Chapter 5

After coming back from the amusement park, Jimin couldn’t find it in herself to fall asleep, too distracted with her thoughts. Thoughts of Minjeong.

She had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that they’ve kissed. For real. 

Sure, it had been done under the condition of Minjeong’s request, but for some reason, Jimin did not even attempt to fight back. As if… she had wanted it as well.

But then, what?

Is it normal to be completely okay with kissing your classmate? No matter how hard Jimin thinks about it, she simply cannot find the answer in herself. She knows that this isn’t something she should do with someone who isn’t her partner, this much is certain.

But what does Jimin really want to be to Minjeong..?

She can’t get what Minjeong told her out of her mind either. Why did Jimin really agree to all of this? Is it really just for the recommendation? Her first thought is that it obviously is because of this. Because she doesn’t want to be a disappointment to her family. 

But… is it still her only reason for agreeing to all of this? 

But at the same time, if Jimin keeps on listening to Minjeong’s requests, then she’ll be sure to enroll in a highly-regarded college, and make her parents proud. So things should be pretty much obvious, shouldn’t they?

“Ugh, whatever!” she sighed, rolling down on her stomach, hoping that sleep would eventually find her, and free her from those distracting thoughts.

***

“Hey Jimin! Wanna go somewhere after school?” 

Jimin, who had been packing her bag after class, raised her head, and saw Ryujin hovering over her table, a huge grin on her face as per usual. She was about to answer when the girl began talking again. 

“We’re going with the whole amusement park crew!” 

Jimin immediately stiffened at the mention of the amusement park, and especially when she locked eyes with Minjeong, who was surrounded by Somi and Aeri.

“I-I actually have to go return a book to the library!” she blurted, hoping it would be enough to justify her absence. 

She honestly would have loved to hang out with her friends, but knowing that Minjeong would also be there immediately stressed her out. They haven’t talked since the amusement park accident, and Jimin thinks that she still is far from ready to address whatever happened between them. 

Ryujin looked at her curiously. “Really? If that’s all, we can just wait for you.”

There’s something about Jimin. She absolutely cannot for the life of her lie. Like there’s the worst liar alive, and right under there’s Yu Jimin.

“Um… A-After that Ms Park wants to see me and… that might take a while…”

Finally, Ryujin seemed to give up. “Ah… Too bad. But you’ll have to join us next time!” 

Jimin nodded, trying to fake an apologetic smile, and swiftly bolted out of the classroom, not bothering to look back. She felt terrible but, in her defense, she had no choice but to lie to avoid being stuck in the same space as Minjeong again. The thing, though, is that she doesn’t have any book to return…

She sighed. “I guess I’ll just read something before going home…”

If she keeps her distance from Minjeong, aside from her requests, then everything should be fine. At least, she hopes.

When she arrived at the library, Jimin grabbed a random book, and began to skim through it. And somehow, when she finally raised her nose from the pages, she realized for how long she had been sitting there.