gonna mess something up.”

“Seul—”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Seulgi murmured, softer this time, not meeting Jaeyi’s eyes.

“I’m going to get ready.”

Her voice was thin, brittle, like a paper edge folding in. And though she didn’t slam the bedroom door, the sound of it clicking shut a few moments later felt louder than anything either of them had said.

Jaeyi didn’t move. She sat still at the kitchen table, staring down at her untouched coffee, her fingers curled around the warm mug. She could hear faint rustling in the bedroom—drawers opening, the closet door creaking, the muffled sound of Seulgi pulling on a sweater.

She wanted to follow her. Say something. Wrap her arms around her and kiss her temple until she calmed down. But she didn’t. Because she knew Seulgi, knew the weight behind her words, knew when she needed quiet more than comfort.

Jaeyi leaned back in her chair with a soft sigh, dragging a hand down her face.

It wasn’t just about Byeong-jin. It was never just about Byeong-jin. It was about the way Seulgi always felt the need to prove she was capable, the way she bristled at the smallest hint of doubt—especially from Jaeyi. And maybe… Jaeyi had pushed a little too much this morning. Again.

She stood eventually, taking both their mugs and placing them in the sink. Her eyes flicked toward the closed bedroom door.

A beat passed.

Then two.

She didn’t follow. Not yet.

Let her breathe first, she thought. She’ll come out when she’s ready.

The clink of dishes being washed had faded. The soft whir of the radiator filled the silence now, comforting in its steadiness.

Jaeyi finished tidying up the kitchen, her movements slow and precise—partly to buy time, partly because her mind was elsewhere. She glanced once toward the bedroom door again, still closed, then exhaled quietly and made her way to the living room.

The apartment was small but warm, sun-drenched through the gauzy curtains. Their shared space was a mix of both their personalities—Seulgi’s stack of color-coded flashcards by the bookshelf, Jaeyi’s sleek, monogrammed planner on the coffee table. A polaroid of them on the fridge, another stuck in the corner of the mirror by the hallway.

Jaeyi dropped onto the oversized beanbag with a soft thump, the familiar cushion molding to her form like it always did. She tugged a throw blanket over her legs and pulled her laptop into her lap. The screen lit up instantly, filled with spreadsheets and progress reports.

It wasn’t how she imagined spending a Saturday morning—with tension clouding the air and Seulgi holed up in their room. But she wasn’t going to push. Not when Seulgi’s temper was half hormones and half long-standing frustration. Not when she knew it was more than just Byeong-jin they were really arguing about.

Her fingers tapped across the keys, scanning a quarterly report for one of the departments in J Medical Center. It still felt weird sometimes—seeing her name as the registered owner in company files, sitting in meetings where everyone was older than her, being addressed as "Director Yoo" when all she wanted was to be Jaeyi, 22, college student, girlfriend, maybe even just… a girl figuring things out.

But life hadn’t given her that choice.

Her father had been arrested their last year of high school, dragged into a mess of fraud and malpractice lawsuits. Overnight, the Yoo family name was no longer whispered with admiration but with pity, with suspicion. She’d taken the reins not because she wanted to, but because someone had to.

She never wanted to be a doctor anyway. That had been his dream.

Seulgi wanted that dream. Seulgi had always wanted it. Her desk was buried in anatomy books, clinical notes, and caffeine wrappers. Her white coat hung in the hallway, pressed and ready.

And Jaeyi? She just wanted to protect her. Even if sometimes, that meant holding on too tightly.

She glanced at the clock. Half an hour had passed.

She didn’t know if Seulgi would come out soon. But she knew better than to chase her. She had learned patience—the hard, aching kind. So for now, she let her fingers move across the trackpad, reviewing contracts, drafting emails, letting the beanbag swallow her whole.

Let her be, Jaeyi thought, gaze flicking toward the hallway.

She’ll come to me when she’s ready.

The low hum of Jaeyi’s laptop fan filled the quiet room, broken only by the occasional tap of keys. The living room had shifted to a soft kind of stillness—sunlight pooling on the floor, the faint rustle of pages from a textbook left open nearby, and Jaeyi lost in spreadsheets and management forecasts.

She didn’t even register the bedroom door opening at first. It was the creak, the near-silent padding of feet, and then—

“Hey—” she barely got out before her laptop was smoothly swiped from her lap and replaced by a warm, familiar weight.

Seulgi.

Wearing one of Jaeyi’s oversized sweaters, her hair a little mussed from lying in bed, cheeks flushed with residual irritation and something else—discomfort, maybe—but her expression unreadable as she curled herself into a tight little ball right onto Jaeyi’s lap like she belonged there. Which, of course, she did.

Jaeyi blinked, momentarily stunned, arms instinctively going around her without a second thought.

Seulgi huffed softly, shifting until she was settled just right, her face burrowing into the crook of Jaeyi’s neck.

And then, voice quiet and pouty, she muttered “Don’t talk to me. I’m still mad at you.”

A beat of silence passed before Jaeyi raised a brow, a smile threatening at the corner of her lips.

“You’re the one who sat on my lap.”

Seulgi didn’t move, her voice muffled now against Jaeyi’s hoodie:

“I can be comfortable while mad.”

That made Jaeyi chuckle, breath warm against Seulgi’s hair. She didn’t tease further, didn’t press, just let her hands move gently along Seulgi’s back in a soothing rhythm. A soft kiss was pressed to her temple. The silence between them wasn’t tense anymore—it was familiar, lived-in. The kind you only find with someone who knows all your worst moods and still wants to hold you close.

After a long pause, Jaeyi leaned her head slightly, resting her chin atop Seulgi’s crown.

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“I do trust you. I’m just scared of losing you.”

Seulgi let out a long, slow breath. She didn’t lift her head, didn’t shift her weight. Her fingers curled slightly into Jaeyi’s sleeve.

“Well,” she grumbled, soft and halfhearted, “stop being stupid about it.”

But she didn’t pull away.

Jaeyi smiled, holding her a little tighter.

They stayed like that for a while—warm, entangled, quiet.

Seulgi’s fingers had found the hem of Jaeyi’s hoodie and were now fidgeting with it, twisting and untwisting the fabric with idle fussiness. Her face still buried against Jaeyi’s neck, where she could smell her fabric softener and shampoo and that specific scent that was just her.

She was still mad. Maybe. A little. Enough to keep pretending, at least.

Jaeyi’s fingers moved slowly under the hem of Seulgi’s sweater, drawing lazy circles over her lower back, light enough to soothe but firm enough to ground. Her other hand threaded gently into Seulgi’s hair, combing it back from her face and lightly scratching her scalp in the way she knew Seulgi loved. Her touch was reverent. Worshipful.

“You’re really not gonna apologize?” Jaeyi murmured, voice half amusement, half awe, like she still couldn’t believe she got to love this girl—even when she was a brat.

Seulgi made a tiny, indignant sound. She finally tilted her face up, chin resting on Jaeyi’s shoulder, eyes sleepy and sulky and gleaming with that stupidly beautiful brown that always undid Jaeyi.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You yelled at me and stormed off.”

“Because you were being annoying.”

Jaeyi tried to keep her stern face on, but her lips quirked anyway.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Seulgi blinked at her slowly, then leaned up and kissed her—right on the corner of her mouth, then again, softer, full on the lips. It was slow and a little shy, like she was testing if Jaeyi would push her away (she wouldn’t, not ever). Then she pulled back just enough to whisper,

“I’m still mad. But…”

She leaned her forehead against Jaeyi’s.

“…I missed you. Even when I was mad.”

Jaeyi melted. Actually melted. Her heart did this thing where it squeezed and flipped and bloomed all at once, and she wrapped her arms tighter around Seulgi, pulling her close enough to kiss her nose.

“You drive me insane, you know that?”

“Mm.” Seulgi nodded into her neck, smug. “I know. But you love me.”

Jaeyi exhaled a laugh, her voice warm and full of affection when she answered,

“God, I really do.”

They stayed curled up on the beanbag, limbs tangled, soft kisses trailing lazily from cheeks to jaw to collarbones. Seulgi eventually whined about her cramps again, and Jaeyi didn’t hesitate to carry her—literally scoop her up princess-style—to the couch, tucking her in with a heating pad and her favorite blanket.

She brought her warm tea, kissed her forehead, and rubbed her tummy with slow, soothing circles while Seulgi pouted and made small, sleepy sounds.

“Jaeyi-yah.”

“Yeah, princess?”

“If you love me so much…”Seulgi looked up at her with big eyes, already scheming. “…will you make me grilled cheese?”

Jaeyi didn’t even blink.

“Of course I will. Anything else, your majesty?”

“Mmm. Maybe kisses. And cuddles. And a foot massage. And—”

Jaeyi laughed, leaned down, and kissed her again.

“Whatever you want. It’s yours.”

Seulgi smiled, small and sleepy and smug.

“Good.”

Jaeyi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said with a sly little smile, “Before I make your grilled cheese… what happened to going to the library?”

Seulgi squinted at her, unimpressed. “I decided not to.”

Jaeyi snorted softly, a playful edge to her voice. “Oh, really? Just like that?”

Seulgi turned her face toward Jaeyi’s, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Yeah. I figured… staying home with you sounded better.”

Jaeyi smiled, satisfied, but her teasing tone didn’t fade. “Mmhmm, sure. No regrets?”

Seulgi hesitated, biting her lip as if debating whether to admit it. Then she sighed, resigned “Okay, maybe… Byeong-jin was kind of being... annoying. Like, I get it now, okay? You were right. He definitely—”

She paused, grumbling, “flirted with me.”

Jaeyi’s eyes narrowed for a split second, before her usual calm demeanor returned. “I told you. She leaned down to kiss Seulgi’s forehead. “I do trust you. But sometimes, people forget that you’re already taken.”

Seulgi rolled her eyes, though the faintest smile tugged at her lips. “I swear, you're so smug when you’re right.”

Jaeyi chuckled, brushing her fingers along Seulgi’s cheek. “That’s because I’m always right.”

“You’re annoying.”

Jaeyi leaned back slightly to look at her, expression smug. “And you’re a brat.”

Seulgi huffed, but instead of arguing, she buried her face against Jaeyi’s neck.

Jaeyi chuckled softly. “A clingy brat. What, your cramps not enough, you gotta emotionally torment me too?”

“I’m literally dying,” Seulgi mumbled dramatically, her breath warm against Jaeyi’s skin.

Jaeyi let out a soft laugh and kissed Seulgi’s hair. “Alright, brat. You want grilled cheese?”

Seulgi perked up instantly, eyes brightening. “With extra cheese?”

Jaeyi smirked. “Obviously.”

As she stood up, Seulgi clung tighter and groaned. “Wait—where are you going…”

“To make your grilled cheese?”

Seulgi didn’t budge. But when Jaeyi gently peeled her off, she immediately latched onto her from behind, arms slipping around Jaeyi’s waist as she followed her to the kitchen in a slow, shuffling backhug.

“Yah, how am I supposed to make anything like this?” Jaeyi asked, laughing softly but not pulling away.

“You’ll manage,” Seulgi said into her back, her voice muffled. “You’re Yoo Jaeyi after all.”

Jaeyi shook her head, impossibly fond. “You’re clingier than usual.”

Seulgi tightened her arms, cheek now squished against Jaeyi’s shoulder blade. “I’m in pain, you’re warm.”

Jaeyi’s heart melted on the spot.

“God, you’re lucky you’re cute,” she murmured.

Seulgi tightened her arms around her. “I know.”

And just like that, the kitchen was filled with the scent of butter, the sound of soft humming, and two girls swaying slowly by the stove—one cooking, one refusing to let go, both wrapped in a quiet, ordinary kind of love.

Chapter Text

Jaeyi’s apartment smells like expensive laundry detergent and whatever candle Seulgi lit last week. The scent’s lingered—vanilla, musk, a little citrus. It smells like home, which is strange, considering it’s not hers.

Not technically, anyway.

Seulgi’s bag drops with a familiar thud by the door. Her shoes follow—kicked off lazily as she shrugs out of her hoodie, revealing the same threadbare tank top Jaeyi’s sure she’s seen her sleep in at least four times this week.

From the kitchen, Jaeyi doesn’t even look up. “I bought your cereal.”

Seulgi pads over, bare feet quiet against hardwood. “You’re enabling me.”

“You’re the one who ran through the last box in two days,” Jaeyi replies, stirring something in a saucepan. Her sleeves are rolled up to her elbows, the gold of her watch catching the light. “At that rate, I figured it was either restock or listen to you whine.”

Seulgi leans against the counter, grinning. “I don’t whine. I make polite observations.”

Jaeyi gives her a look—flat, indulgent. “Is ‘there’s nothing to eat in this house except leaves and seeds’ a polite observation?”

“It’s a cry for help,” Seulgi says dramatically, reaching for a spoon. “You keep feeding me lettuce and quinoa. My body’s rejecting it.”

Jaeyi slaps her hand away with the spoon before she can sneak a taste. “It’s risotto.”

Seulgi pouts, sucking her knuckle. “You’re mean to me.”

“I’m literally feeding you.”

“Bare minimum,” Seulgi mumbles, but she’s smiling. Eyes soft, already leaning into Jaeyi’s space like she belongs there.

And she kind of does.

Her toothbrush is next to Jaeyi’s. Her charger’s plugged in at the foot of the bed. Half her hoodies are draped over Jaeyi’s couch. They don’t live together, but Seulgi sleeps here more often than her dorm, and Jaeyi keeps buying things "just in case" Seulgi forgets hers. Hair ties. Extra soy milk. Her favorite instant ramen brand.

They’ve never talked about it. Just like they’ve never talked about how Jaeyi always walks her home when she does leave. Or how Seulgi always saves the last bite for Jaeyi without asking.

They just do. That’s always been their way.

They eat on the couch like always, Jaeyi’s legs folded neatly, Seulgi’s stretched out across her lap without asking. A plate balanced on her stomach, risotto warm and rich.

“This professor hates me,” Seulgi says, mouth half-full, chewing dramatically. “Like actual hate. You know, like, he hopes that I’m dumb just so he can justify failing me.”

Jaeyi absentmindedly tucks a strand of hair behind Seulgi’s ear, still chewing. “That’s because you rolled your eyes at him during lab.”

“It was one eye-roll,” Seulgi argues. “Barely an eye-roll. More of an eye twitch really.”

Jaeyi lifts her brows, unimpressed.

Seulgi groans. “Okay, maybe it was more than one. But he started it! Who gives a pop quiz on pathophys this early in the semester? We’re babies. I’m a baby.”

“You’re twenty,” Jaeyi says, calmly spooning another bite into her mouth. “You’re a baby with four full notebooks and a laminated schedule.”

“I deserve respect,” Seulgi mutters. “And affection. And snacks.”

Jaeyi sets her bowl down on the coffee table. Her hand trails over to Seulgi’s thigh, gently patting it twice. “Finish your risotto, and I’ll give you gummy bears after.”

Seulgi brightens. “You did get them?”

Jaeyi just smirks and says nothing.

They fall into silence, broken only by the soft sounds of utensils and the occasional hum of the city outside the window. It’s easy. Familiar. Jaeyi’s hand stays where it is, resting lightly on Seulgi’s leg, like it’s always belonged there.

Seulgi doesn’t even think about moving.

After dinner, the plates are lazily abandoned in the sink. Jaeyi doesn’t press about it, and Seulgi conveniently "forgets" to offer help. They settle on the couch again, limbs a tangled mess under a shared blanket, the Netflix menu humming in the background before Jaeyi picks some film Seulgi’s half-watched before but never finished.

The lights are dimmed low, and the night outside casts quiet shadows across the floor. Seulgi shifts until her head rests against Jaeyi’s shoulder, blanket pulled up to her chin like a child.

"Tell me about your day," she mumbles, voice already sleepy.

Jaeyi hums. “You sure? It’s boring corporate training stuff.”

“Mm.” Seulgi nods against her. “Wanna hear it anyway. Did you have meetings again today?” she asks, voice muffled.

Jaeyi, relaxed now, shifts slightly to get a better view of her. “Mm. Just one. With Director Han and Minjoo unnie.”

“Minjoo,” Seulgi repeats with a teasing lilt. “Sounds pretty.”

Jaeyi flicks her lightly on the forehead. “She’s been helping me with the financial transition for the pedia wing. She’s the reason J Medical is still surviving.”

“She’s also the reason you reply to texts slower now,” Seulgi mutters.

Jaeyi smirks at that but doesn’t take the bait. “She’s nice,” she says instead, softly. “I used to see her at family gatherings when I was younger. I thought she was the prettiest person I’d ever seen.”

Seulgi hums.

“Like, the prettiest,” Jaeyi says, almost dreamily now. “And smart. Calm. Always smelled like jasmine.”

Seulgi hums again, a little lower this time. Nods, too. Not with any judgment. Just listening. Just… soaking it in.

Jaeyi goes on, distracted by the way Seulgi is curled into the crook of her shoulder. “She told me I should take over J Medical one day. That I could do it, even back when my dad was—” Her voice hitches for half a second but she doesn’t finish the sentence. Doesn’t need to. “She believed in me.”

The next hum doesn’t come.

She glances down.

Sure enough, Seulgi’s out cold, mouth slightly open, arms tucked close like she’s trying to be smaller than she is. The blanket has slipped halfway off her shoulder, and her phone lies forgotten in between them.

Jaeyi sighs — not annoyed, but fond. So fond.

“You said you were going back to your dorm,” she says quietly, reaching over to set the phone aside “Liar.”

She turns off the TV and shifts carefully, one arm slipping under Seulgi’s knees, the other around her back. Seulgi stirs slightly, nose scrunching in protest, but doesn’t wake as Jaeyi carries her to the bedroom with practiced ease.

“What a princess,” Jaeyi murmurs as she lowers her onto the bed, tucking the blanket over her.

She watches her for a second longer — the peaceful expression, the way even in sleep, Seulgi’s hand seems to search for something. Jaeyi gently holds it, just for a moment.

Then she slips into bed too, turning the lights off.

And they sleep like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

When Seulgi wakes up, the sun is soft against her face, filtered by the sheer curtains of Jaeyi’s bedroom. It takes her a second to orient herself—the mattress is too plush to be her dorm bed, the blanket smells like clean laundry and something floral, and there’s a faint trace of lavender in the air.

Jaeyi’s scent.

She rolls over, expecting to find her curled up beside her.

But the bed is empty.

Seulgi groans, pressing her face back into the pillow. “My dorm bed probably misses me these days.” she mumbles, amused.

The faint sound of typing catches her ear.

She sits up.

Jaeyi is perched by the desk in a fresh white top, damp hair tucked behind her ears.

She’s typing something out on her tablet, phone resting in one hand, brows slightly furrowed.

She looks like she belongs in a magazine. Or a Forbes feature. Or someone’s hopeless gay fantasy.

Seulgi stares for a second too long.

Then her eyes drift to the phone screen that shows an ongoing call. Then Seulgi hears it.

“You handled the numbers perfectly. Proud of you. Lunch later if you’re free?”

Who is that? A little smile curves Jaeyi’s lips. She replies with a quick yes and a see you later before ending the call.

Seulgi swings her legs over the edge of the bed, voice raspy from sleep. “Early start?”

Jaeyi glances over, blinking like she just remembered Seulgi was there. And then she smiles—bright and warm and exclusively for her. “Hey, sleeping beauty. You were out cold. I didn’t want to wake you.”

Seulgi squints. “What time is it?”

“Almost Eight.”

“Shit. I have to get ready.”

“No, you don’t. Your lab is cancelled for today, I checked your phone.”

Seulgi stares. “Right. Okay, Great.”

Jaeyi shrugs like it’s nothing. “You’re welcome.”

Seulgi stretches, hair a mess, stealing the blanket to drape around her shoulders like a cape. “Who were you on a call with?”

Jaeyi lifts a brow, amused. “Were you eavesdropping, Seulgi-yah?”

Seulgi makes a face. “No, I wasn’t. Not my fault you were on speaker.”

“It was Minjoo Unnie. She was just proud of the finance proposal I sent in last night,” Jaeyi says lightly. “Said I did a good job.”

Seulgi nods. “You did. Of course you did.”

She says it like fact. Because it is. Still, she pulls the blanket tighter around herself, pouting slightly. “You’re seeing her today?”

“Just lunch. Might ask her to explain a few terms again.”

Seulgi exhales, dramatic. “You didn’t even make me coffee.”

“Well, I’m sorry your majesty, I didn’t realize we ran out of creamer yesterday. We have tea though?”

“…Awww.”

Jaeyi stands, stretches her arms above her head, and walks over. She crouches down to Seulgi’s level and boops her gently on the nose.

“Stop pouting. Want me to bring you something back?”

Seulgi huffs. “No. I’ll survive.”

Jaeyi tilts her head, studying her. “You sure?”

There’s a beat of silence.

And then Seulgi leans forward, rests her forehead against Jaeyi’s shoulder with a grumble. “Make it iced. And sweet. Please.”

“Sweet?” Jaeyi leans down and presses a kiss to her temple. “But you already have me.”

Seulgi coughs. Jaeyi laughs and pulls away. “Okay. Sweet and iced. Got it.”

Seulgi doesn’t say it, but she’s already dreading the idea of Jaeyi spending hours with the woman who was her childhood crush, work mentor, and now apparently, proud of her.

The spark of jealousy is barely there.

But it’s new.

And it makes her want to say something she’s not ready to say.

Yet.

The front door clicks open sometime past two. Seulgi doesn’t look up at first—she’s curled into the far end of Jaeyi’s couch, wrapped in the same blanket from last night, her phone idly scrolling through instagram posts, none of which are interesting unless they have Jaeyi in them.

Jaeyi walks in, talking on the phone, keys jingling in one hand, a paper bag and two drinks cradled in the other.

“Yes, unnie, I’ll message you once I get to the office. Mm-hmm… No, it’s fine. You’re not using me at all.”

Seulgi stills.

Jaeyi laughs softly into the call. “You’re so annoying. Go to your next meeting. Bye.”

She ends the call and drops her keys into the tray. She finally notices Seulgi and immediately smiles. “You’re still here?”

“Didn’t feel like moving,” Seulgi replies, eyes still on her phone.

“Brought your order,” Jaeyi says, stretching with a tired little smile. “Sweet and iced. Like me.” She teased, before sitting on the floor beside where Seulgi is sitting.

Seulgi doesn’t answer immediately.

She’s too focused on the faint smudge near Jaeyi’s cheekbone—a barely-there lipstick print, soft pink, almost invisible unless you’re looking.

Which, of course, Seulgi is.

The coffee smells like caramel. But Jaeyi doesn’t smell like her usual Lavender and fresh laundry. There’s something else—something warmer, musky. Someone else's perfume. It’s not bad. Just different.

Seulgi blinks, schooling her face. “Thanks.”

Jaeyi turns to her with a look—half teasing, half wondering. “What’s with you today?”

Seulgi shrugs again, retreating further into the blanket. “Nothing.”

Jaeyi hums. “You’ve got a tone.”

“I always have a tone.”

“Mm. You’re sulky.”

“No, I’m not.”

“You are.”

Seulgi keeps sipping her coffee, eyes on the TV that isn’t even on. Jaeyi watches her for a moment, then slowly leans over to rest her head on Seulgi’s knee.

“You like the coffee?” she murmurs.

Seulgi doesn’t answer for a beat.

Then: “It’s fine.”

“Mmm,” Jaeyi hums. “Okay.”

She sits on the floor, unwrapping the pastry. The silence stretches. Seulgi sips the coffee. It’s good, too good, annoyingly good.

“She’s pretty,” Seulgi says finally, voice low. “Your Minjoo unnie.”

Jaeyi glances up. “She is.”

“And nice.”

“She is.”

Seulgi stares at her cup, tongue pressed to her cheek. “You have a thing for her?”

The question hangs in the air for a beat too long.

Jaeyi doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she leans back on her hands and looks at Seulgi the way she always does—like she’s trying to figure out if she should say something or protect her instead.

“I had a crush on her when I was like twelve,” Jaeyi says at last, honest and casual. “Like, full-on gay awakening level crush. She was the first girl I looked at and thought: oh. So that’s what it is.”

“Oh,” Seulgi replies, even quieter.

“But I don’t have a thing for her now,” Jaeyi adds, turning her head to look at her. “Why? Would it bother you if I did?”

Seulgi shrugs, her face unreadable. “No.”

But it already does.

And Jaeyi’s no fool.

She doesn’t push, though. Doesn’t tease. Just watches as Seulgi keeps sipping, avoiding her gaze, quieter than usual, like she’s trying to convince herself she’s not feeling what she is.

They’ve never talked about boundaries. They’ve never needed to.

They’re best friends.

Just best friends.

“She kissed your cheek though.” Seulgi couldn’t help but blurt out.

Jaeyi blinks. Then laughs, soft and surprised. “You noticed that?”

“You didn’t.”

“I forgot,” Jaeyi admits, rubbing the spot with her sleeve. “She always does that. She’s just affectionate. Like Yeri.”

“You smell different.”

Jaeyi tilts her head. “You’ve been sniffing me now?”

“No,” Seulgi mumbles. “It’s just… obvious.”

A small silence falls between them, warm and awkward.

“You don’t like her,” Jaeyi says finally, not a question.

“I don’t know her.”

“But you don’t like her.”

Seulgi shrugs again, curling a little deeper into the blanket.

Jaeyi doesn’t press. She just leans forward, slow and casual, and gently wipes at her cheek with the pad of her thumb.

“All gone,” she says.

Seulgi looks at her then, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes.

“I didn’t ask you to do that,” she says, voice lower now.

“You didn’t have to.”

Jaeyi leans back, takes a long sip of her drink, and adds, “Next time, I’ll tell her not to give me kisses anymore. You have my word.”

Seulgi doesn't say anything. She just stares at her cup again, then takes another sip.

Her ears are a little pink.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the campus as Seulgi sat on the cold stone steps outside the library, chin propped on her knee, hoodie pulled over her head. Kyung sat beside her, flipping through a thick law book.

“She said she’d be here at five,” Seulgi mumbled, glancing at the time on her phone. 5:27 PM.

Kyung hummed. “Maybe traffic.”

Seulgi didn’t answer. She just looked at her phone again, refreshing their chat thread. The last message from Jaeyi was a half-hour ago: omw <3 .

A moment later, her screen lit up— Incoming call: Jaeyi.

She picked up immediately. “Where are you?”

“Bub,” Jaeyi’s voice was breathy, hurried. “I’m so sorry. I can’t pick you up. Something came up—Minjoo unnie asked me to head to the office. It’s kind of urgent.”

Seulgi didn’t respond right away. Her eyes stayed on the pavement.

“I already booked a ride for you and Kyung,” Jaeyi added. “Should be there in a few minutes, okay?”

A pause. Then, quietly, “Okay.”

“I’ll make it up to you, promise.”

Seulgi gave a vague hum. “Yep,” she said, then hung up before Jaeyi could say more.

She kept the phone to her ear for a beat longer after the call ended, as if the echo of Jaeyi’s voice might bring her some comfort. It didn’t.

Kyung looked up from her book. “Is she near?”

Seulgi shook her head. Her hoodie made her look even smaller somehow, like a sulking cat curled up on cold marble.

“She said she booked us a ride,” she muttered. “She can’t pick us up. Minjoo needed her.”

Kyung raised a brow. “That’s like the third time this month she bailed on us, right?”

Seulgi didn’t answer. She stared out at the street like the ride would manifest sooner if she looked miserable enough.

Kyung closed the book with a soft thump and rested her arms over her knees. “You’re sulking.”

“No, I’m not.”

“You are. You get all silent and weird when you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad,” Seulgi snapped, a little too fast.

Kyung gave her a look, one Seulgi had known since they were eighteen. The I-know-you-better-than-you-think-you’re-hiding look.

“She’s not your girlfriend,” Kyung said plainly.

The words hit harder than they should have. Seulgi swallowed.

“I know.”

“Do you?”

Seulgi didn’t answer.

“She’s busy, Seulgi-yah. She’s trying to run a company at twenty and finish school. Minjoo’s just helping her.”

“I know,” Seulgi said again, more softly this time. “I know all of that.”

“Then why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

Seulgi tugged her hoodie further over her face. “I’m not crying.”

Kyung sighed. “Okayyy, but you’re still disappointed.”

There was a long silence.

Then, barely audible, Seulgi muttered, “She always says I come first.”

And Kyung, ever the realist, didn’t sugarcoat it. “Yeah. That’s why she booked us a ride instead of letting us figure it out. You’re still the first priority, idiot.”

They sat in silence after that. When the ride pulled up, Seulgi didn’t move right away. Just stared at the door, unsure whether she wanted to get in or run the opposite direction.

10:37PM

Three knocks—two fast, one slow. Jaeyi’s knock.

Seulgi didn’t budge from her bed.

She lay curled up, face half-buried in her pillow, blanket pulled to her chin. Her dorm was dim and quiet, her roommate gone for the weekend. Seulgi stared at her phone, the last message from Jaeyi still unread.

Another knock. Then the door creaked open.

“Princess,” Jaeyi called, voice warm and too chipper for this hour. She stepped inside, holding a paper bag in one hand and a drink in the other. “Your royal dinner has arrived.”

Silence.

Jaeyi set the bag down on the desk, then turned toward the lump on the bed. “You’re ignoring me?”

Still, no answer.

“Oh no,” she teased, crossing the room, “is someone sulking?”

Seulgi gave a dramatic sniff and rolled over, facing the wall instead of her.

Jaeyi grinned. “You are.”

“I’m not,” Seulgi muttered, muffled by the pillow.

“God, you’re so obvious.” Jaeyi sat at the edge of the bed, tugging at the blanket. “Let me in.”

“There’s no space.”

“There’s always space for me. Come on.”

Seulgi scooted half an inch. Jaeyi climbed in and immediately wrapped herself around her like a backpack, face pressed against Seulgi’s neck.

“I missed you today,” Jaeyi said, voice soft.

“If you did, you would have picked me up.” Seulgi grumbled.

Jaeyi smiled against her skin. “Princess, come on. You said it was fine.”

“But you said you’d come get me,” Seulgi mumbled into the pillow.

Jaeyi leaned in slightly. “I booked you a ride.”

“I don’t want a ride. I want you. ”

The words slipped out—half-mumbled, half-pouting—and Seulgi instantly regretted it. Her face flushed even though she refused to roll over.

Jaeyi blinked, caught off guard, then smiled slow and wide. “You want me, huh?”

“Shut up,” Seulgi grumbled. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Pretty sure it is.”

Seulgi finally turned, just enough to glare at her. “You ditched me.”

Jaeyi sighed and nodded. “Minjoo unnie needed me to review a contract before tomorrow. It couldn’t wait. So I called you. Booked your ride. Got Kyung home safe, too.”

“It couldn’t wait the 30 minutes it takes to get me? Really?”

There it was—quiet, sharp, and sulky. The edge in Seulgi’s voice was soft, like she didn’t quite mean to let it slip.

Jaeyi smiled, a little charmed. “You’re cute when you’re bratty.”

“Don’t call me that,” Seulgi muttered, turning back around.

“Why not? You are,” Jaeyi teased, sitting up on the bed. “Lying here like a sad cat who didn’t get her treat.”

“I just wanted you to come,” Seulgi mumbled, the sulk deepening. “You said you would.”

Jaeyi's teasing faded. She touched Seulgi’s shoulder, voice warm. “You’re right. I said I would.”

Seulgi didn’t answer.

“I’m sorry,” Jaeyi said quietly. “That’s on me.”

That earned a blink. Then Seulgi peeked up at her, lips still pouty.

“Better,” Jaeyi said, grinning now as she reached out to gently hold Seulgi’s cheeks. “There she is. My favorite face to spoil.”

Seulgi tried to swat her hand away, but not really.

“I’m not spoiled.”

Jaeyi laughed, eyes crinkling. “You’re so spoiled.”

“Not spoiled,” Seulgi grumbled, “just disappointed.”

That made Jaeyi pause.

Then, she slowly pulled Seulgi back into her arms, gently this time. “You’re right,” she said quietly. “I should’ve told Minjoo unnie to wait,” Jaeyi added. “You come first.”

Seulgi remained quiet. Then, with a whisper: “I just… you always pick me up.”

“I always will,” Jaeyi said, resting her forehead against Seulgi’s shoulder. “Even if you’re being bratty. Even if you sulk. Even when you say you don’t want me to.”

“…I never say that.”

“I know,” Jaeyi whispered, grinning.

Seulgi huffed.

Then Jaeyi gently cupped Seulgi’s face, turning her around just enough to squish her cheeks. “Look at this little pout. My baby’s been frowning all day.”

Seulgi tried to fight it but her brows pinched again—instinctively pouting harder.

“Aigoo,” Jaeyi laughed, kissing her temple. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Feed me,” Seulgi grumbled.

Jaeyi pulled back slightly. “Kimchi fried rice and strawberry milk?”

“…Yes.”

“I got you both.”

Seulgi still tried to hold her sulk, but she was already softening, cheeks flushed pink.

Jaeyi reached for the bag and handed it over. “Come on, eat. Then I’m sleeping over.”

“You didn’t bring pajamas.”

Jaeyi gave a shrug. “I’ll wear yours. Or nothing.”

Seulgi blinked. Jaeyi smirked. The pout disappeared.

“You’re so annoying.”

“And you’re so cute when you’re bratty.”

“Ugh,” Seulgi muttered, but she grabbed the food and dug in anyway—still sitting next to Jaeyi, still leaning just slightly into her, as if her whole body already knew where it belonged.

The morning light filtered softly through the thin dorm curtains, casting a faint golden hue across the room. The usual buzz and noise of the campus hadn’t quite stirred yet. Everything was still. Quiet. Peaceful.

Jaeyi was already awake.

She didn’t remember falling asleep, only that Seulgi’s warmth had slowly lulled her into it sometime after midnight. Now, her eyes fluttered open to the sight of Seulgi curled against her chest, hair a gentle mess, lips slightly parted, face calm in sleep.

It was rare to see her this still.

Jaeyi let her hand drift lightly along Seulgi’s back, barely grazing over the fabric of her oversized shirt. She felt the soft rise and fall of Seulgi’s breathing against her, and her own chest tightened with something warm and content. She could stay like this forever.

And then—

Bzzz.

A text notification lit up her phone on the nightstand.

She glanced over and caught the preview: Minjoo Unnie - need to talk. urgent. re: supplier negotiations, call ASAP.

Jaeyi grimaced, already calculating how quietly she could leave without waking Seulgi.

She moved slowly, untucking her arm from under Seulgi’s weight.

But before she could fully slip away, Seulgi groaned—low and annoyed—like a cat being shifted from its favorite sunspot.

Then, in one swift, sleepy movement, Seulgi grabbed Jaeyi’s phone and tossed it somewhere behind them.

A faint thunk followed. Jaeyi stared.

“Princess.”

“No.”

“I need to—”

“No.”

Jaeyi blinked as Seulgi slumped fully on top of her, head tucked under her chin now, arms wrapped tight like she was anchoring herself. Her voice came out muffled and grumbly. “You owe me.”

“I brought you food.”

“Still owe me.”

Jaeyi laughed, hands instinctively wrapping around her waist. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“You left me in the library.”

“I sent a car!”

“You said you’d pick me up!”

Jaeyi’s chest shook with laughter. “So this is revenge?”

“This is justice,” Seulgi muttered stubbornly, now burrowing deeper like a blanket burrito on top of her. “Stay.”

Jaeyi hummed, utterly defeated and deeply amused. “And if Minjoo Unnie fires me for ignoring her?”

“She can’t. She works for you.”

Jaeyi grinned. “You sound jealous.”

“Whatever,” Seulgi grumbled.

Jaeyi closed her eyes, holding her tight. “Alright. Five more minutes.”

“You mean an hour.”

“…Thirty minutes.”

“Forty-five.”

“Deal.”

Seulgi finally smiled against her neck.

It was past noon when they finally stirred from their makeshift cocoon of warmth and limbs. Seulgi blinked blearily against the light now spilling harshly through the curtains, frowning like it personally offended her.

Jaeyi stretched under her with a soft sigh. “It’s late.”

“It’s Sunday anyway,” Seulgi mumbled, still on top of her, refusing to move.

“You said forty-five minutes.”

“Yeah. And then I revised it.” Her arms tightened around Jaeyi’s waist. “I’m a growing girl. I need rest.”

Jaeyi laughed, one hand gently carding through Seulgi’s hair. “You’re twenty princess, you won’t grow anymore.”

Seulgi gave a soft whine, nose brushing against Jaeyi’s collarbone. “You always leave when she texts.”

Jaeyi paused, smile faltering. Not from guilt—just the weight of how clear Seulgi was being, even if her voice was quiet and small.

“I have to,” she said, though her hand never stopped combing through Seulgi’s hair. “She’s helping me run an empire.”

Seulgi shifted slightly, just enough to look up. “Empires can wait. I haven’t gotten my fill of you yet.”

Jaeyi smiled again, this time slower, softer—melted. “Oh really?”

Seulgi nodded, her pout returning. “New policy. One whole day of attention. No texts. No School. No hospital. No Minjoo Unnie.”

Jaeyi’s chest ached in the most dangerous way. God, she wanted to kiss her. She wanted to kiss that pout off her face and press their foreheads together and say, You don’t even know you’ve been mine since eighteen.

Instead, she pressed her hand to Seulgi’s cheek and squished it gently, voice barely a whisper.

“You’re gonna kill me, Bub.”

Seulgi blinked. “What? Why?”

Jaeyi just looked at her. All eyes and restraint and helpless affection. “Because you don’t even know what you’re doing to me.”

Seulgi blinked again, slower now, her face still cradled in Jaeyi’s palm. “Yes, I do.”

That made Jaeyi laugh, the sound low and disbelieving, and she pulled her closer, hugging her tight again, as if that would make the wanting any quieter.

But it didn’t.

And neither of them minded.

They’ve relocated to Jaeyi’s much spacious apartment than Seulgi’s tiny dorm. The kitchen was bathed in late afternoon light, warm and drowsy. The sizzle of garlic in oil filled the air. Jaeyi moved with the ease of someone who cooked often, who liked feeding someone enough to keep doing it even when she was exhausted from meetings and reports and long hospital calls.

Seulgi sat on the counter, legs swinging slightly, a half-eaten apple in one hand, eyes trained on Jaeyi like always. The kitchen felt too small for how full her chest was. She hadn’t said a word in the last few minutes, just… watched. And waited.

Jaeyi didn’t mind the quiet. She stirred the pan lazily, humming under her breath.

Then her phone lit up on the counter.

Seulgi didn’t even need to see the name to know. The pale pink text bubble, the familiar preview of something about schedules—Minjoo. Again.

Her gaze didn’t move from the phone when she spoke. “Jaeyi-yah.”

“Mhmm?”

“We’re dating, right?”

The silence was immediate.

The spatula paused mid-air.

Jaeyi blinked slowly, turned to look at her. For a second, it was like she was confirming she’d heard it right—not because she was surprised, but because she never thought Seulgi would be the one to say it first.

She set the spatula down carefully, wiped her hands on a towel, and stepped forward.

Standing between Seulgi’s knees, she reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear. Her touch lingered, fingers brushing Seulgi’s jaw.

“Yeah,” Jaeyi said quietly, as if it was the simplest truth in the world. “I think we have been.”

Seulgi let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

She smiled, the corners of her lips curling slow and sure.

“Good,” she murmured, leaning in just slightly. “Just checking.”

Jaeyi laughed under her breath, forehead pressing against hers for a beat too long.

Then the garlic almost burned, and Seulgi hopped off the counter to help, both of them grinning now—nothing had changed, except everything had.

The garlic was narrowly saved, Jaeyi making a dramatic sound as she stirred it quickly, muttering something about how someone was distracting.

Seulgi, now off the counter and standing right beside her, didn’t bother pretending she was helping. She was staring. Waiting. Practically vibrating with unspoken expectation.

Jaeyi didn’t acknowledge her right away.

She calmly reached for the vegetables, tossed them into the pan, gave everything a gentle stir like she hadn’t just agreed they were dating ten seconds ago.

Finally, Jaeyi glanced at her from the corner of her eye, the edge of a smirk curling on her lips.

“What?”

Seulgi blinked at her, arms crossed, already frowning.

“You’re not gonna kiss me?”

Jaeyi’s eyes gleamed. She took a slow breath, not hiding her amusement.

“You want me to kiss you,” she repeated, like she needed clarification.

Seulgi gave her a withering glare. “You said we’re dating.”

“What about it?” Jaeyi teased, turning back to stir the pan, clearly stalling on purpose. “It’s true.”

Jaeyi smirked. She was doing this on purpose, and Seulgi knew it. That smug glint in her eyes, the slight sway of her hip as she turned back to the stove—it was her way of saying, you want something? You wait for it.

And Seulgi tried. She really did.

But when Jaeyi didn’t even look at her again, she made an annoyed sound, spun around on her heel and started toward the hallway.

“Fine. I’ll just—”

She didn’t get to finish.

She was yanked back by the wrist, spun around with more force than she expected—

—and kissed.

Firm, soft, and a little breathless.

Jaeyi kissed her like she’d been waiting a long, long time to. It was years of friendship and longing and things unsaid finally spoken between parted lips. One hand at the small of her back, the other curling behind her neck, keeping her close. Seulgi melted into it with a muffled sigh, arms locking around Jaeyi’s waist.

They didn’t hear the sizzle turning sharp on the stove.

Didn’t smell the garlic starting to burn again.

Neither of them moved.

Jaeyi only pulled back when they both needed air, lips brushing Seulgi’s again, voice quiet.

“There,” she whispered. “Now it’s official.”

Seulgi blinked, dazed. “The food’s burning.”

Jaeyi smiled, kissed the corner of her mouth. “Let it.”

Chapter Text

Seulgi’s nursing an iced Americano like it’s the only thing keeping her upright. Yeri’s halfway through her pasta, and Kyung’s scrolling through her tablet with one hand while stabbing fries with the other.

“Where’s Jaeyi?” Yeri asks casually, like she’s talking about someone’s missing umbrella. “Doesn’t she usually eat lunch with you?”

Seulgi doesn’t even blink. “She’s busy. The hospital’s been hectic this week and she’s got a finance exam coming up too.”

Kyung raises an eyebrow. “That’s every week.”

“Exactly,” Seulgi sighs, leaning back in her chair. “She’s been extra married to J Medical lately.”

Yeri snorts. “And how’s actual married life treating you ?”

Seulgi shrugs, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. “Same as before, honestly. I mean, now I get to kiss her whenever I want. And the sex is a plus.”

Yeri nearly chokes on her drink, while Kyung just raises her brow like she’s not surprised.

“See,” Kyung says flatly, “that’s why everyone thought you were already together before.”

“We weren’t that obvious,” Seulgi protests.

“You were literally glued to her side all senior year of high school.” Kyung deadpans.

“That’s just how most best friends were,” Seulgi mumbles.

Yeri wipes a tear from her eye, laughing. “No, babe, that’s how most couples were.”

Seulgi just grins into her drink, quietly pleased. “Well. Now we are a couple, so you all can stop complaining.”

“I just gotta say, it took you guys long enough before making it official.” Yeri smirks, glancing at Kyung. “Honestly we both thought it’ll never happen.”

Seulgi taps her spoon against her glass, staring at the condensation trail. “You have me to thank for that, I initiated.” She boasted. “That’s why our 100th day is coming up,” she says offhandedly.

Yeri’s eyes widen. “ What? When?”

“Next next week,” Seulgi says. “Wednesday, I think?”

Yeri gasps like Seulgi just said she forgot her anniversary. “ Unacceptable. Do you even know how  important that is?”

Seulgi blinks. “I mean… it’s a hundred days.”

“A hundred days is everything!” Yeri insists, leaning forward like she’s about to launch a PowerPoint. “It’s, like, the relationship holiday for Korean couples. You have to do something.”

Kyung doesn’t even look up. “Sounds made up.”

“It’s not ,” Yeri hisses at her, then turns back to Seulgi. “You need to get her flowers. A cake. Something sweet. Something sentimental.”

Seulgi raises her hands. “Okay, okay! I’ll plan something.”

Kyung finally looks over, deadpan. “You’re gonna forget until the night before.”

“I won’t!” Seulgi insists. “I’ll set a reminder.”

Yeri leans back, smug. “Good. You’re officially not allowed to be chill about this.”

Seulgi mutters, “Jaeyi’s gonna roll her eyes.”

Yeri beams. “And then she’ll smile when you’re not looking.”

Kyung nods once. “She’s a goner for you.”

Seulgi just grins sheepishly into her glass. “Yeah. I know.”

A week later…

The door to Kyung and Yeri’s apartment creaks open.

“Hey Seulgi,” Kyung says, not even looking up from her textbook sprawled open on the coffee table. “You need help with studying or what?”

Yeri pops her head out from the fridge. “You better not be here just to steal my popcorn again.”

“Hi Kyungie, Yeri-ah.” Seulgi waves a bag of groceries triumphantly. “Relax. I’m here to cook.”

Yeri’s eyes narrow. “You can’t cook.”

“I’m learning. ” Seulgi kicks her shoes off, heading straight to the kitchen. “Big occasion coming up.”

“Jaeyoon’s Birthday?” Kyung asks.

Seulgi snorts. “No. Jaeyi and I’s 100th day.”

Yeri gasps again—clearly her trademark reaction for anything romance-related. “You remembered!”

“We talked about it just last week, and also, I set like five alarms.” Seulgi starts unloading her groceries. “I’m gonna cook her dinner. At her apartment. Surprise her.”

Kyung closes her book. “You? Using her kitchen?”

“She’s barely home these days,” Seulgi mutters, voice quieter. “Always at the hospital or asleep. She won’t suspect a thing.”

Yeri tosses her a pink apron. “Then we better make sure your surprise doesn’t kill her.”

⸻

Later that evening, Seulgi’s stirring something with the wrong utensil, sauce splattered everywhere.

“Yeri-ah, help!”

“Do not yell in a kitchen!” Yeri snaps, grabbing the pot.

Seulgi pouts. “Jaeyi makes it look so easy.”

Kyung watches from the couch, unimpressed. “That’s because she’s an actual competent adult.”

Seulgi sighs, wiping her forehead. “I just… want to do something for her for once. She’s always taking care of me.”

Yeri softens a little at that. “You will. This’ll be worth it.”

And it would be. Even if Jaeyi was too exhausted to notice right away, even if Seulgi burned the rice three times before getting it right—she’d still pull it off. Because loving Jaeyi wasn’t a loud, grand gesture. It was quiet, steady. Patient.

Exactly like this.

It’s a quiet Monday night. Rain taps gently on the windows, and the soft glow of the lamp casts warm shadows across Jaeyi’s apartment. The TV plays something neither of them is really watching, and Seulgi’s arm is draped lazily over Jaeyi’s waist.

Jaeyi is completely slumped on top of Seulgi—her weight heavy, comforting, familiar. Her cheek pressed against Seulgi’s chest, her limbs tangled around her like she never wants to move again.

Seulgi brushes her fingers through Jaeyi’s hair, slow and rhythmic.

“You good?” she asks softly.

Jaeyi groans in response. “No. Tell me I don’t have to go to the hospital tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to go to the hospital tomorrow,” Seulgi echoes, obediently.

“Liar,” Jaeyi mumbles, her voice muffled by Seulgi’s shirt. “I have a board meeting, a lunch with a client and a department presentation.”

Seulgi chuckles. “Okay, but you asked .”

Another groan. “Ugh. Just baby me, please.”

Seulgi tightens her hold on her. “Already on it.”

They lie like that in silence for a while, only the sound of the rain and their breathing between them. Seulgi kisses the crown of Jaeyi’s head, smile softening.

“You know…” she starts, a little shy, a little unsure, “our special day’s coming up.”

“Hm?” Jaeyi mumbles.

“This Wednesday.”

“Mm,” Jaeyi hums, clearly not registering anything. “Sounds nice.”

Seulgi hesitates. “You know what I’m talking about, right?”

“Mhmm.” Jaeyi’s lips are brushing Seulgi’s collarbone now, but her eyes are shut, body sinking further into sleep.

Seulgi smiles, a little bittersweet. “You’re not even listening.”

“I’m always listening,” Jaeyi slurs, nearly asleep.

“Just go home early on Wednesday okay? I’ll wait for you.” Seulgi says softly.

Jaeyi merely hums again in response, lifting her hand to do an ‘okay’ sign.

Seulgi doesn’t say anything after that. Just keeps brushing her hair, lips pressed against her temple, holding her like she’s something fragile and beloved.

Because she is.

Even if she forgets.

Even if it stings a little.

It’s finally Wednesday.

Seulgi wakes up before her alarm even goes off, heart already thudding with nervous energy. She barely slept last night, going over the recipe again and again in her head. Pasta and steak. Simple. Classic. Foolproof. Hopefully.

She skips all her classes—a shocking decision for someone like Seulgi, who never misses a lecture, never submits late, never doesn’t raise her hand when asked a question. But today isn’t for school.

Today is for Jaeyi.

Kyung had lent her their cooking ware and even helped with a few prep tricks—though mostly, she just leaned against the counter and gave Seulgi dry commentary like, “Don’t burn that, or she’ll dump you.”

Yeri helped plate everything—“aesthetic is half the battle,” she said, as she adjusted the parsley with surgical precision.

Now, the food’s warm in insulated containers. The lights in Jaeyi’s apartment are dimmed, fairy lights flickering around the edges of the room. Seulgi even found the time to put flowers on the table—Jaeyi’s favorite, cream ranunculus.

A Lucid Falls playlist is already humming through the speakers. The pasta’s plated, the steak is resting, and Seulgi is sitting on the couch in a black dress Jaeyi once said made her look “too pretty to be left alone,” nervously tapping her fingers against her thigh.

6:00 PM.

She checks the clock.

Then her phone.

No messages yet.

She opens their conversation—still the last thing Jaeyi sent was this morning: “See you tonight. Can’t wait to sleep for twelve hours.”

Seulgi smiles faintly. You won’t get to sleep just yet, she thinks.

She waits.

6:30.

“Are you heading home now, Jaeyi-yah?”

The candles she lit on the table flicker.

7:00.

She refreshes her messages again.

Nothing.

She paces now. Then sits again. Then checks the food.

“Jaeyi?”

8:00.

Still no Jaeyi.

Still no text.

The pasta’s cold. The steak’s dry. The flowers look out of place now—silly, romantic, kind of mocking.

Seulgi stares at the door. Then at her phone. Then back again.

And her smile fades, inch by inch, replaced by something else entirely.

⸻

It’s almost 10 PM when the door finally opens.

Jaeyi steps inside with her tote slipping from her shoulder, hair a little messy, exhaustion clinging to her like a second skin. Her phone’s still pressed to her ear as she mutters a half-hearted, “Okay, I’ll look at the numbers tomorrow. Just email it—yeah, Dowon. I got it. Night.”

She ends the call, toeing off her shoes with a sigh.

And then she sees it.

The soft lighting. The flowers on the table. The flicker of candles, now half-melted. Two empty plates and silverware, carefully set. The lingering scent of steak and basil in the air.

And Seulgi, sitting silently at the table.

Jaeyi freezes. Her throat tightens.

“Princess,” she says softly, stepping forward, “You didn’t tell me you were—”

Seulgi is sitting at the dining table, alone, arms crossed, lips pressed in a tight line.

Her pretty dress is slightly wrinkled now from sitting so long. There are two empty wine glasses on the table. A bottle left uncorked.

Jaeyi glances at the counter, where the food has been cleared away, replaced with cold silence.

“Bub,” she says softly, shrugging her bag off her shoulder, “I’m—shit, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know—”

“You didn’t remember,” Seulgi says quietly, not looking at her.

Jaeyi’s lips part. “I—what is today?”

Seulgi lets out a sharp laugh, incredulous and bitter. “Wow.”

There’s no yelling. No raised voices. Just the dull, numbing quiet that hurts more than anything else.

“I had classes today,” Seulgi continues, “but I skipped them. I cooked. I set everything up.” Her voice wavers but doesn’t break. “I wanted to do something for you for once.”

I—” Jaeyi steps forward. “Seulgi, I’m sorry. Work ran late, and I—the hospital needed—”

“Right,” Seulgi cuts in, voice sharper than she means to. “The hospital needed you.”

“That’s not fair.”

“No,” Seulgi agrees, almost too fast. “It’s not. But you’re not the one who sat here for hours hoping her girlfriend might come home early and remember what day it is.”

Jaeyi opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.

She looks so tired.

And somehow, that makes Seulgi even angrier.

Because now she can’t even be mad. Now she has to feel guilty for being hurt.

“I’m sorry,” Jaeyi tries again, quieter this time. “I didn’t mean to forget. I just… I’m tired.”

“I know,” Seulgi whispers.

And she really does.

She knows how hard Jaeyi works. How much pressure is on her shoulders.

But tonight—it still hurts.

Seulgi picks up her jacket from the back of the chair.

“I’m going.”

“Wait—Seulgi-ah.”

She turns at the door.

Jaeyi looks at her, eyes red-rimmed, guilt etched into every exhausted line of her face.

Seulgi offers a small, strained smile. “Happy 100th day.”

Then the door slams shut.

And the candles flicker out.

It’s been three days since the door slammed.

Three days since Seulgi’s soft voice told her happy 100th day like it meant nothing. Three days of cold silence, and Jaeyi’s starting to feel every second of it.

She tries, of course.

She goes to Seulgi’s dorm, knocking with soft urgency.

Her roommate peeks through the door, eyes sleepy. “Oh. Seulgi? She’s not here.” A pause. “She’s been staying out a lot lately.”

That night, Jaeyi waits outside Seulgi’s lab class. The halls buzz with students flooding out, chattering, shuffling toward the exits. She sees a flash of familiar hair, the worn brown bag, the way Seulgi tucks her hands into her jacket—

“Seul—” Jaeyi calls out.

But Seulgi disappears into the crowd before she can reach her.

She tries again the next day.

And the next.

Each time, her texts go unread for hours, and when they’re answered at all, they’re painfully short.

Jaeyi: I’m free tonight. Can I see you?

Princess 💛: Busy.

Jaeyi: Can I call?

Princess 💛: No.

Jaeyi: I miss you. I’m sorry.

Princess 💛: Okay.

Jaeyi stares at that last reply for a long time, thumb hovering over the keyboard.

But there’s nothing else to say that she hasn’t already.

So she deletes what she was going to write.

Her work at the hospital piles up. Her mentor, Minjoo texts her reminders. Her exams creep closer on the calendar. The world doesn’t stop, even if Seulgi’s absence makes everything feel like it’s slowed to a crawl.

She opens her Notes app one night, types something out.

Deletes it.

Tries again.

I’m sorry I forgot. I’m sorry I made you feel like you weren’t important. I thought you knew you were everything. I was wrong not to show it.

She doesn’t send it.

Not yet.

Jaeyi exhales, leans back in her chair, and finally admits what she’s been trying to deny:

She’s not sure she knows how to fix this.

Jaeyi stood still, hands tucked inside her coat, eyes fixed on the dorm entrance like it held the answer to everything.

The campus had quieted for the evening. Raindrops tapped against the pavement, hesitant at first, then steadier. The collar of her coat soaked through in minutes. Still, she didn’t move.

She didn’t bring an umbrella.

Didn’t bring her phone either—left it at home, on purpose. She couldn’t risk being called back, couldn’t risk anything pulling her away again. Not today. Not this time.

Because she’d promised herself that she’d wait .

For Seulgi.

She paced a little, then stopped again, arms crossed to fend off the chill. Students came and went, a few sparing her a curious glance, but she kept her eyes forward.

She would not miss Seulgi this time. She couldn’t .

The sky darkened more. The cold dug into her bones. Her coat clung heavy against her skin, rain dripping down her temples and neck. Still, no sign of Seulgi.

And still, she waited.

Ten minutes turned into thirty.

An hour passed.

Then two.

Then more.

Her legs started trembling. Her vision blurred—whether from rain or exhaustion, she wasn’t sure. Her stomach twisted from the lack of food, her head pounding from the lack of sleep. She hadn’t even had coffee today.

But still, she stayed.

She deserved this, she thought. She forgot too many things. She forgot their 100th day. She forgot how much Seulgi had been trying. She forgot to look .

So now she would wait—until Seulgi came and saw her, just standing there like an idiot in the rain.

But Seulgi didn’t come.

And Jaeyi’s body could no longer keep up with her stubborn heart.

The cold overtook her. Her knees gave out. The rain blurred the world into a watery haze as her limbs gave up one by one.

She collapsed onto the wet concrete with a soft sound, like a sigh.

Unmoving.

Alone.

And finally, finally still.

The nurse who recognized her gasped the moment she saw the collapsed girl being brought in.

“Ms. Yoo Jaeyi?”

Word spread fast. Within the hour, Kyung and Yeri were at her bedside—worried, quiet, Yeri holding Jaeyi’s cold hand while Kyung stood stiffly by the foot of the bed, phone in hand.

Jaeyi lay on the hospital bed—pale, cheeks tinged with red from the fever. An IV was hooked to her arm. She hadn’t stirred much since they brought her in, bundled in a coat twice her size and drenched through.

Yeri sat beside her, brushing damp strands from Jaeyi’s face with gentle fingers. “Did she really just stood there in the rain, Kyung? Like a goddamn idiot?”

Kyung, arms crossed and jaw tight, muttered, “Yeah. For hours. Nurse kim said some girls found her and called for help. They recognized her from the news and figured the smart move was to bring her here.”

Yeri frowned. “Why didn’t she have her phone?”

“Probably didn’t want to be distracted.” Kyung's voice lowered, guilt brushing its edges. “She didn’t even remember Seulgi’s on a trip. She just… waited there.”

Yeri looked at Jaey quietly. “Really stupid move, Jaeyi-yah.”

Kyung already sent the text to Seulgi twenty minutes ago, and now, they wait.

⸻

Seulgi’s phone buzzed.

In the middle of a lakeside dinner with her classmates. She ignored it since she’s talking to her professor. But there’s this uneasy feeling rumbling inside her, so she took a peek. The world dimmed as she read Kyung’s message. Once. Twice. Her heart shot to her throat. Her chair screeched back before anyone could ask.

Kyung: You need to come home. Jaeyi collapsed outside your dorm. She’s at J Medical now. Passed out from exhaustion, low blood sugar, and exposure.

Seconds passed.

Then the reply came.

Seulgi: That idiot! I’m six hours away.

Kyung: She stood outside for hours. In the rain. Waiting for you.

Seulgi didn’t reply after that. She was too busy dialing for the first ride out, bag slung over her shoulder, sprinting toward the bus stop without a word.

The world blurred at the edges when Jaeyi opened her eyes.

The first thing she noticed was the sterile white ceiling, a soft mechanical hum in the background. The second was the weight in her chest—not physical, but heavy all the same.

She blinked slowly. Her body ached all over, and her throat felt dry. There was an IV line in her arm. She tried to sit up, but a familiar voice stopped her.

“ Jaeyi-ah, you’re awake.”

Kyung was standing beside her bed, arms crossed but eyes soft. Yeri was curled up on the chair nearby, fast asleep with her jacket draped over her knees.

“What…” Jaeyi rasped. Her voice cracked from dryness.

Kyung moved closer, holding a cup of water with a straw. “Drink first.”

Jaeyi obeyed, slowly sipping. The coolness grounded her, just a little.

“You passed out in the rain like some main character in a medical drama. Very on-brand,” Kyung muttered.

Jaeyi winced, not from Kyung’s tone, but from memory. “Outside the dorm…”

“Yeah,” Kyung said quietly. “Some people recognized you. They brought you here—to your hospital, Jaeyi. You’re the director and you ended up as a patient.” Her voice wavered with a weird mix of concern and disbelief.

Jaeyi leaned back into the pillow, eyes fluttering shut again. She felt… so small.

“Why don’t you have your phone with you?” Kyung asked after a beat. “We only found out because nurse Kim called Yeri.”

“I didn’t want any distractions,” Jaeyi whispered. “I just… wanted to see Seulgi.”

Kyung didn’t say anything for a while. Then she blurts out.

“I texted her.”

Jaeyi’s eyes flew open. “You did?”

“She deserves to know,” Kyung said. “She replied. She’s worried. But she’s like hours away.”

Jaeyi nodded numbly. “Right. I forgot she told me about that…”

“Yeah,” Kyung muttered, a little annoyed now. “She did. Add it to the list of things you forgot.”

Silence again.

Jaeyi didn’t cry. She just closed her eyes. Everything inside her felt empty and tight all at once. But her heart throbbed for one thing— Seulgi.

⸻

Jaeyi drifted back into sleep not long after.

Her breathing evened out, quiet and tired. The kind of sleep that came after running on fumes for far too long. Kyung adjusted the blanket over her, then stepped outside the hospital room to answer the call that lit up her phone.

“Seulgi?”

“Can you and Yeri stay with her a bit longer?” Seulgi’s voice was tight, the words rushed but steady. “Just until I get there.”

Kyung blinked. “You’re… getting here?”

“I’m on the bus. Just boarded. Five more hours.”

There was a beat of stunned silence.

“That class trip was part of your grade. You said that yourself.”

“I’ll handle it,” Seulgi said simply. “I just—she waited for me, Kyung. I wasn’t there. So I’ll be there now.”

Something in Kyung’s chest twisted at that. She rubbed her temple, sighed.

“Yeah. We’ll stay. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks,” Seulgi whispered.

Then the line went quiet.

Kyung lowered her phone and looked at the door to Jaeyi’s room, heart heavier than before.

Yeri appeared beside her, arms crossed and expression unusually serious. “She’s really in love with her, huh.”

Kyung nodded.

“She always has been.”

“Five hours,” Jaeyi muttered, her voice hoarse from sleep and disuse. “Kyungie, you said five.”

Kyung sighed from the corner of the room, stirring the congee she had just reheated. “Maybe there’s traffic.”

“Or she fell asleep on the bus and missed her stop.” Yeri tried, trying to sound light, but even she winced when Jaeyi’s eyes narrowed.

“She’s not answering her phone,” Jaeyi said, softer now, like it hurt to admit.

“Maybe her battery died,” Kyung said, though even she was starting to worry. “Or no signal on the road.”

“Right,” Jaeyi murmured.

Still, she didn’t touch the tray of food in front of her. Not even the juice Yeri personally peeled and sliced oranges for.

Yeri slumped into the couch by the window. “At this point, I feel like we’re babysitting a toddler.”

Kyung raised an eyebrow. “A dramatic, love-struck, stubborn toddler.”

“I’m right here,” Jaeyi muttered.

“Yes. We know.” Kyung walked up to her bed and held the spoon up. “Eat.”

“No.”

“Eat, Jaeyi.”

“I’ll wait for her.”

Yeri groaned. “You’ll faint again at this rate!”

“I’ll be fine.” Jaeyi turned her face away. “She said five hours.”

“You said you weren’t gonna cry either, and look what happened earlier,” Kyung snapped, her patience worn.

But her voice softened as she sat on the bed beside her.

“Please. Just eat a little. You know she’ll throw a fit if she sees you like this.”

At that, Jaeyi glanced at the door, like willing it to open.

But it didn’t.

And the ache in her chest grew heavier.

⸻

Three more hours ticked by. The hospital lights had dimmed for the night, and the city outside had long since quieted.

Yeri was holding a spoon of now-lukewarm porridge, making airplane noises out of desperation. Kyung stood with her arms crossed and a stress headache forming right between her eyes.

“Open up, Jaeyi. Come on,” Yeri coaxed, hovering over the blanket-covered girl. “Just a little. A spoon. A nibble. A sniff—”

“No.”

“Jaeyi, I swear—”

“I said no,” Jaeyi’s muffled voice came from under the blanket, pout practically audible. “It tastes like sadness.”

Yeri groaned. “It’s plain rice porridge!”

“Exactly.”

Kyung pinched the bridge of her nose. “She’s been like this since you left to reheat it.”

“Are you serious?” Yeri turned to Kyung. “This is torture, I’m gonna cry.”

Just then, the door creaked open slowly.

Kyung and Yeri both turned—relief blooming on their faces like the first sun after a storm.

Seulgi.

She stepped in quietly, dropping her backpack by the door. She looked travel-worn but very much here, eyes flicking to the scene before her: Yeri holding a spoon like a war veteran, Kyung massaging her temple in defeat, and Jaeyi wrapped in blankets like a burrito, determinedly ignoring both of them.

Seulgi exhaled deeply.

If Jaeyi had the energy to be this stubborn, then she was okay.

Seulgi held a finger to her lips, signaling for the other two to stay quiet. They both nodded and stepped back like soldiers relieved of duty.

She crossed the room in a few quiet strides, stopping at Jaeyi’s bedside, arms crossing over her chest.

It was silent for a beat.

Then Jaeyi, still buried under the blankets, spoke up with a smug edge in her voice. “Why did it get quiet? Yeri, did you die of stress?”

A new voice answered instead—low, unmistakable, and sharp with restrained emotion.

“Yoo Jaeyi.”

The blankets shifted. A second passed. Then Jaeyi peeked out, blinking up—and her eyes widened.

Seulgi, standing with a stern expression and a lift to one eyebrow.

There was a beat where Jaeyi seemed to compute it, and then—

She shot upright, launching forward and wrapping her arms around Seulgi’s waist. No hesitation. Her head burrowed into Seulgi’s chest like she’d finally found her home.

Seulgi stood frozen for a second—then melted.

Her arms curled protectively around Jaeyi’s shoulders, chin resting lightly atop her head. “You idiot,” she murmured, voice tight. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry,” Jaeyi whispered.

Seulgi sighed again, running a gentle hand through Jaeyi’s hair.

Behind them, Kyung silently took the spoon from Yeri. “Your shift’s over,” she whispered. “Let the actual girlfriend handle her.”

”Finally! We’re going now lovebirds!”

The room had quieted, save for the gentle hum of the air conditioner and the distant sound of nurses at the nurses’ station. Seulgi and Jaeyi sat cross-legged on the bed, knees nearly touching, the hospital blanket bundled around Jaeyi’s legs.

Seulgi was frowning—gently, but firmly—as she stared at the girl across from her.

“You know I told you about my class trip weeks ago, right?”

Jaeyi’s eyes dropped to their hands, where she was fiddling with Seulgi’s fingers like a guilty child caught sneaking cookies. “…Yeah,” she mumbled.

“And I texted you this morning to remind you about it.” 

Jaeyi kept her head down, she mumbled, “I didn’t check my phone since yesterday.”

Seulgi blinked. “Exactly. Which is also why you didn’t see the text I sent this morning where I literally said, ‘We’ll talk when I get back.’”

Silence.

“Nope,” Seulgi continued, voice rising half a note. “You had to be dramatic and stand in the rain like an idiot.”

Jaeyi let out a small, embarrassed noise. “I said I’m sorry,” she muttered, peeking up at Seulgi with her best approximation of puppy-dog eyes. It usually worked.

Seulgi stared at her blankly. “mhmm.”

Jaeyi pouted.

Seulgi sighed, rubbing her temple with the tips of her fingers. “Are you at least feeling okay now?”

Jaeyi lifted a shoulder, leaning forward with a small smirk. “Mmm. Now that you’re here.”

Seulgi didn’t even flinch. “Try again.”

Jaeyi’s grin faltered. She huffed and leaned back a bit, tone smaller now. “No, not really. I’m dizzy. My elbow hurts.”

“That’s because you have a fever and you haven’t eaten anything,” Seulgi deadpanned. “And your elbow hurts because you collapsed and bruised it, genius.”

Jaeyi stuck out her bottom lip again.

Seulgi stood with a sigh, reaching for her bag. “I’m going to buy you something warm to eat. Don’t move—”

Jaeyi reached out and grabbed her wrist gently. “…Will you come back?”

Seulgi paused. Her features softened at the question, at the very real flicker of vulnerability in Jaeyi’s eyes.

She put her bag down again, leaned in, and pulled Jaeyi into a warm, tight hug. Jaeyi melted into her immediately.

Seulgi kissed her lightly on the forehead, lingering just a second longer than usual. “Of course I’ll come back,” she murmured. “I’m not mad. Just… really, really worried.”

“I know,” Jaeyi whispered into her neck.

“Never do that again.”

“I won’t,” she promised. “Swear.”

Seulgi finally pulled back, brushing Jaeyi’s damp hair behind her ear. “Alright. Now I’m actually getting food. You better eat this time.”

“I don’t like hospital food,” Jaeyi muttered as Seulgi walked to the door.

Seulgi turned with one last warning look.

Jaeyi held her hands up. “Okay, okay! I’ll eat. Go.”

The room smelled faintly of warm soup and garlic bread by the time Seulgi returned, carefully balancing the takeout containers. Jaeyi was sitting up now, a pillow tucked behind her back, blanket around her shoulders like a cloak. Her eyes lit up when she saw Seulgi walk in.

“Smells good,” Jaeyi said, trying not to sound as starved as she felt.

“Eat first before you try to flirt again,” Seulgi teased, carefully setting the tray on the table. “Your charm has no power when you’re running on zero food and two hours of sleep.”

That earned a tiny laugh from Jaeyi, who obediently took the bowl Seulgi handed her.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound being the quiet clink of utensils and the occasional reminder from Seulgi to chew slowly.

When Jaeyi finished her soup and set her bowl aside, Seulgi crawled back onto the bed, sitting cross-legged facing her again.

Jaeyi looked up at Seulgi with big, solemn eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Seulgi tilted her head. “For collapsing in the rain or for being the most stubborn patient alive?”

“For forgetting our 100 days,” Jaeyi said softly, voice edged with guilt. “And for making you feel like you weren’t important to me. You are. You’re so important to me, Seulgi-ah.”

Seulgi’s lips parted, but she didn’t speak right away. She took Jaeyi’s hand and laced their fingers together instead.

“I was hurt,” Seulgi said quietly. “Not because we didn’t celebrate, but because it felt like… I was the only one who remembered. Like I was the only one trying. ”

“I know,” Jaeyi whispered, eyes glossy. “I really do know. I hate that I made you feel that way.”

Seulgi nodded slowly. “But… I also know how tired you’ve been. With the hospital, your exams, all of it. I understand now. I just wish you’d told me how much you were struggling. I could’ve helped. Or at least adjusted my expectations.”

Jaeyi leaned into her shoulder, tired and grateful. “We really need to do better at talking.”

Seulgi smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of Jaeyi’s head. “We do. We need to be more patient. More honest. With each other and with ourselves.”

Jaeyi nodded against her. “No more bottling stuff up. Promise.”

“Promise,” Seulgi echoed, squeezing her hand.

A beat passed. Then Seulgi pulled back just enough to look Jaeyi in the eye, suddenly serious. “But I swear to God, Yoo Jaeyi…”

Jaeyi blinked. “What?”

“If you forget our one-year anniversary,” Seulgi said, deadpan, “I am packing my things, walking out that door, and never looking back.”

Jaeyi burst into laughter, weak but genuine. “Okay, okay! Duly noted. One-year anniversary—burn it into my brain.”

“You better,” Seulgi smirked, then leaned forward to kiss her lightly. “I don’t go through this much trouble for just anyone, you know.”

“I know,” Jaeyi murmured. “And I’m really lucky it’s me.”

They stayed like that—tangled in warm blankets, soft apologies, and sleepy affection—until Jaeyi drifted off again, this time with Seulgi still by her side.

⸻

From that day forward, Jaeyi never forgot another important date.

Not their six-month anniversary. Not Seulgi’s birthday. Not even the oddly specific date when Seulgi first said “I love you” (which Jaeyi marked with a tiny heart on her calendar app and a reminder set two days before, just in case).

She’d show up to surprise dinners with cake in hand and post-it notes folded into hearts. She’d take time, no matter how busy, to plan something—even if it was just an hour of cuddling on the couch with Seulgi’s favorite snacks.

And on their one-year anniversary, she was the one who surprised Seulgi.

With fairy lights, a handwritten letter, and a quiet promise whispered against her lips:

“I remembered. I always will.”

Seulgi smiled, kissed her, and replied, “Good. Because I was never planning on walking out anyway.”

Chapter Text

It’s a lazy Sunday morning.

The sun filters gently through the cream-colored curtains of their shared apartment, casting soft golden light on the hardwood floors. There’s a faint smell of coffee in the air, the quiet hum of the electric kettle, and the occasional rustle of sheets as Seulgi stirs under the covers.

The bed is a mess—pillows tossed, blankets twisted, Jaeyi nowhere in sight.

Seulgi groans, blindly patting the space beside her. Cold. Empty. Her hand flops onto Jaeyi’s discarded hoodie instead. She groans again, burying her face into it before lazily getting up.

She pads into the kitchen, hair a mess, eyes barely open, hoodie now worn over her sleep shirt.

Jaeyi’s there, of course. Standing at the stove in pajama pants and a tank top, a spatula in one hand, flipping something on the pan. She looks up and beams when she sees Seulgi.

“You’re up, sleepyhead.”

Seulgi leans against the doorway, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “You left me.”

“You wouldn’t get up, I was starving.”

“So? You should’ve endure it.”

Jaeyi laughs, crosses the room, and kisses Seulgi’s forehead. “Breakfast is almost ready. Sit down.”

Seulgi wraps her arms around Jaeyi’s waist instead. “I will… after my good morning kiss.”

“You already got a forehead one.”

“I want the real one.”

Jaeyi smirks, leans in, and kisses her slow and soft, like they have all the time in the world.

Seulgi sighs happily against her lips. “See? Now that’s a good morning.”

They eat breakfast in their small dining nook, legs tangled under the table, sharing bites and teasing each other. Jaeyi pretends to steal all the eggs. Seulgi retaliates by stealing all the bacon.

Their laughter fills the space between sips of coffee and quiet glances. No rush, no noise, just them.

Halfway through her toast, Jaeyi clears her throat. “Hey, princess. You remember I have that medical conference in Busan?”

Seulgi blinks, a piece of bacon halfway to her mouth. “Yes, when are you leaving again?”

“It’s this Thursday and Friday. I’ll have to leave Wednesday night.” Jaeyi says, “Do you want to come with me? I already booked a suite.”

Seulgi leans back in her chair, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. “As tempting as a fancy hotel and room service sounds… I can’t.”

Jaeyi pouts immediately.

“I know,” Seulgi says, grinning as she reaches across the table to hold Jaeyi’s fingers. “I wish I could, bub. But I’ve got two presentations this week, a quiz, and a group project meeting. I’m already cutting it close.”

Jaeyi nods, trying not to look too disappointed. “That’s okay. I figured. Just thought I’d ask.”

Seulgi reaches over and squeezes Jaeyi’s cheek. “I’ll miss you like crazy, though. So don’t be surprised if I spam you with photos of every meal I eat without you.”

Jaeyi laughs softly. “You always do.”

Seulgi grins. “And I expect selfies from you. And at least three ‘I miss you’ texts a day.”

“Only three?”

“Well, four if you’re being clingy. Which I like.”

Jaeyi laughs quietly, nudging her foot against Seulgi’s under the table. “Noted, your majesty.”

Seulgi smiles, soft and warm. “I’ll be here when you come back.”

They go back to eating, still smiling, still touching, already counting the days until they’re in the same place again.

It’s late afternoon when Seulgi finally steps out of the lecture hall, her brain heavy with anatomy terms and diagnostic charts. Her bag hangs off one shoulder, and the sky above the campus is already darkening, thick clouds rolling in like a promise.

She scrolls through her notifications absently, then opens her messages and types a quick text:

Seulgi: Bye bye, bub. Be safe. 💙

She hesitates for a second, then adds a tiny blue heart before hitting send.

As she starts walking toward the station, the first few drops of rain hit her skin. A beat later, the sky opens up in full—sharp, sudden sheets of rain falling with no warning. She groans, tugging her hoodie up over her head, arms hugging her bag tightly to her chest as she walks faster, shoes splashing through shallow puddles already forming on the pavement.

There’s no reply from Jaeyi yet, but Seulgi doesn’t expect one. She’s probably already on the plane or caught up in some pre-conference prep. Still, Seulgi checks her phone once more before slipping it into her hoodie pocket, sighing as she hurries home—alone, in the rain, and missing her already.

⸻

She’s only half a block from their apartment when it happens. A soft, trembling meow cuts through the sound of the rain.

Seulgi halts mid-step, glancing around. The street’s nearly empty, just the glow of streetlamps flickering against the pavement—but there it is again. A faint, frightened cry.

She spots it—a small, drenched cat crouched beneath a parked car, its fur matted and tail trembling. It’s stuck. Tangled in the loose loops of a wire fence running just behind the car.

“Hey,” Seulgi murmurs, voice gentle as she crouches down, rain soaking through her hoodie and pooling under her knees. “What are you doing out here, baby?”

The cat hisses weakly, clearly panicked, but too cold and tired to fight. Seulgi inches closer, hand extended.

“Shit,” She breathes. She moves closer, holding a hand out slowly. Her knees press into the wet pavement. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. Just stay still, alright?”

The cat jolts with sudden fear, yanks free from the wire, and bolts out into the alley.

“Wait—!”

Seulgi lunges instinctively—and slips. Her feet go out from under her with a loud splash , her palm scraping against the rough asphalt as her knees slam hard into the ground. She fell on to her elbows in pain.

“Goddamn it,” she mutters, letting out a hissed curse, staying there for a second, hunched over and panting in pain, the rain dripping down her face and soaking into her clothes.

The cat is long gone.

Seulgi pushes herself up with a grimace, checking the angry red scrape on her palm and flexing her throbbing knees. She limps the rest of the way home, soaked, sore, and just a little more miserable than before.

By the time she gets home, her clothes are soaked through. Her hoodie clings to her like a second skin, heavy and cold. She fumbles with the keys for a moment, fingers stiff, before finally managing to get the door open.

The apartment is dim and quiet.

She half-expected that. Jaeyi’s suitcase is gone. The lights are off, save for the glow of the lamp they always leave on when one of them is out late.

Seulgi sighs. Kicks her shoes off. She stands there in the entryway for a few seconds, water pooling under her.

The apartment is too quiet without Jaeyi’s voice bouncing off the walls. Usually by now, she’d be insisting on hot tea and a towel for Seulgi’s hair, fussing in that gentle but relentless way she always did.

But tonight?

Seulgi flops down on the couch in dry sweats and a hoodie, her hair still damp and clinging to her neck in lazy strands. She didn’t even bother with a real towel—just patted her head once with the hoodie she was wearing earlier and called it a night.

Freedom.

Her stomach grumbles, loud and rude.

“Well, well, well,” she mutters with a mischievous grin, hauling herself up. “Guess it’s just you and me tonight, forbidden sodium.”

She pulls out a cup of instant ramen from the stash she secretly maintains behind the cereal boxes—hidden because Jaeyi found it once and gave her a ten-minute lecture on sodium levels and processed food.

“I know you’d yell at me for this,” Seulgi says aloud, slicing open the packet and pouring in the boiling water, “but you’re not here, are you, Miss Director.”

A smug little smirk settles on her face as she plops back onto the couch with her ramen, a fluffy blanket around her shoulders like a victorious cloak. Her bruised knees throb a little, but the warmth of the cup helps.

Once the noodles are soft enough, she lifts the lid and breathes in dramatically. “Forbidden joy.”

Before taking the first bite, she reaches for her phone and types a quick message.

SEULGI: i’m eating ramen right now. what are you gonna do about it? 😈

She sends it with a satisfied grin, then spoons a mouthful of hot noodles into her mouth and groans happily.

If Jaeyi were here, she’d be rolling her eyes already.

⸻

Seulgi slurped the last strands of ramen from her bowl, sighing in contentment as she leaned back against the couch. Her knees were sore, her palm lightly stinging, her hair still a little damp from earlier—but none of that mattered now. She was warm, fed, and wrapped up in the blanket like a lazy dumpling.

Just then, her phone buzzes on the table. She wipes her hand on her sweats and grabs it lazily.

New Message from: Jaeyi 💙

A selfie pops up first—Jaeyi in the back of a car, hair tucked neatly behind her ears, but a few strands already loose. She’s smirking, but there’s a telltale glint in her eyes that says: I know exactly what you’re doing.

JAEYI: You brat. I knew you’d eat ramen the second I left. Do you have any idea what sodium does to your skin??

Seulgi laughed, coughing slightly mid-sniffle.

SEULGI: Director Yoo I just aced my quiz earlier, let me celebrate.

Also, I only ate one pack. And I put an egg. That makes it gourmet.

Another buzz.

JAEYI: That egg is not a vegetable. You’re literally unstoppable when I’m not home.

SEULGI: I am a grown adult with strong dietary instincts.

My body wanted soup. Who am I to deny it.

She sniffled slightly. Definitely not because of the rain earlier. It was just cold in the room. Or maybe she was just emotional from how perfect that soft-boiled egg turned out.

JAEYI: Woo Seulgi, I swear if you eat nothing but sodium and soda the whole time I’m gone, I will know.

And I’ll cancel your bubble tea privileges.

Seulgi gasped aloud.

SEULGI: You’re evil.

Anyway, you look very pretty. Very CEO. Pls intimidate everyone there for me.

I miss you.

The reply came fast.

JAEYI: I’m serious, eat real food tomorrow, okay? And I miss you more.

Drink something warm before bed, you brat.

Seulgi stuck her tongue out at the screen, but her smile lingered as she got up to make tea— definitely because she wanted to. Not because she was told to.

Definitely.

Seulgi flopped onto their bed with a satisfied sigh, her hoodie still on, blanket bunched up around her legs. The warm tea helped a little, but her nose was still a little stuffy. No big deal. Definitely not worth fussing over. She grabbed her phone and hit call.

It didn’t even ring twice.

“Hey, princess,” Jaeyi’s voice came through, soft and warm, like a hug wrapped in late-night calm. The background buzz of her hotel room was faint.

“Hey,” Seulgi mumbled back, already smiling.

“You brushed your teeth, right?”

“Yes, mom,” Seulgi teased.

“Did you drink something warm?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Did you—wait. Why are you sniffling?”

Seulgi immediately rolled her eyes, even though Jaeyi couldn’t see it. “I’m not.”

“You are. You just sniffled again.”

“No, I didn’t. That was—uh. The blanket. It moved.”

A pause. Then Jaeyi’s sigh came through the phone, equal parts fond and exasperated.

“Seulgi.”

“What?”

“Are you getting sick?”

“No!” A beat. “I have a strong immune system, remember? You said it yourself. I survived that weird meat skewer we bought from that night market.”

“That was not a challenge to keep testing it.”

Seulgi could picture the exact face Jaeyi was making: one eyebrow slightly raised, lips pressed but twitching like she wanted to laugh but also threaten to murder.

“I’m fine,” Seulgi insisted. “Just a little cold air from the walk home. You’re being dramatic.”

Another pause.

“Alright,” Jaeyi said finally, tone suspicious but softening. “I’ll believe you. For now.”

Seulgi grinned in triumph.

“But if I get back and you’re all sniffly and miserable, I’m force-feeding you porridge for a week.”

“Deal,” Seulgi said brightly, already planning to hide all the porridge ingredients.

“Okay,” Jaeyi said with a little laugh, voice soft again. “Goodnight, bub. Sleep tight.”

“Goodnight, bubby,” Seulgi murmured, already snuggling deeper under the covers. “Come home soon.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Seulgi woke up to a pounding head and the worst chill she’d felt in a while. She groaned, voice raspier than usual, throat scratching like sandpaper. Her whole body ached, her hoodie clinging uncomfortably to her sweat-damp back. Her knees throbbed when she shifted under the blanket, and when she moved her hands to rub her face, the stinging from the scrapes made her wince.

“Ugh, what the hell,” she croaked, blinking at the pale morning light spilling through their curtains.

She sat up slowly, immediately regretting it. Her head spun, and she caught herself on the edge of the bed, breathing heavily through her mouth. Her nose was stuffed now, and even swallowing hurt. She looked down at her hands—raw and red from yesterday’s fall—and muttered something that would definitely earn a lecture from Jaeyi.

It wasn’t just a sniffle anymore. This was officially A Situation.

Still. No way she was going to admit it. She had things to do. Readings to finish. A group meeting later. And no Jaeyi around to forcibly tuck her in and monitor her hydration levels. She could power through. She always did.

“Just a little cold,” she said out loud, stubbornly, even as her voice cracked halfway through the sentence.

She sniffled again, winced, then glanced at her phone. 9:17 AM. Her group meeting wasn’t until the afternoon. Plenty of time to… pretend she wasn’t sick.

She shoved herself out of bed, wobbling slightly. Her knees protested with a throb, and her scraped palms stung as she instinctively caught herself on the desk for support.

“Okay, rude,” she muttered to her own immune system.

The apartment felt colder than usual. Or maybe she was just freezing. Still, she shuffled to the kitchen, dragging her oversized hoodie sleeves over her hands like makeshift mittens. She managed to boil water for instant oatmeal—barely. Her coordination was off, her head floaty. The spoon clattered too loudly against the counter, and she grumbled under her breath.

Normally, Jaeyi would be right there, scolding her gently, insisting she sit down while she fussed with honey and lemon and made everything better.

But Jaeyi wasn’t here. So Seulgi hunched over the bowl, choked down three bites, and then gave up.

“Nope,” she mumbled, wiping her nose on a tissue. “I’m fine. This is fine.”

She didn’t text Jaeyi.

She wasn’t going to worry her over a stupid cold. Jaeyi was busy, representing her medical center at some fancy conference in Busan. Seulgi could survive one day without being babied.

Probably.

She cleaned up, kind of. Washed her scraped hands with a wince, changed into fresh clothes that were mostly wrinkled but warm. Her laptop bag felt heavier than usual when she grabbed it, but she slung it over her shoulder anyway.

Just a couple hours of group work. She could push through.

She just had to act normal. Not sick. Totally fine.

Her cough echoed faintly through the hallway as she left.

The conference hall in Busan was polished and buzzing, filled with doctors, directors, and curious med students—all slightly intimidating in their polished shoes and fast-paced conversations. But Jaeyi, ever composed, navigated it with the same calm confidence she’s carried since young.

Still, during a short break between panels, her mind wandered. Her fingers were already reaching for her phone before she realized it.

JAEYI: Hi my princess. Just checking in. How’s your day going? Did you sleep okay?

She waited, absently stirring her coffee, before her phone buzzed with a reply.

SEULGI: Yeah. All good. Just busy.

Jaeyi smiled a little, thumbs hovering.

JAEYI: Did you eat something proper this time?

SEULGI: Yep. Oatmeal.

Jaeyi narrowed her eyes. That was suspiciously vague. But she let it slide, typing:

JAEYI: Want to video call for a bit before I head into the next panel? I miss your grumpy face.

She waited. This time the reply came slower.

SEULGI: Can’t speak on the phone now. Group work. Sorry.

Jaeyi raised a brow. Can’t speak ?

Still, she shrugged it off. Seulgi was always a bit of a brat when she got deep into study mode. Jaeyi trusted her. She tucked her phone back into her coat, grabbed her notepad, and headed to her next talk.

But not before sending one last text:

JAEYI: Okay. Make sure to rest after. I’ll call you later, princess.

SEULGI: ok.

That was the shortest reply yet. Jaeyi frowned faintly as she stepped into the conference hall.

She didn’t know it yet, but Seulgi was doing her very best to keep up her end of the lie—and failing spectacularly.

The study lounge was warm, overly so. Seulgi sat hunched in her hoodie, eyes squinting at the notes in front of her. Her laptop screen blurred slightly, and she blinked a few times to clear it. Her head was pounding with each pulse, her throat raw, and her hands stinging from where the scrapes had rubbed against her sleeves. But she refused to acknowledge any of it.

She sniffled quietly, trying to muffle it behind a cough.

“You good, Seulgi?” Minho, one of her groupmates, asked, raising a brow.

“Fine,” Seulgi croaked, then immediately winced at the sound of her own voice.

“Uh huh,” said Jisoo, not convinced. “You sound like you swallowed gravel.”

“I’m good,” Seulgi insisted again, pushing her notes forward. “We need to finalize the presentation structure—”

“We already did that like thirty minutes ago,” Jisoo interrupted gently. “You spaced out halfway through and didn’t notice.”

Minho nodded. “Seriously. We’ve made a lot of progress. Why don’t you go home and rest? You’re clearly sick.”

“I’m—” Seulgi started, but another harsh cough cut her off. She turned away, covering her mouth with the sleeve of her hoodie, her shoulders trembling from the effort.

When she turned back, both her groupmates were staring at her with matching unimpressed expressions.

“You’re not winning this one,” Jisoo said, scribbling something into her planner. “Go. Sleep. Drink water. Don’t die.”

Seulgi frowned, but even she knew her limits. Her muscles ached too much to keep arguing.

“…Thanks, guys,” she muttered, voice hoarse but sincere. “Text me if anything changes, okay?”

“Only if you promise to stop playing tough and actually rest,” Minho said with a teasing smirk.

Seulgi gave a weak thumbs-up before slinging her bag over her shoulder and shuffling out of the room, the floor slightly tilting under her feet. The walk back to her apartment felt longer than usual, and colder too, despite the layers she wore.

By the time she reached the front door, she was shivering again.

Still, she fumbled with her keys, determined not to let Jaeyi know any of this. She could handle it. Just a cold.

Nothing worth worrying over.

Seulgi spent most of the day bundled up like a human burrito on the couch, a blanket wrapped over her head and shoulders like some dramatic medieval cloak. Her nose was red, her eyes glassy, and the occasional sniffle escaped despite her best efforts to be quiet about it.

The TV played reruns of a medical drama she liked to hate-watch—loud, dramatic, wildly inaccurate. Normally, she’d be ranting to Jaeyi about every surgical mistake and wildly unethical diagnosis, but now, all she could muster was a half-hearted grunt when the main doctor intubated someone upside down.

She refused to go back to bed. The couch was closer to the kitchen and the tissue box. Plus, it was lonely in the bedroom without Jaeyi’s tall self taking up half the bed and her sleepy mumbling during naps.

Despite her self-proclaimed iron immune system, she had at least taken fever medicine earlier. Because, as she grumbled to herself, “I’m not stupid, I’m just not dramatic like some people.” Her voice cracked halfway through that declaration.

Her hair was a mess, her hoodie slightly damp from the heat of her body, and she was surrounded by empty mugs of warm water she never quite finished. Her phone buzzed with a text from Jaeyi—another check-in.

Seulgi peeked at it under the blanket, then turned it over without replying just yet. She knew if they called, Jaeyi would hear the congestion in her voice. And Jaeyi had that scary sixth sense that could sniff out even a hint of illness.

No, Seulgi decided. She wasn’t sick enough to be fussed over.

So she sniffled louder, flipped to another episode, and reached for another tissue.

She had it under control.

Sort of.

JAEYI: Princess. Princess. Princess. Princess.

I miss you.

SEULGI: I’m literally replying to your texts.

You’re so clingy.

JAEYI: Wow. Harsh.

Fine. I won’t call then.

I’ll just quietly suffer in Busan while missing you terribly. Alone. In the dark.

SEULGI: Please.

You’re in a hotel with mood lighting and room service. Don’t be dramatic.

JAEYI:

Still not the same without you.

So… can we videocall now? Just five minutes?

SEULGI: I’m busy.

JAEYI: With what?

SEULGI: Important things.

Academic things. Group project things.

JAEYI: Didn’t you say your group ended the meeting early?

SEULGI: … maybe.

Still. I’m tired. My face looks tired.

JAEYI: Since when have you ever cared about that with me? You once called me with a big zit on your nose.

SEULGI: THAT’S DIFFERENT! That was before we got together.

JAEYI: You’re avoiding me.

SEULGI: I am not.

JAEYI: Then call me.

SEULGI: Jaeyi. Stop pestering me! I’m getting mad.

JAEYI: You’re not even mad. I can hear your fake mad face.

SEULGI: I’m hanging up on this conversation.

JAEYI: You’re not even on a call.

SEULGI: Whatever. Bye.

[Seen - 9:48 PM]

A beat passes. Then another message pops up from Seulgi.

SEULGI: I’ll send a voice note tomorrow maybe.

Go to sleep, Jaeyi-yah. I’m fine. Really.

Love you!

JAEYI: Love you, Princess!

Seulgi woke to sunlight creeping through the blinds, warming her cheeks and making her wince. Her throat felt raw, her head thick and heavy like it was stuffed with cotton. She tried to sit up, only to flop back down on the couch with a groan, clutching the blanket tighter around her body. Every inch of her ached, her muscles sore and stiff from a night spent tossing and turning. Her nose was completely blocked, and the coughs that wracked her chest felt deeper now, heavier.

Dragging herself into the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. Her reflection was grim—puffy eyes, pale skin, hair sticking out in all directions.

“Well. You look like hell,” she muttered under her breath.

Normally, this would be the part where Jaeyi would appear behind her with a towel and that disapproving glare she always wore when Seulgi neglected herself. She’d fuss, maybe even force her to bed again, and cook something hot. But the apartment was silent this morning, no Jaeyi waiting in the kitchen or humming in the shower. Just Seulgi, her pounding headache, and the faint rattle in her chest.

She took more paracetamol, then fumbled to make a cup of tea. The first sip was too hot, burning her already sore throat, but she was too tired to care. She wrapped herself in her blanket again and settled back on the couch, phone in hand, just in time for it to buzz.

JAEYI: Good morning, sleepyhead.

How’s my clingy girl today?

Seulgi smiled faintly, thumbing out a reply.

SEULGI: I’m not clingy, that’s you.

And I’m fine. Eating now.

JAEYI: Send me a pic. I wanna see what “fine” looks like, came the next text almost instantly.

SEULGI: No.

JAEYI: Seulgi…

SEULGI: I look like a gremlin. You’ll break up with me, she typed, a weak attempt at humor.

JAEYI: I literally have seen you at your worst, princess.  I stayed.

Call me?

Seulgi frowned, glancing down at herself. Her voice was hoarse. The last thing she wanted was for Jaeyi to hear how bad she sounded. She typed fast.

SEULGI: I have readings. Let me be.

JAEYI: You are so avoiding me.

You’re not fine, are you?

SEULGI: I’m. Fine.

Please stop worrying.

She tucked the phone aside, groaning as she shifted into a more comfortable position under the blanket. Her sinuses throbbed.

Meanwhile, miles away in a warm hotel room in Busan, Jaeyi stared at her phone with narrowed eyes. Something about the texts didn’t sit right. Seulgi was acting off—more distant than usual, short replies, no selfies. Not even a sleepy voice note.

Seulgi never passed up a chance to show off her alone-time freedom. She usually sent smug photos of junk food and exaggeratedly sad puppy faces, lamenting Jaeyi’s absence in dramatic monologues. But this time? Nothing. No whining. No gloating. Just flat texts and weak jokes.

She paced her hotel room, biting her lip.

Something wasn’t right.

Seulgi hadn’t once mentioned the rain from the night before, (Jaeyi only knows about it because she checked the weather app before leaving) And now, no video call, no voice chat. Jaeyi had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what was going on.

That stubborn idiot.

Jaeyi sighed, flopping down on the edge of the bed with a huff.

“You’re hiding it from me, aren’t you?” she muttered, scrolling back through the messages again. “You’re probably bundled up in five blankets, sniffling, pretending it’s nothing while you rot on the couch.”

She paused, then shook her head fondly despite herself.

“I’m gonna smack you with a thermometer when I get home.”

The original plan was to fly back Saturday afternoon, take her time, maybe bring home some local snacks and souvenirs. But by the time Jaeyi stepped off the final stage of her conference Friday evening, she wasn’t thinking about Busan anymore.

She was already at the airport by 6:30 PM.

The worry had been gnawing at her since morning, each brush-off text from Seulgi only tightening the knot in her chest. She’d booked the earliest flight she could and spent the whole hour in the air imagining worst-case scenarios—Seulgi passed out on the couch, shivering with a blanket barely covering her; Seulgi wandering the apartment in a fever haze, stubbornly refusing to rest. By the time the plane touched down and she was in a cab heading home, her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

The apartment was quiet when she arrived, keys clicking in the lock with a sound that echoed too loudly in the silence. No lights on in the living room. No snarky “welcome home, Director Yoo” greeting.

“Seulgi?” she called softly, setting her bag down by the door. “Princess, I’m home.”

No response.

Her footsteps were careful, padding across the floor toward their bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, the soft rustle of blankets audible inside.

When she pushed it open, her heart sank.

Seulgi was curled up on the bed, bundled tightly in their thick duvet, her cheeks pale and clammy, lips slightly chapped. A small trash bin sat beside the bed, half-full with tissues. On the bedside table was a bowl of instant noodles—barely touched, the broth congealed, the noodles limp.

Jaeyi moved closer, her breath catching in her throat. “You stubborn, infuriating girl,” she whispered.

Seulgi’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of Jaeyi’s voice.

“Hey,” she rasped out, smiling faintly. “Surprise.”

“You brat,” Jaeyi whispered, heart clenching.

Seulgi shifted, clearly trying to act normal, like she wasn’t burning up or trying to hide how miserable she felt.

“Why are you home early?” Seulgi asked, voice hoarse and a little dazed.

Jaeyi didn’t answer right away. She crossed the room, pressed a hand to Seulgi’s forehead, and cursed under her breath. “You’re burning up. Of course you’re sick.” Her voice was soft but firm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m fine,” Seulgi mumbled, half smiling again.

“Seulgi,” Jaeyi warned, frown deepening.

The stubborn girl let out a small cough and winced. “…Okay, not fine. But it’s not that bad.”

“What happened?” Jaeyi asked, gently sweeping her bangs away from her face. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Seulgi sighed and closed her eyes. “I was walking home from class. It started raining. I heard a cat crying and found it stuck under a fence. Tried to help it, but it panicked and ran. I slipped like an idiot. Got a little scraped up.” She shrugs.

Jaeyi’s mouth dropped open. “You what?”

“It was just a slip—”

“Take off your hoodie and let me see the damage.”

Seulgi blinked. “What—no, I’m fi—”

“Now, Woo Seulgi.”

With a dramatic groan, Seulgi sat up and peeled off her hoodie, revealing bandaged hands, which were probably a day old, and dark bruises blooming over her knees. Jaeyi’s expression went from stern to utterly exasperated in seconds.

“God, you’re unbelievable,” she muttered, disappearing to get the first-aid kit. “And you tell me I’m the reckless one.”

Seulgi just grinned tiredly.

Jaeyi returned, kneeling in front of her, carefully undoing the makeshift dressings. Her touch was gentle, her glare fierce.

“This will get infected if you keep ignoring it like this,” she murmured, disinfecting a scrape on Seulgi’s palm. Seulgi hissed but didn’t pull away. “Are you sure you’re a med student?”

“You’re gonna yell at me the whole night?” she asked.

“Only until you admit you were stupid,” Jaeyi replied, dabbing ointment onto a bruise.

“I was heroic.”

“You were stupid.”

“…Both?”

Jaeyi didn’t laugh, but her eyes softened. She finished cleaning the scrapes and guided Seulgi to the bathroom. “You’re showering properly. I’ll help you. Then I’m making you food that isn’t just sodium soup in a cup.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you want to shower or take a bath?” Jaeyi asked, voice soft as she led Seulgi slowly into the bathroom.

“Bath,” Seulgi mumbled, leaning her weight against Jaeyi like a sleepy, oversized cat. “Too tired to stand.”

Jaeyi chuckled under her breath, already reaching for the faucet. “Bath it is, your majesty.”

She filled the tub with warm water, testing it carefully with her hand before adding a splash of the lavender bubble soak she knew Seulgi liked. The steam began to curl softly into the air, and the scent filled the room—warm, calming, clean.

Seulgi sat on the closed lid of the toilet, hoodie and sweatpants rumpled, hair sticking to her cheeks. Her eyes were half-lidded, her cheeks still flushed from the fever, and she looked like she could fall asleep right there.

Jaeyi knelt in front of her and gently tugged at the hem of her hoodie. “Arms up,” she instructed, and Seulgi sluggishly complied, letting her pull the fabric over her head. Underneath, she wore a wrinkled white shirt, and when Jaeyi tried to peel that off too, Seulgi whimpered.

“Careful. My body’s sore.”

Jaeyi’s hands immediately softened, her movements gentler. “Sorry, princess. I’ll be careful.”

Jaeyi caught sight of the faint bruises on Seulgi’s elbows. Her expression sharpened, mouth drawing into a line.

“Is this from the fall?” she asked, gently turning one of Seulgi’s arms to inspect the scrape.

“Mm-hmm. Caught myself.” Seulgi shrugged, trying for nonchalance, but winced slightly when Jaeyi dabbed at her elbow with a towel.

“And you didn’t ice these?”

“I was tired…”

Jaeyi gave her a flat look. “You’re a med student.”

“Off duty,” Seulgi muttered, eyes fluttering shut like that ended the conversation.

With a quiet sigh, Jaeyi knelt in front of her and continued helping her undress, movements gentle, with the kind of tenderness that made Seulgi want to cry and nuzzle into her all at once. When Jaeyi reached for her waistband, Seulgi blinked.

“You’re not even gonna buy me dinner first?”

Jaeyi rolled her eyes and flicked Seulgi’s forehead lightly. “You’re sick. You’re not in the position to flirt.”

That earned her a raspy laugh as Seulgi turned, letting her finish helping her undress before finally guiding her carefully into the tub. The moment Seulgi settled in, a long, satisfied sigh left her lips.

“Ohh… This is heaven.”

“I told you,” Jaeyi said, perching on a small stool beside the tub. She dipped a cup into the warm water and gently poured it over Seulgi’s shoulders.

Seulgi leaned her head back, letting the water soak into her hair. “I’m never getting out. This is my new home now.”

“You say that every time I run you a bath,” Jaeyi said with a smile, reaching for the gentle shampoo and lathering it between her hands. “Tilt your head forward.”

Seulgi obeyed, letting out a tiny hum as Jaeyi massaged the shampoo into her scalp with soft fingers, working her way around her head with practiced ease. She scratched lightly behind Seulgi’s ears, smiling when she heard a pleased, barely audible sound in return.

“You’re so spoiled,” Jaeyi murmured.

“And you love me for it.”

“Unfortunately.”

Once she rinsed her hair and applied conditioner, Jaeyi took a washcloth and gently wiped along Seulgi’s arms and back. “Let me know if anything hurts,” she said quietly, eyes focused on the small scrape along her shoulder blade.

Seulgi was quiet for a moment, letting herself be cared for in silence. Then, “…You’re being really sweet.”

“I’m always sweet,” Jaeyi said, rinsing her hand and flicking a small bit of water onto Seulgi’s cheek.

“Liar.”

“I love you,” she whispered, leaning forward to kiss the top of Seulgi’s head.

“I love you,” Seulgi murmured. “Very much.”

The steam curled around them like a blanket, the sound of water dripping into the tub the only noise for a moment as Jaeyi gently rinsed the conditioner out of Seulgi’s hair. Her movements were unhurried, patient, careful in every touch.

“I’m hungry and sleepy,” Seulgi muttered sleepily.

“Because all you’ve been eating is junk,” Jaeyi replied without missing a beat.

They both laughed softly. Jaeyi ran one last handful of water down Seulgi’s arm, then reached for the towel nearby.

“Come on, sleepyhead,” she said gently. “Let’s get you into fresh clothes and onto the couch. Then I’ll make you real food.”

⸻

After the bath, Seulgi let herself be bundled into a fluffy towel, her skin flushed from the heat, hair damp and clinging to her forehead. She leaned against Jaeyi’s shoulder as they walked back to their bedroom, slower now, her body loose and tired in a way that made her feel small and content despite the fever.

Jaeyi sat her down on the edge of the bed and grabbed underwear, a pair of soft sweatpants and an oversized shirt from the drawer—Seulgi’s favorite one, worn thin from use and smelling faintly of their fabric softener.

“Arms up,” Jaeyi said gently, slipping the shirt over her head like she’d done a hundred times before.

Seulgi didn’t resist, just sighed as her head popped through the collar. “You’re good at this.”

“I’ve had practice,” Jaeyi muttered as she crouched to help her into her underwear and sweatpants. “Because you keep getting sick whenever I’m not around.”

“Maybe I just like being babied.”

Jaeyi shot her a look but softened instantly at Seulgi’s sleepy grin.

Once dressed, Seulgi leaned back on her hands, watching Jaeyi towel her hair dry with a tender focus. Her voice was low, casual. “The cat got away.”

Jaeyi paused, brows knitting. “You really went out of your way for a stray.”

“She was tiny. Shivering under a car.” Seulgi closed her eyes. “Didn’t even get to pet her.”

“And then you slipped on the sidewalk and decided not to tell me any of this.” Jaeyi’s voice was calm, but laced with quiet frustration. “Even when I asked.”

Seulgi cracked one eye open. “You were working. You’d worry.”

“I’m supposed to worry, Seulgi.”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“You idiot,” Jaeyi said, her voice softening as she leaned in and kissed her forehead. “It’s my job to worry.”

Seulgi closed her eyes again, smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I know.”

Jaeyi sat down beside her and reached for Seulgi’s hand, lightly running her fingers over the still-pink scrape on her palm.

“I’m serious,” she murmured. “Next time something happens—even if it’s small—you tell me. Got it?”

Seulgi laced their fingers together and nodded. “Got it.”

A beat of silence stretched between them, warm and quiet.

“…I hope the cat’s okay, though,” Seulgi added sleepily.

“I’m sure she is,” Jaeyi whispered. “She was probably just as stubborn as you.”

Seulgi smiled faintly, head resting on Jaeyi’s shoulder now. “Then she’ll be fine.”

Jaeyi turned slightly and pressed another kiss into her damp hair. “Come on, I’ll cook while you sit on the couch.”

⸻

Once Seulgi was bundled up in her comfiest clothes, Jaeyi guided her gently to the couch. Seulgi shuffled like a sleepy penguin in her thick socks and blanket draped over her shoulders, plopping down with a little sigh. She sank into the cushions, cheeks still pink from the bath, hair damp and slightly mussed. Jaeyi clicked on the TV, flipping through channels until she landed on a mindless cartoon.

Seulgi squinted at the screen, then at her girlfriend. “You’re treating me like I’m five,” she said, a giggle bubbling up as she tugged the blanket higher.

Jaeyi didn’t even look back at her as she stood with her hands on her hips. “You act like you’re five when you’re sick.”

“I do not,” Seulgi said, then immediately pouted when Jaeyi raised a brow in perfect silence. “Okay, maybe a little. ”

“A little?” Jaeyi scoffed, returning with a glass of water. “You’re bundled up like a grumpy dumpling and making that exact pout a toddler makes when they don’t want to nap.”

Seulgi’s grin widened. “Okay, but let’s say hypothetically—you had to choose. Would you rather take care of five Seulgis or one five-year-old Seulgi?”

That made Jaeyi pause.

She turned slowly, raising a brow. “Is there a third option where I run far, far away?”

“Nope!” Seulgi chirped.

Jaeyi huffed through her nose and walked over to ruffle Seulgi’s hair with exaggerated affection. “Honestly? I think five of you would destroy our apartment in less than an hour.”

“So… five-year-old me, then?”

“I didn’t say that.” Jaeyi paused, thoughtful. “You as a kid were probably even more dramatic when you got sick.”

“At least the adult version listens… sometimes.” Jaeyi muttered as she headed toward the kitchen.

Seulgi cackled. “So you’re saying I win either way.”

“I’m saying I need to make you congee before your fever melts your brain.”

As Jaeyi disappeared into the kitchen, Seulgi curled further into the couch, eyes bright despite her sniffles. The warmth of the apartment, the sound of Jaeyi moving around, the cartoon’s background noise—it all made her feel safe, even in her sick, sore state.

“I love you!” Seulgi called out.

“Love you more,” Jaeyi called back over the sound of the pot clanging gently on the stove.

“Eat,” Jaeyi said, placing the steaming bowl of congee on the coffee table and nudging it gently toward Seulgi. Her voice had softened now, still firm, but laced with affection.

Seulgi didn’t argue. She shifted under the blanket, took the bowl in both hands, and murmured, “Thanks, bub,” before lifting the spoon.

Jaeyi plopped down next to her on the couch, pulling her knees up and resting her chin on them. She watched Seulgi with that mix of fondness and frustration only someone truly in love could manage—the kind of look that said I swear, you’re impossible, but you’re mine.

“If I hadn’t come home early…” she began quietly.

“I’d be fine,” Seulgi cut in, but the look Jaeyi shot her made her falter. She sighed. “Okay, no. I’d probably be coughing up a lung, starving, and missing you like hell.”

“Exactly.” Jaeyi leaned closer and flicked her forehead, gently. “You stubborn brat.”

Seulgi gave a tired laugh, eyes a little glassy, and reached out to tap her pinky against Jaeyi’s hand. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too,” Jaeyi whispered, brushing Seulgi’s hair back and letting her fingers rest there, lightly.

⸻

Later that night, the soft clatter of dishes had quieted, the lights were dim, and they’d moved to the bedroom. Seulgi, freshly bathed and full for the first time in two days, lay curled up under the sheets. Her head tucked snug beneath Jaeyi’s chin, one arm draped lazily over her waist, breath slow and warm against her collarbone.

Jaeyi held her close, fingers combing gently through damp strands of hair. Seulgi had finally stopped pretending she was fine. Her fever was lower now, her breathing steadier—but the weight of the past day lingered in the way she clung to Jaeyi just a little tighter than usual.

Jaeyi stayed awake a little longer, just watching her. Feeling her. Her heart softened at the thought of how stubborn Seulgi had been—and how alone she would’ve been if Jaeyi hadn’t decided to come home early.

“Next time,” Jaeyi whispered into the quiet, “please don’t try to be a hero in the rain.”

Seulgi murmured something unintelligible, half-asleep, and nuzzled closer.

Jaeyi smiled and kissed the top of her head.

A Week Later

The worst of the cold had passed, and Seulgi was back to her usual self—still dramatic, still stubborn, but now properly fed and under Jaeyi’s watchful eye.

It’s an early saturday morning. Jaeyi padded barefoot into the living room, rubbing her eyes. She paused mid-yawn. “Princess… there’s a cat outside our window.”

Seulgi, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her notes and a cup of tea, looked up immediately. She stood, peering out the window. Her eyes widened.

“No way.” She shuffled over to the window, eyes gleaming. “It’s the cat.”

Jaeyi blinked. “What cat?”

“The one I told you about. From that night.” She grinned, pressing a hand to the glass. “I’d recognize that scruffy little face anywhere.”

Outside, the cat—small and gray, with big green eyes and a cautious tilt to its head—stood on the ledge, dry and curious this time.

“You almost died for that ?” Jaeyi asked, stepping closer, arms crossed. “Seriously?”

Seulgi was already halfway to the kitchen. “Yup. Worth it.” She returned with a small plate of tuna and carefully cracked the window open just enough to place it on the ledge.

The cat sniffed once, then dug in.

Jaeyi stared for a moment, taking in the skinny creature’s cautious movements and twitching whiskers. “You really are a softie.”

Seulgi grinned. “Told you it was worth it.”

Jaeyi didn’t reply. She just leaned down, pressed a kiss to Seulgi’s cheek, and muttered, “Mhmm, we’re not keeping it though. I’m allergic.”

Chapter Text

Seulgi was sitting at her desk, textbooks spread out before her, the soft hum of the lamp flickering as she tried to focus on her physics notes. It was late, maybe around 9 PM, and she was just about to call it a night when her phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

She glanced at the screen. It was Kyung calling.

Furrowing her brows, Seulgi answered. “Hello?”

She was expecting a simple “Hey, Seulgi!” or something equally casual, but instead, the voice on the other end was Yeri’s—loud and frantic.

“Seulgi! You gotta come pick Jaeyi up!”

Seulgi frowned, glancing at the clock. It’s a bit late for a random call, she thought. “What? Why? Is everything okay?”

“She’s drunk,” Kyung’s voice chimed in from the background, sounding equal parts exasperated and amused. “Completely out of it. I told her to slow down, but you know how she is…”

Seulgi blinked. Drunk? Jaeyi? The girl who was always so composed? It didn’t add up.

“I—what? Jaeyi’s drunk?” Seulgi’s voice came out more incredulous than she intended.

“Oh yeah,” Yeri said with a dramatic sigh, “she’s pretty wasted, and we can’t get her to go home. Can you come get her?”

Seulgi hesitated, glancing at her study notes. This was… a distraction, but it didn’t sound like something she could just ignore. “Okay, but why me? Why not someone else?”

“She’s your problem now,” Kyung said with a chuckle. “We tried, but she’s… really stubborn. And you two have gotten pretty close recently, so… yeah, you’re on rescue duty.”

Seulgi couldn’t help the incredulous laugh that escaped her. “You’re telling me that Jaeyi, the girl who gets irritated if anyone messes with her hair, is drunk off her mind and I’m the one you’re calling?”

There was a pause, and then Yeri’s voice came through, sounding far too entertained by this whole situation. “Yeah, pretty much.”

Seulgi pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to collect her thoughts. “Fine. I’ll come. But don’t expect me to babysit her.”

Yeri laughed. “Oh, we’ll leave that to you. Good luck, Seulgi-yah.”

With that, the call ended, and Seulgi stared at her phone for a few moments, still processing the absurdity of the situation.

Earlier…

It was a typical evening after cram school. Jaeyi, Kyung, and Yeri had finished their lessons and decided to grab a bite before heading home. They ended up at the small convenience store a few blocks away, its outdoor tables a familiar haunt after long hours of studying.

The trio, always in the spotlight as the top students of their school and the most popular girls, sat outside under the dim streetlights. Yeri, fiddled with her phone, scrolling through messages from classmates. Kyung was doodling in her sketchbook. Jaeyi was leaning back in her chair, arms crossed, staring into the night as if contemplating the universe.

Yeri, always the one to keep things light, grinned at Jaeyi and threw out a teasing comment. “You know, even the guys from other schools are pestering me to help them win you over, Jaeyi.”

Jaeyi snorted. “They can keep dreaming.”

Kyung raised an eyebrow, putting her phone down. “You’re not even interested in any of them?”

Jaeyi shrugged. “They’re all the same. I have no time for that stuff.”

Yeri giggled, flipping through her sketchbook. “Well, they’re all persistent. But I wonder when they’ll start to give up.”

Kyung leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Why not just choose one? That’ll make the rest of them quit bothering you.”

Jaeyi rolled her eyes dramatically. “Please, I’ll die before I get with a man.”

Yeri burst out laughing at the bluntness of it, but then her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. “Okay, then. Let’s test that theory, I’ll give you anything you want IF you kiss some random guy walking by, or—”

She paused, raising an eyebrow. “—drink a full bottle of soju.”

Jaeyi stared at her, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Is that a challenge?”

Yeri, always up for a laugh, nodded. “It’s on, Jaeyi-yah. Prove it. Show us how much you’re really against all those guys.”

Without a second thought, Jaeyi stood up, brushing her hair back with one hand as she made her way to the convenience store inside. Her friends watched with wide eyes as she marched up to the counter and grabbed a four-pack of soju bottles, her expression resolute.

She returned to the table, the bottles of soju clinking together in her hand, and without another word, she unscrewed the cap of the first one and took a long swig.

Kyung and Yeri stared, both surprised and impressed, but neither of them said anything. They knew better than to stop Jaeyi once she’d made up her mind about something. Jaeyi kept drinking, the soju disappearing at a steady pace, the three girls silent except for the occasional chuckle from Yeri.

It wasn’t long before Jaeyi had finished the bottle, a buzz of warmth spreading through her body as she leaned back in her chair, eyes half-lidded.

“I hope you’re happy,” Jaeyi muttered with a grin. “This was your idea, after all.”

Yeri smirked, clearly proud of herself. “Well, those guys definitely don’t have a chance then.”

Kyung, always the more cautious of the three, looked at her with concern. “Jaeyi… maybe you should stop. That’s a lot of alcohol for someone who never drinks.”

Jaeyi waved her off, her speech already starting to slur slightly. “I’m fine. It’s nothing. A little soju never killed anyone.”

Yeri shrugged, giving Kyung an apologetic look. “She’ll be fine. I think.”

But as Jaeyi sat back in her chair, her cheeks flushed and her gaze softening, it was clear that the challenge had gone a little further than they’d expected.

Yeri, ever the playful instigator, grinned wide, clearly enjoying how easily Jaeyi had taken on the challenge.

“So,” Yeri began, her voice dripping with mischief, “since you’re clearly in a playful mood tonight, how about we make this more interesting?”

Jaeyi raised an eyebrow, her head a little heavier than usual. “More interesting? What do you mean?”

Kyung, sensing that this was about to get out of hand, crossed her arms and smirked. “What are you up to now, Yeri?”

Yeri leaned forward with a glint in her eye. “Let’s make a game out of it. We’ll take turns daring each other to do things. If someone refuses a dare, they have to drink.”

Jaeyi’s eyes sparkled, her competitive side still alive despite the alcohol already coursing through her veins. “You’re on.”

Kyung rolled her eyes but agreed, always up for a little fun. “Fine, but we’ll keep it light, okay?”

The game began with simple dares—Yeri had to hug a passing stranger on the street, Kyung had to sing a line of a pop song at the top of her lungs, and Jaeyi was dared to balance a soda can on her head for a minute. As the dares grew bolder, so did the drinking. Every time one of them hesitated or refused, the bottle of soju was passed around.

Then it came Jaeyi’s turn again. Yeri leaned in with a wicked smile. “Alright, Jaeyi. I dare you to go up to the next person who walks by and compliment their shoes like they’re the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.”

Jaeyi laughed, her body rocking with the movement, her balance a little wobbly. “Easy. I got this.”

She stood up, swaying slightly as she marched up to a passerby, who gave her a curious glance. Jaeyi, with all the charm she could muster despite her drunken haze, took a deep breath and announced loudly, “Oh my god, your shoes! They are literally the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. How much did they cost? Are you sure you can even walk in them? They’re so perfect.”

The passerby blinked at her, confused but clearly amused, and gave a polite smile before walking away.

Jaeyi returned to the table, grinning like she’d just won a grand prize. “See? I nailed it.“

Kyung and Yeri stared at her for a second before bursting into laughter. But, of course, since she had completed the dare, there was no need to drink.

The next few rounds of dares escalated quickly—Yeri was dared to do a dramatic monologue from a cheesy movie, Kyung had to juggle fruit from the nearby store, and Jaeyi, now giggling uncontrollably, had to do a spontaneous dance in the middle of the street, twirling and spinning with all the grace of a tipsy ballerina.

Each time someone refused a dare, it was a drink, and it wasn’t long before Jaeyi’s head was spinning. The alcohol had loosened her normally poised, composed demeanor, and now she was a laughing, stumbling mess, her usual confidence replaced with a cheerful, slightly dazed buzz.

By the time the last bottle of soju had been drained, Jaeyi was full-on tipsy, her cheeks flushed, her speech slurred, and her usual sharp edge replaced with a warmth and silliness that was almost unrecognizable.

She was sprawled out on the chair, laughing at nothing in particular, a little too drunk to care about the time. “Yeri, Kyung, you guys are terrible influences,” she mumbled, her words dragging out as she swayed in her seat.

Yeri leaned back, arms folded across her chest with a smug smile. “You’re the one who agreed to this.”

“Yeah,” Jaeyi giggled, “but I didn’t think I’d end up like this. I—wait, I’m not even drunk, right? I’m just…uhhh…happy!”

Kyung raised an eyebrow. “You’re definitely drunk, Jaeyi.”

Jaeyi grinned wider, her laughter bubbling up again. “I’m gonna be the most fun drunk person ever!”

Yeri nudged Kyung. “I think we’ve officially broken her.”

Kyung rolled her eyes, but a fond smile tugged at her lips. “Alright, alright. I think we should call it quits. We’ve had enough fun for tonight.”

Jaeyi pouted. “I don’t want to go home yet. It’s fun out here. It’s all lights and sounds and people and… hiccup … I wanna kiss a random guy!” She burst out laughing at her own outburst.

Yeri shook her head, amused. “Maybe next time, Jaeyi. But for now, I think you need to go home and sleep off all that soju.”

Jaeyi frowned dramatically, clearly not ready to give in. “But I wanna stay with you guys! I’m having so much fun!” She swayed in her chair as she leaned forward, dropping her head onto the table with a soft thud. “Okay, maybe I’m a little tipsy…”

Kyung sighed, getting up from her seat. “Alright, time to call it a night. Let’s go home.”

Jaeyi, already half-asleep on the table, muttered, “You guys are no fun,” but her words were slurred and drawn out, sounding more like a complaint than a serious protest.

Yeri laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Guess we’ll see you tomorrow, then, drunky.”

Kyung chuckled, helping Jaeyi to her feet as the taller girl’s arms flopped around her like a ragdoll. “We’ll make sure you get home safe. No kissing random guys tonight, Yoo Jaeyi.”

“Hey, guess what?” Jaeyi looked up at her, blinking slowly, her face suddenly serious. “I…I like Woo Seulgi.”

The confession came out so suddenly, so unguarded, that it startled both Yeri and Kyung. But Jaeyi was too far gone to notice, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned into Kyung for support.

Yeri and Kyung exchanged an amused look before shrugging.

“Don’t worry about it,” Yeri said, playfully ruffling Jaeyi’s hair. “We’ll deal with that when you’re sober, Jaeyi-yah. For now, let’s get you home.”

“I don’t wanna go home,” Jaeyi whined, crossing her arms stubbornly like a child throwing a tantrum. Her voice was more slurred now, her cheeks flushed with more than just the alcohol. “I’m not going home. I’m staying out here with you guys. It’s fun out here. I like it.”

Yeri smirked, the playful edge in her voice barely hiding her amusement. “You’ve had enough fun for one night, Jaeyi. You’re drunk.”

“Nooooooo,” Jaeyi dragged out the word, swaying a little as she clung to the table, as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. She narrowed her eyes, a little stubborn spark in them. “I’m not drunk! I just… I like being here. And I want to see Seulgi.” Her voice suddenly became serious, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through the haze.

Yeri raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “You wanna see Seulgi now? You’re acting like a bratty child. What are you gonna do, go find her yourself?”

“I don’t care!” Jaeyi’s voice went higher in pitch as she pointed dramatically at nothing in particular. “I’ll just go! I’ll go and find her and… and… tell her how I feel! I like Seulgi!” She slurred out the last part with a giggle, clearly pleased with herself for confessing something so out of character.

Kyung, who had been silently observing, pinched the bridge of her nose. “Jaeyi, please , don’t go find Seulgi in this state. She’ll think you’re…”

“An idiot? I don’t care!” Jaeyi cut her off, her voice tinged with a bratty defiance. “I’m gonna tell her. I don’t care if I’m drunk. I wanna see her. I’ll go there myself if I have to!”

Yeri couldn’t help but laugh, despite herself. “You really are spoiled, huh?”

“I’m not spoiled! I just want Seulgi!” Jaeyi huffed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she glared at them, clearly not willing to back down. Her stubbornness was on full display now, and it was a sight to behold. “I won’t leave until Seulgi comes to get me. I’ll wait here all night if I have to.”

Kyung shook her head, exasperated but slightly amused by the scene in front of her. “Fine. You want to act like a child? Then go ahead, keep throwing your tantrum. But Seulgi’s not going to come running just because you refuse to go home.”

Jaeyi’s lower lip jutted out even further, and she pouted like a child who wasn’t getting their way. “She’ll come. I’ll make her come! I’m important enough for her to come get me, right?”

Yeri and Kyung exchanged an incredulous glance, before Yeri snorted with laughter. “Oh my god, you are insufferable.”

Jaeyi leaned back in her chair, her arms still crossed, her chin tilted stubbornly in the air. “I’m not going anywhere until Seulgi comes to get me,” she repeated, her tone serious as if there was no other possibility. “I’ll stay here forever if I have to.”

Kyung sighed, glancing at her watch. “It’s already late. She’s probably asleep by now.”

Jaeyi shot her a sidelong glare. “Then wake her up! Call her! Tell her I need her!” Her voice was desperate now, her drunken state making her more clingy than usual. “I need to see her!”

Yeri raised her hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, I get it. You really like Seulgi, huh?”

Jaeyi beamed at her, proud of her drunken confession. “I do,” she nodded solemnly. “She’s the only one I care about. She’s the prettiest girl in Chaehwa!”

Kyung, still trying to be the voice of reason, placed a hand on Jaeyi’s shoulder. “Okay, Jaeyi, listen. We’ll call her. But you have to promise you’ll go home after that. You’re making this a lot harder than it needs to be.”

Jaeyi stared at Kyung, clearly considering her words, before giving a dramatic sigh. “Fine, I’ll go home after. But only if Seulgi says she’s coming to get me. Only then.” She smiled triumphantly, as if she’d won some great victory.

Yeri couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “You’re lucky we love you.”

Kyung rolled her eyes, pulling out her phone. “Fine. I’m calling Seulgi, but don’t expect her to swoop in and rescue you. She has a life too, you know?”

Jaeyi smiled brightly, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms again. “I’ll wait.”

And so, as Kyung reluctantly dialed Seulgi’s number, Jaeyi sat there, still stubborn as ever, convinced that Seulgi would come and take her home, no matter what. And somehow, in the middle of all the teasing, Yeri and Kyung couldn’t help but admire how determined Jaeyi was—even if it was ridiculously childish.

Seulgi stood in the middle of her bedroom, phone still in hand after receiving Kyung’s call. She glanced at the time. It was late—way later than she usually liked to be out. She could hear the faint murmur of her stepmom watching TV in the other room. With a soft sigh, Seulgi decided she had to explain.

She made her way into the living room, where her stepmom was lounging comfortably on the couch. Kwon Hui-yun, a woman in her late forties, was flipping through channels, but she paused when she noticed Seulgi standing awkwardly in the doorway.

“Seulgi, honey, what’s up?” she asked, her voice warm, full of concern, always patient with her.

Seulgi bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before walking into the room. “Um, can I leave for a bit? There’s something I need to do.”

Hui-yun raised an eyebrow, setting the remote down. “At this hour? What’s going on?”

Seulgi hesitated, then decided to be upfront. “My friend, Jaeyi. She’s drunk. She’s with Kyung and Yeri, but they need me to take her home. They asked if I could come get her.” She lowered her voice a bit, unsure if it was okay to ask. “Can I go? I’ll make sure she’s okay, and, um… she might need to stay over tonight. She’s not in a state to go home by herself.”

Her stepmom’s eyes softened as she took in the words. She knew Seulgi and Jaeyi had grown close recently, and that the two had a bond she admired. Hui-yun smiled warmly, always appreciative of Seulgi’s care for others.

“That’s fine, honey,” she said, her voice full of understanding. “I’m glad you’re looking out for her.”

Seulgi’s shoulders relaxed, grateful for the easy approval. “Thanks, we won’t bother you, I promise I’ll take care of her.”

Hui-yun paused for a moment, her tone thoughtful. “I’ll drive you if you’d like. It’s late.”

Seulgi shook her head with a small smile, her hand instinctively reaching for her phone to check the bus schedule. “It’s okay. I’ll just take the bus. It’s not that far, and you don’t have to come out so late.” She gave her stepmom a reassuring smile. “I’ve got it.”

Hui-yun chuckled softly and nodded. “Alright, then. Just make sure to be safe, okay? And tell Jaeyi she’s welcome to stay here if she needs to.” She patted the couch beside her, then added, “I’ll leave a light on for you when you come back.”

“Thanks, I will. I’ll be careful,” Seulgi promised, feeling the warmth of her stepmom’s support, knowing she could always count on her for understanding.

She lingered for a moment before grabbing her jacket and heading for the door. Hui-yun waved her off with a smile, already turning her attention back to her TV show, content in the knowledge that Seulgi was kind-hearted, and that Jaeyi was in good hands.

Twenty Minutes Later…

Seulgi stepped off the bus and hurried her way to the convenience store, her breath puffing in the cool night air. She spotted the familiar neon lights and the plastic chairs outside, three figures huddled around the table. Her footsteps slowed as she approached, eyes narrowing at the sight.

Kyung and Yeri looked exasperated but amused, while Jaeyi…

Jaeyi was slumped over the table, cheek pressed to the cold surface, giggling to herself as she poked an empty soju bottle. Her hair was slightly messy, cheeks flushed pink, and she was mumbling something incoherent that made Yeri snort with laughter.

Seulgi stopped a few feet away, rubbing at her temples. “Oh my god…” she muttered, the reality of the situation sinking in. She had never seen Jaeyi like this before. Cool, composed, top-of-her-class Jaeyi…reduced to a giggling, wobbly mess.

Yeri spotted Seulgi first, waving her over with a grin. “Finally! Here’s her knight in shining armor!”

Seulgi raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment, stepping closer. “Jaeyi?” she called gently.

At the sound of her voice, Jaeyi’s head shot up so fast she almost toppled off her chair. “Seulgi-yahhh!” she exclaimed, voice stretching her name out like it was the best word in existence. Her eyes lit up like a child spotting their favorite toy, and before Seulgi could react, Jaeyi practically launched herself off the chair and latched onto her.

Seulgi staggered back, arms instinctively coming up to steady the both of them. “W-Whoa! Hey!” she sputtered, face burning at the close contact.

Jaeyi clung to her, arms wrapped tightly around Seulgi’s neck. Her head rested on Seulgi’s shoulder, and she nuzzled into the crook of it with a sigh. “You’re so soft,” Jaeyi mumbled, voice muffled.

Seulgi stood there stiffly, arms hovering awkwardly, not quite sure what to do. “Uh…okay,” she managed, cheeks blazing. “Are you…are you okay?”

Jaeyi leaned back, her hands slipping to cup Seulgi’s face, squishing her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with a strange mix of joy and something Seulgi couldn’t quite place. “Seulgi-yah…” she drawled, voice low and teasing. “I have something to tell you…”

Seulgi’s breath caught. “W-What?” she stammered.

Jaeyi leaned in, eyes closing halfway, her lips hovering right next to Seulgi’s ear. “I… I really…” she whispered, her breath warm against Seulgi’s skin.

Seulgi’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure everyone in the store could hear it. She held her breath, waiting, eyes wide—

But instead of words, she felt soft lips press against the shell of her ear, feather-light but unmistakable.

Seulgi practically yelped, jumping back as if she’d been shocked, her hands flying to her ear like it had burned. “W-What are you doing?!” she exclaimed, face blazing red.

Jaeyi stumbled backward from the force of Seulgi’s retreat, and she would have hit the pavement if Yeri hadn’t caught her just in time, laughing so hard she was practically wheezing.

“Wow, Seulgi,” Yeri teased, still holding up a sulking Jaeyi. “I didn’t know you were so shy.”

“I’m not—” Seulgi started, then stopped, face crimson. She rubbed her ear furiously as if trying to erase the memory. “Why is she…why is she like this?”

Kyung crossed her arms, lips quirking up into a smile. “I told you. She’s drunk. She bought four bottles of soju and wouldn’t stop after the first one.”

Seulgi turned to Kyung with disbelief. “Why can’t you just take her home then?”

Kyung raised her hands in mock surrender. “Because if my mom finds out we drank and  Jaeyi got this drunk, she’ll kill me first, then tell Jaeyi’s dad, who will kill her too.”

Seulgi’s eyes flicked to Yeri next. “Then you—”

Yeri immediately scoffed. “Are you kidding? Me? Taking care of a drunk person? I’m way too pretty for that kind of labor.” She flipped her hair for dramatic effect.

Seulgi pinched the bridge of her nose. “You guys are the worst,” she muttered.

“Hey, you showed up,” Kyung said with a grin. “Isn’t that what matters?”

Seulgi let out a long, tired sigh, then looked back to Jaeyi, who was now pouting dramatically, arms crossed as if she had been terribly wronged. She was staring at Seulgi with big, glassy eyes, lower lip jutted out in a pout that was unfairly cute.

Seulgi bit her lip, shoving down the blush that threatened to spread across her cheeks again. She stepped forward cautiously. “Hey…I’m sorry, come on, let’s get you home,” she said gently.

Jaeyi stared at her, eyes blinking slowly, then held out her arms like a kid waiting to be carried. “Only if you hold my hand,” she said stubbornly.

Seulgi glanced back at Kyung and Yeri, who were both grinning like this was the most entertaining show of the year. “You two owe me a lot.” Seulgi muttered before gingerly taking Jaeyi’s hand.

Jaeyi immediately beamed, all pouts forgotten. “See? Not so hard, huh?” she said, squeezing Seulgi’s hand tightly.

Seulgi swallowed hard and tried to look anywhere but at Jaeyi’s face. “Y-Yeah…not so hard,” she mumbled.

And just like that, Seulgi knew the night was only going to get more complicated from here.

Yeri and Kyung waved them off with far too much enthusiasm, wide grins plastered on their faces. “Good luck, Seulgi!” Kyung called out, barely containing her laughter.

Yeri cupped her hands around her mouth. “Make sure she doesn’t start a fight with a stop sign again!”

“Wait, she did what—”

But they were already walking away, leaving Seulgi to deal with the mess that was clinging to her arm. Jaeyi beamed up at her, eyes squinting with that drunken haze, looking far too pleased with herself.

Seulgi sighed, glancing down at their hands—still intertwined because Jaeyi refused to let go. “Okay, we’re going to the bus stop,” Seulgi said firmly, like she was talking to a particularly rowdy child. “And you’re going to behave. Understand?”

Jaeyi blinked, tilting her head. “Behave? I always behave,” she said, the words slurring slightly.

Seulgi looked her up and down—her rumpled uniform, the faint pinkness in her cheeks, and that slightly dopey grin. “Right,” Seulgi muttered. “Behave. Sure.”

They started walking, Seulgi practically dragging Jaeyi along. It was only a few blocks to the bus stop, but with Jaeyi stumbling every few steps and pausing to look at every shiny object they passed, it felt like a lifetime.

Halfway there, Jaeyi stopped dead in her tracks.

Seulgi groaned. “What now?”

Jaeyi’s eyes were wide, focused on the blinking neon sign of a laundromat across the street. “Seulgi-yah,” she whispered dramatically, tugging at her sleeve. “It’s so…beautiful.”

Seulgi followed her gaze and blinked. “That? It’s a laundromat.”

Jaeyi turned to her, eyes shining like she’d just discovered the meaning of life. “Can we go inside?”

Seulgi’s jaw dropped. “Wha—No! Why would we go inside?”

Jaeyi pouted, tugging harder on her sleeve. “Because,” she said with all the conviction of a drunk philosopher, “I’ve never seen one at night before.”

Seulgi rubbed her face, groaning. “You are…impossible,” she muttered, then tugged her along. “Come on, the bus stop is literally right there. We are not going to—”

But Jaeyi wasn’t having it. “No! I wanna see it!” she whined, pulling back like dead weight. Seulgi stumbled, barely keeping her grip on her hand.

“Are you serious right now?” Seulgi hissed, glancing around nervously as a pair of old ladies walked by, giving them judgmental looks. “You’re causing a scene! Get your shit together!”

Jaeyi gasped dramatically, clutching her chest with her free hand. “Did you just curse at me?”

“Oh my god,” Seulgi muttered, turning bright red. “Just walk!”

Jaeyi sniffed, wiping at her eyes dramatically. “I can’t believe you’d treat me like this, Seulgi-yah. I thought you cared.”

“I do! That’s why I’m trying to get you home before you do something insane, like…like…”

But she didn’t get to finish because Jaeyi suddenly stopped again, eyes wide as saucers. “A vending machine!”

Seulgi turned slowly, gaze following Jaeyi’s pointed finger to the soda machine humming quietly beside a convenience store. “Yes,” Seulgi said slowly. “That is a vending machine.”

Jaeyi gasped like she’d just witnessed a miracle. “Can we get something? Can we?” She shook Seulgi’s arm, nearly toppling them both over.

Seulgi bit back a groan, pressing her fingers to her temples. “If I buy you a drink, will you stop yelling?”

Jaeyi nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling with excitement. “Yes! I promise!”

Seulgi huffed, digging around in her pocket for loose change. She stomped her way over to the vending machine, popped in a few coins, and punched the button for a banana milk.

It clattered down, and she picked it up, turning back to Jaeyi, who was now trying—and failing—to climb onto the back of a park bench. “Get down from there!” Seulgi hissed, marching over.

Jaeyi giggled, holding her arms out for balance. “I’m the queen of the bench!” she declared proudly.

“You’re going to be the queen of the emergency room if you fall off,” Seulgi grumbled, yanking her down and shoving the banana milk into her hands.

Jaeyi blinked down at it, then back up at Seulgi with wide, glassy eyes. “You bought me banana milk?”

“Yes,” Seulgi deadpanned. “Because you were acting like a feral cat outside a fish market. Now drink it, and let’s go.”

Jaeyi sniffed, a grin spreading across her face. “You’re so nice, Seulgi-yah,” she said, cracking the cap open and taking a long sip. “You’re my favorite.”

Seulgi turned bright red, coughing into her fist. “Yeah, yeah. I’m your favorite. Now move your feet before the bus leaves us.”

Jaeyi followed with a bounce in her step, happily sipping her banana milk. She tugged Seulgi along with her, arms swinging as if she hadn’t just been trying to climb a park bench like a toddler five seconds ago.

Seulgi glanced over at her, shaking her head in disbelief. “You are never drinking again,” she muttered.

Jaeyi only giggled, squeezing her hand tighter. “You’ll drink with me next time, right?”

Seulgi’s eyes went wide. “Absolutely not.”

Jaeyi pouted, and Seulgi swore she saw a glimmer of real sadness in her eyes. “But I want you to…”

Seulgi nearly stumbled, her breath catching. “L-Let’s just get you home, okay?”

Jaeyi’s smile returned, bright and wide. “Okay!”

And with that, she started dragging Seulgi down the sidewalk, the bus stop finally coming into view—just another adventure with the girl who seemed dead-set on testing Seulgi’s sanity at every turn.

⸻

They made it to the bus stop just as the bus pulled in, its headlights flashing through the light drizzle that had started up. Seulgi tugged Jaeyi up the steps, nodding politely at the driver who raised a curious eyebrow at the way Jaeyi clung to her arm like a lifeline.

“Two,” Seulgi muttered, swiping her card twice and practically dragging Jaeyi down the aisle. Thankfully, the bus was nearly empty—just a few tired office workers and an old woman knitting in the back. They settled into a seat near the middle, and Seulgi let out a sigh of relief, finally prying Jaeyi off her arm.

But Jaeyi, as always, had other plans. She immediately latched back on, her voice loud enough to make the old woman glance over her glasses. “Seulgi-yahhh, this seat is so bouncy!” she announced, bouncing a little to demonstrate.

Seulgi wanted to sink into the floor. “Please, can you—”

“And look!” Jaeyi leaned forward, peering out the window like she’d never seen a cityscape before. “We’re so high up! I can see everything!”

Seulgi’s eyes darted around, catching the confused stares from the other passengers. She cleared her throat, leaned over, and whispered harshly, “Jaeyi, lower your voice. People are staring!”

Jaeyi blinked, then turned back to Seulgi with a goofy grin. “Are they? Should I say hi?”

“No!” Seulgi whisper-shouted, clapping her hand over Jaeyi’s mouth. “No more talking. Not until we get off the bus, okay?”

Jaeyi’s eyes sparkled with mischief. For a moment, Seulgi almost felt relieved—until she felt something wet and warm against her palm.

“Oh my god,” Seulgi yelped, yanking her hand back and wiping it on her pants with dramatic flair. “Did you just lick me?!”

Jaeyi giggled, eyes crinkling at the corners. “You told me not to talk,” she said, all too innocently.

Seulgi stared at her for a moment, utterly exasperated, before sighing deeply. “Okay, listen,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I have a deal for you.”

Jaeyi perked up, eyes round and curious. “A deal?”

“Yeah,” Seulgi leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. “If you promise to stay quiet for the rest of the bus ride, I’ll let you sleep over at my place.”

Jaeyi gasped dramatically, clapping her hands together. “For real?!”

“Yes,” Seulgi said hurriedly, glancing around to see if anyone heard. “But only if you behave. Can you do that for me?”

Jaeyi pondered this with all the intensity of someone solving a world crisis, then nodded solemnly. “Okay. But…” She leaned in, voice dropping to a not-so-quiet whisper. “Can I sleep beside you?”

Seulgi felt her cheeks heat up. “Y-Yeah, sure.”

“And can we…cuddle?” Jaeyi whispered louder this time, eyes twinkling.

Seulgi swallowed hard, nodding just to make her shut up. “Fine, yes, whatever you want—just, please…” She held her hands up in a pleading gesture. “Please, be quiet.”

Jaeyi mimed zipping her lips, nodding eagerly. “Okay!”

To Seulgi’s surprise, she actually kept her promise. Mostly.

The bus rolled on through the rain-slicked streets, and Jaeyi was…remarkably tame. Sure, she kept shifting in her seat and occasionally poked Seulgi’s cheek with her finger, but for the most part, she stayed quiet.

Of course, that didn’t mean she was well-behaved.

Jaeyi kept leaning in, planting tiny kisses on Seulgi’s cheek. The first time it happened, Seulgi jumped, eyes going wide. “W-What are you doing?” she hissed.

Jaeyi just grinned, her eyes half-lidded and warm. “You’re cute,” she murmured, leaning in again to press another gentle kiss, this time just below Seulgi’s ear.

Seulgi nearly shrieked but managed to hold it back, gripping the edge of her seat with white-knuckled hands. “S-Stop that!”

But Jaeyi only giggled, then leaned her head on Seulgi’s shoulder, sighing contentedly. “You smell good,” she mumbled, voice muffled against her jacket.

Seulgi’s heart hammered so loud she was sure the entire bus could hear it. She sat stiffly, eyes forward, trying to pretend she was not on the verge of total collapse.

Jaeyi, completely oblivious, continued her onslaught of affection. Periodically, she’d lift her head just to press a soft, feather-light kiss to Seulgi’s neck, her shoulder, her cheek. Each time, Seulgi would flinch but make no move to stop her. Not because she didn’t want to—oh, she wanted to—but because she couldn’t. Her brain had all but short-circuited.

By the time the bus announced their stop, Seulgi all but scrambled to her feet, yanking Jaeyi up with her. “Come on,” she said, voice shaking just a bit. “Let’s get you home.”

Jaeyi stumbled after her, still giggling. “Your ears are so red,” she commented, poking Seulgi’s cheek again.

Seulgi groaned, feeling the heat burn all the way to her neck. “We are never speaking of this,” she muttered.

Jaeyi just hummed in delight. “I like sleepovers,” she said dreamily.

Seulgi clamped her mouth shut, dragging Jaeyi forward with a sense of urgency. Sleepover. Right. And somehow she had to survive it.

The rain had let up by the time they reached Seulgi’s house, the pavement still slick and shining under the streetlights. Jaeyi had been humming the whole walk there, stumbling slightly but happy as a clam, her arm draped over Seulgi’s shoulder for balance.

"Okay," Seulgi whispered, stopping just before the front gate. "Here’s the deal. You gotta be a ninja, alright?"

Jaeyi blinked at her, head tilted. "A ninja?"

"Yes. Silent. Stealthy. No noise. My mom is probably sleeping, and I don’t want to wake her up," Seulgi explained, hands gesturing as if she were giving a masterclass in espionage.

Jaeyi slapped a hand over her mouth and nodded dramatically. "Nin-ja," she whispered, eyes wide and serious.

Seulgi stared at her for a beat longer, then sighed. "Good enough. Come on."

They tiptoed through the gate and into the house, Seulgi wincing every time Jaeyi giggled or tripped over nothing. Somehow, miraculously, they made it to Seulgi’s room without incident. Seulgi closed the door behind them softly and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

"We did it!" Jaeyi whisper-yelled, throwing her hands up like she’d just won a marathon.

"Shhh!" Seulgi hissed, pressing a finger to her lips.

Jaeyi mimicked her, pressing her own finger to her lips with an exaggerated nod. "Shhhhh!"

Seulgi shook her head, already feeling the headache form. "Okay, sit here," she ordered, pushing Jaeyi gently onto the edge of her bed. "I’ll find you some clothes."

Jaeyi giggled, flopping back onto the bed with her arms spread out. "Your room is so tiny," she murmured, eyes fluttering shut.

Seulgi shot her a glare from across the room. "Well, not all of us live in mansions, you heiress," she retorted, rummaging through her drawers. "I just need to find something that fits you…"

She finally fished out a long shirt and a pair of sweatpants—both of which would be a little short, but at least it was better than Jaeyi’s rain-splattered uniform. Turning back around, Seulgi was about to speak when she stopped dead in her tracks.

Jaeyi had sat up and was already unbuttoning her uniform shirt, her tie tossed carelessly onto the floor. "It’s so hot," Jaeyi mumbled, cheeks flushed. She pulled the shirt off her shoulders, leaving her in just her undershirt and skirt.

Seulgi made a sound that was somewhere between a squeak and a cough and all but threw the clothes in Jaeyi’s direction. "Y-You can’t just—change—right here!" she spluttered, slapping her hand over her eyes. "Warn me next time!"

Jaeyi giggled again, soft and hushed. "You’re so red," she teased, the sound of fabric rustling filling the room. “Are you embarrassed Seulgi-yah?”

Seulgi squeezed her eyes shut tighter. "Just…just change. I’ll wait over here," she stammered, backing up and nearly tripping over her desk chair.

After a minute, soft footsteps padded over to her, and Seulgi tensed when a gentle finger poked her right on the nose.

"Boop," Jaeyi said, amusement lacing her voice.

Seulgi cracked an eye open and found Jaeyi standing right in front of her, now dressed in Seulgi’s clothes. The shirt was a little short, sleeves not quite reaching her wrists, and the sweatpants barely grazed her ankles—but it fit. Mostly.

Jaeyi twirled, throwing her arms out. "How do I look?" she asked, grinning.

"Like a disaster," Seulgi deadpanned, but her lips curled up just a little. "An…adorable disaster."

Jaeyi beamed, stumbling back onto the bed. Seulgi took that as her cue and cleared her throat. "Stay here. I’m gonna get you some water. Don’t…don’t go anywhere," she said sternly, pointing at Jaeyi.

Jaeyi saluted. "Aye aye, Captain."

Seulgi rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile as she made her way to the kitchen. The house was quiet, just the soft hum of the fridge and the creak of old floorboards as she moved. Her stepmom’s door was closed, a soft line of light peeking from underneath, and Seulgi tiptoed even more carefully past it.

In the kitchen, she filled a glass with water, staring at the swirling liquid and taking a moment to breathe. She didn’t even know how to process tonight—Jaeyi’s clinginess, her ridiculous antics on the bus, the way she kissed her cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Seulgi rubbed her face, trying to shake off the blush that wouldn’t go away. "Get it together," she muttered under her breath. "You’re just taking care of her. That’s all."

Her hands shook a little as she picked up the glass of water. She took a deep breath. Composed herself. “You’ve got this, Woo Seulgi,” she muttered. “Just give her the water, make her sleep, and survive this night without having a heart attack. Easy.”

She turned around with the glass in hand and nearly dropped it when two arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

“Holy—!” she hissed, catching the glass before it could slip. She whipped her head around to see Jaeyi, arms snug around her middle, her face pressed against Seulgi’s shoulder blade. “What—how—why are you here?!”

Jaeyi just giggled, squeezing her tighter. “I missed you,” she mumbled, voice muffled by Seulgi’s shoulder. “You were gone too long."

Seulgi stood frozen for a moment, heart thudding painfully against her ribs. “You—You scared me!” she whispered, twisting around in Jaeyi’s arms to smack her lightly on the shoulder.

Jaeyi just laughed, clearly unbothered. “Sorry,” she said, though her grin said she wasn’t sorry at all.

“You can’t just sneak up on people like that!” Seulgi hissed, giving her a few more light slaps for good measure. “What if I spilled this all over you? Huh? Then what?”

Jaeyi pouted, rubbing the spot where Seulgi slapped her. “Ow,” she said dramatically, her lips jutting out. “You’re so mean to me…”

Seulgi rolled her eyes. “Oh, you’ll live. Come on.” She stepped out of Jaeyi’s grasp, nodding toward the hallway. “Back to the room. And try not to give me a heart attack this time.”

Jaeyi sulked the entire way back, rubbing her shoulder and muttering under her breath about “being betrayed by her favorite person.” Seulgi ignored her, only glancing back to make sure she wasn’t veering into walls.

When they got back to the room, Seulgi handed her the glass of water. “Here. Drink. Slowly.”

Jaeyi obeyed, gulping it down in small sips, eyes still trained on Seulgi with that sulky pout.

Seulgi tried to pretend she didn’t notice.

Jaeyi stood stubbornly in the middle of the room, arms crossed and lips set in a dramatic pout as she stared off into the distance like she was auditioning for a sad indie film. Seulgi raised an eyebrow, watching the display with a tired sigh. "You’re sulking again," she muttered, rubbing at her eyes.

Jaeyi didn't respond, just huffed and tossed her head to the side like she was far too offended to even acknowledge Seulgi’s existence.

"Fine," Seulgi said with a shrug, making her way to the bed and flopping down unceremoniously. She burrowed under the blankets, turning her back to Jaeyi and closing her eyes. "I’m going to sleep then. Goodnight."

Silence stretched across the room. For about five seconds.

Then came the sigh.

Seulgi squeezed her eyes tighter. “Goodnight,” she repeated, a little more forceful this time.

Another, even louder sigh.

As the seconds ticked by, they got louder. And louder. And longer. Until Seulgi could practically feel them tickling the back of her neck.

Seulgi squeezed her eyes tighter, trying to ignore it. She lasted a full minute before she snapped her eyes open, flipping over to face Jaeyi. "Okay, fine! What is it?"

Jaeyi's pout only deepened. "You don’t even care…" she murmured dramatically, gaze fixed on the far wall.

Seulgi rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "I do care. That’s why I brought you here, remember? So you can sleep. So you won’t be stumbling around drunk."

Jaeyi just sniffed, chin tilted up like she was staging a one-person protest.

Seulgi groaned and rubbed her face. “What are you even sulking about now?”

Jaeyi’s eyes flicked over, glaring for the first time since they got home. “You hit me,” she accused, voice wobbling just slightly.

Seulgi’s jaw dropped. “What?! No, I did not!”

“Did too!” Jaeyi shot back. “In the kitchen! You slapped my arm! Like, a lot!”

Seulgi blinked, replaying the memory in her head. “You mean when you snuck up on me and scared me half to death? I barely even touched you!”

Jaeyi’s pout deepened. “It hurt,” she mumbled, rubbing her arm as if reliving the trauma.

Seulgi stared at her, slack-jawed. “You have got to be kidding me…”

Jaeyi didn’t respond, just kept glaring at the wall like it was solely responsible for her misfortune.

Seulgi groaned, throwing the blanket off herself and sitting up. "Okay. I’m sorry," she said, voice softening. "I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you…I was just surprised.”

Jaeyi’s expression wavered, but she kept her arms crossed, still stubbornly silent.

"What do you want me to do then?" Seulgi asked, half pleading, half exhausted. "Just tell me so we can sleep, okay?"

Jaeyi’s eyes finally met hers, a glimmer of hope shining through. "I want a hug," she mumbled, voice barely above a whisper.

Seulgi blinked, her heart doing a weird little flutter that she tried desperately to ignore. "A hug?"

Jaeyi nodded, still pouting but now with a touch of softness to her gaze.

Seulgi swallowed thickly, feeling her cheeks start to burn. “F-Fine,” she stammered. She took a deep breath and opened her arms, albeit stiffly. “Come here, then.”

Jaeyi didn’t waste a second. She practically launched herself onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Seulgi with surprising strength, forcing them both to topple onto the mattress. Seulgi squeaked, her arms instinctively coming around Jaeyi’s waist to keep her steady.

“There,” Seulgi muttered, face completely flushed. “Happy?”

Jaeyi sighed, this time in pure contentment, burrowing her face into Seulgi's shoulder. "Mmm, you’re warm," she murmured, her words muffled but clear enough to make Seulgi's cheeks burn.

"Can we sleep now?" Seulgi asked, voice strained as she tried not to think too hard about how nice it felt to hold Jaeyi like this.

"No," Jaeyi mumbled against her shoulder.

Seulgi pulled back just enough to look at her. "What? Why not? What else do you want?"

Jaeyi's pout returned, eyes fluttering up to meet Seulgi's gaze. "I want a kiss," she said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Seulgi's brain went offline for a good three seconds. "W-What?!"

Jaeyi leaned back a little, arms still locked around Seulgi's waist. "A kiss," she repeated, blinking innocently.

"Why would you—why—" Seulgi's voice was spluttering, her hands still resting on Jaeyi's back, and she couldn’t seem to move them. "You’re—you’re drunk!"

Jaeyi just tilted her head, looking entirely unbothered. "Doesn’t matter."

"Yes, it does!"

Jaeyi leaned closer, eyes narrowing playfully. "Are you saying you would kiss me if I wasn’t drunk?"

Seulgi's face turned a furious shade of red. "That’s not—that’s not what I’m saying!"

"Then what are you saying?"

Seulgi opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "I’m saying that—that you need sleep!"

Jaeyi giggled, leaning her head on Seulgi's shoulder again. "You’re cute," she said with a lazy grin. "But I still want a kiss."

Seulgi stared at the ceiling, praying for strength. How was she supposed to handle this without combusting? "Can you…Can you just sleep? Please?"

"Not until I get a kiss," Jaeyi insisted, voice turning singsong.

Seulgi squeezed her eyes shut, her hands tightening just slightly on Jaeyi's back. "Okay. Fine. One kiss. But you have to sleep after."

Jaeyi perked up, grinning widely. "Promise!"

Seulgi took a deep breath, steeling herself. She pulled back, just enough to look Jaeyi in the eyes, and her heart did that weird fluttering thing again. "Okay…one kiss."

Jaeyi's eyes softened, and for a moment, even with the haze of alcohol lingering, she looked completely at peace.

Seulgi swallowed. Then she leaned in, pressing the softest, quickest kiss to Jaeyi’s forehead. "There," she whispered, pulling back before her heart could leap out of her chest. "Now, sleep."

Jaeyi stared at her, blinking slowly. Then she whined, "That doesn’t count!"

Seulgi nearly screamed.

“On my cheek.” Jaeyi’s eyes flickered down to her lips for a split second. “Just a little one,” she said, voice softening, eyes still locked with Seulgi’s. “To make up for hitting me.”

Seulgi swallowed, her heart hammering so loudly she was sure Jaeyi could hear it. “Fine,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “Just…just a little one.”

Jaeyi grinned, eyes closing expectantly.

Seulgi’s hands shook as she leaned in, her heart doing a somersault when her lips finally met Jaeyi’s cheek—soft and warm. It was barely a peck, a fleeting touch, but it left her burning from head to toe.

Jaeyi giggled, burying her face in Seulgi’s shoulder. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Seulgi groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “Can we please just sleep now?”

Jaeyi finally settled, wrapping her arms tighter around Seulgi. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice softening. “Goodnight, Seulgi-yah.”

“Goodnight,” Seulgi mumbled back, heart still pounding as she tried—and failed—to convince herself that she’d make it through the night without combusting.

Chapter Text

The morning light crept through the thin curtains of Seulgi’s room, casting soft streaks of sunlight onto the tangled mess of blankets and limbs sprawled across the bed. Seulgi blinked herself awake, still groggy, only to find Jaeyi nestled tightly against her side, one arm flung over Seulgi’s stomach, her head burrowed against Seulgi’s shoulder. She looked…peaceful. More peaceful than Seulgi had ever seen her.

Seulgi’s heart did a weird flip-flop, and she stared—just a little too long—at Jaeyi’s soft breathing, the way her hair was splayed out across the pillow, messy but sort of…nice. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen Jaeyi up close before; they’d been friends since the start of the school year, but this was different. This was waking up with her. This was Jaeyi clinging to her like she belonged there.

Heat crept up Seulgi’s cheeks, and she quickly looked away, swallowing the fluster that bubbled up. ‘Get it together, she’s just a friend,’ she scolded herself. ‘A very clingy, ridiculously pretty friend who practically shoved her way into your life and your bed…but still, just a friend.’

Jaeyi shifted in her sleep, pressing closer, and Seulgi froze, barely daring to breathe. She felt Jaeyi shiver slightly, and instinctively, Seulgi reached down to pull the blanket up over her shoulder, tucking it around her snugly. Jaeyi made a soft sound—something like contentment—and Seulgi’s heart lurched again. ‘Stop it,’ she demanded internally, ‘you’re being weird.’

But she didn’t move, not right away. Seulgi stayed there for just a few more moments, letting herself indulge in the warmth before she carefully—so, so carefully—untangled herself from Jaeyi’s hold. She sat up, stretching her back, and gave one last glance at the girl still fast asleep in her bed. She sighed.

Time to deal with reality. Hangover soup. Maybe she could ask her stepmom to help.

Seulgi padded out of the room, shutting the door softly behind her. The house was quiet, the kind of stillness that only existed in the early mornings. When she reached the kitchen, her mom was already there, cradling a steaming cup of coffee. Her eyes flicked up with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Seulgi-yah. You’re up early.”

Seulgi rubbed at her eyes and yawned. “Morning.” Her gaze landed on the stove, where a pot simmered gently. She sniffed the air. “Is that hangover soup?”

Her mom nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. “For Jaeyi. I figured she might need it.”

Relief washed over Seulgi. “I was just about to ask you to help me make some. Thanks, mom.”

Her mom waved her off with a chuckle. “I’ve been young too, you know. Thought I’d make things a little easier.” She glanced at Seulgi. “Are you hungry? I can whip up some breakfast.”

Seulgi shook her head. “Nah, I’ll have the soup too. It smells really good.”

Her stepmom opened her mouth to reply, but a sudden, thunderous thud echoed from Seulgi’s bedroom. Both of them flinched, and her stepmom raised an eyebrow. “I think Jaeyi’s awake,” she said, chuckling. “Better go check on her.”

Seulgi rushed back to her room, pushing the door open to find Jaeyi sprawled face-down on the floor, completely motionless. Her hair was a mess, limbs flung out like she’d just been tossed from a building.

“Jaeyi?!” Seulgi panicked, rushing over. “Oh my god, are you dead? Did you pass out? Do I need to call—”

Jaeyi groaned loudly, one hand coming up weakly to wave Seulgi off. “I’m fine… I’m fine,” she mumbled, voice muffled by the carpet. “Just… give me a second.”

Seulgi stood frozen for a second before finally exhaling in relief. “You scared the hell out of me! What happened?!”

Jaeyi, still not moving from her face-down position, sighed dramatically. “I fell.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Seulgi replied, stifling a laugh. “Why didn’t you get up?”

Jaeyi mumbled something incoherent, then, with great effort, pushed herself up to sit on the floor, knees bent and head bowed. She still refused to meet Seulgi’s eyes, cheeks dusted pink. Seulgi crossed her arms, eyebrow raised. “Why do you look so guilty?”

“I’m just… embarrassed,” Jaeyi admitted quietly, her fingers picking at the hem of her shirt. “Drunk me is… she’s different.”

“Different?” Seulgi echoed, amused. “Try ‘completely unhinged.’ I barely survived the bus ride.”

Jaeyi groaned, finally looking up at Seulgi with a mixture of horror and exasperation. “I’m so sorry,” she muttered. “You know I’m usually composed. Calm. I don’t just—” she flailed her hands, gesturing vaguely, “—cling to people and make a fool of myself.”

Seulgi couldn’t hold back the grin spreading across her face. “I don’t know… I think I kinda like the clingy version of you.”

Jaeyi covered her face with her hands, groaning. “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?”

Seulgi laughed, reaching out to nudge her with her foot. “Not a chance.”

“Come on, let’s get some food in you.” She added, offering her hand for Jaeyi to take.

Jaeyi grumbled something incoherent but allowed Seulgi to lead her out of the room.

They made their way to the kitchen, Seulgi keeping her hands ready just in case Jaeyi decided to fall face-first again.

Her stepmom ladled two bowls of steaming soup and set them on the table. “Here you go. Eat up, it’ll help.”

Jaeyi managed a polite bow and a soft, “Thank you, Ms. Koh,” before sitting down gingerly. Seulgi plopped down across from her, not even bothering to hide her grin.

Seulgi’s mom stayed for a bit, making small talk with Jaeyi, who answered politely but with more hesitance than usual. After a while, she grabbed her things and gave Seulgi a pat on the shoulder. “I’m heading to work. You two behave.”

“Always do,” Seulgi replied easily, flashing her mom a smile as she left.

The door clicked shut, and silence stretched between them for a beat before Seulgi leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. She couldn’t stop staring at Jaeyi, who sipped her soup slowly, eyes downcast. Seulgi had seen Jaeyi in a lot of situations—at cram school, in class, during student council meetings. She had always been the picture of confidence: calm, collected, untouchable.

But right now? With messy hair, flushed cheeks, and avoiding her gaze? Seulgi bit back a grin. She was adorable.

“You know,” Seulgi started, unable to help herself, “I think I like you better like this.”

Jaeyi’s eyes snapped up, her cheeks flaring even redder. “W-What?”

“This. You. All shy and flustered. I didn’t even think it was possible.” Seulgi leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. “The queen of Chaehwa High is human after all.”

Jaeyi huffed, shoving a spoonful of soup into her mouth to avoid responding, but Seulgi saw the way her ears turned pink. It was too much fun teasing her. How had she not seen this side of her before?

They ate in relative silence after that, save for the occasional slurp of soup and the tiny glances Jaeyi kept throwing her way, as if trying to gauge if Seulgi was still staring.

Spoiler alert: she was.

And she had no plans of stopping.

After they’re both done with their soup, Seulgi pushes a glass of water at Jaeyi, telling her to drink up. Jaeyi looked at the water first, then up at Seulgi, her eyes soft and a little hazy. “I’m really sorry for last night,” she said, her voice quieter than usual, almost shy. It was a strange tone coming from the usually confident Jaeyi.

Seulgi smiled, leaning over to ruffle Jaeyi’s hair affectionately. “You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck falling off the bench last night,” she teased lightly. “Next time, try to be a little less dramatic.”

Jaeyi’s cheeks flushed, and she stuck her tongue out at Seulgi, a half-hearted effort at annoyance. But it didn’t seem to work. Her mind was still clouded from the night before, the way her heart raced when she’d leaned in too close to Seulgi, when she’d felt that flutter in her chest after her ear-kiss. Now, sober, she was regretting every last bit of it, but she couldn’t find the courage to stop being so damn downbad for Seulgi.

She took a long sip of water, her eyes never leaving Seulgi as she did, like there was something she wanted to say but couldn’t quite bring herself to. Seulgi noticed the way Jaeyi was looking at her and stifled a small laugh.

“What is it?” Seulgi asked, still smiling.

Jaeyi blinked a few times, as if she were trying to work through her foggy thoughts, then shrugged, looking anywhere but at Seulgi’s face. “Nothing,” she muttered.

“Don’t give me that,” Seulgi replied. “I can tell when you’re being dramatic. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Jaeyi shifted uncomfortably, setting her glass down on the table. “I just…” She paused again, feeling the flutter in her chest as she hesitated. “I think I might’ve gone a little overboard last night. And not just with the drinking.”

Seulgi arched an eyebrow, choosing to sit beside her. “Explain.”

Jaeyi turned toward her, a small sigh escaping her lips. “You were… you were so nice to me last night. You didn’t have to come get me, but you did,” she said softly, almost shyly. “And I… I was being all clingy and stupid. And now, I don’t know, I feel kind of embarrassed, you know?”

Seulgi couldn’t help it. She smiled warmly, so openly that it almost made Jaeyi’s heart stutter. “You’re cute when you’re embarrassed,” she said without thinking.

Jaeyi froze, and for a split second, it felt like the air in the room shifted. Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t expected Seulgi to say something like that, and her heart skipped another beat. But then, as though it was just a fleeting thought, she snorted, breaking the moment with her usual sarcasm. “Yeah, right. You’re just messing with me.”

Seulgi’s smile didn’t fade, though. “You know,” she said, leaning in just a little, “you don’t have to act like you don’t care about things. It’s okay to be a little less perfect sometimes.”

Jaeyi chuckled, the sound a little hollow. “I think I’m always a little less than perfect around you.”

“Good,” Seulgi replied, her tone lighter, “because I like you better that way.”

Jaeyi’s heart lurched, and she quickly busied herself with adjusting the spoon on her bowl, hoping Seulgi didn’t notice the way her heart was pounding or the way her cheeks flushed at that very subtle confession.

Seulgi was busy sorting out more water and grabbing the meds, humming to herself as if she didn’t just make Jaeyi’s heart trip over itself. Jaeyi swallowed down whatever else she was about to say, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get the words right anyway.

When Seulgi handed her the water and meds, she took them without question, not even sure if she was going through the motions anymore. She just wanted to stay in this little bubble of comfort for a little while longer, even if it made her heart beat way too fast.

Seulgi stretched and gave her a quick, playful wink. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

Jaeyi rolled her eyes, trying to act annoyed but failing.

Her heart did the stupid thing again, but Jaeyi just let it happen. There was no denying it anymore.

And she wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or terrified.

Chapter Text

Chaehwa Girls’ High School - First Day of Senior Year

Seulgi’s alarm clock was supposed to ring at 5:30 AM. It did not.

Instead, she woke up to the sun glaring angrily through her curtains, burning streaks of light across her face. Her eyes snapped open, and she squinted at the clock on her nightstand. 6:20 AM.

“Oh my god,” she whispered, her heart plunging straight to her feet. She scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over her own feet as she snatched up her uniform. She had exactly ten minutes before the bus would screech past her street corner without a second thought.

There was no time for a shower—not that it mattered. When she twisted the faucet in the bathroom, nothing came out but a hiss of air and a pathetic dribble of water.

“No…no, come on!” she hissed, slapping the handle as if that would help. Seulgi sighed, slumped over the sink for a solid three seconds of despair before snapping back into action. Wet wipes. She found them stuffed in the back of her bathroom drawer and made do.

By the time she was dressed and stumbling into the kitchen, her stepmom had just blinked up from her coffee. “I thought you left already,” she remarked, eyes wide with surprise.

Seulgi stuffed a piece of toast in her mouth, muffling her answer. “Clah brok didn’t go orff,” she mumbled through crumbs. Her stepmom just raised an eyebrow, clearly deciphering the mess of words, and passed her an apple for good measure.

“Bus is coming in two minutes,” she warned, glancing at the clock.

Seulgi nodded, mouth too full to respond, and burst out the door. Her shoes slapped against the pavement, and she saw the bus just a block away, its doors still open. I can make it. I can make it…

She didn’t make it.

The bus doors hissed shut just as she reached the corner, and she smacked her hands against the glass. The driver didn’t even look back as the engine growled to life. Seulgi watched it turn the corner, her breath clouding the air.

“Perfect,” she muttered. She adjusted the straps of her backpack and started running.

It took her fifteen minutes to reach the next bus stop, she made it just as the doors began to shut, slapping her hand against the metal to force them open again. The driver gave her a sour look, but she just bowed her head apologetically and squeezed into a seat near the back.

“Okay…okay, I made it,” she panted, cheeks flushed as she dropped into the seat. Her hair was still messy, uniform a bit wrinkled, but she was on her way. She leaned back, catching her breath, and allowed herself to relax—just a little.

It wasn’t until thirty minutes later, when she glanced out the window and saw a Welcome to Seoul signage pass by, that she realized something was very, very wrong.

Her heart sank. “No. No, no, no…” She scrambled for her phone, pulling up the bus schedule. She’d gotten on the right bus number…but in the wrong direction. She was going to Seoul instead of to Gangnam.

Seulgi groaned and slumped back in her seat, eyes squeezed shut. Her first day at Chaehwa Girls’ High School and she was already messing it up. She jumped off at the next stop, managed to catch the correct bus after waiting ten agonizing minutes, and spent the entire ride hunched over, fidgeting with the straps of her backpack.

When she finally got off at the gates of Chaehwa, it was 7:47 AM —just thirteen minutes before the first bell. She sprinted through the courtyard, dodging cliques of girls who barely spared her a glance. “Where’s the office?” she whispered to herself, eyes scanning the sprawling campus. It was way bigger than her old school in Pohang. She barely had time to register the marble pillars and towering glass windows before the warning bell rang, echoing off the buildings.

“Crap!” she hissed, picking up her pace. Her sneakers squeaked loudly against the polished floors as she ran, breath coming out in short bursts. The hallways were mostly empty now, everyone having settled into their groups or classes.

She rounded the corner, shoes skidding on the linoleum, and—

Thud.

Seulgi collided with someone tall and soft, the scent of jasmine and something expensive filling her nose. She staggered forward, momentum carrying her, and her hands instinctively shot out to brace herself. They landed on firm shoulders, but she kept falling forward, and before she knew it, her lips brushed against something warm and smooth.

The world stopped.

Seulgi’s eyes flew open—she was close, too close, close enough to see the flecks of amber in the girl’s dark eyes, close enough to feel the warmth of her cheek against her lips. It wasn’t just a bump. Oh no. It was a kiss. A real one.

On the cheek, but still.

Gasps erupted around them. Seulgi’s heart dropped to her stomach as she shot back, nearly tripping over her own feet. Her cheeks burned hotter than the surface of the sun, eyes wide as saucers as she stared at the girl she’d just kissed.

Long black hair pulled back with a ribbon, eyes sharp and glittering with a mixture of surprise and amusement, lips curved into a dangerously amused smile. She looked like she belonged on a magazine cover, or a throne.

Seulgi’s breath hitched. Yoo Jaeyi. The Queen of Chaehwa.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” Seulgi stammered, voice almost a squeak. Her hands shot up in surrender, like she’d been caught committing a crime. “I—I wasn’t looking, and then I just—when I fell—I didn’t mean to—”

Jaeyi blinked, surprise flickering across her expression before it was masked with something…playful? She tilted her head, one eyebrow arching gracefully. “Interesting way to say hello.” Her voice was smooth, perfectly modulated.

Seulgi’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. “I—I’m really sorry!” she repeated, bowing so deeply her hair nearly swept the floor. Around them, whispers grew louder, a few giggles and murmurs of disbelief.

Jaeyi crossed her arms, the smirk growing wider. “New girl?” she asked, tone light and almost…teasing.

Seulgi straightened up, still blushing furiously. “Y-yeah…Woo Seulgi. I just transferred.”

Jaeyi stepped forward, heels clicking against the polished floor, and Seulgi instinctively took a step back. She looked like a deer in headlights, wide-eyed and frozen, as Jaeyi leaned in just slightly.

“Well, Woo Seulgi,” Jaeyi said, voice dropping to a whisper only they could hear, “I usually ask for dinner first.”

Seulgi’s soul left her body. Her cheeks flamed an even deeper red, and she stuttered incoherently for a full five seconds before she managed a strangled, “S-Sorry!”

Jaeyi just chuckled, straightening back up. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” And with that, she walked off, heels clicking confidently down the hallway, not even sparing a glance back.

Seulgi stood there, completely frozen, eyes wide and cheeks still burning. Around her, students buzzed with whispers, glancing her way with a mix of shock and amusement.

Seulgi blinked once. Then twice.

“Oh my god,” she whispered to herself. Her hand came up to her lips, still tingling from the contact.

Her first day at Chaehwa, and she’d just accidentally kissed Yoo Jaeyi—the most popular girl in school.

And she was still alive.

Chaehwa Girls’ High School – Classroom 3A

Jaeyi slipped into her usual seat near the window, third row from the front. Sunlight streamed through the glass, catching in her long black hair, still perfectly tied back with a crimson ribbon. She crossed one leg over the other, propping her chin on her hand as she gazed out the window, eyes half-lidded with indifference.

She could still feel the ghost of Woo Seulgi’s lips against her cheek. The whole encounter replayed in her mind like a broken record—soft hands bracing her shoulders, the flash of panic in those wide, round eyes, and the sheer horror that had painted Seulgi’s face afterward.

Jaeyi chuckled under her breath, fingers absently tracing the spot on her cheek where Seulgi’s lips had landed. It was stupid—utterly ridiculous—but she couldn’t bring herself to be annoyed. Anyone else who dared touch her without permission, let alone kiss her, would’ve gotten a tongue-lashing so sharp they’d avoid her for the rest of the year. But Seulgi…

“Interesting,” Jaeyi murmured to herself. The new girl wasn’t like anyone she’d ever met before. Soft-spoken but fierce-eyed, with cheeks that burned red as if blushing was second nature. There was an honesty about her, something raw and unpolished. She found it oddly…charming.

The whispers in the hallway hadn’t stopped. She’d heard them echoing as she strolled to class, heels clicking with their usual authority. The Queen of Chaehwa had been kissed—on the cheek—by a transfer student. The audacity. The sheer shock of it. But for once, Jaeyi didn’t mind. If anything, she found it amusing.

She didn’t expect to see Seulgi again so soon, though.

The classroom door slid open with a soft thud , and the class turned their heads almost in unison. Standing there, breathing slightly heavier than normal and with cheeks flushed a dangerous shade of pink, was Woo Seulgi.

Her uniform was slightly rumpled, her hair a little messy, and she clutched her bag like it was her lifeline. Seulgi’s eyes scanned the room—until they landed on her.

Jaeyi saw it happen in real time—the way Seulgi’s eyes widened just a fraction, the way her shoulders tensed, and the unmistakable flush that crawled up her neck and bloomed across her cheeks. Seulgi immediately looked away, ears glowing red.

Amusement curled in Jaeyi’s chest, and she crossed her arms, leaning back as if to enjoy the show. Fascinating.

The teacher—Mr. Kwon, who always wore mismatched socks—paused mid-sentence, blinking at the newcomer.

“You must be the new transfer student,” Mr. Kwon said, adjusting his glasses. “Woo Seulgi, right?”

Seulgi nodded, her hands clutching her bag straps so tightly her knuckles turned white. “Y-Yes, sir.”

“Come in, don’t just hover by the door,” Mr. Kwon chuckled good-naturedly. “There’s a free seat…uh…” He squinted around the classroom.

Jaeyi knew where Seulgi’s eyes would go. The back corner, farthest from the windows, farthest from the front, and definitely farthest from her. She could almost hear Seulgi’s thoughts— somewhere quiet, somewhere invisible.

Not happening.

Jaeyi raised her hand, her voice cutting through the murmurs like a knife. “Teacher, she can sit here,” she offered smoothly, patting the empty seat beside her.

Every head turned to her. Even Mr. Kwon looked mildly shocked, eyes widening a fraction. Jaeyi never offered the seat beside her. Not to anyone. It was practically a rule of law at Chaehwa. The Queen’s space was sacred.

But she only smiled sweetly, her hand still resting on the empty chair. “I don’t mind.”

If Seulgi wasn’t red before, she certainly was now. Her eyes snapped up to meet Jaeyi’s, wide and bewildered. Jaeyi just raised an eyebrow, her smile never faltering. Seulgi’s gaze darted to the back corner, then back to Jaeyi. “U-Uh… I—”

“Excellent idea, Miss Yoo,” Mr. Kwon said, regaining his composure with a grin. “Go on, Woo Seulgi. Take a seat.”

Seulgi looked like she was going to pass out. Her eyes flickered back and forth between the teacher and Jaeyi before she took a shaky step forward. Her sneakers squeaked against the floor, and she winced. A few students giggled.

Jaeyi watched her approach, head tilted slightly, chin resting on her hand. Seulgi finally reached the desk, eyes pinned firmly to the floor as she slid into the chair next to her, practically radiating discomfort.

“Hi again,” Jaeyi whispered, her voice low and silken.

Seulgi flinched, her eyes flicking to Jaeyi’s with a mixture of panic and something else—something flustered and incredibly endearing. “H-Hi…” she whispered back, barely audible.

Jaeyi smiled, satisfied. Oh yes. This year was going to be far more interesting than she’d anticipated.

…

Seulgi tried her best to disappear. She hunched her shoulders, kept her eyes on her desk, and scribbled meaningless patterns in the margins of her notebook. But it didn’t matter—she could feel the eyes. The whispers.

“Is she really sitting next to Jaeyi?”

“Why would Jaeyi do that?”

“Did Jaeyi really ask her to sit there?”

She wanted to melt into the floor. It didn’t help that Jaeyi was sitting right there, perfectly poised with her hands clasped neatly on her desk, back straight, and eyes fixed on the teacher. If she was bothered by the attention, she certainly didn’t show it.

Seulgi peeked over, just for a split second. And, of course, Jaeyi was already looking at her.

“Do you always fidget that much?” Jaeyi whispered, her voice soft and teasing.

Seulgi straightened immediately, cheeks burning. “I-I’m not fidgeting.”

Jaeyi raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement. “Right. If you say so.”

Seulgi’s hands tightened around her pen, her gaze flickering to the front of the room where Mr. Kwon was droning on about exam schedules. She tried to focus. Really, she did. But Jaeyi’s presence was suffocatingly close. The faint scent of Jasmine and fresh paper drifted from her side, and every so often, Jaeyi would shift slightly, her knee brushing against Seulgi’s. It sent tiny electric shocks up her leg each time.

The whispers didn’t stop. If anything, they grew louder. A few students at the back exchanged wide-eyed glances, and Seulgi could swear she heard someone say, “Jaeyi hasn’t even let anyone sit beside her.”

Seulgi swallowed hard. If no one gets to sit next to Jaeyi, then what was Seulgi even doing here?

“Are you always this tense?” Jaeyi asked suddenly, pulling Seulgi out of her spiraling thoughts. Her voice was smooth, almost amused.

Seulgi blinked. “W-What?”

Jaeyi tilted her head, studying her with eyes so sharp they nearly pinned Seulgi to her seat. “You’re sitting like someone’s going to throw a textbook at you.”

Seulgi straightened her back on reflex, which only made Jaeyi smile wider.

“There. Better,” Jaeyi said, as if she’d done Seulgi a favor.

Seulgi stared at her, disbelief coloring her expression. “Are you…are you messing with me?”

Jaeyi leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms loosely over her chest. “Would I do that?” she asked, voice dripping with innocence that was clearly fake.

“Yes,” Seulgi deadpanned before she could stop herself.

Jaeyi’s eyebrows shot up, and for a second, Seulgi regretted every choice she’d ever made up to this point. But then Jaeyi laughed, soft and clear, and the tension that had gripped Seulgi’s spine loosened just a fraction.

“Maybe I am,” Jaeyi replied, her smile lingering. “I didn’t think you’d notice.”

“I notice…” Seulgi muttered, looking back down at her notebook to avoid Jaeyi’s gaze. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding in her chest.

Before she could collect herself, a soft piece of paper slid onto her desk. Seulgi blinked, glancing down. It was folded neatly, her name written on the front in elegant handwriting. She looked back up at Jaeyi, who just raised her brows and nodded at the paper, gesturing for her to open it.

Seulgi hesitated, fingers fumbling with the edges before she finally unfolded it.

Inside, written in perfect cursive, were four simple words:

Eat lunch with me.

Seulgi’s breath caught in her throat. She looked up, eyes wide. Jaeyi was already watching her, chin propped on her hand, waiting.

“Well?” Jaeyi asked, voice so casual it was almost infuriating.

Seulgi swallowed. “I—” she stammered, cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. “O-Okay.”

Jaeyi’s smile widened, satisfied. “Good.”

The bell rang then, loud and startling. Seulgi flinched, nearly dropping the paper, and the classroom exploded into noise as students shuffled to the cafeteria

Jaeyi stood smoothly, brushing imaginary dust off her uniform. “I’m just going to the C-med room, I’ll find you later.” she said confidently, not waiting for Seulgi’s response before gliding out of the classroom, her heels clicking softly against the floor.

Seulgi stared after her, heart hammering in her chest and Jaeyi’s note still clutched tightly in her hand.

Lunch. With Yoo Jaeyi.

Seulgi exhaled shakily, barely able to contain the disbelief spreading across her face.

…

Not knowing where the Cafeteria even is located, Seulgi decides to trust that Jaeyi will find her in a bit. So she goes to the bathroom to at least tidy up her appearance as best she could.

Seulgi took a deep breath, splashing cool water onto her face and staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her wolf-cut hair was still a bit of a mess, strands sticking out rebelliously despite her attempts to smooth them down. She tied her shoes properly, straightened her wrinkled uniform as best as she could, and gave herself a quick once-over. Not perfect, but it would have to do.

As she turned to leave the bathroom, the door swung open, and three girls stepped inside, blocking her path. Seulgi blinked, eyes flitting from one face to the next. Their expressions were smug, arms crossed over their pristine uniforms, each one practically dripping with superiority.

“You’re Seulgi, right?” the girl in the middle asked, voice smooth but laced with a sharp edge. Her name tag read Hyejin.

Seulgi raised an eyebrow. “Yeah… do I know you?”

Hyejin scoffed. “You don’t need to. But listen, new girl. I don’t know what kind of act you pulled to sit next to Jaeyi, but don’t get too comfortable. She doesn’t waste her time with nobodies.”

The two girls flanking Hyejin chuckled, nodding in agreement like puppets. Seulgi’s eyes narrowed. Was this…was this really happening? Her first day, not even through lunchtime, and she was getting cornered in a bathroom like some cliché high school drama?

Seulgi crossed her arms, leaning back against the sink casually. “And you cornered me here to…what? Give me a warning? Threaten me? Should I be scared now?”

Hyejin’s smile faltered just a bit. “You should,” she shot back, stepping closer. “Jaeyi isn’t someone you can just get close to. If you think sitting next to her means anything, you’re dead wrong. I’d watch my step if I were you.”

Seulgi sighed dramatically, tilting her head. “Wow. Are you sure? I mean, I did accidentally kiss her cheek this morning and I’m still alive, so…I don’t know, your whole ‘threatening’ thing doesn’t seem to be working very well.”

Hyejin’s eyes flared with disbelief. “Y-You what?!”

Seulgi held up her hands innocently. “Oops, did I say that out loud?” Her smile was all teeth, sharper than anyone expected from her soft features. “But hey, you’re right. I’m new here. Maybe things work differently. Is this where I’m supposed to grovel? Beg for forgiveness? Promise not to look Jaeyi in the eye from now on?”

The two girls behind Hyejin exchanged glances, clearly not expecting this. Hyejin’s fists clenched, her composure slipping. “Listen, you—”

But Seulgi was already brushing past her, shoulders squared. “If you don’t mind, I’m kind of hungry. And I have lunch plans. With Jaeyi.” She tossed the name out so casually it made Hyejin flinch. “So…I guess I’ll see you around?”

Hyejin stammered, her face turning an interesting shade of red. “Y-You—! How dare you!”

Seulgi turned around, her hands on her hips. “How dare I ?” she echoed, voice dripping with fake sweetness. “You’re the one trying to intimidate me in a bathroom. That’s, like, villain 101. If you’re going to do it, at least be original. Maybe a rooftop next time? Behind the gym? Oh, or the library! Really up the drama, you know?”

The two girls beside Hyejin shifted uncomfortably, clearly regretting their involvement. Hyejin looked like she might explode.

Before anyone could say another word, the bathroom door swung open, and Yoo Jaeyi stepped inside, heels clicking with a rhythmic confidence that sent chills through the room. Her eyes flickered over the scene—Hyejin’s furious expression, Seulgi’s unbothered stance, the two other girls looking like they wanted to disappear.

“Is there a problem here?” Jaeyi asked, voice deceptively light.

Hyejin straightened immediately, her posture stiff. “N-No, Jaeyi, we were just—”

“Just what?” Jaeyi’s gaze zeroed in on her, smile still in place but eyes cold. “Giving Seulgi a warm welcome?”

The silence was deafening. Hyejin opened her mouth, closed it, then tried again. “We were just…talking.”

Jaeyi tilted her head, a smile spreading across her lips. “Right. Talking.” She stepped forward, her heels echoing loudly in the cramped space. “I would hate to think my friends are…unwelcoming. That wouldn’t be very….fitting for Chaehwa students , would it?”

Hyejin swallowed, her eyes darting nervously. “No…of course not.”

“Good,” Jaeyi said smoothly, her eyes never leaving Hyejin’s. “Because I’d hate to have a real problem.” She glanced at Seulgi, and her gaze softened just slightly. “Ready for lunch?”

Seulgi blinked, still processing the whirlwind of events. “Uh…yeah.”

Jaeyi’s smile widened. “Great.” She reached out, gently grabbing Seulgi’s wrist and pulling her towards the door. As they left, Jaeyi turned back, her eyes landing on Hyejin one last time. “I’m sure we won’t have any more misunderstandings, right?”

Hyejin shook her head so quickly Seulgi thought it might snap off. “No. No misunderstandings.”

“Good.” Jaeyi’s voice was light and airy again. She turned, practically gliding out of the bathroom, Seulgi stumbling slightly to keep up.

When they were safely down the hallway, Seulgi looked up at Jaeyi, utterly bewildered. “Did you just…?”

Jaeyi smiled, not breaking stride. “I told you I’d find you, didn’t I?”

Seulgi’s cheeks turned pink, her heart doing an unexpected little flutter. Jaeyi’s hand was still loosely wrapped around her wrist, warm and gentle.

“I could’ve handled it, you know,” Seulgi mumbled, still trying to catch her breath.

“Oh, I saw.” Jaeyi laughed lightly. “You’re a bit…different from what I expected.”

Seulgi frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jaeyi stopped walking, turning to face her fully. She raised a brow, eyes dancing with amusement. “It means…I like you.”

Seulgi froze, her breath catching in her throat. “W-What?”

Jaeyi just smiled mysteriously and kept walking, hand slipping from Seulgi’s wrist. “Come on. I’m starving.”

Seulgi stood there for a moment, rooted to the spot, her heart hammering wildly in her chest.

What the hell had she just gotten herself into?

The cafeteria was bustling with noise—students laughing, trays clattering, the steady hum of lunchtime chaos. Seulgi trailed behind Jaeyi, her steps hesitant, eyes flickering around the unfamiliar space. Her hands were clenched tight around her tray, knuckles white. Jaeyi walked with an effortless confidence, glancing back only once to make sure Seulgi was still following.

They reached a table at the center of the room where two girls were already seated. One had straight bangs and a sharp bob cut, her round glasses perched neatly on her nose. She looked up with mild curiosity as they approached. The other girl was tall, strikingly gorgeous, with long wavy dark brown hair that framed her face. She beamed at the sight of Jaeyi and then raised an eyebrow when she spotted Seulgi standing there awkwardly.

“Well, well,” the tall one cooed, crossing her arms. “Who’s this little bunny trailing behind you, Jaeyi-yah?”

Jaeyi chuckled, set her tray down and took a seat, patting the spot beside her. “This is Woo Seulgi. She’s new, so be nice,” Jaeyi said with a smirk before adding, “Seulgi, meet Yeri,” she gestured to the tall girl, “and that’s Kyung,” she nodded toward the one with glasses.

Seulgi hesitated before sitting, her cheeks still pink. She managed a polite nod. “Hi.”

The girl with the bob cut—Kyung, as Jaeyi introduced her—nodded back, cool and observant.

Yeri leaned forward, eyes glimmering with mischief. “New girl, huh? And already clinging to Jaeyi. That’s brave.”

Seulgi stiffened, cheeks flaming as she fumbled to set her tray down without spilling anything. “I-I’m not clinging!” she protested, eyes wide.

Yeri’s grin widened. “Really now? But I heard you kissed Jaeyi this morning, isn’t that being clingy?”

Seulgi choked on absolutely nothing, coughing wildly as her cheeks flared crimson. “I—I didn’t—! I mean—it was an accident!”

Jaeyi, thoroughly entertained, rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling. “She did. Right on the cheek. Didn’t even say hello first.”

Seulgi turned to her, eyes wide and scandalized. “That’s not—I was running, and then you just—! I didn’t even know it would happen!”

Yeri laughed, a loud, uninhibited sound that drew a few glances. “Oh, I like her. She’s adorable.”

Seulgi squirmed, eyes fixed firmly on her tray, hoping the ground would just open up and swallow her whole. But then Jaeyi leaned in closer, a smirk playing on her lips.

“You know,” she murmured just loud enough for Seulgi to hear, “I’m curious about something.”

Seulgi looked up, still pink. “W-What?”

Jaeyi raised an eyebrow. “You were pretty bold with Hyejin earlier,” she said, leaning her chin on her hand. “Why so shy around me but so fierce with her?”

Yeri’s eyes lit up with curiosity, and Kyung’s lips curved just slightly, the faintest hint of a smirk.

“Wait, what happened with Hyejin?” Yeri asked, clearly excited to hear some drama.

Seulgi’s blush deepened, and she rubbed the back of her neck. “I-It’s nothing. She just…she just tried to mess with me, and I wasn’t having it.”

Jaeyi’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Not having it, huh?” she teased, mimicking Seulgi’s tone. “You told her to, what was it? ‘If you’re going to bully me, at least be original?”

Kyung raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at Seulgi more closely now. “You said that?”

Seulgi’s shoulders hunched defensively. “Well…something like that,” she mumbled, fiddling with her spoon. “I wasn’t gonna just let her push me around…”

Yeri let out a loud laugh, clapping her hands. “I like her!” she declared, grabbing Seulgi’s hand and saueezing it before Seulgi could even flinch. “I think we’re gonna get along just fine.”

Seulgi blinked in surprise, glancing over at Jaeyi, who only smiled back at her—soft, gentle, and almost approving.

Seulgi didn’t know it then, but she had just taken her first step into a world that would turn her life upside down.

And despite the embarrassment and the lingering heat in her cheeks, she couldn’t quite bring herself to regret it.

The final bell rang, and Seulgi found herself swept up in the chaos of students flooding out of classrooms, eager to escape the confines of Chaehwa Girls’ High. She moved through the bustling hallway with her bag slung over her shoulder, eyes fixed forward as she weaved through the crowd. Outside, the afternoon sun was gentle, stretching long shadows across the pavement as Seulgi made her way toward the bus stop.

She had just settled onto the bench, pulling out her phone to check the schedule, when she heard footsteps approaching—quick, confident, and unmistakably purposeful. Seulgi glanced up, eyes widening slightly as she saw Jaeyi flanked by Kyung and Yeri, walking towards her like they owned the whole street. Yeri waved exaggeratedly when she saw Seulgi’s stunned face, while Kyung just raised an eyebrow, smirking.

“Hey, Woo Seulgi,” Jaeyi greeted smoothly, coming to a stop right in front of her. “What’re you doing?”

Seulgi blinked. “Uh… waiting for the bus?”

Jaeyi hummed, crossing her arms. “Change of plans. You’re coming with us.”

“Wait, what?” Seulgi sputtered, sitting up straighter. “Where?”

“To study,” Jaeyi replied simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I have a private study room at J Medical Center. We’re heading there now. Come with us.”

Seulgi blinked again, trying to process the fact that Yoo Jaeyi was inviting her out. To study. At her family’s hospital of all places. “I—I don’t know… I was just gonna head home.”

Yeri snorted, throwing an arm around Seulgi’s shoulders. “Home? To do what? Study alone?” she teased. “Don’t be lame. You’re basically part of our little circle now.”

“Circle?” Seulgi repeated, looking genuinely lost.

Kyung’s smirk deepened, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “More like Jaeyi’s pet project,” she drawled, and Seulgi immediately bristled.

“Pet project?” she echoed, eyebrows knitting together. “I’m not anyone’s project.”

Yeri gasped dramatically. “Ooh, look who’s got a bit of bite!” She nudged Jaeyi. “You seeing this?”

Jaeyi’s grin widened. “I’m seeing it.”

Seulgi huffed, straightening her shoulders. “Look, I appreciate the invite, but I don’t wanna be anyone’s charity case.”

Kyung chuckled, leaning against the bench with her arms crossed. “I like her spirit. You’re really not afraid of us, are you?”

Seulgi gave her a pointed look. “Should I be?”

Yeri laughed outright, practically doubling over. “Oh my God, I love her,” she declared, wiping her eyes. “Jaeyi, can we keep her?”

Jaeyi merely smiled, watching Seulgi with those sharp eyes that missed nothing. “Come with us, Seulgi,” she said, voice softer this time, almost coaxing. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

Seulgi hesitated, but there was something in Jaeyi’s expression—an odd mixture of curiosity and delight—that made her stomach do a weird flip. “Fine,” she relented finally, standing up and brushing off her skirt. “But I’m not doing this because you told me to. I just don’t wanna listen to Yeri whine about it later.”

Yeri gasped, feigning insult. “Me? Whine? How dare—”

“Come on, I don’t have all day,” Seulgi interrupted, already walking ahead and waving a hand behind her.

The trio exchanged glances, Jaeyi’s smile growing wider. “I think I’m gonna enjoy this,” she murmured, following after Seulgi with Kyung and Yeri in tow.

Yeri jogged up to Seulgi’s side, leaning in with a grin. “You know, Seulgi, you don’t act as cute as you look.”

Seulgi shot her a sideways glance, lips twitching. “That’s because I’m not cute,” she deadpanned.

Yeri cackled, nudging Kyung. “I think I like her even more.”

Kyung merely adjusted her glasses, eyeing Seulgi with newfound interest. “This might actually be fun.”

Jaeyi stayed a step behind, her gaze never leaving Seulgi’s back, watching the slight sway of her stride and the stubborn set of her shoulders. An amused grin played on her lips.

She had a feeling things were about to get very interesting.

They arrived at J Medical Center just past four in the afternoon. Seulgi’s eyes widened the moment she stepped through the glass doors of the towering building, its pristine white lobby gleaming under the soft glow of chandelier lights. Nurses and doctors walked briskly past, each nodding respectfully at Jaeyi, who barely acknowledged them with a glance. Yeri and Kyung led the way, casual and unfazed, while Seulgi trailed behind, trying not to look like a complete tourist.

When they reached the private study room—more like a luxury lounge with bookshelves lining the walls, a massive polished table at its center, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city—Yeri dropped her bag onto one of the chairs and stretched. “I’m starving,” she groaned. “I’m getting snacks. Kyung, you coming?”

Kyung rolled her eyes but stood up, glancing at Seulgi. “Don’t touch anything,” she said flatly, as if Seulgi was a toddler prone to chaos.

Seulgi raised an eyebrow. “I think I’ll survive,” she shot back, crossing her arms.

Yeri grinned at the exchange, nudging Kyung as they left the room. “Be good, you two!” she sing-songed, the door closing behind them with a soft click.

Seulgi turned to find Jaeyi watching her, one brow raised and a smirk playing on her lips. “I didn’t know you had that much attitude,” Jaeyi commented, leaning back in her chair. “You’re like a little tiger when you’re not flustered.”

Seulgi bristled, cheeks flushing. “I’m not always flustered,” she muttered, though her pink-tinted ears said otherwise.

Jaeyi laughed—a genuine, melodic sound that caught Seulgi off guard. “Not flustered, huh? So if I…” Jaeyi stood up and walked around the table, her long legs carrying her closer and closer until she was right in front of Seulgi. She leaned down, face mere inches from Seulgi’s, their eyes locked. “If I do this,” she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper, “you won’t turn red at all?”

Seulgi swallowed, frozen in place, her eyes darting everywhere except Jaeyi’s. She took a step back, only to bump against the bookshelf, her hands fumbling for something to hold on to. “Y-you…you’re too close!” she stammered.

Jaeyi didn’t move, only tilted her head with a teasing smile. “Am I?” she mused, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m just standing here.”

“Standing too close,” Seulgi whispered, voice barely audible.

Jaeyi straightened up, crossing her arms. “Noted. I’ll keep that in mind, princess.”

Seulgi blinked. “Princess?”

Jaeyi’s grin widened. “Yeah. You look like one. A bratty one,” she added, flicking Seulgi’s forehead gently.

Seulgi huffed, rubbing the spot. “I’m not bratty,” she protested, though her cheeks were burning.

“Mhm,” Jaeyi replied, walking back to her seat as if nothing happened. “If you say so…princess.”

Seulgi was left standing there, hands balled into fists, face redder than ever. The door swung open, and Yeri and Kyung entered, bags of snacks in hand.

“Did we miss anything?” Yeri asked, eyes flicking between the two.

Jaeyi just smiled. “Not a thing.”

Seulgi, still rooted in place, couldn’t bring herself to meet anyone’s eyes. She was starting to realize that getting close to Yoo Jaeyi might be more dangerous—and more exhilarating—than she had ever imagined.

The study session went by in relative quiet, with Kyung immersed in her notes and Yeri munching on snacks while flicking through her workbook. Seulgi, still flustered from earlier, kept her head down, determined not to meet Jaeyi's gaze, though she could feel those sharp eyes flicker to her every so often. She tried to focus, really, but the weight of the day—the rushed morning, the chaos of her first day, and now the warmth of the room—was starting to pull her eyelids down.

She blinked hard, struggling to keep her eyes open as the textbook pages blurred in front of her. Jaeyi was sitting across from her, casually flipping through her own notes with an effortless grace that Seulgi found both enviable and slightly irritating.

Yeri and Kyung had left the room to grab more drinks from the vending machine, leaving just the two of them in the stillness of the study room. The silence, though not uncomfortable, felt heavy with something unspoken.

Seulgi’s eyes drooped, her hand slowly slipping from her chin. She blinked once…twice…and her head dipped forward. Before she could crash face-first into the unforgiving surface of the table, Jaeyi’s hand shot out instinctively, sliding between Seulgi’s forehead and the desk just in time.

Thud.

Jaeyi winced, the impact sending a sharp sting through her knuckles, but she didn’t move her hand away. Instead, she adjusted her grip so Seulgi’s cheek rested against her palm, cushioning her from the hard surface.

Seulgi mumbled something unintelligible, nuzzling her cheek deeper into Jaeyi’s hand, her breathing evening out as she slipped further into sleep. Her brows unknitted, lips parting just slightly, and Jaeyi found herself staring—completely and utterly entranced.

She could feel the warmth of Seulgi’s skin against her palm, the tickle of her breath brushing her wrist. Despite the mild ache in her hand, Jaeyi didn’t dare move.

Her eyes softened, and she let out a small breath of disbelief. What are you doing to me, Woo Seulgi?

Jaeyi had never really believed in fate before. Her life was driven by logic, calculations, and carefully measured steps. But watching Seulgi now, sleeping so soundly and trusting with her cheek nestled in Jaeyi’s hand, she felt something shift—something she couldn’t quite name yet.

“I don’t know how or why," Jaeyi thought, her thumb absently brushing Seulgi’s hair. "But I have a feeling…you’re going to be important to me. More important than I’ve ever let anyone be."

She didn’t know how she knew—only that she did, with absolute certainty.

And when Seulgi unconsciously nuzzled her cheek deeper into her hand, Jaeyi couldn’t help but smile.

Chapter Text

The sun poured lazily through the windows of their cozy apartment, casting a soft glow over the scattered textbooks and mugs left out from late-night study sessions. Inside these walls, there was an unspoken understanding. It had been established early on, during one of their first real arguments that neither of them could recall the cause of anymore. Perhaps it had been something trivial: Seulgi leaving her textbooks sprawled across the living room floor, or Jaeyi reorganizing Seulgi’s desk in the name of “efficiency.” The details didn’t matter; what mattered was that it lasted three whole days.

Three days of stubborn silence, of Seulgi’s loud typing at her desk and Jaeyi’s exaggerated movements in the kitchen, as if proving a point just by existing louder. Seulgi would come home from med school with dark circles and sore shoulders, dumping her bag with a bit more force than necessary. Jaeyi would sip her coffee in the mornings with the deliberate, pointed elegance of someone who definitely wasn’t thinking about the person sitting across from her, scrolling through her phone in icy silence.

It was the fourth day—rain pattering against the windows, dishes stacked neatly in the sink—that Seulgi finally cracked. She had lingered by the door after coming back from her study group, wet strands of hair clinging to her cheeks, a pout fixed on her lips. Jaeyi had been sitting at the dining table, laptop open, back rigid.

The silence stretched until it felt suffocating. Then, with a dramatic sigh, Seulgi dropped her bag and padded over, her socks making soft shuffling noises against the hardwood floor. She stood next to Jaeyi, hands fiddling with the strings of her hoodie. Jaeyi’s eyes flicked up, just for a second, before returning to her screen.

Seulgi huffed, then leaned down, her arms winding around Jaeyi’s shoulders from behind. Her chin rested on Jaeyi’s head, and she squeezed gently. “Can I have a kiss?” she had whispered, voice muffled against Jaeyi’s hair.

It was instant—the tension melting away, the stiffness in Jaeyi’s posture unraveling as she leaned back into Seulgi’s embrace. There had been no more words, just the soft press of lips and a sigh of relief that filled the apartment like a breath of fresh air.

From that moment on, it became a rule. Unspoken, unbroken: whoever asked for the kiss first was at fault. It was their way of conceding, a quiet acknowledgment that the argument, whatever it was, didn’t matter more than the person standing right in front of them.

And it wasn’t just for the big things. Small squabbles over laundry left unfolded or misplaced chargers could stretch for hours, neither wanting to be the first to cave. Seulgi, stubborn and spoiled, would sulk at her desk, earbuds in, pretending to study. Jaeyi would make dinner for one and pointedly leave the extra serving covered in the fridge, a silent declaration of war.

But it never lasted too long. Eventually, Seulgi would sidle up behind Jaeyi at the sink, tugging lightly at the hem of her sweater, eyes wide and pleading. Or Jaeyi would slide onto the couch next to Seulgi, resting her head on her shoulder with a quiet sigh. It was always subtle, always wordless, but clear enough.

Because, at the end of the day, neither of them could resist the pull for too long. Pride was heavy, but the weight of missing each other was always heavier.

The apartment was unusually quiet for a Friday evening. Rain drizzled lazily outside, blurring the lights of passing cars and turning the world outside their window into soft, watercolor streaks. The smell of takeout—spicy tteokbokki and fried dumplings—lingered in the living room, but neither of them had touched it.

Seulgi sat cross-legged on the couch, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her expression was scrunched up in that signature pout that always made Jaeyi’s heart do a little flip—except right now, it was just annoying.

“You didn’t have to mess up my notes,” Seulgi grumbled, her voice breaking the silence like a crack in ice.

Jaeyi, standing by the kitchen counter with her hands braced against the marble, scoffed. “I didn’t mess them up—I organized them. There’s a difference.”

“They were already organized!” Seulgi’s arms tightened around herself. “I had a system!”

“Having six different sticky notes in random stacks isn’t a system, princess.” Jaeyi straightened up, crossing her own arms in response, mirroring Seulgi’s stubbornness. “I was just trying to help.”

“Help? You literally mixed up my practice questions with my lab reports! I had them separated for a reason.”

Jaeyi’s jaw clenched. She took a breath, visibly forcing herself to stay calm. “If you had a real filing system, maybe it wouldn’t be so easy to mess up.”

Seulgi’s eyes narrowed, and she unfolded her legs, planting her feet on the floor like she was preparing for battle. “Oh, I’m sorry I’m not perfect like you, Miss Color-Coded Spreadsheets.”

Jaeyi rolled her eyes. “At least I know where my things are.”

There it was—a line crossed. Seulgi stood up abruptly, the blanket she’d been wrapped in sliding to the floor. “I’m done talking about this.” She stomped off towards their bedroom, her footsteps loud and purposeful.

Jaeyi let out a sharp breath, hands falling to her sides. She heard the door click shut—never slammed, just shut firmly enough to make a point. A part of her wanted to chase after her, to argue until they resolved it, but another part—the more stubborn part—sat herself down at the dining table instead.

Fine. If Seulgi wanted to sulk, she could sulk.

They had been here before, many times, caught in the crossfire of their own stubbornness. But that rule hovered in the air, unspoken yet heavy, like a weight balanced on the edge of a blade. Neither of them would crack first. That was the game. The person who gave in, who asked for that first touch, that first kiss—that person lost. And losing meant admitting fault.

Jaeyi opened her laptop, determined to focus on her project. A full hour passed. Then two. The apartment stayed silent, save for the occasional creak of floorboards or the whisper of rain outside.

She checked the time, glanced back toward the bedroom door, then back to her screen. Still no movement. No sounds of shuffling or the click of Seulgi’s phone.

Jaeyi frowned, fingers tapping restlessly against the keys. She wasn’t going to break. She had nothing to be sorry for. This was Seulgi’s fault—if she just organized her things properly, none of this would have happened.

But then her eyes flickered to the abandoned takeout bags on the counter, untouched. Seulgi hadn’t eaten, and if there was one thing Jaeyi knew about her girlfriend, it was that Seulgi got grumpy when she was hungry.

Jaeyi chewed her bottom lip, glancing back at the closed door again. The rain outside grew heavier, pattering louder against the glass, as if urging her to move.

She exhaled sharply. Not gonna lose. Not this time.

Her eyes shifted back to her screen, though her focus was splintered. Ten more minutes dragged by before the door finally creaked open, and Seulgi stepped out, eyes puffy but defiant. She made her way to the living room, flopping dramatically onto the couch without so much as a glance in Jaeyi’s direction.

Jaeyi refused to turn around, even as Seulgi made exaggerated sighs and shifted noisily, clearly desperate for attention.

The deal was sacred. But who would give in first?

The apartment buzzed with tension, simmering just beneath the surface. The argument—something about Seulgi’s chaotic study notes and Jaeyi’s need to “organize” everything—had long since lost its fire. Yet, neither of them would dare break the silence first.

The deal hung heavy in the air, unspoken yet absolute: the first to ask for a kiss, to bridge the gap, was the one at fault. And neither of them would be caught dead surrendering.

Seulgi sprawled out on the couch, one leg draped over the armrest, her phone dangling from her hand as she pretended to scroll aimlessly. Her eyes flickered every now and then toward the kitchen, where Jaeyi stood, fussing unnecessarily with the dishes. It wasn’t like there were that many to begin with—Seulgi knew she was just trying to look busy.

Jaeyi wiped the same mug for the third time, her shoulders squared and jaw set. She didn’t have to look back to know Seulgi was watching. She could feel her gaze, stubborn and unyielding, practically daring her to break first.

But Jaeyi had no intention of breaking. She placed the mug down with deliberate calmness, ignoring the little huff of annoyance Seulgi let out from the couch.

“Oh, I’m sorry, are you sighing because you’re feeling a little lonely over there?” Jaeyi called out, voice sweet as sugar.

Seulgi stretched, groaning dramatically as she flopped onto her back. “I’m perfectly fine. Enjoying the peace, actually.”

Jaeyi smirked, picking up her econ book and padding over to the couch. She sat down on the opposite end, tucking her legs underneath her and flipped over the pages with exaggerated indifference.

They sat like that for a full two minutes, tension weaving thickly between them. And then, like clockwork, it began.

Seulgi shifted closer—just a fraction—her leg brushing against Jaeyi’s knee. Jaeyi ignored it, turning the page of her book with perfect composure.

Another minute passed. Seulgi leaned back against the cushions, stretching her arms above her head until her sweater lifted slightly, exposing a sliver of her waist. Jaeyi’s eyes darted over—just for a second—before snapping back to her book.

Seulgi grinned. “See something you like?” she cooed, voice dripping with mock innocence.

Jaeyi didn’t even blink. “Just wondering if you’re trying to distract me or if you’re actually that desperate.”

Seulgi’s grin widened. “Oh, I’m not desperate. But you look a little tense, Director Yoo.” Her hand reached out, just the lightest brush of fingertips against Jaeyi’s shoulder. A touch so fleeting it was almost nothing—almost.

Jaeyi’s breath hitched, but she recovered quickly, turning another page in her book that she definitely wasn’t reading. “I think you’re projecting.”

Seulgi rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.” She leaned even closer, her arm now resting on the back of the couch, barely an inch from Jaeyi’s shoulder. “But you look like you’re struggling.”

Jaeyi finally looked up, her eyes sharp and unyielding. “I’m fine.” She leaned back, crossing her legs and shifting so that her thigh pressed firmly against Seulgi’s.

Seulgi raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased by the sudden boldness. “Oh, so we’re playing like that, huh?”

Jaeyi merely smiled. “What? I’m just getting comfortable. Or is that a problem?”

Seulgi’s eyes glittered with challenge. “Not at all.”

The tension grew thicker, coiling tighter between them. Seulgi’s hand trailed along the back of the couch, her fingertips brushing against Jaeyi’s shoulder once…twice…a deliberate game of cat and mouse. Jaeyi held her ground, though her posture softened, her body unconsciously leaning just a fraction closer.

They were magnets—two forces pulling and tugging, daring the other to snap first. This was the game. The teasing. The taunting. Seulgi would tuck her legs beneath her, inching closer and closer until her knee bumped Jaeyi’s thigh. Jaeyi would casually rest her arm behind the couch, fingers grazing Seulgi’s back like she wasn’t even aware she was doing it.

Minutes stretched on, neither one breaking, neither one speaking the unspoken words that hung heavy between them. Seulgi, as stubborn as ever, rested her cheek on her palm, eyes locked on Jaeyi’s lips for a beat too long. Jaeyi, catching the glance, only smirked. “Want something?”

Seulgi scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. “Not from you.”

But her eyes betrayed her, and Jaeyi knew it. She always knew it.

And so, the game continued. Closer, touchier, always skirting the edge of a kiss but never quite tipping over. Because to do that would be surrender. And neither of them would dare.

The nightly ritual in their apartment was a well-rehearsed routine: Seulgi would drag her feet to the bathroom first, mumbling complaints about her long day at med school while Jaeyi set out fresh towels and fussed over the state of Seulgi’s side of the sink. Seulgi, naturally, left it in perpetual chaos—skincare bottles missing caps, toothpaste squeezed from the middle, and somehow always, always water everywhere.

Tonight was no different. Jaeyi leaned against the bathroom doorway, arms crossed, watching with mild exasperation as Seulgi splashed her face like she was dousing a fire. Water dripped down her cheeks and splattered onto the counter, and Jaeyi let out a dramatic sigh.

“You know…there’s this magical thing called a towel,” Jaeyi teased, reaching over to grab one and tossing it at Seulgi’s head.

Seulgi caught it with a grin, muffling her laugh into the soft fabric. “Wow, a towel? Revolutionary.”

Jaeyi rolled her eyes but smiled, stepping forward to wipe a stray drop off Seulgi’s cheek with her thumb. Seulgi blinked, the small touch enough to make her soften. For a moment, it was just them in the mirror’s reflection—Jaeyi’s gentle hand on her cheek, Seulgi’s eyes fluttering shut out of instinct.

“Careful,” Jaeyi whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You look like you’re about to break first.”

Seulgi’s eyes snapped open, and she pulled back, cheeks flushed. “W-What? I wasn’t—”

Jaeyi just chuckled, brushing past her to begin her own routine. “Of course not.” Her tone was teasing, the kind that made Seulgi’s competitive streak flare up instantly.

“Whatever.” Seulgi crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway now, watching as Jaeyi started washing her face with the same careful precision she did everything. The soft glow of the vanity lights caught the edges of Jaeyi’s face, her hair pulled back into a messy bun, stray strands framing her cheeks.

It was unfair how effortlessly beautiful she looked. Seulgi swallowed, looking away before she was caught staring.

Minutes later, Jaeyi flicked off the light, and they padded to the bedroom in comfortable silence. Seulgi, ever the brat, flopped onto the bed first, starfish-style, arms and legs spread out dramatically across the mattress.

Jaeyi just stood at the edge, hands on her hips. “Move.”

Seulgi cracked one eye open. “No.”

Jaeyi raised an eyebrow. Without another word, she grabbed the blanket and yanked it right out from under Seulgi, sending her flopping onto her back with an indignant yelp.

“Yah!”

Jaeyi slipped under the covers gracefully, looking far too pleased with herself. “Shouldn’t have taken up all the space.”

Seulgi huffed but crawled under the blanket, shuffling closer out of sheer habit. Their legs tangled easily, like it was second nature, and Jaeyi reached out, brushing stray strands of hair out of Seulgi’s eyes. Her fingers were gentle, lingering just a little too long, and Seulgi’s breath caught.

“Comfy?” Jaeyi asked, voice soft.

“Mm.” Seulgi nodded, already feeling the day’s exhaustion melting away. Her eyes grew heavy, her head resting on the pillow just inches from Jaeyi’s. “Night.”

“Goodnight.”

Their bedroom light was off, but the moonlight spilled in through the curtains, soft and pale, casting shadows that flickered with each passing car outside. It was warm, familiar. Safe.

Seulgi let out a long breath, turning just a bit closer until her forehead rested gently against Jaeyi’s. It was instinctive, the way her hand found Jaeyi’s hip, pulling her closer, the way her eyes flickered shut as she leaned in just slightly.

Jaeyi didn’t move, her breathing steady, eyes closed as if waiting.

Seulgi’s lips hovered just a breath away from Jaeyi’s, the familiar habit pulling her in like muscle memory. “Goodnight,” she whispered, softer this time, and her lips brushed the edge of Jaeyi’s—

Her eyes snapped open.

Jaeyi’s eyes were already open, sparkling with mirth. “Were you just about to kiss me goodnight?”

Seulgi jerked back, cheeks flaming. “N-No! I wasn’t! I was just… I was just…you know…breathing!”

Jaeyi laughed, a light, tinkling sound that made Seulgi’s face flush even darker. “You were breathing on my mouth?”

“Shut up.”

Jaeyi inched closer, noses nearly touching. “I mean, if you want to break first, you can just say so.”

Seulgi narrowed her eyes. “You wish. I’m just being considerate.”

Jaeyi raised an eyebrow. “Of what?”

“Of…your need to be close to me.” Seulgi replied, a grin spreading across her face. She scooted even closer, their foreheads touching again. “I’m just indulging you so you won’t lose your mind without my kisses.”

Jaeyi chuckled, eyes softening. “How kind of you.”

They stayed like that for a while, noses brushing, breaths mingling—just on the edge of surrender but never crossing it. Jaeyi’s hand found Seulgi’s back, drawing small circles as she pulled her closer, and Seulgi’s arms instinctively wrapped around her waist.

But neither moved that last inch. The rule remained intact.

For now.

Two days. Forty-eight hours. Two thousand, eight hundred, and eighty five minutes.

Seulgi knew the exact count because she’d been suffering through each one of them with the grace of a cat thrown into water.

She sat in the back of the lecture hall, her chin propped up on her palm, eyes glazed over as her professor droned on about neural pathways and synaptic plasticity. Normally, she’d be at least half-invested in the discussion, but today—well, today she was busy sulking.

It had been two days since Jaeyi last kissed her. Two whole days of stubborn silence where neither one of them would give in and break the rule. Not that Seulgi was counting or anything.

Her phone buzzed against the desk, and she glanced down at it, the tiniest flicker of hope sparking before she even unlocked the screen.

Jaeyi 💙: Don’t forget you have your group meeting at 4 today. You left your charger at home. Again.

Seulgi huffed, her fingers tapping out a quick reply.

Seulgi 🐻: I was gonna get it later.

A moment passed before the dots appeared.

Jaeyi 💙: You always say that. Want me to bring it over?

Seulgi stared at the screen, her heart skipping just a little bit. Jaeyi was always like this—effortlessly sweet, even when they were locked in the world’s most unnecessary silent war. For a second, she almost typed out yes, imagining Jaeyi showing up on campus with that smug little smile of hers, probably holding a cup of coffee for Seulgi just because she knew how she liked it.

But that would be surrender. It would be opening the door for Jaeyi to saunter up, lean in with her perfect posture and perfect hair, and dangle that victory right in front of her face.

Seulgi 🐻: Nah, I’m good. I’ll get it later.

The dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again. Seulgi stared at her screen, her grip tightening. Say something. Come on. Ask for a kiss. Crack just a little.

Jaeyi 💙: Alright. Don’t forget.

Seulgi groaned, slumping back in her chair, her professor shooting her a glare from the front of the room. She waved him off with a sheepish grin, her mind still spinning with how Jaeyi had sounded so perfectly fine—so unaffected.

The worst part was that Jaeyi didn’t even seem to be struggling. They still cuddled at night, Jaeyi still tucked herself against Seulgi’s side like always, and their arms and legs still tangled up as if nothing was wrong. She even kissed Seulgi on the cheek each morning before they both headed off to their respective campuses, a quick peck and a smile like it wasn’t driving Seulgi to the brink of insanity.

But it was.

Cheek kisses weren’t enough. Neither were forehead kisses, nor the occasional brush of lips against her shoulder when Jaeyi passed by in the kitchen. Seulgi had been surviving on scraps, and she was starving.

And the worst part? She knew her notes were better now. Jaeyi had been right—stupidly, annoyingly right. It had taken her just a few minutes to find what she needed for her group project yesterday, her notes all neatly categorized and highlighted.

But she’d be damned if she admitted that.

Seulgi straightened up in her seat, determination sparking in her eyes. She wasn’t going to break. If Jaeyi wanted to be stubborn, then fine—she could be stubborn too. She would survive on cheek and forehead kisses if she had to.

Jaeyi was bound to crack first. Seulgi was sure of it.

…Well, mostly sure.

Her phone buzzed again, and she glanced at the screen.

Jaeyi 💙: Don’t forget to eat lunch.

Seulgi’s heart did a ridiculous little flip, and she bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling.

Seulgi 🐻: Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry.

Jaeyi 💙: Not worried. Just reminding my favorite brat.

Seulgi stared at the message a little too long, the words wrapping around her heart like a warm blanket. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She almost typed it— I miss your lips.

But she stopped herself. Jaeyi would never let her live that down. So instead, she locked her phone and folded her arms, leaning back in her chair.

She could survive.

For now.

Seulgi had long since accepted that cooking was not her forte. She’d tried—more than once—and the kitchen still bore the battle scars of her previous attempts. A melted spatula here, a slightly scorched pan there. It was almost impressive, really.

That’s why she stuck to the simple things: salads, sandwiches, maybe eggs if she was feeling particularly brave. Tonight, it was a salad. The lettuce crunched under her knife, crisp and fresh, the cherry tomatoes lined up neatly as she sliced through them with surprising precision. She tossed them into the glass bowl, humming a little to herself, the apartment silent except for the occasional splatter of water droplets against the window.

She was just rinsing off the cucumbers when she heard the familiar jingle of keys, followed by the soft click of the front door opening. Seulgi didn’t turn around, but a smile spread slowly across her face.

Jaeyi was home.

There was the rustling of shoes being kicked off, the soft thud of a bag hitting the floor, and then—footsteps. Light and sure, padding across the living room, getting closer and closer until—

Warmth enveloped her from behind, soft arms snaking around her waist, and a familiar weight pressing against her back. Seulgi felt Jaeyi’s face nuzzle into her shoulder, her hair tickling the side of Seulgi’s neck as she practically melted against her.

“I missed you,” Jaeyi mumbled, voice muffled by the fabric of Seulgi’s shirt. Her arms squeezed a little tighter, pulling Seulgi flush against her.

Seulgi’s heart stumbled over itself, her hands freezing under the running water. “I missed you…”

Jaeyi only hummed, her hands slipping under the edge of Seulgi’s sweater to rest warmly on her stomach, fingertips brushing softly over the fabric of her shirt. “You’re making a salad?” she asked, her voice light and soft, and so terribly sweet that Seulgi had to remind herself to breathe.

“Yeah.” Seulgi cleared her throat, fumbling to turn off the faucet. “I figured…you know, I’d leave the actual cooking to you.”

Jaeyi laughed, a soft, musical sound that made Seulgi’s knees feel just a little bit weaker. “Good idea,” she teased, her lips pressing lightly against Seulgi’s shoulder.

Seulgi stiffened, and then promptly cursed herself for reacting. She could practically feel the smile on Jaeyi’s lips as she left another soft kiss, this time a little closer to her neck.

“Yah…” Seulgi muttered, her voice betraying her with a slight tremor. “You’re really clingy today.”

“Am I?” Jaeyi whispered, lips brushing against the shell of Seulgi’s ear. Her hands stayed comfortably warm on Seulgi’s stomach, rubbing small circles that sent little electric shocks skittering across Seulgi’s skin.

“Y-Yeah.” Seulgi swallowed, her hands still braced on the edge of the sink, white-knuckled. “What’s gotten into you?”

Jaeyi didn’t answer. Not with words, anyway. Instead, she tilted her head just a bit, her lips pressing feather-light kisses up the side of Seulgi’s neck, each one lingering just a little longer than the last. Soft. Warm. Unhurried.

Seulgi’s eyes squeezed shut, and she bit down hard on her lower lip to keep from sighing. Jaeyi knew exactly what she was doing—of course she did. She always knew.

“I missed you…” Jaeyi whispered again, her voice softer now, almost breathless. Her arms tightened around Seulgi’s waist, and Seulgi was dangerously close to dropping the cucumber she was still holding. “You smell nice.”

“Jaeyi…” Seulgi’s voice wavered, and she cursed herself for sounding so…needy.

“Hm?” Jaeyi’s lips continued their gentle path, brushing just beneath Seulgi’s ear, then down to the curve of her jaw. “You okay?”

Seulgi swallowed, her hands gripping the counter like it was the only thing keeping her upright. “Y-Yeah.”

Jaeyi giggled softly against her skin, and Seulgi felt the warmth of it like a brand. “You sure?”

Before Seulgi could even think of a comeback, Jaeyi’s hands drifted upward, trailing over her stomach and slipping around her sides, drawing her even closer. “You’re trembling,” Jaeyi noted, voice dripping with fake innocence. “Something wrong?”

Seulgi clenched her teeth, her eyes fluttering shut as Jaeyi’s hands slid up her back, holding her tight. “You’re being unfair.”

“Am I?” Jaeyi purred, pressing a soft, lingering kiss just under Seulgi’s jaw. Her fingers brushed through the ends of Seulgi’s hair, sending little shivers down her spine.

Seulgi was so close. So painfully close to giving in. It would be so easy—just turn around and close that tiny distance, taste the strawberry lip balm Jaeyi always wore, feel her smile against her mouth.

But then—she felt it. The tiny tremor of a laugh. The way Jaeyi’s lips quirked up against her neck, and how her grip tightened just enough for Seulgi to feel the smugness in her touch.

Seulgi’s eyes snapped open, and she straightened up, clearing her throat. “Ohhh… I get it now.”

Jaeyi’s hands stilled, but she didn’t pull back. “Get what?”

Seulgi turned just enough to catch the barely-hidden grin on Jaeyi’s face, her eyes glimmering with that unmistakable sparkle of mischief. Seulgi raised an eyebrow. “This is you trying to get me to break.”

Jaeyi’s expression didn’t change, but the glint in her eyes grew sharper. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right.” Seulgi laughed, feeling her confidence surge back. She slipped out of Jaeyi’s hold—reluctantly, but with purpose—turning back to her salad preparations. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.”

Jaeyi’s eyes narrowed, the playful challenge lighting them up. “Oh, I plan to.”

Seulgi’s heart skipped, but she kept her back turned, chopping cucumbers with more vigor than necessary. Jaeyi’s arms snaked around her waist again, hugging her from behind, chin resting on her shoulder as if she hadn’t just been caught red-handed.

“Just so you know,” Jaeyi whispered, her breath warm against Seulgi’s ear. “I’m very good at getting what I want.”

Seulgi felt the shiver run down her spine, but she gripped the knife a little tighter, a grin spreading on her face. “And I’m very good at holding out.”

Jaeyi just chuckled, pressing one last kiss to the corner of Seulgi’s jaw before slipping away, her footsteps light as she headed to the living room.

Seulgi released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding, her hands bracing against the counter as her heart hammered in her chest. She was in trouble. Serious trouble.

But she wasn’t going to break. Not yet.

Seulgi thanked the heavens, she survived that dinner and last night. This morning however, is an entirely different matter altogether.

She woke up to the familiar sound of soft grumbling and the not-so-subtle rustle of blankets being yanked around beside her. The room was still tinted with the pale gray of early morning, light barely peeking through the curtains. She blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes as she turned to face the chaos next to her.

There, tangled up in a mess of sheets and pillows, was Jaeyi. Her hair was a wild halo around her head, her eyes still squeezed shut as she burrowed deeper into the comforter. She was wearing that ridiculous puppy onesie—the one Seulgi had bought as a joke but that Jaeyi had, against all odds, completely fallen in love with.

The hoodie part of it was flopped over her head, little floppy ears drooping to the sides, and her hands were hidden in the oversized sleeves. She looked like a life-sized stuffed animal, and Seulgi’s heart squeezed painfully in her chest.

Jaeyi let out another disgruntled noise, shuffling around until she found the warm spot on Seulgi’s side and promptly latched on, burrowing her face into Seulgi’s shoulder with a sigh. Her hands, still bundled in her sleeves, found Seulgi’s waist, gripping her like a stubborn koala.

Seulgi lay there, paralyzed with affection and the very real threat of breaking the stupid deal. Her hands hovered awkwardly in the air before she finally gave in and wrapped her arms around Jaeyi, pulling her closer. “You awake?” she whispered, even though she knew the answer.

Jaeyi only groaned, nuzzling deeper into her shoulder. “No.”

Seulgi chuckled softly, rubbing slow circles over Jaeyi’s back. “You’re not awake, huh?”

“No,” Jaeyi repeated, her voice muffled and adorably stubborn. Her arms squeezed tighter, and Seulgi thought she might actually die.

It was unfair. Absolutely unfair. A sleepy Jaeyi was on a whole different level. The kind of softness that Seulgi was entirely unprepared for. Her usual sharpness and quick wit were replaced with this clingy, half-asleep vulnerability that made Seulgi’s chest ache.

The hood of the onesie slipped back just a bit, revealing Jaeyi’s pouting face, eyes still squeezed shut as if even the slightest hint of light was an affront to her existence. “Too early,” she mumbled, words slurring together. “You’re too warm… ‘s your fault I can’t get up.”

Seulgi snorted. “Yeah? Blaming me for your bad sleeping habits now?”

“Mm-hmm.” Jaeyi’s eyes opened just the tiniest bit, squinting up at her with a sleepy frown. Her hair stuck out in every direction, and her cheeks were flushed from sleep. Seulgi stared down at her, and her heart did an embarrassing little flip.

She’s so cute I’m gonna die.

Seulgi held her breath as Jaeyi squirmed around, getting impossibly closer, tucking her face back into the crook of Seulgi’s neck. “Warm…” she mumbled, voice melting into a soft whine that practically short-circuited Seulgi’s brain.

Her hands were fisting the front of Seulgi’s shirt now, and Seulgi bit down hard on her bottom lip to keep from squealing. Jaeyi, completely oblivious to the torture she was inflicting, kept nuzzling against her, seeking out every bit of warmth she could.

“You’re gonna be late,” Seulgi tried, voice cracking slightly.

“Don’t care.”

“You’ll miss your morning coffee.”

“Don’t care.”

“You smell like lavender.”

“’S your fault. You bought the detergent.”

Seulgi wanted to scream. Or maybe cry. Or maybe both. This wasn’t fair. Not at all. Not when Jaeyi was like this—soft and clingy and so painfully adorable she wanted to scoop her up and never let her go. Her hands trembled where they rested on Jaeyi’s back, itching to tilt her head up and steal a kiss. Just one. Just a tiny little—

Jaeyi yawned, big and dramatic, her mouth opening wide as she stretched, her arms reaching up and then flopping right back down over Seulgi’s waist. Her eyes blinked open, bleary and still unfocused, and she looked up at Seulgi with a sleepy pout. “I’m hungry.”

“Mm.” Seulgi swallowed, her throat tight. “I’ll make breakfast.”

Jaeyi didn’t move. She simply buried herself back into Seulgi’s shoulder, her hands now lazily tracing patterns on Seulgi’s back. “Not yet.”

“Not yet?”

Jaeyi shook her head, the little puppy ears flopping with the movement. “Five more minutes.”

Seulgi bit her lip so hard she thought she might draw blood. Her hand came up, almost instinctively, to brush a stray strand of hair away from Jaeyi’s face. “Five minutes?” she echoed, voice soft.

Jaeyi hummed in agreement, her eyes already closing again. “Maybe ten.”

Seulgi grinned despite herself, her hands running up and down Jaeyi’s back in slow, soothing strokes. “What happened to ‘I’m hungry’?”

Jaeyi just mumbled something incomprehensible, snuggling closer. Her nose brushed Seulgi’s neck, her breath warm and steady. Seulgi thought she might actually combust.

She almost broke. Almost. Her lips practically tingled with the urge to tilt Jaeyi’s head up and press a soft kiss to those sleepy, pouting lips. It would be so easy—so easy to give in and make her girlfriend smile.

But just as she leaned in, ready to throw the game away just to see Jaeyi beam at her, she stopped.

Her eyes flickered back to Jaeyi’s face, and she saw it—the complete and utter innocence there. No glimmer of mischief, no hidden agenda. Just her sleepy, clingy girlfriend in her stupidly cute onesie, too drowsy to even open her eyes fully.

Jaeyi wasn’t even playing the game. She was just…being Jaeyi. Soft, adorable, morning Jaeyi.

And that somehow made it even harder.

Seulgi exhaled, long and slow, her hands gently brushing through Jaeyi’s hair. “You’re gonna kill me,” she whispered, so soft it was almost to herself.

Jaeyi only snuggled closer, completely oblivious.

Ten minutes later…

Seulgi reached up, gently brushing a few stray strands of hair away from Jaeyi’s face. The little scrunch of her nose as Seulgi’s fingers accidentally grazed her cheek was almost too much to bear. How is she this cute?

Her stomach grumbled again, louder this time, and Seulgi grimaced. Right. Food.

Carefully— so carefully—she tried to extract herself from Jaeyi’s grasp. But it was like untangling herself from a very determined octopus. Jaeyi only clung tighter, mumbling something unintelligible and nuzzling further into Seulgi’s shoulder, her hands tightening their grip.

“Jaeyi…” Seulgi whispered, wiggling her hips to try and slide out of her grasp.

Jaeyi only groaned in protest, her arms cinching around Seulgi’s waist with surprising strength. “No…” she mumbled, voice thick with sleep. “Stay.”

Seulgi chuckled softly, her hands gently prying at Jaeyi’s arms. “I gotta get up, bubby. Breakfast?”

“Don’t care…” Jaeyi mumbled, pressing her face further into Seulgi’s neck. “Stay here…”

Oh no. Not the whiny voice. Seulgi’s heart practically melted, but she steeled herself, knowing that if she gave in now, neither of them would eat until noon. She took a deep breath, sliding her hands to Jaeyi’s wrists and gently loosening her grip.

Jaeyi whined, a soft, drawn-out sound that nearly broke Seulgi’s resolve. “Just five more minutes…”

Seulgi bit her lip, grinning. “That’s what you said ten minutes ago,” she murmured, finally managing to untangle Jaeyi’s legs from her own. “You gotta get up in a bit too anyways.”

Jaeyi made a noise of clear discontent, her arms going slack as Seulgi finally slipped out of bed. She flopped dramatically onto her stomach, face smushed into Seulgi’s pillow, and Seulgi laughed softly as she reached down to pull the blankets back over her.

“Too sleepy…” Jaeyi mumbled, burrowing into the pillow with a pout.

Seulgi reached down, brushing her fingers through Jaeyi’s tangled hair. “I’ll make you coffee,” she offered, voice gentle. “Just gimme a bit.”

Jaeyi only groaned in response, her hand coming up to grab at the edge of the blanket and pull it over her head. Seulgi shook her head fondly, leaning down to press a kiss to the crown of Jaeyi’s head before heading out to the kitchen.

The kitchen was filled with the soft hum of morning—a gentle stillness broken only by the quiet sizzle of eggs in the pan and the bubbling of the coffee machine. Sunlight trickled through the blinds, painting slanted stripes across the countertops, and Seulgi stood at the stove, spatula in hand, humming to herself as she flipped the eggs with practiced ease.

She was plating the eggs when she heard it—a soft shuffling sound, followed by the almost inaudible creak of the floorboards. Seulgi glanced over her shoulder, a grin spreading across her face before she even saw her.

Jaeyi stood in the doorway, her hair sticking up in ridiculous angles, her puppy onesie slightly unzipped to reveal the edge of her tank top beneath. She was rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, her face crumpled in a sleepy pout as she blinked blearily into the kitchen.

The sight was enough to knock the breath right out of Seulgi’s lungs.

“Mornin’,” Seulgi called softly, voice light and warm.

Jaeyi squinted at her, her hand dropping from her eyes as she shuffled forward just a bit, lingering near the doorframe. Her gaze zeroed in on Seulgi like she was the only thing in the room. And then, without a word, Jaeyi extended her hands, palms up, fingers flexing.

Grabby hands.

Seulgi’s heart squeezed so tight she thought it might actually hurt. “Oh my God,” she breathed, abandoning the spatula on the counter without a second thought. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”

Jaeyi just blinked at her, hands still reaching, her eyes soft and expectant. “Princess…” she mumbled, her voice scratchy and just the slightest bit whiny.

Seulgi crossed the space between them in seconds, wrapping Jaeyi up in her arms and pulling her close. Jaeyi practically melted into her, arms slipping around Seulgi’s waist, face pressing against her shoulder. She let out a contented sigh, and Seulgi couldn’t help but squeeze her tighter.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Seulgi murmured, her hands smoothing over the back of Jaeyi’s onesie, rubbing slow, gentle circles.

Jaeyi only made a soft noise of agreement, her cheek squished against Seulgi’s shoulder, her eyes drifting closed again.

“You just wake up?” Seulgi asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Jaeyi nodded, her grip tightening. “Mm. Smelled breakfast…”

Seulgi chuckled, cradling Jaeyi’s face in her hands and gently pulling back just enough to look at her. Jaeyi’s eyes fluttered open, heavy-lidded and still glazed with sleep. Her cheeks were flushed from the warmth of bed, and she blinked up at Seulgi with the kind of trust that made Seulgi’s heart do backflips.

“You’re so cute,” Seulgi whispered, unable to stop herself. Jaeyi’s eyes fluttered open, still hazy and soft, and Seulgi’s heart did a little flip. She couldn’t help herself. She leaned down, pressing gentle kisses to her cheeks, then to her nose, then her forehead, one after the other.

Jaeyi giggled, her eyes scrunching up in delight, hands fisted in Seulgi’s shirt. “That tickles…” she murmured, her smile sleepy and soft.

Seulgi ignored her, too far gone to care. She kissed her other cheek, the soft spot just beneath her eye, and then trailed down to her jaw. Jaeyi squirmed, her hands coming up to clutch at Seulgi’s shirt as sleepy giggles spilled from her lips.

“Stop—!” Jaeyi gasped between laughs, though she made no effort to actually pull away.

“Never.” Seulgi kissed her again, right in the middle of her forehead, then pulled back just far enough to grin down at her. “You’re just too cute.”

Jaeyi’s cheeks were pink now, the tips of her ears flushed as she ducked her head. “You’re so annoying.”

Seulgi grinned wider, brushing her thumbs over Jaeyi’s cheeks. “You love it.”

Jaeyi raised her head just enough to meet Seulgi’s gaze, her eyes sparkling with something soft and warm. “Yeah, I do.”

The words hung between them, weightless and perfect, and Seulgi’s heart did that ridiculous flip-flop thing again. She bit her bottom lip, her hands still cradling Jaeyi’s face, her thumbs brushing lightly over her skin.

A beat of silence passed.

And then Seulgi, voice barely above a whisper, asked, “You’re really not gonna give in, huh?”

Jaeyi, looking far too smug for someone in a puppy onesie, just laughed and pulled Seulgi into another hug, her arms locking around her waist. “Nope.”

Seulgi groaned dramatically, squeezing her tight. “Ughhh… why are you like this?”

Jaeyi giggled, pressing her face back into Seulgi’s shoulder. “You’re the stubborn one…”

“Yeah, and I’m starting to regret it.”

Jaeyi just snickered, nuzzling closer. “Too late for regrets now.”

Seulgi sighed, patting her back gently. “I can hold out some more…”

“let’s see.” Jaeyi’s voice was muffled but playful.

They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped up in each other in the quiet of the kitchen, the smell of breakfast still lingering in the air. And despite her complaints, despite her playful grumbling, Seulgi couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be.

Breakfast had been a cozy affair, filled with sleepy smiles and warm coffee mugs held between hands that found each other under the table. Seulgi had watched Jaeyi eat with that messy sort of elegance she always had, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes while taking careful bites of toast and eggs.

It had been perfect—until it wasn’t.

Jaeyi had checked the clock and let out a gasp that nearly made Seulgi drop her fork. “I’m gonna be late!” she squeaked, already scrambling up from the table.

Seulgi blinked, watching as Jaeyi flitted around the apartment in a whirlwind—grabbing her bag, shoving books inside, practically tripping over her own feet as she hopped around trying to get her shoes on. Her hair was still slightly damp from the shower, and she fumbled with her hair tie, swearing under her breath as it snapped and she had to hunt for another one.

Seulgi stood from the table, chuckling. “You need help?”

“No time!” Jaeyi shouted back, half muffled as she tugged her hoodie over her head. Her voice was muffled as she added, “I have a group presentation first thing, and I still need to pick up the materials from the library!”

Seulgi leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a grin tugging at her lips. “You sure? I can drop you off. I don’t have class for another—”

“Can’t, I’m running late!” Jaeyi was already halfway out the door, hopping as she slid on her sneakers. She flung her bag over her shoulder, turned around to wave, and with a quick, “See you later, Princess!” she disappeared down the hall.

Seulgi stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where Jaeyi had been just seconds ago. Her hand was still frozen in a half-wave. She blinked.

“…Wait.” Her voice sounded too loud in the now-silent apartment. She looked around, like maybe Jaeyi would pop back in any second, realize her grievous mistake, and dash back for a quick peck on the cheek.

But the silence stretched on.

“No goodbye kiss…?” Seulgi mumbled to herself, her arms dropping to her sides.

Nothing.

The realization crashed over her like a tidal wave. No forehead kiss. No cheek kiss. Not even a quick little peck on the nose. Jaeyi was just…gone.

Seulgi slumped back against the wall, groaning dramatically. “This is it,” she muttered, sliding down until she hit the floor. “This is how I die.”

By the time she arrived on campus, Seulgi was practically dragging her feet, her backpack slung over one shoulder with zero enthusiasm. Her face was fixed in a permanent pout, brows knitted together like she’d just been told her favorite ramen shop was permanently closed.

She spotted Yeri and Kyung near the main entrance, Kyung sitting on the steps with her laptop propped up on her knees, and Yeri leaning against the railing, scrolling through her phone. The moment they saw her, Yeri’s brows shot up.

“Holy crap, who stole your soul?” Yeri asked, pushing off the railing and striding over.

Kyung barely looked up, her fingers clacking away at her keyboard. “Rough morning?” she asked dryly.

Seulgi slumped onto the steps beside them, dropping her bag like it physically pained her to carry it. “You don’t understand,” she grumbled, burying her face in her hands.

Yeri raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “I mean, clearly.” She nudged Seulgi’s foot with her own. “Spill it. Did Jaeyi finally realize you’re too much to handle?”

Seulgi shot her a glare from between her fingers. “No.” She paused, and her eyes went impossibly wider. “I mean, I don’t think so.”

Yeri snorted. “Okay, drama queen, what happened?”

Seulgi dragged her hands down her face, exhaling loudly. “She didn’t kiss me goodbye this morning.”

That earned her a blank stare from Yeri and a slow blink from Kyung. “…That’s it?” Kyung asked, fingers still tapping away.

“ That’s it? ” Seulgi repeated, eyes wild. “Do you understand what that means? She left! Without a kiss!”

Yeri’s lips twitched, and she had to bite down hard to keep from laughing. “Oh no,” she deadpanned. “The horror.”

Seulgi groaned again, flopping back on the steps with a dramatic huff. “I can survive without kisses. I can! But… but she usually at least gives me a forehead kiss! Or a cheek kiss! Or—something!” Her hands flew up as if trying to conjure the kisses out of thin air. “I’ve been living on scraps for three days, and now I’m getting nothing?”

Kyung finally looked up from her laptop, her glasses sliding down her nose. “Are you actually complaining about your girlfriend not kissing you for a single morning?”

Seulgi rolled her head back to glare at her. “You don’t get it. She’s running me dry. I’m withering away.” She grabbed Yeri’s wrist, eyes wide and desperate. “I’m withering away , Yeri-ah!”

Yeri yanked her hand back with a laugh. “Oh my god, you’re ridiculous. You do realize this is your fault, right?”

“No!” Seulgi shot up, pointing at herself. “It’s her fault for not giving in first!”

Kyung smirked, eyes back on her screen. “Didn’t you say you were fine with no kisses for as long as it took?”

“That was before I was forced to face Jaeyi’s adorableness every single morning with no compensation,” Seulgi replied, collapsing back dramatically. “I’m suffering.”

Yeri clapped her on the shoulder, nearly making Seulgi faceplant off the steps. “Stay strong, soldier.”

Seulgi groaned, louder this time, covering her face with her hands. “I don’t know if I’m gonna make it…”

Yeri just laughed, sliding down to sit beside her. “You know she’s gonna win, right? She always wins.”

Seulgi peeked through her fingers, eyes blazing. “Over my dead body.”

Yeri just snorted. “At this rate? That’s exactly what’s gonna happen.”

Seulgi didn’t even have the energy to argue back.

The rest of Seulgi’s day was a melodramatic descent into despair.

It started in her first lecture, where she slumped into her chair and glared at her notebook like it had personally offended her. Her professor’s voice droned on in the background, but all Seulgi could focus on was the lingering emptiness on her cheek. The place where Jaeyi’s goodbye kiss was supposed to be. She rubbed at it absently, frowning.

Yeri, sitting in her class because she’s bored, is seated a row behind her, leaned forward and whispered, “Hey, drama queen. You wanna borrow some Strawberry Chapstick? Maybe you can pretend it’s Jaeyi.”

Seulgi turned around so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash. “You’re not funny,” she hissed, though the glumness in her eyes kind of took the bite out of it.

Yeri only grinned, propping her chin up on her hand. “You’re right. I’m hilarious.”

Seulgi just groaned and dropped her head onto her desk with a thud.

⸻

Lunch wasn’t any better.

Kyung and Yeri sat across from her at the cafeteria table, picking at their food while Seulgi just poked her salad with her fork, brows knitted together in what looked like genuine mourning.

“Okay, I can’t take this anymore,” Yeri finally burst out, slamming her chopsticks down. “You look like someone ran over your dog.”

Seulgi’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “Why would you say that?!”

“It’s just an expression!” Yeri rolled her eyes. “But seriously, you’re moping so hard I’m getting secondhand sadness. Just kiss her already.”

Seulgi’s grip tightened on her fork. “I can’t. If I kiss her first, I lose.”

Kyung, ever the realist, adjusted her glasses and chimed in, “You do realize you’re both losing right now, right? Knowing Jaeyi, you’re probably both miserable, and for what?”

Seulgi paused, frowning. “I’m not miserable.”

Kyung arched an eyebrow. “You just put salt on your salad twice.”

Seulgi glanced down, blinking at her plate. Indeed, the leafy greens were nearly white with grains of salt. “I—” she began, before sighing deeply and shoving it away. “Fine. Maybe I’m a little miserable.”

Yeri patted her on the back. “Just give up. You know she’s not going to.”

Seulgi grumbled under her breath, stabbing at a stray tomato. “I know…”

⸻

Her afternoon classes crawled by with the urgency of drying paint. She tried to focus, she really did, but her mind kept drifting back to Jaeyi. Her smile. Her sleepy voice. The way she clung to her every morning. God, she’s so cute…

Seulgi barely heard the professor’s wrap-up before she was already out the door, trudging down the hallway with her hands shoved deep in her pockets. Her mind whirred with thoughts, loud and insistent.

This is stupid. It’s just a kiss. Why am I dragging this out?

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see Jaeyi’s name lighting up her screen.

Jaeyi 💙: Hope your day’s going well princess! I’m grabbing groceries before I head home. Want anything?

Seulgi stopped in her tracks, the hallway bustling around her. She stared at the message, thumb hovering over the screen. She could almost hear Jaeyi’s voice in the text—soft, warm, thoughtful.

She bit her lip, thumbs flying across the keyboard.

Seulgi 🐻: Just you.

There was a pause before Jaeyi responded.

Jaeyi 💙: Sappy much? 😏

Seulgi could practically see her smirk, the way she’d tilt her head and look all proud of herself. It made her heart clench painfully.

Her phone buzzed again.

Jaeyi 💙: But you already have me. 💕

Seulgi stared at the screen for a long moment, heart thumping loudly in her chest. You already have me.

That was it. The straw that broke her stubborn streak. She squared her shoulders, clutching her phone tightly.

“Alright, screw it,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m giving in.”

Yeri and Kyung, who were trailing behind her, exchanged glances.

“Did she just—?” Kyung began.