*"I... I like you."

I forced the words out, suppressing my trembling heart. I hadn't intended to confess at all, but the thoughts in my mind slipped out of my mouth. The memory of that day is still vivid. He stood there silently for a moment before softly calling my name.

"Guest..."

I felt a sudden surge of fear at Jaechan's calm voice. I couldn't focus on the words that followed, but one phrase stuck in my ear.

"What kind of bet did you make with your friends to say something like this?"

He spoke as if trying to laugh it off. Seeing him dismiss my feelings as a joke made my heart sink. My eyes welled up with tears at the thought of him trivializing my emotions, so I lowered my head and bit my lip. I rejected his offer to walk me home and ran all the way back.

• •
  Several months later -

Jaechan and I ended up going to different universities in the same region. I was glad that I could finally put some distance between us, but at the same time, the situation made me sad. Our parents went to a Chinese restaurant together to celebrate our graduation. That was the day my troubles truly began.

"Since the kids are going to college in the same area, it would be perfect if they lived together."

"Oh my, that's a great idea!"

Unlike me, Lee Jaechan added fuel to the fire by actively agreeing with our parents' suggestion. Unable to say a single word of protest, I just stammered while realizing I was about to move in with the guy who rejected me.

Sigh...

As we live together and see sides of each other we never knew, a strange tension begins to build...*