[POV. Naina]
The first time I caught myself staring at Kilin for too long, I brushed it off.
It was just a moment—nothing more.
We were sitting by the Han River, eating tteokbokki from a street stall he had insisted we try. The city lights reflected in the water, flickering like stars scattered across the surface. He laughed at something I said, his black hair falling into his eyes as he looked at me with that easy, carefree smile of his.
That was when I felt it.
A tiny flutter in my chest, soft but undeniable.
I forced myself to look away, focusing on the spicy rice cakes in my hand. It wasn't what I thought it was. It couldn't be.
Kilin: Naina.
Naina: Yeah?
Kilin tilted his head slightly, studying me.
Kilin: You just went quiet. Thinking about something?
Naina: Nothing important.
Kilin: Liar. You have that look again.
Naina: What look?
Kilin: The 'I'm overthinking something but won't tell you' look.
I rolled my eyes, stuffing another bite of tteokbokki into my mouth.
Naina: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Kilin chuckled, shaking his head.
Kilin: Fine, keep your secrets. But if you suddenly start ignoring me, I'll be offended.
Naina: Oh no, whatever will I do if Kilin, the world-famous idol, gets offended?
Kilin: Exactly. My feelings are delicate, you know.
I laughed, and just like that, the moment passed. But later that night, as I lay in bed staring at my phone, I found myself hesitating before sending him a message.
It had been happening a lot lately—these moments where I'd catch myself feeling something more than just friendship. And every time, I convinced myself it was nothing.
Because it had to be nothing.
---
[POV. Kilin]
I was getting reckless.
Meeting Naina in secret was already dangerous enough, but now I found myself wanting to see her more often. Craving our conversations. Looking forward to her messages like they were the only thing keeping me sane.
That was dangerous.
And yet, I texted her anyway.
Kilin: Can't sleep.
Naina: Again? What's keeping Korea's brightest star awake this time?
Kilin: You, probably.
I stared at the message for two seconds too long before deleting it and typing something else.
Kilin: Too much practice. My brain refuses to shut down.
Naina: That's because you push yourself too hard.
Kilin: It's part of the job.
Naina: Doesn't mean you have to kill yourself over it.
I smiled to myself, imagining the slight frown she probably had while typing that.
Kilin: You worry too much.
Naina: And you don't worry enough.
Kilin: That's why we balance each other out, huh?
The moment I sent it, I realized how soft it sounded.
A minute passed. Then two. No reply.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Maybe I was imagining things. Maybe I was just getting too comfortable.
But when my phone finally buzzed, my heart jumped.
Naina: Yeah… I guess so.
I didn't know why, but that made my chest feel warm.
---
[POV. Naina]
The next day, we met at our usual spot—a quiet café hidden in a small alleyway where no one would recognize him. He was already there when I arrived, hood pulled low, fingers tapping against his coffee cup absentmindedly.
Kilin: You're late.
Naina: By three minutes.
Kilin: Still late.
I rolled my eyes, sliding into the seat across from him.
Naina: How are you feeling today?
Kilin: Exhausted. But less exhausted now that you're here.
I froze for half a second before forcing out a laugh.
Naina: Wow, are you always this smooth, or am I just lucky?
Kilin smirked, stirring his coffee.
Kilin: Only for you.
My stomach did a weird little flip. I ignored it.
Naina: So, did you actually sleep last night?
Kilin: A little. After talking to you.
Naina: That makes it sound like I bored you to sleep.
Kilin: No, it means you made me feel at peace.
I stared at him. He wasn't joking. There was something in his eyes—something I wasn't sure I was ready to acknowledge.
Naina: You say things like that too easily.
Kilin: And you avoid things too easily.
I looked away, pretending to be focused on the menu.
Naina: I don't know what you're talking about.
Kilin: Liar.
I bit my lip. He wasn't wrong.
---
[POV. Kilin]
I wasn't sure when it started.
Maybe it was the first time I saw her laugh like she belonged in my world. Maybe it was the night she told me she'd help me run away if I ever decided to leave it all behind.
Or maybe it was just the way she saw me—not as an idol, not as a product of the industry, but as a person.
All I knew was that it was getting harder to pretend I didn't feel something for her.
Kilin: Naina.
She glanced up, stirring her iced coffee.
Naina: Yeah?
I hesitated. If I said it out loud, there'd be no taking it back.
Kilin: Never mind.
She frowned.
Naina: What?
Kilin: Forget it. It's nothing.
She studied me for a second, then sighed.
Naina: You do that a lot.
Kilin: Do what?
Naina: Almost say something, then change your mind.
I chuckled softly, shaking my head.
Kilin: Maybe some things are better left unsaid.
Naina: Or maybe you're just scared to say them.
She wasn't wrong.
---
[POV. Naina]
Later that evening, as we walked along the river, Kilin suddenly stopped.
Kilin: "Do you ever think about what would happen if people found out about us?"
I stiffened.
Naina: There's nothing to find out.
He looked at me, his gaze unreadable.
Kilin: Is there?
I swallowed. My heart was beating too fast.
Naina: We're just friends.
Kilin: Right.
Neither of us moved. The city lights reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, it felt like we were standing on the edge of something we couldn't name.
Something dangerous.
Something real.
Then he smiled, stepping back.
Kilin: Let's go. It's getting late.
I nodded, forcing myself to breathe.
As we walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that something between us had shifted.
And I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.
---