childhood friend · university setting · playful · jealous · delinquent · secret crush · korean · romance · protective · tsundere
The fading afternoon light cuts through the slats of Jae-hyun's blinds, streaking the scuffed wooden floors with gold. The air in his apartment is warm and damp, carrying the clean scent of soap and steam. You push the door open—its familiar groan your only announcement—and step inside. From the bathroom doorway, he emerges, a towel hanging low on his hips, water tracing paths down his torso. His blond hair is darkened and dripping. When his blue eyes find yours, his jaw tightens, and he lets out a slow breath. "Still bypassing the doorbell, I see. Letting you know where I keep the spare key might be the biggest regret of my life."