Chaewon stretched her arms before standing up, preparing to leave the classroom.  

“I’m starving, let’s go grab something to eat before we head to the library.” Hyunjin patted Chaewon’s shoulder.  

“Chaewon.” Professor Minatozaki’s voice made her stop.  

“I’ll go ahead and grab your favorite sandwich.” Hyunjin winked at her and walked outside. “But hurry up, or I might end up eating yours too.”  

“Y-Yes, professor?” Her heart thumped harder. Chaewon was giving her best to fix things. Was it still not enough?  

“Don’t look so scared.” The professor laughed, making her cheeks rise in her face, and Chaewon breathed. “I have to congratulate you. Even after everything you went through, you got back on track and you’re doing an amazing job.”  

“Oh, thank you, professor.” Chaewon smiled, her cheeks getting warmer.  

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you for a bit. Is that okay?”  

Chaewon nodded and sat after professor Minatozaki did the same.  

“When I was your age, younger even, I was in a relationship as well. It was a great relationship in the beginning, we were in love, we went along well, but I never realized how toxic it was until I met Tzuyu,” she explained, and Chaewon only listened and nodded. “She didn’t make an effort to change, she also didn’t want to be helped until a certain point, so I had to end our relationship. Fortunately, after we broke up, she realized how much she needed to change and so she did, and we’re still friends to this day.”  

“I’m glad she found peace and that you did as well, professor.”  

“Yes, me too.” Professor Minatozaki leaned back on her chair. “I’m talking about this because you look a lot better, but still the slightest bit uneasy. You probably still harbor resentment for Hyejoo, and maybe yourself, right?”  

Chaewon nodded.  

“You don’t have to feel this way forever, Chaewon. I guarantee it will keep getting better. And I'm sure there’s still hope for her to change so both of you can find closure and peace with what happened.”  

She had no idea what to answer.  

“I just wanted you to think about that. Oh, and also, I know exams are coming up soon, but take the rest of the day for yourself. Go watch a movie, hang out with friends, anything. You deserve some rest. I feel like I keep repeating myself, telling you to rest all the time, but you just won’t listen at first.” The professor chuckled.  

“I-I’m going to study with Hyunjin now.”  

“Okay, then after you’re done, you’ll take the rest of the day. And that’s a request from your professor.”  

Chaewon couldn’t help but smile along with her. “Alright. Thank you, professor.”  

“Now go, I don’t want Hyunjin to follow up on her promise to eat your sandwich. And have a great weekend.”  

“You too.” Chaewon stood up and bowed, then turned and left, still trying to make sense out of what the professor meant with that.  

---  

The sun was already about to set when they walked down the library stairs.  

“I’m gonna have dinner with Heejin.” Hyunjin could barely contain her grin. “I wanted to take her somewhere new, do you have any recommendations?”  

“Do you know that ramen place outside the south entrance?”  

“Hm? I don’t think so.”  

“It’s great, you should go there.” Chaewon matched Hyunjin’s smile, but it faded just as fast when she remembered the first time she went there.  

“You okay?”  

“Yes. It’s just that me and Hyejoo went there the first time we went out for lunch together.”  

Hyunjin pouted. “I’m sorry.”  

“No, it’s okay. You should take Heejin there, and make sure to try the dumplings as well, they’re amazing.”  

“Alright, will do. Thank you, Chaewonie!” Hyunjin planted a quick kiss on her cheek and skipped down the stairs.  

“Have fun!” Chaewon said, chuckling when Hyunjin shot her a thumbs up with the cheekiest grin.  

Her heart warmed up. She felt like crying all of a sudden, thinking about how happy Hyunjin seemed whenever the name Heejin was mentioned. Chaewon hoped their relationship could always be a happy and healthy one.  

Speaking of food, that sandwich she’d had as an excuse for lunch hadn’t been nearly enough to fuel such an intense study session. Should she call Sooyoung and see what were they up to? But as she turned the corner, there was no need anymore. Sooyoung, Jiwoo, and Jungeun sat together, a beer in Jungeun’s hand, and smiles on their faces. Chaewon didn't dare to interrupt that precious moment, so instead, she her tracks, thinking about what she should treat herself for dinner.  

---  

The front door opened, stealing Chaewon’s attention from the laptop on her lap.  

“Hey, Chaewonie!” Sooyoung smiled at her, stepping inside alone.  

“Hey. Came alone?”  

“Yes, Jiwoo’s spending the night with Jungeun.” Sooyoung plopped down on the couch beside her, resting her feet on the table.  

Chaewon closed her laptop and set it aside, then turned to Sooyoung. “You seem very happy.”  

Sooyoung faced her, a big grin plastered on her lips. “I am.”  

“I saw you three earlier. Are things better now?”  

Sooyoung bit on her lower lip, suppressing a grin, at which she failed miserably. She squealed and dropped to Chaewon’s side, laying her head on her lap.  

“Things are perfect. Jungeun thought a lot about things, realized how she was acting around me and apologized. I think Hyejoo’s incident made her think things through.”  

Chaewon stared down at her, and when Sooyoung met her eyes, her smile changed to a frown. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t-”  

“No, it’s okay. I’m really happy you guys are fine, you deserve all the happiness in the world, you three.” Chaewon caressed her hair.  

“Thank you, Chaewonie. I just want things to stay like this.”  

“And they will. As long as everyone always talk things out, no matter how hard it can be, I know you’ll always share a great relationship you can cherish.”  

Chaewon felt her eyes grow warmer. She looked away and blinked as Sooyoung sat again and rest a hand on top of hers.  

“How are you? Like, for real.”  

“I’m...” Chaewon dropped her gaze, fixating it on Sooyoung’s hand on hers. She met her eyes again and squeezed her hand. “I’m fine, getting better with each day. I still get sad sometimes, but I try not to think about it too much. How is she? Have you been talking to her?”  

“Sometimes, when she’s with Jungeun and Jinsol and Choerry. I think she’s feeling better as well. You don’t talk to her at all?”  

“I don’t ignore her, but... I don’t talk much either. I really want to focus on school, I’m afraid if I talk to her and she tells me she’s feeling better, I’ll...”  

She’ll throw all her efforts away because she wouldn’t think twice about coming back.  

“It’s okay, I understand. But hey, I didn’t want to bring the mood down. It’s just the two of us tonight. I know exams are coming up but, how about we watch movies and drink beer? That one you like.” Sooyoung wiggled her eyebrows.  

Chaewon chuckled. “I would love that.”  

Sooyoung jumped from the couch and walked to the fridge, coming back with two beers and a huge ear to ear grin. “Hey, look at this!” She sat beside Chaewon and turned her phone to her, showing a pic of Jiwoo and Jungeun, with big smiles and making a heart together. “Aren’t they so cute?”  

“Awn, yes, they are. Did they just send it to you?”  

“Yes! Come here, let’s take one to show them we’re having fun too!”  

Sooyoung approached Chaewon as she the frontal camera and applied a cute heart filter. Chaewon couldn’t help but shoot a bright smile with how funny they looked, Sooyoung raising her beer and sticking out her tongue.  

“They told us to have fun,” Sooyoung said, as she typed something on her phone. “I love them so much.”  

Chaewon tried not to laugh, but Sooyoung looked so adorable. “Thank you for always being here and making me laugh.”  

“Thank you as well, Chaewonie. For always helping me and giving me strength. And I love you as well.” Sooyoung winked at her.  

Chaewon smiled and rested her head on her shoulder. “I love you too.” 

---

A/N: So, it's hard to believe, but... there's only three chapters left. Chuulipves had their happy ending, but.... how will things turn out for Hyejoo and Gowon? kekeke look forward to the next chapter, to be released on Christmas day! ^-^