#xo kitty

You never understood how someone like Minho—confident, effortlessly cool, annoyingly handsome—could ever look at someone like you the way he did. You were the shy one of the group, always lingering behind Kitty or Yuri, always tucking your hair behind your ear when someone spoke to you directly.

But Minho?

Minho noticed everything.

Today was no different. You were all gathered at KISS after classes, Kitty ranting animatedly about some new love-life disaster while Q nodded along like a supportive big brother. Dae and Yuri argued about something that definitely didn’t matter, and Juliana kept filming everyone for some artsy montage project.

You sat beside Minho on the bench, legs crossed, hands folded in your lap, trying not to take up space.

“You’re doing that thing again,” Minho murmured.

You blinked up at him. “What thing?”

“That thing where you shrink. Like I’m going to yell at you or something.”

Your cheeks warmed. “I’m not shrinking…”

He narrowed his eyes, leaning in so close your breath hitched. “You’re adorable, but you’re a terrible liar.”

Before you could reply, Kitty called out, “Hey, Y/N! We’re going to get boba after this. You coming?”

You hesitated. Crowds weren’t your favorite, and the last time you went out, some girls recognized Minho and stared at you like you’d stolen their diamonds.

Minho sensed everything instantly.

“She’s coming,” he answered for you, throwing his arm around your shoulders like it was the easiest thing in the world. “Obviously.”

Dae snorted. “Minho, the way you cling to her is getting embarrassing.”

“Says the guy who blushes every time Eunice looks at him for longer than two seconds,” Minho fired back.

Kitty gasped. “DAE! Is that true?!”

Dae’s face went scarlet, and Yuri laughed so loud people turned to stare.

As everyone bickered and teased each other on the walk to the boba shop, you stuck close to Minho, fingers brushing his. Every time someone bumped into you or walked too close, he shifted his stance, gently guiding you behind him like you were something to protect.

And you… hated how much you loved it.

———————————————

Inside, the shop was crowded—not ideal. You stood by Minho’s side, subtly pressing into his arm as strangers pushed past to find tables.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

You nodded, but the tightness in your shoulders gave you away.

“Stay here,” he murmured. “I’ll order.”

The second he stepped away, a couple of KISS girls approached you, eyes sharp and curious.

“Are you and Minho together?” one asked, tone dripping sweetness—with a bit too much emphasis on the question.

You froze, stuttering out, “Um… I—”

Before they could corner you further, Minho reappeared at your side, sliding his hand into yours like it belonged there.

“Yes,” he said simply. “She’s my girlfriend. So stop making her anxious.”

The girls stiffened, muttered something, and scurried away.

You stared at Minho, wide-eyed. “You didn’t have to—”

“Yes, I did.” He squeezed your hand. “You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Especially not people who think they have a chance with me.” His lips quirked into a smirk. “They don’t.”

You giggled, cheeks hot. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re cute.” He tilted his head. “Too cute, actually. Now I have to make sure the entire school knows you’re taken.”

“Minho!”

“What? It’s true.”

When everyone gathered at the long corner table—Kitty chattering, Q giving advice no one asked for, Yuri and Juliana whispering like they had their own little secrets—Minho tugged you into his lap, arms around your waist like you were the one thing he refused to let go of.

You hid your face in his shoulder.

He pressed a kiss to your cheek.

“Don’t hide,” he murmured. “I like seeing you.”