Chapter Text
- - -
Sana almost immediately noticed the change in Mina's mood. It was almost like an instinct at this point.
She tried to turn a blind eye, focusing on her favorite movie playing. But it was difficult.
Mina kept physically pulling away from her as if Sana's touch was burning her.
And it hurt. Sana loved to show her affection through physical contact and the times she was rejected made her feel horribly bad.
It was close to evening when Sana decided to leave. She couldn't stand the discomfort Mina was emanating from across the couch.
“I'll see you later, Mitang” Sana said as she put on her jacket, sideways. She could see out of the corner of her eye how Mina fiddled nervously with her fingers.
“Do you really have to go?” Mina's voice sounded so small that it melted Sana's heart and for a moment she wanted to refuse. But no, she could still see the tension in Mina's shoulders.
“Yes” Sana smiled at her ‘I haven't finished preparing for tomorrow's class yet’ she lied, scratching the back of her neck.
Mina sighed and looked disappointed but also relieved. “I understand” she murmured, moving closer to Sana.
They hugged awkwardly for less than a minute when Mina patted her back. “Get home safely, Sattang.”
“Of course, Mitang.”
- - -
In the morning, Sana was in Jeongyeon's living room, eating breakfast together after Sana informed her that she was not feeling well.
Jeongyeon tried to find out what had happened, but Sana was being clever in dodging answering it.
“I want to go to a party” Sana complained as she set her half-empty cup of coffee on the coffee table.
Jeongyeon snorted. “Shouldn't you be focusing on your work?”
“I am! Completely” Sana pouted ”But I want to have fun. How long has it been since I've been out?”
“About two months?” Jeongyeon hesitated.
“See! A long time.”
“My God, Sana” Jeongyeon complained, nudging her arm, which elicited a mocking giggle from Sana ”You're not a teenager anymore.”
“Exactly” Sana hummed, resting her head on her friend's shoulder. “I deserve a night free of responsibilities and feelings.”
“Do you still think that one night you'll magically forget about Mina?” Jeongyeon rested a hand on her thigh awkwardly, trying to give her silent support.
“No” Sana sighed and her voice became serious. “The only way I can forget about her is to confess. And we both know that if I ever do that, there's no way our friendship will survive.”
“You may not want to hear this” Jeongyeon started slowly, not wanting to ignore her friend's feelings, but wanting to comfort her at the same time ”But if Jihyo and I could get over it, so can you.”
“There's a difference, Jeong” Sana lowered a hand to play with Jeongyeon's ”Jihyo was scared to like you, because of your friendship, not because of your gender. Mina would be terrified to like me for being a woman.”
Jeongyeon grimaced and rested her head on Sana's, not knowing what to say to her in order to make her feel good.
(Sana knew that Mina's words 'I wish you were a man' will haunt her for the rest of her life).
- - -
As it turned out, partying wasn't what Sana needed. Nor was the attractive redhead who was hitting on her.
All she did all night was look sideways at Mina, who had joined the plan relatively recently.
(Sana wanted to be by her side. But Mina had been pulling away from her without even trying to be discreet.
It was Nayeon who pushed her to speak to the redhead, Jiwoo? Despite Sana's feeble protests).
“You're really not a celebrity?” Jiwoo stroked her arm slowly, causing goosebumps on Sana's skin.
Sana shook her head. “No, no” she bit her lip, being aware that Jiwoo was watching intently ”I'm just an ordinary teacher.”
“Do you do private lessons? Because I'd like to learn about a specific subject with you” Jiwoo leaned closer and her perfume prowled Sana, who restrained herself from grimacing. It wasn't at all like Mina's subtle perfume.
And that flirting? My God, Sana wanted to find an excuse to stay at the club. But then she looked at Mina and saw her talking animatedly with a chestnut man. A pang of pain squeezed her heart and Sana decided the night was young.
“For you exclusively" Sana raised her hand and rested it on her jaw. Jiwoo's eyes darkened. “Let me go say goodbye to my friends and then we'll leave.”
The woman nodded and Sana lowered her hand, with a smile before turning and heading over to where her group of friends were staring at her.
“How's it going?” Nayeon immediately asked her.
“We'll leave now” Sana winked and her friends cheered except for Mina, who visibly froze.
“I told you it was a good idea!” Nayeon raised her hand and Sana reluctantly high-fived her.
“You're really leaving with her?” Mina's voice sounded harsh, as if she didn't like the idea (and it was very much true), Sana frowned. Why did she care now?
“Yes” Sana shrugged ”She's attractive and it'll just be a one night stand.”
“How are you so sure?” Mina approached her, lowering her voice so the rest of the girls wouldn't hear her. Her sudden closeness made Sana nervous.
“Because I don't see a future with her” Sana lowered her head. “And it's been a while since I've had sex with someone, I need this, okay?”
“You could have told me” Mina mumbled through her teeth and considering the atmosphere, Sana didn't really get to hear her.
“Huh?”
“I said take care of yourself,” Mina clenched her fists. “Don't drink too much.”
“I'm quite sober, thank you very much.”
“Sattang” Mina's face softened and she tenderly clasped her hand. “Take care of yourself. Really.”
- - -
“Sana, seriously, what's going on between you and Mina?” Jihyo intercepted her as soon as she entered Jeongyeon's apartment.
Sana grunted, still with a headache from drinking last night. “Nothing's going on. Why?”
“Last night. And just all the time” Jihyo made hand gestures that Sana absentmindedly followed with her eyes, immediately getting dizzy.
“What happened last night?” Sana rolled her eyes, pushing Jihyo away so she could head over to where Jeongyeon was making breakfast.
“The jealousy scene” Jihyo answered her incredulously, as if Sana had asked the stupidest question in the world.
“That didn't happen” Sana frowned.
“Honey, give me a hand here” Jihyo walked over to her girlfriend and wrapped her arms around her waist, exaggerating a pout.
“I hate it when you do that” Sana sighed, sitting down on a chair.
“What, have a girlfriend?” Jihyo stuck her tongue out at her before rounding the table and sitting across from her. “Or when I tell the truth?”
“You didn't tell any truth” Sana shook her head.
“Mina is jealous” Jihyo raised an eyebrow. “Exclusively with you.”
“There were times when she got jealous with other of the girls” Jeongyeon jumped to Sana's defense. Jihyo then raised her hands, recognizing that look in her girlfriend's eyes ('Please shut up').
“See?” Sana smiled then. Not knowing that Jeongyeon was just trying to defuse the situation.
- - -
Mina was being weird.
During the day, she would ask Sana what she was doing and then ignore her when she got an answer.
There were times when she went to pick Sana up from work, with a stoic expression, that made Sana think she didn't really want to be there.
(But Mina just wanted to make sure no woman was trying to steal Sana away.)
One week, Mina was especially... attentive.
(Good morning and good night messages. Walking her home after work. Sending her pictures of her lunch because she knew Sana was sometimes lonely when she was on her break. Among other things).
And this week Mina was being distant. Sana never minded being the first to initiate the conversation, but Mina was responding to her a day later. Unusual.
While Sana never needed a bodyguard, it felt lonely going home without Mina's quiet presence and the touch of her hands.
Something was going on, and Sana couldn't help but ask her:
Sattang: hey, is evryt okay?
[12:00 AM]
Mitang: yeah, why do u ask?
[12:40 AM]
Sattang: i just had a hunch.
Sattang: are you busy?
[12:41 AM]
Mitang: I'm playing
Mitang: do you need anything?
[1:05 AM]
Sattang: oh, no
Sattang: just wanted to know
[1:06 AM]
(Seen)
Sana pursed her lips, feeling disappointed by Mina's clear lack of interest.
Then why did she do all that, she couldn't help but wonder.
Even when she was busy, Mina was usually more recessive when answering her messages.
There was something else going on. But Sana decided not to push.
- - -
Jeongyeon looked at her with some pitty. Sana knew she shouldn't be venting to one of Mina's close friends, but she honestly didn't know who else to turn to.
Mina had been ignoring her for almost two months now. Or well, that's how it felt to Sana.
“Have you tried talking face to face with her?” her friend's soft voice snapped her out of her trance.
Sana nodded her head. “It was in vain. She stood me up twice” her voice cracked at last. Sana had tried to forget about it, because it was actually impossible for her to stay mad at Mina.
But it hurt her, a lot.
Even Jeongyeon grimaced. “Recently?” she asked carefully, and Sana had to remind herself that it was okay to feel embarrassed.
“Three weeks ago? I don't remember exactly,” she tried to suppress it in her memory.
“Sana, I really think you should talk to Mina” her friend patted her on the back. “Do you even know why she stoo- didn't she meet with you?” Jeongyeon hesitated a little, visibly trying to ignore the jilted word. (Sana silently appreciated it.)
“No” Sana sighed and leaned on Jeongyeon's shoulder. “I'm just afraid of scaring her or letting a confession slip out.”
“And has it worked for you to give her space?”
Sana was silent, and Jeongyeon felt her body tighten.
“Talk to her,” she advised again. Sana only nodded.
- - -
Sattang: are u home rn?
[08:50 PM]
Mitang: yeah
[09:00 PM]
Sana took approximately forty minutes to arrive. She made a stop by Mina's favorite takeout restaurant, along with some last minute shopping. (Done on purpose so she'd have some excuse to get into Mina's apartment in case she wanted to kick her out).
“What are you doing here?” Mina sounded genuinely surprised, causing Sana to frown.
“Why else would I ask you if you're home?”
Mina remained silent, and looked at Sana's busy hands intently, before sighing and stepping aside. Sana excitedly shook her hands, with a smile.
They both entered Mina's kitchen in a tension-laden silence, and Sana wondered if it was a bad idea to come here in the first place. With so many years of knowing Mina, Sana quickly noted her discomfort, and it was extremely devastating.
Did I do something to her? Sana fiddled with the now fuel pouch, as she felt Mina's uneasy presence beside her.
Unable to bear the awkardness, Sana broke the silence, “Shall we watch a movie?”
Thankfully, Mina agreed, “Okay. You choose.”
Sana decided on a romance movie. She thought it was a good idea.
- - -
It was a lousy idea, Sana thought to herself.
Mina's whole body was tense next to her and, god, Sana wanted to reach out and be able to caress her. (She didn't. Honestly, Sana had been questioning what she could do and what she could say with Mina all night).
It was so hard to hold back. Especially when she heard a soft sob next to her and the slight trembling of her body. A vulnerable Mina was bringing out the overprotective side of Sana that was itself practically non-existent.
“Mina? Mina- look at me, I'm here” Sana spoke softly to her, switching her position on the couch.
Mina's eyes were teary as they met Sana's. Her hands were shaking as she grabbed the bowl of popcorn.
“I-I can't” Mina hesitated, visibly wanting to pull away from Sana, but she didn't. There was a long hesitation, her movements slow. “I can't.”
“What's wrong?” fuck gentleness, Sana paused the movie once more and grabbed Mina's biceps, leaning closer.
“Sana-” the jet blinked, tears peeking ”tell me I can't, you can't.”
Sana frowned, examining her face. “I don't understand, what can't we?”
“Be more” Mina took a deep breath, and Sana's heart again shattered.
“Wh-
“Tell me I can't feel this for you. Please?” she begged her.
The chestnut remained in a prolonged silence, slowly assimilating what was happening.
Mina was about to have a panic attack because of having feelings for Sana that she didn't really want to have.
Sana was more than happy with the fact that her feelings were reciprocated. Simultaneously, Sana felt deep empathy and sadness for Mina's situation.
Mina had always grown up hearing about how love was love specifically between men and women. Third parties' own homophobia had deeply scarred Mina, and now Sana was seeing it clearly.
Mina was terrified.
Having no words of comfort to offer her, Sana pulled Mina into an embrace. She didn't care at all that popcorn was scattered everywhere or that Mina had started to soak her shirt with tears.
All she cared about was trying to make Mina understand that she wouldn't leave.
- - -
They fell asleep in each other's arms that night after Sana forced them to go to Mina's room.
At dawn, Mina stirred in Sana's arms, surprised that the woman was still there and that she was already awake.
"Good mornin'" Mina croaked, snuggling into the crook of Sana's neck, who pulled her tighter to herself.
"Morning, how are you feeling?" Sana asked carefully.
"Better" Mina sighed "I'm sorry about last night. I don't know what came over me."
"No need to explain, darling" Sana tenderly scratched her scalp "Are you still in love with me?"
"... yes" Mina finally admitted and felt like she could finally breathe properly in years. Her body relaxed even more and she nuzzled her nose against Sana's jugular.
"Good. That's all I care about."
Mina smiled softly. Sana didn't need to say it back, she could tell in that moment that the feelings were reciprocated.
(A few hours later, when they finished breakfast, Mina felt a sudden unabashed confidence.
As Sana prepared to wash the silverware, Mina placed her hands on her waist, resting her entire front against Sana's back.
“Oof” Sana was surprised, letting out a giggle. She was more than delighted by the physical contact after so long. Even more so when she felt the strong, steady beat of Mina's heart. “I'm not going anywhere,” she told her half jokingly and half seriously.
“Good, because I couldn't stand it” Mina confessed and Sana turned her head to look at her. Of course Mina was being honest.
Sana was distracted when she noticed that there was little distance between them. If she leaned in, she could quietly kiss her and finally get the doubt out of her mind. And it looked like Mina was thinking the same thing, judging by her intense gaze on Sana's lips.
“How much do you like me?” Mina's husky voice sent shivers down her spine.
“Too much” Sana sounded breathless, turning slowly so she could face her properly. Mina technically had her cornered against the sink, hands firmly on her waist, Sana then placed a hand on the back of her neck, dangerously pulling her closer. Mina gasped.
So many months ago, when she wondered what Sana's lips would feel like, Mina never thought it would feel this good. Her lips were small and silky, and her hands caressing her scalp made her melt. Mina subtly tilted her head, allowing Sana to kiss her more deeply.
It wasn't that first kiss feeling, where nerves bloom like butterflies in the stomach and it's more like a peck on the lips. Since they both had years of experience, the feeling was somewhat similar. They didn't feel nervous, but rather excited. (Years of agonizing waiting paid off.)
Sana pulled her closer by the back of her neck, sighing when Mina nibbled tenderly on her lip. Mina's lips were soft and there was an almost imperceptible taste of the coffee they'd had, and her hands left slow caresses on her waist. Sana believed she would become addicted.
As the lack of oxygen was beginning to kick in, Sana decided to pull away first, letting out a giggle as a whimper escaped Mina's kiss-swollen lips.
“Cute” Sana breathe out before lowering her head and leave a trail of soft kisses down Mina's neck, lowering her hands to Mina's shoulder blades.
“Sana” murmured Mina, tilting her head to give her better access. Her hand unconsciously clung to the back of Sana's neck, wanting her to stay in that position longer.
Sana just hummed, bringing her lips to her jaw. “I'm not going anywhere” she repeated, sucking lightly on Mina's jawline skin).
- - -
They officially started dating two days later.
(It was Mina who brought up the conversation.
"Are we dating?" Mina asked as she leaned on Sana's shoulder, their hands intertwined as they talked.
"Is that what you want?" replied Sana, lightly squeezing her hand.
Mina didn't even hesitate to reply, "Yeah, so much."
Sana pressed a kiss to her temple and Mina's body melted next to her. "Alright then, we're dating.")
It was pretty soon, Sana knew, that but they had been friends for years and she had had these feelings for Mina for years too.
Sana loved her. And she wasn't hiding it, not anymore.
It had been almost three months since they had been together and Sana thought she was going to explode with love.
Mina's attitude hadn't changed much, beyond being more affectionate and expressing her thoughts or feelings more often.
Today was a rather hectic day for Sana. She loved her profession, being a kindergarten teacher was her dream and she was more than happy to have fulfilled it. However, it was often overwhelming to be with the children.
Two of her students had been hitting each other and other two had been arguing nonstop. When Sana arrived at Mina's apartment, she had a headache and slumped shoulders.
Mina was quick to notice, wrapping her arms around her as soon as Sana closed the door, and gave her soft kisses on her neck and jaw.
"Did I ever tell you about my first impression of you?" Mina asked her an hour later, both of them already snuggled up in Mina's bed. Sana was leaning against her chest, her left arm lazily around Mina's torso.
"No?" An half-asleep Sana answered her.
(The two had met one summer in 2012 in Osaka, Japan. Mina had gone on vacation with her family and close friends.
She had gotten lost when she went looking for the restaurant her family had wanted to try since they had arrived. Mina had fallen asleep late having spent so much time playing computer games.
That's how she ran into Sana, who was with her group of friends. Mina had shyly approached her.
"Excuse me, do you happen to know where Yoshinoya is?"
"Ah, yes!" Sana excitedly gave her the correct address. She spoke so fast that Mina barely managed to catch on. She found it strange, almost everyone in Osaka had that habit.
"Thank you very much!" said Mina to her, a little stunned.
Sana seemed to catch on, quietly telling her friends that they could leave without her. Her friends protested, wanting to be all together. Sana clasped her hands together and apologized to them before giving Mina her full attention.
"Do you want me to come with you?"
Mina let out a sigh of relief. "Please."
"My name is Sana" she cut in as they walked in a mildly awkward silence.
"My name is Mina" she reciprocated with a nod, repeating her name in her head.
"Mina" said Sana with a smile "You don't look like you're from here."
"I'm from Kobe. I came here on vacation."
"Oh! I have a lot of recommendations" Sana tilted her head "if you want to hear them."
Mina smiled "Of course.")
"Well" Mina smiled and ran her hand through Sana's hair again, gently scratching her scalp "I thought you were very cute. And your Japanese-" Mina let out a small giggle "it was too fast. I could barely understand you."
Sana groaned playfully, tapping her on the abdomen. "That's my charm."
"I agree. Although" Mina paused, thinking her words through "I think your greatest charm is your kindness" she confessed, her voice low as if she was afraid to burst the bubble they were in.
"My kindness?" Sana repeated, settling better to look at her. Mina's eyes sparkled, causing Sana's heart to race.
"You are so kind. So genuine. I always appreciated that about you, how you always have consideration for people and always manage to bring out the best in people. In me" Mina lowered a hand to Sana's chin, her eyes slowly looking down at her lips. A pleasant shiver ran down Sana's spine at the brief desire that shone in her girlfriend's eyes.
"I love you" Mina murmured affectionately. And Sana could feel it.
There was love in the way Mina looked at her lately. There was love in the way Mina caressed and hugged her, as if Sana was made of glass. There was love in the way Mina did little things for Sana, like making sure her coffee had the perfect amount of sugar or that there were always Takis in the snack drawer.
"I love you too" Sana kissed her jaw gently, closing her eyes briefly. She loved that Mina was trying so hard to reciprocate Sana's love language.
- - -
It became daily to spend the days at Mina's apartment. Sana didn't even know why she went there so much, it was like an instinct.
Sometimes they would stay a whole day doing nothing, sometimes they would go out on dates and other days they would intersperse. But it was never boring, even if they did the same thing over and over again.
Sana only became more and more fascinated. Her heart would explode at any moment now, from so much love and adoration she had for her girlfriend.
"What do you want to do today?" Mina asked her as she made them breakfast. Coffee and omelet with toast, something basic but it was always tasty. Sana was content to watch her move around the kitchen gracefully. It was a domestic sight at this point.
"What do you want to do, darling?" Sana played with the rings on her fingers, staring at her.
Mina hummed. "I want to stay in and play," she replied honestly. And it sounded so Mina that it made Sana smile.
"Then we'll stay" Sana decided. It was a Saturday and stressful weeks were coming, she could already sense it.
(Mina somehow was pretty good under stress, maybe because her job was more stressful and demanding than Sana's.)
"I like this," Mina confessed when she finished cooking and a silence had formed. She set the plates down and went to get the steaming cups of coffee.
Sana frowned slightly, "What do you mean?"
"Spending the day together" Mina set the cups down and sat down next to Sana, briefly stroking her arm in the process. Sana sensed it, of course, but made no comment, leaning closer to her instead.
"Do you want to move in together?" Sana asked, taking a sip of her coffee and let out a moan of pleasure, it was made just the way she liked it.
Mina froze. She didn't know if Sana was asking her seriously or playfully.
"What?"
Sana looked at her as she chewed her toast, her puffy cheeks made Mina's heart race of tenderness and affection.
"We're almost every day together, and we've known each other for years" Sana shrugged "I don't think the girls suspect" she added, in case Mina was hesitating.
It's been six months since they've been together, but they still hadn't told their friends. Their families were the only ones who knew, simply because none of them could contain themselves. Mina wanted to tell her brother everything and Sana wanted to tell her parents everything.
Mina was actually afraid, and Sana knew it, though she didn't know the reason was a deep fear.
Mina was afraid that by telling their friends, Sana would change her ways. She was afraid that her girlfriend's feelings would fade more quickly. (Mina knew she had to tell her, but it wasn't the time yet.)
"It's not because of girls or because I don't want to, honey" Mina clarified, instinctively grabbing Sana's hand. "I just want to know if you mean it or if it's an impulse."
"I mean it, love" Sana assured her, smiling at her. "I want all our days to be like this, you know? I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see when I go to sleep."
Mina sighed, feeling relieved. "Alright" she smiled back "I guess you'll be coming to live here, won't you?"
Sana let out a laugh. "Wow darling, you're a psychic now?"
"Only when it comes to you, my love."
- - -
Mina has always been possessive and jealous of Sana.
Sana is no fool, she has noticed every moment when Mina's gaze hardens and her arms suddenly wrap around Sana.
The irony of it all is that she wasn't doing it on purpose. She was in love with Mina and only Mina. The only way she had flirted with anyone had been when Mina herself was flirting with a man.
Sana was waiting for Mina outside the office, one hand in her pocket and the other sliding down her phone. Today they would go to lunch together during Mina's break. Sana was working later, so their schedules coincided.
She was in her gallery, scrolling through the immense amount of photos she had of Mina (whether together or just her), because she wanted to change her wallpaper.
But, in Sana's eyes, the photos were too intimate to be shown. The version reserved for Sana of Mina was all over her gallery and she didn't want anyone else to see it.
(Tender photos of Mina posing on camera. Photos of the two kissing. Selfies of Mina taking from time to time on Sana's cell phone).
She was too immersed in her search for the perfect photo to notice a woman approaching her.
"Sana?" The woman's voice startled her.
Sana looked at her and felt like she knew her.
"It's been so long since I've seen you" the woman continued, approaching her personal space.
Sana cocked her head to one side. Those eyes and lips looked familiar.
Is she a past one night stand? Sana wondered, her mind racing. Then she found a memory of that same voice moaning in her ear and those eyes staring at her with desire-
"Oh! Jiwoo-ssi" Sana smiled politely at her, putting away her phone and leaving her hand in the same pocket as it. "It's been a while, yeah. How are you?"
"Fine" the woman rested her hand on Sana's bicep, squeezing it lightly. "And you?"
"Fine too, thanks for asking" Sana discreetly tried to remove Jiwoo's hand from her arm, though it was in vain as the woman gave it a tighter squeeze.
"Are you busy? I'd love to catch up with you," Jiwoo told her quietly, as if she was trying to seduce her. It had worked on that night, but Sana was now sober and she was uninterested (Have you seen Sana's girlfriend?)
"Honey! There you are!" Mina suddenly approached them and relief flooded on Sana. Jiwoo, in surprise, pulled away from her. Mina took advantage and moved closer, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's waist tightly.
"Darling" Sana smiled brightly at her, pulling her hands out of her pockets to hug Mina's shoulders. "Are you ready?" she asked, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
"Yes. It took me a while because I couldn't find my wallet" Mina lamented, leaving a kiss on her neck as she kept eye contact with Jiwoo.
"Isn't it my turn to pay?"
"You know I won't let you spend that much money on me" Mina complained.
Jiwoo cleared her throat, completely uncomfortable. Sana had forgotten they weren't alone. She opened her mouth to say goodbye, but Mina was quicker, "oh, sorry. MY girlfriend is quite distracting, isn't she?" her voice was soft as always, but there was a glint in her eyes that displayed her jealousy.
Jiwoo took the hint, starting to walk backwards. "Well, it was nice to have seen you again Sana!" She waved goodbye and stormed off.
Mina snorted, her nose nuzzling the column of Sana's throat. "Why doesn't anyone understand that you're mine?" she muttered with a pout.
"They don't know us, darling, that's why" Sana swallowed a moan as Mina's teeth nipped at her skin "but you know I'm yours, and that's enough, isn't it?"
Mina growled in disagreement, "I have to make that clear."
- - -
It had been a crazy year. Mina had started going to therapy so she could accept herself and heal. Part of her acceptance had to do with her relationship with Sana.
And that made things a lot easier, because Mina loved Sana so, so much.
A day ago was their first anniversary and Mina had finally wanted to tell her friends.
("Honey," Mina called to her from the dining room, where she was playing Minecraft.
Sana re-emerged from the kitchen, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yes?"
"Other than Jeongyeon" Mina began, pausing the game and looking up "Are there any of the girls who know about your feelings for me?"
"No" Sana pursed her lips "but they've been making comments, so I think they already know. Why?" she was sensing that Mina would be about to touch on a relatively serious topic. She walked over and sat in a nearby chair as her girlfriend seemed to choose her words carefully.
"Do you think" Mina's voice trembled "that we should tell them?"
Sana blinked in surprise, pulling her full weight against the back of the chair. "Well, uh, yeah? I mean, if you want to" she hesitated.
"I want to" Mina said more firmly, though her hand trembled on top of the mouse "I want to be able to love you publicly too. I want to be able to show it."
Sana gave her a smile and grabbed her hand. "It's okay" she told her gently "there's no rush, alright? We'll figure it out together.")
So there they were, being stared at after Sana said she wanted to tell them something important.
Mina, feeling completely nervous, couldn't stop stuttering. Giving up, she just cupped Sana's face and pulled her to herself for a soft kiss on the lips.
That was pretty enough for her friends. Jihyo, who was nearby, playfully nudged Sana, causing them to suddenly break apart.
"Come on, don't traumatize Tzuyu!" she said as she pointed at her. Tzuyu was staring at them, almost as if she was judging them.
That broke the spell. Nayeon, Jeongyeon and Momo whistled. Dahyun clapped uncomfortably.
Jeongyeon jumped out of her seat. "I didn't think you had the ovaries to do that!" she exclaimed looking directly at Sana, who growled playfully at her.
"You knew?!" Chaeyoung was gawking at them, but now she was scowling at Jeongyeon.
"You chose to tell Jeongyeon over me!" Momo shrieked offended, shoving Sana.
"Oh boy" muttered Sana, as she squeezed Mina's hand, who had a blinding smile on her lips.
She decided to ignore the chaos around her, focusing on her partner. Since the two had started dating, Mina was somehow more dazzling than usual. Sana could barely look away from her.
Leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her lips, Sana murmured a soft 'I love you' beforehand, which was reciprocated when Mina ended up kissing her.
Sana didn't expect it.
- - -
Epilogue:
A few hours had passed since the two had announced their relationship. Mina felt freer, finally being able to show how much love she had for her girlfriend.
They had arrived at her apartment (Sana had recently moved in) and were preparing dinner when they heard a commotion in her entryway and loud banging.
Sana decided to go see what was going on while Mina curiously stayed nearby.
Nothing had prepared them for seeing their friends with boxes of alcohol and junk food.
"What the fuck?" exclaimed Sana, dumbfounded as the girls walked in one by one.
"Mina finally realized she's in love with you!" explained Nayeon as if it was the most obvious thing in the world (it was).
"We're celebrating!" Dahyun added with a smile as she passed a beer to Sana.
"Finally!" Tzuyu emphasized.
"Oh, come on girls" complained Sana, opening her can of beer as she approached her girlfriend. "Leave her alone, she went through a whole process" she said, slipping an arm around Mina's waist, who nodded at her words and pouted.
"Even Jihyo wasn't that hard-headed" Nayeon scoffed, opening a bag of potato chips. Momo and Chaeyoung beside her immediately started snacking.
"True!" Jihyo stated, laughing. "It was Jeongie" she nudged Jeongyeon, who groaned in response.
"Let's not compare, please" Sana shook her head before the other couple argue.
"Cheers!" interjected Tzuyu as they fell into an awkward silence. "Mina is finally out of the closet!"
"Hurray!" They all saying, cheering loudly while Mina blushed in embarrassment.
"Kiss, kiss!" Suddenly Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung pointed at them.
Mina rolled her eyes. "It was a one time thing-"
Sana beside her pouted exaggeratedly. "Are you not going to kiss me anymore?"
"Oh, honey, you know it's impossible for me to resist," Mina complained in squeamishness.
When Momo and Jihyo made gagging sounds, they all burst out laughing.
During the unplanned celebration, the smile did not leave Sana's face.
And even less so on Mina's, who again had gotten drunk and was cuddling possessively around Sana's neck.
Sana felt at peace.