XVII - Understanding
"Ow- Ouch!"
"Can you hold still?!"
"Well, it hurts!"
"Well if you had just listened to Hyejoo, we wouldn't be here right now," Jungeun argues back, her teeth gritted and a curse being barely held back. The older girl smears more ointment against Yerim's side, ignoring the way she would wince, and plasters on a medium-sized bandage.
Yerim huffs, "We had to hurry."
"That's what you think," Jungeun sighs, leaning back as she throws the roll aside, "But Hyejoo had a point Yerim. You ran in without thinking of yourself or-"
"-But that spider - ah - that woman was so close to hurting that boy!" Yerim exclaims, moving to stand only to fall back down after the sting on her side had pricked at her nerves.
Jungeun meets Yerim's gaze, "-or that boy. Did you see the way that woman didn't hesitate to throw the kid aside when you came into the picture? Yerim, that boy would've been practically tossed against hard brick had Hyejoo not been there to catch him - he would've gotten injured or worst, killed." She explains, crossing her arms, her gaze stern.
Yerim opens and closes her mouth but soon after she visibly deflates in her seat, shoulders slowly sinking and her face crestfallen. Jungeun smiles rather fondly at her, though the younger girl doesn't see it, and leans forward, "You have good intentions - I know you do - but being a hero isn't all about action or kicking some ass." Yerim giggles at that.
Jungeun continues, "Majority of the time, it's never about that." She says, earning her a confused look from Yerim. Jungeun sighs, "Fighting a bad guy isn't as easy as throwing them down and winning. It's also about the people around you. If you do this - will there be casualties? If I use my quirk at this time - will I also have to get rid of nearby citizens? If I do that - will anyone get hurt?"
Yerim's subtle smile falls, turning into a faint frown. She watches as Jungeun looks down at her hands, her hands wringing each other as if she was reminiscing about other things. "I-" Yerim scratches her nape, "I didn't think of it like that." She casts her head down, feeling guilty for being so reckless.
Despite Hyejoo always calling her that, Yerim understands why exactly she always kept talking about it. Maybe it was the adrenaline of becoming a pro-hero, or perhaps it was the hidden excitement she felt when harnessing her quirk for more than just using it as a heat source - whatever it was, Yerim forgot that there was much more to using one's quirk. And a bit of her feels guilty for feeling that way.
However, it still doesn't give Hyejoo the right to always insult her!
"That reminds me," Yerim looks up, meeting Jungeun's curious eyes, "Why is Hyejoo always in a bad mood? I swear, that girl never lets an ounce of positivity in her life - it's insane."
Jungeun snorts and lets out a laugh, chuckling as she sees Yerim's solemn expression morph into one of genuine but light frustration. Her hands animatedly wailing when complaining about Hyejoo made it all the more amusing to the older girl.
"Ah, her? Don't mind her," Jungeun smiles, "It takes time but soon enough she'll warm up to you. Hyejoo's a good kid."
Yerim raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms (although wincing slightly), "And your source is - dude trust me?"
"Experience!" Jungeun chuckles, "But seriously. Hyejoo's smart and knows what she's doing. Yeah, she can be a bit hard to understand and a little cold, but she has a warm heart."
"Like that can fool me." Yerim pouted.
Jungeun smiles, though it falters, "She does. Hyejoo's just been through a lot, like the rest of us, and she covers it with the walls she's built around herself. But inside, she's hurting, a lot and really, there are only a few people to who she shows it to."
Yerim looks at Jungeun, head tilted slightly, "Like you?"
The older girl waves a hand at her dismissively, shaking her head, "Not even. Probably to Haseul and Chaewon, but that's really all there is to it." Jungeun meets Yerim's gaze, a soft look in her own eyes, "I know it's hard, but just trust me on this ok? Hyejoo can be a little tough sometimes, bossy and cold, but she's someone you'll grow to understand."
Yerim opens her mouth to say a snarky remark but holds it back when she catches the way Jungeun's eyes flash with sorrow and guilt swimming across. She blinks, entangling her own fingers together, "I will," Yerim mutters, but she straightens her back again, "But it'll take time, seriously!"
Jungeun laughs, "Yeah, yeah, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotta go, I promised to help Hyunjin with a few things today," Yerim springs up, though it was rather soft considering she could still feel the bruise that had been painted on her side - credit to that damn spider lady.
"Hyunjin?" Jungeun hums, "Wow, you guys got close really quick."
Yerim shrugs, "Well she's really fun to be around."
"Hey! What about me?" Jungeun raises an eyebrow, casting a curious gaze at the younger girl, arms crossed.
Yerim chuckles, "Yeah, yeah you too. I have to go, see ya!" The younger girl is quick to drape the nearest jacket over her shoulders, hurriedly slipping into her boots and as soon as she had everything stuffed into her bag, Yerim busts out of their humble apartment home.
Jungeun smiles softly at the girl's retreating back and the light thud of the door echoing as Yerim leaves. A small part of Jungeun wishes Yerim could stay longer, and watch a movie together, but she feels her heart glowing with slight pride seeing a slight spark of excitement as she rushes off to meet their friend. Well, Yerim always enjoys new friends, no matter who they are; Jungeun can't really be surprised about that.
She sighs, leaning back on the couch, her head tilted up. There was a slight strain in her neck after all that patrolling; though, Jungeun knows if she says it aloud, Haseul would berate her - lovingly, of course. Jungeun chuckles at the thought and stretches, groaning at the feel of her bones shaking at the feeling of comfort.
Jungeun pushes herself up, her eyes catching the small bundle of bandages and ointment laid lazily across the coffee table. A part of Jungeun is afraid that one-day Yerim would need more than that, but she's quick to push those thoughts away. "Kahei would kill me if she finds out," Jungeun sighs, neatly putting the container to the side.
For a moment, Jungeun just sits still, her mind running through several thoughts - as it usually does. Her shoulders sag, fingers entangling with one another as she wrings her skin softly.
"You and Hyejoo are more alike than you think, Yerim."