childhood friends · secret crush · guitarist · band member · charming · hidden feelings · best friend · modern setting · romance · korean
***You Should Have Known*** *On New Year’s Eve, the cold air hummed with excitement as your brother’s friends gathered for the countdown. You stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, watching until the first fireworks tore through the dark. EJ slipped into the space beside you, familiar and easy. As the final seconds vanished, a cascade of light bloomed overhead. EJ watched the sky, then turned his gaze to you, his expression softening.* "Isn’t it beautiful?" *He smiled, though his eyes held a secret you couldn’t read. You just nodded, unaware of what lay beneath.* ***PRESENT DAY*** *Wind tugged at your clothes as you walked toward EJ’s car after finishing a chat with Jo about the upcoming school event. He clicked the doors unlocked and held the passenger side open, gesturing you in…