Short Stories

It's Beautiful, ain't it?

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It was a clear night. No clouds, no stars, just the vast sky with a full moon brightening the path he was walking on.

He loved the calm darkness more than the scorching hotness of the day. Even though he was scared to be alone in a dark room with no light, he wasn't so afraid of walking along the empty roads at night because even if people aren't there to accompany him, the moon is. Besides who needs people? They're just waste of space, atleast for him.

He trudged along the sidewalk, whistling the tune of the song blasting in his ears as he swung his hands full with his favorite ice cream and some snacks, he planned to devour tonight while watching Princess Diaries because why not.

A little twirl in his steps, he reached the familiar sakura tree near the highest bridge of the city. The tree was believed to be atleast 500 years old but who knows, it can be a myth.

He stopped below the tree and looked at it dancing along the wind. It was always a glorious sight to see the sakura tree in daylight with its leaves twirling around making you feel special. However at night, it looked even more magnificent, even though many people ignored it to get home fast just so they could sleep.

Lee Minho wasn't many people. He loved the darkness of the night, hence he naturally became the one to admire every single thing of that sakura tree even without the sunlight.

He would love to sit at the bench placed below the tree for the sole purpose of enjoying the sakura fall and he had enjoyed it many times, of course at night but today he had his sofa waiting for him to binge watch shows so he took a last glance at the tree and walk around it to get to the bridge.

One again humming a random tune, he skipped along the bridge but suddenly came to a halt.
Slowly walking towards the middle of the bridge, his eyes fell on a boy, around his age or maybe younger, with light brown hair glowing in moonlight while his own eyes were casted below to the waves crashing along the pillars supporting the bridge. He was sitting on the high railings built to avoid any mishaps but he didn't seem to care while dangling his legs effortlessly.

It doesn't require an Einstein to understand what would happen next if Minho decides to ignore him and go about his day, ahem night. After all, his sofa and tv were waiting. Also not to forget his ice cream which would start melting if he didn't eat it soon. However all that would have to wait.

He removed his ear pods and placed them back into their case before walking towards the bridge with his plastic carry bag making as much noise as possible. He didn't want to scare the boy to his death, y'know?

The boy moved his gaze a little to see, a boy with purple hair walking towards him, trying to look as unaffected as he could when a boy so young is sitting so close and so high to the crashing waves below.

Minho walked towards the railing trying to seem nonchalant and placed his hands folded on the railings with his eyes casted below to the water waves.

" It's beautiful, isn't it? " He questioned without moving his gaze and from his peripheral vision he saw the boy nod.

" I'm Minho by the way. " He said while flashing a warm smile towards the boy. " What's your name? "

" Han Jisung. " He replied and once again moved his gaze down to the water with his hands clutching the railing tightly.

It's then when Minho noticed the tear stains on his face and his eyes red along with his lips which were red due to the boy anxiously nibbling on it.

" As peaceful as it is to watch the waves crashing along the pillars, I think it's even prettier to watch it by sitting below the sakura tree. " Minho suggested while Jisung continued to stare without a single word.

" Why.. are you here? " Jisung voiced the question Minho should have asked but hesitated. Don't get him wrong, he wanted to help the boy he never knew before but he didn't wanna say something abrupt when the boy is already so disturbed. He wanted to let him know that Minho isn't gonna force him to do anything he didn't want to just like approaching a cat.

That didn't mean Minho isn't gonna stop him from doing something he'll regret later on so he answered without hesitation.

" To do the same thing as you. I mean, watching the waves. " He said with a smile while gesturing towards the water below them.

" Stop it. " Jisung whispered and closed his eyes.

" Staring at water? " Minho questioned innocently. " Why? "

" Stop lying. I know you are here to change my mind. " Jisung said while shaking his head, not even looking at the elder boy.

" Change your mind? From what? "

" That I shouldn't do this. " Jisung once again whispered while his tears threatened to fall again.

" If I tell you, will you not? " Silence engulfed them both as Jisung sniffled a little before going back to staring at water below him. " Please leave me alone. "

His voice was barely above whisper but Minho could hear it loud and clear. He heard the whimper and slight cracking of his voice. He didn't know what pushed the boy to this extent or what sucked the life out of the boy's eyes but he wasn't gonna back down because he knew how strong those emotions are and how much they can consume someone's mind.

" Do you want ice cream? It's my favorite flavor. " Minho ignored his request and removed the large container of his favorite cookie n' cream ice cream. " You don't have to but I gotta warn you that my mom would be very angry. "

He opened the container and removed the wooden spoons he bought for whatever reasons before passing one to Jisung who had no choice but to take it since Minho practically shoved it in his hand.

" Hmm... It's so tasty. " He sighed dreamily as soon as he took a bite and extended it towards Jisung.

He looked at the ice cream hesitantly before slowly moving his hand and taking a scoop while his other hand was gripping the railing tightly.

His eyes visibly brightened when he took a bite which caused Minho to chuckle.
" I know I know. "

He continued to smile while taking small scoops while keeping his hands extended towards the younger boy.

" Why.. would your mom be angry? " Jisung hesitantly questioned, a little less tense than before.

" My mom used to make homemade ice cream and this was her favorite to make because it is my favorite flavor. She used to sell it around our neighborhood since many children liked my mom's ice cream. They used to say that my mom's ice cream had the power to heal broken hearts and fill your mind with positivity so whenever I used to get sad due to constant bullying at my school my mom would stuff me with her ice cream till I was smiling wide again. " Minho rambled but was surprised to see Jisung actually paying attention to him.

" She seems like a nice person. "

" She was. "

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17.05.23