Jimin and Minjeong return to their studies diligently and Jimin rarely comes out of her apartment unless it’s important or work-related. She goes to her company and sits at her desk, typing away aimlessly at reports and staring at artwork emptily.

It’s different—not having Minjeong blow up her phone or bother her outside of her time. 

One day, she gets an offer from her boss and mentor from her art class. It’s a scholarship for a year in Paris and Jimin finds no reason not to take it.

“What! You’re going to Paris?!” Aeri barges into her apartment unannounced, catching Jimin ungracefully in the middle of slurping up her noodles.

The noodle goes down the wrong pipe and she begins to hack it up.

“Thank god I didn’t catch you macking it up with someone.” Aeri snorts with relief.

“I’m not like that anymore; I don’t get why you won’t believe me.” Jimin coughs.

“Well, when I see a girlfriend, then I’ll believe it.” Aeri pats her head.

Aeri turns back to her door and Jimin blinks.

“Are you waiting for someone?” Jimin asks.

“Yeah, Ning and Minjeongie, where are their asses?” Aeri pouts and soon Ningning’s loud chatter comes through.

“Just do it!” Ningning smacks Minjeong and pushes her through the door.

“I can’t!” Minjeong’s voice dies when she meets eye to eye with Jimin for the first time in a while.

“Do what?” Aeri asks.

“Uh… unnie! Congratulations!” Minjeong chuckles nervously and Ningning facepalms.

Jimin’s ears grow red and she smiles.

“Thanks, Minjeongie.” Jimin smiles and it puts Minjeong’s heart at ease. 

“Let’s go celebrate!” Aeri smacks Jimin’s shoulder.

“Wait, how do you guys even know?” Jimin blinks. “I was going to tell you when it was confirmed.”

“It was confirmed like this morning. We just went past admin and they told us to tell you.” Aeri explains. “They probably emailed you.”

“Well, thanks for telling me, I guess.” Jimin blinks, her eyes straying to Minjeong, who still looks so lovely even if she hasn’t seen her for a while.

“Anyways, get dressed! We’re going to celebrate!” Aeri grabs Jimin’s bowl and dumps it into the sink.

“I didn’t finish!” Jimin whines.

—

“You’re painfully useless.” Ningning sighs as she watches Minjeong stare off at Aeri and Jimin, who are walking together in front of them.

Aeri decided to head to a bar restaurant and Jimin couldn't help but follow. It’s best to never refuse your best friend’s ways. 

“It’s difficult.” Minjeong huffs. “We grew up together.”

“And? We practically grew up together too.” Ningning tells Minjeong.

“What? I met you when you were four?” Minjeong deadpans.

“Fifteen, same thing.” Ningning rolls her eyes.

Jimin takes a look behind her and sees Ningning and Minjeong talking in hushed tones, and Ningning notices.

“Look, I told you about my feelings for Jimin because you’re my best friend and I can’t keep it to myself anymore.” Minjeong sighs. “I didn’t tell you so you could make me go confess to her.”

“But it’ll make you feel so much better if you confess.” Ningning says. “It’s better to get rejected and move on than pine for the rest of your life.”

“I’m not pining,” Minjeong pouts.

“But you’re not moving on, are you?” Ningning raises a brow and Minjeong grumbles petulantly.

Minjeong looks up and sees Jimin looking back at her. The older woman smiles and Minjeong looks away shyly.

“Have you ever thought she might like you as well?” Ningning asks quietly. “I’ve seen her around you; she takes care of you more than Aeri-unnie takes care of you and that’s saying something because Aeri-unnie’s insane when she’s babying you.” 

“She... she practically dongsaeng-zoned me that night at Jaehyun’s party,” Minjeong frowns. “I slept over at hers.”

“You didn’t tell me that part.” Ningning blinks.

“I was too embarrassed. I just kept egging her on and waiting for her to tell me she likes me, but nothing.” Minjeong shrugs. “I’m not risking anything anyway; it’s better like this than nothing.”

“Okay… at least tell her before she goes to Paris.” Ningning hugs Minjeong’s side briefly and says, “You guys owe each other that much.”

Minjeong nods solemnly as she watches Jimin laugh heartily with Aeri.

What if I ruin that?

The girls share laughs over drinks in celebration of Jimin’s acceptance of the exchange programme, and they grow full from the love and food.

They take the bus home and it’s busy as Aeri and Ningning get separated and find themselves sitting beside old ladies in the middle of the bus. Jimin takes Minjeong’s hand and leads her into a vacant seat for the both of them near the back.

Jimin looks at Minjeong and sees her eyelids growing heavy, and she smiles.

“You can lean on me, y’know.” Jimin grins and Minjeong blushes.

Minjeong doesn’t make a move to lean on her, so Jimin takes matters into her own hands and pushes Minjeong’s head down on her shoulder.

“Better?” Jimin chuckles and her laugh rattles Minjeong’s body.

“Thanks, unnie.” Minjeong hides her face in Jimin’s shoulder bashfully.

Minjeong doesn’t really know what possesses her on that quaint night going home from the city—sitting beside her Jimin-unnie—but she reaches slowly and intertwines her hand with Jimin’s.

“Unnie?” Minjeong calls softly.

“Hm?” Jimin hums, resting her head on top of Minjeong’s.

“I think I have something to tell you,” Minjeong says.

This is it, Minjeong thinks— this is where the beginning ends.

Jimin’s heart stutters but she dares not scare Minjeong away. She squeezes their hands together firmly, encouraging her.

“I don't want us to end up like we did that night,” Minjeong says. “It’s not better to be left alone, and I don’t think I can live like that.”

Minjeong moves away but doesn’t let go of Jimin’s hand. She looks at her, leaving herself bare in Jimin’s see-through eyes.

“Our stop is next; don’t fall asleep, Minjeong!” Aeri calls from the front.

“