It's amazing how people
can cross paths in the most
unexpected ways.
Y/N POV:
The next day, we woke up late-just as I'd predicted.
We rushed to get ready and barely made it to class before the teacher walked in.
He started by praising the boys on the basketball team, encouraging them to bring home a win in their upcoming game.
Then, his tone shifted slightly as he looked around the room.
"I expect everyone to stay focused during class," he said firmly. "Win or lose, your education comes first."
I exchanged a tired but amused glance with my friends.
We were assigned group projects, and the teacher posted the group lists on the board.
I scanned the names-mine was missing.
I walked up the teacher's desk after class. "Sir, my name isn't on any group," I said politely.
"Oh? Let me see," he said, scanning the list himself. "Which group should I put you in?"
I noticed Nari and Juhee were in the same group, so I smiled sweetly and suggested,
"Sir, you can add me to Haerin's group."
He shook his head immediately. "Absolutely not. If you and Haerin are together, you'll just chat the whole time and get nothing done. You two are trouble when you're in the same group."
He gave me a stern but knowing look before assigning me to a different group.
So much for that idea.
"Sir, we won't chat-I promise we'll focus!" I pleaded, trying to sound as sincere as possible.
He shook his head firmly. "No. I'm putting you in Sunghoon's group. He's responsible, and he can help keep you on tra-"
Before he could even finish, I blurted out, "Oh sir, that's a blessing I don't deserve!"
A huge, uncontrollable smile spread across my face.
He stared at me, completely baffled. "...What?"
I quickly composed myself. "N-Nothing! Thank you, sir!"
Then I practically floated back to my seat.
Haerin immediately leaned over. "You look way too happy. Did we get put in the same group after all?"
"No..." I said, trying to play it cool. "But I'm with Sunghoon."
Their eyes went wide, and they looked even more excited than I was.
Nari grabbed my arm, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper.
"This is your chance! You have to shoot your shot before Wonhee literally superglues herself to him!"
Class was dismissed early today because the basketball team had practice. Since Haerin was spending time with her boyfriend and Jake was at practice, the rest of us didn't feel like hanging out without them, so we all headed home early.
When I got home, I ran into my mom at the door.
"Where are you going, Mom?" I asked.
"I'm going to the market to pick up some ingredients and a few other things," she replied.
"Wait for me-I want to come too!" I said, rushing inside.
I tossed my bag onto the couch and called out to my brother, "Oppa, I'm going with Mom-can you put my bag in my room?"
I didn't even bother changing out of my uniform.
"Hsssh-I said I'd wait for you! Don't run so fast-you're such a clumsy girl, you're going to fall!" Mom scolded lightly as I reached her. "And why didn't you change? Your uniform will get dirty at the market."
"Ahhh, I just missed you!" I said, hugging her arm and ignoring her complaints.
But once we got to the market, I instantly regretted tagging along.
Mom took forever carefully examining every item, going in and out of what felt like a dozen shops without buying anything. She was being unbelievably picky-lingering over produce, comparing prices at every stall, and walking out empty-handed more often than not.
I waited outside the shop, quietly grumbling to myself about how long Mom was taking.
Just then, a little boy-maybe three or four years old-tripped and fell right in front of me.
I quickly knelt down and helped him up, brushing the dust off his knees.
"Wow, you're so brave! You didn't even cry," I said softly, smiling at him.
I reached into my pocket and handed him the lollipop I'd been saving.
"Tha-nk y-ou... Ap-pa say... bi-g bou... do-n't cry," he mumbled in that adorable, unclear baby language. I gently pinched his nose. "Aigoo, you're so obedient! Where is your appa?"
Just then, a man's voice called from behind us. "Jun-nie~, why did you run off?" He scooped up the little boy, who responded with happy mumbles.
The man turned to me with an apologetic smile. "Hi, I'm Jun's dad. Sorry if he troubled you."
He was tall, handsome, and looked young-maybe around 27 or 28. He had that vibe of a single-dad CEO straight out of a romance novel... but of course, a guy like this definitely had a wife. I mean, he had a kid and looked like that-no way he was single.
Get a grip, Kim Y/N. This isn't one of your novels, I scolded myself silently. Besides... Sunghoon is way handsomer.
Wait-did I really just compare them? Ugh, I'm going crazy. I shook my head slightly, finally realizing I hadn't even replied. I just stood there smiling awkwardly.
"Oh, you're a high school student? Do you live around here?" he asked warmly.
"No," I replied politely. "I'm just here shopping with my mom."
We chatted briefly before he smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry-we're actually in a bit of a hurry. It was nice meeting you."
He lifted Jun into his arms, and they walked away together. They looked so sweet-a picture-perfect father and son.
His wife is really lucky, I thought wistfully. I hope one day I have a little boy as cute as Jun.
After we got back home, I couldn't stop thinking about that adorable little boy. We had dinner, and later that night, during our group video call, I told everyone what had happened earlier that day.
"Ooh, maybe he's a single, rich dad! Why did you let him go?" Haerin said in her usual unthoughtful way.
I rolled my eyes. "No way-he definitely has a wife. His son is still a baby!"
"Whether he's single or not, you already have a crush on Sunghoon. Don't go imagining things about some random dad," Juhee added wisely. I nodded in agreement.
But Nari, never one to let things go, leaned closer to the screen. "Okay, but just hypothetically... if he was single and liked you, who would you choose? Sunghoon or Mr. Single Dad?"
"Don't be ridiculous," I shot back. "I like men, but I don't want someone else's man. Besides, I said the baby was cute-not the dad!"
They all gave me identical looks of disbelief.
"You don't know if he's taken or not," Nari argued, looking way too proud of herself. "And you said the baby looks like him. So if you think the baby is cute, that means you think the dad is cute, too!"
I had no idea how to argue with her weird logic.
"Well, Sunghoon is way better looking anyway," I mumbled finally, my face growing warm.
As I tried to fall asleep, I couldn't get little Jun out of my mind. Maybe we were meant to meet... I thought dreamily, before immediately shaking my head. He's just a baby, you fool-what are you even thinking?
Then a silly, shocking thought crossed my mind: Is it because it's time for me to have a baby?
No way-stop thinking like that, Y/N! I scolded myself, pulling the covers over my head. You're too young for this!
____
The Next Day
When class started, Mr. Yoon came in and began explaining the group project. He told everyone to sit with their assigned groups. In my group: me, Sunghoon, Ji-soo, Jaemin, Ye-jin, Jin-hyuk, and Go-eun
Mr. Yoon had each group choose a project topic through a blind draw. We ended up with a survey-based project-which meant we'd have to work together outside of class.
More time with Sunghoon? This is a blessing in disguise.
Since our project required conducting surveys, we split into smaller teams to cover more people.
· Ji-soo, Ye-jin, and Jin-hyuk were already close, so they volunteered to work together.
· Jaemin and Go-eun lived on the same street, so they paired up.
· That left... Sunghoon and me.
Jaemin grinned. "Since you two live in the same neighborhood, you can be partners!"
Is this really happening? I don't deserve this kind of luck...
"Whatt?" Sunghoon looked at me, confused, while the others started laughing.
I hadn't realized I'd said that out loud.
My face flushed bright red. So. Embarrassing.
Go-eun and Ye-jin teased me when the boys weren't paying attention. I just smiled awkwardly-since I wasn't really close with them yet, I felt a little embarrassed. It's funny how I get shy around people I don't know well... but they were actually really kind. I think I'm going to like being in this group.
At lunchtime, we all brought tiffins like we used to before the basketball tournament started. The school had changed the head cook recently, and the food just wasn't the same. So Haerin and Nari suggested we go back to sharing homemade lunches-they said it felt more special and memorable that way.
Jake and Sunoo came to our classroom with their tiffins, and today, Jay joined us too.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Nari asked playfully.
Jay grinned. "Without my girlfriend, the food just isn't as tasty. But when I asked her to eat in the cafeteria, she didn't want to go without you guys."
I lightly slapped his arm. "You're so over the top!" Then, without thinking, I added, "Besides, Sunghoon doesn't have anyone to eat with..."
Huh? What am I even saying?
"Aigoo~ Jay, why don't you invite him to eat with us next time?" Jake teased, wiggling his eyebrows at me "Seems like someone here misses him".
I felt my face heat up. "It's not like that! I just think it's lonely to eat alone," I mumbled, poking at my rice.
Haerin jumped in, not helping at all. "If you feel that bad for him, why don't you just go eat with him yourself?"
I shot her a sharp glare, but before I could respond, Jay-who was busy stealing my kimchi-added, "Don't worry about Sunghoon. Jungwon and Heesung are probably with him. And Wonhee might be there, too."
Ugh. I hate that girl. Why does she always have to be stuck to Sunghoon like that?.
After school, we started walking home-taking the route that passed by Sunghoon's house. Nari, Haerin, and Juhee wanted to try my mom's baking, so they decided to come over to my place before heading home.
As we were walking, I suddenly heard a little voice shout, "Ama! Ama!" I turned around and saw little Jun running toward me as fast as his little legs could carry him, his dad following not far behind.
"Ama! Ama!" he called again, wrapping his arms around my legs once he reached me.
I froze, feeling completely awkward. My friends stared in amazement. Jun's dad caught up,he also look embarrassed and surprised.
"Jun-ah, she's not your ama. She's noona, okay?"he said gently, trying to loosen Jun's grip.
But Jun shook his head, bursting into tears. "No! Ama!" he cried, clinging even tighter.
"He's never done this before," Jun's dad said, running a hand through his hair. He looked genuinely embarrassed-and a little helpless.
"Don't worry, it's okay," I said softly, bending down to lift Jun into my arms.
My friends finally snapped out of their shock and swarmed around us, cooing and making funny noises to cheer him up. Within seconds, Jun was laughing, his earlier tears completely forgotten.
"Wow, he's such a little heartbreaker!" Nari said, grinning.
"Takes after his dad," Juhee whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
Jun's dad chuckled softly, relief clear in his eyes.
"Do you live around here?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
He smiled warmly. "Yes, we just moved in recently." He pointed toward a house just a few doors down-and I realized with a jolt that they were Sunghoon's neighbors.
"Jun-ah, it's time to go home," he said gently, reaching for his son. "Say goodbye to noona."
But Jun clung to me even tighter, burying his face in my shoulder.
Eventually, his dad managed to lift him into his arms. Jun waved clumsily at my friends, then turned his big eyes back to me.
"Ama... bye-bye," he whispered.
I waved back, my heart melting a little despite the awkwardness.
"Sorry if he troubled you all," his dad said with an apologetic smile before turning to carry Jun home.
"Wow, you're a mom at such a young age, Miss Y/N!" Nari teased, wiggling her eyebrows.
"And you and Jun's dad looked pretty good together," Haerin added with a smirk. "Plus, you skipped the hard part-no pregnancy, no labor, just a ready-made cute kid. And his dad looks rich, too!"
I shot back, "Shut up! You don't even know if he's a single dad!"
Nari slapped my arm-not playfully. "Ow! What was that for?" I whined, rubbing my shoulder. "I'm right, aren't I? Do you know if he's single?"
"You idiot, have you ever used your brain?" she said, giving me another light slap. "What?!" I exclaimed, completely confused.
They all stared at me with disbelief. "Jun called you 'amma'," Nari said firmly."If he had a mom around, he wouldn't be calling strangers 'mom,' would he?"
"Ohhh..." I said slowly, finally understanding.
My mind started racing.Did his mom pass away? Are they divorced? My chest ached thinking about it. He's just a baby...
I got so lost in my thoughts that I barely heard whatever my friends said next.
My mind was spinning.
What really happened to Jun's mom?.
My friends didn't stay long-I was too lost in my own thoughts to keep the conversation going.
After I changed into comfortable clothes, I wandered into the kitchen and lingered near my mom while she cooked.
I must have been standing there a while without saying anything, because she finally snapped:
"Yah! You've been following me around and you're not even helping! You're just getting in my way!"
She nudged me lightly with her hip to move me away from the counter.
"Mom..." I said softly, still staring at her.
She turned, wiping her hands on her apron. "What?!"
Then she narrowed her eyes. "...Are you up to something? Did you do something crazy?"
Her glare was so intense, I almost felt guilty- even though I hadn't done anything!
After a moment of silence, I finally asked:"Mom, if a baby has a mom... can he still call someone else 'mom'?"
She didn't even look up from the vegetables she was chopping.
"That's nonsense. When you were a baby, you called your aunt 'mom,' too."
"No, I mean... a total stranger," I pressed.
She stopped chopping and stared at me.
"Why are you talking such nonsense? You need sleep. Go take a nap before dinner."
But I couldn't let it go.
"Wait, mom... if a guy is a handsome single dad, don't you think a lot of girls would be interested in him? Like... he probably wouldn't stay single for long, right?"
She sighed, finally putting down the knife. "How should I know? I'm not a single dad." Then her eyes narrowed. "Do you like a single dad?"
"No! Not at all!" I said, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace.
She pointed the knife handle at me. "You're still a teenager. If I find out you're interested in some single dad, I won't go easy on you."
"I know, I know," I mumbled, quickly backing out of the kitchen before she could ask any more questions.
____
Weeks later...
Today was the final game of the basketball tournament. Our school team was competing against Hana High School, and the atmosphere was electric.
We arrived early to get good seats-Jay was with us too, though he was still recovering and couldn't play.
Once the game started, Jay grew more and more competitive from the sidelines.
He was shouting advice, groaning at missed shots, and basically coaching from his seat-getting so into it that he'd frustrate himself. We couldn't help but laugh.
Both teams were playing fiercely. Our guys were sharp as always, but Hana High was strong too.
Sunghoon was especially impressive-smooth moves, perfect shots-and it seemed like he'd gained quite a fanclub from the other school's side of the bleachers.
And Jake?
Total crowd-pleaser. I'm pretty sure he already had half the numbers of the girls watching.
He's always been a bit of a playful flirt-not in a shady way, just... charismatic and social.
You could tell he loved the attention. He's the kind of guy who's friends with everyone and flirts like it's a hobby.
But he's always respectful. It's just how he is.
____
In the end, we won!
We erupted into cheers, hugging and dancing right there in the stands. Even other students joined in, caught up in the excitement.
I caught Sunghoon looking over at us, a rare, genuine smile on his face.
My heart did a little flip. Yeah... I'm still totally into him.
The coach called Jay over-he was treating the whole team to celebrate, and since Jay was still an official member, he went along too.
As we headed out of the court, we noticed a group of girls-some from our school, some from others-gathered near the gate. They weren't just talking...
It looked like they were arguing.