like you a little (catnipz)

three

"hey, haerin," she began, leaning closer to ensure her voice was audible over the bus's low hum. "do you want to listen to some music? it'll sound a whole lot better with the rain as background noise."

haerin's eyes lit up with interest, and she nodded. "sure, that sounds nice."

minji handed haerin one earbud and kept the other for herself. "you can choose what to listen to." minji said, handing haerin her phone.

not long after, the voice ariana grande of justin bieber filled their ears. their shared single that was released during lockdown for a fundraiser played — it was "stuck with u."

minji's ears turned red at haerin's song choice, her heart drumming loudly in her chest as the close proximity of haerin filled her senses. haerin's signature scent of lavender and rosemary enveloped around her, and minji was sure she had never smelt anything better her entire life.

the taller korean girl looked at the shorter beside her. haerin had eyes closed while softly humming along to the tune of the song, her voice a sweet harmony to the song.

minji found herself utterly and entirely captivated by haerin's every move, from her peaceful resting face, to the small smile she held on her expression as her body swayed slightly to the music playing in both of their ears.

as the song closed out, another song started playing, it was laufey's bewitched, a song that was recommended by the music platform right after due to the fact that minji had been listening to it so much.

the sound of violins filled their ears. minji watched intently as to how haerin reacted to the song switch, her features still serene and thoughtful.

it was moments like these that minji wouldn't trade for anything else in the world.

haerin's presence to minji was a beautiful symphony to her; haerin was the music director and minji was the note, perfectly attuned to every nuance. — minji was perfectly content with letting the music guide them, as corny as it seemed.

as the song continued on, minji couldn't help but let her gaze linger on haerin's lips.

you bewitch me, every damn second you're with me. i'm trying to think straight, but i'm falling so badly, kang haerin.

minji wanted to kiss haerin's lips right then and there, but thought it wasn't the right time. she wanted to voice her feelings out to her first, at least.

as the song faded into the background, there was no next song. minji gently removed the earbud from haerin's ear, removing hers in turn as well.

haerin turned to look at minji with a pair of curiosity filled cat like eyes.

minji's voice was soft-spoken and slow, she wanted to make sure that she wouldn't trip or stumble over her words.

"haerin, the song, does the song mean anything to you..?"

haerin urged minji to continue on, not entirely understanding what she was implying.

"going home with you, listening to music together, i really enjoy it..." minji's cheeks were now painted a soft red hue, "i've been thinking about it for a while now, and i can't help but feel grateful to have you in my life, haerin."

haerin's smile grew wider at minji's words, prompting the taller girl to go on.

"what i'm trying to say is—"

"hongdae-daero!" a loud automated voice of a woman called out.

haerin frowned subtly, "i'm sorry minji, this is my stop. i have to run an errand today." haerin hurried to get up, "keep the umbrella! i can call my mom to pick me up once i'm done."

haerin's sudden departure had interrupted minji's confession. seriously, was there a god against minji confessing?

as the bus pulled away from the stop, minji sat there in frustration once again. she clutched haerin's clear umbrella, contemplating her next move.

she couldn't let this moment slip away. she felt an indescribable urge to let haerin finally know how she felt. the rain continued to pour, only spurring minji on.

with determination, minji decided that she wasn't gonna let this chance slip by.

the next stop was quickly approaching, and she quickly gathered her things and hopped off the bus.

once off the bus, minji wasted no time and started sprinting towards haerin's direction. the rain soaked her in no time, but she didn't care. she just wanted to find haerin.

as minji spotted haerin, her eyes widened in alarm. haerin was taking another bus! she thought she only had to do some shopping in hongdae, not take a bus transfer!

she ran as fast as she could, this felt like one of the gruelling conditioning practices that her basketball team frequently held.

minji's heart sank as she watched the bus door close behind haerin, and the bus vehicle began to pull away from the stop.

she had come so close to reaching her, but it seemed fate had other plans.

breathing heavily and soaked to the bone, minji stood there in the pouring rain.

the gods really didn't want her to confess, did they?

minji's third attempt at confessing had been another bust.