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30

" I would recommend you to go under therapy, the medication will only slow it down, but the risk is unavoidable if you won't take the therapy."

The deafening sound of the air-conditioning inside this office, I listened to the doctor's words swallowing big lumps of air inside my system. 

" I'll think about it doc. "

_________________
Mina's POV

"Heyyyyyyy," I called out, a little too loudly.  Chaeyoung flinched, turning around with an awkward expression.

"H-hey, Unnie… What are you doing here?" she stammered, quickly covering something on her easel.

"Um, just passing by…" I mumbled, the unspoken "I miss you" hanging heavy in the air.

"Oh… Um, okay," she replied, her tone flat.  Disappointment pricked at me.

"Um, okay… Bye," I sighed, turning to leave.  The school felt gloomy, or maybe it was just me.  I’d been spending time with everyone but Chaeyoung.

As I started to walk away, a hand clamped down on my wrist.  I turned to see Chaeyoung, her eyes wide.

"Um… Yes?" I asked, mesmerized by her cute flustered expression, even as her grip was a little too tight.

She loosened her grip, a radiant smile replacing her nervousness.  "A-are you free tonight?"

My heart skipped a beat.  Was she asking me out?

"Uh… Um, yeah. Why?" I managed to stammer.

Chaeyoung fidgeted, her hands shoved in her pockets, her gaze downcast.  She was so endearing, so utterly adorable, I felt my heart melt.

Finally, she looked up, her dimpled smile dazzling.  "I'll pick you up later at seven, okay?"

I nodded dumbly, speechless.  She’d asked me out.  She’d actually asked me out.

The overwhelming joy sent me sprinting to the rooftop, ignoring the curious stares of art students.  I flung open the door, thankful for the empty space, and let loose a muffled scream of pure, unadulterated joy.  My face burned, my heart thrumming a frantic rhythm.  I hadn't felt this way in ages.

Third Person POV

Chaeyoung waited patiently, leaning against her motorcycle, when Mina ran towards her, a breathless energy radiating from her.

"Hey, did you wait long?" Mina asked, her cheeks flushed.

"Nope, Unnie," Chaeyoung beamed, handing Mina a helmet.

Mina tried to hide her smile as Chaeyoung secured her helmet, but her expression soured as she noticed a fresh bruise on Chaeyoung's arm.  A dark, angry purple bloom marred the delicate skin.

"Let's go?" Chaeyoung asked, turning the key in the ignition.

"Wait," Mina said, breaking away to the vending machine.

Chaeyoung watched, amused, as Mina waddled towards it like a determined penguin.  She giggled at the sight.

Mina returned with a cold canned soda, saying nothing, but gently taking Chaeyoung's hand.  Chaeyoung stiffened.  "W-hy, Unnie?"

Mina pressed the cold can against the bruise.  "She hurt you again?"

Chaeyoung remained silent, letting Mina tend to her injury with quiet efficiency and warmth.  Her heart betrayed her, thumping hard against her ribs.  This was the girl she liked, the girl she couldn't have.

"U-uh, Unnie, that's enough… Thank you," Chaeyoung whispered, pulling her sleeve down.

Mina nodded, putting on her helmet and hopping onto the back of the motorcycle.

The ride was silent, yet charged with unspoken feelings.  Mina wrapped her arms around Chaeyoung's waist, their bodies close.  Chaeyoung bit her lip to suppress a smile, Mina mirroring her silent joy.  Chaeyoung mentally slapped herself, focusing on the road, chanting, "Shut the fuck up, stupid heart."

Mina's POV

Chaeyoung slowed, pulling up to a familiar place, bathed in the soft glow of dim lights.  The sound of rushing water, the scent of wood and fresh water, filled the air.  A smile spread across my face;  this was a place filled with cherished memories.

"Come here, Unnie," Chaeyoung said, walking ahead.

I followed her to a bridge, a place where we'd once been reckless, carefree.

"Why did you bring me here, Chae?" I asked, excitement bubbling in my voice.

She playfully walked backward, a mischievous glint in her eyes.  "Hmm, I have a surprise."

"Surprise?"

She stopped, her smile radiant.  "But before that, I want to say something."

I hummed, urging her to continue.

She walked to the middle of the bridge, then turned to face me.  "I want this to be our special place."

Special place?

"You see, Unnie, I always come here if I'm sad, angry, or happy," she explained.

"Are you sad?" I asked, noticing a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.

"I'm happy, Mina," she said, her smile bright, yet somehow strained.

My name, on her lips, felt sweet, yet the way she said it… it felt off.

I could only stare at her, her gaze quickly flickering away.  She was acting strangely again.

"Let's go. I need to show you one last place," she said, gently taking my hand.

We arrived at a lake, a wooden deck overlooking the moonlit water.  The air was crisp, the wind cool on our skin.

Chaeyoung released my hand, walking towards the deck.  "This is the surprise," she said, glancing at her watch.

"What surprise?" I asked.

"Let's wait a minute," she smiled, her eyes meeting mine.

I moved closer, wanting to ask her about her recent avoidance, her late nights, Jeongyeon's hospital stay.  What was going on with Chaeyoung?

"Sorry," she said softly, her gaze intense.

"Sorry for what, Chae?"

She smiled again.  "I just wanted to say it."

"Chaeyoung, whatever it is, it's not your—"

"I know," she interrupted, her eyes warm.  "But I just wanna say it, Unnie."

I frowned.

She chuckled.  "What, Unnie?"

I sighed.  "You know what? I kinda hate you for calling me 'Unnie' right now."

She laughed.  "I'm being polite, y'know."

"But you just called me by my name a while ago."

"Hmm…" She chuckled.  "Mina…"

I smiled, the sound of my name on her lips…  Then she continued.  "…Unnie."

"Yah!" I playfully smacked her shoulder as she laughed at my reaction.

"It's time, Mina," she said, checking her watch.

Confusion washed over me.

"Chaeng," a voice called out, making me turn.

Chaeyoung stood beside me, a knowing smile playing on her lips.  A few steps away, Jeongyeon stood on the edge of the deck, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"You might not hear this now, but I'll grab this chance to say it," Chaeyoung said, her gaze on Jeongyeon, but her words directed at me.

"I…"

A deafening firework explosion filled the air, drowning out her words.  I saw her lips move, but couldn't hear a thing.  She turned to me, that same smile lingering, then walked away, towards Jeongyeon.

Jeongyeon approached, her smile bright, but my gaze remained fixed on Chaeyoung's retreating figure.  The fireworks continued, their brilliance a stark contrast to the growing emptiness in my heart.  Something felt lost, irrevocably gone.

"Hey… Mina," Jeongyeon said softly.

"Um, Jeongyeon Unnie, why is Chaeyoung leaving?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

"Um… I kinda asked for her help… for you," Jeongyeon said, rubbing the back of her neck, handing me the bouquet.

Confusion reigned.  Jeongyeon's presence, the flowers, Chaeyoung's departure…  It wasn't until later, after talking to Jeongyeon, that I understood why Chaeyoung was drifting away.

"I like you, Mina."