paper rings | shinyu tws ✓

thirty four

Won Sooji

We both decided to keep our relationship a secret. At first, Shinyu didn't want it because he wanted to reveal it sooner, but I insisted, and he really didn't bother to argue with me anymore.
 
I smiled sweetly when I saw him forcing himself to sit with his friends. Look at this guy, barely appreciating the presence of his friends. I shrugged it off and turned my head to Jeun. I raised my brows when I saw her writing something in her notebook. 
 
I looked at Hyuna to ask her what the hell was going on with Jeun because this was the very first time I saw her being this serious while writing something. She looks like she's studying, but she's Jeun, so that doesn't really make sense.
 
"Don't mind her, she's studying for the finals because she can't get into the engineering programme if her grades sucked in the 11th and 12th's.
 
"What? Engineering?" I wanted to laugh, but I'm afraid Jeun would hear me and get offended. I really just can't imagine that Jeun and the word engineering are compatible with each other. I've always thought Jeun would prefer other choices, such as arts. 
 
I stayed silent, yet I was proud of her. 
 
Afternoon came, and Shinyu was waiting for me in the waiting shed. His frown was visible.
 
"What the hell?" I cursed as I stifled a laugh. I've never seen Shinyu throw tantrums before.
 
"Why can't we just reveal our relationship now?" He asked, so I slapped his shoulder. "Let's get to know each other first, and please stick to the plan." He rolled his eyes. 
 
Shinyu walked me home. We talked about a lot of things while we were walking on the sidewalk, slowing our pace to have more time together. I would laugh every time Shinyu mentioned the crazy things his friends did, and he would smile whenever I told him about Jeun and Hyuna. 
 
When we got home, my eyes widened when the gate opened, and it revealed my mom. Her stare lasted longer on me, then shifted to Shinyu, then back at me. It seems like she was reading the atmosphere, and when finally putting the puzzle together, she clasped her hands and her eyes glittered with anticipation. 
 
Shinyu and I looked at each other. Damn, we're busted.
 
"Are you guys dating?" and we couldn't really deny it as soon as her eyes landed on our intertwined hands. 
 
"Yes," I replied. There's really no need to lie now. I could feel Shinyu turning his head to me in surprise, but I was more surprised when she gasped and pulled us inside the house. I've never seen my mom act up like this, probably because it's my first time bringing home a boy and confessing that we're dating. 
 
"Come on, sit here." Shinyu hesitantly sat on the chair he was offered and then looked at me like a lost puppy. "Thank you, Mrs. Won." 
 
"What do you mean? Just call me Auntie! Or anything you'd prefer, and I like mom better." Why is my mom suddenly acting like this?! It's embarrassing.
 
I could see Shinyu's ear getting red, he's shy.
 
My mother offered him sliced fruits, forgetting to offer her own daughter. Shinyu was baffled and surprised by mom's sudden act, because, from what I remember, she was nowhere sweet when he first and last saw her.
 
He looked at me, then back to mom. I smiled. Maybe this is it—the change I want to have. 
 
"You want?" I glanced at the sliced apple in his fork when he offered me one, so I opened my mouth and ate it. I sat next to him and watched mom pull different types of desserts I had never knew we had from the fridge.
 
"Come on, eat this. I haven't gone for grocery so I can't cook. What's your name again?" 
 
"S-Shinyu... Shin Junghwan." I stared at Shinyu, he was much redder now and couldn't even make eye contact with my mom.
 
"Shinyu, dear, it suits you." Mom chuckled and talked farther.
 
After an hour of mom's chitchat, we were finally released. Shinyu went home with a basket of fruits that my mom forced him to bring home. After he left, there was this light feeling hanging in the air when we're finally alone. 
 
I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.
 
"He seems like a good person, Sooji. I'm glad you're slowly opening up to me and being happy." I hid my smile with a small nod. 
 
For the first time in my life, I felt lucky.