7:22 pm

"Mix it well." 

Gripping on the whisk tightly, you mixed the ingredients with eggs and butter to make a strawberry cake for your mom since it was her birthday today. 

As usual, you always bake a cake for her as you had baked it once and she liked it so much that she wanted it on her birthday so, you being her daughter, had always fulfilled her wish. 

She was still at her work and would arrive by 9 so it was a relief to prepare it without in a hurry while Sarang was gone out to buy her a present since she forgot it yesterday. 

Your day at the campus went unusually slow today since the person who's always beside you didn't show up while he did inform you by saying he was busy with his work. And it would be a lie if you say you didn't miss him because you did, but your hesitancy wouldn't say it out loud but he did, again before ending the call leaving your heart fluttering over his words. 

As you were done stirring, the doorbell rang and you frowned since Sarang had the spare key of your house so without even cleaning yourself, you strode towards the door. 

And opening it, you were greeted with the person you were eager to see the most, and Baekhyun standing at the entrance of your door didn't seem to surprise you anymore but felt pleased instead. 

"Did your work go well?" You questioned him before peeking at his hands. "And what about strawberries?" 

"I got it, ma'am." He handed you the shopper as he walked inside and chuckled at your twinkling eyes before he peeked through your face full of flour. "But… Are you baking a cake or yourself?" 

You stopped checking through the shopper and looked up at him. "Huh?" 

Baekhyun reached out, brushing his thumb over the corner of your lips and brought it to his lips and your cheeks flushed. "Y-Yah! That's-" 

"Too sweet." He scrunched his nose and you tilted your head. "Really? It shouldn't be too sweet though." 

"Come on, then." He closed the door behind, before wrapping his arm around your shoulder as he dragged you into the kitchen. "I'll help you then." 

"Do you even know how to bake a cake?" You looked at him suspiciously and he gave you an innocent smile. "I'm a really good learner." 

"No can do, because I am not ruining mom's cake." You shook your head, sternly and he whined, swinging your arm giving you his famous puppy face. "Let me help, Daisy!" 

You fought back the smile forming on your lips as it was getting difficult to not to give in to those puppy eyes for you and he knew it so well that he kept doing it every time. 

"Fine." 

He grinned widely before taking off his denim jacket and revealed his black shirt underneath while you couldn't help but stare as nowadays you found yourself always staring at him. 

As if he noticed it, his lips formed in a smirk and he glanced at you with his head tilting to the side. "If you keep staring at me like that, I might actually do something, Daisy." 

You snapped out and looked away blushing at his words and internally screaming for getting caught while he frowned. "Why did you stop? It's okay, you can stare at me all you want, Daisy." 

"Stop, just get back to work!" You whined, and he laughed, kissing your temple ever so casually and affectionately. "So? What do you want me to do?" 

But you stood stunned for a second and let out a soft sigh. "First… tell me how much of an amount I should add flour?" 

He let out a hum, nodding as you took a spoonful of flour and looked at him questionly as he nodded. "I think it's enough." 

"Are you sure I can trust you?" You raised your eyebrows suspiciously and he rolled his eyes. "Excuse you Miss. Einstein, for your information, I am really good at calculating okay?" 

You let out a chuckle, nodding as you poured the flour in the bowl but in a quick way as it blew up and immediately hit Baekhyun's eyes as he let out a cry. "Ow- damn it!" 

"What-oh god, are you okay?!" You panicked, dropping the spoon on the counter to face him as he covered his eyes with his eyes. "The flour- damn- sorry it's just, it went in my eyes!" 

"Go over there to the sink and wash it off, hurry!" You couldn't even hold his face since your hands were all filled with flour and he did as you said peeking through his eyes while blinking. "What should I do? What If I can't see you anymore, Daisy?" 

You let out a chuckle unconsciously before panicking. "Hey! Don't rub your eyes!" 

"Gosh, stay still and don't do anything!" You walked over to him before washing your hands and drying them with the towel before standing infront of him. "Let me see." 

You removed his hands and held the back of his neck to bend his head while your other hand cleaned the flour over his eyes before blowing it off and unaware of his hand holding your lower back firmly. 

"Is it okay, now? Try blinking." You pulled your hand away to drop on his shoulder and he opened his eyes, blinking and widening before locking them with you as he sighed. "My vision is back since I can see you now." 

You chuckled, making him smile as he stared at you with his fond eyes. "I missed you." 

Your heart skipped a beat. "We… We met yesterday and talked on the phone this morning though." 

A frown appeared on his face. "That's different from looking at you from my own eyes and I couldn't see the whole day." 

You couldn't help but smile. "You said… you had something to tell me? Is it about your dad? How did it go?" 

He tilted his head with a surprised look. "Was I being obvious?" 

"I guess?" You shrugged and he nodded. "Yes, it's about that… the talk… It went well." 

"That's great!" You smiled widely. "What about your friends? Did you tell them?" 

He nodded. "I did, but you're not upset that I told you a bit later, right?" 

You looked at him weirdly. "What's there to be upset about? Am I a kid?" 

"No, you're my spicy Daisy." He grinned widely, his eyes sparkling while you were so close to smack his head but stopped when he said his next words. 

"And I like you so much." 

His eyes bored deeply into yours like you were the most beautiful and the only one he could see and you couldn't push yourself away from him as his eyes holding the adoration and longing for you, held you captivated. 

His arms held you ever so gently and it felt safe, you felt safe, with him. 

And the way your eyes wouldn't look away from him, made his inside churn with nervousness before his hand brushed against your cheek, dusting off the flour softly then to your chin where his eyes averted to your lips leaving chills down your spine, warming your cheeks. 

Your heartbeat quickened, and so was his, since the close proximity between you two just had him urge to kiss you right there. 

"Ji, your favorite person is here!" 

Startling, you gasped and pushed Baekhyun away making him hit his back with the counter while you immediately stood by the other counter before looking back at him to see his lost ever innocent puppy face like he wasn't just about to kiss you a minute before. 

"You have already started-" Sarang barged in but her speech halted to see Baekhyun. "When did you come?" 

"Not long ago." He replied, dusting off his hands and you can feel his stare on you, where Sarang looked back at you. "Ji-Ah? Are you okay? Why are you so out of breath?" 

"Nothing, I am fine, totally." You said in a go while Baekhyun couldn't help but smile. "Right, nothing happened, let's get to work." 

With a still suspicious gaze, Sarang nodded as she started helping you two with other things and after a while, the cake was ready, just fillings were remaining to which Baekhyun insisted on cutting the strawberries and Sarang went to pack the gift. 

"Be careful with knives." You looked at him worryingly and he just nodded. "I know how to use knives." 

You began to apply the cream over the cake while he was cutting strawberries in halves and you kept glancing at him to see him shoving strawberries secretly as you stopped to give him a done look. "At this rate, we'd have to bake strawberry cake without strawberries." 

And his hand halted, infront of his opened mouth with half strawberry in his hand which he slowly put down before looking at you with a sheepish grin. "I… just really like strawberries and it's really delicious, wanna taste it? Say ahhh~" 

"Yah-" 

He shoved the strawberry into your mouth as you took a half bite to it before munching and he gave you a questioning look. "It's tasty, isn't it?" 

Like an obedient child, you nodded and he grinned like a baby before shoving the remaining half strawberry in his mouth and you blushed. "Let's just hurry up!" 

"Ji, come here for a second!" 

"She always finds a way to interrupt." Baekhyun muttered, pouting as he shoved another strawberry in his mouth and you slapped his arm. "Don't talk about her like that and stop eating!" 

He just playfully shrugged and you sighed. "Can you help me write mom's name on it?" 

Has he ever turned down your request before? No. And you asking with this innocent look, he could never. 

Bobbing his head cutely. "Leave it to me." 

You walked outside to help Sarang quickly before washing your hair and face to dust off the flour and creamy smell off your hair. After a while, you walked out without drying your hair letting it loosen on your back and saw the living room decorated beautifully by Sarang as you gave her a thumbs up to which she flipped her hair with a smirk. 

Walking in the kitchen to see what that guy was upto and saw him finishing up the cake with a last piece of strawberry and it looked pretty. 

As you were about to compliment him, but saw something unexpected and instantly gasped. "What the hell is this?!" 

He flinched, placing his hand on his chest while staring at you, shocked. "You… My heart was almost out of my chest, Daisy." 

You huffed, pointing at the cake. "What is this?" 

"Looks like a cake to me." He shrugged, and you glared at him. "I know what this is… and I told you to write mom's name.. By the way." 

"I did, and I expect you to compliment me but you are being too mean to again, Daisy." He pouted and you bit your lip. "Since when mom's name was Ms. Universe?" 

"What- Oh damn!" He exclaimed, mouth gaping at the sight of the cake. "I… I'm sorry… I just forgot but isn't it looking pretty?" 

"I thought you were here to help?" You questioned, standing infront of him with a stern look and he smirked. "Isn't it my presence really helping?" 

You sighed deeply and he frowned. "And excuse me? I have been helping you know? I bought strawberries and cut them too and I almost went blind and we almost- " 

"Almost what?" 

"Almost…" He stepped closer, leaning into your face and your eyes widened, realising as you blushed before pointing your index finger at him. "You!" 

"What?" He held your index finger and pulled you closer as your finger hit his chest while his other hand wounded around your waist while your hand rested on his shoulder, gulping at the close proximity. 

"You… you almost ate the strawberries and this." You pointed at the cake before looking back at him. "What do I do with this now?" 

He tilted his head. "Why? Isn't it better than Kim Seyeong? Wouldn't it be too formal?" 

You frowned. "What's so formal? It's her name." 

"Yeah." He pressed his lips. "But I think this looks more pretty." 

"Because you wrote it?" You gave him a look and he giggled, nodding. "Not that I can deny it." 

"Ahem… Am I interrupting something?" 

You both jumped, as you pulled away from him to look at Sarang giving you a teasing look before the bell rang and Baekhyun went to check it, not before taking another strawberry leaving you smiling as you shook your head at him. 

Sarang observed your expression and she knew she was right when she guessed it the minute she saw your behavior yesterday. 

Your friends were already here, making your home chaotic again with their presence and your mom came home with Sam who kept her busy for you to prepare the surprise for her. 

"Omo, such a new cake." Your mom commented, looking at the cake with an amused look and everyone just knew who could come up with such a name as everyone looked at Baekhyun who avoided the gazes. 

"Okay, let's cut the cake!" Sam exclaimed, and exchanged a look with Baekhyun who gave him a thankful look before your mom cut the cake and fed you the first slice while you were getting teary at the moment so you just hugged her tightly. 

"Happy birthday, mom." You smiled, feeding her back and she kissed your cheek. "Thank you, my sweetie." 

Baekhyun watched the scene with awe and with a little envy before he shrugged his thoughts off and fed your mom a slice. "Happy birthday, Ms. Universe. Did you like my present?" 

Your mom hugged him and nodded looking at the cake. "Yeah… it's a fresh name." 

Everyone laughed as Kyungsoo spoke. "I am just glad that the cake tastes good." 

"That's because Ji-Ah baked it." Seulgi remarked and Chanyeol gave you a thumbs up."It's really delicious, teach me too."

"Why would she teach you? And." Baekhyun stopped to look at you with a pout. "Don't I deserve praise too?" 

You chuckled. "Yeah? That you finished almost all the strawberries." 

"Stop teasing, will you?" He whined, and you just shrugged before Sarang dragged you into the kitchen leaving your mom in a surprised look before Baekhyun looked at her. "Your daughter is always teasing me." 

"Yeah…. And it's surprising since she doesn't do it unless she's comfortable with someone." Your mom remarked and Baekhyun looked at her surprised. "You mean to say she's comfortable with me?" 

"That's what I said." She smiled, and Baekhyun fed her another slice with a wide smile. "Have this, and don't worry… I won't tell her." 

On the other hand, Sarang stood infront of you with a serious expression and you frowned. "What's wrong?" 

"You…" She tilted her head, staring at you intently. "Did you fall in love with Baekhyun?" 

Your eyes enlarged. "W-what? What.. What are you saying?" 

"Not me but your eyes, Ji." She stated, leaning back against the counter. "You have been looking at him like he's the most beautiful part of your life." 

And your lips parted and your heartbeat quickened while Sarang sighed. "Okay, no need to panic… just tell me how you feel about him?" 

Sarang has always been with you like how a bestfriend and sister would be and you were always thankful for it as it didn't make you uneasy to share your feelings with her. 

"I…" You took a deep breath. "I feel like he's a good person and he makes me feel safe and I.. I just want him to be happy-" 

"And you feel like your heart would explode whenever he's close to you and your mind goes blank but you feel happy with him." She completed your speech and you looked at her shocked. "How?" 

"Ji, you're in love with Baekhyun." She stated, holding your shoulder as she rubbed it gently to ease your tangled mind. "And it's okay, like you said...he's a good person and I feel it too." 

"You can take your time to be sure about it yourself… no need to rush, okay?" She gave you an assuring smile and you nodded. ".... Okay." 

"Good, let's go now." She dragged you outside to the living room to see the mess in the living room they had made but they looked happy. 

As your eyes roamed around to see their smiling faces, your heart warmed up. 

You weren't sure about your feelings yet but one thing you were sure about is that these people have come into your life like a blessing which you always had yearned for and him, who barged into life unexpectedly, was becoming your safe place. 

                       ____________________

1:30 pm

"Ugh." You groaned, clenching and unclenching your hand while strolling towards the library along with Sarang who gave you a concerned look. "You didn't massage your arm with the oil again?" 

"I was too occupied with my thoughts to remember to do it." You sighed, slightly pressing your arm softly as after stirring too much, your arm always hurt and you massage it at night before sleeping. 

"You have to go to the Café too, will you be okay?" She linked her arm with yours and you nodded. "Yeah, I can just switch up with Sera." 

You both were walking ahead until a familiar person spotted you as he stood infront of you. "Hey, we meet again." 

And it was the senior you had been alerted to stay away from as he literally looked at you both with a flirty gaze making you uncomfortable and furious where Sarang pulled you closer as she gave him a sharp look. 

"Hello, Sunbaenim." You both slightly bowed as a respect and he waved it off. "Sunbae is just too old fashioned, call me Oppa or by my name, Josh." 

"Sorry, but I don't we are close enough to call you comfortably, I hope you don't mind, Sunbaenim." Sarang gave him a tight grin enough to give him the hint of the term get lost and he did, as his smile dropped. "Well… sure… uh.. I'll go then." 

He walked past you two and you looked at Sarang with an amazed look. "Wow, Sarang… you were so awesome!" 

"He's just not someone to get close with." She watched at his retreat back sharply before looking back at you. "If he approaches you, just tell me and I'll-" 

"Smack him for me." You cut her off with a smile. "I know, you're going to smack everyone for me, aren't you?" 

"Of course, you're my bestie." She smiled and you giggled. "And I am really grateful for it." 

"Oh, my building is here, I'll see you at home, then." She waved, before disappearing inside while you walked further towards the library before spotting Ms. Choi who was carrying some books in her hand and you greeted her while walking along with her. "Good afternoon, Ms. Choi." 

"Good afternoon, Ji-Ah." She greeted you back with a smile. "Heading to the library?" 

You gave a nod. "Yes, exams are due so I'm going to study during my free period." 

"As expected from a studious student." She giggled. "I really have to praise you for tutoring Baekhyun since his performance in his tests has improved a lot." 

"Really?" Your forehead creased in surprise before you let out a chuckle. "Well…. He's a quick learner too." 

"Right… And has a good tutor too." She commented, giggling making you smile before she looked at you softly. "It's good to see you getting along with others… And you look happy too." 

Maybe you looked happy and you weren't going to deny that now since you actually felt it but at the same time you were anxious since happiness doesn't last too long for you. 

You snapped out, when Ms. Choi's phone rang as she talked to the person and it looked like it was principal as she talked to rather respectfully. "Alright, I'll be there in a moment." 

Tucking her phone back, she looked at you expectantly. "Ji-Ah, I'm really sorry for inconveniencing you but can you return these books to the library? We've got an urgent meeting with the principal." 

"Yes, sure, no problem." You nodded, immediately taking the books from her and she thanked you before walking away. 

Entering inside, you were about to greet the librarian but she wasn't present at her desk and you stood there for a moment to ponder whether to put the books on the desk or put them back in the bookshelf yourself. 

And you chose the latter. 

Standing infront of the bookshelf, you put the book in its previous place and attempted to do it for another book which seemed to be placed on the upper shelf as you looked around to find a stool. 

Finding it, you dragged it to place it against the shelf before standing on it and placed it between other books. 

"I knew I'd find you-" 

Jumping over the sudden familiar voice behind, the books fell from your hand and you immediately turned to smack the person but Baekhyun was quick in reflex to hold your wrist and his other hand on your waist. "Here." 

You looked down at him with a panicked look before calming down. "Seriously?" 

"You need to stop being so alerted all the time." He frowned, holding your hand to lead you down and you rolled your eyes. "And you need to stop sneaking up on me." 

"I can't help it though, your reaction is just so amusing." He grinned, playfully and you shook your head, crouching down to pick up the books. "Come and help me." 

"You forgot the magic word again, Daisy." He crouched down infront of you with a mischievous look and you glared at him. "Because of whom the books fell, Mr. Magic word?" 

He couldn't help but giggle at the name as he nodded, pinching your cheek softly. "You look so adorable." 

The skinship between the two of you had gotten more casual and comfortable and it was mostly him initiating it, after the day of him staying over at your place but it wasn't that extent to make you scare away or uncomfortable but enough to make your heart flutter and you didn't hated it but it was actually opposite of it. 

Taking your hand, he made you stand up as he picked the books before you took it fro