VINTAGE MELODIES

Growing Tensions

The Saturday coffee outing came quickly, and for the first time, Minji felt nervous about meeting Hanni. She'd spent far too long deciding what to wear, debating whether she should go for something more dressed up or keep it casual. In the end, she settled on a simple outfit that she hoped balanced the two: a cozy sweater, jeans, and a touch of makeup to feel more confident.

When she arrived at the café, she spotted Hanni already at a table by the window, animatedly sipping her coffee and scrolling through her phone. She looked effortlessly stylish as usual, a bright scarf adding a splash of color to her outfit. The moment Hanni noticed Minji, she waved eagerly, gesturing for her to come over.

"Minji!" Hanni beamed. "You're finally here. I was starting to think I'd have to drink your coffee too."

Minji laughed as she slid into the seat across from her. "You and caffeine? That sounds like a dangerous combination."

Hanni shrugged with a smirk. "Maybe you're right. But anyway, I got you a caramel latte. I remembered you said you liked those."

Minji felt a warmth settle over her as she took the cup. "Thanks, Hanni. You really didn't have to."

"Oh, please. I've been dying to hang out again," Hanni replied, her eyes gleaming. "You're like the perfect café buddy. And hey, if I haven't scared you off yet, then I'm clearly doing something right!"

They fell into their usual banter, laughing and sharing stories. Hanni's stories were full of lighthearted drama, from her misadventures in the kitchen to her attempts to teach herself the guitar (which, according to her, hadn't gone very well). And Minji, though more reserved, shared a few funny stories of her own, loosening up with every passing minute.

But as the conversation flowed, Hanni's tone shifted. She looked at Minji with a serious expression, her gaze steady in a way that caught Minji off guard.

"Minji... can I ask you something?" Hanni's voice was softer, almost vulnerable.

Minji's heart raced, but she nodded. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

Hanni took a breath, looking down at her coffee as if gathering her thoughts. "It's just... I've been thinking a lot lately about how I feel around you. You're... different from anyone I've known, you know? Like, in a really good way."

Minji felt a spark of hope flicker in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm, not wanting to jump to conclusions. "I'm glad, Hanni. You're different for me too. You're one of the few people who makes me feel like I can be myself."

Hanni's eyes softened, and for a moment, they held each other's gaze, the world outside fading away. Minji could almost see the words forming on Hanni's lips, a glimmer of something unspoken.

But just then, Hanni's phone buzzed on the table, jolting them both out of the moment. She glanced down, her expression quickly shifting to one of irritation.

"Ugh, it's my cousin. She's insisting we go shopping for her friend's birthday, like, right now," Hanni sighed, rolling her eyes. "Of all times..."

Minji's heart sank a little, but she forced a smile. "It's okay, Hanni. We can hang out another time."

Hanni groaned, but then her eyes brightened as she looked back at Minji. "Wait. Why don't you come with us? It'll be fun, and I'll finally have someone with taste to help me pick something out."

The invitation took Minji by surprise. She hadn't expected Hanni to want her around outside of their one-on-one outings, but the idea of spending more time with her—even with other people around—was too tempting to pass up.

"Sure, I'd love to come," Minji replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

---

The two girls made their way to a nearby mall, where Hanni's cousin, Jiwoo, was waiting by the entrance. Jiwoo was just as energetic as Hanni, but her teasing was much more direct.

"So, this is your new bestie?" Jiwoo asked, looking Minji up and down with a sly grin. "Hanni's been talking non-stop about you."

Hanni's cheeks flushed, and she nudged Jiwoo playfully. "Don't embarrass her! Minji's the coolest friend I have, and she's helping me find the perfect gift, so be nice."

Jiwoo smirked but said nothing, clearly intrigued by the dynamic between them. As they walked through the mall, browsing stores, Jiwoo kept making little comments, hinting at the chemistry she could sense between Hanni and Minji. Hanni laughed them off, but Minji couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious.

Finally, they found a store selling cute vintage jewelry, and Hanni dragged Minji over to the display case. She picked up a delicate necklace with a small, opalescent pendant and held it up to Minji.

"What do you think? Would this suit my cousin's friend?"

Minji studied the necklace, but her attention quickly drifted to Hanni's fingers, the way they delicately held the pendant. She felt her heart skip a beat as she looked back up at Hanni, catching the soft look in her eyes.

"Actually... I think it would suit *you*," Minji said, barely able to keep her voice steady.

Hanni's eyes widened slightly, and for a brief moment, there was a glint of surprise and something deeper in her gaze. But then she quickly shook her head, laughing.

"Me? Nah, I don't know if I could pull it off," Hanni said with a dismissive wave, but there was a slight blush on her cheeks.

Jiwoo, however, caught the moment and gave Hanni a playful nudge. "See? She's got taste. Maybe you should listen to her."

They ended up buying the necklace, Hanni deciding to keep it for herself after all, and Minji felt a strange mix of satisfaction and nervousness. She didn't know if Hanni realized the significance of her comment, but it felt like a small victory, a moment of connection that only the two of them understood.

---

As the evening wound down, they finally parted ways. Hanni hugged Minji tightly, whispering, "Thanks for coming today, Minji. I had a lot of fun. We should do this more often."

Minji nodded, her heart full as she watched Hanni
walk away, the small opalescent pendant now around her neck, catching the glow of the streetlights. She couldn't help but smile, feeling like maybe—just maybe—she wasn't the only one feeling something special between them.

But as she walked home, doubt began to creep in. She was falling harder for Hanni with each passing day, but the ambiguity of Hanni's feelings kept her on edge. Was Hanni just being her friendly, affectionate self, or was there something deeper?

As Minji lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, she realized that her feelings for Hanni were too strong to ignore. This wasn't just a crush or a friendship—it was something that had grown into a central part of her heart.

But the lingering question remained: would she have the courage to tell Hanni the truth, or would she continue to hide, fearing rejection and the risk of losing the friendship that had become so precious to her?