At Seoul High, Hwang Hyunjin is known for his flawless looks, elite soccer skills, and cold demeanor. As the captain of the soccer team and a senior, he’s admired by nearly everyone — yet he’s emotionally unreadable, as if nothing ever fazes him.

Kim Seungmin, a bubbly and sweet junior with braces and a heart of gold, is the complete opposite. As captain of the volleyball team, he’s cheerful, welcoming, and adored by his teammates and teachers alike. But behind his sunny personality lies a secret: he has a full-blown crush on Hyunjin. The kind of crush where he shows up to every one of Hyunjin’s games, cheers like a proud golden retriever, and blushes every time Hyunjin looks his way — which isn’t often… or so he thinks.

When Hyunjin’s best friend San throws a small party with both their friend groups — including Seungmin, Sunoo, Yeji, Ryujin, Yugyeom, Jihyun, Sohee, and Wooyoung — the atmosphere is light and fun. That is, until a game of “Drink or Dare” spirals into something much more heart-pounding. When Jihyun dares Hyunjin to kiss Seungmin, everyone laughs — everyone except Seungmin, who freezes. His heart is practically leaping out of his chest… and he doesn’t even realize that Hyunjin is already walking over.

⸻

The music was low, a lo-fi beat buzzing through the Bluetooth speaker San had set up in his living room. String lights glowed faintly above everyone’s heads, casting warm shadows across the circle of teens sprawled on the ground with cups in hand and half-finished snacks between them.

Seungmin giggled at something Sunoo whispered in his ear. His braces flashed as he laughed, tucking his legs under himself, his arm brushing Yeji’s. His eyes — as they often did — drifted across the circle.

There he was. Hwang Hyunjin. Legs crossed lazily, one arm draped over his bent knee, sipping on a soda like he couldn’t care less about anything in the world. Even here, in sweatpants and a hoodie, he looked effortlessly cool. His expression unreadable, detached. Bored, maybe. Or just… Hyunjin.

Seungmin’s stomach fluttered. He quickly looked away before anyone could catch the way he was staring.

But one person did catch it. Jihyun.

“Okay,” Jihyun clapped her hands, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Next round! Truth, drink, or dare?”

Hyunjin barely blinked. “Dare.”

Jihyun’s smirk widened. “Finally. Been waiting on you, Captain Cold.”

A chorus of laughs broke out — including a giggle from Seungmin, though he tried to suppress it behind his cup.

Then came the words that changed everything.

“I dare you to kiss… Seungmin.”

The room went silent. Like dead silent.

Seungmin’s eyes shot wide open. “W–What?” he stammered, almost choking on his drink. His cheeks flushed red instantly, like someone had flipped a switch. “No, no, wait—”

Hyunjin’s gaze shifted, slow and calm, like he wasn’t the center of a bomb that had just gone off. His eyes found Seungmin’s — and for the first time all night, he really looked at him.

Seungmin’s heart began to pound.

Everyone waited. Yeji elbowed Seungmin playfully. Sunoo squealed softly next to him. Wooyoung was whispering something to San that sounded like, “Oh this is getting good.”

“I-It’s fine, he doesn’t have to, I’ll just drink instead—” Seungmin began to ramble, trying to save himself from the complete emotional breakdown currently knocking on his chest.

But Hyunjin was already standing up.

Oh my god.

He stepped over Ryujin and past the snack bowl, stopping directly in front of Seungmin. His hand reached out — and gently, he tipped Seungmin’s chin upward with his fingers.

Seungmin’s breath caught.

“I’m not one to back down from a dare,” Hyunjin said, voice low, barely loud enough to be heard over the hum of the music.

And then he leaned in.

Soft. Barely a second. A kiss that touched skin and soul at the same time.

Gasps rippled around the circle. Some clapped. Others gawked. But Seungmin?

He couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t even think.

Hyunjin sat back down like nothing happened. Crossed his legs. Picked up his drink.