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Kitty hadn’t meant to fall in love somewhere between the tour.
Well, technically, she fell in love way longer before summer.
But the point was, she definitely hadn’t meant to fall in love with Minho.
But life had this annoying way of not caring what you meant to do.
And Kitty could not understand that.
After 3 months of travelling, the last stop of Joon Ho’s tour was Busan.
Kitty didn’t have the chance to explore Korea out of Seoul, she was so excited to finally see something new.
Her heart fluttered as she got off the plane. She walked down the stairs, Minho joining after her.
“Welcome to Busan!” Exclaimed Mr.Moon taking his sun glasses off.
Joon Ho and Eunji went down the stairs aswell.
“I love it here. We used to come a lot when we were younger, remember?” Joon Ho placed an arm around his brother’s shoulder.
“We did.” Minho replied with a tiny smile.
Kitty eyed him. How could he look so beautiful in the airport? Everyone looks disgusting when travelling.
She hated him for that.
“Well Covey, last stop. How are we feeling?” He asked.
“Relieved. I can’t handle you one more day.”
She teased him.
“Oh please, as if this hasn’t been the best experience in your life. You love me and you know it.” He mocked back.
Suddenly three black Tesla’s gathered around them.
“Oh finally, the drivers. I was worried they would take too long.” Mr moon chucked a bit.
The staff placed their luggage inside the trunks, and they got inside the cars.
Kitty was with Minho, of course.
Kitty could feel the tension between them.
He was driving her crazy.
It was like one moment they were the usual Kitty and Minho, joking around, teasing each other, getting irritated... but the next, it was diferent.
He made her heart glow every time they locked eyes, and it scared her.
She'd never felt that way about anyone.
The driver eyed them through the rearview. “안전벨트를 착용해 주세요.”
“What did he say?” Kitty whispered.
“He asked us to fasten our seatbelts.” Minho replied as he did it.
Kitty hurriedly fasted it aswell.
“Are we good to go?” The driver asked, this time for both of them to understand.
“Yessir.” They both replied.
Minutes passed, and Kitty was almost drifting off to sleep.
But she woke up to the ringtone of her phone.
“Covey turn it off!” Minho complained. She turned on her screen to see who was calling here.
It was Yuri, she picked it up, ignoring the dramatic boy besides her.
“Whats up Yuri? How’s the internship going?” She asked.
Minho eyed her. He didn’t expect Yuri to call her.
“Hey Kitty! I just wanted to talk to you about that. Is Minho around?” Asked yuri through the phone.
“Yeah, sure, wait let me put the speaker.” Kitty pressed the button on her screen and moved the phone away from her ear.
"Hey Yuri," Minho greeted in a husky voice. "What's up, big boy? Well, back to what I was saying. I heard you'll be in Busan for a few days…”
“Looks like it.” Minho commented.
“Well, it turns out Miss Ji-eun Rhee and I will be too."
“Really? Wait, Ji-eun Rhee.. as the famous fashion designer?” Kitty exclaimed.
"Isn't that your boss?" Minho mentioned.
"Yes, and I urgently need you to do me a big favor."
Kitty and Minho shared glances.
“Sure, what do we have to do?" Kitty asked without thinking twice.
“Well, the reason I’m in Busan too, is that she wants to do a photoshoot by the beach for her new collection, l'amour entre les vagues.”
“That's great! But I don't understand what we have to do with it." Kitty asked slowly.
"Let's see... how do I put this? It's funny because she needs two models for this afternoon." Yuri says between teeth.
They all stayed in silence for a few seconds, trying to process the information.
Minho broke the silence “Are you asking us to be your models?"
"Basically." She replied.
"What?!" They both exclaimed at the same time.
"No way, there's no way." Minho jumped in.
"I agree, besides, we're not models!" Kitty mentioned.
"Your bone structure says otherwise." Yuri commented.
“She isn't wrong about that," Minho mentioned.
"Please!" Yuri pleaded. “If I don't find a guy and a girl to model this afternoon, she'll kill me!" Yuri complained.
"Can't you just call an agency and hire two professionals?" Kitty suggested in a rush
"I've tried, but there's no time!" Yuri answered.
Kitty exhaled.
"Okay, so assuming we model for you and your boss, what do we get in return?" Minho asked.
“We'll pay you, it's like, 300 dollars per photo."
"Holy shit!" Kitty exclaimed, frightening Minho.
“How much money does your boss have?" Yuri laughed through her phone.
“Please tell me you guys are going to do it, I'm still too young to die!"
"Okay, drama queen," Minho commented.
"I'm not denying that I'd like to model. I have to take advantage of the perfect angles God has given me, don't you think, Covey?" Minho looked at her.
Kitty feelt her stomach drop. He meet her gaze, and the car fell into a tense silence.
"Um... are you guys still there?" Kitty looked away.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry.”
"We will do it.” Minho said firmly.
"What?" She said silently, just for Minho to hear.
“Really? Thank you guys! What hotel are you staying in? We will come and pick you up!” Yuri exclaimed excitedly.
Kitty could not believe it.
She could do it. She was Katherine Song-Covey, matchmaker. She didn’t have to be afraid.
The problem was she was terrorised, as if standing on the edge of a cliff with a huge drop.
“It’s just a photoshoot with Minho, you’re fine” She thought.
Beach, makeup, expensive clothes, Minho.. what could go wrong?
Hours passed and without realising it they were again with the driver, but this time, heading to the beach.
“Covey, hide your envy. I know you'd like to have my beauty and my modeling skills." He mentioned as he closed the door.
"Sure, what a great modeling experience. You look great in the diaper ad by the way.” She mocked sarcastically.
He rolled is eyes in amusement.
Minho crossed his arms as the car bumped along the road. “Remind me again how we got roped into this?”
Kitty didn’t even look up from her phone. “You said yes before thinking. As usual.”
She gave him a look. “You were practically glowing when Yuri mentioned the word “modelling” .”
He smirked. “Can you blame me? The designer must have taste.”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “If you start calling yourself a fashion icon, I’m jumping out of this car.”
“You’re just mad because I’m gonna outshine you.” He bickered.
She scoffed. “Please. I was born to wear overpriced beach couture.”
Minho glanced over, grinning. “Just try not to trip over your own confidence.”
Kitty smirked right back.
He looked back out the window.
And just like that, silence fell again.
After a short drive they made it to the beach where the shoot would be taking part.
“Kitty, Minho!” Yuri greeted them as they got of the car.
“Thank you so much, you guys literally saved my life.” She hugged them both.
They made their way where all the crew was.
They greeted the photographer and Yuri explained what the designer wanted.
“Well, you guys are not models,” Yuri had said, eyes gleaming, “but you’re hot and tragic. It works.”
The photographer approached. “Isn’t this guy a model? You remind me of someone.” He mentioned with a French accent.
“He’s Mr. Moon’s son, Minho.” Yuri explained.
“Oh right! It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Alexandre Moreau.” He shaked hands with Minho.
Minho had the biggest grin Kitty had ever seen. That boy loved being complimented.
“Oh la la! Who do we have here? You’re beautiful like a pivone!” Kitty contained her laugh.
She eyed Minho, he was doing the same.
“Katherine Song-Covey.” She shaked hands with Alexandre aswell.
“Well, people, let’s get to work!” Yuri clapped hands.
Kitty didn’t even blink. “So, emotionally wrecked and photogenic?” Minho asked
“Exactly.” She replied.
Still, there was no saying no to Yuri when she was on a fashion high.
They took them into diferent camerinos to change their clothes.
After some makeup and hair, Kitty looked unrecognisable.
They went for the “wet look”. It suited her well with her unique hair tone.
They handed her a bag with a light blue dress with shells and sequins, and once she tried it on, she felt like a true mermaid coming off the shore.
Minho was already there when she arrived to the shore.
She could pass out.
And so, here they were. Feet in the sand. Salt in the breeze. Eyes still flicking sideways like maybe the other person would speak first.
Minho stood a few feet away, in all white. Linen shirt open just enough to be disrespectful.
His hair messily wind-tossed. He looked like the lead in a K-drama.
The kind Kitty never let herself finish because she hated heartbreak.
“You look..” He said eyeing her from head to toe.
“Pathetic.” They said at the same time.
Yuri walked up in oversized sunglasses and a headset, clipboard in hand like a fashion general.
“Okay, lovers-not-really-lovers. Positions.” She clapped.
“Are you seriously directing this shoot?” Kitty asked.
“I’m creative consulting. Ji-eun likes my instincts.” She beamed.
“You mean bossing everyone around.” Minho said amusingly.
“Tomato, designer tomato.” They all chuckled.
Suddenly, Ji-eun Rhee herself walked in and stood quietly near the tents, sleek and spectral in black with a coffee in hand, nodding approvingly.
Kitty swallowed hard, and the environment became tense.
“We better get to work before she kills us, chérie.” Alexandre mentioned to Yuri.
“You’re right.” She replied.
And so, they did.
It felt a bit awkward at first, Kitty was trying her best but Minho was neutral at it.
She hated to admit it, but he looked so good modelling.
“Okay, now walk! Give me freedom!” Alexandre exclaimed.
They walked barefoot along the surf. She could feel the warmth of him beside her, hear his breath catch when the wind swept her hair across his shoulder.
“Try laughing,” Yuri called. “Think of something that makes you giddy.”
Kitty didn’t try.
She laughed for real when Minho slipped on a piece of seaweed and cursed under his breath.
“You okay, Prince Charming?” She teased.
“I meant to do that,” he said, dusting off his ego.
“You mean eat sand for fashion?” She mentally withdrew the phrase, it had been lame.
“You’re not funny, Kitty.”
“You’re just mad I look better.” She teased.
He narrowed his eyes. “You think you’re so charming.”
Then, the camera clicked.
“Parfait! Comme c'est merveilleux!” Alexandre exclaimed with passion as he bended to get a better shot.
Yuri tried to contain her laugh as she watched the photographer do weird poses.
“Your chesmistry is undeniable guys. Great job!” Yuri commented.
Alexandre got off the floor and stood next to her.
“Okay,” Alexandre called, holding up the camera phone like a command baton.
“Talking about chemistry, this next shot is a little more intimate. Kitty, Minho—eyes on each other. Don’t smile. Don’t blink. Just… see each other.” The French asked.
Kitty could only her heartbeats become louder and louder in her ears.
“Minho, hands on her waist.” Yuri asked.
Minho shifted slightly, his hand brushing against the curve of Kitty’s waist—barely there, just enough to make her breath hitch.
She shivers running down her spine.
“Now… stare at each other.” Alexandre said slowly.
Minho raised an eyebrow. “That’s vague as hell.”
Kitty turned to him.
Minho turned to her.
“Perfect,” Yuri grinned. “Hold it.”
And then—silence.
Not the silence of a quiet beach. The kind of silence that screamed.
He looked at her like he hadn’t seen her in years. Like the sun had chosen her to land on. Like if he blinked, she’d vanish.
Kitty felt the air thin around them. She could feel the sand beneath her toes, the pulse in her throat, the weight of everything they hadn’t said. Her lips parted—just slightly.
The photographer snapped. But they didn’t move.
Yuri took off her phone and took a few pictures aswell, she was recording the whole process in her new YouTube Vlog Channel.
“Okay,” Yuri said softly, her voice more serious now. “That’s… wow. Stay there. Don’t move.”
Minho tilted his head, just a little. His eyes dipped to her mouth.
Kitty’s knees almost buckled.
She wanted to say something. Anything. But her body was frozen—caught between the past and the thing they weren’t allowed to name.
The click of the camera. The hush of the wind.
Still, they didn’t move.
Finally, after what felt like an hour, Yuri cleared her throat awkwardly.
“Okay… um. You guys can blink now. Maybe even breathe.”
Neither of them laughed.
Kitty blinked once. Minho looked away first.
And in that split second, she missed him like he was already gone.
Alexandre and Yuri shared a glance in surprise.
“Bravo guys, that was.. something” Yuri mentioned as Alexandre reviewed the pictures.
“These picture will be in the Vogue cover, incroyable.”
But Kitty wasn’t listening, she was focused on the boy next to her.
Kitty and Minho would not dare to look at each other.
She felt paralysed, her heart was still getting used to his absence.
Suddenly, the infamous designer approached them.
She took off her glasses.
Ji-eun nodded once. “You were both… honest.”
It felt like the biggest compliment of Kitty’s life.
“Great job Yuri Han.” The designer smiled slightly and left.
They all stayed in silence.
“I’ve never seen her smile.” Alexandre mentioned.
“I think…we have something!” Yuri exclaimed almost jumping out of happiness.
After picking up, the driver arrived to pick them up.
They said goodbye to Yuri and Alexandre, and got on the car.
They stayed in awkward silence.
Kitty could not believe what she had just lived.
She quietly turned to look at him, he was staring outside the window, as if he was looking for something he didn’t find.
Her phone started buzzing insanely, earning Minho’s attention.
It was Q.
Q: KITTY WTF?
Q: HELLOOOOO?? CHAOS QUEEN?? PICK UP!!!!
Kitty opened the chat, to see a screenshot of Yuri’s insta story.
She had posted a picture of them staring at each other, and captioned it “l'amour est dans l'air”, tagging her, Minho and Alexandre.
Q kept texting her.
Q: CARE TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF?
K: Can’t talk. I’ll tell you tomorrow.
They arrived to the hotel and got off the car, still in silence.
They awkwardly made their way inside and went into their respective rooms.
They said a simple “Goodbye” to each other.
A few minutes passed and Kitty’s mind was spinning in a never ending circle.
Were things going back to normal ever again?
Had their friendship just get ruined?
It was already nighttime, and from her bedroom window, the lights of the houses and buildings could be seen.
Kitty decided to go up to the roof.
She needed a break; she had already held her breath for too long.
Kitty wrapped her arms tighter around herself as the night breeze kissed her skin.
She stared out over the lights of Busan, the hum of the city just below her, the ocean far in the distance.
She hadn’t meant to get sad. But something about that photoshoot had wrecked her.
The way he looked at her.
The way she looked back.
The way neither of them had said a word since.
Behind her, the rooftop door creaked open.
She didn’t have to turn to know who it was.
“Minho,” she said softly.
He stepped closer, his sneakers quiet against the stone. “You okay?”
Kitty didn’t answer. Her hands gripped the railing. “You didn’t have to follow me.”
He was quiet for a second. “You know I’ll always follow you.”
Her breath caught.
Minho stopped beside her, close but not touching.
Like he knew that if he did, she’d shatter. Or maybe he would.
“I hated today,” she said.
He blinked. “You looked stunning, why?”
“That’s not what I meant.” She turned to him, finally.
She took a deep breath.
“I hated pretending it didn’t mean something.”
Minho looked like she’d knocked the wind out of him.
Kitty swallowed gaining courage.
She couldn’t take it any longer.
“I don’t want to act like this is just tension, or just banter, or just some dumb photoshoot. It’s not.”
Minho’s jaw clenched. He ran a hand through his hair like he was holding himself back. “It’s never been just that to me, Kitty.”
Her heart pounded.
“Then why didn’t you say anything?” she whispered. “Why did we keep pretending?”
“Because I thought it would ruin everything and I’d lose you.”
Silence.
Thick. Charged. The kind that happens right before a storm or a miracle.
“Why is it like this?” Kitty looked up at him.
“Why are we so afraid of admitting-“
Minho interrupted her.
“I love you,” Minho said, voice low and shaking.
“I’ve been in love with you, and it’s been killing me to act like I’m not.”
Kitty inhaled sharply.
“I don’t want to pretend anymore either,” she whispered.
Minho reached for her, gentle, careful—like she was something sacred.
He placed her hands on her hips as she placed hers on his arms.
She stared as his lips getting closer.
And when their lips met, it wasn’t soft. It wasn’t tentative.
It was years of tension. Months of buildup. One whole summer of almosts and not yets crashing into a single, breathless moment.
He kissed her like it was the last night of their lives.
She kissed him like she hoped it was just the first.
Her hands ran up through is hair as if her life depended on it.
She could feel him smile between kisses.
They pulled apart and stared at each other.
And, not holding it any longer, she kissed him this time. Sweet and simple.
And somewhere below them, the city slept.
But up there?
Two hearts that finally said what they’d meant to all along.