Secretly, But Unable to Hide It

One More Year

By the time Hanni wakes up, it's already the next morning. She has a pounding headache and sits up groggily, her mind feeling foggy as she tries to recall what happened the night before. She remembers saying a lot of things, including confessing to someone that she liked someone else.

Groaning, Hanni pulls the blanket over her head, hiding her face. She checks her phone and notices several messages from Minji.

Karina, sitting next to Hanni, asks, "Hanni, the person who brought you back last night, was it that friend of your unnie that you mentioned before?"

Hanni responds with a vague "Hmm."

Karina perks up. "Wow, she's really good looking! I didn't believe you at first, but she really is!"

Danielle adds, "Yeah, compared to Haerin, she's amazing. When we came home last night, we thought we were in the wrong dorm."

Unable to resist, Hanni asks, "When did she leave?"

"She left when we got back around midnight," Danielle explains. "She stayed in the same spot the whole time."

Karina chimes in, "She probably stayed to take care of you. She seemed worried you might be uncomfortable."

Hanni nods and turns her attention back to her phone.

Minji: I asked your roommates to wake you up at 9.

Minji: The ticket is sold out this time, so you couldn't reschedule. You should get up now, or you'll miss your flight home.

Minji: After you wake up, drink some water. I'll come by to take you to the airport at 10.

Hanni: Okay.

Hanni checks the time. It's exactly 9:00 a.m. Groaning again, she pulls off the blanket, tidies up her bed, and declares, "If I ever drink alcohol again, I'm a dog."

Hyein curious, asks, "What are you doing?"

Hanni ignores her friend.

Danielle teases with a grin, "Did you kiss her when you were drunk?"

"Of course not!" Hanni protests, looking at Danielle. "Stop with the nonsense."

"Then did you confess while you were drunk?"

"I'm going crazy," Hanni mutters, taking off her coat.

Hyein asks innocently, "Then what did you do?"

Hanni hesitates feeling a bit embarrassed, and admits, "I threw up on her."

The room falls silent.

Danielle coughs. "No wonder there was a weird smell."

Karina shakes her head in sympathy. "How could you not control it?"

"I didn't want to!" Hanni sighs, exasperated. She sniffs her clothes and frowns. "Forget it. I'll apologize later."

Hyein reassures Hanni, "But she didn't seem upset."

"She has a good temper. Even if I threw up on her, she wouldn't get angry," Hanni mumbles as she gets out of bed. "I need a shower."

At 10:00 a.m., Hanni says goodbye to her roommates and drags her suitcase out of the dorm. Since it's the holiday, cars are allowed into the university complex, and she immediately spots Minji's car.

Hanni walks over, wondering how she should apologize. Minji quickly gets out of the car and helps with her suitcase. She avoids eye contact and says quietly, "Unnie, good morning."

Minji replies, "Morning,"

They say nothing more. Hanni plans to apologize once they're in the car. She gets into the passenger seat while Minji places her suitcase in the trunk. Once Minji is seated, Hanni gathers her courage. "Yesterday, I drank too much and felt really sick..." she begins.