riki knew it was wrong. she wasn’t his to think about, but he couldn’t help it. every time she smiled at him, offering the kind of warmth he only thought existed in songs, his heart betrayed him.

she was sweet, too sweet for this world, always thinking of others. like when she showed up during practice breaks, carrying snacks and drinks, her hands full and her face glowing. she always saved the last piece for sunghoon, her boyfriend, riki's hyung, and riki would watch with a dull ache in his chest.

"you should eat more, riki," she told him once, sliding a piece of melon bread onto his plate. her smile was small, almost shy, and for a moment, he thought it was just for him.

he laughed it off, teasing her lightly about playing favorites with sunghoon, and she laughed too, but riki couldn’t shake the warmth that settled in his chest.

one day, she showed up at their dorm early. sunghoon was still out, and riki was the only one home. she stood at the door, holding a bag of food she’d made, her eyes wide with surprise.

"oh, riki! i didn’t think you’d be here alone."

he invited her in, trying to act casual, but his palms were sweating. they sat on the couch, talking about nothing and everything. her laugh filled the room, making it feel smaller, cozier, like they were the only two people in the world.

when sunghoon finally came back, she lit up like she always did. she wrapped her arms around him, and riki forced a smile, pretending the sight didn’t shatter him a little.

that night, lying in his bed, riki stared at the ceiling, hating himself for the way his heart raced every time she came near. she wasn’t his, and she never would be. but in the quiet moments when no one was watching, he couldn’t help but love her just the same.