The Night He Didn’t Expect
Chapter 1: The Night He Didn’t Expect
Seven days.
Jihoon hadn’t stepped out of his room for seven days.
Curtains drawn. Phone on silent. Food barely touched.It felt like the world outside didn’t exist anymore… and honestly, he didn’t want it to.
Lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the same thoughts kept repeating—“Was I not enough…?”
A soft knock broke the silence.
“Jihoon… open the door.”
He didn’t respond.
Another knock, louder this time.“Bro, I swear if you don’t open this, I’m breaking it.”
Jihoon let out a tired sigh and finally dragged himself to the door.
As soon as it opened, his friend Hyunwoo walked in, scanning the messy room.
“Wow… you look worse than I expected,” he muttered.
Jihoon rolled his eyes slightly, going back to his bed. “What do you want?”
Hyunwoo sat beside him. “To make sure you’re still alive. And also… to drag you out.”
“Not happening.”
“Too bad. You don’t have a choice.”
—
An hour later, Jihoon found himself sitting in a quiet, aesthetic bar.Not too loud. Not too crowded. Just soft music and dim lights.
Exactly the kind of place Hyunwoo knew he wouldn’t refuse too much.
They ordered a couple of drinks.
For the first time in days, Jihoon felt… a little less heavy.
Maybe.
But just as things started to feel normal, Hyunwoo’s phone rang.
He checked the screen and groaned.“Great… she’s calling.”
Jihoon raised an eyebrow. “Your girlfriend?”
“Yeah. If I don’t pick up, she’ll start a war.”
Jihoon gave a small nod. “Go.”
“I’ll be back in a minute, okay? Don’t disappear.”
Jihoon let out a faint, tired smile. “I won’t.”
Hyunwoo walked away, leaving him alone at the table.
Jihoon stared at his glass, gently swirling the drink.The silence returned… but this time, it didn’t feel as suffocating.
“Hey… sorry, you had to wait.”
A soft voice came from behind.
Before Jihoon could react, he felt a light touch on his shoulder.
He turned.
A guy stood there — calm expression, sharp features, and a presence that was… hard to ignore.
Without hesitation, the guy sat across from him.
Jihoon blinked, confused.Who is this…?
For a second, he didn’t say anything.Honestly, he didn’t mind. At least he wasn’t alone anymore.
But still…
“I think… you’ve got the wrong person,” Jihoon finally said.
The guy paused, then let out a small, embarrassed chuckle.“Ah… yeah. Sorry. My mistake.”
Jihoon shook his head lightly. “It’s fine. Happens.”
The guy leaned back slightly, relaxed.“I was supposed to meet someone here. Blind date. Guess I messed up.”
Jihoon nodded. “Yeah… that happens too.”
A brief silence settled between them.
Then the guy spoke again—“Until my date shows up… mind if I sit here?”
Jihoon looked at him for a moment… then nodded.“Yeah. You can.”
“Thanks.”
The guy smiled.
And for a second—just a second—Jihoon forgot everything.
The breakup. The pain. The doubt.
Because that smile…
It was unfairly attractive.
“Were you on a date too?” the guy asked casually.
Jihoon shook his head. “No. I came with a friend.”
“Hmm.”
That soft smile appeared again.
And Jihoon… just stared.
Why is he this… charming?
