赤い糸 - Red String of Fate | JeongSa - MiChaeng

Chapter 21 - Guilty or Love?

Sana pov

Where is my wristband? Since when did I—
Oh no. Did I really say that last night? The soulmate thing... Did I scare her?

I bury my face in the pillow, groaning. My head throbs faintly, and flashes of last night keep slipping back like puzzle pieces. Tzuyu's worried face, the bitter taste of honey water, someone tugging something from my hand—ah, right.

It was Jeongyeon.
It was Yoo Jeongyeon who took off my wristband.

I sit up quickly, the blanket falling to my lap. Heat rises in my cheeks at the memory. If she saw my wrist bare... did she notice anything? What else happened? I remember leaning on her back, being carried up the stairs, her hand pulling the covers over me. And then—

"Ugh!" I flop back onto the bed, covering my face. Why am I so bad at drinking games? Why did I even drink that soju?

The door suddenly creaks open.

My eyes widen. Should I pretend to be asleep? Maybe she'll—

*Pinch

"Ah! Ow ow ow!" I yelp, clutching my arm. "Why do you always pinch me? You could just call my name from downstairs, I'd still hear you!"

Jeongyeon only grins, like she enjoys seeing me flustered. My head still aches, but before long, we're at a Western-style restaurant with Mina. Jeongyeon orders the strangest mix of fruits alongside salmon steak, and Mina keeps chuckling at something I'm not in on.

I glance between them, suspicious. Something feels off.

People say soulmates are drawn to each other. So why is my soulmate, sitting right in front of me, barely paying attention to me? At this point, she has to know. She must have seen it—the string, the signs, something. Then why...

"Seriously!" I mutter under my breath as Mina and Jeongyeon share another laugh. "What are you two even talking about?"

Neither of them answer me properly. Mina just smirks, like she knows something I don't.

By the time we finish lunch, I feel much better. My stomach settles, the dizziness fades, and warmth spreads through my body. Maybe filling my stomach really was the cure.

But the afternoon drifts on. Mina disappears for her evening plans, Tzuyu goes home, and Jeongyeon leaves to "hang out with her sister." Which leaves me... alone.

I sigh. How I wish I had siblings too.

At home, I run a hot bath. Steam fills the bathroom as I sink into the water, shoulders relaxing, the heat soaking deep into my skin. For a moment, it feels like my soul is unwinding.

But the silence only makes my thoughts louder.

My parents must be busy in Japan. The TV even shows them on the news—"Minatozaki Company's successful New Year event." The image of their smiling faces makes me feel both proud and painfully distant. They're celebrating while I'm here, alone in a quiet apartment, waiting for someone who may or may not come back tonight.

And that's when the thought claws back at me:

Someday, I will handle the bakery hmmm how about Jeongyeon?

The sound of the door clicking open breaks my spiral.

Jeongyeon steps in, carrying a large paper bag, her shoes slipping off carelessly at the door. She waves at me, smiling.

"Hi, Sana."

I sit up straighter on the couch. "Jeongyeon, come here"

Her smile lingers, but my tone makes her pause. When she sits down across from me, I can feel the weight between us.

"Jeongyeon," I start quietly, "we need to talk."

"Of course," she says easily, though her hands tighten slightly around the paper bag.

"Will you be fine talking about... this?"

"That thing?" she echoes, forcing a small laugh. "I'll be fine"

Silence settles. Neither of us knows how to begin. My heart pounds, waiting, hoping she'll speak first. Finally, she exhales and lowers her gaze.

"Yes, Sana," she says slowly, "I know you're my soulmate." Her voice trembles at the edges. "I'm sorry... but I just can't..." She looks away, embarrassed, almost ashamed.

I bite my lip. For a second, the ache in my chest feels unbearable. But then—I reach across, gently brushing her hand.

"Sorry, Jeongyeon," I murmur. "Even if you're afraid, I just wanted us to be honest, at least now we both know. Let's not rush things, okay?"

She finally lifts her head, relief softening her eyes. "Thank you, Sana. For understanding."

I smile at her, warmer this time. "Let's start afresh" I hold out my hand.

Her lips curve into a grin, and she clasps it firmly.

"Speaking of starting..." Jeongyeon fumbles with the bag behind her and places it on the table. "Here. Your birthday present. I didn't really know what to get, so I just—"

"Eh?!" I gasp as I peek inside. A plush Shiba Inu stares back at me, its soft ears flopping when I lift it.

Before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around her. "Uwaaaa, thank youuu!" My voice muffles against her neck as warmth floods my chest.

"Ah—hah—don't mention it," she stammers, frozen stiff from the sudden hug.

I pull back just enough to eye her suspiciously. "Wait. You said you were hanging out with your sister. Then how did you get this?"

"Uh—I-I went with my sister," she stutters.

I grin. "Hehe, you're such a bad liar"

Her ears redden as she scratches the back of her head. "...Okay, fine, I lied, I just wanted to get this for you"

The truth hits me harder than I expect. She hadn't been with her sister at all—she'd gone out of her way, just for this. Just for me.

"Jeongyeon..." I whisper, flustered. My heart races, and I quickly change the subject. "Come on, it's late. Go clean up and rest"

"Roger that" She flashes me a smile, clearly amused by my red cheeks.

Relieved
Flustered
Grateful

That's what we are tonight. No rushing. No pressure. Just the quiet, simple warmth of two people starting over.

And for the first time in a long while, I look forward to tomorrow.