Love warning; Miss Park

“How are you?” came the voice of the girl, and Jihyo turned to see the girl, managing a tired smile.

“Good,” she sighed, raising a hand to beckon the girl closer.

“Really?” Seungwan smiled, taking Jihyo’s outstretched hand and carefully sitting beside her on the bed. “Where’s the little one?”

“They took her for some check-ups,” Jihyo replied. “But they shouldn’t be long.”

Seungwan huffed softly, tightening her grip on Jihyo’s hand. “So... you’re a mother now.”

“Surprising, isn’t it?” Jihyo smiled, meeting Seungwan’s eyes and admiring how they sparkled under the dim hospital light.

They fell into a comfortable silence, Seungwan admiring Jihyo’s face. Gently, she lifted a hand to caress Jihyo’s cheek, her thumb brushing beneath Jihyo’s tired eyes. “I’m happy… happy for you,” she said softly.

Jihyo smiled, leaning into Seungwan’s hand, resting her cheek against it. They stayed there for a moment, simply gazing at each other, their connection palpable in the quiet room.

No more than five minutes later, the doors opened, and a nurse entered, holding the little girl in her arms. Jihyo’s face lit up with a beaming smile as the nurse approached.

“Everything is fine,” the nurse said, “She’s ready and fell asleep during the check-up.”

The nurse gently handed the child to Jihyo, who took her carefully. “Thank you,” Jihyo said, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to look at her daughter. She smiled, biting her lip to hold back tears, letting out a soft sigh as she gazed at the sleeping face of Tzuyu.

Turning back to Seungwan, she found the girl smiling at her. “What’s her name?” Seungwan asked, curiosity evident in her eyes.

Jihyo beamed. “Tzuyu.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Seungwan replied, nodding appreciatively.

Jihyo nodded, her heart swelling with pride. “Would you like to hold her?”

Seungwan’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. Jihyo carefully transferred Tzuyu into Seungwan’s arms, watching as the girl cradled her gently.

“She’s precious,” Seungwan said, looking down at Tzuyu with a warm smile.

Jihyo smiled, truly smiled, because she couldn’t be happier. Exhausted, yes, but immensely happy.

Yet slowly, her heart ached, just a little, almost imperceptibly, enough for Jihyo to disguise it as emotion, as fear. Because the scene before her was… different.

Seungwan seemed irremediably in love with Tzuyu, the way she held her delicately, as if afraid to break the tiny girl. The smile on her face was something Jihyo hadn’t had the privilege of seeing in a long time.

And then the pain came. Her smile faded just a bit.

Jihyo watched Seungwan, her mind going blank. The scene she was witnessing wasn’t hers; it didn’t belong to her. That girl was Jihyo’s daughter, the daughter of Jihyo and Sungbin. Seungwan was nothing more than a memory from a few years back, a memory that still lingered in her life, carrying her newborn daughter and being there for Jihyo.

She bit her lip, feeling overwhelmed. Maybe she was too tired from the labor, or perhaps the scene was simply too much for her, but somehow, the urge to cry flooded her.

Jihyo felt a mix of emotions swirling within her—happiness for Tzuyu, pain for what was lost, and confusion about what the future held. She wanted to cherish this moment, yet it felt tainted by the weight of her past.

“Are you okay?” Seungwan’s voice pulled her from her thoughts, concern etched on her face as she looked at Jihyo.

Jihyo nodded quickly, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill. “Yeah, just… a lot to take in,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Seungwan smiled reassuringly, adjusting her hold on Tzuyu. “She’s going to bring you so much joy, Jihyo. I can already see how special she is.”

Jihyo nodded again, her heart swelling with pride for her daughter, but the ache remained. “I know,” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Jihyo never doubted that, not even when she first learned she was pregnant. She knew she would love her daughter from the moment she was born. But if things had been different, if Jihyo had allowed herself the opportunity for things to change, maybe everything would be better.

They fell into a comfortable silence, Seungwan simply admiring Tzuyu, and in turn, Jihyo found herself admiring Seungwan. The moment felt tranquil, a brief respite from the whirlwind of emotions swirling around her.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened again, and Jihyo quickly turned her head, her heart racing as she saw Sungbin standing there, a couple of bags in his hands and a wide smile on his face.

Jihyo smiled back, relief washing over her. “Hey” she called out.

Sungbin hurried over, his expression apologetic. “I’m so sorry! There was so much traffic,” he said, his eyes brightening as he approached Jihyo.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jihyo replied, her voice warm. “They just brought Tzuyu in.”

Sungbin nodded, his gaze shifting to Seungwan, and Jihyo noticed his expression change slightly, almost… angered. But if that was how he felt, he didn’t voice it. Instead, he turned back to Jihyo, his smile returning as he bent down to kiss her gently. “Everything is ready. You can rest now.”

Jihyo nodded, feeling a sense of comfort from his words. She smiled back at him, but as they separated, she caught Seungwan’s gaze lingering on them. The moment their eyes met, Seungwan quickly averted her gaze, and Jihyo felt a pang of pain in her chest.

Sungbin then walked over to Seungwan, reaching out to take Tzuyu from her arms without saying a word. Jihyo watched, her heart heavy as she observed the easy way Sungbin held their daughter, the connection evident between them. The sight stirred a mixture of emotions within her—joy for Tzuyu, but also an underlying sadness that she couldn’t quite shake off.

Seungwan cleared her throat, breaking the heavy silence in the room. “I think it’s best if I head out now. Sungbin is right; you need to rest, and I have to get going,” she said gently.

Jihyo nodded, fighting the urge to tell Seungwan not to leave, that she wanted her there. But the words got stuck in her throat. Instead, she simply managed a small smile, willing herself to be okay with the decision.

Seungwan returned the smile, gathering her things. “I’ll see you later, okay? I’ll call you,” she promised, her voice warm and reassuring.

“Okay,” Jihyo replied, feeling a mix of emotions as she watched Seungwan turn to Sungbin. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Jihyo could sense an unspoken tension between them.

“Congratulations,” Seungwan said finally, her tone sincere. “You’re really lucky.”

Sungbin nodded “I am”

Without another word, Seungwan exited the room, leaving Jihyo with a lingering feeling of sadness. She watched her leave, the door clicking shut behind her, and finally turned to see Sungbin holding Tzuyu in his arms, looking at her with pure happiness.

Jihyo sighed, leaning back against the bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over her. She closed her eyes, allowing the sounds of the hospital to fade into the background. Despite the turmoil of emotions swirling within her, she felt a sense of peace wash over her as she succumbed to sleep, finally letting the fatigue take over.

—

“Are you sure everything is ready?” Jihyo asked, folding a few items as she packed her suitcase.

“Yes,” Sungbin replied confidently. “Your mom took care of everything. You know how she is; don’t doubt her.”

Jihyo didn’t say anything more, simply nodded and turned back to finish packing. It had been almost two days since they welcomed Tzuyu into the world, and those two days had been… fantastic. Jihyo loved it all. She smiled faintly as she zipped up her bag, feeling a wave of happiness wash over her when Sungbin approached to take the suitcase while balancing the sleeping Tzuyu in her car seat in the other hand.

They took their time exiting the hospital, walking leisurely to the car. Once Jihyo settled into the passenger seat and turned her head to see Tzuyu peacefully asleep in her spot, her heart swelled with joy. This was really happening—Jihyo was a mother now, and her family felt complete. Sungbin smiled at her as he started the car, and in that moment, Jihyo couldn’t have asked for anything more.

The drive home was tranquil and quiet, with Sungbin occasionally chatting about mundane things. Finally, they arrived home, and Sungbin took care of unloading everything while Jihyo focused on the little one. They carefully climbed the stairs, Jihyo leading the way as they approached Tzuyu’s room.

Once inside, Jihyo gently laid her baby in the crib, a wide smile spreading across her face as she watched Tzuyu sleep. Sungbin came up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “She’s so beautiful,” he said, referring to their daughter.

Jihyo nodded, her heart bursting with pride. “Yes, she really is,” she replied, smiling even more. She turned to face her husband, feeling the fatigue settle in. “But I’m so tired,” she admitted, her voice soft.

Sungbin chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been through a lot. Why don’t you take a moment to rest? I can handle things here.”

Jihyo shook her head. “I want to be here with you and Tzuyu,” she insisted, feeling a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.

“Go to sleep”

Jihyo smiled, feeling reassured by his words. Despite her doubts, despite the part of her that wished things were different, Sungbin was good, kind, and almost perfect. She nodded, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him softly.

He responded to the kiss, his warmth enveloping her. “Sleep well. I love you,” he said, his voice soft.

Jihyo nodded again, feeling a swell of affection in her heart. As Sungbin stepped out of the room, she made her way to her own bedroom, carefully throwing herself onto the bed. She sighed deeply, sinking into the softness of the mattress, and adjusted her position to get comfortable.

Closing her eyes, Jihyo felt a wave of peace wash over her. The exhaustion of the past few days seeped into her bones, but it felt different now—more gentle

When Jihyo opened her eyes again, it was dark outside. She sighed, turning slightly and frowning when she didn’t feel Sungbin beside her. She grumbled, opening her eyes wider and scanning the room. The house was quiet—suspiciously so.

Without wasting any time, she quickly sat up in bed, shaking off the remnants of sleep. She got up and walked to Tzuyu's room. As she entered, a smile spread across her face at the sight of her daughter in the crib. Gently, she picked Tzuyu up, cradling her in her arms. “You’ve slept long enough, little one,” she whispered, chuckling softly as Tzuyu blinked up at her.

Looking around, Jihyo asked, “Where’s Daddy?” She hummed a little tune as she made her way out of the room, descending the stairs with care. “Sungbin?” she called out, but there was no response.

Frowning, she walked into the kitchen, expecting to find her husband there, but the space was empty. She sighed again, calling out for him once more, but still nothing. A sense of unease began to creep in as she carefully walked to the living room, placing little Tzuyu on the couch surrounded by pillows, ensuring her safety.

Jihyo then made her way down the hallway towards Sungbin’s office. She opened the door but found it empty as well. Her frown deepened, and she started searching for her phone to call him. After a moment of rummaging through her things, she dialed his number, but no one answered.

She tried again, once, then twice, feeling the knot of worry tighten in her stomach. Just as she was about to leave the office, something caught her eye—a letter lying on the desk.

Curious, she walked over and picked it up, her heart racing slightly. The envelope was unmarked, but her name was written neatly on the front. Jihyo felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety as she carefully opened it, wondering what it could possibly mean.

And at first, the words on the page didn’t register in Jihyo's mind. She felt distracted, as if her thoughts were foggy. She read the letter again, once, then twice, her hands trembling more with each line she scanned. The words seemed to twist and turn, becoming an incomprehensible jumble as her heart raced and her chest tightened dangerously.

In the distance, she heard Tzuyu’s soft cries breaking through the haze of her thoughts. Jihyo lifted her gaze, her body feeling strange and unsteady, as if it belonged to someone else. The letter slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the desk as she moved instinctively toward the sound of her daughter.

She picked Tzuyu up, cradling her in her arms and rocking her gently, trying to soothe her cries. But Jihyo felt… lost, dazed, unable to act as her mind buzzed with disbelief. Tzuyu’s whimpers turned into full-blown wails, piercing through Jihyo’s stupor. And that sound was enough to break through the fog.

Tears brimmed in Jihyo’s eyes as she sat down on the couch, still holding Tzuyu close. She let the emotions wash over her, letting the tears fall freely. She cried, not knowing what else to do, simply allowing herself the release. She cried because she could, because the weight of everything felt unbearable, and because sometimes, tears were the only response left.

Sobbing softly, Jihyo felt overwhelmed. She reached for her phone, her hands still shaking, and dialed a familiar number. It didn’t take more than two seconds before the line connected, and she heard Seungwan’s voice come through.

“Hello?” Seungwan’s tone was bright, but it faltered as she sensed something was wrong.

Jihyo took a deep breath, swallowing the knot in her throat. “Seungwan…” she started, her voice trembling. “Sungbin… he left me.”

PRESENT TIME

Jihyo was sure that she had a crush on Minatozaki Sana.

She had cried, thrown a big tantrum with Joohyun over the phone, gotten angry, and done everything possible, but there was no way to deny it any longer.

She liked Sana, a lot, if she could add, and the realization had been… difficult, to say the least.

“Mama,” came Tzuyu’s voice, looking at Jihyo from the doorway of her room.

The thing was it was Thursday, nearly 7 PM, and Jihyo had been so… happy was not quite the right word to describe it, but yes, happy, because she had been two weeks—two full weeks—in her own house without fighting, without shouting, without worrying about bothering Sungbin, without seeing his face every day, being able to sleep in her own expensive bed, and it was so relaxing.

And Jihyo had allowed herself to relax so much, leaving work early, accompanying Sana on trivial tasks that she had forgotten the fact that she had to leave on a trip the next day, get up early, go pick Sana up from her apartment, and drive for four straight hours to then spend the whole day in conferences that, if she were honest, didn’t interest her.

Not because they weren’t important, but simply because Jihyo had been working at the firm for years, had been to thousands of such conferences, knew the topics inside out, and had even given a few—because that’s how good she was at her job.

But there was also the fact that Sana would accompany her, that they would be alone for hours, twice.

“Mama?” This time Jihyo snapped out of her thoughts, turning to look at Tzuyu.

“Oh, Tzuyunnie,” she sighed and gestured for her to come closer. “I’m sorry, I’m going tomorrow and I don’t have even half of the things I should have packed.”

“Are you going to be gone for a long time?” Tzuyu asked, climbing onto the bed with a bit of effort and looking at her mom.

“No,” Jihyo said, and that was the truth; most of the time she returned the same day she left and it was never a problem. “I’ll try to hurry back to you, okay?”

Tzuyu smiled, showing her dimple, and Jihyo smiled even more. “Is Miss Sana going with you?”

“Miss Sana?” Jihyo raised an eyebrow at her. “Since when are you so proper, Tzuyu?”

“Chaengie calls her that!” the little girl protested, crossing her arms. “I wanted to do it too!”

Jihyo chuckled. “Yes, Miss Sana will go with me.”

“And what about me?” Tzuyu asked. “Will I stay with Nayeon unnie?”

Jihyo smiled sideways and gently stroked Tzuyu's hair. “Actually, no,” she sighed. “I have a little surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” Tzuyu asked, her eyes lighting up. “Is it a new toy?”

“Um, no,” Jihyo replied. She took a deep breath and walked over to her dresser, pulling out a couple of wrapped items. She walked back to the bed and sat next to the girl, smiling faintly as she handed her what she had taken out.

She really had to thank Joohyun, and she genuinely meant it. Even if she would never admit it because she couldn't let the girl know that Jihyo had actually listened to her advice, she knew it was time.

Jihyo had left much of her life behind—her family, her friends, Seungwan—and she knew she simply wasn’t going to get it back, whether because it was impossible or simply because the world didn’t work that way. But Joohyun had been right about one thing: Tzuyu deserved to know that part of Jihyo’s life, simply and plainly because she was her daughter and because the little girl was growing up, no matter how much it hurt Jihyo.

Tzuyu looked at what Jihyo had handed her with curiosity. Jihyo smiled at her, glancing at the items and nodding. Tzuyu furrowed her brow, carefully unwrapping the object with her little fingers, and there they were—several photos, pictures that Jihyo herself hadn’t seen in years but knew exactly what they were.

“What is that?” Tzuyu asked, her eyes wide with intrigue.

“Hold on,” Jihyo said, adjusting the photos so Tzuyu could see them better. “These are photos.”

Tzuyu examined them closely, her eyes opening wide in surprise. She pointed to one and exclaimed, “That’s me!”

Jihyo smiled, nodding. In the picture was a little three-year-old Tzuyu holding a big present in her hands, the backdrop revealing it was Christmas. Behind Tzuyu were several girls, all smiling.

As Tzuyu flipped to the next photo, she noticed it was almost the same, except this time it wasn’t Christmas; it was a simple picture. “Who is that baby?” Tzuyu asked, her finger hovering over the image.

“That’s you,” Jihyo replied, watching as Tzuyu examined the photo closely.

Tzuyu looked back at her in surprise. “Who is the girl holding me?”

Jihyo turned to look at the photo, letting out a soft sigh. “She’s… a friend,” she said slowly, taking the photo and beginning to point out the others. “This is Yeri, and this is Sooyoung, and here’s Seulgi.”

She continued pointing, “They’re your aunts,” she explained, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over her. Finally, she pointed to Joohyun and then to the girl holding Tzuyu in the photo. “And this is… Seungwan.”

Tzuyu’s eyes widened even more. “Seungwan?”

Jihyo nodded, a bittersweet smile on her face. “Yes”

“That’s a complicated name,” Tzuyu remarked, her brow furrowing slightly.

Jihyo laughed softly and nodded. “Yeah, it is. I used to call her Wan or Wendy, but she hated when I called her that.”

Tzuyu giggled at the thought and continued flipping through the photos until she pointed at one excitedly. “That’s you, Mommy!”

“Yes,” Jihyo confirmed, smiling. Tzuyu kept looking through the pictures until she stopped at one, her eyes widening. “I remember this,” she said.

Jihyo leaned in to look at the photo, which captured a joyful moment of them at the beach, laughing together. Joohyun and Seulgi were in the background, their smiles bright and carefree.

Tzuyu turned to Jihyo, curiosity shining in her eyes. “What happened to my aunts? Why don’t we see them anymore?”

Jihyo sighed softly, feeling the weight of the memories. “A lot of things happened. Sometimes, time just slips away, and… we simply grew apart.”

Tzuyu studied the photos again, her brow furrowing in thought. “What about Wan? Why doesn’t she appear in the pictures anymore?”

Jihyo smiled gently, trying to maintain a light-hearted atmosphere. “Wan is fine, she’s just… sleeping.”

“Sleeping?” Tzuyu asked, tilting her head to the side. “How has she been asleep for so long?”

Jihyo shrugged lightly, her heart aching a little. “I don’t know. Sometimes people just fall asleep and… take their time.”

Tzuyu bit her lip, looking contemplative. “Is this your surprise?” she asked, referring to the photos.

Jihyo laughed again, shaking her head. “No, sweetie, it’s not”

Tzuyu’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “What is it?”

Jihyo smiled at Tzuyu, her heart warmed by the anticipation in her daughter's eyes. “Well, Nayeon and Jeongyeon unnie are coming to stay with you tomorrow,” she said, “but I still need to leave you with someone else for a couple of hours.”

Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically, her excitement bubbling over. “Who?”

Just then, Jihyo’s phone rang, causing her to sigh. “Wait here for a moment, okay?” she instructed Tzuyu.

“Okay!” Tzuyu replied, her eyes still sparkling with curiosity.

Jihyo hurried down the stairs, her heart racing a thousand beats per minute. How could she not be excited? She walked quickly to the front door, took a deep breath, and opened it.

She froze for just a moment, and Joohyun’s voice came from the other side. “Hello,” she said softly.

That was all it took for Jihyo to launch herself into Joohyun’s arms. She squeezed tightly, as if trying to convince herself that this was real. Joohyun enveloped her in a warm embrace, and Jihyo held on even tighter, overwhelmed with emotion. It had been four years since they’d last seen each other, four years of silence and distance, and now Joohyun was right there in front of her.

“Jihyo,” Joohyun sighed, pulling back slightly to look at her. “You’re still short.”

Jihyo laughed, stepping back to look at Joohyun. “You’re not exactly tall yourself,” she retorted playfully.

Joohyun smiled, her eyes sparkling with familiarity as she examined Jihyo. She raised a hand to gently stroke Jihyo’s face, her fingers brushing over her eyes. “You have wrinkles now,” she said.

Jihyo chuckled, shaking her head. “Yes, well, life happens,” she said.

Joohyun’s smile softened, and for a moment, they both stood there, lost in the memories of their past. It felt as though no time had passed at all, and yet everything had changed. Finally, Joohyun broke the silence. “I missed you”

“I missed you too,” Jihyo replied, her heart swelling with emotion. “I can’t believe you’re actually here.”

“Believe it,” Joohyun said, her smile widening.

Jihyo smiled and stepped aside to let Joohyun pass. “I still don’t know how you got here so fast, but thank you”

Joohyun chuckled lightly. “I wasn’t going to miss the chance to see my niece now that you decided to play happy family with your coworker,” she teased.

Jihyo grunted in response, rolling her eyes playfully. “Oh, please.”

Joohyun’s smile widened. “In fact, I think this is a great opportunity to get to know Sana better,” she added, raising an eyebrow mischievously.

Jihyo sighed, shaking her head. “We’ll talk about that later,” she said, trying to redirect the conversation.

“Alright, but I’m very curious,” Joohyun replied, her gaze scanning the room. “So, where’s Tzuyu?”

Jihyo beamed as she replied, “She’s upstairs.” She moved closer to the staircase and called out, “Tzuyu, please come down!”

Joohyun sighed, adjusting her outfit nervously. Jihyo looked at her and said, “You’re just going to see Tzuyu, not seal an important deal.”

“Shut up, I’m nervous!” Joohyun shot back, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Just then, the sound of small footsteps echoed down the stairs as Tzuyu appeared, walking toward Jihyo.

“Tzuyu, I want you to meet someone again,” Jihyo said cheerfully, gesturing for her to come closer.

Tzuyu nodded and looked at Joohyun, who stood frozen in place, taking in the little girl before her.

Joohyun examined Tzuyu, her heart swelling with emotion as she took in the sight of her niece. Jihyo took Tzuyu’s hand and brought her forward, saying, “This is Joohyun.”

Joohyun took a deep breath, bending down to be at Tzuyu’s level. “Hello,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

Tzuyu’s face lit up with a smile, and she replied, “Hi”

Joohyun smiled warmly at Tzuyu, taking a moment to appreciate how tall she had grown. “You've got so tall Tzuyu ah” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.

Jihyo chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. “I know, right?”

Joohyun turned her attention back to Tzuyu, extending her hand. “I’m Joohyun, a friend of your mom,” she introduced herself.

Tzuyu took Joohyun’s hand, her smile brightening even more. “I know! You’re my aunt!” she replied proudly. “My mom showed me some photos.”

Joohyun’s smile widened. “Wow, you’ve grown so much! I can’t believe it,” she said, genuinely amazed.

Tzuyu looked up at her and said, “You’re much prettier than in the photos.”

Both of them burst into laughter, filling the room with joy. “And you’re still as cute as I remember,” Joohyun replied, brushing a gentle hand through Tzuyu’s hair.

Standing up straight, Joohyun added, “Your other aunts, they wanted to come see you too but couldn’t make it.”

“Oh!” Tzuyu’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What was the name of her again mommy? My aunt with the funny name?” She turned to Jihyo

”Seungwan?”

“Yes!” Tzuyu said “Does she not want to see me?”

Joohyun glanced at Jihyo and then back at Tzuyu, her expression softening. “I’m sure she wants to see you too. In fact, I brought a couple of gifts for you,” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Jihyo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A couple? How many is that exactly?”

Joohyun shrugged playfully, a mischievous smile on her face. “Just a few… Your aunts are really happy to hear from you and wanted to send some love your way.”

Tzuyu’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she imagined the surprises waiting for her. “Can I see them now?” she asked eagerly.

“Of course!” Joohyun replied

Joohyun walked over to her suitcase, excitement radiating from her as she unzipped it. She pulled out a bunch of boxes—some small, others large—and turned to Tzuyu. “All of this is for you” she announced, a playful grin on her face.

“Really?” Jihyo asked watching all the boxes with a frown

Tzuyu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Really? All of this is mine?”

“Yep! Just make sure to share, okay?” Joohyun said, handing the boxes to Tzuyu.

“Thank you!” Tzuyu beamed, clutching the boxes tightly.

Joohyun smiled back at her, then turned to Jihyo. “Now that Tzuyu will be entertained and we’ve all reunited, why don’t we take a moment for ourselves?”

Jihyo rolled her eyes but nodded in agreement. “Alright, Tzuyu, we’ll be in the kitchen,” she said, knowing her daughter would be too distracted by the gifts to care. Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically, already tearing into the boxes.

As they moved into the kitchen, Jihyo went to the upper cabinet, retrieving some wine glasses and a bottle of wine. Joohyun settled down at the table, watching as Jihyo poured the wine.

Once Jihyo sat down beside her, Joohyun took a sip from her glass and smiled. “Tzuyu has grown so much. She looks a lot like you,” she remarked, her eyes shining with affection.

Jihyo smiled back, pride swelling in her heart. “Yeah, she’s growing up fast,” she replied, taking a sip from her own glass.

Joohyun then looked at Jihyo, her expression turning more serious. “So, how long are you planning to stay?”

“Maybe a couple of days,” Joohyun said, her tone casual. “I left Seulgi in charge of everything. We all agreed it would be best if just I traveled for now.”

Jihyo chuckled lightly. “How did they take it? When they found out you were coming to see us?”

Joohyun shrugged, a smile creeping onto her face. “They were all excited. I think they’ve missed you both a lot”

Jihyo nodded, understanding the sentiment. “I’m sorry it took me so long to reach out,” she said, her voice sincere.

Joohyun smiled warmly. “Better late than never, right? I’m just happy you did it before Tzuyu becomes an annoying teenager,” she teased.

Jihyo laughed, taking a sip of her wine. Joohyun lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back up and nodding toward Tzuyu, who was happily occupied with her gifts.

“How much did you tell her about Wan?” Joohyun asked, her expression shifting to one of concern.

“Not much,” Jihyo replied. “Just that she’s her aunt. I didn’t want to overwhelm her.”

“Did you tell her where she is?” Joohyun pressed.

Jihyo shook her head. “No, I just said she is sleeping. I’ll explain everything eventually. If Wan wakes up… I want Tzuyu to see her again.”

Joohyun nodded, understanding the delicacy of the situation. “I wanted to visit Wan at the hospital, see how she’s doing, talk to her.”

Jihyo agreed, “That’s a good idea. You should definitely do that.”

Joohyun smiled softly, her eyes shining. “Tzuyu is just… exactly how I imagined her,” she said, her tone filled with affection.

Jihyo chuckled, “Yeah, she’s incredible.”

Joohyun nodded and took another sip of her wine, her gaze drifting around the kitchen. Something shiny caught her attention, and she grinned slyly. “I suppose Sungbin is away on a trip?”

Jihyo nodded again, a smile playing on her lips.

Joohyun started to hum thoughtfully before asking, “Have you thought about what we talked about?”

Jihyo’s expression shifted, the weight of the conversation settling in. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” she admitted, her gaze dropping to the table. “But… I don’t think it’s going to lead to anything.”

Joohyun watched her closely, sensing the weight of her words. “Why not?” she asked gently.

Jihyo looked down, her voice softening. “Sana and I are friends. I don’t want to ruin or complicate things. Everything is already complicated enough as it is.”

Joohyun observed her for a moment before glancing pointedly at the ring on Jihyo’s hand. “I noticed you’re not wearing your wedding ring anymore. But I suspect that the new ring you have isn’t from Sungbin,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Jihyo rolled her eyes slightly, lowering her face to hide a smile. Joohyun caught her and said, “You clearly like Sana. You can’t deny it anymore.”

Jihyo met Joohyun’s gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Okay, fine, I do,” she admitted.

“There you go! That’s already a step!” Joohyun exclaimed.

Jihyo shook her head. “I haven’t taken any steps. There are no steps; there’s nothing.”

Joohyun looked incredulous. “You have a ring that Sana gave you! You can’t stop talking about her! You’re together all day long. That has to mean something!”

“For all I know,” Jihyo replied, “those are just normal things friends do.”

Joohyun rolled her eyes. “No, those are not things friends do!”

Jihyo smirked. “That’s exactly what we used to do, you know.”

Joohyun sighed dramatically. “You did the same with Wan! And I found you both on the couch a thousand times while you—”

“Okay, enough! Just stop!” Jihyo interjected, feeling flustered.

Joohyun rolled her eyes again. “I’m just trying to make a point here. You need to do something, like flirt with Sana!”

Jihyo felt her heart race at the suggestion. “I’m not 18 anymore, you know?”

Joohyun grunted, “Okay! Talk to her or something! At this point, that's the least gay thing you've done with her so far.”

“Hey!” Jihyo protested.

“What?” Joohyun rolled her eyes. “I’m just giving you ideas. Besides, Sana doesn’t dislike you like that.”

Jihyo frowned, shaking her head. “But she doesn’t like me like that either.”

“Please, it’s Park Jihyo. Everyone likes you,” Joohyun replied confidently. “And I’m not saying you should just jump on Sana right away. Just test the waters! See how it goes. If she makes a move, great! If not, you can always forget about it and kiss someone less respectable at a bar.”

Jihyo groaned, contemplating Joohyun's words. Usually, her friend’s advice yielded good results, and Jihyo often listened to her. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Fine. I’ll think about it.”

Joohyun looked at her, surprised. “Wait, really?”

“Yes! I’ll try to do something,” Jihyo said, a reluctant determination in her voice. “But don’t tell anyone!”

Joohyun nodded, grinning. “I didn’t think you’d go for it, to be honest.”

“Just shut up,” Jihyo insisted. “And seriously, keep it to yourself.”

“Got it!” Joohyun replied, still beaming.

Jihyo sighed, feeling weary from the emotional rollercoaster of the day. “Alright, now that all of that is… settled, it’s time for sleep.”

“Agreed,” Joohyun said with a sigh. “Oh, by the way, I booked a room at a nearby hotel.”

Jihyo shot her a confused look. “Do you really think they’ll let you stay in a hotel?”

Joohyun shrugged “Maybe?”

Jihyo sighed “You can stay in the guest room the entire time you’re there.”

Joohyun smiled brightly and nodded. They both exited the kitchen, and Jihyo called for Tzuyu. The little girl turned around, her eyes lighting up at the sound of her mother’s voice.

“It’s time for bed, Tzuyu,” Jihyo said gently. “Tomorrow, you have to help Joohyun feel at home while I’m not here.”

Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically and walked over to Jihyo, not even bothering to glance at the pile of toys and gifts strewn across the living room floor. Jihyo and Joohyun made their way up the stairs, Tzuyu following closely behind.

Once they reached the top, Tzuyu immediately headed for her room. “Goodnight, Joohyun! Goodnight, Mom!” she chirped happily,

“Goodnight sweetheart”

Joohyun smiled and waved one last time to tzuyu, Jihyo then pointed to the guest room. “You know where everything is. Nothing has changed.”

“Thanks, Ji. I’ll see you in the morning,” Joohyun replied.

Jihyo nodded, watching as Joohyun disappeared into the guest room. Once she was alone, Jihyo entered her own room, closing the door behind her with a soft sigh.

—

When Jihyo opened her eyes in the morning, she let out a soft grunt. She wasn’t sure why, as she had slept like a baby and thoroughly enjoyed it. But she knew she couldn’t sleep any longer; she had allowed herself to relax too much, indulging in things she hadn’t done in years. It was time to return to her responsibilities.

With a sigh, Jihyo quickly sat up, running a hand over her face in an attempt to wipe away the remaining sleep. She grunted again, turning her head to one side to glance at the clock. 8:24. She sighed and looked down… 8:24??!

Jihyo sprang out of bed so quickly that dizziness hit her like a wave. She hurried to her closet, searching for the most comfortable outfit she could find. She rummaged through her clothes but found nothing suitable; she hadn’t had time to do laundry lately. “Ugh!” she groaned, cursing under her breath. She was late—half an hour late—and she was sure that Sana was already waiting for her.

Cursing again, she continued to search until she spotted a couple of items at the back of the closet. In her rush, she had completely forgotten to return the clothes that Sana had lent her the previous week. “Great,” she muttered to herself, grabbing the clothes.

She quickly changed out of her pajamas, slipping into the borrowed clothes with haste. Afterward, she dashed to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and splashing water on her face as fast as she could. She combed her hair swiftly, opting for a simple ponytail.

Once she gathered her belongings, she didn’t look back and rushed out of the room. Exhausted, she peeked into Tzuyu’s room, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on her daughter’s head before stepping out.

Finally, Jihyo approached Joohyun’s door and knocked, her heart racing.

Joohyun opened the door less than two minutes later, her face still showing signs of sleep. Jihyo didn’t give her a moment to react. “I’m going to be late! I need you to help me with Tzuyu!” she blurted out.

Joohyun nodded, still groggy. “Okay” she replied, stifling a yawn.

“She doesn’t have to go to class today so maybe she’ll wake up in an hour or two,” Jihyo said urgently. “Please make her something to eat. Jeongyeon and Nayeon are coming over at two with Chaengie. Let them in and keep them entertained for a while.”

Joohyun nodded again, her expression shifting to one of determination. “I’ll take care of everything,” she assured Jihyo.

“Thank you!” Jihyo exclaimed, throwing her arms around Joohyun in a quick embrace. “I’ll try to come back as soon as I can.”

Joohyun hugged her back, and when Jihyo finally let go, she turned and dashed down the stairs, her heart racing with anticipation. She hurried to the front door, stepping outside and jumping into her car. Starting the engine, she sped off towards Sana’s place.

It took her no more than twenty minutes to reach Sana’s apartment. She might have run a couple of red lights and driven slightly over the speed limit, but she didn’t care—she had to get there. As she parked, she leaped out of the car, sprinting into the building and heading straight for the elevator.

Pressing the button for Sana’s floor, she tapped her foot impatiently, counting down the seconds until the doors opened. When they finally did, she rushed out into the hallway, racing toward Sana’s apartment. Out of breath, she knocked on the door and waited anxiously for someone to answer.

Almost immediately, the door swung open, but it wasn’t Sana standing there.

She blinked in surprise as the door swung open to reveal a girl she didn’t recognize. The girl was pale with a wide smile stretched across her face, radiating an inviting warmth. Jihyo cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to regain her composure. “Sorry, I’m looking for Sana,” she explained.

The girl nodded enthusiastically. “She’s upstairs! Come on in,” she said, stepping aside to let Jihyo enter.

Jihyo hesitated for a moment but then stepped inside, making her way to the living room. It was a little messy, but nothing terrible. She glanced around, searching for any sign of Sana or Mina, but there was no one in sight.

The girl broke the silence. “I’ll go get Sana for you,” she said with an easy confidence, making Jihyo feel slightly out of place.

“Uh, okay,” Jihyo replied, nodding as the girl turned and headed up the stairs. Jihyo watched her go, a strange feeling settling uncomfortably in her stomach. This girl seemed incredibly at ease, almost like she belonged there.

A thought struck Jihyo suddenly—what if this girl was Sana’s girlfriend? The idea sent a flutter of unease through her. She wouldn’t be surprised, to be honest. Sure, she’d be a little taken aback by the fact that Sana liked girls, but it made sense that she wouldn’t be single. Still, Sana should have mentioned it, right? They talked about everything.

“Ugh, why didn’t she say anything?” Jihyo muttered under her breath, frustration bubbling up. Just then, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and she looked up, her heart racing.

There stood Sana, a shopping bag in one hand and a bright smile on her face. “Jihyo!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “You’re here!”

“I am” Jihyo smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. “I’m sorry, I woke up late and I made you wait,” she said, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“Don’t worry about it. Really, everything is fine,” Sana replied, her bright smile reassuring Jihyo. “I took advantage of the extra time.”

Jihyo returned the smile and asked, “Are you ready then? We need to head out now if we want to make it on time.”

Sana nodded eagerly. “Yeah, let’s go!”

“Great! Then let’s get moving,” Jihyo said, and the girl gathered her things.

“Okay, I’m leaving!” Sana shouted, her voice ringing through the apartment. Moments later, Mina came rushing down the stairs, wrapping her arms around Sana tightly.

“Take care!” Mina exclaimed, before turning her attention to Jihyo. “Make sure you look after Sana, Park Jihyo”

Jihyo nodded, “I will”

Mina smiled back, and just then, Dahyun appeared, rushing down the hallway. She joined in on the embrace, wrapping her arms around Sana too. Jihyo watched as Sana accepted the hug with ease, feeling a slight pang of something she couldn’t quite identify.

“Have fun, Sana,” Dahyun said, “I’ll be waiting for you.” She pulled back with a wink at Sana, who flushed a light shade of pink.

“Okay let’s go, Jihyo! We should really leave now,” Sana urged, turning to Jihyo. She grabbed Jihyo’s hand, leading her out of the apartment quickly.

They moved fast enough that the last thing Jihyo heard was the laughter of Mina and Dahyun echoing behind them. Sana didn’t let go of Jihyo’s hand until they were safely inside the elevator, ensuring that they wouldn’t hear anything else.

Once inside the elevator, Sana let out a sigh. “I’m sorry about Dahyun. She can be a bit weird and say things she shouldn’t.”

Jihyo shook her head. “It’s fine. Really.” That was all she said, and the rest of the ride was enveloped in silence. From the moment they exited the building to when they climbed into the car, Sana didn’t break the quiet either.

She turned the ignition, and the engine roared to life, but Sana remained silent as well.

As Jihyo drove, her mind began to drift. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her thoughts consumed by that girl from earlier. If she was Sana’s girlfriend, why hadn’t Sana mentioned it before? They were friends, right? It seemed normal to share that kind of information. Did Sana not trust her? Did she not feel close enough to confide in her?

Jihyo bit her lip, a sigh escaping her. She cursed internally for feeling so uneasy. It felt like terrible luck to finally decide to take a step forward, only to find herself in this tangled web of confusion.

Lost in her thoughts, Jihyo didn’t even notice when Sana spoke up. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” Jihyo asked, snapping back to reality.

Sana smiled brightly. “I said your shirt is really cute”

Jihyo glanced down, feeling her cheeks flush. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t really find anything else to wear, so I just put on the first thing I found.”

Sana shook her head, her smile widening. “It looks way better on you than it does on me.”

Jihyo’s heart fluttered at the compliment, momentarily pushing aside her earlier worries. “Thanks, Sana,” she replied, a soft smile forming on her lips.

After that, Jihyo found herself mostly silent, occasionally humming a tune or giving Sana brief responses, but nothing more. The drive was quiet and peaceful, but with four long hours ahead of them, Jihyo felt the weight of her thoughts pressing on her. They had only been on the road for twenty minutes, and already she was exhausted from her own mind, wishing she could just turn the car around and disappear.

But she didn’t, of course. Meanwhile, Sana seemed to be lost in her own world, gazing out the window and checking her phone every now and then. Jihyo bit her lip, stealing glances at Sana. Seeing her in casual clothes that weren’t work-related always managed to leave Jihyo in awe. It made her heart race and sent a flood of ideas swirling in her mind.

“Focus, Jihyo,” she whispered to herself, trying to shake off the distractions. She needed to concentrate on driving, especially since they were still just getting started.

An hour into the drive, Jihyo felt a pang of regret for not having come up with an excuse to keep Sana from joining her. It was too late now, and the silence was driving her crazy. Sana hadn’t said anything—absolutely nothing—and Jihyo couldn’t take it anymore. She turned slightly in her seat to face Sana. “You can sleep if you’re tired, you know,” she suggested.

Sana turned to look at her, surprise lighting up her features before she smiled. “No way! I’d be a terrible companion if I fell asleep before we even hit the halfway point”

Jihyo huffed a little, rolling her eyes playfully. “I mean, it might not be the worst thing in the world,”

Sana made a mock expression of offense, her eyes widening. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” she asked playfully.

“Of course not! Never” Jihyo replied quickly, shaking her head vehemently.

Sana pouted for a moment, then turned back to look out the window again. Jihyo sighed softly, her mind racing, trying to think of something else to say. “Seriously, though, it’s boring just looking out the window without doing anything,” she finally said, keeping her eyes on the road.

“That doesn’t bother me,” Sana responded, glancing back at Jihyo. “Besides, I don’t think I could sleep much anyway.”

“Why not?” Jihyo inquired, genuinely curious.

Sana shrugged. “Mina told me to go to bed early last night.”

Jihyo chuckled lightly. “I didn’t know Mina could order you around that easily”

Sana shrugged again, a smirk on her face. “She doesn’t usually, but I decided to listen to her this time. Plus, I didn’t want to see her drooling over her girlfriend.”

Jihyo turned to look at Sana, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes wide in shock. Her heart skipped a beat but quickly steadied itself as she processed what Sana had just said. “Who’s Mina’s girlfriend?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sana burst into laughter, clearly amused by Jihyo’s reaction. “Dahyun!”

As soon as those words left Sana’s lips, Jihyo felt a heavy weight lift off her chest. Sana wasn’t dating that girl—she was just friends with her. There was no deception, no lie. But even with that relief, a nagging thought remained. What if Sana was dating someone else?

Jihyo quickly shook her head, trying to clear her mind of those worries. “Oh, right. I should have guessed that,” she said, forcing a smile.

Sana noticed the shift in Jihyo's expression and slowly asked, “Does it bother you?”

Jihyo shook her head rapidly. “No, not at all! I respect…” As she spoke, she could see from Sana’s gaze that her words weren’t coming out quite right. “I mean, I respect it, but—no! I mean, I do more than just respect—”

Sana raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “So, you’re saying you support it?”

“Yes! Exactly!” Jihyo sighed, feeling flustered. “I don’t know what I’m saying, but I really don’t have a problem with couples like that. I’m genuinely happy for Mina. Really, I am!”

Sana smiled warmly at her. “I’m happy for her too. In fact, this is my second time meeting Dahyun.”

Jihyo’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh? You two seem…close.”

Sana laughed lightly, nodding. “Yeah, Dahyun is…something else.”

Jihyo turned her attention back to the road, but her mind was racing. Here was her chance to learn more about Sana, to understand the nuances of her life. Taking a deep breath, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “I know this might sound like a broken record, but I really don’t have a problem with couples like that…,” she started slowly.

Sana turned to her, a teasing glint in her eye. “Are you about to say you have friends like that and treat them normally?”

Jihyo hesitated, caught off guard. “Well, no…yes…no.” She sighed in frustration. “What I mean is, I don’t have a problem because I understand. I’ve, uh…dated women in the past.”

Sana froze for a moment, processing the information Jihyo had just shared because Jihyo liked women.

She had dated women in the past—Park Jihyo, the girl Sana had feelings for—, had just confirmed that she liked girls…And Sana was, in fact, a girl.

Clearing her throat, she tried to act as casually as possible. “I didn’t know that!” she said, forcing enthusiasm into her voice.

Jihyo shrugged, a hint of nervousness creeping into her demeanor. “I don’t really talk about it much, not because I’m embarrassed or anything! It’s just… it never really comes up.”

Sana nodded, trying to suppress her own excitement. “I get it. I really do.” The two exchanged smiles, but Jihyo seemed to be curious about something else.

“What about you?” Jihyo asked, her tone shifting. “Are you seeing anyone? Like, a guy or whatever?”

Sana blinked, a bit taken aback by the question. Jihyo noticed her surprise and quickly clarified, “I just mean because you haven’t mentioned it, and I thought…”

Sana couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I don’t really date guys, actually.”

Jihyo turned to meet Sana’s gaze, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Oh,” she said, her jaw tightening slightly. “I didn’t know that either.”

Sana chuckled again, finding Jihyo’s reaction amusing. “It’s not like it’s something that comes up in casual conversation, but I don’t keep it a secret or anything.”

Jihyo let out a small laugh, feeling the tension ease between them. “Well, now I know” she said, smiling. “I guess we’re both just figuring things out, huh?”

“Yeah, it seems like it,” Sana replied, a playful glint in her eye.

Jihyo smiled, feeling a bit bolder. “So, are you dating a girl or something?” She tried to sound casual, almost indifferent, but deep down, her heart raced with anticipation. She wanted to hear the words come from Sana’s lips.

Sana shrugged, her expression thoughtful. “Not really. I’ve been on a few dates and stuff, but I haven’t had much luck,” she admitted with a smile. “Honestly, I don’t think I’m destined for a lot of luck in love.”

“Why not?” Jihyo asked, genuinely curious.

Sana smiled again, looking a bit wistful. “I don’t know. It’s just something that happens, I guess.”

Jihyo nodded, clearing her throat. “Well, don’t worry too much! You’re still really young, and… love can come when you least expect it or something like that.” She gave a reassuring smile, hoping to uplift Sana’s spirits.

Sana laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I didn’t know Miss Park was so cheesy!”

“Ugh, please don’t. I’m not cheesy!” Jihyo protested, half-embarrassed. “I’m just giving you some advice”

“Sure, sure,” Sana teased, grinning. “Because you’re so wise.”

“I am!” Jihyo retorted, crossing her arms playfully. “I’m older than you!”

Sana groaned dramatically. “Please! Stop using the age card; it’s not going to work!”

Jihyo shrugged, a playful smile on her face. “Maybe someday it will!”

Sana burst into laughter, the sound brightening the atmosphere in the car. Jihyo felt lighter, enjoying the banter and connection they were building.

“I don’t think so,” Sana replied with a teasing grin.

Jihyo shrugged, a playful smile on her face. “Well, I’ll just have to prove you wrong”

Sana raised an eyebrow. “Well then, I think you’re going to need to keep me around longer to see if it works.”

Jihyo smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. “Count on it.”

As the third hour of their journey rolled by, Jihyo was surprised at how quickly the time had passed. The ice had definitely broken between them. Jihyo felt lighter, perhaps because she had confirmed that Sana was single. It made her heart race with excitement. Just one more hour to their destination, and if they hurried to get dressed, they wouldn’t run into any issues.

Beside her, Sana was engrossed in her phone, occasionally reading something funny aloud to Jihyo or singing along to the songs playing through the speakers. It was fun—something Jihyo hadn’t experienced often. She appreciated how comfortable Sana felt with her now, how their bond was growing deeper. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Finally, after four long hours, Jihyo let out a groan. Despite loving every moment of the journey, the strain of staying in one position was starting to take its toll on her back. Her head throbbed a bit from concentration, and she realized she hadn’t eaten anything since the day before.

However, she was determined not to let her discomfort ruin the moment. She was sure that once they arrived, she could rest a bit, pretend to pay attention, take some medicine for her headache, and maybe grab a bite to eat. It would all work out, she thought. But then everything started to go wrong.

It was almost comical how unlucky she was feeling. Just a few minutes away from their destination, and it seemed like the universe had decided to throw a wrench in her plans.

Sana turned to her, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I wonder if we’re going to take much longer?”

“I don’t think so. We’re about ten minutes away,” Jihyo replied confidently. But no more than two seconds after those words left her mouth, a loud noise erupted from the car. Jihyo groaned, cursing under her breath.

“What was that?” Sana asked, turning to look behind them.

Jihyo clenched her jaw, pulling over to the side of the road. “That was the tire. We’ve got a flat,” she said, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Sana grimaced. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously,” Jihyo grumbled, unbuckling her seatbelt and quickly getting out of the car. She could feel the weight of the situation settling in.

Sana followed her out, looking concerned. “Do we need to change it?”

“Looks like it,” Jihyo muttered, moving to the back of the car.

Sana raised an eyebrow. “Do you know how to do that?”

“I can handle it,” Jihyo replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. “I just need the spare.”

Sana nodded, moving to assist as Jihyo opened the trunk. But when she peered inside, her heart sank. “Oh no… not again.” She cursed again, louder this time. The spare tire wasn’t there.

“What is it?” Sana asked, her voice laced with concern as she stepped closer.

“The spare tire is missing,” Jihyo said, her frustration boiling over. “Sungbin must have used it the last time”

Sana put a comforting hand on Jihyo’s shoulder. “Okay, let’s think. We can call for help, right? Or maybe flag down another driver?”

Jihyo took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Yeah, I guess we can do that”

“I just need to call the insurance so they can come and take the car,” she added, frustration still bubbling beneath the surface. Sana nodded, and Jihyo walked back to the car, muttering under her breath about Sungbin being so… well, stupid.

Sana stayed behind, scanning the road for any passing vehicles. Jihyo quickly found her phone and dialed the insurance company, explaining the situation as clearly as she could. But as she ended the call, Jihyo felt the weight of the world settle back on her shoulders.

She turned to look at Sana, sighing heavily. “They’re going to take two hours to get here,” she said, her heart sinking.

Sana’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Do you want me to call someone?”

“No, it’s okay,” Jihyo replied, glancing at her watch. “There’s no time for that.” She opened the car door and grabbed their suitcases, then looked at Sana. “We’re going to have to walk. I don’t think the place is too far—maybe five or ten minutes more. We should be fine.”

Sana sighed, then half-smiled. “Good thing I decided not to wear heels today.”

Jihyo smiled back, feeling a bit lighter despite the situation. “Yeah, definitely. Let’s go.”

—

Jihyo was convinced she could kill someone. She simply couldn’t believe how everything had spiraled so far out of control. Here they were, walking under the blazing sun for almost thirty minutes. She was sure she looked utterly exhausted—sweaty and annoyed. Her stomach growled every minute, reminding her just how hungry she was. They were definitely going to be late, and the pounding in her head had only gotten worse.

At that point, she was so furious that she barely spoke. The first few minutes had been fun, joking around with Sana and laughing. But by the twenty-minute mark, Sana was still trying to keep the mood light, talking a little to ease the tension. Jihyo attempted to match her energy, but as they reached thirty minutes, Jihyo was ready to snap.

Sana seemed to understand the shift in Jihyo’s demeanor; she fell silent, walking beside her with a grimace, squinting against the sun and occasionally mumbling to herself. Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived at the conference center. Jihyo spotted the building from a distance and turned to Sana, pointing it out.

“That’s it” she said, her voice a mixture of relief and urgency. “We have to get changed in the bathrooms; we don't have any other option.”

Sana nodded, her expression shifting to one of determination. They both hurried towards the entrance, entering the building quickly.

Once inside, Jihyo led the way to the restrooms, not wasting a second. She unzipped her suitcase and pulled out her clothes, quickly entering a stall to change. The small space felt cramped, but she didn’t care; she just wanted to get ready and forget about the chaos of the day.

As she changed, Jihyo couldn’t help but feel a mix of frustration and anticipation. They’d made it, and she was determined to make the most of the conference… even if her day had started off so poorly. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that things could only get better from here.

However, that wasn’t quite the case. When Jihyo finally emerged from the bathroom, she found Sana adjusting her shirt and straightening her blazer. Jihyo glanced at her reflection in the mirror; she looked sweaty and exhausted, her face showing traces of fatigue, and her hair was refusing to cooperate. With a sigh of annoyance, she did her best to tame it, wanting at least to look somewhat presentable.

Sana, on the other hand, was already ready, showing no signs of complaint or frustration. In fact, her face looked… happy and relieved. Jihyo couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy as they stepped out together.

“The first conference has already started,” Jihyo said, her voice a mix of urgency and determination. “We need to go in quietly so that no one notices us.”

Sana nodded, her expression serious as they made their way toward the conference room. Jihyo opened the door, allowing Sana to step in first before following her inside. They headed for some empty seats at the back, and Jihyo felt a wave of relief wash over her. They had made it without drawing attention.

As she settled into her chair, she let out a sigh of relief. Finally in the right place, she glanced at Sana, who shot her a warm smile. Jihyo tried to return it, but her attention was quickly drawn to the front of the room, where the speaker was beginning.

Two hours later, both of them were emerging from the hall, and somehow, Jihyo felt even more frustrated than when they had arrived. She had known it would be a long day—she was used to that and loved her job, really she did—but it was always the same mundane routine.

Egotistical men who thought they were the center of the universe, giving talks to young audiences that mirrored their own personas, displaying data Jihyo already knew, sharing information she had been the first to discover—it was infuriating. Walking through the halls, she felt seen, scrutinized, like a worthless piece of meat. It was as if Jihyo didn’t deserve to be there, standing before others, simply because she was a woman. The frustration bubbled inside her, overwhelming.

“That was…” Sana began, but Jihyo cut her off.

“Boring. I know,” Jihyo replied, her tone coming out a bit drier than she intended. She rubbed a hand over her face, trying to shake off the discomfort. “And we have three more conferences to go. They’re in different parts of the building, so we’ll have to run and not interrupt.”

Sana nodded, her expression sympathetic. “I think I saw some snacks and coffee nearby. Do you want to grab a bit?”

“No,” Jihyo said, already starting to walk away without even glancing at Sana. “There’s no time.”

Sana didn’t say anything else, simply following obediently behind Jihyo as they navigated through the bustling crowd. Jihyo felt the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders, but she forced herself to keep moving forward. She had a job to do, and she wouldn’t let anything—especially not her frustrations—get in the way of that.

—

“Ah, Miss Park,” the voice made Jihyo roll her eyes, stopping Sana in her tracks.

It was already 8 PM, and it was getting dark outside. Jihyo hadn’t eaten anything, not even drunk a sip of water. The pain in her head and back was unbearable, and her feet were sore after spending two hours seated. She had no idea where her car was, so clearly, the last thing she wanted to do was waste time with Mr. Kim.

“Mr. Kim,” she forced a smile. “It’s a pleasure to see you.”

Mr. Kim smiled back and turned to another man beside him. “This is Park Jihyo, one of the best lawyers at our firm back in Seoul.”

Jihyo smiled at the unfamiliar man, who extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Minho,” he introduced himself.

Jihyo took his hand, shaking it firmly. She then turned to Mr. Kim, asking, “Are you having a good day?”

Mr. Kim nodded. “It’s been a successful day, thank you. How about you?”

Jihyo had to bite her tongue to hold back the snarky remarks threatening to spill out. “It’s been… alright,” she replied instead.

Mr. Kim’s smile widened. “That’s good to hear. You should get to know Minho better,” he said, gesturing to the man beside him. “He’s one of the top candidates for the position back in Seoul.”

Jihyo nodded, forcing a slight smile. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said to Minho.

Minho chuckled, “Pleasure to meet my competition.”

Jihyo stared at him for a moment before a laugh slipped out. “Excuse me?,” she said

Mr. Kim chimed in, “He’s just joking. You know how young people are.”

Jihyo nodded, stealing a glance at Sana, who was quietly observing the exchange. “So, what position are you a candidate for?” she asked Minho.

“Right now, I just want to transfer to the Seoul office,” Minho replied, his tone enthusiastic. “Maybe later for a director position.”

Jihyo raised an eyebrow, forcing another smile as she thought to herself, what the hell is this guy talking about? The position he was aiming for? The one Jihyo had held for years?

Mr. Kim smiled, “It’s good to think big.”

Jihyo nodded in agreement. “Sure, dreaming is… well, good.”

Minho seemed pleased with her response, nodding enthusiastically.

After a moment, Mr. Kim sighed. “Well, it was a pleasure to see you, but I must be going. I want Minho to meet a couple more people.”

“Of course,” Jihyo said, trying to maintain her composure. “It was a pleasure as well. We’ll see each other later.”

As both men turned to leave, Jihyo watched them walk away, a bitter taste settling in her mouth. She turned to Sana. “Let’s go,” she said, her tone clipped.

Sana followed without saying much, just giving Jihyo a supportive smile.

“Okay, the insurance guys already took my car, but it’s on the other side of the city,” Jihyo grumbled as she walked quickly, frustration bubbling inside her. “We’ll have to find a way to get over there.”

Sana nodded. “I think I can get us a taxi,” she suggested.

Jihyo nodded distractedly, grateful for the idea. “Yeah, that would be good,” she replied, eager to leave the conference behind and finally get some food and rest.

Sana nodded again, pulling out her phone and dialing a number quickly. As they stepped outside the building, the cool evening air hit Jihyo’s face, but it did little to lift her spirits.

Sana nodded again and pulled out her phone, quickly dialing a number. As they stepped outside, Jihyo felt the cool evening air wash over her, a small relief from the stuffiness of the conference center.

“Just a moment,” Sana said, her focus on the call. Jihyo watched as Sana chatted with the taxi service, her voice calm and professional.

Jihyo leaned against a nearby wall, crossing her arms as she tried to shake off the frustrations of the day. She could still feel the tension in her shoulders, a reminder of the long hours spent listening to men who thought they knew everything.

After a brief conversation, Sana hung up and turned to Jihyo. “A taxi will be here in about five minutes,” she said, a smile breaking across her face.

“Great” Jihyo let out a sigh of relief, “I just want to get something to eat and get out of here,” she muttered, rubbing her temples to ease the headache that still throbbed.

Sana smiled sympathetically. “I know, it’s been a long day”

Just a little over five minutes later, a taxi pulled up in front of them. Without wasting any time, both women climbed in, Jihyo quickly giving the driver directions. As they drove, Jihyo stared out the window, her leg bouncing anxiously up and down.

Sana sat beside her, glancing down at her lap. She felt utterly exhausted—her legs burned from all the walking, and her stomach was growling in protest. She couldn’t believe how much they had walked that day. Jihyo hadn’t even given her a chance to grab a coffee. Sana understood why; Jihyo was frustrated, angry even, but it didn’t make the hunger any less pressing.

Sana sighed softly and looked at Jihyo, feeling the urge to reach out and hold her hand, to offer some comfort and help her calm down. But she resisted, not wanting to make Jihyo uncomfortable in her current state.

Finally, after 45 minutes winding through the streets, they arrived at the workshop. Jihyo jumped out of the taxi as soon as it stopped, and Sana sighed, pulling out her wallet to pay the driver. Once she settled the fare, she stepped out of the taxi, hurrying to catch up with Jihyo.

But when she looked around, she couldn’t find her. It took a moment, but eventually, Sana spotted Jihyo at the back of the workshop, talking to a man as they both glanced at her car. Sana approached slowly, positioning herself behind Jihyo, close enough that Jihyo would feel her presence but not so close as to startle her.

“Hey,” Sana said softly

Jihyo didn’t turn to look at her, continuing to speak with the man, her brow furrowed in concentration. Sana felt a sense of unease as Jihyo’s tone grew sharper, her voice rising as she expressed her frustration.

“Is there really nothing you can do?” Jihyo asked, irritation creeping into her voice.

Sana instinctively reached out and took Jihyo’s arm, trying to calm her. “Jihyo, just breathe,” she urged gently.

Jihyo let out a heavy sigh, turning back to the man. “How long is this going to take? When will my car be ready?”

The man replied, “Probably until tomorrow morning or a bit later.”

Jihyo grunted in response, running her hands through her hair in exasperation. “Is there truly nothing you can do to speed it up?”

The man shook his head. Jihyo opened her mouth to speak again, but Sana, sensing the tension in the air, sighed heavily. They were getting nowhere, and both of them were tired, fed up, and on the brink of giving up.

Sana stepped back a little from the conversation, pulling out her phone. She dialed a number, and the call connected almost immediately. “Mina?” she said as the voice on the other end greeted her.

“Hey! How’s the trip going?” Mina asked cheerfully.

Sana felt a pang of frustration. “I don’t even have time to explain,” she said quickly. “Are you still friends with that guy with the cars?”

“Yeah, of course. Why?” Mina replied, intrigued.

“I need a favor. Jihyo’s car broke down, and we need a ride,” Sana explained.

Mina’s voice became serious. “What happened?”

Sana sighed again. “A flat, we won’t be able to get it fixed until tomorrow. I don’t think we’re going to make it home tonight.”

Mina paused for a moment before asking, “Does that mean you’ll be staying in a hotel with Jihyo?”

Sana felt a wave of frustration wash over her. “No, please, not now. Just do what I asked, i’ll send you the location,” she urged.

“Come on, Sana, you can’t just—” Mina started to protest.

Without waiting for Mina to finish, Sana hung up the phone, feeling a heavy sigh escape her lips. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to mentally prepare herself for the rest of the evening.

Getting angry was a rare occurrence for Sana; it was something she almost never did. Instead, she had learned to work with what she had, to push through exhaustion and frustration without letting it consume her. But lately, people seemed to test her patience more than usual, and it was becoming increasingly challenging.

Sana sighed and turned around, spotting Jihyo now standing alone, the phone pressed to her ear. Jihyo was speaking rapidly, her tone sharp and filled with frustration. Sana approached her slowly, positioning herself at Jihyo’s side, listening in on the conversation. It was a woman on the other end—someone Sana didn’t recognize—but she decided not to ask any questions, waiting patiently for Jihyo to finish.

Time felt slow as she stood there, knowing they had nowhere to go anyway. Eventually, Jihyo ended the call, exasperated. She turned to face Sana, her eyes blazing. “The car won’t be ready until tomorrow. We need to find a place to stay in the meantime.”

Sana nodded, eager to help. “Actually, I think I managed to get us another car,” she began, but Jihyo was already walking away, not quite listening.

Jihyo glanced around, her expression a mix of determination and agitation. Sana sighed softly and followed her, hoping to keep up. “Jihyo, wait!” she called after her, trying to catch her attention.

Jihyo continued to look around, scanning the area for any sign of help or answers. “This is just ridiculous,” she muttered, more to herself than to Sana.

“Jihyo, I think we might have a solution,” Sana attempted to say, but Jihyo didn’t seem to hear her. Instead, she pulled out her phone and began dialing another number, quickening her pace as she walked ahead, leaving Sana trailing behind.

Sana stopped in her tracks, a sigh escaping her lips. She watched Jihyo speak animatedly on the phone, clearly upset. “Hell,” Jihyo muttered, her voice raised as she continued her conversation.

Sana couldn’t help but grunt in frustration, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was Mina.

[Minarin] Looks like you might have some luck

[Minarin] The guy has a car at the shop where you are. Just go to the front desk, talk to the manager, and tell him Han sent you

Sana felt a wave of relief wash over her, a smile creeping onto her face. Without thinking twice, she turned on her heel, heading back toward the workshop, not bothering to look at Jihyo as she walked away.

Meanwhile, Jihyo was still on the line, her voice nearly shouting into the phone. “It was irresponsible to leave the car without a spare tire!”

“I forgot to mention that, okay?” Sungbin’s voice came through, sounding unbothered.

“Of course you did!” Jihyo shot back, her frustration boiling over. “You always forget to say things! I could have had an accident, or worse, Sana and I could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere!”

“Wait, you went with Sana?” Sungbin asked, surprise evident in his tone.

Jihyo closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. “Yes, we both came,” she admitted, feeling the heat of the situation rise again.

Sungbin huffed from the other end, his humor seemingly absent. “That’s something you forgot to mention”

“Don’t start, Sungbin,” Jihyo replied sharply. “This isn’t about you; it’s about your negligence! We were lucky it was just a flat tire. Now we have to wait until tomorrow. I’m exhausted, I’m fed up, and I shouldn’t have to deal with this if it weren’t for you.”

Sungbin attempted to defend himself. “It’s not my responsibility to babysit your car!”

Jihyo felt her frustration boiling over. “No, but you should have taken care of it! It’s the bare minimum I expect from you!”

Their voices escalated as Sungbin raised his own. “Don’t blame me! I’m doing everything I can, and you’re just on some excursion with that b—!”

“Stop!” Jihyo clenched her jaw tightly, feeling a surge of anger. “Forget it! Just forget it! I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Thanks for nothing!”

Before he could respond, Jihyo hung up the phone, spinning around in frustration, only to find herself alone. Her heart sank as she looked around, searching for any sign of Sana but finding none.

Frowning, she began to look for her, anxiety creeping in as she walked back toward the workshop. The darkness was settling in, and the cool air began to bite at her skin. The sky was overcast, hinting at the possibility of rain, and Jihyo felt her mood plummet further.

As she approached the workshop, she finally spotted Sana. Jihyo's confusion turned to relief when she saw her engaged in conversation with a young man, a big smile on Sana's face as she expressed her gratitude.

Curious, Jihyo moved closer, trying to gauge what was happening. Just as she approached, the guy handed Sana a set of keys, and she beamed at him.

“Thanks so much!” Sana said, her voice brightening the otherwise dim atmosphere.

The young man smiled back, waving goodbye as he walked away. Sana turned to Jihyo, her expression shifting to one of excitement. “Hey! I got us a car!” she exclaimed, pointing at the vehicle parked nearby. “And there’s a hotel not too far where we can stay, if you want.”

Jihyo eyed the car, then looked back at Sana, her brows furrowing. “How did you manage that?” she asked, still trying to process the sudden change in their luck.

“Mina knew someone, and she helped me—,” Sana explained, but before she could say more, Jihyo interrupted her, snatching the keys from Sana's hand. “Let’s go,” she said, already turning toward the car.

Sana hesitated for a moment, watching Jihyo's determined stride, but finally followed her as they made their way to the vehicle. Jihyo tossed the bags into the back seat without care, barely giving Sana time to get in before she started the engine.

Sana sighed with relief, a smile spreading across her face as she settled in beside Jihyo. “We really got lucky,” she said, glancing at her. “It’s great that you remembered Mina knew someone. Now everything is almost sorted out. We can shower, grab something to eat, and finally get some sleep.”

Jihyo remained silent, her focus on the road. Sana continued, “It's a good thing too, because it looks like it’s going to rain, and I really don’t want to get sick again.”

As they drove, Sana glanced at Jihyo, noticing her tense demeanor. She reached out, gently touching her arm. “Hey, it’s going to be okay,” she said softly.

To her surprise, Jihyo jerked her arm away sharply, her eyes flashing with annoyance. “Don’t touch me,” she snapped, a sudden tension filling the air between them.

Sana blinked in disbelief, caught off guard by Jihyo's reaction. She quickly pulled her hand back, feeling a mix of concern and confusion. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, unsure of what had just happened.

Clearing her throat, Sana tried to find her voice again. “I just wanted to help. You seem really upset,” she said tentatively.

Jihyo let out an exasperated huff. “Do you think I’m not? Of course I’m upset! It’s been a horrible day from start to finish! I always have to do everything myself!” Her voice rose with frustration as she continued. “And now I have to drive this piece of junk you flirted your way into getting, and spend the night in a terrible hotel!”

Sana felt her heart sink at Jihyo's words. She had never seen her this angry before, and it was painful to witness. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. “I… I’m really sorry,” she finally managed to say.

Jihyo scoffed, the tension palpable in the air. “Sure, you’re sorry,” she grumbled, still focused on the road.

“I-I was trying to help”

“I don’t need your help. I don’t need anything from you. Just stop being so annoying, and if you’re not going to say anything useful, then just shut up.”

Sana glanced at Jihyo, a mix of hurt and confusion in her eyes. She quickly nodded, looking back out the window, biting her lip to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

The rest of the drive was filled with silence, save for the sound of the rain starting to patter against the windshield. Jihyo’s frustration hung heavily in the air, and Sana felt small and helpless. The radio was off, leaving only the sound of Jihyo’s muttering curses under her breath as she navigated the road.

Sana wanted nothing more than to escape the car, to find solace in the hotel room and call Mina for some comfort. The journey felt endless; each passing moment weighed down with tension. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jihyo pulled into the hotel parking lot.

“This place looks decent,” Jihyo muttered, glancing at the building.

Sana nodded quickly, not wanting to waste any more time. She opened the door and didn’t hesitate to step out into the rain, not caring about getting soaked as she grabbed her things from the back seat. She walked briskly toward the hotel entrance, eager to leave the car and the tension behind.

As she entered the lobby, she took a deep breath, feeling the cool air inside contrast with the warmth of the rain. She approached the reception desk and rang the bell, waiting for someone to assist her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jihyo walk in as well, her expression much calmer now, though the remnants of irritation still lingered. Sana fought to keep her gaze forward, not wanting to engage further, just wanting to focus on getting their rooms

After a moment, a young man appeared, and Sana forced a smile, trying to mask her fatigue. “Good night,” she said. “We’d like two rooms, please.”

The young man nodded and started typing something into the computer. His expression shifted slightly as he looked back up at her. “I’m sorry, but unfortunately, we only have one room available.”

Sana’s heart sank. “Oh, um… is there any chance you have a room with two beds?” she asked, her voice hopeful.

He frowned slightly. “No, I’m sorry. We only have one room left. You should have made a reservation.”

Sana sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to rein in her rising frustration. She opened them again, forcing a calm demeanor. “Is there really nothing else you can do? Could you perhaps look for an extra bed or something? It’s really pouring outside, and I don’t believe there’s another hotel nearby.”

The young man shook his head apologetically. “I really can’t do anything more. It’s that room or nothing.”

Just then, Jihyo stepped up, her earlier irritation replaced by a more resolute tone. “We’ll take the room,” she said firmly.

The young man smiled, relieved to have a decision made. Sana forced another smile, murmuring a quiet “perfect” under her breath. The young man handed them the key, and Sana quickly took it, eager to escape the situation. She turned around without waiting for Jihyo, her heart racing.

It was perfect, really. She was going to have to share a room—and a bed—with Jihyo. Although in another context, that might have made her nervous, now she was just frustrated… almost scared. The thought of being so close to Jihyo after their earlier confrontation filled her with a mix of anxiety and dread.

Sana walked briskly to the elevator, Jihyo trailing behind her. Once inside, Sana pressed the button for their floor, keeping her gaze fixed ahead, deliberately ignoring Jihyo. The ride was silent, the tension thick between them, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, the elevator dinged, and they stepped out into the hallway. Sana quickened her pace, heading toward their room. She fumbled with the key for a moment before managing to unlock the door. Pushing it open, she stepped inside and was greeted by a spacious, elegant room. The decor was warm and inviting, and there was a large bed that made her exhale in relief. Thank goodness for that.

Sana dropped her things onto one of the chairs, running her hands over her face in exhaustion. She was truly wiped out—soaked from the rain, her body ached, and she felt on the verge of tears. The thought of being stuck with Jihyo for hours felt overwhelming.

As she opened her eyes, she glanced at Jihyo, who was looking around the room with a small smile on her lips. Sana couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. How could Jihyo go from yelling at her to smiling so quickly? It didn’t make sense!

Jihyo set her things down and remarked, “This is better than I thought it would be.”

Sana simply nodded, opening her suitcase and rummaging through it for something comfortable to wear. She pulled out the clothes she had brought earlier and tossed them onto the bed, then shrugged off her jacket and carelessly threw it aside. At that moment, she didn’t care if Jihyo thought she was messy.

Jihyo glanced over and asked, “Are you going to take a shower?”

“Yes,” Sana replied quietly, not meeting her gaze as she continued searching through her bag. Finally, she found what she was looking for—a Tupperware container filled with cookies. She set it on the bed, still avoiding eye contact. “I made these for you, in case you were hungry,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Without waiting for a response, Sana turned and walked toward the bathroom and slammed the door behind her, needing to create some space between herself and Jihyo. Inside, she leaned against the door for a moment, trying to catch her breath and calm her racing heart.

Meanwhile, Jihyo stood in the room, staring at the Tupperware of cookies on the bed. She glanced back at the closed door of the bathroom, then back to the cookies, feeling a swell of emotions rising within her. Sana, the girl she had accused of being annoying just moments ago, had made cookies for her because she knew how much Jihyo loved them. Sana had managed to get a car when Jihyo hadn’t been able to, always trying to help.

Jihyo felt the weight of guilt wash over her, replacing her earlier frustration and anger. How could she have been so thoughtless? “Fuck,” she muttered under her breath, running a hand through her hair in exasperation. She debated what to do next, knowing she had let her emotions get the better of her. Sana had gone out of her way to travel for her, and yet, Jihyo had snapped at her.

With a sudden resolve, Jihyo walked swiftly to the bathroom door and knocked. “Sana?” she called out, hoping for a response. There was silence. She knocked again, a bit harder this time, and called out, “Sana! Please, I need to talk to you.”

Finally, she heard Sana’s muted voice from inside. “I’m going to take a shower!”

Jihyo bit her lip, frustration bubbling up again. “It won’t take long, I promise!” she called out, hoping to coax Sana out. She counted silently in her head—one, two, three seconds passed, and silence enveloped the room again.

“Damn it,” Jihyo cursed, running a hand over her face. “I’m sorry, okay?” she called out, her voice softer now. “I was angry, and I shouldn’t have yelled at you. You have to understand... it’s been a really bad day for me.”

She leaned against the door, waiting, hoping for a sign that Sana would respond. But no reply came. Just as frustration began to well up again, the bathroom door swung open abruptly, nearly knocking Jihyo off her feet.

There stood Sana, still in her damp clothes, her expression fierce and unlike anything Jihyo had ever seen. “Was it a bad day for you, Jihyo?” Sana shot back, her eyes blazing. “What do you think I’ve been doing this whole time? Playing?”

Jihyo opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. Sana didn’t give her a chance to finish. “I’ve been here all day—ALL DAY—trying to make you feel better, trying to make you comfortable! I got the car, I got the hotel, and all you did was be rude and complain!”

Jihyo was left momentarily speechless. She had never imagined seeing Sana so angry, especially directed at her. It felt surreal, almost illegal. The calm, kind girl she knew was now standing there, yelling at her with a fierce intensity.

“I—” Jihyo tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.

Sana continued, her voice rising, “You just exploded on me out of nowhere, and I was trying my best to be there for you! I don’t deserve this!”

Jihyo coughed lightly, trying to regain her composure. “I’m sorry,” she managed to say, but Sana cut her off again.

“You already said that! I know you’re sorry, but I’m angry too, okay? I did everything I could, and you just—” Sana paused, frustration evident as she took a deep breath, her anger simmering just below the surface.

“I just thought… I thought you would understand how hard today was for me too,” Sana finally admitted, her voice quieter now.

“I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

Sana’s expression softened slightly, but the fire remained in her eyes. “You think I don’t know that? I know you had a rough day, but I did too! And I wanted to help you, not be your punching bag.”

Jihyo nodded, her guilt weighing heavily on her. “I know. I was an idiot.”

Sana crossed her arms, a hint of frustration creeping back into her expression. “Yes, you were! I don’t deserve anything you said to me.”

Jihyo looked at her, guilt flooding her. “I didn’t mean it. I’m really sorry.”

“And just to top it off, I’m still soaked from the rain!” Sana shot back, her tone a mixture of annoyance and hurt.

“That wasn’t technically my fault…” Jihyo replied, trying to defend herself, but Sana shot her an angry look. Jihyo fell silent, realizing that she had no right to argue.

Sana took a breath, her voice steady. “I know you’re my boss and you can fire me if you want, but I’m not going to let anyone talk to me like that! Ever. If you’re going to treat me like that, I have no choice but to….”

“Stop,” Jihyo interrupted, her voice firm yet soft. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was an idiot. I just complained all day and shouldn’t have said any of that to you.”

Sana looked at her, the anger still simmering but slowly beginning to fade. Jihyo sighed, taking a step closer. “I’m really sorry, Sana. It won’t happen again. Just… don’t worry about it anymore.”

Jihyo closed the gap between them, feeling a rush of emotions. She fought the urge to run away, to hide from the vulnerability of the moment. Instead, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Sana, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

“I’m sorry again,” Jihyo murmured, her voice muffled slightly against Sana’s shoulder. “And… thank you for the cookies.”

Sana stood stiff for a moment, surprised by the sudden warmth of the embrace. Gradually, she relaxed into it, feeling the tension begin to ease. “You’re welcome,” she whispered and slowly embraced her back, wrapping her arms around Jihyo’s waist with a hint of hesitation, Jihyo felt a flutter of relief.

“I might just soak you even more,” Sana murmured, a playful tone creeping into her voice.

Jihyo shrugged, refusing to let go. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to take a shower anyway.”

Sana let out a soft laugh, pulling slightly away so she could look Jihyo in the eye. The proximity was intense, and she noticed every detail of Jihyo’s face—the small freckle on the tip of her nose, the way her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

“Still, we could get sick,” Sana said, her voice a little more serious as she cleared her throat.

“I don’t really care about that,” Jihyo replied, keeping her gaze locked on Sana’s. A smile danced on her lips, and Sana felt her heart skip a beat.

Sana sighed, her hands still resting on Jihyo’s sides. “I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier,” she said softly.

“No, don’t apologize,” Jihyo quickly responded. “I’m the one who should be sorry for being such an idiot.”

Sana shook her head, her eyes meeting Jihyo’s with sincerity. “You’re not an idiot… just don’t talk to me like that again, okay?”

“I promise,” Jihyo said earnestly, her voice low and steady.

Sana nodded, a silent agreement passing between them, but for some reason, neither of them made a move to pull away.

However, she took a small step back, creating just enough space to meet Jihyo’s gaze fully. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them faded into a blur. Sana’s heart began to race, each beat echoing in her ears as she felt the intensity of Jihyo’s stare. Jihyo was looking at her with such depth, and Sana couldn’t help but feel her breath hitch in her throat.

Jihyo’s eyes flickered down to Sana’s lips, and the realization sent a shiver down Sana’s spine. Were they really about to cross that line? Her legs felt weak, trembling slightly as she tried to steady herself. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, and Sana felt a rush of warmth flood her cheeks.

“Jihyo, I—” Sana started, but the words caught in her throat. She was suddenly acutely aware of how close they were, the tension palpable. Jihyo’s grip on her waist tightened, pulling her in closer, and Sana’s breath quickened as she felt the heat radiating from Jihyo’s body.

Sana’s gaze dropped to Jihyo’s lips, which looked soft and inviting, a rosy hue that made her heart race even faster. Just as she was about to say something, anything to break the spell, she felt Jihyo leaning in, their faces dangerously close now. Panic surged through her mind; was Jihyo really going to kiss her?

Before she could process her thoughts, Sana felt herself freeze, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Jihyo’s breath was warm against her lips, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. The world around them faded completely, leaving only the two of them suspended in that charged moment.

And then, without warning, Jihyo’s lips were on hers—soft, tentative, and sweet. It was a gentle kiss, almost as if Jihyo was afraid of overwhelming her. But the moment Sana felt the warmth of Jihyo’s lips, something inside her snapped. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

With a surge of courage, Sana leaned into the kiss, deepening it as she pressed her lips against Jihyo’s with fervor. She closed her eyes tightly, losing herself in the sensation, the taste of Jihyo’s lips igniting a fire within her. It was everything she had secretly longed for, and now that it was happening, she couldn’t get enough.

Jihyo responded instantly, her surprise melting into eagerness as she kissed Sana back, their lips moving in perfect harmony. The kiss was a beautiful collision of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of rightness.

But then, in the midst of the kiss, Sana froze for a moment, a wave of realization crashing over her. Here she was, in a hotel room, alone with Jihyo, kissing her. Jihyo was returning the kiss with just as much intensity, her hands gripping Sana tightly, their bodies pressed together. There was no time to breathe, no time to think about anything else. All Sana could do was respond, pouring her heart into the kiss, her mind racing with exhilaration.

As Jihyo shifted slightly, their bodies instinctively moving together, Sana followed her lead, deepening the connection between them. Jihyo let out a soft sigh against Sana’s lips, and Sana couldn’t help but smile, the nervousness that had once gripped her slipping away. This was right; it felt so right. There was nothing that could hold her back now.

But as the kiss continued, the need for air became undeniable. With a reluctant sigh, Sana pulled away, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at Jihyo, her pupils dilated, her lips swollen and red from their passionate exchange. Sana’s breath was quick and uneven, a heat pooling in her stomach that left her feeling both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed.

“What… what was that?” Sana managed to ask, her voice breathless as she tried to catch her breath. She kept her gaze locked on Jihyo, who was still close, their foreheads almost touching. The reality of the situation began to settle in, and Sana felt the confusion swirling within her.

Jihyo’s expression mirrored her own, a mixture of surprise and delight. “I… I don’t know,” she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.