Work Text:
“Jinsol,” the professor called, “Can you explain what verifiability in the financial statements conceptual framework means, as one of the enhancing qualitative characteristics?”
Jinsol froze. Actually, she had been in the middle of shading the rays around a small sun she’d drawn in the corner of her notebook. And the disturbance caused the pencil paused mid-stroke.
“A-ah… uhhh…” She straightened a little in her seat, eyes darting briefly to the slide behind the professor, then back to her notes (which were, unfortunately, full of doodles and absolutely nothing useful). “M-maybe it refers to the fact that the information included in the financial statements kind of… makes sense?”
She wasn’t even sure what she was saying. She had never been interested in financial accounting.
The professor stared at her.
He tried to process her answer. He really tried. But it didn’t work.
“But what does verifiability mean?” he pressed. “What does it mean for information to be able to be verified?”
Jinsol swallowed.
“I think… uhm…” she started again, “The information contains facts about the company. So users know that the information is… credible?”
She trailed off at the end, already knowing it wasn’t correct at all.
The professor sighed lightly. “Next time, try listening to the class rather than drawing in your notebook, Jinsol.”
Jinsol lowered her head immediately, she could feel her face burning, fingers tightening around her pencil. The sun she’d drawn suddenly felt stupid, childish, and out of place.
Then she felt it.
Someone looking at her.
Jinsol glanced up and caught Yoona staring at her from a few seats away. Yoona’s expression showed concern.
Jinsol looked away first. She didn’t really want to meet Yoona’s eyes right now.
The class moved on quickly, as if nothing had happened. Another student raised their hand. An attempt to get a plus point Jinsol missed. Unfortunately for Jinsol, he answered perfectly.
“Chan explained it correctly,” the professor said. “Verifiability means that different knowledgeable and independent observers could reach a consensus, though not necessarily complete agreement that the information is a faithful representation of an economic phenomenon.”
The sound of pens scratching against paper makes Jinsol sighed and followed along, finally writing something that wasn’t a doodle.
The professor continued, warming to his explanation. “For example, if a kindergarten says that Chan is smart and bright, and Chan’s teacher, who has a completely different background, also says Chan is smart and bright, then that claim can be verified. It suggests that Chan might indeed be a smart and bright person.”
A few students chuckled softly.
“Now then…” The professor scanned the room again. “Yoona. Can you explain what timeliness means?”
Almost instantly, Jinsol felt a nudge from the student beside her.
“Look, Jinsol,” the girl whispered and barely holding back a grin. “Your girlfriend’s answering.”
“I know,” Jinsol murmured, not lifting her head.
Yoona answered with no hesitation.
“Good,” the professor said with a nod. “You’re correct. As the name suggests, timeliness refers to providing information to users quickly enough that it remains relevant and capable of influencing their decision-making. If it takes too long, the information may no longer be useful.”
Jinsol kept her eyes on her notebook, listening this time. Actually listening.
“Now,” the professor continued, glancing at the clock, “does anyone want to try explaining understandability?”
And from that moment, Jinsol didn’t actually remember anything eventful happened until the end of the class.
=====
Jinsol was putting her books in when Yoona approached her. She was about to take Jinsol’s backpack when Jinsol stopped her. “Wait… I’m not going back to the apartment yet, I have to visit my house first.”
And Yoona’s mouth formed an “O” shape. “Should I accompany you?”
Jinsol shook her head, “Nah, I’m not a child, okay?”
“Still…” Yoona took a glance at Jinsol’s leg. By now, Jinsol was already walking out the class, limping.
Yoona caught up with her so she could walk beside her, matching Jinsol’s pace. “I have free time anyway, I can accompany you, if you want.”
Jinsol stopped, and cupped Yoona’s face, “I’m fineee, my mom just made some dishes, and she wanted me to bring them over to our apartment. No big deal, I will text you when I arrive.” Jinsol assured Yoona. And it made Yoona smile, “Okay.”
Jinsol continued walking to the bus station, and went on her way to her parents’ house.
=====
Jinsol watched her mother pack the containers of food into a bag so it would be easier for Jinsol to carry them back to the apartment. And Jinsol couldn’t escape all the instructions her mother gave for each container.
“This one has to be eaten within this week.”
“For this one, make sure you heat it first before frying it. Don’t pour it straight into hot oil.”
Jinsol simply nodded.
When the bag was finally tied, her mother sat down at the dining table across from her.
“So,” her mother began, “how are things between you and Yoona? You two are doing well, right?”
Jinsol, who had just taken a sip of her drink, suddenly choked and coughed. “Y-yeah? Of course we’re doing fine.”
Her mother leaned forward over the table. “You have to take good care of Yoona, understand? She’s always been by your side, even when you’re like this.”
Jinsol let out a small sigh. “Yeah, I know. Why do you think I decided to share an apartment with her? It’s because I’m already sure about my relationship with her. Don’t worry.”
“You better! You should know you’re lucky to have Yoona! Not everyone would stay,” her mother added.
Jinsol simply replied with a smile. “I know. I really am lucky to have her.”
Seeing the time, Jinsol stood up and started getting ready to leave. It was already late afternoon, and she had a morning class tomorrow, so she thought it would be wiser to go back before nightfall. Besides, she still needed to cook dinner for Yoona.
“Alright then, I’ll head back now. Give my regards to Dad when he gets home.”
Jinsol’s mother walked her at least as far as the bus stop. She insisted on carrying the bag first so Jinsol wouldn’t have any trouble.
“I can carry it myself. It’s my leg that’s the problem, not my hands.”
“Shush, just let me.”
When a bus arrived, Jinsol quickly got on and sat near the window. She waved until she could no longer see her mother.
Yoona arrived at the apartment while Jinsol was cooking.
After taking off her shoes and placing them on the rack, Yoona approached Jinsol in the kitchen. “It smells good. What are you cooking?”
Still stirring the pan, Jinsol answered casually, “Sausages in tomato sauce, but I’m still at the first step, sautéing the onions.”
Yoona hummed softly. “Hmm.”
Not long after, she wrapped her arms around Jinsol from behind. “Aren’t you tired from standing for so long? Is there anything I can help with?”
With her usual teasing tone, Jinsol replied, “If you take a shower and sit quietly at the dining table, that would already help me.” A subtle way of saying she didn’t need help.
Instead, Yoona tightened her hug. “Rudee, I meant it nicely!” she protested.
Jinsol laughed, because she had gotten the reaction she wanted.
When Yoona still didn’t let go, Jinsol realized something. “Is there something you want? Why are you sticking to me so much today?”
Yoona chuckled sheepishly. “Hehe… you noticed.” She rested her chin lightly on Jinsol’s shoulder. “After this… do you want to go on a date? We could get some ice cream at the café nearby.”
Suddenly, the only sound that could be heard was the sizzle from the frying pan. Jinsol replied gently, “Not today. I’m a bit tired.”
That didn’t hurt Yoona’s feelings, of course. “How about tomorrow?”
Jinsol answered with another question. “How about two days from now? That’s Friday, and we don’t have anything the day after. Tomorrow I’m having dinner with some friends.”
Now it was Yoona’s turn to panic. “Oh no, I have plans with my friends on Friday. Then… Saturday?”
“Okay,” Jinsol agreed, turning her focus back to the cooking.
“Yay! I’ll go take a shower then.”
“Sure,” Jinsol replied.
Usually after dinner, if neither of them had an exam the next day, they would spend the evening watching TV together on the sofa. Sometimes Yoona would massage Jinsol’s leg, especially on days when Jinsol had used it a lot.
While gently massaging Jinsol’s leg, Yoona noticed that Jinsol had already fallen asleep.
Quietly, she reached for the blanket folded at the edge of the sofa. She lay down beside Jinsol and pulled the blanket over both of them.
Turning slightly, Yoona faced Jinsol.
Carefully, she brushed Jinsol’s bangs aside so they wouldn’t bother her.
“Good night,” Yoona whispered softly before placing a gentle kiss on Jinsol’s forehead.
=====
After class ended, Jinsol didn’t head back to the apartment. Instead, she walked straight toward the restaurant where she was supposed to meet her friends.
It wasn’t very far from campus, so walking felt easier than waiting for a bus. Besides, the evening air was nice, and she was in a good mood.
It had been a while since she saw them.
A small reunion with her high school friends.
And being the extrovert she was, Jinsol had been looking forward to this all day.
Even before she reached the entrance, the smell of grilled meat already drifted outside.
When she stepped inside, she immediately spotted them. Her friends were already sitting around the table. Plates of raw and grilled beef were spread out, and several glasses of beer were already half-empty.
Just from that alone, Jinsol knew one thing. She would definitely have to shower thoroughly when she got home. Otherwise, Yoona would nag her for smelling like grilled meat, and alcohol…
Jinsol pulled out the empty chair and sat down with them.
“Finally,” someone said as she arrived.
The conversation quickly picked up again, and it felt… nice.
Yujin and Kazuha had been studying overseas, so seeing them again after such a long time made Jinsol feel a little nostalgic. They used to see each other almost every day back then. Now everyone was busy with their own lives.
Apparently, this was the first time in a while that all of them actually had free time.
“So,” Yujin suddenly said while picking up a slice of beef with her chopsticks. She placed it neatly onto Jinsol’s plate. “How’s your relationship with Yoona?”
Jinsol looked at the meat and nodded slightly. “Thanks.” Then she answered casually, “We’re fine. Still together.” She picked up the beef and continued, “We’re even living in the same apartment now. I want to be serious with her.”
“Woooow,” Yujin immediately teased. Jinsol felt her ears warm slightly.
“Still though,” Kazuha added while leaning back in her chair, “when we first heard about you and Yoona dating, it was honestly the biggest plot twist ever. None of us expected it.”
Well, Jinsol and Yoona had known each other since they were kids.
They went to the same schools, and spent enough years around each other that their names just… naturally existed in each other’s lives. But in high school, things were a little different. Not in a bad way. They simply had their own circles.
Yoona had her group.
Jinsol had hers.
They still talked sometimes, but not enough for people to think they were particularly close. Which was why, during their first semester in college, the news spread like wildfire, even to their high school friends.
Jinsol and Yoona were dating.
“Mannn,” Haewon said bluntly while taking a sip of her beer. “You’re seriously lucky to have Yoona. You won the lottery. She’s basically a goddess.”
Jinsol opened her mouth to reply.
She could easily say it.
Yeah, I’m lucky to have her.
The sentence was simple, but for some reason, it felt strangely familiar.
Right.
She had heard those exact same words yesterday too. “Hmm,” she said lightly. “I guess I am lucky to have her.”
She paused a little before adding, “She accepted me just the way I am.”
And it turned out that their reunion lasted longer than Jinsol expected.
By the time Jinsol noticed the time again, it was already close to midnight. Some tables were empty now, and the staff had started wiping the counters and stacking chairs, quietly pressuring Jinsol and friends to go away.
Haewon stretched her arms lazily. “Alright, I’m done. If I stay longer, I won’t wake up for class tomorrow.”
Kazuha laughed. “Do you even wake up fpr class?”
“Hey!”
After a few more laughs, the two of them finally stood up.
“See you guys again,” Kazuha said while waving lightly.
Haewon nodded toward Jinsol. “Take care, okay.”
“Yeah, you too.”
They left first, disappearing out of the restaurant together.
Only Jinsol and Yujin remained at the table. Yujin looked at Jinsol for a second, as if thinking about something. “You know Haewon always talks like that, right?”
Jinsol glanced up.
“She’s really blunt,” Yujin continued. “I know she doesn’t mean anything bad by it… so I hope you’re not offended.”
Was Jinsol offended?
When she thought about it… not really.
She shook her head slightly and smiled.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m not offended.” She paused, “It just… made me think about something.”
Yujin nodded. She stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder.
“Then I’ll head back. You should go home too.”
“Yeah,” Jinsol replied.
=====
When Jinsol finally arrived at the apartment, the lights inside were already dim. Ah, Yoona must have fallen asleep.
Jinsol went straight to the bathroom first, tiptoe-ing. She washed herself carefully, making sure the smell of grilled meat wouldn’t linger on her clothes or hair.
After that, she quietly slipped into the bedroom, also tiptoe-ing.
Yoona was already asleep on the bed, facing the other side. Jinsol climbed in slowly beside her. She just lay there, staring at Yoona’s back.
Her mind replayed the conversations from earlier.
Her mother’s words.
Haewon’s words.
You’re lucky to have Yoona.
Maybe they were right.
Jinsol shifted closer and wrapped her arms around Yoona from behind, gently pulling her into an embrace. She buried her face against Yoona’s neck.
Verifiability, they said…
Different observers. Different backgrounds. Yet they could reach the same conclusion.
Her mother.
Haewon.
Two completely different people.
Yet somehow, they both said the same thing.
Jinsol was lucky to have Yoona.
Her arms tightened a little around Yoona.
Was Yoona lucky… to have me?
The question only stayed in her head. But somehow, the more she thought about it, the smaller she felt.
Bceause Yoona was kind. Beautiful. Talented. Someone that people easily admired.
Jinsol pressed her face deeper into Yoona’s neck, hiding herself there.
She wondered if there would ever be a day when Yoona could proudly say the same thing.
That she was lucky to have Jinsol too. And she fell asleep still wondering if she could ever make Yoona feel that way.
=====
They had known each other since they were children. Back in the time when kids actually had to meet each other to play. When “hanging out” meant knocking on someone’s door and asking if they were home. When parents still believed children should only have their own electronic devices once they reached middle school.
Back then, Jinsol was the friendly one.
And Yoona was the tired one.
Jinsol liked to run around, talk about random things, ask questions, drag people into whatever idea came to her mind that day. And Yoona… most of the time she simply followed behind her, already looking a little exhausted.
But strangely, they never got tired of each other.
If Jinsol was somewhere, Yoona was usually there too.
And if someone was looking for Yoona, the easiest way was simply to ask Jinsol.
They were inseparable.
Then middle school came.
And with it came their own electronic devices.
Yoona even got a PlayStation.
Their tastes in games were completely different though.
Jinsol liked peaceful games. The kind where you planted crops, talked to villagers, and slowly built something.
Yoona preferred fast, dynamic games. The kind where your fingers had to move quickly on the controller.
Still, it never stopped Jinsol from visiting Yoona’s house just to play games together.
Like that one afternoon.
As usual, Jinsol greeted Yoona’s parents politely at the door before heading straight to Yoona’s room.
The moment she pushed the door open, her voice echoed inside.
“Yoonnaaa, I’m here.”
Yoona was already sitting in front of the TV, holding the controller. On the screen, Sonic the Hedgehog was running across the stage at high speed. “Oh, wait,” Yoona said, not even turning her head. “I’m trying to finish this level.”
Jinsol walked in and dropped her small backpack onto the floor.
“Okay.”
She sat down on the bed and started scrolling through her phone while waiting. However, the “last level” never seemed to come.
One level turned into another. Then another.
Jinsol eventually leaned closer and nudged her lightly.
“Let’s play Harvest Moon…”
“Wait.”
Just one word.
Jinsol sat back again without complaining, going back to her phone.
Finally, after finishing another stage, Yoona put the controller down. Jinsol immediately looked up, thinking Yoona was finally done. Instead, Yoona turned to her and asked casually, “How did you get here?”
“I rode my unicycle,” Jinsol replied, “Hehe.”
Yoona thought for a moment.
Then she said, “Maybe you can ride it around here for a few minutes.”
She quickly added, “Thirty… no, twenty minutes. At most.”
“Then after that we’ll play Harvest Moon, okay?” Yoona continued. “I feel like I’m playing well today. I want to finish as many levels as I can.”
Welp…
The PlayStation belonged to Yoona.
The controllers too.
So, who was Jinsol to force her? Jinsol simply smiled, “Sure!” she said cheerfully. “Then I’ll play around here.”
And just like that, Jinsol picked up her unicycle and rode it outside.
The funny thing was, Jinsol didn’t come back after twenty minutes.
Yoona noticed it. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Twenty minutes had already passed. But then she thought… maybe Jinsol was just riding around a little longer. So, Yoona picked up the controller again.
“I can finish another level while waiting,” she muttered to herself.
Time passed quietly while Sonic kept running across the screen.
Yoona didn’t even realize how much time had gone by.
It had already been almost an hour.
And Yoona still hadn’t noticed.
Until suddenly, she heard footsteps. There were whispers too. Yoona frowned slightly and looked at the door.
The door slammed open.
Her parents rushed in. Their faces were pale. “Yoona,” her mother said, breathless. “Get your shoes.”
Yoona slowly stood up from the floor, with confusion. “What?” She blinked at them.
“Why? Are we going somewhere?” Then she added casually, “You two can go together. I’m going to play with Jinsol.”
Her parents looked at each other.
Then her father spoke.
“Jinsol’s been in an accident.”
His voice shook despite his effort to stay calm. “An ambulance already took her.” He paused, swallowing.
“We’re going to the hospital. Now.”
The controller slipped from Yoona’s hands, “What accident?” she asked.
When they arrived at the hospital, everything moved too fast.
And in front of the emergency room, Yoona saw them. Jinsol’s parents. Crying, on the chairs outside the ER.
Yoona swallowed, her mind kept repeating the same sentence again and again.
Maybe you can ride it around here for a few minutes.
Thirty… no, twenty minutes.
At most.
The words replayed endlessly in her head.
But even then, she could only hope. Because all she knew, hospital was a place to say goodbye to the loved ones.
The ICU was colder than Yoona expected.
Yoona was there because Jinsol’s parents had stepped out for a while. There were administrative things they had to handle, and also conversations with the doctors that required them to stay focused.
Before leaving, they told Yoona she could stay.
So, Yoona stayed.
Jinsol lay on the hospital bed. Her right leg was wrapped in a thick white cast. The leg itself was lifted slightly, supported and suspended carefully by the hospital equipment.
Seeing it like that made Yoona feel sad.
A nurse moved quietly beside the bed, checking the monitors and adjusting one of the lines connected to Jinsol’s arm.
Yoona stepped closer. She reached for Jinsol’s hand. Her fingers trembled a little as they wrapped around it.
“She's going to be okay… right?” Yoona asked quietly.
The nurse looked at her. “The surgery went as well as we could hope,” the nurse finally said.
Yoona’s thumb moved gently against Jinsol’s knuckles without her realizing.
“But…” the nurse continued, choosing her words carefully, “the damage to her leg was severe.”
“It took a lot of trauma.” Only god knows how hard it was for the nurse to explain it to Yoona.
Yoona’s grip tightened slightly.
“She’ll walk again,” the nurse added. “But she may not walk the same.”
“She’s still young,” the nurse continued in a softer tone. “Her body will adapt. But there may always be pain.”
“A limp.”
Yoona lowered her head quickly, afraid the tears would fall onto Jinsol’s hand. Her fingers held onto Jinsol’s hand a little tighter now.
But you might be wondering why a nurse would say something like that to a middle-schooler.
Don’t worry, Yoona said that the moment in the ICU was painful, yes, but it’s not the moment she regretted the most.
It was the moment Jinsol woke up… because that regret felt twice as heavy.
The next day, Jinsol had already been moved to a regular hospital room.
Yoona asked her parents to drive her there again early in the morning. Jinsol’s father had to go to work, so it was only Jinsol’s mother who stayed at the hospital with her.
Most of the time, the room was quiet.
Then, slowly, Jinsol stirred. “Mom…”
The word came out as a small mutter first. “Mom,” she whispered again, this time louder.
And a second later, panic broke, “Mom.”
Her mother was already beside her.
“I’m here,” she said immediately, leaning forward. Her hands gently cupped Jinsol’s face. “I’m right here.”
Jinsol’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t feel my leg,” she cried, desperately, “I can’t feel it…”
Her mother pulled her into an embrace without hesitation, but still careful of the wires and casts, still holding her as close as possible.
Jinsol buried her face against her mother’s shoulder, sobbing.
“It hurts,” Jinsol sobbed weakly. “It’s not there, mom.”
“I know,” her mother whispered. She stroked Jinsol’s hair gently and pressed a soft kiss against her temple.
“I know, sweetheart.”
After a moment, she pulled back slightly so she could see Jinsol’s face. “Listen to me,” she said softly. “The doctors said your leg is healing.”
She wiped some tears from Jinsol’s cheek.
“It’s just asleep right now.”
Jinsol shook her head weakly. Tears kept falling. “What if it never wakes up?” she whispered.
“It will,” her mother answered immediately.
“You’ll walk again.”
She squeezed Jinsol’s hand gently.
“It might take time. It might be hard. But if you practice… if you’re patient… you’ll get there.”
Instead of calming down, Jinsol cried harder at those words.
=====
Yoona was the one who woke up first.
Then she turned her head slightly. Jinsol was still asleep beside her, breathing slowly like she had no worries in the world.
Yoona reached over and shook her shoulder gently.
“Jinsol,” she said softly. “You have to wake up. You have morning class.”
“Hm…”
That was the only response she got.
Yoona waited.
Five seconds passed.
Then, finally, Jinsol pushed herself up into a sitting position, still half asleep. Her hair was sticking everywhere, completely messy from sleep.
Yoona couldn’t help it.
She laughed.
Jinsol blinked slowly at her, still trying to process the world.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Yoona said, still smiling. “Your hair.”
Jinsol reached up and touched it lazily, not really caring.
Then Yoona asked, “How was yesterday?”
“Fun,” Jinsol replied simply.
Yoona nodded several times.
“Ah, right. Don’t forget to cook for yourself only today,” she added casually while getting up from the bed. “I’m eating with my friends later.”
“Hm.”
That was all Jinsol said again.
In the morning, Jinsol never looked like an extrovert. Instead, she looked like someone whose battery was still charging.
Yoona started getting ready, fixing her hair and grabbing her bag. After a few minutes, she headed toward the bedroom door.
Just as she was about to step outside, “I’ll pick you up later.”
Yoona stopped.
She turned around immediately.
“Really?” Her eyes widened. “Why are you suddenly so romantic?”
Jinsol frowned a little.
“The hell… I am romantic.”
But Yoona was already smiling as she walked out of the room.
“I’ll be waiting then!” she called out cheerfully.
“Yeah yeah”
=====
The lecturer for that morning class had never been Jinsol’s favorite.
Other students liked her. She was friendly, joked often, and didn’t create much distance between herself and the class. Sometimes she even stayed after lectures just to chat with students.
Most people found her easy to approach.
But for Jinsol, something about her always felt… uncomfortable. Maybe because of what happened back in her first semester. Around the time when everyone found out that Jinsol and Yoona were dating.
The lecturer had been talking about assignments that day when she suddenly glanced toward Yoona.
“You know, Yoona is one of the most impressive students in this class,” she said casually. “Very focused. Her answers are always clear.”
It wasn’t really a secret after all. Yoona had always been a strong student.
“Well,” the lecturer continued lightly, leaning back a little, “Sometimes people balance each other out.”
Her pen tapped softly against the desk.
“You know… Yoona is the type who will probably go far academically.”
Then her gaze shifted.
Straight to Jinsol.
“You should try to follow her example.”
Of course, Jinsol was annoyed. She was publicly ashamed in fron of the class. It made Jinsol feel strangely small.
“I’m not saying you’re a bad student,” the lecturer added quickly. “But Yoona clearly has strong discipline.”
“You’re quite lucky to have someone like that around you.”
But remembering about what happened these days. Jinsol felt like maybe she really was the problem. Maybe she simply wasn’t worth enough for Yoona.
Would becoming smarter make her more worthy of Yoona?
Would becoming richer make her more worthy?
Would becoming more successful somehow make things… equal?
It started to feel like she had to do more than everyone else.
Because if she couldn’t even convince people that Yoona was lucky to have her too…
Then how could Yoona ever feel that way?
=====
“Yoona!”
The excited squeal came from across the table the moment Yoona stepped inside the restaurant.
The place was… much nicer than she expected.
“Over here!”
Yoona smiled and walked toward them.
Her friends were already seated around the table, dressed a little nicer than usual. Some of them stood up briefly to hug her before she sat down.
The conversation started a little formal at first.
The usual things.
How have you been?
How’s university?
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?
But slowly, as drinks were poured and the first dishes arrived, the conversation shifted into something more lively.
The “tea”.
Stories from their own universities. Rumors about classmates. Professors that everyone hated. Professors that everyone liked a little too much.
Everyone had something to share.
Everyone except Yoona.
She listened, smiling occasionally, nodding here and there, but she didn’t add much herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t care. She just… didn’t put much attention to those things.
“Are you still with Jinsol?”
The question came from Jimin.
Yoona blinked once before answering.
“Yeah,” she said, smiling naturally. “I’m still with her.”
Then she added proudly, “We even live in the same apartment now.”
“Oh gosh,” Chaewon gasped dramatically before reaching over to pat Yoona’s head. “Yoona is an adult now.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“So who’s paying the rent? Jinsol?”
“Yeah,” Yoona admitted. “Jinsol’s paying. She refused to let me.”
“Well,” Chaewon said immediately, “as she should.”
Everyone laughed lightly.
Yoona laughed too.
But it wasn’t really a real laugh.
“It feels like I haven’t done enough for Jinsol though,” Yoona said after a moment, “She’s seriously the most warm-hearted person I know.”
“Yeah,” Jimin nodded. “That I agree with. She’s really nice.”
Chaewon leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on the back of her hand.
“Have you guys ever fought though?”
“Of course we have,” Yoona replied almost immediately. “So many times, actually.”
Her fingers traced the rim of her glass absentmindedly.
“But she usually reaches out first,” Yoona continued. “She acts like nothing happened at first… then later she asks me to talk about it properly when we’re not emotional anymore.”
“Hooo,” Chaewon hummed approvingly. “Nice approach.”
She leaned back again.
“Gotta tell Zuha about that.”
=====
By the time the clock reached nine, Jinsol was already near the restaurant. She had arrived earlier than that, actually.
At first she thought Yoona wouldn’t take too long. Yoona was always more disciplined about time than she was. If Yoona said she would finish around nine, then it would probably be around nine.
But when Jinsol finally stood right in front of the restaurant, she suddenly became very aware of herself.
The place looked… fancy.
Through the tall glass windows, she could see warm lights hanging above neatly arranged tables. People inside were dressed nicely. Some in dresses, some in suits.
Then she looked down at herself.
Casual clothes.
Meh…
And the slight limp in her step didn’t help either.
Jinsol shifted her weight awkwardly and glanced around the entrance.
For the first time that night, she felt out of place. Like she didn’t belong there.
With the thoughts she had been having these days… hearing again and again that she was the lucky one to have Yoona… she really didn’t want to think too much about it.
Still.
Her chest felt tight.
Maybe she could wait somewhere else.
Not too far from the restaurant. Just somewhere nearby.
Just… not right here.
If Yoona came out and people saw them together…
People might talk.
They might wonder why someone like Yoona was dating someone like her.
They might question Yoona’s taste.
Jinsol frowned slightly at her own thoughts.
Why was she caring so much about what people said?
She never used to care.
But then again…
All people said it.
What if they were right?
What if she really was just a burden to Yoona?
What if all this time… Yoona was only staying with her because she felt sorry for her?
Before the thoughts could spiral further, Jinsol suddenly slapped both of her cheeks.
“Wake up, Jinsol,” she muttered under her breath while starting to walk away. “Yoona would never…”
Her voice trailed off.
She walked a little further down the street, away from the bright lights of the restaurant.
Just thirty minutes, she told herself. She would come back in thirty minutes. That would give Yoona enough time to finish her dinner.
But after walking for a while, something suddenly crossed her mind. Had Yoona texted her? Jinsol quickly took out her phone and pressed the screen.
Nothing.
She pressed it again.
Still nothing.
Her phone was completely dead.
“...Oh no.”
A small panic immediately rose in her chest. What if Yoona had already finished earlier? What if Yoona was waiting outside for her?
Jinsol quickly turned around and started walking back toward the restaurant, her steps a little faster now despite the slight limp.
By the time she reached the intersection, the traffic light for pedestrians was still red.
So she stopped at the curb, waiting for it to change.
Cars passed by in front of her, their headlights cutting through the dark road.
Then suddenly, a blinding light burst across the street.
Bright.
Jinsol instinctively turned her head toward it.
CRASH.
=====
Chaewon had already waved goodbye earlier, her driver waiting outside the restaurant. Jimin stood up from her chair, grabbing her bag, but before stepping away she paused beside Yoona.
“Waiting for a cab?” she asked.
“Oh no,” Yoona shook her head lightly. “Jinsol said she’ll pick me up. We’ll walk home together later.”
“I see.” Jimin smiled.
She hesitated for a moment, like she was debating whether to say something.
Then she spoke. “About what you said earlier,” Jimin said gently, “if you ever feel that way… maybe you can communicate it to Jinsol.”
Yoona blinked. “I’m sure she would assure you right away that you’ve done enough for her,” Jimin continued. “Believe me, Yoona… you two are lucky to have each other.”
Yoona’s eyes widened slightly at that. Then slowly, her expression softened.
“Yeah,” she said quietly. “I think so too.”
Jimin smiled, satisfied, then waved her hand as she finally walked away.
“Text me when you get home!”
Yoona laughed lightly. “Okay!”
Yoona took out her phone and sent a message.
I’m done. Where are you?
One tick. Not delivered.
Yoona frowned slightly.
“Huh…”
That was unusual.
Jinsol normally replied fast, even if it was just a short message.
But it was fine.
Maybe Jinsol was still walking here.
Yoona stayed outside the restaurant and waited.
But then fifteen minutes passed.
She tried calling.
The phone rang.
And rang.
But still no answer.
Yoona lowered her phone slowly, staring at the screen.
Maybe Jinsol was already on the way and just didn’t notice.
Still…
If Jinsol was coming, Yoona didn’t want her to rush unnecessarily.
She typed another message.
If you’re not here yet, it’s okay. Don’t hurry. I can walk home.
But the message still showed only one tick.
Not delivered.
After another minute, Yoona exhaled and slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Alright… I’ll just walk.”
Streetlights stretched across the road as Yoona began walking away from the restaurant.
She hadn’t gone very far when suddenly, an ambulance siren tore through the street.
Yoona instinctively turned.
The ambulance rushed past her, speeding in the opposite direction she was walking.
Red lights flashing.
Yoona just stood there, watching it until it disappeared around the corner. Other pedestrians around her looked too.
Then people slowly returned to their conversations.
Yoona began walking again.
Just then, she overheard a couple behind her.
They were walking slightly faster, about to pass her.
“It's for the crash at the crossroad near Belu Café, right?” the girl said.
Her boyfriend shrugged.
“Probably. Nevertheless… that girl can’t even run. Why would she cross the crosswalk like that?”
He clicked his tongue.
“Ckckck.”
Yoona’s steps stopped instantly.
Her ears rang.
Her body turned around before she even fully processed it.
“Sorry,” she said quickly, “Did you say there’s a crash?”
The couple looked surprised.
They glanced at each other briefly, wondering if they knew her.
But the girl answered anyway.
“Ah, yeah,” she said casually. “A girl ignored the red pedestrian light. She was limping while crossing the road… then there was a crash.”
Yoona felt her heart slam violently in her chest.
“It looked bad,” the girl continued. “We already left, but there were so many people trying to help.” A useless attempt to make the news less bad.
Yoona didn’t hear the rest.
She was already running.
The same feeling.
The same terrifying adrenaline.
Just like the day her parents burst into her room and told her Jinsol had been in an accident.
But this time , Yoona ran faster.
She shoved past people on the sidewalk more than once. Someone bumped her shoulder. Someone muttered something annoyed.
Yoona didn’t apologize.
She couldn’t.
She just needed to get there.
The unanswered texts.
The unanswered calls.
It suddenly made sense in the worst possible way.
Her foot caught against the uneven pavement.
And fell hard.
Her knee scraped against the asphalt, a sharp sting shooting up her leg. But she barely felt it. Before the pain could even settle, she pushed herself up again and kept running.
Faster.
Faster.
By the time she reached the crossroad, flashing lights were already fading away.
The ambulance doors slammed shut just as she arrived.
“Wait!”
But the siren wailed again, and the vehicle sped off into the night.
Yoona was about to run after the ambulance, but then she saw her.
Jinsol.
Standing a little ways back from the commotion.
Phone in hand.
Her eyebrows were drawn together in confusion.
Alive.
For a split second, Yoona didn’t believe what she was seeing.
Her body moved before her mind could catch up.
She rushed across the road and reached Jinsol in seconds.
Her arms wrapped around Jinsol tightly, fingers clutching at the fabric of her clothes like she was afraid Jinsol might disappear if she loosened her grip.
Yoona’s breath came in sharp, uneven gasps as her forehead pressed against Jinsol’s shoulder.
“You’re okay,” Yoona choked out, the words spilling more for herself than anything else. “You’re okay.”
“Yoona?” Jinsol froze in surprise.
Then slowly, she lifted her hands and placed them gently against Yoona’s back.
“I heard-” Yoona began, then her voice cracked. She swallowed hard but the words still broke. “They said someone got hit. They said…”
Jinsol’s hand tightened slightly on her back.
“Sorry,” she said softly. “I was about to check my phone… but my battery died.”
Yoona nodded weakly against her shoulder.
Tears blurred her vision, but she held on for another moment before finally loosening her grip.
“Yoona… your knee.”
Before Yoona could react, Jinsol crouched down in front of her, inspecting the scrape on Yoona’s knee under the streetlight.
The skin was red and slightly torn.
“It's okay,” Yoona said quickly. “It’s not painful.”
“Still…” Jinsol frowned. She looked around briefly before standing again. “I don’t have anything to treat this.”
She glanced toward the road home.
“Let’s go home right away.”
Jinsol’s limp always became more noticeable when she was tired.
Tonight, it was.
The day had already been long, and the tension from earlier still lingered somewhere inside her body. Yoona noticed it immediately. So she adjusted.
But for Jinsol, that adjustment felt like torture.
Yoona was the one who had fallen earlier. Her knee was scraped and probably stinging with every step.
Yet she was the one slowing down.
For her.
Jinsol tried to walk faster.
She really did.
But the ground felt strangely uneven beneath her feet when she pushed too hard, forcing her balance to shift.
Come on… faster.
Faster.
But her body didn’t listen.
They reached a crosswalk and stopped.
Jinsol shifted her stance, rolling her ankle slightly to ease the tension built up in her leg. Yoona noticed it again.
Of course she did.
When the pedestrian light turned green, Yoona didn’t move.
Jinsol stepped forward first. Only then did Yoona follow. Jinsol noticed that too.
Her teeth clenched.
So Jinsol slowed down.
Just a little.
Testing it. And like always, Yoona adjusted immediately.
Their pace matched again, like it had been that way forever.
Jinsol’s vision blurred.
Her eyes stung.
“In this kind of occasion…” Jinsol started quietly, her voice rough around the edges. “I want to piggyback you until we get to the apartment.”
Yoona laughed softly.
“It’s fine,” she said lightly. “I can walk. It’s the thought that counts.”
They took a few more steps.
Then Jinsol stopped.
“It doesn’t count, Yoona.”
Yoona turned.
That was when she saw it.
Jinsol’s eyes were red. Shiny with something she had clearly been holding back.
Jinsol’s chest rose slowly before she spoke again. “No matter what I think… I’ll never be able to realize it.”
“I want to piggyback you in times like this,” she continued. “I want to run with you during your morning routines. I want to play fun games with you.”
Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
“Back then you said you wanted to try playing airsoft gun,” Jinsol said weakly, a humorless breath escaping her. “But I can’t.”
Her voice cracked.
“Why…” she whispered.
Her eyes finally lifted fully to Yoona’s.
“Why do you choose someone like me when I’m only the minimum?”
They had been together so long.
They lived together.
They moved around each other so naturally that Yoona had assumed something dangerous without realizing it.
That Jinsol knew.
That Jinsol could just feel it.
Her love.
But standing there now. Seeing the way Jinsol’s shoulders trembled slightly. Seeing the way she looked like she was bracing herself for the answer.
Yoona realized something. She had never actually said it.
She was wrong to assume that Jinsol would know everything.
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Jinsol again.
But this time the hug was different.
Her hands held Jinsol’s back gently, “Jinsol,” Yoona said softly.
Jinsol didn’t move.
“I didn’t choose you because you can piggyback me.
I didn’t choose you because you can run fast.
I didn’t choose you because you can play airsoft with me.
I chose you... because when I was little,” Yoona continued quietly, “everywhere I went… you were there.”
Yoona chuckled slightly, "Even now... you're still here."
“You were the one who waited for me when I took too long playing games.”
You were the one who showed up at my house even when we liked different things.
You were the one who never got tired of me.”
Jinsol’s shoulders shook. Yoona swallowed hard before continuing.
“Do you know what I remember the most?”
Her voice grew quieter.
“The hospital.”
“You were crying,” Yoona said. “You were so scared because you couldn’t feel your leg.”
Yoona’s voice trembled slightly now.
“But even then… the day after, you still apologized to me.”
A tear slipped down Yoona’s cheek.
“You kept saying sorry like the accident was your fault.”
“And after that… every single day you practiced walking again.”
Yoona pulled back slightly just to look at her.
“I saw how much it hurt,” she whispered. “You thought I didn’t notice, but I did.”
Her thumb wiped the tears forming at the corner of Jinsol’s eyes.
“You were sweating. You were exhausted. But you still kept going.”
Yoona’s own voice broke now.
“You call that the minimum? At that time, I even realized that I wanted to be loved like that.
You think I’m lucky because you pay rent?” Yoona continued softly.
“You think I’m lucky because you’re nice?”
“No, I’m lucky because when I wake up in the morning, you’re there.”
“I'm lucky because when we fight, you’re always the one who reaches out first.”
“I’m lucky because you never gave up on walking beside me.”
She took Jinsol’s hand and placed it against her chest.
Right over her heart.
“And this?” Yoona whispered.
Her heart was beating fast under Jinsol’s palm.
“This is because of you.”
Jinsol couldn’t stop crying now.
“You’re not the minimum,” Yoona said, her voice breaking completely.
“You’re everything I built my life around. You're the answers to all of my prayers."
She leaned forward, resting her forehead gently against Jinsol’s.
“So don’t ever ask me why I chose you.”
“I thought…” Jinsol began, “if I just tried harder…”
She swallowed.
“If I became better at other things… maybe it would balance out.”
Yoona lifted her head slightly, “Like what?” she asked gently.
Jinsol gave a weak, embarrassed laugh.
“Studying harder. Working harder. Paying the rent so you don’t have to. Being… useful.”
“I thought if I did enough of those things,” she continued, eyes fixed on the pavement again, “people would stop looking at us like you’re carrying me.”
“Because they keep saying the same thing,” Jinsol murmured. “That I’m lucky to have you.”
“And they’re right.”
Jinsol kept going.
“So I kept thinking… maybe I just have to deserve you more.”
Yoona stepped forward and gently pushed Jinsol’s shoulder. Not hard.
But enough to make Jinsol take a small step back.
Jinsol blinked in confusion.
Before she could react, Yoona stepped forward again.
And again.
Jinsol instinctively stepped backward each time.
“Yoona?”
“Walk,” Yoona said quietly.
Jinsol frowned. “What?”
“Just walk.”
Jinsol hesitated but took another step backward.
Her limp was still there.
Yoona kept walking toward her.
Step by step.
Just walking with her.
Eventually Jinsol bumped lightly into a lamp post behind her.
Yoona stopped right in front of her. “See?” Yoona said softly.
“I kept up just fine.”
Jinsol stared at her.
“You think you’re slowing me down,” Yoona continued. “But I’ve been walking this speed for years.”
Her voice cracked faintly.
“You just never noticed.”
Jinsol’s lips parted.
“Just because I have to walk slower by 0.1 seco ds, it doesn't mean you're slowing me down,” Yoona said.
Her hand lifted and cupped Jinsol’s cheek.
“I need someone who stays.”
Her voice softened even more.
“Even on days when I didn’t deserve it.”
Jinsol shook her head weakly.
“So don’t tell me you’re slowing me down,” Yoona said.
Her hand slid down and intertwined their fingers again.
“If the worst thing in my life is walking a little slower because it means I get to stay beside you…”
She squeezed Jinsol’s hand.
“Then I’m the luckiest person alive.”
Jinsol broke. This time the sob escaped her completely.
Her shoulders shook as she leaned forward into Yoona again, burying her face into her shoulder.
Yoona held her without hesitation.
Just like before.
No, correction. Just like always.
After a moment, Yoona laughed softly through her own tears.
“You know,” she murmured against Jinsol’s hair.
“What?”
“I still owe you that Harvest Moon game.”
Jinsol let out a shaky laugh through her crying.
Yoona squeezed her again.
“So don’t go anywhere.”
“We still have that Harvest Moon game to finish.”