stars × cnblue kangminhyuk

17 : Whispers in Kyoto

The morning she arrived back from Jeju, Hyojin barely had time to rest. Her flight touched down in Seoul at dawn, and Minhyuk was already waiting near the arrival gate, mask pulled up, cap low.

"Over here," he waved discreetly, pulling her suitcase from her hand before she could protest.

"You should be resting," she scolded softly, noticing the faint shadows under his eyes.

He smiled, tugging her close in the bustle of the airport. "And miss picking you up? Not happening."

At home, they quickly packed. Minhyuk darted between closets, tossing clothes into a suitcase while Hyojin folded hers more carefully.

"Do you need this many hoodies?" she teased, eyeing his growing pile.

"Yes. One for every mood," he replied with a grin.

She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

"But you love me anyway," he shot back, sneaking a peck on her cheek before she shoved him lightly.

By noon, they were at the airport again, disguises on. The agency had already cleared their trip, but with one strict rule: sit separately, board separately.

As they approached security, Hyojin's hand brushed his, but she quickly pulled back, aware of eyes around them.

Minhyuk caught the motion and leaned close just enough to murmur, "I'll see you on the other side, jagiya."

Her chest tightened at the warmth in his voice. "Don't text me on the plane. People will notice."

He smirked beneath his mask. "Then I'll just keep missing you until we land."

The airport buzzed with restless travelers, but for Hyojin it felt like every glance was too sharp, every whisper too loud. She tugged the brim of her cap lower, clutching her passport as she followed the line into boarding.

Minhyuk was already ahead, his mask hiding most of his face. Even so, she could spot him instantly—broad shoulders, casual hoodie, baseball cap tilted just right.

They didn't walk together. Couldn't. Not when eyes were everywhere.

Inside the plane, they sat apart. Minhyuk three rows ahead by the aisle, Hyojin by the window. She stared out as clouds swallowed Seoul, her chest tight with both nerves and excitement.

When the turbulence hit, she gripped the armrest with white knuckles. A flicker of movement caught her eye—Minhyuk had twisted in his seat, eyes on her. He mouthed something, small and gentle: It's okay.

Her heartbeat slowed. She smiled faintly, nodding back.

Kyoto greeted them with the scent of spring rain and distant temple bells. Minhyuk tugged his mask up higher and leaned close as they exited the terminal.

"Four days," he murmured, voice low with a grin. "No staff, no cameras. Just us."

Hyojin chuckled nervously. "You make it sound like we're fugitives."

"In a way, we are." His eyes sparkled, mischief alive even beneath his disguise.

His itinerary was ambitious—Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. But reality? Crowds. Everywhere.

At Kinkaku-ji, they had to weave between tour groups, both of them masked and silent. Minhyuk tried to take a selfie with her by the temple balcony, but a group of students passed by squealing in recognition. They ducked out before anyone could confirm it.

At Fushimi Inari, the endless orange torii gates should have been romantic. Instead, Minhyuk had to tug her hood tighter when a family lingered too long, whispering, "Isn't that...?"