Son Chaeyoung’s Point of View 

Spending Chuseok with my family turned out to be a good idea. Not only did I come out to my family unintentionally, I also got to catch up with them. Of course, coming out wasn’t something that I wanted to do. But it’s fine, things turned out pretty well so I guess I’m lucky like that. 

I’m currently just sitting on the sofa and just watching Tzuyu assemble something on the television. This made me a little curious. She just arrived a little while ago, what’s up with her being busy? 

“You just got back from Taiwan, right? You should rest.” I tell her, realizing that my concern for this giant has grown after the first few months of meeting her. She’s grown into me. She was still trying to install something on the television, and I couldn’t see whatever that she was installing. I just lay my head on the sofa, my eyes following her every movement. 

“I can rest later. I’ll just have to install this first.” She mumbled as she continued to fiddle with the cords. I just stared at her, as she continued to work. , cords still exist? Aren’t cords supposed to be obsolete? Or am I the weird one?  

“What’s that?” I ask her as I try to sneak a peek with what she was trying to install. She turned her gaze to me, and just clapped her hands. I even jerked a little, too much coffee I guess? 

“All done!” She smiles, a smile of victory from the looks of it. “It’s a PS4. I just think it would be nice to have a game console here.” She smiles, I nod because I totally understand her point. Lately, the dorm’s been really quiet. Having a game console might actually help lighten up the mood in here. I just smile at her, she’s quite sensible. 

“That’s pretty expensive though.” I tell her, she just gave me this blank stare as if she doesn’t understand how money works, I try to sit properly. “Besides, Sony is going to release PS5 next year.” I try to reason with her. She just nodded, she knew what I meant. For sure, she’s thought of this. 

“I’ll buy the PS5 when it comes out.”  She nonchalantly replies. “Besides, this isn’t for you. It’s for Mina unnie.” Still sitting on the floor, she looks past me. She’s smiling, Tzuyu looks like a million dollars whenever she smiles. Simply beautiful, to be honest. 

“Right, unnie?” Tzuyu smiles, as she stares at someone behind me. I then turned my head and saw Mina, her eyes bright at the sight of the game console. She then profusely nods her head, bobbing it up and down like a toy. I then turned my attention back to Tzuyu who’s now up. 

Just as I was about to say something, Tzuyu excuses herself. She wanted to go to the dorm next door and say hi to the unnies. Besides, Sana and Nayeon are in the dorm next door too. Tzuyu probably felt like Mina and I were the most boring ones in the bunch. Not that it offends me or anything, but whatever. 

Tzuyu leaving for the house next door meant I was stuck with Mina, unless she wanted to leave too then that would also be fine. The absence of my noisy dorm-mates meant that the dorm was in complete silence, I’m not exaggerating, the silence was deafening. It’s as if I can hear my own breathing.

“Hey, Chaeng Chaeng.” Mina says this softly as she takes the spot next to me on the sofa. I do not know whether it’s what she said or how she said it, but, I have to admit that I don’t mind her calling me whatever nickname. I face her, now a smile plastered on my face. A genuine one to say the least. “How’d your Chuseok go?” She asks, probably just not to make things seem awkward between us. 

“It went well.” It wasn’t what I expected but it was great nonetheless. I stare at her, I’m not sure when she got here, she probably got here first than me. “I assume you had fun with Nayeon and Momo, unnie?” I ask her, she just nods. An awkward silence followed, I wasn’t sure how to handle it. 

Now, Kiss. , no. Erase erase erase. 

To be honest, I don’t know how to interact with her. The room was silent, and we just sat together with a significant amount of space between us. My palms were on my lap, and I couldn’t get more awkward.  I slowly turned my gaze to her and amazingly she’s doing the same thing, I chuckle and I see her smile. That was enough to break the ice between us.

“I haven’t seen you in a while.” She smiles, looking at me. She was wearing cute pajamas, with her hair tied up. She looked ravishing even in her pajamas, I don’t even know why I’m thinking about such stuff.  Pajamas? Ravishing? I think I’m going crazy. 

You look beautiful, I wanted to tell her that. 

I just look at her, trying to take a mental picture of her for my memories. Click and done. 

MinaInHerPajamas.jpeg 

“I mean, I haven’t seen you too so that makes two of us.” I tell her, smiling in the process. She looked at me, she looked like she was really listening to me. Because I am the nervous wreck that I am, I panicked. “Do I have dirt on my face?” I ask her, trying to cover my face in the process. She smiles and then she reaches for my hands, she slowly puts both my hands down. 

With this, I was taken a little aback. I’ve never been this close to her in a while and I just couldn’t help myself but just freeze. Even the act of simply breathing, I couldn’t do it because I fear that she might notice how tense I have gotten. 

“Chaeyoungie.” It might just be because I like her so much but hearing her call me that made my heart flutter. I couldn’t help but smile at her, I admit that I don’t know how to react to when it’s her. “Well, I want you to know I’m really sorry.” She sounded hesitant, as if she wasn’t sure where this will all end up. 

I then remembered what happened the night before Chuseok. Most of the time I try to ignore things that make me feel terrible, I just feel like doing so would make things easier for me. As much as possible, I don’t want to take negative things seriously. 

“Oh! Yeah, that night!” It felt like I was trying too hard to be cheerful. I don’t want to make her feel bad for ditching me. Does that even make sense? I don’t think anything makes sense at all. “Yeah, what was that?” Now I sound even more cheerful than I’m supposed to. I can’t be mad for when it’s her. I need to learn how to be mad. 

Mina had this look on her face, it’s as if she’s trying to figure me out. I just smile at her, trying to tell her that it’s okay. That she had nothing to worry about. 

Of course, I’m thinking, I’m a eer for her so of course, whatever she does is fine with me even though it would potentially physically or emotionally hurt me. I am disgustingly whipped for Myoui Mina. 

I hate myself for this. 

“I feel so bad for not turning up, Chaeng Chaeng.” She rests her head on the sofa while still maintaining eye contact with me. I just stare at her, though I know doing so would only be bad for me. 

“I honestly have forgotten about it but here you are reminding me.” I lie to her. Of course, I haven’t forgotten about it. However, what good would it be if I told her that I was actually hurt? I’d rather not make a big deal about it. “Besides, I had a great time with Dahyun.” I blurted out. She was about to say something but she was taken aback, she just stared at me for a while. Of course, it wasn’t my intention to tell her anything about Dahyun  but I guess it just happened. 

The words slipped out of my mouth. 

“Kim Dahyun? You guys were together?” She asked, she sounded a little high-pitched.

“I was alone, unnie. How was I supposed to spend my night?” Words just kept on slipping out. She was still staring at me. This time, her eyes, they looked blank. 

, why did I say that?

“Oh, is that so?” She sounded careful, tactful, as if she’s trying to measure how she must reply. 

“Of course, I called her right after you told me you weren’t coming.” I try to save our conversation. I don’t know why but I just feel the need to imply that there was nothing between me and Dahyun, I mean, not anymore. Not that she might care or anything, but I just wanted to establish that. “Is that a bad thing?” I ask her, trying to hear her side.

“No.” She shrugs, she had this indifferent look on her face. She just stared at me, her eyes, they somehow found a way to pierce through me. Her eyes were always sharp, which I always liked even though the sight is a little terrifying. “Do you maybe want to visit next door?” It felt like she’s trying to avoid having an alone time with me, not that it matters. 

When I look at her, thoughts fill my head. Of course, they’re clean thoughts. I'm not nasty. But anyway, I just look at her and think, is she really who she portrays she is? Is she really clueless with whatever is happening around her? Is she really forgetful? Or might she just be pretending? When I hang out with her I completely forget that we’ve done things friends don’t do. I still wonder, does she really not remember that night at Jihyo’s rest house? 

Maybe I’m the only one who’s caught up in all these feelings. 

“Why? You hate spending time with me that much?” I ask her as a joke. I just don’t like being too serious around her. I love making her smile, she smiles so prettily that’s all. 

“No, I think spending time with you is the highlight of my day.” She replied nonchalantly. 

Hearing her say those words almost made me scream, but of course, I had to keep it in. My heart’s pace sped up and I felt as if both my ears and face were becoming hot. I wanted to reply something clever but I can’t seem to find the right words. I just froze with my head still resting on the sofa, I just stared at her blankly. 

“Spending time with everyone here is the highlight of my day.” She adds. 

Have you ever felt so uplifted to the point you want to scream out but then you get ed the next minute? I let my feelings soar so high only for me to fall to the ground and be splattered, trampled on, and squeezed like the little that I am. Of course, she’s Myoui Mina. She doesn’t see me the way I see her. I should just quit while I’m at it. I need to insulate my heart, . 

She stood up and she’s smiling, her eyes suddenly became nonexistent. “So, I want to visit next door. Come with me?” She asks and of course, like the dolt that I am, I agree because why not? 

Before we left our dorm, we made sure everything was locked. Both of us were wearing our pajamas since it’s almost bedtime, the night was especially cold due to what we were wearing. Of course, I can’t pass up this opportunity, right? As we walked, I made sure I was right next to her. She too, seemed cold so I slowly reached for her arm and I clung to it.

I do not know why I did that, but she too was completely taken aback. She just stared at me. “It’s kind of cold, unnie.” I whisper and I see her smirk, not smile, but smirk at me. Instead of getting away, she puts her arm on my shoulder and she pulls me close. 

I guess insulating my heart can wait a little.

“I feel cold too.” She smiles and we both walk next door with her arm wrapped around me like I’m a child. Maybe it’s the cold night air and our thin clothes, but I like this, I like being this close to her without having to be drunk. She smelled really nice, as if she had sprayed some perfume before coming out of her room. Because of this, I couldn’t help but do tiny sniffs. 

“You look like a cub.” She chuckles. I stare at her awkwardly. 

“I can’t help it, unnie.” I shyly reply.

“Do you like it? You can go over to my room some time and I’ll show the scent that I use.” She smiles, and because we were really close, I see the silver tooth Nayeon unnie and the others that have been talking about. I just nod at her, I felt like I looked stupid. But it doesn’t matter. 

As we entered the dorm next door, we saw Nayeon unnie open the door. The moment our eyes meet, Mina suddenly lets go of me. It was so abrupt that I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. 

“Nayeon unnie!” She called out as she tucked her hands inside her pocket, leaving me completely fazed at how fast her hands slipped off of me. I never thought that I’d be bothered at something so genuinely small, I am bothered, to be honest. It’s as if she doesn’t want to be seen with me. 

Even with a heavy heart, I greeted Nayeon unnie with a smile and the three of us proceeded inside. I’ve been to this dorm loads of times, It’s basically the same structure as our dorm. Nothing that much different. But of course this dorm is probably a lot more cleaner, if we’re really going to try and point things out here. 

Inside was everyone, and as per usual it was chaotic but in a good way. It wouldn’t be us if the unnecessary noise wasn’t there. The chaos, I loved it. The girls were spread out in the living room, a movie played on the Television too. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I think? 

The place looked comfortable, some were on the floor with pillows on their heads and some were on the sofa, just chilling. It was still relatively early though so Jihyo unnie decided that it would be best if we ordered food. I thought it was a great idea, I need this anyway, I need their chaotic energy. 

I missed these Idiots. 

“I know we all talked about this over Kakao Talk…” Trails off Momo, she’s holding a drumstick. Everyone looked up, trying to give their attention Momo unnie. Everyone was minding their own thing before Momo opened , but they all listened. “How’d your holidays go?” She asks. It may seem like a plain simple question but I know, the others are ers for a question like that. 

“Nothing much. Just same old, same old, see my family and pretend I still actively go to Church.” Says Dahyun sarcastically. 

“Poor Missis Kim, she’s being lied to.” Replies Jeongyeon unnie, she had this look on her face. We all laugh. 

“Yeah? Poor Missis Yoo because she had to look at your face during the holidays.” Replies Dahyun, she looked bored. 

“Well, y'all can fight outside if you want. I’m not tolerating this bull inside my dorm.'' Says Jihyo unnie as she gives Momo another piece of Pizza. I even spot Nayeon unnie roll her eyes at the sight of Jeongyeon and Dahyun, I mean, I can’t blame her. Nayeon unnie has become a pro eye-roller, good for her I guess? 

“I had a good time at Nayeon unnie’s” Says Momo unnie, she’s chewing on her pizza. Mina then reaches for a good amount of tissue and hands it to Momo. They sure love Momo unnie, that I can see. 

“We had a good time.” Corrects Mina, a smile etched on . I smile too. 

“Bringing the both of you home was a good idea after all.” Chuckles Nayeon unnie, she reaches out for a piece of chicken but the box is obviously away from her, which meant she had to stand up. Just as she was about to stand, Jeongyeon unnie clears . It was subtle though, no one was really paying attention except for me. Of course, I’d just glance once in a while. 

What’s going on between these two?

“It’s okay, I got it.” Says Jeong unnie, her voice obviously low. She stared at Nayeon, who just nodded.  Jeong got her the chicken, Nayeon didn’t say anything really which is weird. They bicker a lot, I’ve never seen them so quiet before. “Ask for help next time.” Jeongyeon eyes Nayeon, but Nayeon just nods, not really looking at Jeongyeon in the eye.

Awkward. 

“My family loves Sana, it’s insane.” Adds Jihyo unnie, looking at Sana blankly.

“Of course they love her!” Laughs Jeongyeon unnie. We looked at her, eager to know what kind of ery she was about to say. I smile, subtly of course, wanting for what she was about to say. 

“Okay, why might that be?” Asks Sana unnie, a smile etched on , her eyes glistened, she’s painfully cute I must say. 

“The Park family could use a little dose of cuteness…” trails off Jeong unnie, I heard the others stifle their chuckles. I just wait for the dormant Park Jihyo Volcano to blow up after it’s decades of rest. 

“Why?” Asks Jihyo, her demeanor changed. From being this lovely and cute vibe, it suddenly became this serious and sinister vibe. “I’d love to know Miss Yoo.” Thomas smiled the kind of smile that would make anyone freeze. 

“You lack cuteness?” Ah,  Jeongyeon unnie shouldn’t have answered. 

“Clean freak.” replies Jihyo without missing a beat. Jeong unnie had this look on her face, she seemed offended. 

“Hag.” Replies Jeongyeon unnie without thinking. 

“Hey isn’t Nayeon unnie the hag?” Asks Momo enthusiastically. 

“Why am I getting dragged into this?” Asks Nayeon unnie who looks annoyed. “Yah, Momoring. You’re not so young yourself.” replies Nayeon unnie. 

“Your mom.” replies Momo, probably without thinking what that truly meant. We all laughed at this, what the hell is going on?

“Shut up.” Replies Nayeon as she reaches for water. 

“Make me.” Replies Momo. 

“I can but …” Trails Nayeon unnie off.

“But what? I might moan a little?” Teases Momo unnie. 

“No, there might be a little amount of blood splattered on the couch. Would you mind that, Jihyo?” Nayeon unnie said this without missing a beat that I was actually terrified. 

I just stared at them, these people can be really frustrating. I mean, really noisy and frustrating. It’s amazing how the others are able to stay with them after all these years. I just smiled and shook my head, I was about to grab another piece of chicken when someone suddenly placed some on my plate. I look up and see Dahyun, smiling. I just smile at her, Thanks Dubu. 

“Ah, dial it down you two. I can’t have noise pollution in my dorm.” Says Jeongyeon, she has this annoyed look on her face. Nayeon unnie just had this blank look on her face, she grabbed some tissues and wiped her hands. 

“You haven’t eaten much, unnie” Reminds Mina, she hasn’t really spoken much since we arrived here. 

“It’s okay, I’m good.” Smiles Nayeon to Mina as she stood up, she fixed her hair before looking Jihyo in the eye. 

“Thank you for the meal, Jihyo. I enjoyed it.” She then bowed to Jihyo and to everyone. “I’ll probably just call it a night. I’m sort of tired, really.” She did sound tired, I just stared at her. I can’t let her go home all alone, right? So I also stood up and bowed to everyone. 

“Thank you for the meal, unnie.” I smiled at Jihyo and then proceeded to cling to Nayeon unnie’s arm. “I’ll have to go home with her.” I try to explain. 

“Yah, why is everyone suddenly going home.” Complains Sana. 

Nayeon unnie then smiled, explaining that she didn’t feel too well. I then told her I didn’t feel good letting Nayeon unnie walk home all alone, it just felt really dangerous. I didn’t trust our streets, in turn, Sana just nods. What else can she do, right?

Right after asking for permission, Nayeon unnie and I headed outside. The walk to our dorm is so short that there wasn't any time to talk with Nayeon unnie. But right before we reached our door I immediately tapped her.

“Unnie…” I call her attention. She turned around, waiting for whatever I was supposed to say. “I haven’t really said anything after the incident and I’m sorry.” I start, trying to gather all my thoughts about the severity of the situation. Everything has become quite stressful lately for everyone, I felt like I am partly responsible for all of this. 

“I’m sorry if I kept quiet all this time.” I tell her. “I know I’m partially at fault with how he got so close to you.” I tell her, I wasn’t looking directly at her, I’m just embarrassed. 

“Hey, Son Chaeyoung.” She places her hand on my shoulder. “Nobody wanted this to happen.” She sounded kind, without any trace of hate in her voice. This made me feel calm, a warm inside me lit up. 

“Unnie, everything’s going to be alright.” I try to assure her, looking up. I see her smile, a sympathetic smile. “We‘ll deal with this together.” I assure her, her smile widened.

“I never took you as the mature kind, but hey, you’re alright.” She smiled and put her arm around me. We walked towards the door, it wasn’t that far from where we were standing. Just before we reached the top of the stairs, we saw an unfamiliar package on the floor right in front of the front door. 

“What is it?” I asked, curiously. 

“Well, then, we have to open it to find out.” She jokingly replies. 

Nayeon unnie and I stared at each other, she’s still got his tiny smile etched on . We both didn’t have a clue whether the package was there before we left the dorm or it’s recently placed. The package wasn’t that much. It’s a box with a lid on top, nothing much really. 

“Let’s see…” She shrugged. Nayeon unnie, being the curious girl that she is, immediately bent down and opened the box. 

I’ve never anticipated for the next event to happen. The moment that the box became uncovered, Nayeon unnie screamed. The type that’s deafening, very sharp, and screechy. Nayeon stumbled and fell backwards, shaking to get away from the box. I just stare at her, I wanted to see what’s inside but I am too scared.

“No. No. No.” Nayeon unnie whimpered, with tears streaming down her face. She is shaking and panting. I feel a shiver run down my spine, as if my soul has left my body. 

Immediately I walked over to the now opened box to see it for myself.

A cat. A dead cat. It’s mouth agape, neck slit, and eyes wide open.

I just stare at it, even if the life in me is almost nonexistent. I just froze and stared at it. I couldn’t feel my legs, I couldn’t move. I felt numb and sick to my core. I hear Nayeon unnie retching in the background, still crying, and I can hear her struggling to breathe. I just stared at the horror. Of all things, why an innocent cat? Why something so vulnerable? I feel as if my airways have closed and that’s when I unconsciously fall to the ground, just sitting there motionless. I don’t know what to do. 

I feel numb.

The words, they were written in blood, witten on the lid. I just stare at it, not sure what to do. This only means Min Woo has been here recently and he just waited for us to leave the house. I am uncontrollably shaking, the fear, it’s getting worse than expected. I cannot believe he will go this far.

As I just stare at the sight, I hear the others shouting and calling out for our names, I hear their feet shuffling towards us but I couldn't take my eyes off of the words Min Woo has written. 

“Nayeon-ah, you made me do this.”