Under the sky in room 553 I discovered you and I

Part 4

On another fateful March evening, Jimin was now on the giving end of dragging Minjeong by their entwined hands.

"unnie, I do not want to go on there! Mum will scold us if she finds out!" Whined the younger, lower lip trembling. she tried to dig the heels of herfeet into the grassy earth of the park field, but the action proved to be of no use. Jimin had always been stronger than her anyway. "Then we just have to make sure she doesn't, right?" Jimin replied, a cheeky grin forming on herface.

The younger only responded with a petulant groan, but resisted no further. Once they finally stopped, they were met face to face with the giant ferris wheel; the one on the other side of the park which they'd made their second home. Minjeong half-expected the lopsided grin on Jimin's face to grow even wider as she shoved her into the already open cabin. Yet, the older girl only turned to look at her, giving their interlocked hands a reassuring squeeze. "Is Minjeong afraid?"

There it was again-herf avourite baby talk, and Minjeong was slightly taken aback by the worried tone in her voice. Gnawing on her lower lip, she attempted to look up at the very top of the ferris wheel and imagined them there. Needless to say, a jolt shocked through her spine.

But Jiminwas right there; and as soon as she sensed Minjeong's fear, she hold on her tightened. "Don't be afraid, unnie is here."

That's right. Her unnie is here-and there was nothing for her to be afraid of.

With a made up mind, Minjeong let out a toughened puff that pushed up her chest; an act of bravery that she needed more than the girl beside her. "Minjeong isn't afraid." The sly smile made its way onto Jimin's face again. Minjeong wanted to tell herself that she hated it, but she wasn't sure how much of that she actually believed. "Good." And with that, they boarded the ferris wheel.

Yet the next thing Minjeong knew, he was glued to the older's side-her display of courage moments ago long abandoned as she latched herself onto the entirety of Jimin's left arm. She did not care that she looked like a koala right now, or if the latter's tease would make her ears burn crimson later.

Between choked breaths and unrelenting laughter, Jimin was finally able to put together a coherent sentence. "You are so adorable! Didn't you say you aren't afraid?Huh, Kim Minjeong?"

"Shut up! You tricked me! You are so horrible, unnie!" Minjeong could only make empty threats and shaky insults, squeezing her eyes shut so tightly she began to feel her head ache. Underneath her, she could feel the unstable rise of the passenger cabin. She would be throwing up out of nausea right now had it not been for the comforting warmth of the hand she was holding onto.

From above her, she could hear her favourite voice coo. "Minjeong, it's okay to open your eyes. I promise." She spoke, tone surprisingly fond; no more sarcasm present.

And then, the incline of the cabin she'd dreaded so much halted to a stop. "Are we finally done?" She attempted to peek an eye open, body relaxing significantly.

"No, we're at the top." Said Jimin, and Minjeong almost shrieked.

"Then why would you tell me it's safe to open my eyes? You liar! You are the worst person on earth, Yu Jimin!" Her eyes were clamped shut once again, tiny fists repeatedly landing thuds on the latter's chest. This, however, had no effect of ceasing the older's amused laugh.

"You can see the sunset right now, Minjeong. It's beautiful. Look, we can even see the maple tree from here too." She whispered, her free hand reaching up to cradle the younger's head.

There was silence when Minjeongdidn't respond. She thought the girlhad given up persuading hwe, when a heartbeat later a voice resounded right next to her earlobe. "It's alright to look. Nothing will happen when I'm by your side, silly."

Minjeongwas hesitant-but Jimin knew her well enough to know that it was beginning to sway him, so she tried again. "I promise, Min."

It was another dull moment of silence before he could hear Minjeong's muffled voice from where she was buried into her shoulder. "You better."

And then, slowly, she pulled away. Jimin proudly smiled, slowly turning her body to where the sunset was. "I got you," she whispered, "now open your eyes."

With a shaky exhale, Minjeong did as she was told.

At first, the younger only saw a bright orange glow-it bombarded her vision and invaded her sight in a way that almost startled her. But after blinking a few times, her pupils adjusted to the light.

What she was met with almost took her breath away.

It was golden hour then, the gentle cast of the sunset painting everything it could reach a stunning orange. The sky was a perfect harmony of red, pink and yellow; the colors vibrant and almost whimsical, like a canvas meticulously finessed by a world-class artist. Minjeong let out an audible gasp. She could hear a faint chuckle from the female next to her, but she couldn't care less.

From the nearby clock tower, Minjeongcould barely read the time. With a squint, she attempted; it was 5:53pm.

She had never seen the sun so up close-it burned an angry crimson, looking like it would be within her palms right now if only she reached out. "H-has the sun always been so red?" She blurted out, and as soon as those words left her, she felt her face heat up in embarrassment.

"It's so cool, isn't it?" Chuckled the older before she pointed. "There, look. Our maple tree."

Then, Jimin watched with amusement as the younger's eyes visibly lit up. "Wow! It looks so small from here. Wait, wait. I can see the roof of your house, unnie! Look!"

But Jimin wasn't looking. She was too busy staring at the girl beside her. And Minjeong wished she hadn't turn to catch her gaze when she was met with silence, because the affection in those same eyes-staring at her like she hung the stars-would then introduce her to a lifetime of unbecoming she didn't know would be lying ahead of her.

And either of them were old enough to recognise just what that moment entailed, nor what it will manifest into-the fond smile on both their faces, the knots in their stomachs, the feeling of being so high up that somehow reaching for the sky sounded perfectly sensible. From then on, Minjeong was no longer afraid of heights.

"Happy birthday, Minjeong."