Jung Soo Ah's POV

I tried peeking into the bag as we sat on the wooden bench that jutted out from the hall. I was curious about what Hoseok was hiding. He caught me as he shoved the bag behind his back, giving me a mock stern look.

"I'm not planning anything weird. It's just firecrackers," he replied to Yoongi as he pulled one out and dangled it in the air. The faint sound of insects and the crackle of firecracker wrappers made me smile.

"Why'd you buy those?" I asked.

I saw Yoongi thinking for a moment, patting Hazel's head. "I get why you and Grandpa went out," he said. He looked at me. "It's too..." he said, pausing.

"It's too what?" I pressed. "Don't say it's for me," I said, frowning.

"It's for you! To cheer you up, Soo Ah. It was Grandpa's idea," Hoseok said.

I couldn't help but chuckle at their thoughtfulness. They would always do something like this to make me happy whenever I was feeling down. I leaned toward Hoseok and hugged him.

"You are so sweet, but not sweeter than Grandpa," I said with a grin.

Yoongi snorted. "You two were just fighting a minute ago. Look at you now."

"Yoongi, she's weird. A minute ago she kicked me. Now she's acting all sweet," Hoseok said, exasperated.

Yoongi just shook his head and muttered something.

"Alright, time for firecrackers," Hoseok said.

We all stood under the tree, each of us holding a sparkler in our hands.

"It's our last day here," I said. "Let's say something about what we're hoping for in the new year. I'll go first."

I lifted my sparkler, watching the spark fall. "I want to do good in my career,and stop making stupid decisions," I began. "When I came here, all I wanted was to relax and have a good time during the holidays. And I guess I wish for that same kind of peace all the time. I also hope I don't jump into relationships. I was wrong to be with Do Hun, and I'm scared the next person might be the same, someone who thinks about themselves." I said something about Do Hun in front of Yoongi because I remembered blabbering about my relationship when I was drunk.

"There's no need for you to be scared. Remember when you tossed my mandarin into the river while wishing for a good boyfriend?" Yoongi said, raising an eyebrow.

I laughed nervously, looking away.

"Now it's your turn, both of you," I said, noticing Yoongi trying to hide a small laugh.

"I just want to stay healthy, do my work properly, and...that's it."

Hoseok grinned. "I want our firm to grow even better so I can give you all a fatter paycheck."

I watched them both, trying to read what Yoongi was thinking behind his stoic face. I felt he wanted to say something, but he kept to himself. Hoseok is full of energy and playful, always thinking about everyone in his firm. He...did not wish for himself.

We lit them up as they twinkled, bursting like tiny stars. It gave soft pops as we fizzed it in circles.

I found Yoongi staring at me. "You know," he said suddenly. "Not everyone's like Do Hun. You'll find someone nice."

"Yeah," I said, smiling faintly. "I hope we all will stay happy like this."

Hoeseok got a call as he went in to take it, leaving me and Yoongi alone. I hesitated. "You never said anything about your family," I asked.

He looked at me swirling, the glow of sparklers flickering in his eyes. "It's just my mom, Dad, and me," he said quietly.

"Like me." I chuckled.

He hesitated. "We are... not on the best terms. I only go home twice a year."

Before I could reply, Hoseok appeared, slipping his phone into his pocket. "You know...his mom worries too much about him. Thinks he's going to burn himself out," he said, lighting another sparkler.

I could tell what he meant. His mom cared, maybe a little too much. The kind that twinges even when it comes from love. Yoongi didn't say anything, but I felt he wanted things to be better with his family.

"You both wait here," I said, heading back inside.

When I returned, I held out a small red knot.

He looked at it. "What's this?"

"It's a red knot," I said, placing it on his hands. "It's supposed to bring good luck and protection."

He turned it between his fingers, the sparklers' light catching on threads.

"It's also for family harmony. To keep the bond strong, even when things are messed up a little," I said softly.

He looked up at me for a moment, closing his hand around it. "Thank you, I'll hang it on my door," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips that he tried to hide.

We all fell quiet, watching the sparklers fizz into the night.

"Come on. Let's just be happy for a while and forget about life for a bit," Hoseok said.

We got back into comfortable talk that made us laugh. After a bit, I slipped into the kitchen and returned with a tray in my hands.

"What's that?" Hoseok asked.

"Scallion pancakes. Wash your hands." I said, placing the tray between us. "Yoongi, have a taste. You can dip it in chili oil. It's better that way."

Yoongi took a bite, closing his eyes as he licked his lips slowly. "It's so good. Can you please send me the recipe?" he asked.

"I'll send it," I said, as I struggled not to stare at him for a long time. He looked adorable even while eating.

Beside him, Hoseok was eating like a little kid, cheeks stuffed and chili oil smudged near his lips.

"I was...hungry," Hoseok mumbled as he reached for another bite. "Let's head back before Grandma starts yelling that we burned her garden."

"That's right," I chuckled as we finished our pancakes. After sprucing up the garden, we went to sleep.

The next day, after freshening up, I peeked out the window. The morning was cold, but the breeze wasn't icy. It was just crisp. The leaves rustled softly in the wind, and I stared at the big trees swaying gently. The leaves fluttered down as if sprinkles were shaken over a donut.

"Last day here," I mumbled, heading downstairs as my grandma reminded me to call Yoongi for breakfast.

I knocked on Yoongi's door before going in. "Yoongi, breakfast is ready. We need to leave for the airport in a few hours..."

I froze, blinking.

Yoongi came out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was still damp and messy, and water glistened on his shoulders. I looked at him with wide eyes.

"Soo Ah?"

My breath caught. "Oh my God! I...I...knocked," I stuttered, turning around. My cheeks burned.

Before we could both react, Hoseok's voice floated down from the hall.

Yoongi's eyes widened in panic. "I...I..." Before I could react, he pulled me closer, clamping his hand over my mouth.

My hand landed on his chest, and the warmth of his skin made my fingers tingle. The faint sweetness of plum from his body wash clung to him, supple and intoxicating, making it hard to breathe. I felt like a s'more being toasted, the chocolate melting between the graham crackers from how close we were.

Do Hun and I had never been this close. We never kissed and only hugged occasionally. I had only ever been this close to Yoongi.

"Shh," he whispered in my ear. His hand left my mouth, but before I could speak, he grabbed a walnut cookie from the table and pressed it into my mouth, holding my shoulders. The nutty, buttery flavor melted on my tongue, crumbly with a hint of sesame.

Being this close to Yoongi made my head woozy and fluttery. I could see his ears turning red and the awkward way he shifted. He seemed just as aware of our closeness as I was.

After a few minutes, Yoongi removed his hand from my shoulder, and the footsteps faded.

We both stared for a second. "Sorry, I didn't want Hoseok to see us like...this. You know he'd tease us. So, I stuffed the cookies so you wouldn't shout."

I looked around but not at him. "It's fine. I knocked...but..." I said. We smiled awkwardly, with flushed faces. As I fled the room, my heart was pounding.

I stood halfway up the staircase and breathed heavily. My fingers unconsciously brushed my lips, remembering how his hand touched my lips when he pressed cookies into my mouth. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.

"Oh gosh! He looked..." I shook my head, trying to steady my thoughts. "I can't... I can't let myself feel this way."

So, how was the chapter? Are Soo Ah and Yoongi starting to have feelings for each other? Will she be able to resist them?

-Shin Haari