Chapter 9

The ride back to Minjeong and Yizhuo’s shared apartment had been weirdly silent. It was to be expected though. They really hadn’t calculated the possibility of Minjeong’s mom suddenly barging in, forcing her daughter to go back to her. 

But luckily, Minjeong had chosen them. No. She had chosen, for the first time in her life, herself. 

Minjeong basically had to make the hardest choice of her life yet, so her being completely silent, and most likely extremely shaken, was to be expected. 

And Jimin, who had been stuck behind the wheel, just wanted to give Minjeong a tight hug, and tell her that everything will be okay. But all she could do at the moment was to simply quicken up her pace, and try to arrive at their destination as soon as possible. 

She knows that Minjeong needed her the most at that moment. And she will gladly offer anything that will make the younger girl feel better. 

And when they finally arrived, all four of them went up. When they had reached their destination, and it was time to split up, Yizhuo, who had been silent until then like the rest, finally broke the silence. 

“Is it okay if they sleep over?” she said, gesturing towards Aeri and Jimin, who just stood behind her. 

Minjeong silently nodded, and made her way inside first, without saying anything else. 

The air around her felt a bit icy. Not from distaste against her friends though, far from it. Minjeong just honestly felt like locking herself in her room, and bawling her eyes out all night. 

But at the same time, knowing that her friends would be there with her… that she wouldn’t be alone… was enough to convince her.

And eventually, they all settled on the couch, and put on some crappy romance movie. 

In fact, Minjeong, unbeknownst to the three others, actually felt the safest she ever did, squished between her three friends on the couch. For once, she allowed herself to leave all her problems behind, and indulged herself in her friends’ warmth. 

“Minjeongie?”

Minjeong turned her head slightly towards Jimin, who was directly positioned on her right. Actually, she’s the one who had been squeezing her the tightest out of the girls, to no surprise. And Minjeong deeply appreciated the support, she really did. 

Gosh she had missed Jimin so much. Being in her arms right now felt like a dream, really. 

And finally, in a moment like this one where Jimin is so close to her, she realized that everything is real. She really did leave her mother’s desires behind, and followed her heart for once. 

She followed Jimin.

And she knows she always will.

“What’s up?” she sleepily mumbled. 

Amidst the darkened room, she noticed Jimin’s lips curling in a soft smile. “I’m glad to see you again,” she whispered so softly that it made Minjeong’s heart melt on the spot. 

It seems like her angsty arc away from Jimin really did tenfold her feelings for the older woman… But at this point, she didn’t even mind. 

But boy was Minjeong glad that Aeri and Yizhuo were completely passed out. Because she’s sure that if they had seen the deep blush on her face, she really wouldn’t be able to ever live this down. At least, she wishes they were…

But she guesses that showing this side of herself to Jimin is okay. She feels comfortable enough to do so after all. 

Showing herself to Jimin is okay. 

Without even realizing it, she took Jimin’s hand in hers, and looked at her straight in the eyes. “I missed you too Jimin.”