For the next three days, Chaeyeon and Sakura have developed a routine. They would do morning practice/exercise together after fulfilling all the quarantine reporting requirements, then (usually) Chaeyeon would go back to cook while Sakura went back to work, and they would have two meals separately together, sometimes they would watch the same Netflix documentary or YouTube video via Zoom when eating (and text each other for realtime comments). Sakura sent nearly all the food her mother gave her to Chaeyeon, and Chaeyeon will turn them into exquisite cuisine like magic. And they would not miss the evening chat on the phone until they needed to go to bed.

This is Chaeyeon's last day of quarantine. Before the morning routine starts, Sakura sends Chaeyeon the USB that contains the edited video of her rooftop demonstration for her cooking channel. Chaeyeon improvises more dance steps to express gratitude. Sakura types after she put back Kurikindi to charge.

– Chaeyeon, you don't have to thank me. This is a collaboration. I will do a report on the YouTube video after it's posted. 

Today, they decided to make a late "lunch date" on their rooftop/balcony respectively using Facetime to celebrate Chaeyeon's "release" tomorrow. As a matter of fact, they didn't really Facetime that often after the first day. 

When Chaeyeon is about to mount the freshly made food on Kurikindi's back, she found a 350ml plastic bottle filled with a deep purple colored liquid.

"Wow, I've never had wine during lunchtime," Chaeyeon cackles when she turns on Facetime.

Sakura raises her glass, "It's nearly four in the afternoon. I cannot drink one whole bottle by myself. Let's celebrate!"

"Fine," Chaeyeon raises the plastic bottle, "to health."

Sakura pauses for a second, "to friendship."

"Wish my video and your feature will have a big success." Chaeyeon smiles and takes a small sip of the wine.  Sakura raises her glass and gulps down half. She needs alcohol badly.

"Are you okay? You don't look well." Chaeyeon never sees Sakura drink, and she somehow notices that Sakura is not very focused.

"I'm fine," Sakura tries to change the topic, "Chaeyeon, what are you going to do the first thing after you are free?"

"Um..." Chaeyeon purses her lips, "I will go to the clinic and do the final test, then I will go back to my studio and do the clean up."

Sakura's heart flutters upon seeing those lips, "you are really diligent."

"And you?"

And I? "Um..." Sakura pretends to be thinking. If she can, she desperately wants to drive to Hangang River and scream her lung out, now. For the past three days, she thinks Chaeyeon has been sending out – or she has been receiving too many conflicting signals than she can handle. They left her mind in endless debate and confusion.

"I haven't thought about it. Go back to the office, I guess. More shooting but no face-to-face interview yet. I read online that a Chinese student who went home from the States spread the virus to at least 57 people after quarantine. She was tested negative for 4 times until medical workers found antibodies inside her. I'm not sure if this is true but I will still be very cautious for the 14 days after."

"Oh, but it must be a very extraordinary case. I think you should let yourself relax a bit," Chaeyeon chuckles, "why don't you come to my studio and I will teach you dancing – in face mask, one on one, free trial, and we will go to eat Yukhoe (육회 raw beef) after that?"

One-on-one...alcohol kicks in. Sakura smiles, "you remember my favorite food!"

Chaeyeon cackles, "you just told me yesterday."

The women continue to chat delightfully until dusk falls, and phones are running out of battery. 

"I cannot pilot Kuridindi anymore today," Sakura stands up with wobbly legs and announces.

"Hey, Saku-chan, you seem drunk," Chaeyeon looks worried, "are you okay?"

Saku-chan?  

Sakura's expression changes upon hearing the name. She accidentally kicks the coffee table and her phone slides onto the floor, but she doesn't bother to pick it up. From her rooftop, Chaeyeon can see Sakura collects the pile of dishes and gets inside, without saying goodbye.

The phone has dropped with the camera facing downwards. Seeing it's pointless to continue, Chaeyeon turns off the Facetime and starts packing.

By the time Sakura comes back for her phone, Chaeyeon is gone.

**************************

How dare you Lee Chaeyeon? How dare you call me by that name? Do you know that's how my father used to call me?

And you sound so natural with that.

I don't think I can stand it anymore. I must let you know how I fee