Ran was currently wrecking her small brain trying to figure it out.
What exactly was an appropriate gift to give Jumin for the 100 day anniversary?
It wasn't like she could just put a bow on her head and go. Your present is me!
Jumin reminded her often that there was to be no hanky panky until after marriage.
It was a little strange to her American sensibilities, plus there was the added fact she wasn't exactly a pure and innocent maiden. She could still respect it. Even if she did toy with him a little.
That man has an unshakable iron will.
Still.
What the hell could she get him? Not only is he rich, but he's super capable. He can get and do anything he wants.
What the hell was a nobody like her even capable of getting him?
She looked around her room trying to get some ideas. Her eyes landed on a small jewelry box on her nightstand.
Hmmm. She just could do that.
Jumin was fairly confident Ran would love her gift.
Not only was it thoughtful, it was something she had always wanted since she was young. She was sure to be pleasantly surprised.
Though…
He was still apprehensive.
If he were to be honest. Jumin hadn't gotten her anything since they started dating.
No clothes. No jewelry. Nothing that was… couple like.
Was she… already disappointed in him?
His father showered his lovers with gifts, but Jumin hadn't done that. Since Ran was different, but…
Wasn't it expected to give your lover gifts?
Was what he was giving her even considered 'couple' like?
…..
Jumin took out his phone to do more research.
After all, it was better to be thorough.
When she came into the penthouse, there was a familiar scent in the air, but she couldn't place why it was so familiar.
It was unusual because Jumin didn't immediately greet her at the door like he usually does when she comes over to his place.
"Jumin? Are you here?"
No reply.
She went inside, changing into the indoor slippers before looking around the penthouse.
Jumin said he was home when she texted him earlier. He wouldn't have left when he knew she was on her way.
There was a slight muffled sound coming from downstairs, where the kitchen was and when she got there… Jumin.
Jumin was wearing an apron. In front of him was a giant pot about half her size.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah. My love. You arrived sooner than I expected. I had hoped to surprise you but it seems you have caught me in the midst of preparing it."
"You… What are you making?" She glanced at the countertop and saw… "Is that pho…?"
Oh my god. Jumin. He… he made pho.
There was a smile on Jumin's face as he chose to stay silent. As if saying 'you will understand once you taste it'.
Ran was dumbfounded. She never expected him to make such a time consuming dish. Pancakes were one thing but pho? Good pho? It could take up to half a day. She couldn't comprehend why he would undertake such a troublesome endeavour.
She didn't even notice she had already been seated until she looked down to stare into the bowl of pho in front of her. She took a spoon, sipped at the broth and then looked back up at him, her eyes filled with wonder.
"It tastes exactly like my dad's pho… How… How did you do all this? I've been trying to replicate this for years and my dad has never agreed to teach me how to make it the way he does."
"It seems I am the exception. Although he was quite vague in his measurements and timing. I was able to gauge an approximation based on my observations."
….
"...My dad actually showed you..? Without getting annoyed?"
"Hmm. I am a quick study."
"…You're amazing that's what. I… I don't think my gift could even be considered comparable..." The awe in her voice slowly tapered off to become slightly gloomy as her eyes fell towards the small wrapped gift she had brought.
Jumin graced her with a small smile. "This couldn't even be considered as a gift. It was something I would have inevitably learned, being a part of your life-becoming a part of your family. I want to know everything about you, things you haven't told me yet, perhaps things you don't even remember about yourself. From my understanding this is something you grew up eating often since you were a child, isn't it?"
The feeling of eating this pho was nostalgic. There was also giddiness, the knowledge of her lover replicating something that had always been associated with good memories. Ran couldn't help showing Jumin a dopey smile. "I don't think I've ever had a bad memory whenever I've eaten it… It's..." She let out a small laugh. "My dad. He used to always joke with me and my sister that once we got married he expected our husbands to cook for us, for him too once he retired, like he does for my mom-for her parents too. I never expected you to cook for me, much less learn from my dad. It's.. It's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. And I.." Ran lowered her head as she covered her mouth-her smile. Her face was slowly becoming red when she finally managed to mumble out, "...I liked it."
Cute.
"I hadn't intended for this to be a gift for our 100 day anniversary, but I can't say I don't enjoy your reaction."
"Shut up you're being so mean! Here! It's lame, but it's the best I could do for a chaebol like you." Ran shoved the small box into his hands as she looked away, her face was still red with embarrassment.
Jumin carefully unwrapped it, underneath was a glossy wooden box. It had been painted a deep purple with black vines covering it. A jewelry box, perhaps. Upon opening it, however, there were little heart shaped notes as well as a few pictures. He picked up a few of the notes to read them.
Add a love lock at Namsan Tower.
His lips quirked up. "What's this?"
If it was possible Ran's face became even redder as she mumbled unintelligibly.
Jumin continued to look at her expectantly-patiently. Ran bit into her bottom lip before she slowly spoke louder. "It's a box of hopes and dreams… For us."
"...For us?"
"Well… You're rich. There's nothing I can really get for you that you can't already get for yourself. It's cheesy but… The only things I have to offer is myself and my time. I don't know if any of the things in the box are things you'd like to do, but they are things I'd hope we will be able to do together… I was also hoping you'd add a few things you wanted to do too…. So… we could slowly do them all together…"
Jumin's eyes trailed back to read a few more of the notes.
Visit Tashirojima- the cat island.
Go camping, just the two of us.
Celebrate our 50 year anniversary with ice cream.
...
It was ridiculously sentimental. Something that could probably be contrived to become part of a sappy romance novel or drama. After all, words were cheap. Anyone could say them, even children who didn't know any better. But…
It was nice. More than nice. Jumin felt just a bit euphoric.
What does it matter if words were cheap?
These words. These feelings and sentiments. These little promises.
They're from Ran.
Someone he loves. Someone he absolutely adores.
They may be cheap or meaningless to others, but to Jumin...
They were priceless.
