Collision

Watching Us (Part 1)

Chapter 9

Flashback

Underneath the serene ambiance by the Han River, Maxine and Jisung enjoyed a delightful date, basking in the tranquility of their shared picnic.

"Say ah!" Maxine playfully exclaimed, offering Jisung a bite of his favorite cheesecake.

Jisung opened his mouth, and with a smile, accepted the sweet offering from Maxine.

As the day unfolded, the couple reveled in each other's company, finding contentment in the simple joy of being together.

"So, how's the composing going for the comeback?" Maxine inquired.

"It's meh, basic. I finished writing an entire song in under 3 hours yesterday," Jisung proudly bragged.

"Really? I bet it sounds awful," Maxine teased, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

"You think so?" Jisung retorted with a playful smirk.

Maxine nodded, chuckling, "Yes," as she laughed.

Suddenly, Jisung playfully lunged towards Maxine, tickling her sides. "Ah, it's awful, huh. I'll show you what's awful," he jokingly declared, tickling her.

Maxine laughed wholeheartedly, attempting to free herself from Jisung's relentless tickles. "Stop, it hurts! BWAHAHAHAHA," she pleaded. However, just as she thought she was about to escape, Jisung caught both her wrists and pinned them to the ground, his gaze filled with adoration.

"What now?" Maxine questioned.

"Nothing," Jisung replied, "Just wondering how I managed to have someone as beautiful as you as my girlfriend," he confessed, his eyes reflecting love.

Unable to resist, Jisung leaned in and planted a tender kiss on Maxine's lips. "I love you, Max," he expressed.

"I love you most," Maxine reciprocated, her heart brimming with contentment. In that idyllic moment by the Han River, their love felt boundless, and the world seemed to disappear around them.

The day concluded with Jisung escorting Maxine back home, both reluctant to let the moments they shared come to an end.

"I wish the day was longer," Jisung expressed, his reluctance palpable.

"We'll have more time soon, don't worry," Maxine reassured him.

"Okay then, I'll go now," Jisung said.

Before leaving, Maxine planted a sweet kiss on his cheek, "Practice hard," she cheered him on.

"I will," Jisung promised, then departed.

Out of the corner of her eye, Maxine noticed a figure behind a post a few meters away from her. However, when she looked directly, the figure vanished.

"Was I imagining things?" she whispered to herself, deciding to brush it off as mere imagination before entering her apartment building.

In the following days, Maxine and Jisung continued to spend time together, alternating between her apartment and his dorm whenever they found free moments to hang out.

On one particular day, as they hung out in Jisung's dorm, Chan, the leader of Stray Kids, was about to head out for a workout session.

"Yo Chan Hyung! You heading out?" Jisung inquired.

"Yeah, I have to work out. You know, before the comeback," Chan responded.

"What time will you be back?" Jisung asked.