Gravity Between Us
Kim Minjeong had spent most of her high school life blending into the background. She wasn’t invisible, but she wasn’t the type to draw attention either.
Her Dad, Kim Doohyeon, worked as a firefighter, her sister Kim Sejeong busy with her role casting and things which meant Minjeong was often left to her own devices. She didn’t mind. Solitude was comfortable.
But then came Yu Jimin—loud, persistent, and the very definition of chaos.
Their first meeting wasn’t exactly remarkable. It was just another school day, and Minjeong had gone to the library during lunch to escape the noise of the cafeteria.
She was flipping through a book when a chair scraped loudly against the floor across from her.
Jimin plopped down, uninvited. "Do you always look this serious when reading?"
Minjeong blinked at her, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"
Jimin grinned, resting her chin on her palm. "You were frowning at the book. Either you’re really into it, or you’re trying to scare it into submission."
Minjeong stared for a moment before sighing and turning the page. "Do you always talk this much?"
Jimin laughed. "Only when I meet someone interesting."
Minjeong raised an eyebrow. "I don’t recall being interesting."
"Exactly," Jimin said, winking. "That’s why I’m here. Gotta figure you out."
Minjeong wasn’t sure whether to be amused or annoyed, but something about Jimin’s energy was hard to ignore.
That was how it started.
Their friendship, if Jimin could even call it that at first, progressed in a series of small moments. Jimin seemed determined to drag Minjeong out of her self-imposed solitude,
whether it was sitting beside her during lunch, texting her memes late at night,
or showing up outside her classroom just to walk with her to the next.
One day, Minjeong showed up drenched in sweat after gym class and dramatically flopped onto the desk beside Jimin’s.
"You know what sucks?" Minjeong huffed.
Jimin didn’t even look up from her notebook. "Your stamina?"
Minjeong gasped. "Rude. But also true."
Jimin smirked. "I take it gym class didn’t go well?"
Minjeong groaned. "Let’s just say running is not in my skill set."
Jimin tilted her head. "Aren’t you the daughter of a firefighter? Shouldn’t endurance run in your blood?"
Minjeong sat up dramatically. "Exactly! My dad can carry people out of burning buildings, but I can’t even run two laps without feeling like I’m dying. It’s tragic."
Jimin chuckled. "Maybe you should train with him."
Minjeong shuddered. "No thanks. I’d rather suffer in gym class than have my dad turn it into a full-on boot camp."
Jimin shook her head in amusement, but she couldn’t deny that Minjeong’s presence had become a constant in her life—one she didn’t mind.
As for Minjeong, she never said it out loud, but there was something about Jimin that drew her in. Maybe it was the way she always seemed a little lonely,
Or the way she reacted to Jimin’s antics with quiet fondness rather than irritation.
Or maybe—just maybe—it was because every time Minjeong looked at Jimin, she felt something warm settle in her chest.
And that? That was worth figuring out.
-
The weather had taken an unexpected turn. What was supposed to be a mild autumn day had turned into a full-blown windy afternoon, and Kim Minjeong was not prepared.
She stood outside the school gates, rubbing her hands together, visibly shivering.
"I swear the universe is out to get me," she muttered, watching her breath fog up in the air.
Yu Jimin, standing beside her with her usual calm demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t check the weather?"
Minjeong groaned. "No! I trusted the sun! It betrayed me!"
Jimin sighed, shaking her head before unzipping her hoodie and shoving it at Minjeong. "Here."
Minjeong blinked. "Huh?"
"Wear it."
Minjeong stared at the hoodie, then at Jimin. "But what about you?"
Jimin rolled her eyes. "I’m not the one shaking like a chihuahua."
Minjeong gasped dramatically. "Did you just compare me to a chihuahua?"
Jimin smirked. "If the shoe fits."
Minjeong pouted but took the hoodie anyway, slipping it over her head. It was warm—Jimin’s warmth still lingering in the fabric.
And it smelled like her too, a mix of something fresh and subtly sweet. Minjeong tugged at the sleeves, grinning as they covered her hands completely.
"It’s huge on me," she giggled, stretching her arms out.
Jimin gave her a once-over and smirked. "Looks better on you, anyway."
Minjeong’s brain short-circuited.
Did Yu Jimin just—was that a compliment?
Jimin, seemingly unaware of the way Minjeong was currently malfunctioning, glanced at her phone. "Your bus is here."
Minjeong snapped out of it, quickly fixing the hood over her head. "Oh, right! Uh—thanks, Jiminie." She grinned before running off, waving as she boarded.
Jimin stood there for a moment, watching the bus drive away. Then, she exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck.
"...Why did I say that?" she muttered to herself.
And on the bus, Minjeong was still clutching the hoodie, face burning, heart racing.
Yu Jimin was going to be the death of her.
The moment Minjeong stepped onto the bus, she plopped into the nearest empty seat and immediately pulled the hoodie tighter around herself.
She wasn’t sure if it was just because Jimin had just worn it, but it felt way warmer than it should have.
She buried her face in the oversized collar, grinning like an idiot.
Jimin’s hoodie smelled way too nice.
"Oh my god," Minjeong mumbled into the fabric, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I’m actually losing it."
She was so busy having a mini crisis over Jimin’s hoodie that she didn’t even notice her phone buzzing until the third vibration.
It was a text from Jimin.
Jimin [4:17 PM]: don’t drool on it.
Minjeong’s eyes widened. "What the—?! How—"
She whipped her head toward the bus window, scanning the street. And there, still standing near the school gate, was Jimin—watching her.
From her spot, Jimin raised an eyebrow and lifted her phone again.
Jimin [4:18 PM]: you’re literally burying your face in it.
Jimin [4:18 PM]: have some dignity.
Minjeong felt her soul leave her body.
She scrambled to text back.
Minjeong [4:18 PM]: STOP WATCHING ME GO HOME!!!
Minjeong [4:18 PM]: AND DIGNITY?? YOU GAVE ME YOUR HOODIE WHAT DID YOU EXPECT
Jimin’s reply came almost immediately.
Jimin [4:19 PM]: i expected you to wear it. not act like it’s the last warm thing on earth.
Minjeong groaned, but the blush on her face refused to go away.
She could literally hear Jimin’s smug voice through the texts.
Minjeong huffed and fired back.
Minjeong [4:19 PM]: WELL TOO BAD IT’S MINE NOW
Jimin’s response took a few seconds this time.
Jimin [4:20 PM]: …fine. keep it.
Minjeong blinked. Wait. What?
Before she could process that, another text came in.
Jimin [4:20 PM]: but you owe me coffee.
Minjeong bit her lip to stop herself from grinning like an idiot again.
Minjeong [4:21 PM]: deal.
She leaned back into her seat, still wrapped up in the hoodie, warmth spreading through her chest.
Outside, Jimin watched the bus disappear down the street before shaking her head with a small chuckle.
Yeah. Minjeong could keep the hoodie. It wasn’t like Jimin minded.
It was another slow afternoon in class, and Yu Jimin was bored out of her mind.
-
The teacher was droning on about something Jimin had already read in the textbook, and her eyes kept drifting toward the girl sitting beside her—Kim Minjeong, who was very focused… on scribbling something in the margins of her notebook instead of taking notes.
Curious, Jimin leaned slightly to peek.
It was a tiny doodle of a cat.
Jimin smirked. "Is that supposed to be you?" she whispered.
Minjeong jumped slightly before turning to glare at her. "No, it’s a cat. Can’t you tell?"
Jimin squinted. "It’s a very round cat."
Minjeong gasped dramatically. "Rude! He’s fluffy, not round!"
Jimin chuckled under her breath and tapped the corner of Minjeong’s notebook with her pen. "Let me guess, you’re naming it?"
Minjeong grinned. "Actually, yes! But I haven’t decided yet."
Jimin raised an eyebrow. "How about… Jimin?"
Minjeong choked on air. "HUH?!"
Jimin fought back a laugh. "What? It’s a good name."
Minjeong narrowed her eyes. "You just want me to name my cat after you, don’t you?"
Jimin smirked. "Maybe."
Minjeong huffed but started writing anyway.
‘Jimin the Cat’
Jimin blinked. "You actually wrote it?"
Minjeong shrugged, grinning. "Might as well. Now I get to draw little versions of you all over my notes."
Jimin rolled her eyes, but she could feel the tips of her ears turning red. "Just don’t make me look dumb."
Minjeong gasped again, clutching her chest dramatically. "Me? Make fun of you? Never."
Jimin gave her a flat look. "You literally do it every day."
Minjeong giggled. "Because you’re fun to tease."
Jimin sighed, shaking her head, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.
Minjeong grinned, twirling her pen between her fingers. "But hey, at least now you’re part of my notes."
Jimin leaned in slightly, her voice quieter. "Does that mean you think about me even outside of class?"
Minjeong blinked, her brain momentarily short-circuiting.
Jimin just smirked and turned back to her own notes, acting like nothing happened.
Minjeong sat there, staring at her, gripping her pen tightly.
"...I hate you," she mumbled under her breath.
Jimin chuckled. “Really..?”
Minjeong groaned, burying her face in her notebook. "Ugh. WHY are you like this?"
Jimin only smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Just keeping things interesting."
And from that day forward, Jimin the Cat appeared in all of Minjeong’s notebook
-
Yu Jimin was supposed to be heading home. Supposed to be.
But as she passed by the empty music room, a familiar sound caught her attention. A soft melody, plucked carefully on guitar strings.
She knew that style of playing.
Peeking through the slightly open door, Jimin spotted a familiar figure sitting on a chair in the corner—Kim Minjeong, completely lost in her own world, fingers effortlessly gliding over the strings of her acoustic guitar.
Jimin leaned against the doorframe, listening.
She had always known Minjeong played, but the girl never performed in front of people. She always brushed off compliments with a shy shrug and refused to play when asked. And yet, here she was, sitting alone, completely unguarded.
Jimin smiled to herself before gently knocking on the door.
Minjeong jumped, her fingers slipping on the strings as she turned sharply. "Oh my—Jimin?! What are you doing here?"
Jimin grinned. "Enjoying my private concert, apparently."
Minjeong groaned, clutching her guitar. "You weren’t supposed to hear that."
Jimin stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Why not? You’re really good."
Minjeong huffed, looking away. "That’s… not the point."
Jimin raised an eyebrow and took a seat on the table nearby. "Then what is the point?"
Minjeong hesitated before mumbling, "I just… don’t like playing in front of people."
Jimin tilted her head. "But you’re okay with me hearing?"
Minjeong opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked at Jimin, then at her guitar, then back at Jimin. "I— I don’t know, okay?! You just— You don’t count!"
Jimin smirked. "Oh? So I’m special?"
Minjeong made a strangled noise. "That’s NOT what I meant!"
Jimin laughed, enjoying how flustered Minjeong was getting. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Well, since I’m already here… play something for me?"
Minjeong stared at her, then sighed in defeat. "You’re not gonna let this go, are you?"
Jimin grinned. "Nope."
Minjeong groaned but adjusted her grip on the guitar. "Fine. Just—don’t make fun of me if I mess up."
Jimin softened. "I’d never."
Minjeong exhaled before starting to play again.
Jimin sat there, completely captivated, watching the way Minjeong’s fingers moved so naturally over the strings, how her brows furrowed slightly in concentration, how she gently swayed with the rhythm.
Jimin had seen Minjeong in class, had teased her countless times, had shared jokes and small moments with her. But this?
This was something different.
Something special.
And as the last note faded into silence, Jimin found herself smiling.
"You’re amazing, Minjeong."
Minjeong’s face turned pink, and she quickly looked away. "Shut up."
Jimin chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "Can I be your number one fan?"
Minjeong groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Jimin, I swear—"
But Jimin just laughed, watching as Minjeong tried (and failed) to hide her flustered smile
-
Yu Jimin was exhausted but in a good way.
Taekwondo practice had drained her energy, and all she wanted was some fresh air even its cold. She figured the school rooftop would be the perfect place to cool down.
What she didn’t expect was to find Kim Minjeong sitting there with a whole telescope, looking like a tiny astronomer.
Jimin leaned against the doorway, raising an eyebrow. "Are you… secretly working for NASA?"
Minjeong jumped, nearly knocking over her telescope. She turned around with wide eyes. "Jimin?! Why are you here?"
Jimin chuckled as she stepped closer. "I should be asking you that. Who brings a telescope to school?"
Minjeong pouted, adjusting her equipment. "I do, obviously. There’s a rare star cluster visible tonight, and the rooftop has the best view."
Jimin sat on the floor beside her, stretching her sore legs. "Of course you’d know that. You and your hundred hobbies."
Minjeong narrowed her eyes. "It’s called having interests, Jimin."
Jimin smirked. "And I’m very interested in how you carried all this up here by yourself."
Minjeong crossed her arms. "I have my ways."
Jimin chuckled, then suddenly leaned in closer, sniffing the air. "Wait… is that tangerine shampoo?"
Minjeong immediately recoiled. "W-What? Stay away! You’re all sweaty!"
Jimin grinned. "What if I hug you right now?"
Minjeong’s eyes widened in horror. "I swear to God, Jimin, if you—"
Jimin lunged forward slightly, just to mess with her, and Minjeong shrieked, nearly falling off her chair.
"JIMIN, I WILL THROW THIS CHAIR AT YOU!"
Jimin burst out laughing, holding up her hands. "Okay, okay! I won’t! Chill!"
Minjeong huffed, hugging her telescope protectively. "If you so much as breathe on my telescope, I’m kicking you off the rooftop."
Jimin grinned. "Duly noted."
Minjeong rolled her eyes before adjusting the telescope again. After a moment, she spoke, her voice softer. "Come here, I’ll show you the star cluster."
Jimin scooted closer, resting her chin on her knees as Minjeong explained.
"See that? That’s the Pleiades. It’s also called the Seven Sisters."
Jimin hummed, pretending to understand. "Pretty."
Minjeong gave her a side glance. "You have no idea what you're looking at, do you?"
Jimin chuckled. "Nope. But I like hearing you talk about it."
Minjeong froze for a second before quickly looking away. "…Shut up."
Jimin smirked. "I’m serious. You get all excited, and it’s cute."
Minjeong groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Why are you like this?"
Jimin laughed, leaning back on her palms. "Just keeping things interesting."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the night air cooling Jimin’s skin, the stars twinkling above them. It was peaceful—until Minjeong sighed dramatically.
"Fine. Since you're here… I guess you can stay."
Jimin smirked. "Wow. Such an honor."
Minjeong shot her a glare before turning back to the telescope. "But if you fall asleep and drool on my stuff, I will leave you up here."
Jimin chuckled. "Duly noted… again."
And so, under the quiet night sky, a sweaty Taekwondo champion and an introverted stargazer sat side by side—one completely fascinated by the stars, and the other completely fascinated by the girl looking at them.
The night air was crisp, the city lights twinkling in the distance, but up here on the rooftop, it was just the two of them—the introverted stargazer and the tired but intrigued Taekwondo champion.
Minjeong adjusted her telescope, her fingers moving delicately over the knobs as she focused on a specific star.
"That one," she said, pointing toward the night sky. "Canopus. It’s the second-brightest star in the sky."
Jimin tilted her head, eyes following where Minjeong was pointing. "Why do you like that one?"
Minjeong’s lips curled into a small smile. "Because it’s a navigation star. Sailors used it to find their way, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Canopus is the brightest star in Carina"
She paused, her gaze softening.
"It’s always there, guiding people home."
Jimin watched her quietly. There was something about the way Minjeong spoke about stars—like she wasn’t just admiring them, but understanding them.
Jimin leaned back, resting on her hands. "Then my favorite star is… that one."
Minjeong followed her gaze. "Rigel?"
Jimin grinned. "Yep. Wah it sounds cool. I like it"
Minjeong scoffed. "You’re picking a star based on its name?"
"Obviously," Jimin teased. "but because it’s bright and also the color is kinda blue..white?"
Minjeong hummed, resting her chin on her knees. "It’s a blue supergiant, you know. Really hot and massive. But one day, it’ll explode."
Jimin smirked. "So it’s dramatic. Just like you."
Minjeong nudged her with her elbow. "You’re impossible."
Jimin chuckled, rubbing her arm as she looked at Minjeong properly now. That’s when she noticed—
"Wait." Jimin squinted. "Are you still wearing my hoodie?"
Minjeong stiffened.
Jimin’s smirk widened. "You are. I let you borrow that, like… last week?"
Minjeong cleared her throat, pretending to adjust the telescope again. "It’s comfortable."
Jimin raised an eyebrow. "So comfortable that you forgot to give it back?"
Minjeong rolled her eyes. "Would you rather I give it back now? While you’re still gross and sweaty?"
Jimin gasped dramatically. "Wow. Is this your way of saying you want to keep something of mine forever?"
Minjeong groaned, covering her face. "Shut up."
Jimin laughed, nudging Minjeong’s side. "It looks good on you, though."
Minjeong peeked at her from behind her hands. "…Really?"
Jimin nodded, a little more serious now. "Yeah. But, you know…" She leaned in slightly. "If you wanted another one, you could’ve just asked."
Minjeong huffed. "I’m not collecting your hoodies, Jimin."
Jimin shrugged. "You say that, but you’re still wearing it."
Minjeong didn’t reply, but her ears turned red. Jimin noticed, but for once, she didn’t tease. She just smiled to herself, leaning back again.
The stars continued to shine above them, and though Rigel was bright, Jimin was starting to think Minjeong glowed even more.
The cool night air followed them as they walked side by side, their shadows stretching under the dim glow of the streetlights.
Jimin had her hands in her pockets, still slightly sore from practice, while Minjeong bringing her telescope walked beside her, hugging Jimin’s hoodie around herself.
Minjeong glanced at Jimin. "You always practice so late. Don’t you get tired?"
Jimin stretched her arms above her head. "Of course, but I have another tournament coming up. Yah! isn't that heavy? let me bring it "
Minjeong hummed in response, kicking a small rock on the sidewalk. "Th..thanks. Uh you have another one tournament?"
"Mhm." Jimin turned to look at her. "It’s in two weeks. You should come watch."
Minjeong hesitated, eyes fixed ahead. "I’m busy that day."
Jimin blinked. "I haven’t even told you the date yet."
Minjeong cleared her throat, walking a little faster. "I just know I’ll be busy."
Jimin tilted her head, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "Are you scared to see me fight?"
Minjeong scoffed. "No. I just don’t like crowded places."
Jimin hummed in understanding but didn’t press further. Instead, she smiled to herself and jogged a few steps ahead, turning around to walk backward so she could face Minjeong.
"It’s okay. I’ll just imagine you cheering for me in spirit."
Minjeong rolled her eyes. "Who says I’d cheer for you?"
Jimin clutched her chest dramatically. "Wow. You really don’t care about me, huh?"
Minjeong sighed, shaking her head. "You’ll win anyway. You don’t need me there."
Jimin’s teasing expression softened. "Still, it’d be nice if you were."
Minjeong didn’t reply, only tightening her grip on Jimin’s hoodie sleeves as she kept walking. Jimin noticed but didn’t say anything. Instead, she just fell back into step beside her, letting the quiet settle between them.
Even if Minjeong wouldn’t be there physically, Jimin knew she’d still be thinking about her. And for now, that was enough.
The Kim apartment was never quiet.
Kim Doohyeon, the ever-dedicated firefighter, was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables at lightning speed while balancing his phone between his shoulder and ear.
He was talking to a colleague about shift changes, but his focus was divided between that and trying not to burn dinner.
In the living room, Kim Sejeong stood in front of a mirror, dramatically reciting lines from her latest script. "No, you don’t understand! I had to do it—" She suddenly gasped, clutching her chest. "For love!"
At the dining table, Kim Minjeong was hunched over her homework, aggressively erasing a math problem that refused to make sense. "Who invented calculus, and can I fight them?"
It was a normal evening in the Kim household.
Doohyeon, still holding his phone, yelled toward the living room. "Sejeong! Come help me with the vegetables!"
Sejeong, without missing a beat, raised a hand dramatically. "Dad, I cannot. My art requires full devotion."
Doohyeon groaned. "Minjeong, then—"
Minjeong didn’t even look up. "I’m suffering. Leave me alone."
Sejeong turned to her with a smirk. "What’s wrong? Did math finally defeat you?"
Minjeong shot her a glare. "I swear, if you don’t shut up—"
"—You’ll throw your calculator at me?" Sejeong finished for her, unfazed.
Minjeong raised her calculator threateningly.
Doohyeon sighed, giving up on getting help. He turned back to the stove and muttered, "I work day and night, and for what? Two daughters who refuse to help their hardworking Dad."
Sejeong clutched her chest again. "Dad, your pain wounds me so!"
Minjeong rolled her eyes. "I’m about to wound you if you don’t stop being dramatic."
Doohyeon shook his head and continued cooking. "I should’ve been a monk."
Suddenly, the apartment doorbell rang.
Sejeong immediately turned to Minjeong. "Get that."
Minjeong scowled. "Why me?"
"Because I’m practicing, and Dad’s cooking."
Doohyeon nodded. "She has a point."
Grumbling, Minjeong got up and opened the door—only to be met with Yu Jimin, grinning at her like she knew Minjeong had been suffering.
"Hey, Minjeongie." Jimin peered inside. "Wow. Your place is just as chaotic as I imagined."
Minjeong groaned. "Why are you here?"
Jimin held up a bag. "I brought snacks. Thought you could use a break."
Sejeong suddenly appeared behind Minjeong. "Ohhh, is this the famous Jimin? The Taekwondo star?"
Jimin smirked. "So you have heard of me."
Minjeong facepalmed. "Please don’t encourage her."
Sejeong ignored her and turned to Jimin. "What do you think of my acting?" She immediately struck a dramatic pose. "Do I look like a lead actress?"
Jimin blinked. "Uh… sure?"
Sejeong beamed. "She likes me!"
Minjeong groaned. "She said sure. That doesn’t mean anything!"
Doohyeon, now plating the food, called out, "Who’s at the door?"
Sejeong grinned. "It’s Minjeong’s sweet girlfriend."
Minjeong choked. "UNNIE!"
Jimin laughed, stepping inside like she belonged there. "I like this place. Feels like a sitcom."
Minjeong dragged a hand down her face. "You have no idea."
The Kim family—plus one unexpected guest—gathered around the dining table, plates filled with steaming hot food courtesy of Doohyeon.
The air was warm with the scent of home-cooked meals, and even though Minjeong had initially protested Jimin’s presence, she had begrudgingly set an extra plate for her.
Jimin, ever the smooth guest, grinned as she took a bite. "Wow, Mr. Kim. This is amazing. You might cook better than Minjeong."
Minjeong shot her a glare. "I never claimed to be good at cooking."
Sejeong smirked. "Exactly. She’d rather burn the kitchen than make an actual meal."
Minjeong kicked her under the table.
Doohyeon chuckled as he took a sip of his soup. "Jimin, right? Your last name is Yu, so your Dad must be Yu Hakjun?"
Jimin blinked, a little surprised. "Oh—yeah. You know him?"
Doohyeon nodded. "We..we’ve met a few times. He’s well-known, after all." He paused, tilting his head. "He used to pick you up from school often, didn’t he?"
Jimin’s chopsticks froze for a moment. Then she forced a small smile. "Yeah… He did."
Minjeong, ever observant, noticed the way Jimin's usual bright energy dimmed slightly.
Doohyeon nodded approvingly. "Good man. Always made time for his kid and worried.., unlike some Dads who just work all day." He sighed dramatically. "If only my daughters appreciated me like that."
Sejeong wiped an imaginary tear. "Dad, we love you dearly. We just choose not to show it."
Minjeong rolled her eyes, but her attention was still on Jimin, who was poking at her rice absentmindedly.
"Is he busy these days?" Minjeong asked casually.
Jimin glanced at her, then sighed. "Yeah… Lately, he’s been working a lot. Even when he’s home, he’s always on his laptop or his phone."
Doohyeon nodded knowingly and looked worried "That’s what happens when work starts taking over."
Jimin let out a small laugh, but it lacked its usual warmth. "It’s just weird, you know? He used to always make time. We’d go out every weekend, even if it was just for ice cream or a walk. But now…
" She trailed off, shrugging. "I guess work is more important."
There was a brief silence before Sejeong suddenly clapped her hands. "Okay, this is getting depressing. Jimin, eat more! Sadness is not allowed at this table."
Jimin chuckled at that, grateful for the shift in mood. "Yes, ma’am." She took a big bite of rice, making Minjeong shake her head.
Doohyeon, though, gave her a thoughtful look. "Your dad seems like a good man, Jimin. Maybe he just needs a reminder of what’s important and protecting something"
Jimin nodded slowly, as if considering the words. Then she smiled, this time a little more genuine. "Yeah… Maybe."
Minjeong, without saying anything, nudged Jimin’s foot under the table. It was subtle, but Jimin felt it. When she turned to look at her, Minjeong wasn’t even looking back—just focusing on her food.
But Jimin smiled anyway. Because somehow, that small gesture felt like Minjeong was saying, I get it.
And right now, that was enough.
It was almost midnight, but neither Jimin nor Minjeong felt sleepy.
After dinner, Doohyeon had easily agreed to let Jimin stay over since it was the weekend. "Sure, why not? But don’t blame me if Sejeong talks in her sleep."
Sejeong had gasped dramatically at the accusation, but Minjeong had simply shrugged. "He’s not wrong."
Now, Jimin lying on Minjeong's bed while Minjeong is on the floor, facing the ceiling. A small lamp cast a soft glow around them, making the space feel even cozier.
"Your house is chaotic, but I like it," Jimin said, her voice relaxed.
Minjeong let out a small huff. "That’s because you don’t live here every day."
"True, but it’s nice." Jimin turned her head slightly. "You always have people around. It never feels… empty."
Minjeong glanced at her, sensing there was more behind those words. "Is it quiet at your place?"
Jimin hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. It wasn’t always like that, though. Before, my dad and I used to do everything together—cooking, watching movies,
even just talking about random stuff. But ever since he got busier with work, it’s been different. Feels like I’m just passing through the house, you know?"
Minjeong stayed quiet, waiting.
Jimin sighed. "It used to be the three of us before… before my mom left."
Minjeong's fingers curled slightly against the blanket. "She just left?"
Jimin let out a bitter chuckle. "Yep. One day she was there, the next she wasn’t. She married some other guy, and that was it. She didn’t even fight for custody or anything—just walked away."
There was a pause before Minjeong muttered, "That’s awful."
Jimin exhaled slowly. "It was, at first. I kept thinking, Was I not enough? Was my dad not enough? But I got tired of thinking about it. If she didn’t want to stay, then fine. My dad and I were fine without her."
Minjeong stared at the ceiling, absorbing Jimin’s words.
Then, quietly, she said, "My mom passed away when I was little."
Jimin turned to look at her. "Oh…"
"She was sick for a long time," Minjeong continued, her voice calm but distant. "I don’t remember much. Just bits and pieces. Her voice, the way she used to sing when I couldn’t sleep." She let out a soft sigh.
"Sejeong remembers her better. She was older when it happened."
Jimin didn’t say anything right away, but then she reached out, gently poking Minjeong’s arm. "You know… I think your mom would be really proud of you."
Minjeong blinked, turning her head toward Jimin. "Huh?"
Jimin smiled, soft and sincere. "You’re talented, smart, and even though you pretend to be grumpy all the time, you actually care a lot."
Minjeong scoffed. "I do not pretend to be grumpy. That’s just my face."
Jimin laughed. "Okay, okay. But I mean it. Your mom would be proud."
Minjeong stared at Jimin for a moment before looking away. A small warmth spread in her chest, unfamiliar but not unpleasant.
A comfortable silence settled between them, the weight of their shared stories lingering in the air.
Then Jimin yawned, stretching her arms. "Alright, enough of the sad stuff. Let’s talk about something else."
Minjeong smirked. "Like what? How you lost three rounds in a row against me in snake and ladders?"
Jimin gasped dramatically. "You promised you wouldn’t bring that up!"
Minjeong chuckled, and just like that, the heaviness in the room lifted.
They kept talking late into the night, voices hushed but filled with laughter. And for once, neither of them felt alone.
Jimin had fallen asleep mid-conversation. One second, she was mumbling about how she totally would’ve won the snake and ladders rematch, and the next, her voice had trailed off into silence.
Minjeong rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable. You were the one who wanted to stay up and talk."
She sighed, sitting up from the floor to take a better look at Jimin, who was now completely knocked out, her breathing soft and even.
"You’re really just gonna sleep like that?" Minjeong grumbled, even though Jimin obviously couldn’t hear her.
For a moment, she considered waking her up—maybe nudging her shoulder or making an obnoxious noise. But when she saw the way Jimin's face looked so peaceful, brows no longer furrowed in thought, Minjeong hesitated.
"Tsk. You’re lucky I’m nice."
She grabbed a spare blanket and threw it onto the floor, flopping down with an exaggerated huff. "I swear, you owe me for this."
Minjeong sleep on the floor
Despite her complaints, she found herself lookin up the bed, eyes drifting back toward Jimin. The dim glow of her bedside lamp made Jimin’s features look softer, her usual energy replaced by something quieter.
Minjeong’s fingers idly played with the edge of her blanket. "You’re kinda annoying," she whispered, even though there was no way Jimin could hear her.
She let out a small sigh, but instead of looking away, she kept staring for a little longer.
Minjeong had just started to doze off when she felt movement from the bed. At first, she ignored it, thinking Jimin was just shifting around in her sleep.
Then—
Thud.
"Hngh—!"
Minjeong’s reflexes kicked in just in time to catch Jimin before she hit the floor.
"Oh, for—!" she hissed, barely managing to hold Jimin up. "Are you serious right now?"
Her tiny bed was meant for one person. There was no way Jimin was going to fit comfortably, especially with the way she sprawled out like a starfish in her sleep. Now, because of that, Jimin had rolled too close to the edge and nearly fallen.
But instead of waking up, Jimin just shifted, letting out a small sigh—before completely relaxing onto Minjeong.
Jimin’s head was now resting against her shoulder, her arms loosely draped around Minjeong’s waist as if she was using her as a human pillow.
Minjeong could feel the warmth of Jimin’s breath against her neck.
"Oh my God," she muttered under her breath, her face heating up.
She tried to push Jimin back onto the bed, but the girl was completely dead weight. "Why are you so heavy?!" Minjeong grumbled, struggling but careful not to wake her.
Jimin, of course, had no idea what kind of crisis she was causing. She just nuzzled her face against Minjeong’s shoulder, sighing softly. "Mm… warm…" she mumbled in her sleep.
Minjeong stiffened.
"You’ve gotta be kidding me."
Jimin didn’t respond, obviously, still lost in whatever dream she was having. Minjeong swallowed, carefully adjusting her grip so Jimin wouldn’t roll off again.
She had to admit—Jimin was warm. Like, really warm. Her hair tickled Minjeong’s neck slightly, and her breath was soft against her skin. If Minjeong wasn’t so focused on not freaking out, she might’ve actually found it kind of… nice.
Her heart was beating way too fast for someone who was just trying to stop a friend from falling off the bed.
She sighed, staring at the ceiling. "I swear, if you remember this tomorrow, I’m denying everything."
Jimin stirred slightly, nuzzling closer. "Minjeongie…"
Minjeong froze.
Jimin’s voice was soft, barely audible, but hearing her name like that—so gentle, so fond—made Minjeong’s entire brain short-circuit.
"Wh—what?" she whispered, almost afraid to move.
Jimin didn’t respond. She had already drifted deeper into sleep, her hold on Minjeong loosening just a little.
Minjeong exhaled slowly, trying to calm her racing heart.
"You’re lucky you’re cute," she muttered, finally relaxing.
She could deal with this—for now. Just for tonight.
And maybe, just maybe, she let her grip on Jimin tighten just a little.
The next morning, Kim Sejeong had only one mission: wake Minjeong up and drag her out for breakfast.
She had expected her introverted little sister to still be curled up on the floor with a book or something. What she didn’t expect was to open the door and find—
"Oh. My. God."
Minjeong and Jimin were still asleep, tangled up together on the floor
Jimin had somehow wrapped herself around Minjeong, her arm draped over the smaller girl’s waist, meanwhile, Minjeong—her supposedly grumpy,
no-nonsense little sister—had her fingers loosely curled around Jimin’s hoodie, like she had been holding onto her all night.
Sejeong’s jaw dropped.
Her first instinct was to scream.
Her second instinct, however, was way better.
She slowly, carefully run to her bedroom and got her phone.
Click.
Then another. And another.
Sejeong grinned at her screen. The lighting was perfect. The soft morning glow from the window made the whole scene look even cuter.
She even zoomed in a little to capture Minjeong’s peaceful expression—her usually serious face now completely relaxed.
She was so using this against her later.
"Breakfast can wait," she whispered to herself, still grinning. "This is way better."
Still grinning like a cat who just caught a canary, Sejeong took one last look at the two before quietly stepping back—
Then Jimin stirred.
Sejeong froze.
Jimin let out a small hum, her brows furrowing slightly as she started to wake up.
Sejeong knew she had maybe three seconds before Jimin was fully conscious, so she did what any sane person would do—
She ran.
She bolted out of the room, barely suppressing her laughter.
Jimin, now more awake, blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
She heard footsteps retreating down the hallway but was too groggy to process what just happened. Instead, she shifted slightly—
And that’s when she realized.
She holding Minjeong. Her body was on the floor with Minjeong now
Not just holding. Hugging. Tightly.
Minjeong was still curled up against her, her face buried against Jimin’s chest, her hands lightly clutching the fabric of Jimin’s hoodie.
Jimin’s brain completely short-circuited.
"Oh no."
Her arms instinctively tightened around Minjeong, but she could not remember how or why they ended up like this.
Did she do this in her sleep? Did Minjeong? Why was Minjeong so warm?
Jimin swallowed hard, her eyes scanning Minjeong’s peaceful face. Her heart thumped against her ribs, but Minjeong didn’t even stir.
She just—kept sleeping.
Completely unaware of how much Jimin was freaking out.
Jimin exhaled shakily, forcing herself to stay still. She should let go. She really should.
But Minjeong looked so relaxed, her soft breaths tickling against Jimin’s hoodie.
Jimin melted.
"…Okay," she whispered to herself, barely breathing.
Just a little longer.
Minjeong stirred, shifting slightly in Jimin’s hold.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to stay completely still. Maybe—just maybe—Minjeong would go back to sleep.
Maybe she wouldn’t notice the way they were still tangled together.
But then Minjeong fully woke up.
Jimin could feel the moment she became aware. Her breathing changed, her fingers twitched slightly against Jimin’s hoodie, and then—
She pulled away.
Jimin braced herself.
…But instead of shoving her or yelling, Minjeong just sighed.
Jimin peeked through barely-open eyes, watching as Minjeong stretched, rubbing the sleep from her face. Her hair was a mess, her lips slightly parted as she yawned.
Then, instead of questioning why Jimin was still sleeping on the floor, Minjeong simply grabbed the blanket from the bed and—
Gently covered Jimin with it.
Jimin felt her entire body stiffen.
She definitely wasn’t breathing now.
Minjeong adjusted the blanket, tucking it around Jimin without saying a word. She didn’t even seem annoyed—just… calm. Maybe still half-asleep.
Jimin squeezed her eyes shut again.
If she spoke now, her voice would betray her.
Minjeong sat there for a moment, staring at Jimin’s face.
Then, as if deciding Jimin was really still asleep, she sighed softly and mumbled, "Seriously… why are you like this?"
Jimin heard it.
Felt it.
But she didn’t move.
She just lay there, covered with Minjeong’s blanket, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure Minjeong could hear it.
She didn’t know how long Minjeong sat there watching her, but eventually, Minjeong got up and left the room.
Only when the door clicked shut behind her did Jimin finally—finally—exhale.
She curled deeper into the blanket, clutching it tight.
"I’m so doomed."