¹⁵┆𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

But just as I began to lift it, his hands caught mine.

Jungwon:"Sohee,"

he said, breathless but firm. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his voice shaking with restraint.

Jungwon:"Wait."

I froze, confusion flickering across my face.

Jungwon:"I... I don't think it's the right time yet," he admitted softly, searching my eyes. Jungwon:"You mean so much to me. More than you know. And you're worth more than just rushing into this. Three weeks... it's too soon. I don't want to mess this up."

My throat tightened. The way he looked at me so gentle, so protective it almost hurt. He wasn't rejecting me. He was cherishing me.

Jungwon:"You're precious to me," he continued, brushing a damp strand of hair from my cheek. Jungwon:"I don't want to risk hurting you by moving too fast."

Tears stung the back of my eyes. I nodded silently, heart aching with love. Sohee:"Okay," I whispered.

He pulled me down, tucking me against his bare chest. I could hear his heartbeat, steady and strong beneath my ear.

And just like that, the storm inside me calmed.

I didn't need more tonight. Being here, lying in his arms, listening to the rain outside and his breath in sync with mine this was already everything.

The next morning

I woke up in Jungwon's arms.

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, turning the raindrops still clinging to the glass into tiny diamonds. For a moment, I didn't move I just lay there, listening to his steady breathing, the rhythm of his heart against my back. His arm was wrapped around me protectively, his warmth anchoring me to the bed, to him.

I knew I had to get up. University started early, and if I stayed one more minute, I'd lose all willpower to leave. Still, I let myself linger, studying the way his lashes brushed against his skin, how serene his face looked in sleep. Even like this unguarded, vulnerable he looked breathtaking. Almost too perfect to be real.

Carefully, I slipped out of his embrace, afraid to wake him. He stirred faintly but didn't open his eyes. My heart softened at the sight. How could someone like him who once called himself a monster be so gentle in moments like these?

I showered quickly, pulled on my clothes, and gathered my bag. Before leaving, I glanced back at him once more. His blond hair was tousled against the pillow, his lips parted slightly in sleep. A quiet smile tugged at mine.

I wanted to whisper something See you later, or Don't forget me while I'm gone. But I kept silent, afraid to break the peace of the moment.

Outside, spring was in full bloom. The storm had passed, leaving the world washed clean. Petals from cherry blossoms clung to the wet pavement, and the air smelled of earth and renewal. As I walked toward the university, my heart was still full from last night his arms, his words, his refusal to rush something so precious.

He had stopped me when I wanted to go further. Not because he didn't want me. But because he valued me. You're precious to me, he had said. The memory alone sent warmth spreading through my chest.

And yet... behind that warmth, a question lingered.

If he cherished me so much, why did he look so haunted when he thought I wasn't watching? Why did he once call himself a monster, as if he carried a shadow I couldn't see?

I didn't push the thought away this time. I let it sit there, like a thorn buried in rose petals.

༘⋆📼˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚

At university, life carried on as usual. My friends noticed the glow on my face, the way I hummed absentmindedly during lectures. Lisa:"You're in love," one of them teased, and I couldn't even deny it.

Hours blurred until classes ended. I hurried to the café, excitement buzzing through me like electricity. It didn't matter that I saw him almost every day now I still missed him, like a piece of me was incomplete until I was with him again.

When I entered, Jungwon was already there, speaking to a customer. The sight of him apron tied neatly, hair falling just so, smile polite but reserved made my heart squeeze. He glanced up and caught sight of me. For a second, his whole expression changed. His lips curved, his eyes softened. That smile was mine.

I hurried to the back to change, cheeks warm. Just as I was about to step out again, the door opened. Jungwon slipped inside.

I startled, hand flying to my chest. Sohee:"Jungwon! You scared me—"

Before I could finish, he closed the distance. His hand pressed against the wall beside my head, caging me in. My breath hitched. His other hand found my waist, pulling me closer.

Sohee:"Not here," I whispered, panic and thrill tangling together.

Jungwon:"Why not?" His voice was low, teasing, but laced with something darker.

Sohee:"We're at work—"

His eyes glinted. Jungwon:"I'm irresistible, aren't I?"

I flushed furiously, unable to look at him. Sohee:"That's not the point—"

He tilted my chin up, forcing my gaze to meet his. And then his mouth was on mine.

The kiss was fierce, almost hungry. It stole the breath from my lungs, made my knees weak. My hand flew to his neck, fingers curling in his hair, while his slid lower, brushing against my hip. Heat surged through me, head spinning.

I wanted more. I wanted everything.

But reality intruded. We were the only ones on shift. If we left the café unattended, it would be irresponsible. With effort, I broke the kiss, chest heaving.

Sohee:"Jungwon..." My voice trembled.

Sohee:"We can't. Not here."

For a moment, frustration flashed across his face. Then he exhaled slowly, stepping back. His thumb brushed over my lower lip as if memorizing it.

Jungwon: "You drive me crazy, Sohee."

The words made my heart stumble.

I composed myself, straightened my apron, and pushed past him. The rest of the shift went by in a blur. We worked side by side, exchanging glances that burned with unspoken tension. Customers came and went, oblivious to the storm crackling between us.

By closing time, my nerves were frayed. I needed air, needed to calm the racing of my heart.

That was when I saw it.

In the storage room, tucked into the corner where old boxes were stacked, sat a familiar package. My chest tightened instantly. The guitar. The same one I had seen almost a year ago. Still unopened, still untouched.

I frowned, crouching to get a closer look. Dust had gathered on the edges of the cardboard, proof that it had been there for far too long. My memory flickered Jungwon had once said it was meant as a gift for a friend. But why was it still here? Why hadn't he ever given it away?

And... what friend?

In all the time I'd known him, I had never once seen Jungwon with anyone he called a close friend. No one visited him. No one texted or called, at least not that I'd noticed. It was always just him.

A chill ran down my spine.

What are you hiding, Jungwon?

I bit my lip, torn between curiosity and fear. It was just a guitar, yes. But something about it felt heavier, like a locked door I wasn't supposed to open.

The sound of footsteps startled me. I quickly stood, brushing my hands against my apron. Jungwon entered, his expression unreadable.

Our eyes met. For a second, I thought he knew I had been staring at the package. His gaze lingered, sharp, before softening again.

Jungwon:"Ready to go?" he asked casually.

I forced a smile. Sohee:"Yeah."

But as we left the café together, my thoughts kept circling back.

The kisses, the laughter, the warmth I loved him more than I thought possible. Yet in the corners of his life, shadows lingered. The unopened gift. The haunted look in his eyes when he thought no one saw. The way he called himself a monster.

I walked beside him, hand in his, cherry blossoms drifting down from the trees above. To anyone else, we probably looked perfect. But inside, a quiet voice whispered:

There's a part of him I still don't know. And it scares me.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────