it had been a whole week.
a whole week of back and forth.
a whole week of stress and preparation.
a whole week of trying to win moonbyul over and miserably failing.

after so much struggling, so many sleepless nights, everything was finally set. october 30th. this was the last day. watching the last rehearsal come to an end, moonbyul stands from her seat and claps along with the small audience that was her class, more for herself and her work than for the actors.

she falls back weakly on her chair. she wasn't sure her body could handle any more of this. as the clapping died down, she eventually decided to speak. "amazing job you guys. i sure hope you will showcase the same kind of performance tomorrow. make sure to rest well"

she dismissed everyone. moonbyul leans back on the chair, taking deep breaths and trying to calm herself, the room was spinning around and the air didn't seem enough to fill her lungs.

she heads to the backstage, supporting herself on every surface within her reach. she had reached her breaking point. the exhaustion and the stress had become unbearable, so unbearable that if she could go back in the moment they charged her with such responsibility she would simply turn the teacher down. was high grades really worth all of this?

she felt sick and it was not a good sign. her legs were barely supporting her up as she leaned heavily on one of the desks, full of makeup and acting props. she closed her eyes, willing the dizziness to subside when she heard footsteps approaching. she raised her head slowly to see riki and sunoo standing there, concern etched on both of their faces.

"Byulie are you okay?" sunoo asks softly, trying to get a clear look at her face. riki raises his eyebrows.

byulie?

"clearly not moron" he muttered to sunoo as he slowly approaches her. moonbyul eventually straightenes up, her vision blurred. it was like she was going to pass out at any moment now. "i'm fine i need rest" her voice barely comes out as she responds, striving to leave already.

riki grabs her shoulder, stopping her before she could do so. "have you eaten anything today?" he asks, noticing how her pretty face looked concerningly dull, her eyes were droopy and tired and her usually pink cheeks no longer had that adorable blush.

"i uh. . ." she paused for a long moment, riki got his answer without her responding. he lets out a chuckle of disbelief. "how is this goddamn event more important than your health? have you lost your mind?"

"you should try being in my place" she asserted and her bottom lip quivered, her eyes welling up with tears. she knew riki meant well, she knew that, but she was so damn overwhelmed she really could not take anyone scolding her at the moment.

taking in her reaction, guilt washes over riki like a tidal wave. he reaches out to pull her closer and as he wraps his arms around her, he realizes that sunoo had left them both alone. she sniffles quietly a couple times, wrapped in his warm embrace. moonbyul quickly wipes her tears, feeling pathetic for crying over nothing.

"actually, i haven't had dinner yet, let's go grab something hmm?" riki suggests, not that he was going to take no for an answer, there wasn't a chance he would have let her go to sleep on an empty stomach. moonbyul thought, nodded without complaining. she really needed some food in her system.

so the two were eventually found on a small restaurant not away from the campus, one very frequented by students there, with a steaming bowl of ramen in front of them. moonbyul stared down at the food, the rich aroma teasing her senses. she felt a pang of hunger, remembering how long it had been since she'd eaten anything substantial.

"eat up" riki urged softly, picking up his chopsticks and moonbyul mirrors the action. she digs them in the bowl, picking up the noodles and blowing on them before shoving them in her mouth. the warmth of the broth and the flavors danced on her tongue, a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in days overcomes her.

riki watches her with a small smile.
how cute.

she slowly relaxes, taking another bite, and then another, the food providing a solace she desperately needed. it didn't take long before she reached the bottom of the bowl, riki who had already cleared his chuckles softly when she yawns.

"somebody's a little sleepy" moonbyul nods. the warm food had definitely made her sleepier than what she originally was. riki and moonbyul walk out of the restaurant side by side, the cold air of the night seemed to wake her up slightly.

there's was a moment of silence before moonbyul spoke. "thank you. really" she says softly and riki shakes his head. "it's nothing. see? fifteen minutes and you ate, but no of course, being the monkey that you are you have to starve yourself" riki rambled and subsequently laughed when moonbyul hit his arm.

"woah! feisty woman, i take you out to eat at this is how you treat me?" riki places a hand on his chest, feigning a hurt expression. "i already said thank you" she whined, her lips forming in an unintentional pout that riki very much appreciated. "why are you being so nice to me?" moonbyul narrowed her eyes and he stifles a laugh.

"why do you always thinking i'm up to something? you looked like you were about to die back there" he justified himself and moonbyul hums, nodding.

cold wind blows softly and a shiver runs down moonbyul's spine. she should have considered wearing something warmer. riki notices the tip of her nose had turnt pink and bites back a laugh. "are you cold?" he asks, almost teasingly. of course she was cold, but she was not going to admit it to him.

"not at all" moonbyul says flatly, clearly lying. riki shakes his head, a grin plastered on his face. without a word, he shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over her shoulders. moonbyul opens her mouth to protest but the words die on her lips as the warmth envelopes her, her cheeks flush warm, despite the cold air.

for the first time ever she could say that a guy had made her feel those famous butterflies.

"better?" riki asks, his voice now softer. moonbyul nods silently, before muttering a quiet "thanks"
a comfortable silence settles between them as they continue walking, finally inside the campus. sneaking past the guards of each corridor, riki walked moonbyul to her dorm room.

they stood there for a few lingering moments. despite their complicated relationship, moonbyul couldn't find the right words to thank him. "soo. . .goodnight byul" riki says. moonbyul takes a step closer, hesitant before she wraps her arms around him. riki freezes in place, pleasantly surprised before pulling her against himself.

"goodnight riki"

idk why ion like the way
ive been writing lately 🧍🏼