赤い糸 - Red String of Fate | JeongSa - MiChaeng

Chapter 26 - Shy shy shy~

Breakfast that morning looked normal. Tzuyu had bought food for everyone, and they gathered before class. Laughter here and there, casual chatter, but inside, each of them carried their own storm of thoughts.

Above their heads, invisible clouds of words swirled:

Sana – How do I ask Tzuyu to meet Jeongyeon? No, no—how do I introduce Jeongyeon to Tzuyu?

Tzuyu – I should never have drunk that night. Embarrassing myself, barging into 230 half-drunk... but it's already happened. Forget it. Let it go.

Jeongyeon – Will the plan work? Don't look at Tzuyu. Don't, or I'll get that death stare again.

Mina – Did Jeongyeon ask her? Or not?

—

[ at Class ]

Mina nudged Jeongyeon. "So... how's it going?"

Jeongyeon smiled faintly. "I'll find the answer soon."

"Eh? You haven't asked her yet?" Mina's disappointment was written all over her face.

"I did... but Sana doesn't know, so I'll find out myself later."

"Ooh." Mina leaned closer. "Then good luck, Jeong. Don't hesitate, or you'll lose your chance."

Jeongyeon smiled, "Thank you, my friend"

My friend

—

"Tzuyu-yah," Sana said nervously, "after class... I want to introduce you to someone."

Tzuyu tilted her head. "Who?"

"You'll see soon."

"...Alright."

But Tzuyu couldn't help noticing—Sana had been zoning out during lectures, harder to approach after their little fight. Still, she tried.

"You seem... distracted. Is something wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong, Tzuyu"

Those words stuck like a thorn.

There's nothing wrong, Tzuyu
There's nothing wrong, Tzuyu

A lie. We always tell each other everything, why are you hiding now?

—

[ The Café ]

Sana led Tzuyu into a small café. She was waiting for someone.

Meanwhile, Jeongyeon hurried there, muttering to herself—Sana's shy. Embarrasses easily. I'll ruffle her hair. Steal her drink. Just don't let it be sour juice. Okay, Jeong, deep breath. Don't look at Tzuyu. Don't.

Don't look at Tzuyu

Don't look at Tzuyu

She arrived, sat beside Sana, hiding her trembling hands under the table. Seconds later, she stole a sip of Sana's drink.

"Hey! That's mine!" Sana gasped.

"nyum, Hot choco?" Jeongyeon asked, then she turned to Tzuyu. "Helloow"

"Hi, Jeongyeon,"

Tzuyu was suddenly alarmed and confused at the same time, "You said you want to introduce someone to me"

Sana froze, hesitation flickering in her eyes. Before she could speak, Jeongyeon moved.

She reached to wipe Sana's cheek—though nothing was there. "What's this?"

Startled, Sana swatted her hand away. "Yah! what are you doing?"

Jeongyeon chuckled. "Sana is a shy shy shy person, isn't she?"

Sana blushed and confused, " Yoo Jeong Yeon, what are you trying to do—"

Not stopping, Jeongyeon reached over to ruffle her hair. "Aigoo"

The moment snapped something in Tzuyu. She stood abruptly. "umm, i need to go toilet" She grabbed her cup of lemon tea and walked off, dazed.

Sana stared after her. "Jeongyeon, what's wrong with you?"

Jeongyeon exhaled slowly, the teasing tone fading. "...I just needed to know and to see how she'd react"

Sana's frown deepened. "Since when did you start reading her that well?"

Jeongyeon gave a small, uncertain shrug. "I just somehow have a gut feeling," But her hands betrayed her, trembling slightly beneath the table.

Then Sana asks Jeongyeon, "Your hand is shaking,  nervous? Do you feel bad after doing this?"

Jeongyeon glanced at her. "...If I say yes, will you hold my hand?"

"Huh?"

"Hold my hand," Jeongyeon repeated, offering hers.

Sana grumpily refused, But actually, she is very embarrassed. She really wants to hold her shaky hands tho. 

Jeongyeon only laughed, eyes fond. "Shy~ shy~ shy~"

"Stop it!" Sana huffed, grumpier than she meant.

But to Jeongyeon, she only looked cuter.

.

.

Minutes passed. Still no Tzuyu.

Sana went to check, but the toilet was empty. By the sink lay Tzuyu's unfinished drink.

Panic bloomed. She called.

The number you're calling is out of reach.

"She didn't answer?" Jeongyeon asked.

Sana glared. "It's your fault."

Guilt tangled in Jeongyeon's chest.

"I told you," Sana whispered, "she's sensitive."

"Then... what? If she's hurt, are you really going to date her?" The words spilled harsher than Jeongyeon intended.

Sana flinched. "That's not it. I just... don't want to hurt anyone, especially someone who loves me"

The sentence hung heavy.

"...Why?" Jeongyeon asked quietly. "Did someone you love hurt you before?"

Sana looked away, lips sealed.

Jeongyeon sighed and stood. "I'll pay first, okay?"

—

[ Outside the Café ]

When she returned, the table was empty. Panic jolted through her.

"Sana? Sana!"

But Sana was right by the door, waiting. Embarrassed, Jeongyeon laughed at herself, then hurried to catch up.

She reached Sana's side on the stairs. "Don't you care about my feelings?"

"...Huh?" Sana blinked.

"You said you don't want to hurt anybody—especially the person who loves you."

Sana's breath caught. Her own words thrown back at her. What... is she saying?

"Geez, why are you so dumb?" Jeongyeon pinched her cheeks and dashed ahead.

"Yahhh!! Yoo Jeong Yeon!!"

—

[ Room 230 ]

Jeongyeon flicked off the lights, flopped on her bed. "It's late. Goodnight."

"Goodnight~"

But Sana lay awake, staring into the dark. Her mind replayed Jeongyeon's words.

Don't you care about my feelings?
...Especially the person who loves you.

Was that... a confession? Indirectly?

Her cheeks warmed. She buried her face in the pillow.

I'm... blushing in the dark.