Sometime in 2011

 

Hirai Momo can feel a poking sensation at her back. Surely, there is a person who is behind that act.

 

But she decides to ignore it.

 

Yet, it did not stop, rather it got worse.

 

She rolls her eyes in annoyance, ignoring it once again.

 

When the culprit feels that Momo is IGNORING her she tried a different strategy.

 

"Pssst, psst! Momoring,"

 

Minatozaki Sana calls in a whisper.

 

She is sitting behind Momo.

 

 

They are in their classroom, doing their final exam.

 

"Momo,"

 

Momo shrugs her shoulder.

 

An act of shushing Sana.

 

"Yah! Momoring!"

 

She yells in a whisper.

 

"WHAT?!"

 

Momo exclaims in the same tone.

 

Cautious that their professor might see them.

 

Momo feels the way Sana smiles behind her. Of course, she knows her a lot.

 

"What is the answer in number 31?"

 

Sana whispers.

 

Momo chuckles in a whisper.

 

"Really? Sana -yah? You are only at that number?!"

 

"Well, not everyone has a genius sister to tutor them you know," answers Sana sarcastically.

 

Momo smiles.

 

Sana has always been like that.

 

She is very cheerful and determined yet, she never really takes anything seriously, that includes studying.

 

If anything, Sana hates it!

 

Studying and seriousness.

 

"Hirai, are you going to tell me or not?!"

 

"Ssshhh"

 

Before Momo can even respond to their professor shush them.

 

 

 

Momo pretends to do her thing while Sana pouts in annoyance. Surely, she'll be the lowest in this test again.

 

Nothing new.

 

But she never really fails.

 

Okay, she has that type of magic or something. An average girl who never really studies but still passes all her exams.

 

"Pass your papers, it's time,"

 

Their professor announces.

 

Momo looks back to get Sana's paper but the girl is glaring at her.

 

"What?"

 

"You could have just given me the answer rather than arguing!" Sana says in a cold tone.

 

"Why would I do that?!"

 

"Because I am your girlfriend!" Sana reasons out.

 

Momo smiles.

 

Hearing Sana says it still makes the butterflies in her stomach go wild.

 

Sana playfully glares to Momo.

 

She also wants to smile.

 

The same giddy and ticklish joy that Momo feels runs in her spine.

 

Girlfriends.

 

It’s so nice to put a label on it.

 

An answer to the lurking feelings they have for each other.

 

They are young and in love.

 

It has only been a week since they agreed to be girlfriends.

 

“Now, you owe me a kiss,” She pouts acting cute around Momo.

 

Momo turns red.

 

She freezes turning to Sana.

 

And the playful side of Sana disappears.

 

She holds on her breath.

 

Because Momo’s face it too close to hers.

 

Their noses are almost touching.

 

Their eyes focus on each other’s lips.

 

And their hearts are drumming so loud in their chests.

 

Sana closes her eyes indulging the romantic atmosphere this scene creates.

 

She gulps.

 

She can feel her heart drumming behind her ear.

 

And she also holds on Momo’s arm a little tighter.

 

She pushes her lips forward ready to lose her first kiss onto Momo lips.

 

She feels Momo moving closer to her.

 

She feels her blood running up in her scalp.

 

She is ready, and she feels…

 

A snap on her forehead.

 

“You should study next time, don’t expect me to give you the answers just because we are together!” Momo turns around.

 

Sana would not see how red Momo had turned.

 

She would not be able to see as well, how Momo holds on her chest.

 

It is nearly bursting.

 

Bursting in happiness.

 

And in joy.

 

Momo walks ahead, trying to ignore Sana’s other ploy.

 

Sana chuckles.

 

She likes this side of Momo.

 

She likes every side of Momo.

 

Momo would act like she does not care about Sana most of the time.

 

But, she does.

 

Many people may not be able to understand it but to Sana, she knows best.

 

At least in everything that involves Momo.

 

Sana runs to catch Momo.

 

She then tangled their fingers together.

 

“Fine, I forgive you just buy me the yogurt with pearls, and feed me,” Sana baby talks.

 

Momo rolls her eyes.

 

“You are such high maintenance,” Momo playfully comments.

 

Sana smiles to Momo like a Shiba Inu.

 

Momo playfully rolls her eyes.

 

They walk hand in hand in their high school uniforms.

 

 

 

Sometime around 2013

 

“Hi mom, did you send me the winter clothes, I asked for you to send?”

 

Minatozaki Sana opens the box that arrives from Japan.

 

She is holding her phone between her face and shoulder.

 

“I did it should be inside the box, I have it dried clean,”

 

“Found it! You are the best!” Sana puts on the biggest smile when she sees the coat she is referring to.

 

“I know, I know, how are you doing, love? How is South Korea?” Her mom from the other line sounds concern.

 

“It’s awesome, college life is awesome, Momo and I are doing great mom, you have nothing to worry about,” Sana reassures.

 

Sana hears the smile from her mom.

 

Her mom sighs.

 

“You really are a stubborn girl you know, flying a thousand miles away from home just so you can move with Momo when her family had decided to move in Seoul for the business, now, all I can do here is miss you,”

 

Sana smiles sadly.

 

But she does not regret any of it.

 

“Snap out of it mom, we both know you are somewhat thankful that you have one less person to take care of, to scold and …” Sana’s tears are almost falling.

 

She misses her family too.

 

“You are useless, I am having a moment and there you are taunting me,” Her mom complaints.

 

Sana giggles.

 

“I was just there last week, mom, don’t be too dramatic,” Sana playfully banters.

 

“I hope Momo will give you some of her focus, you are so fond of playing around!” Her mom scolds.

 

“See, even though I am in another country you still have a reason to nag at me,” Sana complaints playfully.

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