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27

"Tzuyu"

The name hung in the air, a whispered plea. Tzuyu stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the blurry figure of Chaeyoung kneeling beside her.  The chill of the floor seeped into her bones; she'd cried herself to sleep, curled on the cold tiles.

"Please wake up, Tzuyu. You'll catch cold," Chaeyoung's voice was soft, laced with concern.

Tears welled in Tzuyu's eyes as she recognized Chaeyoung.  A sob escaped her lips.  She scrambled to her feet, throwing her arms around Chaeyoung in a desperate hug.

"Chaeyoung..." she choked out, her voice thick with emotion.

"Hey, bud," Chaeyoung murmured, stroking Tzuyu's back.  The comfort was a balm to Tzuyu's raw emotions.

"Why are you here?" Tzuyu asked, her grip tightening.

"I missed my Yoda," Chaeyoung replied, a gentle tap on Tzuyu's back.

The dam broke.  Tzuyu wept uncontrollably, her body shaking with the force of her grief.  She clung to Chaeyoung, her sobs echoing in the quiet room.  Chaeyoung remained still, a silent pillar of support, letting Tzuyu release her pain.

An hour passed before the storm subsided. Chaeyoung ordered lunch, the aroma of food a welcome distraction.  Tzuyu watched as Chaeyoung placed the plates before her, her face still tear-streaked.

"Still a crybaby, Tzuyu-ah," Chaeyoung chuckled softly, placing the chopsticks beside Tzuyu's plate.

"Shut up, shorty," Tzuyu retorted, a weak smile playing on her lips.

They ate in silence, the unspoken tension hanging heavy between them.  Finally, Tzuyu spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

"How's Dahyun?"

Chaeyoung's smile faded.  She studied Tzuyu's face, reading the fear, sadness, and hopelessness etched there.  A sigh escaped her lips.

"She's still not answering our calls," Chaeyoung said gently.

More tears welled in Tzuyu's eyes.  The guilt gnawed at her.  She hadn't had the chance to explain, to apologize.

"I never got to explain anything to her..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

Chaeyoung watched, her heart aching for her friend.

"I betrayed her," Tzuyu confessed, her voice barely audible.  "I knew involving myself with Sana would hurt Dahyun, and I didn't stop it. I should have gone home that night. I should have pushed Sana away."

The sobs returned, racking her body.  Chaeyoung reached out, her hand resting gently on Tzuyu's arm.

"Tzuyu," Chaeyoung began, her voice low and serious.  "Do you love me?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions.  Tzuyu hesitated, unable to answer.  Chaeyoung stood, walking towards Tzuyu, her gaze intense.

"Do you love me?" Chaeyoung repeated, her voice firm.

"Y-yes," Tzuyu stammered, "Why are you asking—"

"Then do you love Sana?"

Silence descended upon them, broken only by Tzuyu's ragged breathing.  She was caught in a web of conflicting emotions, unable to untangle the threads of her heart.

"Let's finish eating," Chaeyoung said softly.  "I'll ask you again later."

After Tzuyu showered, Chaeyoung waited, her gaze unwavering as Tzuyu sat beside her on the couch.

"Do you seriously like me?" Chaeyoung asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I told you a hundred times, I like you," Tzuyu replied, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

"Me, or Sana?"

"You."

"Me, or Nayeon?"

"You, of course."

"Hmm... Me, or butter?" Chaeyoung teased, a smile playing on her lips.

"Wait, why is butter included?" Tzuyu sputtered, a laugh escaping her lips.

Chaeyoung chuckled, her eyes twinkling.  The tension eased slightly.

"Okay, here goes nothing," Chaeyoung said, straddling Tzuyu's legs, her eyes searching Tzuyu's.

"W-what are you doing?" Tzuyu asked, startled by Chaeyoung's sudden boldness.

"Who do you like?" Chaeyoung asked, her voice husky.

Tzuyu hesitated, the weight of her unspoken feelings pressing down on her.  The girl she loved was right there, yet guilt gnawed at her.

"Y-you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Chaeyoung leaned closer, her lips brushing against Tzuyu's neck.  A gasp escaped Tzuyu's lips.  Chaeyoung pulled back, her eyes intense.

"Who do you like?" she repeated, her voice low and urgent.

Another agonizing silence stretched between them.  The question hung in the air, a challenge, a demand for honesty.

"Y-you," Tzuyu repeated, her voice trembling.

Disappointment flickered across Chaeyoung's face.  She knew this wasn't the whole truth.

"Don't misunderstand," Chaeyoung said softly, removing her shirt.  "Love isn't just kissing, hugging, or sex.  It's so much more. You might say you respect me, that's why you aren't touching me, even though I'm almost naked in front of you. But I'm not going to wait until you're done pretending you don't need anyone.  Just follow your heart."

Tzuyu's eyes widened, her gaze fixed on Chaeyoung.

"Hear your heart out, pal," Chaeyoung said, cupping Tzuyu's face.  "It's probably not screaming my name anymore."

Tzuyu gently pushed Chaeyoung away.  "Don't gaslight my feelings," she said, her voice firm.

Chaeyoung sighed.  "Right. Sorry."

She dressed quickly, the unspoken tension hanging heavy in the air.

Tzuyu's mind raced.  It had been Sana all along.  But why couldn't she admit it?  Why was she so afraid of losing Dahyun, of losing everything?

"I can't lose Dahyun," she whispered, the words a confession of her own fear and indecision.