134340 |JJK FF|

Chapter 28

It was all Jimin's fault. 

Yumi would not have the awful images in her mind had it not been for him.

She tried to forget the very confusing feelings back with Jimin in the room, who had done the courtesy of implanting it in her brain. But no, the thoughts regarding Jeongguk followed her even as she shut the door behind her and marched off.

She had found herself at Hara's side after a few seconds of looking around. It didn't take her long to navigate her friend, now familiar with this ship's build. A turn right, a small flight of stairs and the opening creak of the door, and she was under the setting Proxima.

She stumbled over the cracked foot of the deck, feeling a couple of floorboards sticking up edgily under her shoes. She made a beeline towards her shorthaired friend, spotting her figure crouched as she tried to log a particularly heavy piece of rubble near the control cabin staircase.

Normally, Hara would do a good job of keeping herself groomed and proper. Her brown hair would be combed straight and it would be hard to find a single speck of dirt on her clothes. Now, however...

"Hi." Hara said, looking uncharacteristically irritable, "If you're gonna go to the bathroom, forget it. The flush failed and the toilet reeks. Would've fainted on the spot had I not scrammed,"

Yumi snorted back her sympathy, "And that's why, ma'am, you must shower early,"

"Not everyone's an early riser like you, Yumi." Hara grumbled, "Besides, I would have if I knew this would happen,"

Yumi chuckled, reaching her side and helping lift the debris that used to be a part of the staircase. A frown creased her face as she looked up at the cabin, knowing that Jeongguk was still there. He didn't need a staircase, it seemed. The porch a few feet under the window was probably within jumping range for him. She lowered her eyes back to the rubble, trying to hide her scowl.

"What's wrong with you, anyway?" Hara's eyebrows came together as she stared at her teammate, "You look like you're trying to shoot laser beams to clear the floor,"

"Maybe I am." Yumi forced a grin on her face. It came out as a grimace.

Hara frowned, turning back to the pile of rubble, "You're making excuses,"

"Am no--" Yumi stopped herself, knowing that Hara could see right through her. She fumbled for words before giving in, "I...I suppose I am, then." She relented.

Hara hummed, "Anything to say, then?"

"I'm worried," Yumi said a bit too hastily.

Hara locked eyes with her, "Yumi, no offense. But you're a horrible, absolutely terrible liar,"

Yumi cringed, "Thanks. None taken,"

Hara paused, dropping the piece of brick she was holding. Lifting herself from her knees, she did a good job of making herself look big despite only coming up to Yumi's chin. "You're not just worried. The last time you had this look on your face, our spaceship was on fire,"

"Well spotted," Yumi gave her a mock applause.

"And Jeongguk looks miserable most of the time too,"

"He does?" Yumi feigned ignorance.

"Stop talking like you don't notice. You've been avoiding him like the virus,"

Yumi bit back a scathing retort. Why did everybody keep saying that? She dropped next to the pile, hand-picking the rubble and tossing it, making sure to make as much noise as she could.

"Why exactly would you say that?"

Hara tilted her head, joining in next to her, "Let's see. When you came back to the bedroom after the octopus fiasco, you were swearing up a storm to challenge the climate,"