♫ : love 119 - riize

It had been Jake's idea to go shopping for Christmas decorations for your café. With the holiday season just around the corner, a bit of festive cheer could brighten up the space, and maybe even your mood.

Plus, it gave you an excuse to spend more time with him, although that thought left you feeling more nervous than excited.

The mall was filled with the energy of shoppers, music, and the scent of roasted chestnuts in the air. You walked side by side, the decorations and lights reflecting off store windows.

"This place is insane," you muttered, watching people walk around with bags overflowing with Christmas gifts.

Jake laughed softly. He was beside you, hands tucked into his coat pockets. "It's Christmas, what did you expect? But don't worry, we'll find something good for the café."

You nodded, scanning the store displays until something caught your eye - a small shop filled with colorful decorations twinkling under the lights.

You turned toward it, but just as you did, a rush of people moved past, forcing you to squeeze closer to Jake to avoid getting bumped.

That's when you felt it. Jake's hand, slipping around your waist. He guided you through the crowd and the warmth of his hand against your side sent chills through you, making your heart skip a beat.

He didn't say anything about it, his expression relaxed as if what he was doing was the most natural thing in the world. But for you, it wasn't. Your mind raced as you tried to figure out if the gesture meant anything or if he was just being... practical.

His hand stayed there a moment longer than necessary before he let go, and you couldn't help but glance at him, searching for some kind of clue in his face. Jake, however, seemed unfazed.

His attention shifted to the decorations ahead of you. "Let's check this place out," he said, nodding toward the store.

Inside, you found yourself browsing through rows of Christmas ornaments while Jake picked up a few decorations to show you. It was nice, the way things were between you two - easy, light.

As you held up two sets of string lights, one with soft gold bulbs and the other in bright multi-colored ones, you hesitated. Both could work for the café, but you weren't sure which one would fit better.

"What do you think?" you asked, turning to Jake, hoping for some help.

Jake tilted his head, studying the options for a moment before his eyes met yours. His lips curved into a small smile. "I don't know. I feel like you'd always pick the prettiest things."

The way he said it. So soft, so affectionate.

It caught you completely off guard - it wasn't just the words, it was the way his gaze stayed on you as he spoke, as if the string lights were the furthest thing from his mind.

For a second, you completely forgot about the decorations. You persuaded yourself that you were overthinking simple words just because it's a good-looking guy who said it.

"Uh, thanks," you mumbled, and you quickly looked back at the lights, hoping the flustered feeling inside you wasn't too obvious.

Jake's eyes twinkled with that same unreadable look. "I mean it. You've always had good taste."

You let out a small, nervous laugh. "Well, I guess I'll go with these, then," you said, lifting the gold ones.

As you moved toward the checkout, Jake was a step behind. The way he acted today made your heart race. Each small touch and word. The waist grab, that compliment...

While you waited in line, Jake stood close beside you, his shoulder brushing against yours every so often. He reached out and ruffled your hair in a familiar, casual way, as if you were still the kids who used to run around together.

His fingers gently ruffled your hair before dropping away and you stiffened, unsure of how to react. Jake, however, seemed perfectly at ease, as though the touch hadn't made your heart skip a beat.

"You really should put your hair down more," he said with a low voice, barely loud enough to hear over the mall's noise. "I'd probably start looking for excuses to visit more."

You blinked, taken aback, unable to hide your surprise. He was doing it again. Walking the thin line between friend and something more. Are you even friends to begin with, at this point?

Finally, the two of you left the store with bags in hand. The conversation turned back to light, casual topics, as if nothing had happened. But as you exited the mall and stepped into the cold winter air, your mind was anything but calm.

Jake nudged your shoulder playfully. "Hey, I had fun today."

"Yeah... me too," you replied, still feeling the remains of his touches. "Thanks for helping."

"Of course," he said. "Anytime."

The two of you made your way back to the apartment building and you wondered if Jake was just being his usual flirty self. By the time you reached your floor, your heart was still racing from all the small moments that seemed to stay in your thoughts way longer than they should have.

"Goodnight," Jake said, standing outside his door, his hand raised in a lazy wave.

"Night," you echoed, stepping into your own loft, feeling the warmth of the apartment's heater.

You closed the door behind you and let out a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding.

What just happened? Your mind replayed the day's events over and over, from the way Jake's hand rested on your waist to the softness in his voice when he complimented you.

Friends didn't act like this... did they?

But you became more confused the more you thought about it. Maybe Jake was just being Jake. Teasing, playful, warm. It's how he is right now. You should stop comparing the Sim Jake now to the Sim Jaeyun from fifteen years ago.

Or maybe... maybe there was something more behind his actions.

Either way, it was becoming harder and harder to ignore the way your heart raced every time he was near.