sweven | j. jaehyun

sixteen

The buzz surrounding Jeongjae and Seoyeon's relationship had started to settle down, but its impact lingered in subtle ways. Whether it was the occasional teasing from their friends or the quiet glances they exchanged during breaks, their bond felt stronger with each passing day.

Still, the reality of school life meant they had to balance their growing relationship with their other responsibilities—and for Jeongjae, the upcoming photography exhibition loomed large on the horizon.

One Thursday afternoon, Seoyeon met Jeongjae outside the photography clubroom, a stack of papers in her hand.

"I thought you might need these," she said, handing him the exhibition's promotional flyers.

Jeongjae smiled, grateful for her thoughtfulness. "Thanks. I didn't realize how much there was to handle."

Seoyeon laughed softly. "I know the feeling. Being class president comes with its own mountain of paperwork."

"Speaking of which," Jeongjae said, tilting his head, "how do you manage everything? You're always so composed."

"It's not easy," Seoyeon admitted. "But I've learned to prioritize. And... it helps having someone who believes in me."

Her words made his heart skip a beat. He wanted to say something equally meaningful, but before he could, Mingyu appeared, waving enthusiastically.

"Hey, lovebirds! Need help with those flyers?"

With Mingyu's help, the three of them divided up the task of distributing the flyers around school. Mingyu's outgoing personality made the job easier, his jokes and antics drawing laughs from everyone he approached.

"You know," Mingyu said as they worked, "I'm starting to think I should join your club, Jeongjae. Imagine me with a camera—instant masterpiece."

Jeongjae snorted. "You'd probably spend more time taking selfies than actual photos."

"Exactly," Mingyu said, grinning. "I'd revolutionize the art of self-portraiture."

Seoyeon laughed, her cheeks pink from Mingyu's exaggerated poses. Jeongjae watched her, his chest warming at the sound of her laughter.

As they finished the last of the flyers, Mingyu clapped Jeongjae on the back. "You're lucky, man. Seoyeon's not just smart and pretty—she's also a hard worker. Total package."

Jeongjae nodded, glancing at Seoyeon as she helped a younger student pin a flyer to the noticeboard. "Yeah," he said softly. "I am lucky."

After school, Jeongjae and Seoyeon found themselves walking home together, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the streets.

"Thanks for helping out today," Jeongjae said.

"It was fun," Seoyeon replied. "Besides, I wanted to support you. This exhibition means a lot to you, doesn't it?"

"It does," Jeongjae admitted. "It's the first time I'm sharing my work with so many people. I want it to be perfect."

Seoyeon stopped walking, turning to face him. "It already is. You put so much of yourself into those photos. People are going to see that."

Her words filled him with a sense of calm he hadn't realized he needed. "You always know what to say," he said, his voice tinged with wonder.

Seoyeon smiled. "Maybe it's because I know you so well."

The day before the exhibition, the photography club was a flurry of activity. Prints were being framed, display boards assembled, and last-minute adjustments made to the layout. Jeongjae worked tirelessly, ensuring everything was just right.

As the evening wore on, Mingyu and Seoyeon stopped by to lend a hand. While Mingyu helped Leejae and Seokmin hang posters outside the clubroom, Seoyeon stayed with Jeongjae, helping him arrange the photos.

"Which one do you think should go here?" he asked, holding up two prints.

Seoyeon studied them carefully. "This one," she said, pointing to a shot of a sunset over the school courtyard.

"Good choice," Jeongjae said, placing it in the frame.

As they worked side by side, Seoyeon's hand brushed against his, sending a jolt of warmth through him. She didn't pull away, and neither did he. Instead, they shared a quiet smile, the moment speaking louder than words.

By the time they finished, the clubroom was transformed into a gallery of Jeongjae's work. Each photo told a story, capturing moments of beauty and emotion that resonated deeply with him.

"This is incredible," Seoyeon said, stepping back to admire the display.

"Thanks," Jeongjae said, his voice tinged with exhaustion and pride. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Seoyeon looked at him, her expression warm. "You did all the hard work, Jeongjae. I just helped a little."

"A little goes a long way," he said, his gaze lingering on her.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the day giving way to a quiet sense of accomplishment. Then Seoyeon reached out, taking his hand in hers.

"I'm proud of you," she said softly.

Jeongjae's chest tightened, and he squeezed her hand gently. "That means more than you know."

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