赤い糸 - Red String of Fate | JeongSa - MiChaeng

Chapter 34 - First day

(A/N: try to read the other RSOF edition, both version is related)

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It's the second time we have a morning walk together, but it's our first time since we dated.

"Sana-yah, your head is so damn heavy"

"Just let me rest on your shoulder a bit... I'm sleeepy," Sana whined.

"Nobody told you to wake up this early," Jeongyeon teased.

"Aish." Sana lifted her head with a pout, but the smile gave her away.

[ Room 230 ]

"Mina, do you have any favorite drinks or snacks? I'll buy them for you—so you won't get stuck with this awful raspberry juice."

Sana shot Jeongyeon a glare while sipping her juice. "Yah, I can hear you."

(Jeongyeon chuckled)

"I usually drink tea in the morning," Mina answered calmly. "But trying different drinks reminds me there's more to the world than tea. So I don't really mind"

"Minari, I just asked your favorite, not a whole essay"

"..." Mina's lips pressed thinly. 

Suddenly, Mina and Sana switched to Japanese:

「ジュースは美味しいですね？」
(Jūsu wa oishii desu ne? / "The juice is good, isn't it?")

「そうですね」
(Sou desu ne / "Yeah, it is.")

Jeongyeon chuckled again. "Hey, hey, I was just kidding."

Both Sana and Mina laughed softly.

[ At class ]

yawn
Jeongyeon pulled out a neck pillow from her bag.

Mina tilted her head. "Why are you bringing a neck pillow to campus?"

"I'm sleepy." Without hesitation, Jeongyeon placed the pillow on Mina's shoulder and leaned against it. Earphones in, eyes closed—she was gone.

The teacher didn't bother; as long as the class wasn't disturbed, it was fine.

Back at her own desk, Sana fiddled with her phone. Her Shiba Inu phone case stared back at her—the one Tzuyu had given her.

My Chewy...

Her chest tightened. But her gaze shifted. There was Jeongyeon, sleeping comfortably on Mina's shoulder.

Why is Jeongyeon so different...  whether she's with Mina, or me?

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[ Class break ]

Jeongyeon stirred, lifting her head from Mina's shoulder. She rubbed her eyes, stretched, then stood up.

"I'll grab some coffee. Want me to get tea for you?"

Mina still jotting the last of her notes. "Wait, I'll come with—" 

"It's fine, I'll go alone," Jeongyeon said quickly before jogging off, leaving Mina behind.

Ah—I forgot to ask Sana. It should be okay... she won't get jealous, right?

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Two unfamiliar guys strolled into the classroom. Instantly, whispers and giggles spread—clearly, they were campus-famous for their looks.

The shorter one nudged the taller. "Taehyung, there she is."

Sana blinked, confused.

Taehyung walked straight to her, pulling out Tzuyu's empty chair and sitting down beside her. His hand came down on the desk with a thud, making Sana flinch.

"Hey, where's your beautiful friend?" His tone was casual, but the way his eyes scanned her wasn't.

Sana stiffened. "...."

"If I'm not mistaken, her name's... Chou Tzuyu, right?"

"Y-yes," Sana admitted quietly.

"So where is she now?" He leaned in closer.

"She... she doesn't study here anymore." Sana's eyes dropped, her chest aching as if he'd just peeled the scab off an old wound.

Taehyung smirked. Without hesitation, he draped an arm over her shoulders. "So you're all alone now, huh?"

Sana shoved him away, "Get off me!"

From the corner, she could hear Mina's urgent voice on the phone:
"Jeongyeon-ah! Come back! Palli!!"

The boy laughed, unbothered. "Don't play hard to get, pretty girl" He tilted her chin up with a single finger.

Sana's breath hitched.
Help me... Jeongyeon...