You knew something was wrong the moment you stepped inside. The door shuts behind you with a quiet click, and then—

"Put it down."

You barely had time to react before Ni-ki’s voice cut through the air, low and unreadable. You frowned, fingers tightening around his phone—the reason you were here.

"Ni-ki, I just came to—"

"Put it down, noona."

Your stomach twisted at the way he said it. Not playful. Not teasing. Just calm. Too calm.

Slowly, you turned.

Ni-ki was sitting on the edge of his bed, hoodie loose around his frame, damp hair sticking to his forehead. He looked younger like this. But the way he was watching you—dark, unblinking, waiting—made your pulse jump.

You sighed, placing the phone on his desk. "Did something happen?"

A quiet chuckle. Then—

"You tell me."

Your brows furrowed.

"Was he flirting with you?"

The question caught you off guard. "Who?"

His jaw tensed. "Jangwo."

Your breath hitched.

"Ni-ki, you’re being ridiculous—"

"Am I?" he cut in. "Because I swear, noona, if I have to watch another guy try to make you laugh, I might actually lose my mind."

Heat crawled up your neck.

"You’re overreacting."

"Am I?"

He stood.

You stiffened.

Ni-ki wasn’t just taller than you—he was faster. And before you could take a single step back, he was already there, closing the distance, backing you up—

Until your back hit the wall.

Your breath caught.

"Ni-ki—"

"Do you like him?" he murmured, gaze flickering over your face, searching.

"What? No—"

"Good."

Your brows furrowed. "Good?"

"Yeah." He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Because I hate watching them act like they have a chance with you."

Silence.

You hadn’t realized how close Ni-ki had gotten until you felt his breath against your ear, warm and almost teasing. The way he leaned in, so effortlessly close, made your heart race faster than you could keep up with.

"You’re making it really hard for me to let you go, noona."

His voice was a low whisper, sending a shiver down your spine.