Imperfectly Perfect (MiChaeng SaTzu)

71 : Seat Belt Situation (2)

"Sana, what's wrong? Why?"

The older girl awkwardly laughs. "I was about to stand up when I forgot that I still have my seat belt on."

"Ugh. You and your clumsiness." The younger cheer captain promptly rolls her eyes while stifling a smile. She then moves her body further inside towards the shotgun seat. "Lean back a bit. Let me do it for you."

The moment the click of an unclasped buckle was heard, another sound blended with it.

Tzuyu was frozen for a moment, still holding on to the safety belt that she was just tending to.

On the other hand, Sana is smiling widely, looking accomplished since she has just successfully stolen a short kiss from the side of the neck of a face that now has visibly reddened cheeks.

"Sana— You—" Then, the younger cheer captain pursed her lips. Oddly enough, come another second, she clasped the buckle back again, continuing to somehow trap the vice president on her seat.

Sana raises one of her eyebrows. "Now, what are you doing, Tzu?"

"Umm— I— I think the seat belt is stuck."

"Huh? You just undid it a while ago. What are you—" This time, it was the older girl who pursed her lips. She subtly mouths an 'oh' as her cheeks start to flush.

Tzuyu didn't lean back, she just suddenly stayed silent, still maintaining her close distance with the girl in front of her.

"The— Then..." Sana moves her lips right beside Tzuyu's ear. "How much time do you need to get the safety belt working again?"

The younger cheer captain gulps. "I— I don't know how much time it needs. Maybe... just a bit?"

The vice president then slowly moves her arms to the girl in front of her to engulf her in an embrace. Her teasing smile has now changed into something worried as she softly pats Tzuyu's back. "What's wrong, Tzu? You can tell me what's making you act like this."

Tzuyu's eyes widened a little, a bit shocked by how Sana seemed to just have read her intentions. "No— Nothing significant for now. Just... some small issues at home early this morning." Her eyes suddenly start to water as she puts her forehead on Sana's shoulder for support. "And— and I think I just want to feel you close to me right now. I don't know but... I just had this sudden urge of wanting you next to me. Sorry if I—"

"It's okay, Tzu. It's fine." The older girl continues to softly tap her back. "You can take your time. You can take all the time in the world and I won't budge from my seat. Let's say I will stay right here until the safety belt decides to start working again."

"Sa— Sana."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I—" Tzuyu's embrace tightens. "What if— Do you—" She heaves in a deep breath. "Sana—"

"Just let it out, Tzu. You know you can tell me anything, everything."

"My dad... he— he wants me to do something that I don't want to do. I tried speaking my mind to him but he— he is smart enough to not just let me off the hook that easily. I sometimes feel that it's unfair for an adult to corner me like that."

The vice president stayed silent, letting the younger girl speak freely. All the while, altering her gestures of comfort from constant, gentle tapping to careful caressing of Tzuyu's back.

"Sana, my dad is a great businessman. I know that he is always planning on winning in whatever he does. I'm afraid that— that I would lose to him in the end and— and— Sana, I don't want to lose to him."

"Then, you won't lose, Tzu. Whatever it is that you are referring to, I believe in you. I have high standards, you know? It is a fact that for me... you are the smartest, prettiest, talented, and lovable girl that I know. "

"But I'm afraid, Sana." Tzuyu sobs faintly. "I'm afraid of what would happen in the end. I'm afraid that I'm not worthy enough... that— that things won't go my way. What if— What if I fail? What if I'm not good enough? What if I'm not capable enough to—"

"Hey, Chou Tzuyu!"

"Y— yeah?"

"Don't you dare underestimate yourself like that! The Chou Tzuyu I like isn't someone who's that weak! And, don't be afraid of failing..." Sana plants a chaste kiss on the younger girl's temple. "Because wherever your future might bring you, I will never leave you. I will always be here for you."

"Thank you so much, Sana."

"I hope that whatever is happening with you at home would be resolved sooner. As much as I love it when I feel needed by you... I hate it when you're not okay. I feel like my heart is being crushed a thousand times when I see tears rolling down your eyes. I feel sick when I can't do anything more than just offering a shoulder for you to cry on." Sana's eyes also start to water. "Tzu, always remember that I'll always be here for you when you need me, okay? All the time. No exceptions. I will give no excuses when it comes to you."

Tzuyu didn't respond after that. She simply tightens the hug more and buries her head on the crook of the girl who is carefully holding and comforting her.

The two cheer captains stayed like that for a moment.

Sana held the younger tightly in an embrace that sends comfort and assurance while Tzuyu latched her arms to the vice president like her life depends on it.