After the fight…
something changed.
Not badly.
Just…
more honestly.
Because now both of them knew something important:
this connection could hurt.
And somehow— that made it feel even more real.
The next few days became quieter than usual.
Not awkward.
Just softer.
Like both of them were suddenly more careful with each other’s feelings now.
And honestly?
That scared her a little.
Because people usually became careful right before leaving.
Her overthinking brain unfortunately loved reminding her of that.
Tonight her room felt unusually peaceful.
Rain had finally stopped after days while cool wind entered softly through the balcony door.
Saloni debate trophy rested near the bookshelf now.
Small.
Simple.
But every time she looked at it…
She remembered his voice saying:
> *”I’m proud of you.”*
And annoyingly— those words still affected her.
A lot.
She sat on the floor organizing notes when her phone vibrated softly.
> @Kairi.97:
> “Question.”
She smiled immediately.
Some habits really were dangerous.
> “Emotionally dangerous question or normal question?”
Seen instantly.
> “Important question.”
She raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
> “Okay?”
A few seconds passed.
Then:
> “Why didn’t you tell me your debate was today earlier?”
Her expression softened slightly.
She leaned back against her bed quietly before typing.
> “I didn’t think it was important enough.”
Seen.
Then immediately:
> “See? That.”
Her eyebrows frowned slightly.
> “What?”
The typing bubble appeared.
Returned again.
Finally:
> “You always talk like your achievements are small.”
Silence.
Her chest tightened softly.
Because honestly…
She never noticed she did that.
Maybe because she spent most of her life convincing yourself:
* other people mattered more
* your feelings were dramatic
* your success wasn’t enough yet
So naturally—
She learned to minimize herself first.
She stared at the screen quietly.
Then typed honestly:
> “I guess I’m just used to people not caring much.”
Seen.
Long pause.
Then softly—
> “Well I care.”
Her breath caught immediately.
Simple sentence.
Dangerous effect.
She looked away from the screen toward the dark sky outside while her heartbeat slowly became louder.
Because lately…
he kept saying things that settled directly into the loneliest parts of her .
And honestly?
She didn’t know how to protect herself from that anymore.
Meanwhile, in Seoul—
Kairo sat near the studio floor stretching tiredly after practice.
The building stayed loud around him.
Managers talking.
Music playing somewhere far away.
Members arguing about food again.
Normal chaos.
Yet somehow— his attention stayed fixed on her conversation.
Because lately…
Her happiness affected his mood too much.
And that realization had started becoming impossible to ignore.
Yahon suddenly dropped beside him dramatically.
“You’re smiling again.”
“I’m literally not.”
“You literally are.”
Kairo rolled his eyes tiredly.
“You appear whenever I experience peace.”
“Because this is interesting.”
Silence.
“She makes you softer.”
Kairo looked up slowly.
And strangely…
for once— he didn’t deny it.
Back in the room, her conversation continued lazily while night deepened outside.
Until suddenly— another message appeared.
> “Can I say something honestly?”
Her heartbeat slowed slightly.
Those sentences always changed something.
She typed carefully.
> “Depends how terrifying it is.”
Seen.
Then:
> “You’ve become the first person I want to talk to after exhausting days.”
Her fingers froze completely.
The room suddenly felt too quiet again.
Because somehow— that sentence carried more emotion than flirting ever could.
She reread it slowly.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
And painfully—
Her heart understood exactly what he meant.
Not obsession.
Not fantasy.
Comfort.
Trust.
Emotional safety.
The kind people rarely found easily.
Her breathing became uneven slightly while warmth spread through her chest again.
And somewhere deep inside— fear appeared too.
Because attachment always scared her once it became real.
She stared at the message for a long time before finally replying.
> “That sounds dangerous.”
Seen instantly.
Then finally—
> “I know.”
Silence filled the conversation afterward.
Not awkward silence.
The kind where both people silently realize:
something important is happening between them.
Something neither of them fully knows how to name yet.
Outside, cool wind moved through her balcony curtains softly.
And for the first time in years—
Her heart no longer felt emotionally invisible to someone.
Which honestly…
might’ve been the scariest thing of all.