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Jihyo let out a heavy sigh, tapping her phone against her forehead as her eyes locked on the rent notice stuck to the fridge. She loved this apartment. Two bedrooms, a decent kitchen, a cozy little living room, close to campus, and most importantly… It used to be on her budget.
Well, not anymore.
When she first moved in, she had grand plans for the second bedroom. A study room, she told herself. But with her course keeping her out in the field most of the time, that never really happened. It ended up being more of a crash pad for friends after late-night parties or the occasional sleepover when someone got locked out of their dorm past curfew. She actually liked the company from time to time, so she never bothered switching to a one-bedroom apartment.
Any extra cash she scraped together from tutoring or side gigs usually ended up spent on shiny new gear for her field projects or outdoor adventures. She could ask her parents for help, but she really didn’t want to. It was too late to start saving now.
What was she going to do?
She thought about moving, but the idea felt impossible. She was too settled, too used to the space. And with the inauguration camp for freshmen just around the corner, she didn’t have the time or the mental bandwidth to deal with apartment hunting. This was seriously the last thing she needed.
“Look for a roommate,” Jeongyeon had said over the phone.
At first, Jihyo laughed, surprised she hadn’t thought of it herself. But the idea quickly soured in her mind. Having a roommate was a big deal. Sure, she didn’t mind her friends crashing occasionally, but living with someone full-time? That was a whole other story.
Still, she was desperate. And desperation has a way of making you reconsider things.
So, she did what any broke college student would do: posted on every university housing board she could find.
It was Sana who came through. A girl from International Relations, she and Jihyo had known each other since orientation week, often running into each other at campus parties and random events.
"Hey! I have a friend from Japan who recently got into an exchange program," Sana said during a call. "Last I heard, she was still struggling to find housing. She's super chill, a bit quiet, but really sweet. Want me to connect you two?"
That’s how Jihyo ended up in a Zoom call with a stranger named Mina.
Or, well, not just any stranger.
She didn’t know why she was nervous. Her fingers fidgeted in her lap as she waited, heart beating a little too fast.
Then the camera flicked on.
Jihyo’s breath hitched. Mina had this soft, composed aura—long black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. She wore a simple sweater, no makeup, and yet somehow looked like she stepped out of a painting.
“Hey, I’m Mina,” the girl said softly, her voice smooth and melodic.
Jihyo nearly dropped her jaw but caught herself just in time. “H-hi. Jihyo here.”
“I hope the room’s not haunted,” Mina added dryly, her tone dipped in playful sarcasm.
Jihyo giggled, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Only during midterms.”
They both smiled.
Mina explained she was an IT student, and that the exchange program was mandatory for her graduation. Something about exposure and field experience, Jihyo didn’t catch all the details. She was too busy getting distracted by Mina’s voice.
“So,” Mina said, tilting her head, “aside from finances, is there anything I should know before I agree to this? Like, preferences? Rules?”
“Oh, well…” Jihyo scratched her cheek, suddenly shy. “I’ve never had a roommate before, so I guess just the usual? Clean up after yourself, don’t set the apartment on fire, that kind of thing. Oh! Sometimes my friends come over.. we’re not super wild or anything but… I don’t know how rowdy we can get. Maybe we figure it out as we go? What’s a yes and what’s a no?”
She chuckled nervously at the end, cheeks warming.
Mina let out a soft laugh of her own. “Okay. We’ll figure it out.”
It was the day.
Jihyo stood by the front door, wringing her hands as nerves danced in her stomach. Her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps outside. Then, with a soft knock, she opened the door and Mina stepped in, suitcase in tow.
“Hi,” Mina greeted, eyes scanning the apartment but mostly, Jihyo.
“You’re shorter than I thought,” Mina added with a hint of amusement.
Jihyo blinked. “You’re… prettier than on Zoom.”
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Her eyes widened in horror.
Mina blinked once, then let out a soft chuckle. “Thanks. You’re cute.”
Jihyo’s face lit up like a bonfire.
Trying to recover, she launched into a quick tour of the apartment, rambling just a little. “You can, uh, add your own touch of course. Maybe you like cute mugs, or want to change the rug or something…”
She stopped in front of the guest room now Mina’s room and gave a little bow. “And this is your room. I tidied it up a bit. It’s got all the basics.”
Mina giggled, stepping inside to look around. “Thank you, this is wonderful. I think I’ll add some things though… especially for the desk setup.”
“Yeah, sure, go ahead,” Jihyo said with a smile, rocking on her heels.
Then a thought struck her. “Oh! Mina! Just a heads-up, in about a week I’ll be gone for three days. There’s a camping trip for the inauguration, and until then I’ll probably be coming home really late because of all the prep work. I hope that’s okay?”
Mina smiled, already halfway through unpacking. “Of course. What exactly is the inauguration for, though?”
“Oh, it’s for welcoming the new freshman troops. You know, after their orientation semester. Kind of a bonding thing—the whole ‘this major is your new family’ tradition,” Jihyo explained with a small shrug.
Mina tilted her head. “Oh yeah, what’s your major again? I don’t think I asked.”
“Geological engineering,” Jihyo replied as casually as she could but Mina caught the glimmer of pride in her voice, the way her posture lifted just a bit.
Fascinating, Mina thought. And a little endearing.
It was true most of that week, Jihyo came home late, juggling prep work and last-minute meetings for the upcoming camp. On some nights, she even brought a friend or two over, usually loud and half-asleep, crashing on the couch after a long day.
At first, Jihyo was worried. Mina didn’t seem like the type who enjoyed too much noise or a full house. Sana had described her as a quiet person, and Jihyo didn’t want to overstep.
But her concern faded quickly.
Mina never once complained. She’d greet Jihyo’s friends with a nod and a faint smile, sometimes even joining them for a few minutes of casual conversation before slipping back into her room. And the other day, Jihyo had walked into the kitchen in the morning to find Mina and Jeongyeon casually chatting over coffee.
Before Jihyo left for the camp, she had tossed Mina a playful warning to “take care of the apartment and no wild parties.” Mina had just smiled and nodded, amused. Not that she planned to throw one.
Having the place to herself was... nice. Peaceful. The kind of quiet that didn’t feel lonely.
Adjusting to a new environment could be overwhelming, but so far Mina had settled in better than expected—aside from the occasional administrative headache. She’d taken some time to explore the area: walked around campus, scouted out her favorite quiet corners, and even discovered a charming little ice cream shop nearby. The seller, Chaeyoung, was warm and welcoming, her energy soft but inviting. Mina liked her. Her girlfriend Tzuyu, if Mina remembered right, had been there too. A bit harder to read, maybe because she barely spoke, but there was something comforting about her presence.
She also bumped into Sana briefly, they’re an old high school friend. Seeing a familiar face in a sea of strangers made things feel a little more grounded.
Today, she was supposed to meet up with Sana for lunch and apparently, Sana was bringing a friend named Nayeon.
Mina wasn’t nervous, exactly. It wasn’t shyness. She just found it hard to match energies sometimes, especially when they clashed or moved at a pace that didn’t sync with hers. And when that happened, it could be... draining.
Still, she was trying. New place, new people. She could manage lunch.
They met at a small ramen shop tucked just off-campus, Sana said it’s the kind of place that always smelled like warmth and broth. When Mina stepped inside, she spotted Sana almost immediately. Hard not to, really.
As soon as their eyes met, Sana jumped up with a grin, waving her entire arm like a windmill. “Mina-chan! Here!”
Mina winced slightly at the attention, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Embarrassing, yes—but endearing all the same. That was always the effect Sana had on her.
She walked over and slid into the seat across from them. Sana sat beside another girl, a wide smile already forming.
“This is Nayeon,” Sana introduced with a sparkle in her eye.
Mina dipped her head politely. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here,” Nayeon said easily. “Sana’s told me a lot about you. Welcome to campus.”
Before Mina could reply, Sana jumped in. “Was it hard to find the place? I always get confused the first time.”
“Not really,” Mina said softly. “It’s close enough to the apartment.”
“Still, it’s a bit hidden,” Sana mused. Then, without missing a beat, she began rattling off menu recommendations. “You have to try the miso butter one. Oh! And the spicy shoyu if you’re feeling brave.”
Mina just listened with an amused nod, appreciating how naturally Sana filled the space.
A lot of people seemed surprised when they found out Mina and Sana were friends. They were opposites in almost every way. One loud and impulsive, the other composed and quiet, but it had never been difficult between them. Sana never made her feel like she had to keep up. If Mina drifted into silence, Sana carried the weight of the conversation without making her feel left out. It was... comfortable.
They ended up ordering a small feast—gyoza, miso butter ramen, karaage, a plate of spicy shoyu noodles, and even a couple bottles of sparkling peach water. Sana claimed she was worried Mina would start feeling homesick soon, and nothing cured homesickness quite like familiar food.
"You know, food is emotional," Sana declared dramatically as she handed Mina a spoon. "It carries memories."
Mina raised an eyebrow. "You sound like a food blogger."
“I am one,” Sana jokes, before turning to Nayeon. “Well, on my private story. My twenty loyal viewers know greatness when they see it.”
Nayeon rolled her eyes affectionately. “She’s not wrong. She once rated every cafeteria on campus and made a PowerPoint.”
“Food is also how I made friends with this one,” Sana beamed, gesturing at Nayeon. “We were both late to class and forced to sit together upfront because no other seats were available then somehow bonded over cold noodles.”
Nayeon laughed. “True. I thought she was annoying at first.”
“You always think I’m annoying.”
“Because you are.”
Mina watched them volley back and forth with mild amusement, sipping her drink quietly. It was chaos, but in a familiar, comforting way.
“Anyway,” Sana turned to Nayeon, “Mina and I went way back too. High school. We were always assigned to the same group in the English club. She never skipped her duties, so I loved her.”
Mina snorted. “You just wanted someone to do your share.”
Sana grinned. “I was smart.”
Conversation flowed easily after that. Mostly Sana chattering while Mina and Nayeon filled in when needed. Then, halfway through a bowl of noodles, Sana leaned across the table.
“So, how’s everything going so far? Adjusting okay?”
Mina nodded, setting her chopsticks down. “It’s been alright. Classes are manageable though it’s still early. Just a lot of introductions and basics for now.”
“That’s good,” Sana nodded. “You’re smart. I’m not worried.”
Then Nayeon chimed in, curiosity lighting up her eyes. “How’s it living with Jihyo? Heard you two are roommates now?”
Mina blinked. “You know Jihyo?”
“Childhood friends,” Nayeon replied, casually. “We were stuck like glue back then”
“Oh.” Mina smiled a little. “She’s been great. Kind of reminds me of you, actually,” she said to Sana, then paused. “Just... more shy.”
Nayeon chuckled. “That sounds like her. But wait till she warms up—once that switch flips, she’s like an energy bomb. No one can stop her.”
Sana nodded in agreement, laughing. “Oh my god, yes. She’s so loud once she’s comfortable.”
Nayeon’s tone shifted slightly, more concerned now. “She hasn’t made you uncomfortable or anything, has she? Her friends too can be a bit much sometimes. Those kids are a handful.”
Mina shook her head. “No, not at all. She’s actually really considerate. Even warns me when people might stay over. It’s been… surprisingly smooth.”
She took a sip of water before adding, “I’ve been thinking of getting more furniture, though. A bookshelf or maybe a new desk. But building it might be the hard part.”
“Oh, just rope Jihyo into it,” Nayeon said with a grin. “She’s good with that stuff. My mom didn’t call a handyman when our ceiling light died—she called Jihyo.”
Mina blinked. “Really?”
“Swear to god,” Nayeon laughed. “She showed up with a ladder, toolbox, and attitude. Fixed it in ten minutes.”
Mina hummed, quietly impressed. The image of Jihyo in work gloves with a screwdriver in hand was oddly... interesting.
Jihyo came home feeling the kind of tiredness that left her buzzing. Her legs ached, her skin felt sticky from leftover sunscreen and river water, but the camp had gone smoothly. The freshmen made it back in one piece—sunburned, mosquito-bitten, but all smiles. That was all that mattered.
She opened the door to her apartment and paused at the sight in front of her.
Mina was curled up on the couch, a controller in her hands, the TV screen lit with the soft glow of a game interface. She wore a hoodie two sizes too big and loose shorts, her hair falling in relaxed waves around her shoulders. She looked… cozy. So soft. So at home.
Mina looked up, and for a moment, her fingers froze on the controller.
Jihyo was tan. Really tan—like she’d spent three days kissing the sun and wrestling with the elements.
Mina’s jaw almost dropped.
“You’re back,” Mina said, quickly clearing her throat. “How was the camp?”
Jihyo grinned, toeing off her boots. “Not bad! The kids survived, no one cried too hard, so I call that a win.” She dropped her bag with a soft thud. “There was a surprise rainstorm though. We almost had to sleep in soaked tents, but it passed fast.”
As she talked, Jihyo unzipped her jacket and peeled it off, revealing toned arms and shoulders that flexed with the motion. Mina glanced away, suddenly hyper-aware of where she was looking.
Jihyo moved toward her, and Mina barely had time to compose herself before Jihyo held something out in her palm.
“Here,” she said, a little shy. “For you.”
Mina blinked down. “It’s a… rock.”
Jihyo chuckled, scratching the back of her neck. “Yeah. I found it near the riverbed on our second day. It’s a piece of gneiss—see those stripes?” She turned it slightly in her hand. “Those layers are called ‘foliation.’ It means the rock's been under a lot of pressure and heat, so the minerals aligned like ribbons. Kinda cool, right?”
Mina stared at the rock, the silence stretching just a little too long.
Jihyo’s confidence wavered. “I-I mean, if you don’t like it—”
“No! No, I was just—” Mina cut in quickly, cradling the rock with both hands. “Thank you. You’re so cute. I mean— the rock is cute. And you’re cute. For bringing me a souvenir.” Her voice had softened, almost embarrassed, but her smile stayed.
Jihyo let out a surprised laugh, cheeks warming. “Well, get ready. I plan to bring one back every time I go on a trip.”
Mina looked up, her eyes twinkling. “Do they come with mini geology lectures too?”
Jihyo flushed. “I… I can tone that part down.”
“No, please don’t.” Mina smiled earnestly. “I like it. Bring all the rocks you want. I want to hear everything.”
Jihyo stared at her for a beat longer than necessary before she dropped down on the floor beside the couch with a sigh. “You’re gonna regret saying that.”
“I doubt it,” Mina murmured, still turning the stone over in her hand like it was a precious gift.
It kind of was.
College came in full swing.
Jihyo got busier than ever. Between classes, labs, and her fieldwork, she barely had time to sit still. Geological engineering wasn’t exactly a major that let you stay indoors. It meant spending hours in the sun collecting rock samples, studying soil composition, analyzing geological maps, and learning how to assess land stability—work that was technical, physical, and sometimes downright exhausting. But she loved it. There was something grounding about being out in nature, understanding the literal foundation of things.
Mina, on the other hand, had settled into her own rhythm. She attended classes regularly, took meticulous notes, and always had her head in some code or theory. She was diligent and focused, and her version of being busy looked very different from Jihyo’s.
True to her word, Jihyo brought Mina rocks from her trips. She brings smooth stones from riversides, sharp samples of basalt, even a few fossilized pieces. It became a habit. A quiet ritual that gave them something to talk about at the end of the day.
And as the stories piled up, Jihyo began to notice things.
She noticed how most of her own days were filled with motion like doing some hiking, testing, measuring, planning while how Mina’s were rooted in calm routines. Jihyo was always out. Mina was always home. Unless class or errands dragged her outside, Mina rarely ventured far. She seemed content, but still, Jihyo couldn’t quite shake the feeling.
One lazy evening, after three straight days of not seeing each other properly, they sat on the couch with a bowl of popcorn between them. A movie had just ended, the credits playing in soft flickers across the screen.
“Hey,” Jihyo said, catching a kernel mid-air with her mouth. “Do you… like it here? I mean, living together?”
Mina glanced at her with a small, relaxed smile. “Mm. I do. You’re considerate. It’s peaceful. I like that.” She paused, then added, “Also, you come in handy when fixing things for me. That’s a huge plus.”
Jihyo laughed, nudging her. “That’s just because I can’t stand loose shelves or wonky lights.”
“Well, I’m glad for it.”
Jihyo’s smile lingered, but she tilted her head thoughtfully. “I just noticed we don’t hang out that much, outside of here. What do you usually do when you’re free?”
Mina leaned back. “Mostly games. Sometimes I read. Take walks now and then—not far, just around the block. I like it slow. No rush. No sweat. Y'know?”
Jihyo nodded, mulling it over.
Mina wasn’t lonely. Well, she didn’t seem like she was. But still, the image of her housemate always indoors, surrounded by screens and silence, started to gnaw at her a little. Because she can’t imagine herself like that.
So, over the next few days, between classes and rocky hillsides, Jihyo circled back to that conversation again and again.
And then she made up her mind.
She was going to get Mina outside.
Every other day, Jihyo would try.
“Hey, wanna go hiking this Saturday?”
“No thanks, Jihyo.”
“Beach trip on Sunday?”
“Maybe next time.”
Each polite refusal chipped away at her enthusiasm, little by little. She started worrying she was being too pushy. Maybe she was just… annoying.
One of their late-night movie marathons gave her an idea to approach it differently.
“You’ve been quiet,” Mina said, glancing at her from her spot on the couch, blanket bunched at her waist.
Jihyo blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Sorry… just thinking about something.”
Mina smiled, soft and knowing. “Does it have any correlation with you constantly inviting me out these past few days?”
Caught red-handed, Jihyo stammered before admitting, “Well, I just… noticed how different we are. I’m always outside, moving around. You’re more of a... homebody.” She shifted in her seat, suddenly shy. “It’s not bad! I just— I guess I’m not used to seeing someone spend so much time indoors. I kept wondering if maybe... you stayed in because you didn’t have anyone to go out with. So I thought I’d take the initiative. But then you kept rejecting me, so maybe that's not it?”
She tilted her head at Mina, cheeks puffed out in an unconscious pout, looking so endearingly confused that Mina couldn’t help it but to burst into laughter.
“Oh my god, you’re so cute,” Mina managed between giggles.
Jihyo’s ears turned bright red as Mina composed herself, explaining, “Really, I just like doing things at my own pace. I find comfort in it. It’s not because I’m lonely or anything.”
Jihyo leaned in, eyebrows knitting together. “But camping can be relaxing too!” she argued, a little too earnestly.
That only made Mina laugh again, the sound bright and genuine. After her laughter died down, she said gently, “It’s different, Jihyo. You can’t force people to like the same things you do.”
Jihyo immediately deflated, shoulders drooping. “I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to overstep.”
Mina waved it off with a flick of her hand. “It’s okay. I get it, really.”
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Jihyo, with a soft huff, poked her bottom lip out in a full pout. “Still feels like you’re missing out.”
Mina giggled again, absolutely charmed.
“You know what,” Mina said, a mischievous glint in her eye, “if it makes you that happy, I’ll go out with you. Just this once. Let’s say... I’m returning the favor for all the movie nights and the cute souvenirs you brought me.”
Jihyo’s eyes widened in pure, unfiltered excitement. “Wait—really? I’ll plan something! I’ll make sure it’s chill, comfortable so don’t worry!”
Mina watched her, thoroughly entertained. “It’s a date, then,” she said teasingly.
Jihyo lit up instantly “Yes! Wait—did you say date?”
But Mina only gave her a playful wink, gathering her blanket and disappearing into her room, leaving Jihyo sitting there, mouth slightly open, heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
Jihyo planned everything. A scenic but easy trail, a lakeside spot, soft sleeping pads, extra thermal blankets, her favorite granola bars, and even a power bank so Mina wouldn’t freak out if her phone died.
Mina stood by the apartment door in leggings, a hoodie, and sheer disbelief. “You really made this ‘indoor-friendly,’ didn’t you?”
Jihyo slung her pack over one shoulder and grinned. “I want you to be comfy.”
And she was, surprisingly so. The car ride out of town was calm, windows cracked open just enough to let the wind tangle their hair while some soft playlist hummed in the background. Mina, legs pulled up on the seat, hugged her knees and glanced at Jihyo behind the wheel.
“Are you always this prepared?” Mina asked, watching Jihyo adjust the GPS.
“For camping? Always. I hate getting cold or wet or hangry.”
Mina chuckled. “That’s oddly specific.”
“Bad memories,” Jihyo said with a dramatic sigh. “You don’t want to know how close I came to eating raw instant noodles once.”
Mina snorted. “You should’ve brought those. I’d try it.”
“Noted for next time,” Jihyo said with a wink.
The road stretched long, trees rushing past in a blur of green, and Mina let out a quiet, thoughtful breath. “Hey, wanna play a game?”
Jihyo glanced at her. “What kind?”
“Twenty questions. You ask, then I ask. We take turns.”
Jihyo grinned. “Okay. I’ll start—what’s your favorite time of day?”
“Late afternoon,” Mina answered quickly. “When the sun feels warm but everything’s quiet. Yours?”
“Early morning. Everything feels new,” Jihyo said. “Okay, next—what’s your weirdest pet peeve?”
Mina tilted her head. “Mmm. People chewing spoons. I don’t know why. You?”
“When someone talks during a movie.” Jihyo side-eyed her. “So don’t.”
“I don’t,” Mina said, mildly offended. “I only comment.”
“Uh-huh. Anyway—question three: have you ever been in love?”
Mina blinked, caught off-guard. “That escalated quickly.”
“Too soon?”
“No, it’s fine. Um… maybe. I thought I was, once.”
Jihyo nodded slowly, eyes still on the road. “Same.”
A gentle silence settled between them after that.
“My turn,” Mina finally said. “Why do you like the outdoors so much?”
Jihyo smiled to herself. “Because it makes me feel small, but in a good way. Like… the world is big, and I don’t have to carry everything.”
Mina looked at her, quietly moved by the honesty. “That’s kind of beautiful.”
Jihyo tipped her head, curious. “Okay, then let me flip it… why do you like being indoors?”
Mina’s mouth curved, a little sheepish. “Control, I guess. I can make the world small on purpose.”
Jihyo whispers. “Safe corners.”
Mina nodded slowly and asked again “Okay. What’s something you’re scared of?”
Jihyo exhaled. “Wasting time. Regret, maybe. You?”
“Not being understood.”
Jihyo glanced at her. “That makes sense.”
Then Jihyo asked, quieter this time, “Do you… still keep the rocks I gave you?”
Mina turned her head, surprised by the softness in Jihyo’s voice. “Of course I do.”
“Really?”
Mina nodded, her voice equally soft now. “I put them all on a shelf in my room. I made a little space just for them. Each one has a note too, with what you said about it. I… I like looking at them”
Jihyo blinked, warmth blooming behind her ribs. “You do?”
Mina gave her a tiny smile. “They remind me that someone’s out there is thinking of me. It means a lot, you know.”
Jihyo went silent, suddenly full of feelings she didn’t know how to name. “I’m glad. I really am.”
Afterwards they kept asking each other like that for miles—laughing at weird answers, pausing at the deeper ones. By the time they reached the trailhead, the sun was dipping low, painting the sky with soft pinks and oranges.
The hike wasn’t long, just enough to stretch the legs and feel nature wrap around them. Jihyo walked a little ahead, carrying most of the load, and Mina followed, eyes occasionally drifting to her back. Jihyo’s tank top clung to her skin with sweat, muscles working as she adjusted the straps. Mina found herself looking too long.
She blamed the fresh air.
By the time they reached the lake, the sky had turned dusky. Jihyo moved efficiently—pitching the tent, stacking firewood, setting up the sleeping pads inside while Mina arranged the snacks and unzipped the sleeping bags.
“You’re a pro,” Mina said, watching her work.
Jihyo wiped her brow and grinned. “Told you.”
Mina handed her a granola bar. “Thanks for taking me.”
Jihyo looked surprised for a second, then softened. “Thanks for coming.”
They sat side by side by the lake, eating quietly, the moonlight shimmering on the water. It felt peaceful, the kind of stillness Mina didn’t expect from the outdoors.
Later that night, after the fire had burned low and the crickets filled the silence between them, Jihyo grabbed two camping mats and pulled them just outside the tent.
“C’mon,” she said, waving Mina over. “Best part’s about to start.”
Mina followed, sitting cross-legged beside her, pulling her hoodie tighter against the chill. When she tilted her head up, she gasped softly.
The stars were endless. A thick brush of light across the dark sky, freckled with shimmering dust.
“It’s beautiful,” Mina whispered.
Jihyo smiled, lying back with her hands behind her head. “It’s better when you have someone to see it with.”
Mina turned her head slightly to look at her, heart squeezing a little.
They stayed like that for a while, just breathing, just existing under the same stretch of sky. Until Jihyo, voice low, asked, “Hey… what’s your plan after this exchange program?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” she said, gaze still on the sky. “Once this program ends, I’ll go back to Japan. Finish my degree.”
Jihyo’s brows knit slightly, but she nodded.
“There’s this tech company I’ve always wanted to work for. They’re based in Tokyo. It’s… intense. But it’s a dream job, if I can get in.” Mina’s voice was even, but something in it carried a weight.
Jihyo smiled softly. “Of course you’ll get in. You’re smart.”
Mina looked at her. “You think so?”
“I know so.”
Mina blushed lightly and looked away, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. “What about you? What’s next?”
Jihyo picked at the zipper of her jacket absentmindedly. “Next semester I’m starting my final project.”
Mina’s eyebrows raised. “Already? Wow.”
Jihyo chuckled nervously. “Yeah. And honestly, I'm nervous about the kavling I’ll get.”
“Kavling?” Mina asked.
“It’s the land plot assigned to me for my research. I’ll be working there for weeks, collecting samples, making observations, and documenting. You don’t get to choose, and sometimes… Well, you get placed somewhere really remote. Or unstable.”
“That sounds a little scary,” Mina admitted.
“It can be,” Jihyo said quietly. “I’m not scared of the work. But it’s the unknowns.”
She paused, fingers tightening just slightly around the blanket.
“There was someone. One of the seniors. He… didn’t come back.”
Mina turned toward her fully, eyes wide. “What?”
“Flash flood,” Jihyo said, voice low. “Wrong time, wrong place. He got separated from the group. They found him days later.” She drew in a breath. “It’s not like it makes me scared, no. But of course… it reminds me of the risk.”
Mina didn’t say anything, but her hand moved, gentle and unsure, resting over Jihyo’s.
“I love what I do,” Jihyo added. “I mean… I’m sure you can tell.”
Mina turned onto her side to face her fully, eyes soft. She reached out, tentatively, brushing her pinky against Jihyo’s.
“I can tell,” Mina said gently. “You shine when you talk about it. It’s like... the sun follows you around.”
Jihyo chuckled, cheeks warming.
Mina squeezed her pinky. “I’ll pray you get a nice kavling. Somewhere safe but still exciting. And when you come back from there…” Mina’s voice softened into something almost secret, “we’ll celebrate. Properly.”
Jihyo turned toward her too now, propping her head up on her hand. Their faces were close, shadows flickering across their expressions.
A few heartbeats passed. Then Mina, almost teasing but impossibly fond, said, “You’re staring.”
“So are you,” Jihyo murmured back.
Mina grinned. "Guilty."
For a moment, they just hovered there breathing the same air, feeling the tension melt into something warmer, sweeter.
Jihyo leaned in first, slow and careful, like she was giving Mina a chance to pull away. Mina met her halfway, smiling against her lips in the softest kiss.
When they finally pulled back, noses still touching, Mina whispered, “We should stargaze more often.”
Jihyo smiled, eyes shining. “Yeah. We really should.”
Jihyo laid back down, staring up at the stars again, feeling like her chest was too full for her body.
Mina scooted closer, shoulder bumping into Jihyo’s.
Neither of them said anything else for a long time.
They didn’t have to.
The stars said enough.