meet your parents
“Finally, I couldn’t stand another day” Hanni huffs as she sinks onto the couch, dropping her shoulder bag next to her, and being wrapped in Minji’s arm as she sits next to her.
“You're so dramatic” Dani giggles as Haerin hands her a cup of tea
The two aussies have just returned from a class and decided to meet up at Dani and Haerin's apartment, where their girlfriends were already waiting for them to enjoy a relaxing afternoon together, both free from work.
“Oh come on, after studying so hard for the last exams we really needed spring break, I'm too stressed” Hanni replies
“Well you're right, the exams were particularly difficult, we needed a bit of relax, I just hope they went well” Dani nods, she can't deny that a week without classes is what was needed to recover from the stress and tiredness of the exams, but she is still nervous about the results, she would have preferred to know them right away
“You must have done very well, as always” Haerin reassures her, rubbing her nose in Dani's hair, and smelling the perfume, a simple gesture but one that shows the constant attention that Haerin has for her
Months have passed since the whole Takumi- thing and Haerin and Dani’s relationship is stronger and healthier than ever. Dani never dreamed that a love like this could exist, caring, sincere and so strong. Even though Haerin’s life has completely changed from one day to the next, she has never stopped caring about Dani and putting her and their relationship first. And Dani loves her for that, and for all her efforts to be a better person, to try to work on herself every day. Thanks to her contribution in catching Takumi and his gang, the police turned a blind eye to all of Haerin’s shady dealings and now she is trying to carry out her activities legally.
“loser” Minji mutters
“Get out” Haerin replies sourly, always ready to respond to the comments of the eldest, just like two sisters
“So you’re going to Australia to visit your parents?” Hanni asks Dani, ignoring the behavior of the other two, as always
“Yes, I can’t wait, it’s been too long since the last visit” Dani smiles happily at the thought “and I can’t wait for them to finally meet Haerin”
“What?” Haerin asks surprised, receiving a confused look from Danielle as an answer
“I mean…have you told your parents about me?”
Dani giggles “Love, we’ve been together for months and we live together, of course I told them about you. They can’t wait for you to meet them!”
Haerin now straightens her posture, positioning herself better on the couch “I-I don’t want to disturb”
“Don’t be silly” Dani reassures her, not caring or noticing the cat girl’s discomfort
“And I didn’t get the ticket..”
“I booked the flight for you too”
“I don’t know…with the nightclub and the casino…leaving the business now..”
Hearing Haerin’s constant protests and her hesitant tone Dani now feels an alarm bell ringing “Haerinne what’s wrong?”
“Nothing! I’m just saying I don’t know if I should come”
“Don’t you want to come?” Dani faces her, looking for her gaze, which Haerin quickly looks away “I didn’t say that”
The other two girls in front of them remained silent, watching the scene with a slight embarrassment, not knowing how to behave. So Minji coughs weakly, trying to shift the attention to her, thinking of something to say to break the silence “Luckily your family lives a few kilometers from the city center” Minji says, referring to Hanni
“Yeah, even though I don’t see them much because of college, I can’t wait to spend time with them” Hanni tries to follow Minji’s lead, despite the two girls in front of her remaining in their newly created bubble
“At least we don’t have to book a plane to go to them” Minji giggles
“Us?” Hanni asks raising her eyebrows
“Yes I mean I can ask for a day off work and go with you, so I can meet them and..” Minji is interrupted “You don’t have to do that” Hanni smiles embarrassed
“Yes yes, I know you said your mother would come, but I thought that this way you would save her the trip and it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce myself-”
“No Minji, I said you don’t have to do that” Hanni repeats with more conviction
Minji is surprised by the tone of the youngest “You- you don’t want me to come?”
Hanni lowers her gaze guiltily “It’s not like that” she continues unsurely “I just don’t think it’s necessary for you to meet them right now”
“Oh” Minji stops not knowing what to say. Now it's the other two's turn to watch the scene feeling uncomfortable, the four girls are crushed by a heavy silence and once again it's Minji who interrupts it, unable to bear the feeling anymore she decides to get up, moving Hanni who remained leaning on her "I'm going home, see you soon" she says in a flat tone
"Uhm I'm coming with you, aren't we going back together today?" Hanni asks getting up from the sofa and following her, thinking about the plans they had made to spend the evening together at the eldest house
Minji responds with a slight nod of her head.
---
After entering Minji's apartment, the eldest ignores her girlfriend, concentrating on putting away some things in the kitchen.
Hanni watches her, biting her lower lip in agitation, she can sense the tension between them and doesn't know how to approach the conversation, worried that it could end up in an argument. She would much rather not talk about it at all, but she can't ignore her girlfriend's bad mood "Min, is everything okay?" she tries timidly
"Yes" the eldest answers dryly, not even looking her in the face
Hanni knows very well that everything is not okay, but she doesn't want to insist further, besides she is the first one who would like to avoid the conversation so she doesn't want to force the eldest to start either.
"Ok then do you want me to choose the movie for tonight-?" Hanni tries to change the subject to lighten the mood, but is immediately interrupted by a huff from Minji who couldn't hold back her frustration any longer "I just don't understand Hanni; why are you so against me meeting your family?!" Minji says, raising her tone of voice slightly in annoyance and looking her girlfriend in the eyes for the first time since they left Haerin and Dani's house.
Hanni knew that it was inevitable to talk, she sits on the sofa in the small living room next to the kitchen, looking for explanations that she can't find at the moment and so Minji continues to talk sitting next to her "Is it because..is it because of my...lifestyle? I mean you know that I'm saving, it's just that for now with my salary I can only afford this, but as soon as I get my promotion I promise you.." Minji starts to say, this time lowering her tone of voice, almost mortified
“Wait! No Minji no, why do you think something like that?” Hanni quickly interrupts her
“It’s just that sometimes I think you see Dani, in that luxury apartment, with those cars, the holidays and the gifts that Haerin can give her… I can’t afford that”
“I love your house and I’m proud of the work you do and how much commitment you put in, I don’t need gifts or money. Don’t ever think that” Hanni caresses her face to try to give her confidence
Minji returns a small smile “So what’s the problem?”
“I just think it’s early” Hanni says hastily
“But we’ve been together for months. We’re talking about living together” Minji points out and seeing that Hanni doesn’t respond to this continues “you’re not sure about us? Or maybe… about me?”
Hanni searches for Minji’s hands worriedly to reassure her. In these months of relationship she has learned to know the other girl and her fears, like that of abandonment; because of her lonely and problematic childhood. And also her insecurities, her self-doubts, which she usually masks with her confidence and charisma, and Hanni managed to make her open up during their relationship. They built a strong bond, based on sincere communication. That's why Hanni feels even more guilty hearing these words from the other girl. "My love, never say something like that again. I love you and I love being with you, you make me happy. You know that. I don't want you to be the one to doubt it"
"I just don't understand then-"
"Why do you care so much about knowing them?"
"It's important. They're your family. If I had my parents I would want them to know-"
"Yes but you don't! You don't know how it is, you don't know how it works" As soon as these words come out of Hanni's mouth the girl immediately regrets them. Because of her own insecurities she is making the person she cares about most in the world suffer. She knows Minji's story well and knows how much she suffered in her childhood not having a normal family, she knows how much she suffered in losing Hyein and almost losing Haerin, who she considers as sisters and the effort in trying to rebuild a relationship with the latter. But now Hanni has not considered her feelings by speaking out of turn as often happens and putting their trust at risk "Minji sorry, I didn't mean-"
Minji releases the shorter one’s hands ready to stand up, looking away “No, you’re right. I don’t have parents and I don’t know what it means to have a family.” she sounds harsh and disappointed now, but Hanni stops her by the wrist forcing her to remain seated
“Please Minji stay. I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that.” Hanni is truly sorry for the words she used. She felt overwhelmed by Minji’s constant questions and couldn’t think of the right words, she feels like shit for hurting her girlfriend. She takes a deep breath, before speaking, trying to organize her thoughts. The truth is that she doesn’t really know why she doesn’t want to introduce Minji to her family. She’s amazing and Hanni loves her, but something is holding her back; she also feels guilty for not being able to explain it to Minji.
“It’s just that- I feel… I don’t know how to tell them, how to tell them this” Hanni gestures with her hand between her and Minji
The Korean looks at her confused “Because I’m a woman..?”
Hanni doesn’t answer, looking down.
“But you always told me that your parents are open-minded, that they don’t have a problem with these things”
"Yes yes it’s true, they’re not homophobic or anything. They’re the kindest and most caring people I know, it’s just that… I don’t know, I can’t imagine telling them. I know they wouldn’t react badly, but… They don’t know me like that. I’ve never even brought anyone home and now… I’m not this person to them, I’d be different, I’d be like… another person”
"Hanni you’re still you, even if you’ve understood something more about yourself”
"I know, but…” the youngest can’t continue
"Hey hey it’s okay. I didn’t mean to push it. I didn’t think it was for this reason. I’m sorry, thanks for telling me” Minji caresses her back to reassure her, looking at her with a sweet gaze. Even though it was Hanni who wasn’t sincere from the start and who hurt her first, Minji is still the one who apologizes and thanks her.
Hanni is also in love with this aspect of the eldest, her patience and emotional maturity. Minji always turns out to be thoughtful, Hanni knows that she shouldn't doubt her, she would never force her to do something she doesn't want to do, but stupidly she didn't want to be honest with her.
"You don't have to apologize"
"I just don't understand, I remember you told me that you had talked to them about me on the phone, that you told them that we are together and.." Minji says, almost lost in thought. At that comment Hanni stiffens and the Korean feels the change in her posture "Did you lie to me?" Minji asks, in response she only receives a fleeting look from her girlfriend
"You don't have to lie to me, Hanni. We don't usually have secrets" Minji says dejected, slightly detaching herself from the other girl. She realizes that coming out is an important and intimate step for a person, but somehow she is disappointed to know that her girlfriend lied to her for no reason. She doesn't understand why she couldn't just talk to her, didn't she trust her? Did she think she would force her to come out? How could she think that about her, after all these months, doesn't she know her? Minji lets herself be enveloped by a thousand harmful and negative thoughts
"I'm sorry" Hanni can only whisper
Minji looks for her with a reassuring smile, trying to silence her doubts and wanting to put the other first "Don't worry now. You'll tell them when you're ready."
A few moments of silence pass before Hanni lowers her gaze even more, almost hiding her face in her long hair "what if I'm never ready? what if I never want to tell them?"
Minji's smile slowly fades, not understanding what the girl wants to hear in response, and not even understanding her own feelings. She knows she would do anything for Hanni, but deep down the girl's behavior today hurts her, so she leaves a kiss in her hair and gets up from the couch
"Where are you going?" Hanni watches her walk away
"I'm going to take a shower"
---
Hanni hasn't slept well at all, thinking all night about her argument with Minji. She knows that her girlfriend isn't mad at her for not wanting to come out, she knows her, she's a good soul and would never push her in that direction, but Hanni feels terribly guilty for the words she said to her yesterday and for not having trusted her enough to tell her about it before and lying to her.
Minji has always been honest and willing to talk and Hanni hasn't been the same way. The truth is that she doesn't even know why, she can somehow understand the feeling of insecurity in having to tell her parents about this, but she doesn't know why she lied to Minji in the first place. She honestly doesn't even know where this insecurity comes from, Minji is the best person she knows and so are her parents. The thought of going to visit them before made her happy, but now all she can think about is that she is lying to them too, that she is hiding such an important part of herself, and above all thinking about Minji alone with her thoughts hurts her.
She turns over in bed agitated and searches with her hand for Minji's reassuring presence but finds nothing, only her cold absence.
She gets up to look for her girlfriend, finding her in the kitchen, strangely already dressed and ready to go out. "Hey, are you awake yet?"
"Oh good morning" Minji answers surprised as she was about to walk out the door, awakened from her thoughts
"Are you going out? I thought you were going to accompany me to the dormitory to sort out the last things before my mother arrives.."
"Uhm I'm going jogging before work, they asked me to do a few extra hours and since you'll be away all week I accepted" Minji justifies herself avoiding the other's gaze
"Oh yes of course.." Hanni feels her heart weigh "But you- you were leaving without saying goodbye?"
Minji looks down “sorry I didn't want to wake you”
“Is everything okay between us?” Hanni whispers, fearing the answer
Minji looks for her gaze, even if hesitant, she gives a slight smile, but her eyes hide something else “Of course, you don’t have to worry. Rest these days and have fun. I’ll wait for you here”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll miss you-” Hanni tries to get closer, but before she can finish speaking and reach Minji, the girl interrupts her, hurrying out “You too. Bye.”
Hanni remains still, she feels that her eyes are filling with tears, even though Minji told her that she has nothing to worry about, the thought that something has perhaps broken between them torments her. They said goodbye in such a cold way, without even a hug, never ever in this time spent together Minji said goodbye without first saying an ‘I love you’. Since they met, it's the first time they've gone so long without seeing each other, and Hanni couldn't even kiss her before leaving, couldn't smell her perfume or surrender to her gentle touch, and she already misses her. And she can't help but think that Minji is angry and offended because of her.
----
After returning to the dorm and packing the last of her things, her mom came to pick her up with the car, which Hanni offered to drive on the way home. She feels the need to focus on something, to keep her mind off Minji.
“Hanni, so?” her mom’s voice brings her back to the present
“Sorry mom, what did you say?”
“Honey, are you okay? You seem weird, aren’t you feeling good?” Hanni’s mom asks apprehensively
“I’m okay mom, don’t worry, I’m just tired from my exams” Hanni sighs, she should have imagined that her mom wouldn’t immediately understand that something was wrong, but Hanni just doesn’t want to talk about it
“Are you sure?” Her mother insists
“Yes really I-” Hanni is interrupted by a very loud sound behind their car, police sirens to be precise
“I told you to slow down Hanni, oh my god the police, you’re going too fast! You’ll pay the fine-”
Hanni rolls her eyes as she maneuvers to pull over “Calm down mom, I wasn’t going that fast. They’re just a pain in the ass-”
Hanni is startled by a tapping on the window of her car, she doesn’t need to turn around to recognize the voice calling her attention from outside “Sir you were exceeding the speed limit, please roll down your window and stay in the car-”
Minji
Hanni doesn’t even let her finish her sentence as she rushes out of her car
“H-Hanni?” Minji asks in surprise, her eyebrows rising in shock
“It’s my mother’s car,” Hanni says shyly to explain an implied question
Minji nods slowly in response, “You were going too fast. I always tell you to be careful. You know it’s dang-”
Hanni isn’t even listening, her mind flashing back to their brief interaction this morning, her heart still feeling heavy, “Are you mad?” the youngest asks looking for Minji's gaze
"I-I'm not angry" Minji steps back surprised by this question "I'm only worried about you" she whispers, but they both know that Hanni's question had nothing to do with the speed limit
They both continue to stare at each other without saying anything, unsure of what to say, each lost in their own thoughts and in the sad look that reflects each other's feelings
Hanni's mother leaning on the passenger side witnessed the scene and confused by the interaction between the two and her daughter's behavior decides to get out
"Officer, is everything okay? Do you have to give us a ticket?"
Minji is brought back to reality by hearing the voice and clears her throat "No, no ticket" then she gives a look that Hanni knows well "just a warning this time"
"Oh my thank you so much! Do you know each other by any chance?" The woman asks
Minji looks at Hanni uncomfortably, not knowing what to answer
Hanni gets nervous “Y-yes we are, we are..she is…a friend..” the Vietnamese feels a bitter taste in her mouth the moment these words leave her lips. Not only because this is a lie, but for what it implies. She should be Minji’s partner, the person who supports her and loves her unconditionally but instead she is hiding her; when she should be proud of her, of them as a couple. She slowly moves her gaze to Minji seeing that the sadness in her eyes, which has been with her since the other night, becomes more visible, at least to Hanni. But the Korean fakes a smile, turning to the other’s mother “I’m Kim Minji, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Minji. Thank you so much for your kindness. I always tell Hanni to be careful in the car.” The woman smiles sincerely. “You should come to dinner with us tonight, what do you think? We’re always happy to meet Hanni’s friends, and we have to thank you properly.”
Hanni’s mouth drops open. This is completely unexpected and she doesn’t know how to react.
Minji, however, responds promptly. “Thank you so much, it’s a kind thought, but I have to work late. Another time. Now I’ll let you go. Goodbye Mrs. Pham.”
“Oh, what a shame, but another time, I’m counting on it.”
“I-” Hanni is still shocked by the whole situation, turning to Minji.
“Bye Hanni, see you soon.” Minji gives a weak smile, before turning and going back to her motorbike.
Minji was right in front of her and Hanni wanted to reach out and grab her hand, even just to touch it, a light touch, but once again Minji left her there alone, or rather it was Hanni who allowed Minji to leave, it was she who left her alone. Hanni has been acting like an idiot since yesterday, not even being able to communicate with her girlfriend.
Her mother still looks at her confused from the car, looking for an answer to her daughter's bizarre behavior "Honey, you okay? Let's go?" without answering the girl goes back to the car
---
“What did you say?” Hanni asks, looking up from her phone. Since arriving at her parents’ house, all she’s been able to think about is Minji, torn between calling her or at least texting her. She doesn’t like the way they split and she senses a rift between them. They usually bicker, but they’ve never actually argued; Hanni isn’t sure if this can even be called a real argument, but she realizes that things aren’t right. Minji is always the first to take a step toward her and maybe this time it’s Hanni’s turn, but she can’t find the words.
“I told you to check the oven while I finish setting the table!” Her mother scolds her “What’s wrong with you today? You’ve been weird all day”
Hanni just huffs in response, trying to avoid the conversation once again, getting up from her chair to do as she was asked, but her mother doesn’t agree “Honey, I’m serious, if there’s something wrong you know you can talk to me” the woman says in a serious but sweet tone at the same time. Hanni feels torn at those words “Mom, I actually-” but Hanni is interrupted by the sound of the doorbell
“Oh, is it already so late? Honey, will you open the door please?” her mother asks, returning to the kitchen to sort out the last things
“Is it Jasmine? I understood she wouldn’t be back until tomorrow” Hanni asks her parents as she opens the front door. Finding herself in front of an unexpected person
“MINJI!?”
“Hanni?”
the two ask in unison
“what the- what are you doing here? How did you know that-?” Hanni starts to ask in confusion, but Minji seems equally confused. Her eyebrows, mirror of her thoughts, first rise and then furrow in surprise “Wait, I didn’t know it was your parents’ house. We got a call to the station about suspicious noises, and they sent me to check.”
“It was me!!” Hanni’s mother chirps as she appears in the doorway “You said you couldn’t come for work so I called a few stations, until they let me talk to your boss so now you can stay!” She says happily, as if it were the most normal thing in the world
“YOU WHAT?” Hanni raises her voice shocked by her mother’s actions
“How-?” Minji is still in disbelief too, at that moment she feels her work cell phone vibrate, a message from her boss 'take the night off'
"I have my methods" her mother sneers "Now come on, Hanni let her in, dinner is practically ready" her mother leaves the girls to head once again to the kitchen
Hanni still with her mouth wide open moves like an automaton moving away from the door to leave the passage free for Minji, but the girl grabs her wrist looking for her gaze "Hanni I can go. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. I can make up an excuse with your mother, just tell me what you want me to do" Minji speaks softly, Hanni moves her gaze from Minji's hand, still on her wrist, to her worried face. The first touch since the previous night and Hanni is ashamed to admit how this small gesture warms her inside. Minji's first thought is always to respect Hanni's wishes. The Vietnamese girl feels a strong urge to hug her right now, but holds back “You clearly don’t know my mother” Hanni tries to joke, but Minji continues to keep her serious gaze on her, ready to respect any wishes of her girlfriend “It’s fine, you can stay, it’s just a dinner” Hanni sighs, accompanying the eldest with her into the house
The four sit at the dining table and start dinner calmly. The conversation also starts off quite smoothly, they chat about this and that, the parents asking their daughter questions to catch up with her university life and her progress with her studies, even though Hanni can barely speak due to Minji’s presence, almost always answering in monosyllables.
The youngest thinks she can still survive this evening, until her mother shifts her attention completely to Minji.
“So Minji, tell us about you. A policewoman, how did you end up choosing this job?” Her mother smiles genuinely interested
Minji coughs softly, embarrassed by the shift in attention to her “Uhm well it was a dream of mine when I was little. I think it’s important to be able to make a difference, do the right thing”
Hanni lets her gaze wander over Minji sitting next to her, knowing Minji’s story she knows how much this job means to her and considers her strong and brave, it always fills her heart to know she’s with someone like that. (also seeing Minji in uniform always has a certain effect on her, she's so hot. but it's certainly not the time for certain thoughts)
The woman sitting in front of her nods in agreement “Your parents must be very proud of you”
Minji’s body stiffens at this sentence, finding it difficult to respond, talking about her family situation is never easy for her and it’s an idea she doesn’t like “I- I don’t have parents..not anymore”
“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. It can’t be easy to be alone, family is an important point..”
Minji shifts position on the chair, still feeling uncomfortable, because the truth is that it really hasn’t been easy, sometimes it still isn’t; the constant thought of the past is always with her, and it’s not easy to face it and especially to talk in a situation where she’s not completely at ease.
Hanni sees it now in the expression and body language of the girl next to her, but above all she knows it, thanks to the hours of talking that she and Minji had, when they confided everything about each other.
“But Minji has a family.” Hanni intervenes “Haerin, I told you about her, Danielle’s new girlfriend”
“I didn’t know she was your sister”
“Um we’re not actually blood sisters, but we grew up together”
“Ah she’s not really your sister then-”
“Yeah I guess not-”
“Yes she is. She’s your sister. Hyein too. They’re your family” Hanni intervenes once again more decisively, her voice firm as she looks straight into Minji’s eyes. Hanni knows how much their bond means to the Korean, how much their history together has influenced Minji growing up and still does in her life choices, so she wouldn’t let anyone minimize their relationship. No one should be allowed to belittle their girlfriend’s family.
Minji returns Hanni’s gaze with a faint but sincere smile, her eyes are full of love for Hanni’s sentence, happy that she intervened in her support, and moved that she also mentioned Hyein. Both feel the need for contact with the other, to grab the hand and squeeze it, but aware of the circumstances they limit themselves.
"Yes, you're right, they are"
"Sorry if I was rude Minji. It wasn't my intention" The woman says sincerely sorry
"Don't worry. It's not always easy to talk about this topic" Minji now moves her looks on her, smiling sincerely, picking up on the woman's displeasure
“Anyway, your job must not be easy, if I only think about the dangers..” The mother resumes the conversation
“For that salary then” now it is Minji’s father who comments
Minji curses herself internally for having agreed to stay, because it seems that Hanni’s parents want to analyze all of Minji’s weak points
“Dad..” Hanni tries to take her father to change the subject
“What? It’s true! Or am I wrong, Minji? With a salary like that in a city like this it will be difficult to even find a decent apartment”
“Minji’s apartment is fine as it is, it’s cozy and beautiful”
“Oh, have you seen it honey?” Hanni's mother asks
“Y-yes… sometimes” Hanni looks away in embarrassment, she basically stopped staying in the dorm to spend every night with Minji
“I only worry about you, young girls. Even you, Hanni, with your degree in art, it won't be easy..”
“I know dad” Hanni rolls her eyes
“I'm studying and trying to become a detective, so I'll also get a raise” Minji intervenes softly, but confidently “It won't be a luxurious life, I know, but we won't lack anything, I promise”
Hanni once again gets lost in admiring Minji, they only talked the night before about Minji's fear of not being able to compete with the luxurious life that Haerin and Dani lead, but Hanni wouldn't want anything more than what they already have.
“Yes and I'll look for a job soon too. We'll be fine” Hanni nods, exchanging a knowing look with Minji
“Us?” The mother echoes the girls’ words
Hanni blushes at the implication of what has just come out of her lips, without thinking about it, and begins to stammer “Yes, I mean in general, our generation,the young girls… you know”
“Mh…” her mother nods unconvinced
“Good, it’s a good thing. Very good mind” The father continues “Not like that Riki, thanks God you left him”
“Oh yes, I knew from the first moment that he couldn’t be right for you”
“dickhead,” her father mutters, making Minji smile, she totally agrees, but the smile quickly turns into a frown, “So you met him?”
“Yes, Hanni introduced us to him a while ago.”
Minji’s gaze drops, her thoughts filling her head and tormenting her. Another lie from Hanni? When only yesterday she told her that she had never brought anyone home..
Hanni immediately senses her girlfriend’s anguish and understands what is afflicting her
“It didn’t happen like that!” Hanni suddenly raises her voice, almost scaring Minji, and her parents. The Korean girl looks at her in shock, while Hanni stares at her continuing to tell “I swear, they came to visit me at the dormitory one day and he insisted on showing up there, to introduce himself. I didn’t want to and I wasn’t happy about it. You have to believe me, it wasn’t something official, it was an ambush!”
The eldest can’t even answer, but she smiles amused for the first time that day at Hanni’s temperament. Her aggressive and impulsive way of doing things has always touched her
“Hanni, are you crazy? There’s no need to be so dramatic, I understand that you never liked that boy so much but now! I swear to God you always have to tell things with emphasis” the mother snorts, then trying to keep the conversation going “but tell us about yourself dear, do you have a boyfriend, Minji?”
Minji who was drinking a glass of water gulps down and starts coughing
Hanni runs a hand over her face, ready to leave the house without giving explanations or strangling herself with the fork, this dinner is getting worse
“Mh no, I don’t have one” Minji says still coughing trying to recover
“Oh why not? You’re so beautiful! I swear when I saw you the first time I was amazed”
“Thank you” Minji smiles embarrassed “I don’t…fancy…boys” Minji knows that this topic could make Hanni uncomfortable, but at the same time she doesn’t want to lie about herself
“AH you’re a wuh luh wuh?” Hanni’s father asks
“A what now?” Hanni asks incredulously, her gaze full of pain, cursed the day she let her father download tik tok
“Mh yeah, I’m a lesbian”
“So you have a girlfriend?”
Minji bites the inside of her cheeks lightly, finding herself at a loss for words, but deciding to answer anyway: “No”.
Hearing that answer makes Hanni’s heart heavy, she knows it’s not true, she knows Minji is answering like this for her, but hearing it still hurts. She’s so happy to be her girlfriend, and hearing Minji deny their relationship feels strange to her, even though that’s basically what Hanni asked her.
“It’s incredible how a girl like you doesn’t have a girlfriend! Don’t worry, dear, I know someone perfect for you”
“What?! Who?” Hanni looks at her mother seriously, her voice betraying the anger she is feeling
“Wonyoung! She lives not far from us, do you remember her honey?”
“Yes.. why should you introduce her to Minji?” Hanni asks annoyed
“She’s a good girl and also very beautiful! And she’s gay and single too” Hanni’s mother winks at the Korean “I have a photo right here to show you”
“She’s not Minji’s type at all” Hanni frowns more and more pissed
“And what do you know? Besides, you can never tell” The woman says now showing the phone to Minji “What do you think dear?”
“I-I don’t know-” Minji stammers feeling very embarrassed and not knowing what to say
“Just tell me if you think she’s pretty, come on” Her mother insists
“Mh-yes, she is pretty” Minji says hesitantly, not even paying attention to the photo in front of her
“EXCUSE ME?!” Hanni turns suddenly towards Minji, giving her a killer look
Minji in response opens her eyes wide, hoping that her girlfriend can understand the uncomfortable situation the older girl is going through, but Hanni continues to look at her as if she were ready to fight “Did you just say she’s pretty?”
“Hanni please what was I supposed to say..?” Minji whispers, her gaze shifting in panic from Hanni to her mother
“Perfect then I’ll call her mother right away, she was telling me just the other day that her daughter will be here for a few days, so you can get to know each other, exchange numbers!” the woman is about to get up and dial the number, but before she can do so she hears a loud noise that scares her
Hanni has slammed her hands on the table, standing up, taking all three of those present by surprise
“Ok that’s enough, I can’t take it anymore” Hanni takes a deep breath “Mom dad I need to say something.”
Minji understands that something is wrong and she doesn’t want her girlfriend to regret her choice in a moment of impulsiveness so she tries to reassure her “Hanni you don’t have to say anything-”
“No, Minji, I have to. I should have done it right away, but I was an idiot because I forgot the most important thing” Hanni now turns completely to look at Minji “You”
“I’m so sorry for lying to you and especially for not being able to open up to you, even if you are always honest with me. Even the other night, when you were just trying to talk to me, I hurt you and I couldn’t be honest right away, I’m sorry. I love you so much Minji, and I’ve never been ashamed of being with you…I was just…scared.” She continues even though she feels a lump in her throat, addressing her parents: "Mom Dad I was afraid of your reaction when I told you that I'm with a girl, with Minji, we've been together for months. I was afraid of your judgment, of seeing you disappointed, but the truth is that I don't even know why, because Minji is fantastic and I'm so lucky to have her in my life. I'm just so proud to be able to say that she is my girlfriend, she is smart and brave and selfless; and she works every day for the good of others. And I know that she also works for me, for us and our future together-" Hanni would like to continue talking, but she feels her eyes filling with tears and her voice shaking. Only now has she realized for the first time in months the fear of losing Minji at any moment. But most of all, coming out to her parents has hit her emotionally all at once, and admitting out loud her great fear of not being accepted by her parents has destabilized her, even her body is reacting to the agitation, making her tremble and short of breath.
But everything calms down, everything stops and falls into place, when she feels her hand being wrapped in a larger and warmer one, Minji's hand that intertwines their fingers together. She sees her as she gets up and approaches her, erasing the distance between them, the physical one and the one that had been created the other night. "I love you Hanni, and I'm proud of you" Minji whispers resting her forehead on Hanni's to calm her.
"I told you"
The tender moment between the two girls is interrupted by hearing Hanni's mother's comment, and the two watch their parents exchange a high five in confusion.
“You--you already knew? How-?”
“Hanni, I’m your mother, I know you” The woman says, smiling sweetly at her “When I came to pick you up this morning I immediately understood that something was wrong, that you weren’t well; but then as soon as we met Minji I understood. I understood it as soon as your eyes rested on her, I had never seen you look at someone like that. Your gaze was sad, but it lit up with Minji. And obviously I didn’t know what had happened, if you two had argued or if you had broken up, but I knew I had to intervene”
“You know your mother, she doesn’t know how to mind her own business. She told me as soon as you got home” The father jokes, trying to lighten the situation
Now both parents get up and without warning, they hug Hanni
“I had no idea that this was your fear, darling. If I had known, I wouldn’t have continued all evening with certain comments to push you to do something you didn’t feel ready for. But at the same time I’m glad you said it, because we love you so much Hanni, we love you for who you are and that will never change”
Hanni hugs her parents tightly, a few tears running down her cheeks, but now she finally feels her heart light.
When the three separate, Minji, who had previously stood aside to give the family a moment, begins to speak “I just want to tell you that I will prove myself worthy of your daughter, I will take care of her, you don’t have to worry” the Korean bows
The mother smiles happily and looks sweetly at the eldest, grateful that her daughter is with such a caring person “Oh dear, I know you already take care of her and make her happy. Sorry for this evening and for the constant inappropriate comments, I was just trying to push the right buttons with Hanni. I hope you will still want to come back to dinner with us.” Now the parents resume the hug, including Minji “You are part of this family now.”