"So... are you free this Saturday?" Se-mi asked, tilting her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes, her left eyebrow arched in curiosity.

You let out a soft "hmm," stirring the thoughts in your head like a spoon in a cup of tea. Aside from the assignment your professor had given you, one that you were sure you could finish in a couple of hours, and your usual nightly visits to Ppang, your beloved dog, you weren’t exactly swamped with plans.

"Yes, I think so." You nodded before taking a bite of your food, the familiar flavors filling your mouth as you glanced up at her. "Why?" You asked, puzzled.

Her eyes lit up instantly, a spark of excitement flashing across her face. A smile stretched across her lips, barely contained, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

"Well... I was hoping you'd want to hang out with me on Saturday," She admitted, her voice laced with a mix of anticipation and hesitation. "There's this new arcade that just opened up, and I thought it'd be fun. Only if you want to, of course." She hurriedly added the last part, her fingers drumming lightly against the table as she studied your face for a reaction.

You blinked. The invitation was unexpected, to say the least. "I mean, sure... but why?" You asked, narrowing your eyes playfully. "This just seems so out of the blue." A chuckle slipped past your lips, the situation both amusing and a little curious.

"I want to get to know you better," She answered simply, her smile unwavering. There was a sincerity in her tone that made you pause.

Before you could fully process that, she added, "Don't worry, it's all on me. I know you're in a tight spot right now—saving up for Ppang’s treatment and all." Her voice softened as she spoke, her concern evident.

You frowned, shaking your head instinctively. "No, no! You don’t have to do that. It’s your money, not mine," You protested, the idea of her spending on you making your stomach twist with unease.

She, however, remained unfazed.

"Exactly. It’s my money," She pointed out, leaning forward slightly. "And I can do whatever I want with it. And right now, I want to spend it on you." Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if daring you to argue further.

You sighed, already sensing that this was a battle you weren’t going to win. Se-mi could be stubborn when she wanted to be, and something told you this was one of those times.

"Alright, fine," You relented, exhaling in defeat. "But promise me you won’t spend too much on me, okay? I don’t want you going broke over this." You shot her a look, your tone half-serious, half-scolding, like a concerned parent trying to rein in their reckless child.

She grinned mischievously. "I can’t promise that."

"Se-mi..." You muttered under your breath, rubbing your temples in exasperation.

Her laughter rang out, bright and teasing. "Alright, alright. I promise," She conceded, holding up her hands as if surrendering.

You let out a breath of relief, though a tiny voice in your head remained skeptical. She better keep that promise.

─────

Saturday arrived sooner than expected, the week slipping away like sand through your fingers. You and Se-mi had agreed to meet at 1:30 PM, and as you checked the clock, the glowing numbers read 1:12. Just a few more minutes. The arcade wasn’t far—you could walk there and still make it on time.

You opted for a simple dress, nothing too flashy, but enough to make an impression. Your makeup was more refined than usual—a touch of eyeliner, a hint of color on your lips. You wanted to look nice, but not as if you had tried too hard. Satisfied with your reflection, you grabbed your purse and stepped out into the crisp air.

The streets were familiar, lined with a mix of small shops and cafés buzzing with life. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery, momentarily distracting you. The walk to the arcade felt shorter than expected, and before you knew it, you arrived, earlier than planned. Checking your phone, the time read 1:27.

Scanning the area, you didn’t see Se-mi. That was fine, she’d probably be here soon.

But minutes passed. 1:30. Then 1:33. By 1:35, your stomach twisted uncomfortably. You shifted on your feet, hands gripping the strap of your purse as doubts began creeping in. Did she forget? Was this a joke? Did she change her mind at the last minute? The thought made your chest tighten.

You exhaled, your breath shaky. This is pointless, you thought, turning on your heel, ready to leave—until a voice cut through the hum of the street.

"Y/n!"

Your heart skipped a beat. You spun around to see Se-mi sprinting towards you, her short hair bouncing with every hurried step. She skidded to a stop, panting, hands on her knees.

"I’m so sorry," She gasped between breaths. "I didn’t mean to be late, I swear! The traffic was insane, and—"

"You don’t have to explain," You interrupted gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "I understand."

She looked up at you, eyes filled with guilt, before exhaling in relief. "Really?"

"Really," You confirmed, as if you weren't about to leave earlier. "Shall we go now?" There was a warmth in your voice, your earlier worries melting away as you met her gaze.

Se-mi straightened, still slightly breathless, but her lips curled into a grateful smile. "Yeah, we should. I don’t want to keep you waiting any longer."

She hesitated for only a second before offering her hand. You blinked at the small gesture, a flicker of uncertainty in your chest. Then, slowly, you reached out and took it.

Her fingers curled around yours, warm and steady.

Maybe today would be fun after all.

─────

A/N: i hope your semi hyperfixation is still there 😋 from my previous chapter, i asked you how many chapters you'd like this fanfic to be. i shoulve clarified that i want this fanfic to be a slowburn 😓 my bad. this fanfic still has a long way to go, and i havent written their fallout...yet 😈

i havent thought of how this fanfic is going to end. do you guys want a good ending or a bad ending? oh wait...im the author here. which means i have the decision whether i want this fanfic to have a good ending or no 😈

+ thank you soso much for 3k reads and over 100 votes, what the hell !!!!! thats crazy. ughhh you guys are so sweet and im so overwhelmed with love <3 + guys please leave more comments i always laugh seeing them 😭