A Song For You (ft. aespa's Winter) [Fluff]

Tonight. Either it ends tonight, or something new begins.

“God, bless me tonight.” Clasp your palms together, your wish burning bright in your chest. You release a shaky breath, thinking of her. Tonight, you will get your answer. You smoothen out the creases on your shirt, nitpicking at your outfit to look your best.

Two hard knocks on the door break your train of thought. “Yah, slowpoke! Let’s go! We’re gonna be late~!” You smile. The whining of Kim Minjeong never ceases to warm your heart. “Fine, Winter. I’m coming.”

The sight that greets you when the door swings open is nothing short of ethereal. Minjeong stands in front of you, her hands clasped together, swaying from left to right, a slight smile gracing her perfect features. For a moment, there is nothing else in the world that exists, bar you and her. You wonder if this is Heaven. The angel that returns your gaze blows your mind.

Her silky hair is braided neatly, resting on her left shoulder, cascading down to her chest. You admire the dye job done to her hair—the top half dyed black, bottom half blonde. Her makeup accentuates her eyes, the brown pools hypnotizing, drawing you deeper into her soul. Pink, full lips, slightly open. What would it feel like to have her lips on yours?

Tonight, she dresses simply. A black crop top rests under a cozy grey off-shoulder sweater, and she completes the look with black track pants. Her boots compliment her style, and your heart pounds out of your chest. Minjeong has never looked this beautiful, and you nearly spill the feelings you hide.

“Hi.” You breathe out, taking in the view of the goddess that stands before you.

“Hey.” Minjeong smiles wider, revealing her teeth in a wide grin. You note the flush on her face. “You look… good.”

“Same to you.” The pounding of your heart never ceases. “Shall we?” You extend a hand to her, just like you have for the past decade. Winter’s hand slides into yours with ease, the action clearly practiced over the years both of you share with each other. Her touch ignites fire over your skin, and you yearn for more contact with her. The conflagration of hope in your heart never dims.

As you lock the door to your home, Winter holds onto your hand. Both of you leave for your car, and she lets go of you to enter your car. Regretfully, you let her hand leave yours. Deep down, you wish to hold her hand forever. Alas, both of you have a party to attend, and you need to drive.

—————

Both you and Minjeong arrive at a relatively tame party. Somehow, there is not much loud music, though you can hear the live band from within the sprawling mansion. Young adults mill about around the expanse of the mansion, and you wander towards the entrance.

“Winter! Hyunwoo!” Both of you turn to meet your best friend Chansik. The third of your trio, and your loyal brother to the grave. The three of you exchange fistbumps, and Chansik winks at you. Winter, thankfully, is distracted by a cute puppy that bounds toward her.

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, Lucky!” Winter squeals in delight. The puppy jumps into her open arms, and Winter falls to the ground in delight as the puppy tries to lick her cheeks.

“You have it that bad for her, huh?” Chansik smiles at you, and you keep your gaze on the girl you love. You remain silent for a while, a soft smile slowly widening as you watch Minjeong play with the puppy.

“I love her. You know that.” Minjeong now chases Lucky around, and her unbridled happiness sparks your own. “I hope she loves me back.”

“She does. I know you don’t believe me, but she does.”

You sigh. “I hope so. It’s all or nothing tonight. I can’t die, I’m all-in.”

“Right, bro. Oi, Lucky, come here!”

The puppy Winter plays with sprints towards Chansik. Winter runs towards you, the widest grin on her face, ear to ear. Once again, you wonder if she was an angel sent from Heaven. Chansik gestures vaguely at the mansion. “Go enjoy yourselves, lovebirds. See ya!”

The nickname causes both of you to furiously blush, though neither is aware of the other. You look at your feet, scratching your head, while Minjeong freezes, suddenly deciding that the speck of black on the wall was very interesting. Chansik laughs, leaving with Lucky.

You pull her towards the bar. “Let’s go, Mindoongie.”

—–

As both of you enjoy the free food and drink, both of you sit in content silence. You gaze at your companion for the night, staring up at the night sky, under the glass of the ceiling. The marvel adorning her features under the sky only makes you fall harder for her.

You reminisce about how both of you met. A little over ten years ago, Minjeong transferred into your school. She was so shy then, and you took a full month to slowly get closer and closer to her. When you finally broke her shell, she grew to become your best friend for the next decade or so. She is present for every milestone in your life since then, just as you are for all of hers—your first and subsequent wins in the basketball team, her ascension to Vice-President in the Student Council, graduation, joining the same college together, and now, graduating together once more. Somewhere along the line, the girl you were best friends with grew into the woman you fell in love with. You remember her awkward goth phase when she was fourteen, her incessant fangirling over Harry Styles over the last five years, and the moment you knew it was her.

You smile. The moment she jumped for joy when both of you entered the same college together, before leaping into your arms will forever be seared into your mind. Minjeong had knocked you over then, burying herself deep into your embrace, squealing in joy. At that moment, something struck you—there was nothing more you wanted than to hold on to her forever.

For her, you would do anything.

—–

‘Ting! Ting! Ting!’

Three successive taps of a spoon and a glass leads Chansik to get the attention of the standing crowd of partygoers. The live band slows, letting Chansik speak.

“Tonight, we gather to celebrate our graduation. We’ve worked hard these past few years, and tonight, we can finally cut loose before we begin life as working adults. So now, enjoy the live band, enjoy the food and drink, and enjoy tonight!” A cheer erupts out of the crowd, and Winter smiles. She turns to you, and your heart skips a beat. “Take some pictures of me! Come!”

Minjeong grabs your hand, leading you down a hallway in the mansion. Sometimes, you forget how rich Chansik truly is. However, that thought is immediately stomped out by the sudden weight in your heart. Your hand fits nicely in Minjeong’s. The smile on her features, and the wave of her other hand beckoning you floods your cone of visibility. You follow blindly.

“Here! Take photos of me!” You fish out your phone, and proceed to take photos of the woman you love. Each photo you take, Minjeong strikes a different pose. You know that you will cherish these photos for a long time to come.

When you show Minjeong the photos, she beams, before turning you to face her. “Thank you!”

What she does next is out of one of your wildest dreams. The smell of buttermilk shampoo, mixed in with the scent of almonds and sandalwood, envelops you. Something soft lands on your cheek. In an instant, Minjeong is back in front of you, chewing on her bottom lip, glancing at you and then to the floor repeatedly.

“Did you just-”

“Oh! Um, let’s go dance!” Minjeong tugs at your arm, and she leads you to the dance floor.

—————

The journey through the mansion to the dance floor is rather eventful. Both you and Minjeong are aware of your reputation within the graduating batch. This batch of students collectively recognize the both of you as the childhood friends who somehow still aren’t together. Hence, both of you get teased along the way by the friends both of you have made over the years.

You look at Minjeong as she pulls you around, and she takes the teasing in her stride. Sometimes, you see hints of a smile almost breaking through. Soon enough, both of you join the crowd on the dance floor, letting the music of the live band seep into your bones.

—–

“That was our last song. We’ve been The Other Side, thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen!” The vocalist of the band bows along with his bandmates, but before they leave, he raises the mic once more.

It is time. You prepare for the most nerve-wracking experience of your life.

“Before we take our leave, we invite up to the stage, our host, Park Chansik!” As the crowd begins to applaud, Chansik steps out from a hallway, his trusty acoustic guitar strapped around his neck. He takes the stage, thanking each member of the live band, exchanging pleasantries and thanks.

“This is a one-time only performance by yours truly, planned together with my bro-for-life, Hyunwoo. Come up on stage. This is your moment.”

You know Minjeong is confused. She grabs your arm, and you smile at her confusion. You bend to whisper to her, “You’ll know soon. Wait for me.” As you take the mic, Chansik gives you a thumbs-up. You raise the mic.

“I know you all have many questions.” You look across the crowd, before settling your eyes on the woman of your dreams. “I’m here for one thing, and one thing only. Tonight, I’ll perform one song, and this will answer every question.” You take a deep breath, and Chansik whisper-shouts, “You got this, bro!”

“Tonight, I will sing Rose, by EXO’s Do Kyungsoo.”

—–

Chansik begins to strum his guitar. The song begins. You focus on Minjeong, and Minjeong only. Nothing else matters to you.

'Up above the clear blue sky

Like a cloud following the wind

Don’t go too far away

Just stay where you are

My baby every day in my heart’

You think of every moment you’ve shared with her. Almost half your life, up to this point, was spent with her. You can’t help but think of the clouds and the winds—where you went, she followed, and where she went, you followed. She is someone you cannot fathom living without anymore, and you pray with all your might that she stays. The instrumental builds, just as your emotions do. The crowd claps along.

'You’re like a spring day, pretty and I love it

Thinking what can I do to make you come to me

Even though I look shy

And cheesy, I can’t help it

I love you baby’

The seasons you have spent with Minjeong flash across your mind. Year by year, you watch Minjeong blossom from an awkward thirteen-year-old to an intelligent and kind sixteen-year-old, then grow into a beautiful college graduate with a heart of gold and the visuals of a goddess. You spend countless nights dreaming of ways to take the next step, to finally take the dive, to finally chase her. Four years since your 'Aha!’ moment, and at least six since you’ve fallen for her. All of these feelings culminate in your effory today.

The conflagration of hope burns brighter when you see Minjeong cover her mouth, tears beginning to spill out of her eyes. Her shoulders shake as she begins to cry, and you wish to stop the song. You fight with all you can to carry on, the ache in your heart fresh as you resist running to her to comfort her, no matter what she feels.

A modicum of dread seeps into your heart, slowly. What if she doesn’t like it? What if she hates you after this?

'You’re the one that I think of when I wake up I wonder if you know that

Don’t pretend as if you don’t know

You know everything

Oh maybe baby’

She is your first thought of the day, and your last thought as you end the day. Every morning, you wish her a good morning, and every night, a good night. Not a day goes by where you don’t think about your best friend, and neither does any day go by without you trying to make her happy. Maybe you are obvious, maybe you are cheesy, maybe you are dumb. None of this matters to you.

'Even though I see you every day you’re still pretty and I love it

Thinking what can I do to make you come to me

Even though I look shy

And cheesy, I can’t help it

Be my love baby’

Every time you see Minjeong, you forget the troubles you face. She is nothing short of perfect to you, and you adore her so much. Every day, you wish for her to truly be your love. She greets you with smiles, hugs, and the occasional doughnut from the cafe on campus you love so much. You think of the countless times she has shown up to accompany you during your stressful studies, the countless times she’d make time amidst a busy schedule as VP to come watch your game. You think of the “dates” you have had, spending free time cycling together at the park, or swimming at the beach during vacations, and the endless video game nights over the past decade. So much of your time has been hers, and so much of hers has also been yours.

Dimly, you note that maybe she doesn’t like you back. Maybe. If she doesn’t, then… then you’d regret nothing. Falling for her is something you will never regret.

The music slows. As you hit the bridge of the song, you remind yourself of the courage you have to take this step. As you borrow D.O.’s words for your own story, you hope that his penned lyrics come true for you.

'I go to a local florist

No matter how hard I think about

Which flower I want to give you

The only flower I know is a rose

With courage, carrying an arm full of flowers

I’m coming to you’

The clapping of the crowd dims. Minjeong sobs quietly, the realization of what your message is shining from her teary eyes. You refuse to think of what all this means. As you gaze over the crowd, you know the game is up. You gaze at the expressions on the faces of your friends, your classmates, clubmates, acquaintances, even those you don’t know. Each and every one of them realizes what you’re doing. Chansik’s guitar picks up, and your emotions rise to a crescendo. The home stretch is right before your eyes.

'You are prettier than a rose actually

I can’t really express my feelings in words

Even though I look shy

And cheesy, I can’t help it…’

You let the lyrics speak for themselves. Everything you held in your heart for the past four years has now been laid bare for the world to see. You sing the last line with the brightest hope that maybe, just maybe, she returns your feelings for her.

’… From today we are lovers.’

As the crowd applauds your vocal ability, you soak in the applause. However, Minjeong openly sobs, and you freeze.

“Go to her, bro. Trust me.” Chansik pushes your shoulder, and you move down the stage to Minjeong. Each step you take only increases the dread you feel. Never in your life have you seen Minjeong sob this hard, not even when she watched sappy films. Maybe she doesn’t like it. Maybe she hates you now. You don’t register the tears that roll down your own cheeks.

Your feet both touch the floor when Minjeong bolts towards you, barrelling into you just like she did four years earlier. She crashes into you, her arms wrapping tightly around your body. Her body quakes with her sobs, and you hug her tightly, savoring what might be the last time you may get to hold her like this. The crowd begins to cheer, and Chansik’s pleads with them to remain quiet, so you can have your moment.

Minjeong begins to punch your chest, her hits getting harder and harder. Her voice is broken by shaky sobs, but you are able to make out what she says.

“Idiot. Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot!” She pulls you deeper into her embrace, and you rub circles into her lower back, just the way she likes when she cries in your embrace. You let her cry it out, and you wipe away your tears when they fall.

When Minjeong releases you, you stare at her. Even with her nose running, swollen eyes, and ruined makeup, she looks nothing short of gorgeous. She means the world to you, and nothing will ever change that.

“I love you, Minjeong-ah,” You softly say, “Please be my girlfriend.” Your words spark another wave of sobs from the girl in front of you. Your anticipation and dread are at an all-time high. The crowd awaits with bated breath, and Chansik strums a soft tune with his guitar. The music soothes your nerves a little, and you thank God for Chansik.

Minjeong hastily wipes her eyes with her sweater, and when she regains her composure, you wait for her answer. However, she never speaks. Instead, she takes two purposeful steps, and the next thing you know, two hands grab your shirt, and your lips crash into Minjeong’s in a deep kiss.

The roar of the crowd is drowned out by the feeling of Minjeong’s soft lips on yours. You pull her deep into you, pouring all your feelings into the kiss you share with her. Four years, four long years, maybe even more, of holding feelings for her, and now you finally have an answer to the question.

When both of you break the kiss for air, Minjeong beams at you, beginning to cry again. The next words she says lock in her answer to you.

“Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

The crowd cheers even louder. Winter pulls you in for a deep and long kiss, one which you return with the same passion she has. When this second kiss is broken, both of you finally note the public-ness of your location, and both of you wither in shame. The crowd rushes to congratulate both you and Minjeong, and you end the night on the highest note possible.

—————

That night, as you drop Minjeong off at her place, she pulls you towards her home, then into her house. Before you can greet her parents, Minjeong speaks.

“Mom, Dad, you’ve been asking for so long.” She raises your entwined hands. “Meet my boyfriend, Hyunwoo.”