The new semester had begun, and Kitty Song Covey was standing in front of her dorm room, feeling a bit nostalgic. She had spent the summer in Korea with Minho, the boy who had grown from an enemy to someone she had bonded with on a deeper level.
The tour around the county had been a whirlwind—a mix of sightseeing, music, laughter, and the subtle sense that, maybe, she was ready to move on from the tangled emotions that had once bound her to Yuri.
She had spent so much time trying to figure out where she stood with her feelings for Yuri, but after the tour, after spending time with Minho, it felt like something had shifted.
Minho had become a part of her life in a way that she hadn’t anticipated. They had spent late nights talking about everything and nothing, and she had felt a connection growing between them. After weeks of hesitating, it seemed like maybe she was finally ready to give him a chance.
As she walked into her dorm, Kitty pulled out her phone and typed out a message to Minho.
Kitty: “On my way to my dorm. I’ll see you in a bit.”
She hit send and placed the phone back into her pocket.
But then, as she opened the door to her room, she froze.
There, standing in front of her, was Yuri.
Kitty had barely taken two steps inside when the sight of Yuri made her heart skip a beat. She hadn’t expected this.
The last time they had seen each other was before summer—Yuri had gone through her own transformation, and things between them had been left unresolved.
There were feelings there, no doubt, but it had been difficult to figure out everything that had happened.
“Kitty. I missed you,” Yuri said, her voice soft but full of emotion. Kitty swallowed hard, the words not coming as easily as they once had. “Yuri? What are you doing here?”
Yuri smiled the familiar warmth in her eyes, “I was waiting for you. Juliana let me in.” Kitty’s gaze flickered to Juliana, who had just entered the room, casually greeting her with a, “Hi, Kitty.”
Kitty's stomach tightened. The tension that had existed between them in the past wasn’t completely gone, but it was clear that Juliana and Yuri were no longer on bad terms.
Still, it didn’t make the situation any less awkward for Kitty. She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened over the summer. Had things changed between them? And why did Yuri look at her with that expression, the one that always made Kitty’s heart race?
"Are you and Juliana okay now?" Kitty asked, trying to make sense of the situation. Yuri and Juliana exchanged a quick glance before laughing softly.
"Yeah, we’re good," Juliana uttered. "After everything that happened, we’ve both moved forward. I’ve been working on some stuff with Preevena too. It’s all in the past."
Kitty wasn’t sure how to react to that. She could still remember last semester and all the tension between them. But now, seeing them together, it was clear that something had changed.
"Then… why are you here?" Kitty asked, her voice quieter than she intended as she shifted her gaze to Yuri. Yuri’s expression softened, her gaze locking onto Kitty’s. "I need to talk to you," she said simply.
Kitty felt her heart skip again, but before she could process her emotions, she nodded. "Okay. We can talk in my room."
The two of them exchanged brief goodbyes with Juliana before heading to Kitty’s room, and as they entered, Kitty couldn’t help but feel a nervous flutter in her chest.
This wasn’t just another casual conversation. There was something different in the air, something that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. But for now, all she could do was focus on the moment ahead.
Once inside Kitty’s room, the two of them stood in silence for a moment. Kitty started to unpack her things, trying to occupy herself with anything to avoid the growing tension she could feel between them. Yuri stood nearby; her eyes fixed on Kitty with an intensity that made Kitty self-conscious.
It was hard to ignore the way Yuri’s presence seemed to fill the space, and Kitty couldn’t help but feel like she was under a microscope.
"What do you need to talk about?" Kitty asked, trying to break the silence. Yuri’s lips quivered into a half-smile. "Can’t I just be here because I missed you?" she asked softly.
Kitty’s heart skipped again, and she immediately tried not to read too much into the words. It had been a long time since they had been this close, and everything that had happened before still weighed heavily on her mind.
The last time she and Yuri talked, things were confusing. Yuri pulled away, and then there was the tour with Minho that distracted her from all the feelings she once thought were resolved.
Kitty hesitated, unsure what to say. “You… you can’t say things like that, Yuri. We have a lot of history. And I’m not sure where we stand right now.”
Yuri nodded, looking thoughtful. “I know,” she said quietly. “I’ve been thinking a lot about everything, too. I just wanted to see you again and talk to you. I don’t know if it changes anything, but I wanted you to know that.”
Kitty let out a small breath, the words hanging heavy between them. Before she could respond, Yuri changed the subject.
"So," she began, her tone lighter, "there’s a school event coming up. It’s like a prom thing, and I’m involved in helping organize it. I was wondering if you’d want to help me out. I’d love to have someone I know there. It would mean a lot to me."
Kitty paused for a moment, considering the offer. Yuri had always been involved in these kinds of events, and she knew how much it would mean to her to have Kitty by her side. But Kitty wasn’t sure if she was ready to jump into something like this. Not with all the unresolved emotions between them.
But then Yuri added something that made Kitty’s heart ease a little. "Dae and Q will be there too," Yuri continued, a small smile playing on her lips. "They’re helping out as well."
Kitty couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Q. She had always gotten along with him, and knowing that he would be there made the idea of helping out feel a little less unsettling.
“Okay,” Kitty said, finally giving in. “I’ll help out. Since everyone would probably be there, I’ll go.”
Yuri’s eyes lit up with genuine happiness. "Thank you," she said, stepping forward and pulling Kitty into a brief but sincere hug. "I’ll text you the details soon."
As they pulled apart, Kitty let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Everything was happening so quickly, and she was trying to keep up with the emotions swirling inside her. It felt like she was standing on the edge of something, unsure whether to take the leap or pull back.
But as Yuri left her room, Kitty couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. She glanced down at her phone, seeing that she had left Minho’s last message unread.
Minho: “Covey? Are you still there? Are you okay?”
She let out a sigh, wondering how she could be okay when she was so uncertain about everything. Kitty quickly typed out a response to Minho
Kitty: “Yeah, I’m here and I am okay.”
She knew that wasn’t entirely true. The truth was, she wasn’t sure what she was feeling, and she wasn’t sure where her heart stood anymore.
All she knew was that, somehow, she was caught in the middle of it all—between the past with Yuri, the present with Minho, and the uncertainty of what the future would bring.
Kitty was feeling a storm of emotions as she walked to Q's dorm room. Her heart was still reeling from the conversation with Yuri—confusion, nostalgia, and guilt swirling inside her. She needed to breathe, to get away from everything for a moment, and Q's room was always a safe space for her to talk things out.
As she opened the door, however, she was immediately greeted by the sight of Minho and Dae lounging casually in the guys’ living room, a stark reminder of the tangled web of emotions she was trying to escape.
Her breath caught in her throat as she met Minho's eyes. For a split second, it felt like everything stopped. There was that same look in his eyes again—the soft intensity, the unspoken affection he’d been showing her for the last few months.
Kitty’s stomach twisted, and she could feel the guilt creeping in. The feeling that had grown between them was real, and yet... her mind kept drifting back to Yuri.
"Uh, hey Kitty!" Dae called, giving her a wave, but Kitty barely registered it.
Minho had barely opened his mouth to greet her when Kitty’s internal battle became too much. Without thinking, she blurted out, "I—I'm sorry, I gotta go," and before anyone could respond, she grabbed Q’s arm and pulled him to his bedroom.
Q shot a glance back at Minho and Dae, who both looked at each other with confused expressions.
"What... just happened?" Dae asked, his brow furrowing. Minho just shook his head, unsure of what to make of the sudden turn of events.
Meanwhile, Q was getting dragged down to his room, clearly amused by Kitty’s frantic pace.
"Okay, okay, what's going on? You look like you just saw a ghost," Q said, raising an eyebrow as he yanked his arm free from her grip, standing in front of her to stop her pacing.
Kitty ran her hand through her hair, frustrated, her chest tight with nerves. "I... I don’t even know anymore, Q," she sighed, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I just... I thought I was figuring things out, you know? But now Yuri shows up, and everything feels confusing again."
Q crossed his arms, leaning against the wall and watching her with a knowing smirk. "Yuri, huh? The one who’s been on your mind since forever?" He paused for a moment, letting the tension build. "So... how was the summer with Minho? Was it as romantic as I imagined?"
Kitty froze, her face turning a shade of red she couldn’t explain. She tried to avoid his gaze, but Q wasn’t having any of it. He took a step closer, his voice teasing but sincere. "You’re not fooling anyone, Kitty. You’ve got that look. The look."
Kitty huffed, trying to hold it together, but the words tumbled out before she could stop them. "It was... it was good. Minho and I, we—" She stopped herself. "No. No, I don’t even know what I’m saying. Everything feels like it's... pulling me in different directions, and I don't know what to do anymore, Q!" She resumed pacing back and forth like a caged animal.
Q watched her closely, a soft grin tugging at his lips. "Okay, okay, deep breaths, Kitty. Slow down. You’re acting like you’ve just seen a ghost."
He motioned for her to sit down on the couch, his tone a little more serious. "Tell me what’s happening. What’s got you in this tangled mess? And leave out the dramatic pacing."
Kitty sank down onto the bed with a dramatic sigh, hands wringing in her lap. "I thought I was done thinking about Yuri. I really did. I mean, I was ready to give Minho a shot. But now... now Yuri shows up, and she’s saying she missed me, and I can’t get those words out of my head. I’m still feeling... something for her. But I’m also feeling something for Minho. I don’t want to hurt either of them, and I’m just... lost."
Q sat beside her, resting his chin on his hand, pretending to think for a moment. "Sounds like someone has a case of the love quadrangle." He let out a small chuckle before getting serious again.
"But seriously, Kitty, do you think maybe Yuri... likes you? Like, likes you, likes you?" He gave her a pointed look, half-mocking but also genuinely curious.
Kitty’s heart did a little flip in her chest at the thought. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could get a word out, the door to Q’s room creaked open slightly, and Dae’s voice rang out from the hallway.
"Well, maybe it’s because Yuri does like you that way, huh?"
Kitty’s heart skipped. She glanced toward the door, wide-eyed, her mind racing as she wondered if Minho was standing right outside. But before she could ask, Dae poked his head around the corner.
"Minho left a second ago," Dae explained nonchalantly. "I heard all this noise and thought I’d come to see what was going on. You two sound like you’re having a serious conversation in here." He gave them both a wink, making it clear he was just teasing, but there was an underlying seriousness in his gaze.
Kitty blinked, caught completely off guard. "Wait, what?" She felt her stomach twist. "What are you talking about?"
Q raised an eyebrow at Dae’s sudden appearance. "Oh, we were just talking about Yuri and Kitty, and apparently, Dae thinks Yuri might have a thing for her. Not exactly a groundbreaking theory, but it’s something."
Dae shrugged. "It’s not that wild of an idea. I mean, Yuri’s always been into Kitty, even if Kitty’s been in denial about it. That girl’s got her heart all over the place, but she’s been into Kitty for a long time, hasn’t she?"
Kitty was silent, a mix of embarrassment and confusion swirling inside her. "No... no way," she said quietly, shaking her head. "That’s impossible. Yuri... she’s just—she’s just being nice, right?" She looked at Q for reassurance, but deep down, she couldn’t deny what Dae was suggesting.
"You’re seriously telling me you’re over Yuri? After everything that’s happened?" Dae pressed, crossing his arms, eyes narrowing in a playful challenge.
Kitty’s breath caught in her throat. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Finally, after a long moment of silence, she nodded, though it was more for herself than for them. "I... I have to be. I’m giving Minho a chance. I’m moving on from Yuri."
Q exchanged a glance with Dae. "Are you sure about that?" Q asked, his voice soft but with a knowing look.
Kitty’s heart beat loudly in her chest. "Yes," she said, though the uncertainty was clear in her voice. "I’m sure."
There was a long pause before Q let out a breath and nodded. "Okay. But if you’re not sure... you should talk to her. For real."
Kitty stood up, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing on her chest. "I’m going to hang out with Minho," she said, as much to herself as to them. "I need to clear my head."
As she made her way to the door, Q called out, "Good luck with that, Kitty! You’ve got this. Maybe you’ll get some clarity with Minho, or maybe—" He raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the whole moving on thing. "Maybe you’ll get even more confused."
Kitty gave him a small, half-hearted smile before leaving the room, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.
Q and Dae exchanged a look, their grins widening. "She’s definitely not over Yuri," Q said with a smirk. Dae chuckled, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Looks like we’ve got some matchmaking to do."
The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as the school event preparations got underway. The place was a flurry of movement—people hanging up decorations, setting up lights, and running around, making sure everything was in order.
It was meant to be a lighthearted evening, but for Kitty, it felt like a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.
She was busy organizing a pile of props when she noticed Juliana and Yuri in the corner, talking and laughing as if there had never been any tension between them. The ease with which they interacted, as if they were picking up right where they left off, struck Kitty like a punch to the gut.
It was supposed to be a good thing—Yuri and Juliana were finally friends again—but Kitty couldn't help the way her stomach twisted.
They had history. She had a history with Yuri. So why did it bother her so much to see them together, so familiar, so comfortable?
Kitty quickly looked away, focusing on the task in front of her, trying to convince herself that it didn’t matter. But every now and then, she found herself glancing back at them, seeing the way they shared an inside joke or exchanged a playful glance.
A dull ache settled in her chest. Was that jealousy? No. She wouldn’t admit it. She couldn’t.
Just as the thoughts swirled in her head, she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, Covey," Minho said, his usual charming smile lighting up his face. "Looking beautiful as always."
Kitty glanced up, her heart skipping a beat at the warmth in his eyes. She tried to act casual, trying to brush it off with a shy laugh. "Thanks, Minho. You look... good too."
Minho’s smile only widened as he stepped closer, his tone playful but sincere. "I’m glad we could do this together. It’s been fun, hasn’t it?"
Kitty nodded, trying to focus on him. She really did want to enjoy the moment with Minho, but every time she tried, her eyes kept drifting back to Yuri, who was still chatting with Juliana. There was something so natural about their friendship now, and it made Kitty’s heartache.
Minho noticed her distraction. "Hey," he said softly, his voice dipping in concern. "Are you okay?" Kitty quickly looked at him, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just... thinking."
Minho gave her a knowing look, but before he could respond, the sound of Yuri yelping caught everyone off guard. Everyone turned to see her standing with her hand pressed to her side, blood seeping through her fingers.
Kitty’s heart lurched. Without a second thought, she pushed past the others, rushing to Yuri’s side before anyone else could react. "Yuri! Are you alright?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with concern.
Yuri waved her off, trying to appear nonchalant despite the blood. "I’m fine, really. It’s just a small cut."
Kitty didn’t care about the excuse. She knelt down in front of Yuri, her heart pounding as she gently took her hand, carefully inspecting the injury. Q was already at her side, handing Kitty some tissues to help stop the bleeding.
"Yuri, let me help," Kitty insisted, her voice soft but firm. She didn’t care about anyone else watching them or the fact that she had just rushed to her side before anyone else could. In that moment, nothing else mattered.
Yuri smiled at her, still trying to downplay the injury. "Kitty, it’s really not a big deal. You don’t have to worry about me."
But Kitty wasn’t having it. "Of course, I’m going to worry," she said, looking up at Yuri with a tender but intense gaze. "You’re not fine. Let me take care of this."
Minho, watching the entire scene unfold from the sidelines, felt something shift inside him. He hadn’t realized it until now, but there was no battle. He could see it in the way Kitty’s attention was fully on Yuri, the way her worry and care were so natural. Minho had known, deep down, that Kitty’s heart had always been with Yuri.
He didn’t need to ask any more questions. It had always been her. It was never going to be him, no matter how hard he tried. And, in a way, that realization hit him harder than anything else. But instead of feeling angry or bitter, he felt... calm. At peace, even.
As he watched Kitty tenderly clean up Yuri’s wound, he knew what he had to do. He wasn’t going to stand in the way of what was meant to be. All he wanted was for Kitty to be happy. Even if that happiness wasn’t with him.
He quietly turned and walked away, not wanting to make a scene, but knowing that in his heart, the decision had already been made.
Kitty, oblivious to Minho’s quiet departure, continued to help Yuri, her heart racing as the moments ticked by. She could feel the intensity of her emotions building, but at the same time, there was a strange sense of calmness settling in.
She had no idea what was going to happen next, but in that moment, she knew one thing for sure—Yuri was the one who mattered.
And maybe, just maybe, she needed to admit that to herself.
Laughter and chatter filled the air, but Kitty’s focus had shifted entirely. She was still standing by Yuri, wiping away the last of the blood from her hand, but now her attention was entirely consumed by the injury, no matter how small. She couldn’t help it—Yuri mattered to her far more than anything else in the room.
The others were finishing their tasks, but Q and Dae exchanged a quick look, a silent agreement passing between them. Dae gave a subtle nod toward Yuri and Kitty, then raised an eyebrow at Q. Without a word, they both sauntered over, positioning themselves near the girls.
"You two should really head to the infirmary," Dae said casually, arms folded across his chest. He gave Yuri a knowing look like he was already aware of the truth. "That cut’s nothing to joke about."
Yuri immediately waved her hand dismissively, clearly wanting to avoid any extra attention. "I’m fine, seriously. It’s just a small cut."
Kitty, however, wasn’t having it. She immediately stepped in, giving Yuri a stern look that was hard to ignore. "No, you’re not fine, Yuri," she insisted, her tone more serious than she intended.
"You need to get it treated, or it could get infected. We wouldn’t want you passing out in front of everyone, would we?"
Yuri rolled her eyes, trying to laugh it off, but there was no missing the glint of concern in Kitty’s eyes. "Kitty, it’s just a tiny thing. I can’t—"
Kitty cut her off, her voice taking on an almost absurdly dramatic tone. "It could get really infected! What if it gets so bad that you turn into a mutant, Yuri? What if you have to get amputated? You know how bad it is when you get an infection! The doctors could give you antibiotics, but who knows if that will work? And then, what if they run out of antibiotics? What if your arm falls off? What then? What if—"
Yuri blinked, a surprised laugh escaping her. "Wait, hold on—what did you just say?"
Kitty didn’t let up. "I’m serious!" she continued, almost theatrically. "If we don’t treat it now, you'll turn into a zombie and start biting people. And then we’ll all be screwed, and it’ll be my fault for not helping you when I had the chance! Do you want that on your conscience?"
The absurdity of her words caught everyone off guard. Q burst out laughing, shaking his head. "She’s got a point. I mean, we can’t have a zombie apocalypse right before the event, can we?"
Dae chuckled as well, crossing his arms. "Seriously though, we don’t need you running around with a potential infection, Yuri. It could get worse than a scratch. Kitty’s right... it could turn into a disaster."
Yuri rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "You guys are all overreacting."
Kitty, however, was not backing down. "No, seriously, this is life or death, Yuri," she insisted, not missing a beat.
"I’m just trying to help you avoid the worst-case scenario here. Who knows what kind of crazy stuff can happen with a cut that small? You might think it’s fine now, but tomorrow it could explode. Or worse!" She threw her hands up for dramatic effect, causing the group to laugh again.
"I’m... I’m going to explode?" Yuri said, trying to hold back laughter. "Okay, fine, okay!" She relented, clearly amused by Kitty’s relentless concern. "If it’s that important to you, I’ll go to the infirmary. Geez, calm down, you’re making it sound like I’m going to be a walking disaster."
Kitty, with a satisfied nod, immediately started pulling Yuri toward the door, not giving her a chance to protest further. "That’s the spirit!" she said, her voice bright and chipper, though her worry didn’t seem to fade. "I’ll make sure you’re treated properly. I won’t let you become a mutant zombie. I promise."
The others exchanged glances, barely able to contain their amusement. Q leaned toward Dae, a smirk spreading across his face.
"You think they’re going to be alright now, right?" Q whispered, his voice low but full of meaning. Dae raised an eyebrow, giving a half-hearted shrug. "It’s all part of the plan, my friend. Kitty is not the only one with matchmaking skills, remember?"
Q chuckled under his breath, his gaze shifting to where Kitty was already leading Yuri out of the gym. "Yeah, I think Kitty’s a little more obvious than she realizes."
Dae grinned, watching the pair leave. "We’ll see how this plays out. But hey, at least no one’s bleeding out... yet."
Their words were lost in the chaos of the gym, but for Kitty and Yuri, it was just the beginning of what felt like an unexpectedly intimate moment between them. Kitty, pulling Yuri to the infirmary with a level of care that was far more intense than she wanted to admit, couldn’t help but feel a weight lifted off her shoulders. Yuri would be fine; she kept telling herself.
The infirmary was quiet, a small, sterile room with soft light filtering in through the blinds. The chaos of the event preparation outside was now distant, and all that remained was the soft hum of the fluorescent lights and the sound of Kitty’s breath.
Kitty carefully held Yuri’s hand in hers, focusing on the small cut on Yuri’s palm, still red and slightly inflamed. It wasn’t a big wound—nothing serious at all—but the blood earlier had made her heart race in a way she couldn’t explain. It was just a cut. But to Kitty, it had felt like everything.
Her fingers gently applied the ointment, the cool cream soothing the tender skin. Yuri flinched slightly at the sting, and Kitty’s instinct was to blow on it, soft and gentle, as if she could take away the pain with her breath. It wasn’t even something she thought about, just something that came naturally.
Every time Yuri flinched, Kitty’s heart beat faster. She couldn’t help it, and now, as she looked down at Yuri’s hand on her own, she realized how much louder her heartbeat was than it should be.
Yuri’s soft chuckle broke the silence, drawing Kitty’s gaze up to meet her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat.
"You know," Yuri began, her voice light, teasing, "your heartbeat’s a little too loud for this."
Kitty froze, her fingers pausing mid-air. She felt heat rush to her cheeks, her heart betraying her. It was so obvious now, wasn’t it? The way her emotions were laid out for Yuri to see. She couldn’t hide it. She didn’t even know how to.
"I—what?" Kitty stammered; her voice tight.
Yuri gave her a playful smile. "Your heart, Kitty. It’s pounding like crazy." She tilted her head slightly, a knowing glint in her eyes, "You’re nervous, aren’t you?”
Kitty pulled her hand back, immediately regretting the way she let it slip so freely into Yuri’s. "I’m not nervous!" She could hear the lie in her own voice. It felt like everything was too loud, too close. The way her breath hitched, the way Yuri’s eyes were so soft on her, it was all too much.
Yuri’s expression softened, and for a moment, it was just the two of them in the quiet room. The weight of their silence hung between them, but there was something different about it now. The tension, the distance that had been there for so long, was gone.
Then, unexpectedly, Yuri’s voice was small, almost hesitant. "Kitty... I’m really sorry about last semester. About everything that happened between us."
Kitty blinked, unsure of what Yuri was referring to. "What do you mean?"
Yuri took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Kitty’s, vulnerability etched in her features. "I—I wasn’t fair to you. I was scared, and I... I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to handle my feelings. But I’ve had time to think, and I want to say it now. Kitty... I love you."
Kitty’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart did that thing again, thudding loudly in her chest. She stared at Yuri, her mind racing, unsure if she’d heard correctly. This wasn’t real, was it? Not after everything.
"I don’t understand," Kitty whispered, her voice barely audible. "What do you mean? You... you love me?"
Yuri nodded; her gaze unwavering. "I’ve loved you for quite some time, Kitty. All summer, when you were on tour with Minho, all I could think about was you. And I hated it. I hated how jealous I felt, how I couldn’t do anything about it. You were with him, and I just... I just couldn’t stand the thought of you being with anyone else. It hurt more than I ever expected."
“I even talked to Juliana about this and even Minho,” Yuri added, catching Kitty’s attention.
Kitty’s heart was hammering now, louder than ever. Minho. The thought of him, the way he’d been so close to Yuri, made something twist in her chest. She had to ask.
"What about Minho?" Kitty’s voice was sharp with a hint of fear. "What did he... what did he say to you about this? About us?”
Yuri’s lips curled into a small smile as if the memory was bittersweet. "It was the day you came back to the dorm. Minho came to see me." She paused; her voice soft.
"He asked me how I felt about you. I think he knew... he always knew. He didn’t even look surprised when I finally admitted that I loved you," Yuri laughed quietly, shaking her head. "He just smiled at me, like he knew the whole time. I guess he did, didn’t he?"
Kitty’s mind was reeling. Minho. Minho had known all along. Her heart sank. She could feel her face turning pale, her stomach twisted. So, this... this had been a long time coming. It wasn’t just her.
"Minho... he always knew?" Kitty repeated, the words tasting strange on her tongue.
Yuri nodded, her eyes full of something softer now, something fragile. "Yeah. He told me he was happy that I admitted it. He said he just wanted you to be happy, no matter who that was with." Yuri’s eyes searched Kitty’s face for a reaction. "I think he knew what I needed before I even did."
Kitty’s heart was in her throat now but for a different reason. The weight of what Yuri was saying, the way Minho had quietly supported her all along, made her feel a rush of warmth, mixed with a little bit of guilt. She was a mess of emotions. She needed to say something, anything.
"So... what does this mean?" Kitty finally asked, her voice trembling slightly. She couldn’t look away from Yuri now. Her whole world seemed to narrow into this moment, this fragile, delicate moment between them.
Yuri smiled softly; her eyes soft but full of longing. "I would wait for you, Kitty. I know it’s not easy, and I don’t want to rush you, but I’m here. I’m here for you, whenever you’re ready."
Kitty’s breath hitched. The realization hit her then, clear and undeniable. She had spent so long burying her feelings, so long pretending that she had moved on, but she hadn’t. She never had.
"Did you know how long I’ve been waiting for you to tell me that?" Kitty whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop them. She blinked back the sudden moisture in her eyes. "I’ve been waiting for you to say it. To admit it. Because I—"
Yuri’s hand reached for hers, gently cupping it in hers. "I’m sorry I made you wait."
Kitty smiled, her heart pounding in her chest. "I’m not mad. I just—," She paused, looking deep into Yuri’s eyes. "I just needed to hear it. I wanted to hear it."
Yuri’s hand tightened around hers, and in that moment, it was like the world shifted. All the doubts, all the fears, melted away. They were here, now, together.
Kitty laughed softly, a little breathless. "So... what does this mean for us now?"
Yuri’s smile grew, the warmth of it making Kitty feel like everything had finally fallen into place. "Maybe... girlfriends?"
Kitty raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing grin. "Girlfriends?"
Yuri’s eyes sparkled; her voice steady but full of emotion. "Yep. Girlfriends."
Kitty’s heart swelled with something she couldn’t name, but it felt right. "I love that."
Yuri’s expression softened, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I love you. I love you so much, Kitty."
Kitty’s heart fluttered at the words, the truth of them settling between them like a promise. She leaned in, her voice tender, but full of everything she felt. "I love you too, Yuri. I always have."
Yuri’s smile was the answer she had been waiting for, the one that made everything feel like it was finally in place. Kitty couldn't help but smile in return, her heart finally at peace.