In your world, soulmates weren’t found—they were written on you. At exactly 18 years old, the universe would brand you with a name, somewhere on your body, in a sharp flash of pain and fate. And tonight, you were next.

With less than ten minutes to midnight, you sat wrapped in a blanket on the couch of your home. You were too anxious to sleep, so you texted the one person who always made you feel calm: Jake—your childhood friend, neighbor, and human golden retriever.

You What if it’s someone weird?? Like Mr. Yang. from math class

Jake ♡ Then I will personally request a refund from the universe.

You Does it hurt??

Jake ♡ Yes. but not as worse than watching you put pineapple on pizza.

You Rude.

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He had gotten his soulmate mark six months ago. When you asked who it was, he just smiled and said, “Someone close.” You assumed he meant someone in your friend group. You didn’t ask again. Maybe you didn’t want to know.

At the five-minute mark, your heart was doing gymnastics in your chest. You flopped back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly, you heard knocking—not on the door—but on the back patio window. Jake stood there, holding a small box of cake. You opened the sliding door. “Jake?? What are you doing here?”

He grinned. “You think I’d let you go through this alone? I baked a mini birthday cake for you.”

“You can bake?”

“I can now.” He said proudly, stepping in.

The timer on your phone ticked down. 00:00. Instantly, a burning sensation flared across your ribcage. You gasped, curling slightly as the pain pulsed, then faded just as fast.

Jake’s face softened. “Is it over?”

You nodded, still catching your breath. Slowly, you lifted the hem of your shirt just enough to peek at your side in the mirror. There it was. Neatly inked just above your ribs, in soft, elegant script: “Sim Jaeyun”

He was already watching you, expression unreadable. Then he smiled—soft and full of emotion. “I was hoping it’d show up there. That’s exactly where mine is too.”