Invisible String || PURINZ

17 • tight schedule

She had never been this absent before, not in all their years of being a group– and not during her time in IZ*ONE either, from what she'd gathered from Sakura. Ever since their time at the beach, just before their busy schedule got even busier, things seemed to shift. Even the others have noticed.

But deep down, Yunjin didn't want to admit that.

She didn't want things to change because she loved this job and she loved Kim Chaewon.

Having to choose one or the other would ruin her.

Yunjin let her lungs fill with air until they couldn't hold any more. Surely she was wrong.

—x—

"I think we take a left from here," Eunchae hummed, clinging onto Kazuha's arm as she pointed down a narrow alley.

They had landed in Japan a few hours earlier, and left their baggage at the hotel desk since their room wasn't ready yet. It was somewhere around noon, and they'd been wandering around Yokohama for half an hour now, passing through quiet areas.

Sakura clicked the button of her digital camera, squinting her eyes as if it'd make the little screen bigger.

"Okay, now kiss," She hummed at Yunjin and Chaewon.

The pair looked at each other, and then at the eldest. "Don't you think that's a bit–", Chaewon started, but her words quickly got cut off when Yunjin effortlessly picked her up in her arms.

She looked up at her squealing girlfriend, a large grin plastered onto her face. "A bit what, hm?" She hummed.

"Oh my God, let me go!" Chaewon demanded, becoming a giggling mess as she tried to pry herself from the other girl's strong grasp.

Yunjin let out a dramatic gasp. "Oh my, a dame in distress! I'll save her for the price of a kiss," She hummed, puckering her lips and closing her eyes sweetly.

Her arms were struggling to hold her girlfriend up, but she found some core strength in knowing that the shorter girl would easily give in.

After releasing a long sigh, Chaewon simply couldn't hide her smile anymore. She bent down, wrapping her legs around Yunjin's waist as their lips locked together. She parted her mouth slightly– it went automatically, really– and her girlfriend sighed into her mouth in a way that didn't make Yunjin want to ever stop kissing her.

So they kissed rather scandalously as Yunjin slowly set the short girl back down until she was on her toes, their bodies pressed against each other.

What she failed to realise was that;

They were in public.

Their members were staring at them in disgust.

It was only when she heard a faint tune playing from the radio of a shabby shop further down the street that Yunjin was brought back to earth.

She pulled away, her chest rising up and down faster to make up for the air she had lost. Chaewon looked away in embarrassment, suddenly finding the pavement very interesting.

Yunjin apologetically smiled at Sakura. "Enough material?" She asked, the corners of her mouth lifting up.

"And a traumatised child," The eldest shook her head with a sigh.

"What? No, I'm fine. Totally normal to see your unnies making out in the street. All good," Eunchae gave a thumbs up.

Kazuha raised her eyebrows. "Let's just find the venue before we're too late. Manager's going to kill us if we miss half of our rehearsals," She sighed, pulling the youngest along as she traversed down the narrow street.

Sakura snapped a quick picture of the two. "Yup, right behind you," She hummed.

Yunjin's eyes settled from her members on her girlfriend once again. "You've been a little quiet, Chae." She spoke softly, cupping her cheek.

Chaewon's brown eyes met hers, and a small smile appeared on her lips. It was the same smile she was given yesterday while they were backstage. "I know you're obsessed with me, Huh, but you've got to stop worrying," She chuckled.

"Can't stop worrying about my cute girlfriend," Yunjin muttered as she peppered the short girl's forehead with kisses.

"You'd tell me, right? If anything was wrong?"

Chaewon leaned her forehead against Yunjin's chin. "Yeah," She breathed.

The other bit on her lip. "Okay. Let's not keep them waiting like last time," She chuckled softly, placing another kiss on her girlfriend's forehead.

She intertwined their hands, but as she walked two steps further, Chaewon stood as still as a statue.

"I love you," She said.

Yunjin blinked. Something tugged at her heart.

"I love you too, Chae-chae."