Momo stood in front of you, projecting a shield to cover you both to the best of her ability. But to be frank, she was exhausted. Fighting two species of alien back to back was beyond exhausting and without really having any time to build her power comfortably, she was struggling.
Watching Okarun turn almost animalistic trying to get to the two of you was also a pretty scary feat. However, what was even more terrifying was when the force field started to crack down.
Turbo-run's growls turned into chuckles as the vapor green started to fade, leaving ample time and space to grab at Momo. Grabbing you was a lost cause as long as you had that stupid rosary around your neck, but Momo defenseless? It was perfect.
"Okarun! Snap out of it," Momo screamed, as the cursed boy lifted her into the air.
Something whizzed by Momo's ear, shattering against the Okarun's skin. Momo's fell from the ghost's grasp with an umph.
"I thought you brought home another asshole. Turns out it isn't even human," Seiko spoke, "I swear you have been nothing but trouble lately. My skin is going to go dry from all this stress."
Momo sighed in relief, inching herself closer to you who was still knocked out cold. Turbo-run got up, speeding to the area behind Seiko, gearing up for an attack, only for it to never come. Instead being dragged into the barrier Seiko had set up beforehand.
"Well you're a speedy little thing aren't ya? Too bad your attack was super predictable," Seiko said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"When I get out, I'm gonna eat you alive. You think this stupid barrier will keep me forever?" Turbo granny growled, pressing her forehead against the barrier wall, ignoring the burning protruding from her head.
"Oh hun the plan wasn't to keep you, the plan is to kill you." Seiko stated as if she were talking to a child, thus making Turbo Granny angrier. Seiko didn't wait for the anger to fully kick in before she was hammering her bat into Turbo Granny's skull over and over.
Momo flinched at the sound, the metal resounding horribly with every swing. She wanted to tell her grandma to let up, but her voice box betrayed her.
"If you kill me, you kill the boy I cursed as well. You wouldn't want to do that, would you?" Turbo Granny said, growing even bigger in size.
Momo watched in silent horror as her grandmother continued her assault without batting an eye, swing after swing, barrier after barrier.
"Any boy that messes with my granddaughter or any of her friends, deserves to die."
You woke up in a cold sweat, looking down to find yourself in different clothes and laying comfortably in Momo's bed. You lowered your head into your hand, cupping your face as you tried to come to terms with all that had happened.
Wait
You ran downstairs as quickly as you could manage, nearly tripping over yourself as you basically threw your body down the stairs.
"Okarun?!" You shouted. Instead you saw Grandma Seiko lounging in front of her television, smoke from her cigarette flowing in the air hitting your nostrils.
"Hey Grandma-"
"So you went somewhere haunted?"
Her question froze you in your tracks. Her tone wasn't accusatory, like she already had grasped that you had gotten yourself into trouble. You put your head down in shame. Seiko had taken care of you for as long as you've known Momo which you were beyond thankful for. Bon's dad could only do so much in raising the both of you and Seiko filled the gaps where it was needed. So to disappoint her was possibly the worst thing ever.
"So Momo told you..." You said, your voice barely above a whisper. Seiko didn't even nod but you knew the answer.
"I just wanna know why? I mean this sort of behavior I expect from my brat but this is a little out of your territory."
You paused, walking the rest of the way downstairs before standing behind her.
"I just...I don't know. When Okarun said all that stuff about ghosts not being real and alluding to the supernatural being fake I just-" You stopped. Your eyes had begun to water. "It just reminded me of what happened with my parents and everyone in the village that night." Seiko sighed heavily.
"I understand your frustration but you all were in danger. Next time just make better choices or whatever, or if you're gonna make dumb ones at least let me know first." Seiko responded, looking at you over her shoulder.
"Now I'm not gonna make you grovel like I did my own brat, so go ahead and meet with the other idiots. They're out by the main shrine." You were out the door before she could say another word. You ran as fast as your legs could take you. You saw Momo kicking at the door cursing at the boy who must be inside. You ran at her, launching yourself at the girl, finally letting your tears fall.
"Thank God you're okay! I didn't mean to pass out I swear." You sobbed, clingy to the girl just so happy that she was safe. Momo's surprise quickly faded into a soft smile.
"Of course I'm okay dummy. There was no way I was gonna let Okarun of all people beat me." Momo said pompously. You could hear a offended 'hey' come from inside the shrine. You opened the door and smiled widely at the boy.
Okarun had never looked so relieved to see anyone in his life.
"Hey cutie, glad to see you're doing okay."
"So were y'all always into monsters or is this a new thing?" Seiko asked from behind you, startling the hell out of you and Momo.
"Damn you old hag, you can't just pop outta nowhere like that." Momo scolded, turning back around to face the shrine.
"As long as he's in there, the curse will be ineffective. As soon as he walks out, back to monster." You hummed. The whole 'holy object' thing keeping the curse at bay, had already been proven using your rosary, it made perfect sense as to why a shrine would provide the same result.
"This Turbo Granny stole his peen and said he'll be cursed until he gets it back." Momo said with a small sneer on her face. You laughed quietly causing her to glare at you. "Oh and by the way, I've got these psychic powers now, ran into a UFO and they suddenly appeared. It's kinda badass."
"Haha very funny kid, but UFO's aren't real." You could hear a disgruntled growl come from inside the shrine.
"Yeah we thought so too until we saw one yesterday..."You said with a sigh. Just thinking about what happened yesterday made you feel exhausted. You didn't know how long you'd be able to last if you ran into any more aliens, you'd been pretty unlucky so far.
"But anyways, I've got psychic powers and Y/n here is like this totally wicked exorcist, who has to be touching Okarun or else he goes apeshit." Momo said pointing at you with a proud look.
"Well that does make sense since psychic powers are real. As for Y/n you could kind of think of her as some Holy Relic since she survived that night. Exorcisms run in her blood but she's got a little bit of an edge." Seiko said extinguishing her cigarette. It felt as though time stood still after she said that. You could feel your body heating up as if reliving that night years ago.
"So Turbo Granny's possessed the kid...she's a real pain in the ass let me tell ya. Back in the day she used to be called "The Hundred Kilo Granny", she's a modern day yokai who used to rampage all over the country. Sightings were rare but one day I heard she was hanging out in that old tunnel. I went to check it out but when I got there things felt...weird to say the least. The spiritual power in that tunnel was so strong I couldn't get inside." Seiko began. You could feel a pit form in your stomach. Just how bad was Turbo Granny? If even Seiko couldn't handle that much power, how screwed was Okarun?
The guilt was starting to eat you alive a little bit.
"Do you know what a bound spirit is? It's a spirit that stays in the same location that it has grown a strong attachment too. You could say they're the strongest types of spirits. So strong that any spirit medium wouldn't even dream of going against them. There was already a bound spirit in that tunnel, so you know what that means. Turbo Granny and that spirit have merged into one." Seiko finished before lighting another cigarette.
Oh so Okarun was really fucked
"If you want my honest opinion. Neither of you go back there, the last thing I want to do is lose either one of you. It's the boy problem not yours so just forget about it. There's nothing you could do anyways."
Your heart dropped.
"What would Ken Takakura do? That's what I ask myself when I am feel confused and can't decide, and when I think that, I always seem to choose the right answer. So if Ken had to choose, he would step up and help and that's what I'm gonna do." You had to hide a chuckle at how nerdy Momo sounded in that very moment, but you agreed wholeheartedly.
"The boy in there told me his name was Ken...you really are in love with him~" You started cackling.
"THE ACTOR, KEN THE ACTOR!" You fell to the ground laughing at her screams. You could hear Okarun grumbling from inside the shrine about how stupid this all was.
"If you both really are gonna help, we're gonna need a plan. You'll play tag with Turbo Granny. She thinks she the fastest so you'll taunt her until she gets all competitive. Now here's the tough part. The bound spirits territory is Shono City, you'll have to lure Turbo Granny outside the city limits without getting caught. As soon as she's out though, she'll be so weak even novices like you can take her out," Seiko claimed, drawing out a her plan in the dirt.
"Grandma, no offense or anything, but Me and Mo are by far the most unathletic people you've ever met. I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without being winded." You complained, showing off your weak and wobbly legs.
"Yeah can't you just make a big barrier and deal with it that way?" Momo added.
"I wish I could kiddo but my powers don't work that way. I borrow the powers of the gods that live on this land. If I leave Kamigoe City, I can't use my powers at all." Seiko explained, joining you and Momo on the shrines porch.
"I didn't realize that powers had city restrictions too."
"Yup, that's why you've gotta play home games and not away games. Anyways, a race is the only way you can defeat Turbo Granny. If you start training now, maybe you'll beat her."
"I'm sorry but theres no way that's happening," You said crossing your arms.
"You, Y/n, don't have to train," Your head perked up, "I'm mainly talking about him. Momo can use her psychic powers since those won't be bound by city limits. But he needs to start training." Seiko claimed, opening the door to reveal a snooping Okarun.
"Am I allowed to join the conversation about me now?"
"There's only one issue. I have to be touching him or else his curse takes over." You said matter of factly.
"Then he needs to learn to carry you piggyback style."
"...Miss L/n, how much do you weigh?"
"You may be cute but I'll kill you." You responded with a lethal side eye.
"There's no way this will work. Even in cursed mode I can only go all out twice before I'm done for."
"Then you need to train so that you can always be at full strength. Push ups, sit ups, back extensions, squats, five sets of 100 reps each. Momo you need to train your psychic powers. Since I won't be of any help in this fight, you guys need to get stronger. So it looks like I'll be training the two of you. As for you Y/n, just prayers aren't gonna cut it if you're gonna keep yourself safe as well as keep his curse in check. Give your cousin a call."
You sighed. This was going to be a long phone call...
You disappeared into the house, fishing your phone out of your pocket. You scrolled through your contacts before landing of Ryuji's. You hesitated before clicking the number. You lifted your phone up to your ear, listening to the dulcet tones of the ringer.
It only took three rings before he picked up.
"Is everything okay?"
You were startled by the question. "Hi to you too Ryuji." You said sarcastically.
"Oh don't pull that crap with me N/n, you never call first unless something happened," You pouted through the phone, "And quit your pouting too I can practically hear it through the call." You heavily sighed.
"Now tell me, whats wrong?" You paused, fiddling with the hem of the sweatshirt that Momo had given you earlier.
"I guess I did get myself into a little trouble...or well..not even really me but a friend of mine. I dared him to go to this haunted place and he ended up getting cursed. Now me and Mo are dealing with the fallout and trying our hardest to fix things. So I need some verses or chapters that will help him out..."
"You're too young to have 'he' friends."
"THAT'S ALL YOU GOT OUT OF THAT?!"
"WHAT ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO GET OUT OF IT? YOUR NEW FRIEND IS A HE? UNACCEPTABLE!"
"OH WATCH IT YOU LITTLE SHIT I'M OLDER THAN YOU."
"OH PLEASE YOU BARELY ACT LIKE IT!"
The two of you stopped the shouting to catch your breaths before settling in to a silence.
"Mark chapter one, verse 23 through 26, is a good place to start. You want to find verses that show the Trinity's power." Bon finally said. You whispered a small thank you through the phone before going silent once again.
"Ryuji?"
"Yeah?"
"I think I'm just bad luck...first my mom and dad and now-"
"Don't even start that." Bon was quick to cut you off making you grow quiet.
"That night was not your fault, it was Satan's. Don't go blaming yourself for this happening either."
"...I love you Ryuji..."
"Yeah yeah love you too."
You watched in disgust as Okarun did by far the most embarrassing potty dance on Earth, switching from hopping up and down to running place. You tried to focus on your prayer but that was getting harder and harder the longer you looked at him.
While you tried to strengthen your memorizing skills, Momo tried to strengthen her psychic energy by keeping Okarun in place while he worked out. Except he had stopped working out...cause he needed to take a dump.
"Okarun I have to practice! Stop moving!" Okarun was quick to argue back, continuing his movement. You could feel your focus dropping, the prayer getting so sloppy that his curse had begun to break through.
"Miss L/n!"
"I'm sorry!" You apologized before refocusing, shrinking the curse back down.
"I've gotta go! And I'm not letting any of you see me like this!" Okarun shouted before taking off into the house. Momo was quick to stop him from entering, her psychic energy hands blocking the door.
"Y'know dropping logs in other peoples houses is totally not cool!" She yelled. Okarun was quicker than expected, as he turned the corner to enter through the back door. You ran behind him mumbling verses to keep the curse in check, followed very closely by Momo who was trying to use her powers to stop him.
"I didn't say you could use my bathroom!"
"Are you an absolute idiot? I could piss right here if you want!"
The four of you crammed yourselves into the hall, still running to the bathroom.
"Nice form Ken Takakura!" Seiko shouted, causing Momo to get lost in dreamy land. You tried your hardest not to laugh, breaking focus would mean breaking hold on the curse.
In the end however, Okarun ended up in the bathroom and you held his pinky outside the door. You liked him, but not enough to watch him use the bathroom.
"This is so embararssing..." Okarun moped, his head hanging low. You laughed.
"For you and me both." You answered, fiddling with his pinky.
"I always wanted to have a paranormal experience...like getting kidnapped by aliens. But this? This is just too much...I just want this curse to end already!!!"the boy groaned. You could hear Momo and Seiko talking about something important on the other end of the hallway. You wanted to listen in, but at the same time you didn't want to intrude. But then you glanced back at the bathroom, to find Turbo Granny filling the space.
"Momo! Grandma! Turbo Granny got out-" You looked back towards the other two only to find Seiko frozen and bleeding from her nose. Momo had begun to panic trying to find the source of the problem.
"What did you do to Grandma you vicious hag?" You growled at the yokai.
"Heart attack or stroke? I'll let God's chosen one choose."
"What the hell are you talking about-"
"Thanks to the kid my curse is contagious which means I can kill anyone he so much as even looks at. If you know whats good for you, come to the tunnel tonight or I'll kill whoever I want and force you to watch. It'll be like that night all over again." You stopped breathing for what seemed like forever.
'How did she even know about that-'
"Y/n snap out of it! She's gone now!" Momo shook you, looking just about like how you felt. She went back over to her grandmother to see if she was alright before explaining what all had just happened. You looked at Okarun who was also bleeding due to Turbo Granny
"Are you okay?" You asked, watching him wipe the bloody stream from his nose.
"Yeah," He whispered, "What happened?"
"Looks like Turbo Granny wants us to pay an early visit."
"Well we better get you kids ready." Seiko responded. You all nodded apprehensively. One day of training wasn't going to be nearly enough to defeat the old woman. You were all screwed.
"Do we really have to wear this? We look stupid," Momo whined. You glanced down at your shrine maiden outfit.
"Speak for yourself Mo, I look amazing," You stated, adding a little spin for good measure.
"Yes you have to wear them. They are spirit proof and will be really beneficial in your meeting with Turbo Granny."
"You know we don't look it but we did defeat several aliens-" Momo began, only to be cut off by Seiko.
"Aliens aren't real and drop the attitude that's what keeps getting you in trouble all the time." Seiko scolded causing Momo to groan and walk away. You went to follow her only to be passed by Seiko who wrapped her arms around the girl.
"Don't die on me." Was all she said.
As the three of you biked away Seiko did a little praying of her own.
"Do we really have to go by train?"
"We can't bike all the way there we have to save our stamina. After tonight Turbo Granny is going to wish she never met me." Momo spoke, getting all fired up.
"I'm really sorry for all-"
"Ken," You stopped him. The boy was in shock from you actually using his real name, "We got into this mess together, so we're going to get out of it together. It isn't your fault anyways, me and Mo sent you there which is why we're gonna kick Turbo Granny's ass and get you your wiener back." You said with a soft smile. Okarun could feel his heart beat quicken as he nodded.
'We're coming for you, you old hag. You better be ready.'
MC calls Seiko Grandma but they are not blood related! Momo and Y/n have known eachother forever which means that Seiko has watched Y/n grow up, so they just close like that. Plus if you haven't exactly clued in yet, Y/n doesn't have a lot of family left which is why she view Seiko like her grandmother.
Another thing, Bon in Blue Exorcist is 16 at the beginning of the series, technically so is Okarun and Momo. To keep Y/n older I'm aging the main cast up to 18 for continuity purposes.
-TWICE'S 11TH MINI ALBUM "BETWEEN 1&2" ALONG WITH THE MV OF THEIR LEAD SINGLE "TALK THAT TALK" WILL BE RELEASED THIS COMING FRIDAY!! Let's give our whole support and love for our girls!!!
-The previous Mina x Reader one shot now has the most number of votes here in this book so far! Thank you so much for the reads, votes and comments for that story!
- Happy 9K reads to this book! I'm really surprised that this marks the third milestone this book has reached for this month of August. Thank you so much everyone!
- Lastly, I just wanna say also that the next part of this "Doughnut" series will be the final one.
Enjoy! 🤙❤
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Previously on "Doughnut" PART 5...
You awakened early in the morning and went already to your shop which is still closed so far. You are waiting along with your car beside you, waiting for Sana to meet you again.
More than 30 minutes passed and a black van arrived in front of you. You walked near to the door, and Sana opened the tinted window to see you clearly.
Sana: "Good morning, YN!", she greeted you. It was not that full of energy since she looks like she's somewhat still sleepy after waking up early too.
YN: "Good morning too."
Sana: "You can follow our van on the way to the airport so that it's just easy for you to go.", she said to you. You just nodded while listening to her. "Oh, uhh by the way... YN let me introduce you to my friend from work who's also joining as a model for the brand we're endorsing.", she said as she turned her head to the other side looking at another mysterious figure beside her that caught your attention who may that be since that person is being covered by Sana and the darkness inside the van.
Sana: "YN, meet Kim-",
YN: "DAHYUN?!", you exclaimed her name in shock as Sana moved away a bit to reveal Dahyun, who moved forward and looked at you with disbelief and shyness in her face.
Dahyun: "YN.", she also said your name embarassingly while Sana was just left speechless as she looked at both you and Dahyun, confused how did the two of you know each other.
----------------------
Sana: "You knew YN too?", Sana asked Dahyun beside her as she can't get over at how it was very surprising for her to see that her friend and colleague she's with right now is also close to you.
Dahyun: "Yup. I was surprised too that you two know each other.", she said, chuckling at her thought similar to Sana's.
Sana: "So as I. Well now this seems interesting.", she pursed her lower lips while nodding her head. "How long do you know YN?"
Dahyun: "4 years and counting.", she showed her hands where 4 out of 5 fingers of hers were raised, the thumb being hidden in her palm.
Sana lets out an "ooh" sound, mainly in fascination. Sana: "Pretty long. Well then, how did you two met?", she continued asking more.
Dahyun: "Back when we were in college at the time, he was my seatmate," she explained, as memories of your friendship with her from your high school days flashed through her mind. "I remember when he was the new addition to our class section, and lucky for him that he was sat with a social butterfly like myself, he got to get close and build a bond with his first new classmate, which was me... and only me," she continued.
You were feeling tension and uneasiness coursing through your nerves at the time since you were completely immersed in a new world around you, and you had no idea who these unfamiliar faces were.
Keeping your own self steady and still even though the atmosphere is suffocating you, thanks to this one woman who slowly approached beside you with a smile as bright as her looks; it was quickly prevented in a snap when she began to willingly talk with you, encouraging you to make a conversation with her.
All you can feel after was calmness and relaxation because of that, because being with her already made you can tell that you'll be very comfortable at her presence beside you at all times.
And that is where your story started with Dahyun.
"The rest was history. How was yours though?"
Sana: "Well, my step bro works for him.", Sana took the turn to answer a question this time.
Dahyun: "Oh, really?", she gasped and her eyebrows raised in awe. "What is he in YN's doughnut shop?"
Sana: "Manager position. Not to brag that much but he's YN's most trusted employee out there.", she smiled proudly as she thinks about her step-bro who might be preparing again to engage in another day of accomplishing his duty in your shop.
"Because of his great performance in YN's business, he developed some fond with him which is a great development too as I say.", she said. "So, going back to your question... yeah I do met YN because of my step bro."
"One time I visited the shop and while I was waiting there for Chan; my step bro's name, he talked with me as you know... another way for me to be entertained, which I didn't asked him to do by the way. But i'm not complaining.", she explained her own story on how you first met Sana at that night in the shop, where you tried to entertain her by coming up with a conversation with her while she waits for Bang Chan to be prepared on leaving the shop and going home with her.
Dahyun: "It simply goes to show that he's a truly great man," she added, impressed by the comment of how good your personality is, based on Dahyun's observation and experience.
Sana: "Yup! Add his attractive face as well!" she giggled, her cheeks turning a bright crimson from her big grin. "No wonder I fell in love with him," she said, making Dahyun to furrow her brows and staring at Sana in astonishment. She was doubting herself, had she heard correctly that Sana has affections for you?
Dahyun: "Wait, for real?", she asked Sana shockingly.
Sana: "Yeah, and I already confessed to him btw but... he didn't answer on what he would do to my feelings though.", her smiled slowly shrinked at the recall. "Well, I understand since it's hard for him knowing that he had a bad time in-", Dahyun instantly interrupted her when she heard those words, which gave her a sign that something wrong had happened to you that she was unaware of.
Dahyun: "W-what happened to him?", she asked Sana in panic, her panting breaths are slowly occuring.
Sana: "He and his ex girlfriend parted ways. Well, way worse... it's due to cheating from the girl's part.", and with that, Dahyun finally knew what exactly occurred to you that caused you to struggle accepting Sana's affections back. It all makes sense to her now.
But she's not happy about it. A combination of feelings is forming on her, with a portion of her upset and angry with herself for having the thought that she could've come to your help as an option, but she didn't. It was causing her to degrade her image and role as a friend to you, comparing her current self to her old self, where she was able to be there for you whenever she could.
Dahyun: "No way. I-I don't know what to say... I... I could've..." she began babbling as her overthinking filled her mind with numerous possibilities.
Sana: "I know, that's what I also felt and thought when I heard it from him," Sana remarked, attempting to show Dahyun that she understands what the younger is going through right now. "As a friend, you can't help but feel guilty for not being there for your fellow friend when you knew he needed someone to pour out the uneasy sensation that fills and makes his heart heavy, right?" Dahyun sadly nodded.
Dahyun: "So I supposed you already comforted him about it?"
Sana: "Yeah, well that's where I also accidentally spilled out my secret."
Dahyun: "Oh." She doesn't have a more explicit and comprehensive answer to that since she isn't sure how she will feel about it.
She had to feel relieved that at least you had a back to lean on during that trying time, but bitterness was also present.
She guessed that if Sana hadn't even needed to give the information where she told her that she was falling in love with her, it could've been better and more evident for her to feel.
Yes, she was kind of... jealous and hurt when she learned that somebody was also admiring the same guy she adores too... and it turned out to be her friend and colleague also.
"Poor YN doesn't deserve it at all. How can be that girl broke his trust and heart at the same time like that. I feel bad for him so much.", she sighed heavily.
Sana: "Same, Dahyun. Same."
"I do feel really guilty for myself and I have my reasons, you know?", she said while pointing at herself.
Sana: "Then do it, Dahyun. Don't hesitate about it, all you want for him to know is that you care about him anyways," Sana said as she held Dahyun's hands, sensing the uneasiness that is taking over her body and wishing it would go away as she tries to cool her down; not wanting to let it affect her too much that might distract her later.
After travelling in the same plane as them, you all arrived in Jeju a few hours later, where you were introduced to the workers, notably the managers.
After waiting with the audience that had assembled for this event, which was held today in beautiful weather, it eventually began. The hosts then invited the ambassadors of the product being promoted at this event to introduce themselves to us. You may have noticed Sana and Dahyun making their way to the stage, representing their outfits that made them look exceptionally fabulous to look at, as well as their speech to thank the brand for choosing them.
Sana wore a pink dress that complemented her beautiful womanly form, whereas Dahyun wore white, which complemented her flawless and silky pale complexion.
They made several poses in front of the cameras, and you can see that Sana was utilizing her slick moves to wow you even during her work. You may say she nailed it, given that she made you flush with some sneaky gestures pointing towards you.
Although Sana had your focus, you didn't let yourself be completely taken when you turned your sight to Dahyun, who was just doing her thing; balancing your treatment for the two. When you saw her staring at you, you smiled back and gave her and Sana both thumbs up, indicating that they are doing great right now and demonstrating how supportive a friend you are today for them.
After 2 hours and a half, you returned to each of your allotted spots to stay for the day here in Jeju.
Dahyun requested you to accompany her on a walk around the island. You asked if you might invite Sana as well, but she replied she was going away with her managers for a bit.
Having without anything to do for it, you just let myself to spend some time with her since you need this anyways. I haven't got to be in touch that much with Dahyun after your unexpected encounter back at the museum along with Chaeyoung.
Dahyun: "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Dahyun asked as you walked with her along the trail that leads to the lighthouse at the end along a cliff. "Having a moment where it's just you and I being in our own world.", she was adjusting her thick furry blanket while she said that.
YN: "Yeah, kinda feels nostalgic.", you sighed in longing. "I do missed this, thanks Dahyun.", you have her a side glance for you to give her your warm smile.
Dahyun: "You're welcome.", she returned the appreciation you gave. "I feel sad thinking about it still."
YN: "Why?"
Dahyun: "It's not the same as before. I already expected that a time like this would come but... I still hated it.", she pouted when she crossed her arms, sulking.
"That the words "I miss you" will be the words that only connects us anymore.", she said as she looked at you; showing her sadness that is plastered on her face at this thought of hers.
YN: "So what do you pertain by it, Dubu?", you called her by her nickname.
Dahyun: "That I wanted to spend more time with you again as much as I can, YN.", she said, entangling her fingers behind her back. "Not this type of meeting where we only having this moment just because of coincidence. Simply, just like the good times we had before."
YN: "Only that?" you inquired, raising your brow once more. "Sure, Dahyun. I'd like that idea of yours," you said, shrugging your shoulders and chuckling. That made Dahyun smile. "I'll do my best to join you if I'm available; you know I won't say no, right?" you teased her, which luckily caused Dahyun's lips curve upwards again.
Dahyun: "Promise?", she asked you and made a smirk.
YN: "Promise." You, too, did the same. You offered her your pinky finger, which she gratefully clasped with her own, finally ensuring her that you two will keep your promises.
Dahyun:"Aaaaaa I'm so pleased!" she exclaimed, raising both her fists in the air, making you giggle a little because of how adorable she is acting. "You never change, you always put a smile on my face no matter what..." she paused, only to revert her demeanor to serious. "...but I also want to apologize."
YN: "Huh,why? For what?", you gently asked her in your confusion.
Dahyun: "Sana told me what happened to you," she said, a simple remark that poured out of her mouth, full with sympathy for you; it was that simple for you to share her look.
YN: "Please, not now Dahyun. It's over now. I prefer that we don't talk about it...especially her anymore." you sighed as you swiped your hand away from the topic.
Dahyun: "I know, but I just feel bad about it." She paused in her steps, which you did as well, albeit little late than her. She's now standing in front of you after you turned around.
"I still care about you, okay? I could've spent my free time these past few days visiting you," she remarked, pouring out the amount of remorse she is absorbing. "But I'm delighted you're doing well now, YN; you deserved better."
You approached her and moved closer in front of her, delicately placing your hand on top of her shoulder and squeezing it softly to cheer her up. YN: "I appreciate that, Dahyun, but please don't blame yourself, okay?" you pleaded with her.
It's a relief that she nodded her head in answer to you. Dahyun:"I will, because Sana already consoled you while you were carrying that heavy heart of yours at the time."
YN: "She also mentioned that too?"
Dahyun: She made a hum. "She even mentioned how she just randomly spitted out her confession to you at that time," she added, the lack of amusement on her face is quite clear, but you're too preoccupied with what each other is talking about, so you just ignore it.
YN: "Yeah, that was unexpected, but I thanked her for doing that," you remarked to her, expressing your appreciation for Sana's bravery in exposing her actual feelings to you.
Dahyun: "I know what she did was very thoughtful and comforting so... I should... be feeling fine now.. right?", she said as her voice trembling. Being the blind and dumb you are, it was unbeknownst to you that Dahyun was getting a little bit confused at what she has to feel for that.
A part of her wants to be grateful for Sana's assistance... There's also a part of her that's distracting her by repeating the words "it should've been me" over and over, making her unhappy and envious.
YN: "You should be," you replied. She wanted to do so, but she recognized it wasn't going to be simple.
Dahyun: "Uhh... hey, we can get a good image at this position here. Cmon, let's try it," Dahyun said, pointing to a very wide space specialized for people to take pictures freely at any angle they wish to capture themselves with the excellent scenery around.
Dahyun dragged you along with her, and you surrendered your body to her as you followed her from behind. It didn't take long to get there because you two were already close to the end of the trail.
You both came to a halt in front of the lighthouse, which was perched on a rock overlooking the rest of Jeju and the surrounding body of water.
If you're afraid of heights, it was terrible to stare down, but if you're not, you'll be easily distracted by the wonderful beauty of it.
YN: "Hey, Dahyun! Mind if you step a little further away from it? Safety precautions," you asked as Dahyun moved closer to the lighthouse.
Dahyun: "You're worried I'll fall, aren't you?" Dahyun asked in a sing-song tone, acting like a child who doesn't take your warning as an adult seriously and instead takes it jokingly.
YN: "A big YES." Your voice became louder at that final phrase, indicating how uneasy you are right now.
Dahyun: I don't mind; you'd catch me if I fall, right? ", she smirked at you; which was the THIRD time you evaded her smooth moves to you; still unable to spot the indications she's showing you that there's something in there she's been hiding from you.
YN: "Aish, Dubu, stop it." you groaned. "The possibility of that is very low, so please be careful instead; I can't risk losing you here," you stated. Finally, Dahyun reddened at your statement. "Okay, and 1...2...3!" she said, striking a position; happily, the sun was still cooperating for her background, despite its low angle due to the fact that the present season is still winter. "Would you like more?" she just nodded, and you promptly obliged, capturing another shot of images for her.
Dahyun: "Woah daebak, these are all perfect!" exclaims Dahyun as she examines the photos you shot one by one, flicking the phone to the right.
"Your turn, go there! I can let myself be the only one who's going to have a fantastic photo here in Jeju, you know," she pulled you forward, and you simply followed her. You are now in the position she was in near the lighthouse. "1... 2... 3!", you performed a pose as well, but because you're not particularly photogenic, you did it awkwardly by placing your hands on your hoodie and making a peace sign at the following one.
Despite this, you are already content with doing it.
YN: "Thanks, Dahyun.", you said after checking your pictures.
Dahyun: "There you go, now it's a win win for the both of us.", she said proudly.
YN: "Oh look! the sunset!" you exclaimed as you looked up at the sky, where the little sun can be seen, about to vanish to welcome the moon and welcome in the darkness by shifting its position above.
Dahyun: "It's very beautiful.", Dahyun muttered as she joined you looking at it anticipatingly.
YN: "C'mon, let's take one more. Come closer beside me." You opened your phone's camera and immediately pulled Dahyun behind you, her body now sticking and leaning at your side.
Dahyun: "O-okay...", the only words she can say because she's too speechless at this intense blushing she's having as it began when you wrapped your arm behind her band and grasped her shoulder.
You two took a photo together, and Dahyun was left surprised and bewildered by your actions as you both continued to gaze at the sunset in front of each other's eyes.
It reminds her of when she first formed affections for you and you did the same thing for her. It was also afternoon at the time, and the sunset occurred after you had just completed playing with Dahyun to spend your weekend free time together.
YN: "Dahyun... Dahyun- ah! Hello, is someone there?", you keep calling her name. "Dubu!!!"
Dahyun: "Oh yes... hmm... oh Y-YN what is it," Dahyun hastily reacted after being awakened by your loud clap, sparing her from unconsciousness.
YN: "Looks like the one I'm talking to about how beautiful the sunset is here on Jeju Island doesn't comprehend it all since clearlyyyy she's drowning in her thoughts so... mind spilling what's going on in your mind?" you added, laying your hands on each side of your waist.
Dahyun: "A-uhm... I just remembered something... magical.", she reasoned out.
YN: "That's odd. Well, somewhat understandable, given how this moment feels like it's out of the world we're entering into." You agreed with her. "Just one glimpse at this breathtaking scenery makes you-"
Dahyun: "It reminded me of that one time in high school, YN," she stopped you off before ultimately responding with further detail. She did it because she wanted you to think about it as well, because you were also very happy at that time when you joined her.
Is there any other emotion you had to express than happiness when you discovered that your crush liked you back?
"Same as this, a deja vu definitely... and it was where I first fell in love with you, right?", she said, reminding you more.
YN: Oh... yeah.", you sheepishly smiled. "You told me about that when you confessed to me.", you looked at her. "And when I told you too that it was actually also part of sending signals to you.", you laughed at it. She joined you too but her was softer and also nodding her head up and down.
Dahyun: "Kinda hurts knowing that your feelings back then weren't a part of this déjà vu we're having... but mine," she continued, making you wonder what she meant by that, which prompted her to react like this.
YN: "Dahyun?"
Dahyun: "YN... when I learned what Sana did to you.. I don't know what to feel about it honestly.", she glanced again at the sun nearly about to leave the sky. "I know I should be just fine but it was too bittersweet for me."
YN: "Dahyun... are you telling me that-"
Dahyun: "YN... I'm still tied to our past, with you," Dahyun replied, her bitter smile encapsulated through her lips, voluntarily confirming your guess. "Yes, I still love you, YN... but don't get me wrong, I don't expect you to feel the same for me," she began to clarify. "I just wanted to let you know that after we ended our thing together... the more I realized how much it hurts not to be able to be in your arms again rather than being lost with you on our relationship," she continued.
"But right now, having you near me today just you and I... I wanted to just ask the question that makes me wonder if do you... still also wanted to try it out again too, wondering if... it could finally work?", she asked you shyly about it.
YN:"I do..." you said swiftly. It made her happy to hear about it, knowing that you are also disheartened that you had a relationship with Dahyun just because you were both too eager to love and did not first determine if both of you are ready to enter a new form of liking for each other.
... But it was years ago, Dahyun.", you connected the rest of the words with it, making Dahyun's heart clench hardly. She remembered Sana instantly, and the thought of what if Sana was getting successful now to attract you is what worried her.
But her negative ideas got vanished when you explained more to her, which is a relief. "It's not gonna be easy to recover that feeling I lost when I was also having it for you even in the aftermath of our break up like at the time for today... so that I could just tell you the same too that I want you back and let us start all over again."
Dahyun: "Like I was saying, I am not expecting, YN. I get it, you're still recovering and healing your heart... and I respect it that you need to take your time still.", she grabbed your wrist and gently patted it.
YN: "Are you gonna be fine with it?", you asked her perturbedly.
Dahyun: "I have to.", she nodded, giving you a smile that's telling you to trust her. " So don't worry, YN. I can wait for you, like I did just to have this moment where I could show you how I'm still into you after all this time even we haven't seen each other for a long time.", she assures you. " I just hope that I'll get the ending I need to have, which is to have you again."
You felt touched at Dahyun's words. YN: "Thank you for your understanding, Dahyun. Really, I didn't felt pressured at all.", you let out an appreciating grin to her; showing how Dahyun made you untroubled even though she just added herself to the list of women who will battle it out just to get your heart; mainly your friends.
Dahyun: "As what it should be, YN.", she said. After that, she pushed herself towards you; crashing her body onto yours to enwrap you into a tight hug. "I pray to the god's above in heaven that I could show you much I'm fully prepared for another shot of us again soon.", she whispered through your ear, sending you chills throughout your spine.
YN: "Good luck, Dub.", you encouraged; caressing her back. She lets go away from your body after a moment of silence during at each other's embrace.
Dahyun: "Did you also do the same too with Sana?", she curiously asked you.
YN: "Yup. I also gave her a chance too."
And the others too. You added in your mind.
Dahyun: "So I guess I got some competition.", Dahyun chuckled. You got a bit taken aback when she said that because it sounded like she's also referring fron what you just secretly said in your mind. "Sana is my friend but when it comes for you... but sorry, I must make my wait even more worth it.", she said, looking motivated as ever to do her best for you.
YN: "Wow, looks like someone's fighting spirit is showing right now HAHAHAHA", you said impressively. Dahyun just chuckled at it.
2 DAYS LATER
You returned from Jeju for Sana and Dahyun two days ago. Of course, you had a good time with them... Although it felt a little awkward knowing you were with two of the girls that were admiring you.
You can see some of their moves, and it was clear that Sana and Dahyun were switching turns unknown to them. The most memorable thing each of them did was when Sana retrieved some aegyos from her pocket and Dahyun kissed you on the cheek after your dumb self inadvertently bumped my head against the wall due to how sleepy you are.
Aside from that, you can't help but feel scared for them because your mind was telling you these what ifs about Sana and Dahyun both trading envy and anger building up as they chose to keep it to themselves instead; giving you reason to believe that they both know what they're doing to you.
Returning to the present, you are now in Gangdong-gu, a district of Seoul, where your friend Chaeyoung resides. You went to her house since you had bought more strawberries from her as an ingredient for your cake products in your shop.
Chaeyoung: "What did you do in Jeju?", she asked you while pulling out two strawberries and putting it in her basket. She moved next, still keeping her squatting posture.
YN: "Visited a fashion show there."
Chaeyoung: "And when did you had any interest with those?", she confusedly asked while looking at you with her signature crumpled expression.
YN: "Hey, I know and I still don't okay.", you said, denying her speculation. "The only reason I was there because my friend just invited me to watch.", you explained your side.
Chaeyoung: "You have a friend who's doing modeling?"
YN: "Yup, she's an actress too. Not to mention, her colleague was coincidentally my friend too who's also the same as hers.", you chuckled when you remembered how shocked you are when you discovered that Dahyun was the secret person Sana was talking about that she'll join along with her and you to Jeju.
Chaeyoung: "I envy them.", she pouted and returned back to pulling strawberries out of the plant.
YN: "Cmon, Chaeyoung don't go to that topic again.", you sighed while shaking your head.
Chaeyoung: "Yeah yeah I know, be satisfied with my artistic hands.", she presented you her pair of hands covered in gloves, wiggling it. "Yes I get it.", she rolled her eyes which made you just wheeze at her.
"Congrats to you and Tzuyu by the way.", she said, changing the topic. Her voice became quite lower compared to earlier.
YN: "Seems that she told you about it.", you said, continuing to watch her doing her job of managing her beloved fruits for business.
Chaeyoung: "Ofcourse, she will, i'm her friend and the supportive one for you two."
YN: "You're right about what you said about her story that was long untold to me." You lowered your head, the guilt returning as you recall your meeting with Tzuyu that changed your story with her for good after years of bad blood that ended up simply being caused by misunderstanding.
"I was just completely in total astonishment and disbelief that I actually wasn't the victim here all along," you added, recounting your serious talk with Tzuyu. "I had no idea she was going through the same thing as me, and worse, hers was doubled, and I feel like I had something to do with it, knowing she was still loving me the same after all this time, but she knew I hated her with all my heart for something she never did in the first place," you sighed heavily as you finished talking.
Chaeyoung: "See? Now you know why I keep urging you to let her talk, YN," Chaeyoung said as she stood up and pointed at you. "I knew Tzuyu, and you know it, is very vulnerable and too soft to be handled like this by her parents."
"She had no other people around her who could save and fix her again, but only us as her only remaining people she loved the most in her life who never turned back to her, so why am I telling you this as if I don't know what Tzuyu did to you was the opposite of what I said?" she paused for a second with a purpose, and she achieved it when your curiosity increased.
" Because when I learned from you that she's trying to reconnect with you for the first time in 2 years, I decided to choose this side of mine that's telling me there's something was wrong with her only being able to show a sign of her presence instead of choosing to be biased by just letting myself siding over you, even though you were only became the victim here because we never heard any side from her, not yet.", she explained.
You agreed and understood everything Chaeyoung was pointing out. "And I apologized terribly for that, I do," you replied, an apologetic smile on your lips.
"I deserved any consequences for it, but she spared and forgiven instead, choosing to show me this one thing I really liked the most out for her before," you remarked as a memory of how you first developed affections for Tzuyu began to play in your head.
You recalled how Tzuyu just stay all okay whenever she listens and see you make mistakes or cause a problem. Her positivity is too contagious where all you can do is just to be like her and believe her for that, and it helped very much. You learned how to became better and avoid anything like it to happen again.
Aside from her ethereal beauty, the more times she consoles, motivates, and advises you, the more you grew to like Tzuyu. Then one day you had the confidence to tell her about how he makes you feel in love with her, and happily she shared back with the same explanation as yours, verifying that both of you love each other more than a friend.
Chaeyoung: "I noticed the past tense, but hers wasn't right?", she forced out a smile to you. She wanted to be very happy about it but ofcourse knowing that she do also secretly loves you too just makes her heart ache.
YN: "She shared about it too?"
Chaeyoung: "Y-yeah.", she stuttered, uncontrollably showed a hint of her discomfort about this. "Makes me feel pity for her even more, but still glad that she was able to tell it finally too.", she faked a smile again.
"She said also that you gave her a c-chance?"
YN: "She deserves it, that's all I have to say Chae."
Chaeyoung: "O-okay," Chaeyoung said, nodding. She's literally wearing a mask right now, the truth buried beneath it, and that is her, grieving at the realization that she'll never be yours. What exactly is she fighting for? Tzuyu is plainly ten times better than her, thus she will lose regardless of what she thinks.
"Anyways, why don't you just wait there and make yourself comfortable for a while at the living room.", she tried to find an excuse just to end this discussion that she's having because she's heard enough already and she can't risk breaking down in front of you as her cries join the sounds of her heart shattering into pieces.
YN: "You sure you don't need any help?", you asked her; showing the thoughtful and caring side of yours.
Chaeyoung: Nope, I'm good, YN. I just have to check the rest of the farm once I harvest these strawberries," Chaeyoung said, declining your offer. She only wanted to be alone for a while before returning to normality after her mood had become wildly unsettling to her.
YN: "Okay.", You walked back to the house, leaving Chaeyoung alone as she sighed a long sigh to alleviate the worry filling her insides before returning from choosing out the remaining strawberries she has to ready for your order.
You were going to settle down in the couch as you entered the house again when you noticed a room on the left, under the staircase, with its door slightly open.
When you spotted some paintings from the gap, it piqued your interest to see what was within. You cautiously unlocked the door and entered, now able to look about within Chaeyoung's room, namely her art space.
You noticed some cloth-covered paintings. You chose one of them and removed it, observing the artwork that was now shown in front of your eyes.
And, to your surprise, the painting's subject was you and Chaeyoung being joyful together in the middle of the night, with stars in the sky replaced by hearts.
It was too late that when you turned around the door to check if Chaeyoung was still in the farm, you caught her instead standing at the door, staring at you with twice the amount of shock, nervousness, fear and sadness all in one in her face compared to yours.
YN: "C-chae... I-I'm sorry for entering your pri-," you began to explain, but she motioned for you to stop, lifting her index finger and showing it to you.
"I should be the one explaining, not you," Chaeyoung replied, her unlively voice clearly audible. "So you finally know about it," she replied quietly, returning her gaze to the painted she had created.
YN: "And it turned out that my thoughts were correct..." she frowned, bewildered by what you're saying. "... that there is really something more about what you did back then in the museum," her eyes gradually widened as she realized that even though she had failed her plan of confessing to you, an idea had already appeared in your mind that would make you react less surprised if Chaeyoung had just successfully shared her feelings with you, which was interrupted back them with a surprise phone call from Tzuyu.
She wasn't complaining about how you kinda knew about it already, it fact it just makes her happy and less nervous to finally do this in front of you that she'll open her heart out for you to discover.
Chaeyoung: "I could've confessed to you earlier, but... the world was simply too harsh to me at the time, from your friend Dahyun's unexpected presence to Tzuyu's unexpected call." She spoke precisely what was on her mind.
YN: "But now that we're here... you finally have the freedom to tell me everything Chae," YN said as you opened your arms a little before bringing it back down. "How did it all begin?" you asked, looking at her expectantly, patiently waiting for her response.
Chaeyoung gulped to avoid her throat being stuck and too hard for her to speak. She started to explain it all as her answer to you.
Chaeyoung: "All I could say that it was because of how intimate we are together and having only you as my male friend.", she looked away from you to lessen her stare from you that might make her melt and froze in her position.
"I- I'm slowly getting carried along with the way how you treat me like an ideal man you are and so it begins. Where one day I found out that I'm starting to grow a different kind of fond for you... a romantic one.", she whimpered in embarassment while playing with her fingernails.
YN: "And I suppose you decided to... keep this from me all along?", you guessed, she nodded in response. "Why?"
Chaeyoung: "I- I care for you and T-Tzuyu.", her voice became softer and lowered down even more, but you stepped forward for you hear it clearly.
" I didn't wanted at all for you to know about my love for you because... I think mostly about Tzuyu. It was very wrong for me to be in love with somebody that my friend was falling in love into at the same time."
"But I just couldn't hold this feeling I contain in my heart for too long, now that it affects me painfully again seeing you and Tzuyu reuniting and who knows? Maybe it will be the same as before, and it will end up with me being the one who will suffer again with the fact that I am seeing the man I adore the most out of everyone who's never gonna be mine anyways.", she started to sniff and a couple of teardrops started to flow out from her dizzying eyes which black orbs looks like it shows the entire galaxy and the universe within.
YN: "It's not the only reason wasn't it?", you gently sweep away the strands of her bangs that's distracting her. You bent your finger and used it to wipe away Chaeyoung's tears as she started to cry. "You were scared, Chae. That you think when Tzuyu finds out about this and me... it'll affect our friendship together.", you said the obvious reason why she's doing this.
Chaeyoung: "Y-yes...", she nodded her head. Her body starts to shiver in her cries. "I'm really sorry, YN. I shouldn't be having this at all but I can't control it... I'm too unable to deny that my heart was really choosing only you.", she continued to cry as she leaned her temple to the middle of your chest.
"So, now that you know I love you, do you think this is the end of us? You'll dist-" she raised her head, only to be met by her disheveled, wet face as a result of the tears she shed.
YN: "What? No. Don't think like that, Chae.", you interrupted her, wanting to make her quit saying such ridiculous things that you think will never happen ever. "I won't okay? I'll stay. It wasn't your fault. Falling in love was something you can't be apologized for... it's normal that it just grew naturally within our heart and thus all we can do is to be responsible for it."
"To know how could we do something about it. To see how it'll change our lives either for the better or for the worse. It doesn't mean that even if loving was a choice, it'll makes us become unworthy or weak for doing that. Love is also a helpful tool for exploration throughout our connection with someone who are close with, Chaeyoung and I won't gonna lie... I am touched that you can see my value as not only as a friend but more than that."
" It felt like my purpose really was something bigger in the eyes of others. So why should I avoid or leave you because of that? I should be grateful instead.", you explained to her how she was wrong of what she thinks you might do after the confessing she had done.
Chaeyoung: "But how about Tzuyu?", she asked you, frowning.
YN: "Well about that... I don't know, Chae.", you weakly smiled. If only you know what Tzuyu has to respond when she learns about this just so you can tell it Chaeyoung that can contribute more to the reasons why she has to calm down. "I'm getting worried that she'll act and think differently than mine. But I hope not."
Chaeyoung: "Then I guess she should not have knowledge about any of this. She must not know.", you nodded at her favor.
YN: "But how about you, what are you going to do?"
Chaeyoung: "If I tell you that I want you to give me a chance too, would you let me?", she asked you sadly. You slightly got taken aback at that question of your friend to you. You already heard this from the others, so all you can do was to repeat the same answer again but hoping that she'll be just like them who can understand what you're going also into these days.
YN: "I would really love to, Chae but if only our situation was that easy.", you apologetically smiled at her.
Chaeyoung: "Don't be bothered with it too much. I'll be fine, YN.", she reassured you, taking away your fear or worriedness that she might get impatient and be it unacceptable to her.
She doesn't want to be selfish and rude about it.
"Finally letting you know about what I actually feel for you and knowing that you'll be staying by my side was enough for me already," she smiled, indicating that her good mood is slowly returning. "I don't mind if I have this one-sided love with you forever; maybe I'll move on, but who knows when that will be."
"What matters to me is..." she said as she stroked your cheeks with her delicate little palm. You simply closed your eyes and felt the warmth of your admirer's touch on your cheek. Chaeyoung softly smiled at the sight of your comfortable face at her hold. "... you're doing fantastic every day... and seeing you happy, even if it's because of someone else rather than wanting to be me in that place, is the least I could hope for from you, YN."
"I don't regret having this moment with you, atleast it finally allowed me to breathe in relief.", you unknowingly realized that she used the chance to give you a quick peck of a kiss to your lips, making your eyes popped wide and look at her in astonishment.
Chaeyoung: "If I never get the chance to make it happen again in the future, at least I got the chance to know how amazing it feels to share a kiss with you."
YN: "Come here, Chae." You motioned for her to come forward, and she complied, allowing you to pull her in for a hug. Even if it didn't result in a happy or sad conclusion, at least both of you are happy about it and neither one was left distraught, which could have ruined your friendship.
"Thank you for opening up. Although your love for me wasn't returned in the same way, you have my word that I will do my best to fulfill what you expect me to be. Take it as my repay for your effort. I'm proud of you, always remember that," you said sweetly, and you could feel your body compressing more as Chaeyoung tightened her wrap around your body.
Chaeyoung: "Thank you so much for allowing me to express my love for you. I will always be here for you, YN. Anytime. Even as only a friend, don't forget that deep inside of me still chooses to continue loving you." she said as you continued to stroke her long wavy hair for a few more seconds before escaping at each other's embrace and laughing about that roller coaster of emotions you two just had.
She eventually prepared the strawberries you had ordered from her, safely enclosed in a plastic container. You gave her one more hug and waved your hands farewell before leaving her house.
As you got into your car to head back to your doughnut store, you got a notification from the woman you were hurriedly chatting with just a few minutes before as you and Chaeyoung had one more conversation.
She responded to you, thanking you for accepting her invitation to meet her tomorrow.
THE NEXT DAY
Jeongyeon: "Here we are, my favorite place to go when I do need a great rest... just like right now," Jeongyeon stated as the two of you exited her car, which is now parked alongside the location you agreed to visit with her today.
Jeongyeon was the one who texted you while you were at Chaeyoung's house yesterday. She encouraged you to accompany her to the spa, which you are both currently looking at.
YN: "So Wednesday is your dayoff?", you asked her.
Jeongyeon: "Yes.", she nodded.
YN: "I suppose your work was draining your body energy 24/7.", you said, sounding worried for your friend because you have an idea how hard accountancy is, since it's your cousin Seulgi's job too.
Jeongyeon: "Life of an accountant, YN," she said, smiling slightly. "Sitting there from day to night... your eyes going dry and burning whether through staring at the papers or sucking the radiation out of the monitor as you only focused on bunch of numbers your company is creating whatever time it is along with duty of managing, computing, and many more.", thinking about it made her sigh as if she just got out of her shift for today, making you understand her more at what she's been going through in her work.
YN: "Wow, that sounds extremely hectic and exhausting." The goosebumps you got after hearing that from her caused you to whistle. "Now I feel horrible for the two of you and Seulgi," you said, expressing sympathy not only for Jeongyeon but also for your cousin.
Jeongyeon: "But we don't have a choice, do we?" said Jeongyeon, shrugging. "We need this job to earn money for our daily requirements... and all we have to do is work hard and make sacrifices for it," she said with a determined smile.
"But, Jeong, health is still important," you told her. "I simply hope you people continue to take care; it's still just a job after all," you patted her on the shoulder, your caring eyes fluttering Jeongyeon's heart.
"Thanks for inviting me, Jeong, by the way; I'm actually looking forward to this," you chuckled, eager to learn about the pleasure of being inside a spa for a genuine and effective soothing massage.
Jeongyeon: "First time?", she said; perfectly guessing your reason of excitement.
YN: "Yup. I rely more onto self-treatment, particularly painkillers."
Jeongyeon: "Don't worry, it'll all change here. I could invite you again whenever I'll visit here.", she smirked.
YN: "That would be highly appreciated, Jeong," you said with a pleasant smile. "We can also convince Seulgi to join us," you suggested.
Jeongyeon: "Ooh yeah, you're correct!" she said, snapping her fingers. "That would be wonderful. Come on, let's get inside so we can start right away," she said, motioning you to follow her as the two of you walked through the spa's entrance.
You were brought to one of the free therapy rooms inside after checking in and filling out their logbook. Two of the experienced masseuses who will be serving you and Jeongyeon exchanged greetings before telling you to proceed to your individual massage tables.
Because you and Jeongyeon aren't a couple, the room has been divided in half by a curtain. After taking off your clothes, which Jeongyeon did as well, you lay down on the table and let the masseuse begin to conduct a professional massage, which seemed like you were floating in the clouds due to how refreshing and peaceful it was.
-------------
Jeongyeon: "How's it going?" she asked about your experience a while ago. You were both sitting on padded chairs arranged for the terrace at the back of the spa, taking use of the remaining time left to simply rest.
YN: "You have no idea how comfy I am right now, Jeong," you chuckled. Jeongyeon simply grinned at your reaction, and she knew it was all worth it. "Jeez, this place is great; my body feels so light," you say, glancing around as you tap the chair's handle three times before holding back at it.
Jeongyeon: "Yeah I can relate. My shoulders, neck and hips doesn't give me this killing pain I endure anymore.", she said; gently moving her body to prove it.
YN: "I guess we'll simply spend the rest of our time enjoying this refreshing moment we're having today," you murmured, returning your eyes to the magnificent scenery full of greens of the trees and some other houses not too far away.
Jeongyeon: "YN... are you having fun with me?", she asked.
YN: "I do. Even though you're still a no jam to me.", you teased her in the end.
Jeongyeon: "Aghhh I thought it would end good!", she whined, throwing you the small pillow she had on her back. "You're so mean.", she pouted at you.
You just chuckled at this poor defeated woman beside you.
You went closer to her and gently shaking her body as you begged for her forgiveness. YN: "Hey, sorry! I was kidding okay?"
Jeongyeon: "Hmph.", she looked away as she tried to avoid your pitiful state.
YN: "You're sulking? Oh cmon what should I do with it?", you desperately wanting to find out.
Jeongyeon: "I don't know, figure it out yourself.", she rolled her eyes, still keeping the act and going along wih it.
YN: "Okay, well, I hope this may make you forgive me." You sat next Jeongyeon, filling the spare remaining amount of space in her seat, and locked her on your arms, giving Jeongyeon a back embrace, causing her to heat up and feel her heartbeat on her chest speed up.
Jeongyeon: "A-alright fine, I can't s-stay angry at you any longer, you're impossible to resist," Jeongyeon murmured, not bothering to look at you because she's too embarrassed to display her intense brush that's enough to turn her entire face scarlet red.
YN: "See, hug works all the time!" You ruffled her hair, which elicited a groan of annoyance from her. You were going to remove your arms from around her body when Jeongyeon stopped you.
Jeongyeon: "D-don't," she commanded, still unwilling to look you in the eyes. "Can we please s-stay like this for a bit, YN?" she asked, turning her head slightly to catch a glimpse of you in her peripheral vision.
YYN: "Uhh sure, I won't mind." You just gave her a favor, so you shifted your body to be more comfortable sitting alongside her, changing the type of hug you're giving her as it changed to a side hug; but you still kept your arms wrapped around her waist.
Jeongyeon then shamelessly leaned her head on your shoulder, giving you goosebumps as the two of you now look like a genuine couple gazing out the window on a gorgeous Wednesday morning.
You just silently complimenting how great the scent of her face and also the beauty of the side features of her face.
Jeongyeon: "YN... will you be angry when I tell you this?", she asked you.
YN: "How should I? Let me what is it then."
Jeongyeon: "What if I told you that I'm falling in love with you, YN?", Jeongyeon said as you gazed down at her, catching her loving eyes looking up at you, leaving you astonished at her sudden revelation and making herself one of your admirers as well.
You're confusedly asking to yourself as to how the hell this world just blessed you this kind of life where you're able to make most of the women you're close with to fall in love with you and confess their feelings at you one by one as if it's more likely a coincidental for you.
Keeping your humble personality, you continue to feel that you are just a typical and average person for you to deserve this. However, thinking about it further after hearing several love confessions, particularly Jeongyeon's, makes you happy that simply being yourself is enough to make you feel special.
That's one of the reasons you don't want to reject their feelings just yet. Let's say that you're terrified of doing it. You don't want to shatter their heart after all these times of making you feel how much they adore you.
"I know this is a sneaky move on my part right now, but it's just that... I really want to know how it feels to be in your arms, and I was right, it sure does feel really good when that person is the one you love; I'm sorry if I took advantage of your unawareness.", Jeongyeon softly apologized to you even though it was inappropriate for her to do so.
YN: "It's okay, Jeong. Don't be sorry for it.", you started to rock your body, making her join your movement slowly back and forth. "I am glad and thankful of you for sharing this. Just to ask you one thing though, are you willing to wait? Because as of now, I'm sorry to say that I can't love you back yet. I still have some things to make clear. My heart is still unsure whether I should go for one more run.", you looked at her because you want to see her face while stating her answer.
Jeongyeon: "I'll do whatever it takes, YN. Even if I fail or succeed, atleast I tried you know; but of course, it would be much better if I'll get the same return back from you," she said; the words she mentioned at the end related back to your fear of causing huge pain in their hearts, whether you love one of them or not.
It will never change anyways, pain is also part of our lives and as long as it exists, you will never get the chance to avoid it; so might as well you thought you really need to try for you to found out.
YN: "I hope I wouldn't hurt you even more Jeong when my heart finally decided.", you said; unconsciously giving a hint about one of your thoughts.
Jeongyeon: "Let's just cut it here. I heard enough and I'm still satisfied with it even if it's not what I'm expecting but still, thank you, YN.", she said as she gently patted your thigh twice for you to be ordered to stop.
YN: "You're welcome, Jeongyeon.",
Jeongyeon: "The following times we'll have this kind of moment... I hope that one of it would be us finally sharing our love for each other as warm as our embrace.", she said one last comment to share for you to know, which little did she know that you were thinking the same too about her hopes for you both.
-LATER IN THE EVENING-
Your time with Jeongyeon prompted you to devise a plan to treat your cousin Seulgi outside later that evening.
You picked up Seulgi, who had just gotten out of her workplace and finished her shift for the day, giving her a reward for her hard work because you know she's doing it not just for herself but also for her family, which includes you.
You and Seulgi arrived in front of Moguri Peach, the restaurant owned by your friend Momo. You both entered and met and greeted your chef friend, who was speaking with her manager.Knowing exactly why you came to her restaurant, she quickly led you two to one of the available tables.
Because of your brief but embarrassing interaction with Momo because you know that your attractive Japanese friend is in love with you and you're chatting to her in front of your cousin, it made Momo and Seulgi became acquainted.
Momo then returned to the kitchen to prepare your ordered dishes, and after a few more minutes of waiting, you and Seulgi eventually enjoyed dinner together, during which you had to see your humorous cousin lavishly complimenting Momo's food. Momo just laughed with your cousin and winked at you while Seulgi returned her attention to her food, making you blush.
Momo then left you both again to continue her service for the other customers.
Seulgi: "I couldn't believe this, YN. You were hiding it from me that you know a restaurant where you could just enter whenever you want because you're friends with the goddamn owner!", Seulgi exclaimed after taking a sip of her tonkotsu ramen.
YN: "You never asked, so why should I know?", you chuckled.
Seulgi: "Aish, are you really my cousin? Do we really know each other?", she seriously glared at you, then leaned forward to flick your forehead thrice.
"Barging in your mind if you won't remember that I'm a big fan of Japanese food especially sushi and THIS AMAZING RAMEN YOUR FRIEND MADE FOR ME!", she aggressively pointed at her ramen very amusingly.
YN: "Fine, I'll invite you next time when I come here okay.", you sighed as you rubbed the spot in your forehead where your crackhead cousin flicked you.
Seulgi: "Hirai Momo huh, she's very pretty I must say.", she said after taking a bite of her udon noodles.
YN: "Control your gayness, couz."
Seulgi: "Shut up, I'm just complimenting her because it's true okay?", she scoffed. "Was it wrong? Jeez, if you are thinking another meaning about it then stop it, I have my Irene already."
"Or else... are you jealous?", her lips formed a playful smirk as she slowly looked at you teasingly.
YN: "What? No. I'm not... w-why would I be?", you defended yourself while furrowing your eyebrows.
Seulgi: "Ooh, wow. That's actually interesting.", she raised the chopstick she's holding. "At that level of beauty Momo is possessing, you really aren't get attracted to it even if you know... being a lucky bastard you are, had to get close easily with a woman like her.", she clicked her tongue.
YN: "Okay I admit Momo is very pretty but I can't tell so far if I do love her too.", you said, not wanting to lie about it because she's saying the truth you can't escape and dodge anyways. "My heart is still taking its time to recover, okay?", you sighed.
Seulgi: "Wait, let me repeat that words you said in the middle...", she swiped her hands quickly to cut you off at your possible additional words to say. "What do you mean "if you do love her TOO?" Wait, she likes you?"
YN: "Y-yeah...", you nodded shyly and showed a sheepish smile in front of her. Seulgi's eyes widened at that reveal.
Seulgi: "O-oh... wow you are damn lucky.", she chuckled.
YN: "Stop teasing me.", you groaned as you went back to your gyudon meal which is a Japanese beef in a rice with egg served in a bowl.
Seulgi: "Okay okay... but seriously, it's not that I'm rushing or giving you more pressure but you must not make her any longer.", she suggested.
YN: "That's what I've been planning too, noona.", you said. "Most likely because she's not the only one who confessed to me. There's more others too.", you tried to smile but the mixed emotions is clearly visible to it.
Seulgi: "Oh no, so she got some competition, huh.", she said after taking a drink from her water.
YN: "Yeah.", you responded. "Noona, can I ask you... how could I tell if I also like one of them?"
Seulgi: "Didn't you had past relationships with your exes before?", she said, raising her eyebrow at you, making you look at her curiously at the point she's trying to make. "That was four too, if I may add.", she referred to your past girlfriends: Nayeon, Dahyun, Tzuyu and Ryujin.
YN: "But noona this is different, in this one I had to choose a person too.", you said as you reminded her more about it, slightly thinking that she could give a change about her advice.
Seulgi: "Well, you're right.", she said; admitting the lack of effectiveness within her words of wisdom. "I don't know, it's quite simple. Just take note of the possible signs like you always do when you're trying to figure out whether you do love your exes back then when they confessed to you."
"If they make you happy to the point where its level makes you want to be with one of them all day long; in a hyperbole speaking... then there's your cue already.", she said, presenting her strategy to you proudly as she raised both her hands to point at you.
YN: "Then it means, Nayeon and Dahyun both had an advantage already.", you mumbled.
Seulgi: "Wait, what do you mean?"
YN: "Uhh... they belong to the ones I'm talking about.", you let out a POP! sound after strengthly releasing your clenched lips.
Seulgi: "Okay seriously how many confessed to you?", she confusedly asked you while shaking her head in confusion.
YN: "7 to be exact..."
Seulgi: "SEVEN?!", her voice raised to the point that some of the customers turned their attention to look weirdly at Seulgi after her loud exclaim.
YN: "SHHHH LOWER DOWN YOUR VOICE!", you warned her as you felt the second hand embarassment for you cousin. Seulgi quickly covered her mouth and gave everyone a peace sign, which made them chuckle.
Seulgi: "Sorry.", she whispered. "Wow, I didn't know that my cousin was really that completely attractive, irresistable and unforgettable isn't it where he is definitely living in a freaking world of harem right now.", she said in an amazed tone.
YN: "Oh god, you know it just makes me completely shy you know that?", you let out a irritated whine about what your cousin said. "Back to what I'm saying, yeah I said that it's gonna be a bit easier when it comes to them because I can apply again what my past self did for me to notice about them that made me became their boyfriend."
Seulgi: "So your situation isn't really that easy, but hey... still try what I adviced to you if you want okay?", she said. She took a last spoonful of her ramen soup to finish it before continuing her words. "Maybe that'll help."
YN: "Despite of the amount of teasing you did tonight, I thank you still, couz.", you said, letting out a satisfied smile.
Seulgi: "As always, anything for you little couz.", she clicked her tongue and gestured a gunshot at you.
YN: "Wait, I'll go order a take out for Jihyo.", you said as you excused yourself after taking out your wallet in your pocket.
Seulgi: "Go ahead, I'll just finish mine then.", she instructed you to go, allowing you to leave her alone for a second.
As you went to the counter to order, you were unaware that Seulgi mumbled something to herself after that tall she had with you during each other's dinner at Momo's restaurant.
"Jihyo, if you'll gonna do it tonight... you better be...", she said while shaking her head slowly.
-------------
You drove away from the restaurant with your cousin at 10 p.m. after saying goodbye to Momo and giving her a farewell hug that caused Seulgi to tease you once again.
You parked in front of Seulgi's house instead, because her garage was already taken by her own car. You both stepped out and went to the doorway, where you let Seulgi knock to draw the attention of someone who was already inside.
The door opened, revealing Jihyo in her comfortable home outfit; oversized white tshirt that covers her small tight orange shorts.
Jihyo: "Heyyy good evening Seulgi-unnie and... YN?", she said as she glanced at you standing beside Seulgi while holding the take out food you ordered for her.
YN: "Yup! I'm here.", you said as you hilariously presented yourself in front of her, like a magician who proudly showed to his audience that his trick worked.
Jihyo: "You really came.", and your presence was enough for her to make a gummy smile to give.
You hummed in response, agreeing to what she said. YN: "And I'll be staying here for tonight like what I said."
Jihyo: "That's great! Atleast you finally went true to your words.", she said, smiling smugly.
YN: "Hey, that sounded like I am more recognizable at being a liar huh?", you remarked at her sarcasm towards you.
Seulgi: "Isn't that true anyways?", your cousin playfully sided with Jihyo, making your situation a 2v1 and a very unfair to your part since you are being outnumbered.
YN: "I hate you, noona.", you glared at her.
Seulgi: "And I love you too, couz.", she smiled widely and pinched you in the cheek, making you groan in annoyance.
Jihyo: "That look definitely tells a lot of horrible story behind there.", she said as she pointed at your pair of eyes with her index and middle finger.
YN: ""You're correct, and don't worry... I'll get my revenge regardless," you smirked. "All right, here's your lunch I bought for you," you said, handing her the take-out chicken donburi from Momo's restaurant. She thanked you as you eventually made your way inside, removed your shoes, and shut the door to begin spending your night with them.
Who knew your disbelief in Aliens would lead you to countless encounters with the occult? Y/n L/n, a girl with a traumatic past, filled to the brim with treacherous blue flames, is forced to face off with aliens wanting to steal her reproductive organs and ghosts appearing out of nowhere. With your knowledge of exorcisms what trouble will you get yourself into?
DanDaDan Various x fem!reader
Dividers by @enchanthings-a
Exorcist Log #1: A Lesson on Believing
Exorcist Log #2: A Lesson on Leaving Talismans Alone
Exorcist Log #2: A Lesson on Leaving Talismans Alone
"In no way shape or form is that your name!" Momo pointed accusingly at Ken who looked at her like she was crazy.
"Um- yeah I'm like 100% positive that it is my name." He responded. Momo continued to push back, telling him to change his name which made him even more confused. You stood between the two, your eyes darting back and forth.
"Well I am making a new rule, you will go by Okarun instead." Momo stated. You laughed at Ken's ongoing confusion, and laughed even harder as Momo continued to threaten him.
The three of you then began your journey back to civilization. Momo continued to taunt Okarun all the way there, poking fun at the fact that though he tried to deny it, he didn't mind the nickname that she had given him to use.
You continued to hold his arm to avoid him getting taken over by Turbo Granny's curse. You had toyed with the thought of just having him wear your rosary, but you wondered if the holy object would do more harm than good if he was the one directly touching it. You continued to walk beside him silently as him and Momo continued to argue. Your head still hurt and you still felt quite sluggish from whatever the hell the aliens had been doing to get you 'aroused'.
It didn't help at all when the sun began to shine in your eyes.
"Welp, Turbo Granny won't be out and about now that it's morning." You chirped. Momo groaned and Okarun frowned.
"Well then I guess you're both coming to my place, cause let's face it you both are looking pretty rough, you more so." Momo said, looking at Okarun specifically. You both nodded. You didn't really wanna walk home just wearing Okarun's shirt and Ryuji would kill you...so Momo's it is.
"My Grandma's really strict about guys so be careful, she almost killed my last boyfriend." Momo said nonchalantly, walking peacefully through the entrance. You chuckled. You remembered the look on Seiko's face when she had brought him over one day and she looked downright murderous.
You followed after Momo, keeping your pinky linked with Okarun's as you tried to walk him through. Only for the boy to be lit on fire.
"Oh shit! Momo throw him in the water!" You screamed. The psychic locked her hands on Okarun before hoisting him into the stream.
"Are you okay?" Momo called over to him, watching as steam rose into the air. You raced back over to the boy, trying to ignore the feeling of your socks getting wet as you went into the ditch. You had to make sure his curse didn't take over.
"I thought I was going to die." The boy whimpered. You tried to comfort him while Momo figured out the root cause.
"Sorry Okarun a barrier was up, you can come in now I went ahead and took it down." The boy stared at her, not quite believing that he would be okay, you gave him a reassuring smile before pulling him through the threshold. Momo mimicked an umpire muttering a 'safe' under her breath. But then she started to laugh.
"Oh my gosh your hair! It looks like an old lady perm!" Momo cackled, walking inside her home. You tried not to laugh but it was useless as giggles started pouring out of your mouth. Okarun frowned but he couldn't stay angry.
You looked really pretty when you laughed.
He shook his head. Focus on not looking like a total idiot first. You started walking into the house, keeping Okarun close behind you.
"I don't think my grandmas here so you're safe for now." Momo jokingly threatened, laughing slightly when she saw Okarun freeze up. "Now let's head up to my room and get changed."
The three of you walked upstairs, Okarun becoming in awe of Momo's bedroom. You had to admit, her room was sick, it was part of the reason you stayed over all the time.
"Shut the door so me and Y/n can get changed." You separated from the boy so he could close the door behind you. Big mistake. Only a moment later, a half cursed Okarun was breaking back into the room.
"Miss L/n, Miss Ayase, it's happening again!" Momo screamed throwing him back out of the room. You grabbed the pants she had grabbed for you and raced out into the hallway where a a partially transformed Okarun lay, groaning in pain.
"Okay Okarun let's do this." You placed his hand on the top of your head while you slipped on the pants. "I hope you don't mind that I keep your shirt on? I figure it's easier so you can still be able to touch me." You spoke, ignoring how each word made Okarun more and more flustered.
"NO! I mean- yeah it's fine."
Momo sensing Okarun getting a little happy decided to throw clothes to hit him square in the face.
"Here is a hoodie you can borrow Y/n, and I tossed you some clothes to put on too Okarun, they're mine but they're baggy so they should fit. Okarun looked down at the clothing items and scowled slightly. Hello Kitty. She had tossed him Hello Kitty Pj bottoms and a matching pink t shirt. When he looked back up at the culprit she was smiling devilishly.
"So how's it feel like without your junk?" Momo asked with a small smirk. Okarun yelled in embarrassment.
"Momo that was a crazy thing to ask." You scolded but she just shrugged her shoulders. "It's true. Since that's Turbo Granny's like whole thing shouldn't we check to see if it's really gone?"
Okarun turned around and looked into his underpants before letting out a bloodcurdling scream.
"OMG it really is gone! Let me see!" You said excitedly.
After trying to sweet talk your way into seeing what isn't currently in Okarun's pants, and failing, things once again turned somber.
"You know I'm sorry for getting us into this mess...I was just-...I was just so desperate to talk to the both of you and I guess aliens was the only way to do it...now because of me both of you are in danger. You guys live in a totally different world than I do so after this is over let's just forget we ever met." Okarun said sadly, avoiding your gaze.
"That's the only thing thats wrong with you is that you assume such negative things about yourself. The reason why you don't have any friends is because you just push people away." Momo responded, joining the two of you in the hall.
"...Bitch." Okarun said, you gasped at the language, stepping aside as Momo lunged at him. Their fight was quickly put on hold as the doorbell rang. The sound was unnerving, and you could tell that the fact it was going off was bad news considering the look on Momo's face was less than happy.
"My grandma said there's two doorbells installed...one for human and the other...the other for evil spirits." Momo said in a hushed voice. You could see a shadow spread from underneath the front door.
"Momo, you forgot to put the talisman back on." You whispered, dread filling your body. Where the hell was Seiko when you needed her.
"Okay there's only one thing we can do, Okarun, Y/n you guys have to get off the property. I have to go set the talisman back up because then that thing will just catch fire like this idiot did." Momo stated. You nodded, giving her a thumbs up while Okarun let out a noise of offense.
Your plan was short lived as a wall closed appeared, closing off all exits.
"So much for the talisman idea." You sighed. your eyes darted around you, trying to find the source of all this. Your detective work was quickly stopped by the feeling of drops hitting your lips. You put your hand up to your mouth to figure out what the liquid was.
Blood.
"Hey guys..." You started, turning around to find Okarun and Momo in the same state. Blood pouring out of their noses. However, their gazes weren't trained on you at all, instead they looked behind you. You twisted your head over so slightly to peer behind you.
You froze as you saw a giant emitting black fog from his mouth. He hung upside down like a bat and he looked at the three of you like he wanted to kill you.
"I have found you evil people. You did not keep your promise." The being growled, before clappimg his hand together, sending wind so strong it threatened to blow you over. Before you guys could even understand the full extent of what was going on, the being threw his fist at you. Momo soved you and Okarun to the side, keeping all of you from getting hit.
Then you guys began to run.
Running could not get you far enough, the monster once again punched at the three of you, this time landing the hit and launching you guys at the wall.
"Give me your banana!" The being shouted.
Hold on...banana?
"You've got to be kidding me! ANOTHER ALIEN?!" You shouted.
"It's a flatwoods monster. They were first spotted in an American town called Flatwoods. Later they were seen here in Yamanashi." Okarun said, totally geeking out. As if sensing you guys putting the pieces together, the alien portruded more poisonous fog.
"The aliens from yesterday must've sent them." You muttered, feeling yourself grow dizzier.
"We have to hurry before this fog kills us." Momo stated, you tried to pay attention but you were fading fast. Your nose would not stop bleeding and it was starting to take a bigger tole on you then it was on the other two.
You could feel yourself falling forward when a big blast came through the wall behind you. Momo grabbed your arm and ran, Okkarun following close behind, all three of you screaming. Okkarun was half transformed by the time you got to your new hiding place. You grabbed onto his forearm to try and reverse the turbo granny-ness but you could only do so much.
"Miss L/n." Okkarun whispered. You opened your eyes to look at him, mumbling a 'hm'.
"I will fight, it's the only way. I'm not scared of aliens...do you think theres anyway you could release the physical part of my curse but keep my head on straight?"
You nodded slowly. If physical touch helped keep the curse down completely, maybe prayer could help.
"I will focus on shielding us." Momo said from behind you. Okkarun nodded just as the alien had once again found your hiding space. Momo had gotten you three to safety before the aline could strike.
The aline looked at you all with disgust, raising his leg and bringing it down with enough force that it shook the ground beneath you, tearing up the concrete and throwing it towards you. Then you started to pray.
Our father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
The broken concrete got closer and Momo got more nervous, putting up a wall to protect you.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
Okkarun struggled through your prayer, trying to find a good mix between him and turbo granny but it was proving much more difficult than he had first thought. His body shook uncontrollably as the curse took over his arms turning into those akin of a demon from the lowest puts of hell, his mouth becoming full of long sharp teeth and his hair becoming long, white and unruly.
On Earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us
The force of the kick was coming closer and closer, the ground rumbled with anger, spitting out large blocks of concrete with every inch it grew closer. Momo could feel herself grow more and more anxious, trying her hardest to solidify the wall that she had molded around you.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Amen
Okkarun grabbed you and Momo, evading the blast entirely. You looked up at the transformed Okkarun. His hair was white with streaks of red and it blew behind him like it was defying gravity. He wore a mask of teeth that looked just like turbo granny's. His eyes were bright red and his face was lined with red tattoos.
His speed was as fast as lightning.
"I'm brimming with power," and lord oh lord was his voice low, "but I'm totally depressed."
You could feel your face heating up.
"His psyche is totally broken..."Momo said, "I've come down with the blues." Okkarun or well Turborun replied.
You wiped at your nose that was still dripping blood. "Sorry to interrupt this self discovery guys but we've really got kick this guys ass."
"I'm sorry for being such an awkward guy." Turborun replied. Momo grabbed his collar and shook him around.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO SAY THAT!"
Turborun continued to self deprecate as he walked towards the oncoming alien who looked more than happy to put the boy out of his misery. You continued to mutter the "Our Father" under your breath considering that was keeping him only partially transformed. The alien raised his arms up, before slamming them back down, clapping them over Okkarun.
After a moment you realized that Okkarun had somehow avoided the attack, instead holding the aliens finger in his mouth.
"Turbo Granny's power really came in handy right there, but I still feel so dejected..." Depressedrun said...dejectedly. The alien looked at Okkarun in confusion, peering over the boys body.
You could feel your head grow fuzzier, you eyes feeling more like lead. More blood continued to fall from your nose, you went to wipe it but felt like you had no control of your limbs.
Momo looked at Okkarun who appeared to be lagging, his curse almost losing battery.
"What's going on?" She shouted at the boy, she then turned to look at you, only to watch you collapse to the ground.
"Shit Y/n." Momo yelled, running over to where you had passed out, however when she looked back at Okkarun she found him getting beaten to a pulp by the alien. Using her powers she pulled the boy forward towards the two of you.
"Sorry Miss Ayase, my body can't support the curse that well. My body feels like it's going to burst into a million pieces." Okkarun exhaustedly apologized. Momo watched the aliens stance as he glared at the three of you. His legs spread wide and his waist sitting closer to the ground. He squared his shoulders, bringing his hands low.
"Wait..is he sumo wrestling?" Momo questioned aloud. "Maybe if we get his hand to touch the ground..we will win."
"Miss Ayase you're a genius!"
"I knew I was!" Momo then looked at you, you looked sickly most likely because of the fog the alien had been spitting into the air. She knelt down to you, moving hair away from your face.
"Okkarun you go by that things legs, I will use my psychic powers to make the thing trip. I only know some of whatever prayer Y/n was using so we have to make those few lines count." Momo said, readying her abilities for the massive pull she was about to perform.
Okkarun changed into his semi cursed form as Momo began to mutter the first few lines of the prayer, as the aline began his attack so did they. Okkarun ran right through the aliens knee, separating it from the bottom half of his leg. Momo locked her hands on the target before pulling his straight to the ground.
As soon as his hand met the cold concrete, it began to disperse into tiny spheres, only for the aline to reform. This time immediately going for Momo. The sumo wrestler with his reformed arm, grabbed Momo, throwing her into the wall before releasing a barrage of attacks. The psychic was hardly holding up, trying to recite the prayer as much as she could to keep Okkarun from going full curse.
"YOU'VE GOTTA TRUST ME OKKARUN!" Momo screamed, before using her psychic powers to bring Okkarun to her position, outside the Tori Gate. Okkarun barely got a grasp of what was going on before he noticed a very angry you walking up to the wall.
"You thought I was gonna miss all the action a second time? You thought wrong motherfucker!" You yelled, before placing the talisman on the gate. You watched at the alien turned into one big beam of light before disappearing.
You walked up to your friends who rested outside the gate, unable to fully catch their breaths.
"I really thought I was gonna die." Momo sighed. Okkarun began to transform again but you beat the curse too it, running through the gate and touching his arm. When you finally got a good look at him, you realized that his hair had changed.
"Okkarun your hairs all wavy now."
"Wait it is?" Okkarun questioned, his hands going up to touch the strands on top of his head.
"I really like it like that." You said with a soft smile, making the boy blush.
"Oh really? I really liked the granny perm more." Momo said sarcastically, making Okkarun's eye twitch.
"You always know how to ruin the moment don't you?"
"Oh shut up curse boy!"
you watched silently as the two started to argue before laughing loudly. You laugh startled them, but the two couldn't help the heat that rushed to their cheeks. It didn't stop them from glaring at eachother either.
"Oh crap." You said suddenly, before passing out.
It was then that Okkarun's curse began to take over.
A/N:
Space theme divider by @/enchanthings, their dividers are top notch highly suggest giving them a look see
For those who use Quotev or Wattpad, this is also posted on those websites
"Calling him seafood is pretty lame..." Muko criticized, twirling her makeup applicator in her hand.
Momo's head raised from the desk, big, waterfall like tears streaming down her face. "Can't you guys cut me some slack? My first boyfriend just broke up with me!" She cried, her lips forming a pout angst tears.
"Last time I checked, I did tell you not to go out with him." You cooed, your eyes peering ever so slightly above your magazine at your friend. You loved Momo to death, but she wasn't the best at picking guys. She always seemed to go after the unsavory ones.
"Oh shaddup, you're lacking in the relationship department too." Momo sneered. You arched your brow in distaste which shut her up pretty quickly.
"Why'd you even fall for the asshole in the first place?" Muko asked. You couldn't say you weren't curious either. Her ex had dickbag written all over him, there had to be at least one redeeming quality.
"He looked like Ken Takakura..."
Nevermind....
"Again?"
"You're such a dork."
"I can't defend you this time Mo."
"There's nothing weird about liking strong, silent types like Ken Takakura!" Momo shouted. You slammed your face into your magazine to ignore the stares from your other classmates that her proclamation had brought on.
"There's definitely something wrong with you Momo."
You followed closely behind Momo as she dragged her feet down the hallway. As much as you loved to make fun of her, you had to admit seeing her in such a sluggish and depressed state was enough to make you upset.
"I just want a guy like Ken Takakura...is that too much to ask universe?" she groaned. You giggled.
"I don't think the universe is going to just hand you a Ken Takakura, Mo-" Your sentence was cut off at the sound of jeers and laughing. You could recognize a few of the voices from your place in the hall as some of the schools most notorious bullies. Momo darted into the classroom without a second thought and you were quick to follow.
Momo sat in a chair directly in front of the boy who was being harassed, while you darted to the group of boys. When they went to throw another paper ball, Momo's death glare stopped them in their tracks.
"Hey boys~" You cooed, twirling a piece of your hair with your fingers, "I would love it if you guys stopped picking on my buddy over there. He's a dear friend of mine~" You said, pursing your lips into a pout strong enough to make a man swoon. And swoon they did.
"Absolutely!"
"We'll never bother him again."
"Please go out with me?" The boys all spoke at once. You flipped your hair over your shoulder as you left the group and joined yourself once again with Momo. As soon as you returned, Momo decided that her work here was done as she sped towards the door.
"They won't bother you again cutie!" You winked at the boy, giving him a salute before skipping off after your friend.
Momo walked crazily down the hallway, moaning and groaning to herself about how angry she was at the world and everyone living in it.
"You know if you continue to walk like that you're gonna completely fuck up your posture." You called out after her. She stopped for a moment giving you some time to catch up to her.
"Y/n your pretty privilege pisses me off sometimes..." Momo said huffing. You rolled your eyes.
"Well it worked didn't it?" You responded. The two of you continued to bicker down the hall.
"Miss Momo Ayase! Miss Y/n L/n!" You both turned around to find the boy you had just been defending running towards you.
"I think I know what you're into!" The boy shouted. You cocked your head to the side like a confused puppy.
"I think I know what you're into!" He repeated once more, adjusting his glasses like some sort of madman.
"Yeah you said that already." Momo responded, looking equally as confused. The boy however, was unfazed as he continued.
"There's only one reason you both would be caught dead talking to me!" He began, you went to speak but Momo beat you to it.
"No offense or anything, but we weren't looking to be all buddy buddy with you. We just saw you being harassed and figured we should do something about it. Honestly just forget that we even talked." You elbowed your friend, mumbling a small harsh in her direction. As if he wasn't paying attention to the cutting words of Momo at all, he shoved his publication in your faces.
"This is why! You guys are interested in Project Pegasus! The United States President went to Mars and met with aliens!! You're into the occult aren't you!" You deadpanned. Aliens? Is he being for real?
You looked at Momo with shock written all over your face. What in tarnation was he on about.
"Nah I don't believe in UFO's or aliens or any of that kind of stuff. Neither does Y/n." Momo said, waving her hand dismissively.
"They aren't UFO's! They are UAP's," the occult boy said, shoving his book into your face and flipping to random pages. "Unidentified Ariel Phenomena! The US military has officially acknowledged the existence of UAP's and reformed their spaceforce! Now Japan has an aerospace defense force, can't you see they're gearing up for AN ALL OUT SPACE WAR!"
You let your eyes finally focus on the words on the pages and began to read.
"No offense dude but this is kind of insane." You responded. Momo grabbed your arm, letting out an annoyed goodbye to the boy and resuming your walk down the hall.
"But wait theres this new photo of Nessie too! Theres also stuff about Lieutenant Colonel Jim Channon and Skinwalker ranch!" Occult boy said, flipping to new pages and trying to show them off. Momo however, was not having any of it, finally snapping at the boy.
"ALL THIS NERDY CRAP IS WHY YOU'VE GOT NO FRIENDS!" Momo shouted, finally tweaking out fully. You raised your hand and smacked the back of her head. "That was so not necessary Mo." You scolded. You walked over to the dejected boy and bent over to pick up his book, swiping off the dust as you handed it back over. Momo walked up behind you just as crestfallen.
"I'm sorry...it's just been a.. very rough day. I'm not a huge alien believer or anything but I mean I do believe in ghosts." Momo stated, refusing to make eye contact. You nodded. "Yeah ghosts are for sure real, aliens however, no way." You added.
"Theres no such thing as ghosts." Occult boy started chuckling. You deadpanned. There goes feeling bad for the guy.
"You know for your information my grandmas a real life medium." You nodded from beside the girl, "And Y/n here, her cousin is studying to be an exorcist." You smiled proudly thinking of your cousin. He worked his ass off to get into that academy and you couldn't be more proud of Bon.
"Have you even seen an exorcism before? The possessed person goes into full on convulsions!~" Momo cooed, you whispered a 'boom'.
"Ilnesses cause convulsions too y'know." Occult boy responded snarkily. Momo and the boy started to wrestle, you cheered Momo on from a safe distance. Muko and Miko decided to make an appearance, walking down the stairs and deadpanning at the actions displayed by the three of you.
"I dare you to go to someplace haunted!" Momo yelled, "Yeah and if you see a ghost you have to be me and Mo's gofer for the rest of the year." You added on, crossing your arms in front of your chest.
"Yeah and you two go where there is UFO's- I mean UAP's and if you see one you two will be my gofers!" said the boy.
Boy oh boy was that a mistake.
"This place is crazy creepy." You commented, hiding behind Momo who used her phone light to guide the two of you down the halls. You peered around at the place occult guy had sent you. The walls around you literally looked like they were decaying. Wires fell from exposed parts of ceilings, and hospital gurneys were strewn around the place as if everyone had left in a major hurry. Nagi General Hospital...what a terrifying place.
"You know this looks like the kind of place ghosts would actually show up at." you uttered, jumping at every little noise.
"Nagi hospital is known to be a UFO hotspot, if you go up to the roof, you're bound to be abducted by aliens." Occult boy responded excitedly.
"Wait what do you mean by abducted?" Momo asked worriedly as you two began to walk up the stairs to the next floor.
"That's when an alien kidnaps you and does experiments on your body." The boy spoke almost evily. You shuddered. You tuned the two out as you continued to look around the building, just waiting for something to jump out at you any second. You finally tuned back into the conversation when you heard your name.
"Have you even seen a ghost Miss L/n?" The boy asked.
"Ghost? No, but I have seen demonic possession before when I was really young. It's the whole reason my cousin wants to be an exorcist." You said with a frown. You remember that night so vividly. All the people that died, each being set ablaze from the inside by blue flames. You couldn't even fathom the feeling. Being scorched from the inside. The other two went silent, noticing the somber tone you had.
"Anyways~ Cutie try not to get possessed~" You said back to the boy. He let out a flustered response and you giggled. The three of you all continued to explore the places you had been sent. The silence was somewhat comforting considering you were still so scared. However, the calm was interrupted by the storm: in the shape of a scream.
"A GHOST!" Occult boy shouted, you could hear the thunderous roars of his feet against the pavement as he ran away from the entity.
"Wait don't run!" Momo tried to warn, but it was too late. The boy continued to race to the outside, trying to rationalize outloud that it wasn't a ghost at all, just a horny old woman.
"If you're going to run don't let her catch you! If she does they say she'll put a curse on you!" You yelled into the phone. However, the phone call glitched out only a moment later, Occult-kun's screams echoing through the speaker. You and Momo turned around trying to find where you had come from. However, it seemed like the building had begun to glitch, the lights that had been shining through the windows, shut off simultaneously, revealing the haunting silhouettes of three individuals.
You both froze.
"Momo are you seeing-"
"What the fuck?" Momo screamed, grabbing your hand and taking off down the hallway. Despite her quick thinking, the three quickly caught up to the two of you. As they wrapped their hands around your bodies, you let out a bloodcurdling scream.
When you opened your eyes, you found yourself in a bright, almost blinding room. You looked down to find your clothes stripped from your body, only leaving your undergarments. When you looked beside you, you saw Momo is the same state, naked and just as panicked as you were.
"Greeting human women, we are Serpoians. We are called that because we come from the planet Serpo. Do not be afraid we are a friendly species." The one oddly shaped man said.
"In my experience, friendly guys don't go around stripping helpless women!" Momo said defiantly. You were too panicked to even move. Chills wracked through your whole body. You couldn't tell if it was because of the cold or the sheer fear that befell you.
"Our species in all male, so we are only able to reproduce through clone technology." the alien continued. His words fell on deaf ears as Momo continued to scream at him about letting the two of you go.
"Since we are unable to reproduce, evolution does not occur. This has led to conflict as well as basic emotions being annihilated." the second Serpo said. Your heart stopped. You had a bad feeling you knew where this conversation was going.
"For us Serpoians to reach a reproductive ability similar to humans, we require the usage of your 'banana' organs. Which means we will have intercourse with you. Afterwhich we will extract your uterus and your banana organs for research purposes." The third Serpo said. You felt ill.
"No way in hell are you doing that!" You shouted, anger taking the place of fear. Your courage was short lived when the three aliens raised their arms around you and Momo. You could feel your brain go all fuzzy.
"Our psychokinesis may not work on you, but it does seem to be working on your friend." The Serpoian said to Momo, closing in on you.
"NO LEAVE HER ALONE-" Momo shouted and then the phone rang.
The Serpo who had been holding your legs, wondered over to Momo's phone that they had left on the ground. He picked it up, his face bathed in a red light. He checked the screen only to be met with a kick to the face. The phone fell to the floor, permeating the ruby color. You watched as a demonic looking hand crawled out from the screen. The hand dragged the rest of the body out, a head raced to the Serpoians. The head was home to two rows of crooked teeth that then latched on to the nether region of the alien. The mouth then sent the alien flying into the wall.
"I'm so sorry Miss L/n and Miss Ayase. The lady was a ghost. Turbo Granny cursed me." The ghosts head revealed a slight sliver of Occult-kun's face. His voice sounded as if it was glitching.
"Oh my god Occult-kun you've gotta help us!" Momo shouted. Your head continued to spin, you could barely tell what was going on around you. You tried to focus your eyes on what was going on around you, but you could only watch as Occult-kun and the Serpoians took turns throwing eachother around. You shook your head, trying to remove whatever spell the aliens had put on you.
"For the longest time I endured bullying from all of my peers. I hoped and prayed and wished that aliens would save me from the hell I was living day to day, but you never showed up! Miss Ayase and Miss L/n were the only people that have ever stood up for me, and now I won't let you hurt them!" Occult-kun screamed. Though you couldn't make out his figure, you could still understand his words.
"You hear! I'd do anything for them. I would even turn into a monster." Occult-kun screamed, letting Turbo granny take over his body fully once more.
"Kick all their asses!" Momo yelled. You finally felt somewhat normal again until you could feel the immense pressure once more. "We can't be friends with violent humans like you, besides we prefer human womens bananas instead. I will now commence with the arousal." the remaining alien said.
Your body felt like it was on fire and your head felt as heavy as lead. You tried to will yourself to fight back, but you were exhausted. All you could do was pray. There was no rite of exorcism for aliens...sadly. All you could do was pray for someone to save you. Then everything went dark.
Momo watched with tearful eyes as you passed out.
'Release your chi Momo' Her grandmothers voice played through her head.
'Firm up the muscles in your tummy then picture your chi shoot up from the top of your head' Momo tightened up, "Let's do this." she whispered to herself.
Then it was as if reality had shattered around her. "My grandma really isn't a fake and now I have the power to take you scumbags on! I told you to leave Y/n alone!" Momo shouted, channeling her powers into her leg and kicking at the Serpoian and sending him flying.
The UFO began to shatter around you. Momo ran to the chair which you were still passed out in, breaking the ties around your wrists. As she did that Turbo/Occult-grannykun fell from the ceiling onto Momo. However, as the ghost reached the ground it was forced from Occult-kuns body.
"Of course theres a goddamn exorcist here-" She snarled, looking at your body. Momo looked to see what exactly she had her eyes on, only to find you wearing the Rosary your cousin had gave you. Was that what had expelled Turbo Granny from Occult-kuns body?
"It's no matter I still am in possession on that boy's dong, and as long as I got it he's still cursed. If you want it back, go to the tunnel you tacky little bitch." she growled, peeling away.
"Who you calling tacky you wrinkly old ghost hag!" Momo shouted after her. The UFO continued to fall apart around the three of you. It was crashing and it was crashing quickly.
"Occult-kun grab Y/n!" Momo shouted, as the UFO fell from the sky.
"....I was almost smashed by aliens. I guess I have to believe in them now." Momo grumbled.
"And I was cursed so...I believe in ghosts now too." Occult-kun looked down to find you nuzzled into his side. He wasn't sure how the crash hadn't managed to wake you up at all.
“So what do we do from here?” Momo asked, pulling the jacket she had borrowed from the boy.
“I don’t know..” Occult-kun responded.
“Well as long as Y/n is touching you, you won’t be taken over by your curse. Speaking of that, the only thing we can do is return to the tunnel and beat Turbo Granny’s ass since she’s the one that cursed you.” Momo stated matter of factly.
“Then I should probably head over there-“
”No without us two you can’t-“ Momo interrupted. Occult-kun began to unbutton his shirt, throwing it over your unconscious body.
“Listen this whole thing is my fault and I refuse to involve you and Miss L/n is whatever happens next. I’ll use sheer willpower to make it to the tunnel but I can’t let you both get involved.” Occult-kun stated, refusing to make eye contact. He moved to get up but your hand stopped him.
“Look sleepy Y/n is right, after everything that has happened I can’t let you do this alone so please let us help you. We got into this mess together so we will get out of it together.” Momo said. You sleepily agreed, your eyes finally beginning to crack back open. You smiled softly.
“Whatever Mo said I agree.” You spoke gently, completely missing the red that had begun to spread across Occult-kuns cheeks.
“I’m sorry..I’m such an awkward guy…Miss L/n could you please put on the shirt I gave you? I don’t think I’ll be able to think straight if you don’t.” He said quietly. You could feel your heart begin to race as you quickly threw the shirt on and buttoned it.
Momo could feel herself grow frustrated at the flush that had overtaken your cheeks at his words, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint why she felt that way. Damn him for saying one of Ken Takakuras famous lines, no wonder you grew so flustered.
”Sorry but my memory for names is total shit, what was yours again?” Momo grit her teeth as she asked.
”Oh…my names Ken…Ken Takakura.” And from behind you, the ship exploded.
A/N:
any Blue Exorcist fans in the house? You probably may recognize the name Bon and the story of Satan! I thought it would be cool to include blue exorcist cameos since MC is going to be an exorcist.
I hope nobody takes ill to the fact that MC will be canonically Christian but with Catholic themes. I only did this because I myself was raised Catholic and I’m more well versed in Catholic exorcisms because small Tortilla family lore, my uncle was an exorcist.
I also thought it would just be cool if the MC didn’t have any actual powers but was kind of like the guy in the chair (Ned from Spiderman for example) who can help more in ghostie situations than alien ones from the sheer power of exorcisms.
Btw, this is the chapter where I really did my best to explain everything what happened in the MV from my own created story even though I admit that I honestly suck at explaining. Some of these didn't "that" happened accurately but serves as it's symbolism instead. Honestly I wanted to add more pictures to show what part am I telling but I remember that Wattpad has its own picture limit in a chapter.
So yeah, I hope that this will still end up as a nice ending to give for you readers then.
Enjoy!
Previously on "Doughnut" PART 6...
You hummed in response, agreeing to what she said. YN: "And I'll be staying here for tonight like what I said."
Jihyo: "That's great! Atleast you finally went true to your words.", she said, smiling smugly.
YN: "Hey, that sounded like I am more recognizable at being a liar huh?", you remarked at her sarcasm towards you.
Seulgi: "Isn't that true anyways?", your cousin playfully sided with Jihyo, making your situation a 2v1 and a very unfair to your part since you are being outnumbered.
YN: "I hate you, noona.", you glared at her.
Seulgi: "And I love you too, couz.", she smiled widely and pinched you in the cheek, making you groan in annoyance.
Jihyo: "That look definitely tells a lot of horrible story behind there.", she said as she pointed at your pair of eyes with her index and middle finger.
YN: ""You're correct, and don't worry... I'll get my revenge regardless," you smirked. "All right, here's your lunch I bought for you," you said, handing her the take-out chicken donburi from Momo's restaurant. She thanked you as you eventually made your way inside, removed your shoes, and shut the door to begin spending your night with them.
The planned movie night you had with your cousin Seulgi and bestfriend Jihyo just finished when the end credits for the second film rolled.
Jihyo assisted Seulgi in cleaning the dishes as you went outside to get some fresh air and fix the area where you and Jihyo will spend the rest of your spare time together.
Seulgi was wiping the plates with a cloth when she called Jihyo, who was taken aback by the sudden call from her bestfriend and sister-figure.
"Jihyo," she called out, her gaze fixed on her task.
"Oh, unnie?", Jihyo side glanced at her.
"You're ready to do it?", Seulgi asked. Jihyo's face dropped a bit, knowing what her unnie is referring at.
"I am, unnie. I have to.", Jihyo said, stopping at washing the dishes to heave a sigh.
"Uhh, I heard something from YN a while ago back at the resto.", Seulgi said, she stopped too at what she's doing to focus more on their conversation.
"Oh, what is it?"
"Jihyo, you ain't the only one who'll confess to him. In fact, there were actually many women that are way ahead now of you. Seven, to be exact.", Seulgi said. Jihyo's eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise.
"How did he said that to you?"
"He was actually asking for my help about how he's going to pick one of these friends of his who share their true feelings for him.", she said, recalling what happened back then at the restaurant where she had dinner with you.
"I just told him that he has to do again what he did before on how to get a girlfriend. Be aware too that he also mentioned that her three exes before Ryujin were all after him now too.", she continued. Jihyo's lips were curving downwards the more her unnie speaks.
"You wanna know why I'm telling this to you now, I just wanna know if still despite after all this... would you still be able to continue what you're planning to do?", Seulgi asked Jihyo concernly, leaning her face a bit closer.
"Knowing that I have many contenders for YN's heart this time? I... I don't know noona.", Jihyo shook her head. "I'm actually thinking right now if he already decided and it makes me scared. I guess... I'm already too late again.", Jihyo sighed heavily.
"Maybe he is or maybe he isn't yet, why don't you still try?", Seulgi said, pinpointing her advice for the younger. "Jihyo, think about this. Unlike before, YN is free now. Setting aside all these women who are chasing for YN, you know you have an opportunity this time.", Seulgi said, stepping closer at Jihyo and joined her to lean their back at the edge of the sink while standing.
"So why don't you still try, hmm? Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky.", Seulgi shrugged. Her arms then went on to wrap around Jihyo's arm and grab her left arm, shaking her body lightly like as if she's rocking her.
"I just want to boost your confidence more, Jihyo. I didn't meant to scare you but I just want you to realize more that you must not let this one pass when the chance is now here. But I'm not forc-", Seulgi's words of advice were cut short when they heard your voice shouting from the outside, which they kinda both cringed because you weren't aware that it's midnight already and all the neighbors are probably comfortably sleeping right now for them to be disturbed by your loud voice.
"Jihyo, I'll get set up the blankets outside, just come here if you and noona are done there!"
"O-okay, YN!", Jihyo just decided to shout back instead since her words she'll about to say are just short. She looked back at Seulgi after. " I-I'll still do it, noona. You're right.", she nodded. "What I'm doing here is for him and only him anyways. I must not get bothered at anyone."
"Goodluck, Jihyo.", Seulgi said, patting her shoulder to support the younger.
"Thank you, noona.", Jihyo gave a flat smile in return for her unnie's help.
(AT THE BACKYARD)
"When was the last time we went stargazing together?" you asked Jihyo, your gaze fixed on the telescope you held in front of your eyes to examine the stars above.
You and Jihyo were both resting down on the blanket you had spread out on the lawn, with beverages and midnight snacks on your sides.
It was a relief when you spoke since Jihyo was plainly drowning out in her thoughts about what she and Seulgi had just talked about a while ago while staring up above like you, so your abrupt voice helped her snap out of it."I-I don't remember much, honestly. But I'm pretty sure it's when we were back at college days. 2nd year, I guess?", Jihyo responded, shrugging.
"Pretty long time, then.", you said. "Wow, well, it's great that we're doing this again, and the night is with us right now; so many stars tonight," you said as you withdrew the telescope from your eyes and handed it to Jihyo. You then took your bag of chips and picked a piece to eat.
"There's definitely a constellation formed along with those," you said, pointing to a spot of the sky where you noticed one. "It's a Cassiopeia one if i'm not mistaken", Jihyo then followed the direction of your finger you used to point out the spot.
"You know that whatever it may be, that won't still change the fact that they'll be all sparkly beautiful. They'll always be such a sight to see.", she said. You agreed with a hum.
"How are you doing these days, Ji?"
"Doing well, schedules keep piling up, but with the support of my lovely staffs, I can still finish it all off and call it a day," she replied, setting the telescope aside to fetch her own snacks. "You?"
"Same, but it's kind of a bit... confusing to me too at some point."
"Something bothering you?"
"Yeah"
"What is it then?"
"Love," you replied. Jihyo just stopped and glanced at your side profile after you chewed some potato chips. What she had heard from her Seulgi unnie earlier began to play back quicker in her thoughts.
"You know, I'm hoping that just staring at the stars will assist me with my problem," you said, your gaze fixed on the night sky. "That... I'm hoping it'll give me an answer about who can make my heart beat in an unexpected way again."
"You're suffering," Jihyo simply said what you were trying to say.
"Yeah.", you nodded.
"That you can't determine whether one of those women who poured their secrets of admiration for you would be the lucky one to get picked, doesn't it?" she rapidly replied, prompting you to turn your head to the side and face her with your puzzled expression.
"H-how did you know?" you asked, your eyebrows furrowed. You just stared at her for a few more seconds since Jihyo wasn't replying until you realized what gave her the idea. "Aish, Seulgi," you said with a shake of your head.
"But, yes... you're correct."
"That's what me and Seulgi unnie discussed while you're preparing here," Jihyo said. As she moved her head away from you, the volume of her voice decreased.
"Why did you guys talk about it? Why did Seulgi-noona say that to you?" you asked. You then reached for your can of soda and sipped it, but what made you finish taking a sip wasn't satisfaction; it was the sound of her sniffing.
You hurriedly dropped your Coke can and sat up, tugging her arm back up with you. Jihyo is still covering her face as her sniffs became stronger, now accompanied by her cries.
"Jihyo, why are you crying? What is it?", you asked Jihyo worriedly while you stroke her hair to ease her off.
"B-because...", Jihyo tried to speak between the heavy breaths she's takinh while sobbing.
"Because what?"
"I... I planned something for you today, and the right time for me to do it was you and I alone together in a sky full of sparkling stars scattered around us," Jihyo began slowly, but you patiently listened to her.
"But I didn't know that I was late. Again. I'm too late already.", her sob went back again from being loud. Your concern for her grew as you approached the moment where you were about to understand what she was attempting to tell you.
"Too late for what, Jihyo?"
"...to tell you how much I love you," she said. It caused you to pause in your soothing her for a moment as what you heard from her took you completely by surprise, leaving you staring at her in awe of what she said.
You're not even sure whether you're hearing things correctly since... Park Jihyo, whom you have called and treated as a bestfriend and similar to a little sister from childhood, is... in love with you?
As you're still in amazement over what you just learnt from her tonight, a flood of questions began to run through your thoughts.
You'd had this many times in the previous few weeks, but her personal confession literally stunned you to your core because... She's the one you didn't see coming.
She was completely out of your mind when it came to your love dilemma since you assumed she was far away from it. That she's like Seulgi in that you look up at her as if she's your own sibling.
But no.
Jihyo is looking at you in other way around.
"Are you serious, Ji? W-when... I don't know... How?" you asked, both perplexed and intrigued. You were just sitting alongside her, motionless, while you watched Jihyo sob beside you.
"It had been going on for a very long time now actually, I wasn't aware of it back in our childhood days but it helped me realize when you had Nayeon while we were in college at that time," she added, recalling memories she shared with you during your first and second years of college.
"I felt something different, something unique, something interesting inside me that instead of feeling good as a supportive friend, it went backwards," she continued, flashbacks continuing. "Perhaps I was born to be an idol, since I already knew how to act appropriately at that time, as if I wasn't hurting anytime you're with her, and it still won't stop until the present," she remarked as she gathered all the moments she observed where you and Nayeon are alone together... or even when she's standing right next to you.
She also included the one in which you and Nayeon hugged in the dancing studio. At the time, she felt like her heart was exploding in pain.
"But... you had a boyfriend, right? How can you still be in love with me?" you questioned, puzzled, remembering how she stayed in love with you over the years despite having a past relationship with someone. "How does it-," your quick questions were cut short when Jihyo spoke out.
"About me and Daniel before? We were separated because we both realized we were falling out of love with one other now," she stated further, eagerly elaborating on your concerns. "Like him, I just know I'm more interested in someone else again, and that's you," she said, her eyes reddened from the tears that streamed down her cheeks like a waterfall.
"After all this time, i'm still into you.", she said as she started to wipe away the stains of tears away from her face.
"I know that there's other woman like me who wants to steal your heart away these days but I don't care anymore.", she said, shaking her head. "I waited for so many years already but I kept on being held back by the world."
"Now that I figured out that I finally have my chance here I shouldn't waste, I'm going to take it no matter what. No one can stop in my way this time, even if I'm already late again... but it sure does better than never.", she said, her tone of voice suddenly changed into a competitive, motivated and confident one as you can feel the emotion of the words she's saying. All you can do was to just continously watch her in awe.
"So, YN... I hope it'll made you finally ease your mind on deciding after this, and I hope it's because of me.", she said and the next things just came over to you like a flash of a light.
Jihyo then pushed herself between you and her, raising her body to match your face with hers and match your lips in a heart-pounding kiss.
It didn't take a minute, but it felt like hours as you felt Jihyo's plump lips crashing and grinding against yours, as if she was enjoying the flavor of your own and combining it with the heat of her love for you.
She made a slight popping sound as she slowly freed her lips from locking onto yours. At that intense and rough moment, both of you breathed heavily.
When she realized what she's done as she got right back from consciousness, her eyes widened after she looked again at you.
"S-sorry... I-I should go to sleep now, YN.", she said as stood up quickly from her feet.
"W-wait, Jihyo.", you tried to stop her but she just ignored you when she stood back up from her feet.
"Bye, YN. Goodnight.", she said while taking away her eyes off you.
"Wait!", you tried to call her again but she didn't minded it still as she returned back from the house, running away from you who just got left out alone in the backyard, now became speechless after what you just had with her tonight.
(THE NEXT DAY / MORNING)
You just had breakfast with Seulgi and Jihyo, which was embarrassing and cringe-worthy because you were seated next to your bestfriend, but you just had a very deep passionate kiss after that mind-blowing confession you received from her the night before.
You were ready to assist Seulgi in cleaning the dishes when Seulgi stopped you from taking up the plates from the table one by one.
"I'll take care of the dishes. You go to her, now."
"W-what?"
"Do you really think I won't notice what's going on at the table?" Seulgi said bluntly, lifting an eyebrow and crossing her arms. "God, the awkwardness was awfully uncomfortable, YN!" she groaned, her jaw clenched.
"So you knew she'll confess too yesterday?" you asked, remembering Jihyo telling you about her chat with Seulgi before she went stargazing with you.
"Y-yeah, she told me. Way before we head to dinner at your friend Momo's resto.", she revealed. "What happened, by the way? Did something go wrong?" she asked. Seulgi has no idea what transpired after Jihyo's confession because she fell asleep in her own room afterward. She truly wanted to observe what was going on, but her exhaustion from the day before took over.
"I don't know actually. How it ends was either good or bad. But I'm going to hold the responsibility for it. I was the one who didn't say anything about what she told me.", you said, feeling guilty for what you did that might caused also Jihyo to run away in shame from you.
"And why is that?"
"Noona w-we... we kissed.", you said as you pointed your lips twice.
"WHAT?!", Seulgi exclaimed in shock.
"Shhhh!!!", you quickly covered her mouth to make her shut up immediately. You gestured one more to make her silent and thankfully she followed.
"Okay, okay," she murmured, pushing your hand away from her. "Oh, that's why... well, she's upstairs, you can take your turn to talk about it now," she remarked, looking up at the stairs leading to the next floor above.
"I'll do it," you said, nodding. Seulgi returned your nod, and you proceeded upstairs to her room. You stood in front of her door and knocked twice to get her attention from inside.
"Jihyo, it's YN, can you let me in?" you said cautiously. Jihyo answered the door after a brief delay, but her head was down and she avoided looking at you.
"Hey, YN. W-what is it?", she said, stuttering. You can her the nervousness and fear on her voice.
"I wanted to talk about yesterday, please.", you begged softly. Gladly, she accepts as she responded with the answer you wanted to have in return.
"O-oh... all right, come in," she said. Jihyo cleared the way for you to enter. She was going to close the doors when you stopped her.
"There's no need to lock the doors, noona knows," you said. Jihyo understands it with a faint gasp. "I'll exit right after this anyhow, so... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for having you wait," you stated as you began to plan your meeting with her for today. Jihyo's face was still hidden from you.
"I'm sure you were sending me some clues about how much you actually care for me after all this time, but I just completely ignored it since I wasn't paying close enough attention to you," you said. "And I appreciate that you finally had the confidence to speak out about it, but the kiss you gave..."
"Are you upset about it?" she asked, interrupting you. You caught a sight of her shaking hands. Now that you know she's probably afraid about confronting you because of what she did yesterday, all you wanted to do was comfort her, so you took a step forward to get closer to her.
"No. I swear, I am not, Jihyo. If that's why you're avoiding me this morning then you're thinking wrong.", you said, correcting her. "It just went... really out of nowhere for me.", you shrugged.
"S-sorry if I took advantage of your unawareness," Jihyo replied as she slowly raised her head to meet your gaze. Her expression was unhappy, and your perspective had shifted because Jihyo was looking so adorable that you just wanted to cheer her up.
"It's alright, Jihyo," you assured her. You seized the initiative to bring her into yours, widening both of your arms and gently surrounding it on her body, sealing her into your comfortable embrace. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Ji, and I'm sorry for keeping you waiting for so long," you explained. Jihyo flushed hotly at your physical contact against hers, a bittersweet sense lurking behind her lovely grin.
She's happy that she gets to have such intimacy after she presented to you her love while also sad about that she knows she only has a less possibility that she will succeed on creating a romantic relationship with you in the future.
(3 DAYS LATER)
You were sitting quietly in one of the back seats of your doughnut shop when your manager approached you.
"You ain't usually like this, boss," Bang Chan said after setting his phone on the table and taking the seat in front of you.
"H-huh?" you said anxiously when he surprised you.
"Setting yourself apart from everyone, then stay silent with your gaze as deep as your thoughts to focus, this isn't the typical you, boss," he remarked, clasping both of his hands as he faced you.
"You noticed?"
"Not just me, but them," he replied, gesturing to the rest of your staff who were working around the shop behind him. "We couldn't even talk to you properly for the majority of the time earlier since you seemed like you were zoning out, so sure, I'm here to confirm our guesses."
"Yeah, you're right," you said, feeling awful about what he said. "I'm thinking about something-no-someone right now," you said, changing the phrase to something more specific.
"Is that so? Then who causes you to become so disconnected from reality?" he asked, shaking his hand as if tracing you up and down.
"So I spent some time with them over the last few days," you explained. Bang Chan already knew what you meant when you said "them," so he adjusted his seating posture and listened to you more intently since he knew this was going to get interesting.
You've already informed Bang Chan about your "harem" situation. Bang Chan, like Seulgi, was either impressed or found it hilarious to hear that your looks could actually make many ladies fall in love with you at the same moment.
But he is also concerned since he knows her stepsister is one of those women who is attached to you and is also his friend and boss.
"I already expected from some that they'll pull off some moves towards me to impress, and they did... they really did. It's just... it wasn't enough yet.", you said, wincing at your struggle with your chosen words a bit.
"Wasn't enough? Like how?", Bang Chan asked, eyebrows furrowing in curiosity.
"For my heart.", you simply said. "I mean what they're doing wasn't enough to reawaken this familiar feeling I used to get before to my past relationships.", you said, still showcasing the troubled self of yours. "But... there was an exception among them..."
"And who is this one?", Bang Chan asked as it piqued her interest.
"Her name's Jihyo. I- she... she is my bestfriend for more than a decade now.", you answered as you also starting to introduce Jihyo at him too. Although, Bang Chan's expression along with his heart dropped a little when he heard that but still he remained to try and become fine on front of you.
"Was that the short haired girl who came here in the shop and covered your eyes while she hides at your back?"
"Yeah, that's her.", you chuckled. "Since when we were kids we already built a friendship together. Turns out, throughout most of our time we spent together... I didn't realize that the way how she sees me as a friend became more than that. She's been stuck into a one-sided love for many years already.", you shared, releasing a sigh.
"What makes her differ from the rest though?"
"I don't know it's just... she wasn't even trying but she easily... gets me.", you said, gesturing your hand like you're grabbing in front of the middle of your chest. "I guess because I'm too connected with her. Ever since that night when we... uhh...kissed....", you removed your sight away from Chan in embarassment when you said that.
"YOU KISSED?"
"She did it first!"
"And you let her?"
"I didn't know she will do it okay?", you defensed again, stating your side. "It was too fast. It happened to some too but... I'm even more affected to hers.", you said, groaning as you feel confused and troubled again.
"I still can't get out of my head., along with my entire memories being with her.", you placed both your hands to hold each side of your head. "I started to act strange when I'm with her, I became even more excited, I got easily disappointed when our time was over and what's even worse is that I can keep on complimenting her mostly about how beautiful she is and all of it makes me go crazy up until now."
"She's... Jihyo is the only one occupying my mind right now, Chan," you completed your explanation by summarizing all you had just told him.
"You sound completely in love," Bang Chan joked, rolling his eyes. "Are you saying that-" he was going to say when you cut him off in the middle of his sentence because you know what he's about to say.
"I guess I am... because I know what will happen when I have this," you said, pointing to the top of the table. Bang Chan responded with a hum. "I can't deny it no matter how hard I try; I've gone through this before, and trust me, it's inevitable."
"I... my heart is betting for Jihyo right now as from what I could describe.", you shrugged.
"But YN... I don't want to burst your bubble but... are you really sure about what you feel for her?", he asked after waving his hands off to emphasize how he doesn't intentionally want to destroy your rainbow-ish story with Jihyo. "We all know love is complicated and you're experienced already about these things but.. about what you told me that you found out that she's grown affection towards you for so long, are you sure you love for her was true or it's just because you feel pity for her and you just wanted to end it?", he asked for clarification.
" I do feel sorry for but I'm sure with this, Chan.", you answered with all tough. "I experienced this before and my empathy for her was way behind my reasons how I do fell in love with Jihyo."
"I say... it was more than a help for me not just an excuse, and she was right.", you said, your voice going lower in volume as you end. "She did helped me find that someone who can love and stay with me, willing to suffer with me just to avoid losing each other in our lives... and who's she talking about is none other than her all along.", you said, feeling more confident at the decision you made; with the image of Jihyo remained present in your mind.
"How about the rest? When are you gonna tell them that..."
"Like my cousin told me, I must not make them longer... since it will only increase the pain," you remarked, repeating one of Seulgi's advice from the dinner. "So I guess I'll have to do it... but first I'll confess to Jihyo before I go to the rest, starting tonight."
"Good luck with that, boss; I sincerely hope and wish that Jihyo is the right person for you," Bang Chan said, proud of you. You answer the supporting grin he offered you with a grateful one. " As always, you have my full support."
"Thanks, Chan.", you bowed your head as you kept the huge smile plastered i your face. It did vanished for a moment as you took time to say this after realizing also one of the consequences of your choice today.
"Hey... about Sana... I know she's one of the "others" I'm talking about. I-I'm sorry.", you said, an apologetic frown replaces the grin you're having for a while.
"It's fine, YN.", he waved it off, chuckling nervously at your sudden worriedness. "I admit, I feel sad for my sister and I really do ship you two but what can I do? I can't be against on two people who I think they match each other when they aren't even destined to be together. I can't force you to love her just because I want to make her happy.
Love doesn't always end up that way.", he explained as he wanted to assure you.
"I hope she finds her own soon, Chan. Knowing Sana, a gorgeous woman like her certainly deserves nothing but happiness with the right person for her," you added as you praised Sana, making Bang Chan believe in you.
"Yeah, my sister is the best woman I've ever known; no offense to my mom, but Sana noona's always been there for me through everything," Bang Chan agreed. He then extended his one free hand to you. "So, what you can do instead is talk to her honestly about it; I'm ready to comfort her once she knows, don't worry."
"I will.", you accepted his favor and took his hand to seal the deal with a shake. Both of you smiled at each other in contentment.
You then heard your phone rang when it got a notification. Bang Chan excused himself as he went back to service to left you once again alone.
You opened your phone and looked at the message you received which was coming from Mina.
"YN, can we talk later? I'll go there tonight. I can't specify the time but I promise I'll be there, just wait for me will you?", she said through the message she sent.
"Noted, Mina. I won't go away not until you visit here. Have a nice day!", you replied back to her and pressed the sent button. After you closed the phone, you took a note in your mind on what you need to do later tonight:
Meet Mina at the shop and then confess to Jihyo after.
(LATER THAT NIGHT)
Your doughnut shop has just closed its doors after serving one more client. Bang Chan said goodbye to you and his coworkers as they all departed together.
It's just you alone in the shop now. You chose to clean your office while waiting for Mina because you had nothing else to do.
Meanwhile, Mina has just finished offering veterinary advise to a client who has a Shiba Inu pet dog that has become food poisoned.
She was about to leave her workplace when this client begged her to help him save his dog because there are no more pet clinics in his neighborhood available left open.
Despite having second thoughts, she just accepted it since she doesn't want to disappoint the client and let the dog die, especially because she is a pet lover. She simply chose to sacrifice her time in order to arrive early for YN.
Back to your situation: you had just completed minding your own business in the restroom after successfully cleaning your office when you heard the main door of your shop clang.
"Mina?", you loudly called her name after you dried your hands from washing it.
You walked out of the wash area and went to the front of the cashier, standing at the front door. You rotated around and you didn't even see any trace of Mina.
You furrowed your eyes in confusion as you opened the door and looked around outside the shop to find Mina, but Mina's car wasn't even around the parking lot too.
"Mina you there?", you asked.
You kept on looking around back and forth.
"Hey, it's not the right time to play hide and seek, you penguin!", you loudly said as you still think Mina is just messing around with you.
But after a minute of finding Mina, you gave up as you already know that Mina won't bother hiding around the place in such a dark area. You know that penguin, she easily gets scared of the darkness.
"Maybe it's the wind.", you reasoned out as you just believed yourself that it caused the door to clang.
You closed the door and walked back inside as you went towards the cashier and grabbed the doughnut to give it a bite before you go back to your office when something made you halt in your steps.
The door clanged again.
You got terrified as you face crumpled and your eyebrows met again in confusion on what made the doors clang again this time.
So you turned around slowly.
Your eyes widened as you saw the doors now swinging in and out of the shop after it just got opened by... someone.
But you only saw that through your peripheral vision, because your sight is mainly focused at this familiar figure standing in front of you...
... holding gun as it was pointed straight at you, its finger clutching the trigger.
After that, a loud sound of a gunshot was heard around the shop and its nearby places.
"Why isn't he replying?" Mina wondered as she nervously waited for any response from you on her phone. She just texted that she's on her way to your doughnut store and apologized for having to serve a client first due to an emergency.
She came at your shop a few minutes later and parked her car in one of the available spaces. She stepped outside and walked through the door.
But she hadn't been able to fully enter her place because what she had just seen in front of her eyes had caused her to come to a stop in her tracks.
Mina just noticed you laying down on the tiled floor, blood pouring from your body and forming a tiny pool.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she gently stepped back into the shop to get a better look at you, although she realized it was a terrible idea.
The closer her steps got to you, the more she felt like her heart was being crushed into little pieces and her body was losing its balance.
Mina's heavy sobbing resonated across the room as she repeatedly yelled your name, full of anger, devastation, sorrow, and rage.
The police and ambulance arrived at the doughnut shop. Other people who are close to you like Jihyo and Seulgi arrived at the crime scene first, followed by Chaeyoung after getting notified by Mina through your phone.
They all experienced the same reaction that Mina had when she saw your bloody lifeless body on the floor, as expected.
Even the others who learned of your untimely death in their own different ways. Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, and Tzuyu heard and saw the news on the radio, TV, and social media, while Sana learnt about the murder through her stepbrother Bang Chan after Chaeyoung informed him.
A week later, there was a funeral for your burial. All nine girls, along with their friends and some of your acquaintances, attended, including your former favorite professor back in your first year of college, Mrs. Song, your friend and manager Bang Chan, your cousin Seulgi with her girlfriend Irene, Chaeyoung's friend Somi, Tzuyu's friends Shuhua and Taehyung, along with his boyfriend Jungkook, and even your ex-girlfriend Ryujin with her girlfriend Yeji.
Days later, the nine girls who met during the investigation of your murder case and your burial began to get to know each other through their arranged meetup.
As their topic turned into their own revelations that they all love the same person who just tragically passed away and never to be seen again for the rest of their lives, it landed back on the question if you had decided already who could be one of them that you chose to love the same too.
Until someone revealed it for you...
"Jihyo."
" Yes?", she responded back at the girl who called her name. It was Chaeyoung.
"It's you. YN fell in love with you," Chaeyoung stated solemnly. After hearing that, everyone's gaze was drawn to Jihyo.
"M-me? Is that t-true?" she chuckled nervously, still perplexed by what Chaeyoung was on about. "H-how do you know-"
"Chan told me," she asked. She rewinded what she talked about with Bang Chan in the shop's kitchen when she visited, which was the last words Chan heard from you.
"He told me that YN and him discussed in his last moments, and their entire topic? You," she continued, piercing her eyes further at Jihyo, who is beginning to cry over Chaeyoung's story involving her. "He was telling how he felt after you confessed to him, and it helped him clarify things... about what he thinks of you too," she stated as the girls continued to listen even if their hearts were broken by the outcome they were anticipating to hear from you.
"Jihyo..., YN fell in love with you because he felt the strongest connection with you, therefore I think it's safe to say that... out of all of us here, you suffered the biggest loss. I'm very sorry, Jihyo," Chaeyoung expressed her condolences to the girl who had suffered more than she could bear.
Jihyo's love loop reminded Chaeyoung of the pink doughnut that stayed well baked among the eight burnt doughnuts in the oven. Jihyo's love loop was the sole well-baked doughnut, while the rest were the girls' love loops. You are the oven, and your heat was the love that enhances color to their love circle with you, which you maintained for Jihyo by giving her the same exact amount of that heat of love she needs.
"I didn't meant to hurt you more for this, I just want you to know about it because... that's what YN actually wanted to happen if he didn't died.", Chaeyoung said. The rest agreed, except for one of them who still side eyeing Jihyo with her secret burning glare.
"T-thank you... thank you for telling me...", Jihyo said before she went on sobbing heavily as one of the girls beside her, Jeongyeon conforted her by caressing her back.
Few days have passed again, the suspect for killing you was found and arrested, revealing to be Wonpil, your former employee which you fired due to his misbehavior towards a customer.
He stated that he killed you because he blames you for being the cause of getting his life ruined after you took away the job he only need to live normally. He was sentenced for many years in jail after and the girls felt that you finally received the justice you deserve.
The nine girls still remained grieving on your passing in their own respective ways for months.
Thanks to Tzuyu, the new owner of your doughnut store, Nayeon once ordered a doughnut for herself and Mrs. Song, whom she brought along with her at your newly renovated doughnut shop, as Tzuyu fulfilled her promise to you that she'll help your business improve and grow even if you're gone.
When she was ready to receive it back, she looked at the server and hallucinated that it was you at first, but was quickly reversed when Bang Chan, who was actually serving her, asked her if there was something wrong.
Nayeon's sole response was that she remembers you, causing Bang Chan to sigh and comfort her noona in return.
Jeongyeon also went to the shop once and thought it was weird that you weren't there anymore.
She also dyed her hair back to blonde because she believes her former baby blue colored one will be meaningless to maintain because you were the only one who asked her to keep it because you liked it, and now that you're gone, t
here will be no one to enjoy and appreciate Jeongyeon's haircolor.
Sana had the impression that you were still sitting in front of her, even though she was alone at her table, because she remembered her previous time with you, when she consoled you after your breakup with Ryujin while also confessing her feelings for you.
Sana then whispered "I love you" to the air as her indirect message for you as she smiled with love, longing and sadness in it before she continues to sip her hot coffee alone.
While thinking deeply about you, Dahyun unconsciously wrote an "I miss you" message in a spilled sugar at the shop. She was the most envious of the girls, and she was the one who gave Jihyo a venomous glance when Chaeyoung told to them all that Jihyo was the one you chose. When she heard that, her frustration and hurt about your death rose, prompting her to ponder more vigorously for the past few days.
She revealed once that she imagined about killing Jihyo everytime she sees her in order to make her feel what she felt after you died, including their encounter back at the gathering as one of the possibilities she could envision; but she has no plans of doing it for real because she knows she ain't that type of person.
Tzuyu, the new owner of your shop, just went by Dahyun's table after checking on the customers and observed her lost in her thoughts once more. She glanced at Dahyun worriedly, recognizing the "I miss u" she wrote on the sugar, and soothed her with a swift hug. Dahyun was astonished by Tzuyu's touch, and when she realized what Tzuyu's hug was for, she buried her face in the crook of her neck.
"This isn't right anymore...", Dahyun sobbed, shaking her head quickly as she realized her situation was getting worse all because of you and she wanted to stop it right away.
Tzuyu, who got what she's talking about since she's thought the same when she heard about Dahyun's story of imagining killing Jihyo once; just nodded back at Tzuyu and ease her tears out with her soft, gentle hums.
(8 MONTHS LATER)
Mina and Chaeyoung, who became friends, were discussing about you and even Jihyo while laying on the floor after taking a break from preparing the gifts and the decorations when Chaeyoung brought it up as a topic during their stay at one of the rooms they rented during their Christmas season holiday in Japan, together with Seulgi, who is now married to her girlfriend Irene.
"I'm more concerned about Jihyo.", Chaeyoung said, full of pity on her voice.
"She suffered the most. I mean, the pain you must take along with the fact that you won't be ever to see anymore the one who made you understand what love is? That must be unbearable.", Mina said.
"Agree. She really took YN's passing like a gunshot to her stomach that was once full of butterflies going crazy only because of him.", Chaeyoung said while nodding her head, making Mina hummed at her in agreement as she understands what Chaeyoung meant that she's putting in her head.
The two went outside along with the rest of the girls, except for Seulgi and Irene who explored Japan by theirselves. They let the couple enjoy their own time together instead so the nine of them just visited a park near the hotel they're staying at.
Jihyo remembered making a snow angel with YN while looking at the other one that had formed on the snowy surface. She then lay by it, remembering her time with you while she imagines making her own snow angel with you, pretending that you're the one making the one alongside her.
Tzuyu wanders throughout the park, rotating around the snow. She then remembers the time when you and her danced after you had a proper closure with her.
She was returned to reality with her final swing of her body, just as you were when you let go of her to conclude your dance with her song together in her mind.
Mina was standing along a wall in one section of the park, imagining herself running around while being followed by you, as she recalls doing the same with you when she teasingly snatched your house keys after seeing them fall from your pocket while both of you were talking.
It came to a halt when you successfully pursued her and uncontrollably fell on top of her while lying on the ground, signaling the beginning of her intense deep attraction through you the instant her eyes landed on your closed up face.
While she was savoring the beautiful memory she shared with you, she noticed snowflakes begin to fall in front of her, drawing her attention and, sadly, dragging her away back from reality.
Momo on the other hand, got called by the rest of the girls after she saw the snowman as she recalled the snowman she puts a scarf on along with her happiest memory of her life she had with you, which is when she first developed her romantic attraction to you while she's fixing your scarf during your time with her together.
She noticed the snow starting to fall again from above before she responded back to the girls.
"Wait for me!", Momo shouted after she stood up. She then joined the girls and gathered to form a circle as they decided to pray for you.
After ending their prayers, they admired the snow falling around them, along with their own message for you one more time.
They promised to you silently that they will now reach their acceptance stage by finally letting go and moving on from your love, freeing theirselves from their love loop that was being toxic already because of their too much attachment at you even at your death...
...except for one of them who thinks differently from them, still unable as she struggle to remove herself from her own what ifs and regrets.
(EXACTLY 1 YEAR LATER/ BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY)
NOVEMBER 2022
All of what happened suddenly played quickly right backfrom the beginning.
Returning back to the present, it was to a snowy nighttime under the dark sky with stars sparkling covering it , a street with many people are gathering around along with police cars and ambulance cars parked outside of a doughnut shop.
The policemen are trying to guard these civilians who are curiously watching what's happening from entering the crime scene.
Inside the shop has some evidences which has been marked, but there is one which if you look at it, you will think that is the most important one out of all the evidences that has been found by the policemen and detectives.
A bitten white doughnut with red syrup flowing from its inside is seen laying on a floor with police barrier tapes around its space.
From the dark corner of the shop, a woman slowly appears near to the bitten doughnut.
It was Mina who is dreaming of visiting back the crime scene during her sleep, she sat and looked closely at the bitten doughnut.
A frowning expression in her face can be seen as she remembers everything what happened before this unexpected tragic moment....
... and now, finally able to do the right thing just the same as what the other girls did; a drop of tear flowed out of Mina's face.
"I love you YN, but if I will remain my heart linked for you... I'll never recover.", she whispered while sniffing during her cry.
She knows that the love loop she created which is like a doughnut she used to love made from you, it was such a sweet and sensational feeling she experienced rotating around its hole in the shape of you; but now she realized that although it is a loop which has no beginning nor end, it doesn't mean it can't be changed, disrupted or replaced.
Just like what the other girls did, they all made it possible by breaking their own instead and prevented its negative effects. She can see it already from them, especially from Nayeon, Jeongyeon and Jihyo who are already recovered and currently living back with full of happiness. Since, that's what Mina wanted to have and she believes you also wanted it for them too, she decided to follow what the girls did.
Standing slowly, she looked one more time at the bitten doughnut you ate before you were shot dead as it laid right next to your dead body when she saw you before leaving away from the crime scene along with her love for you; simultaneously ending her own love loop too in the process before her alarm wakes her back from her dream with a stain of teardrop visible in her face while still unknown for her whether she'll wander to another new love loop to start again.
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YOUR POV
The first day of classes has arrived. Of course I get to our classroom as early as I can to avoid embarrassing myself in front of my students and my new teacher this school year.
It's a good thing I arrived only 20 minutes before class began. I walked into the room and sat down where I was supposed to.
There's some girl who's sitting beside my seat already. I walked closer to approach my spot, but to my surprise this classmate of mine isn't really familiar to me.
She appeared to be in her own universe, reading a book intently while surrounded by noise and chaos. Her hime cut hair was flipped back behind her shoulders, where the breeze from the windows caught it. As I looked at her out of curiosity and confusion over who she was, I crunched my forehead.
I bravely grabbed her attention to try to figure it out and learn more about her.
I waved at her and said, "Oh, hello. Good morning!" with a smile on my face, making a really good impression on her.
She didn't say anything in response to my greeting; all she did was bow and wave her hand timidly, trying her best to avoid looking at me.
"I haven't seen you around here, are you a new student?", I ask her, pointing my finger at her.
She just gave another nod in response. She doesn't speak, which baffles me, but I don't mind. She must be quite shy, so I tried my best to make her feel at ease when speaking with me.
"Called it.", I said, putting my bag on the back of the chair that belongs to me classmate who sits in front of me.
"Well, our other classmates around here were all my previous classmates also so you're the one I don't recognize at all.", I explained to her.
She started writing as soon as she picked up a pen and opened her notepad. She then raised it and pointed out what it said to me.
"I'm a transferee.", my mouth just formed an 'o' at her own reason even though I actually called it already that is a newly added student here in our section.
"Welcome to our school then.", I said to her then I smiled.
She responded with a bow again.
"Can I ask what's your name?", I was about to wait for her answer but suddenly the teacher arrives and placed her bag on top of her desk as we slowly stood up all at once to greet our new adviser and second mom as a respect.
Ten minutes later, we went around the class and introduced ourselves one by one. The majority of us did this for our new teacher because, with the exception of the new girl sitting opposite me, everyone else in this room is someone we already know well.
My female seatmate entered the classroom and spoke before mine. From my seat, I observed her getting up without letting the stares of those there bother me. Nearly all of them are gasping, and some were simply staring with their eyes wide open as if they had just witnessed a mythological creature. While carrying a notebook, she moves carefully across the board before turning to face the students.
As she stepped in front of the class, she then raised her notebook which says "Good morning, I'm Hirai Momo. 18 years old, Japanese.",
I turned to look at my classmates, and it seemed that they didn't think it was strange or unusual. Like this new girl, whose name was revealed to be Momo, the environment remained completely silent. I just continued to stare at her, wondering if she wasn't genuinely shy and mute because she wouldn't have introduced herself to us in writing if she weren't.
"Oh okay! Thank you so much Momo. You can go back to your seat now.", Mrs. Oh exclaimed, giving Momo an understanding smile. Maybe she just adjusted herself instead and didn't forced her student to speak because she knows that there must be a reason too. They both exchanged bows at one another before Momo heads back to her seat.
She finally sat down and maintained her focus on the board and Mrs. Oh as our classmates continued to gawk at her and mumble amusing things about her. I then turned to face her and made a remark in response to her recent introduction. I made an effort to settle her down because I can see that she is shaking somewhat as a result of all the attention she is receiving, which I assume makes her uncomfortable.
"Your name is cute by the way, I just wanna say that.", I said to her. What I received made me quite shock after.
"T-thanks.", this time she speaks, but with a stutter and a soft high pitched voice. I gasped a bit as I looked at her in confusion. So she IS actually can talk... but why didn't she used it when she presented herself?
"Well, nice to meet you, Momo. My name's YN.", I extended my hand to her in anticipation of a handshake. She accepts gladly, but she moves slowly, and when our hands come together, she glances away from me once more, just like she did before. I simply laughed because I thought her nervousness was endearing.
However, aside than that, she is really mysterious. I'm aware that she is more than meets the eye. and I feel compelled to make an effort to be close to her.
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It's break time, so several students—including myself and my buddy Myoui Mina, whom I'll be eating lunch with—left the classroom for a while to get to the cafeteria. We took a seat here and began eating after receiving our meal orders, exchanging our experiences thus far throughout the firsthalf of class hours on this day.
"How's the new girl in our class?", my friend Myoui Mina asked me after she took a bite on her sandwich. I shared to her about our new classmate who is also my seatmate.
"Momo? She's good. Definitely quiet.", I said my first impression to her after I took a sip at my mango shake.
"I can see that too. Got me really puzzled earlier why she introduced herself using a notebook.", Mina said, confirming my thoughts about them earlier on what they must have thought about Momo when she did that. "But I just neverminded it. She's interesting anyways and... maybe she can't really speak at all so I respect that."
"She actually can speak.", I corrected her.
"Oh? Jinjja? (Really?)", she reacted in disbelief.
I told her, "Yeah. She's too bashful that's why. I can tell that she's trying her best to communicate with me." I can still recall Momo's earlier actions that stood out to me, such as the way her eyes avoided me and the delay in her speech.
"Maybe she has social anxiety," Mina speculated, which caused me to twitch.
"That's fear of interacting with other people, right?", Mina nodded to me after.
"Yup. That's why as you can see from what you told me about her that she's doing an effort to talk to you is because she's really not that used into communicating with people. She's scared and nervous on socializing which she can clearly show through the way she acts.", Mina explained to me; making it all too clear and understandable to me now why Momo is being like that to me. "And for us, we will think that she doesn't want our presence or whatsoever, but we should not mistaken her for that because it doesn't mean that she's not speaking, she doesn't want to socialize. She still is..
... yet the only problem is that she's struggling due to her fears, right?"
"Exactly."
"Okay, now i'm fully enlightened.", I said to my genius friend here who I won't doubt about her climbing onto the overall school academic ranking. Mina is really just that smart.
As I consider what Momo would have gone through with this, I feel horrible for her. She must have found it very challenging to live that way. She is undoubtedly making an effort to overcome her worries, but I wonder if anyone is supporting her in this struggle.
"You must be lucky.", Mina said while not looking at me.
"Eh? Why did you say so?", I blurted in confusion.
"Didn't you noticed a while ago? All of us especially the boys were looking at her with an obvious admiration in their eyes.", Mina said as she chuckled. I noticed it too, but I didn't think about myself about that though. " I easily felt the immense sense of jealousy in the atmosphere of our room too when you became her seatmate.", she said. I gulped as I imagined what could've they looked like earlier while me and Momo are interacting at each other. They must have very deadly and burning aura in their eyes all connected at me as they feel extremely jealous at me for sitting beside a very beautiful woman like Momo.
"That makes me get scared a bit, you know that?", I said to Mina while caressing my arms to show that I somewhat got goosebumps about that.
"Well, you have someone with you that captures everyone's attention. You must be really tensed.", Mina said as she squirted another amount of ketchup in her hotdog.
"Meh. Don't really care. That won't stop me still for trying to know her well.", I said while showing how unbothered I am. "I don't know why, but there's inside of me that's receiving something like a signal which makes me want to get closer with her.", I said while I'm indicating my heart by tapping my chest. I sighed after.
"Maybe you found her like... she needs some sort of, help?", Mina shared her guess.
"I guess so? Wait, maybe you're right... I mean, she doesn't have any friends aside her family for sure which makes her hard to escape these fears she's having on people.", I said to Mina as I can feel once again what I mostly felt on Momo a while ago when I observed that she looks quite uncomfortable having me with her which made me adjust myself and started to think of words to tell her that will make her calm down.
Concern.
Worried.
Anxious.
These are the exact feelings I'm mostly having while facing her earlier.
...Speaking of help...", as I cast my gaze across the dining hall, I happened to notice something that caused me to stop and simply look at her once again while still feeling the same emotions I did previously.
It may seem like Momo is fine with this, but I know deep down she wants to try something new other than this, and that is to get in with everyone else around her. I saw Momo sitting at the very end of the cafeteria, about to eat her lunch in her lunchbox. What makes me frown is that she's the only student here who is eating alone. Like literally her space is very wide, but she's the only one sitting there.
Now that made me even push myself more to the point that I should do what I must do to this new classmate of mine after having these thoughts and feelings all concerning about her supposed to be problem, courtesy from Mina's theory. It led me to the conclusion that...
I want to help Momo.
" Follow me.", I swiftly said. Mina only watched me with her perplexed gaze as I got up from my seat and collected my tray.
As I was ready to step upon Momo's seat, she noticed and knew that I was about to do so, so she asked me in shock at what I was doing.
"Wait, you're really gonna do this?!", Mina stood up and followed me from behind.
" Yeah? Why think about it twice? It's not that she ates people to get terrified though.", I shrugged my shoulders as I said that.
After just a few steps, me and Mina are now standing in front of Momo's position. She was about to scoop a spoonful of rice and some veggies when a pair of shadow figures covered her. She looked up and she saw me and Mina standing with our trays.
I saw her eyes widened and then she immediately lowered down her head to avoid looking at us.
"Hello, Momo. Can we?", I asked her while pointing to the spare chair she has. She nodded after so me and Mina took seat together in front of her.
"Sorry for how sudden we appeared hehe.", I said while scratching my nape. Momo looked at me finally. " I just noticed that you're alone here so since as your classmate, I'm gonna join you here if you don't mind.", she then lets out a sound that maybe it tells that she's thankful at me for doing that and nodded again after.
"Good. Oh by the way, this one right here with me, she's my friend and also our classmate.", I looked at Mina and pointed at her.
" Hi. I'm Myoui Mina. Nice to meet you, Momo.", Mina introduced herself with her soft voice while waving her wing... oh sorry I mean, hand. Well, I always tease her that she's a penguin because... she cleaely resembles and acts like one.
"H-hi.", Momo greeted her back after with a very embarassed hi.
"You're also Japanese right? Don't be scared, you can be comfortable to talk with me through our native language. ", Mina continued.
"O-ok."
"Now, let's eat first?", I looked at them both. " We can talk and if you want, Momo. Feel free to join us or you could rather listen to our stories.", Momo flinched at my mention of her name. She just complied with a nod after.
The three of us starts to eat. During our time me and Mina started sharing some topics about ourselves. Some were about the time when me and Mina met each other in high school, Mina's reason why she studied here in Korea which is because of her brother who went college here and our own experiences when we had entered here in the campus for the first time.
Ofcourse, we didn't let Momo just listen to us. We gave her freedom to talk and share a story too with us while Momo was the one responding to them. Fortunately, she did it but still through her notebook. But it's fine to me, we didn't force her anymore to speak instead because I know she's still not get used to just speak instantly at people she just met and interacted with.
What we learned about her is that Momo studied here because of her father transferred to work in Korea as a chef. We also asked what she's feeling so far in her first day today in their campus, and there she said that she's nervous and anxious, enough for me and Mina to be clarified that Momo really has a social anxiety... which also makes me really understand more on what should I do for Momo.
3 hours later, the end of class finally came and all the students started to went home. I just left the classroom and I saw Mina now wearing her bag on her back with her officer shirt on her hand, remembering that Mina has a meeting today with her fellow student council officers.
" Bye, YN! Have a safe way home!", Mina waved her free hand at me after she saw me in the hallway.
"Bye Mina! See you tomorrow!", I waved back at her. She starts to turn back and focus on her direction towards their office while me on the other hand continue to walk out of the campus.
After I finally stepped on the streets of Suwon, I started to walk on my way home when in a blink of an eye, I saw a familiar figure through the distance.
I am definitely not mistaken as I saw Momo about to take a turn onto another street which is where I am heading too. Realizing that she's alone by herself, I quickly ran to catch her.
"Momo!", I shouted her name after I am just few steps away from her. She quickly stopped on her tracks as she straightened her body even more, shocked at the voice she heard that for sure had her guessed immediately who might be the owner of it.
"Hey! Sorry if I scared you.", I finally reached beside her and prodded her on the shoulder, making her wince. "I was going in this way too and I saw you here. What area are you at?"
She then pulled her phone from her pocket and began to type. She later showed me what she had entered on the screen.
On her screen, it states, "In Changrun-ro."
"Oh really? I am just next at your place then.", I gasped after I found out that Momo is actually just my neighbor. She also lets out a sound, clearly indicates that she was also amazed at it. "That means our houses are just near at each other. Shocking, right?", she just nodded after. After that, she started to type another one on her phone and showed it to me.
"I thought Mina's with you?"
"Mina's part of the student council since last year. She got reelected and they have a meeting today. Maybe about their newly set schedules for this school year.", I explained to Momo. "Also, even if she doesn't have one I can't be with her on our way home. Hers was far from mine."
"Well fun fact, Mina is from a rich family so they live in a subdivision.", I said to her, making her purse her lips. "Since we are kinda neighbors anyways, could we just go and out of the school together? Is that okay to you?"
"Y-yes.", she answered me using her small girly voice again.
"Great! Let's start tomorrow then.", I grinned at her. We continued to walk until we finally reached her two storey house which was very nice looking with it's white and black painted walls.
"So, this is your house. It's nice, just like ours too.", I smiled at her which made her look at me and smiled too. "Well, this is where we part ways now. Bye, Momo!", I started to take a few steps away her as I'm about to start leaving her in front of her gate.
"B-bye.", and then Momo starts to enter her house. But as she was ready to unlock their door, I remembered something and gave her one last call.
"W-wait! Momo!!", we both turned around to face each other. Her expression is filled with uncertainty, while mine is slightly stiff.
"Uhm... since we're starting to be close with one another, can you consider me as y-your friend now?", I scratched my arm, embarassed and scared at the same time that she won't accept.Well that won't gonna easily escape my mind since I know she's probably not really into this thing called building a friendship.
She just stood still and stared at me in shock when I asked her about my request. Through her eyes, I can see that she is essentially asking why I would want to be friends with someone so boring. She must have been surprised as well because this is so unfamiliar to her.
"O-okay, I- I guess you need some time to answer. It's fine, Momo. I can wait!", I just bowed my head and about to walk away again when a seconds later, I heard her slowly talk as she pours a lot of effort onto it just to share what she finally decided at my request.
"Y-YN... I- w-want... t-to... b-be... y-your friend... too."
My breath stopped a bit as my excitement and happiness starts to take over my body. As I went back to exhale when I processed on my mind that she literally accepted my offer of frienship to her, my face enlightened and my lips starts to curve upwards.
I actually felt more lucky than her because I can't believe I made a person with fear of socializing have even a bit of a trust to accept being friends with some average guy like me even if we just met hours ago. That made me want not to disappoint her even more.
"T-thank you, Momo! Seriously, thank you. I will do my best to be a great friend. I swear!", I started to bow repeatedly like an idiot in front of her. I heard her giggle which made me happy even more that I know I made her feel like that.
Her face turned fully beet red as she felt extreme embarrassment as I caught her laughing. She quickly went to open her door and shut it, leaving me here with a large grin on my face.
Meanwhile, after Momo just closed the door, she slowly slides her back on the surface of the door until she finally sat down on the floor as she covered her face with both of her palm, trying to calm down herself and get rid of her blush on her cheeks while her mother approached her and tried to inspect on her if there's anything wrong.
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2 WEEKS LATER
After that day where Momo accepted my offer of friendship, I started to act very nicely towards her; sticking to my oath that I should must never disappoint her for being her very first friend, as what she mentioned to me.
It went pretty well, we can still understand each other and have fun together even if she's still communicating through either her phone or notebook. I also got her acknowledge Mina as her another friend too, which the latter didn't even hesitate to accept it.
Based from what she also told me, she can easily notice people around her find her to be intimidating and scary; making them pull theirselves away from her even more and also making the chance of her trying to interact with others drop every measure.
To be honest, she's honestly pretty good. My experience of having a friend like her is completely different than Mina. I also even like the fact that she's unique from others, which makes me even more proud to have a friend like her to me. I just hope also thinks and feels the same as me for that.
2 weeks later, I am in my classmate's house along with my groupmates as we're about to make a group activity based from what our teacher assigned us to do; which is to make a huge illustration and explaination of how the plates move here on Earth.
"All clear guys?, our leader and my classmate Karina asked us again after assigning us our parts.
"Yup.", we all answered, except for Momo who just nodded like she always does.
Oh yeah, I just forgot to mention that Momo is also my groupmate. As usual, we both went together to our leader's assigned meeting place to gather.
" Now let's go and start so that we can finish our task and rest early.", she then clapped as a go signal and then we finally start to do what we must do in our activity.
10 minutes later, as I'm drawing the surface of a mountain; I noticed Momo who is spacing out. Feeling concerned, I went beside her.
"Uhhh, Momo.", I gently shaked her body by grabbing her on her shoulder. "Hey, you good?", I asked as she looked at me. She nodded, with her hidden message being "I'm okay."
" You don't seem like it." I shook my head, giving a doubt over her obvious lie. I don't want her to think that I'm gonna get angry for hiding something to her as a friend so I just took this pretty smooth and soft for her to avoid panicking and start overthinking.
"Hey, don't be shy. Tell me what's wrong. You've been staring at that colored paper you're holding for a minute now.", I said to her as I continue to comfort her. She slowly lowered down her head.
"You can write it down for me to understand if you are nervous. Don't worry, I can adjust for you, you know that.", she then took out her notebook and started writing on it.
"I want to suggest an idea to them but it's hard. I'm scared that they won't like it."
I formed an 'o' shape on my mouth as I finally understand what she's worrying for. "Oh so you want to suggest something?"
She nodded.
"Tell me yours, I got your back.", I said to her. " I'll be the one to share it on behalf of yours Momo."
She wrote again on her notebook.
"Are you sure about this? I don't even know if my idea will be good."
"We won't know unless we try, Momoring.", I said to her with a comforting smile. She blushed when I called her by my own version of her nickname to make her feel that everything's gonna be okay.
Just as while Momo got finally convinced at my persuading and she started writing her idea on her notebook, our leader Karina called my attention.
"Hey, YN? Are you done in your par so far?"
"H-hey Karina, uhh it has progress now.", I said as I nervously smiled and pointed at the part of our work which is mine while I also switch my gaze on Momo. As she finally finished her writing, I took it and gave her an assuring smile and a nod.
"Uhm, can I tell you something?"
"Yeah sure spill it out.", I then went beside her and leaned forward near to her ear.
"You see, Momo here can't communicate pretty well because of her social anxiety so she's too shy and scared to talk to others. She just told me that she has a suggestion to give about our work here so far, but yeah due to her problem she can't share it so mind if I tell it for Momo then?", I whispered to her.
"Oh yeah, sure YN!", she gave me an understanding nod. She then went towards Momo who's already avoiding Karina look at hers because she's definitely embarassed and tensed about her suggestion.
But to her surprise, that ended up opposite. "Don't worry Momo, everything's fine. We all understand. It must be really hard and we are here to tone it down so try to train yourself to talk with us. As a leader and your classmate too, I want to best for my groupmates.", she said as she pats Momo's shoulders while smiling. Momo just nodded and smiled back.
"Thank you, YN by the way. You're very kind to her.", she turned her head at me.
"No prob, anything for my friend here.", I said as I looked to Momo who smiled and looked away with a red tint on her cheeks.
"So, back to what I am saying. Can I have what you wrote Momo?", Momo then gave the notebook on Karina. While she's reading it, I took the position to discuss and explain to her what I understood about Momo's suggestion.
"And there you go. What do you say?", I said, placing my fists on my waists.
"Actually it is pretty good, yeah. I think this could really work out on presenting and making sure that everyone who sees our work will have their eyes glued on this.", Karina said as she double checked again what Momo wrote on her notebook. "Momo, seriously this is a great idea.", she said with an impressed tone. Momo smiled shyly.
"Okay everyone, we have a change of plans here. Listen.", Karina gathered the attention of our fellow classmates who are busy at their parts to share what Momo suggested to our leader here.
To her success, Momo made all our groupmates here approve of her idea and since majority always wins, Karina starts to assign everyone what changes should they make.
While our leader is busy doing her role, I looked at Momo and smiled proudly at her. "Good job, Momo.", I patted her head which made her giggle.
"T-thanks...", she said while blushing hard.
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It's been half an hour later and our activity is now complete and all done, thanks to the great teamwork we showed. We all looked at our work and it just looks fantastic, thanks to our efforts and to our combined ideas, which we mostly followed Momo's own.
"Bye Karina! Thanks for the time!", I waved goodbye at our leader after we are the last one to exit her house. We stayed a bit longer to help her clean the mess our group made.
"Bye guys! Be safe! See you tomorrow!", me and Momo waved back at her again before we finally turn our bodies around and walk away from Karina's place.
"Ahh wow I'm excited to present our work there. You really came up with a very interesting and bright idea earlier.", I said to her confidently.
"YN...", she got me alert very quickly when she called my name. She doesn't do it very often, so that's why. Also, if she does that, I shall not waste that moment and I must give her the attention she deserves to have.
"Hmm?"
" I-I'm sorry, if i m-making you h-hard to assist m-me....", Momo replied carefully, bending her head as she battled her stammer to say what she wanted to convey for what I did earlier and to the other days where I assisted her on various things.
It made my heart warm and smile impressively by how Momo is now taking the efforts to try speaking her thoughts and feelings like I wanted her to be good of.
We stopped as I turned around to face me and I held both of her shoulders and look at me straight in the eye to show how serious I am of this. "No, it's all fine. Don't say it. Don't think that you are a burden to me okay? You're not. All of what I did for you was wholeheartedly and willingly. It's not forced or with a mix of frustration. No.
I told you I want to be your friend so as of that, I want to make sure that I can help my friend and not let her struggling. What I did earlier, they deserve to know because... that's my way to make them avoid looking at you weirdly and think different about you like you're just nothing to them.
So next time, please don't ever apologize about this. I know what I put myself into but I don't care. What matters here is that you have a friend whom you can be comfortable with which you haven't had in your whole life, and that's me.", I pointed at myself after. I smiled at her and hummed if she understood it clearly which she only replied with a nod, already enough for me to take it.
"Now, cmon let's go. The sky is getting dark looks like it's raining.", I gestured for us to continue walking even faster to reach our respective houses after I looked up to the sky.
What I didn't know at that time is that after I said those very sweet, friendly and touching words to her... she's secretly developing a different feeling for the first time which is towards me that started slowly covering her heart and create another function and meaning to the way it beats when I'm around her.
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3 DAYS LATER
It's Tuesday morning and I arrived exactly 20 minutes early again in our classroom.
I stepped inside and waved my hand at Mina who greeted me a good morning before heading back to talk to our classmates.
I reached my seat and placed my bag on it. Now that I'm done, I looked at Momo and oh.... she looks.... very different.
"Hey, good morning Mo-", I immediatly halted in my position as I stared for a minute because I got stunned at what I saw from her.
I didn't know that I unintentionally made her worry and panic so she grabbed my arm and gently shaked me so that I could be awakened back into this reality.
"D-did you cut your hair?", I said as I gulped after how embarassing I looked in front of her.
"Yes, y-yesterday.", Momo answered as she lowered her head to hide her face which she thought that it looked bad and hilarious on her that's why it made me act weirdly earlier.
"Wow you look.... you really look beautiful today, Momo.", I said to her to end her negative thinking about herself. I made he slightly raise her head and look at me with her eyes upwards. "Seriously, I never thought this will make you ever prettier with this new style."
"T-thanks.", Momo gratefully took my compliment towards her. She was blushing hard also because I didn't know that it was also her first time to experience a guy to praise her looks face to face and very sincere to her.
"Also, please continue doing your best to speak more. Your voice is just as heavenly as the way you are.", I smiled at her. Never had any idea that she has her heart beating abnormally already due to my rapid shots of sweet words towards her.
"Anyways, you're welcome, Momo. Let's do well today! Fighting!", I gestured to her by raising my fist and smiled at her. She also did the same and then we both focused on our own business. I didn't notice at that time that Momo was actually taking glances at her secretly, as another sign of how much she's already admiring and falling in love with me which I haven't noticed from her yet at this time.
Uno reverse card though, during classes I can't help but to look sideways at her just to see this perfect side angle of her godly face structure along with her newly hairstyle that gives me 100% Japanese aura vibes.
My chest felt heavy, and my heart was racing. As a result, I found it much harder to comprehend the lesson my teacher was trying to teach us because Momo was the only image that kept popping up in my mind.
Sadly, the world was making a fun of me when Momo caught me staring at her, I immediately went back at my book and acted like i'm listening to our teacher and pretend like nothing just happened. Momo on the other hand, was smiling softly while blushing at me; thinking that my embarassed face was too adorable for her.
And through that, it was enough for me to be convinced that I secretly do grown likeness as more than a friend to Momo. Days passed and my feelings went up and up until I just only know that I love her and she's my ultimate crush.
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3 MONTHS LATER
MOMO'S POV
It's just another simple day as I need to go to school again. Right now I'm inside our classroom reading the final part of the storybook I'm reading. I chose to close my eyes for a little since I was starting to feel drowsy and bored. However, when I looked up, I was shocked and confused to see that it had already been 30 minutes since I had arrived, and YN was nowhere to be seen.
I immediately frowned as I felt the growing emotion of sadness inside me. My mind started to think of different possibilities and reasons onto why YN wasn't here yet and the class is about to start. My body is slowly shaking as I'm panicking deep inside what might happened to YN right now.
I am aware that I am overreacting, but I can't help myself. I simply cannot have YN on my side. Because I adore YN so much, I especially can't stand to be apart from him for even a minute, hour, or day. Even though I am aware that we are friends, I can't help but adore you so much. He is a truly ideal man, a wonderful person, and a boyfriend material. He was the only person who could handle my personality, and he kept his promise to stick by me until I could act independently around other people.
He was one of the reason why my day goes already complete. He was my battery, my source of energy and happiness. Without him, I feel like I'm lacking something within me which I'll be waiting for him to come back just to make me full again. He was the one who is slowly making me recover from my weakness and my heavy problems so that I can finally be okay. Thanks to him I am able to speak slowly and maintain myself relaxed while communicating. He's just that very important to me.
I want to tell him how much I love him, but I'm terrified and worried what will happen if he doesn't reciprocate. What if he only thinks of me as a friend? What if my obvious signs are simply how I typically react? These are the ideas that are always running through my mind, and as a result, I am compelled to conceal my emotions while I work to gather my thoughts and calm down before I attempt to engage and take the risk.
I was drifting off into my own thoughts when I felt YN's chair stir, bringing me back to reality. I swiftly turned around to see Mina standing in front of me with a gummy grin.
"Ohayogozaimasu (Hello, good morning), Momoring!!", she greeted me.
"G-good morning.", I greeted back and smiled at her.
"Oh, such strange that YN wasn't here. The class is about to start in two minutes.", she said as she take a look at the clock hanging in the wall of the classroom. "Maybe he's gonna be late but really... he never does.", I just gulped when she realized what I am thinking about right now.
I then felt something vibrating on my pocket. I pulled out my phone and looked it up where I saw a message notification coming from YN himself. My body quickly responded and moved by itself as I quickly pressed it and prepared myself to read it.
" Y-YN texted me.", I said as i finally opened our chat box.
"Oh really, can I see?", I just nodded and Mina leaned her face closer beside my head as both of us are now looking intently at my phone's screen to read YN's message to me.
"Hello Momo! Can you please tell Mrs. Oh that I can't come to class today? I don't really feel so good right now due to fever. Thanks and enjoy your day!"
Oh no.
A morning without him already and will end up until the end of this day, just like what I thought.
As what i said, I felt myself got weakened a bit and my mood dropped a half when I finally learned that he isn't gonna make it for today because he is sick.
Now that made me worry even more for him. How is he right now? Is he somewhat doing pretty well? Did he take medicine? Oh my god my thoughts are now attacking my mind and it's making my head hurts.
"So he really is absent today. That's sad.", Mina sighed and pursed her lips. " Please send my prayers that I hope he'll get well soon, Momoring.", I just nodded and smiled tiny at her before she leaves my side.
------------------------------------------------
Our class just ended and I finally made it to my house. I quickly ran towards my bedroom and slumped myself onto my bed. I picked up my phone and finally released what I've been holding to myself for hours in our room by texting YN immediately to ask him how he is doing so far.
Momo: "How are you?"
YN: "Not really okay. My head aches so bad and it's so hot in here. Kinda hard since i'm alone rn in the house hehe."
Because of what I just read on his message, especially where he revealed that he's just all by himself right now while being sick made me changed my clothes so quickly for the first time in my entire life.
After I just drank my glass of water and placed on my table. I heard someone just knocked on my door. To my curiousity, I went to see who it is after I wore my mask properly to avoid spreading the virus I have in me.
"Hello? Just a sec. W-who is it?", I opened the door and what I just saw made my eyes bigger because I really did not expect this one to arrive in my place right now.
"M-momo chan? What are you doing here?!", I exclaimed to Momo who's standing at my door very worriedly while gripping her bag tightly. "You might get infected.", and to my surprise she didn't listened as she just pushed me gently aside and went inside my house. I tried to stop her and convince her to get out as a way of protecting her to avoid getting sick too but I just end up failing. I have no energy left with me so I just let her instead and surrender.
"Thank you for coming, Momo. A lot, even though you don't need to.", I dizzily went to my bed to sit. Momo placed her bag on the living room and went towards me to put the back of her hand on my forehead. When she felt that it's really hot, she startled at how bad my fever is. "I'm getting worried that you might get sick too.", I said to her as I look onto her precious face who's looking very concerned at me.
She just shook her head to imply that she won't. She helped me lay down on my bed after as she went to my kitchen. I was amazed when I found out that she's literally gonna cook something for me. I just let her do what she wants as I let out some couple of coughs while feeling really badly at my burning temperature
She then comes back to my bedroom now with a bowl of cream of mushroom soup in her hands as she carefully served it and placed it on my mini table beside my bed. She gestured me to stand up to eat. I grabbed the spoon and took my first bite of it.
"Wow this soup is very delicious.", I hummed in satisfication of it's taste. Wow, Momo literally impressed me of her cooking.
She then took the spoon and scooped another amount of the soup on it. When I figured out that she's gonna help me eat, I dodged as I felt emebrassed at her. Momo starts to shake a bit, maybe I made her think something different at my action. My bad...
"I-just want to h-help you this t-time, YN. Let me do it.", as I remembered what I said earlier that I'll just let her do what she wants, I just nodded in response and let her continue putting that spoonful of soup in my mouth. She did this until the bowl goes empty and during that, I am just looking at her attractive face as she's taking care of me while i'm falling deeply even more for her.
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MOMO'S POV
I fed YN and made him drink his medicine before allowing him to pass out on his bed. I made the necessary adjustments to his pillow and blanket to ensure that he could sleep peacefully and comfortably.
After I finished, I noticed his pale, still hand with an open palm lying near him. My attempts to grip his hand instantly came to memory. I was surprised, and my whole body trembled in terror and panic as I wondered if he would catch me.
But my overthinking doesn't help me at all as it only made things worse for me when my loving eyes landed next on his forehead. Now my crave of making him show and feel my love for him by not noticing it just increased until finally, in an unexpected turn of events I just let my heart and mind choose what it wants this time.
I locked my hand onto his warm and sweating hand and then went closely to his face as I planted a peck of a kiss on his forehead. I blushed intensely at my action and grinned widely.
"Get well soon, my YN. Bye."
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5 DAYS LATER
YOUR POV
Three days ago, my fever entirely disappeared, primarily due of Momo, who looked after me on behalf of my parents, who are usually too busy at work to be with me at home.
I'm not sulking and yelling at them. In reality, because what they're doing is also for me and my future, I understand them instead because that's all I had to do anyhow.
Speaking of family, it was fortunate that my parents were all present when Momo shyly announced that her parents had invited my parents and me to dinner.
My mother was the one who agreed the fastest because due to me and Momo's closeness, our mother's got introduced to each other and at some times they are meeting and having some talks together which made them form quite a bond together.
Now we are here tonight in Hirai's residence, sitting in front of their table. Our arrangement was me facing Momo who's improvement from her social anxiety is clearly being shown in front of me as she looks less embarassed having many people around her.
Although I don't see that much scared and shyness on her, what's more obvious on her is that she's feeling nervous having both our whole families interacting with each other all at the same time for the first time tonight.
So back to what's the arrangement of our sitting. I'm sitting in front of Momo, my mother is facing Mrs. Hirai and my father is facing Mr. Hirai. Actually, Momo has a sister named Hana but sadly she can't join us because she's a dance choreographer working in abroad.
"I'm really glad that we are all complete here. Thank you so much again for accepting our invitation.", Mrs. Hirai said as she shows her grateful smile.
"It's nothing.", my mother waved it off and chuckled. "After all, we kinda needs this as we should since we need to be close to each other well... just like our son and daughter's bond."
"I'm really really thankful that your son was my peach's first found friend in high school.", it's Mr. Hirai's turn to speak as he took a glance at me while he's smiling, which made me get shy a bit at his kindness. Also, I just heard something from him like some sort of a nickname. Peach? That's what they call Momo? That's actually cute.
"I've heard so many things about YN here helping our daughter through her anxiety when it comes to people.", Mr. Hirai continued. "You two really raised such a great child."
"We are also really proud that YN is showing how pure his heart is.", my father said as a response while ruffling my already fixed hair which made me got annoyed a bit, but still I let him be because I simply love my father especially that he's showing to everyone how proud he is of me being his son. "Good manners is one of the important things for us parents to teach for their child, right? So i'm glad that YN cherished it and used it very well not only for himself but for others around him.
"Also, I wish for a better progress of improvement over your daughter's recovery.", he then took a gaze at Momo while wearing his soft smile.
"Don't worry, dad. She can speak way better now compared to our first meeting.", I said to him confidently. "Right, Momo?", I looked at her after.
"Yes, i-it's true.", Momo said, having a bit of a stutter in her word because I know and understand that she's still feeling nervous at this moment.
"And that's all because of you so thank you so much again YN.", Mrs. Hirai said to me gratefully.
"As we said Mrs. Hirai, it's no problem.", I smiled.
"Just call me okaasan, please.", I just followed what she requested to me after since I know she did that to make me feel comfortable interacting with her even though I'm already fine calling her with an honorific. "Oh my daughter is really lucky to found such great man like you are.", Mrs. Hirai said as she looked very lovingly to her daughter as she stroked Momo's short straight hair.
" You know, if there's ever a chance that you two might level it up... you know, develop feelings at each other... I won't protest.", I then choked on the water I'm drinking as I rudely splattered some water coming from my mouth on the table. My father chuckled as he gently patted on my back to help me calm down while the rest laughed, except Momo who's looking really red and smiling uneasy at how sudden and embarassing her mother just said to us.
"I agree. You two match perfectly together! Why don't you two give it a try if there's one?", now my mother joined the chaos as she pointed at me at Momo. We both looked at each other and seriously we are slowly melting in embarassment right now.
Since we both can't take it anymore and tried to end this so that they can move on to another topic, we both exclaimed together. "Mom stop it please! We're just friends!"
"Okay, if you two said so.", Mrs. Hirai as she rolled her eyes, definitely not believing us. "Well, let's not make the foods here wait. Everyone, eat!", and we started to pick some foods and devour it on our plates.
2 hours later, my family decided to spare the free time to continue having some long conversations with each other at the living room while me and Momo decided to hang out in her bedroom.
"I-i'm sorry about earlier. Mom just loves to t-tease that's all. ", Momo chuckled while caressing her arm.
" It's fine. Your mom is really funny and nice.", I laughed a little at what she said. I then sat at the edge of her bed and she joined me after, occupying the space beside me. "Well, should we not waste any more time now?"
"Do you want to w-watch a movie?"
"Oh sure! You can choose what you want though.", I said, pointing at the large flat screen TV in front of us.
"Be right back. I-i'll be getting some snacks.", she said to me and then she went out of the bedroom. She came back after with popcorn and chips in her hand along with canned softdrinks.
We then started to watch a movie based from her own choosing. She picked Monsters Inc. and there she hugely fell in love with one of the characters in the animated film, which is a little girl named Boo. She even muttered that one day if she had a dog, she will name it also the same as the character.
After we watched the film, we then played Among Us after since it was the only multiplayer game she has on her phone. I adjusted for her so I downloaded it too to join her.
"It's violet! It's violet! The impostor!", I shouted to Momo after I just got killed by this monster disguising as our co- spacemate in our spaceship.
"I saw from the storage he killed orange through vent."
" You sure?", Momo asked me as our phone then shifts on showing the emergency chat box to start discussing who's the killer.
"Trust me, I'm walking at the hallway when it happened.", I said to her, trying to make her convinced which at the end I succeeded.
"Okay, then let's vote for violet.", then Momo starts to inform it to other players and gave some detailed and reasonable explainations why she's blaming violet for my death, even though at the same time she's nervous that maybe they'll just kick Momo instead. Fortunately, the players believed Momo and they kicked out violet out of the ship.
"See! Told you!", I said with all happiness to Momo as the screen shows a message that violet is the imposter. Momo just laughed at my action.
"Nice game. You got some sharp eyes.", she smirked at me.
"Eh not really, it just made me aware instantly", I replied to her. I heard a sigh after coming only from her.
"Looks like somebody is sleepy~", I teased her as I playfully bumped her shoulder.
"Definitely.", Momo lazily said.
"That's our last game now.", we both turned off our phone. I stood up on her bed so that I can give her all the space to lay down. "You should sleep. Guess I'll be go-", before I was about to finish my words, she interrupted me to instruct me something.
" Wait... c-can you open that star projector on my desk?", she then pointed at it.
"This? Oh sure...", I picked it up and gave it to her. She turned it on and set it on top of her bed's headboard, illuminating the ceiling with lights that resembled the many various colors of stars. I had the impression that I was actually inside a planetarium station.
"Wow, it looks amazing. It almost looks real," I exclaimed, still in a state of awe.
"I always turn t-that on when I sleep.", she said as she stuttered, making me guess it already that she's quite shy sharing it. " My father gave it to m-me as a gift."
" He sure did picked well for you.", I smiled at her. I tried to say goodbye to her after taking a few more seconds to gaze at the projected stars above us. "I guess I should l-," but she stopped me off again just as I was about to continue, and what she said next left me speechless.
She grabbed my arm to stop me from turning away from her and asked, "Can you remain for a while?" She replied to me, "I-I simply... want to experience what it feels like to... see the stars above with someone special with me," which sent my heart racing.
"Sure, Momo.", is all what I had to say to her. I just can't believe I'm gonna have a moment like this with my friend slash crush with me right now.
I laid down beside her and we both stared at the ceiling to watch the projected stars flashing in our eyes.
"Well, how was your day today?", I asked her to ease down the awkwardness in our atmosphere.
"Great. Yours?", she replied.
"Same.", I smiled. "Our families straight quickly got along really well, especially our moms. They do share the same vibe.", we both laughed after that. Then again, we both once fell into complete silence as the awkward atmosphere is starting to cover us around again.
"YN...", she called my name, thinking of starting another topic.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you. For everything.", she said. I smiled and I looked at the side view of her breathtaking face which her clear white skin is being reflected by the stars above. " You were the o-only one who managed to h-help me slowly face this p-problem i've been facing for years now. I g-gained confidence little by little and I l-learned how to face my fears because of you. You m-made me experience many new t-things in my life that I really wanted to h-have. What it's like to properly communicate, to s-share what do you want to say, to interact with o-others... and most importantly, to have a f-friend.
If I never met you in the f-first place, I will never be able to be better a-again unlike what am I today. From the bottom of my heart, t-thank you for being my support, my savior, my friend.", she said slowly as she expressed all her gratitude for what I did for her which definitely made my heart melt in an instant.
"That's actually sweet, Momo.", I smiled softly. "You're welcome and also thank you for giving me this opportunity to be friends with you. Always take this to your mind that I will do everything for you, now that you see clearly my worth as a friend to you... it made me really careful not wanting to disappoint you with my mistakes I am avoiding to make."
"I know, YN... and I won't, b-because I believe in you.", she then teasingly pinched me in the cheek which made me groan in pain but at the same time I liked it, enough to form a blush on my cheek. Quite a masochist, am I?
Things then changed as I abruptly altered the topic of our chat to something that needed to be taken very seriously.
I made the decision to attempt telling her I love her. I don't know why, but I just felt that this would be the best method for me to accomplish it. A chilly night, a relaxed mood, being alone yourself with her... and there are such lovely sights all around us.
If she might react anything different from what I'm gonna say to her, I'm still here to help her calm down and do something quickly because I already know the risks of doing this anyways.
"Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"What we said to our parents about them teasing us earlier, do you mean it?", I asked her, making her furrow her eyebrows and look at me as I'm finally getting onto my point. "T-that... we're j-just friends?
" I... uhm... w-why did you ask?", she confusedly asked me.
"I just want to know if you're just the same as me.", I rotated my body and laid sideways, now facing her. She looked at me and I can tell she's getting embarassed at what the hell am I about to say next about. "T-that mine's not real at all. I lied.", Momo's eyes got bigger as she got shocked at my confession to her.
"Momo... I- I actually like you more than just us as friends.", I said, now revealing my feelings for her. " I see you completely as my crush. As someone I once liked and now i'm deeply over the heels for.", I sighed and I avoided to look at her for a second to wait how is she gonna respond.
"R-really? H-how?", she asked me, feeling puzzled.
"I can't really explain that much. It just... happened.", I shrugged, slapping my thigh. " But I can remember that it developed more at that time when you got this haircut that perfectly suits and showcased your beauty and Japanese look.", I then looked around her face after.
"I can't take my eyes off you, it happened also where I actually didn't want to blink anymore. Everytime you show up it's like I can already tell that my day will already be good.
Until days passed, the more we spend time together the more you occupy my heart and mind. Now I mostly think and live for you, Momo. I just really love you that much.", my voice gets a bit shaky because of how sincere I am at my feelings as I flow all of my heart at every words I say to her. I smiled after, knowing that I successfully explained to it all.
"YN...", she called me again with that damn adorable voice of hers that I always love to hear 24/7.
"Hmm?"
"You don't know how very happy I am right now hearing this from you.", she said as she grinned shyly at me.
" W-what?", I said, whuch I'm actually shocked at because I thought she'll respond worse. "Oh, t-thanks."
"Because... I finally know that my crush also likes and especially... loves me too.", my eyes went big as I gasped heavily at her when I heard those words I'm literally did not expecting from her. Am I hearing things correctly or what? S-she... loves me?!
" YN I didn't meant what I said during the dinner too earlier.", she laid her body sideways, now looking straight back at me. "I was shy ofcourse, had a thought that maybe you'll react differently when you found out and then you'll just gonna distance from me.
You know that I'm scared being alone again. I don't want you leave me.", she then holds my hand which made me shiver from her warm touch.
"But now we both know the truth now, eh? We don't need to be afraid and overthink of what could be the consequences and possibilities cause right now...
...what's important here is that you and I both know that we share the same feelings for each other.", I raised our intertwined fingers and kissed her knuckles and gripped it tightly.
"I love you, Momo. I really do. I promise that I will do my best to be there by your side where I could take care of you and shower you with all my love, as what you earn and deserve from me. This won't gonna be the same as before anymore, Momo, as long as we have each other.", I then gently caressed her shoulder as I smile at her very sweetly.
"I love you too, YN.", she breathily said to me. I noticed that her eyes are starting to form tears around it. " I'm l-looking forward to it. Thank you so m-much.", and then we didn't want to miss the opportunity already as the gap pf our faces slowly gets narrow until finally the moment I've been wanting to have, came true. We kissed with nothing but pure love is all we can taste from each other. After half a minute of passionately kissing, we spread apart our faces to take some time to chase our breaths.
"They're right. It feels g-good.", Momo smiled shyly.
"Yeah it really is.", I chuckled which made her do the same.
"Okay, now lay yourself comfortably first before I sing you a lullaby so that you can sleep well.", she followed me after and then she adjusted herself to lay at the center of her bed as I wrap her thick white blanket around her. I started to sing "With A Smile" by Eraserheads as a lullaby for her which I thought this pretty much suits about her so well so I chose this.
Lift your head, baby, don't be scared
Of the things that could go wrong along the way
You'll get by with a smile
You can't win at everything, but you can try
Baby, you don't have to worry
'Cause there ain't no need to hurry
No one ever said that there's an easy way
When they're closing all their doors
And they don't want you anymore
This sounds funny, but I'll say it anyway
Girl, I'll stay through the bad times
Even if I have to fetch you everyday
We'll get by with a smile
You can never be too happy in this life
'Cause in a world where everybody hates a happy ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go round
But dont let it bring you down
And turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song
Before I was about to repeat the lyrics, I noticed that she finally fell asleep with a smile on her face.
"Goodnight and let's meet in our sweet dreams, my silent peach.", I called her by using her nickname based from what I heard to her father earlier which was fascinating. "Thank you for embracing my love for you.", I kissed her forehead before I finally left her bedroom and join my parents and her parents on the living room.
