Chapter 118: A Love That Finally Took Shape

On top of that, he had just mustered the courage to confess—so why the sudden nosebleed?

In dramas or movies, when confessions happen and feelings align, lights brighten, flowers scatter, fountains burst.

He hadn’t expected all that, but he definitely hadn’t expected a bloody incident as the main event.

“What kind of chaos is this, seriously.”

Wooju sighed, stuffing tissue into the nostrils of the very person he had just confessed to.

“It already stopped.”

“Just keep it in, just in case.”

Jitae complained that it made him look ugly, but the more he protested, the harder Wooju pressed the tissue in place.

“You’re the one who cares about mood, so why are you bleeding there?”

“If you think about it, this is half your fault.”

At that ridiculous statement, Wooju paused as if inviting him to explain.

It wasn’t like he had punched him—why blame him?

“How is this my fault? Isn’t it because you can’t manage your condition?”

“Even if I was in perfect condition, I’d still get a nosebleed. Because of you.”

“Then why?”

“Because you suddenly… kissed me.”

At that, Wooju shut his mouth.

A nosebleed from just a kiss? What kind of guy was this?

But then he remembered—he himself had once gotten a nosebleed in the car after hearing Jitae’s confession.

He couldn’t argue.

As that memory resurfaced, the heat that had burned Jitae’s face earlier now seemed to transfer to Wooju.

Starting from the back of his neck to his ears, he flushed red.

“Gang Wooju.”

Jitae poked his cheek.

“Your face is red.”

It felt familiar.

Jitae grinned, repeating the exact same words Wooju had once said during the Two People Living Together poster shoot.

Then, claiming his nosebleed had stopped, he casually pulled out the tissue.

“You’re really asking for it.”

As Wooju raised his hand to hit him, Jitae dodged easily and grabbed Wooju’s wrist, pulling him forward.

Caught off guard, Wooju stumbled right into Jitae’s arms.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Thank you.”

“……”

The way he held him tightly carried undeniable affection.

Somewhere, a loud heartbeat echoed.

Wooju couldn’t even tell if it was Jitae’s or his own.

He had never imagined a day when his heart would beat this fast—or that he’d even be able to hear it.

“For what?”

“For everything.”

Jitae added that he had only come to see his face briefly and hear his voice, but instead received an unexpected gift.

Even now, it didn’t fully feel real—that Wooju had kissed him and confessed—but he no longer doubted it.

“I never thought my feelings would ever be returned.”

Countless days passed through his mind—days when he believed just liking him was enough,

when being by his side as a friend would have been sufficient.

“Hey, just to be clear.”

Wooju suddenly lifted his head from Jitae’s arms.

“I didn’t say that out of pity. And it’s not because I felt guilty or sorry for you.”

“I know. I don’t think that.”

“Then don’t talk about ‘repaying’ feelings or anything like that.”

Jitae nodded repeatedly, deeply moved.

There was a time when he thought Wooju was unreadable—but now, everything showed so clearly.

“Then… we’re dating now, right? Is today day one?”

Even as he said it, Jitae covered his mouth, embarrassed.

Despite everything he had seen in life, he never imagined saying something so cheesy.

But that was how powerful ten years of unrequited love being fulfilled was.

Wooju was just as embarrassed, staring at him in disbelief.

He was the same person who used to curse whenever Hyunjin talked about relationship anniversaries.

“Why does that even matter…?”

“Hmm?”

As Jitae tilted his head slightly, looking oddly cute, Wooju awkwardly touched the back of his neck.

“…Yeah. I guess.”

At that, Jitae smiled and hugged him tighter.

His soft hair brushed against Wooju’s nose, and his strong arms wrapped firmly around his waist.

Wooju slowly reached up and gently stroked Jitae’s hair.

Being like this with him felt like stepping into another world.

Like drifting in an ocean of emotions he had never experienced before.

Yet, even submerged in it, he felt neither anxious nor rushed.

“But when’s your next schedule? You’ve been really busy lately.”

“I can rest until tomorrow.”

Jitae nuzzled into him happily.

Apparently, his schedule for the next day had been canceled, giving him rare free time.

And since it was the weekend, Wooju also had no training.

“Then stay over.”

At that casual, bomb-like statement, Jitae froze.

“…Huh?”

“I said stay over. It’s late anyway.”

Jitae’s eyes went blank as if imagining something on his own, his throat bobbing nervously.

Seeing that, Wooju frowned and flicked his forehead.

“You were thinking something weird just now, weren’t you?”

“A little?”

Clearly not just a little.

Because of him, Wooju himself got dragged into unnecessary thoughts.

He hadn’t meant it that way—he was just being considerate.

“Hey, I didn’t mean anything like that, okay?”

“I know. I just thought about it. But Wooju… why are you overreacting? That just makes you more suspicious.”

“Want me to kick you out?”

“Wooju, is that how you talk to your boyfriend? You should speak nicely.”

At the word “boyfriend,” Wooju’s eyes widened.

He shoved Jitae away and jumped up from the sofa.

Dating, day one—and now “boyfriend”?

He had already reached his daily embarrassment limit.

“Whatever. I’m going to shower. Stay put.”

“Okay.”

Watching Wooju escape into the bathroom, Jitae smiled like an idiot.

Unaware of that, Wooju quickly grabbed clothes and locked the door.

Smelling his shirt, he realized it was soaked with the greasy scent of grilled pork.

He had completely forgotten about dinner with his friends.

Feeling slightly embarrassed for not noticing earlier, he quickly undressed.

As he turned on the faucet, cold water poured down.

Closing his eyes, Wooju ran his hand through his wet hair.

The cool sensation washed over him, clearing his mind.

“……”

And the moment clarity returned—

he felt overwhelmingly embarrassed.

Covering his face with his large hands, he stood under the water for a long time.

His restored rationality made one thing painfully clear—

his relationship with Won Jitae had completely changed.

He had never imagined suddenly ending up in a relationship.

And even less that it would be with Won Jitae.

The same guy he used to fight with in the gym.

If Hyunjin, Suhyeok, or even Yoon Jaeyeon—who knew their past—found out, what would their reactions be?

He didn’t plan to tell them, but it was certain none of them would ever expect it.

“Ah… this is seriously embarrassing.”

Now it felt strange that he hadn’t realized it earlier.

He had feelings strong enough to recognize instantly—so why had he been unaware before?

Do people in relationships always endure this kind of ticklish, overwhelming feeling?

Still… Seokhyun had been right.

Seeing the other person’s face would make everything clear.

He had brushed it off at the time—

but the moment he saw Jitae,

all the feelings he hadn’t recognized came flooding in at once.

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