“Where were you last night?”

“I told you I was heading to the Commons to get a late-night meal.”

“Yeah, you said you weren’t staying long and that you’d be back soon . . . and then it was midnight and you still weren’t back.”

Moonbyul did, in fact, tell Heeyeon that she was making a quick run to the Commons. To be fair, she thought it’d be quick. She never expected to end up in an hours-long conversation with a stranger. Byulyi couldn’t help but smile as she remembered the encounter with Yongsun the night before. It was pretty awkward in the beginning. She—Byulyi—was awkward in the beginning, but playing the full conversation back in her head, she thinks she got it together. She got the grad student’s number, so she couldn’t have done too poorly.

“What are you smiling about?” Heeyeon’s question brought Byulyi out of her thoughts.

“It’s a crime to smile now?” She’s not sure why, but she didn’t feel like telling Heeyeon about Yongsun. Her teammate would probably make a joke about Byulyi hooking up with the first-year master’s student, and she wasn’t in the mood for that at all.

“It’s not a crime, but it’s the second day of school, it’s hot as hell, and we’re walking to a 9:30 am class. It’s pretty ty. Not much to be happy about.”

“You’re just like this because you hate the mornings. At least be happy we didn’t have to lift today before class. Once mandatory weight training sessions start, you’re going to wish you could go back to days like this.” Heeyeon her teeth and walked faster, leaving Byulyi behind.

Moments like this made everything better for Moonbyul. Heeyeon was right. The walk from University Village to the building that their class was in was a long one. There wasn’t much fun about it. Studying Business Administration was difficult. The program was one of the mot rigorous in the country and balancing her studies with basketball was tough, but having Heeyeon by her side through it all helped ease the stress. Byulyi couldn’t imagine what she’d do once her partner in crime graduated this year.

She’d worry about that later though. Yelling for Heeyeon to wait for her, Byulyi jogged ahead to catch up to her cranky roommate.

*

“Unnie, why didn’t you get more of this? You know I like this a lot.”

“Because I got food for myself, Hyejin. If you want an entire tray of food that’s to your liking, you can buy it. The stall is literally right there.”

The Food Court in the Student Center was always too busy for Byulyi’s liking during the school year, yet she found herself here during the day anyway because of her schedule. She had one hour to kill before her next class and it would take too much time to head back to her apartment. By the time she’d get there, she’d have to turn right back around and head to class. So here she was, at the busiest time of day, dealing with Hyejin eating all of her food.

“Don’t get cranky. I’m doing you a favor. You texted me asking if I wanted to get lunch. I was planning on staying home all day and sleeping because I have no classes today.” Moonbyul sighed.

“You’d do that even if you did have classes.” Hyejin vigorously shook her head as was full of more of Moonbyul’s food.

“Mm mm,” she disagreed, “I’m taking my studies more seriously this year.” At Byulyi’s skeptical eyebrow raise, Hyejin further defended herself. “I swear! I even went to class yesterday.”

“I’d hope so, it was the first day.” Hyejn’s face deflated a bit at that response. She’d thought that was a big step in the right direction. Moonbyul hated seeing the younger girl sad, especially as a result of something she had said or done. She quickly backtracked her previous statement. “Then again, the first class is the easiest to miss because the professors only go over the syllabus, so you’re right, the fact that you went is a big deal.” Hyejin gained some of her earlier enthusiasm back.

“That’s what I thought, too! It will be a fun class. Persuasive Communication. The professor is very charismatic and the content is interesting. I may need your help often this semester though.” At that, Moonbyul’s ears perked up.

“Eh? Me? For what?”

“What does your schedule look like? Wheein’s in classes almost every day from morning to late afternoon, so I have no one to spend my one-hour break with on Wednesdays and Thursdays.”

“What time is your break on those days?”

“On both days it’s 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.” Quickly checking her schedule, Byulyi responded.

“Oh! That works perfectly. I’m free at that time both days. What about on Fridays? I don’t have class, but if you do, I’d still meet you.” Hyejin reached across the table to caress Moonbyul’s face, her long nails gently scratching the icy blonde’s skin. It felt good.

“That’s so sweet, unnie,” she abruptly let go of Byulyi’s face before continuing, "but Wheein doesn’t have class on Fridays, so I’ll hang out with her.”

“Yah! So you’re just using me because Wheein isn’t available? You can find someone else to spend your breaks with.” Hyejin watched her elder sitting there pouting with her arms crossed across her chest. How was she so cute?

“Don’t be so dramatic. Of course you’re welcome to join us, I just didn’t want to burden you every day.”

“Whatever.”

“You’re so cute! If only all the girls at school knew you were this adorable. They’d be after you even more than they already are.”

Just then, Moonbyul sat up in her seat. Across the seating area, she saw a brunette that resembled Yongsun enter the section of the Food Court all of the food stalls were. Without a second thought, she stood up from her seat. Eyes on the entrance to the stalls, Byulyi distractedly pushed her tray to Hyejin. “You can have the rest. I’m going to buy more.”

“Finally,” Hyejin heaved a sigh of relief. “I was wondering how long it would take before you gave me the food.” As Moonbyul walked away, she yelled to the athlete, “And get another serving of the noodles I like!”

Entering the food stall section, Moonbyul immediately began searching for the brunette she had seen walk in. There was only one exit, so she would have seen if the girl had left. Just as she spotted the brunette, another girl walked up and started a conversation with the athlete. “Hi!” the girl excitedly greeted Moonbyul.

“Ah, hi,” she responded, her eyes still on the brunette. Not wanting to be rude, though, she gave the girl a smile.

“Sorry for bothering you, but are you in Tech and Opportunities? I feel like I saw you in the back of that class yesterday, but I wasn’t sure.” That class had only about 20 people in it. Moonbyul knew for a fact that this girl was sure that she was in the class. Still, she didn’t want to make the girl feel bad.

“A pretty girl like you could never be a bother.” She made sure to add her signature smirk. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what the girl said or did after that because she focused instead on the brunette who had finally turned around. It wasn’t Yongsun.

Disappointment flooded her.

Realizing the person in front of her was still talking, she gently placed a hand on the girl’s upper arm. “I’m so sorry for cutting our talk short, but I have class in a little bit and haven’t eaten all day. Do you mind if I grab something real quick?” The girl blushed.

“Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry!” Moonbyul’s hand was still on the girl. In an attempt to ease her distress, she began rubbing her thumb back and forth.

“Don’t worry about it,” she responded smoothly. “What’s your name, by the way?”

“Song Dahae.”

“That’s a lovely name. I’m Moon Byulyi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m going to get some food, but I hope to see you in class next week. Definitely say hi, okay?” Dahae giggled.

“Okay. I will.”

“You better. Bye, Dahae-ssi.” Dahae waved.

Minutes later, Moonbyul returned dejectedly to the table she shared with Hyejin. The younger looked up from her cell phone.

“What took you so long? I was hungry.”

“You finished off an entire tray of food.”

“Oh, so you’re the only one allowed to eat nonstop?” Hyejin raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at Moonbyul. The latter knew she needed to tread carefully.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. Here are your noodles.”

“You’re the best, unnie!” Hyejin clapped excitedly. “Why are you down, by the way. Don’t think I wouldn’t notice.”

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”

“If you say so.”

The rest of her day was packed. Her class after lunch didn’t end until 5:00 pm, and then she had to hit the weight room until 7:30 pm. She didn’t leave the athletic complex until 8:15 pm, her mood sour from the long day, but mostly from the fact that the brunette from earlier ended up not being Yongsun.

Checking her phone for the umpteenth time that day, she saw no messages from the grad student. Deciding to be proactive about initiating communication, she sent the girl a text, a smile forming at the name Yongsun had saved her number under.

To: Kim Yongsun-unnie

Hi! It’s Moon Byulyi. 8:17 pm

We met yesterday at the Commons. 8:17 pm

Not sure what you’re up to, but I’m heading to the Commons again for dinner. Wanted to know if you wanted to join me? 8:18 pm

It was very possible that Yongsun didn’t want to spend more time than necessary with her. Why would a graduate student want to hang out with an undergrad? Moonbyul regretted opening herself up to rejection like this. Her phone buzzed.

From: Kim Yongsun-unnie

Hi, Byulyi. I have your name and number saved. 8:20 pm

Dinner sounds great, actually! What time? 8:20 pm

To: Kim Yongsun-unnie

Now? 8:20 pm

Sorry for the late notice. I left the gym and needed dinner then I thought of you. 8:21 pm

Why hadn’t she just texted her earlier and asked to meet up for dinner?! Moonbyul was frustrated with herself.

From: Kim Yongsun-unnie

No worries! 8:22 pm

I’m at my apartment so it’ll take me a while to reach. 8:23 pm

Save me a seat! 8:23 pm

She was so cute. Moonbyul had to smile at her response.

To: Kim Yongsun-unnie

Of course :) 8:24 pm

See you soon, unnie. Be careful on the walk over. 8:24 pm

Suddenly her day wasn’t so bad.

Note: This is not a fluff story. Letting everyone know because things have been light thus far, but I don’t plan on it staying this way throughout. There will, of course, be moments of fluff, I guess, but constant fluff isn’t realistic, and my ultimate goal is to present a realistic portrayal of relationships (of all kinds) developing.

Feel free to leave comments! I’m always interested in what you all think of the story—its pacing, the characters, the plot, anything else. Let me know. Until next time!