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SAKUYA X READER

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RUNWAY HEARTHS

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Word count: 7656

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The air in Seoul was different.

Y/N had grown used to Miami’s sun, its warm breeze and fast-paced model life. But Seoul? Seoul carried weight. Power. History. And most importantly—her brother.

Y/N pulled her sunglasses down as her car pulled up in front of the high-rise that shimmered in silver and blue. The building bore the elegant logo of NCT Entertainment, home to six of the most influential CEOs in the entire country.

One of them being her older brother, Yushi.

She entered the lobby and heads turned. She was a model after all—tall, confident, composed. But today, she wasn’t here as Y/N, international runway model. She was Y/N, Yushi’s little sister, freshly back from Miami.

Yushi greeted her with a tight hug in the private executive lounge.
“You’re still taller than me with those heels,” he teased, ruffling your hair. “You’ve been okay, right?”
“Of course,” you smiled. “But I missed you, Oppa.”

Moments later, a knock on the door interrupted your reunion.

Sion was first to step in—tall, composed, and already reading an email on his phone. “Meeting in ten, Yushi. Riku says he’s got an update on the China expansion.”

Then came Jaehee, dragging his briefcase behind him, yawning as he walked in. “Heard the Miami queen is here.”

Ryo strolled in next, flashing a grin. “Didn’t expect Y/N to actually be real. We thought she was AI.”

You laughed, lightly punching Ryo's arm.

And then…

He walked in.

Sakuya.

He was quiet. Hair pushed back, all black suit, a silver tie pin gleaming at his collar. He had a pen tucked behind one ear and dark eyes that immediately found yours.

Yushi cleared his throat. “Y/N, that’s Sakuya. He’s our youngest CEO. But don’t let the baby face fool you. He’s sharper than all of us.”

Sakuya didn’t smile. He gave you a single nod.

“Nice to meet you,” you said politely.

He looked you over once, then looked away. “Likewise.”

Cold.

Interesting.

The next few hours passed like a blur. You sat beside your brother as they debated mergers, marketing plans, social responsibility projects, and brand campaigns.

Sion and Jaehee butted heads over advertising costs. Riku kept adjusting the AC temperature. Ryo kept texting under the table. And Sakuya? He watched. He listened. And then dropped facts and figures that shut everyone up every time he opened his mouth.

You leaned toward Yushi.
“Does he ever smile?”
Yushi snorted. “Nope. That’s how he keeps winning.”

After the meeting, Sakuya was the last one to leave. As he walked past, he stopped.
“You’re modeling for Armani’s Seoul launch, right?”

You blinked. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
He raised a brow. “I read the papers.”
A beat. Then—
“You walked Chanel in Milan. Spring. Peach-toned heels. Right?”

You were speechless.

He walked off before you could say anything.

That night, in Yushi’s apartment, you couldn’t stop thinking about the CEO with ice in his voice and fire in his eyes.

———♡———

Seoul felt less foreign the second day in. Y/N was used to high heels and late-night shoots, but today was different — today was about catching up.

She met her old high school friends at a rooftop café in Gangnam. The sky was soft with pink hues, laughter spilling from their lips as they sipped iced lattes and picked at overpriced cake slices.

“So you’re really back?” Minji grinned, stirring her matcha.

“For now,” Y/N smiled. “Work’s flexible. I just wanted to spend time here before I leave for Paris.”

“Miami to Paris? Girl, let me be your assistant,” another friend laughed.

Y/N glanced at her phone mid-laughter — 1 new message from Yushi.

YUSHI

Get ready.
You’re coming with me to the NCT Ent. afterparty.

She bit her lip, amused. He didn’t ask. He never did.

I’m always fabulous. Pick me up at 9.

She waved goodbye to her friends and headed back to Yushi’s penthouse.

The club was rented out, packed only with VIPs, executives, and Seoul’s elite. Flashing lights bounced off champagne glasses, and the DJ spun a steady rhythm of house and hip-hop.

Y/N walked in beside Yushi, dressed in an elegant black satin dress with an open back and diamond earrings that sparkled under the lights.

All six CEOs were present.

Sion was already at the bar, nursing a cocktail and talking to some investor.

Riku was surrounded by two foreign artists, laughing way too loudly.

Jaehee was trying to out-dance Ryo on the dance floor, both of them high off the success of the quarter.

And Sakuya?

Sakuya stood alone on the VIP balcony, drink in hand, watching the chaos like he owned the universe.

Y/N followed Yushi through the crowd, shaking hands with a few familiar faces, catching compliments on her outfit, her return, her everything.

But her eyes drifted again — to him.

Sakuya.

Alone.

Mysterious.

Y/N wasn’t used to being curious. She hated it. But tonight... tonight she welcomed it.

When the music pulsed louder and Yushi disappeared with a board member, Y/N took her chance.

She climbed the stairs to the balcony. Sakuya didn’t look at her as she joined him — he simply handed her a glass of something golden.

“Scotch?” she asked.

“Whiskey,” he corrected, still not looking.

“I’m more of a wine girl,” she replied, taking a sip anyway.

Silence.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“I don’t do parties,” he said quietly, eyes on the city below.

“You’re at one,” she teased.

“I do what I’m required to.”

She turned to him. “Do you ever do what you want?”

His lips curved — slightly. “Do you always ask this many questions?”

She laughed softly. “Only when I’m interested.”

That made him turn. Really turn. His gaze locked onto hers — direct, unreadable.

“You’re different in person,” he said after a pause. “Less… posed.”

“Guess you are too,” she smiled. “Less robotic than I thought.”

Another beat of silence.

He smirked. “Touché.”

Downstairs, someone cheered. Riku probably won a bet again. But up here, time felt slower.

“I watched your Milan runway,” he said out of nowhere.

“I thought you only read numbers.”

“I notice what matters.”

Y/N’s heart gave a funny little thump. She didn’t respond.

Sakuya tilted his head, then added, “You and I— We’re both used to being seen. But rarely seen right.”

For the first time in a long time, Y/N felt... seen.

Not as Yushi’s sister. Not as the model. Just—Y/N.

The song shifted downstairs. A slower beat. People dancing.

Sakuya held out his hand. “Dance with me.”

She blinked. “You dance?”

“Tonight,” he said, “I’m doing what I want.”

And Y/N placed her hand in his.

The music softened to a lazy rhythm, velvet and slow. Sakuya’s hand on her waist wasn’t possessive, just steady. His touch was warm, grounding.

They moved in sync, not perfectly — but perfectly enough.

“I thought you’d be stiff,” Y/N teased.

Sakuya raised an eyebrow. “I thought you’d be taller.”

She gasped in mock offense. “You watched me walk for Louis Vuitton and still think I’m short?”

He chuckled — really chuckled, his laugh deeper than she expected. “You walk tall. But you’re still five-six at best.”

“Five-six and dangerous,” she said, twirling under his arm.

“Noted,” he murmured.

Below them, Yushi leaned against a plush couch, sipping champagne and watching. His eyes softened, a genuine smile tugging at his lips as he watched his little sister laughing — really laughing — with Sakuya.

For once, she didn’t look like she was trying to prove herself. She just looked... at ease.

———♡———

The club was winding down. Half the CEOs had already disappeared into cars or private lounges.

Y/N swayed slightly on her feet, her cheeks flushed pink. “Yushi,” she slurred, poking her brother’s arm. “Can you drive me back?”

Yushi blinked slowly. “I am the road.”

She squinted. “What?”

He snored.

Great.

Y/N sighed and turned to Sakuya, who was watching her with amused patience.

“Can you drive?” she asked, pointing at her drunk, sleeping brother. “I don’t wanna leave him with strangers. And I’m not carrying him.”

Sakuya took the keys from Yushi’s coat like it was second nature. “Come on.”

Yushi was half-folded in the backseat, humming some song that didn’t exist. Y/N buckled him in, then collapsed in the passenger seat, rubbing her temples.

“God, he’s heavy,” she muttered.

Sakuya glanced at her, the city lights illuminating half her face. “You two close?”

She nodded, voice quiet now that the club was far behind. “We were born in Tokyo. Our Mom is a total Sweethearth, always taking care of us whenever she could, and our dad... he tried, but he wasn’t around much, just like Mom they were busy working and trying to feed us. Yushi kind of raised me.”

Sakuya listened.

“He worked two jobs when I got into modeling. Pushed me to sign in Miami. I wouldn’t be anywhere without him.”

“He doesn’t show it,” Sakuya said. “But he really cares.”

Y/N smiled softly. “He’s protective. Hates everyone I date. Once threatened to fly across the ocean just because I cried over a guy.”

Sakuya gave her a quick side glance. “Should I be worried?”

She laughed again, light and honest. “Nah. You’re just a friend.”

He didn’t respond right away.

Just drove.

But his silence... felt like a question.

When they reached the penthouse, Y/N shook Yushi awake and dragged him to the elevator.

“You’re heavy and dramatic,” she muttered.

Sakuya waited until the doors closed before walking back to his car.

Upstairs, Y/N flopped onto the couch and grabbed her phone.

MINJI

Minji. I danced with Sakuya. CEO Sakuya. Black hair, quiet eyes, sharp jaw. He even drove us home.

THE SAKUYA?!?
Stop.
STOP.
You and a CEO???? This is the beginning of every K-drama ever.
Y/N. Don’t play with my heart.

We’re just friends.

Friends with unreal cheekbones and expensive suits. Got it.

———♡———

The next morning, Seoul’s sun was mercilessly bright. Y/N threw on shades and met Minji in Myeongdong.

They tried on sunglasses, bought bubble tea, and laughed over overpriced handbags.

Then she saw him.

Maki.

Her Ex.

Her Ex Maki.

He was standing across the street, talking to someone. He turned — and smiled. That same smile, dimples and all.

“Maki?” Y/N said, stunned.

He walked over, hugging her like no time had passed. “Y/N. Wow. You look... like a global supermodel.”

She laughed. “And you look... grown.”

They chatted for a few minutes. Maki explained he worked in tech now, living in Busan.

“Oh,” he added, “I’m getting married. In the fall.”

Y/N blinked — then smiled. “I’m happy for you.”

He smiled back, genuinely. “I always hoped you would be.”

Minji stood nearby, arms crossed and grinning like a cat. “This is Maki? The Maki?”

“Yes, and he’s getting married,” Y/N said, nudging her.

Minji pouted. “How is Maki getting married, you’re getting tangled with a hot CEO, and I’m single?”

Y/N turned, scandalized. “Tangled?! There’s no tangling. Sakuya and I are friends.”

Maki laughed. “Still dramatic, I see.”

———♡———

Click. Flash. Click.
The lights were blinding, camera shutters rapid like machine guns.

“Y/N! Is it true you're joining a Korean agency?”
“Are you dating a CEO?”
“Is it Sion? Yushi? Riku?!”

Y/N kept walking, face blank, sunglasses firm. She wore a long coat and boots, her hair up in a sleek bun, oozing the confidence of someone who had cried in her bathroom this morning but refused to show it.

She entered NCT Entertainment with grace. The doors shut out the paparazzi’s screeching. Finally, silence.

The front desk receptionist looked up, starstruck. “Welcome back, Miss Y/N.”

Y/N smiled warmly. “Thanks, Eunji.”

She walked toward the elevator and stood waiting, checking her phone.

MANAGER

When you leave, go through the back entrance. Avoid all PDA. Wear sunglasses. Look neutral but not cold. Eunji will escort you.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. The elevator dinged.

The doors opened.

And inside—
Sakuya.

He looked up from his phone. Black slacks, grey turtleneck, hair slightly tousled like he’d just run a hand through it. His eyes widened for a brief second.

“Y/N.”

“Sakuya,” she greeted, stepping in.

“Busy morning?” he asked casually.

“Nothing like getting blinded by fifty lenses to make you miss Miami.”

He chuckled faintly. The ride was quiet, just the soft hum of floors passing by. Their shoulders didn’t touch, but they stood closer than necessary.

When the elevator stopped, she gave him a small nod and smile. “See you around.”

“Yeah,” he replied, voice lower than usual.

Yushi’s office was bright and chaotic. Papers were scattered, his tie was half undone, and he was yelling at someone on the phone while eating a sandwich.

“You look like a stressed-out drama character,” Y/N said, plopping onto the couch.

Yushi pointed the sandwich at her. “Being a CEO is hard. Especially when your sister waltzes into my office like it’s a beach vacation.”

She grinned. “You love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

Later, Y/N wandered to the NCT cafeteria.

Big. Bright. Buzzing with trainees, stylists, managers, and staff. She grabbed a salad and a juice, looked around for an empty seat—

And spotted them.

Riku. Ryo. Sakuya.

Riku was dramatically reenacting a business call. Ryo was laughing so hard he had to cover his mouth. Sakuya… just watching them, sipping tea.

Y/N hesitated, then walked over.

“Mind if I join?”

Riku beamed. “Y/N! The icon. The myth. The legend.”

Ryo pulled out a chair for her. “Sit, sit. We were just talking about how Riku’s scared of cats.”

“I’m not scared. I just don’t trust creatures that stare into your soul,” Riku defended.

“They’re cats,” Ryo deadpanned.

Y/N laughed. “That’s the dumbest debate I’ve heard all week.”

Sakuya smiled faintly beside her. “They’re always like this.”

But he didn’t laugh.

He didn’t say much.

Y/N glanced at him during a joke Riku made. When their eyes met, she smiled — small, warm, quiet. He smiled back, just a little. Like that alone took effort.

Eventually, Riku checked his phone. “Meeting in ten. Ryo, let’s go.”

They waved, leaving Y/N and Sakuya alone at the table.

Y/N poked at her salad. “You’ve been quiet.”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“Business?”

He looked at her. “Something like that.”

The silence stretched again, not uncomfortable — just thick with something unsaid.

Then he said it.

“Would you want to meet up again?” he asked, voice a little rough.
She blinked.

“I mean—not work. Not a party. Just us.”

Her brows lifted. “Like… a date?”

Sakuya’s eyes searched hers. “Yeah. Like a date.”

Y/N froze.

Then smiled.

“Okay.”

———♡———

Y/N: "Minji, help. What the hell do I wear?!"

Minji: "YOU'RE GOING ON A DATE WITH FUJINAGA SAKUYA. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THIS SITUATION???"

Y/N laughed nervously as she held up two dresses in front of her mirror. “That doesn’t answer my question, Min.”

Minji’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Okay. Breathe. Is it dinner? Fancy or chill? Public or private? Indoors or rooftop? Tell me everything.”

“It’s dinner. He made a reservation. I don’t know where but he’s picking me up soon. I’m freaking out.”

“Alright. Elegant but effortless. Miami but Seoul. Confident but approachable. You know — 'I could walk the runway or eat ramen with your grandma' vibe.”

Y/N finally settled on a sleek black dress, subtle but jaw-dropping, and soft curls falling down her back. She added a pair of heels that made her legs look endless and a hint of red lipstick.

She looked at herself. Okay, breathe.

When she stepped out into the living room of Yushi’s penthouse, her heels clicking on the marble floor, she was surprised to find not just Yushi on the couch — but also Sion and Jaehee.

Controllers in hand, snacks on the table, the three of them were gaming like it was a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Yushi glanced up. “Whoa.”

Sion blinked. “You’re going out?”

Jaehee just grinned. “Someone’s not dressed for ramen.”

Y/N smiled innocently. “Just… going out.”

Yushi narrowed his eyes, lips twitching. “Out where?”

She gave a small shrug. “Somewhere nice.”

He rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. “Have fun.”

“Thanks, brother dearest.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Sion called.

“Or do,” Jaehee added with a wink.

She waved at them with a sly smile and stepped out.

And there he was.
Sakuya.

Leaning against a sleek black car, dressed in a fitted charcoal coat, hair perfect as ever. When he spotted her, he smirked — the kind of smirk that was subtle, just at the corners of his lips.

“Evening,” he greeted, opening the car door for her.

Y/N raised a brow, impressed. “A gentleman, huh?”

He tilted his head. “Only when necessary.”

She slipped in, smiling to herself.

The drive was calm, warm jazz playing in the background. The Seoul skyline gleamed outside the windows.

Their conversation flowed so naturally — from childhood memories to favorite songs, dream cities, and stupid habits.

As they passed a tall building, Y/N spotted a restaurant with gold lighting, balcony seating, and a view of the city.

She gasped softly. “That’s beautiful.”

“I thought so too,” Sakuya said, already pulling into valet. He stepped out, came around, and opened the door for her again.

“You’re really committing to this gentleman act,” she teased, hooking her arm through his.

“Only for the right audience.”

Inside, the receptionist’s eyes widened.
A Big 6 CEO… and her? The Miami IT girl?

“Mister Fujinaga,” Sakuya said smoothly.

“Of course, sir. Right this way.”

The stares were subtle, but they were there. Their table was in a semi-private corner, candlelit and elegant.

Sakuya ordered a whiskey. Y/N raised a brow.

He looked at her. “You want your usual?”

“Which is…?”

“Red wine, a little dry. You said it at the NCT afterparty.”

She paused. “You remembered that?”

“I remember a lot more than you think.”

She smiled, and their dinner unfolded like a dream — jokes, shared dishes, little moments where their hands brushed across the table. At one point, he even leaned in and whispered something that made her choke on her drink.

On the way home, Y/N couldn’t stop laughing.

“You seriously told Yushi you can drink him