Chapter 18 - Escaping Reality I
(Y/N POV... kinda)
It was a tranquil evening in the Le Sserafim dorm. The lights of the city outside flickered like a constellation of tiny stars, casting soft shadows on the walls of the living room. The girls had just wrapped up their practice for the day, and while the air was still buzzing with the energy of the rehearsal, they found themselves melting into the comfortable stillness of the space.
Y/N was on the floor, her back leaning against the couch with a pillow tucked under her head. Eunchae was sprawled out beside her, scrolling through her phone, occasionally glancing up to speak about some new meme or funny video she’d seen. Kazuha, on the other side of the couch, had settled into a quiet corner, nose buried in a book. The faint hum of pages turning, the gentle sound of Eunchae’s giggles, and the occasional clink of the ice in Y/N’s glass made the room feel warm and cozy, like a little sanctuary after a long day.
Y/N found herself stealing glances at Kazuha as she read. There was something about how Kazuha’s long fingers flipped through the pages, how her hair fell in soft waves around her face. Y/N couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but there was something magnetic about her. Maybe it was how serene she looked in the middle of all the chaos, or how, despite being so calm, she had this quiet energy about her—like she was an anchor in a storm.
Kazuha seemed unaware of Y/N’s gaze, so absorbed in her book that her expression was soft, almost dreamy. Y/N’s lips quirked into a small smile. She found herself feeling oddly comforted by the sight of Kazuha so at ease, her usual flurry of activities and the demands of training left behind for a brief moment of tranquility.
Eunchae suddenly let out a loud, exaggerated laugh, breaking the quiet air. "Oh my gosh, this video is hilarious!" she exclaimed, showing Y/N the screen.
Y/N sat up slightly to look, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she tried to focus on Eunchae’s antics, but it was hard to ignore the way her heart fluttered every time her eyes drifted back to Kazuha.
After a while, Y/N felt an odd restlessness, like the stillness around her made her realize how much she was craving something different. A snack, maybe. Something to break the cycle of practice, the tension of the day.
"I’m going to grab something from the kitchen," Y/N said, her voice soft as she stood up from her spot, stretching her arms high above her head. "Anyone want anything?"
Eunchae barely looked up from her phone. "I’m good, thanks. You’re going for the grapes again?"
Y/N nodded and smiled. "Yup, grapes are my go-to snack these days."
As she walked into the kitchen, she noticed Kazuha’s eyes flicker up from her book, meeting Y/N’s for just a brief moment. There was something in the way she looked at her—something warm, a kind of silent understanding. Y/N smiled and waved, not wanting to draw attention to the sudden fluttering feeling in her chest. It was a simple smile—easy and comfortable—but it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Kazuha returned the smile, the same gentle expression that made Y/N’s heart skip a beat. It was like Kazuha knew exactly how to make her feel seen, without saying anything at all.
Y/N quickly grabbed a bunch of grapes from the fridge and made her way back into the living room. This time, though, she found herself sitting a little closer to Kazuha. At first, she chalked it up to the natural flow of the space, the fact that there was only so much room on the floor. But as she settled back down, she couldn’t deny the quiet satisfaction that came with being near Kazuha. It was comfortable, familiar. There was no need for words, no awkwardness—just the shared presence of two people, enjoying the simplicity of the moment.
Kazuha, who had returned to her book, seemed to sense Y/N’s proximity, her gaze flicking to her from the corner of her eye. She didn’t say anything, but Y/N could feel her attention, that subtle shift in the air that made everything feel just a little more intimate.
"You know," Kazuha said after a beat, her voice soft but thoughtful, "I used to read so much more in Japan. But with everything going on here... I feel like I’ve barely had time for it."
Y/N nodded, her eyes focused on the grapes she was peeling, the small act grounding her. "Yeah, I get that," she replied and swallowed another grape. "It's like everything else takes over, and you forget what it's like to do things for yourself."
Kazuha smiled, her gaze dropping back to her book. "I miss that feeling. Just... losing myself in a story for a while. It’s like everything else fades away."
Y/N couldn’t help but smile too. "I miss that too," she said quietly. "It’s one of the reasons I liked reading fantasy books when I was younger. It was like you could step into another world, one where you didn’t have to worry about anything."
There was a long pause before Kazuha spoke again, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "I used to love that. The idea of going on an adventure, finding magic, meeting strange creatures... I guess I got caught up in reality and forgot about the wonder of it all."
Y/N tilted her head, studying her. "You can still go on those adventures. Even if it’s just in your head. The world doesn’t have to stop you from dreaming."
Kazuha’s eyes flickered up, meeting Y/N’s gaze for a moment longer than usual. There was something in the way she looked at her—like she was seeing Y/N in a different light. But just as quickly, Kazuha turned back to her book, a slight blush creeping up on her cheeks, though she didn’t acknowledge it.
A few moments later, as the peaceful quiet of the room settled in again, Kazuha put her book down, her gaze now fully focused on Y/N.
"Hey," Kazuha suddenly said, breaking the silence, her voice light but full of warmth. "Do you want to go for a walk? It’s still nice out, and I think we could use a break from the dorm."
Y/N blinked in surprise but quickly nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Yeah, I’d love that."
After grabbing their face masks to hide their identities from the occasional curious fans, the two of them stepped out into the cool evening air. The city’s streets were quieter than usual, the bustle of people slightly dulled by the late hour. They walked side by side, the gentle sound of their footsteps echoing in the evening silence.
It felt natural. Easy. Just the two of them, walking without the pressure of being idols, without the weight of the world watching them. For once, it was just Y/N and Kazuha, two people enjoying each other’s company without any expectations.
As they strolled down by Han River, the soft breeze tousling their hair, Kazuha glanced at Y/N, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I love it here," Kazuha said, her voice quiet but full of warmth. "It’s peaceful. It’s like... you can just forget everything for a while."
Y/N nodded, her expression matching Kazuha’s sentiment. "Yeah, I feel that too. It’s like the whole world slows down when you’re near the water."
There was a shared understanding in the air, a bond forming as they walked beside each other, the world around them fading into the background. They were so different in many ways, yet so similar in others. It was something Y/N had come to appreciate more and more—how Kazuha seemed to bring a sense of peace into her chaotic world.
As they walked further along the river, they noticed a small corner store selling ramen, the scent of hot, savory noodles wafting through the air. Kazuha looked at Y/N with a mischievous smile. "Do you want to try something? I’m craving ramen."
Y/N’s eyes lit up. "Oh, sure!! I’ll get spicy ramen."
Kazuha grinned and grabbed Y/N’s hand, pulling her toward the store. "Then it’s a good thing I’m buying."
The two of them picked out a couple of instant ramen packets, the kind you could enjoy on a late night when nothing else mattered. They took a seat on the bench outside the store, the pack of ramen in between them as they tore open the wrappers. Kazuha poured hot water into both cups, and the rich smell of broth filled the air.
They sat together, quietly slurping their noodles. Now and then, Kazuha would look at Y/N with a teasing smile. "You know, I have to admit. I was too confident with the weather today," she said, her voice light. "But at least it’s not raining."
Y/N laughed, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I don’t mind," she said, her eyes glinting. It was unusually chilly for the end of June. "The spicy ramen helps, you can always have some of mine."
Kazuha raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? But you love it so much."
Y/N gave her a sheepish grin. "Well, I do, but it’d be bad if you got sick."
Kazuha smiled softly, clearly touched. "You’re too kind, unnie." She leaned forward, taking a sip of her ramen before pushing her cup toward Y/N. "Don’t worry, I’m not feeling that cold. You should have most of it. It’s your favorite flavor, after all."
Doubting for a second, Y/N smiled brightly, taking the cup. "Thanks, Kazuha," she said softly, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
For the next few minutes, they ate in comfortable silence, the sound of their slurping and the occasional shared glance making the moment feel all the more special. Y/N felt an overwhelming sense of contentment, the kind that came from being around someone who made everything feel just... right.
"Hey, I was thinking... do you want to take a picture? I know we’re just hanging out, but it’s kind of nice, don’t you think?" Kazuha’s voice was light, playful even, as she pulled out her phone.
Y/N blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat at the suggestion. "A picture?" she asked, her mind racing with the idea of the two of them captured in a moment, frozen in time.
Kazuha’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "We could post it... or not post it," she said with a grin. "We could keep it as our little secret. Just for us." A hint of hopefulness as she said the last part.
Y/N’s chest tightened in a way she couldn’t quite explain. The thought of a secret shared only between the two of them, made something flutter in her heart. She smiled, her eyes softening as she leaned in slightly. "I think I’d like that. A secret picture, just for us."
Kazuha’s smile grew even wider, her eyes twinkling with delight as she positioned the phone, snapping a quick shot of the two of them. The way her hand brushed against Y/N’s as she adjusted the angle made Y/N feel a little breathless, her heart pounding faster than usual.
Once the picture was taken, Kazuha leaned back, looking at the photo with a satisfied nod. "There," she said, her voice low and warm. "Just for us."
Y/N found herself grinning, her heart a little lighter now. "I’m glad you asked," she said softly. "It’s a nice memory."
The two of them sat there for a few moments, their eyes meeting again. The atmosphere between them was comfortable, but there was a subtle shift—like something new was blooming, something gentle and sweet that Y/N couldn’t quite name but could feel in her chest.
Eventually, the two of them finished the ramen, and Y/N noticed that Kazuha looked like she was starting to shiver slightly, her forehead still exposed. It was only a matter of time in this weather. Without thinking, Y/N reached into her bag and pulled out her emergency beanie, gently placing it on Kazuha’s head.
"There," she said, smiling warmly. "Now you won’t have a cold forehead."
Kazuha blinked in surprise, then smiled softly, her eyes crinkling in that way Y/N found so endearing. "You’re always so thoughtful, Y/N," she said, her voice a little breathless, like she was touched by the small gesture. "Thank you."
Y/N couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a quiet joy in her heart. "It’s nothing. I just want to make sure you’re warm."
As the evening drew to a close, the two of them found themselves standing outside the convenience store, looking at each other with soft smiles.
"Hey," Kazuha said, her voice bright and full of warmth, "What do you think about getting some snacks for the others when we head back?"
Y/N’s face lit up. "I was just thinking the same thing!"
They both laughed, the moment feeling light and easy, as though they had known each other for far longer than they had. As they made their way back to the dorm, hand in hand, picking out the perfect snacks for the others, Y/N couldn’t help but feel that this was one of the moments she would cherish the most—when everything was simple and perfect, just the two of them.
Side by side, Y/N couldn’t help but feel a little sad that they met through a girl group—if only because it meant they couldn’t have moments like this more often, moments where it was just the two of them.