Friends ❧ Jinjoo

十五

After Kriesha and Yujin's hard work of taking care after Minju, she had finally awoken from her deep slumber. She may still feel sick but it wasn't as bad as before. Her eyes roam around her surroundings until it glued onto Yujin sleeping.

She chuckled seeing how cute the younger can be just by sleeping. Imagine doing more than. She wanted to pinch the younger's cheeks but refrains to do so. It would be humiliating if she does so.

She decided to examine the younger. As she recalled, she never took a proper look at her. She was so insecure back then that she was afraid of her past coming back once again. But now she realized that it's just how it is. That she should overcome her insecurities and feat and not run away from it. She now is more thankful for others than that of the past.

The only thing she noticed from the younger was her dimples. It's pretty noticeable whenever she smiles. Not only that but also her crescent eyes. It's somewhat one of her unique charms in her point of view. Seeing those somehow calms her down with Yujin doing so. She doesn't know entirely why but she wants to see those again.

Minju didn't just examine the "outside" part of Yujin. She also did look unto the inside. Those times they spent together. The younger's efforts on helping her. Those waves of laughter they shared together until to their downfall but they still manage to move forward. Those times where the younger just wouldn't give up confessing to her. And finally when Yujin bears her being a mess. She couldn't really explain her deepest gratitude to Yujin.

She couldn't help but smile from ear to ear while thinking back into those times. She may have an obnoxious past but bit by bit, she learned how to cope with. Rather than dwelling too much on the past, she learned to keep moving forward. Thanks to all of her friends who were by her side. Those friends of hers may be few but it's already enough for her.

The thing is, just her mentioning the word "friend" when thinking about the younger feel sort of strange nowadays. It sounded as if it's unfamiliar to her. She's uncertain unto why so. Perhaps it's because when she finally accepted Yujin as a real friend? Or was there more than that? Whatever the reason may be, she's curious about the answer.

She snapped out into reality the moment she heard a light sob. It's absolutely wasn't hers so she glanced at the person with her. Unexpectedly, it was from Yujin.

To think about it, not once in her life she ever saw Yujin crying. She was all enthusiastic and contented. She never saw her actually dejected. She only sees her jokingly down to get what she wants from her. It's truly peculiar of Yujin today.

She didn't bother to move or rather, she couldn't move even if she tries to. Thinking of what to do made her stop moving. She's afraid it might lead to a worse situation. Yet she is also afraid of failing to help her once again. The younger has been helping her after all. She wants to repay her for all the younger had done in the past days. It might have been really tough to bear with her.

"W-wonyoung ah..." Yujin slowly mumbled.

Minju finally came back to her senses once again. "Wonyoung, " she repeated the name Yujin mumbled. The name somehow sounded familiar despite hearing that name just today. "Wonyoung," she repeated it once again.

"I'm... Sorry wonyoungie... " tears started to descend to the younger's cheeks, "I'm really sorry Yuannie."

Minju finally remembered. She didn't hear that name just today. She heard it a few years ago before she even met Kriesha. Although that memory of hers is quite fuzzy, she's certain it was that Wonyoung she met. "Yuannie" made her remembered. It was a sort of a name only people close to her calls her. They weren't close but she just happens to overhear one of their conversations.

"Jang Wonyoung, " she muttered for the third time. As far as she knows, she was never mentioned by the younger. It might be something really personal which is completely understandable. Yet a part of her bothers her. Though, she shouldn't dwell too much on this.

She looked at Yujin once more. She obviously doesn't look too good. Then she was back to what she felt earlier. She couldn't think what's best to do. She was hesitant but she knows she shouldn't. She hated this.

"Minju unnie..." Yujin continued to mumble.

That was it for Minju. Hearing her name being called sounded somehow sad. As if she was in deep pain. Could she have been suffering for so long? Did she just endure everything those pain she felt? Was she just acting that everything is fine? It seemed that way from her point of view.

She felt guilty. If it really was the case then she hated it. There must have a reason why the younger just kept it all by herself. At the same time, she's quite mad for just hiding it. It was just unfair in her case. She felt really weird.

Without thinking, she jumps out of her bed and rushed directly to Yujin. The younger definitely needed comfort. Like how she did when she had that dream. It feels that it's her turn to repay her bit by bit.

She gently embraces Yujin and caressed her back. Her actions suddenly just came out naturally. Perhaps it was because she is now determined to give back the help she received. It somehow calmed Yujin down to her relief.

"It's fine Yujinie. I'm here for you, " she reassured the younger speaking with affection. It wasn't weird to hear or even call her Yujinie anymore. Rather, it felt more comfortable to call her that.

"Don't worry. I'll always stay by your side no matter what. It's a promise this time"

With that, Yujin finally calmed down. Minju isn't really certain if the younger heard it or not but she decided to stay close to her. Maybe it will happen again. In order to avoid that, she'll just stay as how she is. Even if she will look weird it wouldn't matter. As long as Yujin will be fine then she's willing to do anything.

-

On the other hand, Kriesha slowly opened the door to check up on how the two are currently doing. To no avail did she see them. She peeked a better look by the door to see them sleep soundly.

She smiled. She felt happier seeing them sleeping peacefully. She doesn't know why but whenever she sees them both, her mood seems to lighten up in a second.

She took a blanket and made sure to cover the two with it. The temperature is usually cold at this time so at least a blanket could warm them up.

"They really look cute together, " she giggled as she places the blanket on them.

"Sleep well Jinjoo"