◇《 - ¤  H u m a n  ¤ - 》◇

"A moment that felt like a split second all because it was happiness"

"Jimin, where are Mom and Dad?" the little girl asked the taller boy. She tugged at the black suit he wore, looking up at him with her black doe eyes. She didn’t understand why everyone around her was wearing black clothing, including herself. An auntie had dressed her in a black dress this morning. She had always hated the colour black. It looked dull and sad.

Jimin pulled his plump lips into a warm smile. He crouched down to the little girl's level, caressing her head. "Hana, your parents...they went on a trip."

"Trip? Why didn't they bring me along?" The little girl pouted, upset that her parents had left her behind. "Is it because they hate me?" Her eyes turned red and tears spilled out.

Jimin sighed and pulled her in for a warm hug. "It's not that, Hana. That place is not for a young lady like you," he said, releasing her from the hug. He wiped off her tears. "Only your parents can go there."

"Will they come back?" she asked curiously, clueless about everything.

Her words caught Jimin off guard. He stayed silent for a while but then smiled. "Yes, they will. So from now on, you will live with me and my family, until they come back," he said and stood up. He held out his hand, waiting for the little girl to hold it. "Come on, let's get you some ice cream."

"Yeah! Ice cream!"

"Liar."

• • • • •

[Sapphire’s POV]

A sigh escaped my lips. My eyes felt heavy after crying so long. A cup suddenly appeared in front of me, a fresh aroma entering my nose. It had been a while since I last smelt this kind of scent. I looked up and saw him staring down at me.

"Uh...y-your tea," he stuttered and held the cup of tea closer to me. I looked back at the cup. Vapour swirled in the air, coming from the hot brown tea. I took the cup in my hand and the warmth spread on my palm.

"Heat...it's nice...." I mumbled, staring at the tea. I brought it closer to my face and the hot vapour touched my skin. It was warm and it felt good. "Thanks." He gave me a smile and sat on the couch with his own cup of tea. He stayed silent, sipping his tea. I stared at him, tilting my head a little. "Aren't you gonna ask?"

He looked at me, eyes widened in confusion. "Ask what?" he questioned. My eyebrows furrowed, and I frowned. I didn't know if he is being extremely stupid or if he was just pretending to be clueless. I placed the cup of tea on the table and crossed my arms, looking at him because I was sure he knew what I was talking about.

His mouth made an ‘O’ shape when he realised what I was talking about. He took another sip of tea. "No, I won't ask," he said eventually.

"Why?" I asked back. Jeongin jumped up, struggling to climb up onto the couch. I picked him up and placed him on my lap, patting his head. He lifted his chin, asking for neck scratches, and I obliged.

"It's not like you’ll tell me if I ask," he replied, which caught me off guard. It was true. I wouldn't even tell him if he had asked. "They are my friends and you are not quite yet. So I assumed that you wouldn't like it if I meddled with your business."

A laugh escaped my lips. "How funny…. How are you so sure that I will be your friend?" I arched my brow and smirked, finding his words amusing.

"Why not?" he asked and put down his cup of tea on the table.

"Why? Well...I don't get along with humans," I said and smirked, planning something. He chuckled, ignoring what I had said. "Don't you find it strange? A human with white hair and glowing blue eyes." I tilted my head, waiting for his reply, shoving a sleeping Jeongin beside me onto the couch.

"I know a syndrome that causes it–"

"What if it's not? What if it's not a syndrome?" I asked him and stood up abruptly. I walked closer to him and he stayed very still. "What if I’m not human at all?" I asked, eyes glowing. He looked up and stared at me. I leaned in, our faces inches apart. "What are you gonna do?" I asked and he stayed still, staring into my eyes.

He smiled, triggering a frown on my face. "The question is, what are you gonna do?" he asked. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Gore out my heart and eat it brutally?" I tilted my head again, finding his attitude weird and...cocky. This guy...Taehyung...he was not dumb afterall. I was surprised I still remembered his name.

I scoffed and moved away, creating a distance between us. "Only if you smell nice." I snapped and rolled my eyes. His eyes widened and he started smelling his own clothes. I shook my head in disbelief and walked back to the couch, carrying Jeongin in my arms.

"Yah, do I really smell bad– Wait, where are you going?" he asked and stood up as well.

I sighed. "Going home–"

"No, stay," he said and walked with big strides, stopping in front of me. I glared at him, not having it. I swear if he stops me again I will make sure he won't walk again. "At least stay for dinner." My eyes widened and Jeongin's ears perked up. Dinner? I tried my best to not drool, but then I felt something wet dribbling down my arm. I looked down and saw Jeongin drooling with his eyes wide open.

I scrunch my face up in disgust, feeling the saliva flowing down my arm. Then my stomach growled loudly, embarrassing me in front of Taehyung. I looked up, meeting his widened eyes.

Then he snorted and started laughing loudly. Heat crept up to my cheeks and my lips twitched. Aish, I wouldn't have embarrassed myself if I wasn't this hungry and I wouldn't have been hungry if it wasn't for this brat! I glared down at Jeongin who looked up at me in apology. He should feel sorry for chasing away our lunch. We could have fed on the fishes and wouldn't be starving.

Taehyung let out a chuckle and wiped a tear that fell from his eyes. "Looks like you both are hungry," he teased with a smirk plastered on his face. I looked away, sulking. Taehyung shook his head and let out a sigh. "I can't cook well, but I am sure I can make a fine ramyeon," he said, emphasising the word 'ramyeon'.

My eyes shone at the mention of food, which was followed by another growl from my stomach. Excitement started building up in me and my eyes darted back at Taehyung. "You're gonna cook ramyeon?" I asked to make sure and he simply nodded. I held his arms abruptly, dropping Jeongin on the floor. He yelped, but he deserved that. Taehyung backed away when I leaned closer. "Since you kindly offered, it would be rude if I rejected it," I said and beamed.

His eyes scanned my face for a second. "Damn...now you're actually scary," he said and faked a shudder. I rolled my eyes at him and backed away.

"Be quick, scaredy-cat, or I will eat your heart for real," I said and picked up a whining Jeongin before sitting back down on the couch. It had been a really long time since I had last slurped down ramyeon. I had forgotten the taste of it, but I would never forget that it was super delicious.

Taehyung scoffed and walked to the kitchen while I was trying to stop Jeongin's whines. "Oh, shut up, stop being a baby. It just hurt a little. If you wanna grow up stop whining." I groaned, rolling my eyes. Jeongin snuggled into the corner of the couch, far away from me, just to sulk.

"Are you talking to me?" I looked over at Taehyung and saw him looking at me, pointing at himself.

I gave him a fake smile. "My stomach is getting angrier and angrier each second passing. I think I could swallow you whole," I said with a threatening tone and I noticed him swallowing a lump on his throat. He turned around and continued with his work. I chuckled, enjoying scaring him.

I started looking around the house and a photo frame caught my eyes. I eyed it and it drew me in so I decided to walk closer for a better look. When I got a clearer view, it felt like I had just been stabbed in the heart with a knife. I picked up the photo frame, staring at it.

"What's your relationship with them?" I asked, curious, because I had never even heard of Taehyung before, let alone met him. He glanced at me and before turning back to his cooking.

"They’re my friends. Almost like a family," Taehyung replied, and my grip on the photo frame tightened when I heard the word 'family'. I scoffed, the two people in the picture were smiling widely as if mocking me.

"Looks like you guys are living just fine," I mumbled and put the photo frame back on the shelf. I stared at it until the most amazing scent I ever smelled entered my nose. I inhaled the great aroma and turned around in a split second to see Taehyung placing down a bowl of ramyeon on the dining table.

"I prepared something for the little guy as well," Taehyung said, addressing Jeongin. He took a bowl of minced meat and placed it down on the floor. The moment he looked up, Jeongin was already in front of him with his brown eyes staring up at him. Taehyung flinched by his sudden appearance and he laughed awkwardly, not sure how to react.

"He said thank you," I translated for him while gaping at the beautiful, delicious ramyeon. However, the pair of brown chopsticks caught my attention. How long has it been since I last used chopsticks? Ah...too long.

"Aren't you gonna eat?" Taehyung suddenly appeared beside me as he looked at me with his confusion. "I thought you were hungry."

"I was, just that I had forgotten how to use chopsticks." I scowled at the pair of chopsticks. I took them in my hand and started using them, but I ended up splattering the hot soup on my face. "Ah! Hot! Hot!" I fanned my cheeks that were burnt by the hot soup.

"Why are you so clumsy?" Taehyung sighed and walked to the kitchen. He came back with a packet of wet wipes. He placed it on the table and took out one, dabbing my burnt cheeks. I flinched at the cold feeling. "You can just tell me if you don't know how to use chopsticks," he said and continued wiping my cheeks.

"I’m not a kid."

"I’m not saying you are one."

"You're annoying." I scowled and he laughed out loud.

"Cute," he mumbled, but I pretended not to hear. "You really remind me of my friend," he said and moved away.

"How so?" I asked, knowing who he was talking about.

"Stubborn." My eyes widened and I glared at him. A giggle left his lips and he put a fork and a spoon in front of me. "Use these," he said with a smile.

I scoffed. "I know how to use chopsticks, okay? I just chose not to," I said and slowly grabbed the fork and spoon. He laughed again and I felt offended. "Yah! Stop laughing!" I growled.

"Okay, I’m sorry," he apologised. He didn’t mean it, I could tell, but I decided to leave him be. "Eat up," I rolled my eyes at his words but when they caught sight of the ramyeon, they shone, expressing the excitement I felt.

Slurping and sipping, it was not like I had expected. It was way better. I had never felt this happy before. The taste melted in my mouth and the spiciness burnt my tongue but I didn't mind. For years, I had eaten raw foods like animals and I had lost my sense of humanity.

However, today I felt different. With Taehyung continuously asking me how the ramyeon was and me being totally immersed in enjoying the delicious ramyeon ignored him. It felt like I was in a ramyeon restaurant with a friend sitting beside me, pestering me. It felt great. Like I was really a human again.

Facing writer's block, that's why I took longer to update. Bruh writer's block is scary. I hope it go away soon :"( sorry if you waited too long for the update.

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