A Thousand Cranes

Jungkook opened his hand to reveal a very deformed paper crane. One wing was folded lower than the other. Its neck short and head, well, it didn’t really have a head. The amount of retries he attempted wrinkled the paper so much that it made it looked even odder; it was hard to tell whether it was a crane or not. Jimin burst out laughing, landing his head face down on the desk.

“What is that?!” Jimin continued laughing, covering his mouth.

“It’s a crane,” Jungkook smiled.

“No, no, that’s not it. Here let me show you,” Jimin grabbed a new sheet of paper. He gave specific instructions on how to do each step. Making each fold in a slow and gently manner. Jungkook intently stared at Jimin’s hands, noting how meticulous he folded each crease, taking in every minute detail. In no time, Jimin finished, showing a perfect shaped crane.

“Daebak!” Jungkook said, amazed.

Jimin smiled proudly, “You have to fold it neatly. You can’t do a clumsy job. Here, you try again.”

Jimin handed him a new sheet. Jungkook nervously took it. How could he fold it so nicely and exactly the way Jimin did? With his sweaty palm, he carefully tried the first fold, the second, and the third. His back began to sweat as he felt Jimin scrutinizing his every move. So far, so good, he thought. Then, he did the fourth fold.

“Ah, stop!”

Jungkook let go of the paper and froze.

“You see how you were about to leave a gap here?” Jimin pointed at the tiny space. Jungkook nodded. “The key to making it perfect is to never leave small gaps like that. You have to make sure everything is covered.”

Jimin got up from his seat and bent down over Jungkook, wrapping his arms around him. He felt Jimin took hold of his hand and guided him, feeling every breath brushing down his neck, his chest pressing snuggly against his back. Jungkook’s heart pounded within seconds. “Watch closely,” Jimin said. Jungkook couldn’t help but notice how soft his hands were. He liked the firm grip he had on his hands. Jungkook let him maneuver them freely, allowing him to have full control. They were alone in an empty classroom, since both of them wanted to avoid afterschool club activities, they had decided to meet up and found a room to hide in. Outside, the orange sky was dotted with grey puffy clouds as the evening sunlight streamed through the glass window.

“There, now you see how it’s done.”

Jimin stood up straight and sat down back on his seat. Jungkook instantly felt a rush of cold air. He felt bare. He wished Jimin was still resting behind him even if for a few more seconds. He yearned for Jimin’s warmth. Jungkook observed the crane, its contour was sharp, straight and flawless. He was embarrassed for not giving his full attention.

“You know, there’s a Japanese saying,” Jimin said, leaning back on his chair. Jungkook blinked at him. “If you create 1000 origami cranes, your wish will come true.”

“1000 cranes?”

Jimin nodded. Jungkook’s eyes glistened. 1000 cranes, he thought. Knowing that it would take years to accomplish that, perhaps if he started right now, if only, just maybe, his wish that his relationship with Jimin will last a lifetime will come true.

Notes

Thank you for reading!