Paper Cranes | Park Jimin

11: Decoy

A puzzle I couldn't fit together was Park Jimin.

Well, it wasn't like I was interested in doing so anyway. That was far from the point. But it truly bothered me as to why when it came to him, I couldn't just channel the indifferent self of mine and ignore him.

I mean, I had the option to just disregard him but— Min Haneul, why do you even have to keep up with him?

Letting out a grunt, I shoved my face on my pillow, facing down on my bed. Then, I rolled over again, staring at the ceiling. Placing the back of my palm on my forehead, I heaved a frustrated sigh.

"But it's his birthday!" I cried, closing my eyes and recalled a few students from my class earlier, asking me what plans Jimin and I had for this special day. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have the slightest idea.

I stared at my phone, reading his message which I had received five minutes ago and watched as the screen turned black.

Fine. But just because it's his birthday today.

↠

The elevator ride felt longer than usual. I rocked back and forth on my heel, hands stuffed inside the pocket of my trench coat whilst I watch the digital headboard display. Once it landed on the ground floor, I took in a deep breath and stepped out of the lift.

It didn't take me long to spot Jimin, wearing a black turtle neck top and black jeans, leaning on the information counter.

It was as if he had sensed my presence that his head snapped up and our eyes met. Jimin gave me a smile, one that engulfed my insides with warmth, and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

Now I wondered if I was just imagining that Jimin left on a bad note last time he visited. And perhaps I had been worrying about nothing.

I opened my mouth to greet him a happy birthday, but chance of doing so flew out of the window when he spoke up.

"I thought I'm going to have to play with your doorbell again," he joked.

I pouted. "I pity the poor thing. I felt responsible over its welfare."

Jimin chuckled and made his way out of the complex with me following beside him. Just like usual, I had no idea where we were heading to.

For the minutes that had passed, Jimin hadn't said a word, and judging by his movements, this was obviously an aimless walk with no exact destination.

I didn't have a problem with leisure walks. In fact, I enjoyed them, especially silent yet comfortable ones. And I would probably enjoy this one as well. Except that the autumn night was being rather extra cold right now and I could feel my nostrils and throat freezing up. To add up to that, it was almost bedtime and my eyes were starting to get heavy.

Deciding that half an hour was enough to accompany him, I halted on my foot.

"Jimin," I called. "What exactly are we doing?"

"Just walking," he casually replied, turning to me and I rolled my eyes. Well hello, captain obvious!

"Jimin, I need to sleep."

"There are better things to do than sleep!"

"And being with you right now is one of them?" I questioned, and Jimin shook his head with a half-grin.

"Come on, don't make me feel like you despise my presence so much," he said in a dejected tone.

"What if I do?"