Work Text:
Sana was hiding behind a bush, watching her latest assignment meet up with their match. Now comes the confession. This was the part where Sana put the icing on the cake. She reached behind her back for her gold heart-shaped bow and reached into her quiver for a heart shaped arrow. Just aim and shoot. Sana took a deep breath, closing one eye and holding her aim.
One.
Two.
Three.
“Sana.”
Sana jumped, letting go of the arrow.
“Jeongyeon!”
Sana winced and turned towards her arrow, watching as it zigzagged through the air. A flower pot was shattered, a cat somehow got in the middle of it and ended up rushing up a tree, and it managed to zoom in between a millimeter sized gap between two other unsuspecting humans before the arrow made it to its intended targets. They were now making heart eyes at each other, so once again, against all odds, Sana had succeeded once again.
“As clumsy as ever, I see.” Jeongyeon shook her head.
“In my defense, this was technically your fault.” Sana humphed, her wings fluttering behind her. “Besides, another job done! I’m just too good.”
Unfortunately, Jeongyeon couldn’t argue with that. Sana was their best Cupid…somehow. The girl was clumsy, sometimes too impulsive and erratic, but Sana’s stats spoke for themselves. Still, she had to get at least one final jab in.
“Yeah, so good you have the aim of a blindfolded toddler. Anyway, I have a new assignment for you,” Jeongyeon said. She grabbed Sana’s hand and they poofed away from the mortal plane and back into Jeongyeon’s office in the heavens.
Sana immediately sat in the swivel chair in front of Jeongyeon’s desk and spun around. Jeongyeon snapped her fingers, making a golden scroll appear in her hands. Jeongyeon cleared her throat.
“Her name is Hirai Momo. She’s a bit of a challenge which is why you’re the only one who can get this specific job done. She’s twenty-eight years old, works at some boring office job, spends most of her time eating, sleeping, working out…doesn’t care about love at all. Honestly she only cares about her two dogs…honestly her whole description is kind of sad.” Jeongyeon trailed off, finally tearing her eyes away from the scroll. She sighed. “Sana, are you even listening?”
Sana looked up with wide innocent eyes, her head hovering above Jeongyeon’s bowl full of Hershey’s Kisses. Her cheeks were puffed, and wrappers were all over the desk. Sana mumbled an incoherent yes .
“I still don’t understand how you’re the top Cupid around here…”
“You doubt me, but I always deliver,” Sana said smugly after swallowing her mouthful of chocolate.
“You always cause chaos first.”
“It’s called spicing things up . C’mon, Jeongie! Lighten up a little. Work doesn’t have to be so boring, have some fun once in a while!” Sana stood up to pat Jeongyeon’s shoulder. The taller woman brushed her off. Sana was unaffected. “Now, tell me, does Momo have any preferences?”
“Well if you were listening, no. She doesn’t believe in love. You’re working from scratch,” Jeongyeon said.
Sana gasped dramatically. Her wings began to flutter with excitement.
“Oh! This is going to be fun!”
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Jeongyeon muttered under her breath.
Sana didn’t hear her. She was too busy gleefully summoning her bow and arrow.
“Target acquired!”
“Just try not to destroy anything this time.”
“No promises!” Sana giggled before disappearing in a swirl of pink sparkles.
-
Hirai Momo was your ordinary citizen. Her days consisted of waking up to get ready for work, going to said work, coming back from said work, hitting the gym or taking her dogs out for a walk, coming back home to get ready for bed, and finally dozing off before repeating the same thing the next day. Her days off were basically the same, except the timeframe that usually involved work, consisted of sleeping in and watching dramas.
Snooze!
Sana snapped her fingers, poofing Momo’s information scroll away. She could honestly say that this Hirai Momo was the most boring assignment she’d ever received. Good thing Sana was here to bring a little more pizazz into her life!
Sana kicked up her feet onto Momo’s coffee table, sinking back further into the couch. She dug through the bag of cookies she had taken from Momo’s pantry and threw some into her mouth. Momo’s dogs, two Norwich Terriers, were laying at her feet. They were so cute! They were surprisingly welcoming. The dogs of her past assignments were always barking at her for some reason. Probably because they could sense she wasn’t from the mortal plane. But these two little guys were absolute sweethearts.
Now the plan was to wait for Momo to come home. Which was right about–Sana heard some keys jingling outside–now.
The door opened. Sana was waiting expectantly. Momo hadn’t noticed her yet, tending to her dogs who had rushed over to the door once it began to open. Sana watched, still munching on cookies. Wow, this human was hot. She assumed Momo had just come from the gym. She had hung her drawstring bag on the hook beside the door. She looked sweaty, her hair up in a ponytail. Sana’s eyes trailed over her figure, eyes landing on the abs that were visible due to the crop top Momo was wearing. Gods , she was toned.
Well this definitely confirmed that Momo was the main problem regarding her nonexistent love life. Who wouldn’t fall for a woman as attractive as her?! The problem wouldn’t be finding potential matches…it’d be convincing Momo to actually fall in love with someone. But Sana wasn’t the best Cupid for no reason! Sana wasn’t about to start failing now.
Well it seemed like Momo finally noticed Sana. She froze, as if her brain was struggling to process what she was seeing.
“W-What the hell?!” Momo finally managed to say.
“Hello! I’m Sana!”
“Uh….okay?”
Sana held up the now half-empty cookie bag.
“These are really good by the way.” She reached in for another one, completely unbothered by Momo’s glare.
Momo took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Who are you and how did you get inside my apartment?”
“I told you, I’m Sana!” She repeated cheerfully, ignoring the second question. “And I’m here to help you find love!”
Momo blinked. This was crazy.
“You’re here to what ?!”
“Find love! You know, romance, butterflies, heart-pounding moments…” Sana gasped, clutching her chest. “Maybe even soulmate!”
Momo made a face.
“Yeah…no. You can leave now.”
Sana pouted.
“You didn’t even let me explain yet.”
“I don’t need an explanation.” Momo crossed her arms. She still didn’t know why she was surprisingly calm about this whole strange encounter or even entertaining this complete and total stranger. “I don’t do love. Not interested.”
Sana squinted her eyes, then dramatically shook her head.
“Tsk, tsk. That’s what they all say.”
“No seriously,” Momo scoffed, “I’m good. Now get out before I call the cops.”
Sana merely smiled and let out a sweet giggle. She was completely unfazed by the threat.
“Oh, that won’t work on me. I’m not exactly…human.”
Momo narrowed her eyes.
“So what, you’re a burglar and a lunatic?” Momo’s eyes glanced at the now empty bag of cookies sitting beside Sana on her couch.
Sana laughed at that. This human was funny!
“I’m a love deity, silly! A Cupid to be exact.” Sana waved her hand and pink sparkles swirled around her before disappearing. “I was assigned to help you find love because apparently, you’re too indifferent about it.”
“Oh yeah, you’re crazy.” Momo decided, unblinking. Should she call someone? Maybe this girl escaped out of some nuthouse. Those little pink sparkles could be explained right? Maybe this girl just had a random bottle of glitter on hand. She should have really called the police the moment she spotted this stranger in her house. “I don’t need help because I don’t want love.” Yeah, why was she still entertaining this woman?
Sana gasped as if Momo said something extremely offensive–which to her, it most definitely was.
“That’s so sad.” Sana pouted, genuine tears in her eyes and hands on her chest.
Momo rolled her eyes. Really?
“It’s not sad.” Momo was defensive at this point. What was wrong with a woman being completely secure and happy with herself? “I’m happy with my life.”
Sana tilted her head, studying her closely.
“Are you really?”
Momo’s patience was wearing thin at this point. She groaned and tapped her foot.
“Listen, sparkly cookie thief, I don’t know who sent you or how you got here, but I don’t have time for this. If you really want to rob me, just get it over with. Or just return to the psych ward you came from.” She pointed at the door. “Either you leave, or I’ll throw you out of here myself.”
“You could try.” Sana grinned, completely unbothered. She even snuggled shifted positions on the couch, now laying fully on it, making herself even more at home. “But, since I’m a deity, I’d just pop right back in.”
Momo clenched her jaw.
“You’re seriously not leaving?”
“Nope!” Sana grabbed the bag and held it over her mouth, shaking the last couple of crumbs into her mouth. She winked at Momo. “We’re gonna be best friends, Momo.”
Instead of calling the police like she should have, Momo excused herself to her bedroom and called her best friend to come over. It was an emergency. It took about twenty minutes too long for her to get here. Momo was back in the living area and had to stand there, staring at Sana who just rambled on and on about nonsensical stuff. At some point, Sana was on the floor, cooing over Boo and Dobby, squishing their cheeks and showering them with kisses. Boo and Dobby were absolutely smitten. Traitors.
Momo sighed in relief when she heard knocks on the door. She opened it, revealing a frantic Im Nayeon holding a frying pan.
“Where’s the robber?! I brought the most lethal weapon I could find!” Nayeon exclaimed, looking around. Her eyes landed on the girl on the floor, surrounded by two energetic dogs. Nayeon blinked, and lowered her weapon. Well this wasn’t the crazy, insane, and deadly burglar Momo described on the phone, was it? This girl looked like an absolute sweetheart. Boo and Dobby even liked them! Those two brats didn’t even like Nayeon .
Sana looked up and finally noticed the new person in the apartment. Oh, this girl was pretty! Could possibly be a potential match. She quickly stood up and bounced over to Nayeon, taking her free hand and shaking it vigorously.
“Hello! My name is Sana!” She introduced herself, crescent eyes, scrunched nose and all.
Nayeon was taken aback by the girl’s energy at first, but managed to smile, taking back her hand.
“Uh, I’m Im Nayeon.”
Sana paused. Im Nayeon? Sana analyzed her. Bunny smile, large brown eyes, rosy cheeks…Then it clicked. Oh! This must be the girl Ryujin was assigned to about two years ago. Sana remembered Ryujin ranting to her about a certain Nayeon with a bunny smile and how she was too crazy for any potential matches to handle. Until she was finally able to match her with a Myoui Mina. What a small world.
Sana was relieved that Momo wasn’t a loner. Thank goodness she actually had a social life.
“Momo, I thought you said someone broke into your apartment and was trying to kill you.” Nayeon turned to Momo with a raised eyebrow.
“Well she did break into my apartment. And who knows if she wants to kill me. She’s over here claiming she’s some sort of Cupid! She’s a nutcase!” Momo exclaimed in defense.
Sana sighed exaggeratedly. She was tired of this back and forth. It was time to get to work! She snapped her fingers, conjuring up a very long scroll that began to unroll itself all over the apartment. Boo and Dobby began to chase it.
“I’ll have you know I am the best with a 99% success rate!”
Nayeon bent down to read all the printed names while Momo’s jaw dropped, dumbfounded.
“Seems legit.” Nayeon nodded and shrugged. “You wouldn’t happen to know Ryujin, would you?”
Sana ignored her and glued herself to Momo’s side. She leaned her head towards her, batting her eyelashes.
“See you in the morning! I’ll allow you some time for this to sink in.”
Then Sana disappeared, leaving behind a cloud of pink sparkles.
-
Momo woke up to her alarm going off. She groaned as the sunlight streamed through her window. She forced her eyes open and moved to shut off her alarm. It was six in the morning. Time to get ready for work. Another normal day for her. Yes, last night was all a dream.
She got up to stretch, letting out a yawn. Looking around, she found it strange that Boo and Dobby weren’t smothering her. Their beds were empty. With furrowed eyebrows, she walked out her suspiciously slightly ajar door.
“Good morning!”
Momo paused in the hallway.
Sana was sitting on her counter, swinging her legs happily, a bowl in her lap. Boo and Dobby were circling around her, tails wagging synchronously. Traitors.
For a second, Momo stared in horror. Then, she exhaled sharply, rubbing her eyes. Okay. Clearly, I’m still dreaming.
“You snore so loud by the way,” Sana said as she scooped some cereal with her spoon and brought it to her mouth.
Okay, new strategy. Ignore the problem until it goes away.
Momo robotically went through her usual morning routine. She finally got Boo and Dobby to unlatch themselves from Sana’s presence to feed them. Momo prepared her own breakfast consisting of simple yogurt with oats and fruit accompanied by some very strong coffee. Momo went through the rest. She hopped after getting dressed in her room and coming out, Sana would be gone. Momo would rather be hallucinating than Sana actually being real.
Unfortunately, Sana was still sitting there, munching on her cereal.
“How are you still here?” Momo inhaled deeply, grabbing her purse.
“I told you, I’m a Cupid,” Sana chirped in between bites. “You can’t just make me disappear. I have a job to do.”
Momo dragged a hand down her face.
“This is an actual nightmare.”
“Wow, rude!” Sana pouted. “You should be honored that I was chosen to be here just for you.”
“Okay. Bye.” Momo deadpanned, walking to the door. She needed to head to work. This lunatic was just wasting her precious time.
Momo took the elevator down into the underground parking garage and headed to her car. Hopefully by the time she got home, her life would return to normal. The car beeped as Momo unlocked it. She opened the door and got in, and as she turned towards the passenger seat to set her bag down, she nearly had a heart attack.
“Hello!” Sana was sitting in the passenger seat, seatbelt fastened, beaming at her like this was completely normal.
“How?! I–I didn’t even see you come outside! How’d you even get in here?!”
Sana giggled and shrugged playfully.
“I told you, I’m a deity. I can just poof wherever I want to go.” Sana further proved her point when she suddenly disappeared in a cloud of pink sparkles. Momo blinked, and nearly jumped out of her seat when she felt air being blown behind her ear.
“Stop that!” Momo turned around only to find another cloud of pink sparkles.
“Do you believe me now?” Sana was magically back in the passenger seat, looking at Momo with those big, shiny brown eyes of hers.
Momo checked the time. She was going to be late for work. Without answering Sana’s question, she started the car and pulled out. What did Momo do wrong in her life that she was now stuck with this woman? Sana spent the whole ride fiddling with the radio, asking Momo dumb questions, and raiding the compartment full of snacks.
Momo parked her car in the lot and leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes and counting to ten. Sana eyed her, head tilted. She began to poke Momo repeatedly. Sana wouldn’t follow her inside right? Sana would definitely leave her alone at her place of work… right?
“What?” Momo snapped, side-eyeing Sana, already having enough of her poking.
“This place looks boring.”
“Yeah, well it’s a company not a playground.” Momo rolled her eyes.
“So any cute coworkers?”
Momo’s eye twitched.
“No.”
She got out of her car, slammed her car door, and stomped towards the building. Yes, Momo left her there. She grabbed some coffee from her floor’s kitchen area and made her way towards her cubicle.
“Sooo, what exactly do you do here?” Sana questioned, spinning around in Momo’s office chair.
Momo sighed. She should’ve known. Momo didn’t have the patience for this. It was nine in the morning and she had a lot of work to do. She pulled over an extra chair, pushed Sana away and sat in front of her computer.
“I work in A&R.”
“Okay.” Sana hummed.
Sana went silent…surprisingly. The only sounds that were heard were the murmuring of other coworkers, the tapping of keys on keyboards, and the occasional cough. Sana blew some air out of her mouth and looked around, completely bored out of her mind. She really needed to find Momo a girlfriend. She needed some excitement in her life. Desperately.
Sana spun in her chair for a few minutes, then began to tap on the table, then she began to click her tongue. Ugh, this was so boring! How long has it been? Sana leaned over to peer at the clock on the bottom right of the computer. It’s only been four minutes.
Sana glanced at Momo who was completely engrossed in whatever was on that screen. Sana stood up to roam around. Momo wouldn’t notice she was gone anyway. She should really do some scouting if she wants to make progress on her assignment. Momo surely had to have some cute coworkers here.
So far, Momo’s floor was full of men. Sana huffed and pouted to herself. Momo’s file explicitly said she had never dated anybody. No men, no women. But Sana knew a lesbian when she saw one. And Momo was definitely a lesbian.
Sana sat on a cushion and leaned back against the wall. She crossed her arms in frustration. She must have searched the entire building already, but no one was an adequate match for Momo. Men were off the list of course. The women Sana did come across were either too old, or they simply didn’t call to Sana. They were pretty, yes, but she needed someone perfect. Someone who could handle Momo’s…essence.
Sana was about to scratch Momo's place of work off her mental list and figure out what other places to find a match when she saw her walk by. A tall woman, dressed impeccably.
Momo finally tore her eyes away from the screen when her lunch break came around noon. She leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms, sighing in relief when her back cracked in the right places. She had managed to get ahead in her work, possibly allowing her to head home early–if her manager doesn’t suddenly drop a new workload on her.
She realized the chair beside her was empty. Oh no.
Momo stood up and began to look for Sana all around her floor. She couldn’t have sana of all people running rouge in her place of employment. Sana was crazy! Who knows what she could be doing right now.
Momo rushed inside the elevator after she couldn’t find Sana anywhere. Up or down? Momo just picked randomly and hoped for the best. After the elevator doors opened to the fifth floor, Momo rushed around, probably looking crazy herself to her coworkers. She sighed. She should be enjoying her lunch right now, but no, she was looking for a Cupid.
Momo walked past the break room and heard a familiarly sweet giggle. She paused and stepped backwards, finally finding the woman she was looking for. But now Momo was filled with dread. There at the same table was Sana with Chou Tzuyu.
Momo’s manager.
Sana spotted Momo. She finished slurping on her ramen and waved at Momo like a puppy.
“Momo! Over here!” She called out.
Momo wanted to die.
“Momo,” Tzuyu greeted, her voice as smooth as ever.
“Tzuyu.” Momo forced a tight-lipped smile.
Meanwhile, Sana had her chin resting on her palms, her eyes following Momo and Tzuyu, back and forth as if it were a tennis match. She had a shit-eating grin on her face, watching them interact. Momo internally rolled her eyes. If sana thought she would match her with Tzuyu of all people, she was mistaken.
Now don’t get her wrong, Tzuyu was nice as a person, but as a manager…Momo couldn’t stand her. Momo honestly didn’t understand how Tzuyu of all people got the manager position. She somehow always got someone to do her work for her. Momo didn’t know if it was all an act from Tzuyu, pretending she didn’t know how to complete simple tasks, using her pretty face and cute obliviousness to her advantage–or if she was just dumb. Either way, Momo often ended up doing Tzuyu’s work as well, not wanting to deal with her puppy eyes.
Momo still remembered the first day she was transferred under Tzuyu’s management. Tzuyu had her sitting with her in the same cubicle, teaching Momo how to use a mouse and keyboard disguised as “training”. And Tzuyu was serious about it too. Worst three hours of her life. Moo ended up teaching herself the actual requirements of her position as she went along.
“Have you eaten? Sana gave this bento to me and it’s so good! Right, Sana?”
Sana nodded, her cheeks full of noodles.
Wait. Bento? Momo spotted the familiar pink container filled with the very same lunch Momo had prepared herself last night.
“No, I haven’t.” Momo turned to subtly glare at Sana who was unaffected as always.
Why wasn’t anyone or Tzuyu questioning Sana’s presence? She wasn’t an employee. She was technically trespassing since you needed a keycard to enter anywhere in this building.
“You’re glaring,” Tzuyu said.
“I always glare.”
“I told you she’s always grumpy.” Tzuyu leaned over, whispering to Sana.
“Maybe because that bento you’re eating belongs to me.” Momo huffed.
“Oh no! Tzuyu, maybe you should take Momo out to dinner after work to make it up to her!” Sana chimed in, her pout very exaggerated.
“Okay.” Tzuyu shrugged. “This is very good by the way.”
Momo was back at her cubicle, hungry and even more annoyed. Sana was spinning beside her, extremely proud of herself for matching someone up with Momo. Tzuyu seemed like a nice girl. Their interactions were so cute! Momo didn’t seem to think so though.
“You guys have chemistry!” Sana was absolutely thrilled.
“Stop talking.”
“You two are obviously meant to be.”
“You’re insane.” Momo replied, not even sparing her a glance. Was Sana really the best Cupid these people had? “She’s my manager.”
“Workplace romance is the best romance! Spicy!” Sana said, clapping her hands together.
“No, you don’t get it. I cannot stand her. She’s so…in the clouds.”
“In the clouds?” Sana blinked, confused.
“Yes, in the clouds . I don’t even know how she got the manager position. She just exists –floating through life, being all calm and oblivious . It’s like nothing fazes her. I don’t get it.”
Sana giggled, grinning and wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.
“Ooooo, so you think about her a lot.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“You’re adorable.” Sana cooed, patting her shoulder in a reassuring manner. “Don’t worry! I’ll get you two together in no time and you’ll live happily ever after.”
Momo groaned again, slamming her forehead against her desk.
-
With Sana’s meddling, Momo found herself in the same vehicle as Tzuyu. Sana was nowhere to be found. She was expecting a simple dinner. Just eat, and then leave. This wasn’t serious anyway. She was sure Tzuyu wasn’t taking this “date” seriously either. Tzuyu most likely didn’t even consider this a date.
Momo gazed out the window. Wondering how her life had come to this. Tzuyu was tapping her fingers against the steering wheel, humming to whatever song was playing on the radio. She was unbothered, as always.
Momo lifted her head when she noticed Tzuyu passing by the street with all the restaurants.
“You missed the turn.”
“Yeah.” Tzuyu replied and proceeded to sing at the top of her lungs once the chorus hit.
And that’s how Momo ended up standing in front of a club. The sun was setting, and many people were already rounded up and waiting in line. The night was just starting for them.
Momo was annoyed. It was a work night.
“What are we doing here? I thought we were going out for dinner.” Momo hissed at Tzuyu who was dragging her into the line. Everyone was dressed for..this occasion while she and Tzuyu were still in office clothes.
“They have excellent fries here.”
They made it inside and Momo already felt a headache starting to form with all the flashing lights and loud music. Before Momo could say anything, Tzuyu was gone. Momo looked everywhere, until her eyes landed on the bar. There Tzuyu was, sitting on a stool, chin on her palm as she talked to one of the bartenders. Tzuyu’s smile was dopier than usual and she appeared to be familiar with the monolidded woman behind the counter.
Oh?
“Not what I imagined, but this place looks fun.”
Momo jumped at the sound of Sana’s voice. Sana really needed to stop appearing out of nowhere.
“So where’s Tzuyu?” Sana looked around. Momo’s eyes trailed over her figure. Sana was wearing a nicely fitted black dress and heels, her brunette hair was falling over her shoulders in smooth waves, and her makeup was nicely done. Momo gulped and feigned indifference.
“She’s making googly eyes with the bartender,” Momo said, crossing her arms.
Sana pouted beside her, looking incredibly displeased when she finally spotted Tzuyu. “This isn’t going according to plan at all.” She whined. “Tzuyu was supposed to be your date!”
Momo casually sat down at the other end of the bar and lazily took a sip of a drink that a server had set down. Might as well get some alcohol in her system.
“She’s not my date.”
“Well, she was supposed to be, but then she ditched you!” Sana huffed, crossing her arms.
Okay, maybe this was a miscalculation on her part. It’s fine, this was fine. It wasn’t unusual for the first match attempt to fail. I never fail at the first try, Sana thought bitterly. Jeongyeon was probably looking down at her from her office, laughing at her failure. Oh well, there was a first time for everything! Jeongyeon did say Momo was going to be difficult. Sana would get it right the second time. She glanced at Momo who was still lazily drinking, tapping her finger to the beat of the music.
“Maybe you just suck as a Cupid.” Momo finally replied.
“Excuse me?!” Sana was offended.
Momo smirked, glancing at Sana.
“Face it, love god . Your match-making skills are garbage.”
Sana stomped her foot.
“My skills are not garbage! It’s just–ugh! She was supposed to be the one, but she’s out here flirting with someone else!”
Momo laughed. Watching as Tzuyu and the bartender were now engaged in deep conversation, both gazing into each other’s eyes all longingly.
“Yeah, well, better luck next time. Or never actually.” Momo stood up and straightened out her clothes. “I’m going home.”
Momo was tired and still hungry. She missed her very therapeutic time at the gym today. She hasn’t seen Boo and Dobby since this morning. She had to call Nayeon and ask her to feed them for her just to go on this “date”. What a waste of Momo’s precious time.
“No! I refuse to let the night be a total disaster!” Sana exclaimed, stepping in front of Momo.
“And what do you suggest, oh wise deity ?” Momo raised an eyebrow, almost bored. If Sana thought she was going to find Momo’s supposed “match” at this place full of sweaty people, she would laugh in her face.
Sana suddenly grabbed Momo’s wrist, tugging her off her seat.
“We dance.”
“Wait what?” Momo stammered, almost tripping when Sana practically dragged her onto the dance floor, weaving through the crowd with surprising strength.
“If you’re not gonna have a romantic night with Tzuyu, you can at least have fun!”
“You really don’t know how to take a hint, do you?”
“Nope!” Sana grinned.
Before Momo could protest further, Sana spun around and pulled her close as the bass thumped through the floor. The club lights flashed in bursts of red and blue, castling glows over Sana’s face. She was beaming, eyes bright and full of mischief as she moved to the beat.
Momo hated to admit it but… damn.
Sana was pretty.
Like, really pretty.
Momo blinked, briefly caught off guard by the thought. Sana, meanwhile, was too busy laughing and twirling around to notice Momo’s uncharacteristically flustered state.
“Come on, Momo! Loosen up!”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet, you’re still here.” Sana teased, poking her playfully.
Momo snorted, but let herself go, moving in sync with Sana. She had to admit–this was kind of fun.
Just a little.
Momo eventually felt two arms wrap around her shoulders, both women now laughing together at their dumb dance moves.
Sana didn’t realize it yet, but something inside her stirred as she watched Momo laugh for the first time that night, the neon lights reflecting in her eyes.
She didn’t know why, but her chest felt oddly warm.
She chalked it up to the dancing.
-
Momo was sporting a brutal hangover the next morning. She leaned against her kitchen counter, the spoon feeling extremely heavy in her hand as she forced herself to eat breakfast. How she made it this far in her morning routine? Momo didn’t know. But she forced herself to get dressed for work. The thought of calling off crossed her mind, but she refused to ruin her perfect attendance.
Boo and Dobby circled around her feet after scarfing down their own food. Momo didn’t have the energy to coo over them like she usually did. Bending down was not something she wanted to do with this horrible headache. Momo reached up to open her cabinet and pop some ibuprofen when her elbow accidentally knocked over her coffee.
Can this morning get any worse?
A cloud of pink sparkles appeared in her kitchen.
It can get worse.
“Good morning, Momoring!” Sana cheered, her signature beaming smile on display as usual. “Are you ready to continue your journey of love? Because I am!”
Momo flinched at the painfully chipper voice. She sighed at the sight of Sana who was bouncing excitedly in the middle of the kitchen, looking way too energetic for this early in the morning. And what was with the nickname?
“Go away.” Momo groaned.
Sana giggled.
“No can do! We have work to do today!”
“ I have work. You are an unemployed supernatural menace.”
“Correction,” Sana said proudly, “I’m a love deity on a mission. Technically, this is my job.”
“Well your ‘mission’ is ruining my life.” Momo grumbled, rubbing her temples. “Ugh, I need some more coffee.”
Momo once again found herself in her car with a chattering Sana sitting beside her in the passenger seat. Sana rambled on and on about stories consisting of her past assignments and whatever shenanigans Sana got herself into. Momo tuned her out. The only brightside to this day was the fact that she had an easy day today, and the ibuprofen finally kicked in. Though, Sana may be the reason why another headache may form.
Even as Momo pulled into the parking lot and made her way into the building, Sana was still talking. Did this girl not get tired of running her mouth?
“...And then I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I should’ve aimed better,’ but hey, my arrows always eventually hit the right target! And speaking of targets, today is the day, Momo! Don’t worry, I’ll find a pretty lady–”
“Sana.”
“–that’s perfect for you!” Sana beamed, looking almost smug, as she leaned against Momo’s desk.
Momo sighed and opted to just ignore her. Her eyes were fixed on her computer, setting things up to get started on her work for today. She had already accepted the fact that she couldn’t get rid of Sana. That didn’t mean she had to entertain her nonsense.
At least today was an easy day. She and Chaeyoung, her A&R team leader, were set to work on a PowerPoint for an upcoming project. No meetings, no high-stakes deadlines. Just a simple workday.
And honestly? Momo liked working with Chaeyoung.
She was laid-back, easygoing, and always had good ideas without being overbearing. Unlike some of their other colleagues, Chaeyoung never made a big deal out of things, and Momo appreciated that.
Right on cue, Chaeyoung strolled into the office, a cup of coffee in one hand and her little black stuffed dog perched on her shoulder as usual. She plopped down in the seat next to Momo with a lazy grin.
“Morning,” she greeted.
Sana’s eyes sparkled.
Target acquired.
“Hi! I’m Sana.” She happily introduced herself. “You’re so cute!”
Chaeyoung’s cheeks reddened a bit and she smiled bashfully.
“Thank you. I’m Chaeyoung.”
Seriously, why was no one questioning Sana’s presence?, Momo thought.
Luckily, Sana was quiet after that. She was satisfied with the momentary silence.
They got to work, slipping into an easy rhythm as they planned out slides, adding bullet points and graphics without any fuss. Momo liked that about Chaeyoung. No unnecessary small talk, no stress, just smooth collaboration.
Sana, on the other hand, stood off to the side, hands on her hips, eyes gleaming mischievously as she observed them like a scientist studying an experiment. Momo and Chaeyoung worked well together. She hadn’t seen Momo smile so easily like this when she was with Tzuyu. That was poor judgement on Sana's part. Maybe Chaeyoung was the one! And it helped that Chaeyoung was adorable. She looked like a little tiger cub.
Momo could feel her gaze, even if she pretended to ignore it.
What is she plotting now?
Oh no.
Of course Sana thought Chaeyoung was the perfect match. It made perfect sense from Sana’s perspective, she supposed. However, Momo knew that love wasn’t just some formula you could just plug people into, putting her beliefs about love aside.
Still, she had a sinking feeling that Sana wouldn’t let this go.
Soon, Sana began to zone out, now sitting in her self-assigned chair. This was the boring part of her job. Waiting. Allowing things to take its course. Momo and Chaeyoung were peacefully working, everything seemed to be going well. Sana hated not meddling.
Sana sat back, arms crossed, watching the two. For some reason, she found herself getting…irritated.
Now that Sana noticed, Momo was so relaxed around Chaeyoung. She smiled at her, laughed at her jokes, and didn’t grumble or roll her eyes like she always did with Sana.
Why was Chaeyoung allowed to see this easygoing side of her while Sana got nothing but complaints and snappy remarks?
Sana huffed, puffing out her cheeks. So unfair.
Her mind flashed back to last night. Momo’s hands on her waist, the warmth of their bodies moving together on the dance floor, the way Momo had looked at her under the neon lights…The way Momo looked genuinely happy and like she was having fun with Sana.
Sana shook her head aggressively. Nope! Not thinking about that!
No way. Sana needed to focus.
Sana took a deep breath, smoothing out her expression. Right. Matchmaking. That was what she was here for. Not whatever this was.
Noon came around and it was finally time for their lunch break. Chaeyoung packed up her things and headed up to the upper floor where the break room was. Momo opted to eat her lunch at her desk.
“Soooo,” Sana said casually, leaning closer to Momo. “What’s Chaeyoung’s type?”
Momo barely spared her a glance.
“She already has a girlfriend.”
Sana blinked.
“What?”
“She’s been with Somi for years.” Momo shrugged.
Sana felt a strange weight lift from her chest.
… Wait.
Why did that make her feel relieved?
Sana scowled, forcing herself to focus.
“Well, whatever! That just means I have to find someone else for you. No biggie.”
Momo let out a long sigh.
“Sana, please–”
“Nope!” Sana interrupted, standing up dramatically. “My job isn’t done until you’re in love!”
“I love my easy job. I love my dogs. I love the gym. I love my friends. That’s enough love for me.”
Sana pouted.
“You’re so stubborn.”
Momo ignored her, going back to her lunch.
Sana stayed quiet for a moment, watching Momo’s focused expression.
For some reason, her heart did a weird little flip.
She frowned.
Weird.
-
“Jeongyeon, she is driving me crazy!”
Sana was in Jeongyeon’s office up in the heavens, sulking. When Jeongyeon said Momo would be difficult, she didn’t expect it to be like this! Sana had worked with a handful of assignments, she had a 99% success rate for a reason! But Sana lasted a maximum of a day with them. Yes, she was that good. Usually, the first match Sana presented was the one! But for some reason, the matches she’d been trying to set up Momo with had been falling through.
“I told you she was going to be tough.” Jeongyeon shrugged, snatching her bowl of chocolates from Sana. She had just restocked it the last time Sana was here.
Sana flopped dramatically onto the plush cloud-like couch in Jeongyeon’s office, arms spread out as she groaned in frustration.
“She’s impossible !” Sana whined, kicking her legs like a child. “I have never had this much trouble with anyone! I mean, sure, there’s been a few rocky starts in the beginning, but these humans eventually clicked and started to fall for each other. But Momo? These matches dodged her. Every. Single. One!”
Momo consistently claimed she wasn’t one for love, but Sana refused to believe that. Everyone deserves their match! Their soulmate! Call Sana a romantic–it was literally in her job description.
Jeongyeon sat at her grand desk, barely looking up from the scroll she was going over.
“So, what I’m hearing is…you’re finally facing a real challenge.” Jeongyeon finally looked up with a teasing grin.
Sana shot up, pointing at her.
“No! What you’re hearing is that Momo is the worst!”
Joengyeon sighed, setting the scroll down and rubbing her temples.
“Sana, you’ve been whining about this for days . What’s the issue? Is she that stubborn?”
Sana crossed her arms.
“She refuses to fall for anyone! I tried Tzuyu–she ditched Momo for some girl at the bar. I tried Chaeyoung–turns out she has a girlfriend! She won’t even consider the idea of love!”
“Seems like our top Cupid has lost her touch.” Jeongyeon quipped, a playful glint in her eyes.
“I never fail! I have a perfect record!” Sana stood up, her wings fluttering in annoyance.
“What about that 1%?”
“We don’t talk about that.” Sana quickly said, her cheeks reddening. “Anyway, I have a job to do. I’ll show you this is just a fluke! Now, if you excuse me…”
A cloud of pink sparkles took Sana’s place.
Jeongyeon just shook her head in amusement and continued on with her work.
-
Momo was tying her hair up in a ponytail, already set to head to the gym. It was a Saturday, and Momo always started the weekend off with some weightlifting.
Sana had been gone for two days now, probably nursing her wounded pride. Still, Momo did kind of wonder about Sana’s whereabouts when she wasn’t here, annoying the hell out of Momo.
“Honey, I’m home!”
Momo spoke too soon.
Sana appeared within a cloud of pink sparkles just when Momo turned towards the door. The Cupid was slapped in the face by Momo’s attire. Since when did Momo have abs? Sana swallowed, eyes trained on her abdomen.
“Since when do you have wings?” Momo questioned, eyeing the white feathered wings that she was definitely sure Sana didn’t have before.
“Huh?” Sana looked over her shoulder. “Oh! I forgot to conceal them.” Another cloud of pink sparkles appeared where Sana’s wings now used to be.
Okay…. Momo blinked.
“Very glad to see you back,” Momo said sarcastically, acting indifferent.
“Awwww, Momoring! Did you miss me?” Sana cooed, cupping Momo’s cheeks. Momo scrunched her face and pushed Sana’s hands away.
Momo scoffed.
“No. Just haven’t seen you for two days. Thought you gave up or something.”
Sana gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. Momo always managed to find new ways to offend her.
“ Me? Give up?! Never!”
Momo rolled her eyes.
“So, where were you?” Momo asked, trying to sound casual. A small, tiny part of her very deep down kind of missed Sana’s chaotic presence. Momo wouldn’t admit it but her life was pretty boring before Sana came along.
Sana stretched her arms above her head, yawning lazily, as she skipped over to Momo’s kitchen to raid her fridge. Momo’s eyes followed her every move.
“Oh, you know…I’ve been planning my next moves and I’ve been hanging out with Jeongie.” Sana replied, piercing a straw into her Caprisun.
Momo furrowed her eyebrows. Jeongie?
“Who the hell is Jeongie?” Momo blurted out, failing to hide the bitterness in her tone.
“Jeongie! My boss. My mentor. My very wise and wonderful superior.” Sana hummed, oblivious to Momo’s confusing internal conflict. To Sana, Momo’s grumpiness was the norm.
“You have a nickname for your boss?”
“Of course! I have nicknames for everyone!” Sana grinned, now holding a bag of gummies she had taken from Momo’s pantry.
Of course someone as bubbly and chipper as Sana would have nicknames for everyone. Momo shouldn’t be surprised. But why was Sana so close with her boss ?
“Unbelievable.” Momo muttered under her breath.
Then, Sana’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she leaned in a little closer.
“Why? Is Momoring jealous?”
“What? No!” Momo tensed, eyes narrowing.
Sana gasped, cupping her cheeks once again.
“Oh my gods, you are! You’re so cute!”
“I am not jealous!” Momo exclaimed defensively. “Or cute.” Her cheeks were red. Momo was embarrassingly flustered right now.
“Admit it, Momo. You missed me.”
Momo realized Sana’s hands were still on her cheeks and she quickly shoved her away.
“Shut up.”
Sana just giggled.
“It’s okay, Momo. I know I’m very lovable.”
“I regret asking where you were.” Momo exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples–which was something she frequently ended up doing these days. Sana was going to kill her with these headaches.
“Too late! You care about me now!” Sana grinned triumphantly.
“I don’t.”
Sana just kept smiling.
And for some reason, that smile made Momo’s stomach flip.
Weird.
-
Sana walked beside Momo, hands clasped behind her back as she hummed a cheerful tune. Momo, on the other hand, was trying her best to ignore her. She had gotten used to Sana's presence, but that didn’t mean she liked it.
Or at least, that’s what she kept telling herself.
When Momo mentioned that she was going to the gym, Sana was happy to tag along–ecstatic even. She had done her research while she was gone, and she already found the perfect match. You know what they say! Third time’s the charm!
Park Jihyo.
She frequented the gym a lot. And boy, was Jihyo a very attractive and pretty woman. She was toned, and had abs that could rival Momo’s. She was a gym rat from what Sana had seen, which was perfect for Momo. They could bond over being sweaty.
This plan was genius . Jihyo was strong, confident, a natural leader, and most importantly she was single . Yes, Sana did a full background check on her. No mistakes this time! Momo needed someone to take care of her well. She could bring Momo out of her shell, show her what love really meant.
Still, Sana didn’t understand why there was a strange ugly feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was it because she had failed twice already? That was pretty uncharacteristic of Sana. Even Jeongyeon was surprised this assignment was taking longer than usual by Sana's standards.
Or…was it the thought of Momo falling in love with someone else?
Sana clenched her fists.
No, that wasn’t it.
Sana was just frustrated. That’s all.
Shaking off the weird feeling, she plastered a bright smile on her face as they arrived at the gym. It was time to put her plan into action.
Sana followed Momo, looking around at all of the machines and sweaty bodies that were already in here. Sana wasn’t one for exercise. Why do all this when she had wings and magic on her side? She supposed humans lacked in that department. Momo secured a spot near the weights and set her bag down. It was a good thing the gym was attached to Momo’s apartment complex. They only had to walk towards the elevator and down the hall once they made it to the bottom floor. That was enough exercise for Sana. Curse having to conceal her wings!
“Behave yourself.” Momo warned, picking up on Sana’s buzzing excitement.
“Can’t I just be excited to watch you sweat and struggle to lift heavy things?”
Momo rolled her eyes.
“Whatever. Just don’t bother me.”
Sana grinned, eyes lighting up even more when none other than Park Jihyo walked through the doors. Oh, Momo. I won’t be the one bothering you today.
Sana had meddled just enough–spilled a water bottle here and there, “accidentally” made Momo drop her towel there–until finally, Momo and Jihyo were forced to interact. And to Sana’s genuine surprise, they actually hit it off.
Sana watched from a distance, arms crossed as a smug smile played on her lips. Finally, things were going right. But then that strange bitter feeling bubbled up within Sana again. She had expected Momo to be stiff, awkward, maybe even annoyed. But no, she was talking. Actually talking.
And she wasn’t glaring. She wasn’t huffing in frustration.
She was…relaxed.
Oh.
Sana’s grin faltered for just a second.
She shook it off. This was good! This was what she wanted! Sana will wait for them to get close, start falling for each other, and she'll finish it off with one of her special arrows to solidify their bond. Happily ever after! Sana can move on to her next assignment and continue on her successful career as a Cupid. But Sana began to grow a soft spot for this grump.
Jihyo laughed at something Momo said. Momo cracked a small smile. They were spotting each other on the bench press.
Sana bit the inside of her cheek.
Momo never smiled at her like that. Well in Momo’s defense, Sana did barge into her life unexpectedly. But still, Sana believed they had spent enough time together to form a precious bond!
Whatever. This was fine.
Everything was going exactly how she planned.
-
It’s been about two months since Momo befriended Jihyo. She genuinely cherished Jihyo’s friendship. She made a very good gym buddy. Momo finally found someone who understood her obsession with working out. Nayeon hated the mere idea of exercise.
It started with Momo and Jihyo becoming a staple pair at the gym, always spotting each other, challenging each other over who can do the most reps or push themselves to the maximum, and grabbing post-workout smoothies afterwards at the small cafe across the street. It was nice, refreshing even, to have someone to bond over something she actually enjoyed.
But something had been bugging Momo. Sana had vanished.
Momo immediately noticed. How could she not? She had grown used to the chaotic, meddlesome presence that had wormed its way into Momo’s life. But she brushed it off. Maybe Sana had finally given up and found another soul to pester.
But still…Sana should have at least said goodbye, right? Momo was annoyed she had just left her hanging, leaving without a word. What a lack of manners. It wasn’t like Momo secretly missed her, deep deep down. Of course not! Good riddance actually.
Why did Momo feel like a piece of her was missing?
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Momo, Sana was watching.
Whether it be from rooftops, from the far corner of the gym, from just outside Momo’s apartment window–Sana was watching. Call her creepy, but it was part of her job! It also helped that Sana could turn herself invisible.
She watched Momo and Jihyo laugh together, train together, and share meals together. She watched as Momo smiled easily in Jihyo’s presence, her usual grumpy demeanor gone. Boo and Dobby even liked her–not as instantly as they liked Sana though, which Sana felt smug about. Jihyo managed to weasel her way into Momo’s little friend trio consisting of her, Nayeon, and the infamous Myoui Mina.
Now Sana had a bone to pick with Momo about that. Momo was judging Sana for being close with her boss when Mina was literally the director of Momo’s department.
Anyway, Sana hated it. It was irrational. This was what she wanted right? Another success added to her perfect record. But the bitter weight in her chest never left. It festered, twisting and curling up inside her every time she saw them together.
Her whole purpose was to match people, and here she was, watching her assignment be happy with someone else.
And now was the time to solidify Momo and Jihyo’s blossoming relationship. Sana was standing on the balcony of Momo’s apartment, looking in through the sliding doors. The two were on the couch. Momo was focused on her dogs while Jihyo was focused on whatever movie was playing on the TV. Nayeon and Mina, who were also over, were pressed together, shoulder to shoulder, in the kitchen.
Sana made her heart-shaped bow appear and she reached behind her to grab a heart-shaped arrow from her quiver. This was the final step. Sana always lets her assignment and their match get to know each other and hit it off, before striking them with an arrow to seal their bond.
Sana loaded her arrow onto her bow, her hands shaking as she aimed it with practiced ease at Momo and Jihyo. She took a deep breath, her eyes narrowed, locked on her two targets. Sana exhaled, steadying her grip.
She released.
The arrow phased through the glass door into the apartment, and in true Sana fashion, it had to bounce off something.
Sana’s eyes widened.
The arrow ricocheted off the corner of a table, shot diagonally across the room, then bounced off a picture frame, twisted around the curve of a hanging plant, and zipped straight towards the couch. But of course, it had to graze the fabric, now spinning wildly through the air, making loops as if mocking her. Until it finally pinged off the shoe rack and shot right back through the glass door.
Sana didn’t even have time to move.
The arrow hit her right in the chest, dissolving into bursts of little hearts and gold sparkles.
Sana staggered back, mouth parted in silent shock. Her wings twitched behind her as her breath hitched.
This wasn’t right. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She never missed. Never.
She clutched her chest. The warmth spread fast–-searing, dizzying, unbearable. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, too fast, too loud.
Feelings flared inside her like wildfire.
Suddenly every memory of Momo came crashing back all at once–her lazy glare, her tiny subtle smirks when she engaged in Sana’s banter, the way she said Sana’s name in that (sexy) annoyed tone, the image of her under the neon lights dancing close–too close.
Her breath caught. Her knees nearly buckled.
Oh gods…this wasn’t a blip.
She was in love.
With Momo.
-
It was the middle of the night when Jeongyeon answered the loud banging on her front door. She was woken up from her well deserved rest. Even godly superiors deserved their beauty sleep, you know.
Jeongyeon opened the door, revealing a frazzled and flustered Sana. The Cupid had genuine panic and fear on her face. Her hair was a mess, wings all crooked with the feathers sticking out unevenly.
“...Sana?” Jeongyeon blinked, her sleepy haze vanishing. “Why do you look like you just got hit by a truck?”
“I DID!” Sana shrieked, barging into Jeongyeon’s house. “Emotionally!”
“...Okay.” Jeongyeon stared, rubbing her eyes. “And why is this my problem?”
Sana grabbed Jeongyeon by the shoulders, shaking her like a mad woman.
“Because I messed up, Jeongie! I really messed up this time!”
Jeongyeon frowned.
“You mean with Momo?”
Sana nodded furiously.
“Yes!”
“Look, Sana, if you’re worried about your job position, it’s not the end of the world. It’s normal for Cupids to fail once in a while. I did say Momo was going to be difficult–”
“No, you don’t understand! I was trying to shoot her and Jihyo with my arrow! I had the perfect angle and everything, even accounted for any possibilities of clumsiness, but–but–”
“But?” Jeongyeon asked, arms crossing.
Sana groaned.
“It hit me !”
“...What?”
“It hit me , Jeongie! It stabbed me! Not physically, but emotionally!” Sana dramatically pressed her hands to her heart. “I feel everything now. Everything.”
Jeongyeon was quiet for a moment, processing Sana’s words. Sana was now curled up on the other end of the couch, hugging one of Jeongyeon’s throw pillows like it might anchor her to sanity.
Their arrows were used to solidify a bond…the Cupid department didn’t believe in forcing love anymore. And Sana was right, she never missed. Sana had never missed in her entire career. Her archery skills, thought unconventional, were the best in their field. Sana always landed her targets. So if the arrow ended up striking her, that meant…
“Sana, if the arrow chose you instead of Jihyo…” Jeongyeon sat next to Sana, watching her closely. “You sure it didn’t hit the right target after all?”
Sana was quiet. Her fingers fidgeted with the zipper of the pillow cover. She looked so small now, like all the chaotic energy had drained out of her.
Jeongyeon leaned forward.
“Do you like her, Sana?”
There was a long pause.
Then Sana nodded, just once.
“...Yes,” Sana whispered. “I think I do.”
Jeongyeon exhaled, rubbing her face.
“Wow.”
In all her centuries of managing the Cupid department, Sana wasn’t the first case of a Cupid falling in love with a human. She just didn’t expect Sana to be one of those. She was flirty, yes, but Sana took her job very seriously.
“You have to tell Momo, you know that right?”
Sana’s eyes widened as she sat up straighter.
“Tell her?!” She squeaked, hugging the pillow tighter. “Jeongie, are you crazy?! What if she thinks I’m weird ? What if she laughs? What if she kicks me out of her apartment for real this time?! What if–”
Jeongyeon raised a hand.
“Sana.”
Sana froze mid-spiral.
“Yeah?”
“You have to tell her.”
“But–”
“You have to,” Jeongyeon said firmly. “The arrow’s magic only solidifies what’s already there, but if it’s unreciprocated or doesn’t bond with the other half, that magic can linger. And build. It’s dangerous to let that kind of thing sit. You’ll either explode into stardust or turn into a lovesick idiot, and I don’t want to deal with either of those.”
Too much paperwork, Jeongyeon shuddered at the thought.
Sana blinked.
“...That stardust part, that’s a metaphor right?”
Jeongyeon sent her a tight-lipped smile.
“Nope.”
Sana slumped back with a dramatic groan.
“Ugh, Jeongie, you suck!”
“And yet you keep coming to me with your problems.” Jeongyeon rolled her eyes. “Look, you don’t have to make an elaborate confession. Just be honest. Straight to the point. Either she feels the same and everything works out–”
“Or she doesn’t.” Sana murmured, eyes downcast.
Jeongyeon softened.
“Yeah. But you’re strong enough to handle that, aren’t you?”
Sana was quiet for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“Right.”
-
It has been three long months now.
Momo didn’t count the days. That would have been ridiculous on her part. She was a grown woman, she shouldn’t be acting like a teenager with a crush. Not that she had a crush or anything…
Except she noticed how quiet her apartment felt now. How peaceful the mornings were without Sana’s hyper, endless chatter echoing from the kitchen–and how boring that peace was.
Momo had gone back to her usual routines. Work. Gym. Walks with Boo and Dobby. Everything felt the same as before Sana had forced her way into her life. This is what Momo wanted, right? And yet, nothing felt quite right.
She caught herself looking over her shoulder at work, expecting Sana’s ridiculous (cute) smile and pink sparkles to pop out from behind her cubicle. She found herself opening her pantry, pausing for a second too long at the top shelf, oddly disappointed to see bags of her favorite cookies that Sana loved to steal still fully stocked.
She even walked slower on the way to the gym, eyes flicking around instinctively, hoping–stupidly hoping–that maybe, somehow, Sana would be there.
But she never was.
Worse still, Momo had no way to reach her. No number. No email. Sana was a deity. A Cupid. How was Momo even supposed to reach her?
And it infuriated Momo how much she missed her.
She missed the chaos. The meddling. The bright-eyed grins. The shameless teasing. The strange warmth that lingered whenever Sana looked at her like she was the only person that existed in the room.
Sana was supposed to be here, annoying the hell out of Momo. She was supposed to be acting like Sana was a nuisance. Technically, Sana didn’t finish her job. Momo still hadn’t found her match. She and Jihyo were just great friends. She knew Sana had something to do with Jihyo coming into her life. But Sana had failed to find her a romantic match. Momo needed Sana here, whining about how she had failed again.
Momo threw herself deeper into her routine, hoping the ache would go away. But it never did.
Ugh.
Nayeon stretched out on Momo’s couch, sipping from a mug and casually watching Momo pace around the kitchen.
“So…” She started with a teasing lilt, “Whatever happened to your little cupid? It’s been a while since you’ve complained to me about her.”
Momo froze mid-step, her hand halfway to the fridge.
“Who?”
Nayeon gave her a look.
“Don’t play dumb. Sana.”
Momo shut the fridge a little too hard.
“She disappeared. Haven’t seen Sana in months.” She said through gritted teeth, shrugging.
Nayeon’s eyebrows lifted.
“Wow. You sound real torn up about it.”
“I’m not.” Momo grumbled, opening her bottle of water. “She was annoying. Loud. Always meddling.”
“Uh huh.” Nayeon grinned, unconvinced. “Is that why you just sighed when you said her name?”
“I did not sigh.”
“You definitely sighed.”
Momo glared.
“Shut up.”
Nayeon leaned back against the cushions with a satisfied smirk. She had successfully pushed Momo’s buttons.
“You like her.”
“No I don’t.”
“Yes you do.”
“I don’t, Nayeon.”
“You’re all grumpy just because I mentioned her.”
“I’m always grumpy.” Momo rebutted.
“But not this kind of grumpy.”
Whatever that means, thought Momo.
Momo slammed her water bottle on the counter. Momo’s cheeks began to turn red, her eye was twitching, and her jaw was clenched. But overall, she looked completely and utterly flustered. A rare look for Momo. And as Momo’s best friend, Nayeon could read Momo like an open book.
“I swear to–”
“Aha!” Nayeon pointed at her. “There it is! You do like her!”
Momo crossed her arms and looked away.
“E-Even if I did–which I don't by the way…she’s gone.” Momo muttered bitterly.
Nayeon’s teasing expression softened, but only slightly. She wiggled her eyebrows, still lounging like she owned the place as she took another sip from her mug.
“Okay, okay. Hypothetically,” she said, tapping her chin with mock thoughtfulness, “if Sana just… poofed back into your life, would you tell her you like her?”
Momo shot her a deadpan look.
“No. She’s probably out messing with someone else’s love life now. It’s what she does, being a Cupid and all.”
Was Momo really a lost cause? Did Sana really give up on her? Momo liked to think Sana was determined, that she wouldn’t have left Momo alone until she successfully found a match for Momo. Sana was obsessed with her record and all. Momo wished she had thought wrong.
“Come on! If she magically showed up right now would you tell her how you feel? Because we both know you have some feelings for her, even if you don’t want to admit it. Just answer. Humor me.”
Momo raised an eyebrow.
“Will you finally shut up if I say yes?”
“Sure.”
Momo let out a long breath.
“Fine. If she showed up again–which she won’t…I’d tell her. There, happy?”
“Very.” Nayeon smirked, satisfied.
Meanwhile, Sana was frantically pacing around on a cloud above Momo’s apartment complex, her hands flailing as she muttered to herself. Okay, Jeongyeon said no elaborate confessions, just be honest–straightforward. Easy! Sana could do that! Just rip off the bandaid.
Okay. One. Two. Three!
With a sparkly pop! of pink sparkles, Sana appeared in the middle of Momo’s apartment, right between Momo and Nayeon. No turning back now.
Momo yelped and practically threw the water bottle in Sana’s direction.
“What the hell?!”
Nayeon let out a full blown shriek, clutching her heart.
“ Jesus , you weren’t kidding when you said she just appears like a Princess Glittersparkles.”
Sana blinked, dazed from her heightened nerves. She was here. In Momo’s apartment. Do it, Sana!
After Sana regained her focus, she turned around so quickly, she almost gave herself whiplash. She faced Momo and stomped to her, grabbing her biceps. Her eyes were wide and desperate.
“Like you!” And words began to tumble out of Sana’s mouth, wings fluttering behind her. “I really, really like you! I know you like Jihyo but for some reason you make me feel all warm and fluttery and flustered and I find myself thinking about you all the time. And! It doesn’t help that I accidentally shot myself with an arrow that was meant for you and Jihyo!” Sana gasped for air, squeezing her eyes shut as if bracing for impact. “So if you don’t like me back–which you probably don’t because you have Jihyo–just say it quick so I can go cry in a corner and be sad and pathetic for a thousand years or something.”
Momo stood frozen.
Nayeon, wide-eyed, mouthed oh my god.
Sana kept her eyes shut.
“Please say something. Even if it’s mean. Just–anything!”
Still silence.
Then finally, in a low, stunned voice Momo managed to say, “You…like me?”
“Yes!” Sana nodded frantically. “Even when you’re grumpy and scary and yell at me for eating your snacks!”
Momo swallowed thickly, her brain still trying to catch up.
“You’re ridiculous.” Momo stared at her for a long, silent moment. “I don’t like Jihyo.”
“You…you don’t like Jihyo?” Sana blinked, confused.
Momo shook her head slowly, eyes still locked on Sana’s.
“I never did.”
Sana’s brows furrowed. What?!
“But…but you went to the gym together! You laughed and talked and flexed your arms together and–you even spent time together at each other’s homes!”
“She’s just a friend.” Momo interrupted, her voice calm. She wasn’t even going to question how Sana knew all of that. Sana was strange…but she missed this type of chaos in her life.
Sana’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
“Then why didn’t you say anything?! I spent months thinking you were falling in love with her!” She exclaimed, but then she paused. “Wait. Does that mean I failed…again?!”
Really? Of course Sana would be scandalized about that. Momo shouldn’t be surprised. Sana took her job more seriously than Momo took her own job.
“Well maybe if you didn’t just disappear, you’d know.” Momo deadpanned, but then softened. “I was waiting for you, you know.
That shut Sana up.
Her lips parted, her large brown eyes twinkling.
“You were waiting for me?”
Momo shrugged, trying to play it off.
“Well you’re annoying. But I got used to having you around.”
Sana took a step closer.
“But do you like me too?” Sana asked timidly, her voice barely above a whisper. “At least a little?”
Momo sighed, long and slow, before muttering, “I don’t like Jihyo. But I think I might like a certain sparkly, meddling, ridiculously annoying Cupid who likes to scavenge through my kitchen and won’t leave me alone.”
Sana gasped, absolutely beaming.
“That’s me!”
Nayeon, still watching from the couch forgotten, groaned and flopped back.
“ Ugh , finally!”