Seojin slipped the small box into his pocket and headed back down.
Seolhyo was still on the couch, exactly where he'd left her.
When he sat across from her, guitar settling naturally in his hands, he didn't say anything he just started to sing.
His voice was low and steady, filling the room without trying too hard.
Seolhyo watched him the whole time, eyes soft, unconsciously humming along.
The minutes drifted by quietly.
When the song ended, Seojin set the guitar aside.
"I know this might be a little boring, but…" He scratched the back of his neck, then looked at her honestly.
"I just wanted to be with you. Just us. To celebrate like this."
Seolhyo shook her head. "What are you talking about? It's not boring at all. It's fun."
Seojin smiled, then reached into his pocket.
He took out the elegant box and opened it in front of her.
"Happy birthday, Rim."
She stared at it blankly for a second then her face lit up.
She took the box with both hands, eyes shining.
"A present? You didn't have to get me anything!!"
He chuckled. "Your smile says otherwise."
"…Can you put it on me?" she asked, nodding eagerly.
Seojin carefully lifted the bracelet and fastened it around her wrist.
When he was done, Seolhyo raised her arm, turning it slightly as the light caught the diamonds.
"…Wow," she whispered. "It's so beautiful."
"You like it?" he asked.
"Like it?" She looked up at him, eyes full."…I totally love it."
His smile widened, completely satisfied.
Then she noticed the way the stones sparkled too and reflected the light.
Her expression shifted. "W-wait… is this real?"
"Yeah," Seojin said, tilting his head. "Why?"
"…How much is it?"
He thought for a moment. "I didn't really pay attention. I don't care. Why?"
"Do you have the receipt?"
"It's upstairs, in my room," he answered, confused. "Why are you so curious?"
Before he could react, Seolhyo stood up and grabbed his wrist, dragging him toward the stairs. "You big dummy. Show me the receipt."
Seojin let himself be pulled along.
On the second floor, he glanced around at the doors.
"That one," he said, pointing. "The master bedroom."
She pushed it open. "Show me."
Seojin scratched his head, walked over to the bag, and handed her the receipt.
Her eyes scanned it.
"…8… 8.5 million won?!"
She turned slowly to look at him.
Seojin, meanwhile, looked completely unbothered.
Seolhyo let out a long sigh and dropped onto the bed, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Then her gaze drifted back to the bracelet on her wrist, glittering softly.
"…How could you spend that much on just a bracelet?"
"It wasn't that much," Seojin said, sitting beside her.
In her mind, a thought slipped out bitterly.
that's four months of my mom's salary.
Before she could say anything else, Seojin gently pulled her down, and they both fell back onto the bed.
He turned toward her, arms wrapping around her waist, burying his face against her neck.
Seolhyo sighed again this time softer and ran her fingers through his hair, patting his head.
"…Thank you," she murmured. "I really love your gift."
Seolhyo gently patted his head and spoke softly, almost reluctantly.
"…I should go home. Night study already ended my brother might start getting suspicious."
Seojin opened his eyes, then nudged his nose and lips against the side of her neck, inhaling her scent.
Seolhyo twitched, face instantly heating up. "S-stop. I really need to go home."
He paused, then lifted his head, meeting her eyes.
She didn't look away.
For a brief second, neither of them moved.
Then Seojin leaned in again but this time to her lips.
Seolhyo's cheeks burned red, yet she didn't pull back.
She stayed there, still and warm, until after a few quiet seconds Seojin finally drew away, smiling faintly.
"Let's go," he said, standing up. "I'll take you home."
She nodded, getting up as well.
She fixed her hair and clothes in front of the mirror, trying to calm her racing heart, then followed him downstairs.
Seolhyo picked up her bag and stepped outside with him.
A car was already waiting at the curb.
Seojin opened the passenger door for her. "I called it an hour ago. No need to take the bus I'll see you off."
Seolhyo smiled, touched by the thought, and got in.
Seojin followed after her, closing the door as the car quietly pulled away into the night.
-
Weekend, Suwon Station
The plaza in front of Suwon Station buzzed with life.
People streamed past carrying shopping bags, couples strolled side by side on lazy dates, and groups of teenagers loitered near the arcade entrance, laughing too loudly for no reason at all.
Inside Cannoa, the boys were already seated, waiting for the girls to arrive.
Ice cream bowl and ice cold drinks cluttered the table.
Park Dong took a long sip from his drink, then glanced sideways at Seojin.
"So," he drawled, "where'd you go yesterday? I heard from Irina that you two skipped night study."
Seojin calmly sipped his iced tea.
"Why would I tell you?"
Park Dong immediately flipped him off.
"Jackass."
Seojin checked the time on his watch, then stood.
"I'm gonna hit the bathroom real quick."
Suwon pushed his chair back at the same time.
"Same. Gotta pee."
The moment they were gone, Park Dong snorted and laughed. "Dude checks the mirror every five minutes. Look at him. HAHAHA"
"Trying real hard to look good," Jisung added, laughing.
Seojin paused mid-step and glanced back. "I don't need to try. I already look good," he said flatly. "You're the one who should worry unless you plan on being single forever."
Jisung blinked."…It was just a joke. Why'd you have to attack me like that?"
Park Dong ignored them, digging into his ice cream instead. "When are the others getting here? A bunch of dudes hanging out in Cannoa feels kinda gross."
Jisung leaned back in his chair, holding up his flip phone. "They're almost here. Just got off the bus."
Park Dong suddenly straightened up."…Let me check the mirror too."
Jisung stared at him, deadpan. "You guys are ridiculous."
Inside the bathroom, Seojin and Park Dong stood in front of the mirror.
Seojin leaned closer to his reflection, carefully brushing his bangs aside.
A grin tugged at his lips as he murmured,
"Mirror, mirror on the wall… who's the most handsome of them all?"
[Img]
Behind him, Park Dong and Suwon stood frozen, dark lines practically etched across their foreheads.
They looked like they might strangle him on the spot.
"Cocky son of a bitch," Park Dong muttered.
Suwon just stared, speechless.
Seojin laughed quietly, clearly enjoying their suffering.
He straightened up and adjusted his sleeves with unnecessary care.
Park Dong watched Seojin's reflection for a moment, then clicked his tongue. "Hey. By the way… what about the bracelet? You already bought one for her?"
Still fixing his hair for what felt like the fifth time Seojin replied casually, "I already gave it to her."
Both of them snapped their heads toward him.
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"Oooh," Park Dong drawled. "So that's why you skipped night study. You went on a date or something."
Suwon narrowed his eyes. "How much did it cost? Or did you buy some cheap one?"
Seojin scoffed. "Cheap?"
He glanced at them through the mirror. "I'm not a peasant like you. And the cost doesn't really matter."
A faint smile crossed his face as Seolhyo's reaction replayed in his mind.
Park Dong groaned and flicked a bit of water at him.
"Ugh, rich bastard. It's not our fault we were born into average families, Your Highness."
Suwon crossed his arms, glaring. "Do you know I have to beg my parents or starve myself just to buy something I want?"
Seojin shrugged lazily. "I have no idea peasants."
Then, more seriously, he added, "The price doesn't matter. If she's happy, then it's worth it. Simple as that."
The two of them groaned in perfect unison.
"Damn it," Park Dong muttered, "he even sounds like a boyfriend straight out of a drama."
"God, I hate you," Suwon added flatly, shooting Seojin a glare.
He just smirked wider, tilting his head. "Then hate me more. It's fun watching you guys suffer."
They both looked ready to swing at him, which only made him laugh harder.