“Did your schedule went well today?”

Hyuk asked as he adjusted his monitor. He has been bored in the recent days before so he decided to pull out the new web camera he bought not long ago, and called his girlfriend on Kakao like he'd do to get to talk to her.

“Hey, Hyukie! Yeah, we did and we just got back to the dorm too. How about you?” Namjoo beamed as she flopped on her bed just right in front of her laptop. “You rarely called recently, I was getting a bit worried you forgot about your girlfriend.” She added, shoving a little pout of her lips towards the screen.

Hyuk chuckled. “Just the usual, I guess. Individual schedule, errands and work. You know how much I'd prefer to just take a break and be on video call with you for an entire day.”

Namjoo scoffed softly. He'd known she has been sending and leaving him messages on chat and he'd only put her on read. She'd been trying to contact him in between breaks and he wouldn't answer, or at times, his line couldn't be reached.

“The only reason you'd call me is when you're bored, though. Or when you need something.” She inched away from her laptop as her lips formed another pout. She quickly stood up to grab her phone only to flop back on her bed again and show him messages she sent to him that he had left on read.

“You're making me seem like I've been a really bad boyfriend.” He chuckled nervously as he caressed his nape. “Alright, alright. I'll definitely make it up to you one of these days.”

“Ice cream.. and pizza! Oh, or maybe cook me something!” She replied to him in a way excited manner, and he couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was. He responded with a quick nod and promised her he'd make up for his lack. She smiled.

“So, what are you up to?” Namjoo asked as they lifted the previous topic. She looked at her phone and seemed to be typing something.

“I could ask you the same thing.” He replied.

“Oh, Eunwoo sent me a congratulations on our comeback. It seems they're going to have one soon too, by May I suppose. It'd be nice to meet and see him during promotions, though. He sent me a photo of their dinner!” She was grinning widely and Hyuk could see that through the screen monitor despite the fact that majority of the time video chat resolutions aren't the best.

It was a bit awkward, and a sudden silence fell upon the two when he didn't know what or how to respond. Hyuk would always be the sarcastic prince type, and he'd automatically have some kind of a clapback to reply to her but this time he was zipped. He suddenly seemed sad, and Namjoo began to notice.

“Is there something wrong, Hyukie?” She asked.

Hyuk sighed, and it made her immediately come up close to her laptop. “You know I'm not one to be cheesy and clingy. But ever since I— well, we—have been busy, with all the schedule and stuff, I realized I miss you. If I'm being honest, I really do.”

The petite girl adjusted the volume of her laptop as if she'd heard him vaguely and gave a cunning smile towards him. She plead if he could repeat what he had just said, and to say it a bit louder this time. He laughed. He knew she wanted to record it, and he just a little bit telling her he won't be saying it again.

“Come on, please? Just at least once before I suddenly fall asleep in the middle of the video chat.” She said, yawning after.

“Alright. But better listen to this because I won't repeat it again, even if you act cute about it.” He cleared his throat like he'd do preparing for his vocal lessons, and breathed in and out. “I think it's okay to let my heart out once in awhile, especially when it's just the two of us so... Namjoo, I have proven once again that I am in love with you and that at lonely times like this, you are the first person I could think about, and all I could. I know I'm not a perfect boyfriend, but I will be a boyfriend that will prove I am deserving for you who has been the best girl I've ever met. With that said, I—”

He got cut off as his phone suddenly rang. He heard Namjoo giggle softly and gestured him to take the call immediately. He nods, picks up his phone and gestured back his huge palm in front of the camera indicating whether a ‘wait’ or ‘5 minutes’—whatever's applicable. She smiled as she grabbed a soft pillow beside her to hug.

The call was from one of Hyuk's workmate, talking about a project and all work-related shenanigans he really thought he didn't need to be hearing at that time. But he went through with the call and ended the conversation after a couple of more than 5 minutes. He hung up, and immediately came back to the video call. But just as he sat down in front of the equipment, he saw his girlfriend—peacefully asleep with her tiny head buried in the pillow he'd recognized be one of her favorites. Yes, in the middle of their video call. He couldn't help but utter a laughter.

“Ya, Kim Namjoo. Are you really sleeping right now?” He asked.

No response. Just soft snores and breathing from the other line.

He chuckled once more as he shook his head. He gave his phone a quick snatch and started typing a message as he kept glancing at his dozed off girlfriend, gently admiring her through the screen. He shifted his gaze towards the time on the right bottom corner of his screen that said 11:59pm and smiled. “Right on time, I guess.”

He leaned towards the screen monitor and gave a quick kiss on it as if he'd kiss the top of Namjoo's head.

“Happy birthday, Namjoo.”

The next day, Namjoo woke up just right in front of her laptop that went on sleep as she'd forgotten all about it. She blinked several times before realizing what has happened.

“Oh no!” She gasped.

She quickly sat up as her head spun looking to find her phone, she flinched only to see it hidden under one of her pillows. She quickly grabbed it and saw she has received quite a few messages, but she definitely knew whose message she'd have to see first.

“Ya, Kim Namjoo. You didn't let me finish last night so here's a voice clip of me being cheesy. Listen to it in private, okay? I've embarassed myself enough in front of you. Congratulations on your comeback, I will definitely monitor your activities so don't go flirting with other guys! Don't leave me on read please. I love you, sleepyhead.”

Namjoo searched for her earphones, quickly plugged it in and pressed play on that minute long voice clip her boyfriend had sent her while she had slept.

“I love you too.” She whispered.

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