The Mannequin (Jiyoo)

Revelation Over A Meal

« So, have you and Miss Minji been dating for long? » Gahyeon questioned, raising her head from her food that had gotten all of her attention since Yoohyeon had given it to her. The silver-haired had been very friendly and enthusiastic until the very moment these words passed her lips. Her eyes had widened and her expression was one of shock. Gahyeon immediately thought she went overboard and that she shouldn't have invaded their privacy, especially with a question such as this one « I'm...I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have asked. It's none of my business »

« Does it really look like we are dating? » Yoohyeon wondered, tilting her head in thoughts. First, it had been Yubin, who haven't even met Minji when she had asked that question. Then it was the waitress who thought they were having a romantic evening, and now their neighbor with whom she had just met who was continuing this observation. She looked up at Gahyeon with a curious gaze « It's okay for you to wonder, don't worry. But please be honest with me... » She leaned closer, her forearms on the table pushing herself forward « Do we look like a couple? »

Gahyeon put down her chopsticks with a slight frown, after all, it wasn't really her business to intervene in their intimacy « I mean, you're not not looking like a couple » She shrugged slowly with an uneasy face, not knowing how the woman in front of her would react.

« But how exactly? » Yoohyeon's brows furrowed.

« Well, you seem to...love each other very much like......you look at each other so...lovingly » Gahyeon tried to explain. She didn't have much evidence to bring to the table for the little time she had passed in their company, rather, it was...a vibe « It's just....you give off that energy »

Yoohyeon absentmindedly nodded, the cogs turning little by little inside her head. Every little gesture/word that she did or told Minji came back to her mind, but most importantly, she reinterpreted everything coming from Minji. Her expressions, her looks, her eyes, her laughs, her blushes, her nervous tics....And if she applied that filter in front of it all....

Her eyes widened in realization. They were all right. She might like Minji more than just a friend already, and Minji.....

-

« If you were human, I wished you could be my girlfriend » Minji combed the mannequin's synthetic silver hair gently, a chuckle built at the back of her throat « Damn, I'm so pathetic » She scoffed « And probably a creep » She put down the hairbrush, looking down at her hands for a second before her eyes lifted to the mannequin's face again « I think if you were real, I would fell in love with you in just a heartbeat. I would be too much of a mess to reveal my true feelings though » She sighed « But somehow if I managed to date you, I would treat you like a princess...No » She shook her head « A queen » A small smile crept on her lips « We would go eat wonderful meals. We would go to the theater and eat a bucket load of popcorn. Walk wherever on this planet and watch the stars to ultimately join them together after we would grow older hand in hand » She sighed contently as she thought of it, tears forming inside her eyes. She blinked them away, taking a deep inhale « I'm trying so hard to find the good side of things. I shouldn't complain compare to other people who have nothing like I do » She looked back into the mannequin's inanimate eyes « But it's becoming harder and harder. I'm running in circles, having the hardest time while the world seems so fast and alive. Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to keep my head above water but...I....the water is rising and I.....I have nothing around me to help me pull myself out » A quiet sob echoed in the empty room, her hand unconsciously holding Yoohyeon's, her thumb rubbing against the cold hard plastic.

« Minji, quit playing with the mannequins. They aren't dolls. Be quick in there, we have a lot of clients. Let's not make them wait » Mrs. Shin's voice broke her reflective and broken state.

Minji sniffled, wiping her tears away « I'll be right there » She tried to reply with a cheerful tone. Her gaze lifted to the beautiful face of the mannequin that she cupped gently « You're right, Yoohyeon » She whispered with a small smile « Things will get better »