Love warning; Miss Park

SEPTEMBER

"Jihyo," the voice cut through the fog that was Jihyo's mind, but she didn't move; she didn't want to move, she didn't have the strength. "Hey, Hyo."

She didn't open her eyes, but she heard movement. Finally, when Seungwan was sitting on the bed with a big smile, Jihyo looked at her.

She could make out Seungwan's features in the faint light that seeped through the open door. Jihyo hadn’t bothered to open the curtains or even get out of bed all day.

"Hello," the girl said with a smile, leaning in to brush the hair from Jihyo's face. "Tzuyu is sleeping; I managed to get her to do it after three hours." She tilted her head. "I think she feels a little unwell."

Jihyo said nothing; every movement felt like daggers piercing her body. She had no strength.

"Jihyo," Seungwan called her again, a frown on her face. "Tzuyu needs her mom."

Jihyo just stared at Seungwan, examining her face… When was the last time she got out of bed? When was the last time she looked at the sun? When was the last time she felt something other than pain, a desire to die?

"Are you hungry?" Seungwan asked, breaking Jihyo's thoughts.

Jihyo finally reacted, shaking her head. Seungwan nodded and bit her lip. "You haven't eaten anything all day."

Jihyo finally found her voice. "What time is it?"

"It's a little past 3 in the afternoon," Seungwan replied.

Jihyo nodded, and Seungwan continued, "It's a beautiful day outside. I took Tzuyu to the park this morning."

With a struggle, Jihyo managed to find enough strength to sit up. Her movements were slow, clumsy, fragile. She noticed the look of pity on Seungwan's face and fought back the urge to cry, clutching the blanket tighter around her body. She was acutely aware of how she looked; she hadn’t showered in days, couldn’t get out of bed, and eating turned her stomach.

But Seungwan hadn’t left.

She looked at Jihyo, her expression filled with concern. "How do you feel?" she asked gently.

Jihyo shrugged, a small gesture that spoke volumes. Seungwan sighed heavily and opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a loud cry—a wail that echoed through the house.

"That’s Tzuyu," Seungwan said, clenching her fists to contain her emotions. "She woke up."

Jihyo looked at Seungwan, trying to say something, trying to move, but her body felt frozen.

Seungwan stood up from the bed. "I’ll be back when Tzuyu goes back to sleep. She’s probably hungry," she said, and without another word, left the room.

Jihyo heard Seungwan’s footsteps on the floor, the creaking of the door as it opened and closed, presumably to Tzuyu’s room. But she didn’t move. She sighed and looked at her hands, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her.

She turned her head slightly to see the calendar on the side table—September. A wave of overwhelming sadness washed over her. Three months… She had been there for three months, simply… existing. Three months since he left her, since Tzuyu was born, three months she had missed in Tzuyu’s life.

Three months of Seungwan practically living with her, taking care of everything, making sure things were alright…

Jihyo could still hear the faint cries and whimpers of Tzuyu through the door, the sound of Seungwan’s voice trying to soothe her, talking to her softly. She imagined Seungwan cradling Tzuyu in her arms, singing to her gently, smiling down at her with love.

The image tugged at Jihyo’s heart

She sighed again, taking a deep breath—one, two, three—inhale and exhale. Slowly, she peeled the blanket away from her, summoning all her strength to rise from the bed. Her legs felt weak, trembling under her weight, and a wave of dizziness washed over her quickly, making her head throb and her vision blur.

She took another deep breath and walked slowly to the door, stepping out into the light of day, which momentarily blinded her. She inhaled deeply, feeling the fresh air fill her lungs, and made her way to Tzuyu’s room.

Standing in front of the door, she opened it and noticed Seungwan turning to look at her, surprise etched across her face as if she couldn’t believe Jihyo was really there. Jihyo ignored her gaze and walked further into the room, approaching Seungwan, who was holding Tzuyu.

Jihyo made a gesture, urging Seungwan to hand her the baby. Without hesitation, Seungwan carefully handed Tzuyu over to Jihyo. It wasn’t the first time she had held her, but somehow, the baby seemed even smaller in her arms now.

Jihyo cradled Tzuyu gently, moving her slightly from side to side. The baby continued to cry, and Jihyo could feel Seungwan’s watchful eyes on her, silently encouraging her to keep trying.

"Shh, it’s okay, Tzuyu," Jihyo whispered softly, looking down at the baby in her arms. She spoke sweet words, soothing and calming, and eventually… Tzuyu quieted down. Her eyes grew heavy, and her tiny hands began to still.

Jihyo let out a sigh of relief, rocking Tzuyu a little more until the baby finally fell asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Jihyo finally lifted her gaze to see Seungwan watching her with a soft smile.

The girl moved as if to take Tzuyu back, but Jihyo shook her head, refusing without saying a word. She held the baby tighter, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over her. With a determined heart, she turned and began to make her way down the stairs slowly, making sure not to wake the baby in her arms.

Once downstairs, Jihyo looked around, surprised to find the house immaculate—cleaner even than when she had been taking care of things herself. She walked further into the living room, noticing everything was tidy and almost sterile, save for a few toys of Tzuyu scattered here and there. Jihyo wondered what purpose they served; Tzuyu couldn’t even hold up her own head that good yet.

Perhaps Seungwan had used them to distract the little one…

Guilt washed over Jihyo, and she bit her lip, glancing back at Seungwan as she descended the stairs with a faint smile. As Jihyo approached, she heard Seungwan softly apologize for the mess.

"Sorry for the mess," Seungwan said, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

Jihyo furrowed her brow in confusion. Why on earth should Seungwan feel embarrassed for keeping her life afloat? Why should she feel this way when Seungwan was the reason Jihyo had found the strength to get up?

"No," Jihyo whispered softly, shaking her head slowly as she approached Seungwan, still holding Tzuyu securely in her arms.

With four purposeful steps, Jihyo closed the distance between them, wrapping one arm around Seungwan's neck and pulling her into an embrace, careful not to crush the baby. Seungwan froze for a moment, surprise flickering across her face. Jihyo understood; she probably smelled horrible, her hair was a mess, and her face must look even worse.

Yet, despite everything, Seungwan hugged her back, one hand sliding around Jihyo's back, holding her oh so gently, as if afraid that Jihyo might break. With her other hand, Seungwan reached to cradle Tzuyu as well, bringing them both closer together.

Jihyo sighed, closing her eyes, feeling the tears prick at the corners of her eyes, wanting to spill over. For the first time in three months, she allowed herself to feel it all—the weight of her emotions, the release of the pent-up sorrow.

Seungwan nodded into the embrace, squeezing her tighter, providing the comfort Jihyo desperately needed. In a soft voice, Jihyo whispered her gratitude, "Thank you." It was a simple phrase, but it carried the weight of everything she couldn’t say, everything she felt.

NOVEMBER

"Hello."

"Hey," Jihyo replied with a smile, lifting her gaze from her book to look at Seungwan.

"Have you been awake for long?" Seungwan asked, noticing the slight weariness in Jihyo's eyes.

Jihyo shook her head. "No, Tzuyu just fell asleep. She really has a lot of energy."

Seungwan smiled knowingly. "Yeah, she does."

Jihyo pointed to the bags in Seungwan's hands. "What did you buy?"

Seungwan's smile widened. "I thought we could have some kind of... special dinner? Well, not special, but different?"

Jihyo nodded, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

Seungwan shrugged. "I don't really know. Just picked up a couple of basic things—meats and stuff. Tzuyu doesn't really eat much."

"She doesn’t have any teeth," Jihyo pointed out, chuckling softly.

"Exactly," Seungwan agreed, grinning.

Jihyo rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. She stood up from the couch. "Alright then, we could have dinner in the backyard. We might as well use the place; no one else will now."

Seungwan nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good! Let's do it."

Jihyo smiled back. "I'll try to clean up a bit before Tzuyu wakes up."

It was relatively easy to clean, or at least that’s what she believed. Seungwan had bought a small table for four, and it was lovely. They had arranged it beautifully in the backyard, adorned with twinkling lights that Tzuyu loved to see lit up at night. Jihyo smiled as she adjusted a few more things, feeling the warmth of the moment.

Her mind wandered… Was it strange?

She hadn’t felt this happy in a long time, yet at the same time, she felt an emptiness that lingered. It was as if when Sungbin left, something had turned off inside her. But slowly, everything else began to work again, just as it had before she met him. Bit by bit, the space was becoming hers—hers and Seungwan's. The walls were now filled with the pictures that Sungbin had so despised, and Jihyo found random notes hidden throughout the house, just waiting for her to discover them. Notes that made no sense, wishing her a good day, ensuring that she was okay.

She sighed, realizing that even the backyard felt different now. It had a sense of essence, a life that it hadn’t had before. Jihyo loved it.

She lifted her gaze to the sky, smiling even more, just slightly. She hadn't felt this sense of peace in a long time. It had been a while since she had Seungwan so close to her… She allowed herself to laugh a little, feeling the familiar butterflies dance in her stomach. Shaking her head, she turned to go back inside the house.

As she entered, she walked down the hallway, glancing at the door to Sungbin's old office… now Jihyo's office. She continued walking, passing the hallway lined with photos, and finally reached the kitchen. There she saw Seungwan, engrossed in a book, swaying slightly from side to side, completely focused.

Clearing her throat, Jihyo caught Seungwan's attention. "I finished! It's still early, so… do you need help?"

The girl shook her head, looking up with a gentle smile. "No, you should rest. You’ve been doing a lot."

"I’ve already rested all morning and afternoon," Jihyo protested lightly.

"You’re a mother now; you need to rest even more," Seungwan replied firmly. "I won’t let you move a muscle."

Rolling her eyes, Jihyo chuckled. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

Seungwan’s smile widened. "Go be with Tzuyu. Stay with her and sleep for a bit. I’ll wake you up for dinner, and it’ll be a surprise."

Jihyo's heart warmed at the thought. "A surprise, huh?"

"Yes, a surprise!" Seungwan confirmed with a nod.

Jihyo raised an eyebrow playfully. "Why all the mystery?"

Seungwan shrugged, but Jihyo could see the glimmer of excitement in her eyes. Jihyo sighed, a smile spreading across her face. "Alright then. But if you need anything, just call me."

Seungwan nodded earnestly. "I promise, on my honor."

Jihyo’s smile grew wider at Seungwan’s sincerity. With a wave, she turned and headed up the stairs toward Tzuyu's room.

When she reached Tzuyu’s room, Jihyo opened the door gently, careful not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. She smiled at the sight of her baby girl sleeping soundly in her crib, the soft rise and fall of her little chest bringing a sense of calm to Jihyo’s heart.

She approached the crib quietly, leaning down to take in Tzuyu’s adorable features. Jihyo felt an overwhelming sense of love wash over her. She carefully picked up Tzuyu, cradling her in her arms, and felt the familiar warmth that only a mother could know.

Jihyo settled into the rocking chair by the window, gently rocking back and forth as she held Tzuyu close.

When Jihyo woke up a couple of hours later, it was to the sound of Tzuyu stirring. Jihyo still couldn’t believe how it was possible, but Tzuyu had become such a quiet baby. After the phase of constant crying, Tzuyu had transformed; she hardly cried anymore, and if she did, it was easily soothed. The little girl smiled a lot, and Jihyo felt she could spend hours just watching her play and laugh with Seungwan.

The two seemed to share a special connection. Seungwan was undoubtedly Tzuyu's favorite person, and Jihyo would be lying if she said it didn't make her a little envious. She smiled down at the bundle in her arms—Tzuyu, moving her tiny arms and rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"You slept a lot, didn't you?" Jihyo said softly, watching as Tzuyu babbled back, doing her best to communicate for nearly six months old.

Rolling her eyes playfully, Jihyo stood up. "Alright, Tzuyu, it’s time to see Seungwan."

Tzuyu laughed in response, her joy infectious. "Of course you’re excited to see her" Jihyo laughed a little

With Tzuyu nestled securely in her arms, she made her way out of the nursery and slowly descended the stairs. As she moved, she could hear some activity downstairs—footsteps, murmurs

As Jihyo reached the bottom of the stairs, she couldn't help but laugh a little more at the sight before her. Seungwan stood there, a look of concern on her face, wearing a large apron that seemed almost comical.

Jihyo walked closer, and Tzuyu let out a little noise, babbling with excitement. Seungwan turned to look at them and broke into a smile. "I was just about to come wake you up," she said, her voice warm.

Jihyo grinned back. "Well, Tzuyu beat you to it."

Seungwan rolled her eyes playfully, removing the apron and draping it over a chair as she walked toward them. Tzuyu giggled, clearly delighted to see her favorite person. Without hesitation, Seungwan reached out and took Tzuyu from Jihyo's arms.

Jihyo pouted a little, teasing. "I see my shift is over now, huh?"

Seungwan smiled down at Tzuyu, who was waving her little arms in delight. "There's plenty of Wan to go around for everyone!"

Rolling her eyes again, Jihyo asked, "So, is dinner ready?"

"Yes! Everything is prepared," Seungwan replied, reaching out one hand to hold Tzuyu while keeping the other free. She positioned the baby in front of Jihyo, a playful glint in her eye. "May I?"

Jihyo laughed, feeling the familiar butterflies in her stomach at the sight of Seungwan's excitement. She nodded, taking the girl's hand in hers. "It would be my pleasure."

Seungwan's smile widened as she squeezed Jihyo's hand gently. Together, they began to walk toward the backyard, Tzuyu giggling and babbling happily between them.

Jihyo was definitely not expecting what she saw. She knew Seungwan had set everything up, but the girl had gone above and beyond. The table was beautifully decorated, adorned with a large tablecloth, flowers scattered everywhere, and even more lights, creating a stunning ambiance. There were also a few items positioned for Tzuyu, making it clear that this dinner was thoughtfully planned.

Jihyo turned to Seungwan, her eyes wide with surprise. "Do you like it?" Seungwan giggled at Jihyo's expression, clearly pleased.

"Do I like it? I adore it! When did you have time to do all this? When did you even buy flowers?" Jihyo exclaimed, still taking in the scene.

Seungwan's eyes sparkled with mischief. "That's a secret," she said playfully. She walked over and carefully placed Tzuyu in her little seat, making sure she was comfortable. Then, Seungwan picked a couple of roses from the table and handed them to Jihyo.

Jihyo accepted the flowers, her heart swelling with gratitude. Unable to resist, she wrapped her arms around Seungwan and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. "This is beautiful."

Seungwan beamed at the compliment, stepping back slightly as she placed a hand on Jihyo's back, guiding her toward the table. She pulled out a chair for Jihyo to sit down.

"Thank you," Jihyo murmured softly as she settled into her seat.

After Jihyo was comfortable, Seungwan took her own seat across the table, her smile growing even wider. "Now, it’s time for dinner!" she announced cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she prepared to serve the meal.

Dinner flew by, or at least that’s how it felt to Jihyo. She watched as Seungwan spoke animatedly, smiling and sharing stories about her day, while Jihyo simply nodded and laughed along. Tzuyu occasionally interrupted them, having moved from her little chair to Seungwan's lap, giggling and playing with the items on the table.

Eventually, dinner came to an end, and the three of them shifted to the old but beloved couch a little further away. Tzuyu was nestled on one of the large blankets Seungwan had bought for her, happily playing on the floor and laughing.

Jihyo smiled at the sight, snuggling closer to Seungwan's side as she gazed up at the night sky. A soft sigh escaped her lips as Seungwan's fingers brushed through her hair and gently caressed her shoulder. It was such a comforting gesture that made Jihyo's heart swell with warmth.

She looked up at Seungwan, who was smiling down at her. "Thank you for dinner," Jihyo said softly.

"It was nothing," Seungwan replied, leaning in slightly.

In that moment, Jihyo realized that despite the time Seungwan had been living with them, she hadn’t dared to kiss her. In all honesty, the thought hadn’t crossed her mind until now, but Seungwan was there, caring for Tzuyu, caring for her, simply being present in their lives.

Feeling emboldened, Jihyo nodded and leaned in, resting her cheek against Seungwan's. It was a subtle connection, but it felt significant.

Seungwan smiled, and Jihyo felt the warmth of the girl's movement against her cheek. "I'm glad you liked it," Seungwan said softly.

"I definitely did," Jihyo replied, her heart fluttering. Seungwan nodded, her gaze shifting to Tzuyu playing on the floor, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I wish things could be like this every day."

Curious, Jihyo pulled back slightly. "What do you mean?"

Seungwan shrugged, a thoughtful look on her face. "I don't know. It just feels like everything is okay now, doesn't it? Like things are... improving."

Jihyo nodded, a smile creeping onto her face. "It is, a little," she admitted, lowering her gaze for a moment before taking Seungwan's hand gently. "Is that why you wanted to make a special dinner?"

Seungwan's smile widened as she lifted Jihyo's hand to press a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Maybe. I just wanted to do something special, like back in university. Remember how we would take our time and go to that little restaurant we loved? We wouldn't come back home until the next day, just the two of us."

Tzuyu let out a little noise from the floor, and Seungwan laughed lightly. "Well, now it’s three of us, and that’s okay too."

"Yeah, it is," Jihyo bit her lip, feeling a mix of curiosity and nostalgia. "How do you think things would have been if we had never broken up?" she asked slowly.

Seungwan froze for a moment, her expression thoughtful. She shrugged slightly, her gaze drifting as she considered the question. "I don’t like to think about that, but… I suppose we would be far away from here, just the three of us—Tzuyu, you, and me—happy, without mothers trying to control our lives or stupid guys getting in the way."

She paused, a dreamy look in her eyes. "Maybe we’d be somewhere by the beach, with three dogs running around, and Tzuyu would have a brother."

Jihyo burst out laughing. "You really haven’t thought about that at all?"

"Maybe just a little," Seungwan admitted, a shy smile creeping onto her face. She looked at Jihyo, her expression growing more serious. "But wouldn’t it be perfect to do that?"

Jihyo met Seungwan's gaze, the weight of the question hanging in the air. "What do you mean?"

Seungwan leaned in a little closer, her voice gentle. "Think about it. You could work anywhere in the world because you’re perfect at what you do. I can do the same. Tzuyu would get to see so many new things. We’d explore and leave behind all the bad stuff that happened here."

A smile spread across Jihyo's face as she considered Seungwan's words. "That sounds like an incredible plan."

Seungwan nodded, her enthusiasm infectious. "So, let’s do it then”

Jihyo pulled back slightly, looking at Seungwan incredulously. "Are you serious?"

"Yes!" Seungwan replied earnestly, taking Jihyo's hand again. "I want to do this. I would have loved to do it in another situation, maybe not with everything that happened, but we still have a life ahead of us. We can still do so much. We’re young, and there’s nothing tying us here. We can leave, see the world, and it would be perfect because I would have what I’ve always wanted—I would have you… and Tzuyu. I would have a family. Is that so wrong?"

Jihyo looked at her, tears welling in her eyes. It felt like she was a teenager again, filled with hope and longing. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around Seungwan's neck, kissing her. It was a brief kiss, but after so many years apart, it felt magical.

Seungwan smiled, drawing Jihyo closer, her happiness radiating through the kiss. Jihyo could feel it in the way Seungwan held her cheeks and murmured sweet nothings. They smiled at each other until the need for air became undeniable, and they reluctantly pulled away, foreheads touching.

"Jihyo…" Seungwan began, her voice soft but firm. "Come with me… divorce him and be with me."

Jihyo’s mind went blank at the suggestion. She slowly backed away, her gaze drifting to Tzuyu, who was happily playing on the floor, completely unaware of what was happening. Then, she looked back at Seungwan, who was smiling at her, hopeful and full of love.

Jihyo opened her mouth to speak, but her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Her mother would probably disown her if she divorced Sungbin. Her family would turn their backs on her. But then again, Sungbin had already done that, he had left her, no matter how much her mother disagreed with her, he was not coming back, so what was stopping her? She had Seungwan, she had Tzuyu, she had her friends—she had everything she truly needed.

Without saying anything, she nodded.

Seungwan froze, her expression shifting in disbelief as if she couldn’t comprehend that Jihyo was actually agreeing. Jihyo leaned in again, cupping Seungwan's cheeks in her hands, and kissed her softly, slowly. It felt like a promise, one that was both tender and filled with longing.

As she pulled away, Jihyo whispered, "Yes. I’ll do it. I’ll divorce him."

The smile that bloomed on Seungwan's face after that was worth everything.

—

When Jihyo opened her eyes in the morning, she smiled.

One, because Sungbin wasn't beside her. It was Saturday, and it seemed he had decided to leave earlier than usual today—she assumed it was to avoid seeing her.

She had no problem with that; it seemed Sungbin had finally understood.

Jihyo got out of bed and could already hear some noise downstairs—probably her mother with Tzuyu. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Today was her date with Sana, and she needed to find a way to convince her mother to simply... let her go. It was ridiculous to have to ask for "permission" at her age, in her own home, but the last thing she wanted now was to start a fight.

After a light touch-up, she sighed and headed out of her room, making her way down the stairs. Once downstairs, she spotted Tzuyu happily sitting at the table, eating. Her mother noticed her immediately.

"Good morning," Jihyo said.

"Finally! I thought after all these years you would have broken that annoying habit of sleeping in," her mother replied.

Jihyo bit her tongue, considering it was only 9 AM, and she didn't want to argue. She sat down and gave Tzuyu a kiss on the cheek, smiling at her. Tzuyu smiled back, but the moment was short-lived as Jihyo's mother entered again, placing a breakfast plate in front of Jihyo.

"Thank you," Jihyo said, glancing at her mother's appearance. She was dressed up more than usual, prompting Jihyo to ask, "Are you planning to go somewhere?"

Her mother smiled, "Yes, actually. A friend of mine is doing me the favor of taking me shopping for a few things and checking out some others. I hope he doesn’t take too long, but I might be late."

Jihyo held back a desire to smile and simply replied, "That's fine then. I understand." 

She had to really resist the urge to celebrate. So when her mother finally said goodbye, Jihyo just focused on her breakfast, taking bites here and there. But once the door closed, she couldn't help but smile widely. Turning to Tzuyu, she beamed, "How are you, sweetheart?"

She felt like she hadn’t spent much time with Tzuyu lately, thanks to her mother—whether it was Joohyun planning new adventures around the city or Sungbin trying to be a “good father.” But now she was here, ready to enjoy every moment with her daughter.

At some point, they moved to the living room, sitting on the floor. Tzuyu placed a princess tiara on Jihyo's head and handed her a toy teacup. Jihyo smiled, fully embracing the playful spirit of the moment. Tzuyu had such a vivid imagination, and Jihyo always had a blast playing with her.

As they continued their game, Tzuyu suddenly looked up at her. "Mommy" she called, her little voice breaking through the fun.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Jihyo responded, adjusting the tiara playfully.

"When is Miss Sana coming to our house again?" Tzuyu asked, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Jihyo smiled at her daughter’s eagerness. "Soon, I promise. Right now, it's a little complicated."

Tzuyu tilted her head, crossing her legs and holding her toy cup tightly. "Why?"

Jihyo took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Well, it’s because I don’t think Grandma and Daddy would like to have a guest in the house very much"

Tzuyu pouted slightly, her brows furrowing in thought. "But I like Sana! She's fun!"

"I know, baby. I like her too," Jihyo reassured, brushing her fingers through Tzuyu's hair. She sighed and said, "Well, maybe we can go visit her at her house, huh? That way, you can see little Ray again. I'm sure Sana will love that."

Tzuyu's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, please! I want to go!"

Jihyo smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. "Okay, then! I’ll tell Sana."

Tzuyu beamed and resumed their game, but it wasn’t long before Jihyo’s phone rang. She sighed softly, telling Tzuyu to keep playing and that she'd be back soon. Quickly getting up from the floor, she answered the call.

"Nayeon?" she greeted, noticing the urgency in her friend’s voice.

"Jihyo! Hey! I hate to interrupt, but..." Nayeon sounded slightly flustered, and Jihyo frowned.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, concerned.

There was background noise on the line before Nayeon spoke again. "Are you busy?"

"No, not at all," Jihyo replied.

"Perfect. Listen, I really hate to do this, but... Jeongyeon had an accident."

“What?!” Jihyo's frown deepened. "Is she okay?! What happened?!"

Nayeon's voice was tinged with frustration. "She tried to fly, and, well, clearly, she’s not a bird! She fell and broke her arm."

Jihyo couldn’t help but find the situation a bit amusing despite her concern. She let out a sigh, shaking her head with a small smile. "She tried to…fly?” 

"Right?" Nayeon replied, sarcasm evident in her tone. "Honestly, I feel like I’m raising two children here. Chaengie behaves better than Jeong does."

Jihyo chuckled softly, but Nayeon continued, “It’s really a long story, okay?”

She nodded, even though Nayeon couldn’t see her. “What can I do?”

Nayeon sighed again. "We’ll have to go to the hospital, but we can’t take Chaengie. Do you think you could watch her for the day? I don’t know how much time it’s going to take” 

"Of course! Don’t worry about it. I’ll go get her right away," Jihyo assured her.

"Thanks so much! And don’t worry, I’ll drop her off at your place," Nayeon said gratefully.

"Are you sure you don’t want to take Jeongyeon to the hospital first?" Jihyo asked, still concerned.

"Nah, she can wait," Nayeon replied, and Jihyo could hear Jeongyeon protesting in the background. "See? She’s fine. Just a little dramatic as usual."

Jihyo sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, then. It's fine. I’ll take care of Chaengie."

"Thank you! You're a lifesaver, Jihyo," Nayeon said, relief flooding her voice.

"Don't mention it! Just let me know if you need anything else," Jihyo replied, her tone reassuring.

“Thanks again!” Nayeon said, her voice laced with gratitude before hanging up. Jihyo sighed, turning back to the living room where Tzuyu was still playing.

"Jeongyeon unnie had a little accident, and Chae is coming to stay with us," Jihyo explained, crouching down to meet Tzuyu’s curious gaze.

"Is Jeongyeon unnie okay?" Tzuyu asked, her brows furrowing with concern.

"Yes, I'm sure it's nothing serious," Jihyo assured her, smiling gently. Tzuyu nodded, her expression brightening as Jihyo sat down in front of her again, ready to dive back into their playful world.

Chaeyoung arrived at the house a little past 10 AM. Jihyo could see the worry etched on Nayeon's face as she pulled up. Jeongyeon was slumped against the window in the car, looking slightly worse for wear, but Jihyo didn’t have time to ask any questions before Nayeon leaned over, placing a kiss on Chaeyoung's forehead.

"Be good for Jihyo, okay? I’ll be back!" Nayeon called out, a hint of urgency in her voice before she dashed back to her car and started the engine.

Jihyo sighed, picking Chaeyoung up in her arms and carrying her inside. "How are you doing, Chae?" she asked, looking into the little girl's eyes.

"I'm okay!" Chaeyoung replied cheerfully. "But my mommy tried to fly"

Jihyo chuckled, shaking her head. "Yes, your mom told me about that. How did it happen?"

Chaeyoung giggled, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of her story. "She jumped off the swing. But she didn't go up, she just went down and went ‘boom!’"

"That must have hurt then," Jihyo laughed, imagining the scene. "Well, let’s make sure we keep you safe today, okay?"

"Okay" Chaeyoung grinned.

Jihyo set Chaeyoung down on the floor just as the little girl spotted Tzuyu and shouted her name, running towards her. The two girls immediately began playing together, and Jihyo smiled, watching them with fondness. She eventually joined them for a couple of hours, laughing and enjoying their playful antics. 

When it hit 12 PM, Jihyo decided it was time for a quick meal, preparing something simple for the three of them. However, as the clock struck 2 PM, she started to feel a bit anxious. For one, Joohyun wasn’t answering her calls at all. Jihyo knew the girl was probably busy, but she needed her help to look after the kids before her date. 

Then her phone rang again, and it was Nayeon. Jihyo quickly answered, relieved to hear her voice sounding calmer this time.

"Hey, how's everything?" Jihyo asked, concern still lingering in her tone.

"Well, I suppose it's okay. They put a cast on Jeongyeon, but she’ll have to stay for a few hours. She has a contusion, and they need to do some more tests or something," Nayeon explained.

Jihyo let out a sigh of relief. "At least she’s fine now."

"Yeah, I know," Nayeon replied, exhaling deeply. “How is the cub?” 

"Well, she's fine. She played with Tzuyu for a while and she ate a while ago" Jihyo reassured her.

"Thank you so much for taking care of her. I really feel bad for interrupting your weekend," Nayeon said, with genuine regret in her voice.

Jihyo smiled warmly, "It’s no problem at all! I love having Chaeyoung here, and Tzuyu does too"

"Okay, good. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can," Nayeon said, her tone lightening.

"Take your time, Nayeon. Just focus on Jeongyeon. We’re fine here!" Jihyo replied, feeling a sense of calmness wash over her as they hung up. 

Jihyo sighed, smiling at the girls for a moment before joining them on the couch. 

When the clock struck 5 PM, her nerves began to rise. She knew there were only three hours left until her date, and while she was sure Sana wouldn’t be upset if she arrived a little late, Jihyo liked to be punctual. 

Then, just as she feared, Joohyun didn’t call her back. Instead, she deliberately ignored Jihyo's calls, only sending a quick message that read she was sorry but was too busy to take care of the kids. 

Jihyo felt a wave of frustration crash over her. She wanted to scream—why did things like this always happen to her? Why couldn’t she just go on a date with Sana without the world conspiring against her? With a heavy heart, she rose from the couch, careful not to wake the very sleeping Tzuyu. 

She made a gesture to Chaeyoung, signaling that she’d be back soon, and the little girl nodded. Jihyo walked into the kitchen, sitting down to collect her thoughts while quickly dialing Sana’s number. The line rang for a few seconds before Sana’s cheerful voice came through.

“Jihyo! Hi!” Sana greeted, her tone bright and lively. “What’s up?”

Jihyo managed a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Hi, Sana.”

Sana sensed the change in Jihyo’s tone immediately. “Is everything alright?” she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Jihyo sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the situation. “Jeongyeon unnie—one of Chaeyoung’s moms—had an accident. I’m taking care of her now, but I don’t really know how long they’ll be at the hospital…I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can make it,” Jihyo admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh no, Jihyo!” Sana replied, her upbeat demeanor fading. “How is she? Is there anything I can do to help?”

Jihyo shook her head, even though Sana couldn’t see her. “No, it’s okay, she’s fine already. I just… I really wanted to see you today.”

“I know,” Sana said softly, understanding the disappointment in Jihyo’s voice. “Me too”

Jihyo sighed again, closing her eyes. “I really feel horrible about this. I already ruined our first date.”

There was a moment of silence on the line, and Jihyo frowned, about to say something when suddenly Sana interrupted, “Wait a moment” 

The line went quiet, leaving Jihyo confused and slightly worried that Sana had hung up. But after a few moments, she heard Sana’s voice again. “Are you guys free at 5?”

Jihyo furrowed her brow, trying to process the question. “I don’t think you understood. I have the girls with me, and—”

“I know that” Sana cut her off. “Bring them, I want to see them”

Jihyo’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Wait, what? I thought you had our plans already?”

“I have new plans now” Sana said cheerfully. “Come on, hurry! I’ll pick you all up at 5. I want to see you all.”

Jihyo was momentarily stunned before she managed to respond. “Okay, but… are you sure?”

“Of course! Just bring them along, and make sure they wear something comfortable. It’ll be fun!” Sana replied, her excitement infectious.

Jihyo let out a relieved sigh, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her. “Alright then, thank you, Sana.”

“See you soon, beautiful!” Sana said with a bright smile in her voice before hanging up.

Jihyo stepped out of the kitchen, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. As she entered the living room, Chaeyoung turned to look at her, and Jihyo couldn’t help but smile. She settled down beside Chaeyoung, careful not to disturb the peacefully sleeping Tzuyu.

“Do you remember Miss Sana?” Jihyo asked, her eyes twinkling.

Chaeyoung nodded enthusiastically. “Yes!”

“What would you think about spending some time with her?” Jihyo asked, her excitement growing.

Chaeyoung's face lit up, and she beamed, nodding eagerly. Jihyo smiled in return, feeling a rush of happiness. “Okay then! It’s time to get ready! Tzuyu too!” 

She glanced down at the little girl still dozing on the couch. A gentle smile crossed Jihyo's face as she lifted Tzuyu into her arms, eliciting a sleepy protest from the child.

“Come on, sleepyhead! It’s time to wake up!” Jihyo coaxed, her voice warm and playful.

Tzuyu groaned, burying her face against Jihyo’s shoulder. “Nooo…” she protested softly.

Jihyo chuckled, “If you don’t wake up, you won’t get to see Sana!”

That caught Tzuyu's attention. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at Jihyo with newfound alertness. “Miss Sana?” she echoed, her curiosity piqued.

“Yes! Now come on!” Jihyo said, her smile widening. She stood up from the couch, Tzuyu still cradled in her arms, and Chaeyoung eagerly followed her toward the stairs.

“Let’s go!” Jihyo encouraged, and the three of them made their way up the stairs together, the excitement building for the unexpected adventure ahead. 

Before Jihyo knew it, they were all settled on the couch, eagerly waiting. She felt like a child again, her knee bouncing up and down in anticipation for Sana to arrive. Tzuyu and Chaeyoung were in a similar state, with Tzuyu smiling and whispering to Chaeyoung.

Finally, the doorbell rang, and Jihyo let out a sigh of relief. “That must be her” she announced, her heart racing with excitement.

“Yay!” Chaeyoung cheered, while Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically.

“Stay here for just a second,” Jihyo instructed, feeling her legs turn to jelly as she approached the door. She opened it and was momentarily breathless at the sight of Sana standing there, beaming with a bright smile.

“Hi,” Sana greeted, her voice warm and inviting.

“Hi” Jihyo replied, her own smile spreading across her face. She tightened her grip on the door, aware that she couldn’t step too close to Sana in front of the kids.

Before Jihyo could react further, the excited shouts of the girls interrupted them.

“Miss Sana!” Chaeyoung and Tzuyu yelled in unison, rushing toward her.

Sana turned to greet them, bending down to wrap her arms around the two girls. “Hello, little ones!” she exclaimed, her smile widening as they embraced her tightly. 

“I missed you!” Tzuyu said, her voice muffled against Sana’s shoulder.

“I missed you too! I missed both of you!” Sana replied, pulling back slightly to look at their faces. She playfully ruffled Chaeyoung's hair, and the little girl protested with a giggle.

“Hey!” Chaeyoung laughed, swatting at Sana’s hand.

“I can’t spend that much time without seeing you again” Sana turned to Tzuyu with a playful glint in her eyes. “You know, one day I might just kidnap you if your mom thinks it’s okay” 

Jihyo nodded in agreement, trying to keep a straight face. “I think that would be fine,” she teased lightly, enjoying the banter.

Sana grinned and turned back to Chaeyoung. “And I’ll do the same to you too, but I need to talk to your moms first or else they’re gonna be scared.” 

Chaeyoung nodded enthusiastically. “My mommy tried to fly today!” she exclaimed.

Sana made a confused face, and Jihyo chuckled, “It’s a long story.”

Sana nodded, her curiosity piqued. “Okay, I’m all ears later! Are you girls ready to go?”

“Yes!” they all chimed in unison, their excitement palpable.

“Great! Then let’s get going!” Sana said with a bright smile. She led the way out of the house, and they walked together toward her car. 

As they approached, Jihyo noticed the vehicle and asked, “Whose car is this?”

“It’s Mina’s, she lent it to me for the day,” Sana replied.

Jihyo nodded “It’s different from the one you showed me.”

Sana bit her lip, “Yeah, this is another one… Mina has a few.”

Jihyo chuckled, not surprised at all. Sana stepped aside to open the door for the two girls, making sure they buckled their seatbelts before closing the door. Then she opened the front passenger door for Jihyo, who couldn’t help but smile at the thoughtful gesture.

As Jihyo settled into the seat, she leaned over and left a quick kiss on Sana's cheek, grateful for her kindness. 

She just hoped the girls weren’t watching.

Sana climbed into the driver’s seat, starting the car with a smooth motion. Tzuyu leaned forward, curiosity written all over her face. “Where are we going?” she asked eagerly. 

Sana grinned in the rearview mirror. “It’s a surprise” 

Tzuyu eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Can you give us a hint?” she asked eagerly.

Sana chuckled, shaking her head. “Nope, but I promise it’ll be a lot of fun” 

Jihyo rolled her eyes playfully but couldn’t help smiling at Sana’s enthusiasm. She intertwined her fingers, resisting the urge to reach over and take Sana’s hand. 

Sana noticed her smile and accelerated slightly, glancing at the girls in the backseat, who were animatedly chatting away. “How are you doing?” she asked, her tone warm and genuine.

“I’m good, It was just us at home, so everything was really nice,” Jihyo replied, her smile brightening.

Sana nodded, satisfied. Jihyo turned to look out the window, getting lost in the scenery as the city passed by. In the background, she could hear Sana engaging the girls in conversation, asking them how school was going. Tzuyu and Chaeyoung responded happily, their laughter filling the car, and Jihyo couldn’t help but smile. 

Sana was simply incredible.

—

“You have to be kidding me” Jihyo exclaimed as Sana parked the car.

“Nope,” Sana replied with a smile.

Jihyo opened her eyes wide, looking out the window in surprise. She turned back to Sana. “You have to be kidding me!”

Sana shook her head and announced, “We’ve arrived!” 

The girls eagerly unbuckled their seatbelts, their excitement palpable. “Come on” Sana encouraged, and she hopped out of the car to open the doors for the little ones.

Tzuyu and Chaeyoung climbed out, rushing toward Jihyo. “Where are we?” Tzuyu asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

Sana grinned, “It’s a puppy cafe”

The faces of Tzuyu and Chaeyoung instantly lit up, and Jihyo couldn’t help but smile at their joy. Sana bit her lip, beaming as she watched the girls.

Jihyo looked at Sana, her expression unreadable. “Are you serious?” she asked, still processing the surprise.

“Come on! Let’s go!” Sana said, leading the way with the girls bouncing ahead, full of excitement.

As they walked, Sana glanced back at Jihyo and asked, “What do you think?”

Jihyo met her gaze and warned playfully, “If I end up getting attached to a puppy because of you, I’m going to be really mad.”

Sana raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. “How do you think we got Ray?”

Jihyo opened her mouth to protest, but Sana quickly added, “I’m just kidding! But… It's a cafe that opened a couple of years ago and serves as a kind of shelter. They use the profits from the café to care for the puppies. They look for volunteers from time to time to help out, and Mina and I come here every now and then to do just that.” 

Jihyo’s heart warmed at the thought, and she felt a swell of admiration for Sana. “That sounds amazing,” she said, her voice softening. 

Sana nodded enthusiastically. “On Saturdays, they have a lot of activities with the puppies! It really helps them get adopted faster.”

Jihyo smiled, feeling excited as they finally arrived at the café. They walked in, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. A few people were seated, and they could hear the lively barks and playful sounds of puppies in the courtyard.

As they entered, a woman Jihyo didn’t recognize spotted Sana and exclaimed, “Sana!”

Sana’s face lit up as she recognized her. “Miyeon!” she called, rushing over to embrace her tightly.

“I haven’t seen you in months!” Miyeon said, stepping back to look at Sana.

“I know, I’m sorry! I’ve been busy with work,” Sana replied, her voice warm.

Miyeon nodded understandingly and then turned to Jihyo and the girls, smiling brightly. “And who are these lovely girls?” 

Sana beamed, “This is Tzuyu and Chaeyoung, and this is Jihyo, a… friend of mine.”

Jihyo smiled at Miyeon and greeted her. “Hi, It’s nice to meet you,” she said, the girls following her lead.

Miyeon returned the smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all, I hope you get to see the puppies today.”

Sana nodded eagerly. “We’re hoping to stay a bit while the girls play”

“Absolutely! You know where everything is. Just call me if you need anything, anything at all,” Miyeon said.

“Thank you” Sana replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement as they began to walk further into the café.

As they walked, Sana placed a discreet hand on Jihyo’s back to guide her, and Jihyo unconsciously leaned closer to her. The connection felt comforting, and Jihyo couldn’t shake the flutter of anticipation in her heart.

She guided them through the café, which was charming and cozy, albeit a bit small inside. Jihyo could see a few tables occupied by people chatting, the warmth of the atmosphere enveloping them. 

“Come on, they’re outside!” Sana exclaimed, leading the way toward the patio. 

As they stepped outside, Jihyo was greeted by a spacious area with lush green grass surrounded by a white fence. There were even more people outside, playing with a handful of puppies. The sight was heartwarming, and the girls couldn’t contain their excitement. 

“Puppies!” Tzuyu and Chaeyoung shouted, and they immediately took off running toward the playful dogs.

“Be careful!” Jihyo called after them, but the girls were too caught up in their joy to hear her.

Sana couldn’t help but laugh, watching the children run freely. She then bent down to greet one of the puppies that bounded up to her, showering it with affection. 

“What do you think now?” Sana asked, standing back up after giving the puppy some love

Jihyo pouted playfully, “I want to take them all home” 

Sana laughed, “That happens, come on” She took Jihyo’s hand and pulled her toward one of the benches that were set up. They both sat down, their shoulders and legs brushing against each other, a comforting closeness that made Jihyo’s heart flutter.

Sana leaned down, picking up one of the puppies that had wandered over to them, cradling it in her arms. She gently placed it in her lap, petting its soft fur. Jihyo watched with a smile, feeling a warmth spread through her as she leaned closer to join in, reaching out to pet the puppy as well. 

The feeling of joy was contagious, and Jihyo couldn't help but smile wider. “They’re all so adorable,” she said softly

Sana laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. “They really are,” she said, carefully handing the puppy over to Jihyo. Jihyo took it in her arms, gently petting its soft fur, her heart swelling with warmth. 

“That’s why I love coming here,” Sana continued, watching Jihyo with a smile. 

Jihyo looked up, curious. “Because of them?” 

“Yeah, they’re amazing,” Sana said, “but it’s also about the people. I don’t have many friends, as you know. That girl who greeted me, Miyeon, I met her here, and she’s just incredible. There are so many people like that, who just want to help, who want to contribute something.” 

She glanced over at the girls, who were playing in the grass a little farther away, laughter ringing through the air. A smile spread across Sana’s face as she turned back to Jihyo. “I do this for them too,” she said softly. 

Jihyo couldn’t help but smile at Sana’s sincerity. Sana then bent down to pick up another puppy that was whining softly, cradling it gently in her arms. “I just love helping,” she added, her voice filled with warmth. 

Jihyo looked at her, admiration shining in her eyes. The puppy in her lap had fallen asleep, its tiny body rising and falling with each breath. In a moment of spontaneity, Jihyo reached out and discreetly took Sana’s hand, tracing a gentle pattern on her knuckles with her fingers. 

“You’re incredible,” Jihyo said, her voice sincere. “Not just because you’re great with kids, or because you’re amazing at your job and volunteer here in your free time, but because you genuinely care. For you, it’s all more than just… living life. It’s deeper than that. It’s… it’s love. It’s really incredible.” 

Sana chuckled softly, squeezing Jihyo’s hand while her other hand continued to pet the puppy. “I just feel like I’m doing my part, you know? I’m not trying to be a saint or anything. I just want to help people and animals. It’s… well, it feels good.”

Jihyo smiled, leaning a little more into Sana. “You are. It’s really good, so much,” she replied, her voice warm and sincere.

Sana leaned in slightly as well, feeling the warmth radiating from Jihyo’s body beside her. She wanted nothing more than to rest her head on Jihyo’s shoulder and close her eyes, soaking in the peaceful moment. But she knew she couldn’t, not with so many people around, and especially not in front of the girls.

With a soft sigh, she let the puppy go to play, feeling a tinge of reluctance. “Alright, come on!” she declared, standing up.

“Where are you going?” Jihyo asked, curious.

Sana smiled brightly. “We came here for one thing: to have fun. And this still counts as our first official date,” she teased, extending her hand toward Jihyo. “Just a more family-friendly version.”

Jihyo’s face lit up, and she couldn’t help but smile back. She adjusted the sleeping puppy and took Sana’s hand, rising to her feet. 

As they approached the girls, Tzuyu's eyes lit up when she spotted Jihyo. “Mommy! Look!” she shouted, pointing excitedly, “There’s a puppy that looks just like Chaeyoung!”

“Hey!” Chaeyoung protested, crossing her arms with a playful pout, which only made Sana laugh as she knelt down beside them to join in the fun.

Hours passed, and with countless joyful moments shared, Sana finally sighed, brushing some grass off her clothes as she slowly stood up. 

“Where are you going?” Jihyo asked, tilting her head.

“I’m going to get something to drink for the girls,” Sana replied, glancing back at the playful scene. “Do you want anything?”

Jihyo shook her head. “No, I’m good.”

“Okay, I won’t be long, beautiful,” Sana said with a charming smile.

Jihyo felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she looked down, hoping the girls hadn’t heard the nickname. 

Sana grinned and walked toward the entrance, her heart light. Once inside, she scanned the café, looking for someone to place an order with, but all she saw were customers seated, enjoying their drinks. 

Not finding anyone, she bit her lip in slight frustration and approached the counter, but just as she was about to turn around, she bumped into someone. 

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Sana exclaimed, she looked up to see Miyeon standing there, a playful smile on her face. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling back. “You scared me!” she said, feigning annoyance.

“I’m sorry! I just wanted to surprise you!” Miyeon laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Sana chuckled, “Well, you definitely surprised me.”

“How’s everything going?” Miyeon asked, leaning casually against the counter.

“Really well! We’re having a great time. I just came in to grab something to drink for the girls,” Sana replied.

Miyeon nodded, biting her lip as she glanced at Sana, a hint of something unspoken in her eyes. “Let me take you back. I’ll help you.”

Sana agreed with a nod, following Miyeon as they walked past the counter toward the back area of the café. They entered a small storage room, and just a few moments later, Sana felt arms wrap around her waist from behind, followed by Miyeon’s breath on her neck.

Sana’s heart raced as Miyeon raised a hand to brush her hair away from her neck, leaning slightly forward as her lips grazed her skin. 

“What are you doing?” Sana whispered, feeling a mix of surprise and tension coursing through her.

Miyeon smiled softly, “Just like old times. I’ll be quick, I promise. I missed you so much when you stopped volunteering. You didn’t even tell me or send a message…”

She felt a surge of panic as Miyeon’s hand brushed closer to the zipper of her pants. She quickly caught Miyeon’s wrist, stopping her. “No,” she said firmly, taking a step back to create distance.

Miyeon pouted, looking genuinely confused. “Why not?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Sana grimaced, feeling the weight of the moment. “I’m seeing someone else,” she admitted, her voice quieter than before.

Miyeon's expression shifted, surprise flickering in her eyes. “Really?! Why didn’t you tell me?! Who is it?!” 

Sana bit her lip, feeling a mix of emotions. “—I can’t tell you,” she said, her heart racing.

“Oh my god, Is it serious?” Miyeon pressed, her curiosity evident.

“Yes,” Sana replied, feeling a sense of finality in her words. “It’s… incredible.”

Miyeon’s expression softened, and she crossed her arms, looking up at Sana. “Wow. Who is it?!” 

“I’m not saying,” Sana insisted, her resolve firm.

“Please! If you’re not going to sleep with me anymore, can you at least tell me?” Miyeon urged, her tone playful yet serious.

Sana shook her head. “No, and besides, that deal ended a long time ago.” 

“Sure, sure. Just tell me! I want to know who it is,” Miyeon said, raising an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Sana turned toward the door of the storage room, opening it. “You should be doing your job and getting drinks for the girls,” she said, trying to shift the conversation.

“Wait! Tell me! Who is she? Is the girl you came with?” Miyeon pressed, following her as Sana stepped out.

“I'm not telling you anything,” Sana said, glancing over her shoulder as Miyeon continued to press her.

“Please! Just tell me!” Miyeon insisted, her voice rising slightly, drawing the attention of a couple of customers nearby. 

Sana felt heat rush to her cheeks, and she turned back, accidentally bumping into Miyeon. “If you serve me some drinks for the girls, I might tell you,” Sana said, trying to negotiate.

Miyeon crossed her arms, a teasing smile on her face. “I’m not as dumb as I look!”

Sana chuckled, turning away again, but Miyeon stopped her. “Okay, okay, I’ll do it!” she said, the playfulness in her tone making Sana smile.

Sana nodded, watching Miyeon walk behind the counter. Within moments, Miyeon was pouring drinks, and she handed a couple of them to Sana. “Here you go! My special recipe. They’ll love it!”

“Thanks,” Sana said, taking the drinks.

“Now, tell me who she is!” Miyeon pressed, her excitement bubbling over. “I’ve been waiting YEARS for you to date someone, and now you finally are, and you won’t tell me? I thought we were ex-friends with benefits who had trust!”

Sana rolled her eyes at the last part, feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement. “I’ll tell you, but if you tell anyone else besides Shuhua, I swear I’ll—”

Miyeon nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Okay, it’s the girl I came with, Jihyo,” Sana finally admitted.

Miyeon’s expression shifted to pure excitement. “Oh my god! What’s she like? How long have you been dating? Does she treat you well? Is she nice?”

Sana couldn’t help but smirk at the barrage of questions. “Those weren’t part of the deal,” she said, turning on her heel.

She heard Miyeon complain behind her, but Sana chose to ignore it. 

She returned to the patio, drinks in hand, and smiled when she spotted Jihyo. She leaned down and handed the beverages to the girls, her face lighting up with joy as they accepted them, giggling and chatting excitedly.

Sana felt her heart swell as Jihyo turned to her, nudging her shoulder playfully. “Are you okay? You took a while,” Jihyo asked, concern flickering in her eyes.

Sana nodded, gently lowering her hand to take Jihyo’s. “Yeah, nothing happened,” she reassured, her voice calm.

Jihyo smiled, visibly relaxing as she glanced back at the girls, who were now animatedly talking to one of the volunteers. “Did Tzuyu liked any specific puppy?” Sana asked, curious.

“I don’t know” Jihyo shrugged, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “I’m pretty sure she played with all of them.”

Sana chuckled, nodding in agreement. She glanced up at the sky, noticing that it was getting late and the colors were deepening into shades of dusk. A chill began to settle in the air, prompting her to check her watch. “Do you think it’s… time to go?” she asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

Jihyo nodded slowly, looking around at the girls. “Yeah, it’s probably time, but I don’t think it’s going to be easy,” she said, eyeing the group with a knowing smile.

Sana laughed, “Maybe not, but we can always come back again.” 

Jihyo’s eyes sparkled with agreement. “Yeah, definitely,” she said as let out a soft sigh, “Alright, I’ll let them know,” she said, glancing at the girls. 

Sana shook her head with a smile. “No, I’ll do it. It might be easier that way.” 

Jihyo pouted, crossing her arms. “If you keep this up, I’ll end up being the least favorite” 

Sana laughed, her heart light. “Stay right here,” she said, walking over to the girls.

As she approached, Tzuyu noticed her and turned, beaming. “Look!” she exclaimed, holding out a tiny puppy in her hands. It was small, with two shades of brown fur. “Her name is Kaya! Isn’t she adorable?”

Sana smiled widely. “She is! And very playful too,” she replied, leaning down to get a better look.

Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! She’s so sweet!” 

Sana’s heart swelled at Tzuyu’s excitement. “Wow, you also got some stickers?” she asked, noticing the colorful stickers in Tzuyu's other hand.

“Yep! This place is amazing!” Tzuyu beamed.

Just then, Chaeyoung approached with a tired smile on her face. Sana's heart warmed as she reached out her hand. “Hey, come here” 

Chaeyoung took Sana’s hand, and Sana pulled her closer. “We will come back soon, okay?, I promise,” she reassured the girls.

Chaeyoung’s eyes brightened. “Will it just be the three of us?” 

Sana glanced back at Jihyo, who was watching them. “Yes, just us three,” she said with a playful smile.

The girls nodded eagerly, and Sana continued, “But for now, it's time to go. It’s getting late, and I think we’re all a bit tired.” 

Chaeyoung pouted, and Tzuyu mirrored her expression, though she nodded in agreement. 

“Come on now” she said.

They nodded, Tzuyu gently placing Kaya on the floor. “I’ll see you soon, Kaya!” she said with a wave, her eyes sparkling.

Sana watched them fondly as Tzuyu finally stood up and ran over to Jihyo, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug. Jihyo held her close, a soft smile on her face. Sana walked towards them, still holding little Chaeyoung's hand.

“That was easier than I thought it would be,” Sana said to Jihyo, who nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, it really was,” Jihyo replied, both of them sharing a smile as they made their way into the café. The atmosphere was quieter now, with fewer people around. They navigated through the café, heading towards the exit.

As they approached the door, Sana glanced around discreetly, searching for Miyeon, but she didn’t see her. Biting her lip, she stepped outside, feeling the cool evening air hit her face. Jihyo and the girls followed her, and they began walking towards the car.

Once they were all inside, Sana let out a sigh of relief, glancing at the girls through the rearview mirror. “Did you have fun?” she asked.

Chaeyoung immediately perked up. “Yes! So much!” 

Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically, a smile stretching across her face. 

Sana grinned, turning to Jihyo. “I knew they would love it.”

Jihyo rolled her eyes playfully but smiled back. “You were right. It was incredible,” she said.

With a satisfied nod, Sana turned the car on and carefully backed out of the parking spot. 

To no one's surprise, Chaeyoung was the first to fall asleep, her head resting on Tzuyu’s small shoulder, softly snoring.

Sana smiled softly at the sight in the mirror, realizing Tzuyu wouldn’t last much longer either. “I was going to suggest getting ice cream before heading home, but I don’t think that’s possible now,” she said to Jihyo.

Jihyo turned to look at the sleeping girls and chuckled. “I can’t blame them; it’s been a long day,” she replied, shaking her head with a smile.

Sana nodded, biting her lip as she reached out to take Jihyo’s hand, intertwining their fingers. Jihyo squeezed her hand gently, resting it in her lap. “It really has been. I just want to get home and sleep,” Sana admitted.

Jihyo raised an eyebrow playfully. “I didn’t know you had such little energy.”

Sana pouted in mock offense. “It’s not my fault! I played too much with them!”

Jihyo laughed, her gaze drifting to the window as she absentmindedly traced patterns on Sana’s knuckles. “Thank you” she said with a soft sigh.

Sana glanced at her, curious. “Why are you thanking me?”

Jihyo shrugged, lifting Sana’s hand to place a delicate kiss on her knuckles. “For being so incredible,” she replied, her eyes warm. “For everything.”

Sana turned to gaze at her, a mix of surprise and warmth flooding through her. “You don’t have to thank me for anything,” she said, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. “I enjoy spending time with you, and I love being with the girls. I know you’re all a package deal, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Jihyo smiled softly, her eyes sparkling. “Sometimes I can’t believe you’re a real person,” she said, a hint of awe in her voice.

“Should I be flattered?” Sana quipped back.

“Absolutely!” Jihyo said, her tone playful yet genuine. “I don’t know how it happened, but I feel so lucky to have you.”

Sana felt her cheeks warm, a shy smile spreading across her face. “Looks like I’ll have to get used to you being all cheesy like this, huh?” 

Jihyo grinned and leaned over, planting a quick kiss on Sana’s cheek, leaving her heart fluttering. “Only for you,” she said with a wink. 

Sana smiled, refocusing on the road as the silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the soft snores of the girls and the scenery passing by outside. After a moment, Jihyo made a small sound, turning to look at Sana. “I have a question,” she said, her curiosity piqued.

Sana nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“About Miyeon, the girl we met earlier—How did you two meet?” Jihyo asked, tilting her head slightly.

Sana tensed a bit, her grip on the steering wheel tightening. “When I came to the city, Mina had this weird obsession with wanting to ‘change’ or whatever and go out exploring. It didn’t last long, as you can imagine,” she explained, her tone growing serious. “But one of those explorations led us to that place, and Miyeon was already working there. We became… friends. It just happened naturally.”

Jihyo nodded, observing the slight frown on Sana’s face. “Did you two… stop talking?” she asked gently.

“Not really,” Sana replied, a hint of hesitation in her voice. “There was a small period where we didn’t, but we were both busy with various things. Then I started working, and everything got complicated.”

Jihyo bit her lip, seeming to contemplate her next question. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Did you ever… go out with her?”

Sana shook her head immediately, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “No! We never did. I mean, we just… didn’t. It was….” 

“Was it something more?” Jihyo interjected, her interest piqued.

Sana looked at Jihyo, a flicker of guilt passing over her features. Jihyo smiled reassuringly, “Hey, don’t worry too much. I’m not interrogating you; I just want to know more about you. I won’t be upset.”

Sana sighed softly, a smile returning to her face. “It was something more,” she admitted quietly. “But not in the way you might think. It was complicated.” 

Jihyo nodded, her expression understanding. “I get it,” she said, squeezing Sana’s hand gently. 

Sana smiled at Jihyo, feeling the flicker of guilt fade as she continued to share. “Yeah, it was… natural, I suppose. I was new there, hardly knew anyone, and Miyeon was just… there. But we never actually dated,” she explained.

Jihyo nodded, her gaze lowering thoughtfully. Sana glanced at her from the corner of her eye, adding, “But everything ended a long time ago anyway. I knew it had to. It was good, and we’re still great friends.”

Jihyo looked ahead, her expression contemplative. “Are you okay?” Sana asked gently.

“Yeah, it’s just… I never thought you would…” Jihyo trailed off, her voice a bit hesitant.

Sana raised an eyebrow, teasingly. “You didn’t think I would have done something like that?” 

“No! Not at all! I’m not judging you, really. It’s just… surprising,” Jihyo clarified, her tone earnest.

Sana chuckled softly, reassuring her. “It’s fine. I wanted to experience things, to see what was out there. But it turned out that something like that wasn’t really for me.”

Jihyo nodded in understanding. After a moment, she bit her lip and hesitated. “So, if that wasn't for you… what is?” she asked, her voice small but curious.

Sana looked at Jihyo, her heart racing as she smiled warmly. “You,” she replied softly.

Jihyo froze for a moment, surprise evident in her eyes before she quickly turned a shade of pink. “Who’s being cheesy now?” she teased, playfully nudging Sana’s shoulder.

Sana smiled brightly at Jihyo, feeling a rush of warmth. “It’s still you,” she said softly, her eyes glimmering with sincerity.

—

As they finally arrived at Jihyo's house, Jihyo felt a wave of relief wash over her. The house was quiet, the lights off, and when Sana parked the car, Jihyo let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Sana, who was also taking in the empty surroundings. 

“Let’s go,” Sana said, a determined glint in her eyes.

Jihyo looked at her, slightly confused. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll help you with the girls,” Sana replied, her smile reassuring.

Jihyo nodded, feeling grateful for Sana’s willingness to help as they both climbed out of the car. Sana carefully lifted Chaeyoung into her arms, the little girl making a soft sound but not waking up. Jihyo took hold of Tzuyu, and together they made their way to the front door.

Jihyo unlocked the door, and they stepped inside. She sighed, flicking on the light. “Sorry for the mess,” she said, glancing around.

“It's fine,” Sana responded with a smile, her eyes warm. 

“Follow me,” Jihyo instructed, and Sana nodded, following her up the stairs carefully. Jihyo walked to Tzuyu’s room and opened the door, gently placing Tzuyu down, taking off her shoes with care. 

Sana followed suit, laying Chaeyoung down in her own little bed and mirroring Jihyo’s actions. Jihyo nodded appreciatively at Sana, then turned on the small lamp in Tzuyu’s room, casting a soft glow around the space.

Once they were done, they stepped out and Jihyo closed the door behind them. When she turned around, Sana was smiling at her, and Jihyo felt a rush of warmth. Without thinking, she dashed forward, wrapping her arms around Sana’s neck and kissing her.

Sana was momentarily surprised, but she quickly melted into the kiss, her hands finding their way to Jihyo’s waist, sighing against her lips. When Jihyo pulled away, she looked at Sana with a playful smile. “I didn’t get to kiss you earlier,” she said softly.

 Sana smiled and nodded, leaning in to kiss her again. This time, it was a slow, lingering kiss, filled with tenderness. One of Sana's hands gently caressed Jihyo's cheek, while she tilted her head slightly to deepen the kiss. 

Jihyo sighed softly, her hand weaving through Sana's hair as she kissed her back, leaving light nibbles on Sana's lips. The moment felt electric, and Sana couldn't help but smile as she pulled away, planting a gentle kiss on the small mole on Jihyo's nose.

Jihyo grinned, her heart swelling as she wrapped her arms tightly around Sana, breathing in her scent, warmth, and presence. "I could get used to this," Jihyo murmured, feeling utterly content.

Sana sighed happily, savoring the moment before Jihyo finally pulled back slightly. “Do you want to stay a bit longer?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.

Sana smiled and placed a soft kiss, this time on Jihyo's forehead. “I’d love to, but I can’t. I have to take care of something,” she replied gently.

Jihyo pouted playfully, her bottom lip jutting out. 

Sana couldn’t help but chuckle at her expression. Leaning down, she brushed a light kiss over Jihyo's closed eye, whispering, “I’ll see you on Monday. We can do something then.”

Jihyo nodded eagerly, a small smile returning to her face. “Yes, let’s definitely do that,” she said, taking Sana's hand and beginning to walk. “Let me take you to your car.”

Sana smiled as they walked down the stairs together.

Once they reached the bottom, they approached the front door. Sana stood behind Jihyo, waiting for her to open it, but Jihyo hesitated.

Suddenly, Jihyo turned around and kissed Sana again, slowly and deeply. The kiss sent a rush of warmth through Sana, who sighed contentedly as she melted into it. As their lips moved together, Sana gently traced her tongue along Jihyo’s lower lip, savoring the sweetness there. 

Jihyo’s hands found their way to Sana's neck, and she breathed out softly against her lips as they pulled apart. “Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling.

Sana rolled her eyes playfully, leaning in to kiss her again. “If you keep thanking me, I won’t kiss you for a week,” she teased, a grin spreading across her face.

Jihyo huffed, pretending to be annoyed. “You wouldn’t do that!” she exclaimed, but the smile on her lips gave her away.

Their lips met once more, and Sana slid her hands around Jihyo’s waist, feeling the warmth of her body through the fabric of her shirt. “No, really, I wouldn't,” Sana said, her voice low as she pulled back slightly.

“I really have to go now,” she said gently.

Jihyo nodded, leaning in to kiss her one last time, a soft parting gesture. “I know,” she murmured, kissing her again, as if trying to savor the moment. 

Sana reciprocated the kiss, but then gently pulled away, her heart heavy. “Really, I have to go,” she insisted, her voice firm yet soft.

Jihyo sighed, looking a bit defeated but understanding. “I know,” she said, a hint of reluctance in her tone. “Just… call me soon?”

“I will,” Sana promised, smiling at her. 

With a small, determined breath, Jihyo opened the door, and Sana watched as she stepped outside. They walked together towards the car, and Sana turned to her, confidence shining in her smile. “I’ll see you soon,” she said reassuringly.

Jihyo nodded, wrapping her arms around Sana and burying her face in the crook of her neck. “Mmm, I’ll miss you,” she murmured, breathing in Sana's comforting scent.

Sana smiled, gently stroking Jihyo’s hair. “You should rest too, okay? And tell Jeongyeon to recover quickly,” she advised.

Jihyo pulled back, nodding earnestly. “I will. Thanks for reminding me.” 

Sana grinned, her eyes sparkling. “And make sure to say goodbye to Tzuyu and Chae for me.”

“Of course,” Jihyo replied, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. 

“Okay,” Sana said, leaning in to kiss Jihyo one last time, slowly savoring the moment. As she pulled away, she whispered softly, “I like you, a lot.”

Jihyo puffed her cheeks, shaking her head playfully. “You should really go now, or I won’t let you leave,” she teased.

Sana rolled her eyes, a smile still on her lips. “I was just trying to be cheesy!”

“Leave the cheesiness to me,” Jihyo shot back, her own smile breaking through.

Sana laughed as she finally got into the car, rolling down the window. “It was a good attempt, though” she called out teasingly.

Jihyo leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Sana’s cheek. “It’s true, I like you too,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing.

Sana’s grin widened even more. “Goodbye, Jihyo. I’ll see you soon,” she said, her heart soaring.

“Goodbye, Sana” Jihyo echoed, stepping back a little. With one last lingering look, Sana started the car and began to drive away. 

Jihyo stood there, watching Sana leave, her heart pounding in her chest and a goofy smile plastered on her face.