chu.

“There are so many people here,” Miyoon pouted.

“It is the weekend.” Chunji chuckled as he intertwined their fingers. “The movie doesn’t start until seven. So that means we have a little over an hour to kill.”

“We have that much time? Why did we have to come so early?” she exclaimed as he dragged her one way.

“To walk around and buy stuff.” He answered.

“But I’m not dressed for shopping.” She cried, looking at her jeans and t-shirt. She was only expecting to watch a movie, not parade around the entire mall. Now she began to feel self-conscious.

“There’s a certain way to dress when you shop?” Chunji questioned in awe. He was actually making fun of her and Miyoon caught on.

“I’m a girl. I have to dress up.” Miyoon defended.

“And who told you that? Taela? I think you look beautiful just like that.” He cooed, pulling her into a clothing store without paying attention. Miyoon had stopped moving, causing him to look back at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you sure you want to go in there, Chunji-ah?”

He blinked at her, “Of course! It’s a girl’s store. We can pick out whatever you like.” He beamed. When he turned around, he himself froze. In front of him were bras, , lingerie and more bras! They had walked into an undergarment store and the women in there were staring at the young couple with estranged looks. It was then that he realized how embarrassing it was. They must have been thinking inappropriate things. 

Chunji blushed and bowed down repeatedly to the women and girls. “Mianhe, mianhe, mianhe. I didn’t mean to come in here. It won’t happen again!” he promised, leading Miyoon out of there as fast he could.

When they were out, he heaved out a sigh and felt his hot face. “Why didn’t you tell me we were in that kind of store?” he whispered. Miyoon stared at him and burst out with laughter. She held her stomach and couldn’t even look at him anymore. He was red as a baboon’s bottom. “Hey, it’s not funny!”

“I asked you if you really wanted to go in there and you said yes. It wasn’t my fault you weren’t paying attention to where you were going.” She snorted.

“But now they’re going to think I’m some sort of byuntae.” He whined.

“It’s completely normal for a boy to accompany his girlfriend to buy things like that. They were probably just surprised because of how innocent looking you are.” She teased, pinching his cheeks. “Now if you were to go there without a girl, they would probably find that a little strange.”

He held her hand and leaned in closer to her face, “You called yourself my girlfriend.” He cheesed. “You never call yourself that.” And it was true. Miyoon would call him her boyfriend only when he wasn’t there and he would call her his girlfriend, but she never once labeled herself as so until today.

She pinked and then punched his arm, “What? Do you not want me to say that?”

“Ani! I like it.” He smiled, hugging her. “Just like I like you.”

“Yah, hajima. People are staring.” She pointed out, pushing him away.

“They’re staring because you’re so pretty. I told you it didn’t matter how you dressed.” Chunji stated, slipping his hand into hers as they began to tour the mall.

Every now and then Chunji would pull Miyoon into a random store but she wouldn’t buy anything. However, she was enjoying herself. For once, she hadn’t thought about Myungsoo or Maerah and she was glad. She stared at their hands and a small smile crept onto her lips. She was really starting to like Chunji. What’s not to like? He’s handsome, kind and he makes me smile. Plus, he likes you, babo.

Miyoon shook her head as she watched Chunji trying on funny animal hats. He grinned and placed a frog hat on her. “Ribbet.” She croaked, hopping around.

“Miyoon, you’re such a dork!” he chimed, chasing her.

“You’re the dork!” she rebelled, pulling his bunny hat over his eyes. “That’s why you don’t get a hat twice your head size.” He yanked the hat off and enveloped her in a back hug. Once he had a firm grasp on her, he hoisted her off the ground and spun her in circles. She was laughing when he finally put her down.

Miyoon was a bit dizzy and stumbled to her left only to fall into his arms. “Aren’t you glad I was here to catch you?” he gushed.

“Yes, I am.” She whispered in a daze. 

They gazed into each other’s eyes and right as they were going to let their lips meet, “You kids stop running around in my store! If you aren’t going to buy anything, beat it!” the saleswoman ordered. Miyoon straightened up and Chunji brought her to the cashier.

“We’ll take these.” He announced, retrieving his wallet.

“We don’t need to.” Miyoon muttered but he insisted. He handed over the money and tore the tag off of his hat and then Miyoon’s.

“Now we can be dorks together.” As they exited the store, it was only twenty minutes before the movie would start. “Do you want to go now?” Chunji asked, swinging their hands back and forth.

“It’s a little early. But I do want good seats!” Miyoon announced.

“Then we should go.” He nodded.

“Whoa, there are even more people than there was downstairs.” Miyoon gawked as they looked at the busy lines filled with people waiting to purchase their tickets.

“I guess it’s a good thing I bought them before hand.” Chunji agreed. And just as they took their first step, a group of familiar faces appeared. “Oh, Miyoon-ah. Isn’t that Myungsoo sunbae?”

“Eh?” she followed his gaze and there was Myungsoo carrying a bucket of popcorn towards no one other than Maerah. “I guess it is.” She shrugged.

“Don’t you want to go say hi?” Chunji didn’t feel as threatened or as jealous as he used to be since Miyoon was officially his girlfriend now. But if he knew she liked Myungsoo, maybe even still likes him, it would have probably been a different story.

“No. He looks— busy.” She pointed out. “Kajah, remember? Good seats.” As she turned into the one now dragging him, they headed to the usher. Just as they were about to reach him and pass by Myungsoo and Maerah, they were stopped. How great.

“Miyoon!” Dongwoo screamed from behind.

Her shoulders deflated. How could she not guess that they would also be there? Chunji spun around first and bowed down to his seniors with the exception of Sungjong.

Hearing the name of his distanced dongsaeng, Myungsoo glanced up and smiled spotting the cute hat she was wearing.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“What do you think genius?”

“Ou, they’re holding hands!”

“You must be him!”

“No fair, he’s touching Mimi!”

Miyoon clenched her hands and rolled her eyes, “We’re here to watch a movie. It is a theatre.” She scoffed.

“Are you perhaps on a date?” Sunggyu raised a brow.

She raised their laced hands, “What does it look like?” she spat. Chunji noticed her sudden change in attitude and frowned.

“Excuse us,” he politely requested, bringing her to the side. “What’s wrong Miyoon? Why do you seem upset?”

“I’m not!” she hissed.

“Don’t lie to me.” He begged. “Tell me,”

“I—” she looked back at the group of guys and Maerah who were conversing while their eyes were glued on the pair. Then Chunji’s phone went off. He hitched his lips to the side and she motioned for him to take it.

“Yeobsayo? Omma, I can’t leave. I’m about to watch a movie with Miyoon.” He explained. “But— okay. I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and tucked the phone into his pocket.

“What was that about?” she asked.

“I have to go home. Apparently, my relatives from Busan think it’s okay to drop in unannounced and they’re waiting for me.” He sighed.

“Do you have to go?” Miyoon frowned.

“I’m afraid so.” Next he got the two tickets out and handed them to her.

“Why are you giving them to me?