Chapter 4

“Jimin, can I?”

Jimin shakily closed her eyes, as she felt Minjeong’s fingers gently rest against her chin. Her requests kept going with each day, but to Jimin’s surprise, it never got as ‘far’ as the first day. Usually, Minjeong would just ask her to walk home with her, to hug her, and the most she was asking for was to kiss Jimin on the cheek.

Just like she was doing right now. 

Over the course of those past weeks, Jimin began to get used to the sensation of Minjeong’s soft lips falling on her flushed cheeks. She might be used to it, but her heart definitely isn’t. And the way it frantically races everytime she feels Minjeong against her cheeks is enough proof for it. 

And she can’t help but to notice how long Minjeong’s eyelashes really are, the more she gets to see her up close. She also doesn’t miss the way the blonde always needs to stand on her tippy toes to reach Jimin’s cheek, and has to physically refrain herself from squealing each time. Who can really blame her though? She’s a sucker for cute things and creatures, and Minjeong is no exception, despite how bratty she can be!

However, part of Jimin, aside from those requests, couldn’t stop thinking about Minjeong. Well not her in particular, but her story itself. 

It must be lonely to be all by herself like this. No friends, no family, nothing.

Jimin has always been very close to her family, and the concept of parents not caring enough about their children and leaving them all alone to fend for themselves is crazy to her. She should honestly be mad at Minjeong for basically making her her cuddling toy after this weird blackmailing of hers, but part of her mostly felt bad for the other girl. 

She had only gotten such a small glimpse into the reality of Minjeong’s life, but already craved to learn more. 

Jimin let out a big sigh, and plopped down on her bed. Even when she’s not here, Minjeong still manages to nonchalantly invade her thoughts.

***

The next day, Jimin was busy strolling down the mall with her friends. She felt so ecstatic to finally be able to spend some time with them after school. It had been way too long!

They did everything girls their age usually do when they hang out together. Laugh loudly, window shopping, and obviously, a mandatory ice cream break.

Their little tour eventually brought them to a bunch of claw machines, and one particularly stood out to Jimin. Inside, sat a ridiculously bored white maltese plushie. And its face gave Jimin an unsettling feeling of déjà vu.

It only took her a second to connect the dots. Minjeong and this stuffed toy looked awfully similar… like twins. 

And it’s for this specific reason that Jimin absolutely needs it! Using what Minjeong had taught her, Jimin skillfully moved the joystick around, and clawed the plushie perfectly. In a single attempt, she was able to get it! 

“Woah, I wasn’t familiar with your game, Yu Jimin!” 

Jimin turned around, and saw Ryujin looking at her with sparkly eyes. 

“Well Ryujin, you might be in the presence of a crane game master.”

Ryujin snickered, and took the dog plushie in her hands. “It looks so cute!”

“It really does!” laughed Jimin. “Doesn’t it totally look like Minjeong too?”

Ryujin tilted her head, curious. “Oh, since when were you this close to Kim Minjeong?”

“That’s right! Since when?!” chirped Somi, who basically spawned right behind Ryujin, followed by Aeri, who was smirking as usual. 

“Well…” started Jimin. “I made her come to school and I’m basically tutoring her now so… isn’t it normal?” 

The other three all looked at themselves, before breaking into laughter. Jimin groaned, and walked past them. “Anyways, let’s go!” The girls then resumed their outing, Jimin with the stuffed toy well secured under her arm.