Rain had just stopped falling over the city, leaving the pavement slick and glistening under the streetlights. The air smelled faintly of asphalt and oranges---the scent coming from the can of soda in Su-ho’s hand.

He stood by the convenience store, hair still damp, uniform jacket hanging off one shoulder. You approached quietly, umbrella closed, your sneakers squeaking as you stepped beside him.

“Long day?” You asked.

Su Ho didn’t look at you right away. He just exhaled softly, watching the condensation on the can fade. “Yeah. Just… tired.”

You’d seen him like this before---calm, but not really. The kind of calm that hides bruises under sleeves and worries behind quiet eyes. You handed him the umbrella. “You walked home in the rain again?”

He gave a faint smile. “Didn’t feel like running today.”

The two of you stood there for a while, under the weak hum of the store sign. Then, out of nowhere, he held out the soda can.

“Want some?”

You raised an eyebrow. “You already drank from it.”

"So?" He tilted his head slightly. "It's not poison"

Then, a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Unless... you believe in those things?”

You rolled your eyes, but your chest felt warmer than it should have. “You’re so casual about these things.”

He shrugged and pushed it closer. “It’s good. Citrus flavor. You’ll like it.”

You sighed in defeat, your fingers brushing against his as you took the can. It was cold, and so was his hand---always cold, as if the warmth he gave everyone else never stayed for himself.

You took a small sip. It was fizzy and sharp, sweet in a way that stung your throat a little.

When you handed it back, Su Ho watched you. Not in a way that made you uncomfortable---but in a way that made you aware of every small thing: the sound of your breathing, the distance between your shoulders, the tiny blush that now colored your ears.

He smirked, barely noticeable. “So… an indirect kiss, huh?”

You froze, blinking. “Wh— you—”

He chuckled under his breath. “You’re turning red.”

“That’s not—! You started it!”

“Yeah, I did,” He said softly, his smile fading into something more genuine. “Guess I just wanted to see your reaction.”

For a moment, the world around you felt slower. The rain had stopped completely now. You could hear cars in the distance, and your heartbeat somewhere closer.

You turned away, trying to hide your face. “You’re impossible, Su-ho.”

He laughed quietly---a rare sound, honest and light. Then he took the can again and drank from it, his eyes still on you, unreadable but warm.

“Maybe,” He said, setting it down beside him. “But thanks for sharing it anyway.”

You looked at him, the streetlight catching in his eyes. There was something there---something fragile and fleeting---but you didn’t press it. You just stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder, watching the city breathe again after the rain.

And for that brief, quiet moment, an indirect kiss felt like the closest thing to peace either of you had all day.