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13- Satzu Slice

(Tzuyu's POV)

"Tzu Tzu."

I hummed, barely looking up from my book.  Dahyun, that tofu-brained menace, was at it again.

"Let's get lunch with Sana Unnie!" she chirped, practically vibrating with excitement.

Three months. Three months since we'd been welcomed into their circle. Dahyun, obsessed with Sana, was constantly dragging me along.

I sighed. "Dahyun, if you want to go, go. I'm reading. I'll meet you guys later. I'm waiting for Chaeyoung."

"Huh? But Chaeyoung's with Mina Unnie."

Together again?  The words hung in the air, a familiar pang of something…unsettling.

"Just go. I need to finish these," I lied.  There was nothing left to read; I just didn't want to hang out with them right now.  Because of someone.

Dahyun groaned, loud enough to earn a glare from a librarian who nearly toppled a shelf. I stifled a laugh.  Dahyun's pissed.

"Fine, whatever. See ya," Dahyun muttered, rolling her eyes before storming off.

Peace at last. I put down my book and stared out the window, the library quiet except for a few scattered students.  I rested my head on the table, boredom settling in.  I just want to go home and play with my dogs.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I shot my head up.  Shit.  Sana was standing there.

"Nothing, Sana Unnie," I mumbled, looking away.  Why is she here?

"Hmm…"  I felt her pull up a chair.  I looked up, annoyed.

"Sana Unnie, seriously?  The girls are waiting in the canteen. Dahyun's practically begging you to come."

"Come on, Tzuyu, why are you being such a grump?"

I closed my eyes, irritation bubbling.  I couldn't resist her, not really, but I didn't want to let my walls down again. Once was enough.

"I'm always like this," I said flatly, picking up my book again.

Sana snatched it away, earning a glare.

"Chaeyoung's an exception, right?" she blurted out, her words hitting their mark.

I rolled my eyes.

"You're so easy to read, Chou Tzuyu," she teased, whispering my name slowly.

I ignored her, grabbing another book.  She snatched that one too.  I glared, but then she leaned in, her face inches from mine.

"But I don't mind your grumpy side," she whispered, her gaze flickering between my eyes and lips.

"Stop," I managed, looking away.

I heard her sigh. "Tzuyu, she'll never like you back if you keep this up."

Another bullseye.  "I'm not trying to make her like me," I said, my voice flat.

"But you're making me like you," she blurted out.

I'm going to bury this woman alive.

"Look, why are you trying to get into my pants?" I finally faced her, my irritation plain to see.

She smirked. "You're so pretty, I can't help myself."

Her words hit a nerve. They were all the same, only wanting me for my looks.  Then, I remembered something, a smile touching my lips.  Sana's expression shifted to confusion.

"Chaeyoung sees me differently," I said, instantly regretting sounding so cheesy.

Chaeyoung had seen my worst and still embraced me warmly.  The others just saw pretty.

Sana's expression was unreadable.

(Sana's POV)

"Chaeyoung sees me differently," Tzuyu said, a bright smile lighting up her face.

How am I supposed to compete with that?  I could only stare. How could I ever win?

"Sana Unnie, Dahyun likes you. Why don't you just go for her?" Tzuyu said, her voice gentle.

I knew that, Tzuyu. I did. But…

"But you're the one I want," I blurted out, my voice desperate.

Tzuyu chuckled. "Well, you're not getting me." She stood, starting to stack the books.

Idiot, I thought, still finding her hot even though she's crushing me.

I watched her, mesmerized.  How can I win you?  The words slipped out before I could stop them.

She looked surprised, then smiled, shaking her head.

"Maybe if you go blonde, I'll consider it," she said, turning away to return the books.

I stood up and ran after her, earning a few curious glances.

"Really?!" I asked, a surge of hope filling me.

She chuckled, then walked away.