minn

The kids started calling you that all thanks to Sana, who can’t seem to stop flirting with you. She always calls you "Sunshine" whenever she sees you, whether it’s in the hallways, the teachers' lounge, or the library. It didn’t take long for the kids to catch on and make it their own, and now her entire class knows you by that name.

Sana’s playful grin from across the room never fails to make you blush, though you try your best to act unfazed. She leans casually against the doorframe, watching you, waiting for your reaction.

"Hey, Sunshine," she calls softly, just loud enough for you to hear but too quiet for anyone else to catch.

You shoot her a quick glance before going back to placing books on the shelves, doing your best to ignore her teasing.

“Miss Sunshineeeee, the bunnies!” Nayeon whines, huffing dramatically as her tiny hands reach up to tug at your shirt.

You can’t help but smile. Leaning down to her level, Nayeon’s face lights up, her two front teeth proudly on display, and her tongue slipping over the gap where she’s lost a canine. It’s a bit of a mess to look at, but she’s so full of joy that it’s endearing.

“They’re doing very well, Nayeon,” you say, grinning at her excitement. “The babies have opened their eyes!”

Nayeon squeals with delight, immediately running over to Momo and wrapping her in a tight hug before tugging at Mina’s arm. Giggling, she excitedly shares the good news about the baby bunnies with her friends.

You chuckle softly, watching the scene unfold. Momo yawns and sighs, her bangs so long they nearly cover her eyes, while Mina listens intently, smiling shyly and nodding as Nayeon chatters away. The contrast between them makes you grin—Momo, always a bit disheveled and sleepy, and Mina, ever so quiet and attentive.

As you shelve the last book, you notice Sana approaching with her signature confidence. She clears her throat, a playful smile on her lips.

“I was thinking,” she starts, leaning casually against the shelf, “how about we grab a quick coffee in the lounge?”

You roll your eyes, smiling despite yourself. “Sana, you have a class to take care of,” you remind her, glancing over at the group of students scattered around the library.

She leans in a little closer, her voice dropping to a soft murmur. “They’ll survive without me for a few minutes. Plus, I could use a little sunshine to brighten my day.”

You bite back a grin, trying not to give her the satisfaction. “You’ve got an entire class of kids depending on you, Sana,” you repeat, your voice light but firm.

She tilts her head, her eyes locking onto yours with a playful gleam. “Yeah, but none of them are as cute as you.”

You try to suppress a smile, knowing she’s pushing all the right buttons. “You’re going to get in trouble, Miss Minatozaki.”

She shrugs, unfazed. “What’s a little trouble when I get to be with you? We’ll keep the library door open, and I promise we’ll be quick. If anything comes up, I’ll be right back.”

This girl…

"Fine."

Sana’s face brightens, and she grabs your hand, pulling you toward the lounge. But just before you exit the library, she pauses and turns back to the group of kids still scattered around.

“Hey, everyone!” she calls out, her voice warm and bright. “I’m just stepping out for a quick coffee. You all behave while I’m gone, okay?”

A few kids look up, and Chaeyoung, with her braces gleaming, raises her hand. “Miss Minatozaki, can we come too?” Her lisp makes the question even more adorable.

She kneels down, her expression softening. “Oh, Chaeyoung, I’d love that! But I need you all to stay here for a few minutes.”

Chaeyoung pouts for a moment but then brightens. “Okay! But we’ll miss you!”

Sana smiles, her eyes shining with affection. “I’ll miss you too! Just make sure to help each other out while I’m gone, alright? If you all do a good job, I’ll have a surprise for you later!”

“What kind of surprise, Miss Minatozaki?” Many little voices all chime in together.

“Ah, that’s a secret! But if I come back and everything’s gone smoothly, I’ll share it with you,” she giggles, standing up and reaching for your hand again.

Their eyes widen in delight. “Okay! We’ll be super good!”

“I know you will! Just keep an eye on each other, alright? I’ll be back before you know it!”

With that, she leads you out of the library and into the hallway. The sounds of the school fade behind you as the two of you make your way to the staff lounge. It’s quiet when you arrive, the room empty, other than the faint sound of the coffee machine humming in the corner.

Sana moves to the counter with a practiced ease, immediately grabbing two cups. “Caramel macchiato for you, right?” she asks, so familiar.

You blink, surprised. “You know my order?”

She gives you a sideways smile, half-shy, half-playful. “You think I haven’t been paying attention?”

“I didn’t think you noticed the small stuff.”

“I notice everything,” she replies, her eyes flicking to yours before lingering just a little too long. There’s something different in her gaze. It’s soft, but with an intensity that makes you shift on your feet.

Sana steps a little closer, the warmth of her body just barely brushing yours. “You know,” she murmurs, her voice lower now, “you’re not as unreadable as you think.”

You blink, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “What do you mean?”

She tilts her head, a teasing smile curling her lips. “I mean, I’ve been watching you. The way you bite your lip when you’re trying to act all composed, the way your eyes flicker when you think I’m pushing a little too far.”

Your pulse quickens, and you can’t quite find the words to respond. Sana notices your hesitation, her grin widening. She takes another step, close enough now that the scent of her perfume—light and sweet—fills the air between you.

“And the way you’re looking at me right now,” she continues, her voice barely above a whisper, “like you’re trying so hard to keep that guard up.”

Your breath catches in your throat as her eyes trace your face, lingering on your lips for a fraction of a second. She leans in, her voice a soft, teasing purr. “You don’t have to pretend around me, you know.”

“I’m not pretending,” you manage to say, though it comes out weaker than you’d intended.

Sana raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh really? Then what’s stopping you?”

The fact that you flirt with everyone and I’m probably not that special to you.

You open your mouth to answer, but she’s already leaning closer, her breath ghosting against your skin as she speaks again. “You know, I could make it easier for you. If you’d just… let me.”

The room feels warmer. Her fingers brush against yours as she hands you your coffee, her touch lingering, her gaze never wavering from yours. The way she’s looking at you, like she’s daring you to say or do something, makes your heart race.

“I…” You trail off, unsure of how to respond, your mind racing to catch up with what’s happening.

Sana smirks, clearly enjoying your reaction. “See? You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

You’re about to respond—try to salvage what’s left of your composure—but the words are stuck in your throat. The way she’s looking at you, her proximity, the heat of the moment—it’s all too much. Just when you think you might actually combust from the tension between you, the door to the lounge bursts open.

Jihyo storms in, her face etched with frustration, dragging a pale-looking Tzuyu behind her. “Sana!” Jihyo’s voice is sharp, and it immediately cuts through the air between you two.

Both you and Sana jerk back, the flirty atmosphere shattered in an instant. Sana straightens up, blinking as if she’s just been snapped out of a trance. “Jihyo?” she stammers, clearly caught off guard.

“Where the hell were you?” Jihyo demands, her eyes flashing with anger. “Your class has been unsupervised for who knows how long! Tzuyu was sick, and no one was there to help her.”

Tzuyu, standing beside Jihyo, looks unsteady, her skin pale and clammy. She weakly lifts a hand to wave, her voice quivering. “I threw up…”

Sana’s face pales instantly, guilt flooding her features. She rushes forward, concern replacing the flirtatious edge she had moments ago. “Tzuyu, oh my god, are you okay?” She kneels down to Tzuyu’s level, eyes scanning her worriedly.

Tzuyu nods feebly but doesn’t look well. Jihyo crosses her arms, her expression still stormy. “Sana, you can’t just leave your class unsupervised! What if something worse had happened?”

Sana glances back at you, guilt written all over her face. Her confident, teasing demeanor is completely gone now, replaced by genuine worry. “I’m sorry, Jihyo. I—I didn’t think… I’ll take care of this right away.”

Without another word, she turns back to Tzuyu, gently guiding her towards the door. “Come on, let’s get you to the nurse.”

As they leave, Jihyo gives you a hard stare, her disappointment clear. “You too. This isn’t a playground. Don’t let her drag you into this next time.”

You nod, feeling a knot of guilt tighten in your chest as you watch them walk out, the lounge suddenly feeling a lot colder and emptier than before.

~~~

At the nurse’s office, Sana sits on the edge of the desk, watching as Dahyun checks Tzuyu’s temperature. Tzuyu, looking slightly better but still exhausted, is lying down, her eyes half-closed as she rests.

“Her fever’s gone down,” Dahyun says softly, smoothing the blanket over Tzuyu. “She just needs to sleep it off. Her parents will be there soon.”

Sana lets out a sigh of relief, running a hand through her hair. “Thanks, Dahyun. I should’ve been with her earlier…”

Dahyun looks over at her, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Mmm, I heard you were… preoccupied.”

She shifts in her seat, trying to play it cool. “I—uh, yeah, I was just grabbing coffee with—”

Dahyun raises an eyebrow, cutting her off. “With her. Again.” She chuckles, clearly amused by the whole situation. “You really couldn’t wait until after work to flirt, huh?”

Sana feels the heat rush to her cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and defensiveness bubbling up. “It’s not like that! I just wanted to—”

“To what? Casually flirt during work hours like you do every single day?” Dahyun teases, crossing her arms as she leans against the counter. “Come on, Sana. If you really want her, you’re gonna have to step up your game. I mean, you’re smooth and all, but maybe she’s not picking up on it.”

Sana stares at her, confused. “What do you mean? I flirt with her all the time! How much clearer can I be? She has to know by now, right?”

Dahyun shakes her head, laughing softly. “Apparently not. If she knew, she’d probably have made a move by now too, don’t you think? Or maybe she’s just oblivious. Either way, you’re gonna have to do more than your usual teasing.”

Sana frowns, genuinely perplexed. “But I’m always complimenting her, giving her all my attention. How am I supposed to step it up?”

Dahyun giggles again, clearly enjoying this. “Maybe stop trying to make her flustered all the time and just be real with her. Ask her out for real. You know, something that’s not in the middle of a workday with your class waiting on you.”

Sana groans, leaning back in her chair. “But that’s my thing! The flirting, the teasing—it’s how I show I like her.”

Dahyun shrugs. “Yeah, well, maybe she doesn’t get it. You might need to try a different approach, or she’s just going to think you’re playing games forever.”

Sana bites her lip, mulling over Dahyun’s words. Could it really be that simple?

~~~

You sigh, kneeling beside the overturned pot, staring at the dirt and wilted leaves scattered on the floor. "We told Tzuyu to throw up in the plant like we’ve seen in the movies!" Chaeyoung’s lisped explanation echoes in your head, and you still can’t quite believe it. Momo, standing beside her, had nodded solemnly like they’d been performing some sort of public service. Who would’ve thought these kids would take movie scenes so literally?

The plant, unfortunately, looks beyond saving. You sigh again, preparing to toss it out when the soft creak of the library door catches your attention.

“Hey, Sunshine,” Sana’s voice calls gently from behind you.

You turn, finding her leaning in the doorway, her usual playful glint missing from her eyes, replaced by something more caring. There’s a tenderness in the way she approaches you, crossing the room to stand by your side.

“They really told her to throw up in the plant, huh?” she asks, crouching down beside you, her gaze landing on the poor mess.

You nod, letting out a weary chuckle. “Yup. Chaeyoung and Momo were the masterminds behind that one.”

Sana sighs softly, shaking her head in amusement. “Kids.” She reaches out to brush a bit of dirt off the pot, her fingers gentle as she surveys the damage. “Looks like we’re going to need a new plant.”

You give her a small smile. “Yeah, this one’s seen better days. I was just about to throw it out.”

Sana glances at you, her expression soft. “You don’t have to do all this alone, you know. It’s recess. I’ve got time to help clean up.”

You blink, a bit surprised by her offer. “Sana, it’s okay, really. You don’t need to—”

“I want to,” she interrupts. She kneels down next to you, grabbing a rag without hesitation. “Besides, you’ve had a day too. Let me help.”

There’s no teasing in her tone, no flirty banter like usual. Just sincerity. It takes you off guard, making you pause for a second longer than you’d like to admit. You’ve always known Sana as playful, but this side of her feels different—softer, more genuine.

“Well, if you insist,” you finally say. “We can clean up this mess together.”

She smiles, warm and gentle, and for the first time today, the chaos doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

Oh, Sana.

~~~

The staff room is filled with murmurs and the low rustle of papers as everyone takes their seats for the meeting. You sit quietly in the corner, mind still lingering on the events of the day. Sana sits a few chairs away, casually leaning back, though you notice her glancing in your direction now and then. You try not to think too much of it, though the air feels tense, like something big is about to drop.

Jihyo stands at the front, her usual composed self, though there’s an unmistakable tension in her expression. When she finally clears her throat, the room falls silent.

“Thank you all for coming,” she starts, her tone a little heavier than usual. “I wish I had better news, but I’ll get straight to the point. We’re going to be receiving significantly less funding this semester.”

The room goes silent for a beat before the groans start. You feel your stomach drop as whispers grow louder. Jeongyeon, sitting a few rows ahead, is visibly tense, her hands clenching at the edges of the table.

“This is fucking bullshit!” Jeongyeon suddenly shouts, standing up and slamming her hands on the table. “How are we supposed to do our jobs with less money? We barely have enough as it is!”

The room shifts uncomfortably at her outburst, but no one dares to disagree. You feel your heart sinking deeper, anxiety creeping up at the thought of how this will affect the library. Jihyo raises her hands, trying to calm everyone down.

“I know,” Jihyo says, her voice firm but empathetic. “I’m well aware of how difficult this will make things for all of us. But we’re going to have to make cuts. I’m reallocating some of the budget to other departments that are in more immediate need.”

Jeongyeon huffs, dropping back into her seat with a frustrated scowl, but Jihyo continues.

“And unfortunately,” she adds, pausing to look around the room, “the library’s budget is going to be completely cut. The funds will be redistributed to cover the gaps elsewhere.”

You freeze.

Completely cut?

It feels like the room closes in around you as the weight of the news settles in. You try to process the words, but they hit too hard, too fast. All you can think about are the kids—the ones who rely on the library for a quiet space, for books, for learning. The ones who look to you for help and guidance. How are you supposed to do your job with no funding?

You want to say something, to speak up, but the shock has stolen your voice. It’s unfair—not just to you, but to the kids. Your chest tightens, but all you can do is sit there, stunned into silence.

That’s when you hear Sana’s voice cut through the tension. “Wait, hold on a second.”

All eyes turn to her as she stands, her expression serious, but there’s a protectiveness in her tone. “Jihyo, you can’t just cut the library’s funding entirely. That’s going to hurt the students more than anything. They need the library—it’s not just a luxury; it’s essential.”

Jihyo meets her gaze, looking torn but resolute. “I understand that, Sana, but we don’t have the resources. Something has to give.”

Sana shakes her head, stepping forward. “I get that everyone’s under pressure, but cutting the library’s budget completely? That’s not the solution. You’re taking away a vital space for the students. You’ve seen how many kids depend on it every day. How is that fair to them? Or to—” she glances over at you, her eyes softening for a moment “—to the people who work hard to make sure they have that space?”

Your breath catches, realizing she’s speaking up for you, for the library, for the kids. There’s a quiet strength in the way she stands, not backing down.

Jihyo looks conflicted, her hands gripping the edges of the table as she exhales. "We don’t have many options right now, but I hear you, Sana. I’ll see if there’s anything we can do to minimize the cuts. But there will still be sacrifices."

Sana nods, her gaze steady. “I just don’t want the library to disappear because it’s too important. We can’t forget what it means to these kids.”

You glance at Sana, a wave of gratitude swelling in your chest. Even in the middle of the mess, she’s still looking out for you. It’s the first time you’ve felt a little bit of hope since Jihyo dropped the bombshell.

Jihyo gives a tired nod, signaling the end of the conversation for now. “We’ll revisit this later. Thank you, everyone.”

As the room slowly begins to clear, you sit there, still processing. Sana walks over to you, a soft, reassuring smile on her face.

“Don’t worry, Sunshine,” she says gently. “We’ll figure something out. I won’t let them forget how important you are to this school. Or the library.”

~~~

It was another bustling day in the library as Sana’s class visited to pick out new books for the upcoming week. You were cataloging items at your desk, the familiar comfort of your work surrounding you. You spotted Sana in the hallway, animatedly discussing projects with Jeongyeon when a group of five little girls approached you, their eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Miss Sunshine…” they whispered in unison, their tone conspiratorial.

You looked up, curious. “What’s going on?”

Nayeon stepped forward, her expression serious. “I think Miss Sana has butterflies for you.”

You raised your brows, intrigued. “Oh really?”

Chaeyoung nodded vigorously as she added, “Yeah! She has a crush!”

You couldn’t help but smile, leaning in a little closer. “A crush, huh? What makes you say that?”

They all nodded eagerly. Mina leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. “She likes you, Miss Sunshine.”

You leaned forward to catch her words, feeling a warm blush creep onto your cheeks. “She likes me?”

Tzuyu chimed in, “You’re her sunshine. I heard it! She told the nurse!”

You laughed, the warmth in your cheeks growing. “Did she send you all to tell me this?”

Momo yawned, brushing her thick bangs away from her face. “She’s weird. When you walk past our class, she always stops teaching, and it’s not like we’ve been bad. She usually only does that when we’re talking over her!”

You shook your head, amusement dancing in your eyes. “I guess she just can’t help but get distracted by her favorite librarian.”

The girls giggled, their joy contagious.

“What’s so funny?” Sana asked, hands on her hips as she walked closer to the desk.

The girls turned to her, their excitement bubbling over. Nayeon quickly pointed at you. “We were just telling Miss Sunshine that you have butterflies for her!”

Sana raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk appearing on her lips. “Oh really? What gave that away?”

Chaeyoung giggled, “You always stop teaching when she walks by! And your face turns red!”

You felt your cheeks heat as Sana leaned in slightly, her voice low and teasing. “Looks like I can’t hide anything from my favorite little spies,” she said, winking at the girls. “But you all have to keep it a secret! You can’t let my Sunshine know that I like her!”

The girls erupted into giggles, and you couldn’t ignore the flutter in your heart.

They giggled and exchanged glances, clearly thrilled by the little secret they were part of. Nayeon leaned closer to you, “Miss Sunshine, do you like Miss Minatozaki back?”

You felt your heart race and glanced at Sana, who was watching you with a playful smile. “Well, she’s… nice,” you managed to say, your cheeks warming.

Sana feigned surprise, placing a hand on her chest. “Just nice? I was hoping for more than that!”

The girls burst into laughter, their excitement infectious. Tzuyu piped up, “You should tell her you like her, too!”

You laughed, shaking your head. “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

Sana stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with something. “Maybe it is,” she said, her tone so incredibly gentle. “You never know unless you try.”

~~~

A few weeks later, the library was dimly lit as you and Sana unpacked boxes of new books, the excitement from the recent funding shift making you both so happy.

Sana leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing against yours as she reached for a book. “You know, I could really help you focus,” she teased, her voice soft and inviting.

You tried to concentrate, but then she pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek, lingering just a moment longer. “You look so pretty when you’re deep in thought,” she murmured, her breath warm against your skin.

Flustered, you replied, “Sana, we shouldn’t—”

Before you could finish, she kissed your neck, sending a rush of warmth through you. “Just a little distraction,” she whispered, nibbling playfully at your ear.

You let out a soft laugh, feeling your resolve melt away. “Okay, maybe just a quick break.”

With a bright smile, she pulled back to meet your gaze. “You really are amazing, you know. So smart and talented. So kind to the kids and everyone around. A literal sunshine,” she said, wrapping her arms around your waist and leaning in to place a sweet peck on your lips, a tender touch that left you breathless.

She stepped back, her eyes sparkling with affection, “And I have to thank those little wingwomen for setting this up. They really know how to play matchmaker, don’t they?”

You smiled, your heart swelling. “They’re so adorable and they probably learned that from you, miss flirt.”

Sana giggled. “Maybe. Now let’s get out of here, beautiful. I want to enjoy the rest of the day with you.”

Hand in hand, you walked out of the school, the cool evening air wrapping around you both.