Minjin and Minjun's expressive nature towards one another

The midterm week was finally over. Minjin was far from excited about waking up early to get ready for the wedding instead of sleeping in. Reluctantly, she followed Tae-sung as he gently guided her to a chair.

"Please put a long wig on her," Tae-sung told the stylist as he sat down next to Minjin for his makeup touch-up. Partly hidden by the makeup artist's brush, she protested, "Oppa, I love my short hair!" 

"My sister needs to be extra pretty today," Tae-sung replied.

"But I'm not the one getting married! " Minjin insisted. 

Tae-sung smiled, "Minjin-ah, I hope this wedding will help you imagine getting married to the one that you love." 

Minjin rolled her eyes. "Oppa, I am just a teenager! You should be the one who needs to get married!" 

Tae-sung chuckled at her response.

During the makeup process, Minjin felt the gentle brushes caressing her face, and she couldn't help but doze off. When Tae-sung glanced over to check on her, he chuckled and shook his head. "I can't believe she's really sleeping."

The makeup artist who was doing his makeup chuckled. "Are you siblings, sir?"

"Ah, ne. I am her older brother, and she's the youngest among us three siblings." Tae-sung responded.

"Your genes are quite amazing. You both look good." The makeup artist said.

Tae-sung shyly chuckled. "Thanks for your compliment."

"Is she in senior high?" the makeup artist asked as she fixed his eyebrows.

"Ne, she's in grade 11," Tae-sung said.

"Seeing her, she must be stressed." the makeup artist slightly chuckled.

Tae-sung smiled. "Yes, because it was their midterm week."

"Can I ask if she's a good student?" The makeup artist asked.

Tae-sung chuckled. "Ne, she's in section one."

The makeup artist paused to look at him with shocked eyes. "Really?"

Tae-sung chuckled and nodded. "Yes, she's quite an intelligent kid."

The makeup artist then combs his hair. "Are you two going to attend a wedding?"

"Ne, he's an older brother of her childhood friend," Tae-sung said.

"Sir, what if your youngest sister will marry someday? Will you trust the man as her husband?" the makeup artist asked.

Tae-sung smiled and turned to look at Minjin, who was already asleep. "I think having been able to experience being a teenage boy, and as a man, I can say that I can read the intentions of every boy that would like her."

The makeup artist chuckled and nodded. "Well, judging you, I hope she'd find a man like you."

Tae-sung faintly smiled and looked at his reflection in the mirror. "No, I would not want her to find a man like me. Minjin deserves someone better."

"Would you mind me asking if there's a boy who seems interested in her?" the makeup artist asked, putting some lip gloss on his lips.

Tae-sung smiled. "Yes, the younger brother of the man we are attending the wedding with."

The makeup stood straight and looked at him again with amazement. "Really? This seems planned already."

Tae-sung chuckled. "Yes, they love and care for my sister. And the boy knows her potential to be great. I think nowadays it's barely for a boy to encourage a girl to excel more than he could. But they have a strange and complicated relationship. I don't know what to expect."

The makeup artist chuckled. "They are still young; they'll figure it out when they get older."

Tae-sung smiled warmly as he turned to see Minjin's reflection in the mirror. "Yes, and I hope they will both find happiness and achieve their dreams together."

After trying to style Minjin's long black hair, they finally roused her from sleep. Startled, she struggled to open her eyes. Once she appeared fully awake, the makeup artist signaled to her, holding her white dress, and guided her to the changing room.

In the dressing room, Minjin was startled to see her complete reflection in the floor-length mirror. She leaned closer to examine her light pink makeup and nodded in admiration. Then, she leaned back again to check her long black hair. She sighed as she recalled her tear-streaked face and devastated reflection in the bathroom back in America. Her eyes were filled with madness, hatred, and sorrow as she cut her hair aggressively after learning that, following her father's death, her mother had chosen to marry the man she had cheated with.

She suddenly felt smug when realizing it was somewhat ironic to attend a wedding after cutting her hair short for that very reason. She turned her attention to the white dress and took a full look at herself, which caused her to sigh deeply.

After putting on the white dress, Minjin took a closer look at herself in the mirror. The long black wig perfectly complemented her white dress, and her makeup was light with pink-shimmery lipstick. She wasn't used to feeling pretty and wasn't comfortable being girly. Then she realized that the girls at school all had the same long black hair with bangs. She remembered the girl who confronted her the other day. They all tried to look pretty with makeup on, even though it was forbidden in school.

She then acknowledged the reasons for Minjun's popularity with girls: he was handsome, wealthy, and an intelligent and hardworking student. In every country, anyone with these qualities would likely be well-liked. However, in Korean culture, being at the top of the hierarchy is very important, as it reflects not only on oneself but also on the reputation of the entire family. That was the burden Minjun had been carrying as a boy from a respected clan.

She then stared into her eyes in the mirror while wondering if it was weird that she didn't see Minjun the way they did. Her thoughts suddenly shifted to the realization that Minjun would be seeing her in this state, which gave her chills. "Omo! My hair stands!" she exclaimed, raising her arm. 

"Minjin-ah, aren't you done yet?" Tae-sung said, calling her outside.

"I look weird, oppa! " Minjin said with annoyance.

Tae-sung laughed lightly. "I bet everyone at the wedding will think you're stunning. They'll be wishing you were their bride." 

Minjun's image suddenly came to Minjin's mind once more. "Shiro! "She blurted out, startled by her own thoughts. 

"What are you thinking?" Tae-sung asked, noticing her sudden change in tone.

Minjin took a deep breath, trying to steady herself and calm her nerves while still standing in front of the mirror.

###

As Minjin arrived at the hotel, she tilted her head back to admire the towering structure. Inside, the venue brimmed with lush floral arrangements, creating a festive atmosphere. However, Minjin concentrated on managing the discomfort of her heels, completely overlooking the long wig she wore. 

As she hurried to catch up with Tae-sung, who walked confidently ahead, she stumbled slightly, trying to balance on her heels. Just as she reached him, he stopped abruptly, causing her to bump her forehead against his back gently. 

"Tae-sung, I'm glad you could make it," Mrs. Han said. When Minjin heard her voice, she quickly tried to hide behind Tae-sung. 

"Congratulations, Hyung," Tae-sung offered Kang Xiumin a handshake.

Kang Xiumin smiled. "Thank you for coming here, Tae-sung-ah."

Tae-sung then shifted to greet Mr. Kang. "Good day, Sajangnim." 

"Thank you for coming, Tae-sung-ah. I hope you and Minjin will enjoy attending a Korean wedding," Mr. Kang said. 

Tae-sung respectfully smiled. "Ne, sajangnim, we will."

While their families were chatting, Minjun noticed that Minjin wasn't greeting anyone and was hanging back behind her brother. He tried to sneak a glance at her until Tae-sung turned his attention to him. "You look more handsome than ever, Minjun-ah."

Minjun turned his gaze to him and offered a shy smile. "You too, hyung."

"Where's Minjini?" Mrs. Han asked as she tried to search for her behind Tae-sung.

Tae-sung awkwardly smiled. He turned around to grab Minjin's arm and gently pulled her out from behind him. Minjin almost stumbled from her heels as she moved away her long hair from her face.

"Annyeong haseyo," Minjin awkwardly bowed her head as she tried to conceal her face by not meeting their eyes.

"Omo! Minjin-ah! You're so pretty!" Mrs. Han exclaimed. 

Minjin felt Minjun's presence intensely, which made her avoid looking at him and meeting his gaze.

"Congratulations, Oppa," Minjin bowed her head politely and was able to greet Kang Xiumin. 

"Whoa, you look pretty with long hair. I remember when you were this little," Kang Xiumin said, using his fingers. 

Minjin bowed awkwardly and said, "Gamsahamnida." Then, she managed to bow her head respectfully to greet Mr. Kang. "Anneoyong haseyo, sajangnim."

"You look prettier with long hair, Minjin-ah. I hope you'll keep your hair long from now on," Mr. Kang said.

Minjin forced a gentle smile and didn't respond. She then turned to greet Mrs. Han. "Annyeong haseyo, eommoni."

Mrs. Han smiled and touched her cheek gently. "You look prettier than ever, Minjin-ah."

Minjin smiled. "Gahamsamnida, eommoni. You look beautiful, too, with your hanbok."

Throughout the entire conversation between Minjin and her family, Minjun couldn't take his eyes off her. He looked her over from head to toe, unable to deny that he enjoyed seeing her this way. Noticing her long black hair, memories of her younger self flooded back. He then observed her figure before glancing at his own. It suddenly struck him that, indeed, they had both grown up.

He glanced back at Minjin, who was happily chatting with her mother, and it brought a smile to his face. It felt right to him that Minjin had always been close to his family. Suddenly, he felt thankful for her persistence in being his friend throughout their childhood. Now, however, he wondered if he could be just as persistent with her.

"You may come to your table, Tae-sung-ah," Kang Xiumin said as he gestured for them to enter the venue.

"Ne, Hyung. We'll go in first, sajangnim." Tae-sung said with a respectful bow to Mr. Kang.

Minjin was about to follow him when Mrs. Han grabbed her arm. "Minjin-ah, why don't you join us here?" she said. 

"N-ne?" Minjin stammered, her eyes widening. She attempted to cling to Tae-sung's arm, hoping for an escape, but he gently removed her hand, leaving her with Minjun's family.

Mrs. Han positioned Minjin next to Minjun. She stood close to him, clearing her throat as she tried to straighten her back. Minjun noticed her discomfort and silently smirked to himself.

With Minjun's entire family beside her, Minjin kept her head low, concentrating on greeting the guests as they walked by. At one point, while bowing, she spotted Minjun in an immaculate white suit. She then observed the arrangement of Minjun's family as she continued greeting the guests and realized she was positioned at the end. She silently scoffed, realizing that she had never wanted to be a housewife and had never considered the possibility of marriage.

"Whoa, do you have a daughter, Mrs. Han?" the guest asked, noticing Minjin standing beside Minjun. 

"Aniyo, she's Minjun's friend," Mrs. Han said proudly. 

"Whoa, she's pretty," the guest added. 

"And she's also smart!" Mrs. Han boasted. 

Minjin managed a smile, though she felt awkward.

The endless greetings from every guest made Minjin's feet ache. Despite this, she tried to smile politely and bowed her head while Mrs. Han proudly introduced her to the guests. Mrs. Han's compliments described Minjin as Minjun's closest friend, lavishly praising her looks and intelligence. For Minjin, this was overwhelming, as she couldn't recall her own mother ever bragging about her like this.

Minjun couldn't help but notice Minjin as she tried to stay polite and composed, which made him smile to himself. Minjin's nervousness and awkwardness eventually gave way to the discomfort of continuously smiling and acknowledging every compliment directed at her. With Minjun next to her, she finally managed to turn to him willingly until she noticed that he was genuinely smiling.

"How can you still manage to smile through all of this?" Minjin asked, frowning.

Minjun turned to her with a slight grin. "You're adapting to Korean culture quite well. I'm impressed."

Minjin snorted in disbelief. "I was born in Korea; I'm not American yet."

"This is what a Korean wedding is like. You need to experience it," Minjun said, with his arms spread wide.

"Every wedding is the same," Minjin said with annoyance as she attempted to lower her voice.

Minjun then teasingly smiled at her. "Would you want to have one someday?"

His sudden question widened Minjin's eyes, and her heart began to pound again. She continued gazing at him as he held his gaze on her with a subtle grin. Then, she stifled a laugh to hide her nervousness.

"Who do you expect me to marry?"

Minjun then straightened his back, turned to face forward, and averted his eyes while trying to stretch his suit. "S-s-someone, I know," he stuttered, feeling the heat on his face.

Minjin noticed his awkwardness and bashfulness, which made her smile and feel at ease. She then turned to greet the guests while Minjun glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

He then looked around, noticing the wealthy guests from well-respected families from Korea, and he leaned over to observe his parents and his older brother. He leaned back with a smile to himself as he realized that all of these didn't matter to him since they were little kids.

He then noticed how close they were. Over the past few weeks, he realized that being by Minjin's side always felt right. But now, he remembered that it had always brought him a sense of comfort since they were kids.

Now that they were both in high school, everyone might see him as all-powerful, with a warm and friendly demeanor, but Minjin had helped him expose the truth: he was inherently mean, impatient, and just an ordinary guy.

He finally remembered why he had wanted Minjin for himself since childhood. This nostalgic feeling had remained unchanged all these years. 

As the line of guests continued to grow, Mrs. Han proudly gathered Minjin and Minjun to welcome more people inside.

"I would like to introduce Minjun and Minjin-ah," Mrs. Han said with a smile. 

"I didn't know you have twins!" a guest exclaimed. 

Minjun almost laughed but quickly stopped himself when Minjin shot him a deadly glare. 

"Animnida! Minjun is my son, and Minjin is his friend," Mrs. Han clarified. 

At another table, a guest asked, "Didn't you have two sons? Who's this pretty girl?" 

"She's Minjun's friend," Mrs. Han replied once again. 

"Friend? I think you wouldn't introduce her to everyone if she weren't Minjun's girlfriend," the guest teased. 

Mrs. Han chuckled politely, "It's too early for that. But of course, I'd love to have a daughter-in-law like Minjin-ah." 

Minjin did her best to smile, but her discomfort increased until she noticed that Minjun was subtly smiling, causing her to glare at him once more. When he caught her stare, he quickly composed himself, attempting not to laugh. 

At the third table, the guest asked, "Whoa, who is this pretty girl?" 

"She's Minjun's friend," Mrs. Han said. 

"You look like a princess," the guest complimented Minjin. 

"Gamsahamnida," Minjin said with a bow, feeling shy. 

Minjun's eyes widened at the guest's compliment. He turned to look at Minjin from head to toe and realized that Minjin, indeed, looked like a princess. He couldn't help but grin at this thought. Then, it occurred to him that since everyone at school viewed him as a prince, he might as well treat Minjin like his princess.

He chuckled to himself, trying to hide a smile at the thought that Minjin might not like it. However, that idea made him happy since they were good at teasing each other now.

Minjun's attention shifted to the guest, who turned to him. "I bet that 10 years from now, Minjun-ah will be the next one to get married." 

Minjun smiled confidently while his eyes were on Minjin, "Yes, and I think I'll marry a princess." 

Minjin quickly shot him a sharp look. But he grinned at her and winked. She muttered in disbelief under her breath, "He's crazy." 

The table greetings felt endless. Minjin could no longer tolerate the pain and discomfort in her feet. As they greeted another table, Minjin turned to check her foot and noticed blood on the back from the friction. Minjun saw her reaction and then noticed her bleeding foot as well.

When the formalities were finally over, Minjin hurried back to her seat next to Tae-sung. She immediately took off her heels under the table and sighed in relief. 

"You are a traitor. You left me with them," she muttered in English to her brother to hide her frustration.

Tae-sung smiled knowingly. "How's it like to have a Korean family?" he teased in English.

"It's exhausting! I think I know everyone now. Someone even thought Minjun and I were twins!" she exclaimed in English again.

Tae-sung chuckled, almost laughing out loud. 

Minjin slipped her shoes back on. "I'll go to the washroom, oppa." 

When Minjin finally stepped outside, she irritably kicked off her shoes and walked barefoot toward the washroom. From a distance, Minjun watched her with a smile, shaking his head. He then followed her, carrying the sneakers she had tossed at him weeks before. He stood and waited outside the washroom. 

When Minjin stepped out of the washroom, she was surprised to see Minjun waiting outside. She paused awkwardly, trying to cover her bare feet and hide her shoes behind her. However, Minjun walked up to her with a smile and offered her sneakers. Minjin's eyes darted to them as she blinked in surprise when he set the sneakers in front of her. 

"I can do it myself," Minjin muttered as she looked at him.

But Minjun helped her put on the sneakers without saying a word. His touch was gentle, and when he finished, he stood up and dusted off his hands. 

"Gomowo," Minjin said awkwardly, her face flushed and her gaze darting away from him. 

Minjun tried his best to hold her gaze, but Minjin continued to avoid his eyes. A moment of silence lingered between them until Minjin noticed that Minjun had been staring at her. She finally sighed but with exasperation.

"What do you want to say, Minjun?" she finally asked as she attempted to look back at him.

"Mianhae," Minjun said softly, his eyes filled with sadness.

"Nado, Mianhae. I didn't mean to make you sad," she replied, maintaining the same tone.

"I, I truly liked you back then," Minjun blurted out. 

Minjin's eyes widened in shock, and she felt her face flush once more. 

Minjun smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in it. "It's been a hell few weeks for me. And I hated every second of it. I don't want us to fight or stay angry at each other for so long. I want us to fix things as soon as possible." 

Despite her shyness, she appreciated Minjun's honesty. She sighed and maintained her gaze on him. "I agree. It was tormenting me too, and it was truly painful," she replied with regret, her voice barely above a whisper.

Minjun was surprised by how her response mirrored his honesty. He grappled for the right words until he remembered the scratches on her neck, which now seemed to have healed.

"The scratches... they must've hurt," he muttered while glancing at her neck. 

"Ani," Minjin shook her head. "I can handle the physical pain. But seeing you hurt... that's what's unbearable for me." She hesitated before continuing, "Since we were kids, all I've wanted was for you to be happy. I never meant to make you sad myself." 

Minjun's eyes widened as memories of her expressive nature toward him flooded his mind. His heart raced in his chest, and for a moment, he feared Minjin might hear it. At the same time, he felt relief that Minjin was being thoughtful of him again, and he liked it.

Overwhelmed by his emotions, he rushed forward and embraced her. Minjin's eyes widened as her body jolted and froze in reaction to the unexpected hug.

"I... I'm going to treat you right from now on. I'll stay by your side, even if you don't want me there. Minjin-ah... I want you," Minjun said while he's trying to steady his trembling voice.

Minjin's heart raced faster and harder this time. She could feel the burning of her face, and for a moment, she didn't know how to react until she let out a nervous laugh.

"You're crazy."

Minjun finally let go to look at her with a teasing smile. "I guess I am." 

Just then, the sound of an announcement echoed from the venue, signaling the bride's arrival. Minjin tried to shift their attention. "We should go see the bride," she said softly. 

Minjun smiled and nodded. "Let's go." 

He began to walk back toward the venue, but Minjin stayed behind, watching him. His words—"I want you"—reverberated in her mind, but she quickly dismissed them and ran to catch up with him, falling in step beside him. 

### 

The arrival of the bride was met with awe and admiration from the guests.

Minjin and Tae-sung sat together at the same table as Minjun's family.

Minjin quietly observed the couple while Minjun's gaze remained fixed on her, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. He couldn't help but imagine how beautiful Minjin would look in a wedding gown. However, whenever Minjin glanced his way, he would quickly turn his head, though his smile never faded. 

As the meal was served, Minjun continued to observe her delighting in her food. When their eyes met briefly, Minjin playfully encouraged him, "You should eat more, too."

He smiled and nodded. She then turned to her older brother, who was sipping champagne. She watched him take another drink. "Want some?" Tae-sung offered. 

Minjin smiled and nodded. She then accepted the glass, thoughtfully sniffed it, and took a sip.

"How was it?" Tae-sung asked. 

"Hmm, it's good," Minjin replied, handing back the glass. 

Minjun shook his head in disbelief as he observed the scene. He leaned in towards Minjin, who looked at him and whispered, "I see you've been drinking."

Minjin's eyes grew wide with surprise, and noticing her response, Minjun grinned at her. "Ya, how did you find out?" she asked.

"I can smell it. Stupid," Minjun said playfully as he leaned back in his chair. Minjin leaned in closer, her voice low and fierce. "I'll kill you if you tell Oppa!" 

Minjun's smile grew even broader. "It depends on how you behave, gongju," he said, teasingly pinching Minjin's cheek. 

Minjin glared at him, but that quickly turned into confusion. "What did you say?" 

"Gongju," he mouthed silently with a teasing grin. 

Minjin's eyes widened in surprise. "Ya, don't call me that!" she said, trying to lower her voice.

"Wae, gongju? Minjun teased further. 

"Kajima!" Minjin exclaimed as she playfully picked up the bread knife to swat him.

"Should I tell your brother?" Minjun continued, his tone playful. 

Minjin was momentarily speechless, yet she continued to glare at him while Minjun silently mouthed the word "Gongju." 

As the ceremonies were almost over, Minjun took Minjin's arm and led her to the newlyweds' table. Minjin was captivated by the bride's beauty in person. She recalled the night Mr. Kang spoke to her, noting that she was intelligent and hardworking. Suddenly, she realized that this woman dared to marry Kang Xiumin despite knowing the life that might await her. Her feelings began to shift to hope that she would live up to the expectations of Kang Xiumin's father.

"Noona, congratulations," Minjun said warmly. 

Minjin bowed her head respectfully. "Annyeong haseyo, unnie." 

"You must be Park Minjin," the bride said with a smile. 

"Ne," Minjin replied politely.

"My name is Lee Hawoon. Nice to meet you, Minjin-ah."

"Nice meeting you, unnie." Minjin smiled in return and politely bowed.

"Did the two of you have fun? " Kang Xiumin asked. 

"Yeah, it was fun. Gongju enjoyed the food," Minjun said with a teasing smile as he looked at Minjin.

Minjin shot him a quick, sharp glance. "Kajima," she said through gritted teeth.

Kang Xiumin and Lee Hawoon shared amused looks and chuckled. "I'm glad you two made up," He said as he redirected his attention to them.

Minjun smiled and turned to his brother. "You're not the only ones who deserve a happy ending."

Lee Hawoon chuckled softly. "I'm glad you two have a happy ending too." 

Minjin snorted playfully. "Who would want a happy ending with you?" 

Minjun turned to her and grinned. "Gongju, you don't have to pretend." 

"Ya, I told you not to call me that!" Minjin shot back, lunging to punch him. 

Kang Xiumin and Lee Hawoon chuckled together as they watched the playful banter between Minjin and Minjun.