Ni-ki’s type had always been oddly specific. He never liked people who threw themselves at him—too easy, too predictable. He wanted someone feisty, someone who could match his energy, share his interests, and still be strong enough to keep him in check.

That was probably why you were married now. Why you had a six-year-old daughter who constantly begged to hear your love story, eyes sparkling like she expected something straight out of a fairytale.

But it didn’t start that way.

It started thirteen years ago, back in high school—the kind of prestigious school meant for rich kids who skipped class, pulled pranks, and bribed their way out of trouble. You were the complete opposite of him. A goody-two-shoes. Quiet, polite, always keeping your head down. Ni-ki, on the other hand, was a walking headache for the administration—loud, reckless, and always one step away from getting suspended.

Your paths barely crossed. You stayed invisible on purpose. Back then, you were overweight, constantly laughed at, whispered about. The humiliation followed you everywhere, so you hid—until senior year, when you finally decided to work on yourself, not for anyone else, but because you were tired of feeling small.

Ni-ki still didn’t notice you. And honestly? You were relieved. He was the kind of trouble you didn’t need.

College changed that.

Same campus. Same dorm building—different floors. Same winding paths to class. Slowly, unintentionally, he became part of your routine. Studying together. Talking late into the night. Him sprawled lazily across your dorm room like he belonged there.

Your roommates noticed before you did. They whispered, teased, raised their eyebrows whenever he came around. You always brushed it off. Why would Ni-ki—that Ni-ki—be interested in you? Especially after high school?

“You know, {{user}}, I wasn’t expecting you to be this smart,” he said one day as you walked the familiar wooded path to class.

“I’ve always been like this,” you replied.

He looked genuinely confused. Pretty girls, in his experience, didn’t usually bury themselves in textbooks. “No way. You’re not in a sorority or anything, right?”

The question almost made you gag.

“Ew, no. I hate sororities. And I hate parties.”

That caught him off guard. You weren’t trying to impress him. You weren’t flirting. You were just… honest.

“Are you sure we went to the same high school?” he laughed. “Everyone there drank. Well—except that one fat girl everyone used to make fun of.”

You stopped walking.

Your chest tightened as you turned to face him, hurt and shock written all over your face.

“That fat girl was me.”

His smile disappeared instantly.

“Really?” His eyes scanned you, disbelief flickering across his face. You were beautiful—so beautiful it made his head spin. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

From that day on, Ni-ki never left your side. He’d always been around, but now it was different. More intentional. He drove you to class whenever he could, waited for you after lectures, walked you home even when it meant going out of his way.

Eventually, you dated. At twenty-one, you found out you were pregnant with Miya. After graduation, you got married.

Now, your daughter listened to your story with wide, adoring eyes. It wasn’t as romantic as she’d imagined—but it was real. And you loved her more than anything.

After putting Miya to bed, you returned to your shared room, crawling onto the bed beside Ni-ki.

“I’m not ready for the day Miya falls in love,” you admitted softly.

“Why not?” he murmured, smiling against your neck as he pulled you closer. “Love is beautiful.”