Saturday
The day was bright, typical for the weather when the summer months were drawing near. Across the brilliant blue sky clouds passed over, slowly travelling in the whichever direction the wind took them, and every so often covering up the powerful rays of the sun. It wasn't necessarily warm, but Jisung didn't mind. It was nicer to be running in the cold so he could warm himself up without completing dying of a heat stroke.
The 18-year-old's feet sounded on the pavement as he paced his way to the park, keeping his breathe and concentrating on the music blasting down his ears. Jisung loved running. It was his one true passion to be a professional track racer one day, and perhaps even join in on marathons. Though it had somewhat become nothing more than a hobby over the last year or so, as Jisung had to dedicate his time to his school work. Still, he put in effort to find time for a run every Tuesday and Saturday.
Reaching the park, Jisung did a quick loop of the main pathway before coming to a stop at the bench he'd regularly rest at. There he sat, and as he drank his water his eyes wandered over to the play area where about a dozen kids could be seen with their mums. Jisung remembers coming to this park himself too as a young kid, since he'd lived in this town his whole life. If he could go back to being the carefree, spontaneous boy he once was, only concerned with having his turn on the swings, Jisung would do it in a heartbeat.
Something gentle was tugging on Jisung's sleeve, trying to get his attention. Looking down, Jisung was met with a pair of round, deep chocolate brown eyes staring up at him in wonder. The eyes belonged to a small boy with straight, charcoal black hair, a soft looking face and an inquisitive pout. He appeared no older than 4, and was dressed in a pair of blue shorts and a shirt that had a rabbit printed upon the front.
"Excuse me, are you a boy or a girl?" The young boy's bluntness startled Jisung, the blond not expecting such a forward question from a child. Before he could hastily make up an answer, a second boy hurried up to them. This one was a brunette, hair wavy with a single red clip in it. He had the same brown eyes as the first boy, only his fluttered with beautifully long eye lashes, and he looked only slightly older at maybe 5. He was wearing a grey t-shirt with a cartoon character on it, paired with some ripped denim shorts.
"Heijin, you can't ask someone if they're a boy or a girl." The brunette scolded what Jisung now assumed to be his brother, before being addressed himself. "I'm sorry for my brother's question. It doesn't matter if you are a boy or if you are a girl!" Jisung tried hard not to coo at such a honest naivety from both boys, even if the original question took the blond by surprise.
The younger boy, Heijin, fiddled with his fingers. "Sorry Heihyun, sorry Mister. I shouldn't have asked that." Jisung was almost brought to tears at the child's apology, and lent down onto his knees so he could see the boy's face properly.
"Hey, it's okay. I am a boy but, I get mistaken for a girl a lot of the time." It was the truth of course; Jisung had a relatively feminine demeanour, plus he was wearing a crop top at the given time. What can he say, running is better with something looser on.
Heijin looked back up with his eyes wide again. Jisung's hair was almost bleach blonde, with his darker roots just showing through. He had almond shaped, light brown eyes and lips shaped like a heart, and his cheeks! His cheeks were so round that Heijin wanted to reach out a squish them, but knew he shouldn't. To him, Jisung was the prettiest boy he'd ever seen.
"Well, you're a really pretty boy!" Heijin spoke what was exactly on his mind, accompanied by a nod in agreement from Heihyun. Jisung actually blushed at the compliment; how were these kids just so pure? They must've been raised by a good mother.
Jisung felt a shadow above him block out the sun, and sat back up to see what it was. A tall, slender man was stood behind Heijin and Heihyun, a professional and stern expression on his face. He had Heihyun's brown hair and eyelashes, but also the wide eyes of Heijin. He was older that Jisung definitely, but still fairly young, possibly in his early 20s as far as Jisung could guess. He was fitted in a smart coat that covered his simple jeans and navy blue turtleneck, and he'd reached down to take both the young boy's hands in each of his.
"I'm sorry, but could you not talk to my sons please." It was said as more of a statement, but the man didn't seem angry. More just concerned, and so Jisung didn't mind since he'd asked politely.
"Don't worry dad," Heijin perked up, "we were the ones who started the conversation." The man looked at Heihyun for confirmation, and the boy smiled and nodded in reply to prove his brother was being truthful.
The man seemed to consider this for a moment, before shifting his attention back to Jisung. "In that case, I'm sorry my sons came and bothered you." Jisung frantically shook his head, not wanting any blame to be put on the two cute and so incredibly polite children
"Not at all! They're really sweet, I didn't mind at all." The man stared hard at Jisung for a few seconds. He looked to him about 16, but could be older; the brunette hadn't raised his sons to be teenagers yet of course, and he'd looked younger then he actually was when he was in high school. The boy had clearly been running, his hair slightly damp and dewy face glowing in the sunlight. Since Jisung did look a lot younger than him, the man didn't observe his outfit. But he was aware that the blond was wearing a crop top, since it was a stand out feature.
"I'm glad they acted well, um.."
"Jisung, Han Jisung."
Han Jisung.. pretty name.
"Lee Minho."
Minho.. heh, nice name.
Minho gave his sons' hands a subtle squeeze. "Come on boys, we need to go the store to get stuff for dinner." He then gave Jisung a placid, somewhat thankful smile, which the blond returned with a broad grin. "Nice meeting you, Jisung. Now, say goodbye you two."
Heihyun bowed his head forward, "Bye mister, have a good day." Heijin quickly then did the same, replicating his brother's words but with a bit more energy. "Bye bye mister, enjoy your run!" Jisung waved as the three walked off, watching as Heijin turned to continue waving while not ever letting go of his dad's hand. Eventually Jisung got back on his feet and set off home as well, hungry for something to eat even though it was still only mid afternoon.
Neither Minho or Jisung thought much of their interaction that evening, and went back to their regular routines. Little did they know each of them would impact the other's life forever.