A/N: I'm sorry if this is another long chapter! This was supposed to be the last one before an epilogue but it came out too long. We're nearing the end and I want to thank everyone who stuck by this draggy narrative. I extend my gratitude to each and every one of you. <3

It was a cool and clear night in Lefkada, Greece. The soft breeze gently propels the waves along the shore of Egkremnoi. The sun has just set at the end of the horizon where the sky meets the sea, and the clear water perfectly reflected the moon shining overhead. At the far end of the shoreline, the houses in Lefkada illuminated the cliff-side like faint Christmas lights. Unlike the beaches in Santorini, this place is more secluded and therefore less crowded aside from another half a dozen couples having their own romantic evening. One couple in particular is having their evening stroll under the grace of the moonlight, hand in hand and sand between their toes.

“You were great in Paris, babe. You’re shining brighter by the day.” Namjoo said as she pecked her girl on the cheek.

The younger, yet taller one, chuckled in reply. “Only because you make it so.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Hayoung giggled once more. “Nothing.”

“Come on babe, tell me.” Namjoo stopped in her tracks and tugged on the younger one’s hand, sulking.

Hayoung took in the moping face of her girl with such delight, obviously having fun teasing Namjoo. It was a rare sight that the older of the two would sulk. She has always been the disciplinarian and the logical one, but one of her pet peeves is having her questions unanswered.

“I just meant you shine brighter. You’re like the sun.” she vaguely replied and was about to continue with their walk when Namjoo tugged on her again.

“Care to explain?”

At this, Hayoung laughed and walked closer to her girl. She looked into Namjoo’s eyes with love and adoration.

“You shine bright like the sun, Joo. I’m merely the moon. I only shine because you make it so, because of all the light you’ve given me. I am but reflecting your light as my own.”

Namjoo seemed to be disappointed with the young one’s answer. She was worried that Hayoung thinks she wasn’t good enough and all this time she’s been hiding behind her shadows.

“But you can shine on your own. What’s that got to do with me?”

Ever since they met, Hayoung was notoriously known as a prankster and someone who does things her way regardless of the consequences. She’d usually doze off during classes or skip it altogether. While most people then would say that she was looking for attention – since she’s not getting any from a busy household – others would feel sorry for the girl. Due to her delinquent behavior, a lot of people thought she’d get nowhere; not that it would matter for her anyway, having been born to a rich family, she could still live off better than most of her classmates would. She simply didn’t care.

It was on a fateful day when Namjoo was assigned to oversee Hayoung for a play that the older girl caught her attention. Ever since that day, Namjoo had always been patient with her and pushed her to do well. It was as if Namjoo was able to see her potential and since then, she has been taken under the singer’s wing. She never knew what Namjoo saw in her that made the older girl sympathetic and protective. All she knows was that right then, she was treated with love and kindness – something she never experienced growing up. Sometimes it made her wonder if Namjoo saw her vulnerable side since day one and decided to protect her from getting hurt even more. Either way, she was grateful.

Hayoung never listened to anyone – not even to her parents – but she did whatever Namjoo asked of her. In time, she did things without even being told, she started to change herself into someone better. From someone who only thought about herself, she became a person filled with compassion towards others.

Soon after, she figured out what she wanted in life and she worked hard to obtain it. At the back of her mind, whatever her plans were, Namjoo was always in them. Before she even realized it, she’d built her life around the woman.

Somewhere along their friendship – between midnight conversations and long random walks – the two felt a stronger bond and took their relationship a step further. From then on, they’ve taken on the world together.

Cupping her girl’s face, Hayoung tried to ease Namjoo’s worries away. “I only meant that you are the reason why I shine the way I do today. I wouldn’t even be half of what I am right now if it weren’t for you. You believed in me, you took care of me, you never gave up on me, and you loved me even more than I love myself. All those little balls of light you’ve given me through the years piled up inside, enough for me to shine. Those were all you. You are my sun, Joo.”

The older woman dropped her gaze as she felt blood rush to her cheeks. She was at a loss for words because of what Hayoung had said. Although she refused to believe every word – because she knew that Hayoung was more than capable of holding her own and just needed a little push from time to time – she found it sweet for the younger one to think of her that way.

She tugged on Hayoung again but this time, it was to resume their evening walk. Although they’ve been walking on a straight path, the water soon reached her feet. The moon was pulling the tide towards the shore, catching up on their footprints. Even though the sea breeze was cold, the sea itself was warm. She liked having little waves roll at her feet and having Hayoung’s hand hold hers. No matter how cold the world can be, Hayoung was always there to keep her warm.

“So, what’s great about the sea?” Namjoo asked as they were halfway down the stretch of the shore.

“Mm?”

“When Bomi-unnie asked what more could you want from Paris, you said it didn’t have the sea. What’s so great about it?” she reiterated, playfully splashing water by her feet.

“Oh. Right.” She chuckled. “It helps me think.”

“About what?”

“About you. Me. Us.”

Another vague answer.

Namjoo pursed her lips. She was suddenly worried. She knew of the young woman’s struggles the past few months and was worried that it’s finally taking its toll on her.

“What about us?”

Hayoung kept quiet and trudged on, lost in her thoughts.

“I’m glad the unnies are all doing well now. We did a good job, didn’t we?”

Despite her agitated nerves, Namjoo laughed. “You make it sound like we took care of everything.”

“We did take care of them though.” Hayoung deadpanned.

“You’re right.” She sighed in surrender. “But you still haven’t answered my question.”

“I did. I said it helps me think, didn’t I?” she said flatly, almost as if she snapped. Although Hayoung sounded grim, Namjoo couldn’t shake the feeling that it was intentional – that somehow the young woman was secretly enjoying herself. Nonetheless, her worries didn’t wane.

“Not that. What are your thoughts about us?”

This time, it was Hayoung who stopped in her tracks. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“W-What?”

Namjoo was in a state of panic. Memories suddenly replayed before her eyes like a rolling film as she desperately searched for the moment where she could’ve done wrong and what. With her eyes wide open and mouth gaped, she stared at Hayoung like she’s the undead.

“I’m sick of being away most of the time. And when I do come home, I don’t want to sit around playing childish games anymore. I don’t want you to babysit me all the time. I want to explore the world, both its beauty and cruelty. For once, I want to grow up. I want to feel everything life has to offer, I’m no longer a helpless kid that you need to protect.”

Namjoo couldn’t find her voice. The words, the questions, everything she wanted to say were stuck in , suffocating her. She was stunned, perplexed, and downright terrified.

However, Hayoung’s attitude made a hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. She slowly pulled the older woman towards her until there’s only an inch or two between them. Looking deep into Namjoo’s eyes, feeling how lost the woman was, she smiled softly and firmly held her waist. “I don’t want to be away from you anymore. It’s my turn to take care of you. The unnies have always had their fair share of problems. Maybe it’s time for us to make our own problems and get through them together. It’s never going to be easy, I know that now. It’s going to be a lot more difficult, but I’m not afraid anymore because I know we’ll make it through. Because it’s you and me. Because it’s us.” She paused, taking a deep breath.  “Will you walk through all the peaks and valleys of marriage with me?”

Namjoo’s eyes grew wider than it possibly can, making Hayoung snicker. “Kim Namjoo, will you marry me?” with a triumphant grin, she got down on one knee and pulled out a quaint diamond ring from her pocket.

However, instead of hearing her girl’s sweet response, she was pushed to the sand by a shrieking Namjoo.

“That’s not ing funny Hayoung! You call that a proposal?! I almost died of a heart attack you !” bending over to slap the poor young woman. “When will you ever learn the right time and place to pull off a prank?! Grow up, will you?!”

Hayoung couldn’t do anything but ball her fist around the ring lest she’d lose it and shielded herself from the rage of Namjoo. She rolled around the sand hysterically laughing until Namjoo calmed down. However, she immediately regretted her actions when she saw her girl on her knees crying. She rushed to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I’m sorry babe. That was so stupid. I already messed up and we haven’t even started yet.”

Thankfully, Namjoo giggled in between her sobs. “You bet your stupid you did.”

“Aw babe, language. I didn’t know you were even capable of cussing.” She giggled as she wiped her girl’s tears. “And you haven’t answered my question yet.”

“Now you know how it feels.”

“Come on now babe, will you marry me?” she asked again, holding the ring in her hand.

 “In one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Never scare me like that again or I will have your head on my wall Oh Hayoung.”

The sound of crashing waves celebrated the newly engaged women as they shared a passionate kiss by the shore of Egkremnoi having the moon as their sole witness.

Four young women stood at the foot of the stairs of an old house on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t grand but it wasn’t too shabby either. A small patch of lawn adorned with a variety of flowers made the place look very welcoming.

The eldest of the four began the short ascent as the other three followed at her heel.

“Thanks for coming with us unnie.” Eunji stated from behind.

Chorong got a call the previous night with a request from Eunji for her to accompany them to the orphanage. She couldn’t tell the doctor that she didn’t even know where the orphanage was but agreed either way. Luckily, she still has the number from the last time she called and simply asked for directions since she’ll be coming from the city.

It made her feel quite uneasy yet it was a favor from a friend so she it up. The moment she stepped inside, photos upon photos of kids were plastered along the hallway – and she could see herself in almost all of it. It felt like she was walking through a long forgotten dream – or a deeply buried nightmare. She might have looked quite anxious because Bomi held her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. It was in moments like this that she’s grateful to have Bomi as her girlfriend.

“Oh! Chorong-ah! Hyejin said you’d be dropping by today. It’s a shame she had to head out due to some errands.”

A blonde woman presumably in her late twenties approached them eagerly. Chorong froze for a moment as she couldn’t remember the woman’s name – or anyone else’s for that matter.

“You must be Hyoyeon-ssi.” Bomi held out her hand as a dumbstruck Chorong stared at her in awe. What the latter didn’t know was that a management hierarchy was posted by the door and Bomi was quick eno