Chapter Text
Minjeong sighed as she sank deeper into the sofa, side by side with Jimin, who was absorbed in their third movie of the day. The flickering screen barely registered in her mind as her gaze drifted to the window. A few kids rode by on bicycles, and she imagined the cool air she used to feel on her own walks there. She hadn’t realized how much she'd miss those peaceful outings until she had to nurse her ankle day in and day out.
Her fingers tapped restlessly against the armrest, and she couldn’t help but notice the slight distance between them, the space where their fingers almost touched. Jimin sat beside her, so engrossed that her brows furrowed in concentration, her lower lip caught between her teeth. Hmm cute.
“Don’t you want to go out with your friends?” Minjeong asked, trying to sound casual. “I can manage just fine for a few hours, you know.”
Jimin barely looked up from the TV “They’re all busy,” she replied with a small shrug. “I already checked.”
“All of them?”
“Yep,” Jimin confirmed, her tone clipped as if to close the topic. She turned her attention fully to Minjeong, her expression softening. “Plus, it’s nice being here with you.”
Minjeong doubted it; she figured Jimin was probably just sticking around out of guilt over the accident. But her heart did softened a bit at that. She didn’t mind having Jimin around,it was actually nice, a sort of comforting presence she hadn’t anticipated, but still…she missed a little of her own quiet time. Just a bit.
She shifted in her seat, testing her ankle with a small flex, her mind wandering back to the freedom of those walks at the park.
Jimin watched her, eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you uncomfortable?” she asked, almost as if she could read Minjeong’s mind.
“Not exactly,” Minjeong answered, glancing down. “Just… bored, I guess. I miss being able to go outside without a crutch.”
“How about we do something fun?” Jimin said, her eyes twinkling.
“Like what?” Minjeong asked, feigning interest.
“Let’s bake something!” Jimin declared with enthusiasm.
Minjeong, not knowing what else to do, shrugged and replied, “Okay. Sure. What do you want to bake?”
“I’ve been craving banana bread. Let’s make that!” Jimin beamed.
After Minjeong nodded in agreement, Jimin led the way, swiftly opening the cabinets to gather the ingredients. Thankfully, they had most of what they needed in the pantry.
“Let’s see, so we need bananas, check, baking soda, check, ground cinnamon, check, butter, check,” Jimin counted, then hesitated. “We don’t have all-purpose flour, though. Do you think self-rising flour would do the trick?”
“I guess so,” Minjeong said, though a slight uncertainty crept into her voice. She had heard that self-rising flour could sometimes alter the taste, but she didn’t want to dampen Jimin’s excitement.
As they started baking, Minjeong stood at the kitchen island, mashing the ripe bananas until smooth. Jimin mixed the dry ingredients, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“Hey, do you think we’ll really be able to salvage this?” Minjeong asked, biting her lip. “I mean, it’s not like we have the right flour.”
“Relax! It’ll be fine,” Jimin replied with forced cheerfulness, though a hint of doubt flickered in her eyes.
Once they’d put the batter in the oven, Jimin suggested making cream cheese frosting to go with it, claiming it would enhance the flavour. Minjeong agreed, though she felt a strange weight in the air.
As she beat the cream cheese with butter in a bowl, Minjeong became absorbed in her task, completely unaware that frosting had splattered onto the left side of her chin.
“Wait, hold on, you got something here,” Jimin said, stepping closer to wipe the frosting off with her thumb. She then licked the cream cheese from her finger, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “Perfect! You’re a natural!”
Minjeong’s cheeks flushed, and she opened her mouth slightly in surprise, her heart racing at the unexpected closeness. But just as quickly, the moment broke when Jimin turned back to wash the bowls, leaving Minjeong staring at her with mixed emotions,admiration, confusion, and a growing tension she didn’t fully understand.
They sat on the sofa, waiting for the banana bread to finish baking. After what felt like an eternity, Jimin cut into it and offered Minjeong the first bite.
“Well? How is it?” Jimin asked, eyes bright with anticipation.
“Erm… it’s pretty good,” Minjeong replied, grimacing despite her words. She rolled the dense banana bread in her mouth, stalling the inevitable.
“Is it that bad?” Jimin asked, already reaching for a slice.
Quickly, Jimin spat it out, her expression morphing into disbelief. “Yeah, no. I’m not eating that. How could you swallow that? It’s horrible, Minjeong! It’s salty!”
Minjeong quietly followed suit, spitting the mouthful into a napkin. “Do you think it’s because we used a different flour? I knew it was too good to be true,” she said, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief.
“Maybe we should’ve found a recipe that specifically used self-rising flour. The measurements could be different,” Jimin mused, frustration creeping into her voice.
“Yeah, maybe,” Minjeong agreed, but she felt a pang of guilt for not speaking up earlier about her concerns. “Ugh, it’s such a waste. I was really looking forward to having this with you.”
“It’s okay,” Minjeong replied, earnestly squeezing Jimin’s hand in an attempt to console her, noticing the way Jimin's expression softened but still carried a hint of disappointment.
Jimin glanced down at their hands, a small smile appearing on her face, and they shared a moment of silence, the tension easing slightly between them. But just as Jimin opened her mouth to say something, they heard a doorbell and a knock.
“Jimin! Come out! Are you there?” Minjeong recognized the familiar voice.
Jimin’s expression shifted to panic. She quickly walked across the kitchen into the living room.
From the kitchen, Minjeong overheard Aeri’s voice. “Why aren’t you answering my texts? Yeji said you kept telling us not to come and visit. It’s been a week, and we’re worried!”
Then, she heard a low murmur from Jimin, but it was so soft that Minjeong couldn't make out the words.
“What is wrong with y-,oh, hi Minjeong!” Aeri appeared in the kitchen with Jimin in tow, her face reddening slightly.
“Hi, Aeri!” said Minjeong cheerfully, trying to ignore the sudden tension in the air.
“Oh, cool! You guys made banana bread?” Aeri said, leaning in to inspect the bread closer, her nose wrinkling as the aroma wafted towards her.
“Are you feeling better? Seeing that you’re up and about, you must be, right? I’ve been wanting to visit you and apologize for the incident, by the way,” Aeri continued, her concern evident.
“It’s okay! It wasn’t your fault I got into the accident. I was being rash that day. Plus, Jimin said that you were busy any-” Minjeong started, but Jimin quickly cut her off.
“Wanna try the banana bread, Aeri?” Jimin asked, her tone a little too bright.
“Don’t mind if I do!” said Aeri, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
“Jimin said I was busy?” Aeri looked puzzled as Jimin expertly sliced a piece of the banana bread, carefully avoiding any strange shapes that might give away its questionable nature.
“That’s funny, I was actually fr-” Aeri began, but her sentence was swallowed by the chaos that ensued when Jimin suddenly stuffed the slice of banana bread into Aeri’s mouth.
Aeri’s eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately spat it out. “What the heck was that?” she exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and disgust crossing her face. Minjeong couldn’t tell if the reaction was due to the taste of the bread or Jimin’s abrupt actions.
Minjeong stood there, mouth agape, her mind racing. Yeah, what’s up with that? She shot a glance at Jimin, who was nervously laughing, the colour rising in her cheeks.
“Uh, just a little taste test!” Jimin stammered, trying to play it off as casual as she wiped her hands on a dishtowel, her own eyes betraying her guilt.
“It definitely tasted like something,” Aeri replied, wiping her mouth dramatically with the back of her hand. “Are you sure you two didn’t accidentally use salt instead of sugar or something?”
Minjeong giggled nervously, glancing at Jimin. “Well, we did use self-rising flour, so…”
“Self-rising? Who uses that for banana bread?” Aeri raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms and leaning back against the counter with an incredulous smirk. “I thought you two were professionals or something!”
Jimin’s laughter faltered as she scratched her head. “It was an experiment! We thought it might turn out amazing.”
“More like an epic fail,” Aeri teased, pointing to the baking disaster on the counter.
“Hey! At least we tried!” Minjeong chimed in, trying to defend their culinary adventure. “It was fun, right, Jimin?”
“Right!” Jimin replied a bit too eagerly, her eyes darting back to Aeri, clearly hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Speaking of fun, how about we make some milkshakes to wash down that banana bread? That might save our taste buds!”
“Milkshakes? I like the sound of that!” Aeri perked up, clearly intrigued. “Especially if they’re not banana-flavoured after that!”
“Good point! No bananas!” Jimin laughed, relieved at the change of subject. They gathered ingredients, grabbing ice cream, milk, and some chocolate syrup.
“Okay, I’ll do the pouring!” Minjeong said, bouncing with excitement.
“Don’t forget the whipped cream!” Aeri added, rummaging through the pantry for the toppings.
As they blended the ingredients, the kitchen filled with laughter again. Jimin poured the milkshakes into glasses, and they topped them with generous dollops of whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles.
“Cheers to better choices!” Aeri said, raising her glass.
“Cheers!” Minjeong and Jimin echoed, clinking their glasses together.
After taking a sip, Aeri sighed in delight. “Now this is what I call a real treat! Way better than that… whatever that banana bread was.”
“Agreed! We should stick to milkshakes from now on,” Minjeong said, laughing as she took another sip, feeling the earlier tension fade away.
And as they enjoyed their milkshakes, Minjeong's mind drifted back to their earlier conversation. She glanced at Jimin, wondering what she was thinking about. What was up with her?
///
Minjeong stretched her ankle a little as she walked beside Jimin, revelling in the freedom of finally being able to move without a limp. Two weeks of careful steps and bandages had felt endless, but now, here she was, strolling alongside Jimin, their shoulders brushing with each step. Minjeong glanced down at her own outfit,a comfortable grey hoodie and cargo pants,then over at Jimin, who had on a white crop top layered under a pink sweater and jeans, her hair loose over one shoulder. They couldn’t have looked more different, with Jimin’s soft colours contrasting against Minjeong’s muted tones. Still, they moved in sync, their mismatched styles blending easily as they made their way to the ice cream shop.
The shop was bathed in sunlight, warm light streaming through the large windows and spilling over the tables. Minjeong and Jimin settled by the window, choosing two flavours to share,rocky road for Minjeong and mint chocolate chip for Jimin. Minjeong noticed Jimin’s eyes sparkling with a kind of excitement that seemed to radiate through the space. She looked like she’d been waiting for this moment.
Minjeong took a bite of the rocky road and hummed with delight. “Mmm, this is good. One of the best I’ve tasted.”
Jimin’s face lit up with a grin, and Minjeong noticed, for the first time, a small dimple on her cheek.
Hmmm, I’ve never noticed that before.
“Right? I knew you’d like it,” Jimin said, her voice bright.
“Here, try mine,” Jimin offered, pushing her cup of mint chocolate chip toward Minjeong. As Minjeong took a bite, she tried to ignore the realization that they’d just shared a spoon. It felt oddly intimate, but Jimin doesn’t seem to mind.
“Yep, this is pretty good too,” Minjeong said, quickly focusing back on the ice cream as they continued eating in a comfortable silence, savouring the flavours and the warmth of the sunlight filtering through the glass.
After a while, Jimin broke the quiet, her gaze still fixed on her cup. “Hey, Minjeong.”
“Yeah?”
“When did you know, by the way?”
“Hmm?” Minjeong looked up, her mouth full of rocky road, giving her cheeks a rounded look as she raised her eyebrows in confusion.
“That you were… gay.” Jimin’s voice was gentle, her expression open and curious.
The question caught Minjeong off guard. She looked down at her ice cream, her mind scrambling to find a place to start. She hadn’t expected the topic to come up, at least not like this, but she could sense the sincerity in Jimin’s gaze.
“I mean, it’s totally fine if you don’t want to tell me,” Jimin added quickly, her words spilling out in a rush. “I get that it’s personal, and I wouldn’t want you to feel pressured or anything. I just… was curious. But you really don’t have to say anything if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“Oh, that’s not,” Minjeong shook her head, trying to put Jimin at ease. “I’m fine with you asking. I was just… trying to figure out the answer.”
A flicker of relief passed over Jimin’s face, and Minjeong felt her heart warm at the way Jimin looked at her,encouraging, open, as if ready to listen to whatever she had to say.
“I guess I’ve always known I like girls?” Minjeong said, testing the waters. “Even as a kid, I’d always felt more drawn to them. I mean, I’ve had guy friends that I was close with, but I always preferred the company of girls, you know?”
Jimin nodded, her expression attentive, as if every word mattered.
“If I had to pinpoint a specific moment, though…” Minjeong paused, choosing her words carefully. “It was probably when my friends started talking about boys. They’d go on about what they wanted to do with them, and I realized that all those things… I’d rather do them with girls.”
She kept her eyes on her cup, the ice cream now slightly melted, trying to steady her voice as she spoke. Sharing this part of herself made her feel vulnerable in a way she hadn’t expected, but she wanted Jimin to understand. After she finished, she glanced up, bracing herself.
Jimin’s eyes were soft, a mixture of understanding and curiosity. There was no judgment, only an earnest interest. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
“Thanks for sharing that with me,” Jimin said softly. “I know it’s not easy to talk about.”
Minjeong shrugged, a small smile forming as she looked back at her cup. “Thanks for asking.”
"Did… did you ever tell your friends? Or your parents?” Jimin asked, the curiosity in her eyes softened.
“My parents… they’ve actually been great about it,” Minjeong said, her voice softening with a trace of gratitude, but her gaze grew distant. “When I told them, they just said they loved me, no matter who I loved.” A faint, wistful smile crossed her face as she lingered on the memory. “They were really accepting from the start.”
She fell silent for a moment. There was comfort in knowing she’d had their love and support, but a hint of sadness shadowed her eyes,an unspoken reminder that they were no longer here.
Jimin, sensing the shift, offered an empathetic smile. “That’s… really special,” she said softly. After a moment, she hesitated, then added, “I don’t think my parents would be as… accepting.”
Minjeong, catching the hint of sorrow beneath the nonchalance. “I’m sorry, Jimin,” she said gently.
Jimin met her eyes with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach them. “It’s okay. I mean… it’s just how things are.” She lifted her cup of ice cream and took another bite.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence again. Minjeong found herself glancing up at Jimin from time to time, noticing the way she absentmindedly toyed with her spoon or the way her smile lingered, soft and thoughtful.
Jimin’s voice broke the quiet again. “You know,” she said, tilting her head slightly as if considering something important, “I don’t think I ever really thought about it, but… I admire that. Just being open with yourself like that.”
Minjeong blinked, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Really?”
Jimin nodded. “Yeah. I mean, it sounds like you always had this sense of who you are, even if it wasn’t easy to explain to others. I think that’s… brave.”
Minjeong let out a small laugh. “Brave? I guess I never saw it that way.” She shook her head, a little embarrassed but grateful. “It’s just… me, you know?”
They smiled at each other, and Minjeong felt the strange, growing comfort of knowing she didn’t have to hide anything with Jimin.
///
Jimin and Minjeong’s friendship had deepened so effortlessly over the past few weeks. From cozy ice cream runs and long strolls through the park to late-night talks about Minjeong’s life in Canada and Jimin’s love for sports, they’d somehow become inseparable. Even their social media feeds intertwined,though it took Jimin some courage to follow Minjeong officially after she accidentally liked an old photo. Blushing and stumbling through her apology, Jimin admitted, “I was just…curious. And… too shy to ask.” Minjeong just laughed, finding Jimin’s flustered honesty endearing.
Today, they were at the sports complex pool for their latest adventure,a swimming lesson. It wasn’t until they were already planning to go that Minjeong admitted she didn’t know how to swim. Jimin, whose second-best sport was swimming after volleyball, had happily taken on the challenge of teaching her.
After they each found the changing rooms, they met back by the pool. Jimin looked up from setting her towel down to see Minjeong stepping out in a sleek black two-piece swimsuit. The sight caught her off guard, but she quickly flashed a smile. “You ready?”
Minjeong nodded, though she felt a bit out of place. She couldn’t help but notice Jimin, standing there in a blue one-piece with a tie-back that revealed a sliver of her toned back. Her athletic figure,lean and strong, with defined arms,was evidence of her dedication to sports. Minjeong swallowed, suddenly aware of her own heartbeat. She couldn’t shake the thought that Jimin looked like she could’ve easily walked off a runway. Feeling her cheeks warm, she forced herself to focus on the lesson ahead.
“So, we’ll start simple,” Jimin said, her voice calm and encouraging as she stepped closer. “First, breathing exercises.”
Jimin at the pools edge, demonstrated how to take a deep breath, lean down, and blow bubbles underwater. Minjeong watched as she submerged her face, the soft ripples of bubbles dancing to the surface. When Jimin lifted her head and shook the water from her face with a grin, Minjeong had to bite back a smile. Something about Jimin’s natural confidence made everything feel… easy.
“Your turn,” Jimin said, gesturing for Minjeong to join her. Minjeong came to her side, took a deep breath, and tried to mimic her, blowing bubbles beneath the water. She resurfaced, surprised by the way the little exercise seemed to help her relax.
“Perfect!” Jimin encouraged, her enthusiasm lighting up her face. “You’re a natural.”
The compliment, small as it was, had Minjeong feeling giddy. “Well, I did have a pretty good teacher,” she replied, making Jimin laugh.
Once Minjeong felt comfortable with her breathing, Jimin demonstrated how to float on her back, her body relaxed and effortlessly buoyant. “Like this,” Jimin explained, floating gracefully, her arms stretched out.
Minjeong eyed her, unsure. It looked easy enough when Jimin did it, but she had a feeling she wouldn’t manage it quite so elegantly. Still, she lay back in the water, immediately panicking as her head dipped under. Jimin was quick, moving beside her and placing her hands gently under Minjeong’s back.
“Relax,” Jimin murmured, her voice warm and calming. “I’ve got you. Just breathe.”
With Jimin’s hands supporting her and her steady voice in her ear, Minjeong felt her tension start to fade. She focused on the warmth of Jimin’s touch and let herself sink into the sensation, floating more easily. She closed her eyes, breathing steadily, Jimin’s presence grounding her.
“Relax, Minjeong. I won’t let you go.”
Minjeong swallowed as Jimin’s presence surrounded her, warm and solid. She tried to release the tension, focusing on Jimin’s soothing words.
“Close your eyes,” Jimin’s voice murmured near her ear, “and just breathe in… and out. That’s it.”
Time slipped by in slow, steady waves. Minjeong finally felt the water cradle her as she floated. But when she opened her eyes, Jimin was no longer holding her. The realization hit like a wave, and she scrambled, her feet slipping, arms reaching out in a flash of panic as her head dipped under.
Her startled noise was muffled by the water, but Jimin’s hands were there in an instant, lifting her back up. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m right here,” Jimin whispered, her hand steady on Minjeong’s waist. Minjeong instinctively gripped Jimin’s shoulder, gasping for air, feeling a mix of relief and irritation flood her chest.
“Why’d you let go?” Minjeong managed, giving Jimin a playful, sulky glare as she caught her breath.
Jimin chuckled, that mischievous spark glinting in her eyes. “You were doing so well on your own,I didn’t go far! Just wanted to see how you’d do without me for a moment.”
“You could’ve warned me,” Minjeong muttered, though her frown softened as she met Jimin’s gaze.
That familiar dimple appeared in Jimin’s smile, deep and endearing, just inches away from her own face. Minjeong’s cheeks warmed, and she felt Jimin’s hand still resting against her bare waist, her other arm supporting her. Jimin was a head taller, which meant she didn’t have to wade as much to hold Minjeong up, and the steady contact between them sent a new, unexpected shiver through Minjeong.
“Come on, let’s get back to the shallow end,” Jimin suggested, her voice gentle as she guided them both closer to the pool’s edge.
Minjeong tried to keep her gaze anywhere but on Jimin, though her awareness of their closeness felt inescapable. She couldn’t shake the feeling of Jimin’s hand, warm and secure against her skin, or the soft glint in Jimin’s gaze as she glanced over at her. Every now and then, Minjeong risked a quick look, catching Jimin’s soft smile.
By the time they reached the shallow end, Minjeong could stand comfortably again, though her pulse hadn’t slowed. She cleared her throat, hoping the pink tinge creeping up her neck wasn’t obvious. But when she glanced up, Jimin’s gaze was still on her, warm and lingering, and that playful smile never left her face.
“So, ready for the next lesson?”
Minjeong nodded, brushing off her lingering nerves. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
They made their way to the pool’s edge, and Jimin explained how to hold on and start kicking. “Just keep your head submerged, grip the edge tightly, and kick your legs straight out behind you. Make sure to point your toes, and keep your legs as straight as possible.”
Minjeong adjusted her grip, letting her body float as she gave a tentative kick. Her form was off, her legs bending slightly as she tried to find a rhythm. Jimin noticed immediately and moved closer, placing a steadying hand on her back.
“Here, straighten up a bit more,” Jimin said, her voice gentle but focused. She guided Minjeong’s body with light pressure along her stomach, her touch careful yet firm as she adjusted Minjeong’s position. Minjeong’s face heated as Jimin’s hand slid lower, pausing just above her legs to make sure she held the right angle.
“Relax a little more, Minjeong,” Jimin murmured softly, her voice just audible above the sound of the water. “Let the water support you.”
Minjeong tried to focus, but with every touch,each brief graze of Jimin’s hand along her stomach, her side,she could feel her heart racing, her concentration slipping. Her pulse pounded louder than the rhythm of her kicks, and she found herself wondering if Jimin was aware of just how close they were.
Are swimming lessons usually this intimate?
After a few more tries, she finally found a steady rhythm, her legs kicking in smooth, pointed motions under Jimin’s guidance. They practiced for nearly an hour, with Jimin offering gentle corrections and Minjeong doing her best to maintain her focus. Eventually, they wrapped up the lesson, both laughing as they stepped out of the pool, muscles tired but lighthearted.
Back in the locker room, Minjeong caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks noticeably flushed. She took a slow, steadying breath, hoping to calm herself before Jimin noticed. But the thought lingered: had Jimin seen the way she’d blushed, or felt her pulse quicken during those close moments?
She shook her head, grabbing her towel and heading out, her mind still replaying every small touch, every encouraging word from Jimin in the water.
///
After dinner, Jimin and Minjeong made their way to the bedroom, arms full of snacks for their movie night. They’d been planning this all week, ever since they started watching a new series together. Tonight was the season finale, and Minjeong couldn’t wait to find out if her theory about the main characters would finally be proven right.
The bedroom was dimly lit, the soft glow from Minjeong’s bed lamp casting a warm, cozy light over the room. Minjeong set her laptop on the small table while Jimin tossed a bag of pink butter-caramel Pringles and a collection of gummy candies onto the bed, along with two cans of soda. They both settled in, leaning against the bed’s headboard, with their legs tucked under the covers. It was a cozy setup but slightly cramped on the super single bed. Their shoulders were just inches apart, and their thighs brushed under the blanket as they shuffled to get comfortable, the snacks gathering in a pile between them.
Jimin cracked open a can of soda, glancing over with a mischievous grin. “Ready to be proven wrong?” she teased.
Minjeong grinned, unable to hide her anticipation. “I’m telling you, Jimin, I’ve been paying attention. The clues are all there!”
Jimin chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, we’ll see about that. I still think you’re reading too much into it.”
They hit play, and the familiar opening theme filled the quiet space. As the episode began, Minjeong leaned forward slightly, fully absorbed. She’d been waiting all week to see if her theory about the plot would play out. As the storyline unfolded, she glanced at Jimin to catch her reactions, noticing the way Jimin’s brows knit together during tense scenes and how she bit her lip, engrossed.
“See?” Minjeong pointed, nudging Jimin’s shoulder. “Did you catch that look? Total foreshadowing!”
Jimin smirked, grabbing a soda and taking a sip before replying, “Or… it’s just a look. Not everything has to mean something, Minjeong.”
“Just wait,” Minjeong whispered, her tone triumphant. She leaned back, feeling pleased and slightly smug, certain that her theory would be proven right any second now.
As the plot thickened, Minjeong’s heart pounded. The episode was so intense that she barely noticed how close they’d grown under the covers, their laughter blending into the dialogue on screen. But suddenly, a plot twist took them by surprise, and both of them gasped at the same time, their hands reaching instinctively for each other in excitement.
“Okay,” Jimin murmured, her voice barely a whisper, “maybe you were onto something.”
Minjeong felt her cheeks warm. “Told you.”
Halfway through, as Minjeong was getting more invested in the unfolding plot, the scene shifted in an unexpected direction. The two female leads, who Minjeong had suspected shared a deeper connection, were suddenly alone together on the screen, their gazes lingering in a way that spoke volumes. They sat close on a couch, their knees almost touching, an air of quiet anticipation building between them. The background music softened, amplifying the tension as the characters leaned just slightly toward each other. She thought about how similar their own setup was to the characters’,two people sharing a space just a little too close.
She catches a glimpse of Jimin's reflection on the laptop screen. Jimin was watching intently, her brows slightly furrowed, her lips pressed together in a way that seemed both thoughtful and… maybe nervous? Minjeong swallowed, realizing she hadn’t moved in minutes, paralyzed by the tension in both the scene and in her own body. The awkward silence stretched on, and she was hyper-aware of every inch of space between her and Jimin,however tiny it was.
“Um… so, you think they’re actually going to… you know,” Minjeong whispered, trying to break the tension. Her voice came out softer than she’d intended, barely louder than the background music.
Jimin turned to her, eyes wide for a second, as though she’d been pulled from deep concentration, her lips curved into a soft, slightly embarrassed smile. “Maybe. I mean… it definitely looks like something is about to happen,” she replied, her voice equally low.
Minjeong took another sip of her soda, trying to focus on the carbonated sweet taste. Anything to distract her from this tension and awkwardness. On the screen the characters’ hands were brushing ,light, tentative touches. Her own hands are clasping tightly around the soda can that is now on her lap.
Any second now. Thought Minjeong.
When the kiss finally happened, a soft but charged moment that lingered just a bit longer than expected, Minjeong’s face grew warm, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She shouldn’t feel this awkward,she’d seen scenes like this countless times. But watching it now, with her straight roommate who knew about her own preferences, made it somehow different, tense. She hoped Jimin wouldn’t notice her unease.
“That was a pretty cute scene,” Jimin said softly, breaking the silence with a small smile.
Minjeong blinked, feeling her cheeks warm. A scene as charged as that was hardly what she'd call "cute," but she nodded anyway, willing her voice to stay steady.
“Y-yeah… it was cute.”
///
Minjeong stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of her uniform one last time. It was her first day at Kwangya High School, and although she was trying to act calm, there was a nervous flutter in her chest. Moving into the guest room had given her some space to breathe, thankfully. just a week ago, the Yu parents had said the guest room was ready for her to move into. Minjeong had been looking forward to it, especially since she and Jimin had shared a room for what felt like forever. It was nice to have her own space, though it was a bit strange waking up without hearing Jimin rustling around the room.
“Minjeong, you ready?” Jimin’s voice called from outside her door.
Minjeong took a deep breath, then grabbed her bag. “Yeah, just about.” She stepped out, trying to give Jimin a confident smile.
“First day of the new year,” Jimin said with a smile, her eyes bright with excitement.
Minjeong nodded, hoping her own nerves weren’t too obvious. “Yeah. Ready to head out?”
“Yep, let’s go!” Jimin replied, her excitement contagious as she slung her bag over her shoulder.
As they walked to school, Jimin fell into her usual chatter, briefing Minjeong on the ins and outs of Kwangya High. “So, classes are mostly on the east wing, cafeteria’s on the second floor near the courtyard. You’ll probably get lost the first couple of days, but you’ll get used to it.” Jimin glanced over with a grin. “The gym’s huge, but stay away from the west side when they’re practicing, it’s chaos over there.”
Minjeong nodded, absorbing the information and feeling a bit reassured by Jimin’s relaxed tone.
“Oh, and the teacher’s office is near the main hall, but more importantly,” Jimin leaned in a little, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “the furthest toilet from the teacher’s lounge is the best one. Fewer people use it, and it’s way cleaner. Trust me.”
Minjeong chuckled softly, grateful for the distraction from her nerves. “I’ll try to remember that.”
Jimin wasn’t done. “There’s an empty classroom in the back near the science labs that’s perfect for naps if you need to escape for a bit. And if you ever need help, just avoid Mrs. Kang. She’s the most insufferable teacher in the entire school.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Minjeong said, a small smile tugging at her lips. Jimin’s energy was helping ease the nervousness she felt. She hadn’t realized how much she needed someone like Jimin to walk her through this.
As they approached the gates of Kwangya High, the school loomed in front of them, bustling with students excitedly greeting each other after the break. Minjeong’s nerves bubbled up again, but Jimin gave her a nudge with her shoulder, a reassuring gesture that didn’t need words.
Once they entered the school building, Jimin turned to Minjeong, her face lighting up as she pointed down a hallway. "Your first class is in Room 3B, just past the library. I’ll help you find it."
Minjeong nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and nerves. The halls were already buzzing with students, some chatting, some rushing to make it to their classes before the bell rang. She tried to focus on Jimin’s voice as they navigated the corridors.
"You got this. Just remember, science wing is on the third floor," Jimin said, slowing as they neared the staircase. "My class is in the commerce block, but I can walk you up."
Minjeong gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Jimin. I don’t want to get lost on my first day."
They climbed the stairs, weaving through the clusters of students, until they reached the third floor. Jimin pointed toward a door with “3B” on a plaque above it. "This is it," she said. "You’ll be fine. Just take it easy, okay?"
Minjeong swallowed her nerves and nodded. "Thanks again." She turned toward the classroom, gripping the strap of her bag tightly.
Just as she reached the door, the bell rang, and she stepped in, immediately feeling the weight of eyes on her. The classroom was already half full, and the sudden shift in focus toward the new girl was palpable. Her heart raced as she quickly scanned for an open seat.
There was one, by the window in the fourth row.
Keeping her head down, Minjeong made her way to the empty desk, feeling the glances from her new classmates. She slid into the seat, her gaze fixed on the view outside as she took a deep breath. Around her, the buzz of conversation gradually resumed as her classmates turned back to their friends.
“Hi, can I sit here?” the girl asked, her voice warm and friendly.
Minjeong glanced up, slightly startled. “Uhh, yeah, sure,” she replied, scooting her bag to make space.
The girl sat down, turning towards Minjeong with a curious look. “You must be new here. I’m Minju,” she said, extending her hand casually across the small gap between them.
“Uhh, yeah. Just moved in here,” she replied, shaking Minju’s hand. “I’m Minjeong.”
“Nice to meet you, Minjeong,” Minju said, her smile widening. “Don’t worry, the first day is always a little weird, but you’ll get used to it.”
Minjeong nodded, feeling a small wave of relief. “Thanks. I hope so.”
The door creaked open, and a tall woman in a crisp white blouse and black skirt walked in, her presence immediately commanding attention.
“Morning, students. Please take your seats,” she said with a clear, calm voice.
The casual chatter faded quickly as everyone settled down, eyes forward.
“Before we begin, I’d like to introduce our new student. This is Kim Minjeong, who recently transferred here from Canada.”
All eyes in the room shifted to Minjeong again, but this time with a hint of curiosity. She felt her cheeks warm under the sudden focus, giving a small, polite nod. “Welcome to Kwangya High, Minjeong,” the teacher said with a kind smile. “I’m Ms. Seohyun, your math teacher and also your homeroom teacher. If you ever need anything or run into any issues, don’t hesitate to come to me.”
Minjeong nodded again, grateful for the warmth in the teacher’s tone, even though her nerves were still on edge. “Thank you,” she managed softly.
Ms. Seohyun smiled reassuringly. “Alright, let's get started, then.”