Brown eyes flutters open. A few blinks and the woman rise from her queen-sized bed. She looks through the window, at the sun blaring past the glass. Another empty dream.

When was the last time she dreamt? She couldn’t remember exactly. She does her morning routine and reaches out on her clothes to wear. Her arms go inside and out the sleeves of her shirt and coat, she leaves her house. She looks around the vicinity for the first time, it is her first time in Seoul, South Korea. She had just arrived from Japan the other week. She is Japanese, a full-blooded one, and has never stepped in Seoul. She originally lived in Osaka but switched residences after her grandmother’s death.

Minatozaki Sana sits down the bench and breathes out in the cold snowy day. A different day, but everything is the same for her. She kept staring at the blurry sky that reflected on her irises, waiting for time to stop. She chuckled, realizing of thinking about time to stop. Her logic wasn’t right at that moment. For her, time had stopped ever since the loss of her best friend and family.

“You shouldn’t stay outside at this time of the night, young lady.” An old woman said.

She sighs again whilst standing up, leaving the park silently. On her way home was something that she did not expect to happen though. Across the street is a little girl wailing as she walked towards the pedestrian. Her attention focuses on the child even more when she caught glimpse of the green light and a speeding truck. She hesitated, thinking whether she could save her or not. She doesn’t want to fail an attempt to save a life. She bites her lip as she rushed at the kid. Luckily, Sana caught her in time before her body gets slammed by the truck.

“Is everything alright?!” The driver immediately went down from his seat as soon as he stopped the truck.

“We’re fine.” Sana answers before asking the little girl in her arms, “Were you hurt?”

Her cries slowly faded, and the truck long gone, “N-no.”

“Why are you walking alone, little miss?”

The girl sniffed, “I got lost.”

“Where are your parents?”

The girl shakes her head in disagreement, leaving Sana confused as to what it meant.

“Then where do you live? I’ll bring you there.”

“I live with my aunt.”

“Alright, let’s go find her then.”

Her grasp tightened around the lady’s sleeve, “I don’t want to go back there.” She sobbed.

Now that she took a closer look at the girl, Sana failed to notice the bruises on the girl’s arms. Instinctively, she pulled the sleeves and the kid immediately pulled away. It didn’t take Sana to do the math for long. The kid was maltreated, she’s sure of it.

Sana exhales, “I understand.”

She treated the girl with ice cream. They wandered around the city, visiting the zoo, playing at the park, she even bought the kid a plushie.

“What the did you do?! That kid is his heir, do you understand? Money!”

The kid was sleeping in Sana’s hold when she heard a couple arguing at the other side of the street.

“She’s useless.” The woman in her 40s spat.

“She’s only eight years old, just wait for ten years and we’ll have the money as soon as she turns eighteen.”

In Sana’s mind, she knew that the child they were talking about is the girl in her arms. Light snores were audible enough to say that the kid wasn’t able to hear how vicious her current guardians are.

She approaches the couple, “Is this kid yours?”

“Oh my! Where did you find her?”

Sana knows she doesn’t have a choice. She had to let go of the girl. After all, she isn’t related to her of any sort. She tried to hand over the girl as quiet as possible, not to wake her up but failed in doing so.

“NO!” The girl screams as she struggled, “No! I don’t want to go back here!”

“Don’t lose her next time.”

 

 

 

 

“How is she?”

“Still the same.”

Sana sighs at the news. After leaving the kid to her immediate family, she made sure to keep an eye on her with the help of her most trusted friend, Jihyo. Jihyo has always been Sana’s friend since they were young, and now business partners. Ever since the head of the Minatozaki family, Sana’s grandmother had died, all inheritance is passed down to the only granddaughter, Sana. It has only been weeks since the burial. Sana was not ready to lead the company yet, so she assigns Jihyo as the acting CEO while she prepares herself for work.

“And the favor I asked of you?”

Jihyo brings out an envelope from her drawer and places it on the desk.

“Her parents died on a plane crash more than a year ago. In order to keep their daughter safe from the shareholders of their company, they stated in their last will that the child would go to Park Jinyoung’s custody. He’s the mother’s best friend and business partner but he’s nowhere to be found, so the kid went in custody of the father’s stepsister instead.”

The more Jihyo continued to elaborate the report, the more Sana became agitated. She stood and slammed the door behind her, leaving the office in a rush. She did not like what she heard at all. The kid was maltreated, locked in the closet by her cousins, not getting food at times, getting bullied in school. Her anger was rising. She drove to her house while calling her lawyer. It did not take more than ten minutes when someone rang the doorbell in her house.

“I want to take custody of a child.” She told her lawyer instantly.

 

 

 

 

“Five hundred million won.”

Sana had gone directly to the household of the child along with her lawyer, Myoui Mina. A bag of cash was open in front of them, appealing to the eyes of the old couple.

“I-I’m sorry but my niece is not for sale.” The old woman said.

Sana eyed the child hiding behind the flimsy chair, “Mrs. Shin, I don’t think you are aware that once that kid grows up, all of her family riches goes to her and her alone. None will be left to you.” She signals the lawyer to put documents on the small table. “Even if you kill her, their wealth will immediately go to charity without leaving a single penny for you. I am giving you the money, a price, you will never have, Mr. and Mrs. Shin, so take it or leave it.”

Obviously, the couple knew nothing at all about how the money would circulate. The papers they were presented contained the copies of legal contracts, titles, and deeds that supported Sana’s bidding. They won’t get anything at all even if they raise the child on their own. And that is when they thought they were wasting their time and money on the girl.

Sana knew she won this hands down.

 

 

 

 

The couple immediately signed the contract of the custody of the child and gave the kid in no time. The kid was now teary-eyed though glaring at the window as if she hated the woman who saved her from the miserable life she had. But yes, the kid does hate Sana because the first and last time they met, no matter how she cried and begged, Sana left her to her relatives.

“Have you eaten lunch?”

The kid did not answer and is still pouting. She was trying to be tough, but her stomach betrayed her when it made a loud grumbling noise. Both Sana and Mina laughed, and it made the kid blush and pout even more.

“I think she is, Sana.” The lawyer giggled.

Sana didn’t look away from the kid and says, “Let’s stop at the nearest restaurant and eat.”

Mina, the lawyer slash driver nodded.

“What is your name?” Sana asks, trying to break the ice.

“Dahyun.”

Sana hummed at the reply though she already knows her name through Jihyo’s report.

“What about you?”

“Sana, Minatozaki Sana.”

The older woman tilted her head when she noticed the girl pondering.

“Minadozeki-aghassi?”

“It’s Mi-na-to-za-ki”, She shakes her head in amusement, “But Sana is fine. No need to call me aghassi.”

“You’re older.”

“And I’m letting you call me by my name. From now on, I am your guardian, Dahyun.”

 

 

 

 

“This will be your room.” Sana points across the door, “That is my room.”

She was touring the girl in her big house as she will live there starting that day. The awe was evident on the young Kim Dahyun’s face as she wandered around the mansion.

“Your things are already inside, you may unpack, wash up and sleep. I’ll wake you up for dinner.”

The girl completely ignored the woman as she bounced up and down her bed but nodded, nonetheless.

Sana sits on her long couch and sighs. She brings out a book from the bottom of the coffee table and starts reading in silence.

“What are you reading?”

Sana was completely flustered and almost jumped out of the couch. She frowned at the kid in her comfy clothes, “Don’t do that, you surprised me.”

Dahyun pouts “I’m sorry. It was too quiet, I couldn’t sleep.”

“I see. What do you want to do then?”

“I wanna play!”

 

 

 

“You lose!” Dahyun shouted in glee.

Just an hour ago, Sana grabbed the PS4 consoles and played with the kid. It was the only thing she could give as entertainment for the kid at the moment. She mentally slapped her forehead when she realized that she didn’t buy toys for the girl. It was their fourth round of playing Tekken 7 and boy was she good. At first, Sana was just messing around, randomly pressing buttons and not paying attention to the game at all. But when Dahyun started doing combos consecutively, Sana couldn’t help but feel threatened and pride stomped on. She lost nevertheless, repeatedly.

“One more!” Sana gritted her teeth.

The sun had set, Sana lost again. Miserably. Their score, 46-0. Sana could not believe what just happened and even thought of not cooking dinner for the kid as revenge.

Sana huffed when she heard Dahyun say, “I’m hungry.” But Minatozaki can’t resist a small child.

“What do you want for dinner?”

“Ramyeon!”

 

 

 

 

Time flies fast, the eight-year-old Dahyun soon turned seventeen. Today is her birthday and many had greeted her in school. She is popular as a matter of fact. She is, according to her schoolmates, the dream girl that men and women wishes to date. On that very day, she received lots of presents ranging from small to big boxes and paper bags, mostly from her admirers and some from her friends. She even received greetings from Jihyo and Mina via text messages considering that they were busy with their work. Despite all the greetings and gifts, what she mostly waited for was Sana’s.

Dahyun was heading out of school along with her friends until a senior of hers yelled her name. He approached the teen with a bouquet of pink roses, “For you, happy birthday.” He smiles bashfully.

“Thank you.” She gave him her eye smile in response.

“U-uhm, c-can I take you out for dinner?” He stammered.

“Dahyunnie.”

Dahyun glances from where the familiar voice came. Her smile widens even more to the point that her cheeks hurt from the happiness she felt. She dashes towards the most awaited woman who embraced her strongly and latches her arms around the older woman’s neck.

“I missed you.” Dahyun breathes.

Sana smiles at the statement, “I missed you too. Happy birthday, darling.”

The younger pulls away first from the embrace and smiles at her guardian. She missed her. A week ago, Sana had to fly out of Korea for a business meeting in Japan. Being the president and CEO of the Minatozaki Group, she had no choice but to do it. Dahyun, of course, was saddened hearing the news of her guardian leaving albeit temporary. She grew attached to her guardian, being the best, she could ever wish for. She was grateful and forever will be to her guardian, her Sana.

Even though nine years had passed, Sana grew more beautiful. Dahyun had first met Sana with a blonde hair, but when the Japanese had taken her presidency, she dyed her hair back to black, just to promote decency within the office. Sana did not look any older than she was, in fact, she looked much younger with her jet-black hair. Sometimes, even Sana was oblivious from her own beauty, Dahyun would glare at everyone who would stare at her guardian. She felt possessive of her. Sana was the only one who didn’t mind the attention everybody else gave.

“I want to introduce you to my friends.” Dahyun grabbed Sana’s hand and dragged themselves in front of her high school friends. “Guys, this is Sana, my legal guardian. Sana, these are my classmates and friends: Eunbi, Kyulkyung, Gahyeon, and Joohyun.”

Sana smiles back at the ladies and waves, “Minatozaki Sana. Just Sana is fine. nice to meet you.” Of course, she winked at them too.

It was noticeable that the group was having a crush on the Japanese. Pink cheeks and stammering voices were as clear as day, Sana chuckled quietly at the sight of youngsters. Dahyun was proud, of course, but at the same time, she was feeling possessive. Again. She swept the thought away when she realized she was being absurd, and it was just her friends being shy. A natural reaction when you see someone too pretty.

“And this is?” Sana asks, looking at the frozen boy apart the group of girls.

“I’m JB, ma’am.” introduced himself, earning glares from his schoolmates and a bemused smile from Sana. “A-and uh, I was asking Miss Kim to a dinner, ma’am. To celebrate her birthday together.”

Sana blinks once, “JB-ssi.”

“Y-yes?”

“First, I do not like to be called ‘ma’am’, ‘Sana-ssi” will do. Second, it is Dahyun’s decision whether to accept your invitation or not, though I would appreciate if you are also asking for my permission.” She spoke nonchalantly, “Third, I’m afraid I’d have to refuse your invitation on her behalf. I can’t let you have dinner with her tonight, it is Dahyun’s and my tradition to spend our birthdays together. Some other time will do, I guess. But I hope you won’t pressure her.”

Instead of getting intimidated, Dahyun’s friends were trying their best to keep their laughter, snickering by themselves. They didn’t really like JB for Dahyun to be honest.

“Yes, I’m sorry, Sana-ssi.” He bows in embarrassment and acceptance. He left soon after, probably upset with the indirect rejection.

“Shall we go?”

Dahyun nods happily and yells out a “Yes!”

“I swear, you’re piling more gifts as you grow up.” Sana teases the girl across the table, who had multiple paper bags on both sides, gifts from her friends.

They were eating at Dahyun’s favorite local restaurant. It is where they eat every 28^th of May, Dahyun’s birthday to be exact. She always orders her favorite, ramyeon and tteok-bokki, while Sana orders maratang and gopchang makchang. After finishing their dishes, Sana takes out a rectangular box from her pocket.

“Here’s your birthday gift.”

Dahyun’s eyes widen at the sight of what’s imprinted on the box, her favorite jewelry brand. She opens it gently yet excited and before her eyes was a simple but stunning bracelet with a ‘D’ as pendant. Definitely my style, she thought. She stands up and hugs her guardian. Sana grinned at the gesture finding her reaction cute and hugs the kid back.

“Thank you so much.”

“Happy birthday, Dahyunnie.”

That day was the best birthday Dahyun had spent in the seventeen years of her life.

 

 

 

 

“Good morning, baby.” Sana greeted as she made breakfast that morning. Calling Dahyun “baby” has been going on for years and Dahyun’s heart never failed to skip a beat whenever she hears the endearment by her guardian.

“Good morning, Sana.” She smiles brightly despite the messy hair and shirt sleeve almost sliding down her shoulder.

“Breakfast will be done in a few.”

Dahyun yawned loudly and sat ironically quiet at the highchair by the counter, groggily eyeing the cook of the day. She wanted to hug the Japanese, but the counter was a hindrance and she didn’t want to disturb Sana. A minute later, she was served two pancakes with maple syrup and assorted berries on top.

“I’ll be home late tonight, don’t wait for me. Mina and I have a company project coming up next week.” Sana reminds, in case that Dahyun intends to wait for her overnight like she always does. Sana would always witness Dahyun sleeping on the couch. Sana appreciates the gesture but to her, Dahyun’s well-being always comes first. “Why don’t you treat your friends some dinner tonight, so you won’t be eating alone? I’ll leave my credit card to you.”

Dahyun drinks her morning chocolate drink, “Are you sure you want to leave your credit card to me?”

Sana sighs deeply at the playful tone of the young lady, “I trust you and your capable hands to use my credit card efficiently.”

Dahyun laughed at her reaction and proceeded to pick her things before going to school. But before opening the door from the inside, Sana hollers out, “If you want to go shopping with your friends too, go ahead. It’s your birthday anyway. Don’t mind the bill, just mind the card’s limit.”

And Dahyun did as she was told.

She really did not mind the bill.

But Sana started to regret what she had said that morning when she received a notification on her phone regarding the credit expenses. She groans and made a mental note not to let Dahyun spend so much anymore. When she steps inside her house, she witnesses the amount of shopping bags in the living room. She also did not fail to see Dahyun in her uniform, laying down the sofa and sound asleep. Sana’s stress from work vanishes in an instant and giggles at the view. Softly, she walks towards the sleeping girl and brushes the fringe behind the younger’s ear.

Sana started to have a trip down memory lane. It has been ten full years. She never thought her lifestyle would change drastically because of this girl’s presence. When she first adopted the girl, she thought that soon, she would have of regretted her deed of adopting the little girl. She gains another responsibility of taking care of a child at such a young age. Sana had just turned 18 back then. Her quiet days became loud, gone was the peaceful house she lived in. Every day, the little girl would tell her stories on how her day went and Sana had to juggle her work, studies and babysitting Dahyun.

At night, Sana would be bothered by knocks from outside her room. When she opens, a young Dahyun would be standing by the wooden door with tears in her eyes. Sana would have to comfort the crying kid so she could finally sleep in peace. In some days, Sana would receive calls from school, they would say Dahyun hit her classmate. Sana would groan but go to school anyway, talking to the teacher, the principal, the bullies’ parents, pick Dahyun up. In the end, Sana would be the one to win the argument between them, stating facts about how children should be taught, how they shouldn’t bully a parentless child. Sana would always hear from the other kids’ parents “Do you even know who I am?” but all will end up apologizing after the principal would tell them that Sana is the number one beneficiary of the school.

In conclusion, Dahyun was a big hassle for Sana.

But Sana realized, she shouldn’t be regretful at all.

Ever since she adopted Dahyun, her days became brighter. She became livelier, more active physically, mentally, and socially. She got to talk to many people, whether in a good or bad way. She no longer had to be this depressive person, wishing that the world would just end because her grandma is gone. Her nights, she no longer had to sleep alone. Dahyun was always there to sleep beside her, and she felt secured knowing that she isn’t alone anymore.

Although Dahyun is technically her child according to the circumstances, for Sana, there were also unforeseen situations. The bad part was the sudden realization that she might have cumulated feelings for her adopted child, romantically. Yes, she grew feelings for the kid. Sana is aware she couldn’t have. She shouldn’t. Call her a e but she couldn’t help it. Dahyun is sweet as a kid, as sister, as family, as a lover. And for Sana, Dahyun is everything to her.

And the worst part is, Sana does not know to keep it all to herself.

 

 

 

 

Almost year later. . .

 

“I did not raise you to be like this!”

Sana had slapped Dahyun that night.

She found out that the girl was out clubbing, Joohyun called, explaining how Dahyun threw a party in a nearby bar with the others. Sana’s rage increased when she called the young woman and heard male voices in the background along with the booming music. She did not understand anything at all. She raised Dahyun the best she could, where did she go wrong?

If there were police in the streets that night, Sana would’ve been given a speeding ticket after driving recklessly and going over a 120 km/h with her white Mercedes Benz. Her anger sparked once more when she witnessed those indecent looking boys, may be trying to get Dahyun drunk and probably planning to get into her pants. In anger, she screamed furiously at the group of students, scaring them with threats and then dragged the young lady out to her car to drive home in haste.

Sana froze the moment her hand made a loud smack. What happened next is she immediately regretted her action. She tried to apologize. “I-I’m sorry.” She treaded closer to Dahyun, but Korean stepped back in instinct.

Sana’s instantly heart dropped when she heard a sob. Dahyun cried. Dahyun is crying because of her. Sana wanted to kill herself badly that night. She couldn’t even say anything.

Dahyun marched to her room with a bang of her door. Even with the closed doors, Sana could hear how loud hear heartbeat pounded in harmony with Dahyun’s cries.

That night is the first time Dahyun saw Sana boiling in anger. And she did not like it one bit. She did not like that Sana. She was not the Sana Dahyun knows. Sana would never lay a hand on her.

Dahyun knows because she loves Sana. She’s in love with her so-called guardian.

Was it normal to have romantic feelings for someone whom you can consider as your mother? Your father? Your sister? A family? Will it be considered ? Am I abnormal to think that Sana is attractive? Am I weird to think of having a relationship with someone who is almost a decade older than me? Is it weird that I only think of her all the time?   

All those questions, all those sudden realizations were the reasons why she went out with her so-called friends to the club despite her being underaged to drink. Joohyun and the others, her real friends tried to stop her, really, but she insisted. She wanted to forget everything about Sana that moment. She wanted to forget her feelings that she shouldn’t have. She wanted to erase them. Drinking made her remember everything though.

And that slap just made everything worse than what’s already there. It was like a slap to bring reality back to Dahyun -the reality that is clear as day.

She is just a child being taken care of by a legal guardian and nothing more.

That night was the first time they did not sleep beside each other after almost a decade.

That night was the worst ever birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

“D-Dahyun-ah?” Sana knocked on Dahyun’s door the next day, hoping the younger girl was not too upset. She felt so bad about what happened last night, she wanted to apologize first thing in the morning. Last night, she couldn’t sleep. There was no Dahyun beside her, and she couldn’t sleep a wink. Her mind wandered around Dahyun the whole time the moon was visibly up.

“Open up, please?” She begged.

That day is school day, and Sana doesn’t want Dahyun to skip school despite what happened. She is also aware that Dahyun doesn’t like skipping school, but with the current circumstances, she might not get out of her room for the rest of the day and cut her classes. Sana thinks so.

Her prayers were answered when the door clicked open, signaling her that she could go inside. Her hands were clammy, her breathing was heavy, Sana felt nervous for the first time in years. She drags her seemingly heavy feet and successfully reaches the bedpost. She sits beside Dahyun who was laying down, her back against Sana.

“I’m sorry, Dahyun-ah. I-I don’t know what came to me last night. I am so sorry.” Her voice was soft, it sounded like a melody in Dahyun’s ears. But the hurt in her chest is still there.

The Japanese continued, “I know what I did was wrong, and I want to make it up to you.”

A heavy heart, a soft voice, the pain, her feelings, Dahyun threw her pride away and hugged the woman. It was so tight Sana could barely breathe, but she let her be. She missed the young woman and vice versa. They missed each other’s’ presence, their touches, their voices. Dahyun knew she was also at the wrong, she shouldn’t have done that. When Sana apologized to her, the guilt ate her up.

“I am sorry, Sana. Forgive me.” Dahyun’s voice cracks, holding up the tears building in her eyes.

Sana’s left hand touched Dahyun’s back while her right continuously brushed her hair, calming the girl down, letting Dahyun cry it all out.

“It’s okay. Everything is okay.”

“It’s not.” Dahyun shakes her head.

Sana pulled away slightly, placing the girl’s face in between her two hands, caressing her cheeks and wiping the tears that run down. “I’m sorry I got mad. I just couldn’t bear seeing you like that. Why did you go there, Dahyun-ah?”

But Dahyun refused to answer and snuggles herself into Sana neck.

“I won’t get mad this time, I promise.” Sana reassures, “Tell me please?”

Dahyun shook her head once more. “I-I can’t.”

“Why?”

“You’d think differently of me.”

“I won’t.” Sana smiles brokenly, “I love you, Dahyun-ah. Nothing will change that-”

“I’m in love with you.”

It was just above a whisper, barely audible, but Sana did not miss it.

Dahyun sniffs, her hold on Sana’s shirt tightening, “I’m in love with you.” She repeats. “I love you like how a man loves a woman.”

Sana’s heart was trying to get out of her ribcage.

Dahyun felt like she was bleeding, dying at the silence Sana gave her. She just cried at the assumption of a silent rejection.

“I thought I was the only one who felt that way.”

Wait.

“HUH?”

“I love you,” Sana was smiling in tears, “like a woman in love with a man.” And Dahyun mirrored her expression.

 

 

 

 

BONUS

“Sana, are you free this Saturday?” She asks the buried woman under a pile of papers. Sana pushes the glasses further the bridge of her nose, not sparing a glance at the girl. She is busy scribbling on the papers with the black sign-pen in her hand.

“PTA. My teacher asked for your presence since you never come. You have no idea how much I wanted to show to those parents how pretty you are. Apparently, they spread rumors that you’re a coward and that you have an ‘ugly’ face.” The student scoffs.

Sana sighs distressed as she stretches her back. She takes off her heavy eyeglasses and looks at Dahyun, “So in short, you want to showcase me, your beautiful legal guardian?” Her brow rose in a teasing manner but did not wait for a reply. “Alright, what time?”

“At four in the afternoon today.”

Sana nods, “Okay, I’ll be there.”

“I’m sure they’ll have their jaws drop to the floor once they see you.” Dahyun laughs maniacally at the thought of witnessing her teachers’ and parents’ expressions once they see her guardian so young-looking and fresh. Now that she thinks about it, Sana never seemed to age even after a decade.

“Say, Sana.”

“Hmm?” The guardian grabbed the cup of coffee to her lips.

“How come you’re thirty yet still look so young and attractive?”

Sana choked on the coffee, “D-don’t flirt so early in the morning, will you? Anyway, I am still at my late twenties, okay? Twenty-eight to be exact, I’m only ten years older than you. Besides, isn’t it better having a guardian like me? Heck, I’d even pass as your sister.”

“True.” Dahyun hummed. “But really, I prefer having you as my girlfriend.” She winks. “So, tonight?”

“Ha-ha, dream on, kid.” Sana replies sarcastically at the suggestive question. She earns a groan from Dahyun. The older chuckles at the feedback and pulls the student down to the couch, straddling Dahyun’s hips in between her thighs and leans in for a long, and maybe, rough morning make-out session.

And yeah, Dahyun is never going to get her perfect attendance award this academic year because her no-late attendance streak was broken since that morning.

 

 

 

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A/N: An edited work that was long buried beneath the pile.