"Hmm?" Si-Hun whispered.
She was breathing heavily.
"I…" She couldn't say more, her lower lip trembled.
Words just weren't forming.
She was in a messy state.
He didn't know why, but his chest tightened at the sound of her breath hitching.
His hand trembled slightly behind her back.
"She isn't telling me what happened…" He thought.
He pulled back just enough to look at her face.
Her cheeks were damp and tear-stained.
"Hey…hey, calm down. I'm not going anywhere…I'm here with you." He assured, leaning a little closer.
"Don't cry…" He whispered near her ear.
She didn't say anything, just stared at his face, her heart pounding.
He stayed there until she finally calmed a bit, her head still buried in his chest, but he didn't mind.
"She's emotionally…sensitive."
Her breathing was calming down, and she looked at his face.
His dark eyes met with her innocent ones.
"S-Si-Hun…"
"Yes, I'm listenening."
"H-Hyun-Woo didn't c-come near me, but his friends…" Fear pricked her eyes again, and her brows furrowed innocently.
Si-Hun knew what was coming next, but he still asked
"Did they…touch you?" His eyes were tense.
Her hands trembled against his torso, her eyes becoming glossy again, and she nodded.
"Those motherfuckers!" Si-Hun muttered under his breath, barely audible.
"What did they do?" He asked.
She blinked, then said,
"I-I was alone in the classroom when t-two of his friends entered. I didn't pay a-attention to them b-but they came and cornered me. I-I tried to stop them, but they didn't listen, so I pushed one of them. I was getting out of the classroom when another of his friends c-came and…grabbed my wrist. It hurt…But I threw my books at his face, and he left my wrist. They were coming behind me, but you came. I-I was so scared," She stammered.
Si-Hun tilted his head and looked at her softly.
"You're safe here, with me. I'll stay close, I promise." He bent down to her level and said.
She finally was feeling lighter when she remembered she had to sleep alone, which she didn't want to.
She was afraid.
"S-Si-Hun…"
"Hmm, he murmured.
"I-I feel scared. I don't know if I can…if I can sleep alone in my house."
His heart melted at her innocence. He was curious about this new feeling.
"Stay at my place tonight."
Her breath hitched.
She looked at him.
"Y-you don't mind?"
"No," He said softly, smiling a little, amused by her question.
She looked away seeing him smile like that, but on the inside, she was really happy she could stay with him.
"It's cold outside. Let's…let's go home." He spoke softly.
She nodded.
He guided her to his bike.
She sat close to him, hands slightly resting near his waist, and gripped his shirt there.
He didn't pull away and stayed.
They reached his apartment.
Kuro was on the dining table, reading something, when he noticed Su-Yeon with Si-Hun again.
"She came again?'' He whispered and looked towards Si-Hun.
Si-Hun signaled him to go away.
Kuro smirked and left.
"Master is getting more free…"
After he had left, they were both alone in the living room.
"Wait, I'll be back." He said and left.
He returned with a glass of water and a rice cake.
She looked up.
"Here. You've drained so much energy on crying." He said, smiling.
"I don't want to eat." She said while pouting.
"I won't hear a no." He said, voice gentle but commanding.
"Eat it. You'll feel better."
She gave up and took it.
He was looking at her while she was eating.
Every time she glanced, he was already looking.
He noticed and quickly looked away.
"She's finally looking normal again." He thought.
After she ate, he asked
"Su-Yeon…"
"Yes?"
"Wanna go downtown for some shopping? The weather's nice and windy. You'll feel better…"
"Yes!" She said.
She loved going there at night, but she was always alone.
This time, someone who was also alone like her was going with her.
Two curious people exploring :)
"She seems excited. This should distract her for now." He thought.
They got up and left the walk.
Downtown was just near the building.
Only 10 minutes of walking.
Everything was quiet before the chatter of the downtown streets.
They were walking down the road.
They reached downtown after a few minutes.
It was noisy, aesthetic, and chaotic.
The smell of freshly baked goods lingered in the air.
Her face lit up seeing everything so alive.
"Let's go to that lady, please!" She said, pointing to a woman selling cotton candy in pretty shapes.
Si-Hun glanced at her.
"Okay." He said and smiled while walking, while she was already at the shop.
"She's childish…" He muttered to himself while chuckling.
Su-Yeon got her cotton candy and paid the lady.
Si-Hun saw her eating it in small bites.
He just…looked and studied her.
They stopped in front of the café that Si-Hun often went to.
"Si-Hun…you know I once saw you here alone. I didn't know you back then, but you seemed cool from a distance. I never told you this…" She said, looking at him through the corner of her eye and smiling to herself.
Si-Hun's breath caught in his throat.
"She noticed me?" He thought.
"So you noticed me from the start…"
Su-Yeon giggled.
"What do you want to have?' He asked.
"Uhh…I want to have cold coffee!"
Si-Hun furrowed his brows.
"You're…not getting that.'' He replied, voice steady.
"What – why?"
"You'll catch a cold fast. Your face is already red. Nothing cold. I'll get you hot coffee instead."
"Noo!!"
Si-Hun tilted his head.
She pouted her lips.
Si-Hun ordered one cold coffee and one hot coffee, and also… a chocolate pastry for Su-Yeon.
He handed her the cup and the pastry.
"Wahh! How did you know I liked this pastry?"
"I saw you that day, too." He thought.
She took a bite of the pastry.
Si-Hun took a sip from his straw.
"You got cold coffee without me." She said, pouting sadly.
"You can have a sip…" He teased as he had already drunk from that straw.
"Really?" She asked, happy.
Si-Hun didn't say anything and just stared at her face.
"Thanks!" She said and took a sip from his straw, leaning forward.
He was surprised at her reaction, eyes slightly widened.
while looking at her fluttering lashes.
She didn't mind drinking from the same straw.
"She drank from…my straw…"
He didn't feel pushed away, instead felt like someone was finally pulling him closer like a magnet.
"Why are you standing there?" She asked, pulling him out of questions.
"Since I drank your drink…You can eat my pastry too…" She said innocently.
"It's fine. You eat your pastry."
"No! I don't like eating alone when you're here with me." She insisted and extended her pastry near his face.
She looked at the pastry, then at her.
He finally took a bite from her pastry.
"Heyy, you have chocolate on your face." She said, rising on her toes and wiping it away from the corner of his lips.
He froze.
No one had ever been like this with him…so straightforward, so innocent…
"How's it?" She asked, anticipating.
"I-it's good." He stammered…He never stuttered.
But she made him.
They spent their time on the road.
They left from there and were walking on the road.
Everything was silent when she decided to break the silence.
"Si-Hun…" Su-Yeon said softly.
"Hmm?'' He asked, eyes on the road.
"Don't you feel alone all by yourself?"
Si-Hun stopped for a second, then continued walking.
"…I did. But not now…" He admitted, smiling faintly.
"Why did she make me admit something I don't want to…?" He thought.
"I feel alone, too, but I have a friend now." She said, smiling.
"…You can call me anytime you feel alone…" He said, voice low, almost hesitant.
"I can? I would love to!" She said, smiling.
It was the first time someone had asked him about that.
No one ever bothered to ask him questions like that.
He was alone his whole life, but she made his life noisier.
He didn't mind her noise.
"She says things that I can never manage to ask. Maybe her, only…"
He thought.
He was looking at her.
She didn't notice him, but he saw how she was shivering slightly because of the cold.
His eyes softened.
Without thinking anymore, he took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
Her breath caught at the sudden action.
"You'll catch a cold too…" She whispered.
"I'll be fine." He replied.
She smiled to herself.
"…It smells like you…" She said without thinking.
She realized it only after she had said it.
He glanced at her, eyebrows a little raised.
"I-I'm sorry – I just-
She was cut off by him.
"Haha, you're…cute." He said, the last part almost to himself.
"WHAT DID I SAYYY!!! WHAT WILL HE BE THINKING ABOUT ME?!" She thought.
"She can be bold without even meaning to. It's…cute." He thought.
They reached his apartment in some time.
They entered the apartment.
He had a raid today, but he didn't go today.
He couldn't leave her alone.
She was yawning, and her eyes seemed tired.
"She didn't sleep properly last night either. She should probably sleep now." He thought.
"You seem sleepy. My bedroom is there." He said, showing her his bedroom.
"Where will you sleep?" She asked sincerely.
"…I'll sleep on the couch."
"But your back will hurt…" She said.
"I've dozed off there so many times. I'll be fine. You go to sleep." She looked at him the last time, nodded, and went to his bedroom.
After entering, she looked at his bed.
It was neatly organized.
His room was neat.
She took off her coat and his jacket…
"I forgot to return it to him."