He's Beautiful

chapter 5

GO MIRAE'S POV

When Lia said she wanted to go shopping, I didn't realize she meant a marathon. Forget "accompanying" her—I was practically her personal shopping cart, dragged from one store to another, my hands overflowing with her shopping bags. The worst part? She insisted I foot the bill.

"Lia, I'm broke now!" I whined.

She just grinned and said, "It's fine, you can survive on instant noodles."

I groaned. Taehyung better pay me back for this. I'm billing him with interest.

As I juggled bags filled with everything from accessories to things I couldn't name, I suddenly heard someone shout.

"Minjae!"

I turned and froze. There he was—Taehyung. But he wasn't alone. Nad, the girl who clung to him like a koala, had her arm wrapped around his. They walked out of a store, looking suspiciously couple-like.

Great. Just what I needed. My face twisted into an exaggerated scowl as I remembered how much money I'd lost today. I could practically hear my bank account crying.

"Okay, girls, see you next time!" Taehyung said, flashing his signature smile at Lia and Nad.

Nad practically launched herself at him for a goodbye hug. Meanwhile, Lia stared at me with wide puppy-dog eyes, silently begging me to give her the same treatment.

Not happening.

Instead, I started darting my eyes around the mall, pretending not to notice.

"Bye, oppa!" Lia and Nad waved at us in unison.

I sighed and gave them a half-hearted wave, my patience already worn thin. As soon as they disappeared, I turned to Taehyung, my face set in a glare.

"Yah! Pay me back! Now!"

Taehyung grinned, completely unbothered. "Fine. I'll treat you. Let's go!"

Before I could argue, he threw an arm over my shoulder and steered me away.

TAEHYUNG'S POV

I thought taking Minjae to a horror movie would be fun. I didn't expect him to scream louder than the entire theater combined.

"AHHHH!" he shrieked, clinging to my arm like his life depended on it.

At first, I was annoyed. But then I found myself thinking... It's kind of cute.

Wait. What?

I shook my head, trying to banish the thought. "Get it together, Taehyung," I muttered under my breath.

Another jump scare flashed on screen, and Minjae let out another yell, gripping my arm tighter. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. What is wrong with me? I'm not... no, this can't be.

"Minjae," I said, trying to sound casual. "Are you scared?"

"N-No! Of course not!" he stammered, his face pale.

I bit back a laugh and nodded, pretending to believe him. Every time he grabbed onto me, my heart raced, and it was driving me insane.

"So, how'd you like the movie?" I asked as we walked out of the theater.

Minjae glared at me. "Next time, warn me before dragging me into a horror movie! I almost died in there!"

I couldn't hold back my laughter. "You're such a scaredy-cat!"

"Yah!" he shouted, but then he burst into laughter too.

For some reason, spending time with Minjae felt... different. Different from when I was with Nad. With Minjae, I was actually having fun.