GASLIGHTER // BBANGSAZ

31| this was love 🚭❗

Hanni stood in front of the tall building, her heart pounding in her chest. The city had been overwhelming, but there was a part of her that felt like she was starting something new. She hadn’t known exactly what kind of job Minji had lined up, but the excitement Minji carried had rubbed off on her a little. Now that they were here, staring up at the skyscraper that housed their new workplace, a small flicker of hope stirred in her chest.

Minji, standing beside her, seemed completely calm, her hand squeezing Hanni’s reassuringly. “It’s going to be perfect, Hanni. Trust me.”

Hanni nodded automatically. Trusting Minji had become second nature by now. She followed Minji inside, the two of them stepping into the sleek, modern lobby that bustled with busy professionals. Everything about this new life felt different—bigger, sharper, almost too fast. But Minji, as always, moved with confidence, guiding Hanni through the building until they found their way to the office space they would be working in.

As soon as they were introduced to the team, Hanni felt out of place. Most of the people seemed older, more polished, and far more experienced than her. But she smiled politely and did her best to fit in, listening as they explained her tasks. It wasn’t a difficult job—mostly clerical work, organizing files, and helping with small errands—but Hanni felt the pressure to perform well. This was her chance to contribute, to make things easier for Minji.

And then, just as she was beginning to feel a little more at ease, she met Yunjin.

Yunjin was a whirlwind of energy, someone who seemed to brighten the entire room the moment she entered. She had a bright, warm smile and an easygoing demeanor that instantly put Hanni at ease. From the first moment they were introduced, Yunjin treated Hanni like an old friend, talking to her with a kind of warmth and enthusiasm that Hanni hadn’t felt in a long time.

“You’re new here, right?” Yunjin asked as she sat down beside Hanni during their break. “I can tell. You have that ‘wide-eyed, what-have-I-gotten-myself-into’ look. I had the same expression my first week here.”

Hanni chuckled softly, feeling her nerves ease for the first time that day. “Yeah, I guess it’s all a little overwhelming.”

Yunjin smiled and nudged her playfully. “You’ll get used to it. And hey, if you ever need someone to show you the ropes, I’ve got your back.”

The two of them spent the rest of the break talking, and by the end of the day, Hanni felt lighter than she had in weeks. Yunjin’s friendly nature had made the transition into this new job feel less intimidating, and for the first time in a long while, Hanni felt like she had someone to talk to—someone who didn’t make her feel like she had to be on guard all the time.

However, when Hanni got home that evening and told Minji about Yunjin, the reaction wasn’t what she had expected.

“Yunjin, huh?” Minji’s voice was sharp, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “And you spent the whole day with her?”

Hanni frowned, not understanding the sudden change in Minji’s tone. “Not the whole day. Just during break and a little while we were working. She’s really nice, Minji. I think we’ll get along well.”

But Minji’s expression darkened, her fingers drumming impatiently on the kitchen counter. “I don’t like the idea of you getting close to someone else. We don’t know her, Hanni. You don’t need friends like that. You have me.”

Hanni blinked, feeling a familiar sinking sensation in her chest. The warmth she had felt from her time with Yunjin began to dissolve, replaced by the cold grip of guilt. She hadn’t meant to upset Minji. She had just been happy to have someone to talk to.

“I wasn’t trying to—” Hanni started, but Minji cut her off.

“She’s probably trying to use you,” Minji said, her voice low and cutting. “People like her… they act friendly, but they always want something. You’re too trusting, Hanni. You can’t just let anyone into your life like that. Do you think she cares about you the way I do?”

Hanni felt her throat tighten, the familiar cycle of doubt starting to creep in. She had been so excited about making a friend, but now Minji was making her question everything. What if Yunjin wasn’t as kind as she seemed? What if Minji was right, and she was being naïve?

“I just thought—”

“You thought what?” Minji’s eyes narrowed, her voice taking on that condescending tone that made Hanni shrink into herself. “That you could handle everything without me? That you’re suddenly better off with strangers instead of the person who’s been taking care of you all this time?”

Hanni’s heart sank, and the exhaustion from the day pressed down on her even harder. Minji had always been there for her, hadn’t she? Through everything. Minji had always made sure they had enough, had always worked hard to provide for them. Maybe Hanni was being ungrateful by getting close to someone else. Minji was right—she didn’t need anyone else.

“I’m sorry,” Hanni whispered, her voice barely audible. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Minji’s expression softened slightly, but there was still a sharpness behind her eyes. She stepped closer to Hanni, pulling her into a tight embrace. “It’s okay,” she murmured, her voice sweet again, the warmth returning just as quickly as it had vanished. “You just need to trust me. I know what’s best for us. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Hanni nodded against Minji’s chest, her body tense with guilt and confusion. Minji’s embrace was warm, but it felt like a cage, trapping her in a world where her thoughts didn’t belong to her anymore. Every time she tried to break free, Minji would pull her back, reminding her that no one else could ever care for her the way Minji did.

“Maybe…” Hanni’s voice trembled as she spoke. “Maybe I shouldn’t go to work anymore. If it’s causing problems.”

Minji pulled back, looking into Hanni’s eyes with a soft smile. “That’s what I was thinking. You don’t need to work. I can handle it, baby. You’ve been through enough, and I want to take care of you. You don’t need to be around people who might hurt you.”

Hanni nodded, feeling the last bit of resistance fade away. She had tried to hold onto a sliver of independence, but it was too exhausting to keep fighting. Minji was right. She always was. Hanni didn’t need to work, didn’t need friends, didn’t need anything but Minji.

“I trust you,” Hanni whispered, her voice hollow.

Minji smiled and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Good girl. Everything’s going to be perfect. Just let me take care of you.”

That night, as Hanni lay in bed, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She thought about Yunjin’s bright smile, her genuine warmth, and the way she had made Hanni laugh so easily. But then Minji’s voice echoed in her head, reminding her that Yunjin wasn’t to be trusted, that Hanni was too naïve, too fragile to make her own decisions.

Hanni turned over and curled into Minji’s side, feeling the weight of the world press down on her chest. Minji was all she had left. She had no energy to question it anymore, no strength to fight back. Maybe Minji really did know what was best for her.

this was love.