Things were okay with Sana, Tzuyu thought they were. It had taken the younger an unthinkable amount of courage to open up to her roommate about the reason she had been acting so cold without being embarrassed by her behavior, and it was even more difficult to explain what happened with Chaeyoung meant nothing to her. 

 

That being said, she still couldn’t get herself to talk to her best friend, at least not until she was sure Sana knew Chaeyoung would never be more than a friend to her, because it was true. Besides, she was sure she deserved a big apology. Even if Sana weren’t in the picture, the kiss would have still thrown her off a little.

 

“Tzuyu,” Sana spoke from her side of the couch and continued when she saw her roommate turn to face her, “Momo’s birthday is coming up. I was thinking we could plan something for her and since you’re the one that lives here, maybe you know a place.”

 

‘.’ Tzuyu had never liked birthdays, not because she didn’t like the event itself, but because she never knew what to give others; she wanted it to be special and something people would think about and inevitably put a smile on their face. “When is it? A lot of winter activities are opening since it’s getting chilly.”

 

“It’s on the 9th. We still have a week to get everything ready, so take your time with it. I think it’ll be too soon for a winter activity, but going to a nice restaurant or something like that would be fun, wouldn’t it?” Sana shifted closer and, after seeing her roommate didn’t look uncomfortable, she released a deep sigh and leaned her head on her shoulder. Although she knew that, at some point, they’d have to talk about their feelings for once and for all, just sharing each other’s company was enough to make her happy and push the inevitable to the back of her head for a little longer. 

 

“I promise I’ll come up with somewhere fun to go. Just give me some time.” The words were released carefully, trying to move as little as possible to avoid disturbing Sana.

 

“Don’t worry, there’s no rush.” Sana’s reply was simple, but Tzuyu couldn’t help but think maybe she wasn’t only referring to Momo’s birthday.

 

---

 

Tzuyu had been staring at her screen for at least 10 minutes with Chaeyoung’s chat open while the shower ran, fogging the mirror. She planned to ask for her help and get in the shower immediately after to refrain from over-thinking as she waited for a reply. One of her biggest problems was being too proud for her own good, but she couldn’t deny that Chaeyoung knew about where the good things were, so she’d have to swallow that and ask. The short girl loved going out and finding places no one but a local would know of, and that was exactly what Tzuyu needed to impress Sana. 

 

Hopefully, if things went smoothly, Sana would give her a chance at redemption, and if in the meantime she could also salvage her friendship with Chaeyoung it was even better; killing two birds with one stone. 

 

---

 

“I have to admit,” the older chewed on a biscuit, not caring about the few crumbs that fell to the floor because her dog would soon clean them up for her, “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

 

Chaeyoung rolled her eyes, laying her head on the back of the couch and pressing the back of her hands to her cheeks to keep from flushing. “Stop!” 

 

“Bro, we all thought you were gonna do it and you kissed ing Tzuyu instead. It was epic in the worst way possible.” The giggles leaving only made Chaeyoung’s keenness to leave grow.

 

“Thanks for the support, that’s exactly what I needed.” The younger turned to her side, looking out the window to her house. She wondered what Mina was doing at that exact moment; was she also thinking about her?

 

“I would’ve stopped you if I hadn’t been so busy trying to keep my relationship from falling apart. But, realistically speaking, I don’t think people would have assumed you liked Mina if you had kissed her.” Nayeon pulled on the blanket they were supposed to be sharing, using up a lot more than her share. “She was the only one in that room who’s like 100% single, you could’ve totally used that as an excuse.”

 

“I’m sorry intoxicated Chaeyoung isn’t as smart as you, I guess.” To get back at her, she pulled from the blanket again. She wasn’t feeling cold but the cluck of annoyment the older released gave her enough satisfaction. “Did you fix things with Jeong?”

 

Nayeon’s face completely transformed: the brown in her eyes shone bright and a smile was inevitably plastered on her face. Chaeyoung would’ve found it adorable if her love life weren’t going downhill. “We did. It was awkward at first and I can still feel her being a little too careful when she’s around me like she’s afraid I might break, but we’re doing well now.”

 

“I’m glad at least one of us fixed things. Things are still so complicated and I don’t know what to do.” She slid from her sitting position until her head could use Nayeon’s lap as a pillow. “Dahyun said we were alright, in her way but she said it. Tzuyu on the other hand…”

 

“Did you apologize?” 

 

“Of course I did, I’m not that stupid. She said she needed time, which I understand because things with Sana must be so uncomfortable now, but at the same time I need her, you know? I don’t know how long I can go without talking to her.” Chaeyoung stopped talking for a second to breathe and blow on the loose strand of hair that had escaped her bun. “I just miss her.”

 

Although she wanted to keep eating what she called ‘afternoon breakfast’, Nayeon pushed that back to comfort her friend. “You just have to give her time, I’m sure she’ll come around once she’s ready.”

 

Chaeyoung was about to complain about how she didn’t want to wait when her phone, which was sitting in her back pocket, vibrated loudly. 

 

Tzuyu - 16:55

Sana told me Momo’s bday is on the 9th and she wants to go somewhere nice

Let me know if you think of anything

 

It sounded uncomfortably formal, as if they hadn’t been close friends since they were kids, but it was better than nothing and Chaeyoung would take what she could get. Raising her arm to allow Nayeon to read it, she waited because it was obvious the older would have something to say.

 

“You ing manifested that.” 

 

“What do I tell her? I don’t even know what she likes.” It was stressful. Momo was important to Sana, who was important to Tzuyu, who was very important to Chaeyoung, so she couldn’t get it wrong. 

 

“Why don’t you ask Dahyun? She has to know something that can help you.”

 

Chaeyoung fumbled with her phone until she thought of something that wouldn’t sound stupid or desperate. 

 

Chaeyoung - 16:58

hii

i need you to answer a question without asking why

 

Surprisingly, Dahyun’s reply was almost immediate.

 

Dahyun - 17:00

What do you need

 

Chaeyoung - 17:00

what’s momo like?

like

what does she like

 

Dahyun - 17:00

Me

 

Chaeyoung - 17:01

im gonna need more

 

Dahyun - 17:02

Dancing

Lately she has been complaining abt how she wants to get a cat but her parents won’t let her

Something about being allergic

So cats too

 

Chaeyoung - 17:03

oki ty

let me know if you think of anything else

 

Nayeon reread the messages for a minute or two, which made Chaeyoung’s uneasiness grow when she saw her typing.

 

“Damn it.” Nayeon cursed to herself.

 

“What’s wrong?” Chaeyoung tried looking at the screen, but because she was laying down, she barely got to see what was on it without sitting up.

 

“I was thinking maybe we could go to this cat cafe that opened a few months ago but it doesn't open on Sundays.” It was a good plan if Momo was into cats as much as Dahyun claimed, but they’d had to find another day or way to do it.

 

Chaeyoung - 17:10

so

theres this cat cafe but it's not open on sundays

we could go on saturday?

ask sana if she likes the idea

 

It got the best of her. Tzuyu heard the ‘ting’ of her phone and immediately stopped the shower to read Chaeyoung’s reply, satisfied with what her eyes were seeing. It was cute, very cute, she was only missing the most important thing: Sana’s approval. 

 

Tzuyu - 17:13

Good job

Ty 

I’ll let you know what Sana says but she’ll probably like it

 

She wasn’t gonna tell her yet, but Chaeyoung had pretty much earned her forgiveness with her plan succeeded. 

 

---

 

“So, what do you think?” Tzuyu clutched to her phone with one hand while the other scrunched her wet hair with a towel, reading all the information about the place to avoid sounding like she had learned about it 10 minutes ago (which wasn’t a lie, but she wanted to impress her roommate).

 

“I like it, it sounds fun, and she definitely won’t be expecting something like that.” The older continued setting the table, considering all the possible options to make it the best day possible. “We’ll go on Saturday. We could just go to someone’s place on Sunday and do a small gathering. I’ll ask her what she’d prefer so we don’t repeat the whole Nayeon-Jeongyeon fiasco.” 

 

“I’ll let Chaeyoung know so she can make a reservation and everything, it is on a Saturday, and-” Tzuyu was so engrossed in her speech that the mention of her best friend completely slid past her lips without even thinking about it.

 

“You’re talking to Chaeyoung?” Sana’s tone changed from excitement to a mixture of anger and something Tzuyu couldn’t quite put a finger on yet. Maybe jealousy?

 

“She texted me yesterday and I didn’t really know what to say, but since she knows the place I thought it would be better if she took care of it.” Tzuyu swallowed on nothing and asked something that, even though it sounded like a simple question, meant a lot more to her. “Is that okay?”

 

Neither of them was sure if Tzuyu was referring to letting Chaeyoung take care of the reservation or talking to her altogether, but either way, Sana replied. “Yeah, just make sure she does things right.”

 

--- ( a week later) ---

 

“I don’t want to go!” The last word could be heard being elongated even though her voice was being muffled by the pillow; she had been studying all week and the only thing she wanted was to lay in bed forever, the fact that she was in her roommate’s bed was just a plus. 

 

Chaeyoung looked to her side, immediately shifting her eyes to the fingers on her lap when she noticed Mina was staring back. She couldn’t help but wonder how something as simple as a look could make her feel bubbly and like her stomach was filled with butterflies; no one had made her feel so at peace and anxious at the same time.

 

“They’ll be sad if we don’t show up. Besides, it’s one of your best friend’s birthday, do you really wanna miss that?” Although filled with doubts, Chaeyoung carefully moved her hand, slowly running her hand through Mina’s hair to soothe her… laziness?

 

“Is that supposed to help me want to get up?” To be more comfortable, Mina settled one of her legs over Chaeyoung’s.

 

Chaeyoung slid forward to lower her body and lay down completely while continuing her movements; if she had to be honest, she didn’t want to leave either. Things were so calm and gentle as long as they were together, Chaeyoung couldn’t help but ask. “When are you going back home?”

 

To not make the younger stop, Mina only moved her eyes to look into Chaeyoung’s. “Well, for the winter holidays I’m leaving on the 20th of December, which I think is a Saturday. The other tickets haven’t been bought yet so I don’t know.”

 

“, that’s my mom’s birthday. you won’t be around to celebrate it with us.” It’s not like they did something extraordinary to celebrate, on the contrary, it was pretty boring, but knowing that Mina would be next to her would’ve turned it into something to look forward to. 

 

“I’ll bring her something to make up for it.” The older nuzzled on Chaeyoung’s pajama shirt, which made the younger even more aware of how close they wer