Sunday, Few days after that in Myoui Household

AUTHOR POV

It’s 7pm, dinner time, yet Mina still locking herself on her practice room alone. Since her previous ballet instructor’s show where she’ll perform is on next Saturday, Mina was so nervous and wanted to make things perfect.

Okay yes, Mina did use this as a covered up excuse few days ago when she couldn’t sleep because of her and Momo’s first kiss. But the nerves really started to kick in as day got closer towards the performance day.

She didn’t want to make her instructor disappointed and since many of her relatives—her sisters, best friends, plus the whole sixteen gang, gonna watch her performance, made the importance of perfect and flawless performance arise.

Mina practiced her routine while recording it, then she reviewed it. If she found it lack of something, she’ll fix it and do everything back from square—making sure that her performance will be perfect from the beginning till the end.

And well, as people said. We are our own biggest critics…. and that quote applied to the perfectionist Mina.

She kept redoing her routine again and again just because she didn’t quite satisfy with her routine. Slight imperfection, led to double re-try. She’s been here since before lunch, perfecting all her routine. The only time she stopped was for a quick lunch break... But that also because Momo dragged her out of the room and asked her to rest for a bit. After that, she went back to practice until now.

Gladly Momo was here, having a practice with Sixteen band… otherwise, no one could drag Mina away from her overly focused dancer mode. Jeongnam? Nah she and Mina shared similar traits. Both are perfectionist and keen for perfection… So Jeongnam didn’t see anything wrong and chose not to bother her sister.

Currently, Momo stood in front of the closed door and watched Mina from outside—peaking from a tiny window on the door.

She was supposedly in the studio, joining her bandmates on a discussion—or more like debates, about what they should eat for dinner. Since Momo would eat anything except cucumber, she chose to check out Mina. By check out, she didn’t mean the creepy way… But the caring way, make sure everything is okay.

Momo has been Mina’s best friend since junior high, so she knew well Mina’s bad habit. Which is over practicing. But since Momo didn’t want to interrupt, she waited till the song ended.

Momo never even once missed Mina’s performance. She came to watch every time Mina participate a ballet competition, she also came to watch Mina’s old ballet school monthly or annual recital, and of course Mina’s first and every single stage with her university dance crew. Momo always came to watch and support her and Momo never even once not mesmerized by the way she dances.

No matter what genre it is, Mina somehow could burst out such an overflowing elegance aura that Momo couldn’t help but got stunned. But right now, those sparks and aura weren’t there and the only thing Momo could see were stress and irritation. No graceful moves, just frown and anger. And when Mina plumped down on the floor despite the music still playing, Momo decided to interrupt

“Knock knock”

Mina flinched a bit but when she saw it was Momo, she couldn’t help but pout and frowned. Which that made Momo rushed towards her to engulf her into a hug.

“There..there…” Mina tighten her grip right away once Momo hugged her. That, made Momo softly caressed the back of her head—to give her comfort.

“Mind to tell me what’s in your head?” asked Momo

“I’m .”

And that made Momo immediately retrieved her hug and firmly disagree, “no you’re not!”

“I am… I’m gonna disappoint and embarrassed Luda saem in front of the whole audience.”

“Hey no…no… don’t say that. Tell me, what made you think like that?”

“My steps were all over the place, my body were stiffs, my expressions were all hideous… I look horrible and I’m a terrible dancer, Momo... I’m gonna ruin everything.”

When she said that, Mina was in urge to cry. Her eyes were watery, her voice was shaky and whiney. Momo know her assurance won’t work on Mina because Momo has zero idea about ballet and it will just sound like an empty encouragement that definitely won’t gave any effect to the perfectionist Mina.

But since she was so close to her, Momo could see how exhausted Mina was. Her face was red like a freshly boiled shrimp, her tiny ponytail was a mess with lots of hair strains stuck on her sweaty face… and with that, Momo knew what kind of assurance that she could say to Mina—to help her calm down.

“You are not a bad dancer, Mina… and you’re not gonna ruin everything.” Momo tried to clear out those strains of hair from Mina’s face while she talked, “Okay yes I, myself didn’t know much about ballet but I’ve been watching you for few minutes from outside the room and well… you’re not bad at all.”

“You’re saying this because you like me.”

 Despite it sounds like a tease, Mina actually said it sincerely. Like a whine and complain instead of a tease… and well it still caught Momo off guard

“Well... t-that’s true. But all I was trying to say is, you’re not bad. You just overworked yourself and it led you to make errors. So, don’t punish yourself for the error that caused by your exhaustion… You need to rest for a bit and things might go smooth like usual.”

“I’m not exhausted. I’m fine.”

“Really? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”

Mina didn’t answer it she just pout.

“Okay how about this. I assumed you recorded some of your practice, right?” and Momo got a nod

“Then let’s compare the first video you took today, with the last one.”

“No. I don’t want you to see how bad I was.”

“Mina… I’m not here to judge you…” Mina wanted to refuse. But the way Momo caressed her hair while gave her such a warm and assuring smile, she couldn’t help but complied.

Mina then gave Momo her phone and let her watch the video.

When Mina could hear the music from her phone, she immediately moved few steps away from Momo, huddled herself and didn’t want to hear it. She hated every single video she took earlier and by just hearing it, made her more and more frustrated.

Through the time Momo was watching Mina’s video, she didn’t say anything and that made Mina more anxious. She hugged herself tighter and deeper—hid her head in between her arm, as she just want to disappear from this whole world.

But after the music stopped, Momo finally spoke.

“I don’t know how the actual routine is… but for me, it wasn’t bad at all..”

“You said that just to cheer me up.”

“Well yes I’m trying to cheer you up here.. but! I also speak the truth and I found the reason why you keep messing up.”

And that made Mina lifted up her head a bit, curious with Momo’s founding.

“You’re exhausted.”

“I told you I’m fi—”

“No. it’s visible throughout the video. The strength, the detail, the expression you gave on first vid, grew lesser towards the end. And the last video you took, everything just filled with power. Like you force yourself to do it and here. I’ll show you how—”

But when Momo wanted to show Mina the comparison, Mina quickly turned herself away from the sight—gave Momo her back, “I don’t want to see it.”

“You have to. Otherwise, you won’t get my point.”  With a heavy sigh Mina finally turned around.

“Okay. So this is how you started your practice, and this is the last video you took. See the difference?”

Mina carefully assigned those two videos, back and forth. And well, the visible difference could already be seen since the beginning of the video.

“The last video was too forced…”

“And the first one?”

“Wasn’t that bad…” The way Mina’s voice getting smaller near the end, made Momo let out a smile. Finding her best friend or soon-to-be-girlfriend adorable.

“Now you get my point right?”

Mina gave Momo a meek nod but then she said, “But I’m not really that exhausted.”

Momo didn’t say a thing and just gave Mina a look. A look that made her let out a sigh and crumbled down her stubbornness.

“Okay, I lied.” And Mina lumped herself sideway on Momo, which the latter immediately tucked her in a warm embrace.

“Hear this Mitang… I know you want everything to be as perfect as it should. But resting is important too, okay?” Momo then felt a subtle nod on the crook of her neck. “Good. Now all you have to do, is wrap up your practice have a warm bath while wait for the dinner to come.. How’s that sound to you?”

Mina suddenly broke off the hug and hovered away a bit after Momo asked that. “Do you said this because I’m sweaty and smelly?”

“What? Of course not!”

“Really?”

“Mhm!” Momo immediately tucked Mina back to her hug, “besides, you’re not the one who’s been smashing on drums for hours while wearing muscle tee.. If there’s a smell, it’s definitely not from you.”

Yes, Momo was referring to herself.

“Well… You’re not smelly either..”

*THUMP* *THUMP*

What Mina just said, was just a word. But what drove Momo insane, was the way she softly caressed Momo’s side arm. She didn’t know whether Mina meant it in a flirty way or she did that unconsciously due to her exhaustion.. Despite Mina’s voice sounds tired and weak.. It’s still considered as dangerous for Momo.

So, to threw away all her spicy thoughts, Momo decided to make Mina a giggle mess by showering her with trains of rapid kisses on her face. “Then, I could give you kisses!!”

Due to the rapidness, the exaggerated smooch sound (self-made by Momo), and a bit of ticklish she felt, Mina giggled hard and the sound of it made Momo happy. Happy that Mina wasn’t down anymore.

“Okay enough Momoring… I’m tired from laughing now.” Said Mina as she tried to normalize her breath.

“one last kiss?” Since Momo asked with such wishful and adorable expression, made Mina gave in and showed her cheek. Which of course, made Momo automatically lean closer and gave another kiss on Mina’s cheek.

After the kiss, both threw each other a hearty stare—smile at each other.

“Now rest, okay? I’ll tell you once the food arr—” Momo paused her word after hearing a really loud yet inaudible fierce arguments from the other room. “But first maybe I should try help the girls decided what to eat first..” Added Momo and that made both of them laugh.

Both of them then stood up, ready to go out of Mina’s dance room. Until suddenly, Mina blocked Momo’s path to surprise her with a kiss on the lips.

“Arigatou, Momoring.” And then she stormed out of the studio, didn’t even look back. Presumably shy upon what she just did.

Meanwhile, Momo who didn’t expect that would happened, just froze on the spot—couldn’t do anything Even until Mina hovered away.. she just stoned. But then her smile grew wider and wider, became a goofy-lovestruk grin.

“. I’m down so hard for her.” Said Momo, eyes still locked towards the path Mina ran out

>><<

Like usual Monday morning, the triplets getting ready for their morning class. Sharon already woke up and ready to go but she still waiting for her sisters while enjoying her morning coffee in the kitchen.

For the other myoui girls, Mina woke up later than usual all because of her excessive practice yesterday. While Jeongnam, incredibly the girl is already in dressing room—choosing what clothes she should wear.

But it been minutes since Jeongnam went inside the dressing room and Sharon noticed it. Since Sharon living again with her sisters, she knew that among them, Jeongnam is the least one who cared about clothes. She’ll pick anything and wear it. Mina second and she made herself the slowest. Yet now, Jeongnam hasn’t come out from the dressing room and it made Sharon assumed things..

Like maybe.. Jeongnam had something important to attend today.

Yet the moment Jeongnam came out from the dressing room with only a black cap, a black top and jeans… made Sharon wanted to burry her assumption. Until Jeongnam walked passed her and Sharon could smelled the unusual scent that came from Jeongnam

Oh this girl is going on a date.

“Are you seriously going to wear that?” Sharon asked

While chugging a bottle of apple juice, Jeongnam gave Sharon a nod.

“No way. Nu-uh. You ain’t gonna wear something as plain as that!” and Sharon stormed towards the dressing room to pick something else.

“What do you mean by plain and what’s wrong for wearing something plain?” Protested Jeongnam as she followed Sharon towards the dressing room.

“You’re not going on a date looking THAT plain. Not on my watch.”

“W-wha—who says I’m going on a date??”

Sharon stopped searching through the clothes hanger and gave her sister a smudgy look, like she’s asking something like ‘seriously’ but with stare and smile.

“W-what?”

“You, took longer time choosing your clothes when you usually didn’t waste anytime here and you didn’t smell like a soap. You, the girl who doesn’t like fragrance yet using one? Convince me you’re not going to date then.”

“W-well… N-none of your business.” With the stuttered and tint blush, Sharon knew that her guess was spotted on.

“Why don’t you try this?” Sharon showed Jeongnam a sleeveless top that definitely not Jeongnam style because it’s too revealing.

“Are you insane?? It’s still spring you air head. You want me to catch a cold?”

“Oh come on.. you can endure a breeze.”

“I ride a bike, remember??”

“But you’re now wearing a short sleeve.”

“I’ll wear my hoodie later.”

“What?? Ew so basic…. You know what… if you so comfortable with that current look, wear this.” Said Sharon as she pulled out a black casual blazer

“I’m not having a job interview either...”

“It’s not even the formal one… god, just try it.”

With a sigh, Jeongnam snatched the black blazer from Sharon and wore it. She then looked into the mirror and checked herself. On the side, Sharon was satisfied with her choice.

“Better, right?”

“Doesn’t change much but it’s okay I guess.”

“Well now that your outfit has been upgraded, your date won’t just end after you finished eating.. But it’ll ended by both of you eating eac—”

“Oh wow! Hold up! Ew!!” Jeongnam quickly interrupted Sharon’s word because she knew the direction of it. “How you could even think something like that??”

“What? You’re now look so damn hot and cool! I bet if you drive them home, they’ll ask you to stay the night and demand a dessert—Japanese dessert…” Sharon ended her word with slightly her lower lips and twitching her brows which that made Jeongnam face scrunch in disgust.

“Your mind is so… eugh… This conversation ends. I won’t talk to you ever again. God you’re so disgusting!” Said Jeongnam as she walked out from the dressing room, leaving Sharon laughing her lungs out after successfully teasing her sister.

The same day at Performance art faculty, Lunch hour,

All Sana and Mina’s Morning class already finished and they’re about to do their next activity. Sana wanted to ask Mina to hangout at the mall. But apparently, she couldn’t go because she has practice in her ballet instructor’s studio. Well the performance day is this weekend so Sana won’t interrupt.

But now, she didn’t know what to do. Mina couldn’t go, Momo had class, Jihyo and Nayeon has work. So she’ll just go back home and rest, wait until her father came home.

or at least that was the plan before she saw someone, presumably waiting for her on the entrance of the Performance art Faculty.

Sana didn’t have to look into the detail about whom the girl is. Just by looking her outfit, Sana already knew who it was.

The said girl wore mostly black colored clothes. Black blazer with black top underneath it, black cap, black and white shoes, and black backpack. The only thing that isn’t black colored is her jeans. The girl screamed a rockstar kind of vibe and without the girl even need to introduce herself, Sana knew that it’s Jeongnam. No one could emit that strong cool vibe except her.

But maybe this time… Jeongnam a little bit over dress. By overdress it means Jeongnam wore something extra from her usual outfit. It still has the same usual Jeongnam vibe but it upgraded.

Well, different with Sharon and Mina, Jeongnam wasn’t the type who pay attention much to her outfit. Comfortable and simple looking outfit is her type. Call it hoodie, sweater, t-shirt, plaid shirt, casual look is her way to go. And yet here she is, dressing like a rockstar who’s about to make the crowd mad with her charisma.

Sana didn’t immediately approach Jeongnam when she saw her. She was stunned and awed by her look. Well yes she always thinks Jeongnam is cool. But never she looked THIS cool and somehow the thoughts that she might waiting for her, made Sana couldn’t stop her lips for smiling wide like a weirdo.

And her assumption was right. Once Jeongnam finally looked up from her feet, she flinched a bit and then acted all shy and awkward—like she was shy for being caught, then she slowly walked towards Sana with both her hands tucked inside her jeans pocket.

“Hi.” Said Jeongnam.

And well, Sana’s smile got way wider after she see Jeongnam this close. Not just because how cool and pretty she is… But once again Jeongnam wearing the body mist Sana gave to her

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” asked Sana

“I.. don’t know. A creep?” that immediately washed away Sana’s smile and turned into rage

“A wh—excuse me! I’m not the—” but Sana’s rage quickly dimmed down just because of a giggle. A giggle that came from none other than Jeongnam. The cold, stoic, myoui.

“I’m just messing with you.” Said Jeongnam and well.. Somehow that giggle just made Sana blushed and she ended up became shy.

“So uh.. w-why are you here? If you’re looking for Mina, she has practice in her teacher’s studio, remember?” asked Sana.

“I’m aware of that. But I uh…. I was waiting for you, actually.”

“me?”

“Yeah. Well uh… the thing is.. uh.. how should I say this.”

Jeongnam looked nervous now as she tried to squeeze her hands deeper to her jean pocket which made her arms made her body shrunken and she kinda fidgety with her stance.  

“You see. I don’t have class after this and there’s no band practice since most of the girls are in their class or about to have class. And it’s lunch time so I just wondering if you… you know… wanna grab something, with me?”

Just before Sana could answer, Jeongnam added one more thing. “Before you asked… I’m inviting you to a lunch date.”

“D-date?” Jeongnam glanced away but manage to give a nod. That made Sana’s blush grew bolder.

“Who are you and what did you do to the Myoui Jeongnam.” Though Sana said it in a teasing way, it still couldn’t dim down Jeongnam’s shyness and she still have the same stance.

“W-well… we agreed to get to know each other more and I’m just… taking initiative?”

“I appreciate that,”  said Sana with a warm smile—like she’s really happy Jeongnam decided to do that. “aand yes, I would love to be your lunch date.”

“Rea—I mean.. cool. That’s cool.”

Of course Sana noticed the failed attempt from Jeongnam who tried to hide her excitement. But Sana didn’t want to for that. She was just too happy that Jeongnam asked her on a date.

“Do you have anything you want to eat?” asked Jeongnam

“Mmm… I’ll just trust your pick.”

“Okay then.. don’t complain if it didn’t fit your taste.”

“I won’t~”

“Let’s go. Before I change my mind.”

When Jeongnam said that, she casually snatched Sana’s bag and held it on her right shoulder. Of course that made Sana a little bit panic because she didn’t want to trouble Jeongnam for carrying her things.

“Hey, Jeongnam.. you don’t really need to carry my bag for me... It’s a bit heavy you know” Said Sana as she kept up with Jeongnam’s walking pace.

“I don’t mind.”

Sana just walked beside Jeongnam, stared at her while trying to understand her change of behavior.

It’s not that she didn’t like it. She like it very much. But still, the usually cold Jeongnam being all this sweet… Sana couldn’t help but curious about it. And without Sana needed to say a word, somehow Jeongnam already got the clue that Sana demanded some sort of explanation.

“Stop staring at me like that. Nothing more than that...”

Somehow that made Sana laugh. “I’m just curious because you seem persistence…”

A sigh came out from Jeongnam. “W-we’re on a date, right? I just… want to treat you like how people on date supposed to…”

“Hm? Like what? Being a gentlewoman?”

“S-something like that. Or in Jeongyeon’s word ‘treat her like a princess’”

When Sana heard Jeongnam mentioned her bandmate’s name, made her surprised.

“Wait.. you asked your friends for dating advice??” asked Sana excitedly.

Due to Sana’s excitement, Jeongnam let out a heavy sigh… embarrassed to admit it. “Y-yeah, when we had practice yesterday..”

“Really?? You asked them? Your bandmates??”

“To whom am I supposed to ask then? I… Don’t have any experience in this kind of thing and I don’t know anyone except them.”

Sana didn’t say a thing. She just stared at her with a massive grin on her face that of course, Jeongnam could see.

“Drop that hideous grin and don’t tease me. I had enough from my friends already.”

Knowing that the prideful Jeongnam, asked dating advice to her friends—friends that definitely will and coo-ed at her non-stop, made Sana’s happiness gauge blasting out of the sky. This showed that Jeongnam is seriously want to try to get closer to her.

“Okay I won’t tease you. But one more thing… Did they help chose your outfit too?”

“No. someone else did. Forcefully… why? Do I look bad?”

“What? No! of course not. You just dress like you but upgraded version? I mean it match your style and your tone but I know you don’t usually wear something like this except your stage outfit.. But you look cool very very cool!! And when I saw you waiting for me with hands on your pocket… gosh you look so HOT! But anyway, I just want to know who helped you, that’s all.”

Once again Jeongnam let out a sigh and said, “W-well.. It’s….. Sharon.”

Sana wasn’t expecting that answer from Jeongnam… She thought maybe Mina the one who helped her or maybe she called Jihyo. But Sharon? Nope. Knowing that those two have a bad history together, Sana wouldn’t guess it was Sharon who helped Jeongnam. And what took her by surprise, was the fact that Jeongnam told Sharon about their date.

“You asked for her help and told her you’re going on a date?”

“No. like I said, I was forced. I already wearing a way simpler outfit, but then suddenly that nosy old witch protested and force me to wear this. And the scariest thing is, she knew I was about to go on a date even though I didn’t say a thing.”

“Hm.. I bet she knew from your nerves.”

“Nerves? Oh please. What do you think I am, a teenager?” there she goes, tsundere Jeongnam who act cold but the truth is, she was just shy. And Sana knew it well.

“Okay then… I guess I need to thank Sharon later.”

“What for?”

Sana suddenly circled her arm onto Jeongnam’s free arm and said, “Making you look cool and hot for our date~”

The way Sana smiled so happily until her eyes also formed a half-circle shaped, made Jeongnam’s heart jumped a bit and automatically made her looked away.

All this thing that happened to Jeongnam, where she had to lower her pride and accept other people advices just because she want things to go well—or at least that was what Sana thought, and also these adorable reactions she showed made Sana couldn’t control her happiness. Despite they haven’t even start the date. So, by squeezing herself closer to Jeongnam, Sana did her thing.

“Jeongnam-ah.” Of course, the currently embarrassed Jeongnam could only reply with a hum which quickly followed by another question from Sana, “I want to kiss you. Can I kiss you?”

 Sana didn’t even wait for Jeongnam answer and she just went straight to kiss Jeongnam’s cheek. But somehow Jeongnam’s reflex clicked fast and she tilted her head away from Sana’s reach as an attempt to avoid the kiss. Which of course made Sana whined.

“Yaah! Why are you avoiding my kiss? Let me kis—” But once again Jeongnam tiled her head away

“Jeongnam-aaaaahh!”

“W-why do you want to kiss me anyway? Besides.. people are watching…”

“Well, good thing if people are watching so they won’t touch neither you or me later.”

“ugh but why….”

“Because you look cool, hot and pretty. Also I want to thank you for being so sweet to me and most importantly, for trying your best to make this work.” And with that, Sana could see Jeongnam stopped tilting her head away.

“They date hasn’t even started yet you already act like it finished..”

“It started with a good vibe, then I believe it’ll continue being good. So, can I kiss you now?”

“W-whatever.”

Sana then managed to give Jeongnam a kiss on her cheek although Jeongnam still tilting her head away a bit due to reflect and she also looked like she didn’t like it. Or acted like she didn’t like it. But Sana wasn’t disappointed at all. Not after she saw blush on Jeongnam face.

“So! You’re going to treat me like a princess today?”

“Maybe. But i only got my scooter so I guess no fancy ride for princess.”

“Nonsense. It’s like riding a majestic horse with my honorable and dependable knight.” And the way Sana said it in such a theatrical way made Jeongnam scoff.

“Weirdo.”

Later That Night, 19.30pm at Myoui Household

Sharon and Mina was spending their time at the living room—watching TV together. Or, maybe Sharon the only who’s watching it since Mina fast asleep. Maybe she was too tired after her dance practice earlier plus she lacked of sleep, or maybe also because Sharon’s company was calming.

Mina laid herself on the sofa with Sharon’s thigh as her pillow. Through the time she was in that position, Sharon kept caressing her head softly and somehow it drifted her to sleep. Since she didn’t want to disturb Mina’s sleep, Sharon chose to lower the TV volume so nothing could disturb her light-sleeper sister’s sleep.

Until

*BARK* *BARK* *BARK*

And Sharon failed miserably as Ray suddenly barked excitedly and he ran towards the front door. Usually if he acted like this, it means Jeongnam is arriving soon. It is indeed adorable but not in the right time now..

Just like what she thought.. Mina squirmed on her sleep and slowly got up from her sleep.

“Hey Mina, you can go back to sleep. It just Ray being all excited for no reason.”

Mina lethargically rubbed her eyes, “did I oversleep?” she asked that with such a lured voice. Surely, Mina was still half asleep.

“Yes. If you tired, you can back to sleep. But maybe in your room so nothing would disturb you.”

“Okay…. I’ll go to my room then. Oyasumi, Sharon-nee..” Mina then gave a sleepy hug to Sharon before she walked upstairs.

Sharon? Well the girl was stunned after hearing what her sister just called her.

S…s…SSharon-nee?? Did she just.. DID MINA JUST CALLED ME SHARON-NEE???

“Tadaim—uh… what’s with that ugly face?” that was Jeongnam who just came inside the living room yet greeted by Sharon’s wide grin

“Mina…. MINA JUST CALLED ME SHARON-NEE EARLIER!!! AS IN SHARON ONEE-CHAN!!”

Jeongnam’s expression got way more judgy after seeing such excitement from Sharon just because Mina called her Onee-chan (big sister in Japanese).

“And now where is she?”

“She went to her room to sleep.”

“Aah.. that’s why she called you that. She was sleepy and wasn’t in the rightest state of mind.”

“Still~ it’s been so long since she called me that. Besides… don’t you act all judgy like that. Back then, you are the one who wanted to ca—”

“And I continuously regret that.”

Sharon knew that if she kept talking about their past, Jeongnam will acted all cold and use it to ‘attack’ Sharon. Since she didn’t want to ruin the mood, Sharon chose to let it slip and change to another topic

“Anyway. How was the date?”

“N-none of your business.”

“come on! I helped you with the outfit. At least tell me something.”

“Well… it went well. She was a bit too clingy and embarrassed me plenty of time in public but at least she kept.... smiling. So I guess. She had some fun.”

 Sharon could see that Jeongnam tried so hard not to smile when she said that and of course. It’s new sight for Sharon to see.

“How about you? You had some fun?”

“W-well… yes. A little.”

“Then I’m glad.”

“W-whatever.”

 After that Jeongnam went towards the stairs, presumably to go to her room. But once she took one step, she went back again to Sharon and took something out of her backpack.

“H-here.” Jeongnam gave some box to Sharon. Judging by the cover, it’s from a bakery so it might be a cake.

“It wasn’t from me okay. I would never give you anything even if you helped me with choosing this blazer and I got complimented because of it.”

“oh thank you, but you don’t have to give me any—”

“I told you it wasn’t from me. It’s from Sana okay. Not me. Sana asked me to give you this...”

At the mentioned of Sana’s name, Sharon’s smile grew into a smudgy teasing one as she said, “eeh…. So your date is Sana huh?”

That question made Jeongnam’s face turned red. But before Jeongnam could make an excuse, Sharon said,

“Well. I don’t need any gift actually. If you really want to thank me, you can start calling me with Onee-chan~” and Jeongnam reached her patience

“Never. I’m leaving.”

Jeongnam sulkily walked towards the stairs, grabbed Ray in the middle of the path and walked upstairs yet Sharon was smiling when Jeongnam acted like that.

“Nami-chan.”

“Told you no—”

“Thanks, for the cake.” And that made Jeongnam stopped. “if you have another date, I’m glad to help again.”

“W-whatever. Oyasumi.”

This could be a good sign I assume~

>><<

Thursday, D-3 before Mina’s performance.

It’s 3 days left before Mina’s performance and the closer she got to the D-Day, the more nervous Mina got. And unfortunately, the nervousness back fire to her normal daily life. Especially today.

Firstly, she hasn’t got many good sleeps these days. Even if she slept early, she would wake up in the middle of the night and instead of trying to go back to sleep, Mina had another practice which it made her feeling exhausted when morning comes.

Second, earlier this morning, she was stuck in between her sisters fight. Apparently none of them could drop Mina to her dance practice and those two kept arguing, didn’t give any sign to back out. Mina hates witnessing a fight and she definitely hates being the reason of it. But gladly the fight finished after Mina suggested that she’ll go alone. Of course it wasn’t easy too for her to convince both her sisters to let her go alone.

Third. Due to the lack of sleep, Mina the girl who always diligently take notes during class, quickly memorized dance move during the dance class, couldn’t perform the way she should be. She got scolded for overslept during the class and she couldn’t really follow the dance class either.

Lastly, with all those three that just happened, it ruined Mina’s mood and she felt way way more exhausted and in the end… she messed up during her practice with all the performer for her ballet instructor’s show.

Everything that happened today… made her felt horrible.

She’s tired, lack of sleep, stressed, nervous and nothing went well for the entire day. She just wanted to cry and let everything out. But she didn’t want to go home yet. Yes, Mina still felt a little bit irritated with Sharon and Jeongnam for what happened this morning.

She wanted to call Momo, spilling each of her stress or asked her to pick her up. But she couldn’t do that because Momo said she had to finish some assigngment and Mina didn’t want to disturb it. She also couldn’t call Sana since the girl said that she’s having a dinner date with her father tonight. Although those two would help her no matter what, but still.. Mina didn’t want to bother them.

So now, her plan was going somewhere first to clear out her head. After that she’ll go back home.

Until suddenly, she saw a familiar figure standing in front of the lobby while holding a cup holder that carried two hot drinks.

Mina froze on the spot, couldn’t move an inch because she was surprised. And then she said, “M-Momo?”

Hearing someone mentioned her name, the person—Momo, looked towards Mina and smiled wide.

“Hi the—Eeeh?! M-Mitang?? Wh-what’s wrong??” Momo who was about to greet Mina with joy, changed to concern once she saw Mina cry. She then rushed her steps towards Mina and immediately hug her, let the girl cry.

“Bad day?” While sobbing hard, Mina just nodded at Momo’s question.

“There…There.. let it out now..”

None of them say a word. Momo just stood there while softly patted Mina, hope that small gesture could calm the sobbing mess girl. The harder Mina sob, the tighter her grip on Momo. Momo didn’t have any clue on what actually happened to Mina but if she could assume, maybe it related to her upcoming performance. Although it’s a little bit weird if Mina had a bad day during practice since every time Momo came to pick her up from practice here, Mina always bright and happy.

Mina wanted to cry more. Momo’s embrace always made her feel secure. But she could hear people walking nearby and she didn’t want any of the performer in her instructor’s studio caught her crying like this.

“Momoring…” called Mina with a trembling voice

“Yes?”

“Can we go to your house instead? i…. don’t wanna go home.”

“You want to sleep at my house?” Mina nodded after she sniffed.

“Okay. Sure! But before that, do you want to make a stop and eat something?” and Mina shook her head rapidly,

“Okay then, go straight home. Let’s go?” With a meek nod, Mina broke the hug and held Momo’s hand right away then Momo led the way back to her home.

Hirai Household

Currently Mina and Momo already in Momo’s house, cuddling with each other while Momo gave a gentle on Mina’s hair—an attempt to calm her.

Oh actually, it just the two of them here. apparently, Momo’s parents were having a vacation together so the whole house was just for them.

Neither of them counted how long they’ve been there in the same position. The moment they arrived at Momo’s house, Momo offered Mina to sit at her couch and when she spread her arm wide for a hug, Mina immediately cried again and spilled out every single problem she had today.

But now, Mina seems a little bit calmed and not sobbing hard like earlier after she spilled her entire stress to Momo. But it didn’t mean Mina was relieved, so the girl still clung herself on to Momo.

Yet Momo has a better idea. Not that she dislike Mina being all clingy to her.. But she had another way to help Mina not just calming her, but also vapored away all the fatigue out of her body

“Hey Mitang, want some warm bath?”

“I already took shower in studio.” Said Mina grumpily.

And that made Momo chuckled. “I’m not saying you’re smelly..” then she added, “Warm bath could ease all your sore body and release your exhaustion, right?”

“True.”

“Then, want me to prepare it for you?” Mina shook her head and drown closer to Momo as she gave a sign that she didn’t want to let go her hug.

“We can continue this later.”

Mina hovered away from the cuddle a bit, to look at Momo and said, “really?”

Kya! She pouts!!!

“Yes. You have me for the entire night and it just the two of us. So… warm bath?”

And after Momo got a nod, Momo then proceed to go to her bathroom and prepare warm bath for her.

><

It took only few minutes for Momo to prepare the bath for Mina. Mina was just expecting a normal bath. But apparently Momo went a little bit extra as she also a lavender scent candle, making the bathroom felt comfy.

“I filled up the bath for you and if you need some bath oil, I put it there together with the bath bomb if you need. The towel is right here and also, I hope this candle works to give some calming scent or whatever. I know it’s nothing much.” Momo soon was cut with a hug by Mina

“It’s more than enough.. thank you, Momoring”

“Anything for you… okay I’ll leave yo—” But before Momo could go, Mina suddenly held her hand

“C-can you… stay?”

*THUMP* *THUMP*

The moment Momo heard that question, heat rose up on her face and her heart beating fast.

“Eeh?? Y-you.. you.. want me to stay.. h-here??”

“W-well not here… but uh… maybe on the door? I just… don’t want to be alone…”

“oh… G-got it.. I’m sorry I thought you want me to be here as in here, in the bathroom. O-okay I’ll let the door open then.”

Momo then walked towards the door and sat right beside it, facing her living room. Well, the door pane was opened inward and blocked the view towards the bath tub. So although the door was opened, Momo couldn’t see a thing.

Not long after Momo sat outside, she could hear a drippling sound that followed by a relive sigh. Momo guessed that Mina already went into the tub.  But the silence now just made Momo’s head roaming around… Thinking things that she shouldn’t think about or imagine about.

Every water sound that she could hear, made Momo tried to imagine Mina’s face, Mina’s arm, Mina’s perfect bo—

“Momoring?”

“Y-yes!”

Momo’s voice cracked a bit when she answered that… surprised with the sudden call while she was in the middle of thinking about something

“N-nothing.. I’m just making sure you’re there..”

“A-ah.. yes of course I’m here…”

Oh no no no! Momo no! It’s not the time to think like that!

“A-anyway… How’s the water? Is it okay?” asked Momo, tried to distract her mind and also tried to maintain conversation so Mina won’t drown back to her stress again.

A gentle splash sound could be heard, seems like Mina slightly played or move her hand on the water. “It’s perfect, Momoring.”

“Glad to hear that. Did you use either the bath bomb or bath oil?”

“I use a bit of the oil”

“how was it? Does it really give the calming scent?”

“A bit… The lavender scent never disappoints… I didn’t know you like this kind of stuff…”

“Because I don’t. I rarely use it… I have that because Sana forced me to buy it since there were a discount promo if we bought two.”

And finally, after this whole time Mina been constantly sobbing, Momo could hear her giggle again.

“I bet she begged and whine hard like a kid, didn’t she?”

“god it was embarrassing… She clung to me, shook my arm and whine like a spoiled kid… And you know how loud she could be, right”

“And yet you, being the kind Momoring, couldn’t resist.. right?”

Momo scoffed a bit, “More like I couldn’t stand the embarrassment and chose to play along..”

After both let out a short laughed, silence filled them again. Momo was a bit troubled with this… She wanted Mina to fully relax so Momo didn’t have to try starting another conversation. But on the other hand, she wanted to continue their conversation because she was afraid that Mina would end up thinking about her stress again…

“You know, Momoring. After clearing my head a bit, I started to notice what actually the root cause of all of this.”

“Really? And what is that?”

“I’m nervous about the performance. I kept think about it and couldn’t sleep because of it. Yet even though I always lack of sleep, I kept trying to practice as hard as I can and without I noticed it drains me. Then I lost my focus, I lost my emotion control and here I am… feeling down because of my childishness.”

“Being nervous isn’t childish, Mitang. Although I don’t dance, but I’m a performer too so I understand how you feel. It’s normal Mina. You don’t have to beat yourself for feeling like that.”

“But look what it costed me.”

“It cost you just one bad day, Mina. And now that you’ve noticed it, you know how to conquer it.”

“Well.. that’s the issue. I don’t know how to stop feeling nervous.”

“Hmm… tell me, did Luda Saem say anything to you earlier during or after the practice?”

“She didn’t say much… she told me not to attend tomorrow practice and stay at home.”

Momo could hear the disappointment when Mina said that. She knew how Mina admired her instructor so much and how Mina love practicing with her. So of course when Ms.Luda said that, no wonder Mina felt down. But Momo tried to look it from different side, side that wasn’t came from the nervous, stressed, and pressured Mina.

“What if, Luda Saem said that because she knew that you’re nervous and exhausted with the whole preparation? Maybe she didn’t want you to come to practice, not because she’s disappointed with your mistake. But she didn’t want to harm you even more, so she asked you to break for a bit. I mean… she used to be your private instructor for quite long time, right?”

“That… might be true. Come to think of it, she kept telling me to rest. Maybe because I was too stressed earlier so I didn’t see it in a good way.” Said Mina who then quickly added, “Thank you, Momoring.”

“No need.. But uh… Are you…. Feeling better?”

“Yes… all because of you. From picking me up, letting me stay here, for listening to my nonsense, being my napkin, letting me clung on you like a spoiled kid, preparing this warm bath and then helped me see things in brighter side...”

Hearing that, made Momo giggled. But not giggle because of something funny. But giggle in excitement. Mina who couldn’t see but could hear, curious with what actually made Momo acted like that.

“M-Momoring?”

“I’m sorry. I was just so happy when you said that. Makes me finally believe that I deserve to be with you..”

That, of course made the used to be calmed Mina turned panic.

“H-how.. how could you come up with that? Did you always feel like that, this whole time?”

“I always think that you deserve to be with someone that way better than me. Someone whose brave enough to stand up for you and face your sisters, someone who could ease up all your fear, never shy to show how deep their feeling for you, someone who could catch up with your bright brain and other wonderful thing that I couldn’t do. But knowing that I could be the person who help you get through your pain, stop your tears, and help you with your problem… I’m content. And I hope I could be your safe place too. Since you’ve always been mine.”

After Momo finished that, a loud splashing sound could be heard from the bathroom and followed with a wet tapping sound and that made Momo panic. But before Momo could even react, her cold back suddenly felt warm yet slightly damped and scent of lavender struck her. Yes, Mina jumped out from bath tub, didn’t even dry herself properly and hugged Momo from the back.

“M-mi…mi..tang?”

Momo was a mess thanks to the back hug. Not just because it was so sudden, but the fact that only a thin towel between their body, kinda blew Momo’s circuit.

“I love you because you are you, Momoring. I don’t need you to be anything more than yourself because being you, is enough.” Mina then tighten her hug, like she’s trying to show Momo how much she meant to her. “And no matter what, you always gonna be my safe place.”

And Momo finally could control herself a bit better as she said, “But I still need to be a bit brav—”

Momo’s word was cut by a kiss. A deep kiss from Mina. At first Momo didn’t do much. But after Mina’s lips started moving, in instinct, she followed. With Momo’s head facing sideways, Mina hovered her body a bit forward to Momo, they shared the most intimate kiss they ever had.

After few seconds, Mina broke the kiss and then said,

“I love you, Momo. And that’s what matters.” 

After Mina said that, Momo immediately turned around and this time initiate the kiss.  The kiss was more eager and bolder than the previous. Like both of them trying their best to make the other felt their feeling for each other and that eagerness made their position changed. From back kiss, to laying on top of each other—Mina straddled on top of Momo.

They then broke their kiss to take some breath. Eyes still looking at each other while chest huffing hard.

Momo now could see Mina entirely. The way her ginger hair tied on a bund—slightly untidy thanks to Momo’s hand, her amazing shoulder, her evident collarbone… if usual Mina was already mesmerizing, this Mina is breathtaking.

“Momoring.. hey.”

Momo wasn’t realized that she was zooning out until she felt Mina’s hand on her face.

“Let’s be brave together.”

“Oh yes, yes let’s do th—”

“Be my girlfriend?”

“Eh?”

yes. Eh. That’s the only respond Momo could spill out when Mina asked that.

“What I meant with being brave together is, we taking this risk together. Making us official and let’s face our challenges together.” And that made Momo sat up too

“S-so.. y-you asked me to be your girlfriend? Like we become a couple” Mina gave Momo a nod

Although her respond was a bit delayed, Momo let out a very very big smile and said, “Yes.”

And once again they closed their gap and share a kiss. But this time, it was softer than the previous and both smiling in between it.

When they broke the kiss, they couldn’t help but giggle at each other.

“You know. I’ve been through confession a lot. But yours. The hottest one. Definitely won’t forget about it.”

Mina then gave Momo another peck on her lips and said, “Just remember this. Forget the rest.”

“What Mina wants, Mina gets.” And that made Mina giggle.

But it soon stopped the moment Mina’s towel dropped. Momo quickly turned around when it happened, afraid Mina was shy about it. But instead of covering her front side with towel, Mina chose to laid herself on top of Momo

“Y-you don’t mind if I do this… Momoring?”

“Y-yes. I-I’m fine.”

“B-but it’s a bit…cold.. can we go to uh… bed?”

“E-eh?? Y-you want.. to… uh well.. S-sure! W-hat Mina wants, Mina gets.”

And just with that, shifted from a bad day to a wonderful day. She started with stress and continued like that. But she closed the day with a wonderful feeling. Feeling loved and beyond happy. She knew this could lead to trouble. But it’s a problem for another day. This night, she just wanted to spend it with her girlfriend—getting to know each other more.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

HI HI I'M BACK~ AND YES FINALLY ONE MYOUI BECOME OFFICIAL WOOHOOWW!! 
for the last scene... hehehe i'll leave it to your imagination *smirk*
anyway! hope you enjoy this chapter and please look forward for the next too!! 

if you like it, please do click the upvote button, leave some of your thoughts in the comment box below and please subscribe if you havent~
and if you want, you can find me akkergo5 in twitter



thank you for all your support!!!

love,

akkergo