WINRINA ONESHOTS

FEAR IN MY HEART

Jimin had been looking forward to this day all week. It was one of those rare moments when she and Minjeong could escape their hectic schedules and just be together, uninterrupted. They had been dating for five years, and though their relationship had always been solid, these moments of quiet intimacy, free from the spotlight, meant the world to both of them. The two had planned a simple but sweet date, dinner at their favorite restaurant, followed by a peaceful walk by the Han River. The weather was perfect, a soft autumn breeze rustling through the golden leaves. Jimin thought everything was going just as smoothly as always.

But something felt off.

Jimin glanced at Minjeong as they walked hand in hand down the street. Minjeong’s usual smile wasn’t as bright today, her steps a little slower than usual. She wasn’t cracking her usual playful jokes, and her responses seemed… distant. At first, Jimin thought it might just be fatigue from their busy schedules. Being an idol was exhausting, after all. But something inside her nagged.

"Minjeong-ah," Jimin said softly, giving her hand a squeeze, "are you okay? You don’t seem like yourself today."

Minjeong blinked and looked up, offering a weak smile. "I'm fine, unnie. Just a bit tired, I guess." She tried to shrug it off, but the weariness in her voice was undeniable.

Jimin frowned, concern tugging at her heart, but she didn’t push. She trusted Minjeong to be honest with her, and if she said she was fine, maybe she really was just tired. Still, Jimin couldn't shake the feeling that something more was wrong.

As they arrived at the restaurant, they were seated at their usual spot by the window. Jimin tried to lighten the mood, asking about the latest choreography they’d been working on, but Minjeong was unusually quiet, her responses short.

"Minjeong-ah, are you sure you're okay?" Jimin asked again, leaning across the table, her voice more serious this time.

Minjeong glanced up, and for a moment, Jimin saw a flicker of something in her eyes—pain, maybe, or worry—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "I'm really fine, Jimin. Don’t worry about me," she said, forcing a laugh. "Let’s just enjoy the evening."

Jimin didn’t push any further, but her heart was heavy. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

After dinner, they decided to head to the river as planned. The cool breeze was refreshing, and for a while, the peace of the evening seemed to help. They walked side by side, hands intertwined, the soft sound of water lapping against the shore filling the silence. But Minjeong was quieter than usual, and Jimin noticed how her grip on her hand had loosened.

Suddenly, without warning, Minjeong’s steps faltered. She swayed slightly before collapsing to the ground.

"Minjeong!" Jimin’s voice was sharp with panic as she dropped to her knees beside her. Minjeong was lying on the ground, eyes closed, her face pale and expression twisted in pain.

"Minjeong! Minjeong, wake up!" Jimin shook her gently, her heart hammering in her chest. People nearby quickly gathered, and someone shouted that they were calling an ambulance. Jimin could barely hear them over the sound of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.

"Minjeong, please!" Jimin’s voice cracked as she tried to lift her, her hands trembling. "Please wake up, Minjeong, please!" She felt Minjeong’s wrist, trying to find a pulse. It was faint, almost non-existent. Her breathing was shallow, and then—it stopped.

"No, no, no!" Jimin gasped, shaking her harder. "Someone help! She’s not breathing!" She cried, her tears streaming down her face as she tried to remember everything she’d learned about CPR. Her hands pressed desperately against Minjeong’s chest, trying to force air into her lungs. She couldn’t lose her. She couldn’t.

"Please, please…" Jimin whispered through her tears as she continued chest compressions. "Come back to me, Minjeong…"

The ambulance arrived moments later, though to Jimin it felt like an eternity. Paramedics took over, and Jimin watched helplessly as they worked on Minjeong, her body limp on the cold pavement. Jimin was frozen in place, her mind racing. How had this happened? Minjeong had been fine—or at least, she’d said she was fine. Why hadn’t Jimin pushed harder, asked more questions? Why hadn’t she noticed sooner?

When they reached the hospital, Jimin was a wreck. She sat in the waiting room, her hands shaking uncontrollably, tears still falling down her cheeks. She blamed herself for everything. If only she had insisted Minjeong tell her the truth, maybe she could have done something. Maybe she could have saved her from this.

After what felt like an eternity, a doctor finally approached her.

"Are you Yoo Jimin?" he asked, his voice calm but serious.

Jimin shot up from her seat, her heart pounding in her throat. "Yes, that’s me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is she… is she okay?"

The doctor gave her a reassuring smile. "She’s stable now, but it was a close call. She had a prolonged heart attack, which can sometimes happen in women. It’s not always as sudden as you see in movies, and it can be easy to miss the signs."

Jimin felt her legs give way beneath her, and she collapsed back into the chair. Relief washed over her, but the fear and guilt remained. "Can I see her?"

"Of course," the doctor said. "She’s still sleeping, and she’s very weak, but she’s going to be okay."

Jimin nodded, barely able to process the words. She followed the doctor down the hallway, her heart still racing. When she entered the room, her breath caught in her throat. Minjeong lay in the hospital bed, her face pale, her body still. Jimin walked slowly to her side, sitting down in the chair next to the bed.

"Minjeong…" Jimin whispered, her voice trembling. She reached out and took Minjeong’s hand in hers, feeling the warmth of her skin. "I’m so sorry," she said, her voice breaking. "I should have known. I should have pushed you to tell me the truth. I should have…"

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she leaned over, pressing her forehead against Minjeong’s hand. "I can’t lose you," she whispered. "I don’t know what I’d do without you."

For the next two hours, Jimin sat by Minjeong’s side, holding her hand, watching her sleep. Every now and then, she’d brush her hair back from her face, whispering softly to her. Apologies, promises, fears—all of it poured out of her, though Minjeong was still unconscious.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Minjeong stirred.

Jimin sat up quickly, wiping her tears away. "Minjeong?" she whispered, her heart racing again.

Minjeong’s eyes fluttered open, and she blinked, her gaze blurry at first. When she saw Jimin sitting by her side, a weak smile spread across her lips.

"Unnie…" Minjeong’s voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough to make Jimin’s heart soar.

"Minjeong!" Jimin gasped, standing up and leaning over the bed, her tears flowing freely again. "You’re awake… I was so scared…"

Minjeong squeezed her hand weakly, her smile soft. "I’m okay," she whispered. "I’m okay, Jimin."

Jimin nodded, her voice caught in her throat. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you," she said, her voice shaking. "I should have known something was wrong. I should have done more—"

"Don’t blame yourself," Minjeong interrupted softly. "I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t think it was this serious. I’m sorry for scaring you…"

Jimin shook her head, her tears falling onto the bed. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Just… promise me you’ll tell me next time. No matter what."

Minjeong smiled weakly and nodded. "I promise."

Jimin let out a shaky breath, leaning down to press a kiss to Minjeong’s forehead. "I love you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"I love you too, Jimin," Minjeong replied softly, her eyes already growing heavy again with exhaustion.

Jimin stayed by her side the whole night, never letting go of her hand, grateful that they had more time together, vowing never to take it for granted again.