TRACK 01 : HAPPINESS, in yeop.

21

"WAIT UP, Cosette!"

I laughed at In yeop who tried to catch me from behind. I had him carry everything— from my hand bag, sunglasses, polaroid camera, and the picnic basket. He could only watch while I happily sprinted on the bridge on the way to our location.

I felt relaxed. He chose a picnic place with no people at all. Like a hidden place for only us two.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

In yeop called when he saw me then removing my slippers. When we reached the end of the bridge, I let the grass touch my feet and the wind kiss my skin. Each step were ticklish and light. Hell, if I could, I would've flopped on the ground and pathetically roll my way to the picnic mat.

"Faster, In yeop!", I teased him and waved like a proud kid.

It took him a minute or two to pick up with the pace. When he did, I watched in amusement how he expertly laid down the mat and placed the snacks on top. I mischievously took a cracker from the charcuterie board and clapped excitedly when he finished.

"Wow!", I scanned the whole set-up.

Truth be told, it was my first time having a picnic with someone. Back then, I was never allowed to touch even a speck of dirt. Places like this would make my mom hyperventilate, she'd be too worried of the bug bites and the dark spots it may leave on my legs.

In yeop then grabbed two wine glasses from the basket and he gave me the other one. I stared at him before asking. "What are we going to do here? We don't have any wine."

He smiled at me before pushing the wine glass straight to one side of the cake. I thought it was going to be his, but instead he gave it to me, pushing a small spoon on the slice.

"Try it."

I got a small scoop, making sure that I will get the piece where all the strawberries and blueberries were in.

"Hm!", I hummed before taking another scoop... and one more... and then another one. Bigger as I get more. In yeop laughed lightly at me and so I stopped.

"What?", I asked.

He licked his lower lip before looking the other way. "Yeppeun."

"What's yeppeun?"

Did he just curse at me with his language?

I saw how was about to reply yet that slowly transitioned to his face being creeped out.

"You have uh", he pointed at my nose.

"I have what?", I tried to follow where he was pointing that I was getting cross-eyed.

"A big Grasshopper."

He backed away from me, evidently terrified of what was on my face. I jumped to my feet in a frenzy, slamming anything that touched me. Then it headed right for my eye! I smacked my face a hundred times and accidentally slid backwards.

When I thought I'd hit head first and get a concussion. I felt a hand support my head to prevent me from colliding with the ground.

I opened my eyes slowly, blinking twice to adjust my vision. It was In yeop, breathing in and out, almost panting.

"Are you okay?", he asked.

I ignored the question and sent him a smile so cheeky. For from behind, my fingers were stealthily moving down the side of the wine glass that was within reach. I scooped a bit of the white icing from there and placed it on In yeop's nose for pay back.

"Ya!", he whisper-shouted after.

I grinned again, about to place another on his flushed face. However, he took a hold of my wrist and in lieu carefully scooped the icing from my pinky.

I thought he'd merely place it on my cheeks or my nose so I laid there relaxed. Yet he caught me off guard when the icing that laid on his fingers were put on my lips.

"Shir, I made a mess", he said with a low voice.

I dared not move as he approached my face with deliberate slowness. His palms cradled my cheeks completely, then his soft lips met mine, skillfully removing every trace of the icing that adorned my lower lip, ensuring no trace of it will be left.

Overwhelmed by a wave of emotions, my breathing grew shallow, and my chest throbbed with an ache. In yeop didn't miss this and despite his urges, chose to let go. He leisurely rested his thumb on his now-pinkened lips, reminiscent of someone who had savored something immensely satisfying.

"Tell Eun-woo that's how he's supposed to wipe."

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