Dani cautiously unlocks the front door and steps into the dorm, making sure not to make any noise. She glances around and sees that the common area is empty, which means everyone is probably asleep. Feeling relieved, she tiptoes to the kitchen, trying not to wake anyone. Dani opens the fridge and grabs a water bottle but decides to pour herself a glass instead.
As she drinks her water, she looks at the microwave clock blinking at 12:01. Dani smiles, knowing she made it back on time. Just as she finishes her drink, she notices a piece of paper on the counter by the sink. She walks over to it and reads the note:
Dear Dani-Unnie,
Since you treated us to Dinner, we decided to use your card to see a late movie!😜 Oh, thanks for that, by the way. We won't be home until 1 or 2, but we'll text you! Love you!
Huh Yunjin
Dani couldn't help but laugh at the note. Cheeky kids. Then she texted them quickly to tell them that she was home and went upstairs to change out of her dress and get ready for bed.
Once Dani finished getting ready, she decided to wait for the girls to return home. As soon as she reached the stairs though, she noticed a shadowy figure sitting on the couch. Her heart skipped a beat as she yelled out, "Holy shit!"
The figure turned around.
Dani let out a sigh of relief and said, "Damn it, Kkura-Unnie, you scared me!"
After the initial shock wore off, Dani went down the stairs and headed to the kitchen to grab two glasses of water. She turned to Sakura and asked, "How long have you been up?" but received no response.
Dani blinked but continued talking, "The banquet was so much fun! You should've seen my parents; they danced to Gangnam Style. They were so drunk!" Dani chuckled at the memory and then carried the two glasses of water to the couch, joining Sakura.
Dani's eyes widened in surprise as she entered the room and saw a lot of bottles of alcohol scattered all over the coffee table. The smell of booze filled the air, and she saw Sakura sitting on the far side of the couch with a Soju bottle in her hand. Dani felt a knot form in her stomach as she hesitantly approached Sakura and asked, "Kkura-Unnie, what's going on?"
"Did you have fun at the banquet?" Sakura spat, pointing accusingly at Dani. "With Miyeon?"
Dani avoided Sakura's gaze, feeling ashamed and guilty. She knew she had hurt Sakura and didn't know how to make things right. She started to speak, but Sakura cut her off, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"You know, I've tried everything," Sakura said, her voice strained. "Everything to get rid of this pain in here." She placed a trembling hand over her heart. "But I can't. It's like a hell I can't get out of. You are everywhere. In my head, in my heart, in my dreams."
Dani felt her own eyes fill with tears at Sakura's words.
"When you kissed me that day, I was the happiest person in the world. I could do anything. B-but when you told me you didn't like me, I felt like my world was crashing down." Sakura couldn't help but laugh. "You know what the worst part is? I still love you, and I hate that!" Then she took another sip of Saki.
Dani moved closer to her and said, "Kkura-Unnie, I didn't mean to hurt you. There's a lot of things I still need to work out." She looked at her with a sad expression on her face.
Sakura's eyes narrowed as she asked, "You mean with Miyeon?" Her voice was angry, and she looked ready to lash out.
"No, not with Miyeon," Dani quickly replied. "I mean with you." She looked at Sakura with sincerity in her eyes.
Sakura was taken aback. "What the hell are you talking about?" she asked, still angry. "You broke me, Dani. More than anyone has in my entire life. You did that!"
The room fell silent as both girls looked at each other. Sakura's anger slowly turned to sadness as she thought about all the pain she had been through because of Dani. "I-I-I gotta go to bed," Sakura stuttered as she tried to stand up but stumbled and sat down with a thud.
Concerned, Dani held onto Sakura's shoulders to steady her, but Sakura's frustration grew.
"No!" Sakura yelled, her voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" she said, yanking Dani's hand away.
Dani took a step back, surprised by Sakura's sudden outburst. Unsure of what to do, she watched as Sakura struggled to stand up again, her movements becoming more unsteady with each attempt. Dani heard Sakura's frustrated voice across the room, and she quickly approached her. "Damn it!" Sakura exclaimed as she stumbled over her own feet.
To Sakura's surprise, Dani scooped her up without hesitation in a bridal carry. "What the hell are you doing?" Sakura protested, her words slightly slurred.
"I'm taking you to bed," Dani said as she held Sakura close as they made their way to her bedroom. "You're too stubborn when you're drunk," Dani muttered, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
...
Sakura threw a tantrum as soon as they reached her bedroom. "Will you just hold still?" Dani pleaded with frustration. "I'm only trying to help you!" she added, hoping to calm the girl down.
"I don't want your help!" Sakura snapped back, her voice shaking with anger. She wriggled out of Dani's grip and fell onto the bed, pulling Dani down.
As they lay there in silence, Dani couldn't help but notice the flush on Sakura's cheeks and the fullness of her lips. She was momentarily lost in thought, admiring the girl's beauty. But then she shook herself out of it, reminding herself that now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
"Are you okay?" Sakura asks quietly as she lifts her arm and caresses Dani's head.
Dani bit her lip. "Kkura-Unnie, I'm so tired of fighting," Dani mumbled as she leaned into Sakura's shoulders.
Sakura looked at her, confused. "What do you mean, Dani? Are you fighting something?"
Dani shook her head as she got out of Sakura's embrace. She looks into Sakura's eyes. Those eyes she would do anything for. Even if she quits the group, "Just for tonight, I don't want to pretend anymore." She said as she leaned closer to Sakura and kissed her deeply on the lips.
As their lips met, Dani felt a rush of familiarity wash over her. The kiss was soft and gentle at first, but soon it became more passionate and intense. She couldn't help but wrap her arms around Sakura, pulling her closer. Their mouths moved together in perfect harmony, and their bodies pressed tightly against each other.
After a few moments, Sakura broke the kiss, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. Dani could see the confusion in her eyes, mixed emotions swirling inside her.
Dani stood up from the bed, feeling embarrassed and flustered. "I...um...I should clean up before the girls get home," she said quickly, trying to avoid awkwardness. However, before she could take a step, Sakura grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.
"Please don't go," Sakura pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dani hesitated, unsure of what to do. She looked into Sakura's pleading eyes and felt her heart skip a beat. "Okay," she said softly, her voice barely audible. With a deep breath, she got back into bed with Sakura.
The room was silent, and time seemed to stand still momentarily. Was silence a good thing? When two people who really like each other just kiss, is it good for there to be silence? Sakura couldn't help but wonder.
"So..." Sakura said, breaking the silence. "That happened." She added, feeling the need to fill the void.
"Yep..." Dani said awkwardly, unsure of what to say next.
"Should we..." Sakura began, but she couldn't finish her sentence. She was too nervous and didn't want to come off as pushy.
"Continue?" Dani asks, slightly nervous.
Sakura nodded her head as she hid her face with a pillow. She was feeling a mix of emotions - excitement, nervousness, and a tinge of regret for not being more forward earlier.
"I...Um..." Dani began. "I mean, if you want to...." She trails off and looks at Sakura, hoping for a positive response. "...we can."
Sakura's voice barely rose above a whisper as she spoke, "Okay..." The next thing she knew, Dani was on top of her, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Sakura's heart raced with excitement and a hint of nervousness as she wrapped her arms around Dani's neck.
As Dani pulled away, her eyes widened with uncertainty, "Was that too much?" she asked, her voice betraying her anxiety, "Did you want to start now?"
Sakura couldn't help but laugh at Dani's sudden worry, "Don't you think we're putting too much pressure on ourselves?" she asked softly, her fingers gently tracing circles on Dani's back.
Dani let out a long sigh of relief, her heart still racing from the kiss. "Yeah, kind of..." she said softly. Without another word, she got off of Sakura and lay beside her on the bed, staring at the ceiling as she tried to make sense of her feelings.
"No one tells you what to do after you kiss someone," Dani mumbled. She had never felt this way before, and it was both thrilling and scary at the same time.
Suddenly, Sakura rolled over and wrapped her arms around Dani, pulling her close in a warm embrace. "I love that you're an awkward, cute, nerdy giant," she said, her voice soft and affectionate.
Dani's eyes widened at the unexpected compliment, and she blushed deeply. "Kkura-Unnie," she protested weakly.
Then, to her surprise, Sakura's soft snores filled the air, and Dani couldn't help but laugh softly to herself. "She snores?" she asked herself.
Dani got out of bed and gently covered Sakura with a soft blanket, tucking it around her body. She stood there momentarily, admiring Sakura's peaceful face and how her chest rose and fell with each breath. Then, she leaned in and kissed Sakura's forehead tenderly before tiptoeing out of the room.
...
As Dani entered the living room, she noticed some beer cans and dirty dishes scattered all across the room. She tidied up the space, carefully putting everything back in place.
After she was finished, Dani walked up the stairs slowly, as if each step was heavier than the last. When she reached her room, she closed the door quietly behind her and lay on her bed. She stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought, for hours.
The only sound in the room was the gentle hum of the air conditioning. Eventually, morning's soft light began to seep through the window, and Dani realized she had been awake all night.
Dani slowly got out of bed, trying not to wake the other members. She tiptoed out the room and checked on everyone before quietly leaving.
Dani went to the kitchen and started rummaging through the fridge and cupboards, collecting ingredients to make Haejang-guk. As the soup was simmering on the stove, Dani grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote a letter for Sakura.
Once the soup was ready, Dani turned off the stove and poured it into a thermos, making sure it stayed warm for Sakura. She put the note with the aspirin on top of the thermos, grabbed her keys, and left the dorm.
...
Dani walked towards the secretary's desk, beaming with a bright smile. "Good morning! Is the producer in right now?" she asked politely. "I need to see him," she added with a slight sense of urgency.
The secretary looked up at her from her computer screen and replied, "He may be on a phone call at the moment. But I can tell him that you're here if you'd like?" she offered helpfully.
"No, thanks. I can manage," Dani said as she strode past the secretary's desk and pushed Bang Gui Nam's office door open. "I need to talk to you," she exclaimed as soon as she entered.
Gui Nam looked up from his work in surprise and saw Dani standing there. "Hold on a second," he said to the person on the other end of the phone, then hung up. "We don't have a scheduled meeting today, Dani. What do you want?" he asked.
Taking a deep breath, Dani looked Gui Nam straight in the eye and said, "I quit. You win. I'll leave by the end of the year," she said, trembling slightly. Without waiting for a response, Dani spun around and left the room, leaving a shocked Gui Nam calling after her.
...
Sakura opened her eyes, feeling dizzy and disoriented. She let out a soft groan and put her hand on her forehead, trying to alleviate the pain that was throbbing in her head. "Ugh... I am never drinking again," she muttered to herself, feeling regret for the wild night she had before. She looked around the room and noticed that she was no longer in the clothes she had worn the night before. "Did someone change my clothes?" she wondered aloud.
Shaking her head, Sakura got out of bed and walked towards the mirror, hoping to get a clearer view of herself. She looked at her reflection and noticed her hair was a mess and her eyes were puffy. "Today's going to be a long day." She said.
Then, Sakura went to the living room, where she found Chaewon and Yunjin in the kitchen. "Hey, how was dinner?" she asked, trying to make small talk despite the pounding headache that made it hard for her to think.
"Someone partied hard last night," Yunjin teased, grinning at Sakura's disheveled appearance.Sakura winced at Yunjin's voice, which only worsened her headache. "My head hurts so bad," she said, rubbing her temples.
"Here, Unnie," Chaewon said, offering her a thermos and a note. "Dani-Unnie made you Haejang-guk to help with the hangover."
Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "Dani was here?" she asked, feeling confused and grateful.
"I don't know, but she left you a note," Chaewon replied, handing Sakura the note. The note said:
Hey Kkura-Unnie, I know you probably have many questions about last night, and I can answer them after I meet with the producer. I made you some Haejang-guk and some aspirin for your headache.
I'll see you soon,
Dani.
Sakura's eyes widen. Did Dani see her drunk last night? What did she say? Did she do anything stupid? The only reason she got drunk was because she was jealous. Oh, Jihyo, now she's panicking. The next thing Sakura knew, Dani was walking through the door.
Dani walked through the door and greeted everyone with a cheerful "Hey guys!" As she looked around, her eyes met Sakura's.
"Hey," Sakura replied, her heart racing for no apparent reason. Sakura couldn't put her nose on it, but there was something different about Dani today.
"How are you feeling?" Dani asked, sensing that something was off.
"Confused more than anything," Sakura admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Dani's voice was filled with apprehension as she spoke, "Do you wanna go up to the roof so we can talk?"
Sakura let out a deep breath that she had been holding in and replied, "Yes, please."
The two of them then went up to the roof.
...
"So, um..." Dani began.
Sakura interrupted her, "Were you with me last night?" she asked with a look of confusion.
Dani's eyes widened with surprise, and she replied, "You mean you don't remember?"
Sakura's expression turned shocked, and she asked, "You were there?"
Dani nodded, "Yeah, I was," she said calmly.
Sakura seemed embarrassed, "Did I do anything stupid last night?" she asked. "I mean, I haven't drunk that much in a long time, so if I said or did anything to you, I probably didn't mean it," Sakura said quickly, looking apologetic.
Dani's eyes were fixed on a small spot on the ground, her lip trembling as she tried to hold back the tears. Sakura waited in silence, unsure of what to say. Finally, Dani let out a deep sigh and looked up, meeting Sakura's gaze with an intense stare. "No, Kkura-Unnie," she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You didn't do anything stupid last night."
And with that, Dani turned and walked away, leaving Sakura standing there, her mind racing with questions and confusion.
________________________________________________________________________________
THE END
OOF we're done! How's everyone doing after that one? Our poor Dani can't get a break! I wanted this chapter to be out on Valentines day but oh well it's still the week of Valentines Day.
This is officially my favorite chapter I have ever done! The awkwardness between these two girls have a chokehold on me. Makes me wonder what's going to happen next? 🧐
Thank you @Satzu_adopted_child for giving me the idea for this chapter!
I love you all and I'll see you seen!
BYE-BYE!