The little boba shop on the corner was nearly empty when the rain started. Hyunjin sat by the window, straw swirling idly in his taro milk tea as he watched the drops race down the glass. Across from him, Felix hunched over his cup, cheeks flushed pink from something that had nothing to do with the weather.

They had made this their spot, the place where practice stress dissolved into laughter, where long silences didn’t feel awkward but heavy with unspoken words.

Hyunjin’s fingers tapped against his cup before he finally broke the quiet. “You know… I like you, Lix.” His voice was soft, steady, but his heart was hammering.

Felix’s straw stilled. His wide brown eyes flicked up, caught Hyunjin’s gaze, then quickly darted down again. His throat tightened with the truth he wanted to say—me too. But the thought of it all, the attention, the risk, the shift in what they already had—made him shrink back.

“I… I don’t think I’m ready,” he admitted, his voice barely louder than the rain outside.

The words sank between them, bitter-sweet. Hyunjin forced a small smile, trying to hide the ache. “That’s okay,” he said, stirring his drink even though the pearls were long gone.

And yet, neither of them moved to leave. They stayed there in that tiny boba shop, shoulders brushing in the booth, their cups long empty. Felix rested his chin in his palm, sneaking glances at Hyunjin with a quiet longing. Hyunjin looked out at the rain, pretending not to notice.