Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jimin had never been a fan of loud noises, especially if it's too sudden. Quiet, peaceful, that's her safe haven. Good thing she saved enough money from her part time jobs to afford herself a secondhand noise cancelling headphones. It came with an old iPod with only three songs in it. A luxury, yes, but it helped her study in peace, focus, and silenced their neighbors' constant yelling and banging against their walls. Jimin couldn't afford to fail.

So when she was scrambling to gather her things to prepare for school, her saliva stained book on her study table fell on the floor with a thud, pens and pencils fell next, clattering noisily that made her grimace. Even her pens falling on the floor on a quiet morning made her skin crawl. Jimin only got three hours of sleep, she got home late from her part time job, did her homework and reviewed her notes a little before falling asleep on her study table.

“Where's my glasses?” Jimin's hands were feeling and tapping things on the table in search of her pair of glasses. She squinted her eyes, she was so sure she already had gotten her hands on it, but was met with disappointment when she realized it was only her pencil pouch.

“Jimin-ah, are you awake? You're gonna be late!” Soft knocks on the door followed by her mother's sweet voice made her jump on her seat.

“Yes, Mom! I'm just—” Looking for my glasses. Where is it? Jimin stood up, hissed at the crunch on the bottom of her foot. Of course, her glasses just had to be on the floor. It must've fallen along with her book when she woke up. She picked it up, sighed when she wore it as she noticed a crack on the right lens.

It would've to do. Jimin ran out of money because of the headphones. It's still functional anyway, and as long as it didn't hinder her in any way, then it's fine.

I'll have to do some extra hours on my part time, I guess.

Stuffing her things in her bag, Jimin hurried out to wash up and change. Breakfast was out of the question, there was no time for that. Jimin couldn't afford tardiness, she had to perfect it, or if not, at least reach its shadow to keep her scholarship afloat. Her mother gave her a lunch box, and Jimin didn't need to take a peek to know what's inside the tupperware. She knew it's going to be kimbap again, as always. It's what they could afford and even that was getting expensive as days went by.

“Jimin-ah, can you buy eggs on your way home?” Her mother asked and smiled. Jimin eyed the wrinkles beside her mother's eyes and bit her lip. She's getting older fast, way too fast and Jimin suddenly missed those times when she was a little kid being taken care of by her mother without a worry in the world.

Now, it's her time to take care of her mother. Jimin didn't want to be like her father.

“Sure, I still got change from my last payout. I'll take care of it.” Jimin said in a hurry when she saw her mother reaching out for her pocket. Her mother smiled again and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you, honey. Now, go, you might miss the bus.”

Jimin tied her hair in a messy bun while waiting for the bus. Lucky for her, she was still on time. The bus was packed when she got on, though, and Jimin had to stand while doing her best to keep her balance. Jimin wondered if it's best to save for a bicycle so she wouldn't be fighting for her life on public transportations. It would be a good investment too, she could get to places without spending money on buses or trains. Maybe she could find a secondhand bicycle, one with a basket on its front to store things too.

Plans, it's what kept her going. Getting off the bus, Jimin adjusted her glasses and ran past their school gates alongside other students.

Safe. Jimin just got in time and even a few minutes to collect herself.

Some students around her were hurrying inside like her, while some were chattering with their friends, something about last night's show and games they played. Jimin listened, well, it's not like she had a choice, she could hear them with how close they were to her. She listened while organizing her things in her locker room. It must be nice, having friends to chat with in the morning about the latest trends and whatnot. Jimin thought as she took out a book and closed the locker with a soft thud.

Friends, another thing she couldn't afford. Jimin didn't have time to mingle with her classmates, didn't have time and money to hangout and keep up with them. She was still using a keypad phone, just to have something to use for important calls or emergencies. Jimin had to study all the time to keep her grades from falling and risking her scholarship. She had to use her spare time doing part time jobs, help with house chores, and study again.

Three hours. Four, if she got lucky. That's how long Jimin usually sleeps every night. If she could, she wouldn't sleep to study some more or make money. If there was a drug for it, she would gladly take it, to survive, to finish her studies and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. Become successful and escape poverty and suffering and treat her mother to all kinds of food and clothes she wanted. To do all that, she couldn't afford to mess around.

Nothing would get in her way, nothing would distract her. Jimin vowed to stay out of trouble. She couldn't afford any failures, any mistakes, it wasn't allowed in her life.

Carrying her bag, she walked down the hallways towards her classroom. Her schoolmates were still talking and laughing amongst themselves and some, mostly boys, were messing around and chasing each other. It really must be nice to be carefree like that, but Jimin couldn't. She shook her head a little bit too hard that her glasses almost fell off.

Focus. Jimin repeated in her head like a mantra. With a slight nod, she continued ahead, throwing excuses and sorrys as she bumped with her schoolmates. They didn't mind, most of them, some got irritated but were quick to forget about it.

Forget about her.

It was for the better, Jimin had to keep a low profile to graduate in peace. She couldn't afford to gather unnecessary attention.

The crowd split up suddenly, making Jimin froze on her spot. It was as if Moses parted the sea with how the students made way for two people walking hand in hand in the middle of the hallway with the sweetest smiles on their faces. Jimin gulped and stepped aside to not get in their way.

Kim Minjeong walked with her boyfriend, Kang Jinho. They were talking about something Jimin couldn't hear properly over the murmurs from the students around them. Was it something about makeup? She wasn't sure. Jimin, along with everyone around them watched as the school's most popular “power” couple walked down the hallways as if there's a red carpet laid just for them. The world suddenly felt monochromatic, and the couple were the only ones painted in bright color, walking in a spotlight made just for them.

Jimin couldn't afford many things in life, but she made an exception for something, for someone. Admiring Kim Minjeong every morning, even from afar, was enough for her. It was fine, right? Just looking at and admiring Minjeong wouldn't hurt her studies or her part time job. It's all she could do, anyway. And that's enough.

Seeing Minjeong smile was enough for Jimin.

Kim Minjeong and Kang Jinho were the daughter and son of the two biggest corporations in the country, and their influence reached no limits. It was no surprise they would be a couple, everyone had expected it.

They were perfect. Minjeong, a beautiful woman with smarts, kindness, talents that knew no limit and Kang Jinho, a man who exuded power and authority. Charming, athletic, smart, women fell for him and men followed him. Minjeong had a lot of admirers too, whether men or women. And Jimin was one of them.

Jimin adjusted her glasses when Minjeong and Jinho walked past her, and she liked to think that Minjeong gave her a subtle glance. But maybe it was the lack of sleep, or what her schoolmates like to call “delusion”.

In a snap, Minjeong and Jinho were at the end of the hallway and disappeared in a corner. The crowd went on again and filled the hallways. Jimin's head tilted to the side as she squinted her eyes.

Was Minjeong limping? Jimin thought with worry. It was probably an injury, Minjeong was in a tennis club too, among other things. She was their school's ace. Jimin shrugged her shoulders and jogged to her classroom when the school bell rang. Oh, how much she hated that shrilling noise. She hoped they would change to something less intense, maybe a soft melody letting them know classes were starting. But that was just wishful thinking.

I hope she's okay. Jimin wished instead, taking a seat at the very back of the classroom beside the window. She hated that seat, she couldn't see the board properly even with her glasses. But that was just a little sacrifice to keep attention away from her, she would've to endure it until she graduated.

For now, she would've had to crane her neck and strain her eyes to make out what's written on the board. And maybe, she needed to get another prescription for her glasses too and not just replace it. Her outdated glasses might have something to do with the blurry whiteboard, or the illusion of Kim Minjeong sparing her a glance earlier.

Kimbap and rooftop. Silence and peace. What a beautiful combination for Jimin to enjoy her lunch.

No students go there except for her. With their fancy cafeteria, cute café's and restaurants surrounding their school, they had no reason to spend their free time in the loneliness and boredom that is their school's rooftop. Sure, it was well maintained, but they prefer fancier and livelier places to eat their meals that costs a month of Jimin's overall salary.

It was good for Jimin, of course. She could have the place to herself. No noisy classmates, no overwhelming chattering in the cafeteria and the scraping of chairs and utensils that made her ears cry for safety, Jimin preferred the safe haven of the rooftop.

Watching the clouds was a bonus. She could use her remaining time to squeeze in some studying or do homework in advance. Jimin took a piece of her kimbap made by her mother. It's delicious as ever and she would never get tired of it.

“We'll have beans for dinner, and I should take the trash out. Oh, right. I should buy eggs after my shift. Let me see…” Jimin put a whole kimbap slice on her mouth and stored it on her right cheek, making it stuffed like a squirrel's cheek. She rummaged in her bag for her purse, took some paper bills and coins and started counting.

“Extra coins! Lucky. I'll buy Mom her favorite dumplings. I guess I can buy a piece or two with these.” Jimin mumbled happily while finally chewing her food.

“You know, you should chew and swallow your food first before you talk. Not just for manners, but for your safety too. You might choke.”

Jimin did choke upon hearing that voice. There was no mistaking it. It was Minjeong's and Jimin froze on her seat. A few coins fell from her hands and rolled to her feet. Jimin couldn't even turn her head and she felt like a worn down, rusty machine that refused to move. Slender hands picked up the coin and placed it back on her hand.

Their fingers touched for a brief moment, and Jimin wasn't only choking, she was coughing to death.

“Easy, there. Here, have a drink. Slowly, now, or you might choke again.” A bottle was offered to her and it was all Jimin could see. She couldn't raise her head, not when Minjeong was in front of her being way too close that she could smell the vanilla perfume she was wearing. It was suffocating yet hypnotizing at the same time.

Jimin felt like dying, felt like jumping from the rooftop and never to reincarnate again.

“Hey, please have a drink. Your face is too red now. I'm worried you might die on me.” Minjeong lightly joked and nudged the bottle against Jimin's hands. Jimin finally took it and gulped until it was half empty.

It tasted so good. She looked at the bottle and her eyes widened when she realized the expensive strawberry drink in her hand, she even drank half of it without thinking properly.

“I'm sorry! I drank too much and I—I'll pay for it! Oh, hold on. Let me count my coins.” Jimin panicked and frantically. But Minjeong wasn't helping with her panicking when she put her hand over Jimin's to stop her.

“It's fine. I can't finish all of it anyway.” Minjeong assured her and eyed the tupperware with Jimin's kimbap. Jimin followed Minjeong's line of sight while catching her breath.

“Do… Do you want to eat?” Jimin asked and as soon as those words left her mouth, she contemplated again about jumping off the rooftop and leaving the world behind. Because how could she offer her kimbap of all things to the Kim Minjeong who's surely used to five star meals cooked by their own personal chef back at their mansion? Minjeong probably gets picked up during lunch in a guard class limousine to be taken to the most expensive restaurant and have its best chef cook for her personally. Or her boyfriend must've been taking her out in a chopper for a romantic, expensive lunch date she could never imagine the numbers it would display on the bill.

How could Jimin offer such a thing, no offense to her lovely Mom, the kimbap was delicious, but it was never deserving to be put on, not even just on the tip of Minjeong's tongue.

“Really? I forgot my lunch box so I'm kinda hungry.”

Oh, Minjeong's voice could melt even the largest glaciers in the world faster than global warming. With shaky hands, Jimin offered her lunch box to Minjeong, and her breath hitched when Minjeong actually took a piece of her food and ate it in front of her.

Was it out of kindness? Jimin wanted to believe she was special for Minjeong to treat her, a stranger, like that. So it's mostly out of kindness, Jimin was sure. But none of that mattered at that moment. It wouldn't hurt, right? It wouldn't hurt to think even just for that moment that Jimin was special to Minjeong. It wouldn't hurt to daydream when the woman she's secretly in love with was in front of her and eating her food with her.

And Minjeong brings a lunch box too? Jimin bit her lip. She knew it wasn't that special, either. But to think that they have something in common made her heart flutter.

Jimin never would've thought the day would come that she would've an interaction like that with Minjeong. She must've saved a country or an important person in her past life to deserve Minjeong's attention and presence. Jimin didn't want their moment to end, she wished time would stop so she could admire Minjeong closer a bit more. She wished that moment would last forever, but she wasn't in any fairy tale books or fantasy movies, that forever only lasted for ten minutes.

The door opened with a loud bang, revealing Kang Jinho who was panting and carrying a plastic bag in his left hand. His right hand swept her hair in a boyish manner, and his steps were heavy as he approached them. Jimin noticed Minjeong flinching a little, but maybe it's just because she was startled just like her.

Did Minjeong hate loud noises too?

“Minjeong-ah.” Jinho's voice pierced through the comfortable silence. Minjeong visibly gulped, a thing that didn't escape Jimin's eyes. Minjeong was tense, and Jinho was gritting his teeth as he spoke.

“I've been looking all over for you and you weren't answering your calls.” Jinho said as he reached for the side of Minjeong's mouth. Jimin followed the movement and noticed the darkened spot on the side of her mouth. Her makeup must've worn out for the bruise to start showing. Minjeong really did injure herself, probably a ball accidentally hit her face while practicing.

Minjeong was a hardworker, after all.

Jinho must've been so worried about Minjeong, especially since she seemed to be injured. Minjeong flinched when Jinho touched that bruised spot, and it must've hurt a lot. He must be so worried, Jimin thought, and Minjeong was so lucky to have a man like him take care of her.

That stern gaze, his shaking hands and sweat dripping down to his neck. He must've been running all over the place in worry for Minjeong.

“I bought you lunch, why are you here of all places? Let's go.” Jinho asked and offered his hand to help Minjeong stand. Minjeong took it and gave Jimin a quick glance. There was a small smile, and an unreadable glint in her eyes.

“I hope my girl didn't cause you any trouble.” Jinho addressed Jimin, making her flinch and panic.

“No, no… not at all.” Jimin stammered, her grip on the bottle tightened.

“Then, if you'll excuse us. Minjeong hasn't eaten yet.” Jinho said, his hand landed on Minjeong's waist and held it securely. Jimin noticed Minjeong flinching at the touch again, and her eyebrows furrowed.

Did a ball hit her at that spot too?

There was also a rumor going around that Minjeong started horseback riding during her free time, so maybe she got those injuries there too. Maybe that's also why Jinho was so worried.

Jimin just hoped that Minjeong would heal soon. Pain didn't suit her.

When Jimin was all alone once again, she stared at the clouds moving with no destination. She blinked a few times, was that just a dream?

Was I dreaming? It didn't feel real at all. Minjeong didn't feel real.

Jimin shook her head and stared at the strawberry juice in her hand that she could never afford. It's there, real and half empty because she really drank half of it. The vanilla scent still lingered in the air, Minjeong's voice still echoed in her ears, and she could still feel Minjeong's hands on hers, as if it never left. No, it was all real. Minjeong was there and talked to her, gave her attention she didn't deserve.

But even if it turned out to be just a dream, Jimin didn't mind one bit. She finished her food, drank the rest of the strawberry juice. And as disgusting as it was, Jimin put the bottle inside her bag with no plans on washing it. She'll put it in the box she used to store important things. And she'll remember that moment forever, go back in time and reminisce as she holds the bottle of that expensive drink as if it was Minjeong's hand itself.

“Jimin! Clean up table seven!”

“Jimin! Take up orders at table nine! Geez, hurry up!”

Good thing I already bought the eggs after my shift at the convenience store. Jimin thought as she adjusted her glasses. There was a sudden rush at the restaurant she was working at, and if she could split her body into three, she would. The timing couldn't be more wrong when her coworker called in sick so she had to work for two people.

It was exhausting, but she would get paid double so she persevered.

“Jimin! Serve these! Table two!”

Jimin huffed and shut her eyes tight for a second. It was getting overwhelming and her head felt light. It was too much, it was too loud and confusing and draining. All the yelling, all the boisterous laughter of the customers, Jimin was suffocating from it. She'll get paid double, she repeated in her head to keep going. She just had to endure it, just a little bit more. How long was she standing and walking around? How long was she wiping tables and refilling glasses of water and beer? Has it been two hours already? Jimin lost track of time.

Just a little bit more, the last set of customers entered and they would be closing soon. All that would be left was tables to clean and trash to take out at the back. Then she could go home, take a warm bath, and rest for a few minutes.

No, she still had to study and do her homework. But at least, she would be at the comfort of her home.

Just a little bit more, just a little bit.

“Are you okay?”

A hand held her wrist, it was gentle and not pushy. Amidst the smell of food, beer, and cigarettes, Jimin caught a whiff of the familiar vanilla scent and the image of Minjeong flashed in her mind. For a second, she thought Minjeong was there again but as she looked down at the hand holding her and the owner of it, her shoulders dropped. It was just a customer who happened to have similar perfume as Minjeong.

“Are you okay?” The woman repeated. “You look a little pale. I was going to ask for more lettuce if that's okay.”

Jimin shook her head and forced a smile. Sure, it wasn't Minjeong, but the familiar scent brought her back in the game and she could finally focus again.

“I'm okay. I'll be back in a bit for the lettuce. Is there anything else I could get for you?” Jimin asked politely while looking around their table. She sniffed and adjusted her glasses.

“Get us another round of beer and meat.” The man asked. Jimin nodded and went straight to the kitchen with hurried steps. Beer, meat, lettuce, Jimin carried all of them at once with her frail arms and small hands. She wiped her sweat with her sleeves, watched as the last customer left while she was wiping the table at the end of the restaurant. Finally, some peace, and Jimin could rest after such a long day.

It was exhausting, but she reminded herself of the highlight of her day. She got to talk to Minjeong, she had the empty bottle of drink in her bag, and a short moment she could relieved before she sleep. It's one of a lifetime chance to have that moment with Minjeong, because Jimin usually just see her during the mornings when she walked down the hallways with Jinho. Some mornings, Minjeong wasn't there, some mornings, Jimin was too late to catch even a glimpse of her.

So she would cherish that moment for the rest of her life. It would probably never happen again, yes, of course. That was just a mere coincidence. Minjeong had no business getting in her life, she had it all. Fame, money, beauty and brains, talents and her loving, perfect boyfriend. Minjeong wouldn't need someone as small and irrelevant as Jimin.

Jimin was a mere speck of dust in Minjeong's glamorous life.

Jimin sniffed again, adjusted her glasses that threatened to fall from the bridge of her nose, and tied up the huge, black trash bag securely before dragging it at the back of the restaurant. It was heavy, and her frail arms were screaming in pain. But no one else would carry and dispose it other than her.

One last thing, Jimin just needed to lift that heavy thing inside the huge trash bin and she would be done for the day. She looked up at the sky, the crescent moon staring down at her and she liked to think it was cheering her on. She took a deep breath, mustered the last of her strength and pulled the trash bag with a struggling grunt. Half of the bag went in, just a little push and it disappeared inside, leaving Jimin standing there alone with heavy breaths.

Jimin dusted off her hands. Another sigh escaped her lips and she leaned on the dirty wall of the back of the restaurant to rest for a little.

Double pay, that's what mattered the most. Jimin rubbed her aching arms, they were almost numb and it felt like with every step, there were rocks underneath that prickled on her feet. Jimin felt like collapsing to the nearest couch or bed she saw, even if it was a thrown away one sitting near trash bins.

“Jimin! Get back here and help us close!” The owner yelled and she was pulled back from her daydreaming about the softest mattress and fluffy pillows. She propped herself from the wall and sighed again.

“Coming!” She yelled back, but before she could step inside, she heard a distant banging deeper in the dark alley. It sounded like metal falling on the ground. Maybe there were cats fighting? But Jimin couldn't hear any screams or growls.

Then she froze when she heard a faint whimper. She shook her head, she's probably just hearing things because of her fatigue. Jimin tapped her cheeks lightly, and tried to ignore it.

But the whimpers got louder, and she could hear a man's voice. He sounded angry, and maybe it wasn't cats fighting after all. Maybe drunk men from a nearby pub started fighting and took it out in that dark alley.

Jimin should ignore it, she knew it wasn't her business. She wasn't the hero who's going to stop them or call the cops. She might even be caught up in the fight, get hurt, and make her mother worry. It would be a domino of unfortunate events, it would lead to her skipping school if got hurt, failed a test, and so on and so forth.

So, no, it wasn't her business and she wouldn't do anything about it. Jimin couldn't afford any risk, she had more important things to do and to focus on, like finishing her work for the day and closing the restaurant. Go home to her mother, give her the eggs, and study until she passes out. And if by chance something worse happened to those men fighting, she asked for God's forgiveness in advance for not intervening.

“I'm sick and tired of this, Minjeong!”

Jimin froze, her hand on the doorknob stilled and her eyes widened. Did she just hear Minjeong's name? The whimpers had gotten louder, and it sounded a lot like a woman's. There's a lot of Minjeong in the world, it's a common name, after all. Besides, what would Kim Minjeong do in a dark alley late at night? Minjeong's safety is in the hands of Kang Jinho, plus, Jimin's sure that Minjeong also had bodyguards in disguise around her. No, it couldn't be the Minjeong she knew, but at that moment, Jimin started to contemplate whether to call the cops or not.

“Ah, really…” Jimin blew air out of her mouth and scratched her head. She fished out her phone from her pocket, typed in 112 and rested her thumb on the call button. Jimin walked the narrow alley, it was dark, but the lights from the nearby lights helped her see a bit better of her surroundings.

If it wasn't for her terrible eyesight, though, she could probably see better.

“I'll just take a peek, call the cops and give them the location. Then I'm out.” Jimin muttered under her breath. It's a good thing that it was dark enough for her to hide in a corner. The noises were getting louder, the voice of the man was getting clearer. It was familiar, she had heard it before. Probably countless times, she wasn't sure. But only the whimpers from the woman was all she could hear, she wasn't speaking at all. As Jimin got closer, she could hear them clearer.

The sound of fist hitting someone echoed through the alley, a sound so familiar to Jimin that it sent chills down her spine. She gulped, took a peak and her heart dropped at the sight.

No, it can't be. I'm exhausted and I'm probably really seeing things now. Jimin said to herself, force that lie in her mind, because there's just no way that Minjeong was on the ground, beaten up with Jinho standing in front of her with his bloodied knuckles.

No, no, no. Why?

“Kim Minjeong.” Jinho spat her name like it disgusted him. It's a huge contrast to how he said her name at school, the sweetness and love lacing his voice were gone and replaced with a menacing and venomous one.

It sounded like Minjeong was Jinho's greatest hatred.

Jinho bent down and pulled Minjeong's hair, forcing her to look up at him. He slapped her, the sound stabbed at Jimin's heart. Jimin covered her mouth with her hand, the phone forgotten in her pocket.

“Minjeong-ah…” Jinho scoffed and spat on Minjeong's face. He licked his lips, his devious laugh made Jimin take a step back. That wasn't the Jinho she knew, not the charming Jinho in their school. He was plain evil, his smile so wicked and that made Jimin think if she really knew him.

“I told you not to give me a hard time. Why did you take so much time in the bathroom? And earlier, why the fuck would you disappear on me during lunch? Do you really want to shame me in front of everyone? I clearly told you to sit there like a good, obedient bitch that you are. You're nothing but a pretty face and a good fuck, so don't you dare disobey me next time, or all of these is over.”

Minjeong gasped when Jinho choked her and pushed her against the wall. “What do you say, huh? Let me hear it.”

“I'm… sorry…” Minjeong coughed out her response, her hands desperately holding on Jinho's wrist. Jimin wanted to step in, but her feet wouldn't move and her breath was caught in her throat.

I must do something, anything. I should help Minjeong. Jimin bit her lip so hard it bled. She knew what to do, what she should do, but she remained frozen in place. Frustration built up inside Jimin, she wanted to force herself a step forward, but fear gripped on her from the shadows and prevented her from helping Minjeong.

“Louder!” Jinho's voice boomed once more, making Jimin flinch. She unconsciously took a step back and the heel of her foot bumped in an empty bottle on the ground. It fell, much to Jimin's fear, and the sound quickly reached Jinho's ears.

“Who's there?!” Jinho yelled and dropped Minjeong on the ground. Minjeong gasped for air, coughed, as her hands massaged her aching neck. Jinho cracked her knuckles and spat on the ground. Jimin panicked when she heard his footsteps getting closer, and within the last second before Jinho could see her, Jimin bolted out of the place and ran inside the restaurant, slamming the back door in the process. Jimin leaned on the door and slowly slid down to the floor. She covered her face with her hands while she tried hard to process everything that just happened.

Surely, that wasn't Minjeong and Jinho, right? Jimin liked to believe that was the case. There's no way their school's perfect couple would be like that behind closed doors. But reality weighed heavier than her fantasy she was trying to build as comfort and escape from the truth. That was Minjeong right there, bruised and battered on the ground. That was Jinho bringing down his heavy hands onto her.

And then, the image of Minjeong limping at school, the subtle flinch when Jinho touched her, and the bruise on the side of her mouth. Jimin didn't want those to make sense, she was still trying to reject that reality. But it's there, the truth has slapped her out of her fantasy. Jinho wasn't the man she thought he was, and Minjeong wasn't happy like she appeared to be.

Something menacing was happening between the couple, something only them knew. Not until that night, though. Not until Yu Jimin accidentally discovered that the woman she was secretly in love with was getting abused by her boyfriend, who wore a mask of the perfect prince to hide his evil self.

Chapter Text

Jimin couldn't sleep properly for days. She couldn't even sleep at all the night she found out about Minjeong and Jinho. How could she, when all she was hearing was the lingering echo of Minjeong's cries and whimpers?

The days went on normally, the scene each morning didn't change. Minjeong and Jinho still walked the hallways as if they owned it. Minjeong was smiling and Jinho was talking to her like a saint. And one thing Jimin couldn't get out of her head the morning after she found out the truth about the couple was what Jinho said to Minjeong.

"There's nothing a good makeup can't hide, huh?"

Jimin heard it when they walked past her. It was so clear that she was sure people would have heard it too if they were paying attention rather than gawking at them. But Jimin heard it for sure, loud and clear, and her blood boiled at those poisonous words.

And Minjeong was smiling as if those words dripped with honey but all it ever was is a painful sting from a thousand bees.

Why was Minjeong still staying with a man like that? Why was she still smiling despite what he did to her?

Those questions lingered in Jimin's mind and memories came flooding to her, puncturing her heart with needles. The image of her father towering over her mother, the drop of a worn out teddy bear silenced by fists hitting her mother's cheeks and jaw. Her silent sobs, sounds of glasses crashing and her mother's screams, it all came back hunting her, begging to be felt once again, demanding to enter her life once more and make her suffer.

Jimin's ears buzzed, roaring with a haunting frequency that made her head light. She took off her glasses, shut her eyes tightly while rubbing the bridge of her nose. A lump on her throat made it hard to breathe, it was as if an invisible hand from the past was choking her to death.

“Yu Jimin!”

Laughter from her classmates erupted, their jeering looks made her feel so small. Miss Bae's gaze was stern, adding to her anxiety and confusion. Their teacher clicked her tongue and tapped on the book she was holding with a ruler.

“Are you still with us, Miss Yu? I told you ten seconds ago to read the next passage.”

“Oh, yes. Next passage, uhm…” Jimin adjusted her glasses and bit her lip. She wasn't listening at all and being the strict and terrifying teacher Bae Joohyun was, Jimin knew she wasn't going to be let off the hook easily.

Miss Bae sighed, a disapproving look thrown at her couple with the judging and sneering stares from her classmates, Jimin felt like the walls of the room were closing in on her. Her breath ragged, her palms sweaty, and she felt like tears pricking in her eyes. The attention was too much, the words on the book blurred and she wasn't sure if it was her stained glasses, her tears, or dizziness.

“Page forty-nine, second paragraph.” Someone whispered, and amidst the deafening stares of everyone around her, Jimin still managed to hear it. She turned her head slightly and was greeted by her classmate who sat beside her, Ryujin.

Ryujin was hiding behind her book while staring at Jimin. She smiled and pointed at the book Jimin didn't realize she was crumpling at the edge. Ryujin gave her an encouraging nod and Jimin finally flipped the pages in a hurry and read the book with a shaking voice.

Miss Bae nodded, but her gaze was still stern. A silent warning for Jimin, and she knew that was the first and last. Jimin then looked back at Ryujin as she sat down on her chair. Ryujin was scribbling on torn paper, crumpled it, and threw it on Jimin's desk.

Jimin blinked at the ball of paper and eyed Ryujin who was pretending that nothing happened. Reluctantly, she uncrumpled the paper, smoothened it out flat on the table and read what was on the note.

‘Tough night? I hate English too. You can count on me if Miss Dumbo catches you again though.’

An additional wink face was scribbled on the bottom right of the paper. Was the bag under her eyes that obvious? Didn't her glasses cover up or at least blur it? Jimin bit her lip, took out the cap from her pen and wrote her thanks to Ryujin.

Jimin was smart, hardworking, kind, but if there's one thing she was terrible at, it's everything that involves physical skills. That's why she joined the Book Club and not any of the sports clubs or even music and dance. So when she attempted to throw back the ball of paper back to Ryujin, it clumsily went past Ryujin's head and landed on their classmate who was sitting next to Ryujin.

The ball fell on the desk from her head, pink hair gracefully revealing the annoyed expression of the unsuspecting victim of the paper ball throw as her head turned towards Jimin's direction. Jimin visibly gulped, her grip on her desk tightened because her life depended on it.

Of all the people she would accidentally throw the paper, Jimin was so unlucky that it had to be Uchinaga Aeri.

Pink hair wasn't allowed in their school, let alone any color that students would think of dyeing their hair. But Aeri's family ran the school so no one had a say in what she wanted to do. The absence of their school's navy blue blazer, three buttons from her uniform opened, revealing the butterfly tattoo on her cleavage, and the shirt that was untucked from her skirt said it all. Her grey skirt alone was too short for the school's rules, but she didn't care about any of that.

Uchinaga Aeri owned the school and everyone in it. Aeri, along with her girlfriend who was as mischievous as her, were their school's most terrifying bullies. They knew no mercy and would make anyone suffer if they dared to look at them in a wrong way.

Aeri stood up abruptly, her chair scraping on the floor with a high pitched screech gave Jimin goosebumps. Her back instinctively arched when Aeri took a step towards her.

“Did you just throw that paper at me?”

Jimin gulped, she felt like throwing up or throwing herself out of the window. Her life was over, Aeri had already set her sight on her. With each step that Aeri made, Jimin's hopes and dreams flashed before her like memories rushing before the death door.

“Uchinaga, not in my class.” Miss Bae scolded, but it lacked the usual bite on it. Aeri raised a finger, a silent warning for Bae Joohyun to keep her mouth shut or she wouldn't see the end of it.

“I asked you, nerd. Did you throw that paper at me?”

Jimin's breathing fastened, her heart banged on her ribcage threatening to break it into pieces as Aeri got closer to her. Even if she ran away, there was no escape. Her life, along with her dreams were over.

Her mother's smile flashed in her mind, and a lone tear fell from her eye.

“It was me. I'm sorry.” Ryujin stood up, shielding Jimin. “It was me, Aeri. I accidentally hit you when I was trying to throw the paper at that doofus over there.”

Ryujin didn't point or even look at anyone behind Aeri to protect them from getting caught up with Aeri's fury. Aeri raised an eyebrow and eyed Ryujin's right hand.

“Our school's baseball ace missed and accidentally hit me throwing that ball of paper? Really? You think I'm that stupid?” Aeri took another step forward and grabbed Ryujin's collar.

“Who did it, Shin?” Aeri gritted her teeth as she asked again. The tension was suffocating that even their teacher couldn't do anything but watch and hope that it would all end soon.

“Look, Aeri. I'm tired and the paper slipped from my hand. I'm really sorry.”

Aeri scoffed and rolled her eyes. She pushed Ryujin with so much force that Ryujin stumbled and hit Jimin's table. “Right. Like when you missed at that last game causing us our first loss. Great job, Shin. I guess it will happen more often from now on, huh? See me after class at my club room. Don't take too long.”

It stung Ryujin. That was a mistake that burdened her deeply and Aeri just cut it that wound deeper and rubbed salt on it like it wasn't a big deal. Ryujin sighed, sat on her chair with her head down. When the class finished, Aeri was first to the door, she always was. No one dared exit their room before her.

Jimin approached Ryujin when they were the only ones left in the room. “Why did you do that?” She asked.

Ryujin never spoke to her until that moment and Jimin couldn't think of any reasons for Ryujin to defend her like that, especially against Aeri. They were never friends, Jimin and Ryujin, never even grouped up in a school project, not even once. They were seatmates, yes, but never had any reason to start a conversation.

Jimin was aloof, anyway. No one bothered to befriend her or even talk to her unless necessary. And that necessity never even showed up.

“Don't know, I just did. Don't worry about it though. I can handle it. Plus, I started that paper thing so it's my fault.” Ryujin stood up with her bag slung on her shoulder. She winked at Jimin, and her smile was forced.

Jimin left standing there, dumbfounded. She knew she should confess to Aeri, own up to her own mistake and save Ryujin. But she didn't have the strength to do so. Aeri was terrifying, even her presence was enough to suffocate her. Jimin managed to avoid her despite being only a seat apart, Jimin managed to be invisible and out of Aeri's radar until that day.

The guilt and regret added to Jimin's sleepless nights, especially when the next day came when Ryujin didn't show up to class. Her absence extended for another day, until a week passed by with her chair empty of her presence. It gnawed on Jimin's chest, clawed her insides and ripped it apart when Ryujin came back a week later with a cast on her right arm and a gauze pad on her cheek.

Ryujin quit the baseball club that day, never spoke to anyone, and the light in her eyes that used to shine so brightly dimmed and if you stare at it, it would feel like staring straight to the void.

And Jimin would forever carry that weight in her heart.

I should've done something.

I couldn't have done anything even if I wanted to. I didn't force Ryujin to defend me. It wasn't me who crippled her, it wasn't my fault.

It wasn't my fault.

It wasn't my fault.

It wasn't my fault.

“Minjeong-ah! Babe, over here!”

Jimin stopped on her tracks. It was Jinho's voice. Jimin adjusted the box she was carrying in her arms, lifting it up slightly with a soft grunt as she peered over the window from the second floor of their school building. She was facing the soccer field, and there she saw Minjeong jogging towards where Jinho and his friends were.

Jinho caught Minjeong with open arms and kissed her forehead. Their friends cheer loudly, some in a teasing manner. Jimin couldn't see what expression Minjeong was wearing with her back turned against her, but Jimin liked to think that Minjeong was smiling and blushing with their teasing. But she knew deep inside that even if that was the case, behind those smiles hid the sinister truth.

Minjeong and Jinho's happy and perfect relationship wasn't real. It was all just a fantasy, a show about a princess and her prince. But all it was is a prisoner to its warden.

Jimin pursed her lips. It was subtle, but she was sure Minjeong was still limping. Should she do something about it? Jimin bit her lip and sighed. She couldn't even do anything for Ryujin.

I couldn't even do anything for Mom.

Mom can't work anymore, can't go out and have fun because she lost her right leg.

Because of Dad.

Because I didn't do anything.

But it wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault.

It wasn't my fault.

Jimin gasped when she looked out the window again. There was Minjeong, looking up at her direction. Jimin couldn't see what she looked like properly at that distance. Was she smiling? Frowning? Were her eyes swollen from crying, or was her makeup so thick just to cover her bruises?

It looked a lot like that night wasn't the first time Jinho hurt Minjeong, Jimin was sure of it. She's used to the scene, anyway. At the first ones, you will cry from pain, begging it to stop. But as it goes on and on, you'll tire from it, numb you until you couldn't care anymore, couldn't defend yourself anymore. You give up. With no one to help, you give up and leave it up to a cruel fate. Without even hoping, without even praying and begging for it to stop.

Because it wouldn't stop. Unless someone had to do something or something would happen to the one causing your pain.

Would it have been different if she did something?

“Yu Jimin, hurry up. Miss Bae needs these boxes.” Her classmate called who was walking ahead of her. Jimin looked at Minjeong one last time, but the latter's attention was already to Jinho. Jimin scrunched her nose in an attempt to adjust her glasses. Was it just her imagination? Was she thinking about Minjeong so much to hallucinate that she was looking in her direction? Because there's no way, right? There's no way Minjeong would notice her at the second floor of the building, when Jinho was beside her and was shackled to give him attention. Jimin then followed her classmate to the faculty office. That's right, walk away. She couldn't do anything for her mother, she was just a weak, little kid. She couldn't do anything for Ryujin, she was just a powerless coward with no chance against standing up to Aeri. Jimin could never do anything for Minjeong either, she was not the hero in her story.

Surely, someone else would find out about it. Most probably her friends, her family, and they would put an end to Minjeong's misery. Someone would help Minjeong, someone more capable, powerful, and brave.

And Jimin knew it wouldn't be her, no matter how much she wanted to.

Or at least, that's what she made herself believe.

Lunch came, kimbap at the rooftop as usual. Jimin ate her food in peace, it was quiet. It was cloudy, however, and Jimin thought it would rain soon so she hurried to finish her food. Catching a cold was out of the question, it meant days off school and work and she would miss a lot of things. With the last piece of kimbap on her tupperware, the metal door of the rooftop entrance opened with a loud bang, making her jump on her seat and her food fall on the ground. What a waste, Jimin thought, as she hurried to pick it up and dust it off before putting it straight to her mouth.

Jimin was hidden behind the high stacks of cardboard boxes sitting beside the opposite entrance of the rooftop, which had a broken door that the school hadn't paid attention to yet. It's almost forgotten, with how the rooftop was barely used except for when some students were too lazy to organize or dispose of things properly and would store it there, where Jimin was hiding.

“Minjeong… Minjeong… Minjeong…” Jinho's voice came, then Jimin heard a thud on the floor, as if something or someone fell. Jinho clicked his tongue, and the sound of knuckles cracking made Jimin's breath ragged.

It's them again.

“How many times do I have to tell you to cover up those bruises properly? For what am I spending so much money on expensive make ups and shit, huh? They noticed it! Good thing you're in the tennis club, right? We can use that excuse, but not forever. Get your shit together, bitch!”

Minjeong groaned, making Jimin's eyes shut tight.

I should do something. I should stop him.

But I can't. 

I can't. 

I can't. 

I can't.

I'm scared.

Do I really love her?

“I'm sorry. I'll fix it now. I'm sorry, Jinho. I didn't mean to—”

Jimin covered her mouth with her hands. Minjeong's whimpers made her teary-eyed and she could only imagine what Jinho did to cut her off. Minjeong coughed, she was wheezing as Jimin's hands trembled against her mouth. Hot tears fell from her eyes, and she was sure tears from Minjeong's burned her skin.

“Fix that one too, then. Be my good little bitch like your father wants you to. You're Daddy's little girl, right? Make him proud. I'll let your teacher know you're not feeling well and you already went home, so sneak out and get the fuck out of here. We can't have anyone see the princess like this, can we?”

A scoff, a sound of spitting, and the door closing with a force jolted Jimin so much that she almost knocked off the boxes. It seemed like Jinho had already left.

Should I come out? Should I help her?

Should I do something?

Jimin remained hidden, remained still even though she felt the boxes on her back moved. It was Minjeong, who crawled towards them to lean and rest. With boxes between them, Jimin listened to Minjeong's ragged breath, her coughs, then her sobs she was still trying to suppress despite being alone. Minjeong knew she was alone, and even if Jimin wanted to change that, she couldn't.

She was a coward.

So, Jimin accompanied Minjeong without the latter's knowledge. It's the least she could do. Listen to Minjeong's cries, but how she wished she had the strength to reach out, to hold her hand, and tell her ‘everything's going to be okay’.

“Please help me…”

The broken plea pierced through Jimin's heart. It wasn't directed at anyone, just a hopeless cry born out of desperation and suffering. But it awakened an immense feeling in her chest, a flame lit up, a small one, but it was enough for her to take a small step forward.

Should I do something?

Jimin gripped the tupperware in her hand, it trembled under her hold as hot tears spilled from her eyes. Her lips quivered as she did her best to keep her sobs silent when Minjeong's was loud and pounding in her chest.

I should do something.

“Someone, help me. Make it stop…”

“Please save me.”

Something inside Jimin finally snapped.

I will do something.

Jimin stood up and went around the boxes, her hand ready to reach out for Minjeong. But no one else was there anymore, only the soft blow of the wind and the swinging door left opened. Minjeong had already left, and she left something in Jimin's heart without her knowledge.

A vow. Strength and determination to save her. Courage.

Packing her bags, Jimin slung it over her shoulder and headed back to her classroom. She scribbled on her notebook while the lessons went on. Sure, she decided to make a move, but what should she do?

Where am I going to start?

A rectangle formed on the bottom of the math equations. It extended, small circles and mostly squares and lines appeared, until an attempt of a police station formed on the paper. Jimin tapped the doors she drew with the tip of her pencil, and hummed.

Glancing over to the empty chair beside her, Jimin gripped her pencil and bit her lip. But she felt someone's eyes staring down at her, it wasn't the teacher, but someone else. So, she lifted up her gaze from Ryujin's desk, and locked eyes with Aeri, who raised an eyebrow and eyed Jimin from head to toe with disgust.

The bubblegum Aeri was blowing popped loudly. It wasn't allowed during class, but their teacher didn't care. Nobody cares if it's Aeri, it's not like they can do anything about it.

Jimin averted her gaze and looked down on her notebook again. She had already escaped Aeri's grasp thanks to Ryujin, and she didn't want to do anything to piss her off. But out of curiosity, Jimin took a peek behind her hair that cascaded the side of her face, and saw Aeri tapping their classmate who was in front of her.

“Take off your blazer.” Aeri demanded. Their classmate obeyed without any question, afraid to anger Aeri. Once the blazer was off, Aeri took out a marker from her pencil pouch and scribbled at the back of his uniform.

‘Fuck me in the ass and shoot me in the head XOXO’

Jimin gulped and was quick to look away when Aeri was about to turn around. It's none of her business, whatever Aeri did, it's none of her business. Jimin had more important things to do, like figuring out how to help Minjeong.

Going back to her notebook and abandoning what their teacher was spewing about, Jimin flipped a page to start over a blank space. Minjeong and Jinho's family had so much power and connection that stretched outside the country, so was it a good idea to report Jinho's abuse to the police?

Don't do anything, Jimin-ah. Dad is just stressed, we'll be okay later.

Jimin shook off the memory from her mind, tried to forget her mother's words, her broken voice that cut through her like pieces of shattered glass. Focus. Jimin scolded herself, and started scribbling on the empty page again.

It's going to be hard for her to be taken seriously, especially that it involves such a powerful family. But Jimin wouldn't know if she wouldn't try first. Someone in there might be brave or stupid enough to listen to her. So that's what she did. At the sound of the school bell ringing signalling the end of the last class of the day, Jimin bolted out of the school and ran to the nearest police station.

“I'm here to report about a… about an abuse.”

At the first police station, someone walked up to her and listened. But as Jimin was recalling what Jinho did to Minjeong, he just laughed at her and dismissed it as some kind of “lover's quarrel”. Jimin couldn't believe her ears, she was in great disbelief at how he took it as some joke. Was it because she was young?

Was it because she was a woman?

Would it have been like that if Jimin reported his father to the police? Would it have been pointless, hopeless?

Jimin didn't give up though and ran to the next police station. Without extra money for a bus, she went there by foot and she felt like her legs burned and was about to fall off. She arrived in the evening, but as soon as they heard Jinho's name, they kicked Jimin out of the station and was told never to come back. Jimin knew it already, she knew they would be scared once they heard Jinho and Minjeong's name. She moved to the next police station but to no avail.

Her homeworks and part time jobs are forgotten in return for nothing but disappointment and frustration.

Why why why?

It was all for nothing.

But she had to try, she had to gamble. But she was losing hope with how the people who could've helped Minjeong refused to do so.

Jimin made a conclusion that night.

The police can't be trusted.

Jimin went home then, her eyes dimmed of hope, shoulders down from disappointment, legs and feet exhausted from false hope. Her mother had already fallen asleep on their worn out couch, probably waiting for her to come home. She bit her lip, put down her bag as quietly as she could and grabbed a blanket to cover her mother's frail body. Jimin eyed her mother's prosthetic leg that was suffering from wear and tear. It was supposed to be replaced, but they had no money to do so. Even if Jimin worked all night until dawn, she couldn't afford to have it replaced or even fixed. She knew it was hurting her mother and even if she sells her second hand headphone, it wouldn't even make a dent to the bill.

After she tended to her mother, Jimin turned off the TV. She gave her mother a kiss on the top of her head before heading to her room, bath forgotten because of her exhaustion. Just a quick one the next day, for now, she had to do her homework and pull an all nighter. Checking the time on her phone, it showed two in the morning, and Jimin didn't realize she was out for way too long.

Her mother must've been so worried. She had to apologize once she woke up.

Sunrise slipped through the gap of Jimin's curtains. She stretched her arms, her bones cracked in a satisfying manner. Jimin groaned and banged her head once on the table. Thankfully, she managed to finish her homework despite the worry and frustration she felt the day and night before.

The day went on normally. Minjeong and Jinho still walked the hallways with smiles on their faces, the students around were still admiring them. But not for Jimin anymore. Not when she already knew the truth behind those smiles.

Not when Minjeong's broken pleas still echoed in her mind.

Asking for the police's help was out of the question and Jimin couldn't afford to hire a private investigator to expose Jinho's evildoings. Maybe she could do it herself, but she didn't have a smartphone to record nor knew how social media worked. Jimin couldn't afford to go to an internet café and their school's computers were monitored and any entertainment sites were blocked.

So, what was left? Maybe she could speak to Jinho and ask him to stop hurting Minjeong, but that's all wishful thinking. There's no way Jinho would listen to a nobody like her, or listen to anyone at all.

What else could she do? Her options were limited, she had no power or connections at all. No one would listen to her. Jimin felt so small and hopeless… useless.

“Why don't you beat him up?”

Jimin almost broke her neck with how fast she turned to the two men who walked past her. They were talking about a video game, some kind of NPC the other guy was having a problem with and the other one suggested to beat him up. It was about a game, sure, but it shoved an irrational thought in Jimin's mind.

Why don't you beat him up?

Jimin knew it was stupid. She knew that, yet, she found herself walking to the opposite side of their classroom. Their first class was about to start, but her feet seemed to have a mind of their own. Jimin knew it was stupid, irrational, and would lead to nothing but trouble and bad news. But what else could she do, really?

Jimin was smart, had above average grades and could even have been higher if it wasn't for her part time jobs. Jimin knew it was wrong, but desperation crawled beneath her skin and overtook her body. She set one foot in her graveyard when she stepped inside a clubroom, a clubroom off limits except for only two people, or, if only you are invited to enter, which Jimin was neither. Another stupidity on her part, but she didn't care anymore.

Her foot was already inside, her hand opening the sliding doors and closing it behind her. She didn't announce her presence, she couldn't. 

Not when all she was hearing was soft but high pitched whimpers. It was coming from behind the wooden partition. It didn't sound like Minjeong's painful whimpers, it's more sensual. But Jimin didn't know it yet, so out of worry, she took a peek behind the partition only for her eyes to widen in surprise and her cheeks to blush hot red.

There, on the couch, was Aeri with another woman straddling her lap. Her uniform rested on her waist, revealing the crescent moon tattoo on her back. Only one person in their school had that tattoo.

Only one person had the right to sit on Aeri's lap.

Ning Yizhuo.

Aeri's hands were at Yizhuo's waist, gently guiding her to grind on her thigh. Yizhuo's skirt lifted up a bit, revealing her bright red underwear, when Aeri groped on her ass. There was also a tail sticking on Yizhuo's behind, it seemed like a cat's tail, but Jimin couldn't be sure about it. Yizhuo moaned loudly while Aeri's face was buried on Yizhuo's chest. Jimin knew she ran into something she should've never seen, she hadn't meant to look, so she took a step back only to unceremoniously knock down a stack of books. It alerted Aeri, but Yizhuo was too lost in pleasure to notice anything.

“Who's there?!”

Jimin scrambled to the door, knocking more books and a guitar leaning on a wall in the process. It was a bad decision to go to Aeri, so before she was found out. But when her hands tugged on the door handle, it refused to open. Jimin shook it harder, thought it was probably just stuck, but it never opened for her.

“It's useless, I can lock the door from here. Now, whoever the fuck you are, show yourself before I break your arms and legs in directions that not even the best doctors in the world can fix.” Aeri threatened, making Jimin gulp in fear. Her feet were forced to go back where Aeri and Yizhuo were. Jimin didn't want to, she wanted to run away, but Aeri's threatening and terrifying voice made her body move against her own will.

“Aeri, who's there? Why did you stop? Please put it inside me…” Yizhuo whined, begging. Jimin's breath was shaking, her hand holding on the side of the wood partition and slowly revealed herself to Aeri with her head down.

Aeri licked her lips while eyeing Jimin up and down. Yizhuo whined again, hitting Aeri's shoulder in frustration.

“Don't stop! Aeri… please… I want it inside.”

“Hush, baby. We have a visitor.”

“I don't care.”

That made Aeri's eyebrows raise. She smirked, her grip on Yizhuo's waist tightened, pulling her closer, eliciting a sharp gasp mixed with a moan from the latter.

“Really?” Aeri asked, amused, she couldn't almost believe her ears how desperate her girlfriend was. Her eyes darkened with lust as her grip on Yizhuo's waist tightened ever more, causing the latter to whine and wince in pain. “You want someone to watch you ruin yourself on my lap?”

Despite the sting of Aeri's nails digging on her skin, Yizhuo nodded in desperation. “Yes, please. I don't care anymore. It hurts, Aeri. Please ruin me—”

Yizhuo couldn't even finish when Aeri lifted her like she weighed nothing. Jimin saw a glimpse of something cylindrical and purple in color attached on Aeri's waist, no, even lower. Aeri's hand held the purple thing, her hand suddenly looked small wrapped around it. Yizhuo was panting with anticipation at that point as Aeri aligned its tip against her dripping cunt.

Aeri then looked at Jimin, her piercing gaze seemed to have a force on its own to make Jimin look up from Yizhuo's waist to Aeri's eyes. “Now, what my baby wants, she gets. Watch her, nerd. If you ever avert your eyes even for a second, I'll pluck them out and make a keychain out of it.”

With no other choice and fearing for her life, Jimin watched them with her fists clenched on her sides. She watched as the purple thing disappeared to Yizhuo's center, and she winced when Yizhuo let out a high pitched scream while her nails dug on Aeri's shoulder.

“Wait… why— it's too big!”

“This is what you wanted, right? Now take this cock like the good little kitten that you are. Weren't you going to do anything for me? Look, nerdy over there is waiting for the show to start.”

Yizhuo's breath was shaking as she lowered herself slowly with Aeri's guidance. Won't that hurt her? Jimin thought with worry. She almost looked away when Aeri suddenly pulled Yizhuo down, causing the latter to scream and cry in pain. Aeri's eyes were at Jimin the whole time, her smirk widening with how uncomfortable Jimin looked with each move she was doing to Yizhuo.

“Give me a second, Aeri please—fuck!”

Aeri let out a devious laugh that sent chills down Jimin's spine. “You were rushing me to fuck you earlier, and now you want me to wait? Get working and bounce until you're nothing but a ruined little bitch.”

Wait, is this a test? Should I help Yizhuo? Jimin contemplated while watching them. Yizhuo seemed to be in pain, or not, Jimin wasn't sure anymore. But that purple cylindrical thing penetrating her must've hurt, Jimin was so confused. Was Aeri expecting her to come because of Ryujin?

Did Aeri know all along it was her who threw that paper?

Is this a prank to get back on her?

Is this a punishment?

“First and last warning, nerd. I said watch. Look, my baby is about to cum. Are you going to miss the highlight of this show? Are you going to disappoint my kitten?”

“I can't! I can't! Aeri! I'm going to—”

Yizhuo arched her back, her mouth agaped as she convulsed violently on Aeri's lap. Cum dripped from Yizhuo's cunt like flood and coating the purple dildo with it. It dripped down to Aeri's thighs, and stained the couch beneath them. Yizhuo was whimpering at that point, resting her head on Aeri's shoulder as she slowly relaxed from her climax. But Aeri wasn't done yet, she wasn't satisfied, so she lifted up Yizhuo a little and thrusted the dildo in and out of Yizhuo, and made her let out a scream so loud Jimin was sure it would've alerted anyone nearby the clubroom.

“This room is soundproofed, no one will come to help.” Aeri said through her pants, and Jimin wasn't sure if it was directed at Yizhuo or at her. But it made her knees buckle, either way, if Jimin made one wrong move, she's done for.

“Stop! Stop! Aeri, please stop! I'm—” Yizhuo's pleas fell on deaf ears when Aeri didn't stop thrusting and ruining her. With each thrust, Yizhuo was slowly losing consciousness and her broken sobs made Jimin's hands flinch. She took a step forward, her hand unconsciously reaching for Yizhuo.

“Hey, she's hurting. She—”

However, Aeri's piercing gaze froze Jimin on the spot, her hand suspended in the air. “Are those glasses only for show and you're actually dumb? Oh, wait, my bad. Wearing glasses doesn't make you smart, anyway. Your eyes are just damaged, and it doesn't work like it should. You know, like your brain. I told you to watch and that's what you're gonna do. Fucking dumbass.”

She's right. Jimin thought. I am dumb for coming here, I am so dumb for letting my desperation get the better of me. But, really, where am I supposed to go? Who else am I supposed to ask for help?

Yizhuo fell motionless on Aeri's body and Jimin didn't even notice her one, final scream. Her eyes widened when she saw Yizhuo unmoving, but Aeri seemed to be unbothered by it. Without removing Yizhuo from her lap, Aeri leaned back on the couch while caressing Yizhuo's back.

“So, why are you here? Did Ryujin send you to take revenge? I must admit, I applaud her bravery for defending you.” Aeri smirked, and Jimin felt like a deer in the headlights despite her knowing deep inside that Aeri knew all along.

“Yes, I knew it was you. But I wasn't that cruel to invalidate Ryujin's effort to defend a loser like you. Were you two friends? Lovers? Oh, were you her side hoe? I can't wait to see the look on Yeji's face if she finds out. Well, not that she will. Did you hear she quit the student council to look for Ryujin? Now we need a new puppet president. Well, anyway,” Aeri paused and reached for the bag beside her. She took out a pack of cigarettes and threw the pink lighter at Jimin's direction.

“Pick it up and light this damn cigarette.”

Jimin scrambled to the floor to pick up the lighter, and with trembling hands and knees, she walked closer to Aeri and lit up the cigarette resting between her lips. She then eyed Yizhuo subtly, who seemed to be just sleeping, having lost consciousness. Jimin breathed a sigh of relief, and took a few steps backwards as Aeri blew out smoke to her face.

“So?” Aeri raised an eyebrow, her free hand roaming on Yizhuo's bare back and settled on the cat tail that Jimin still hadn't figured out how it stuck on Yizhuo's ass. Aeri fiddled with the fur, waiting for Jimin's response.

Is this a good idea? But then again, where else should I go?

“Please…” Jimin started but bit her tongue causing her to wince. Aeri's patience was running thin.

“Please what, nerd? I don't have all day. In fact, I already wasted so much time accommodating your worthless presence here. But you're lucky I'm in a good mood because of my Yizhuo here. You're lucky I somehow respected Ryujin's heroic act so I let you off the hook. Don't make me change my mind, though. Don't piss me off and spill it already.”

Jimin gulped and gripped on the pink lighter tightly. Should I say it? I'm already here. Just say it, Jimin.

Just say it.

“What's taking you so long—”

“Please teach me how to fight.”

A beat, and two. The tension in the air suffocated Jimin, and it didn't help the expressionless yet eerie look that Aeri was giving her. Jimin contemplated whether to take back her words, or jump from the window to escape even though the clubroom was on the fourth floor of their school building. Getting an injury, possibly coma or death sounded better than Aeri's wrath.

But that suffocating tension in the air was cut sharply with Aeri's laugh. It started out with just a snort, turned into a chuckle until Aeri was full blown laughing that she woke up Yizhuo from her slumber.

“Aeri?” Yizhuo groggily called, which Aeri responded with soft taps on her ass.

“You've got to be kidding me.” Aeri said through her laughs. She found it unbelievable that someone like Jimin would ask such things. But as minutes pass by with Aeri observing Jimin and waiting for her to say it was just a joke, her laughter completely died down when she realized that Jimin wasn't joking about it.

“Wait, you're serious?”

There's no turning back, there's no running away. This is the reality and I have to finish what I started.

I should stop running away.

“Yes. Please, I'm begging you. I'll do anything in return. Please teach me how to fight. I have… I have someone I want to protect.” Jimin managed to say, managed to take another step forward. No matter how small it is, it meant a lot to her. All those years of running away, all those years of turning her back against the truth, all those hiding and the lies she told herself to protect from the harsh reality, little by little, Jimin was clawing her way through it all.

Only to be shattered by Uchinaga Aeri.

“That's so romantic, but no.”

Jimin's eyes widened, and within seconds, tears fell from her eyes.

But I tried hard. I took a step to be better, to try and change things. So, why?

Why? Why? Why?

Why is this happening when I finally found courage?

“But… please…”

“I said no. Are you really dumb? Get out of here before I burn you alive with that lighter. I better not see your stupid face anymore, I don't care if you have to change classes or transfer schools, or rip off your face and replace it with another. Get the fuck out of here. What a waste of time.”

Jimin dropped the lighter on the floor and ran towards the door. It was already unlocked by Aeri using the app made especially for her on her phone. Jimin ran without ever stopping. All the students were already inside their respective classrooms, and Jimin was late for her first class. She didn't care, though, she kept running through her burning legs and aching feet until she reached the rooftop.

She collapsed on the floor, leaned against the same boxes she was hiding when Minjeong and Jinho came a few days ago. A few boxes fell on her head, but she didn't mind the pain.

Jimin couldn't. She felt numb, hopeless.

Exhausted.

All of her efforts were for nothing. She risked her life in the hands of Aeri for nothing. Maybe, Jimin thought, maybe she wasn't meant to be the hero in anyone's story. She didn't even feel like the main character in her own story, she felt more like a character written by someone to live their twisted, cruel ideas in their head.

She had no control over her own life, unless someone decided to change it. But not her, it could never be her.

I'm hopeless.

Useless.

“I should give up.” Jimin mumbled under her breath and hugged her knees. She buried her head between them and let her tears flow freely.

“I should just give up.” She repeated through her sobs.

Maybe I didn't love Mom enough to protect her.

And maybe…

I don't love Minjeong enough to save her.

“I give up.”

I give up.

Chapter Text

Jimin was lucky that Aeri wasn't around during their morning classes. At first, she was contemplating whether to attend school or hide for a few days until Aeri's fury subsided, but her fear of failing her classes won her over. She really wanted to hide, to run away after the stunt she pulled, but after seeing her mother's smile the next morning, she couldn't bear the thought of failing her.

So, Jimin risked it. She went to school with trembling hands. Imagine her relief when a man in an all black suit interrupted their first class to announce that Uchinaga Aeri wouldn't attend her morning classes because ‘she's still sleepy’.

Their teacher just nodded and told him that she would let the other teachers know about it. For a moment, Jimin daydreamed of a life like that. Being someone from a rich family, never worrying for tomorrow's meal, never working until your arms felt numb just to pay the month's rent and bills, the privilege of staying in bed because you're ‘too sleepy’ and everyone would just let you off the hook.

Jimin wished she could sleep for a few more hours too. Sleep without any problems, without any worries of tomorrow.

Without Aeri around, Jimin had time to collect herself and think of her next move. Aeri would probably be back after lunch, and she had until then to figure out what to do.

Apologize? Could she reason out to someone like Aeri?

Or maybe, Aeri had forgotten about her existence and already moved on.

Jimin wished it was the case, because the truth was, she had nowhere else to run to.

Another thing she could never afford.

Escape.

Sometimes she thought that escape was all she was ever doing, but she was just deluding herself from having escaped her past. But Jimin never did, she was still shackled by it.

Maybe the headphones blocked out noises she couldn't stand, doing various part time jobs she could barely handle to earn money for her and her mother, but to also lessen her time seeing their apartment.

Escape?

No.

The headphones didn't do anything to block the traumatizing sound of crashing, screaming, and crying that haunted her for nights. The part time jobs still ended, she still had to go home to a museum of nightmares.

But she had to make herself believe that she had escaped it all, to survive.

To stay sane.

“Do you mind if I join you?”

Wait, what?

“Kim Minjeong?”

Minjeong giggled and sat beside Jimin, the familiar vanilla scent invaded her nose and if it wasn't for it, Jimin would've thought she was hallucinating. But you can have hallucinations with smells, right? Jimin wasn't sure.

How did Minjeong appear before her? Jimin was just in her class, scribbling random lines and shapes on her notebook.

She looked around and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Since when was she on the rooftop?

What time is it?

Jimin then looked down on her lap and saw her lunch box with half eaten kimbap. How did it happen? How long was she there, how long was she eating?

When did Minjeong arrive?

“Yes, it's me.” Minjeong said and her chuckle sounded so angelic that Jimin felt an angel descended from the heavens. Jimin blinked, once, twice, and a few times then rubbed her eyes under her glasses in case she was just dreaming. But with a slightly blurry vision, Minjeong was still there, smiling.

And as Jimin's vision returned to its normal under the help of her glasses, she noticed that Minjeong's eyes were swollen.

Why was Minjeong on the rooftop?

Jimin looked around again, but there were no signs of Jinho.

“Am I interrupting? I can leave if you want.” Minjeong asked and scratched her cheek. Jimin panicked, scrambled on her seat and almost dropped her food, but Minjeong was fast to catch it, saving Jimin's lunch.

Their fingers touched, it electrocuted Jimin and made her blush.

“No… No! Of course not—I'm—” Jimin stammered, making Minjeong chuckle again. It was music to Jimin's ears, and she wished she could hear those melodic laughs from Minjeong's lips all the time.

Laughters that were real, and weren't forced to please the devil.

I want to protect that smile.

“You always eat lunch here, huh? I wanted to get some fresh air so I came here. I get it, this place is so relaxing. So… peaceful. Maybe I'll eat lunch here sometimes.” Minjeong said, her gaze up in the clouds racing each other to nowhere.

“You can join me if you want.” Jimin blurted out without thinking. And when she realized what she had just said, it was already too late. She was going to take it back, apologize, because how could she invite someone like Minjeong as if they stand on the same level?

“Sure, if you'll have me. I forgot my lunch again though so I can't right now. But if you don't mind my company, then….”

Minjeong's stomach growled loudly and because of the silence that only noise was the blow of the wind would sometimes interrupt, Jimin heard it loud and clear. She didn't mean to be rude, but she couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I'm—I… do you want my food? It's just kimbap but… but my Mom makes it good.” Jimin offered and bit her lip hard. Minjeong was blushing out of embarrassment, but she still smiled and gave Jimin a bashful nod.

“I'll take a few pieces then. I can't just ignore the masterpiece that your mom made, right? It would be disrespectful. Plus, I know it tastes good. I had one last time, remember?”

Right. Wait, this is really happening. Kim Minjeong really is beside me, eating my food again. This is not a dream.

It's real.

But, where's Jinho? Will he come again? Will he hurt Minjeong again for disappearing on him?

“Jinho won't be attending school for a week. He has a business to attend to with his father so I'm free from—I mean, I don't have anyone else or anywhere to go to to spend lunch and I remembered this place. No one likes to go here, well, except for you.” Minjeong said as if she read Jimin's mind, and rambled on and on. But the slip up didn't escape Jimin's ears.

You're free to do as you please, or you're free from his cruelty even for a few days?

Or both.

Jimin learned a new thing about Minjeong that day, that she didn't have other people to hangout with aside from Jinho.

No friends. Not even just classmates to have a casual time for lunch.

Was it Jinho's doing too? Was he isolating Minjeong? For his selfish desires, or to prevent her from asking help?

Jimin didn't say anything about it and just nodded. She gave the rest of her food to Minjeong, and even gave her still sealed bottle of water. Jimin just had to drink from the drinking fountain later, she couldn't just share a bottle with Minjeong. She didn't have the right or audacity to do so.

“Thanks. But what about you? We can share.” Minjeong asked after Jimin gave her the water bottle. Jimin shook her head and gently pushed the bottle towards Minjeong.

“It's okay. I have two and I'll drink mine later. It's in my bag.” Jimin lied. Minjeong hummed, a reluctant nod followed, then opened the water bottle only to fail.

“Let me.” Jimin offered, and with a shy smile, Minjeong handed her the bottle. After swiftly opening the cap, Minjeong took it back with her frail hands.

Jimin caught a glimpse of bruises on it, but she looked away instantly so as not to make Minjeong uncomfortable.

I'll pretend I didn't see that. I'll pretend I didn't notice your trembling hands and swollen eyes.

“I'm Yu Jimin, by the way.” To break the awkward silence, Jimin decided to introduce herself. She should've done so from the beginning, but never had an opportunity to do so. It was rude, really, but it's better late than never.

“I know.”

Jimin choked on her own saliva. How come Minjeong knew someone like her? And again, it was as if Minjeong read her mind, but in reality, Jimin's expression was just plain obvious.

“We did community service last year, right? I remember everyone who volunteered. The additional points to our grades were so tempting.”

Oh, right.

For a second, Jimin thought Minjeong remembered her.. Her, from that fateful night.

I guess you don't remember it at all, Minjeong. You don't remember how you saved me that night.

But it's okay. You don't have to. You, remembering my name is enough.

It's more than enough.

Jimin stole a glance at Minjeong. She looked so happy, she looked so much in peace eating her mother's kimbap. Minjeong looked so free.

And it looked so beautiful on her, Jimin wished it would stay like that forever. Jimin wished that time would freeze so she could spend more time with Minjeong.

“What's your favorite cloud?”

Jimin blinked fast. The question was so random and a little bit silly and Jimin never expected it to come from Minjeong. Jimin always saw Minjeong as someone so graceful and mature. It made her smile and look at the clouds, and before she could give her response, Minjeong beat her to it.

“I actually don't know what they're called. I forgot once I reached highschool.” Minjeong said with a chuckle. Jimin couldn't help but mirror her expression.

Jimin couldn't blame her for that. She wished that's all they could remember, the name of the different types of clouds. But reality had caught up with them so fast, they should've been thinking about clouds and all the childish stuff. Talk about how a certain cloud looked like an ice cream or a bear, but the harsh reality would always pull them back to face it. Their youth was cut too short, and now, they struggle.

They suffered.

But at that moment, Jimin wondered if they could just talk about clouds and nothing else. It wouldn't hurt, right? Just for a few minutes, just a few minutes of freedom.

“I like clouds that form shapes of animals.” Jimin said. She always saw Minjeong as someone unreachable, someone her eyes didn't deserve to lay upon. Minjeong was someone who Jimin believed shouldn't ever breathe the same air as them, but at that moment, Minjeong was within reach. Minjeong was closer to her, so close that she felt a connection between them.

Like their broken hearts found missing pieces from each other.

It could be Jimin having her delusions again, but it wouldn't hurt to dream, right?

“I like it too. Look, that cloud looks like a puppy. I like puppies.” Minjeong pointed to a cloud and Jimin followed it. It looked nothing like a puppy, but Jimin nodded and smiled.

“It sure is. It's cute.”

Jimin used to stutter when Minjeong was around, when Minjeong was talking to her, but it felt so easy to converse with her at that moment.

Minjeong smiled and finished the last piece of kimbap. She closed the container and held on to it tightly. Jimin watched from the corner of her eye. They fell silent, just watching the clouds together and would occasionally point out one that they thought looked like an animal or a random thing.

“I wish I could be one with the clouds.”

Jimin almost had a whiplash when Minjeong said those words. Minjeong sounded so broken, lost, she sounded so much as someone who had already given up. Jimin knew that tone all too well, it was engraved in her mind, and no amount of loud, blasting music could ever muffle that memory.

Jimin-ah, it's okay. Mom is just tired. Just let me rest.

Minjeong, please don't say that. Please don't say it like that.

“Minjeong—”

“Look, they're drifting freely in the sky. They don't have homeworks to do and they don't have to wake up early in the morning. Clouds don't need to stay in school after class for club activities, clouds don't—”

The bell rang, and Minjeong suddenly stood up and dusted her skirt. Jimin followed suit and accepted her empty lunch box that Minjeong returned. Jimin didn't get to hear the rest of what Minjeong wanted to say. But she knew Minjeong didn't mean it like that, that she was saying completely different things and not just the clouds.

It reflected in Minjeong's eyes, and Jimin didn't like how it looked at her. Jimin wanted to change that, wanted to change that sad and broken glint in her eyes and replaced it with nothing but sunshines and rainbows.

“Thanks for the food again. I enjoyed it. C'mon, we're going to be late for our class.”

How Jimin wished they were classmates and would walk to class together. How she wished they were seatmates who would steal glances at each other during class and laugh about it. Get scolded by their teacher and laugh some more.

But no. Minjeong was a year younger than Jimin. They didn't go to the same class, nor the same floor. There were a lot of barriers between them and Jimin just wanted to shatter it all with her bare fists.

Still, she could do something about it. So, with the little courage she found within herself, Jimin stepped forward and grabbed on the hem of Minjeong's blazer.

Jimin knew she was stepping out of her boundaries, but she couldn't just let Minjeong walk away like that.

Looking so defeated.

“Would you… join me for lunch here again tomorrow?” Jimin asked, she even almost bit her tongue. She immediately regretted it, though. Minjeong might think that she was being overly friendly now, that she was being pushy and read the whole situation wrong. Maybe Minjeong wanted to be alone on the rooftop, and Jimin just happened to be there. And Minjeong being kind, tolerated her presence and spent time with her.

“Sure! I'll bring my lunch too. It's a promise then!”

But it was Minjeong, of course she wouldn't think like that. Minjeong sounded so happy, so, so excited and for the first time in years, Jimin looked forward to tomorrow.

Minjeong was smiling so wide, so bright that it could beat the sun's shine.

Jimin waved as Minjeong disappeared behind the door. For a second, Jimin thought Minjeong didn't want to walk with her out of embarrassment, but she was quick to shake that thought out of her mind. Of course, Minjeong was in a hurry, her classroom is farther than hers after all.

“I'm looking forward to it, Minjeong. I promise I'll be there.” Jimin mumbled, her hand lowering to her side. It was enough, a week of having lunch together was more than enough for Jimin. Just a little time of freedom, within Jinho, without life's cruelty looming behind them.

Fueled by Minjeong's smile, Jimin walked through the empty hallways of their school. Classes had finished, students went home and some in their respective club rooms, in the gymnasium, on the field, practicing. Jimin had one destination in mind, and despite her fear, she didn't back down, didn't turn around and run away.

Knocking on the door, Jimin leaned in with her ear flat on the door to listen to any kind of noises inside. She knew it was soundproofed, but still wanted to take her chances.

“Babe, the nerd is back.”

Jimin heard a voice, it wasn't Aeri. She looked around and saw no one, and the door hadn't been opened yet. Then she noticed the camera on the upper corner of the doorframe, her gaze lowered and finally saw the intercom beside the door. The door then opened, revealing Aeri who was looking so pissed, and Yizhuo peeking behind her.

Aeri blew smoke at Jimin's face, before throwing the cigarette on the floor and stomping on it with her foot angrily. Jimin coughed and took a step back.

“I'm in a really bad mood so I didn't bother when I saw you're still in our class. And now you’re here again? What the fuck do you want?!”

“Now, now, babe. Let her in so we can hear her out.” Yizhuo said while wrapping her arms around Aeri's waist. Jimin was taken aback by it because Yizhuo didn't seem like the terrible bully their school had branded her. Maybe it's just Aeri? It was only Aeri in the action, now that Jimin thought about it.

Jimin had never seen Yizhuo hurt anyone either.

Aeri rolled her eyes, the tension in her body visibly softened under Yizhuo's touch. Jimin was pushed inside the clubroom and boy, was she wrong about Yizhuo.

Yizhuo kicked the back of Jimin's knee, making her kneel on the floor. Then, she was forcefully pushed down, now she's on all fours and she felt a heavy weight on her back.

“I'm getting tired of the couch, Aeri. Will you replace it tomorrow? For now, I'll have a seat on this nerd.” Yizhuo said and completely straddled Jimin's back like a horse. Jimin groaned in pain when Yizhuo pulled her hair, her hair tie snapping off in the process.

“Wee! Take me to the fridge!” Yizhuo exclaimed while pointing at the corner of the room where the fridge was. Jimin gulped when Aeri gave her a look that clearly said, disobey her and I will kill you.

So, with trembling arms and legs, Jimin tried her best to crawl towards the fridge while carrying Yizhuo on her back. But she was so weak, her body so frail that it only took her one step forward before she collapsed. Yizhuo fell on top of her, groaning and complaining that she hurt her knee.

The air in the room shifted, it was so heavy and suffocating. Jimin slowly looked up and met Aeri's piercing gaze.

“You dare drop my girlfriend?” Aeri asked with a threatening tone that sent chills down Jimin's spine. Jimin's hair was then pulled, forcing her to look directly at Aeri.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm really sorry.”

Aeri hissed and carried Yizhuo in her arms. She then carefully put Yizhuo down on the couch and inspected her whole body for any injuries. Yizhuo giggled and pulled Aeri for a kiss, resulting in a little make out session that lasted for minutes.

Jimin was left on the floor, watching and too scared to even move a finger. When Aeri pulled away from Yizhuo, she slowly turned towards Jimin and with heavy steps, approached with her clenched fists.

“Come here.” Aeri gritted her teeth as she pulled Jimin by her collar. Jimin was pushed against the wall, the painting beside her falling with a loud crash.

“If something happens to Yizhuo, I will kill you. If she tells you to do something, you'll do it. If she wants you to take her places, you will, and with her unscathed. She was kind enough to let you in and this is what you'll do to her?” Aeri raised a fist, ready to strike Jimin any moment.

“Now, now, babe. We're supposed to lie low. I know you're frustrated, you can take it out on me.” Yizhuo said while holding Aeri's wrist. She sneaked a finger on Aeri's palm and rubbed directionless to calm her down.

Aeri finally backed down, leaving Jimin coughing while holding her neck. She faced Yizhuo, cradled her face in her palm while rubbing her thumbs against her delicate skin.

“I will never do that to you.” Aeri's eyes held the weight of her vow. Yizhuo held Aeri's waist, her eyes sparkling with her undying love.

“I meant we can have sex. You can do anything you want to me. And maybe, we'll have this nerd watch again, or film us. Isn't that exciting?”

Yizhuo's suggestion made Aeri scoff, but then, she chuckled and pulled her lover close for a passionate kiss as if Jimin wasn't in the room with them.

Using that opportunity, Jimin slowly stepped aside in hopes she could sneak out of the room and run away. She succeeded in a few steps, but stopped when she realized that she's running away again. It was like second nature to her.

I was going to run away after Aeri threatened me, I was going to give up again after just a little choke.

But Mom suffered more than that.

Minjeong is suffering more than what I am going through right now.

I can do this. I can do this.

Please, let me do this.

So, with her fists clenched to her side, Jimin stepped back and slowly faced the couple who were making out with Aeri dominating Yizhuo against the wall. Jimin vowed never to leave that room until Aeri agreed to her request. No matter what they'll say, what they'll do to her, Jimin won't even take a step away from that room.

Jimin had nowhere else to go. Joining the Judo Club was out of the question, because she had to go through a process of changing clubs and that would take a long time. It would then take a longer time to learn at the club, and Jimin couldn't afford the expense of it either. It would all be such a long process, and Jimin couldn't afford to waste any more time. Minjeong could've been suffering under Jinho's hands as Aeri and Yizhuo were eating each other out, so Jimin had to learn fast.

And there's no better candidate for it than Aeri and Yizhuo. Rumors had it that Aeri had beaten lots of people by herself, and she was unstoppable when paired with Yizhuo. Jimin also knew they wouldn't ask money from her, they didn't need her spare change, and she knew all she could afford was what they would ask in return from her.

Jimin didn't mind what they would make her do, as long as they would teach her to fight. She didn't just believe the rumors alone, Jimin saw Aeri fight one time and that was enough evidence of her skills.

Please help me.

Minjeong's broken pleas echoed in Jimin's mind once again, and she gritted her teeth.

As Jimin was racking her brain on how to make them agree to her request, Aeri noticed that she hadn't left yet. Ignoring Yizhuo's whine at the lack of lips ravaging her body, Aeri stepped closer to Jimin and grabbed her collar again, only to pull it down until Jimin was on the floor, groaning in pain.

“You had the chance to leave without a scratch. Do you really want to get hurt that bad? I'm pissed off already and you just had to come here and make it worse—”

“Aeri, c'mon.” Yizhuo sighed, being the one more reasonable than them. “Just let her go, we have to—”

“I know we have to lie low for now! Fuck that woman! After leaving me and Dad, she had the audacity to come back like nothing happened and dictate me what to do?! And Dad just…” Aeri snapped and kicked the trash bin, a dent formed on its metal body as it hit the wall behind Jimin.

“I know, babe. I know.” Yizhuo sighed and wrapped her arms around Aeri's waist from the back while kissing her neck. “How about this? Let's agree to her request, play along for a little while. We can make her our new pet, a secret one until the issue dies down. We can keep her here in our club room, buy her a collar and bowls for food and water. Oh, I'm so excited babe. This nerd would make a good puppy.” Yizhuo then whispered seductively to Aeri's ear and bit her earlobe, then licked to soothe it. Aeri sighed under Yizhuo's touch and calmed down once more.

Still, Aeri was against the idea. “I'm not in the mood to entertain her nonsense, Yizhuo. You,” Aeri kicked Jimin's foot and closed her eyes in pleasure when Yizhuo slipped a hand under her shirt to play with her breast.

“Get the fuck out of here.” Aeri spat and was about to turn to attend to Yizhuo's needs when Jimin crawled towards her and held her hand while kneeling.

“Please, please. I will do anything. I will do anything that Yizhuo says, anything you want. Anything! I won't tell anyone, I won't complain, just please… please let me protect someone dear to me. I'll do anything…” Jimin begged as tears fell from her eyes. She rubbed her palms together and bowed her head until it was resting on the floor.

“Please, Aeri… Yizhuo… please teach me how to fight. I will do anything, I swear. You can do anything to me, you can even kill me after I save her so please… I'm begging you.”

If this is what it takes to make Minjeong happy and smile more, then I'll do it.

I will not make the same mistake again, I will not regret anymore.

I'm scared, but I'm done running away.

Losing Minjeong is far scarier than anything in the world.

Aeri scoffed and rolled her eyes. Then, she pressed her foot against the back of Jimin's head while looking down at her. “Anything, huh?”

Jimin gulped at how intense and heavy Aeri's voice was. It crushed her more than foot on her head, and she wanted to run away again. Jimin was trembling in fear, and for a second, she contemplated her decisions again.

Make it stop.

Save me.

But Minjeong's voice echoed in her mind again, and she reminded herself that she shouldn't run away. It was tough facing a terrifying road ahead, Jimin was scared of Aeri and Yizhuo, scared of what they'll make her do or do to her, and scared of fighting Jinho.

It was terrifying, all of it. But Jimin stayed and fought the urge to run away, fought back the confusing thoughts in her head that wanted her to stay, the thoughts that wanted her to run away. Jimin gritted her teeth, tried to push all those thoughts away and mumbled under her breath repeatedly. If she was free from Aeri's hold, Jimin would've also slapped herself.

“I will not run away… I will not run away…”

“What the fuck are mumbling about? I asked you, you'll do anything, right?” Aeri removed her foot and crouched down, pulling Jimin's hair to make her look up to her. “Anything?”

Jimin endured the pain on her head and she nodded. “Yes. I promise, I'll do anything. I'll obey you, satisfy you. I will make Yizhuo happy—”

A loud, sharp slap cut Jimin off. She gasped, the sting on her cheek made her tears fall and she tasted blood in her mouth.

“I am the only one who can make her happy. Don't get ahead of yourself now.” Aeri dropped Jimin on the floor again and went to the couch to rummage on her bag. A few seconds later, she came back and threw crisp paper bills at Jimin.

“Go buy yourself a collar with a chain. You can keep the change. I expect you to be here tomorrow at lunch and after class. And if we want you here, you will come anytime. Understand?”

Lunch? But I'm going to have lunch with Minjeong tomorrow.

“Can I come after class? I have plans at lunch—”

Another slap, and it knocked Jimin's glasses away.

“You have the audacity to make more requests now? You said you'll do anything, so if I want you here by lunch, then your dumb ass should be here. I don't care about what you do in your life, you're under us now. Scram! You're pissing me off! Just remember this, I wouldn't have agreed if it wasn't for Yizhuo, so don't get it too much in your head now.”

Jimin whimpered as she nodded, and picked up the paper bills and her glasses that Yizhuo discreetly kicked towards her. She bowed a few times and spewed her thanks, until Aeri got pissed off again and threatened to punch her. Jimin ran from the clubroom, leaving Aeri and Yizhuo staring at the opened door.

“Are you really doing this for me, hmm?” Yizhuo clung on Aeri's neck and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Doesn't she remind you of someone? So, so stubborn.”

Aeri scoffed and held Yizhuo's waist, pulling her closer for a kiss. When Aeri pulled away, Yizhuo smirked and bit her lip.

“So?”

“I hate the look in her eyes. I hate it.”

Yizhuo understood it too well, so she kissed Aeri's neck again, ran her tongue with patterns she knew Aeri loved to calm her down, or distract her at least. Aeri sighed and felt the tension in her body releasing, and thought about how she couldn't live without Yizhuo with her.

Doesn't she remind you of someone?

Aeri gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. She let Yizhuo guide her to the couch, let Yizhuo straddle her lap and remove her clothes. A flash of memory made her lips tremble, but Yizhuo was quick to kiss it away, replacing the feeling with her lips and tongue so Aeri wouldn't have to think of it again.

“I'll make sure she suffers.” Aeri murmured against Yizhuo's lips. Yizhuo was about to say something, but forgot about it in an instant when Aeri slipped a hand under her skirt. Her words were replaced with moans, and she let Aeri pour her frustrations out on her.

“I'll make that nerd give up.”

And smack her face against the harsh truth that she can't protect anyone.

Like how I couldn't.

Chapter Text

All Jimin could think about was Minjeong, and the promise she had broken. They were supposed to have lunch, and Minjeong was probably waiting for her the whole time with her expensive lunch box with the five star meal inside paired with her usual beverage that cost half of Jimin's salary. Or probably, Minjeong had a butler bring her take out food from a restaurant that Jimin could only dream of just stepping a foot inside, or have even just a glimpse.

It was all Jimin could think about, the guilt was gnawing on her and she wanted nothing more than to run away and go to Minjeong. Maybe she could still catch up, explain why she hadn't shown up at all and apologize. It was the first promise Jimin ever made to Minjeong, and she just broke it.

Good job, Jimin. Now Minjeong will hate you.

Jimin tried to shake off the thought. Minjeong would surely understand, but how could she even explain it? How could Jimin explain that she couldn't go to have lunch with her because she was tied up on the table? A black collar hugged her neck, its chain securely tied to the table's leg, so heavy that even if Jimin wanted to escape, she couldn't lift it to remove the chain. The collar even had a lock, with Yizhuo hiding the key inside her bra.

There was no escape. Not even for a second. Jimin knew it was her decision to beg Aeri and Yizhuo to teach her how to fight in exchange for being their pet, but she wished she could at least let Minjeong know that she couldn't go.

Was Minjeong still waiting? Has she eaten? There were only ten minutes left before lunch break ended. Jimin thought if she could maybe ask to go to the restroom, but they had one in the clubroom. Still, she could try, maybe they wouldn't even let her use their restroom at all and would ask her to go out. That could be a chance for her to look for Minjeong.

“Babe, my puppy hasn't eaten at all.” Yizhuo whined and Aeri's glare made Jimin gulp in fear. She just realized that she hadn't touched her food at all, a pasta on a dog bowl and orange juice on another bowl. Yizhuo was kind enough to give her a fork, but it was still degrading.

Jimin wasn't being treated like a human at all.

Aeri paused from writing and slammed her pen against the table. “What do you think you're doing, huh? Yizhuo was kind enough to feed you something you don't even deserve. Don't make me come there to shove that pasta down your throat.”

Jimin scrambled on eating the pasta without ever looking up. Aeri clicked her tongue and went back to writing while grumbling about wasting a few seconds of her time. Surprisingly, Aeri and Yizhuo were taking their studies seriously, and Jimin thought that they never cared about it because of their family's connection.

Aeri and Yizhuo's grades weren't fake at all, they climbed the ranks with their own effort. Aeri was even tutoring Yizhuo, their usual playful antics weren't present. Maybe, Jimin thought, those times when they skipped class were probably for an entire different reason that they wouldn't openly tell anyone.

“What am I gonna do when you graduate? I'll be lonely.” Yizhuo whined again and laid her head on Aeri's lap. Aeri bent down to plant a kiss on Yizhuo's forehead then proceeded to caress her hair with gentleness that was only reserved for her.

“Do you want me to stay behind? I honestly can't leave you here alone too.” Aeri said with her voice so sweet that no one would've thought she would beat up and torment people in her past time. It was all new to Jimin and she thought she would never get used to it. They seemed so different when they're with each other, and Jimin could only imagine what they were like when they're completely alone.

Is there kindness left in them? Or was it only for each other?

Can Jimin still reason with them?

“You'll do that for me? But…” Yizhuo sat up and straddled Aeri's lap. “I don't want to get in the way of your studies. Your dad wouldn't like it either.”

“You will never be in my way, I will always prioritize you. And to hell with him, as long as I can always be with you, who cares? Or do you prefer being away from me, hmm?” Aeri teased while nuzzling her nose against Yizhuo's neck.

“Yuqi can accompany me.” Yizhuo giggled and Jimin felt the air shift.

“Oh? You're fine without me as long as you have Yuqi?” Aeri's tone was teasing, but in a different way. It was cold, and angry.

“Is that jealousy I hear?”

“You brat—”

The bell rang, signalling the end of lunch break and the start of Jimin's limited freedom. That was what she was hoping, that maybe, Aeri would let her go to at least attend their classes. And luckily, she was granted to do so, thanks to them lying low because if it wasn't the case, Yizhuo would've wanted to keep her on leash and drag her around her own classes.

Yizhuo kissed Aeri before getting off from her and approached Jimin. Taking out the key from her bra, she bent down and unlocked Jimin's collar. It felt nice not being tied down like an animal. Jimin breathed a sigh of relief while massaging her neck and looked up when Yizhuo chuckled as she looked down on her.

“You were such a good puppy, you behaved well. Did you like your food?” Yizhuo asked while patting her head.

The pasta was the most delicious food Jimin had ever tasted in her life, and she would've enjoyed it if it wasn't given to her in a dog bowl. Still, she nodded obediently so as to not upset Yizhuo.

But Aeri wasn't satisfied with that.

“Answer her, bitch.” Aeri threatened and Jimin immediately obeyed.

“Yes, I did.”

“Good.” Aeri stood up and led Yizhuo to the door, and before they left, Aeri gave Jimin a quick glance and an order.

“Go to our classes. Be back after, and you better be on your collar before we arrive. Got that?”

“Yes…”

And just like that, she was left alone in the clubroom. Jimin waited for a few minutes before she grabbed her bag and headed to her next class. She didn't see Minjeong anywhere and guilt came crawling back to her.

Minjeong was probably confused and hurt that she didn't show up. Jimin had to make a choice. There was only a few days before Jinho came back tormenting Minjeong again. Only a few days left for Jimin to have a chance to spend a rare, precious time with Minjeong. But she also had to be there whenever and wherever Aeri and Yizhuo wanted her to be and do anything they wanted her to do. She could also use that time to at least learn some basic skills from Aeri and Yizhuo. It was a tough choice.

But Jimin knew deep inside what the right choice was, even if it was a heavy one and would break her heart.

Jimin had to stay with Aeri and Yizhuo. As long as Jimin could save Minjeong in the end, then that's what matters the most. A little sacrifice, to save her love from cruelty. The following day, Jimin still couldn't go to the rooftop for lunch and she couldn't stop thinking about Minjeong. Yizhuo wanted to play with her all the time, even after their classes in the afternoon. Jimin couldn't even go to her part-time job, and she was worried that she would get fired.

No, she was sure she's fired. The owner is strict, and not really that kind to understand her situation. But that was the least of her problems. She could go and find another job, but Minjeong?

Minjeong was irreplaceable. Jimin couldn't stop thinking and worrying about her.

Did she go to the rooftop again? Was she still waiting for me to show up?

“Aeri, my puppy's eyeglasses are so ugly. I don't like it.”

Back to reality. Jimin should stop thinking about Minjeong and actually do something for her.

Yizhuo was about to remove her eyeglasses, so Jimin quickly held on to it, and Aeri wasn't pleased with her actions.

“What do you think you're doing?” Aeri raised an eyebrow and walked towards them. Jimin gulped and tried to back away, but Yizhuo was already holding the chain to her collar and pulled her back.

“If Yizhuo says she doesn't like it, you have to throw it away.”

“But… But I need my glasses.” 

Just the sound of Aeri clicking her tongue already made Jimin froze on the spot, and she gasped in surprise and pain when Aeri pulled her hair back to force Jimin to look up at her.

“Replace it then.” Aeri took out a few paper bills from her wallet and threw them at Jimin's face.

“Get a haircut too and change your shoes.” Yizhuo added, and Aeri took more money and lazily threw them on the floor. Jimin picked up the money from the floor and bowed to them repeatedly.

“I'll do it. Thank you.” Jimin said sincerely. Despite her situation, she was grateful for the help because she couldn't afford all of it. She could have new glasses, and she could finally replace her worn out shoes.

“Don't thank me. I'm doing it for Yizhuo, she hates it when her puppy looks dirty. You better show up nice and clean tomorrow.”

“I think wolf cut suits you, have it done that way. For now, have a little treat. Where's your bowl?” Yizhuo added while looking for the dog bowl. When she found it, she poured gummy worms in it and handed it to Jimin.

“Eat. You need it for later.”

Later? Jimin wondered. She picked up some gummy worms and started eating, while Yizhuo watched her with amusement shining in her eyes.

Yizhuo only saw Jimin as a dog, something she could play with.

“Aeri will teach you how to fight. I'll just watch.” Yizhuo whispered then giggled as she hopped her way towards Aeri. Jimin's eyes widened and she momentarily forgot her worries for Minjeong.

Finally, she could start learning how to fight. Jimin would think about the rest later. She got excited, hopeful, but also scared. She had never laid a finger on anyone, not even on bugs, and fighting someone was honestly far too terrifying for her. But for Minjeong, she'd face it.

Jimin finished the rest of the gummy worms in a hurry, because Yizhuo didn't like it when she couldn't finish her food. Just on time, Aeri slammed her laptop shut and glanced at Jimin.

“Get up.” Aeri ordered. Jimin scrambled to stand up and gulped when Aeri removed her blazer and rolled her sleeves.

“I'm exhausted with all that schoolwork so I'll be using you as a break. The earlier you give up, the better.”

Give up? Jimin couldn't afford that. No matter how scary it was, no matter how tough it would be, she would persevere. Jimin thought that maybe Aeri would do anything to make her give up, run away, and she'll prove that she could do it.

“I won't give up—” 

Jimin had an unwavering determination, she prepared herself for it. She knew what was coming, but there she was on the floor, holding her bleeding nose while whimpering. Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes, and she started to feel dizzy.

It came in a flash, Jimin didn't see how fast and hard Aeri's punch came. She was on the floor in an instant.

It hurt a lot, all Jimin could think about was the pain and the blood.

“Is that all you've got?” Aeri sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. Yizhuo was just watching on the couch while eating some chips, and she was clearly enjoying the scene. After all, Aeri looked hot when fighting in Yizhuo's eyes.

“I… I wasn't prepared…” Jimin managed to say and winced when more blood dripped from her nose. Aeri scoffed and kicked Jimin's stomach.

Jimin gasped and coughed, she felt like passing out.

“Do you think people would wait for you to be prepared in a fight? Use your brain. Get up.”

“Aeri, I think my puppy passed out already. Come back here? I wanna makeout.”

“I can still… go…” Jimin tried to stand up despite the pain, her knees and arms were shaking, but before she could even lift her head, Aeri already landed a blow on her head. A sharp kick, Aeri's movements were calculated, she didn't waste even an inch of movement for nothing.

The simple beating Jimin was receiving just showed how skillful Aeri was. Jimin thought she must've lost her mind, that she got her head injured way too much because despite her situation, she still thought that she made the right choice to have Aeri teach her how to fight. Jimin may have never had an experience with fighting, but she could tell.

Aeri was in a different league, and she could only imagine what Yizhuo was capable of.

But that thought and relief only lasted a few seconds, with how heavy the kick Jimin received, she couldn't keep her consciousness anymore and passed out on the floor.

Jimin knew it wouldn't be easy.

“Your puppy doesn't have potential, baby. Just keep her as a pet. Well, I bet she won't be coming back tomorrow. I'll find you another one, okay? Don't sulk—” Aeri sighed when she turned around and saw Yizhuo already pouting.

“I'm already sulking. I like this puppy. I was actually rooting for her.”

“What's that supposed to mean, huh?”

Yizhuo chuckled at the obvious jealousy in Aeri's voice. She patted the space beside her, urging Aeri to sit beside her. Yizhuo didn't waste time and straddled Aeri's lap once they were settled comfortably on the couch.

“This puppy is starting to grow on me for some reason. I just have this feeling.” Yizhuo said while kissing Aeri's neck. She could feel the vibration against her lips when Aeri groaned.

“That feeling better not be romantic, or I'll kill that puppy of yours.” 

Yizhuo giggled and started removing Aeri's buttons, but a hand grabbed her wrist, making her pout.

“Do your homework.” Aeri sternly said, which made Yizhuo roll her eyes.

“Why do you have to be strict when it comes to this? Fine, but I want to do it while sitting on your lap.”

“How am I supposed to do my own homework then? Baby, I'll make it up to you later, I promise.” Aeri tried to push Yizhuo off her, but the latter was almost glued to her.

“No. If you can't do your homework, then do me. I don't care.” Yizhuo huffed and turned around to pull the table closer, and started actually doing her homework while sitting on Aeri's lap. Aeri couldn't do anything but sigh, and let Yizhuo do what she wanted.

“You're such a brat.” Aeri mumbled while fixing Yizhuo's hair.

“You love me though.”

Aeri chuckled and wrapped her arms around Yizhuo's waist.

“Of course.”

Jimin couldn't figure out why her schoolmates were staring at her. They used to ignore her, she was almost invisible, irrelevant. So it confused her, and made her so conscious. Was it because she was limping a little? Was it because of the bruise on the side of her mouth? Or did she pick an ugly eyeglasses?

After she got beaten up by Aeri, she woke up when the sun had already set. Aeri and Yizhuo were already gone, but there was a note left in front of her along with a key and a paper bag. It was the key to her collar, and a note saying,

I don't like your uniform, it's too big. Use this from now on. See you tomorrow, my puppy. — Yizhuo

Her ears were still ringing, but Jimin managed to clean herself up and go to the mall. She got a new pair of eyeglasses, which helped her a lot, and she made sure to ask for the most decent looking one that would satisfy Yizhuo. Her jaw dropped with how expensive it was, but she was able to get it thanks to the money Aeri gave her. Jimin also got new school shoes, and she still had a huge change left that she decided to save in case of emergency. Aeri never asked for any change back anyway, and Jimin would like to treat that as a blessing.

Jimin also got the haircut Yizhuo wanted. She was sporting shoulder length wolf cut hair and the change was uncomfortable at first because she was used to having simple straight hair since she was a kid, and her mother would just have it trimmed when it got too long.

Whispers around Jimin increased, and the stares wanted her to run and hide somewhere. Did Aeri do anything? Did they find out she became their new pet? Jimin consciously pulled her skirt down, the uniform Yizhuo gave her was a bit tighter than her old one, and the skirt was uncomfortably too short that even though she was wearing safety shorts, she still felt exposed.

Maybe, they were staring at her because of her uniform. When it got too much, Jimin ran to the nearest restroom and before she could get inside, she heard some boys talking about her.

“I didn't know that nerd could be so hot.”

“Totally. She's my type, dude.”

Jimin's face reddened in embarrassment. Was it all part of Yizhuo's plan? Was it to embarrass her? Jimin locked herself in the furthest stall to catch her breath. She stared at her shaking hands and her palms were sweating a lot. It was all too much, Jimin felt like imploding and she didn't know where she would get the strength to come out and go to their class. Jimin had ten minutes left before the bell rang, and she knew well that she couldn't afford to skip classes.

She already lost her part-time job, and her boss was relentless as expected. No matter how much Jimin begged not to be fired, her boss didn't budge and actually got a new worker to replace her.

That was fast.

Good thing she got the leftover money from Aeri, that could make her survive for a few weeks until she could find another job.

As Jimin was trying her best to calm herself, the bell rang loudly, making her cover her ears. When it died down and she couldn't hear anyone outside anymore, she slipped from the restroom and tried her best to enter their classroom without gathering attention as much as she could. A few glances were thrown at her, but it was manageable and didn't last long when their teacher arrived.

Yizhuo was ecstatic upon seeing Jimin's transformation though. She couldn't stop swooning over her ‘puppy’ that irritated Aeri a lot, resulting into Jimin getting beaten up. 

And it went on for days. The whispers had died down, but the eyes who seemed to be always watching Jimin's every move remained. Jimin liked to think she was getting used to it, but in reality, it was still way too overwhelming. The days went on, Jimin would've lunch at the clubroom and Yizhuo would play with her. In the afternoon, Aeri would beat her up, and she was yet to learn how to at least defend herself.

Aeri was getting impatient with how persistent Jimin was, so she beat Jimin harder each day in hopes of making her give up. But Jimin kept coming back, limping and bruised, and Aeri started to think if Jimin's stupidity had already made her numb.

Yizhuo would keep covering her bruises with makeup, because she didn't like her puppy looking ‘dirty’.

Jimin days were filled with stares and bruises. And she was thankful that Yizhuo gave her some used makeup that was just collecting dust in her dresser, and Jimin got the basics of using it so she could hide her bruises and not to make her mother worry.

Jimin hadn't seen Minjeong since then. She was locked up in the clubroom most of the time, she was too tired in the evening after getting beaten up all over again and would head straight home. Jimin wished she could at least catch a glimpse of Minjeong, though she knew that fate wasn't that kind to her.

But maybe, fate wasn't that cruel after all.

Jimin was tasked to clean up with some of her classmates after their activity in the gym. It was one of the things Jimin didn't like at school, because she was never athletic, and she was still aching all over. They had to do some badminton matches and they were all graded for it. Thankfully, they weren't graded just for their scores, but also how well they put an effort into it.

“Hey, Jimin. Can you put these in the storage room at the back? I hurt my back and Haeun will accompany me to the clinic. Please?” Her classmate asked and Jimin just couldn't say no to that, so she nodded. They left her while giggling, and Jimin didn't hear them snickering outside the gym.

“I told you she'd do anything if you ask her. She's too kind for her own good.”

“Or just stupid. No matter how much she changed herself, she's still that clumsy idiot.”

Jimin was deceived and used for their own selfish reasons and she hadn't realized it at all. She just wanted to help without having second thoughts on it. But even so, it was like a blessing in disguise. When Jimin went to the back storage room with the boxes of nets, rackets and shuttlecocks, she bumped into Minjeong who was also carrying a box.

“Jimin. Hello there.”

Minjeong. It was Kim Minjeong in the flesh. She was a bit sweaty, her hair a little messed up but she still managed to look ethereal in Jimin's eyes. Jimin almost dropped the boxes she was carrying, her knees and hands shook and she was left tongue-tied.

Was it out of guilt? Nervousness? Or was she simply captivated by Minjeong's presence?

Or Jimin just missed Minjeong a lot.

Maybe all of that, Minjeong does a lot with Jimin's heart.

“Minjeong—I… I was—” Jimin stuttered and she felt like she was up in the clouds when she heard Minjeong giggle.

It was adorable and so pure.

“Relax, I'm not angry that you weren't at the rooftop. I was worried though, did something happen? I haven't seen you for almost a week.” Minjeong asked. Jimin wanted to cry at the kindness that Minjeong showed, and how understanding she was.

I don't deserve this. Jimin closed her eyes tightly while biting her lip.

“Hey, are you okay? Something happened, right? You look pale.”

Minjeong was too good for this world.

“I'm really sorry. Something came up so I… I couldn't—uh… I'm really sorry.”

Minjeong chuckled and that simple sound made Jimin relaxed. “I told you it's fine. No need to apologize. Are you okay?”

Jimin nodded bashfully, and there it was again. Minjeong's melodic and soft laughter. How Jimin wished she could hear it all the time. And Jimin couldn't look at Minjeong's eyes at all, she felt like she would melt if she did.

“That's good then. I'm just glad you're okay. We would've avoided all that if we could text each other, right?” Minjeong smiled, and Jimin almost dropped the boxes again as she felt blinded by that beautiful smile. All of a sudden, the stress and humiliation she felt, all that getting beaten up, were washed away because of Minjeong.

And Jimin was reminded once again that it was all going to be worth it, if Minjeong could smile like that all the time.

But Jimin paused when she realized what Minjeong said. She was right that they could've avoided it with a simple text. But they don't have each other's contact numbers.

Was it an invitation? Was Minjeong hinting that they could exchange numbers?

Or was it just Jimin's imagination and wishful thinking? Who was she to even ask Minjeong's number? It would've been nice, but Jimin knew she could only dream about it. Minjeong was probably making the atmosphere light to make her feel better.

Of course, it wasn't the case. They just met after all, and Jimin knew she wasn't considered as Minjeong's friend. She even disappeared for days.

“Can I have your number?”

Jimin's eyes widened and she finally dropped the boxes she was holding. It startled Minjeong and she quickly bent down to help with the boxes, but Jimin was left there with her mouth agape.

“Jimin?”

Maybe she was hallucinating, Jimin thought. Maybe Yizhuo put something in her pasta and she was still at the clubroom daydreaming that exact scene, because there's no way Kim Minjeong would ask for her number.

I must've lost my mind. This can't be real.

“Are you hurt? The boxes fell on your feet.”

Am I dreaming? Perhaps, my guilt had eaten me whole and I started hallucinating Minjeong.

“Jimin? You're making me worried.”

A hand reached her face, it's cold against her cheek. Jimin shivered at the touch, and despite its coldness, she felt her face heating up.

“Is this a bruise? What happened to you?”

Minjeong's face was way too close to her too, which didn't help her racing heart.

This can't be real. This can't be real!

“Do you have a fever? Your face is so red.”

And that was it, Jimin finally snapped out of it and fell on the ground when she stumbled back.. Her back hurt from the fall, but she was glad for the pain because it woke her up and realized that all of it was real.

“I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get into your personal space.” Minjeong took a few steps back, and even though she wanted to help Jimin up, she decided not to as to not overwhelm her. But it was too late, Jimin was beyond overwhelmed that she felt like passing out.

Minjeong just touched her, her hand was so soft and gentle. Of course, Jimin would blush like crazy, Minjeong just had no idea what her simple touch was capable of.

“I'm okay…” Jimin's voice cracked embarrassingly, and she blushed even more. She stood up quickly because she didn't want to worry Minjeong, and she just ignored the pain all over her body.

“Are you sure? I need to get this inside the storage room. You're taking those inside too, right? Let me help you.”

This is too much. I haven't recovered yet but there she was, overwhelming me with her kindness.

I have to get myself together.

“I can do it, thank you.” Jimin picked up the boxes again and followed Minjeong inside the storage room. While Minjeong was busy storing the box, Jimin stole a few glances at her. Even Minjeong's back was so attractive, her every move so elegant and gentle that Jimin forgot about the boxes she was carrying and just watched Minjeong's every move.

“You played badminton, huh? Our class played volleyball. It was surprisingly fun.” Minjeong said as she turned around. Jimin quickly turned her back and started putting the boxes on the shelves.

“Yeah.” Jimin had run out of words, and being alone with Minjeong in a dim and confined space, Jimin's mind was almost malfunctioning and she could feel that any second, her brain was going to explode.

“I was being too forward earlier, I'm sorry about that. It's just… I feel comfortable with you. But it was too much, right? Please forget what I asked. And it was true, I was really worried about you.”

Jimin blinked a few times, and before she could register what Minjeong said, the latter was already at the door and waving at her with that same smile that never failed to make Jimin fall all over again. She was sure Minjeong said something then, probably a ‘bye’ or ‘see you around’, but Jimin wasn't so sure. All she could think about was what Minjeong said earlier.

And as Minjeong disappeared from her view, the words rang in Jimin's mind over and over again.

“Can I have your number?”

“I feel comfortable with you.”

“Please forget what I asked.”

Jimin slowly knelt on the floor while pulling her hair, and she felt like she was going to cry. She had just let go of something so important, so, so, precious that Jimin couldn't help but bang her head against the shelf repeatedly.

Minjeong's number was far more valuable than diamonds, and Jimin just had to let go of it.

“I'm an idiot.” Jimin curled up into a ball, not minding one bit about the dirty floor.

“I'm an idiot.” Jimin repeated with a pout and tears from her eyes. If it wasn't for the bell ringing for their next class, she would've stayed curled up until it became dark and she would be locked inside the school. Aedi and Yizhuo would be furious at her too. Sometimes, loud noises saved her from troubles.

First, Jimin broke her first promise to Minjeong. Then she just had to be a total idiot by not responding quickly and giving her number. Jimin drowned in guilt and regret, that she just mindlessly put on her collar when she reached the clubroom after classes had ended. Minjeong, even though she said it was fine and she understood Jimin, she must've felt lonely on the rooftop, she must've felt lonely on those days that Jimin couldn't accompany her. Minjeong must've felt embarrassed when Jimin couldn't give her number, and all Jimin wanted was to turn back time. Even for a few hours, just so she could make Minjeong happy.

But that was all a hopeless wish. Time still moved forward relentlessly and it never stopped for anyone. Time was cruel.

“It was just a dream.” Jimin mumbled. “I didn't see Minjeong, she didn't ask that. We didn't have a promise to have lunch together.”

“I will always prioritize you.” Aeri's voice echoed in Jimin's mind. She nodded to herself as she regained her resolve. Minjeong will be her priority. Minjeong's safety and happiness. Jimin shouldn't care about whether she had lunch with Minjeong or if she had Minjeong's number. She shouldn't care about being happy herself.

Just a little sacrifice. Jimin can't afford a lot of things, but she'll pay for anything for Minjeong. Jimin just had to endure it until she could see Minjeong smile everyday.

Jimin didn't need more reminders about what she should prioritize. Not when she saw Minjeong on her way home. Minjeong entered the car while a man opened the door for her. And even though it was a bit dark, Jimin knew too well who was with Minjeong.

Jinho.

Kang Jinho was back, and Jimin hadn't even learned how to throw a punch. Time was ticking, and it would never wait for anyone.

Chapter Text

"Jimin-ah, are you awake? You're gonna be late!"

Last hole to put the shoelace, a simple bow to tie it up, and Jimin was done. She just washed her shoes the other night because it got way too dirty when she came home on a rainy night and she slipped on a mud pile.

Jimin forgot to bring her umbrella and had to run, and she was thankful she didn't get any injuries from the slip, just a few scratches and a single bruise. Her aching body from Aeri's constant beating was more than enough too. With a grunt, Jimin stood up and stared at the door. Soft knocks made her eyes lock at the doorknob, then a hesitating hand reached for it.

The doorknob looked blurry, as if it was closed to disappearing. At the same time, it was closing in on her, as if it was going to devour her whole. Jimin shut her eyes tight and took a deep breath, then nodded to herself when the knocks repeated again.

With a forced smile, Jimin opened the door.

"Mom, it's Saturday. I don't have classes. But I'm going out to look for a job."

Jimin's mom smiled, the same smile she watched everyday, cherished and engraved in her mind. The same wrinkled eyes, dry, cracked lips that still managed to give a smile that warmed Jimin's heart.

The same smile that would never change.

"Jimin-ah, can you buy eggs on your way home?"

And then, Jimin would always reciprocate it with the same smile. A forced one, that she knew all too well that her mother could tell that was all but lies. But Jimin didn't care, she would keep smiling until all those lies became her truth.

Same routine. Her mother would greet her with a smile every morning, she would come to school, work, study, repeat. There's a slight change on it, though, which is having to serve Aeri and Yizhuo, try her best to learn how to fight, and save Minjeong. But other than that, it should be the same. Jimin liked to believe she could keep it that way.

The same kimbap her mother made everyday, the same spot on the couch where her mother would fall asleep waiting for her to come home. The same TV show playing in the background.

The same. All of it would be the same, and Jimin would like to keep it that way.

Jimin put her lunch box with the usual kimbap in her messenger bag, and hooked it on her shoulder. Checking her things, keys, wallet, and her phone, she tied her shoelace tighter again. She was about to leave when she noticed the sole of her right shoe had been torn open about two inches, and it was probably damaged from when she slipped. Sighing, she stood up and rummaged through the toolbox her father left in the apartment sitting on the same spot, under the coffee table in their living room. Jimin found an electrical tape, and used it to wrap around the vamp of the shoes to keep the sole intact. It would've to do, Jimin couldn't afford to buy a new pair of sneakers. She could use the leftover money from Aeri, but having no part-time job yet, she wanted to save it for the most important things. Food, bills, and her mother's needs. Jimin was also already aiming to replace her mother's prosthetic leg, it seemed her mother had been having a hard time with it lately. She wouldn't mind missing a few meals for it.

"I'll be a bit late, Mom. Don't wait for me. I'll be sure to buy eggs before I go home." Jimin said while walking towards the door. Her mother remained standing in front of her bedroom door, still with the same smile.

“Thank you, honey. Now, go, you might miss the bus.”

Jimin nodded and finally left their apartment. The air was cold, and it would probably rain again in the evening. Checking her messenger bag again, she made sure her folding umbrella was also inside. Upon seeing her lunch box with the usual kimbap inside, it made Jimin smile again. She really loved her mother's kimbap, and she would never get tired of it. It would also help with her expenses for the day because wouldn't able to eat out.

"Oh, I forgot to bring water."

Jimin was already holding her keys to get back inside their apartment for her water bottle, when a familiar voice called her name. She immediately turn around and greet the woman who was carrying a huge paper bag in her arms, and Jimin caught a whiff of fresh bread, making her gulp. It already smelled so delicious, she could almost taste it in the air.

Are those bagels? Probably. Jimin started to get lost in thought of different kinds of breads, and she wondered what bread was Minjeong's favorite. Maybe Minjeong only ate bread made personally for her only by a famous baker.

Does she like bagels? Or maybe she prefers pastries? Minjeong seemed like a cookie or cake person too.

"Jimin, are you okay?"

Jimin snapped out from her thoughts and bowed to the woman. "Good morning, Mrs. Jang. I'm sorry I was out of it, I'm okay."

Mrs. Jang, the one who lives on the same floor with her husband and their daughter. Their unit is at the end of the hallway and Jimin would sometimes bump into their family if she gets out or comes home early. The same family who had always been a huge help to her, and Jimin would be forever grateful for them.

"You're out early, have you eaten yet? Come over and have some bagels and coffee." Mrs. Jang offered.

So they really are bagels. Jimin thought once more while looking at the paper bag. But she shook her head and just smiled.

"It's okay, I need to go to find a part-time job." Jimin politely declined, but Miss Jang was having none of it.

"More reason you should come over for breakfast. Come, dear."

Jimin couldn't say anything anymore, and let Miss Jang pull her by the wrist towards their apartment unit. Jimin also felt bad for all the times she had to decline Miss Jang's offers because either she was busy doing school work, or she was too occupied trying to make ends meet. Just a little time, Jimin thought. It was indeed too early and she thought she could just stay a little bit later looking for jobs.

Mrs. Jang's family had been nothing but kind to her.

Warm, cozy, it's the definition of home. It was a huge contrast to Jimin's apartment which only looked dull, cold, and broken.

Her home felt so blue, but Jimin forced herself to believe it's her favorite color.

"Honey, I brought Jimin. Get off the table."

"I'd appreciate it if you stop treating me like a cat." Mr. Jang said with a chuckle. Jimin bowed to him and he just gestured for her to have a seat at the dining table. Mr. Jang then moved to the living room to continue reading his newspaper, a bit old fashioned since most read and watch the news on their phones or TV's, but the scene brought nostalgia to Jimin.

And it was warm. How she wished she could go back in time when everything was still sunshine. It felt like Jimin had been going through storms after storms, that it was slowly flooding her life and threatened to drown her.

"I'm sorry for intruding." Jimin said while removing her shoes. The couple just smiled at her, then Mrs. Jang noticed Jimin' shoes that were tattered and falling apart. It reflected Jimin's life a lot, with only the electrical tape keeping her intact and sane.

"Go ahead and have a seat." Mrs. Jang said and gave Jimin some bagels with a promise of a coffee. Reluctantly, Jimin took a seat and stared at the piece of warm bagel, she gulped and took a bite. Her head was down the whole time while eating, she couldn't keep rejecting Mrs. Jang's offer anymore, but she still felt so shy intruding into their home all of sudden. Jimin thought it might be a bother for Mr. Jang and their daughter.

"Wonyoung!" Mrs. Jang called, and a woman emerged from her bedroom door, still rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"Why are you so loud in the morning?" Wonyoung complained, her voice still hoarse from sleep.

"Jimin's here, would you mind giving her your old shoes?"

"What?! Why did you bring her here without telling me?! Ma, I'm not—ugh!" The door slammed shut, so loud that it made Jimin jump on her seat. Her head was hanging so low that her forehead was almost touching the table with how embarrassed she was.

Jimin was probably not welcomed by Wonyoung with the way she acted, and she wanted nothing more than to run away and never show herself.

She wanted to cry.

Wonyoung was still talking to herself loudly from her bedroom, but Jimin couldn't understand any of it, just muffled, possible complaints and grunts here and there. There was also some rummaging, something falling or bumping, and Jimin was worried that Wonyoung was mad and thrashing inside her room.

I should leave. Jimin thought, but then Mr. Jang sighed loudly.

"That kid is hopeless. Don't mind her, Jimin. She just—"

"Leave her alone, will you? Let her deal with it." Mrs. Jang stopped her husband, and he just groaned in response. If Jimin could only see the smirk on his face, it would greatly help her racing heart.

"Ugh! Ma, I hate you! I'm still on my pj's! I haven't even washed my face! Did I wash my shoes? Pa! Help me! You can't do this to me!"

Wonyoung's parents simultaneously sighed. Jimin blinked fast, her head finally up while she looked at them back and forth.

What is happening?

"Don't mind her, Jimin. Just eat your food, okay? I'll make you coffee, or do you prefer hot chocolate?"

"I... uhm..."

"Don't hesitate, dear."

Jimin bit her lip and stared at her half eaten bagel to avoid anyone's gazes. "Hot chocolate, please..."

Wonyoung kept running around the apartment like a maniac and it worried Jimin a lot. She looked at Mrs. Jang who seemed unbothered and was making hot chocolate in peace, Mr. Jang also didn't pay much attention anymore and was absorbed in reading his newspaper. Right then, a cup of hot chocolate was placed gently in front of Jimin, and when she looked up, Mrs. Jang just patted her head.

"Don't mind Wonyoung, she's okay."

But Jimin did mind. She couldn't figure out why Wonyoung was acting like that. They rarely interact with each other despite them living too close. Wonyoung goes to a different school, and when they do see each other, they would only give a quick bow or a smile and went on their own ways.

So she really couldn't tell if Wonyoung hated her or not.

After what felt like eternity, Wonyoung finally entered the kitchen with fresh clothes, washed face with light makeup and the strong smell of jasmine perfume she was wearing that made Jimin sneeze. Wonyoung then sat in front of her, almost falling off embarrassingly from the chair and awkwardly clearing her throat when she recovered.

"I'm sorry about that. And uh... good morning. I... uhm..." Wonyoung couldn't look at Jimin at all, and asked for her mother's help with pleading eyes.

For some reason, Jimin felt that Wonyoung didn't hate her, but she still couldn't figure out her weird behavior.

"Did you prepare your shoes?" Mrs. Jang asked with a raised eyebrow directed at Wonyoung Then she placed another cup of hot chocolate for her daughter.

"Yeah, yeah." Wonyoung stammered and tried to look at Jimin, but failed miserably. She instead took a sip of hot chocolate and yelped when it burned her tongue. Mr. Jang sighed again and could already feel an impending headache.

"I really appreciate it, but you don't have to. My shoes are still okay. You already gave me breakfast, I can't trouble you any further." Jimin politely said, making Wonyoung panic.

"Don't worry! I washed my shoes before storing them! It's clean, I promise! And I... I don't have stinky feet..." Wonyoung stuttered, her face burning up along with her tongue. Jimin noticed Wonyoung's blushing cheeks and thought it was probably because she burned her tongue with the hot chocolate. Jimin could breathe again, her chest felt light and her nervousness was fading away slowly. Maybe, she misunderstood the situation, none of them hated her.

"Please accept it, Jimin, or our daughter won't be able to sleep."

"Ma!"

Jimin couldn't help but chuckle, and she quickly bit her lip thinking she was being rude. But Wonyoung was just staring at her, way too long and intense that it made Jimin squirm on her seat.

I shouldn't have laughed. It was probably rude, I might've offended her.

Jimin took a sip of her hot chocolate again, the steam from the drink blurred her eyeglasses so she removed it to wipe it up.

"You changed your glasses, you look pretty—I mean it's pretty! Your glasses are pretty. I don't mean you're not pretty, you are—and your glasses—and... uhm..." Wonyoung's face was already as bright as a tomato, and her mother couldn't help but laugh softly at their daughter.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jang groaned and threw his newspaper at the coffee table like it's a white towel thrown on the ring.

"I can't take this anymore, I'm going out." Mr. Jang said and left the apartment.

Jimin stared at her glasses, it did look pretty. Just a simple square, crystal frame, but it was expensive. It was a newly released one, and Jimin chose it to please Yizhuo. Still, she didn't expect that Wonyoung would notice it, since they barely see each other.

"Thank you." Jimin said, simple and genuine. She was starting to feel bad so even though it was embarrassing, she finally accepted their offer to give Wonyoung's old shoes to her. After they ate, Wonyoung showed the shoes to Jimin, a simple blue, highcut sneakers and they still looked new. Jimin felt so grateful and lucky to receive it that she couldn't stop thanking Wonyoung and her mother.

"Try it, dear. I think you have the same shoe size as Wonyoung." Mrs. Jang said, so Jimin did just that. It fit perfectly and it felt nice on her feet compared to her old shoes with soles so thin, it hurt when she walked for long.

"I don't know how I can repay you, thank you so much." Jimin said with such sincerity that made Mrs. Jang smile.

"You don't have to. Just be good and healthy, okay? That's more than enough. Now, you mentioned about looking for a job." Mrs. Jang said.

"Yes. I'm going to look for one today, and tomorrow if I still can't find any."

Mrs. Jang hummed while washing the cups. Jimin even volunteered to do it, but was pushed aside by Mrs. Jang saying she didn't have to because she's a guest.

"Wonyoung, didn't you say your classmate's sister is looking for a worker? Why don't you introduce Jimin there?"

The breakfast, the shoes, and help finding a job. It was becoming all too much for Jimin and she wanted to decline the offer. She didn't know why their family was being too kind to her, it was probably in their nature, but Jimin was almost a stranger to them. When did it start?

When did the Jang family start helping her and being too kind?

Jimin couldn't remember, couldn't figure it out.

She was about to politely decline when Mrs. Jang gave her a stern look. It immediately shut Jimin's mouth out of fear.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Jimin. Let Wonyoung take you there. Wonyoung, go get my purse, I'll give you money."

"Can you buy me a magazine too?" Wonyoung asked with the best puppy eyes she could unleash. It always worked on her father, but on her mother?

"No. Go and buy some sugar, though. Now move your ass."

No luck.

Jimin looked at the shoes Wonyoung gave to her and bit her lip to stop her tears from falling. It was too much, and Jimin wondered if she deserved the kindness she had been receiving. Someday, Jimin swore, she would pay for their kindness and all the help they gave her.

"Take care of Jimin, okay? Be back as soon as you can. And Jimin, hold on a second." Mrs. Jang gestured for Wonyoung to wait outside while Jimin stayed on the foyer. Mrs. Jang came back with two paper bags and gave them to Jimin.

"There's some meat and vegetables. You're so thin, you should eat more, hmm? And there's some more bagels you can have as a snack. Take it to your apartment before you leave." Mrs. Jang said and pushed the paper bags closer to Jimin, leaving no room for any rejection or excuse.

It was all too much, could Jimin still keep her tears from falling?

Mrs. Jang held Jimin's cheek gently, and wiped the lone tear that fell from her eyes. "It's okay, Jimin. Please, don't hesitate to come if you need help."

"Thank you, really. I... my mom would love these bagels." Jimin said and sniffed as she let her tears flow freely. Mrs. Jang's hand that was holding cradling Jimin's cheek froze, then it slowly pulled away and returned to her side. Jimin bowed and thanked her again before leaving with Wonyoung.

Mrs. Jang stared at the closed door, her smile slowly fading. Just then, her husband came back with a plastic bag full of chips and sodas that he wanted for Wonyoung and Jimin to snack on, and he wondered why his wife was standing frozen, still at the foyer.

"I saw Wonyoung leaving with Jimin. She's finally doing something, huh? That's my girl. I didn't raise a coward—honey? What's wrong?"

Mrs. Jang finally moved and sighed. Using her husband's chest as support, she leaned in and held on to his arms.

"Jimin said her mom would enjoy the bagels."

Mr. Jang finally understood what was making her wife act strange, and he could only hold her trembling body as tight and secure as he could. A silent reassurance that everything would be okay.

"Your hair suits you, it's my first time seeing you with bangs. But you look pretty whatever your hairstyle is, okay? Oh gosh, what am I saying? I'm so sorry." Wonyoung rambled on and on and it was making Jimin bashful. She wasn't used to compliments and she didn't know what to do or say in such situations. Even a simple 'thanks' seemed arrogant if it came from her, Jimin thought, and it could be rude if she just dismissed it or not said a word. Jimin also felt awkward because it was the first time she and Wonyoung talked that much, and even walked together. Are they going to be friends? Just stay as neighbors? Or is she just some kind of errand for Wonyoung?

Maybe Wonyoung was just trying her best to form conversations with her because her mother asked her to. Or maybe, it was to make the atmosphere less awkward.

Jimin was awkward.

And Jimin was lost. Wonyoung was doing nothing but complimenting her every chance she got. Jimin felt bad, maybe Wonyoung was just being forced to do all of it.

They're not friends, Jimin reminded herself.

"I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable? I'm really sorry, I'll shut my mouth now."

Jimin was used to just nodding her head with Yizhuo's compliments, like an obedient dog receiving praises. Ever since Jimin changed her hair and uniform, she had been hearing compliments from boys in her school, and dirty looks from the girls.

Minjeong didn't even notice the change, so Jimin thought it wasn't that special. It was a surprise to her that Wonyoung seemed excited about it.

Minjeong didn't notice it, and didn't say anything. Or maybe she did and Jimin just wasn't paying attention. No, probably, Minjeong just didn't care at all.

Minjeong, Minjeong, Minjeong. She was all Jimin could think about all the time.

What does Minjeong do during weekends? Does she stay at home studying? Does she like watching shows, movies, or reading? Does she go to cram school? Maybe she's practicing tennis. Or is Minjeong with Jinho, suffering under his cruel hands?

I'm curious. I'm worried.

"Jimin! Watch out!"

What happened?

"Bastard! Watch where you're going! I memorized your plate number! My Pa is a cop! Hey! Oh, crap—are you okay? Are you hurt? Did he hit you?"

Why is Wonyoung all over me, looking so worried?

"Can you hear me? Is anything hurting?"

And then, Jimin snapped out of it. She just realized she's laying on the sidewalk, the clouds she was seeing made sense. For a second, Jimin thought she was on the rooftop with Minjeong, talking about clouds and all that nonsense. But no, she was on the sidewalk. She fell when Wonyoung pulled her at the last second when a motorcycle zoomed past way too close to them beyond speed limit. If it wasn't for Wonyoung, she would've been in the middle of the road with injuries she couldn't afford to get treated, or worse, she might've died.

People gathered around them, and it started to suffocate and drown Jimin. Voices talked over each other, eyes staring down at her with mixed reactions and Jimin felt exposed and vulnerable. She wanted to get out of there, anywhere, she wanted to hide and never come out.

"I'll call an ambulance, okay? I'll call Ma and Pa too—"

"No." Jimin held on Wonyoung's wrist and slowly sat up. "Please, don't. I'm okay, I was just... surprised."

I can't afford the bills. I should be okay. I have no choice but to be okay.

Nothing's hurting. Nothing. It doesn't hurt one bit.

"Are you sure?"

Wonyoung's hand that was holding her arm was warm, and Jimin suddenly remembered Minjeong's touch. Minjeong's was cold, but it felt warmer than Wonyoung's.

"Jimin?"

"I'm okay. I just need space, uhm..." Jimin eyed the pairs of feet surrounding them, and Wonyoung followed her gaze. Thankfully, she immediately knew what Jimin meant and needed.

"She's okay. Can you give us some space? She needs to breathe." Wonyoung said and breathed a sigh of relief when the crowd dispersed. Of course, they really didn't care about Jimin, she thought. They were just a bunch of nosy people. No one even offered help, they just watched and whispered with each other.

"Let's go have a seat at that park. Can you stand? Here, hold my hand—I mean, you can hold onto me if it's hard to... uhm... I'm really sorry. I am all over your personal space."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get into your personal space."

Minjeong entered Jimin's mind again and she was expecting to see her when she looked up. But no, it was Wonyoung instead, looking at her with such worried eyes.

Snap out of it, Yu Jimin.

With the assistance of Wonyoung, Jimin got up and was seated on a bench at the nearby park. Aside from a scratch on her left elbow, Jimin didn't get any injuries or wounds. It was embarrassing, though. Jimin was so out of it since she woke up and she ended up troubling Wonyoung who was supposed to only help her get a job.

They gave her food, shoes, and a possible job and all she did was think about Minjeong.

"Uhm... take your time. I texted my classmate and she talked to her sister already. They'll be expecting us today and would reserve you a spot for an interview. She said you don't have to bring anything, her sister is too lazy with papers and such." Wonyoung said. She kicked a stone in front of her and watched it roll forward.

"I'm sorry for the trouble. Please let me know what I can do to repay you." Jimin said. She wanted to kick some rocks sitting near her feet to ease her guilt, but she was mindful of the shoes given to her so she just tapped the rocks with her foot. At least, that helped her nerves.

Wonyoung took a deep breath, her grip on the bench tightened as she steadied her racing heart. "Ma said you don't have to do anything, and I agree with her. But maybe... I'm not saying this because you asked what you can do, I'm just... I mean, I really want it too. I... uh... it would be nice if we could hang—"

Wonyoung's phone rang, making them jump on their seats in surprise. She answered it, and gave Jimin a sheepish smile.

"Hey, yeah. Yeah we're on our way. I know the way, don't worry. We'll be there in ten minutes. I know! I know!"

Jimin watched Wonyoung speaking on the phone, and she didn't know it was possible for someone to change their expressions a lot in just seconds. Jimin never really observed people closely, she didn't dare look at people intentionally and for longer.

"Okay, then. Thanks. Geez, fine. I'll let you copy it. Bye." Wonyoung finally put her phone down after the call ended, and she stood up while stretching her arms.

"My classmate called and said her sister asked what time we'll be there. I think her sister will have some sort of meeting. Let's go? Are you sure you're okay?"

Jimin nodded and followed Wonyoung. For some reason, Wonyoung was walking ahead of her, a little bit fast and she seemed to be covering her face. Jimin wondered if Wonyoung got allergies, or was she smelly? Jimin consciously smelled her clothes, but they weren't stinking. Was Wonyoung's tooth hurting?

What was she going to say?

Jimin remained baffled.

On the other hand, Wonyoung was about to explode, her face so red that she looked like she had just eaten the spiciest ramen in the world. She couldn't believe how embarrassing she was acting in front of Jimin, and if she could, she would just throw herself into the incoming traffic.

"Here we are. This hotel has a restobar and my classmate said they need additional hands during weekends. It's owned by her sister." Wonyoung said and led Jimin inside. While Wonyoung was talking to the receptionist, Jimin took her time looking around the lobby. It was sophisticated, yet cozy. The combination of black and brown design coupled with gold accents felt warm. The hotel wasn't that big, it was just enough to make the guests feel like home, and Jimin liked that atmosphere. It wasn't overwhelming, and she felt like the owner poured her heart into the making of it.

"The hotel isn't that big because her sister can't afford it. My classmate said that, okay? It didn't come from me. But the restobar gets so crowded on weekends that they get overwhelmed, and I forgot to ask why." Wonyoung shared, shattering Jimin's imagination of the cozy home vibes of the hotel. Wonyoung then led Jimin to the elevator, and pressed the button to the fifth floor. Jimin told Wonyoung that she could handle it from there, but Wonyoung wouldn't want to leave her until she's sure Jimin's okay.

Jimin knocked on the room where they were asked to go by the receptionist, and Wonyoung told her she would wait outside. When she entered the room, a woman sitting on a black swivel chair was on her phone playing games loudly and groaned when she seemed to have lost. Jimin gulped, the woman, who she guessed was Wonyoung's classmate's sister, the owner of the hotel, looked intimidating and she unconsciously took a step back when the woman finally looked up at her.

"You're the one my sister told me about, huh? Come here, I don't have all day."

Jimin almost tripped while walking towards the woman. She stood in front of the table, hands clasped in front of her. The woman then leaned over, way too close to invade Jimin's personal space. She was looking at Jimin's face like she was examining a specimen in a laboratory. Then Jimin suddenly yelped when the woman grabbed her arms and squeezed them.

The woman hummed, a nod of satisfaction soon followed.

"You're hired. I'm Taeyeon, the owner. But you can call me whatever you want, I don't care. Start tonight, be here before six and speak with Sooyoung. I'll let her know about you later."

Just like that? She wouldn't ask if I have experience? My name? Where I'm from or where I study?

"You can go now, I have to get my revenge." The owner, Taeyeon said and dismissed Jimin with a lazy wave of her hand. Loud noises from the phone startled Jimin, followed by the sound of guns and bombs and robotic voices that seemed to be spewing commands. Despite her confusion and uncertainty, Jimin bowed and thanked Taeyeon and closed the door behind her as gently as she could.

What a strange woman.

"That was fast. Did you get the job?" Wonyoung asked.

"I think I did. It was... strange. I'll see this evening if I really got it." Jimin responded with uncertainty, her eyebrows were furrowed and with pursed lips, it made Wonyoung chuckle and the next thing she blurted out made her want to slip under the carpet and be one with the floor.

"You're cute."

"Huh?" Jimin blinked fast, and she witnessed how quickly Wonyoung's face reddened. She was still baffled by the strange interview, and it only confused her even more when Wonyoung also acted strange.

"Nothing! I need to go buy sugar then! Congrats and good luck!"

And just like that, Wonyoung disappeared in the corner, leaving Jimin alone in the empty hallways. Jimin scratched her head, she didn't even get to thank Wonyoung for her help, but Jimin thought that she was really in a hurry to run like that. Maybe, Mrs. Jang needed the sugar as soon as possible.

Strange, really strange. Her days had just started and a lot of strange things had already happened to her. But Jimin was grateful she finally got a job and she didn't have a hard time finding one. She's going to make sure to repay the Jang family even though they told her not to, it's just wrong not to do anything at all. For the meantime, she would go back home and rest. Spend time with her mother and study a little. Jimin also thought of making their apartment a bit brighter, and she started to think whether she would remove the kitchen's window curtain or replace it with a lighter or thinner one. Did they have a spare? Would she need to sew for a new one? Where could she get spare fabric? Maybe she could recycle some from their storage.

Jimin's mind was filled with thoughts of her plans. Thankfully, she was still aware of her surroundings as Wonyoung wasn't with her anymore to pull her away from the traffic or any danger. Probably it was the case because Jimin wasn't thinking about Minjeong.

The thought of Minjeong alone could pull her from reality, but Jimin didn't mind drowning on it.

"Glasses and a pretty face. I see. You're the new hire Taeyeon told me to take care of? Come on in, I'll give you a brief tour and explain what you'll need to do. It's quite simple, really. Oh, I'm Sooyoung, but I prefer if you call me Joy. Follow me."

Jimin followed Joy inside the restobar and she was relieved to know that she was really hired. Looking around while Joy explained her work, she observed that it was a vintage styled bar, with vinyls ranging from 70's to 90's popular musicians displayed on the walls, and there was even a vintage turntable that was still functioning well as if it was new. The main material used in the restobar is wood, modernized with high quality leather cushions. It's a mix of the past and present that Jimin didn't imagine to be possible and look natural. Even the frames contained old posters of bands, singers, famous actors and actresses. The bar looked cozy too, with soft, warm light illuminating it. Jimin had done part-time jobs at some bars before, but the music and headache-inducing blue light used there made her dizzy, and she didn't last for long.

With the comforting atmosphere of the restobar, Jimin hoped she would last for as long as she could. She was told that on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, there were going to be two singers performing for a few hours. Maybe, Jimin could handle that kind of loud sound. No, she should.

Jimin couldn't afford to choose anymore. She was already lucky to easily get a job and she would endure anything. Having her graduation approaching fast, she also needed to set aside money so she could enter a university.

I'll do my best. Jimin encouraged herself and tightened her grip on the sling of her messenger bag. She brought the kimbap she saved for dinner, and it would be enough to keep her going.

"You have experience waiting tables, I see. That would make it easier then. But you might also be called in the kitchen when things get chaotic. Did you get everything? Any questions?"

Jimin nodded and was confident that she remembered everything Joy taught her. Joy then patted her shoulder, gave her a black polo shirt as her temporary uniform, and went inside the kitchen. Following the instructions, she went out to the locker room and left her bag inside a vacant locker that was assigned to her by the receptionist. With thirty minutes left before the restobar opened, Jimin picked up a rug and glass cleaner bottle, then started wiping the glass door and windows. Joy forgot to mention the reason why their weekends could be chaotic, but it couldn't be more chaotic than the bars she worked before, right? That was what Jimin thought at first.

It was a slow start, hotel guests came down to have an early dinner, and they let Jimin handle their orders so she could get used to it quickly. The background music was just enough to make the place cozy, and Jimin was thankful for it because it made her nerves ease down a little bit. She was asked to work on Saturdays and Sundays, and it fit perfectly with her schedule. Jimin wanted to take the Fridays too, but she knew Aeri and Yizhuo would want her in the afternoon until evening after classes.

Then, came eight in the evening, the restobar started to fill with guests and customers outside alike. It was manageable, Jimin was used to it from her past experience. She was really confident, she was doing well along with the other employees. At nine in the evening, the singer arrived and settled herself on the bar for a quick drink, then she went to the mini stage to set up the microphone and the digital piano. More people started to gather, it was getting so crowded and everyone was whispering among themselves in anticipation for the singer's performance.

Jimin thought the singer was a popular artist of some sort to gather that much crowd, and it hasn't even hit ten in the evening.

"Her name's Wendy. People would come to the city and book a room here just to watch her sing. This is what we meant, it's like a concert here. Brace yourself." Joy said and gave Jimin an encouraging pat on her shoulder.

"Good evening everyone—whoa." Wendy chuckled when the crowd cheered loudly for her, and Jimin wasn't sure if she was still in a restobar or a concert venue anymore. It was way different when she worked at bars before, some also had live bands and such, but Wendy's was different.

She was on a whole different level.

"Jimin, take these!"

Right, I have to work.

They weren't exaggerating with the amount of work they have to do, Jimin even saw people lining up outside and people waiting in the lobby. She heard Wendy was already famous since college, and she could've pursued to be a professional singer but their parents died and she didn't want to leave her little brother alone. Joy talked about how amazing and loving sister Wendy was while Jimin was waiting in the kitchen for the next order, and it seemed like Joy was really fond and proud of Wendy.

Joy also shared that they could've more hands during weekends, but Taeyeon was really picky choosing her employees which confused Jimin a lot.

Taeyeon didn't seem choosy when she picked Jimin.

Wendy sang, the crowd cheered and everyone was happily listening and drinking, while Jimin continued working until she was told to take a break when the last song had started. She went to the locker room to have her late dinner with the mango shake given to her by the bartender.

Jimin was alone in the locker room. She settled on the small table and began eating her kimbap. Jimin could finally breathe, she didn't expect how intense the work would've been. But it wasn't that bad, all the employees were nice. Joy, the manager, was also nice and caring, that helped Jimin keep going and she realized how lucky she was to get a job with such nice people compared to her previous part-time jobs.

Her legs were numb, and it had only been four hours of working nonstop. Jimin thought about improving her stamina and overall strength so she could do better with her work. She was getting used to being beaten up by Aeri, but she easily got tired and lost strength fast.

She would have to use what remaining free time she had to workout. Probably a run in the morning to start.

When Jimin finished her food, she quickly went back to the restobar and saw Wendy preparing to leave. The crowd was slowly dispersing and Wendy was also talking to the customers, probably the regulars who always came to see her. She seemed kind and bubbly and even Jimin couldn't help but like her and also her beautiful voice. The restobar might've been too loud for her, but Wendy's voice made up for it.

"Miss Pretty, can I have water please?" A little boy, about the age of five came to Jimin, his tiny hand was holding on Jimin's pinky finger.

What is a kid doing here? Jimin wondered and crouched down to the boy's level.

"Sure. Do you like it with ice?" Jimin asked.

"Lots of ice. I like ice and I want to sit up there. I want up. Up!" The boy pointed at the empty stool bar so Jimin picked him up and held him there to keep him safe from falling. She then asked the bartender for a glass of ice cold water and helped the kid drink from it.

He really liked ice and Jimin had to stop him from eating them.

"Wonbin, what did I tell you about drinking cold water? Oh, thanks for taking care of him. Where's your Aunt Yeri, hmm?" Wendy approached them and Jimin just realized that the kid was the brother they were talking about.

"There. Drinking juice. She won't give me juice. I'm not friends with her anymore." Wonbin pointed at a table where a woman was sitting and drinking what obviously was a beer.

Wendy shared that Yeri, their neighbor, would sometimes take Wonbin to the restobar whenever he would have tantrums because he couldn't wait for his sister to come home. Yeri would babysit him while Wendy worked late at night and in return, she could go to the restobar to eat and drink for free.

On Wendy's tab.

"Are you hungry? Do you want some fries?" Wendy asked. Wonbin smiled at her and nodded, his legs swinging from excitement. Jimin went to the kitchen to personally prepare the food for the young boy since they're not that busy anymore. The show was over, and only customers who were finishing their food and drinks were left. New ones still came, but it wasn't as hectic anymore. They could finally breathe.

When Jimin got out, Wendy was already at the table with Yeri, while Wonbin was sitting on Wendy's lap and playing with her hair. She served Wonbin's fries, Wendy and Yeri's beer and continued her work. She had to clean up some tables, but she stopped when another customer came in.

Her eyes widened, the rug she was holding fell on her feet. Kang Jinho entered the restobar and sat on the table at the farthest corner, and he was with a woman.

Minjeong?

Jimin squinted her eyes, the woman was wearing a cap and Jimin couldn't properly see who it really was. But she was sure it was Jinho. His arm was wrapped on the woman's waist and there's no doubt it was Minjeong.

What are the odds that they would see each other again? It felt like Jimin's fatigue vanished in an instant. Just seeing Minjeong and not just thinking about her made Jimin feel better, and she wished she could see Minjeong's smile even once that night. Unfortunately, another waiter served them, and she could only watch from afar.

That was enough for her. Jimin wouldn't be able to say anything, or figure out how to act after what happened between them. Just seeing Minjeong from afar, just to see her smile. It was more than enough.

But all of her hopes shattered when the woman finally removed her cap, and it wasn't Minjeong.

Who is she? And why...

Why did Jinho kiss that woman?

Minjeong, oh Minjeong. She was all Jimin could think about and her heart breaks for her. But more than that, Jimin had to leave the scene and take a break with an excuse that she had to use the bathroom.

Jimin had to breathe. Jimin had to calm herself down, her hands were shaking and her anger was slowly clouding her judgement, which she couldn't allow to happen.

Breathe, Jimin. She gripped on the edges of the toilet tank to steady herself. Her teeth were grinding so hard that it was hurting her jaw, and her eyeglasses started to blur. It was her tears as she stared at her trembling hands.

"I want to beat him up." Jimin mumbled, her tears falling uncontrollably. It took a lot for her not to yank the tank's cover and take it out to smash it against Jinho's head, and she was thankful that Joy knocked on the door to check in on her.

"Jimin, are you okay?"

Jimin breathed out and shut her eyes tight. She forced a response, forced a smile to make the lie she spewed out sound real.

"I'm okay."

She could feel Joy still standing outside the stall, she assured Jimin that it was okay to take a break and told her to let them know if she was feeling unwell. Jimin thanked her, and after a few minutes, Joy finally left for her to deal with her anger alone.

It was tough, Jimin was so close to losing herself. How far could Jinho take his cruelty? What did Minjeong do to suffer like that? Did Minjeong even know?

Jimin banged her head against the wall, so hard that she could feel a streak of warm blood dripping from her forehead down to her nose. She didn't mind the pain at all, but it didn't help her fury. She pulled away and saw a stain of her blood on the wall, and she wished it was Jinho's instead.

She wished the wall she was punching nonstop was Jinho's face. Her knuckles were bruised and bleeding, but Jimin couldn't stop anymore. Joy checked on her again, and she had to make up excuses. Jimin just couldn't straight up say that she wanted to beat Jinho so badly.

It took her a good fifteen minutes to calm down. Jimin discreetly washed off the blood from her face and knuckles, and she was glad for her bangs that could cover the bruise and wound on her forehead. It took a lot for her not to flip the table where Jinho and his woman were, and it didn't help that there was nothing more to do as the rush died down. Jimin was also thankful that she could stay in the dimmer part of the restobar to hide her bruised knuckles, and the murderous aura she was emitting. In all her life, she had never felt that anger boiling inside her with such intensity, and she was surprised at herself for not losing control. Not yet.

And Jinho was just there, laughing and flirting with some woman. The woman was just as terrible as Jinho, because there was no way she didn't know that Jinho already had a girlfriend.

Jinho already had Minjeong, he had everything, Jimin could never understand where his cruelty came from.

Why do you have to hurt her that much?

Probably, he was just a pure, piece of shit. Jimin never expected to think of such a thing towards someone, but Jinho really was pushing her beyond her limit.

I want to... I want to—

"Miss Pretty, we're going home. Thank you for the water. When I come back, give me more, okay?"

Wendy's little brother, Wonbin tugged on the hem of her shirt. It pulled Jimin back to herself, a calmer one and not one full of hatred. Jimin smiled, a genuine one as she felt lighter and crouched down to give Wonbin a pat on his head.

"Of course. Lots of ice, right? Take care and be a good boy, okay?"

Wonbin stared at her and tapped her cheek with his little hand. "Miss Pretty, are you okay? You can have my candy if you're sad. Don't tell my sister, okay? I'm not allowed to eat candy at night."

Jimin watched as Wonbin not so secretly put his candy on her hand, and he ran to Wendy who was calling her. Jimin waved at Wendy and Wonbin and her hand dropped to her side when they left the restobar. The other woman, who she remembered was named Yeri, followed them and blew a kiss towards Joy, which just made the latter grimace.

Jimin stared at the strawberry candy that Wonbin gave her. After a deep breath, she fiddled with the wrapper before pocketing it. Never would've Jimin thought that a simple candy could keep her sanity, or it was probably the little boy's innocence and genuine care that held her back.

Chapter Text

Droplets of sweat darkened the cold pavement as Jimin was wheezing while kneeling on the ground. Her arms propped on the cold ground to support herself from collapsing, her muscles all over the body ached, and she was starting to tremble due to extreme exhaustion.

Jimin just got off from work, but she was unable to sleep at all. The image of Jinho with another woman occupied her mind the whole night, and Minjeong's cries kept replaying like a broken recorder begging for someone to turn it off and end its misery. So she changed into her school's sports uniform, took out her old shoes and wrapped electrical tape around them. Jimin didn't want to wear down the shoes that Wonyoung gave her, so she settled with that. Without sleep, Jimin started running to fasten her progress as much as possible.

She couldn't wait to beat Jinho to a pulp. To achieve that, Jimin had to push herself to the limit, even beyond that.

So she ran, and ran, until her body gave up on her. She didn't do any research about any works out because she couldn't keep still anymore and wanted to move. The faster, the better, but it backfired on her.

It hurt, everything hurt. Jimin was out of breath already and it only got worse when she started throwing up. Nothing came out but saliva, but it burned her throat, her chest tightened painfully and her the pain in her muscles just got worse.

Jimin felt like she was going to die, she didn't even bring water with her and she started to regret her impulsive decision. She didn't bring her phone nor her wallet, she couldn't ask anyone for help, and she was way too far from her apartment.

It was just a simple jog, why was it too hard?

Jimin started to feel lightheaded and she felt like passing out but throwing up prevented her from doing so. She couldn't get up, let alone raised her head to see if anyone was around. But who would be out and about at three in the morning?

The cold air seeped through Jimin's drenched shirt and she shivered. What was she thinking? Jimin couldn't think of anything else at that moment other than regret and fear that she was going to die right then and there.

Alone.

Sweat and saliva had mixed on the concrete, and Jimin's tears from pain and helplessness added to that. Every part of her body felt like it was burning, and Jimin wanted nothing more than to go home and rest safely. But she didn't even know where she was. Only the moon was watching her from above.

Jimin was so close to passing out when she heard a distant sound of a vehicle. It got closer and closer until it stopped beside her. A door opened and hurried footsteps approached her.

Then, a voice. So soothing and familiar.

“What happened to you?”

Jimin forced herself to look up even though it only caused her pain. Her tears fell even harder when the streetlight illuminated the face of the woman in front of her.

“Miss… Bae?”

“Jimin?! What are you doing here? I'll get you inside the car, okay? Hey, help me!” Miss Bae held Jimin's trembling body in her arms while she called for someone. The door opened again and Jimin felt herself being carried by someone. She opened her eyes a little bit, it was another woman, but she couldn't make out what she looked like. It was dark, and the woman's back was against the streetlight, and Jimin's vision was starting to blur. She felt herself relaxing, relieved that help from someone she knew came. Jimin was glad it was Miss Bae and not some stranger who might've harmed her.

Lots of regrets, lots of thoughts, Jimin had a lot to think about her actions but she would have to deal with them later. Recovering was her priority.

Jimin then felt herself being put down, the leather seat caved under her weight. She guessed it was Miss Bae who draped something on her body, probably a coat or a shirt, and it was warm. The doors closed, she felt the car accelerating, and before her consciousness faded, she could feel someone sitting beside her.

Or was it just her imagination?

But Jimin could smell a strange scent, it was strong and disturbing. The air was thick with the familiar scent of something metallic. But she didn't have the time nor energy to process what it was as she succumbed to unconsciousness. When she woke up, she was greeted by a German shepherd sitting beside her and watching her intently. She gasped a little, but the dog remained unfazed and just huffed.

“You're awake. How are you feeling?”

“Miss Bae… what happened?”

Jimin tried to sit up so Miss Bae helped her. The dog sniffed her arm curiously and ran towards the balcony. Jimin followed the dog with her eyes and watched as it slipped through the small gap of the opened sliding door. There, she saw a woman sitting while facing out with a cigarette in her hand.

“That's my… friend. She was the one who carried you. We took you to the hospital to get you treated. Do you remember any of that?”

“Hospital? But… I can't pay. How much was it?” Jimin started spiraling. She thought about taking extra shifts at the restobar, maybe beg Aeri and Yizhuo to let her go early in the afternoon so she could work every night. Will Taeyeon or Joy let her work for more nights? Maybe she could ask if there's more vacant jobs they could give her. Hospital bills are no joke, and Jimin couldn't afford it unless she works herself to the bone.

Miss Bae chuckled and patted Jimin's hand. “You don't need to pay it back. I'm just glad you're okay. We assumed you were out for a jog so we told them that. They gave you IV fluids and treated your ankle, you had a sprain and it's all swollen. Were you running with that injury? You worked yourself too hard.”

Jimin looked at her bandaged right ankle and she had just started to feel the pain. It was swollen, really bad and hurting a lot, and she didn't realize she had sprained it.

“It seems you didn't have a proper warmup too, am I right? My uncle died when he was jogging. Be careful.”

“I'm sorry and I'm really grateful for your help. But the money, I should pay you back. What can I do? Please.”

Miss Bae sighed and rubbed her cheek with her index finger. She looked at the balcony, silently asking for help from the woman outside. But the woman seemed to sense her, and snapped her fingers to make the dog close the sliding door fully using its paws. Miss Bae rolled her eyes and smiled when she looked back at Jimin.

“You really don't have to pay me back, but knowing you, you'll still insist, right? Let's see, how about you help me grade my student's papers? Would that be okay with you? Just until the exams are over.”

Jimin's face lit up and bowed her head countless times so Miss Bae had to stop her. “Thank you, I will do just that. I will do more if you want to, just anything. I'll do anything. And when I save enough, I'll pay you back—ow.”

Miss Bae lightly hit Jimin's head and smiled. “Don't push yourself too hard, Jimin. I know your situation. Just helping me with paperworks is more than enough. You're a smart kid. Now, are you hungry? The doctor said you can eat when you wake up.”

Jimin held her stomach and nodded shyly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks made Miss Bae chuckle. Jimin waited in the living room, and while looking around to pass the time, she couldn't figure out if it was Miss Bae's apartment or the woman outside.

The apartment looked unnatural for her. What was wrong with the place? It was clean, way too clean and there was a smell so familiar but Jimin couldn't figure out what it was. There was something missing in the apartment, but no matter how hard Jimin tried, she failed to pinpoint it.

Jimin felt like she shouldn't be there.

“I ran out of ingredients. I have to get some food delivered. Can you wait? I should've prepared beforehand, sorry Jimin. Do you want to watch TV? Where's the remote, huh… let me see.”

When Miss Bae finally found the remote, she turned to a random show while she ordered food. And when Jimin asked for water, Miss Bae had a hard time looking for a cup and she ended up giving Jimin the whole bottle of water from the fridge. Jimin thought for a second that maybe Miss Bae had a clumsy side, which is so far from her image at school.

Jimin also stopped thinking about what was amiss with the apartment, and concluded that it was probably from her exhaustion. So, with a light shrug of her shoulder, she let herself relax while leaning on the couch.

“It kind of smells like the hospital, but maybe because we were there earlier.” Jimin mumbled to herself.

I wasn't thinking straight, now I've troubled people because of it. I let my emotions get the better of me, and now I'm hurt.

How can I work like this? What about school?

Aeri and Yizhuo?

What about Minjeong?

Jimin unconsciously bit her lip as she once again succumbed to her overthinking. She only stopped when Miss Bae patted her head gently then crouched in front of her.

“It's going to be okay.” Miss Bae said with a soft smile. “If you're worried about school, I'll go ahead and let them know.” She added, as if she could read Jimin's mind.

“But… I have work. I need that, they might fire me. I just got hired and…” Jimin paused, her vision blurring when her tears threatened to fall.

“You can't work with your injury, can you? You can't even walk properly like that. Just let them know, they'll understand. Or do you need me to help you talk to them?” Miss Bae offered.

Her kindness made Jimin teared up more, and she felt like she didn't deserve all that kindness, because she thought that she was doing nothing but causing trouble to people around her.

“Hey, it's okay. Here…” Miss Bae handed her a pack of tissues. Jimin cried more, from the guilt, regret, and gratefulness. Miss Bae didn't leave her side until her tears died down. And when the food arrived, Jimin didn't shy away and ate to her heart's content. She didn't realize that she was that hungry until she had her first bite. Miss Bae just chuckled and let her eat while she brought food to the woman on the balcony. Jimin could hear them talking, and while munching her food, she happened to look towards the balcony.

Jimin could see a bit of the woman's side profile, and as if the woman knew Jimin was looking, she turned her head slightly. Her eyes looked intimidating that Jimin couldn't make out of the woman's face because she had to avert her gaze as fast as she could, or she felt she would burn if she didn't do so.

The woman's gaze was heavy, so terrifying, that it felt like it pierced through Jimin's chest. Was she in a bad mood? Was she intruding and pissed off the woman? Jimin stared at the bowl of bibimbap on her lap and gulped. Maybe the woman was just hungry, or maybe she was just overthinking things again.

Jimin made sure to let the woman know how grateful she was later on, no matter how scary the woman was. She continued eating and drank the energy drink Miss Bae gave to her after that. When Miss Bae was cleaning up, Jimin scanned her body again, and she was surprised at how late she realized that her clothes had been changed. Jimin was wearing a cream sweater, and gray sweatpants. She looked around, but couldn't see her sports uniform or her shoes.

“Your clothes are there with your shoes. We had to change them.” Miss Bae said while pointing at the paper bag on the seat in front of them. “You can have those clothes, they're the ones my friend left here.”

“I'm really sorry…” Jimin couldn't help but say. She flinched when Miss Bae was about to playfully hit her head, her eyes tight shut as she was preparing herself for the hit that was never going to come.

Jimin still couldn't believe that Miss Bae could be clumsy and playful. Their teacher was so strict and she rarely smiled. But outside, Miss Bae was warm and comfortable to be with.

“Stay at home until you fully recover. I better not see you in school limping, got it? I'll ask one of your classmates to bring you notes. Are you good to go?” Miss Bae asked.

Jimin pursed her lips and thought about it. Miss Bae was right, she had to rest and recover. If she acts on impulse again, she would only worsen her injuries and prolong her absence in school and work. Joy seemed to be kind and understanding, but Jimin still prayed hard that Joy would understand and wouldn't fire her. When she was prepared, a man entered the apartment and kneeled in front of her with his back turned against her.

“Get on.” The man said.

“This is Kun. Don't be shy and let him carry you. I'm not strong like him or that woman over there to carry you myself.” Miss Bae said.

“Miss Bae, wait…” Jimin said and looked at the balcony. “I want to thank her too.”

Miss Bae looked at the woman who was feeding the dog with leftovers and shook her head. “I'll let her know, don't worry.”

Jimin gave the woman in the balcony one last glance before shyly wrapping her arms around Kun's neck. She was then carried with Miss Bae leading them down to the parking lot. With Jimin's guidance, Kun drove them to her apartment and was once again carried upstairs. And Jimin had to hide her blushing cheeks by burying her face at Kun's shoulder when she realized that she didn't even bring her keys.

Kun had to put her down so he could lockpick the door, and Jimin didn't dare ask why Kun knew how to do that. Maybe Kun works as a locksmith or maybe he learned that when he was a kid. Jimin heard a few stories of people learning how to lockpick so they could sneak in their houses when they came home late.

It was probably Kun's case.

“Are you going to be okay alone? Do you want Kun to stay with you?” Miss Bae asked. Jimin shook her head then yelped when Kun carried her in her arms and put her gently on the couch.

“Are you sure?”

“My mom is here, I'm going to be okay. I can't trouble you more… thank you, Miss Bae and Kun.” Jimin said and bowed to them. Kun just nodded and left the apartment, and when Miss Bae made sure Jimin was going to be alright, she left and closed the door behind her.

Jimin sighed and stood up to go to her mother's room. She was being careful with her steps, making sure she wouldn't put too much pressure on her sprained ankle. Limping her way to the room, she leaned on the door and slid down to the floor. Jimin then knocked softly and forced a smile.

“Mom, I'm home. I was… I took some extra shifts so it took me a long time to get back. Have you eaten?” Jimin asked. Her mother didn't answer, and Jimin guessed that she was asleep. Jimin's mother had been sleeping a lot lately, and she thought that it was for the better.

At least, her mother never failed to wake her up in the morning and prepare her lunch.

Jimin took a deep breath and looked back at everything that had happened. She really messed up, and she had to miss a few days of school and work. A lesson has been learned, she made sure not to repeat the same mistake again. She couldn't save Minjeong if she kept getting herself injured, so she had to take extra precaution. It was embarrassing enough about how much she had troubled Miss Bae and even made her pay for her bills. Miss Bae probably wanted to enjoy her weekend and rest, but there Jimin was, who interrupted all of it.

But Jimin was grateful that it was Miss Bae who found her. What if it was someone else?

“I'm so stupid…” Jimin mumbled while staring at her bandaged ankle. Good thing Miss Bae was so kind too, and she swore to do everything to pay her back.

Jimin calmed down, her mind cleared up too and she knew what to do the next time. But even so, there's still a lingering feeling in her chest that she thought would disappear, or even lessen when her emotions stabilize.

She was wrong, it was still there. As her mind cleared up, so did that feeling. It intensified even more, and Jimin's gaze on her bandaged ankle became a glare. It was as if she wanted to burn the bandage with her eyes alone, but a deeper feeling lurked within her.

Her injury, the pain, Jimin wanted to inflict it on someone else.

Kang Jinho.

Jimin's fists clenched, she had calmed down, but her hatred towards him was still burning with passion. Jimin swore she would take a huge step forward when she came back to school.

“Wait for me, Jinho. I'll wipe that devious smirk off your face with my fist.”

“My puppy! I missed you!”

“Hold it right there, baby.”

Aeri pulled Yizhuo to stop her from running towards Jimin. In one swift move, Yizhuo was lifted off her feet and was laid on the couch. Jimin waited patiently, she knew what was coming.

“Aren't you being too soft on her?” Aeri asked, her eyebrow raised and her arms crossed. Yizhuo pouted and turned her back against Aeri.

“I don't care. I want my puppy.”

Aeri sighed. She knew Yizhuo had a tendency to be attached to her “pets”. But she never expected that Yizhuo's attachment towards Jimin had exceeded all her past pets, and it started to piss her off.

Was it out of jealousy? No.

Worry?

What was she worried about?

Jimin was nervous but she didn't falter and remained standing on the doorway. She knew what to expect and what to do. Jimin couldn't show up during lunch because he had to go to the faculty's office and speak with Miss Bae.

“I'm sorry I was gone for days. I injured my—”

“I know that, you damn nerd. But did you think you could show up here like nothing happened? You made Yizhuo sad and you will not get away with it. I don't care if you injure yourself or you're on death's door, you come in here when my girl wants you to.”

Aeri's steps were heavy, each carrying the weight of her anger towards Jimin. Still, Jimin didn't back down despite her fear. She knew she messed up, she knew she made them mad, and she was prepared to receive any kind of punishment from them.

Anything, as long as she would be forgiven. Jimin still needed Aeri to teach her. Anything, for Minjeong.

“Put on your collar.” Aeri commanded. Not wanting to anger her further, Jimin obeyed and put her bag down before she put on her collar. Yizhuo wanted to go to Jimin, but with a simple warning glance from Aeri, she could only pout and cross her arms.

When Jimin was done putting her collar, Aeri removed the chain from the table's leg and tugged it. Jimin gasped and fell on her hands and knees when Aeri pulled the chain hard.

“We're going to the gym. Crawl.”

And of course, Jimin didn't have the right to complain. She started crawling while Aeri was pulling her like a dog. Yizhuo followed and sat on Jimin's back. Jimin immediately fell under Yizhuo's weight, and when Aeri turned around with a glare so sharp, Jimin couldn't do anything but grit her teeth and propped herself up, forcing every muscle in her body to carry Yizhuo on her back.

Classes had already ended, and there weren't many students left except for those with club activities. Still, Aeri chose a different path, one that's rare to have anyone passing by at that time, and Jimin remembered them mentioning that they had to lie low. For a second, she wondered the reason for it. Aeri and Yizhuo used to torment anyone openly, so it was strange that they were hiding it so suddenly.

Jimin wondered what happened. There were no rumors circulating around the school, or probably, they were threatened to shut their mouths. There was also a high chance that their families paid or warned the school so it wouldn't come out in the open.

But what really happened?

Aeri pulled hard when Jimin slowed down. Crawling already hurt, and their gym was too far from the clubroom, especially that they took a detour. The only time Yizhuo would get off her was when they were going down the stairs, and she would quickly get back on Jimin's back. Jimin's limbs were about to give out, and no matter how much determination she had to take responsibility and make it up to them, she just wasn't strong enough to crawl and carry Yizhuo for a long time.

Jimin was reaching her limit, but neither cared about that. Aeri would just pull the chain harder whenever Jimin would briefly stop to catch her breath, while Yizhuo never cared and just kept humming a happy tune, seemingly pleased and enjoying herself.

When she was about to give up, just a few meters away from the school gym, Jimin happened to look at her right when Yizhuo dropped her phone. They stopped, and Jimin had a few seconds to see the two students walking towards the field.

Minjeong and Jinho.

Minjeong was carrying her tennis racket while Jinho talked to her happily. Then, Jinho suddenly stole a kiss from Minjeong, and Minjeong just chuckled while bowing her head low bashfully. Jimin's blood boiled, how could they still act like that?

How could Jinho kiss Minjeong as if those lips weren't on another woman's lips? How could he touch Minjeong like those hands didn't cause Minjeong pain?

How could Minjeong still smile despite all that?

Was Jinho forcing her to?

“Puppy, move.”

Jimin groaned when Aeri pulled her with so much force that she thought her head was going to be cut off from her body. Out of hatred towards Jinho, Jimin forced herself to reach the gym despite her body screaming in pain and her muscles burning. When Yizhuo got off her, Jimin collapsed on the floor and panted hard.

“Good puppy.” Yizhuo said while patting her head. Jimin couldn't believe that she managed to crawl with Yizhuo on her back all the way to the gym. She felt her healed ankle hurting again, though. But maybe that was just her imagination.

Everything was hurting. Including her heart that continued to break for Minjeong.

“Here's your treat.” Yizhuo pressed a piece of chocolate against her lips, but Aeri was quick to pull Yizhuo away from her.

“No treats, she doesn't deserve that. Stand up, you useless dog.” 

Jimin stood up and gasped loudly when Aeri pulled her. Aeri's face was only an inch apart from Jimin, she gulped at the close distance and she wanted to pull away but Aeri's glare prevented her from doing so.

“Babe, if you keep staring at my puppy that close, I'm going to be jealous. Are you going to kiss her or what?” Yizhuo said while chuckling.

Aeri clicked her tongue and removed Jimin's collar before pushing her to the floor. Jimin coughed while massaging her neck and when she looked up, Aeri's hand was already reaching for her. She closed her eyes, waited for any kind of impact, but was surprised when she felt her eyeglasses being removed from her.

“Yizhuo likes this one, so I can't have it destroyed. For your punishment, you have to stand there while my baby showers you with loving punches. Don't fight back. Don't run, or I'll kill you.” Aeri warned and stepped back. She took a chair and sat with her legs crossed then took out her phone.

“Go on, baby. You're getting rusty, so practice on your puppy.” Aeri said while scrolling on her phone. Yizhuo pouted and crossed her arms.

“But it's no fun when she can't fight back.”

“I'm talking about you becoming soft now. You don't have to be scared, that won't happen again. And if it does, you know I've got you.”

Yizhuo pursed her lips while staring at Jimin. On the other hand, Jimin was confused about what they were talking about. Her gaze went back and forth to Aeri and Yizhuo, until Aeri sighed and leaned back on the chair.

“Then let's say your puppy crawling up to here was her punishment. Go ahead and have fun. Fight back, nerd. Not that you can land a hit on Yizhuo.”

“Now who's the one getting soft?” Yizhuo teased with a smirk. Aeri just rolled her eyes and continued scrolling on her phone. When Jimin turned her head towards Yizhuo, she immediately fell on the floor with her nose bleeding.

Yizhuo was faster than Aeri, and her moves were sharper. And Yizhuo was relentless, she didn't wait even for a second for Jimin to recover and kept hitting her. Jimin couldn't even catch her breath.

“Don't just use your arm to block. Look around you, use anything you see.” Yizhuo instructed while raining down punches on Jimin.

“Why are you teaching her now?” Aeri asked.

“Because it's boring if she can't fight back properly! We can't beat anyone except her for now, so we might as well teach her, right?” Yizhuo argued. Aeri squinted her eyes in suspicion and stood up. She put her phone and Jimin's glasses on the chair and walked towards them.

“Or you're just finding an excuse to teach your puppy because you like her.”

Yizhuo got off Jimin and stood up to wrap her arms around Aeri's neck. “Just admit you were just pretending to teach her because you want my puppy to give up. You hate looking at her because she reminds you of your—”

Yizhuo gasped when Aeri pulled her by the waist and kissed her. The kiss was sloppy and full of anger, but Yizhuo still moaned and enjoyed every bit of it. Yizhuo smirked through their kiss, because she knew she hit a spot. It was all obvious by how Aeri reacted.

Bullseye.

When Aeri pulled back, she eyed Yizhuo's swollen lips and gritted her teeth when those same lips just smirked, clearly challenging her.

“You're just like her.” Yizhuo taunted. Aeri clenched her fists and glared at her.

“I'm not.”

“Then prove it. Teach my puppy how to fight. For real this time. I'm tired of waiting, babe. She's doing what I want, she's being a good little puppy. I thought you would never go back on your word. Or…”

Yizhuo traced her fingers from Aeri's chest up to her lips.

“Are you running away?”

Aeri's nose flared up and left Yizhuo standing with a smirk on her face. She approached Jimin, pulled her by the collar to force her to stand up.

Yizhuo always got what she wanted.

“This is pissing me off. You better learn or I'll kill you.” Aeri said with gritted teeth. Jimin gulped and nodded, but before they could start, she asked for a small favor.

“Aeri… I need my glasses…”

A punch, and Jimin was back on the floor.

“If someone is smart enough, they are going to knock your glasses off to get an advantage. Learn how to fight without one.”

“Or she can use contact lenses, but I prefer her with eyeglasses. My puppy looks cuter that way.” Yizhuo interjected while examining Jimin's glasses.

“Get up. Dodge, block, hit back. As Yizhuo said, look around you. Use anything to defend yourself, or use it as a weapon. To distract your enemy, anything. Use your damn brain. Be aware of your surroundings, it's not always landing punches. See if you can hide to set traps, or ambush them. You have to think and act fast.” Aeri explained. Yizhuo was smiling through her instructions and tips, but she had to shake her head and stand up to stop Aeri for a moment.

“Babe, you're doing good teaching my puppy all that. But at least do it before you beat her up. Look.” Yizhuo said while pointing at Jimin who was unmoving on the floor.

Jimin already passed out.

“Oh.”

Aeri blinked fast and scratched her chin which made Yizhuo chuckle.

“So, you're giving her a chance now?” Yizhuo asked while putting Jimin's eyeglasses next to her.

“I'm just doing what you want.”

Yizhuo shook her head and jumped on Aeri's back.

Still not being honest with herself, huh.

“Carry me all the way to the car.”

“Of course.”

Yizhuo gave Jimin one last look before they left her in the gym. She smiled and buried her face on Aeri's shoulder. Yizhuo could feel their lives shifting, a change that was brought by Jimin's arrival in their lives. Yizhuo thought that Jimin would make a huge impact on them, and whether it was going to be a good or a bad one, she didn't care.

It thrilled her. Finally, their boring lives would start to feel more colorful, and maybe chaotic.

Yizhuo didn't care.

When Jimin woke up, it was already dark and only the moonlight illuminated the gym. She groaned as she sat up, and felt her eyeglasses when she was patting her surroundings. She wore it, blinked a few times and gasped when she realized that it was already that late.

Jimin felt like her body was ran over by a truck a hundred times. Aeri and Yizhuo beat her up like there was no tomorrow, but on a bright side, Aeri seemed to finally teach her properly, and that gave her hope. She knew Aeri was just toying with her, but thanks to Yizhuo, Aeri would finally take her seriously.

Her bag was at the entrance of the gym, they probably dropped it there before leaving the school. It was thoughtful, at least for Jimin. She didn't have to limp her way to the clubroom, and she could go home right away. It was most probably Yizhuo's idea.

Hooking her bag on her shoulder, Jimin walked slowly towards the open washing area beside the gym to wash off the dried blood on her face. It took her some time, just touching her face already hurt and because of that, she had a hard time rubbing off the blood from her face. Jimin had to go home as clean as possible, she didn't want to alert anyone she would pass by, and definitely didn't want to worry her mother.

When Jimin was done, she let out a deep sigh and dried her face using the back of her sleeves. She was going home anyway, it doesn't matter if her uniform gets wet.

Their school hasn't closed yet, and there were still some students around preparing to leave from their club activities. Jimin chose a path dark enough to hide her beaten up state. It hurt to walk, but she didn't have a choice but push through it until she's home.

Jimin had no one to run to anyway. No one to pick her up, no one to accompany her home. With Aeri finally agreeing to properly teach her how to fight, Jimin knew it was going to be more intense the following days, so she had to be prepared for that. Juggling her studies, part-time job, Aeri's lessons, and helping Miss Bae, Jimin had to get used to dealing all of it alone.

Deep in thought, Jimin didn't realize she was passing by the tennis court. She heard what seemed like balls bouncing and them hitting on something. Jimin looked up and saw Minjeong in her white tennis dress.

Minjeong was practicing by herself.

Jimin was entranced at the sight. Minjeong's moves were full of elegance. The way her hair swayed, the way her arm raised to hit the ball with her racket, all of it mesmerized Jimin. Minjeong's expression was serious and so focused that Jimin thought that not even the thunder would faze her.

She could even hear every grunt Minjeong made. Every pant, every sharp inhale she made. It was all probably just Jimin's imagination, and Minjeong walking up towards her was maybe a part of it too.

Jimin might've hit her head too hard.

“Jimin?”

Or not.

Jimin could see Minjeong's face up close, with only the fence keeping them apart. She could see up close each droplet of sweat falling down to her chin, and dropping on her dress that she wanted to reach and wipe it with her bare hands.

And Jimin did, but her hand was stopped by the fence. Minjeong's giggles woke Jimin up from her trance, and she blushed furiously. She was thankful that it's a bit dark on her side for Minjeong to see her embarrassing state.

“Why are you here so late? Club activities?” Minjeong asked while wiping her neck with her sweatband, and Jimin couldn't help but follow the movement with her eyes. Jimin gulped and almost stumbled back when Minjeong laughed softly.

“I haven't seen you in a while. I missed—”

Minjeong was cut off when the security guard making his rounds told them that the school was soon closing. Minjeong told Jimin to wait, and turned around to clean up and gather her things.

But Jimin was left there with mouth agape.

Was Minjeong going to say that she missed her? Probably not. She might've misheard it or her imagination was going wild again.

Aeri really did hit her head too hard. Jimin thought she was probably still in the gym, lying on the floor and dreaming.

“I'm going to change first before I go home. How about you?” Minjeong asked, and Jimin didn't know when Minjeong got out of the court and was suddenly standing beside her. Could she teleport? Jimin probably wouldn't be surprised, she thought so highly of Minjeong that she would accept even if she could fly.

“What happened to you?”

There it was again. Minjeong's cold touch that burned her skin. Minjeong's touch that she missed so much. It was gentle, and the way her thumb softly caressed Jimin's cheek almost made her melt.

Words, Jimin. Say something.

“I… uhm… club activities.” Jimin lied. She knew how obvious it was, she knew Minjeong wouldn't fall for that kind of lie. But still, Minjeong just smiled and nodded.

As if she knew Jimin didn't want to talk about it, nor admit it. Was it because they were in a similar situation?

Hiding their pain behind fake smiles and lies.

“Wait for me at the school gate.” 

And then, Minjeong was gone.

What just happened?

Was she really imagining things? Jimin shook her head, but it only made her dizzy and her head ached more. Minjeong was gone from her sight, and anywhere she looked, she wasn't there either. Maybe, it was just a ghost of Minjeong formed by her exhaustion and desperation.

Still, Jimin waited at the school gate. Thirty minutes, just thirty minutes and she would leave if Minjeong wouldn't come. Jimin was skeptical about her sanity, but she still waited.

I must've really lost my mind. Jimin thought. But all of her doubts vanished when Minjeong appeared before her. She was wearing their school uniform and was carrying two bags.

“Hi.” Minjeong smiled and Jimin was once again lost in her eyes.

“You're real.” Jimin blurted out and before she realized what she said, Minjeong was already laughing.

I made her laugh. She's smiling.

Ah, it was all worth it.

“I'm real. Definitely not a ghost or anything.” Minjeong said and Jimin might've passed out right then and there when Minjeong suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her away from school.

Minjeong was holding her hand. Her hand was bigger than her, it was slim, cold, and so comforting. But despite all of that, Jimin felt like ascending into heaven because again, Kim Minjeong was holding her hand.

It was real. Jimin wasn't in the gym dreaming, she didn't hit her head too hard for her to hallucinate things. She was really there, being pulled by Minjeong to somewhere she didn't care at all. Even if Minjeong led her straight to hell, she would gladly follow her with a smile.

But it wasn't hell, it was just a park.

“Sit right here.” Minjeong said and made Jimin sit on a swing. Minjeong then rummaged through her bag and took out a first aid kit.

Does she always carry a first aid kit with her? Jimin couldn't help but wonder. And as if Minjeong read her mind, she smiled cheekily while opening the kit.

“I stole it from the infirmary. Don't tell anyone, okay? It's our little secret.”

“I don't mind being your little secret.”

Minjeong blinked, Jimin blinked. The silence between them was louder than the crickets around them. It was way too late for Jimin to take back what she said. She regretted it, and she wanted nothing more than to run towards the woods and disappear forever.

Why did I have to say that? I'm stupid. I want to disappear.

It was all wrong.

But Minjeong only chuckled, and what she said next didn't help Jimin's heart at all.

“Don't say things like that easily, or I might believe you.”

Minjeong smiled and took out an antibiotic ointment and started putting it on the small cuts on Jimin's cheekbones. Jimin hissed, and Minjeong pulled away slightly to make Jimin get used to it first.

“Can I continue?” Minjeong whispered, and she was so close that Jimin could feel her breath hitting her skin. Jimin nodded and Minjeong continued treating her wounds. Minjeong finished it off with some band-aids and moved to treating Jimin's hands and knees.

Minjeong didn't ask her about her wounds, her bruises, where she got them all, and Jimin was grateful for it. She couldn't just say that Aeri and Yizhuo had been beating her up so she could learn how to fight and protect Minjeong.

And maybe, Minjeong understood not wanting to ask things she knew people wouldn't want to answer. Because she was in the same situation.

Jimin gulped when Minjeong moved to her knees. She did the same, putting antibiotic cream on it and when Jimin hissed at the pressure and her knee would uncontrollably jerk, Minjeong would hold her down and blow cold air against her knee.

It did help with the pain, but not with her racing heart. Seeing Minjeong kneeling in front of her, her lips so close to her skin, Jimin couldn't breathe properly anymore and she felt a lot of emotions fighting over each other. How could she stay calm, when Minjeong was taking care of her like that?

“Minjeong…”

And when Minjeong looked up at her with those puppy-like eyes and mouth slightly agape, Jimin had to look away or she might burst with all the emotions she was feeling.

It was too much, too much for her heart.

“I'm sorry for what I said. It was wrong.” Jimin said. Minjeong chuckled again and finished treating her wounds.

“You're taking it back now?”

Please Minjeong, don't do this to me.

Minjeong laughed softly and tapped her thigh. “Sorry, I was just messing with you. I'll buy us drinks. Wait for me.”

Jimin let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and watched Minjeong walk towards the vending machine. When Minjeong was walking back towards her with two bottles of drinks, Jimin busied herself inspecting the band-aids on her hands like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“Strawberry juice?” Minjeong offered a bottle to Jimin, and the latter shyly accepted it. But before Jimin could try and open her bottle, Minjeong took it back and opened it for her.

“Oh, thank you.” Jimin said and she was so sure that Minjeong could see the blush on her face.

She felt like she had to do something. Minjeong was always helping her and she still couldn't save her.

But at least, Jimin could offer her kimbap for the meantime.

“Do you want to eat? I couldn't eat my lunch so I still have it with me. It's all I can offer for treating my wounds.” Jimin offered, and she didn't know how Minjeong's face lighting up made her smile.

“Kimbap?” Minjeong asked eagerly. She was probably starving from practicing, and Jimin wished she brought extra money so she could at least treat Minjeong to a better meal.

“Yes.”

Jimin took out her lunch box and offered it to Minjeong. They shared the food, both sitting on a swing side by side. Jimin only ate a few pieces, letting Minjeong eat more of it. Silence enveloped them, a comfortable one, and only their soft chewing and drinking juice were heard. Minjeong even burped softly, and it was cute for Jimin. They laughed it off and stared at the night sky with their hearts and bellies full.

“It looked like I just dragged you out here, right? Sorry, I was feeling a little down but I cheered up when I saw you earlier.” Minjeong admitted. Jimin couldn't figure out how Minjeong could be honest like that and how clueless she was with how her words affected Jimin's heart.

“But… But you treated my wounds.” Jimin said, stuttering a little when her nervousness came back.

Did it even leave her system?

“Yeah, and that too. I wanted to treat you. I guess I got used to it? I always get wounds too—I mean, you know… from practicing? And Jinho gets it everytime from… from playing so I always treat his wounds for him. So when I saw you, I couldn't just leave you like that.” Minjeong rambled, and Jimin remembered when they were on the rooftop. Minjeong rambled like that too, which Jimin found adorable.

It was adorable, but it was better if Jinho's name wasn't there at all.

“What's your favorite star?” Minjeong suddenly asked. She remembered how Minjeong asked her the same question with clouds.

The ones in your eyes. Jimin wanted to say. But instead, she settled with something simple.

“I don't know much about stars.”

Minjeong chuckled and kicked off the ground to make her swing move. “I just like whatever looks the brightest. But what if I become an astronaut, go into space and get really close to those stars and poke them so it would be slightly out of place. Then people on earth would panic because the Orion belt looks different.”

Jimin bursted out laughing, she couldn't help it when Minjeong was being so adorable like that. “Do the stars even work like that?”

“Let me look it up.” Minjeong said and stopped the swing using her feet before she took out her phone from her pocket. The light from the screen illuminated her face, and Jimin could clearly see Minjeong's pursed lips as she was concentrating on reading.

“Yeah, they can move. I'm going to interrupt every star there is. Wouldn't that be fun?” Minjeong said and smiled sheepishly at Jimin.

It melted Jimin's heart.

“Do you want to be an astronaut?” Jimin asked.

Right then, Minjeong's smile faded and Jimin regretted asking that.

“No. I'm going to inherit my parent's company.”

Minjeong looked sad, and Jimin had to think and act fast. She looked around for anything she could use to change the topic of their conversation, and when her eyes fell on the phone on Minjeong's lap, Jimin didn't think twice and blurted the first thing that came to her mind.

“Minjeong, I want your phone.” Jimin said, and she wanted to hit her face with a brick or maybe hang herself using the swing's chain because she just had to say it in the wrong way.

But even so, Jimin succeeded in making Minjeong smile again.

“Are you robbing me?”

“No! I meant—your phone number… just your number…”

Minjeong giggled and faced Jimin a little bit. “You're finally letting me have your number now, huh. Are we at that stage? I'm happy.”

Jimin blushed so much that she had to look away from Minjeong. If Minjeong could smile again at the expense of her embarrassment, she wouldn't mind at all. But she still felt like her heart would explode at any moment.

Minjeong really looked so beautiful when she smiled.

“I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you last time. I was just… so nervous. I didn't mean to reject you or anything."

“I admit it made me sad, I thought you secretly hated me. But it's okay. I really meant it when I said I feel comfortable with you. I want us to be friends.” Minjeong said, and Jimin could hear a slight tone of shyness in her voice.

But what made Minjeong think about her like that? Jimin thought of herself as nothing special. What did Minjeong see in her?

“I see, I'm really sorry.” Jimin apologized. She would just overthink the reason later that night because she wanted to focus on Minjeong.

“Here, put your number. But don't run away with my phone, okay?” Minjeong teased when she handed Jimin her phone.

Jimin held the phone and stared at it blankly. She wasn't used to smartphones and she was too shy to tell Minjeong. Jimin wanted to figure it out on her own, maybe to impress or not embarrass herself, but she was afraid that she might press the wrong button and mess with Minjeong's phone.

Thankfully, Minjeong saved her from it and took back her phone.

“My phone can be a bit messy. Just say it and I'll go and save it.” Minjeong said and her tone had zero judgement in it and Jimin just wanted to cry at how kind Minjeong was.

The world didn't deserve someone like her.

Jimin dictated her number and she jumped on her seat, almost falling off the swing when her phone rang. She looked at it, an unsaved number had placed a miscall. It was Minjeong's.

Jimin had Minjeong's number, and she felt like the richest person on Earth. She couldn't help but smile at her phone, and Minjeong mirrored it. Genuine and pure happiness warmed their hearts with the simple exchange.

“Thank you.” Jimin said with the biggest smile Minjeong had ever seen.

“You should smile more, you're beautiful when you do. And I know I already said this, but your hair suits you well. Those glasses too. I hope I'm not being rude, but how bad is your eyesight?”

Minjeong, you're not being rude. Never. You're sometimes just relentless towards my heart.

Jimin choked on her saliva and she coughed uncontrollably, making Minjeong panic and ran to the vending machine to buy her water.

“Sorry, are you sensitive with your eyes? I won't ask again.”

It's not that, Minjeong. My heart is sensitive with your sweet words you don't realize is doing a lot with my heart. Please have mercy. Jimin wanted to say out loud if it wasn't for her uncontrollable cough. But even if she wasn't, she still didn't have the guts to say it to Minjeong's face.

“No, it's okay.” Jimin said when she recovered. And she was thankful because she could make Minjeong think that the blush on her face was due to her choking earlier.

“It's really bad, everything's a blur when I remove it. So… yeah… I need it.”

“Oh, okay then. It's cute though, your glasses.”

Jimin fidgeted with the water bottle and nodded. “Thanks. Uh… a friend gave it to me.”

“Isn't your friend so kind? Oh, it's getting late. I kept you here for too long. Do you mind if I drop you off your house? I'm worried because of your wounds and bruises and it's really late.”

Jimin checked her phone for the time and her eyes widened. It was already ten in the evening. They were talking for that long? For the whole three hours? It felt like just ten minutes, time flew by when she was with Minjeong.

“I'm fine—”

“No, please. I insist. I'll call my driver now.”

Who was Jimin to deny Minjeong again? So Jimin waited patiently until a car parked near them. Minjeong led her to the car, and the driver opened the door for them. Jimin couldn't stay still in her seat because she felt like she was ruining the expensive leather seat of the car, and also she was sitting beside Minjeong that close again.

With Jimin shyly guiding the driver to her apartment building, they reached it in no time and she didn't know how to act when the driver opened the door for her again. Jimin almost tripped while getting out of the car, but she managed to maintain her balance by holding on the door. Minjeong scooted to where Jimin was sitting and peeked through the window.

“I'll see you in school, Jimin. I had fun.”

Jimin could only nod and wave when the car drove away. When the car was out of her sight, Jimin collapsed on the ground while clutching her chest.

“Fuck.” Jimin muttered that she surprised herself because she wasn't used to cursing. But it perfectly described everything she was feeling and she couldn't find a better word to use but that.

“Fuck.” Jimin even repeated while smiling. If someone saw her like that, they would definitely think she had gone insane. But she didn't care.

It really felt like her sanity had left her. Jimin couldn't believe what just happened, it all felt surreal.

Sure, she almost died, got beaten up badly that she passed out. But at the end of the day, Minjeong was there to make her feel better, without Minjeong even knowing the effect she had on Jimin. She took out her phone and stared at the newly added contact in it.

Kim Minjeong.

Jimin smiled again and held her phone close to her face.

It was all worth it, Jimin thought.

She had just a glimpse of what it would be like when she saved Minjeong from Jinho. Literal sunshines and rainbows. Jimin scanned her body, her wounds and bruises were nothing if it meant to lead to a better outcome.

A time when Jimin could make Minjeong happy and make her smile everyday. A time when Minjeong would be free. The thought made Jimin blurt out something she never knew she would say.

“I can't wait to get beaten up tomorrow.”

Because it meant a step forward to learning. A step forward to her goals.

A step closer towards Minjeong's happiness.

Chapter Text

Weeks of working out by herself and weeks of going through Aeri and Yizhuo's merciless training sessions while also studying for their exams and working on weekends, Jimin felt like she was going to die.

When was the last time she had a proper sleep? Jimin couldn't remember.

The words on her notebook started the blur. Jimin's eyes were already drooping due to the drowsiness she was struggling to fight back. But the more Jimin struggled, the more she felt sleepy. The voice of their teacher discussing their lesson sounded muffled to Jimin, and her grip on her pen was loosening, until it dropped on the table and rolled on the floor.

Jimin's head fell on the table with a loud thud that made the entire class look in her direction. Her left hand fell on her lap while the other hung beside her. Most of her classmates laughed, while their teacher clicked his tongue and slammed the book against his table.

The loud noise didn't even stir Jimin from her sleep.

Their teacher slowly approached Jimin's table while shaking his head. But when he was about to reach for Jimin's shoulder to wake her up, a voice made him freeze on his spot.

“Lay a finger on her, and this is the last class you'll be teaching for the rest of your life.”

It was Aeri.

“But I can't have a student sleep during my class—”

“Do I have to repeat myself?” Aeri asked with a raised eyebrow. Their teacher gulped and shook his head and proceeded to continue his lectures. Aeri rolled her eyes and groaned when she noticed that her classmates were still looking at her, and at Jimin.

“What?!” Aeri slammed her hand on the table and her classmates immediately looked away. Even their teacher was startled and dropped his marker on the floor. Crossing her arms and glaring at Jimin, Aeri mumbled angrily to herself.

“If it's not for Yizhuo… ugh. Annoying. I'll beat you up later.” Aeri kept grumbling under her breath while writing in her notebook. When her phone vibrated, she took it out from her pocket, only to roll her eyes when she read a message. She put her things inside her bag and stood up, knocking her chair over in the process.

“Cancel the next two classes, I have a business to attend to.” Aeri said and exited the room. Their teacher dropped his marker again and held on the table for his dear life. He could only nod and hastily gather his things before leaving and to inform their next teacher about Aeri's instructions. On the other hand, their classmates were left baffled and whispering to each other.

Jimin continued sleeping, no one dared to wake her up. She had no clue about what happened, and only woke up when the bell rang for lunch break. Jimin gasped and looked around, her notebook and book fell while she was still processing what just happened.

“She's awake. Hurry up.” One of Jimin's classmates said, and suddenly a pack of tissues was handed to her. She looked at it and at her classmate back and forth in confusion.

“You have uhm… there…” Her classmate pointed at the side of Jimin's mouth. Jimin touched it and blushed when she felt saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth. She then took the pack of tissues and wiped it away while thanking her classmate.

“You can have the rest and Jimin… we're good, right? I didn't do anything wrong to you.” Her classmate asked. Jimin tilted her head to the side, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She hasn't fully processed anything, yet another of her classmates put a banana milk on her table.

“Hey, Jimin. So I didn't mean to bump into you yesterday. You can have my drink. We're friends, okay? We're cool.” He said and smiled sheepishly. Jimin was confused with how her classmates were suddenly acting towards her.

Was she still dreaming?

They never cared about her, she was always treated like a shadow in the corner. No one really paid attention to her.

So what was happening?

After that, some of her classmates put food and drinks on her table and it almost overflowed. They kept saying the same thing, kept asking and getting reassurance from Jimin that she was okay with them, and were making sure they weren't mad at them. One of them pulled out a paper bag and hurriedly but carefully put the food and drinks from her table inside and gave it to her. It was becoming overwhelming that Jimin had to grab her bag and the paperbag, and ran out of their classroom.

“Do you think that's okay? She's not mad, isn't she?”

“Just… be on her good side from now on. We don't know what's up but maybe she's their new pet?”

“I don't think she's their pet. Aeri never defends anyone other than Yizhuo. So be careful.”

Jimin's classmates kept talking about her in the classroom. Speculations, confusions, and some fear loomed around them. They have been treating Jimin badly, and the chance of her being under Aeri terrified them. But none of that reached Jimin's ears as she ran as fast as she could to the clubroom. She wanted to be away from them, to be someplace else to calm herself down and think things through.

But when Jimin reached the clubroom, she was confused when she saw the door was slightly open. Aeri and Yizhuo always made sure to keep it shut and locked ever since Jimin first went to them. Then Jimin heard voices inside that made her stop on her tracks.

“Aeri, how many times have I told you to take over the student council? You're bringing shame to this family with all the nonsense you were doing!” A man's voice, who sounded so angry, caused Jimin to flinch.

“Did you seriously call me here just for this? Don't tell me what to do!” Aeri answered back, and a loud crash was heard followed by the booming voice of the man.

“You can't talk to your father like that!”

“You're not my father! You're just some replacement—”

Jimin's eyes widened when she heard what she was sure was a slap. It was so loud that Jimin dropped the paper bag so she could cover her ears. Her knees started to shake, and she felt it was too hard to breathe. Jimin then gasped when Yizhuo appeared.

“I'll text you when you can come back. Just not today. Do something else.” Yizhuo said and finally shut the door. Jimin just nodded, but she still wouldn't stop shaking even though she couldn't hear anything from the clubroom anymore.

Jimin started to become lightheaded and her vision was tunneling that she had to hold on to the wall for support. She still tried to pick up the paperbag, but even her hands were shaking so much that she dropped it twice before she could hold it properly.

Run. It was all Jimin could do, all she wanted to do. Jimin wasn't thinking about where she wanted to go, she just let her feet lead her anywhere. As long as she could get away from anyone, it was enough. She didn't know how far she was running or how many flights of stairs she took, she just wanted to run.

Until the cold air hit her and made her entire body shiver. Jimin was on the rooftop and on the side of the railings, she saw someone eating while staring in the distance.

“Minjeong…”

Jimin automatically gravitated towards Minjeong until she was towering over the latter. Minjeong looked up and smiled with her cheeks still full with food.

Minjeong looked so happy. Jimin could finally breathe.

“Hi.” Minjeong greeted her and chuckled when she realized her mouth was still full. Jimin waited until Minjeong was done chewing and swallowing her food before she answered.

“Hey.” Jimin said with a small, awkward wave. Minjeong patted the spot beside her, urging Jimin to take a seat. Jimin did so and she was surprised how Minjeong's presence seemed to vanquish every confusion and fear she was feeling. It was as if none of it happened.

There was only Minjeong before her eyes and in her mind, nothing else mattered.

“I haven't seen you for weeks. Did you see the photo of rocks I emailed you?” Minjeong asked, then took another bite of her burger. Jimin eyed it and it made Minjeong slightly conscious.

“I know it's unhealthy, but I'm really craving it. Consider it my cheat day. I'm not allowed to eat fast food most of the time.” Minjeong defended herself, and there was a slight hint of sadness in her voice that didn't escape Jimin's ears.

Was it because of tennis or because of Jinho? Jimin shook the thought from her head and decided to focus on Minjeong only.

“It's okay.” Jimin assured her. She did see the photos of rocks Minjeong had sent her, and Jimin would've never imagined that Kim Minjeong liked collecting rocks. Jimin thought that maybe she could find a pretty rock and give it to Minjeong someday.

“Are you having a cheat day too? That's an awful lot of food and drinks.” Minjeong asked while peeking inside the paperbag that Jimin brought.

“No, I uh…” Jimin scratched her head and finally rummaged through the paperbag to see what was inside of it since she didn't get a chance to check earlier. There were some yogurt drinks and bread inside, and Jimin found a bar of chocolate on the bottom of it.

“My classmates suddenly gave them to me. I don't know why.” Jimin admitted. When she noticed that Minjeong's eyes were still glued at them, Jimin couldn't help but chuckle.

“Do you want some?” Jimin offered and she knew right then and there that she asked the right and perfect question when Minjeong's face lit up. Minjeong's eyes sparkled with happiness and excitement, the sight made Jimin fall for her ten times harder.

“Really? Can I have banana milk then? And that red bean bread?” Minjeong asked and Jimin knew no one could ever deny that request when Minjeong looked like that.

Who could resist that? Minjeong just looked so adorable and hopeful for food. Jimin thought that maybe Minjeong was what they called a ‘foodie’.

“Of course. Just take what you want.” Jimin said while watching Minjeong with a smile.

“Can I have that strawberry yogurt drink too?”

Jimin nodded with a chuckle, and when Minjeong was collecting her share, she suddenly gave Jimin a playful glare and a pout.

“Why are you laughing?”

Jimin bit her lip at how adorable Minjeong looked. It was different when Jimin saw her in the hallways or when she's playing tennis. Minjeong was a completely different person in front of the crowd. Minjeong was cool, calm and collected. Minjeong moved gracefully and with purpose, she was the perfect princess.

But the Minjeong in front of her was just a simple woman who got excited at food. The woman who liked rocks and other unusual things. Jimin liked how they could joke with each other now. Sure, she still got nervous sometimes, but slowly, she felt that they were growing closer as days passed by.

“You really like strawberry.” Jimin pointed out.

“It's my favorite. What about you?” Minjeong asked.

Jimin blinked fast and thought hard. She never had a favorite flavor but because of Minjeong, she was starting to like strawberry too. So Jimin told her just that.

“I like strawberry too.” Jimin said, and it was the truth.

Minjeong smiled widely but that slowly faded away and her expression turned serious.

Worried.

“Jimin, are you okay?” Minjeong asked. At first, Jimin thought saying strawberry was her favorite flavor too was wrong but that thought went away when Minjeong spoke again.

“When you came here, you look… disturbed. Did something happen?”

Jimin looked back at everything that happened earlier. Her classmates acting strange, the conversation she heard from the clubroom, and the pain of memories came crashing down on her filled her mind. Jimin felt like she was drowning with all those thoughts, and she had to hold her head to stabilize herself.

“Jimin?”

A cold, soft hand held her other hand, and it was enough to keep her grounded. She raised her head, and was met with Minjeong's comforting smile.

“I was just… I fell asleep in class and I must've had a bad dream.” Jimin lied. She wished she was telling the truth, though.

It would be nice if all of that were just a bad dream.

“I see. Maybe you're tired too, you've been working so hard lately. I see you training at the track fields sometimes.” Minjeong said.

“Wait, you saw me?” Jimin asked, and she felt panic rising deep within her. That meant that Minjeong saw everything. But before she could explain, Minjeong already beat her to it.

“Jimin, please be honest. Are you okay? Why were you with Aeri and Yizhuo?”

Jimin gulped, she knew there's no lying to Minjeong anymore. Minjeong knew what kind of person Aeri and Yizhuo was, everyone in their school did. Jimin didn't want to lie to her anymore, but she had to. She just had to tell the truth, half of it anyway.

“I asked Aeri to help me train because I'm failing P.E. We're classmates. At first she didn't agree, and I was the one who forced myself to her. I had no one to ask, so that's why.”

“You could've asked me.”

Minjeong sounded so sad that guilt crept up on Jimin's chest. But she couldn't tell Minjeong about everything, so bear that guilt alone and forced a smile.

“I'm alright, Minjeong. I promise. You know, Yizhuo always gives me delicious food. Sometimes, when Aeri's exhausted or busy, I tutor Yizhuo.” Jimin shared to reassure Minjeong. All of it was true, anyway. Except Yizhuo feeds her in a dog bowl.

“But—” Minjeong paused, and Jimin readied herself to say anything just to make her stop worrying. But then Minjeong smiled and stared in the distance.

“I trust you, so I won't pry anymore.” Minjeong said and continued eating her burger. Jimin breathed a sigh of relief and took out her lunch kimbap from her bag. Minjeong eyed it for a few seconds and averted her gaze quickly when Jimin looked at her.

But Jimin already caught her, so it was no use.

“Do you want some?” Jimin asked.

“No, it's okay. Thank you. I have my burger and fries, and this diet soda. But diet soda is kind of useless with all this junk I'm eating, right?” Minjeong chuckled. Finally, the atmosphere became light and the worry Jimin was feeling went away. She could finally relax.

They ate while chatting about Minjeong's rocks. Jimin learned that Minjeong's interest in rocks started as a joke. Her parents went on a business trip when she was a kid and asked them to bring her a rock as a souvenir. Her father didn't take her seriously, but her mom did.

Minjeong showed Jimin a small pouch of rocks that her mother gave her. Honestly, Jimin didn't expect that Minjeong would actually bring rocks to school. There were various rocks that Jimin didn't know existed.

Pink, orange, and a rock that was as black as the void. Jimin examined each rock in awe and realized that there are more things in the world that she wasn't aware of.

Jimin was used to seeing rocks with dull gray in color. But because of Minjeong, her view with simple rocks became colorful and interesting, just like how Minjeong colored her dull life.

“My mom went to this national park before, and she risked picking up two rocks because she knows I love them.” Minjeong reminisced while eating the red bean bread after she finished her own food.

“Is it not allowed?” Jimin asked.

“No, it's not. She could've been fined or worse, jailed. I still kept those rocks with me and made a promise that I'll go there with my mom someday to return them.” Minjeong said and laughed. But there's something behind that laugh that Jimin couldn't quite comprehend. It seemed that Minjeong was sad, but Jimin wasn't really sure.

Maybe it's the lack of sleep. Jimin was imagining things.

Minjeong kept rambling about rocks while Jimin patiently listened. She engraved every detail in her mind. It was fun listening to Minjeong talk about anything, because Jimin found her the most beautiful when she talked about the things she loved.

That excitement and pure happiness. It was beautiful.

Time flew by quickly and the bell rang, ending their short and peaceful moment together. Jimin hurriedly cleaned up their mess and boldly offered a hand to Minjeong to help her stand up. But Minjeong shook her head which confused Jimin.

“Jimin, do you want to skip class together?”

Jimin blinked fast a few times. Did she hear it wrong? Minjeong, their school's top student, everyone's role model, and tennis ace, asked her to skip class of all things?

“Are you… joking?” Jimin asked.

“No. Hold on a second.” Minjeong stood up and went to the door of the rooftop. She took something from her pocket, and when Jimin took a closer look, she saw a set of keys on Minjeong's hands.

“I'm good friends with one of our janitors. I borrowed these keys.” Minjeong explained when she felt that Jimin was behind her. Minjeong then locked the door from the outside and turned around to smile cheekily at Jimin.

“It's our little secret.” Minjeong said and pulled Jimin by her wrist. She led Jimin to the stacks of boxes and started pushing them aside. Jimin had no idea what Minjeong wanted to do, but she knew Minjeong shouldn't do it herself.

“Let me do it, you're going to hurt your wrist.” Jimin offered. Minjeong asked her to create a space enough for the two of them between the boxes, and Jimin did just that. Jimin picked up some boxes to make their tower of boxes even, and put the rest in front of them.

“We have a fortress. The wind is getting chilly.” Minjeong said and giggled. They settled on the floor with boxes around them and they shared a laugh at their silliness.

“Are we really going to skip class? For the whole afternoon?” Jimin asked again. Minjeong just nodded and took out a jacket from her bag.

“You look like you need sleep. Use this to cover your legs. Don't worry, I haven't used it yet, it's clean.”

Jimin was speechless for a few moments. Did Minjeong really want them to skip class because she thought Jimin needed sleep? Did Minjeong risk skipping classes herself for Jimin? She didn't want to assume, really. Maybe Minjeong just wanted an excuse to take a break, given that she already had the keys.

But Jimin knew Minjeong wasn't that kind of person. It warmed her heart, and also her cheeks.

“I already took a nap in class, though.” Jimin still tried to reason.

“I forgot to ask about that. How come nobody woke you up? Teachers don't like when we sleep during classes.” Minjeong asked. Now that Jimin thought about it, she only realized that the only thing that woke her up was the school bell. She slept for the whole two classes, and no one woke her up.

Why?

“Sleep, Jimin. I'll keep watch for you.” Minjeong said when Jimin didn't say anything. And it felt like Minjeong put a spell on her, because she started to drift away to sleep. Jimin's head slowly leaned on the boxes, and when Minjeong draped the jacket over her legs, she closed her eyes with Minjeong's smile the last thing she saw.

Then…

How many hours had it been?

Jimin opened her eyes and saw that the sky had turned orange and blurry. Was she dreaming? Jimin blinked the sleep away from her eyes and when she rubbed the bridge of her nose, she realized she didn't have her glasses on.

So that's why it was blurry.

“Hi.”

Jimin gasped when her eyeglasses were gently worn on her. When her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, she gasped even harder.

Because why was Minjeong's head over hers?

“You slept well, and you were snoring. That's good. You look better, Jimin.”

Jimin blinked again and her eyes travelled from Minjeong's face down to her stomach. Why was Minjeong's stomach beside her face?

Then, it dawned on her.

Jimin's head was laying on Minjeong's lap. She quickly sat up and ended up hitting her head against the box.

“Minjeong I—I'm really sorry! I have no idea how I ended up on your… I mean—I’m really sorry!” Jimin apologized. She eyed Minjeong's skirt to see if she stained it with her saliva, and when she realized where she was staring at so intently, she blushed so hard. Minjeong just chuckled and held Jimin's arm to calm her down.

It didn't calm her down, though. The touch made Jimin's panicking worse.

“It's okay. Your head just fell on my shoulder and I thought it was hard for you to sleep like that, so I moved your head on my lap. And see? You slept well.”

“How long was I sleeping?” Jimin asked.

“Five hours.”

Jimin covered her face with her hands. She wanted to scream in embarrassment and at the same time, scream because she just slept on Minjeong's lap of all places. She knew Minjeong was just being kind and caring, but none of those helped her racing heart.

Jimin felt like her heart was going to explode at any moment. Jimin needed to breathe, to get away even just for a second, but she didn't want to make Minjeong sad if she pulled away from her touch. Minjeong was rubbing her arm to soothe her, and Jimin didn't have the heart to break Minjeong's heart like that because she was panicking.

“Minjeong, I'm really sorry.” Jimin said instead. Minjeong squeezed Jimin's arm softly and smiled.

“Don't apologize, please. I'm just glad you slept well. Do you want water?”

That kindness, and that soft smile. Jimin wanted to cry because of how pure and genuine Minjeong was. When she shyly nodded, Minjeong handed her a tumbler. Jimin chugged on it without thinking and it felt so satisfying.

“Thank you.” Jimin said and handed back the tumbler to Minjeong. She fixed her hair and glasses while looking around. It was slowly getting dark, so while swallowing all the embarrassment she was feeling, Jimin started to put back the boxes in their places. In the process, she wondered why no one had to clean them up yet. But she was thankful for it, because she could hide behind those boxes with Minjeong and sleep.

That was the best, five hour dreamless sleep she had ever had.

“Jimin, can you wait for a few minutes?” Minjeong asked. Jimin crouched in front of Minjeong and she got worried.

“What's wrong?”

Minjeong looked uncomfortable and in pain, but she still managed to give Jimin a sheepish smile.

“My legs are numb. I can't move yet.”

Jimin's eyes widened with the realization. If she was sleeping on Minjeong's lap for five hours, then that means Minjeong also hadn't moved at all since then.

Minjeong didn't move for five hours just so Jimin could sleep.

And again, Jimin panicked.

“You can have my legs!” Jimin exclaimed. And before she could realize what she just said, Minjeong was already giggling.

“Jimin, just please—” Minjeong paused as she couldn't control her laughter anymore. Jimin felt her face heating up. Jimin was hopeless and she could only hide behind the boxes because she didn't know what to do anymore.

“Just give me time while I massage my legs. You can keep yours, but I appreciate the offer.” Minjeong said and there were still a few small laughs escaping her lips. Despite her not wanting to embarrass Jimin any further, Minjeong couldn't help but laugh at Jimin's antics.

It was refreshing.

When Minjeong was done massaging her legs and she could move them again without any problems, they finished arranging the boxes before leaving the rooftop. Minjeong led Jimin to a way out of the school where no one could see them. Everyday, Jimin learned something new about Minjeong.

Jimin never knew that a part of their school's fence at the back that was covered with overgrown vines was hiding a small gate. Minjeong recalled the time she saw their schoolmates using that gate to ditch class, and she didn't snitch on them because she thought that maybe someday, she might need that hidden gate too. Jimin was saddened for a moment at the thought, because she realized that Minjeong must mean that she uses that gate to leave school whenever Jinho would beat her up.

“My driver's looking for me. I need to go.” Minjeong said and hurriedly left to run towards the main gate. Jimin was left standing there, her hand suspended in the air when she failed to even wave goodbye at Minjeong. A few minutes later, Jimin's phone vibrated and she smiled when she saw that Minjeong sent her a message.

‘Thanks for hanging out with me. I had fun. See you tomorrow!’

Jimin typed a quick reply and didn't care if she looked like an idiot. She was happy and well rested, so she let herself smile so widely while staring at her phone. She went home, almost skipping her way through because she didn't know what else to do with the happiness that surging inside her. Jimin didn't care that she skipped classes, she wasn't worried about the missed lectures or possibly surprise quizzes. The important thing was she was happy, and she didn't want to think of anything else.

But as the night slowly sank in, Jimin couldn't stay still on her bed. She had nothing to do. Jimin wasn't used to the lack of things to do, she was used to staying up late with Aeri and Yizhuo, and even before that, she was used to working until past midnight. She didn't want to study either, and since she missed most of her classes, she didn't have any homework to do.

Jimin felt bored for the first time in a while.

“What should I do…” Jimin muttered while staring at the ceiling. She checked her phone for the time, it was only seven in the evening. Jimin wasn't sleepy yet, there was nothing to do but stare at the ceiling and think.

Jimin didn't want to think. If she remains idle, her mind will start to be flooded with things that she shouldn't think about, and she didn't like that. So she pressed a button on her phone again and scanned through her contacts until she reached Joy's name.

Maybe, she could ask if they need an extra hand for the night. There's no harm in asking, and Jimin didn't mind if she wouldn't get paid. She just wanted to do something.

Anything.

Or all the unnecessary thoughts would come and haunt her down.

Jimin typed in a quick message and sent it to Joy without hesitation and out of desperation. Not even a minute passed and her phone rang. Jimin answered it and she had to put her phone a few inches away from her ear because of how loud Joy was.

“Jimin-ah! You're my savior! Please come here, I'm losing my fucking mind! Our chef suddenly had diarrhea, our cashier found out her husband was cheating so she left the hotel with a frying pan, and our bartender is stupid as usual.” Joy spewed out words like a machine gun and Jimin wondered if she ever breathed saying all of it at all.

“Hey!” A man yelled. Jimin could recognize that it was their bartender. It was noisy in the background and after a few seconds, it became quiet. Joy probably moved somewhere else.

“Please come here. Of all the times, someone just had to celebrate their fucking birthday and bring all their family and friends, probably all their neighborhood and their mothers here today. Take a cab, please. I'll pay for your fare. If you can fly, that will be better.”

The call suddenly ended and Jimin was left dumbfounded. Well, at least, she had something to do.

Jimin quickly stood up to gather her things and leave. Her mother had already gone to bed early, so she left a note on the dining table about her whereabouts. Taking a cab, Jimin headed to the hotel and when she arrived, Joy almost fainted in relief and had to hug Jimin tightly.

“Thank you for coming. I will give you my firstborn when the day comes.” Joy said while pushing her towards the kitchen.

“Okay, so,” Joy started while waving her hands around in panic. “That restaurant above will be bringing food here. Gosh, it annoys me that we have to rely on them. Anyway, cook some fries for now. I will handle the register. Oh, and fry some chicken wings. I'll leave the kitchen to you.”

And just like that, Joy was gone. Jimin started to cook. As long as it was just simple food, she could do it. Good thing they have a separate restaurant on the fifth floor, but they weren't on good terms with the restobar. Jimin wondered why while she was preparing the fries.

But no matter the reason, Jimin was just glad she finally had something to do. When she wasn't cooking, she would help serve food and tend to the customers’ needs. When Jimin was making another batch of fries, Joy stormed the kitchen to complain because the birthday celebrant got drunk and demanded Wendy to come and sing for them. But it was Wednesday, and Wendy wasn't scheduled to come. So after Joy complained to her heart's content, she went outside with the biggest smile she could muster and took over the mini stage to sing.

And Jimin be damned, Joy's voice was heavenly good.

Jimin spent her time mostly in the kitchen. She even got some free chicken wings and fries. Joy gave her soda too. And when the customers left, they all could finally breathe.

It just hit midnight, and they were all settled on separate tables while staring into space. Their bartender made them some mango shake and they all enjoyed it while they rested.

“Jimin, you can go home now. You still have school later.” Joy said and handed her salary for the night.

“Are you sure?” Jimin asked.

“Yeah. We can handle it from here. Do you want me to book a cab for you? It's late and I'm worried. Or if you want, you can take a nap there and wait for me. I'll drive you home.”

“No, it's okay. Thanks. I'll be fine on my own. I always go home this late.” Jimin said. She couldn't make Joy take extra measures for her, because Joy was more exhausted than any of them. The stress she was handling was way too much, especially when they had a problem with the food order with the fifth floor restaurant. Jimin bid them goodbye and left the hotel to go home.

But she still wasn't tired. Jimin didn't want to go home just yet.

Jimin even started daydreaming that when she passed by a convenience store, she would see some paper plastered on the glass saying they were looking for someone to help for the night. She laughed at herself at the silly thought, there's no way that would magically happen.

But something did happen. It wasn't a convenience store, but Jimin saw a familiar man taking some boxes from a minivan. Jimin approached carefully and her face lit up when she realized that it was Kun.

“Kun—” Jimin paused. How should she address him? Mr. Kun or just Kun? While Jimin was contemplating, she didn't realize that Kun was already in front of her.

“What are you doing here so late?” Kun asked. Jimin couldn't read his expression, it was like Kun was devoid of any emotion.

“Part-time job. I'm on my way home.” Jimin said. Kun nodded and went back to picking up boxes from the minivan. Curious, Jimin approached Kun and took a peek inside.

“You're working this late too?” Jimin asked.

“Yeah. Delivery.”

“This late?” Jimin clamped a hand on her mouth. She realized too late that she was being too nosy.

“Overtime.” Kun answered. He didn't seem irritated at Jimin's questions.

“Go home.” He added

Jimin pursed her lips and remained standing beside Kun. Upon closer look, Kun looked exhausted and there were bags under his eyes. Jimin eyed the boxes again and took a deep breath.

“Let me help you.” Jimin offered. And for the first time, Kun showed a little emotion. Was it shock or was he pissed off? Or maybe he couldn't believe the audacity that Jimin presented to him.

“No. Go home.” Kun said, and he was back to being emotionless.

“Please. You helped me before, let me help you this time.” Jimin insisted. She felt like it was the right thing to do, or was it because she didn't want to go home just yet and be left with nothing to do at all? Either way, it was the true that Jimin wanted to return the favor.

Kun put the box down and sighed. “You wouldn't stop until I agree, right?”

It was as if he knew what kind of person Jimin was. Jimin nodded enthusiastically and Kun gave up.

“Fine. But just one box. Then you don't owe me anything anymore. Go home after that.” Kun said and handed her a small box. Jimin examined the box and was confused because it didn't have any details on it. How was she supposed to know where to deliver it?

“Kun, where should I take this?” Jimin asked.

“Just follow me. I have the details memorized in my brain.”

Jimin's eyed widened. With all the boxes in the minivan, Kun memorized everything without even some notes? He must've had such great memory. Still, Jimin found it strange at the lack of delivery information on the boxes. She shrugged her shoulders, probably Kun worked in a different kind of delivery company. Jimin followed Kun silently and when they reach a crossroad, Kun stopped.

“On your left, walk two blocks and turn right. There's a house with a blue gate that has a cactus hanging from it. Throw the box over the gate, then go home. You don't have to go back to me.” Kun instructed and walked away to a different direction from Jimin.

She was still amazed at Kun's memory. Jimin wondered if Kun was still studying, and she bet that if he still was, he probably had good grades. While walking, she hummed a song that Joy was singing in the restobar until she found the house that Kun mentioned to her.

“Is it really okay to just throw the box?” Jimim hesitated and looked around. It was late, and no one was around, so she just did what Kun asked her to do and threw the box over the gate. It made a loud thud, making her jump a little while closing her eyes. A minute passed, Jimin looked around again and left the area.

Kun said not to meet him again and head straight home. But curiosity got the better of Jimin and she tried to track Kun down to where he was headed. When she turned a corner, she finally saw Kun, but the sight made her gasp.

Kun was surrounded by four men, and it didn't seem like they were friendly. Kun was holding a box tightly against her chest while he was eyeing the four, and suddenly, they started fighting.

It was four against one. Jimin had to act fast.

But what should she do? She took out her phone to call a police, but her eyes widened when she saw that Kun was being overwhelmed. One of the men was already on the ground, and Kun was already struggling to defend himself. Still, he managed to take down another, all the while he was holding the box as if he was ready to die for it.

Jimin couldn't wait for the police to come, so she rushed to Kun without thinking, without a plan. All she knew was she had to help him, or he would be badly hurt. Or worse, Kun could die. The men probably were thugs, they were probably carrying some weapons, but Jimin didn't care.

She knew it was stupid, but she didn't care.

“Stop it!” Jimin yelled and kick the man who was going to punch Kun. It was weak and the man only stumbled a bit. But it gave Kun the opportunity to fight back and take down another one of them, but he was knocked down by the man Jimin kicked and Kun couldn't stand anymore.

Kun just fought and took down three men himself, while he was exhausted from working and obviously was lacking sleep.

“I told you to go home. Run.” Kun said and coughed up blood. Jimin didn't budge, she couldn't just leave Kun there alone. If she ran away, Kun would die.

Jimin didn't want to run away anymore. So she clenched her fists and recalled everything that Aeri and Yizhuo taught her.

“Use your surroundings. Play dirty. You're not going compete in the nationals.”

“Use your brain.”

But before she could make a move, the man had already punched her. Jimin fell on the ground beside Kun, and her ears were ringing at the impact. And she laughed.

Jimin laughed.

Kun was dumbfounded at how Jimin was acting. But she kept laughing, that even the man who hit her was confused.

“The fuck are you laughing about?”

Jimin held her cheek, and she could taste the blood in her mouth. She laughed again and looked up at the man.

“It's just… Aeri hits harder than that.”

Before the man could react, she kicked him in the balls multiple times until he fell on the ground. Jimin only stopped when he shielded his groin with his hands, and Jimin took that opportunity to look around for something.

Jimin knew she couldn't beat that man two size bigger than her with her bare hands, and when she saw an empty bottle of beer, her mind went blank.

“No! Stop!”

Jimin could hear Kun's voice, but it sounded muffled. Her hand was already gripping the bottle, and her arm was already swinging it towards the man's head.

Then the sound of the bottle breaking made Jimin snapped out of it. The man was groaning on the ground while holding his head.

And his head was bleeding.

Kun grunted as he forced himself up. He grabbed Jimin's wrists and pulled her away from the men. They kept running until they reached the minivan, and Kun shoved Jimin in the passenger seat and they drove off. Jimin didn't know where they were going, and she was still in a daze.

Everything happened too fast.

It felt like they were circling around for hours, Jimin lost track of time. But they finally stopped at a convenience store, a different one where Jimin first saw Kun.

“Come, and stay close with me.” Kun said and pulled Jimin out of the car. They went insids the convenience store and Kun didn't let go of Jimin's wrist, except only for when he was paying for everything he grabbed. Then, Kun led her to the tables outside and poured the contents of the plastic bag onto the table.

“Wash your mouth first.” Kun said and handed Jimin a water bottle. Jimin obliged and spat out the water beside her, and saw blood mixed with the water. After that, Kun started treating her lip that was busted. Jimin hissed when Kun started to clean it and put on treatment. Next, Kun gave Jimin a pack of frozen peas for her swollen and bruised cheek.

“I told you to go home.” Kun scolded her, but he didn't sound angry or disappointed. He didn't even sound worried, he was back to being emotionless.

“I'm sorry. I was worried about you.” Jimin said. Kun sighed and put back the things he bought in the plastic bag and gave it to Jimin.

“Take these with you. You're—” Kun sighed again, and there it was, Jimin saw a little bit of emotion in Kun's eyes.

“Don't do that again. Strength and bravery won't get you far in life if you're stupid. You'll die early. You should've left me, we barely know each other.”

“I'm sorry.” Jimin apologized again. Kun just sighed and went back inside the store. When he came back, he handed Jimin another plastic bag, and upon checking, Jimin saw a cup of instant porridge and an energy drink.

“It's going to be hard to eat with that lip. Have that for your breakfast. I'm taking you home. Or Irene will kill me.”

Jimin couldn't hear properly at the last thing Kun said, he almost whispered it. She followed Kun in the minivan and the ride back to her apartment was filled with silence. When they arrived, Jimin thanked Kun and apologized again, but he stopped her before she could open the door.

“You're like my sister. She was stubborn, and stupid. Stay away from danger. You don't belong there.” Kun said and let Jimin off the van. He drove off without saying goodbye, and what he said baffled Jimin.

What did he mean by that?

But Jimin was far too exhausted and hurting to think about it. Her day was chaotic and the only time he felt calmness was when she was with Minjeong. Jimin still couldn't believe what happened with her and Kun, she couldn't believe what she had done. But she knew it was the right thing to do, or else Kun would be in a bad place.

Jimin entered their apartment and headed straight to the bathroom after she dropped off her things in her bedroom. She washed her face, careful not to hurt her lip. Looking at the mirror for closer inspection, Jimin busted her lip badly and it was going to be hard for her to eat. It was the first time she had hit someone, she never got the chance to hit Aeri back because of the gap in their skills and experience. And Jimin could only hit that man because he was caught off guard.

It should've bothered Jimin, but she was surprisingly calm. Sure, her hands were shaking a little as she washed them, but it was for a different reason she couldn't point out. Despite her busted lip, her bruised and swollen cheek and everything that had happened earlier, Jimin couldn't figure out the reason why she looked strange when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

It was unlike her, it was new, but it didn't feel bad or uncomfortable.

Jimin couldn't figure out why she was smiling, but she couldn't stop.

Chapter Text

Jimin's life has changed.

It didn't come slowly but instead, it hit her faster than she could realize it. Jimin knew her actions would result in a change, but she didn't expect it to be a big one.

Jimin used to be the one who everyone ignored. No one really cared about her, no one gave her a second glance. Sure, when she slightly changed her appearance, she gathered attention here and there but that slowly died down.

Now it was different. The change was so overwhelming that Jimin couldn't breathe.

Think, Jimin. What happened? Jimin kept her head low as she walked the hallways. Everyone was looking at her, they stepped aside so she could pass without any problems, and some even greeted her while bowing their heads low.

Did Aeri do something? Maybe Yizhuo? Jimin doubted it. But she couldn't think of anything else to be the reason why her schoolmates started treating her differently. Jimin knew something changed after she fell asleep in class, but never figured out what happened during that short time she was sleeping.

What did I do?

Jimin was so lost in her thoughts that she accidentally bumped into someone. She was about to apologize, but was surprised when the girl's eyes widened and bowed repeatedly.

“Who the fuck—oh, shit. I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking! I'm really sorry!” The girl ran away from Jimin after that, and it made her uncomfortable.

Why are they acting like this?

It didn't get any better in their classroom. Jimin's classmates almost fought with each other to give her notes for the class she missed when she ditched them with Minjeong, and as much as Jimin was grateful for the help, their actions still confused her. During lunch, Jimin was always given food or drinks. But what bothered her the most was her classmates' constant questions that she had no idea where it came from.

“Jimin. We're good, right?”

It was always the same question, as if they were scared that Jimin was angry at them.

It was suffocating. Jimin could only breathe when she was at the clubroom or the rooftop.

Aeri and Yizhuo didn't mention anything, and despite Aeri witnessing their classmates’ treatment towards Jimin, she never said anything. Not even a slight reaction.

When lunch came, Jimin ran straight to the clubroom to hide. She'd rather be beaten up than receive unknown kindness. Upon arriving, Jimin bumped into Aeri at the doorway.

“You—” Aeri paused, then let out a sigh. “Keep Yizhuo company for now, and after class too. I have things to do. I'm also skipping afternoon classes, so take notes for me.” Aeri said and left. Jimin nodded and entered the clubroom and saw Yizhuo on the couch. Yizhuo looked like she's working on something, and there's another woman sitting across from Yizhuo. Her back was against Jimin, but she knew her too well.

That hair, and that familiar vanilla scent.

“Jimin?”

Jimin's eyes widened when the woman turned towards her. Of course, it was Minjeong, Jimin could never get it wrong.

What was she doing in the clubroom?

“Oh, you know each other?” Yizhuo asked and she seemed to be intrigued. Minjeong nodded and tapped the space beside her, urging Jimin to sit there. But when Jimin was about to sit beside Minjeong, Yizhuo pulled her and made her sit beside her instead.

Jimin couldn't tell what expression Minjeong was wearing. Was she worried? Angry?

Was Minjeong sulking?

“You're friends with our Jimin? I thought your world revolves around Jinho only.” Yizhuo said with a smirk. She looked like she was challenging Minjeong, or maybe Yizhuo was just bored and wanted to tease her.

“Jimin is my friend.” Minjeong's answer was simple, but it held weight that strangely made Jimin's heart flutter. Yizhuo scoffed and wrapped her arms around Jimin's waist.

“Too bad, Jimin belongs to me.”

Minjeong pursed her lips and put her pen down on the coffee table. It was the first time Jimin saw Minjeong looking angry.

“You already have Aeri, and you still want Jimin?”

And her voice sounded so cold and intimidating. It was a huge contrast to her usual warm and comforting voice.

Was Minjeong worried about her? Everyone knew Aeri and Yizhuo's reputation, but she never expected Minjeong to react like that.

“You already have Jinho, and you still want Jimin?” Yizhuo fired back. 

Minjeong and Yizhuo had a staring contest, but neither backed away. Jimin could feel the air shifting, and it felt heavy. She wasn't sure what to do, so she remained frozen in her seat while Yizhuo's hold tightened around her waist.

Jimin couldn't even look at Minjeong anymore.

“Are you hurting her?” Minjeong asked. It was to be expected, Jimin thought. There's no way Minjeong would believe that Aeri and Yizhuo wouldn't hurt her. It was so like Minjeong to be worried. But Minjeong got it wrong, it was Jimin's wish to be in that position.

Minjeong had no idea that Jimin was doing it for her.

Yizhuo hummed and rested her head on Jimin's shoulder. “Of course not, we're treating her well. Right, Jimin? Look at her now, she's dressed better because of us. We're feeding her well too. Look at her cheeks.” Yizhuo poked Jimin's cheek with a finger, and Jimin's eyes widened at what Yizhuo did next.

Yizhuo kissed Jimin's cheek.

“I—wait—” Jimin stuttered and she could feel her face heating up. She wanted to hide, to run away, but Yizhuo's tight hold on her prevented her from doing so. Jimin couldn't look at Minjeong, and she was gripping on the hem of her skirt like her life depended on it.

Minjeong didn't say anything, and Jimin didn't dare look up to see her reaction.

What was Minjeong thinking?

The tension broke down when the door suddenly opened and Aeri entered, but it was quickly replaced with her intimidating aura.

“Yizhuo, did you see my wallet—what the hell do you think you're doing?”

“What? I'm just showing Minjeong who Jimin belongs to. And your wallet is on top of the fridge, I think.” Yizhuo said nonchalantly, as if Aeri wasn't fuming with jealousy and possessiveness.

Aeri glared at them, and despite Jimin wanting to pull away from Yizhuo, she couldn't because the grip on her only tightened. It seemed like Yizhuo was purposely making Aeri mad, or making Minjeong uncomfortable.

Maybe both.

Yizhuo giggled when Aeri rolled her eyes and took her wallet. Then, another footsteps were heard and the least that Jimin expected to show up waved at them.

“How are you doing, ladies?”

Minjeong stiffened at the voice, and Jimin immediately noticed that. It was expected, it was Jinho after all.

“I told you to wait at the office. Why did you follow me here? Get out or I'll beat that stupid smug face that even your birth mother wouldn't be able to identify you.” Aeri threatened, but Jinho just raised his hands as a mock surrender, and he clearly wasn't affected by it.

“I just want to see my girl. Now that I'm going to be busy with the student council, I won't be able to see her much. Right, Minjeong-ah?” Jinho said and bent down so he could kiss Minjeong's cheek. Minjeong smiled, one that Jimin knew too well was forced.

“Is my girl behaving well?” Jinho asked. Minjeong nodded, her eyes glued at her hands that were gripping on the hem of her skirt. Jinho then ruffled Minjeong's hair and smiled when he looked at Jimin and Yizhuo.

“Take care of her for me.” Jinho said.

“Don't tell me what to do.” Yizhuo scoffed and rolled her eyes. Jimin didn't say anything, she was only staring at Jinho.

As if challenging him.

Jinho raised an eyebrow at Jimin's behavior, but just shrugged it off and left when Aeri kicked him out. Aeri was gone again, and Jimin couldn't contain her curiosity.

“Where is Aeri going?” Jimin asked.

Yizhuo went back on invading every inch of Jimin's personal space while whining.

“My precious Aeri and that stupid, poor excuse of a man, are going to take over the student council. It's all a mess so they had to do it. Ugh, it's all because Yeji. If she didn't quit school then Aeri would've stayed here with me all the time. You guys are graduating soon, I need you to stay with me as much as you can! This is so annoying.”

Jimin then looked at Minjeong, who was still staring down at her hands on her lap. That must be the reason why Minjeong was always on the rooftop. She had a lot of free time lately because Jinho was busy.

A knock on the door caught their attention. Jimin stood up to check what it was, and when she opened the door, a delivery man handed her three plastic bags of food and drinks and left. Aeri must've ordered it for Minjeong and Yizhuo.

Jimin went back and placed the plastic bags on the couch. She eyed Minjeong again, and was relieved when she saw her acting normal again and even helped clear out the table. Minjeong helped set the table for their lunch and she was surprised when Yizhuo put food and a drink in front of her.

Jimin wasn't expecting to be included. She looked around and only noticed that her dog bowl wasn't there, even the chain was gone. Maybe Aeri and Yizhuo hid it because Minjeong was coming over.

She still had no idea why Minjeong was there.

“What are you doing? Eat. You gotta help us with our report after this.” Yizhuo said and even fed Jimin a piece of her own food. Minjeong eyed them while she ate in silence.

“Report?” Jimin asked. Yizhuo nodded and continued feeding Jimin, which the latter couldn't refuse.

So they are classmates. That makes sense.

“Yeah. Help us, I'm feeling lazy.”

“Yizhuo, take it seriously.” Minjeong scolded Yizhuo.

So that's why Minjeong is here. Jimin thought. It was the first time she was going to eat in their clubroom properly, on a table with food on a plate and drinks on a bottle.

Not on the floor with her dog bowl while she was tied with a chain. Jimin decided to savor that moment while it lasts. She knew that after that, Aeri would surely beat her up.

They ate in silence and unexpected peace. Jimin thought Yizhuo would continue to tease Minjeong, but she was too focused on eating that she couldn't be bothered by them. When they were done, Jimin cleaned up and started helping them with their report.

Minjeong looked like she needed it too. But it's not because the report was hard, no. Minjeong was smart and capable. It just looked like she was troubled and stressed.

Probably because of Jinho.

When they were done, Yizhuo left in a hurry because she wanted to spend what little time she had left before the next class started with Aeri. Jimin was left with Minjeong in the clubroom. Minjeong was a little bit out of it, and while they were working with the report, Jimin had to snap Minjeong out of it a couple of times.

Jimin wondered if Jinho was hurting Minjeong again or maybe she had a problem at home. But all of those thoughts went away when Minjeong held her hand and looked at her with worry in her eyes.

“Jimin, are you really okay? They're not hurting you, right?”

It turns out, Minjeong was worried about her.

“Of course. What Yizhuo said was true. Look, if it wasn't for them, I would still be having a hard time with my old glasses. So I'm… grateful for them. Yizhuo always gives me delicious food too, ones I never thought I would be able to taste. I'm okay, Minjeong. You don't have to worry about me.”

Minjeong pursed her lips and nodded, but she still seemed not convinced by it. Jimin couldn't blame her, of course. Minjeong always saw Jimin with bruises and wounds.

How would she explain that?

“My father hurts me, not Aeri and Yizhuo.”

Jimin just had to lie.

“What? Jimin, you—we need to… we'll tell someone—”

“Minjeong, please.” Jimin stopped her from panicking.

“We have a neighbor that's a policeman. He and his family are helping me. I'm okay.”

Another lie.

All those lies Jimin had been telling Minjeong were slowly weighing her heart down, and it was getting heavy to carry. But Jimin swore to protect and save Minjeong, she needed to do what she could. Jimin can't let Minjeong worry about her, when Minjeong was already carrying too much herself.

“Are you sure?”

Jimin nodded and forced a smile. It broke her heart to keep lying to Minjeong, but she didn't have much choice.

“Yes, I promise. I'm stronger than I look, you know? I can handle it.”

“But—”

Minjeong was cut off when the school bell rang. Jimin did everything she could not to jump at the shrilling sound so she wouldn't appear weak in front of Minjeong. If she saw Jimin being scared of a simple loud noise, then it would be hard for her to believe Jimin at all.

Jimin needed to do something about her fear of loud noises. Maybe, she could ask Aeri or Yizhuo again. No matter what they ask in return, Jimin would accept it as long as it would make her stronger.

“I'll lock up here, go. You have a report with Yizhuo, right?” Jimin said and cleaned up the rest. Minjeong reluctantly nodded and gave Jimin a tiny wave before leaving. When Jimin was sure that Minjeong was already gone, she collapsed on the couch and covered her face with her hands.

“I'm sorry, Minjeong.” Jimin mumbled and took deep breaths.

There was another change that Jimin noticed, although she tried so hard to ignore it for days. But one afternoon when she was on her way home from school, she couldn't ignore it anymore.

For days, Jimin felt like she was being watched and followed. Thinking she was just stressed, she didn't pay much attention to it. But it became so obvious, so real that Jimin couldn't keep ignoring it.

There were people watching and following her.

The first thing that came to Jimin's mind was they were probably the ones who attacked Kun. They probably memorized their faces, and came for revenge.

Jimin wondered if Kun was okay. 

Jimin looked back and caught a man turning in a corner at the last second. When she looked around again, she saw another one looking at her before looking away somewhere. Jimin fastened her pace, but as she did so, she heard hurried steps behind her.

She was probably just being paranoid. That's what she wanted to believe. There's no one else in the block where she was other than those men following her.

Jimin was scared. She was alone, Kun wasn't there to help her. Sure, she was getting better at fighting but she still couldn't take them all by herself. Even if it was just one man, Jimin wasn't confident she could defend herself.

Maybe it was only a fluke when Jimin beat down the last man who attacked Kun that night.

Jimin debated whether she should run or call the police. Would either save her in time? As each second passed, Jimin was losing the chance to make the right decision. She wondered what was happening to her. Jimin was quick to make a decision when Kun was in danger, but when it was her who's facing it, she couldn't think straight.

Jimin fastened her pace even more and could strongly feel presence chasing behind her.

Run. It was all Jimin could think after that.

It started with a simple jog, then Jimin ran without ever looking back. The men finally made a move and chased after her. Jimin didn't know where to go anymore, all she knew was as long as she ran then nothing else mattered.

Her goal is to reach a crowded place, but with her being overwhelmed, she couldn't tell which way was it. Her glasses started to fog which made it harder for her. A man was so close to her, she could feel it, she could hear him panting behind her. His footsteps were becoming louder and heavier, and when Jimin reached a crossroad, she took a gamble and turned left.

Right then, a car blocked her way, and Jimin thought it was over.

They were probably watching her every move and planned to corner her. They were going to succeed, and it was over for Jimin.

Or at least, that was what she thought.

“Jimin.”

Jimin jumped in surprise when the car door opened and revealed Miss Bae. She dropped her bag and her knees gave out making her kneel on the ground.

“Why are you running again?” Miss Bae asked and chuckled.

I'm safe. Jimin thought and felt like crying out of relief. Miss Bae approached her and picked up her bag.

“Get inside the car for now.” Miss Bae said and led Jimin to the passenger seat. She put Jimin's bag on the backseat and started driving away. Jimin looked around and saw the men leaving, but some of them still gave her a glance.

“Here, drink some water.” Miss Bae handed Jimin a bottle of water, and she gladly took it. Jimin didn't know how parched her throat felt and only realized how much she was sweating until she was in a safe place. Jimin didn't know what Miss Bae was doing there, all she knew was she was glad someone had saved her.

Miss Bae drove around town without Jimin realizing. She only snapped out of it when she noticed that they passed by the mall twice.

“Miss Bae, I—” Jimin started, but she wasn't sure what to say. Miss Bae only hummed, just patiently waiting for Jimin to open up.

Jimin wondered if she could tell Miss Bae about her situation. She's their teacher, and she could surely help. But Jimin felt bad for asking for help after all Miss Bae did for her. Jimin wasn't even done helping her grade her students’ papers.

But who else could she ask? Jimin hesitated reporting to the police, fearing that they wouldn't take her seriously again.

Jimin could only see hope in Miss Bae.

“Miss Bae… I was—”

“Just call me Joohyun when we're not in school.”

Jimin pursed her lips and hesitated. She thought if it was okay to call their teacher like that, they don't really have a close relationship after all. But Jimin felt that Miss Bae would be upset if she refused, so she tried it shyly.

“Joohyun?”

“Well, you can add ‘unnie’ to it.” Joohyun chuckled and parked her car in front of a café. She then asked Jimin to wait for her inside while she parked her car somewhere else. Unsure of what to do, Jimin stood near the counter while staring at the door like a lost kid waiting for her mother to show up.

When Joohyun finally entered the café, Jimin's face lit up. Joohyun pulled her to a vacant table and left her there to get them some food.

“What do you want? It's on me.” Joohyun asked. Jimin was about to refuse but she gulped when Joohyun squinted her eyes.

“I… I'll have what you'll have.” Jimin said. When Joohyun came back and soon their orders were served, Jimin gratefully ate the sandwich given to her. It was good, but she almost choked when she took a sip of the coffee. Jimin didn't know it was black coffee, and despite putting cream and sugar on it, Jimin still couldn't drink it.

Jimin wasn't really good with caffeine.

“My bad, I thought you'll like that too. Do you want another drink?” Joohyun asked.

“No, it's okay. I'm sorry, I'm just not used to coffee. You don't have to, I don't want to waste this.”

And there it was again, Joohyun's stare that made Jimin feel like if she kept refusing, then she'd die.

“Maybe… anything strawberry…”

Joohyun smiled and patted Jimin's head. “I heard their strawberry shake is good. Wait for me here.”

After a few minutes, Joohyun came back with two strawberry shakes. She claimed that she suddenly craved for the drink when Jimin mentioned it. Jimin thanked her and they continued eating.

Jimin didn't know how to start or what to even say. But she felt like Joohyun was just waiting for her, and she felt bad not saying anything after everything Joohyun did for her.

Maybe Joohyun could help. The police would believe her over Jimin.

“Joohyun… unnie.” Jimin started. Joohyun hummed while drinking her strawberry shake.

“I think I'm in trouble.” She continued.

Joohyun smiled and rested her elbow on the table so she could lean her chin on her palm. Then, she hummed while tracing the rim of the glass of her shake.

“You did something with Kun, right?”

“I…” Jimin paused. So Joohyun knew everything. Of course, Kun would tell her about it. Jimin had no idea what kind of relationship they had, but she figured that Kun would let Joohyun know what happened with them, especially that they got hurt.

But Jimin was wondering why Joohyun never said anything about it to her. Maybe, Kun only told her recently and didn't know about it right away.

“Jimin, what happened?”

She snapped out of her thoughts when Joohyun asked again. Jimin held the glass of her own strawberry shake for support, and took a deep breath before speaking.

There's no use hiding it.

“I'm being watched and followed for days. Joohyun unnie, I know I've caused you a lot of trouble, but can you please help me report it to the police?” Jimin asked.

Joohyun didn't say anything for a few minutes and it honestly was making Jimin nervous. Was Joohyun going to scold her? Won't she help her? What if Joohyun reported her to the school instead?

Even if Jimin said that it was to protect Kun and for self defense, it was still true that she hurt someone badly. Their school didn't tolerate violence, unless you're from a rich family with strong connections.

Jimin wasn't like that. She could be suspended or worse, expelled.

“Alright, I'll take care of it.” Joohyun finally said, and that was when Jimin realized she was holding her breath the entire time. The tension in her chest faded away and was replaced with relief.

“You'll go to the police station with me?” Jimin asked. But when Joohyun just laughed softly, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“I'll take care of it.” Joohyun repeated, her tone carried weight that left no space for any argument. So Jimin nodded and thanked her. She wanted to ask for more details, but the air around Joohyun suddenly shifted, which scared Jimin a little bit.

“Thank you, unnie…” Jimin shyly said and finally, Joohyun laughed softly. It lightened the atmosphere and it was such a relief to Jimin.

“In return, help me tidy up my office. It's such a mess and I don't want to do it just days before I leave.”

Jimin's jaw dropped at what she heard.

“You're leaving?”

“Yes, after this school year ends. I can still see you graduate, don't worry.” Joohyun teased. She then gave Jimin a muffin and patted her hand.

“You'll help me, right? We can have pizza in my office too, but don't tell anyone.”

Jimin nodded furiously that she felt a little bit dizzy. Joohyun just shook her head with a small smile and continued eating.

“Thank you, I will do anything. Thank you so much.”

When they were done eating and chatting about school a little, Joohyun took Jimin home and made sure she was inside her apartment unit before entering her car. Before starting the engine, Joohyun's smile dropped as she took out her phone and dialed a number.

Just one ring and it was instantly answered.

Joohyun put the call on speaker and gave one last glance at Jimin's apartment building before she left.

The next day, Jimin was blocked by a man wearing a helmet. Her first instinct was to run away, thinking that he was one of the men who was following her. Of course, Joohyun couldn't have handled it in just one night, and those men might've found out where she lived.

Jimin took a step back when the man extended an arm towards her, but he stopped when Jimin picked up a stray brick and threatened to hit him with it.

“Wait, it's me.” A familiar, muffled voice was heard from the helmet. Jimin lowered the brick down and tilted her head to the side.

“Kun?”

Kun nodded and pointed at the brick. “Can you put that down? I'm here to pick you up.”

Jimin dropped the brick and apologized to Kun. “I'm sorry, I thought you're one of those…” Jimin paused when she realized that Kun might have no idea about what had been happening around her lately. But Kun never failed to surprise her when he removed his helmet.

“I know. Irene sent me so I can guard you until everything's settled. Here, wear this.” Kun said and gave Jimin a spare helmet. Then he pointed at the motorcycle parked across the street.

“I'll be taking and picking you up to and from school. I'll do so when you go to your part-time job too, or anywhere you go.”

“Wait…” Jimin raised her hand because she hadn't processed everything yet. “First, who's Irene?”

Kun blinked a few times and his face lit up in realization. “Ah, you know her as Joohyun. Let's go.” He said and put Jimin's helmet on himself. Then he grabbed her wrist and led her to his motorcycle.

Jimin lifted the helmet's visor to make sure Kun could hear her.

“Wait, Kun. You don't have to do this.”

“I do.” Kun stopped and pulled Jimin to the sidewalk. “It was my fault that happened to you. I shouldn't have let you help me. I'm just following orders and taking responsibility.”

“But—”

“Just get on and hold onto me. If it bothers you a lot, then think of this as me doing my job. Get on, or I'll be scolded again if you'll be late.”

Kun lowered the visor of Jimin's helmet before wearing his own. He started the engine and waited for Jimin to hop on. But Jimin hesitated and just stared at the motorcycle.

“I… I can't…”

Kun turned off the engine and removed his helmet again. Deep inside, Jimin was amazed with how patient Kun was.

“Why?”

Jimin gulped and clenched her fists. “It's my first time riding one and I'm…”

I'm scared. Jimin wanted to say but she didn't want to admit it. Kun sighed and scratched his head.

“Where did your stupid bravery go? Trust me when I say I don't want to get scolded again if something happens to you.” Kun said and sighed again.

“But—”

“Get on.”

Maybe, Jimin was wrong. Kun looked like he was running out of patience. With her legs shaking, she hopped on the motorcycle with Kun's assistance and held on to him for her dear life. She yelped when Kun started driving, and screamed when it accelerated way too fast that she felt like her soul had parted from her for a brief moment.

They arrived at her school in such speed that Jimin never imagined it would be possible. It took her a few minutes before she could get off, because was still shaken from the crazy ride. It felt like they were just in front of her apartment building a minute ago, and in a blink of an eye, they were suddenly at her school.

Kun removed Jimin's helmet and patted her hair. At that moment, Jimin felt warmth in her chest. She felt like a little kid again who was being pampered and taken care of.

Jimin started seeing Kun as a reliable older brother.

“What time should I pick you up?” Kun asked, making Jimin snap out of her thoughts.

“I'm not sure. I usually do something after class. I'm sorry.”

“Will you stop saying sorry for the things that aren't your fault? Give me your phone, call me when you're done.” Kun said and took Jimin's phone when she gave it to him. After saving his own number on her phone, Kun gave it back to Jimin and waited until he was sure that Jimin was safely inside their school before he left.

Jimin gathered attention from her schoolmates, just like what started a while ago. But that time, it was more than that, and she could hear them obviously talking about her.

“Was that her boyfriend?”

“I think it's her brother.”

“He looked dangerous, be careful now.”

Jimin walked as fast as she could from the crowd. Maybe she could ask Kun to take her to school at an earlier time, possibly when there were still few students. But she thought she was going to ask for too much, and decided that she'll endure all of it instead.

The changes in her life started slowly, but it was becoming faster than she could keep up. It was getting overwhelming and when she started spiraling again, someone at the end of the hallway appeared and was walking towards her.

“Oh, Minjeong…” Jimin mumbled under her breath. Her vision tunneled and Minjeong was the only one she could see. It was better like that, it was what Jimin exactly needed. In the middle of confusion and overwhelming changes, just Minjeong's presence was enough to keep her grounded.

Even if she drowned in lies, even if she suffocated with the changes in her life, Jimin could endure it all. As long as Minjeong was there.

As long as she could remind herself that all of it was for Minjeong.

Chapter Text

“I'm busy and I can't deal with your shit right now. Get out.”

“When can I come back?” Jimin asked. She hasn't improved much and Aeri's lessons had been dwindling since they were getting busier as days went by. Especially when their final exams were coming soon.

“Stop being clingy. Go do something else.” 

Aeri bumped Jimin's shoulder and left her standing in front of the clubroom. It was locked, and according to Aeri, Yizhuo wouldn't be there after class for a while because she had to attend a lot of family gatherings and dinner parties. Yizhuo did complain about it to Jimin recently, saying it was going to be boring to talk and smile to people just so she wouldn't ruin any sort of business connections.

Being rich could sometimes be tough, Jimin thought.

Classes were done, Jimin had no part-time job either, and even though she had a few homeworks and some studying to do, she didn't feel like going home yet. She wasn't used to going home early anymore, and it felt strange if she did so. 

Maybe, there was still something else she could do. Jimin walked down the hallways until she reached Joohyun's office. For some reason, Joohyun was the only one who had a separate office from the rest of the teachers. It made Jimin wonder if Jooyun was also from a rich family and was only teaching in their school probably for experience or boredom.

Jimin didn't want to assume that, but she couldn't help it sometimes. With rumors circulating around school getting in her head, it influenced her thinking a little bit.

When Jimin reached Joohyun's office, she knocked a couple of times and waited for a response. She could hear some noises inside, but Joohyun didn't answer. Curious, Jimin opened the door a little bit just to take a quick peek, and was surprised to see Joohyun in an unexpected position.

Joohyun was sprawled on the couch, a controller in hand and a video game was playing on the TV. Jimin didn't see that the last time she went there. On the coffee table beside Joohyun, there was a half eaten pizza and empty cans of soda.

“Who's there? Oh, Jimin. Shit, I forgot to lock the door. Get inside quick before the principal sees us.”

Jimin never expected that Joohyun had that side too. But maybe, even Joohyun needed a break from work. She quickly went inside and locked the door but not knowing what to do exactly, she just stood there like a statue. When Joohyun finally took a break from playing, she sat up and threw the controller on the coffee table.

“What's up? Is Kun giving you any trouble?” Joohyun asked.

“No! Not at all. He's been good to me. It's just that… Miss Bae—”

“I told you to call me Joohyun.”

Jimin gulped and fidgeted with her fingers. “But we're in school.”

Joohyun shrugged her shoulders and took the half eaten pizza and offered it to Jimin, and of course, Jimin politely declined.

“What do you need?”

Jimin shook her head and pursed her lips. “I was wondering if you need help with something. I have free time. Maybe I can start cleaning up now? Do you need me to check papers? Or do you want me to—

“Go home, kid.” Joohyun chuckled while shaking her head. “Rest, or do your homework. Study a little. There's so much to do. I'm not in the mood for office cleaning now as you can see.” She said while pointing at the screen.

“Okay. I'm sorry for bothering you.” Jimin bowed her head and went to the door to leave.

“Be sure to let Kun take you home. Oh, can you remind him to walk Peach later? I texted him but he hasn't replied yet.” Joohyun said before Jimin could leave.

“Peach?” Jimin couldn't help but ask.

“Yeah, the dog. You met her before, remember?”

Oh, the german shepherd who was watching me sleep. Jimin thought and nodded. She left Joohyun who continued playing and she made sure to lock the door before leaving. Jimin was running out of options. She could ask Joy for a shift, but she didn't want to keep pushing herself to them. Joy did say she was welcome to take shifts if she's free, but she's getting embarrassed to do so when their original agreement was for her to work on weekends.

Jimin walked to the school gates with her shoulders down.

I don't want to go home.

I don't want to go home.

“I don't want to go home.”

“Let's go.”

Jimin gasped in surprise when she saw Kun was already in front of her.

“Kun… I…” Jimin held on Kun's jacket and pursed her lips. “I don't want to go home. You can leave me here.”

Kun sighed and stared at Jimin's hand on his jacket. “Then why are you holding onto me? Besides, I can't do that. Do you want me to die?”

Jimin noticed that Kun sometimes liked to exaggerate things. Maybe, it's his way of making jokes, although it was strange because Jimin never saw Kun laugh. But she couldn't even imagine Joohyun hurting a fly. It was probably his kind of relationship with Joohyun, Jimin wasn't sure. She never had that kind of bonding with her friends, she didn't even have friends to begin with.

Just Minjeong, but they didn't have that kind of intimacy.

“But I don't want to go home.”

“Then don't. I'll accompany you. Babysitting is included in my job description. But go home first and change, I can't let you go around at night like that.” Kun said and handed Jimin her helmet.

Jimin felt bad but grateful at the same time. She made sure it was going to be the last time and she needed to figure out something for the next time that she wouldn't want to go home early. Kun wouldn't accompany her for too long anyway, it would end soon too.

Kun then drove them to Jimin's apartment. Jimin quickly went inside to change. Then, she checked the jar where she stored the money she had been saving lately. Kun was doing too much for her, especially that day, so Jimin wanted to at least treat him for dinner.

When Jimin went back outside, Kun handed her a baseball cap.

“Wear this too. I'm here to guard you, but if someone from that group recognized you and jumped at us with maybe ten people, we'd both be dead. Better to be safe, I'm not Superman or anything.”

Jimin nodded and put the cap inside her bag. They drove off and because Jimin didn't know where to go, Kun decided for it and led her to the shopping district. He wanted to go to a crowded place for them to be safe. Jimin inquired about the situation with the men who attacked Kun, and he vaguely answered her that it was being handled.

It was the same thing that Joohyun said.

“You hungry? That ramen shop is good.” Kun asked. Jimin didn't know much about the place anyway so she just followed him everywhere. While they walked, Jimin suddenly had the urge to hold on Kun's jacket again.

Jimin was an only child, so she couldn't help but gravitate towards Kun because he seemed to act like a brother. So Jimin did, she held on the hem of his jacket and pursed her lips as she waited for his reaction.

Nothing. Kun just let her. And so Jimin let herself be selfish for that night. Kun would soon leave and Jimin wanted to get a feel of having a sibling.

Someone who can look after her, and protect her.

Jimin wished Kun was her big brother. Maybe then, horrible things wouldn't have happened in her family.

“Hey, what do you want?” Kun asked. Jimin snapped out of her thoughts and looked around. How long were they sitting inside the ramen shop? She was too deep in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed at all.

“I… uhm…” Jimin looked at the menu placed on their table and was overwhelmed with the choices. Kun had already decided, and since Jimin couldn't, she asked for the same thing Kun was having.

“I'll pay for our dinner. As a thanks for looking out for me.” Jimin said shyly.

“No.” Kun said sternly. “I eat a lot, you'll spend all your money on my food alone.”

“But…”

Kun sighed and scratched his head. “You really won't stop until you pay back someone. Fine, buy me an ice cream after this.”

Jimin blinked rapidly a few times before she could speak. “Ice cream?”

“What? Do I look like someone who doesn't eat ice cream?”

Jimin shook her head and fidgeted with the edge of the table. They didn't talk after that until their food arrived. And Kun didn't lie when he said that he eats a lot. Kun had five bowls of ramen, two plates of rolled omelette, and one order of dumplings. Jimin was only halfway with her bowl of ramen and Kun was already on his third bowl.

It amused Jimin. It was the first time she met someone who could eat that much. They didn't talk much then, but Jimin appreciated the silence. Once they were done, Kun led her to an ice cream stall and they both enjoyed their own cups of ice creams.

Jimin felt good and she found herself enjoying the moment. She made sure to cherish that moment, because she knew it would be the last. Jimin couldn't trouble Kun any further, so for just that one night, she let herself live the moment freely.

“Do you want to shop for clothes or accessories? Maybe go to a spa or something?” Kun asked.

“You seemed to be an expert with these kinds of things.” Jimin said with a smile.

“I had a sister, and Irene would always drag me everywhere so I'm used to it.” Kun explained. Jimin wanted to ask about his sister, but the way he said it, she decided not to. Instead, she asked about the one thing she has been curious about.

“Why do you call Joohyun ‘Irene’?”

Kun went silent for a few minutes and Jimin thought she said something wrong.

“It's just her nickname.”

Jimin nodded and left it at that. It was probably personal to them so she didn't ask about it further. They continued going around from shop to shop, and since Jimin didn't have much interest in clothes and accessories, she just entertained herself by looking around. Even if she found something she liked, she couldn't afford it anyway.

When they ran out of places to go to, Kun took her to an arcade. But it was so loud that she couldn't even take a single step inside. Kun noticed it and asked her about it.

“You don't like it?”

Jimin once again felt bad. Kun had been accommodating her all night and he was always considering what she would like. And he probably wanted to have fun in his own way, but the loud noise and people talking loudly and some shouting from the arcade really scared Jimin.

“I'm not really good with loud noises.”

“Okay.”

Kun didn't question it and just looked around to see where they could go next since Jimin still didn't want to go home. Jimin fidgeted with the hem of Kun's jacket while also looking around. Maybe there was something else that Kun could also enjoy.

But when Jimin looked back at the arcade, what she saw made her grip on Kun's jacket tighten.

Inside were Minjeong who was being dragged by Jinho. They disappeared in the crowd, and it looked a lot like Jinho was angry.

And Minjeong was crying.

“Kun, I want to go inside.” Jimin said while tugging on his jacket with urgency.

“Suddenly?” Kun asked and followed Jimin's line of sight. He saw the claw machine and thought that Jimin wanted to do that. He nodded and took Jimin inside and told her to wait while he bought some tokens. The line was long and it was really crowded and loud, so Jimin took that opportunity to slip away from Kun and head to where Jinho took Minjeong.

Jimin squeezed through the crowd and when she was in the clear, she couldn't spot them anymore. She was running out of hope and she was extremely worried because that look on Jinho's face clearly showed he wanted to hurt Minjeong again. Jimin looked around frantically and saw a door at the end of the arcade. It looked like a back entrance. Jimin took a chance and went there, it led her to the back of the arcade with a dimly lit alleyway.

Not again.

While looking around, Jimin heard some noise in the distance. She quickly but carefully approached the source of it and regretted not moving faster because when she turned the corner, Minjeong was already falling on the dirty ground when Jinho hit her.

Minjeong immediately lost consciousness with how strong Jinho hit her, and Jimin's mind went blank.

In a split second, Jimin's fist met Jinho's jaw.

Jinho stumbled back but quickly regained his footing. Jimin wasn't thinking anymore and kept hitting Jinho in the face. She wanted to wipe off that wicked smile, she wanted to shut his mouth that did nothing but lie and hurt Minjeong's feelings.

Jimin wanted to break every bone in Jinho's body, so she didn't stop.

Jinho managed to fight back and hit Jimin, but Jimin was already numb with anger. The only thing left in Jimin was hatred towards Jinho.

“Who are you?! What the fuck is your problem—”

Jimin kicked Jinho in his chest and he finally fell. Jimin didn't waste time and sat on his stomach and rained down punches straight to his face. She didn't stop, not even for a second. Even if her knuckles were already bleeding, Jimin didn't stop.

Jinho still tried to shield his face with his arms, but Jimin would forcefully yank it away and sneak a punch. It didn't matter where her fist landed, she just wanted to beat the shit out of Jinho. He reeked of alcohol, and his drunken state gave Jimin the advantage.

Even if Jinho managed to kick Jimin in the stomach and made her get off him, it didn't stop Jimin and crawled back towards him. Jinho backed away, but Jimin was quick to grab his ankle.

“Stop hurting Minjeong.” Jimin's vision was darkening and she stopped thinking altogether.

“What are you talking about—fuck! Hey! Stop…”

Jimin wasn't satisfied with hitting Jinho anymore. Now that she got the opportunity, she couldn't stop herself and wanted to do more.

Something to make Jinho stop.

Something to make Minjeong's suffering end.

Jimin's hand wrapped around Jinho's neck as she slammed him back on the ground. She could end it all, Jinho's life was in her hands.

Minjeong could be free.

Minjeong could be free.

“Let Minjeong go.” 

“What—you—”

Jimin groaned and tightened her grip on Jinho's neck. She endured all the desperate hits Jinho was giving her. Even if her face was already bleeding, she didn't stop until she ended it once and for all.

But life wasn't always going to favor her. A couple of men yelled and pointed at them.

“Officer, that's them!”

Someone saw and reported them already. But Jimin still didn't want to stop. She still had time to end Jinho before the police could even reach them. Just a couple of seconds more, just until Jinho stopped struggling.

Just until Jinho would stop breathing.

Then all of it would end, she could free Minjeong. Jimin would've saved her and made her smile again.

Just a few more seconds.

“Please… Please die.” Jimin grunted and tightened her grip even more. But then she was forcefully pulled away from Jinho and her vision went upside down.

“What do you think you're doing?! Damn it.”

It was Kun, who carried Jimin on his shoulder and fled the scene. Kun ran as fast as he could before the police could catch them. He turned to each corner and alleyway he could find, until he reached a dimly lit parking lot and dropped Jimin on one of the car's hoods.

Kun pinned Jimin down as she wouldn't stop struggling from his hold.

“Let me go! I'm not done! I need to finish it!”

“Snap out of it! Get your shit together!” Kun yelled and groaned when Jimin scratched his face.

“Let me go! I need to save her! 

Jimin showed no signs of stopping or even calming down, so Kun risked everything or else, Jimin might end up hurting herself even more.

Kun held Jimin with one hand, then he raised his other.

The sound of a sharp slap echoed in the parking lot, and Jimin finally stopped.

“Have you calmed down?”

Jimin held her cheek that Kun slapped and she looked at him with confusion swirling in her eyes.

“What…”

Kun sighed while rubbing his temples and scolded Jimin. “I was just buying tokens, and the next thing I knew, you were already beating someone to death. If someone didn't see you, if I wasn't there on time, then you—”

Kun paused when he heard Jimin crying. He panicked and looked around but couldn't figure out how to make her stop.

“Oh, fuck. I'm sorry for hitting you. I—”

“I have to save her Why did you stop me? She's hurt… what happened to her? I need to go to her. Kun, please…”

Kun took deep breaths and held Jimin in his arms. He didn't know what else to do, so he just listened.

“That jerk, he always hurt her. I need to stop him, I need to save her. Take me back there, please. I don't care what happens to me. I can't let him hurt her anymore. I need to do something. I need to do it now.”

Jimin kept mumbling those words over and over again until her voice became hoarse and she couldn't say a word anymore. But she kept hitting Kun's shoulder, a silent plea for help or maybe, frustration. Kun still had no idea what Jimin was talking about, so he just let her be and waited for her to tire herself out.

When Jimin stopped mumbling and moving, Kun pulled her gently away from him and saw that she had already fallen asleep. Unsure of what to do, he called Joohyun to pick them up. It didn't matter that Joohyun would punish him, he just wanted to get Jimin treated.

A dog was staring with its head tilted to the side, as if wondering why Jimin's face was covered with bandages.

Jimin stared at the dog for a few seconds, and when sleep vanished from her body, she gasped and quickly sat up. The dog jumped back a bit, but showed no signs of aggression. However, Jimin groaned at the pain she was feeling all over her body.

“You're finally awake. Want some hot chocolate?”

Jimin's jaw dropped when she saw Joohyun holding a cup of what seemed like a hot coffee. “Joohyun… unnie. Why are you—where am I? How—”

“One at a time, kid. You're in my apartment. Oh, and that's Peach. You remember her, right?”

Peach sat and barked while looking at Jimin like it was waiting for some treats, or maybe pets. Some kind of reward that Jimin couldn't figure out. Then, Jimin's eyes widened and frantically looked around.

“Kun… where's Kun?”

Joohyun chuckled and sat in front of Jimin. She took a sip of her coffee before putting the cup down on the table. “You've become attached to him in such a short time, huh? Not that I could blame you. People tend to gravitate towards him. Anyway, I scolded Kun and he's… somewhere. That guy is tough, he's fine. As for you…”

Joohyun leaned closer and smiled. “Why do you always get yourself in trouble, Jimin?”

Jimin gulped and clenched her fists that were resting on her lap. She just remembered everything she had done, and she didn't know how exactly to feel about that. All she could think about was Minjeong, who lost consciousness when Jinho hit her.

They left with Minjeong still there and Jimin started to worry about her.

“Jimin, answer me. Why did you beat up Kang Jinho?”

Jimin stiffened in her seat. She didn't know how to answer that. But if she didn't explain herself, Joohyun might report her to the school, to the authorities, and worse, to Jinho's family. But she figured that no matter what she would say, she'll end up being punished because of it.

It was true that Jimin beat Jinho, and his family wouldn't stand back doing nothing. Jimin's life was over. Someone found out, Jimin didn't think that far ahead.

She thought she could secretly protect Minjeong, but when she faced the reality, she lost all hope. Even if Joohyun was kind to her, there's no way that she would take Jimin's side no matter her reason.

Even if Jimin tells them that Jinho hurts Minjeong, no one would believe her.

But as Jimin was thinking about everything, she suddenly realized something.

“Unnie, how did you know I beat up Jinho?”

There was no way Kun knew about Jinho. It was dark and if she remembered correctly, Kun took her away as fast as he could. Did Kun go back to the scene to check things out? Or maybe, did someone recognize her and report her to the police?

Is that why Joohyun's interrogating her? If that's the case, Jimin was confused because why would she be in Joohyun's apartment instead of the police station?

If it's Jinho, he wouldn't care if she's injured.

But Joohyun just chuckled and leaned on the couch while patting Peach's head. “I won't report you, so you can stop looking at me like you want to beat me up too.”

Jimin lowered her head and covered her face with her hands. Just what expression was she showing to Joohyun? Why wouldn't Joohyun report her?

Jimin was so confused, she had a lot of questions and worries and she couldn't think straight anymore.

“Let's say I have a lot of friends who can tell me things I want to know. You beat up Kang Jinho last night, right? But don't worry, the police nor the school knew about it, not even his family.”

Joohyun licked her lower lip and crossed her legs while staring at Jimin like she was the most amusing thing in the world.

“I handled it all. In exchange…”

Jimin gulped as the air around them shifted. It was like when they were in the café, it was the same feeling she had when Joohyun suddenly changed her demeanor.

“Work for me. I like people like you. I knew the first time I saw you fighting for your dear life when you were jogging. But I just didn't have a reason to take you, but here we are.” Joohyun said while eyeing Jimin from head to toe.

It disturbed Jimin. The way Joohyun was looking at her made her feel small and helpless.

It's not the Joohyun she knew. She was an entirely different person before Jimin.

“It's like fate. I like it. So work for me, Yu Jimin. If you do so, I won't tell anyone what you did. But you will tell me everything you've been up to lately. And if you refuse, it's okay too. Though it would be a shame, you're free to choose.”

Jimin bit her lip, it was all too much and she didn't know what to say. She couldn't process all of it yet. And Joohyun could tell that Jimin was in turmoil.

“It's simple, really. Work for me and your secret will be safe. If not, then you're on your own.”

Joohyun stood up and patted Jimin's head. “I'll give you a week to decide. Take off a few days from school too, come back when you're feeling better. That I can handle for you. I'll have someone else take you home.”

Jimin didn't even have time to process everything when a man entered the apartment to take her home. She followed the man and before they could leave, Joohyun said something with a smile so disturbing that it sent chills down Jimin's spine.

“I expect good news when you return, Jimin.”

The silence in her apartment was deafening. It was dark, cold, just… gloomy. Jimin didn't bother going to her mother and went straight to her room. She locked the door and sat behind it.

Everything took an unexpected turn, and it was too fast for Jimin's mind to keep up. She was still shaken with what she did the night before, and Joohyun's offer to her didn't help to ease her mind.

Jimin didn't know what to do.

So she spent days locked up in her room thinking about everything. She didn't eat much, she didn't sleep well. Jimin couldn't even be bothered thinking about all the classes she missed.

She was overwhelmed and confused.

Who exactly was Joohyun? What did she want from her?

What should Jimin do? If she refused Joohyun, everyone would know what she did. She would be expelled, or worse, jailed.

Jinho's family surely wouldn't stay still doing nothing.

And if that happened, Jimin's life was over. Sure, she could still work and give up her studies. But if she was to go to jail, then no one would take care of her mother.

Kun's voice echoed in her head.

“Strength and bravery won't get you far in life if you're stupid.”

“I'm stupid.” Jimin mumbled while pulling her hair. She was so blinded with her sense of justice and love for Minjeong that she didn't think ahead.

What should I do?

What should I choose?

Jimin can't leave her mother, but she can't let Minjeong get hurt anymore either.

During her dilemma, Jimin's phone vibrated and she checked what it was about. Maybe it was Yizhuo looking for her and complaining, or maybe Aeri threatening to beat her up because she made Yizhuo sad again. But when Jimin opened the message, her eyes teared up.

I haven't seen you these past few days and Miss Bae told me you're sick. Are you okay? How are you doing? Do you have medicine or food there? Let me know if you need some.

“Minjeong…”

Despite what happened to Minjeong, she would still act like nothing happened. And of course, Minjeong would worry about other people more than herself. Jimin was relieved to hear from Minjeong though, because she didn't know what happened to her after that night.

Jimin typed in a reply to assure Minjeong that she was doing well and thanked her for her concern. As soon as she put her phone down, she heard knocks on the door.

“Jimin-ah, are you awake? You're gonna be late!”

“Mom…”

Jimin hugged her knees and buried her face between them. She took deep breaths to steady her racing heart and to clear her mind.

“I can't give up.” Jimin mumbled over and over again. When she made up her mind, she opened the door and rushed to the bathroom to clean herself up. Using the makeup kit Yizhuo gave her, she covered up her bruises as much as she could. Jimin took the lunch box her mother gave her, reassured her of the eggs she needed to buy before going home, and she headed to school.

Kun wasn't there to pick her up, but she thought it was fine. The matter with the men who attacked Kun had probably been resolved, and it wasn't on top of her priority anyway.

Jimin made up her mind.

She didn't need to choose between her mother and Minjeong. Jimin chose to protect both of them.

It didn't matter what would happen to her after that.

When she arrived at school, she didn't pay attention to anyone looking at her. Jimin wanted to go straight to Joohyun and let her know her decision.

Jimin would accept the offer. If she worked for Joohyun, she could still continue protecting Minjeong. It didn't matter to her what Joohyun wanted her to do, protecting Minjeong and taking care of her mother were far more important to her.

Jimin was burning with determination and headed to Joohyun's office with purpose. But on her way, she passed by Aeri and Yizhuo's clubroom and saw Jinho walking towards it.

She paused with bated breath. Did Jinho recognize her?

“Hey, you're the one who always hangs out with Aeri, right? Do you know where she is?” Jinho asked with his usual fake smile.

So he didn't know it was Jimin. It worked in her favor.

“I just arrived, I don't know where she is. Maybe you can check in our classroom.”

Jimin surprised herself with how calm she was in front of Jinho. She thought she would want to punch his face when he saw him again, but she remained calm and steady instead.

“I see. Maybe we can walk there together. Would that be alright with you?”

Jimin nodded and while they were walking, she couldn't help but keep taking glances at Jinho's face.

How did it feel, Little Prince? Jimin thought while looking at him. Jinho noticed her staring and he chuckled.

“I know I've got bruises on me. Some drunkard attacked me out of nowhere the other night. Does it look bad? I just got back to school today and I think it worries people when they see me like this. I keep telling them I'm okay.” Jinho said and scratched the back of his head. Jimin had an urge to punch Jinho again to even out the bruises on his face, but that feeling quickly went away when she remembered something.

Jimin stopped walking and rummaged in her bag. When Jinho noticed it, he stopped and turned around to check what Jimin was up to. After a few seconds, Jimin took out a small pouch and handed it to him.

“What's this?” Jinho asked. He was obviously confused but still took the pouch from Jimin's hand.

And then, Jimin smiled. One that looked so kind and innocent that made Jinho not question her actions nor her intentions.

“For your bruises.” Jimin said while pointing at the pouch. Driven by curiosity, Jinho opened it and his eyebrows furrowed.

“There's nothing a good makeup can't hide.”

Jimin said while maintaining that innocent smile. Jinho slowly looked up at her. He looked confused, and for Jimin, he looked stupid. Jimin's smile widened, her eyes formed into crescents and she let out a soft giggle.

“Right, Jinho?”

Chapter Text

There's no turning back.

Jimin made her decision to work for Joohyun. She didn't care what kind of work she was going to do, or even what kind of person Joohyun really was.

But Jimin was confused when she found herself sitting in Joohyun's office. Stacks of paper filled the coffee table while Joohyun was just dozing off on the couch in front of her. Jimin was asked to grade papers again and to read some of her students’ essays.

Is this the kind of work I'm going to do? Jimin wondered while going through each paper. Since Aeri was busy with the student council, she only spent lunch in the clubroom with Yizhuo from time to time. Yizhuo wasn't in the mood to teach Jimin some fighting skills because she was sulking that Aeri hadn't paid much attention to her lately, so Jimin was left training by herself.

In the afternoon, she would spend time in Joohyun's office to help with her work.

Jimin stared at Joohyun who was still sleeping soundly with mouth slightly open. She recalled what Joohyun told her when she accepted the offer.

“There's no turning back.” Joohyun said. Jimin would work for her no matter what the task would be without complaints. Jimin also didn't have a choice but to tell Joohyun about Minjeong and Jinho, and what she had asked Aeri and Yizhuo.

Jimin told everything about her plan to save Minjeong. At first, she expected Joohyun to laugh at her, but what she said instead made Jimin deep in thought.

“You're naive. You expect to solve things with violence. But what comes after that, Jimin? Did you really think you could save her just by using your fist?”

The way Joohyun said it reminded her of Kun.

Jimin admitted that she didn't think that far ahead. But what else could she do? Jinho came from a powerful and influential family and she was just… Jimin.

But she wouldn't give up. Jimin couldn't give up.

Jimin would do anything she could. She had the freedom to do so since Joohyun promised not to tell anyone about everything that Jimin had done. She was safe for the time being.

Joohyun stirred up and finally woke up. It was getting dark, and Jimin just finished reading the last essay.

“Are you done? What time is it?” Joohyun asked while rubbing her eyes.

“I'm done, unnie. And it's already six.”

Joohyun nodded and pointed at her table with her eyes still half closed. “Pick up Peach from daycare and take her for a walk. Take that paperbag too, someone will meet you at the park.”

Jimin picked up the paperbag and her eyebrows furrowed. “Who am I going to meet? Which park?”

“Peach will lead you. Take the spare key and drop her off my apartment before ten. Then you can go home.”

Jimin nodded and left with the paperbag while wondering if running errands was all she was going to do for Joohyun. With the gravity of what she'd done to Jinho, she wasn't expecting to do mundane tasks in exchange for Joohyun's silence.

Quitting her part-time job was part of the agreement too since Joohyun wanted her during the weekends. Despite that kind of agreement, Jimin was getting paid by Joohyun. It looked like everything was in Jimin's favor.

Joohyun paid a lot a too. Way too much than all of her previous part-time jobs.

Her actions were kept secret, she still got paid under Joohyun, and she could still continue protecting Minjeong. Joohyun didn't mention anything that she should stop. Joohyun even told her to continue hanging out with Aeri and Yizhuo whenever they wanted her in the clubroom.

On her way to the dog daycare, Jimin couldn't help but think how could Peach, a dog, lead her to the one she was supposed to give the paperbag to. Was Peach trained to do that? Or maybe Peach knew the person they were going to meet. Jimin was too deep in thought that she didn't realize she already arrived at the daycare.

Jimin double checked if the location was correct because she might've gotten it wrong and went to a different daycare. Thankfully, she was in the correct one and she successfully retrieved the dog.

“Okay, Peach. I'm going to give this to someone and Joohyun—”

Jimin stopped when Peach growled.

“Joohyun said—”

Peach growled again and Jimin scratched her head. Did she do something wrong? Should she give the dog some treats? Jimin tried again but Peach kept growling until she noticed that the dog growled when she mentioned Joohyun's name.

“You know, Joohyun—”

Jimin sighed and tried again. She wasn't sure if it would work, but she couldn't think of anything else.

It seemed like Peach didn't recognize the name ‘Joohyun’ until Jimin remembered what Kun said before.

“Irene said—oh! Calm down! Calm down! You're a good girl, you're a good girl…” Jimin gasped and struggled to keep the dog down when it started to wag its tail and jump around. Jimin was amazed at her discovery, and Peach was indeed trained in some kind of way.

Jimin wasn't sure though so she tried again.

“Do you know where Kun is? Is he okay?” Jimin asked and emphasized Kun's name. Peach's tail wagged again and that confirmed that the dog recognized the names of the people taking care of it.

“Good girl.” Jimin patted the dog's head and when she remembered the paperbag, she let the dog sniff it. Peach barked and suddenly ran, and Jimin had a hard time keeping up with the dog's speed. Jimin was being pulled by Peach and she was lucky she didn't trip on their way.

Jimin was panting hard when they reached the park. Only a few people were hanging around given the time, but Jimin couldn't see anyone who might be the person she had to deliver the paperbag to. Suddenly, Peach barked and pulled Jimin towards a man sitting on one of the benches.

Peach barked three times and the man looked up at Jimin.

“Huh, they're sending students now?” The man asked while eyeing Jimin from head to toe.

“Are you the one who needs this?” Jimin asked and showed the man the paperbag. He checked the contents of it and nodded, then gave a small envelope to Jimin. The man left without saying anything and it confused Jimin.

Peach sat while wagging her tail. Out of curiosity, Jimin took a peek inside the envelope and her eyes widened when she saw a wad of cash inside.

“What…” Jimin almost dropped the envelope. It was the first time she saw such a huge amount of money that her hands were shaking just holding it. 

Did the man mistook her for someone? Maybe Peach led her to the wrong person?

Jimin's phone suddenly rang and she dropped the envelope in the end. She answered the call while picking up the envelope.

“Take some money for your dinner and cab fare. Oh, and feed Peach first. It's almost her dinner time.”

“Joohyun unnie—”

The call ended without further explanation from Joohyun.

What's going on? What's this? What was that?

Jimin was so confused that she had to sit on the bench. Peach waited patiently while watching Jimin's expression change multiple times in a span of a minute. It was overwhelming to carry that huge amount of money and Jimin started to worry if someone would suddenly rob her and lose the money. She couldn't afford to pay it back.

Was Joohyun selling something? Jimin wondered if it's a side hustle for some extra cash. Joohyun worked in an elite school but maybe the pay wasn't enough for her.

Peach grabbed Jimin's attention by tapping a paw repeatedly on her knee. Jimin spent too long in the park and felt bad for the hungry dog so she went to the nearest pet supply shop to get her food. She didn't know what to pick, but thankfully, Peach took it upon herself to choose a can of dog food. Jimin also bought a paper plate and some water for the dog.

“You really are a smart dog, aren't you?” Jimin said while putting food on the paper plate. She settled on the riverside to feed the dog and eat her own food. Just a simple sandwich and a bottle of water since Jimin didn't want to spend too much.

After she cleaned up, they took a walk along the river. Peach behaved well, although some people avoided them because they were intimidated by the dog. Upon checking the time, Jimin decided to take Peach home and hailed a cab. The apartment was a bit far and Jimin was thankful that she didn't have to walk the dog with that distance. She didn't have a problem walking for too long, but she was just conscious because almost everyone was avoiding her because of Peach.

Joohyun's apartment seemed different to the one she was brought in after Jinho's incident. Jimin thought that maybe she was out of it so she remembered it differently. The address was right, and Peach recognized the place so she couldn't be wrong. Jimin removed the dog's collar and let it loose in the apartment, then she placed the envelope on the coffee table just as she was instructed. After a few pets on Peach, Jimin left the apartment to head home.

All was good.

The money, the paperbag, the strange man, and also Peach. Jimin didn't pay much attention to all of it anymore. There was no use overthinking it. As long as she did her job, then all was good.

Jimin collapsed on her bed and sighed. Another day had ended and it somehow felt productive. At least, that was what she wanted to believe. She rested for a little bit before she started doing her homework and reviewing her notes. Jimin still wasn't used to sleeping early so she spent time studying or cleaning around their apartment.

There was too much energy left, too many thoughts going inside her head, and Jimin couldn't just stay still doing nothing or it would become too overwhelming.

If she could, she would take a walk outside but she was afraid that someone from the men who attacked Kun would find her. Joohyun didn't say anything about it yet, and Jimin kept wondering if it was already resolved or not.

Did the police handle it? Maybe they were having a hard time locating them. Jimin couldn't remember any of their faces, but maybe Kun did. Maybe it was the reason why he wasn't around lately.

Jimin just hoped he was doing well.

While putting her notebook and books inside her bag, Jimin's phone suddenly rang. Jimin thought it was Joohyun because she couldn't think of anyone else who would call her in the middle of the night.

“Did I forget something? I left Peach fine though.” Jimin mumbled and gasped when she saw who was calling.

“Minjeong?”

There was silence for a few seconds and Jimin started thinking that Minjeong might have pressed the wrong button and accidentally called her. Minjeong might've already fallen asleep with her phone beside her.

There was no reason for her to call Jimin late at night. In fact, it was the first time Minjeong gave her a call.

“Did I wake you up?” Minjeong asked, it was almost a whisper and Jimin couldn't have heard it if it wasn't for the silence and her heightened senses because of the unexpected call.

Minjeong's voice sounded hoarse. Was she sleepy?

“No, I… I was just studying.” Jimin answered and there was silence again. She strained her ears and focused on any sound no matter how little it was. Jimin heard a sniff, and she believed that she heard Minjeong's shaky breathing.

“Jimin…”

Jimin's grip on her phone tightened.

Minjeong was crying and she was trying so hard to suppress it. But her voice gave it away, the helpless call, the broken and silent pleas, Jimin knew it all too well.

“Can I see you?” Minjeong asked. Her voice was so fragile that Jimin had a strong urge to hug her. She nodded as if Minjeong could see her and her hand was already twisting the doorknob before she could even say yes.

“Is it okay? Jimin, if you're—”

“Yes, of course. You know, I was just about to go out for a walk because I can't sleep and I forgot to buy eggs on my way home earlier so I'm going to buy eggs and maybe—” Jimin's rambling stopped when she heard Minjeong laughing.

It was soft and it sounded weak but that was more than enough for Jimin.

Minjeong laughed.

“Can we meet at the park near our school?”

“I'll be there.”

Jimin grabbed a jacket and her wallet and left their apartment in a hurry. She was lucky to hail a cab right away and it didn't matter how much money she had to spend, all that mattered was to be with Minjeong.

When she arrived, Minjeong was already sitting on a swing. She was wearing a hoodie with the hood almost covering half of her face. Jimin bought two bottles of juice from the vending machine before she approached Minjeong.

“Strawberry juice?” Jimin offered a bottle to Minjeong and the latter took it. Minjeong's hands were visibly shaking but Jimin didn't say anything about it.

Minjeong was struggling to open the cap so Jimin took the bottle from her to open it.

“Thanks.” Minjeong said and Jimin noticed that her voice was still hoarse, but better than earlier. They sipped on their juice in silence, and from time to time, Jimin would take a glance at Minjeong.

It was way too late and they were the only ones around the area. But Jimin was confident to beat up anyone if they dared to try to hurt Minjeong.

That, she wasn't scared of.

Jimin already had an idea why Minjeong was in that state. When Minjeong was drinking her juice, Jimin saw a glimpse of her face. There were bruises on it and Minjeong's eyes were swollen.

Of course, it was none other than Jinho's doing.

But Jimin didn't want to point it out, she didn't want to say anything about it. Jimin just wanted to be there and comfort Minjeong.

And maybe beat up Jinho again when she got the chance.

Jimin cleared her throat. She wasn't sure what the right thing to say was, she was afraid to say the wrong thing, but she couldn't just sit there saying nothing.

“Are you being rebellious now?” Jimin asked.

“What?” Minjeong was taken aback by the question, but it didn't seem like she was offended by it. It was all just confusion and nothing else.

“I bet you didn't want to do your homework so you ran away from home.”

There was silence between them again and for a second, Jimin thought she said the wrong thing. She was starting to regret even opening her mouth when she heard Minjeong laughing softly.

“That's ridiculous. Are you sure you're not talking about yourself?”

They both stare at each other and after a few seconds, they smiled and laughed. It was enough for Jimin. Minjeong smiling again was more than enough. They continued talking about anything, sometimes things that were pure nonsense, but they had fun doing so.

At that moment, only them and their laughter mattered.

Jimin was reminded of that one fateful night when she was at her lowest. She couldn't remember what happened that time, all she could remember was she was on the riverside staring at the glistening water under the moonlight. Jimin wanted to take a swim, she wanted to submerge herself in the water and hide from all the horrors the world had been giving her. The water seemed so inviting, it was so beautiful that Jimin couldn't help but take small steps toward it.

Then, a woman came with soft giggles that were engraved in her mind.

And that soft, angelic voice.

“Isn't it too cold for a swim?” The woman asked. Jimin stopped then and found herself sitting back on the grass beside the woman and they talked about everything and nothing until the sun started to rise. Later on, Jimin found out the woman was Minjeong and since then, she couldn't take her eyes off her.

Jimin was reminded of that night, it was similar to their current situation. The difference was, it was Jimin who was making Minjeong smile and laugh.

It was Jimin talking about every nonsense she could think of, just so she could make Minjeong feel better.

Then, Jimin suddenly stood up and walked around the park, her eyes glued to the ground looking for something.

“What are you doing?” Minjeong asked.

“I'm looking for a rock.” Jimin said. 

Minjeong blinked rapidly, she was confused but she couldn't help the smile forming on her face. She followed Jimin around the park like a little duckling and turned on the flashlight from her phone to help with the search.

“You remember that I like rocks.” Minjeong pointed out. Jimin smiled because Minjeong's voice seemed lighter and happy.

“Is this good?” Jimin asked and showed Minjeong a rock that was almost shaped like a guitar pick. It was white and smooth to the touch.

“Can I have it?” Minjeong asked. Jimin placed the rock on Minjeong's palm and watched as Minjeong smiled like she was given the most precious thing in the world.

It was beautiful and Jimin wished she could capture a photo of it and frame it so she could hang it on the wall of her bedroom.

“Thank you.”

Jimin nodded with a smile and reached for Minjeong's hood. Minjeong took a step back thinking that Jimin might want to remove it, but she sighed in relief when Jimin just fixed it so it could hide her better.

Minjeong knew right then that Jimin saw her bruises, but she was grateful that Jimin didn't say anything about it.

“Do you want to go for a walk? Maybe have a late night snack at a convenience store. I'm kind of hungry.” Jimin suggested.

Wait, do I have enough money for that? She thought while mentally calculating the money she brought and spent on the cab and juices.

“And you're gonna buy eggs too, right?”

Jimin chuckled and nodded. Of course, the eggs. She was going to be forced to really buy some. They walked towards the nearest convenience store and went their separate ways to choose their food. Jimin took an instant ramen while Minjeong chose a bar of chocolate. They ate at the table outside while talking about school and the funny things they had experienced there.

Like some silly thing their classmates did or something their teacher said, they laughed while recalling those moments.

It felt nice. It was just them that peaceful night. No one was around to watch their every move, no one was around to judge every action they took. It was a night worth cherishing, a night with just freedom and peace in their hearts.

“Then my classmate accidentally pulled our teacher's hair and it turned out that he was wearing a wig and I really felt sorry for him but it was so funny. I feel bad but—” Minjeong covered her mouth while laughing and Jimin couldn't help but laugh too.

“I also saw a video edit of these two cats. Do you want to watch it? It's really funny.” Minjeong asked. Jimin nodded and she felt her face heating up when Minjeong stood up and sat beside her. Minjeong played the video and Jimin guessed that Minjeong was too absorbed in sharing it because their faces were too close to each other.

Jimin could smell Minjeong's shampoo or whatever hair products she was using. It smelled good, and Jimin wasn't paying attention to the video anymore.

“I like how the voiceover fits their expressions really well—” Minjeong paused when she looked at Jimin, and Jimin was already looking at her.

Their faces were only an inch apart, and Jimin was worried that Minjeong could hear how loud her heart was beating.

“I…” Minjeong visibly gulped and she was the first to avert her gaze. Jimin was still staring at Minjeong and only snapped out of it when thunder boomed in the sky.

It was so loud that Jimin almost fell from her seat.

“I'll take you home.” Jimin said when she recovered. Good thing Minjeong was too flustered to notice that the thunder scared the hell out of Jimin. It would've been embarrassing.

Minjeong nodded and helped Jimin clean up their table. Minjeong wanted to refuse Jimin's offer to accompany her home, but the way Jimin was looking at her made her unable to even argue about it.

And deep inside, Minjeong didn't want to be alone. So she followed Jimin who was looking for a cab and maybe it was their lucky night because despite the time and the incoming rain, they still managed to get a cab. It was a silent ride, but not uncomfortable. Jimin kept stealing glances at Minjeong who was watching the rain droplets go down the window.

Jimin couldn't really see Minjeong's face from that angle, and it didn't help that Minjeong's hood was still on. But it didn't matter, even her silhouette was enough for Jimin.

It was quite a ride, and Jimin never imagined that Minjeong lived so far from school. But maybe it was just her perspective since she wasn't familiar with the place.

Jimin also didn't expect Minjeong to live in a penthouse. She should've known about it given Minjeong's status, but it still surprised her.

“I'm going through the emergency exit. You know, since I ran away from home because I didn't want to do my homework.” Minjeong said, making Jimin chuckle. Jimin accompanied her to the emergency exit.

“Minjeong.” Jimin called before Minjeong opened the door.

“Call me if you don't want to do your homework again.”

Minjeong's face lit up and she smiled so wide that it melted Jimin's heart.

“Okay.”

Jimin nodded and watched Minjeong not so sneakily head inside. The rain was pouring hard and she wondered if she could still get a cab on her way home. Before she could walk a few more steps, she heard the door opening again followed by Minjeong's voice.

“Jimin!” Minjeong called. Jimin turned around and gasped when Minjeong came running and hugged her.

“Thank you.” Minjeong said before running off again and disappearing inside the building. Jimin stood there frozen while trying to process what just happened.

Her body felt warm despite being soaked in the rain. It took Jimin a few minutes before she could move again and she almost bumped against a lamppost because she was so out of it.

Jimin also almost fell on the open manhole. She had to slap both her cheeks to snap out of it and thanks to her being dazed, she found herself lost in some neighborhood. It took her some time to get back on the main road, but her luck ran out and she couldn't find a cab anymore. She did find one, but the driver refused to let her in since her clothes were soaked.

So Jimin had no choice but to walk home. Thankfully she found her way but she had to walk for almost two hours before she could reach their apartment building. Jimin didn't even feel tired, it felt like she was just floating on her way home. She took a shower afterwards, stared at the ceiling when she finally laid on her bed.

Tossing and turning, Jimin couldn't sleep at all. Minjeong occupied her mind so much that she momentarily forgot about the task Joohyun gave her or the weird exchange with the man. All of those were replaced with Minjeong.

Minjeong's voice, her smile, everything about her.

Jimin hugged her pillow and started to worry, though. Was Minjeong going to be okay? Did she get inside safely? Did anyone find out she ran from home?

Was Jinho inside their penthouse?

Jimin shook away the thought and decided to hit Minjeong with a quick message. It was just to make sure that she's okay, nothing else. But when Jimin picked up her phone, it wouldn't turn on and thinking that the battery was just drained, she plugged it in to charge but a spark suddenly erupted and smoke came out and thankfully Jimin was quick to unplugged the charger.

Minjeong filled her head so much she forgot her phone was soaked alongside her. Her phone was fried, but she was just thankful it didn't cause a fire or any electrical issues.

“Crap…” Jimin groaned while staring at her broken phone.

“Good morning, Jimin.”

Jimin turned around to see Wonyoung walking towards her. She bowed a little and was hit with sudden dizziness when she raised her head.

Why was Wonyoung blurry? Jimin was sure she was wearing her glasses.

“Morning…” Jimin weakly responded. Wonyoung tilted her head to the side a little while squinting her eyes.

“Are you okay?” Wonyoung asked.

“Yeah.” Jimin said and sneezed loudly.

“Are you… sure?”

Jimin nodded and started walking away. Wonyoung was quick to catch up but it took her until they were out in the apartment building before she could speak again.

“Jimin, can I… can I ask for a favor?”

Wonyoung gulped when Jimin stared at her while giving her slow blinks.

“What is it?”

“You see…” Wonyoung was stuttering so bad but Jimin was patient and waited for her to articulate her intention. They reached the bus stop and Wonyoung panicked because she didn't have much time.

“I'm going to represent our school for a joint research project and it's going to be held in your school so I was wondering if you could help me out later because I don't know anyone else there and I might get lost and… and…”

Jimin smiled and Wonyoung almost fainted right then and there.

“What time will you arrive?”

“At lunch…” Wonyoung said.

“Find me at class 3-A. My phone's broken so I can't give you my number.” Jimin said and got on the bus. Wonyoung was left standing there like a lost kid.

“Yeah… I'll see you later…” Wonyoung mumbled as if Jimin was still there.

Jimin headed to school with a feeling that only half of her brain was working. And she also wondered if it was working properly at all. Still, she managed to go to Joohyun's office for her next job.

“Why are you always on the verge of death, Jimin?” Joohyun asked after chuckling at her state.

“Job?” Jimin asked instead, she was obviously out of it.

“I sent you an email about it, didn't you read it?”

Jimin slowly blinked at Joohyun a few times before she answered.

“Phone's dead.”

Joohyun sighed and rubbed her temples. “I can't give you a job if you're like that. Go home, kid. I'll give you a phone when you come back.”

Jimin scrunched her nose and left the office. She didn't listen to Joohyun's advice and still went to class. Or more like, Jimin wasn't listening at all. She fell asleep again during class, and nobody dared to wake her up.

Jimin woke up and felt her body burning, she was dizzy, and every move exhausted her. It felt like her body weighed twice as much and she could barely open her eyes.

“Excuse me, is Yu Jimin here?”

Jimin heard her classmates' commotion but she couldn't care less what it was about. She didn't hear her name being mentioned so she continued resting.

“Is that Jimin's girlfriend?”

“Damn, she's so pretty.”

“She looks like a model.”

But the noises were getting too loud for Jimin to ignore. She couldn't go back to sleep and she was starting to feel irritated. Her head hurts, her throat felt tight and dry, and all she wanted to do was sleep.

Jimin regretted ever leaving their apartment. She should've just slept the whole day.

“Jimin.” Soft taps caught on Jimin's shoulder caught her attention. The voice was familiar so she forced herself to sit up to see who it was.

“Wonyoung? Why are you here?”

Wonyoung chuckled and her smile made the hearts around her flutter, except for Jimin who still wanted nothing more but sleep.

“Did you forget? I'm here for the research group. Why are you—hey! You're burning up!” Wonyoung exclaimed when she touched Jimin's forehead. She just wanted to fix Jimin's hair and she was glad she did, or else Jimin wouldn't say anything about it, knowing her.

“Why did you go to school if you have a fever? Jimin? Jimin, wake up.”

“I want to sleep.”

Wonyoung sighed and forced Jimin to sit right up. She took Jimin's bag and hooked it on her shoulder. One of Jimin's classmates approached them with a bashful smile when Wonyoung was about to hold Jimin.

“Jimin has a fever? I can carry her to the infirmary—”

“No.” Wonyoung flatly said and scooped Jimin in her arms like she weighed nothing. Students around them gasped and Wonyoung just smiled at him.

“I workout with my father. I can handle it. Where's the infirmary though?”

Everyone scrambled to tell Wonyoung the location and some even fought to be the one who would guide her there. The hallway was a mess and Wonyoung couldn't get through them. She was running out of patience because Jimin needed treatment and rest as soon as possible.

But she couldn't cause any problems, especially that she wasn't in her school.

“What's wrong with Jimin?”

Wonyoung was taken aback when a single voice parted the crowd so easily. There stood a woman slightly smaller than her and her eyes were fixated on Jimin with a gaze she knew too well.

“She has a fever. I need to take her to the infirmary.”

“Follow me.”

Wonyoung followed the woman while carrying Jimin in her arms. On their way, Jimin suddenly stirred and mumbled.

“Why am I so weak?” Jimin said. She sounded so vulnerable and that was the most honest Wonyoung had ever heard her.

“You're not weak. You're the strongest person I know. And, hey, even Batman gets sick.”

“How did you know? Did you meet him?”

Wonyoung laughed at how innocent and silly Jimin's question was. It was probably because of her high fever but Wonyoung found it adorable.

They reached the infirmary but unfortunately, the nurse wasn't around because of an emergency. One of the students got severely injured while playing soccer and they had to take him to the hospital. Wonyoung shivered when she heard the student had his bone sticking out from his elbow.

“Put her here, I know where things are so I can take care of Jimin.”

“May I ask who you are?” Wonyoung couldn't help her curiosity anymore.

“Kim Minjeong. I'm Jimin's friend.”

Minjeong and Wonyoung stared at each other with Jimin between them. There was tension between them that Jimin couldn't be bothered to notice.

“I want to sleep.” Jimin mumbled irritably and that snapped out the two from their staring contest.

“You belong to the research group, right? I can take care of Jimin from here.” Minjeong said.

“It's not going to start until after lunch so I can stay and look after her.” Wonyoung said while holding firmly on the bed's rail.

“Wait, how did you know?” Wonyoung asked.

“Your uniform. And I know there's a meeting for it today.” Minjeong explained.

They stared at each other again, the air felt heavier than ever. They only stopped when Jimin coughed and Minjeong moved to get water and medicine while Wonyoung was left wiping the sweat off Jimin's forehead.

“I should've noticed that she wasn't feeling well earlier. I could've made her stay at home.” Wonyoung said while helping Jimin sit up so she could take medicine.

“Do you live close to each other? Or…”

“We're neighbors, yes.”

Minjeong bit her lip and watched Jimin drift off to sleep.

“It's my fault.”

Wonyoung stared at Minjeong, confused at what the latter said. But Minjeong was quick to explain things and Wonyoung listened while they both tended to Jimin.

“I asked her to meet me last night and it rained after that. Jimin must've been… no. It's my fault. I shouldn't have called her.” 

“You couldn't have made sure she got home safe?” Wonyoung asked and with her tone slightly raised. Minjeong was taken aback but it was understandable because Wonyoung had a point. She could've at least booked a cab for Jimin. When Wonyoung realized she came off a bit aggressive, she backed down and apologized to Minjeong.

“I'm sorry. I don't know what happened and I'm just worried about her.” Wonyoung said after she felt guilty at snapping at Minjeong.

“It's okay. It really was my fault. So let me take care of her, uhm…” Minjeong trailed when she realized she didn't even ask Wonyoung's name.

“I'm Wonyoung.”

“I'm hungry.” Jimin mumbled. Minjeong and Wonyoung looked at each other and shared soft laughs.

“You can have my lunch—”

“I'll buy her lunch—”

And it started again, Minjeong and Wonyoung's staring contest as if they're challenging each other on who would get Jimin's food.

“I know where the cafeteria is so stay here and watch her.” Minjeong said and left the infirmary. Wonyoung continued wiping Jimin's face and neck and turned off the lights when Jimin complained about it.

Jimin dozed off while Wonyoung watched her. It was the closest she could watch Jimin so she made sure to make every second of it count. Wonyoung was smiling the whole time she was tending to Jimin but that smile quickly faded when Jimin mumbled in her sleep.

“Minjeong…”

Wonyoung felt like her heart was stabbed a thousand times. She thought she heard it wrong, but Jimin kept repeating Minjeong's name over and over again. Her shoulders dropped, and her vision was blurring due to the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“Of course, you like someone else.” Wonyoung whispered and she couldn't help it anymore so she let her tears fall.

“Jimin…” Wonyoung held Jimin's hand and held it against her cheek. “Even just for this moment, can I pretend you like me too?”

Jimin opened her eyes but her vision was blurry. She knew someone was beside her and holding her hand and it was unfamiliar.

Warm, but not comforting. It felt different from Minjeong's touch.

“I can't be weak.” Jimin mumbled instead. “I can't have a fever, I can't protect Minjeong like this. Let me go, I need to work—”

“Jimin, no! Stay still! You need to rest, okay? Where are you getting this strength from? C'mon, I don't want to accidentally hurt you so please stay here and rest.”

“But—”

Wonyoung sniffed and wiped her tears using the back of her hand. She forced a smile and fixed Jimin's hair.

“You can't protect her if you don't rest and recover.”

Wonyoung had no idea what Jimin meant by protecting Minjeong, but she didn't have a choice but to support her even if it meant for her heart to shatter into a million pieces. Finally, she managed to calm Jimin down when she kept reminding her of Minjeong.

It hurt every time she said Minjeong's name. But she set her feelings aside to prioritize Jimin's well-being.

“Sorry it took so long. I couldn't find anything that Jimin could eat in the cafeteria so I asked my driver to buy her porridge.” Minjeong said while panting hard as she entered the infirmary.

“Your what?” Wonyoung couldn't believe her ears at what she heard. She knew Jimin went to an elite school, but she didn't expect to meet someone with such high status that casually said ‘I asked my driver to buy her porridge'.

And if that wasn't enough, Wonyoung's eyes widened when she saw the paperbag that contained the porridge.

“You got porridge from a five star restaurant?” Wonyoung couldn't help but ask.

“I wanted the best for Jimin. They take personal orders too.”

How could I compete with that? I can't even cook. Wonyoung thought as she backed away while Minjeong prepared a table for Jimin. As soon as Jimin smelled food, she opened her eyes and searched for the source of mouth watering aroma.

Minjeong and Wonyoung took turns tending to Jimin. Minjeong would feed Jimin while Wonyoung would assist her to drink water. When Jimin finished eating, she went back to sleep and left the two in a slightly awkward situation.

“Oh, I forgot. I got us food too.” Minjeong said and took more food from the paperbag.

“You didn't have to but uh… sure.” Wonyoung wanted to refuse Minjeong's offer but the food looked so delicious that she couldn't help but gulp in anticipation. They shared the food in silence while constantly checking on Jimin.

“You can go for the meeting, I'll handle it from here.” Minjeong said when the bell rang. Wonyoung was reluctant to leave but she didn't have a choice but to go or she would be in big trouble. She thanked Minjeong for the food again and before she left, she turned around and faced Minjeong with a serious expression.

“Don't let her get hurt.” Wonyoung said and finally left. Wonyoung knew Jimin liked Minjeong, she knew that. But she couldn't just give up easily.

Her parents didn't raise a quitter. So with newfound determination, Wonyoung headed for the research meeting like she was about to go to war.

Minjeong was left wondering what Wonyoung meant by that, but she set that thought aside to focus on Jimin.

Jimin's breathing was finally stable and she was sleeping soundly. Minjeong felt guilty for letting Jimin get sick because of her so she decided to skip the afternoon class to take care of her. Every hour, Minjeong would check Jimin's temperature, and she would help Jimin drink water whenever she woke up feeling thirsty. Minjeong also found a cool compress to put on Jimin's forehead.

Noticing that Jimin was still wearing her eyeglasses, Minjeong carefully removed it and placed it on the bedside table. There, she found herself staring closely at Jimin's face and Minjeong couldn't take her eyes off her. Minjeong traced every inch of Jimin's face with her eyes and giggled while poking Jimin's lower cheek.

“I just noticed you have a beauty mark here.” Minjeong mumbled while poking the spot with her finger. Jimin groaned and scrunched her nose, making Minjeong chuckle and let her rest peacefully.

When Jimin woke up, it was Joohyun's face she first saw.

“Unnie, I—”

“Shush.”

Joohyun pointed at the bed and Jimin looked at it. There, Minjeong was sitting on a small stool beside the bed while she rested her head on Jimin's lap.

Jimin couldn't move, she didn't want to. She didn't care if she would stay in that position until tomorrow.

“She was here the whole time. Skipped her classes and all. And here you are, being a pathetic little weakling. How are you supposed to protect her like that?” Joohyun said and it hit right on Jimin's chest.

“What about Wonyoung? I remember she was here too.”

“She just left. She dropped by after the meeting to check on you but I told her to leave. I tried waking Minjeong up but she seemed too exhausted to even care.” Joohyun explained and then lightly hit Jimin on the head.

“You can't protect anyone if you're this weak. We have to do something about your fragile body. Even my grandma can move better than you. And of course I need you to be better so you can work again. You're quite useful, it makes my work easier.” Joohyun couldn't keep her true intention and let it spill out without any regard to Jimin's feelings.

But for Jimin, Joohyun said nothing but the truth. She was weak, and if a simple rain could make her sick, then she couldn't really protect anyone like that.

“What should I do, unnie?” Jimin asked helplessly.

Joohyun went around the bed and stood behind Minjeong. Then she proceeded on caressing Minjeong's hair while smiling directly at Jimin.

“Leave it to me. I'll make you so strong that you won't be able to recognize yourself anymore.”

Chapter Text

How did it come to this?

“I'm not an olympic trainer or some shit like that so don't expect me to make you run and do all sorts of boring things. Take this with you and deliver it. You're on your own, so don't expect help.”

That was what Joohyun said to her and gave her the same paperbag as before.

Jimin didn't understand what exactly Joohyun meant by that, or what she was expecting.

“And if something happens, you keep your mouth shut.”

Those words echoed in Jimin's mind over and over again. It was her own decision that led her in the current situation, Jimin knew that all too well. Blame would fall on no one but her, 

Even if Jimin punched the mirror to reach out to anyone on the other side of it, the reflection of shattered pieces would still point only at her.

Jimin couldn't complain, she could only run.

Run, not because she was giving up, but because she refused to give up.

But how did it come to this? Jimin wondered once again. Looking back, her life decisions chased her in the form of men in police uniforms.

Why are the police after me?

Her mother's face entered Jimin's mind. She couldn't risk getting caught for some reason she still had no idea what for. What did she do?

Think, Jimin. 

No one else could take care of her mother other than her. Jimin kept reminding herself that over and over again to keep herself moving. A trash can fell over when she bumped into it, but she never stopped. Jimin hissed at the pain, she felt warm liquid trickling down her leg, but she paid no attention to the pain. One wrong move and her life would be over, that she was sure of.

Jimin knew that if she got caught, then she wouldn't be able to go to school anymore. There was that strong feeling that she wouldn't be able to see her mother anymore, at least for a long time. Jimin had a feeling that something was wrong when she met two men in a dark alleyway. With the thick envelope brimming with money, Jimin knew something wasn't right.

Like when she first delivered the paperbag at the park with Peach.

Jimin already had a feeling that she was doing something wrong, but she chose to ignore it. Bury it at the back of her mind and pretended the thought never existed so she could protect herself and keep her peace.

But she was naive, just like Joohyun said.

Upon turning into a corner, Jimin bumped into a stack of boxes and she fell on the ground. She groaned at the pain on her wrist, but she forced herself to stand up as fast as she could.

Because if she didn't, she knew her plans on saving Minjeong would end too.

All of the suspicion and uneasiness in her mind that she all suppressed as if they didn't exist, it all came chasing her down like it had the intention of taking her life. It would've been easy if Jimin would just die, but no.

Jimin knew she would live with regret.

So, questions later. Jimin needed to run.

“There she is! Hurry! Get someone to block her on the other side!” One of the policemen yelled. Jimin felt like her chest was burning, and her legs were so close to giving up on her.

But she had run, she needed to use all her energy to escape and use her brain to focus only on her current situation.

Questions later, she needed to survive.

Move, run, think!

I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared.

“Stop right there!”

Jimin looked around while she kept running. She needed a way to escape, and she was reminded of what Joohyun told her. No one would be there to help her. She was all on her own.

But the alleyways were unfamiliar, and it was dark. It didn't help that her eyeglasses were getting foggy and she was left with no choice but to depend on what light she could see and the silhouette of things around her to navigate herself to safety. Jimin was wearing a baseball cap, and a face mask, and those didn't help with her vision and breathing at all.

It did help hide her identity, which is why she refused to remove it. Although, she had to remove her glasses because what used to help her life was now getting in her way.

Jimin removed her eyeglasses abruptly, and a part of it scratched the skin under her eye. It stung, she knew it was bleeding, but she had to ignore the pain and keep moving.

Where should I go? I can't see well. Is it my poor vision? Sweat?

Tears?

Am I crying?

“Last warning! Stop right there!”

Mom, I'm scared.

What should I do?

The police were closing in on her, and she could see the blue and red light at the end of the alleyway. Jimin was left with two choices when she roamed her eyes around the area once more.

Surrender, or gamble and jump over the nearest block wall.

Jimin had no idea what was on the other side of if. Probably more police, or private property. But she had a higher chance of escaping by going in that direction rather than straight to the rest of the police that were waiting for her to come out like a rat being driven out from its hideout.

So, Jimin jumped and propped herself on the edge so she could lift her whole body and jump on the other side. Just a little more, Jimin could see what seemed like an abandoned house, probably a storage area but she didn't care what exactly it was as long as she could get away from the police. Just a little more and she could get enough space to give herself a chance to escape.

But then something grabbed her leg. Jimin looked back and saw one of the policemen grabbing her so tightly that it hurt.

“Stop.”

Stop?

Jimin couldn't afford to stop. She looked around frantically but couldn't find anything to use against the man. It wasn't like when she helped Kun, and luckily found an empty bottle as a weapon. Jimin had nothing.

Nothing? Jimin clenched her fist and felt something on her hand.

Her eyeglasses.

Without hesitation, Jimin used her eyeglasses like a knife to stab the man in the eye. He screamed and let go of Jimin's leg. She didn't waste even just a second and jumped on the other side of the wall.

Adrenaline rushed through her body, and managed to jump to the other side of the wall that led her to the main street. It didn't matter what direction, Jimin just ran without looking back.

Taking advantage of the crowd, Jimin lost the police and she ended up on the riverside. She ran under the bridge and collapsed on the ground to catch her breath. She felt like her whole body was burning, there were sharp pains and blood dripping from her wounds, and the bloodstained eyeglasses on her hand was bent with its lens cracked.

Jimin removed her mask to get some air, and when her breath stabilized, Jimin almost crawled towards the river and scooped some water using her hands to ease her parched throat. It didn't matter if the water was dirty, she needed to drink to keep going.

The night wasn't done, she wasn't safe yet. Until she got back to Joohyun, her safety wasn't guaranteed.

But she paused to think about it. Was she allowed to go to Joohyun? Even if her task was done, even if she could make sure no one was chasing her anymore, could she go back? Jimin couldn't remember any instructions from Joohyun.

Jimin delivered the package, she lost the police who were chasing her, and as time passed by, the chance that she was safe was getting higher. But after that, where should she go?

To Joohyun so she could report?

Go home?

Jimin then looked down at her hand, at her bloodstained eyeglasses and sighed. She just stabbed someone in the eye, but for some reason, she didn't feel anything about it. It was probably because of adrenaline, but as it was wearing down, it scared Jimin that she still didn't feel anything at all.

And like the night she first fought someone for real, a smile crept on her face followed by laughter that was getting louder and louder. Jimin covered her face with her hands, her eyeglasses pressing against her forehead as she continued laughing.

“What am I doing? What have I done?” Jimin mumbled between her laughter. Like Joohyun instructed, Jimin didn't bring any money, and she didn't have a phone yet. She had the package, the clothes she was made to wear, and a location for the drop off.

Jimin couldn't even go anywhere even if she wanted to. There was no way she would walk down the streets looking all battered up and bleeding. Plus, if she did so, the police might find her again.

“I just want to save Minjeong, how did I get here?”

Where did it exactly start? How did all her decisions lead her in that situation?

Her laughter was cut off when she heard footsteps nearing her. With her senses still heightened, Jimin gripped her eyeglasses tightly and glared at the direction of the noise. Jimin couldn't see any blue and red lights, she couldn't even see any light pointed at her direction at all and the only light she could make off was the ones in the distance.

“Irene was right. You're easy to spot. Just look for someone who looks like she's always dying and that's it.”

It was a man, and despite it not being Kun, Jimin was relieved to hear Joohyun's name.

“Follow me.” He said. Jimin groaned when she tried to stand up only to fail and fell back on the ground. The man looked back, just staring blankly at Jimin.

No emotions at all.

“Get up.”

Jimin gritted her teeth and tried to stand up again. Her legs were wobbly but she managed to limp her way to the car waiting for them. She wanted to ask the man why he was there, or how did he even find her, but she was so exhausted and in pain to even bother.

The man hopped on the car and lowered the window of the passenger seat to look at Jimin who remained standing there not knowing what to do.

“What are you doing? Get in the car now.”

Jimin opened the door of the passenger seat and settled herself in the comfortable leather seat. After putting on her seatbelt, she jumped a little when someone spoke behind her.

“How was your little adventure, my dear Jimin?”

Joohyun.

The man started driving and there was a few seconds of silence. Jimin had a lot of things to say, questions to ask, but instead of opening her mouth to do any of it, she laughed instead.

“Has she lost her mind?” The man asked while chuckling.

“Let her be, Jeno. It'll wear off soon.” Joohyun said while scrolling on her phone. Jimin then heard another woman's voice behind her, but she couldn't care less and kept laughing to herself.

“I still don't understand why you have to take this kid. We have no room for babysitting.”

Joohyun grinned and rested her head on the woman's shoulder. She placed her hand on the woman's thigh and started caressing it. “C'mon, Seulgi. I like Jimin, can we just keep her?”

The woman, Seulgi, just groaned and slapped Joohyun's hand away from her thigh. Joohyun pouted and crossed her arms as she scooted as far as she could from Seulgi. Jeno looked at the rearview mirror and chuckled.

“What are you up to this time, Hyun?” Seulgi asked.

Joohyun just shrugged her shoulders and still refused to look at Seulgi. “Nothing, I just see potential in her. That's it.”

However, Seulgi didn't buy it and continued confronting Joohyun about Jimin. “You're always working behind the scenes. If that kid causes me trouble, I will get rid of her myself.”

“Does that mean we can keep her then?”

Seulgi sighed and stared at the passenger seat. Jimin was still laughing but it was gradually slowing down until she fell silent. Seulgi clicked her tongue and decided to watch the scenery outside instead.

Nothing but the same boring buildings in the same city lights that she was tired of seeing.

Joohyun giggled and scooted back closer to Seulgi. Jeno cleared his throat when he heard those familiar sound of lips clashing against each other and turned on the radio to the higher volume. He continued driving and on the other hand, Jimin was motionless on her seat and was just staring blankly outside with her mouth slightly agape.

No thoughts ran in her head, Jimin was numb and didn't care where they were taking her at all. She was just entertaining herself with the lights outside and nothing else.

The lights were blurry, but they looked pretty.

It was enough for Jimin.

“My pretty bosses, we're here.” Jeno announced as he parked the car. Jimin finally snapped out of it and scanned the surroundings. They were in an underground parking lot and even though Jimin knew nothing about cars, she knew the cars that were parked there were all luxurious.

Jeno tapped at the passenger's seat window and bent down a little bit to look at Jimin.

“I'm leaving you here if you don't move your ass.”

Jimin blinked and looked ahead. There Joohyun was already walking ahead with Seulgi. She stepped out of the car and followed them. There, an elevator was waiting for them but Jimin was confused when they ignored it and went on the other side and entered a door.

Jimin thought it was an emergency exit but no, the door led them in a dimly lit hallway and at the end of it was another elevator. There, they finally entered and went down. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Jimin was greeted with the smell of cigarettes and people walking around carrying boxes. In the middle, leather couches and chairs rounded a table. People were scattered taking up their own spots, some were smoking, some were drinking, and some were on their laptops working.

Peach suddenly appeared and ran towards Seulgi while barking. Seulgi crouched down to pet the dog and gave it treats. After that, Peach asked Joohyun for some pets, growled at Jeno, and then licked Jimin's hand before she left. Jimin followed where Peach was going, and saw her jump on a huge dog bed and fell back to sleep.

There were still a lot of unanswered questions, but Jimin didn't know where to start. It was already a shock to her when the police came chasing after her, and she hadn't fully processed all of it when she found herself in another situation that her mind couldn't keep up anymore.

So Jimin decided not to think about it. She was confused, shaken up, but more than anything, she was exhausted.

For a moment, Jimin envied Peach and wanted to sleep beside the dog. But when she saw Kun walking towards them with such heavy steps and clenched fists, she was pulled back to face the present situation.

It was the first time Jimin saw Kun with such intense and raw emotion. 

“Why did you bring her here?!” Kun yelled. Seulgi raised an eyebrow at his behavior, but Joohyun was quick to hold her back.

“Why are you getting so worked up?” Seulgi asked. Kun backed away a little with the level of threat Seulgi's gaze alone was giving him, but he stood his ground and kept going.

“Why is she here?! She's just a kid!”

Joohyun scoffed and crossed her arms. “This is why I didn't want you to see her anymore, but it can't be helped. She's old enough, Kun.”

“But—” Kun was cut off when Seulgi stepped forward and placed her hand on Kun's neck.

“Joohyun wants her here, so I allowed it. If you won't stop obsessing with any girl you see that resembles your sister, I'll make you disappear. You're starting to give me headaches lately.” Seulgi said, her voice dangerously low and threatening that Kun couldn't do anything but gulp and shut his mouth. Kun let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding when Seulgi let go of her and left them. Joohyun sighed and patted Kun's shoulder.

“Why don't you tend to Jimin first? Give her food too. I'm going to speak with Seulgi.”

Kun nodded and took Jimin to another room. He gave her a change of clothes first and stepped out while Jimin changed. Her mind hadn't still processed everything, but a change of clothes seemed nice. After that, Kun went back inside and treated Jimin's wounds.

“You broke your glasses.” Kun pointed out. Jimin just nodded while she watched her wounds being cleaned and treated.

Jimin bet Aeri was going to be pissed off when she found out Jimin broke her eyeglasses. Then Yizhuo entered her mind, and Jimin thought she would be sad and sulky.

Aeri and Yizhuo had been so busy lately that Jimin couldn't help but wonder how they were doing.

“Do you have any idea what you've gotten yourself into?” Kun asked, his voice calmer than earlier. It was as if he was afraid to break Jimin with just a slight raise of his tone.

“I don't.” Came Jimin's lifeless response.

Kun sighed and wrapped up Jimin's injury. He leaned back on his chair while he let Jimin sit on the bed.

“I had a sister.” Kun started. It caught Jimin's attention, and despite not having enough energy, she still listened.

“We were just normal students, living a normal life. But our life turned upside down with just one decision I made that I never expected I would regret for the rest of my life. I just wanted us to get some ice cream one night. Just an ice cream…”

Kun paused and took a deep breath. “My sister passed the exams, and I couldn't wait to celebrate it. I didn't have much money, but I could at least afford her favorite ice cream. We went out, and some thugs tried to rob us. I only had little cash with me and they weren't happy with that. So they beat me up, they were drunk and aggressive.”

Jimin could almost hear Kun's heart shattering into a million pieces all over again, but she just kept listening knowing Kun wasn't done yet.

“They went too far, and tried to kill me. But my sister… she—” Kun let out a shaky breath before he could continue. “She just had to protect me. I should've been the one who was stabbed. It should've been me. They got away and left me with my dying sister.”

Kun looked at Jimin with teary eyes and forced a smile. “My sister died because of me. I left home and roamed the streets in search of them and that's when Irene found me. I wanted revenge, and she gave me the opportunity to do so. I found those thugs who killed my sister, and I killed them all. I thought that was it, that I was free, but I realized too late that I was way too deep in a world I shouldn't have stepped foot in the first place.”

“There's no turning back.” Kun finished.

“I see.”

Kun furrowed his eyebrows at the way Jimin responded. It was devoid of any emotion and he couldn't do anything but pull his hair in frustration.

“Why are you doing this?” Kun asked, his voice so low that it came almost like a whisper.

“I want to protect Minjeong.” Jimin's answer was automatic. Even if she couldn't grasp everything yet, that thought was engraved deep in her mind.

“I don't know what's happening anymore. I don't know where I am or what will happen to me but if I can save Minjeong, I don't mind doing anything.” Jimin added.

“Oh? You'll still follow our pretty noona even if she set you up?”

Jimin and Kun looked at the door where Jeno was standing. He was eating a whole carrot while watching them with amusement in his eyes.

“Set me up?” Jimin asked.

Jeno shrugged his shoulders and took another bite of the carrot. “Boss said it will help you improve or some shit like that. I don't see any improvement though. Why are you even here? We don't need weak bitches like you.”

“Watch your mouth, Jeno.” Kun stood up to face Jeno closely.

“Ooh, scary. Careful, though. I can stab you to death with this carrot alone. You know, just like your sister—”

Jeno fell on the floor when Kun punched him.

“Don't speak about my sister like that!” Kun yelled but Jeno didn't back down and fought back. Someone tried to stop them and it was getting chaotic until a woman slipped inside the room and pulled Jimin away.

“Oi! Stop fighting! Peachy baby! Do something!” Someone yelled from behind.

“Let them be. Boys are stupid.” The woman said. Jimin let herself be dragged by the stranger until the commotion faded in the background and she found herself in another room. It was much cleaner and brighter.

And very purple.

“I'm Yeri and—wait, you're familiar. Aren't you the part-time girl in that restobar?”

Jimin squinted her eyes, but couldn't make Yeri's face clear. Too tired to even bother, she just nodded her head since it was true that she worked in the restobar. It didn't matter to her who Yeri was or if they even really met.

“So, how did you end up here?” Yeri asked and gave Jimin a bowl of gummy bears.

“I don't know.”

Yeri pursed her lips and eyed Jimin from head to toe. “You really came here without knowing anything? What was Irene thinking? More importantly, what the hell happened to you?”

“I don't know.”

Yeri sighed upon realizing that wouldn't be able to get a decent response from Jimin. So she pointed at the bowl of gummy bears and sat on her gaming chair to continue doing what she left off in the computer.

“Stay here until Irene comes back and snack on those. I don't have anything else. And oh, by the way… don't eat much because that's infused with—well, I'll be shitdamned.”

Yeri quickly stood up when she saw Jimin wolf down the gummy bears. She kicked the bowl as if it was a soccer ball to remove it from Jimin's hands as fast as possible.

“Spit it out! Throw it up!”

“I don't… want to… Leave me alone.”

Yeri groaned as she forced Jimin to throw up. Just then, Joohyun entered the room and squinted her eyes at the two.

“What are you doing?” Joohyun asked.

“She ate a lot of those gummy bears! I wasn't looking and I—” Yeri tried to explain, but Joohyun just laughed at them.

“Let her be, it might help her get through the night. Jimin did well today, after all. Anyway, can you watch her for the night? I'll take her home tomorrow. I have to speak with Kun.”

Before Yeri could even protest, Joohyun was already gone, leaving her with Jimin who started to laugh uncontrollably. Yeri sighed and surrendered to her fate. She locked the door and stared blankly at Jimin who was on the floor, just laughing and crying at the same time while mumbling the same thing over and over again.

Something about a ‘Minjeong’. Yeri wasn't sure since Jimin started to spew out incoherent things.

Meanwhile, Joohyun arrived at the parking lot and saw Kun smoking while sitting on a car's hood.

“Have you calmed down? You almost killed Jeno.” Joohyun said and sat beside Kun. She took the cigarette resting between his lips and smoked it herself.

“Why did you put her in that situation?” Kun asked.

Joohyun blew out smoke and smiled. “She wants to be stronger, and what's better than putting someone in a life and death situation? Well, in her case, it wasn't really like that. But you get my point.”

After a few moments, Joohyun asked for another cigarette, which Kun obediently prepared for her.

“Look at her, she looks stronger, right?”

“Jimin looks shaken up. What you did will turn out in the opposite direction of what you wanted to happen.” Kun said and clenched his fists. He couldn't do anything, not against Joohyun, at least.

“That's up to her. If she wakes up tomorrow, screaming and losing her mind, then I was wrong about her. But if she gets up with a stronger mind and body, then it's all good. Whatever it is, it's all up to Jimin.”

“I'm hoping it's the latter, though. I didn't lie when I said she has potential.” Joohyun added.

Kun pursed his lips and averted his gaze from Joohyun. “Are you sure it's the reason why you brought her here?”

His question made Joohyun raise an eyebrow. She threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it. “What are you trying to say?”

“Aren't you just using her? Did Jimin amused you so much that you wanted to play with her life? Potential? That was just an excuse—”

Kun's eyes widened when he felt a sharp sting on his cheek. The sound of Joohyun's hand hitting Kun echoed in the parking lot.

“I never do things just for the fun of it. I don't appreciate you questioning my decision. You don't know the half of it, Kun. It's better if you stop seeing her as your sister, because she's not. Your sister is dead. Get that shit in your head.”

“Jimin doesn't remind me of my sister.” Kun said softly. It intrigued Joohyun, because all along it was what she thought of Kun's attraction to Jimin.

“Then what? You like her, is that it? Did your short time with her cause you to fall in love with her? Did her innocent and kind nature worm its way into your heart?”

“No.” Kun gulped and braved himself to look directly at Joohyun's eyes.

“Jimin doesn't remind me of my sister. She reminds me of myself.”

Joohyun was taken aback at the revelation but she kept listening.

“Innocence, kindness… sure, she has those. But whenever I look at her, I just see myself. There's hatred deep within her that she is suppressing, it's too much that it's unbearable to look at. It's… terrifying.”

Joohyun hummed and crossed her arms. “Probably her hatred towards that boy who hurts the girl she likes. Kids these days have such burning passion—”

“No, it's not that.” Kun cut her off. “It's something more, like it has been there for a long time.”

An uncomfortable silence enveloped them. Joohyun and Kun were just looking at each other. Kun was the first to avert his gaze, and he continued what he wanted to say.

“If you keep her here, that hatred will explode one day. It will break her. Let her go, Irene.”

“This is what she wants, Kun. Jimin had a choice to refuse my offer, she had a choice not to beat up that boy, you can't say she's doing all these against her will. I can't let her go, no. Trust me when I say it's better if she stays here, under me.”

Kun wanted to say more, but Joohyun was already done and was about to head inside. But then, Joohyun turned around again and looked sternly at Kun.

“What Jimin did to Jinho will stay between us. If you really care about her, you'll keep your mouth shut. Jimin will not stop, that I'm sure of. So do your best to cover it up when it happens again. That much you can do. But changing my mind? No. So stay in your lane.”

“Jimin won't grow if you keep coddling her.” Joohyun added before finally heading inside. Kun was left alone with his thoughts. He then lit up another cigarette to accompany him through the night.

Joohyun checked on Jimin in Yeri's room. There she was, sprawled on the floor and had already passed out. Leaving Yeri with further instructions on what to do with Jimin, she went back to where Seulgi was waiting for her.

Seulgi had already fallen asleep on the couch. Joohyun smiled and sat beside her, and laid her head on Seulgi's chest. The latter stirred up, and her hand automatically caressed Joohyun's hair.

Jimin filled Joohyun's mind. She had no choice. The moment Jimin's fist landed on Jinho's face was the moment she took a step in a world she had no way of running away from. There's no turning back for Jimin, for all of them. Not even for Joohyun who decided to step in. So, Joohyun just had to see through it, and hope for the best.

Or at least, for a less chaotic outcome.

There's no turning back.

The only way to go is forward.

Chapter Text

Mrs. Jang just came back from buying ingredients for their dinner. It was getting colder as autumn approached, so she wanted to head inside in the warmth of their apartment as soon as possible. Careful as she carried a big paper bag in her arms, she suddenly regretted not waiting for Wonyoung to come home first to help her carry things.

But she managed anyway and successfully arrived on their floor. In her mind, though, she cursed at their building for not having an elevator.

“Yu Jimin? Yu Jimin! Is anyone home?”

Mrs. Jang furrowed her eyebrows upon seeing a man standing in front of Jimin's apartment.

“May I help you?” Mrs. Jang asked.

The man turned around and bowed his head slightly. “I'm Yu Jimin's teacher and I was sent here to check in on her. She hasn't been to school for days. Do you live here? What happened to her?”

The paper bag was slowly tilting to the side, and Mrs. Jang was having a hard time balancing it and she wished to enter their apartment so she could at least put it down first. The man noticed and helped her, then accompanied her to her apartment which Mrs. Jang was thankful for.

“How are you related to Jimin?” The man asked.

“We've been looking after her for some time now. You mentioned she hasn't been to school lately?” Mrs. Jang asked with a worried expression.

The man sat down on the couch and accepted the coffee Mrs. Jang prepared for him. He took a sip first and hummed in satisfaction at the taste before putting it down.

“We tried to reach her, even asked her classmates but we couldn't figure out what happened to her. Honestly, Jimin has been skipping classes lately, or sometimes just sleeping. She seemed out of it, and other teachers noticed it too. Finals are coming soon, and I'm afraid Jimin will fail and lose her scholarship if this goes on.” The man explained and sighed.

“Jimin wouldn't be able to graduate and it's such a shame because she's really a smart kid.” He added.

Mrs. Jang pursed her lips. It was unlike Jimin to behave like that because she's known as someone who is diligent and disciplined. There was no reason for Jimin to risk her scholarship, her future, unless…

“Ma?” Wonyoung arrived and looked around with curiosity. There was a pair of shoes at the foyer she didn't recognize so she thought someone came over.

“Oh, hello.” Wonyoung greeted the man politely. She then gave her mother a look, a silent sign for some answers.

“Dear, this is Jimin's teacher. He said Jimin hasn't been to school lately. Do you know what happened to her? Didn't you go to her school last week?”

Wonyoung pursed her lips, then sat beside her mother after putting her bag down. “That was the last time I saw Jimin, she had a fever then. But I was told she had already recovered.”

They sat in silence, lost and confused. The same thought went through their head, they couldn't think of any reason for Jimin to be like that. Although deep down, Wonyoung and Mrs. Jang suspected one thing, but they still couldn't be sure of it.

Jimin's teacher then gave them his calling card and explained what would happen to Jimin then if she wouldn't still be in school next week before he left. Apparently, the school gave Jimin the benefit of the doubt given her good performance and high grades, and she was given time to attend school to explain things. Of course, if she wouldn't be able to provide a reasonable excuse for her absence, there would be nothing they could do for her.

Just a few weeks left before their final exams, Jimin was running out of time.

When they were finally alone in the living room, Wonyoung turned to her mother with a worried expression.

“Do you think Jimin remembered?”

Mrs. Jang closed her eyes, and bitter memories came flooding her mind. The screams, the loud crashes, and the cries of a poor, helpless girl who didn't know what else to do. She remembered shielding that girl in her arms, hoping her embrace was enough to temporarily soothe her breaking heart, but she knew too well it wasn't enough.

She felt as helpless as the little girl. Regret filled her chest once again, she should've done something more.

“Ma?” Wonyoung tapped her mother's lap repeatedly, and Mrs. Jang finally snapped out of her thoughts.

“I'm not sure, dear. Why don't you change so we can check up on her?” She said and sighed when Wonyoung left to go to her room. Why now of all times? Mrs. Jang thought.

Mrs. Jang knew they all agreed to talk to Jimin after she graduated. It was her husband's idea, and even though she disagreed at first, she ended up going with that plan in the end. Wonyoung felt the same as her, but couldn't do anything against it anyway. She was just as lost as her parents.

Plus, Wonyoung was too devastated to actually do something, so she stayed back and waited.

To hide.

Lie to herself that everything was fine.

It deeply troubled and worried Mrs. Jang when they learned how Jimin has been acting lately.

I should've checked on her regularly. Came Mrs. Jang's regretful thoughts.

When Wonyoung was done changing, they headed out to check on Jimin. But they stopped on their way when they saw two women standing in front of Jimin's apartment, and were wearing the same uniform as Jimin's.

Wonyoung tilted her head to the side. The one with the pink hair was familiar, she thought she saw her when she went to Jimin's school last time. It was hard not to notice that pink hair that was like a bright crayon thrown in a clutter of dull, inkless pens. The other one had light, brown hair, and Wonyoung just realized how their school even allowed those hairs and not get suspended. Maybe expelled, she wasn't sure how strict their school was.

“Hey, nerd! I said open up! I'm already busy and you have the nerve to pile up on my problems?! You made Yizhuo cry!”

“Babe, what if we kick the door open? I wanna see my puppy now.”

Aeri and Yizhuo, two unexpected visitors.

Wonyoung came rushing when they started to actually kick the door and she pushed them to shield it with her body.

“Who the fuck are you?” Aeri asked as she glared down at Wonyoung.

“Hey, now. Don't treat my daughter like that.” Mrs. Jang stepped in to protect her daughter. However, Aeri wasn't deterred one bit and stood tall before them.

“Get out of my way, or I'll kick you down with that door. I have business with the idiot who lives here.” Aeri threatened but neither Wonyoung nor Mrs. Jang backed away.

Wonyoung stepped forward, and challenged Aeri despite her shaking hands. Clenching them to hide her nervousness, she stared at Aeri directly in her eyes and gulped when Aeri stared with such a terrifying gaze that was enough to make her fall on her knees, but Wonyoung braved herself not to give in.

For Jimin.

“Are you going to hurt Jimin? Are you the reason she hasn't been to school?” Wonyoung asked and yelped with her eyes closed when Aeri pushed her against the door, and slammed her hand beside her head.

“You dare accuse me? You're starting to piss me off. Do you want me to beat the shit out of you along with that bitch?”

And of course, seeing how her daughter was being treated and threatened like that, Mrs. Jang just couldn't stand still doing nothing. However, a step forward to protect her daughter was blocked by Yizhuo. It was getting chaotic, but despite the commotion, Jimin wasn't still coming out of her apartment. Not even a noise inside was heard, not even an unsure fumbling on the doorknob. Maybe a little peak from the window, but nothing came at all.

Worried that they may start to gather their neighbors’ attention, Mrs. Jang knew she had to do something about the situation. But she felt lost, she didn't want anyone to get hurt. Luckily for them, Mr. Jang came to their rescue.

“I'd appreciate it if you get your hands off my daughter.”

Mr. Jang's calm but firm voice almost made Aeri drop her hand. It didn't hold any threat, nor danger, but Aeri and Yizhuo couldn't quite put it in words how he was able to emit a dangerous aura that even their stubborn nature was shaken by it.

That tone, Wonyoung and Mrs. Jang knew it too well. Mr. Jang never raised his voice, never hit them, and definitely not once in their lives that they saw him lose his control. But when he sounded that calm, they knew that he wasn't playing around with anything or anyone at all.

“If there's any problem, we can talk about it. For now, let go of my daughter.”

Aeri didn't know why she obeyed him, all she knew was she was already lowering her hand and backing away from Wonyoung. Even Yizhuo stepped back and stood behind Aeri for protection, even if she knew herself that she didn't need it.

“Thank you.” Mr. Jang smiled and gave Wonyoung a brief hug. It was soothing, so calming that Wonyoung forgot she was pissed off at Aeri and Yizhuo. Then, without any care around him, Mr. Jang gave his wife a soft kiss on her forehead.

Aeri rolled her eyes and grabbed Yizhuo's wrist. They left without saying anything, and that made Mrs. Jang breathed a sigh of relief.

“I'm glad you came, dear. I didn't know what to do.” Mrs. Jang said. She then explained the current situation with Jimin, which he quickly assured that he would handle it.

Worried about Jimin's safety, Mr. Jang asked the landlord for a key to Jimin's apartment. Wonyoung and Mrs. Jang watched with bated breaths as he twisted the doorknob and gently pushed the door to take a peek. But it was stuck, something was blocking the doorway. Mr. Jang tried again, listened to the sound of it carefully, and concluded that a hard object was placed at the back of the door to keep it from being opened.

It was heavy, and even though Mr. Jang could force his way, he was worried that he might startle or hurt Jimin in the process. But there was already a gap in the door, that was enough for him.

“Jimin? It's me. Please say something. Or just make a sound if you're okay.” Mr. Jang said. A few minutes passed, but they received no response at all. Not even a slight noise or a sign of any movement. But the blocked door gave them a small relief because it meant that Jimin was inside.

They only need a sign that she was at least doing well.

“Did she remember?” Mr. Jang asked. They shook their heads because they weren't sure just yet. There was a chance, but they hope it wasn't the case.

At least not yet, at least they were hoping Jimin would graduate first. College could wait anytime.

“Jimin-ah, you don't have to talk if you don't want to. Just make a sound, please?” It was Mrs. Jang's turn to persuade Jimin. But she was met with silence. Then, Wonyoung stepped in to help.

“I'll wait here until I hear Jimin. Can you make an extra portion for her dinner?” Wonyoung said. Her parents nodded and gave one last worried glance at the door before leaving their daughter to take care of Jimin. Wonyoung took her phone out and turned on the flashlight to see what little gap on the door could show her. It seemed there was a small table blocking it, probably a bedside table if her guess was correct.

Now, Wonyoung wasn't sure if Jimin was near the door or further inside, maybe in her room cooped up. She tried to peek at the window, but a curtain was blocking it and left not even a little spot to see what's going on inside. To make it worse, not a single light was on making it too hard to make up anything.

“Jimin? It's me, Wonyoung.”

Wonyoung felt silly talking to the gap on the door, her lips were almost touching the wood but even so, she didn't mind at all. She kept trying, saying anything, and sometimes she would press her ear to listen to any response from Jimin. But still, there was only silence. Wonyoung even went as far as sticking her nose to the gap like a dog tracking a scent.

With a sigh, Wonyoung sat on the floor and leaned against the door. Her mother would surely scold her for sitting on the dirty floor, and could already hear her ranting about how hard it is to remove stains from her clothes. Especially when Wonyoung was wearing a light blue short, her mother would be spitting out fire nonstop. The thought made her chuckle, and surprisingly eased her nerves.

It's gonna be okay. Wonyoung kept repeating in her head.

Minutes passed but she could still hear nothing from Jimin. But she didn't want to give up. Every few minutes, she would talk at the gap on the door just saying anything, even what happened at school that day or the squirrel she saw on the way home.

And then, Wonyoung jumped a little when she heard a noise. She strained her ear thinking that maybe she was just imagining things at that point out of desperation, so she listened closely.

There it was again, a soft thud like something was thrown.

“Jimin? Was that you? Can you do it again if you're okay?”

There was a bit of silence after that, and when a loud thud on the door was heard, Wonyoung almost screamed in surprise. It looked like Jimin threw something at the door. The instant relief Wonyoung felt almost made her tear up.

“Okay, uh… see, Ma is cooking dinner right now and I'll bring some here later. It's okay if you don't want to go out, I'll just leave it here in front or hang it on the doorknob. Make another sound if that's okay, then I'll leave to see if Ma's done cooking.”

The only thing that Wonyoung got was silence, and Jimin stopped making noises. But at least, she got a response no matter how little it was. After leaving more reminders and assurance that her family will be there for Jimin, Wonyoung left to get some food for her. Her parents were relieved to hear that Jimin responded and prepared food and water for her. In the end, Wonyoung had to take two paper bags full of food cooked by her mother and all sorts of snacks from her father.

Wonyoung added some magazines she had too in case Jimin got bored.

Wonyoung smiled in relief when she saw the door was shut tight again. She knocked a few times and let Jimin know that she was leaving the paper bag in front of her door. Wonyoung kept checking every hour to see if Jimin took the paper bags, even sneaking out past midnight just to see if it had been moved. To make sure, Wonyoung tipped toed and went as far as going barefoot so she wouldn't alarm Jimin.

When she was close to Jimin's apartment, she heard scraping noises inside like a table or chair was being moved. Panicking, she ran and almost tripped and hid near the staircase.

The door opened and Wonyoung watched with bated breath. A head popped out from the door and looked down at the paper bag. There's no mistaking it, that was Jimin.

But when Jimin went back inside without taking the paper bag, Wonyoung's shoulders fell. While walking towards Jimin's apartment with quiet and careful steps, she heard the same scraping noises and a soft thud against the door.

Jimin put the barriers back without taking anything from the paper bag. And it seemed like she was putting more based on the noises inside.

Questions swirled in Wonyoung's mind. Why did Jimin lock herself up? Why hasn't she been going to school? Knowing Jimin, she would never neglect her studies. Jimin had a big dream, after all.

Wonyoung knew it too well.

Resting her forehead against the door, Wonyoung sighed and whispered, her voice tinged with worry and it sounded broken.

“Jiminie, are you back?” Wonyoung asked and almost hoped for an answer she'd been wanting to hear. She knew it was selfish of her given the situation, but she's only human who yearned to be seen by the person she liked for a long time.

As expected, there was no response anymore. Wonyoung gave up and headed home, but not without giving a few glances back hoping she could see Jimin peeking from the door again.

Another hopeless wish. Wonyoung couldn't help it.

On Wonyoung's way to school the morning after, she saw the paper bags were untouched. It dampened her spirits that she couldn't concentrate at school at all. During lunch, she suddenly thought of something and finished her food as fast as she could. Her things almost fell from her bag with how frantically she was rummaging and taking out things from it.

Then, Wonyoung started writing on a paper, her eyebrows furrowed and tongue slightly peeking from her lips with how concentrated she was. She was doing great, words naturally flowed through her ink. Writing her thoughts and feelings was easier for Wonyoung compared to when she said it out loud.

She would always stutter, and mostly say some stupid things and embarrass herself. Especially when it comes to Jimin.

“Oh? Are you writing a love letter?”

Wonyoung yelped and almost hit her friend with the pen because of how startled she was. She was too engrossed in writing that she didn't notice that someone was already sneaking at her back.

“Yujin! Don't do that again! I almost stabbed you!” Wonyoung whined and playfully tugged Yujin's necktie.

“Hey, I called your name three times but it’s like you left your ears at home. So? Is that a love letter?” 

Wonyoung hid the paper with her arms and glared at Yujin. “It's not!”

“Then why are you blushing? Your face looks like it's gonna explode any second now.” Yujin said with a teasing smirk.

“I said it's not!”

“It's a scented paper too. You're going all out, huh.”

Wonyoung's nose flared and she chased Yujin around the classroom with the very same pen, but now, she had all the intentions to stab her. Yujin kept laughing as they circled around the classroom and her eyes widened when Wonyoung snapped and lifted a table over her head.

“Whoa! Okay! I'm sorry! Put that down!” Yujin raised her hands in surrender. Their classmates didn't pay attention to them at all since they were used to it. Wonyoung and Yujin quarreling was an everyday scene for them.

They weren't surprised at Wonyoung's incredible strength either. Knowing that Wonyoung worked out with her father, it was normal to see her lifting things so casually.

Wonyoung put the table down and organized the rest before going back to her own table. The paper she was writing with was crumpled a little and upon seeing it, she glared at Yujin again.

“I'm sorry, okay? What are you writing?” Yujin asked and sat on a chair beside Wonyoung.

“My friend is not feeling well so I'm writing a letter to comfort her. That's just it. Her phone's broken and it's not like I have her number anyway.” Wonyoung explained and continued writing, but she was hiding the paper with her arm so Yujin wouldn't be able to read it.

“You can't just talk to her personally?”

“She won't come out.”

Yujin hummed and rested her chin on her palm. “Is that friend the ‘Jimin’ you're always talking about?”

The pen Wonyoung was holding hovered over the unfinished word she was writing. A brief pause, then she nodded and continued writing in silence. Yujin watched Wonyoung, silently observing and thinking.

“Is she really that special?” Yujin asked, and her tone suddenly became serious. Wonyoung stopped writing and stared at the paper. There, Yujin saw a smile slowly forming on Wonyoung's face, and she had to look away because she couldn't bear to see it.

See Wonyoung smile for someone else.

“Yes.” Wonyoung answered with such honesty that prickled Yujin's heart. Silence enveloped them, with only their classmates' chatter filled their surroundings and the sound of the pen staining the paper with words filled with emotions. Yujin looked at Wonyoung again and watched her until she was finished writing.

Yujin wished Wonyoung would smile at her that way too.

But she didn't say anything, didn't expect much, and she just watched Wonyoung finish writing. Stole glances from time to time during classes, and she could tell that Wonyoung couldn't wait for classes to end so she could head home as soon as possible.

To give that letter to Jimin.

Yujin was left watching Wonyoung running to the school gate like she was in a marathon. She couldn't help but smile and shake her head. Maybe someday, she thought.

Meanwhile, Wonyoung was grateful that her father always took her with him to workout, because that way, she could run as fast as she could and for a long time without getting too tired easily. In a record time, she reached their apartment building and took two steps up the stairs at a time to fasten her pace a bit more. 

Wonyoung couldn't wait to slip the letter under Jimin's door. It wasn't a love letter, really. Wonyoung just wrote how worried they are for her and assured Jimin that they would always be there to support and help her. She added some things on the letter, things that she couldn't say out loud to Jimin. She wasn't exactly proud of the letter since it had a lot of erasures too and she regretted not rewriting it at all. Wonyoung was too fired up writing the letter, and was way too excited to give it to Jimin.

When she reached their floor, she paused to take a deep breath first. Wonyoung didn't want to appear like a mad dog was chasing her in case Jimin felt like opening the door and showing herself. But when Wonyoung raised her head, she saw a woman standing in front of Jimin's apartment. The woman was carrying two bags and about four paper bags. She was impressed by how that little body could hold so much like it was nothing.

Wonyoung recognized the woman.

Kim Minjeong.

“Jimin? Is anyone home?” Minjeong asked while softly knocking on the door. Wonyoung wanted to approach her, wanted to explain Jimin's situation, but her body wouldn't listen to her and it felt like her feet were glued to the floor.

All her excitement died down, and she gripped the folded letter on her hand tightly. The letter that she was carrying all along while running, while riding the bus, and all the way up the stairs.

Wonyoung felt like dropping the letter, just like how her heart dropped when the door opened and Minjeong was pulled inside.

Jimin didn't open the door to anyone. She did it only for Minjeong.

Without hesitation at all.

When the door closed, Wonyoung noticed the paper bags hanging on the doorknob were gone. They were probably taken inside by Jimin or Minjeong. Then, when the door shut tight, the letter on Wonyoung's hand slipped and fell on the floor.

Wonyoung did her best to stay positive. At least, Jimin let someone inside and could check on her.

Your feelings don't matter now. What's important is Jimin's well-being. Wonyoung reminded herself over and over again. But her feet still wouldn't move even just an inch, and she lost track of time on how long she was standing there.

How many days has it been? Jimin lost her sense of time.

After the incident with the police, and her exposure to Joohyun's true identity, Jimin didn't know what to think anymore. It was like her brain stopped working altogether and she was like an empty husk wandering around her apartment.

Joohyun revealed that she set Jimin up so the police could catch her and see if she could escape. Joohyun claimed that it was just a small test to see how far she could go, and how she would progress both mind and body.

Like a shortcut, to shock her and awaken her potential. But it looked like Jimin was failing the test, because she wasn't able to process everything and was left in shock.

Apparently, Joohyun led an organization with Seulgi. A group that handles and sells illegal drugs and weapons and masked their operation under a shipping company. Jimin realized that the package she was personally delivering to people were drugs and weapons.

Jimin had nowhere else to run. No one else to save her but herself. Jimin's studies would end and her dream of a better life would shatter if she went against Joohyun. Worse, she would be killed.

It wasn't an exaggeration, it wasn't her overthinking things, that fact was made clear to her by Seulgi.

What have I gotten myself into?

What am I doing?

What was my goal again?

Joohyun assured her that she would be safe if she would just stay with them and do whatever they asked her to do. Jimin could continue studying, she was even given a choice to choose any university she wanted after she graduated high school.

They would fully fund her studies but they claimed it as an investment.

According to them, having a student in their group was extremely useful. Joohyun also pointed out Jimin's physical potential they could use as an advantage. Whatever she meant by that, Jimin didn't bother to know.

The latter was the best option. She could still study and keep her plans to protect Minjeong. Although she was warned once by Joohyun to keep that plan to herself and move in secrecy, the choices were clear, the better thing to do was staring right in her face. But why was it so hard to make up her mind?

It was like Jimin's mind was clouded with doubts and fear.

Uncertainty.

Questions filled her mind.

Am I doing the right thing?

Did I make the right choice?

The image of the people she hurt flashed in her mind. The man she hit with a bottle in the head, the police she stabbed in his eye with her glasses, and Jinho.

Jinho who she beat up, who she almost killed.

Did I do the right thing?

You should've killed him.

You should've killed him.

It would've been over then.

Jimin's mind started to echo words that weren't her own. It was like there were shadows looming around her, each with different voices and talking over each other. It was deafening that Jimin couldn't think for herself anymore.

Darkness, the voices, those shadows who seemed to wear different expressions.

Some were jeering at her, some looked down as if disappointed with her. It was confusing, overwhelming, and Jimin felt like her mind was going to explode.

Whispers, shouts. It was getting louder and louder that even if she covered her ears, the voices still got inside her head.

What's happening?

What was I doing again?

What was it that I was supposed to do?

The voices were getting louder and louder, each overlapping with another. Jimin couldn't understand anything anymore, and the shadows were closing in that it almost blinded her. The room was getting smaller, it was suffocating, and terrifying.

Don't go out.

You're safe here.

You don't have to do anything.

Rest, Jimin.

Jimin didn't know what to think anymore, she didn't know what to do. So she succumbed to the voices and followed what they were saying.

She blocked the door with the bedside table she dragged from her room. Then, she followed it with chairs from the kitchen and the coffee table from the living room. That was enough, she barricaded the door and she was safe. No one could reach her anymore.

Not even her own thoughts.

“I did enough. I did well…” Jimin muttered under her breath as she retreated to the safety of her room. It felt like time was just floating. No direction at all, it felt like it was going forward and backward.

Jimin kept sleeping, and would eat whatever was left in their fridge despite some exceeding their expiry date. She drank straight from the faucet, and wasn't bothered by the stomachache.

Every inch of her body was becoming numb, even her mind did.

Then all of a sudden, she heard knocks from the door. Jimin stiffened and picked up the first thing her eyes landed upon.

A knife.

“I'm safe here.”

Who was outside? Who was calling her name?

Jimin paused. Was it her name they were calling?

Voices followed, they sounded familiar but Jimin couldn't be sure. It went on for hours, Jimin wasn't sure how long. She couldn't understand what they were saying, or if they were saying anything at all.

“Go away…” Jimin picked up the remote control and threw it against the door. The voice was still there, so she picked up a picture frame and threw it too. The voice kept going until it was suddenly gone. Curiosity got the better of her and she moved the barriers she put to take a peek outside.

No, it was to make sure she was safe.

There were paper bags on the floor and Jimin’ eyes widened.

Did Joohyun drop by? Was she being asked to deliver packages again? Jimin shut the door as fast as she could and put back the barriers, even adding some for extra measures.

What am I doing?

Time passed again with Jimin mostly standing in the middle of the living room. Her eyes fixated on nothing and her ears were filled with voices again. Jimin gave in and listened to them until it became her comfort.

Jimin didn't want to listen to anything else anymore.

But there it was again, the voice outside her safe zone. Although at that time, it sounded familiar.

The voice was luring her, pulling her from the voices inside her head. The shadows were trying their best to block her, but the light emitting outside was shining brighter that she felt her feet moving on its own towards the door.

“Jimin?”

That familiar voice. A sound so gentle and  soothing that it lulled her heart in such a comforting manner.

“Jimin?”

Yes, that's me. Jimin kept taking small steps forward until she reached the end of the barriers. The voice kept going, kept calling her name paired with the soft knocks on the door. It didn't feel threatening, it didn't feel rushed. Instead, it patiently waited and felt like each knock was waking Jimin's mind.

“Jimin? Is anyone home?”

Wait, that voice.

Jimin was moving without thinking much at all. She just knew she had to remove the barriers, she needed to open the door. The shadows yelled at her and the voices inside her head tried to pull her back, but Jimin didn't listen. Jimin didn't stop.

“Minjeong… Minjeong…”

Minjeong.

Jimin opened the door fully, and it revealed Minjeong with a worried expression. Minjeong's face lit up and smiled brightly at Jimin.

“I'm so glad to see you! Are you okay? Are you sick? Have you eaten? I brought some—”

Minjeong bombered Jimin with questions, but for some reason, Jimin didn't mind. She kept listening and eventually pulled Minjeong inside.

It felt like the right thing to do.

No. Jimin knew it was the right thing to do.

“Are your parents home? Your father…” Minjeong trailed, unsure at how she should address that matter. Jimin opened her mouth to answer, but her throat was parched and it felt like it would hurt to speak. But she still did.

“My father isn't coming back.” Jimin said with her voice so hoarse that even she couldn't recognize it. It felt like she had forgotten her own voice, but never forgotten Minjeong's.

“I see. How about your mother?” Minjeong asked again. Right then, Jimin's answer came automatically.

“In her room, resting.”

When was the last time she spoke a word? Jimin couldn't remember.

Minjeong nodded and looked around, but there was no judgement in her eyes. Instead, she felt worried and wanted to ask more questions, but decided not to.

“I'm sorry for showing up like this. I asked the faculty for your address because I was so worried. And here,” Minjeong showed Jimin a paper bag while smiling proudly.

“Your classmates were kind enough to lend me their notes. I copied it so you can catch up. I also bought some food, medicine and…”

Minjeong kept talking and Jimin stopped listening to the words coming out of her lips, but instead focused on her voice. It was so soothing, it sounded angelic and so bright that the shadows around her dissipated. The voices inside her head retreated and then, it was all Minjeong she could hear.

It was only Minjeong she could see.

Jimin was already making a move while Minjeong was still talking until she stopped. Minjeong stiffened and dropped a paper bag on the floor, but when she realized what was happening, she immediately relaxed and smiled in relief.

Jimin wrapped Minjeong in her arms while resting her head on Minjeong's shoulder.

“There, there.” Minjeong smoothed out Jimin's hair while giving her gentle pats on the head. She wasn't sure what was troubling Jimin, but she was sure it was weighing on Jimin's heart by how her shoulder was getting dampened by Jimin's tears.

Jimin's cries were silent, but Minjeong could feel the pain it carried.

The safety that Minjeong made Jimin feel caused her legs to give out, and she slowly slid from Minjeong's hold. Minjeong carefully put Jimin on the floor and she had the chance to scan Jimin's body.

Minjeong gasped when she noticed the bruises and wounds all over her body.

“Jimin is this why you were—I think I brought some first-aid kit. Stay still, okay? I'll take care of it.” Minjeong said and rummaged through her bag while Jimin just watched. Then, a question popped in her mind.

Why was it Minjeong who kept saving her?

It should be the other way around.

What am I doing?

“Okay, uhm… I think we should wash it first. No, eat something first, can you do that? Then maybe you can shower after. I'm not saying that you—uhm, I just…” Minjeong stuttered and felt bad about what she was saying. But it was for Jimin's sake so she sucked it up.

“I'll prepare food so you can eat. Then take a shower, hmm? It will make you feel better. Please do it so I can also treat your wounds, some have reopened already and it might get infected.”

However, Jimin didn't mind and just kept nodding. She ate on the floor since the chairs in the kitchen were still in the foyer, along with the coffee table from the living room. Minjeong wasn't bothered by it and sat on the floor beside Jimin.

While Jimin was taking a shower, Minjeong removed her blazer and rolled up her sleeves. First, she put back what Jimin used as barriers to their respective places except for the bedside table since she didn't want to enter Jimin's room without permission. Minjeong then cleaned up what she could while waiting for Jimin.

There, the apartment looked better. Minjeong wiped the sweat with a hand towel she brought and sat on the couch. When Jimin was done, Minjeong chuckled because her hair was dripping all over the floor.

“Sit here.” Minjeong tapped on the spot beside her, and Jimin did. She dried Jimin's hair properly with careful and gentle movements. Jimin felt like dozing off with how light and comforting Minjeong's touch was and she wondered when was the last time she slept properly.

Did I sleep at all? Jimin wondered but she couldn't remember much about what happened for the past few days.

“There you go. You are full, fresh, and wounds treated. See, you're feeling better, right?”

Jimin nodded and kept her gaze on her lap. Slowly, her eyes were drooping and she really wanted to sleep. But at the same time, she wanted to stay awake because of Minjeong. Jimin needed to make sure that Minjeong was real.

Minjeong kept asking about things, but her questions never made Jimin be in a tight spot. Questions that Minjeong didn't mind if they were left mostly unanswered, or those she only received a nod from Jimin as a response. Minjeong's voice grounded Jimin, and in that moment, it was all she needed.

Minjeong kept talking, just telling stories from the past few days that Jimin couldn't register what it was about because she was just focused on the way Minjeong's lips move and form a smile. Her voice too, that angelic laugh, and the way she moved her hands while talking was so comforting that Minjeong was all she could see.

The room felt brighter, the safe space made her breathe.

Then, Jimin remembered what she should do.

Protect that smile. Protect Minjeong.

But before Jimin could continue doing that, she had to do something first. The most important thing she had been ignoring.

Jimin needed to admit to herself that she was scared, lost, and was uncertain of everything including her decisions and actions. She needed to admit to herself that she was still weak and needed help, and if she didn't do so, then she wouldn't be able to take a step forward.

Jimin needed to face her weaknesses to become stronger.

What's been done is done. There's no going back, there's no changing it. The only way is forward.

Jimin needed to adapt to the changes in her life. She had to accept it, all of it. Accept that her life had changed, accept that she had changed.

Jimin couldn't become stronger if she didn't recognize her weaknesses.

There's no turning back. Joohyun and Kun's voices echoed in her mind.

Keep moving forward.

Walk, run, crawl, didn't matter how.

Just keep taking a step forward.

There was also one thing that Jimin realized, something that she was naively rejecting and putting at the back of her mind.

Jimin can't choose everything, she can't have it all.

Go to school, tend to her mother, protect Minjeong, do part-time jobs, obey Joohyun.

Jimin can't do it all.

“Are you sleepy?” Minjeong asked with a soft chuckle. Jimin blinked slowly, and as if she was under a spell, she nodded and let Minjeong hold her hand. She was then taken to her room, and Minjeong asked permission if she could enter first.

Of course you can. You can go wherever you want. Do whatever you do. If you want my life, then you can have it too.

Jimin wanted to say all that, but she didn't.

“It looks like you haven't been sleeping well. Let's see, I'll change your bedsheet first then I'll put back your bedside table. Will that be okay? I'll do it as fast as possible so you can sleep right away.”

I should be the one taking care of you. I should be the one protecting you.

Jimin sat on the floor while she watched Minjeong move around her room.

It's okay. Jimin reminded herself.

“There you go. Now you can sleep well.” Minjeong said and Jimin noticed how sweaty she had become. Her apartment being organized and cleaned reminded her that Minjeong worked hard just to make her feel better.

I'll do the same. I'll make sure you'll be free from Jinho.

That's right. Jimin thought. It was the right thing to do, and she should always remind herself that.

That was her purpose.

Just give me a little more time, Minjeong. Just a little more and I'll come for you.

“I'll stay until you've fallen asleep. I can't stay long because…” Minjeong smiled cheekily while scratching her head.

“I kind of snuck away from my driver. I bet he's looking for me.” Minjeong said then she laughed at herself.

And there it was, Minjeong's face lit up when she noticed a small smile forming on Jimin's face.

“You finally smiled.” Minjeong pointed out and helped Jimin stand up so she could move to her bed.

“Maybe I should sneak out more often.” Minjeong added it as a joke, and it made Jimin's smile wider.

“Alright, then. You can go to sleep. I'll let the school know that you're sick. I can be pretty convincing, you know? You're gonna be fine.”

I'm going to be fine. Jimin repeated in her head.

Jimin was still stubborn though and fought back her drowsiness because she wanted to keep staring at Minjeong. But Minjeong's presence was so calming that she couldn't help but be lulled to sleep. Jimin felt safe around Minjeong, and she wished she could make Minjeong feel that way too.

Sleep claimed Jimin, and Minjeong draped a blanket over her. Then, Minjeong took out a notepad from her bag and wrote a message for Jimin to read when she woke up before she left the room.

“What else can I do?” Minjeong hummed while going around the apartment and scanning the place. She cleaned most of the clutters and swept the floor. Minjeong also washed the dishes and threw out the trash. Remembering the paper bags she was carrying, she picked them up from the living room and headed to the kitchen to fill up the fridge and throw away the expired milk and food inside.

“I hope these are enough. I'll come back to check again.” Minjeong mumbled while organizing her bags. Then, her eyes landed on the door that Jimin pointed earlier.

Jimin's mom's room.

Minjeong didn't hear Jimin's mother come out and she wondered if she had eaten at all. It was getting late and she got worried since Jimin mentioned that her mother wasn't feeling well. So Minjeong went back to the kitchen to prepare a quick meal and put those in a food tray she saw.

Minjeong put down the tray on the floor and knocked on the room, just softly in case she would disturb Jimin's mom's sleep.

“Mrs. Yu? Ma'am? Are you awake? I'm Minjeong, Jimin's friend. I was wondering if you've—” Minjeong stopped when she noticed that the door was slightly open. 

Just a little peek, I just want to make sure her mom is okay.

Minjeong pushed the door a little, careful not to startle Jimin's mother. There was a light inside, a lamp on the bedside table that illuminated the room. There, she saw a silhouette on the bed and she squinted her eyes to make sure she was seeing things right.

Minjeong even rubbed her eyes for good measure. But it didn't change, it stayed the same. It took her a few minutes to process things, thoughts swirled in her mind that when she put things together, Minjeong clamped her hands on her mouth.

What Minjeong saw shocked her to the core and she was left speechless. It took her some time before she recovered from the shock and with shaking hands, she closed the door with bated breath.

Minjeong's gaze then went to Jimin's bedroom. Taking slow and hesitant steps forward, Minjeong was back in front of Jimin's bedroom and rested her forehead on the door.

She wanted to go inside, wake Jimin up and ask for an explanation. But Minjeong didn't, she held back as her hand remained frozen on the doorknob. It wasn't the right time to ask Jimin such questions, Minjeong knew it too well.

Maybe, someday, Jimin would open up about it. And maybe, Minjeong wished, Jimin would trust her with the truth and she swore she would face it with her. Minjeong would make sure she would be there for Jimin when the time came.

Minjeong took deep breaths before she let go of the doorknob. Her priority was to let Jimin rest and recover and eventually return to school. So she packed up her bags and left the apartment after making sure she locked it. Minjeong then called her driver and asked to pick her up, and she wasn't listening one bit as her driver panicked when he arrived and lightly scolded her.

Minjeong's gaze was glued at the window, watching as they passed by buildings after buildings. Her mind was filled with thoughts about Jimin, and about her situation.

Jimin's mother. The kimbap she had been eating with Jimin on the rooftop, how Jimin talked about her mother. Minjeong thought about it all, then…

Everything made sense.

“Jimin… you…” Minjeong whispered, her voice broken and hurting for Jimin's heart.

Chapter Text

“I knew you'd come back.”

Inside the office was Joohyun who was in the middle of working on her laptop. On the couch, Jeno was sprawled while playing on Joohyun's console. The room smelled of various food, and when Jimin looked at the coffee table, there were two boxes of pizza with one already half eaten.

“Stop lying, noona. You couldn't stay still because that kid has been gone for too long.” Jeno teased and quickly hid when Joohyun glared at him.

Jimin then looked at Jeno who's wearing their school uniform. For a second, she thought Jeno was also attending her school and just didn't remember him. It wasn't like she paid attention to everyone, Jimin used to always keep her gaze down so as to not accidentally make eye contact with anyone. But it was quickly cleared up when Joohyun spoke as if she read Jimin's mind.

“He's just having fun wearing that spare uniform. Take it off, will you?” Joohyun said and leaned back on her chair to take a proper look at Jimin.

“Why? It's cool and the owner's dead anyway. What happened to him again? He killed himself or something? Was he bullied? What an idiot. I'll never let myself be treated like that, I'll just have to beat them up. Simple.” Jeno said without any regard to the deceased student who once owned the uniform he was carelessly wearing. That caught Jimin's attention though.

There was no news of any student in their school who passed away, let alone any rumors going around about a suicide. But that wasn't her concern, Jimin came to talk to Joohyun.

“Joohyun unnie.”

Joohyun raised an eyebrow and smirked at Jimin. “So it's not ‘Miss Bae’ at school anymore, huh?”

Jimin clenched her fists and stepped close to Joohyun's table. “Can I talk to you alone?”

Jeno whistled and raised his hands in a mock surrender when Joohyun raised an eyebrow at him. Of course, just one look and he knew what his boss wanted him to do. He stood up and eyed Jimin with a smirk before he left the office.

“So?” Joohyun crossed her arms while waiting for what Jimin wanted to talk to her about. And she was genuinely amused at the words that left Jimin's mouth.

“I'll do anything you want, just let me save Minjeong from Jinho. My life is yours after I make sure she's safe.”

A brief silence, and all Jimin could hear was the soft humming of the air conditioner and the constant beeping sound from Joohyun's laptop. Then, Joohyun took a deep breath and leaned back on her chair again.

And when Joohyun showed a wicked grin, it gave Jimin goosebumps. Danger, it was all what Jimin felt under Joohyun's gaze. But she wasn't backing down at all. Jimin was prepared to face anything.

“Sure, go ahead. But on one condition.”

Jimin gulped and her fists clenched on her sides as she waited for Joohyun to continue. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, but she clenched her jaw and closed her eyes briefly to push that feeling away.

“You're not allowed to kill him.”

That's it?

Despite the simple condition, Jimin felt that there's more to it. But she shook that thought from her mind. It didn't matter what it would be, or what would happen to her. Jimin already made up her mind and nothing would stop her from reaching her goal.

Questions still tried to invade Jimin's mind, those feelings that were forcing her to pay attention to what's hiding behind Joohyun's smile.

“Here's your phone and eyeglasses.” Joohyun's voice snapped out Jimin from her thoughts and she looked at the two small boxes that were placed on the table in front of her. Jimin's eyebrows furrowed, and with head tilted to the side, she examined the eyeglasses first.

“But how did you—”

“I had someone look where you got your glasses for your records so that should be right for you. As for the phone, it's already set up with the necessary contacts you need. I expect you to continue your work after class.” Joohyun explained before Jimin could even ask.

But Jimin wasn't done yet. There was still one thing she needed to let Joohyun know.

“Unnie, I'm quitting school.”

Joohyun was amused at how Jimin just kept on surprising her. There was that smile again, but that time, Jimin wasn't disturbed by it anymore.

It was like she was getting used to it, or just hiding what she truly felt to appear strong until strength and bravery were the only thing she would be feeling.

“No, you're not.” Came Joohyun's reply.

“Unnie—”

Joohyun slammed her hand on the table causing Jimin to flinch. “I need you to stay in school for my plans. I don't care if you slack off, or if you fail finals. I'll handle all of it. This is why we're going to fund your studies. Now that you're thinking about that, I'm going to have to force you to attend the university of my choice.”

Jimin opened her mouth to protest, but when Joohyun glared at her, she was reminded of what she said just minutes ago.

“I'll do anything you want.”

So Jimin stood back and nodded obediently. Of course, she should've expected that things wouldn't always go the way she wanted to. Jimin realized she was getting ahead of herself.

“With that being said, it will help if you befriend Aeri and Yizhuo more. Especially Aeri, since she holds the most power over this school. And what's a better way to win over her heart? Use Yizhuo. We might need them someday.” Joohyun stated and when the bell rang, Jimin was startled and her reaction didn't escape Joohyun's watchful eyes.

“Say… are you bad with loud noises?”

Jimin gulped and wanted to deny it, but she knew too well that she couldn't lie to Joohyun when her reaction already exposed her. So Jimin nodded and lowered her head. Joohyun hummed and pursed her lips.

“That's a problem. We'll have to do something about that. For now, go to your class.”

After taking the boxes and giving Joohyun a quick bow, Jimin left the office and sprinted towards her classroom. On her way to her desk, she passed by Aeri who was glaring at her. And to Jimin's surprise, Aeri stood up and took the desk beside Jimin's that once belonged to Ryujin.

“I better see you in the clubroom at lunch with an explanation.” Aeri said and kicked Jimin's chair. Jimin just nodded and opened the box so she could try the eyeglasses Joohyun gave her. It was a necessity, and Jimin was glad she got a new one as soon as possible. Aeri scoffed and rolled her eyes at how Jimin was acting towards her, and she wanted to beat the hell out of Jimin right then and there but Aeri didn't have the energy to do so.

With the task at the student council only finishing the day before, Aeri just got the time to rest. And as if life was mocking her, they only have a few days before final exams start. Aeri just wanted to rest and to relieve her stress, and when she looked back at Jimin, a smirk slowly formed on her face.

Yes, she could just use Jimin for that. Suddenly, Aeri was looking forward to morning classes to end. On the other hand, Jimin was opening another box that Joohyun gave her and wasn't paying attention to class at all. Jimin didn't care, she didn't even bother to look at their teacher. With Aeri sitting beside her, the teacher couldn't do anything but let Jimin mind her own business.

A smartphone, one that Jimin wasn't still used to. She struggled to navigate and even accidentally played a sound so loud that it interrupted the class. But still, Jimin didn't care. Aeri sighed and took the phone from Jimin and turned off the sound herself.

“Thanks.” Jimin mumbled and continued learning her way around the new phone. She managed to retrieve her email and was delighted when she saw that Minjeong's messages were still there. Jimin was smiling the whole time she was rereading Minjeong's messages.

It didn't take her a long time before she got used to her new phone, at least she got the basics of it. Jimin kept using her phone until morning classes ended, and she almost dropped it when the bell rang.

Aeri quickly put her things inside her bag and scoffed when Jimin's eyes were still glued on her phone. Taking a peek, Aeri rolled her eyes when she saw that Jimin was just playing a game.

“Clubroom, now.” Aeri said after she kicked Jimin's chair. Jimin followed Aeri to the clubroom and gasped when Yizhuo jumped on her with a tight hug.

“I missed you, my puppy!” Yizhuo exclaimed happily but Jimin was just struggling under her hold.

“Yizhuo… can't… breathe…” Jimin struggled to say but Yizhuo wasn't letting go and even wrapped her arms tighter around Jimin.

“This is what you get for making me cry. I was all alone in this clubroom so I had to pick a temporary puppy. But he's not you… I don't like him.”

Jimin coughed when Yizhuo finally let her go. Curious about what Yizhuo said, Jimin looked around and spotted someone curling up in the corner of a room. He had a collar on his neck that was chained to a table like how Jimin used to be before.

He looked terrified and would flinch even at the slightest movement. Strangely, Jimin felt nothing towards his situation.

“I'd love to beat the shit out of you. But I'm too hungry to do so. Entertain us, will you? Teach that idiot a lesson. I'll punish you later.” Aeri said and took Yizhuo to the couch so they could have lunch. Jimin looked at the boy shaking in the corner and carefully approached him.

Jimin didn't know what Aeri meant by teaching him a lesson. But it all became clear when the boy spoke with tears in his eyes.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I swear I was taking a picture of my friend and not Yizhuo. Please, please forgive me. I deleted it already.” The boy cried.

“Picture?” Jimin asked.

“I caught that bastard taking a picture under Yizhuo's skirt. He had the nerve to say it wasn't on purpose. Don't stand there doing nothing or I'll—”

Aeri wasn't even done explaining when Jimin  already lifted her foot to kick the boy in the head. The move was automatic, as if someone was controlling Jimin. She didn't stop and kept kicking him everywhere in his body and ignored all his pleas and cries. Aeri and Yizhuo gave each other a look and watched Jimin proudly.

“Please… stop… I'm sorry. I swear it wasn't—”

“I don't care.” Jimin continued beating him up. As minutes passed by, she realized that it strangely felt natural and each punch and kick held no hesitation at all. Jimin didn't feel any fun doing so, but she felt like it was the right thing to do.

When the boy lost consciousness, Jimin crouched down and pulled his hair up to check on him. Blood and bruises covered his face, and the sight reminded her of herself before.

He wasn't moving anymore. Jimin had nothing else to do.

Yizhuo clapped then extended her arms when Jimin turned to them. It looked like Yizhuo wanted her to get closer so she did. And when Jimin was in front of them, Yizhuo pulled her into a hug but it was a gentle one though it lacked warmth.

“That's my good puppy. Now I forgive you. Don't leave me anymore, okay? When he wakes up, beat him up again for me. Here, come and eat with us.” Yizhuo said and pulled Jimin to sit on the couch with them. Aeri was just watching them, her eyes screamed of a warning towards Jimin. A silent threat not to do anything stupid against them, especially Yizhuo, or Jimin would face Aeri's wrath.

Jimin remembered what Joohyun said about becoming friends with them. It looked like it was easy to be friends with Yizhuo, though it was tricky at the same time. But Jimin had no idea how to get closer to Aeri. It was hard to predict what she was thinking and it seemed like her heart was closed except for Yizhuo. While they ate, with Yizhuo basically just feeding her, Jimin kept stealing glances at Aeri. Though it was so obvious that irritated Aeri and she slammed her fork on the coffee table.

“What do you want?!” Aeri asked and glared at Jimin as if she wanted to stab her with the fork so she was holding. Jimin was surprised with the sudden outburst and muttered the first thing that came to her mind.

“Be friends with me.”

Simple and direct.

Aeri scoffed and stared at Jimin like she had lost her mind.

“Why would I be friends with someone like you?”

“I'd love to be friends with my puppy. Maybe we can have a threesome too. Remember I told you that I want to try it for my birthday?” Yizhuo said while eyeing Jimin from head to toe. Jimin felt small and uncomfortable under Yizhuo's gaze but she didn't dare pull away or flinch when Yizhuo hugged her.

Aeri was seething on her seat, and she wanted nothing than to rip them apart and beat Jimin up. Yizhuo knew it too well, so she straddled Jimin's lap while keeping her eyes on Aeri like she was challenging her.

Or just making her jealous.

“What do you say, puppy? Wanna fuck?”

The way to Aeri's heart is through Yizhuo. Was that what Joohyun meant? It was tricky though, because it wasn't doing anything good other than make Aeri furious.

“I will kill you if you don't get away from Yizhuo.” Aeri warned. But Jimin didn't know why the threat didn't scared her one bit. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Yizhuo's waist and pulled her closer to her body. Yizhuo gasped and smirked when she recovered from Jimin's sudden actions.

Yizhuo leaned in and whispered in Jimin's ear. “Grope my ass.”

“What?” Jimin was in disbelief at what Yizhuo said. Although she knew deep down that she was already crossing the line and risking her own life, it still made her a little hesitant.

But definitely not scared.

Her hands were shaking when she lowered them from Yizhuo's waist and went down. Jimin gulped when she felt Yizhuo breathing hot air against her ears in anticipation, and closed her eyes when she touched and groped Yizhuo's ass.

“Ohh… Jimin…” Yizhuo moaned and Jimin felt goosebumps all over her body. On the other hand, Aeri was on the verge of committing murder.

“That's it.”

Aeri forcefully pulled Yizhuo away from Jimin despite risking that Yizhuo might get hurt in the process. Her actions did, and Yizhuo hissed when the back of her legs hit the edge of the coffee table. Aeri wanted to tend to her right away, but her eyes couldn't look away from Jimin even just for a second. After putting Yizhuo on the other couch, Aeri grabbed Jimin by the collar and punched her repeatedly without pulling back.

Jimin couldn't move or react right away, so she just received all of the punches from Aeri. But she knew she had to do something soon or she wouldn't be able to make progress with Aeri.

So, after a few more hits, Jimin pretended to lose consciousness. It was the only way she knew to make Aeri stop and she succeeded. When Aeri calmed down a little, she let go of Jimin's collar and let her fall on the floor with a painful thud.

“Babe, why? I thought you'd do anything for my birthday… was that promise a lie?” Yizhuo asked and guilt gnawed on Aeri when she saw the pain on Yizhuo's eyes. She had never forgotten her promise, and she did agree to Yizhuo's wish just for a one time thing. But looking at Jimin just made her blood boil and she couldn't see or allow her to touch her precious girl.

Aeri was in a pickle. Yes, she wanted to make Yizhuo happy, as always. But she couldn't find it in herself to do so if it was Jimin who was involved.

While Aeri thought about what she should do, she didn't notice that Jimin was already standing up and sneaking behind her. Yizhuo saw it though but she pretended not to because she was still sulking at Aeri.

“I won't agree to what Yizhuo wants, but give me a chance to become friends with you in exchange.” Jimin said. Aeri jumped in surprise and stepped back, but she was a second too late to react when Jimin raised her fist and punched her.

That was the first time Jimin hit Aeri. It wasn't fair, Jimin was aware. But it was what she had been taught by them, anyway. So Jimin didn't see any problem.

Aeri stumbled back, and Jimin knew that wasn't enough to put her down. The amusing and surprising scene wiped Yizhuo's sulking towards Aeri, and she watched them with a big smile on her face as if she was just watching an entertaining show.

“You—”

Jimin pretended to fall on the floor again, and that caught Aeri off guard. Aeri was confused and wasn't reacting properly so when Jimin grabbed her legs, Aeri fell on the floor with her and groaned when Jimin crawled and sat on her stomach.

Then, Jimin kept punching Aeri with the same words coming out of her mouth over and over again.

If she couldn't make Aeri agree with words, then she just had to force her way with her fists. 

It was all Jimin knew. She never had an experience with making friends anyway. Jimin guessed friendship takes a long time, and she didn't have time to go through all that. She took becoming friends with Aeri and Yizhuo as a task from Joohyun.

Maybe Joohyun had a plan so Jimin had to help her.

“Be… my… friend…” Jimin mumbled with each punch. Aeri was in disbelief because no sane person would want to become friends with someone by beating them up. The thought made her laugh, and she stopped blocking Jimin's punches because laughing was all she could do with how ridiculous Jimin was acting.

Jimin stopped and stared blankly at Aeri. The latter kept laughing that even Yizhuo started to be confused. Then, Aeri sighed and spread her arms on the floor.

“I never imagined I'd meet someone like you.” Aeri said and chuckled.

“Are we friends now?” Jimin asked with such innocence that Aeri just couldn't believe it herself anymore.

“You're insane. Get off me.”

Jimin did so and even helped Aeri stand up.

“I'm sorry for punching you.” Jimin apologized right after but Aeri only gave her a dismissive wave of her hand.

“Do whatever the fuck you want. Don't get chummy with me, though. And I'm never forgiving you for touching Yizhuo, by the way.” Aeri said and wrapped her arm around Yizhuo's waist.

“I'm sorry for touching Yizhuo.” Jimin said, making Yizhuo snort.

“She's something else. I really like her. Is the threesome still out of the question?” Yizhuo asked.

“I'll think about it.”

Aeri's answer caused Yizhuo to squeal so loud that it woke up the boy who was still tied in the corner of the room. His slight movement caught Jimin's eye and she looked at Aeri for instruction.

“I want to give my baby the quick fuck she deserves before the next class starts. So take that bastard with you and throw him wherever you want.” Aeri said.

“Okay. Can I have your number though? I changed my phone.”

Aeri sighed and had to rub her temples, while Yizhuo was giggling at it. “You're unbelievable. Give me your phone.”

Jimin then realized something.

Violence could sometimes achieve things, like making friends.

Jimin waited patiently and when she got their numbers, she approached the boy and dragged him out of the clubroom. She helped him up once they were out and took him to the infirmary. Jimin had another reason to skip class, and the thought made her feel giddy.

Then, she paused at the realization. Jimin never imagined that skipping classes and doing nothing could be so fun.

When they arrived at the infirmary, Jimin helped the boy get on the bed but made no effort to treat his injuries. Instead, she sat on the stool next to the bed and checked her phone again. Luckily for her, the nurse was still out so she had time for some peace and quiet.

“I think I saved her number in one of the emails… oh, there it is.” Jimin smiled when she saw Minjeong's number again and quickly sent her a message. Minjeong replied in an instant and the smile on Jimin's face almost blinded the poor boy on the bed.

‘So that's why I couldn't contact you! I'm glad you got a new phone now. I've been wanting to send more pictures of rocks. How are you doing? I'm sorry I couldn't see you in school today, I have family business to attend to.’

Jimin was typing her reply when the boy grabbed her arm.

“Please, I don't want to die like him. Please forgive me, please tell them that I regret it.”

“Huh?” Jimin put her phone down and stared at him.

“I know you're not like them. You're just being forced to obey them, right? Please help me. You have no idea what kind of people they are. They're going to kill you too.”

“What are you talking about?” Jimin was confused at what he was saying so she decided to listen out of curiosity.

“My best friend died because of them. Aeri and Yizhuo killed him! They treated him like a dog, degraded him, tormented his life until he couldn't take it anymore and killed himself! They pushed him to his death! And what did the school do for him? Nothing. They buried the truth, paid the police and the media.”

Jimin kept listening as the boy told her everything about the case.

Minjeong was waiting for her reply, so Jimin wished the boy would finish as soon as possible.

Then, Jimin remembered what Aeri and Yizhuo were talking about before. They had to lie low because of an issue.

So that's what it was about.

“I was going to let it go and accept that there's nothing I could do. But when I heard they closed the investigation and claimed that he killed himself because of pressure from studies, I snapped. I wanted to get revenge. But I'm stupid, I'm weak. I messed up.”

“I failed.” The boy said and started crying.

“Oh, I see.” Jimin said simply as she found no interest in anything he said. It was none of her business, really, and she had more important matters to focus on. But the boy still wouldn't let her go and kept begging for her help.

“You're not like them. I can feel that. So please, please help me.”

It was getting annoying. Jimin just wanted to leave him there so she could talk to Minjeong and maybe continue playing the game that was already installed on her phone.

Jimin was still just a kid, after all. She wanted to play a little too, especially that it was her first time experiencing it.

“What do you want?” Jimin asked.

The boy's face lit up and he took out a key from his pocket. “I have my friend's journal in my locker. I stole it when I visited his home before the investigation. It's proof that he was being bullied by them. Please, help me with this. I want to give my friend the justice he deserves.”

Jimin took the key from him and put it inside her blazer's pocket.

“Is that the only copy?” 

“Yes. I took pictures of it but my phone was destroyed by Aeri. That's the only proof I have left.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Okay.” Jimin stood up and left him thanking her over and over again. She headed to his locker and searched for the said journal. Jimin took it to their classroom and read it while ignoring their teacher's lectures. When Jimin got bored of reading, she took out her phone and texted Minjeong.

It seemed like Minjeong was bored with the family meeting based on how fast she was responding. Minjeong kept asking Jimin if she was okay and kept reminding her that she would be there for Jimin when she needed someone to talk to.

It warmed Jimin's heart with how kind Minjeong really was. They kept talking until Minjeong stopped and Jimin thought that maybe Minjeong got caught using her phone. Jimin chuckled at the thought and played games instead.

It was embarrassing how Minjeong saw her at her lowest, but she was thankful that it was Minjeong who took care of her.

Jimin swore she would do anything to repay Minjeong's kindness.

When the classes were done, Jimin expected that Aeri would demand her to go back to their clubroom. But Aeri left in a hurry while saying that she had to study.

Right, final exams was coming.

Not that Jimin cared.

So Jimin went straight to Joohyun's office.

“Go with Jeno for deliveries. Someone will pick you two up and explain how things work. He can be a little bit of an asshole, so just bear with it. Jeno's reliable when it comes to important things.” Joohyun instructed. Jimin left the school and saw Jeno waiting for her at the gates, and he was still wearing their school uniform.

“Suits me, right? I look cool.” Jeno said while showing off the uniform he was wearing.

“Hello, asshole. I'll be in your care.” Jimin greeted and even bowed her head. Jeno was too stunned to even say a word and he was having a hard time deciding if he would beat Jimin or just laugh.

“You know I have a name, bitch.” Jeno ended up saying instead.

“I have a name too, jerk.” Jimin answered back and they stared down at each other. Their staring contest was only cut off when a car parked in front of them and the window rolled down revealing a familiar woman.

“Get in, kids. Momma came to pick you up.”

Who was it again? Jimin knew she met that woman. Purple room and gummy bears filled her mind, and she knew those were related to the woman in the driver seat.

“Yeri, can we get some food first? I was stuck in this school for a whole day and Joohyun didn't feed me.” Jeno said while getting in the passenger seat.

Right, Yeri. The one who pulled her away when Kun and Jeno were fighting.

Jimin followed and settled herself in the backseat. “Hello, uh… Yeri unnie…”

“So she's Yeri unnie and I'm an asshole? A jerk? That's not fair.” Jeno complained.

“Well, you are an asshole and a jerk. Your name should've been Jerk-no or something.” Yeri said as she started driving. Jimin snorted at what she heard and although she tried to mask it with a cough, they already had heard it.

“You're laughing at me, huh? Wanna go at it, you bitch?” Jeno threatened and Yeri just laughed at them.

“See? Newbie thinks I'm funny. I like her already.”

Jeno scoffed and purposely pushed his seat back in an attempt to make Jimin's foot stuck or at least hurt her, but Jimin was sitting at the back of the driver's seat so he embarrassingly failed. Yeri laughed harder which annoyed Jeno a lot.

“So, how was your day, kids? Did you learn something fun? Oh how long I've been wanting to try that. I feel like a normal human being.” Yeri said with a chuckle.

“I stole a student and dragged him to the gym. We played basketball then I beat him up. He's still in the storage room, I locked him there because he was such a loser.” Jeno said proudly and stared at Yeri like he was expecting something.

“Good job, Jeno! That's my boy. Here's a candy.” Yeri complimented Jeno and even gave him a pat on his head. Jeno accepted the candy happily and ate it while humming.

“How about you, our Jimin? Had fun in school?”

“I… uh… I played a game on my phone and beat someone during lunch.” Jimin said, unsure. She was just copying how Jeno told about his day. And like Jeno, Jimin received a compliment from Yeri.

Surprisingly, it felt good. Jimin thought that maybe that's the reason why Jeno was feeling giddy when Yeri complimented him.

There was something about Yeri's praises that got Jimin pumped up.

“Because it's Jimin's first, official day, we'll be having king crabs for dinner. My treat! We're not going to drink though, we have work to do after.” Yeri said and Jeno cheered loudly.

Jimin had never tasted king crabs before so she was looking forward to it. When they arrived at a restaurant, a staff member blocked them.

“Sorry, it's full. All of the private rooms have been reserved too.” The staff member said. Yeri sighed and showed her a black card, and upon seeing it, the staff member apologized and let them in.

“Cancel the reservation at one of the rooms this instant!” She said to her workmate. Yeri and Jeno walked inside and Jimin quickly followed them.

When they were settled in the private room, Jeno sprawled on the floor and complained about how uncomfortable the uniform had become and Yeri assured him that she brought spare clothes with her for him and Jimin. On the other hand, Jimin was just admiring the place and didn't pay attention to Jeno at all.

“Yeri, you proudly said it's your treat but it's just Seulgi's restaurant. Give me back my excitement.” Jeno said. Jimin looked at Yeri with questions swirling in her eyes.

“Oh, right. We haven't briefed you yet. This is one of Seulgi's restaurants for money laundering. Go here when you're hungry and just show them your card—wait, did you receive your card already?”

“Uhm… no…” Jimin answered and pouted when Jeno laughed mockingly at her.

“What was Irene doing?” Yeri sighed and continued. “Anyway, I'll explain how we work while we eat.”

When their food arrived, Yeri started explaining things that Jimin needed to know. Jimin was briefed while she was in their hideout, but she couldn't remember much and Yeri informed her that those weren't enough anyway.

“First, black cards are proof that we belong to the organization. It's just a plain, black card on the outside but there's a hidden chip inside that contains our information. You can use that card at any establishment that's under our group.” Yeri said and Jimin listened intently while she gulped down food with much gusto.

It was the most delicious food Jimin had ever tasted, and she wondered if there were more delicious ones she would be able to eat in the future.

“Are you listening?”

“Ywesh…” Jimin answered with her mouth still full. Jeno smirked at Jimin and mocked her again.

“Slow down, you might choke and die. I hope you die though, that's gonna be so fun seeing someone die over king crabs.”

“Shut up, Jeno. Anyway…” Yeri sighed and continued.

“We work under different departments. We handle deliveries. We have people working under legitimate delivery companies. A customer will order something from a shop, then when we deliver it to them, we slip in whatever crack or weapon they bought from us like it's an additional package.”

“How do we know if someone is our customer?” Jimin asked.

“They send us a message. Duh, fucking idiot.” Jeno said and choked when Yeri kicked his balls.

“You're not being a good boy now, Jeno.” Yeri glared at him and continued her explanation that kept being interrupted.

“But yes, they send us a message along with their order details. That's the gist of how it works. You'll learn more as you do more work. For now, focus on that and do deliveries. The ones Irene made you do, those personal deliveries when you received money? Those are supposed to be handled by our experienced members. I have no idea why Joohyun made you do that. That was dangerous.”

Jimin remembered the times she took a paper bag to strangers, mostly with Peach. It indeed was scary, and then, Jimin remembered when the police chased her. They mentioned that Joohyun set her up, and she couldn't help but ask for an explanation about that.

“Why did Joohyun set me up last time?” Jimin finally asked.

“Ah, that one. Sometimes I don't know what goes on inside her head, but I think she did that to test you?” Yeri said, unsure with her answer.

“Irene noona said she wants this loser to improve or something. Whatever that means, it's not working anyway. Did you improve, huh? I think that just made you more of a scaredy little bitch.” Jeno said and playfully stabbed a fork at Jimin's arm.

Jimin's eye twitched and she lost control. She kicked Jeno's face causing him to fall over the floor with a grunt. Yeri snorted and shook her head as the two started fighting on the floor with Jimin using a crab leg as a weapon. Yeri was surprised that Jimin fought back, but she couldn't blame him with how annoying Jeno was towards her.

“Don't kill each other, kids. It's gonna leave a mess here.” Yeri continued eating while she watched the two fight like it's an evening show. When they were exhausted and done, Yeri took them outside to start their work.

“Are evening deliveries different too? Like what Kun did.” Jimin asked.

“Ah, yes. Like the personal deliveries, this one is risky too. You're just here to observe things, you don't have to get out of the car. Kun got scolded really badly when Joohyun learned he let you helped him that time.”

“Scolded… how?”

“Kun got his ass beat. He deserved it. Damn, I wish I was the one who did it for him.” Jeno answered instead and left to get the minivan. Jimin accompanied Yeri to park her car somewhere because she didn't want to go alone with Jeno.

They started working after that, with Jimin just sitting at the backseat while she watched them deliver packages to different houses. Jeno already changed to a simple black shirt and pants paired with a black baseball cap. It's like what Kun made her do, just leaving the packages without anyone receiving it. They made Jimin a lookout though so she wouldn't be bored as much.

It was an uneventful night of deliveries, but Jimin learned a lot. It was past midnight when they finished, and Yeri dropped her off at her apartment.

“I'll pick you up from school again tomorrow. You'll have to learn how to drive as fast as possible, so I'll teach you too. Be a good girl and do your homework.” Yeri said and drove off. Jeno stuck his head through the window and yelled at Jimin.

“See you later, bitch!”

Jimin glared at him with a pout and was about to enter when she remembered something. She rummaged on her bag and took out the journal that she got from the boy's locker earlier. She walked away from the apartment building while scanning the pages until she reached a convenience store.

The journal contained everything that Aeri and Yizhuo did to the boy's friend. It was horrible and Jimin wouldn't blame anyone who became traumatized when they experienced it. The last page contained the boy's final note saying that he couldn't take it anymore and would kill himself.

Closing the journal, Jimin picked up an item and paid it at the register. Then she went outside and settled on a dark corner of an alleyway and stared at the journal again. Jimin lifted it to eye level and put it above the item she bought.

A lighter.

With a flicker of her thumb, the lighter started burning the edge of the journal until the flame quickly engulfed it. Jimin dropped the journal on the ground as she watched it burn before her eyes. But someone saw it and approached her.

“Hey, it's dangerous to burn things here. Aren't you going home yet? It's way too late for a student like you to be out and about at his hour.”

A woman's voice, Jimin turned around and saw a police officer smiling at her.

“It will be done soon, I'll clean it up after.” Jimin said.

The officer then looked at what Jimin was burning and hummed.

“Alright. But you'll give me the lighter you used after this, okay? Then I'll take you home. Is that your diary?” The officer asked.

Jimin took a beat to reply and looked at the burning journal again.

“Yes.” She lied.

But what came next was the truth.

“I'm burning it, because it's not me anymore.”

Chapter Text

Final exams are finally over.

Jimin found herself sitting in a crowd along with Aeri and Yizhuo. It was finally the elite inter-school tournament, the most anticipated event among the students and spectators alike.

Their school's main sports were soccer and baseball, but Jimin didn't go to support their school teams at either events. Instead, Jimin sat in the stadium where the tennis tournament was being held. They were situated at the sidelines, but Jimin's eyes were fixated on one person only, her head never turned to the other side not even once.

Minjeong invited her to watch her play, and who was Jimin to refuse? Jimin never bothered to support their school teams before, because she would rather grab every part-time job she could when her days are free from school. But that was all over, Jimin had all the time in the world.

And what's best is to spend it on Minjeong.

“Why did we go here? It's boring. I'd rather watch the soccer match.” Yizhuo whined.

“I don't like those chaotic games, baby. My head hurts.” Aeri said and rubbed Yizhuo's inner thigh to soothe her. Once they learned that Jimin was going to watch some tennis matches, they decided to tag along to escape their responsibilities in their family business. If their family learned they were participating in school matters, they were confident not to be bothered.

Aeri wished she could run away with Yizhuo, though. But there were always eyes watching their every move.

It was suffocating.

“It's still boring. Everyone knows Minjeong will win.” Yizhuo stated, but Jimin would like to disagree with that.

Not that she was doubting Minjeong, Jimin knew she had the skills.

It was just that Jimin noticed that something was wrong with Minjeong.

Every single step that Minjeong made, there was a subtle limp on it. Minjeong would play it off as nothing and would make little jumps like she was repositioning herself, or whatever show she wanted the audience and her coach to see. But Jimin knew Minjeong was just putting on a lie in front of everyone else.

Minjeong was in pain, and Jimin couldn't think of any reason for it other than Jinho.

Jimin's eyes roamed around in search of a devil blending amongst humans. And there he was, sitting just a few rows in front of them. How Jimin wanted to see his face, the expression he was showing, anything just to figure out what he was thinking. Even just an attempt, Jimin wanted to know.

Then a disappointed groan from the audience pulled Jimin back to the game. Minjeong just missed and was falling behind. Jimin didn't know anything about sports, let alone tennis, but she could tell that Minjeong was in a pinch.

If only she could go down and whisk Minjeong away from everyone, Jimin would've done it in a heartbeat. But she promised to watch Minjeong play, and despite her worry, Jimin just had to suck it up until the end.

“What's wrong with Minjeong? It's not like her to make stupid mistakes.” Yizhuo pointed out, and that only made Jimin even more worried. She was sure that it had something to do with Jinho.

Jimin was seething in her seat, but her expression quickly changed when Minjeong just happened to look at her direction and smiled a little.

Now, Jimin wasn't sure if that was directed at her, but it felt like it. Minjeong was looking up where Jimin was, and her gaze wasn't on the lowered side where Jinho was.

So, even without being sure that Minjeong's smile was directed at her, Jimin smiled back and raised a fist a little to show her support.

And Jimin liked to believe that Minjeong's demeanor changed after that.

The match continued, and everyone, especially Jimin, watched with bated breaths.

“Oh, she's turning the match around. Not bad.” Yizhuo said and Jimin didn't notice that she was already eating some cookies.

“I thought this was boring?” Aeri teased, resulting in Yizhuo pouting at her.

“I have nothing else to do, okay?”

Jimin agreed with Yizhuo.

Minjeong was indeed turning the match around. And although that made Jimin happy, it didn't ease her worries because Minjeong was showing more obvious signs of struggles due to a pain she was trying so hard to hide. Even Aeri noticed it, and that made Jimin realize that she wasn't just imagining things.

But Minjeong kept on going.

Before Jimin knew it, the match was over.

What was happening? The crowd became just a background noise for Jimin.

Muffled. Distant.

All she could hear was her own heartbeat. All she could see was Minjeong kneeling on the floor. And then, there was Jinho.

Just casually walking towards Minjeong with his hands inside his pockets.

“Well, that was it. Let's grab lunch.” Aeri said and stood up with Yizhuo clinging on her arm. When she noticed that Jimin hadn't moved at all, Aeri kicked her leg lightly to catch her attention.

“Bitch, I said we're going to have lunch. Get up.” Aeri said and rolled her eyes when Jimin didn't pay her any attention. In the end, Aeri and Yizhuo left Jimin sitting there alone.

What happened? Jimin wondered.

Why was Minjeong crying in Jinho's arms?

Was Minjeong in too much pain? What was going on with her? Jimin needed to know. So as soon as Jinho moved Minjeong away from the court, she excused herself from the crowd so she could follow them. As Jimin was walking past the audience, she heard something that made her heart drop.

Minjeong lost.

Jimin heard more about their disbelief, and some disappointments about Minjeong losing. Apparently, a lot of people were rooting for her and expected her to compete for the nationals.

That must've broken Minjeong's heart.

Although there was a more pressing matter that Jimin needed to investigate.

Why was Minjeong in a bad condition during her match?

So Jimin kept walking past anyone and ignoring their complaints and curses. None of it mattered for Jimin especially that she was catching up with Minjeong who went from being gently pulled away from the court by Jinho, to being dragged forcefully in the empty hallways. Despite wanting to run to take Minjeong away from Jinho's cruel hands, Jimin waited until they turned a corner and disappeared inside a room.

Minjeong's name was on the door, indicating that it was reserved for her to use during the matches. It was unlike the rest of the participants who shared multiple rooms while waiting for their turn.

The door slammed shut before Jimin could get into it and the sound of the lock on the doorknob was too loud not to be heard by Jimin. The hallways were empty, as most of the people were watching and the rest of the participants were in another location.

That area was only reserved for a few, important people.

Jimin jumped a little when she heard clashing noises inside the room and Jinho's muffled voice. It was loud enough for Jimin to hear, but not clear enough to make out everything that he was saying.

Then, as Jinho was getting louder, Jimin could finally hear him clearly.

“Why did you lose?! Are you trying to embarrass me, huh?! So what if your legs hurt?! It's your job to pleasure me whenever I need it! I made you take a bunch of pain reliever for a reason, you fucking weak bitch!”

And Minjeong's cries were clearer, that Jimin almost lost it and was about to kick the door open when she heard footsteps and voices coming closer.

“I was bragging to my friends that you would win, and you lost the first match?! Useless! What am I supposed to say at the after party?!”

That bastard. I will beat him up.

Fists clenched and shaking, Jimin took a step forward with an intent to destroy the door. It was beyond her capabilities but she didn't care one bit. The important thing is to get to Minjeong and stop Jinho. But the voices were getting louder, and Jimin found herself in a dilemma.

I can't make a scene and cause Joohyun trouble.

But Minjeong needs help.

What should I do?

What's the right thing to do?

“Jinho, please stop!” Jimin heard Minjeong's pleas and lost it.

That was Jimin's last straw.

The voices got closer and when Jimin turned her head, she could already see shadows nearing the corner. Jimin clicked her tongue and as a last resort, she banged the door once and luckily for Jimin, the room behind her was unlocked so she was able to hide inside.

Jimin left the door slightly agape, just enough to see and hear what was going on outside but enough for anyone not to notice her. The noises from Minjeong's room stopped, and that was enough for Jimin at the moment.

“I think we need more cables. Do you think we can have some delivered today?” A man asked. His companion answered and they went on for a little conversation as they passed by the hallway where Jimin and Minjeong's room were. Jimin then eyed Minjeong's room, and her grip on the doorknob tightened so much as if she wanted to crush it when she saw Jinho getting out of the room.

He was smiling like the little devil that he was.

As if he didn't just hurt the one who held Jimin's heart for a long time.

The door shut behind Jinho but Jimin caught the sound of Minjeong's cries for a split second. Now, Jimin had to make a choice.

Chase Jinho to give him a piece of her mind, and also some of her fists.

Or go to Minjeong to comfort her.

Jimin wanted both, but from what she learned recently, she couldn't have it that way all the time.

Maybe never.

So even though Jimin wanted to wipe that diabolical smile off Jinho's face, she opted to enter Minjeong's room to tend to her. After making sure Jinho wasn't coming back, Jimin exited the room where she was hiding and approached Minjeong's room. She then removed Minjeong's nameplate off the door before entering with careful steps as to not startle Minjeong.

Jimin failed, though. Minjeong flinched as soon as she heard the door opening and someone walking towards her and covered her head with her arms.

It broke Jimin's heart.

“Minjeong, it's me.”

Minjeong's breath hitched as she slowly raised her head. When she saw Jimin, her lips quivered and ran to Jimin's arms.

“It's okay, I'm here.” Jimin said as gently as possible as if she was afraid that she would break Minjeong. While caressing Minjeong's hair, Jimin looked around the room to find a place to put Minjeong down because the latter was shaking and was barely standing.

The couch, Jimin chose it and carefully guided Minjeong to sit there. But Minjeong stumbled badly causing them to fall over and drop on the couch.

Jimin sighed in relief when Minjeong fell on her and not the other way around or else she would've caused more pain to Minjeong.

“I'm sorry.” Minjeong whispered, her voice hoarse and broken. Jimin thought that Minjeong was apologizing for tripping and she was about to assure her that it was okay. So when Minjeong dropped the next words, Jimin bit her lip so hard that it bled because she wanted nothing to do more than bolt out of the room and find Jinho.

“I'm sorry I lost.”

“It's okay, you don't have to be sorry.” Jimin said and she was at a loss at what was actually the right thing to say. So Jimin just hugged Minjeong tighter and didn't care that the latter was almost straddling her. But Jimin did care that Minjeong was in an awkward position and based on what she heard, Minjeong's legs were in pain.

So Jimin carefully lifted Minjeong and made her sit on the couch comfortably. Minjeong didn't want to let go of Jimin's arm though so she struggled a bit. Nonetheless, Minjeong was comfortable under Jimin's hold.

Minjeong kept crying and Jimin waited patiently. During that time, Jimin held Minjeong without the intention of letting her go. It pained her to see Minjeong breaking down like that, and she wished she could do better and end it right away.

Plans. Jimin needed a plan to remove Jinho's chains around Minjeong's neck. It was going to be hard given that she couldn't do much yet, so Jimin just had to suck it up until she found the best way to save Minjeong.

In all honesty, Jimin was lost and didn't know how to move forward without a solid plan.

Jimin was aware she lacked the power against Jinho. What Joohyun told her was right, anyway.

Jimin wouldn't be able to save Minjeong just by beating up Jinho.

But what else was there? Jimin only had her fists and determination that was fueled with her love for Minjeong.

Was that enough? Jimin knew it wasn't.

“This is my last tournament, and I messed up. I'm sorry… I'm sorry…” Minjeong kept crying and Jimin had a feeling that there was more to the words that spilled from Minjeong's quivering lips.

Jimin could almost hear it through Minjeong's tears.

A few minutes passed by, probably more than an hour. Jimin lost her sense of time because she was too focused on comforting Minjeong with the best that she could. She then realized that Jinho might come back, and even though she knew that Minjeong was tired and hurting, she had to take her away from the room right away.

Panic flared in Minjeong's eyes when Jimin was slowly pulling away from her, but it softened when Jimin gave her a reassuring smile that told her that it was going to be okay. Minjeong sniffed and let out a tiny hiccup as she watched Jimin crouch in front of her.

“Get on my back, we're going out.” Jimin said and turned around for Minjeong. A hesitant hand touched Jimin's shoulder, then she felt arms slowly wrapping around her neck and body pressing against her back. Yizhuo's unreasonable demands from Jimin to carry her paid off, because Jimin didn't have a hard time carrying Minjeong on her back.

Jimin even felt like she could run without any problem.

“Where are we going?” Minjeong asked.

“Anywhere. Oh, your bag. Where is it?” Jimin asked and walked towards the duffle bag that Minjeong was pointing at. After picking it up, Jimin headed towards the door and peeked outside first, checking if the hallways were clear and no one was around so they could escape. Minjeong was worried that Jimin might be having a hard time carrying her and her bag at the same time, but Jimin reassured her over and over again that it was fine.

“I can carry a horse if I want to.” Jimin said and her chest felt lighter when she heard Minjeong laughing softly.

That was a good sign.

Let me take away your pain, Minjeong. Even just for now.

“I'm sweaty…” Minjeong shyly said but she still nuzzled her nose against Jimin's shoulder.

“I don't mind. But do you want to change first?”

Minjeong nodded and guided Jimin to a locker room that she claimed was rarely used. It was situated at the far side of the building and in the dimly lit hallways. Jimin gently put Minjeong down on one of the benches before she put the duffle bag on the floor.

“I'm going to take a quick shower but…” Minjeong held on to the hem of Jimin's shirt and her eyes roamed around the room. Jimin waited patiently until Minjeong could continue.

“Stay close, please?”

Who was Jimin to say ‘no’ to that?

“Okay.”

The sound of water dropping on the cold tiles distracted Jimin from her thoughts. Just a flimsy door was separating her from Minjeong, and she knew it wasn't the right time to feel things. But Jimin was only human, she was still so young and a lot of things were still new to her.

Her worries for Minjeong temporarily disappear when Jimin realized that Minjeong was just inches away from her while showering.

What am I thinking? Minjeong's in pain.

Jimin blamed Yizhuo for all the teasing she was doing to her.

Jimin repeatedly slapped both her cheeks until they became numb. The shower turned off and Jimin flinched when she heard Minjeong.

“Are you okay?” Minjeong asked.

How could Minjeong worry about other people when she herself is in pain? Jimin wanted to curse the heavens for putting such an angel like Minjeong in their cruel world.

“I'm okay, just… there's a mosquito.”

Liar.

Minjeong didn't deserve to have devils and liars surrounding her.

“I'm almost done. Sorry I'm taking too long, it's just that… it's hard to move.”

Jimin bit her lip and looked up to hold back her tears. It wasn't out of sadness or pity, it was purely from her anger because it was so unfair that Minjeong had to go through all that. The shower turned on again and Jimin released the breath she didn't realize she was holding.

“Take your time.” Jimin said. Her phone vibrated and she was thankful for the distraction. Taking it out from her pocket, she saw a bunch of missed calls and texts from Aeri and Yizhuo.

Mostly from Aeri.

Jimin didn't realize they were contacting her because she was too focused on Minjeong.

“Aeri is pissed off at me.” Jimin chuckled and she didn't realize that Minjeong heard it.

“You were with Aeri?” Minjeong asked. The door opened and Jimin almost slipped with how fast she moved from the door.

Minjeong was drying her hair with a towel while staring at Jimin's phone.

“Yes, uhm… we watched your match together and now they're looking for me because we were supposed to have lunch together.” Jimin explained. She watched Minjeong's expression change and she wished she hadn't told the truth.

“You can go with them. I'm fine here.”

Minjeong was a liar too.

It was obvious that she didn't want to be alone, that she didn't want to let Jimin go. It was obvious with the way she was clinging on Jimin's shirt again, her actions contradicting with her words.

Jimin's phone vibrated nonstop and she could feel Aeri's anger with each buzz it did on her hand. She stared at it, then at Minjeong's hand clinging on her. The answer was easy, of course. Jimin didn't even need to think about it anymore.

The phone turned off with a few taps of Jimin's thumb on the screen. It surprised Minjeong but when she looked at Jimin, the latter was already smiling with such assurance that it eased the weight on her chest.

“I don't feel like having lunch with them. I want to have lunch with you.” Jimin said. The towel fell from Minjeong's head and Jimin was quick to catch it before it landed on the floor.

It was Jimin's turn to dry Minjeong's hair.

The room fell into silence with just Minjeong's occasional whines because Jimin wouldn't stop rubbing her head with the towel. It seemed like she was having fun when she realized that she had been drying Minjeong's hair for a few minutes, more than she actually needed.

“Jimin, stop… you're rubbing my hair off.” Minjeong said with a giggle and held on Jimin's wrist to make her stop. Jimin gasped and lowered her hands along with the towel and came face to face Minjeong.

Their faces too close, their eyes glued to each other.

Neither averted their gaze.

Jimin blamed Yizhuo for all the teasing she was doing to her.

Because Jimin's eyes were tracing Minjeong's face. From her eyes, down to her nose, then to her plump lips. A droplet of water trickled down from Minjeong's forehead down to her lips, dampening it in the process.

Minjeong wasn't any better as she watched Jimin visibly gulp, her eyes fixated on the ripple on Jimin's neck. Their breath hitched when their eyes met again. Jimin dropped the towel she was holding, while Minjeong's hold on Jimin's shirt tightened.

With Jimin's eyes never wavering, she unconsciously took a step forward and it caught Minjeong off guard. With each step forward that Jimin made, Minjeong took equivalent steps backward until her back hit the wall.

“Ji… Jimin…?” 

Blame Yizhuo.

Jimin's breath became shallow, and her eyes once again were staring intently at Minjeong's lips.

Blame Aeri, for all the things she showed to her.

Blame it all on them.

Jimin was young, there were a lot of new things and first experiences for her. They were alone in the locker room, Minjeong smelled so good and looked so adorable looking so lost in front of her.

Her hand seemed to move on its own, as it raised from her side with an intent to cup Minjeong's cheek that was blushing a little. Jimin's eyes darkened as she got closer and closer and her hand was just an inch from Minjeong's cheek.

Minjeong flinched when Jimin's cold hand touched her skin, and that woke Jimin from her trance.

“Minjeong… I… I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.” Jimin took a few steps back right away as if her touch burned Minjeong. She then realized what she was doing, and it terrified her.

Her mind was clouded with desire for a moment, one that she had no control over at all.

What had become of her?

I'm no different than Jinho. Jimin thought with hatred for herself.

“Minjeong, I didn't mean to—shit. I'm so sorry, I—”

“No, it's just…” Minjeong tried to cut off Jimin but the latter wasn't listening at all.

“...just… I got a static shock.”

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable and I didn't know what I was thinking. And I—”

“Jimin…” 

Jimin froze when she felt Minjeong's hand on her wrist. And when she looked up, she was taken aback at how red was Minjeong's face, even her ears had reddened up to the tips. Upon closer look, Minjeong's eyes were darting frantically between Jimin's face and just anywhere in the room because she was unable to hold her gaze even just for a millisecond.

Minjeong didn't seem uncomfortable. It was more like she was flustered.

“It's okay. I was just surprised and… you never made me feel uncomfortable.” Minjeong said and hid her face with the back of her hand. When Jimin still couldn't respond, Minjeong tugged on her wrist and attempted to shift the conversation.

“I'm a little hungry, though.” Minjeong said, and it was the truth. With the tension and pressure from the match and her recent situation with Jinho, all of it exhausted her. And Minjeong wanted nothing more than to gulf down some junk food.

One that Jinho forbade her to have.

“Oh, okay. Let's go then, I'll carry your bag.” Jimin said as soon as she recovered. They seemed to have a silent agreement not to discuss what just happened between them.

They exited the locker room with Minjeong leading Jimin through the hallways. Minjeong claimed she knew a shortcut that would lead them out of the building with a low chance of anyone seeing them. While they were navigating the maze-like hallways, Jimin kept looking back to check if someone saw them or following them. Minjeong noticed so she had to turn around and ask Jimin about it.

“Is there something wrong?” Minjeong asked.

Something was indeed wrong, Jimin thought. It was the fact that Jimin basically stole Minjeong away and lots of people were surely looking for her.

Especially Jinho. He might have come back for Minjeong and was surely confused to see that the room was empty. Even though Jimin removed the nameplate from the door in an attempt to buy some time and hopefully confused Jinho, he would've realized it sooner and looked for Minjeong.

“Jimin?”

But I want to take her away from him, from anyone. Away from everything and even just for a day, I want to make her happy

Jimin flinched a little when she felt something vibrating from Minjeong's bag. It was surely Minjeong's phone that was buzzing with calls from people looking for her, especially Jinho.

“Your phone…” Jimin said. Minjeong's face lit up in realization and she took her phone out of her bag that Jimin was holding.

And like what Jimin did when Aeri and Yizhuo were pestering her with endless calls and texts, Minjeong ignored every notification on her phone and turned it off.

“I'm hungry, so they can wait. Will you take me away?”

Again, who was Jimin to deny her request?

“I'll take care of you.” Jimin said and held Minjeong's hand as they left the building. They left everyone else with smiles on their faces, left without a plan, and they didn't care one bit. Jimin quickly hailed a cab and helped Minjeong get in, her duffle bag sat on the passenger seat while Jimin accompanied Minjeong on the back. Without a plan, though, Jimin didn't know where to go.

Thankfully, she remembered where Kun took her before.

“I know this good ramen shop. Do you want to have lunch there?” Jimin asked.

“I'm fine anywhere.”

Me too, as long as I'm with you. Jimin thought. She was tempted to tell the driver to drive off the city and for them to disappear somewhere that no one could find them, but it was still in front of the ramen shop where they got off.

Maybe someday, Jimin hoped.

While they were waiting for their food, Jimin noticed that Minjeong kept rubbing her thighs. It must've been still hurting but Jimin couldn't come up with an idea to ease her pain.

According to what she heard from Jinho, Minjeong was forced to take a lot of pain relievers. That wasn't safe, at all. Jimin could only imagine the horrors Minjeong was going through under Jinho.

What should I do? I wanted to take Minjeong out for the rest of the day, but I don't want her to get tired walking. Jimin was sunk in thought that she didn't notice that Minjeong was tapping her arm.

“Jimin… Jimin…” 

Jimin snapped out of it and her breath was taken away when she saw that Minjeong was looking at her with her wide, puppy-like eyes as if she was begging for something from her. She straightened up and cleared her throat, but it went the wrong way and she choked instead.

“Yes?” Jimin asked when she recovered, but her face was still red with all the coughing she went through.

“Can I have some soda too?” Minjeong asked.

“I… what? You don't have to ask me. Have anything you want.” Jimin said, a bit confused at how Minjeong asked her. She did say it was her treat but it felt like the way Minjeong asked her as if she was afraid to even say the word ‘soda’.

“Thanks.”

Oh, fuck. That smile. Jimin had to shake her head so hard that she felt dizzy because her heart was going to burst because of Minjeong's smile. Minjeong's mood finally lightened up and she could genuinely smile and laugh again.

I want to do more. Jimin thought and was determined to do everything for Minjeong. So after they ate and were just resting for a while before exiting the ramen shop, Jimin took out her phone and turned it on.

Notifications blasted her screen, but she ignored all that. Scrolling through her contacts, she found Yeri's number and excused herself so she could make a call. Minjeong was left on their table and was entertaining herself by playing with their unused napkins. She was trying to make an airplane but was having a hard time because of its softness.

On the other hand, Jimin was already outside and it took only a few rings before Yeri answered.

“Hey, our baby duckling. What's up? Got yourself in trouble?” Yeri asked and Jimin could hear cars honking on the other line that was strangely what she was also hearing where she was.

“Unnie, can I borrow a car?” Jimin asked. She had learned how to drive from Jeno, and despite the unpleasant days she spent with him, she successfully learned quickly and could drive around town. They made her their driver for evening deliveries so Jimin would get used to it first with just a few cars or none at all in the streets.

Jimin didn't want to admit that Jeno was a great teacher when it comes to driving. She would never even if she was going to be held at gunpoint.

“I thought you'd never ask. You can't take your date around without a car now, right? Come here and take my keys.” Yeri said and when Jimin looked around in confusion, she saw someone waving from the café across the street. There Yeri was, sitting beside the window with someone else.

Jimin squinted her eyes, it was Joohyun.

“How did you—”

“I was watching you the whole time, you know? Anyway, just get over here and impress your girlfriend with my super car.”

“Yeri, you brought the minivan. You're supposed to transport that thing.” Joohyun said. Jimin wasn't sure if she heard it right, but they seemed to be working with something.

“I can have Jimin deliver it then on their way. Right, Jimin? You'll do it for me, right? In exchange, you can borrow my actual car after that. I'll give you my address and keys.” Yeri said and ended the call.

Left with no choice, Jimin went back inside and told Minjeong she was going to get something for a few minutes. With how Minjeong's eyes trembled with panic, Jimin almost didn't want to leave, but she had to.

Upon entering the café, she walked to their table as fast as she could to get the keys and the details of their current work.

“Isn't it better if two high school students get rid of it? Oh, our baby duckling is here.” Yeri said and pulled Jimin to sit beside her.

Two car keys and two papers with different addresses written on each. They were placed on the table and Yeri quickly gave her an instruction.

“See that minivan? Take it to the scrapyard. Don't look at the backseat and definitely don't ask any questions. Get rid of it, then you can take my car from my apartment building. Now, go. Don't make your girl wait for too long.” Yeri said and pushed Jimin off her chair.”

“She's not—wait, how did you—”

“Jesus Christ in heaven, just go.” Yeri sighed and pushed Jimin harder. Jimin looked at Joohyun for help, but the latter was just sipping her coffee without sparing her a glance.

And just like that, Jimin was kicked out of the café with instructions on her hands. She checked the paper, it was the address of a scrapyard.

Jimin ran back to the ramen shop to get Minjeong. She explained the situation and lied that her cousin called her for a favor. Minjeong didn't seem to mind the sudden detour, it wasn't like they had plans anyway. Minjeong would go with Jimin, it didn't matter where as long as she could get away to breathe.

The minivan looked old but still good enough for a ride and Jimin wondered why Yeri wanted to get rid of it. She also wondered what was in the back seat and she knew too well not to look. Jimin had a feeling that she would regret it if she dared to take even just a second of a glance at it. So she drove away, with Minjeong settled comfortably on the passenger seat.

There was a bit of a traffic jam, so they had time to chitchat a little bit.

“I didn't know you could drive.” Minjeong said and Jimin would like to believe that she sounded like she was in awe.

“I just learned how to. I got my license before final exams.” Jimin explained. The license she got was forged by Yeri anyway, but she was assured that it would get through if ever she was going to be pulled off by the police.

Minjeong hummed, and they got through the traffic. Jimin could feel that Minjeong kept taking glances at her, and when her curiosity reached its limit, Jimin decided to address it.

“Uhm… something wrong?” Jimin asked.

“How did you find me in my room earlier?” Minjeong asked what she had been wanting to know since she saw Jimin standing in front of her in the said room. She was so overwhelmed by the recent events that she didn't have the chance to ask Jimin.

And of course, Jimin had to lie. She felt like she was getting better at it.

“I was looking for a restroom then I got lost in there. Then I heard someone crying and you know… I like horror stuff. And… the hallways were kind of creepy and maze-like and I thought a ghost was there because it didn't make sense that someone would be crying there alone, right? So I wanted to check it out because I was curious and I wanted to see a ghost for real.”

Jimin was getting better at lying? Maybe not.

But Minjeong didn't question it anymore and just laughed.

“That's so silly. Did I sound like a ghost?” Minjeong teased.

“No! Of course not! I didn't mean to offend you or anything. I was just—”

Minjeong chuckled and turned her body a little in Jimin's direction. “It's fine, I'll let you off this time. But if I became a ghost, I'm going to haunt you.”

“Please don't say that.”

Minjeong's smile dropped when she realized what she said. Jimin's expression turned into a serious one and Minjeong felt guilty about it.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.”

Jimin didn't answer, not because she wanted to, but because she was too absorbed in driving. They reached the street she wasn't familiar with, and she hoped that Yeri drew a map for her instead of just an address.

“I think I'm lost.” Jimin pointed out while making a turn. That eased the tension in Minjeong's chest because she was so convinced that Jimin was mad at her. Jimin stopped on a side to check the address again, and looked out the window to figure out where she was supposed to go.

“Give me the paper.” Minjeong said. Despite the confusion, Jimin still handed the paper and also her phone when Minjeong asked for it too.

“I entered the address on the map. Keep driving and I'll guide you.” Minjeong said.

“You can do that?” Jimin was flabbergasted and caught herself acting stupid because she never knew how to do that. She was sure that Minjeong would judge her, but instead, Minjeong just patted her arm and pointed at the front.

“Eyes on the road.” Minjeong said with a chuckle.

“Sorry.”

Jimin continued driving with Minjeong guiding her and they finally reached the scrapyard. Minjeong waited at the entrance while Jimin drove the minivan inside. A man approached her and asked what was her business.

“I was asked to—”

“Wait, you're the one with—” The man paused and looked around before he turned his attention back at Jimin.

“Show me your card.”

“Card? Oh…” So that's how it was. Jimin thought and took out her black card that she recently received from Joohyun. The man inspected it and he seemed satisfied based on his nod.

“I'll take it from here. Geez, they're really sending in kids now.” The man said and Jimin noticed that he was also looking at Minjeong by the entrance. Jimin wanted to explain that Minjeong wasn't involved with their organization, but the man was already driving the minivan further inside. Shrugging her shoulders, she went back to Minjeong and hailed another cab to get Yeri's car.

“Where are we going now?” Minjeong couldn't help but ask. She really didn't mind where it would be, but it was still nice to know.

“My cousin lent me her car so we're going to her place to get it. And then…”

And then what, Jimin? Think, quick.

“Maybe we can go somewhere where we can find rocks…” Jimin ended up saying and she thought that she blew it. Out of all the things she could say, it had to be a lame one. But when she looked at Minjeong, the latter was smiling so wide, and excitement glistened in her eyes.

“Really?”

Shit, she's excited. I forgot her legs still hurt.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. I'm so stupid.

“Yeah but… I'm sorry, I didn't consider that you might still be in pain. Uh, your legs…” Jimin said and hoped Minjeong wouldn't sulk because of it. It scared her to look at Minjeong's expression, but she had to so she could make sure that Minjeong was still okay. And maybe think of a way to make her feel better if she wasn't okay.

But when Jimin turned her head, Minjeong's excitement didn't falter at all. She must've loved rocks so much.

“It's not hurting anymore. I can go and pick rocks.” Minjeong said and Jimin thought that if Minjeong was a dog, then her tail would've been wagging like crazy. That's exactly how Minjeong seemed at that moment.

So when they got in Yeri's car, it was Minjeong who put the location of a camping site in the mountains that she used to go to before. They could spend the day there to pick up rocks at the foot of the mountain. Jimin didn't waste time and started driving, and along the way, she smiled when she saw that Minjeong had fallen asleep. It was a problem, however, because Jimin had a hard time following the map on her phone while driving at the same time.

“I have to get used to this fast…” Jimin mumbled. Droplets of sweat fell from her forehead as she was on edge driving carefully so as to not wake Minjeong up, while also looking at her phone that was attached to the holder from time to time. It made her nervous to do so as a beginner in driving because she was scared to keep her eyes off the road even just for a second.

Jimin didn't mind if something bad happened to her, but Minjeong was with her. Yeri also threatened her not to get even a single scratch on her car, so it piled up on her nervousness.

“I can do this. I've come so far… I can do this.” Jimin muttered like a mantra. When she saw the entrance to the campsite, she breathed a sigh of relief and felt like a few years had been taken from her life.

We're alive. Thank goodness.

“Minjeong… we're here. Wake up…”

Minjeong stirred awake, and Jimin could be biased, but it was the most adorable thing she had ever seen. Eyes half closed and mouth slightly agape, Minjeong looked around in confusion. It was like she forgot where she was and what she was just doing.

“Oh…” 

Jimin chuckled and unbuckled Minjeong's seatbelt for her. “Do you want to sleep more?”

“No, no… just give me a minute.”

While waiting, Jimin exited the car to look around. There were only a few cars parked and one of them was already leaving. Jimin thought it was for the best, she was hoping there wouldn't be too many people around anyway.

Some peace and quiet, it would be nice.

Jimin even wished the rest would leave right away, so she could pick rocks with Minjeong like they were the only ones left in the world.

It would be nice.

The door slammed shut so Jimin turned around to see Minjeong stretching. The weather was nice, a little bit cold, but still nice.

“Are you cold?” Jimin asked as she approached Minjeong.

“A little. I should've dressed warmer.” Minjeong said and was confused when Jimin suddenly removed her jacket.

“Wear this.” Jimin handed her jacket to Minjeong, which the latter refused at first.

“But you're going to be cold instead. I'll be fine.”

“I'm used to it.” Jimin lied. She wasn't used to the cold, at all. But she swore to herself that she would do anything for Minjeong. So, Jimin pretended she didn't feel cold, and held back her shivers whenever Minjeong looked at her.

Jimin helped Minjeong wear the jacket, and she had the sudden urge to squeeze Minjeong with how adorable she looked in a jacket that was slightly bigger than her.

“Hey, kids. Are you staying the night? Going for a hike?” A woman approached them. Jimin and Minjeong looked at each other then at the woman.

“We're just here to pick rocks.” Jimin said. Minjeong laughed and had to cover her face because she wanted to say something else, but found Jimin's honesty a bit silly.

“I see.” The woman nodded and didn't show any judgement towards them. “It's rare for people to come here to pick rocks these days. Do you have something to put your collection in?”

Jimin and Minjeong shook their heads, then they realized they went to a campsite without any preparations at all. Thankfully, the woman was kind enough to give them a pouch each and said that they could have them since they were just sitting in their office for months, just gathering dust.

After they checked in and read the essential rules, they walked further inside. Minjeong was walking ahead of Jimin and her excitement was contagious that Jimin couldn't help but be excited about rocks too. Loving the things Minjeong loved became a natural thing to Jimin.

Just for a day, they forgot about everything else. Minjeong with her tennis match and Jinho, and Jimin with her work under Joohyun's organization and her plans for Minjeong. Just for that day, they were just simply Jimin and Minjeong, who were going to pick pretty rocks at the foot of the mountain.

“I found one! Look, it's so smooth. Wait, there's one over there too. Jimin, hurry!” Minjeong exclaimed while waving at Jimin. When did Minjeong get there? Jimin wondered while smiling. She started to pick rocks too, but had a hard time because she wasn't sure what to choose.

Meanwhile, Minjeong already filled her pouch halfway.

Jimin only had one she quickly picked up when Minjeong suddenly started running towards her.

“Did you find any yet?” Minjeong asked. Jimin gulped and hesitantly opened her palm to show the rock she picked up. She was embarrassed when she realized what she picked up but it was too late, Minjeong had already seen it.

“It looks like a butt!” Minjeong said and laughed while examining it. Jimin blushed and had to look away.

“I couldn't find any pretty rocks…”

“You don't have to find only the pretty ones. It can be a silly little looking thing with odd shapes, like this.” Minjeong said and put the rock back on Jimin's palm. Jimin liked to think that Minjeong only said that to make her feel better, but had to wipe that thought away quickly because she knew that Minjeong was better than that.

And, hey. Minjeong laughed, so it was all good.

“I want to give you pretty rocks though..” Jimin said and she didn't realize that she was already pouting. But Minjeong didn't say anything and was just staring at her face. Especially to her lips.

“You can give me the simplest rock there is, and I'll treasure it. As long as… it's from you.” Minjeong said and mumbled the last words in a low tone. Unfortunately, Jimin didn't catch that but she was still blushing with what Minjeong said.

It was bad for her heart, really bad. But if Jimin died because of it, she would die with a stupid smile on her face.

“Hey, do you think that grandpa fell asleep?” Minjeong said and pointed at the old man sitting beside the river while holding a fishing rod. He was nodding off and they were worried that he might fall in the river so they quickly approached the old man to wake him up.

Jimin positioned herself in front of the old man in case he got startled when Minjeong woke him up. Minjeong then tapped his shoulder lightly.

“Grandpa, wake up. Grandpa…"

The old man jolted awake, and Jimin was quick to hold him in place so he wouldn't fall in the water.

“Good heavens, I caught a giant fish. Oh, maybe not.” Grandpa said and looked at Jimin and Minjeong in confusion.

“Who might you be?” He asked.

“I'm Minjeong, and this is my friend Jimin. We came here to pick up rocks when we saw you dozing off and we were worried you might fall over. Are you okay? Is someone with you?”

“Grandpa! I got some wood!” A voice was heard, and when they turned around, a boy was running towards them with some pieces of fallen wood in his tiny arms. Some were even falling and the sight was so endearing that Jimin and Minjeong couldn't help but smile at him.

“Are these enough for our campfire?” He asked. His grandpa just smiled and ruffled his head.

“Yes, of course.” He said and gestured towards Jimin and Minjeong.

“These are the kind ladies who saved me from falling in the river. Let's thank them, shall we?” Grandpa said. The boy gasped and bowed repeatedly towards them.

“Thank you for saving my grandpa! I had to go earlier to pick up some wood. I'll share some of my snacks with you. Grandpa said I should always return the favor.” The boy said. Jimin and Minjeong didn't have the heart to refuse his offer, so they smiled and accepted it.

“Thank you, really. These days, I've been dozing off a lot. This is my grandson, Eunwoo. I take him camping from time to time to teach him things before I leave this wonderful world.”

“C'mon, Grandpa. Don't say that. You'll still leave for a hundred more years.” Minjeong said and that made the old man laugh. Minjeong easily wormed her way through their hearts and it made Jimin fall for her all.over again.

“How old are you, Eunwoo?” Minjeong asked the boy. Jimin watched the exchange and was amazed by it.

Minjeong was even good with kids.

“I'm seven. You're so pretty, can I marry you?” Eunwoo asked. It earned him a light smack on his butt by his grandpa though. But Minjeong just laughed it off.

“Hey, what did I tell you about asking every woman you see for marriage? This kid…”

Eunwoo pouted and clung on Minjeong.

“Granpda is mean.” 

Minjeong patted his head and crouched to his eye level. “I'm pretty, huh? You flatter me. What about my friend? Do you want to marry her too?”

Eunwoo looked up at Jimin and hid behind Minjeong. “No, she's scary. Her eyes are scary…”

I'm… scary? Jimin blinked rapidly a few times. What was scary about her? She was sure she was smiling at Eunwoo the whole time.

“Scary? No. Jimin is nice, you know.” Minjeong said and smiled when she looked at Jimin who was just as lost as she was.

“Her eyes look angry.”

“Hey, Eunwoo. Don't be rude. Sorry about that. Why don't you join us for dinner later? I'll grill the fishes I caught, and some if I manage to catch more.” Grandpa offered while pulling Eunwoo away from Minjeong.

They left them to continue looking for rocks with a promise that they would join them for dinner. Jimin was still bothered by how Eunwoo described her so she had to ask Minjeong about it.

“Do I really look scary?” Jimin asked. Minjeong stopped midway picking a rock she saw, and straightened up to face Jimin properly.

“It's probably the glasses, he couldn't see your eyes properly because of the reflection. You don't look scary, Jimin. You're beautiful.”

I'm going to die. How could you say such a thing like it was nothing? I'm going to die. I'm going to die. My heart can't take this.

Jimin had to hold on to a tree for her dear life. Words could kill, but Jimin never expected that good ones could do it too.

“I'm kind of thirsty.” Minjeong said and sat on the root of one of the big trees near them. Jimin looked around, but she could only see the river earlier as a source of water. They were unprepared, they didn't even think of bringing their own water.

But Jimin couldn't possibly make Minjeong drink out from the river.

“Let me ask Grandpa if he could give us some water. Wait for me here.” 

Jimin ran as fast as she could even though they weren't that far from Grandpa and Eunwoo. Grandpa gladly gave them a bottle of water and Jimin thanked them and promised that she would help with preparing their dinner later. When she got back, the sight of Minjeong stole her breath away.

Minjeong was leaning on the tree trunk. Her eyes were closed and her head lightly tilted upwards as if she was enjoying the rays of sun slipping through the leaves and Minjeong looked ethereal. For a second, Jimin thought she saw a goddess resting in the woods.

Jimin didn't know how long she was staring, until Minjeong opened her eyes and looked at her.

“Did you get some water?” Minjeong asked.

Jimin nodded and walked towards Minjeong like she was in a trance. But then, she tripped and fell in front of Minjeong in such a lame way that she didn't want to get up and wanted to bury herself until the sun wouldn't shine on her anymore.

“Jimin!” Minjeong hurried to help her get up and even dusted her pants for her. 

“I'm… okay. Here's your water.”

Minjeong was still worried and would check on Jimin from time to time. After she finished drinking, she offered the bottle to Jimin without any idea what that small act did to Jimin's heart.

“Don't worry, I'm clean. You need water too.”

Jimin's face heated up while staring at the bottle Minjeong just had a drink on. It would be rude if she would wipe the rim of the bottle or if she just poured the water in her mouth, when Minjeong clearly said not to worry about it. But that meant she would have indirect contact with Minjeong's lips, and Jimin thought that she might not be able to handle it.

To hell with it.

Jimin drank from the bottle until it was empty. She let out a satisfied sigh and when she looked at Minjeong, the latter was yawning and rubbing her eyes. Jimin forgot about them sharing a bottle for a moment.

“Are you tired? Do you want to go back in the car to rest?” Jimin asked. 

“I am tired, I want to sleep. But, is it okay if I sleep here? It feels nice.” Minjeong said while looking so adorable with her droopy eyes.

Jimin looked around for a place where Minjeong could rest, but it was all trees and the dirty ground. The riverside would've been nice but they didn't bring anything with them, not even a picnic mat. Jimin had to think fast because she wanted Minjeong to rest as soon as possible.

“Can I lean on your shoulder?” Minjeong asked and cut Jimin off from her thoughts.

“Okay.” Jimin stiffened when Minjeong scooted closer and settled herself beside her. Then, Minjeong slowly rested her head on Jimin's shoulder and let out a sigh of relief.

“Aren't you uncomfortable with this position? Do you want to move somewhere else?” Jimin asked.

“I'm comfortable here.” Minjeong whispered.

Minjeong must've been exhausted, Jimin thought. She had a match after the final exams after all, so she had to prepare a lot for those. It was obvious with the way Minjeong fell asleep right away and was snoring lightly. Jimin remained as still as possible, and if she could stop breathing while Minjeong slept, then she would.

It was so peaceful.

The sound of the birds chirping, the sun rays warming them, and the leaves rustling as wind blew. It was all nice, and Jimin was glad that she took Minjeong out. Jimin cherished that moment, because it's maybe the last time they would spend time like that. She was entering college, and according to Joohyun, she was going to be a lot busy when that time came.

So Jimin cherished it, cherished every second of her time with Minjeong. They may be able to meet sometime after that, but she knew it wouldn't be the same as their current time together anymore. The future held uncertainty and it scared Jimin a little.

There was still fear in her heart, the weight on her chest that was only getting heavier. Jimin held on to her chest to steady her breathing, but she was surprised when instead of her chest, she touched Minjeong's hand instead. Jimin then turned her head just a little to see Minjeong hugging her in an awkward position. Jimin wanted to wake her up because she might get cramps later.

But how could she do that when Minjeong was deep in sleep? So Jimin remained still, with her hand supporting Minjeong's head because it kept falling off her shoulder.

Hours passed and the sun was already setting, but Minjeong kept sleeping. Jimin was numb all over her body, but she persevered to provide comfort to Minjeong. Just then, Minjeong stirred awake and looked up at Jimin with her eyes still half closed.

“Jimin?” Minjeong called, and there was a hint of fear in her voice. It was as if she was scared that Jimin left her there alone.

“I'm here.” Jimin smiled and fixed Minjeong's hair. Then, Minjeong slowly sat up and stretched her body with those tiny whines that Jimin found so adorable.

“Are you hungry? I can smell someone grilling. I think it's Grandpa. I want to go and help him as I promised.” Jimin said and forced a smile when Minjeong looked at her.

Jimin couldn't move at all, her whole body became numb.

“Let's go? Oh, thanks for letting me sleep.” Minjeong said and offered a hand to Jimin to help her stand. Jimin could only give Minjeong a sheepish smile because she knew she couldn't hide it anymore.

“I can't move yet. Can you give me a minute?”

And then, Jimin watched Minjeong's expression change in a split second.

“I'm sorry! Let me help you, okay? Just bear with it for now.” Minjeong said while carefully moving Jimin's arms and legs to restore her body's blood flow. Of course, Jimin wanted to appear strong so she didn't let Minjeong see any signs of her struggle, but deep inside, she wanted to scream and cry.

I've been beaten up badly before. Lots of times. This is nothing.

“I think I can move now.” Jimin said and tried to stand up. She stumbled a little and Minjeong was quick to hold her.

“Are you sure?” Minjeong asked. Jimin nodded and slowly stretched and moved her body on her own and when she felt better, she smiled at Minjeong.

“Let's go? I'm a little excited about eating grilled fish.”

Jimin and Minjeong walked side by side towards where Grandpa told them where his and his grandson's tent was. Then they saw smoke coming out from a distance, and as they got closer, the view of a blue tent became clearer to them.

“Grandpa, we're back.” Jimin said and started helping him with the preparation. Minjeong joined and helped Eunwoo set up logs around the campfire for them to sit on. They shared stories while waiting for the fish to cook. It was mostly Grandpa telling them stories and not a single one was boring. It was his adventures in the past, and it all sounded amazing and exciting. Grandpa liked to travel and take on adventures and he wanted to pass that hobby to Eunwoo.

“Grandpa, this is so good. You should be a chef.” Minjeong complimented while enjoying the grilled fish.

“Oh you and your words. I just did some seasoning there. Here, have another one. Eunwoo, give them some juice.” Grandpa said while Eunwoo poured juice in paper cups for them. Minjeong didn't lie, though. The grilled fish was really good. It was a breath of fresh air with the campfire and friendly companions sharing good food. It was like they were living a totally different life, it was relaxing.

Especially that Jimin spent it with Minjeong.

When they were done eating to their heart's content, Jimin and Minjeong helped them clean up. It was a sad moment for them as they had to go home because it was already too late for them. Minjeong's family and friends must've been worried sick because she suddenly went missing, so Jimin had to take her back soon. They hugged Grandpa and thanked him once again, and Eunwoo didn't escape Minjeong's hug either. He enjoyed it, of course. The little boy had already fallen in love with Minjeong.

Not that Jimin could blame him.

And although Eunwoo was still wary of Jimin, he still gave her a hug.

“That was the best fish I've ever eaten.” Minjeong said while rubbing her stomach. Jimin chuckled and opened the door for Minjeong and waited until she was settled inside. Then she rounded the car and got in the driver's seat.

“Really? Grandpa beat your meals from five star restaurants?” Jimin teased as she started the engine.

“Maybe it's because I genuinely enjoyed the meal. It's been a while since I laughed and enjoyed eating like that with a lot of people. I like this too. I'm always taken to dinner parties, and if not, a golf session with my dad's business partners. Then I go to school, study, practice tennis. So this simple trip is special for me. ” Minjeong said, her voice sounded a bit melancholic but she brushed it off with a soft laugh.

“I don't want to go home.” Minjeong suddenly said.

Jimin felt the same. So she turned off the engine and rolled down the windows.

“We can stay here for a little bit longer. Do you want to watch the stars? The sky is clear.” Jimin said. But Minjeong shook her head and just turned her body slightly in Jimin's direction.

"I just want to talk.” Minjeong said. Jimin unbuckled her seatbelt and took a deep breath.

“I'm going to miss you, Jimin. I won't see you in school anymore.”

Jimin bit her lip and had to look away for a second.

“We can still meet whenever you don't want to do your homework. Just give me a call.”

“I'll do that, then. I'll watch you on graduation day too.” Minjeong said then she tugged on Jimin's shirt. Jimin finally turned around to look at Minjeong.

“There will be a party after graduation. Can you…” Minjeong paused and Jimin could feel her grip tightening on her shirt.

“Please be there.”

Party. Jimin had never been to any of their school's parties. But when Minjeong asked her like that, she would kill herself if she didn't agree.

“I'll be there."

Silence enveloped them, a comfortable one that is. Although they kept stealing glances at each other and when their eyes met, they would just smile and laugh it off.

They decided it was time to go home. Even though they didn't want to, Jimin started the engine and drove off. Minjeong asked if she could turn on the radio and as expected, Jimin would always say ‘yes’ to her. Even if Minjeong asked her to jump off the car, she would.

Minjeong was humming along to the songs, and Jimin spent all her remaining energy memorizing all of it so she could save it later. Then, as Minjeong was enjoying herself, she started singing along and Jimin never expected that she could fall in love even harder to Minjeong.

Her voice was so heavenly that Jimin lost control of the car for a split second. Thankfully, Minjeong was too absorbed in her singing to even notice.

Jimin wanted to record Minjeong's voice. Oh how she would pay with her life to hear it over and over again. But she could only engrave Minjeong's voice in her mind, and hope it stayed there even if she lost herself.

When they reached Minjeong's home, Jimin parked the car and was about to go out to open the door for Minjeong. But Minjeong stopped her and shook her head while smiling.

“I don't want anyone to see you. I don't want to get you in trouble. Just stay here.” Minjeong said after she removed her seatbelt.

“Are you going to be okay? You'll get scolded for sure. I want to at least explain to your parents that it's my fault.” Jimin said with a worried expression. It's not just that, she was worried what Jinho would do to her. If she could, she would take Minjeong to her apartment instead but she knew it would only make it worse.

“I'll be fine. I had fun, Jimin. Thanks for saving me back there.” Minjeong said and Jimin wanted to disagree with that.

I haven't saved you. Not yet.

“And oh, Jimin…” Minjeong turned around and looked at Jimin's eyes intently. It made Jimin nervous with how intense Minjeong's gaze was.

“If you need someone to talk to, I'm here.” Minjeong said and leaned forward. Jimin didn't know what happened then, all she knew was she was watching Minjeong walk away from her and she was left sitting in the car.

What happened? Wait.

Jimin replayed it back a little.

Minjeong suddenly looked at her with such an intense gaze, then dropped those words with worry hinted in her voice. Jimin didn't know where it came from, but maybe Minjeong was just looking out for her out of her kindness.

And then… Minjeong leaned forward.

Oh.

Jimin touched her cheek and she could still feel Minjeong's lips on it.

Minjeong just kissed her on the cheek.

When Jimin finally realized it, she banged her head against the steering wheel and she jumped in surprise when the horn honked because of her actions. A passerby was also startled and glared at the car before walking away.

“Minjeong kissed me… Minjeong kissed me…”

I want to scream.

But Jimin didn't and she instead bit on the steering wheel to calm her racing heart. She clutched her shirt and banged her fist against her chest. It didn't help, nothing helped her calm down. Jimin looked outside again, but Minjeong was already out of sight. Good thing she didn't witness Jimin losing her mind.

Jimin drove off with such speed, her grip on the steering wheel was so tight that her knuckles turned white. She drove past a lot of cars and she didn't realize until then that she could drive like crazy.

Jimin was going crazy. So crazy that she didn't notice that a police car was already chasing her. She kept driving with Minjeong's lips against her cheek running on her mind the whole time.

“Minjeong kissed me! Minjeong kissed me! Move! Move!” Jimin yelled as she sped up more. It didn't take long before the police caught up to her and blocked her way, causing her to slam the brakes and hit her head against the steering wheel.

“Roll down the window and turn off the engine!” A police officer said. Jimin obeyed and rolled the window down, but she couldn't register what they were saying at all.

They asked a question, but Jimin's response was just…

“Minjeong kissed me.”

Before Jimin knew it, she was already in the police station and Yeri had to bail her out.

Jimin was scolded harshly and Joohyun even slapped her, but Jimin managed to turn her head before Joohyun's hand landed on the cheek where Minjeong kissed her. She was strictly instructed not to cause unnecessary trouble, and she was not exempted from their punishment and Yeri took the task to give it to her. It was to give a lighter punishment for Jimin, since Yeri thought that it was kind of a hilarious way to get caught by the police. Yeri even thought that Jimin had lost her mind, because despite all the hits she had been giving her, Jimin was still smiling.

After all, Minjeong kissed her cheek. Nothing else really mattered anymore.

Chapter Text

Graduation didn't hold much meaning to Jimin anymore. Or at least, that was what she wanted to believe to hide what she felt when she looked back at her past self.

Studious, disciplined, hard-working, and just a normal student trying her best for her dreams. The honesty and dedication she had in life, those nights she lost sleep for working part-time jobs to make ends meet. Then going home tired, but feeling fulfilled for making it through another day. Study a little bit, sleep for a few hours, repeat.

It was all simple before despite the hardship, but it all changed. Jimin changed.

As she wore her uniform, Jimin looked at the mirror and saw a reflection of someone she didn't recognize anymore. There was the feeling of longing for the past, and deep inside she wished she could still bury her face in her notes and books and breathe a sigh of relief once final exams were over. Jimin wished she could graduate with pride in her heart, but no. That wasn't happening anymore.

Jimin didn't even lift a pen during their exams. Yet, she still passed just like Joohyun promised.

That was so easy. No need for studying at all. Jimin could sleep for hours until she was satisfied without any worries of failing or if she could pay for the month's rent and bills.

Because she had the money, she had connections, Jimin was starting to have the things she had always wanted in life before.

An easy life.

It may look like that now, but Jimin paid a price for it.

Jimin could afford a lot of things, but it all lost meaning.

“Jimin-ah! Are you awake?”

Jimin was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard knocks on the door followed by a familiar voice. She fixed her uniform, and gave herself one last look at the mirror before leaving her room. Upon opening the door, she was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Jang, along with Wonyoung who was hiding behind her father.

“Congratulations! We'll be there for you and we'll treat you for a meal later, okay? Don't refuse now, or I'm going to sulk.” Mrs. Jang said and gave Jimin a hug.

“I got a huge bonus recently so we're eating out in some fancy restaurant Wonyoung found. Don't hold back, it's your special day.” Mr. Jang said then he subtly nudged Wonyoung.

“Say something.”

Wonyoung stuttered and almost tripped on her father's foot when she stepped forward. There was a bouquet of flowers on her arm and she awkwardly extended it towards Jimin.

“Con… Congratulations…” Wonyoung said and further extended the bouquet of flowers towards Jimin with her head bowed so low.

“This kid…” Mr. Jang sighed and ruffled Wonyoung's hair. “Give the flowers later.”

Jimin had to take a step back to process things. There was only one question in her mind that she couldn't figure out the answer to no matter how hard she tried.

Why?

“I… I need to… wait…” Jimin closed the door and took a deep breath. Confusion filled her mind. Sure, they've always been looking after Jimin, but why would they go such lengths for her? They were just neighbors, Jimin thought. There were no other reasons for them to put such efforts. Still, Jimin didn't want to be rude and refuse their kindness. So, she opened the door a little and forced a smile.

“I'll be out in a few minutes.”

The Jang family smiled and told Jimin to take her time. Jimin then rushed to get her phone and wallet. After she made sure her appearance was decent in the mirror, she took hesitant steps towards her mother's room.

A knock, then Jimin's shaking hand twisted the doorknob to take a peek inside the room. There, her mother laid on the bed, and Jimin walked towards her.

“Mom, I'm graduating today. You don't have to wake me up every morning, you don't have to prepare lunch for me anymore.” Jimin said as she kneeled beside the bed. She put her head on the soft mattress and closed her eyes.

“Did I do well?” Jimin asked. There was silence, but she smiled when she felt a hand caressing her hair.

“Mom, did I do well? Tell me that I did.” Jimin repeated.

“You did well.”

Jimin's hand gripped on the bedsheet tight. A lone tear fell from her eye as she took a deep breath.

“Tell me you're proud of me.” Jimin asked again.

“I'm proud of you.”

“Tell me you'll always be with me.”

Another silence. Jimin shut her eyes tightly as her grip on the bedsheets tightened. Jimin wished she could rest after graduation, spend more time with her mother and probably look for an apartment they could move in, one with an elevator so she could take her mother outside too. Jimin could afford a wheelchair and to have her mother's prosthetic leg replaced after all. But Jimin knew she didn't have time. After their graduation and the after-party, Jimin needed to work officially under Joohyun.

“Mom, tell me you'll—”

“Jimin-ah, are you okay?” Mrs. Jang's voice was heard coupled with soft knocks on the front door. Jimin sighed and stood up, then smoothened the creases on her skirt before leaving a soft kiss on her mother's forehead.

“You can wait for me in the living room later. I'll bring delicious food and we'll have a party of our own.” Jimin said and draped the blanket over her mother's body.

Jimin walked away from her mother, but a voice stopped her before she could reach the door.

“Jimin-ah, can you buy eggs on your way home?”

“Of course, mom. I can afford to buy those expensive eggs now too.” Jimin proudly said and closed the door behind her. When she went back outside, they were all waiting for her with proud smiles on their faces.

They're proud of me too, I guess. Jimin thought and followed them downstairs. It was probably because Wonyoung would graduate next school year too, so the thought made them excited.

Mrs. Jang settled on the passenger seat while Wonyoung looked like a statue at the backseat beside Jimin. Mr. Jang could only sigh at their daughter and Mrs. Jang kept scolding him for pressuring their daughter about Jimin. When they reached Jimin's school, Mr. Jang left them to park their rental car while Mrs. Jang fixed Jimin's uniform.

“There you go. Chin up a little, hmm? Be proud of yourself.” Mrs. Jang said while patting Jimin's shoulder. The act made her eyes teared up, but she quickly blinked it away and averted her gaze somewhere else.

It didn't feel right, Jimin thought.

There were her schoolmates with their families sharing a similar situation with her. Although, theirs were better. More genuine and happy. Jimin felt like hers was fake or forced, and maybe the Jang family was only doing it out of pity.

It was uncomfortable.

As soon as they were asked to come inside for the ceremony to start, Jimin went ahead with quick steps wanting to get away from the family as soon as possible. She needed to breathe, needed to use the crowd to shield her from her emotions. Jimin took her designated seat, and then she saw Aeri a few seats away from her.

The ceremony started, it was dull, boring. It wasn't enough to distract Jimin from her thoughts so she looked at Aeri who was busy on her phone and she pursed her lips.

Jimin stood up and walked over to her schoolmate who was sitting beside Aeri.

“Move, I want to sit beside Aeri.” Jimin said. Her schoolmate opened and closed his mouth and looked around. A teacher was already giving Jimin a look, but couldn't do anything about her behavior ever since it was known that Jimin became Aeri and Yizhuo's friend.

“But… I don't want to be scolded.” He said while looking at the teacher with pleading eyes.

“I want to sit here. Move.” Jimin repeated. And when he still didn't budge, Jimin raised a fist as a threat and he hurriedly scampered away from his seat. Jimin didn't care about the teachers or his parents watching.

Jimin didn't want to care about anything at all.

“Hi.” She greeted Aeri who only gave her an eye roll.

“Stop making a fuss. What do you want?” Aeri asked while crossing her arms.

“I'm bored. Want candy?” Jimin offered candy to Aeri, which the latter only smacked away.

“Get lost, you're annoying. Didn't I tell you not to get chummy with me?”

“You always buy me lunch though. Dinner too, sometimes.” Jimin pointed out, then picked up the candy on the floor.

“It's what Yizhuo wants.”

“Yizhuo didn't say anything.”

“I know what Yizhuo wants.”

Aeri sighed and decided to just ignore Jimin, but she knew too well that it wouldn't work the way she wanted to. Jimin had become bolder and more annoying in her opinion, and she suddenly regretted her decision to keep Jimin by their side.

Aeri should've shut the door in Jimin's face from the very beginning.

Jimin was nothing but a nuisance, a trouble.

“Are you coming to the after-party too? I don't know what to wear.” Jimin asked. For a second, Aeri wanted to stop the ceremony so she could drag Jimin out and beat her up. Instead, Aeri took out her phone again and texted Yizhuo to cool off.

But of course, Jimin didn't stop and kept bothering Aeri. It was what Jimin needed.

A distraction, and someone to talk to about anything other than her reality.

“Is that Yizhuo? Where is she? Aeri, what should I wear?” Jimin continued pestering her, both of them completely weren't paying attention to the ceremony anymore. When Aeri still ignored her, Jimin took out her phone and typed a message.

Sent.

Aeri opened it and glared at Jimin.

‘Is it true that you killed our schoolmate?’

Jimin stared back at Aeri, waiting for her to get back on her phone to answer her question. And Aeri did when she snapped.

‘Where did you hear that nonsense?’

Jimin hummed while typing on her phone. She felt silly for talking to someone who was just beside her over the phone, but she didn't want anyone around them to hear about it. It was the only time Jimin had the chance to ask, and she thought it was perfect because Aeri wouldn't be able to run away from her curiosity.

‘That boy who temporarily replaced me. He said his best friend died because of you. I got his journal and read everything about it there.’

Jimin gasped when Aeri suddenly turned towards her and grabbed her by the collar. Aeri's eyes were seething, but it faltered for a split second. Jimin just blinked slowly until Aeri let her go.

So it was true. Jimin concluded based on Aeri's reaction.

Aeri picked up her phone again, and Jimin waited for her phone to vibrate. When it did, she quickly checked and read what Aeri sent.

‘Where's the journal?’

‘I burnt it.’

A look of disbelief mixed with suspicion, it was what Jimin saw in Aeri's eyes. It didn't take long for Aeri to finally drag Jimin out until they reached an empty restroom. Aeri shoved Jimin in the furthest stall and slammed her against the wall.

“What are you up to this time?” Aeri asked with gritted teeth.

“Nothing. I was just asking.”

Jimin was unfazed by Aeri's anger. With all the beating and yelling she received from them, what Aeri was doing was like a flick on her forehead. Or maybe, a friendly banter. Not that Jimin had one before to tell.

“What? You want to blackmail me? I bet you didn't burn it, probably made copies of it. What do you want? Money? You better tell me now or I'll kill you too if Yizhuo ends up in trouble because of it.”

“Friends look out for each other, right?” Jimin said and the sincerity in her voice took Aeri by surprise.

“You really did that for us?” Aeri asked, still in disbelief. When Jimin nodded, Aeri let her go and scoffed.

“But I do want something in return.”

“I fucking knew it.” Aeri ran her fingers through her hair in frustration and was about to open the door when Jimin grabbed her wrist. She prepared for the worst, and prepared herself to smash Jimin's head against the toilet bowl depending on what she would say.

But Jimin kept surprising her, and Aeri didn't know if she would get angry or just laugh.

“Help me with what I'll wear to the after-party.”

Aeri scoffed first, and took a few seconds to collect herself before she finally laughed. “I don't know what Yizhuo sees in you, there's clearly something wrong in your head. I have to admit that it amuses me.”

Jimin, clearly confused, just stared at Aeri. All she said was the truth, and she didn't get why it made Aeri laugh like that. But Jimin didn't bother thinking about it when Aeri agreed.

“We'll pick you up tomorrow morning then. I'll make you look decent for once.”

When Jimin smiled widely and even made a little jump out of excitement, Aeri could only roll her eyes and scoff. Then she realized they were taking too long in the restroom and pulled Jimin out so they could go back and attend the boring ceremony. But as soon as they exited the restroom, they were greeted by Yizhuo.

Yizhuo looked at Aeri and Jimin, to Aeri's hand on Jimin's wrist, back and forth. Then they watched as Yizhuo's expression changed to being hurt, confused, and betrayed in a span of seconds.

“You…” Yizhuo took a step back, her eyes tearing up as she shook her head in disbelief. Jimin then realized what Yizhuo seemed to think about the situation, and she panicked while trying to explain.

“Yizhuo, it's not like that—”

“No!” Yizhuo swatted Jimin's hand away and glared at Aeri, who was just watching them with her arms crossed. She was unfazed, which confused Jimin.

“Aeri! How could you?! Did you two fuck, huh? Without me? You know I've always wanted a threesome with Jimin! Look at those tits!” Yizhuo exclaimed while pointing at Jimin's chest.

“We didn't do anything other than talk.” Aeri said, but Yizhuo was having none of it.

“Talk? In the restroom? You're not fooling me, Aeri! We always fuck in the restroom!”

Aeri sighed and rubbed her temples. It became a rollercoaster ride of emotions when all she wanted to do was finish the ceremony and go home with Yizhuo.

“Come here, baby.” Aeri gently pulled Yizhuo by the waist and kissed her forehead. “Touch me, smell me, do I look like I just had sex?”

Yizhuo pouted and buried her face on Aeri's chest. “Let me check then.”

Aeri let out a soft gasp when Yizhuo smelled her neck, then cupped her pussy to check if it was wet. It wasn't, but Yizhuo wasn't satisfied so she moved to Jimin and did the same.

Jimin wasn't ready for any of that so she squealed when she felt Yizhuo's hand and her face heated up so bad it looked like her head was going to explode. No one had ever touched Jimin like that, especially not there and the experience made her mind go haywire. Jimin wished Aeri would pull Yizhuo away from her, then beat her up because her girlfriend just touched her. But Aeri was just watching like it didn't bother her at all.

In fact, even Aeri was staring at her body and it made her uncomfortable. No, Jimin wasn't sure anymore if she felt uncomfortable under their touch and gaze anymore. It was something else, something new she had yet to learn.

“Okay, no fuck was done. Why were you talking in the restroom in the first place?” Yizhuo asked while she walked with Aeri and Jimin on her sides back to the auditorium.

“This bitch doesn't know what to wear to the party, so we're taking her tomorrow. She kept bothering me and I wanted to beat her up but I changed my mind.”

What Aeri said made Jimin turn her head and almost had a whiplash. It was true, though, but Jimin was confused why Aeri didn't mention the journal she burnt. Why didn't Aeri tell Yizhuo what they really talked about? Jimin thought Aeri would say it after a few minutes, but nothing happened. They went back to their seats, and Aeri accepted the candy Jimin offered.

Maybe, Aeri would talk about it after with Yizhuo.

The ceremony came to a bittersweet end, but Jimin and Aeri couldn't be bothered at all. They spent the rest of the time eating candy, talking to each other on the group chat they just made with Yizhuo, and they played games together. Anything, just to pass the time and get themselves out of there.

It was exhausting.

For Jimin, she found no importance about the graduation anymore. While Aeri dreaded being there with her mother and step father so take pictures and shook hands of people she never cared about, all for the sake of their families image.

Once they were outside, Mr. and Mrs. Jang gave her a hug then Wonyoung gave her the flowers. They talked for a few minutes, which Jimin didn't pay attention to because her mind was somewhere else.

Or more like, on someone else.

There was Aeri first, who was with her family and Yizhuo. A bunch of reporters gathered to take their pictures and ask them, mostly Aeri, questions Jimin couldn't hear properly. Aeri handled it with such grace, with a smile that could anyone except Yizhuo and Jimin. They knew too well that Aeri wanted to punch each of them and get the hell out of there.

And then there was Minjeong in the distance with the smile she always found so beautiful. Jimin wanted to wave at her, but she lowered her hand when she saw Jinho walking towards Minjeong and hugged her. Then, the bouquet of flowers Jimin didn't notice Minjeong was holding, was given to Jinho.

Minjeong even kissed Jinho on his cheek, and Jimin was reminded of the night when Minjeong did the same to her. For a moment, Jimin was envious of Jinho, because he could always have a taste of those lips she knew too well that he didn't deserve.

Jimin's grip on her own bouquet of flowers tightened, which didn't escape Wonyoung's eyes. Wonyoung then followed Jimin's line of sight, and her shoulders dropped when she saw Minjeong with a guy she didn't know. That short moment was enough for Wonyoung to understand the situation.

“Let's go then? I don't want us to be stuck in traffic.” Mr. Jang said and they all left for the promised luxurious lunch. Jimin gave one last look at their school when their car went past it, like she was saying goodbye to the place that held memories that she wouldn't be able to go back into.

Like leaving her past self behind.

Meanwhile, Wonyoung watched Jimin the whole time, and she wished she could say something to comfort Jimin. But she knew she would just fumble and maybe bite her tongue when she started to talk. So, Wonyoung opted out in giving Jimin a bar of chocolate, one that she prepared beforehand as her personal gift.

Jimin took it and thanked Wonyoung. She wanted to thank Wonyoung not for the chocolate, but for pulling her back to reality with the simple gesture. Jimin couldn't afford getting caught up with her feelings from the past anymore. Jimin had changed, her life had changed. She took her gaze away from the school that once held memories of her innocence, her honest and genuine life.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the restaurant where Mr. Jang had a reservation. If it was Jimin in the past, her jaw would drop at the luxurious sight. But she got used to it because of Aeri and Yizhuo, and because of Yeri too for taking her to various five star restaurants and hotels along with Jeno as a treat like they're little kids receiving a reward.

Mr. and Mrs. Jang did their best to keep the conversation going, because as much as Jimin wanted to participate as to not be rude, her mind was just somewhere else. Wonyoung wanted to make small talk to, but when she noticed that Jimin seemed to be out of it, she ate her food in silence while stealing glances from time to time

What they were talking about, every answer she automatically gave, none of it registered in Jimin's mind. Something about what course she was taking, which university she would go to.

Jimin didn't know yet, it was all for Joohyun to decide. Not that she cared, anything and anywhere would do.

“Eat some more, Jimin. You're too thin!” Mrs. Jang said and put her share of meat on Jimin's plate. Mr. Jang then gave Wonyoung a look, one that he knew their daughter would immediately get.

Wonyoung gulped and with shaking hands, she reached for Jimin's plate with her fork and took out the slices of carrots from it.

“Let me have the carrots, you don't like them, right?” Wonyoung said with a sheepish smile.

“How did you know?” Jimin asked, and they froze on their seats with her question.

Another look from Mr. Jang towards Wonyoung, and with a slight shake of Mrs. Jang's head to signal her, Wonyoung cleared her throat and straightened up.

It's not the time yet. They thought.

“I… I didn't! I noticed you weren't eating some so I just assumed…” Wonyoung stammered and they breathed a sigh of relief when Jimin just nodded and went back to eating.

It's not the time yet. Wonyoung reminded herself.

It felt like time just flew by, and they were already on their way back to their apartment building. Jimin didn't forget to thank them before she entered her apartment. When the Jang family were inside their apartment, they simultaneously collapsed on the couch and sighed.

“When are we going to talk to her about it?” Mrs. Jang asked with a worried expression.

“Give it a few days, she has a party to attend to, right? When the time comes, we're counting on you to be by her side all the time, Wonyoung.” Mr. Jang said while ruffling her hair.

Wonyoung whined at the gesture, but then she rested her head on her father's shoulder and sighed once again.

“I will.” Wonyoung said.

On the other hand, Jimin smiled widely upon seeing her mother asleep on the couch with the TV on. At least, she had something to look forward to coming home. Jimin didn't wake up her mother and quietly changed in her bedroom before heading out again to buy some food for their own family dinner party.

It was a special day, it was what Jimin wanted to believe and show to her mother. Jimin went all out, all the meals they couldn't afford before, she bought all of it. Cakes, ice cream, Jimin even bought the most expensive wine available in the store. For the first time that day, Jimin was excited for something.

But then, as soon as she opened the door when she got home, everything became a blur.

What happened?

The graduation, the lunch with the Jang family, her supposed dinner party with her mother. Jimin was sure it all happened, she could remember what happened between her and Aeri, when she saw Minjeong with Jinho. Jimin could remember Wonyoung taking out the carrots from her plate, and then there was nothing.

There was a gap in her memories, those specific hours that she spent with her mother at the end of the day.

Jimin was confused, because when she opened her eyes and looked around, she was already in her bed and the sunlight was shining through the small gap of the window curtains.

It was probably the wine, Jimin thought. She wasn't really used to drinking and she probably passed out after their dinner. When she went out of her room, the living room was clean, with no sight of her mother. She was probably in her room sleeping, and Jimin also thought her mother must've cleaned up after their party.

It was spotless. Jimin felt bad for making her mother clean and regretted even drinking that wine.

I'll remember what happened later. Ah, my head hurts.

Jimin's phone rang so quickly returned to her room to answer the call. It was Aeri, and as soon as she lifted the phone to her ear, curses greeted her instead of a ‘good morning’.

“Where the fuck are you?! I told you we're picking you up, I've been calling for the past ten minutes! Don't make me come up there and drag you! I'm giving you ten more minutes! Get your ass here!”

“Oh…”

Right.

Jimin remembered she asked Aeri for help for the party.

Ten minutes, that was enough.

Jimin brushed her teeth while under the shower head to save time, a thing she used to do during those times she would wake up late when she was exhausted from part-time jobs and studying. She didn't even dry her eyes properly and as soon as she changed clothes, she ran out of the apartment and to the luxurious car waiting for her across the street. A man opened the passenger seat for Jimin, and she settled inside after giving her thanks.

Aeri and Yizhuo were making out in the backseat. They didn't stop even when the driver got inside and started driving. The driver then handed Jimin a handkerchief and pointed at her dripping hair.

“Thanks.” Jimin said and finished drying off her hair. The handkerchief wasn't enough, but it helped regardless. While on the road, Jimin looked at the rearview mirror and saw that Yizhuo was already straddling Aeri's lap. Moans and whines followed, but neither Jimin nor the driver was fazed by it.

There was a silent misunderstanding between Jimin and the driver.

They were used to it.

Aeri and Yizhuo only stopped when they arrived at a building so tall that Jimin's neck almost snapped just by attempting to see the very top. Jimin followed them inside, rode the elevator a few floors up and reached a room in the middle of the hallway. It was huge, full of dresses and suits. In the middle was a couch set circling a coffee table that Jimin knew was more expensive than her apartment unit alone.

“Get her a dress and make her look human.” Aeri ordered a staff and sat on the couch with Yizhuo to continue what they left off in the car.

“Just me?” Jimin asked.

“Unlike you, we are already prepared and have our dresses ready in my room. Now, go. You can't stand next to us looking like trash.” Aeri said and smiled when Yizhuo straddled her lap again. Jimin pouted and followed the nice lady who assisted her with trying out for a dress.

But an hour passed, and another, yet Jimin couldn't choose one. The lady suggested some that would fit her, but it didn't feel right. It felt uncomfortable, it didn't feel like her. So Jimin went back to Aeri and Yizhuo with her shoulders down in disappointment, and her eyes looking at them for some help.

“Seriously?” Aeri raised an eyebrow. Yizhuo looked over and eyed Jimin from head to toe.

“Can't find a dress?” Yizhuo asked.

“A lot of dresses fit and suited her but...” The lady tried to explain with her head low. Jimin nodded in agreement, and Aeri contemplated whether to throw Jimin out in the window or just leave her there.

“Why don't you wear a suit? Get her the best one, make her look extremely handsome that will make my legs involuntarily spread when I see her.” Yizhuo suggested and the lady hurriedly left to find a suit for Jimin.

“Lose the glasses too. We're getting you contact lenses.” Yizhuo added and went back to kissing Aeri. On the other hand, Aeri was just glad she didn't have to deal with Jimin's bullshit all thanks to Yizhuo. Aeri ignored Yizhuo's comment about spreading legs for Jimin too.

A suit, something Jimin hadn't worn. Well, it's not like she had worn a dress either but she never expected to wear a suit instead. Would she look good on it? Jimin was worried despite the experts helping her. Maybe, even if they gave her the best suit there was, it was herself that would be a problem.

But when Jimin tried on a black suit and looked in the mirror, she was taken aback by how well it fit her and made her comfortable. Even the lady was gawking at her and took her a minute before she continued assisting Jimin. When they were done, they went back to Aeri and Yizhuo, and Yizhuo almost fell from Aeri's lap when she saw Jimin.

“Well, fuck me. Both of you, fuck me right now.” Yizhuo said and stood up to admire Jimin closely. Aeri looked satisfied with Jimin's look, so once everything was settled, they left with Jimin already wearing the suit and the shoes they prepared for her.

The clothes she was wearing beforehand were thrown away.

Next, they got contact lenses for Jimin. Yizhuo personally chose a colored one. Brown, like what she claimed, would look good on Jimin's eyes and Aeri complained that it didn't matter what color it would be since no one was going to notice it anyway. Jimin was gathering stares here and there, some almost breaking their necks just to look back at Jimin when they passed by her. Yizhuo ended up being possessive and glared at them.

“I don't like how they stare at my side hoe. Aeri, I'm annoyed.” Yizhuo said while clinging on Jimin's arm.

“Can you not say that out loud? Anyway, let's grab lunch first. I'm starving because of some of bitch here who took her sweet time choosing.”

“Admit it, babe. Jimin looks hot. I know you want to fuck her too, she's our official side hoe.”

Aeri sighed, feeling stressed with Yizhuo and Jimin. Ever since Jimin arrived in their lives, Yizhuo had become harder to control. But Yizhuo seemed happy, so it was all fine with her in the end. They ate lunch then, took Jimin to Aeri's house and prepared for the party. One thing about Aeri and Yizhuo, they didn't want anyone touching their faces, so they did each other's makeups as well as Jimin's.

The first thing that Jimin did when they arrived at the party was look for Minjeong. And it wasn't hard to do so, since Minjeong always stood out. The party was for the graduates, but with Minjeong standing there in the middle in her white dress and her looking so elegant and angelic, one would think the party was solely for her.

“Don't embarrass us and behave.” Aeri said before leaving Jimin alone. Jimin was at a loss at what to do, so took a seat and watched Minjeong instead, hoping that she would look her way and give her a smile.

And Minjeong did, like her attention naturally gravitated towards Jimin and they locked eyes. Jimin gave Minjeong an awkward, which Minjeong responded with an elegant one and a smile so beautiful that Jimin almost fell from the chair.

Minjeong then took out her phone from the purse, and Jimin watched her slender fingers tapped on the screen. Then she felt her phone vibrating from her coat pocket, so she took it out and smiled when she saw Minjeong had texted her.

‘You look good.’

Those simple words made Jimin forget about everything. She read it over and over again that she didn't notice Minjeong approaching her until she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“You were supposed to say that I look good too, or something.”

Jimin gasped when she looked up to see Minjeong in front of her. Then she felt her face heating up when she had a closer look at Minjeong's gorgeous face. Her plump lips made Jimin gulped, and she felt her face heating up even more when she remembered that those same lips touched her cheek.

“Jimin, are you okay?” Minjeong asked.

“Yeah… uh, yeah, I'm okay.” Jimin stuttered and her heart wouldn't calm down because Minjeong looked like a goddess in front of her. Minjeong then bit her lip which Jimin watched closely, then sat beside her.

“I've been here before the party started and I'm exhausted. These heels are killing me.” Minjeong complained with an adorable pout that made Jimin swoon over her. Jimin then looked around when she remembered Jinho, and she saw him talking with his friends and he seemed to forget that Minjeong was with him. Then there was Aeri who was speaking with someone Jimin didn't recognize, and Yizhuo was doing the same just a few meters away from Aeri. They were all having their own moments, it made Jimin out of place.

Jimin was never a fan of parties and never attended any that the school hosted. But she still did, finally, because it was Minjeong's request. It was a formal party, and Jimin didn't know what exactly to do.

But thanks to Minjeong, her nerves eased up.

“Jimin, will you take me away from here?” Minjeong asked. And honestly, when Minjeong asked like that with her puppy-like eyes that seemed to be begging and looking so adorable at the same time, Jimin just couldn't say ‘no’.

Of course, Jimin would always do what Minjeong wanted.

Looking around, Aeri and Yizhuo were still busy, and Jinho as well. Jimin took Minjeong's hand and they slipped away from the crowd until they reached an indoor garden. No one was around, just the plants and the fishes swimming peacefully in the pond.

Relief washed over Minjeong, and she could finally breathe.

Jimin led Minjeong to the nearby bench, and there they sat while watching the fishes. The soft glow of yellow lights made the garden look magical, and Jimin almost believed that they're in another dimension because she was also sitting beside a goddess like Minjeong. It was perfect.

“Do you like parties? Because I don't. I'd rather be in my room reading books or taking a walk early in the morning when there's not much people around yet. At night too, but… sometimes I can't.” Minjeong said and Jimin noticed her rubbing her arms. So Jimin removed her coat and put it on Minjeong's shoulder.

“Oh, thank you. But you'll get cold…”

“I'm… not cold…” Jimin said but when she shivered, Minjeong giggled and scooted closer to her.

“There, we can share each other's warmth.”

Jimin was thankful that the blush on her cheeks weren't obvious because of the lighting, and it wasn't like Minjeong would look at her. Their eyes were fixated on the pond and upon closer look, Jimin realized they were koi fish. Jimin only saw them in pictures, and they looked more beautiful in real life with their colors and patterns. Suddenly, she had the urge to poke one of them, but when Minjeong rested her head on her shoulder, Jimin froze and almost didn't breathe.

“Let me stay like this for a while.” Minjeong whispered, and she sounded so exhausted.

Jimin cleared her throat and did her best not to move not even a single muscle so she wouldn't disturb Minjeong's rest. She only opened her mouth because she felt like her face was going to explode if she didn't say anything.

“Did you get scolded that night?” Jimin asked.

“A little bit. But I locked myself in my room so I wouldn't hear them.” Minjeong said with a giggle, and Jimin wondered if it was the truth, or just half of it. A truth Minjeong altered to escape reality.

Like Jimin.

After a bit of silence, Minjeong sighed and adjusted her position so she could rest more comfortably on Jimin's shoulder.

“You don't have your glasses.” Minjeong said. “You're wearing contacts, right? Brown suits your eyes.”

Jimin was taken aback with Minjeong's comment. How did she notice the color? The lighting should make it hard to notice it, and it's not like Minjeong was staring at her earlier. Or did she? Jimin remembered she kept averting her gaze and didn't notice.

“You look more beautiful when your eyes aren't blocked by your glasses. Now Eunwoo won't find you scary.” Minjeong giggled upon recalling their little trip with Grandpa and Eunwoo, and Jimin couldn't help but laugh a little too. Because if she didn't, what Minjeong said about her would make her dip her head in the pond until the bubbles stop appearing in the water.

“He's a good kid.” Jimin said and she felt Minjeong nodding against her shoulder.

“He's going to break hearts when he grows up with that face. He looks a bit like Grandpa, don't you think?”

Jimin agreed to that, and she remembered Wendy's little brother, Wonbin, and they talked about how nice it would be if they became friends. They talked more, about everything and nothing and it was so nice and peaceful. Jimin hoped it would last forever, but there's no such thing and everything will always come to an end.

“Sorry I wasn't able to congratulate you yesterday. I was caught with… a lot of things.”

Jimin shook her head a little, and with a smile, she assured Minjeong that it was fine.

“I got to see you, that was enough.” Jimin said with such sincerity in her voice that flustered Minjeong. Jimin didn't notice it, however, and Minjeong was glad she didn't.

Minjeong smiled secretly, and her hands on Jimin's coat that was making her warm.

Then, Minjeong's phone rang. Without moving her head from Jimin's shoulder, Minjeong took out her phone from her purse and her smile faded when she saw that Jinho was calling her. Jimin saw it too, and cursed Jinho in her head.

He just had to ruin their little moment.

Jimin knew Minjeong didn't belong to her, but it still pissed her off.

“I have to go, Jinho is looking for me.” Minjeong said and Jimin would like to think that Minjeong didn't want to leave. With that sigh and heavy movements, it was obvious that Minjeong was doing it against her will. But she had to, and Jimin also wanted her to stop, but she didn't.

Hang in there a little bit more, Minjeong. I'll come for you. Jimin thought as she watched Minjeong walking away from her. When Minjeong was out of her sight, she stared at her coat and buried her face on it.

It smelled a lot like Minjeong. Jimin smiled a little pervert while smelling her coat. She couldn't help it, that was the only thing she could have from Minjeong.

Jimin sighed and put her coat back on, and imagined it was Minjeong who was hugging her. It was warm, still smelled good, so Jimin smiled while looking at the pond. She wanted to tell the fishes how much she loved Minjeong, but her little peaceful moments were interrupted when she heard heavy footsteps behind her. It was probably Aeri and Yizhuo who were pissed off at her for suddenly disappearing.

Jimin was behaving, though. She just had to step out for a bit.

But when she realized those footsteps didn't sound like from the heels Aeri and Yizhuo were wearing, she turned around, alerted, and saw Jinho smirking at her along with his friends.

“So you're the bitch my girl had been cheating with.” Jinho said and gestured to his friends. They surrounded Jimin with, some cracking their knuckles and some smirking down at her.

“What?” Jimin stood up and wanted to get away from them, but one of Jinho's friends blocked her and pushed her back.

“Did you think I wouldn't find out? Minjeong had been sneaking to the rooftop with you and you're the one who took her away after her match. I also found out that there was a night when Minjeong ran away and guess who she ran to? You.” Jinho said and stepped closer to Jimin, he was looking down at her and his eyes darkened in anger.

“And now I caught you having a little date here. I have eyes everywhere. You're brave to do it in my presence, I'll give you that.” Jinho said and showed his phone. On the screen was a picture of them taken recently, where Minjeong was resting her head on Jimin's shoulder.

“It's not like that.” Jimin said. She wasn't worried about herself, she's worried what Jinho would do to Minjeong after that. Jimin then looked around, but she didn't see Minjeong anywhere. Jinho noticed and scoffed.

“I had someone guard Minjeong for me. Who knows? You might take her away again. Minjeong belongs to me. And I'm going to make sure that will stay in your head. Boys, do it.”

Jimin gasped when a guy behind her held her arms, she was caught off guard that she didn't have time to react right away. Then another guy came and punched her in the stomach. One came after the other, and even if she learned how to fight, Jimin knew she couldn't take a lot of them by herself. No one was going to help her. Kun wasn't there, hell, Jimin didn't know why she thought of Jeno too no matter how much of a jerk he had been. Joohyun came to her mind too, but it's highly unlikely that she would help even if she saw Jimin in that situation.

So Jimin endured it. Maybe Jinho's anger would dissipate if he let it all out on her. Jimin hoped that was enough, she would gladly take it as long as Jinho wouldn't hurt Minjeong.

Jimin couldn't feel her face anymore, but she knew her nose was bleeding a lot, and she could taste blood in her mouth. Every part of her body hurt, and was getting lightheaded already. Still, Jinho's friends didn't stop beating her up even when she fell on the floor. They kept kicking her, and Jimin could only shield her head with her arms.

It hurt, everything hurt. But she had to endure it for Minjeong.

Then Jimin gasped when her hair was pulled, and she was dragged beside the pond. Her head was dipped in the water until she couldn't breathe, only then her head would be pulled up. They did it a couple of times, and Jimin thought she was going to die.

Jimin felt bad for the fishes, because their peaceful home was being disrupted because of her.

“What the fuck are you doing?!”

A familiar voice. Maybe Jimin was just hallucinating. But when she heard another voice, she turned around when her hair was released from the painful grip, and she saw Aeri and Yizhuo walking towards them.

Yizhuo was already removing her heels.

“That's my puppy you're messing with.” Yizhuo said and threw her heels towards one of the guys and it hit him straight on his face. His nose bled, and he looked at Jinho for instructions.

Jinho stood up from the bench and greeted Aeri and Yizhuo with that annoying smile that Aeri hated so much.

“Ladies, I believe this is none of your business. She's just your pet, right? She was misbehaving so I had to punish her.”

“Jimin's not our pet.” Aeri said and landed a punch straight at Jinho's jaw. He stumbled back, but quickly regained his footing.

“Fuck. What are you doing? Get them!” Jinho yelled at his friends, but they were hesitating because it was Aeri and Yizhuo. They weren't worried about their reputation for being good fighters, they're worried about the power their families held.

“But Jinho, they're—”

“I don't care! I'll handle it! Go!”

Though hesitant, they still charge towards them. Aeri and Yizhuo exchanged looks, and smiled at each other before ripping the hem of their dresses so they could move better. Aeri went barefoot too, and in just a short amount of time, all Jinho's friends were lying on the floor around Aeri and Yizhuo. All of them groaned in pain and couldn't move at all.

Jimin already saw them fight before, but seeing it up close amazed her. She realized how huge the gap between their skills and experience was compared to hers really were. They didn't even sweat.

“Fuck it, I liked this dress too.” Aeri said while checking her ripped dress.

“I told you to wear a suit. You know how much it makes me wet.” Yizhuo chuckled while checking her own dress.

Jinho scoffed and walked towards them.

“Bunch of useless fuckers. I'll teach you a lesson myself then. Come then, ladies. Let's dance for a little.”

Jimin found out that Jinho was good at fighting too, but not as much as Aeri and Yizhuo. Still, he managed to hold out until Aeri landed that one final punch that knocked him down. Jinho fell in front of Jimin, and out of desperation, he grabbed Jimin with the intention of pushing her into the pond.

Aeri rolled her eyes and with Yizhuo, they swiftly lifted Jinho and threw him in the water before he could do it to Jimin. The fishes scattered and once again, Jimin felt bad for them.

“You will not get away with this.” Jinho said while glaring at them. Jimin couldn't help but snort when he tried to get up but ended up slipping. Aeri then walked towards the pond and looked down at him.

“What can a little pussy like you do? Cry to Daddy? Ganging up on one girl, what does that make you?” Aeri smirked down on Jinho with her arms crossed. Jinho was seething with anger, but couldn't do anything more because of his injuries.

Meanwhile, Yizhuo was already helping Jimin up and put Jimin's arm over her shoulder.

“Let's go, Aeri. It's starting to stink a little bitch in here.”

“Just so you know, I was holding back. If you weren't a woman, I would've killed you already.” Jinho said with his pathetic little voice that made Aeri turn around just to mockingly look at him.

“Why didn't you? It's not like I see you as a man anyway.”

Jinho greeted his teeth and in his last desperate desire to get back at them, he threw a rock which lamely missed a few meters away from Aeri and Yizhuo. He screamed and punched on the water.

“I will make you pay for this, Uchinaga!”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever.” Aeri rolled her eyes and helped Yizhuo assist Jimin to walk. They took the emergency exit, and waited on top of the stairs while Aeri made a call for her driver to come and help them carry Jimin. They decided to go to Aeri's house, and when Aeri's driver put Jimin down on the bed, he left and closed the door behind him.

“I told you to behave, didn't I? What did you even do to make that jerk angry?” Aeri said. Yizhuo was just silently helping Jimin take off her clothes so she could wash up before they treated her wounds.

“Nothing.” Jimin said, refusing to reveal what was between her and Minjeong. Thankfully, Aeri wasn't too interested in knowing at all so she let it be and took a shower in another room. Yizhuo then accompanied Jimin to Aeri's private bathroom and helped her wash her body. Jimin didn't even mind that she was naked in front of Yizhuo.

Strangely, Yizhuo wasn't acting like her usual naughty self and was genuinely helping Jimin. Her touches were gentle, careful not to hurt Jimin any further. It surprised her, the gentleness and kindness that Yizhuo was showing.

Yizhuo didn't look like the terrifying bully in their school at that moment, and Jimin wondered if that was how Yizhuo actually was.

Kind, and gentle.

“I'll wash your hair too, and you can sleep with us. The bed is big enough for ten people.”

Even Yizhuo's voice was so gentle that it comforted Jimin. Was she really the Yizhuo she always sees in school?

“Why did you help me?” Jimin asked.

In a heartbeat, Yizhuo answered while rubbing shampoo on her head.

“Because you're my puppy.”

Jimin hummed even if Yizhuo's answer didn't satisfy her curiosity. After that, she put on a pair of pajamas that Aeri owned, and sat on the bed while Yizhuo tended to her wounds. Just then, Aeri came back into the room and sat quietly while drying her hair.

“Why didn't you fight back? What's the point of all the time I spent teaching you? You're embarrassing me.” Aeri asked and flopped on her bed with a sigh.

“I… I couldn't. There's a lot of them and I—”

“No, you could. But you chose not to. Why?”

Jimin didn't answer and hung her head low. But then Yizhuo lifted her head with a finger on her chin because she wasn't done putting a band-aid on the bridge of Jimin's nose.

“Stay still.” Yizhuo clicked her tongue, and was too focused on being Jimin's temporary nurse.

“I knew you were trouble, but… whatever.” Aeri sighed and scrolled on her phone while she waited. When Yizhuo was done, she asked Jimin to settle herself on the bed while she took a shower. Aeri and Jimin were left in the room, but the silence was unexpectedly comforting and it made Jimin relaxed.

The mattress was so soft and relaxing, even the pillows. Jimin realized how much a money could buy such comfort and she thought about getting one for her mother so she could sleep more peacefully. Her thoughts about mattresses and pillows were interrupted when Yizhuo came back and crawled towards them.

“Okay. I can't get your tits out of my mind and you actually look hot with that bad girl look. You can't fuck with those injuries but a girl has her needs.” Yizhuo said as she straddled Jimin's lap, her eyes hooded with desire and she started removing the buttons of Jimin's top.

“I—wait… Aeri…” Jimin looked at Aeri for help, but the latter just yawned while her thumbs were tapping on the screen.

“Do what you want, I'm exhausted.” Aeri nonchalantly said as if her girlfriend wasn't on top of another woman's lap.

Yizhuo giggled and leaned down to blow hot air at Jimin's ear.

Jimin had no idea how they came to that situation. She was still worried about Minjeong, about what Jinho would do to her, and Jimin wanted to get her phone to check on her. But Yizhuo wouldn't let her do that, she was serious about getting what she wanted.

“Relax, I just want to make out. And maybe grind my pussy against your thigh until I cum. We're all tired so I'll make it quick.”

Yizhuo was back on her usual naughty behavior and Jimin didn't know why she was relieved. It was just, she wasn't used to Yizhuo's kindness so she preferred that.

Jimin sat like a good dog while Yizhuo had her ways with her. Her first kiss was stolen by Yizhuo, and it hurt because of her busted lip. And as Yizhuo's lips touched every inch of her skin, Jimin's worries were slowly fading away and were hidden at the back of her mind.

It felt good, she was only human, after all.

“Jimin… kiss me… touch me…” Yizhuo was panting heavily as she grinded on Jimin's thigh. Jimin wasn't still used to kissing, but she tried her best to satisfy Yizhuo. Her moans and whimpers caught Aeri's attention, and despite being so tired and wanting nothing more to do than to sleep, Aeri sat up and positioned herself behind Yizhuo.

“Suck her tits while I fuck her from behind.” Aeri ordered, and Jimin rapidly blinked because the situation was escalating so fast that she couldn't keep up. Yizhuo was already unbuttoning her top, and positioned her breasts on Jimin's face.

“Puppy… hurry up. I want to cum.”

How did it come to this? Jimin was at loss but had no choice but to comply. With hesitant movement, she wrapped her lips around Yizhuo's nipple and pressed her tongue on it by Aeri's instructions. Jimin learned quickly and her hand squeezed the other with her finger playing with Yizhuo's nipple, while Aeri fingered Yizhuo from behind.

Yizhuo was left a moaning mess. With Jimin beneath sucking her tits and Aeri behind fucking her like a bitch, she felt like she was in heaven.

“Fuck… we should've done this sooner. I want to do this again…” Yizhuo moaned and her arms gave out when Aeri fastened her pace. She ended up resting her head on Jimin's shoulder while she moaned as she reached her climax.

“I'm cumming… I'm cumming…” Yizhuo panted heavily, and Jimin didn't know what came to her when she pushed Yizhuo slightly away from her shoulder so she could kiss Yizhuo and swallow her moans.