Chapter 10: Awkwardness

The late evening air was cool, wrapping the city in its gentle embrace as Hayoon hurried down the quiet streets. She kept her hood low, her heart pounding with every step. It wasn't her first time sneaking out to meet Ni-ki, but the thrill of it—the risk—made her nerves hum with a mix of fear and anticipation.

Her phone buzzed just as she approached the address he had sent her.

Ni-ki: Are you here?

Hayoon: Outside. Can you let me in?

A few moments later, the door to the dorm building creaked open, and there he was. Ni-ki stood in the dim light of the hallway, dressed in a simple hoodie and sweatpants, his dark hair slightly messy. When he saw her, a small, relieved smile spread across his face.

"You made it," he said softly, stepping aside to let her in.

"I almost didn't," Hayoon admitted, pulling her hood down. "Jiwon unnie was still awake when I left, and I thought she was going to catch me."

Ni-ki chuckled, closing the door behind her. "Remind me to thank her for not stopping you."

She rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.

They made their way quietly up the stairs to his dorm room. Ni-ki's members were out for the evening, and the dorm was silent except for the faint hum of the refrigerator. As they stepped into his room, Hayoon took a moment to glance around. It was surprisingly tidy, with minimal decoration save for a few posters and a bookshelf in the corner.

"Not bad," she teased, sitting on the edge of his bed. "I was expecting a mess."

Ni-ki smirked, crossing his arms. "I'll have you know I'm very clean. Unlike some people..."

Hayoon shot him a playful glare. "Are you calling me messy?"

"Just observant," he replied, laughing softly.

The awkwardness between them lingered for a few minutes as they settled in. They had spent time together before—on schedules, during rehearsals, even sneaking out for a late-night walk or two—but this felt different. Being alone in his room, away from the public eye, made everything more intimate.

"Do you want to watch something?" Ni-ki asked, breaking the silence.

"Sure," Hayoon said, tucking her legs under her.

He grabbed the remote and scrolled through a list of movies before settling on something light—a coming-of-age film that neither of them had seen before. As the opening credits rolled, they sat a few inches apart, both hyper-aware of the space between them.

The first half of the movie passed in relative quiet, save for the occasional comment or laugh. Hayoon found herself stealing glances at Ni-ki when she thought he wasn't looking. He seemed relaxed, but she noticed the way his hands fidgeted slightly in his lap, as if he were just as unsure of how to act as she was.

"Are you nervous?" she asked suddenly, her voice soft.

Ni-ki turned to her, his brows furrowing. "What?"

"You seem... restless," she said, smiling faintly. "It's cute."

His ears turned pink, and he let out a sheepish laugh. "Maybe a little. I guess I'm just not used to this."

"Neither am I," she admitted, her gaze dropping to her hands.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the sound of the movie filling the silence. Then, slowly, Ni-ki reached out, his fingers brushing against hers.

Hayoon looked up, her breath hitching at the soft intensity in his gaze. He hesitated, as if giving her a chance to pull away, but when she didn't, he closed the distance between them.

His lips were warm and tentative against hers, the kiss gentle and full of unspoken emotions. Hayoon felt her heart race, her mind going blissfully blank as she leaned into him. It was sweet and clumsy, a kiss that spoke of their youth and inexperience, but it left her feeling weightless.

When they finally pulled apart, their faces were mere inches away, their breaths mingling in the quiet room.

"Sorry," Ni-ki whispered, his voice barely audible. "Was that okay?"

Hayoon's cheeks flushed, but she managed a small smile. "It was more than okay."

He smiled back, the tension in his shoulders easing.

They spent the next hour talking, their voices low and soft as they shared little pieces of themselves. Hayoon told him stories about her childhood, about the nights she'd stay up practicing in her room, dreaming of being an idol. Ni-ki listened intently, occasionally sharing his own memories of leaving Japan to train in Korea and the struggles he'd faced along the way.

"I always thought being an idol would make everything perfect," Hayoon said quietly, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the blanket. "But sometimes it feels lonelier than I imagined."

Ni-ki nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It can be. But it's not all bad, right?"

She smiled softly. "No, it's not. Especially not lately."

His gaze lingered on her, his eyes warm and filled with something she couldn't quite name. "I'm glad," he said simply.

As the night wore on, Hayoon checked the time and let out a reluctant sigh. "I should go. If I stay any longer, someone's going to notice I'm gone."

Ni-ki nodded, though she could see the hint of disappointment in his expression. "I'll walk you out."

They moved quietly through the dorm, careful not to make too much noise. When they reached the door, Hayoon hesitated, turning back to face him.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"For what?"

"For tonight. For... everything."

Ni-ki smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Anytime."

As she stepped out into the cool night air, her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. She knew they were treading on dangerous ground, but for the first time in a long while, she felt truly happy.