you were the kind of person who tripped over your own shoelaces, forgot where you’d put your phone while holding it, and laughed at memes no one else found funny. but your most defining trait? being completely oblivious to heeseung’s feelings.

heeseung had been your best friend forever. he knew all about your love for manga, anime, movies, and how you cried your eyes out watching those tragic romance animes. he was always there, lending you his shoulder when you sobbed because "they didn’t end up together, heeseung!" and you never noticed the way he looked at you.

"you look beautiful today," he’d say.

"thanks! i got this shirt on sale for like 20 bucks!" you’d reply, completely missing the sparkle in his eyes.

or when he practically shouted, "we should go out, just the two of us today, like... on a date."

"a date? like in rom-coms? we should totally cosplay that sometime! great idea, hee!"

his friends would laugh and comment, "dude, she’s never gonna get it. you’ll need to rent a billboard or something." and heeseung, tired but determined, would just reply, "i’ll wait. she’s worth it."

but the peak of it all was the day he gave you a ticket to a rare manga exhibit, and you hugged him so tightly he turned as red as a tomato.

"i love you, heeseung! you’re the best!"

he let out a deep sigh, staring at the ceiling as if asking for strength. "i love you too..."

"i know! you’re my best friend!"

and there he was, torn between frustration and adoration, wanting nothing more than to bang his head against the wall. "i just need a little more patience," he muttered as you excitedly showed him the list of manga you wanted to buy.

after all, loving you was like watching a 500-episode anime: slow, full of twists, but deep down, he knew the ending would be worth it.