The moonlight shimmered softly on the quiet street as Ni-Ki and I strolled back, our earlier adventure still making me giddy. The evening had been a whirlwind of laughter and light-hearted teasing. And as we walked, the thrill of the night seemed to swirl around us like a captivating dance.

In an impulsive burst of energy, Ni-Ki darted ahead, his laughter carrying on the breeze. I couldn't help but chase after him, my heart racing not just from the exercise, but from the exhilaration of being so close to him. He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Suddenly, I felt a jarring collision and stumbled into a heavy, unsteady figure. My heart dropped as I realized I had bumped into a man who was visibly drunk.

"Oh— I am sorry—" I stammered, trying to regain my balance.

"Yah?! Are you out of your mind?!" he roared, his voice slurred and angry.

"I-I am sorry," I apologized, my voice trembling slightly.

"Can't you see, huh?!" he continued, his anger flaring.

"Listen, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to—" I tried to explain, but his glare was unwavering.

Just then, Ni-Ki appeared at my side, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "What happened?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

The man pointed a finger at us. "Are you with her?"

Ni-Ki's gaze was firm. "Yes. Why?"

The man's eyes narrowed. "What are you two doing out here so late anyway?"

Ni-Ki replied coolly, "That's none of your business."

The man's face reddened. "Don't you know how to behave with elders?! Are these your manners? Just wait. I'm calling the police."

My eyes widened in shock. "What—"

"It's okay. Don't worry," Ni-Ki said reassuringly, though I could see the tension in his eyes.

Ni-Ki turned to the man. "You're calling the police, right?"

The man nodded. "Yes."

"And you're going to file a complaint against us?" Ni-Ki continued, his grip on my hand tightening.

The man nodded again. "Yes. And you both will be sent to jail."

Ni-Ki's eyes twinkled with a sudden, daring idea. "Hmm. But what if they don't find us?"

Before the man could respond, Ni-Ki grabbed my hand and we sprinted away, our laughter mingling with the thrill of the chase. The drunk man, enraged, stumbled after us, but his unsteady steps couldn't keep up with our flight.

We ran through the streets, weaving between shadows and streetlights. I couldn't help but laugh breathlessly as we dashed through the night, the adrenaline and Ni-Ki's presence making everything feel exhilaratingly alive.

Abruptly, Ni-Ki pulled me into a narrow alley. We halted, panting, as we listened to the fading sounds of our pursuer's footsteps. I leaned against the wall, still giggling, as Ni-Ki's gaze met mine.

"It was fun, wasn't it?" he said, his voice low and playful.

I nodded, my heart fluttering from the excitement. I accidentally brushed against something, causing a few objects to clatter to the ground. Startled, I moved closer to Ni-Ki, our faces just inches apart.

The proximity was electrifying. Ni-Ki's eyes softened as he carefully tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered on my cheek, his touch gentle and warm.

"Aecha..." he murmured, his voice filled with admiration.

"Hmm?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You are beautiful. Both from the outside and inside," he said, his gaze locking onto mine.

A shy smile curled my lips. "Thanks."

Ni-Ki's face moved closer to mine, his eyes intent on mine. My heartbeat quickened, and I found myself gripping his shirt, my breath coming in short, uneven bursts. We were on the brink of a kiss, our breaths mingling, when suddenly—

My phone rang, shattering the magical moment. I groaned inwardly, my heart sinking as I pulled away.

Ni-Ki's expression was a mix of disappointment and curiosity. I checked the caller ID and saw it was Taehee. With a sigh, I answered the call.

"Hello?" I said, my voice tinged with frustration.

"Ayah, where are you?" Taehee's voice was both concerned and exasperated.

"Outside," I replied.

"This late?! For what? Are you alone?" Taehee's tone was sharp with worry.

"No. Ni-Ki is with me," I said, trying to sound more upbeat.

"Oh, okay then. Well, you both should come back," Taehee advised.

"Hm," I replied, feeling the magic of the evening slip away.

Taehee's voice softened. "Why do you sound so upset?"

"You'll know once I reach the room. Just get ready," I said, a hint of annoyance in my tone.

Taehee's worry was palpable. "You're scaring me."

I hung up the call, my mood deflated. "We should go back now," I said to Ni-Ki, trying to mask my disappointment.

Ni-Ki nodded, his expression thoughtful. We walked back in silence, the enchanting night now feeling bittersweet.

The world felt like it was spinning faster than usual as I stomped up the stairs to my room. My heart was still racing from the moment I had just narrowly missed. I was fuming, my face flushed with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, mostly centered around the almost-kiss that had slipped through my fingers. How could Taehee have called at the exact moment when everything was perfectly aligned for something wonderful?

As I burst into my room, my gaze fell on her—the one who had inadvertently wrecked my evening. Taehee, with her hair spread across the pillow and her breath coming in gentle, rhythmic puffs. The sight of her, so serene and oblivious to the chaos she had caused, only fueled my irritation.

I grabbed my pillow with the intention of venting out my anger. With a dramatic flair, I began hitting her softly. My frustration had turned into a somewhat silly display of aggression, but in my heart, it felt like the only way to express how annoyed I was.

Taehee's eyes fluttered open, and she groaned. "Yah!!! What's wrong?!?!"

Her voice was a mix of confusion and sleepiness, and it only made me more exasperated. I was still holding the pillow, its softness contrasting with the storm of emotions inside me. "WHY DID YOU CALL ME?!?!?!"

Taehee blinked groggily, her expression shifting from sleepy to concerned. "BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU."

I let out a dramatic sigh, unable to hide the disappointment that clouded my voice. "WE WERE ABOUT TO FUCKING KISS."

The words hung in the air, and a sudden silence enveloped the room. I could see the shock on Taehee's face, and it mirrored my own. I had never cursed like that before, especially not in front of her. It was as if the intensity of the moment had ripped down my usual filters.

Taehee's eyes widened. "You guys kissed!?!?!"

Her reaction was almost comical, and it made me want to laugh despite the frustration bubbling within me. I shook my head, trying to calm myself down. "We would have. If you didn't call."

I felt a pang of disappointment wash over me, my heart sinking. The perfect moment had been shattered, and all because of a phone call. I sank onto the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of missed opportunity settle on my shoulders.

Taehee's expression softened, and she gave me a knowing look. "Why are you disappointed? Just ask him out and kiss him all you want."

Her words were like a splash of cold water to my face. I knew she was right, but it wasn't that simple. I glanced at her, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. "Oh, c'mon."

Taehee tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "What?!"

"I am sleepy," I said, lying down beside her and covering my face with a dramatic flourish. I hoped that my feigned exhaustion would convince her to drop the topic.

Taehee chuckled softly, the sound like a gentle caress against my frazzled nerves. "Will you ever listen to me?"

I peeked out from beneath the pillow, my eyes meeting hers. With a playful smile, I shook my head. "No."

The next day, I was brimming with relief. Thankfully, things weren't awkward between Ni-Ki and me. The air between us felt light and comfortable, as if our little hiccup the previous night was nothing more than a blip on the radar of our friendship. I basked in the warmth of our renewed camaraderie, savoring the easy conversations and shared laughter that came so naturally to us.

Later in the evening, it was time for my birthday party. The atmosphere was electric with excitement. The room was filled with friends, laughter, and the kind of joy that only birthdays can bring. I felt like I was floating on a cloud of happiness, surrounded by people who made me feel truly special.

After the party wound down and guests began to leave, my heart still danced with the echoes of celebration. As the night grew quieter, I found myself walking with Ni-Ki towards our rooms. I couldn't help but steal glances at him, feeling a flutter in my chest every time our eyes met. There was something undeniably magical about the way he looked at me, something that made my heart race.

Just as we were about to part ways for the night, Ni-Ki called out to me. "Aecha," he said, his voice a soft, irresistible murmur that made my heart skip a beat.

I turned to him, a smile playing on my lips. "Yes?"

"Well," Ni-Ki began, scratching the back of his neck in a way that made him look adorably awkward, "I didn't give you a gift, right?"

I waved a hand dismissively, though my cheeks were warm. "Oh, there is no need. You already took me out last night. That's more than enough."

"Yeah, but I wanted to give you something more special," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Like what?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

He smiled a little, and before I could fully process what was happening, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. My eyes widened in surprise, and my heart felt like it had been caught in a whirlwind. I was stunned into silence, my mind struggling to grasp the tender, unexpected gesture.

Ni-Ki seemed to notice my stunned silence. He looked around, avoiding my gaze, and mumbled, "Umm... Happy Birthday!"

The sheer sweetness of his gesture made my heart melt. He wrapped me in a small, comforting hug before giving me a shy, "Good night!" and, with a playful bounce in his step, he ran away.

I stood there, a bemused smile stretching across my face, my cheeks still tingling from his kiss. A soft laugh bubbled out of me, filled with pure, joyful disbelief. I turned on my heel and made my way to my room, my heart dancing with the lightness of his affection.

In the days that followed, something subtly beautiful shifted between us. Ni-Ki and I began to act more like something other than friends. Our interactions were imbued with a new layer of intimacy, the kind that made my heart flutter every time he was near. It was as if we both acknowledged, without needing to say it aloud, that our feelings for each other had grown beyond mere friendship.

As I lay in bed, replaying the events of the past few days, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and possibility. It was clear to both of us now—we liked each other. And that realization made my heart soar with hope and anticipation for what the future might hold for us.

The Christmas season had wrapped its frosty fingers around us, bringing a flurry of lights, laughter, and holiday cheer. The party was in full swing, and as Ni-Ki and I made our way through the twinkling decorations with a tray of sweets and dishes, everything seemed perfect. But then Minseo's voice sliced through the festive hum.

"WAIT! STOP!"

We froze in our tracks, our arms laden with holiday goodies. The surprised looks on our faces were mirrored by the expectant gaze of Minseo, who was pointing dramatically above the door. My heart fluttered with curiosity.

"What happened?" Taehee asked, her eyes widening.

Minseo's excitement was barely contained. "Look!"

I followed her pointed finger and my gaze landed on a sprig of mistletoe hanging innocently above the doorway. My breath caught in my throat. Ni-Ki and I exchanged wide-eyed glances, a rush of emotions flooding over us.

"That's a mistletoe, right?" Hyunjae's voice broke the spell, his tone half questioning, half incredulous. The nods from Taehee and Minseo confirmed it, sending a ripple of excitement through the group.

Minho, ever the skeptic, crossed his arms with a smirk. "So? What's so exciting?"

Minseo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Are you stupid? Don't you know?"

Hyunjae furrowed his brow. "Know what?"

Taehee stepped in with a grin. "Whoever is under the mistletoe must kiss."

The reaction was instant and unified. "WHAT?!?!"

The guys looked at us in a mix of confusion and disbelief, quickly taking the plates from our hands as if they might explode if left alone.

"What are you waiting for? Kiss!" Hyunjae insisted, shoving us gently.

Ni-Ki was about to make a break for it when Minseo, with an air of finality, stopped him. "You can't refuse. It brings bad luck."

I could see the stubborn set of Ni-Ki's jaw as he turned to me. "So..."

My heart raced. I looked back at him, trying to ignore the way my cheeks were warming up. "Well, I am not really in the mood to face bad luck," I said, attempting to sound nonchalant.

"So..." Ni-Ki repeated, his eyes filled with a mix of uncertainty and something else—perhaps a hint of hope?

"So?" I prompted, raising an eyebrow. It was as if he needed a nudge to take the leap.

Ni-Ki sighed, clearly feeling the weight of the situation. "So..."

With a small, resigned smile, I leaned in and pecked his lips. The kiss was brief, but it left a jolt of electricity that seemed to linger. Ni-Ki's eyes widened in surprise, and I could see the flush of color spreading across his cheeks.

"So," I said, with a playful air of finality. I started to turn away, eager to escape the intensity of the moment, but Ni-Ki's hand caught mine gently.

He pulled me back, his eyes locked onto mine with a burning intensity. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed me. This time, the kiss was longer, deeper, and filled with a tender warmth that left me breathless. I kissed him back, every flutter of my heart a testament to the emotions swirling between us.

When we finally broke apart, our smiles were shy but sincere. I could feel the warmth of his laughter tickling my ears as I turned to leave, my cheeks blazing with a mix of embarrassment and elation. As I walked away, I could hear his soft chuckle, a sound that echoed my own fluttering heart.

It was a Christmas moment neither of us would forget, wrapped in the magic of mistletoe and the sweet surprise of our first kiss.