It was a question she had worn on her lips for days - like a loose thread on her favourite sweater she couldn't resist pulling - despite knowing it could all unravel around her.

"Chaeyeon, do you love me?"

It was in Chaeyeon's lack of response that Minju found her answer - she didn't, she no longer did. Not after Sakura came into the picture, wedging herself in Chaeyeon's heart the way Minju once did.

Chaeyeon remained still - she didn't want to lie to herself or Minju. After the transfer student came into her life, her relationship with Minju felt different. Like a sin, like she was forcing herself to live a life she didn't belong in.

To both their surprise, Minju smiled softly.

"I know," she began.

"Because I understand how you feel too."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be alright. We can still be friends after this, yeah?" Minju held out a hand as a handshake, a silent meaning understood by both - their relationship came to an end, and it was time to let each other go.

Chaeyeon nodded stiffly and accepted Minju's handshake, holding her hand firmly one last time. 

--

Minju's feet moved as quickly as they could to bring her to the one place she would find solace. As she neared the room, the distinct sound of the grand piano resonated and it only made Minju quicken her pace.

Opening the door, Minju was met with the sight of her newfound interest playing the piano as gracefully as she usually does - only, she looked a little more charming and breathtaking than usual. Her eyes were closed, and Minju remembered the time she challenged the younger pianist to play a full piece with her eyes closed. The sight of her actually following through with the silly dare made Minju's heart rate accelerate, something she used to feel with Chaeyeon.

Minju made her way to the piano after she closed the door behind her, and squeezed herself on the small piano seat next to the pianist, resting her head on the younger's shoulder.

"Min-?"

"I broke up with Chaeyeon."

The younger was aware of what was going on between the two, and had always been there to support Minju. Both girls were silent after Minju's revelation, and soon, Minju could no longer hold back the tears she had been keeping in since she held out her hand to Chaeyeon. She trembled as her breaths became ragged, not saying a word.

Quietly, an arm made its way across Minju's stomach and firmly held her close by the hip. Minju could feel encouraging pats from the hand on her hip, and finally, she broke down into tears. She wrapped her arms around the pianist's neck, burying her face into the crook of her neck as her tears fell.

Chaeyeon had been her first relationship - they were so happy, and Minju truly felt that they were meant to be. But that was proven wrong when the Japanese student transferred into their school, and Chaeyeon grew attracted to her. Minju wasn't dumb - she knew Chaeyeon was starting to lose feelings for her as time passed and the two got closer, she just didn't know what to do but accept it and watch it happen.

That was when she met the young pianist. Minju had excused herself from their group of friends during lunch time to have some time alone, using the lame excuse of I have to settle some things with the teacher to get her way. She had just made herself comfortable in the shade when the sound of the piano reached her ears. Curious, Minju stood and turned to peer through the open window into the room behind her - which happened to be the piano room. There, she saw a junior - presumably, from the color of her tie - playing the piano, and Minju swears it was the best thing that has crossed her eyes, a sight not even Chaeyeon's dancing could beat.

The music came to a stop and Minju found herself clapping for the younger girl who was startled by the sudden sound behind her.

"Uh- um- I'm sorry for startling you. Hello." Minju stumbled over her words and stared at the pianist's feet in embarrassment, not daring to look at her in the face.

"It's okay, sunbae-nim." The girl responded, and made her way to the window, with Minju internally panicking. She was never one to initiate conversation but there she had gone and went to ruin firstly, her reputation and now, her social life.

"Why are you eating here alone?" The younger student asked, noticing Minju's forgotten lunchbox.

Minju paused for a moment as she wondered if it would be okay to share whatever was going on with this stranger. By the time she decided that letting out her feelings just that once wouldn't hurt, the pianist had already went back to get her own lunchbox and jumped out of the window to sit down on the spot next to where Minju originally sat.

"What are you doing?" Minju asked, confused.

"Eating with you. You looked like you had a lot on your mind. Don't worry, I keep secrets really well, sunbae-nim. You can go ahead and talk all you want." The younger replied simply with a shrug as she pat the space next to her.

And so, Minju shared everything that had gone down in the relationship and by the end of it, lunch break was nearly over.

"That sounds like a lot to deal with, sunbae-nim." The pianist commented sympathetically, pouting a little. Seeing the slight dimples appearing from her pout, Minju couldn't help but feel a little force of attraction to the younger girl.

"You don't have to keep calling me sunbae-nim. My name is Kim Minju, just Minju is fine."

"Then, Minju, my name is Ahn Yujin."

Ahn Yujin. It was meant to be their first and last meeting but Minju was sure that they would somehow meet again, and made sure to remember her name.

And she wasn't wrong. They always bumped into each other in the hallways or cafeteria, and soon enough, Minju started to make her way down to the piano room over and over again, and the two had their own fair share of little moments.

However, Minju would always stop herself from doing anything further because she had a girlfriend, no matter how sure she was that their relationship would eventually come to an end, there was no way Minju would ever cross the last line of disrespect by cheating on Chaeyeon.

That didn't mean she denied her growing feelings for Ahn Yujin, who had made herself comfortable in Minju's heart with no intention of leaving. She couldn't. Not the erratic beating of her heart when they were in close contact with one another or when the younger flashed her signature grin and dimples, or almost every little thing the other did.

Now that their relationship had officially ended, Minju immediately sought Yujin's comforting presence and as she expected, Yujin's strong arms around her waist brought her nothing but comfort. And maybe also the fluttering of her heart.

Releasing herself from the hug, Minju wiped away her tears and sat quietly with her hands on either side of Yujin's legs. Yujin continued to rub her back without a word, giving Minju the silent comfort she needed. When she was sure Minju had calmed down, she prompted her to turn around and face the piano.

"Look," she pointed at the different keys on the piano with her left hand, right arm around Minju's waist, once again holding her close by the hip. "Life is like a piano. There are happy moments, the white keys, and sad moments, the black keys. But there will always be more white keys than black keys. It's not okay now. But it will be."

Yujin looked into Minju's eyes carefully, and rubbed her head. "You will be okay, Minju. But as pretty as you are, I'm not very sure about your face right now."

At this, Minju couldn't help but release a shaky laugh. "Yah," she grumbled, punching Yujin in the shoulder. "I came here looking for you so that you could comfort me, not insult my face."

"I didn't insult you at all. I said that you're pretty but I just wasn't sure about your face right now. That's not an insult." Yujin playfully responded, sticking her tongue out in defiance.

It was moments like this that Minju truly appreciated Yujin's existence - she knew how to comfort Minju and how to lift up the mood in an instant. Minju wouldn't have known what to do without an Ahn Yujin in her life.

Wordlessly, Minju snuggled up to Yujin and rested her head on her shoulder. After a few moments, she broke the comfortable silence.

"I'm sorry you had to wait so long." Minju felt Yujin stiffen, and smiled to herself.

"What are you talking about?"

". You think I wouldn't know you had feelings for me? You staying behind after school despite your classes always ending earlier than mine so we would walk home together, going to the library when I know reading isn't your thing because you know I'll be there during breaks. I know it all."

Silence.

Minju sat up, facing Yujin. The latter's ears were red, and she was looking anywhere that wasn't Minju. "Look at me," Minju commanded. And just like that, her eyes found Yujin's - afraid and insecure.

"You must've had a really hard time," Minju began, holding one of Yujin's hands in her own. "Listening to me speak about Chaeyeon all the time. Holding yourself back because you knew I was taken and still hurt, because I refused to let go no matter how much it killed me inside. But you still stayed nonetheless, and supported me without fail in your own special way. And that's why, Ahn Yujin,"

"Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm now ready and in an appropriate relationship status to tell you that I love you too. I've been hurt before, but I'm willing to go through it again for you."

Suddenly feeling shy, Minju lowered her head and rested on Yujin's shoulder - her new favourite place. Almost immediately, Yujin wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you myself. But I'll tell you now,"

"Kim Minju, I love you. I won't ask you to start dating me now. I know your heart still needs time to heal. So, take your time, but always remember I'm with you every step of the way." Yujin whispered, making Minju's heart fuller.

Yujin's thoughtfulness had always made Minju soft for the younger, even now when she was finally given the chance to date Minju. She literally had the opportunity to be together with her crush but still decided to wait, at least for Minju's heart to heal fully, until the day they would call themselves a couple.

Minju had went through her first heartbreak - but she wasn't resentful about it. She was thankful that it had brought her to a better place, as a better person, with a better person.

And this time, Minju was sure that it would last. Because Ahn Yujin is the person that she would continue to dedicate her tomorrow-s to, and the person who would be forever etched in her heart.

Likewise, Kim Minju is the person that Ahn Yujin would continue to watch over and look out for whenever, and the person who made the piano in her heart sing unknown beautiful melodies like never before.