Between (pt. 1)
aespa KARINA x male reader x aespa WINTER
Word count: ~6.8k A/N: first ever "real" release after months? im back, i guess masterlist
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You’ve heard a lot about the university festival.
From seniors to friends, even random conversations you weren’t even part of. People always talk about how crowded it gets, how everything feels different at night. ‘It’s something you have to experience at least once.’ they all say. You didn’t go last year, never really been the type to enjoy crowded spaces like that.
But here you are now, and it’s exactly how people described it. Students filling every walkway. Booths lined up along the paths, some with disco lights strung overhead as the sky darkens. Everything trying to overlap each other from different directions–bass booming from the main stage from afar, students singing somewhere nearby, food sizzling, oil crackling, people stopping randomly, laughing too loudly and calling out to each other. Late spring breeze cuts through the night, cool against your skin.
Maybe it’s not as suffocating as you thought it’d be. At some point, you feel the corner of your lips pulling upward on its own, even just for a second. This isn’t that bad-
"See? I told you."
Her gentle laugh rings right next to you, light and teasing. She’s been walking next to you the whole time, a wide grin on her face as you look her way.
"Um… not bad."
She scoffs and nudges your arm with her elbow.
"Yah… not bad? You’re seriously missing out on a lot!"
"Really?" you smile after giving a quiet sigh. "It’s not that magical, Jimin-ah."
"It is." she nudges you again, though a little more firmer this time. "I can’t believe you’ve never been to one of these before."
"I mean… I’ve been to high school ones." you look at the crowd ahead. "But it didn’t really feel the same. I just kind of hung out with my friends for a bit. Didn’t help that they all had girlfriends and I was… you know. Just there."
Jimin only hums softly. When you turn your head over, she’s now walking with her hands clasped behind her back, head tilted as she looks at you with quiet curiosity.
"Mmm, so you didn’t have a girlfriend." she nods slowly, putting pieces together. "Like, actually… ever?"
You raise an eyebrow at her, not annoyed, only a little surprised that she hasn’t figured it all out yet.
"You didn’t know?"
Jimin’s expression changes almost instantly. She straightens, hands slipping from behind her back.
"Ah- wait, I-" she waves denying gestures quickly "Sorry, I didn’t mean to- No, if that sounded weird or anything, I just-"
You only laugh and shake your head.
"It’s okay, relax. I don’t really think much about it."
Jimin still looks a little unsure, her eyebrows pulling together slightly, her lips almost pouting as she mumbles.
"Still… I might’ve said it in a weird way."
"It’s really fine, Jimin-ah." you reassure her. "I thought it was kind of obvious anyway."
"Mm?"
"With how the sunbaes kept teasing me and trying to set me up on blind dates all the time. Isn’t it, like, so obvious?"
Jimin pauses for a second, the memories replaying in her head. She turns to you more fully as she walks, mouth slowly taking shape of a wide O as realization hits her.
"Wait! Wait!" she finally says. "You mean those times they kept dragging you away after meetings?! That wasn’t just them messing with you?"
"Not really."
"They were seriously setting you up?" She repeats the question. Is it that hard to believe that you haven’t ever had a girlfriend?
"Yes… Is it that weird?"
Jimin keeps staring at you before a soft laugh escapes her lips. She looks ahead as you both keep walking, amusement written all over her face.
"Wah… And you keep denying them, time after time."
"I dunno. I don't think I’m in the right… how do you say it, position? Uhh, position to date right now."
Jimin turns back to you, those bubbly eyes of hers make it seem like she’s really studying you before she presses her lips together.
"You’re a weird kid, you know that?" she decides, pointing at you with those short dinosaurs-like fingers. You haven’t known her for that long yet you’ve already noticed it. That weird, goofy tendency of hers. The way her humor lands a little off earth sometimes, and it doesn’t quite match how she looks yet somehow, it only makes her more attractive. The thought puffs a sudden short laugh out of you as your hand comes up without much thinking, lightly catching her wrist, lowering her finger from pointing at you.
"Thank you. I’ve heard it a lot."
Jimin giggles, her wrist showing only a little bit of resistance before finally slipping away.
"Weird kid. Weird."
You both wander deeper into the festival. Booths are all bumping past on either side with bright signs, students calling out and trying to lure you in with free samples. A group of students nearby huddle around a small stage, singing along to the whatever edition of the university chant. Jimin seems to be amazed by all of it. She points things out as you go, commentating and talking to herself mostly.
"Ah, that one looks fun! Wait, wait… No, that’s just a scam," she stops immediately, wrinkling her nose. A few seconds later, she’s already distracted again, tugging your shirt to get your attention. "Look, look! They have free cotton candy over there!"
You always nod along, already pleased with letting her lead the rhythm of it. After a moment, curiosity gets the better of you.
"Jimin-ah, what about you? Ever had a boyfriend? …or girlfriend?" you finally spit the question out after thinking it through. "Or, you know… I don’t discriminate. I, uh… love people all the same, just so you know."
Jimin stops dead in her tracks.
"Aeng?"
She takes a small step back and really blinks at you. Then suddenly, Jimin bursts into laughter with her hands covering her mouth.
"What-" she struggles between laughs. "What’s wrong with you!? Really!?"
Her laughter’s bright and bubbly, even attracting glances from people walking by. You can’t help but smile, relieved that she doesn’t take it the wrong way.
"What? It could happen, for all I know," you shrug. "You’re super popular on campus! Guys and girls all like you, Yu Jimin."
Jimin bends, one hand braced on her knee as her laughter spills out, her shoulders shaking. When she finally looks up at you, her cheeks are almost bright pink under the festival lights. Damn, you really make her laugh. Just when you’re preparing to say something else, she steps in and gives your chest a light punch with that small dinosaur-like fist.
"…Yah. What are you even saying!?"
You bite back a laugh, rubbing the spot just for the sake of it.
"I mean, is it wrong for a guy to try and be respectful?"
Jimin gives one last breathy laugh before reaching out and grabbing the sleeve of your shirt, pulling you forward so you both start walking again.
"No, idiot. I appreciate all the feelings," she smiles, "but no, I don’t swing that way. And yes. I did have a boyfriend back in high school if you’re wondering."
"Ah… I see."
You let her pull you along without resistance. In no time, Jimin shifts closer swiftly, looping her arm through yours. Her hand settles around your bicep, barely pressing. You try not to think much of it but… Is this intentional? The distance between you disappears when her grip tightens only a little around your bicep.
"But… it didn’t last long. I hated that guy."
"Hmm? Why?"
The noise of the festival fills the silence between you for a second when Jimin doesn’t give her answer. Her steps slow just a little and that’s when you know, maybe you shouldn’t have asked. You awkwardly steal a glance at her before looking ahead again.
"I was stupid back then," Jimin finally hums. "I thought love was super fun and all rainbow, you know. Dramas raised me like that."
You nod and Jimin sighs, only a light breath.
"How do I say it? Mmm, the jerk confessed to me on a school trip. Our friends even recorded the whole thing. I said yes… Then like a month in, I found out it was just a bet. Between him and his friends."
You clear your throat quietly, not knowing what to say.
"Ah… I- Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked."
"It’s okay. It’s just an experience, I guess. At least I know what to do when guys start acting weird now."
"Right. So what about uni then? I mean… I know you’re, like, super popular."
Jimin immediately rolls her eyes. "Yah, not like that."
You smile a little.
"Your Instagram has, what? Ten thousand followers? I bet you get like a thousand DMs every day."
"Yes, but I only use it for memories and… work stuff," she says, scrunching her nose. Cute. "All the DMs are just- ugh. I hate it. Some guys seriously don’t know their limits."
"…Right." you nod. "They don’t."
You still walk. Then she turns to you suddenly, eyes suspicious.
"Also… you, weirdo."
You hum out of surprise, that silly nickname she’s given you just ten minutes ago is now starting to grow on you.
"You barely have anything on your Instagram." she points out as if she’s just remembered. "What’s that about? Going for a mysterious guy kinda vibe?"
You snicker, shifting your weight lightly into her side only enough to throw her balance a little. Jimin laughs, gripping your arm tighter to steady herself.
"Yah-"
"What do you mean? I have, like… I don’t know, twenty pictures or something up there."
"Sure, but you only have three hundred followers!"
You slow your steps a bit, letting Jimin regain her balance properly.
"Only!?" your voice raises as you stare at her. "Are you even hearing yourself!?"
"...What? Am I wrong?"
"Not everyone is as popular as you, Jimin-ah." you say, a small smile pulling at your lips. "Imagine three hundred people chasing you, silly."
Jimin huffs softly, shaking her head a little too quickly with her cheeks painted pink.
"No! Like- I mean… like, your pictures just don’t have much… you don’t really show anything on your Instagram."
"I’m not the type to show much, I guess. I’m fine with it."
She pouts at that, a small hum leaving her as if she doesn’t fully agree but doesn’t push it either.
"Still…"
Her grip on your arm loosens just a little as you both wander again into the current of people. Jimin glances around, distracted again immediately, pointing at something ahead as you keep walking side by side without really deciding where you’re going. You start noticing it then–the looks, not even subtle. Mostly guys, a few girls too, looking your way as you pass. Some even do double takes, some nudge their friends while others just stare a second too long before looking away.
It’s not surprising. Jimin’s… the Jimin. You’ve heard a lot about how people went out of their way to confess, random gifts left for her. And somehow, she’s always just brushed it off, staying single until now. You glance at her briefly, only to see that she doesn’t seem to notice, or maybe she just simply doesn’t care.
It’s only been a few months since you first met her anyway. Back then you just randomly decided to join the university volunteer club. No real reason, you just wanted something to do, something positive to turn your life around. Jimin was the one who interviewed you and you remember it very clearly. The same girl walking next to you now, still bright and energetic, asking questions that didn’t really seem easy.
"What would you do if a kid cried and refused to let go of you?"
"Do you think you’re good at comforting people or just pretending to be?"
"Would you rather be a cat or a dog?"
You’d walked out of that room convinced you failed. And then a few days later, you got the email, saying you were accepted. You didn’t really talk much after that, only small interactions during activities and passing conversations. Nothing really sticks until the past month. You didn’t know how it started, Jimin just ended up next to you more often, like tonight.
Jimin drags you around, her grip still hooked around your arm.
"Look at them~"
You don’t react fast enough and suddenly your step catches, you stumble slightly, bumping into her shoulder. Jimin lets out a little squeak but still doesn’t let go, instead just laughs it off. The food stall in front of you is crowded, the smell rich and warm.
"Hungry?" you ask, the food does look good but with her this close, it’s hard to focus on anything properly. Jimin blinks up at you with shiny eyes and nods eagerly.
"Mm! Should we?"
That ‘we’ flicks at your heart a little too hard.
"…Sure, why not?"
Ordering is quick. Jimin hovers beside you, leaning in a little as she points at things on the menu, her shoulder brushing yours every now and then.
"I’ll pay you back later." she says when you hand over the money.
"It’s fine. It’s just food."
Jimin doesn’t fully agree, she hums but doesn’t argue. A minute later, you’re both standing off to the side with little cups in your hand. She takes a bite immediately, then pauses her chewing, eyes turning wide. Cute.
"Oh my… This is actually really good!"
You smile, watching her for a second before taking your own bite.
"It is."
She tries another, not even finishing chewing before holding her skewer up.
"Try this one. It’s chewy."
You lean in to take a bite and lean back a little too quickly.
"Mmm~ that’s good."
Jimin just smiles, satisfied with the answer she expected. You both linger there a little longer, finishing one thing then another, trading small comments. It was only easy back-and-forth. At some point, she’s already taking you along to the next stall. You slow down in front of the menu, scanning and hesitating. Jimin doesn’t wait.
"Ah! Just get this." she decides, already pointing and telling the worker before you can say anything. A laugh is all you mutter before nodding, paying while Jimin stands there, giggly like she made the right choice–which she usually does, somehow. When the food comes, she takes it first.
"Wait, it’s hot-" she blows on it carefully, her eyebrows almost connecting in concentration. Then she looks up, smiling and holding it out toward you instead.
"You first, for paying. I have manners."
It’s small, yet your chest still tingles.
"…Thanks."
You hesitate while leaning in, only to immediately pull back with a loud hiss, your hand coming up to your mouth.
"Fuh-"
Jimin bursts into laughter.
"Yah! I told you it’s hot!" she laughs, half scolding. She leans in a little closer, now concerned. "Are you okay? Let me see-"
"I’m fine, I’m fine…" You shake your head quickly and stubbornly swallow it down. Her eyes stay on you for a second longer before wrinkling as she laughs again, softer.
"Idiot…"
Further down the path, game booths line the side, waiting for something magical to happen. Plastic rings stacked in buckets, darts pinned against colorful boards, prizes hanging from hooks. Every few steps, someone calls out.
"Three tries for two thousand won!"
"Win one for your girlfriend, guys!"
Jimin slows without letting go of your arm, her eyes have been drifting from one booth to another with curiosity written all over them. You only take your eyes off her when someone screams a little too loud, your attention falls back onto her just as quickly. Only then does a small thought settle in, subtle yet not at all meaningless. Is this really something Jimin didn’t want to come alone to like she said? Because the way she’s been acting doesn’t feel casual. Does she knows?
"Wanna try?" you nod at one of the stalls. "Your mouth’s been open like that for, like, ten minutes."
Cheeks pink, Jimin turns her head back to you.
"...S-sure. Why not?"
She sucks at it, really. Balls thrown, rings tossed… 90% of them missing completely. Jimin looks too serious for someone who’s clearly terrible at games, eyebrows all arched, lips pressed together in concentration. Then she immediately breaks into laughter the moment she fails.
"That was close!"
"It wasn’t even near." you point out and she huffs, ignoring you.
And another try, no surprise, another fail. This time Jimin really groans, her shoulders dropping before she clenches her fists in that exaggerated, dramatic frustration of hers. A couple of students running the booth snicker quietly to themselves. You catch it and glance back at her.
"Argh- Why is this so hard?!"
…
"Let me try."
Before Jimin can protest, your hands settle on her shoulders to guide her back a step. She lets you despite the pout on her lips, clearly not ready to give up.
"Yah…"
You already feel her eyes on you the second you take her place. The first lands by some luck. The second one closer, hitting just right. The third? You miss.
"Shit…"
So you hold your breath, tossing it before you can overthink and it lands. There’s a small cheer from the side, the students already reaching for a prize in the back as when you look back over your shoulder. Jimin’s standing there in her dress, with her arms clasped in front of her, chin tipped up as she looks, adorably, irritated.
"Hmph!"
But it doesn’t quite work with how she presses her lips together. Even an idiot like you knows she’s clearly holding back a smile.
"Only one left." the booth worker hands you your prize. It’s a ring, tiny and plastic with a little cartoon charm on top. Silly, cheap yet super cute. You stare at it in your palm, already figuring Jimin would definitely like this. She loves silly stuff.
You look back, already opening your mouth and she’s already gone. Jimin’s not far, just a few steps away at another booth, leaning forward like she’s studying, planning her next attempt, completely focused. Like it’s been all night, a smile slips onto your lips again and you walk to her, the ring now resting in your pocket.
Jimin walks by your side again like you both never drifted apart, her hand finding its way back around your arm easily. She hums softly to herself, some song you don’t recognize. But she does sound like she’s happy, like she’s enjoying being here with you tonight. You walk like that for a while, exchanging small, silly comments. A joke here, a quiet laugh there.
A few minutes later, another path opens. The river cuts through the campus, calmer and darker at this time, reflecting the bright lights from the festival behind you. Trees stand in a straight line along the walk way, their branches decorated with soft pink blossoms. Every now and then, a few petal falls and lands somewhere in the water. It’s less crowded here, cooler and quieter.
"Look!" Jimin breathes out, you both slow at the same time. "It’s so beautiful!"
You nod, eyes following the way the lights ripple on the water.
"I haven’t been here at night before. Didn’t know it could look like this…"
Like she’s drawn to it, Jimin releases your arm and wanders toward the railing. She leans forward slightly, both hands resting on the cool metal. You didn’t say a thing, only stopping next to her. You mirror her too, resting only one arm on the railing, eyes looking at the scenery. The reflection, the gentle lights, the soft movement of the night… It doesn’t last long. Just when one pink petal lands near her shoulder, your gaze turns to Jimin. The usually hyper girl’s quieter now, calmer. It sure does take a lot to take the loudness of the festival out of her mind.
You didn’t think you’d be here tonight. Not like this, not with Jimin. If anything, you figured she was the kind of person you’d just watch from a distance. Someone you’d see, maybe talk to once in a while during club activities and nothing more. Saying she always felt a little out of reach doesn’t feel wrong. But here you are, standing next to her and hearing her breath, her gentle giggles… She’s not like that at all.
A silent breath comes out before you even know it and Jimin turns, cheek on her folded arms against the railing, smiling up at you.
"What’s with the long sigh?"
"Hmm? Nothing." You shake your head. "Just… you know, better than I thought? This whole festival thing."
Jimin squints her eyes only a little, like she doesn’t fully believe your answer. She hums a second later, satisfied anyway.
"Told you~ You’re just too stuck in your own head sometimes."
You laugh at that. You probably would’ve taken that differently if it came from anyone else.
"Really?"
She straightens and pushes herself off the railing.
"Mmm, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way but… you’re kind of different from my first impression."
"…How?"
Instead of answering, Jimin suddenly steps closer to the concrete edge of the railing and lifts herself up, trying to climb onto it.
"Yah… Careful." instinct kicking in, your hands quickly hover just behind her back, just in case she slips but you don’t quite touch her.
"I’m fine…" Jimin giggles, a little breathless as she finally manages to stand up on it. "...See?"
She looks down at you from her slightly higher spot, tilting her head as a grin paints her lips.
"You didn’t look… social enough. I took you for the total bookworm type. Like, you know, the kind who never talks to anyone, sits alone all the time… I almost felt bad for you."
You’re in no position to take offense. And it’s not entirely wrong. You do spend most of your time studying, keeping to yourself.
"Is it that bad?" you bite the inside of your cheek. "So why’d you pass me, then? Into the club?"
Jimin hums, balancing her energetic self on the railing again and rocking on her heels like she’s thinking it through.
"Honestly…? You looked awkward. Like… super awkward, but not in a bad way." she giggles to herself. "I just feel that you weren’t trying to impress anyone. And you seemed real, I figured you wouldn’t fake being nice to people."
"You got all that just from fifteen minutes?"
"And…" she drags it out. "you did say you want to turn your social life around, right?"
You think, leaning more into the railings and exhaling. It was something along that line.
"I think so…?"
It sounded more certain back then. You remember saying it out a little louder than you meant. Being alone all the time had started to feel heavier than you thought. Jimin watches your expression and smiles.
"I think I can help you with that, the club too. It’s kind of what we do, you know?" her voice stays light as she playfully kicks your knee with her foot from where she’s standing.
"Just… be more active, okay? Don’t be scared. I’ll help."
"...Okay."
But even as you say it, you remind yourself, that this is just Jimin being Jimin. She’s like this with people all the time. Her personality makes it easy to pull them in without thinking too much. This is not rocket science and there’s nothing deeper behind it. You shouldn’t- no, you must not read into it.
Because there are also moments that you never bring up, where Jimin only comes to you when there’s something needed, urgent and practical. And in those moments, everything else disappears, all gone like it never meant anything more. So you let out a quiet breath and look back at the water. Maybe you’re just lucky to be here tonight. That’s all there is to it.
…
"Mmm~"
The sound’s gentle, full of curiosity as if something’s just caught her attention. You look to the side and Jimin’s already staring at you, head tilted with that look on her face when she's trying to figure something out. What’s with this girl? All sentimental one moment and unpredictable the next.
"Something’s wrong?"
"You know…" she shifts closer on the high concrete, closer to you than before. "You could try something else."
"Something else?"
"Yes." She gestures a circle in the air. "The glasses."
"My glasses?"
"They suit you." she nods a little too eagerly. "But… you know, I feel like they kind of hide you too. In some way." Her hand starts to move before hesitating just short of your face. "…Can I?"
It takes you a second, yet you know you’re never one to be able to resist that sweet of a voice.
"…Umm, sure."
Jimin gently slides your glasses off your face. She leans forward with her elbows bracing against the railing as she holds them up with both hands, like she’s analyzing something serious. Without your glasses, your vision blur and lights melt into streaks. You’ve had those glasses for a long while, since early high school, maybe. Rectangular. Boring. You did want something a little bit more hip, trendier but your parents always put function over appearance.
"Ah." Jimin tilts the frame slightly, squinting. "...They’re kinda dirty."
You notice it too, even without seeing clearly. Never go out with a baddie without cleaning your glasses, something to live by.
"It’s fine, I can-" You reach out but Jimin quickly pulls them back, smiling.
"Wait."
The girl lifts the edge of her cardigan sleeve and starts wiping the lenses carefully, just a little too much concentration for something with that many scratches. Shapes, blurry colors and the soft outline of her face are you can see of Jimin. But you know, if you could see her clearly right now, you’d probably be blushing even harder.
"You should clean them more often." she smiles, still wiping.
"Umm… I know."
A second later, she lowers the glasses and looks at them one more time. Then she lifts them to her own face.
"Hmm?"
The frame looks a little too big on her, sitting just a bit off but Jimin just simply doesn’t care. Her eyes widen dramatically as she looks around, playing it up.
"Oah… Is this how smart people see the world?"
You roll your eyes and turn away, both hands now over the railing. You’re not easily offended, only trying to hide the warmth which is getting a little too obvious. And if your ears are red too, then at least she can’t see all of it like this. Jimin laughs softly.
"Sorry, sorry." she still giggles. You shake your head lightly and without wasting a second, her short fingers come back into your blurry vision. The glasses are being placed back onto your face. The gesture is playful yet careful too, her touch warm as she adjusts the frame.
"Hold still…" she murmurs and leans a little more, smoothing the hair on the side of your head. This feels… nice.
"You’d look better with something rounder." Jimin suggests. "I actually saw something online the other day. Like, softer frames? I’ll send it to you later."
Clearing your throat, you can only fix your glasses and utter a few basic words.
"…Okay. Thank you."
Jimin doesn’t stop there.
"And maybe…" she circles a finger in the air, outlining your face. "You could try growing your hair out a bit? Instead of cutting it all the time."
"I don’t do that."
"Right~ Sure you don’t." she smirks, clearly not convinced. "And I know I’m not someone you have to listen to, but…" her voice raises toward the end. "…maybe try piercing your earlobe? "
You turn and look at her properly now, an amused smile on your face. That really does come out of nowhere.
"Really!?"
Like she’s just throwing the idea out there, Jimin hums. There’s something in the way her eyes twinkle before she just shrugs it off.
"Sure, I think it’d suit you. You already look good… you just don’t know it yet."
You don’t even get a second to process it. Jimin hops down from the railing with a little sound effect–a small, happy squeal. She lands and already moves, already somewhere else entirely.
"Ah- wait!" she turns back to you, eyes bright again. "Can you take pictures for me? It’s too pretty not to," she points at the river, the swaying blossoms. "My Instagram’s been so empty lately."
"…Uh- sure-"
Jimin’s already tugging your sleeve again and you let yourself be pulled. To be fair, who can reject that look on her face.
"Come on~"
Just a few steps down the path where the lights look better and the petals feel just right, Jimin lets go of your sleeve as she looks around, adjusting her position slightly.
"Here." she smiles, fixing her hair back. "Okay. Don’t make me look weird, alright?"
Golden lights from the bridge in the distance, the glow of the festival further back, cherry blossom trees overhead yet in the middle of it all, Jimin smiles and she doesn’t even need to try.
She looks pretty just as always. The cardigan slips off her shoulders a little, hanging loose on the smooth lines of her dress. The dress itself fits her effortlessly, hugging her as it moves in the gentle breeze, blending into the night.
"Hold on…" you mutter, adjusting the angle.
You take one, then another. Jimin laughs softly between shots, changing poses with not much effort. In the back of your mind, you know you should’ve seen this coming. Things are already complicated enough as they are. And still, you press the button again.
Tonight isn’t going to make anything easier, especially with how Jimin can look this soft one moment and leave you second-guessing everything the next.
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The bus stop is just somewhere outside campus, covered by a row of big trees. Students linger around lectures, some zooming to get home while others talk calmly, just waiting like it’s just another ordinary part of the day. You? You’re standing a little off to the side with your phone in one hand, the other hand in your jacket pocket. You’re staring, and it’s not nothing.
It’s the frame. A pair of round glasses spins around on your screen, the exact kind Jimin mentioned a week ago. They’re different from your current one–thinner rims, more modern. You scroll down, and up, and down, and finally tap the image again. Something like this shouldn’t matter too much, yet it’s been on your mind ever since Jimin sent it to you after the festival.
A small reflection stares back at you, your current glasses a little off from how you pushed them up earlier. You adjust them.
"Fucking hell…" you sigh a little too loud, a few times already, but again. "400,000 won…"
It’s a little more than that, taxes exist. The frame sure does look good. No one can’t even deny that Jimin has taste. It only makes sense that she’d pick something like and you find it pretty. But four hundred!? Thousand won!? That’s not the kind of money you can just spend so freely. Your thumb swipes up and down, to the price then back up to the model. It doesn’t change the number.
"Damn it…"
You close your eyes and tilt your head up, the same old frame falls crooked to the side. ‘You already look good… you just don’t know it yet’.
"Stupid."
You know your ass can’t back down anymore. It’s dumb, and it’s worse that you even know yourself that it’s dumb. Whatever. You’ve checked the store location probably ten times last night, already mapping the route and calculating how much time you have before the club meeting tonight–before you see Jimin again. You’ve been seeing her more lately, through lectures and even the increasing amount of messages.
"Why am I so stupi-"
"Whatcha doing?"
You flinch so hard you almost fling at the voice with your phone.
"Fuck!"
A soft laugh breaks out and you turn back.
Minjeong stands there, maybe she’s been watching you for a while. One hard covers her lips as she giggles, shoulders shaking just a little. That oversized bag hangs off her shoulder again, always looking like it could swallow half her body. Minjeong’s always dressed simply, and now is no exception. White top, light brown pants, nothing flashy but it always suits her.
"You’re insane, Minjeong-ah… Shit!"
"Sorry~ I had to. You looked so serious." pleased with herself, she tilts her head and eyes your phone. "What were you looking at anyway?"
As the adrenaline fades, you remember.
"It’s nothing," you cover the screen with your fingers. Minjeong leans in, confused.
"Yah, show me."
"It’s just- Nothing, I’m serious."
"Show me~"
She shoots it out, a small whine and she makes sure to drag it out just enough to be annoying… or enough to melt you down, like always.
"…Fine."
You finally turn the screen to Minjeong and she squints immediately as she takes in the image.
"Hmm? New frames?" she then glances up at you. Her eyes scan your face, your current glasses, then back to the screen again. "You’re getting a new one?"
You know you can’t keep brushing it off, especially with Minjeong. Admitting seems like the better choice anyway.
"Yes, I’m actually taking the bus to Seongsu to get it."
"Mm? Seongsu?"
"I already booked it a few days ago," you try to sound more certain than you feel. "Just, you know, something new. Doesn’t hurt, right?"
"I see…" Minjeong nods slowly but the way her eyes squint a little tells you enough. "But are you sure? Isn’t that expensive?"
"It’s fine." you lie, scratching the back of your head and looking away. "I’ve saved up so it’s not that much."
You do have money saved up, still, it hurts. Minjeong doesn’t look convinced. Almost immediately, she punches your bicep to make you look back at her. The concern is clearer now in her voice, despite her soft tone.
"Yah, really? Are you sure?"
You open your mouth but Minjeong cuts you off quickly.
"I know somewhere cheaper…" she smiles and her grip on the bag strap tightens. "They have similar styles too. You don’t have to splurge like that. I can show you, it’s not far from here."
That moment, your mind splits. Jimin’s bright and bubbly, always pulling you into things you wouldn’t normally do. The girl says things like it’s nothing, making everything feel like maybe you could be more than what you’ve been, better than who you are right now.
And Minjeong’s right here. She’s always more of a grounded and realistic person. She notices before you even say anything, never one to let you spend money you don’t have without questioning it. She cares for you in ways that Jimin doesn’t. It would be easier to just go with Minjeong. But-
"It’s okay… I already planned it. I just wanna try something new."
Minjeong hums, the sound long enough for you to take in before she finally exhales, lips pulling into a subtle pout.
"You’re so stubborn."
"You’ve known me for a year and you’re just now figuring this out?"
That earns you a look.
"No. But you’ve been weird lately."
Weird? Your mind jumps at the word a little too fast. Does Minjeong know?
"Have I?" you try a fake laugh, hoping it sounds real.
"...Can I come with you?"
The question catches you a little off guard. Part of you lights up at the idea, having Minjeong next to you. The other part feels much more like fear. Is she just curious? Trying to figure out why you’ve been weird?
"You really want to? It’s gonna take a while."
Minjeong doesn’t hesitate, she smiles–that same smile you’ve known since the first day you met her. It always manages to make you feel some type of way, still does.
"It’s fine~ We’re both going to the club meeting tonight anyway, right?" Then her eyes widen as she gasped. Cute. "Don’t tell me you’re not going on the trip next week?!"
You remember the messages, it’s almost everyday. What to wear, what to eat, places she wanted to go, pictures she wanted to take. She’s been looking forward to the trip since it was first announced two months ago.
"What, silly?" you laugh. "Of course I’m going! What are you talking about?"
"Okay." Minjeong finally breathes, the tension leaving her face as quickly as it came before she smiles. "Then I’m coming with you."
It’s weirdly quiet for a Thursday afternoon, only a few students sit scattered here and there. Late sunlight shines through the window, soft with a yellow-ish shade all across the space, even catching Minjeong's hair. You take a seat near the back and Minjeong follows you like always, her oversized bag on her lap as she sits. A few minutes into the ride, you catch her side profile. The way she pursed her lips a little and how her lashes lower when she focuses.
You hate to admit it. But you have feelings for both of them.
Minjeong pulls you in differently. It started without you even noticing. You don’t even remember exactly when it started, just that you’ve always ended up next to her now. Every single group assignments, lectures, small things that turned into usual meetings. And no matter how much she denies it, Minjeong’s so pretty. That much is obvious. And you used to hate it when guys tried to hit on her. Welp, you still do.
And then there’s Jimin, who comes into your life a little unexpectedly. Someone like her, always bright, popular and gorgeous with… someone like you? It doesn’t make sense, at least to you.
You’ve always told yourself something simple, that if you ever fall for someone, it would be just one person. You hate the thought of being unfaithful, but life’s one hell of a ride and here you are. Things are never that simple, are they?
You feel a tap on your arm and you’re snapped out of it. Minjeong’s looking at you, her eyes soft when she offers one earphone to you, the other already in her ear. She doesn’t say anything and just waits, the corners of her lips pulled up only a little.
You smile and lean in like always. Minjeong puts it in for you before turning her attention back to her phone just as easily. You watch her scroll when a song catches your attention. You don’t even think, your hand already tapping on her phone.
"Really?"
"It’s good. And you know it."
Minjeong lets the song play and she adjusts the volume slightly. The bus sways a little, your shoulders brush, knees touching but neither of you does anything about it. When the chorus comes, she sings under her breath.
"너 하나에 이토록 아플 수 있음에 놀라곤 해 고단했던 하루, 나는 꿈을 꿔도 아파..."
It reminds you of the first time she ever did that, back when you weren’t even close yet. She caught herself halfway through and went quiet immediately, cheeks almost blazing. Now she doesn’t stop and just keeps going when you’re close.
"...너였다면 어떨-"
Right when the song prepares to get to the best part, you feel a buzz in your pocket. You’re already guessing who it is. And just like you predict, it’s Jimin who always shows up at the most unexpected times.
The photo fills your screen.
[katarinabluu] i just bought this toppp how do i look???
"Shit…" you don’t even know you smile, you don’t even know you said it.
Minjeong’s still swaying slightly in her seat when you look back to her side, singing under her breath. You look back down at the girl on her screen again and clear your throat subtly.
You hate yourself and how easy it is for your heart to react to both. It’s not supposed to be like this. So you exhale and lean back into your seat, letting the music fill the silence in your mind while the typing dot bubble appears on your screen.
What do you do now?
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