Tutoring week goes by in a flash. Or at least it felt that way to Hyunjin. She's been having a blast with Heejin and the other girls. She started walking to and from school with Heejin every day, huddled together to fight the cold. She would always cling to Hyunjin's arm tightly, warming her up inside and out. The pair became inseparable to the point of them having made plans to spend the leftover week of the winter break together.

The girls were currently walking home from school after their last day of tutoring. Their last period had been with miss Jung, who animatedly told them she finally was able to buy a new aquarium after she promised her wife to build a new library and make the aquarium a part of the piece of furniture. Hyunjin had simply smiled and continued her exercises on anatomy while Heejin conversed with the teacher happily.

Now passing Heejin's house, they were going to quickly pick up some of Heejin's stuff for her to sleep over at Hyunjin's. Their parents met and were excited about it almost as much as the girls. Their parents hit it off immediately and Hyunjin's parents explained her situation in more detail to them and to Heejin. Heejin's parents welcomed her with open arms and allowed for Heejin to stay over at her house for a night since they did so well at tutoring week together. They had received praise from all the teachers, especially Hyunjin. It turns out she easily caught up with the things she missed during the first semester and had a better understanding of them than some of the students that actually attended classes. Heejin was proud to hear this and promised to help Hyunjin get into the sports teams she wants to. 

Hyunjin had texted her one evening asking what sports programs their school had to offer. Heejin soon learned that Hyunjin wasn't only very brainy but extremely athletic. Of course, Heejin did think Hyunjin looked very strong and healthy but didn't realise it'd be because of her having been working out and doing sports so intensely for most of her life.

'Hyunnie, I'll be right back. My bag should be on my bed still, I packed this morning already.' Heejin leans over to kiss Hyunjin on the cheek and runs upstairs. Hyunjin can't remember when that became a thing between them, but it did. She loved it. Heejin's lips always feel so soft and warm against her skin. Heejin is very touchy in general, she's noticed. She'll hug Chaewon and kiss her cheek, much to Hyejoo's annoyance and loves ruffling Yerim and Yeojin's hair as if they're her little sisters. Another new habit of hers was to walk up and plant herself on Hyunjin's strong thighs. Hyunjin's heart flutters every single time but she wouldn't have it any other way.

'Let's go, Kitten!' Hyunjin groans at the nickname and lets herself be dragged out of Heejin's house. She watches as she locks the door and reaches for her hand to walk to her house together.

* * *

They've been playing around in Hyunjin's room since after dinner. Heejin wants to watch a movie but Hyunjin would much rather play with Heejin, tickling her until she surrenders. The pair act as if they've known each other their whole life. As if this isn't the first time Heejin has ever been in Hyunjin's room. As if there isn't an unused mattress on the floor of Hyunjin's bedroom because Heejin has been clinging to her in her bed the entire evening.

'Hyunnie, please stop! I surrender.' Hyunjin giggles and stops to take notice of her position. They're on her bed, Heejin underneath her as she straddles her. Heejin has her hands covering her torso to protect herself from Hyunjin's tickle attacks. There are some tear streaks on her cheeks, her breathing is laboured as is Hyunjin's. They lock eyes, their giggles dying out as Hyunjin feels suddenly becoming dry. Heejin's lips look so soft and inviting to her. She can't help but let her eyes linger on her warm lips. Heejin finds herself in a similar position. Hyunjin's intense gaze makes her feel things she never felt before.

If she's honest, Hyunjin, in general, makes her feel things she has never felt before. She was always friendly with everyone and very popular with all genders, but Heejin never had a crush before. Not until she was assigned to this strong-looking yet soft-hearted kitten only 5 days ago. Hyunjin made her feel more alive than ever. Everything was easy and comfortable around Hyunjin.

The pair find themselves gravitating towards each other. 'Hyunjin...' Heejin's voice is barely above a whisper, her hand reaching up to caress Hyunjin's cheek gently.

'Hee...jin...' Hyunjin closes the gap between them and kisses Heejin softly. The moment their lips meet, both girls can't help but let out a content sigh. It felt so perfect.

'WAIT DID YOU JUST SAY MY NAME?!' The kiss is quickly broken as Heejin finally registers that Hyunjin had said her name out loud instead of aong for once. Hyunjin's eyes widen as both girls sit up. Heejin smiles at her excitedly. 'Say it again, say my name again. You can do it, Hyunjinnie.' She kisses the raven-haired girl's cheek encouragingly and waits not-so-patiently. 

'Heejin...Heejin!' Hyunjin sits up excitedly, tears in her eyes. Heejin wipes away her tears and leans in for another sweet kiss.

'Say it again... I love the way you say my name... You have such a sweet voice, say it again...' Hyunjin complies, mumbling Heejin's voice in between kisses and muffled giggles. The girls continue their little game until they finally realise they should tell Hyunjin's parents and therapist of this breakthrough.

'Wait, before we tell them, try saying something else?' Hyunjin nods and takes a deep breath, her big hand clasped tightly around Heejin's smaller one. She tilts her head, thinking of what to say.

'Heejin... C-Cute.' Heejin blushes and smacks Hyunjin on the arm. 'Idiot, why would you try to say that of all things?' Hyunjin smirks and winks at her, reducing Heejin to a mess on her bed.

'Heekki cute.' She somehow manages to vocalise the nickname she'd been using for the bunny girl in their messages to each other. 'I really like the nickname by the way. Sounds even better now actually hearing it from you.'

The pair gets up and walks downstairs. 'Mister and Misses Kim! Hyunjin said something other than aong!'

Hyunjin's parents immediately get up from the couch and run up to the girls. 'Really?! What did she say? Can you speak, sweetie? Take your time.' Heejin squeezes Hyunjin's hand tightly. Hyunjin smiles up at her parents, puffs her chest in confidence and points at Heejin. Heejin blushes and widens her eyes. She just remembered what it was that Hyunjin had actually been able to say. She was so excited about the new development that she wanted to tell her parents and forgot about the topic of Hyunjin's speech. 

'Heejin cute.' Her parents' eyes widen at the 2 words uttered in total confidence. Their daughter smugly looks to her side at Heejin. Her parents burst out in laughter. 'Ha ha ha, yes! She is! Heejin is very cute and so are you, young lady. The therapist was right, making an amazing new friend like Heejin is helping you!' They both run at the pair and hug both girls tightly. 'Thank you so much, Heejin.' Since they were still holding hands, they used their free arms to wrap around the parents. Heejin feels them shake in their hold and feels something wet hit her neck. Hyunjin's parents couldn't help but cry of joy for the progress Heejin helped their daughter make in such a short amount of time. They knew from the moment Hyunjin came home from school, texting happily on her phone after the second day, that moving here had been the right decision, regardless of the accident.

'Thank you for having such a wonderful daughter and allowing me to be her friend.' Heejin always knows just what to say.

After a few seconds, they pull away and wipe away their tears. Hyunjin's parents quickly call her therapist and doctor to tell them about the progress.

They spend the rest of the night fooling around in Hyunjin's room. Heejin keeps stealing kisses from her and asking her to speak to which Hyunjin repeats time and time again that Heejin is cute. She can't get enough of how Heejin blushes at her words and proceeds to pull her in for a hug or kiss. The 2 end up falling asleep on top of each other, in Hyunjin's bed, tightly wrapped around each other. 

The pair only get closer and closer over the next weeks and months. Heejin asks Hyunjin to be her girlfriend after a month, not wanting anyone to look at the star athlete and -student the way she does. Hyunjin squealed and purred as they kissed that time. She used her ever-improving speaking abilities to tell her she really likes her. Heejin was the one to squeal then. 

Hyunjin grows to love Heejin more and more every day. She practices her speaking with her and the therapist. At some point, the therapist started asking Hyunjin to bring Heejin along for sessions. Heejin was always there right beside her to support her.

Hyunjin didn't have a care in the world as long as she had Heejin. She just had to be around her.