Still You | 엑소 경수

chapter 5

The wind caressed your bare face as you walked side by side with the person that made this cold weather warmer.

You nonchalantly glanced at his side profile, mouth slightly gaping as you breathed out. Kyungsoo's eyebrows were furrowed with his eyes focused in front as if on the lookout for something. His lower lip jutted out while he fumbled with his pockets, searching for more warmth in his jacket.

I didn't mess the night up, right? The timing...

You sighed as you remembered the call from earlier. You need to file a leave for a week to make sure everything's fine at home. You can't just go home for the weekend and leave for the city on the next day like a heartless child. Your younger sister might need more support and guidance than ever. The hospital bills and the documents...

What can you expect from your runaway father? He's probably everywhere but at your house and the hospital. You need to do everything just as usual.

"The food was delicious, hm?" Kyungsoo suddenly spoke, a wisp of cold smoke coming out from his mouth. You blinked your eyes as you saw him look back at you. "You know, I'm quite a good cook, but I can't ever cook like ahjussi does."

"Oh, you cook?" Your eyes widened in surprise, but you kind of expected it already. This man is perfect in many ways. "You brew coffee well, and you also cook well? Wah, this man..."

Kyungsoo laughed shyly, his voice slightly stuttering as he tried to wave you off.

"N-No, I just enjoy doing those things that's why they come out great. I wasn't really interested in cooking and brewing before, but my grandmother taught me to be a useful child in our house." He smiled while looking up at the night sky. The light posts lit the pathwalks well while some signages of stores blinked at you. It was a quiet neighborhood, but at the same time, it spoke so much to you.

Just like Kyungsoo, he's such a silent breeze that makes you want to breathe and dance along with his whispers. It makes you happy to be in his presence even if he's not within your sight all the time.

Whipped as fuck, Eunjoo.

"Not to brag as well, I know my way around my kitchen." You chuckled at what you just said, making Kyungsoo laugh with you. "My mother didn't really teach me how to do things, but... I kind of picked up a few ways from what she did. I'm more on the self-taught side."

"That's a lot more impressive!" Kyungsoo exclaimed with his eyes widening in amazement. You found yourself automatically smiling at the sight of his excited expression. His cheeks were more plump in your eyes as he praised your independence. "I messed around my grandma's kitchen a lot because I didn't listen properly to her guidance. It's amazing that you pulled off learning a lot by yourself."

Your heart swelled by the sudden compliment. It was just a small achievement for you, having been living alone for a while, but it felt like you've done something so great when Kyungsoo said that.

"I-It was hard at first," You breathed out with a smile, looking at the light post to escape the tension of Kyungsoo's stare. "I'm the eldest in the family, and I had to be independent as soon as my younger sister was born. My parents also weren't really that affectionate." You chuckled, your throat tightening a bit as you remembered your childhood.

It was silent, but you felt Kyungsoo's gaze on you that seemed to loudly comfort you. He didn't comment or say anything, but you felt the urge to say more to him.

"Maybe I've been a closed-off daughter to them, that's why they didn't..." You shook your head as you felt the tears on your eyes. You can see Kyungsoo's steps slowing down while you force yourself not to cry. "I-I'm sorry, this is so random. I'm getting emotional all of a sudden." You tried laughing it off, but he mumbled no.