thirty-seven

"Is this okay? Do I look okay? Do I look the same?"

Minho combs Jisung's hair with his fingers. Looks him up and down. The clothes he wore as a mannequin were washed carefully.

Black pants. White shirt.

Minho observes his appearance for a few more seconds. Moving around the pretty creature. "Oh!" He says. Realizes.

He brushes Jisung's soft bangs away. "Sungie... hasn't your hair... grown a bit? It falls a little more over your eyes..."

"Oh no! I'm different? How will she know me..."

"No, sweetheart, you're fine," Minho says. He takes Jisung's hands. "She'll recognize you. Don't worry."

Jisung breathes in. The poor thing looks so nervous.

Minho kisses him. "It'll be alright. We'll try not to take long. But please... please don't... become a mannequin, okay? I... I need you—"

Jisung hugs him. "It's alright, Minho! I won't leave you! If I feel scared, I will hold your hand, okay?"

"Okay..." Minho says. Gulps. Takes a deep breath in. "Okay. Thank you."

He tries not to think too much. He has to focus on Jisung instead. He covers him up in a scarf and coat. The other blinks.

Minho puts a hat on him. Then slips on his own coat and shoes.

"Alright, come on, then..." Minho says. Tries to be cheerful. "Oh, yeah, this will be your first time in a car! Right?"

Jisung nods. Quiet.

It's one in the afternoon. They're headed to the Hwangs. Hyunjin's at work. Minho will say whatever to his mother.

Just to at least meet Grandma Hwang.

But he's not sure what to do... what to say...

He'll have to figure out how to deal with everything from there.

- - -

- - - - - -

Minho holds Jisung's hand. All the way to the Hwang's door.

Mrs. Hwang's surprised at their visit. But she smiles. Lets them come inside. She hurries off because she left something on.

Jisung squeezes his arm. His eyes are filled with worry. Minho takes off Jisung's hat. Lowers his scarf for him. Helps him out of his coat.

"Will she let us stay?" Jisung whispers. "Isn't she angry?"

"No, Sungie. She likes me a lot, so she'll like you too."

"I... I don't know..."

"Trust me. She will."

"Sorry about that," Mrs. Hwang says. She's back. She hugs Minho. "It's wonderful to see you, dear..." Her eyes land on Jisung. Who grabs Minho's arm tighter. "Hello! You're Jisung, right? Hyunjin's mentioned you. It's so nice to see you too, dear."

Jisung nods. Very nervously. "Y-You too— I mean, yes, thank you..."

A slight frown appears on Mrs. Hwang's face. She blinks.

"I'm sorry," she says. Laughs. "You look familiar but I can't remember if I've seen you anywhere. We haven't met before, I don't think..."

Jisung shakes his head.

"Yeah... strange. Anyways, this is such a pleasant surprise."

She gestures for them to take a seat.

"I'm sorry, Minho. Hyunjin was supposed to be here, but he's still at work! I really wasn't expecting you today, at this time, I wasn't aware you had all agreed on anything yet..."

"Oh, no, we haven't," Minho says. "I'm so sorry from dropping in unannounced. We were just close by... and I really wanted to come for a couple minutes and just say hi... I haven't seen you for a long time..."

Mrs. Hwang's eyes soften. "Of course, you can come whenever you want. And you too, Jisung. It's funny, Hyunjin's grandma used to know someone named Jisung— She's been mentioning him a lot recently."

Minho exchanges a look with Jisung. Then quickly takes the chance. "Oh... could we see her? I would love to say hello to her too..."

"Oh... I really don't know, dear. She's not too well..."

Minho turns to Jisung. "I haven't seen both my grandparents since I was nine. My grandma died before my parents by a few years..."

Mrs. Hwang's expression saddens immediately. "I remember that... it was a very hard time for you..."

"But I had my brother and Hyunjin's family," Minho tells Jisung. He smiles at Mrs. Hwang. "They are my family now."

"Oh, Minho..." Mrs. Hwang murmurs. She sighs. Looks towards the hall. "You know what, dear... I can see if she's okay to meet you."

"I'd love that so much... thank you..."

Mrs. Hwang nods. Gets up. "Excuse me..."

Minho waits for her to leave. Then pulls off Jisung's scarf. He wants him to be recognized. Clearly. From the clothing made for him. The hair. Eyes. All of his appearance. Without any confusion.

"Minho..." Jisung says. He's teary. "I'm scared..."

Minho kisses him softly. "I know, sweetheart, I am too. But you just stay like this, okay? If she doesn't know you, or isn't well, we'll just go..."

They hear footsteps. Jisung clasps his hand.

Mrs. Hwang comes back smiling. "She's awake and knitting actually! I told her Hyunjin's friend wants to meet her. Come."

Minho breathes in. Follows Mrs. Hwang. Holds Jisung's hand firmly.

They go into a hallway past the kitchen. Mrs. Hwang stops them. Looks at Jisung. "I'm sorry, dear," she says quietly. "Could you... maybe not mention your name? I'm just not sure how she'll react to it."

Minho nods for Jisung. "Yes, we won't. I just want to greet her."

Mrs. Hwang smiles. Relieved. Turns to the first door. It's slightly open.

"Mother?" She says. Sounds uncertain. She motions Minho into the room with Jisung. "Here they are. Mother, these are Hyunjin's friends. You've heard of Minho already. We've known him since he was little."

Minho's got his eyes on Jisung though.

Jisung had sucked in a quiet breath. He's staring at the small old woman in bed. She's not looking at them. Her thin spotted hands are busy with a ball of orange yarn. It looks tangled. Her white hair is in a loose bun.

"And this is his boyfriend," Mrs. Hwang continues. "Aren't they cute, mother? They just wanted to say hi to you..."

"Mama Haeun?"

Grandma Hwang's hands stop. Her eyes slowly move up. To Mrs. Hwang... Minho... then Jisung. Her eyes widen.

To be continued...

Jisung's about to be a mannequin for a year