YES IT'S A TIME SKIP! Also, I feel like I do so many more Hyunjin povs than Jiyoung lol

The air hung heavy with oppressive humidity, clinging to my skin like a damp shroud. Every step outside felt like wading through a thick, invisible fog, and by the time I reached the convenience store, beads of sweat trickled down my face, soaking into my clothes as if I'd walked through a summer downpour. It had been two months since she became my girlfriend, and I felt like I should do something, but at the same time, I was not sure. I'm not sure what to do. 

"Hyunjin!" she exclaimed, snuggling closer to me on the couch. My heart melted at her sweetness—she was such a cutie. 

"Hm? Yeah, jagiya?" I replied, wrapping my arms around her petite figure. 

"Can't I want to be next to you?" she smiled, hugging me.

"Of course, you can," I murmured, resting my chin on the top of her head, inhaling the faint scent of her shampoo. "You don't even need to ask, jagiya."

Her arms tightened around me as she nestled closer, her warmth seeping into me like a comforting blanket. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm dreaming, you know?" she said softly, her voice muffled against my chest.

"Dreaming? Why?" I tilted my head slightly to look down at her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"Because everything feels... too good to be true," she admitted, her gaze flicking up to meet mine. Her eyes held a mix of vulnerability and happiness that made my chest tighten. "Being here with you like this, safe and happy... it's more than I ever thought I'd have."

I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing against her cheek. "You're not dreaming, jagiya. This is real. I'm here, and you're here, and no one's taking this away from us."

She gave a soft, content sigh and leaned into my touch. "You always know the right thing to say, Hyunjin."

I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just because I know exactly how lucky I am to have you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she buried her face into my chest again, muttering something about me being "too smooth for my own good."

We sat there in a comfortable silence for a while, the world outside forgotten. It was moments like this that reminded me why I fought so hard to keep the chaos of my life from touching her. She was my safe place, my anchor.

"You know," she said suddenly, breaking the silence, "if this were a dream, I wouldn't mind staying asleep forever."

I smiled, my arms tightening around her. "Good thing it's not, huh? Because I don't plan on letting go anytime soon."

- - -

I decided that even though I might melt in the heat and become steam alongside the humidity to go on a walk by the river. I needed the quiet, the space to let my thoughts settle. Slipping in an earbud, I selected a playlist of gentle ballads and soft melodies, the kind that matched the stillness of the water.

The world around me blurred into a tranquil rhythm as I strolled. The sunlight shimmered off the river's surface, and the soft rustle of leaves mixed with the distant hum of the city. My camera hung loosely in my hand, a comforting weight, ready to capture the fleeting beauty around me. The music wrapped around me like a gentle breeze, and soon, I was lost in the moment—just me, the scenery, and the quiet embrace of my thoughts. I walked, walked some more, and was about to start heading back when I bumped into someone. 

"Oh, sorry," I smiled, pulling my hood up, and continued to head back. 

"Wait a second," she exclaimed, "You're Hyunjin!" I'd heard her voice before. It's very...familiar.

"Oh, you must be mistaken. I'm not Hyunjin. A lot of people say I look like him, but I really am not," I said and started to quicken my pace. This is normal.

"Ok, then what if I told you I'm Izumi?" she asked. 

"Oh... then I am Hyunjin," I laughed and pulled my hood down. 

"What's up? I haven't seen you in a while," she smiled, staring at me in a very interesting way. It was a little uncomfortable.

"Not much," I remarked, shifting uncomfortably. Why is she making me so uncomfortable?

"Are you ok? You look uncomfortable," she said, removing my earbud. Ew. 

"Izumi, I really need to head back to my apartment," I said, turning on my heel to leave. But before I could take a step, her hand caught mine, firm yet gentle, pulling me back.

"What?" I asked, glancing at her over my shoulder.

"You're really handsome," she murmured, her gaze unwavering as she laced her fingers with mine.

Her words hung in the air, cloying and unwelcome. I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. "Ew, you're such a weirdo! You do know I'm in a relationship, right? Dummy."

I sighed, exasperated, and reached out instinctively to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. It was a simple gesture, but her innocent facade only made it more frustrating. Such a pure-looking exterior, yet inside, she was the worst of the worst.

Grabbing her oversized sunglasses, I slid them off her face and spun them between my fingers with deliberate ease. Her eyes widened, but before she could protest, I tossed them onto the ground, the lenses shattering against the pavement with a satisfying crack.

I didn't wait for her reaction. I turned and walked away, each step brisk and purposeful, my chest tightening with anger.

"H-h-Hyunjin! How dare you!!" her voice rang out behind me, shrill and furious.

I didn't care. I didn't care about her feelings or her desperate attempts to catch my attention. She wanted me, but my heart was already spoken for—Jiyoung, the girl of my dreams. No one, especially not someone like Izumi, could ever come between us.

I shoved an earbud back into my ear, needing to drown out her voice. My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone and dialed Jiyoung's number.

"Jiji," I whispered as soon as she picked up, my voice unsteady. "I... I'm freaked out."

Her comforting tone washed over me, grounding me as I stepped further away from the chaos Izumi tried to create.

"Hello? Hyunjin? Are you alright?" she asked after picking up the call on the second ring.

"N-n-no," I replied, my voice unsteady. 

"What happened?" she asked, with a still calm tone, tinted with worry. 

"Izumi... she... made me uncomfortable....and then said she liked me," I stated as I started to run.

"Hyunjin, come back to the dorm as soon as possible. I'll...try and see what's gotten into her. Remember, she's a murderer. She's capable of anything. She could still be tracking you, so come home now," Jiji instructed, and I started to run. Running like my life depended on it. No one would be able to keep up with me. Sweat was rolling down my neck, rolling down my chest, rolling down everywhere. But I didn't care. I needed to get home. NOW. 

- - -

"Oh my god, you're ok," Jiyoung whispered as I came home. She embraced me, holding me tightly. 

"T-thank you," I smiled as I held her tightly, yet I couldn't get rid of the feeling that someone was watching. Someone.

"Oh my...Hyunjin!" Lee Know exclaimed as he came rushing over. "We were all so worried about you."

"Hyunjin! YOU'RE ALIVE! OMG, A MURDERER DIDN'T KILL YOU!" Hannie shouted, bouncing up and down with excitement.

But I couldn't focus on him. I barely registered his acknowledgment. My eyes were on Jiyoung.

She stood there with a faint smile on her lips, but it wasn't happiness—it was forced, brittle, and laced with pain. Her eyes betrayed her, filled with heartbreak, failure, and an aching sadness that seemed to swallow her whole. I thought about it, and I realized that I feel the same way. But her pain—her sadness—it's more than mine.

Her smile, as small as it was, hurt to look at. It was a mask, barely holding together the storm inside her. And behind it, there was nothing but hopelessness.

I wanted to reach out, to tell her it would be okay—but how could I when the pain in her smile said more than any words ever could?

"Guysss! Why did everyone just get so quiet?" Han murmured, looking around in confusion.

"BECAUSE DON'T YOU SEE THE OBVIOUS?" Minho shouted, throwing a light punch at Han's cheek.

Han flinched dramatically, like he'd just been hit by a truck. "WHY?" he yelled back, retaliating with a punch to Minho's stomach—though it looked more like a tap.

I sighed. This wasn't going to end well.

"BECAUSE JIYOUNG IS SENSITIVE TO THIS!" Minho barked, throwing his hands in the air and storming off like an overdramatic villain.

Han blinked, frozen in place for a moment. "Wait... sensitive to what?" he muttered to himself before looking at me for help.

"Uh, it's ok, Han..." Jiyoung whispered so softly I had to lean in just to catch it.

Han's face lit up like he'd just solved a riddle. "Ohhh, right, of course!" Then, after a pause, he leaned closer to me and whispered loudly, "Wait... what's she sensitive about again?"

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. At least Han's cluelessness was consistent.

"I'm sorry!! I was kidding, alright? I know that it's about Izumi... and I feel bad," he replied, shuffling over to hug his bestie. For now, everyone was slightly more content. I've lost my breath from today, and now I feel just a little more secure in my member's embrace and Jiyoung's love.

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If Jiyoung and Hyunjin were an actual couple,  I would've voted for them as best couple of the year!!!! Anyways... ITS ALMOST WINTER BREAK AND I'M SO FREAKING HAPPY!!!! I NEED IT RN!!! Hru guys? Happy Holidaysss! ✨