Genre: Action, Adventure, Crack, Drama, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Sci-Fic

Summary: Kim Chaewon’s job is very, very strange. You wanna know what is it? It’s better if you hear it from her Well… you might get shock if she tells you though.

Word Count: 12969

Hashtag: #SSBB_ShadesOfPeach

Shades of Peach

Year 2040. 

AIs, robots and all sorts of technology have been invented already. It was the new normal for everybody. The different innovations that people from the past have only imagined to be true are all existing and functional now; they’ve formed part of everyone’s everyday lives.

“Ssamu…I heard you have an important client today.” A blonde woman said, her focus was on cutting the ham that she would cook for their breakfast.

“Yeah. Kind of.” Chaewon replied as she grabs a cup of coffee on the table, one that had always been prepared by the blonde every morning for her.

“What do you mean kind of? It’s her, right?” The toaster tinged, signaling that it had already accomplished its job. The blonde then placed the bread on the plate, before sparing Chaewon a confused look. 

“Yes… it is her, but at the same time, it is also not.” Chaewon said, sighing. 

“I wouldn’t ask further because I know I’ll never understand that job of yours.” Yuri, her best friend chuckled to ease the tension that was clouding the air. 

“How ‘bout you? I heard the government, specifically your team’s quite a mess right now.” Chaewon told the other as she sits in front of her vanity table which automatically spots one’s blemishes, guiding the older in applying her make up in order to perfect her appearance. 

“You heard that from the duck, didn’t you? Well, sooner or later it’ll be all over the news—the issue on cloning, I mean. Clones with a mind of their own? That was some pretty ed up problem that we’ve been handling for over a year now.” Using her free hand to massage her temples, Yuri answered, clearly stressed out from the recent happenings on her workplace. 

“And for the record, I’ve been telling my team leader that it was such a reckless move and we still needed to patch things up on our end, but she never listens. She thinks I’m trying to get her position from her whenever I’m suggesting things for the project. Such a pain in the if you’ll ask me.” Yuri, with her strong Busan accent said as she flipped the ham on the frying pan.   

“Wait, I’m actually talking about your ‘time machine project’. Turns out… it was the clones again, huh? Well then, good luck to the both of us, I guess?” After looking at herself on the full-body mirror for a final check on her guise, Chaewon replied, locking eyes with Yuri’s reflection. 

“No, I’ll give you my luck too. For today I mean. I think you needed it more than me.” The hamster-like girl said as she tosses the ham on the plate, and then proceeds to look at Chaewon, giving her a warm smile.  

Chaewon just beamed back at her, pick her toast up and proceeded outside towards her mint-colored car—a flying one to be exact. 

……….

“You’ve been choosing clients with ‘Hi’ and “Mi” on their names as your prospects ever since you started working in this department, Ms. Kim. And that was like, a year ago already. Do you have some sort of an emotional attachment to a certain Hii? Or a certain Mi? Could they be a friend? A relative? Your past lover?” Her team leader, Yena, which happens to be her best friend’s girlfriend, asked her curiously. 

If you’re curious as to what was the formality for, well you better ask those sh*ts about workplace protocols. 

Chaewon flushed a tint of red at the mention of the last two words. 

“You can’t hide that blush from me, Ssam—I mean,” Yena coughed, “Miss Kim.” Yena added but she never missed to give the other a smirk, teasing her. 

“It’s both a yes and no. She’s not exactly a lover, but yeah. Someone special. Someone I hold dear.” Chaewon’s voice had gotten sadder as she said the last sentence. 

Seeing that Chaewon doesn’t wanna push the conversation further, Yena kept mum and proceeded on explaining to the short-haired girl the information regarding her mission for the next days. 

 --------------

Chaewon wore a white, flowy dress with puffed sleeves and hem that goes a foot beneath her knee, partnered with a pair of white doll shoes. One that would make her seem motherly-like.

For today, she needs to look innocent and loveable. 

One with irresistible charms that attracts the kids.

She took a mental note of the person she’s meeting today.

Hidemi. 

She was a braided girl that loves eating bread. And was it already mentioned that she has some kind of an addiction with cheese? Chaewon came prepared though, she brought her for a tour in the largest bakeshop in town that specializes with cheese as their signature flavor. 

Let’s just say that it is a part of her bigger plan to lure the girl who has been obsessing with the food mentioned above. 

Totally a perfect bait. 

Well, she wasn’t wrong. For the record, she was never wrong when it comes to anything that concerns her job. Her every move was calculated but she’s also quick-witted when it comes to finding her way out of the adversities. That’s how good she was.  

“Oh my gosh! O my gosh! Are those croissants? And… and… bagels? And muffins? Oh, and cheese! Never ending cheese” Hidemi excitedly exclaimed. 

“Yes sweetie. And you could eat anything you want. We’ll get you anything you want today, okay?” Chaewon said as she patted the girl’s head giving her a soft smile.   

“Anything, you say?” Hidemi asked enthusiastically, hands clasp together, awe evident in her eyes.

“Yes sweetie, anything. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll make sure you’ll have it.” Chaewon replied as she reached for the hands of the girl; gently rubbing the younger’s knuckles with her thumb finger.  

“Yay!” Hidemi raised her free arm in the air, clearly delighted by what she had heard. 

Aside from touring the kid and eating all kinds of bread that she likes until she’s too full to move, Chaewon told her fairytale stories while they were resting. They also learned lessons on decorating a cake. It was very chaotic—different colors of icings where scattered everywhere; whipped cream on their faces and sprinkles on their hairs but it was all worth it because Chaewon could see how much the younger enjoyed their activities for the day. Chaewon had pretty much agreed to whatever the younger wishes to do with no questions asked.  

She was like a legit Mom to her. Attending to her needs, wiping the mess on her face; patting her head and saying she did well placing the strawberries on top of the cake even if they were clearly disarrayed… 

“Chaewon…can I call you Mom?” Hidemi asked. 

“Sure, sweetie. I would love to be your Mom.”

“I wished my Mom was someone like you, Chae—I mean Mommy Chaewon.

I didn’t even have a good memory of her. Not even a single one. All I could remember was all the physical torture I had gone through just because I couldn’t do as they say. The whip hitting my arms and my back…the blood coming out of it… them letting me starve alone on a locked room…those episodes have long been gone but it was as if…they only happened yesterday…” Hidemi said, tears roll down her plump cheeks. 

“Shhh… don’t cry sweetie. It’s fine…Everything’s going to be fine now that you have Mommy Chaewon, okay? I’m gonna protect you with my life.” Chaewon hugged the girl, placing a gentle kiss on her head. 

“Really?” Hidemi removed herself from the hug to look at Chaewon’s eyes. Upon receiving an affirmative nod coupled with an angelic smile, she then hugged the older once again, settling on the warmth her presence gives her. 

“Thank you, Mom.” Hidemi added, wiping her tears and smiling like a cherub. It was such an innocent smile; so pure and so spotless. 

“Did you enjoy your day, sweetie?” Chaewon asked, giving the little girl and toothy eye smile.  

“Yes Mom! I did! Let’s do this again!” Hidemi said while jumping eagerly. 

“Well…if you have enjoyed this day…

…then I guess we’ll have to end this here now, huh?” Chaewon grinned even wider at the girl. 

She was fishing something out of the white clutch bag that she brought with her. 

It was… a syringe. 

Chaewon’s aura made a 180-degree turn—from a loving and thoughtful mother-like figure, it had become that of a predator hungry for its prey, bloodlust apparent in her eyes. 

And before Hidemi could react about the sudden change of Chaewon’s aura, the short-haired girl had already injected the syringe to the younger. 

Chaewon watched with stoned face as the girl lose her balance, her right hand clutching the left side of her chest and eventually falling down with her back against the cold floor. Hidemi tried with all the ounce of strength she has left to utter a word, but no sound came out.   

“One down, chief. I wanna accomplish this mission as fast as I can.” Chaewon said as she turned her back, walking away from the scene while she talked to Yena using the wireless in-ear monitor that she picked out of her bag. 

“As expected of you, Ssamu. You’re really great at this.” The person on the other line said, with a hint of relief in her voice. 

“Well, I have to… Scratch that. I need too…” Chaewon said, walking away from the scene not turning her head back while Hidemi with a blurry vision, tried to extend her arms to reach out to the older before she completely stopped breathing. 

………..

“Tomi-ya! If sister Eunbi sees you, she’ll definitely scold you! You’re sneaking out again to eat bread!” Little Chaewon said when she caught little Tomi hiding behind the bushes of a well-maintained garden. 

“Shhh… Don’t be too loud, Ssamu or else they’ll found out about our secret place. Just this last one and then I’ll really stop, okay?” Little Tomi said as she munches the bread her tiny hand is holding; small crumbs were left on the corners of . 

“But you also told me yesterday that it would be the last but then you’re here today, sneaking out again to eat bagels!” Little Ssamu replied, now with a hushed tone so that they wouldn’t get caught, fixing the mess on the younger’s mouth. 

………..

Chaewon brushed off those memories from her mind. She has no time to dwell on them anymore. 

“Let the past stay on the past,” is what her best friend Jjoyul is always telling her.     

Right.

If you’re curious as to what exactly Chaewon’s job is…

Let’s just say she approaches people.

She dates them…

Friendly dates, romantic dates, casual getting to know.

Hang out with them.

Talk to them, make them feel good.

Then kill them.

During their most vulnerable state. 

Strange job, right?

But that pretty much summarizes whatever she does when working. 

--------------

‘Twas a new day in Seoul. For our resident radish fairy, this only means another mission she has got to accomplish. 

The next prospect: Hinami

The girl loves painting and she figured she’d find her on the only art gallery that could be found in the town.

For today, she wore a very casual outfit: a mustard beret on her head and a striped, brown jumper-dress with creamy-white turtleneck inside partnered with a brown, low-cut boots. 

One of the skills that they had to possess before becoming a part of the team, if it isn’t that obvious yet, is that they have to be excellent in acting. 

And this, dressing up—dolling herself up was Chaewon’s favorite part of the preparation for every mission. 

Clothes for Chaewon are some sort of a shield; a defense even. 

She uses them to hide her vulnerable self. It was because, even if she’s been killing people for the past year so some might think that she must’ve gotten used to it already, the truth is…no… she’ll never get used to it.

She just wanted to erase them all in her memory. The drug that she’s been taking helps her calm down every night, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted to fool herself so bad. 

So, so bad that she wasn’t affected by all of this. 

But she couldn’t. She tried so hard but she just…simply couldn’t. Especially when she hears their stories.

Every scene haunts her every night whenever she sleeps. The loud, painful shrieks… their labored breathing… them screaming for help over and over again… she couldn’t help but dream of them. She couldn’t help but be eaten by guilt. 

But she has to do this.  

She needs to do this. 

And oh, she’s a great actress. 

So of course no one would’ve known for sure. 

The pain that’s been devouring her slowly… consuming her whole being…driving her insane…she’s gonna keep them to herself for as long as she could. 

………..

“The colors that were used must’ve intricately been thought of in that painting, that’s for sure.” Hinami murmured to herself, scanning the details of the painting in front of her. 

“I beg to disagree.” Chaewon approached her position, looking straight at the painting that was hanging on the wall. 

Hinami was surprised by the sudden presence of somebody she doesn’t know but she remained silent, for she wanted to hear a thought that was different from hers. 

“And that is because…?”

“Because art should be free. One shouldn’t put a lot of thought into it and just let their hands be liberated on every , on every color or texture and so on. Art isn’t some kind of a science or math or history exam where extensive use of rationalization or braincells is warranted.” Chaewon looked at her, chuckling at herself for her remark. 

Hinami didn’t even realize she was staring at Chaewon not until the other had stared back. 

And oh God, she finds the short-haired girl indeed breathtaking; even more beautiful than all the pieces of art in that gallery combined. Hinami could see an explosion of colors surrounding the bereted girl the moment she laid her eyes on her.  

Hinami noticed that she’s been idling at the other when the girl snapped her fingers in front of her face. Hinami coughed as her own way of shrugging off the slight humiliation that she felt before trying to initiate a small talk. 

“Are you an art student too? I’m Hinami, by the way.” Hinami said, eyeing the paper bag that Chaewon was holding, containing what seems like newly bought art materials. 

“Yup. Chaewon here. And I guess you are, too?” Chaewon answered as she used her lips to point at Hinami’s sketch pad that the younger was tightly holding in front of her chest. 

“I was…before…” The younger said with a small sigh, her sad eyes pinned on the floor.  

“Well, I’ve got all the time in the world to listen to you and I would love to hear about that. Care to join me for coffee? I have seen this newly opened art café downtown. Figured I needed someone with me. So, are you in? Mind you, I don’t take no for an answer.” Flashing her charming smile, Chaewon told the younger as she offers the other her right hand. 

Hinami place hers on top of it. She was in awe of the fact that the older’s hands was so soft and so…warm. “Yeah sure. I think I also needed a change of scenery for a while. I’ve been frequenting this art gallery for months now and I haven’t gotten any inspiration from here.”  

“Then, shall we?” Chaewon gently squeezed the hands of the younger as she softly pulls her towards their destination. 

-----------

The two arrived at the place. They both ordered strawberry milkshake (with extra whipped cream, they even giggled upon knowing that they both enjoy their favorite drink that way); Chaewon also ordered a slice of strawberry shortcake for them to share. 

The two had casual talks about themselves, their hobbies, how they come to be associated in the field of art and some other light topics. Not until Chaewon darted her eyes on Hinami’s sketchpad which was resting on the table as she was circling the straw on the glass of her drink. 

“Would you…let me…?” Chaewon carefully asked. 

Hinami just slightly nodded, worry was reflected on her eyes. 

“Wow, this is really good! Like, really! You have golden hands for art, I see. You’re a gifted one.” Chaewon says, gleefully complimenting the girl. 

“But…” Chaewon added.

“I’m aware…you could continue…” Sighing for the nth time that day, Hinami said avoiding to look at the older’s eyes. 

“But it’s kinda…emotionless. It all looks too technical…too…I know it would be weird to say this, but it seems… blank.  

It looks blank despite literally being painted with hues. It looks… devoid of life despite of all the genius color combinations and shadings.” Chaewon lowered her voice down, she was too careful not to be too harsh. 

“My art professor also told me that.” Hinami said while looking outside the window as she sips on her drink.  

“Well, we could disagree at things but for me, emotions an artist feels during art production should be felt by the audiences who are supposed to look at it. That’s how art would successfully invoke a sense of passion from the audience and therefore it becomes more relatable, I believe.” Chaewon explained as she continuously scans through the younger’s sketch pad. 

“Would you believe me if I say I wanna draw like that too? But how can I do it? My parents have always wanted me to be perfect on everything. Dad was a painter in the past, but he never did succeed in any competition he joined so he just kinda…pushes me to become what he dreamt of… Like I was some perfect copy of himself. I couldn’t even look at the mirror sometimes because I’m afraid that if I did…I’ll see an image of another person that’s not me. I sometimes…don’t even recognize myself anymore. I tried so hard to live up to their expectations…

That I think I lost myself in the process…

I’m just a human… 

A human that’s prone to making slip-ups… But they… 

…t-they kinda…get p-physical with me whenever I’m c-committing mistakes. Maybe that’s why my mind always tend to r-rationalize things instead of feeling f-free-spirited. I…I’m afraid to fail but turns out I am becoming what I fear the most.” Hinami was shaking as she was sharing her story. Realizing that she might’ve hit a weak spot of the younger, Chaewon reached for Hinami’s hand in the table. 

“That’s…understandable…It’s…not your fault that you had such a life…” Giving the younger a sympathetic smile, the older tried to console her. 

“But how about…” Chaewon stood up almost abruptly that it had earned a surprised reaction from the younger. “How about I help you become free for a day? Come on, let’s go to places, try to have fun and sketch things.” Chaewon clasp her hands in excitement, her eyes sparkling with joy.  

Seeing how overjoyed the older looked, Hinami just found herself unconsciously nodding at the suggestion. 

Maybe giving the older’s idea a chance might or could bring improvements on her.

That’s what she thought as she let herself be pulled to different places.

Hinami has already seen the town before. She was already familiar with the places they went to… She may have even memorized all the ins and outs of its every corner already…

Then how come… how come she feels refreshed strolling the place that she had found boring because of too much familiarity? 

Aside from that…it was…it was oddly brighter that day… like the sun shines upon the town and it reflects colors more vividly…

It was also...a bit livelier—a total contrast to the dullness that she feels whenever she looks at the place. 

And never… 

Never once while drifting around these familiar places had she felt like this before. 

Like she was alive…

Like she was…alive and breathing and walking and smiling and talking and just simply…alive.

She had never felt so alive before this very moment. 

“Hinami…have you tried riding a bicycle before?” Chaewon asked the younger as they stopped by a bike rental shop in the park.

“I have. I even wanted to try riding unicycles.” Hinami joked as she acted like she was riding one; complete with the wiggling actions and all. 

“Never knew you could joke?” Chaewon said, quite taken aback by how genuine the younger’s toothy laughter is right now, as compared to how timid she was earlier. 

“Yeah, I never thought I could, too. Guess your plan’s working?” Hinami said as she handed the older the key to unlock the bike.

“But wait…the fun doesn’t stop here!” The older enthusiastically dragged Hinami again as they ride on a two-seater bike together…

They went to the fields…

They settled beneath the shade of a giant camphor tree. It was spring during that time, so the flowers, trees and other greens alike are in their full bloom. 

It was such a sight to see…

They sat down with the grass as their cushion. Chaewon proceeded to lie down and close her eyes. And because Hinami’s been busy staring at the older, she did not fail to witness how a small smile escaped the older’s lips. It was just for a good second though.  

Chaewon, right from the time they had met, had always given her smiles. But there’s something about that small smile a while ago that made her heart throb really fast…

It was the same smile but then it…mysteriously hits different from all the other smiles that she had seen or rather received from her. It was ironically foreign yet familiar at the same time.  

Hinami decided to brush those weird thoughts away. 

‘It must’ve been the fact that I’ve been seeing things differently the moment we stroll around.’ She thought. 

They remained silent, with Hinami resting her back against the tree while sketching things. She felt a sudden surge of motivation while looking at the pinkish sky and imagining that smile that she had seen from the older earlier…they both watched in admiration as the sky had turned into the shade of midnight blue after the sunset, just in time for Hinami to finish her drawing. 

“Chaewon-unnie, I think I can now get what you and my art professor have been telling me all this time.” Hinami said, holding the sketch pad in her arms.

“May I see…?” Hinami handed Chaewon the pad.

“Goodness this is so…serene. I think beautiful is not enough to describe this. This is a hundred…no… a million times more beautiful than your past artwork. Even if I don’t know you, I could tell just by the look of this drawing how happy the artist was while sketching.” Chaewon said, her eyes glittering with appreciation.

“And that’s all because of your help, Chaewon-unnie.” Hinami said with tears in her eyes. It was happy tears, of course. 

“Have you enjoyed this day?” Chaewon said while handing the sketch pad back to the younger. 

“Very much. And thank you for that.”

Chaewon nodded and smiled. 

“Chaewon-unnie…I know why you’re here. And I’m ready to leave, don’t worry…” Hinami said, looking directly at the older’s eyes…

Chaewon was shocked by what the younger had uttered. 

“Aside from being good at drawings, I’m also quite smart. The fact that I haven’t seen Hidemi all day… I immediately catch up on things, you know.” Hinami chuckled. 

“Don’t be too sorry for me, though. Remember, you made me enjoy today so I don’t have any regrets leaving.” The younger further added. 

For the second time that day, Chaewon, during her mission showed a defenseless image. 

But it was something short-lived. 

Because for Chaewon, showing her real emotion during her pursuits is a huge mistake. 

And she couldn’t afford to fail. 

No. Especially not on this one. 

Reaching out for a syringe in her shoulder bag, Chaewon scooted closer to the younger. She covered Hinami’s eyes with her hands and injected the needle on her neck while trying to maintain a cold, stoic façade.  

She…left the younger there, eyes closed with a smile plastered on her face, arms tightly clutching the sketch pad on her chest.  

………….

“Hii-chaaan! Your drawings are amazing! You’re totally incredible when it comes to art! I couldn’t even draw stick figures properly.” Little Ssamu hugged Little Tomi, proud of her friend’s talent.  

It was autumn during that time when they were sitting under a tree which was their go-to place after their art lessons.  

“I know right. Sometimes, I really am getting tired being perfect, you know.” Flipping her hair, little Tomi said cheekily.

“I’ll remind myself not to compliment you again next time.” Little Chaewon said, rolling her eyes. 

“I was just kidding? Or not…” Little Tomi giggled. 

--------------

“Ready on your final task for this mission? I heard she’s quite the rebel one.” Yena asked Chaewon who was busy scrolling on her tablet, reviewing her next prospect: Hifumi. 

“This is gonna be tough so I’ll be extra careful, but this is nothing I couldn’t handle.” Chaewon said, closing the gadget and handing it back to Yena. 

“I trust you and your skills so I know you’ll be successful on this one. Just try to be on the lookout for possible counter attacks. You know how unpredictable they could be. Especially the aggressive ones. Jjoyul and I’s gonna be worried sick, you know that. If only I could send some reinforcements.” Yena said, patting Chaewon’s back, troubled about the younger’s quest. 

“We both know only I can accomplish this. I have to do this by myself. And I promise I’ll be safe. Promise.” Chaewon answered giving Yena a tight hug before she left their company’s headquarters. 

………….

Chaewon was wearing all black today. Black leather pants, a knitted off-shoulder crop top and black combat boots. 

Her make up’s darker than usual—red lips as opposed to her usual pink and thick eyeliners to better accentuate her beautiful eyes. 

She’s ready to go to the bar today. 

--------------

It wasn’t the usual bar with the loud music and people swarming the dance floor looking for some quick hook up. Rather it was kinda quiet though not eerily quiet—just enough to serve as a relaxing spot after a long tiring day. The interior too screams of elegance; it was as if it’s taking you back on the days where retro designs are popular. There weren’t many people inside. Maybe because it was a Monday night. 

Chaewon subtly scanned the place and when she had spotted the girl she was looking for; she went directly to the bar counter where her prospect was sitting. 

“One blue island, please.” Chaewon ordered as soon as she sat on the bar stool, slouching lazily and burying her face on the table. 

“A lady’s drink, huh? Afraid that I’ll be able to defeat you and escape from my fate if you’re not sobber enough?” Hifumi said, her body slightly tilted to her right, left elbow on the table with her left hand placed on her neck, eyeing specifically the girl who had just arrived, giving her a mocking smile. 

“What are you saying? Do I even know you? I just came here to unwind.” Chaewon said nonchalantly, tilting her buried face to her left, looking at the younger with eyes saying that she’s truly clueless. 

“Don’t act dumb on me, Chaewon. I know what you did to Hidemi and Hinami. And I know you’re here to get me as well…

…that is, if you can.” Hifumi said, with a devilish grin on her face.

By instinct, Chaewon immediately stood on her fighting stance as soon as the two names were mentioned. She was about to attack Hifumi with the syringe that she had on her pocket, but the girl has fast reflexes, so she managed to catch Chaewon’s wrist, gripping it tightly making it hard for the older to free herself. 

“Oops, careful with that needle, babe.” Hifumi said as she pulled Chaewon nearer, whispering those words to her ears. Chaewon could sniff a faint smell of alcohol from the younger because of their close proximity.  

Chaewon then tried and luckily succeeded to release herself from Hifumi’s hold by forcefully twisting her arms. 

“Interesting. You’re also good at combats. A motherly-like figure, a supportive friend and now a fearless fighter. What else do you have there?” her pained arm, Hifumi said, wearing an amused look on her face.  

“I can be anything you want me to be…

…but for tonight, I am your grim reaper. I’ll be the one to send you off.”

Once again, Chaewon attacked Hifumi but the girl managed to dodge swiftly. She has incredible reflex responses, as if she was a trained fighter like Chaewon. 

……………..

“Ya! Stop hurting her you dumb cowards! Fight me instead!” The other kids got scared and run away. 

Little Chaewon found little Tomi being bullied in the hallway; her hair’s getting pulled and the other kids are saying mean things to her. 

However, Chaewon who was known as someone who never tolerated bullying especially when it is her precious Hii-chan that was involved, are feared by the other kids so they never dared fight her. 

And, Hii-chan too, had always feared Chaewon’s ‘Ssamachi’ side. (I mean, who wouldn’t right?)

Chaewon tried to go after the bullies but Hitomi stopped her by holding her hand. Chaewon then gave up and just focus her attention on the younger. 

“Hii-chaaaan…what happened to you?” Chaewon said, burrows furrowed with a worried look on her face, hand on the younger’s cheeks.

“Just a few scratches from the other kids. You know, I’m overly adorable, they get jealous of me.” Little Tomi answered with a soft chuckle, scratching the back of her head. 

“And I know you didn’t fight back, Tomi-ya. For once, learn how to defend yourself, okay?” Little Chaewon said pinching the cute cheeks of the younger.

“AWWWW! WAIT! W-Wait! Unnie! You’re crashing my hopes and dreams!” Little Tomi said with a pout, touching her cheeks that had gotten red. “And in my defense, unnie, you’re already there. You’re my heroine who always comes right on time so why do I have to defend myself?” Little Tomi added as she playfully winks at the older. 

--------------

‘I need to do this. I have to do this.’ Chaewon chants those sentences mentally over and over again to remind herself of her goal that she most definitely needed to accomplish. 

There had been an exchange of a few more punches and kicks but it seems like the two were on par in terms of natural strength and speed. Whenever Chaewon lands a punch in the younger’s gut, Hifumi was able to counterattack with an uppercut. But both of the