limerence ? han dongmin

chapter xiii

They reached the bus stop in silence, the only sound between them the soft rhythm of rain tapping the umbrella and the quiet traffic in the distance.

Minji sat on the bench, shaking the raindrops off her sleeves. Taesan stood beside her, arms crossed, the ends of his hoodie damp from the walk. He still hadn't fixed his hair — it stuck to his forehead, dripping down the side of his neck.

"You could've just gone in your fancy rich rich car," she said, keeping her voice casual.

Taesan blinked. "What?"

She turned slightly toward him. "You have a car, don't you? That shiny one. The one that looks like it can fly?"

He shrugged, leaning back against the shelter pole. "Yeah."

"So why are you at a bus stop?" Her voice was light, but her eyes lingered on his soaked hoodie. "Your chauffeur caught a cold or something?"

He smiled faintly. "I just felt like taking the bus today."

Minji scoffed. "You? Public transport?"

"Sure. Why not?"

She turned back toward the street, tapping the handle of her umbrella against the concrete.

She didn't believe him. Not really.

But maybe a small part of her — the stupid, fluttering part she never admitted existed — wanted to believe it. Wanted to believe he got drenched in the rain and followed her walk just to end up here, shoulder to shoulder, under a half-broken bus stop.

Taesan didn't say anything more. He just sat beside her when the next drop of rain got a little heavier, careful not to get her wet again.

They sat like that — not speaking, not looking, not moving — for a minute too long.

Minji tucked her chin to her knees, fingers still fidgeting with the umbrella handle. "You're weird."

Taesan smiled again, barely.

"So are you."

The bus rolled up with a soft hiss, headlights glowing in the misty rain. Minji stepped in first, tapping her card against the reader with a practiced flick of her wrist. Taesan followed behind, quietly.

They scanned the seats.

Most were empty.

Minji walked past the middle row and plopped down by the window, her backpack sliding off her shoulder. She set the umbrella across her knees and looked out at the rain.

Taesan hovered in the aisle. "You're not gonna sit with me?"

She didn't even look at him. "You're soaked."

"I'm not that wet."

"You're literally dripping onto the floor."

Taesan glanced down. A small puddle had formed near his feet.

"Okay," he said slowly, "maybe a little wet."

Minji bit back a laugh. "You'll get me all gross."

"I won't." He said it too fast.

"You will."

Taesan gave her a look. Then sighed and sat down across the aisle, dramatically slumping into the seat. The back of his hoodie squelched slightly against the cushion.

Minji peeked at him from the corner of her eye.

Was he... sulking?

"Are you pouting?" she asked, turning her head slightly, one brow raised.