PJ (Hyunjin) short story collection

Happy me

Leaning against the big cushion on the sofa, I gaze at the afternoon sunlight lazily seeping through the window curtains. Hyunjin is sitting right beside me, wearing an oversized knit sweater and idly flipping through a notebook. After experiencing painful breakups a few times in the past, I never thought I’d get to enjoy such a peaceful, sweet everyday life again. So maybe at first, I was more afraid and hesitant about starting something with him. But now, looking at him right in front of me, it’s getting harder and harder to hide this feeling that keeps growing uncontrollably in my chest.

But how nice would it be if, after getting to know someone and loving them, you were the last one.

"You’ve got your eyes locked on me today, haven’t you? Are you just going to sit there and watch, or are you going to help me decide a title for this draft?" Hyunjin broke the silence with his signature playful smile. He dropped the notebook onto his lap and tilted his head slightly as he looked at me, and that gentle gaze made my face burn in an instant.

"I wasn’t staring." I shook my head as if nothing had happened and changed the subject. "I was just getting an eyeful."

He seemed to find my sudden, blunt honesty adorable, and let out a low breathy laugh. "Oh, really?" he whispered in his usual low, soft voice. His voice always had a way of calmly settling the complicated mess in my head. He slid closer across the leather sofa seat until his broad shoulder was fully pressed against mine. "Then look all you want, noona."

In an instant, the playful mood sank away, and in the quiet air, an indescribable sweetness and tension settled heavily. He reached out and wrapped his warm, long fingers around the back of my head. That slow, rhythmic touch, lightly stroking my hair, melted away every last bit of tension left in my body. His scent, his warmth, and even that firm gaze that held only me made every sense feel dizzying.

Love me like this, just like this. As long as you never change, you’re the only one who’ll have all of me.

I met his unwavering eyes head-on. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst, battering against my ribs. "Hyunjin," my voice trembled slightly, unable to bear the weight of the emotions threatening to spill out. "I love you."

For a split second, Hyunjin seemed to freeze, stopping the fingers that were cupping my nape as he quietly read my expression. The playfulness vanished from his face without a trace, and in its place rose a deep, serious emotion. Soon, a quiet, profound smile slowly spread at the corners of his mouth, and he lowered his head, sending hot breath scattering across my cheek.

"I love you more, noona." he whispered, so close it seemed like his lips might touch mine, and then erased even the tiniest sliver of space, giving us our careful yet heartfelt first kiss. He pulled me tightly into his broad arms, and the instant I was held firmly against his chest, the last traces of fear left in my heart melted away completely. Right now, with him, my wandering has ended. With you, I’m finally completely happy.