our delicate string | ???

10: clasped hands.

"i just ordered our drinks." Beomgyu smiled.

"you didn't have to do all that, oh my gosh." Soobin exclaimed, grabbing his phone out to take quick pictures of the gorgeously plated food.

"you're the best, Gyu." they smiled as they began to dig in. there were breads, cakes, all of the things he remembered them ordering.

"oh, i've been meaning to ask you guys." Taehyun caught their attention. "do you guys have any New Years plans? it's in like five days."

they all shook their heads.

"i was thinking we could take a small vacation. maybe my parents' beach house, we could say at a hotel in the city, anything really. i've seen a lot of people going to the beach in the winter because the snow is gorgeous. my parents' house there has heat and everything." he took a bite. "i think it would be kind of fun to explore a bit with you guys before the new year."

"that sounds so fun, gosh." yeonjun smiled. "i'm in."

"same."

"same here."

"i'm scared we might look stupid being at the beach house in winter though." Taehyun laughed

they all put their hands together and smiled. Beomgyu's attention was soon caught as he looked at the red string on his finger. his eyebrows scrunched, it's been hours since the café's been open, but she hasn't shown. he was looking forward to seeing her, but maybe she'll show up later, right? maybe she just didn't know it was open yet and—

"Gyu, are you alright?" Soobin asked, snapping Beomgyu back into reality.

it was time he told somebody, right? it was time they knew about the red string, about Aera. maybe they know something that he didn't.

"actually, can i ask you guys something?"

"yeah."

"of course."

"yeah."

they all nodded.

"you see there's—"

"Beomgyu?" the barista from behind him called his name, holding a tray of the coffees, hot and iced, that Beomgyu had ordered earlier. he stood up and walked back with the tray.

"oh my gosh, it's been so long since i've had coffee." Yeonjun laughed as they all began to drink their coffees.

"oh, Beomgyu continue what you were saying." Hyuka directed the conversation towards him.

"oh, it was nothing." he smiled assuringly. maybe it was best to keep it to himself. he tugged at his red string before taking a sip of his coffee. "i was just gonna ask, what beach would you guys want to stay at?"

   [ ☕️ ]

as the other three departed, Soobin helped Beomgyu to clean the tables. he was more so keeping him company rather than actually working.

"are you alright?" Soobin asked. "you seemed a little off today."

"yeah, i-it's nothing." he smiled.

"Gyu." Soobin said sternly.

"i guess, it's stupid, really." he shook his head, clearing off the tables with a washcloth.

"it's probably not. the only stupid thing is you convincing me that nothing's wrong."

"it's just, i guess i was expecting somebody to come in."

"who?" Soobin said, hopping onto a stool as Beomgyu soon joined him.

"a girl." he smiled thinking about Aera.

"oh my gosh, who is it?" Soobin exclaimed excitedly until the owner began to talk to Beomgyu about the new closing procedures.

"i'll see you tomorrow." he laughed as Soobin grabbed his bag and headed out since it was getting dark and the shop had already closed. they waved goodbye as Beomgyu walked back from the old woman once she finished her spiel.

he placed his apron on the rack before waving goodbye to her and heading out.

darting his head, he looked around as snowflakes flew and hit the top of his head. the snow was getting heavier as it continued to stick to the ground. the wind blew as he zipped up his coat and placed his mittens on. the streetlights and string lights on the shops lead his way on the sidewalk.

as he began to walk, he saw a familiar figure walking towards him. as they walked closer, he saw her black hair blowing in the distance, her short, white puffer coat and her holding onto her pink scarf. Aera.

he smiled and began to pick up his pace until they were only a few feet apart.

"wait, are you guys closed already?" she sighed, looking at the time on her phone that said, 8:00 pm.

"yeah, we closed early." he sighed.

"i'm so sorry, i promised you." she sighed. "i had to take my friend back to the airport today so i figured i would come after, im sorry."

"that's okay." he smiled and looked down at their string. "have you eaten yet?"

"no, i was gonna come here and invite you to eat with me." she smiled.

"well, i'll be the gentleman and lead you to my favorite restaurant in town." he smiled. "the one that i took you to on the first day i met you."

she laughed. as they walked, their hands were only inches away from each other, how badly Aera just wanted to clasp hands with him. but she knew he didn't feel that way. she was falling in love, but maybe he wasn't. maybe he doesn't want her. maybe, to him, they're just friends who—

Beomgyu's mittened hand clasped her uncovered hand as he tightened his grip. "i thought you'd be cold."

a pink blush appeared on her face as she looked the other direction, biting her lips to avoid smiling. she cleared her throat and began to walk with him,

holding hands.

                                               —

the first person who fell in love will be given seven days left before they disappear from the person's memories as if they never knew them, and they will also begin to know about the red string of fate. they will still exist, but their memories of their lover will fade away like air.