They went to the nearest park after taking her bike to the mechanic.

 

“I have talked with your manager already.. she said you can come to work next time once your ankle is healed..” said Taehyung as he put an icepack on her ankle. “And I’ll get your bike from the mechanic the  day after tomorrow so-..”

 

He stopped as he met eyes with her.

 

“Can you.. say it again?” asked Jisoo trying hard not to smile.

 

Taehyung chuckled.

 

She has been asking him to tell those three words to her again..

 

“I said I like you..” he said holding her face with a hand.

 

Yes.. about his confession.. it’s a total success!

 

“Me too..” Jisoo said with a smile. “I like Professor Kim..”

 

Taehyung’s lips were curled up as he looked at her.

She’s even cuter now..

His cheeks are hurting from too much smiling..

 

Then he saw her changing expression..

 

“But.. what are.. we going to do at the university?” asked Jisoo hesitantly.

 

She might have to quit and Professor Kim might be suspended once they know about them being in a relationship..

 

She sighed just thinking how difficult it can be for both of them..

 

“It’ll be fine..” said Taehyung smiling to reassure her. “The two of us will be okay so don’t worry..”

 

“But.. I’m afraid that-..”

 

Taehyung held her hands tight.

 

“I was also afraid.. until this morning..” he said softly. “But thinking I might lose you if I didn’t say anything to you was scarier.. that’s why I gathered up my courage and confessed to you-..”

 

Jisoo kissed him on his cheek making him speechless.

 

Professor Kim is giving her butterflies in her stomach and she can’t take it!

 

Taehyung smiled widely.

 

“Let’s go home.. you need to rest well so you can get better..” he said standing up as he held her hands tight.

 

Jisoo nodded.

 

“How about we have dinner together?” she asked smiling. “Maybe I can cook something for you at your place?”

 

Then she remembered about Jhope staying at his apartment.

If her bestfriend sees her at his apartment late at night, he will think of some stupid scenarios inside his head and he will for the rest of their lives!

 

“What about.. my place?” asked Jisoo biting her lower lip.

 

Isn’t this her very first invitation to him to her place?

He did drink at her apartment last time but it was different then..

 

But why does it make her feel nervous all of a sudden?

Just thinking they will be surrounded by four walls and a ceiling makes her heart beat faster..

 

Taehyung agreed right away.

 

It’s just a dinner.. between the two of them.. yes.. the two of them alone.. together.. at night.. at her house.. 

 

Their first night..

 

He gulped. That’s right.. it’s just their first night as a couple.. what is he even thinking?

 

They arrived in front of her house and Jisoo was about to unlock her door when they both heard Jhope’s voice coming from the staircase..

 

“Jisoo! Professor Kim! I brought some chicken feet tonight! Let’s eat them together!”

 

Jisoo took a deep breath.

 

She was going to have a romantic dinner and Jhope had to suddenly come home?

And why chicken feet of all food? They aren’t the least romantic!

 

But they are her favorite though..

 

 

———————-

 

 

“Why would you fall from your bike? Didn’t we fix the brake just a few months ago? Why would it not work?” 

 

Jhope was worried after learning that Jisoo got hurt after falling from her bike.

 

“Are you sure no one played a prank on you this time?”

 

Jisoo nodded her head.

 

“I told you it was my fault..” she said in a low voice.

 

Jhope sighed.

 

“That’s why I told you to just take the bus instead.. you also fell down last year and got a huge bruise on your arms..” he said holding her arm. “You should start taking care of yourself and-..”

 

Taehyung cleared his throat.

 

He understands that they are friends but.. Jhope has been scolding HIS Jisoo since they entered her apartment..

 

And he’s overly worried that it’s making him feel jealous!

 

He keeps on touching her hands and arms and Jisoo doesn’t even say anything to him!

 

Jisoo bit her lower lip.

Did they make Professor Kim uncomfortable again?

He will not get mad, right?

 

“How about we finish eating quickly and let her rest tonight?” said Taehyung looking at Jhope who was sitting closely to Jisoo.

 

He grabbed a pillow and threw it in between the two friends to separate them.

 

“Doesn’t it feel more comfortable with the pillow?” he said turning to Jisoo who was refraining herself from smiling.

 

Professor Kim looked like a jealous boyfriend just now!

 

Jhope smirked.

He has never seen anyone make it this obvious..

They might as well announce that they started dating today!

This Taehyung guy hasn’t taken his eyes off of Jisoo ever since they started eating!

 

But.. he feels quite happy seeing Jisoo like this..

 

Isn’t it the first time she liked someone?

It’s also the first time she found time for herself..

All she did was study and work all these years..

Yet she wore a pretty dress last night for the first time..

He hopes she can continue loving herself.. probably with the help of this guy..

 

“Where are your parents?” asked Jhope to Taehyung all of a sudden turning the mood upside down.

 

Jisoo turned to Taehyung who was remaining silent.

 

“I’m sorry..” she said feeling bad. “Jhope doesn’t know-..”

 

Taehyung shook his head.

He knows Jhope didn’t mean it..

He must have been curious because of the picture frame..

 

“My parents passed away already..” he answered lowering his gaze.

 

“I’m sorry.. it was stupid of me to ask you about them..” Jhope said feeling apologetic as ever.

 

There was a moment of silence between the three of them.

 

“How about I get some cold drinks?” asked Jhope trying to lift up the mood he had brought down.

 

Jisoo nodded her head.

 

“You can buy them at the convenience store.. that’s right..” she said smiling as she glanced at Taehyung who was still being quiet.

 

Jhope cleared his throat as he stood up.

 

“Then.. I’ll leave the two of you and come back quickly..” he said heading out.

 

As soon as he stepped outside Jisoo’s apartment, he heaved a long sigh of relief.

 

That was awkward..

 

How could he mention his parents of all things?

He didn’t know they had passed away already!

 

It must be why he seemed sensitive about that picture..

And that must be the reason why his parents looked very young in it..

 

He was unaware that Taehyung was an orphan already..

Is this why he and Jisoo have gotten close? Because they could understand each other?

 

And then the image of Taehyung’s parents came to his mind again..

 

Where did he see them? Is it possible that he had seen his parents before they died?

Why does he feel like they’re familiar to him?

 

 

Meanwhile, Jisoo and Taehyung were still being silent.

 

“Are you okay?” asked Jisoo holding his hand. “I’m sorry if Jhope mentioned your parents..”

 

Taehyung was looking at her hand on his.

He smiled a little.

 

“I’m fine..” he replied as he held her hand. “Thanks to you.. I think I’ll be fine always..”

 

Jisoo heaved a sigh of relief.

 

“Jhope is a prankster but he’s kind..” she said lowering her gaze. “He and his family took me in when my father died and my mom became sick..”

 

Taehyung lifted her chin.

 

“I know.. that’s why I’m not saying anything even though you two are always making me feel jealous..”

 

Jisoo chuckled.

 

“Why.. are you jealous?” she asked as she tried not to laugh.

 

She didn’t know Professor Kim was the jealous type!

 

“Because he knows you too much.. and you spent a lot of time together..” said Taehyung putting his face close to hers. “While I have only started to get to know you..”

 

Jisoo’s cheeks have turned red.

Their lips are too close.. like.. really close.. and she can feel his breath when he says a word..

 

Why does this feel oddly satisfying?

 

She was still feeling nervous yet at the same time happy when Taehyung suddenly pulled his head back.

 

She pouted her lips in disappointment.

 

Why didn’t he get even closer to her? He could have done more!

 

“I want to know more of you..” Taehyung said holding her cheek with a hand. “I want to listen to all of your stories..”

 

Jisoo felt her heart drumming.

He keeps saying words that are so nice to hear.. how did he even learn all of this?

 

“And slowly.. when I’m ready.. I hope.. you can also listen to mine..” Taehyung continued. “Just.. please.. be patient with me..”

 

Jisoo’s lips curled up.

Of course.. she can wait until he’s willing to tell her all of his stories..

She will be by his side when that time comes.. and she will comfort him as much as he did when she needed someone..

 

She was looking at him when Taehyung suddenly chuckled.

 

“Why?” asked Jisoo embarrassed. “Did I do something-..?”

 

“I’m sorry.. you looked too cute just now..” said Taehyung smiling widely as she held both of her cheeks with his hands. 

 

Jisoo pursed her lips.

 

She must have looked funny instead!

 

She was about to sulk when Taehyung kissed her on her forehead.

 

“This is bad.. I want to keep kissing you all over your face..” he said leveling their eyes.

 

Jisoo bit her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling.

 

“You can.. keep kissing me.. I really don’t mind..”

 

Was that too direct of her? Wasn’t it too much for a woman to say?

 

“Can I really.. kiss you?” asked Taehyung putting his lips just in front of hers.

 

Jisoo’s eyes widened.

Did he mean to kiss.. on her lips?

For real? 

Wait.. this is her first..

 

But they have just eaten.. then will her breath smell?

That can’t happen.. she needs to brush her teeth first!

 

She was still thinking to herself when Taehyung landed a kiss on both of her cheeks.

 

“How pretty..” said Taehyung smiling after that surprise kiss.

 

Jisoo’s throat moved fast.

She doesn’t know if she should be disappointed or what..

 

Well.. it’s only their first day..

 

They have a lot of chances to kiss!

 

 

————————

 

 

 

T