赤い糸 - Red String of Fate | JeongSa - MiChaeng

Chapter 23 - More than friends?

Jeongyeon couldn't focus. The teacher's voice was just a blur against the whiteboard, her pen frozen mid-note. Her gaze drifted to nowhere, eyes glazed.

"Jeongyeon, are you okay?" Mina's whisper pulled her back.

She didn't react.

"Jeong?" Mina waved a hand in front of her face.

Jeongyeon blinked. "Huh?"

"You're not paying attention," Mina said, frowning. "What's going on? Got something on your mind?"

"Hm." Jeongyeon quickly averted her eyes.

"Tell me. It's about Sana, right?"

"Nope. It's... Tzuyu"

Mina almost yelped. "Tzuyu?"

"Shhh! She can hear you," Jeongyeon hissed, clamping her hand over Mina's mouth.

Mina peeked sideways and instantly stiffened. "Oh crap. She's looking at us." She turned back to the board so fast her hair whipped over her shoulder.

"You almost got us killed," Jeongyeon muttered, flicking Mina's forehead.

"Ouch!" Mina flicked back twice as hard.

"Yah, Myoui Mina! I didn't hit you that hard." Jeongyeon rubbed her forehead, pouting.

The room went quiet.

"Hey! You two!" the teacher barked. "If you don't want to study, get out of my class"

Both of them sank lower in their seats. "Sorry, sir," they mumbled in unison.

Mina slid a folded note across the desk. Let's grab a drink after class.

The sun had already dipped low when they found themselves in a quiet café, sipping warm drinks. The cozy silence broke when Mina followed Jeongyeon's eyes to the window.

Outside, under the fading light, two familiar figures walked together — Sana and Tzuyu.

Jeongyeon's chest tightened.

— 

"Tzuyu-yah," Sana said, her tone unusually soft.

"Yes?"

"If... if me and you were soulmates—"

Tzuyu froze. Her heart skipped so violently she was sure Sana could hear it. A smile tugged at her lips, threatening to betray her, and no matter how hard she tried to stay neutral, her dimple gave her away.

"Then... if I had a friend I was super close to," Sana continued, "someone I was more open with, more comfortable with... would you be jealous?"

"Yes." The answer slipped out instantly, sharp and honest.

Sana burst out laughing. "ㅋㅋㅋ, you're so serious! You're cute when you're like this."

"I'm not—" Tzuyu turned away quickly, cheeks burning.

"You're lying again! Look at your face, it's pink!" Sana teased, nudging her shoulder against Tzuyu's.

"D-don't say I'm cute." Tzuyu covered her cheeks with both hands, but that only made Sana laugh harder.

"You're adorable, Tzuyu. Just admit it already!" Sana leaned into her, hugging her side and shaking her playfully.

Sana, Why do you keep attacking my heart?
Tzuyu covered her face, hiding her rosy cheeks.

— 

Back in the café, Jeongyeon hadn't looked away once.

"Oh right," Mina said, stirring her drink absentmindedly. "You were going to tell me, about her"

"About Tzuyu?" Jeongyeon's eyes stayed locked on the pair outside.

"Who else?" Mina shot her a look.

Jeongyeon gave a small, humorless laugh. "I don't think I need to explain, just look"

Mina followed her gaze. "What do you—wait." It took a few seconds for her to catch on. Her brows furrowed. "You're saying... they're a thing? No way."

She turned back to Jeongyeon, smirking. "Or are you jealous? Do you have feelings for Sana now?"

Jeongyeon nearly choked on her drink. "N-no! That's not it, Mina. Focus on Tzuyu."

"Fine. So what's wrong with her?"

"Don't you think..." Jeongyeon hesitated, her throat tightening. "...she likes Sana?"

Mina tilted her head. "I mean, they've been best friends for years. Of course she does."

"No." Jeongyeon finally tore her gaze away, meeting Mina's eyes. "...I mean, more than friends."

The words hung heavy between them.

Mina leaned back slowly, lips parting. "...Oh."

"At first, I didn't realize it either. But this morning... when I wiped food off Sana's lips, Tzuyu gave me this look, a death stare"

"Hm." Mina tapped her chin, thoughtful. "Then what if it's true? What if she really does like Sana? What will you do?"

"I... I don't know." Jeongyeon's hands tightened around her cup. "But someday the truth will come out. And when it does..." Her voice dropped. "...she'll be the one hurt."

Mina sighed. "Whatever happens, you and Sana are soulmates. Sooner or later, Tzuyu will find out."

Jeongyeon lowered her head. The truth tasted bitter. "What should I do, Mina?"

.
.

[ at 230 ]

"You should ask Sana about Tzuyu, It's okay if you unable to ask her tonight, Just ask when the chance come. Goodnight, Jeongyeon!" Mina leaves 230 front doors.

Jeongyeon sighed and took a light shower, and lie on the bed, She decided to sleep first, Couldn't bring herself to ask Sana, even though she is not here.

What if Tzuyu really likes her?