in which two souls are binded together with the red string of fate are then forced into a contract to be in a fake relationship where they're not supposed to fall in love but they do so anyways.
enhypen / park jongseong - jay
STARTED 220115
COMPLETE...
i'm sorry i don't trust myself enough to trust somebody else. it hurts to know i hurt the only ones who love me at my worst.
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kyorin finds herself back in junior high. the colors of the classroom dull, like they've been washed out by time. everything feels slightly off, like a memory being replayed but just a little distorted. she stands at her desk, hands stained with multiple colors, staring down at her painting. it's everything she loves: her favorite books come to life, their stories intertwining in brushstrokes, pages turning into endless skies.
the announcement comes. "first place goes to... eun kyorin!"
the room erupts in applause, but kyorin barely hears it. her ears ring as she turns, searching, already knowing who she's looking for. chaerin.
chaerin sits frozen in her seat, lips slightly parted, eyes unreadable. she blinks once, twice. she doesn't clap. kyorin swallows hard.
chaerin got second place.
kyorin barely has time to process the win before the memory shifts. suddenly, she's in chaerin's bedroom, the warm glow of the lamp casting long shadows across the walls. the scent of vanilla and something sharp lingers in the air. the fresh batch of red velvet brownies swirled with cheesecake as per kyorin's suggestion began to grow cold as did chaerin's expression.
kyorin sits on chaerin's bed, fingers gripping the certificate, still feeling the rush of victory. "i still can't believe it," she says, breathless. "i've never won anything before. my art is going to be at the lantern festival. can you believe it?"
chaerin is quiet. too quiet.
"kyorin," chaerin says, voice soft, careful. "do you think maybe you could let me take your place?"
kyorin blinks, the words not making sense at first. she laughs, a little confused. "that's a really funny joke, chae. that was a joke, right?"
chaerin looks at her, eyes wide, almost hurt. "it's just that i always represent the school. people expect it." she gestures vaguely at the shelves lined with trophies, ribbons, medals, all with her name on them. "i mean, you never even enter these things. i didn't think you'd care that much about this."
kyorin's stomach twists. "but i do care." her voice comes out smaller than she wants. "i worked really hard on this piece, chaerin. it means a lot to me."
chaerin lets out a slow breath, tilting her head. "i get that. i do. but are you sure this is really something you want? like, really? i mean, you've never shown any interest in competing before." she smiles, just a little, as if trying to be understanding. "i think maybe you just got caught up in the moment. winning feels nice, right? i get it."
kyorin grips the certificate tighter. "no. it's not like that. i wanted to do this. and i won, fair and square."
chaerin sighs, shaking her head. "kyorin, come on. you'd still have won the contest, i just think my piece would be a better fit for the festival! it's not a big deal. it's just one art contest. you know i've worked hard for this too."
