The day after, Hyewon was left alone in the apartment since her classes don’t start until after lunch. But she still woke up early to spend time with Minju, just like their usual routine to have breakfast together. Their talk last night didn’t bother her but it did make her worry for the younger girl, it was obvious that whatever happened during Minju’s lunch, it stressed out the girl out.

Hyewon is currently laying down on her bed, inside her own room. She doesn’t spend time inside Minju’s whenever the younger girl is not present, it just doesn’t feel right for her. Hyewon would rather spend time alone in her own space, than to spend it in another room – wherein she would greatly miss the owner of the said room.

Yeah, there will be times that she would miss Minju out of the blue – may it be her scent, their playful banters, and whatnot. Hyewon didn’t expect for her to miss someone like this – someone who is not Sora, someone who doesn’t know her before. Minju, for the lack of better word, is someone new in Hyewon’s life. But the younger girl made her mark in a snap, and Hyewon doubts that it would leave her.

Hyewon doubts that she would let it leave her.

Hyewon knows that she is changing, and she knows it is for the better. But that doesn’t mean that she would forget the Hyewon before, of course she won’t. Because the Hyewon before is the one who spent time with Sora, that was the Hyewon who created memories with her twin sister. The Hyewon who lived and died – the same night that Sora was taken away from her.

The way that she is changing is that, rather than dwelling on the past painful memories, she’d rather dwell and relive the happy ones. She has been blinded by guilt, regret, and pain that she forgot the beautiful ones that she and Sora created before. Hyewon couldn’t be anymore grateful that Minju made her realize it – she couldn’t help but be thankful for the others who also didn’t leave her side when she was at her lowest.

Glancing at the violin case beside her, Hyewon sits up from her position and pulled the case closer to her – smiling slightly to herself as she runs her hand softly against the case. The apartment was filled with silence and Hyewon was alone. But she didn’t feel lonely unlike before. The usual memories that haunt her whenever she’s alone didn’t come, but it was replaced by something better.

/

It was a quiet night for Sora and Hyewon, one of those nights wherein Sora would creep inside Hyewon’s room as she could not sleep because of the random thoughts and questions running inside her mind. Their apartment was filled with nothing – all dark and quiet. Hyewon and Sora laying on the former’s bed as they both stare at the ceiling.

This is their usual routine when neither one of them could sleep, to open their worries to one another. To voice out the questions they have about their life – about the world. Secrets that they keep to themselves, away from the world – not leaving the premises of the room. Secrets that only the two of would know.

This is one of the reasons why people around them say that they have a bubble, because they really do. It’s not like they built it purposely for themselves to enjoy, but their bubble has always been there from the start – it was natural in a sense.

It was one of those nights where Sora is talking about her future – specifically her future with Jaehyun, three months into their relationship and Hyewon could tell that Jaehyun would be a special person for her sister. To think and talk about the future with someone is something that Hyewon never experienced. The only future she could think of is to always be there for Sora – to always protect Sora but other than that, it was all a blur to her.

Something that she doesn’t want to think about – something that she doesn’t care at all, as long as Sora and her friends are with her.

There was something about the future that sounds enticing yet mysterious, maybe it was the idea of how cast the future is – with just one decision, a person’s future could change in a snap. It was an unknown realm to everyone but Sora is talking as if she has seen it already. 

Hyewon glances at her sister, the latter smiling to herself as she talks about her dream destination that she wants to go to with Jaehyun. Hyewon watches Sora for a moment and diverts her gaze back to the ceiling – wondering when she would talk about the future like that.

Like someone in love with the unknown.

Love, maybe that’s the thing about love – when a person is in love, every uncertain and unknown thing would be clear to you. Hyewon wonders how it feels like, she wonders how she would sound if she talks about someone like Sora is doing at that moment – would she sigh every now and then just like the latter? Would she have a smile on her face just with the mere thought of the other person?

Would she sound certain of the future ahead of her and her significant other? Because the way Sora is talking, there’s a just a tone in her voice – something she doubts she would have in the near future. Sora sounds so sure, as if the future she has in mind is the destination her life is actually heading to.

Hyewon listens and listens, smiling softly at her sister as the latter ends her monologue with a simple but heavy statement.

“I just love him, and I could already see my future with him.” Sora quietly said, her words ringing inside both of their ears – echoing, making them feel the weight of that statement. “And I’d do anything to have that future.”

Hyewon blinks, this is where she could feel the stark difference between her and Sora. As the latter sees and thinks of the future, she’s always the one asking about the possibilities in the present.

“How can you be so sure? That you will have a future with him?” Hyewon doesn’t want to sound pessimistic, she’s not questioning their relationship – rather, she’s questioning the possibilities of everything that might happen in the relationship. “That he will still choose to be in the future that you are thinking of?”

Silence.

It was always like this between them, Hyewon always asking the right questions – the logical ones. While Sora processes it, she would give philosophical answers – answers that will make Hyewon think and consider.

“Nothing is sure in life Wonnie,” Sora said quietly, the both of them still staring at the ceiling. The only sound that they could hear is the ticking of the wall clock and each other’s breathing. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t hope for the future we want.”

Hope, that’s how she always sees Sora – a hope. If it’s not for the latter, Hyewon wouldn’t have continued playing the piano since her first attack. She wouldn’t compose pieces for Sora nor for herself because if it wasn’t for Sora, Hyewon wouldn’t continue her passion – she would have thrown it out of the window the day her parents were disappointed at her.

“And if that future isn’t what you expected?” Hyewon continued to ask, “What now?”

A light chuckle comes out from Sora, as expected from Hyewon – she would continue to ask and be logical about everything.

“Wonnie,” She calls out softly, “Do you see yourself playing piano until the day you leave this world?”

The question made Hyewon pause for a moment, suddenly aware of everything around her – it was a question that she didn’t expect and frankly speaking, she doesn’t know what to answer. Just like what she said, the future ahead of them is uncertain. Yes, she loves playing the piano, she loves music but just because she loves it doesn’t mean she could see herself playing it until she dies.

Not when their parents are controlling them like puppets.

“I, I don’t really know,” She answered quietly, so soft that she’s not if Sora heard it. But once she heard the girl humming in response, she continued. “But it sounds nice, to play the thing I love the most until my last breath.”

“It does sound nice, doesn’t it?”

Hyewon nods to herself, smiling slightly – a future where she could still play and do her passion, a future where she can create music with Sora. “It sounds perfect as long as I can play with you Sora.”

Sora sighed wistfully, not stopping the smile forming on her face. Ever since she was a child, she knows that Hyewon loves her – a protector that she didn’t ask for but was given to her, a blessing. Sometimes she thinks about how her sister does it – to balance everything and still continue, the responsibility and all, it just seems so stressful.

But Hyewon does it effortlessly, which is why Sora couldn’t help but to look up at Hyewon. She promises to herself, that once Hyewon finds her significant other, Sora will make sure that her sister would be happy. Sora swears that she would protect Hyewon until her very last breath, just like how Hyewon is always protecting her.

“It is, but we won’t know until then.” She answered softly, glancing at Hyewon and slightly adjusting her position.

“And you? Do you see yourself playing the violin?”

Sora breathes in quietly, she heard the question loud and clear and even before, she already knows the answer. “Honestly, no.”

Hyewon turns her head to look at Sora, surprised to hear the answer of her sister. Sora glances at her for a moment before letting out a soft smile, “I love playing, I love music. I love playing especially when it’s your piece, Wonnie.”

“But to make a living out of it?” Sora laughs quietly, humorlessly. “It takes away the beauty of it.”

Just like that, tears slowly started to stream down Sora’s face. This is what she likes about her talks with Hyewon, she knows that she can freely cry – and Hyewon would still be there, quietly listening and waiting for her to continue. No judgment, just a certain comfort that the latter could give her.

“Sora…” Hyewon said softly, scooting closer to Sora – leaving a small space between them, it was Sora’s decision if she wants to close that space.

“This isn’t the future that I imagined when we were young Wonnie,” Sora hoarsely whispered, crying softly as tears from their childhood all coming out. A simple question that brought back memories because it was never the future she imagined for them.

Sora thought that they will be happy – they as in her family, she and Hyewon with their parents. But it was far from that, it seems like the term family is just a title for them – it was not a relationship, and Sora knows Hyewon is always on the receiving end of it.

Sora is not stupid nor was she blind, she knows that her parents are neglecting Hyewon. She knows that they are just using them for business – and she hates it, she loathes it. But she’s not that strong like her sister, she could never talk back to her parents – all she does is cry behind closed doors when everything becomes difficult. But Hyewon is always there to pick her up, to hug her to sleep, to listen to her worries – Hyewon never fails to be there for her.

And maybe that’s the only good thing that came out of it, to be close and connect with her sister. To be able to find friends like Sakura and the others – to fall in love.

“And that answers your question,” Sora said, turning to face Hyewon and closing the distance between them to hug the older girl. She just lets her tears fall, feeling Hyewon’s soft hands rubbing her back for comfort.

“If the future isn’t what you expected, you continue to live it.” Sora whispers, as if a huge secret is being out open for the whole world to hear. “Life won’t stop for you just because it didn’t exceed your expectations.”

“But that doesn’t mean you couldn’t hope for a better one.”

Hyewon hugs her sister tightly, kissing the crown of her head. “Then let’s hope for a better one Sora-ya.”

Sora chuckles softly, burying her face in Hyewon’s chest. The exhaustion from all the stories and crying are coming, stifling a yawn. “That sounds a pretty good start Wonnie.”

Hyewon smiled, sleep creeping up on her. “What’s a better future than to live it, right?”

She smiles sleepily hearing Sora chuckle a little bit, poking her side lightly. “Who would I call when I’m not strong enough?” Hyewon whispered into the night, resting her cheeks against Sora’s head.

“A future without you annoying me is not a future I want.” Hyewon said jokingly but says the next words softly, “I’d be quite lost without you.”

Sora sniffled slightly, frowning playfully at her sister. Rolling her eyes, she flicked Hyewon’s forehead surprising the latter. “Wonnie, you’re braver, smarter, and stronger than you think you are. Don’t sell yourself too short.”

Hyewon frowns and was about to retort when Sora suddenly pinched her cheeks, not letting Hyewon talk. “But the most important thing is, I will always be with you.”

“No matter how far apart we are, I will always be with you.”

/

Hyewon stares at the polaroid picture inside the case, remembering that certain memory – that certain night with Sora. She smiles slightly to herself, tracing the photo lightly – the huge smile that Sora is showing as she and Yujin is beside her. A few tears started to stream down her face as she relives that certain memory.

It’s ironic for her, when Hyewon was supposed to be the one who is not future-oriented between the two. For her, future is a realm that she doesn’t want to think about because once she does, she feels like she would be blinded by it – which is why she always thinks about the logical things, the present. But what she didn’t realize is that somehow, Hyewon was already blinded by a certain future.

A future with Sora.

A future with her sister.

If the future isn’t what you expected, you continue to live it. The words of her sister echoing inside her, reminding her something that she purposely forgot – something that she purposely did.

And as Hyewon cries silently, she’s not crying for the pain and guilt anymore like before – but her tears are her way of saying sorry for Sora. For forgetting everything that the girl taught her, for choosing to focus on the painful ones rather than the joyous ones.

“I’m sorry Sora, I stopped living for a moment.” Hyewon whispered, thinking about the past few years that she didn’t function properly. Sora was right, she is always right – life won’t stop for her, for anyone.

“Why did you have to leave so early?” Hyewon asks no one, “You didn’t even come to our birthday nor our graduation.” She lightly jokes, she then rubs her face off from her tears. Sitting upright and smiling at the photo, returning the huge smile that Sora was sporting in the photo.

“But this is me now, fulfilling our promise.” Hyewon declares, as if Sora is right there in front of her. “Let’s hope for a better future Sora, alright?”

Because Hyewon knows that as she fulfills her promise, Sora will do the same – is always doing the same. Because Sora is always there with Hyewon, no matter how far apart they are.

No matter how far apart we are, I will always be with you.

//

Minju’s day is as peaceful as it could get, it seems like this is a pause from all the meetings she had from the past weeks. A breather that she needed, especially since she has too much think that are not work related – specifically about the lunch that she had with her parents yesterday. Shaking her head, she grabs the medicine that her mother gave to her last night – she only had one meeting earlier which is why she wore some killer stilettos. The dull ache from her feet coming back because of it.

Right before she could drink it, someone barged into her room which surprised her and made her look up. She was greeted by a bored Chaewon, Minju frowns at the girl – questioningly looking at her as to why she entered her office. Chaewon just rolled her eyes and approached Minju’s table.

“It’s lunch already and it seems like you’re not planning to eat anything.” Chaewon reminded her, and to be honest, Minju may have been inside her mind for far too long that she didn’t realize the time.

“And please don’t drink that without any food, that’s like the most basic thing for drinking such medicines.”

Minju rolls her eyes but she listened to the girl, finally feeling the hunger. As if on cue, her phone lit up making her smile a little. Hyewon was calling her out of nowhere, maybe to remind her about lunch. She hears Chaewon snickering and muttering something under her breath but Minju just ignored the girl and answered the call.

“Hey you, don’t forget your lunch.”

Minju smiles widely, hearing something in the background – it seems like Hyewon has few minutes to spare. “Same goes to you, I was about to get my lunch with – “

“She wouldn’t have gone out of her office if I didn’t tell her to get lunch!” Chaewon chimed in, earning a glare from Minju but it was no use. Chaewon just stuck out her tongue to the latter and shrugged her shoulders – obviously not feeling sorry for what she did.

Minju then heard a chuckle from the other side which quickly made her smile a little. Spontaneous calls from Hyewon are really something that she loves to receive, even if they are short. The older girl always prefers to text her and for Hyewon to call so suddenly, it was a rare thing that Minju holds close to her heart.

“Well, please say thank you to Chaewon for me.” Hyewon said with a light tone, “I’ll leave you two now, I need to go.”

Minju hummed in response, “You have a shift later?”

Minju heard Hyewon muttering a quiet ‘yes’, nodding her head as if the girl could see her.

“Do you need me to pick you up?”

“Will you listen if I say no?”

Minju laughs slightly, “Of course not.”

“Then please do as you please. I’ll be out by 12.” Minju could hear some greetings on the other side of the phone, which signals that Hyewon is already at a class.

“Have fun with your class then, unnie.” Minju emphasized earning a quiet groan from Hyewon.

“Shut up but take care. There’s a kimchi fried rice in the fridge, you know what to do.”

With that the call ended, leaving Minju with a smile plastered on her face. When Minju said that Hyewon takes care of her, she really does. The older girl never forgets to leave food for Minju whenever she would have a late shift, though Minju prefers to eat dinner with the girl, she understands that Hyewon needs to work.

Sometimes she just wants to say that Hyewon doesn’t need to pay anything anymore, they were already way passed of just being roommates – they’re in a relationship for Pete’s sake. For Minju to receive payment from Hyewon, it just doesn’t sit right with her but she knows how Hyewon can be. The older girl has always been responsible with everything, and she feels like Hyewon will insist for her to pay for something.

“Wipe that stupid smile out of your face,” Chaewon deadpanned, “I’m hungry, come on.”

Minju rolls her eyes and quickly grabs her things, turning off her monitor. She walks out of her office with Chaewon, the girl leading as it seems like she already has a place in mind. Minju knows that she can trust Chaewon for her choices so, she just followed the girl along.

“Hey, have you told Hyewon about Taeyong yet?” Chaewon asked casually and Minju didn’t flinch from the question. It was usual for Chaewon to be straightforward and it’s not like she was hiding that fact from Hyewon.

“Somehow, yeah.” Minju answered, thinking about what happened last night and feels warm just by thinking how Hyewon reacted – how she seems to understand everything even without knowing anything at all.

“I told her that something is bothering me, and she might have put two and two together since she knows that I had lunch with my parents yesterday.” Minju continued as they entered the elevator.

“And what did she say?”

“She just understands, like really understand. She didn’t ask me questions but she made me promise something.”

Chaewon hummed for Minju to continue.

“For me not to keep a secret that will hurt me.” Minju repeated what Hyewon asked for her last night, smiling to herself at how thoughtful Hyewon is – she’s just really lucky to meet the older girl.

Chaewon smiled at her friend, squeezing her shoulders as she feels happy for Minju. Finally, her friend found someone that would always understand her, someone that she knows that will take care and be there for Minju for the long run.

“Well, if someone will understand you, I’m pretty sure Hyewon will be good at it.” Chaewon said with a smile, “I mean, I don’t know how she’s still living with you but – “

“Hey!”

“I’m just telling the truth!”

And the both of them laughed together, it’s weird for them to joke about Minju’s relationship – because the latter never had a serious one. But this weird change is a good change, a change that they have been waiting for – a change that they didn’t expect. But it was not an unwelcome change, because just with Minju’s smile at that moment – they just know.

It was a change that Minju has always wanted in her life.

/

Eunbi has been waiting for Nako and Hitomi to arrive for quite sometime now, the two told her that they would just buy take-out for their lunch. But it has been almost an hour since the two went out and they still haven’t arrived yet, neither of them are replying to messages and calls. She was about to go out for herself when she heard the door opening, she quickly stands up from the couch and walks over to the door.

“I was getting worried! Why didn’t you – “

“Unnie, look! We saw Chaeyeon and Kura-chan outside!” Hitomi said with a smile, pushing the two older girls in front of them. Eunbi looks at the two visitors, surprise evident on her face. She just went to their apartment yesterday, and what she thought as a great meeting became a general cleaning.

“What are you guys…” Eunbi trails off, looking at what the two are holding. She couldn’t help but to let out a light chuckle, it seems like they would have a feast for their lunch.

Chaeyeon smiles awkwardly and raised the plastic that she was holding. Coincidentally, she and Sakura bumped into Hitomi and Nako, the two girls were at the same restaurant as they are planning to visit Eunbi. The older girl greatly helped them clean up the apartment which made them guilty, they were supposed to hang out but they just made Eunbi work.

“Let’s have lunch together.” She said with a smile, nudging Sakura to continue. The Japanese girl looked at her girlfriend and quickly clears .

“And this time, we will do the dishes and all! You can just sit and relax!” Sakura exclaimed with a smile, hugging Eunbi quickly before welcoming herself in the huge apartment. She hears a quick shuffle behind her, glancing behind her she sees the others following her inside.

“Seriously, you guys don’t have to – “

“We want to!” Chaeyeon cuts off the older girl, the two of them staring at each other but unlike before, it was not a stare that has tension. It was a lighthearted stare between the two, just like how they were before. Eunbi smiles at Chaeyeon, shaking her head fondly at the younger girl.

Since their talk, her friendship with Chaeyeon is slowly getting better – connecting to one another again without any problem. Eunbi realized that she has fully moved on from the girl, from the pain that their tragic past made her feel. Maybe it was just the closure that she needed, and she’s grateful that she finally got one.

She couldn’t help but to be happy to finally reconnect and slowly build their friendship like it was before.

“Alright, but don’t make a mess in my kitchen.” Eunbi playfully threatens the two, “And you two,” She said addressing the two young Japanese girls who have been quiet the whole time.

“You two will help them clean, and please. Clean your rooms, it’s a whole mess.”

The two were about to retort when Eunbi gave them a glare, making them shut their mouth in an instant.

“I checked it so don’t bother denying it.”

Nako gasped, “Unnie, that’s invasion of privacy!”

Eunbi rolls her eyes and walks over to the couch, “My apartment, my rules.”

“Unnie, but still that’s – “

“Clean. Your. Room.” Eunbi looks at the two which made them gulp, even Sakura and Chaeyeon felt goosebumps with how serious Eunbi looked. It seems like Nako and Hitomi’s rooms were a complete mess for Eunbi to completely act like this.

Sakura stifled a laugh and looks at the two, “You two are in huge trouble.” She teased before walking to the kitchen and pulling Chaeyeon to follow her.

The two then started to get busy in the kitchen, though they have take-outs for lunch they are still planning to cook something. Sakura started rummaging the cabinets while Chaeyeon prepare the take-outs – Eunbi looks at the two before she decided to approach them.

Chaeyeon noticed the older girl and was about to tell Eunbi to go back and relax when the latter beat her to it.

“How’s Hyewon?” Eunbi asks, pulling out a chair to watch the two. Sakura paused and glance at Eunbi for a moment, shooting the older girl a smile.

“She’s doing great.” Sakura said softly and continued to look inside the cabinets. Chaeyeon turned to Eunbi, nodding her head in affirmation.

“She and Minju are taking it slow,” Chaeyeon explained to Eunbi, since she and Sakura always see the two – it’s just fair to share it to Eunbi. She knows that the latter always worry for Hyewon, everyone does.

“And we think it’s the best for both of them.” Chaeyeon continued seeing Eunbi nodding her head with a smile, “Hyewon looks happier these days.”

Eunbi smiles widely after hearing what Chaeyeon just said, she hasn’t seen Hyewon yet – their schedules never match since the younger girl is always busy. If she doesn’t have classes, then she’d be in her shifts. If she doesn’t have shift, Eunbi is sure that Hyewon would be resting – or sometimes Eunbi would have something to do.

“That’s great to hear.” Eunbi said quietly.

“Wait until you see her, you can just tell that she’s really happy.” Sakura said from the stove, turning to look at the two with a smile. “Sora will be happy, I’m sure of it.”

Eunbi then looks at the polaroid plastered on her wall – the one with Sora, Hyewon, and Yujin. Feeling calm after having an idea on where Hyewon is at the moment. When she said that she’s thankful for Minju and glad that they became part of the circle, she means it – the younger girl just seamlessly fit into their group with Wonyoung and Chaewon.

Eunbi wonders what would they be like if Sora is still there with her – but she