WINRINA ONESHOTS

BUT IT'S WRONG

In the bustling halls of their high school, Minjeong and Jimin couldn’t have been more different. Minjeong was the girl who laughed freely, unafraid to express herself, unafraid to let the world know exactly who she was. People knew her for her infectious smile and bright personality, but also because she openly identified as gay, something rare in their town.

On the other hand, there was Jimin. She was quiet and reserved, known for her academic excellence and competitive spirit. But beyond that, she had a reputation for her dismissive attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community, often passing off her narrow views as “just personal beliefs.” Minjeong knew all about it, of course. Everyone did. Jimin’s opinions weren’t secret, and though Minjeong found herself inexplicably drawn to her, she knew to keep her distance.

But one day, everything started to shift.

---

The first encounter happened in the library. Minjeong had been engrossed in a thick textbook on art history, flipping through pages covered with vibrant colors and famous paintings. She was so focused she hadn’t noticed someone standing beside her until they spoke.

“Are you actually reading all that, or just looking at the pictures?”

Minjeong looked up, surprised, and found herself face-to-face with Jimin. Her heart gave an unsteady beat, but she quickly masked it with a smile.

“Both,” Minjeong replied, setting her book down. “There’s a lot to learn from both words and images.”

Jimin raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “I didn’t peg you as the intellectual type.”

“Guess I’ll take that as a compliment,” Minjeong said, unable to resist the playful tone. “Didn’t think you’d be interested in art history either.”

Jimin shrugged. “I have an interest in classical art. It’s structured, follows rules.” Her eyes lingered on Minjeong, and she cleared her throat, looking away as if she’d caught herself. “Anyway, I just thought you’d be into something… different.”

Minjeong caught the hesitation in Jimin’s voice. She knew what Jimin meant—knew the assumptions people made about her. But instead of taking offense, she smiled. “Art doesn’t have to be just one thing, Jimin. Just like people.”

Jimin scoffed, but her expression softened ever so slightly. “Maybe.”

They fell into a silence that wasn’t quite comfortable, but it wasn’t tense either. And as Jimin moved to the shelves to look for her own book, Minjeong couldn’t help but feel a pang of something close to hope. This was the longest they’d ever spoken without tension, and Minjeong found herself looking forward to their next encounter.

---

Days turned into weeks, and slowly, Minjeong and Jimin found themselves running into each other more often. It was little things—small exchanges in the library, shared glances across classrooms, and eventually, mutual curiosity about one another’s interests.

One day, as they sat in the library, a book on Renaissance art open between them, Jimin broke the silence. “So, why do you act like… that?”

Minjeong frowned, confused. “Act like what?”

Jimin’s cheeks reddened, and she avoided eye contact. “You know. Just… so openly. About… being gay.”

Minjeong’s smile faded, but she took a steadying breath. “Because it’s who I am, Jimin. I don’t see the point in hiding it. Being open means I don’t have to pretend or feel ashamed.”

Jimin’s gaze faltered, something unspoken lingering in her expression. “I just… don’t get it.”

Minjeong could tell Jimin was struggling to find the right words, and she softened, hoping to ease the tension. “Maybe you don’t have to. Not fully. But understanding doesn’t mean agreeing, Jimin. It just means… not judging.”