Object of Affection [Mina X Male Reader]

Ch. 3

A few weeks passed and the project was going smoothly. Due to Sana being Mina's friend and how they've been working together, Sana also started joining them on their going out. She enjoyed the beer at LowKey. Sana found herself appreciating the relaxed atmosphere and lively conversations that accompanied their outings. It was a refreshing change from their usual work routine.

Time skip: 3 months

"Ya guys, I can't believe our partnership will end soon. I can't believe three months have passed," Sana exclaimed as she sipped her beer. Mina smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, time flies," Mina replied. "But I'm grateful for all the progress we've made together. It's been a great experience." Sana raised her glass and proposed a toast, saying, "Here's to our successful partnership and many more exciting projects in the future!" Sana and Mina clinked their glasses together.  Haru chuckled at seeing his friends' enthusiasm. "It's nice to see you both so happy and satisfied with the work you've done," Haru commented, making both girls turn their heads towards him. "Thank you, Haru," Mina said with a grateful smile, and Sana nodded in agreement.

As the evening wore on, Haru, who was "quiet drunk," was spacing out when all of a sudden Sana poked his cheeks and asked him, "Haru, would you miss me when we finish this partnership?" Haru couldn't help but laugh and playfully swatted Sana's hand away. "Of course, I'll miss working with you, Sana-chan. You've been an amazing partner and a great friend." He smiled happily at her, reassuring her that their bond would continue beyond their professional collaboration. "Yay," Sana says as she gestures for everyone to drink again. As they finished eating, the girls went into the bathroom, and there, Sana brought up to Mina the idea of them dating. "Minari, when are you and Haru going to date?" Mina blushed and chuckled, shaking her head. Sana pouted playfully, teasingly nudging Mina's shoulder. "Come on, Minari! You two would make such a cute couple. Just think about it!"

"Well... Haru and I are just good friends right now. We haven't discussed dating yet, plus he might not even like me that way," she replied, unsure of where the conversation was headed. Sana was stunned by Mina's statement, "What are you talking about, Minari? The way he takes care of you and looks at you, he for sure likes you, maybe even in love with you." Mina's eyes widened at Sana's words. She couldn't help but wonder if Sana was right and if Haru truly had feelings for her.

They went out of the bathroom and were faced with Haru paying the bill already. Mina and Sana exchanged a surprised glance before Mina walked up to him to ask, "Haru, why did you pay the bill? I was going to pay." Haru smiled warmly and replied, "It's okay, I wanted to treat you both it's the least I could do." Mina blushed at his words, feeling her heart flutter even more. She couldn't deny that Sana's words were starting to make sense now.

Sana parted ways with them. Haru, as usual, offered to take Mina home. Haru hails a taxi, and when they get to Mina's place, Haru walks her to her door, and they bid each other goodnight. Mina couldn't help but notice the small, thoughtful gesture Haru would always do when dropping her off, which was making sure she got inside her house before leaving every time.The week went on, and Mina was hung up on Sana's words. She found herself constantly thinking about Haru and their interactions, wondering if there was something more between them. So she had to talk with Sana again. She needed to clarify her feelings and get some advice from her friend. Mina decided to meet up with Sana at their favorite coffee shop. As they sat down with their drinks, Mina couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and blurted out, "Sana, I can't stop thinking about Haru ever since you mentioned that he may be in love with me. But how can you tell?"

Sana took a sip of her coffee, contemplating Mina's question. She leaned in closer, her voice filled with sincerity as she responded, "Mina, it's not just what he says or does, but how he looks at you. The way his eyes light up when you enter the room, the genuine smile that appears whenever you two talk—it's all in the little details. Trust your instincts and pay attention to those subtle signs." Seeing how Mina still wasn't sure, Sana continues, adding, "You can also observe how he treats you compared to others. He takes you home every time we go out at night; he always knows what to order for you at the LowKey, and he brings you coffee the next morning whenever we drink too much. These are all indications that his feelings may go beyond friendship." After hearing all of this, Mina wanted to confirm her suspicions. She wanted to express her feelings and see if he'd respond. "What should I do then?" Mina asks Sana. Sana smirked and replied, "Well, you could maybe drop subtle hints or try spending more one-on-one time together...tonight after dinner. If he reciprocates, then you'll know for sure." Mina nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as she prepared to take Sana's advice and take a step toward finding out the truth.

The project/partnership has finally ended, so to thank everyone, Sana and Mina are throwing a team dinner to celebrate their success. Mina couldn't help but hope that tonight would be the perfect opportunity to confront her feelings. Everyone had a great time, enjoying the food and drinks. As the night went on, Mina found herself stealing glances at Haru. The laughter and interaction among the team made her feel both encouraged and anxious about what might happen next. One by one, everyone thanks both Mina and Sana before leaving. Mina's heart raced as the last team member bid farewell, leaving her alone with Haru and Sana. Taking a deep breath, she asked Haru to take her home as she drank a bit. Haru smiled warmly and proceeded to say goodbye to Sana. He offered his arm to Mina as they walked towards the exit. The cool night air brushed against their faces, creating a sense of intimacy and anticipation. They got into a taxi, and when they arrived at Mina's house, she thanked Haru for accompanying her and invited him in for water.

Haru agreed, but deep down, he was nervous because it was his first time inside her house. Although Mina's house was massive, Haru couldn't help noticing the cozy atmosphere and personal touches that reflected Mina's personality. His heart was beating fast because it was her house—because it was Mina's, the girl he had fallen in love with. As they sat in the kitchen, Mina poured two glasses of water, and they began to talk about their night. Haru had noticed the subtle glances Mina would steal at him during the team dinner. It was at that moment that he realized maybe she finally saw him as more than friends, and perhaps just maybe they could be something more. They both drank water and continued their conversation. Haru couldn't help but admire Mina's intelligence and charm, and his feelings for her grew stronger with each passing moment.

Mina got up to put away the cups, and when she was walking back, she tripped, before she fell, Haru grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. They both laughed nervously, their faces inches apart. As their bodies were bound together, Haru's heart raced with a newfound intensity. Was it the alcohol or just the tension? At that moment, Haru did not know what got into him, but he couldn't resist the overwhelming urge to lean in and kiss Mina. His arm is around her waist, and the other gently holds the side of her cheek. He waited to see if she would reciprocate, unsure of how she would react. To Haru's surprise, Mina's lips responded to his kiss with a gentle yet passionate embrace. She wraps her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Haru's thoughts were consumed by the taste of Mina's lips and the sensation of her body against his. At that moment, all thoughts of alcohol or tension faded away, leaving only a pure and intense connection between them. It was their first kiss, and it felt perfect and just right.