♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ :Chapter sixteen: :;

"His lips tasted
like sunshine"

Binna's expression tightened as Eun-gyeol and Se-kyung disembarked from the train before reaching their intended stop, much to Yi-chan's frustration. This brought back memories of a previous incident when he was upset with her for giving a concert ticket from Se-kyung to him, prompting a flood of memories of past hurts between them.

"Are you two making a movie!?" Yi-chan asked irritably, with the blue phone pressed against his ear, veins bulging in his neck as he raised his voice "you'd better come back. We'll wait here until you come"

"Hey, the next train isn't coming for an hour. Tell them to just come straight to the cabin" Se-beom hastily mentioned. He adjusted his glasses after having inquired about the departure time of the following train

"Forget it. Just come straight to the cabin—"

"Hey, what if they get lost? They don't know how to get there" interrupted Ma-joo with concern, seated next to Binna, who blinked a few times to comprehend what everyone was saying

"Gosh, seriously" Yi-chan expressed frustration with a furrowed brow "Wait right there until I figure out a solution. I'll kill you if you go somewhere else!" Speaking sternly into the phone, Yi-chan raised his hand as though to strike someone before lowering it with annoyance

What an incredibly lengthy journey, is it not?

- -

Binna strolled joyfully down the woodland trail that would guide them to the cabin. She engaged in enjoyable conversation with Yi-chan's friends, who proved to be even more amiable than she had anticipated. They had been by her side continuously since leaving the train, making her feel valued and captivating.

"Is this 'name'?" Hyun-yul inquired, placing his hand over his chest "This is 'name'?" Binna nodded with a smile, mimicking the gesture to demonstrate the correct way it was done

The boys abruptly placed their backpacks and suitcases on the ground, then positioned themselves in front of Binna with grave countenances, causing Binna to arch an eyebrow in perplexity, yet with a keen eagerness to see what they would do next.

"Brother. Brother, please pick me" The young boys began to say before Binna, imitating the movements of children twirling around. Binna found herself unable to suppress her amusement, her exuberant laughter resonating through the atmosphere akin to the melodious peal of bells, spurring on the boys to keep eliciting her mirth

Binna smiled in amusement, feeling genuine joy for the first time, while expressing her approval by giving her friends a double thumbs up. Little did she know, a boy was observing his friends with a clear display of jealousy in his expression.

- -

Upon arriving at the cabin, Binna endeavored to help with the luggage, but the boys insisted on carrying the heavy suitcases themselves. Gratefully, she accepted their gesture and decided to clutch tightly onto the white cloth bag containing her most valuable possessions.

After a brief period of anticipation, the guys gathered in a circle, where Yi-chan displayed evident distress. This prompted the others to hush, as Binna curiously surveyed the surroundings, taking in every detail with the intention of relaying it to her absent sister. She longed for her sister's presence. However, upon noticing Se-kyung and Eun-gyeol discreetly entering the room, she felt compelled to approach them with a grave and caring countenance.

"What? What's going on?" Se-kyung asked in sign language to avoid making noise and interrupting whatever the group was doing

"Yi-chan is angry" Binna gently pointed out with sign language, causing the couple to gasp in surprise and fear

The assembled onlookers observed Yi-chan's display of frustration as he discarded the papers containing the boys' song ideas. He subsequently rose from the floor and escorted Eun-gyeol outside the cabin for a private discussion.

"What happened, Se-kyung?" Se-beom inquired with concern and curiosity, approaching the short-haired Se-kyung "Why did you suddenly jump off the train?"

"Well, the thing is... it's definitely not his fault. I... I suddenly craved garakguksu" Se-kyung quickly explained. Despite her rapid explanation, Binna could discern the nervousness in her eyes

"G-Garakguksu?"

"Yes" Se-kyung nodded, before turning towards Binna as she felt her serious gaze upon her, but mysteriously avoided her gaze completely when she looked at her"Binna, it's not me. They aren't fighting because of me" she quickly explained, causing Binna to sigh wearily before gathering her belongings from the table and exiting the cabin

Binna has now been outside for some time, peacefully capturing the band members' costumes in her sketches in the garden. She delicately clutched her sketchbook in one hand and a colored pencil in the other, focusing intently on drawing Yi-chan in a unique outfit. As she was engrossed in her artwork, an individual approached her, holding out a notebook with bold, black-lettered writing.

"We're taking a break for an hour. Do you want to go biking with us?"

Binna casted a brief glance towards the rest of the boys, who eagerly signaled their approval with a thumbs-up gesture, hoping that she would be in agreement.

"Perhaps some other time," Binna smiled with a tinge of sadness as she gently shook her head, leading the guys to walk away with disappointment, their heads hung low

Binna paused to inhale deeply before gathering her possessions once more, commencing her journey along the slender trail through the forest. She marveled at the breathtaking beauty of the natural surroundings, a vision that would be seared into her memory for the foreseeable future. All of a sudden, she startled as Yi-Chan materialized before her, clutching a tiny grey kitten and adorned with leaves in his disheveled hair, a sight that she found utterly endearing.

"Me?" inquired Binna softly, as Yi-chan approached her and held out the small cat in his hands. He nodded in acknowledgement before Binna gently took the kitten in her own hands. With care and tenderness, she inquired further, "Where did you come across it?" while stroking the tiny head of the kitten

"I thought you might be bored alone" Yi-chan replied with a tender smile at the small scene in front of him "I tried picking one that resembled me" Binna proceeded to inspect both the kitten and Yi-chan for any similarities. The inspection continued until the boy indicated a mole next to his eye, a feature that coincidentally matched the kitten's in the same location. This revelation caused Binna to react with a mixture of surprise and admiration, prompting her to open her mouth in astonishment

- -

"Face... name?" Yi-chan questioned while offering water to the kitten with his finger, both crouching on the grass and admiring the little feline

"Yes. Since it's complicated to spell the name in sign language, you name someone by their face, personality, or characteristics" Binna gently articulated while affectionately caressing the adorable kitten"For example, 'A cat with a spot under it's chin' Like that"

"Do you have a face name, too, then?" Yi-chan inquired with curiosity to which Binna enthusiastically nodded, prompting Yi-chan to ask "What is it?"

Binna smiled warmly and beckoned for them to take a seat on a bench nestled under the cool shade of a picturesque tree she had spotted earlier. Yi-Chan, unable to resist Binna's infectious grin, settled down beside her. As they sat together, relishing each other's presence, Binna began imparting the hand gesture that had been passed down to her by her mother.

"What does this mean?" Yi-chan inquired, mimicking the gesture that Binna had taught him a few moments ago

"Clear sound" Binna responded with a nod, her hands folded on the table "My mom, whom my sister and I was separated from, named me that when I was little" Binna smiled as Yi-chan looked at her with a mix of sadness and empathy, feeling unsure of how to react to the revelation

Yi-chan exclaimed softly "How pretty. From now on, I'll call you by your face name" in a manner so gentle that Binna wished she could hear his melodious voice

With excitement, Binna hurried to announce,"I came up with a name for you, too" a smile forming on her full crimson lips

"Me? My name? What is it?" Yi-chan eagerly inquired, expressing excitement as he awaited Binna's response. Upon sensing his curiosity and enthusiasm, she proceeded to sign, which he copied with interest"What does it mean?"

"Shiny voice" Binna responded with admiration in her voice, prompting Yi-chan to look at her with gentleness and adoration in his eyes "I can't hear it, but I can see it. I can feel it. You shine the most when you perform music. You look the coolest. So don't worry about me and work hard as the frontman" she affirmed with a nod "I'm not bored. I don't feel lonely, either. I have eyes, a heart, and things to do, too" Binna smiled, her eyes meeting his for several seconds before she shifted her gaze to her watch "It's time. Should we go now?"

When Yi-chan remained silent, Binna interpreted his lack of response as acceptance, prompting her to collect her belongings and rise from the bench. Yet, as she prepared to depart, Yi-chan reached out and grasped her arm, prompting her to turn around and receive an unexpected, affectionate kiss from him that was imbued with love, catching her off guard and leaving her breathless.

Binna gently shut her eyes and relished the comforting warmth surging through her chest, as Yi-chan's hand delicately intertwined with hers, his touch exuding a tenderness that caused butterflies to flutter in her stomach. Binna's kisses had the power to evoke feelings of pure happiness, their softness and delicacy leading him to quickly become absorbed in the gentleness of her lips.

Their spirits were deeply connected, their destiny was predetermined, and now they faced the challenges ahead as a united front.

Author's note;

I fell in love with this chapter, it is so heartwarming that the mental image doesn't leave my mind 😭 I hope you have also enjoyed it!

We will see each other in the next chapter! ✨