It’s been over a week since Irene last talked to Seulgi. She swore to herself she’d never do such petty and pathetic attempts or actions towards the athlete. They do live under the same roof but both have been pretty busy lately; Irene with her reports and Seulgi with her major and sport.

Over that week the two haven’t really talked except for mere ‘heys’ and ‘hellos’ and whenever in school. Over that week the two remained civil. It was like the fire ablaze between them was put off by cold water.

“Seulgi isn’t home yet?”

Irene nonchalantly shook her head while stirring her cup of tea that have been probably too sweet because she even lost count of sugar she put in.

“What happened? I’ve been rooting for the two of you.” Yongsun pouted, resting her chin on her palm.

They have been staying at the café nearby the university and she’s been staring at her friend, down and lost for a long time.

“I…” Irene sighed and finally stopped stirring and put down the tablespoon. “I think I was carried away of what I felt these past few weeks.”

“It was just a huge crush. I didn’t think I’d go wanting her attention.”

She is still Seulgi’s teacher and her wanting the younger girl to notice her made Irene feel so pathetic. She cringed at the thought. Maybe because she thought there was more to it—something more between them. But she guessed she went beyond the line and it’s delusional.

“You know what Yongsun,” she looked at her friend and their eyes meet. “It was just an infatuation, not something to fret about.” She convinced herself.

The word ‘infatuation’ rolled out of her tongue and the taste reminded her that it wasn’t even true. It was more than just a crush. But,

She misses her.

And it was safe to say that she didn’t even see Seulgi that way if it means they could stay friends. She wanted to know her more and Irene doesn’t want her feelings to get into the way.

Living with her is enough.

Being a friend to her is also enough—well, she hopes because why not?

She couldn’t ask for more.

She said it to herself; it was just like having a high school crush and she’s been there, she’ll be done with that even.

Irene stands up and picked her bag, making Yongsun puzzled.

“Yah, what are you doing?”

With a smile and now renewed spirit, Irene held her chin high and made a vow to herself. She has a lot to do rather than moping to some crush.

She’ll get over it, eventually.

“Time to do my job.”

After all, her marriage is not because they love each other but because of an accident. She just have to take care of Seulgi as a gratitude also for the Kang family that treated her so well and her sister, Yeri until Seulgi graduates.

*

After school was still quite different without the artist/soccer player there to wait for Irene. With her bag and papers to have her up all night, Irene bid her goodbye to her co-teachers and it didn’t even take that long for Park Bogum to call her attention when she was already in the middle of the faculty’s corridor.

“Let me walk you, Irene.” He said, flashing the smile that all girls would fell for.

And Irene knew she should resist when her mind is still occupied with a lot of things but her body just moves without her accord. Maybe her mind, who has the control of her whole body, was telling her that it was time to give attention to Bogum again because everything was fine until Seulgi decided to interfere with her dating life. But she also knows that her heart found it somewhat fast.

Was she that desperate to forget the pinching pain every night or whenever she realized she’s alone in a house she got used to calling home? She didn’t know.

Unconsciously, she gives him her stuff and Bogum walked her to the bus stop.

“You know, I’m still thinking of taking you out for dinner.” Bogum said as he gives Irene her things, coyly looking away for a moment.

Irene stared—well she was surprised with the sudden invitation. She realized it was long ago someone asked her out and she couldn’t help but blush and shyly looked away.

“Well of course! If that is, you’re free. I mean, my offer is always available, just for you Irene.” With all sincerity, Bogum assuredly smiled.

How could she resist that? How could she turn down a good man like him?

She continues to ask herself.

“I…” She takes a deep breath before meeting his eyes. “I think that’s a great idea.”

The surprise and joy was so apparent on his face.

“Great! This Saturday night then, I’ll pick you up—“

“No! I-I mean, it’s ok. You don’t have to. I’ll just meet you at the place.” Irene sheepishly smiled.

For a sec her heart just raced at the thought of Bogum finding out her and Seulgi share the same place.

“Oh, ok. Anything’s fine with me.” He beamed so much that it bothered Irene.

It’s not like she’s cheating on Seulgi. They were both free to date anyone they like.

They like.

She was then pulled out from her thoughts when the shrieking noise of her sister came in.

“Unniiee!!!”

The younger one bowed to the PE teacher standing next to her sister and gives the latter one a knowing look.

“Well, I guess it’s time for me to go.” Bogum cheekily smiled and waved one more goodbye to the sisters as he walked, facing them before turning his back again.

“What’s up with him? He’s too cheerful, I don’t like it.” Yeri commented while her face pulled together.

“Why do you hate him so much?” Irene asked as she pulled her little sister as their bus came.

They sat at the farthest back seat of the bus and Yeri turned to her, looking very serious but that Irene can’t even take seriously. Yeri still looks cute.

“You’re married unnie.”

Yeri doesn’t know about the contract. Ok, that’s understandable, though the words of the younger one hit a mark, that’s for sure.

“And for all the reason Seulgi-unnie has too.” She added while nodding her head, knowing her and Seulgi shares the same opinion.

All the reason Seulgi has.

That’s intriguing. Irene couldn’t help but blush and look away on the process. She couldn’t let her sister see that because boy, she’s a big teaser.

“You just miss her.” Irene nonchalantly replied.

She felt Yeri bump onto her shoulder and when their eyes met, there is the teasing smile her sister offers.

“You do too, unnie.”

Ok, she didn’t see that coming.

“No, I don’t.” Irene couldn’t prouder of herself for not shaking.

“Eeey, say what you want to say. You’re an adult, you’re in denial.”

Surprised, Irene turned to her sister with a sharp look. “I’m in what?”

Yeri shrugged her shoulders as she opens her phone, replying to messages she just read. “That’s what Joy-unnie said.”

Irene then knows for sure that Joy has been teaching her sister to be cheeky. Now that’s alarming.

There was a moment of silence between them. Only the screeching of the wheels every time the bus stops and the radio that is played in the bus are heard until Yeri speaks up again.

“Really, unnie.” She said, eyes glancing at the teacher. “Don’t let Bogum-sonsaengnim gets too close to you.”

Irene raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.

Yeri finally closed her phone, “He’s smiling too much, it’s annoying.”

That comment then earned a motherly smile. Yeri could even point out Bogum’s smile that everyone likes in the school as annoying just to persuade her not to get attached to him.

Irene can’t help but pinch her but not without hugging her sister on the side.

“Unnie!” She whined but the older one smiled victoriously at her childish sister.

Irene was thankful to have a sister like Yeri. She could listen to her tattletales and set her mind off from someone who’s been stirring up her inner being lately.

Her sister has been accompanying her for the week the day after Seulgi left but this was the first time that they ride the bus home together.

The ride home didn’t feel so lonely this time.

*

“Ugh,” Irene threw her sister a look who has been groaning for the past 5 minutes.

“Why does painting have to be so hard?!” Yeri’s hands are found on her head, grasping lots of hair.

They were in the living room, Yeri and her materials for painting all over the floor and Irene who just finished her reports, sits on the couch, keeping company her sister while reading a book.

“Well you don’t have to shout Bae Yerim.”

“FYI I am not shouting unnie. I’m just expressing my frustration!”

Irene couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She had enough listening to her sister complaining and she knew better not to argue further or she’ll keep hearing slang words that she doesn’t even understand.

The canvas lay flat on the newspaper-covered floor, untouched. With a huff, Yeri turned to her sister, pouting.

“Can’t you just help me? I .” She pleaded.

Peeking from her book, Irene smiled inwardly. “You haven’t even tried yet, Yeri-ah.”

This time the frustration was unbearable. Yeri spread on the floor, wriggling her legs, whining. “Well at least start it off for me, unnie~”

“I can’t even draw a human stick figure!” Irene laughed when