hinamizawa | hyunsung

two

"dressed in red, you look so cool,
the way you walk, you're such a tool,
you make me feel like a fool,
but no matter what, you look so cool"

...

jisung was walking through the streets of the small city until hyunjin suddenly appeared beside him. "hyunnie! how are you feeling today?" he asked, pulling him close to his side.

hyunjin avoided his eyes, "same old, same old. you?"

jisung pouted at his response but replied anyway, "i'm fine, just window shopping. you cool with coming along?" hyunjin hummed in approval, & they continued to walk down the street, looking at the windows of various shops.

hyunjin stopped in front of one shop in particular; a boutique. he stared at the mannequin in the window that wore a tight-fitting red tee & flared jeans; the baggy ends contrasting the slim waistband.

the boy stared at the simple yet extravagant outfit in awe, then reluctantly turned to continue walking with jisung.

jisung, however, stopped him, "hang on, did you like that outfit?" he asked. hyunjin shook his head with an embarrassed smile, "no, no- i mean, it looks cool, but i could never wear it."

the shorter boy glances from the mannequin back to hyunjin, staring at him for a second. "hyunnie, this outfit looks like it was made for you. what makes you think you couldn't wear it?"

hyunjin became flustered & joined jisung in looking at the outfit more. "i don't know, like... just look at it. i'd get made fun of way more than i already am."

jisung tilted his head as he examined the slightly cropped tee & flared jeans. "but it's totally your style! who cares what anyone else thinks? you should know by now that no matter what you wear, you'll always look cool," he said in a serious tone.

hyunjin stared at his own reflection in the slightly tinted window as he listened to jisung's words, & suddenly he was being pulled into the small boutique.

"'sung, i can't wear it!" hyunjin whisper-yelled. jisung ignored his words, walking up to the counter. the girl behind the counter looked bored out of her mind, scrolling her phone & blowing bubbles with her chewing gum.

"excuse me, how much for the outfit in the window?" he asked, pointing. she thought for a moment before stating, "$35." hyunjin looked at jisung with a startled expression, but the boy was already pulling out his wallet. hyunjin felt guilty but gave up on trying to object.

the girl grabbed an identical set of clothing from under the counter & began to ring up the items. jisung quickly placed two shimmery necklaces on top of the clothing for her to add, & she glared at him before doing so. "your total will be $45."

jisung paid with the cash he had saved from his last birthday, a flustered hyunjin hiding behind him. once they left the store with the bag, hyunjin whined loudly, "'sung! you didn't have to do that!"

jisung waved it off, "i wanted to." the taller boy continued, "but it was almost $50! you're not one to spend so much on so little-"

"ah, hush," jisung shushed him with a smile, "it's no big deal. i wanted to get this for you."

hyunjin suddenly felt emotional, pouting before pulling jisung into a half-hug. jisung pulled him even closer, patting his back.

jisung spoke softly into hyunjin's shoulder, "hyunnie, i want you to promise me something. care less about what others think of you, wear what you want." hyunjin pulled away to look at the shorter boy, who noticed the tear streaming down his cheek.

jisung reached up to wipe the tear away with his thumb, "do things for yourself, not for anyone else, & especially not for those assholes at school. i had to learn the same thing too, i know it's hard, but please try, hyunnie," he said with a comforting smile.

hyunjin weakly nodded, hugging jisung once more before they continued to walk.