“...Are you in love?”

Ah, that’s it. The name of the feeling when your heart pounding so fast and you only think about one person is called “love”.

Jang Wonyoung finally realized that she’s in love with a girl named Ahn Yujin.

…

I’m in love with Yujin-unnie?

The young girl started to question herself, not sure with the thing she never experienced before.

She must be mistaken. Isn’t love something that can be experienced when there’s man and woman? She never heard that woman can fall in love with another woman. Not in all of the movies she had watched with her friends.

-

After a week of absence, Wonyoung finally came to the school canteen, hoping that she’d meet her new unnie there. Wonyoung throws her gaze to every direction while queuing, but she couldn’t spot Yujin anywhere. Until she finished queuing and received her lunch, Yujin was still nowhere. She sighed, disappointed that she couldn’t meet the older girl. Unable to hid her disappointment, Wonyoung pouted and threw herself to an empty seat.

Everyone on the table were chatting, except the tall girl. Her mind was full with disappointment towards a certain popular second year. Maybe she was drowned in her thought and disappointment, she didn’t realize that her friends stopped chit-chattering when someone took a seat beside the girl. Of course, Wonyoung could feel that someone took a seat beside her, but she even was not in the mood to bother. All she did is playing with her food.

“You know, food is made to be eaten, not to be play with,” the person beside Wonyoung said.

Wonyoung’s heart skipped a beat because of the sudden voice beside her, she turned her head to find to see the person. The person beside her was no other than Ahn Yujin. The second year smirked as she saw Wonyoung’s funny expression.

“Finally back to canteen, eh?” Yujin added. She was aware that it’s been a week since the last time Wonyoung was spotted in the canteen. The older girl opened a package of strawberry jam filled bread she brought, then took a big bite of it. She was cheerful and in a good mood, as usual.

“Yujin-unnie! Don’t surprise me like that!” Wonyoung exclaimed, as her cheeks blushed a little bit. Seeing the younger’s reddened face, Yujin couldn’t help but laugh. The other girls were looking at them in disbelief, shocked that Jang Wonyoung seems really captivated the attention of the so-called school’s “prince”. What makes them more shocked was that Jang Wonyoung called the prince with “unnie”.

“Sorry to disturb you guys, but this kid said that she wanted to meet me today,” Yujin said to Wonyoung’s classmates, making the first year’s face redder than before.

“I-I didn’t!” Wonyoung denied the statement from her upperclassman, but it seems her classmates believe Yujin more than her. They started to tease the blushing Wonyoung along with Yujin, enough to annoy the younger girl.

Yujin is an easy-going, so she could quickly engage herself in conversation with Wonyoung’s classmates without any problem. Everyone on the table was excited with having Yujin on their table, thanks to Wonyoung. They pretty much enjoyed their conversation with the prince, except for Wonyoung herself.

Wonyoung couldn’t enjoy the conversation. Her classmates were enthusiastically talking with Yujin, disallowing herself to even take a small conversation with her unnie. Unable to enter the conversation, Wonyoung pouted a little and continued to play with her food, even though her unnie already told her to not to. Jang Wonyoung knows that it’s a rare occasion for her classmates to have a chit-chat with the school’s prince, but somehow she didn’t like it. She didn’t like seeing her classmates talk freely with Yujin. Was it a jealousy? Wonyoung didn’t think so. To be more precise, she was envious with them, since she couldn’t talk that freely with Yujin.

“Can we call you unnie, Yujin-sunbaenim?” One of Wonyoung classmates asked Yujin. Wonyoung didn’t know who said that exactly, but she was triggered with that question. Even she didn’t have any guts to ask that kind of question to Yujin!

“Haha, I don’t feel like to be everyone’s unnie right now…” Yujin said. Wonyoung took a glance at Yujin, noticed that the prince’s eyebrows slanted a little bit, slightly uncomfortable with the question. She couldn’t help but feeling happy inside. Yujin’s answer was giving an impression that Yujin favors her more than other first year students. Well, it was Yujin herself who asked Wonyoung to call her “unnie”. Hearing Yujin’s answer, everyone on the table seems disappointed.

“I already told you to not play with your food, Wonyoungie,” Yujin said, her eyes were locked at Wonyoung’s food. Even the foolish Yujin could have some mature side. Compared to her, Wonyoung was merely a kid. The younger stopped her hand, then let out another pout. Annoyed at Yujin’s remarks, she finally eats her food.

Yujin didn't notice that Wonyoung wasn’t in a good mood. She’s the dumb Yujin, of course she didn't realize that she’s the whole reason why Wonyoung in such a mood. Didn’t feel to finish her food, Wonyoung stood up, then brought her tray to a shelf of dirty tray in the corner of the canteen. Yujin quickly followed the first year, even though she didn’t use tray.

“Why are you following me?” Wonyoung asked, annoyed at Yujin’s act.

“I thought you wanted to meet me and have a talk with me?” Yujin answered, totally oblivious with Wonyoung’s feeling. She was right, though. Wonyoung did want to meet and have a talk with her, but wasn’t it the other girl who ignored her and chose to talk with her classmates instead?

“Well, I thought you did talk with my classmates. Isn’t that fun to have many dongsaeng?” Wonyoung said cynically, unable to hid her annoyance in her tone. She did know that she was being rude to her senior, but she couldn’t control herself. Wonyoung hated her own attitude, since it’s showing her childish self.

Ahn Yujin finally realized that Wonyoung didn’t like being excluded in the conversation, but she couldn’t blame Wonyoung’s classmates, since it was Yujin herself who started the conversation. On the other side, Wonyoung understands that it was never Yujin’s intention, it was her own fault for being unable to follow the conversation.

“I came to you to talk with you, not your classmates, though?” Yujin said, wishing that her words would make Wonyoung feels better. Of course, it wasn’t. Wonyoung glared at the second year, then left her senior alone.

Ahn Yujin scratched her head, confused. She never thought the pretty first year is that moody, and had a guts to be rude at her senior.

-

Wonyoung might look mature for someone her age, but inside, she’s a merely spoiled kid. She was the center of attention since her birth, so she hates it when everyone ignore her. Her attitude towards Ahn Yujin is the evidence of her childish attitude.

After school,Wonyoung was still sitting on her seat in class, burying her face in her arms, realizing her stupidity for being rude to her senior. They just become an acquaintance for a week, how dare she to be like that in front of Yujin? They’re not even close. Wonyoung silently cursed herself for being like that.

“Wonyoung, Yujin-sunbaenim is looking for you,” one of her classmate called her. She faced up, looking at the door. She saw Yujin wearing a grey coat and blue scarf. Yujin raised her hand at her, a crooked smile showing her rabbit-like teeth crept from her face. Wonyoung abruptly rose from her seat and fixing her messy hair, then she approached the second year.

“I’m sorry for today,” Yujin started the conversation. Wonyoung was shocked at Yujin’s words. Wasn’t she the one at fault? She was sure that Yujin didn’t do anything wrong.

“N-no! It’s my fault! I’m sorry for being rude at you, unnie…” Wonyoung said, slightly bowed at Yujin.

“No, it’s okay. By the way, are you going home alone? We can go home together, so I can make up for you today, if you want,” Yujin offered. Wonyoung was surprised with Yujin’s words. She knew that Yujin is kind (of course she is, she lent her sweater to Wonyoung, didn't she?), but she never thought that Yujin was this considerate, after all of Wonyoung’s rudeness towards her.

Wonyoung nodded in silence. Her classmates left her since she told them that she wanted to stay a bit longer in school. She was right to let them going home without her.

“Good, let’s go home, then,” Yujin said. Wonyoung quickly back to her class, tying her scarf around her neck, and grabbed her bags. She then followed Yujin.

Unlike the previous day, the two girls didn’t hold hands. They were just chit-chattering along their way home. It was strange, but Wonyoung was able to talk more freely and naturally with Yujin than before. Yujin is indeed fun, but Wonyoung never guessed that they have so many similarity. They shared same taste in music, movies,  and even they shared same favorite artists.

For Wonyoung, talking with Yujin was so fun, she didn’t realize that they were finally arrived at the former’s home.

“Thanks for today, unnie,” Wonyoung said, bowed to her senior.

“Uhm… Wonyoungie?” Yujin wanted to say something, but she seems hesitant. Wonyoung could see Yujin’s nose reddened due to the cold wind, but she couldn’t see the latter’s expression, since was covered in her muffler.

“...Yes?” Wonyoung replied.

“If you don’t mind, can we go home like this everyday?” Yujin asked. Wonyoung could clearly see Yujin’s white breath. The younger girl wanted to agree to it immediately, but she wasn’t sure. How about her classmates? How about Kahyeon-sunbaenim?

“What happened to Kahyeon-sunbaenim?” She asked. Wonyoung thought that Yujin going home with Kahyeon everyday.

“Her house is on the opposite direction, so we never going home together,” Yujin explained. She smiled sheepishly while scratching her cheeks. Come to think of it, why she asked Wonyoung to go home together the previous day? Did she know that Wonyoung goes to the same direction as her?

“I’m okay with it… but, don’t you have club activities?” Wonyoung asked once again. If she wasn't mistaken, Yujin is a star athlete in their school, so it’s normal for her to join sports club in their school.

“Well… I don’t. Those girls from athletic and basketball club often ask me for help, but I never officially join the clubs,” Yujin said. It made Wonyoung wondering, is she that good to be asked for help by several clubs?

“Can I say that it’s settled?” Yujin asked for confirmation. Since Wonyoung already said that she’s okay with it, she no longer could refuse it.

-

Since that day, Yujin and Wonyoung never spend their after school without going home together. Wonyoung treasured her time with Yujin, enjoying every second she spends with her unnie. The older girl’s antics are always cheering her up when she was having a bad day. At the same time, Wonyoung didn’t realize that she was being drawn deeper to Ahn Yujin’s existence.

Wonyoung no longer cares about the name of the feeling she holds for Yujin. Is it love? Admiration? She didn’t care about all of those anymore. The most important thing for her right now, is to spend her precious after school time with Yujin...

“Eh, Yujin-unnie is going home already?” Wonyoung blinked, not believing with what she has heard from Kahyeon. It’s the first time for them not going home together since they agreed to do so.

“Yeah, she suddenly got a message from Minjoo-sunbaenim, so she hurriedly went home,” Kahyeon explained. Who is Minjoo? Wonyoung thought. She thought that Yujin already told her many things about her friends and family, but she never heard someone named Minjoo from Yujin before.

Wonyoung bowed, thanking and bid a farewell to the older girl. She went home with full of thoughts. Yujin could at least send Wonyoung a message, but she didn’t. Wonyoung was also distracted with the existence of someone named Minjoo, a name she was unfamiliar with. This Minjoo must be closer to Yujin than her, since the older girl chose to meet with Minjoo rather than going home with her. Thinking about that, Wonyoung became upset. Unable to hid her feeling in her face, she pouted during her way home.

Wonyoung was unsure with this kind of feeling she never experienced before. The word “jealousy” suddenly popped out from her mind as she threw herself on the bed. Was she jealous to someone named Minjoo? Wonyoung didn’t want to think about it, she did her best to get rid her feelings she had. Then, Wonyoung slowly closed her eyes.

The sound of her smartphone ringtone woke Wonyoung up. She abruptly searched her smartphone. When she finally found it, she looked at the caller display.

“Ahn Yujin”

She didn’t expect that Yujin would call her. Wonyoung quickly accepted the call.

“...Hello? Wonyoungie?” Wonyoung could hear a husky voice from the other side. Honestly, Wonyoung wanted to be mad at her for leaving her today without any words, but as she heard the second year’s voice, she knew she couldn’t be mad at her.

“...Uhm?” Wonyoung answered, she tried her best not to be excited.

“Well… I’m sorry that I couldn’t go home with you today. I’ve got something to do… so I was kinda in hurry. Also, I’m sorry for not telling you before… Uhm… How should I put it?” Yujin said from the other side. Wonyoung could feel that Yujin felt guilty.

“...And then?” Wonyoung replied, trying her best to sounds upset. Well, she just wanted to tease Yujin a little bit.

“I think I should make up for today… Since it’s Saturday tomorrow, how about we go to the newly opened restaurant in the shopping district? Of course, I’ll pay for it…” Yujin said hesitantly, seemingly afraid that Wonyoung didn’t like her idea. Wonyoung surprised at Yujin’s invitation, never expected that Yujin would invite her… to a date? Isn’t it a date? Yujin invited her to a date?

“...Well, sure,” Wonyoung accepted the invitation hesitantly, not because she doesn’t want to go, but she wasn’t sure whether it’s a date or not.

“Really? Then, I’ll pick you up at ten, okay?” From the other side, Wonyoung could hear Yujin’s excitement.

“Okay,” Wonyoung said shortly.

“It’s settled then. Good night, Wonyoungie. See you tomorrow,” Yujin said.

“Good night, see you tomorrow,” Wonyoung bid her senior a good night.

After the call disconnected, Wonyoung looked at the ceiling of her bedroom. She was still in disbelief at the fact that Yujin invited her for a date tomorrow. Well, she wasn’t sure though whether it’s a date or not, but she wanted to treat it as a date. She couldn’t stop smiling while thinking about her date tomorrow.

...Ah, Wonyoung was already forgotten about a girl named Minjoo.

-

Wonyoung spent most of her morning to choose her best outfit for her “date” with Yujin. She knows that she’d look gorgeous in any outfit, but still, she wants her appearance to be special today. After wearing her best outfit, Wonyoung chose a natural make up, since she didn’t want to give an impression that she treats their outing today as a date to Yujin. As she put her make up on, she suddenly reminded that today is the first time she’d see Yujin in casual outfit, and vice versa. She wondered, what kind of outfit Yujin would wear today?

Wonyoung’s inner thought was interrupted with the voice of her mother, calling her name. The clock hanging on the wall told her that it’s already ten. She quickly put her cosmetics back in the place, and put her trench coat on. The tall girl then circled her favorite pink muffler around her neck, and grabbed her purse.

Wonyoung dashed to the first floor.

“Your friend is already here. I asked her to stay inside, but she refused. Don’t make her wait any longer,” Wonyoung’s mother said.

“I know! I should go now, bye!” Wonyoung hurriedly walked to the entrance.

“I’ll go to your aunt’s place until night, don’t forget to bring your key!” The woman shouted. Wonyoung couldn’t hear it clearly, but she chose to ignore it since she didn’t want to make Yujin wait any longer.

As Wonyoung opened the entrance door, she found a short haired girl standing outside the gate, looking at her phone. The girl then realized that Wonyoung was already there, so she turned to see Wonyoung and waved her hand.

“Morning,” the older girl greeted. She was wearing a denim pants and a khaki duffel coat, a standard outfit at this temperature. Beneath her coat, Yujin was wearing a turtle-neck sweater. Well, Yujin’s appearance today is kind of plain for Wonyoung’s taste, but the latter thought that the outfit fits Yujin well.

“Good morning,” Wonyoung greeted her unnie back as she walked outside the gate.

The older girl scanned Wonyoung from head to toe, then she giggled a little bit. Yujin’s whim made Wonyoung feels embarrassed.

“Let’s go,” Yujin said. Wonyoung nodded in silence, as they started walking together.

Not different from their usual routine, Yujin and Wonyoung talked about everything during their way. The differences from the usual are their outfit and their destination. It’s the first time in Wonyoung’s life to go somewhere with her senior in school. She usually went to the shopping district with her friends or cousins, so it’s kind of refreshing for her.

The newly opened restaurant at the shopping district is decorated with relaxing decoration, much to Wonyoung’s liking. It’s not really packed with customers, but Wonyoung was sure that the restaurant is already gaining popularity despite it just opened a month ago. The two girls ordered their favorite foods, curious with the taste that this restaurant offers.

When the foods that they ordered arrived, they quickly devoured the foods and savoring every spoonful of the dishes. At first, Wonyoung was hesitant to eat much, since she didn’t want to be seen as glutton by Yujin, but seeing that the latter’s is also a big eater, she threw her doubt away and enjoying the dishes together. They agreed that the dishes served at this restaurant tastes good.

After enjoying their early lunch, Yujin and Wonyoung craved for a dessert. They decided to have one in a cafe that Yujin often visited. Soon, they arrived at the cafe. Yujin leads the way to the entrance and the two entered the cafe. Wonyoung never come to this place before, but she liked the vibe that was offered. Unfortunately, the cafe was fully seated, forced Yujin and Wonyoung to wait. As they reached to the waiting list form, a sudden voice called one of them.

“Yujinnie!”

Ahn Yujin quickly turned her head to see the owner of the voice. It’s someone familiar to her.

“Minjoo-unnie?” Yujin blinked her eyes, didn’t believe that she met Minjoo here. Wonyoung, on the other hand, seems more surprised than Yujin. She never thought that she’d meet her rival this quickly. Minjoo wasn’t alone, though. She was with a girl around her age. They were seating on four seats table.

Minjoo called the high schoolers to sit with them. To be honest, Wonyoung didn’t want to, but it seems that Yujin liked the idea, so they approached Minjoo and her friend. From distance, Wonyoung already realized that Minjoo was a real deal for her. She’s pretty, have a soothing voice, and somehow have kindness aura around her. No wonder why Yujin prefers the older girl rather than her.

As they arrived in front of Minjoo’s table, Wonyoung eyes widened as she saw Minjoo’s friend. She was too familiar with the face…

“Chaewon-unnie?” Wonyoung said, making sure that she wasn’t mistaken. She was surprised to meet her cousin there.

“Wait, what? Wonyoung, what are you doing here?” Wonyoung’s cousin, Kim Chaewon, was in the same state as Wonyoung. She never thought that she’d meet her beloved cousin there.

“You two knows each other, Chaewon-unnie?” Minjoo asked Chaewon.

“Of course. She’s my Wonyoung. My beloved cousin, Jang Wonyoung,” Chaewon introduced her lovely cousin, as she pulled Wonyoung to sit beside her. A sincere smile was pictured on her face. Everyone could tell that Chaewon loves her cousin very much.

“What a coincidence! Let’s have a talk, then!” Minjoo said happily. Yujin quickly nodded, agreed to Minjoo’s idea. She then took a seat beside Minjoo.

On the other hand, the whole situation made Jang Wonyoung confused. She was supposed to be on a “date” with her favorite upperclassman, but they coincidentally met with Wonyoung’s supposed rival, Minjoo. When she thought that her “date” with Yujin was ruined, it turned out that Minjoo was together with her older cousin, Kim Chaewon.

Jang Wonyoung couldn't process the whole situation inside her brainy brain.

-

A/N: At first, I was planning this story to be a sole alternate universe, but as the story developed, I decided to make this story as a part of a bigger universe in the future. We already met Hyewon, Chaewon, and Minjoo alongside with Yujin and Wonyoung, so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to show more members in this universe. Of course, I already decided some of the couples, but there are tentative couples that I’m still unsure. As the future couples are older than Annyeongz, I’m planning to make their stories and conflicts more reflecting people around their age.

This story will be one more chapter left, and I hope I can finish this story soon. I know I’m not really good at putting story into words, but I hope this fan fiction can entertain you even just for a little bit.