Nibble, crunch, slurp, slurp, slurp…

 

The shikshin is munching so loudly, that Mina could feel her eardrums about to burst.

 

“There is a poll…” Momo says as she was reading some teen mag, before she crunch on those chips once more.

 

“Pole? Ask Nayeon she’s good with poles.”

 

Nayeon quickly looks away from her mirror and gives Jeongyeon a serious stink eye.

 

“What is that supposed to mean?”

 

“You know you’re good with poles. North pole, south pole, fishing pole, stripper pole…”

 

Pffft… Momo almost spit out all her lunch as she LOL (but it would be such a waste).

 

“Well anyways,” Momo finally spoke again after the joke has died down. “There is this poll in the magazine since Valentines is coming up. They ask what’s the most romantic place to spend it with your love one… or in your case Minari, your girlfriend…”

 

“Hush.” Mina growls softly before chewing her salad carefully.

 

“My most romantic place-” Jeongyeon answers first “Is anywhere as long as my guy…”

 

“Awwww…” Momo wipes a lone tear that fell to her cheek. It was a touching moment to know that Yoo Jeongyeon has a heart.

 

“I wasn’t done yet…” Jeongyeon stops before Momo gets too melodramatic. “My most romantic place is anywhere as long as my guy is PAYING.”

 

Nayeon let out a condescending snort. Did they really expect Jeongyeon to say anything romantic?

 

“Of course… why am I not even surprise? Anyways, the most romantic place on Valentines is being in a cruise ship.”

 

“Hey… that could work…” For once Jeongyeon agrees with Nayeon “If you get annoyed with your date you just push him off to the ocean.”

 

Sometimes they couldn’t figure out if Jeongyeon is serious or just plain mental.

 

“How about you, Minari?”

 

Mina taps her fork in an almost melodic rhythm. The sound of the tapping unconsciously helps her think faster. But truth was, she never gave it too much thought, until now. With how busy she is organizing the school Valentines party, she has no time or the strength to think of anything else.

 

 “I haven’t really thought about it.”

 

“So, you and Chaeyoung haven’t decided what to do on Valentines?”

 

Mina let out a growl. There is nothing she wants to do now but smack those smug smirks off her friends faces.

 

“Can I have everyone’s attention please?”

 

Everyone in the cafeteria looks at the two person up on the table. Sana was holding an IPOD dock while Dahyun has her hand on a mic.

 

“Me and my BFF here…” Dahyun gives Sana a light squeeze on the shoulders. “Would like to wish everyone happy romantic day.”

 

The whole room starts to cheer…

 

“And to add some more romance in the air. We would like to sing a song dedicated to our school’s Star Wars princess.”

 

Nayeon let out a dramatic gasps. Is this it? The end of her nightmarish ordeal as a failed cupid? Will Sana finally have the guts to step up and ask Tzuyu out for the Valentines dance?

 

“Hope this song could melt your heart and take me as your date?”

 

“Oh moh” Nayeon shakes her head, this has gotten more complicated now that Dahyun is added to the mix. She turns over to Tzuyu who just blinks casually, as if nothing mattered to her. Dahyun starts singing and Tzuyu starts to look a little loopy, like she was seconds away from dropping dead or falling asleep in the cafeteria. Seconds later, she was snoring on the cafeteria table.

 

Dahyun tries to dismiss it, maybe her voice so melodious that it lullaby Tzuyu to sleep. But then, it was Sana’s part and Tzuyu seems to rise up from the dead. She looks more awake than people have ever seen her.

 

“Hey… hey…” Momo starts to nudge Mina, “Maybe you should serenade Chaeyoung too.”

 

“And why would I do that?”

 

“You know… Valentines…” Momo chews thoughtfully “It’s the most romantic time of the year.”

 

“I have a lot of things to worry about rather than thinking about Valentines.”

 

Speaking of Valentines, Mina stood up and excuses herself from her friends. Unlike them, she has stuff to take care of.

 

***

 

Mina slouches frustratingly at the amount of strawberry stuff on the web. She have been browsing nonstop for weeks, trying to find a good Valentines gift for the choding but she’s not even sure what to give her. It feels like Chaeyoung have every strawberry thing in the world, that it wouldn’t surprise Mina if Chaeyoung is even wearing strawberry undies.

 

“Hmmm… Maybe that’s what I should give her, some underwear.”

 

Mina then straightens up on her seat when it dawn on her how erted she sounded. Sure it was strawberry but an underwear? Geez… She needs help with this gift giving thing.

 

“Guess who?”

 

Mina was glad that she was facing her laptop rather than the younger girl, or else her wide smile would be too obvious.

 

“I don’t know… ummm Sakura? Is that you?”

 

The teasing smile in Mina’s lips grew even wider as she heard the frustrated groan.

 

“Nope… guess again.”

 

“Hmmm… You got small bear paws, Momo?” She bites her lip to keep herself from laughing when the choding starts stomping angrily.

 

“Noooo… it’s me… Your Chaeng.”

 

“My Chaeng?” Mina says teasingly, taking away Chaeyoung’s hands from her eyes.

 

Chaeyoung quickly gives Mina a backhug. It was her way of saying how much she misses her especially since Mina is always so busy nowadays. Mina just stayed like that, it was her way of saying I miss you too.

 

“Hey…” Chaeyoung frowns before holding Mina again…

 

The raven haired girl could only look at Chaeyoung in surprise. The choding has a look of deep thought in her face, before deciding to just hug Mina again.

 

 “What’s wrong with you?” Mina finally asks

 

“You gotten skinny.” Chaeyoung frowns “You haven’t been eating, aren’t you?”

 

Mina couldn’t help but be at awe at how someone can determine someone’s size just by hugging. But she should have known Chaeyoung have always worked in a different wavelength from everyone else.

 

“I been…. I just have been busy with the valentine’s dance that’s all.”

 

“That’s not right. You should enjoy the valentine’s dance, especially since it’s our first valentine’s day as a couple.” Chaeyoung was smiling so happily. But then she saw how quiet Mina was after hearing the word couple, and it made her smile disappear slowly.

 

“Anyways… you shouldn’t be all stressed about it.” Chaeyoung shakes her head, trying to shake the thing that bothers her off. “Can I stay here?”

 

Mina wonders why Chaeyoung even bother to ask. She looks perfectly at home in the school council office, spinning around in her swivel chair.

 

“Do I have a choice?”

 

“Nope…” Chaeyoung replied continuing to spin faster and faster like she was in a ride in an amusement park. But suddenly she stops and starts to clench .

 

 “What’s wrong?”

 

“I’m getting dizzy.”

 

This time Mina didn’t even bother to hide her laughter at how cute the other girl was.

 

“You need to slow yourself down.” Mina reprimanded, but this time she didn't sound so cold, instead she was loving and caring.

 

Chaeyoung sees Mina’s gentle nature as a sign to get closer. She starts to scoot beside the girl before nuzzling herself on Mina’s neck.

 

“Hey… hey!” Mina gently shoves the other girl away. “You’re so touchy.”

 

Chaeyoung sat up straight for a little bit, before she decided to go back and nuzzle on Mina’s neck some more.

 

“Sometimes I can’t believe that we're together, that’s why I have to touch you to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

 

A shy smile spread on Mina’s lips before she ends up playfully smacking Chaeyoung on the forehead.

 

“So cheesy.”

 

“But you like it!” Chaeyoung frowns, rubbing her sore forehead.

 

Mina clicks her tongue teasingly before answering, “Maybe…”

 

She returns her attention back in front of her laptop. It seems like Chaeyoung isn’t the only one who got a dizzying spell. Mina took a heavy sigh as she sees her half of her checklist is still not done. It’s supposed to be the most romantic time of the year, but here she is too stressed to even enjoy it.

 

But then she smiles again, when out of nowhere she feels somebody giving her a good shoulder rub.

 

“You feel better?” Chaeyoung whispers cutely and Mina nods her head thankfully.

 

Her heart finally convinced her mind that being with Chaeyoung never fails to make her feel better. Maybe this time it was her who needs to do something to sweep this girl off her feet.

 

Chaeyoung’s phone starts blaring out loudly.

 

“Yes unnirrrr…”

 

“Where are you?”

 

“I’m here with Mina in the student council office.”

 

From the other line, Sana couldn’t help but scrunch her brow. Before she has to drag her sister out of bed to go to school, now the girl is staying longer than she’s supposed to.

 

“You’re not staying there anymore.”

 

“WHY NOT?!” Chaeyoung couldn’t help but whine like a little child.

 

“It’s a school night, and your grades are not really pretty. You think Mina would like a dumb girlfriend?”

 

“Ummm no…” Chaeyoung mutters embarrassingly, hoping Mina wouldn’t hear.

 

“Then, come home now and start studying! Don’t you have a quiz tomorrow?”

 

“I doooo…” Chaeyoung continues to whine, “I’ll just study for it tomorrow.”

 

“Tomorrow is the quiz… that’s not how it works…”

 

“ARGH fine…”

 

Chaeyoung wanted to have slammed her phone, but since she doesn’t want to break her IPHONE she just ends up pressing the end button over and over again.

 

“I guess you have to go home?” Mina asks, hoping the sound of disappointment wasn’t too obvious in her voice.

 

“Ummm… yeah… Can you believe my history teacher? It’s valentines and she wants to give us a quiz?

 

“Well… if you like I could tutor you for it.”

 

Chaeyoung’s pout turns into the happiest grin, Of course she would like it, she would like it very much.

 

“Do I get a prize if I get a correct answer?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Oh how those round eyes just sparkle brightly at the thoughts of her prize.

 

 “Yes… the satisfaction of knowing that you’re ready for your exam.”

 

And how quickly the sparkle poof away.

 

“That’snotagoodprize…” She mumbles softly, but loud enough that Mina could hear.

 

“Why? What would you like?”

 

“A million kisses from you.”

 

“Then you would need to answer million questions.”

 

Mina expected Chaeyoung to back away, but instead she surprised her when she opens her book and starts reading.

 

“Bring it on.” Chaeyoung says with a determine frown on her face. She was ready to answer the million questions to have her million kisses. “Chaeyoung Fighting!” She preps herself up.

 

She just read a couple of sentences and couldn’t help but groan.

 

“This is torture! All these pages in one chapter! The writer of this book is sadistic! Sad! Is! tic!!!”

 

“Stop with your excuses and start studying. Start highlighting the important things.”

 

Chaeyoung scratches her head in confusion. The font was ridiculously squished together and there were blocks and blocks of paragraphs. There was no way she is going to read all of it. So, to make sure she doesn’t miss anything important the genius decided to highlight every word.

 

“Chaeyoung!” Mina couldn’t help but shriek as she saw what Chaeyoung is doing with the highlighter. “You’re supposed to highlight the important parts! You’re missing the point!”

 

“Well…” Chaeyoung scratches her head and almost got temporarily blinded by her highlighted book. “I’m not sure which one is important so I highlight everything to make sure I don’t miss anything.”

 

“No… be serious.”

 

“Fine… I’m serious… Serious for my kiss.”

 

“No… serious for your grade.”

 

Mina points to Chaeyoung’s book, and the baby cub just let out a sigh before she reads again. But one paragraph later and Chaeyoung’s head was lolling all around and her eyes were starting to droop.

 

“Hey…”

 

Chaeyoung abruptly sits up at the sound of Mina’s husky voice. The iness of Mina’s voice definitely woke her up.

 

“Heeeeyyyy…” Chaeyoung tries to match Mina’s y voice with her own imitation.

 

It was a fail, but at least she sounded cute saying it. Chaeyoung sneakily scoots closer, slowly laying her head on Mina’s shoulder. But Mina was quick to move away, leaving poor Chaeyoung pouting.

 

“You’re not done… keep on it.”

 

“You should be a teacher."

"We'll see. I want to be something else.”

 

Actually Mina wants to be a lot of things. She wants to be an artist, a writer, a politician, a leader, be whatever she’s destined to be. She wants to push herself and see what fits her the most.

 

“Like what?”

 

“I want to be a lot of things.”

 

“I’m sure you can do it.”

 

No matter how many plans Mina have for her future, she was never really comfortable talking about it with somebody else.  It’s like she feared that her future plans were like wishes. That once you heard them out loud, that there is a huge possibility that it might not come true. But Chaeyoung gazes at her with such admiration and love that it somehow magically made the fear in Mina disappear.

 

“How about you? What would you like to be?”

 

“Be your wife.” Chaeyoung didn’t even wait for a millisecond to answer.

 

“No… be serious.”

 

“Be your wife.” Chaeyoung answers again. “Or your Husband?”

 

“Really?” Mina raised her brow… “I mean is that what you see yourself in the future?”

 

“Uh-huh… uh-huh” Chaeyoung nods so hard, Mina was scared Chaeyoung’s head would pop out.

 

“Well… I want you to do something for you… Like a career for yourself.”

 

“Ahhh… well… I haven’t thought of that.”

 

Mina didn’t know how many times she facepalm herself. But she seems to do that every time she’s talking to smol kid.

 

“You need to be serious or should I say… you need to be focus.”

 

“I am focus.”

 

“Not focus enough. You know Chaeyoung if you pay attention to class, you might learn that there is quite some interesting things that they can teach you.”

 

“I don’t think so.” Chaeyoung shakes her head.

 

“You’re doing it without even giving it a chance.”

 

Chaeyoung paused for a little bit. She wasn’t really into classes and learning but if Mina says it’s something interesting then maybe she needs to give it a try.

 

“Okay… I’m going to start focusing.”

 

“And what else?"

 

“I’m going to start learning?”

 

“You don’t know how much your potential is, if you don’t try… You could be a dean’s lister. Won’t that be cool?”

 

“If you think it’s cool. Then it’s cool…”

 

“I think it’s cool.”

 

Chaeyoung pulls out her notebook and starts to jot down with her pen.

 

“I always see you write in that. What do you write there?”

 

“Ummm stuff?”

 

Mina cranes her neck to get a better angle but Chaeyoung scoot away before she could even see anything.

 

“No.. you can’t look…”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because all my secrets are here…”

 

As soon as Chaeyoung stuff her notebook back in her tiger backpack, Mina jumps to get a hold of it.

 

“Heyyyy!!!” Chaeyoung whines trying to get it back. She realize that all the time Mina goes to the gym must paid off because she’s like the hulk. (not in looks, but in how strong she is) “Give it back!”

 

It was Chaeyoung this time who tries to jump and reach over at it, but Mina has amazing reflex as she turns away.

 

 “GIVE IT BACK!”

 

Mina stops giggling the second she saw how red Chaeyoung’s face was. Those poor round eyes look like they were about to start crying any second now.

 

 “Wow… you really are serious about it… Here…”

 

Chaeyoung yanks the notebook away and hurriedly stuffs it back in her bag.

 

“I’mgoinghome…” Chaeyoung mumbles angrily as she starts fixing her stuff. She puts her backpack before getting up. Mina couldn’t understand what the hell just happened. She was just playing around, she didn’t know that Chaeyoung would be serious about it.

 

“Chaeyoung… it’s just a joke…”

 

“I said okay…” Chaeyoung replies but didn’t even bother to look at Mina. “I’m leaving…”

 

“I don’t understand why you’re so upset. It’s just some stupid strawberry notebook.”

 

Chaeyoung halted and finally turns to Mina. It might look like just a stupid notebook for Mina, but it meant the world to Chaeyoung. It was the notebook she bought when she realizes she likes Mina and it’s the only thing in the world who knows everything that she feels about Mina. And to hear that Mina just think it’s stupid, for once in her life it upset her.

 

“Fine… it’s stupid for you. Good night.”

 

Mina wasn’t used to begging and she wasn’t going to start now. Chaeyoung was just being her childish self just like always. She’s not going to coo and baby her to make the younger girl feel better.

 

“You are so immature.”

 

Mina just thought she said it to herself, unfortunately Chaeyoung heard every word of it. She turns to Mina and Mina doesn’t even look bothered, her whole focus was on the laptop again. Chaeyoung for once didn’t try to sneak in a kiss or a hug or steal a touch. For once she just walks to the door and left…

 

The second Chaeyoung closes the door, Mina turns to it. She was counting down in her head before Chaeyoung would come knocking like crazy and beg for everything to be okay. But she didn’t. And it’s weird how seeing Chaeyoung leave gave Mina this pained feeling. But unlike the rest, this kind of pain is something feels much worse. Because it wasn’t her muscles or her brain that was feeling the hurt, it was something else.

 

And when Mina felt her heart just starting to ache, she realized why she never wanted to be in a relationship or try to be close to anybody. Because that heartache is something Mina could never handle.

 

But Chaeyoung will be back right? She would be… Yes… she will…

 

*

 

“She’s not here.”

 

Those were the first words Mina thought out loud as she walks out her home that morning and found no bouncy, skipping choding waiting out for her. It felt strange for Mina. She was missing the girl she has been trying to avoid almost the entire year. That day, on the day of the valentines dance, just when she thought she would spend it with someone, turns out she would be alone again, just like always.

 

*

 

“Oh noooo…” Chaeyoung mutters softly as she watches Mina being surrounded by her usual crowd of admirers.

 

They almost look like a group of zombies and Mina was the only human flesh around to devour… (that was really unromantic) Chaeyoung thought.

 

She was gazing at her y bear from behind the lockers. Chaeyoung knew that she look like crap today, especially since she didn’t get any sleep from last night. The moment she got up, she quickly ran to the store and got an I’m sorry teddy bear and I’m sorry bouquet for Mina. She knew she overreact, but she felt like Mina push her berserk button after calling her notebook stupid. And to hear that Mina just thinks she’s nothing more but an immature kid.

 

Would Mina still want to be her valentine?

 

***

 

“Oh my Gosh… These crazy netizens,” Nayeon points out as she reading the “news” from her pink phone. “Saying that Kim Heechul is Gay.”

 

The sound of broken glass erupted on the whole cafeteria and when Nayeon and Jeongyeon turned to the noise, all they saw was Momo, her eyes widen in such dismay and her tray of food on the floor.

 

“Momo?”

 

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

Momo drop on her knees, and burst into tears. From regular onlookers, it looks like somebody died or something tragic have happened to the lanky girl.

 

“Get a grip Momo” Jeong kicks the sobbing Momo on the side. “Even if he was straight, what makes you think you can have him?”

 

Momo was so depressed she starts to swallow everything in sight.

 

“Wow Momo… Downton Abbey is a freaking comedy compared to your tragic love story.” Nayeon says with a whole lot of sarcasm.

 

Momo points an angry finger at her friends.

 

“You two will never realize my heartbreak because the only person you’re in love with is yourself and you’re too evil to know what love is. I’m going to search for Mina, she understands my pain…”

 

***

 

Mina has never felt like such a huge coward until now. While most people are out in the cafeteria enjoying lunch, here she was in the gym just trying to hide. Truth was, she wasn’t ready to see Chaeyoung. She wouldn’t know how to react or what to say.

 

“Minari?”

 

“Oh hey Momo…” Mina greeted her bestfriend blankly, her eyes were just lock on the pastel colored Valentines day banner hanged on the wall.

 

It was their first valentines as Chaeyoung said, but it’s like they won’t even reach that point.

 

“You okay?”

 

“Yeah…” Mina lied “I’m just trying to see how we can get everything better by tonight.”

 

Momo observes the whole gym, she didn’t know how Mina could do it. The place that used to be full of sweaty shirt and stinky gym socks have magically turned into a place where fairy tales can happen.

 

“Looks like everything is okay to me.”

 

“Thanks,” Mina mumbles softly. “I’m surprise you’re not in the cafeteria right now.”

 

“Oh… I can’t be there. Nayeon just told me that Kim Heechul is gay, and I can’t talk to someone who talk smack about my man.”

 

Mina wanted to point out that Momo has a different “ideal guy” every week. But Momo is already in the dumps, there is no point making her feel any worse.

 

“I never thought Myoui Mina could hide somewhere. Why? what happen?”

 

“No big deal.” Mina didn’t return Momo’s gaze and instead just played around with a loose thread on her sweater.

 

“It’s just Chaeyoung acting like a little brat again.”

 

 “Then… what are you going to do about it?”

 

“Nothing… why should I? she’s got a petty reason.”

 

Momo scratches her head, what’s petty for Mina, may not be petty for everyone else.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“She didn’t want to show me that stupid strawberry notebook she has, I tried to look at it and she got mad.”

 

“Well… that stupid notebook might mean the world to her. and I would be upset too, if the thing that meant the world to me is just something stupid for somebody.”

 

Mina didn’t want to believe all the things that Momo was saying, but unfortunately it was true.

 

“You know you change, Minari…” Momo starts snickering in amusement, unfortunately being snickered at wasn’t amusing for Mina.

 

“What’s so funny about that?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

Momo shrugs before getting out her phone. Mina’s phone started beeping after a few seconds. Momo knows her BFF more than anyone in the world. Getting Mina to be open about how she feels for someone, would be like forcing someone to go on a root canal. So, if Mina couldn’t admit how she feels to anyone, at least she should be aware of it.

 

“You heard of that song?”

 

“Yeah of course. It’s GG…”

 

“Well then,” Momo jumps off from the bleacher and dust herself. “Listen to it… I’ll see you around Minari…”

 

“Yeah… later…” Mina answers absentmindedly before looking at her phone screen. Her finger hovered over the play button, as if she’s scared that if she press it a bomb would explode. But she took the dare and presses it.

 

Baby Maybe

 

Baby baby baby
I hadn’t believed in love. I used to build a wall around.
Baby baby baby
My heart used to think that it would be okay to be alone like a fool. But I met you.

 

It made Mina unconsciously smile how every line seems to target how she feels. How she thought she was better off being by herself, and then here comes Chaeyoung just making a mess out of her heart. The entire song felt like her love song for Chaeyoung... Every word was something Chaeyoung would need to hear from her... If only she has the guts to say it.

 

***

 

Everyone keeps on coming over to her, either asking her for a dance or just wanting to hangout. But she keeps on making these dumb excuses.  She didn’t want to be with anyone especially on this particular night.

 

 “MINARIII…”

 

It was hard to miss Nayeon and her date since they were in a matching sparkling pink outfits.

 

“This is Jae guy I have been telling you about.”

 

“Hello…” Mina bows politely, trying not to stare too much on the pink suit. “Your band is really good.”

 

Jae smiles thankfully and just when he’s about to say thanks, Momo and Jeongyeon joins them.

 

“Hello Jae.” Momo talks in her best impression of a British accent while doing the curtsy.

 

“What are you doing, Momo?” Nayeon hissed embarrassingly at Momo.

 

“Well… I want him to feel at home.”

 

Jae let out a soft chuckle, “Don’t worry…”

 

Both Momo and Jeongyeon looks disappointed when there is nothing British about him at all. Not his accent, not his looks, nothing… Mina hardly paid any attention to the girls laughing with Jae. All Mina could think about was Chaeyoung, why didn’t she come? Doesn’t she want to spend Valentines with her?

 

“I didn’t know that you’re quite romantic Minari…”

 

Hearing her name finally got her attention.

 

“What?”

 

“I mean look at this place. Who would have thought that this gym could look so romantic?”

 

Jeongyeon says in admiration at the entire place.

 

“I actually feel like I’m falling in love.” Momo says in agreement.

 

Jeongyeon then turns back at Mina and smirks deviously.

 

“I guess you really do know how to sweep someone off their feet.”

 

Mina turns away, knowing that Jeongyeon has an ulterior motive to all this. But Jeongyeon just gives the girl a friendly squeeze on the shoulder.

 

“Chaeyoung have been sweeping you off your feet, maybe this time it’s your turn.”

 

***

 

Sana’s eyes narrowed at the sight of Mina. Here was the girl being so busy around valentines while her kid sister was at home, buried under those strawberry blankets, scared to see Mina again.

 

This is what she was warning her sister about. It was the heartache of loving way too much, of trying too hard with love. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but if she wants to get better from it… There was no other way but to take it.

 

Sana’s eyes went to the blonde headed girl on the dance floor. Dahyun looks like she was having so much fun. It made her wonder if Dahyun would be willing to let her dance with Tzuyu. Well, it won’t hurt to try… She walks closer to the girl and realizes that it wasn’t Tzuyu that Dahyun was dancing with, it was that girl Hyomin from their Literature class.

 

“Dahyun?”

 

“What?!” Dahyun keeps on dancing, not taking her eyes away from Hyomin…

 

“Where’s Tzuyu

 

“She said she couldn’t come. She’s not feeling well…”

 

Sana looks at Dahyun, the girl doesn’t looks more interested in Hyomin’s chest than whatever Tzuyu is going through…

 

“I gotta go…”

 

Before Dahyun could respond back, Sana’s long legs were already sprinting out of the gym.

 

***

 

Tzuyu let out a low growl as she hears the doorbell ring. She should have just put a don’t disturb sign on her door. Maybe if she plays dead then the dang bell would stop ringing.

 

Play dead… she could do that…

 

Tzuyu plops in the bed and pretend she’s sleeping. But looks like the person behind the door didn’t get a hint.  So, she pop back up again, this time planning another solution.

 

***

 

“WHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA------- Sana?”

 

The poor girl was crouch down on her doorstep. She was scared out her wits at the angry outburst.

 

“I-I-I-I’m hi….” Sana stood up on her shivery legs “Dahyun told me you were sick.”

 

Tzuyu wasn’t. But she wasn’t willing to go to the Valentines dance if it’s not with Sana.

 

“Well yeah…” Tzuyu coughs… in a very fake way… “So, yeah…” cough cough some more…

 

“Oh that’s too bad… ummm… here…”

 

Sana reaches out to hand Tzuyu a purple paper bag.

 

“Ummm thanks?” Tzuyu takes a sneaky peek inside the bag.

 

“It’s ummm some chicken soup and juice, maybe it’ll help you feel better.”

 

“Thanks…” This time Tzuyu says in a more cheery yet still soft spoken way.

 

“No problem… Have a great Valentines.”

 

“You too…”

 

Sana turns around, cursing to herself slowly for moving too slow. Why can’t she just say it?

 

“Ummm Sana?”

 

“Ahhh yeah?”

 

“I… I… I think I’m ummm… you know… feeling better…”

 

Tzuyu wasn’t used to hear herself stuttering, but it looks like Sana just has these effects on her.

 

“That’s good…”

 

“So would you like to ummm… stay and maybe watch running man or something?”

 

“Running man?”

 

It wasn’t probably the most romantic show in the world, but having to watch it with Tzuyu might change everything.

 

“Sure…”

 

***

Chaeyoung was still buried underneath her sheets. Her only refuge was her tiger stuff toy keeping her company when she should be with Mina. It was their first Valentines dance together but it’s all ruined now… She should have said sorry first, but even if she did, will Mina even forgive her?

 

Maybe everyone was right all along. That no matter how hard she tries, there was no way that a somebody like Myoui Mina would fall for someone like her.

 

But before she could wallow herself in more pain, her phone starts ringing…

 

Those round eyes blink curiously, that was her ringtone for Mina… Is Mina calling her? Or is this all a mistake?

 

 “Mina?”

 

Mina could hear Chaeyoung’s voice breaking up on the other line.

 

“Chaeyoung… ummm… look at your window.”

 

“I’m looking at it…”

 

“No… ummm… look outside from your window…”

 

Chaeyoung got all tangled up on her sheets and almost trip as she hurriedly runs to the window.  There on her backyard was Mina standing with her friends.

 

“She’s going to sing to you!!!” Momo announces excitedly…

 

“Momo… just…” Mina takes a deep breath and she took another until she was at the point of hyperventilating.

 

“Just relax…” Momo whispers…

 

“Yes… I think even if you , Chaeyoung would still like it…” Jeongyeon encourages Mina.

 

“Thanks Jeong… I need that…” Mina replies sarcastically…

 

“NP dude… NP… So, are we doing this or not?”

 

“Alright… alright… stop pressuring me.”

 

Mina looks up and sees Chaeyoung and that infectious smile. And somehow that made Mina feel better.

 

“Ok… DJ put it back on…”

 

Nayeon the DJ pressed the play button, and beautiful strumming starts to fill that starry night sky. Mina clears and looks at her shaky notes.

 

“Sing Minari…” Momo hissed…

 

Mina clears once again and this time as she stares at her notes, everything just feels so blurry… Out of nowhere, she suddenly feels so lightheaded.

 

 And without any warning, everything just turned pitch black, the only thing she could hear was Momo’s screaming.

 

Momo yells out as Mina just collapse slowly to the ground.

 

“MINAAAAA!!!!

 

“Whoah!!!”

 

Momo, Jeongyeon and Nayeon was about to give Chaeyoung with a slow clap as she jumps out of her window and quickly scurried over Mina.

 

“MY DARLING!!!” Chaeyoung yells out, clutching the girl in her arms.

 

******

 

“I’m taking her home!”

 

Mina squeezes Chaeyoung’s hand to calm the raging girl. The girls told her how Chaeyoung practically carried her all the way to hospital after she passed out. Now she’s laying on a hospital bed on a hospital hallway, since every room is occupied.

 

“You can’t do that miss.” Says the exasperated nurse. “The doctor say to keep her overnight just to make sure.”

 

“But she needs to be in a room…” Chaeyoung needs to reason out.

 

And as soon as we have an available room, we will make sure to move her.”

 

The nurse’s eyes darted to her chart, then suddenly lock at the two girls intertwined hands. Friends hold hands, but the two seem so much more than that.

 

“Are you family?”

 

“I would be when we get married.”

 

From the corner, Mina could hear her friends snickering amusingly at Chaeyoung’s childlike answer.

 

“Dude… you should have seen yourself. You just passed out so bad.”

 

They were laughing at her expense again…

 

“Hey stop that…” Chaeyoung reprimands them, before brushing Mina’s hair out of her face.

 

“Why don’t we go grab some food for you guys?”

 

“ALRIGHT!!!” Momo punches her fist in triumph. “We’ll see you later…”

 

Jeongyeon nudges the other girls and the three bid farewell.

 

“Are you feeling better?”

 

Chaeyoung almost cried when the nurse inserted the needle in Mina’s hand and seeing it still there made Chaeyoung worry again. She softly Mina’s hand, hoping it gives her relief from the stinging pain.

 

“Did it hurt?”

 

“A bit… but I’m okay now.”

 

Mina scoots a bit to make room on her bed for Chaeyoung, and Chaeyoung was quick to cuddle close to Mina.

 

“I called your parents, they’re still in that safari trip and Sakura is still in her keroro fan meet but she said she’ll go home tomorrow as soon as she can.”

 

“It’s okay… Some Valentines, huh?” Mina says mockingly as she lays her head on Chaeyoung’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you have to spend it in a Hospital hallway."

 

“It doesn’t matter… Being next to you is the most romantic place on Earth.”

 

Mina smiles happily, laying her lips softly on Chaeyoung’s hair. The two laid there quietly until Chaeyoung spoke first.

 

“Let’s not fight again, Mina.”

 

 “I’m sure we're going to fight again… But we will always figure it out.”

 

She tilts Chaeyoung’s chin so she could gaze into those brown eyes. They always look so sincere and honest that Mina feels like she’s drowning in them.

 

 Then, out of nowhere Chaeyoung quickly lifts the sheet and buries both of them underneath.

 

“What are you doing?” Mina giggles softly “Are you playing house?”

 

“Nooo…” Chaeyoung whispers “I realize we're in a hospital at night.”

 

“Yeah so?”

 

Chaeyoung scoots closer and despite of it being dim under the covers, Mina could still see those eyes shining brightly.

 

“What if we see a ghost walking around?”

 

Mina quickly smacks the other girl on the arm.

 

“Don’t scare me like that!”

 

“Don’t worry Minari, they’re no match against me. I’ll protect you.”

 

“You will?”

 

Chaeyoung head nods so hard like a bobblehead.

 

Underneath the blanket, Mina inch closer to Chaeyoung. She wraps her other arm around the younger girl to bring her closer, softly pressing a kiss on those adorable cheek.

 

“Happy Valentines day, Chaeyoung.”

 

“Happy February 15, Mina.”

 

“Oh… it’s February 15 already?”

 

“Yeah… but it doesn’t matter. Everyday is Valentines day… And Christmas… kekekeke…”

 

Chaeyoung giggles while playfully nuzzling on Mina’s neck.

 

"I'm sorry I didnt get you your gift yet."

 

"I just want you in a box." Chaeyoung says playfully. “But seeing that you were going to sing to me was the next best thing. What were you going to serenade me with?”

 

“I wasn’t going to serenade you. I was going to read you your world history book.”

 

“Yah…” Chaeyoung frowns at Mina for killing the romantic mood “So mean.”

 

She lays flat on her stomach and buries her face on the pillow.

 

“How about you?”

 

“What about me?” Chaeyoung’s words were muffled underneath the pillow.

 

“If you’re going to serenade me, what song are you going to sing?”

 

Chaeyoung faces Mina and a gentle smile plays on those sweet lips. She started singing softly, just loud enough that only Mina could hear.

 

All For you

 

Actually, I worried about this a lot
Because I had nothing I could do for you
Even though I lack so much and I don’t have much
Will you still accept me?

 

For you, only for you
I might not be able to
give you the whole world but
Now I will promise only to you
I will be a person who is only for you

 

It’s only for you just wanna be for you

You just need to stay by
my side just as you are right now
Even if I’m born again,
I want to look at only you forever

 

Mina tilts Chaeyoung’s chin once again, and wishes to kiss those sweet words from those lips. She felt like she was changing so much for Chaeyoung, but she likes it, she likes the feeling.

 

“Chaeyoung?"

 

“Hmmm…”

 

Mina smiles as she could hear the sleepiness in Chaeyoung’s voice. It must be past the girl’s bedtime already.

 

“Good night…”

 

“Good night Mina…”

 

Mina smile once again, Chaeyoung’s hair as if patting her to sleep. And Chaeyoung’s eyes starts to flutter as she was close to falling asleep. Mina moves closer once more, leaning close in Chaeyoung’s ear.

 

And whispers just soft enough for Chaeyoung to hear…

 

“I love you, my baby monkey.”

 

Chaeyoung was so sleepy but as soon as she heard those words her eyes just beamed.

 

“Y-y-you do? Y-you love me?”

 

Mina kisses Chaeyoung on the temple before caressing the girl’s hair again. She wished she could have said it somewhere else, somewhere much more romantic than a hospital hallway.

 

“Yes I do.”

 

Chaeyoung quickly clings on Mina’s neck, scared that it was just a dream. But it wasn’t, because there was Myoui Mina once again, saying those words again…

 

"I dont know why...But I do Chaeyoung... but when did loving someone ever needed a reason?"

 

Mina smiles shyly at Chaeyoung. Maybe she was getting cheesy too.

 

“I love you… I love you… I love you Son Chaeyoung… and I’m sorry you have to hear it here, I wish it could be somewhere more romantic.”

 

Chaeyoung shook her head hard. It didn’t matter to her if Mina would have said it in the sewers. Those words were powerful enough that it took Chaeyoung out of that hospital hallway and brought her to an almost dreamworld.

 

This was her dream to hear it from Mina, and now it became her reality.

 

“I love you too, Myoui Mina… Love you so much…”

 

“I love you too…”

 

The two’s lips meet in a sweet kiss once again. While they slowly get cradled into dreamland in each other’s embrace.

 

When people in this world thinks of Hospitals as needles and shots, of alcohol and germs, for Myoui Mina and her Son Chaeyoung it didn’t matter. It might not be like everyone imagine but for the two of them it’s different.

 

Mina’s mind went back again to Momo’s question. It made her smile that while she was thinking so hard what that place is, she never realized that she have been in that romantic place all along.

 

Because for Myoui Mina, there is nowhere in this world more romantic than being next to her Son Chaeyoung.