🔞 Strawberry Liquorice

3 - Are You Happy?

⚠️ Trigger warnings:

Fluff

Anxiety

Slow Romance

COVID-19

Death of loved ones

Mental health

Depression

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Hoseok's POV

Minali is adorable!

I could watch her all day long. She has the daintiest mannerisms and the cutest personality ever!

She even touched my hands, I think she noticed them shaking, since I was so nervous in front of her.

She subtly covered my hands with hers, assuring me all is well.

'Sigh... If only I could see her every day.'

The way she sipped on her chai, cautious not to spill, her lips forming a perfect pout, had me going crazy inside.

"Is there something on my face?" She asked me innocently, picking up a serviette and dabbing at her perfect face.

"No! No... I was just admiring how lady like you are." I said, then I realised how creepy I must seem and swatted myself internally.

"Oh... Okay, then." She smiled, a soft blush creeping across her cheeks.

"Say, Minali, where would you like me to take you after this?" I asked her casually.

She took a moment to chew a bite of the savoury snack she held, swallowed, then answered.

"I- uh... Do you have a meeting to go to Hoseok-ssi?" She asked, shifting a little.

"Nope. I'm just looking for an excuse to spend more time with you." I boldly say, taking her hand in mine.

Minali's eyes widened in surprise and her face now fully turned as pink as a snowball.

"I'd like that very much Hoseok-ssi." She squeaked after a few seconds.

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After the refreshments and snacks, Minali and I decided to stroll through the park. Taking cover under the shade of the large jackfruit trees was a good idea as the sun beat down on the city.

We took a seat on one of the benches, Minali shyly perched next to me. I turned to my left to face her, and noticed that she had started to cry.

"What's wrong Minali? Did I offend you in any way?" I asked her apprehensively. Girls scared me when they cried.

"No- *sniff* *sniff* Hoseok-ssi, it's- it's not you." She sobbed. I handed her my handkerchief, which she had accepted gratefully.

"I'm sorry. It's just that I used to come here often with my parents. But they passed away from Covid last year. This place just reminded me of them, I'm usually not like this." She smiled at me sadly through her tears.

'She's beautiful.'

"Hey, it's okay Minali. It's okay to miss them. I'm sure they were good people." I say, taking her into my arms and patting her shoulder gently.

"Thank you Hoseok-ssi." She sniffed a little more.

We stayed like that for a little while, then decided to walk around a bit more. I asked her to show me her favorite places and share her experiences with me.