Chapter Text
Han River, Same day 14.15 PM
AUTHOR POV
Both Mina and Momo were still sitting under the same spot, with Mina safely tucked under Momo’s warm and protective embrace. They sat in a heavy shared silence. No more words exchanged.
It’s not like peaceful silence that they usually shared. It felt… exactly like the empty road right after a drizzle rain. Heavy, damp, and gloomy. The current weather didn’t help, either. Air felt heavy, damp, and sky slowly turned grey—vivid sign that rain is about to come.
Not to mention that Mina still occasionally let out sniffle, showing that the aftermath of her tears still lingers. In reflect, Momo decided to take a quick glance—to check on the younger. But instead of relieved, Momo’s heart just stabbed by huge guilt.
There were visible dry tears on her face, her hair was messy although she already tied it in ponytail and her eyes... Her usually bright and warm eyes were now got redden and looked as gloomy as the weather.
Engulfed by insane guilt, Momo then tighten her hug,
“I’m sorry…” said Momo.
“wha—ekhm..” Mina paused as her voice cracked, “what for eonni?” and it just made momo felt guiltier.
“Y-you know… Pushed you to tell me those stories which it brought back all those painful memories and… made you cry…” Momo didn’t regret her decision to ask Mina about her past. More like she felt guilty for making mina cried so hard like that.
Hearing that, mina abruptly pulled herself away from Momo’s hug and gave her a stare. Well… More like a glare to be exact.
“you should be.” Said Mina with a very cold tone. Consumed by guilt, Momo could only hang her head low and didn’t say a word. Accepting the spite that she thought she deserved.
“Do you know how hard it was for me to forget about those painful memories?? Yet you made me remembered it again just because you’re nosy. Don’t you know how painful those memories are?”
“I-I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean to hurt you… I know I shouldn’t force you but I just thought... you know.. thought that I… maybe… coul—“
Momo’s attempt to apologize got interrupted as she heard a small chuckle and it made Momo looked up again.
“w-what’s wrong?” asked Momo yet Mina still giggling with both her eyes and gummy smile appeared.
Instead of answering Momo’s question, Mina laughed harder. One of the loudest laugh Momo ever heard from the younger. That made Momo tilt her head and a frown in major confusion. Totally didn’t have any clue.
“I’m just kidding eonni...” mina paused as she tried to ease down her laugh, “I don’t mind telling you every single thing about my past.” Said Mina with her warm smile.
“b-but you said tha—“
Before Momo even completed her words, Mina stood up and said, “Jihyo and nayeon eonni are right.. teasing eonni is indeed fuuuun~” Mina stuck out her tongue before she ran away from the visibly furious Momo
“Wha—Yah! you little! Hey, don’t run!!”
Momo tried to chase Mina who’s now running around the park. Both of them ran here and there with smile plastered on their face.
Mina smile was very bright as she occasionally let out tiny squeal that followed with happy giggle whenever Momo about to catch her.
Even though this whole chasing made Momo extremely exhausted, she’s glad that Mina could smile that bright again. Moreover, this moment was the most child-like Mina ever shown her. The girl who mostly acted mature—being too polite, too serious, and too busy, deep down she still has this side inside her.
But eventually, Momo reached her limit. She had to stopped for a moment—tried to catch her breath. Clearly Momo’s frequent workout and dance practices failed to help her keep up with Mina’s boundless playful energy.
“Y-yah.. you... the only thing you do… are just playing games or doing desk work… You barely do any workout, right? Hah... Hah... B-but... Why your stamina is this great?” asked momo with her words cut by the attempt to normalized her breath.
On the other side, mina who stood few steps further from momo, let out a cheeky smile and said, “It’s not about my stamina. Eonni’s the problem here.” Mina said and sticking out her tongue to momo.
of course, she did it just to provoke Momo but the latter was too tired for that. She just stayed on the same spot while doing the ‘inhale-exhale’ ritual.
“Or maybe it because eonni eats too many foods and it made your body kind of….heavy?” Asked mina with a teasing tone
With both hands rest on each of her hips, Momo said, “if you’re trying to provoke me so I’ll chase you again, it’s not working. Besides, you also eat a lot... Although not as much as I did. But still. I’m not provoked.”
Still wanted the chasing game to continue, playful mina came up with different strategy, “ah yes, you’re right… I also eat lots of foods like eonni did.. So, I guess… eonni is just too weak, too heavy and too… old?” she gave a teasing smile and yes, it’s working.
“Okay, that’s it!” and Momo chased her and train of giggles erupted once again.
Until finally, Momo managed to catch mina. “Gotcha!”
“You dare to tease me and made me this exhausted huh?? huuh?? Now I’ll make you run out your breath too.”
“What do you—kya! Eo-eonni!!”
Momo tickled mina hard as a payback for all the teasing that Mina did to her. Momo even tickled mina until she curled down on the grass. Of course, the no mercy tickles from momo made Mina let out a high pitch squeal and giggle due to the severe ticklish.
“Aah! Eonni! Please, stop! It’s so tickle! Akh! Eonni! hahahaa! Stop! Momo eonni!!” said Mina who’s now had a very red face
“I will if you apologize..” said Momo
“Yes! Yes! I’ll apologize! I’m really sorry eonni! i—ak! I won’t do it again!” Then momo stop and finally letting mina to take her breath.
Momo then laid down beside Mina as she also tired from all the chase. “damn this is exhausting.” Said Momo
“I don’t know you can run that fast or even dare to tease people.” Said Momo
Without Momo noticing, Mina let out a bitter smile while she looking up to the sky
“What would people think if the daughter of Myoui Family, the multinational corpo billionaire, is acting improper and immature like this? They probably will say that I’m embarrassing my family. So, I hide it.”
After hearing that, Momo rolled her body to face Mina. She just stared at her while waiting for the younger to look back to her. which she did, almost immediately.
“W-what’s wrong eonni?” asked Mina who’s slightly nervous as momo’s face is currently too close to hers.
“Please don’t hide any side of yourself from me.” said Momo, “I want and need to know all about you.”
“B-but what if it’s a nui—“
“I don’t care. I just want to know every single thing about you, Mina. so please, don’t hide it. Be your truest self around me, okay?”
At first, mina was a little bit hesitated. But after she saw how momo looked at her with such warm yet firm stare, made Mina nodded in agreement.
“Good. now let me take a nap for a sec. suddenly I’m sleepy from all those running.” Said Momo while she tossed her hand to Mina’s body.
“You’re old.”
“Yeah whatever.”
Mina who’s still laying on her back, just smile upon Momo’s answer and then gently caressed Momo’s arm that resting on top of her body.
><
After few minutes momo went deep in her slumber, suddenly a grumbling sound could be heard which then followed by tint of water coming down from the sky. From one, to two, and then few more drizzles pouring down. Mina knew that rain is going to pour soon and sudden panic hit her.
“eo-eonni..r-rain..you need to..wake up.” Said Mina. instead of waking up, Momo just hug Mina closer and said.
“I’m here. You don’t need to be afraid.” Said Momo
“b-but.. we’re going to get soaked by the rain if we’re not looking for a shelter.”
Momo then opened her eyes and sat up. But she didn’t immediately stand up and went to find a shelter. Instead, she just sat there looking at the sky as she said,
“You only have bad memories about rain, right? let’s create a happy one.”
mina couldn’t process any of it since the paranoia started to eat her. As the rain started to pour harder, the only thing Mina wanted to do was run away to find a safe place. But Momo halt her as soon as the younger stood up.
“It’s alright. Trust me.” said Momo while she’s holding Mina’s hand.
“N-no.. n-no.. the rain will just.. bring you to..suffer.. the accident.. and..and—“ Momo saw how Mina’s eyes start to quiver here and there so she immediately stood up, softly held mina’s face and made them look into each other’s eyes.
“Mina...” Momo’s gentle voice, managed to interrupted Mina from her thoughts.
“Let me help you forget all your pains and bad memories, and let me help you to create good memories, please?”
All the nerves and anxiousness that once filled mina’s eyes, slowly faded away as she became drawn into momo’s brown orbs.
“The rain won’t hurt you. They just water. If the water falls to your hand, it will just splash and nothing. Here.. see?”
Mina just nodded at momo demonstration on how the water just splat and didn’t hurt her. and they just stand there, letting their self soaked by the rain while other people were running for shelter.
“Look there’s still even a bir—aak!” Momo had to pause a bit, “okay maybe looking up in the middle of the rain, isn’t the wisest thing to do.” And that brought tiny chuckle to the used to be nervous Mina.
“Close your eyes. Just feel the moment.”
Mina followed along. She closed her eyes, slightly tilted her face up to let the rain hit her more. But the longer she tried to get immersed, bad memories slowly reappearing.
“Rain won’t hurt you, Mina. And I’m here with you.” Said momo while she holding both Mina’s hands.
Mina then opened her eyes just to see Momo giving such warm and assuring smile towards her. in that exact moment, Mina finally felt safe.
Seeing mina’s hair started to get drenched and messy due to the rain, Momo wanted to fix it. But as she was about to do it, mischievous idea popped on Momo’s mind. of course, this is not just her being playful or wanted to tease the younger one. Momo also hoped that this could be a way to distract and prevent mina’s past memories suddenly came up to the surface.
“uuu~ look at your hair~ so silky and smoooth~” said Momo as she polished mina’s drenched hair and then parted it into a straight half-half style, “aww you look adorable with that hairstyle~”
But of course, Momo’s compliment was a sarcastic one since she laughed at the end. Mina pout at it and tidying up her hair again.
“ooow.. the cute penguin is pouting. Are you sulking now?? ujujujuu~” Momo teased Mina while pinching her cheek. Even though she’s not happy with it, Mina just gave momo a flat face and let her cheek being pinched.
“omo! Your cheek is this squishy??! you know what, since you didn’t do a lot of physical activities, these squishy and chubby fellows will transfer to your stomach and you’ll be like bye bye queen black swan, helloo chubby penguin~”
Mina shrug momo’s hand due to the teas. But before Mina could even let out a single word, Momo already ran—tried to flee away from the angry penguin.
“The last one who arrived to the car will pay for ice cream!” Said Momo from a far
“Eonni! it’s not fair!!”
But of course, they’re not running straight to the car. Instead, they were messing around, chasing each other and splashing puddles to each other. It brought huge and bright smile onto their face.
Mina even forgot the fact that she’s currently playing under the rain. Rain that she feared the most, rain that she hates the most.
Myoui Residence, 19.00PM
After the stroll, the shocking story, the cat-and-dog chase, and the war in the rain that they did at the park, times run fast and both of them were now sitting on the car that been parked in front of Mina’s house. Momo took out an umbrella to help mina to enter her house since the rain still pouring.
“W-wait.. you have an umbrella all along? Why eonni didn’t bring it earlier?” asked Mina
“well I don’t know that it’ll rain? don’t blame me okay. Besides.. playing in the rain is fun, right?” Momo smiled and she went out from the car to assist Mina.
“You know it’s a useless thing to do since we already this drench..” mina said once she went out of the car.
“Well, I don’t want you to get more soaked. Come on, your parents must be waiting.”
Momo then dragged mina into the door. But just few steps before the front door, Momo realized something... Mina’s house is too dark.
“hold on…why your house so dark? Blackout? Wait no... It’s only your house! Is it power failure??”
Mina chuckled due to how slow momo was. The oldest should’ve realized about it the moment she parked the car. But momo just being momo… a bit slow and sometimes clueless about her surroundings.
“It’s not a power failure eonni… it just nobody is home right now. My parents went to Japan for business.” said Mina.
“So.. you’re alone? You don’t have like… I don’t know butler, maid or something?” and that made mina laugh
“I don’t have butler or maid and yes, I am alone.”
“Want me to accompany you? You know.. it’s still raining and.. it’s not safe for you to stay by yourself.”
Seeing how soaked momo is and she remember how she made Momo running all around the park and made her exhausted, Mina then shook her head.
“No.. you already did so much for me today eonni. I’m okay by my own.”
“you sure about that? I don’t mi—“
“I’m okay, really.” said Mina with a smile.
“Okay then… well.. go inside and take a shower.. I don’t want you to catch a cold because of this.” said Momo.
“Will do, eonni.. Now you too. You need to go back home and take a warm bath.”
“Don’t worry. Now go in then. I’m going back. Byee!”
Mina then turned around and slipped the key to the keyhole. Hearing the sound of umbrella being opened—which mean Momo was about to go, made Mina let out a sigh
“hhh..I wish she could stay..” said Mina before she came inside her house.
The moment she went in, she went straight to bathroom and took a warm shower and tried to forget the fact that she’s alone in while rain still pouring outside.
But the magical thing is, the memories of her running around and laughing in the rain with momo, popped up and made her slightly calm. But as the time goes by, the memory of Sharon laid down life-less with her head and body covered in blood, ate her and drown her again to the paranoia.
It’s still a long way to go..
>><<
*DING DONG*
That sudden doorbell caught Mina by surprised. Gladly she was just finished her warm bath and haven’t gone to her bedroom. Even so, she wasn’t really sure who would visit her at this hour.
Mina then tippy-toe as she tried to peek through the peephole. But her worries turned into shocked as she saw a someone familiar outside her house.
“Momo eonni?!” the said girl just grinned goofily and waved
“Hi again? Hehehe..”
Momo was wearing a matching soft pink short and hoodie. With how her hair still visibly wet and her shampoo scent was so strong, it’s quite obvious that Momo was rushing her way here as soon as done showering.
“W-why are you here?” asked Mina
“Eum… visiting you?” said Momo
“I know.. but.. why? and.. what’s with that bag?”
“My mom said that I can sleep here. You know to accompany you.”
“you don’t have to eonni.. I said I’m oka—“
“yeah yeah keep those lies to yourself because I’m not buying it anymore.” Said Momo
“I’m not lying. I’m really o—“
“You’re the one who wished that I could stay. and here I am. but now you don’t want me to stay.. make up your mind Myoui.”
Mina shocked at Momo’s statement. She was sure that momo already went back to her car back when she said that she want momo to stay, and she also sure that she was saying that thing really quiet.
“what? do you think I didn’t hear it?” Mina nodded her head and momo let out a smile.
“told you I still can catch your tiny voice,” said momo with a wink. Mina automatically lowered her head because of it, as an attempt to hide sudden blush that appeared due to momo’s wink.
“So.. are you going to let me in or what?” asked Momo. Mina then nodded and guided momo to enter her house.
Mina secretly smiled and felt relieved that Momo came back. With Momo around, Mina could distract herself from resurfacing old memories.
Mina was in fact glad and didn’t regret her decision to let momo knew her past and let momo into her world. Because this kind of treatment is what Mina had always been looking, waiting, and hoping for. She just hoped that it will last for ever.
“whoa.. man…your house is really… normal..” said Momo with a flat face the moment she enter Mina’s living room.
“hahaha…what do you expect eonni? gold and silver everywhere?”
“naah.. I thought it will be like a Disney princess castle. Or or a Barbie castle.” Said Momo.
“well my family aren’t a big fan of Barbie like you.”
Momo gave Mina a sharp glare, “hey. Barbie is cute, okay.”
“I never say it isn’t.” Mina let out a chuckled and then led Momo to her room, “come on lets put your things in my room.”
>><<
In front of Mina’s room
“I’m sorry I haven’t tidying up my room. It might be a little bit messy.” Said Mina
“Well, bet yours definitely isn’t as messy as mine, right?” Mina nod and it made Momo gasped shocked at her blunt statement
“I’m kidding eonni.. hahah. Well….welcome to my room..”
The moment mina opened her door, a strong sweet scent coming through Momo’s nose and it so similar with mina’s scent. Mina’s sweet scent. The room was pretty much described Mina. Its calm, warm, cozy and full with CD game.
“it’s nothing much.. but here’s where I often spent my times in home.”
“Whoa.. Look at these mountains of CDs… and YOU EVEN HAVE TV IN YOUR OWN ROOM?? Did your dad never mad about this?”
“I used my own money and I have my own schedule to play anyways. So, as long as none of this interrupted my works, then my father okay with it.” said Mina.
“I see… mind if I look around?”
“Sure.”
Momo then took a tour inside Mina’s room and then happened to saw few pictures like little mina with her ballet costume, Mina holding trophies and certificates, and there’s also a photo of her on a kindergarten uniform hanging on the wall near the door.
“isn’t this a Japanese kindergarten uniform?” mina nod
“I was born in japan and I moved here when I enter elementary school.”
“oh so you’re also a Japanese? I thought only your parents are.” Mina just smiled and shook her head.
From Mina’s wall she threw her attention to two penguin plushies on top of Mina’s drawer near the bed.
“Oh my! It’s sooo cute!” Momo hugged the pink one and Mina who was tidying her desk turn around and smiled.
“it’s a gift from my mom. Mine is the blue one and the pink one is Sharon’s.”
Smile immediately vapored away from Momo’s face after she heard that fact.
“O-okay… I better not messed with this…” said Momo as she carefully put the pink plushie back to it place. Mina laughed at how momo act towards it
“it’s okay, eonni. It just a plush. You can hold it if you want.” Said Mina
“Sharon won’t mad, right?” mina let out a chuckled and she shook her head. Then, Momo took that plush again and carried it as she continued her tour inside Mina’s room.
Once she arrived at Mina’s desk, she saw another photo framed prettily beside Mina’s monitors. A photo of a child holding a sketchbook and smiling to the camera.
“This is Sharon, right?” Mina was stunned when she heard Momo said that. in fact she was too stunned and didn’t answer Momo’s question.
“Mina? hello?” Momo waved her hand to bring back Mina’s attention, which it worked.
“Ah! Eun. Y-yes.. it’s her. how did you know?” asked Mina
“Hm… There are no moles on her face.”
“moles?” momo nodded.
And while she still looking at the picture, momo then added, “And.. Her smile is different. it’s cute. but not as cute as yours.”
That compliment made Mina blushed hard. Mina is a shy girl so she couldn’t really handle being compliment like that.. in a good way of course. So that’s why even with momo’s simple compliment managed to make Mina blushed heavily like this. well.. at least that what she thinks.
“B-by the way, have you eat dinner, eonni?” asked Mina. of course, it’s an attempt to get away from the weird feeling she felt after Momo’s compliment.
“Nope.” Momo put down the frame and then continued, “after I went home, I took a shower, packed my school things and went here.”
“school things?”
“yup. Tomorrow is Monday, right? if I don’t bring my uniform and school things I can’t go to school.”
“but… your house is not that far..we can go there early in the morning.”
Momo blinked her eyes slowly, trying to process what Mina said. And then once it clicked, the infamous goofy smile once again showed up.
“hehehe.. you’re right.. I just can wake up early and went back home, right?” Mina just smiled while she shook her head, disbelief by her senior’s way of thinking.
“so. Since you haven’t eaten dinner, what do you want to eat, eonni? I’ll make it for you.”
“You can cook?”
“well.. I’m just following the recipe.. but yeah maybe I can..” said Mina.
“Then can you make me spaghetti?! I’m carving for it since yesterday but my mom didn’t want to cook it for me.”
“well.. I never cooked pasta before..”
“please… please… pleaseeee??”
“okay.. I’ll try. But don’t judge me if it’s not delicious okay?”
“yeeey! Mina is the best!! Carbonara~ carbonara~”
HIRAI MOMO POV
Right now, I’m watching Mina preparing the ingredient. You know what? Mina is really such a perfectionist person… she measured every single ingredient EXACTLY like the recipe told her to. not more, not less. She even measured a damn spaghetti and troubled whether she should put another stick or not. I mean, hello!! it’s just one damn tiny stick but she really thought that one spaghetti would change the entire dish… hahaha she’s really something.
As I waited for her and the dish, suddenly what mina told me back in the park came thru my mind again...
The way her father and grandfather treated both mina and Sharon differently, is what actually bothers me. One despised Mina and preferred Sharon, the other one despised Sharon and cherished Mina. Does it mean they’re got tension with each other? And why it seems like her mother didn’t do anything? too busy? Too scared? Well, I don’t know.. better ask Mina instead.
“Eum… Mina… sorry to bring this thing up again but.. it seems like your father and your grandfather aren’t in a good term, huh? judging by your story..” I got a nod from her.
“Their relationship never been good since long ago. My grandpa always too strict on him, yet Otou-sama never wanted to be “controlled” by my grandpa and it made him rebellious, always do the opposite thing my grandpa would do. including how he treated his daughter.”
I couldn’t really see her expression since she’s still chopping something and her back was facing me. But at least she sounded calm. So, it’s fine.
“So basically, you’re trapped between the complicated relationship your father and your grandfather have huh?” again mina nod
“but.. Otou-sama keep treating me like this even though grandpa already passed away, three years after Sharon’s death. So.. I think he just hate me.” she said
“Your mom? I heard from my mom that every time they met, your mom always talked about you.. How great and smart you are.. didn’t she try to like… convinced your father? Or do something to help you?”
Mina then stop chopping and turn around to face me. “I believe she wanted to... but same as the others… Okaa-san couldn’t do anything. Although there was a time where she tried to persuade my father to lessen my workload, yet Otou-sama never listened. Plus.. her business is more important for her.” she gave me a bitter smile and then continued her things again.
God.. this kid deserved so much better..
I stood up from my seat, then walked towards Mina and then gave her a back hug. I just want to show her that she’s not alone, that I’m here for her.
Even though at first her body slightly jolted, it soon turned calm after I said, “don’t worry.. I’m here.”
“thank you eonni.” she said while holding my arm that circling on her.
Hugging her like this feels so comfortable. Even though her hair still slightly damp, she feels warm. She also has this calming floral scent that somehow gave the surge of calmness. Didn’t really want le—
“eum.. eonni.. can you let me go now? or else there’s no dinner for us..”
ah right… “sorry..” I quickly let go my hug and walked back to the chair.
><
Few minutes after that, the food is ready. And the presentation?? Top class! Like exactly bought from expensive restaurant. The looks, the smell.. hm~
“whoa.. the visual is good..ittadakimasu~” I took a bite and shocked by the flavor
“So..how is it?” asked mina
“It’s so delicious mina! whoa… it taste like pasta that you bought in a fancy restaurant! This is sooo good!” I said
“Then… I’m glad that you like it eonni. hehehe.”
The quality of Mina’s pasta brought up my usual eating habit—too focus on the food and didn’t care about other. The food was soo delicious and I don’t want to miss every single flavor from each string of pasta that went to my mouth. Because man! I lost count on how many times I’ve said this but IT’S SO DELICIOUS!
“Thank you for the food~” I said as soon as I finished the entire plate.
But the moment I diverted away my focus from the food, there I saw Mina just staring with both her hands supporting her chin as she let out a smile towards me.
“it’s there… something on my face?” she smiled and shook her head.
“Want some more eonni?”
“Don’t mind if i—wait.”
I immediately tone down my excitement after seeing Mina’s plate. Her pasta still in the same amount from the first time she served it! She hadn’t taken a single bite!
“Why you’re not eating your food?” she smiled at me and said
“I’m already full seeing eonni eats.”
“Eyy.. what kind of lie is that... There’s no way a person would feel full just by looking at other eating.”
“but I do. I’m full with your cuteness.”
….
….…
……….…..
Realization then hit
*Thump* *thump*
Both of us immediately looked down. I don’t understand why she also look down but I did that because I tried to hide my blush… I didn’t expect her to say something like that. not at all.
I mean, it’s not that I’m weak with compliment. In fact, I’m very much used to it. But hearing that from mina? I never expect would get one and surely, I’m not ready. it’s shockingly shocking.
“Y-Yaah~ i-I don’t know you can be this cheesy Mina-ya! Hahahaha..”
that’s my attempt to make the vibe felt less awkward. But yea. I failed. It sounds so awkward and made everything worse.
“Hahaha… yeah I don’t even know why I said that.. hahaha..” She then took a bite of her food maybe try to run from the awkwardness. And you know what? she also blushing hard! her face is soo red!
Okay let’s try to burn this awkward vibe by teasing her. HEHEHE this is going to be fun!
“You know what mina? I just found out that there is a new species of penguin.”
“R-really? w-what its look like?”
“It looks like the usual penguins. But it had a blushing red face and also a little bit cheesy too.” Being a smart kid, she quickly figured it out that I was teasing her.
“I’m not chessy..” said Mina, with a pout.
“O! amazing! The penguin can talk!” She tried to hit me but I quickly dodged it.
“Oh! The penguin likes to hit people! This species is soo scary! You better watch out not to encounter this species!”
Mina suddenly stood up, looking pretty pissed. But I quickly stopped and made her went back to sit. Hahaha I might had tested her limit..
“Okay okay I’ll stop.. sorry.. please eat your dinner..” she sat down again, but her angry face turned into pouty. She’s sulking!!
“The new penguin really like to pou—okay okay okay. Sorry. My apology. I will stop. please enjoy your dinner.”
I held back my tease, I had to! She was giving me the scariest glare I’ve ever seen from her. To be honest.. her glare sometimes could both be intimidating and cute sometimes. But that glare earlier… with damp hair slightly covering her eyes… it leveled up the intimidation gauge.. you know.. extra touch of horror vibes..
><
After we finished our dinner, we went straight to Mina’s room and decided to play some games that easy for me to follow. We played the same game that we usually play in the VGC room with the others, yup it’s fighting game!
We’ve been playing for like 10 minutes or so, and well I might say I managed to keep up a little. Although most of the time Mina K.O-ed me with her HP bar remained full.
Our fun gaming session got paused a bit because Mina’s phone suddenly buzzed. You know, to make sure it’s not anything related to her work. Then after she read the message, Mina gave me an unreadable look. Mad? Disbelief? Done? I don’t know.
But before I managed to ask her, Mina let out a sigh and grabbed her controller again. Signaling to continue the game. I’m still puzzled but whatever.. I followed along.
“Jihyo eonni said that tomorrow is the deadline for physic and math homework.” Said Mina. her voice sounds flat and cold, but I couldn’t really see because the game is starting again.
Tsk. Just when I thought I could leisurely live without have to bother about homework… thank you park jihyo!
“W-well.. yea.. maybe. I don’t know.” I said while I tried so hard to punch the character that mina used.
“You don’t know or you just don’t want to do it?” asked her.
I was too preoccupied on trying to land a hit onto Mina’s character and failed to answer that. okay, yea I lied. I deliberetly ignored it.
“Momo eonni.”
“Okay, fine. Yes, I don’t want to do it. It’s a bloody damn math and physic which I hat—damn! Another critical hit?? Yah spared my life, please!” I said while pressing all the button hard.
Until suddenly, mina paused the game and switched off the PS4.
“and now what? we stop playing?”
“you need to finished your homework first.”
“oh Come on! Physic and math are hard, okay… I could just ditch class and saved my life from punishment for not doing the assignment.” I said.
“You have to finish it, eonni...”
“What for? Look. after I graduate, I want to go to an art university. Does art university, especially dance major need to calculate the gravity, voltage, algebra, roots, logarithm or any other ridiculous and complicated thing?! no! so I don’t care about that.” Mina let out a huge deep sigh and said
“I know. but the ridiculous and complicated things are subjects that would help you graduate from here. If you fail at those two subjects, you can’t enroll to any art university you want. Right?” damn.. she’s right.. Didn’t think that far..
“Wait… Don’t tell me it never really crossed your mind?” I just gave her a grin and again a sigh left from her.
“please eonni. it’s for your own good. stop skipping classes, stop running away from homework, and don’t sleep during class.”
“fine, fine! I’ll do it. Gee... just when I thought I could be free from school things.” I stood up and grab the physic and math book from my bag.
“You can sit on my desk if you want, eonni.”
I walked to mina’s desk and worked on those two troublesome assignments there.
><
30 minutes had passed… but there’s no progress in my assignment. And yet, Mina had been busy with her phone—giggling and let out wide smile.
I. Don’t. Like. It.
“it’s not fair you know..” Mina shifted her focus to me right after she heard me saying that, “here I am stressing about my homework, yet you’re happily doing something on your phone.”
Mina then let out a happy smile and said, “I’m sorry eonni. It just, Jihyo eonni had been telling me something funny through text. I’m sorry if I’m bothering you..” ah.. It’s Jihyo. No wonder she’s THAT happy.
“I see..” then I turned myself back to face the books and tried to finished my homework again..
But it’s useless. I couldn’t continue or even started it. The thoughts of Jihyo and Mina texting with each other happily behind my back, somehow disturbed me.
“Say Mina..What do you think about jihyo?” I asked while my sight still on locked on my homework.
“hm out of the sudden? Why’re you asking me that?”
“N-no reason. Just wanna know.”
“but it’s really absurd that you suddenly asked me that.”
“well, you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.” I said
“It’s not that I don’t to. well… umm.. I think Jihyo eonni is kind, smart, reliable, responsible and really mature. She always makes everyone felt assured with themself and yeah.. that’s all maybe?”
“You like her a lot, huh?”
“of course. I really like jihyo eonni.”
Suddenly, my chest felt uncomfortable. Like someone pricked it with needles multiple times and then closed it with a hard jab right into my core. Pain, suffocating. What’s with these feelings?? Wait.. what’s wrong with me?!
“Back when we were kids, she was always there for me. she’s the one who thought me how to speak korean, thought me the dos and don’ts.. and sometimes she gave me support if I was stressed with my father’s order.”
Of course. Jihyo is incredible. I agree. She’s such a wonderful person who’s capable to do anything.
In fact, Jihyo was also the one who thought me many things about korea since the very first moment I arrived here. And yeah.. she’s really on the different level from me.
Wait. whoa. it’s not like I want to be compared to her for like.. who’s more capable for mina or something. No no no! It just.. yeah. I couldn’t help but admit that Jihyo is much much better than a lazy-head like me. No wonder Mina likes her a lot.
“b-but eonni. I like her just as a junior-senior and also a friend. Not more.” as I heard that, my heart suddenly become much lighter.. okay.. this is odd…
“a-ah.. okay then.” I gave a rather nonchalant respond to her while pretending to do my assignment again.
Well actually, I just wanted to end the conversation. Somehow, what mina said kinda made me giddy? Nervous? skipped a beat? I don’t know. I don’t understand. And I don’t want mina to figure it out so yea.. better ended it here.
Hold on. What is actually wrong with me?! why I suddenly said something like that??
“You must like her a lot, don’t you”—WHAT WAS I THINKING?!
Okay.. I admit it that the way mina was looking really happy and excited while she’s texting with Jihyo is kind of…disturbing? I mean come on.. I never knew what mina felt when we’re texting with each other. was happy or not while texting with me. would she be this happy? Would she be giggling like this? would she waited excitedly for my messages?
And the fact that Jihyo are in love with mina also kind of “tickled” me.. or maybe Mina didn’t realize that she might have feelings for J—
OH GOD HOLD ON! WHY I THINK SOMETHING LIKE THAT?! It’s not like I want to compete with Jihyo for Mina right?? hold on.. am I jealous? Why am I jealous? Why should I be jealous?? I don’t have rights or reason to be, right? right?! oh god this is confusing…
“Do you need help,eonni?” Mina’s sudden appearance got me jolted on my chair. All because I’m too busy with my own thoughts.
“Huh? Ah. I’m no. I’m fine. You don’t have to help me. Besides, It’s a senior year lesson.” I said
“And I’m Myoui Mina.”
“Tsk.. Are you trying to flaunt, or mocking me for being ms.obvious?” she pretended to think hard and then said, “both? Hehe.” this kid…
“Well here. Suit yourself then, miss myoui mina the prodigy.” I gave her the book and waited her to solve it.
Mina then grabbed a piece of paper and took my pencil. She then tucked her hair on her ear as she started to read some of the question on my book. And that moment, her gaze started to change. The usually bright and cheerful face, now turned serious and focused. Eyes sharp analyzing each and ever question.
Seeing her from this proximity, I never realized that mina has such a perfect angle jaw line despite her cheeks slightly chubby. And oh her cheeks looked adorable from this angle. Her eyelashes also beautiful. Her nose is also sharp and the way her mouth slightly parte—OH WHOA HOLD ON! What am I thinking?! Geez.. it must be the effect of this homework.
“Done!” I looked to her paper and my eyes opened wide.
“You did all 10 questions just like.. what.. less than 10 minutes?!” she smiled and nod
“Yah..Jihyo and Nayeon worked together to solve this.. even they argued many times.. but you just easily solved it by your own and.. that fast?! Wow.. you eat calculator or something?” she smiled and shook her head.
“I have to give the credits to my father for this. because of him, I always studied something a level higher than I supposed to. so.. yeah I already knew how to solve a senior year level question.” She said
“Nice! Then let me have a look on your pa—hey! Give it to me!” she took her paper, fold it and hide it from me.
“Meanie…” I said it while giving her the cutest face I possibly could. Well my aegyo always works to people. Even jihyo sometimes fell for it.
“no. and never. Your aegyo is cute but it won’t work on me eonni. You’re dealing with the queen black swan.”
“And now you admitted that you are indeed stubborn.”
“I am.. so eum back to the topic again.. I won’t let you copy my answer. Instead, I’ll teach you how to do it.” she said
“BOOO NO JAM!”
“well bye bye university, then.” I let out a sigh and gave up.
“don’t worry eonni. I’ll show you how to solve this easily by using a simple formula."
AUTHOR POV
After few minutes—or maybe an hour, Momo finally finished her homework. Currently, Momo and Mina were laying on the bed, getting ready to sleep. Even though the night still a bit young, both of them already felt tired due to their eventful day. Spending hours in arcade and running around the park.
“Good night, Mina.”
“Good night, eonni. Sleep well.”
Momo turn her body to her right, while mina slept facing her left. But just when they were about to go to deep slumber,
*BAM* (Sound of thunder)
Both of their eyes opened wide, shocked with it. Apparently, rain was pouring hard outside with thunder striking continuously. Mina tried so hard to control herself from being panic. She knew how exhausted Momo is right now and she didn’t want to troubled her.
*BAM* (Sound of thunder)
After that last strike, Mina felt a shift on the bed which then followed with Momo hugging her from the back. Feeling Momo’s arms around her, somehow all the fear that was about to consume her, started to fade.
“You… good?” momo asked
“I’m good now.”
No words exchanged after that. silence and vague sound of heavy rain filled the room. Momo still in the same position though, hugging mina close.
“Can we stay like this for a moment?” asked Momo.
“I’m okay as long as you’re okay with it.” after Mina said that, Momo’s got tighten and it made mina worry.
“Are you okay eonni?” asked mina.
“It just..” Momo drown herself closer to Mina and said, “I’m afraid of thunder.. so.. yeah.. somehow I feel secured if I hug you.”
Even though it was muffled a little, Mina could still hear it clearly. Mina let out a smile and then she turned herself to face the older.
“I feel secured too when eonni hug me.”
“Good then.. now let’s try to have some sleep.” Said Momo as she once again pulled mina close to her.
“Good night, eonni.”
“Good night, Mina.”
But before Momo closed her eyes, she said something that made mina chuckled, “don’t tell anybody about this okay… it’s embarrassing.”
“I won’t, eonni.”
"don't laugh at me." again mina let out a chuckled
"I did not”
“You aaareee. You clearly laughed few second ago.”
“I wasn’t laughing at your fear. I just find it cute how you asked me to keep it from others.”
“Still. You laughed.”
“I’m sorry then.”
“You’re lucky I’m tired now, Myoui.”
Mina giggled a little and said, “now now, let’s just sleep, shall we?”