Ding dong. The woman rang the bell.

"I'm coming!"

The door's opened.

"Seulgi!" said the one who just opened the door. "I thought you couldn't come!" They hugged each other.

"Well... Well..." Seulgi said. "How could I skip your birthday, Seungwan. Here's your present." 

"Aww Seulgi, you don't have to." Seungwan said. "But thank you so much!"

"Open it while you're alone okay?"

"Of course, but maybe some nosy gal named Park Sooyoung would be curious." said Seungwan. Seulgi just laughed at her bestfriend's remark. "Anyway... You said that work's been tough on you."

"Kinda. But it's Friday night after all!" Seulgi put her shoes on the shoerack.

"Seulgi-yah!"

"Sooyoungie!"

Sooyoung ran to Seulgi and they hugged each other. "Ah Yerim! You're here as well!" Seulgi said to the other woman beside Sooyoung.

"Of course ," Yeri said. They hugged each other as well. "Been quite awhile."

"Yeah..." Seulgi said. "Sorry I cancelled my birthday dinner."

"Don't be so hard on your self, Kang!" Sooyoung said as she flickered Seulgi's forehead. The four of them laughed together.

"Anyhow..." Seulgi said. "Is 'she' already here?"

The three of them knew very well who Seulgi meant. Especially after what happened two weeks ago.

"Yeah," Seungwan answered. "She's in the kitchen."

"Can I...?" Seulgi gestured to the kitchen. Seungwan nodded.

Seulgi put her handbag and walked to the kitchen. And there 'she' was.

"Seungwannie! I don't understand how to marinate this," the woman called for Seungwan. She turned her head, she thought it was Seungwan. They looked at each other. As much as Seulgi wanted to talk about two weeks ago, she tried her best to be casual and acted like nothing happened between them. "S-sorry. I didn't know you're here."

"That's alright. I just arrived," Seulgi said. "What are you making, Joohyun?"

"This?" Joohyun got back to the food she was making. She grinned. She acted like nothing happened between them. "It's supposed to be some kind of chicken wings. I just do what Seungwan told me to do."

Seulgi let out a chuckle. "Do you need help perhaps?"

"Thanks," Joohyun said. "But I can handle it by myself."

"You sure?"

Before Joohyun got to answer. Seungwan called Seulgi, "Seulgi! We ran out of soju."

"So...?" Seulgi half-shouted.

"Go accompany me," Seungwan came and took Seulgi's hand.

"What about Sooyoung and Yerim?" Seulgi grunted.

"Ugh once they're in front of the TV they're no help..." Seungwan said as pulled Seulgi. "Let's go!"

Seulgi sighed in defeat.

"Have fun you two," Joohyun smiled.

"You're out of whiskey too?" said Seulgi as Seungwan put three bottles of whiskey inside the shopping cart.

"Just in case," Seungwan giggled.

"Geez."

"Relax, Seulgi. If you get wasted, tomorrow's still Saturday."

"I know."

"Yerim and Joohyun's sleeping over tonight." Seungwan said as she paid for the bottles. "If you'd like to join you can wear my clothes. I also prepared for new undies."

"For real?" Seulgi laughed hard.

"Do'oh we shared washing machine for years and I can't differentiate my members' undies?" Seungwan's eyebrow raised and she smirked. "I'm not that forgetful."

Seulgi still laughed, "But thanks though. Sure, I think that would be a great idea."

"Anyway..." Seungwan's playful tone changed. "You two still haven't made youŕ mind up, have you?"

Seulgi gulped and nodded slowly, "As a matter of fact, it's her who haven't made her mind yet."

She took the shopping bag from the cashier as Seungwan finished paying the bill. They went outside the liquor store located just under Seungwan's apartment.

"She avoided my messages and calls. I know that it might be hard for her as it was for me but I just want a clear answer."

"How long has it been?" Seungwan asked.

Seulgi let out her sigh. "Around two weeks."

"What was her actual answer back then?"

"She just said 'ah... I know' and she got inside the taxi."

"No firm yes then."

Seulgi sighed, "Yes."

"I'm gonna be honest to you," Seungwan said. "I might be wrong but when someone doesn't say yes with a full confidence, that could automatically be translated to no?"

"I'm aware of that..." Seulgi responded. "But Joohyun's someone who considers in a lot of things. Maybe she just needs some time?"

"You're not entirely wrong. But I think you gotta prepare for the worst."

"I should."

"Look..." Seungwan said. "Any decisions, any outcome that would emerge, we'll always be there beside you. Don't worry."

She put her hand on Seulgi's shoulder. Seulgi just let out a weak smile.

"Son Seungwan you gotta see this!" Sooyoung shouted. "Brooklyn 99 season 8 just started!"

"Really?" Seungwan squealed. She put her shoes as fast as possible, put her bag on the table, sat beside Sooyoung and Yerim. Seulgi proceeded to the dining table to put the shopping bag. "But wait! I haven't checked on the chicken wings."

"Don't worry, we got it all covered." Joohyun said. She brought a plate full of honey garlic chicken wings.

"Yay!" Yerim got up from the sofabed and jumped to Joohyun. She ate one of the wings. "This is so tasty! Unnie you indeed improved your cooking!"

"I know right?" Joohyun said with a smug. In reality, she only followed Seungwan's recipe.

"Unnie I wanna try some too!" Sooyoung begged.

"Here here..." Joohyun gave the plate to Sooyoung. Sooyoung put the plate on her lap. And she also tasted the chicken wing.

"WOW UNNIE!" Sooyoung's eyes looked like they're almost popped. "This is like resto-made."

"You tease!" Joohyun chuckled.

"I'm serious!" Sooyoung pouted. "Thank you unnie!"

"Anytime," Joohyun replied and sat on the dining chair.

"Don't forget the soju, girls!" Seulgi said as she brought the three bottles to the women on the sofabed. "Still cold and tasty!"

"Oh my God you're the best!" Yerim said.

"All Seungwan's treats!" said Seulgi winked at Seungwan. "Happy birthday Seungwan!"

"You're the best, love." Sooyoung kissed Seungwan's cheek. "Happy birthday."

Seungwan smiled and bring her lips to meet Sooyoung's. The kiss got heated and Seungwan's lips moved down toward Sooyoung's neck. Sooyoung couldn't help but to let a soft moan.

"GET A ROOM YOU TWO I WANNA WATCH THE SHOW." Yerim threw the sofa pillow toward the couple.

"Sorry baby Kim, I just couldn't handle this one's charismatic smile." Sooyoung pecked Seungwan's lips. "Or maybe you want to join us for a threeso—"

"GOOD IDEA TO CELEBRATE SEUNGWAN UNNIE'S BIRTHDAY," Yerim shouted. "I'M IN!" 

"IN YOUR DIRTY MIND, PARK SOOYOUNG! AND WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOUR MIND, KIM YERIM?" The duo just laughed at Seungwan's remark. The older two on the dining table couldn't help but to let out a bit laugh as well.

"I miss this so much," Seulgi said as she gave the opened soju bottle to Joohyun. "Don't you?"

"Sure," Joohyun gulped the soju. "So much."

"How long have you been here?"

"I'm here since 3 PM. No work for today."

"I see," Seulgi gulped her soju as well. Seulgi wanted to continue the conversation but she couldn't. She didn't want to do that after what Joohyun had done to her. She had initiated all the conversations but she only got cold replies. Even sometimes, no replies at all. That frustrated her. She knew that probably Joohyun wanted to take some time, but she deserved a firm answer. She couldn't wait too long with uncertainty.

"Seulgi..." Joohyun's voice broke the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Help me clean the kitchen?" Joohyun asked. She looked deep into Seulgi's eyes, and Seulgi could feel that what they were going to do was more than cleaning the kitchen.

"Sure."

"Who would think that cleaning the kitchen would take 45 min?!" Seulgi said as she washed her hands.

"Nothing good comes easy, Kang." Joohyun said. "Let's go back to the girls."

Just as Joohyun turned to walk, Seulgi grabbed her hand, "Wait. I know you still have something to talk."

Joohyun stopped and looked back toward Seulgi, "What do you mean?"

"I want an explanation. I want an answer," Seulgi said. "I'm pretty sure you don't ask me just to 'clean' the kitchen. We can actually do that later with the girls."

"Can we talk about that later?" Joohyun said.

"As much as I want to..." Seulgi responded. "No. I know I may sound selfish but I need your help. Help me to have the closure. I'm ready to any answer but please, answer it now. I can't wait for too long, Joohyun." Seulgi looked deep toward Joohyun's eyes.

"Well..." Joohyun said. She took a deep breath. "If that's what you want. I'm trying to make it compact and clear."

Seulgi gave a slight nod.

"Seulgi, I love you. We've gone through everything almost together all time. It's like you're my soulmate. Bestfriend..." Joohyun stopped and closed her eyes. "Even sometimes like a girlfriend."

"And...?"

"You know I love you right?"

"Joohyun, I want a clear answer."

"Seulgi... Don't make this hard on me." Joohyun closed her eyes and take a deep breath.

"Okay," Seulgi said. "Take your time." She leaned on the kitchen table and looked up to the ceiling. Joohyun just stood still. She knew that at this point she could easily go out from the kitchen and rejoined the ladies. But deep down she also wanted to clear everything tonight. She couldn't take her crumpled thoughts back again on her mind.

"Seulgi..." Joohyun said. "I know this is hard on you. Once again, I would like to thank you for being honest. Thank you for being brave to speak what you feel. And I know you're already aware with how tricky the situation is toward same- relationship. The truth is... I've grew my feeling to you since years ago." Seulgi now turned her head back toward Joohyun with her eyes widened.

"W-what do you mean?"

"I even went deep with what I had but I thought it was wrong. Not because we were in the same company, but deep inside I felt that the love I felt was... Wrong." Joohyun continued. "I was afraid of the consequences. And... And..." Joohyun stuttered. She wanted to continue but it felt like she has been skinned for speaking the truth.

"Joohyun, it's okay. I'm really sorry if I pressure you," Seulgi said. She hold Joohyun's hand. She didn't want to see Joohyun cried because of her selfishness. She realized that her confession two weeks ago didn't only burden herself, but Joohyun as well. She prepared the words since months, while Joohyun—possibly with no slightest idea—just got the words two weeks ago. "Let's go back to the girls."

"Wait," Joohyun said. "I can do it."

"Sure."

Joohyun's eyes were watered with the tears she tried hard not to let go. "But first... Answer me, Seulgi. Are you ready with the consequences?"

Seulgi put both her hands on Joohyun's shoulders. She smiled. "I am."

"Even this might end?"

"Good things always come to an end, Joohyun." Seulgi answered. "And I'm willing to take the journey before it ends."

"You know how the real life works, don't you?"

"Harsh and absurd. Yes I know."

"You're aware that you might lose some of your friends and even family members, if we actually proceed to do this?"

"Been thinking about that since months ago. Not easy at first. But if one of my friends left me because of you, that friend is no longer my friend. And for family members..." Seulgi said, she bited her lower lip thinking about how her family would react. "My fam might disagree at first. You know how my dad reminds me to marry a man every single time. But I know he means well. The thing is, as long as I'm happy, especially with you, I know they're gonna be on my side for eternity... On our side."

"That... I don't disagree."

"We'll keep it slow and steady. I know that Uncle and Auntie Bae are great people. And I'm sure you're aware of that as well don't you?" Seulgi asked.

Joohyun just nodded. "Seulgi... Thank you so much."

"Anytime."

"I'm sorry I have doubts."

"Don't be sorry," Seulgi let out a weak smile. She was a bit disappointed that she still hasn't got the clear answer. But at the same time, she felt a bit relief because she and Joohyun could finally talk about the situation. She was sure that whatever Joohyun's answer would be, she'd still have her as a friend. "Let's go back... it's been almost two hours since she left the girls."

"Sure."

They walked toward the kitchen door. Seulgi slided the door and proceeded to walk. But before Seulgi walked pass the door, Joohyun grabbed her hand. Joohyun didn't even know the reason why she did that but if she let Seulgi went out of the kitchen, the negative thoughts would go back and clouded her mind again. Her circle of doubts would keep on moving. And nothing was going to really change.

As Seulgi turned back to her, she pulled Seulgi's closer. She put her hands around the latter's neck.

"Joohyun—" before Seulgi finished her own words, Joohyun leaned forward to kiss her. For Joohyun it was now or never. She needed to stop her mind from rationalizing anything. She just couldn't take it anymore. She knew how she made lots of pain toward Seulgi for the past few days but she concerned for herself first. She knew if she followed her heart and accepted Seulgi's feeling, things would change. But that's just life. Might not be easy but she felt free. She finally let her guard down. Her tears flowed with liberty.

Seulgi deepened the kiss. She hugged Joohyun tight. She was glad that Joohyun actually reciprocated her feeling. She was hopeless. She was afraid to lose Joohyun. But she chose to be honest and indeed... Honesty prevails.

They rested on each other's foreheads. They couldn't stop smiling.

"Can I take that as a yes?" Seulgi asked with a grin.

"Yes Kang Seulgi. Take me... I'm ready for our journey."

Seulgi planted a kiss on Joohyun's forehead, "Let's watch the TV first shall we?"

Joohyun smiled and nodded.