“Minji!”

…

“Minji..?”

When the blonde girl didn’t immediately come to her side, Yoohyeon turned around. Where was she? Her eyes scanned the crowd and immediately spotted the slender girl. She carried herself elegantly, her years of practice and habit evident with her posture as she stood in front of an ice cream parlor and was easily noticeable in the crowd.

Yoohyeon let out a soft, knowing sigh and sauntered over to the older girl, her arms closing around her girlfriend’s waist as she neared. She rested her head on Minji’s shoulder and she tilted slightly to take a peek at the cute face that was completely enamored by the large array of flavors and toppings.

“Unnie.” she whispered into her ear. She doesn’t use it very often despite the age difference between them which would earn her a chiding from Minji, calling her a brat. Yoohyeon preferred to keep it to situations where she absolutely needed her girlfriend’s attention and it has never once failed her. It was always soft spot for Minji and Yoohyeon fully and gladly takes advantage of it, knowing how much the older girl’s cheeks would flush red.

As expected, the older girl broke out of her trance. Despite her eyes never leaving the glass display, her arms instinctively reached out to pat the younger’s head.

“…I know we said we were going to the beach but…”

“Minji-“

“Can we..”

“Minji..”

“please”

“Min-“

“have some ice-“

“We just had cake-“

“cream?”

Minji finished her sentence sheepishly and looked at the younger girl with big, round, pleading eyes and pouting lips.

Their gazes met and Yoohyeon frowned, staring at the older girl who almost instantaneously resembled a cute, fluffy rabbit. And she felt a flutter.

Yoohyeon let out an exasperated sigh and huffed, “Fine. Just one scoop though. We have already eaten one too many strawberry cheesecakes earlier!” Before she could finish her sentence the older was already at the counter, ordering her favourite Baskin Robbins’ flavors, Almond Bon Bon and Lovestruck Strawberry.

Yoohyeon shook her head. Minji has a bright and soft image and despite being asked to do aegyo constantly by her fans, she has always cringed so hard. It was truly a mystery and also, almost despicable how she would do anything, including the dreaded ‘aegyo’ for scoops of sweetened frozen dairy though, she thought.

After devouring the scoops of ice cream, they headed towards the beach.

As they stared into the horizon with the setting sun, Minji slide her arms around the taller girl’s, turning to look at her lovingly. “I really needed this. Thank you, Yoohyeon-ah.”

“Anything for my princess” Yoohyeon replied with an exaggerated wink, puffing out her chest proudly. “You looked like you needed a break.”

“… I … just got news that we will be starting our comeback preparations soon. With the Japanese debut just around the corner and tour dates lined up, I’m worried. Will everyone be okay? I don’t want any of you to fall ill…” The older girl hesitated, looking down on the ground.

“We’ll be fine. We will get through it together, and we always do, don’t we? We’re a strong team, Minji, we all want this.”

 “I’m just-“

The blonde girl didn’t get to finish her sentence before she felt a pair of soft lips shyly but reassuringly touching her own. She felt warmth searing from her neck to her chest as her worries slowly melted away. She smiled into the kiss, and responded with fervor, afraid that her worries would bubble to the surface again, wanting to dive headfirst into this familiar comfort that was reminiscent of the late night dorm practices, heart to heart conversations and the midnight strolls they use to have.

“We’ll do this. Together. I’ve grown, unnie. It’s your turn to lean on me now.” The younger girl pulled back just enough, staring into her eyes in earnest. And Minji wanted to count the stars that seem to sparkle and reflect off those delicate mahogany orbs.

“Oh? Kim Yoohyeon, do you really mean that?” Minji teased.

Yoohyeon scrunched her nose and puffed her cheeks out indignantly, “What do you mean ‘if I really mean that’?! Of course I do! I can take care of you now you know? I took you out today!!!!”

Minji beamed like the sun as she pulled the tall girl into an embrace, “I know, I just… you grew up so fast that I always forget… I really am the luckiest person alive.”

“You’re so cringey…” the younger girl covered her ears and faked a miserable groan. “And yes, you’re lucky to have me by your side” She pursed her lips and folded her arms smugly.

Minji rolled her eyes and laughed at the younger girl’s childish antics. She had missed this bantering.

“You’re always going to be my adorable little puppy though… A really… really long and rude one” She turned to give a wink but her eyes widened as she saw the taller girl bending forward, getting ready lunge towards her with a mischievous glint in her eyes,

“Oops, the little baby puppy is angry now!” she cried out as she barely managed to escape from Yoohyeon's grasp. 

"Little puppy baby!!" Minji yelled between her laughter and shrieks as Yoohyeon chased her down the sandy beach, mimicking the barks of an angry dog.

It seems like everything will be alright after all.