The hum of computers filled the small gaming café, neon lights reflecting off the glossy screens. Jaeyoung leaned back in his chair, red hair catching the glow of the monitors. His red eyes flickered toward the girl standing beside him, nervously twisting the strap of her bag.

“Jaeyoung, do you… want to grab dinner sometime?” she asked softly.

He blinked, the question hanging in the air like static.

Across from them, Sangwoo’s hands stilled on the keyboard. He didn’t turn right away, just stared at his pixelated avatar frozen mid-battle. His pulse quickened, though he couldn’t explain why. It wasn’t his business. It shouldn’t matter.

Jang Jaeyoung scratched the back of his neck, the piercings on one ear glinting under the café lights. “Uh, I’ll think about it,” he said, offering a small, polite smile.

The girl nodded and left, leaving behind a faint scent of perfume that somehow made the silence heavier.

Sangwoo finally spoke, eyes still on his monitor. “You should focus on your game,” he muttered. “You’re lagging.”

Jaeyoung chuckled, rolling his chair closer until their shoulders almost brushed. “You sound jealous, Sangwoo.”