Foolish
“Okay, but really, what are the chances I won't have to turn in the essay for the next class?” Dahyun asked, pouting at Mina while wrapping her arm around hers.
Mina sighed. “You know I only have control in one class, right? I can't magically make you not turn in assignments for all the others.” She looked at Dahyun. “Besides, now that you mention it, you owe me two reports.”
Dahyun groaned. “Do I really have to turn them in?” She looked at Mina pleadingly.
“Yes,” Mina said, unfazed, walking normally down the hallway. “I don't want to have to fail you.”
“Fail me?!” Dahyun finally pulled away to look at her, and Mina stopped. “Would you really do that?!”
“Well, I mean, yes. I’m the teacher,” Mina raised her eyebrows, amused.
“Yeah, and I'm your girlfriend!” Dahyun protested. “I should have more power!”
“All you want is to pass my class without doing anything,” Mina huffed, searching in her bag for the apartment key. “Was that your secret? You sleep with me just for good grades?” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, smiling.
Dahyun rolled her eyes. “Of course, you caught me. What gave me away?”
“Maybe the fact that you didn't want Ray to sleep with us,” Mina pouted, turning to look at Dahyun.
“Babe,” Dahyun looked at her incredulously, and Mina had to resist giving in when she heard the nickname. “He was covered in mud; were you really going to dirty the sheets like that? He needed a bath, and I gave him one!”
“You also dirty the sheets sometimes, and we still sleep together,” Dahyun grimaced, but Mina continued, “So tell me, do you really only sleep with me to pass my class, huh?”
“Yeah, because I love traveling half an hour to your apartment on the subway, sleeping at your place, and bothering Sana just for that,” Dahyun retorted, rolling her eyes.
Mina smiled and leaned in to kiss Dahyun, slowly and delicately. She smiled into the kiss as Dahyun moved closer, caressing her cheek in a repetitive pattern.
After a moment, they finally pulled away, both a bit breathless. Mina unlocked the front door, holding it open for Dahyun to pass through first. The place was dark and quiet, and Mina wondered if Sana was home. She flicked on the lights and spotted Sana's coat hanging by the door. So yes, she was there.
Mina started to walk down the hallway, but she didn't get very far before Dahyun was right behind her, wrapping her arms around her in a warm embrace. “Got you,” Dahyun whispered playfully, pulling Mina closer and leaning in for another kiss.
Mina smiled into the kiss, returning the affection as she took a small step back, but Dahyun kept her close. After a few moments, they pulled apart slightly, and Mina asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Yeah,” Dahyun replied, her eyes sparkling. “But I don’t want you to cook. It’s better if we just order something.”
Mina nodded, leaning in to kiss Dahyun again, but this time the kiss didn’t last long. Just as they stumbled into the living room, a loud bark interrupted them.
Mina giggled, pretending to ignore it, as Ray sometimes did this. She continued the kiss, laughing softly against Dahyun's lips, but another bark rang out, followed by another and another, until Mina had no choice but to pull away from Dahyun to see what was going on.
She noticed two things: Ray was sprawled on the couch, wagging his tail occasionally, and another dog was barking from the living room.
Mina froze, and Dahyun noticed, turning to see the same sight. “What the...?” Mina exclaimed, her eyes wide. “Sana!”
“A puppy?” Dahyun asked, sounding both confused and amused.
Mina shouted toward the stairs, “Sana! What did you bring home?!”
The sound of Sana's footsteps coming down the stairs was quick, and Mina turned to see her. “What is that?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sana smiled slightly, and just then, the little dog dashed toward Mina, its tail wagging furiously. Sana bent down and scooped the puppy into her arms. “This is a puppy!” she announced, beaming.
“I know it's a puppy!” Mina replied, her hands on her hips. “What is it doing here?!”
Dahyun made a cute noise, stepping closer to pet the little dog. “Aww, look at her!” she cooed.
Sana bit her lip, trying to suppress her smile. “Her name is Kaya,” she said proudly.
“Hey there, Kaya!” Dahyun greeted, leaning to give the puppy some gentle scratches behind her ears. The little dog squirmed, trying to escape Sana's hold, and Sana obliged, placing her on the floor.
As soon as her paws touched the ground, Kaya bounded over to Dahyun, who continued to shower her with affection.
Sana looked at Mina, a sheepish expression on her face. “I didn’t know where else to bring her,” she admitted.
Mina sighed dramatically. “The landlord is going to kill us,” she said, shaking her head.
Dahyun turned to Mina, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Do you think he wants to fight you?”
“Honestly, that guy doesn’t care about my last name,” Mina replied, her tone serious. “He’s going to kill us, and now we have to take care of a puppy!”
Sana shook her head vigorously, her eyes sparkling. “No! That’s not it! Kaya is a gift!”
Mina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. “A gift for who, exactly?”
Sana grinned, her voice triumphant. “For Tzuyu!”
Mina raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. “Are you serious? A gift for Tzuyu?”
“Absolutely!” Sana replied, her excitement palpable. “Tzuyu loved Kaya when she met her, and now Kaya is going to have a home!”
Mina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Oh my god, you’re being serious right now. This is what you came up with?”
“Of course I am!” Sana insisted. “What’s wrong with that? Do you think I went too far?”
Mina shook her head. “No, it was too far when you gave a ring to Jihyo before you were even dating! Now you’re giving a dog to her daughter?!”
Dahyun interjected, her voice cheerful. “I think it’s a really sweet gesture!”
Mina shot her a look. “No, you don’t get to talk right now.”
“Yes, she does!” Sana chimed in, a playful grin on her face. “Go on, Dahyun”
Dahyun held Kaya in her arms, the puppy squirming happily. “Girls love puppies! They’re adorable! And from what Sana has told us, Tzuyu could really use the company, and so could Jihyo!”
Mina threw her hands up in exasperation. “Great, now we’re playing puppy matchmaker. What’s next? A cat for Sana?”
Sana laughed, waving her hands dismissively. “No cats! Just Kaya, who is perfect for Tzuyu!”
“Does Jihyo even know about this?” Mina asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not really,” Sana admitted, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I want it to be a surprise”
“Do you have any idea if they can actually take care of a puppy?” Mina questioned, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
“Of course they can!” Sana replied confidently. “I’ll help out, and Jihyo has been less busy with work lately. Plus, Tzuyu absolutely fell in love with her! What more could I do?”
Mina sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. Just then, Sana added, “Besides, Ray could use a friend too! They’re already getting along.”
Mina sighed again, feeling a mix of resignation and acceptance, but Dahyun, standing next to her, held the puppy up to Mina's face.
“Look at her!” Dahyun urged, her voice playful.
Mina tried to resist, but as Kaya wagged her tail and looked up at her with those big, innocent eyes, she couldn’t help but soften. Finally, she sighed, reaching out to gently pet Kaya before taking her from Dahyun’s hands. “Fine, I guess it’s okay,” she relented.
Dahyun and Sana cheered, jumping up and down in excitement. “Yes! Thank you, Mina!” Sana exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.
Sana then leaned in to plant a quick, sweet kiss on Mina's cheek. Dahyun did the same, grinning as she said, “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist!”
Mina sighed, lowering her gaze as she pet Kaya affectionately. “It was totally unfair,” she muttered, unable to hide the smile creeping onto her face.
“Unfair or not, it worked,” Dahyun declared.
Mina walked over to the couch, settling down with Kaya still in her arms. “But what about Jihyo’s husband?” she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
Sana rolled her eyes slightly. “He won’t be a problem.”
“How can you be so sure?” Mina questioned, her worry evident.
Sana shrugged. “He might be an idiot and an absolutely terrible husband, but he adores Tzuyu. He won’t do anything.”
Mina sighed, looking down at Kaya, who was now sleeping peacefully in her lap. “I just hope that’s true.”
Dahyun sat beside Mina, her expression softening. “It’s a really sweet gesture, though.”
Mina opened her mouth to ask something else, but Sana interrupted her. “Stop worrying!”
Mina sighed again. “I’m trying, and I’m really happy, but… what do you think will happen when her husband finds out you were the one who gave her the puppy?”
Sana paused, her smile fading slightly. “I don’t know. What could happen? It’s a gift for Tzuyu, not for Jihyo. He can’t blame me for anything, even if he’s an uncouth jerk or whatever.”
Dahyun chimed in, “It really sounds like you hate him.”
Sana raised an eyebrow. “How could I not? I’ve only met him twice, and neither time was pleasant. He treats Jihyo horribly. Of course I hate him! But I know the feeling is mutual, and I don’t care. I won’t let him ruin something so beautiful for Tzuyu.”
Mina nodded, feeling a mix of admiration for Sana’s resolve and concern for the potential fallout. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want you to get hurt or have any trouble because of this.”
Sana nodded, her expression earnest. “I won’t let him get to me, I promise.”
Mina sighed, feeling slightly reassured as she nodded in response. Dahyun, sitting beside her, leaned her head against Mina’s shoulder, creating a cozy atmosphere.
A moment of comfortable silence passed between them, the soft sounds of Kaya’s breathing filling the space. Finally, Mina broke the silence, glancing at Sana. “So, I suppose the date went well?”
Sana’s face lit up with a bright smile. “It was perfect”
Dahyun began to hum softly, then asked, “So, are you guys something more… official now?”
Sana hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering slightly as she replied, “No, not really.”
“Why not?” Dahyun pressed.
Sana shrugged, smiling a bit. “It doesn’t really matter to me. I’m not worried about Jihyo going out with other girls or guys or whatever. I’ve already told her I like her, explicitly, several times. I think that’s enough for now. I don’t want to pressure Jihyo at all, especially not to put a label on our relationship…”
Mina looked at her, saying, “That’s… actually, really mature of you.”
Sana beamed at the compliment. “I just don’t want to ruin this, not at all! Jihyo is incredible, I’m In love with her. I know it’s not easy, and I have to be patient and whatever.”
Mina hummed in agreement and said, “I’m sure things will work out.” She glanced down at the relaxed puppy resting in her lap and added, “And ike you said, maybe…Kaya is a good gift, a start.”
Sana nodded and smiled at the thought. Dahyun then asked, “When do you think you’ll give them the surprise?”
Sana replied, “I need to talk to Jihyo first, maybe sometime this week.” Sana sighed, continuing, “I also need to make sure Tzuyu is free; I promised I’d play with her.”
Mina smiled and said, “I want to meet her. And Chaeyoung as well; they sound lovely. Maybe you should invite them, perhaps Tzuyu first? I wouldn’t know what to do with two children at the same time.”
Sana chuckled, “Yeah, I’ll figure it out then. That way, it’ll be easier, I suppose.”
Mina nodded, sighing a little, “Okay then…”
—
“Thanks for bringing me, Dubu.”
“Eh, it’s nothing,” Dahyun replied with a sideways smile, looking at Sana. “It’s the least I could do for letting me stay over.”
Sana smiled back, but then sighed. “I have to go now if I don’t want to be late.”
Dahyun nodded, saying her goodbyes as Sana got out of the car. She walked quickly towards the building in front of her, trying not to look around. However, before she could make it to the elevator to go up, she collided firmly with someone. She stopped momentarily at the impact, letting out a small grunt as she stepped back, immediately starting to apologize.
“I’m so sorry, I’m really sorry…” Sana kept saying as she moved away, still in disbelief at what had just happened.
When she finally raised her gaze, she was almost left speechless. A woman stood there, looking at her intently, her lips moving, but Sana couldn’t quite hear what she was saying…
To say the woman was beautiful was an understatement; she was… divine. Sana cleared her throat, finally reacting. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t see where I was going,” she said, looking into the woman’s eyes. “Could you repeat what you said?”
The woman smiled warmly and replied, “It’s okay. I just wanted to check if you’re alright. That was quite a hit.”
Sana nodded vigorously. “Yes, I’m fine! I’m really sorry again. I was distracted and… wow, I’m really sorry!”
The woman chuckled softly. “It’s nothing, really. I wasn’t paying attention either.”
Sana felt a little more at ease, but then noticed the woman examining her with a curious glance, from head to toe. She felt her cheeks flush with warmth. “I… uh, I really have to go now or I’ll be late. I’m sorry!”
The woman hummed softly, tilting her head slightly. “What floor are you going to?”
“Last one,” Sana replied. “I work with—”
“Miss Park?” the woman interrupted.
Sana blinked, taken aback. “Yes. How did you know?”
The woman smiled brightly and extended her hand. “I’m Bae Irene.”
Sana grinned and shook her hand. “I’m Minatozaki—” Just as she was about to finish her introduction, another voice interrupted her.
“Sana!” someone shouted from a distance.
Sana barely had time to process the flash of surprise that crossed Irene's face before she turned to see Donghae walking toward her with a grin that made Sana want to roll her eyes. “There you are!”
Irene noticed the change in Sana’s demeanor, how she leaned slightly back as Donghae approached her. Sana forced a smile at Donghae, greeting him as he beamed back. “I’ve been looking for you but you seemed to be quite hard to reach”
Sana suppressed a grimace, biting her tongue to avoid saying something that probably wouldn’t be appropriate. Honestly, it was always the same with him. She felt exhausted, bored even. “Yeah, I’ve been busy with Miss Park,” she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Donghae made a face, clearly unimpressed. Sana clenched her fist, glancing sideways at Irene, who wore an expression that Sana could only describe as uninterested. It seemed Donghae noticed Irene’s presence too, as Sana saw his eyes widen slightly and his mouth open in surprise.
“Oh, and who do we have here?” he asked, stepping closer to Irene with that stupid grin he thought made him look charming. He extended a hand toward her.
Irene didn’t take his hand; instead, she looked him up and down with an unimpressed expression. “No need for that,” she said coolly.
Donghae cleared his throat, standing a bit straighter to appear taller. “I’m—”
“Choi Donghae,” Irene interrupted, her tone cutting through the air like ice. “I’ve heard things about you.”
Sana could almost see the gears turning in Donghae’s head as he processed Irene’s words, and she couldn’t help but notice the smile Irene gave him was completely false. The tension in the air was palpable, and Sana felt a mix of amusement and anxiety. What a way to kick off her day.
Donghae coughed lightly, puffing out his chest. “Yes, that’s me. It’s a pleasure to be recognized by such a beautiful woman, are you here to see me?” he asked, his confidence oozing. Sana almost scoffed at how stupidly self-assured he was; it was irritating.
Irene let out an audible huff. “Unfortunately, I’m not here to offer my services to you,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Then I can still help you get wherever you’re going,” Donghae offered, his smile unwavering.
Sana opened her mouth to say something—anything—to stop him, but Irene didn’t let her. “That won’t be necessary,” she interjected smoothly. “I’m sure Ms. Minatozaki can assist me just fine.”
Irene turned to Sana, her expression shifting to one of genuine curiosity. “Could I accompany you to your floor? I need to talk to Ms. Park as well.”
Sana was a bit surprised but nodded quickly. “Yes, of course!”
Irene smiled at her, then turned back to Donghae. “Well, it seems we’ll have to leave you here,” she said with a hint of finality.
She extended her hand to Sana, asking, “May I?”
Sana’s eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushing as she nodded. She took Irene’s hand, feeling a rush of warmth. It took all her willpower to force herself to look away from Donghae. Irene flashed a smile, but before Sana could catch her breath, Donghae spoke up again.
“Actually, I was hoping to talk to Sana for a moment,” he said, attempting to insert himself into the situation.
“I don’t think that will be possible right now,” Irene replied firmly, cutting him off before he could say anything else. Without waiting for a reaction, she moved closer to Sana, placing a hand on her back and guiding her away.
Sana sighed, avoiding Donghae’s gaze as they walked toward the elevator. Irene pressed the button, and when the doors opened, she gestured for Sana to enter first. As Irene stepped in behind her, Sana caught a glimpse of the slight smirk Irene shot at Donghae before the doors closed.
Once inside, Sana let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Irene, her expression grateful. “Thank you for that.”
Irene hummed softly, a playful glint in her eye. “It’s nothing. Just doing my part to help you escape,” she said, her tone light.
Sana sighed again, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned against the elevator wall. “I’m sorry too. Donghae can be… persevering.”
“I find him more irritating,” Irene replied, rolling her eyes playfully. “But I suppose I’m used to dealing with men like that.”
Sana nodded in agreement, her gaze drifting to the elevator doors. She bit her lip, wrestling with her thoughts. Finally, she mustered the courage to speak up. “Are you—um, are you some kind of partner of Ji—” She hesitated, catching herself. “Park?”
Irene smiled knowingly. “More like… a distant friend.”
Sana nodded, her curiosity piqued, but before she could probe further, the elevator doors opened. Irene stepped aside, allowing Sana to exit first. As Sana stepped out, she smiled and glanced at Momo, who was looking at her with a hint of confusion.
Momo stood up, her expression shifting to a warm smile. “Hello” she greeted, and Irene returned the smile, extending her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Bae Irene,” she introduced, her tone friendly.
Momo smiled back, shaking Irene's hand. “Hi! I’m Hirai Momo.”
Just then, the door to Jihyo’s office opened, and her voice rang out, calling for Irene. “Joohyun?”
Irene turned to face her, a bright smile lighting up her features. Sana’s eyes widened in surprise. “Joohyun?” she asked, confusion washing over her as she looked between Irene and Jihyo.
Jihyo caught Sana’s gaze, and a slight, reassuring smile crossed her lips, easing the tension in the air. She glanced at Joohyun, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Joohyun smiled, her eyes sparkling. “I needed to talk to you.”
Jihyo nodded, gesturing toward her office. “Then come in.”
Joohyun turned to Momo and Sana, apologetically saying, “Excuse me for a moment,” before walking toward the office.
Jihyo watched her go, then turned her attention back to Sana, giving her a slight nod. Sana mirrored the gesture but quickly turned away, feeling a rush of emotions. Jihyo closed the door to her office, leaving only Momo and Sana in the hallway.
Sana let out a sigh and sat down at her desk, trying to process everything. Momo followed suit, taking a seat beside her and glancing curiously at Sana. “What was that about?” she asked, tilting her head.
Sana feigned innocence. “What was what?”
Momo imitated Jihyo's earlier gesture, raising an eyebrow. “You know exactly what I mean.”
Sana rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Nothing, just a greeting.”
Momo raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Uh-huh,” she said, nodding slowly. “Do you know ‘Joohyun’?”
Sana shook her head. “Not really. I ran into her downstairs at the entrance. I bumped into her and she helped me scape from Donghae.”
The mention of Donghae reminded her of the tension earlier, and she sighed again. “Speaking of which, Donghae will probably show up since Irene didn’t give him a chance to get close.”
Momo looked at Sana with a smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, she is pretty, isn’t she?”
Sana blinked, caught off guard by Momo’s comment. “Uh, yeah… I guess?” She couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
Momo raised an eyebrow, teasingly humming as her fingers danced across the desk. “Do you think she’s prettier than Jihyo?”
Sana nearly choked on her saliva, coughing slightly. “W-What?”
“Come on! We both have eyes to see that Park is… gorgeous,” Momo pressed, a playful grin on her face.
Sana bit her lip, trying not to blush. “I don’t know... I hadn’t thought about it. Besides, Jihyo is... married or whatever.”
Sana felt a wave of hypocrisy wash over her. Not because she mentioned Jihyo’s marital status, but because she knew deep down that no one could compare to Jihyo in her eyes.
“Please,” Momo urged playfully. “I’m just asking if you think she’s cute, not if you’re going to propose or something.”
Sana flushed even deeper at the thought. “Well, what do you think?” she shot back, deflecting the question.
Momo shrugged, a thoughtful look on her face. “I don’t know. I just wanted to hear your answer. Plus, Irene she seems... mysterious? And she helped you with Donghae. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up asking for your number.”
Sana shook her head, incredulous. “You don’t even know if Irene likes girls! And besides…” she hesitated, feeling her cheeks heat up even more. “I’m not interested at the moment.”
Momo looked at Sana, analyzing her closely. Sana cursed in her mind; Momo was smarter than she seemed, and after the incident with the hickey, Momo definitely suspected something more. The silence stretched between them until Momo broke it again.
“Why not?” Momo asked, tilting her head slightly, her curiosity evident.
Sana sighed, feeling the weight of the question. “I just… I’m not looking for anything right now.” She glanced at Momo, hoping for her to understand, almost pleading for her to believe her. Honestly, Sana was the worst liar that existed.
Momo hummed thoughtfully, a teasing tone creeping into her voice. “Sure, sure.”
Sana cleared her throat, feeling flustered, and quickly turned her attention to her computer, flicking it on. “Okay then,” she said, trying to deflect the conversation.
But Momo didn't stay silent. She simply stared at Sana, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “But just hypothetically speaking, if you were looking for something… maybe Irene would be a good option?”
Sana’s eyes widened in exasperation. “Oh my god, shut up”
Momo raised her hands in surrender, a playful grin on her face. “Just saying”
—
“So,” Joohyun smiled, looking around, “this is your cave, huh?”
Jihyo rolled her eyes and walked over to her desk. “I don’t appreciate you calling it a cave.”
Joohyun laughed and took a seat in front of Jihyo's desk. Jihyo followed suit, settling into her chair. Joohyun glanced around the office, taking in the decor and the overall atmosphere. She sighed, feeling a bit more at ease. “Finally got the pleasure of meeting your girlfriend,” she said, a teasing tone in her voice. “Just be careful, or she’ll end up falling for me.”
Jihyo grunted, her cheeks flushing slightly. “She’s not my girlfriend—” but she stopped midway through her sentence, looking at Joohyun with a puzzled expression. “What do you mean, falling for you?!”
Joohyun chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m just joking! Come on, Seulgi would kill me. Besides, I can’t help it; it’s not my fault I’m so pretty!”
Jihyo rolled her eyes again, crossing her arms. “Did you just come here to have me listen to you talk about yourself, or do you actually have something important to say?”
Joohyun sighed, her playful demeanor fading slightly. “I know you’re upset because I disappeared all weekend, but I have a great explanation.”
Jihyo sighed too, her expression softening a bit. “Alright, go ahead.”
Joohyun took a deep breath, her tone shifting. “It’s about Seungwan…”
Jihyo furrowed her brow, concern creeping into her features. “What about her?”
Joohyun cleared her throat, glancing nervously at her fingers. “I’ve been thinking… I talked a little with the girls about everything that’s happened, and… I went to the hospital to speak with a couple of doctors about the situation.”
Jihyo nodded, still confused but attentive. Joohyun sighed again, her voice heavy. “It’s been a long time… too long, and Seungwan hasn’t woken up.”
Jihyo clenched her jaw, determination flaring in her eyes. “She will wake up, at some point.”
Joohyun looked at her, her expression serious. “We don’t know that, Jihyo.”
Jihyo's gaze shifted, a mix of frustration and worry washing over her. Joohyun continued, her voice softening. “I’m not saying they’re deciding anything right now, but… I don’t think I can keep seeing Seungwan lying in a hospital bed for much longer. It’s not fair to anyone. It’s not fair to you either…”
“What are you talking about? What are you trying to get at with… this?”
Joohyun leaned in slightly, her voice earnest. “I just want you to think about it. Think about what’s best for Seungwan.”
Jihyo shook her head, her resolve hardening. “I’ve always thought about what’s best for Seungwan. All those years, she’s getting better. She will improve; it’s just a matter of waking up at some point—”
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted them. Jihyo fell silent, clenching her jaw. “Yes?,” she called out, her tone a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
The door opened, and a very flustered Sana peeked in, hesitantly asking, “Can I come in?”
The expression on Jihyo’s face changed completely, her demeanor softening as she cleared her throat. “Yes, come in,” she replied, her voice more inviting.
Sana smiled sheepishly as she entered, saying, “I’m sorry, but Momo isn’t here, and I really need you to sign some things.”
Jihyo nodded, offering a slight smile as she gestured with her hand for Sana to come closer. “Sure, no problem,” she said warmly.
Sana approached, standing beside Jihyo and handing her the documents. Jihyo took them and quickly scanned through the pages. Meanwhile, Sana bit her lip, doing her best to avoid looking at Joohyun. She wasn’t sure why, but the presence of Joohyun made her feel… nervous? Maybe?
She cleared her throat slightly when she felt Joohyun’s gaze on her, looking down to hide her blush. Okay, she didn’t want to admit it in front of Momo, simply because she didn’t want her to suspect more than she already did, but Irene… Joohyun, or whatever her name was, really was beautiful.
She lifted her gaze slightly, just to catch a glimpse of Joohyun, who was now staring intently at Jihyo. Sana watched her, analyzing the way Joohyun's hair fell across her face and the subtle smile that played on her lips. It reminded her of Tzuyu in a way, and she sighed, smiling faintly to herself.
However, all of that was interrupted when a cough pulled her out of her thoughts. Blinking, she realized, with embarrassment, that she had been staring at Joohyun for far too long. Her cheeks flamed red as she quickly turned to Jihyo, who was looking at her with a surprised expression and a deep frown.
Sana opened her mouth to say something, to deny whatever Jihyo was probably about to ask her, but Jihyo beat her to it. “Were you… checking out Joohyun?”
Sana shot her hands up quickly, shaking her head vigorously. “No! I was just—”
Joohyun’s laughter rang out, cutting her off. “See, Jihyo? I told you!”
Jihyo rolled her eyes, “Shut up.”
Joohyun just laughed more, and Sana glanced at Jihyo with an apologetic expression. Jihyo sighed, shaking her head. “It’s fine,” she said, her tone softening.
“I didn’t mean to—” Sana started, but Jihyo interrupted again.
“It’s okay, really. It’s the effect… Bae or whatever,” Jihyo said
Joohyun nodded, reassuring them. “Don’t worry about it,” she said, winking at Sana, who nearly choked on her saliva.
Jihyo quickly stood up, looking at both of them. “Okay, I think that’s enough for now.” She gently pulled Sana by the waist with one hand while handing her the documents with the other. “Everything’s ready.”
Sana coughed, saying, “Yes, yes! I-I have to go to…do something .”
Jihyo nodded, tightening her hold on Sana’s waist slightly. But just as Sana was about to leave, Joohyun spoke up. “Actually, I need to go too. I think we’re done here.”
She stood up, smiling as she grabbed her bag. “I’ll see you later, Hyo.”
Jihyo nodded, releasing Sana to step closer to Joohyun and pull her into a light hug. “Yeah, see you," she said warmly.
Joohyun turned to Sana, surprising her with a smile. Then, she leaned in and hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, “Thank you.”
Sana furrowed her brow but accepted the embrace, nodding slightly. Joohyun pulled back, still smiling at her, before walking toward the door. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” she said.
Sana nodded, responding, “It was a pleasure for me too.”
Joohyun gave one last glance at Jihyo before exiting the office, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
Sana sighed and turned to look at Jihyo, who huffed and slumped back down into her chair. “That was… something?” Sana ventured.
Jihyo groaned, letting her head drop onto the desk. “I didn’t know Joohyun was going to come see me today,” she mumbled, groaning again as if to express her frustration. “Forgive me, she is always like this… too forward with people she barely knows.”
Sana chuckled softly, moving closer to gently stroke Jihyo’s hair. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t expect any of that either, but at some point, I had to meet her, right? Plus, it’s good to know who Tzuyu’s favorite aunt is.”
Jihyo made a sound of acknowledgment, lifting her head with a pout. Sana smiled back, continuing to run her fingers through Jihyo’s hair. Jihyo sighed, contemplating. “Maybe…,” she said, leaning in to hug Sana, resting her head against the girl’s stomach.
Sana laughed, feeling the warmth of Jihyo’s affection. “But still, it wasn’t the best place for you two to meet. I thought it would be under different circumstances,” Jihyo added, her voice muffled against Sana’s soft fabric.
Sana laughed, leaning closer. “Like what kind of circumstances?”
Jihyo made a little pout. “I don’t know! But definitely not here,” she said, her voice still muffled against Sana’s fabric.
Sana chuckled, and finally, Jihyo lifted her head to look at her. “Hi,” Sana said with a bright smile.
Jihyo’s eyes crinkled as she returned the smile. “Hello,” she replied, her demeanor softening.
Sana grinned and took Jihyo by the cheeks, examining her closely. “You’re really cute, did you know that?”
Jihyo shrugged, a hint of shyness creeping in. “Maybe I’ve heard it a couple of times,” she admitted.
Sana’s eyes widened in surprise. “Well, honestly, I’m surprised,” she said, still holding Jihyo’s face gently.
“Surprised by what?” Jihyo asked, tilting her head slightly.
Sana’s smile widened as she explained, “I’m surprised by how you can seem so… closed off? And intimidating and all that when you’re actually so… ” Jihyo pouted again, and Sana couldn’t help but laugh. “So puppy like?”
“Hey! In my defense, I really don’t want to be intimidating,” Jihyo replied, crossing her arms. “It just comes naturally, I suppose. It’s better if people ‘fear’ me or whatever. That way, I can do my job well. Otherwise, how do you think I got here?”
Sana laughed and said, “Maybe, by doing your job well and being smart?”
Jihyo rolled her eyes and replied, “You said that yourself before, remember? The first time you came to my house?”
Sana huffed and said, “Yes, I remember, but if I’m honest, I was really intimidated by you, just a little.”
Jihyo laughed and got up from the chair, moving closer to hug Sana. Sana returned the hug, squeezing Jihyo and closing her eyes a bit. Jihyo sighed and pulled away, and Sana smiled at her, taking her by the cheeks and examining her.
Sana laughed a little more, her eyes sparkling. Then she sighed and said, “Actually, now that you’re here, I have to tell you something. It’s kind of a…surprise?”
Jihyo looked at her, nodding. “Is it for me?”
Sana said, “Not really.”
Jihyo frowned, and Sana told her, “Even so, you’ll enjoy it too, a lot. It’s more of a gift for Tzuyu.”
Jihyo’s eyes widened, and she nodded, asking, “What is it?”
Sana bit her lip and said, “I really can’t tell you. I’d prefer to keep it a secret until we can see each other.”
Jihyo nodded, pouting. “Do you have plans on Friday?”
Sana looked at her with raised eyebrows and replied, “Yes.”
“Oh” Jihyo frowned and asked, “Are you going out with Mina or Dahyun?”
Sana looked at her and said, “No.”
Jihyo looked confused and asked, “So do you have something else to do with a friend of yours that I don’t know?”
Sana looked at her and asked, “Are you jealous?”
Jihyo exclaimed, “No! Not at all! I just wanted to see you that night, bring Tzuyu too, and see the surprise!”
Sana smiled at her, examining her closely, but when she saw the expression of genuine doubt on Jihyo’s face, she pulled back a bit. “Do you really not remember anything?”
Jihyo replied, “No. Is it something special? Is it your birthday?! Did I forgot about it already?!”
Sana shook her head, saying, “No, no, nothing like that. This Friday is… the beneficiary gala.”
Jihyo’s face transformed into one of panic as she cursed, “That’s this friday?! How could I forget that?! And why didn’t anyone remind me?”
Sana couldn’t help but laugh at how panicked Jihyo looked. Jihyo grunted and said, “That’s why everyone is in such a rush! Damn it!”
Sana asked, “How didn’t you realize?”
Jihyo replied, “I’ve been busy, a lot, and many times I just disconnect!”
Sana said, “I know, I’ve seen it.” Jihyo cursed again, “I completely forgot! Really!”
Sana approached and made her sit down. She began to massage Jihyo’s shoulders and said, “Don’t stress out so much. At least you realized in time and not on the same day, a couple of hours before. The only thing you have to do is… show up, look good, charm a couple of partners, be the envy of others, talk intelligently, and that’s it. It’s not hard; you do it all the time. It comes naturally to you.”
Jihyo sighed and nodded, saying, “Yeah…”
She lowered her gaze and sighed, frowning as she started making plans, agendas, and appointments in her mind. Sana looked at her and sighed, leaning in to take Jihyo by the chin to catch her attention.
“Don’t worry too much,” Sana said with a smile. “Everything will turn out fine. You’re amazing at your job; I admire you so much. I’ll help you with everything I can, and Momoring will too.” Sana continued, “You don’t have to… disconnect or overwhelm yourself. You don’t have to do this alone, remember?”
Jihyo looked at her, smiling as she examined Sana's eyes. Before she could really process it, the words slipped from her mouth, “I really should have married you.”
Jihyo froze, thinking it was supposed to come out as a joke; she had assumed it would. But she noticed the subtle change in Sana’s expression—the shock, the fear, the uncertainty. Yet, it didn’t linger; it didn’t drive her away. Those feelings quickly faded, replaced by a gentle smile, her eyes soft as they locked onto Jihyo’s.
“Oh honey” Sana let out a small laugh and said, “I was probably still in high school when you got married.”
Jihyo replied, “Then I should have waited for you.”
Sana huffed, feeling a bit more at ease, ignoring the way her heart raced in her chest. “Well, I guess you just weren't patient enough,” she teased.
Jihyo pouted, and Sana smiled, unable to resist leaning in to kiss her. Jihyo accepted the kiss, turning in her chair to properly kiss Sana back. As their lips met, Sana leaned a little on Jihyo’s shoulders, smiling into the kiss, allowing it to deepen and envelop them both. However, Jihyo eventually interrupted the kiss, pulling away slightly.
“What about the surprise? I can’t wait that long,” Jihyo asked.
Sana smiled and replied, “I was thinking… since I can’t go to your place right now, maybe it’s time for Tzuyu to see my apartment? She can see Ray again, Mina wants to meet her, and I’m sure Dahyun will be there too or something. And that’s when I can give you the surprise.”
Jihyo looked at her thoughtfully and nodded. Sana smiled brightly and asked, “How about tomorrow? It’s Tuesday, and if I remember correctly, Tzuyu has the afternoon free. I could go to my apartment to clean a little and get everything ready, and you and Tzuyu could come later, or I could pick you both up, whatever you prefer.”
Jihyo smiled a bit and pulled Sana in for another kiss, cradling her cheeks. Between kisses, she said, “ Tomorrow at 7, I’ll pick up Tzuyu, and we’ll see you at your apartment.”
Sana nodded, kissing Jihyo again, leaning in deeper, but it didn’t last long before she pulled away and said, “Alright then.”
Jihyo smiled and leaned in to kiss Sana again. The angle was a bit awkward since Jihyo was sitting and Sana had to lean over. So, in a moment of spontaneity, Jihyo pulled away abruptly, leaving Sana surprised. Before Sana could react, Jihyo grabbed her hand and guided her to stand in front of her, leaning against the desk.
With a playful smile, Jihyo leaned in to kiss Sana, who initially accepted the kiss with a soft laugh, wrapping her arms around Jihyo’s neck and playing with her hair lightly. Every time Jihyo's hands traveled to her waist or the skin of her thighs, Sana sighed contentedly.
However, the kiss didn’t last long. Sana pulled back slightly, placing a hand over Jihyo’s mouth to dodge the incoming kisses. “Momo is…”
Jihyo interrupted, saying, “Momo isn’t even at the office right now. We have plenty of time to just… relax a bit.”
Sana looked at her incredulously, but Jihyo just smiled, stealing a quick kiss on Sana’s cheek, then another, and another. Soon, Sana was giggling at how ridiculously cute Jihyo looked
“Stop doing that!” Sana exclaimed, laughter spilling from her lips.
Jihyo chuckled too, looking at her playfully. She wrapped her arms around Sana’s waist, pulling her closer, and stole one last kiss on Sana’s lips, whispering, “I really like you.”
Sana rolled her eyes dramatically but couldn’t hide her smile as she pulled Jihyo in for more kisses
—
The next day arrived faster than Sana had expected. Fortunately, she had managed to convince Mina to help her clean, and Dahyun had joined in a little later. Sana sighed, sitting wearily on the couch, with Mina and Dahyun beside her. Ray was in Dahyun's lap, playing with his favorite toy, while Kaya was upstairs in Sana's room, sleeping.
It was almost 7, and Jihyo and Tzuyu would be arriving any moment. Sana sighed again, running her hands over her thighs, feeling nervous. She swallowed hard, absentmindedly watching the TV, with Mina leaning against her shoulder.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, there was a soft knock on the door, followed by Sana's phone ringing. She sighed, getting up from the couch. Turning to look at Dahyun and Mina, she said, “They’re here. Please just… behave.” She stared firmly at Dahyun and added, “I’m serious. Behave. No jokes or weird comments, not in front of Tzuyu.”
Dahyun nodded, promising, “I promise.” Mina nodded as well, and Sana sighed, saying, “Alright then.” With nothing more, she walked to the door, taking a deep breath before opening it.
There stood Tzuyu and Jihyo, both with bright smiles on their faces.
Sana smiled brightly as she greeted them, “Hey! You both made it!” Just then, Tzuyu squealed excitedly, running into Sana’s arms. Sana caught her just in time, laughing, “You guys got here so fast! You must be really excited!”
Tzuyu nodded eagerly, grinning as she replied, “Yes, I am! A lot!”
Jihyo stepped inside, closing the door behind her, and said, “She didn’t stop talking the whole way here.”
Sana chuckled and set Tzuyu down on the floor. The little girl immediately grabbed Sana’s hand and started pulling her towards the living room, not giving Sana a chance to chat with Jihyo. “I want the surprise now, please! I want to see what it is!”
As they entered the living room, Tzuyu suddenly froze, her eyes widening as she noticed Mina and Dahyun sitting on the couch. Her demeanor changed instantly; she fell silent, hiding a bit behind Sana while gripping her hand tightly.
Sana smiled reassuringly and leaned down to Tzuyu, saying, “It’s okay! They’re my friends.” She pointed to Mina and added, “This is Mina. She’s Ray’s mom.”
As if on cue, Ray turned around, hearing the commotion, and jumped down to Tzuyu’s feet, wagging his tail happily. Tzuyu greeted him shyly, still clearly a bit timid. Then she turned to look at Dahyun and Mina, waving at them with her free hand.
Just then, Jihyo entered the living room, smiling as she greeted everyone. Tzuyu quickly walked over to her, taking her hand. Sana smiled at Jihyo, who sighed and returned the smile.
“I’m sorry, she’s a bit shy,” Jihyo explained.
Mina smiled reassuringly and said, “Don’t worry, I understand.” She got up from the couch and walked over to Tzuyu, who looked up at her. Mina smiled and said, “Hi, I’m Mina.” She extended her hand, and Tzuyu took it with her small one. Mina smiled at Tzuyu’s tiny hand and then pointed to Dahyun, saying, “This is Dahyun.”
Dahyun greeted her with a small smile. Mina didn’t say anything more, unsure if it was appropriate to mention that Dahyun was her girlfriend.
Tzuyu looked at them shyly and said in a soft voice, “It’s nice to meet you.”
Mina smiled warmly and stepped back a bit, then looked at Jihyo, saying, “It’s good to see you after so long, Park Jihyo.”
Jihyo beamed and replied, “It really is.” Sana watched the exchange with a content smile and then asked Jihyo, “Would you like something to drink?”
Jihyo shook her head, and Sana turned her attention to Tzuyu, who was gently petting Ray. “Do you want something, Tzuyu?”
Tzuyu nodded, her eyes brightening, and Sana smiled at her, saying, “After that, I’ll give you your surprise! How does that sound?”
Tzuyu smiled widely and nodded, saying, “Yes!” She seemed even more excited now. Sana nodded back and walked towards the kitchen
Sana returned just two minutes later with a glass of strawberry juice, Tzuyu’s favorite, and handed it to the little girl, who was now sitting on the couch with Ray by her side, playing happily. Jihyo, Mina, and Dahyun were at the dining table, chatting together. Sana smiled as she watched them interact so naturally.
Finally, she cleared her throat to grab Tzuyu’s attention, handing her the glass with a smile. “Now, I’m going to get your gift, but you have to promise not to open your eyes at all, okay?”
Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically, shutting her eyes tightly and exaggerating the gesture. Sana chuckled and said, “No peeking!” Then she turned to Jihyo and added, “You too!”
Jihyo rolled her eyes, asking, “Is that really necessary?”
Sana shrugged and replied, “Maybe.” Jihyo smiled and walked over to the couch, sitting down and closing her eyes as well. Sana grinned, leaning in to place a quick kiss on Jihyo’s lips, taking advantage of the fact that Tzuyu wasn’t looking. She felt her cheeks flush a bit when Dahyun murmured something teasingly and Mina raised her eyebrows at her, but she ignored them and quickly headed for the stairs.
Sana rushed upstairs to her room, entering to find Kaya waiting patiently for her. She smiled and said, “It’s time. Are you ready?” Kaya barked a little in response, and Sana winced, hoping no one had heard. She scooped Kaya up in her arms, adjusting the purple collar she had put on her, and made her way back down the stairs slowly, careful not to make too much noise.
When she reached the living room, she saw Tzuyu still with her eyes closed, eagerly waiting.
Sana sighed as she approached Tzuyu, kneeling down beside her. “Okay, Tzuyu ah, stretch out your hands!” Tzuyu complied quickly, giggling with excitement. Sana smiled at her and said, “Be careful; it’s little delicate.”
With that, she gently placed Kaya into Tzuyu’s arms. Tzuyu let out a muffled squeal of delight and immediately opened her eyes. Jihyo, curious about the commotion, opened her mouth in surprise as well.
Tzuyu shouted in joy, recognizing Kaya and hugging her tightly. Sana beamed with a big smile, watching as the little puppy wagged her tail and licked Tzuyu’s face enthusiastically.
Then, Sana turned to Jihyo, who was still in shock, her eyes wide as she looked back at Sana, almost questioning if it was real. Sana nodded slightly and sighed, feeling a mix of happiness and relief. Jihyo then looked at Tzuyu, who was happily playing with Kaya.
Tzuyu glanced at Jihyo and exclaimed, “This is Kaya! She’s my friend! Sana gave her to me!”
Jihyo let out a genuine laugh, saying, “Yes, she did! ”
Sana watched them with a warm heart and asked Tzuyu, “Did you like it?”
Tzuyu jumped up and threw her arms around Sana, exclaiming, “This is the best gift ever! I can’t wait to show her to Chaengie and my dad!”
Sana laughed and replied, “I’m so glad you love her!” Then she turned to Jihyo and added, “I bought everything she needs—a bed, food, toys, and little clothes. And we will help take care of her too”
Just as Jihyo began to speak, Tzuyu interrupted, saying, “Thank you! She’s the best gift in the world! I love her!”
Sana smiled, gently stroking Tzuyu’s hair. “It’s nothing…”
Finally, Tzuyu pulled away from Sana, running after Kaya, who was now further away in the living room, playing with Ray. Sana watched her happily, then noticed Dahyun looking at her with a big smile, as well as Mina, who was nodding in approval. Sana returned their smiles and turned to Jihyo, feeling a bit nervous. Jihyo hadn’t said much, and Sana feared she might be upset.
Clearing her throat, Sana smiled and asked, “What do you think, Jihyo?”
Jihyo replied, “It’s… wow, I didn’t expect this.” She smiled, getting up from the couch. “If you don’t mind, I would love to see what you bought.”
Sana nodded and said, “I’ll go get it!”
Jihyo quickly added, “No, it’s not necessary. I’ll go with you.”
Sana nodded slowly, saying, “The things are in my room.”
Jihyo agreed, and Sana turned to Mina, asking, “Can you take care of everything here?”
Mina nodded enthusiastically, saying, “Go ahead!”
Sana smiled and told Jihyo, “Follow me.” She then called out to Tzuyu, letting her know they were going to get a couple of things. However, Tzuyu was so distracted playing with Kaya that she didn’t pay much attention.
Jihyo sighed, shaking her head with a smile, and followed Sana up the stairs.
Sana felt her heart racing dangerously in her chest as she climbed the stairs with Jihyo, leading her down the small hallway to her room. Clearing her throat slowly, her cheeks flushed, she turned to Jihyo and said, “I’m sorry for the mess.” She opened the door and let Jihyo enter first, nervously watching her examine the room.
It wasn't very big, but it had a large double bed, a couple of posters and photos on the walls, a desk, a closet, a bookshelf, and a few pieces of clothing strewn about here and there. Sana forced a small smile “I’ll look for the things”
Jihyo didn’t respond, and as Sana swallowed hard, she could sense the tension in the air. She was definitely frustrated, and she cursed under her breath, turning to search for the items, but was quickly stopped by a hand on her wrist.
Before she knew it, the door had closed firmly behind her, and Sana found herself backed up against the wall, Jihyo standing in front of her. In a sudden rush of movement, Jihyo leaned in and kissed her fiercely, strongly, desperately.
Sana was taken aback, not understanding what was happening. But instinctively, she reciprocated the kiss, letting out a breath when Jihyo bit her lip a bit too hard. Her mind screamed, What the hell is happening? Wasn’t Jihyo mad?
Sana let out a soft groan as she felt Jihyo's nails digging into her waist, and she stifled a whimper when Jihyo’s tongue slipped into her mouth. Just as quickly as it began, Jihyo pulled back slightly, enough to look into Sana’s eyes breathless
Sana blinked, still reeling from the kiss, her heart pounding. “I-I… what are you doing?” she stammered, confusion and exhilaration blending together.
Without answering, Jihyo leaned in and kissed her again, this time with even more intensity. Sana grunted softly, pulling Jihyo closer and sighing against her lips, her hands roaming over Jihyo's back and neck. Jihyo responded with a low growl, feeling the warmth radiate from Sana as they melted into each other.
After what felt like an eternity, Jihyo finally pulled back, leaving Sana breathless. “What’s going on?” Sana asked, still trying to catch her breath. “I thought you were mad at me.”
Jihyo raised an eyebrow and huffed, “Why would I be?” Her tone shifted to one of annoyance. “I’ve never seen Tzuyu so happy!”
Sana blinked in confusion. “I thought you were upset because I didn’t tell you about Kaya before. And then… what the hell just happened?”
Jihyo shook her head, a smile creeping onto her face as she leaned in closer. “I wasn’t mad, Sana. I’m really happy, actually.” She leaned in again and kissed Sana gently, adding, “It’s amazing. I can’t stop saying it! First a ring, then those dates, and now a puppy? You just keep surpassing my expectations.”
Sana let out a sigh of relief, a smile breaking across her face. “I love doing these things for you. It’s sweet.”
Jihyo smiled back, her eyes sparkling.
“Do you think I… crossed a line?” Sana asked hesitantly.
“Not at all,” Jihyo reassured her, shaking her head. “You didn’t cross any lines.”
Sana nodded, but then her expression shifted to one of concern. “What about Tzuyu’s dad? I was sure before, but now… I don’t know.”
Jihyo’s smile softened, and she reached out, squeezing Sana’s hand. “Don’t worry about him. I’ll handle it”
Sana smiled back, “Okay”
Jihyo nodded and leaned in to kiss Sana again, a soft yet lingering kiss that made Sana sigh contentedly. Pulling back, Sana said, “We should probably head back now, or Dahyun will start talking to Tzuyu, and I don’t think either of us wants that.”
Jihyo chuckled lightly, agreeing, “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” She stepped back, allowing Sana to free herself from their embrace.
Sana walked over to where she had left Kaya’s things, gathering them up with a smile. As she turned to walk back to Jihyo, she couldn’t resist stealing one last kiss. Their lips met briefly, but it was enough to send warmth coursing through her.
After that, Sana opened the door, stepping out into the hallway with Jihyo following closely behind her.
The hours passed quickly after that. Before anyone realized it, it was already 10 PM. Dahyun had spent her time playing with Tzuyu on the floor, and the little girl seemed to have accepted her without any hesitation, laughing at Dahyun's jokes and playing with Kaya. It was clear that Tzuyu was no longer shy, and Dahyun was incredible with kids.
Meanwhile, Mina had been chatting with Sana and Jihyo about life, discussing various things that felt light and unimportant. Finally, when Tzuyu yawned for the third time and little Kaya had finally stopped running around, Jihyo knew it was time to go.
By the time she finished saying her goodbyes, Tzuyu was already nodding off. Jihyo sighed and picked her up, cradling the sleepy child in her arms while Sana gathered Kaya and her things. They both stepped out, making their way to the elevator, where silence settled around them. They didn’t have to say much; their presence was enough.
Once they reached the ground floor, they exited the building and walked over to Jihyo's car. Jihyo helped Tzuyu into the back seat first, and Sana took care of Kaya, who immediately snuggled up next to Tzuyu. Jihyo closed the door with a soft smile, watching the two get comfortable.
Sana then climbed in to place Kaya’s belongings in the car before turning to Jihyo. She smiled brightly and approached her, wrapping her arms around Jihyo's neck. “Be careful, and let me know if anything comes up,” she said, her voice laced with concern.
Jihyo nodded, reassuring her. “I will. Don’t worry.” She sighed and smiled back, “I have to go now, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sana nodded and leaned in, giving Jihyo a sweet kiss before stepping back to let her get in the car. Once Jihyo was settled inside, she rolled down the window. “Goodnight, honey,” she called out, her voice warm and affectionate
Sana felt her cheeks flush, caught off guard by the endearment. “Goodnight,” she stammered, feeling shy as she waved goodbye.
As Jihyo drove away, Sana stood there for a moment, watching the car disappear into the night.