Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲 | consequence

Book 1, Chapter 1
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗌𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾

Jisu lay sprawled on her bed, her hair a tangled mess, eyes shut tight. With a weary sigh, she loosened her necktie and unbuttoned the top of her blouse, relishing the slight relief.

“Jisu-yah?”

Her fading consciousness snapped back at the sound of her mother’s voice, accompanied by a few gentle knocks on the door.

“Yes, Mom?”

“I’m coming in,” her mother announced, the door creaking as she peeked inside. “Are you ready to eat? I can whip something up if you’re hungry.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Mom,” Jisu replied, forcing a tired smile. “I’m just going to rest for a bit, then I have to head over to Chaeryeong’s.”

Her mother’s brows furrowed with concern, her gaze softening. Jisu looked utterly drained, like she could sleep for a week and still need more. “What are you doing at Chaeryeong’s? Can’t you just stay home and get some rest? You look like you really need it.”

Jisu let out a weak chuckle. “I wish I could, but we have a project due tomorrow. I promised I’d have dinner with her while we finish it. I’m sorry, Mom.”

The exhaustion weighed heavily on her, almost too much to bear. After a long day packed with school activities, the last thing she wanted was another project, but she had no choice. It was already six in the evening, and instead of winding down, she was gearing up for another late-night study session.

“Alright, then,” her mother sighed, clearly reluctant. “Just change into something more comfortableㅡand sweat-free,” she added with a small smile. “I’ll prepare some snacks. Make sure you grab them on your way out.”

For a few precious moments, Jisu lay there in silence, sinking into the warmth of her bed. But duty called, and with a groan, she pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side.

“Here goes nothing...” she muttered under her breath.

Once she was sure everything she needed for the project was packed, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out of her room.

“Mom, I’m leaving!” she called out. Just as instructed, she grabbed the packed snacks waiting for her on the living room table before stepping out of the house and into the night.

──⇌••⇋──

Chaeryeong lived alone in her own house, a place of independence she had carved out after her parents’ separation when she was just a child. Both of them were still very much involved in her life, providing for her without question, but Chaeryeong had chosen not to pick sides. Her parents’ relationship was far from perfect, but they both loved her deeply, and that was all that mattered to her.

Unlike Jisu, Chaeryeong wasn’t overly invested in studying. She had the intelligence, the skill, and the ability, but she simply couldn’t be bothered to show it.

“Lee!” Jisu called out, her voice sharp.

“Why are you shouting?!” Chaeryeong yelled back from the bottom of the staircase, her tone gruff. “And you’re too early for my liking, eonni.”