#minji fic

the late october air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp leaves and distant campus kitchens. y/n huddled deeper into her oversized hoodie, thumbing through a worn copy of baudelaire as she walked across the quad.

college was supposed to be a fresh start, a blank canvas away from the suffocating walls of home, but it felt more like a continuation of the same muted palette, just with different shades of grey. the exhaustion was a constant hum beneath her skin, a low-frequency vibration that rattled her bones.

she was an art history major, drawn to the quiet beauty of things that had stood the test of time, unlike herself. minji, on the other hand, was a force of nature. y/n had first noticed her in the sprawling campus library, a blur of motion and quiet confidence around the philosophy section.

minji had this way of making even the most mundane actions – flipping a page, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear – look elegantly purposeful. she was communications, y/n later learned, and seemed to know everyone. her laughter, when it floated across the cafeteria, was clear and bright, like wind chimes.

y/n, in contrast, was a phantom. she existed on the periphery, a ghost drifting through lectures, haunting the quieter corners of the campus. her days blurred into a cycle of classes, library visits, and retreating to her single dorm room – a sanctuary of books and dim lighting.

sleep was often a battle, her dreams a tangled mess of sharp voices and colder silences, remnants of a childhood that refused to stay buried. sometimes, on the worst nights, she’d find herself in the small, sterile bathroom, the familiar sting a perverse comfort against the louder, unseen pain. she always wore long sleeves, even when the thermometer crept higher than it should in autumn.

their paths crossed, as they inevitably did on a campus of thousands. they shared an elective – "the psychology of social media." y/n chose it because it sounded abstract enough to avoid personal connection. minji, predictably, was always engaged, her hand often shooting up, her insights sharp and articulate. y/n would just listen, often sketching in the margins of her notebook, her eyes occasionally flicking to minji. there was a warmth about her, a steady glow that y/n found herself unconsciously gravitating towards, like a moth to a distant, safe flame.

one tuesday, the professor assigned a group project. y/n felt a familiar knot of dread tighten in her stomach. she hated group work. it required interaction, pretense, and the risk of being seen. the professor, in his usual haphazard way, began rattling off names. "group five: choi joon, kim minji, and... ah, y/n."

y/n’s head snapped up. minji was already looking at her, a small, polite smile on her lips. it wasn't a sympathetic smile, or a pitying one, just... a smile. it disarmed y/n more than she cared to admit.

"hi, y/n," minji said after class, her voice soft but clear. "i'm minji. seems like we're partners."

y/n mumbled something incoherent, clutching her books tighter. "yeah. hi."

minji seemed unfazed. "do you want to exchange numbers? we can figure out a time to meet up with joon."

y/n shakily gave her phone. minji's fingers were warm when they brushed hers, quick and light. a strange sensation bloomed in y/n’s chest, like a fragile flower unfurling. she quickly tucked it away, telling herself it was just surprise.

their first few group meetings were awkward. choi joon was earnest and eager, carrying most of the conversational load. y/n contributed only when absolutely necessary, her gaze fixed on the table, her answers clipped. minji was the bridge, drawing out y/n with gentle questions, her eyes observant and patient.

"what do you think, y/n?" minji would ask, not challenging, but inviting.

y/n would hesitate, then offer a quiet, insightful point that often surprised joon, and sometimes even minji. y/n would catch minji’s eyes then, a flicker of appreciation, a genuine interest that made y/n’s well-constructed walls feel a little less sturdy.

weeks turned into a month. the project progressed. y/n found herself not dreading the meetings as much. minji would often bring snacks – tiny, individually wrapped mochi or warm honey tea in a thermos. she'd always offer one to y/n first.

"it's good for concentration," minji had said once, noticing y/n’s hesitant reach for a mochi.

y/n ate it slowly, savoring the sweetness, the unexpected kindness. it felt like a tiny, domestic moment, one she hadn't experienced in years.

one evening, after a particularly long study session, joon had left, but minji lingered. "hey, y/n," she said, gathering her notes. "you're really good at synthesizing information. have you thought about writing for the campus literary magazine?"

y/n almost laughed. "me? i just... read a lot."

"it's more than that," minji insisted, her gaze steady. "you have a unique perspective. you see things differently."

the compliment hung in the air, foreign and slightly alarming. y/n wasn't used to being seen, let alone praised. she felt a blush creep up her neck. "i... i don't really write."

minji just smiled, a soft, understanding curve of her lips. "well, if you ever change your mind, let me know. i'm on the editorial board." she paused, then added, "you seem tired, y/n. make sure you get some rest."

y/n just nodded, her throat tight. minji’s words were gentle, but they pierced through her carefully maintained facade. tired. she was more than tired. she was exhausted to her very core.

the semester wore on. exams loomed. y/n found herself spending more time in the library, though not always studying. sometimes she'd just watch minji from a distance, absorbed in her own work, her brows furrowed in concentration. minji had a way of bringing a quiet energy to the space around her.

one day, minji found y/n hunched over a particularly dense art history text, her head in her hands. she looked even more pale than usual.

"y/n? everything okay?" minji’s voice was gentle, a quiet ripple in the library's hush.

y/n flinched, pulling back abruptly. "yeah. fine. just... this chapter is a nightmare."

minji pulled out the chair opposite her. "art history, right? my roommate is an art major. she always complains about the essays." minji picked up y/n's textbook, flipping through a few pages.

"impressionism? it's beautiful, but i can see how the theory could be challenging."

y/n managed a weak smile. it was the closest she'd come to a casual conversation in weeks. "it's not just the theory. it's everything." she almost said more, almost let a sliver of her overwhelming despair slip, but she caught herself. the walls went back up, reinforced.

minji seemed to sense it. she didn't push. instead, she just sat there, quietly sketching in her own notebook, a comfort in her presence that y/n found herself unconsciously leaning into. they worked in comfortable silence for an hour, the quiet hum of the library punctuated by the soft scratching of pencils. it was the most peaceful y/n had felt in a long time. it was a tiny, fragile card in her own leaning house.

christmas break came and went, a blur of forced cheer with her parents that left y/n feeling even more hollow. she returned to college early, seeking the anonymity of her dorm room, the only place she felt truly safe.

second semester started with a surprising change. y/n had signed up for an advanced art history seminar. walking in on the first day, she found minji already there, perched on a desk at the front, chatting animatedly with the professor.

y/n stopped dead. "minji?" she asked, her voice a surprised whisper.

minji turned, her eyes lighting up. "y/n! hey! i didn't know you were in this class." she gestured to the professor. "dr. han, this is y/n. we worked on a project together last semester."

dr. han, a kindly, eccentric woman, smiled. "ah, wonderful! always good to have familiar faces. minji is auditing, by the way. she's interested in the intersection of art and social movements."

y/n felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety. relief that she wouldn't be completely alone, anxiety that minji would see too much. how could she maintain her walls when minji was now a constant, bright presence in her most vulnerable academic space?

minji, true to form, made it easy. she didn't hover, but she was always there. she’d save y/n a seat, offer her notes if y/n looked particularly adrift, and sometimes, after class, they’d walk together, discussing the lecture. y/n found herself slowly, tentatively, opening up, not about her personal struggles, but about her passion for art, the hidden narratives in paintings, the stories behind the brushstrokes.

minji listened intently, her head tilted, her eyes warm. "you really love this, don't you?" she’d observe.

y/n would nod, a rare, genuine smile touching her lips. "it's... a different world. a better one sometimes."

minji would just hum, a soft, understanding sound. y/n slowly began to associate minji with these moments of quiet validation, of being seen for something other than her sadness.

one chilly march evening, y/n was walking back from the library, lost in thought. she was so immersed in her own head that she didn't see the patch of ice. her foot slipped out from under her, and she landed hard on her side, her books scattering. a sharp pain shot through her hip. she bit back a cry, tears pricking her eyes, not just from the fall, but from the sheer, relentless exhaustion of everything.

a figure knelt beside her. "y/n! oh my god, are you okay?"

it was minji. she had been jogging nearby, her breath a plume in the cold air.

"i think so," y/n managed, trying to push herself up. the pain flared.

"don't move yet," minji said gently, her hands hovering, unsure where to help. "let me check." she carefully helped y/n sit up, then began gathering her books. "that was a nasty fall. can you stand?"

y/n tried, pushing off the ground. her hip screamed in protest. she swayed, and minji's arm was instantly around her waist, steadying her. the touch was firm, yet gentle, sending a jolt through y/n. minji smelled faintly of citrus and fresh air.

"okay, definitely hurt something," minji said, her voice laced with concern. "here, lean on me. we'll get you to the health center."

it was a slow, painful shuffle. y/n leaned heavily against minji, her arm slung over minji's shoulder. minji’s warmth seeped through y/n’s hoodie, a comforting anchor in the swirling discomfort. y/n could feel minji’s steady heartbeat against her side, a rhythm that was strangely soothing. she wanted to pull away, to rebuild her walls, but the pain, the vulnerability, held her captive in minji's embrace.

at the health center, it was just a bad bruise and a sprain. minji stayed with her the whole time, fetching water, making small talk with the nurse, her presence a silent shield against y/n's discomfort. when it was over, minji insisted on walking y/n back to her dorm, helping her up the stairs.

in front of y/n's door, minji paused. "do you want me to stay for a bit? just to make sure you're comfortable?"

y/n hesitated. her dorm room was her sanctuary, but also her prison. "i... i'm okay," she said, though her voice wavered. "thank you, minji. really."

minji’s expression was unreadable. "of course, y/n. get some rest. text me if you need anything, okay? anything at all." her eyes held a depth of concern that y/n wasn't used to seeing directed at her.

that night, y/n lay in bed, the ache in her hip overshadowed by a different, unfamiliar ache in her chest. minji's kindness was a persistent chisel, slowly, painstakingly, chipping away at the foundation of her protective layers. it was terrifying. she was a house of cards, and minji was walking right through the door, threatening to collapse it all. and a part of her, a very small, very scared part, wondered if she wanted it to fall.

the pain in her hip lingered for a few days, a constant reminder of minji’s care. minji checked in with her regularly, sending texts asking if she needed anything, if she’d taken her pain meds. she even brought y/n food from the cafeteria a couple of times, insisting y/n shouldn’t struggle with crutches and a tray.

"it's really okay, minji," y/n had protested, a flush on her cheeks.

"it's not okay if you're hurting," minji countered, her smile gentle. "just let me help."

y/n found herself looking forward to minji's messages, to their brief conversations. minji was becoming a presence in her life, a soft light in the perpetual twilight y/n lived in. it scared her, how much she was beginning to rely on it.

one afternoon, a few weeks after the fall, y/n was studying in her room when there was a soft knock on her door. it was minji, holding a small, potted succulent.

"hey," minji said, a little shyly. "i was at the campus plant sale, and this one reminded me of you." she held out the pot. "it's a haworthia. very resilient, needs minimal care, but beautiful when you look closely."

y/n took the plant, her fingers brushing minji’s. "thank you," she whispered, her voice thick. the plant was small, spiky, and elegant, a perfect metaphor. it felt incredibly personal. she placed it on her windowsill, a tiny patch of green in her otherwise sterile room.

"you know," minji said, leaning against the doorframe, "you don't have to keep everything bottled up, y/n. if you ever need to talk, about anything at all... i'm here." her gaze was soft, unwavering, full of an unspoken understanding that rattled y/n to her core.

y/n just nodded, unable to speak, a lump forming in her throat. minji stayed for a few more minutes, chatting about their class, before eventually leaving with a warm smile.

y/n stared at the plant, tracing the sharp edges of its leaves. minji saw her. truly saw her. and that was the most terrifying, most exhilarating thing she had ever experienced.

the warmth, however, was always fleeting. the shadows of her past were long, stretching across every moment of potential happiness. her parents continued to call, their voices sharp and critical, dissecting her grades, her choices, her very existence.

each call chipped away at her already fractured sense of self, reinforcing the insidious belief that she was fundamentally flawed, unlovable, and a burden.

the whispers in her mind grew louder, more insistent. you're worthless. you shouldn't be here. it would be better if you weren't.

y/n started withdrawing again, slowly, subtly. she'd skip meals, spend less time in the library, avoid eye contact with minji in class. minji noticed, of course. her texts became more frequent, more worried.

"are you okay? haven't seen you much lately." "missing you in class today. everything alright?" "can i bring you some coffee? you seem a little down."

y/n would offer quick, non-committal replies: "fine," "just busy," "thanks, but i'm okay." she hated lying, hated pushing minji away, but the alternative – letting minji see the depths of her despair – felt like an impossible risk. what if minji saw the truth and recoiled? everyone else had.

the house of cards was swaying violently now, buffeted by an internal storm. y/n felt herself losing control, the edges of her world blurring. sleep became a luxury she couldn't afford, her nights stolen by panic attacks and the creeping tendrils of self-loathing.

the familiar sting on her skin became a more frequent companion, a desperate attempt to ground herself, to feel something other than the crushing emptiness. she wore thick bracelets, claiming they were a new fashion trend, even as the weather warmed.

minji, persistent in her quiet way, stopped by y/n's dorm one evening. y/n didn't answer right away, pretending to be asleep. but minji knocked again, more softly this time. "y/n? it's minji. please open up."

y/n knew minji wouldn't leave. with a sigh, she unlocked the door, opening it just a crack. "hey."

minji's eyes widened slightly at the sight of y/n. y/n knew she looked terrible – hair disheveled, eyes sunken, skin pale.

"y/n, you look... you don't look well," minji said, her voice gentle, but laced with deep concern. "can i come in?"

y/n hesitated, then pushed the door open, retreating to her desk chair. minji stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the room, taking in the unmade bed, the scattered books, the general air of neglect. she sat on the edge of y/n's bed, not too close, but close enough.

"what's going on?" minji asked, her voice soft. "you've been avoiding me. avoiding everyone. please talk to me."

"nothing's going on," y/n lied, looking away, her voice barely a whisper. "i'm just... stressed with exams.”

minji reached out, her hand hovering over y/n's arm. "y/n," she said, her voice tightening with emotion. "i'm worried about you. more than worried. i know you're hurting. i just... i wish you'd let me in."

the sincerity in minji's voice broke something inside y/n. tears welled up, hot and fast, blurring minji's concerned face. she tried to blink them back, but they spilled over, running down her cheeks. "i can't," she choked out, "i can't let anyone in. it's too much. i'm too much."

minji moved from the bed, kneeling in front of y/n's chair. "you're not too much, y/n," she said, her voice firm but tender. she gently took y/n's hands, her touch warm and reassuring. minji's eyes were glistening now too. "you're important. you matter. please, just... tell me what's wrong."

y/n wanted to. she wanted to confess everything, to shed the crushing weight of her secrets. but the words got stuck, a tangled knot of pain and fear in her throat. she just shook her head, sobbing silently, clutching minji's hands as if they were her only lifeline.

minji spent the next hour just holding y/n, letting her cry, her presence a silent, unwavering comfort. it was the most vulnerable y/n had ever been with another person, and minji didn't flinch. she just held her.

but even minji's steadfast presence couldn't completely stem the tide. the monster of depression was relentless. the pressure from her parents intensified, a barrage of scathing phone calls and disappointed emails. her grades, once a source of quiet pride, were slipping. the world felt like it was closing in, suffocating her. this is it, the voice whispered, you can't fight it anymore.

she saw minji one last time, in the campus coffee shop. minji had smiled, a small, sad smile, as if she knew. "are you coming to the art history lecture tonight?" she asked.

y/n shook her head. "i don't think so. i have... other plans." the words tasted like ash.

minji's smile faltered. her eyes searched y/n's face, a silent question. "y/n, please. if you need me, call me. any time. i mean it."

y/n just nodded, unable to meet her gaze. "i will," she lied.

that night, the campus was quiet, a blanket of stars spread across the inky sky. y/n’s room was dark, save for the glow of her phone. she scrolled through old photos, images of a childhood she barely remembered, a life she felt no connection to. the succulent minji had given her sat on the windowsill, a tiny beacon of life. y/n picked it up, tracing its resilient leaves. resilient, minji had said. y/n didn't feel resilient. she felt like dust.

she wrote a note, short and to the point.

“i tried. :/“

her hands were shaking, but her mind felt eerily calm, detached. this was it. the only way out. the house of cards was finally collapsing.

minji had a bad feeling. a really bad feeling. she hadn't seen y/n in two days, and y/n hadn't replied to her single, hesitant text: "are you okay? thinking of you." it wasn’t unlike for y/n to completely disappear, mostly in her worst moments. there was always a fleeting glimpse in the library, a quick detour past the café. but nothing.

minji tried to focus on her own work, but her mind kept drifting back to y/n. the red eyes, the whispered "i can't let anyone in," the way y/n had flinched at her touch. the image was burned into her mind.

a sudden, sharp intuition, a cold dread in the pit of her stomach, spurred her into action. she abruptly closed her laptop, grabbed her keys, and headed out of her dorm. she walked quickly towards y/n’s building, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

when she reached y/n’s door, she hesitated, her hand hovering over the doorknob. she could hear nothing from inside. a profound silence that felt heavy, unnatural. she knocked softly at first, then harder. "y/n? it’s minji. are you there?"

no answer.

a frantic fear began to bloom in minjis chest. she tried the doorknob. to her surprise, it was unlocked. a detail y/n would never overlook. minji pushed it open slowly, her breath catching in her throat.

the room was dark, save for the faint glow of the desk lamp illuminating the note. the air was still, too still. and…

y/n was sitting on the edge of her bed, her back to the door, a small bottle clutched in her hand. her head was bowed, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

minji’s blood ran cold. the sight, the absolute stillness, the bottle. her heart lurched. "y/n!" her voice was a desperate cry, raw with terror.

y/n froze, her heart lurching. how did she know?

y/n then flinched violently, her hand flying up, the bottle dropping with a soft thud onto the carpet. her head snapped up, eyes wide with shock and a terrible, profound sorrow.

minji rushed forward, her legs moving on their own, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her. she scooped up the bottle, her fingers trembling as she read the label – a potent mix of sleeping aids. almost empty.

"y/n, what have you done?" minji’s voice was barely a whisper, choked with fear and a burgeoning grief. she dropped to her knees beside y/n, grasping y/n’s shoulders. y/n’s skin was cold, clammy.

y/n stared at her, tears streaming down her face, her eyes filled with a hollow despair. "i… i just wanted it to stop," she choked out, her voice broken, barely audible. "i just wanted the quiet."

minji pulled her into a tight embrace, cradling y/n’s shaking body against hers. "no," she whispered fiercely, tears now stinging her own eyes. "no, y/n. this isn't the way. please, you have to fight. you have to stay." she held y/n tighter, rocking her gently. "please."

y/n was unresponsive, a limp weight in minji’s arms, her breath shallow. minji’s mind raced. she had to act.

"what are you doing?" minji sobbed, her voice raw. "what were you doing?"

y/n just stared at her, numb. her eyes unfocused. she couldn't speak, couldn't explain. the calm she had felt minutes ago had shattered, replaced by a fresh wave of despair, amplified by the searing guilt of being caught, of putting minji through this.

minji pulled her into a tight embrace, her arms wrapped around y/n's shaking frame. minji's tears soaked y/n's shoulder, hot and desperate. "don't ever scare me like that again," minji whispered, her voice cracking. "don't you dare."

y/n felt the warmth of minji's body, the desperate cling of her arms, and something shifted within her. a tiny, almost imperceptible crack formed in the impenetrable wall she had built around her heart. minji was here. minji cared. minji was crying for her.

minji held her for a long time, rocking her gently, murmuring soft words of comfort, words that y/n couldn't quite decipher but understood on a deeper level. eventually, minji pulled back, her face streaked with tears, but her eyes firm.

"we're going to get you help, y/n," minji said, her voice resolute. "we're going to do this together. you're not alone. not anymore."

the next few days were a blur. the hospital, then a health campus center, then a therapist. minji was there through it all. she called y/n's parents, her voice surprisingly steady as she explained the situation, deflecting their anger with quiet determination. she sat with y/n during counseling sessions, a silent, supportive presence. she brought y/n books, her favorite snacks, a fresh pot of the haworthia succulent.

recovery was a brutal, agonizing process. it was like trying to put together a shattered vase, piece by fragile piece. there were good days, and there were terrifyingly bad days. days where y/n felt like she was drowning all over again. but minji was always there, a steady hand, a calming voice, a quiet strength that y/n found herself clinging to.

"it's okay to not be okay," minji would whisper, stroking y/n's hair as y/n cried. "i'm not going anywhere."

slowly, painstakingly, y/n began to heal. she started talking, really talking, to her therapist, to minji. she recounted the abuse, the years of silent suffering, the crushing weight of depression. minji listened, her eyes filled with pain and understanding, never judgment.

their relationship deepened, forged in the crucible of y/n's darkest hour. it wasn't a romance born of typical college flirtation, but of shared vulnerability, of a silent vow to stand by each other. minji had saved her, not just from the pills, but from herself.

one rainy afternoon, months later, y/n and minji were curled up on y/n's dorm bed, surrounded by books and empty tea mugs. minji was reading aloud from a poetry collection, her voice soft and melodious. y/n was leaning against her, her hand tracing patterns on minji’s arm. her sleeves were rolled up. there were still faint scars, but they were fading. they were part of her story now, not her ending.

minji paused, closing the book. she turned to y/n, her gaze tender. "how are you feeling today?"

y/n smiled, a real, genuine smile that reached her eyes. "i'm here," she said, her voice a little shaky, but filled with a quiet strength. "i'm still here. thanks to you."

minji’s eyes softened. she gently cupped y/n's face, her thumb stroking y/n’s cheek. "you're strong, y/n. stronger than you know. i just helped you see it."

y/n leaned into the touch, a comfortable warmth spreading through her chest. she looked at the succulent on her windowsill, now thriving, its leaves a vibrant green. she looked at minji, her eyes filled with a love that was still new, still fragile, but growing stronger every day.

"i think," y/n whispered, her voice barely audible, "i think i'm ready to start building something new. something real."

minji’s smile was radiant. she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to y/n's forehead. "then we'll build it together," she promised. "brick by brick. a new building of cards, a better solid ground. and i'll be right here, every step of the way."

Harvard was hard enough to get to, especially with the scholarship you broke your back for, no one deserved to be here more than you. Needless to say, you found it awfully annoying whenever, Kim Minji, your roommate who was an undergraduate in the arts section, would belittle your talents—always having snarky to say when you couldn't understand the lecture, and insisting that her life was far more complicated than yours. Not to mention how much of a slacker she was during house tasks, often refusing to do any chores even if she was the sole factor in the apartment was a mess.

Minji often rebutted all your complaints with the same excuse stating that "she shouldn't have to help because your friends were always over, and that they can do it." Which wasn't all that false, you did have someone over almost every day, and you knew she didn't like them because of how loud they were, but that's what made it fun. Seeing the scowl on her face whenever she opened the door another batch (of completely different people) walked in with no remorse. Or whenever she avoided talking to any of them because she simply hated being around them. A stern believer that people like you and all the people who accompanied you were plastic and fake.

It wasn't until she called them out to you that you reached your boiling point. "None of them actually like you Y/N, how do you expect every single person to actually fuck with you like that, let alone the hundreds of people you constantly have over." She spat out, reaching her hand out to grab the trash your guest left all over the living room, Minji didn't even have the curtsey to look up at you while she spoke.

"What is your problem, Kim." You scowled as you grabbed the empty beer cans; shoving them into the black plastic bag you were lugging around. To be fair Minji was far nicer than you thought, even if you were the one who threw the party without her knowledge, she patiently camped out in her room, only coming out once it ended to clean up beside you. It wasn't all that out of character since she was the nicest one between the both of you, always offering to help anyone in need, for example, right now. Minji was somehow so endearing in her weird way, that you almost felt bad taunting her every single moment you could. I mean, she reciprocated the banter, so who really is at fault here?

Minji just scoffed as she pushed her glasses back up from the bridge of her nose, she was about to say something before cutting herself off with a heavy sigh. "Nothin— nothing, they just..." She slurred looking up at your scrunched face before looking back down, continuing to throw trash into the bag. "Y'know what— never mind, forget what I said," Minji mumbled, looking back at her annoyed before picking up a pillow and chucking it at her. She let out a soft yelp before looking up at you, ready to attack Minji couldn't help but notice how you broke out into laughter once the pillow collided with her face.

"Hey, what was that for!" Minji scowled as she dropped the trash bag next to her knees, you, being you, continued to laugh harder as her expression tensed. She grabbed another pillow from the couch and flung it at you, hitting your shoulder with a heavy thud. "Woah! What the!" You bite back rubbing your shoulder with your arm in pain, not realizing she would throw it too hard she reached her hand out, not before she laughed her ass off. "Hah— I'm so sorry—" Minji said before bursting out laughing as well, grabbing the pillow you threw at her from the ground and placing it back neatly on the couch.

Laughing at her action, "Why are you saying sorry? Aren't I the one who threw the first hit?" grabbing the pillow she threw, you dropped it haphazardly on the couch and walked away from her. "Not that." Minji cackled as she fixed the couch again, "I mean, yeah..." she cut her thought off "What I meant to get at, is I'm sorry for the other thing I said."

You stopped cleaning up the trash from the floor and peeked your head up, firstly why was she apologizing for anything, secondly, out of all people, she was apologizing to you. "Uhm, I'm sorry too I guess..." You rubbed your nape uncomfortably, taking your gaze off of her, "Y'know, for everything." Sighing you continued, feeling terrible because most of the stress she had coming back home was due in fact how horrible of a roommate you've been. "I haven't been— the best." It hurt a part of your ego to say that, as out of people you were apologizing back to your art freak of a roommate, Kim Minji.

"Thank you for acknowledging that Y/N." Minji exhaled as she looked back on all the times your bare presence had been obnoxious towards her. Despite understanding how dreadful you've become towards her, you still couldn't let that slide, who was she to talk like that towards you anyway? "Hey!" Was the only that could come out of your mouth, until Minji eventually cut you off. "I'm being honest Y/N, I'm glad you know, and that's not in a sarcastic way whatsoever."

The way both of you stood slightly as you continued your cleaning task was unbearably awkward, trying to figure out what to say next after that comment was gruesome. It finally ended when you had to bright idea to turn a new leaf with your roommate, could you go through your whole college experience hating someone you lived with? And to be fair she wasn't all that bad, she cleaned up to herself, she was mild-mannered, and she didn't actively seek conflict. (unlike you.) "Ahem... so Minji you busy after this?" You asked as you tied the black plastic bag and leaned it against the wall.

She followed in your footsteps as she chucked the last few beer bottles into her bag, tying the note protectively tight and chucking it aside. "I have an anthropology exam to study for..." She thoughtfully answered, you pouted at the thought that Kim Minji, of all people, was going to turn you down. "But that's in a few days, so I guess I'm free?" She moved across from you, heading to the kitchen to wash her hands, coming back to talk to you face to face. "Well, uhm, do you want to watch a movie or something— like to get to know each other... or something." You interrogated, trying your best to be nonchalant about the whole thing. "Sure, that couldn't hurt." She shrugged her shoulders as she made her way to the couch, and you soon followed behind her.

Needless to say, the whole interaction was more awkward than the both of you apologizing to one another. The movie picking was terrible as you both seemingly couldn't agree on what to watch, finally landing on The Idea of You. During the beginning, part felt as if you were having a dopamine cleanse, everything was so oddly boring, and without having any form of enjoyment like stress eating popcorn, you were going insane. It wasn't until the first kissing scene of the film that things got interesting, you were so bored you could only find entertainment from making fun of her expressions throughout. This scene in particular made you more intrigued by her as she was blushing madly while watching the protagonist deeply kiss the main lead, almost as if she's never experienced that herself.

"Pst, Minji." You leaned into her, jolting as your head hovered next to her shoulder "You good? You look like you're bugging out." She looked at you as you laughed quietly, still focused on the movie, only taking a small gaze at her as you leaned away.

"What." She scoffed, covering her face with her hand, "You're crazy. Just watch the fucking movie."

"Alright, just saying." You chuckle as you lean forward, pretending to go back to being 'interested' in the movie.

As the movie reached the peak of its raunchiest moments, Minji failed to hide her blush more and more, having trouble focusing as she stared down at your leaning posture and back at the movie. She failed to focus on the actors, finally reaching her breaking point, "What is with this movie, what is the whole point of recording a whole scene like this..." She muttered loud enough for you to hear. You gave her a noisy laugh, before leaning back up and resting your back on the cushions. "Dunno, maybe that's what does good nowadays— speaking of which, why don't you ever invite people over to y'know..."

"To what?" She scoffed, folding her arms and looking back at you, clearly offended by the insinuation that she was a geeky dirtbag who had the inability to attract suitors. "Not everyone's like you Y/N." Minji insulted, coming back a little more sleazy than intended.

"Oh? And what does that mean?" You pouted, stretching your neck wondering what snarky comment she would say next. "Nothing, I didn't mean it like that, I just hate when people bring that up." She took back her words quickly, turning her head away from you and back at the movie ahead, watching the two actors absolutely go at it. "Makes me feel like I haven't accomplished everything I 'should've already accomplished', catch my drift?"

"Ah, so you think that just because you haven't done anything inherently explicit it feels like you're less than an adult?"

"Woah, that was a quick evaluation, how'd you get that?"

"I mean, I do minor in psychodynamic psychology, maybe that's why? Hah… Sorry didn't wanna sound like a major nerd there, but I don't think you hold base your opinion on yourself over something you can't do at the moment." You spoke, turning your head towards her as she studied you, looking at inspecting every single one of your facial features before snapping out of the trance she was in. “I guess, well if it means anything, you’d ace that course if you kept up with those assumptions.” You both chuckle loudly at her comment, not noticing how both of you are slowly leaning closer to one another.

Minji was closer to your face, the tip of her nose colliding with yours as she inched your lips to hers, the soft huffs as she glanced down at you before finally interlocking your mouths together were exhilarating. Her touch was soft and hungry, she wanted to conquer every part of your lips; not wanting this moment to slip her by, she reached out and grabbed the back of your head gently. Pushing you farther down her lips, Minji felt herself getting lost in you, her eyes squeezed shut as she was in a deep state of euphoria. Before pulling you away from her, she slid her hand off your cheek and back, creating distance.

Her heavy breathing was apparent as she tried to gain composure, stunned by her actions she let out a meek cough, staring straight into your soul to gain back any confidence left within her. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what had gotten into me." Minji tittered, pulling away fully her hands gripping the section of denim on her thighs, you didn't know what was going through her head right now as she fumbled her gaze away from yours. It took a long moment for Minji to open back up, only muttering a few words before clamming up again "I wouldn't blame you if you ended up moving out—"

She couldn't continue as her breath sharpened and took focus on how your hands rested on top of hers, gently rubbing her fingertips, taking a count of how soft she felt under your touch. Smiling, you answered back, confused as to why you would ever do such a thing (despite despising her moments ago, and being quite literally on the verge of signing your lease termination to get away from her) "Why would I?"

Minji was astonished by your sudden change in attitude because if she were to ever be this raw and genuine towards you any time before this, you'd curse her out and avoid any contact after. This was different, you seemed so... empathetic and sweet, it made her heart thump out of her chest, staring at your lips was not making it any better for her. She lacked any self-restraint as she interconnected your lips with hers once more, with much more haste. Minji yearning for your touch, pitifully grabbed onto your hands, holding them tightly with a slight shake.

Despite doing much more sinister things with other people, you felt as if you were flung back to high school and having your first kiss, it was all so electrifying. You didn't want to admit to yourself that you were enjoying this a little more than she was, but gosh, does this woman know what she's doing? From her timid (even borderline, loser-ish) personality, you wouldn't expect her to be dancing her tongue with yours. "For something oddly explicit, she's very delicate..." you wondered to yourself. Finally taking charge, you pull your hands away from hers, Minji pulls back regretfully, questioning why you stopped holding her.

It wasn't until you cupped her cheeks with both your hands and pulled her down on the couch, that she finally got a hint. Minji's cheeks burned up, she was able to rest her elbows to leverage herself up only to be met with your face inches away from hers. She was stunned by the visual you pinned her against and was unable to speak as you kissed the tip of her nose, anticipating more only to be cut off by you pushing yourself off of her. “Woah! Okay, let’s end that there today.” You cut yourself off, not wanting your relationship to be another victim of hookup culture, knowing that you’d be stuck with her for the next few months.

“What…” She furrowed her eyebrows, her cheeks still flushed with a pink hue, “Don’t get me wrong, I’d want to continue, this, with you. But I don’t want the consequences of being in an unhealthy, uncomfortable, and unethical relationship with my roommate, whom I was getting closer to.” You coughed, realizing how fast you were speaking right now, Minji who was still under you processed everything you were spewing out. “So what I’m getting at, is that instead of wanting to sleep with me… you’d rather just have me as company first?”

“Correct, unlike anyone I’ve been with, I’d like to get to know you first before committing to anything that sexual.” You nodded, pulling yourself off of her and sitting back normally on the couch “Not because I don’t want to, I just wrong want to take it too far.” Sheepishly admitting as you watched her sit back down next to you, a bit embarrassed by the situation. “Truly what I want to take away from this, and what I took away from spending this time with you, even if it was fairly short, was to get to know you as you. To take in what you’re capable of and understand if you can handle someone like me.” Minji stared at you in awe, the complete shift from a prudish foulmouthed popular campus student, who couldn’t barely hold her own emotions, was now so prim and proper.

Bianca returned her gaze to the city skyline outside the window. The cotton-like clouds had begun to scatter, revealing a clear sky—a perfect morning for their business trip to Thailand. She would be flying with a group of executives and, of course, Lando, who was leading the project.

Their company, Norris Automotive, was in the process of collaborating with Sainz Company, a luxury car manufacturer, to open a state-of-the-art factory in Thailand. This joint venture aimed to expand their market in Southeast Asia and establish a stronghold in the region’s automotive industry. Bianca knew this was a massive project, one that could shape her future.

"Wake me up when we landed, okay?" she said to her seatmate, a young production manager named Olivia, as she settled into her business class seat. Olivia smiled warmly. "Yes Bi. You look like you haven't slept all night. Rest up."

Bianca chuckled lightly. She hadn't had a proper night's sleep in days. The 11-hour flight to Bangkok seemed too far and long, and she barely had enough time to catch up on rest before the plane landed.

Upon arrival, they were whisked away by luxury cars arranged by the local team. The hotel Bianca had carefully selected was both beautiful and strategically located near the planned factory site. She had ensured every detail of their accommodations met the team’s needs, but Lando's unreadable expression left her wondering if her efforts were satisfactory.

“Here’s your room key, Sir,” she said nervously as she approached him.

Lando just taking the key without making eye contact before walking away.

Bianca sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Did I mess up again?" she muttered under her breath.

“Let’s get to our room,” Olivia said cheerfully, looping her arm through Bianca’s and snapping her out of her daze. They had agreed to share a room to make coordination easier.

****

As the hours passed, Bianca worked diligently to prepare for the afternoon meeting. The team gathered in a sleek, modern conference room in central Bangkok, where Lando presented a compelling proposal to Sainz’s stakeholders. His commanding presence and strategic insights impressed everyone in the room.

The meeting was a success. The company agreed to proceed with the partnership, paving the way for the construction of their new factory in Thailand. The deal promised to bring economic growth to the area and position Norris Automotive as a leader in the luxury car market.

“I need this report ready by tomorrow morning,” Lando said brusquely.

“Yes, sir,” she replied, masking her frustration.

****

After a long meeting the teams have all arrived in a quiet village near Chiang Rai, where they plan to visit the potential site for Norris Automotive's new factory. The company is exploring partnerships in this beautiful location surrounded by lush greenery and fields that seem to stretch on indefinitely.

The main road that runs through the village is impeccably maintained, their tour guide, Mr. Somchai, leads them to a resort-style facility built in harmony with its natural surroundings. The architecture reflects a traditional, Thai elements, with wide glass windows and teak wood accents. The air carries the scent of lemongrass and jasmine in bloom as Bianca and other teams explore the facility.

"Good afternoon," greeted a woman dressed in traditional Thai attire. Bianca and her colleague smiled politely in return. "We’ve arranged a complimentary spa for all the company staff,"

"This is amazing," Olivia whispered, nudging Bianca as they entered the spa’s reception area. "A fully paid spa session? I feel so lucky to be here!" Bianca chuckled, following one of the Thai attendants toward the massage rooms.

"This way, ma’am," the attendant said, guiding Bianca into a serene room filled with calming music and the faint aroma of essential oils. Bianca chose a traditional herbal compress massage, eager to experience the famed Thai therapy.

Half an hour later, Bianca decided to take a dip in the natural stone pool located in a secluded corner of the spa. She draped a soft cotton wrap over herself and stepped into the warm sun. But just as she was about to descend the stone steps leading to the pool, her foot is too slippery because of the spa oil.

But a pair of arms that suddenly wrapped around her waist made her body freeze.

"Sssh!" Lando! Bianca's heart fell to the bottom of her stomach. The danger alarm, set up on hear head. Because she is totally naked. Without a single fabric wrapped around her body. Bianca should have been able to escape as quickly as possible, but her reflexes suddenly dead. She could feel Lando's arms right under her breasts hugging her tightly,

"Shut up, if you don't want to be ashamed." Lando whispered right next to Bianca ear. What did that mean? Wasn't it Lando who was now make a shame on her?

"Well, well, Lando just getting a massage must be with a comfort woman." Max's sudden footsteps and voice alerted Bianca. She panicked and scared, what if he knew that the girl Lando was hugging was her own sister? But Lando's arms tightened around her.

"No matter where you are, there's always a girl who's willing to play with you. Including that woman, who spent the night with you in the hotel room."

Lando chuckled. "Of course. This woman deserves to be enjoyed." And the man's low laughter made Bianca tense up.

"So, can you go Max? My little business with this woman isn't done yet."

"Okay, I'll be waiting in my room." Max chuckled. "Make it easy, man."

Then the sound of his footsteps retreated, allowing Lando's voice to return to Bianca's numb hearing. This is wrong. This shouldn't be happening.

They were in the middle of a mistake.

"I have saved you from embarrassment," the man whispered in a low voice, while

whispered in a low voice, as he spread a strange all over Bianca's body.

"I deserve a thank you right? Lil sister?" Bianca steeled herself. "Let me go, Land-"

The man pulled her, and Bianca was about to say never came out because Lando silenced her lips first. Until the girl's eyelids widened as Lando crushed them passionately. With his rough tongue that insisted on playing around in her mouth. Lando kissed her.

After a few minute Lando came to his senses and broke the deep kiss, their gazes met. Bianca gasped, her tears welling up and her lips swollen.

Lando's breathing was just as bad, uncontrollable. But in those blazing eyes, there was not the slightest hint of regret for making her little sister cry.

Instead of clarifying his actions, Lando picked up the fallen fabric and draped it around Bianca's naked body. And his fingers put the flower that fall from the trees in his girl's ear. Before he left, without leaving a word.

her smile never fails to give you butterflies deep in your stomach - especially when its pressed against your own.

"nothing," you say, looking up at her. she tilts her head, eyes searching deep within your own to look for any sign of lying or trying to keep her from worrying about you.

"i mean it. i'm not thinking about anything. i was just - kinda feeling how lucky i am to have you in my life. and how much i love you," you say, your words growing softer as you speak, suddenly growing shy in front of your girlfriend.

minji looks at you for a moment to make sure you truly weren't hiding your feelings from her and when she's satisfied, she lets out a full bellied laugh.

"oh my god. we've been dating for what, like, three years? why do you still get so shy around me?" minji says softly, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. you scramble out of your position to look at her in the eyes.

"you don't get shy around me anymore?" you gawk. minji shrugs, leaning her weight on her palms behind her.

"no - i mean, i still want to impress you. like i still want you to fawn over me and i still want to spoil the shit out of you and it gives me butterflies when you compliment me or when you look at me so excited about something. even more when you're excited because of me. but i don't really get shy around you," she explains, although she's quick to add, "that's a personality thing though, i promise i love you more and more everyday. i'm not falling out of love with you."

"oh." it's all you have to say and all you know to say honestly. it still amazes you how well minji can read you and how she always manages to find the right words to appease your fluttering thoughts.

"i get shy around you. and it makes me feel bad sometimes, because i end up overthinking everything because i can't believe someone as beautiful as you thinks that i'm worth spending your time on, to be honest. especially when you should and could be spending your time on such bigger and more beautiful people. and i know they're just my insecurities and i need to fix my way of thinking but...yeah..." you trail off when minji's lips fix into a disapproving frown. she gathers your hands in hers, leaning down so that she can catch your downcast gaze.

"baby, please. first of all, i think you're incredibly beautiful. but you and i both know that it matters most that you understand how beautiful you are. just because you don't look like a kpop idol doesn't mean you're not beautiful. to be honest, if you did, i don't know that i would love you as much as i do. not that looks are everything and i know that i would love your personality but that's just it - i made that first move on you because i thought you were gorgeous.

"think about it this way: you look at a van gogh and a monet and think they're both beautiful, right? but they look nothing alike. just because something is beautiful, it doesn't take away from something or someone else's beauty. i love you. and i want you to love yourself as much as i do because there might come a day where i can't be with you, even though i wish there was nothing that could keep us apart and i could be by your side every minute and every second."

"but when i can't be next to you, i want you to love yourself to the fullest. i want you to know that you are so gorgeous inside and out and that the reason you were put on this earth is to spread the beauty you have with so many people."

"honestly, you make me a better person just by being around you. that's your beauty, y/n. please, baby," she says, reaching out to put her palms on your cheek, wiping away the tears cascading down your cheeks as gently as possible with her thumbs, smiling at you.

you lean forward to wrap her in the greatest hug you possibly can.

"i love you so much minji. and i love that you love me so much that you want me to love myself the same way that you do."

As Bianca had promised her father some time ago, after graduating from college, she would join the main branch of the family company. Five months ago, she fulfilled that promise. Even though her father had assigned her the role of being Lando personal assistant—a daunting task, to say the least. As Bianca drove to the office, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her restless heart.

"Just listen to your brother. Maybe, with patience, his attitude will change. Your father hopes that your presence in the company might bridge the gap between you two, improving your relationship, even if only a little. Please, get along with your brother, Bianca."

But the reality was far from her father’s expectations. Their relationship hadn’t improved, neither as siblings nor as colleagues. Lando was temperamental and unapproachable. Whatever Bianca did, it always drew harsh criticism from him. Constructive feedback? Not quite. Lando's critiques often crossed into insults. Five months of enduring this had done little to build her resilience.

Her cousin, Kika, had warned her to avoid any unnecessary contact with Lando outside of work. Bianca had no objections. Who in their right mind would willingly socialize with someone as sharp-tongued as Lando? Kika even admitted that she wasn’t happy with her working so closely with him. But Bianca had no choice, she had to serve the family business, at least for the next few years. Kika could only hope that family ties would eventually remind Lando that Bianca was his sister, someone to protect, not destroy.

Lost in thought, Bianca finally arrived at the office. She parked her car in the basement and hurried to the floor where both her and Lando's offices were located. The thought of Lando waiting, potentially seething with anger, made her pulse race with anxiety. 

When she reached the floor, she silently thanked the soundproof walls of their offices. At least she didn’t have to see his scowl every minute of the day. Her trembling fingers fumbled through the files left by the marketing department that morning. After locating the right document, she composed herself, straightened her clothes, and walked towards Lando’s office. Knocking softly, she waited. 

"Come in." 

"Good afternoon, Sir." She forced a polite smile. Not that it mattered. Lando didn’t bother looking up from his laptop. Bianca didn’t expect a response, but she silently prayed for him to stay calm.

"This is the proposal for the collaboration with Sainz Company," she announced, placing the file next to his laptop. At the office, protocol demanded she call him "Mr. Norris," family or not. 

Lando didn’t reply. He made her stand there, waiting endlessly. When her legs were on the verge of giving out, he finally picked up the document. What a tyrant! The time he spent flipping through the pages felt like an eternity. Standing in her heels, Bianca fought the urge to cry.

"Have you booked the tickets for the trip two days from now?" he asked suddenly, his deep voice cutting through the silence. 

"What?" Bianca blinked, confused. 

His eyes snapped up, sharp and unforgiving. "Don’t tell me you haven’t handled it yet." 

Panic seized her. Tickets? Oh no. Then it hit her—they were scheduled to fly to Thailand with the team for the new Marlboro factory opening. How could she have forgotten? 

"I—" 

"Don’t even finish that word," Lando interrupted, his voice cold and dangerous. "This isn’t about whether you fix it now or later. The problem is you." 

He slammed a hand on the desk, making her flinch. "Your work ethic is a disaster. You can’t handle the simplest tasks!" 

Lando stood abruptly, circling the desk with predatory ease. Bianca stepped back instinctively, but he closed the distance, towering over her. 

"Or," he hissed, his voice dripping with menace, "did you forget to note it on purpose?" 

"No! I just...I overlooked it," she stammered, her voice trembling. 

Lando leaned in, his cologne a mix of deep wood and something sharp filling the space between them. His presence was suffocating. 

"Look at me when I’m talking to you." His hand gripped her chin, forcing her gaze upwards. Bianca’s heart pounded as she met his blazing eyes, tears threatening to spill. 

"If it weren’t for Dad, you wouldn’t even have this job," he sneered, his words cutting deep. "One more mistake, and you’ll face the consequences." 

He let go of her abruptly, as if disgusted, and pointed to the door. "Get out of my sight." 

Bianca didn’t need to be told twice. Fleeing to her desk, she immediately began organizing the trip details—booking flights, reserving hotel rooms, and making meticulous notes. Her hands shook as she worked, her chin still sore from his grip. She vowed never to let anything like this happen again. 

The office emptied at four, but Bianca stayed long past seven, double-checking Lando’s agenda and sticking reminder notes on his monitor. Exhaustion weighed her down, but fear of another outburst kept her going. 

Lando might be a genius in the boardroom, but to Bianca, he was nothing short of a monster.

“i don’t think i’ve ever even been within ten feet of jungwon. people will say anything if you’re the same age as someone else. or honestly, if they just think you’re shippable with them. how ridiculous is that,” minji snorts as she fingers the sapphire necklace thoughtlessly.

you try to laugh, nodding as your mind wanders. “yeah. so ridiculous.”

that night, you spent a good three hours searching up jungwon and fall down a rabbit hole of jungwon x minji ships on tiktok. you try to ignore the sinking feeling in your stomach when you realize just how well jungwon and minji match each other.

leaders. thoughtful. kind. so incredibly beautiful.

you weren’t bad looking - you knew that. and you knew that minji loved every single part of you, no matter how much you got in your head about it. but it was different for her. she didn’t even think about things that deep.

“have you ever noticed how uneven my eyes are? it’s like they’re on separate floors on my face,” you said one day, as minji’s not on camera for a second because she’s washing her face after practice. minji ducks into frame, white foam still on her face from her cleanser as she looks at you incredulously.

“y/n, i don’t think so at all. honestly, i don’t even know what you’re talking about; your eyes look fine to me,” she says, before ducking out of frame once more to wash the rest of the foam off of her face. minji can still see that you’re not completely comforted yet and she holds up her phone at an incriminating angle, as though she was scrutinizing your face.

“y/n, i literally see the most beautiful pair of eyes that could ever exist. you’re too hard on yourself. i promise no one sees what you think that they do. all they see is how kind you are and how genuine you are,” minji says and she can see the small smile that you’re trying to fight away and she considers her girlfriend duties to be fulfilled. for the moment, at least.

but that was a year ago, before newjeans was formed and before you started seeing minji’s face more often on billboards than in the comfort of her arms on a quiet date in your apartment.

now, when you get insecure about the tiny little things you don’t like about yourself, you stare longingly at the phone that you’re waiting for to ring, hoping that your girlfriend will call and wash all your insecurities away.

she tries her best - she really does. minji calls you whenever she can, even if she has to call you at 3 in the morning in america so she can catch you before you head to class. she’ll send presents to your door instead of actually showing up because she doesn’t want to compromise your safety.

and she will never take off that necklace. that beautiful sapphire necklace that you gifted her on her 16th birthday, with your first paycheck. the one that has your initials carved into it on a tiny little dog tag that falls down her back.

but it feels a little colder in your apartment meant for love when minji isn’t there to shelter you in her arms and cover your eyes during scary movies. you can’t help but checking her location (which she had shared with you soon after she debuted) to see when she would get home. more often than not, you would fitfully fall asleep before you could see her arrive at home. and you watch a phone that won’t ring until ungodly hours.

when she does call, minji tries to be as lively and attentive as she was before she was being flown out to a different country almost everyday. but you can see the eye bags that give away just how hard she truly is working. and you force yourself to tell her goodbye before you really want to because you want her to get at least a couple hours of precious rest that she doesn’t get too often.

it’s all worth it, you try to tell yourself. when minji finally gets a couple hours where she isn’t forced to be doing something, and she manages to bundle herself up and sneak into your apartment, it is worth. even when she gets a call from her manager that she has to be at the hybe building within the next hour, while she can hold you, it’s worth it.