Y/N stood at the edge of the fountain, staring at the shimmering coins, all of them shinning with hope. She clutched the quarter in her hand, closing her eyes and making her wish. 

But then someone bumped into her, and she ended up inside the fountain. Cold and wet in the middle of winter, with shinning wishes all around her. She sighed, dropping her coin into the fountain and standing up. The person who bumped into her ran away without a word, not an apology or anything. 

"Are you okay?" a boy asked, rushing over. He took her arm, helping her out of the fountain. "Be careful, it's probably slippery," he warned her, not letting go of her arm until she was out. 

"Thanks," she said, her teeth already chattering. 

"Where's your house?" he asked, eyeing her with concern. "We should get you into a cab." 

She shook her head. "I'll take the subway." 

"But you're all wet!" he protested. 

She laughed, wringing out her hair. "Tell me something I don't know." 

"I can pay for your cab fare," he offered, taking out his wallet. "Or, I could call my mana-" he paused, eyes flashing. "My friend," he said sternly. "I can call my friend and we can drive you home. It'll be no trouble, really." 

"That's really alright," she insisted. "You don't have to do all of this. This isn't even your fault."

"Take my jacket," he said, slipping his fluffy jacket off is his shoulders and onto hers, apparently not listening to anything she just said. He studied her and then grabbed her wrist, dragging her into the first store they found. "Here, pick something out for yourself. I can buy it for you." 

"I can buy it myself," she said, reaching into her wallet. Oof. All she had twenty dollars. She probably couldn't even afford one shirt, much less a whole new outfit. "Actually... I don't need one," she insisted, taking off his jacket and handing it to him. He put it right back on her. 

"How far do you live?" 

"Only an hour."

"An hour!" he exclaimed, glaring at her. "You'll freeze to death." He picked up a comfy sweatpants and sweatshirt. "Here, these will be warm. I'm buying you these," he said, bringing her to the cash register. 

She had to admit, they did look really comfy. "I'll pay you back," she promised. "And... return your jacket." 

"Meet me at the fountain next week. 8 o'clock," he said, paying for the clothes and handing them to her. 

"Wait!" she called to him as he walked out. "What's your name?" 

A smile came to his lips, melting her. She felt herself blushing. "Serim," he said gently. "And you?" 

"Y/N," she said softly, watching his smile widen before he left the store. 

***

Y/N bounced on her tippy toes, scanning the crowd for him. His jacket was in her hand, the money in her bag, and she was wearing the sweatshirt he'd bought he last time. It was her favorite piece of clothing now. Not only was it insanely comfortable, but it was bought by him. 

Someone behind her pulled the hair tie out of her hair, and she spun around, ready to yell at them. 

But it was Serim, grinning at her, mischief in every corner of his face. "You want to go get a snack with me?" 

"Sure," she agreed, digging into her bag and handing him his money. He hesitated for a moment before taking it. But when she tried to hand him his jacket, he pushed it back to her. 

"Keep it."

"I can't do that," she protested, pushing it into his hands. 

He pouted at her. "It'll give me an excuse to see you again next week." 

Her heart skipped a beat. "Huh?" 

His eyes shone and he stared at her for a long moment. "I'm keeping the hair tie," he decided. "Your hair is much too pretty to have it up all the time." 

"Hey!" she exclaimed, reaching for it. He held it up over his head and she laughed, jumping to try and get it. 

He slipped off his bracelet and put it on her wrist. "Here, and you keep this for now. Next week, I'll return your hair tie, and you return my bracelet." 

She really didn't need him to return it, as she had plenty of hair ties lying around at home. But she tilted her head, studying him. "Why?" 

"Because I want to see you again," he said simply, taking out his phone and handing it to her. "I like talking to you. I think I like you. Can I have your number?" 

Her eyes widened a little, but she looked down, typing in her number. "You... what?" 

"I think I like you," he repeated. She expected confessions to be nerve wracking. He didn't look nervous at all. And to her surprise, she wasn't either. Something about him felt right. 

"I think I like you too," she admitted, scratching her head and frowning at him. "But that seems impossible. I really don't know you."

"Which is exactly why we're going to have to meet up more often," he said simply. "So we can get to know each other." 

She laughed at him, her heart feeling light. "Okay. So, are we dating now? Is today day one?"

"Yes!" he said, laughing too, but then his smile faded. "But... I have to tell you something first. And I can understand if you don't want to date me anymore after I tell you." 

"What is it?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat. 

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm an idol," he said slowly. "Dating is going to be hard. Really hard. On you, on me... I don't know how my fans will take it. So, like I said, I understand if this changes things-" 

She took his hand. He looked so scared that she'd leave him now, but despite barely knowing him, she knew she couldn't. "This changes nothing," she told him firmly. 

"I have to ask my CEO permission to date you," he whispered sadly, taking his hand away. "Until then, I can't hold your hand. I can't stand too close. We can't laugh or smile too much." 

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go see him." 

Serim finally met her eyes, looking hopeful. A smile fluttered on his lips. "Let's." 

***

She had to admit, she was extremely nervous walking into that office. And she could feel Serim's nerves too. 

"Sir... I want to date her," Serim said slowly. She'd drowned out most of their conversation, but those words brought her back to attention. 

"No." 

She blinked. Serim's face fell. 

"What? What do you mean, no." 

"I mean no. I won't let you date. Not yet." 

"Excuse me?" Serim said, his voice rising. "I can date whenever I want. This is my life! I don't know why I even bothered asking in the first place," he whispered, shaking his head. 

"And you're my employee. If you date her now, you're leaving the group." 

"What?" she whispered. 

Serim scoffed. "You wouldn't actually do that."

"Try me." 

She watched Serim clench his fists, looking as though he was ready to swing at the CEO. "Fine. Do it," he said, stepping towards the him. 

Y/N sprung forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him back. "No!" she whispered, her voice shaking. She cleared her throat, looking at the CEO. "No," she said again. "I'll talk to him," she begged. "Don't fire him. Please. We won't date. I promise." 

Serim looked down at her. "What?" He looked back at the CEO, his gaze harsh. "Is no really your final answer?" 

"No is my final answer. It's Cravity or the girl. Pick one."