Almost, Always

Kitty had barely finished getting ready when there was a knock at her door.

She exhaled slowly, steadying herself. It was just dinner. Just Yuri. No reason to feel nervous. They’d hung out a million times before.

Still, as she gave herself one last look in the mirror—smoothing down the front of her top and adjusting a strand of hair—there was a small flicker of nerves she couldn’t quite explain. She shook it off and opened the door.

Yuri was leaning casually against the doorframe, dressed in her usual effortlessly cool style. The hallway light hit her just right, casting a soft glow over her face and hair. Her gaze flicked over Kitty’s outfit, and a small, approving smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Not bad, Kitty,” she said, her tone light. “You look... really nice.”

Kitty blinked, caught off guard. It wasn’t the words—it was the way Yuri said them, like she meant it. Like she was actually taking her in.

A small heat crept up Kitty’s neck. “Oh. Uh, thanks.” She cleared her throat, trying to sound normal. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Yuri smirked. “I know.”

Kitty rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t ignore the way her face felt warm as they started walking.

***

Sejong street was alive with energy. Warm lights strung across buildings, the smell of sizzling meats and spices filling the cool night air. It felt so distinctly Seoul, and for the first time since arriving, Kitty felt like she was here.

They walked side by side, close enough that their arms almost brushed. Kitty took in the sounds of the city, the chatter of people, the faint strumming of street musicians in the distance.

“So, how’s it feel?” Yuri asked, glancing at her.

Kitty turned to her. “How does what feel?”

“Being here. Like, actually here. Not just visiting this time.”

Kitty smiled. “Honestly? Kinda surreal. It still hasn’t sunk in.”

Yuri nodded, as if she understood. “Well, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you feel like a real Seoulite in no time.”

Kitty nudged her playfully. “Oh, really?”

Yuri smirked. “Obviously. And step one starts now.”

She gestured toward a restaurant just ahead—Jongsamyook. The inviting glow of the sign reflected off the street, and through the window, Kitty could see the warm ambiance inside, the sound of sizzling meat mixing with lively conversation.

“This is the place,” Yuri said. “Come on.”

The restaurant was bustling but cozy, the air thick with the rich, smoky scent of grilling meat. The inside had a welcoming warmth, and the soft hum of chatter gave it a comfortable feel.

Kitty looked around as they settled into a booth inside, the heat from the grill already warming the space between them. “This place looks really nice.”

“Because it is.” Yuri leaned back, a little smug. “I only bring people to the best spots.”

A waiter appeared, and without hesitation, Yuri took charge. She ordered quickly, with the confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times. Kitty watched, mildly impressed.

When the food arrived, Yuri immediately took control of the grill. Without hesitation, she placed the meat on the sizzling surface, expertly flipping each piece at just the right moment while brushing on the marinade with practiced ease.

Kitty raised a brow. “Wow. Look at you, all experienced.”

Yuri grinned. “Stick with me, Song. You’ll be an expert in no time.”

Kitty watched as Yuri used her chopsticks to grab a perfectly grilled piece of pork belly, placing it on a slice of lettuce, adding garlic, kimchi, and a little ssamjang before wrapping it neatly.

Then, without hesitation, Yuri held it up to Kitty’s lips.

“Here. Try it,” Yuri said casually.

Kitty hesitated for only a moment before leaning forward to take a bite. The flavors hit immediately—rich, smoky, a perfect mix of textures.

“Oh my god,” Kitty said through a mouthful. “That’s amazing.”

Yuri looked pleased. “Told you.”

Kitty reached for her drink, savoring the taste. “Okay, so maybe you do know what you’re doing.”

Yuri smirked, leaning her chin on her hand as she watched her. “What can I say? I’m an expert.”

They kept eating, their conversation flowing effortlessly between teasing and genuine curiosity about each other’s lives. Kitty described the struggle of keeping her transfer a secret, how she had to carefully dance around certain topics during calls with Yuri to avoid giving anything away. There were too many close calls—like the time she almost blurted out how she’d been emailing with Jina, or when she stopped herself just in time from mentioning how she had started packing weeks ahead of schedule.

“I almost blew it, like, ten different times,” Kitty admitted, shaking her head. “I swear, I had to bite my tongue on some of our calls, literally.”

Yuri snorted. “I would’ve caught on so fast if you had. Honestly, I don’t know how you managed it. You can’t keep a secret to save your life.”

Kitty gasped in mock offense. “Excuse me! I kept this one, didn’t I?”

Yuri smirked. “Barely. If Dae wasn’t covering for you, I bet you would’ve cracked.”

Kitty huffed. “Okay, maybe a little. But it was worth it. The look on your face was priceless.”

Yuri leaned back, giving her a deadpan look. “I think I stopped breathing for a second.”

Kitty grinned. “Mission accomplished, then.”

Yuri laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t know how you managed. I barely made it a day without talking to you.”

“It was torture,” Kitty admitted. “I had to keep changing the subject every time I almost slipped.”

Yuri smirked. “I knew something was up. I just didn’t know what.”

As they finished eating, they lingered at the table, neither of them in a rush to leave. Eventually, Yuri checked the time and nudged Kitty. “Wanna take a walk before heading back?”

***

As they strolled through the park, Kitty’s pace slowed. “I know I was excited about coming here, but... I don’t know. I guess I’m a little nervous.”

Yuri glanced at her. “About what?”

"School," Kitty admitted. “It’s one thing to visit over the summer, but actually living here, going to KISS, being away from my family—it’s different.”

Yuri nodded, understanding. “Yeah, it is different. But you’re not alone, Kitty. You have me, you have Dae. We’re going to make sure you fit right in.”

Kitty sighed. “I know. But what if—”

“Nope,” Yuri interrupted, nudging her. “No ‘what ifs.’ You’re going to be fine. More than fine. You’re going to love it.”

Kitty smiled, some of her anxiety easing. “You really think so?”

“I know so.” Yuri smirked. “And if anyone gives you trouble, just tell them you’re best friends with me.”

Kitty let out a laugh, bumping Yuri’s shoulder. “Oh wow, should I be honored?”

“Absolutely. I don’t just claim anyone.”

They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments before Yuri suddenly stopped. “Wanna do something fun?”

Kitty raised an eyebrow. “It’s almost midnight. What could possibly be fun right now?”

Yuri grinned. “Trust me. There’s a 24-hour arcade just down the street. Think you can beat me at the games?”

Kitty smirked. “Oh, it’s on.”

 ***

The arcade was alive with neon lights and the soft hum of electronic game sounds, the occasional burst of laughter or victorious shout filling the space.

Yuri led the way inside, already scanning the rows of machines like she was strategizing a battle plan. Kitty, on the other hand, looked around in awe, taking in the bright colors and flashing screens.

“I don’t think I’ve been to an arcade this late before,” Kitty admitted, watching a group of teens intensely playing a round of Dance Dance Revolution.

Yuri grinned. “It’s the best time to go. Less crowds, no little kids hogging the machines, and—” she reached into her pocket, pulling out a handful of coins with a dramatic flair, “—I already came prepared.”

Kitty laughed. “Oh, so you’ve been plotting this.”

“Obviously,” Yuri said smugly. “You’re new to Seoul. It’s my duty to introduce you to its finest entertainment.”

“Alright then,” Kitty smirked, crossing her arms. “What’s first?”

Yuri considered this, eyes flicking between machines before landing on the air hockey table. “Let’s start with something simple.”

Kitty followed her over, watching as Yuri slid a coin into the machine, activating the game. “You're underestimating me,” she said playfully, picking up her striker. “I take my air hockey very seriously.”

Yuri raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, Katherine Song-Covey, show me what you got.”

The puck shot across the table as soon as Kitty made her first move, a sharp clack echoing through the arcade. Yuri was quick to counter, her reflexes fast and practiced. They went back and forth, the game—growing more competitive by the second.

Kitty narrowed her eyes. “You’ve played this a lot, haven’t you?”

Yuri smirked. “Maybe a little.”

Kitty huffed in frustration as Yuri scored the first point, raising her hands in triumph. “1-0.”

“Don’t get cocky,” Kitty warned, resetting the puck.

They played two more rounds, Kitty managing to score once before Yuri wiped the floor with her.

“That was so unfair!” Kitty groaned, dropping onto a nearby stool as Yuri smirked in victory.

“Excuses,” Yuri teased, leaning against the table.

“You cheated.”

“How exactly did I cheat?”

“You distracted me with your—your smug face!”

Yuri burst into laughter. “That’s just my normal face.”

Kitty rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but laugh, too.

They made their way to the basketball shooting game next, where Kitty actually held her ground, beating Yuri by five points.

“I am a god,” Kitty declared, tossing her hair dramatically.

Yuri scoffed. “Beginner’s luck.”

“Please, just admit you’re losing.”

“Never.”

Kitty laughed, relishing her small victory.

***

They went through nearly every game in the arcade when Yuri stopped in front of a claw machine. The glowing glass case was filled with plushies—some shaped like animals, others resembling characters from Korean cartoons Kitty had binge-watched as a kid.

“Think you can win one?” Yuri asked, tilting her head as she dropped a coin into the machine.

Kitty scoffed. “Please. These things are rigged.”

“Not if you have skill,” Yuri smirked, gripping the joystick. “Watch and learn, Song.”

Kitty crossed her arms, watching as Yuri expertly maneuvered the claw over a small yellow bunny plushie.

“Careful,” Kitty teased. “You're looking awfully confident for someone about to lose.”

Yuri ignored her, pressing the button. The claw descended, grabbing the bunny perfectly.

Kitty’s jaw dropped as the plushie landed in the prize chute.

“No way,” Kitty gasped.

Yuri grinned, bending down to grab the plushie. She turned to Kitty and held it out to her, her dark brown eyes gleaming under the neon lights.

“Here,” Yuri murmured, her voice quieter now.

Kitty hesitated for just a second before taking it. Their fingers brushed—just barely—but enough.

The moment stretched, like the air between them had shifted. The arcade noise seemed to fade into the background, the flashing lights and distant laughter a blur.

Yuri’s eyes flickered to Kitty’s lips for the briefest second before she looked away, a flicker of something unspoken crossing her face.

Kitty swallowed, suddenly feeling… warm. Too warm.

She had no idea why the simple touch felt like something more.

“I—” Kitty started, but Yuri was already turning toward the next game, clearing her throat.

“Come on,” Yuri said quickly, forcing her usual smirk back into place. “We’ve got more games to win.”

Kitty nodded, shaking off whatever that was.

It was just a touch.

Nothing more.

Right?

***

By the time they left the arcade, the night air was crisp, the neon glow of the city stretching endlessly around them. Kitty still clutched the bunny plushie in her hands, hugging it close as they walked in easy silence.

“That was actually really fun,” Kitty admitted, breaking the quiet.

“See?” Yuri smirked. “Told you. I’m always right.”

Kitty rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

They stopped at the curb, where Yuri had called a car to take them back. The ride to KISS was quiet but comfortable, both of them feeling that pleasant exhaustion after a night well spent.

When they arrived at campus, the car pulled up to the entrance. The dorm buildings loomed in the distance, dimly lit against the night sky.

Yuri turned to Kitty before she got out.

“Hey,” Yuri said, voice casual, but something about the way she spoke made Kitty pause.

Kitty looked at her expectantly. “Yeah?”

“So, tomorrow night’s the welcome party for the students.” Yuri played with the sleeve of her jacket. “I was gonna introduce you to all my friends, they’re dying to meet you.”

Kitty felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. “Yeah?”

Yuri shrugged, looking at her with that same fond expression she always had when she wasn’t trying to act too cool. “Yeah. Thought you might want to… I don’t know. Actually meet people before school starts.”

Kitty smiled, something soft curling in her stomach. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” Yuri nodded. "It’s at the rooftop lounge. Should be fun.”

“Fun?” Kitty raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

Yuri scoffed. “Trust me, if I’m there, it’s guaranteed.”

Kitty laughed, opening the car door. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”

Yuri leaned back into the seat, watching as Kitty got out. For a second, it looked like she wanted to say something else. But instead, she just gave her a small nod before the car pulled away.

***

Kitty made her way through the quiet halls of KISS, the plushie still firmly tucked under her arm.

Once inside her room, she let out a deep sigh, kicking off her shoes and collapsing onto her bed. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand just as she was pulling the blankets over herself.

She reached for it, her screen lighting up with a single text.

Yuri: Goodnight, Kitty:) Sleep well.

Kitty felt something small but undeniable bloom in her chest. A soft warmth. A feeling she didn’t quite have the words for yet.

She smiled to herself, fingers typing out a quick reply.

Kitty: Goodnight, Yuri<3

She set her phone down, turning off her bedside lamp before closing her eyes.

And for the first time since arriving in Seoul, she fell asleep feeling completely at ease.