Chapter Text
Castle. Yuyu. Hand brushes. Chaos ensues.
Ohyul and Y/n first met when they were 12 and 13. Ohyul’s only a year older than her. Both of their mothers are close friends and introduced the two to each other to become friends as well. They both clicked so fast, as if they were magnetic pieces that belong to each other—so inseparable, like a neodymium magnet.
“So glad you guys moved across from us! My daughter’s friend lives far from our neighborhood, so she doesn’t get to go out much and play with other kids. It’s a blessing that she and Ohyul have become close so fast,” Y/n’s mother spoke gently, relieved that her daughter finally has a friend close by to go out and play with.
“I know, right! My Ohyul didn’t really get to go out when we were at Jeongwon-dong, other than being home with his little brother, Louis, playing and teasing each other,” Ohyul’s mother replied with a huge smile on her face, putting the tray of lemonade drinks on the table before sitting down next to Y/n’s mother.
“Hayeon-dong’s a small neighborhood, but people look out for each other around here—pretty calm, especially at night.” Y/n’s mother took a sip of her drink, watching the two kids playing in the wooden sandpit in the Kwons’ backyard.
Y/n shrieked in excitement and laughed at Ohyul, who was making car crash noises, rolling the car into the little sand castle she built.
“Louis! Bring that back here!!” Ohyul shouted at the younger boy, who had taken the shovel to chase their little beagle around, scaring it as if he was gonna hit it.
“So, Ohyul, you also go to my school?”
He nodded at her, getting up to take the shovel from Louis, who then ran to their mother to complain. He went back to Y/n and gave her the shovel back.
“Yeah, I’m in 1-3. What about you?”
Y/n gasped and dropped the shovel, pausing her construction of the sand castle, which Louis took over. She smiled widely, clapping her hand once.
“Me too! We have the same class!!” She cheered.
“Okay, everyone! Since the sem is almost over, we are doing the last project for this sem. You’ll be working in pairs for this science project, so go ahead get a partner, and I’ll explain in 5 minutes,” Mr. Min announced.
“I am working with Asa, you’ll be fine anyways~” Wonhee winked at Y/n. Then she got up from her seat, walking over to Asa’s table to be with her for the discussion. She got her notebook and pen ready, then the chair next to her was pulled over before someone sat on it.
“Us as usual, what do you think the project will be, Castle?” She playfully rolled her eyes at Ohyul, cracking a little smile on her face.“I don’t know, maybe I think a research from the last lesson.”
Castle is what he calls her as it recalls back to their childhood. Building the sandcastle was always her thing to do, while he gets to admire before destroying it with his toy car—which was something, surprisingly, she doesn’t get mad over. It makes her laugh and she would rebuild it for him. If a person had a castle, they’d cherish it, right? That’s exactly how it is for Ohyul. She is the castle he’s always taken care of and most likely assumes will always be there.
“Alright! I expect every one of you to get it done, or it’ll be a zero for the whole sem. This is the first big research project. 3–5 pages, do not forget! I’m out,” Mr. Min said to the class as he fixed his notes, sticking them between a page of his science book, and walked out of the classroom without looking back.
“That sounded like a lot of work,” Gunwook complained as he, Ryul, and the other two girls gathered over at Ohyul and Y/n’s table.
“Come on, I’m hungry~ You’re always last to pack!” Asa remarked at the girl frantically packing her things into her bag, being last in class and having people waiting for her.
After Y/n finally got done with packing her things, they walked out of the classroom and rushed to the cafe, yelling and laughing as they constantly cracked jokes. Gunwook and Wonhee picked at each other. Asa and Ryul talked about the discussion Mr. Min explained in class. Ohyul and Y/n walked so close next to each other, hands brushing one another. The girl was obviously enjoying it. Every interaction with him really. No matter how big or small.
“Every work that is assigned is always too much work for you,” Wonhee stuck her tongue out at Gunwook before taking another spoon of her food.
Gunwook pouted as he poked Ryul. “Ryuryu, won’t you defend me from the evil witch?” he said in a baby voice.
The rest laughed, Wonhee and Ryul playfully gagging at the action he pulled.
Ohyul took his chopsticks and moved his dakgalbi onto Y/n’s plate.
“Thank you, Yuyu~” she said, smiling big at him as she took a bite, passing her drink to him.
“Yuyu? That’s a new addition to the collection of cringe nicknames you two have for each other,” Ryul said out loud, almost sounding bitter but forcing a teasing tone to be careful of making his jealousy obvious.
Y/n nudged him lightly with her elbow, a smirk on her face. “Oh, come on! Don’t act like you don’t have one for someone too!”
Ohyul continued eating his food as Ryul coughed, quickly turning his gaze back to his own plate. “Uh… yeah, well—mine aren’t as… creative, okay?” he muttered, trying to sound casual while his stomach did flips.
“Sure, sure~” Wonhee laughed, waving her spoon in the air. “Keep telling yourself that, Ryul. Just don’t get salty about Mister Yuyu and Miss Castle over here.”
Y/n giggled, taking a glance at Ohyul. He grinned at her, eyes soft, taking a sip of her drink before passing it back. Their fingers brushed for a second, making Y/n feel a bit nervous as heat rushed to her cheeks. She quickly took a sip of her drink. I just kissed Ohyul… well—indirect kiss. I wish I really could though.
Ryul looked away, feeling his stomach twisted, pretending to focus on his food.
“Why are you two always like this?” Gunwook groaned, shaking his head. “It’s exhausting just watching.”
“Because she and I are the best, isn’t that right, Castle?” Ohyul said smugly, leaning closer to her face a bit, earning another soft laugh from Y/n as the others groaned and coughed, reminding them that they were still present.