Shutters and Strings - MICHAENG

1

A really cute stranger at that.

Mina mentally shook these thoughts to the side and tried her best to not let the blush beginning to creepily crawl its way on her face be visible.

"I am so sorry, so so sorry," Mina whined again, hands against her head, embarrassed about the whole situation, the godforsaken crimson blush starting to make its way on her face. The other woman, also now snapping out of it, let out a small chuckle and waved her hands at Mina.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, I'm not angry, you're fine." She replied, wrapping her thin gray sweater around her own waist.

"I mean, in a way, you did me a favor. I was out wearing this thing, and your coffee kept me from freezing my ass off." The shorter girl added, pointing towards the sweater wrapped around her now.

Mina placed her hands down and started to calm herself down, her breathing starting to get slower and more steady. She looked at the girl and she had a reassured look on her face—a face of forgiveness.

Mina gave a little hardly perceptible nod, which the girl in front of her gratefully caught.

"Alright, however, please know that I didn't mean to. I guess I managed to space out." Mina said, giving the girl in front of her a small smile. The other girl returned the smile and gave her a small bow.

"Chaeyoung, Son Chaeyoung." She let out, as she then offered Mina a hand. Mina then gladly shook it, still a little surprised at Chaeyoung's carefree attitude towards the whole encounter.

"Mina, Myoui Mina." She replied back.

"That's a really pretty name." Chaeyoung blurted out, a hint of shock placed on her face, almost as if she accidentally let her inner thought escape. She quickly replaced the reaction she let out with a casual one, a small, innocent smile now plastered on her face.

Mina herself was a bit shocked at the immediate compliment, but her face didn't show it.

"Why thank you, Son Chaeyoung, yours is pretty unique too." Mina spoke out, unsure if her comment even sounded like a compliment, which she, in turn, ended up quietly cringing at herself. Chaeyoung, however, didn't seem to realize and took it as the compliment Mina intended it to be.

"If you don't mind me asking, could I ask what you were doing walking around in that sweater when the weather looks like, well, this." Mina politely asked. She couldn't help the curiosity growing in her head. Chaeyoung was only wearing the lousy gray sweater she now wrapped around her waist, accompanied by a tight black long-sleeve with casual gray joggers. Nothing suitable for the weather outside.

Chaeyoung looked up and a look of sorrow fell on her face, as she turned to look at the windows. The weather outside seemed stronger than it had been previously. Snow now fell more heavily and faster. At this, Chaeyoung threw a hand behind her neck in embarrassment, turning to look at her outfit again.

"Let's just say I was avoiding a few responsibilities and ended up leaving with this on." Chaeyoung shrugged, an unsure smile crawling its way to her face. She turned to look at her phone and her eyes shot up in worry.

"Ah, I didn't even realize the time. I seriously would love to talk more... but I kind of should get going." Chaeyoung let out. A hint of sadness in her voice. As she was about to start making her way towards the door, Mina followed close behind her.

"If it's okay with you, could I walk you to your destination? It still rubs me the wrong way with how I treated you earlier." Mina spoke. It was true. The least she could do was walk the other girl to wherever she was going, in an attempt to feel a bit better and make sure Chaeyoung got to wherever she needed to be, safe.