8 Starry Starry Nigh (1/2)

One night, the troublemaker pair decided to sneak out. They wanted to be alone while viewing the stars. Minhyun particular liked the night sky - finding interests in the constellations - and wanted to share that moment with Yoona.

Minhyun's room was on the third floor of the house. To get to the bottom, he had to sneakily tiptoe his way down the halls, avoiding the security guards on each floor. There were precious antiques in the house worth millions, the extra security had to be placed in case of robbers.

This made Minhyun's mission all the more hard.

Nonetheless, after years of living in the mansion, he knew the ins and outs of the household. The schedules and patterns of the guards were ingrained in his mind.

As the heir, although he could technically walk out and tell the security guards to let him outside, he didn't want to have them watch his every move. From a distance or the cameras, they would be on guard to make sure he was safe.

For just a few hours, he wanted to be free. No watchful eyes. No other company. Just him and her.

Was it too much to ask for?

The shadows rose up from their graves, taunting him as they battled against the moonlight. His breathe was hushed, heart beating rapidly, as he pinned his back against the wall. He couldn't get caught. In the corner of his eye, he saw a single security guard walking down the halls with a flashlight. He was whistling while taking large strides forward.

They were only a few steps apart.

The security guard was at the intersection, debating on turning left or right. If he were to turn left, Minhyun would be caught. That would be disastrous. Minhyun's breath hitched at the back of his throat as he waited for his fate to unfold. Luckily, the guard turned the other way, oblivious to the small child hiding among the shadows. Close call.

It took him a while to get downstairs.

He was worried that Yoona would be waiting for too long.

The place of meeting was the willow tree. In his estate's courtyard, after the garden, there was a large field. In the middle of the field was a single tree. He wasn't sure why it was there, or who planted it, but it was a great spot to rest at.

Quickly. He must get there quickly.

Minhyun ran outside, his legs running faster than they've ever moved. Since he was out in the open, there was no need to be quiet. His breathes were heavy as the impact of his feet against the pavement echoed through the cold air.

Finally, in front of him, against the s.h.i.+ning stars, was a single figure waiting by the willow tree. Without him knowing, a grand smile entered his face.

When he arrived by her side, he breathed a single world. ”Yoona.”

She turned around. Her eyes twinkled brighter than all the other stars. ”Hi Mini.”

They embraced. Her warmth comforted him underneath the blanket of the night sky.

”Did you wait long?” He asked.

Yoona shook her head. ”Nope. I thought I would be late. It took a while for mommy to go back to sleep. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to come.”

He let out a sigh of relief. His biggest worry was making Yoona wait out in the darkness alone. Thankfully, everything went according to how they planned earlier.

Yoona plopped on the ground and laid on the gra.s.s. She patted the spot beside of her. ”Let's lie down on the gra.s.s and observe the stars!”

Minhyun nodded and followed. The gra.s.s p.r.i.c.kled his skin as he looked up to nature's canvas.

Constellations filled up the sky; each with their own stories to tell. Due to the knowledge Minhyun obtained from the library, he recognized many of them. A smug smile lifted on his face. Now, he was going to use this knowledge to impress her. He pointed to a set of stars. ”There's the big dipper.”

He traced the stars to help Yoona visualize. Her mouth opened in a small 'o' and she excitedly clapped her hands. ”Wow.”

”And that's the Leo right beside of it.” He gently grabbed her hand, molding his fingers around hers, before moving her index to point to the specific constellation.

Without looking, Minhyun could already feel her excitement.

Yoona clapped her hands together, the bracelet shaking on her wrist. ”Wow Mini! You're so smart!”

Of course he was.

The need for praises and confirmation was one of Minhyun's slight flaws, brought up from his lifestyle. His whole life revolved around pleasing father. Every day of his life was used to study and to become the heir that everyone expected him to be. Although father rarely complimented him, the few, odd times were the things that kept him going.

But now, he had a friend full of them.

Either way, his heart felt joyful when he heard Yoona's words.

”Thank you,” he said proudly. ”I studied a lot in the library.”

”Do you know any constellations?” He asked. To his surprise, a sad smile washed Yoona's face. Had he said something wrong? Why did she look like she was about to cry? This was the first time he'd ever seen such negative emotions on her face.

She pointed to a single star. It was the brightest one in the night sky.

”I only know one type of star,” she admitted. Her body was shaking. ”Mommy said that one is father's star.”

Minhyun knew that a human couldn't possibly own a star. Unless they legally bought it of course. Nonetheless, he shook his head in agreement and played along with her words. ”You're father's star? How did he get it?”

Yoona gulped. Though there was a smile on her face, he could see tears well up in her eyes. He was exposed to a new side of her. One that was vulnerable, mournful, and dark.

”Mommy said Dad went to live in heaven. She said that anyone who goes to meet G.o.d is gifted a star as a welcome gift. The brightest one is my father's.”

He stayed silent. He didn't know to reply to Yoona's sudden confession.