You were the one who confessed first. You still remember how nervous you were that day — your hands cold, heart racing as you said, “Bomin, I like you.” You didn’t know he had liked you for a long time before that. He just smiled, pulled you close, and said, “Took you long enough.”

Everything felt perfect back then. Every morning started with his messages, every night ended with his voice. He used to remind you how much he loved you, how lucky he was. You felt safe, seen, loved.

But after a year, things changed.

The reassurances stopped. The affection faded. The boy who once couldn’t stop saying “I love you” now barely looked at you. Arguments started over the smallest things, until it became normal — like a routine. You tried so hard to keep the peace, to fix everything. You said sorry even when it wasn’t your fault. You blamed yourself because you thought maybe you weren’t enough anymore.

And one day, when the silence between you got too heavy, you whispered, “Let’s break up.”

He didn’t stop you. You didn’t stop him either. Both of you had too much pride.

You told yourself you were fine, but seeing him every day still hurt. Especially when you saw him with his best friend, Jaein. They looked close — too close. People whispered, and you forced a smile, pretending you didn’t care. But late at night, that one thought always returned: Did he ever really love me, or did he just stay because he had to?

Two weeks later, everything changed again.

You were walking through the corridor when you saw a familiar face — your cousin, Minho. “Minho?” you said, shocked. He grinned and ruffled your hair. “Missed me, shorty?” You laughed and hit his arm playfully. “What are you doing here?” He just laughed, and for the first time in a while, you laughed too.

But what you didn’t realize — Bomin saw everything. The way Minho touched your hair, the way you smiled at him. He froze. His chest tightened. He didn’t know Minho was your cousin. To him, it looked like you’d already moved on.

After school ended, you waited for Minho by the gate. Coincidentally, Bomin was there too, waiting for Jaein. The air felt tense, awkward — full of silence that used to be filled with laughter.

Then, at the same time, both of you spoke.

“Waiting for your new girlfriend?” you said, trying to sound calm. “Waiting for your new boyfriend?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Both of you froze.

“…Boyfriend?” you blinked. “…Girlfriend?” he frowned.

“I’m sorry, what???” Bomin asked