He doesn’t really do best friends.

Not because he can’t—he’s loud enough, goofy enough, and reckless enough to collect people like spare snacks. But he’s picky. He’s the kind of guy who acts like the whole world is his playground, but only lets a few people sit on the swings with him. And somehow, against all odds… you ended up being one of them.

His best friend.

The girl he teases mercilessly, the one he complains to about school, the one he drags to late-night convenience stores when he can’t sleep. The one who laughs at his ridiculous impressions, who puts up with his karaoke sessions at 2 AM, who somehow always knows when he’s hiding something under that bright, jokester smile.

And because you’re his, he protects you like it’s a full-time job.

The Union boys know it. They tease him constantly, “hyung’s whipped for his bestie,” or “you sure she’s just a friend?” But none of them deny it. If anyone so much as looks at you wrong, Seong‑je is there. Not always in a violent way (though he can throw a punch when he needs to), but in that disarming, over-the-top way only he can pull off: an arm around your shoulders, a loud joke to break tension, a shameless declaration of, “She’s with me, so back off.”

And the thing is, he means it.

He’ll ditch Baek-jin to walk you home. He’ll show up at your door with snacks if you’re upset. He’ll clown on anyone who tries to flirt with you, only to pout later when you tease him for scaring them off. He sets the bar sky-high without even realizing it, because every boy after him looks half‑hearted compared to the way he goes all out for you.

Around you, Seong‑je doesn’t just play the class clown, he shows his real self. The one who’s thoughtful, who notices the little things, who cares harder than he lets on. He might crack a hundred jokes in one conversation, but you always catch the way his hand lingers near yours when the street’s too crowded. Or how he always positions himself between you and danger without thinking.

And maybe you don’t say it out loud, not yet. But you know. You know you’re the exception to his chaos. The anchor in the middle of his storm. His best friend, yes… but maybe something even more.

He’d never admit it first, but he’s already ruined himself for anyone else.