Mathematical attraction

Chapter 21

Minho's P.O.V.
Day out of school. They call it a field trip, but we were going to one of the palaces in Seoul for the many celebrations of the cherry blossom season. Everyone was wearing a hanbok. It was a tradition. Those who didn't have one, could borrow one for the festivities. We were separated in classes of course. Could you imagine a whole school of 2000 kids going into a palace in the biggest season for tourists? It would be an absolute nightmare.

"Minho! Hurry up and get ready or we'll be late for the start of the visit. We're the first to get in." Joonie knocked on the front door of my dorm. He seemed pretty excited. We went to another palace not too long ago, but I never went to such majestically organised events. It was Seoul and it had to live up to its standards and name. He was surely excited to tell me things I didn't know yet, which made me eager to learn more.

"Comin'!" I said still trying to tie my shoes under my gown. It may not look like it, but there was a lot of fabric under it, so much I could barely see my toes. Once I figured out a way to get my shoes on I opened the door and sighed."You can be so impatient sometimes. Ladies need time to get pretty and ready."

He laughed slightly dropping his head in the manner."Ready I get it, but pretty shouldn't take long for you."

Does he even realize what he's saying? "Ain't that sweet? Need help on a project I presume?"

He seemed confused."That is a completely unrelated matter, but I might need some help." He stared up and down."Your favorite colour may be pink, but I think pink likes you too. It looks great on you."

Okay. Now I couldn't help but blush. "Desperate help?"

He smiled. "Stop that, let's just go or we'll be left far behind."

I glanced up."That hanbok doesn't look bad on you either."

"What homework do YOU need help with?" He chuckled.

"Math. Really bad with trigonometry." I stated going down the stares.

He rolled his eyes."Of course."

Namjoon's P.O.V.
It wasn't because we were outside that we didn't have class. We were stuck with our literature teacher. How can I say this without being mean? I didn't believe a word he said. He'd make us fail the class if we didn't have the same opinion he did which was a huge problem with Minho, because unlike me, she wouldn't keep her mouth shut about it.

"Love. Spring. Cherry blossom season. These three things have a big correlation. Spring is a symbol of new, fresh, clean starts, new beginnings too, but society is what makes us believe this, that love is great, that new things are special and I do not believe it to be true. So, for next week, I want you to write an essay about why first kisses are overrated. 600words-" The teacher got cut by a voice I knew too well.

"You are wrong. I know the point, as you say, is to make us write opinions we don't share, but by doing so all the time, how do we know how to argue our own opinion sir." Minho spoke up.

The man sighed. "Miss Joo. Again, you are only stating truths about the point of my class. The reason why I don't make you voice your opinion on paper is because you know too well how to voice it out loud."

"On paper and out loud are two different methods of expression. It is not because we are good with one that we are necessarily good in the other sir." She said standing her ground.

The obviously annoyed teacher replied."Then, what is your opinion about first kisses Miss Joo. I grew curious. Tell us all. It will make 600 less words for me to read."

She stood up, fists clenched, palms slightly sweaty. She glanced down at me with an apologetic look before moving on. She knew she shouldn't fight empty battles with him, but she had a point to make and she was gonna make it."My opinion is that first kisses aren't overrated. When you are about to kiss someone for the first time, you should wait and think about it. This person is so new, so unfamiliar. Right now, you don't know how they taste, how their hands will press against your skin, how they'll breathe. You'll never see them like this again. It is a special and unique moment you share with that person. All first kisses are different, the combinations are endless because everyone is different and the behavior that someone has towards another changes based on how these people made contact with eachother.
Look at them wanting, the apprehension in their eyes. They don't know either. In their mind, you are uncharted territory. Isn't it special? And first kisses aren't overrated, because by analysing that moment and marking it in your mind, the spark between the lovers will stay if they keep looking at eachother through those eyes." She glanced at everyone who was looking at her and the teacher who hadn't said a word."So, sir. I hope my opinion didn't shock you too much, but I think it was explained with all the rules you've set for our essay." She played with the end of her long and carefully done braid while walking to our teacher."What is my grade sir?"

In my mind, I was like 'nailed it!', but I knew she would probably be in trouble.

"Alright. Opinion text on 'Are first kisses overrated?'" He glared at her."Well played Miss Joo, but it isn't a lesson you will want to reinforce with your superior."

She smiled walking back."I don't plan to, unless I have to sir. Thank you."

"You are dismissed. Enjoy the rest of the day." The teacher waved us away.

"Just.. How can you do that?" I asked Minho who was looking at the fishes in the pond.

She looked up."Do what?"

I joined her on the edge of the wooden rail."Say what you think out loud. Talk back. Say out loud what people keep to themselves."

She thought for a second."Can I answer you with other questions?"

I nodded."Sure."

"You're a trainee for a hip-hop group. What are your songs talking about? What is the purpose of your group? Are you gonna be one of these groups where love, sex, and drugs are the only theme or are you gonna be a group people need?" She spoke casually.

It showed that she grew up with Yoongi hyung by her way of thinking. She knew lyrics mattered, that only having a good beat wasn't gonna make a band work.
I knew what our band wanted to be, but I wasn't gonna reveal it just yet, not that way. I understood what her answer was to my question.

"If no one stands up for themselves, what will we become? Society tells us to say what we think, but we are thought to shush it in front of our superiors. So can we talk at all? I don't want to be a mute one, a puppet of society. It has to change in a way, don't you think?" She grinned at me while I was thinking.

I turned to her."You're right, but Korea didn't get built in one day and it will take more than two teenagers to make it change."

She laughed."You are getting far from the track Joonie. Think about it. What do people listen to?"

"Idols." I rapidly answer.

"You are sitting on a mine of gold Namjoon. Your band holds power it doesn't know it has. Music is the most powerful, meaningful, and easiest way to share ideas, to say out loud what people don't dare to say." She explained.

"Why do you think I became a rapper? In the Idol world?" My answer made her smile wider.

"I'm looking forward to your debut then."

We stayed in silence for a moment.

"Hey, since we still have some time left, want me to tell you about the history behind this palace?" I said knowing she wouldn't refuse.

"Tell me. Which family lived here?" She smiled as we walked.

"This palace was the property of the Yi family before one of the daughters not too long ago was sent to Japan to try and stop the war, but it still isn't clear. Rumours say she came back in Korea and had an affair that left her with a daughter, but that was 100 years ago." I explained to my very attentive listener.

"Really? That woman could be my great grandmother!" She laughed.