Chapter Text
"Chou Tzuyu has a crush on you!"
Chaeyoung simply stares, the baseball injury that caused her to miss the first week of the eleventh grade does little to help her brain comprehend what Dahyun is saying.
"I'm sorry what?"
Dahyun shakes her a little harsher, enunciates a little slower, "Chou Tzuyu. Has. A crush. On you."
Oh, there it is.
Jeongyeon's lousy pitch has finally kicked in; the baseball's impact must have been so bad that her brain is starting to hear things.
So she laughs, drapes her arm around Dahyun's shoulder and says, "you're funny. So what did I miss while I was gone?"
Her best friend breaks free from her hold and shakes her again. "Bro," Dahyun stresses, face going serious, "I'm not joking. Chou Tzuyu has a crush on you."
"Chou Tzuyu," Chaeyoung repeats, making sure, "has a crush... on me?"
Dahyun nods frantically, "yes, now turn around. Here she comes." Then she grabs Chaeyoung's shoulders to face her towards—
"Hi," Tzuyu is emotionless as always. "I'll get straight to the point. I'd like to date you."
Chaeyoung stares absentmindedly before the words hit harder than a baseball to the head.
"Wait, what?"
Chou Tzuyu—sorry, the Chou Tzuyu is one of the most popular girls in their school.
(Not enough? Okay, Chaeyoung will elaborate.)
It's not that there's a divide between them; sure, Tzuyu is like, ultra popular but Chaeyoung isn't some loser. She's friends with most of the "popular" people so that's not really the problem.
The real problem is that Chaeyoung, ever the enemy of social standards, ensures that she doesn't spend too much time in their side of the city. So, outside school she's always somewhere far from the reach of Nayeon's kingdom—aka, parties thrown by Sooman Academy students.
(Here comes the main problem.)
So, imagine her surprise when she sees Nayeon's protege at Irene's summer party.
Seulgi pauses from serving underaged kids alcohol and turns towards the entrance. "Who's that?"
Chaeyoung chokes on her vodka the moment her eyes lock with Tzuyu's. Yes, the Chou Tzuyu that everyone drools over, the same one she shares six classes with, and the one she hasn't talked to since last semester. That one.
It's easy to avoid the transferee with half of the partygoers instantly flocking to her, so as long as Chaeyoung stays with Yeri—and away from the crowd—it will be okay. And everything is great until Yeri forces her to join a game of spin the bottle.
"It'll be fun," Yeri giggles, the effect of one too many shots, "we're only young once!"
And again, imagine her shock when the Chou Tzuyu joins as well—roped in by her friend Handong—looking as lost as ever.
(Mostly because in the four months she's known the girl, she's never ever seen her join social events.)
The game is fast paced, they're all so hammered that everybody just goes for it. Irene kisses Seulgi who kisses Wendy who eventually kisses some guy who kisses—okay, you get it.
Yeri's bottle points at her and Chaeyoung takes a shot just to mess with her before leaning over and kissing her. The older girls holler in support for underage drinking shenanigans and she takes another shot just for the heck of it.
She wobbles a bit as she sits back to spin the bottle and when it lands on the girl with wide eyes, the room spins faster than Dahyun trying to throw a pitch and missing. Yeri happily pushes her towards Tzuyu who's back to being emotionless.
"Hi," Tzuyu simply says, face so close to Chaeyoung's that she can feel her breath hit her skin.
And for the first time ever, Chaeyoung gets it.
She gets why everyone is so crazy about Tzuyu; finally sees how pretty her eyes are, how cute her smile is. She's like a sculpture, so unbelievably pretty that Chaeyoung wonders if she is real.
So with all the confidence she has, Chaeyoung leans in—
—and pukes all over the most popular girl in school.
(She stops going to parties—and anywhere that isn't her house—for the rest of the summer.)
The memory of that warm summer night sends chills down Chaeyoung's spine and the hallway spins as she glances up.
Tzuyu is staring at her, waiting for a response and Chaeyoung gauges the sincerity—
—sees Tzuyu's horrified face as she looks down her vomit stained shirt—
—and Chaeyoung feels nauseous, feels the ghost of the tequila shots from that night crawl up her throat. She takes one last glance at Tzuyu's expectant face before doing what she does best.
She runs.
(Eventually, Chaeyoung will look back on this day and regret how she, yet again, embarrassed herself in front of Tzuyu.
How she bumped into half of the school's population—who are nosey as hell—and tripped three times as she ran away.
Chaeyoung will think, "wow, I didn't need to do that. I was such a fool," and add it to a long list of events that make her wish she was never born.
Eventually.
So... not anytime soon.)
Of course, she cannot run forever. Especially since she, yet again, shares most of her classes with Tzuyu.
"Hi," Tzuyu says, standing in front of the empty seat beside her, "is this seat taken?"
Dahyun isn't in this class and nobody would dare take the seat Tzuyu wants. She has no choice. "No," Chaeyoung sighs, "go ahead."
Tzuyu breaks into a grin as she sits down, immediately turning to face her. "So, what do you say?"
"What do I say to what?"
"Will you date me?"
Chaeyoung goes into a coughing fit at the seriousness of Tzuyu's question. "I'm sorry, what?"
If their classmates weren't paying attention earlier, they are now, especially with how Tzuyu's smile disappears into a thin line. "I want to date you."
There are whispers and quiet gasps from the crowd and Chaeyoung still wonders if this is actually happening. Like, is there really a crowd forming at the door just for this? And surely Tzuyu can't be serious.
"I am serious," Tzuyu frowns and Chaeyoung realizes that she's been thinking out loud. "I want to be your girlfriend."
Ah shit, she said it out loud. She just wants this to end before she can embarrass herself further.
Chaeyoung runs a hand through her hair and sighs, "look Tzuyu, I'm really flattered, but we barely know each other. Thanks for the interest, though."
Tzuyu does not accept the answer and stands. "Then, we can easily get to know each other on our first date. And on our second and our third. We can spend the rest of our lives getting to know each other!"
The hushed comments from their classmates do nothing to help ease Chaeyoung's nerves and neither does Tzuyu's pout. So she looks at her, really looks at her and tries to think about her being with Tzuyu and—
"Why are all of you standing?" Their teacher drops his belongings loudly on his desk and their classmates immediately scramble back to their seats. "Better. Let me just set up my things then we'll start."
No one says a word as Mr. Park starts setting up and Chaeyoung glances over to Tzuyu, who instantly looks away.
Chaeyoung feels apologetic for being unable to answer her—for possibly humiliating her in front of all of her fans—but if this is what makes Tzuyu realize that this is a bad idea, she'll take it.
She just hopes that this will put an end to this.
It turns out that Chaeyoung really didn't know Tzuyu at all (but how could she, considering they barely talk to each other) because she is caught off guard by the discovery that Tzuyu is a very, very determined person.
In every class they share—which is all of them—Tzuyu manages to take a seat beside her, asking the same question each time. Chaeyoung is also conveniently cut off by their teacher arriving every time.
But it doesn't stop there!
Tzuyu places letters on her seat for every class—the contents always the same, a simple: will you go out with me? With said girl smiling brightly even as Chaeyoung quickly shoves it in her backpack.
Somehow, Tzuyu manages to stuff petals and notes in Chaeyoung's locker, the contents spilling all over her the moment she opens the door. As always, there's a note that says 'go out with me :)' awaiting her and a very pleased Tzuyu hiding nearby.
(She runs away—but not without cleaning the mess and stuffing it back into her locker first.)
This continues for days, until one fateful lunch, the queen bee herself approaches her.
"Son Chaeyoung, what do you think you're doing?"
Chaeyoung swallows the meat she had just started chewing and looks up at Nayeon. "I'm eating."
Nayeon rolls her eyes in Nayeon fashion and Momo and Sana simply giggle behind her. "I can see that, Chaeng. What I mean is what do you think you're doing running away from Tzuyu?"
"I saw you trip the other day," Momo sighs, "that's not good for your brain injury."
Sana, on the other hand, laughs. "Oh! I saw that! That wasn't very cool of you. But it's okay! Tzuyu doesn't mind!"
Chaeyoung groans so hard Dahyun instantly pats her back, possibly misinterpreting it as choking. "Guys, leave Chaeyoung alone. I don't think you should be interfering with this."
"Why not!" Nayeon throws her hands up in the air and nearly hits a sophomore. "Whoops, sorry! Anyway!" She takes a seat across from her—the best friends following shortly—and Chaeyoung knows this isn't negotiable. "Tzuyu really likes you. Like so much."
Sana sighs dreamily, "she's never liked anyone as much as she likes you."
"I don't even think she's liked anyone until you?" Momo muses, taking a dumpling from Dahyun's lunch tray. "But we've barely known her for a year so who knows."
"See? So, what gives?" Nayeon asks the same question that's stuck in Chaeyoung's head. "Why don't you like Tzuyu?"
Chaeyoung remains silent long enough for the bell to ring and for the trio to go on their way—who vow to get an answer from her soon—and she's left wondering what the problem is.
It's not that Chaeyoung doesn't like Tzuyu.
What's not to like? Tzuyu is extremely beautiful—she looks like a greek statue brought to life, with her eyes as sharp as her arrows and a heart as big as her height. She never makes a scene like her mentor and despite her shyness, always politely entertains her fawning admirers, no matter how uncomfortable she looks.
Not to mention she's so talented; a frequent proxy for Momo and Mina whenever their dance troupe is missing a member, a seasonal string performer at Dahyun's music club, teaches Nayeon Mandarin and of course, is the ace of the archery team. There's literally nothing she can't do.
Now that that's established, there's no way that Tzuyu would actually like her, epsecially with what happened between them.
And let's not forget that she's the Chou Tzuyu. There are like, a hundred different people (boys and girls) lining up just to get her attention.
Exhibit A:
During gym class, they're free to do whatever they want outside because their teacher would rather sleep than teach.
Chaeyoung, Dahyun and some other classmates play an extreme game of tag while the rest play soccer on the field. Tzuyu doesn't join either and instead practices archery near them.
"Hey Tzuyu!"
Everyone playing tag halts to see Eunwoo waving towards Tzuyu, soccer ball firm under his foot. The archer turns to him with an expression so cold they all get chills. "How may I help you?"
The boy smirks, jerks a thumb over his shoulder, "I'll score the winning goal for you."
Some of the girls swoon and comment how perfect Tzuyu and Eunwoo would be together while the guys whine on how he's such a showoff. Chaeyoung is just amazed he even has the confidence to talk to Tzuyu—because after she coldly shot the first fifty suitors down, nobody ever dared to try again.
Eunwoo does a few unimpressive tricks with the ball before finally kicking it into the goal. There are some cheers but the enthusiasm dies down when they all turn to Tzuyu and find the girl carelessly shooting arrows at the target.
"Guess that rumor is true," Jungkook laughs, "time to move on, bro."
The boys return to playing soccer as an odd feeling settles in Chaeyoung's chest. She makes her way back to the game but notices Tzuyu looking at her, and the moment their eyes meet—
Tzuyu shoots an arrow right at the center, gaze never leaving hers.
(She pretends that the smirk Tzuyu proudly displays doesn't make her heart stutter even slightly.
Nope, not at all.)
Exhibit B:
The day is like any other—Tzuyu meeting her by her lockers as another explosion of petals greets her, notes left on her seat, the daily 'will you go out with me' at lunch with Nayeon, Sana and Momo recording everything—but now they're at their last class for the week.
Now she can finally have some time off from the whirlwind that is Chou Tzuyu.
Tzuyu is silently going over her literature homework with Dahyun (they're best friends now?) while Chaeyoung watches them. Wonders why it was so easy for Dahyun to befriend Tzuyu unlike Chaeyoung who sweats and panics each time Tzuyu even smiles at her.
(Okay, she isn't really wondering.
She knows it's because of every single time she embarrassed herself—especially the party incident.
But she'll continue pretending that she isn't aware for the sake of her resolve.)
She's about to finally be brave and ask if she can join them when their classmates gasp loudly. There at their door is the star of the drama club herself, Kim Jisoo.
"Hello Tzuyu," she grins, charming and beautiful as always, then brings out a bouquet of roses from behind her back. "I've been wanting to do this for a while now—will you go out with me?"
Tzuyu doesn't look away from Dahyun's notes. "Sorry, I only want to date Chaeyoung."
Suddenly all of the eyes are on her, including Jisoo who is staring at her in disbelief.
"Tzuyu," Chaeyoung awkwardly chuckles and the other girl finally tears her attention away from the notebook. "Jisoo here is asking you out."
Tzuyu blinks, "I don't want to date anyone but you."
(Okay, that made Chaeyoung's heart melt a little.)
Jisoo clears her throat and when Chaeyoung looks up she's standing right in front of her. "Hey Chae," she greets, which Chaeyoung quickly responds to with a wave, "sorry to put you on the spot but, are you like, gonna date Tzuyu or not?"
Jisoo is really friendly, despite being one of the popular girls, and has always been nice to Chaeyoung whenever Nayeon forced her to attend her lame parties. So she doesn't see a reason why she should stop her from dating Tzuyu.
Not that she would! It's just that the wrong answer could possibly hinder any relationship that could start from—okay, she'll stop now.
That and she kinda looks desperate, so Chaeyoung spares her the misery and blurts out, "uh, no."
The senior flashes a triumphant grin before spinning around and offering the bouquet of roses to Tzuyu. "There you have it. Now you won't have to worry about Chae. Take this for now, and I'll meet you after school to talk about it, okay?"
Tzuyu takes the flowers—the crowd oohs and aahs, Dahyun smacks her arm and Chaeyoung just watches—stares at it and shyly says, "thank you."
The crowd starts gossiping among themselves on how perfect Jisoo and Tzuyu would look and there's a very bitter taste on Chaeyoung's tongue that she doesn't understand.
It makes sense though, Jisoo and Tzuyu.
They're two of the most popular people in school. Jisoo the drama club's greatest treasure and Tzuyu the star of the archery team, both unbelievably beautiful that anyone who sees them would think that they're models. A sure fire power couple.
So, it's only logical, right? There is no reason for Tzuyu to be with her, when she can have literally anyone on this planet.
(But what doesn't make sense is the sad look on Tzuyu's face when she said no.)
Before she can ponder more about it, the bell rings and in comes their teacher. Tzuyu stares absentmindedly at the bouquet and Chaeyoung chooses to look away.
It's for the best.
Or so Chaeyoung thinks.
Because the moment she gets to her locker, Tzuyu is already there, hands holding the bouquet Jisoo gave her and face lacking any of the sadness she may have hallucinated. Damn baseball.
"Hi," Tzuyu greets as she always does, undeterred by everything that happened earlier, "this is for you."
Chaeyoung thinks she's crazy. "That's from Jisoo."
"She gave it to me," Tzuyu nods, offers the bouquet again, "and now I'm giving it to you. No matter who asks me out, I will only choose you, Chaeyoung."
Her heart does flips that she can no longer ignore and she feels a wave of courage run through her veins.
"Why me?" Chaeyoung asks, still not understanding anything. "When literally everyone in this school wants to be with you?"
Tzuyu laughs at her like she just asked the silliest question in the world. "I think you're forgetting just who exactly you are," Tzuyu gently takes her hand and places the bouquet, "Son Chaeyoung, you are probably the most amazing person I've ever met. From the moment I saw you, all I could do was stop and stare. Even now, I'm just completely mesmerized when I see you."
Her cheeks are getting redder by the second. Thankfully there's no one else around. "Tzuyu..."
"How could I not like you?" Tzuyu looks offended, "you're so great at everything—the pictures you take always tell stories, your art easily evolves and changes to adapt to the theme, your voice is so beautiful that every time you sing on stage, the song gets stuck in my head for weeks." Tzuyu stops and looks away, "and you run faster than my arrows."
"Okay, that I really have to disagree with," Chaeyoung says, struggling to calm her heart and understand the meaning of that last bit. Her versus an arrow? She'd definitely lose. "I doubt that's even possible."
Tzuyu shakes her head, "no, it's true. I can easily follow my arrows to see where they hit. But you..." she pauses, stares at her like she can see right through Chaeyoung, "I have to keep looking at you just to catch up. Like I can lose you if I look away for just a second."
(No, don't ask how Chaeyoung is feeling right now because she doesn't get it either.
But yes, her heart is beating wildly. Thanks for asking.)
"But mostly because... you were the only person who really looked at me when I first arrived here."
Tzuyu waits for a reaction, but maybe the concussion was worse than she thought, because Chaeyoung can't remember that part. "I've always wanted to ask you out after that... but I never had a chance. But then the party happened and I took it as a sign for me to gather enough courage to finally ask you out on a date."
Chaeyoung blurts out the first thing that pops into her mind. "But we barely know each other?"
Tzuyu shrugs. "That's okay, I'll make great use of the classes we have together—no, we have the rest of our lives to get to know each other. I'm a great listener, so don't worry about that!"
"What about Jisoo?"
"I don't care. Like I said, she's not you."
"Eunwoo?"
Tzuyu rolls her eyes in a way that is 100% Nayeon and she already knows that it's a resounding no. "Please, as if he ever stood a chance."
Chaeyoung quickly runs out of reasons—because she never really had any to start with—and looks at Tzuyu. Thinks of what she will gain from this (a girlfriend who has done nothing but shower her with admiration for the past weeks) and what she will lose. Which is nothing really, she just really can't believe this is all real.
"So, what do you say?" Tzuyu gingerly takes her hand and smiles, "will you go out with me?"
And just like the night at the party—and a blurry memory of Tzuyu's first weeks—she feels electricity crawl over her skin at the touch. It's still a feeling she can't decipher, but she's always been curious to try new things.
(And she has a feeling that whatever this is, it's something she wouldn't want to miss out on.)
She holds Tzuyu's hand tighter and smiles.
"Yes, I will go out with you."