(Krystal’s POV)

I wonder how the dinner is going…

As I sat in the living room, alone, with a bowl of instant ramen and watching TV, I couldn’t help but think about Jessie and Tiffany unni having dinner together and having a good time. Even though I’ve never seen Jessie take any romantic interest in anyone let alone Tiffany unni, they have always had a pretty good chemistry, and Tiffany unni was one of the few people who could tolerate Jessie’s weird temperament.

They must be having a good time…

Even as I the thought of them laughing and flirting with each other crossed my mind, I felt sick to my stomach. It’s true that I had offered my help to Tiffany unni and I do sincerely want Jessie to be happy no matter who it was that she liked but it was a little too soon for my liking. You can’t really help who you love and you can’t make the feeling go away just because you want it to.

I couldn’t even finish the bowl of ramen. I had lost my appetite. In fact, I was starting to feel a little queasy.

Just then I received a call.

Is it Jessie?!

I looked at the caller ID and it was Taeyeon unni. I was a little disappointed.

“Hi, Taeyeon unni,” I answered the call.

“Krystal-ah… Am I disturbing you?” she asked.

“Nope. I was just bumming around. What’s up?”

“I wanted your opinion… I was wondering who to ask but I couldn’t think of anyone else who would be interested…”

“Really? What is it?”

“I’m working on a project for work and I needed a different perspective and some fresh eyes…”

“Oh! For a new video game?!” I was suddenly really excited.

“Yeah. See, I knew you would be interested… Any chance I could trouble you to come over or I could go over to yours…”

“Sure, it’s not a problem. I have no assignments due and I was feeling really bored anyway. I’ll come over right now.”

“Awesome. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon.”

(Taeyeon’s POV)

I was having “artist’s block” after working on this project for hours on end. I even brought it home from work to see if the change of environment would help, but it didn’t. I needed someone else’s opinion but I didn’t really have anyone to turn to. Tiffany wasn’t around and even if she was, she wasn’t really interested in this sort of thing. Then I remembered Krystal. I had a feeling that she was the only one that would actually give a hoot about what I did so I decided to seek her help instead, although I wasn’t sure if she would find it awkward for me to be calling her at night.

“Hi, Taeyeon unni,” she picked up.

“Krystal-ah… Am I disturbing you?” I asked.

“Nope. I was just bumming around. What’s up?”

“I wanted your opinion… I was wondering who to ask but I couldn’t think of anyone else who would be interested…” I told her.

“Really? What is it?”

“I’m working on a project for work and I needed a different perspective and some fresh eyes…” I explained.

“Oh! For a new video game?!” she asked with excitement in her voice.

“Yeah. See, I knew you would be interested… Any chance I could trouble you to come over or I could go over to yours…”

“Sure, it’s not a problem. I have no assignments due and I was feeling really bored anyway. I’ll come over right now.”

“Awesome. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon.”

She arrived not too long after.

“Taeyeon unni!” she entered and gave me a hug.

I thought it was interesting how different Krystal was from Sica but deep down they were kind of the same. Sica is guarded on the outside and that’s why she seemed so cold when I first met her but in fact she was very contemplative and worried about others on the inside. Krystal on the other hand was really warm and friendly from the get go but her heart was weak even if she tries to hide it.

“Ah, my little one… Thanks for coming,” I hugged her back.

In a way, she reminded me of my little sister so I already felt really protective of her despite only knowing her for a short time. Also, I found that I really enjoyed being in her company despite our age difference.

“No problem, unni! I was so bored at home, it was starting to make me sick,” she giggled. “So, what is this project you’re working on?”

“Okay, so technically I’m supposed to keep this hush hush since the game concept hasn’t even been revealed yet but I’m basically working on the backdrop…” I explained as I proceeded to reveal what the plot of the game was and what I was aiming for.

“Hmmm… Well I think that you’ve definitely got the feel that you were aiming for but I think it could do with a little more complexity. Like right now it seems a little one dimensional. There has to be more influences like the time period, time of the year, seasonality, weather influence, society and culture… not just the topography,” she said honestly.

I looked at her in amazement. “As expected, fresh eyes are definitely the best but… are you sure you’re only 20?”

She chuckled. “You’ve just been too focused on the one aspect, that’s all… You’re getting tunnel vision…”

“Aigoo… aren’t you a smart one?” I teased.

“Eii… I’m just all talk… Not like you unni! Your work is amazing! It’s my first time seeing your work and I’m totally blown away! You’re really talented.”

I hadn’t been paid such high compliments in such a long time that I couldn’t help but blush.

“I’ve been working on it for a very long time, that’s for sure. It’s the only thing I was ever any good at but lucky for me I really like art.” I gave her a smile. “You want to see my other stuff?” I was excited that there was someone who would appreciate my works.

“Hell, yeah! I’m super curious now…”

It was nice to have someone show so much interest in my work. Honestly I was starting to feel a little jaded but her enthusiasm was like a breath of fresh air. I started showing her my pieces from college and each and every piece I would watch her expression carefully to see what she thought.

“Wow unni! I’m so impressed…!” she exclaimed. “You’ve definitely got the talent. I’m so jealous… I wish I was good at something…”

“You’re smart…” I told her.

“Hah! You’re joking right?” she laughed.

“You don’t think so?”

“I’m just average… I mean I love to read… but I don’t think that makes me-“ She suddenly cringed.

“Krystal, are you okay?” I was worried. She didn’t look so good all of a sudden.

“I-I’m fine. I’ve been feeling a little queasy… I think I just ate something wrong…” she said.

“Are you sure? Maybe you should sit down.”

I walked her over to the couch and sat her down.

“I’ll get you some water,” I told her and went to the kitchen.

When I came out, she was lying on the couch.

“Krystal, if you’re not feeling well, I’ll call Sica to come get you…” I said as I walked over to her.

She didn’t move nor respond.

“Krystal?” I reached out to touch her and she was warm to the touch. I put my hand on her forehead and she was burning up!

“Ohmigod! Krystal?! Can you hear me? Krystal?!” It seemed like she had passed out.

Just then, the front door opened.

 “Taeyeonie, I’m home!” I was never so glad to hear Fany’s voice.

“Fany! Help!” I called out to her.

“What? What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly, trying to comprehend the situation.

“It’s Krystal… We need to get her to the hospital…”

Fany’s eyes widened as she finally saw Krystal lying on the couch.

“What on earth happened? How did she get here?”

“I’ll tell you in the car. We really have to get her to the hospital… she’s burning up!”

Between the two of us, we managed to get Krystal to Fany’s car.

As we drove to the hospital, I explained the whole situation to Fany.

I tried to figure out how she managed to fall ill so quickly. “She was fine one moment and the next thing I knew she’s lying on the couch, unconscious.”

“She’s definitely having a fever of some kind. At least she’s still breathing,” Fany said. “Hey, can you call Jess? She’s going to freak out when she realizes that Krystal isn’t home…”