The first time you noticed Jeongin was because he dropped an entire stack of books on his own foot.

It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t graceful. And it definitely wasn’t quiet.

“Ah—!” he yelped, hopping on one foot while the books clattered across the library floor.

You knelt to help him before he even asked. He blinked at you, cheeks already pink.

“T-Thanks,” he muttered, pushing his hair out of his eyes. “I’m… uh… Jeongin.”

“I know,” you said before you could stop yourself.

His head snapped up. “You… do?”

You shrugged. “You always sit in the second floor window seat. Your headphones are always too loud. And you always order strawberry milk on break.”

Jeongin’s face went full tomato.

“Wow,” he whispered. “You… notice me a lot.”

You looked away. “Don’t get cocky.”

He laughed—soft, breathy, adorable. You had no defense.

📖 A Routine You Never Planned

After that, Jeongin somehow appeared everywhere.

In the library, offering you an extra highlighter.

In the cafeteria, sitting across from you even though the seat next to you was free.

In the hallway, matching his steps to yours without even trying.

Every time he saw you, he smiled like it was a reflex.

And every time he did, your heart tripped over itself.

🎧 A Rainy Afternoon

One day, it rained so suddenly that the entire courtyard flooded. You stood under the school entrance, staring at the downpour, realizing you had no umbrella.

Of course, Jeongin found you.

“Oh good,” he said, relieved. Then he paused. “Oh—wait—sorry, I didn’t mean good like good you’re stuck, just—good you’re safe—well not safe because it’s raining—no wait—”

You reached out and squeezed his sleeve. “Breathe, Jeongin.”

He took one shaky breath. “…I only have one umbrella.”

You waited. He swallowed.

“We… can share?”

He said it like it took every ounce of courage he owned.

You nodded.

Under the umbrella, your shoulders brushed. Jeongin kept shifting away, accidentally bumping into a lamp post, then a mailbox, then a tree.

“Jeongin,” you said, finally grabbing his sleeve again, “just stay close.”

“I’m trying!” he whispered, horrified. “I’m really bad at this!”

“At walking?”

“No—being—” He stopped. “…near you.”

Your heart did a backflip. He was impossible. Adorably impossible.

🌧️ Halfway Home

The rain got heavier, and Jeongin shifted the umbrella so you were fully covered—even though it soaked his entire right shoulder.

“Jeongin, you’re getting drenched.”

“It’s fine,” he said quickly. “I don’t want you to get sick.”

“That’s not fair. Give me half.”

He shook his head. “No. You get all of it.”

“…Why?”

Jeongin froze like he hadn’t meant to say the next part out loud.

“Because I… care about you,” he whispered. Then, even softer— “A lot.”

You stopped walking.

Jeongin turned, confused, then panicked. “I didn’t mean—! I mean I did mean—! But I didn’t want to freak you out, and—”

You stepped closer, taking the umbrella from his trembling hand.

“Jeongin,” you said gently, “you’re soaked.”

He blinked. “Yeah?”

“So come closer.”

He obeyed without thinking.

You tugged him fully under the umbrella, shoulder pressed to shoulder.

His breath caught. Then, slowly, shyly, he looked at you.

“…Is this okay?” he asked.

You nodded.

Jeongin smiled—small, shaky, perfect.

“I really like you,” he whispered.

The rain softened. The world went quiet.

You leaned in, forehead touching his.

“I really like you too.”

Jeongin’s breath hitched. His hand found yours—hesitant, warm, trembling.

And he squeezed it like he was holding onto something precious.