Mari chose some cream 190cm bookshelf to complement the white wall in the shop. They asked the furniture shop to deliver it on her pastry shop tomorrow.
After that, they drive into the book garage Jinki was talking about. “Minjun hyung! It’s been awhile!” Jinki greeted with a bow. Minjun just patted his shoulder and said “Yeah it’s been awhile since you’ve visited me.”
Minjun diverted his attention from Jinki to Mari who was with him. “Jinki-ah! I didn’t know you had a girlfriend!”
The both of them immediately denied and drastically shook their heads and hands. “We’re not dating. I’m just helping her as a friend.” He immediately explained. But of course, Minjun already thought there was really something. “Don’t worry, there aren’t that much of people who come here. Enjoy your stay~” he playfully walked off the two of them.
“I said it wasn’t like that.” Jinki murmured to himself as he watched his hyung walk away. “It’s okay, Jinki-ssi.” Mari tried to comfort him. It might sound selfish but she likes it when they’re mistaken as a couple.
Well, Jinki likes it too.
_________________
They enjoyed looking for books. They had certain similarities when it comes to genres. Finally, they had something in common. Well, there are certain things that don’t compliment both personalities well. Like, Jinki is a really good singer while Mari isn’t. Or Mari is really fond of baking while Jinki could burn the whole pastry shop in one touch.
However, when they were on the book garage, everything seemed to get well along.
Jinki, who unbelievably spends his free time to read books before sleeping, likes reading anatomy. “You like that book?” Mari came closer to him who was starting to get engaged with the book he was holding. “Yeah. I’m interested in Anatomy and such.” He looked at her to smile then back at the book.
She leaned in closer. This time, Jinki could not concentrate with the book anymore. “Me too. I could have been studying right now if I didn’t take up culinary arts.”
“You could have been my hoobae then.” He chuckled. It was the same for him. If he wasn’t casted by SM years ago, he could have studied college and did something else.
“Really?” he felt her eyes lit. “That would be nice. Attending the same school.” She continued.
Jinki thought it would be nice too. ‘I’ve always wanted to try it. CC couple (campus couple). It’s a trend, you know. Walking hand-in-hand. Seeing each other after class. Passing notes. Sharing same thoughts.’ He thought.
“Yeah. I think so too.” He said briefly before sticking his eyes on the book again.
Mari shuffled back to scanning books that might take up her interest. Jinki sighed in relief. It was hard for him to keep up being too close to her. Not because it was some sort of burden to him, it just feels ecstatic about it.
On the other hand, Mari felt the same. That’s why she made some space between them.
“Ah. You wouldn’t be my classmate though.” She said in a very disappointed tone.
“Why?”
“I’m five years younger than you.”
“Oh yeah. Then I could have been your professor.” he bragged. As if it was something to boast for.
“Yeah. You’re too old, that’s why.” She stuck her tongue out, teasingly.
Jinki was taken aback. ‘Wow, I really am old.’ He thought.
“Well. Everything happens for a reason.” Mari said without finding his eyes. She was taking out some book which caught her eyes seconds ago.
Yeah. If she didn’t become a patisserie, they didn’t meet. If they did something else in their lives, they could have been strangers to each other right now—and if he ever was her professor, it would be weird to be seen together— thankfully, everything fell into places. They met, and now they’re together.
Well, as friends.
Nevertheless, it made them happy. Being together.
It’s just that they never knew they felt the same.
____________________
After quite some time spent, they finally settled into 7 books—some were for cooking, anatomy, romance, and horror. She did not want to settle in just one genre—Jinki bought 4 too.
Jinki bought her dinner after much persuasion. She keeps saying that she should treat him because he did so much for him already but he explained that the elder should pay for the dongsaeng’s food.
Great. He’s now using his age to win. Just when he barely bought anything for his SHINee members.
Anyway, Jinki won. He bought her food and her argument was invalid.
He bought her home because it was getting late. They didn’t drop by the shop anymore. First, Joohyun might have closed it already and second, they don’t want to be teased by her again.
“I’ll bring them tomorrow.” He excused. He wanted to see her tomorrow again, and the day after. “Sure.” She agreed.
