Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 | under the bus

Book 1, Chapter 13
Under The Bus

JISU WAS taken aback by how quickly time had flown by. Sitting on her long couch, she gazed out the window, where the sky was tinged with shades of dark orange as dusk approached.

“Yuna, are you hungry? I'll whip up something if you are,” Chaeryeong offered to the youngest that made Jisu's attention momentarily diverted by their conversation. She glanced over at them and caught their exchanged smiles, causing her to narrow her eyes.

“Anything, dulzu-- um... eonni, hehe. I'm not fussy,” Yuna replied, almost slipping up and calling Chaeryeong 'dulzura' again in front of Jisu. She knew what that meant in English, and it made her curious. They had only been hanging out for two months, yet they seemed to have clicked remarkably well.

Jisu wasn't sure how to feel about it. She had been preoccupied with Ryujin, feeling guilty for neglecting opportunities to bond with her best friend. But she was glad that Yuna was spending time with Chaeryeong.

Jisu was at Chaeryeong's place, having accepted the latter's invitation to catch up since they both felt the absence of the other keenly. Their reunion, however, took an unexpected turn with Yuna's surprise appearance at Chaeryeong's door, leaving Jisu watching as her best friend lavished attention on their younger visitor.

Not that she was jealous. Well, maybe just a little.

Casting a narrow glance at Yuna, Jisu couldn't help but wonder about the bond forming between her and Chaeryeong. Only she and Mrs. Choi were accustomed to freely entering Chaeryeong's house. And now Yuna seemed to have joined that exclusive club?

“Planning my mental demise, Jisu eonni?” Yuna teased, catching Jisu's evaluative stare.

Raising an eyebrow, Jisu queried, “Was it that obvious?”

Yuna simply gestured towards her own face, indicating that Jisu's scowl had sold her out.

“In any case,” Jisu startled Yuna with her sudden proximity, “do you harbor feelings for my best friend?”

“H-Huh?!”

Yuna's flustered response amused Jisu, who observed her unease and fidgety fingers with interest.

“That's ridiculous, eonni. Why would you even think that?”

“Just a yes or no, Shin Yuna,” Jisu insisted, unfazed.

“No.”

Jisu was taken aback by Yuna's swift denial. She was sure there was something between Yuna and Chaeryeong, especially with all the romantic vibes emanating from Yuna.

Guess she'll have to find another way to coax the truth out of her.

“Hm, that's a relief then,” Jisu remarked casually. “Someone's been pestering me to set him up with Chaeryeong. Might as well give it a shot, right?”

Yuna's brows furrowed in irritation. “You agreed to set her up with a stranger?”

Ah, there it was. The spark of jealousy.

“Remember, you were once an outsider too. Doesn't seem much different to me.”

Yuna pressed her lips together, clearly holding back her words to avoid disrespecting Jisu. That was the last thing she wanted.

“So...” Jisu slung an arm around Yuna's shoulders, “Got a thing for my best friend or what?”

Yuna exhaled sharply, running her fingers through her hair in agitation. “Seriously?”

“Going once, going twice...”

“Yes, alright! Yes!”

Jisu's grin widened knowingly. “Hey, Chaeryeong!”

Yuna's face was a picture of horror. “No, eonni, please!” But Jisu only chuckled at her distress.

“What's up, Jisu eonni?”

Yuna slowly covered her face with her palm and turned away as Chaeryeong emerged from the kitchen.

“Someone's got a crush on you!”

Chaeryeong glanced at Yuna, “...Who?”

“I'm so done...” Yuna muttered under her breath.

“Shin Yuna.”

At that, Yuna wished the ground would swallow her up in mortification.

“Yuna... likes me?”

Chaeryeong's voice wavered with uncertainty, prompting Yuna to lift her head and offer a heartfelt apology, “I'm sorry, eonni!” She stood up and bowed deeply, her gesture taking Jisu by surprise. She had never realized Yuna's preference before.

“Yuna-yah...”

“Chaeryeong eonni...?” Yuna straightened up yet kept her gaze downward, reluctant to meet Chaeryeong's eyes.

“You have feelings for me?”

“I... do. I'm terribly sorry, I understand it's not ideal here and perhaps you're straight--”

“I'm not,” Chaeryeong cut in quickly, her voice betraying no hint of her usual clarity, even as confusion painted her features. “Yuna--”

“You don't have to do anything about how I feel! We can still be friends!” Yuna blurted out nervously, bowing deeply once more.

Chaeryeong approached her, gently lifting her up by the arms to cease her bowing. As Yuna straightened, Chaeryeong tenderly kissed her forehead. “I feel the same... But let's figure things out in due time, okay?”

Yuna gazed at her, captivated. She cradled Chaeryeong's cheeks, and Chaeryeong leaned into her touch instinctively. With a soft smile, Yuna whispered, “In the future, mi dulzura.”