STRAWBERRIES AND CIGARETTES || PARK JIHOON

🍓 FIFTEEN 🚬

Unnoticed by the others, Jihoon gently squeezed yn's hand, his touch a tender language of affection. His thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand, sending ripples of warmth up her arm. She responded with a soft, almost imperceptible squeeze, silently communicating her feelings through their intertwined hands.

Jihoon leaned closer to Yn, his voice gentle as he asked, "Can I get a sip?"
His request was soft, but the underlying meaning behind his words was clear to her. He wasn't just asking for a taste of her drink; he was silently seeking a taste of something more.
Yn responded with a subtle smile, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "Sure," she replied, holding the straw of her drink to his lips.

Jihoon's gaze met hers as he took a sip from the straw, his eyes holding a hint of mischief and something deeper. The touch of his lips against the straw was not just a simple act of borrowing some juice. It was a subtle connection, a silent declaration of their undeniable attraction. As he leaned back, a small trickle of liquid remained on his bottom lip, and his tongue darted out to lick it away. The innocent act sent a flutter of anticipation through her chest.

Yn's eyes followed the movement of his tongue as it brushed against his lip, leaving traces of sweetness in its wake. She felt a shiver run down her spine, her heart rate picking up pace. The intimate exchange, so casual to the outside eye, was like a private language between them, full of stolen glances and silent promises.

Seungmin interjected with a playful imitation of Jihoon's voice, mimicking his earlier request, "Can I get a sip?"
Junkyu then joined in, using a high-pitched, girly voice to imitate Yn, responding, "Sure"
The unexpected comedic moment broke the tension between Yn and Jihoon, causing them to burst into laughter along with their friends. It was a brief distraction, a reminder of the light-hearted dynamics within their friend group.

The laughter echoed through the air, momentarily disrupting the silent intimacy that had been brewing between Jihoon and Yn. Junkyu and Seungmin's playful imitation had introduced a comedic element into the situation, reminding the two lovebirds that they weren't alone in their budding affection.
As the laughter subsided, Junkyu gave them a sly wink, a knowing gesture that he had observed the interaction they had just been having. He and Seungmin shared a smirk, silently acknowledging the subtle chemistry between Jihoon and Yn.

The school day drew to a close, and the four friends—Yn, Jihoon, Junkyu, and Seungmin—began their journey home together. They strolled side by side, their steps in sync as they engaged in light-hearted conversation, recounting their classes and sharing anecdotes from their day. The easy camaraderie between them was palpable, the bonds of friendship strong and comfortable.

As the group continued walking, Jihoon's gaze was suddenly caught on a flower nestled among the branches of a tree they passed. Its petals were a vibrant shade of pink, and it seemed to glow with an otherworldly allure. He couldn't resist slowing his pace slightly, his attention captured by the delicate beauty of the bloom.

Jihoon, captivated by the allure of the flower, paused in his stride. With an air of determination, he extended his arm and gave a slight jump, reaching up to grasp the stem of the flower. His fingers wrapped delicately around it, gently plucking it from its perch on the tree branch.

Holding the flower carefully in his hand, he inspected it closely, his eyes scanning the velvety petals. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he admired the beauty of the bloom. Junkyu and Seungmin, who were walking ahead, noticed Jihoon's action and turned around, curious.