HERSHE || BBANGSAZ ||

33. Fireworks

"That. Was. Crazy."

Minji stooped down to put her hands on her knees after their horrible roller coaster ride. She gazed at the person in front of her, amazed that the ride hasn't affected Hanni a bit.

"You sure you're human? That was a scary ride back there. I almost threw up."

"Told ya, the theme park is my kind of place," Hanni boasted. She was about to tease more when she noticed something hanging around Minji's neck.

"I will never consider going here again with yo—whoah!" Minji took a slight step backward, thinking Hanni will strangle her or whatever. It was then she realized where Hanni was looking at.

"You're wearing this?" Hanni reached for the butterfly pendant.

"Ahh. Yeah." Minji looked away. "I just thought it'd be a waste not to wear it since we bought it, right?"

Hanni continued to fiddle the pendant. "I just thought you didn't like it..."

"How could I not like it, it's the only souvenir we got from our... trip..." Minji scratched her nape.

Hanni's eyes looked up to Minji for a second and went back to the pendant.

"You don't want me wearing it?" asked Minji.

"It's not like that. I'm feeling bad not wearing mine," said Hanni, touching her collarbone.

"Oh."

"Let's make a deal. Let's wear those necklaces every day, even in the office. What do you say?"

Minji raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. And it's not a request. It's an order," said Hanni.

Minji chuckled. "Gotcha, boss."

"I just hope your fangirls won't notice it much."

'Weeeeeee... BOOM!'

A sudden beam of bright white light glowering in the sky captured their attention. The echoing sound of the exploding firecracker immediately followed. The first one launched floated in a glittering silver shower, lighting up the sky with its silver outline.

Hanni covered her ears right away but couldn't help but admire the art plastered in the sky. "Wow. Are they celebrating something today?"

Minji, whose eyes already glued to the sky, pulled Hanni closer by her waist. "No. They do this during weekends, every seven pm."

Another reflection of bright light caught Hanni's attention, making her look back up at the scene. "This is absolutely amazing, Minji."

"I know." Minji smiled. "It'll be just for five minutes so make sure you enjoy it while it lasts."

'Pop! Pop! Pop!'

'Sssssssss!'

'BOOM!'

'BOBOOOOM!'

"Look, that one is so cool!" Minji pointed up.

This time it was some firecrackers that whirled in a spiral form first before exploding, illuminating a variety of colors from red, blue, green, and even yellow. Some of them tumbled like waterfalls and some shattered into tiny sparks.

Hanni couldn't help but stare at it in awe. That's when she started feeling something in her chest, something warm and giddy. She clutched it to calm herself down.

She looked down and noticed how people had crammed to admire the fireworks display. Some were standing on the chairs and scaffolding to get a better view. Some kids were on their parent's shoulders. Some were holding out their phones and tablets to record it. Some couples were cuddling while gazing at the scene.

Her attention was brought back to the arm holding her. Hanni's eyes traveled up to Minji's face, the latter's eyes still stuck on the show. Wonyoung doesn't care about the pretty lights anymore. It's not every day she gets the chance to look at Minji this close without worrying about being caught.

Hanni can't hear the fireworks anymore. It's like they've been isolated from that place. She was staring at Minji whose face is completely turned up to the sky.

Her eyes...

Her nose...

Her lips...

Her face...

She wondered why she feels the need to see Minji every time.

There was another explosion in the sky. Minji's skin color changed from red to white, reflecting the light from the fireworks.

Everything just feels so perfect for Hanni. Everything just feels so... magical.

Consciousness struck her after realizing she's been staring for long already. Hanni dropped her gaze, glimpsing Minji's hand this time. She felt the sudden urge to hold it. She never knew how much she longed for it not until she got the chance to feel its warmth again last night in the KTV bar.

Saying nothing, Hanni slowly slid her hand down and interlaced it with Minji's.

"Ah?" Minji turned to her with a surprised face.

Hanni felt embarrassed but she knew it's too late to turn back now. She hid her face in Minji's shoulder.

"Hey. You said we should enjoy the fireworks while it lasts, right?" she said.

Minji chuckled. "Ah. Yeah." She turned back to the show and squeezed Hanni's hand tight.

Instead of watching the show, Hanni kept her face buried in Minji's shoulder. All she could hope for was for the show to extend a few minutes more so she could stay like that for a little longer.