Closer to You [Michaeng]✔️

[40]

Last Chapter - 39
Jeongyeon and Nayeon couldn't help but feel pain as they see Sana struggle. Dahyun tightly hugged her back, making sure that Sana felt secure in her arms. "I'm here, Sana."

The sobbing inside the room got even louder as Sana couldn't stop her tears from coming, clinging onto the youngest like it was her last chance, "Dahyun-"

"-I don't want to go yet."

::Chapter 40::

"Mina, calm down, you're shaking." Chaeyoung's worries voice cut off Mina's as she steadily holds the latters trembling hands. Mina shakily nodded, her heart must've been beating even faster at this point.

"Chaeyoung." Mina's mumbled out, looking down at her lap. "I-"

Say it Mina.

Just say it.

"Chaeyoung, I'm sorry."

Mina spoke. Those were the only words that sprouted, nothing else. Chaeyoung didn't respond, giving Mina the chance to continue if she wanted to.

Those are three words but it's not the right one. Dammit Mina. She internally scolded herself but apologizing made her feel as if it was a step closer to saying the truth. Chaeyoung awaited for a continuation which Mina hesitantly did.

"I'm sorry." Mina repeated, "For everything. I shouldn't have hurt you. I played with your feelings and I-I'm sorry. You took care of me even after all the things I've done to you and I just-I hate myself for it. Chaeyoung, you don't deserve this pain. You don't deserve to see my face. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm-" at this point, Mina's tears had already rolled down her cheeks, non-stop.

Chaeyoung listened intently, not interrupting Mina as she knew that the penguin wanted her to listen. "Is that all?" Chaeyoung quietly asked, which caught Mina off guard.

"I don't know." Mina mumbled, her voice cracking from crying. Chaeyoung hummed, intertwining Mina's hands with her own, the warmth slowly healing Mina's confused heart.

"It's my turn." Chaeyoung mumbled, "It hurt. A lot."

Mina winced, she hated hearing the phrase. She was disappointed in herself, regretting the actions she took that put Chaeyoung in a state of pain. "But that doesn't mean I hate you." Chaeyoung subtly smiled.

The dancer looked up at the younger student, surprised by what she said, "Like I said, ever since the day we met, I don't plan to leave your side. I'll always be here for you even if it means hurting myself. I'll go to hell for you, Mina. No matter what happens, I'll be your shoulder to lean on. I'll be your shield. I'll be your protector-"

Chaeyoung whiped away a tear on Mina's cheek, "I'll be your tiger cub."

Mina's eyes widened, the smile on Chaeyoung's face made her feel as if all the problems in the world were somehow just a blur. The dancer glanced at the latters lips, tempted to press her own to it but she held back.

Say it Mina.

Mina took a deep breath, looking up at Chaeyoung as she wiped away her tears, "There's one more thing I need to tell you." The dancer gulped, her heart started to beat at a faster rate.

The cub raised an eyebrow, "Go ahead." Her voice was gentle but Mina still couldn't stop her anxious feeling.

Mina looked down, her hands trembling, "Chaeyoung, for all this time I should've noticed earlier. But I was to blind. I know you said I shouldn't but now, I can't hold myself back-" The dancer looked up into Chaeyoung's eyes,

"-Chaeyoung I love-" Mina was cut off by a phone ring. To which she cursed at. Chaeyoung chuckled, standing up and grabbing her phone. The penguin watched her back, now noticing how broad her shoulders were.

Mina silently groaned, slapping her hands against her face, Why is everything interrupting this. She sighed, At least I have time to prepare myself. Mina looked back at Chaeyoung who had just finished talking on the phone.

"W-Who was that." Mina stuttered, her heart wasn't as calm yet and her cheeks were still hot from the attempted confession. Chaeyoung slipped her phone into her pockets.

"It was Nayeon. She wanted us to go to the hospital. Is it ok if we go?" Chaeyoung questioned, sitting back down in front of Mina. The latter sighed, slowly nodding.

"Just let me wash my face first, I'll meet you downstairs." As Mina got up to walk towards the bathroom, Chaeyoung grabbed her wrists with a gentle grip.

"Wait. What were you going to say?" Chaeyoung asked, making Mina once again go red. She shook her head, gently waving her hand as a gesture of 'forget it.'

"It was nothing. I'll tell you next time." Mina smiled, and before Chaeyoung could protest, she closed the bathroom door. Once Mina heard Chaeyoung's footsteps leave the room, she let out a breath.

Mina looked into the mirror, a smile not leaving her face, "Next time, I'll tell you with all my heart. I really-"

"-Do need you, Chaeyoung."

~

"Yeah, we'll be there soon." Chaeyoung's voice filled the living room as she had the phone up to her ear. Nayeon chuckled on the other line, probably due to Jeongyeon and Dahyun playing.

"Alright, be careful on the way here." Nayeon spoke, sounding like a mother. Chaeyoung smiled and as she was about to leave the call, the eldest continued the conversation but it took a different turn.

"By the way, Chaeyoung, how is Mina?" Nayeon asked and it seemed as if she scolded Jeongyeon and Dahyun for being too loud as their screams turned into quiet cursing. Chaeyoung hummed, looking at the room with the closed door.

"She's ok. Mina got more rest so-" Chaeyoung was cut off by Nayeon.

"Actually, let me rephrase that. How are you and Mina?" Nayeon's voice was serious and Chaeyoung couldn't just hang up, that would be rude on her part. The eldest awaited an answer and since she wasn't getting any, Nayeon decided to continue, "Is anything coming back to you? Forgiveness? Perhaps-"

"-Feelings?"

Chaeyoung's movement went to a halt. Wincing as she remembered how Mina's hand intertwined with hers, how Mina apologize with those words, the way Mina leaned on her shoulder. Were those lost feelings really coming back?

Chaeyoung sighed, not knowing whether or not to dodge the question but even if she did, Nayeon would still pry the answer off. "So? Are they coming back?" Nayeon asked once more.

A mumble left the younger students mouth, one that can't be heard by Nayeon. The eldest asked again hoping it'll make Chaeyoung speak up. Chaeyoung opened her mouth, preparing to answer Nayeon, "Nayeon-"

"-Yeah. Those lost feelings. They're coming back."

::

Thank you for reading this chapter! 🐧🐯