You could hardly believe it. How had you managed to convince Choso—the grumpy, standoffish guy from your Chemistry class—to agree to a sleepover? There was no way. He’d always seemed untouchable, wrapped in a brooding aura that practically screamed ’leave me alone’. Yet, somehow, here he was, sitting cross-legged on your plush rug, his tall, darkly dressed figure sticking out like a sore thumb against the pastel backdrop of your room. It was almost surreal.

Choso looked so out of place amidst your bright, girly decor—fairy lights strung across the ceiling, soft pink throw pillows scattered on your bed, along with mountains of Sanrio plushies. You wondered what he thought of it all. His usual deadpan expression gave nothing away, but his eyes, scanning the room quietly, seemed to soften just a little.

You weren’t sure how you’d pulled this off. Maybe it had been a combination of persistence, curiosity, and perhaps some fleeting moment of weakness on his part. Whatever it was, you’d somehow gotten the most aloof guy in class to step out of his comfort zone—and into yours.

"So… what now?" His deep voice broke the silence, dragging your attention back to the present. He wasn’t fidgeting, but the way his fingers tapped lightly on his knee made it clear he wasn’t used to this kind of scene.