It has been almost three months since that night on the rooftop of J Medical Center. It’s true - Jaeyi made Seulgi feel worthless and betrayed. It’s true that shouldn’t have chased the person who had been pushing her away since God knows when. It’s easy… to not look whenever she feels Jaeyi’s presence, and to not yearn to talk to her - but Seulgi couldn’t, she just wouldn’t stop. So whether everyone around her likes it or not, she is still trying her best to connect with the woman.
Jaeyi may have forgotten what she said about always protecting Seulgi, or she may have tossed Seulgi like she is just trash - but like each person was telling the orphan since she was a child, she is like a grass that keeps on growing even if plucked out many times. So here she is, at Jaeyi’s front door - stubborn as always while she finds the perfect timing to talk to the other woman.
Their classes had already ended hours ago, and she knew that the Yoo family’s private chauffeur had driven the top student home by this time. It’s easy to just stay in the front gate of the mansion, but the people inside don't seem to like going out that much - so Seulgi finds herself looking afar while she sits at the doorstep and waiting for even a small movement to happen on the other side of the door.
Maybe luck is on her side today…
Not too long after, there is scuffling behind the gate that shook Seulgi away from her reverie. There was a shadow that got nearer and was visible in the space under the gate - Seulgi frantically stood up and backed away from the area to see what was going to happen.
At last, the gate opened; Seulgi already expected this but she was still disappointed when she saw an older woman dressed in ironed maid uniform while holding a black garbage bag.
Their eyes met, the maid was confused immediately - because from her point of view, Seulgi looked like she goes to her young master Jaeyi’s school… but why was she not allowed to enter if the owners of the house truly acknowledged her?
“Are you looking for someone?” The maid has a look of apprehension.
“Uhh… Is Jaeyi inside?... I really need to talk to her.” Seulgi’s voice cracked when the name of the woman slipped out of her tongue.
“Aren’t you supposed to be able to message her if you do need her?”
“Uhm…” Seulgi couldn’t answer the question. She was tongue tied knowing that Yoo Jaeyi doesn't want to see her anymore. She can try and find an immediate alibi as to why she can’t message Jaeyi, but a thought floated through her mind at the moment - would Jaeyi really want me to be her?
The confused maid wanted an answer from the stranger, but as much as she wanted to stop and hear Seulgi out, she still has many things to do and she cannot afford to slack any further because the director - Jaeyi’s dad, is about to come home any time.
“What do you need from the young master—”
A series of barks stopped the maid, and she looked into the open gate - only to see Jaeyoon running to their direction.
The dog - although quiet, was hostile towards people he doesn’t recognize. But he was wagging his tail while he went his way to the waiting student. He stopped, only to enthusiastically jump onto Seulgi’s knees, scratching gently to capture the woman’s attention while he continuously barked.
Seulgi looks down and sees the dog Jaeyi loves too much. The top student doesn’t forget to mention Jaeyoon every time they talked about their personal lives, and Seulgi knew how cared for, the dog by the woman she wants to talk to.
The student crouched down to level with the jumping white fur, and Jaeyoon looked happy while he tried to squeeze himself on Seulgi’s arms.
“Jaeyoon-ah! It’s Seulgi… do you still remember me, baby? I am trying to talk to your owner…” The dog seemed to listen to the woman and the barking stopped, replaced by cooing while he looked directly into Seulgi’s face.
“Do you know where Jaeyi is, Jaeyoon-ah?” Seulgi looked crazy by talking to the dog, but she hoped that maybe he understands, and help her talk to other woman.
To her surprise, Jaeyoon’s head turns back to the inside of the house, and he barks repeatedly - as if he was trying to say something.
Seulgi laughed, but her voice cracked again - this time, tears started to gather in her eyes while she looked at the dog that seemed so eager to communicate with her. “Jaeyoon-ah!” She picks up the white dog and engulfs him into a hug as if he was Jaeyi herself.
In the midst of their moment, Seulgi sees an opportunity…
She releases Jaeyoon and hurriedly reaches for her backpack, ripping a piece of paper from her notebook and searching for a pen inside the pockets of the bag. If Jaeyi won’t receive any message from Seulgi herself, maybe Jaeyoon can help the student send a message to the rich girl.
Seulgi quickly scribbled a paragraph while Jaeyoon sat in front of her, as if he already knew what he was there for. As soon as she was done writing, the dog immediately stands up and wagged his tail towards the woman, like he was ready to take part in Seulgi’s mission.
The student folds the paper a few times and slips it into Jaeyoon’s collar, and it is visible enough that once Jaeyi sees the dog, she will immediately see the letter. Without any more to do, Jaeyoon runs back to the house, and the maid who saw the whole ordeal looked shocked as her gaze followed the dog’s trail…
Unbeknownst to everyone, Jaeyi was looking at Seulgi, not just today but in each time she has ever stayed outside her residence. Her lips quivered while she looked at the somber-looking woman sitting at their gate. She wanted to reach out, every fiber in her being was yearning for the woman - her fingertips grazed over the monitor where she sees the sitting Seulgi panicking when their gates opened.
It was not garbage day today for their household. But she specifically asked to get her trash thrown out just so, even indirectly, she is able to connect with Seulgi. It was enough for her…
Seulgi is the safest when Jaeyi is far from her, and Jaeyi knew that. So even if it pains her entire being, the distance between will keep her safe. And Yoo Jaeyi will take that… Seulgi safe over anything else…
She thought that the tears were already done flowing, and her tear ducts have already milked themselves dry over the months she is alone and far from the woman… but when she sees… and hears Seulgi and Jaeyoon’s interaction, Jaeyi bursts into tears for the millionth time.
It was too painful, seeing the two entities she loved the most, and being able to engulf herself into Seulgi’s arms like she did with Jaeyoon - Jaeyi wanted to smash the screen in front of her.
But when she saw Seulgi write something on a paper from nowhere and slip it onto Jaaeyoon’s collar, she waited…
When her dog disappeared from the camera then heard him bark near her moments later, she jumped to hug him while she wailed, “Jaeyoon-ah!”
She hugged the dog like her life depended on him, and she sniffed on him to try and take in the remnants of the woman who just took her beloved dog into her arms. For Jaeyi, just that fragment is enough…
She pulled the piece of paper that was slipped into Jaeyoon’s collar, and her hands shook while she slowly unfolded the letter…
Jaeyi-ah,
This is Seulgi. We may not be okay, but I hope you are well. I have been trying to reach you. I want to talk to you and say everything that I should have told you. I am incomplete without you by my side. Please talk to me soon. My heart longs for you…
I miss you. Please stay safe!
Her normal stoic self couldn’t take the pain, and she broke down… because what really is life, without her Seulgi…