Chapter Text
Winter break was…. something.
Her parents were awesome as always. Yoohyeon missed them so much and was happy to spend time with them again. She had no siblings, and distant family members lived too far to visit regularly, so it was always her and her parents. And Minji, of course.
Christmas went off without a hitch too. Yoohyeon brought her parents back some souvenirs from college and a first place medal from one of her more formal surfing competitions so they can show off to whoever they wanted to. And Yoohyeon was ecstatic when her parents revealed that if it was affordable enough, then they’d help Yoohyeon out in flying her out to more distant competitions. Yoohyeon was embarrassed to admit that she cried like a baby.
Minji…
Yoohyeon shook her head, standing on the beach of some city in California, her trusty board in hand and the shark tooth necklace she had refused to take off ever since Minji gave it to her. Her parents were somewhere around here too, not wanting to miss her first proper competition.
“Hey,” Yubin said, approaching from the side. “You’re good to go. You’re wearing this.” She handed Yoohyeon a red jersey with her name and number on the back. “Ready to kick ass?”
Yoohyeon nodded, trying for a brave face as she slipped on the jersey over her wetsuit. Truth is, she was scared shitless. This was her first official competition, and while the last few days had been grueling on her, she made it to the finals. Sure, it was just a qualifying series, but 3000 points was 3000 points. There was no way in hell that Yoohyeon would pass this up. And the money…
Suddenly, hands landed on her shoulders from behind. “Boo.”
The surfer let out a small yelp, whirling around to yell at whoever the hell wanted to scare her to see-
“Minji?”
Her friend sent her a teasing grin, hands in the pockets of her shorts. “Surprise! Did you really think I was gonna miss your first ever official competition?”
Honestly? Yoohyeon didn’t know what to expect anymore.
Over winter break, Minji was increasingly suspicious. More phone calls that she would take outside, more texts that she would giggle at and refuse to share with Yoohyeon, more confusion. Yoohyeon knew she wasn’t entitled to know every detail about Minji’s life, but they had known each other since they were kids, Minji stayed over at her house more than her own, and who was Yoohyeon kidding, she was Minji’s only friend. She thought that meant that Minji would trust her with who she was seeing. Even if it was some weird old and lonely man, Yoohyeon wanted to hear about it, because he was able to make Minji smile.
Yoohyeon, evidently, did not say any of this to Minji.
Instead, she wordlessly wrapped her arms around Minji’s waist, feeling her friend wrap her own around her shoulders. Yoohyeon missed this, being able to hug Minji tightly and not worry about anything else. Not even the upcoming competition was enough to scare her.
Minji sighed in contentment. “Hi. Missed you,” she murmured, pressing a kiss to Yoohyeon's hair.
Yoohyeon swallowed thickly, pulling away with a smile. “Missed you too.” She spread her arms out. “Welcome to sunny California.”
Her friend looked around, her eyes finally landing on Yubin who just seemed to be standing around awkwardly.
“Ah, you’re the manager, I guess?” Minji said, her voice strange. Still, she held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Minji, the best friend.”
Yubin nodded, lips pressed tight in a smile. “I’m Yubin.” She shook Minji’s hand once, dropping it quickly. “I’ll give you two some time.” She didn’t let Yoohyeon get a word in as she spun around and went to scout the other finalist.
Yoohyeon blinked, bewildered. “O… kay.” She turned back to Minji. “I can’t talk for long. Heat is almost gonna start, so…”
Her friend nodded in understanding, sending Yoohyeon a bright grin. “I’ll get front row seats, don’t you worry.”
Yoohyeon didn’t doubt her.
Out on the water, Yoohyeon kept her breathing steady. It was deeper here than other beaches she had been to for the smaller competitions. It felt more official. The water was cold, but she paid no mind to it.
She briefly turned around, scanning the crowd and spotting Minji sitting with her knees tucked to her chest. Her friend must’ve spotted her because Minji raised a hand to wave at her.
Yoohyeon nodded, turning back towards the waves. She could do this.
It was tougher this time around. Her opponent was more experienced, either having grown up in the area or at least in a place where they had constant access to a beach, neither which Yoohyeon particularly cared about (which Yubin would scold her for, wanting Yoohyeon to pay attention to her opponents strengths and weaknesses). They were more experienced, and Yoohyeon was at a disadvantage.
However, her parents didn’t raise a quitter.
The heat passed by quickly. Yoohyeon wasn’t sure of the score, and she didn’t want to check. She thinks she did well enough to at least earn some points, but maybe not first place. There was no way. Second place seemed much more likely. Not perfect, but something. Even if it was just to get her name out there. Maybe Red Bull would see her insanity and sponsor her.
And yet, as Yoohyeon turned back towards the shore, she could hear the announcement clear as day.
Kim Yoohyeon, first place.
She was panting, exhausted out of her mind. Surely, she imagined it? But looking towards where Minji was now standing, cheering with a wide grin, and Yubin a little further away with a smaller smile that was no less proud, Yoohyeon confirmed it wasn’t fake.
Holy fuck.
She had fucking done it.
Three thousand points in the bag.
And enough money to cover the travel expenses for the next round of the qualifying series.
When Yoohyeon arrived on shore, she was quickly swarmed by Yubin and Minji. Minji damn near strangled her in a hug, but Yoohyeon didn’t care. Her favorite person was here, despite all the distance, Minji showed up, and that’s what mattered to her.
For the first time, Yoohyeon experienced a proper winner’s celebration. She was hauled over her father and Minji’s shoulders, Yubin behind her carrying her board, and her mother recording the whole thing. Her smile was so wide, her cheeks hurt, but it was her first competition and she won.
She hopes she could keep it up.
Though, standing holding her trophy between the winner of the men’s qualifying and the women’s junior competition, Minji’s eyes never once leaving her, she thinks she has the strength to handle five more competitions in a row.
***
Yoohyeon did not, in fact, feel better about her phone call in the morning.
She wasn’t going to start randomly going around and making friends with people. Not ever, she thinks. Much less with Minji.
Especially not when it had slipped her mind that today began the preparation of a small surfing competition to mark the end of the season.
She had noticed and passed by the bright flyers posted around town. The wooden and shitty lampposts that were one strong breeze away from knocking down, every bulletin board in every small business including her own, even on the side of Gahyun’s cart. There were reminders everywhere, and Yoohyeon blatantly ignored them in favor of protecting her peace.
Except now she couldn’t avoid it any longer.
It wasn’t grand. Just locals who wanted to celebrate their hometown heroes making it into the finals. Same twenty dollar prize, same judges, but older now and with nothing better to do. At least it meant that the lifeguards would be too busy watching the waters to come and bother Yoohyeon. Seriously, did they need four lifeguards when there were hardly three people on the beach at a time? Or when everyone in this town knew how to swim and administer CPR? Yoohyeon didn’t know. It was like a damn requirement to know basic water safety if you were growing up around it.
Regardless, Yoohyeon kept her shop open. Tourists and locals alike she could handle. It was good business anyways.
She just knew it would drive her up the goddamn wall the more the week went on.
Yoohyeon could only sigh and get to work, taking inventory, checking her budget, and making sure the expensive brands were front and center.
During her (one of many) break, where she mindlessly read over a trashy magazine, footsteps and hushed arguing approached her humble store.
“Let me ask her.”
“No, let me. You’ll scare her off.”
“ Neither of you are going to ask her. You two have the tact of a feral cat with rabies.”
Yoohyeon held back a groan. Speak of the fucking devils.
Through the door walked in Bora and Handong, but Yoohyeon didn’t miss the two heads of black hair peeking around the corner. She sent them a deadpan, quickly sending Mingi and Wooyoung swerving back outside and hopefully out of earshot. Though, whatever someone told one lifeguard eventually made its way to the other three. Town gossips the four of them. Yoohyeon was convinced that most of the tall tales they told were just made up stories from the boredom of watching people not drown.
“Sunscreen?” She asked, jutting her chin towards the popular brand proudly displayed.
“Gonna rub it all over me, handsome?” Handong responded with a wink and a not so subtle lean against the counter. Bora only scoffed and rolled her eyes.
Yoohyeon uncomfortably averted her gaze. “Don’t you have a job to do?”
“It’d be a lot better if I had something nice to look at.”
“Dongie,” Bora interjected. “It’s not happening.”
“You’re no fun.”
“If you’re not gonna buy anything, you two can kindly see yourselves out of my store.”
At that, the two lifeguards finally seemed to remember their purpose here. Handong didn’t lose her air of flirtiness, and Bora seemed to switch tactics by also leaning over the counter. Hell.
“ We ,” Handong began, “were curious about our latest resident.”
Oh, this shit again?
“I’m sure.” Yoohyeon already knew where this was heading. How to get rid of them, she wondered? Without telling them about her personal problems.
This time Bora spoke. “ We were wondering if you knew anything about her.”
Yoohyeon’s deadpan expression didn’t change. “Nope.”
The other two didn’t seem to buy it, Bora damn near pouting. “Come on, Yoohyeon. Wooyoung heard from Gahyun, who heard from Yunho, who heard from Yeosang that you and our mysterious new stranger know each other.”
Snitches. All of them. She wouldn’t be surprised if San was involved in that chain somehow. Still, she didn’t know how else to get them out.
“I will tell you one thing about her, and then you will leave me alone and drop it. Got it?” Yoohyeon said, tone conspiratorial.
The two lifeguards eagerly nodded, leaning in closer.
“She… is from my hometown.” Yoohyeon leaned back, expression smug. “Now get out. Bother her if you want, I don’t have time for your nosy selves.”
Handong groaned. “That’s nothing! What’s her name? What’s her story? Witnesses say they saw you talking y’know!”
Yoohyeon rolled her eyes. “Don’t you think that you’re being a bit invasive?” Not that she cared about whether or not Minji’s life was invaded. She’s sure the other woman was used to it. Plus, it meant that Minji would be terrorized for as long as she was here and Yoohyeon wasn’t bothered.
“Well, yeah, how do you think the good gossip happens?” Handong responded, not seeming like she cared about whether or not other people were bothered.
The surfer decided to throw them one more bone. “Her name is Minji, and if you want to find her, you can try the tattoo shop that Mingi works at.”
She heard a small smack and an ‘ oof ’ from outside. No doubt Wooyoung and his violent reactions.
“That little shit,” Bora hissed, already storming outside to possibly fight the poor boy. Serves him right for inconveniencing Yoohyeon’s day.
Still, Handong didn’t move, but she softened. “Sorry ‘bout that.”
“You have no guilt or shame.”
“Why would I be ashamed about my undeniable attraction to our most handsome surfer?”
“Still not happening.”
Handong let out a soft laugh and slowly leaned off the counter. “Alright, alright. As an apology, I’ll warn you that San might come around.”
Well, that was worrying. He’s always around, but Yoohyeon didn’t know what he might come up with this time.
“...Any particular reason why?” She asked, bracing herself.
“One of the judges died. San is trying to brainstorm how to ask you to fill in” Handong sent her a cheeky grin before backing off. “See you around, handsome.”
Yoohyeon only sighed, sinking into the small stool behind the counter.
She should just move away, somewhere people really didn’t know her at all. Not her face, not her name, and most certainly not her connection to one Kim Minji.
And yet, she could only immediately shoot the idea down, the sound of what could be just a few steps outside.