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It was the middle of a bustling school day, and Sunoo, as always, found himself buried under an ever-growing mountain of paperwork. The council room was a whirlwind of activity, with council members rushing in and out, teachers delivering messages, and students popping by to voice their concerns or seek help. Every few seconds, the door would creak open, followed by another request or question. It was the life of the Student Council President, and Sunoo thrived on it—or at least, he pretended to.
He flipped through another stack of documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. He loved this role—the responsibility, the authority, the chance to make a difference—but today, something felt off. It was as if there was a nagging presence at the back of his mind, a feeling that something was missing.
Or rather, someone.
“Where is he?” Sunoo muttered under his breath, barely noticing the other council members who glanced his way. He pushed up his glasses, eyes darting to the clock on the wall for the umpteenth time that morning. “I swear, if he skips another class…”
He tried to dismiss the thought, returning his focus to the papers in front of him. Yet, the more he tried to concentrate, the more restless he became. It was no secret that Sunghoon, the school’s resident delinquent, had a habit of skipping classes, turning up late, or simply wandering the halls like he owned the place. And every single time, it was Sunoo who ended up worrying about him.
“Sunoo hyung, is something wrong?” one of the council members, Jungwon, asked, noticing his distracted state.
Sunoo shook his head quickly. “No, it’s nothing. Just… thinking about the upcoming festival.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either.
Almost on cue, the door to the council room was flung open with such force that it nearly banged against the wall, causing everyone inside to jump. There, standing in the doorway with that infuriatingly casual stance, was Park Sunghoon, his uniform jacket draped over his shoulders in a way that defied every school dress code. His tie hung loosely around his neck, the top few buttons of his shirt undone, and his hair was tousled, as if he’d just rolled out of bed.
“Miss me?” he drawled, flashing a grin that had probably gotten him out of trouble countless times before.
Sunoo’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself, narrowing his eyes. “Late again, Park,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest, feigning sternness. “You’re on your third warning this week. And it’s only Wednesday.”
“Oh, come on, President. Cut me some slack,” Sunghoon said, shrugging as he strolled into the room like he owned it. “You know I have better things to do than sit in a classroom all day.”
“Better things?” Sunoo raised an eyebrow, trying to look unimpressed but failing as his lips twitched upward. “Like what, napping under the bleachers?”
Sunghoon smirked, leaning against the doorframe with an air of lazy confidence. “Aw, c’mon, Soo. You know I’m always around for you,” he teased, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Why’re you always so worried about me, hmm?”
“I’m not worried about you,” Sunoo shot back, ignoring the flutter in his chest. “It’s my job as Student Council President to keep track of students who break the rules.”
“Uh-huh.” Sunghoon pushed himself off the doorframe and sauntered closer, his eyes never leaving Sunoo’s. He leaned down, poking Sunoo’s forehead with a light touch. “You just like having excuses to talk to me, admit it.”
Sunoo felt his cheeks burn, but he swatted Sunghoon’s hand away, glaring up at him. “Excuse me?” he said, trying to sound indignant but only managing to sound breathless. “I-I don’t have time for this. Some of us have responsibilities, unlike you.”
“Responsibilities, huh?” Sunghoon’s voice dropped to a low murmur, and he stepped even closer, until Sunoo could see the flecks of gold in his eyes. “Yet, you always make time for me.”
There it was—that shift in Sunghoon’s tone, the one that always sent Sunoo’s heart racing. For a moment, Sunoo forgot where they were, forgot that they weren’t alone, forgot that he was supposed to be mad at Sunghoon for being late. All he could focus on was how close Sunghoon was standing, how his heart skipped a beat every time Sunghoon leaned in, and how he could feel the warmth radiating from him, even though they weren’t touching.
“I…” Sunoo cleared his throat, desperately trying to regain control of the situation. “I have work to do. Important work.”
Sunghoon chuckled, the sound low and teasing, as he finally took a step back. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave,” he said, though the smirk never left his face. He flopped down into one of the chairs across from Sunoo, his long legs stretching out in front of him. “So, what’s on the agenda today, President Kim?”
Sunoo took a deep breath, using every ounce of willpower to calm himself. He glanced down at his notes, refusing to look at Sunghoon as he spoke. “We need to finalize the preparations for the upcoming school festival. And since you volunteered last week—”
“I didn’t,” Sunghoon interrupted smoothly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“You did when I wrote your name down,” Sunoo shot back, his lips curling into a triumphant smile despite himself. “You’ll be in charge of setting up the main stage. I’m sure you’ll be great at lifting heavy stuff.”
Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh? Are you assigning me the heavy lifting because you think I’m strong? Or…” He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, his gaze piercing. “Is it just an excuse to see me flex?”
“Absolutely not,” Sunoo stammered, face heating up as he quickly looked away. “It’s purely for the benefit of the festival. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Too late,” Sunghoon murmured, his eyes never leaving Sunoo’s. He watched as Sunoo’s ears turned pink, clearly enjoying how flustered the council president was getting. “You know I’ll do anything if it’s for you.”
Sunoo’s heart skipped a beat. He knew Sunghoon was just teasing—he always was—but there was something about the way he said it this time that felt… different. More sincere. It made Sunoo’s chest tighten, made him want to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was some truth in Sunghoon’s words.
But he couldn’t afford to think about that now. Not when he had responsibilities, not when everyone was watching, not when—
“Sunoo?” Sunghoon’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and Sunoo realized with a start that he’d been staring at him, completely lost in his own head.
“I—” Sunoo cleared his throat, trying to sound authoritative. “You… You need to make sure everything’s set up by noon, okay?”
“Yes, President,” Sunghoon replied with a lazy salute, clearly enjoying how much he was getting under Sunoo’s skin.
“And don’t cause any trouble,” Sunoo added, pointing a finger at him.
“No promises,” Sunghoon said, grinning. “But I’ll try my best. For you.”
Sunoo could only shake his head, turning his attention back to the papers in front of him. It was impossible to focus with Sunghoon around—always invading his space, always saying things that made his heart race, always making him question the very feelings he’d been trying so hard to ignore.
He didn’t know when it started. When Sunghoon’s teasing turned from innocent banter to something deeper, something more real. All he knew was that at some point, Sunghoon stopped hiding his feelings, and Sunoo… Sunoo started pretending he didn’t feel the same way. But deep down, he knew. He knew that his heart was no longer his own, and it terrified him just as much as it thrilled him.
As Sunghoon lounged in the chair, still watching Sunoo with that playful, knowing smile, Sunoo couldn’t help but think that maybe—just maybe—he didn’t mind being the object of Sunghoon’s attention after all.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as the preparations for the school festival kicked into high gear. Sunoo found himself busier than ever, darting from one end of the school to the other, clipboard in hand, ticking off lists, giving directions, and making sure everything was running smoothly. He was in his element—directing, organizing, and making sure every single detail was perfect. But despite all the chaos, there was one thing—or rather, one person—who kept catching his attention.
“Sunghoon, I need that banner up on the west side of the gym. Can you handle that?” Sunoo called out over the chatter, pointing towards the fabric bundle lying on the floor.
“Yes, sir, President Kim,” Sunghoon responded with an exaggerated salute, flashing that trademark grin that always made Sunoo’s heart do a somersault. He hoisted the heavy banner with ease, slinging it over his shoulder as if it weighed nothing, and made his way to the gym, already attracting curious glances from nearby students.
Sunoo couldn’t help but follow him with his eyes, watching as Sunghoon expertly maneuvered around the ladder, hooking the banner onto the poles with practiced ease. He worked with surprising dedication, his usual carefree attitude replaced with a level of focus that made Sunoo pause. It wasn’t often he saw this side of Sunghoon—the serious, hard-working version of the boy who usually did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
“Well, look who’s actually working hard,” Sunoo couldn’t resist teasing when Sunghoon finally hopped off the ladder, having secured the banner in place. He tapped his pen against his clipboard, lips twitching upwards. “Maybe there’s hope for you yet, delinquent.”
Sunghoon brushed his fingers through his slightly damp hair, sweat glistening on his forehead as he walked over to Sunoo. “Told you I could do it,” he said smugly, wiping the back of his hand across his brow. “And I did it just for you. Feel honored?”
Sunoo rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at his lips. “Don’t flatter yourself,” he retorted, though his tone was softer than he intended. “I could’ve found anyone else to help with this.”
“Yet, here I am,” Sunghoon said, his voice dropping a little, eyes never leaving Sunoo’s face. “Always showing up. Always doing what you ask.”
Sunoo felt his cheeks heat up under Sunghoon’s intense gaze and quickly looked away, pretending to jot something down on his clipboard. “Well, you’re doing a decent job. For once,” he muttered, trying to sound unimpressed.
“Decent?” Sunghoon echoed, his lips curving into a playful smirk. “C’mon, Soo. I deserve more than that. In fact,” he paused, leaning in closer, so close that Sunoo could feel his breath on his skin, “I think I deserve a reward.”
“A reward?” Sunoo blinked, genuinely caught off guard. “For what?”
“For being good,” Sunghoon replied smoothly, his tone playful but with an edge of sincerity that made Sunoo’s heart skip a beat. He took another step forward, closing the gap between them until they were only inches apart. “And you know what I want.”
Sunoo’s heart pounded in his chest, but he tried to maintain his composure. “If you say ‘another detention-free week,’ I swear—”
“Nope,” Sunghoon cut him off, shaking his head with that infuriatingly charming smile. “What I want is way better than that.”
Sunoo narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Then what is it?”
“I want you to go to the festival with me,” Sunghoon declared, his voice low and earnest. “As my date.”
For a moment, it felt like the entire world had gone silent. Sunoo’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at Sunghoon, trying to process what he’d just heard. “Y-You can’t be serious,” he finally managed to stammer out, his face flushing red. “This isn’t some joke, is it?”
Sunghoon’s smile softened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair away from Sunoo’s eyes, his fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary. “Dead serious,” he said, his tone quieter now, more vulnerable. “I want you to go with me. And not just because I’m bored or because I want to mess with you.” He hesitated, biting his lip, as if choosing his next words carefully. “I’ve liked you for a long time, Sunoo. You know that. And I want to spend that night with you, just us, not as the president and the delinquent, but as… as something more.”
Sunoo’s mind raced, his heart hammering so loudly in his chest that he was sure Sunghoon could hear it. “That’s… that’s not a reward,” he stammered, trying to sound logical, though his voice betrayed him with its unsteady quiver. “That’s… that’s just—”
“Something you want too?” Sunghoon challenged, his eyes never leaving Sunoo’s. There was a vulnerability in his gaze, a raw, honest longing that made Sunoo’s breath catch. “Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it.”
Sunoo could barely form a coherent thought, let alone a denial. He wanted to say no, to brush it off with one of his usual witty comebacks, but the words wouldn’t come. Because deep down, in that secret part of himself that he kept locked away, he knew that Sunghoon was right.
“Just because you say it doesn’t make it true,” Sunoo murmured, hating how weak and unsure he sounded.
“Then prove me wrong.” Sunghoon’s tone shifted, becoming softer, more pleading. “Go to the festival with me, Sunoo. One night. And if by the end, you still think this is all just a game to me, I promise I’ll back off. I won’t tease you about it again, and I’ll let you keep pretending that this doesn’t mean anything.”
Sunoo stared at him, caught between the desire to protect his heart and the overwhelming urge to take a chance. The fear of getting hurt warred with the undeniable truth that he didn’t want Sunghoon to back off. He didn’t want to keep pretending.
“Fine,” he finally said, barely above a whisper, but the smile that crept onto his face was undeniable. “One date. But this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for any future detentions.”
Sunghoon’s face lit up with a grin so genuine and bright that it took Sunoo’s breath away. “Deal,” he said, his voice filled with excitement and warmth. He took a step back, giving Sunoo some space, but not before reaching out and giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You won’t regret it, President.”
As Sunghoon walked away to continue with his festival tasks, Sunoo watched him, a warmth blooming in his chest. And fort he first time in a long time, he allowed himself to hope that maybe, just maybe, there was something real between them.
The night of the festival arrived, and Sunoo found himself pacing nervously in his room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He’d dressed carefully, choosing an outfit that balanced between looking put-together and casual—dark jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a tie that matched his school colors. He didn’t want to seem like he was trying too hard, but he also didn’t want to look like he hadn’t put in any effort. He adjusted his tie for the tenth time, fiddling with the knot as if it would somehow calm the storm of nerves churning inside him. “It’s just a festival,” he muttered to himself, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. “It’s just Sunghoon. Nothing’s changed.”
But deep down, he knew everything had changed.
When he finally arrived at the festival, the school grounds were transformed into a sea of vibrant stalls, twinkling lights, and colorful decorations. Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed above, bathing everything in a warm, ethereal glow, while the scent of popcorn and grilled food wafted through the air. The sound of laughter, excited chatter, and the occasional pop of game booths filled the night, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and cozy. Sunoo wove through the crowd, heart pounding in his chest as he searched for a familiar face. He kept glancing around, trying to find him amidst the sea of people, until his eyes finally landed on a familiar figure leaning casually against a lamppost near the entrance.
Sunghoon.
Sunoo froze, his breath catching in his throat. Sunghoon looked different tonight. His usual carefree, rebellious vibe was still there, but something about him seemed more polished, more intentional. He was wearing his school uniform properly for once—the tie neatly knotted, the jacket buttoned up, and his shirt actually tucked in. Yet, despite the effort, he still managed to look effortlessly cool, as if this was just another regular day for him. The lamplight cast a warm glow over him, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw, the soft curve of his lips, and the way his hair fell in loose waves just above his eyes. It made Sunoo’s heart skip a beat, and he had to take a moment to steady himself before approaching.
“You’re actually on time,” Sunghoon noted as soon as Sunoo got close, his lips quirking up into a teasing smile. “I was starting to think you’d bail on me.”
Sunoo rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the fluttering in his stomach. “Well, I’m here now,” he replied, lifting his chin to hide his nervousness. “Don’t make me regret it.”
Sunghoon’s smile softened, and for a moment, there was something almost tender in his gaze. “You look great,” he said quietly, his eyes roaming over Sunoo’s outfit before meeting his gaze. “Really great.”
Heat rushed to Sunoo’s cheeks, and he turned his head to the side, pretending to be interested in a nearby stall to avoid Sunghoon’s gaze. “Let’s just get this over with,” he muttered, his voice coming out more flustered than he intended. He took a step forward, but before he could get far, he felt a warm hand wrap around his wrist.
“Hey,” Sunghoon said softly, and Sunoo felt his heart stutter at the gentle, almost hesitant tone. “Let’s make it a night you won’t forget, okay?”
Sunoo glanced down at their joined hands, feeling the warmth of Sunghoon’s palm against his skin, and for a moment, everything else faded away. He nodded, unable to find his voice, and Sunghoon’s face broke into a wide, genuine smile that made Sunoo’s heart do a little flip.
They wandered through the festival together, and Sunghoon never let go of Sunoo’s hand. His grip was firm yet gentle, as if silently reassuring him that he was right there, that he wasn’t going anywhere. Despite the playful chaos surrounding them—the flashing lights, the clamor of students laughing, the upbeat music playing from the speakers—it felt like they were in their own little world.
“Want to try this?” Sunghoon asked as they approached a game booth where players had to knock down cans with a small ball. He smirked, his thumb brushing against Sunoo’s hand. “I’m pretty good at this, you know.”
Sunoo raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the way Sunghoon’s touch sent tingles up his arm. “You say that about everything.”
“Hey, it’s not bragging if it’s true,” Sunghoon shot back with a grin. He paid the booth operator, picked up one of the balls, and took his position, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a big game. With one swift, practiced throw, he knocked down every single can, earning an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd that had gathered around them.
“Not bad,” Sunoo admitted, trying to sound unimpressed even as a tiny smile tugged at his lips. “I suppose you’re good at something after all.”
“Only the best for you,” Sunghoon replied with a wink, and before Sunoo could retort, he reached up and plucked a stuffed bear from the booth’s prize shelf. He turned to Sunoo, his eyes twinkling with mischief, and held out the bear. “This one’s yours.”
Sunoo stared at the plush toy, warmth blooming in his chest. He hesitated, fingers brushing against the soft fabric, and then took it from Sunghoon, clutching it close. “Thanks,” he mumbled, trying to ignore the way his heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.
As they continued through the festival, Sunghoon seemed to make it his mission to spoil Sunoo. He insisted on buying them matching snacks—two steaming cups of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows—and made sure to carry all of Sunoo’s things, even when Sunoo protested.
“Honestly, I can carry my own stuff,” Sunoo huffed as Sunghoon adjusted the bag on his shoulder for the third time. “I’m not helpless, you know.”
“I know,” Sunghoon said, his tone light but his eyes serious. “But you don’t have to do everything by yourself all the time, okay?”
Sunoo blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in Sunghoon’s voice. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could find the right words, Sunghoon’s expression shifted back to that familiar, teasing grin. “Besides, what kind of date would I be if I didn’t carry your things?”
Sunoo’s heart skipped a beat, and he glanced away, hoping Sunghoon wouldn’t notice the blush creeping up his neck. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, but there was no real heat in his words.
“And you love it,” Sunghoon shot back, bumping their shoulders together playfully.
“Why are you doing all this?” Sunoo asked suddenly when they finally took a break and sat down on a bench overlooking the fireworks display. The air was filled with the scent of grilled street food and the sweet aroma of festival treats, and all around them, couples and groups of friends gathered, chatting excitedly as they waited for the fireworks to begin. The sky above them was starting to light up with bursts of color, painting everything in shades of red, blue, and gold. Sunoo’s gaze flickered from the vibrant display to Sunghoon’s face, catching the way the light danced in his eyes. “Why are you so… persistent?”
Sunghoon chuckled, leaning back against the bench, his posture relaxed but his eyes never leaving the sky. “Because I’m in love with you, dummy.”
Sunoo’s breath hitched, heart hammering in his chest. He turned to look at Sunghoon, expecting to see that familiar teasing grin, the one that always made his knees go weak. But instead, he found Sunghoon staring up at the fireworks with an expression so serious and uncharacteristically vulnerable that it made something inside Sunoo ache. He felt his pulse quicken, his throat tightening with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
“I’ve loved you since the day you stood up for me,” Sunghoon continued, his voice barely louder than a whisper but so full of conviction that it drowned out the noise around them. “When everyone else thought I was just some troublemaker who didn’t care about anything, you saw more. You’ve always seen more. And even when I acted like an idiot—especially when I acted like an idiot—you never gave up on me.”
Sunghoon paused, his gaze shifting to meet Sunoo’s eyes, and the intensity there made Sunoo’s heart skip a beat. “You always take care of everyone, always put everyone else’s needs before your own. You run yourself ragged trying to be perfect, trying to be what everyone expects you to be.” He took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, and then asked the question that made Sunoo’s heart twist painfully in his chest. “But who takes care of you, Sunoo?”
The question hung in the air between them, heavy and raw. Sunoo’s lips parted, but no words came out. No one had ever asked him that before—no one had ever noticed the weight he carried, the way he silently shouldered everyone’s burdens without complaint. He blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that were suddenly blurring his vision, but it was no use. “I… I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” he tried to say, but his voice cracked, and the lie tasted bitter on his tongue.
“That’s not true,” Sunghoon whispered, and before Sunoo could react, he reached out, his thumb gently brushing away a tear that slipped down Sunoo’s cheek. Sunoo hadn’t even realized he was crying, and the tenderness in Sunghoon’s touch made his heart ache even more. “You don’t always have to be strong, Sunoo. You don’t always have to do everything by yourself.” His hand lingered on Sunoo’s face, thumb tracing soft circles on his skin, as if trying to soothe the pain he saw there. “It’s okay to let someone in. It’s okay to let someone be there for you.”
Sunoo felt his defenses crumbling, the walls he had carefully built around himself over the years beginning to crack. He wanted to argue, to tell Sunghoon that he didn’t need help, that he could handle everything on his own. But when he looked into Sunghoon’s eyes—saw the warmth and sincerity there, the way he was looking at him as if he was the most precious thing in the world—something inside him broke. And before he could stop himself, he whispered, “Why me?”
Sunghoon’s smile softened, and he shifted closer, his voice low and full of emotion. “Because you’re you, Sunoo. You’re smart and kind and stubborn as hell, and you make me want to be better. You make everything brighter, just by being around.” He took Sunoo’s hand, intertwining their fingers, and the simple gesture sent warmth flooding through Sunoo’s entire body. “And I’m not going to stop loving you just because you think you don’t deserve it.”
Sunoo’s vision blurred with tears again, but this time, he didn’t try to fight them. “I don’t know if I can do this,” he admitted, his voice trembling. “I’m scared, Sunghoon.”
“I know,” Sunghoon murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of Sunoo’s hand. “And that’s okay. You don’t have to figure everything out right now. I’ll be here, every step of the way. I’m not going anywhere.”
A sob escaped Sunoo’s throat, and he nodded, unable to speak. He leaned forward, burying his face against Sunghoon’s shoulder, his body shaking with silent tears. And instead of pulling away, Sunghoon wrapped his arms around him, holding him close, his fingers running soothingly through Sunoo’s hair. “I’ve got you,” Sunghoon whispered against his ear, his breath warm and comforting. “I’m right here, Soo. I’m not going anywhere.”
After a few moments, Sunoo pulled back, his face flushed and tear-streaked, but he didn’t care. He met Sunghoon’s gaze, his heart swelling with something so powerful it left him breathless. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse but steady. “For being here. For… everything.”
Sunghoon’s smile was blinding, full of so much joy and love that it took Sunoo’s breath away. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. And before Sunoo could respond, Sunghoon leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment as if he was trying to memorize the feel of Sunoo’s skin.
“You’re such an idiot,” Sunoo managed to say, his voice catching on a laugh that bubbled up from somewhere deep inside him. It was a laugh full of relief, of hope, of a future that didn’t seem so scary anymore.
“Yeah,” Sunghoon agreed, pulling him closer, his eyes shining with unshed tears of his own. “But I’m your idiot, remember?”
Sunoo nodded, his heart bursting with so much love he thought he might actually drown in it. “Yeah,” he whispered, a smile tugging at his lips. “You are.”
And as the fireworks continued to explode above them, showering them in bursts of light and color, Sunoo allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t have to be alone anymore. That maybe, for the first time in his life, he could let someone else take care of him. And that thought was more beautiful than any fireworks display he’d ever seen.