Jisu lay sprawled across her bed, limbs heavy with exhaustion, her hair a tangled mess and her eyes shut tight as though willing the world to disappear. With a weary sigh, she loosened her necktie and unfastened the top button of her blouse, savoring the brief relief as cool air kissed her collarbones.
“Jisu-yah?”
The voice pierced her drowsiness like a pin through silk. Her mother’s soft knock followed almost immediately, gently coaxing her back to awareness.
“Yes, Mom?” she mumbled, voice muffled against her pillow.
“I’m coming in,” her mother called, and the door creaked open a moment later. Her eyes flicked over Jisu, filled with concern. “Are you ready to eat? I can make you something.”
Jisu mustered a tired smile, her eyelids fluttering open. “Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’m just going to lie down for a bit... then I’ve got to head over to Chaeryeong’s place.”
Her mother’s brows drew together, the concern deepening. “To Chaeryeong’s? Jisu, can’t you just stay home tonight? You look like you haven’t slept in days.”
A dry chuckle escaped Jisu’s lips. “I wish. We’ve got a project due tomorrow, and I promised her I’d come over and have dinner while we finish it. I’m sorry.”
It was already past six, and the weight of the dayㅡschool, clubs, meetingsㅡhung on her like soaked clothes. The very thought of pulling another late night over assignments made her want to sink into the mattress and vanish.
Her mother sighed, reluctant but understanding. “At least change into something more comfortableㅡand sweat-free,” she added with a wry smile. “I’ll prepare some snacks. Make sure you grab them on your way out.”
For a fleeting moment, Jisu simply lay still, soaking in the stillness, the silence. But she couldn’t afford to stop now. With a soft groan, she swung her legs off the bed and stood, sluggishly gathering her things.
“Mom, I’m heading out!” she called as she passed through the living room, collecting the snacks that now waited for her like a mother’s silent blessing.
The door closed behind her with a soft click, and she stepped into the evening’s chill.
──⇌••⇋──
Chaeryeong’s house stood quiet, tucked away from the hum of the cityㅡa place she had made her own long ago, when the threads between her parents had frayed beyond repair. Neither of them lived with her, yet both still contributed, choosing not to pull her in either direction. It was a compromise, and Chaeryeong took it in stride. She loved them both, and in her mind, that was enough.
Unlike Jisu, though, Chaeryeong didn’t care much for grades or gold stars. She had all the brilliance she needed but none of the urgency. Academia wasn’t her battlefieldㅡlife was.
“Lee!” Jisu’s voice rang through the house like a cracked whip.
A disgruntled voice shot back from the staircase. “Why are you shouting?! You’re too early for my liking, eonni.”
Jisu rolled her eyes. “I brought everything we need. Let’s not waste time. Can we please get started?”
“Ugh, fine,” Chaeryeong groaned theatrically, dragging her feet into the room. “But we’re eating first. I’m not working on an empty stomach.”
──⇌••⇋──
“Jisu eonni... you look like death warmed over. What’s going on?” Chaeryeong asked, her brows knitted in worry. She watched Jisu rub her temples, her spoon untouched beside a steaming bowl. The warmth of the room couldn’t thaw the fatigue etched into Jisu’s features.
“I’m fine,” Jisu whispered, her voice too faint to be convincing.
Chaeryeong stared at her, saying nothing. The silence stretched until Jisu sighed, defeated.
“My head’s killing me, that’s all. I’ll be okay.”
Without warning, Chaeryeong reached out, pressing the back of her hand to Jisu’s forehead. Her eyes widened. “Holyㅡyou’re burning up!”
Jisu winced but didn’t pull away. “It’s just a little fever. I can still work.”
“Nope. Upstairs. Now,” Chaeryeong ordered, her tone brooking no argument.
“Butㅡ”
“Choi Jisu,” she snapped. The name fell awkwardly from her lips, unfamiliar in its sharpness. Even so, the seriousness in her eyes left no room for debate. “Rest. I’ll handle the rest.”
Jisu hesitated but didn’t fight. She allowed Chaeryeong to guide her up to the guest room. Soon, she was tucked under a thick blanket, a tray with paracetamol and water waiting patiently on the nightstand.
“I can stillㅡ” Jisu tried, her voice fading with dizziness.
“Shush. Go to sleep, you woman. Don’t make me knock you out.”
“Butㅡ!”
“I mean it. Rest. I’ve got this.”
Jisu exhaled a shaky breath, sinking deeper into the pillows. “Thanks... and please don’t tell my mom.”
Chaeryeong smiled, brushing a few strands of hair from Jisu’s damp forehead. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“God, you’re a lifesaver, Chaeryeong-ah...”
“Anytime, eonni.”
──⇌••⇋──
Jisu jerked upright, heart pounding. Her eyes snapped to the window, and panic gave way to relief as she realized dawn had only just begun to break. She pressed her hand to her neck, checking her temperature. Warm, but not scalding. Manageable.
She dragged herself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. Cold water slapped her cheeks, jolting her the rest of the way awake. By the time she’d brushed her teeth and reemerged, the scent of breakfast had filled the house.
Chaeryeong stood by the stove, flipping eggs with casual precision. The wall clock ticked softlyㅡ5:15 AM.
“You’re up early,” Chaeryeong said, glancing over her shoulder. “Feeling better?”
“A little,” Jisu murmured, offering a weak smile. “Thanks to you.”
“I put your things on my bed. You don’t have to worry about the project.”
Jisu blinked. “Wait, you finished it?”
“And yours,” Chaeryeong replied breezily, sliding the pan off the heat. “They’re already in my car.”
Jisu stared at her, speechless. Then laughed. “You’re unreal.”
Chaeryeong grinned. “Told you, I’ve got this.”
──⇌••⇋──
The morning air was crisp as the two of them walked across the campus grounds. The sun had yet to rise fully, casting everything in a silvery-blue hush. The university was still asleep, and the silence between them was companionable.
Suddenly, Chaeryeong stopped. Jisu turned, brows raised.
“I know you said you’re fine,” Chaeryeong began, “and I believe you... but I was thinking.”
Jisu tilted her head. “About what?”
“I have night classes. Why don’t you join me? You’re juggling two courses a day. That can’t be easy.”
Jisu blinked, surprised. “Oh... that’s kind of you. I’ll think about it.”
“You should,” Chaeryeong said, flashing a sly smile. Then she turned on her heel, sauntering ahead with a deliberate sway.
YOU ARE READING
Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)
FanfictionIn a world that felt just a little unrealㅡlike a moment lifted from an old filmㅡJisu found herself caught in something delicate and dangerous. It wasn't just love. It was something more complicated, something shadowed. When Ryujin entered her life...
