Especially while watching how naturally close Nam and Win seemed together. Win noticed nothing. Instead, he sighed dramatically. “You guys are so close now I’m getting jealous.” Nam blinked. “What?” “I’m supposed to be the best friend here,” he complained jokingly. “Now I feel replaced.” Nam laughed awkwardly. Because technically, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Before she could answer, Win suddenly leaned closer and whispered quietly near her ear. “Actually…can you help me get close to 00k?” Nam froze instantly. “…Huh?” Win grinned weakly. “I’m serious.” Nam’s brain immediately stopped working. How was she supposed to explain this? Meanwhile beside them, Lingling had already gone completely silent. She didn’t hear what Win whispered. All she saw was: Win standing too close. Nam looking flustered afterward. And the way he looked at her. Something sharp twisted faintly inside Lingling’s chest before she could stop it. “Actually,” Lingling interrupted calmly. Both of them looked toward her immediately. Lingling stepped closer afterward before naturally wrapping one arm around Nam’s waist and pulling her gently against her side. Nam froze completely. Win blinked once. Then twice. Lingling’s expression remained perfectly composed. “We’re not just friends.” Silence followed. Nam’s entire brain stopped functioning. “She’s my girlfriend.” Lingling added calmly. Nam stared at Lingling in complete shock. Because somehow hearing those words out loud still affected her differently. Girlfriend. Mine. Win slowly looked between the two of them afterward. Then finally toward Nam. A silent: Is this true? Nam immediately became flustered. Then slowly, she nodded once. Win blinked again. “…Oh.” The atmosphere became awkward for approximately three seconds. Then unexpectedly, Win laughed weakly before rubbing the back of his neck. “Well… there goes my chance.” Nam immediately looked guilty. “Win—” “No, it’s okay,” he interrupted gently. “I think I just realized I was already too late.” Nam’s expression softened immediately. “I thought maybe I finally had a chance too.” Lingling’s arm unconsciously tightened slightly around Nam’s waist. “…Sorry,” Nam said awkwardly. Win looked at her before laughing again. “Why are you apologizing like you cheated on me?” Nam looked genuinely distressed. “I don’t know anymore.” That finally made all three of them laugh softly. Win shook his head afterward before looking toward Lingling again. “Well,” he sighed dramatically, “guess she was waiting for someone all along.” Lingling glanced toward Nam briefly before answering quietly, “Yes.” There was no arrogance in it. No pride. Just certainty. And somehow that made the atmosphere softer instead of awkward. Eventually, the conversation settled naturally afterward. No bitterness. No anger. Just quiet acceptance. And honestly, Win found himself oddly relieved too. Because for the first time since meeting Lingling, she looked genuinely happy. Not polite. Not distant. Happy. And Nam looked at her the same way too. Like she was home. A few minutes later, Win finally stepped back while pointing at Nam dramatically. “You still owe me proper best friend treatment after abandoning me.” Nam gasped. “I did not abandon you.” “You moved cities with my sister.” “You could’ve visited!” “You’re impossible.” Nam grinned immediately. “I learned from the best.” Win rolled his eyes affectionately before waving goodbye. “Fine. I’ll see you both later.” Then after a small pause... “…Take care of each other, okay?” Nam’s expression softened instantly. “…We will.” Win smiled faintly before finally walking away while beside Nam, Lingling still hadn’t let go of Nam’s waist. And this time Nam didn’t even try pretending not to like it. To be continued... Honestly, this should've ended at chapter 52 or 53 but boi... can't seem to let this story end yet. 🤧 - @minakoala