Work Text:
It was a Sunday afternoon at the Han River Park, the sun beaming down, white clouds scattered in the blue sky. Families were milling around, friends hanging out and couples were mingling on spread out picnic blankets.
This was perfect for Chaehyun, a scenery photographer, who was busy setting up her tripod in the middle of the grass. She began angling her camera so it would capture a perfect shot of the river settled between the cherry blossom trees. She plans on taking a bunch of photos today so she could post them on her Instagram.
When the preparation was done, her stomach started to grumble, throat a little too parched for her liking. She decided she would go to the convenience store and grab some refreshments before she started taking the pictures.
After coming back with her purchases, Chaehyun fixed her camera settings to the way she wanted it. Though, the moment she pressed the button to take the picture, a girl in a red dress intruded, completely ruining her envisioned shot. This girl began setting up a picnic blanket, and now Chaehyun’s feeling a little peeved; there goes her perfect shot.
“Seriously…” Chaehyun tilted her head back in annoyance, followed by an exasperated sigh. “Guess I’ll just move,” Chaehyun groaned to herself. Just as she was about to pick up her tripod, she stopped for a brief moment and stared at the girl on the grass.
The longer Chaehyun watched, the more she was entranced by the stranger’s beauty.
But Chaehyun stopped herself before she could be blatantly caught staring. She then began striding her way over to the girl to tell her she was getting in the way of her photos – politely, of course. Chaehyun liked to think she had some decency even when she was mad.
She also did not want to be guilted by the idea of having photos of a stranger on her camera roll. These thoughts alone would make her stay up at night; she preferred to sleep soundly. A small part of her was also annoyed about having to leave her spot, but she had to do what was right.
She walked over to the girl who was just sitting still as if waiting for someone. “Hey,” she started but was soon frozen when the stranger looked up at her. Chaehyun felt her breath hitch at the beauty sitting in front of her. The girl was so much prettier up close. “Sorry for the intrusion. But I’m taking some photos of the scenery right here. Do you mind if you’re in some of them?” Chaehyun tilted her head with a small smile; she was way too awkward when it came to talking to strangers.
The girl’s face was cute and doll-like, and the smile she gave made her more adorable. “Sure thing!” she agreed before looking past Chaehyun to where the tripod was, then focused back on her. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Chaehyun. Nice to meet you.”
The girl beamed at her and Chaehyun’s heart did a double take. “Nice to meet you Chaehyun, I’m Mashiro.” Even though this girl was just being pretty and smiling, this alone was pulling at Chaehyun’s heartstrings.
Chaehyun took a glance down to find that the picnic blanket had already been set up with a number of utensils and containers; she would feel bad if she requested for Mashiro to move. She was also rather curious who this preparation was all for. She bit the inside of her cheek, pensive. “So… are you waiting for someone? You seem to have the picnic set up for more than one person.” She gestured at the picnic blanket and everything set up.
“It’s for my date, I’m waiting for them,” Mashiro answered joyfully. “So I guess I’ll be waiting for them to come. Are you staying here for a while?”
“Yeah, I am.” Chaehyun shuffled on the spot awkwardly, shifting weight from one foot to the other. Chaehyun looked down for a moment. She couldn’t think of any way to further their conversation; she realised she was probably intruding instead of the other way around since Mashiro was waiting for her date. She cleared her throat, looking up at Mashiro. “Yeah, I am. I…I think I’m going to take more photos of this area while the sun’s still out.”
“Okay, I’ll see you around then.” Mashiro waved to Chaehyun, who nodded and returned the gesture before making her way back to her set-up. Chaehyun continued to take more pictures of the scenery, placing Mashiro on the side of the shot.
But over time, Chaehyun realised that she had adjusted her tripod so much to the point that Mashiro was now sitting in the centre of her shot.
This realisation made her blush.
Two hours had passed since Chaehyun started taking photos; the sun looked as though it was going to set soon. During this time, Mashiro’s date did not show up. Chaehyun noticed that the smile Mashiro had before was now replaced with a frown.
Chaehyun felt bad for her. She didn’t understand how someone could be so mean to such a sweet girl. She understood that they barely talked, but she thought whoever stood Mashiro up was an idiot.
Chaehyun began to make her way back to Mashiro, her camera in hand, then proceeded to sit down in front of her. The sudden appearance seemed to startle Mashiro out of her trance. "Oh hey!” Mashiro smiled after realising it was Chaehyun. “Did you finish taking your pictures?” she questioned, smoothing out her dress with her hands.
“Yeah I did, they were great,” she answered before looking around the park. “So… Not to be nosy, but uh, where did your date go?” She frowned. “Sorry in advance, but they’re kind of a douche if they really let you sit here alone for two whole hours without even a call or anything like that.” Chaehyun rolled her eyes, becoming irritated the more she thought about it.
Mashiro seemed to find this amusing, with the way a laugh spilled out from her; Chaehyun found herself swooning a little at that. “Thank you for caring so much about me, Chaehyun. It’s a shame my date doesn't take as much interest in me as you do…” Mashiro huffed in disappointment but then smiled, brightening considerably. “You want to share all this food with me instead?’
“Sure thing, I was getting kind of hungry after taking all those pictures.” Chaehyun smiled before reaching into a container to pick up a sandwich and then taking a bite out of it.
“Chaehyun, can I see some of the photos you took?” Mashiro asked excitedly while leaning towards Chaehyun, a light scent of vanilla hitting Chaehyun’s senses; this, and the closeness caused her brain to malfunction.
She quickly snapped out of it, giving a curt nod before fumbling to open up her camera and handing it to Mashiro to flick through.
“Wow, you’re so good! They came out so pretty.” Mashiro clapped in delight, smiling brightly; the more Chaehyun watched her, the more her heart fluttered.
The two of them spent the rest of the time eating, with Mashiro talking about her failed date who went by the name of Yaning. They got to know more about each other until late into the night.
Chaehyun had helped Mashiro clean up and now she was standing back at her tripod, trying to dismantle it. It was getting cold and she wanted to leave quickly to the warmth of her house. After finally grabbing her belongings, she looked back to find Mashiro walking toward her.
“I guess this is it then. Thank you for spending time with me, Chaehyun.”
“No worries. It was fun today. Also, the food you made was really good.” Chaehyun smiled, breathing in with nervousness; she didn’t want the day to end like this. She really liked Mashiro as a person. She decided maybe she should get her number.
Chaehyun found herself fidgeting with her fingers anxiously before gathering up the courage to ask Mashiro. “Hey–”
“Before I leave, can I get your number Chaehyun?” Mashiro interrupted, a warm smile forming on her lips.
“Huh? I-I mean of course!” Chaehyun was taken back by the sudden question. She quickly reached for her phone in her pocket, but then it slipped out of her clammy hands, falling right to the floor. Chaehyun thanked the grass for being there to save her phone from being shattered. It would have been a real shame if she couldn't have this pretty girl’s number. “Sorry.” Chaehyun laughed before picking it up and giving it to Mashiro.
Chaehyun watched Mashiro type her number into the phone and call it before handing it back to her. “You were really fun to hang out with Chaehyun. We should keep in contact.”
“Mhm,” Chaehyun hummed in agreement.
“Bye Chaehyun.” Mashiro waved, and with one last smile thrown in Chaehyun’s direction – which totally did not make Chaehyun’s heart do a happy dance in her chest – she left. Chaehyun half-wished Mashiro didn’t leave, already missing her presence.
“Bye Mashiro.” Chaehyun waved back, eyes glued to Mashiro’s back until she couldn’t see her anymore. Chaehyun then picked up her equipment and decided to head home, a smile on her face.
However, after several seconds of walking, she received a text, which put a bigger and probably very dorky smile on her face.
Hey Chaehyun! Those photos you have of me, is it alright if I can have them too? (>.<) - Mashiro