a closing bow

Minji never anticipated how breathtaking it would be to witness a sky full of graduation caps being tossed in the air. She saw it on movies, even during her sister’s but never imagined hers. Since freshman year, she had already decided to miss the ceremony. There was no point. Who knew that would all change by the last? She was glad she did. And she was thankful to Bom for sneaking Jongin along with Amber, Krystal and Taemin.

Neither she nor Lay expected it after her mother left, but their company made the celebration better, made it worthy of the pictures Bom took of everyone and her in a graduation gown. This was something to be celebrated with friends, right? It was a first for her.

She looked down at the tiny bear in her arms, its pink graduation hat silky underneath her touch. Utterly smitten, she hadn’t stopped let go of it since this morning.

The space next to her became occupied. Silently, they basked in the balcony as the first hour of Seoul’s nightlife came to life.

“Still with that damn bear, I see,” Jongin began, just as a row of laughter erupted from inside the penthouse. It was either Amber or Taemin because Krystal's scolding came after. 

Minji tucked the toy under her chin. “Amber and Krystal searched the whole of Myeongdong for this and I happen to love it very much, thank you.”

“I could be a bear too, you know?”

She hugged the bear tighter. “This one’s fluffier.”

With a sulk, he draped himself all over her. A smirk tugged at .

“Yixing warned me you’d get jealous of a bear.”

“Shut up.”

He nuzzled his way into her hair, breath tickling her neck through the strands that she couldn’t help giggle. With his weight on her, she stumbled back until he caught her, pinning her safely against the rail.

When he drew back, it was those dark pools reflecting the skyline that made her breath hitch a little. Always intense, her Jongin was. Even if it was now love dwelling in those eyes of his.

“What are you doing out here?” He skimmed his lips over her brow bone, the question warm against her skin.

She leaned into the touch. “Hanging out with my bear.”

“What were you guys talking about?”

“How much I miss her.”

He dropped his mouth to her cheek, the caress encouraging her to go on. She did.

“It just feels strange,” she said. “Out of anyone I’d expect to celebrate my graduation with, it was always her.”

“She’ll come back.”

“I know.”

“And it was her decision. Just like it was yours to fight back. Isn’t that what Lay said?”

“Yep, I believe that was what I said.”

They turned around to find the said male approach them, a white scarf in his grip rippling wildly in the wind. It confirmed Minji’s suspicions as he wrapped