The Storm and the Sea (A MiChaeng Fanfic)

Chapter 13: Chaeyoung

Seeing the abyss beneath the waves made the dark clouds and lightning of the storm go down to meet the expanse of water, unaware of the cataclysmic events its desire would begin.

***

There's no way that I would believe Mina's okay in this current state, with her scratchy voice and bloodshot eyes. Despite the obvious indicators, she tells me that she's alright.

"I could hear you down there," I tell her. "So, please—what's wrong?"

Her eyes wander aimlessly and finally land on the booze on my hand. "Is that chilled? Can I have one?"

As the can snaps open, she plops onto her sofa. Without saying anything to me, she takes three gulps—one lengthier than the previous. "Please," she calls with a sniff, "Take a seat."

I slowly tread to the other end of the sofa, and open my own can of slightly chilled Japanese beer. In the few stolen glances, I see how the light from the nearby buildings highlight Mina's side profile, with her perfectly proportioned nose-to-lips ratio barely jutting forward and curling inside as she takes sips off of the Asahi.

"Do you...want to talk about it? What...ever it is?"

She finally turns to me, her welling eyes getting smaller as she forces a curt smile. "You wouldn't understand, Chaeyoung-ssi. I don't want to bother you with my nonsense."

"No need to be so formal—Chaeyoung-ah's just fine."

Despite the silence, I stay with her as we continue onto our next can of beer.

As I scour the combination of her kitchen, living, and dining room, I'm reminded of how its unadorned nature is the complete opposite of her bedroom. Come to think of it, Mina's the embodiment of her apartment—cold and expressionless on the outside, but (possibly) vibrant on the inside. Huh...kinda like Somi. Interesting.

"Mina-ssi..."

"Just call me 'Minari', Chaeyoung-ah," she corrects in a soft, hushed tone.

"Right, Minari...ever thought of decorating this place?"

Without looking around, Mina shakes her head.

"You see, I keep a lot of art in our unit. Your apartment could use some spice," I chuckle. This is a Hail Mary, actually, to declutter some of the art in my own place.

Mina hums, rubbing her nose bridge with her left index finger. "I don't know—I'll be thinking about it," she says before taking another massive gulp.

From my recollection, she didn't drink this aggressively back in Lucca's. Or maybe she did—I don't know, that night really did a number on me.

"Hey, no need to rush. We can just unwind and talk, y'know?" I suggest as I notice the shine on her cheeks, brought about by her flush. God, even at this state, Mina looks immaculate. Define unfair.

She places her can on top of the table and sinks further into the sofa with a loud sigh. "Hey, answer me truthfully," Mina begins in a slighly higher register. "Do you think I'm a bad person?"

Even though the question throws me off-guard, I attribute the sudden serious question to her drunken state. "No, of course not," I assure her.

"Why? What made you say that?"

It sucks to be put on the spot like this, but it's not like it's a difficult question. "Well, let's see...you've been very helpful with me at the office. Hell, you even nursed me back to sobriety! You're a good person, Mina...ri." Calling her like that sends a weird yet welcome sensation across my body, flushing my cheeks as well. Or maybe it's the alcohol.

Her laughter comes in bursts, which transitions into sobbing. "Then why are my friends like that?! Treating me like I'm a nobody..." she cries into my chest as I try my best to calm her down by stroking her hair.

As much as I just wanted to calm her down over a drink, and unwind myself as well, seeing Mina like this is somewhat heartbreaking. Who knew that someone a lot of people feared was this fragile?

"Don't worry—I'll be your friend." I shush her gently.

She stares up to me with a little smile amidst the streaks of tears on her smooth face. It's here that I notice that, apart from the prominent moles on her face, there are littler ones in between her facial constellation.

"Really?"

Seeing her like this, despite her drunken stupor, makes me feel a warmth that (as far as I know) alcohol cannot provide. "Of course." Upon swearing that, I feel the right corner of my lips rise on its own.

She closes her eyes, still keeping the subtle, lovely smile.

As I stare at her, the urge to plant a peck on her face presents itself; how I'd trace my lips across the beauty marks on her smooth, delicate skin.

I pause, feeling my neck slightly craning forward. I can't—I have Somi, and she's Jeongyeon's ex; there's no way in hell this relationship should ever go beyond being friends.

But, maybe, I could just be close enough to feel and smell her breath on my face. It'll probably reek of beer, but who cares? It's just the two of us right now, with the neon lights outside her window.

With my nose less than an inch away from hers, Mina jolts with her eyes still closed. A few seconds later, vomit gurgles out of her mouth and dribbles down to her chin.