“You can stare at them as long as you want...”

And Naeun did. She let herself drown in the sea of stars. She stared intensely at his eyes. He returned it with the same intensity, but something was different.

His gaze was warm.

“Thank you,” he suddenly uttered.

Her eyes widened in confusion. For what?

“For opening up to me.” He continued, answering her inner question. Her eyes softened at his gentle smile.

I should be the one who thank you.

“You know,” he spoke again. “That time, you looked troubled by Seulgi’s tease. I thought I should say something to somehow help you,” he snorted, looked away. “So funny. Look at the bigger trouble I’ve brought now.”

His eyes returned to hers. “I should’ve thought thoroughly about my words. Mianhae...”

Naeun shook her head fast, in panic seeing him blaming himself, “Aniyo... It’s okay.”

“Despite her calm looks, she’s actually pretty sensitive. Even over little things.”

Upon recalling Eunji’s words, Taemin grinned at the girl before his eyes. “So, you do care about these things a lot, huh...”

Naeun looked down, embarassed. She got what he meant. “Childish, right...”

“Nope.” Taemin patted her head. “I said that you have the right to feel anything, didn’t I? Just be honest to your heart. But,”

Naeun glanced at him. He caught her eyes. “Next time, can you please tell me?”

Her eyes widened.

“Even if it’s trivial... tell me, all of it.” He said, his gaze looked determined. It immediately softened as he cheekily said, “Believe in oppa.”

She snorted. He looked at her in disbelief. “Hey, I’m serious!”

She laughed.

I know you are.

***

Taemin walked Naeun back home and when they almost reached her house, Naeun suddenly stopped causing Taemin to do so.

“What’s wrong?”

She gave out a little piece of paper to him. “This is... for you.”

He took it from her hand. “A ticket?” He looked at it. “‘Art Exhibition’?”

She nodded, “Eung, the exhibition held by my department.”

“It’s the day after tomorrow,” He smiled, “You want me to come?”

She smiled back at him, “Eung. Please come, Oppa.”

His smile got wider, “Cute.”

“Eh?”

“Arasseo, I will come,” he said, slowly walking ahead of her who was frozen at the moment.

She looks back and smiles at me a lot now.

As soon as she got in her house, Naeun closed the door behind her and slid down her back on it. She put her head on her knees, her hands reached her warm cheeks.

The warmth came back all at once.

He hugged her tightly, caressed her hair gently, patted her back softly.

His embrace was warm.

“Would you give me the permission to do so, Naeun-ah?”

She raised her head. Taemin asked her that, but they didn’t bring it up again. Why? She hadn’t given him any answer.

“Instead of answering, I cried... Oh no, what if he misunderstood?”

She put her head back down. “What should have I answered?”

But what does he mean by asking that?

She sighed. “Anyway, I gave him the ticket. I’ll see him again soon,” she unknowingly smiled.

Without her knowing, the man she was thinking about was standing still in front of her house gate, staring blankly at the starry night sky.

The image of Naeun crying flashed back in his head. His eyes closed tightly, feeling the stabbing pain in his heart coming back once again.

***

“What was that?” asked Jongin. The two besties were having late coffee at a cafe near their school.

“What permission? Why were you being so implicit?”

Taemin sip his americano.

“I only confessed my desire to cherish her...”

Jongin raised his eyebrow. “So, are you two dating or not?”

Taemin put his cup down, “I didn’t ask her for that...”

“What?? Why?” Jongin half-shouted.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea for now...”

“WHAT?” Jongin spontaneously reacted. But when Taemin gave no respond, he angrily pulled Taemin’s collar. “Are you a jerk, Lee Taemin?!”

“Calm down—“

“So you are just playing around with her?? I can’t believe you!!”

Taemin lightly put his hand on Jongin’s, asking him to let go of his strong grip. “Listen to me first, Jongin-ah...”

Jongin loosen his grab. He looked confusedly at Taemin.

“Naeun is... perfect. She is pure, and honest. She is all a man could ask for. That’s why...” Taemin looked through the glass window beside him. “I’m not sure if I’m the one for her.