赤い糸 - Red String of Fate

Chapter 53 - Reset (on going rvsion)

Sana and Tzuyu had hopped from ride to ride like children set loose. Even though Tzuyu was stiff on half of them, Sana's laughter was enough to drag her through. By the time they left their last queue, both of them were winded but smiling.

"No more lines. My legs are giving up," Sana panted, tugging Tzuyu's sleeve.

"Finally," Tzuyu giggled, "I thought I was going to faint back there"

They strolled lazily, snapping pictures along the way. Sana leaned close to check the camera screen, noticing Tzuyu's phone case. "Ohhh! You're still using it?"

Tzuyu tilted her head. "Of course, it's from you"

Sana's grin softened. "Hehe... I never thanked you properly for that, Chewy. So... thank you" She hooked their arms together, swinging them playfully.

Tzuyu chuckled again. "You're welcome, actually... there's something I want to say"

"yes?" (•ิᴗ•ิ)?

"...After the exam period, I'll be going back to Taiwan."

Sana's smile faltered. "Oh..."

Her own family matters immediately resurfaced—the looming responsibility of Minatozaki Bakery. She swallowed. "...Me too, Tzu. I'll be leaving soon as well."

"You too?" Tzuyu tilted her head, surprised.

Sana nodded. "Mm"

"I didn't expect that," Tzuyu muttered. "We're the same then, hmm i wonder how Jeongyeon will react... will she cry dramatically?"

Sana forced a smile, trying to laugh along. "...I haven't told her yet"

The silence turned heavy. Tzuyu bit her lip, guilty for making a joke out of something serious.

"Let's eat ice cream!" Sana suddenly shouted, breaking the tension.

Tzuyu startled. "ㅋㅋㅋ okay, but please... not so loud? People are staring"

"I don't care! ICE CREAM!" Sana yelled again, earning stares from passing kids.

Tzuyu gave up with a chuckle. "Alright, alright. Stay here, I'll buy some"

While waiting, Sana amused herself making silly faces at a baby, then wandered toward a crowd where a mascot was handing out balloons. The atmosphere was cute, lighthearted—until something caught her eye.

A boy held something small and familiar.

Sana crouched. "Hey~ cutie, can I borrow that?"

"No!" the boy clutched it tight.

Sana put on her hamster eyes. "If you lend it to me, I'll buy you ice cream"

The boy hesitated, then relented.

Sana froze as the item dropped into her hand. A bracelet.

Jeongyeon's bracelet.

She sighed, smiling faintly. myHoney Jeongyeon... how could you lose this again?

—

[Mina & Jeongyeon]

Meanwhile, Jeongyeon sneezed for the third time. "Achoo! Ughhh..."

"Do you have the flu?" Mina asked after finishing the last of the fries.

"Maybe... dizzy too. But no worries! I'm fine!" Jeongyeon waved it off with a laugh. "Do you want the rest of the ketchup?"

 "yes pleaseeee , thankyouu I'll keep it for tomorrow." Mina smiled gently.

Jeong snorted at the idea, biting back another laugh. She's so funny without realizing it.

"What are you laughing at?" Mina narrowed her eyes.

"Hahaha, nothing—it's just, suddenly I remembered that time when you were drunk."

Mina tilted her head. "Drunk? Ohh, the night Sana drank alone?"

"Yep! That time..." Jeong laughed nervously.

Mina chuckled softly. "...I was drunk too. Did I... say something weird? Hit you? Or make a scene?"

Jeong hesitated. "...You said things about the cursed child. That you don't have a red string, but you could acquire one—and it could kill you. You also said... You could only see the red string of someone you—"

Her words stuck in her throat. Panic. Oh my godd what?? Mina likes me? wait she could see Tzuyu's red string too... I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SOULMATE THINGY, THE SELF HEALING ALREADY CONFUSES ME, what the HECC...

Mina's eyes widened, cheeks burning. "...Yes. I can only see the string of someone I like"

Silence. Heavy.

Then Mina inhaled sharply, forcing herself forward. "Don't worry, Jeong. I've already reset everything. It's just some kind of admiration not the one you think about, I won't interfere with your relationship with Sana"

The words spilled quickly, relief in finally saying them—yet tears betrayed her. "Yah... why am I crying?" Mina rubbed her cheeks, annoyed.

Jeongyeon's heart twisted. She didn't want Mina to cry. Without thinking, she pulled her into a warm hug.

Mina stiffened, then slowly melted into it.

"...It must be hard, right? Living with the cursed child burden," Jeong whispered, stroking her hair.

Mina froze. No one had ever said that to her before. The simple acknowledgment shattered her walls.

"Y-Yes..." Mina whispered, her voice cracking. Tears spilled freely this time, and she didn't bother holding them back.

"I'm sorry, Mina. I didn't know. I'm sorry if I ever made it worse" Jeong's voice trembled, her own guilt weighing down every word. "I'm sorry you're in pain"

Mina buried her face in Jeong's shoulder, sobbing quietly. For the first time, she felt understood. The pain of hurting and leaving the one she truly loved had haunted her for so long, turning her days into misery.

And Jeongyeon held her tighter, as if she could protect her from all of it. In that quiet embrace, Jeong silently vowed—whatever this bond meant, she would not let Mina suffer alone anymore. She would help her no matter what it takes.

But Mina knew... no matter how comforting this moment felt, her heart already belonged to someone else.