I hope this is the right address.
Nakyoung’s best friend Jiyeon was finally coming back from living abroad in Japan with her soulmate Kotone. When they found out they both had their birthdays tattooed on their bodies, she was ecstatic for them. It was a no-brainer that they would make a harmonious couple. To no one’s surprise, Jiyeon was willing to spend a few years away from Korea with her lover even.
It’s been a while since she last saw them so Nakyoung didn’t hesitate to agree to come over. She was told they would invite all of their friends over to a housewarming party at the new apartment they managed to get down at Gangnam.
She knocks on the door after confirming the address on her phone three times. The door eventually opens up with the couple there to happily welcome her in.
“You’re lucky to have a soulmate with such a high-paying job, Jiyeonie,” Nakyoung jokes as she walks inside the unit. “This place is nice!”
“I’m the lucky one,” Kotone interjects. “I mean, look at her!”
Nakyoung scrunches her face up in disgust and laughs, earning a small slap towards the back of her head. The laughter dies down when she realizes she’s not the only guest here. She recognizes the figure almost instantly. Kim Yooyeon is seated near the window, looking out at the city.
The first time she met Yooyeon was back in high school. Nakyoung always heard about the upperclassman who was always the main topic of buzz around the school. You would have to be living under a rock to not know about her. They never quite interacted much being in different grades. As the years progressed, while Nakyoung went off to join dance competitions and talent shows, she never crossed paths with Yooyeon who found solace in her books and photography. When the older girl graduated and went off to study at Ewha Womans University, Nakyoung thought that would’ve been the last time she would hear about her.
Life seems to work in mysterious ways.
She’s unsure if the other girl remembers who she is though. High school was so long ago and her memories become foggy when Nakyoung attempts to walk down the memory lane.
“Oh you must be Nakyoung,” Yooyeon says, her eyes leaving the window. “I’m Yooyeon, Kotone’s friend.”
A delicate hand extends out and Nakyoung takes it, surprised at how smooth and velvety her skin feels.
“It’s nice to meet you, we went to high school together actually.”
Yooyeon’s head tilts to the side in confusion and the younger girl can’t help but to find it cute. While all of the other guests gradually arrive with heartfelt wishes and gifts to the couple, the two of them find themselves glued to the corner of the room rambling away.
“Do you remember when Miss Taeyeon got slime all over her hair?” Yooyeon asks, her face beaming.
“Yes, I’m ashamed to admit the dance team was behind it…” Nakyoung admits, her head facing down in embarrassment.
“What! I didn’t know you were such a troublemaker during your adolescence!”
To be fair, it wasn’t like it was her idea.
(“Nakyoung, you have to join us or else!” The dance team leader firmly says.
“But sunbae… I don’t think this is a good thing to do,” she shakes her head no repeatedly.
“Do this, and next year you might even take my position as leader.”
Who was she to say no to that?)
“I didn’t want to initially,” Nakyoung grumbles as she reminiscences about the past. “They kept begging me to.”
“You’re quite an interesting person,” the older girl smiles. “I’m surprised I never knew anything about you.”
“You always had your head up in the books and focused on studying. It makes sense that you didn’t know much about me.”
“Well,” Yooyeon bites her bottom lip and Nakyoung pretends she didn’t just take the biggest gulp ever from staring. “We have all the time now to get to know each other.”
Nakyoung was supposed to be here to be a great friend only. She was supposed to catch up with Jiyeon and ask Kotone how she’s able to handle someone like her friend. She wasn’t going to meddle with the other guests because she hates socializing.
However, as the night progressed, her eyes never left the other woman. Their conversations flowed easily, as if this wasn’t the first time they were talking to each other. She enjoys how natural everything feels with Yooyeon.
“I’m going to steal Naky unnie for a few minutes. I hope you don’t mind Yooyeon unnie,” Jiyeon eventually walks up to interrupt them.
She raises her eyebrow at Jiyeon as her arm is pulled towards an empty room.
“Be honest with me,” Jiyeon smirks lightly. “Are you catching feelings for her already?”
Nakyoung raises her hands up defensively. “What? We just started talking today.”
Too soon to say anything about having feelings, way too soon.
The new apartment owner pats her head softly. “I don’t know Yooyeon unnie much but Kotone has been a long friend of hers. From what I heard, she’s a nice girl,” she releases a small breath. “But you’re still my best friend so I’ll be protective of you unnie. She might not even be your soulmate.”
Oh. Soulmate talk.
When she was in high school, she always yearned to find her soulmate. Her parents are soulmates and while they sometimes have misunderstandings—they generally get along well. They’re still together after so long, after all. Nakyoung used to ask every person she met for their birthdates.
She hasn’t revealed to anybody where hers is located and what the birthday is because she didn’t want anyone to lie to her about it. This even meant her past situationships, flings and relationships never made it that far with her in bed.
Being vulnerable in bed meant exposing her soulmate’s birthday. Even if she knew her previous relationships were not her soulmate once they found out each other’s birthdays, Nakyoung wanted to keep her soulmate’s birthday solely to herself.
It’s printed in dark ink right by her right hip. The date etched perfectly in her mind, she doesn’t have to look down to recall.
But now she’s older and reality is knocking on her door frequently. She may just be one of those unlucky outliers who will never get to meet their soulmates.
So, there’s no point in dating anyway. People will just abandon her once they find their actual soulmates. That’s what all of her exes ever did to her.
Before she left the housewarming party, Yooyeon was eager to get her number. Nakyoung didn’t analyze much about the request. The older girl was just being kind and wanted to stay connected with her after finding out how great their talks were.
Nakyoung is already resting comfortably on her bed, ready to close her eyes because she got home at the dark hour of 4:00 am. Who even holds housewarming parties that late? It would have to be her dumb best friend, of course. She feels her body beginning to relax until she hears a small ding from her phone beside her.
Who would be texting her at this time?
[Unknown number]
i hope you got home safe Nakyoungie. i hope we can be close enough so i don’t have to address you with -nim. ^__^
goodnight~ this is Yooyeon unnie by the waaaay. i’ll be heading to bed now so you don’t have to respond right away! 💕💕
She chuckles at the cute tone from the messages. Yooyeon seems to be quite a cute person overall. Nakyoung decides to respond to her when she wakes up instead. Not just because she wants to sleep, but also remembering how the older girl needs to get her rest as well.
A few minutes pass by until she finally drifts off into a deep sleep. She is unaware how before she closes her eyes, her lips curve up momentarily.
As the weeks went by, the both of them got along well quickly. Close enough for Yooyeon to invite her over to her house without needing Kotone and Jiyeon around.
“This is my place. It’s not much really,” Yooyeon introduces bashfully. “My cousin Heejin unnie lives with me. But she left with her girlfriend so it’ll just be us two.”
“It’s cozy,” Nakyoung disagrees gently. “I like it. And I don’t mind that it’ll just be us two.”
“If I didn’t know any better,” Yooyeon kindly takes Nakyoung’s leather jacket to hang, “I would think you’re flirting with me.”
She rolls her eyes back in response to sit on the soft couch.
“In your dreams, unnie,” she teases with a smile. “I don’t catch feelings easily. At least not anymore.”
“And why would you not?” Yooyeon curiously asks. “I’ll go get us some chips and drinks to munch on. What would you like to drink? I have orange juice, soda and beer.”
“Water will be fine.”
“You got it!”
The older woman eventually comes back. Her hands are full of bags of chips which range in different flavours and she somehow manages to hold two bottles of water as well.
“You should’ve asked me to help you, unnie!” Nakyoung grumbles, quick to get up on her feet to help her place the snacks down onto the table.
“You’re my special guest,” she waves her hand lazily. “I will do everything instead. But anyways, why haven’t you been opening your heart?”
“All the girls I’ve ever loved just end up leaving me,” the younger girl bites back a painful laugh. “There’s no use in making myself available.”
“Why?”
“Because none of them want me,” she sighs as she opens up a bag of barbecue chips. “They want their soulmates.”
“Soulmate culture is overrated,” Yooyeon sticks her hand into the bag to steal a chip.
“Hey, get your own bag!” Nakyoung playfully shrieks.
She didn’t actually mind that Yooyeon wanted to share with her. It’s just fun to tease her; she’s sure Yooyeon would say the same for her.
“It tastes much better when it’s from you,” she inserts her hand in to steal another.
“I didn’t know you were such a cheesy goofball,” Nakyoung notes, placing the bag of chips closer to Yooyeon. “During high school you always seemed so serious.”
“Well, I had to be serious,” the corner of Yooyeon’s lips are now painted in orange from the barbecue powder. “My parents put immense pressure on me to get accepted into a renowned university. Studying for those exams was a pain in the ass.”
Unsure of what possessed her, Nakyoung carefully uses her thumb to wipe the corner of her lips. She dusts her fingers off before looking up to process what she just did.
“O-Oh, I hope that was okay with you,” she releases an awkward laugh. “I guess it bothered me a bit. You’re such a messy eater.”
“Hey! Keep teasing me like this and I’ll kick you out,” Yooyeon threatens, hoping her ears aren’t too red.
“But yeah,” Yooyeon redirects the conversation, “soulmate culture isn’t all that really. If you find your soulmate and realize they’re the one for you like our Kotone and Jiyeonie—then that’s great! But sometimes your soulmate isn’t what you expect them to be.”
Nakyoung hums slowly. “Have you already met yours then?”
“Oh, God no,” Yooyeon giggles. “I don’t care if I meet them or not. I want to love someone just for the sake of loving. Not because of this soulmate system.”
“I never thought about it like that. Whoever gets to be with you will be lucky then.”
“Hmm? Shall you take the spot then Nakyoung-ah?” Yooyeon smiles in delight at the comical expression on her face.
“Unnie!”
Unnnnie!!! You have to make sure you come
I will be waiting for you…
I managed to book you a lesson despite the busy waitlist… if you don’t come I will be sulking all year long 😡
Unnie?????????
She groans, why won’t she answer my messages?
Nakyoung is a dance instructor of a famous dance studio. They sometimes upload their covers on their YouTube channel. It’s a relatively decent channel she would say. Their views usually range from five hundred thousand views to millions. Her own cover of Kai’s “Mmmh” is one of the most viewed on the channel.
Outside of the online world though, she teaches people how to get the moves correctly. She recalls one of her conversations with Yooyeon about the woman wanting to learn how to dance. So, she decided to surprise her with a free class one-on-one.
“Kaede, if you see a woman named Yooyeon, let her know to come to the main practice room,” Nakyoung urges desperately.
“No worries unnie! I’ll keep my eye out for you,” the other dance instructor assures.
She graciously smiles as a thank you before running over to the vacant practice room.
The dance instructor stretches her legs out and leans from one side to another, rotating her head around. It’s important to stretch her body before she starts to dance. Getting an injury would be a nightmare.
A couple of minutes go by and still no response from Yooyeon.
Nakyoung sighs heavily. She is beginning to think she’ll genuinely sulk and not respond to Yooyeon at this rate. Her hands mindlessly scroll through several apps but her eyes are attentive to look at the top where the notifications appear. She doesn’t want to miss a single text from the other woman.
Suddenly, her vision goes black. She feels smooth hands cover her eyes and can hear a small chuckle.
“Kaede?”
“Guess again,” says a dramatically forced low voice.
“Um… Yooyeon unnie?” Nakyoung guesses after a few beats.
“Ding, dong, daeng!” Yooyeon mimics the sound of a xylophone and releases her hands. “Correct!”
“Where were you unnie?” The dance instructor immediately interrogates. “And why did you ignore all my messages?”
“Hey, what happened to hi, hello, how are you?” Yooyeon jokes, pinching Nakyoung’s cheek as if she was a little child. “I was busy today with all the students.”
Yooyeon is a science teacher at a well-known international school in Seoul. Not only was she incredibly intelligent in the field of science, but she was great at English too. Nakyoung wasn’t surprised when she learned of this. There were a bunch of schools that wanted to hire her once she graduated. This particular school was lucky enough to be chosen.
“Really? What happened?”
“One of my students—her name is Joobin—kept wanting to talk to me about random topics at the end of class,” Yooyeon puts her hair up with the hair band that was previously on her wrist. “I didn’t know how to stop her so it went on for so long.”
“What kind of teacher are you unnie to not be able to control your students?” Nakyoung chuckles at the glare Yooyeon sends towards her.
“Whatever, you said you’ll teach me how to dance. Shall we get started now then?”
The song she decides to teach is IU’s “Lilac.” Nakyoung can recall how the older girl said she enjoys listening to the soloist a lot. The choreography is bright and isn’t too high in difficulty. It would be perfect for Yooyeon who just wants to dance something simple right now. Maybe later on Nakyoung could teach her other songs.
“Okay unnie, just follow my lead.”
The dance instructor demonstrates where to move her arms and legs as the music blasts through the speakers. She makes sure to stare at the mirror every few minutes to see how Yooyeon is following along. The girl looks adorable with her focused face. Nakyoung can’t help but to smile at her concentration.
“And a 5, 6, 7, 8,” Nakyoung counts them in before repeating the moves again. “How are you following, unnie?”
“Following? I’m a little lost,” Yooyeon shyly admits, tucking her hair behind one of her ears. “But you really are a good dancer.”
“If you want to watch me dance you can just watch me on YouTube,” the younger girl shakes her head. “Let’s do this a few more times, unnie.”
They repeat the first part of the song again with some trial and error. The older girl stumbles on a few steps. Luckily, Nakyoung is right there to help her throughout the way.
Eventually, Yooyeon gets the hang of it and is able to follow effortlessly. Except for one specific part which Nakyoung decides to give a quick feedback on.
“For this part, you should extend your arms out a bit more,” she walks closer to examine the arm placement. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just touch you a bit.”
“Touch me…?” Yooyeon quickly shields her body.
“I-I didn’t mean it like that!” Nakyoung screams in terror. “Get your head out of the gutter!”
“Did you have to say it like that?” Yooyeon argues back with a small smile. “ Touch me all you want, I guess.”
“Unnie!”
Her hands tentatively hold Yooyeon’s wrists to demonstrate how she should be moving her arms. She doesn’t dare to look directly into her eyes and stares over at the mirror instead. Nakyoung’s cheeks form a deep pink shade, Yooyeon is brazenly staring at her side profile through the mirror.
She clears her throat. “Why are you staring at me so much?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Yooyeon embarrassedly replies, eyes now directed to the mirror. “You just really look like a cat.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment I hope?”
“Totally,” she fixes her arm movement, earning a nod of approval from Nakyoung. “I love cats.”
“Now it’s my turn to ask you. Are you flirting with me unnie?”
“Oh I see what you’re doing,” Yooyeon smirks along with Nakyoung. “Well I’m not going to say only in your dreams.”
“Wait, why?”
“You’ll find out eventually.” Yooyeon quietly says with a timid smile.
She does eventually find out. It doesn’t take long for Nakyoung to realize that Jiyeon was right. She in fact does have feelings for her. It must’ve been the way her eyes light up immediately when she sees Yooyeon. The way she can’t go a day without talking to Yooyeon. It’s been like this for the past few months of knowing each other.
The both of them frequently see each other too often for it to just be mere friends.
For the next couple of weeks, she tries her best to distance herself from the older woman. If Nakyoung can prepare herself to no longer be within Yooyeon’s tight-knit circle, then it will hurt way less in the long run.
Except she forgets how smart Yooyeon is. Surely, she would be able to read in between the lines. It was obvious that she was avoiding her.
“Why don’t you come over much anymore?”
They’re currently at Yooyeon’s place. The owner had to practically spam Nakyoung non-stop for the last three hours. Despite putting her phone on do not disturb , Nakyoung still read all of the messages she sent. And in the end, she just had to reply.
It’s difficult for her to avoid the pretty woman. No matter how hard she tried, her heart wavered at the thought of Yooyeon being sad, which led her here.
“I’ve just been very busy with work,” Nakyoung makes up the first excuse she could think of off the top of her head. “We’re going to be covering that hit song ‘Girls Never Die’ and you know the formations are pretty cool.”
“I love that song!” Yooyeon nods her head for a few seconds before her expression goes back to being serious. “But to be that busy to not even want to meet up with me?”
The dancer shrugs her shoulders weakly. Damn, this is not going to be easy.
Looking up, she is faced with a small pout forming on Yooyeon’s face. If she didn’t know any better, she would think the other girl is about to burst into tears. But, being the ever-so-great friend Nakyoung is now, Yooyeon doesn’t cry that easily.
“Okay, maybe I lied.” She takes a deep breath and taps her fingers to the side of her hip. “There were other reasons for it.”
“I won’t be too quick to judge,” Yooyeon leans back onto the sofa with expectant eyes. “Only if you’ll be completely honest to me.”
“Completely honest,” Nakyoung has a puzzled expression. “Um, sure, I’ll try. Can I take a sip of my water first?”
A tiny giggle erupts from Yooyeon’s pretty lips. “Sure, go ahead.”
She finds herself taking more than just a sip. Must be the nerves accumulating her whole body—or the way Yooyeon is observing her in such an intimate way. Fuck, why must you be so gorgeous? Without noticing, Nakyoung just downed her whole bottle of water in less than three minutes.
“Woah, easy there, Nakyoungie!”
It makes me feel so weak when you call me that, unnie.
“Sorry,” Nakyoung scratches the back of her neck sheepishly. “If you want me to put it flat out then I will. This whole situation between us is making it hard for me.”
“Huh?” Yooyeon is at a loss for words. “What do you mean by situation?”
“If we keep seeing each other like this,” Nakyoung stands up from her seat to discard the water bottle. “I’m afraid I can’t take it.”
“Stop beating around the bush please,” the older woman is getting impatient. “Why can’t we just keep seeing each other?”
“Because…” Nakyoung returns back to the sofa, winces and then sighs, “I’m afraid my feelings for you will grow deeper.”
“Oh,” Yooyeon softly rests her hand on Nakyoung’s lap. “That’s not a problem for me at all.”
“Eh?”
“I normally don’t care to ask just anyone about their time of the day,” she presses her hand slightly on Nakyoung’s lap. “Being around someone so often after a dreadful day of misbehaved students? You’d never find me doing that.”
“Well then why would you do that with me?” The dance instructor is confused.
“I hate how you can’t see the signals, Nakyoung-ah.” Yooyeon plops her legs down to the glass coffee table. “I’ve been trying to let you know I like you.”
“You do? You… like me,” Nakyoung states slowly, more like she was confirming those words to herself. “You like me,” she repeats once again.
“I like you.”
“I like you too, unnie,” but she stops herself from celebrating too swiftly when reality dawns over her. “But you might not even be my soulmate.”
“Does it matter?” Yooyeon boldly decides to change her position to sit on Nakyoung’s lap, their faces just inches apart. “We both want this. Why must we have to worry about being soulmates?”
Nakyoung attempts to back away from Yooyeon, only for her to lean in closer. Her back is now pressed against the couch. Even if she wanted to move back further, it was impossible to.
“I’m scared of getting my heart stomped all over again,” she quietly confesses.
How could she be so certain that this wasn’t going to end up like all of her previous relationships?
Her last relationship from less than a year ago is still fresh in her memory. Well, they only lasted for a few months.
(“Unnie, I treasured every single memory we made,” her lover—or she should say former lover now, says. “But I met my soulmate already.”
“Who is it?” Nakyoung was getting tired of this all-too-familiar situation. “Actually, scratch that out. I don’t care. You’re just going to leave me now, aren’t you?”
“I really did love you,” Yubin’s eyes begin to tear up. “But I can’t deny how I feel for Jiwoo. There’s this undeniable connection we can’t ignore.”
Jiwoo? That neighbour of Yubin’s who always likes to bake cookies just for her?
“Then go be with her,” with her last words finally said, Nakyoung walks out from the coffee shop they once called their place. She’ll never be coming back here.
When can I ever catch a break? )
And that wasn’t even the worst heartbreak she ever experienced.
“I don’t know what exactly you went through in detail,” Yooyeon circles her arms around Nakyoung’s neck with a small blush on her cheeks. “But I can promise you I’m not like them.”
A promise?
“Look, I’ll even show you my soulmate tattoo,” the girl on top suddenly raises up her left arm.
“Unnie? Why are you raising your hand up?”
Yooyeon answers back in a volume so small, Nakyoung can’t comprehend the words. “Can you say it more clearly unnie?”
“I said the birthday is on my… armpit,” Yooyeon uses her right hand to cover her face in humiliation, annoyed at the laughter coming from Nakyoung’s mouth.
“What kind of location—” she tries to ask in between laughs.
“Hey! It’s not my fault I was born with it in that area,” Yooyeon complains in a manner so cute, Nakyoung just wants to kiss her. “Now hurry up and take a look.”
The dance instructor laughs once more before leaning up to examine the tattoo. It’s much smaller than Nakyoung’s, and it’s printed in pretty, bright red ink. Her breath hitches in her throat when she finally reads it.
October 13.
“Why are you making that face?” Yooyeon questions after the silence begins to feel too awkward. “I said I don’t mind if we aren’t soulmates—”
“It’s my birthday,” Nakyoung finally explains. “October 13th, that’s my birthday.”
“Oh,” her words finally register in Yooyeon's head. They both stare at each other silently, not sure of what would be appropriate to do next.
“Does that mean…” Nakyoung starts to feel goosebumps forming on her arms in excitement, “we’re soulmates?”
“Would that change anything for you, Nakyoungie?”
“It would certainly make me feel more secure in pursuing this relationship with you,” she answers with a beaming smile.
“Guess there’s only one way to confirm it then.”
Yooyeon glances down at her body, trying to find where her soulmate tattoo is.
“Okay, unnie. I’m revealing it for the first time ever,” Nakyoung shyly grips the right side of her navy sweatpants to pull down, revealing her hip. “It’s right here.”
The older woman is rather quiet from the revelation. She has an unreadable expression that Nakyoung can’t quite figure out. But she forgets about it soon after once she sees Yooyeon’s lips start to curve up.
“That’s my birthday,” she confirms, her smile becoming even larger.
After what felt like so long, it’s finally happening.
She always wondered how it would be like to find her soulmate. Would it be a cliche meet-cute? Or would it actually be someone she knew for so long? All of those thoughts she used to have back in high school could not prepare her for how electrifying it feels right now.
“You’re my soulmate,” Nakyoung cries out, wrapping her arms around Yooyeon. “I finally found you. This is perfect!”
“It is perfect,” Yooyeon agrees with her, hugging her back with just as much force. “As your soulmate and now girlfriend I bet, can I kiss you?”
“What a subtle way to ask,” Nakyoung smirks before gently guiding Yooyeon’s body to lean down to hers.
Their first kiss starts off slow. It wasn’t like this was any of their first kisses. Nakyoung is certain Yooyeon has had her fair share of kisses being the beautiful woman she is. And Nakyoung herself has been through countless women throughout her life so far.
But this kiss isn’t quite like any other.
Their lips dance in a steady pace—not one trying to overpower the other. This must be representative of how their relationship will unfold. She’s confident that they’ll balance each other out well. Nakyoung is confident that Yooyeon is the one. It must also be the kiss of your soulmate that will surely feel different to any other.
As she feels the tip of Yooyeon’s tongue hesitantly asking for entrance, Nakyoung doesn’t have to think twice to allow it.
Gosh, this feels amazing.
Amazing in the sense of how great her tongue feels. But also amazing in the way that after all these years of waiting, she finally found the love of her life. When she hears the small groan let out by her now lover , Nakyoung seriously thinks she hit the jackpot.
Then out of nowhere, those addictive lips and skillful tongue pulls apart.
“Unnie, why?” She thought they were just getting started in their makeout session. Nakyoung couldn’t help but to feel disappointed by the loss of contact.
“I’m sorry,” Yooyeon covers her face in Nakyoung’s shoulder. “If we keep continuing, I don’t know if I can be a good unnie. That was… That was just too incredibly hot.”
“O-Oh,” Nakyoung stutters, “I-I see…”
“It’s embarrassing for me to have such thoughts during the day we confess to each other!”
“And the fact that we found out we are soulmates,” the dance instructor adds.
“R-Right…”
“I’ve never really gone that far before,” Nakyoung sheepishly admits. “So I’m not that well-equipped with everything. If you don’t mind my clumsiness… then I guess we can—only if you want that is!”
Consent will always come first for her.
“Of course I do!” Yooyeon’s eyes shoot wide open. “Okay that sounds weird. I don’t mean to sound like that. I also don’t mind helping you out.”
“Okay unnie, I trust you.”
Yooyeon’s hands slowly move down to the hem of her shirt. She tugs it gently for permission, which Nakyoung quickly grants.
They wake up the next day covered in red marks all over their bodies with tired grins.
That night, they made love for the first time. The first of many times because Nakyoung could never get enough of Yooyeon. She could recall all the nerves she felt. How Yooyeon was so sweet in reassuring her that she was doing everything right to please her.
Nakyoung is the happiest she’s ever been in a long, long while.
Loving Yooyeon is like listening to that one song on your playlist you could never get tired of. No matter how many times it’s been replayed.
It doesn't take long for them to move in with each other. Some may say they’re moving rather fast after being together for just six months. But for them, it felt natural. Heejin had been hinting to her cousin about wanting to move out to live with her girlfriend Hyunjin. So when she did, it only made sense for her to invite Nakyoung in to live with her.
“When we make more money, I promise to get us a nice big house,” Yooyeon softly tells her while they are cuddled up in their bed.
“I’ll follow you no matter where it is,” Nakyoung responds with a small peck placed on the top of her head.
“What if I go bankrupt?” Her lover jokes with a raised eyebrow. “Will you follow me all the way until the end?”
“Then we will just go broke together, babe,” she jokes back. “Everything is moving so fast. Do you ever get scared, unnie?”
“Scared?” Yooyeon takes a moment to ponder about it. “Everything does seem to be progressing smoothly for us. I’m sure it won’t always be like this—but I am willing to work everything out with you, always.”
“Always?”
“I promise , Nakyoung-ah.”
For Yooyeon’s birthday, Nakyoung planned accordingly on what would be the best thing to do for her. When it was Nakyoung’s birthday a couple of months ago, her girlfriend was considerate enough to remember how much she loves animals.
So, she took her to an animal shelter to help out.
It wasn’t the most conventional way to celebrate her birthday—but this is what made it extra special. Yooyeon deviated from a typical birthday celebration to cater to what Nakyoung actually wanted. That day ended up being the best birthday she ever had.
They even left the shelter with a new dog in their hands.
“Oh my cute little Pochacco,” they decided to name their new furry friend Pochacco after seeing the striking resemblance he had to the Sanrio character. “Do you think mommy will like what I have planned for today?”
Bark. Bark. The fluffy white and black dog wags its tail, earning a firm pat on the head and some extra belly rubs.
“I’m home, Nakyoungie!”
“Oh, unnie!” Nakyoung is swift to help her lover place down all her textbooks and test papers to be marked down. “Happy birthday, my love!”
“Birthday…?” Yooyeon blinks a couple of times before smiling. “That’s right! I’ve been so swamped with assignments and test marking, I totally forgot about it!”
“None of your friends sent you their birthday wishes?”
“Ah…” The science teacher takes off her shoes and then greets Pochacco with a few kisses. “I think they’re all too busy right now. I'll probably get them later on.”
“I see unnie,” she feels her heart fluttering at the sight of Yooyeon and their dog playing around together.
Nakyoung then pulls out a small box from the back of her pocket to present. “It’s not too much of a gift, this is just the first part. But I wanted to give you this.”
“What’s this?” Yooyeon examines the small box placed on her hands. She opens it to see a thin, dainty, silver ring. There’s three tiny diamond stones shimmering magnificently in the middle. “I know they say women in love move fast—wait… You’re not proposing to me already are you?”
“What?” The younger girl gently picks the ring up to place on Yooyeon’s left ring finger. “It’s a promise ring from me.”
“A promise ring?”
“Yeah,” Nakyoung pulls the ring off the finger softly to reveal what’s engraved underneath. “It has our initials engraved inside.”
“You want me to fall for you all over again, don’t you?” Yooyeon shows off her sparkly whites with a big smile. “I love it. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, unnie. I had a feeling you would love the ring,” Nakyoung pinches her nose lovingly. “I do want to propose to you in the future one day—”
“Unless I propose to you first,” Yooyeon retorts proudly. “I bet it will be me.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that unnie,” she shakes her head in disagreement. “But you have to promise you’ll marry only me in the future.”
“Well who else will I marry?”
“You’re right, I am your soulmate after all,” Nakyoung chuckles knowingly. “We should get ready to go now though.”
“We’re going out?”
“This will be part two of your birthday present, unnie!”
“Can I take my blindfold off now?”
To maximize the thrill and surprise, Nakyoung decided it would be best to have the birthday girl blindfolded throughout the way to the destination.
“I don’t know why you’re so eager,” her hands are holding Yooyeon’s shoulders to guide. “You’ve had your blindfold on for much longer when we’re in bed.”
She feels an elbow stab the side of her body, resulting in a loud yelp. “Unnie!”
“Well deserved,” Yooyeon tells her. Even with a blindfold on, Nakyoung could already feel the daggers in her eyes. “Now is not the time to be horny.”
“Who said I’m against public sex—okay, okay! Stop elbowing me, I’ll stop!”
“That’s what I thought,” the blindfolded woman arrogantly states.
After a short while of walking, the younger woman halts Yooyeon in her steps. She kindly undos the black blindfold.
“Well, this is it.”
She watches as Yooyeon’s eyes move from left to right, taking in everything. The birthday girl releases out a loud gasp. “No way!”
“Is that who I think it is?” Yooyeon whispers in shock.
“Happy birthday, Yooyeon-ssi,” says the surprise guest. She smiles at the couple affectionately, “I’ll be performing a couple of songs for you while you eat.”
Nakyoung had rented out a private beach for the both of them. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, she had to save up for the last couple of months and take extra classes to teach. She even decided to upload more solo dance covers. Physically, it was draining to her body to be in the dance studio for that long. However, she knew it was all worth it because of the beaming glow on Yooyeon’s face.
“How did you manage to get IU of all people?” Yooyeon asks in amazement as they make their way over to the beautifully decorated table filled with all sorts of delicious Korean dishes and tropical fruits.
“An oppa I know from our dance studio used to be a backup dancer for her,” Nakyoung explains with a simple shrug. “He told me IU is someone kind enough to agree to something like this.”
“My first song will be ‘Someday!’ Which I’ve learned from Nakyoung-ssi, it’s a special song for Yooyeon-ssi,” IU says on the microphone.
She always makes notes of the tiny details her lover says. To be honest, she has a whole section on her notes app on her phone under Things Yooyeon Love just in case she would forget anything. During one of their dates to an ice cream shop, Nakyoung recalls her talking about how that particular song helped her out a lot when she was studying for her entrance exams.
So of course she was going to request the soloist to sing that first.
“You keep surprising me every single time. You’re the best,” Yooyeon gratefully compliments while she mixes up the bowl of bibimbap. “This is something I would’ve never even dreamt about.”
“What can I say?” Nakyoung pokes her spoon in to scoop a spoonful of the bibimbap. “I’m full of surprises. I’ll do even better for your future birthdays.”
“I don’t know how I’ll outdo you then,” Yooyeon shakes her head in defeat. “You think I can ask IU for an autograph or selfie after?”
“I’m sure she’ll say yes,” Nakyoung smiles. “If not, I’ll just tip her some extra money to bribe her.”
“No more spending! I don’t even want to know how much you spent.”
“Then let’s keep it a secret, unnie!”
She doesn’t care if a big hole will form in her wallet. Nakyoung would do anything to make Yooyeon happy like this.
Their relationship starts to get challenging with their busy schedules. The dance instructor had to stay back during late hours because there’s a new girl group under a well-known company debuting soon. Their dance studio was offered to help choreograph their title track.
Nakyoung was tasked to be the main choreographer. So she has been spending countless nights helping the members perfect every move on the right beat.
By morning time, she’s too tired to wake up to kiss Yooyeon goodbye before she leaves to go teach at the international school.
Thus, they barely have time for each other. On the weekends, Nakyoung tries to be present on their dates. However, her phone continues to blow up because of the soon-to-debut group’s manager, sending questions about dance.
“Can you please let him know you’re not available after work hours?” Yooyeon groans as she stabs her fork into the chocolate scone.
“I apologize, unnie,” Nakyoung sets her phone down after sending a rushed reply that any facial expression would be fine for the last chorus of the song.
“It’s not your fault,” the older girl places the fork in front of Nakyoung, which she is happy to eat. “I just wish we can have time together during the only days we can be together now.”
“Just wait a little longer for after they finish their debut promotions,” Nakyoung reaches over to hold her hand across the table. “You won’t get tired of me, right?”
“What a silly question,” Yooyeon softly grips her hand tenderly. “I could never get tired of you.”
“I really do love you, you know that unnie?”
“Of course I do,” she smiles as she fixes the stray hair on the side of Nakyoung’s face. “I love you, forever. ”
She really hopes she means it when Yooyeon says forever.
Before she knows it, the girl group debuts and their promotions soon finish after a few weeks. Nakyoung had been busy monitoring their performances and giving constructive feedback when needed. She even had to choreograph new choreography for their remix stages.
She was told that she’ll probably win a best choreographer award during the end of the year. Well, that would be great but she’s not begging for it.
It’s a relief that that’s all over now and she can catch a break until the entertainment company decides to contact her again.
Which is why she decided to surprise her girlfriend by coming to her workplace. She was questioned a bit by the school guards. She couldn’t just say she was coming to surprise her girlfriend, she’s not even sure if they’re homophobic or not.
So she made a stupid excuse of picking up her baby cousin (who doesn’t even exist).
She’s now waiting outside of Yooyeon’s classroom, trying to subtly look in to observe her lover teach. There’s just something about her in teacher mode that’s so attractive. She doesn’t appear annoyed when a student asks her to repeat the demonstration again. Yooyeon walks around the group of students to offer help when needed. Everything about her kind character is just another reason for Nakyoung to swoon.
A loud boom from the school bell buzzes out to indicate that classes are over. Nakyoung watches as the students walk out one by one. Except for one student, who she thinks is probably Joobin. She always hears about her staying at the end of the class.
Yooyeon is smiling politely and nodding her head in response as Joobin rambles on about something Nakyoung can’t quite hear.
After several minutes, the student finally walks out and stops in front of Nakyoung. She reads the name tag placed on her uniform and indeed, it is Joobin.
“Who are you?” She asks with a skeptical stare. “Are you one of Teacher Yooyeon’s admirers?”
“Admirers?” Nakyoung is perplexed. “She has many admirers?”
“Well, I only know of one teacher liking her. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this but…” Joobin looks around to make sure no one else is nearby. “I think our music teacher likes her.”
Why hasn’t she ever heard anything about this?
“But that’s all I’ll tell you. Teacher Yooyeon is very nice to me so I won’t disclose too much,” the student slings her backpack up straight before walking away.
Is this kid messing with her?
Baffled, she has to take a moment to process everything. Why wouldn’t Yooyeon ever mention this to her? It’s not like Nakyoung is an overly possessive person. She trusts her lover more than anything. She just doesn’t know if she can trust other people that is.
“Nakyoungie?” Yooyeon runs up to her after packing up her stuff. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to surprise you,” she grins as she offers to hold her file folders for her, forgetting about her worries momentarily. “I missed you a lot.”
“Aww,” Yooyeon steals a quick kiss on her cheek, making sure no one is around. “I missed you too, baby.”
“I prepared a good meal for us when you get home. I made only the dishes you love.”
“That’s so thoughtful of you,” Yooyeon intertwines their hands together as they continue to walk out of the school. “I can’t wait to taste them!”
Nakyoung would watch all of the tutorial videos and read up every single recipe to master cooking any dish for Yooyeon. Whatever the older girl wanted, she would be delighted to do it all for her.
“Yooyeon unnie!”
They both turn around together, startled by the sudden call. Nakyoung feels the firm grip Yooyeon once had begin to falter, causing her to cock an eyebrow up.
“Oh, what could I help you with?” Yooyeon questions with a small sigh.
“I just wanted to ask if you’re free after school,” the stranger starts, her eyes moving down to both of their hands held together. “But I guess you’re busy.”
“Oh, yes, I am,” Yooyeon replies quickly. “Nakyoung-ah, this is Park Sohyun, the music teacher.”
Music teacher? So this is the awful nuisance of a person!
You really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover too soon, but Nakyoung already has sour thoughts about the woman. Scanning her eyes up and down, she hates that the woman is relatively good looking too.
Although no one could ever beat Yooyeon when it comes to looks. And well, in every positive category that is.
“I see,” Nakyoung plainly says, putting an arm around Yooyeon protectively. “I am Nakyoung, Yooyeon unnie’s girlfriend,” she slowly adds to make sure Sohyun is paying attention.
“G-Girlfriend?” Sohyun forms an o with her mouth. “O-Oh… I didn’t know unnie was seeing anybody.”
“Nakyoung-ah…” Yooyeon softly pleads. “Let’s go already.”
“Yes, I will be leaving with my girlfriend to our home,” she gently pushes Yooyeon out to the exit to leave together.
“What was that about?”
They make their way over to Yooyeon’s car. Earlier, Nakyoung had taken a taxi to reach the school. She knew better than to use her own car when there’s already Yooyeon’s at the parking lot.
“Park Sohyun, huh?” Nakyoung grunts as she sits down next to Yooyeon. “I heard she likes you?”
“How do you know that?” Yooyeon questions with her jaw dropped.
“So she wasn’t lying?”
“Who told you this?”
“Your number one student Joobin did,” Nakyoung responds as she looks out of the window. “Why would you hide something like that from me?”
“Oh Binnie,” Yooyeon lets out a small puff of distress. “It’s not what you think, okay? I don’t feel the same way at all. You know I only love you.”
“If you love me, then why didn’t you tell me?” She just can’t understand why Yooyeon would omit such important information from her.
“See this is exactly why!” Yooyeon raises her hands up as they reach a red light. “You would overthink too much. I don’t want you to overthink it.”
“Unnie,” Nakyoung decides to turn to meet her eyes finally. “I want our relationship to be built on trust and honesty. So, please be honest to me from now on.”
The older woman avoids her gaze as she focuses back on the road when the light turns green. “Honesty… yes, you’re right. I’m sorry for behaving like this.”
“I’m sorry too unnie. I may have overreacted.”
“Teacher Sohyun is a colleague at work so it’s hard to ignore her, you know? But I should’ve just told her I’m taken already,” Yooyeon uses her free hand to rest on Nakyoung’s lap. “So thanks love, for doing it for me.”
“We won’t have any more misunderstandings soon, right?” The dance instructor asks, feeling kind of panicked.
“I’ll try to do better for us.”
“Me too unnie. I always want to be the best for you.”
As much as Nakyoung tries to believe the words Yooyeon promises. There’s always this underlying fear of her girlfriend being taken from her.
She’s an incredibly beautiful and sweet girl. Anyone with a functioning heart would want to be with her.
When she finds out that the music and science department will be working together to compose songs about the different types of cells, Nakyoung could feel the uneasiness crawling in. Who even came up with such a dumb assignment in the first place?
This only meant that her Yooyeon would be spending more and more time with that music teacher.
Even at home now, Yooyeon is busy responding back to Sohyun’s messages regarding the assignments.
Or is it just about the assignments only?
“You know,” Nakyoung pauses for a second. Is it a good idea to say it? Might as well, “I really don’t like that Park Sohyun.”
“Is my Nakyoungie perhaps… jealous?” Yooyeon playfully pokes the side of her face. “You’re so cute when you’re like this.”
“Unnie,” she whines back, dramatically shaking her shoulders as if she’s not a grown woman. “I don’t like how she has all of your attention. Aren’t I your soulmate?”
“Yes baby,” the older girl presses a firm kiss on her lips. “Once these assignments are over, I won’t have to be around her that much.”
“Can it be over already?”
“Patience, Nakyoung-ah. You know I’m always yours.”
She really is trying to be patient.
Nakyoung does her best to not complain about the music teacher too much. She knows that it only adds to the heavy load of stress that Yooyeon is carrying around. The last thing she wants is to be another pile of burden for her lover.
So she distracts herself by hanging out with Jiyeon more while Yooyeon is away to work with the music department.
“It’s been a while since you wanted to go out with me,” Jiyeon dips her french fry into the small bowl of ketchup shared between them. “I thought you almost forgot about me.”
“Look who’s talking,” Nakyoung fights back, sipping her glass cup of beer. “You and Kotone are busy being lovebirds, you don’t even reply to my messages much anymore.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that,” her friend offers an apologetic smile. “It’s not just that, but being a ballerina these days is tough. Trying to make it to the final rounds of auditions is almost impossible.”
“If you ever want to join my dance studio, you’re welcome to Jiyeonie.”
“Are you being serious, unnie?” Jiyeon’s eyes sparkled from the suggestion.
“Why would I be kidding about this?” Nakyoung takes a bite of her burger and releases a satisfied sigh. “I’m sure we will have people wanting to learn ballet.”
“If I keep getting rejections then I might just take your offer. Thank you unnie,” the ballerina appreciatively tells her. “If you have any problems yourself, you know you can trust me.”
“Problems?” She hesitates slightly, unsure if it would be appropriate to reveal. “Well, I guess I should just let it out.”
“What’s bothering you, unnie?”
“Nothing too big, I suppose. It’s just about Yooyeon unnie…”
“Oh no, are you two going to break up?” Jiyeon questions with a startled squeal.
“Breaking up? God, no, I sure hope not,” Nakyoung could not even think about breaking up with her soulmate. “It’s just this other teacher who works with her. I’ve learned that she likes Yooyeon unnie. She knows we are in a relationship now though, so I shouldn’t be too worried right?”
“If she’s a decent person, then she should know better to leave Yooyeon unnie alone.”
“That’s the thing Jiyeon-ah,” the dance instructor takes another sip of her drink. “I don’t think she’s backing away that much. The other day I accidentally saw Yooyeon unnie’s phone and she is still asking to go grab a meal with her.”
“Well, has Yooyeon unnie been agreeing to go with her?”
“No, not that I know of at least.”
“Then I think you’ll be fine Naky unnie,” Jiyeon stands up from her seat to sit beside Nakyoung. “You’re a great person. There’s no way she could leave you so easily. You’re her soulmate after all. Look at Kotone and I!”
You’re her soulmate after all.
Nakyoung drives back home after her quick lunch with Jiyeon. She’s glad she went out with her best friend. She really needed those words of encouragement and to be away from work.
She makes her way over to the front door of her house, but stops immediately when she realizes she’s not alone.
Yooyeon unnie? And wait… Park Sohyun?
Tippy toeing over to a nearby tree, she hides behind it to listen in to their conversation.
“Unnie, how long are you going to lie about this?”
“Sohyun, I already told you. It doesn’t change anything,” Yooyeon is visibly exhausted. “I don’t like you. I have a girlfriend. Please respect our relationship.”
“Respect it? Unnie, you’re the one who is being disrespectful in this relationship of yours,” Sohyun kneels down to sit on the tiny stairway to the house’s door. “How long will you keep lying? Don’t you think Nakyoung-nim deserves to know the truth?”
Truth? What truth are they discussing?
She wants to interrupt their conversation because how dare Sohyun talk to her girlfriend like that? But Nakyoung stops herself, she needs to hear everything before she can draw conclusions.
“Why do you care about what I do in life?” Yooyeon laughs loudly but it feels rather empty. “She loves me and I love her.”
Sohyun shakes her head bitterly. “Would she love you if she found out that you’re not her soulmate after all?”
Wait… what?
Whatever they say next becomes a blur to Nakyoung.
Was Sohyun the one lying? How could they not be soulmates? They confirmed it themselves that special night when they confessed to each other. She saw it with her own eyes, October 13 on Yooyeon’s body. And Nakyoung saw it herself, Yooyeon confirming her own birthday on her hip. They even celebrated each other’s birthdays. How could this possibly be all a lie?
They love each other, she was certain of that at least. Plus, the older woman always promised to be someone who Nakyoung could trust easily. So what is happening right now?
I can’t take it anymore.
Closing her eyes for a quick minute, she finally finds the strength to move. She storms over to the two, rage evident in her eyes. Her whole body feels like it’s going to explode any moment now. She hasn’t felt such anger and pain in so long.
“N-Nakyoungie?” Yooyeon freezes. “I thought you’d be out longer with Jiyeonie.”
“Well, surprise, surprise I guess,” she pulls out her keys from her purse to unlock the front door. “Let’s head inside and talk. I want complete honesty from the both of you.”
The air is heavy. Their house that once smelled of cinnamon sugar candles is being flooded with the pungent scent of uncertainty. Nakyoung can feel her hands trembling from all the emotions running around. She is unsure if she can handle the truth—but she needs to know.
“Okay, tell me everything,” she eventually says once they are all inside.
“I only found out about a week ago,” Sohyun chooses to speak first. “I accidentally saw her tattoo while we were working. She had her arm raised for quite some time. I had to move in closer to see but I could confirm that it was my birthday.”
“Your birthday?” Nakyoung questions in disbelief.
“Interestingly enough, we share the same birthday, Nakyoung-nim.”
“October the thirteenth?” The dance instructor is silently hoping to be wrong.
“Yes, right on the dot.”
“But Yooyeon unnie’s birthday is on my hip,” she can’t forget to leave that detail out. “You’re not going to tell me unnie has been lying to me this whole entire time?”
“Nakyoung-ah…” Yooyeon attempts to reach for her hand, but she is fast to jerk her hand away.
“Be honest to me, unnie,” she slumps her shoulders back. “Please…”
“If that’s what you want, then okay,” her girlfriend plays with the hem of her shirt nervously. “You’re right. I lied about my birthday.”
“You lied about your birthday,” Nakyoung could only repeat the words back. Was this seriously happening?
“You just looked so expectant and happy when you showed me your tattoo,” Yooyeon suddenly gets down on her knees in front of her. “I couldn’t just tell you that it wasn’t my birthday. What if that changed how you wanted me?”
“What I wanted was for us to be truthful to each other, unnie!”
“I told you, Yooyeon unnie. That’s what she wanted,” Sohyun quietly says, earning glares from both Yooyeon and Nakyoung.
“Does Jiyeon know about this then?”
“No,” her lover looks down at the floor gloomily. “I made sure Kotone would lie about my birthday to her.”
“You really are something, unnie. Super amazing of you,” Nakyoung says sarcastically with a false smile. “Is our relationship just built on lies then?”
“Please Nakyoungie,” she scoots closer to hold both of her hands while on her knees. “Forgive me. I did it only because I love you.”
“If you loved me then you would’ve never lied to me in the first place,” Nakyoung turns her body away to open the front door.
“I want you both to leave now.”
“Nakyoung, my love. Please don’t do this,” Yooyeon’s voice begins to waver as she tries to stop the tears threatening to stream down. “I love you, please tell me you love me too.”
Her Yooyeon, who doesn’t cry easily. Her Yooyeon, who always promised to be a better person for her. Nakyoung doesn’t even know if she knows who she truly is anymore.
“Even after everything that’s been revealed to me today, why must I still love you?” Her heart has never felt such hurt. All of those years being heartbroken by girls finding their own soulmates put together could not outweigh the immense pain she feels right now. “I don’t want to love you anymore.”
“We can work this out, baby. Please…”
“I don’t want to, I know how it all ends too well,” it’s true, Yooyeon will eventually realize how she belongs with her soulmate and then want to break up. It’s better to get it done now. “You should’ve just stayed as a distant memory from high school.”
“You don’t mean to say that, Nakyoung-ah…”
“Goodbye, unnie.”
I wish I never ever spoke to you.
Moving out of their once shared home together was soul-crushing. Nakyoung couldn’t even bother to go in to collect her stuff. She had to ask Jiyeon to go in for her while she waited in the car.
Things were kind of awkward with Jiyeon and Kotone also after the ballerina found out Kotone had lied to her about Yooyeon’s birthday. On one hand, Nakyoung supposes Kotone was being a good friend. But on the other hand, that was a kind of shitty move to make on your girlfriend.
“This was the last box, unnie,” Jiyeon says as she closes the trunk of her car.
“Thanks Jiyeon-ah,” Nakyoung is truly grateful that her friend agreed to come help her. “I can always rely on you.”
“You’re welcome, unnie,” Jiyeon moves her car out and heads over to Hyungseo’s place. That’s where Nakyoung will be staying for now until she can find a new apartment.
“You know, she asked about you,” her friend says as she continues to drive in a straight line.
“Is it anything worth mentioning?”
“She asked how you’re doing.”
“Well, of course I would be miserable,” Nakyoung rests her head to the side of the car window. “I just found out not that long ago my whole love life was a lie.”
“I also saw Sohyun-nim in the house,” Jiyeon sighs. “As much as I hate Yooyeon unnie for hurting you. I can’t hate her too much because she is Kotone’s friend. And I thought about putting myself in her shoes.”
“In her shoes?” Nakyoung questions with a puzzled look.
“Would I do the same if I realized Kotone wasn’t my soulmate?”
“It doesn’t matter what you would do,” the dance instructor closes her eyes to drown everything out. “It’s what I wanted, honesty and trust. All of those promises she made were nothing then.”
She’s not even trying to fight for Nakyoung back. The fact that she’s hanging out with Sohyun this soon? It won’t be long for them to love each other back then.
And promises… All of those blank promises Yooyeon made.
Promises are made to just be broken.
Three years go by, Nakyoung’s heart doesn’t seem to heal any better. She learns from Jiyeon that a few months after Nakyoung packed her bags to leave, it didn’t take long for Sohyun to indeed win Yooyeon’s heart.
Apparently Sohyun was there for her while she was breaking.
Apparently they found out they had lots in common.
Apparently all the students in the school began to burst out in happy screams when they somehow found out that their teachers were dating.
It’s just like how she predicted. Yooyeon would gradually forget what she once had with Nakyoung as she goes on to live a fulfilling life with her true soulmate. All of those late nights they once spent cuddling, talking about their future together. It ultimately ended up to be nothing.
What she didn’t predict however, was that the older woman would invite her to her own wedding with the music teacher.
The dance instructor doesn’t even know why she’s here. Dressed in a flowy light blue dress she found at a thrift store, Nakyoung feels out of place. Like the one random kid in a group project placed in a team full of friends. She really shouldn’t be here.
She’s here to celebrate a marriage she could care less about.
When everyone rises up to welcome the bride walking down the aisle, Nakyoung feels her world begin to shatter. It’s been so long since she’s seen her. Yooyeon is drop-dead gorgeous in her white wedding dress; she’s wearing a mermaid dress with a lace bottom that flows beautifully down.
She always dreamt of this moment, to marry Yooyeon in the future. She just would’ve never thought she would be seated as a guest instead of being the one waiting for her to walk down.
They make a small eye contact as the bride continues to walk down. Yooyeon’s eyes bulge wide open for a quick second before she goes back to normal. She flashes a tiny smile appreciatively to Nakyoung, which the dancer just can’t seem to return.
Why would she smile at me?
What was there to smile about? Even after all these years, she still goes to bed hoping to meet Yooyeon in her dreams. In her dreams, it’s just the two of them. No soulmate system, no Park Sohyun, just Yooyeon and Nakyoung.
But some dreams will only stay as dreams.
The crowd of people gush in hushed whispers while the pair start to exchange their vows. Her heart clenches as watches Sohyun wipe away a single tear rolling down Yooyeon’s face.
That should’ve been her. Why does she still love her after all this time?
When the officiant asks Sohyun if she will now take Yooyeon to be her wife, Nakyoung instinctively whispers an, “I do.”
In a perfect world, Yooyeon is still her soulmate. They would be having their wedding at an even better venue and Nakyoung could truly say she’s content with life. As the guests begin to clap enthusiastically and even whistle as the now wives share a passionate kiss, Nakyoung could only stare bitterly with a forced smile.
It’s over now. She supposes she got her closure. Despite how excruciating it feels, it’s time for her to close this chapter of her book.
Congratulations, unnie. I hope you’re happy.
She stands up to head to the bathroom, not wanting to stay for the reception party. After she finishes her business, she’ll bolt out immediately. Nakyoung will just have to make a lame excuse to Jiyeon later about having to rush back to work or something—not that the girl would believe her anyway.
Pulling the door open, she barges in without noticing there is someone else wanting to walk out. They slam into each other, causing them both to drop their purses.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the woman crouches down to pick up both of their bags. “Here you go.”
“It’s okay,” Nakyoung takes her purse from the woman’s hands. “I was in a rush.”
“I should really head back. Did they already exchange their vows?”
“They finished everything already,” who would decide to go to the bathroom during such an important time? “I think they’ll be partying soon.”
“Oh, no,” the woman slaps her forehead with her hand. “Sohyun unnie is going to kill me.”
Ah. She must be here for Sohyun’s side then.
“Who are you here for?”
“Oh…” Nakyoung tries to not frown. “For Yooyeon unnie.”
“You seem like an interesting person, you want to talk for a bit?”
She really doesn’t have time for this right now. “I really have to pee. If you don’t mind waiting—”
“I am not much of a person who likes being around a big crowd like this. Let’s head inside then, I’ll wait for you,” the stranger gently pushes Nakyoung into the bathroom.
After finishing her business, the dance instructor awkwardly washes her hands. She’s aware that the random stranger is staring at her, almost too close for comfort.
“My name is Dahyun,” the stranger introduces herself as she watches Nakyoung dry her hands with some paper. “What is yours?”
“I’m Nakyoung.”
“It’s nice to meet you then,” Dahyun leans against the cream wall. “I’m happy Sohyun unnie found her soulmate to marry. I once thought Sohyun unnie was my soulmate long ago. It was a super awkward time of my life.”
Nakyoung abruptly turns her body to face her, taking a few steps to get closer. “What did you say?”
“I-I said I thought she was my soulmate,” Dahyun starts to walk slowly back from the sudden closeness between them. “Her birthday is tattooed on me.”
“When is your birthday?” Nakyoung doesn’t hesitate to ask.
If this is really happening, she needs to make sure everything is one hundred percent accurate this time.
“I don’t just go around sharing mine that eas—” Dahyun stops herself when she sees how serious Nakyoung looks. “Okay, January the 8th.”
The bathroom grows silent as they both stare at each other. Dahyun is staring in confusion, while Nakyoung is staring in deep thought.
“Wait, what are you doing Nakyoung-ssi?”
She pulls her dress up despite the protests Dahyun screams out, trying to cover her eyes. “I’m not going to do anything weird to you. I just want you to take a look.”
Placed on her right hip, it’s printed clearly, January 8 .
“Wait, when is your birthday then?”
“Same as Sohyun, October 13th. And I’m being totally honest,” Nakyoung makes sure to clarify. “Can I confirm it’s on your body?”
“Oh…” Dahyun hesitates briefly before nodding her head.
She pulls off the spaghetti straps on her shoulder and then pushes down her dress. Her ears are turning into a rosy hue. It’s not an everyday occurrence she gets to show her body off like this to someone she just met. Dahyun slowly lifts up her bra to reveal her breasts.
“Woah, this is not what I was asking!” Nakyoung tries to pull her dress back up. “I do not want to see this—”
“N-no… my soulmate mark is under my left boob.”
And there it is, October 13.
Except this time, Nakyoung is confident that she found her soulmate. She guesses today isn’t too bad after all. With the way this Dahyun is smiling at her, she thinks she’ll be just fine.