#92ksm

The slippers belonging to Wenhan have been occupied by Minseo as her feet dangle off of the edge of the entrance to the house, himself by her side. They were sharing an afternoon together as he held her hand. Minseo confesses that she was feeling a little heartbroken, and so did he. So they agreed to be by each other’s side for the time being. No one would truly understand how she felt other than him. On most things.

“Do you think I’d ever have that?” Minseo feels his hand draw something— a character of some sort. She follows it.

“Someone loves you as much as you love them?” Wenhan’s words come out as a statement rather than curiosity, he finishes the lines on her palm. “A partner. Loyalty.”

There was a drop of tear on his skin, herself just letting the sadness wash over her. She felt annoyed being like this again— refusing to face him. “Bird..?” A soft chuckle. A bitter one as she guesses what he had traced. “What is it— sparrow?”

His hand cups her face, their foreheads rest against each other. There was a gentle grin on Wenhan’s lips while he erases the traces of her tears. “Sparrow, my air calligraphy is shit.”

She kisses his cheek, leaning down on his shoulder for comfort. She prefers no one else when it comes to things like this. He continues on as he leans his cheek down her head.

“I think you’ll have it… it might not be how you imagined it…”

~

“Wear it, just incase,” he muses, preparing to leave. The bracelet was subtle, odd looking and didn’t look like it belonged in their time. “Don’t do anything stupid while you’re alone here.”

“Sure,” she looks at it, still having a hard time wrapping her thoughts of this jewelry she was told was like a beacon— Minseo’s form waits by the door as Chaz wears his shoes. He couldn’t help but notice as the awkward pause was there. She sighs. “I promise not to do anything stupid while I’m alone here.”

“Good.” He stands, another pause before he realizes another pair of slippers were there. It implied she won’t be alone for long. “I’ll visit you again when I can. After Liverpool, maybe? To check up on you.”

“You can just call.”

“You don’t answer sometimes. And aside from that, you don’t tell me the truth. I’d have to see it for myself now.”

He was right. Minseo’s been terrible at keeping in contact with anyone lately. She was thankful. Another pause, “well— don’t forget to eat.”

It seemed like she wanted to say something before she raises a hand to wave goodbye. He does the same thing, with a smile and all.

~

“Mm— noona, I think you should just stay here.” Neo’s voice pipes up, chuckling a bit as Minseo returns it. “You’re just meant for the city.”

“Maybe in the future—“ she responds, taking a sip of her drink. They walk side by side as others, “who knows, maybe Santa might answer your wish this year?”

His face lights up as there was a hint Minseo will return to Seoul. But there was also a different message she laced it with. “I look forward to it. After all, you’ll be here for my wedding, right?”

A soft hand on his back, she felt welcomed to invitation. She smiles gently, nodding at the exchange.

~

“You know— you don’t have to keep baking for me—“ she chuckles as Sangmi stacks bread in front of her “Give it to your other friends?”

“I already have— you take it.” She argues, and last stack of it was pushed to her side of the table as Minseo thanks her, placing them back in the tote bag. Her fingers tap the table as Sangmi tries to extend the conversation. “Hey— are you alright? We haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“Oh you know, here and there.” She answers— not that there was really anything to say. “Listen… thank you, for all of this, really.”

“It’s what friends are for.” Her voice was gentle, trying to lighten the mood. Minseo never really thought she was ever close to sangmi, she only became acquainted with her because of Woori. But this was beyond what she had expected of her. Minseo’s heart was already locked away by the time everything had happened, and surely, looking at Sangmi felt painful for some reason. “But I do hope you come back to Seoul soon! And, permanently. Maybe we can have another spa night—?”

There was a gentle smile, nodding in agreement as she felt welcomed. For a moment her eyes avert to her hands before nodding.

“I’d like that.”

~

“Jiejie, that’s a lot of eggs—“ Xian haggled them to prevent them from falling while Minseo held Juju in her arms. A quick visit to him before travelling, she couldn’t help but think how he’s been since the accident. 

Xian must’ve caught on as he sees her looking at his hand. “It’s fine, how many times do I have to tell you that?”

She doesn’t respond and looks away before letting the cat go, inviting himself to sit on his chair and the younger one couldn’t help but immediately set up a small plate for her so they can eat the tiramisu she brought. The two don’t exchange as much words as she does with his older brother, as it seemed they were better at exchanging actions. He’s grown so much, it felt strange she actually meets up with him on his own. The first slice lands on her plate, before he serves himself. 

“I still can’t believe it has eggs--”

“We’re not talking about this--” 

~

“Here’s the recent files you asked for, also— heads up that your father’s pretty much still searching for you in Japan. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.” A lunch break with Matteo was always quick, but she opted to let Hyejung join as well. After all, they became her unofficial bodyguards. “Woori’s schedules won’t be late until the recording later tonight so Hyejung will accompany you.”

“Mm—“ half way through her chewing, Hyejung presents a child’s pill case and hands it to Minseo. She looks at her odd as they chuckle. “Figured you might get discouraged if Pororo is staring in to your soul.”

“Thoughtful.” She rolls her eyes before she too, eats. As a matter of fact, she was eating well compared before. The two notice. “Thank you. Both of you.”

“You’re eating well today.” Hyejung muses to the older one as Matteo just grins. “Someone visited?”

She only sighs, finishing the food quietly.

~

“Honestly… I don’t know— but if he’s ready, I’m ready!” Woori excitedly announces as she cuddled next to her. The two were sharing each other’s hopes for the next few years. “You’ll be my Maid of Honor, right?”

To be honest, Minseo hasn’t thought that far. She knows what she’s getting into, so whatever the outcome it would be too dangerous for her to know. She held her hand softly. Smiling at the thought of seeing her in a wedding dress, of who she could proudly call her sister. “Of course. I’d be honored, my dear.”

The girls talked about everything that night. From how their lives would be in the future, to how much have changed since they were little. They shared a laugh or two about decisions they’ve made, and we’re able to heal a little from what was lost.

“Hey…” she pipes up suddenly, Woori’s doe eyes look up to her. “Thank you, for caring.”

The younger one’s smile fades, knowing what she meant. But she just smiles again and sighs, nodding and accepting it.

~

From time to time, Minseo looks at people’s messages on how she’s doing before heading out. To remind herself that it’s not so bad. She wishes they always had a good day, hoping that whatever they are going through would somehow be easier if it won’t go by quickly.

“Your aunts and uncles are pestering me as always.” She speaks, her reflection on the glass being shown as she cleans up Jinwoo’s cubicle. There were many things left behind like toys and snacks. “I see that they are also spoiling you here, huh?” She chuckles, she was diligent in ensuring he had more space for the next few visitors. Minseo began to tell about her day with her friends whom Jinwoo had also liked.

“Watch over them for me, okay? You know how much they love you...” She speaks, putting him back and closes the glass door. Her palm on it before she goes off. “And me… so be their angel. Dont work too hard though, I dont want you getting tired, alright?” There was a soft gust of wind outside. "Looks like Uncle Wenhan's having a pretty tough week too. Get to him first, I'm sure he will appreciate a blessing or two."

She enters her car, sighing for a moment as she drives back to the countryside. The city becomes a small picture behind her, she smiles softly to herself, thinking how lucky she was despite everything else that had happened.