"Who's your favorite member?"
"Lee Changhyuk." She answered without hesitation. "Someone who is very rich in China has the one with Lee Changhyuk's signature, Onee - san told me. But that one is as precious since it has the signature of the leader, Han Ryeowook."
"Then you can have this." He handed her the album.
Her eyes were gleamming as she looked up to her great grandmother, silently asking whether it was okay for her to receive it. The great grandmother gave a gentle nod and she immediately opened her small hands as if she was afraid the handsome mister might change his mind. The mister put the album on her hands causing her to bow so deep and thank him a million times.
The glitter on her face did not fade, there was a hint of shyness as she leaned forward to his ear and cupped her mouth.
"Mister, you are very handsome. Are you Lee Changhyuk?"
Lee Changhyuk halted but regained his composure in a split second as he met her sparkling eyes. He lowered his head then whispered back to the little girl's ear. "Can you keep a secret?" He nodded and put a finger in front of his smiling lips before giving the little girl a sweet wink.
Her eyebrows shot up high and her small lips were parted widely as if she was about to shoot the ultimate ball of happiness out of her small body. The little girl nodded frantically, she threw herself to hug him tight on the neck and made a 90 degree bow. She then left with her great grandmother.
The milk girl just silently watched with a gentle expression on her face as Lee Changhyuk walked towards her. He placed the stuff toy in her hand.
"And this is for you." His voice was music to her ears. She looked at the fat cat stuff toy and hugged it immediately.
"This is cute."
"I'm still going to give you more expensive stuff!" He was determined.
The milk girl did not even want to respond to him cause she knew how strong headed this little puppy can be. Also, she had heard enough of the word 'expensive' for the day, better zip her lips or she might even sleeptalk tonight.
Lee Changhyuk lifted his head. The sky had been perfect, but it was changing. The clouds began to gather in the sky and the wind felt different on his skin.
"It is going to rain." He said with a worried voice.
Shizu raised her chin and she agreed with Lee Changhyuk, her temples began to tighten. "Oh no, we better hurry!"
They both walked through the lane that was now emptier than before. The red stalls that decorated the beautiful passage were closing one by one and Shizu was guessing that most of the visitors were now praying in the shrine.
It began as a whispering in the air, then they got the first splatter of rain. People ran for cover and umbrellas were opened. Lee Changhyuk unwrapped the jacket on his waist and put it on top of her. He circled his arm on her shoulder then guided her.
Droplets of moisture began to drip, they were sprinkling onto the road like waterfall. Lee Changhyuk knew they wouldn't make it to the shrine. His vision became obscured due to the refraction of light at water drops on the fake glasses.
The rainfall became more intense. The milk girl lifted the jacket slightly to glance at him. Her big eyes looked worried as she saw his wet beanie and unclear glasses. She was raising her hands so that Lee Changhyuk could take cover under the jacket but he pulled her even closer and swung her up in his strong arms as if she was nothing more than a feather.
"Lee Changhyuk!" She called his name in attempt to stop him but the man didn't flinch. He adjusted the jacket to properly cover her then began running.
He carried her like the most precious treasure in the universe, keeping her close to his chest as though the rain was some deadly enemy.
Shizu could not bring herself to say anything to him cause she knew he wouldn't let go. It would lead to an unnecessary bickering and it would be too dangerous for both of them. Her heart was beating hard as she could feel the downpour from behind the jacket.
The passage was surrounded by trees that went up and down the small hills that obviously turned slippery when it rained. Her body would tense up whenever the rain poured its heavy drops, and as though there was a silent transmission between them, Lee Changhyuk would lift her body even closer to his chest and used his thumb to rub her shoulder as if telling her to trust him.
After a while, Shizu stopped hearing the sound of the rain hitting the jacket. He slowly lowered the arm that's holding her legs, allowing her to safely place her feet onto solid ground.
Shizu removed the clothe that protected her head to find themselves behind a closed tourist office. They were halfway through the hotel.
Lee Changhyuk leaned against the wall and removed the Lee Yuki accessories from his face. He pinched the skin between the brows to relieve his tired eyes then ran his fingers through his dishelved hair.
"You're all wet!" She approached him with a worried expression.
He did not say anything as he studied her, while slowing down his breathing and leaning lazily against the wall like some handsome devil who just got back from a battle. There was no regret on that glorious face as he knew he made the right decision. The milk girl was 80% dry!
Now that his face was clear, he looked even more mesmerizing. His beautiful clear eyes were as dark as the night and his fair skin seemed to be shining.
However, Shizu couldn't help but feel bad as she saw him. His hair was as wet as the lake and his clothes drenched, what if the Star fell sick?
The Star didn't care. He flashed his wicked killer smile to answer her frown then nonchalantly shrugged like it wasn't a big deal before closing his eyes.
The clear passage was rather empty. He could hear occasional footsteps as people were running from the rain. Since they were hiding at the back side of the office, Lee Changhyuk was not worried he'd get discovered.
Shizu took a deep breath. Kumo Bell would arrive tomorrow morning and they would have to wake up extra early. She was hoping the rain wouldn't last for too long so that they could have enough rest before the photoshoot.
She strapped the stuff toy to her sling bag then searched it to see whether she got anything to dry his hair with, then she remembered she had something.
The L.C.H handkerchief.