The breeze lifted Minju's hair, brushing it across her lips.
"Uh…"
That was all she could manage.
Jimin stood in front of her, hands slightly shaking.
"I'm sorry… for never noticing you. For ignoring you."
She swallowed.
"Oh…"
He stepped closer.
"I...."
She cut him off.
"Do you like me… or are you just pitying me?"
The question hit harder than he expected.
He coughed lightly, caught off guard.
That hesitation.....
It hurt her.
She pulled her hand from his grip.
"I don't need someone to like me because they feel sorry," she said, voice trembling. "I don't need that."
Tears blurred her vision as she turned and walked fast toward the parked bikes.
Then faster.
Then almost running.
"Minj....!"
He chased after her.
Before she could move again, he stopped behind her.
Not grabbing her roughly.
Just
Standing close.
His back pressed against hers.
Careful and Warm.
His arms slowly wrapped around her
waist from behind.
She froze.
His forehead rested lightly against the back of her head.
"I don't like you because I pity you," he said quietly.
His voice wasn't playful.
It wasn't teasing.
It was shaking.
"I like you because… when I'm with you, I feel different."
The wind softened around them.
"He swallowed, lips trembling slightly.
"I know I didn't notice you before. I know I walked past you like you weren't even there. And I hate that."
He looked down for a second before continuing.
"But these past few moments with you… they made me realize something."
He lifted his eyes back to hers.
"I've been chasing people who never looked back at me. Giving my attention to people who never cared enough to stay."
A small, shaky breath left him.
"But with you… I feel like my heart is safe."
His voice softened.
"You listen to me. You make me talk about my dreams like they actually matter. You make me proud of myself… and no one has ever done that before."
He stepped closer, but carefully giving her space to pull away if she wanted.
"I don't want to give my heart to someone who doesn't value it anymore."
His lips trembled again.
"I want to give it to someone who
would hold it gently."
A pause.
"That's you."
His hold tightened slightly.
"Not because I pity you. But because I like you. I really do."
He slowly let go.
. She turned around.
The city lights reflected in her watery eyes.
"Minju," he said again, this time looking directly at her.
"I like you."
He swallowed.
"I've been careless before. I've acted like I don't care. But with you… I don't want to be a playboy anymore."
She stepped forward suddenly and hugged him.
Hard.
"I like you too," she whispered against his chest, her voice breaking.
He wrapped his arms around her gently, resting his chin on her head.
The Han River lights shimmered behind them, reflecting gold across the water.
People nearby started pointing.
"Look! The river!"
For a moment, the water seemed brighter glowing under the city lights and soft mist from the rain.
Minju looked up at him.
"Promise me… if you become an idol… you won't forget me."
He smiled softly.
"I won't."
He brushed his thumb under her eye, wiping a tear.
"Come on," he said gently. "Let's take a picture before it fades."
They asked a nearby couple to take a photo.
"Can you take a picture of me and my girlfriend?" he asked.
Girlfriend.
The word made her heart flip.
They stood near the river.
He suddenly lifted her slightly.
"Yah! Don't drop me!"
"I won't."
He set her down carefully.
For a second, neither of them moved.
The world felt quiet.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked softly, holding her hand.
She ran off at first took a deep breath and came back
Her cheeks burned pink.
Her heart felt like it might escape her chest.
She nodded.
"Yes…"
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
So slowly she could hear both their breathing syncing together.
His hand slid gently to her waist.
The other tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Their foreheads almost touched first.
Then
His lips brushed hers.
Soft.
Like he was afraid she might disappear.
His lips tasted faintly sweet like cherry candy
Warm.
Not demanding.
Just lingering.
The world didn't explode.
It didn't spin.
It just…
Felt right.
The Han River shimmered beside them, lights dancing across the water like they were celebrating quietly.
When he pulled back slightly, his forehead still touching hers, he whispered,
"I really do like you.." he whisper
And that was the only she could heard