They walked side by side under the dim streetlights.
Their hands were holding each other.
Not dramatically.
Just fingers linked.
Swinging.
Back and forth.
Minju kept staring at their hands like they were something illegal.
"Why are you looking at our hands like that?" Jimin asked.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"Shut up."
He laughed softly.
Their houses came into view.
Both of them slowed down automatically.
Neither said it.
But both thought it.
Already?
"I don't want to let go," Jimin suddenly said.
She looked at him.
"Then don't."
"…That sounds very dramatic."
She laughed.
She coughed "I need to wake up early tomorrow," she said, standing in front of her gate.
"Okay."
He didn't move.
She blinked.
"Then go home."
"I'm waiting."
"For what?"
"To watch you go inside safely."
She folded her arms.
"You think I'll get kidnapped in five steps?"
"You might trip."
She gasped. "You're rude!"
He grinned.
She slowly walked toward the gate.
Turned back.
He was still standing there smiling like an idiot.
"Go!" she whispered.
"You go!"
She opened the gate halfway.
"Bye…"
He nodded dramatically like he was sending someone off to war.
She rolled her eyes.
Then suddenly ran back two steps.
He blinked.
Before he could react
She tiptoed and planted a quick kiss
on his jaw.
It was soft.
Quick.
But warm.
"Good night!" she squeaked and ran inside like she committed a crime.
Jimin stood frozen.
Touching his jaw.
"…She attacked me."
He smiled to himself
. He entered his room.
Pulled off his shirt.
Paused.
"…Why does it smell like her?"
He lifted it closer.
Cherry shampoo.
Her.
He stared at the shirt like it betrayed him.
"I can't wash this."
He put it back on immediately.
Then lay on his bed.
Touched his lips.
"Why am I like this?"
"What is she turning me into??.a lover boy?.."
He quickly turned to the window.
Her room light switched on.
His heart did that stupid jump again.
He grabbed his phone.
Jimin: "Hi. I miss you."
He stared at the screen.
"Too fast? Should I delete it?"
Too late.
Sent.
Across the window ,he saw her look at her phone.
She smiled.
He smiled.
Idiot.
Jimin: "Have you eaten?"
Minju: "No. Fighting with my mom."
Right on cue..
"MINJU! GO TO BED!"
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
Jimin burst out laughing quietly.
He typed.
Jimin: "You're scary."
She replied:
Minju: "Shut up."
He made a small heart with his fingers toward her window.
And whisper "good night"
She saw.
Made one back.
Then quickly closed the curtain like she was shy.
He fell back on his bed hugging himself.
"I'm done. I'm really done."
He grabbed his phone again.
Stared at a number saved as:
BigHit
His smile faded just a little.
He inhaled.
Dialed.
"Hello… it's Jimin."
He glanced at the window one last time.
"I'll accept."
Pause.
"Yes. I'm ready."
He hung up.
Then immediately buried his face into his pillow.
"…Why does being happy feel scary?"
**************
"Come inside," sucy said, dragging Yoongi into her house.
The place was messy.
Clothes and Books scattered.
Tang, her cat, walked over.
"Meow."
Yoongi bent down automatically to pet the cat.
"What is his name?"
She didn't answer.
She walked to the kitchen.
"I can't go on a date with you."
He looked up.