Salmon Bagel and a Hot Chocolate

26 - Heartstrings and Hot Chocolate

The night started out great and didn't show any signs of slowing down. Things just kept getting better and Minjeong kept feeling happier.

Minjeong really appreciated Yizhuo and Giselle being there. Giselle made sure the food was perfect, Yizhuo making it a point to remind Minjeong that Karina decided the menu– which just meant the fancier version of the salmon bagel was Karina's idea.

The food was great, Minjeong talking to Karina throughout all their meals while Yizhuo refilled their drinks. Giselle had suggested some wine- something so expensive even Minjeong didn't recognise the flavour.

The pair talked about everything that came to mind, Karina overjoyed whenever they touched upon a topic Minjeong was enthusiastic about.

"So you're a dog person?"

"I really like dogs," Minjeong nodded. "But I like all animals."

"Cats?"

"I like cats," Minjeong hummed. "You look like a cat person."

"I'm not sure how I should take that," Karina laughed. "But yeah, I very much am. I have a cat back home."

"Not with you here?"

"No," Karina sighed lightly. "Jeno didn't like that I gave more attention to the cat than to him."

"Checks out." Minjeong muttered, glancing at Karina's hand. She still couldn't help but wonder what exactly caused the injury.

Her mind was not in control of her body as she found her hand was gently holding Karina's injured one. Karina looked up at her in question, but didn't seem to mind the contact.

"How'd you get hurt?"

"Sprained it."

"How?" Minjeong raised her eyebrows. She really didn't want to immediately assume the worst, but it was starting to get there.

Karina looked hesitant to answer, but looked more shy and almost embarrassed to say what actually happened. Now Minjeong wanted to believe it was the result of her being clumsy.

"Don't laugh when I tell you, okay?" Karina started, Minjeong having to hold back a laugh upon hearing that. "Ah! you're already laughing!"

"I'm not! I swear I'm not." Minjeong quickly said, brushing her thumb over Karina's knuckles.

Karina pouted but continued speaking anyways, "After that night in the club– when we almost kissed– I went home a little disoriented. My mind was a mess and I couldn't really think about anything else other than you... so when I woke up and was pouring myself a cup of coffee, I didn't realise my mind was still on what happened and ended up pouring way too much coffee until it spilled on the floor... which I also didn't realise I did and subsequently slipped on my coffee puddle."

Minjeong really did everything she could to hold back a smile, but it was hard when all she could think about was how adorable Karina was. Everything she did was endearing.

"You're gonna laugh!" Karina whined. "It's not funny! It's embarrassing."

"It's cute!" Minjeong broke, finally letting out a chuckle. "I mean, not the spraining your hand part, but the events that led to it."

"It was very hard for me," Karina frowned– too cute to look angry. Minjeong was losing her mind a little. "It didn't help that you were ignoring me for days!"

"If it makes you feel better, I thought about you so much during that time, it made me willingly open up." Minjeong shrugged, her hand still in Karina's. It didn't seem like she was planning on letting go any time soon.