“I found a love… for me. Darling, just dive right in, and follow my lead…”
Lara’s breath caught in her throat. The song had always been beautiful, but hearing it now — from him, directed only at her — made every lyric feel like it was carved straight into her heart.
Y/n’s eyes never left hers as he sang. When he reached the chorus, his voice grew stronger, surer.
“Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet… I never knew you were the someone waiting for me…”
Lara’s cheeks burned. She pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to hide her trembling smile.
By the time he reached the line — “Baby, I’m dancing in the dark, with you between my arms…” — Y/n set the guitar aside and walked over to her. Gently, he offered his hand.
“Dance with me?” he whispered.
The café owner, watching quietly from behind the counter, dimmed the lights just a little more. Lara laughed softly, embarrassed but touched beyond words. She slid her hand into his, and they swayed together in the tiny space between the tables.
Y/n’s voice was right by her ear now, warm and full of love.
“When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful… I don’t deserve this… you look perfect tonight.”
Lara couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. She buried her face against his shoulder, her laughter mixing with soft sobs.
“Y/n,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “You’re so unfair… Do you know how hard it is not to fall even deeper for you when you do things like this?”
He held her tighter, pressing his cheek against her hair. “Maybe that’s exactly why I did it.”
And in that little café, swaying to the sound of a love song, Lara realized that no stage, no spotlight, no cheering crowd could ever compare to this moment.
Their little café became a second home over the next weeks. Every time their schedules allowed, Lara and Y/n met there — sometimes to talk, sometimes just to sit together in silence, happy to share the same space.
But peace doesn’t last long in the world of idols.
One evening, after Katseye’s rehearsal, Lara was scrolling through her phone in the van when her heart dropped.
Trending #5 on Twitter: “Y/n Spotted with Mystery Girl.”
The photo was grainy, but unmistakable. It was them, leaving the café. Lara’s hat was pulled low, but anyone who knew her well would recognize her stance, her walk.
Her stomach twisted.
The van was buzzing with chatter from the other Katseye members. Yoonchae nudged her, whispering, “Unnie… it’s you, isn’t it?”
Lara bit her lip. She didn’t answer, but her silence was enough.
Sophia’s worried gaze softened. “Don’t panic. We’ll protect you.”
But panic was already flooding her chest. What if the company finds out? What if Y/n gets dragged into a scandal?
She didn’t sleep that night.
The next time Lara and Y/n met, the air was heavier.
Y/n reached across the café table, touching her hand gently. “You’ve been quiet. What’s wrong?”
She tried to smile, but it faltered. “The pictures… the rumors… Y/n, I don’t want to ruin your career. Or mine. We both worked too hard for this.”
Lara Raj
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