Work Text:
Yeoju was sitting near the concrete walls of her parents house. She invited Junghwan over as usual, just for him to break up with her.
They were happy, she thought. Everything was like a fairytale, a confession in the rain, their first kiss shared at Yeoju’s 19th birthday and a year later, he left her.
You're too energetic for me, you're too clingy. I don't want to be the boyfriend of a loud girl. You should be polite and shut up, i need to do the talking, you just nod. And no matter how much i tried getting it in your head, you just won't listen.
His words echoed in her mind as she continued sobbing on the stairs of her parents house. Thank God they were away on a trip otherwise Junghwan would be dead meat.
Few minutes passed and her loud sobs turned into slow tears slipping from her cheeks. Everyone's world was continuing. The nice grandma has gone out to water her flowers, the middle aged couple were on a walk with their children and Yeoju, she was a crying mess sitting on her stairs. Her previously neat braid was now a tangled mess she didn't even want to touch.
A gentle hand tapped her shoulder starling her.
“Need a tissue?” There stood Jaeyoung. She had seen her around campus a few times but nothing much.
Her usual bob was tied and her bangs were flowing with the wind. In comparison to her previous outfits she wore a longer pink sundress that matched her features completely.
Was it the break up or something else but Jaeyoung looked absolutely stunning under the sun.
She nodded as she took the tissues from Jaeyoung’s hand. Jaeyoung just sat next to her not saying a word.
She was always like that, at least that's how Yeoju saw her. Always caring, but never talkative. Moving as if she was a shadow. Always the first to arrive and the first to leave, not being seen anywhere after lectures.
Hell, Yeoju didn't even know what Jaeyoung's major was, she just knew that they were the same age.
“You're Yeoju, right?” Jaeyoung asked while looking at the flowers blooming across Yeoju's garden.
“Yeah.” She replied quickly
Jaeyoung didn't say anything after that, just stayed there, sitting beside Yeoju before she completely calmed down form the mess Junghwan caused her.
“I'll get going now, my dormmate is probably wandering where i ran off, if you need anything, find me on campus.” She said and left.
That was the most she'd ever spoken, it felt surreal. Hearing Jaeyoung speak. She was always the most quiet, never spoke unless directly spoken to.
She always kept close by her gay roommate, by what Yeoju knew his name was Dohoon.
Yeoju seemed to snap out of her thoughts after her phone buzzed a few times.
unknown number:
sorry
it's jaeyoung
i accidentally took your blue scrunchie
find me near the performing arts building so i can return it to you
yeoju:
oh hi!!
it's no problem
i have like 50 of them girl
keep it
still thank you for telling me
unknown number:
oh.
thanks
Yeoju suddenly touched her still tangled hair. Blue actually suits Jaeyoung very good. It might be better if she keeps.
Everytime after a break up, Yeoju would go to sleep with a gloomy expression, wanting nothing but the cry and think about the relationship she just lost.
But now, she went to sleep feeling hopeful, Jaeyoung's face was replaying in her mind like a broken record.
She was sure that Jaeyoung wasn't interested in someone like her, as everyone who Yeoju dated left her for the same issue. She was too loud, too clingy. Nobody liked that.
…
Morning arrived faster than she expected. The warm August sun with the chilly wind welcomed her as she stood up and wrapped herself with a blanket. It was already two weeks since her break up with Junghwan and the heart fluttering interaction with Jaeyoung.
Her breakfast wasn't anything special, just a bowl of overnight oats, she prepared with care.
She had two lectures as well as a dance lesson after classes.
She regretted not picking dance as her major, it would be easier than doing it as a side gig. But honestly, business and economics wasn't bad.
Just as she was about to head outside for today's classes, her phone started ringing.
Incoming call
Minkyung
“Minkyung, why are you calling so early?” She asked. Minkyung didn't have classes on Wednesday. They only had dance lessons later in the day.
“Girl, you're not going to believe the thing I just heard.” She was basically squealing instead of talking.
“Spill please.”
“I was walking past the performance arts building and heard Jaeyoung talking about you!!” Her voice was even more pitched as usual.
“GIRL WHAT THE FUCK?” Yeoju yelled in her phone. Jaeyoung was talking about her? Why?
“What did she say? Minkyung tell me, you know what, sneak into my business lecture today and let's talk there.” Yeoju said as he hung up and rushed out of her house.
The lecture hall was full with people as businesses was one of the majors with most students.
Yeoju found Minkyung instantly, her long black hair and bangs stood up in the very back.
“Girl, the tea is too much, I'm honestly flabbergasted.”
“Then what are you waiting, tell me everything.” Yeoju said excitedly as she took her seat.
“So i was walking around the performing arts building, wanting to see that handsome law student, i think his name was Hanjin, God he's so hands-”
“minkyung, please don't sidetrack from the main story.”
“Yeah, sorry. As i was saying. I saw Jaeyoung and her gay friend talking in whispers. I'm not proud of it but i eavesdropped and lowkey, heard everything.” She played with her hair slowly, a sign that she was embarrassed.
“Jaeyoung was talking about some interaction you two had and how she offered you tissues or something. Then they talked about your ex, that prick. And then, she mentioned how pretty you looked. After that her and Dohoon laughed about something and i couldn't hear anything anymore.”
“SHE CALLED ME PRETTY?!” Yeoju's yelled in a whisper, making everyone in the hall start looking at her. Deep red settled on her cheeks as Minkyung’s words echoed in her mind.
She quickly rushed out of the lecture hall leaving a confused Minkyung behind.
She reached the performance arts building and it wasn't hard to find Jaeyoung.
“Hello.” She said quietly, trying not to startle Jaeyoung.
“Oh hi.” Jaeyoung replied, the blush on her cheeks visible on the sun.
“I know, it's been two weeks but i never properly thanked you.” Yeoju stood there, a little embarrassed it took her two weeks to thank Jaeyoung but it felt better thanking her in person than over texts.
“Oh it's nothing, i just hope you're okay now.” She smiled and left before Yeoju could respond.
The day flew by quickly as Jaeyoung swarmed her thoughts completely. She made up scenarios about her and Jaeyoung on the way home from dance practice, as stupid as it might sound, Yeoju had a habit of doing that.
Her parents seemed to have returned as they were a few pairs of shoes on the doorstep.
“Mom, dad, I'm home!” She yelled before going to her room to quickly tie her hair before rushing downstairs.
But instead of her parents, stood the middle aged couple she occasionally saw on the street.
They were in her living room snooping around but when they froze Yeoju, they froze in place.
“What are you doing in my house?”
“Oh Yeoju my dear, we were just looking for something your mother left us.”
“Then at least you should've waited for me to come back, please leave.” She said, her tone sounding ruder than intended.
The couple tried to protest but with a little threat of a police call, that seemed to do the trick.
But, as they were leaving, something felt familiar, too familiar. The couple looked familiar, just like a girl she knew too well.
“Wait!” She yelled.
They turned around, startled at her yelling.
“Are you Jaeyoung's parents?” She asked, nervously tapping her foot on the floor.
They nodded and just left.
Jaeyoung's parents tried to rob her house? That was new.
Then everything started clicking into place. The dorms were an hour away from Yeoju's house. The only reason why Jaeyoung saw Yeoju in her post break up state was because she was visiting her parents.
She decided to text Jaeyoung, because she honestly didn't know what to do about this situation.
yeoju:
hey
sorry if I'm interrupting
jaeyoung:
it's dohoon
Jaeyoung's taking a shower right now
I'll tell you to text her after she's done
yeoju:
thanks
She was scared, what if Jaeyoung thinks she's a weirdo and that she's just trying to frame her parents for something they didn't do. But the scene that unfolded under her eyes wasn't a particular “your mother left something” it was more of “let's take everything the kim’s owned before they came back.”
jaeyoung:
hey
dohoon told me you needed me
yeoju:
this isn't a conversation for texts
so if it isn't a problem
could we meet up somewhere?
jaeyoung:
oh?
okay
the café near the campus?
yeoju:
yeah, sounds good
be there in an hour
…
Yeoju was a bundle of emotions the second she stepped into the familiar café. She tried looking for a familiar brunette with a bob but it looked like she hadn't arrived yet.
“Yeoju?”
Yeoju turned around so fast hearing Jaeyoung's voice.
“Oh, you're here.” She hadn't even noticed but her cheeks were already deep red.
“Let's sit.”
The two girls made their way to the table and started talking. The topic wasn't brought up, they first talked about some random things. It felt weird but also nice seeing Jaeyoung being this talkative.
“So, about the thing.” Yeoju nervously fidgeted with her hair. “Your parents tried to rob my house.” Stupid Yeoju, you should've worded it better. Why would Jaeyoung care about it. It's not life she told them to do it.
She was fighting with herself, expecting the worst, but Jaeyoung's reaction wasn't anything that was on her expectations.
“Oh my, I'm so sorry.” She stood up and bowed to Yeoju.
“Please forgive me, if they stole anything, I'll immediately tell them to immediately return it to you and your parents.” She looked genuinely sorry and that shocked Yeoju.
Jaeyoung always seemed nonchalant, distant. But over the two weeks they have been talking a bit, she discovered a side of Jaeyoung nobody else, besides Dohoon probably knew.
“No need to bow” Yeoju said, a little flustered by the situation.
“And no need to apologise, i just wanted to inform you about your parents. Thought you should know.” She said, trying to sound as normal as possible, even though the last bit of normality in her body was evaporating.
“Thank you for telling me and once again I'm so sorry for what happened, Yeoju. Please tell me if you ever need anything.”
…
As soon as Yeoju came back home, she started spamming Minkyung.
yeoju:
GIRL
GIRL
JAEYOUNG FUCKING BOWED TO ME
minkyung:
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK HAPPENED?
Incoming call
“What, why, and how did you two get at that point?”
“Take a seat because the story will be interesting.”
….
“So you're telling me, her parents robbed you and you decided to inform her of that and instead of just not caring she FUCKING BOWED IN FRONT OF YOU AND APOLOGISED 4 TIMES?”
“Yup, that's exactly what happened.”
“Yeoju, I'm losing my mind. This is so crazy. I never imagined Jaeyoung to be like that.”
“Me neither, but ever since we started talking, I've learnt so much more about her. I need her to be my official friend.”
“Well, as the world's best wing woman, I'll help you in that.”
…
A whole month passed since the robbing incident and the two got even more close. Safe to say, Minkyung is an amazing wing woman.
They went out whenever they had time. Sometimes just the two, but sometimes either with Dohoon or Minkyung.
Yeoju naturally started picking up feelings for her. Jaeyoung was everything she wasn't, quiet, wasn't fond of physical affection. But opposites attract, don't they?
Even though her life seemed perfect now, she never forgot the words Junghwan directed at her. The absolute disgust in his voice as he talked about her. He didn't like the things that made Yeoju herself. He wanted her to change for a man, which was something she would never do.
But no matter what, she'd still go to sleep with that stinging feeling in her chest. Knowing every person she dated, no matter the gender, left her because she was basically herself.
The thought of changing who she was for a person felt absurd. Even though she loved Junghwan and every other ex deeply when they were dating, she just couldn't do it.
If they couldn't accept how she was by nature then it was better if they parted ways.
Still, to avoid anything, she wasn't loud nor clingy around Jaeyoung. The thought of hearing Junghwan's words from Jaeyoung's mouth sometimes made her heart ache. So she tried as hard as she could to be a different person.
They were slowly walking side by side to campus, as their schedule overlapped on Friday.
“Hey.” Jaeyoung called out quietly, sensing that Yeoju was deep in thought about something.
Hearing Jaeyoung call her she wanted to ask her “am i too loud?” or “do you have problems with loud people?” But it seemed pathetic in some kind of way.
“Yeah” she replied, looking at her feet.
“Have you watched Haikyuu?”
Haikyuu was Yeoju's favourite anime, she rewatched it about 5 times this year alone. And that was when she slipped up, excitement getting the best out of her.
“OH MY GOD, THAT'S MY FAVOURITE ANIME.” She said, jumping up and down. As realisation dawned upon her, she just stopped talking and returned to walking.
“Sorry.” She muttered, lowering her head.
She could sense the confusion painted across Jaeyoung's face.
“Yeoju?”
“Yeah?” She slowly looked up, not meeting Jaeyoung's eyes.
“Why did you apologize?” The sheer confusion in both Jaeyoung's voice and face made something in Yeoju just break.
She hated crying in front of people, only Minkyung has seen her cry. People around her have told her that she was too emotional, too sensitive, so she always tried suppressing her emotions not to burst out crying.
Junghwan had once seen her cry, and he always talked about how she needs to toughen up. A strong girl doesn't cry Yeoju, a couple of tears won't do anything. They just make you weaker.
And like that, a tear slipped from cheek, then another one and soon, she was crying.
God, she hated how she looked right now. Crying in front of a girl she met a little over a month ago. She must think that I'm so annoying. God, can i just kill myself.
She felt a hand guiding her to a bench. Even after they sat down, Jaeyoung's hand never left her back.
“Do you want to talk?” Jaeyoung asked gently.
“Sorry for earlier and this Jaeyoung.” Yeoju apologised once again and by the deep frown that settled on Jaeyoung's face she did not like Yeoju apologizing.
“Yeoju, you don't need to apologise for feeling basic human emotions. The excitement earlier, the crying now. It's all normal, don't apologise.” Hearing that, Yeoju just started crying more. Nobody had thought that her excitement over something was normal, nor her crying.
And now, a girl that seemed like she'd hate everything that made Yeoju herself, was the once comforting her.
“Every person I've dated, every person I've been friends with, except for Minkyung, have left me for the same reason.” She started talking quietly.
Jaeyoung took a tissue from her purse and started wiping Yeoju's tears with care.
Yeoju continued talking, her voice shaking a little. “Because i was too loud, too clingy, too emotional. You name it. Everyone demanded i change to a version of me they like, and that hurts so much. Not being able to be who i am in front of people who should love me stang. And now, i tried being nor-”
Jaeyoung cut her, the frown settling in quiet anger. Not at Yeoju, but at the people who made her feel like being herself was not a good thing.
“Yeoju, the normal you is the loud, affectionate and emotional you. You don't need to change yourself for anyone. I noticed everything, you tried changing yourself so that we could be friends but Yeoju, no matter how loud you are, despite my quiet nature, no matter how clingy you are, despite my distant nature. When you're with me, be the most natural and unfiltered version of yourself, okay?”
Jaeyoung looked at her with so much care in her eyes, it made Yeoju physically ill. Yeoju slowly wiped the tears that were once again coming out of her eyes as she turned around not facing Jaeyoung, but Jaeyoung just stood up and wrapped her arms around Yeoju.
A person who hated anything physical, willingly stood up and hugged her? Yeoju felt her cheeks getting hotter as seconds passed.
They both got up and continued walking. But then Jaeyoung stopped and looked at Yeoju with something similar to a grin.
“Now, should we continue talking about haikyuu?” She asked, interviewing their hands together as a sign of comfort.
The smile on Yeoju's face was never as big as it was at that moment. Jaeyoung was truly a perfect person.
“YAMAGUCHI MY CHILD” she said and continued talking about the anime. While Jaeyoung just smiled looking at finally the real unfiltered Yeoju.
….
Everytime they on campus that day Jaeyoung would give a little wave and shyly smile towards Yeoju, who would wave back with twice the enthusiasm.
After the conversation they shared, Yeoju finally felt like herself. Nobody around her was forcing her to change. She could finally be the Yeoju she always wanted to be, just herself.
When she came her mother noticed something different about her.
“Yeoju honey, what happened that got you smiling like that?” Her daughter was coming home looking listless, but now, it felt like the old Yeoju was coming back.
“I think I'm in love mom.” Yeoju said as she jumped around the house.
“Whoever the person in question is i already approve, you never looked that happy while you were with Junghwan.” The smile on her mother's face meant everything to Yeoju.
Her mother was too worried ever since she came back from that work trip.
“Nobody made me happy as she makes me.” Yeoju said, her cheeks turning red.
“Ohh, it's a she?” Her mom smirked returning to make dinner.
Her own mother was just like Yeoju, always loud, always smiling and jumping. And Yeoju was glad her dad always brought out the best in her mom, he never wanted her any different than from the way she already was.
“Yeahhh…” yeoju said, covering her face with her hands.
“Whoever she is, I'd like to meet her.”
“The oldest daughter of our neighbours. But she lives in the dorms.”
“Oh, okay.”
…
Jaeyoung went out for a drive on a Saturday morning. Dohoon asked her to buy some groceries since their dorm room looked like someone robbed them of all food.
And since he was “sick” she was forced to go on a grocery run.
She borrowed his car and went to the nearest grocery store, which was 30 minutes away from dorms.
After buying everything from a very detailed list Dohoon gave her, she started loading everything in the car.
A rather familiar woman passed by her with a smile and she recognised her immediately. It was the woman who sometimes used to babysit her when her parents weren't home.
Miss Kim from next door as she remembered.
“Hello Miss Kim.” She bowed, abandoning her groceries.
“Oh Jaeyoung, i haven't seen you in forever.”
“Likewise, how have you been auntie?” Although, they didn't have any blood connection, Jaeyoung liked calling her auntie, it felt more comfortable than Miss Kim.
“Been in and out of Korea something for work, it's complicated. You?”
“Nothing, now busy with college and that's all.” Jaeyoung smiled, it felt nice seeing her after so long.
“Auntie, do you want me to drive you to your house, i see you have hands full of groceries.”
“No, need Jaeyoung.”
“I insist.”
“Okay, if you say so dear.” Miss Kim sat in the passenger seat, putting her bags in the back.
She looked familiar, too familiar, but Jaeyoung couldn't see the connection.
“Jaeyoung, you're probably wondering why i look familiar, other than the obvious reason. Thank you for letting my daughter not lose her light.”
Jaeyoung looked puzzled, who was the daughter of Miss Kim? She has a few girl friends, Yeoju, Yunah and Minju.
“Yeoju, I'm talking about Yeoju, my daughter.”
“Oh.”
“Ever since she started dating that jerk, her face dimmed of the light she usually brought us. Her excitement about little things disappeared completely, she became a completely different person. But yesterday, seeing her jump around and smile for the first time in over year made me so happy.” Miss Kim sighed happily as she continued.
“She entered the house with a smile, talking to us about a someone who finally wanted her as who she was without needing to change. Seeing her made me feel refreshed and that's all thanks to you. You made my daughter feel like herself again after many guys and girls tried to change her into the version that suited them the best.”
Miss Kim had tears in her eyes after she finished talking.
“I've always liked her naturally loud nature, i wanted to become like her, i was and still am quiet and distant, but seeing her around campus, always smiling made me want to become friends with her.” Jaeyoung said, focusing on the road as they read their destination.
Hearing her mother's voice Yeoju stepped out to helo her only to see Jaeyoung holding the groceries.
“Jaeyoung?”
“Hello Yeoju, i was just around the corner so i decided to drive auntie home.”
“Thank you so much Jaeyoung, see you on Monday?”
“See you.”
This wasn't brought up again, but Yeoju knew exactly what her mother had done.
…
Yeoju found herself in front of performance arts building waiting for a familiar brunette with a bob and usually a baseball cap turned backwards.
“Ya Kim Yeoju!” A voice that she knew too well called out and the person she'd been healing from just returned to her life.
She pretended not to hear him and started walking straight, going away from the place she was supposed to wait Jaeyoung.
“I know you can hear me.” His cocky tone made her ill, she hated hearing it, especially after he left her.
Her vision blurred as tears started spilling from eyes. I look so pathetic, she thought as she walked even faster than before.
But Junghwan and his minions caught up fast, they were two times bigger and faster than her.
“Wow, you're actually quiet for once, we should hang this moment in the hall of fame Kim Yeoju not being annoying.”
Ignore him Yeoju, you're better than that. That was the only thing keeping her from breaking down in front of him.
“Wow, once i break up with you, you actually become quiet and less annoying, should've settled for you now, you're still beautiful.” His tone was disgusting, it made something uneasy settle in her stomach.
She just wanted to be left alone and not see anyone.
“Yeoju, you're becoming very annoying right, turn your pretty ass around so we can talk, yeah?”
Tears slipped from her cheeks as she continued fastening the pace of her walking, knowing if she ran he'll just catch her in seconds.
She just wished that somehow Jaeyoung would appear and save her like she always does. No matter the situation, Jaeyoung was always there for her whenever she needed someone the most.
The tissue, the reassurance, the person who was responsible for her spark coming back, and now the same prick who took everything away from Yeoju was threatening to crumble everything Yeoju thought she healed from.
Junghwan got dangerously close to Yeoju, he was on the verge of grabbing her, she thought that this would be it “Kim Yeoju you're mi-”
“STEP AWAY FROM HER!” A loud yell echoed and her ears started ringing.
“I said, step away from Kim Yeoju NOW!” And the moment the person calmed down, Yeoju recognised the voice, her saviour, the person who saved her many times and brused it off as nothing was here, saving her once again.
Yeoju turned around seeing Jaeyoung looking furious. Her face red with fury.
“Shin Junghwan, you don't get to talk to Yeoju, you don't get to come near my girlfriend ever again, understood? You don't get to come to her wanting to break every part of her that got healed. You don't get to come demanding anything from this wonderful girl. Step the fuck away from her.” Jaeyoung's voice was calm, too calm for someone who looked like she could kill everyone on campus.
But the only thing in Yeoju's mind was you don't get to come near my girlfriend ever again. Girlfriend? Wonderful girl?
She blushed subconsciously and moved to stand next to Jaeyoung, taking her hand.
“Your pathetic ass can't find anyone else so you're torturing someone else's partner? How lame, go away now, and if you ever dare to speak to Yeoju……”
Jaeyoung leaned in and whispered something into his ears that made Junghwan go very much pale and he immediately feld the scene.
Once he was out of sight, Yeoju collapsed in Jaeyoung's arms crying uncontrollably.
Jaeyoung guided her to the farthest bench away from the curious eyes muttering “you're okay now, he's gone, you're okay now.”
Yeoju was shaking as she sat on the bench still gripping onto Jaeyoung as if she was the only thing keeping her alive.
“You're okay Yeoju, try to take deep breaths for me okay?”
Yeoju tried to follow, but her breathing got even more shakier.
Jaeyoung didn't say anything just rubbed her back slowly while her other hand was being gripped by Yeoju.
“I'm here now, I'm here, lean on me.” Jaeyoung said, gently placing Yeoju's head on her shoulder.
Yeoju's uncontrollable sobs slowly turned into quiet tears as Jaeyoung played with her hair.
“Do you want something from the store?” Jaeyoung asked, already taking her wallet out of her purse.
No, i just want you to stay with me.”
“Should we go to my dorm room? Since your house is a bit far away, we don't need to attend our lectures?”
“What about Dohoon?”
“I'll let him know.”
jaejae:
ay hoon
don't come to dorm today
go hang out at gyuvin’s room or whatever
I'll treat you to iced tea with espresso tmr ok?
dohoon:
wasn't planning to
heard what happened with yeoju
told gyuvin I'll be with him
just hope she's alright
jaejae:
🤍
she'll be okay i think
….
The two settled comfortably on Jaeyoung's bed as Yeoju's eyes were slowly closing. All that crying finally getting to her as she fell asleep.
Jaeyoung looked for her phone to inform Yeoju's mother that she'll be staying with her for the night.
Jaeyoung stepped out of the room for a moment to call Miss Kim.
“Yeoju honey, what’s up?”
“Hello auntie, it's Jaeyoung, i just wanted to inform you that Yeoju would be staying with me tonight, she's safe and if sleeping right now.”
“Jaeyoung, what happened?”
“Nothing that couldn't have been taken care of auntie, i promise you she's safe and sound.”
“Thank you Jaeyoung, you've done so much for us.”
“It's no problem really auntie.”
As Jaeyoung entered the room again, Yeoju was now sitting on her bed fully awake.
“Jaeyoung, where did you go?”
“Just to call your mother, I'm here now.”
“Can you cuddle with me?” Yeoju asked, she was feeling so weak and exhausted to consider her words, she just told the first thing that was on her mind.
Jaeyoung put Yeoju's head in her lap and started playing with her hair. That wasn't the cuddling Yeoju wanted but she knew Yeoju needed to properly sleep before doing anything.
“We'll cuddle after you wake up, i promise but now, you need to rest.”
As Yeoju's eyes finally closed and her breathing got steady, Jaeyoung kissed her forehead and in the quietest voice possible said “Sleep well my love.”
….
Yeoju woke up from the weirdest dream. In her dream, she was at Jaeyoung's dorm room with her head in Jaeyoung's lap.
She lifted her head not recognising where she was only to see someone that looked very much like Jaeyoung faintly smiling at her.
“Good morning sleeping beauty.” Jaeyoung whispered into Yeoju's ear as she stroked her hair.
Every muscle in Yeoju's muscle tensed up realising that was indeed not a dream but the reality.
She was in Jaeyoung's dorm room, wirh her head in Jaeyoung's lap. When she comes back home and charges her phone, Minkyung will have a lot to hear.
“Jaeyoung, what time is it?”
“It's 2am. You slept for 8 hours.”
And Jaeyoung hadn't moved an inch the whole time. Even if she had to go the bathroom, or if she was hungry, she stayed there perfectly positioned so that Yeoju could be as comfortable as it gets.
Yeoju immediately stood up and started spreading out Jaeyoung's legs to strech them.
“Jaeyoung, are you crazy? Why didn't you move for 8 hours?”
“It's nothing, i just couldn't disturb you.”
“And what if you maybe had gotten your period?”
“It won't come for another 20 days Yeoju.”
The fact that Jaeyoung was so causal about this made Yeoju feel nauseous but in a good way. If that even made sense.
“No seriously Jaeyoung, have you eaten?” The concern in Yeoju's voice was so adorable.
“I had oatmeal before campus today, I'm alright.”
“Jaeyoung, we met up at 2pm, so that was more than 12 hours ago. Please go eat something.”
“Okay, but promise me you'll eat too.”
“Yeah, i will.”
Jaeyoung made something simple just a bow of noodles for them to share, since both couldn't eat much.
They ate in silence with Yeoju occasionally commenting on how well it's made and Jaeyoung just shrugging it off.
By the time they finished, it was already 3am. Yeoju had a 8am lecture and Jaeyoung had a 9am so they both abandoned sleep.
“Jaeyoung, thank you really for always saving me.”
“It's nothing, i just happen to be there at the right time.”
“To you it's maybe nothing but to me it's more than everything. Having a person who i can rely on is really a big thing. I hope you can also rely on me.” Saying the last sentence out loud made Yeoju blush like the sauce of the noodles they were eating.
Nobody addressed the elephant in the room. You don't get to touch my girlfriend, Yeoju still couldn't stop thinking about it. The way Jaeyoung said it without any hesitation.
Ever since meeting her, she's been in Yeoju's mind. When she eats, even appearing in her dreams. She was everywhere.
“Is anything bothering you?”
“No, I'm just thinking about something.”
Jaeyoung didn't pry for more, she never did. But she was curious, it was seen clearly on her face.
“Jaeyoung, what did you mean by ‘you don't get to touch my girlfriend ever again?’” Of course, her mind won over any dignity left in her.
The blush on Jaeyoung's cheeks was faint but it was seen. She didn't answer for a long time, she just kept quiet, slowly playing with her hair.
Then quietly, she replied to the question. “I meant it.”
Yeoju froze, and Jaeyoung also froze upon saying that, as if that slipped from her mind.
But then, her expression changed, it was soft, she looked at Yeoju with sparkling eyes. Even with the dim lighting in her dorm room, she could see it, the way her eyes sparkled as a thought crossed her mind.
“I've always wanted to become closer to you, you were everything that i wasn't. Loud, affectionate, feeling everything. And i was just a basic Jaeyoung who looked like she'd rather die than be in a lecture. I looked listless. But then, that prick Junghwan took all the light from you and the thing i wanted to see the most was Kim Yeoju in her full brightness again. And I'm glad, i did. Yeoju, I'm usually not affectionate nor talkative, but when it comes to you, I'd do everything just to make you happy. You're one extraordinary human being that i wanted to protect from the face of this cruel world. I love you. I know this is all sudden and you still haven't moved on…”
Before Jaeyoung could spiral any further, Yeoju placed a soft kiss on her cheeks, making her thoughts go completely blank.
“Ever since you offered me that tissue, i was completely smitten by you. That time i appeared in front of performance arts building to ‘thank you’ was just my pathetic attempt at trying to talk to you. Jaeyoung, i love you too. I'm not sure, if I'm ready for a relationship just yet, but i promise i wouldn't make you wait long.”
Jaeyoung put her hand over her mouth as she processed the words that left Yeoju's mouth.
“Aww, you're so adorable i want to smack you.” Yeoju said as she started making exaggerated noises about how Jaeyoung looked so cute.
“Now, come here and let's get you the cuddles you asked for baby.”
epilogue ><
It was 2 months since the confession at Jaeyoung's dorm room. Ever since that she's been completely restless. Of course she didn't let that show when he hung out with Yeoju, but Dohoon noticed immediately.
“Jaeyoung, i need you to be honest with me, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened with you and Yeoju that day?”
She was hesitant about saying, not even knowing why.
“So, i confessed to her and she returned the confession but she's not ready to date yet and i don't know what to, what if she found something else and doesn't like me anymore?”
“Jae, your thoughts always spiral to the worst possible outcome. With every thing that's happened to you, i think you deserve a happy ending. Go for it, hell, if you can't ask her to your girlfriend just ask her out on a date, I've seen the way Yeoju looks at you, her feelings have not faded even a bit. I'm very positive that if you go to her house right now she'll basically propose to you.”
She has never observed the way Yeoju looked at her because she always had the fond expression. Oh my God, that fond expression is because of me? Her thoughts were spiralling again, but this time it wasn't anything negative.
“W-would you describe the way she looks at me?” Jaeyoung asked, her whole face turning red.
“Not in my 10 years of knowing the choi jaeyoung have i ever seen you look this flustered, yeoju’s doing wonders.” Dohoon was in pure disbelief, his usually composed best friend was now completely red and flustered because he mentioned the way Yeoju looks at her.
“She looks at you like she saw the most beautiful thing in the world and is deciding to cherish every feature of it.”
Jaeyoung's mouth parted in disbelief as Dohoon finally explained the way Yeoju looks at her.
“That's it, I'm coming over to her house and kissing her right there, give me the keys.”
“That's the enthusiasm, they're in my drawer.”
…
She reached Yeoju's house. Her parents’ car wasn't there. That was a good sign. She loved miss and mr Kim but a confession was best done without anyone present.
She knocked a few times before hearing the sound of the door opening.
Yeoju looked breathtaking, her hair was braided with a few loose strands falling out her hair.
She had a white dress on her and genuinely looked like she was out of a fairytale.
“You look….. beautiful.”
“Don't make me shyy.” Yeoju whined as she let Jaeyoung in.
“Yeoju, be my girlfriend.” Jaeyoung was always straightforward like that. She immediately got to the point of why she came all the way to Yeoju's house.
“Oh?”
But that straightforwardness also came with a side of sorrys and spiralling.
“I'm sorry, i shouldn't have been so straightforward with it, i sh-”
Her words were stopped by the feeling of lips pressing against her own. Slowly, she returned the kiss.
“I was so scared to ask you.” Yeoju said between kisses.
“I wanted to ask you every single day since that confession but i needed to respect your boundaries.” Jaeyoung said after pulling away.
“I don't want to get too emotional, but really thank you for everything you've done for me Jaeyoung. If it weren't for you, i’d lose the part of myself that made me different from others. Thank you for not letting me dim completely.”
“I hope your shine is everlasting my love, with you we'd never need the sun, because the only one i need is right next to me.”
end