The Ring
"Hm, yeah, take care."
"I will."
The faint sound of two voices who Hyein surely guessed, slowly vanished until the door opened, revealing Hanni. Who gasped dramatically upon coming face-to-face with Hyein, standing beside the door with a crossed arms infront of her.
"What the-? Why didn't you tell me you'd be here?" Hanni asked after processing the situation and closing the door behind her. For some reason, she looked red, Hyein thought. Another thing she noticed was the jacket, which obviously belong to none other than but the name imprinted on the back—Kim Minji.
"I never say anything if I'd visit?" Hyein claimed with a raised brow, deciding her questions to save later. The older sister ignored her, shrugged and walked towards the cushion, slamming her body flat onto it; face down on the soft material.
Hyein slowly approached, eyes never leaving Hanni as she suspiciously checks her up and down.
She's wearing her favorite jacket now...
The stillness of the room that Hyein has grow accustomed to, suddenly broke when Hanni promptly squealed, making Hyein slightly flinched. She slapped and punched the couch, while staying on her position to which Hyein stares at her weirdly. Yet Hanni remained, kicking her feet, screaming incoherent words that doesn't sound scared or annoyed—but giddy?
"Yah Unnie!"
The younger called out, and Hanni, unexpectedly, sat up properly this time. Her face red with her expression dazed. She had that stupid smile she was obviously trying—and failing—to suppress.
"Hold up, I know that face." Hyein voiced, swiftly sitting beside her sister who was weirdly stiff, her back straightened, and both hands resting on her crossed legs. It looked like she was either trying to compose herself or process what had just happened. Hanni didn't acknowledge her sister—didn't even care she's literally beside her now. She stared straight ahead, suppressing her smile while butterflies already went wild that she's afraid it'll open her stomach alive. Her face was really, really, flushed.
Hyein's eyes shifted up and down, observing her sister's features and body language. She asked warily, "What happened between you and Minji-unnie?"
Just by the mere mentioned of THE name, Hanni, without even glancing at her sister, turned even deeper red that Hyein didn't think was humanly possible. (She's overreacting)
What!? She looks like she's about to blow!?
"Yah Unnie! Did Minji-unnie kissed you or what? Why are you blushing so much!?"
And finally, that stole Hanni's volcanic emotions. Her head snapped toward her sister as she slapped her arm—not too hard, but enough to sting. "Yah! No!? Nothing happened!" Hanni exclaimed, standing abruptly and leaving a confused Hyein rubbing her arm.
Hanni stomped to her bed, instantly covering herself with the duvet and turning her back to her sibling. The "sibling" still eyed her with curiosity but decided to leave her alone, even though the flush on her exposed ears was clearly visible. Hyein rolled her eyes.
Just what did Minji-unnie do?
.
.
.
After a few minutes of silence. Hyein now lying on the couch eyes focused on her phone, heard Hanni finally speak from her bed.
"You're sleeping here right?"
Without glancing at her, Hyein replied, "Yeah. Discharging day is tomorrow, I'll help you gather your things."
"Ah... I'd appreciate that."
Silence settled again. Hyein didn't mind it at all, believing her sister is about to drift off to sleep. But another question broke the quiet. "Hyein-ah, do you remember the time you used to sleep beside me?"
She stopped, Hyein's hands hover on her phone as her head slightly turned right. "Yeah? Why?"
"Wanna sleep beside me?" Hanni suggested. She didn't sound joking as Hyein thought she was.
Hyein furrowed her brow before sitting up and glancing over her shoulder, staring at her sister's back with a mix of confusion and curiosity. It felt odd for her sister to suddenly ask something like that after so long.
"Eh? Why?"
"Why not? You said you're still my baby, didn't you?"
Hyein scoffed playfully, "Yah Unnie! Why are you so weird today? You never asked me to sleep beside you!"
Hanni shifted to face her sister, she exclaimed in return. "I did! Didn’t you always like sleeping beside me whenever you feel scared or just because you wanted to!?"
"Eh!? I was just a kid back then!" And Hyein fired back a chuckle, to which Hanni replied only with a roll of eyes.
"Alright alright. Goodnight kiddo." Hanni just gave up, returning to her previous position. The exchange didn't sound serious—just their usual, typical banter. But somehow, Hyein felt a pang of guilt. It had been a while since her sister treated her like a child, as if she were the mother who raised her. Despite their grandma's presence, Hanni chose to stood up as one—not just a sister, but also as a mother figure. Because Hanni always felt Hyein didn’t deserve to grow up without parents.
With that thought in mind, Hyein sighed, turning off her phone and settling it aside on the cabinet. Then, without a warning, she suddenly jumped onto the bed, surprising and annoying her older sister.
"LEE HYEIN!"
----
7:03 A.M
Hanni came out of the bathroom wearing a long bomber jacket with a color-blocked design, featuring a dark main body and lighter gray sleeves. The glossy material suggested leather or a similar fabric, with the bold name "KIM MINJI" printed on the back.
"And you're still wearing that jacket." Hyein remarked, not even bothering to look up. Just form the peripheral vision, she saw her small sister wearing the oversized jacket. Her hands' were busy with closing the bags after helping her sister pack her things.
"Why not? It's cold?" Hanni shrugged and walked over to Hyein, who was on the bed. She was about to help again, but the younger sister had already managed to close the barrel bag.
"Huh. Or maybe because it's from a certain someone." Hyein added boredly as she stood up, holding the barrel bag and placing it on the couch, ready to leave. Hanni scoffed at her sister's claim, shrugging as she followed her while carrying her backpack.
"Well, technically, that jacket’s yours. Minji-unnie never wore it again after, like, one or two times because you claimed it as yours. I guess she just returned it to the rightful owner." Hyein said nonchalantly, eyes now glued on her phone.
Sitting beside her, that took Hanni's flying thoughts, her heavy bag still on her back. "Eh? I-I did that?"
The younger only nodded. "Yeah, unnie. You’re that type of girlfriend. Almost all of Minji-unnie’s jackets and hoodies—oh, especially hoodies—are yours. You guys practically share them. You even have one wardrobe for those. But sometimes, you don’t even let her wear specific jackets or hoodies, like that one."
"Oh..." Somehow, the thought warmed her insides. The idea that Minji would let her steal her clothes without minding it felt... sweet.
Was I spoiled?
"Oh, yes definitely." Hyein expressed, that made Hanni's eyes slightly widen. "You said that out loud, unnie," she quickly added before her sister could even ask
Is that why she didn't wore it when she arrived?
Knock knock
The sound behind the door brought Hanni back to the present. Thinking it would be Minji, she grunted while standing up, the heaviness of her belongings weighing her down. Opening the door with a smile, she was met with unexpected faces.
Oh.
"Dad, mom, hey." She greeted, hugging them.
"I guess you're ready, judging from that backpack." Her dad teased, glancing at her bag.
"Ah. Yeah. Hahahaha." Hanni could only scratch the back of her neck in embarrassment.
"Don’t worry. Minji’s already in the parking lot. Your dad saw her." Her mom softly stated, caressing Hanni's arm. The daughter just nodded with a smile. "You take care of grandma for a while, mom." Hanni mentioned, rewinding her earlier moments with her grandmother when she announced she would be leaving to live with Minji. Their grandma was so happy than ever, not disregarding to bring up the marriage tho.
Her mom nodded before commenting. "Hm... It's been so long since I've seen you wearing your favorite jacket."
With slightly surprised eyes, Hanni glanced down at her jacket. "Oh, yeah..."
I guess everyone knows.
Suddenly, Hyein jumped behind her. "Actually, dad, she's been wearing that even while she's asleep."
Hanni's eyes snapped at her, "What!? No I took it off!"
"Yeah. if I haven't pointed it out." Hyein asserted with a smirk.
"Argh so what? I just forgot okay!?"
"Wow, is her scent really that enchanting?" She asked teasingly with a grin.
Hanni couldn't help but groaned. "Argh, you kid! Just shut up!"
She didn't even wore it!
But it really does smell like her...
The exchanges stopped when their parents burst into laughter, witnessing the sisters’ infamous typical banter. It wasn’t anything new; it was their love language. Weirdly Hanni always ends up losing (and annoyed).
As the laughter subdued, their dad joined. "Maybe you're falling in love again, sweetie."
That just didn't make anything better when Hanni's cheeks, much to her dislike, went flushed again.
"What? Dad no! It's just—"
"Come on, Honey, it's fine. You've always been in love with her." And now her mother just have to take their side.
She groaned once again, feeling cornered to their comments that should have not affected her this much. "Mom no! Ugh! Can we not talk about this please!?"
"What is it you can't talk about!?" And speaking of the ingredients from their tea, the devil just had to show up at the perfect-right-timing.
"Minji."
"Unnie!"
"Oh, Minji dear. It's just Hanni. She'd been wear—"
"Let’s go! Minji, let’s go!" Hanni cut her off, jumping right in front of Minji. She almost closed the gap between them, their faces nearly touching as she absently tried to block her parents’ words.
Minji, slightly surprised with Hanni's antics and the invasion of personal space, but didn't step away. Instead, her eyes flickered down to the jacket Hanni was wearing. A subtle smile twitched Minji's lips, so brief that Hanni almost didn't catch. Almost. Yet it made her insides swirling in giddiness, rewinding yesterday's events.
And the people around them? Went quiet and exhanged knowing looks.
"Alright, let's go." Minji said, grabbing the sling of the bag from Hanni’s shoulder. Hanni flinched slightly but let it go. It may not directly made contact to her skin, the image last night replayed in her mind. The electric feeling she felt as Minji held out her hand to fit the ring, somehow it felt exactly like that seconds ago. Although not intense, surely, because the clothes was hindering it away.
Hindering? It was saving!
Minji then took the other bag from Hyein, who handed it over willingly. She gazed at Hanni with a small smile and a nod before turning to leave.
The shorter sighed nervously, not even knowing why. And definitely not because of how the girl looked so...
Goddamn.
Hanni thought the woman couldn’t get any more attractive than she had in a suit. But this...
Minji was casually dressed in a dark gray denim shirt, light beige cargo pants, and dark shoes—perfectly complementing her height and proportions. And she just had to add a cap!?
With her hair pulled back in a simple, low bun with some strands loose around her face, yet it neatly suits to her.
And Hanni had never seen, in all her 17 years of life (or at least the parts she remembered), a woman to look that insanely attractive, hot and incredibly— can she even call it?
Of course! She is HANDSOME!
Can a girl even look handsome?
I don't think that's possible.
Or even make sense?
But now...
Holy shit.
----
Walking down to the parking lot, it was loud and lively. The family, along with Minji were conversing random things and laughing together, while Hanni could only keep her mouth shut. She was preoccupied, busy thinking of everything that will happen soon, knowing she'll be staying with Minji. Her mind distracted, still wandering to the mountain and ocean how she'll be able to keep up and survive living with the girl.
Trailing behind Minji, Hanni walked with her head hung low, staring at her own functional feet. When suddenly, her head bumped on Minji's back when she stopped. Hanni looks up realizing they had already reached the parking lot.
Minji turned to her, her scent lingering in the air. "Take my keys. They're in my pocket." She asked, gesturing to her pants. With her hands occupied, busy from holding two bags, Hanni gulped before reaching to her pocket. Pulse racing, she retrieved the keys giving it to her. Sometimes, Hanni thought living with Minji might be a bad idea. She think she couldn't survive this without dying from a heart attack. It won't give her a damn break, why wouldn't it sit still!?
When Hanni heard the beeping sound of the car infront of them that she didn't even realized. Her eyes widened.
Woah, what the fuck?
She stopped in her tracks, her mouth slightly agape at the sight of a sleek black car. Minji went circle to the back of it, opening the trunk with precision to store the bags. Hanni looked behind to see if the others have the same reactions as her but only offered Indifference. As if it's not something crazy as she'd account for.
Her attention avert back to Minji, who now stood infront of her. "What's with that reaction?" She asked, amused.
"What do you mean, what!? Girl what's this car!? Omg." Hanni exclaimed in amusement, walking passed her and went infront of it, admiring and checking each sides, as if a kid who just saw a race car for the first time. Though it's not a race car.
"Black Honda Civic Type R."
"Shitttt!" And so Hanni continues her admiration, running her fingers along the car as if confirming it was real. Minji chuckled lowly before turning her attention to Hanni's parents, to bid goodbyes and permission. Not that she needed to—they already agreed—she decided it's the right thing to do.
After moments of chattering and Hanni from gawking at the car, Hyein went to her sibling and pull her in reality to hug her goodbye. They exchanged a few words before Hanni heard Minji giving her last farewell once more and bowing to her parents. As Minji walked to the passenger seat, Hanni sprinted to her parents one last time, enveloping them both in her embrace. Exchanging sweet words before letting go.
Minji opened the car door for Hanni, who climbed in slowly, her eyes linger on her family even when Minji closed it for her. Minji then walked around the driver's side, opening it but paused as she glanced back at the family. Hanni's mom nodded warmly, but Hyein avoided her gaze. Minji softly sighed, understanding and averted her eyes to the father who gave her a pointed look— reminding her of something or a warning. Minji could only blinked rapidly before she nodded with a small smile.
I'll try my best.
Minji thought.
----
The ride was never silent, Hanni kept asking about this and that— about every little things she noticed in the car. The interior was way cooler than she expected it to be. And she didn't stop just talking about the car. She had asked, why Minji bought it, how much it cost, who had entered here, where she had taken it and so on. Minji wasn't annoyed, actually, she found it quite amusing and funny how this Hanni reacted differently than the old one. Yet exactly the 17 years old Hanni would behave.
Hanni hadn’t lived a fancy life. She wasn’t wealthy, but she wasn’t poor either—just an average girl. Someone who usually took the bus or a taxi to get home, or occasionally used her bicycle. She was contented back then, happy with the people around her and what she had, despite her parents absence. She never ambition or desired something out of her reach—just her dreams. Yet here she was, everything around her is new and expensive. As if she had fallen asleep while studying and woken up in a luxurious life.
She recalled how she reacted when she woke up from the coma in a fancy, modern room—so extravagant that she didn't even believe would be a hospital room. She had a hard time processing the big flip of her life, but she did anyway.
After minutes of driving, Minji stopped at a convenience store. "I'm going to buy a drink, anything you want?" She asked while unbuckling the seatbelt.
Hanni thought for a moment. Not having any cravings for a while, she just decided, "What mostly old Hanni want."
Minji paused, taken aback by the sudden request of her. She stared silent at the steering wheel for seconds, before she nodded and exiting the car. "Alright. I'll be back."
Hanni watched Minji’s back through the tinted window as she walked towards the store, disappearing from her sight. Her mind began wandering again, and her persistent hands instinctively move to graze the interior. The sleek black design with a touch of red accents, enhancing the style that never failed to attract Hanni's eyes.
Opening the glove box for what felt like the nth time—but didn't touch the things inside. There were few objects found which she had asked the purposes earlier.
There were essential documents, like the car registration, a small first aid kit, a car escape tool for emergencies (according to Minji), a microfiber cloth for any mess because according to Minji—again— she(Hanni) eats food untidily, and a pen-style flashlight. Minji had mentioned that she found a list online of what should be kept in a glove box, and as someone who's organized and meticulous, she followed it. Hanni scoffed in amusement, her curiosity leading her on to pick the things one by one and examine it.
Not too long before she took the cloth, something fell out of it. She bent down to pick it up when it landed right on her feet, and just as her fingers wrapped around it, she realized it's a small red box.
An engagement ring?
She thought, her curiosity piqued and so she opened the box. Indeed revealing a beautiful stunning ring—a round, brilliant-cut diamond in a four-prong setting atop a twisted or rope-design band, likely made of white gold or platinum. It looks elegant and sophisticated at the same time, surely an eye-catching one.
Before she could react, the car door opened. Minji slid inside, shutting the door. "I bought a lot. You can just choose—" She froze mid-sentence, her attention immediately drawn to the small box in Hanni’s hand. Her tone changed drastically. "Why do you have that?" She asked, her voice firm. The significant change of her voice evident enough to jerked Hanni back to present.
"I found it... here." She hesitatingly pointed the glove box, feeling a little bit of nervousness from how Minji's demeanor changed.
From calm and relaxed, Minji's aura changed into serious expression. With a tightened jaw and sharp gaze, "Put it back." And no, she doesn't sound polite or soft at all like the whole time earlier, her deep voice sent a chill down her spine that felt both threatening and strangely possessive.
Hanni's fingers tightened around the small box and the delicate weight of the ring contrast to the sudden, heavy tension in the air. Her hand slowly function to close the small box and returned it inside the small compartment.
With hesitation of glancing at Minji and how her heart pounded by her—not in fluttering feelings this time, but in unease. Still, she took a peek at the woman beside her, who was staring straight ahead, face unreadable. Minji started the engine without a word, that Hanni could only gulped. The air gained its mass making her feel suffocated of the unspoken silent accusations hanging between them.
But even so, her need to know why her fiance have another engagement ring on her car burned stronger than the sudden shift of their dynamic. Therefore, with a small voice, she questioned. "Why do you have another engagement ring?"
And Hanni witnessed how she clenched on the steering wheel. "That's not mine. Drop this topic." She said coldly, her tone dismissive.
Hanni slightly flinched at the response, surely unsatisfied. It doesn't even sound like one— but an order. She wanted to pry, she wanted to ask and she wanted to know further, but something deep down inside was holding her back. As if telling her to just shut up. And she did.
The dominance Minji filled in the atmosphere, made her afraid of asking more, scared that it'll change everything they have now.
After a while, Minji broke the quietness with a normal voice. As if nothing had happened, "Don't worry, we're almost there."
But Hanni couldn't stop the doubts in her mind.
Minji, what are you hiding?
----
End of Chapter 6.