Matching Scarves

Winter had always been a little annoying to Kyung-jun. The cold, the wind, the slush-covered streets—it was a hassle.

But this winter?

This winter was different.

Because this time, he had Minji.

And Minji, as he had quickly learned, loved winter.

She loved the first snowfall, the scent of cinnamon in cafés, the excuse to wear oversized sweaters and fluffy earmuffs. But most of all, she loved matching couple things.

Which was how Kyung-jun found himself standing in the middle of a store, watching Minji excitedly hold up two scarves.

"Look! They match!" she said, eyes practically sparkling.

Kyung-jun raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. That's what happens when you buy them as a set."

Minji rolled her eyes. "Don't ruin the moment."

He huffed, crossing his arms. "Do we have to?"

Minji pouted. "But it'll be cute."

"I don't do cute."

Minji stepped closer, tilting her head up at him. "No? Not even for me?"

Kyung-jun clenched his jaw. He knew that look. That sweet, innocent look that she definitely used to get her way.

"...Tch. Fine."

Minji gasped dramatically. "Did my scary boyfriend just agree to wear matching scarves with me?"

Kyung-jun groaned, rubbing his temples. "I regret this already."

Minji giggled and grabbed his wrist, dragging him to the cashier before he could change his mind.

—

The next day, it was freezing outside. The kind of cold that burned your lungs when you breathed too deep.

Minji, bundled up in her coat, excitedly unwrapped the new scarf and reached up to wrap it around Kyung-jun's neck.

"Hey—" Kyung-jun started, but she shushed him.

"Hold still," she said, carefully looping the soft material around him. "There."

Kyung-jun sighed. "Happy now?"

Minji grinned. "Very."

Then, before he could react, she pulled up the other matching scarf and wrapped it around herself.

Kyung-jun blinked.

And then—oh.

He froze.

Because, standing there, wrapped up in a scarf identical to his, Minji looked...

Too damn cute.

Kyung-jun swallowed, feeling his face heat up despite the cold air.

Minji noticed. "Are you blushing?" she teased.

Kyung-jun immediately scowled. "No."

Minji giggled, reaching up on her toes to boop his nose. "You so are."

Kyung-jun groaned. "I swear, Minji—"

But she just giggled harder, and before he could say another word, she cupped his cheeks and kissed his forehead.

Kyung-jun froze again.

His brain completely short-circuited.

Minji leaned back, smiling up at him. "You look really good in it, you know."

Kyung-jun exhaled slowly, rubbing his face. "You're gonna kill me one day."

Minji only giggled, looping her arm through his. "Then at least we'll match at my funeral."

Kyung-jun groaned. "I'm never taking this scarf off, am I?"

Minji beamed. "Nope."

And despite all his complaints, despite how ridiculous he claimed it was...

Kyung-jun never did take it off.

Matching Scarves (Part 2)

Kyung-jun didn't expect to actually like the scarf.

But here he was, a week later, still wearing it every day.

Not that he'd admit it.

It was just... practical. Yeah, that was it. It was soft. Warm. And, okay, maybe—maybe—it smelled like Minji. But that was just a coincidence. Definitely not the reason he kept adjusting it throughout the day, making sure it stayed wrapped snugly around his neck.

Minji, of course, had noticed.

And she was milking it.

"Wow," she teased one afternoon as they walked home together, their breaths visible in the cold air. "Look at you. Wearing our matching scarf again."

Kyung-jun stuffed his hands into his pockets. "It's winter."

Minji hummed. "Mmm. I just think it's cute how you act like you don't love it."

He scowled. "I don't love it."

Minji stopped walking.

Kyung-jun turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

Minji pouted dramatically, pulling at her own scarf. "I guess that means I should stop wearing mine then."

Kyung-jun immediately frowned. "What? No."

Minji blinked up at him, eyes wide. "But if you don't love it, then—"

Kyung-jun groaned, running a hand down his face. "Minji."

She just grinned. "Yes, Kyung-jun?"

He gritted his teeth, glaring at her. "You know what you're doing."

Minji giggled. "I really don't."

Kyung-jun sighed, exhaling a cloud of warm air into the cold. He stared at her for a long second before stepping closer. Then, before Minji could react, he reached up—grabbing her scarf and tugging her forward until their noses nearly touched.

Minji's breath hitched. "Kyung-jun?"

He leaned down slightly, his deep voice low. "You're not taking it off."

Minji swallowed, her face heating up despite the freezing temperature. "W-Why not?"

His gaze flickered to her lips for half a second before he muttered, "Because it matches mine."

Minji's heart skipped.

Oh.

Oh.

Before she could even recover, Kyung-jun let go of her scarf and instead placed a hand on the top of her head, smoothing her hair down gently.

Then—because he couldn't help himself—he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead.

Minji's eyes fluttered shut at the warmth of it, her heart doing a ridiculous little flip.

When he pulled back, he smirked. "Still wanna take it off?"

Minji immediately shook her head. "Nope. Never."

Kyung-jun chuckled, finally satisfied. "Good."

And just like that, he started walking again, hands in his pockets as if he hadn't just made her entire brain short-circuit.

Minji stood there for a second, scarf pulled up over her mouth to hide the way she was grinning like an idiot.

She looked down at the soft fabric around her neck, fingers brushing over it lightly.

Yeah.

She was never taking it off.

END !