赤い糸 - Red String of Fate | JeongSa - MiChaeng

Chapter 51 - （・□・；）

Nayeon wandered along the sidewalk, wiping at her damp cheeks, forcing herself to breathe evenly.

Get yourself together... I'm Nayeon... I don't cry like this.

Behind her, Tzuyu lingered awkwardly, frozen in place. She didn't know what to do, what to say. Clueless.

"...sorry" The word slipped from Tzuyu's lips, soft and hesitant.

"I should be sorry, not you..." Nayeon whispered back, her voice shaky. She drew a long breath before muttering, "Do me a favor..."

"Yes?" Tzuyu blinked, unsure.

"...turn around." Her voice was so low it was almost carried away by the street noise.

Confused, Tzuyu slowly turned her back to her.

A weight pressed gently against her shoulder blades. Still as a statue, Tzuyu realized—Nayeon had leaned her forehead against her back. A quiet sob followed.

Her chest tightened. Sympathy stirred in her heart.

"Wh-what's the matter? Umm... I can lend you my ear," Tzuyu murmured carefully.

(silence)

Sniffling.

"D-do you need a tissue? I can get it for you"

(silence again)

Tzuyu clenched her hands, frustrated at her own helplessness.
Why am I acting like this? We just met, yet I don't feel like she's a stranger... Why does this hurt?

Her mind flickered back to the comfort she felt in Jeongyeon's hug that night. Before she could stop herself, words left her mouth.

"Umm... do you... need a hug? I can... give you one..."

"I-I-I'm o-okay. I'm okay," Nayeon stammered, pulling her head back.

Tzuyu turned, eyes steady. "No. You're not"

She wrapped her arms around the crying bunny.

Warmth. Silence. Yet it wasn't uncomfortable—it was strangely grounding, like two puzzle pieces finding a fit. 

Nayeon stood stiff at first, shocked. Tzuyu's warmth... I wish I could've felt this sooner. Her tears slowed, but her heart raced.

The moment shattered—

"Tzuyu-yah, why are y—wuoh!!" Jeongyeon burst through the café door, eyes wide at the sight.

Tzuyu immediately pulled back, startled.

"I—I didn't mean to disturb—!" （・□・；）Jeongyeon flailed her hands.

"It's okay, you came at the right time, I should go in" Tzuyu's voice was calm, but her steps quick as she retreated inside.

Nayeon avoided Jeongyeon's eyes.

"Hey... Im Nayeon long time no see, huh? How have you been?" Jeongyeon tried to smile, but faltered when she caught sight of Nayeon's red, puffy eyes. "Yah... you cried? That's not like you at all"

Nayeon only nodded, looking away.

"you... know Tzuyu?" Jeong asked cautiously.

Nayeon gulped.

"You have a lot of friends, so it's not surprising, right?" Jeong tilted her head.

Silence.

"...Am I talking to Nayeon, or the wall?" Jeongyeon frowned.

That jab startled Nayeon into glancing back at her.

Jeongyeon sighed. "I'll be straightforward. Tell me honestly... why did you lie?"

"I'm sorry..." Nayeon's eyes fell.

"No, not sorry. Why did you lie?"

"I'm an asshole, i'm a bastard that you all can't forgive" ,_,

Jeong's chest tightened. "You really don't want to answer me, huh? Alright. I'm... disappointed, Nayeon. Really"

"sorry..."

"You'll say sorry, but not the truth?" Jeong's voice rose.

Nayeon fidgeted with her fingers, trembling. "...It's because..."

"Say it!"

"I-i purposely... make Mina and you t-to be friends..." Nayeon then runs inside as soon she finished her words.

"me and Mina?? yah, Nayeon!" Jeongyeon froze, the words echoing. 

Me... and Mina? Why would she...

—

[ Inside the café ]

Nayeon served customers with a plastered smile, her eyes still red. Jeongyeon, sighing, sat back down without pressing further.

Mina studied her, sensing the tension but keeping her questions to herself.

Tzuyu had finished her food.

Sana, frowning, leaned in. "How do both of you know that waitress?"

"Ah—she's my old friend. We just... caught up a bit," Jeongyeon replied, tone too casual.

"Ooo" Sana nodded slowly, though her suspicion remained.

"..." Tzuyu kept silent, her eyes flicking toward Mina. Something weighed on her tongue, unspoken.

"Tzu, so you're her friend too?" Sana asked again.

"Y-yes..." 

Sensing the heaviness, Jeong clapped her hands. "Should we go now?"

"Yeah, let's go" Tzuyu forced a faint smile at her.

Before leaving, all four glanced at Nayeon one last time—each burdened by their own thoughts.

Sana: Who exactly is that waitress?

Tzuyu: Why does she feel like someone I've known forever?

Jeongyeon something is strange... what is the problem with me and Mina being friends?

Mina: Their red string... Why can I see it? What does it mean for me?

Her chest tightened as she gripped her bag. For the first time, Mina wondered—
Am I... really just an observer? Or part of this fate too?