Within the spaces

Episode 10

Yoko was buzzing with excitement for the Christmas break. After a draining stretch of juggling school and work, she felt like she was constantly fighting for time—time to sleep, to watch television, and even to eat. When she got into this acting business, she knew what she was signing up for, but the hectic pace had caught her off guard. She was constantly struggling to manage her time well. But now, finally, with this 10-day break, she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

She had planned everything meticulously. She was going to make the most of her time. She was craving some time to sleep and do nothing, but before that, a couple of days away with her family awaited her, possibly at her sister Neko's favourite holiday spot, Hongkong. Yoko was in for the plan, but she often felt like her parents listened to Neko more, and while she didn't mind the trips, she secretly wished she could express her own preferences occasionally. Why is it that the older sibling gets all the say? Deep down, though, she loved Neko fiercely. She knew that Neko probably loved her the most, so she chose not to argue, not that she had won any arguments she had participated in ever. Also, did she have any idea where they would go if she were asked for her preference? Nope!

As she started packing her bags, Yoko smiled at the thought of their weekend getaway. They would return by Christmas Eve, and while the holiday celebrations in their household were never extravagant, being together made it special.

Glancing into her cupboard, Yoko realized her wardrobe was a dull palette of blacks and whites. Ugh, I need some colour in my life. The realization sparked a sudden urgency in her. She decided she must go shopping. There was no way she would wear the same outfits she used for work, especially if she wanted to take nice pictures. This time around, she was determined to look good—really good. It's not like I'm trying to impress anyone. Or at least that's what she told herself, though a tiny part of her wondered if that was entirely true. Someone might go through her socials and it would be nice if they take a second glance. But that's not gonna happen if she looks the same as she looks at work.

Yoko followed through with her plan and went shopping with a friend. They gossiped about their classmates, swapped stories about upcoming dance practices, and Yoko couldn't help but whine about how tired she was. "I could literally sleep on the floor," she complained, dramatically leaning against a clothing rack.

The trip to Hong Kong was a breath of fresh air. She cherished the rare opportunity to spend quality time with her dad, sticking by him throughout their visit. They explored the city, captured some wonderful pictures, and Yoko found herself analyzing how her photos would be received by her fans and a certain someone. Yes, that was on her mind—she couldn't help but think about their reactions.

Yoko and Neko had decided to share a suite, partly because Yoko was a bit apprehensive about empty hotel rooms and partly because she had missed her sister. Their constant bickering had taken a backseat lately, and she was longing for those familiar moments of closeness. When they arrived at the hotel, Yoko felt a wave of comfort wash over her.

As they settled in, Neko initially rolled her eyes at Yoko's touchy-feely nature, but she soon succumbed to her charm. Yoko had an arsenal of weapons to win people over, and her sister needed only a little push to give in. This small break was precisely what Yoko needed—it grounded her, bringing back a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of adult responsibilities.

While shopping in Hong Kong, Yoko found herself picking out something special for P'Wan. "She cares about me a lot," Yoko said casually, trying to downplay her enthusiasm.

"And what about P'Faye? Why don't I buy something for her, and you can give it to her? Tell her it's Neko's love for her," Neko teased, raising an eyebrow.

Yoko glared at her. She knew Neko had a soft spot for Faye, just like the other five million fans worldwide. "You don't have to bother. I guess I should get one for her as well then," she mentioned, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Are you blushing?" Neko noticed right away, catching Yoko off guard.

"I am not blushing, but the crew would tease me if I do anything for her. But she cares about me as well," Yoko replied, feeling warmth creep into her cheeks.

As memories flooded back, Yoko recalled a moment from a recent cover photoshoot. The set had been uncomfortably cold, and Yoko felt bone-deep fatigue from the exams she'd barely completed. Yet amidst the bustle of the crew and the flash of cameras, Faye's sharp eyes had found her immediately, a flicker of worry crossing her face.

"You're freezing. Are you sick?" Faye had asked, her tone laced with concern. She didn't wait for Yoko to answer before slipping her own hands into the pockets of her jacket, rubbing them together to warm them up. Then, with her hands now toasty, Faye gently took Yoko's ice-cold fingers in her own.

The warmth of Faye's hands against her chilled skin sent a comforting heat through Yoko's body, like thawing out after standing too long in the snow. She hadn't realized how cold she'd been until that touch. Her own hands were trembling slightly, not just from the cold but from the relentless worry she'd carried since her exams.

"No, I'm just tired, P'Faye," she murmured. "I had my exams yesterday. Why do they even have exams? I worked the entire night, and they asked me about the role of media convergence in shaping contemporary media landscapes." She let out a small, exasperated sigh. "I wrote what I could, but my friends wrote everything, even about implications on content distribution, with examples! What if I fail? What if I never graduate?"

As she rambled, Faye listened intently, her thumb instinctively brushing over the back of Yoko's hand in soothing circles. Her other arm settled over Yoko's shoulder, gently guiding her toward a nearby couch, as if every movement was a quiet reassurance. Yoko let herself be led, her worries spilling out as Faye's touch grounded her.

Sinking into the couch, Yoko felt a bit dazed, her words tapering off as the weight of her exhaustion settled in. Faye's arm remained steady around her shoulders, and then, without a word, she shrugged off her own jacket, draping it over Yoko.

It was like being wrapped in a cocoon, warmth seeping through the fabric. Faye's jacket smelled faintly of her—soft, earthy, with a hint of something floral. In that moment, it felt like more than just warmth; it was a shield, a safe place, a promise that things would be okay.

Yoko closed her eyes, her worries quieted by the warmth of Faye's jacket and the comforting weight of her hand still resting on Yoko's. She hadn't felt this calm in a long time, and as the noise of the set buzzed around them, she let herself drift, Faye's presence a steady anchor. All she wanted was the world to fade away.

A tap on her head pulled Yoko from her reverie. "Are you zoning out on me now?" Neko teased, breaking the spell Yoko had woven around herself.

"Sorry, I just got lost in thought," Yoko admitted, realizing how long she had been daydreaming about Faye's warmth and presence. She somehow managed to control her smile.

After that, Yoko bought a bunch of cute things. Faye, who often exuded a tough exterior, had a surprisingly soft side. She loved cute things, though she would never admit it publicly. Yoko was eager to surprise her with adorable items, explaining the glitters in her makeup and her hair clips in various shades of pink.

The rest of the night was peaceful. They had dinner at a charming restaurant, strolled along the beach, and talked nearly the entire evening. Neko had a wealth of stories to share, and Yoko felt the familiar warmth of sisterly connection growing stronger.

Yoko truly needed this break. It diverted her mind from the responsibilities of adult life, giving her space to breathe. Back at home, she would have until the new year to spend time with friends, relax, and catch up on sleep.

As she settled into bed that night, Yoko felt a comforting sense of contentment. The memories of the day and the joy of being with her family wrapped around her like a warm blanket.