Slow Journey || 2KIM

Chapter 21

She loves it. Everything new she's experiencing with Chaewon she absolutely loves it. Maybe they've made out a few times, maybe Chaewon has slept over a lot more times than Minju can count at this point. Maybe Minju has talked to Chaewon about a lot of things about her and has even ended up confessing to her about her fears or even about her suicidal thoughts and dark feelings. Maybe they've gone to too many different kinds of dates for Minju to remember. But each time their moments are different, unique and special, memorable too. And each time Minju gets to know more about Chaewon, her love for Chaewon only gets deeper and their relationship only gets deeper as it grows more and more.

Chaewon has insisted that Minju should give herself a break on this random Thursday morning as she's just finished writing her science exams. Apparently it's exams season and Minju has just finished her first test. Chaewon insisted that she deserves to rest a little and get something in reward for studying so hard and for making it this far. Minju couldn't exactly understand where all these came from or if they were necessary but she's thankful Chaewon is taking so much care of her. After all, she's right, she could use some time to rest a little as she's been studying too hard lately and going back to studying right after finishing her exam would be too tiring.

So here they are now, walking around the streets, having been spending their morning downtown, shopping around. Their holding hands are swinging as they're walking and Minju can't help but look at them once in a while and smile at herself, loving the feeling of holding Chaewon's hand, loving how Chaewon is standing beside her, walking next to her, being with her, holding her.

"Should we get inside?" Chaewon asks as soon as the two stop in front of a shoes shop, Minju having been staring the window display for a while.

"Is there anything you like or want to try?" Chaewon has been insisting on buying the girl anything she likes today and Minju honestly can't take advantage of Chaewon's wealthy wallet unlike anybody else who would have definitely spent all of Chaewon's money.

"Maybe. But I'm afraid this pair of shoes will be expensive." Minju says as she points at one pair of sneakers her eyes have landed on.

"I told you, you don't have to worry about that today."

"Still." Minju mumbles with a sigh. Chaewon smiles at her before she drags her inside the shop, making Minju sigh as she gives in. The moment they walk inside they greet the seller before Chaewon asks for her help in order to give Minju the right pair of shoes. The seller comes back after a minute or so holding a box of the shoes in Minju's foot size. Minju takes them in her hands before she sits down at a stool. Chaewon opens the box for her, takes out the shoes and unties them before she helps Minju take off her own shoes and wears her the new ones. Minju grumbles a little mumbling something like,

"Chae, I can do it by myself..."

"Is it this bad that I want to take full care of you?" Chaewon asks her softly as she's still bending on her knees in front of Minju, before she pats the girl's knees smiling at Minju softly who ends up giving in and smiling back, shaking her head in response.

"So? What do you think of them?" Chaewon asks as she stands up and gives Minju some space to head towards the shop's mirror. Minju stands up as well as she heads in front of the mirror and looks at her reflection. She likes the shoes but doesn't want Chaewon to spend too much money on her.

"I like them." She replies honestly. Chaewon stands behind her, smiling softly.

"That's good. They fit you a lot."

"Chae..." Minju mumbles but Chaewon shakes her head.

"At least let me pay for half of the price." Chaewon shakes her head.