One more time

Chapter 17

Jihyo sighed. Tzuyu was once again waiting for her outside the classroom. Since the incident last week, where she beat up the bullies, the younger girl kept on following her everywhere. During lunch breaks, after school and even when walking home, Tzuyu appeared just to quietly follow her steps. Jihyo had told her before not to do so but the Taiwanese insisted as she was glad someone stood out for her.

Tzuyu was a transferred student and besides Chaeyoung, she didn’t have any friends. Guys were all over her for her looks and it was annoying as she couldn’t turn them down properly. Language barrier was an issue and most of the time she was misunderstood by her classmates. She just wanted to help her unnie back, but as she didn’t know how, she just stayed by her side until she figured a way to do so.

-What are you doing here? - Jihyo asked. Her classmates were gossiping as usual as the younger girl was popular and caught attention everywhere she went. Jihyo was a third grader an Tzuyu was a 1rst grade kid, she didn’t want the younger to have a problematic future. Jihyo tried to push her away coldly but Tzuyu was stubborn.
-I just wanted to see you, unnie – simply reasoned the young girl
-I told you already, you don’t need to do this, it’s annoying. - Jihyo said while walking away.

Tzuyu followed after her and both walked down the street. Jihyo noticed Tzuyu was not going to leave her alone so she went to a park and sat on a bench. Tzuyu sat next to her and remained still.

-You are seriously a headache- Jihyo said while ruffling her own hair, desperate. Tzuyu was confused at the action and tilted her head, deep in though. She didn’t have a vast vocabulary so she didn’t understand the meaning of the phrase. The first grader look inside her school bag and found a peach flavored candy that promptly gave to her unnie.
-Eat this, unnie. You will feel better.
Jihyo extended her hand, looking at the candy with furrowed brows. She didn’t get it.
-It’s for your head. - said Tzuyu while pointing her own head, then tried to explain the action moving her hands in the air and pointed her head once again – pain?

Jihyo looked at the girl for a moment before cracking a smile. It was not use, Tzuyu was cute. Her gesture was enough to made Jihyo realize there was no ill in them hanging out. Maybe this was a chance to start over. Mina was long gone and she needed someone to call a friend. Both girls spent the rest of the day knowing each other better and were delighted at how easy was for them to get along. The peaceful aura of the younger girl kept reminding Jihyo of her dearest Japanese friend. They departed when the sun was setting as Jihyo had to go back school and wait for her squad to go home together. Tzuyu smiled and bid her farewell.

Chaeyoung and Dahyun were already at the gates when Jihyo saw them from the distance. The girls were talking about how excited they were for Valentine day as it was around the corner and they had heard a bunch of love stories among their groupmates. It was their first year in junior high and they were curious if someone had a crush on them. Jihyo chuckled and remind them to take it easy and don’t have high hopes. Jihyo said so by her own experience as Momo had received confessions during this holiday each year. Momo turned all the boys down but it hurt her anyway because the Japanese girl shared each of the confessions on detail with her.

Unfortunately for Jihyo, this year seemed like Momo would accept a certain someone but the kids didn’t have to know it yet. Not long after Momo arrived. She excused herself saying her classmates were the ones that delayed her but Jihyo knew best. The four girls went home, talking about what awaits on Monday.

School hallways were practically the same but you could notice in the air how hopeful young people could be. Young love was reigning that day at school and Jihyo perceived small gestures, giggles and even winks among her own classmates. Boys and girls in general were looking their best, wearing an immaculate uniform or having their hair done in an unusual way. Most of them seemed to expect their crush to like them back or had the guts to confess. Even when Jihyo despised them most of the time, she shared the feeling of longing so she wished them the best.