⊱Sous les étoiles⊰
Under the stars
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"Didn't you say your zodiac sign is Cancer?"
Centuries passed since I died. Zodiac wouldn't affect me for shit now. "Screw astrology."
Jungkook giggled and took out his phone to snap photos of me getting crushed by the children like a supersized burger. He seemed to be really happy seeing me suffer. When he said they were angels, I really trusted him. My shirt was stained with myriads of colors of paint and my head was pounding from all the yells and screams of the hyper children running around the room, chasing each other. The bruise on my knee when one of the boys accidentally dropped the table on it still throbbed.
"Big sis, you're so pretty," a girl said, beaming like a sunshine at me and I nearly cooed at her until she whipped out a paintbrush and continued, "Can I put makeup on you?"
With the children crushing my ribs, it was getting harder to breathe and I contemplated why I agreed to come here in the first place. Sure, the children's laughter was heartwarming and talking to them was gladdening, but I wasn't someone they should be playing with. I was worried that I might trigger something.
"Okay, you little rascals," Jungkook exclaimed, getting the children off me as they laughed heartily at my suffering and pulling me up in a sitting position on the floor, "let your pretty sis get some rest. You're especially cheerful today."
"Because a beautiful sister is here to play with us," a girl cheered, running up to hug me, taking me by surprise as I slowly wrapped my arms around her softer body. "It's the first time someone like you came to us so we're happy, big sis!"
Not knowing what to say or think, I froze with the small girl in my embrace. Her dull hazelnut colored fuzzy hair was braided into pigtails and her seemingly old blue dress was a little too shabby around its hems, but she felt so full... overflowing with life. My heart became so full by just hugging her.
"You will come again, right, big sis?" Her eyes sparkled like dozens of fireworks lighting up the night sky and I couldn't say no.
"Do you want anything when I come back again?"
She let out an adorable hum while pouting her small lips before smiling bashfully and poking my shoulder. "I always wanted to try milkshake. But I can't ask for something expensive so... I just want you here, big sis."
A smile tugged the corners of my lips and I caressed her chubby baby cheek with my fingers. "You're so mature, big sis is amazed."
She showed me her pearly teeth, grinning proudly, and my smile grew unknowingly.
"Thank you so much for saving the girls," the caregiver let out in relief as she approached us and patted the small girl's head. "He seemed trustworthy and kind... I can't believe that I fell for his act... Because of me, the girls would have-"
"Don't beat yourself over it," I whispered, watching the girl run off to play house with the others. "All you have to focus on is caring for them. Blaming yourself won't get you anywhere."
She gave me a pained smile - a telltale sign that she wouldn't forgive herself no matter what I said, so I let it go and continued doing whatever I was doing with the children. Honestly, I was just standing awkwardly, simply watching them play from the side. Quite embarrassing but what could I do...
"They like you."
Jungkook smiled warmly as we walked to the bus stop to go to a park before heading back. The sky was serene. With a single look up and a deep breath of the cold air, I was feeling better than ever.
"I doubt that. Look at my shirt!" I held up the white item before sighing and shoving it into my bag. "I'm not good with kids. I'm just glad that I survived... My ears are still ringing."
He eyed my upper body for a while and started unbuttoning his jacket. "It's getting cold."
"No, it's fine," I lied and took quick steps away from him which made him laugh.
"Why?"
I squeaked out loud when he suddenly wrapped me in his jacket and held me captive in his arms as I squirmed. I couldn't help but giggle when he spun me around, laughing heartily. My body warmed up and I didn't need his clothes but he insisted that I wore the jacket.
"I still can't believe you saved Haneul and Eunbyul. What would have happened if he attacked you? Please don't put yourself at risk like that again."
Smiling, I shook my head and got on the bus with him following. It was very packed and I had to squeeze into a few people to grab a handle. I regretted not walking to our destination once the bus moved, and I regretted it even more halfway through when I felt a weird sensation around my back.
At first, I brushed it off as someone brushing and moving against me. Then, the feeling wasn't leaving after a while and when I felt something warm moving firmer against my sensitive areas up my thighs, I started panicking.
I didn't know what to do and I temporarily forgot that I wasn't human and that I had powers to end whoever was groping me.
I was scared... and sickened. My emotions were heightened.
I moved a little away to escape but the hand was replaced with hips and I shuddered.
Snapping out of my fright, I was about to tell the man to stop until he was peeled off from me and flung away to the other side. His presence was replaced with a taller body, holding me close, and I instantly relaxed.
"This is assault," Jungkook growled so threateningly at the older man as if he was about to pounce, snapping heads our way. "Apologize!"
The man snarled in a terrifying way and I unconsciously gripped Jungkook's shirt. "What the fuck did you say, you piece of shit?! Why would I assault that whore? She was moving against me with that skimpy skirt!"
I felt like throwing up but I stood my ground. "No, you clearly groped me for the past five minutes. Don't lie!"
"What did you say, you bitch?!" He took menacing steps towards me and I cowered until Jungkook shoved him away to the floor and pulled me closer.
"Hello? I'm calling to report an assault," someone in the crowd said, speaking to his phone, and the older man suddenly ran out of the bus when it stopped.
Jungkook was about to run after him but I held him back, shaking my head at him. I wasn't a human so it didn't matter to me even if I felt temporary terror. It would just cause him trouble.
"Why did you stop me?" He asked as we walked down the cobblestone path of the park that was decorated with myriads of trees and bushes. Just after he said that, the light garlands lit up, illuminating the area with rainbow colors.
Like a fairytale.
"It's not a big deal," I whispered, smiling at him which earned me the deepest frown I had ever seen on him.
"How is that not a big deal?!"
"For me, it isn't, so please just forget about it." I grabbed his hands and walked in front of him. "This place looks so pretty and look!"
He followed my eyes to face up at the night sky with hundreds of sparkling diamonds embedded in it.
"I can see so many stars from here!" I grinned, drawing constellations with my forefinger and my other hand holding his hand tightly. "Thank you for caring for me. You do care for me, huh?"
"Of course I do."
When my eyes slid down to lock with his shimmering ones, I couldn't help but break into a genuine smile after so long. Even when I tried to hold it back, the sheer happiness I felt when looking into his eyes was immeasurable that I couldn't contain it.
"I like you, too," I chuckled and twirled with his hand held above me to the soft melody playing throughout the park. "Come on, I like this music."
Laughing, he circled around me awkwardly. "Do I look like I know how to dance?"
"Don't make me bring up the talent show," I said and broke my hold on his hands to imitate the way he was gliding through the stage and singing like he was hypnotizing the audience.
Plagued with laughter, we spent the evening teasing each other and dancing under the stars with no worries about tomorrow.
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Since it's a story about deadly sins, I'm touching sensitive topics and events related to them
I hope it's not boring since it's a slow burn 😗
How are you liking the characters so far? 👀