can't believe it.

“So you’re going to come right?” Hoya asked as he rubbed the back of his neck bashfully.

“Well, since it’s a team trip I should go in case you know someone gets hurt.” She answered with a soft smile. It was silent as they stood in front of her doorsteps with the stars twinkling above their heads. Miyoon’s hands were clamped together tightly as her eyes stole a glimpse of Hoya looking off to somewhere down the road.

The light from the lampposts reflected against his skin making him radiate in the darkness.

Everything from his hair to his cheeks was exquisitely perfect. She felt her heart flutter like it normally did around him and she swallowed down the saliva formulating in . “If that’s all, then goodnight.” She said almost unwillingly. Miyoon spun around rather slowly as her head hung low.

Her arm extended to the knob but then she stopped. “And thank you for today. Thank you for putting up with my geges. It really means a lot to me.”

After she opened the door, slipped inside and sunk to the ground as her hand pressed over her heart, trying to shush the organ. On the other side of the barrier, Hoya had his hand stretched out wanting to grab hold of her before she left but it had already been too late.

Gradually his fingers curled into a fist as he exhaled and plowed through his hair with the remainder of his fingers.

“You couldn’t even give her a goodnight kiss?” he scolded himself as he his heels in frustration. He started walking to his car dejectedly, kicking a few pebbles lying around when he heard the door open. Suddenly he felt himself being spun around and soon after a pair of lips was molded against his.

His eyes rounded in surprise.

As he looked down, he saw Miyoon with her lids drooped low while she stood on her toes. Her arms were draped over his shoulders and as she leaned in further, Hoya smiled in response and closed his eyes as well.

His hands found their way to her waist as he encased her into his embrace and brought her in closer. In his mind, he could hear fireworks going off and when they were finished, she pulled away trying to catch her breath. His eyes flickered open in euphoria and then he witnessed the bright explosions of real life fireworks.

There were all sorts of colors up in the sky from blue to purple mixing together and it was a panoramic sight.

Hoya was in complete awe just as astounded by the view as Miyoon was. “Xiamei! Look at the pretty colors!” Xiumin squealed as he randomly scrambled out from of her yard with a box of matches in hand.

At his appearance, she grew crimson red as her head snapped back to where he had descended from. When she saw four other heads popping over the fence she nearly had a . Oh my god. Did—did they see us?! She became embarrassed as Lay arrived to the scene a few moments later.

“Sorry guys, we thought it would be fun to light up some fireworks. We’ll get going now; don’t mind us.” He announced as he dragged Xiumin back to the yard.

And although they were gone, Miyoon knew they had seen everything. Her body temperature shot through the ceiling as she stared at the cemented driveway. I knew I should have just stayed inside. Aish, stupid impulsive behavior. As she continued mentally cursing herself and her urges, Hoya yanked her into his arms.

“I like you,” I always have. He whispered as he held on firmer to his happiness. “So don’t leave me, okay?”

Touched by his confession, Miyoon found herself hugging him back just as yearningly. It was like the clouds had cleared up and she could finally see the sun gleaming brightly at her. There was a victorious smile smeared on her face but she was never known for sweet and romantic moments so she did what she did best and .

She broke the embrace and blinked, bewilderedly. “Are you sick or something?” she questioned, feeling his forehead.

Hoya furrowed his brows at her. “What are you talking about?” he frowned.

“I’m talking about the illness which is causing you to sputter out all of these ridiculous things.” She detailed.

“Ridiculous?” he repeated. “Yah, yah. I just confessed my feelings for you and you think they’re ridiculous?”

“What?” she quirked a brow audaciously. “I just have a hard time believing that the guy who used to be as cold as ice towards me growing up actually developed feelings for me.”

“I wasn’t that cold.” He defended.

“Not that cold?” she scoffed. “So you call pushing me out of your bed on Christmas morning after letting me fall on the floor showing your kindness?”

“Hey, wouldn’t you have reacted the same way? Stop trying to make me look like the bad guy.” He ordered.

“I don’t have to make you look like one if you’re already—” Miyoon didn’t have the ability to finish because Hoya quickly pecked her lips. When he retracted, she spoke up, flustered. “Yah, why did you—” he kissed her again and her reaction was the same way. “Lee Ho—” and again.

“Every time you talk I’m going to kiss you, so I suggest you be quiet and listen. If not, I don’t have a problem with kissing you either.” He declared, smirking smugly. Miyoon pursed her lips inward as she tried pushing him away but he wouldn’t budge. Not even a centimeter.

Next, his hand moved up to caress her cheek lovingly. She flinched at first but his touch started seeping into her body, making her lose any feeling of discomfort or alienation. Miyoon knew she must have been red as a cherry therefore she avoided looking at Hoya. However, he tilted her chin up and locked eyes with her. He didn’t utter any words for a few seconds as he gazed upon her presence.

He was taking everything about Miyoon in. To him she was perfection and there wasn’t a single thing he would change about her. Why would he? He fell for her because of who she was.

He adored the real Wu Xiazi because of her flaws and mishaps. She’s the one who had an awful memory, the one who was always clueless about anything revolving around a kitchen, the one with several sleeping habits.

The one who once needed protection but now was the one doing the protecting.

Hoya quickly thought back to earlier at the park when she defended him almost like a mama bear ready to pounce on anyone threatening her cubs. Oh how things had changed so much over the last decade. The corner of his lips edged upward as he talked. “I like you, Wu Xiazi. I really like you so won’t you stay by my side?”

His voice was sweet as could be and Miyoon swore that she had diabetes now because of him. Her legs transformed into jelly and gave out on her. But before she could fall flat on her , Hoya caught her in his arms. Her heart was going insane as he smiled and planted her back on her feet. “I didn’t let you fall that time. What do you say?”

Miyoon’s lips pried apart and as she was about to answer, a hiccup squeezed its way out and her eyes rounded. Her hand cupped as a swarm of them came charging from . Whenever she opened to try to answer him, no words came out because of the hiccups. Miyoon never hiccupped unless she was extremely nervous or anxious. The only time she hiccupped was when she took her MCAT exam.

Not even around Myungsoo did her body react this way.

Finding her current state undeniably cute, Hoya chuckled. “I think you should go in and grab a glass of water.” He instructed as he swung an arm around her shoulders and led her back to the front door. He twisted the knob for her and when she walked in, he moved in closer and attached his lips to her forehead.

“Just think about it and sleep tight.” And then Miyoon hiccupped even louder as he shut the door and left.

Wasting no time, she scurried over to the window and peeked out the curtains. She could see Hoya making his way to his car and as he opened the door, he glanced right back at her and waved before he climbed in. Her body was rendered useless as she jumped back and fell to the floor. He saw me looking at him. I hope he doesn’t think I’ m more weird now.

Her hiccups kept coming yet Miyoon didn’t get up as she sat there recollecting the last five hours of her life. It all seemed to be so surreal she couldn’t believe it. He likes me. He really likes me. That warm and tingling sensation snuck into her heart again and swelled even larger than