Jungwon had never been more focused on anything in his life.
Not even dance practice or exams had consumed his attention the way this did—winning back Jiwon’s trust. It wasn’t about some grand gesture or over-the-top confession. He knew now it had to be in the little things. The everyday moments. The ones that built trust back slowly, brick by careful brick.
-
Day One
He started small.
He offered to carry her sketch folder after art class, even though she tried to wave him off. “I’ve got it,” she said, not unkindly, just guarded.
“I know,” he replied, still taking it from her hands. “Let me do something right today.”
She didn’t argue after that.
-
Day Two
Jungwon left a juice box on her desk before homeroom started. Her favorite flavor. He didn’t say anything when she noticed it—just gave her a tiny smile from his seat a few rows back.
She didn’t return the smile, but she didn’t throw it away either.
Progress.
-
Day Three
During lunch, Jungwon noticed her usual seat was empty. He found her on the rooftop, eating alone with headphones in. For a moment, he considered turning around and leaving her be.
But he didn’t.
He sat a few feet away, quietly pulling out his own lunch.
She gave him a sideways glance, then went back to eating.
They didn’t talk. But they didn’t not talk either.
It was something.
-
Jungwon waited outside her classroom.
“Walk home with me?” he asked gently.
Jiwon hesitated in the doorway. “Is that a request or another part of your redemption tour?”
He winced but kept his voice light. “Maybe a little of both.”
She surprised him by stepping forward and saying, “Fine. But no cheesy small talk.”
“I’m only good at medium-cheesy talk,” he said with a grin.
Jiwon rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth tugged upward—just for a second. He caught it. His chest ached with hope.
-
The boys had planned a casual get-together at Jay’s house. They invited Jiwon too, claiming it was to “keep the group balanced.” But Jungwon knew it was more of a set-up—Heeseung’s idea, obviously.
They played games, snacked, and watched a movie that ended up being more terrible than funny.
Jiwon sat beside Sunoo, far from Jungwon, but he caught her watching him once or twice. Not in a cold way. Just... quietly.
When she laughed at one of Ni-ki’s dumb jokes, Jungwon’s heart fluttered. He missed that laugh more than anything.
Later, when the others were distracted, he slipped her a note scribbled on a gum wrapper:
“Still sorry. Still trying. Still waiting if you need time."
She read it, pocketed it without a word.
But that night, she messaged him for the first time in days.
Jiwon:
The gum wrapper thing was kind of cute.
Jungwon:
“Kind of”?? That was peak romantic tragedy.
Jiwon:
You’ve got a long way to go, Romeo.
He smiled so hard his cheeks hurt.
-
Jiwon’s Birthday
He remembered.
Of course he remembered.
The others all gifted her things—some snacks, a keychain, a small plush toy—but Jungwon gave her something quieter.
A sketchbook.
On the inside cover, he had written:
“You see the world beautifully. I hope this book helps you remember that. Happy birthday, Jiwon.”
She stared at the inscription a little too long.
“Thank you,” she said, voice soft, barely above a whisper.
Jungwon looked at her, sincerity clear in his eyes. “I’m not done making it up to you.”
Jiwon didn’t reply right away, but later, when they were all heading out, she walked next to him. Closer than before.
And this time, she didn’t pull away.
-
Jiwon paused before crossing the gate, turning to look at him.
“You’ve been trying really hard,” she said, her tone unreadable.
Jungwon nodded. “Yeah. I meant it. I still do.”
She looked down, scuffing her shoe against the pavement.
“I still don’t know if I can fully forgive you,” she admitted. “But... I’m starting to believe you really care.”
“I do,” he said immediately. “So much it scares me.”
She looked up, surprised at the honesty in his voice.
“I care too,” she said slowly. “That’s what makes this harder.”
And just like that, she turned and walked through the gates, leaving him standing there with a strange kind of ache in his chest.
But it wasn’t the hopeless kind anymore.
It was the kind that came with a chance.
And that, Jungwon thought, was more than he deserved—but everything he needed.
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✓ 𝗜'𝗠 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗥. | enhypen .ᐟ yang jungwon
Fanfiction( 𝗜'𝗠 𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗥 ) "One dare, one text, and a whole lot of feelings." --- It all began with a simple dare-one that led to an unexpected connection. Jiwon Park, a quiet transfer student, received a random text that read, "I'm cute." Thinking it was...
