I LOVE YOU SAINT
Shin POV
The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual, the plan I'd crafted the night before replaying in my head like a mantra. This was it—the day I'd prove to Saint and everyone else that he wasn't just my best friend or my secret. He is my everything and now on I don't care who knows. I would prove to Saint—not just with words but with actions—how much he meant to me. I wasn't going to let my insecurities hold me back this time.
As I packed my bag, I went over the plan in my head. I'd spent hours working out every detail, replaying it a hundred times until I knew there was no turning back. If I was going to fix things, I had to go all in.
Saint deserved nothing less.
Saint had a basketball match this afternoon, and I knew how important it was to him. Basketball wasn't just a hobby for him; it was his escape, his passion. He'd spent weeks practicing for this match, and I hadn't even been paying enough attention to notice how much effort he'd put into it. That changed today.
I was going to show him that I believed in him, trusted him, and loved him—all in one big, undeniable way.
.
Saint POV
The moment Shin broke down in front of me, I felt a pang in my chest so sharp it almost hurt to breathe. His tears weren't something I ever wanted to see—least of all because of me. But then, he stood there, crying, apologizing, his words breaking apart with every sob. And all I could think about was how much I wanted to pull him into my arms and tell him it was okay.
But I didn't.
Not yet.
Because as much as I loved him—and I did, more than I could ever put into words—he needed to understand. He needed to realize that this wasn't something he could just fix with a few gestures. As much as I secretly adored his ridiculous attempts, I couldn't let him off the hook so easily. He had to feel it, just a little, what it was like to be doubted by the person you love most.
Still, as he stood there, clutching that ridiculous little pouch of bandages, looking at me like I held the entire world in my hands, my heart softened.
"Shin," I murmured under my breath, so quietly he probably didn't hear it.
When he started treating my wounds, his hands shaky but determined, I couldn't help but feel my chest tighten. This was Shin—my Shin. Always clumsy, always dramatic, but always full of so much love. Even when he didn't realize it.
I let him fuss over me, watching the way his brows furrowed in concentration. He looked so serious, biting his bottom lip like his life depended on wrapping a bandage perfectly. It was almost adorable how hard he was trying.
But I didn't show it.
I kept my expression neutral, even when my heart wanted to burst.
When he leaned in—so close I could feel his breath against my skin—I panicked for a second. Not because I didn't want it. God, I wanted it more than anything. But because I knew if he kissed me right then, I wouldn't be able to keep up this facade any longer. So I turned away, breaking the moment.
"Let's go eat," I said, standing abruptly. My heart thudded against my ribs as I walked away, leaving him behind.
I could feel his eyes on me the entire time, and I hated myself a little for making him feel so lost. But this was for us. For the long run.
When I saw him waiting by my locker in the morning before going to the class, I had to fight the urge to smile and hug him. He looked so nervous, clutching the strap of his bag and shifting from foot to foot like a kid waiting for permission to speak.
"Saint," he said, his voice soft and uncertain. "Do you want to grab lunch together later? Just the two of us?"
I glanced at him briefly, pretending to consider it. "Let's just eat with the guys today," I said evenly, closing my locker.
His face fell, and I felt a tiny pang of guilt. But at the same time, I couldn't help but find it endearing. He was trying so hard. My cute Shin....
During break, when he showed up at the table with a box of spicy fried chicken—my absolute favorite—I nearly caved. But I kept my composure, taking a bite and eating in silence. I knew he was watching me, waiting for some kind of reaction, but I didn't give him one.
When he slipped that silly note onto my desk during class, I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. A cat holding a heart? Really? It was so Shin. So perfectly, undeniably him. And the words "I'm sorry, I miss you, I love you" tugged at something deep inside me. I folded it neatly and tucked it into my notebook, pretending not to react.
What he didn't know was that I spent the rest of the class sneaking glances at that note, tracing the lines of the doodle in my mind.
By the time he handed me the chocolate cookies at lunch, I took them with a quiet "thanks." I didn't eat them right away, placing them in my bag instead because I was starting to feel bad. Not because I didn't want to forgive him—I'd forgiven him the moment he broke down last night—but because I could see how much he was beating himself up over this. But later, during a quiet moment, I pulled them out and smiled faintly as I unwrapped one.
When he followed me to the courtyard, our spot under the tree, I couldn't help but feel a small flicker of warmth. This was where we always came to talk or just be. And here he was, trying so desperately to fix what he thought was broken.
I pretended to be engrossed in my notebook, flipping through the pages aimlessly as he fidgeted beside me.
"Saint," he said hesitantly, "Do you want to hang out after school? We could go to that new café. I heard they have the best mochas."
I wanted to say yes. I wanted to laugh and tease him and tell him he didn't need to try so hard. But instead, I shook my head. "I can't. I've got homework."
His disappointment was palpable, and it tugged at my heartstrings. But I stayed firm.
When he blurted out my name on the walk home, I finally turned to face him. The raw desperation in his voice, the way his eyes shimmered with unshed tears—I hated seeing him like this.
"I know I've messed up," he said, his voice trembling. "But I'm trying, Saint. I'm trying to make it right. Please, tell me what to do. Tell me how to fix this."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. How could I explain that it wasn't about fixing anything? That it was about trust and belief and understanding?
"Just give me time," I said finally.
As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't help but replay the day's events in my mind. Every small gesture, every quiet apology—Shin had tried so hard.
The basketball match tomorrow kept creeping into my mind, its importance looming larger than usual. Coach's words played on a loop, urging me to focus, to push harder, to lead the team. I had to be sharp—there was no room for distractions.
But my mind kept wandering to Shin.
Every small gesture today, every quiet apology—he had tried so hard. The Shin I knew was stubborn, guarded, and impossibly prideful, yet here he was, bending in ways I never thought I'd see. It was endearing, frustrating, and utterly Shin.
And as much as I wanted to keep up the act, to let him stew in his guilt a little longer, I knew I couldn't. The truth was, I'd already forgiven him. I loved him too much to hold a grudge, no matter how much he'd hurt me. But he didn't need to know that just yet.
But maybe I'd let him sweat just a little longer. Smiling to myself, I turned over as I lay in bed. I'd talk to him after the match, I thought. Clear the air, put this behind us. For now, I needed to focus. Smiling faintly to myself, I rolled over hugging my kuromi plushie and closed my eyes, letting the thought of him—his familiar smirk, the way he softened when he thought no one was looking—ease the tension in my chest.
The next day, the court buzzed with anticipation. The ball bounced against the polished court as I warmed up, my focus sharp, blocking out the noise of the crowd filing into the gym. The rhythm of the dribble was steady, grounding me as I prepared for the game ahead. I adjusted my jersey, taking a deep breath, reminding myself to stay in the zone. This game was crucial, and I couldn't afford to let anything throw me off.
I had done this a hundred times before—same drills, same motions—but something felt… different today.
It wasn't the game. It wasn't the crowd.
It was him.
I didn't have to look to know Shin was here. I'd felt his gaze on me the second I stepped onto the court, the weight of it burning hotter than the bright gym lights above.
"Focus, Saint," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head to clear the distraction.
But then the murmurs started. They rippled through the crowd, louder, more curious, and... oddly charged. It wasn't the usual pre-game buzz. It was something else entirely, something that drew my attention, whether I wanted it to or not.
Glancing up, my eyes swept over the bleachers—and froze.
There he was.
Shin...My Shin....
Holding a banner.
Standing tall, holding up a massive banner for everyone to see. The bold letters screamed louder than the noise in the gym, the message unmistakable. My chest tightened as I took it in, my mind stumbling to process what I was seeing.
Today He'd made me completely, utterly speechless.
"But what I'm seeing right now… I can't even process it. Are you really my Shin?"
.
~A Few Hours Ago~
Shin POV
After breakfast, I grabbed the supplies I'd prepared before: poster boards, paints, and a ridiculous amount of glitter. I spread them out on the floor and got to work.
The centerpiece of my plan was a giant banner that read:
"SAINT, YOU'RE MY MVP—ON AND OFF THE COURT! I LOVE YOU!"
The words were bold, colorful, and impossible to miss. I decorated the banner with drawings of basketballs, stars, and little hearts. It was over the top, cheesy, and absolutely perfect for Saint
By the time I finished, my hands were stained with paint, and glitter was stuck to every inch of me, but I didn't care. I rolled up the banner carefully, tucking it into my bag, and headed to school.
.
The basketball court buzzed with energy. Students crowded the bleachers, their cheers and shouts echoing through the gym. The school's annual basketball match was in full swing, and, as always, Saint was the center of attention.
There he was, in his jersey, a natural leader on the court—calm, focused, and utterly mesmerizing. My heart clenched watching him. He hadn't spoken much to me all day, but I could see it in his eyes. The hurt was still there, lingering just beneath the surface.
The entire school was buzzing with excitement. But I wasn't here for the game. I was here for him.
This wasn't about winning or losing anymore. This was about making sure Saint knew—everyone knew—just how much he meant to me. No more insecurities, no more doubts. Today, I would stake everything on the line for him.
But I felt a pang of nervousness as I spotted him. What if this was too much?
No, I told myself firmly. I wasn't doing this for attention or validation. I was doing it because I loved him, and he deserved to know just how much.
As the crowd poured into the gymnasium, I sat with my friends Chadjen, Cable, Tew and the others, barely listening as they talked animatedly about the game. Their excitement filled the air, but my mind was somewhere else entirely.
"What's with the weird vibe, Shin Krab?" Chadjen asked, nudging me sharply.
"Yeah," Tew added, leaning closer with a teasing grin. "You've been jittery all morning. What's the matter? Did you bet on the wrong team or something?"
I gave them a half-hearted smirk, my fingers tightening around the rolled-up banner in my lap. "You'll see," I muttered, my eyes flickering toward the court.
Saint was there, warming up with his teammates. His movements were precise, fluid, his focus razor-sharp. He looked amazing—so effortlessly confident and heartbreakingly beautiful that my chest ached just watching him.
"See what?" Chadjen pressed, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Wait, what are you holding?"
Before they could pry further, I stood up abruptly, pulling the banner with me as Saint entered. The material is unfurled with a soft flutter, the bold letters catching the bright gymnasium lights. Gasps erupted around me.
"Shin... what the hell are you doing?" Chadjen's voice rose an octave, his disbelief ringing loud and clear.
"Are you serious right now?" Cable blurted out, staring at me like I'd grown a second head.
Tew leaned forward, his mouth hanging open in shock. "Dude, have you completely lost your mind? You're actually doing this? In front of everyone?"
I didn't answer them. My focus was locked on Saint as I stepped closer to the edge of the bleachers. He hadn't noticed me yet, but he would. I held the banner high, my smirk growing as I felt the weight of my friends' stunned gazes burning into me.
"Shin, put that down!" Tew hissed, his voice panicked. "Do you even understand what you're doing?"
"You're gonna humiliate yourself!" Cable added, half-laughing, half-serious.
"Or worse, Saint's gonna kill you," Chadjen muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
But their words barely registered. I could hear them—could feel their exasperation, their shock—but none of it mattered. My heart was pounding in my chest, my grip tightening on the banner.
"Are you for real, Shin Krab?" Chadjen demanded one last time, his tone almost desperate.
I glanced back at them briefly, giving them a cocky smirk. "Completely, He is my boyfriend guys..." I said simply, my voice steady, even as my hands trembled slightly.
Their reactions—Chadjen's wide-eyed disbelief, Tew's jaw hanging open, Cable burying his face in his hands—were priceless. But I wasn't doing this for them.
My focus snapped back to Saint, who had finally noticed me. His eyes locked on mine, confusion flashing across his face before his gaze drifted upward to the banner I was holding.
This was it. My moment. My risk.
And I wasn't backing down.
Saint POV
"But what I'm seeing right now… I can't even process it. Are you really my Shin?"
I muttered as I watched a huge, obnoxiously loud banner with my name scrawled across it in bold, glittering letters, along with words so over-the-top they had to be his doing: "SAINT, YOU'RE MY MVP—ON AND OFF THE COURT! I LOVE YOU!"
My jaw dropped. I couldn't even process what I was seeing. Shin—stoic, no-nonsense Shin—was standing there, holding that ridiculous banner high above his head, his eyes locked on me with a determined glint. He looked completely unbothered by the sea of stunned faces around him.
The crowd around him was buzzing with laughter and murmurs, but Shin didn't seem to care. His friends, on the other hand, were in full meltdown mode. Chadjen's mouth was hanging open, Cable was clutching his stomach from laughing too hard, and Tew kept smacking Shin on the shoulder, clearly saying something along the lines of, "Have you lost your mind?" But Shin just stood there, unfazed, his smirk as sharp as ever.
My heart stuttered, my brain struggling to catch up. This is really happening. Shin is making a scene. For me.
For a moment, I forgot where I was. I forgot about the match, the crowd, my team—all of it. All I could see was Shin, his boldness, his confidence, his… love.
I felt my expression freeze in a stunned mixture of awe and disbelief. What the hell was he doing? And why did it make me feel like I could take on the world?
My hands instinctively tightened around the ball, the familiar grip grounding me as a flood of emotions rushed through me—shock, confusion, embarrassment, love, pride... and something deeper. Something that made my heart pound harder than any game ever had.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. The banner, the audacity, the way he looked at me like nothing else mattered—it all hit me at once, like a freight train to the chest.
The crowd around him started to buzz louder, pointing, whispering, laughing, but Shin didn't falter. He stood there, bold and unapologetic, as if this wasn't the most insane, reckless thing he could have done.
And maybe that's what shook me the most.
He wasn't hiding. Not today. Not anymore.
He was doing this for me.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I felt the weight of his actions settle over me. Shin wasn't just holding a banner. He was declaring something—something that scared me as much as it thrilled me.
Slowly, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Despite the chaos, despite the sheer insanity of it all, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.
That idiot. That brave, stubborn, ridiculous idiot. My idiot
He really did know how to leave me speechless.
As the whistle blew to signal the start of the match, I tore my eyes away, my chest swelling with something too big to put into words. Whatever this was, whatever Shin had planned—he'd managed to do the impossible. And now I'm gonna Win this game for my Shin.
.
Shin POV
When his gaze landed on me—and the massive banner I was holding. His eyes widened, his mouth falling open slightly as he read the words.
For a moment, he just stared, completely frozen. Then, slowly, a faint blush spread across his cheeks with a small smile tug at his lips.
I grinned, waving at him like an idiot. "Go, Saint! You've got this!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, not caring who heard me.
The students around me started chanting his name, their voices joining mine in a wave of support. Saint's teammates teased him, nudging him and laughing as they pointed at the banner.
Saint rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed, but there was a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips.
During the Match
The game started, and I cheered louder than anyone else in the crowd. Every time Saint scored a point, I screamed his name. When he made a particularly impressive shot, I jumped to my feet, waving the banner wildly.
"THAT'S MY BOYFRIEND!" I shouted, my voice cracking slightly from the effort.
Saint glanced at me briefly, shaking his head with an exasperated smile. But I could see the way his shoulders relaxed, the way his movements became even more confident. He loves it...
Ken nearly choked on his drink in front raw hearing me, spinning to stare at me with wide eyes. "Ai, Shin, have you completely lost it?" he exclaimed, his voice somewhere between shock and disbelief.
"Lost it? He's thrown it out the window, stomped on it, and set it on fire," Nate added, gesturing dramatically. "I mean, seriously? A public declaration in the middle of a game? Are you trying to start a scene or get kicked out?"
Tew looked between me and the court, his mouth hanging open. "Is this even the same Shin , we've known for years? Like, where did all this boldness come from?"
I smirked, not even bothering to look their way. "I'm just stating facts."
"Stating facts?" Ken spluttered, throwing his hands in the air. "You're screaming them for the whole world to hear!"
"That's because the whole world should hear it," I shot back, still watching Saint.
Nate leaned back in his seat, hands thrown dramatically over his head. "Am I dreaming, or did Shin—the infamously stoic Shin —just confess his undying love in front of a crowd?" He stared at me, then mock-pinched himself. "Nope. Not dreaming. This is real. Shin's gone absolutely nuts."
Tew, meanwhile, was laughing so hard his shoulders shook. "Wait, wait," he managed between gasps for air, "this is the same Shin who, like, two weeks ago scolded Saint for calling you his boyfriend in public? You were all, 'Keep it professional, Saint. Stop embarrassing me. We are just friends' He mimicked my voice, making it exaggeratedly stern, before bursting into laughter again. "And now you're out here screaming it? In front of everyone?!"
" I told ya, I'm just stating facts," I said again with a shrug, refusing to let their teasing dampen my mood.
"Stating facts?" Chadjen practically shrieked. "This is beyond stating facts! You're practically writing it in the sky, Shin! Who even are you right now?"
Nate nudged Ken, smirking. "I think Saint's been rubbing off on him. Like, big-time."
"Rubbing off?" Ken cackled. "This is more than rubbing off—this is a full personality transplant!"
I rolled my eyes, still keeping my focus on Saint, who had just glanced my way. He shook his head with a cocky smile.
"He's totally feeling it," I muttered to myself, a smug grin forming on my lips.
"Feeling it?" Chadjen groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "You're feeling it too much, Shin! This is insane!"
Tew leaned closer, still chuckling. "I can't believe this. Are you really the same Shin who scolded us every time we teased you about being his boyfriend? I mean, for real?"
Cable laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, he's not. This is Shin 2.0—completely reprogrammed, Saint-certified, and hopelessly in love." They all laughed together.
"Hopelessly is an understatement," Chadjen added, sighing dramatically. "Shin's a lost cause now. There's no turning back." Everyone burst into laughter as they are really having fun teasing me.
I finally glanced at them, smirking. "You guys are just jealous because my boyfriend's out there dominating the court like the absolute legend he is."
They all groaned in unison, Chadjen covering his face. "Oh my god, Oh..my... god.. our Shin.. Where are you?? This one is actually proud of it. There's no saving him. ..”
"None at all," Cable agreed, shaking his head. "He's fully Saint-struck, and it's game over."
"Fully?" Tew said, laughing. "This man's been Saint-struck since day one. We already knew it. Today's just the grand finale."
I didn't care about their teasing; my eyes stayed locked on Saint. Watching him play was mesmerizing—his skill, his determination, his sheer presence.
As he scored another goal I caught that slight smirk he threw my way again, my chest swelled with pride.
"Yeah," I said quietly, more to myself than anyone else, "that's my boyfriend."
.
When the match ended, Saint's team had won by a landslide. The crowd erupted into cheers, and I was among the loudest, jumping up and down like a maniac.
Saint was surrounded by his teammates, all of them congratulating him on his performance. He is the MVP for real.
But his eyes found mine across the court, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
I took a deep breath, stepping away from them and toward the edge of the court. I took a deep breath. My final piece of plan. It was now or never.
I strode to the center of the court, my steps heavy but determined. The crowd's chatter faded as they noticed me, their curious eyes following my every move.
"Shin, what the hell are you going to do now ?!" Chadjen hissed from the sidelines, his jaw dropping.
"Wait, is he—oh my God," Cable muttered, standing up to get a better look.
Even Saint froze, standing at the edge of the court, staring at me with a mixture of confusion and alarm.
Even the crowd fell silent as I pulled a microphone from my bag and turned it on. My voice echoed through the space, shaky but resolute.
"Is this really happening?" Chadjen whispered.
"Yeah..., this is so cringe " Cable hissed. "I'm speechless!"
"Saint," I began, my gaze locking onto his. "I know I've been an idiot. I know I've hurt you, I'm sorry for everything."
A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd, but I didn't care. My eyes stayed on him, and only him.
Peeta and Emi, meanwhile, exchanged smug looks.
"I told you," Peeta said, crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk. "Shin knows what he's doing."
"Yeah," Emi added, grinning. "He's finally showing everyone how it's done.”
.
"Do you know, You mean everything to me," I continued, my voice growing steadier. "I don't care who's watching or what anyone thinks. I'm done hiding, Saint. "
Saint's eyes widened, his lips parting in shock.
"Saint, I love you. I love you so much. Will you forgive me and be mine forever?"
The gym fell silent again, the weight of my declaration hanging in the air.The court went silent. Everyone was watching, but I didn't care. This was about Saint and me.
For a moment, Saint just stood there, staring at me. His expression was unreadable, and my heart hammered in my chest, terrified of what he might say or do.
Then, slowly, he started walking toward me. The world seemed to blur around us as he crossed the court, his gaze locked onto mine.
When he finally reached me, he stopped just inches away, his eyes searching mine.
"You're unbelievable, idiot" he muttered, shaking his head. But there was a softness in his voice, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"Saint, I—"
Before I could finish, in front of everyone—our classmates, our friends, our rivals—he kissed me.
It wasn't soft or hesitant. It was intense, fiery, and filled with everything we hadn't said to each other in the past days. My knees buckled, and I clung to him, letting myself melt into the kiss as the crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, but I barely heard them.
All I could feel was Saint's lips on mine, his hands warm and steady as they held me close.The world blurred and fell away, leaving just the two of us in that singular moment, the heat of his touch sinking into my skin like a quiet promise.
"Holy crap," Chadjen muttered faintly from somewhere behind us, his voice nearly lost beneath the eruption of cheers, whistles, and a few shocked gasps rippling through the crowd.
"I told you," Peeta gloated, elbowing Emi with a triumphant grin. "That idiot definitely knows how to claim what's his."
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, and he smiled—a real, genuine smile that made my heart soar.
"You're an idiot," he murmured, his voice soft enough that only I could hear. "But you're my idiot." he smiled—a real, genuine smile that made my chest ache with relief. "You're such a drama queen," he teased, his voice low enough for only me to hear.
"Yeah, well… maybe I'm a drama king," I shot back, my voice trembling with emotion, a shaky grin tugging at my lips. "And you know you love it."
His smile deepened, warmth flickering in his gaze. "Yeah… My king," he whispered, the words carrying an unexpected tenderness as he leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
As the cheers and applause echoed around us, Saint wrapped an arm around my shoulders and turned to face the crowd, holding me close.
"Guess there's no hiding it now," he said with a laugh, his voice light and teasing.
I leaned into him, my smile widening. "I don't want to hide it anymore."
He smiled at me softly, his eyes brimming with a quiet confidence that made my heart stutter. Taking my hand, he turned back to face the crowd. "For the record," he announced, his voice firm, "He's mine. And I don't plan on letting him go. Shin is my boyfriend."
The crowd erupted again, but I barely noticed. All I could focus on was Saint, his fingers entwined with mine, and the overwhelming sense of warmth and belonging that filled me.
I had messed up—badly, in fact. But in this moment, standing in the middle of the court with Saint by my side, I knew one thing for certain.
We were going to be okay as I knew we belonged to each other, and nothing could change that.
.
To Be Continued.......