BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF

PART 45

Seokmin waited patiently outside the kindergarten, leaning against his car with a soft smile on his face. The sound of children’s laughter spilled into the street as parents picked up their little ones, but Seokmin’s eyes were fixed on the doors. When Jisoo finally appeared, clutching a small stack of papers and chatting animatedly with one of his students, Seokmin couldn’t help but grin.

“Seok!” Jisoo’s voice was bright as he approached. “You didn’t have to wait out here like a lovesick puppy.”

Seokmin chuckled, stepping forward to open the car door for him. “I like being here. Besides, someone’s got to rescue you from your tiny tyrants.”

Jisoo laughed, sliding into the seat. “You should come visit my class sometime. They’d love you.”

“Love me?” Seokmin teased, starting the car. “I think I’m the one who loves them. They get to see this side of you every day.”

Jisoo gave him a playful swat on the arm. “Stop being cheesy. Where are we going?”

“The mall,” Seokmin replied, stealing a quick glance at Jisoo’s face. “I figured we could grab a bite, maybe do some window shopping. You deserve a little fun after dealing with a class full of five-year-olds.”

“I hope you’re ready for a wild ride today,” Jisoo declared, tossing the drawings into the backseat before plopping into the car. “I’ve had exactly three hours of sleep, my students staged a coup over snack time, and I need sugar immediately or I might just pass out right here!”

Seokmin snorted. “Hi to you too, drama queen. We’re going to the mall. I think you’ll survive.”

Jisoo perked up instantly. “The mall? With you? Do I need to wear sunglasses to shield myself from your overwhelming charm?”

Seokmin rolled his eyes, pulling out of the parking lot. “Don’t start. You’re bad enough when you’re well-rested. Mall Bluebell might just destroy me.”

“Destroy you?” Jisoo gasped, clutching his chest in mock offense. “I’m the very essence of fun. You’re lucky to have me. Admit it!”

Seokmin smirked. “We’ll see if I’m still lucky after you drag me through every store in the building.”

At the mall, chaos began almost immediately. The moment they entered, Jisoo zeroed in on a display of oversized hats, plopping a ridiculous floppy one on Seokmin’s head before he could protest.

“You’re giving main character at a summer resort vibes,” Jisoo declared, snapping a photo on his phone. “No, wait—main character running away from a scandalous past!”

Seokmin sighed dramatically, playing along. “How could I resist? The allure of the Riviera called to me, but my sins followed too closely behind.”

Jisoo doubled over laughing, nearly toppling into a rack of sunglasses. “Oh no, we’ve lost him to the theatrics. What have I done?”

Seokmin pulled the hat off, tossing it back onto the display. “You’re contagious, you know that?”

“Only the best kinds of contagious,” Jisoo replied, grabbing Seokmin’s arm and dragging him toward a shop filled with colorful trinkets.

At a dessert stall, Jisoo insisted on ordering the most elaborate sundae on the menu, complete with sparklers and edible glitter. As they sat down to eat, Jisoo took one dramatic bite, sighing as though he’d just tasted heaven itself.

“This,” he said, gesturing to the sundae with his spoon, “is the highlight of my week. You’re here, sugar is here—it’s perfect.”

Seokmin shook his head, amused. “You’re unbelievable, Bluebell.”

Jisoo gasped, pointing his spoon at Seokmin like a weapon. “Unbelievable? Excuse me, sir, but who waited for you to get out of prison with the patience of a saint? Who is single-handedly reintroducing you to the joys of life?”

Seokmin leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “You are. My angel, my savior. How could I have ever survived without you?”

“Exactly,” Jisoo said, smirking triumphantly before shoving another spoonful of sundae into his mouth.

By the time they reached the clothing section, Jisoo was on a mission to give Seokmin a “modern makeover,” pulling random outfits off the racks and holding them up for inspection.

“This,” Jisoo said, holding a sequined jacket against Seokmin’s chest, “screams ‘I’ve been to hell and back but still know how to sparkle.’”

Seokmin raised an eyebrow. “Or it screams ‘disco ball.’”

“Same thing!” Jisoo replied, throwing the jacket at him. “Try it on.”

Seokmin sighed but obliged, stepping out of the fitting room a moment later. Jisoo clapped his hands together like a proud stylist. “Look at you! Who’s the real star of this mall? It’s you, Seok. Own it!”

“You’re insufferable,” Seokmin said, but the corners of his lips twitched upward.

By the end of their mall trip, Seokmin was lugging bags filled with Jisoo’s finds, and Jisoo was skipping ahead like a gleeful child. As they reached the car, Jisoo spun around dramatically, spreading his arms.

“Admit it,” Jisoo said. “This was the most fun you’ve had in ages.”

Seokmin set the bags down, grabbing Jisoo by the wrist to pull him closer. “It was,” he admitted softly. “Because I was with you.”

Jisoo blinked, his dramatics faltering for a moment before a shy smile spread across his face. “Well, aren’t you sweet?”

Seokmin leaned down, brushing his lips against Jisoo’s forehead. “I’m learning from the best.”

Jisoo giggled, nudging him playfully. “You’re still carrying all the bags, though.”

Seokmin chuckled, picking up the bags without complaint. As they drove home, Jisoo chattered away about their next adventure, and Seokmin couldn’t help but think how lucky he was to have this whirlwind of chaos and joy in his life.