The late afternoon sun spilled through the café windows, making everything seem warm and lazy. Eun-ji pushed the door open, letting the bell jingle announce her arrival. She spotted Ji-ho immediately in their usual corner, hunched over a notebook but clearly pretending to study.
"Pumpkin," she said lightly, sliding into the chair across from him.
"Cherry," he replied, eyes narrowing just slightly, voice flat as ever. The nickname tugged at some part of him he refused to acknowledge.
Eun-ji grinned. Perfect. He noticed.
She set her small bag beside her and subtly fished out a clove of garlic she'd hidden inside. It peeked from the top as if it were mocking her.
"Oh, I bought garlic for cooking," she said casually, letting it dangle from her fingers. "My mom is obsessed with it. Loves it more than me, probably."
Ji-ho froze mid-note, pen hovering. His eyes flicked toward the garlic.
"Garlic?" His tone was low, suspicious, and just slightly dangerous.
"Yes… for spaghetti," Eun-ji said, waving it vaguely. "You know… Italian stuff. Fancy, healthy… vampire-free meals, I hope."
He didn't respond at first, just stared. She thought she saw a vein twitch in his temple. Oh yes… that's working.
Minutes passed. Eun-ji pretended to sip her coffee, casually brushing her fingers against his hand. Not too much, not too little—just enough to feel the warmth of his skin in the sunlight streaming through the windows.
Ji-ho's gaze snapped up.
"Cherry… are you testing me?" he asked, voice low.
"Me? Test you? Nooo…" She twirled the garlic between her fingers like it was the most innocent thing in the world. "I'm just… uh… making sure it's fresh?"
His dark eyes didn't leave hers. Eun-ji felt a tiny shiver crawl down her spine. She hadn't realized how thrilling being under his gaze could feel.
He leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Be careful. You don't know what you're poking at."
She smirked. "I like a little danger."
A sudden crash from the counter made them both jump. Cups rattled, a tray of pastries tipped.
Ji-ho stiffened, all instincts alert.
"Stay behind me."
Eun-ji froze. Heart hammering. Wow… this is actually terrifying. And kind of hot?
A barista rushed over, blushing and apologizing. Ji-ho's eyes flicked to Eun-ji for a split second, softening just enough to let her know he wasn't mad at her.
"Don't test me like that again," he muttered quietly, voice low but gentle.
Eun-ji grinned faintly, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "I wasn't testing… okay, maybe a little."
His lips twitched—not quite a smile, but dangerously close.
She decided to push it a little further.
"You're so serious all the time, pumpkin," she teased, poking his shoulder lightly. "Can't you just… relax once in a while?"
He shot her a glare that made her giggle. "I am relaxed," he said, voice neutral, though his eyes betrayed him.
Eun-ji leaned closer. "Sure you are… like that time you practically sprinted past the sunlight at campus entrance?"
His jaw tightened. "That's… strategic."
"Strategic," she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Right. Strategic."
A small laugh escaped her. Ji-ho's eyes flicked to the window, his lips twitching. She pretended not to notice.
Then something shifted. A shadow moved near the counter—someone dropped a cup, not malicious, but Ji-ho's entire body tensed.
"Stay behind me." His tone had the edge of command, low and instinctive.
Eun-ji's chest squeezed. Even the playful teasing from before disappeared under the protective intensity in his stance.
She couldn't help but notice the subtle details—the faint rise of veins in his hands, the way his muscles tensed like a predator ready to pounce. Oh wow… he's really different.
The barista muttered apologies again, and Ji-ho exhaled, just slightly, letting the tension drain from his shoulders. His gaze softened for a heartbeat as he glanced at her.
"Promise you'll protect me?" Eun-ji teased lightly, hiding her nervous grin behind her coffee cup.
His dark eyes softened. "Always."
Even in the middle of a busy café, Ji-ho remained a shadow at her side—silent, vigilant, dangerously close.
Eun-ji couldn't help but feel a thrill at that thought. She hid her grin behind the cup and took a sip, pretending to be calm