TXT x EN- | LOVE MAZE ✓

perhaps-pt.2

;; Valentine's Day

The day of where students had to submit Mister Park's Literature Project had finally arrived. Better known as Valentine's Day, the school was swarmed in a sea of red and pink decorations as gift bags or even balloons were inevitably by the sides of many students.

This unfortunately, also meant that Soobin and Reiko's time together had reached its deadline. Although Soobin found it hard to admit, he found his time with the gentle girl worthwhile. He found himself frequently getting lost in her soulful eyes, often having to remind himself not to.

One whole month spent with Reiko did Soobin finally realise he felt something towards her. From being mere acquaintances to bringing a bright smile to her face everyday, the tall boy wondered what it would be like to love a girl like Reiko. From her sweet voice which he found comfort in to café 'dates' and to finally tell her things he never told his own friends, Soobin found himself falling for her.

Perhaps, he had already fallen for her.

It was Valentine's Day and the pair had already submitted their work to Mister Park. Yet, Soobin wished for a longer deadline or perhaps an even challenging project.

For he watched the raven-haired girl walk away after thanking him for his hard work. Likewise for Reiko, she couldn't help but feel that was it between her and Soobin. They had grown attached to each other's company but what now?

The day passed by much quicker than expected for the unlikely pair. It felt somewhat empty as soon as Reiko found her way back to Hyunjin while Soobin was dragged along with his friends. It was as though the world had managed to repel opposite sides of a magnet for every time either tried to approach each other, they somehow just ended up being far apart.

Reiko eventually gave up as soon as the school bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Glancing at the clock, the raven-haired girl groaned tiredly before forcefully running out of her classroom. She had suddenly remembered that she was supposed to take over her younger brother, Riki's shift in favour of him asking out his childhood lover.

However, it definitely didn't work in Soobin's favour. For when he finally managed to find courage in approaching the girl, she had already dashed out of the classroom.

→

It was 4:30PM, the sun rays seemingly cascaded through the bakery's windows as it offered the various pastries and bread a glistening glow.

As Reiko watched the many couples walking in and out of Ri-ko's Bakery, she was sadly reminded of Soobin. Her many attempts to run back to him were always interrupted by the irritating forces of nature.

While her younger brother could catch a date, Reiko sat at the bakery's counter with a melancholy heart. Sighing sadly to herself, she blamed herself for not making the most of her time with Soobin. Although the aroma of her grandmother's treats comforted her tired heart, it wasn't enough to fill up the void of her 'could have been'.

Suddenly the dinging of the bakery's bell door resonated throughout the café catching Reiko's attention. Expecting another cheesy couple to gag at, it was none other Choi Soobin, who seemingly held a red rose in his hand anxiously.

"Soobin?"

"You work here?!" Soobin asked in bewilderment, his nose scrunched cutely as he approached Reiko.

"The owner's my grandmother. What are you doing here?" Reiko responded, her frown now turned upside down.

"Well to be frank-"

"You're Soobin. Not Frank," Reiko joked, causing the both of them to giggle.

"As expected of Nishimura Reiko, you are very funny ha ha," Soobin applauded sarcastically.

Reiko blinked at Soobin's sarcasm before teasingly pointing towards the bakery's doors.

"Get out Choi Soobin,"

Soobin rolled his eyes playfully before leaning against the counter, bringing his face closer to Reiko's instead. Holding up the rose, Soobin gently took her hand in his as he wrapped their hands around the rose's stem.

"At first, I came here to give this rose to your grandmother. I was afraid she celebrated Valentine's Day alone. Turns out your grandfather is still alive and breathing!" Soobin admitted, as he covered his face with his free hand.

"Oh Soobin, you adorable boy," Reiko giggled as she admired the endearing boy before her.

"But I still came here. This place reminded me of you and-"

"This place is us, Soobin," Reiko said softly.

The pair took a moment for themselves, staring longingly yet lovingly at each other. There was no doubt that both Soobin and Reiko had undeniable feelings for each other and they knew it.

"Reiko, would you allow me to get to know you a little bit better?" Soobin asked quietly as his gaze remained fixated on the girl's eyes.

Taking the rose from his grasp, Reiko placed a swift kiss on Soobin's cheek before cheekily smiling at him.

"That's a very absurd way of asking a girl out don't you think?" Reiko teased the now, flustered boy.

Shaking his head at Reiko's subtle yet adorable mockery of him a few weeks ago, Soobin took her hand in his before placing a kiss on it.

"Fine then. Reiko, would you like to share bread with me for as long as we last-"

"Soobin!"

"Fine fine, Reiko would you like to be more than literature partners-"

"Get ou-"

Before Reiko could complete her sentence, a pair of soft lips were placed on hers; allowing only a short moment of ecstasy before Choi Soobin pulled away cheekily.

"Reiko, will you allow me the honour of being yours?"

"I think your lips already answered that question for me Choi Soobin,"