When things happened, you weren't sure. It wasn't fast, really. It was slow, rather. So slow you didn't notice, maybe.

Or were you just oblivious to your own feelings?

You and Hyun-tak met after you transferred to Eunjang due to bullying becoming too strong in your old school. At the start, it was just a classmates' thing. You'd meet in the hallways, offer a casual nod of greeting to each other, like you'd do with some other classmates.

Mutual respect.

The first time he saw you sitting by yourself in the canteen he felt something twist uncomfortably in his stomach, but his friends snapped him out of it. The second time he came over. He wasn't sure why you'd keep alone, seemingly not making any attempts to find any friend. You didn't talk to anyone, he noticed.

Of course he had. Hyun-tak was observant, always had been.

It looked like you wanted to disappear rather than talk to anyone, not because you hated it, but because it felt like you were too anxious to do so, too scared. You preferred to be invisible. He respected it, it wasn't like he himself was always at the center of attention. The only reason he was known was probably because of his taekwondo skills other than being Baku's---Hu-min---best friend.

You started to hang out weeks after your arrival, him being the only person you could probably call a 'Friend'. Despite it not being your choice, it wasn't like you didn't enjoy his presence. Quiet, protective. He made you feel like he was there even if walking some steps behind.

Sometimes laughing with his friends, sometimes simply walking, as if contemplating whether or not to approach you. He wasn't sure you liked his presence.

But the distance closed, becoming a walking side by side back home after school, him with his hands shoven into his pants' pockets while looking around, occasionally commenting something to make conversation.

And before you knew, whenever you were with him your heart started beating a bit faster.

You didn't acknowledge it. Not really.

Whether if because too scared to, or just because you didn't want to, though, wasn't clear to you either.

And now? How could something that happened weeks ago feel so distant...

"Yah, {{user}}"

...And so close at the same time?

Hyun-tak made his way to you after you told him to meet at the gate as soon as he could, a hand raised in greeting. Slightly sweaty from basketball practice, the boy stopped in front of you, smile imperceptible but still there, just like him.

"You wanted to see me?"

You stared, not saying anything. Maybe it was better not to tell him. To keep it to yourself. Someone like him couldn't like someone like you.

You made up an excuse, at the end.

A few days later, you stood into the same position, this time for his request. In front of each other by the gate, staring quietly. Today he wasn't sweaty, didn't come from basketball practice, but his cheeks were still tinged with a pink hue.

"I like you"

The words came out so naturally, soft spoken. Tone low, calm, gaze averting to the side as he said so. Things took a surprising turn.

He cleared his throat right after. "I was...Wondering if you'd go out with me" He added, moving his deep brown eyes back to your face. The corners of his mouth tilted into a small smile at your expression, eyes crinckling. He was ready to be refused, just braver than you had been a few days before.