Choi Yerim
"That guy is such an asshole! He didn't know anything about her life and he went on and practically insulted her! What the hell is this-" Curses left Jungeun's lips; a colourful array of them sprouting out of her mouth like bullets.
Yerim chuckled at her friends passion, passing it off as one of the many unique things about Jungeun. The older girl always was brimmed with excitement and emotion when it came to dramas, it was like one of the only times she really released her anger. It was a mix between terrifying and amusing.
(Yerim usually covered her ears with her palms, had a fight scene or something of that sort came up, since she knew Jungeun would start shouting at the fictional hero - who couldn't hear her, mind you.)
"Water or tea?" Yerim yelled, hoping her voice could reach Jungeun.
"Water would be fine." Jungeun sighed, leaning back on the couch. It seemed that whatever scene she was watching had ended since now she was finally settled against the pillows. Jungeun closed her eyes, tilting her head up. "I just don't get these kind of people."
Yerim raised an eyebrow, placing the cold glass of water on the coaster. "What kind?"
Jungeun, eyes still closed and head resting up on the couch, huffed, "The people who think they know everything about someone. It's just- who do they think they are? Someone can be hurting, in pain, and yet-" Jungeun groaned, whipping her head up, "I just don't get people who are so asshole-y."
Yerim giggled at the odd use of words. She hummed, crossing her arms, "Well some people are just like that. Usually they're in pain too so all we have to do is help each other out." She smiled cheekily at the older girl. Yerim missed the way Jungeun held a soft, yet bitter, smile on her face.
Jungeun could never read Yerim's mind. Sometimes she hated that her quirk wasn't mind reading or something of that sort. It would've been useful during the one year Yerim had held back; actually, even now, it would be of use.
"Hey, Yerim?"
Yerim hummed, though her eyes were trained on the flashing images on Jungeun's television. Jungeun knew she was listening but a part of her still wished that the younger girl would meet her eyes; maybe then she could feel or possibly hear Yerim's heart.
With a shallow sigh, Jungeun continued, "When was the last time you visited Loona?" She glanced at Yerim's stiff figure. She knew it was a question worth avoiding but Yerim couldn't possibly just jump up from her seat and excuse herself for a last minute dentist appointment, yet again. It was their movie night and for sure, Yerim's schedule was clear.
Yerim chuckled lightly, "Since a year ago." She smiled but she didn't meet Jungeun's eyes.
Jungeun nodded, knowingly. Of course she knew the answer to that question, she's always known. Jungeun also knows the last time Yerim ever mentioned anything even remotely related to heroes. All of the supernatural left behind since a year ago. Ever since-
"Why don't you visit again? We're thinking of taking a day off next week so-"
"I'm fine. Besides, University has been becoming more and more difficult!" Yerim smiled and there was a certain way her eyes glistened against the small lamp light that made Jungeun want to ask more. "Maybe another time, hm?"
Their conversation dissolved into the movie, forgotten by the sound affects and the fictional plot that was playing. Yerim didn't talk about it anymore, instead opting to just scream at her favourite actor, or complain about whatever the plot had decided to throw at it's characters. Her eyes were devoid of any sorrow; just filled with this melancholic look, though it was impressively masked by the smile Yerim held so tightly.
Jungeun didn't press further. She knew it would ruin their night and Yerim was probably tired from her classes, Jungeun wanted to let the girl relax even if it's just for a little bit. The television became static noise to her, drowned out by her deafening thoughts of both curiosity and concern.
Yerim was never one to dwell on the past; she would much rather move on and push forward. Jungeun always admired that part about her. Unlike Yerim's willingness to leap forward and always strive for the stars, Jungeun found herself over analyzing the what if's or the what could have beens all too much. But sometimes, it's best to think about the past to truly move on. Jungeun knew Yerim hadn't walked past that dreadful memory yet. Just like herself, Yerim probably played the same song in her mind every day. Every second of her life.
Jungeun almost let out a growl for her own foolishness but she bit on her lip from doing so. It'll steal Yerim's attention away from the movie and only cause worry; Yerim deserves to relax.
She let out a shallow sigh, fixing her position to meet the angle of the tv. Flashing images of the actors as they fought struck a chord of memories to release into her brain and she winced slightly. Yerim glanced at her quickly but she let out a smile before the younger girl could even begin to ask anything. Relief hit Jungeun when Yerim nodded happily and turned back to the movie.
Jungeun let out a few steady breaths and looked up at the movie again, this time not flinching away from the scene. Her eyes naturally moved to Yerim, a smile gracing her features as the younger girl trembled in excitement when the best part was about to come (Jungeun guessed it's the part when the protagonist probably wins against the villain).
Yerim's eyes glimmered with awe, her lips curving into a smile as she watched the said Hero run across its vast setting. Jungeun chuckled lightly when a bit of purple hair fell against Yerim's eyes only to be brushed away hastily. The younger girl resembled a child watching one of their real heroes zoom across the sky and snap it's opponent in two. It was adorable, yet heart wrenching.
"Unnie! This is the part where the hero and his lover take on the bad guy, look! Look!" Yerim tugged on Jungeun's sleeve, making the older girl jerk from her trance. With a nervous chuckle, Jungeun turned away from the younger girl and focused on the scene, hoping to match Yerim's same energy soon.
"No matter what happens, the good will always win!" The Hero screamed, his lavish hair laying flat on his head as the dramatic effect of rain poured over the scene. He ran across the vast roads, screaming his lungs out, his hands emitting this strange energy that only he can muster up. His lover ran beside him, a sly smile on her face as they brought their hands together. "The heroes always win!" He chortled.
The heroes always win.
The villain shrieked in horror as the last thing he saw was the bright, blinding light before being impaled under the pouring rain. Both the Hero and his lover pumped their fists in the air, cheering with adrenaline and the pure thought of finally defeating the antagonist. The one character that had meddled and ruined their lives; at least until the end of the movie. They shared a chaste kiss and the movie slowly panned out, credits rolling as the background flashed the Hero's injured companions, family and more.
The heroes always win.
Jungeun's fists clenched at the phrase. She wanted to curse the movie, sue it for its kiddish lies and just scold it for showing such a stereotypical Heroic story.
"That's funny." Yerim chuckled, bitterly.
Jungeun halted in her movement, looking beside her and her eyes softened. Yerim, slouched against the couch, her knees tucked steadily to her chest, arms wrapping around it. She stared at the rolling credits, eyes filled with evident envy - and sorrow.
Jungeun wanted Yerim to say more. She wanted to make Yerim realize that she didn't have to pretend. Not anymore, not in a million years. But as she was about to open her mouth, hoping to open a possible opportunity for Yerim, the younger girl beat her to it, "I thought the Hero and his lover were going to have their own private scene together. I guess not!" She snickered, smiling from ear to ear.
Standing up, Yerim muttered that she was going to wash the dishes. Without much thought, Jungeun only nodded and muttered a lifeless Thanks. She watched as Yerim grabbed their cups and walked off, once again.
Jungeun blinked out of confusion before shaking her head. With a defeated sigh, she sunk into the couch, making her own cocoon just like Yerim did a few seconds ago. She buried her face into her arms, back shaking slightly as she remembered how Yerim muttered bitterly That's funny. Jungeun shook her head.
Yerim didn't mean the hero and the lover. Yerim didn't want to watch that scene for the sake of pure thrill when watching romance conquer the evil. It wasn't about that cliche ending. Yerim didn't find it funny, and she didn't mean that at all.
Jungeun knew what Yerim meant. Because it is funny. It's funny that that hero had won his battle.
When they had lost theirs.