Chaewon had always been the type to maintain control over her life. As a college student, she had her studies meticulously organized, her schedules planned to the minute, and her future career aspirations crystal clear. But there was one thing she never saw coming, something that had broke every single plan she had for her future, and that was her feelings for Kazuha.

 

It seemed to baffle Chaewon how she only took notice of Kazuha now when she thought about it, the younger girl was everywhere. Perhaps Chaewon was too focused with her academics or with her extracurricular activities that she forgot what else there was in store for her life. 

 

“This is Kazuha, she’s under my wing.” Sakura introduced the younger girl to Chaewon who was once again stuffing herself with books after books, trying to read in advance. “Another one? Yikes how many would that be?” Chaewon jokes, her eyes never leaving the book in front of her as she takes her highlighters to highlight the important details. “It’s only Yunjin and then Kazuha, it’s not much.” Sakura scoffed, even though Chaewon wasn’t exactly looking at her, the busy college student could already tell that Sakura had her arms crossed. “Also can you try to be nice and look up from that book of yours?” Sakura complained, and with a groan Chaewon complied, putting her book down to look at the two figures in front of her.

 

She feels all the air being away as she looks at the other girl. As cliche as it sounded, Chaewon felt her surroundings slow down as she locked eyes with the person Sakura had just introduced. Words seemed to struggle in leaving her lips as she gulped while staring. She should’ve been embarrassed for just shamelessly staring at the girl and not saying anything but Chaewon was beyond awestruck with her beauty. 

 

“Chaewon? Hello? Oh god we lost her.” Sakura’s words sounded muffled to Chaewon’s ears, as if she chose to slowly mute her words out and focus on how heavenly Kazuha’s giggles were. 

 

Shaking her head she realized she can’t forever stare at Kazuha. 

 

“What were you saying?” Chaewon finally answered. “Oh thank god, she’s back.” Sakura exhaled, making Chaewon roll her eyes. “Kazuha this is Chaewon, Chaewon this is Kazuha.” Sakura gestured. “It’s nice meeting you, Kazuha.” Chaewon politely extended her hand, waiting for Kazuha to shake her head. “It’s really nice meeting you too, Chaewon unnie.” 

 

Chaewon was in deep . Hearing Kazuha saying her name almost made her heart stop as she felt butterflies making their way up from her stomach to her lungs. Clearing she recollects herself. “I hope we get along.” She grins. Kazuha nods her head as they finally let go of each other’s hand. Chaewon felt confused with how she wanted to hold more of Kazuha’s hand as it seemed to fit perfectly with hers.

 

While walking towards her next class, Chaewon was once again stuffing herself with a book. She continued to walk, not minding her surroundings. “Chaewon unnie!” Looking up almost immediately was a mistake for Chaewon as she bumps straight into a lamp post. “Unnie! Are you okay?!” Standing beside her was Kazuha as the younger girl went ahead and checked to see if Chaewon had any sort of bruise forming. Chaewon will admit that it did hurt like hell, that she felt like crying because of the impact but the pain had been pushed aside when she realized that Kazuha was holding onto her face to check if Chaewon was in any way, injured. “H-huh? Y-yeah I’m okay! Of course I’m okay!” The older girl felt herself internally screaming at herself with how she had responded to Kazuha’s question. Of course she wasn’t okay. Who in their right mind would be okay after bumping into a lamp post? Kazuha didn’t seem to buy Chaewon’s answer when she saw the purple bruise forming. “Well your forehead says otherwise.” Kazuha pouted as she moved away from Chaewon. “Let’s head to the clinic.” Chaewon felt her heart spinning like there was a whirlwind when she felt Kazuha holding onto her wrist as she dragged Chaewon to the clinic.

 

When they arrived at the clinic, Chaewon wanted to slap herself for expecting that it would just be her and Kazuha inside the clinic. The clinic was a small, quiet room with a friendly nurse who immediately assessed Chaewon’s injury. Chaewon tried to maintain her composure, but every time Kazuha touched her gently or offered a reassuring smile, Chaewon's heart raced.

 

As they left the clinic, Chaewon couldn't help but feel grateful for that lamp post she had bumped into. It had given her the chance to spend more time with Kazuha, to feel the warmth of her presence, and to experience the flutter of emotions she had never expected.

 

If the Chaewon from months ago were to see how Chaewon from the present is doing now, she would most definitely laugh at her. Chaewon could remember how she started falling for Kazuha. It started innocently enough, with Chaewon offering Kazuha a drink during a study break at the campus cafe. It impresses Chaewon how despite Kazuha's aloof personality, they could still talk about their dreams, their interests, and their favorite places to relax in a serious manner. Chaewon had expected the conversation to remain casual, but somehow, Kazuha's words dug deep into her heart.

 

The more they spent time together, the more Chaewon knew she was definitely falling for Kazuha. Time felt like it was going in seconds as days turned into weeks, and Chaewon found herself drawn to Kazuha's every gesture and smile. Chaewon watched her whenever Kazuha was hanging out with Sakura and the rest of her friends. Chaewon would be lying if she said she wasn’t aching to approach Kazuha from the shadows. Because of the situation, she ends up secretly admiring the passion in every move the younger girl made. The sound of Kazuha's laughter became the sweetest melody, and the sight of her smile could make Chaewon's day.

 

It was a feeling Chaewon couldn't shake, no matter how hard she tried to deny it. She had always been in control of her emotions, but with Kazuha, she was like a ship caught in a storm, tossed about by emotions she couldn't contain.

 

“You like Kazuha, don't you?” Chaewon choked on her drink when Sakura blurted it out. “Why.. the.. .. would you say that.. so randomly?” Chaewon coughs, patting her chest. “Well? Yes or no?” Sakura continued to question, not letting go of an interesting topic. “Your friend's choking on her food and you have the audacity to ask again?” Chaewon glared as she chugs down her water. Feeling relieved that she could breathe properly. Glaring at Sakura who continued to eat her fries, she looks away when she remembers her question. “So what if I like her?” 

 

Sakura shrugs. “There’s nothing wrong with it of course, it’s just that you’re painfully obvious. Be glad Kazuha is as dense as a brick wall.” Chaewon didn’t know if she should be scared that she was being obvious or be glad that Kazuha hasn’t catched up yet. “H-how obvious was I?” She asked as she fiddled with her paper straw. “It’s like you have a sign on your head screaming ‘I like Kazuha!!’ which is very funny.” Feeling her cheeks grow increasingly warm she looks down. 

 

“That reminds me, why do you like Kazuha?”

 

Chaewon hesitated for a moment, her fingers nervously tapping on the table. Sakura's question was straightforward, and it made her confront her feelings for Kazuha. After taking a deep breath, she looked up at Sakura, her eyes filled with a mixture of fondness and uncertainty.

 

“I guess it's because she's so different from anyone I've ever met.” Chaewon began, her voice soft but earnest. It was quite cliche of her to say but it was the truth. Not once had a person affected her this badly that she couldn’t focus solely on her academics. “She's mysterious, reserved, and sometimes a bit aloof, but beneath that exterior, there's a warmth and sincerity that she doesn't show to just anyone. When she talks about her dreams and passions, her eyes light up, and it's incredibly captivating.” She continues to ramble, thinking about how soft Kazuha’s voice was when she told Chaewon her dreams. Chaewon's gaze drifted off for a moment, lost in the memories of their time together. 

 

“She has this way of making even the most ordinary moments feel special.”

 

Chaewon chuckles when she thinks about that time when Kazuha sat down beside her and slumped her upper body on the table before complaining to Chaewon about her classes. Chaewon, who was busy with reading, could only laugh before closing her notes to pat Kazuha’s head. 

 

“Whether it's studying together, sharing a meal, or just spending time in silence, it all feels,” She knew how much she was grinning like a fool just talking about it as she looked up to meet Sakura’s gaze. “Significant. It all feels significant when I'm with her.” 

 

“And her smile, Sakura, her smile could light up the whole world. It's like a beacon of happiness in my life.”

 

Sakura listened intently, a small smile playing on her lips as she observed Chaewon's heartfelt confession. “It sounds like you're head over heels for her.” Sakura remarked, her tone teasing. Chaewon blushed and nodded. “Yeah, I guess I am. But I'm also scared, you know? Scared of what might happen if she finds out, scared of losing our friendship, scared of getting my heart broken.” Worries were piling up inside Chaewon’s head as the tapping on the table quickens.

 

Sakura reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Chaewon's. “You'll never know unless you try, Chaewon. And even if things don't go the way you hope, at least you'll have been true to your feelings.” Chaewon nodded, grateful for Sakura's support. “You're right. I can't keep hiding forever. I need to tell her how I feel.”

 

Sakura grinned. “That's the spirit! Just be yourself, and who knows, maybe Kazuha isn't as dense as we think.” With newfound determination, Chaewon finished her drink and set her gaze on the future. She knew that confessing her feelings to Kazuha wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to take that leap of faith for a chance at something more with the person who had captured her heart.

 

Days had passed since her conversation with Sakura and Chaewon knew that while the determination was still there she should make use of it. Finally deciding that today was the day, Chaewon found herself standing outside her school’s gym where Kazuha and Sakura’s team were practicing. The older and composed girl could see the ethereal beauty of Kazuha’s movements that left Chaewon breathless. She clutched the bouquet of roses she had brought with trembling hands, her heart pounding in her chest.

 

As Kazuha finished her practice, she stepped outside, and Chaewon swore she saw how Kazuha’s face lit up when she saw Chaewon. “Chaewon! You’re here!” She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. For a moment, Chaewon was lost in those eyes, the world around them fading into insignificance. Before she could forget she then held out the bouquet, her voice barely above a whisper. “These are for you.”  Confusion was written in Kazuha’s pretty features as she accepted the roses with a grateful smile, their fragrance filling the air between them. “Thank you, Chaewon unnie. They're beautiful.” Chaewon's heart swelled with happiness at Kazuha's words. She wanted to say more, to confess the swirling emotions inside her, but the words eluded her. Instead, she settled for a simple, “You're welcome.”

 

They stood there for a while, not a single word was uttered as the people around them were whispering questions as to why Chaewon was handing Kazuha flowers. The people around them seemed irrelevant as Chaewon couldn't help but admire Kazuha features and the way her eyes lit up when she stared at the bouquet. “Shall we go?” Chaewon glanced at the path that led to their school’s gate and with an eager nod from Kazuha they started walking.

 

As the sun started setting, Chaewon finally mustered the courage to speak from her heart. “Kazuha, there's something I want to tell you.” Kazuha looked at her with a curious expression, her head tilting slightly. “What is it, unnie?” 

 

Taking a deep breath, Chaewon confessed, “I've never felt this way before.” She starts, avoiding Kazuha’s curious stare. “You've turned my world upside down, and I can't stop thinking about you.” Chaewon was sure that her face was blazing red. “I... I think I'm falling for you.” This time she turns to look at the younger girl, Chaewon had expected Kazuha to look at her with a hint of disgust but what surprises her is when she sees Kazuha’s face being as red as Chaewon’s. Kazuha’s eyes widened, as her gaze locked onto Chaewon's with a mix of surprise and warmth. 

 

“Unnie,” she said softly, “I've been falling for you too.”

 

Time seemed to stand still as their feelings converged, and the world around them faded away. In that moment, it didn't matter that Chaewon was a meticulous planner and Kazuha was a free spirit. Love had a way of breaking through barriers, and they were free falling together, hand in hand, into a future that was as uncertain as it was exhilarating.

With their feelings laid bare and reciprocated, Chaewon and Kazuha found themselves standing on the sidewalk watching as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow around them as they shared this intimate moment.

 

Kazuha was the first to break the silence that had enveloped them, her voice soft and filled with genuine affection. “Chaewon unnie, I've admired you for so long.” She fiddled with the strap of her duffel bag. “Your dedication to your studies, your kindness, and your smile have always drawn me in. I never thought you could feel the same way about someone like me.”

 

Chaewon felt a rush of emotions, a mixture of happiness and relief. “Kazuha, you're an incredible person, and I admire you too. Your passion, your spirit, and the way you make every moment feel special.” Chaewon gulped as she smiled. “They've all captured my heart.”

 

As they continued to walk side by side, their fingers intertwined, they shared stories and laughter. It was as if the world had shifted on its axis, and they were now walking on a path they had never anticipated.

 

The Chaewon from months ago, the one who was so focused on her plans and goals, would indeed be surprised by the unexpected turn her life had taken. But she had learned that sometimes, the most beautiful moments in life were the ones you never saw coming, and she wouldn't change a thing about the path she had chosen