𝕃𝕚𝕞𝕓𝕠 [LEE KNOW]

5

Necklace

"Hey." Minho said in a calm tone as he startled the poor girl. He hid from behind and poked each side of Yumi's ribcage.

Yumi was extremely ticklish. She can be easily tickled and almost every part of her body has a tickle. When Minho found out about it, he did not hesitate before using it to his full advantage and abusing the knowledge he got.

"It's been three damn years, Blue. Stop startling me." She groaned.

Minho chuckled at her. "Happy birthday." He said, showing her a jewelry box.

Yumi just blinked as she accepted it. "We literally never celebrated each other's birthday. You should have told me so I could have gotten a gift during your birthday." She muttered, guilty that she didn't get a gift for the boy during his birthday.

It was the first time they saw each other that year. Minho went away for a vacation as well as Yumi. She and her family went outside of the country for a well-deserved vacation and she doesn't really have contact with Minho outside of the space.

Yumi did not know whether she shrank, or Minho grew. His voice got deeper as well. His features got more defined and there was something about him now. It seems as if he cares more about his appearance now and he even decided to wear a watch.

Minho took his time observing Yumi. It wasn't only him who is going through puberty, after all. Her features got gentler; he noticed the way her choice of clothing changed. He saw the tint of pink on her cheeks and lips. He smiled when he realized she began to wear makeup.

Minho thought she doesn't need make up, but he knew it was up to the woman to decide. "Your make up looks beautiful." He complimented.

One thing he learned from being close with his mother is sometimes, make up takes a whole lot of time and effort. They were fairly expensive too. Instead of telling her she doesn't need make up, he knew it was better to compliment her hard work and effort.

Yumi tried to fight off the blood rushing to her cheeks. "Thank you. I began learning recently and I'm not even sure if I'm doing it right."

Minho just smiled, urging her to sit next to him. He smiled again when she did sit next to him. "Practice makes improvement." He added. "Open it." He pointed at the box.

"What's this brand? I've never heard of it." Yumi asked as she saw the carvings on the box.

LMH

Those three initials were italicized in gold lettering. Yumi was quite knowledgeable when it comes to fashion, but it seems as if she doesn't recognize the brand.

Minho just blinked and cleared his throat. "I got it custom made from a friend. That's his brand."

The boy wanted to congratulate himself for lying without blinking. He ordered a Bvlgari necklace himself and got the box as a special free item.

She slowly and carefully opened the box and was greeted by beautiful necklace. It was a necklace with a garnet in the center which was shaped like a teardrop. It had a gold chain and upon closer inspection, the chain had small details. The word 'garnet' was in the chain in small and cursive letters.

"It's beautiful." She can't help but gasp out seeing the necklace.

Minho smiled at her. He would give her thousands of necklaces if it meant he would be able to see the smile from her. When Yumi was called by Lily, he still can't wipe the silly smile off of his face.

"Hyung." He turned and saw Jun sitting next to him. "You like Red noona, don't you?" He asked in a genuine tone.

Minho's eyes continued to follow her as he nodded. "Am I that obvious?" He asked.

Jun shook his head. "So you do like her."

"I do."

It has been a while since Minho accepted that fact. They were always more than friends but less of a lover. The two of them were like soulmates. They understood each other in ways nobody else could.

"Why don't you tell her?" Jun asked.

Minho shook his head. "It's not that simple. I like what we have now, Jun. Confessing it would simply risk losing what we have now."

"But what if you gain more from it?"

That made Minho pause. "Hyung, you know it's better to say at least in the future than what if, right?"

Minho sat quietly, listening to Jun's rants. He knew that. He was constantly in a limbo with his mind and heart. However, fear was overpowering him, and he could not bring himself to do it.

Jun just smiled at Minho. "It's fine if you don't want to, hyung. I'm just telling you the possibilities, so you won't have any regrets in the future."

"Why do you sound more mature than me?"

Jun just chuckled and shook his head. "So this is what Red noona meant."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"You don't always have to be the responsible and mature one, hyung." Jun said bluntly. "It's fine to let loose sometimes."

Minho just smiled and nodded. "You grew up well." He added out of the blue.

"Well, you and noona kept watching over us for the past two years." Jun spoke in a gentle tone. "You know, everyone kept asking me about the two of you."

"We're only fifteen, Jun. We're too young for anything serious." Minho tried to avoid the topic.

Jun shrugged. "That is up to you, hyung. But whatever choice you make, I hope it is something that won't leave you with any regrets. Besides, weren't you the one who said life is full of risks?" Jun asked before leaving Minho alone.

Minho sat quietly, seemingly alone in his thoughts. Jun did have a point. He spoke as if it was based on his own personal opinion which made Minho suspicious of him but did not bother enough to interrogate the young boy.

He was someone who grew up to take risks. He wasn't usually scared of risking it. He was sometimes impulsive and did things without thinking twice.

However, as he watched the way she smiled to Woo and Dobi, he finally found someone who he couldn't risk losing.

a/n: I want to wear his initial on a chain around my neck