Under One Sky {한 하늘 아래}

Side Story 1: The Rain Between Us

It started as a drizzle—light, hesitant, like the sky was unsure if it wanted to cry or not.

Sejin and Joo had just finished their late-night convenience store run, the small plastic bag in Joo's hand swinging lightly with every step. The air was cool, the sky a dusky violet, and the streetlights cast long golden halos on the wet pavement. Campus was quiet, the world seemingly holding its breath.

Then came the downpour.

A sudden rush of rain crashed against the ground, fierce and relentless. In seconds, Sejin's hair was soaked, dark strands clinging to his forehead. He squeaked and ducked under the nearest tree—useless against the torrent.

Joo looked up, blinking at the sky like it had betrayed him.

"No umbrella?" Sejin asked breathlessly, hugging his arms close to his body.

Joo looked at him, took in the way Sejin's small frame shivered slightly, the way his soaked hoodie clung to his body.

Then, without a word, Joo dropped the convenience store bag, pulled off his button-up shirt—leaving his white tank underneath—and stepped toward Sejin.

"J-Joo?" Sejin blinked, wide-eyed.

"Come here," Joo said with a lopsided smile, his voice soft, breath misting in the cool air.

Before Sejin could protest, Joo gently draped the shirt over his shoulders like a cloak, tugging it closed in front. The fabric was warm from his body, smelling faintly of soap and cinnamon gum. Then Joo leaned in, shielding Sejin with his taller frame and slipping an arm around his shoulders.

"You'll catch a cold," he murmured.

"But... you'll catch one too," Sejin said, cheeks flushed at the sight of Joo's bare arms, droplets running down his collarbones.

"I'll be fine," Joo said easily. "I've got enough muscle to keep me warm."

Sejin tried to hide his smile but failed miserably.

They walked like that through the empty street—Joo half-naked, his shirt cocooning Sejin, shielding him from the rain. The world was muffled by the downpour, their footsteps the only sound apart from the rhythmic patter of water against the earth.

Every few seconds, Joo glanced down at Sejin to make sure he was still warm enough. And every time he did, Sejin would look away with burning cheeks, pretending to adjust the shirt or wipe raindrops from his lashes.

But when they reached the dormitory entrance and stepped under the awning, Sejin finally looked up at him.

"You're really stupid, you know that?"

Joo grinned, rain-slicked and gorgeous. "Yeah. But I'm your stupid."

Sejin tugged him down by the collar of his tank top and kissed him—quick, damp, and honest.

The rain continued to fall, but they didn't care anymore. Not when their hearts were already warm.