STRAWBERRIES AND CIGARETTES || PARK JIHOON

🍓 FOURTEEN 🚬

Junkyu leaned in close to Jihoon and, in a soft, taunting whisper, exclaimed, "You're looking like a creep right now, my friend. If you keep ogling that girl like that, people will definitely notice and think you're some kind of stalker or weirdo."
Jihoon murmured softly in response, his dreamy gaze never leaving her face, "She's beautiful. I can't help myself; she's just so captivating."

Junkyu smirked to himself, shaking his head at his friend's helpless infatuation. "You're utterly hopeless when it comes to her, aren't you?" he teased.
Jihoon finally tore his eyes away from her and turned to Junkyu with a sheepish grin. "What can I say? She just has that effect on me," he admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly.

As the teacher focused on writing on the board, Yn couldn't help but stealthily turn towards Jihoon, seated several desks away. She surreptitiously glanced in his direction, noticing his dreamy expression. A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she quickly averted her gaze, pretending to focus on her own notes.

Seungmin, sitting next to her, noticed her subtle movement and raised an eyebrow curiously. He silently noted the way she was stealing glances at Jihoon, and a small grin spread across his face, amused by her secret gazes.

As Yn stealthily peeked at Jihoon, their eyes met, and he shot her a quick, mischievous wink. Caught off guard, her heart skipped a beat and she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly. A mixture of surprise and giddiness washed over her, a secret exchange that only the two of them were privy to amidst the mundane class session.

Jihoon couldn't help but chuckle to himself after pulling off the wink, feeling a sense of satisfaction. His heart raced as he saw the subtle blush on her face, knowing that he had caught her off guard. He casually leaned back in his chair and feigned like he was paying attention to the class.

As the school day came to an end, Yn retreated to her home. She shed her uniform, trading it for cozier, casual attire. The soft, comfortable clothing contrasted with the structured school uniform, signaling the shift from academically-focused daytime to relaxed evening.
As the sun set, her home transformed into a tranquil sanctuary, a place where her thoughts could roam freely.

With a sense of anticipation, she reached into her backpack and carefully retrieved the chocolate bar that Jihoon had given her earlier. The sweet fragrance of the chocolate enveloped her senses as she held it in her hand. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and a flutter of butterflies danced in her stomach.

She sat down on a nearby chair and unwrapped the chocolate wrapper, revealing the delicious treat. As the first bite melted in her mouth, the sweetness and rich flavor made her closed her eyes in satisfaction. The simple pleasure of the chocolate combined with the realization that it was Jihoon's gift made her feel a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

As she savored the chocolate, her thoughts drifted towards Jihoon. The sight of his face, the sound of his voice, and the memory of his wink earlier all came flooding back to her mind. A mix of anticipation and excitement coursed through her veins, and she found herself eagerly awaiting the next time she would see him.

The days ticked by quickly, and before they knew it, a whole month had passed. The mundane routine of school and daily life continued, but beneath the surface, a subtle change was taking place. Both Jihoon and Yn found their thoughts often straying to each other, a connection silently growing between them.

Their eyes would lock across classrooms or passing corridors, the brief glimpse sparking a flicker of awareness within them. Though they didn't actively seek each other out, their paths would occasionally cross, each encounter leaving them both with a sense of anticipation and a flutter in their stomachs.

Over time, Yn and Seungmin found themselves gradually bonding with Jihoon and Junkyu. Conversations turned into shared laughter, and shared interests strengthened their connection. As the days turned into weeks, the group dynamic settled into a natural rhythm, and they effortlessly became a close-knit group of friends.

Seungmin and Junkyu were well aware of the lingering tension and unspoken attraction between Jihoon and Yn. Instead of forcefully prodding them to confess, they took a back seat and allowed the connection between the two to blossom at its own pace.

They discreetly observed as moments between Jihoon and Yn became more frequent and charged with an electric current. The lingering glances, innocent touches, and stolen smiles did not go unnoticed.

On occasions where the topic of smoking arose, both Yn and Seungmin would not hesitate to express their disapproval of Jihoon and Junkyu's unhealthy habit. The two would often nag and reproach the boys for their smoking, citing its detrimental effects on health and well-being. The concern in their voices was genuine, and their lectures were delivered with an underlying sense of care and worry.

Though they were fully aware of the potential consequences of their smoking habits, both Jihoon and Junkyu found it challenging to simply quit. The addiction was strong, and breaking it required immense willpower. But the worry and concern in Yn and Seungmin's lectures touched them, and they decided to make a conscious effort for their best friends.
With a sense of determination, the two smokers silently promised themselves to gradually reduce their smoking and eventually quit.

As the days went by, Jihoon and Junkyu began to take small steps towards breaking their smoking habit. They started by decreasing the number of cigarettes they smoked each day, gradually building up to longer periods without lighting up. The process was not easy, as the cravings and withdrawal symptoms made it a challenging journey.

The four friends, Yn, Jihoon, Junkyu, and Seungmin, were all seated together in the cafeteria. Yn had settled herself on the chair next to Jihoon, their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other. Across from them, Junkyu and Seungmin sat, their easy-going banter filling the air between bites of their respective lunches.

Junkyu and Seungmin had an entertaining dynamic, often engaging in playful banter and quips that mirrored the iconic cat and mouse duo from Tom and Jerry. Their interactions were filled with good-natured arguments, sarcastic remarks, and humorous insults.

The group had finished their lunch, and Junkyu and Seungmin continued their usual banter, their arguments lighthearted and playful. Meanwhile, Yn and Jihoon sat across from them, enjoying the friendly quarrel with amused expressions on their faces. The easy laughter and good-natured arguments added a lively atmosphere to the lunch table, serving as a delightful background to the quieter connection developing between the two pairs.

As Yn quietly sipped on her juice, her eyes were fixated on her friends, Junkyu and Seungmin, engaging in their friendly argument. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, amused by their antics. Just then, a subtle sensation on her hand caught her attention. Looking down, she realized that her hand was being gently wrapped in a firm but comforting grasp. Instinctively, she knew who it belonged to, and her heart skipped a beat.

Turning her head to the side, her gaze met Jihoon's, who sat beside her. The touch of his hand was warm and reassuring, sending a wave of gentle tingles up her arm. Their eyes held each other's for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. The bickerings of Junkyu and Seungmin faded into background noise as they shared a private moment.

Junkyu and Seungmin exchanged a knowing grin, quietly acknowledging the silent intimacy taking place between Jihoon and Yn underneath the table. Despite the playful bickering they were engaged in, they refrained from disturbing the budding connection. They exchanged a subtle glance and a knowing smile, silently supporting the two who were slowly discovering each other.