She turned to him then, serious all of a sudden. "You don't have to do it under pressure. If you want to, then only do it. Otherwise, no."
His smile softened. He looked at her properly now. "I want to. It's just… There are elders around. They feel uncomfortable with such gestures. That's why I refused."
She followed his gaze, scanning the crowd, then her eyes landed on an elderly couple nearby. The man had his arm around his wife, posing dramatically while she laughed, clearly used to him. They weren't shy, weren't rushed. Just quietly romantic.
Her lips curved. "Look at them, Mr. Kim."
Suho followed her gaze, and his eyes widened slightly. "Aish…, chincha…?" he breathed out in disbelief.
She chuckled, clearly entertained. "That ajusshi is way more romantic than you," she teased, nodding subtly. "Look at how confidently he's posing."
Then she turned to Suho, eyes bright with a new idea. "That spot looks perfect. The picture will come out really good."
Before he could protest or even process her plan, she grabbed his hand and dragged him along.
"Yaa—" he laughed, stumbling half a step behind her.
They stopped at the spot she liked. She slipped back into his arms, fitting against him naturally. His hands found her waist again, gentle.
"Now let's do it," she said.
She pouted her lips, turning her face slightly toward him. Suho smiled, heart softening. He leaned in and placed a gentle peck on her lips, warm and brief. She clicked the picture immediately.
Her smile bloomed as she pulled back to check the photo.
And then it faded.
"Oh no…" she murmured, lips turning down. "This didn't come well. Our faces are completely shadowed."
Suho leaned in to look at the screen, then lifted his eyes to her disappointed face. Something tugged at his chest.
"Let's do it once more," he said softly.
She shook her head. "No… let it be. It won't come off as a selfie anyway."
"Just one more try," he insisted, voice gentle but certain.
She looked at him, unsure, torn between hope and hesitation.
That's when a warm voice interrupted them.
"Shall I take the picture for you?"
They both turned.
It was the same ajusshi. He stood there with a kind smile, hand slightly extended, offering help as naturally as breathing.
Suho glanced at Hauen. And Hauen glanced at Suho.
"Ah… thank you, ajusshi, but… um… it will be a little awkward…" Hauen said suddenly, her words tumbling out with polite hesitation.
The ajusshi smiled kindly, understanding. "It's alright. No problem." He turned to leave.
"Aah— ajusshi, one minute."
Suho's voice stopped him.
The man paused and turned back. Hauen looked at Suho, surprised.
Suho offered a small, calm smile. "Please take pictures of us."
The ajusshi smiled immediately. "Of course."
Hauen's eyes widened. "Suho—"
"Come," Suho said, cutting her off gently as he pulled her closer to him. "Let's pose."
The ajusshi took the phone, stepping back a little. "Well then… action," he said cheerfully.
Suho smiled, his arm firm around her waist. He leaned closer, their faces inches apart. The sudden closeness made Hauen's heart skip hard against her ribs.
And then he did it. His lips brushed against hers in a soft, fleeting peck.
Her eyes fluttered shut for a second, feeling it fully, completely. When he pulled back, their gazes met.
Damn. Those eyes of hers. Too open. Too expressive. Too honest. How can she look at me like that…I'm dying… I really can't…
He thought. His own heart thudded wildly, butterflies bursting in his chest, reckless and uncontrollable.
She smiled then. Soft. Bright. Completely unaware of the chaos she caused.
Unable to resist, he leaned in again, this time resting his forehead against hers, bumping it gently, affection wrapped in warmth.
"Don't look at me like that, Jagi," he whispered, voice low and trembling with a laugh. "I might actually die from a heart burst."
She broke into the softest laugh, shy and delighted. He smiled with her, warmth spreading in his chest. Unable to stop himself, stealing one more quick peck before she pushed him away, laughing harder.
He laughed too, that soft, boyish laugh that came out only with her.
Then he turned toward the ajusshi, who had been smiling the entire time while looking at the photos he had taken. Suho walked over and glanced at the screen.
His lips curved into a bright, genuine smile.
"Thank you, ajusshi. These are really amazing."
The man chuckled, pride twinkling in his eyes. "I know. I'm a professional photographer."
Suho looked at him, amused. "Really?"
"Yes," the man replied with a laugh. "More than twenty-five years of experience."
"That's amazing," Suho said sincerely. After a brief pause, he added, "If you don't mind… could you take a few more pictures of us?"
The man turned back to look at his wife. She gave a small nod, smiling in approval.
"Okay," he agreed.
Suho and Hauen exchanged excited smiles.
The man began guiding them gently. "Stand a little closer… yes… look at each other, not the camera… good… now smile naturally."
Click.
"Hold her hand… perfect… lean in a bit."
Click.
Hauen laughed in between while posing, Suho's hand instinctively finding her waist, both of them forgetting the crowd, the time, the world. Each click felt like a small blessing, sealing their moments into something permanent.
When they were finally done, Suho handed the ajusshi some money. The ajusshi tried to refuse at first, shaking his head.
But Hauen smiled and gently pushed his hand back. "Please take it. Consider it a small reward for your beautiful skills."
The man smiled then, accepting it, eyes warm. He looked at them with quiet fondness and said softly, "You two look very happy together. Stay like this."
He gave them a gentle blessing before walking away with his wife, their hands loosely intertwined.
Suho and Hauen stood there for a moment longer, scrolling through the photos, hearts full, memories glowing.
The sun had risen fully now.
And somewhere between the light and their laughter, a piece of their forever had been captured beautifully.