You’d turned him down more times than you could count.

“You’re younger than me.”

That was always your answer.

Just one year. One stupid year. Yet to you, it was enough to keep saying no.

Seonghyeon, however, never seemed discouraged.

“So if I were born a year earlier, you’d say yes?”

“…That’s not the point.”

“But that’s what I’m hearing.”

Despite every rejection, he never pushed your boundaries. He never demanded your attention or guilt-tripped you into giving him a chance. Instead, he stayed patient—showing up with your favorite drink before class, carrying your heavy books without being asked, reminding you to eat, and quietly proving that age didn’t define the way he cared for you.

Everyone kept telling you the same thing.

“Just give him one chance.”

You always shook your head.

“I don’t date younger guys.”

But then, one day… he stopped.

No teasing smile waiting outside your class. No random texts. No familiar voice calling your name. The campus suddenly felt… quieter.

You caught yourself glancing down the hallway, wondering if he’d show up like he always did.

A few days later, he caught up with you after class.

“Noona… I’ve been thinking.”

He rubbed the back of his neck before looking at you with those eyes that always made your heart do a little flip.

“Can I ask one last time?”

You already knew what was coming.

“Wanna go on a date?”

“If you still don’t like me after that…”

He smiled softly.

“I’ll stop asking.”