| Fan Fiction |
by Take_Flight
Apologies for the delay!!
Enjoy this chapter :D
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“Aniya! It’s supposed to be this way!”
Junsu scratched the back of his head as little Dong-Min took a piece of puzzle and slotted it in the correct spot. The three year old boy glanced up and gave him a toothy grin. “Hyung! We did this yesterday, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about it?”
Junsu grinned sheepishly. “Hyung’s getting old” he told Dong-Min as the young boy sat on his lap and made himself comfortable. Dong-Min giggled and tugged roughly on Junsu’s tie making him choke. “Yah! You shouldn’t do that! It’s very dangerous” Junsu scolded him gently.
“Why do you have to wear this?” Dong-Min asked, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Because it will make me look extra smart. And handsome” Junsu replied, removing his tie and putting it on Dong-Min. The boy’s eyes lit up with delight as he fingered the fabric. “Do I look more handsome like you now?” he asked.
Junsu nodded. “But of course!” he said, tickling Dong-Min. Just then he heard someone tittering softly behind them. Yoobin stepped into the classroom with a bemused look on her face. “Someone’s living in denial!” she sang before disappearing into the small pantry beside the classroom.
“Why did she say that?” Dong-Min asked with a doubtful look. Junsu laughed as he lifted Dong-Min from his lap. “She’s just jealous that she’s not as good looking as us” he jokingly said, as they walked around the classroom.
“I heard that!!” Yoobin snapped from the pantry. Junsu made a face while Dong-Min held on to his hand with a worried look. “Is Unnie going to eat us Hyung?” he asked, gripping tighter.
Junsu shook his head. “Naw. She’s not going to do that” he assured the little boy with another tickle. Dong-Min’s loud laughter attracted his teacher, Lee Myung-Hee, as she stepped into the room with a slightly annoyed face. “He’s supposed to be outside!” Myung-Hee said, with her arms on her hips.
Dong-Min shook his head and hid behind Junsu. “He was complaining of a tummy ache just now so I brought him in” Junsu explained.
Myung-Hee shook her head as she inspected the classroom. “You’re spoiling him too much Junsu-shii” she told him, arranging some books on the Story Corner. She then grabbed a broom and dustpan and started to sweep the floor.
Junsu lifted Dong-Min high into the air a few times and the boy laughed with delight. “Yah! If he throws up on you, I’m not going to clean it up!” Myung-Hee pointed out.
Junsu carried Dong-Min in his arm and rolled his eyes. “You’re such a nag” he told her. “And what are you doing?”
Myung-Hee let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m baking cookies. What does it look like I’m doing? I’m sweeping the floor of course!” she said in disbelief.
Junsu made a face. “But we already did that just now. Araso…. Then make sure you mop the floor after this until I can see my reflection on it” he retorted and Dong-Min giggled. He quickly covered his mouth when his teacher shot him a look.
“Seriously Myung-Hee shii, just keep the broom away. The room is clean enough already. The guests will arrive here soon” Junsu pointed out just as Yoobin stepped out from the pantry with a satisfied look. “The cookies and pastries are ready. Shall we take them out to the buffet table now?”
Junsu nodded and ordered Yoobin to get help from the other members to place the delicacies at the front lawn, where the buffet spread is. When he placed Dong-Min on the floor, the boy started to whimper and pressed his face onto Junsu’s leg.
“Dong-min ah, Junsu Hyung have work to do. Why don’t you join your friends at the playground...you like the slide don’t you?” Myung-Hee asked, squatting down beside her student.
Dong-Min rubbed his eyes, which were slightly red and Junsu got down to his height. “Dong-Min’s a good boy right? You’ll listen to your teacher?” Junsu asked softly.
Dong-Min nodded but he still looked unhappy. Junsu knew that the boy was deeply attached to him ever since the lost of his parents, but sometimes Myung-Hee kept reminding him not to get too close or there will be hurt feelings from one party or another.
“You could tell…that Dong-Min’s a sensitive boy and he craves for attention from everyone. I know he’s still young but I could tell the thought of being left alone scares him” Myung-Hee had explained one day when the President had declared that SunnyVille Children’s Home will be their adopted charity. Junsu and a few other Art Directors had taken turns to cater to the orphanage and this year it was Junsu’s turn. Amongst the rest of the directors, he was the most agile person to constantly keep himself up to date with what was happening to the place. Therefore it was not surprising that almost all the kids love his presence every time he drops by; whether it’s for work or for play.
After a few coaxing from Junsu and Myung-Hee, Dong-Min eventually joined his friends at the playground, still wearing Junsu’s silk tie. “I’ll get it back for you” Myung-Hee said to Junsu as she watched Junsu’s team members assembling the buffet table and doing last minute check-ups.
Junsu shook his head. “He can have it” he told her and Myung-Hee turned to him with an uneasy look. Junsu sighed and leaned back on the wall as his eyes surveyed the playground. “You’re worrying too much Myung-Hee ah” he said and Myung-Hee shook her head. “Junsu-shii, I told you umpteenth times not to get his hopes too high. I won’t be surprise if he wants you to take him home” she said in a low voice.
“That…won’t happen” Junsu said slowly and Myung-Hee turned to face him. “Junsu-shii, I may be a newbie in this place, but I’ve seen how sometimes these kids tend to get attach to the volunteers here and my heart breaks every time I hear those empty promises made to the children. They don’t usually come back to visit the children…unlike you. And I know you’re doing a good thing, but sometimes it hurts to hear Dong-Min asking about you practically everyday, asking whether you’ll be coming in and play with him” Myung-Hee explained.
Junsu scratched the back of his head, not sure on how to reply. “I don’t know Myung-Hee. I admit that I like seeing him and making him smile, but—
“But you too think that this won’t be long-term relationship don’t you?” Myung-Hee asked. Junsu met her eyes and his heart sank thinking that one day he…. would probably had to stop coming to the orphanage due to other commitments.
“I’m not trying to dampen your spirits, but I’m just letting you know before reality sets in” Myung-Hee pointed out gently. Junsu nodded, getting her message loud and clear and at the same time trying to push the thought of not seeing Dong-Min anymore and trying to seize the moments he can spend with the little boy before, as Myung-Hee puts it, ‘reality sets in’.
“By the way, you did mention that you’ve got a story teller? Is the person going to make it?” Myung-Hee asked as they walked down the steps and take in the well-decorated front lawn with the white streamers and colorful balloons for the charity event. Junsu beamed and nodded, thinking about the story teller. “She’s going to make it. Don’t worry about it” he assured her. “Why don’t you help out with the rest of the teachers while I give the person a call”
When Myung-Hee joined the rest of the teaching staff, Junsu took out his phone and dialed Ri In’s number. “Oppa, I just got off the bus and I’m walking to the school now” Ri In immediately said when she answered the phone.
Junsu chuckled, noting the panic tone in her voice. “You’re nearby already?” he asked and Ri In let out a frustrated sigh. “Yes I am! I can see the balloons and banner from here. If you didn’t kept texting me every half an hour, I wouldn’t have been this nervous!” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m already here! Where are you?”
Junsu turned to where the entrance gate is and saw Ri In stepping in and bowing politely to everyone. Junsu hung up the phone and observed how Ri In interacted with the children who had came up running to her and trying to shake her hands. His heart warmed immediately seeing Ri In getting so cozy with the children even though she hardly knew them.
“They’re so CUTE!” Ri In exclaimed when she finally reached Junsu. “I like that girl over there…with the two pigtails. She’s adorable” she gushed, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree.
Junsu grinned at her. “They told me they can’t wait for the storytelling session later. You’re ready for it?” he asked, leading Ri In to where Myung-Hee was standing.
Ri In winked. “I have a few surprises up my sleeve” she said and Junsu raised his eyebrows. “Chincha?” he asked.
Ri In nodded. “But I’m afraid you can’t see it. Only kids below six years old are allowed to be in the room” she said with a chuckle.
“Aah! You must be Ri In! The story teller am I right?” Myung-Hee interrupted them. Junsu nodded and introduced Ri In to the teacher. After Myung-Hee had finished instructing Ri In on what to do for the session, he led Ri In to the teachers’ room and kept pestering her on what she was planning to do.
“Aniya! It won’t be fun if I tell you about it. And besides, you won’t find it interesting anyway. It’s mainly kiddish stuff” Ri In pointed out to him as she placed her bag in her locker meant for her.
“I like kiddish stuff! I’m still a kid at heart” Junsu pointed out and Ri In rolled her eyes. Junsu laughed and asked if she had eaten. “Aniya. With you rushing me to get here, I didn’t have time to eat a decent sandwich” Ri In grumbled under her breath as they went back to the front of the building, where the gathering was.
Junsu gave her a sheepish grin. “Mianhe. I’ll treat you to dinner. Will that be fine?” he suggested.
“Sounds good to me” Ri In replied, taking a cup of fruit punch from the drinks table. She took a sip and glanced at the playground where a bunch of kids were running around and shouting happily. One boy slipped on the rubber mat and landed on his bottom. “Omo!” Ri In said worriedly but Junsu’s hand shot out to prevent her from going to his rescue. They watched as the boy slowly picked himself up, dusted his pants and then happily joined his friends.
“That’s Dong Min. The one I was telling you about” Junsu explained. Ri In raised her eyebrows as she set her empty cup aside. “He’s so small…and tiny…and fragile!” she commented. “When you were telling me about him, I was expecting a slightly grown boy…but look at him!! And yet he’s a fast runner as well” she added, watching Dong Min in amazement.
“His teacher gets tired so easily because of him being super active. That boy can’t hardly sit still for a minute” Junsu told her his eyes on the little boy who was attempting to kick a ball properly to his friend but failed to do so. Ri In and Junsu laughed when they saw his determined face to kick the ball again only this time it bounced off and hit squarely on a guest’s butt. The man turned around in surprise while Dong Min and his friend shrieked and hid somewhere.
“He’s a prankster as well!” Ri In added. “And come to think of it…he looks a bit like you Oppa. Maybe it’s the hair”
Junsu turned to Ri In. “Really? Maybe we’ve been hanging out too long that we ended up looking quite similar. But tell me, who’s better looking, me or Dong Min?” he asked with an eager look.
Ri In laughed and shook her head. “That’s easy. It should be Dong Min of course!” she replied and Junsu made a face at her. “You’re being biased just because he’s all cute and cuddly” Junsu told her. “No I’m not. I’m telling the truth” Ri In retorted.
Just then, a bell rang and all the kids started scrambling towards Myung-Hee who was standing outside the classroom and motioning for the kids to move inside. Yoobin came running towards Junsu and told him that the auction will be starting any minute and Yunho needs him inside the Assembly Room.
“Ri In-shii, you can get your stuff ready while I make sure the kids get settle down, is that ok with you?” Myung-Hee asked when she approached them.
Ri In nodded with a beam on her face. “Sure thing” she told her. “Oppa, I’ll see you later” she added before following Myung-Hee to the classroom.
Junsu watched Ri In go and wondered if he could be excused from the auction show and attend the story telling session instead. “Yoobin, you wouldn’t mind taking over my duties at the auction would you?” he asked, hoping that Yoobin will say yes.
Yoobin raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you out of your mind?! You have to go up to the stage later and make your speech. I’m not going to do that! And besides, your girlfriend made it clear to me NOT to have you in that room” she pointed out.
“WAE? Why would she do that?” Junsu questioned Yoobin. “And how come you get to be with the kids during their storytelling?”
Yoobin rolled her eyes. “Because you’re the one who assigned me for this job?” she said in disbelief. “I think you better go to the Assembly Room now before the President blows his top. Cheerio Boss! See you later!” she said before leaving Junsu alone at the lawn.
“Aish..how come I always end up with the boring part” Junsu grumbled as he dragged his feet to the auction place. Most of the guests were already seated and Junsu spotted Yunho at the front. Yunho saw him and pointed to his watch with an anxious expression. Junsu nervously moved to the front and took out his cue cards from his pocket and walked up the stage to head start the event.
“Remember everyone, you’re doing your bid for charity and as well as for the future of the children here. Thank you” Junsu bowed politely to the crowd after ending his speech and everyone clapped at the same time the items for the auction were assembled. When the first item was brought forward, there was a flurry of excitement as the guests started bidding for the highest price on it. Junsu stared at the painting placed on the easel and wondered why someone would want to get a painting showing a naked woman having a picnic with two fully-clothed guys and another naked woman in the background having a bath at the small stream.
“Do you think that guy’s a pervert?” Junsu whispered to Yunho when the painting was sold to a middle-aged man. Yunho shot him a look and Junsu kept his mouth shut after that. He glanced at his watch only to realize that only half an hour had gone by. He sighed and slouched in his seat wondering how long the auction will take place. It was his first time getting restless at such an event and it was no surprised that he was itching to get out of the hall and sneaked into the classroom to see what Ri In was up to. Why was she being so secretive anyway?
Junsu focused his attention back to the event and then started humming softly hoping that time will fly faster, but then Yunho turned to him with a quizzical look and Junsu stopped humming. “Stop fidgeting or I’ll throw you out” Yunho hissed at him from the corner of his mouth.
Junsu brightened up at the idea and sat up straighter. “Really? You would?” he asked and Yunho frowned at him. “I guess not…” Junsu trailed off and decided to pay attention on the auction instead. When it was finally over, which was a (grueling) two hours for him; he practically jumped on the stage and proceeded to say the thank you and farewell speech.
“You need to go to the toilet or something?” Yunho asked him when everyone left the room and making their way out for refreshments. “Err…yeah. I can’t hold it in much longer..so I better go now” Junsu fibbed, flashed Yunho a bright smile and then skidded down the hallway to the classroom, but alas, when he reached the place, it was completely empty. “Where did everyone go?” he asked out loud.
“Junsu-shii? What are you doing over there?” Myung-Hee asked, who was standing at the end of the hallway and carrying a platter of butter cookies.
“Where’s everyone?” Junsu wanted to know as he walked towards her. Myung-Hee chuckled. “They’re all at the lawn having their lunch. But some of the younger ones are having their afternoon nap now”
“Oh..umm..have you seen Ri In?” Junsu asked. Myung-Hee nodded. “Yeah. I think she’s still in one of the kid’s bedroom. She was helping the other teachers to put them to sleep. You know how cranky some of the younger ones here. Oh…she did an AMAZING job at the storytelling session today. I’m really impressed with her” she explained.
Junsu raised his eyebrows, and feeling a bit left out that he wasn’t there to see Ri In reading to the kids. “She is? It’s a bummer I miss it huh?” he said.
“Yeah…I…guess…so” Myung Hee said slowly, not sure why Junsu was feeling a bit down just because he was not there at the session. “I mean, the kids really love what she did. She had them paying attention to what she was saying, and she got them involved in the story as well. She would turn out to be a great teacher…or a great mother. She really knows how to communicate with them”
Junsu’s face practically glowed when he heard Myung Hee saying that. A great teacher or a great mother. He could already see the future with Ri In already. When Myung-Hee left to serve the food, Junsu continued walking down the hallway, making his way to the bedrooms, popping his head in to see if Ri In is in one of them. He stopped when he spotted Ri In in one of the rooms, standing by the window sill, carrying a child in her arms. The little girl was leaning on her shoulder and sleeping peacefully while Ri In was pacing slowly around the room and rubbing the girl’s back in a comforting manner. Junsu paused at the doorway, taking in the beautiful sight.
“She’s so gorgeous” Junsu thought, his eyes never leaving Ri In who was now standing close to the window, with the curtains flapping gently with the light breeze. When the little girl started whimpering in her sleep, Ri In hushed her softly while patting her back slowly. “Hush now…” Ri In said in a soft voice.
Junsu stepped into the room and sat gingerly on one of the children’s bed, watching Ri In. The bed squeaked as Junsu sat down and Ri In turned around to see who it was but her face relaxed when she saw that it was only him.
“How was the auction? Did they manage to raise a lot?” Ri in asked in the same soft voice. Junsu nodded. “It went well. I heard from Myung-Hee you did a fantastic job. She was really impressed with you” he told her.
Ri In grinned sheepishly as she walked forward to the bed and gently placed the girl on it. The girl started whimpering again and Junsu felt his insides warming, watching the affectionate treatment Ri In was giving to the child. He was no doubt, falling in love with her more and more seeing Ri In running her fingers through the girl’s hair while trying to soothe her at the same time. The girl scrunched up her face with her eyes closed and was on the verge of crying but after Ri In coaxed her like how a mother does it, the girl eventually calmed down and hugged her teddy bear. Junsu placed the blanket over the girl’s body and he and Ri In stood watching the child for some time.
“She looks so peaceful” Ri In said softly after some time. Junsu nodded in agreement and then chuckled when Ri In’s stomach started to grumble. Ri In placed her hand on her abdomen and giggled. “Oops” she said.
Junsu took her hand and lead her out of the room. He noticed how Ri In was swinging their hands and she kept grinning from ear to ear. “Somebody looks happy today” Junsu commented. Ri In shrugged. “I like today” she told him.
“I like…what you did to the girl just now” Junsu said as they walked down the steps. Ri In raised her eyebrows. “What? I only put that girl to sleep” she pointed out.
They sat down on a bench and Junsu shrugged this time. “Well…yeah. There was something..magical about it” he tried to say.
Ri In laughed. “Wae? Were there fairy dust around me?” she joked and Junsu laughed. “Aniya. I just…I like watching what you did. That’s all” he said and Ri In blushed while looking down at her fingers.
Just then Dong-Min came running to them and happily settled himself between the two. “Unnie’s the donkey right?” Dong-Min started to say and Junsu frowned at him. “Dong-Min ah, that’s very rude!” he told the little boy.
Dong-Min looked up at him with dismay. “B..But Hyung…she was the donkey just now!” he protested.
Ri In laughed and patted Junsu’s shoulder. “It’s alright Oppa. He was just referring to the act just now. Dong-Min acted as a fearsome tiger just now, and I think he did a good job on it” she said, patting the boy’s head.
“There was an act?” Junsu wanted to know. Dong-Min nodded enthusiastically. “I like being the tiger. RAAAWWWR!!!” he said while imitating one. “When I grow up, I want to be a tiger!!”
Both Junsu and Ri In laughed when they heard that. “And I also want to be that…that..”Dong-Min stopped talking and scratched his head. “I forgot what’s the name” he mumbled to himself.
“What is it Dong-Min?” Ri In urged him. Dong-Min scrunched up his face and then sighed. “I can’t remember what’s the name of it”
“What name?” Junsu asked him. “The other day in class, teacher was asking what we want to be when we grow up. I told her I wanted to be that person who stares and read things at you” Dong-Min replied. Junsu glanced at Ri In who in return shrugged. She seemed to be at loss too.
“Which person stares and read things at you?” Junsu asked him again.
“Aish..Hyung! It’s that man who dress like you and then tell you about…..many things. The teacher’s usually watches him on TV when we are eating and then they get to know whether it will be sunny or rainy day as well” Dong-Min explained. Junsu’s mind went blank after hearing what he said but Ri In ended up covering her mouth to prevent herself from laughing out loud.
“Dong-Min wants to be a news reader. An anchorman. Am I right to say that?” Ri In asked, looking adoringly at the boy. Dong-Min’s face brightened up immediately. “YES! That’s the one teacher was talking about the other day!” he cried out happily. “And if I become the news readers, I get to wear this!” he added triumphantly holding out the tie Junsu had given to him earlier on. “Then I can become as handsome as Junsu Hyung!”
Junsu noticed that Ri In was trying hard not to laugh again as she was pressing her lips together with a bemused look on her face. “You’re very ambitious Dong-Min ah…make sure you work hard to be a news reader araso? Unnie and Junsu Hyung can’t wait to see you on TV” Ri In said, kissing Dong-Min on his chubby cheeks. Junsu saw Dong-Min coiled in an embarrass manner when he received the kiss and he laughed at the sight.
“Dong-Min! Dong-Min where are you?” someone called out and Dong-Min quickly got down from the bench. “Teacher’s looking for me. I have to go. Unnie and Hyung will come here again?” he asked, squeezing Junsu’s arm.
Junsu nodded. “Definitely” he said. Dong-Min grinned and then went off to join the rest of his friends. “A man who stares and read things at you” Ri In spoke up.
Junsu shook his head. “I thought he wanted to be a fortune teller!” he told her. “By the way, what did you do during the storytelling? Please tell me” he begged.
Ri In tucked her hair behind her ear and shook her head. “It’s nothing special Oppa” she said. “Then why did you forbid me from joining the session?” Junsu wanted to know.
“B..Because..”Ri In started, biting her lips nervously. “Because I didn’t..want to let you see me do the silly stuff. You know..like making funny faces and acting like a monkey or what have you” she confessed, clasping her hands together and not making eye contact with him.
Junsu stared at her and he could feel the bubbles of laughter rising inside him. “You..you..OMO Ri In!! Your reasons are just so….lame!” he blurted out and then laughing like a maniac.
“But Oppa..I really don’t feel comfortable with you there and me acting like a jungle animal” Ri In told him. “That’s why I told Yoobin to prevent you from coming into the room”
“But Ri In, you’re not bad a monkey yourself as well, so I don’t think that would be a problem for me” Junsu told her. Ri In’s eyes widened in shock and she twisted Junsu’s arm. “You take that back Xiah Junsu!” she screeched while Junsu yelped in pain.
“Y..Yah Ri In!! That hurts!!!” Junsu cried out, trying to tug his arm away from Ri In’s grip but the girl dug her nails in his arm. “Take back what you say” Ri In repeated in a menacing tone. Junsu gulped and nodded. “Araso..araso! Mianhe, I didn’t mean to say that” Junsu squeaked.
Ri In let go of him and dusted her pants but she still had a disapproved look on her face. “You’re mad?” Junsu asked timidly. Ri In gave him a haughty look and faced the other way. “But I said I was sorry” Junsu mumbled, looking down at his shoes.
“Boss! The President is looking for you” someone suddenly called out. Junsu nodded to the person and then turned to Ri In. “You go ahead first. I’ll be fine” Ri In said to him but in a monotonous tone.
“Uhh..you sure?” Junsu asked uncertainly. Ri In nodded. “You better go before Yunho gets mad” she told him.
Junsu sauntered off feeling a bit unsure if Ri In was still mad at him or just pretending to be angry. He was unable to read her expression just now and he hoped Ri In won’t take it to heart about what him calling her a monkey. It was a just a slip of a tongue and he didn’t meant to insult her as well. When Junsu had finished his business with Yunho, it was almost time for the event for to come to an end. The guests were taking their leave and the children were ushered inside as the sky started to darken.
“Great job today Junsu and team. I’ll see you guys in the office on Monday” Yunho commented before leaving the place.
Junsu stayed behind for a while to help his team clear up the place. He spied Ri In chatting with a group of teachers in the kitchen and from the look of it, she looks pretty alright and doesn’t seemed mad at all. Maybe he was thinking too much. After everything was cleared, he bid his team goodbye and told them to have a safe journey home. He was walking around the now empty lawn, doing a last inspection when he saw a white balloon still tied up on a pole. He went to remove it from the pole when a sudden idea struck him. He sneaked quietly into the children’s Art room, took a black marker and wrote SORRY on the balloon. On the other side, he scribbled “XIAH JUNSU IS THE MONKEY, NOT YOU”. When he was done, he quickly ran to the teacher’s room, find Ri In’s locker and then tied the balloon onto the dial. When he heard footsteps coming in, he hurriedly sneaked out, praying that his plan will work.
Fifteen minutes had passed and Junsu was leaning against his car, cracking his knuckles nervously when someone told him to stop the habit. Junsu jumped and saw that it was only Ri In standing at the gate with the balloon floating above her head. “They say it might make your bones go further apart” Ri In said, walking slowly towards him and tugging the string of the balloon. She glanced up and grinned. “Some of the teachers saw this…and they agreed that you can be a monkey sometimes” she added with a wink.
Junsu rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Aish. I was hoping they won’t see that” he muttered as Ri In approached him. She held the balloon in her hand with the word SORRY facing him. “I’m sorry too. For twisting your arm” she said. “Does it…still hurt?”
Junsu shook his head. “No..but I think I deserve getting that” he said and Ri In laughed. “Silly boy! Don’t think of it as a punishment. I was only joking around” she assured him, patting his arm. “So shall we have dinner now?”
Junsu grinned. “Sure. You can have anything you want tonight” he told her as he opened the door for her but before she got into the vehicle, he grabbed her and hugged her tightly. “Saranghae” he whispered into her ear.
He heard Ri In laughed softly as she returned back the hug. “Same here” she whispered back and kissing his cheek. When he let her go, Ri In pointed upwards and he followed suit. To his surprise, he saw the balloon floating into the sky, getting further and further away.
“It slipped out of my hand when you suddenly hugged me. Now the whole world knows that Xiah Junsu is a monkey” Ri In commented as they both stared at the balloon floating happily into the clouds.
“I’ll make you a new one” Junsu offered but Ri In shook his head. “Aniya. Don’t trouble yourself” she told him, placing her arms around his neck. Junsu pulled her closer and looked at her deep in the eyes. “So you don’t mind the whole world knows that your boyfriend is a monkey?” he asked.
Ri In giggled and her nose crinkled up in delight. “It’s fine with me. He’s a special monkey to me anyway…and no one can have him” she said with a seductive smile.
“Hmmm..I like the sound of that” Junsu said in a husky tone before claiming her lips. He ran his hands up and down her back as Ri In returned back the kiss. When the kiss ended, Junsu pushed back Ri In’s fringe and she looked up to him with those eyes that gleamed with enchantment. “Oppa, were you scared…that I will stay mad at you?” she asked, caressing his cheeks.
“Kind..of” Junsu admitted. “I’ve never seen you so angry before”
Ri In ruffled his hair playfully. “Aniya. I don’t like getting angry. It’s a waste of energy…that’s what grandma told me” she told him.
Junsu tipped her chin and pressed his lips on hers. “I’m sorry your balloon flew away” he said, hugging her closer.
Ri In chuckled. “It’s okay” she said, leaning on his chest and let out a happy sigh. The couple stayed that way, in each other’s arm for a while.
“What do you want to eat later?” Junsu asked, breaking the silence. Ri In thought for a while. “How about seafood? You wanted to take me to this place that sells crab meat right?”
“Then seafood it is” Junsu declared as they got into the car and drove off to the eating place. When they reached there, Ri In immediately got excited at the amount of seafood at the buffet area and was tossing them happily into the small barbeque pit in the middle of their table. Junsu can’t help but laugh seeing her acting like a child and secretly took out his phone and snapped a photo of her leaning in closely to inspect if the cuttlefish was properly cook. Ri In glanced up when she heard the shutter sound. “I better not look ugly in that” she told him as she rummaged something in her bag. She took out something white and then slid it across the table.
Junsu took it and turned it over and realized that it was a few Polaroid pictures of him, Ri In and Dong Min sitting on the bench and looking all bright and cheerful. There was a picture of Dong Min scrunching his face up, probably thinking of the name of the person he wants to be when he grows up, with Junsu and Ri In looking at him, waiting for him to say something. Junsu’s favorite was a picture of Ri In kissing Dong Min’s cheek and the boy’s face crinkled up in a delightful yet shy manner and Junsu laughing at them. He almost choked on his food when he saw the last picture. It was when Ri In was torturing him and he had on a pitiful expression on his face.
“I like the last picture” Ri In was saying, sipping her soup. “Who took this?” Junsu wanted to know, looking at the pictures again.
“One of the teachers. She actually wanted us to have a group photo but she didn’t want to disturb our conversation so she ended up taking these candid shots” Ri In explained, chewing on a crab meat.
Junsu held out a picture of the three of them and grinned at her. “Don’t we look like a happy family here?” he asked, wriggling his eyebrows. Ri In blushed furiously as she looked down and poked something at the pit.
“You know, I’m thinking of taking you to meet my family one day. Maybe this Christmas” Junsu said, adding a few prawns to the pit.
Ri In glanced up at him in surprise and Junsu looked at her. “Or…maybe not so..soon” Junsu said slowly noting the panicked look in her eyes.
Ri In swallowed her food slowly. “A..Actually, I…would love to meet them” she said in a low voice. Junsu glanced at her. “Really?” he asked, his heart skipping a bit.
Ri In shrugged. “Sure…why not. I mean, you’ve already meet grandma…so I guess it’s my turn to meet your family” she simply said. She then looked up and smiled at Junsu. “This Christmas will be perfect” she added.
Junsu grinned widely at her as he leaned forward and kissed Ri In on the forehead. “Oppa! What are you doing?!” Ri In hissed, placing her hand on her forehead and glancing nervously around the restaurant.
“Showing my affection for you” Junsu replied, placing the cooked prawns on Ri In’s plate. “Eat up!” he said with a flourished.
When Junsu got home that night, he pasted the ‘Ri In-bullied-Junsu’ photo onto his notice board beside the door and stood there looking at it. It wasn’t a lovely sight of course, but he like seeing it somehow. He thought about the other ‘family’ photos, which Ri In had taken home to put into her album, and then felt a jolt of excitement thinking of the idea of bringing Ri In to see his family this coming Christmas. He recalled what Ri In had said: “This Christmas will be perfect”.
Yeap. Nothing will be much more perfect than to spend the holiday season with your loved ones…and he’s definitely looking forward to it…
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undermickysskin : WOW...you can really imagine yourself cruising down the street with Changmin huh? hahahah XD Yeah...I guess you really need to stop polluting your mind!!>.<
jija : Oh how I wish Changmin could be mine too! Haha!! Exam can be a nutcase..I'm having mine next month!! And I haven't start revising *gulps* Yeah, I wish I have superpowers like Clark Kent as well :)Then I can fly around freely and explore the world. Good luck with your studies!
kiisachan : Hey YOU!!!! Where have you gone missing?!!! I've been missing your long long loooooong comments! Looking forward to reading them :)