The morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, brushing golden light across the apartment floor. Yuna stirred in bed, blinking awake to find Jisoo already dressed and leaning over the kitchen counter, focused on his phone.
He hadn't noticed her yet.
A slow smile crept across her lips as she sat up, tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear. "You're cheating," she called sleepily, voice slightly hoarse from sleep.
Jisoo jumped, turning around with a sheepish grin. "Cheating at what?"
"At being unfairly hot this early in the morning," she teased, pulling the covers around her like a cloak.
He chuckled, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Well, someone has to balance out your adorable bedhead."
Yuna gasped dramatically, flinging a pillow at him. "Take that back, you menace."
"Never." He dodged the pillow easily. "I stand by my statement. The bedhead adds character."
Yuna stuck her tongue out at him, and he grinned before walking over and ruffling her hair even more. She squealed in protest, swatting his hands away.
"You're going to regret that," she warned, hopping out of bed and chasing him around the apartment like two overgrown children.
They ended up breathless on the couch, Yuna straddling his lap as he laughed, holding her wrists gently.
"Alright, alright, truce?" he offered, still grinning.
Yuna leaned in close, her eyes narrowing in playful suspicion. "Only if you admit defeat."
He tilted his head. "Hmm... never."
"You're impossible," she said, though her voice was full of affection.
"And you love it," he whispered, brushing his nose against hers.
She rolled her eyes but didn't move away. "Unfortunately."
---
Market Mischief
Later that day, they strolled through a weekend market, hand in hand. The winter chill had softened just enough to let the crowds out, and the vendors' stalls were filled with cozy handmade goods, spicy street food, and colorful trinkets.
Jisoo stopped in front of a stand selling matching couple phone cases. He picked one up—a cartoon bunny in a hoodie—and raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think? Too cute?"
Yuna examined the matching pair. The second case had a sleepy-looking fox, leaning against the bunny.
"Hmm," she mused. "It's dangerously cute. People might vomit from how disgustingly in love we look."
Jisoo smirked. "Then we should definitely get it."
"Of course," she said, grabbing them both. "We'll be the cause of at least five breakups and a dozen jealous stares."
Jisoo leaned closer. "Do we get bonus points if someone cries?"
Yuna giggled. "Only if they post about us anonymously online."
They bought the cases and had the vendor put them on immediately. As they walked away, Yuna held her phone up beside his and smiled.
"Look," she said. "They're cuddling."
Jisoo glanced over. "Like us."
"Wow," she teased. "So cheesy."
"You love it," he repeated.
She tried not to smile but failed. "I really do."
---
The Food Truck Disaster
A few stalls down, Jisoo got excited over a spicy rice cake stand and insisted on trying the "level 5" heat.
Yuna watched with folded arms. "You're going to cry."
"I can handle it," he boasted, taking a bite.
He lasted about six seconds before his face turned bright red, and he started coughing.
Yuna burst out laughing. "Oh my god! Your pride! It's burning!"
Jisoo wheezed, waving at the vendor frantically for water. "Why would they even sell this?! Is this legal?!"
Yuna was crying from laughter by the time he finally recovered. She held out her water bottle. "Here, Mr. Tough Guy. Want a sip?"
He snatched it and glared. "I hate how much you enjoy this."
"You did this to yourself," she said, patting his back.
He groaned. "Please still love me."
Yuna leaned in and kissed his burning cheek. "Even when you're a dramatic fool."
---
A Confession at Sunset
As the day wore on, they found a quiet spot near the Han River. The sun was setting, casting golden-orange hues over the rippling water. They sat on a bench in silence for a while, Yuna resting her head on Jisoo's shoulder.
She sighed softly. "Today was perfect."
He looked down at her. "You're perfect."
She snorted. "There you go again."
"I'm serious." His voice was low now, steady. "You make everything better. My days, my mornings, even my messes."
Yuna sat up, startled by the change in tone.
"Jisoo…"
He looked nervous now, fiddling with the edge of his coat. "I've been thinking. About how fast this all happened. About how I never expected any of it. But somehow, you showed up and… everything just felt like it finally made sense."
Yuna's eyes widened slightly.
"I know it's still early," he said, voice soft. "But I think—no, I know—I'm falling for you. Hard."
The air between them stilled. A beat passed. Then another.
Then Yuna reached out, her fingers brushing his.
"Good," she said. "Because I've been falling too. Quietly. But completely."
Relief washed over his face, and he leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers.
"I don't want to waste a single second with you," he whispered.
"Then don't," she replied.
---
A Room Full of Laughter
That evening, back at the apartment, Yuna changed into her oversized hoodie and tossed one at Jisoo.
"You're staying tonight."
"I wasn't aware this was a kidnapping," he said, catching the hoodie.
"It is. And there's no ransom."
He laughed, pulling it over his head. "So this is the kind of criminal you are."
"The worst kind," she said. "The kind that steals hearts."
Jisoo walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Too late. You already stole mine."
Yuna turned in his arms. "That was so cheesy I think I just got a cavity."
"Worth it," he murmured, brushing his lips against hers.
They cooked dinner together—well, mostly. Yuna kept sneaking vegetables into Jisoo's pan when he wasn't looking, and he kept pretending not to notice, only to dramatically throw them into her pan when she turned around.
By the time they sat down to eat, the table was a mess, and they were laughing so hard they could barely breathe.
---
Late-Night Whispers
Later, as they lay tangled in each other under a shared blanket, the city lights twinkling outside, Yuna traced small circles on Jisoo's arm.
"Do you think we'll still be like this a year from now?" she asked.
Jisoo didn't hesitate. "I think we'll be even closer."
"Closer?" she asked, lifting her head.
He nodded. "You'll still be stealing my hoodies. I'll still be cooking terrible dinners. But maybe... we'll have our own place."
Yuna blinked. "You've thought about that?"
"Every day."
She bit her lip, heart fluttering. "Me too."
Jisoo kissed her forehead gently. "I want to build a future with you."
She smiled sleepily. "Then let's start with tomorrow."
---
Epilogue of the Night
Just before drifting off to sleep, Yuna mumbled, "Hey... what if we really do become that annoyingly happy couple?"
Jisoo pulled her closer. "Then I hope we make people sick with how much we love each other."
She giggled softly. "Promise?"
"Promise."