After Conan told her that Pie wants to transfer rooms, Kim had totally lost hope. She felt awkward being in their room more than ever. And because of that, she tried avoiding Pie more by leaving their room too early and coming back in too late just before their curfew.

Sometimes she comes home seeing Pie already sleeping. But on days that Pie is still wide awake, Kim’s strategy is to go for a quick shower before heading to bed without talking to her roommate. This is the best solution Kim could think of so Pie won't feel awkward around her.

"It's just for one school year," she keeps telling herself. "Next year she'll have the chance to transfer rooms."

It was one of those nights when Kim came home late. Just after she opened the room door, Pie went out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around her body.

Seeing the shocked expression on Pie's face, Kim immediately closed the door behind her. "I-I'm sorry," she said, looking down at the floor while walking towards her closet. "I'm gonna take a quick shower so you can change here."

Kim grabbed all the clothes she could and swiftly walked to the bathroom, passing by Pie.

"Kim..."

Kim felt her heart flutter with the sound of Pie's voice calling her name. She turned around to the lady. "Yes?"

"Are you... are you avoiding me...?"

Kim opened to say something. However, seeing Pie's almost body distracts her thoughts. She tried to focus her eyes on the other woman's face, but she can't help noticing Pie's exposed shoulder and neck. The messy bun on Pie's hair isn't helping as well as it just adds up to her hotness.

"Kim, are you okay?"

Kim almost smacked herself for acting like that. But she needs to get out of the situation first. "I... uh... I'll take a shower first. Let's talk later." Without waiting for any response from Pie, she went in the bathroom and locked the door.

---

Kim slumped back on the passenger's seat, finally feeling relieved that they are out on the field now.

"Wow, you look like you just got out of the trial room, Cap," said Zee who's on the driver's seat. "Is she still making you nervous?"

Kim simply smiled without saying anything.

"Hey, what's up, guys?" said Conan, sticking her head out between Zee and Kim. "Having a private conversation here while Yam and I are just sitting behind you?"

"Yeah. You three, including you Cap, have been acting weird. What's up?" it was Yam's turn to ask.

The three friends looked at each other. Kim gestured not to tell Yam who Pie really is. All SAU missions are being monitored real-time. She doesn’t want to cause a commotion in the Control Room especially that Pie and her mom is there.

Zee nodded, and Conan settled back on her chair.

"We were just talking about Captain's first love, Yam," said Zee, making Kim and Conan look at her with bulging eyes. "We've known her for years but this morning, during lunch, was the first time she ever talked about it."

Yam scooted closer, feeling more curious. "Wow. Interesting! So, what about it?"

"C'mon, guys, I'm not going to talk about my personal life with you, not on this trip," said Kim lazily.

"You don't have to tell us, Cap. Conan can tell us. Right, man?" said Zee, quickly glancing at Conan from the back.

"Yeah, it'll be my pleasure," said Conan, smirking. "I was lucky enough to witness how it blossomed."

Kim folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes.

"Is this the same girl that Captain mentioned during her last interview with Amy, two weeks ago? I remember she said they are no longer together, right?" said Yam, looking excited.

"Yup, they broke up. And yes, same girl," answered Conan. "It's still a story worth telling you and Zee."

"We're excited!" Zee exclaimed. "It's going to be a thirty-minute drive to Jeoswa Village. Fill us in, man."

"It'll be my pleasure."

---

"How did they meet?"

Yam's voice echoed through the speakers in the Control Room. One of the staffs increased the volume a bit for it to be heard clearly.

"They started as roommates during college," said Conan, her voice filling the room. "Kim liked this girl since day one but it was not a good start for them. They were kind of feeling awkward around each other."

"Why?"

"Kim's already feeling inferior of getting roomed with a beautiful chick. Then there was a rumor that this girl wanted to transfer rooms. Kim felt more awkward because of it. They stayed like that for about two months -- not talking and sort of avoiding each other -- until one day they talked about it and settled the issue."

"Hmm. I can see someone's smiling," said Jane, nudging her friend. She, Pie, and Pie’s mom are sitting on a couch at the back of the Control Room, watching the big screen in front that displays Troop C on one screen and Jeoswa Village on the other.

"It’s just that Conan’s being Conan again, same old sweet-talker," said Pie, shaking her head.

"At least she was able to make you smile now. You were worried as earlier."

"Can't help it, Jane. I don't think I’ll be able to fully relax unless I'm sure Katie's safe." Pie glanced at the other screen where her daughter is seen inside the car.

"Don't worry, I’m sure she'll be fine."

"And how did that happen?" it was Zee who asked this time.

"I don't know how. They just became friends after that. Feed us more details, Cap, will you?"

"Nah. Shut up," said Kim, dismissing them.

People in the Control Room laughed at Kim's response.

"Why does it seem to me that everyone here is eager to hear this story? Look at these people, they are actually listening," asked Pie, amazed.

Jane chuckled. "It's because it's Kim we're talking about here. No one in AEF knows about her personal life except probably for Conan and me. And she's been working like a robot for years -- work, home, work again, training. I believe this is the first time they are seeing her other side, even if it's just through Conan's storytelling."

Pie smiled as she shakes her head. "That's the typical Kim I knew."

"Aren't you feeling awkward about this, Pie?" asked Pie's mom who looks displeased. "They may find out it's you."

Pie raised an eyebrow. "Mom, I never intended to keep my relationship with her secret. You know that. Yes, I've no plans of bragging about it but I've no plans to deny it either. What's wrong with that?"

"What if Peter finds out?"

"Peter? Your granddaughter is in danger and you're still thinking about that?"

The older lady couldn't answer. She stood up. "I'll be back. I need to take some air." The two younger women watched her walk out of that room.

"Even after all these years, she still thinks that Kim is the biggest mistake of my life," said Pie, irritated. "I don't understand her. Kim, Conan, and the troop are risking their lives to save my daughter. Why can't she just look at it like that?"

Jane rubbed her hand against Pie's back. "Hey. Some people will just never understand."

"I just couldn't believe her, Jane. I'm married to a MAN and has a daughter with him, and... ugh..."

"Hey, there are more important things to be worried about, like Katie's safety. Forget about your mom for a bit and while she's out, tell me how you and Kim became close."

"What?" asked Pie, chuckling. "I can't believe you're asking me that. You know the whole story, right?"

"It was a lifetime ago, Pie. I've already forgotten about the tiny details. And Conan doesn't know either," said Jane, pointing at the screen. "Aside from the fact that I need to distract you from getting worried, I just thought that you're the perfect person to ask about the continuation of that story."

Pie smiled. She looked at the screen too. "Oh, yes, Jane. I'm the perfect person to tell you how we became friends."

---

"Hey."

Kim stepped out of the bathroom and was called by Pie who's sitting crossed-legged on her bed, a blanket covering her legs.

"Hey, you're still awake," said Kim, walking to her closet to fix her things. She really feels happy and embarrassed right now. Pie's too beautiful looking simple in her white nightgown.

"You said we'll talk after you take a shower, right?"

"Y-yeah. I said that."

"Why do you look like I am scaring you?" asked Pie.

Kim hesitantly sat on her bed. "No. It's not like that. It's just that... I... I know that you don't like to be around me..."

Pie's eyebrows furrowed. "Huh? Where did you get that?"

"Well, there are rumors spreading around here that you wanted to change rooms."

"Oh. That... Yeah. I asked the admin if they can transfer me to another room," admitted Pie shyly. "But that's not because I don't like you. My mom, she wants me to transfer rooms."

Kim felt a little hope hearing that. "Why? Is it because of me?"

Pie nodded hesitantly. "I'm sorry. It's not your fault. It's just that my mom's being crazy. She thinks that rooming with you is like rooming with a man. That's the reason I couldn't talk to you during the freshmen orientation, mom's just sitting at the back."

Kim looked down on the floor. Hearing the real reason made her feel more embarrassed of herself.

"Again, it's not your fault," said Pie, as if knowing what Kim is thinking. "You don't need to feel sorry for being who you are. It's just that some people are judgmental."

Kim was able to make a small smile because of it. "Did I ever made you feel like that, that you're living with a man?"

"Not at all," said Pie quickly. "I actually didn't feel that I have a roommate. You've been avoiding me since the school started."

"It's because I felt that you feel awkward around me. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable so I tried to stay away as much as I can."

"Well, yes, I felt awkward at first too. For a short time, I was cautious around you. But then as time goes by, I realized that you're not like the other type that my mom talks about."

"Type? Like what?"

"You know, the ert ones."

That made Kim chuckle. "So, you don't think I'm ert?"

"At least not yet," said Pie, smiling. Then her expression changed to an apologetic one. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I didn't mean to make you feel like that. It's all my fault. Also, I hope you don't resent my mom. I'm her only child so she's really looking after me as much as she could."

"Don't worry, I totally understand," said Kim, sincerely. Finding out more how kind Pie is makes her like this girl a little more today. "Hearing it from you made me feel better."

"That's comforting to know."

"So, does that mean you're still transferring rooms?"

"If Dorm C will miraculously be available this year, then yes. If not, maybe next school year."

"Okay." Kim felt sad at that. But at least she's got the whole year to spend with Pie.

"But can you please stop avoiding me? Why don't we just enjoy each other's company while we're rooming together, right?"

"I agree. That's a great idea."

Pie went down from the bed and stood in front of Kim. She laid out her hand. "Friends?"

Kim happily shook Pie's hand. "Friends."