The Mannequin (Jiyoo)

Disturbed Nap

Light knocks on the door sadly woke Gahyeon and Yoohyeon felt sorry for the younger woman who really needed some peaceful sleep. She, nonetheless, opened the door quietly to find Handong on the other side « Hey, Yoohyeon! Sorry to bother you »

« Hi, Handong, you don't at all » The silver-haired smiled reassuringly « Do you need anything? »

Just then a loud voice from within the apartment resonated « You do bother me though »

Handong's eyes widened in surprise before she frowned « Gahyeon? » She called. Yoohyeon realized at this point that the two neighbors knew each other. She opened the door wider and invited Handong inside. The woman thanked her shyly and made her way to the living room after taking her shoes off and saw the pink-haired laying down sleepily on the couch with a cute bunny blanket over her « What are you doing here? »

« Forgot my keys and Dahyun is working » Gahyeon wiped her eyes, sitting up slowly.

« You could have come to me, you know? » Handong put her hands on her hips.

« I did but you didn't answer the door » Gahyeon defended herself « Nannan meowed in support though »

« I came back an hour ago, how long have you been here? » Handong questioned in a frown.

Gahyeon lifted her eyes to the clock on one of the kitchen's wall and sighed at the numbers it indicated « Almost three hours now »

« Oh damn, that sucks » Handong sat down next to her.

« It wasn't as terrible as when it started » Gahyeon looked at Yoohyeon who was observing them, one hand holding her other arm shyly « Yoohyeon Unnie took good care of me » She grinned at her and Yoohyeon smiled back timidly.

« Thank you » Handong bowed her head slightly.

« It was nothing » Yoohyeon waved off « She's adorable and Minji wouldn't have let her outside like that » The fact that she mentioned Minji made Handong discreetly smirk. The way she had hesitated to say the word 'friend' the prior day when they first met to refer to Minji and the obvious marital state of the apartment strengthened the thought that had crossed her mind in the evening when she thought back at their interaction. But she kept it to herself as it was too soon to assume the two women's situation out loud « I have something for you by the way » Yoohyeon held up her index finger to signal them to wait as she went to the bedroom. Handong and Gahyeon looked at one another, of course not going anywhere. The silver-haired came back and handed to Handong money. The exact amount that she had gave her for the bus « Thank you so much for helping me yesterday »

Handong sighed, delicately taking Yoohyeon's hands and closing them on the money she was holding much to her confusion « Exactly, Yoohyeon. I helped you, so I don't want it back » Yoohyeon's frown deepened, not understanding quite well what she meant so Handong continued « I told you I didn't want anything back, I mean it. Well.... » Handong tilted her head and pursed her lips « I kind of came here to ask a favor so it makes it seem otherwise »

Yoohyeon chuckled « It's alright. Ask anything » She encouraged her with a warm and inviting smile.

« I...I wondered if you could babysit....well, catsit, Nannan all night tonight. I have to help at the fashion show until late in the morning. I already did that today but Nannan gets really nervous alone. One night was enough. He almost started to trash the place » She said with concern.

« We can do it » Yoohyeon reassured her immediately « Give me all the instructions and we'll make sure he'll be the happiest cat alive » She said with determination.

« Thank you so much » Handong almost hugged her.

« You could have asked me too » Gahyeon pouted, a bit offended that she didn't think of her.

« You work the night shift » Handong pointed out « And Dahyun is....Dahyun » She concluded.

« Good point » Gahyeon snorted, getting up to stretch her sore body.

« What's up with Dahyun? » Yoohyeon questioned.

« She's a weirdo » Gahyeon didn't hesitate.

« Says the other weirdo » Handong joked and Gahyeon childishly stuck her tongue out to her, making Yoohyeon shyly smile at their interaction. Handong put her attention back on her « These two are alright but I rather get people who would stay all night with him. Plus, Nannan already know Minji »

« Really? » Yoohyeon was surprised.

« This asshole ran away from my apartment once. I got worried sick and put up posters around the entire neighborhood. Minji called me one day when I was at work saying that she had met him multiple times around and that when she saw the posters she managed to lure him to her apartment. She kept him all day until I arrived and they seemed to have bonded. I'm sure he'll be happy to see her again »

« I never met a cat » Yoohyeon blurted out, her eyes immediately widening when she realized she had said it out loud « I mean, I never took care of a cat. I saw them from afar...like everyone » She tried to correct herself which only made the two others more confused. Nonetheless, they attributed it to her nervousness and moved on.

« You won't be alone, don't worry » Handong told her « Minji will help you and I'll give you instructions » Yoohyeon nodded « What have you planned today so I'll know when to drop him off? »

« Yoohyeon Unnie and I are going to an arcade » Gahyeon interrupted excitingly.

« An arcade? » Handong rose an eyebrow, looking at the silver-haired.

« It's at the mall Minji works at » She explained « I went there yesterday. It's called Reality Catchers and the owner is super nice »

« Never heard of it » Handong said « Are you going by bus? » The two women nodded and Handong pursed her lips in thoughts, seemingly debating something with herself « I have a car » She stated. The two others glanced at one another with furrowed eyebrows at such randomness and Handong rolled her eyes « I can drive you » She explained « I can drive you there with my car »

« Oh! » Yoohyeon and Gahyeon exclaimed in unison.

« Do you want to come to the arcade with us? » Gahyeon proposed, Yoohyeon immediately nodded along at the good idea.

« I'm not really into games much » Handong shrugged.

« It could be fun » Yoohyeon said.

Handong thought of it for a few seconds, having two pairs of puppy eyes on her, pleading her silently to come « Why not » She gave in « But I need to feed my son first to appease him, otherwise my apartment will be a war zone » They all laughed and got up enthusiastically. Yoohyeon was ready and felt extremely happy for the new day of adventures that she was sure would bring her a lot of experience. Nonetheless, her brain didn't shut her thoughts about Minji and she wondered what was going to happen when they'll meet up in the evening. What could she do about them? And most importantly, what did she feel?

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Hey, guys!

Hope you enjoyed?

See you next week :)

-J