20 (end)

The school day had ended, and the atmosphere was alive with anticipation as Seonghwa prepared for his date with Hongjoong. Seonghwa had chosen an outfit that reflected both his style and his nervous excitement: a fitted navy blue blazer over a white, slightly sheer blouse with delicate lace accents. His dark jeans were crisp and tailored, and he wore matching navy loafers. His hair was styled neatly, with soft waves framing his face, and he carried a small, elegant clutch that completed the look.

Hongjoong, on the other hand, was the epitome of casual chic. He had opted for a light gray tailored suit jacket over a simple white t-shirt, paired with dark jeans and sleek black sneakers. His tousled hair gave him a relaxed yet stylish appearance, and his confident smile was infectious.

They met at the front of the school, where Hongjoong greeted Seonghwa with a warm, appreciative smile. His eyes lit up as he took in Seonghwa’s attire, and he couldn’t resist pulling Seonghwa into a tender hug. “You look amazing, Seonghwa. I’m really looking forward to tonight.”

Seonghwa blushed slightly, feeling a mixture of happiness and nervousness. “Thank you, Hongjoong. You look great too. I’m excited for our date.”

The two made their way to the restaurant Hongjoong had chosen, a quaint little place with dim lighting and a cozy atmosphere. They shared a table near the window, the soft glow of the setting sun casting a warm light on their faces. The restaurant’s ambiance was perfect for a romantic evening, and Hongjoong was determined to make it a memorable night.

As they settled into their seats and began to enjoy their meal, Hongjoong was attentive and considerate, making sure Seonghwa had everything he needed. He was charming and protective, frequently reaching over to refill Seonghwa’s glass or making sure he was comfortable.

“This place is incredible, Hongjoong. Thank you for choosing it,” Seonghwa said, smiling warmly.

“I’m glad you like it,” Hongjoong replied, leaning in closer. “I wanted our first official date to be special. I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”

Just as they were starting to relax and enjoy their meal, a commotion at the entrance drew their attention. Seonghwa’s eyes widened in surprise as Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Yunho burst through the door, their faces full of mischief.

“Surprise!” Wooyoung announced, his grin wide as he scanned the room. “We didn’t want to miss out on your first date!”

Yeosang and Yunho followed closely behind, trying to stifle their laughter. “We heard about the date and thought we’d crash it,” Yeosang said with a wink. “Don’t worry, we’ll be on our best behavior.”

Hongjoong’s expression shifted to one of protective annoyance. “Seriously, guys? Can’t we have one quiet evening?”

Before Seonghwa could say anything, Hongjoong’s friends—San, Jongho, and Mingi—arrived, adding to the surprise. San had a wide grin, Jongho looked amused, and Mingi was carrying a small cake with a “Congratulations!” message on it.

“We heard there was a special occasion,” San said, setting the cake on their table. “So we decided to join the fun!”

Jongho, with his characteristic grin, added, “Can’t let Hongjoong have all the fun without us, right?”

Mingi, chuckling, took a seat next to Yeosang. “We brought cake! It’s not every day we get to celebrate a new couple.”

Seonghwa’s cheeks flushed bright red, and he looked at Hongjoong with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. “I didn’t expect this… at all.”

Hongjoong, still protective but smiling despite himself, reached over and gently took Seonghwa’s hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll make the best of it.”

As the evening continued, the group’s playful teasing filled the air. Wooyoung and Yeosang were relentless, offering mock advice on dating and sharing embarrassing stories about Hongjoong’s past.

“Remember that time Hongjoong tried to impress his crush with a dance routine and ended up tripping over his own feet?” Wooyoung teased, causing everyone to laugh.

Hongjoong turned a shade of pink and scowled good-naturedly. “Hey, that was a one-time thing. I was trying to be cool!”

Seonghwa couldn’t help but laugh along, his initial embarrassment melting away as he saw Hongjoong’s reaction. The protective side of Hongjoong came out again when Mingi playfully reached over to ruffle Seonghwa’s hair.

“Hey!” Hongjoong said, his voice firm but with a hint of amusement. “Back off, Mingi. Seonghwa’s hair is perfect just the way it is.”

Mingi raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave the hair alone.”

The evening continued with laughter, lighthearted teasing, and lots of affectionate glances between Seonghwa and Hongjoong. They shared the cake with their friends, who continued to joke and celebrate their newfound relationship. Hongjoong, despite his earlier protectiveness, relaxed into the warmth of the evening, enjoying the company and the happiness of being surrounded by friends.

As the night drew to a close, Hongjoong and Seonghwa stepped outside together, their hands entwined. The cool night air was a refreshing contrast to the warm ambiance of the restaurant.

“I’m really glad we got to share this night with our friends,” Seonghwa said, leaning into Hongjoong. “Even if it wasn’t what we planned.”

Hongjoong wrapped an arm around Seonghwa, pulling him close. “Yeah, it turned out to be perfect. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

They stopped in the dimly lit street, and Hongjoong tilted Seonghwa’s chin up gently. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, full of love and promise. The kiss was tender, full of the affection they had for each other, and it felt like the perfect end to a wonderful day.

When they finally pulled apart, both were smiling widely. “I love you, Seonghwa,” Hongjoong murmured, his eyes filled with sincerity.

“I love you too, Hongjoong,” Seonghwa replied, his heart swelling with joy.

As they walked hand in hand, their friends’ playful teasing still echoing in their minds, Seonghwa and Hongjoong felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. The evening had been filled with unexpected surprises and laughter, but it had also solidified their bond in a way they hadn’t anticipated.

With their friends cheering them on and the promise of many more moments like this, Seonghwa and Hongjoong walked into the night, ready to embrace the future together, surrounded by love and laughter.

★

-★ ok so this is the end and i can't believe the love and support y'all gave this book! I m so grateful to all of you for sticking till the end of the book! I will be back with more soon! ^-^ love you all sm. 💗😘🎀