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Today is the first day of school, and Han is officially stepping into his junior year.
The morning air felt fresh with the faint scent of damp grass and freshly cut lawns across the campus quad.
Han is walking with his hands tucked loosely inside the pockets of the beige cardigan he's wearing over his school uniform. Right beside him is JL, his best friend, who's currently laughing at something Steven (his boyfriend) said, while Steven is still firmly holding JL’s hand with their fingers comfortably intertwined.
They were all heading toward the main campus cafeteria for a quick lunch before their afternoon orientations started.
Han’s heart is doing little flips inside his chest. In fact, every single step he took toward the cafeteria made his stomach flutter with warm, giddy butterflies, and the reason for it all is because he’s going to meet his boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
Even after several months of officially being together, just thinking about that word in his head makes Han feel completely flustered. His cheeks warmed up, and a shy, soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
He still could not believe that he’s actually dating the man of his dreams. Cha Woongki is real, he’s kind, gorgeous, and, well… He's his boyfriend. Han had already introduced Woongki to JL over a video call a few weeks ago, but today is special. It's Woongki’s very first official day after transferring to the same university.
However, Han's thoughts were interrupted when the three of them made a turn to the corner near the big glass doors of the cafeteria building. The wide hallway leading to the dining hall is surprisingly crowded, and everyone seem to be talking about the same thing.
Two girls walked right past Han, giggling softly into their sleeves while whispering back and forth with wide, excited eyes.
"Did you see him? Oh my gosh, he looks like an actual idol or something!" one girl squeaked, clutching her notebook against her chest.
"I know, right?" her friend replied, fanning her face with her hand. "His hair looks so fluffy, and his smile is literally blinding! I heard he's a transferee in the arts department. Do you think he has a girlfriend?"
"Who knows! But I’m definitely going to try and get his socials before the next class starts!"
Han blinked, tilting his head slightly as he watched the two girls rush off toward the main courtyard. He felt a tiny prickle of curiosity in his chest.
What is everyone so excited about?
The cafeteria is in an absolute buzz today. Still, his curiosity took a backseat to the excitement bubbling in his heart. He just wanted to find his boyfriend, hold his hand, and get a table in a corner to eat together.
"Sounds like someone popular just walked in," JL teased, nudging Han’s shoulder with an elbow. "Maybe a celebrity enrolled here or something."
"Probably," Steven agreed. "You know how fast news travels around this place on the first day."
Han just smiled and shook his head, pushing open the heavy double glass doors of the cafeteria.
The moment they stepped inside, the noise level hit them like a hard wall.
The cafeteria is even more chaotic than the hallway. Dozens of students are standing around, chatting loudly and craning their necks toward a specific corner of the large room. Han scanned the area, trying to spot a familiar head of soft, blonde hair, but the crowd was too dense.
Then he noticed that one specific table in the center of the hall was completely surrounded.
A massive crowd of girls (and guys) and students from all different years are gathered around it, leaning in, talking all at once, and holding up their phones. It looked like a full-blown fan meeting right in the middle of the school lunchroom.
"Woah," JL said, stopping in his tracks. "Look at that crowd. You think someone famous really is sitting there?"
"Looks like it," Steven said, squinting. "They're totally crowding whoever is at that table."
Han stood on his tiptoes, trying to peek over the shoulders of the crowd, but he still could not spot Woongki anywhere. He pulled out his phone, intending to send a quick text message to ask where he was sitting, but before his thumbs could even touch the screen, the chaotic noise in the cafeteria suddenly began to fade.
The loud murmurs quieted down into soft hushes, and the thick ring of students around the table gradually parted. A wave of silence washed across the entire cafeteria.
Suddenly, a very energetic voice broke through the crowd, calling out with pure, unfiltered delight. "Hani~"
Han froze.
Every single pair of eyes in the cafeteria instantly turned away from the center table and landed directly on him.
Han felt his breath getting stuck in his throat.
Right in the middle stood Woongki.
He looks breathtaking, wearing a slightly oversized, ivory sweater over his school uniform that made him look soft and bright, his fluffy hair perfectly styled, and his wide, radiant eyes locked right onto Han.
Han blinked once, twice, his mind momentarily going completely blank.
Woongki beamed, smiling sweet enough to melt chocolate, and then he stepped out from behind the table, entirely ignoring the dozens of starstruck gazes following his every move, and opened his arms wide toward Han.
"Hani, over here!" Woongki called out again, gesturing for a hug.
Han felt a sudden rush of heat paint his entire face, burning all the way to the tips of his ears.
Everyone is looking at him.
The entire cafeteria is almost dead silent, staring at the sudden interaction with wide, shocked eyes.
Han wanted to melt into the floor from sheer shyness, but when he looked at Woongki’s glowing face and those open, warm arms… his feet moved on their own.
He walked past the stunned onlookers, heart hammering against his ribs, until he reached Woongki.
The second Han came within arm’s reach, Woongki stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Han’s waist, pulling him close and burying his face into the crook of Han’s neck right in front of everyone.
The quiet cafeteria exploded into a fresh storm of soft gasps, excited murmurs, and shocked whispers.
"Wait, who is that?" a girl nearby whispered loudly. "Are they... together?!"
"No way! The cute new guy is already taken?!" another student groaned softly, though she couldn't hide a giggly smile. "They look so cute together, oh my gosh!"
"Look how shy the boyfriend is getting! His whole face is pink!"
Behind them, JL and Steven walked over, both of them snickering into their hands as they watched Han try to hide his bright red face against Woongki’s shoulder.
"Look at our boy," JL giggled softly to Steven, making sure Han could hear him. "He acts so smooth over text, but one hug in public and he turns into a red panda."
"Be nice, JL," Steven grinned, teasingly. "He's just overwhelmed by his grand entrance."
Woongki pulled back just enough to look at Han, eyes sparkling with pure affection. He gently cupped Han’s warm cheeks with his soft hands, unbothered by the dozens of eyes still watching them.
"I missed you so much today, Hani. Did you wait long?"
"N-no," Han stammered softly, voice barely a whisper as he looked down, defeated by Woongki’s overwhelming charm. "I just got here," he added.
Woongki giggled. He gently took Han’s hand, lacing their fingers together, and turned to wave at JL and Steven.
The four of them ended up sharing a table near the large windows for lunch and throughout the entire meal, whispers and curious glances continued to drift over from nearby tables.
Students are still giggling and sneaking glances at the pair, marveling at how gentle and affectionate the new transferee is toward a junior they barely recognized (yep. Han is an introvert).
Woongki didn't seem to mind the attention at all. In fact, he spent most of the lunch hour carefully picking out the vegetables Han disliked from his plate and placing the best pieces of grilled chicken onto Han’s rice bowl.
Since it’s only the first week of the new semester, none of them has a regular, heavy lectures scheduled yet. The entire week is mostly dedicated to simple subject orientations, syllabus hand-outs, and quick icebreaker sessions. Because of that, their afternoon schedules wrapped up much earlier than expected.
By two in the afternoon, the four of them left the university grounds and took a short walk over to the nearby shopping mall. They spent hours wandering through clothing stores, playing arcade games where Woongki insisted on winning a giant plush cat for Han, and sitting in a quiet dessert parlor to share a large bowl of shaved ice.
JL and Steven took endless photos of Han and Woongki, poking fun at how Han couldn't seem to stop looking at Woongki whenever the other isn’t looking.
Just like that… the weeks rolled by and the university settled into comfort, but Woongki and Han is still the topic of campus news.
They quickly became the most popular pair at the university. Wherever they went, people noticed. Woongki, with his bubbly personality, visuals, and stylish outfits, was constantly approached by other students (mostly girls from various departments) who were looking for excuses to talk to him, ask for his notes, or simply try to become close with him.
Han knew deep down that almost everyone who approached Woongki simply had a massive crush on his boyfriend.
He couldn't really blame them. Woongki is impossible not to adore. But that didn't mean Han is completely immune to a little bit of jealousy.
Whenever he saw a group of students giggling around Woongki near the lockers or offering him sweet drinks after class, Han would quiet down, puff out his cheeks slightly, and cross his arms, silently sulking by the side.
He never threw a dramatic scene or made a fuss. He isn't the type to yell or cause a commotion. Instead, he'd just quietly pull his cardigan sleeves over his hands, look down at his shoes, and emit a soft, moody atmosphere that practically screamed for attention.
Woongki, of course, found this habit adorable.
Every single time he noticed Han sulking, Woongki’s face would light up with a tender smile. He’d quickly bow out of whatever conversation he was having, walk straight over to Han, and wrap his arms around Han’s waist from behind, resting his chin right on Han’s shoulder.
"Are you sulking again, baby?" Woongki would whisper sweetly into his ear, rubbing his cheek gently against Han’s.
"I'm not," Han would mumble softly, looking away, though his ears would immediately turn pink.
"You totally are," Woongki would giggle, reaching around to squeeze Han’s hands. "You don't need to worry about anyone, you know that right? You're the only one I love… Literally the only one."
Hearing those soft, honest words always made Han’s tiny pout melt away in seconds. A shy, bright smile would bloom across his face, and he would turn around to bury his nose into Woongki’s shoulder.
To cope with his insecurity, Han grew more and more clingy as the days went by. He held Woongki’s hand while walking between class buildings, leaned his head on Woongki’s shoulder during study sessions in the library, and constantly adjusted Woongki’s coat collars whenever they stepped outside. Woongki doesn't mind. In fact, he finds it cute whenever his boyfriend is being clingy.
And because of this constant public didplay of affection, it is safe to say that everyone at the university already have it confirmed that they are dating.
They are the couple everyone talked about, a pair that's so sweet together that even the people who originally had crushes on Woongki couldn't help but root for them.
And Woongki made sure to make Han feel cherished every chance he got, constantly planning special dates for the two of them whenever their class schedules cleared up.
One Friday afternoon, when the sky was painted in soft shades of butter yellow and faint lavender, Woongki took Han to a hidden, tiny glasshouse cafe nestled near the edge of the city.
The cafe was surrounded by a lush garden filled with blooming white hydrangeas and tall fern plants, and the rich, comforting aroma of roasted coffee beans and fresh cinnamon rolls filled the air the moment they pushed open the wooden door.
They took a cozy seat right by the large bay window that overlooked a small trickle of a stone fountain outside. Sunlight filtered through the glass pane, casting a warm, golden glow over Woongki’s soft features.
"I ordered for us," Woongki said with a proud little nod, resting his chin on his hands as he gazed across the small wooden table at Han.
A few minutes later, the waiter brought over a tray containing two warm caramel lattes topped with intricate heart-shaped foam art, along with a thick slice of warm strawberry shortcake decorated with edible gold flakes and fresh mint leaves.
"Try the cake first, Hani," Woongki urged, eyes shining with anticipation as he picked up a silver fork and carefully cut off a generous bite, making sure it had a perfect balance of fluffy sponge, sweet cream, and a slice of fresh strawberry. He reached across the table, hovering the fork near Han’s lips. "Say ahh."
Han felt a slight warmth rise to his cheeks, but he obediently opened his mouth and took the bite. The delicate flavor of sweet cream and tart strawberry instantly melted on his tongue instantly. "It's really good," Han murmured, smiling softly as he chewed.
"Right?" Woongki beamed, looking immensely pleased with himself.
He leaned back in his chair and took a slow sip of his latte, leaving a tiny dot of white foam right on his upper lip.
Han chuckled softly, reaching across the table with his thumb to gently wipe the foam away. Woongki leaned slightly into Han’s touch, taking Han’s hand and softly kissing the tip of his thumb before letting it go.
"You always have cream on your face," Han teased softly, heart beating a little faster.
"That's why I brought you with me," Woongki replied smoothly with a playfully mischievous spark in his eyes. "So you can clean it up for me," he added.
They spent the next two hours sitting in that sunlit corner, sharing bits of cake, drinking their warm lattes, and talking about everything and nothing. They talked about their upcoming midterm assignments, the funny mistake JL made during his presentation earlier that morning, and how much they loved the quietness of the afternoon. Woongki continuously reached out to adjust the stray strands of hair falling over Han’s forehead, his touch as delicate as a feather, making Han feel like he was the only person in the entire world.
The following weekend, Woongki surprised Han with tickets to a private evening exhibit at the city’s grand contemporary art museum.
The museum was housed in an imposing building with high ceilings, cool marble floors, and soft, warm spotlights that highlighted massive, colorful oil paintings hanging along the deep navy walls.
The atmosphere inside is quiet, solemn, and peaceful. A few scattered visitors walked through the spacious halls as their soft footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor.
Woongki walked closely alongside Han, their hands casually slung together, their fingers securely locked. They stopped in front of a massive canvas painted with swirling strokes of deep indigo, soft violet, and brilliant gold. It looked like a night sky caught in a gentle storm, vibrant yet strangely peaceful to look at.
"What do you think this one represents?" Woongki asked in a soft, low whisper, leaning his shoulder against Han’s as they stared up at the giant painting.
Han pondered for a moment, tilting his head slightly. "It looks like... a chaotic thought that somehow found a place to settle down. Like when your mind is full of noise, but then something calms it down."
Woongki turned his head, looking at Han’s side profile instead of the artwork. The soft spotlight from above illuminated Han’s dark eyes, reflection casting a faint glow over his soft features. Woongki’s expression softened into something incredibly tender.
"That's beautiful, Hani," Woongki murmured softly. "You know, that's kind of how I feel when I'm with you."
Han turned to look at him, caught off guard by the sudden confession. "What do you mean?"
"Before I met you, my head always felt full of noise," Woongki explained, thumb gently stroking the back of Han’s hand. "I was always worrying about fitting in, about what people thought of me, about where I was supposed to go. But when I'm with you, everything just goes quiet. In a good way. Like I finally reached the place I'm supposed to be."
Han felt a sudden lump in his throat, a deep wave of warmth expanding inside his chest. Right there, in the middle of the quiet, dimly lit gallery, surrounded by priceless works of art, Han realized that nothing on the walls could ever compare to the man standing right beside him. Han raised their joined hands and gently pressed a quick, soft kiss to the back of Woongki’s knuckles, smiling when he saw Woongki’s own cheeks flush a faint shade of pink.
On their next date, Woongki arranged a night at the historic city opera house.
Woongki managed to secure private box seats on the second balcony, giving them an uninterrupted view of the massive stage below and the full orchestra pit.
As the heavy velvet curtains lifted and the dark hall was filled with the powerful, dramatic melodies of classical instruments and soaring operatic vocals, Han found himself captivated by the performance. The dramatic story on stage with grand sets and emotional duets, and the music swelling up to the towering ceiling.
Halfway through the second act, during a sweeping orchestral solo, Han felt a gentle touch on his arm.
He turned his head away from the stage to look at Woongki.
In the dim, golden light of the balcony, Woongki wasn't watching the performance on stage at all. He was leaning back in his velvet seat, staring intently at Han with a soft, affectionate look in his eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Han whispered softly, trying not to disturb the other balcony patrons. "The opera is down there."
"I know," Woongki whispered back with a faint, lovely smile touching his lips. "But you look much prettier than the stage."
Han bit his lower lip, feeling a familiar wave of heat rush straight to his cheeks. "Hyung, you're hopeless," he breathed out, though he couldn't stop the wide smile from spreading across his face.
Woongki leaned over the wooden divider separating their seats, closing the distance between them, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against Han’s cheek. The music below reached a dramatic, soaring climax, but in that private, shadowy box seat, time seemed to freeze entirely for the two of them. Han turned his head slightly, leaning his forehead against Woongki’s, letting the rich sounds of the orchestra wrap around them like a warm blanket.
It was late in the evening when they finally returned home.
They’d recently moved into a cozy, shared condo unit located just a few blocks away from the campus.
They'd just walked through the front door, still dressed in their semi-formal clothes after coming straight back from their grand opera date from earlier that evening.
The apartment is quiet and peaceful, filled only with the faint, ambient sounds of distant city traffic coming from outside the window.
Feeling completely exhausted yet content, neither of them bothered to head straight to the bedroom.
Instead, Woongki walked over to the center of the living room and collapsed directly onto the thick, soft sky blue-colored carpet spread across the floor. He let out a long, dramatic sigh of relief, sprawling out completely.
Han chuckled softly at the sight. He walked over, kicked off his socks, and lowered himself down right beside Woongki.
Han lay down on his side, carefully resting his head over Woongki’s outstretched arm, using it as a comfortable pillow. He draped one arm over Woongki’s chest, half-hugging him tightly, drawing himself as close as he possibly could.
For a long while, neither of them spoke.
They just listened to the steady sound of each other's breathing. Woongki gently used his free hand to stroke Han’s back in slow, soothing circles, fingers moving with tenderness.
The golden streetlights from outside filtered through the sheer window curtains, casting soft, gentle lines of light across the living room floor.
"Hani?" Woongki’s soft voice suddenly broke the silence, sounding gentle and thoughtful in the quiet room.
"Hmm?" Han murmured, eyes half-closed as he enjoyed the warmth of Woongki’s chest against his cheek.
Woongki shifted slightly, looking up at the plain white ceiling with a thoughtful, dreamy expression. "I want to tell you something. It might sound a little weird or silly, though."
Han lifted his head slightly, resting his chin on Woongki’s chest so he could look up at his face.
"What is it? You can tell me anything."
Woongki paused for a moment, biting his lower lip as if he was trying to find the right words to explain what was on his mind.
"Before I transferred to the university... before I even met you in person," Woongki began softly, his voice dropping to a low, quiet tone. "I used to have this very specific dream. It wasn't just a one-time thing either. I dreamed about it a lot of times. Over and over again."
Han listened quietly, his attention completely captured. "What happened in the dream?"
"It wasn't really a story," Woongki smiled faintly, eyes reflecting the soft light in the room. "It was just a feeling, and a silhouette. I kept seeing someone walking beside me under a bright blue sky. I couldn't see their faces clearly at first, but every time I woke up, I felt this strange longing in my chest. Like I was missing someone I hadn't even met yet."
Woongki turned his head slightly on the carpet, looking directly into Han’s dark, gentle eyes.
"And then, on the day we bumped into each other under the pouring rain..." Woongki whispered, his voice trembling slightly with pure emotion. "I instantly knew. It was you. You felt so familiar, Hani. Like my heart already recognized you long before my eyes even saw you."
Han swallowed hard, his own eyes glistening softly under the warm dim light of the living room.
"That's crazy," Han whispered softly, a tender smile breaking across his lips. "Because... I felt the exact same way. When you called me Hani that night when I fell sick, it didn't feel like you were a stranger. It felt like... like you were finally coming back to me."
Woongki stared at Han, his heart racing against his ribs under Han’s resting palm.
"What do you think that means, Hani?" Woongki asked softly, his voice filled with a quiet, wondrous curiosity.
Han didn't answer right away.
Instead, he slowly shifted his position, pushing himself up slightly on one elbow. He reached out with his free hand, fingers soft and warm as he gently touched Woongki’s cheek, feeling the soft texture of his skin. Han gently guided Woongki’s face, turning him so that they were looking directly into each other’s eyes before leaning in for a gentle kiss.
When their lips finally separated, Han looked deep into Woongki’s sparkling eyes, seeing his own reflection resting safely within them, and smiled with all the love he held in his heart.
"Look into my eyes, you will see what you mean to me..."