"Damn bro, what did you say to her this time?" Heeseung chuckles, wiping his sweat off with his towel.

"My scholarship in the States," Ni-Ki mumbled. "It slipped, okay?!"

"Your choice dude, but I've never seen you happier than ever," Jungwon shrugs, "You may have messed up a few times, though."

"I know," Ni-Ki shuts his eyes before sitting down on the bench, "I just think it's too early for that scholarship anyway. My father can fly me to the States whenever."

Heeseung's eyes widen. "Y-You're staying here? What did the scouts say?"

"The offer will always be open whenever," Ni-Ki thought carefully. "I need to go and tell Y/n something." Coach Minhyun steps in the room to let them know about practice, but when Ni-Ki pushes past him, the locker room falls silent in confusion.

Ni-Ki hasn't even taken off his basketball uniform. He's running through the hallways, desperate to find you. He sees Yunjin and taps her on the shoulder. "Wha–Oh! Ni-Ki?" Yunjin's eyes widen.

"Do you know where Y/n is?"

"I'm being clear, Nishimura Riki," Yunjin jabbed a finger in his chest. "Stop messing with her. I'm giving you one last fucking chance. Don't ruin it."

"I—"

"She's in the graphic design room, but I'm serious. Break her heart, and I'll make sure to—" She pointed her thumb at her neck, slicing it across to threaten the boy.

Ni-Ki looked at her with wide eyes, slightly taken aback with the girl in front of him, but nonetheless he looked thankful, nodding hastily at her before running off. It made her laugh out loud, causing the other students to look at her as if she was crazy.

You were asked of Mr. Kang, to help with his yearbook making. So here you were, editing the designs for Ace Academia.

You've noticed a lot of pictures taken by leadership kids, pictures of each clubs, but most of them were just basketball and Ni-Ki.

Unknowingly you stared at the tall boy, even while tired he still looked perfect. After a while, you managed to do 3 pages, creating captions for each club.

"Y/n!" You heard from behind you, it made you jumped in your seat a little.

"You startled me, Ni-Ki." You eyed his basketball jersey, "You just had practice?"

"I wanted to see you." He responds, breathlessly. "I'm sorry."

You furrowed your eyebrows together. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Ni-Ki" Yes you wanted to talk about the situation from the other night, but at the same, you didn't want him to think you were clingy.

You didn't want him to see you as someone who's obsessed with him and that you're too much of an overthinker.

"I know, it's just.." Ni-Ki bit his lip.

A student too came running to the door, "Y/n? Ms. Cho needs your help" She said, already holding onto your hand and ready to drag you out.

"Y-Y/n..."

"Sorry Ni-Ki, I'll catch up to you tomorrow!" You said to him before you were out of the class.

"Wait!" Ni-Ki exclaims, but you've already left the room. "I love you.." He whispers to nobody.

It was nearing may, and summer break is right around the corner. Everyone is rushing to finish up their school—projects, and so on. And for some reason, you were the only student they could think of to help them. So you were busy with that, running around and helping the teachers.

"Go! Go! Aces!" The cheerleaders shout, performing their usual routine. Yunjin munch on popcorn occasionally and you sucked on a lollipop, cheering for the team. This match is particularly suspenseful, and every thirty second break you take the chance to wave at Ni-Ki from the bleachers—who's more than relieved that you came to cheer him on.

He flushed red when you entered the courts, proudly wearing his varsity jacket. You showed him your phone screen, it displayed moving words on your phone that says: LET'S GO Nishimura Riki!

"These kids at Ace Academia are all star players," The commentators say, "They've been very successful in securing a spot in every championship so far in the past four years. Their coach says they are the best players they've ever had."

"I must agree. As usual, our MVP today is Nishimura Riki, from Ace Academia, number 09!" The camera zooms in onto Ni-Ki, who's jogging softly around the courts.

"He's scored more than 10 successful shots into the hoop, of course leading his team."

"That kid is worthy to be captain."

"Ace Academia have been known rivals with Neo Tech High," The commentator explains, "I wonder if they'll break Neo Tech High's winning streak tonight! Neo Tech High's team last year have previously settled for the semi-finals, unfortunately losing to SKZ Code."

"I definitely think Ace Academia will advance. They've done it for four years straight!"

"We take a look now back to the courts. Heeseung passes the ball to Jungwon, oh! Looks like Jake caught it!"

The game goes by a little slower than you anticipated, but when Ni-Ki passes the ball to Jay, the bleachers fall silent. All of you are hoping Jay gets the ball in, meaning Ace Academia advances. Jay bounces the ball a few times, muttering under his breath before running past Hyunjin, dodging him and jumping to the hoop.

"It's victory for Ace Academia once again!"

The commentators babble something about which team is able to defeat Ace Academia's winning streak, but you're too focused on celebrating. Everyone rushes down to the court, cheering on for Jay and the team, taking medals into their hands. There's a loud roar of cheers, honoring the basketball team for their hard work.

Your eyes are searching for him.

Ni-Ki catches your gaze and he sets his towel down as you run to him. He picks you up swiftly, your legs wrapping around his waist. "Hey, cap. I'm proud of you." Wrapping your arms around his neck, you smile down at him.

"I couldn't have done it without you, my lucky charm." He plants a kiss on your nose. "I'm so grateful for you, Y/n."

Your hands cup his cheeks. "Ni-Ki,"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

He stumbles a little, still gripping your legs, his eyes widening slightly when you say those three words, before placing your lips on his. He smiles into the kiss, tasting a hint of your strawberry lolly. Your cheeks heat when you hear playful noises from his best friends, but Ni-Ki takes the moment to show off, kissing you passionately ever than before.

"Strawberry?," Ni-Ki whispers as you place your head on his shoulders.

"People are looking," You whisper back.

"It's okay, baby," Ni-Ki rubs your back comfortingly. "Hey." He taps your back.

"Hm?"

"I love you more."

—

Ni-Ki holds a celebration party at his house, filled with members of the Ace Academia sports team. When the victorious basketball team entered, his house breaks out in whistles, proudly yelling that they won. With a drink in your hand as you speak with Yunjin, you're startled when an arm is around your waist sneakily.

"Hey angel," Ni-Ki pinches your cheek. "Hey, Yunjin."

"Sickening," Yunjin teases, but greeting Ni-Ki nonetheless. "Congrats on the win, by the way."

"Thank you."

"I'll head off for a sec, the cake your mother made is amazing," Yunjin punches Ni-Ki's arm softly.

"Don't mind if I steal Y/n?"

"Go ahead, but I'll still beat your ass if needed," You give Yunjin a look as she walks away, Ni-Ki takes your hand.

"I have something to show you."

He leads you carefully and you can't help but chuckle. "A treehouse?"

"It was mine as a kid," Ni-Ki begins to climb the ladder and you follow after him, both sitting on the edge of the floor, legs dangling as you capture the view. "You're the second woman that's been up here."

You nudged at him, pouting your lower lip. "First one was my mom." He laughed, kissing the crown of your head. "She only came up here to get me down."

"Your parents must be proud of you." You praised, looking at him.

"Really?"

"Oh come on, a full ride scholarship in the states? Offered at Stanford?" You tilted your head, how could a human be so humbled.

"Y/n..." His face turned into a worried one.

"No, I know what you're thinking. 'Here we go again' But really, I'm proud of you, and you should think about it. Do what's best for you, Ni-Ki" You smiled, you've learned from times to not let your emotion overwhelm you.

That if he's happy, you're happy, even if it meant not seeing each other for months, maybe years. You want to encourage him to take up on this amazing opportunity, it wasn't like this was offered to just anyone, for all you know—Ni-Ki could've been the only one in the entire city of Seoul to get it.

"Well how about you Y/n, Seoul National University? Honor?" He smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

"It's not something so massive, it's just whatever, now that my mom's been telling everyone."

"She's proud of you." He pauses. "I'm proud of you. SNU's your dream." He noticed you fidgeting with your fingers. "Y/n?"

You hummed.

"Look away for a second. I have something for you." And you do. You turn away and gasp, Ni-Ki's fingertips grazing your soft, bare skin as he places the metal chain around you. "Ni-Ki, you—you shouldn't have." A necklace is sat on your chest perfectly, with the letter N in gold on your neck.

"Remember my scholarship?" Ni-Ki begins and you nod, "I'm able to take the offer anytime, and I figured you were upset at me that night. That's why I decided to stay with you." You feel your eyes begin to water. "I love you so much, Y/n. Nothing would make me happy unless I'm with you." He slips your hands in yours. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

"That night," You bit the side of your cheek. "I couldn't bare to think of you leaving, but you know I would always support you..that night," You repeated, "I really wanted to tell you that I love you."

He looks up at you, surprised at your words. "My lucky charm, I love you, so so much." He leaned in to kiss your forehead, before stopping at your lips.

"I love you too, captain" With that, his hand placed itself by your jaw, connecting your lips with his. Kissing you softly, but he couldn't help but smile into it.

"Stop smiling, I can't kiss you properly" It was now your turn to smile widely into it, the two of you quickly stopped to laugh at each other.

"I can't help it." He replied, "You're just, so gorgeous."

—

Unbeknownst to the both of you, the next day, Ni-Ki's mother had just placed the letters from the mailbox on the kitchen counter. And underneath the bills and weekly ads, laid a letter from SNU.