a love like yours · xiaojin au

chapter 1

"Yujin unnie? Why haven't you slept yet?" Yujin, who was stunned in front of the TV screen, was surprised to hear the voice of someone greeting her.

"Oh, Xiaoting. Why haven't you slept?"

Xiaoting, with her eyes half closed as she was still sleepy and brought two warm mugs of hot chocolate, then sat next to Yujin.

"I got woken up unnie, the rain is pouring really loudly. I wanted to continue sleeping but I was suddenly craving for hot chocolate and I realized that you weren't sleeping yet, so I made two cups of hot chocolate. Is that okay?"

"Ah, thank you Ting, a cup of hot chocolate is perfect during rainy nights like this. I guess you are kind of sweet,"

Xiaoting's loud laughter then filled the living room of the Kep1er dorm. "Ting! It's late, I'm worried the kids will wake up because of you!" said Yujin while covering Xiaoting's mouth who was laughing.

After her laughter started subsiding, Xiaoting took off Yujin's hand that was covering her mouth. "Oh gosh, the hand covering my mouth is so strong, I feel like fainting." said Xiaoting while posing as if she's about to faint in front of Yujin.

Yujin, who was paying attention to Xiaoting's silly behavior, let out a chuckle. In her small heart, she believed what the other participants said about Xiaoting when they were still competing in Girls Planet 999. She remembered the story Su Ruiqi told, who knew Xiaoting longer than anyone else, saying that Xiaoting's existence was like the sun after rain. Warm, but not overpowering. Just like the warm cup of hot chocolate Xiaoting gave her.

"Unnie? Are you done daydreaming?" asked Xiaoting as she poked Yujin's cheek playfully. "One more time you poke my cheek, you will pay." replied Yujin, who was trying to avoid Xiaoting's cheeky hand.

"So grumpy, Myah's mom," said Xiaoting.
"So cheeky, Hsinwei's mom."

For a moment, there was a slight pause between them after saying those words. Maybe they both realized, that at this time, they were separated from their beloved 'children' during the competitive show.

"Xiaoting, can I ask you something?" Yujin asked, breaking the silence between them. "Sure, what is it?" answered Xiaoting as she changed her sitting position, facing Yujin's face.

"It must have been difficult, right? Debuting alone in a foreign country, studying a new culture, learning a new language, adapting alone and all that has to be done in a short amount of time. If I were you, I can't imagine how I would be able to get through that and that I am very proud of you, because you're really amazing to be able to do all that." said Yujin as she held and caressed Xiaoting's hand.

Xiaoting smiled at Yujin's slight confusion. Slowly, she raised her hand towards the top of Yujin's head, gently stroking the head of the girl who was 3 years older than her.

"I'd be lying if I said it was easy. Honestly unnie, it's really difficult. I'm alone, in the middle of nowhere, meeting a lot of new people, learning a lot of things in a short amount of time. But, all my sacrifies were worth it. Because, why? I finally debuted. The bonus is that I even got to debut with you, unnie. It still kind of hurts though, when I suddenly remember my other friends who didn't debut, but is there anything I can do? I'm just a contestant, we are all just contestants. I'm upset, you're upset, we're all upset, but the world doesn't stop just because yours does. What I can do now is the prove the world, that I deserve to debut, that I am C-group's pride, the great Shen Xiaoting!" finished Xiaoting, showing off her pretty smile.

Yujin tightened her grip on Xiaoting's hand. She looked at the girl who was younger than her in amazement. She admired how Xiaoting saw the world, how the girl in front of her refused to give up and kept trying to prove that she's worthy.

"Besides, unnie, I'm very thankful to have you. Because you introduced me to Elkie, and Elkie introduced me to a circle of idols who are just like me. At least, I know I'm not alone anymore. Even though, at first I was very shy, but they're really nice, I feel like I've found another family."

"I'm glad that you're more comfortable. Maybe 2.5 years can be a long time, but if you are comfortable enough, 2.5 years will pass quickly."

"You see unnie, I actually don't even want 2.5 years to pass quickly."

Yujin gasped a little. "What do you mean, Ting?"

Xiaoting settled in her seat, just so she could see the older girl's eyes more deeply. "Well, I don't want it to go too fast. What I want is, me, you and the other members to enjoy and make lots of great memories for the next 2.5 years together. So, after all this is over, none of us will have any regrets."

"Woah, why are you suddenly serious like this? Who taught you?" Yujin teased as she lightly hit Xiaoting's wrist. Yujin's adorable reaction made Xiaoting giggle. From the very beginning she joined Girls Planet 999, she knew there was a veteran idol who was also a contestant like her, and to be honest, she admired Yujin who kept fighting for her dream, that was standing on stage to keep singing.

"Listen unnie, I've read a quote once."

"What is it?"

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. So unnie, as long as we do everything properly, I think it's already enough." Xiaoting said as a satisfied smile formed on her face.

Yujin who also heard Xiaoting's words smiled. "Xiaoting, thank you, really. Honestly, I haven't been able to sleep since I had many doubts about myself. I don't believe in myself, I still feel like I lack a lot. But all your words, it made me realize, I'm worthy, and I have to show the world that I'm worthy. After all, I am K-group's pride too."

"That's it, unnie. You know, your smile is really cute," says Xiaoting. "Try putting your hand on my chest. It's beating fast, isn't it? Because you're so cute, I'm weak for you."

"Oh my gosh, why are you like this? Come on, let's go to sleep, it's half past three in the morning. At half past five, we have to shoot something again." said Yujin, who was trying to get up from the sofa, but Xiaoting grabbed her hand.

Yujin frowned, not understanding what Xiaoting meant.

"Can you just stay with me, unnie? I can't promise anything to you, because as you know, I still have a lot to learn. The storms might come, anyway." pleaded Xiaoting as she tightened her grip onto the Yujin's cold fingertips.

Slowly, Yujin brought her face closer to Xiaoting's. Yujin's warm breath in Xiaoting's ear brought chills down her spine.

"I'll think about it first. But, a cuddle might be a good idea? And, don't forget to wash the cups first, then you can sleep." said Yujin, finished with a kiss on Xiaoting's cheek.

That night, thanks to the rain of Seoul and two mugs of hot chocolate, there were two hearts who agreed to take care of each other and share the world.