Stuck With You

thirty

The next morning, Sana woke up early. After brushing her teeth, she headed straight to the kitchen, determined to cook breakfast.

When she opened the fridge, she paused. Water. milk, fruit juice. That was it.

“I’m sorry, the fridge is empty.”
Sana nearly jumped. Tzuyu stood behind her, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

“I usually just buy drinks and instant food,” she admitted. “I… don’t really know how to cook.”

'That explains all the take-out,' Sana thought. “You’re up already?” Sana asked, turning toward her.

“You weren't beside me,” Tzuyu replied as she poured herself a glass. “So I figured you were awake.”

“Hm,” Sana hummed, opening the cabinets. When all she found were instant noodles, she sighed, crossed her arms, and looked straight at Tzuyu.

“We’re buying groceries. I’ll cook.”
She lightly tapped Tzuyu’s arm for emphasis.

“You’ll be late for school,” Tzuyu protested. “The market’s pretty far.”

Sana stared at her in disbelief. “Food comes first,” she said firmly. “Besides, my class doesn’t start until later.”

Tzuyu chuckled. “I should’ve known better than to argue.”

Not long after, the two were already on their way.

They returned with bags full of groceries, high-protein meat, fresh vegetables, and other essentials Sana insisted on buying.

After organizing everything, Sana moved around the kitchen with ease. She made French toast for breakfast and she also cooked for lunch. Tzuyu watched quietly from the counter, chin resting on her palm.

“You look… at home,” she said.

Sana smiled softly. “I like cooking for people I care about.” Something warm settled in Tzuyu’s chest.

They ate together happily. Afterward, Sana insisted on cleaning while Tzuyu prepared for school. As Sana washed the dishes, she hummed Stuck from TWICE’s What Is Love? album, the lyrics hitting closer to home than she wanted to admit.

While Tzuyu was in the bathroom, a knock echoed through the apartment.
Sana opened the door, and froze. Two elegant women stood there, their gazes scanning her from head to toe as if carefully examining her.

“G-good morning,” Sana greeted politely, stepping aside to let them in. Suddenly self-conscious, she tugged at the hem of the oversized shirt she was wearing—Tzuyu’s shirt.

“Where is my daughter?” one of them asked. Sana stiffened.

Before she could answer, Tzuyu appeared from the hallway.

“Mom. Unnie.” She walked over and hugged both women.

“Shobe,” Yoona asked curiously, nodding toward Sana, “who is she?”

“Oh—uhm,” Tzuyu said, then smiled proudly. “She’s my girlfriend. Sana. She’s Chaeyoung’s sister.” She wrapped an arm around Sana’s waist naturally. Sana’s face warmed.

“Sana, this is my mom, and my sister, Yoona.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sana said politely, bowing slightly.

“Likewise,” Yoona replied, smirking. “So this is the ‘sexy cutie’ Jungkook keeps talking about.”

Sana nearly combusted.

“I didn’t know that cub had a sister,” Mrs. Chou added. “You look Japanese.”

“I am,” Sana replied.

“Oh—so you and Chaeyoung are half-sisters?”

“Yes, Mrs. Chou.”

“Call me Mom,” she said kindly.
Sana blinked. “…Mom.”

Yoona suddenly leaned closer. “Can I say something?”

Sana nodded nervously.
“Tzuyu’s clothes look really good on you.”
Sana’s face turned bright red and before she could respond, Tzuyu checked the time.

“I need to go,” she said. “Please take care of her.”

She kissed her mom and sister on the cheek, then gently kissed Sana’s crown.

“I’ll be back later.” Sana sent her a please-don’t-leave-me-alone look. Tzuyu mouthed, It’s okay.

Once she left, the questioning began, but instead of fear, Sana found warmth. Laughter followed. Then compliments.
They even tasted Sana’s cooking.

“This is amazing,” Mrs. Chou said sincerely.

When the two women finally left, Sana found herself smiling nonstop. 'Meeting Tzuyu’s family wasn’t scary at all.' She didn’t notice the man watching from afar.

“So… you’re living together now,” he muttered. “Just a little more time, Sana. You’ll be mine.”

Later that afternoon, Sana headed to the library to meet Nancy for their project. That was when she saw Momo. Their eyes met. Momo looked away and walked past her as if she didn’t exist.

Sana stood frozen, her chest aching.
The person she always ran to… was now a stranger. Minutes later, Tzuyu stepped out of her last class and immediately spotted Sana crying. She rushed over and pulled her into her arms.

“Long-leg…” Sana whispered, clutching her hand. “Are we… going to fall apart too?”

“Never,” Tzuyu said firmly, cupping Sana’s face. “That won’t happen.”

“But Momo… she promised we’d always be together,” Sana cried. “Now she won’t even look at me.”

Tzuyu pressed their foreheads together.
“She’s part of your world,” she said softly. “But you are my world. And I won’t leave you, no matter what.” Sana just melted into her embrace.

Meanwhile, Dahyun caught up with Momo near the dorm.

“Momo-unnie… can we talk?”

“If you’re asking about Sana, don’t,” Momo said coldly. “Do it yourself.”

“It’s not what you think—”

“I don’t care!” Momo snapped. “I don’t need your explanation. Leave me alone!”
She ran off.

Frustrated, Dahyun clenched her fists.
“How am I supposed to fix this… if she won’t even listen?”