She sighed. "Fine. But I'm sitting in the back like a humble civilian."
"No deal."
His car smelled like leather and wealth. The seats held her like a secret. He tapped the steering wheel lightly as the engine purred to life.
Then the music started.
Ha-eun blinked. "Wait. Is this—?"
He glanced at her. "Yeah. My newest track."
Her mouth dropped open. "This is everywhere. Rina screams it when she washes dishes."
"She has taste."
The rest of the ride was quiet. Soft. Unspoken.
When they pulled up to her house, she spotted her parents and Rina walking down the street, arms full of groceries.
Seo-jun reached for the door. "Should I say hi?"
"No!" she said, a bit too loudly.
He raised a brow.
"I mean—" she cleared her throat, "not yet. They'll think I've eloped."
He nodded. "Okay."
She stepped out slowly.
"Ha-eun," he said.
She turned.
He leaned over slightly, one arm on the steering wheel, the other relaxed. That soft smile was back, the one that felt just for her.
"I hope this isn't the last time."
She didn't answer. Not yet.
She joined her family. Rina looked like she might combust with questions, but Ha-eun gave her a warning glare: Don't.
As she walked, something made her glance back.
The black car was already turning the corner.
Her heart had not stopped thudding since the café.
It jumped again when her phone buzzed.
[Seo-jun: Can I see you again?]
She didn't respond.
Not yet.
But she smiled.
Because she already knew the answer.
***********
Ha-eun stepped quietly into the house, the familiar scent of soy and spice wrapping around her . She still hadn't caught her breath, not since the coffee date, not since the way he'd looked at her like she was the only person in the world.
Her heart hadn't settled since.
Rina popped out of the kitchen like she'd been waiting by the door. Her eyebrows wiggled as she pointed toward the window.
"That sleek black car... that was him, wasn't it?" she whispered, practically vibrating. "Tell me that was Seo Jun."
Ha-eun gave the smallest nod.
Rina let out a squeal and elbowed her. "Yah! You went on a date with Han Seo-jun and just walk back in here like you didn't change the entire trajectory of your life?"
They moved to the table to help Rina and her aunt set the plates. Their mother stirred a steaming pot at the stove, back turned.
Ha-eun leaned in. "I... loved it."
Rina nearly dropped the rice cakes. "Jinjja?"
"진짜야," Ha-eun confirmed with a soft smile as she placed the tteokbokki in the center of the table.
"He was... normal," she added after a pause. "Not like the idol on the posters. Just... a guy. Funny. Thoughtful. A little quieter than I expected."
Rina gasped theatrically. "Do you love him yet? Please say yes. He took you out for coffee. I would've married him on the spot."
Ha-eun pressed her lips together, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.
"Just saying," Rina grinned. "I'd use the opportunity."
As they sat down, the television played softly in the background, muted ads and celebrity gossip rolling between programs. Then Seo Jun's face lit up the screen, and Rina grabbed the remote.
"There! There, omma! Look, it's Seo Jun!"
Their mother clapped to the beat like she was at a fan concert, bobbing her head, entirely unaware her daughter had just met the star in person.
Rina smirked. "You should tell her."
Ha-eun said nothing. She watched the screen.
There he was: sharp jawline, smooth choreography, eyes that burned through the camera. The crowd screamed. Lights flared.
But she'd seen something more.
The boy who drank his coffee slowly. The one who asked about her art. Who leaned across the table and said, You looked nervous. I didn't want to leave you there.
He was kind.
Maybe too kind.
⸻
That night, Rina lay sprawled across Ha-eun's bed, feet on the headboard, scrolling her phone.
"You're everywhere," she said, eyes wide. "Even though you deleted all your accounts. Someone found your old school photos. There's a blog theory that you're secretly dating him already."
Ha-eun didn't respond. She was staring at her phone, thumbs hovering.
A new message from Seo Jun.
Practicing late tonight. About to enter the studio.
Writing something new... Want a sneak preview?
Her heart skipped.
Idols weren't allowed to share unreleased tracks. NDAs. Contracts. Marketing plans scheduled to the minute.
But he was offering anyway.
She typed:
Yes.
Seconds later, her phone buzzed again.
A voice recording.
Seo Jun's voice, velvet-soft, filled her ears as she slipped on her AirPods. He sang low, stripped of autotune and stadium noise. It didn't sound like a performance. It sounded like something private.
Something just for her.
She closed her eyes and smiled. It was beautiful.
You sound like an angel, she wrote back.
A photo appeared next, a candid shot. Seo Jun in a black hoodie and studio chair, hair tousled, half-smiling at the camera.
I'm honored.
She laughed quietly.
Millions already think that.
But you said it. That matters more.
They talked until her battery flashed red. Just before they said goodnight, another message lit her screen:
Can I see you again tomorrow? I'm stepping out for a few hours..
Ha-eun stared at the blinking cursor, unsure what to say.
But her fingers already knew.
Yes.
From across the bed, Rina was watching her, chin resting in her palm.
"You like him," she said.
Ha-eun exhaled. But she didn't deny it.
———-
Across the city, in a studio glowing with blue light and scattered sound panels, Seo Jun leaned back in his chair, headphones around his neck, coffee in hand.
She'd said yes.
He stared at the message like it might change shape if he blinked.
His assistant placed another cup beside him. "You're welcome," he muttered. "I assume she liked the song?"
Seo Jun nodded.
The assistant crossed his arms. "You're getting obsessed with the girl in seat E14."
Seo Jun turned to him slowly. "Her name is Ha-eun."
"Right," he said. "Ha-eun. Got it."