"you're really something, aren't you?" he asked.

"hm?"

i took the last piece of cone into my mouth. with eyes closed, i savored the taste of it. let's be honest, the best part in an ice cream is the cone.

he laughed, pulling me to his chest. i got shocked at his sudden action, yet didn't bother getting out. apart from the reason that we're sitting in a hidden place, i tend to like being in his arms.

"how could you eat an ice cream when it's freezing cold?"

he looked me in the eyes and flashed his infamous bunny smile. with his thumb, he wiped the side of my mouth.

"clumsy eater," he whispered.

instantly, i jerked his hand away from my face. he seemed surprise at my behavior, but he just laughed it off.

i moved away from his grasp and fixed my posture. there it is again — that abnormal beating of my heart. it's annoying how he makes my heart flutter with small gestures that probably mean nothing to him!

i rose from the bench, and faced him, "let's go shopping?"

the corner of his lip turned up as he grabbed me by the wrist. standing inches away from me, he leveled his face, whispering, "whatever makes you happy, manoban."

it wasn't the first time he called me that, but i felt butterflies inside my stomach. what the fuck does this mean?

do i like him?

i was too preoccupied with my thoughts that i didn't notice he intertwined his fingers to mine.

"why are we holding hands?" i asked, as we walk into the crowd of people buying several stuff from the night market stalls.

"so you won't get lost, dumbo," he replied, not looking at me, "i can't risk losing you."

i didn't say anything in return, even though the words coming out of his mouth sounded like a poetry.

"look," he said in amusement, pulling me towards a stall.

it was a store selling several jewelries. mostly vintage styles, yet it was fascinating to look at.

oh right, kook does love wearing rings.

i eyed each one and tried it on, looking over to my fingers to see which one suits me the best. kook then leaned towards my ear and whispered, "like it?"

i nodded in response to his question. he smiled at me warmly, and took his wallet out.

"that too, halmeonni,"

"aigoo, what a sweet couple. your girlfriend must be lucky to have you," the old lady at the store said.

"anniyo, we're not a couple," i corrected, so as not to make kook uncomfortable. people almost always thought we're together, and it hella annoyed me as to how they assume anything that fast.

but it seems like right now is a different case.

hearing somebody say those words again made my heart flutter. all of a sudden, i like the idea of being us together.

the grandmother furrowed his eyebrows at kook, as if she was trying to confirm what i have stated. he just laughed it off and nodded at her.

"oh, that's sad," she replied, "you too look like someone who would make a great couple, even though i couldn't see your faces."

kook suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind, and i suddenly didn't care if we were in a public place.

"too bad she doesn't like me, halmeonni," he said in his sad-acting tone.

he was resting his chin on my shoulder before backing away, and the old day happily looked at us.

"agassi, give him a chance, arasso?"

i awkwardly smiled, not knowing the right response to do. kook let out a faint laugh first, before bowing and saying his gratitude to the grandma.

we continued to stroll for some more, eyeing each store that catches our attention. he still held my hand tight even though there wasn't a full crowd anymore.

still, i didn't bother asking why and just let him be.

"enjoyed it?" he asked as we head back to the van's location. i nodded and smiled at him.

"we'll come here again soon, just tell me when."

i had an incredible night, even if it didn't last as long as i've wanted to. the fact that he had taken me to hongdae to do the things i wanted was more than enough.

he was the sweetest, and who'll ever get to be his girl would be the luckiest.

my thoughts were disrupted when suddenly, white flakes started to fall down from above.

"nuni wayo (it's snowing)," i mumbled under my breath. i reached out my hand, trying to catch each snowflake that was falling.

"yeppeo," he whispered, causing me to look at him.

despite the mask covering half of his face, i could sense that he was smiling.

"yeah, the snow's pretty!" i shrieked.

slowly, with lazy deliberation, he pulled me into his arms, and when i tried to pull away he laughed softly to himself, tightening his grip.

he put his hand onto the side of my head and rested it on his chest.

"ya, you just can't keep your hands to yourself tonight, can you?"

"shh," he shushed, "i like having you in my arms, lisa."

in that moment, i heard how fast the beating of the heart is again.

but it wasn't mine,

it was jungkook's.

—

[A/N: will edit this chapter if i have time? sorry for the late update, been busy with schoolworks 🥺]