Dove's
A week after everything, life felt... normal again. Or at least, as normal as it could be after everything that happened. The hospital stay, the sabotage, the drama-it was all behind me now. The school had dealt with Yuri and her little clique, Eunice had even come to apologize (awkward but appreciated), and Stella? Well, she won the competition and was officially going to represent KISS.
Good for her.
I should've cared more, maybe. But honestly? I didn't. Not in a bitter way-I was just too happy to be back to waste energy on things that didn't matter anymore. KISS had always been overwhelming, but stepping onto campus again after my discharge felt... right. I was home.
"Careful," Dae's voice pulled me from my thoughts as he reached out to steady me, his hand warm on my arm. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself too much."
I gave him a look. "Dae, I was in the hospital, not on life support."
His frown deepened. "That doesn't mean you should act like nothing happened."
He was like this all the time now-hovering, making sure I ate properly, side-eyeing me if I even so much as swayed on my feet. At first, it was a little frustrating, but now... now it was just Dae. The way he showed he cared.
And honestly? I kind of loved it.
"You're worrying too much," I teased, poking his cheek. "I'm fine, really."
Dae sighed but didn't let go of my arm. Instead, he adjusted his grip, his fingers lacing through mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. It felt nice. Easy. Like something that had been there all along, waiting for us to realize it.
I squeezed his hand. "Thank you."
He blinked. "For what?"
"For looking out for me," I said simply. "For being here."
Dae's ears turned a little pink, and he cleared his throat. "Yeah, well. Someone has to make sure you don't overdo it."
I laughed, leaning into him as we walked. Yeah. I was happy. And for the first time in a long time, that was enough.
After Dae dropped me off near the dorms, I stretched my arms, feeling the slight chill in the evening air. It felt good to be back in my routine, even with Dae constantly hovering. Not that I minded.
I had barely taken a few steps when I nearly crashed into someone rounding the corner.
Minho.
He rocked back on his heels, eyes flicking over me before his lips curled into a smirk. Then, ever so dramatically, he motioned toward the school gate where Dae had just disappeared. "You just had a total romance novel coded moment right now."
I groaned, covering my face with both hands. "Minho, please."
He laughed, clearly enjoying my suffering. "No, seriously. The whole hand-holding, lingering gazes, the 'thank you for being here' moment? It's like straight out of a K-drama. I half-expected background music to start playing."
I shot him a glare. "Stop."
He held up his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Alright, alright. I'll stop." Then, after a beat, his expression softened. "But in all seriousness... I like it. You and Dae."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Really?"
"Yeah," Minho shrugged. "It's cute. He's a really nice guy, you know?"
I exhaled, feeling something in my chest loosen at his words. Maybe part of me had been waiting for someone to say that out loud-to confirm that what Dae and I had wasn't just something fleeting or complicated. That it made sense.
A small smile tugged at my lips. "Yeah. He is."
Minho nudged me with his elbow. "So. When's the wedding?"
"Oh my God, I take it back, you suck."
His laughter followed me all the way inside.
Just as I was about to walk past him, Minho suddenly reached out, his fingers curling around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
I turned, surprised, but before I could say anything, he pulled me a little closer. Not in a teasing way, not in the usual Minho way-just enough for me to notice the sincerity in his expression.
His smirk had softened into something gentler. "Hey."
I blinked. "What?"
His grip loosened, but he didn't let go just yet. "I'm happy for you, Dovey."
I stared at him, thrown off by the sudden shift in tone. Minho was rarely this... earnest.
"I mean it," he continued, his voice steady. "You and Dae? It makes sense. And I think-no, I know-he likes you. A lot."
My stomach did that stupid little flip again. The same one it did whenever Dae held my hand a second too long or looked at me like I was the only person in the room. But hearing it from Minho-someone who usually rolled his eyes at this kind of thing-made it feel real.
I swallowed. "You think so?"
Minho scoffed, finally letting go of my wrist. "Think? Dovey, please. The guy practically worships the ground you walk on."
I bit my lip, warmth creeping up my neck. "He does not-"
"He does." Minho grinned, tapping my forehead lightly. "And you? You like him too, don't you?"
I hesitated, but only for a second. "...Yeah."
His grin widened. "Then do something about it."
I exhaled, rolling my eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind it. "You're really pushing for this, huh?"
Minho shrugged. "Look, I just spent the last few months watching you deal with all kinds of crap. You deserve something good. And Dae? He is good."
I stared at him, his words settling in my chest like a warm weight.
"...Thanks, Minho."
He wiggled his eyebrows. "Now go sweep your man off his feet before someone else does."
I shoved him lightly, shaking my head as I walked away. But this time, I didn't roll my eyes. I didn't groan.
Because maybe-for once-Minho might be right... but then... what was stopping me?
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Yeah, what is stopping you, Dove?