Chapter Text
-Z-
The door seemed to grow with each step. The streets seemed oddly quiet, the only thing she heard was the chilly breeze flowing around her. As she floated up the concrete stairs, reaching the threshold, she knocked. The sound was subdued, but clear enough. After a few moments she fidgeted, waiting. Eventually the door pulled away from her, replaced with a somewhat familiar face. One she hadn’t seen in several years. Now older, baby fat replaced with a more slender face.
The man smiled. “Hey kiddo, glad you made it in one piece.” Stepping aside he let her in.
“You don’t have to call me that anymore, I’m an adult you know.” She said slightly miffed.
“Zoey- I’m never going to stop calling you that, you are going to be my kid sister no matter how old you get.” He said, smiling with a mix of affection and mischief. “Excited for classes?”
“Uh… that’s one way to describe it.” she replied, chuckling nervously. Excited… sure. It would be cool to meet new people at least- she hoped.
As they entered the living room Jinu stretched. “Well, your room is down the hall, mom won’t be back for a few days, she’s been pretty busy recently. How has dad been?”
“Oh you know, the usual. Work mostly. I think he has been doing alright though.”
He gave a genuine but constrained smile, “I’m glad, what about you? Need anything before I head out? Wanna come with?”
“Ew, and spend time with you and the ‘Saja boys’? No thanks” came the sarcastic response.
“Man, we haven’t been called that in awhile.” he laughed. “Alright, well I’ll be out late probably don’t wait up.” and with that he exited the modest apartment which would be Zoey’s new residence.
It was odd to be back in Korea, but this would be her home for the next few years it seemed. Looking around the living room, her mind wandered, it was odd to see Jinu, she hadn’t seen him in person since Christmas… four years ago? It seemed like much longer. They used to be pretty close, but that distance had changed over the years, simple physical distance will do that to some degree she figured.
I wish I could have flown in sooner to get the lay of the land a bit more before classes start.
She knew it was a pointless wish, she simply was doing what she had been told. She understood the reasoning even if it wasn’t ideal from her perspective.
She entered ‘her room,’ it was actually a small office, their mother no longer used. Which had been refitted into a bedroom for her. The three bags- which contained the complete collection of her belongings lay on the mattress. They had arrived before she did. The small desk on the wall opposite had a pile of textbooks and other university supplies acquired on her behalf. Being an international transfer student in her sophomore year of university was going to be an interesting experience she was sure. She lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. “Well, I guess this is finally real, huh. Home sweet home, I guess.”
-M-
Rumi busied herself, doing makeup, changing clothes, and getting ready for what Mira assumed was a date with Jinu. They didn’t really talk about it much, but it was pretty clear to her that the two of them, if they weren’t already dating… were basically dating. Made sense, Jinu and Rumi got along so well, and had known each other since they were very young. Honestly she was surprised they weren’t already engaged, forget the fact they weren’t even “officially” dating.
“Okay Mira, I’m headed out! Text me if you need anything” came Rumi’s voice right before the door closed behind her. It was late and Mira had class first thing in the morning. She wasn’t looking forward to it, but at least that means she would be free most of the afternoon. She preferred morning classes for that very reason. Rolling over onto her side she closed her eyes to try and sleep. Try being the operative word.
Opening her eyes, it was like she hadn’t slept at all. She was groggy, unsure how much she actually slept vs. how long she had just pointlessly laid in the dark. It was like time had simply skipped… again. The light coming in from the windows, as well as the alarm, were clear indicators that it was in fact morning. Letting out a groan, she threw her blanket off, and got out of bed. Grabbing her shoes as the day started proper. Looking at her reflection, the bags under her eyes remained, they seemed to always do these days. She applied some foundation to conceal the exhaustion and started gathering her stuff for class.
-Z-
Zoey slept in. She wasn’t late late, but she was definitely approaching late. Luckily the apartment was only a mile or so from the campus. Still- being late to your first class wasn’t really it. So she hadn’t even spent the time to do her makeup, or get ready otherwise really. She just grabbed her backpack, shoved all her books and pencils in it, put shoes on and headed out. Power walking or slightly jogging her way there.
Don’t jog around blind corners. That was her lesson for the day. Even with her smaller stature the excess speed allowed her to be the one left standing. On the ground below her, was a woman. Bright pink hair, angular features. And a look that screamed a confidence Zoey could only ever dream of.
“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry- here, I’ll-” her arm extended to help the woman up. Before realizing that next to her lay the now spilled content of some type of energy drink.
“I’m so sorry, are you hurt? I should have been looking where I was going but today was my first day, I just transferred, and ya know, jet lag, I accidentally overslept and-” Zoey cut herself off- the woman now standing, towered over her. And her look of surprise had changed to what almost seemed like a glare? She seemed pretty hard to read. But she continued to stare at Zoey.
“It’s alright.” her voice somewhat monotone and a bit deeper than Zoey had expected, but in a pleasant way. The stranger motioned to the can which Zoey’s eyes kept bouncing to. “It was mostly empty anyway. Just- be careful where you are going. Wouldn’t want someone getting injured.”
Feeling her face flush, Zoey muttered. “Um… sorry? I’ll just… go to class now, I’m so sorry.” before taking a step back, before heading to the nearby classroom.
Wow Zoey, first day of class and you are already making people hate you.
She let out a sigh as she sat down. This morning was already going poorly. But the day still salvageable. At least she hoped it was.
-M-
What the- what was that? Who was that? How could someone be so cute? Wait, what am I thinking, Mira chill.
She shook her head attempting to clear her mind. She hadn’t even gotten to introduce herself before the freckled girl had run off apologizing profusely.
I wonder if she is new? I don’t think I have seen her before… but it is a big school, she looked kind of young. So maybe? Regardless-
Her thought got cut off as she got to her classroom door. And entered for her first class of the day.
The rest of the day had been about as uneventful as expected. Classes, Classes, lunch, and more classes. All just going over the rubrics and syllabuses for the semester.
---
A large sign reading “Sunlight Sounds” came into view as the rounded the corner, it didn’t seem too busy today, made sense with the start of the semester and everything.
The bell above the door chimed as Mira entered, the familiar scent of vinyl and wood hit her. This shop was one of the few places in Seoul she felt comfortable in, It was both figuratively and literally her home at this point. It may belong to Celine, but the apartment above the shop was the closest thing Mira had ever had to a real home. Rumi looked up from behind the counter, a warm smile spreading across her face.
“Mira! How were classes?” she said, setting down a collection of CDs.
“They were fine I guess, mostly boring, I think I kinda of zoned out during my final one… I don’t think I fell asleep-” Mira trailed off. “Is Bobby here?”
“Of course!” Rumi said, gesturing toward the back. "He should be done soon. He's been pretty excited about this new batch."
Mira nodded and wandered toward the new releases section. She ran her fingers along the spines, scanning for anything interesting. The music shop was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of paper. A few people came and went as she searched around. She was just reaching for a vinyl when she heard voices from the front.
"...Yeah he should be here in a few minutes, It's been a whirlwind, honestly. I’m glad the day is done. Honestly I can’t wait until this weekend. So I can have some couch time. Ya know, reorient myself."
The voice was familiar. Mira paused, recognizing it from the incident earlier that morning. She peeked around the corner, seeing the girl with the space buns standing near the counter. She was talking to Rumi, but not like a customer. There was a comfort to it, a familiarity that made Mira's brow furrow.
“Well, I’m sure he is glad you are here Zoey.” Rumi said, her tone light but affectionate. “Jinu's been talking about you getting here nonstop. Over the last week or two.”
Zoey laughed, a bright, but nervous sound. “I mean yeah- I’m just glad moving is done with.”
Mira stepped back behind the shelf, trying to stay hidden. She didn't want to interrupt. The dynamic between them was... interestingly familiar. She had known Rumi for years, hell, she would probably have been homeless if Rumi and Celine hadn’t offered her a place to stay after her parents kicked her out. But she hadn't known Rumi had a friend like this. Or… she guessed Jinu did? Maybe they were related?
The bell chimed again.
“Jinu!” Rumi greeted, “How were classes?”
“Oh, you know, same old same old- Zoey, ready to get dinner?”
“You know it!”
Jinu paused for a second. “Oh, is Mira here? Should I go up and see if she wants to come with?”
Mira's heart skipped a beat. For some reason feeling anxiety spread through her. She pressed herself further into the shadows of the shelf.
“I mean- She was here?" Rumi replied. “She hasn't been sleeping well recently. Seemed pretty tired today. Maybe we should just let her rest? She can always come next time?”
“Ah, okay,” Jinu hummed. “Yeah don't want to exhaust her on the first day of classes.”
“Mhmm, let me go grab Bobby and let him know I am headed out. I’ll catch up with you two.”
Mira watched as Jinu and the now named stranger ‘Zoey’ headed out of the shop. Rumi, meanwhile, headed to the back of the shop. A minute later, she quickly moved past the counter, and exited the building. The bell chimed once more announcing her departure. A few moments later Bobby emerged from the back, wiping his hands on a rag.
Figuring it was now or never, Mira slid out of the shelves and headed to the door leading up to the apartment.
“Oh, hey, welcome home Mira! Hope classes were good?” Bobby called.
“Thanks Bobby, they were fine.” Came her curt response, as she headed up the stairs, lost in thought.
The door clicked closed behind her, as she let out a sigh. Her body relaxed, releasing tension she didn’t even realize she was holding. Quickly she moved to her room, throwing her bag on the floor next to the door, and flopped onto the mattress. Not even bothering to do anything else to get comfortable for the time being.
I wonder who she is? I mean… I guess we’ll meet properly sooner or later.
She didn’t like how her mind seemed so fixated on this Zoey person, maybe she was just jealous over how cute she was. Yeah, that was probably it.