Work Text:
October is still a month with a combination of warm and chilly days, a few rainy days, and gorgeous foliage scenery in New York’s city parks. The weather is nice to take a stroll and have a cup of warm beverage nearby. The charming streets of New York City are alive with people—some jogging, some walking their dogs, and others simply window shopping.
Nayeon, who has spent the last eight years living in the city, is most looking forward to the vibrant colors of the sun rising and setting, the trees' varying hues of orange, red, and yellow, and the glow of the city's streetlights after dusk. The weather appeals to her. It's a great excuse for her to get her camera out and document the beauty of her surroundings.
Nayeon always takes a photo of something. It may be anything—the sky, the structures outside her apartment, a stranger passing by, a cup of tea, and so forth. As a sign of life, she posts it on her photo-sharing website. Friends and followers of her blog from around the world occasionally leave comments and appreciate her pictures.
Saturday. It is a rest day, and the first thing Nayeon does when she wakes up is to groan happily and stretch her limbs. She checks her phone and sees a message from Dahyun, her co-worker slash best friend.
Dahyun:
Sorry about last night. I couldn’t resist a hot make-out session with a beautiful lady.
Nayeon immediately rolls her eyes. They’ve had that scene before: them hanging out with the team after a hectic day at work, and the next thing she realizes, Dahyun is nowhere to be found. Still, Nayeon couldn't be mad at Dahyun. She understands the needs and desires of an adult woman. Her frown is replaced by a smile as Dahyun delivers another message.
Dahyun:
I’ll treat you to dinner later.
Nayeon:
Ok 👍🏻👍🏻
After freshening up, Nayeon proceeds to the kitchen and boils a pot of green tea, her favorite. As she waits, she looks out at the small open window in her kitchen. The breeze feels so good beneath her skin, and she fills her lungs with a deep breath of fresh air. The weather is a bit cold; it seems like it rained. The streets are wet, the skies are gloomy, and there is light rain drizzling down. It's an uncomfortable atmosphere that permeates this cloudy, gray weather. People are hushed and solemn as they walk around the sidewalks, some carrying umbrellas against the light drops of precipitation while others just huddle themselves around their clothing. It looks like a perfect moment to take a picture.
Nayeon turns off the boiling tea and pulls her camera over the small window. She takes a few shots of the street and her neighborhood. She looks at the photos as she smiles at the beauty of the moment, even in its gloominess.
Until Nayeon discovers a weird glow in the photographs and zooms in to see a large fire behind the other building's window.
A fire?!
Nayeon quickly gazes at the other building and investigates the fire. It is huge, and it seems like it is about to spread over the apartment. She immediately grabs her phone and dials 911.
"Hello! Help! There's a fire in an apartment building!", she screams into the phone.
The voice on the other line quickly answers her call for help and asks for her location and details of what is happening. Nayeon gives them all the information as precisely as possible, then hangs up.
In a few minutes, the echoing of the fire trucks is heard inside her apartment. Nayeon looks out of the window and sees the fire department already outside of the building. Nayeon runs down the stairs while she prays that nobody is harmed or affected by the fire.
When Nayeon reaches outside of the building, there’s a few people mobbing the area and strangers walking in and out of the building. She notices the firefighters recollecting their hoses and taking off their jackets and helmets. Nayeon frowns as she walks inside the building. She comes across a firefighter who was talking to one of the tenants.
“Sir, I was the one who called. Is everyone alright?" Nayeon asks.
The firefighter shakes his head and takes off his helmet. “Hello ma’am. Thank you for your concern, but luckily, there was no fire at all.”
Nayeon’s frown widens as she stares at the firefighter. “What do you mean? I saw the flames and even captured them. I can show you the pictures on my camera.”
The firefighter explains everything to Nayeon. What Nayeon had seen was a YouTube video of a bonfire playing on a large flatscreen TV. The tenant had been streaming it with music, and the reflection created this spectacular illusion of an actual flame burning in the room.
Yet Nayeon still can’t understand, as she feels embarrassed. She goes back to her apartment to get her camera. When she returns, most of the firetrucks are gone. She goes inside the building and finds one of the firefighters talking to a lady. Nayeon calls him as she shows the pictures.
The firefighter looks and gives Nayeon an assuring smile. “Well, you have nothing to be embarrassed about, ma’am; it was just an illusion after all. Thank you again for being so vigilant and contacting us right away."
Nayeon still feels embarrassed but relieved at the same time as she talks to the firefighter. He reminds her to be careful and always trust her own judgment. He continues as he leads Nayeon to an apartment on the 6th floor: “By the way, you can talk to the tenant, and they can explain what you saw.”
The firefighter knocks on the door, and the door reveals a woman with a shy smile. Nayeon couldn’t remove her eyes, as she felt stuck in her spot. She blinks more than twice and mirrors the warm smile in front of her. Nayeon feels embarrassed when she notices that she's been staring for too long.
Nayeon is shocked. She expects the door to reveal a middle-aged man who is panicking and exaggerating at the scene she caused, or maybe an angry old lady who just ruined their relaxing morning. Instead, she got fascinated by meeting a lovely woman.
A fine, lovely woman.
“Hello, Ms. Myoi. She’s the one who called from the other building, and I hope you can explain what happened." The firefighter gestures towards Nayeon.
The woman—Ms. Myoi nods, and the firefighter takes a step back. Nayeon hopes that Ms. Myoi is not like the angry old lady she really expected to meet. She shifts her feet and tries to gather courage before speaking in a small voice, “Hello, Ms. Myoi."
Ms. Myoi smiles and welcomes her kindly into the apartment with the firefighter.
“Hi. Please come in."
A lovely woman with an angelic voice
Nayeon hears the calming melody of her voice, letting it flow into her ears and giving her a sense of warmth that radiates throughout her body. She is still in a state of shock, in all honesty. One moment, she is having her morning tea and sees flames, then it turns out to be a YouTube video.
What a morning!
Nayeon thinks she needs a vacation leave after this.
Nayeon steps into the apartment and is immediately greeted by the pleasant floral aroma of a candle. Taking in her surroundings, she notices that it is much neater than her own flat. There are no photos adorning the walls, only furniture and open space. She takes a few more steps forward and soon finds herself standing in the living room, where nothing seems to be out of place or show any signs of inhabitation. However, despite the emptiness, there is an aura of comfort emanating from the place. Nayeon quickly understood why this woman had put on a video of crackling firewood; the steady rhythm was incredibly calming.
“I’m Mina, by the way.”
Nayeon hides her blush as their eyes meet. She smiles as she sticks her hand out to greet Mina.
“Nice to meet you; I’m Nayeon. It’s nice here," she comments as she takes a quick glance around the apartment.
Mina laughs and nods her head in agreement before responding, “Thanks.”
The air between them falls silent, filled with an uncomfortable tension. Neither knows the right words to say, and the firefighter slowly lifts a hand up to his neck, clearing his throat.
Nayeon reaches up and remembers the Canon camera that hangs around her neck. Her fingers wrap around the familiar shape of her camera. Without hesitation, she pulls it away from her body and offers it to Mina, ready to show the pictures she had captured earlier.
“So, I captured this earlier.” Nayeon shows the picture of the skies with the building in the surroundings, the strangers on the road, in the same frame that captures Mina’s apartment window. Nayeon points at the blazing flames on her window. “See? That really looked like a real fire.”
Mina giggles as she steps closer to take a closer look at the picture.
Nayeon doesn’t know if it’s the candle or Mina, but the sweet smell fills her nostrils when Mina steps closer to her. She likes it. She is used to the smell of papers and Dahyun’s strong perfume, but not the smell of a burning candle or Mina’s sweet smell combined.
Suddenly, Mina lifts her head, and Nayeon finds herself glancing into the eyes of a woman she barely knows but still feels so connected to. “The pictures look nice.”
Nayeon’s cheeks produce pink as she mumbles, “Thanks.”
Then, looming over them, is a thick, stifling silence. Their eyes are connecting, and Nayeon couldn’t think of another sentence to produce.
The firefighter takes the lead. “So, the view from Ms. Im’s apartment caused a little trouble, huh?” He might be trying to lighten the air, but Nayeon wishes for the silence to continue.
Mina laughs and nods her head. “Yes! We had a mini fire drill," she jokes.
Mina turns the TV on and pulls up a YouTube video of a burning fire. Mina begins to tell her story.
“Since it is a rainy Saturday, I put on this video, prepared my laptop, and made myself tea. After a few minutes, I light up my candle, and after a while, I hear the sirens."
Nayeon laughs as Mina walks around and demonstrates what she did at that time.
“I was also having a cup of tea when I took out my camera to take pictures.”
“Really?” Mina’s eyes light up as she asks.
Nayeon nods. “Yeah, I love apple cinnamon in this weather.”
“I never heard of it before." Mina looks so interested.
Nayeon smiles. “Tea with apples and cinnamon flavor; it is delicious!”
The firefighter looks intrigued but stays silent as the two women connect over a tea conversation.
Nayeon looks at the TV and says, “So, this is the video that causes the false alarm?” She chuckles.
Mina nods and grins. “Yep, that's what caused the mini fire drill.”
The two of them laugh and settle into a comfortable silence as they watch the video together.
“I seriously need to put some curtains here after this embarrassing situation,” Mina says, pointing at the window.
Nayeon looks out the window and points to where her flat is located. “There’s my apartment, by the way. It’s 2 floors higher, so I can clearly see what is happening in here.”
Mina grins. “Oh, that’s so cool! I can go wave at you every morning, then?”
Nayeon shrugs. “I’ll definitely wave back as long as there’s no fire in here.”
The two of them burst into laughter at the same time, both relieved that things were back to normal now. Nayeon feels alleviated by the situation; there was no yelling or disappointed remarks, just a sweet woman working on her rest day.
The firefighter is offering his words of warning to try and stop a potential fire from breaking out. He advises them to learn how to operate a fire extinguisher so they are prepared in case of an emergency. Furthermore, he directs them towards the appropriate fire exits that they must be familiar with in the event of an evacuation. He also tells them about some safety measures that they can implement, such as keeping lighters and matches out of reach of children or ensuring no smoking is done outside only.
After the firefighter leaves, Mina and Nayeon thank him for all of his advice. Then they turn to each other with relieved smiles.
“I’m sorry for ruining your morning tea," Nayeon expresses with a sympathetic smile. “I shouldn’t cause you this much trouble. I’m glad there was nothing bad that happened to you.”
Mina laughs. “That is okay. To be honest, we’re really lucky that nothing happened. I just need to be extra careful around here.”
Nayeon releases a soundless chuckle for a response. Nayeon doesn't quite understand why she hasn't moved yet, but a feeling of guilt is what keeps her glued to her spot. She feels terrible for having disturbed the whole building and, in particular, for causing Mina problems.
Nayeon looks up to Mina one last time and displays her gummy smile.
Before Nayeon walks out, Mina says, “Do you want to have tea with me?”
Nayeon’s eyes light up with anticipation as Mina's offer unfurls before her. She is not expecting it, yet it brings a smile to her lips. She knows this is a chance for them to spend more time with Mina, and she can feel the excitement bubbling up inside her.
Nayeon sits quietly on Mina's couch, a slight smile on her face, as she watches the video of the firewood that had been the source of all the commotion earlier. Everything is now back to normal, and seemingly there's nothing left to worry about. But watching this harmless clip somehow still feels strange, as if it were an uncomfortable reminder of what had happened just before.
Mina comes back with two cups of tea. She comments, “What’s so funny?”
Nayeon laughs once more and points at the TV. “It’s just so awkward watching this clip. I still feel embarrassed.”
“Don’t mind it.” Mina chuckles as she places the tea on the center table. She grabs the remote and says, “What do you want to watch?”
Nayeon couldn't think of anything new to watch. She hadn't watched anything besides mukbang and music clips for months.
“I’m afraid you’ll call me boring if I say I haven’t watched anything new,” Nayeon says.
Mina laughs and takes a seat on the couch beside her. “We’re adults. We mostly work rather than live.”
Nayeon gets an idea to talk about. “What do you do for a living?”
Mina smiles, glad to have a conversation starter. “I write scripts for shows, films, and commercials. What about you?”
Nayeon couldn't help but smile. “I’m a photographer and editor."
Mina sips on her tea and nods. “That explains the pictures.”
"Oh!" Nayeon chuckles. “Yeah. Don’t think of me as a creep for taking pictures. It’s kind of my hobby, and I post it online, so my friends know that I’m alive.”
“Where are your friends?” Mina asks, digging into her curiosity.
“Korea,” Nayeon sips on her tea and continues with the conversation. “I used to live there before I moved here.”
Mina seems interested. “Really? I’m from Japan. It’s quite weird, but I mostly have Korean friends.”
Nayeon smiles. “Really? I think that’s awesome. You know how to speak Korean?”
Mina's hands move to her face, pressing her index and thumb together in a subtle gesture as she utters the word, “A little.”
Nayeon giggles as she feels the shot of blood in her stomach. Oh God, Mina has one of the most soothing voices she has heard in the world. She might just be the neighbor she needs.
Mina smiles back, glad that Nayeon is shifting her attention to her. “So, how long have you been living here?”
Nayeon shrugs and sips her tea again. “Almost nine years, I guess.”
Lips parting as Mina releases a gasp, she asks, “Really?”
“Yeah,” replies Nayeon. “Sometimes it feels like yesterday, but then there are times I can’t believe how long it has been.”
Mina nods in agreement and admires the sparkle of a secret longing in Nayeon's eyes.
Nayeon watches with interest as Mina expresses her curiosity and inquiries about her experience, asking questions. Nayeon opens up about her life in the city, the people she knows around here, and how she loves this place. Mina listens. Nayeon asks Mina about her own background, and they talk for a while.
The conversation flows easily until Mina’s laptop begins to beep and her phone rings.
“Oh, I forgot about my call with Jihyo," Mina mumbles as she scrolls through her phone.
“I’m sorry for taking your time," Nayeon replies kindly. She quickly stands and walks towards the door. She had a great time, but she realizes she’s taking a lot of Mina’s time.
Mina smiles and says, “It’s okay. It’s a rest day anyway; it’s just a quick call. Don’t worry about it.” Mina stands and starts to follow Nayeon.
The door opens, and Nayeon doesn’t know what to do. She wants to stay, but she also knows that Mina needs her own space.
Mina steps forward and hugs Nayeon.
Nayeon is taken aback as Mina’s smell fills her lungs. She feels the tingles on her foot as she wraps her arms around Mina’s waist to return the hug. Her smile grows bigger, wanting to feel the heat of Mina’s skin for longer.
Mina pulls away.
It’s just a short hug, but Nayeon feels it is longer than a minute.
“Thank you for the tea,” Nayeon murmurs.
“Thank you for stopping by. I enjoyed our conversation."
Nayeon smiles genuinely, feeling warm inside from the kindness of this stranger, now known as a friend.
“I’ll just be there at the window. Just wave when you need anything.” Nayeon makes a playful remark.
Mina laughs and waves goodbye.
Nayeon walks away, feeling lucky that she was able to meet a lovely woman who taught her a lesson.
It's an interesting lesson that she’ll always look outside at the window.
After that long conversation, Nayeon realizes she forgot to ask for Mina’s number. She stops in her tracks and laughs to herself. No matter what, she could never forget the warmth of Mina’s presence and the kindness of her voice. With that thought, Nayeon continues walking down the street towards home with a smile on her face.
Every morning, Nayeon looks out the window and wishes that Mina was there. She yearns for just a glance at her, if only for a second, so that she can remember her face. Sadly, though, Mina never got to take in the view of the outdoors. Nayeon feels guilty for wanting to see Mina through the window; it almost feels like being a voyeur. But it is just a small crush, just like in middle school when you’re crushing on someone who’s from another class. The excitement inside of you for wanting to see them every day. In her case, it never came.
A pot of water is boiling, the macaroni is unpacked on top of the kitchen counter, and Nayeon is going around the kitchen to collect her ingredients for her macaroni and cheese.
Nayeon pours the macaroni into the boiling water as she prepares the roux. She scoops and stirs, taking the time to add every spice and shred of cheese in the mix. As she cooks, Nayeon looks out the window out of habit. It is getting dark, and the lights of the apartment buildings begin to light up. She sees Mina’s TV through her window, and a light turns on in the room. Mina passes by, and Nayeon smiles, grateful for the brief moment of seeing Mina from the window. She knows she can't do much more than that and decides to focus on her macaroni and cheese instead.
The macaroni and cheese are ready, and Nayeon takes a forkful of the creamy deliciousness. She can’t help but take another look at Mina’s place, and Nayeon asks herself, “Should I give her some?”
Nayeon finds herself carrying a container for Mina, walking towards the other building with eager anticipation in her heart. As she strides down the hallway, her anxiety grows heavier with every step. Nayeon's hand is beginning to shake, and the bag almost falls from her grip, but she manages to hold onto it tightly. She stands before Mina's door and takes a few deep breaths before finally mustering up enough courage to knock. In this moment, Nayeon can't help but ask herself, why didn’t she think of this properly? What if Mina doesn’t like mac and cheese? What if—Mina answers the door.
Nayeon clears her throat and smiles nervously as she says, “Hi! I just made some macaroni and cheese, so I thought you might like some.”
Mina looks surprised, but after a few seconds of deliberation, she smiles back and happily takes the container. “Thank you, Nayeon.”
Nayeon lets out a breathy laugh and responds, “You’re welcome.”
Mina looks at the bag and says, “This is a lot.”
“Oh, I didn’t know if you liked mac and cheese," Nayeon replies.
“Would you like to join me in eating this?" Mina asks. "I have some roasted chicken here. It goes great with mac & cheese.”
Nayeon's heart does a somersault. She does not expect Mina to suggest such a thing, and with her cheeks turning pink, she shyly nods her head in agreement. Nayeon happily agrees and follows Mina into her apartment.
"I only recently learned how to make mac & cheese. I wanted to prepare for Thanksgiving," Nayeon shares as she sits down in the dining area.
Mina grabs the bowls and places them on the table. “Why? Are you going to impress your boyfriend’s parents?", she says with chuckles.
Nayeon’s eyebrows wrinkled with surprise as she replied without thinking, “What boyfriend? I’m gay.” Instantly, her hand flew to cover her mouth in shock as the reality of what she had just blurted out sank in. “Oh, God! I apologize for blurting that out like that.”
Instead of shocks or gasps. What Nayeon hears from Mina is laughter. Mina is cackling as she puts the silverware on the table.
"There is no need to apologize. I understand. Guys suck so bad," Mina says with a gleeful grin on her face as she places the dishes on the table and takes her seat across Nayeon.
Nayeon can’t help but laugh along, and a sense of relief washes over her. She adds, “God, I just hate men.”
Mina’s laughter turns into a wicked cackle as she claps her hands together. “You said it! Now let’s dig into this mac & cheese of yours.”
The two of them start eating, and soon the entire table is resonating with laughter and conversation. While Mina regales her with tales of all the terrible men she has been on dates with, Nayeon discusses her difficulties coming out to her family and friends.
Mina offers Nayeon a glass of wine, and Nayeon happily accepts. They transfer to the living room and see her apartment from the window once again. She realizes she didn’t turn off the lights.
“It looks like the lights are on in your apartment,” Mina notes.
Laughing nervously, Nayeon replies as she sits on the couch, “Oh yeah... I never thought I’d stay here for this long.”
“Opps! I’m sorry,” Mina giggles, sitting next to Nayeon.
Nayeon blushes and shakes her head. “It’s okay. I’m glad I came over. This is actually really nice, having a neighbor like you around.”
Mina smiles in response and says, “Hey, I know we just met, but if ever you want to talk or need someone to vent to, don't hesitate to come.”
Nayeon smiles gratefully at her heartwarming response. “Are you sure? I can be a lot sometimes.”
Mina chuckles and replies, “Of course! We're neighbors, after all. Plus, I'm actually a pretty good listener.”
Nayeon takes another sip of her wine. “Thank you. You can come by apartment too.”
Mina grins and responds, “I’d love to. Please cook me some meals again.”
The two of them raise their glasses, clinking them in agreement. They take a sip of their drinks, letting the taste linger on their tongues. As they savored each flavor, the lights from Nayeon's apartment flickered off—the power had gone out, but only in her window. It seems like her light has run out.
Nayeon looks out the window with a heavy sigh; her shoulders slump. "No, I can't believe it. I have to buy new lights tomorrow," she mumbles to herself.
Mina hums lightly and says, “I’m sorry.”
Nayeon sighs and turns around. “It's okay; it’s not your fault.”
Mina looks at Nayeon with a reassuring smile. “I can help you buy new lights tomorrow if you want.”
Nayeon asks, her voice teasingly hopeful. “Help me buy lights, or do you just want to spend more time with me?” She gazes up at Mina, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she awaits her reply. Her heartbeat quickens with excitement. She must have been inebriated to do such a thing.
Mina blushes and clears her throat, averting Nayeon's gaze. She responds, pointing at the upper portion of the window, "I...uh..I also need to buy curtains for my window.”
Nayeon laughs, a tinkling sound that carries through the room. “Ah, so it’s curtains for you then? Alright, it’s shopping for us then.” She smiles brightly at Mina, feeling relieved that the situation didn’t turn awkward. Things seemed to be getting better between them, slowly but surely.
Mina smiles, and they both continue to chat until late into the night. By the time Nayeon heads back home, she feels a lot lighter in her chest, knowing that Mina was willing to get to know her better and help her out. She can’t wait for their next shopping excursion.
…
Bright lights, elegantly arranged furniture, and an abundance of home decor items congregate in the room. Both Nayeon and Mina take a leisurely stroll through Ikea's isles, gazing at different pieces of furniture. After a few turns and browsing through the various items on display, Nayeon eventually notices the curtains that Mina had been searching for. She then makes her way to them with her two hands clasped in joy as she points it out.
“What color do you think is best for my living room?” Mina inquires as she carefully scrutinizes each choice, her eyes darting back and forth from one to the next. She takes her time, admiring the various hues and tones available.
Nayeon pauses and takes a closer look at the curtains, considering her options. “I think I would like something light but with just enough color to make it interesting.”
“Do you think this would look nice in my living room?” Mina shows a light teal curtain with hints of white in it.
Nayeon’s eyes light up in admiration as she nods in approval. “That color looks perfect!," she says with enthusiasm, a wide smile spreading across her face. “I'm sure that would look great in your living room.”
“Okay,” Mina mumbles, taking the curtain in her hands and showing it to Nayeon. “I think this is it.”
Suddenly, Nayeon notices a dresser in the corner of her eye. It looks nice. She turns to Mina and says, “Look at this dresser. I think it would look good in my room.” Nayeon pushes and pulls the drawers as she browses through them.
Mina giggles as she watches Nayeon. “Are you sure you need them?”
Nayeon scoffs. “Of course, not because it’s expensive as fuck,” she ends with a groan as she flicks the price tag.
As they meander through the store, they come across showrooms filled with exquisite carpets, rugs, and furniture. Immediately, their attention is drawn towards the displays, and before long, they find themselves marveling at all of the amazing décor items.
They go inside a living showroom.
“This looks so good..." Nayeon takes in the room's design with careful consideration, her foot tapping out a rhythm on the floor as she surveys her surroundings. She notices the intricate line designs of the walls, a set of comfy couches, bookshelves filled to bursting with books, and a small coffee table situated perfectly between them. “I wonder if I will ever have this kind of place.”
Mina takes a seat on the couch and places her feet on top of the coffee table as if it were her house. “You know, one day you can have a place like this. You just must believe in yourself and work hard for it.”
Nayeon faces Mina and takes a seat next to her. She taps Mina's thigh and adds, "You also know that you aren't permitted to break or scuff any furniture here.
Mina dismissively shrugs her shoulders as she leans back on the couch. “What do you mean? This is ours,” she says. She looks around the cozy living room.
Nayeon laughs. "Idiot."
“What? I'm serious. Can you please make me tea in the kitchen?” Mina gestured to the next door, indicating a showroom on the other side.
Nayeon can't help but giggle as she goes around Mina's playing house. She imagines that the place is just theirs and just have a great time.
“Okay, sweetheart . I’ll cook us lunch as well.”
Mina nods and laughs. She reaches out for a magazine on the center table. “Okay, babe . I want some delicious snacks too.”
Nayeon stands up. "I'll be right back!" she says as she heads to the kitchen next door.
Mina flips open the magazine and begins to read.
Nayeon grabs a saucer and an empty cup. She walks back to the living room and places it on the center table. “I think we forgot to get groceries because the kitchen is empty.”
“Really? Then, no lunch for us, then?” Mina breaks into giggles as she pretends to sip on the cup.
Nayeon bursts into laughter as she watches Mina savor the empty cup. She puts her arms around Mina's shoulder and points to the neighboring showroom. “Well, it looks like we can get lunch from the other side.”
Mina stands up and smiles widely. Excitedly, she grabs Nayeon’s hand and pulls her to another showroom. She looks to Nayeon and says, “Come on, let’s go make some lunch.”
The two of them laugh as they cross over to the other side.
It’s the kitchen.
The exquisite kitchen is fully stocked and equipped with all the necessary appliances for cooking delicious meals as well as entertaining guests. The modern design and sleek cabinetry create a striking contrast, while the granite countertops offer a timeless appeal. The high-end stainless-steel refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, and dishwasher make it both practical and convenient.
Nayeon quickly grabs a recipe book and starts flipping through the pages. “Let’s see. Can you check if we have ingredients for a pasta dish?”
Mina looks over Nayeon's shoulder and grins. She reaches for the fridge and hums as if there is something inside. “Yeah, we can also cook turkey if you want.”
Nayeon cackles as she pulls the pot from the cupboard. “Can you get the pasta and boil some water in here?” She motions for Mina to get the things.
“Alright, chef! Coming right up!” Mina salutes as Nayeon laughs loudly enough to echo inside the showroom. Mina shushes, “Hey! Don’t be loud. Staff might hear us.”
Nayeon can barely hide her amusement as she watches Mina pretend to stir the empty pot. “Why are you stirring it?” She covers her mouth to hide her laughs. “Isn't that supposed to be boiled?”
“I thought we were cooking soup?” Mina responds playfully, attempting to make jokes about the situation.
“You don’t know how to cook pasta?” Nayeon rested her body against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over her chest.
Mina couldn't help the broad smile that spread across her face as she sauntered towards Nayeon, casually leaning against the kitchen counter in front of her. “I mean, I have a girlfriend who can cook, right?”
What?
Nayeon’s lips fall open as her throat runs dry. She feels the heat coming up to her ears and spreading over her ears. Nayeon gulps as she realizes, ‘Oh! We’re playing house.’
Nayeon bites her lip as she utters, “Of course, I’m the best chef in the city.” She chuckles nervously as she fixes her posture to match Mina’s while nervously shifting her gaze around and avoiding direct eye contact with Mina.
Mina chuckles, her lips curling into a smile. She reaches out for Nayeon’s hand and pulls her into another showroom.
It’s an office.
At a desk near the wall, a swiveling chair and an armchair were placed in front of it. The desk was decorated with several plants to bring life into the room, with several bookshelves filled to the brim with an assortment of books and paintings on the wall.
Nayeon looks around carefully, seemingly admiring the paintings that line every inch of wall space. She stops to admire one piece in particular, her eyes widening as she reads its price tag.
Nayeon begins to say, "This looks nice—," but Mina interrupts her because she is still playing house.
“Why are you here today, ma’am?” Mina inquires, pretending to scribble something down in a notebook while simultaneously typing on the table. “Please take a seat.” Mina gestures to the chair in front of the desk.
Nayeon rolls her eyes and chuckles, sitting on the chair. "Well, I’m here to file a divorce.”
Mina gasps, “Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry to hear that,” she says sympathetically as she leans forward, her brows furrowing in concern. “Why are you deciding to file for divorce?”
Nayeon looks down, faking cries, and takes a deep breath before saying, “It’s complicated, but I just don’t think we are right for each other anymore.”
Mina nods slowly and pretends to be attentive, jotting notes over nothing. “Okay… give me more.”
“Well, my wife doesn’t know how to cook pasta," Nayeon says with giggles falling out of her mouth.
Mina chokes on her own laughter and can’t help but join in the giggle fit. After a few minutes, she composes herself and says, “That is terrible.”
“Right?” Nayeon chimes in, “I mean, who doesn’t know how to boil a pasta?”
Mina nods her head in agreement. "Indeed," she says, scribbling something down on the notebook as a reminder to herself. "Well, I think that is a valid reason for a divorce.”
"Yeah, I know. That's just so absurd," Nayeon exclaims while rubbing her face in frustration. She is no longer laughing, but she is still grinning. "I think that's enough for me to decide to leave her," she says.
“Hey!” Mina exclaims, “I think this is getting personal. Earlier is just a mistake. I thought we’re cooking soup.”
Nayeon lets out a hearty laugh, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she teases Mina. “Well then, let me give you more of a reason. She also doesn't know how to operate the dishwasher!"
Both burst into laughter again, and Mina sighs in resignation.
"Okay, I guess that's a valid reason as well," Mina concedes jokingly. "But hey! I know how to wash the dishes.”
Nayeon grins. “Someone’s a little defensive here, attorney.”
Mina rolls her eyes and nods. “Well, I have to be prepared if the case goes to court. You can now leave, ma’am. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
With a chuckle, Nayeon rises from the desk and waves goodbye. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Remember to send me a text.” And Nayeon walks inside another showroom.
It’s a bedroom for couples.
A king-size bed dominates the room, flanked by two nightstands. In front of the bed is a huge flat-screen TV mounted on one wall and shelves along the other. The walls are painted a deep blue with white trim, and there’s an ornate rug in the center of the room. On either side of the bed are two large closets, filled with a few clothes.
Nayeon smiles at her idea as she lays in bed, waiting for Mina to show up.
As soon as Mina walks up the door, Nayeon sits up and says, “It’s three in the morning.”
Mina grins and scrunches her nose in confusion; she still hasn’t caught the play in Nayeon’s mind. “What?”
“Where have you been?” Nayeon whispers with a touch of sadness.
Mina chuckles and answers, “I was just at work, dealing with a case. What's up?”
Nayeon couldn't contain her smile as she looked at Mina. She innocently asks, her voice laced with a hint of playfulness, "Are you cheating on me?"
Mina’s lips are agape as she releases a gasp. She places her hand on her chest and paces around the room dramatically. “No! Never! I was at the office the whole time.”
Nayeon shakes her head and pulls Mina’s arm. “Tell me the truth, Mina.”
Mina fakes a sob and looks through Nayeon’s eyes. “I would never cheat on you. You are the only one for me. I was just helping a client with some legal matters in the office. Nothing else happened.”
Nayeon snorts as she blocks her laughs with a scowl. “Legal matters at three in the morning? Don’t try to fool me, Myoi Mina!”
Mina scoffs with a smile at the mention of her full name. She responds, “My love for you is real, Im Nayeon. What proof do you want just for you to believe me?”
Nayeon places her chin against her thumb and index finger. She calmly replies with giggles, “Buy me a car.”
Mina chokes in giggles and derides, “What the hell is that reasoning?”
Nayeon laughs and puts her arms around Mina’s neck. Still going on with the play as she whispers, “Well, if you really love me and want me to believe you, then prove it with a car.”
Mina's lips curl into a smile, her eyes sparkling as their faces come closer. She murmurs, “Can’t you just believe me when I tell you that you are the only one for me and that I love you?”
Nayeon freezes as Mina’s breath touches her face. Her eyes go bright as she stares deeply into Mina’s orbs, forgetting they’re in a play. She mumbles, “I do—I believe you. But the car is still nice to have.”
Mina cackles in response and pulls Nayeon closer to her waist. Nayeon inevitably blushes in response, and she can feel the heat radiating from Mina’s cheeks.
Their breaths fall into a rhythm as they gaze into one another’s eyes, completely oblivious to the loud clomping of people around the store or the cold air that blows through from the air conditioning vents. Nothing else matters in this moment; it’s like all the noise and movement in their immediate surroundings have been suspended just for them. Everyone else has faded away, and they are alone, finally finding solace in each other's presence.
Mina ducks her head, catching Nayeon's gaze with a powerful intensity that compels her to remain still. She leans in closer, slowly closing the gap between them until their lips meet with warmth and anticipation. Nayeon's response is a combination of shock and delight, as if all the stars aligned for this special moment. She can feel the warmth emanating from Mina's kiss as it washes over her like an electrifying wave of emotion. Her heart flutters in surprise, and as the seconds pass, her embrace intensifies. She forgets that they’re inside a public store and not in a private room. The kiss is short but passionate—two souls connected for one brief moment.
Eventually, Mina pulls away with her eyes still locked on Nayeon’s face.
Nayeon rasps out, “Is this still part of the play?”
Mina shakes her head and hides her face in Nayeon’s neck. “I’m sorry, it’s just that you’re so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself.”
Nayeon laughs softly as she wraps her arms around Mina. “It’s okay. I don’t mind... In fact, I kind of liked it.”
“Yeah?” Mina grins and leans up to press another kiss on Nayeon's lips.
There is a loud scream from a child that startles them.
Nayeon pulls away. “Just so you know, I don’t usually do this with the neighbors and inside an Ikea store," she teases with a wink.
Mina bursts out into a hearty chuckle, her amusement contagious. She cautiously glanced around, not wanting anyone to witness their intimate moment. Fortunately, the coast was clear with no one in sight. She lets out a breath of relief and replies, “So, we’re not divorcing, right?”
Nayeon laughs in delight as Mina hugs her tightly. She slips out of the embrace, but not without a tinge of regret; hence, she just continues the play with Mina. Pulling away, she runs towards another showroom, a wide grin crossing her lips and her blood dancing inside her cheeks. She bites her lower lip to try and hide the blush that creeps onto it as she remembers the warmth of Mina's lips.
No one saw them.
Nayeon is hoping that the CCTV at the store is malfunctioning at that particular time.
“Finally!”
Nayeon beams with delight as the light flicks on when she flips the switch. It had taken a while, but with Mina's help, they were finally able to hang the new light fixture up onto the ceiling. After Nayeon clicked the switch, it felt like her darkened room suddenly lit up with radiating warmth through its walls, or maybe she’s just with Mina.
“Thank you, Mina," Nayeon mumbles happily as she paces around the kitchen area.
Mina glances around Nayeon's apartment and then turns back to Nayeon, waving off any concerns she may have had. "It's fine," she says with a reassuring smile. Finally, she’s seen her apartment in the darkness.
The place is perfectly tidy and organized, even though some stuff scatters around, giving it an inviting feel. Some of Nayeon’s photographs are hanging on the walls, and some are framed above the furniture.
"Wow, it's so cozy," Mina says in admiration, despite some untidies around.
Nayeon smiles shyly and glances down at her feet before answering. “It’s messy, I know.”
Her phone charger is still plugged in the outlet, her laptop is at the coffee table with her tangled charger, her opened laptop is back in the dining area, and she has opened jelly candies on her couch.
Mina just laughs. "It's not a big deal. It looks like you have a lot of meaningful stuff here." She picks up one of the photographs and examines it closely, her finger tracing along the frame.
“I took all of them." Nayeon blushes as she forces herself to look away from Mina's gaze, instead focusing on organizing her mess while Mina continues to examine the pictures around her.
She sees Mina standing there, a frame in her hands containing a picture of Central Park. The colors in the photograph are vibrant, with the trees near the lake stretching up into the blue sky and providing what looks like hours of peaceful exploration.
Nayeon smiles, reminiscing about that day and all the happy memories associated with it. “That’s my first day in New York." She breaks the silence with a smile on her lips. “I’ve always dreamed of coming here, and I made it happen.”
“These pictures are great.” Mina runs her fingers over the frame.
“Thanks,” Nayeon says, walking near Mina. She notices the time, and tomorrow is Monday. “I’d love to tell you all the stories behind every picture, but it’s getting late, and I don’t want to keep you up. But maybe I could show you sometime?”
Mina smiles in agreement and places the photograph back on the shelf. “I would like that,” she says with a warm smile.
Nayeon grins as she leads Mina towards the door, feeling an impending sense of loss that signals an end to their time together. Solitariness will once again be her companion when Nayeon’s left alone, but it’s not too daunting this time. Mina has given her a small spark of hope that keeps the looming loneliness at bay. She can still feel the connection they have between them even though they are parting ways—bonds that run much deeper than physical distance would imply.
Their moments in the store still linger in her mind. Mina’s skin still warms her up to the moment; the smell of her scent still fills Nayeon’s senses; she can still feel Mina's fingertips brushing against hers; and the softness of Mina’s lips on hers makes Nayeon has this deep-seated desire to have a deeper connection with her. She yearns to feel them more.
Nayeon bites her lip as she plays with her fingertips, her thoughts running far away from her. She looks up to Mina with a hopeful look in her eyes and says, "About earlier..."
Mina investigates Nayeon’s eyes and smiles, as if reading her thoughts. She takes a step closer, brushing her fingers on Nayeon’s hand. “I had fun.”
Nayeon couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth of emotion growing inside her. She takes a moment to hold Mina's hand in hers. With a thankful smile, she says softly, “Me too. I’d love it if we could do this more often.”
Mina grins, her eyes twinkling. She nods and squeezes Nayeon’s hand as she gives her an assuring look. Suddenly, it feels like they could weather anything together.
“Do you want to spend Thanksgiving with me?” Nayeon studies her with an encouraging look, her eyes shining in anticipation. “That’s if you don’t have plans for that night.”
Mina’s lips curve into a tender smile. She hums, “I don’t know; apparently I can’t cook."
Nayeon breaks into a loud laugh, her head throwing back in joy. "Don't worry, I can teach you how to cook if that's what you're implying," she says with a toothless grin.
“Are you sure you’re not going to divorce me?” Mina asks playfully, tilting her head and squinting her eyes.
“I cook; you wash the dishes," Nayeon jokes, tapping Mina’s nose with her finger. “That's my price for teaching you how to cook.”
Mina laughs, a beautiful ringing sound that brightened up Nayeon's heart. “Can’t we just use paper plates and plastic utensils?”
Nayeon glares at her playfully, her brown eyes sparkling. “Are you really that lazy, Mina?”
Mina laughs yet again, shaking her head. “I’m kidding.”
Nayeon’s thumb-stroking circles on the back of her hand. “So, are you in?”
Mina nods. “I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather spend Thanksgiving with. Let's do it."
The two of them exchange a few more words before bidding each other goodnight, and Mina returns to her own apartment.
Nayeon waits for Mina’s apartment to light up from her window before she sends a text.
Nayeon:
I can help you put up your curtain.
Mina looks out the window and sees Nayeon waving at her.
Mina:
Who’s behind you?
Nayeon looks back with her heart thumping, anxious and filled with trepidation. The kitchen is empty. She looks back at Mina and sees her laughing. Her phone dings.
Mina:
Hahahahahha
Nayeon rolls her eyes as she types in a reply.
Nayeon:
You’re an ass.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition on the fourth Thursday of November in New York City. The parade features magnificent floats, lively marching bands, and incredible performances from world-famous stars. It is broadcast nationally and viewed by millions worldwide, making it one of the most widely seen events in history.
Nayeon excuses herself as she squeezes through the crowd, dragging Mina towards the front of the parade.
“Look, it’s Stuart!” Mina exclaims with glee, jumping a little as the gigantic yellow balloon of the beloved cartoon character floated by.
“Who?” Nayeon peers up at the balloon, arching her neck and narrowing her eyes to get a better view.
“The minion! It’s Stuart!” Mina elaborates excitedly.
Nayeon chuckles as she opens her camera and takes a picture of the enormous balloon, then takes a picture of Mina’s toothless grin looking over the parade. “Cute,” she mumbles as she glances at the images.
"It’s Spongebob!” Mina claps her hands, elbowing Nayeon. “Look, you have the same front teeth.”
Nayeon frowns and looks up at the yellow balloon. She lets out a throaty whine and complains, “Hey! Mine’s not that big!”
Mina lets out a chuckle and pulls an exaggerated expression, pursing her lips playfully before turning to face Nayeon, copying SpongeBob's smile with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Nayeon rolls her eyes and grins. She looks at her with warmth and adoration, delighting in their moment.
Various gigantic balloons pass by, and the crowd cheers and applauds. Mina’s cheeks were rosy, red from the cold, but she barely noticed it as her eyes kept shifting from one balloon to another with sheer amazement. Nayeon feels a warmth in her chest when she watches Mina's face light up like that and decides to take more pictures of every moment.
Balloonicles start to come by, and Nayeon shares her giggles with Mina as they look at the characters. The floats roll in, and the crowd erupts with joy when their favorite teams and characters appear.
Mina excitedly brings out her phone to take a video of it all, while Nayeon smiles at the pure bliss emanating from Mina.
“Baby, look! It’s lego!” Mina shouts, pointing at the float that just rolls through.
Baby?
Nayeon is filled with warmth as she hears Mina's words of endearment, feeling shy and embarrassed. She is tempted to tease Mina about the sweet nickname given to her but stops herself. Instead, she smiles slightly, trying to hide the bright blush that has already spread across her cheeks. Her heart pounds within her chest as it begins to dawn on her how much she likes Mina.
Nayeon snaps a picture of Mina videoing the float and her and the float together, capturing it perfectly from each angle.
“You like Legos?” Nayeon asks, pulling Mina by her waist so she won't be able to get crushed by the crowd.
Mina turns to Nayeon and nods, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “I love it!”
Nayeon smiles, her heart bursting at the sight of Mina, so delighted. Another thing to take note of, Nayeon thinks.
Soon enough, only after a few more floats passed by, standing on their feet started to take its toll. They both feel the fatigue settling in and begin to feel their legs aching. Mina says she’s seen enough, and Nayeon can’t agree more as they both head towards a shop to have a hot drink.
Nayeon and Mina take a seat in the cafe with steaming cups of hot drinks in their hands.
“I didn’t know minions had names,” Nayeon says as she remembers Mina’s excitement towards the cartoon characters.
Mina giggles and takes a sip of her hot chocolate. “It’s actually quite fun knowing each one of them. I like watching their show.”
“Really? Can I watch them with you tonight?” Nayeon curls her lip cutely, wishing Mina would say yes.
“Are you saying you want to sleepover?” Mina lifts an eyebrow.
“That’s if you don’t sleep talk," Nayeon teases as she takes a sip of her hot chocolate, amused by Mina's response.
Mina sticks out her tongue in an effort to make her laugh harder, ready to take on the challenge. “I can take a picture of you sleeping with your mouth open and all!” She retorts jokingly.