Meet me where the sky touches the sea

Chapter 4

Yunjin broke her pinkie promise. It was July now, two weeks since Kazuha told Yunjin to ask Chaewon out. But she was a coward, and Kazuha always reminded her of that whenever she gave her one of those looks. Or she would just outright say it.

Admitting her feelings out loud just made them much more real. Especially to Kazuha. She was Chaewon's sister in law. Yunjin believed she wasn't worthy enough to date Chaewon. Chaewon was Chaewon. That was the best way Yunjin could describe her. Chaewon was sweet. Chaewon was dramatic. Chaewon was confident, she knew how to carry herself. Chaewon came from the big city where she worked a good job, and bought branded clothing. And Yunjin was just Yunjin. Yunjin who never pursued anything after college. Yunjin who just had a degree in dance, not anything prestigious. Yunjin who had a humble job working for Chaewon's sister on a farm. Yunjin who wore faded and worn out clothing. Yunjin who lived in a small town in the countryside. Why would Chaewon even want to be with someone like her?

Yunjin wouldn't really call herself a coward. She wasn't a coward when she killed that snake for Yeji a few months ago. Her eardrums were almost ruptured from the amount of screaming the older girl had done, but she came out of that alive. She wasn't a coward when she confronted two guys at the karaoke bar who were harassing Wendy a couple days ago. She wasn't a coward when she left America. When she left her family and friends—her life behind to chase after a good opportunity. And she wasn't a coward when she followed Yeji to the countryside, leaving the big city behind for good. So why was she so afraid of asking a pretty girl out?

Yunjin sighed for the nth time that morning. Kazuha glanced at her and set her wrench down, stretching her fingers that were red from the force of her grip around the metal tool.

"Quit sighing."

"Don't tell me what to do." Yunjin grunted and continued to focus on the pipe in front of her.

"Not like you'd actually do it," Kazuha said with a shrug. She watched as Yunjin stopped what she was doing, facing her with her arms crossed, a look of offense on her face.

"Is that another way for you to call me a coward? By sending me indirects?"

"Well if that's how you interpret it." Kazuha raised her hands and clicked her tongue. "Okay, but seriously, it's been like two weeks."

"I know, I know..." Yunjin sighed once again. "I'm just scared. And she's always with Sakura these days. She intimidates me."

"You're scared of Sakura?" Kazuha questioned.

Yunjin nodded sheepishly. "She's her sister. What if she thinks I'm not good enough for Chaewon?"

Jihyo started to laugh, and Yunjin just stood there watching her friend clutch her stomach, cheeks turning red. How dare she almost fall over laughing when these were legitimate worries Yunjin had?! Obviously Sakura was very nice. Yunjin saw her everyday ever since she started working here. But lately, Sakura had been giving her...looks. It was like she was analyzing Yunjin. Like she knew something Yunjin didn't. Her looks gave Yunjin the chills.

Kazuha wiped some tears that built up in the corners of her eyes and tried to catch her breath. "Sorry, sorry." Kazuha fanned her face. "Just ignore Sakura, if that's a thing that's holding you back. Apart from possibly being rejected, of course." Kazuha not-so-helpfully added. Chaewon sent her a glare that read not helping and Kazuha brushed her off. "Hey, tell you what. Ask her out once we finish with this," Kazuha pointed to the pipe with her thumb, "and if Sakura is with her, I'll distract her and get you alone with Chaewon. Deal?"

Yunjin thought for a moment. She'd finally get it over with and wouldn't have it gnawing at her anymore. It would be like ripping off a bandaid.

"Deal."