past, present, and future | hwang hyunjin

t w e n t y - f o u r

c h a p t e r   t w e n t y - f o u r

Hyunjin blinked. Not once, not twice, but nine times. I know because I was staring at his beautiful eyes the entire time.

"Wow, I... never knew," Hyunjin looked like he was deep in thought. "You... just didn't seem to have anything for me at all."

"Times change a lot, you know?" I grinned, reaching across the table to grab his hands that had been sitting patiently on the tabletop, as if they were waiting for me hands to connect with them.

"Yeah, they really do," Hyunjin responded wonderingly.

That was the start of our conversation spewing back off to who knows where while we waited for the food to come. But his confession was in the back of my mind the entire time. So we like each other. But what do we do with that?

My thoughts were thankfully saved as the waiter brought two steaming bowls of noodles, one for me and one for Hyunjin. "Thank you!" I sent my gratitude towards the waiter.

"These noodles are good," I commented as I had a first dip. "The spice level is tolerable too- AH!"

My chopsticks were snatched out of my hand playfully as Hyunjin used them to slurp some of my noodles. "You're right, they're good. But nothing is as good as the taste of your mouth."

"Hyunjin!" I pouted as I smacked his arm lightly. "We're in a public restaurant!"

"What do you mean, public?" Hyunjin smirked as he handed my chopsticks back to me. "It seems pretty secluded here to me." He looked around and counted the amount of people with his fingers, and came up with a total of two, as if to prove his point further.

"Shut up," I groaned, as I knew I had lost the argument. "That doesn't give you the right to be so flirty."

"But you like it, don't you?"

If I said I didn't, that would be a complete and absolute lie. I just went back to slurping my noodles, completely aware that they had touched Hyunjin's mouth already, while the boy himself dissolved into laughter across the table.

I finally finished my noodles with a satisfied sigh as Hyunjin did the same. After wiping my mouth with a napkin, I turned to face Hyunjin. I was looking straight into his eyes, causing him to falter slightly under my intense gaze. "So, Hyunjin. What is it that you like about me so much anyway? I'm not even, like, a good dancer. What kind of top-tier dancer like you would like such a mediocre dancer like me?"

Hyunjin sighs, shaking his head before looking back at me. He gave me a small smirk before answering. "I like many things about you. Your visuals, your personality, your talents. First of all, you are just the prettiest girl I have ever laid my eyes on. There have been many pretty girls that crossed into my life, but there's just something really unique about you that makes you so damn attractive. Second of all, you are such a hard worker, always bringing out the best of you for your fans. You're also really kind and respectful to everyone, especially your backup dancers, other idols, and staff. I can see that glow in your eyes that shows your respect and admiration towards them when I walk by. Third, you are such a great singer. Don't let anyone ever, ever tell you otherwise. Every time I hear your voice, it sounds like I'm in heaven. You're you. You're Kang Areum. And I like you so, so, much."

Great, now I was a flustered mess. Hyunjin really knew exactly how to get me like that, didn't he?

Now it was his turn to lean across the table and ask me the same question with a sly smile. "So, Areum. What made you like me? I thought you used to hate me."