Work Text:
Aeri tells them about an event—a fireworks display that happens every year in Tokyo on the last Saturday of July. It’s called the Sumida River Fireworks Festival.
Minjeong knew that firework festivals were a pretty big thing in Japan (thanks to the countless animes she’s watched in her lifetime), so when she heard about the festival, she knew she had to experience it herself.
A part of her is extremely grateful that Aeri invited them out to Japan for the break. Minjeong definitely needed this after struggling this last semester, but of course, just like with everything in life, there was a catch.
“I can pay for you,” a huskier feminine voice offers to her. Minjeong musters up all her strength to not make an annoyed face. Aeri takes notice and immediately steps in.
“Oh, no, it’s okay I can pay for her,” Aeri sends a kind smile to Jimin, who makes an awkward face of acknowledgement before nodding and backing off.
Minjeong ended up having to be around someone she sort of didn’t like.
Well, at least it’s not hatred! Anymore.
Minjeong has… a complicated relationship with Yu Jimin. The girl wasn’t a bad person—definitely the type of person Minjeong would like to be around—but the two of them had an interesting history. Not in the way that you’d think, though. They weren’t romantically involved… but…
It was complicated.
Even Aeri knew about their weird dynamic—well, ignoring the fact she was there when it happened, but details, details.
As for how Jimin ended up on this trip, well, Aeri was the organizer of the entire thing. She invited Minjeong first because, well, that’s her bestie and then she also invited Yizhuo, who was a new close friend she made in college (and someone who Minjeong thinks likes Aeri more than she lets on).
However, Aeri completely forgot that Yizhuo was best friends with Jimin.
So when Yizhuo asked with those puppy eyes and a small pout on her lips if they could also invite Jimin, Aeri couldn’t just say no. She would seem like a horrible person!
Of course, Minjeong knew she was gonna have to be on her best behavior (using that phrase does not help her beat the puppy allegations at all) and at least somewhat tolerate Jimin for the month they’re in Japan.
Because honestly! She’s not going to let her free trip out the country get ruined by some girl who completely fucked her over years ago! Should she be over it by now? Well, yeah! But who cares?!
The four of them were sitting in a booth. They were at a local ramen shop not too far from the hotel they were staying at, about to have lunch. Minjeong ignores the fact that Jimin was sitting right across from her, eyes never leaving her.
Minjeong kept herself busy by mindlessly scrolling through her phone while the others talked. Though, she could still feel Jimin’s gaze on her. It was infuriating.
Oh, that’s a cute dog video. She likes the post. Oh, that’s a funny meme. She likes another post. Oh, ew what the fuck is that— She quickly scrolls away.
“Oh, shit!” Aeri exclaimed, jerking back. Minjeong jumped up in surprise and saw that her friend had spilled water on herself.
“Oh my God, wait—let me take you to the bathroom—” Yizhuo offered, quickly getting up from her seat and dragging Aeri away from the table. Everything happened so fast that Minjeong wasn’t even able to get a word in or help her best friend.
She watches as the two of them disappear from sight, a small smile fixing itself on her lips as she silently roots for Yizhuo. You go girl! She wishes to cheer aloud. But then she stops as she realizes something.
She’s alone with Jimin.
Yeah, I’m not dealing with that. Minjeong goes back to her phone, trying to seem nonchalant about the whole thing, but she could already tell Jimin was about to say something now that they were alone.
“Min—”
“No,” Minjeong interrupts, ditching her phone and finally looking at Jimin. Part of her felt kinda bad for being harsh towards the girl, but she had to put her foot down! “Do not bring up whatever I think you’re gonna bring up.”
“But—”
“I may be over it, but I still don’t like you,” she bluntly states. She sees a flicker of hurt flash on Jimin’s face and she looks so pathetic that Minjeong almost instantly apologizes.
“Can’t we just talk about it a little?” Jimin sounded desperate, almost whining. “I know this isn’t the ideal place, but you won’t ever look at me or talk to me.”
“Yeah, I wonder why,” Minjeong groans, growing sick of this nonsense conversation. They had nothing to talk about!
But Jimin persists. “I didn’t mean for—”
Minjeong shakes her head and puts a hand out, almost like she was physically stopping Jimin from saying more. “I don’t care anymore,” she sighs and makes eye contact with the other girl. “I’m single now, so it’s whatever.”
It’s not like she wanted to be single, but her ex just didn’t believe a single thing she said after the whole… ordeal. If someone was going to be like that as a partner, Minjeong guesses she’s better off without them than with.
“But…” Jimin trails off. She looks off to the side and sighs once before meeting Minjeong’s gaze again. “I really didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“I know you didn’t,” Minjeong replied. “But there’s nothing that can be done. Even if people think I’m a horrible cheater or something, the whole situation is over now and there’s no reason for me or you to dwell on it.”
Jimin opens her mouth to respond, probably another apology just waiting to be uttered, but before she could get another word in, the other two were already back.
“Hey! Sorry that was super sudden,” Aeri apologizes, slipping into the seat next to Minjeong, Yizhuo doing the same on the other side. Aeri was now wearing a different outfit, no wonder it didn’t take them long.
Minjeong engages in conversation between the two, but never sparing a look at the girl in front of her.
————
Saturday comes faster than expected.
Before they knew it, they were getting fitted into yukatas provided by none other than the Uchinagas themselves. Minjeong felt like a doll that was being dressed up as a bunch of Aeri’s aunts and cousins helped them into their yukatas. They were all running back and forth between the three of them, while Aeri was already dressed in her yukata. She was wearing a magenta-ish one with floral prints scattered all over.
When Minjeong was finished with her look, Aeri let out a squeal.
“Wowwww!” She was jumping with glee at Minjeong’s finished look. “You look so kawaii!”
Minjeong grumbled at the word. “Thanks…”
She had a more yellowish one with floral prints stemming from the bottom up. She was secretly grateful that they picked that out for her, considering she’s been meaning to wear more warmer tones these days thanks to a psychic or something recommending her to do so.
Not too long after, Yizhuo finished as well. She had a deep red yukata that had the floral patterns mostly on the sleeve, while the rest of it lacked the pattern. All of them had a similar tied-up bun hairstyle. It suited all of them pretty well.
“Okayyyy, Ning!” Aeri cheered alongside her family members. Minjeong smirked as she saw Yizhuo’s cheeks grow a little red, almost the same shade as her yukata. Minjeong swears there’s something between them, but she’s not one to tell!
“You look like a Nihon baddie,” Aeri jokes, biting her lip like those really cringey fuckboys.
Yizhuo laughs while Minjeong looks at her with a look that just screams “What the fuck.”
Then after a few more minutes pass, Jimin walks out.
And Minjeong gulps.
Jimin’s hair was tied up the same as the three of them, but her yukata was deep blue, contrasting Yizhuo’s, and with floral patterns stemming from the bottom to all over—almost just like Minjeong’s.
Minjeong clenches her jaw as she ignores the tight feeling in her chest. She hates to admit it, but Jimin looked good.
So much for “disliking” her.
“Ohhh!” Yizhuo and Aeri chorused teasingly, making Jimin smile shyly. “Looking good, G-man!”
“Thank you, thank you,” she bows playfully before laughing at the silly nickname. When her laughter dies down, she stares at Minjeong, who hasn’t said anything. There was a hint of something in Jimin’s eyes, like she was waiting for Minjeong to say something. Ugh, fine… I guess.
The blonde caves in. “You… look good,” she mumbles, loud enough for Jimin to hear. The girl breaks out into a blinding smile at the compliment.
“Why thank you, Minjeong,” and now Jimin has that stupid, stupid smile on her face that makes Minjeong almost want to smile with her.
She does it once the girl turns away.
————
The place was packed with people. Of course, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival was one of the biggest events of the year for Tokyo—maybe even all of Japan—so it should be unsurprising how many people came to see the fireworks display.
However, the group was now stuck in the middle of a crowd. Minjeong cowered in on herself as she tried navigating through, keeping her eyes fixed on her friends who were a few steps ahead. Her voice went quiet as she muttered a small “excuse me” in her best Japanese as she bumped into other people.
She accidentally collided with another person, who was speeding through the crowd, and unfortunately Minjeong—who was terribly tiny—got knocked over with a small “oof!” Though, instead of hitting the ground and eating complete shit, she found herself against another person who caught her with a strong grip.
“Oh—careful,” she hears Jimin’s voice and a pair of hands clutching her waist. Great.
Minjeong turns to the girl to send her a glare, but is met with a worried look that stops her. “You good?”
At that moment, all the negative feelings she had towards Jimin ceased to exist. She felt her heart flutter a bit at the worried tone in her voice, but quickly dispels it. She pushes herself off of Jimin before huffing. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Just as Minjeong is about to move forward again, Jimin quickly grasps her wrist, stopping her. The blonde turns and sees a surprised look on Jimin’s face. Looks like even she was shocked at what she did.
“I-It’s a good idea to stick close to each other.”
And unfortunately, Minjeong didn’t have a rebuttal to that.
(But fortunately, she invited the warm feeling of Jimin’s hand against hers.)
————
They were finally out of the huge crowd and were at a place that was a little more spacious. The group were in a nearby park that was said to have a great view of the firework show when it starts.
Minjeong was standing alone, gazing at the sky. Aeri, Yizhuo, and Jimin were talking in a group with Aeri’s relatives. Minjeong was sort of listening, they were talking about the takoyaki stand or something—like the prices were ridiculous but it was still so good.
Then she felt a presence next to her, she glanced to the side and saw Jimin standing next to her. Oh, boy.
“You okay?” Jimin asked curiously, tilting her head. Minjeong wanted to look away and ignore the girl, but she figured that doing so was a bit much.
Even though she kinda deserved it.
Does she really?
“I’m fine,” Minjeong responds quietly, giving an awkward toothless smile. “Just… hanging out.”
Jimin nods along, gazing down at the ground. “Yeah. Cool.”
Then a beat of silence.
“You having fun too?” she ends up asking Jimin, honestly just wanting to fill the silence between them. Even with the bustling crowd around them, the silence was all Minjeong could hear.
Jimin hums. “Yeah, I’m having fun.”
God, this was awkward.
The entire trip up until this point had been fun, but Minjeong knew that even with Aeri and Yizhuo’s presence, the air was still tense. It was obvious that despite Minjeong staying civil with Jimin, she made it obvious for everyone to know what her true feelings about the girl were.
But honestly, does she even feel that way anymore?
Jimin was nothing like the person her conscience made her out to be—she was never that person, and Minjeong knew that.
And sure, maybe it really was Jimin’s fault, but Minjeong knows that she shouldn’t let something like this carry on for so long. Again, she was completely over her ex.
But she can’t seem to be completely over Jimin’s actions.
Maybe tonight could be the night she changes that.
Minjeong nervously chews the bottom of her lip, her eyes flickering to Jimin, who was already looking at her. Minjeong ignores that same tight feeling in her chest again.
“I’m sorry for being an ass this entire trip.”
Jimin doesn’t even hide the surprise on her face, even going as far as flinching back a little at the sudden apology. It honestly made Minjeong feel foolish. “R-Really?”
Minjeong nods. “Yeah. I shouldn’t let something in the past still affect me like this, but I just… couldn’t help but keep blaming you,” she admits shamefully. The past has passed and she’s moved on.
“But it was still shitty of me to do that,” Jimin adds, her lips sporting a slight frown. “I shouldn’t have kissed you back then.”
Minjeong lets out a heavy sigh as she realizes that well, guess they’re gonna talk about it now.
Wow, how weak is your resolve, Minjeong? You see the girl that kissed you right in front of your then-girlfriend look just a tiny bit more prettier and now you’re giving her the benefit of the doubt? She couldn’t believe herself.
“You had your reason to,” Minjeong acknowledges. “Trust, I get it, your ex is an ass who wouldn’t stop bothering you and you just happened to choose me.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Jimin,” Minjeong smiled, interrupting her again. “Stop apologizing. I know.”
“But—”
Then the first firework shot up in the sky.
Everyone’s heads turned to look, watching the bright lights illuminate the dark sky. Minjeong couldn’t hear anything that was happening around her. All noises seemed to be on mute as the only thing she could hear were the explosions from the fireworks.
It was one of the most beautiful things she’s ever been fortunate to witness in her lifetime. And it was just some fireworks in the sky.
The sky was so colorful. All the fireworks had some sort of mixture of colors to them as they blossomed in the sky. Minjeong could already smell the sulfur lingering in the air, the little crackles of the fireworks as it fizzled out. People all around them were cheering, plenty having their phones out to record the beautiful sight. Minjeong would be one of them too if she wasn’t already so absorbed by it.
She turns to look at Jimin, just curious to see what the girl looked like, only to feel time freeze.
Jimin was breathtaking. The light from the fireworks perfectly lit up her face, accentuating her features in the darkness. There was a slight twinkle in her eyes as she gazed up at the fireworks shooting in the sky, lips slightly apart from awe. It was so… pure. So natural. Minjeong had no other way to explain it. She wants to gaze at this forever. If this was all she was allowed to see, then call her blessed because she wishes to thank all the gods above the clouds and under every faith for granting her the luxury to witness such a beautiful sight with her own eyes.
Phew. She mentally sighs. That was a mouthful.
“It’s so beautiful,” Jimin muttered under her breath. And honestly, Minjeong didn’t know how she heard that with the chaos surrounding them, but maybe now she’s developed a radar or sixth sense reserved just for Yu Jimin.
Wow, such a crazy development. The little voice in her head sarcastically comments. Lesbians truly move fast.
“Yeah,” Minjeong agreed, her eyes never leaving Jimin.
A few seconds pass like that, the fireworks in the sky slipping from Minjeong’s conscience, being replaced by a certain girl who had all her attention.
Jimin eventually turns to look at Minjeong, feeling her breath hitch at the realization that the younger girl has been staring at her.
The fireworks continued to shoot in the background, but the second their gazes met, Minjeong’s heartbeat truly felt like the fireworks in the sky, each pop resonating with each beat in her heart.
She notices Jimin’s eyes darting all over her face—almost like she was frantically searching for something, but her gaze lingering just a few seconds longer on her lips. She couldn’t help but do the same.
“Jimin…” Minjeong’s voice trailed off, unconsciously moving closer to the woman—or was it Jimin moving closer? Or both? No one knew, but all they cared about was closing the gap between them.
“Minjeong…” Jimin’s voice also seemed distant. Their faces were now inches away from each other. When did that happen? Neither of them had time or patience to find the answers. Minjeong’s eyes were rapidly blinking, not believing how close she allowed Jimin to be to her. She could feel Jimin’s breath against her lips, tempting her.
“Is this really…” Jimin’s voice trails off, distant. Minjeong doesn’t listen as she pushes herself forward, finally connecting her lips with Jimin’s.
Their lips met as a firework bloomed in the sky.
Jimin’s lips were soft, softer than what she remembered. The feelings inside of Minjeong’s chest were overwhelming, suffocating, as she kissed the older girl back.
What was this that she was feeling? Maybe it was her true feelings for the girl. Maybe it was just from the rush of adrenaline one gets from fireworks. Minjeong doesn’t care. All she knew that whatever it was, she needed Jimin’s lips against hers.
She just barely stops herself from letting out a small whine as she feels Jimin’s softer (and smaller) hands cup her right cheek. Minjeong is quick to bring her hand to rest on the other girl’s shoulder, not breaking the kiss. Oh wow, we’re the perfect height.
Then as if they were both shocked back into reality, the two pulled away from the kiss, eyes wide from the impulsive action. Minjeong kept her hand on Jimin, not wanting to move further than they already were.
“Um…” Jimin gulps, her eyes locked in with Minjeong’s. She cracks a weak smile. “Make up for last time?”
The blonde rolls her eyes at the idiotic joke. “Shut up,” she barely makes out before she’s diving straight back in, pulling Jimin closer to her as their lips lock for the second time.
And with that, another firework blooms, lighting up the night sky.