forty four

"i'm crazy for you, lord knows what i'd do, i'd even die for you." -stupid love, jason derulo.

——

a week had passed, and jihoon couldn't remember the last time he had felt this happy. the last two dates with misun had gone perfectly—quiet, cozy, just them—and even the conversation with her dad had ended better than he ever imagined.

he was at practice with seventeen, moving through the choreography, but his mind kept wandering. the members noticed it too.

"hey, woozi," joshua said, raising an eyebrow. "you're... weird today. smiling too much. what's going on?"

jihoon chuckled, trying to focus. "i'm fine," he mumbled, but mingyu nudged him.

"no, seriously," mingyu pressed. "you look like you just won the lottery or something."

jihoon finally laughed, shaking his head. "alright, alright... you guys want to know?"

the boys leaned in, curious.

"misun gave me a chance," he said softly, grinning without thinking. "we went on two dates, and... it's been amazing. her dad... well, we talked, and it went well. she's letting me back in her life, and i... i've never been this happy."

the room was quiet for a second, then the boys started teasing him gently, but jihoon didn't mind. he felt lighter than he had in years.

"finally!" dokyeom yelled.

"we need to invite misun over, i miss her!" dino whined.

"okay let's not pressure her." joshua laughed, and then turned to jihoon. "but we do want to meet her."

jihoon nodded, a huge grin on his face.

meanwhile, misun was out with chaewon, trying a new cafe near her company. they laughed over sandwiches and coffee, catching up on work, friends, and everything in between.

her phone buzzed. she glanced down and saw a text from jihoon.

jihoon: i miss you... can you come over today?

her heart skipped. she didn't hesitate. she typed back immediately.

misun: i miss you too <3 i'll be there

chaewon noticed her smile and raised an eyebrow. "what's got you grinning like that?"

"nothing," misun said, tucking her phone away, though her cheeks were still warm.

and just like that, the day felt brighter—ordinary, yet perfect—because she knew she'd see him soon.

after lunch with chaewon, misun went back to the office, but all she could think about was seeing jihoon later.

the hours crawled by, her mind replaying the last week—their dates, their talks, the way he made her feel safe.

as soon as work ended, she grabbed her bag and practically ran to his apartment, excitement and nerves twisting in her stomach.

she rang the doorbell and he immediately opened the door, like he was waiting for her right behind it.

without a word, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly, burying his face in her neck.

"i missed you so much," he murmured, voice muffled but full of emotion.

"i missed you too," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him, squeezing him back just as tightly.

he finally pulled back a little, just enough to look at her. "you came," he said softly, almost in disbelief.

"of course," she said, smiling, her cheeks warm. "i wouldn't stay away if you asked me to come."

he grinned, brushing a hand gently over her hair. "i've been thinking about you all day... couldn't focus on anything."

she laughed quietly, feeling the tension of the day melt away. "you're such a sap."

"a sap in love," he corrected, pulling her close again. "and proud of it."

they moved inside, hands still intertwined, the air between them warm and easy. jihoon put on some soft music while she leaned against him, and they spent the evening together—talking, laughing, stealing little kisses, and just being close.