"How are you two so close?" he asks.
"I've known her since she was what - four? She's like family now - like my own niece."
You adjust the blanket around Rhea's feet. Family - what does that even mean? You've always loved listening to her - even when it was just childish babbling, and pampering her, advising her, scolding her, feeling proud of her, and missing her when she was away. Who else could make you spend an entire day in a city you've never heard of because their favorite celebrity happens to be from there?
Suga senses not just the love, but also the protectiveness you have for her. It is strangely comforting, he realizes, knowing that you take care of your own like that. It feels safe.
But then there's that part of you too - the part that pushes him - no - probably everyone - away. It's visible again, the coldness. Your phone's ringing but you silence it. He sees that it's your mother's call. Why did that make you go so cold suddenly, he wonders.
Unaware of what he's thinking, you ask, "so what's your plan?"
"Hmm?"
You turn to him, "your plan - what are you going to do in Daegu?"
"I'm having lunch with my parents. You can keep the car after - after -"
"After we drop you. And then we'll pick you up?"
"Yeah. In the evening. Whenever you're done," he then adds, "I told her I'd take her to a chicken shop from my childhood. Is it okay if we go - khattchi?" He makes a sign to indicate both of you.
"You mean we three go together?" - it sure feels nice to say that "together" at the end, "It better be good," you reply.
"When you eat it," Suga begins with an air of condescension, "and you feel blessed, thank the kid for it. I don't just take anyone there."
"Aww, you're offended?" You cackle. He looks away. He knows you're a tease, so he isn't actually offended. It's too hard to get mad at you even though you're laughing entirely at his expense.
"You're exactly like a moody teenager Suga," you comment.
"Oh yeah? Says who? The people-pleasing prom queen?"
Your jaw drops.
"Keep your voice low, Rhea's asleep."
"Seriously? That's how you will avoid this?" He smirks, but he speaks softly. That low voice is addictive to hear.
"Oh god, I can't believe I actually agreed to come with you!"
"How ungrateful..."
"I only agreed to this trip for her, just saying."
"No shame..."
You smack his arm with a car pillow. "Shut up okay..." Neither of you can take each other seriously enough to avoid chortling as you look away.
You arrive in Daegu at 11. It's a big city alright, but feels gentler than Seoul. Maybe because here, there's no snow, only the brightness of the day. It's still pretty cold though.
"Temples? I didn't know you were religious, Rhea," you declare as you get out of the car.
"Don't you know? Buinsa Temple is at least 1300 years old and it's also a shrine for Queen Seondeong of Silla dynasty..."
It sure is beautiful, you think. Rhea goes on and on about the history of the stone edifice perched upon a hill against a blue sky. Multicolored paper lamps line the entrance. The kid is an absolute history buff. You couldn't remember all those facts for the life of you if you wanted. About half-hour ago, Suga got off a few blocks away from his house as inconspicuously as possible. You noticed him scan the street as if he was looking for someone. It was a fleeting movement, but it left you uneasy. You watch him merge with the pedestrians accompanied by a pair of casually dressed security personnel who had come to escort him home. You make a mental note to ask him about it - maybe it was nothing, maybe it was personal - whatever it was, it likely wasn't worth overthinking.
You and Rhea went ahead to Dong-gu, a place the latter had singled out to visit.
"By the way, Y/N?" Rhea stops her flow of information and adopts a mysterious tone.
"Yeah?" you respond, climbing the steep steps of the temple.
"What's going on between you and Suga?"
You halt so suddenly that you nearly trip. This kid -