Unspoken

It was already a warm morning when Mingyu arrived at the corner where Minji lived. The crooked street sign, the maple tree that would always drop leaves on his head in the fall, the cracked sidewalk. It was the same as it had been the previous 3 years.

Except for his feelings.

He checked his phone for the third time, pretending he was bored, when in reality he was counting the minutes until she appeared.

7:29 a.m.

“Always on time,” he mumbled and shoved his free hand into his pocket.

Just as expected, Minji came running down the street, her hand clutched at the backpack's strap and the other hand was still working to tie the ponytail. Her uniform shirt was neatly tucked in, but her tie was a little crooked.

His cheeks red but it didn’t matter because Minji won’t tell the differences.

He cupped his hands around his mouth.

“For the first time in forever~~” (Sang Disney Frozen OST)

“Kim Minji finally on time! Bravo!!🥱🥱😴😴 ” (Sarcasm)

Minji's head lifted up. When she saw him smirking at the corner, she narrowed her eyes. She started running toward him, silently but her smile got a mischievous twist.

“K-I-M M-I-N-G-Y-U!!!!”

“I’m going to fucking KILL YOU!!!”

He chuckled and ran away in the other direction, carrying his bag on his back.

“Catch me if you can 😜😜”

Minji went full “Usain Bolt” mode, chasing Mingyu with all her might.

The sidewalk became their playground. They darted around other students, sidestepped lampposts, and jumped over the occasional crack in the ground. He slowed down every few seconds just enough for her to almost grab his sleeve, then pulled away again, teasing her.

“Why are you running so quick?! Stop running like a cheetah, idiot!!”

Minji was very frustrated that she released her shoes for more acceleration just to chase him.

“Because you are slow, slot. HAHAHA!!!😂😂”

“I’m going to get you! Watch me!”

She finally caught up just as they were passing the little convenience store near the bus stop. With a victorious noise, she grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him toward her. He stumbled and turned around, facing her face before he grinned and playfully flicked her forehead hard.

“OW!!!!!!”

“MINGYU!!”

Minji dropped her hand to the spot that he had flicked, dramatically.

“How dare you!”

“You got me!” Mingyu said with a smile on his face. “That's just the way it is.”

“That rule is stupid.”

“You made that rule.”

“AND??” Minji waited.

“Which meant that you are stupid. Stupid Minji~~”

“YAH!”

“Hehehe…. Don’t be mad. Just kidding. 😚😚” Mingyu grinned, satisfied with his action on teasing Minji.

She huffed, then lunged for his backpack. Grabbing one of the straps, she swung it just enough to make the bag twist against his back.

“Hey, hey, that has my science report in it!” he protested, turning so she had to jog sideways to keep her grip.

“Hmpphh! That’s what you get for flicking me.” She tugged at the strap again. “Apologize, or say bye-bye to your lovely report.” She blackmailed him.

Their bickering continued with Mingyu almost apologized to Minji before tricking her again by snatching the report away from her hand and flicked her forehead again.

“Ow! MINGYU!! You did that on purpose!”

Minji tried to step on the back of his shoe, and he dodged at the last second, letting her stumble forward. Before she could actually fall, his hand shot out and caught her elbow.

He steadied her easily. “Easy there, princess.”

Minji blinked, then scoffed to cover the way her heart jumped. “Stop holding me, you bastard.”

“Okok. I’m not holding you.” Mingyu released her from his arms.

“Gosh, you should be lucky I saved your ass.”

She made an offended noise and, while he was distracted looking at her, reached out and expertly slipped his water bottle from the side pocket of his bag. He did not notice until they started walking again.

“Wait. Where is my water?”

She casually unscrewed the cap and took a long sip. “What water?”

“Minji”

“Is that my fucking water?”

She smiled sweetly, the kind of smile that meant trouble. “Earn it back.”

“How?”