✧ kitty;

i pace the living room for the hundredth time, my stomach twisting itself into knots. i glance at my phone again, checking the time. two hours. two hours until min ho picks me up for our first real date, and i'm officially losing it.

"kitty, seriously, your anxiety is giving me anxiety" Q says from his spot on the couch, looking up from his phone with an amused smile.

"i can't help it!" i whine, collapsing dramatically onto the couch next to him. "what if this is awkward? what if we don't know what to talk about? what if—"

juliana walks in from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of popcorn. "what if you relax for, like, two seconds?"

"easy for you to say," i groan, burying my face in my hands. "i'm freaking out."

"why?" juliana asks, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth. "you literally hang out with him all the time."

"yeah, but this time it's different," i mutter, peeking through my fingers. "this is a date. like, a real, no-going-back, romantic date. with min ho."

Q snorts. "you've only been dreaming about it forever. shouldn't you be excited?"

"i am!" i protest. "but what if it goes wrong? or worse—what if he realizes he doesn't actually like me?"

juliana raises an eyebrow. "kitty, that boy literally chased you through the rain and confessed his love. you think one date is gonna make him change his mind?"

i sigh dramatically. "no. but still— i just... i'm nervous."

"so what's the plan?" Q asks, leaning forward eagerly. "romantic dinner? late-night walk? cheesy rom-com?"

i bite my lip. "i have no idea. he said it's a surprise."

juliana grins. "aw, he's pulling out all the stops."

i throw a pillow at her. "not helping."

she laughs, tossing the pillow back. "alright, drama queen. come on, we'll help you get ready."

Q jumps up, excited. "oh, i've been waiting for this moment. we're doing a full glam."

i groan but smile despite myself. "just don't make me look like a clown."

"trust us," juliana says, grabbing my hand and pulling me off the couch. "you're gonna look so good, min ho will finally admire someone other than himself."

i chuckle and follow them to my room, nerves still fluttering—but now, mixed with a spark of excitement.

—

i stare at myself in the mirror, checking my makeup for the fifth time. my heart's pounding, and my palms are embarrassingly sweaty. who knew one date could turn me into such a mess?

"kitty! your boyfriend's here!" juliana shouts from the living room, making my cheeks flush.

"he's not my boyfriend!" i yell back, even though a smile sneaks onto my lips.

Q laughs loudly. "yet!"

i roll my eyes, taking a deep breath before stepping out. min ho stands by the door, looking insanely handsome in his black jacket and jeans. he catches my eye, and his mouth opens slightly before curving into a warm smile.

"wow, covey," he says, voice soft. "you look... amazing."

my heart skips. "you don't look too bad yourself, matcha stealer"

he chuckles, shaking his head. "that's a relief. took me forever to pick this outfit."

juliana whistles loudly. "you two are adorable now shut up, it's gross."

"seriously," Q adds. "it's like watching a k-drama, but cringier."

min ho smirks. "jealous much?"

"absolutely," Q replies. "have her home by midnight."

min ho laughs, glancing at me. "no promises."

"okay, let's go," i say quickly, grabbing his arm. "before they embarrass us more."

we head out the door and min ho leads us to the station. on the tube, min ho slides into the seat next to me, close enough that our knees touch. he's quieter than usual, tapping his fingers nervously against his thigh.

"you okay?" i tease gently, bumping his shoulder.

he chuckles, giving me a sheepish smile. "never better. why?"

"because you look like you're about to pass out."

he laughs, relaxing slightly. "wow, that obvious?"

"only to me."

he smiles softly, then, slowly, reaches over to take my hand. our fingers intertwine perfectly, sending warmth through me.

"is this okay?" he asks quietly.

"more than okay," i reply, squeezing his hand. "so... you gonna tell me where we're going?"

"nope," he teases. "you'll find out soon."

"what if it's terrible?"

"then you get to hold it against me forever," he says, eyes sparkling.

"tempting."

he chuckles, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. the warmth of his palm against mine is enough to send my heart racing, but i try to keep it cool.

he glances at me, a smirk playing at his lips. "you're staring."

i scoff, rolling my eyes. "please. if anything, you're the one staring."

"not true," he says, leaning back against the seat, looking too smug. "i have a great sense of peripheral vision. i just happen to notice when someone's checking me out."

i laugh, nudging him with my knee. "you wish i was checking you out."

he shrugs. "i mean, you do have a history of it."

i gape at him. "excuse me?"

he turns his head slightly, smirking. "first time we met, remember? you were looking at me a lot that day."

"i was glaring at you," i correct.

"ah, yes. but glaring is just aggressive staring."

i shake my head, biting back a smile. "you're ridiculous."

he squeezes my hand slightly, his thumb brushing against my skin. "you love it."

i pretend to think. "hmm... love is a strong word."

"okay, fine," he concedes. "you tolerate it."

i grin. "there we go."

he chuckles, his eyes flickering down to our hands before looking back at me. "well, for someone who's just tolerating me, you sure haven't let go of my hand."

i blink, then glance down at our intertwined fingers.

...damn it.

he smirks. "busted."

i groan, trying to pull my hand away, but he tightens his grip, laughing.

"nope. too late," he teases. "you're stuck with me now."

i sigh dramatically, leaning my head back. "great. what have i done?"

he chuckles, giving my hand a small squeeze. "you made an excellent choice. trust me."

i roll my eyes but can't help but smile. the rest of the ride is quiet, filled with soft glances and gentle smiles.

when we arrive at a small building, min ho opens the door, ushering me inside. i step into a cozy music studio, softly lit by countless candles. a blanket is spread on the floor, surrounded by cushions, our favorite matcha drinks, and neatly arranged boxes of food.

"min ho," i breathe, turning to face him. "this is... perfect."

he smiles shyly, pulling out a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "for you."

my heart melts as i take them. "you really thought of everything, huh?"

"i had to impress you somehow," he teases, guiding me to sit down.

i eagerly grab my matcha, taking a sip. it tastes even better tonight. "you even brought korean food?"

he nods, looking down bashfully. "yeah. it's all my favorite stuff from home. since moving here, i missed it a lot, but now... when i think of home in london, i think of you."

i swallow, touched. "you're gonna make me cry."

"please don't," he jokes. "Q and juliana will murder me."

i laugh, shaking my head. we spend time talking, laughing, and stealing glances at each other. it's perfect.

finally, min ho stands up, grabbing a mic and a small speaker from the corner. my eyes widen.

"one more thing," he says, looking nervous again. "remember when i said i was stuck on that song for our film? well... i ended up writing another one—just for you."

"you did?"

he nods, hitting play. "it's called 'silver lining.' i wrote it when i realized i was falling for you."

soft jazzy piano notes & warm guitar notes fill the room, followed by min ho's gentle voice.

It's hard to say that I'll be fine on my own
I remember how you taught me turn your heart to a home
If you were still around you'd say that I'm acting strange
I just can't help but miss those daysSo what if you and I had passed us by?
How different our lives would be

when he finishes, i stare at him, speechless. "min ho, that was... beautiful."

he sets down the mic, moving closer. "i meant every word."

i smile softly, blinking back tears. "you're making it impossible not to fall for you."

he grins playfully. "that's the point."

i laugh, rolling my eyes. "so, now what? do i get to keep you?"

"depends," he teases, eyes sparkling. "think you can handle me?"

"absolutely."

"good," he whispers, leaning closer. "because i'm not going anywhere."

he kisses me softly, and for a moment, nothing else exists—just him and me finally.