Wednesday. 7:43 a.m.

Nishimura niki had his shoulder against the stone wall, scrolling through his phone with the kind of blank expression that made people assume he was either deeply unbothered or plotting something. It was the former. Mostly.

Sunghoon walking backwards in front of him, arms spread "So you're telling me she exists, but she's just never around. She doesn't have a name. She doesn't have a face. She doesn't have a single photo on your phone."

Nishimura niki doesn't look up "She's private."

Jungwon snorts "She's imaginary."

Nishimura niki swipes to another app "Fuck off."

Jay falling into step beside him "It's fine, mate. You can just say you're single. We won't judge you for it."

Sunghoon grinning "Much."

Nishimura niki "I'm not single."

Jungwon "Then who is she?"

Niki's jaw tightened. He didn't answer. His thumb kept moving across the screen like the conversation was happening to someone else entirely.

Fan-fucking-tastic. They're not dropping this.

Sunghoon "Exactly. That's exactly what someone with a real girlfriend would say."

Nishimura niki "Maybe I just don't want to hear you talk about her."

Jake "Ouch."

Jungwon sighs dramatically "Just admit you made her up, Riki. It's getting sad."

I should've just said I was seeing someone and left it at that. But no. I had to double down. And now I'm walking through the corridor with three dickheads who won't let it go.

Niki finally glanced up from his phone, ready to tell them all to eat shit.

And that's when he saw you.

Coming toward them from the opposite direction. Books against your chest. Eyes briefly meeting his.

Shit

Sunghoon still talking "Like, honestly, if she's real, where is she? You never bring her around. You never mention her by name. You—"

Fuck it

Niki pushed off the wall.

Jungwon blinking "Niki?"

He was already walking toward you. Not fast, but with a clear sense of purpose that made his friends stop talking entirely.

I'll kiss her once. Just enough for them to see. Then I'll explain. Or run. Running's good.

You slowed when he got close, confusion flickering across your face. Your lips started to form the beginning of his name.

She's going to hex me into next week. Worth it.

His arm slid around your waist. His other hand caught your jaw. And then Nishimura niki kissed you in the middle of the crowded corridor.

It wasn't quick.

Should've stopped.

His mouth moved against yours again, more insistent, and he pulled you closer until your back nearly hit the lockers behind you.

Definitely should stop now.

He didn't. His thumb brushed along your cheek. His lips caught yours a third time, then a fourth, each one slower than the last, more deliberate. The books in your arms shifted. His grip on your waist tightened.

What the fuck am I doing?

He could hear his friends going quiet behind him. Could hear the noise of other students faltering as they passed. Could hear his own pulse hammering in his ears.

And then you kissed him back.

Oh, Fuck.

Your fingers caught the front of his jumper. Something in Niki's brain short-circuited completely. His lips pressed harder against yours, and for a moment he genuinely forgot why he'd started this. Forgot where he was. Forgot his own goddamn name.

This was supposed to be three seconds. Three. Seconds.

When you finally pushed him back, both of you were breathing hard. Your lips were swollen. Your eyes were wild. The corridor felt very, very quiet.

Niki's arm stayed around your waist.

Nishimura niki "Hi."

His voice was slightly rough. He cleared his throat.