The apartment was quiet — too quiet.

That was Seung Hyun’s first warning.

He set down his coffee, scanning the living room suspiciously. You’d been oddly quiet for the past ten minutes, and that usually meant trouble.

Then he heard it — the faint sound of his Spotify playlist suddenly changing to… Barbie Girl.

From the kitchen, you shouted, “It fits your vibe!”

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re unbelievable.”

You peeked out from behind the fridge door, grinning like a devil. “Come on, lighten up, roomie. You always look like you’re about to fire someone.”

“I might start with you,” he muttered, reaching for his phone to change the song back. But before he could, you ran up and snatched it out of his hand.

“Oh no you don’t!”

He blinked, stunned for a moment — then chased after you through the apartment, long legs easily catching up. “Yah, give it back!”

You squealed, darting behind the couch. “You’ll have to earn it!”

He leaned over the couch, breath slightly uneven from laughing, eyes narrowed but amused. “You really enjoy testing my patience, don’t you?”

You stuck out your tongue. “Maybe.”

With one smooth move, he reached over, grabbed your wrist, and pulled you closer until you stumbled right into him. You froze for a second — his arm was around your waist, warm and firm.

His voice dropped, low and teasing. “Gotcha.”

You tried to look unimpressed, even though your heart was pounding. “You could’ve just asked nicely.”

He smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. “I did. You just like running away too much.”

You pouted. “Because it’s fun when you chase me.”

He sighed dramatically, trying not to smile. “You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?”

“Maybe,” you said with a grin, “but at least you’ll die entertained.”

He chuckled, letting go of you just enough to take back his phone — but his hand lingered a little longer than it should.