Sakura didn't get the chance to talk to Minju again. The weekend passed and she didn't attempt to talk to the woman the following week.
 
She thought she'd learn to accept everything. Instead, Sakura was tortured even more. It went worse because Hangyul started to drive Minju every morning and picks her up every afternoon.
 
Sakura's just faking a smile whenever Chani and Hyewon talk about Minju's love life. There are days when Sakura sees Minju's empty chair and Hyewon will just say Hangyul came to pick Minju up early.
 
Not wanting to hear more about it, Sakura tried to stay away from that team and busied herself in tennis instead. She put all her efforts into every practice in hopes of somehow forgetting her drama for a while.
 
Besides, she's got a competition to worry about and that's where she should focus now.
 
---
 
It was after a week of avoidance when Sakura and Minju ran into each other in the hallway. Sakura was about to go home while Minju was walking back to her station.
 
Both stopped abruptly at the sight of each other.
 
Sakura isn't sure what to do. There are only a few people left in the office at that time, a reason she can't say she didn't notice Minju.
 
It was Minju who smiled first. "Hey."
 
Sakura pulls the strap of her bag over her shoulder, trying her best not to melt. "Hey. What's up?"
 
"Good. You?"
 
"Likewise." Sakura saw Minju's PC still . "Overtime?"
 
"Yeah. Got deadlines to meet. You were on OT too?"
 
"Yeah. Just finished wrapping things up."
 
Then there was silence.
 
Sakura is staring at Minju now and all she can think of is how much she missed this woman.
 
"Um... so... you're going home now or tennis practice?" asked Minju.
 
"Home. No tennis today. You?"
 
"Just finalizing a few more things."
 
"Umm. Would you... do... do you have a ride home?" asked Sakura, taking chances.
 
"Umm. Hangyul's picking me up in a while." Minju looked apologetic.
 
"Oh. No worries." Sakura scratched her head. "So. Yeah. I better go ahead."
 
Sakura is somehow expecting Minju would say something, maybe stop her or what, but the latter stepped aside to give way.
 
Sakura took this as a sign to go. "Bye."
 
"Uh... Sakura?"
 
Sakura stopped in her tracks. She closed her eyes, realizing how much she missed hearing Minju call her name.
 
She turned around. "Yes?"
 
"We're cool, right?"
 
"Yeah... Why...?"
 
"I don't know. It just feels like something's off lately." Minju brought a hand to her necklace.
 
"Off with what?"
 
"With us?"
 
Sakura scoffed to herself at Minju's usage of "us".
 
"Were you avoiding me?" asked Minju.
 
Sakura cleared . "No. Why would I avoid you?"
 
"I don't know. It just feels like you've been far away these past few days."
 
"I was just busy with tennis stuff and you're busy too, right?"
 
"Right."
 
"Nothing to worry about, okay?" Sakura pulled the straps of her bag over her shoulders, signaling she's ready to go.
 
"Do you have spare time for a quick tea?"
 
Sakura turned to stare at Minju, not sure what the woman wants. But then Eunbi's advice echoed inside her head.
 
Maybe this is the right time for that.
 
Sakura took a deep breath before she gave Minju a nod.
 
---
 
"So what's up?" Sakura asked after sipping from her cup. Minju is sitting across from her.
 
"I'm just curious," started Minju, and Sakura felt like her chest is about to explode, "by any chance, are you mad at me?"
 
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "No. Why would I be mad at you?"
 
Minju shrugged, still waiting for Sakura to give her answer.
 
"I'm not. I told you we're cool, right?" said Sakura.
 
"Then why are you not wearing your necklace?"
 
"Oh." Sakura scratched the tip of her eyebrow, realizing she's wearing a v-neck shirt, exposing her clear neck and collarbones.
 
She never wore that necklace again after last week. It just reminds her of the false pretense she had built her hopes up for.
 
"I left it in my locker yesterday after my tennis practice."
 
"Left it? You have not been wearing it for a week now, Sak