The first day in class as a new student wasn’t fun, at all. Tiffany knew exactly how it felt like. Because she switched schools a lot, she was used to the uncomfortable feeling. She didn’t exactly know why, but Jessica’s standard for a good school with decent security for its students was too high. Overprotective much, that’s Jessica.

So when Tiffany first saw Yuri, the new student, she became that excited. She came to her and introduced herself politely. Or more like, too polite as a new friend. But that’s just how she was. And Yuri was obviously glad with that, even though she was still too shy to talk much with the polite girl.

When the bell for the free period rang, Tiffany dragged Yuri to the canteen immediately. She also explained some rooms they walked past through. In a short amount of time, Yuri already felt comfortable in her new school.

“Your necklace is nice.”

Yuri suddenly said, as they walked through the corridor with ice creams in each hand. Tiffany jerked her head, and Yuri was pointing at her silver key necklace. She then smiled as her hand grasped it, her fingers ran through it.

“Thanks. It’s from my sister.”

“Oh, you have a sister?”

“Yeah, an older sister. Her name is Jessica. But I don’t call her Unnie, because she doesn’t want me to.”

“Why?” Yuri frowned.

“Our is quite big. She doesn’t want to feel old.” Tiffany chuckled, “So I just call her Jessi. Even though actually, honestly, she doesn’t look that old to me.”

“How old is she?”

Tiffany stopped walking and scooted closer to Yuri to whisper in the tan girl’s ear, “She just turned twenty-nine.”

“What?!”

“I know, right. Everyone has the exact same reaction. Well, the ones who had seen her had worse, though. They thought Jessi was still in the college or something.”

Yuri only nodded as they continued walking.

“It must be nice having an Unnie…” Yuri then mumbled.

“Well… sometimes it’s nice, sometimes it’s not.” Tiffany shrugged.

“I always wanted to have a sibling, a sister would great.” She inhaled before she turned to Tiffany, “Hey, tell me about her.”

Tiffany hummed, “Okay. Hmm… my sister Jessi is really protective toward me. Maybe because our big , or because we only have each other, she always treats me like a little kid. She watches over me until the very detail, there’s nothing about me that she doesn’t know! It’s annoying sometimes, because I’m a grown up now and I want her to at least, trust me to do things by myself but, no, she always shakes her head at that.”

Yuri nodded her head again as she listened.

“But then again, what do I do without her? She’s a hero to me.”

Again, Tiffany stopped walking. There was an empty bench near them and Tiffany took a seat there, followed by Yuri.

“Like I said,” She continued, “we only have each other. But that doesn’t make me feel less complete. She’s not just a sister, but also a mother, and a father to me. She’s always there for me, no matter what. She teaches me manners, how to live properly, how to be human, and so on. She doesn’t spoil me. If I ask something she won’t just give it in an instant. And she doesn’t hesitate in scolding me, if I’m wrong. She doesn’t talk much, but each word she says is worthy. She hardly even smiles. But when she does, I can’t help but do the same thing too.”

Tiffany smiled,

“We’re also quite polar opposite. She doesn’t like what I like and vice versa. Her personality, habit, even gestures, the way she talks, walks, everything is different from mine. But we have one similarity, though. We only like one same thing, which is winter.”

“Winter?”

“Yup. The winter season. It’s the best season of the year, we had agreed to that. Jessi would take me outside to play, regardless of her age, she’d always agree if I ask her to play snowball fight with me. We would also build a snowman, and such thing kids do in winter. Those are the rare times when the playful side of her would show.”

Yuri chuckled. She felt a slight envy inside her.

“So overall, it’s nice having an Unnie.”

“She sounds like a great person.”

“Nah,” Tiffany shook her head, “you’d take that back once you’ve met her.”

Yuri raised her eyebrows, “Why?”

“Let’s just say that, she’s only kind to me. So, you’d think otherwise when you see her.”

“That’s impossible--”

Suddenly the bell for the next period rang. Tiffany stood up and pulled Yuri’s wrist to run with her,

“We’re going to be late!”

-

There was nothing Yuri wanted to do but run as fast as she could from Jessica’s death glare.

The woman was eyeing her sharply, without blinking, indirectly jabbing her with those dark brown eyes. Yuri looked down to her feet, biting her lip while intertwining her own fingers in fear. But Jessica didn’t seem to care. Yuri could tell how angry Jessica was.

No wonder, though. Yuri peeked once more at Tiffany beside her, who was slightly whimpering because of the coldness. They were standing by the front door of the Jungs’ house, in front of Jessica. Their uniforms was soaked wet thanks to the heavy rain. And Jessica wasn’t impressed.

“Kwon Yuri.”

Yuri’s heart skipped a beat when she heard her name coming out from Jessica’s thin lips.

“Y-yes?” She stuttered.

“Thank you for bringing Tiffany home. Sorry if she bothered you.”

The tan girl was dumbfounded for a second. What was that? Jessica wasn’t angry at her? She said thank you and sorry instead? Yuri exhaled the breath she had been holding and couldn’t help but grin a little.

“It’s okay. Can I go home now?”

Jessica nodded, her expression softened a bit, “Sure. Is that okay? Be careful on your way.”

As Yuri left in a hurry from the big house, with an umbrella in her hand, even though she was wet already, Jessica stared back at Tiffany. Her expression had darkened again. And Tiffany could only look down. She had seen the angry Jessica, many times, but no matter how many she had, she couldn’t help but feel undeniably scared.

The school ended early again, but Tiffany didn’t tell Jessica. Instead she wanted to go home with Yuri by bus, because their direction was the same. Seeing Yuri going home with the bus many times surely made Tiffany’s curiosity soared.

Yuri disagreed at first, because she was scared. Jessica would be angry. But Tiffany was stubborn. And in the end they weren’t lucky. The heavy rain suddenly poured, making them wet from head to toe. As expected, Jessica had that glare when both of them arrived.

“Jessi, I--”

Before Tiffany could finish, Jessica shifted from where she was standing, telling Tiffany to come inside. Tiffany obeyed, and Jessica closed the door after her. In a speed of light, Jessica grabbed a towel from the nearest wardrobe and wrapped it around Tiffany. Still, without saying any words.

That wasn’t good.

When Tiffany was about to say something else, she suddenly sneezed. And that made Jessica’s eyes widened in a scary way.

“I-I’m not sick! I just sneezed because it’s--”

“Take off your clothes.” Jessica cut her off as she walked away, “I’ll prepare the hot shower for you.”

“Jessi!” Tiffany quickly grabbed Jessica’s arm and the latter turned around, “I’m sorry… I just… want to ride a bus, you know… I never did…”

Jessica wanted to snap. To scold her because she was damn worried and paranoid earlier. Tiffany didn’t know what could happen to her when she was out of Jessica’s sight. If only she knew she’d cling onto Jessica the whole time.

But Jessica didn’t. Seeing the naïve Tiffany, who was practically trembling in cold, made her heart melted. So she only sighed and pulled the girl for a comforting hug, didn’t care if the latter was soaked wet. Tiffany buried her face into Jessica’s neck, feeling relieved that Jessica forgave her.

Then the woman pulled back and kissed Tiffany’s forehead as she whispered, “Do it again, and I’ll give you no more mercy.”

Tiffany nodded.

“Good. Now do as I said.” Jessica said before she walked away to the bathroom.

-

“I feel bad for Yuri.”

Tiffany hung her head low and rested it on her palm, with her elbow on the dining table. She could hear Jessica’s scoff beside her as she flipped the magazine in her hands. Meanwhile the other person, Taeyeon, gave Tiffany an assuring smile.

Taeyeon was a neighbour, who had just graduated from college. She lived right beside the Jungs’ house. And because of that, she was close with the sisters. Unlike Jessica, Taeyeon was the opposite. She cared for Tiffany as like the normal sisters would. Every time Tiffany had a fight with Jessica, she’d always run to Taeyeon. And in the end, Jessica would give up because two always wins over one.

That time Taeyeon visited their house, meeting the angry Jessica and the wet Tiffany.

After Tiffany took a shower, the kind Taeyeon told the two sisters to have a seat and she’d cook for them. Today she said she got her first salary and she wanted to make it special. She got nowhere to celebrate but the Jungs’ house beside hers.

“Yeah, you should be.” Jessica said, eyes still on the magazine.

Tiffany sat straight and glared at her sister, but of course it didn’t work.

“Hey,” Taeyeon interrupted, sitting across the two with plates in her hands, “be easy on her, will you? She just wanted to ride a bus. It’s practically your fault you never let her.”

“I forgave her already this time, alright? No need to bring that up.”

Taeyeon chuckled, “I thought you’re going to say, ‘riding a bus is dangerous because someone might kidnap you and never let you go!’ or something.”

Jessica frowned at the imitation of her but Tiffany laughed.

“No, Jessi’s already over that.” Tiffany tapped Jessica’s shoulder, “Right?”

“But it’s true, Fany. You don’t know what would happen to you if I wasn’t around--”

“Shush.” Tiffany quickly put her finger on Jessica’s lips, “Don’t start, please.”

Seeing Jessica and Tiffany made Taeyeon laugh, and it earned a death glare from Jessica for her. But just like Tiffany, Taeyeon was used to it. Then they decided to eat the early dinner. Taeyeon was a great cook. It was a huge concern that Taeyeon didn’t take a job as a cook somewhere. She could be a great chef.

“How does it feel receiving your first salary, Tae?” Tiffany asked.

Taeyeon gulped her food before she cheerfully answered, “It feels great! It’s my very first salary in my whole life and, I don’t know, I just feel awesome. It’s probably not much, but I got it by myself. I feel somehow proud and satisfied.”

“Aw, I want to feel that too.” Tiffany pouted.

“You will, in the future.”

The girl then turned to Jessica, “How about you, Jessi? When did you get your first salary?”

The question made Jessica choke on her food.

“Whoa, easy there.” Taeyeon grabbed a glass of water and gave it to the coughing Jessica.

Tiffany kept rubbing Jessica’s back until the latter stopped coughing. The older then put the glass down and said,

“It was long time ago. I forgot.”

“When was it?” Tiffany insisted, “Did you also celebrate it like Tae did? And oh, what did you use the money for?”

Jessica paused for a while, thinking, “Well… it was years ago. You were much younger than this. I celebrated it with you. Don’t you remember? We went to the mall and I let you buy any pink cushions you wanted. And the remaining money of the salary was for your school fee, of course.”

“Ah, I remember that! It was really long time ago, indeed.”

“That sounds nice.” Taeyeon said, “And pink cushions? You like pink that much?”

“Of course! Pink is the best colour ever! Jessi likes pink too! That time I wanted pink cushions so much but Jessi said she wouldn’t…”

As Tiffany and Taeyeon kept on talking, they didn’t notice Jessica’s small smile as she unconsciously, recalled back what happened back then.

Even though she half-lied, at least it really happened.

-

“You? Salary? For real?”

Kim gave Jessica a mocking look as she let out a scoff, before she turned to the drawers and busied herself with some papers. Jessica rolled her eyes and leaned her back further onto the fluffy chair with a sigh. She was back in the office, and Kim was back in being the annoying her. Playfully annoying, to be exact.

“Kim, we actually get salaries.”

“Oh, yeah?” Kim plunged her head into one of the drawers, her habit, “How much is our salary, then?”

“Hmm… the highest in the whole country.”

Kim laughed, “Very funny, Jung. But you got that right.”

Jessica only nodded her head and they went silent. Kim was still busy with the drawers and the younger one was mentally fighting her urge to call Tiffany in this hour. After yesterday’s incident-- not actually an incident but if Tiffany was out of her sight it’s included in it, Jessica was having some trust issues. She had called earlier, about an hour before this, and Tiffany grumpily answered it, saying she’d be angry if Jessica called her again, because it disturbed her. Well, teenage rebels. What’s new.

“Found it!”

Suddenly Kim shrieked and closed the drawer with a bang, her hands holding a map file. She then sat across Jessica and opened the map file, pulling out the papers. She flipped it over for some times, before she threw it to Jessica. The latter then sat straight and raised her eyebrows at the pictures shown.

It was her and Tiffany buying pink cushions.

“Seriously? You were looking for this?”

“Yup. I can’t help but reminisce after you told me. You two looked adorable that time, you know. I can feel my toes curling right now.”

Jessica smiled, “I know, right?”

She could see pictures of her and Tiffany, holding hands with tons of pink cushions in various sizes and shapes in their other free hands. Time had passed so quickly. Jessica was so much younger and Tiffany was no more than literally, a little girl.

“To think about it, you always get her something pink for her birthday, or any other important days which involved her. Why pink, though?”

“She likes pink.”

“That much?”

“Well…” Jessica put the papers down and looked at the ceiling, “ever since she was little she always liked pink. At first I thought, ah baby girl must’ve liked pink more than any other colours. But it kept on going for years. Until when she reached elementary, I don’t know, third grade? I asked her, ‘don’t you get bored of pink?’, and she scolded me after that. So then as the time goes by, pink also grows on me.”

“Whoa,” Kim crossed her arms, “Jung really likes pink, too?”

“Can’t help it. I live with a pink addict.”

Kim chuckled and uncrossed her arms, “By the way, what another pink you’d get her for this year’s birthday?”

Jessica froze instantly at the question. This year’s birthday. Kim waited for Jessica to answer, but instead the younger scoffed, rubbing her temples with an irritated face. She could feel her body tensed in anger.

“Hey,” Kim patted Jessica’s shoulder, “what’s with that face?”

She exhaled a breath, clearly annoyed, “Why do you keep reminding me of that, huh? It’s not like I want to forget it but at least don’t bring it up every time we talk!”

Kim frowned, “What’s wrong with you? I was just asking about the birthday present, not the age! Stop being overly sensitive!”

“It makes no difference!”

“It is different, Jung. I didn’t mean it that way!” Kim groaned, “Why are you being so paranoid?”

“How can I not? I live with her, Kim. I am paranoid, and you know it!”

“I know, but-- hey!”

Before Kim could finish, Jessica hurriedly stood up and walked away from her working desk. Her heart was beating way faster than before, thanks to Kim. She was overreacting but she didn’t care. Kim didn’t know her struggle to just brush the thoughts away, to act as relaxed as she could, and so on. It was that difficult, which wasn’t supposed to happen.

Ignoring Kim’s call, Jessica’s feet brought her to the basement, the parking lot. She got inside her car and drove all the way to Tiffany’s school.

She wasn’t ready. She would never be.

****

Do some of you read Lastly? Taeyeon is a neighbour here too. It's purely coincidence!!

Some of your guesses are true, some aren't but I'm considering it hahahah. This story hasn't fully settled, it seems. And it's somehow nice seeing guesses from you all :)

I'm gonna keep my mouth shut close tho, no spoilers from me!!

And oh, happy birthday Daddy Kyuuu <3