INVISIBLE STRINGS ~ Scoups [C]

🎀13

The festival carried on in full swing, with students laughing and moving between booths, their excitement filling the air. Inside the café, the chaos had settled into a smooth rhythm, each team working seamlessly.

Y/N was grateful for the distraction. Anything to keep her from thinking too much—from feeling too much.

But Scoups? He wasn’t making it easy for her.

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As Y/N cleared a table, she sensed someone stepping beside her. She didn’t have to look up to know who it was.

"Need help?" Scoups asked, reaching for the tray she was holding.

Y/N quickly turned away, clutching it tighter. "I’ve got it."

Scoups didn’t argue. He just let out a quiet sigh before moving past her. Their arms brushed lightly, just for a second, but it was enough to send a shiver up her spine.

No. Stop it.

She clenched the tray tighter and forced herself to focus.

After her shift, Y/N stepped outside to get some fresh air, leaning against the wall with her eyes closed.

"Thought you might need this."

Her eyes snapped open at the voice.

Scoups.

He held out a cold drink.

Y/N hesitated. "I didn’t ask for one."

"I know" he said simply. "But I remember you like iced tea."

She looked at the drink, then at him. A small part of her wanted to take it but another part—the part still guarding her heart—refused to let this be easy.

"Scoups" she started, voice steady. "What are you trying to do?"

He leaned against the wall beside her, exhaling. "I don’t know. I just… I hate how things are now."

Y/N scoffed, shaking her head. "And whose fault is that?"

He didn’t answer immediately, looking up at the sky as if searching for words.

"Mine" he admitted. "I was an idiot. I pushed you away when you were the only one who actually gave a damn."

Y/Ns fingers tightened around her sleeves. "And now that I don’t, you suddenly care?"

Scoups turned to her, his gaze intense. "No. I always cared, Y/N. I just didn’t realize how much until I almost lost you."

Her breath hitched.

Damn him for saying things that made her heart waver.

"I need to go back inside" she muttered, pushing off the wall.

"Y/N—"

She didn’t let him finish. Without another word, she walked away, leaving the untouched drink behind.

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The festival was winding down, and students were packing up their booths. Y/N helped fold tablecloths, trying not to look around too much.

"Hey, where’s Scoups?" Mingyu asked, lifting a box.

"Probably ditched early" Y/N muttered.

"You mean the guy carrying three tables outside?" Yeri pointed out.

Y/N glanced up—and sure enough, there he was, sleeves rolled up, lifting furniture effortlessly. The streetlights cast a soft glow on him, making him look unfairly good.

She quickly looked away. "Good for him."

Mingyu smirked. "You know, for someone who’s over him, you sure notice him a lot."

Y/N shot him a glare. "Do you want to live, Kim Mingyu?"

Mingyu laughed.

Despite herself, Y/N stole one last glance at Scoups.

Maybe he really was trying.

But was she ready to believe it?

Y/N was the last to leave, locking up the cafe doors when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Still here?" Scoups voice was softer now, almost cautious.

"Yeah" she replied, adjusting her bag. "You too."

He shrugged. "Wanted to make sure everything was cleaned up properly."

Y/N nodded, unsure of what else to say. The night air was cool, the streets quiet now that most students had left.

"Can I walk you home?" he asked suddenly.

Y/N froze.

It was a simple question. One she should have answered immediately with a ‘no.’

But she didn’t.

Instead, she hesitated.

Scoups noticed. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I get it. You don’t trust me right now. And maybe you never will again. But I meant what I said—I don’t want to give up on this."

Y/N stared at him, searching his face for any sign of insincerity.

She found none.

Still, she shook her head. "Goodnight, Scoups."

And this time, she didn’t look back.

🎀 TO BE CONTINUE 🎀

Thank you for reading my fanfiction. I would like to apologize if there are any mistakes in my language usage and this story has no relation to anyone. This story is purely my imagination and if any part seems similar to another story, it is purely coincidental. If you have the chance, please give it a star! 🌟🌟