Two In Harmony • Juyoonz [English Version]

06. Meeting on the horizon

The air was heavy, her breathing was ragged, and she found herself caught in Jungeun's gaze.

"I was spying on Saebi!" She suddenly said.

Saebi looked at the scene in confusion, hesitating over her words.

"I mean... I was helping Saebi."

Jungeun turned around. "Since when have you two been close?"

Silence. A rather tiring one, but not very long-lasting, that filled the atmosphere with nothing but awkwardness.

"Well... we're going to your contest together, and I thought it would be a good idea to break the ice first." A nervous laugh escaped, being the last sound before Jungeun approached the door.

"I'll leave you two then, have a good time." There didn't seem to be any emotion in her voice, no hidden feeling or spark of sincerity.

She opened the door, while quickly unbuttoning Jiyoon's gift from her hair. The gesture made the lover let out a slight gasp of surprise, almost inaudible.

She felt like her own heart had been torn away from her.

"I'm so sorry..." Saebi looked at the ruined bouquet on the floor, avoiding Jiyoon's sad gaze.

In her eyes, everything began to blur, maybe the images stopped making sense, or it was just the accumulated tears.

"Saebi..." She called softly. "Do you think Jungeun is cruel to me?"

Saebi approached, without saying anything he held her in a hug. So comforting and full of mutual sadness that the tears began to flow without more.

The day went by slowly, among the streets everyone seemed to have a good time and be in the best mood of all, Jungeun could be the exception, she now walked through the academy with a changing expression, indecipherable to anyone.

The walk was the same as always, the day was like any other and yet there seemed to be something outside her mind that constantly bothered her.

"You look pale." Mai was sitting in the corridor, on one of the many benches along it. "Problems with the contest?"

"Excuse me..." She began. "I don't think I know you..."

"I'm Mai." She extended a hand, filling her words with an almost arrogant tone. "Jiyoon's friend."

Jungeun answered the greeting, the last name seemed to have caused something, an unpleasant chill that she hated to feel.

"Nice to meet you, I'm..."

"Jungeun." She interrupted. "I'm going to your contest. How sure are you of winning?"

"Excuse me?" She frowned.

"It's a question. Are you going to answer me?"

Sarang appeared at the end of the corridor, waving both hands over her head and walking side by side with Jeemin.

"Good morning!" Sarang said. "I didn't think I'd see you here on days off."

"I have to rehearse." Without looking at her, Jungeun entered the room.

The three of them looked at each other expectantly, waiting for the other's words.

"Tell Jiyoon not to worry, I'm sure she hates me more than she hates her." Sarang spoke, looking down.

"Weren't you two best friends?" Jeemin leaned in, planting doubt in Mai.

Sarang shrugged and gave them both a smile. "Are we leaving?"