Chapter Text
song name: LDR (Shoti)
flashback....
Chaewon sobbed quietly as she walked down the school corridors, past the classrooms, past the lockers, past the students who she edged further away from with every step she took, looking at the ground to avoid everyone's gaze.
She reached the school's gardens, a place Chaewon usually went to when she was with her friends or if she had nothing to do. Gently placing a hand on one of the benches, she let her body sink against it, leaning against the bench with all her weight.
She was still crying, although no one came to comfort her or heard her. Chaewon didn't do anything but let her face fall, the tears falling onto her already wet uniform and onto the ground.
Some of the sadness caused from the pain of Yeonji's slap, some at her cold words, but mostly because of what she'd realised.
'I don't like you that way.' 'And I never will.' 'And I sure as hell don’t want you going anywhere near Soomin again.'
What she had done. Making friends with people who hurt others for fun. Hurting Soomin with Kaede and Yubin because Yeonji liked her back and she was jealous. Always trying to stick with Yeonji whenever she had the chance.
Jealousy. Being naive. Always being so annoying. Hurting people for her own benefit. Even thinking Yeonji would like her back.
You're so pathetic, Kim Chaewon.
Chaewon sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. Her eyes were puffy, her uniform damp, and honestly, she felt like trash. The garden was quiet, just the sound of wind brushing through the trees and her own shaky breathing.
"I'm not going to be like this anymore." "I can't keep being like this because I know I regret it enough already."
No more trying to get attention all the time. She was going to stop being mean, actually study for once, and figure everything out.
And the most important of all... was letting go of Yeonji.
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March 10- Spring
A few months had passed since the new school year as Yeonji sat at her desk in her new class, a different teacher she'd had last year and plenty of people she barely knew.
"And, the student with the highest grade for the school exams this year goes to Kim Chaewon." the class teacher announced.
Her classmates clapped, a few glancing towards her in awe as the teacher walked towards Chaewon's desk.
Yeonji fidgeted with her pen as her name was called. Her name echoed in her head for a while.
'Kim Chaewon'
Yeonji tilted her head to the back row, eyeing the girl on the left row. There, Chaewon sat, long, black hair styled with a white bow with her uniform neat. Her doe eyes lit up as she smiled, the teacher placing the exam in front of her.
"Well done, excellent results and great improvement." "You should be very proud of yourself." the teacher announced.
"Thank you." Chaewon said politely.
The teacher returned to his desk, continuing on with the lesson but Yeonji's eyes still lingered on Chaewon's.
It was really her. The same girl she had known last year, who didn't care about anything but gossiping with her friends. The same girl who always tried to stick to her side like glue. The same girl who would do anything for her because she had a lovesick crush.
Yeonji could see that Chaewon had changed for the better. But she was still the same girl who had said mean remarks, and she still couldn't quite get herself to forget what she had done to Soomin.
The bell rang for the end of class as Yeonji headed out of the door, bag slung over one shoulder as she walked into the school's corridor.
She reached back to unzip her bag, fingers fumbling for her water bottle. Just as she tugged it free, her focus dropped for a second—
Books and papers spilled to the floor in a messy scatter, a pen clattering and rolling toward the lockers.
Yeonji gasped, immediately crouching onto the floor to pick up the stuff.
"Shoot, I'm so sorry-"
The person who had dropped their belongings bent down too, and at that moment their eyes locked?
"Chae- Chaewon?" she blurted, her voice a little too loud. Yeonji quickly assembled the girl's belongings as she stood up once again.
"I'm sorry- here's your stuff." Yeonji mumbled as she handed her stuff back to Chaewon.
Chaewon picked up her pen, taking everything else from Yeonji's hands. "Its alright." she said as she zipped her bag.
"Its been a while hasn't it?" Yeonji mumbled, scratching the back of her neck.
"Yeah." Chaewon answered.
Yeonji nearly grinned herself before she glanced at her, thinking of something to say. "Well done on your exams, by the way."
Chaewon smiled faintly. "Thanks." It was time I spent time focusing on stuff that mattered." "And you know... after all that."
Yeonji stood there for a second, unsure of what to say. "Well, its good that its for the better, then."
The two of them for a moment, before Yeonji adjusted her bag, turning on her heel.
"If you don't have anything more to say I'll-"
"Yeonji, wait." Chaewon placed a hand on her arm.
Yeonji stood abruptly, glancing to her hand. Chaewon immediately took her hand, flustered for her actions. She coughed before looking up again.
"Knowing you, I know you'll probably still be mad at me for what I said." "But no matter what you think of me now..."
"I'm sorry for what I did to Soomin back then." "And I hope you'll know that."
"I can tell." were the only words Yeonji said before she walked away again.
Chaewon still stood, watching as she walked further away. She exhaled slightly, happy she was able to get something she had kept within her for so long.
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March 29th- Spring
Yeonji passed the school's corridors, making her way to her next class as she heard laughter coming from her direction. Her eyes flickered up.
Chaewon walked by, along with her friends. Neither of them were Kaede or Yubin, instead girls that Yeonji didn't recognise. Their energy was different — warm, calm, nothing like how she and her old friends used to be like.
As they passed, Yeonji felt the faintest brush of Chaewon’s gaze glance in her direction. For a moment, she wondered if she would stop, say something. But Chaewon just kept walking, her laughter echoing faintly as the group disappeared around the corner.
Yeonji stood still for a heartbeat longer than she should have, her grip tightening on her bag strap.
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April 15- Spring
Yeonji headed home in the afternoon after basketball practice, heading out of the school building. As soon as she stepped out, she could feel the cold as rain poured down from the sky. It was raining heavily that day.
Yeonji cursed under her breath. She had forgotten to bring an umbrella that day.
Placing her hands in her pockets, she was about to make a run for it when a quiet voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Here."
She turned to face Chaewon, standing opposite her, umbrella extended.
"You'll get drenched." Yeonji scoffed.
"I have a coat." Chaewon said. "I'll manage." "You'll catch a cold if you go home like that."
Yeonji paused for a second before she finally took the umbrella from the other girl's hand. She glanced around the surroundings, then back at her.
"What are you doing at this time anyways?" she asked.
Chaewon shifted on her feet, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. I- I was finishing up some notes. Her cheeks turned slightly pink. Lost track of time."
"That makes sense." "See you tomorrow then." she called, stepping out into the rain.
Yeonji walked off, the sound of raindrops on the umbrella steady above her. The corner of her lips curved up, almost in spite of herself. Her excuse was reasonable, but yet Yeonji could see it in her eyes. It was as if Chaewon had waited because she knew she would be leaving late from practice.
The look gave her away as Yeonji knew it all too well. It reminded her of how younger, lovestruck Chaewon would look at her back then.
Maybe some things never changed.
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May 5- Spring
Yeonji sat by one of the tables in the school library, notebook and pens scattered on the table as she tried to study but got distracted every five minutes. Being honest, she wasn't really here to work, there wasn't really a reason- well, maybe because she wanted to spend some time in silence for once.
"Chaewon, could you help me with this question?"
Her thoughts were interrupted as her eyes landed on someone she hadn't expected. A student in her class stood next to Chaewon, who was on the table a few few rows away from hers.
Yeonji expected Chaewon to wave her off — that’s what the old her would’ve done. But Chaewon smiled, pulling out the chair next to her. "Of course." she replied.
A weird tug pulled at Yeonji’s chest. This wasn't the Chaewon she had once known.
Then, she continued with her work, her gaze never leaving her notebook as stacks of highlighted pages and color-coded notes filled the desk — the kind of dedication Yeonji had never once associated with her.
This girl… she used to spend every second with Kaede and Yubin, whispering gossip and laughing at dumb rumors. Now look at her — quiet, focused. Different.
And later, when a pair of girls from their class walked in, Chaewon greeted them warmly, laughing at something one of them whispered. She didn't act like the way she did when she was friends with Kaede and Yubin. Chaewon fit right in, laughing along but not mean. It was just normal.
Yeonji found herself staring too long.
She remembered the Chaewon who always liked to cling to her arm or hold her hand like some clingy girlfriend. Who liked to call her oppa because she thought it was cute. The Chaewon who stood by while Yubin slapped Soomin, smiling like it was nothing. The Chaewon she had slapped across the face.
But this wasn’t that Chaewon anymore.
Yeonji turned away, biting down on her lip. She’s changed. For real this time.
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June 3- Summer
"Class, please hand me your homework I asked you to do last lesson." the maths teacher announced.
Students reached into their bags, rummaging through their belongings. The teacher glanced towards one desk in particular, who still didn't have their homework in hand.
"Kwak Yeonji." the teacher's tone was sharp. Yeonji was shaken from her thoughts, looking up.
"The maths homework." he muttered. "Did you forget again?"
Her hand tightened around her pen. She hadn’t opened the textbook since last week. Yeonji was ready to say some random excuse she usually came up with when-
"I have her homework." Chaewon exclaimed. "We were working on it together and Yeonji forgot to take it home with her." "She really did it."
Yeonji blinked, staring as the teacher nodded, taking the homework and moving on.
She turned to face Chaewon's desk when the teacher wasn't looking.
“You didn’t have to do that.” she mouthed.
Somehow Chaewon caught what she was saying. “I know.” she smiled faintly. “But I didn’t want you getting in trouble.”
“…Thanks.”
That smile again. Gentle. Like she didn’t expect anything in return.
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July 1- Summer
The school courtyard buzzed with noise — stalls lined with games, food stands steaming, music spilling from the stage. Chaewon walked with her friends, laughing at their excitement, but her eyes wandered.
And then she saw her.
Yeonji, standing near the basketball booth, spinning a ball in her hand while her teammates cheered her on. Her messy uniform sleeves were rolled up, her hair tied loosely back, a faint smudge of chalk on her cheek. She looked… effortlessly cool.
Chaewon’s heart gave that stupid leap it always did.
“Chaewon, let’s go look around!" one of her friends tugged at her sleeve.
She hesitated, glancing back at Yeonji just as the ball swished cleanly through the hoop. Yeonji’s teammates clapped her on the back, and for a second, Yeonji’s gaze swept the crowd. Their eyes met.
Chaewon froze.
But instead of glaring or brushing her off like before, Yeonji gave her the smallest nod — acknowledgment. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make Chaewon’s chest tighten.
Later, while her friends lined up for food, Chaewon wandered toward the quieter side of the festival. She wasn’t surprised when she found Yeonji there, leaning against the wall with a soda in hand.
“You’re not with your team?” Chaewon asked cautiously.
“Got bored for a bit." Yeonji smirked.
For a moment, silence stretched. Chaewon fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist.
“You did good,” she said finally, nodding toward the booth.
Yeonji raised an eyebrow. “…What, you watched me?”
Chaewon’s cheeks warmed. “Everyone was watching you.”
Yeonji smirked faintly, sipping her drink. “Fair enough.”
It wasn’t long, but they stayed together for a while, hanging around the stalls, laughing once or twice. By the time Yeonji left, Chaewon realized something.
She hadn't pushed her away this time.
And that made her think, maybe she could keep trying.
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September 10- Autumn
"Okay class, we're going to be working in pairs for the History project." Mr Jeong announced as he started to read out the names.
Chaewon sat by her desk, waiting anticipatingly for when her name would be called out.
And, just like fate....
Kim Chaewon and Kwak Yeonji.
She stiffened slightly, glancing across the room, half expecting Yeonji to complain about it. But instead she dragged her bag over to her desk.
"Guess we're working together then." Yeonji exclaimed exasperatingly, but with partial amusement in her tone.
Chaewon looked up, calm but not cold. “Looks like it. Do you want to split the work?”
“Mm. Sure,” Yeonji shrugged, dropping into the empty seat across from her. “I can do presentation. I don’t mind talking.”
“That works,” Chaewon said. "I'll do the research and drafts.
"You- you don't mind doing all that?"
Chaewon shook her head. “I don’t mind."
Yeonji leaned back, a little amused. “Would've never imagined you like this a year ago."
Chaewon’s lips curved, barely there. “I could say the same about you.”
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September 16- Autumn
Chaewon hadn’t expected Yeonji to put in that much effort. She had assumed Yeonji would handle only the flashy part, the speaking. But she had passed through the library multiple times on different days, and every single time she would see Yeonji there, combed through notes with sharp focus, asked questions, and stayed late just to double-check phrasing.
Chaewon had wandered past the gym after class, thinking about the project, when she spotted Yeonji practicing. Sweat dampened her shirt, eyes narrowed in determination as she drove the ball across the court. Even exhausted, she stayed, running drills over and over.
Chaewon lingered longer than she meant to. She realized: Yeonji wasn’t just doing enough. She was giving her all, everywhere.
The next day, Chaewon waited outside practice, a neat bento box in her hands.
When Yeonji came out, towel around her neck, Chaewon stepped forward. “You look like you’ll collapse if you don’t eat properly.”
Yeonji blinked, staring at the lunch. “…You made this?”
Chaewon nodded, a little awkward. “You’ve been balancing practice and the project. I thought you could use it.”
Yeonji widened her eyes. "How did you know I've been-" she was interrupted by Chaewon placing the lunch box in her hand.
"Make sure you eat all of it."
Yeonji accepted it slowly, eyes widening just a fraction. She took a seat, opening the lid of the lunchbox and taking a bite of the food.
"You're- you're too kind, Chaewon." "What would I do without you?"
For a second Chaewon didn't know what to say to that. She watched as Yeonji took a spoon of the rice, not really focusing on anything much.
She blinked, a faint pink dusting her cheeks. “…You’d probably forget half your meals and collapse on the court,” she mumbled, trying to play it off, but her voice was shaky, betraying the rush in her chest.
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October 1- Autumn
The library was quiet, leaves dusting the windows. Chaewon placed their finished project in her bag as they sat on the floor, next to some bookshelves. Today it was just them as they were the last students there.
Yeonji took one of her earbuds out. "Want to listen to some music?"
Chaewon took one and placed it in her left ear. "Sure."
The lyrics of LDR by Shoti hummed faintly from the single pair of earbuds they shared. Yeonji leaned back, pretending to be listening to music, but her eyes kept drifting to Chaewon.
You're always on my mind, that's how much I care
I can't think of a time, that you weren't there
I know that I'd be lying if I didn't want you here
The umbrella. The lunches. The work. The way she always, always looked at her with that softness, even when Yeonji acted like she didn’t care.
Her mind flickered, unbidden, back to Soomin. To the mornings she’d smile at her, to the warmth she’d once thought she’d never feel again. She had really loved her. That wasn’t something she could deny.
But Soomin had found someone she loved.
But no… she wasn't alone. Now, there was someone who never stopped showing up. Someone who changed so much, not for approval, but because she wanted to be better. There was someone who wanted to be there for her when someone else didn't.
If there’s someone who cares this much for me… if there’s someone who could change this much… why am I still pretending I don’t see it?
“Chaewon.”
Her voice broke the silence. Chaewon glanced up, book on her lap.
Yeonji’s eyes lingered on her, almost uncertain. “…Your feelings. They never changed, did they?”
Chaewon froze. Slowly, she set the pen down, her fingers trembling slightly. “No,” she whispered. “They never did." "Even after all this time."
She tried to smile, but her voice cracked. “Even if you hate me for what I did… even if you never look at me that way… I—I couldn’t make them stop. I’m sorry, Yeonji, I just—”
Her words choked, and before she could finish, tears spilled. She bit her lip, trying to hide them, but Yeonji reached to her.
Yeonji brushed her thumb beneath Chaewon’s eyes, wiping her tears.
“No,” she said softly, a faint smile curving her lips. “Don’t cry. I’m not going be the one who makes you cry twice.”
Chaewon blinked, stunned.
Yeonji leaned closer, earbuds pulling tight between them. Her voice lowered, steady but warm. "I should be the one who's sorry for not appreciating your kindness more." "You've changed too much for me to keep pretending." "Because this time, I don’t want to push you away.”
“I kinda like it. I kinda like you.” "I've realised that you'll always be able to find someone who cares for you, even if its not at first. "And I'm glad we were able to find each other again, Chaewon."
Chaewon’s tears came faster, but now they were wet with relief as well. She smiled through them, shaky and real.
Yeonji took Chaewon's hand, interwining their fingers together. "There, she grinned, gently poking her face." "I want to see you smile, just like this."
Chaewon let out a laugh, full of warmth. “You don’t even know,” she whispered. “For so long, I thought I’d ruined every chance I had with you. But you… Yeonji, you’re still the only one I’ve ever wanted to look at me this way.”
The words hung between them. They locked eyes as they sat next to each other.
Then Chaewon leaned in, still holding onto Yeonji's hand as they closed the space between them.
Their lips met — tentative at first, soft and trembling, as if all the years of chasing and running, hurting and healing, had led to this single moment. Their hands tightened as the kiss grew deeper, as if they never wanted to let go of each other.