“Minju... Minju, wake up,”

The said girl was awakened by the light taps on her shoulders. She slowly opened her eyes, looked for the owner of the voice, and saw a pink-haired gal beside her.

“Chaewon?” Minju asked, gently rubbing her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I’m here to exchange places with you.”

It has been five days ever since that terrible event happened and Yujin isn’t still showing any signs of consciousness. The doctors said that her healing process takes a long time than expected probably because of the injuries and the trauma.

“Exchange? Why?”

“We’re worried about you… You’re not getting any rest.”

For those five days, one person stayed by Yujin’s side: Minju. Yes, her mother and their friends occasionally visit her at nights, but this girl is in the hospital every day. She still goes home, though she just spends an hour there and goes back.

“I’m totally fine, Chaewon.”

“No, you’re not,” The other girl corrected. “Look at yourself, Min. Do you think Yujin will be happy to see you in that state? You can’t even sleep properly here.”

Chaewon’s right. A lot has changed in Minju for the past days. Eyebags, messy hair, pale skin, cracked lips… it’s so unlikely her, but still beautiful anyway. You can see from her eyes and energy that she hasn’t been able to get a good sleep. She’s also losing weight because of stress and loss of appetite.

“But Chaewon-“

“You also need to go to school today. We’ve been practicing for the Awards Ceremony and if you’re still absent for today’s rehearsal, the teachers will be forced to not let you join.” Chaewon explained. “I’m sure your parents will be devastated if that happens. They’re actually worried about you not always home.”

Minju remained silent. The other lass has a point… her world doesn’t only turn to Yujin.

“Let me do this, Minju,” Chaewon pleaded. “I didn’t have the chance to take care of  Yuri and Yena so at least let me take care of Yujin. I’ll inform you first if there’s an improvement in her situation.”

The frog released a deep sigh. She stood up and wore her shoulder bag. She also tied her hair.

“Promise me you won’t leave her unattended. Something might happen when you’re away.”

“I’ll stay here all day if that’s what you want. But also promise me that you’ll go to the rehearsals.”

Minju quietly nodded. She then made her way to Yujin’s bed.

“I’ll just go to school, Yujinie.” She informed the sleeping girl, looking at her lovingly. “Don’t worry, I will be back right after… So, wait for me, okay? I’ll bring a bunch of stories we can chat on later.”

Minju held the girl’s right hand and stood up from her squatting position to kiss Yujin’s forehead. She’s about to face Chaewon to say goodbye, but something prevented her from doing so.

.

.

The hand she’s been holding. It’s middle and index finger… are moving.

Minju’s heartbeat stopped. She just stared at that hand, fearing that it’s just a hallucination. She tried to collect all her courage and looked up to see her girl, the great Ahn Yujin,  slowly opening her heavy eyelids. And when they made proper eye contact, all the things have finally sunk in.

.

.

She flinched. Yujin’s alive… and she’s finally awake.

“Chaewon… Chaewon, call the doctor!” Minju panicked. The other girl, who is also surprised by the sudden events, immediately followed her orders.

“Y-Yujin? Y-Yujin, I’m here…” Min said, tears escaping from her eyes.

The tall girl tried opening to say something, but it clearly shows she’s having difficulty. But somehow, she managed to say one name.

“M-Minju…”

And the doctors entered the scene. They told Min and Chaewon to go out of the room first for they have to do some certain checks. The two quickly agreed. As they went out, Chaewon called all of their friends to give good news. Minju, on the other hand, is still crying while looking through the transparent window of the room.

“What happened, Doc?” Minju asked. It took the specialists about ten to fifteen minutes to test the runner. 

The doctor smiled. “She’s doing fine based on our tests. It’s actually a miracle that she’s able to speak clearly, though she’s still weak and limp.”

“A-Are there any complications? Did she forget anything?”

“Well, there aren’t really severe complications. Her injuries are mostly on the body or abdomen and not anywhere near the brain if that’s what you are worried about.” The doctor answered. “The only thing we should watch out is if there is a phobia or any sort of fear formed due to trauma. That way, we can see if she needs counseling.”

The two slowly nodded.

“If there are no questions left then we have to go, we still have other patients to check. Excuse us,” Minju and Chaewon bowed and thanked the doctor and nurses before they left.

“The other said that they’re already on the way,” Chaewon informed. “I’ll fetch them outside. Go inside Yujin’s room first. She might need something.”

Minju slowly opened the door after Chaewon left her alone. The creaking sound got Yujin’s attention and she just looked at the other lass.

“M-Minguri,” The tall girl smiled at the sight of the frog-like gal. “I-I missed-”

“Why did you do that?” Minju asked in a monotone.

She told herself to be calm and just be cool, but she realized that this is the only time Yujin can answer her questions… It’s now or never.

“W-What? W-What are you saying-”

“Why did you agreed at meeting him?!? Yujin, you know how dangerous Jae-hyuk is!” Minju lashed out. She knows that it’s wrong since the girl just woke up but she can't help but question her. "And you went there without even having a Plan B?? Yujin, what were you thinking?!?"

The girl remained quiet. She just looked at Minju's eyes directly and that drove Minguri to another level.

"I'm asking you, Ahn Yujin!! How can you just look at me and not answer?!?" Minju said, stomping. "Do you really think you're a superhero?!? Why did you decide to risk your life?!? I know that you want to save Yuri and Yena, but why do you have to do it alone?? Why didn't you told us-"

"W-We didn't tell you because it'll j-just make you worry-"

"And do you think we wouldn't if we don't know?!? It made us worried even more!!" Minju yelled all her stress out, tears flowing freely from her exhausted eyes. "It made me worried even more... I'll never forgive myself if something happened to you. You're my hero, Yujin... You saved me from everything. And I can't accept the fact that you're lying on that bed all because of me."

"M-Minju, no... It's not your -Ouch!" Yujin tried to sit and reach the other girl but instead yelped in pain due to her unhealed wound in her abdomen. She lied down again, covering the wound with her hands.

"Yujin?? Yujin, what wrong??" Minju became alarmed and quickly went to the runner's side. "What do you feel? Do I need to call the doctor?? Tell me, do you want a-"

Minju stopped in her tracks when her eyes met the other pair. It has been so long since the last time she saw those eyes up close. She froze more when Yujin slowly reached for her cheeks.

"S-Stop crying, please."

That request made Minguri wept more. She pressed her cheeks closer to the other girl's hand, feeling that she's really warm and alive.

"I-I'm here, now."

Those three words... Those three words triggered something in Minju and made her do the bravest thing she has ever done. 

She went closer and pressed her lips into the other girl's. Yujin was startled since it's a first for the two of them, but she just want to feel the moment and so she closed her eyes.

It was a short kiss, but both of them can feel how much they are longing for each other. The frog then slowly moved away to break the kiss yet their foreheads are still touching. Yujin can hear how Minju sobbing.

"P-Please stay with me," The tall girl begged in a whisper.

"Who said that I won't?" Minju answered. "You scared me, you puppy... Don't worry, I won't leave you anymore... Not now, not ever."

Yujin weakly smiled. She then gave her an eskimo kiss. "I- I love you, Minguri."

.

.

.

"I love you, too, Yujinie."  

**********

Wonyoung silently closed the door. She ran straight to the Fire Exit and cried her heart out. She witnessed what happened. The kiss, the promise, the I love you's... everything. And she just can't keep it all.

She closed the door of the exit and leaned on the wall beside it. She put her hands on her knees as she can feel it getting weaker and weaker every second. 

When Chaewon called her, saying that Yujin is in the conscious state now, Wonyoung immediately stopped whatever she's doing and went straight to where the girl is. The other girls almost arrived at the same time as her but she didn't wait for them, she ran to Yujin's room as quickly as she can. She's about to enter but saw the certain runner holding Minju's cheeks. And the rest is history.

No matter how hard she tried, Wonyoung just can't stop her tears. She's been hurting for so long, ever since Minju and Yujin got together for the first time. When they broke up, she thought that Yujin will finally notice her... but that didn't happen at all.

"It's so difficult, right? Knowing that you need to hide all your feelings?"

Wonyoung looked beside her. She didn't notice that someone had entered the fire exit as well.

"Nako?"

The small girl took out something from her pocket. "Here, I know you don't bring handkerchieves." 

The tall girl looked at the handkerchief first but grabbed the said object afterward.

"Are you fine now? Or do you still need time to cry?" Nako asked her after a moment.

The tall girl released a burdened sigh.

"I-I don't understand, Nako," Wonyoung opened up. "What do I need to do to make Yujin love me? I already did everything I can but it always fails... Do I need to act like Minju? I mean, I can also be like her. I can change everything about me just to-"

"Wonyoungie, stop," Nako said with conviction. "If Yujin doesn't love you as you are, if you even need to change just for her to love you, then she doesn't love you at all."

"No... No, she will," Wonyoung shook her head slowly, not believing a single thing. "She'll realize it one day. I know she-"

"Wonyoung, stop believing in your own lies!" Nako raged, laying all her pent-up frustrations because of her best friend. "We both know that Yujin loves Minju and vice versa. You can't just go there and ruin their lives."

The tall girl looked down. She knows her best friend has a point. 

"I looked so desperate now, right?"

"No, it's not like that," Nako consoled. "Being crazy... it's something that's normal for people in love. But you should also know when to stop... When to surrender."

"Are you saying that I should... set her free and move on?"

Nako gave a faint smile and shook her head. "I say you should set yourself free and move forward. No more changing yourself just for her... If you want to change then do it for yourself and not for anyone."

Wonyoung chuckled at her statement.

"I-I always felt the need to change, you know. I don't think... someone will love me as I am."

"Huh? Why not? You're a great person, Wonyoungie. Someone loves you, it's just that you don't feel it."

"Who is it then? The only one who says they love me is Eunbi unnie and you. There is no- wait," 

Wonyoung stopped when she realized something. She looked at the girl beside her, only to receive a meaningful glare.

"A-Are you saying that you-"

"Now I see why you like Yujin... You're both numb."

Wonyoung's mouth fell agape. She didn't expect this.

"Why are you so shocked?" Nako said, chuckling. "I told ya someone likes you... You've been wasting your time on the wrong person."

"Nako-"

"You know, you should have given me that milk tea instead of Yujin. I would've drunk it until the last drop."

Wonyoung felt her cheeks burning due to embarrassment and shock.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know that you... like me."

"Of course, you don't... You're busy staring at someone who doesn't look at you the same way." Nako answered in a bit of a savage way. "But... Now that the truth has been told..."

.

.

.

.

.

"Can you finally have your eyes on me?"

************

Hi guys! 

Thank you for reading! Just a 'lil bit more, guys, we're already near the end...

Please share your thoughts on the comment section ^_^ And please don't forget my request about a question for one character... I'll absolutely be thankful for everyone who will send their questions :))

And with that, I present to you the next teasers:

Teaser #1:

"I haven't answered you last time so..."

She took a deep breath and smiled.

"I love you, too, ____"

Teaser #2:

"Who would have thought that you will have a girlfriend first before me??"

Please look forward on the last two updates :)) 

p.s And please subscribe to my other story (shameless plugging lmao XD) Thank you~~