Stuck With You (Jinjoo)

Chapter 14

Just after they finished their barbecue party, all 12 contestants went back to their houses to finish up for the day. During the walk to their houses, Minjoo had Sakura and Yuri accompany her that made the walk entertaining than her going alone on her own.

They talked about how their day went, the challenges that already occured since this morning, their scores, and even their partners. Sakura and Yuri would occasionally compliment their partners, how they clicked instantly and all despite not being friends.

Minjoo, on the other hand, remained silent. She didn't know whether she should say something nice about Yujin or plainly keep her mouth shut. She was aware that her friends knew about her certain dislike towards the younger.

"How about you, Minjoo? Anything you like to say about Yujin?" Yuri said, breaking Minjoo out of her thoughts.

"Oh... well..." Minjoo's plan on not engaging in their conversation about their partners didn't work. She had to think of a way to divert their attention away from her without complimenting Yujin too much. Or else, they'll start to think that she's getting warmer to her now.

"She did let me choose which side of the bed I wanted so, I guess that's something...?"

There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She didn't know if she said the right thing or if they'll push her for more.

"Yeah, okay. At least what you said was more of a good thing than what you usually say about her. You're improving!" Yuri sarcastically said, hitting Minjoo playfully on the shoulder.

They all laughed at Yuri's statement as Minjoo chuckled. At least she was safe for now.

--

They all went their separate ways as they neared to the direction of their houses. Minjoo trudged her way up the stairs of their house and wondered if Yujin was already inside. Judging from the lights that were on and the door being unlocked, Minjoo concluded that Yujin was already there.

She went inside the house carefully, not knowing if she should announce her arrival or anything. After giving it some thought, she decided not to say anything. She locked the front door and turned off some of the lights in the living room as it was pretty late already. Yujin is most probably halfway done washing up and is most likely heading to bed.

She went up the stairs, heading straight to the door that leads to their room. Thinking that Yujin was already in the bathroom, Minjoo went inside—only to be surprised to see Yujin sitting on her bed, still wearing her clothes from earlier.

"W-Wait. I t-thought you were already cleaning up?" Minjoo asks, startled at how Yujin was just sitting there and not showing any signs that she'll start cleaning up anytime soon.

Yujin smiled, standing up so she can match Minjoo's height (or more like, tower over her due to their height difference) as she says, "I was waiting for you. I thought maybe you could go first before me."

Minjoo's eyebrows furrowed. Didn't she want to clean up before her? Wouldn't it be more convenient than letting her go first? Also, why would Yujin wait for her?

Minjoo's lips opened slightly, ready to question her when Yujin spoke up again.

"My body's still a little sore from the challenges earlier." Yujin stretched her arms to give emphasis to her point. "You probably should go ahead."

"Okay. If you say so." Minjoo grabbed her stuff from the the dresser as she looked back at Yujin uncertainly.

Yujin seemed to be satisfied with Minjoo using the bathroom first as she went back on sitting on her bed, legs crossed with her eyes trained on her phone's screen—a small smile on her face.